Trial? What trial? Was everything from before really nothing more than a trial? And what did Zhang Lie mean by the changes to their bodies?

"Ah, my body!"

"No, could it be? I've broken through? When?!"

The elites present might have grown cocky and arrogant because of their skill, but they weren't idiots. They had, one and all, realized what Zhang Lie had accomplished.

"I apologize for my actions, everyone. Whatever doubt I cast on your pride and service was solely for the purpose of inducing your breakthrough; I'm very proud that you soldiers are the ones protecting our country. But this mindset is exactly what makes the standard trial useless for all of you, so I had to come up with a more creative approach instead. If I'm not mistaken, all of you should have broken through by now.

"Congratulations, and, once again, my apologies!"

Zhang Lie bowed toward the gathered soldiers, then left the training chamber.

"As expected!" Su Feng's...