Chapter 192: Shadows of Ambition

What a sly old fox…

On the return journey, Yenir recalled Cang Haiqiong’s recent performance and shook his head slightly.

He realized that the old fellow had deliberately tried to ingratiate himself, acting as if he held Yenir in high regard—even risking breaking the rules just to help him out.

If he were inexperienced, he would surely have been filled with gratitude by now.

After all, a minister of his stature is a rare big shot in the Capital; no matter what, a lot of effort had clearly been invested.

But for Yenir, such details meant nothing. In fact, he didn’t mind having the sly old fox tagging along in the future.

Building influence, rallying factions, forging networks, and winning allies…

These things might seem both important and useful.

They are exactly what countless awakeners painstakingly strive for once they enter the upper echelons. Third-Stage mid-level commanders aren’t uncommon in a world long at peace.

It was much like the pre-apocalypse days when everything was all about politics and unspoken rules.

But Yenir knew full well that strength was the only real foundation; everything else was just a façade!

In peaceful times, such games could be tolerated. But once disaster struck, only the strong would have a say, and all those hidden rules would be shattered!

He planned to build his own force precisely because his early strength was lacking—he needed people to work for him, to speak on his behalf, and to speed things along!

Once he reached Peak Third-Stage, or even higher…

Yenir was supremely confident that his strength alone would suffice! He was sick of the endless politicking and internal squabbling of his past life.

Anyone who opposed him would be eliminated!

He would never allow the kind of factional strife from his previous life, where internal conflicts persisted even in the face of national disaster!

Sitting beside him, Zhao Long watched Yenir deep in thought. After a brief hesitation, he couldn’t help but speak up.

“Yenir, you might as well skip the death match the day after tomorrow,” he suggested.

“After all, Zhang Meng is a Commander in his own right; a slight retreat isn’t such a big deal.”

Holding his own opinions, Zhao Long instinctively felt that Yenir was still too brash. Although his talent was undeniably impressive, this world didn’t work that way.

He could almost predict with his toes that Zhang Meng would never simply stand by and do nothing.

Rather than creating an enemy, it was better to act as if nothing had happened. With Yenir’s potential, a little more development would naturally see him rise to power. Why fight for a fleeting moment? Life in the Capital was complicated enough.

No matter how strong someone’s potential is, it’s still just potential.

Too much brilliance can sometimes be a curse.

“It’s fine, Uncle Zhao. I’ve got it under control,” Yenir replied.

He turned his head, chuckled lightly, and spoke calmly. He had clearly sensed Zhao Long’s concerns and understood that they came from good intentions.

Still, time was running short.

Human nature was treacherous. If he ever backed down, someone would relentlessly test his limits. Even though he was currently highly regarded, the shock he caused among the elite was only temporary—sooner or later, someone would dare to provoke him.

Only by decisively cutting through the chaos could he free his mind to focus on growing stronger at maximum speed.

His plan was enormously challenging, with too many interests intertwined.

To stave off the coming catastrophe, a heavy price in lives would inevitably have to be paid.

……….

Rongjing Military Region Base, Training Field.

Following the echoing airstrikes, dozens of Third-Stage fighters and top officials exchanged greetings and entered the arena.

“Is the arena set up?”

“How are the Third-Stage fighters preparing for the death match?”

Amid the bustling crowd, Li Xuanguo casually asked the base commander, his eyes fixed on Yenir in the distance.

“Prime Minister, it’s all arranged,” came the reply.

“Three high-ranking Third-Stage fighters will serve as judges to ensure maximum safety. Besides, we’ve set up protective barriers around the arena to offer some defense.”

Li Xuanguo nodded slightly and said no more.

Yet his gaze lingered on Yenir, carrying a hint of quiet expectation.

He was very curious about what surprise this young man might present.

“Is this Yenir?”

“Xuanguo, did you call me back just to see his ‘performance’?”

From the makeshift stands, a middle-aged man with a massively muscular build, looking like a ferocious beast, frowned as he gazed at Yenir in the distance.

Even without revealing any aura, the high-ranking officials nearby felt uneasy—as if a Tyrannosaurus Rex were seated beside them, exerting overwhelming pressure.

That burly man was General Sun Weiguo, one of the Military’s Four Commanders—a pure Strength Type Third-Stage!

“Exactly, what do you think?”

Ignoring that Sun Weiguo had addressed him by name, Li Xuanguo smiled and gave a subtle nod in Yenir’s direction.

The two had known each other for a long time. Sun Weiguo’s temper was even more volatile than that of General Qin Feng. Both were the archetype of bold warriors.

“It sounds boastful, but he looks too weak,”

boomed Sun Weiguo as he scowled at the rather frail Yenir. In his eyes, an Awakener should have a robust physique! Muscles meant strength! Only a mighty body could deliver a knockout punch to a mutant!

“SSS-Level Talent, the best in the Four Sectors. It sounds impressive, but I reckon this kid is so scrawny I could crush him with a single finger.”

“He looks too clean and delicate to be a proper warrior.”

Listening to Sun Weiguo’s blunt assessment, Li Xuanguo sighed helplessly—it was just what he had expected.

“He secured the top spot in the Strength Type, even surpassing you in his prime,”

continued Li Xuanguo, “and I believe he holds great promise for helping us win that instance.”

Ruffling his ear, Sun Weiguo extended his massive finger, seemingly indifferent to his own image.

“Old Li, it’s not that simple,” he remarked.

“I’ve reviewed his records. From the moment he became an Awakener until now, how long has it been? His talent might be strong, but that doesn’t guarantee combat experience.”

“Skills and toughness are honed in real battles, one match after another!”

“Trial One is one matter, but humans and monsters differ. Even if his talent allows him to switch attributes and comes with a Third-Stage booster, excelling in life-and-death combat is another matter entirely. Damn it, you know as well as I do—I’ve seen too many prodigiously talented awakeners get decimated on the battlefield, top-tier S-level ones dropping to B-level.”

“In the Continental instance, every Third-Stage fighter has clawed their way out from a mountain of corpses, each a battle-hardened veteran. I think you’d be better off keeping this kid as a mascot rather than risking him.”

“If he dies in there, it would be quite amusing.”

Hearing Sun Weiguo’s harsh words, Li Xuanguo furrowed his brow but chose not to retort.

Though Sun Weiguo’s language was rough and unfiltered, the logic was undeniable. Perhaps that was why he was so eager to see how Yenir would fare against the Awakener.