Chapter 186: The Dawn of Unprecedented Power

What is this!?

I’ve never seen such an outrageous burst of light during a test.

Shielding his eyes with one hand, every top figure in the room—from Li Xuanguo to General Qin Feng—felt a chill of dread.

White! Blue! Yellow! Red!

Lights representing different levels flashed alternately until they erupted into a heart-stopping deep red. If the room hadn’t been completely sealed off, they would have no doubt that this blood-red radiance could light up the entire Capital!

Holding his breath tightly, Vice Chairman Fang Hao looked momentarily dazed.

He was an SS-Level Talent himself; the scene from his own talent test was extravagant enough to have filled him with pride for a long time. But he never imagined that in his lifetime he would witness something like this.

SSS-Level…

No way… that kid is SSS-Level!?

Even though his original plan was to help Yenir get out of trouble, Fang Hao’s shock now rivaled the terror of encountering a ghost.

Though the test results hadn’t been officially released yet, he was certain of the authenticity of Yenir’s claim to SSS-Level.

Like him, Commissar Hu—who stood closest to Yenir—could only force his eyes open despite his Third-Stage mid-level strength. Under the intense new testing light, his eyes burned painfully, nearly bringing him to tears.

“SSS-Level…”

“There really exists such a level in this world!?”

“Wasn’t it supposed not to exist!?”

Absolutely unfathomable.

They might have understood Trial One, since there were countless Awakeners around the globe who had received such honors. It was always a matter of replacing the old with the new—someone would eventually make it.

But an SSS-Level Talent, a power that eclipses all others, existed only in legends.

Or rather, it was said that even legends lacked such a level…

Since the outbreak of the apocalypse and the rise of Awakeners, not a single person in all of humanity had ever reached this level!

No one truly knew what SSS-Level represented; many Awakeners even believed it didn’t exist at all.

This wasn’t merely shock anymore—it felt like witnessing a miracle.

“A loophole… a proof…”

With a bitter smile, the moment the dark red light flared up, Li Xuanguo realized he might have made a grave mistake.

His voice turned bitter.

Gazing at the dark purple Test Crystal, its cracks nearly spreading, he knew they were all mistaken.

What was there left to prove?

What loophole could there possibly be?

Before the one-of-a-kind legendary talent in the entire world, any exaggeration by Yenir was entirely justified.

So, had he misunderstood Yenir all along?

Recalling his earlier words, Li Xuanguo felt a surge of regret. He didn’t know what Yenir was thinking or how he would view them now. But he knew that if after snatching first place he was then suspected by his own people and forced to prove his innocence, the feeling would be unbearable.

That kind of pain is something no one would want.

Sighing inwardly, Li Xuanguo shook his head, suppressing this rare emotion. But as he glanced at Zhang Meng, an intense feeling of resentment welled up inside him.

Thankfully, they hadn’t completely burned bridges—the damage wasn’t too severe.

Perhaps a future compensation to Yenir would smooth things over…

Unlike the others who were frantically trying to figure out how to mend their gaps with Yenir, Zhang Meng’s entire body felt like it was covered in ice, as if he were plunged into a frozen abyss.

It was over. Absolutely over.

His prediction had been completely wrong! If possible, he wished he could escape right this moment! He could already sense the Prime Minister’s displeasure and the pitiful looks from those rallying behind him.

With global potential in the Four Commanders already being outlandish, Yenir now had an added SSS-Level Talent. There’s no doubt that with the two powers combined, Yenir’s status would soar—100% Peak Third-Stage! 100% Four Commanders!

He even imagined that in the eyes of everyone, Yenir might finally step onto that elusive Fourth Stage path.

Why? Why must fate be so unjust!

Staring fixedly at that burst of light, Zhang Meng fought to keep his composure. He noticed several high-ranking officials subtly closing in on him, as if they feared he might make a move.

Damn it! Do they really think I’ll act?!

Hold on! I must hold on!

Even if Yenir’s potential was unmatched, I merely offended him—I’m not in any real danger! At worst, I can sidestep him later. After all, as a Commander, Yenir would never turn against me just because their potential exceeds mine!

Frantically assessing his predicament, Zhang Meng repeatedly urged himself to stay calm.

