Chapter 663: Test of Fate

Suppressing his suspicions, Yenir remained impassive as he led Ming Luo and the others to the spot closest to the device.

Not only had he vaguely guessed what the rebels intended, but Yenir suddenly realized why he had been suppressed in the early stages of both his lives!

“The rebels have long understood the importance of mental power. What I once showcased as a mental specialty was seen as a burden by the Military—but the rebels recognized my true potential!”

“So… is this why I’m being targeted!?”

If that’s truly the case…

Perhaps when the rebels were finally annihilated in the Huaxia Battle Zone, even as I perished, they still had sleeper agents hidden among us!

They watched as I fell in battle, witnessed the extinction of humanity! All the disasters were orchestrated by them!

This clue was too bizarre, and its implications sent a shiver down Yenir’s spine.

He recalled that even after his rebirth he had always lamented his past failures. On the eve of humanity’s collapse, nations unleashed an enormous potential—not just through the Supernatural Plan, but in that final half-year, the surge in Third-Stage warriors was nearly ten to a hundred times greater than before!

It seems that only when humanity is cornered do we truly unlock our potential!

In those final moments, many—including Yenir—felt that if only there were more time, if even one person could rise to Fourth Stage even briefly, humanity might stand a chance to fight back!

Taking a deep breath, Yenir could only hope that his suspicion remained just that—a suspicion—and not the harsh reality.

…

“Everyone, please maintain your composure. I understand your desire to become Third-Stage warriors and fight for justice, but first I must explain what you need to do shortly!”

“The so-called mind resonance technique is the Military’s latest research, developed at tremendous cost. Although it carries no side effects, its effectiveness depends greatly on the Awakener’s compatibility.”

“In the upcoming test, you’ll ‘see’ images of zombies, mutants, and various monsters.”

“Throughout the process, the steadier your mind—the higher your compatibility—the more likely you are to be chosen by the Military to join the new generation of special Third-Stage warriors!”

“Also, the test might be painful and… leave you with a rather unpleasant feeling.”

After the rebel representative finished speaking, all the survivors exchanged startled, tense glances.

“Weren’t we all supposed to become Third-Stage warriors? Why is there still a test?!”

“Do you mean the test might be dangerous?”

Quick on the uptake, a Middle-Aged Man—a Second-Stage Peak Fighter—couldn’t help but ask.

Though the senior officials spoke vaguely, after years of scraping by during the apocalypse, he could easily pick up on the underlying implications. The entire process felt not only odd but tinged with an air of danger.

In response to this Awakener’s question, the rebel representative offered nothing more than a tight, forced smile before slowly continuing:

“Folks, do you really think the Military would lie to you? Yes, the first batch must pass the test to become Third-Stage warriors, but even Awakener candidates with the lowest resonance can eventually break through to Third Stage!”

“It’s easy to understand. Some of you have such poor innate talent that we have to work hard to break your limits—but differences will always persist. Just like the gap between a First-Stage and a Second-Stage Peak Fighter, the latter will naturally reach Third Stage first.”

Deliberately skirting the real issue, the rebel representative sneered inwardly and cast a sudden icy glare at the questioner.

The truth is: those who pass the test indeed become Third-Stage warriors. In that, he wasn’t lying.

However…

At the same time, Ming Luo, who had intended to risk asking a question on behalf of everyone, was suddenly hushed by Yenir.

“Lord Yenir? Doesn’t this prevent the rebels from clarifying everything?!”

“Dangerous? I’d say people might die! Those beasts don’t care about human life at all—they’re not here to promote you to Third Stage, they’re here to mutate you!”

Though he couldn’t quite grasp what the rebels meant by mind resonance, Ming Luo was all too familiar with their evasive tactics. Their words were exactly like those of cultists they’d encountered during a mission—luring people with promises of power while subtly insinuating something darker!

“So what if we ask?”

“Ming Luo, it’s obvious the rebels have already set their entire plan in motion. Even if they were forced to reveal the true dangers, it wouldn’t change anything.”

From the stage, Yenir solemnly signaled to Ming Luo and the others to wait and see.

In the first half, they manipulated the survivors’ emotions with accusations in the name of national duty; in the latter, they tempted them with the promise of power. One link led to another—so enticing that even those Awakener survivors who sensed something was off couldn’t resist.

Yenir even suspected that if the test later went awry, the rebels wouldn’t bat an eye! They’d force the test to proceed, no matter what!

Sure enough, several survivors suddenly leaped to their feet, their faces aglow with excited gratitude as they spoke up in support of the Military:

“Nothing in this world comes without risk—you have to fight for it! The Military giving us a chance to become Third-Stage warriors is a tremendous favor! I’m signing up for the test! Not just for myself—I want to become Third Stage and take down those traitors for our country!”

“Me too! Military, are you doubting us? I think you’re just too scared—afraid we’ll all become Third-Stage warriors!”

“Damn it! That guy—could he be with the rebels? Maybe even one of those traitors in the Capital?!”

With a sudden shift in topic by the rebel’s planted personnel, the first Middle-Aged Man went pale, as if he feared being completely exposed!

“I’m not… I’m not! I—I want to take the test too!”

…

“Silence!”

“Since everyone is so eager to fight for our country, I hereby announce the start of the test! I hope you all endure it and succeed in becoming Third-Stage warriors!”

…

Progress moved at an extraordinary pace.

As doubts and worries began to fade, the rebel representative nodded toward the machines below, and soon, with a burst of electric current and unknown energy suddenly surging forth,

the three massive machines—resembling nuclear magnetic resonance devices—erupted with a roar.

“Who among you will volunteer for the first test? The better you perform, the sooner you’ll be part of the first batch of Third-Stage warriors!”

“Moreover, the Military will nurture you, recruiting you directly and granting you official Military status!”

The incentives grew ever more enticing.

Not far from the machines, Yenir stared intently at the roaring devices, and his mental power unmistakably detected a mass of twisting, writhing flesh inside!

The so-called electrical roar was nothing but an illusion!

“This test is utterly flawed!”