Chapter 170: Trial of Hidden Potential

Inside the hall, as Li Xuanguo led his team in, the spacious area instantly felt close-knit.

The Political Department Director stepped forward without wasting any words and immediately replied:

“The Physique Trial started seven minutes ago!”

“Two Awakeners withdrew early. According to their reports, this trial remains a solo event – they didn’t encounter Yenir!”

“So we’re in the dark about the current situation.”

“But this trial will be very short. There are only about three minutes left until the results are announced!”

“Only three minutes?”

Muttering to himself, Li Xuanguo shifted his gaze toward the swirling vortex, a flash of surprise in his eyes. As if struck by a thought, he turned to Fang Hao:

“Weren’t the reports clear that Yenir is of the Willpower Type?”

“How can he participate in so many trials at once? What on earth is happening?”

His tone carried a hint of reproach.

As a top leader, though he was taken aback by Yenir’s performance, Fang Hao and he both instantly sensed that something was amiss.

The report was flawed – either Yenir is keeping secrets, or someone in the Fire Seed Plan is deceiving us from above!

Yenir’s case is exceptionally promising and worthy of personal witness! Yet the latter matter is equally serious, indicating major issues among the higher-ups!

At his words, the ranks of top leaders tensed, with many breaking into cold sweats.

It’s a disaster – two top leaders are already demanding accountability. Now, even innocent individuals are doomed.

The Prime Minister seethed, “Who dares shoulder this responsibility?”

Silence fell like a death grip as Fang Hao stepped out of the crowd and began a low, urgent report:

“Prime Minister, it’s still unclear what exactly happened. I plan to investigate further once things calm down.”

“It might also be due to a flaw in Yenir’s natural talent.”

“At the very least, he’s secured the top spot among the three types! Truly, he’s the most promising seed I’ve ever seen! I’m convinced he’ll hit the Third-Stage pinnacle – it’s almost a foregone conclusion! Even…”

Before he could finish, Li Xuanguo, listening intently to the report, nodded silently. He caught the underlying message and understood Fang Hao’s implication.

“Let’s settle scores later. Investigating the Willpower situation now is too hasty. We should first manage Yenir’s case.”

The Fire Seed Plan is meant to screen geniuses – to nurture the next generation of high-level warriors and prevent a talent gap. On the other hand, perhaps it’s merely an ambitious hope…

That is, the Huaxia Battle Zone aims to produce a Fourth-Stage warrior – a warrior who stands at the pinnacle of humanity!

Currently, conditions in the Huaxia Battle Zone appear stable. After nearly twenty years of the corpse tide and mutants behaving, civilization is being rebuilt to its pre-apocalypse state. Yet the international landscape worsens daily. With monsters no longer the primary threat, infighting among humans has erupted.

Tensions between nations are escalating, and war could break out at any moment.

Thus, every Battle Zone – indeed, the whole world – longs for a Fourth-Stage warrior capable of quelling all conflict.

While some believe that Awakeners are capped at the Third-Stage, it’s a risk worth taking.

“What do you think of Yenir’s performance in the Physique Trial?”

“Can he clinch first place?”

The Prime Minister asked steadily, eager for an answer from Fang Hao.

Yenir had already clinched the top spot among the three types – an astonishing feat, his potential bordering on the unbelievable. But if he also wins the Physique category, the implications are entirely different – one accolade from the three types and another from the overall ranking!

In a sense, a flawless Awakener might be the key to ascending to Fourth-Stage! That’s a qualitative leap – which explains the Prime Minister’s overwhelming presence today!

Hearing Li Xuanguo’s query, Fang Hao detected the underlying desire but remained silent, unwilling to reveal too much:

“Theoretically, he isn’t likely to dominate in the Physique category. You know, prodigies with superior constitutions rarely show any overt differences. Every Awakener with a top-tier physique is instantly recognizable.”

“Take Generals Qin Feng and Zhang Hai – both exude a burly, formidable presence with distinct physical traits.”

Fang Hao forced a wry smile as he handed over a set of reports:

“On the surface, Yenir doesn’t quite meet that standard.”

Li Xuanguo took the data, nodding with a touch of disappointment. The answer was as expected – obvious to anyone.

Yet Yenir had already managed to astonish them. What more could they possibly demand?

Sensing Li Xuanguo’s thoughts, Fang Hao hesitated briefly before sharing his gut feeling, however unlikely it seemed.

“Prime Minister, while it may seem that way, I can’t shake the feeling that this kid might just pull off a miracle…”

……….

On the trial battlefield, Yenir grunted as a mutant slammed into him like a cannonball.

Under the tremendous impact, he felt a sharp sting in his throat, nearly spitting blood.

After arcing through the air, he awkwardly adjusted his landing mid-flight.

Sensing pain in his left hand, he quickly realized it had temporarily lost its combat effectiveness.

“Bang!”

With a resounding blast, Yenir, his face pale, mustered his strength to crawl upward, charging ahead as if defying death.

“Damn, my quick switch in physique saved me – I almost got crushed…”

Muttering curses, Yenir paid no mind to the tougher Third-Stage zone ahead. After converting to agility attributes, he surged forward again.

This strike was calculated – he used the mutant behind him as a springboard, effectively sending it off. Otherwise, navigating the area he just flew over without employing sword techniques would have been impossible.

“My physique still lags too far behind…”

Sighing, Yenir prepared to unleash his sword technique, his eyes locked onto a gigantic mutant looming ahead.

Fortunately, the monsters in each zone don’t cross over to pursue; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare be so bold.

At the moment, the damage he has sustained is minimal – too little to even land him a spot in the top hundred rankings.

To secure first place, he must bet on withstanding a Three-Stage attack! Moreover, he has to trust that the Fallen Heaven skill’s shield is as strong as its description claims!

“Roar!!”

As the distance closed in rapidly, the ground trembled violently.

Not far off, a colossal beast, as tall as a ten-story building, sensed an intruder in its territory. Enraged, it charged at Yenir with terrifying force.

Standing his ground, Yenir remained as calm as a statue.

Two seconds later, a strong stench of blood and decay hit him as a mutant beast covered in tentacles—reminiscent of an octopus—split open its massive jaws in a furious attempt to swallow him whole.

In that instant, Yenir’s eyes sharpened, and in a blink, he pivoted dramatically!

Fallen Heaven!