Chapter 364: A Crucial Opportunity

“Lord Yenir…”

Sun Li Cheng stared at Yenir in a daze.

At that moment, Sun Li Cheng seemed almost disoriented, his lips trembling as if he wanted to speak but unable to get the words out.

In all his life, having been looked down on by everyone, this was the first time someone actually believed in him. Especially since Yenir was nothing short of a legendary figure in his eyes.

Change the world… astound those lofty Awakeners…

No. He only wished for a tiny breakthrough—a small result that proved useful.

Somehow, a bitter ache filled him, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Lowering his head, Sun Li Cheng seemed to make up his mind. His bony fingers gripped the armrest as if swearing an oath:

“My lord… I will do my best!”

He silently steeled his resolve.

He had lived a wretched life, surviving in this post-apocalyptic world so humbly. Yet he had always dreamt of the day his research would succeed. But reality was cruel.

He must seize this chance…

And, of course, save a little money for that high-ranking figure? The full support promised by Yenir was almost too extravagant for him to even imagine.

For him, Yenir’s trust was reason enough for gratitude.

Watching Sun Li Cheng’s determined expression, Yenir couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, paying little mind to the fuss.

He was well aware of Sun Li Cheng’s background.

In his previous life, much like his own, after the fall of the East Sea, he had fled alongside the survivors. With a stroke of luck, he even managed to reach the Capital.

During the chaos of wartime, as countless Awakeners on the military’s side fell, the sudden emergence of Sun Li Cheng, boasting a breakthrough in research, caused an immense sensation. It was his research that held the Capital’s defense for three crucial years, staving off the final battle.

Moreover, it was thanks to Sun Li Cheng’s work that Yenir’s natural Willpower talents advanced to the Third Stage.

Before the Supernatural Plan, even if Yenir’s talent was outstanding, without a major transformation there was no way to rapidly ascend during the toughest moments. Back then, he didn’t have the Sword God System.

But perhaps that was for the best; the more loyal Sun Li Cheng proved, the better.

Just as Yenir was about to add something, the scene outside suddenly darkened.

They had entered a long tunnel, and instead of an open road, they were met with rows of fully armed soldiers.

“Comrade Yenir, we’ve arrived.”

“This is the Capital Second Research Institute, the place where the mutated materials are stored.”

The attendant spoke with deference.

As the vehicle slowly entered a maze-like alloy corridor, a heavy metal door came into view at its end.

The van came to a smooth stop, and soon a few Third-Stage Awakened appeared at its front.

“Hello, this is an A+ level area. Please present your identification.”

“No entry allowed ahead. Please state your purpose.”

At the front, a Third-Stage Awakened clad in a black uniform raised his hand in a practiced gesture. But upon catching sight of Yenir’s face, his expression froze in shock.

Could it really be him?!

Compared to other committee members and officials, Yenir’s reputation had spread throughout the Capital and the Military in recent times.

Nodding subtly in acknowledgment, Yenir discreetly surveyed the guards around him, a look of wistful recollection crossing his eyes.

He knew this place well.

He only wondered if that old man was still around—if he had become the director now.

As one of the most secure research facilities under the Capital Military District, this institute gathered the highest-ranking researchers employed by the Authorities, tasked with developing groundbreaking technologies.

Compared to the research institute he had visited before, this was clearly on a different league entirely.

The institute under that old woman was merely a repository for basic data—a gigantic warehouse for skill-related items—completely different in purpose.

Back in his previous life, he had frequented that place often.

“Comrade Yenir, you should be prepared: the people here can be rather cantankerous… please be tolerant of any inadvertent offenses.”

After his identity was confirmed, one of the staff members in charge of receiving Yenir whispered a caution to him.

They knew exactly why Yenir had come, which made them a bit nervous.

The youngest committee member in history was not someone to be trifled with, and the researchers here were notoriously stubborn. He was now worried that a confrontation might break out and leave him in a bind.

Yenir simply nodded, disregarding the attendant’s concerns.

He had requested the materials before entering the combat instance, and even now, they hadn’t been handed over… It was obvious that these people had no intention of releasing them.

Due to the sensitive nature of this research unit, the Military couldn’t exactly demand them forcibly, which is why the matter had been delayed until now.

But for Yenir, it hardly mattered.

He was determined to acquire Shredder’s Spine! Whether they liked it or not, they had to hand it over!

Glancing at the Mountain Destroyer Core embedded in his ring, Yenir couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Among the four required materials, once the Mountain Core qualifies as a first-tier item, it will be his. With this spine, he would have two in total. He hadn’t yet had time to inquire about the Core of the Otherworldly Ghost at Institute Seven—a matter he should address this time as well.

The last piece is with the Bloodshadow Legion of the South China Battle Zone, who seem to hold the final item: the Human-Faced Falcon Bone Liquid…

However, Fang Hao had previously looked into it, but there hadn’t been any conclusive findings…

He must gather them all. At least before the final showdown, he needed to complete the system upgrade with these four materials!

Under the urgency to boost his strength, Yenir knew that, compared to his previous life, his rapid ascent to the Fourth Stage—along with defeating Lu Tianming in the deadly brawl—would have been impossible without the aid of Sword Techniques.

Even with full backing from the Supernatural Plan, it would take about three months to yield results. Until then, his power would at best reach Third-Stage Mid-level.

He was still one level short…

To unleash the kind of sword strike capable of beheading top-tier foes, the Sword God System must be empowered!

Moreover, the raw power of the sword techniques provided by the Sword God System was no longer sufficient… This system was a perverse marvel—able to defeat Third-Stage foes at zero cost, yet by the time one reached Third Stage, its might remained unchanged. Without the ability for cost-free deployment of sword techniques, his combat power would effectively be halved!

“Divine Rage is such a hassle…”

“What if I fail to gather the materials to upgrade the system? Am I supposed to take on ten Third-Stage opponents plus Lu Tianming all at once?”

Under the attendant’s guidance, Yenir multitasked, silently pondering his next move with a trace of resignation.

In theory, he still had one trump card.

That was his as-yet-unused Divine Rage skill…

But that ability required a ‘primer’—killing ten foes of equal rank to unlock its true power. Frankly, he hadn’t even had a chance to use it in the combat instance…

If he could manage to unleash it, he’d probably leave everyone utterly stunned on the spot…

“Forget it, it’s more reliable to focus on gathering the materials… An upgrade to the Sword God System is inevitable…”

“Taking on so many opponents in one go just isn’t realistic…”

It wasn’t that it was impossible—it was just utterly reckless and unthinkable.

“Comrade Yenir, this way.”

“The items you requested are currently stored in the Materials Institute.”

“Click.”

The airtight alloy door slid open slowly to the sides. At the attendant’s signal, Yenir immediately lifted his gaze to the cold, metallic Hall. Dozens of researchers in white uniforms were absorbed in their work.

His arrival seemed to go unnoticed by everyone present.