Chapter 796: System Metamorphosis

The Pure State's attack was like a basin of ice water, dousing and awakening those watching the northern city.

Chen Wen stood on the top level of the Commander Tower, looking at the damage report for Point Seven.

Seventeen casualties.

Three months of construction turned to ruins.

Zhang Cheng stood behind him, reporting a grimmer reality.

"To defend against that intensity of Yin energy barrage, we need to increase the Momentum Energy shield strength eightfold."

"With our current Momentum Energy reserves and production, we can at most support three shield towers."

"This would also squeeze resources from all other projects."

Chen Wen gave no response.

His gaze fell on the light curtain map, but deep in his consciousness, he was sensing another presence.

Cow Horse System.

Since the last time it granted Zhu Yuanzhang lifespan, the system has been in a weak recovery state.

But over these past months, with the integration of Ming side personnel, with the ignition of the Civilizational Fire Seed, with breakthroughs in fused technology……

Chen Wen could feel that a certain 'accumulation' was slowly growing.

Not an accumulation of Momentum Energy.

But something more essential.

Fortune Momentum.

Fragments of authority.

Each point of knowledge fused, each victory in confrontation, even each Ming side individual's recognition of the Chen dynasty—all generate tiny Fortune Momentum fluctuations.

These fluctuations, like trickling streams, flow into the system.

At first they were very weak.

But recently, especially after the Pure State launched a probing attack, the flow speed has noticeably increased.

It seems as if pressure itself is also giving rise to some kind of change.

"My lord?" Zhang Cheng saw he had been silent for a long time and called out softly.

Chen Wen slowly turned around.

"How much time do we have left?"

Zhang Cheng staggered for a moment, then immediately understood what he was asking.

"According to monitoring, the Pure State's Yin energy reaction intensity is still climbing."

"At the current rate of increase, at most three months, the light curtain at Point Seven will reach the collapse threshold."

"By then, the fissure may no longer be just a fissure."

"It could be the collapse of the entire region."

Three months.

Chen Wen closed his eyes.

Deep in his consciousness, the system's status surfaced.

【Cow Horse System】

【Status: Recovering (73%)】

【Current Level: Lv. 7】

【Fortune Momentum reserves: slowly growing】

【Available functions: Remote Endowment (cooldown), Momentum Energy Tech Tree, Cross-Light Curtain Link (weak)】

But beneath this panel, Chen Wen sensed a fuzzy barrier.

That is the boundary to the next stage.

Over the past century, the system has only been promoted three times.

Each time, it came after accumulating vast Fortune Momentum and completing a major 'variable recovery' or 'historical intervention'.

The first time was establishing the Chen dynasty, uniting people's hearts.

The second time was rescuing Yue Fei, validating the 'investment variable' strategy.

The third time was granting Zhu Yuanzhang lifespan, consolidating the key variable.

And now……

The complete recovery of Zhu Yuanzhang's team.

The fusion of the Civilizational Fire Seed.

The direct threat from the Pure State.

All of these are pushing Fortune Momentum toward a new critical point.

"Zhang Cheng."

Chen Wen opened his eyes.

"If I need to mobilize the city's Momentum Energy reserves and carry out a...... large-scale ritual,"

"how long can it support?"

Zhang Cheng's expression shifted slightly.

"My lord, you mean……"

"The light curtain is weakening, the enemy is growing stronger."

Chen Wen's voice was very calm.

"Following standard development, we can't keep up with their speed."

We need a leap forward.

A leap forward sufficient to change the balance of power.

But a large-scale ritual consumes enormously.

Zhang Cheng said urgently.

Moreover, it will expose our core energy nodes.

If the Qing state seizes the opportunity to attack——

So we need you to hold the line.

Chen Wen interrupted him.

Yue Fei, Lin Chong, you, Zhao Lao Nian, Gongsun Sheng.

The Five Ministers each guard one direction.

I will be at the center, guiding the energy.

Zhang Cheng remained silent for a long time.

What is the success rate?

I don't know.

Chen Wen answered truthfully.

But I know that if we don't do it, we will likely lose in three months.

If we do it, at least there is a sliver of hope.

He walked to the window, gazing down at the brightly lit Look North City.

A hundred years ago, we chose to establish the Chen Dynasty in this quarantine zone.

Back then, no one knew how far we could go.

But now we have arrived here.

There is no road ahead.

Then let us blaze a trail.

Zhang Cheng took a deep breath and bowed.

Your servant understands.

How long is needed for preparation?

Twelve double-hours.

Chen Wen said.

Construct the momentum energy convergence formation.

Mobilize seventy percent of the city's momentum energy reserves.

Notify the Five Ministers to take their positions.

