Chapter 753: Chen Wen's Decision

East of the light curtain, the Chen dynasty.

The atmosphere inside the Guan Tian Pavilion was more solemn than that of the Wuying Hall in Ying Tian.

On the huge potential-energy star map, the position of the Guangning Front Garrison flickered with an ominous dark-red ember.

A restored record of energy fluctuations played repeatedly before everyone.

That was the "shadow" of last night's battle.

The blurred image, painstakingly reconstructed by the potential-energy instrument from the extremely attenuated energy disturbance signal captured through the pinhole channel.

In the vision, the steady yellow light representing the city wall structure, under the impact of several sharp azure beams, rapidly melted and dimmed like ice and snow under a scorching sun.

The life-light points representing Ming soldiers, upon contacting the filthy black shadows representing the aberrant beasts, quickly turned ashen and then extinguished.

The incandescent white spot representing the Hongwu-style cannon strike hit the deep-blue light cluster representing the black-armored cavalry, merely causing it to waver and dim slightly, far from reaching the "rout" threshold.

Playback ended.

The star map returned to normal, yet no one in the pavilion spoke.

Yue Fei clenched his fist, his knuckles whitening.

Lin Chong's face sank like water.

Zhang Cheng stared at the data, his lips pressed tight.

Zhao Lao Nian's strange-iron walnut in his hand stopped turning.

Gongsun Sheng let out a long sigh.

Chen Wen stood before the star map, his back straight.

"Did everyone see clearly?"

"His voice was calm, yet it carried the pressure of an impending mountain rain."

"We saw clearly."

Zhang Cheng spoke first, his tone hoarse.

"The Ming army's existing weapons, including the artillery they rely on most, have limited effect against deep-potential-energy enhanced units."

"Meanwhile, the attacks of potential-energy units possess a 'structural disintegration' property against ordinary matter and living beings."

"On both offense and defense, the generational gap is obvious."

"If next time they come not as a few dozen cavalry probing, but as a fully formed potential-energy legion…"

He did not continue.

The consequences go without saying.

"What about our signal?"

Chen Wen asked.

"The congratulatory message and warning fragments have been confirmed scattered across the Ying Tian region."

Zhao Lao Nian's interface.

"But according to feedback fluctuation analysis, the recipients' level of understanding… is likely less than ten percent."

"Especially the key parts concerning the nature of the 'History Keepers' and the characteristics of potential-energy nodes, which are severely distorted, making them almost unrecognizable."

"At most they now know there is a terrifying enemy called 'Qing,' possibly with something even more sinister behind it."

"But how to respond is still a complete mystery."

Chen Wen fell silent for a moment.

"In other words, the 'fire seed' we sent failed to truly ignite."

"At least, it failed to instantly ignite a flame capable of countering the potential-energy blaze."

Everyone remained silent.

Reality is so cruel.

The barrier of the light curtain and the interference of the energy field make knowledge transmission between the two worlds as difficult as climbing to heaven.

"Your Majesty."

Yue Fei suddenly clasped his fists.

"I, the subordinate, request permission to lead the elite of Northward Aspiration and attempt another forced breakthrough!"

"Even if only a hundred can get through, carrying potential-energy weapons, they could help Zhu Yuanzhang hold his position and buy time!"

"Impossible."

Chen Wen shook his head, refusing outright.

"Last time we crossed over, we took advantage of the Iron Crow Army's attention being drawn by the Yuan court's collapse, and the light curtain's periodic weakness."

"Now the Iron Crow Army focuses all its effort on Zhu Yuanzhang, with potential-energy permeating the western side of the light curtain; crossing now would mean ten deaths out of ten."

"The Northward Aspiration army is a seed; it cannot be wasted sprinkled into stone crevices."

Yue Fei gritted his teeth, yet knew the lord's words were reasonable.

"Then… are we just to watch them be worn down bit by bit?"

Lin Chong also could not help but speak.

"The Qing state is clearly accumulating strength; their next strike will surely be a thunderbolt of immense force."

"Zhu Yuanzhang, newly founded, has an unsteady foundation, his technology tree just sprouting—how can he resist?"

Chen Wen turned, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Therefore, we cannot merely send 'knowledge'."

"Knowledge needs time to be digested, and conditions to be practiced."

"But the enemy will not give us time."

He paused, then spoke each word clearly.

We want to send 'time' itself.

