Chapter 7: A Surge of Potential

Why hasn’t the test stopped yet?

Standing behind Yenir, the formerly high-ranking official from the Safe Zone now acted like a bodyguard, abandoning all pretenses as his gaze fixed intently on Yenir’s back.

The test had already been running for six minutes.

The once flawless Test Crystal was now covered in countless fine cracks.

As the lowest-tier testing tool, in the past decade, the highest talent it detected only reached Grade A.

Although the test results were a bit slow, their accuracy was unbeatable. No one had thought to replace it in all these years.

But when Yenir appeared, the Crystal’s sluggish testing ability began to scratch at their hearts like a feline’s claw.

“It can’t possibly improve further, can it? It’s already reached S-grade!”

Swallowing hard, a Safe Zone high-ranking official standing behind Yenir stared at the light streaming from the fissure as if he had seen a ghost.

Even he, who had weathered countless storms and fought for his life, had come this far.

Yet Yenir’s performance left him utterly speechless.

Any higher would be SS-grade!

If S-grade meant a ready reserve for Stage Three, then SS-grade was reserved for top-tier powerhouses within Stage Three, boasting extraordinary combat abilities.

In the entire Huaxia Battle Zone, in nearly eighty years since the apocalypse, fewer than ten had emerged.

“That’s very possible!”

Standing beside him, the usually composed Liao Tian took over the conversation, his gaze steady as he spoke slowly:

“If the testing light hasn’t faded, it means his talent is still being evaluated!”

“It’s not hopeless for SS-grade either!”

After his words fell, several of them exchanged stunned glances at the most experienced Liao Tian.

As the Military Commission’s representative with the most testing experience among the high-ranking officials, they trusted Liao Tian’s words.

“SS-grade…”

With a tone of awe, an older colonel looked on, his expression complex as he regarded Yenir’s slender silhouette.

“An S-grade talent means a 90% chance of advancing to Stage Three!”

“As long as they don’t die, every S-grade awakener in our records has advanced to Stage Three and taken up regional guard duty!”

“If it’s SS-grade, it means that as long as this kid doesn’t have an accident along the way, he’ll definitely become a top-tier Stage Three in the future!”

“I’ve heard that the commanders of the Four Major Military Districts are all SS-grade talents!”

Upon saying that, he cast a look at Yenir that held a trace of reverence.

A super genius who, in the future, could rival the highest military commander now stood before them—a sight that eclipsed even his first encounter with a Stage Three in action.

After the words faded, the group exchanged glances and discovered that they all shared the same marvel in their eyes.

Then, one mixed-blood high-ranking official, a bit envious, muttered instinctively:

“If only my boy could be as outstanding as this fellow, I’d be content to die here today.”

No exaggeration.

Those who held the power over millions of lives in the Safe Zone knew better than anyone else what exceptional talent truly meant.

Even though Yenir had only just had his talent measured, his overall prowess could easily annihilate any Stage One awakener present.

But given time, the future was full of promise!

From today on, every resource, honor, and status in the entire Safe Zone would be his if Yenir so desired!

That’s how significant Stage Three is!

“Oh, by the way…”

As if recalling something, one high-ranking official suddenly asked while glancing at Yenir, whose final talent was still under evaluation:

“Has Lord Xiao Hai from our Safe Zone been notified?”

“If the Supreme Commander finds out that our Safe Zone has produced an S-grade—even an SS-grade—talent, he’d surely be thrilled, right?”

As he spoke, the official’s face showed deep emotion, even though just a few minutes ago he hadn’t even bothered to glance at Yenir.

But now, he had completely forgotten his earlier disdain.

Amid the banter, Liao Tian nodded slightly and murmured without turning his head:

“He’s been notified.”

“I sent a message as soon as Yenir was confirmed as S-grade.”

“If all goes well, the Supreme Commander should be on his way.”

“Moreover, once the test concludes, Yenir’s information will be reported to the Capital Military District.”

“For an A-grade, we might still have the right to decide how to cultivate him. But if Yenir is SS-grade, the Capital will likely send representatives over.”

His voice was barely audible, fearing to disturb Yenir’s test.

Listening to Liao Tian’s words, the group again fell into a mix of envy and awe.

For ordinary folks, becoming an awakener is a life-changing event. But Yenir’s display of such super talent was like a sudden ascension, shooting him straight into high command’s radar! Provided he doesn’t screw up, the entire Huaxia Battle Zone will back him all the way to Stage Three.

“What a shame.”

Out of the blue, as everyone was marveling, a high-ranking pure-blood awakener suddenly blurted out:

The speaker was the middle-aged awakener who had previously pitied Yenir.

He sighed and lowered his voice:

“With a talent like this, the higher-ups in the Military would almost certainly take him away.”

“According to the latest Seed Plan, Yenir might even be sent to the Capital for training, where resources are abundant and Stage Three is plentiful.”

“Such a fine seed—we just can’t hold him in the Safe Zone. It’s a real pity. If Yenir is willing, Fang Ping is ready to be his mentor, devoting everything to his success!”

Listening to Fang Ping’s mix of admiration and regret, the group wore peculiar expressions, and one mixed-blood official gave him a startled look.

“Alright, Fang Ping.”

“Don’t say you’re willing to mentor him. Who wouldn’t want to be a teacher to a future Stage Three?”

“But frankly, do we even have the credentials? I dare say even the Supreme Commander might not be qualified…”

Halfway through, the man seemed to realize his mistake and awkwardly chuckled, choosing to remain silent.

As everyone knew, despite being Stage Three, Xiao Hai—the strongest in the Tianfeng Security Zone—was also the most inconspicuous in that tier. With an A-grade talent, he was just average.

With Yenir’s aptitude, the Military District will likely send over several different types of Stage Threes to coach him personally, aiming to cultivate a top-tier powerhouse.

Time ticked by slowly.

Just as everyone patiently waited, a booming roar suddenly echoed down from the sky.

The roar reverberated as a psychic warplane hurtled swiftly toward the skies above Testing Plaza.

A massive, umbrella-shaped sonic boom cloud trailed behind a white sound barrier, with several slightly slower warplanes following in formation.

In the next moment, under a barrage of astonished stares, a figure leaped from the cabin door like a falling meteor, surging toward the plaza.

Who was that!?

Across the plaza, every high-ranking official in the Safe Zone suddenly looked up, many instantly recognizing the descending shadow.

“The Supreme Commander… the Supreme Commander is here!”

“Bang!!”

Enveloped in a layer of blue psychic energy, a commanding middle-aged awakener crashed onto the Testing Plaza.

He kneeled to cushion the impact and then stood up.

The man was none other than Xiao Hai, the highest commander of the Tianfeng Military District and a Stage Three awakener!