Chapter 16: Brave the Rapids with Strength, Train Climbing Across the Rift

The raft sped along the dark river, icy water spray splashing onto his face, keeping Chen Wen awake.

He gripped the long pole tightly, his 4× dynamic vision and reaction speed reaching their peak at this moment.

He carefully avoided the hidden reefs appearing in the water.

【Controlling the raft, balance proficiency increased (4× bonus)!

Diligence Points (WP) +1... +1... (continuous)】

WP was slowly but steadily increasing.

Although the points gained each time were few, this continuous sense of gain.

This is precisely the core pleasure point of the 'Cow Horse System'.

The sound of the water ahead turned into a roar!

The light also almost completely disappeared, only faint glimmers from scattered blue crystals on the rock walls providing a glimmer.

An underground waterfall?

Or an extremely steep drop?

Chen Wen's heart jolted; he thrust the long pole into the riverbed with all his strength, trying to slow down.

But the current was too swift, and the raft uncontrollably surged toward the source of the roar!

By the faint blue light, he saw clearly ahead

——the underground river plunged here into a huge underground ravine, forming a roaring waterfall!

And the opposite bank of the ravine was just tens of meters away.

Faintly visible was another pitch-black cave entrance!

We must get across!

The cave entrance on the opposite bank might be a new path!

But the raft was destined to plunge into the abyss with the waterfall.

Abandon the raft! Climb across!

This thought flashed through his mind in an instant.

Although the ravine walls on both sides were steep, they were not completely smooth, having many protrusions and crevices.

Just as the raft was about to rush over the waterfall, Chen Wen aimed at a protruding platform on the left-front rock wall.

He took a deep breath, and 4× strength exploded in his legs as he leapt!

Whoosh!

He barely managed to land on that platform; the huge impact sent a sharp pain through his leg injury, nearly making him fall.

Behind him, the raft crashed down, disappearing into the waterfall's roar.

Too close!

He panted, glanced back at the abyss, his heart still pounding with fear.

But soon he turned his gaze toward the cave entrance tens of meters away on the opposite side.

How to get across?

Below the ravine is an abyss; you can't jump across.

The only way is to traverse the ravine wall by climbing sideways!

If it were an ordinary person, seeing this deep, dark ravine and slippery rock walls, they would likely have already despaired.

But Chen Wen's eyes burned with fighting spirit!

This is another task that can be completed through 'effort'!

He carefully surveyed the rock wall beside him, seeking the best climbing route.

At the same time, he tore off his already tattered outer garment, ripped it into strips, and wrapped them around his palms to increase friction.

【Surveying terrain, wilderness survival experience increased (4× bonus)! Diligence Points (WP) +5】

Preparations complete, he began to act!

His fingers were like iron clamps, firmly gripping tiny rock crevices; his feet precisely stepped on each leverage point.

His 4× strength, endurance, and balance enabled him to perform many actions unimaginable for ordinary people.

【Performing high-intensity climbing, strength, endurance, and balance proficiency increased (4× bonus)!】

【Diligence Points (WP) +3... +3... (continuous)】

The climbing process was extremely exhausting; sweat quickly soaked his clothes, and his leg injury throbbed faintly.

But accompanied by the ongoing prompt of WP increasing, and the further weakening of the 'Malevolent Qi Corrosion' state within his body.

He felt immensely fulfilled!

【High-intensity labor, 'Malevolent Qi Corrosion' effect weakened! Current stamina recovery efficiency: -30%!】

Along the way, he encountered several dangers: the rock wall was slippery with no leverage, or seemingly solid rock suddenly loosened.

All were narrowly resolved by him relying on his 4× agility and reaction speed.

Finally, after nearly an hour of arduous sideways movement.

He finally succeeded in reaching the cave entrance on the opposite bank!

【Successfully overcoming difficult terrain, completing extreme climbing! Diligence Points (WP) +50!】

【Current stamina: 25%】

【WP: 178】

【Abnormal status: 'Malevolent Qi Corrosion' changed to 'Minor Malevolent Qi Disturbance' (stamina recovery efficiency -20%)】

Exhausted to the point of death, yet his heart brimmed with a sense of accomplishment!

Once again, he relied on his own effort and multiplier abilities to overcome the heavenly chasm!

He collapsed at the cave entrance, gulping down the relatively fresh air.

This cave entrance also showed signs of artificial digging, but it was even older than the previous main mine tunnel.

After a brief rest, he struggled to his feet and decided to delve deeper.

The silver hairpin's sense here was weak, but it still pointed toward the depths.

Not far along, the passage started to slope upward, and a branch appeared.

At the end of one of the branches, he discovered a small, abandoned storage room.

Inside were only a few empty wooden crates and a pile of rotting miscellaneous items.

But under a pile of rotten wood chips, he made a new discovery.

—— a half-bag of hard but apparently still edible coarse grain cakes, and a water pot with not-too-severe rust!

Food!

Drink!

For Chen Wen, whose strength was nearly exhausted, this was nothing short of a timely blessing!

【Discovered usable supplies (food, water), survival pressure greatly reduced. Diligence Points (WP) +15!】

He immediately wolfed down a hard piece of ration cake and gulped several mouthfuls of water.

A warm current and a sense of strength returned to his body.

【Having replenished food and water, his strength began to recover effectively. Current strength: 32%】

With the newly acquired supplies and increased WP, Chen Wen's confidence grew stronger.

He chose a branch that led upward and showed fresh signs of human activity, and continued onward.