Yes, offending Yenir was bad, but the entire upper echelon had done the same! They all claimed it was for the sake of the nation. If Yenir truly took revenge later, the higher-ups wouldn’t simply stand by and watch!

In a matter of seconds, Zhang Meng’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts. At the same time, the testing light began to fade, dimming gradually.

“Beep—current test result.”

“SSS-Level Talent, Willpower Type.”

As the announcement rang out, Yenir glanced at the fractured, cracking Test Crystal and, moments later, tossed it aside.

Everyone’s expression grew complex, a mixture of astonishment and awe.

Some Third-Stage talents even stared at him as if he were a monster, though none dared to care. They all knew how astounding this was—after all, Yenir had already experienced something similar in a past life.

The value of an SSS-Level Talent was undeniably divine!

Yenir lifted his head and calmly looked at Li Xuanguo.

“My talent converts my willpower attribute and amplifies the others, with an added Third-Stage bonus.”

“During the Awakener Trial, my mental strength was nearly exhausted, which is why the effect was so slow.”

“Any other questions?”

With that, Yenir activated his Will Conversion, disguising it as his innate talent.

In the next moment, as his attributes surged into the Third Stage through rapid transformation, everyone present could clearly feel the shifting power within him.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Their earliest suspicions had been correct—no one had expected Yenir to be SSS-Level instead of merely SS-Level.

There was no need for further proof; under the weight of a talent that eclipsed the world, even if Yenir claimed he could form a nuclear bomb with one hand, they would believe him.

Listening to Yenir’s calm explanation, Li Xuanguo let out a bitter laugh, realizing that beneath Yenir’s seemingly unconcerned demeanor lay deep disappointment with them. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have felt the need to explain further…

“I’m sorry, Yenir…”

“We shouldn’t have doubted you… as a token of apology…”

Li Xuanguo raised his hand, but Yenir paid little mind to the sincere apology as he had already come to terms with what had happened.

However…

With a subtle smile that surprised everyone, Yenir actually returned a small grin:

“It’s all right. I understand.”

“But I heard that to be ranked in the First Sequence, practical combat is required—not just performance in trials, but real battles between Fire Seeds to assess fighting potential?”

Everyone was momentarily stunned, unsure why Yenir would bring this up now.

Yang Guoping, who was in charge of the Fire Seed Plan, quickly interjected:

“Yenir, that isn’t necessary!”

“You’ve already performed outstandingly! Didn’t the Prime Minister say you’ve been ranked in the First Sequence? Rest assured on that point!”

Believing that Yenir still harbored some concerns, the others echoed his words, trying to comfort him.

But the next second, Yenir shook his head slightly and, with an icy smile, directed his gaze at Zhang Meng:

“Commander Zhang, I’ve heard that Zhang Yang was ranked in the First Sequence before. I stand for fairness—I despise any form of special treatment!”

“Zhang Yang’s excellence deserves a real battle; not having a proper fight is truly unfair to him!”

Before Zhang Meng could grasp the meaning, Yenir scoffed bitterly, openly revealing his murderous intent towards him before turning his attention back to Li Xuanguo:

“Prime Minister, according to the regulations, lower-sequence members have the right to challenge higher-sequence ones!”

“I refuse the offered First Sequence!”

After a brief pause, disregarding the shocked faces around him, Yenir spoke coldly once more:

“I’m applying for a deathmatch challenge against First Sequence member Zhang Yang!”

The moment his words echoed, Zhang Meng, standing among the crowd, turned deathly pale!

Yes, Yenir wouldn’t hesitate against him, but for that bastard to dare challenge Zhang Yang!

Ignoring everyone’s emotions, Yenir couldn’t help but sneer coldly inwardly.

Zhang Meng had repeatedly tried to act against him—did he really think Yenir was as soft as clay? As if his status would give him carte blanche!

Revenge, when it comes to gentlemen, can wait ten years—but for Yenir, he always struck back immediately!

A day’s delay is nothing but disrespect to an enemy…

Amid the eerie atmosphere, Yenir calmly fixed his gaze on Zhang Meng’s utterly displeased face and casually added him to his list.

Relax, it won’t be long before I reunite you with your family.