And——

He paused.

Please invite Lord Zhu to be present.

His presence is very important.

Zhang Cheng nodded and left.

The orders were swiftly conveyed.

The entire Look North City entered a state of emergency once again.

But this time it is not for defending against external enemies.

But rather to conduct an unprecedented 'ritual'.

The central plaza was cleared.

The artisans of the Heaven Works Institute began constructing the formation.

It is a circular structure thirty zhang in diameter, with the ground etched with complex guide lines.

The lines are not mere decoration, but precise energy conduits.

Nine fist-sized momentum energy crystals were placed at key nodes, the essence accumulated by the Chen Dynasty over a hundred years.

The Five Ministers arrived one after another.

Yue Fei sat in a wheelchair and was pushed to the north of the formation.

That position corresponds to 'water', overseeing protection and resilience.

Lin Chong, fully armed, guarded the southern 'fire' position, in charge of slaughter and vigilance.

Zhao Lao Nian inspected the connections of each line, guarding the western 'metal' position, in charge of creation and solidity.

Gongsun Sheng adjusted the energy flow parameters, guarding the eastern 'wood' position, in charge of growth and harmony.

Zhang Cheng, as the formation's eye, stood at the central 'earth' position, responsible for bearing and stability.

Zhu Yuanzhang brought Xu Da and Liu Ji to the plaza.

He saw the formation before him, and a solemn look flashed in his eyes.

Such a large-scale energy array exceeded his understanding.

Lord Chen, this is——

A ritual.

Chen Wen explained calmly.

We need to gather the city's momentum to break through the current predicament.

The light curtain is weakening, and the enemy is approaching.

Regular methods are no longer enough.

This explanation is vague, but it fits the world's cognitive framework—gathering people's hearts, terrain, and timing to form a great momentum.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not ask for details.

What do you need me to do?

Stand in that position.

Chen Wen pointed to a specific point on the outer edge of the array.

The civilizational fire you brought is the key to breaking the stalemate.

Your will shall strengthen the power of the ritual.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Chen Wen, then nodded and walked to the designated position.

Xu Da and Liu Ji were required to observe the ritual outside the array.

Midnight.

All preparations are complete.

All the lights in North-looking City were dimmed.

Only the array in the central plaza emitted a blue-white glow.

The whole city fell silent.

Everyone felt that a massive power was gathering.

Chen Wen walked to the center of the array.

He closed his eyes.

Deep in his consciousness, the system interface fully unfolded.

【Whether to activate the Fortune Momentum convergence procedure?】

【Warning: This process is irreversible and requires consuming vast amounts of momentum energy reserves】

【Warning: During the process the system will be in a vulnerable state】

【Warning: Failure may cause permanent damage to the system】

Chen Wen did not hesitate.

【Confirm activation】

Instant.

The array lit up.

Nine momentum energy crystals simultaneously burst forth with blinding light.

Energy surged into the patterns like a flood, rushing along the set paths.

The five ministers each held their positions, fully maintaining the array's stability.

Yue Fei's face was pale, but his eyes were firm.

Lin Chong gripped his sword hilt, vigilant of his surroundings.

Zhao Lao Nian's forehead sweated as he continuously adjusted the energy load on the patterns.

Gongsun Sheng rapidly calculated the flow parameters to prevent overload.

Zhang Cheng stood at the center, guiding the final convergence of energy.

Chen Wen felt vast momentum energy pouring into his body.

That was not a gentle infusion, but a violent scouring.

Every inch of his meridians screamed in pain.

His consciousness nearly disintegrated under the energy's impact.

But he gritted his teeth and persisted.

The system interface began to change.

【Fortune Momentum converging……1%……3%……7%……】

Progress slowly increased.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the light curtain,

Central Capital Control Tower.

Hong Taiji's compound eyes suddenly turned eastward.

He sensed an unusual energy fluctuation.

That fluctuation came from opposite the light curtain.

It was massive in scale and unfamiliar in nature.

"What are they doing?" he whispered.

"Energy readings are abnormally rising."

The technical official reported.

"The intensity has already exceeded ten times the previous monitored value……no, twenty times……and still increasing!"

"The cannons are ready."

Hong Taiji gave the order.

"Aim at the energy source core."

"No matter what they are doing, interrupt it."

Three dark energy cannons began to charge.

The gun barrels turned toward point seven on the light curtain.

But just as they locked onto the target.

In the center of the formation.

Chen Wen opened his eyes.

In his pupils, a stream of data flashed.

【Fortune Momentum Convergence Complete】

【Detected sufficient breakthrough threshold】

【Beginning system reconstruction】

【Lv. 7……Breaking through……】

The world in his eyes began to become different.