Chapter 485: Growth Perfection

Shandong, Dongping Prefecture territory, a secluded manor far from the official road.

This place is an asset under the South Wind Chronicle, in fact one of many secret bases established by the Chen Dynasty within False Song territory.

The manor's outward appearance is no different from that of an ordinary wealthy household, but inside defenses are strict.

It contains secret rooms and hidden passages, stockpiling some emergency supplies and intelligence documents.

In the dead of night, inside the secret chamber.

Chen Wen sat cross-legged on the futon, not practicing breath regulation.

—He does not follow this world's martial path; instead he closes his eyes, focuses his mind, sinks his consciousness into his body, and feels the profound profound "Cow Horse System".

Since infiltrating the False Song Shandong Circuit, months have passed with constant turmoil and danger lurking everywhere.

From the initial arrival at Yuncheng, sensing causality fragments, he formulated a plan to intervene in Liangshan;

Arriving at Shijie Village, he met the Ruan Three Heroes; Dongxi Village guided Chao Gai and Wu Yong;

Then at Huangni Gang he seized the banner, Liangshan changed leadership, establishing the foundation of "Northward Aspiration";

Afterwards came consolidating Liangshan, responding to the Yin Shadow counterstrike, failing to win over Song Jiang, and internal ideological divisions becoming apparent;

Next he raided Gaotang Prefecture prison, soundly defeated Huyan Zhuo, until the startling incident at Zengtou City.

Chao Gai faked his death to escape, slipping into the shadows, while Song Jiang rose to power and Liangshan entered a new phase……

One after another, like a revolving lantern, they flashed rapidly through his mind.

Among them were strategic decisions made from behind the scenes.

There were battles fought in person amidst danger, ideological clashes stirring emotions, and the grief and helplessness over a close friend who suffered misfortune.

He was not merely a bystander or a behind-the-scenes manipulator.

Every intelligence analysis, every strategic plan, every covert contest with the Iron Crow Army and its lackeys.

Every successful guidance or interference with the "script" direction, even every time in peril using system ability and personal will to turn danger into safety……

All of these consumed his mental, physical, and spiritual strength, while also being an extremely effective form of "effort".

For a clear and difficult goal, he exhausted his intellect and energy, giving his all.

Deep in his consciousness, the illusory bar representing "Growth Progress" was no longer the roughly one-tenth it was when he first arrived in Shandong.

But through these successive experiences and efforts, it steadily and firmly climbed upward, gradually approaching the limit of completeness.

He could clearly feel that his use of the Lv. 3 (8×) ability had become increasingly proficient.

The range and precision of "Fortune Momentum Initial Perception" had improved, and detection of Yuneng Pollution became more acute.

Although "causality fragments" remained scattered, their frequency and relevance to reality seemed somewhat higher.

More importantly, he felt that the power within him, stemming from the system and his own tenacious will, had become more condensed and full.

Like a dam filled with water, awaiting the moment the gates open to release the flood.

"Growth is not merely the training of fists and feet, nor the hard labor of tilling the fields."

Chen Wen realized clearly in his heart.

"In this vortex, each contest of wisdom, each steadfast holding of belief.

Each effective action taken for a greater goal is 'effort', each able to drive this progress forward."

He thought of Chao Gai.

That bold and straightforward brother, now "buried" beneath the marsh, yet gained new life in another shadow.

This successful "stealing the beam and replacing the pillar" was not only a heavy blow to the Iron Crow Army's script.

Moreover, it was a comprehensive manifestation of Chen Wen's deployment, adaptability, and execution abilities, bringing especially abundant "growth" feedback.

He also thought of the increasingly obvious rift within Liangshan.

Song Jiang, with covert support from the Iron Crow Army, was gradually leading Liangshan onto the path of "amnesty".

While Lin Chong, the Ruan Brothers, Shi Dun and others endured openly and accumulated strength in secret.

This clash of ideas, the opposition of factions, and the uncertainty of the future are themselves a pressure and tempering that spurs one forward.

"Who——"

Chen Wen exhaled a long breath of foul air and slowly opened his eyes.

In the secret chamber, the candlelight flickered, reflecting his calm yet resolute visage.

He could feel that the "Growth Progress Bar" had already reached the critical point.

Only that final sliver of opportunity was needed to achieve complete perfection, break through the Lv. 3 bottleneck, and step into a brand-new level——Lv. 4 (16×)!

Then, not only would the basic multiplier increase, but the crucial core ability——"Ability Granting"——would be unlocked!

This meant he would no longer be merely a strong cultivator acting solely for himself.

But truly possessing the ability to share his power outward, forging a core force.

Fundamentally altering the possibility of local power comparisons!

For them, operating deep in enemy territory with few people to influence the greater situation, this significance is extraordinary.

He rose, walked to the window, pushed open a crack, and gazed out at the deep night outside.

In Shandong, the "Fortune Momentum" in his perception remained chaotic and complex, while Liangshan's "firelight" under Song Jiang's leadership seemed somewhat dim.

But deep within the marsh, a point of purer, fiercer "Northward Aspiration" spark had already been quietly ignited in the darkness, and grew ever more steadfast.

"Accumulation is sufficient, the bottleneck has loosened."

Chen Wen muttered softly, a glint of sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"It is time to find a place absolutely safe and free from disturbance to make the final breakthrough."

He needed a place that could not only block external surveillance but also to some extent shield against the Iron Crow Army's Yuneng detection.

Although this manor's secret chamber is good, it is still insufficient to cope with the energy fluctuations or phenomena that might arise during the breakthrough.

He must be more cautious.

The Iron Crow Army master's authority was damaged due to the drastic change at Liangshan, but it will absolutely not stand by and let him, this biggest 'variable', obtain a crucial breakthrough.

「Qian Gui。」

Chen Wen called out softly.

Like a shadow, Qian Gui appeared silently at the door of the secret room.

「My lord。」

「We cannot stay here for long。」

Chen Wen ordered.

「Prepare immediately; we will withdraw before dawn tomorrow. We need to relocate to the【Bingzi Seven】 outpost, which is more concealed and has the preliminary interference device set up by Zhao Lao Nian。」

「Also, send a message to Shi Dun, informing him that we are about to enter the silent period; let him act according to plan, stabilize the Liangshan situation, especially protect the fire seeds like Lin Chong and the Ruan brothers, and wait quietly for our return。」

「Yes! 」

Qian Gui had no hesitation, immediately took his leave and arranged the transfer.

Chen Wen closed the window again and returned to sit on the futon.

He did not immediately attempt to break through the bottleneck, but continued to adjust his own condition, tuning his mind and will to the best state.

He knew that the next time he opened his eyes, he would embark on the journey to breakthrough Lv. 4.

That would be a crucial step he takes in this 'script world'.

Growth has reached perfection.

Breakthrough is imminent.

Although the road ahead remains shrouded in mist, the power he holds is about to undergo a qualitative leap.

This gives him greater confidence in guiding the Liangshan spark, interfering with the Iron Crow Army's script, and ultimately achieving the grand aspiration of 「Northward Aspiration」.

The night grew deeper; inside and outside the manor, everything was being prepared in a tense yet orderly manner.

A pivotal transformation concerning personal strength and future layout is about to unfold silently in the darkest moment before dawn.