Chapter 137: The Final Trial

Chapter 137: The Final Trial

Black Bear stared at Shen An in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief. He felt completely numb.

"Good, good, good! Truly excellent! Our Grandmaster Council is destined to produce a figure who will shock the entire world," the First Elder of the Grandmaster Council declared.

"Heh, it seems the person who has come to our Grandmaster Council this time is no ordinary existence," the Third Elder added.

The Second Elder no longer held any contempt for Shen An. A potential value of 100,000 was not something just anyone could achieve. Yet, Shen An had reached it—this feat alone was enough to earn immense respect.

The First Elder approached Shen An and said, "Shen An, you have demonstrated extraordinary potential. If you can complete this final trial, we will bestow upon you the rank of Count within the Grandmaster Council."

There were only ten Counts in the Grandmaster Council, and they served directly beneath the three Elders. Each of them was immensely powerful; even a Berserker like Black Bear could not contend with someone holding the rank of Count. Within the Grandmaster Council, status meant everything.

Shen An did not know much about the rank of Count, but he was eager to find out what this final trial entailed.

"Elder, just state the trial, and I will do my best to complete it," Shen An said. The potential test had filled him with confidence, and he felt that he would likely pass this final challenge as well.

"Follow me, Shen An. I am about to reveal the secrets behind the Grandmaster Council to you," the First Elder said mysteriously.

The Third Elder smiled from the side, patting Shen An on the shoulder. "Shen An, the First Elder thinks very highly of you. You must work hard and give it your all. Once you complete this final trial, you will become a Count of the Grandmaster Council. By then, no Awakened in the entire Silver City will dare to show you disrespect."

Shen An had not expected the status of a Grandmaster Council Count to be so formidable.

"It seems I must strive for this rank," Shen An muttered to himself. He clenched his fists and followed the First Elder toward a dark, seemingly endless passage.

...

Back in the Grandmaster Council hall, the Second Elder and Black Bear watched Shen An depart, making no move to stop him.

"He... is too strong. This is the first time I have ever encountered someone with a potential value of 100,000. I fear he may truly become the youngest Count in the history of the Grandmaster Council," the Second Elder said, clearly shaken.

Black Bear sighed. He was now genuinely convinced. He had only scored 12,000 on the test, while Shen An’s score was a staggering 100,000—a terrifying figure beyond his imagination.

"Second Elder, do you think it was a grave mistake for us to treat him as an enemy?" Black Bear asked.

"Black Bear, remember this: never provoke this man. If you have even a fleeting thought of crossing him, I advise you to suppress it. He is not someone you or I can afford to offend. The First and Third Elders hold him in high regard; do not provoke him," the Second Elder warned.

"I understand, Second Elder. I will never cross him. I will keep this in mind," Black Bear nodded. He was not foolish enough to challenge someone with a potential of 100,000.

Meanwhile, Shen An and the two Elders had arrived before a prison gate. Cold, dark iron bars held back a dangerous entity within. Even so, a powerful aura seeped from the cell—a presence so formidable that even Shen An, whose strength had reached the mid-stage of the Third Rank, felt a sense of danger.

Shen An frowned slightly. Was this what the Elders meant by the final trial?

"Is the trial the Elders spoke of located inside this cold prison?" Shen An asked, his expression full of doubt.

The First Elder nodded and turned to the Third Elder. "Release it. This shall be Shen An's final trial. If he succeeds, he will become the first twenty-year-old Count of our Grandmaster Council."

Becoming a Count at twenty was unprecedented. If Shen An achieved this, it would surely cause an unimaginable shock among the other Awakened in the Council.

"Shen An, are you ready? What you are about to face is likely the most dangerous existence you have ever encountered. Remember, if you cannot hold on, shout out, and we will intervene," the Third Elder cautioned.

The heavy prison gate rose, and a terrifying aura surged out, as if a savage beast were contained within. Shen An felt a wave of immense danger. He fixed his gaze forward, his entire body tensed in vigilance. He knew something truly horrific was about to emerge.

"What could it be? Such a dangerous aura, such immense pressure," Shen An whispered to himself.

"Good luck, Shen An. If you defeat what comes out, you will earn the rank of Count. This supreme honor can only be grasped by your own hands," the Third Elder said.

"I understand. I will deal with this creature. I am curious to see what kind of monster it is," Shen An replied.

"I wish you luck. I know you have the strength and the wisdom to handle it," the Third Elder said.

"Third Elder, let us leave. We shall leave the rest to him," the First Elder said.

The two Elders departed, and a massive metal gate descended, sealing off all paths of retreat. Shen An knew his exit was blocked. In this situation, he could only move forward and face the danger; there was no other choice.

"Let me see what lies within," Shen An said.

At that moment, a massive beast, resembling a panther, stepped out from the prison. It radiated a potent, terrifying aura that made one want to keep their distance.

"Is this what I must face? A truly powerful existence," Shen An muttered.

The beast’s blade-like eyes locked onto him, as if to force him into a desperate situation. It let out a series of low growls. Its strength seemed to rival that of an Awakened at the late-stage of the Third Rank—or perhaps even stronger.