Chapter 489

Shandong, deep in the mountains, an ancient shrine, an underground secret chamber.

Chen Wen sat cross-legged, eyes tightly shut, with no radiant light flashing around him, nor any surge of aura.

But if someone could observe from a transcendent perspective, they would see that the 'Fortune Momentum' within him was flowing ceaselessly at an unprecedented speed.

And it was resonating deeply with the profound 'Cow Horse System'.

Deep in his consciousness, the illusory bar representing his growth progress was completely filled, shining with golden light, unable to hold even a fraction more.

The barrier lay before him, appearing intangible yet impregnable—a chasm between Lv. 3 and Lv. 4.

"Accumulation is sufficient; when the water reaches the channel, it flows."

Chen Wen's heart was like an ancient well without ripples, feeling no tension or excitement, only a steadfastness forged through countless trials.

The experiences of the past few months

——guiding Liang Shan, clashing of ideas, covert battles with the Iron Crow Army, rescuing Chao Gai, perceiving the mystery of the Jade Seal, up to witnessing the descent of the 'Mandate of Heaven' on the stone stele

——all these efforts that consumed his mind and tempered his will have turned into the purest 'growth' nourishment, driving him to reach the present threshold.

He no longer suppresses, no longer guides.

But he uses his own tenacious will as a guide, like opening a floodgate, he boldly charges toward that intangible barrier!

"Boom!"

It is not a real sound, but a violent tremor emanating from the level of consciousness!

Chen Wen felt his spirit as if thrown into a furnace, enduring indescribable hammering and tearing.

Past experiences, the joy of success, lessons from failure, plans for the future, his perseverance toward 'Northward Aspiration'...

Fragments of thoughts, emotions, and will are at this moment forcibly shattered, purified, and reshaped!

He saw his caution when he first arrived in Shandong, and saw the simplicity and righteousness of the Ruan brothers of Shijie Village.

He saw Chao Gai's heroic spirit when establishing 'Northward Aspiration,' and saw the danger of the cold arrows at Zengtou Market and the decisiveness of the 'golden cicada shedding its shell'.

He also saw the suffocating 'Mandate of Heaven' pressure when the stone stele descended, and the hidden sharpness of Wu Yong's forbearance...

All of this is the foundation of his growth, the source of power for his breakthrough!

No one knows how long has passed—it feels like an instant, yet also like eternity.

That impregnable barrier, under the impact of accumulated sufficient power and condensed will, finally emitted a sound of being unable to bear the load!

"Crack—"

Like spring ice thawing, a hatchling breaking its shell.

A surge of power far more vast, more pure, and more heart-controlled than during the Lv. 3 period.

Like a river bursting its banks, it instantly surged through Chen Wen's limbs and bones, scouring his reconstructed life essence!

Every cell seemed to cheer, greedily absorbing the boon brought by this evolution.

Efficiency doubled, Lv. 4, sixteen times!

Not only is there a comprehensive increase in strength, speed, endurance, and thinking speed, but also a deeper excavation and mastery of one's own potential.

He felt that if he were to face the Yin Shadow Guard again, he would no longer need such perilous maneuvering; with absolute speed and strength, he could defeat them at a lesser cost.

However, this is not the core gain of this breakthrough.

When the surging power tide gradually subsided, Chen Wen's consciousness clearly detected the changes occurring in the system interface.

Besides the personal multiplier, growth progress bar, and skill list, a brand-new icon flashing with a unique luster lit up——

{Ability Granting} (Permission unlocked)

No need for excessive explanation; the core rules and information about this ability naturally surfaced in Chen Wen's mind.

Activation right: always and solely held in Chen Wen's hands.

Method: can grant temporary multiplier effects to targets other than oneself; since the system reset and upgrade are complete, the consumption of the host's mental and stamina is greatly reduced.

Limitation: cannot grant others a system, cannot permanently alter another's essence.

Fortune Momentum consumption (key rule): during the current stage (Lv. 4 to Lv. 5 period).

Using 'Ability Granting' to intervene in the 'Script World,' because its nature is 'opposing the established history maintained by the Iron Crow Army,' it belongs to 'rectifying chaos and restoring order.'

Therefore it will not consume the Chen Dynasty's Fortune Momentum; instead, it will slightly increase the Chen Dynasty's Fortune Momentum due to successful interference with opponents, showcasing the correctness of our path.

At the same time, the consumption of mental and stamina by Ability Granting on oneself is greatly weakened!

"Finally…… I've waited for this!"

Even with Chen Wen's steadiness, his heart could not help but surge with an irrepressible excitement.

This means he, from a lone strongman, truly begins to possess the leverage to forge core strength and shift the overall situation!

Especially within the False Song realm, facing the Iron Crow Army's layered deployments, the significance of this ability cannot be overstated!

At the same time, he felt that the ability of 'Cause and Effect Fragments' also increased.

Previously vague fragments now seem able to capture clearer images, and even perceive finer connections between key nodes.

For example, the causal line between the 'Jade Seal Lost Trace' and the impending possible event of 'Song Jiang receiving the Seal.'

In his perception it becomes increasingly clear, and the entry points for interference and disruption also seem more numerous.

He slowly opened his eyes.

The secret chamber remained as before, the candlelight remained as before.

But in his eyes, the whole world seemed to have become clearer, and…… easier to comprehend and intervene in.

"My lord!"

Qian Gui, who had been guarding outside the secret chamber, almost the moment Chen Wen opened his eyes sensed that markedly different, inwardly restrained yet mighty aura, and joyfully pushed the door open.

"Success."

Chen Wen gave a slight smile, rose to his feet, stretched his limbs, and the surging strength within him gave him the illusion that he could split stone with bare hands.

He looked at Qian Gui: "How long have I been in seclusion? What's the situation outside?"

"Less than twelve hours." Qian Gui reported quickly.

On the Liang Mountain side, behind the Stone Stele row, Song Jiang has already completely taken control of the overall situation, the 'Acting on Heaven's Will' banner has been raised, and they are now celebrating extravagantly.

Military Advisor Wu Yong secretly sent a message; everything proceeds according to plan, the Northward Aspiration fire seed remains, but activities must be more covert.

Lu Junyi's attitude is ambiguous; he has not yet clearly leaned toward any side.

Regarding the Jade Seal, our people have already begun spreading rumors and are tracking Duan Jingzhu, but we still have no solid lead.

Chen Wen nodded, his eyes sharp:

Very good. Now that I have broken through, many things can proceed more quickly.

Send a message to Shi Dun, have him try to create an opportunity; I want to meet Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Yong in person.

Some matters require face-to-face communication, and some strength also needs to be given support at the right time.

He lightly clenched his fist, feeling the new power within him called 'Ability Granting'.

Also, regarding the Jade Seal, speed up the progress. I want to plant an irremovable thorn in him before Song Jiang uses this to build momentum!

Yes!

Qian Gui's spirits were lifted; the lord's confidence and decisiveness after the breakthrough filled him with confidence about future struggles.

Chen Wen walked to the wall of the secret room, his fingers brushing over the cold, rough stone.

His gaze seemed to pierce the thick earth layer, looking toward the direction of Liang Mountain, toward the marsh shrouded in the 'Mandate of Heaven' yet roiling with dark currents.

The Iron Crow Army thought that by using the Stone Stele they had sealed everything...

He muttered softly, a hint of a stern curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

But they do not know that the lever capable of prying open the shackles is already in my hand.

This script, from now on, cannot be written solely by your family.

Lv. 4, Ability Granting unlocked.

A new stage has thus officially begun.

The 'Northward Aspiration' power hidden in the shadows is about to receive unprecedented support.