Chapter 951: Shock and Suspicion

The meeting room was huge, and it was completely silent.

Only the intermittent sound of puffing on a cigarette could be heard.

Everyone's thoughts were varied, and for a moment no one spoke.

After watching the footage, they all guessed the name, but hearing it confirmed from the military felt entirely different.

Although the person in the video didn't resemble Lin An and wasn't brandishing a sword,

but his distinctive fighting style, coupled with the signature transformation effect, made him instantly recognizable.

The impression Lin An left on them was truly deep.

After a long silence, an officer wearing gloves tentatively asked the chief:

"So, what does the military intend by calling this meeting?"

Not knowing the military's intent, he could only bluntly ask this.

Lin An's combat power shown in the video indeed refreshed their understanding once again, but... what next?

Calling an emergency meeting surely isn't just to have them sit here listening to how awesome Lin An is, then dampen their own morale, right?

Just one trial is enough; a few more blows and everyone will start doubting life.

He nodded, Lin Zhan regained his composure and spoke slowly:

"In a moment, besides informing everyone of Lin An's current strength limit..."

"More importantly, we also need to demonstrate something."

After a pause, Lin Zhan scanned the crowd, ignoring their doubtful gazes, and looked at each person one by one.

"First, Lin An killing a third-level mutant isn't really worth noting."

"Take our capital's defense line as an example: we kill at least double-digit numbers of third-level mutants every day."

"Although most are team efforts, even General Lihao or other top Awakened Ones can achieve solo kills when the opportunity arises."

"What we should pay attention to is Lin An's combat style."

"Contrary to expectation, in the video he used only pure physical strength, meaning his attributes grew enormously during the trial."

"According to our estimates, Lin An should be at third-level intermediate, and is even close to advancing to advanced."

"Otherwise there's no way to explain how his attributes could overwhelm peers of the same rank!"

As his words fell, the meeting room instantly erupted.

"How is this possible!? It's only been a few days!?"

"Third-level intermediate? Near advanced...!? Could the military have misjudged!? He Lin An has high attributes—could it be some kind of burst technique?"

"After all, we've seen in the trial that he obviously has a special skill that enhances his physique!"

"Yeah, General Lin Zhan, aren't those analysts just spouting nonsense?"

"Just intermediate is bad enough... but near advanced! If this continues a few more days, will they start saying Lin An will reach fourth stage?"

Seven tongues chattering, a brief comment about intermediate level instantly left everyone stunned, utterly unwilling to believe the military's judgment.

The time is simply too short.

Advancing to third level isn't as easy as moving from second level; each rank-up requires exponentially more spiritual energy.

Take them as examples—none of them fight on the front lines without daring to waste a moment.

But up to now, no Awakened One has claimed they're about to level up.

Hearing the doubts around him, Lin Zhan's face showed a helpless expression.

To be honest, his first reaction upon hearing the military's analysis was also disbelief.

What a joke—if it's really as the military says, then Lin An's third-level upgrade speed would be faster than that of second level.

Or perhaps a mutant rushed at his face and committed suicide?

Just...

He pressed down with both hands, signaling everyone to stay quiet:

"The information is correct; we deliberately compared data from some strength-based Awakened Ones and verified it frame by frame."

"Lin An didn't use any special burst technique; it was pure physical strength—this point, General Lihao can confirm."

While speaking, Lin Zhan secretly sighed.

Although called a comparison, it actually meant having the military's strongest few go all out without using skills, to see if they could produce an effect like Lin An's.

The result was unsatisfactory.

Except for Lihao and another strength-based Awakened One, who could barely manage a short burst producing the same effect.

The rest fell far short—not even close.

Moreover, the military itself clearly knows that these two can barely match Lin An only by relying on something...

He made a gesture, Lin Zhan's face grew solemn:

"According to preliminary estimates, Lin An's dual attributes are at least 69 points or higher!"

Everyone froze, looking at the chief's gesture; many slightly opened their mouths, feeling this number like a heavy hammer striking them, making their heads spin.

"6... 69 points!?"

"This... how is this possible!?"

Stammering, even though everyone present is high-ranking and elite among elites.

But upon hearing this number, they also felt as if seeing a ghost, subconsciously comparing themselves.

How could the gap be even larger than imagined!? 69 points or more—surely that's bigger than the difference seen in the trial!

We had thought that, after both reaching third level, Lin An's terrifying combat power could be caught up to somewhat.

But everyone present never expected that, according to the military's repeated calculations, the gap would actually grow larger.

He nodded heavily, and Lin Zhan also didn't intend to dwell on this further.

Actually, he still has something left unsaid.

The actual situation is far more terrifying than what he revealed. You should know, in the trial, Lin An's most outstanding performance was near-invulnerable defense, and...

Spiritual power like a bottomless pit...

It's hard to imagine just how strong that guy has become now.

"I feel like we might be fake third-rank..."

"Yeah, I'm a power type after all, but my attributes are only just over 50 points... This gap is way too big..."

Not wanting to further dampen everyone's morale, Lin Zhan Qing exhaled, his expression stern:

"Everyone, don't be too disheartened."

"Lin An's strength is largely due to the entire Long An faction's resources being poured into him. Plus the unknown reward at the end of the trial, this is what produced this effect. We're different; many of us third-rank Awakened Ones haven't even gathered a basic blue set. Just that alone is enough to create a huge gap."

After hearing that, everyone's expressions eased a little.

Although it's somewhat one-sided, this is the truth. Supplies in the Capital Military Region have always been tight; despite various military regions' all-out support, distribution to each Awakened One is still scarce. Often, to ensure survival rates, the military basically hands out equipment by equal shares, each person getting just a bit.

Someone like Lin An, armed to the teeth, is said to have mostly high-rank equipment; you can't find a single such Awakened One in the entire Capital Military Region.

It's normal that they can't compare. After all, who made them bear so much pressure?

Seeing morale ease considerably, Lin Zhan nodded without changing expression, and stated the most important matter of this meeting:

"Everyone, setting aside Lin An for now, the urgent task is for us to likewise unleash some of our strength!"

"According to military analysis, this video might have been deliberately leaked by Lin An to showcase his power and build momentum!"

"He doesn't use skills, doesn't use better killing methods. Purely using his body to display strength, Lin An is clearly announcing to the world just how strong he is now!"

"Everyone, this is a very dangerous signal!"