Free Web NovelChapter 508: Chapter 501: Evaluation
The release of this video had a far greater impact on the upper echelons of various nations and the news media than on the general public.
Zhou Yuanjue represented the pinnacle of individual combat power in the world. Most countries had few, if any, Saint Awakening Level combatants, let alone a formidable force standing in the world’s top echelon. The high-level officials of every nation were intensely interested in the specific data regarding their physical abilities, destructive power, and so on.
Everyone could already foresee that in the future, individual strength would become the primary means of deciding the course of war and a key metric for a nation’s power. It was a force that no one could resist coveting.
And now was undoubtedly the best opportunity to gauge the extent of the world’s top-tier combat power.
「Hiloba Region, Riyao Empire. Special Intelligence Agency, Military Intelligence Division.」
Caucasian men in sharp suits sat around a conference table. A massive screen projected an image of Zhou Yuanjue along with his detailed file.
A tall Caucasian man with an extraordinary air stood before the conference table, giving a detailed presentation to the various high-level officials present.
This man was Baal, the head of the Riyao Empire’s Military Intelligence Division.
"The situation on the Black Continent is still unclear. Starry Sky Country has not yet made a specific statement, but it’s impossible for them to not react to such a provocation. We anticipate they will make a move within two days."
"Furthermore, we’ve urgently diverted the main assets of our Black Continent intelligence network to gather intelligence deep within the Liya Republic and the Satan Desert. We’ve learned that this is an open challenge. Both the Liya Republic’s special services and Donghua Country’s forces have shown great tolerance toward the intelligence agencies of various nations, and even the media. They’ve shown no indication of sealing off the duel site; it seems they want to openly publicize the true nature of the duel for all to see."
"In response, we have immediately prepared our most advanced professional equipment. This equipment possesses powerful spectral capture and anti-magnetic field interference capabilities. It will be able to transmit the clearest, real-time footage from the scene for all of you to watch, and for our intelligence department to analyze."
Baal said to the elderly and middle-aged men in suits seated around the round conference table.
In the hands of these men lay the highest authority and power of the empire. They were the nation’s representatives. To gather them all together required an event on the scale of a cabinet reshuffle or something that could affect the nation’s very destiny; otherwise, no one had that kind of pull.
And now, they were facing just such an event.
Centuries ago, the Riyao Empire conquered the world with sturdy ships and powerful cannons, brought down the old era with gunpowder and firearms, and pioneered a new age with steam and technology.
For hundreds of years, humanity’s science and technology grew ever more powerful, and in turn, the weapons they wielded became increasingly terrifying.
Decades ago, two small bombs detonated over Tianhe Country, instantly blasting open a new era.
Nuclear peace.
The nation that wields the most powerful weapons can dominate the world. This has been an immutable truth since ancient times.
Now, however, the rise of individual power represented a new trend. They had to personally understand just how strong this power at the pinnacle of the world truly was in order to make the most correct decisions for their nation’s future.
This was not child’s play, nor a matter of mere interest. They were not gawking onlookers; they were here for the good of their country, as well as their own self-interest.
"How much longer until the feed comes through?"
An elderly Caucasian man with deeply wrinkled skin, seated at the head of the table, spoke up. This man was the current prime minister of the Riyao Empire, and the person with the most authority present.
"About another fifteen minutes. At that time, the feed will also be synced to the Queen’s palace."
Baal glanced at his watch and said to the officials.
"Regarding this battle, does your Military Intelligence Division have a forecast? In your opinion, which side has a higher chance of winning?"
Another man, a blond, middle-aged official in a sharp suit, spoke up.
"Of course. We began our analysis the moment we received the news. From a purely data-driven comparison, Donghua’s chances of victory are negligible. You must understand, Starry Sky Country has more than just Super Warriors; they also have other figures lurking in the shadows."
"However, judging by Donghua’s posture, something feels off. This is no longer a personal affair of the challenger, but a matter concerning the interests of the entire Donghua Country and the Far East Group. Since their leadership approved this plan and adopted their current stance, they must be confident of the outcome. Most importantly, there’s Zhou Yuanjue himself..."
Baal said, shaking his head.
"What is it about this man?"
The Riyao Empire’s prime minister asked, frowning.
"Internationally, he’s known as the ’Immortal bird,’ but internally, our Military Intelligence Division has no fixed rating for him. We have only a single-word assessment."
Baal said, drawing out the word: "Unpredictable."
Upon hearing that single word, everyone present raised their eyebrows slightly.
"According to our intelligence, this man broke through the limits of the human body in his mid-twenties. In just two short years, every time he has been flagged by the international intelligence network, his rating has undergone a world-shaking change. In the long course of human history, and throughout all our records researching individuals with extraordinary power, there has never been such an existence."
"In other words, in just two short years, he has grown from a slightly more powerful-than-average human to a point where he can now threaten an entire city, or even a country. That is an unbelievable feat."
"With this man, we cannot evaluate him by past standards, nor can we use any conventional methods to predict his growth in strength. Therefore, we cannot know his true current level or the power he possesses, making it impossible to deduce the probability of victory or defeat."
Baal continued.
"Can a human really grow at such a rate?"
Someone at the conference table couldn’t help but raise this question.
"Those are the facts."
Baal shook his head.
"Right now, our cooperation with Starry Sky Country is still in its early stages. If this incident ends with the Donghua Warrior’s victory, perhaps we really should consider adjusting our strategy and direction for foreign cooperation..."
the prime minister said, his eyes narrowed.
KSHHHHHH!!
Just then, the image on the projection screen flickered and dissolved into static, as if it were connecting to another feed.
Everyone present sat up straighter, their eyes instantly alight with anticipation.
"Gentlemen, it looks like the feed is coming through."
Baal said with a smile.
The next moment, a clear picture appeared on the conference room’s massive, futuristic projection screen.
It was a vista of yellow, a boundless expanse of rolling, desolate sand dunes. The midday sun beat down fiercely on the desert, making the countless grains of sand reflect a blinding light.
Scorching, arid—this was a Life Forbidden Zone, an ocean of death. Any ordinary person who entered this forbidden zone without taking every possible precaution would be seeking their own demise.
And yet, at this very moment, in the high-altitude, overhead view on the screen, a figure in a simple Martial Arts Uniform sat silently on the surface of the scorching sand, where the temperature was above seventy degrees Celsius.
