Chapter 180: A Test of Fate

A few seconds later, Zhang Yang finally understood his father’s meaning.

In that moment, the confidence that had been shattered was miraculously restored.

He forced himself to stand, his whole body trembling with restrained excitement.

Yes! It has to be this way!

He had endured harsh training and countless hardships since childhood. Under such strict cultivation, his natural talent shone brilliantly. Both of them were SS-Level—how could he lose to that kid!

It must be all wrong! Yenir must have found a loophole!

I’m no waste! I’ve never lost to him!

At that moment, not only him but all the Awakeners participating in the trial—and the forces backing them—suddenly grasped the gravity of the situation. The baffling questions in their minds finally seemed to have answers.

Seeing Zhang Yang regain his confidence, Zhang Meng let out a relieved sigh, satisfied that his painstaking plan had paid off.

However, he hadn’t finished speaking.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Meng lowered his voice as he continued, addressing Li Xuanguo:

“Prime Minister!”

“Now you understand why I demanded that the news be sealed off!”

“The moment Yenir comes out, I suggest we directly question him about his talent! This is crucial! If his method can be replicated, the strength of the Huaxia Battle Zone will soar beyond imagination!”

“Just think about it! Any Second-Stage fighter could clinch global first place by following his example! Every Second-Stage Awakened could become Third-Stage!”

“With this loophole in our grasp, our Battle Zone will rise to unprecedented heights—towering above all others!”

“And if he refuses to speak… we’ll have to use severe measures!”

Zhang Meng’s face hardened as he glanced instinctively toward the vortex, his eyes gleaming with greed.

After the news was sealed off, who would profit first? As the first high-ranking Awakener to spot the issue, Zhang Meng was sure to get his share! With Zhang Yang leading the first lineup, future generations could easily replicate Yenir’s achievements!

With such enormous benefits at stake, he was certain the higher-ups would never let it go!

Frankly speaking, at this moment, the one least wishing for trouble to befall Yenir was none other than Zhang Meng! He was desperate for Yenir to emerge so they could extract the loophole directly! Rumor had it there were some rare items that could drop an Awakened’s strength back to Second-Stage, forcing them to re-enter the trial…

Then, after re-entering the trial, Zhang Meng believed he could break past his own limits with the generous rewards!

Surely even the old dogs who didn’t want to die would be tempted?

After all, the life force of an Advanced Third-Stage fighter was a far cry from that of a Peak Third-Stage!

Their hearts were stirred.

After hearing Zhang Meng’s plan, Li Xuanguo gave a slight nod, his inner turmoil matching that of everyone else present. With his keen mind, he naturally grasped the terrifying implications behind it all!

Zhang Meng’s speculation was the closest to the truth!

It fit Yenir’s performance perfectly, as well as his peculiar Willpower-type talent!

Severe measures… wouldn’t that essentially force the high-ranking Awakeners to compel Yenir to speak out?

“Pass on my orders…”

“The entire zone is to enter a state of combat readiness! Within the Spirit Tower’s vicinity, declare it a top-secret area! Anyone who intrudes or leaves without authorization will be executed!”

“All Military personnel who know the trial details are to be detained!”

His gaze was as piercing as an eagle’s.

Realizing this, Li Xuanguo mustered the courage to tighten security further! The news could never leak! This wasn’t just about a top-level genius—it was a matter of national fate!

“Prime Minister!?”

Just coming out of his shock, Fang Hao cried out in astonishment, his heart tightening. Li Xuanguo’s order clearly meant he had agreed with Zhang Meng’s approach! Although he was somewhat convinced, it was too cruel for Yenir! What if they were wrong!?

With that thought, Fang Hao couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted:

“Prime Minister! Isn’t it too soon to make a final decision!”

“Yenir’s life is still hanging in the balance inside! Are we really going to arrest him the moment he steps out?”

“And if he doesn’t speak, are we going to torture him!?!”

“What if we’re mistaken!? What if he truly is extraordinarily talented!”

“This is utterly heartbreaking! Absolutely not!”

For every Awakened, their talent was the deepest kept secret. Normally, everyone assumed to hide their abilities completely.

After all, if anyone knew the details, it wouldn’t be long until their weaknesses were exposed—this was a matter of life and death!

If Yenir refused to speak, it would be perfectly normal!

Which Third-Stage fighter doesn’t guard his talent fiercely? Who would dare reveal even a bit—no matter how vague?

“Exactly, Chairman!”

“When Yenir clinched global first inside, wasn’t that in glorious service of Huaxia! If we treat him like this after he comes out, how is that any different from betrayal!”

“What if it turns out we were wrong and we wound his spirit? How will Yenir ever look at us afterward?”

“After all, a talent like his is a beacon of hope—should we really turn him into an enemy!”

“Silence! You have no right to speak here!”

