Chapter 17: WP accumulation finally reaches overflow, the eightfold mighty power descends

The passage extended upward, the air gradually becoming less hot and humid.

But that faint killing intent lingered, never dissipating.

Chen Wen's actions became more cautious, as human traces grew increasingly evident.

——fresh wheel tracks, discarded damaged tools.

Even faint voices could be heard from above.

He might already be approaching the outskirts of the area controlled by the Iron Crow Army.

At a corner, he peered out through a crack in the rock wall.

Outside was a relatively spacious huge cavern, obviously altered by large-scale human work.

In the distance, flickering torchlight and the silhouettes of patrolling soldiers could be seen.

Further away came the dense sounds of excavation and shouting.

A prisoner camp? Or the main mining area?

Are Mother and little sister inside?

Chen Wen's heart rose.

But he did not act impulsively.

His fourfold vision let him see clearly that the guards there were extremely strict.

Numerous open and hidden posts; forcing his way in with his current state would be tantamount to suicide.

He must upgrade!

He must reach eightfold ability!

He glanced at the system panel.

【Current Level: Lv. 2 (4x Effect)】

【Upgrade to Lv. 3 (8x Effect) requires WP: 500】

【Current WP: 193】

He still needed 307 points! That was no small number.

He suppressed the urge to act immediately and calmly analyzed the environment.

This observation point was well situated, concealed and easy to retreat from.

Nearby lay plenty of discarded mining rubble and broken tools.

A thought arose:

Right here, he could monitor while "working" to earn WP!

Saying it, he did it!

He was like a sponge, never missing any chance to strive.

First, he carefully cleared the rubble near the observation point, widening the concealed space to facilitate long-term hiding.

【Clearing rubble, Diligence Points (WP) +8】

Then he found several mining picks and shovels that were not too severely damaged.

Using his fourfold strength and his recently improved craftsmanship, he began attempting to repair them.

Without a forge, he found a suitable stone to use as an anvil, other metal tools as hammers, and performed cold-work correction and binding.

【Repairing tool (pickaxe), craftsmanship proficiency increased (4x bonus)! Diligence Points (WP) +15】

【Repairing tool (shovel), Diligence Points (WP) +12】

The repaired tools, he did not keep, but chose to "destroy" them again

——disassembling them into more basic parts, or using them to strike harder rock, further honing his skill to earn WP.

【Disassembling tools, gaining basic materials, craftsmanship proficiency increased! Diligence Points (WP) +10】

【Mining ore (discarded vein), Diligence Points (WP) +5…+5… (ongoing)】

He even began, in this cramped space, conducting silent high-intensity physical training:

Squats, push-ups, stretching his injured leg…… each instance of muscle tear and regeneration.

All became extraordinarily efficient under the 4x boost.

【Conducting physical training, strength and endurance proficiency increased (4x bonus)! Diligence Points (WP) +2…+2… (ongoing)】

【High-intensity training, the "minor killing intent disturbance" effect continuously weakened!】

He became completely immersed in the "effort-reward" cycle.

His WP points began to increase steadily and continuously.

【WP: 210…225…255…280……】

Time passed bit by bit.

During this time, patrol squads passed not far away; he sensed them in advance and used the terrain to remain perfectly concealed.

He repeated various labor and training while closely monitoring the situation in the distant cavern.

He saw more numb figures of prisoners working, saw the cruelty of the overseer soldiers, and roughly grasped their shift-changing routine.

【WP: 315…340…380……】

His stamina fluctuated between consumption and recovery, but the overall trend was positive.

The negative influence of the killing intent had become negligible.

【WP: 420…455…480……】

Almost there! Just a bit more!

Chen Wen's heart began to race. He stopped all actions, fully restoring his stamina, preparing for the moment of upgrade.

Last 20 WP!

His gaze swept over the corner, where there was an extremely hard metal rod embedded in the rock wall, which he had previously tried but failed to pull out.

That's it!

He gripped the metal rod with both hands, fourfold strength burst forth, his muscles tensed, and the gravel beneath his feet was ground!

"Come out... for me!"

He let out a low growl in his heart!

Creak—bang!

That stubborn metal rod was actually wrenched out by him! Along with it, a piece of rock shattered!

【Destroy obstacle, strength proficiency increased! Diligence Points (WP)+25!】

【Ding! WP reaches 500, upgrade condition met! Upgrade to Lv. 3 now?】

Here I come!

Chen Wen didn't hesitate and thought silently: "Upgrade!"

It was as if an invisible shackle had been shattered, and a force far stronger and more surging than before burst forth from deep within his body like a breached dam, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones!

Muscle fibers hummed, bones grew tougher, sight, hearing, and smell became unprecedentedly clear, and thinking speed surged again!

Even his previously injured leg felt a tingling numbness, and its recovery speed surged!

【Upgrade successful! Current level: Lv. 3!】【Current multiplier: 8x effect!】

【All basic attributes (strength, agility, stamina, physique) greatly increased!】

【Skill proficiency acquisition efficiency increased to 8x!】

【Abnormal status: "Slight killing qi disturbance" dispelled!】

【Current stamina: 100% (full recovery!)】

【WP: 5 (upgrade consumed 500 points, current balance)】

Strong! Unmatched strength!

Chen Wen clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking with sharp sounds, as if containing boundless strength.

He felt that he could now easily knock down two or three of his former selves before the upgrade!

He once again looked toward the distant, heavily guarded cave, his eyes sharp as a blade.

Eightfold strength gave him unprecedented confidence.

Family, wait for me!

No matter where you are, I will use this eightfold effort to find you and bring you back!