Chapter 154: Trial of Fate

“Yenir!?”

Amid the murmuring crowd, a middle-aged soldier in uniform was the first to exclaim in shock, trying to call him back. The others stared in disbelief, wondering what Yenir was planning.

Yenir cast a sidelong glance and nodded to the soldier behind him, signaling that he need not worry.

The man calling out was none other than Chen Kailai’s friend – the only high-ranking officer in the Capital Military District considered one of their own.

Seeing Yenir’s stubborn stride, Zhao Long grew impatient, desperate to pull him back. What did an Awakener have to do running off to a Strength Trial? In his eyes, Yenir hadn’t even grasped the basic rules!

Before the dark vortex, Yang Guoping furrowed his brow even deeper. He had always had high hopes for the young man before him, but Yenir’s sudden stunt completely undercut his previously steady image.

“Yenir, this is the Strength Trial! Your trial comes next!”

“If you’re in such a hurry, I can start the next one for you.”

In a deep tone, Yang Guoping urged him on. After some thought, he assumed Yenir was simply eager to be the first to reach Third-Stage. Youthful impulsiveness made that achievement seem crucial – an idea he could understand.

But what was the point?

Everyone was taking the trial; competing for first place no longer mattered. It was the ranking in the trial tower that truly counted.

Without any more ado and facing Yang Guoping’s astonished gaze, Yenir spoke firmly:

“Is there any rule that forbids me from joining?”

“If not, then let’s continue.”

Like a drawn sword ready to strike, his words rang out as he fixed his gaze on Yang Guoping, his eyes brimming with determination.

He had made up his mind long before arriving: conquer all four trials! Not just for the rewards, but to shut everyone up once and for all!

Besides, Yenir was curious—after his rebirth, just how far could he go?

Armed with the transformative power of the Ling An Ring and top-notch combat skills, his confidence in the trial was unshakable.

Yet as soon as his decisive words fell, even the high-ranking officials backing him and the numerous Third-Stage candidates wore strange expressions. Even Zhang Long, who had once encouraged Yenir, couldn’t hide his disappointment.

What was the point?

He and several top officers believed in Yenir not for any other reason than his Awakener status! Traditionally, Awakeners seldom reached Third-Stage, but Yenir was different. They were all curious what surprise this uniquely gifted young man might unveil.

But now, Yenir’s actions only laid his own weaknesses bare compared to others’ strengths.

Yes, Zhang Long was confident Yenir would pass the Strength Trial—after all, he had maxed out his attributes. It was just a matter of ranking.

Yet this approach would only leave him in a lower position!

In the trial, competitors could only rely on a single attribute. For an Awakener, naturally weaker than the Strength Type, a poor performance would only turn him into a mere backdrop for others.

Sticking to the Awakener trial wouldn’t hurt his reputation either.

Still… he was too young!

Amidst the varied reactions, Zhang Meng, who had been watching Yenir closely, smiled with mild surprise.

“Interesting… quite clever.”

A few Third-Stage candidates nearby blinked in confusion, not understanding Zhang Meng’s sudden praise.

Zhang Meng chuckled softly and spoke in a low tone:

“You might be underestimating him. If I’m not mistaken, he’s planning to secure his Third-Stage promotion.”

“This kid might end up with a low rank in the Strength Trial—nothing more than a prop for others—but at least he’ll reliably clinch Third-Stage!”

“The Strength Trial is straightforward. With his attributes, he’ll pass without a hitch.”

“But the Awakener Trial is an entirely different beast…”

Zhang Meng’s eyes sparkled as he added, climbing from an ordinary person to his current position after the apocalypse was a testament to his complex ambitions – far deeper than most could fathom.

“No one has ever passed the Awakener Trial… It’s said that its challenges test far more than just raw combat ability.”

“This kid is probably worried that failing would turn him into a joke.”

After sharing his thoughts briefly, Zhang Meng fell silent, clearly confident in his own judgment.

For Awakeners, failing to reach Third-Stage wasn’t merely due to weaker combat power; the trial’s difficulty was sky-high.

Without any means to boost their Awakener attributes, even their most crucial stat would barely hit twenty points. Already at a disadvantage, they would soon be drained of spirit power, their bodies lacking true combat prowess.

These limitations explain why hardly any Awakener had ever reached Third-Stage after the apocalypse. And if one did, it was only by blending multiple attributes to compensate.

Thus, in his view, Yenir’s approach was, in fact, quite smart.

Upon hearing this, many of the Third-Stage candidates’ eyes lit up with understanding. Once the realization set in, they grasped the significance behind Yenir’s choice.

Indeed.

Although Yenir’s innate talent was extraordinary, granting him a seemingly miraculous leap in combat prowess, he was still, at heart, an Awakener – and naturally limited.

With the onlookers treating the scene like a show, everyone eagerly awaited the upcoming rankings.

………

Zhang Yang, who had planned to join the Strength Trial alongside Yenir, after a brief look of hesitation, turned to him.

“Do you really think that just because your attributes are maxed, you can match me?”

“My talent can push my strength beyond its limits. What do you have to compare with that?”

With unfiltered hostility, Zhang Yang’s heart hardened with a fierce resolve.

Zhang Meng had already told him about Yenir’s talent – equipped with an enhancement skill, his power could rival that of a Third-Stage fighter!

Terrifying, but utterly useless in the trial!

He had been stressing over how to suppress Yenir’s performance, yet never expected his opponent to offer him an opening!

Relying solely on strength and combat technique, he was convinced he was superior to everyone else. He wasn’t a delicate flower in a greenhouse – he was a battle-hardened genius who had fought mutants head-on!

Meanwhile, other Awakener candidates in the Strength Trial felt their pulses quicken with excitement.

They all knew a thing or two about Yenir’s talent. The chance to trample a prodigy underfoot was a thrilling opportunity. Outshining Yenir would earn them favor when the higher-ups reevaluated the rankings. After all, if they performed well, they might even catch the officials’ eye!

Another Strength Type participant, Wang Kai, felt compelled to speak up, just like Zhang Yang.

“Yenir, you…”

Before he could finish, Yenir furrowed his brows, tossed over a final remark, and strode into the vortex without another word.

“Your endless chatter is too much.”

No one could tell.

From start to finish, he had never regarded anyone here as a true opponent.

Whether it was so-called geniuses or Third-Stage elites, none mattered to Yenir!

His only adversary was this impending apocalypse!