A hush fell in the pavilion.

Send... time?

Gongsun Sheng was the first to react, sucking in a breath of cold air.

Your Majesty! You mean... remote 'Lifespan Endowment'?!

Target, Zhu Yuanzhang?

Chen Wen nodded.

Not bad.

Hiss—

Even Zhao Lao Nian drew a breath.

Your Majesty, this... this is more than a hundred times harder than sending a signal!

The light curtain blocks, momentum energy wanes, the target keeps moving, how fragile the life link is!

A slight mistake would not only cause the endowment to fail, but backlash could endanger Zhu Yuanzhang's life and damage our dynasty's fortune!

Zhang Cheng also urged urgently.

The system is only at Level 6; gradient endowment is already the limit, remote cross-curtain endowment... unheard of!

At least we must upgrade to Level 7, unlock deep permissions of the 'Life Code', for there to be a sliver of possibility!

And the national fortune required for the system's upgrade...

Chen Wen raised his hand, stopping everyone's advice.

I know it's difficult.

I know it's dangerous.

I know the cost is enormous.

He walked to the window, gazing at the invisible barrier to the west.

But this is the only method that can directly and quickly enhance Zhu Yuanzhang's 'survivability' and 'development potential'.

Granting him a long lifespan would give him enough time to trial and error, to explore, to piece together that fragmented knowledge, and to wait for the technology tree to bear fruit.

More importantly——

He turned, his eyes sharp as a blade.

A monarch who does not easily age or die is himself a most steadfast banner, a most stable core.

It can greatly enhance the resilience of the Ming regime in long-term, harsh confrontation.

This is the most essential help we can give under the current circumstances.

Yue Fei took a deep breath.

Your Majesty, even if the system upgrades to Level 7, what is the success rate of remote endowment?

Less than thirty percent.

Chen Wen told the truth.

Taking into account light curtain interference, dark energy disturbances, and the target's own will resisting, the final success rate... might be less than ten percent.

Ten percent!

Everyone's hearts sank.

But this ten percent chance is worth the gamble.

Chen Wen's voice was firm and unyielding.

Because if we don't gamble, the probability of Zhu Yuanzhang being crushed by the Qing dark energy corps within three to five years exceeds seventy percent.

Once the Ming dynasty collapses, the west side of the light curtain will completely fall to the dark energy empire, and the Iron Crow Army will have no rear worries.

By then, it can devote all its strength to dealing with us.

Even if the Chen dynasty is strong, a lone tree cannot hold up.

He looked around at everyone.

Betting on this ten percent is for Zhu Yuanzhang, and also for ourselves.

It is for two worlds, to strive for a common future.

The pavilion fell into silence once again.

But this time, the silence bred not doubt, but a gradually gathering resolve.

Zhang Cheng was the first to clasp his hands.

Subject... I am willing to do my utmost to pave the way for the system's upgrade.

Zhao Lao Nian sighed, yet also nodded.

This old subject's bones will also make one more effort.

Yue Fei and Lin Chong respectfully clasped their fists.

We subordinates will obey your orders!

Gongsun Sheng bowed deeply.

The poor Daoist will return to the Heavenly Works Institute to prepare all the formation bases and guidance devices needed for the ritual.

Chen Wen nodded.

Good.

Starting today, launch the 'Dawn Plan'.

First stage: mobilize the nation's strength, gather Fortune Momentum, to help the system break through to Level 7.

Second stage: construct a cross-light-curtain life link conduit.

Third phase: implement remote lifespan bestowal.

He swept his gaze over each person.

This battle concerns the nation's fate, it concerns survival.

I hope you all will unite your efforts and hearts.

Yes!

The crowd responded with a roar, turned and hurried away, each preparing themselves.

Inside the Watch Heaven Pavilion, only Chen Wen remained.

He looked west again, his gaze seemingly piercing the light curtain, falling on the Hongwu Emperor who, in the Ying Tian Wu Ying Dian, was exhausting his mind and energy over technical worries.

Zhu Yue...

He muttered softly.

What I sent you may not be the sharpest sword.

But I hope to send you enough time...

Go forge your own blade that opens heaven and earth.

Outside the window, the sky of the Chen Dynasty was azure as if washed.

But a storm gathering the nation's strength has quietly been brewing.

The target points directly——

That unattainable system barrier.

And beyond the barrier, allies who share life and death.