Chapter 161: A Record Shattered

23…

He suddenly looked up.

While reviewing Yenir’s data, Fang Hao took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his inner shock.

At the same time, the entire hall erupted into a flurry of discussion.

“23 floors! Isn’t that the highest record ever!?”

“One minute per floor! At that pace, isn’t he claiming the world’s top spot!?”

“Absolutely! Such a performance should only exist in theory! If he’s not number one, then who is!?”

Exclamations and excitement filled the room.

As Third-Stage Mutants, they knew the true value of this achievement. Honestly, Yenir’s showing in the Strength Trial alone could shatter years of records in the Huaxia Battle Zone – or even redefine the limits of humanity!

Unlike the others buzzing with excitement, a few high-ranking offspring involved in the Fire Seed Plan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Looking at several progeny yet to participate in the next trials, they had already lost all hope.

What’s there to fight for…

Now that Yenir, a Willpower Type, had clinched first place in the Strength Trial, the top-priority spot was a foregone conclusion.

If anyone dared say another word, the entire establishment would erupt in fury! Countless high-ranking officials would be ready to eliminate them, just to curry favor with Yenir.

Once Yenir emerged, there would be no debate or opposition.

Without a doubt, they would all fade into the background.

Even if Yenir performed miserably in the upcoming Awakener Trial, top brass like Fang Hao wouldn’t bat an eye.

At worst, he’d simply be groomed as a Strength Type – essentially a reserve for the next Third-Stage peak!

Just thinking of how they scrambled with every trick and paid such a high price made several of them almost regret everything.

Had they known it would come to this, they might as well have done nothing!

Clutching the documents, Fang Hao—the highest-ranking in the hall—could no longer help but ask Yang Guoping for confirmation:

“Wasn’t the previous global record also 23 floors?”

“Did Yenir surpass him? Is he truly number one!?”

“Absolutely!”

Without hesitation.

With all eyes fixed on him, Yang Guoping blurted out, his face alight with enthusiasm:

“Once the trial ends, the system will announce it immediately!”

“I’ve checked the leaderboard several times! The previous top dog in the North American Battle Zone took 7 minutes 19 seconds to break through 23 floors!”

“At Yenir’s current pace, he’s already far ahead!”

Following Yang Guoping’s confirmation, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Whether they knew Yenir personally or not didn’t matter; his performance was a matter of national pride.

After all, it was just a leaderboard – but it represented the potential of every battle zone.

In the years following the apocalypse, strength became the only currency. Even in these dire times, international rivalry remained fierce. If not for the oceans becoming forbidden zones, China and other nations would have long been at war on a massive scale!

Honor must be defended – it’s a symbol of national morale!

Who is weak and who is strong – the leaderboard even touched on issues of racial superiority!

As Third-Stage Mutants, they clearly remembered the disappointment and helplessness they felt when they first saw the leaderboard.

A vast China, boasting the world’s largest survivor count, yet it still ranked lower than a tiny nation. How could they not feel crushed by it?

For a long time, they even felt a hint of sorrow, silently agreeing never to discuss it again.

The inception of the Fire Seed Plan symbolized the Huaxia Battle Zone’s desperate desire to nurture top-tier geniuses.

“37 years…”

“If I recall correctly, the top Strength Type – Buckwade from the North American Battle Zone – had dominated the record for 37 years…”

“During that period, countless Awakeners tried to break that record, only to fail…”

Their eyes filled with wistfulness.

Fang Hao, one of the Military’s strongest Strength Types, sighed as a twinge of regret welled up inside him.

He had once been a sensational prodigy, and amid high expectations, he too had aimed for global number one, using it as his driving goal.

But things didn’t turn out as hoped; despite his best efforts, he barely managed to secure ninth place.

For a long time, that setback nearly became a personal demon, leaving him utterly disheartened.

Things have changed now, and that honor no longer held the same weight for him. Yet wasn’t it the obsession of him – and all Chinese Awakeners alike?

Now, everything was different.

Yenir had fulfilled their long-held dream, finally settling a personal grievance.

Though they had never met face-to-face, he had naturally developed a fondness for Yenir.

“Excellent… truly excellent…”

Fang Hao, a vice chairman who rarely offered praise, muttered to himself and glanced at the swirling vortex with a complex expression.

Moments later, his expression turned serious as he spoke in a deep tone:

“I’ve already reported the news to them. Everyone, get ready – the next group should be arriving soon.”

“Yenir’s performance deserves superior handling from us.”

As his words faded, a chill ran through the hall – many gasped audibly.

This was escalating quickly…

The only people that Fang Hao, the Military Department’s vice chairman, would lump in with the elite were the ZY Chairman and a handful of commanders – who else could match them?

If all went as expected, once Yenir appeared, the room would be filled with the pinnacle of power from across China.

As if struck by a thought, after Fang Hao announced this, the Political Department Director standing beside him suddenly spoke:

“It’s been almost a minute, hasn’t it?”

“Why hasn’t Yenir come out yet? He isn’t seriously planning to ascend another floor, is he!?”

“Once the next floor opens, he won’t be able to withdraw!”

As if jolted awake, numerous high-ranking officials suddenly grew tense.

“Yang Guoping! Hurry, find a way to alert Yenir and have him come out now!”

“No need – he doesn’t need to continue now!”

Feeling a pang, Fang Hao rushed over to Yang Guoping, speaking rapidly:

“Can you relay a message?!”

“We discussed that at 24 floors, it’s likely they’ll face Third-Stage Mutants! The difficulty will surge dramatically – it’s absolutely impassable for humans!”

His tone was urgent.

At that moment, Fang Hao abandoned all pretense of authority, eager to rush in and pull Yenir out immediately!

He was a bit scared – afraid that, like most prodigies, Yenir’s stubbornness would drive him to test his limits by starting the next round. If something went wrong, it would break their hearts!

Meanwhile, the most experienced elder, Zhang Long, paled, as memories of the grim fates of those who had pushed beyond 20 floors flashed through his mind.

“Quick! Rush over a few Third-Stage operatives with healing abilities from the Military Department! Get them here as fast as you can!”

“No, send an entire medical brigade!”