Chapter 548: Breakthrough Lv.5

The heaviness of returning from the cave and the slight relief of saving some villagers intertwined in Chen Wen's heart.

He dismissed his attendants and entered the rear mountain's quiet chamber alone.

The oil lamp was like a bean, illuminating the four walls.

He did not rush to act, merely standing still, letting the day's turmoil settle.

The feeling of "fullness" within him was now exceptionally clear.

In his mind, the progress bar representing "growth" was steady and complete, glossy and moist, with no gaps.

Like a pottery jar filled to the brim with clear water, the water surface level with the rim, a slight ripple would overflow.

"It's time."

Chen Wen sat cross-legged, not to cultivate, but to let his body and mind fully relax, to listen and conform to the natural flow of things coming to fruition.

How long it was, he did not know.

"Pop."

A faint, almost illusory crisp sound rang out from deep within his soul.

In an instant, the quiet chamber's air stagnated for a moment, the lamp flame dimmed then brightened again.

Chen Wen's body trembled slightly.

In his mind, that complete progress bar, like spring ice melting into water, naturally dissolved, turning into countless active points of light that converged and collapsed toward his life core.

Immediately after, a gentle yet mighty warm surge burst from his core, sweeping through his whole body!

A sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, and pain came forth, as if his muscles and bones were being stretched and tempered by an invisible hand.

Sweat poured out like paste, yet his breath grew ever more prolonged.

His five senses suddenly sharpened: the gnawing of insects in the wall corner, the distant village's clapper, the wind blowing through tile cracks—each sound entered his ears; the wood grain, the shifting light and shadow, all vivid before his eyes.

Deeper changes followed.

The thin veil obscuring perception was lifted.

The tiny vortex in his chest and abdomen representing "Fortune Momentum" spun, becoming more substantial and lively.

A wholly new "vision" suddenly opened up.

With a slight stir of thought, his consciousness seemed to be lifted; looking down, countless intertwining bright and dark "lines" and "nodes" appeared in his perception.

The stout bright ones were like Lian Blackcloud Fort and the Southern Military Camp; the fine dim ones were like the rescued villagers; the grayish-black eroding ones pointed to the Northwest Strange Realm and the cave remnants.

Lines and nodes sketched a dynamic, grand contextual panorama linked to his fate.

"Is this what Lv. 5 reveals?"

Chen Wen focused his thoughts on the brighter "line" leading south, attempting to "inquire."

Fragments trickled in: a tattered military flag, a muddy thoroughfare, a solitary candle in a tent, vermilion-annotated documents, a muffled sigh...

The information was fragmented, his spirit slightly drained.

He immediately stopped.

"This ability must not be abused; it is more like a window—easy to glimpse outlines, hard to discern details, likely requiring a medium or cost."

At that moment, the System Interface clearly appeared in his mind:

【Cow Horse System-Level: Lv. 5 (32x efficiency)】

【Growth Progress: 0.1%】

【Core Ability: Ability Granting (gradient: self 32x; can grant others up to 16x, then 8x, 4x, 2x. Consumption decreases, duration increases.)】

【New Ability: Script Reading (passive/active)】

【Description: Passively receives vague forewarnings of major nodes; actively expends energy, using a medium or strong causal links to peek at key trajectory fragments of the "set script." Information clarity is subject to multiple factors.】

【New Ability: Limited Remote Granting】

【Description: By means of an object containing a stable "Fortune Momentum Mark," within a certain distance, one can weakly and temporarily grant power to the wearer or their close associates. The effect diminishes with distance, affected by medium quality and mark strength. Requires active activation, consuming energy.】

【Status: Vitality vigorous, energy abundant. Fortune Momentum vortex steadily increases.】

【Prompt: The stronger the ability, the deeper it touches the rules. Use with caution.】

The interface faded away.

Chen Wen opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, spirit complete and energy full.

Upon rising and moving, he felt his body light and healthy, able to control the minute.

He picked up the wooden sword in the chamber and gave it a casual swing; a sharp crack split the air, its speed far surpassing before.

He paid more attention to the change in the new ability and the granting gradient.

"The maximum grant is 16 times..."

This meant that at critical moments, he could forge a small elite unit capable of terrifying explosive power, or grant Lin Chong, Chao Gai and other core commanders extraordinary enhancement, enough to shake the local battlefield.

"Script Reading... Limited Remote Granting..."

The former directly points to the "trajectory" maintained by the Iron Crow Army, a tool against their information shielding.

The latter is especially significant.

"The Fortune Momentum Mark" is not a new concept; previously, he had given Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer and others rudimentary Fortune Momentum Mark objects.

And Zhao Lao Nian had earlier researched based on these objects.

Now it has actually become the foundation for remote granting!

"One need not be present in person to render distant aid. The medium… must be an object closely related to oneself, long stained with 'Fortune Momentum,' to be able to imprint a stable mark."

He pondered.

The jade pendant and seal he carries could work, but they are either too private or inconvenient to mass-produce.

"We must produce a standardized remote medium capable of effectively carrying the 'Fortune Momentum Mark.' This, Zhao Lao Nian excels at."

With ability increased, his mood cooled even further.

The enemy remains strong, the situation remains chaotic.

The Iron Crow Army, once set back, will surely counterattack; the False Song Imperial Court's suspicion of Yue Fei grows deeper each day; the Northward Aspiration Army's own integration and construction must not slacken.

He pushed open the window; the night wind was cold and biting.

Most of the lamps in the stronghold had gone out, only the night‑watch lanterns wandered along the walls.

The distant mountains lay dark and silent; beyond them lay the tangled north‑south situation.

"Lv. 5, a new beginning."

Chen Wen gazed south, his eyes calm and steady.

"The sword sharper, the arm longer."

"Tomorrow, first try 'Script Perusal', to catch a glimpse of the mist shrouding General Yue's future path."

"The intermediary matter also calls for quick counsel with Old Zhao."

He shut the window and put out the lamp.

The room was dark, his mind clear; the breakthrough had been made, the path ahead lay waiting.

The newly acquired strength is the lever to pry at the invisible 'script' and the cruel reality.