Chapter 200: A Grand Display of Accolade

As Li Xuanguo led his men away, Zhang Long, the elderly man standing beside Yenir, gently patted his shoulder.

“Yenir, the Prime Minister really holds you in high regard…”

After a sigh, he said little more.

No one expected that Li Xuanguo’s departure wasn’t from a lack of interest in the upcoming evaluation—it was meant to be a grander statement.

What kind of place is Capital Square?

Holding the awarding ceremony there carries immense significance.

Remember, the last time it was held was after the apocalypse when the Huaxia Battle Zone established its first Safe Zone. Back then, among the Four Commanders, only the first announced his promotion to Peak Third-Stage.

This event’s scale is unprecedented in Huaguo’s history.

In silence, every Third-Stage fighter present expressed awe, with some even showing a hint of envy.

A kid who had just arrived in the capital soared from obscurity to such a status in merely three to four days.

Awarding ceremony…

Hearing that term, they guessed that the conference two days later would be far more than a simple first-tier evaluation.

It seems the higher-ups plan to divide the rewards.

The first group gets their due, while Yenir’s ranking reward is calculated separately.

Li Xuanguo’s move was merely a declaration to everyone that the Huaguo leadership values Yenir immensely—there’s no need for speculation about any hidden discontent. It also signals that regarding Zhang Meng’s matter, the Authorities have made their choice!

“Kid, we’re leaving now.”

“Tch, you sure don’t look like much, but you’re ruthless in action.”

Having just dealt with Zhang Meng, General Sun Weiguo—still carrying a faint scent of blood—pushed through the crowd, examining Yenir with an expression of amazed curiosity.

A chill ran down everyone’s spine.

It appears Zhang Meng has already been taken care of—though no one knows if he’s still alive…

Unperturbed by the surrounding unease, General Sun Weiguo patted Yenir’s shoulder hard enough to twitch his mouth.

Yenir stepped aside quietly and nodded at General Sun Weiguo with a resigned smile.

Though he barely remembered the muscle-bound brute before him, Yenir knew Sun Weiguo was the kind with a sharp tongue but a warm heart.

Sun Weiguo died in his third year in his previous life while fighting off sea beasts, collapsing from exhaustion to buy time for the rear guard. Nearly six months later, he officially took command of the troops.

Simply put, by then nearly all of the Peak Third-Stage fighters had perished.

As if recalling something, Sun Weiguo’s smile faded and he scanned the crowd.

“I’m sure you all heard the Prime Minister’s words.”

“The results of today’s deathmatch are strictly confidential!”

With that, he looked back at Yenir and, rarely one to elaborate, spoke in a low, serious tone:

“Kid, don’t think we’re holding back just to keep you in the spotlight.”

“Your talent shines too brightly—you never know if those from the foreign battle zones might make a move.”

“Here, we can protect you! But you can’t always hide in the capital.”

“If you want to grow stronger, you’ll have to fight out there!”

With that, Sun Weiguo let out an inward sigh.

He knew many of the higher-ups secretly regretted inviting so many spectators to the deathmatch. They never expected Yenir’s performance to shatter their preconceptions once again.

Possessing mid-level power as a beginner wasn’t just about Yenir being stronger than his peers.

In many intercontinental dungeons and system missions, someone like Yenir can provide unimaginable value! For example, in later continental resource missions, one mid-level Third-Stage fighter occupies the slot of ten beginners, and the task difficulty increases accordingly.

But letting Yenir in? Even a rough guess shows the enormous advantage they’d gain—especially in power-restricted dungeons, where dominance within and across ranks can absolutely crush all battle zones.

The onlookers stiffened at his words.

Indeed, two consecutive bans from above already signal growing concern.

Yenir’s future looks daunting. But no matter how brilliant his performance, at best he’s a standout among mid-level Third-Stages, with a few quirks—like those two mysterious hidden sword auras that surprised everyone.

Yet if anyone wanted to kill him, sending a few senior Third-Stage fighters would easily snuff him out! No matter how extraordinary his talent is, his level tells the tale.

“I understand.”

With a slight nod, Yenir acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

In truth, if it weren’t for the Fire Seed Plan and being in the capital, he wouldn’t dare expose his talent like this. Without backing or high-level protection, he’d be courting death. He recalled how many private factions secretly search for talented Awakeners, using system tools from the early stages to bind them with slave contracts and mold them into death soldiers!

Just like that middle-aged man he encountered at Hell’s Gate—essentially the same situation.

Though he had reached Second-Stage and could make his own equipment, he was still exploited by powerful factions, forced into dungeons to risk his life for resources.

……..

Late into the night, as Yenir silently absorbed the Spirit Crystals in his hand, he smiled at a message from the Military.

After he left the Trial Tower, the Military had already dispatched a squad to Tianfeng to fetch his mother and Little Sister.

Once his family was safely in the capital, one weight would be lifted off his mind.

At least until the capital falls, his Little Sister and the others will remain unharmed.

The rest will proceed as planned.

In a quiet room stacked with Spirit Crystals, a soft blue mist seeped out, and rising Spirit Energy gradually engulfed Yenir at the center.

Time ticked away minute by minute.

After absorbing the last wisp of Spirit Energy from his crystals, Yenir shook his head.

His efficiency was too low—the conversion rate far too poor.

Even though the incoming Spirit Crystals were of high quality, those in his room alone were worth no less than a million.

Yet, they still yielded little effect.

Without hunting mutants or completing tasks, his goal of ascending to the next stage through Spirit Crystal absorption would take three to five years.

Beyond Third-Stage, Spirit Energy is worlds apart from that of Second-Stage.

If an Awakener’s Spirit Energy before Third-Stage was like a mist, after Third-Stage it becomes as solid as water.

And that’s where the qualitative leap happens.

Before Third-Stage, Spirit Energy dispersed, causing scattered damage. After Third-Stage, improved control lets one amplify damage based on the energy output.

Thus, the Spirit Energy absorbed from the crystals must be converted and compressed to be stored within.

“Supernatural Plan…”

“It must be completed as soon as possible.”

Muttering under his breath, Yenir rubbed his head in frustration. Although he could theoretically hunt mutants while absorbing Spirit Energy…

The energy from mutant kills was essentially similar to that of Spirit Crystals, albeit of higher quality and density.

But here’s the catch: the chaotic energy from mutants after death is far too unruly. Before Third-Stage it wasn’t an issue—he could simply let it disperse. But after Third-Stage, precise control over Spirit Energy became indispensable.

Based on his previous life’s experience, every time absorbed Spirit Energy was meticulously refined and mastered, it greatly aided his advancement.

Blindly increasing quantity without improving control could easily lead to a plateau.

To enhance mastery, one must either use the energy repeatedly or absorb extremely pure Spirit Energy.

That’s why most Awakeners spend a great deal of time leveling up after Third-Stage.

Of course, engaging in numerous battles—pushing themselves to the limit each time—can shorten this process.

“Mastery also affects the power of sword techniques…”

“My own sword techniques are obviously stronger than those provided by the system…”