Chapter 159: A Breakthrough in the Trial Tower

“20 floors!? Isn’t that already in the top ten!?”

“How did he manage that? Could it be that today, a genius destined for the top ten has emerged in the Huaxia Battle Zone!?”

Everyone’s faces were alive with excitement, especially the high-ranking officials who had taken time to come – they felt their wait was well worth it!

Although performance in the trial doesn’t always predict future Third-Stage achievements, based on experience, anyone breaking into the top ten—or even the top twenty—would later at least reach high Third-Stage level or be primed for the Third-Stage peak.

Yenir’s inherent talent was extraordinary. With that plus his other advantages, everyone could almost foresee his future status and accomplishments.

Even if he never fully recovered from this point and ended up doing poorly, he was guaranteed to reach high Third-Stage!

For the entire Huaxia Battle Zone, a high Third-Stage level in local ranks was tantamount to being a top-tier regional official.

Many sharp-minded individuals were already readying themselves, planning how to get on Yenir’s good side once he emerged.

Some even hurried to message the high-ups they knew, eager to alert them so they could come over immediately!

Today, they might witness a miracle!

Every face was taut with tension, and Yenir’s breakthrough to the 20th floor only fueled their high expectations.

The 20th floor was a turning point. Could he possibly go even higher!?

If he reached another floor, the entire Capital Zone would be set abuzz!

Among the high ranks, Zhang Long in the maintenance area shed his usual calm demeanor. The old man’s expression turned grave as he commanded his subordinate:

“Go, notify a few committee members and the Military Department’s vice chairman.”

“Tell them to come over immediately.”

“A genius like this is bound to pique all their interests.”

The subordinate froze for a moment, his heart skipping a beat at the orders.

Is this really turning into such a big deal…

But it was only natural.

If Yenir pushed even further, he would be on par with those top-tier figures. His potential merited a personal visit and early recognition from the highest echelons.

Almost immediately, several Third-Stage officials rushed out of the Giant Tower to make the notifications.

Though Zhang Long’s voice was low, everyone present, all powerful Awakeners, silently caught the news with envious hearts. The treatment for a genius was unparalleled—many Third-Stage fighters, even those at his level, rarely got to meet such top figures.

It seemed Yenir was about to soar to the heavens…

………..

Inside the Trial Tower.

Yenir kept dodging behind a two-headed mutant, barely staying in its blind spot.

“I’m really running out of steam…”

Watching his constantly shifting attributes, he sighed inwardly.

He had held back his SSS-Level Sword Technique. Given his strength, if he maxed out by exhausting the advanced Second-Stage opponent here, that would be his limit.

After all, he truly lacked a natural talent bonus.

Had it not been for his almost superhuman combat skills – he had even slain such mutants in his previous life knowing their weaknesses – he might not have lasted this long.

Each strike felt like he was dancing on a razor’s edge.

When the mutant attacked, he precisely struck its joints with his sword, disrupting its rhythm.

Even so, his stamina was depleting rapidly.

Luckily, his Will Conversion continuously shifted his attributes into the other three main areas, almost cheating by forcing his stats past the 29-point limit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to manage it.

Honed by life-or-death battles, his frightening instinct made him feel like a tightrope dancer with a sword flashing in his hands, scattering splatters of gruesome blood.

“If I make it past floor 20, I have to keep two trump cards in reserve!”

Suppressing the urge to decimate the monster with a single sword technique, Yenir kept his nerves taut as he matched the creature’s berserk attacks.

There were still trials of physique and agility ahead. Without his sword technique, he wouldn’t be confident of a top score.

Achieving a perfect run in all trial categories obviously came at a price.

Amid the intense duel, Yenir seized a fleeting opportunity. Without hesitation, he unleashed all his strength, slashing at the mutant’s head with both swords.

“Break you!”

A roar accompanied by a sudden surge in his strength—power beyond Second-Stage—enabled him to strike decisively.

“Swoosh!”

His sword blade slashed through a nearly unassailable gap in the monster’s spine. Exhausting his final reserves, Yenir twisted aside and charged out from behind the mutant like a sharp blade.

Blood spurted everywhere.

As two torrents of murky blood erupted into the sky, the slain two-headed mutant finally collapsed after a brief pause.

“Floor 20 passed.”

“The next trial will begin in one minute. Please prepare.”

Breathing heavily,

Yenir’s hands gripped his dual swords, trembling slightly.

Looking back at his fallen body, he managed a bitter smile and rose slowly. There was no need to regenerate his stamina now.

The upcoming fights would be simpler.

One sword technique after another.

If he reached floor 24, it would be over.

“I wonder how many are still in the trial… apart from those two elites, everyone else should have already dropped out…”

“I should be first now, right?”

Yenir muttered uncertainly under his breath.

In his mind, Zhang Yang—who was a Strength-Type SSS fighter—might also break through to floor 20. But the top spot would surely be his, and he wasn’t worried about that.

Deep in thought about the upcoming battle, he didn’t notice the tumult raging outside the Trial Tower.

………

“Boom!!”

“Boom!!”

A series of deafening sonic booms heralded the arrival of four high-ranking Third-Stage elites charging straight into the Giant Tower.

As steady footsteps followed, murmurs arose in the hall. When everyone saw who had arrived, they gasped in unison.

“The central officials are here!”

“No way! Who did I just see? Is that Chairman Fang!?”

“Not just him – the one from the Political Department is here too!”

Amid respectful greetings, a middle-aged man who led the charge, fierce as a tiger, nodded slightly. First offering Zhang Long a smile before turning to Chen Guoping with a deep, measured tone:

“What’s the situation now?”

“I heard someone broke through to floor 20!?”

Chen Guoping, clutching his system tool, felt his heart race as he gripped his information panel tightly. Facing these top figures, even he couldn’t hide his nerves!

Without a moment’s hesitation, he hurriedly replied:

“Floor 21!”

“It’s now Floor 21!!”

Barely had he spoken when his panel suddenly vibrated – new data was incoming.

Glancing at it instinctively, Yang Guoping’s mouth fell open in disbelief. For a moment, he was utterly stunned.

Noticing the anomaly, Vice Chairman Fang Hao’s pupils contracted sharply as if a realization had struck him.

“Another breakthrough!?”

In the next second, Yang Guoping nodded in astonishment, feeling as though he were witnessing a ghost.

“Floor 22… Floor 22 now!!!”

His voice trembled.

Had his system tool not been genuine, he’d have thought it was malfunctioning! Just a minute ago, it was Floor 21! How is it accelerating like this!?

When Yang Guoping announced the update again, the atmosphere in the hall turned icy.

At the forefront, top Third-Stage Awakeners led by Fang Hao suddenly lost their composure. An overwhelming aura burst forth, making it hard for everyone to breathe.

“Floor 22…!?”

“He’s pushed to Floor 22!?”

Everyone gasped. Even someone of his standing and strength was momentarily stunned into silence.

After Yang Guoping’s confirmation, the hall fell into an eerie, profound silence.