Chapter 165: Trial of Unyielding Spirit

I can’t see any sign of performance…

I wish we could know what’s happening inside…

Just like the tense atmosphere within the trial, countless Third-Stagers waiting outside whispered among themselves, patiently biding their time.

The crowd was only growing.

Following orders from numerous high-ranking officials, nearly every available Third-Stager from the Capital Zone had converged here, all eager to witness Yenir—the undisputed global champion—in person. When word spread that the trial was still underway, curiosity reached fever pitch.

“Don’t worry, Old Zhang…”

“The Agility Trial is quick—three to five minutes tops for a result.”

“We’ve done all we can. Trust that if Yenir really can’t hold on, he’ll pull out on his own.”

Standing beside Zhang Long, even Military Vice-Chairman Fang Hao spoke in a low, respectful tone of reassurance. He knew that the old man placed great importance on nurturing emerging Awakeners, and he was a man of impeccable integrity.

“Yeah, I know…”

“I’m just worried that kid is too fiercely competitive…”

Zhang Long sighed quietly. Yenir’s brilliance brought to mind the legendary Four Commanders and that enigmatic figure from the past—prodigies who, for all their genius, were unbearably headstrong.

Although he’d only met Yenir once, his keen eyes detected the fierce determination smoldering beneath the calm facade.

It was like a long-forged sword, ever ready to be unsheathed.

A moment of earth-shattering impact!

Such raw brilliance even made him pause in astonishment.

He couldn’t fathom what a poor-born kid had endured to develop such a relentless drive.

That edge—sharp enough to pierce the heavens—could only be honed through countless brushes with death.

That was why Yenir made such a deep impression from the very first glance.

“A sword that bends too easily…”

“He needs to rein it in. Only by holding back his edge can he go further…”

“That kid always seems in such a hurry—never willing to stop for even a moment.”

It was the second time he felt that way.

Having seen too many prodigies, Zhang Long couldn’t help but feel a hint of worry. Ambition and fierce determination are promising, but a single setback could shatter one’s resolve. He had seen talented individuals crumble after a failure.

For example, not far off was the disoriented Zhang Yang.

The Commander’s son clenched his fists tightly as he stared intently at the trial vortex. Even though his trial was over, his eyes remained fixed solely on the yet-to-appear Yenir.

Clearly, he still refused to accept the truth.

Zhang Long’s insight made it evident that the young man’s spirit had already been slightly warped by disappointment.

“Are you worried that Yenir might underperform in the Agility Trial and that his pride will take a blow?”

His tone held an odd mix of curiosity and concern.

Fang Hao immediately grasped what Old Zhang was implying and couldn’t help but feel a touch of exasperation.

“That’s unlikely…”

“The kid is a Willpower Type. The way he performed in the Strength Trial was nothing short of genius!”

“If he tops that in the Agility Trial, it would be simply unbelievable…”

“I doubt he’ll be too affected by it…”

Fang Hao mused to himself that, given his history of crushing his peers, Yenir wouldn’t be fazed.

Back then, out of curiosity, he even tried his hand at the subsequent Physique Trial, though his results were mediocre—and he never made a fuss of it.

Everyone’s talent has its limits; excelling in one field is enough!

Where in this world is there a prodigy perfect in every aspect? If someone were all-powerful, what would be the point of the rest of us?

If Yenir were to falter in the Agility Trial and be deeply disheartened by his performance, perhaps it would be time for him to have his character tempered!

“Don’t worry. If that happens, I’ll counsel him.”

“Humans have limits. It’s only natural if he doesn’t perform perfectly.”

“I’ll share my own experiences with him—back in the day, I aspired to dominate every discipline. Even though I fell short, it hasn’t stopped me from reaching where I am. The road after the Third-Stage is still long.”

Fang Hao smiled wryly as he offered his reassurance. Since Old Zhang had voiced his concerns, he felt it was only right to express his own.

Those nearby could only feel a pang of envy at his genuine care—after all, a top Third-Stager acting as a mentor was a luxury few ever experienced.