Standing before Li Xuanguo, Zhang Meng glared furiously at Zhao Long, who had just spoken up in support. Zhao Long had heard that this mid-level Third-Stage Awakened was barely considered half of a high-ranking one. Rumor had it he was a friend of Chen Kailai, clearly on Yenir’s side.

Summoning his courage, Zhao Long straightened his neck and glared unyieldingly at Zhang Meng.

Chen Kailai had entrusted him with watching over Yenir—he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing! Whether for profit or principle, he refused to let that scene play out.

But as with everything, there were both dissenters and supporters.

Among the high-ranking group, several Third-Stage Awakened stepped forward and aligned themselves behind Zhang Meng.

“What’s there to be upset about?”

“If Yenir has any decency at all, he should come forward immediately! Are we going to shortchange him? Commander Zhang is right—national interests trump individual concerns! We can shed blood for the country, so why can’t Yenir make a small sacrifice!”

A cold laugh followed, as many who shared his opinion chuckled inwardly.

They had nothing to do with Yenir. If any loophole were exposed by torturing him, the beneficiaries would be them. They were more than happy to witness it—especially since deep down they felt a rare sense of balance if Yenir wasn’t as formidable.

After all, he had clawed his way up to this position over the years—why should a kid who’d just reached Third-Stage garner so much attention from the high-ups!?

In an instant, within the Hall, the numerous Third-Stage and high-ranking Awakeners split into four factions, a subtle rivalry emerging among them.

Yet everyone knew that only the Prime Minister’s word could end the debate!

Looking at the crowd all turning to him, Li Xuanguo felt a mix of hesitation and uncertainty.

He was truly moved by Yenir’s performance and wanted to nurture that talent. But what if Zhang Meng was right? And if Yenir refused to speak, would they just let it be?

This was a matter of national destiny—too momentous to let personal feelings interfere.

With a heavy sigh, Li Xuanguo slowly began:

“Chairman Fang, there’s no need to get overly worked up.”

“If Yenir voluntarily comes forward so we can review his talent, we won’t harm him.”

“But if he refuses, we’ll have no choice but to make him comply. Of course, afterwards we will try our best to compensate him and ease his resentment.”

As his words fell silent, Fang Hao’s mouth opened, then closed, leaving him speechless.

A bitter taste filled his heart as he clenched his fists. He knew Li Xuanguo’s decision was not wrong—in the face of national interest, personal gains didn’t matter.

But he was truly afraid—afraid that they might be mistaken!

The greater the genius, the prouder he becomes. They doubted that Yenir truly possessed such demonic potential, and feared that if he remained silent, he would eventually resent them. In the hands of a stubborn man, Yenir might even turn extreme.

Unlike Fang Hao and the others who felt helpless, Zhang Meng now felt a surge of exhilaration!

He had never believed that Yenir could reach this point!

Both being SS-Level, even Zhang Yang couldn’t achieve it under his own guidance—so why should this random kid be capable of it?

Global first in Third-Type? No! He was merely exploiting a loophole—a nobody struggling through his own talent trial!

……..

Inside the Trial Space.

Amid a mythic battle, Yenir’s colossal figure faced a Fourth-Stage mutant. The vast longsword he conjured pointed straight at the creature’s head.

Just three inches more and he would have personally slain this reanimated nightmare of his past.

Endless voices seemed to urge him on, coaxing the final stroke.

It felt as if, with that cut, all the pain and regret would finally end.

But staring into those cold, emotionless eyes, he saw a reflection of himself.

Moments later, he gave a bitter smile, slowly turning to look at his mother and little sister who were urging him on, and at everyone who had once fought shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

“I’m sorry…”

“I refuse to live in a false past…”

“Even if it’s really, really good…”

In an instant, Yenir fiercely reversed his sword, and with a swift backward thrust, pierced his own heart!

…….

“Ding. Awakener Trial complete. Current ranking: No.1!”

“Do you wish to exit the trial?”

“Once the trial is over, special rewards will be granted and a global announcement made.”

“Current settlement rankings:”

“Strength Trial: 24th Floor – No.1!”

“Agility Trial: 1 minute 09 seconds – No.1!”

“Physique Trial: 7143 Damage Tolerance – No.1!”

“Awakener Trial: ??? – No.1!”

Inside the settlement space, Yenir, pale-faced and leaning on his sword, forced himself to stand. As the settlement data scrolled by, no joy touched his heart.

Because he knew he had acquired something far more precious than any reward.

“One should not dwell in the failures of the past… fantasizing about how to make up for them.”

“Instead, we must look forward…”

“I’ve always been afraid—afraid of failing again.”

The bravest act in this world is not confronting overwhelming odds, but having the courage to challenge fate after a failure.

In the ensuing silence, Yenir staggered to his feet, letting out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

In his previous life, he had lost terribly.

But in this life…

Suddenly looking up, Yenir glared at the enormous light orb in the Trial Space and rudely flipped the bird:

“I’m gonna blow you all away!!”