Chapter 691: Trial by Fire

Just as the Rebel High-Ranking Officers observed Yenir, Yenir was silently gauging everyone’s power.

All nine Rebel High-Ranking Officers were at least Third-Stage Advanced. Even though three had concealed their Peak Third-Stage aura exceptionally well, Yenir still detected its presence.

Moreover, only four of these nine were officially registered in the Military’s files – and those records even listed them as mid-level.

It appeared that once lured by the Rebel faction, these four were quickly promoted to Advanced rank.

One had to admit, the Rebels had built a formidable force over the years—even after eliminating so many, they could still churn out a number of Peak Third-Stage practitioners.

(It made sense… Back in the last life, the visible number of Third-Stage peaks in the Huaxia Battle Zone was already inexplicably low. How could an Asian hegemon, with over sixty years of buildup, only produce so few? Considering the Hell’s Gate Dungeon, many of these resources had long been controlled by a different group within the Military. Those resources were the true strategic assets for nurturing Third-Stagers!)

As the clues fell into place, Yenir’s murderous intent toward the Rebels grew ever stronger.

Based on the information at hand, the surface truth was becoming increasingly clear.

The disasters in the final three years of his previous life were not merely natural calamities—they were man-made catastrophes!

Using Mother as the puppet master, they devoured the Rebel faction that had hoarded vast resources, all while passively watching as districts fell one by one!

Such actions made it clear that Mother no longer regarded humans as equals!

Although he couldn’t fathom what benefit the demise of humanity might bring to the Rebel High-Ranking Officers, Yenir was convinced that these monsters wearing human skin were capable of any atrocity!

(Fortunately, I uncovered Mother’s existence. Otherwise, with these people roaming free in the country, I’d have stood no chance of victory!)

Taking a deep breath, Yenir feigned nervousness as he raised his head and murmured:

“Officers, is this the testing ground?”

Scanning the vast meeting hall, Yenir looked around puzzled; he hadn’t found anything resembling a testing apparatus. Forget about anything akin to the metallic sphere from the 19th level—he hadn’t even spotted something similar to a test crystal.

It seemed the observation of Yenir was over. After a brief exchange of glances among the nine Rebel High-Ranking Officers, Hong Tiangang, seated at the head, managed a faint smile and spoke coolly:

“That’s right. This is the testing ground. But rather than a test, consider it a reward.”

As he spoke, Hong Tiangang waved his right hand, and a Third-Stage soldier silently lifted a metal box and placed it in front of Yenir.

The metal box exuded a chilling aura, as if it had been preserved using liquid nitrogen. The moment it was set before Yenir, a thin layer of frost quickly formed over it.

What was this?

Yenir’s confusion deepened as he examined its design—it looked strikingly similar to a container used for storing potions.

(A reward? It couldn’t be a reward. Based on these Rebels’ attitude, they’re content with meeting requirements, but they definitely aren’t trying to cultivate me!)

Before Yenir could fully process it, he spoke up.

In the next moment, with a snap, a tube of golden potion materialized inside the black box.

“Divinization Potion. This is the reward for an outstanding test performance,” Hong Tiangang explained.

“Lin Ming, I know you were once just an explorer with the Fire Wolf Team, but the Military highly values talent. They don’t care about your background or current strength.”

“Once you drink this potion, you will ascend to Third-Stage!”

With a gesture, Hong Tiangang’s smile suggested that, just like the Huaguo Military, he genuinely appreciated what Yenir had to offer—prompting Yenir to drink the potion without hesitation.

And he wasn’t entirely wrong.

If Yenir survived, he would indeed ascend to Third-Stage!

At the sound of this announcement, a look of grim determination flashed across Yenir’s eyes. He hadn’t expected the test to turn into a gamble of drinking an unknown potion.

He wasn’t worried about external tests faltering his performance, but ingesting this substance? Who knew what it truly was!

No matter how strong his body was, it didn’t render him immune to every poison!

Drink it or not!?

Before Yenir could hesitate any further, one of the Peak Third-Stagers beside Hong Tiangang immediately noticed his indecision:

“Kid, what are you so worried about? Do you really think the Military would betray you?”

“I’ve said it’s a reward, so take it! Didn’t you dream of reaching Third-Stage, of serving the nation? What’s stopping you? Fear or cowardice?”

His gaze was piercing and critical.

Facing the scrutiny of this Peak Third-Stager, Yenir felt the weight of his internal conflict deepen.

Truth be told, had he not been sure his identity remained hidden, he might have suspected the Rebels already knew who he was and were preparing to strike!

They’d be troublemakers!

If they discovered my true identity, they’d all be itching to kill me!

With the atmosphere suddenly growing tense, Yenir steeled himself—if he were in Lin Ming’s shoes, he wouldn’t hesitate for a moment but would leap at the chance to drink the potion in sheer delight.

Any further delay risked the Rebels making a move right then and there.

(At this point… I have to take a gamble!)

(Divinization Potion… selection in progress…)

(There’s no way they’d go through all this trouble to test so many survivors and then inexplicably try to kill me! If nothing else, this potion is the real test—to see if I can endure its power!)

No longer hesitating, Yenir feigned excitement as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude before snatching up the potion and drinking it in one swift motion.

Almost at the same moment he did, all nine Rebel High-Ranking Officers fixed their gaze on him, their mental power converging like a vast net to ensnare him.

It was as if every change occurring within him was of utmost importance!

At the same time, as the icy liquid slid down his throat, Yenir felt a searing blaze ignite within his body.

In less than a split second, a forceful and unruly surge of unknown energy exploded inside him!

Damn!

It felt as if a nuclear bomb had detonated within him. In an instant, Yenir’s face drained of color as he let out a pained roar.

Even with his usual resilience, the agony was nearly unbearable!

“It’s beginning!”

“Hold on tight! This is the start of your transformation!”

With a mighty shout, Hong Tiangang leaped to his feet, his eyes locked intensely on Yenir.

Yenir’s suspicions were correct—they intended to subject him to a second round of testing, not merely urging him to ingest a Divinization Potion.

But to Hong Tiangang, his conviction was unwavering. In his eyes, Lin Ming was simply the second seed with experiences identical to Yenir’s—a candidate who could fulfill their plan!

That’s why he had gone all the way to the Base Dungeon to procure this potion!

As long as Yenir survived—even if reduced to ashes—his remaining cells and tissues would be more than enough for them to ‘cultivate’!

Of course, survival was much preferred!

“How long do you think he can hold on?”

“About three seconds. Forcing an expansion of mental power will shatter his mind. Even if he meets the standards, three seconds is about the limit.”

“I believe he might last seven. Didn’t this kid get infected with a virus before? In our research, virus and mental power are essentially the same thing…”

They disregarded life and death.

All nine leaned in to watch Yenir, intent only on seeing if he could survive!

If he did, coupled with their transformation process, it would indeed be nothing short of a miracle!