Indeed, potential is everything. As long as you’re outstanding, the higher-ups will orbit around you.

Even as they waited, more Third-Stagers and high-ranking officials streamed into the hall.

Everyone kept their conversations low, discussing in hushed tones while eagerly awaiting the end of the trial.

At the fringes, many Third-Stagers changed their previous stance and deliberately edged closer to the middle-aged man who had arrived with Huang Lingyu.

“Soon, it should be that seed you brought out.”

“I believe his performance will be impressive and will attract plenty of attention from the top brass.”

Although the Third-Stagers of the Capital Zone generally kept their distance from members of the Private Faction, they were keenly aware that the seed brought by the high-ranking Third-Stager would soon draw significant focus.

They didn’t have the standing to pull Yenir close, but forming closer ties with Huang Lingyu’s faction was a valuable investment.

Everyone could see it: this was a race for the Second Tier.

There was no doubt Yenir belonged in the First Tier, but the Second Tier still held a great deal of uncertainty.

“Taking your kind words to heart—I also hope Lingyu’s kid performs a bit better.”

The middle-aged man responded meekly, his tone peppered with deference. Though he was a seasoned Third-Stager, every Third-Stager present hailed from the Capital Zone—none dared cross powerful figures behind them.

Still, despite the reassurances, a swell of anxiety lingered in his heart.

Elsewhere, Zhang Meng looked on with a downcast expression as he watched his son.

Since Yenir broke through the twenty-third layer, the once-proud Zhang Yang had maintained a state of disarray, as if he couldn’t quite accept the reality.

Watching this, Zhang Meng felt both heartache and discomfort.

He’d never imagined Yenir’s performance could be so extraordinary as to shatter Zhang Yang’s confidence completely!

If things continued like this, it just wouldn’t do!

There was nothing he could do except ‘pray’ that Yenir would falter miserably in the Agility Trial—perform so poorly that he might not even pass! Only then could he console Zhang Yang and help him regain his spirit.

If Yenir had even performed a bit better…

No—there was simply no chance for that!

“Dad, do you think he’s going to lose? Will he lose?!”

Fixedly staring at the vortex, the once-arrogant Zhang Yang had nothing but Yenir on his mind. Ignoring the strange looks around him, he couldn’t help but ask his father, “If Yenir doesn’t do well this time, I can at least tell myself it was just the Strength Trial!”

That kid isn’t unbeatable at everything! There are always those who can outshine him! After the Physique Trial, I might still have a chance to prove myself!

Listening to Zhang Yang’s almost desperate query, Zhang Meng gripped his son’s arm tightly and nodded gently.

“He will!”

Just as Zhang Meng was about to add more comforting words, the pulsating trial vortex suddenly came to an abrupt stop.

Clutching the information panel with unwavering eyes, Yang Guoping instantly heard a barrage of urgent questions.

“That was fast?!”

“Is it over?!”

“Has someone already passed?!”

“It feels like barely a minute has passed, but look at the leaderboard—this time is nearly as quick as in the previous era?!”

“Has someone broken the record again?”

Everyone reacted quickly. In the past, they wouldn’t have given records so much thought, but now a single thought echoed in everyone’s mind: had another prodigy shattered records this fast?

With tension etched on every face, a sudden, urgent query cut through the air.

“Chen Lao! Is that Huang Lingyu? Is it really her?!”

Nearly bursting with excitement, a high-ranking official from Xingyao couldn’t help blurting out. In this trial, aside from the little girl with unparalleled talent, who else could achieve such a result?!

However, perhaps because Yang Guoping had been stunned for too long, the hot-tempered Fang Hao rushed over, snatched the information panel, and began scrutinizing it.

In the next moment, the top Third-Stager looked equally dumbfounded at the panel—much like Yang Guoping, even slightly overwhelmed.

“Unbelievable…”

“This is insane!!”

On the freshly updated panel, Yenir’s name shone boldly.

“1 minute 09 seconds, tied for first.”

“System evaluation in progress…”