Chapter 5｜The Power of Brothers

On a midday in the 1970s, sunlight filtered through sparse foliage, casting dappled patterns across the damp forest floor. Li Xing, Zhao Yun, and Li Yu stood in a clearing, their hunting rifles, bows, and sniper rifles poised for action. After days of extreme training, their coordinated combat skills had significantly improved. Yet the system alerts hinted at untapped potential still lying dormant.

“Xing,” Zhao Yun murmured, his brow furrowing slightly, “I feel... something stirring inside me.”

Li Xing glanced at him. “Stay calm. Your potential might be triggering. Don't panic.”

Li Yu crouched slightly apart, blue light flickering through her pupils. “Brother, I feel your power resonating with Zhao Yun's. It's like I can see their movements.”

Suddenly, a pack of massive beasts emerged from the woods. Their movements were agile, their eyes gleaming with savagery. The system alerts sounded simultaneously for all three:

“Latent Hidden Skills Triggered: Coordinated Combat + Extreme Growth. High Danger Level.”

Li Xing took a deep breath and gripped his hunting rifle tightly. “Zhao Yun, charge with me. I'll suppress the enemies. You control the close combat. I'll support the ranged attack. Li Yu, lock onto the ranged targets.”

Zhao Yun's body trembled slightly, as if a surge of power was coursing through him. He shouted softly, “Got it. I'm ready!”

A blue mist spread along Zhao Yun's arms. His fists generated air currents with each punch, faster and more powerful than ever. A system prompt appeared:

“Hidden Ability Awakened: Zhao Yun's Melee Reaction +25%, Strength +20%, Cooperative Combat Ability +15%.”

Li Xing opened fire first, his shotgun pellets striking the beast's shoulder with precision, forcing it to retreat. Zhao Yun charged forward, his fists and feet striking the beast's vital points like a whirlwind. Each punch generated visible air currents, driving the beast back step by step. Li Yu provided long-range support, blue mist spreading along her line of sight, locking onto every minute movement of the beast as her bullets struck with deadly accuracy.

System notifications flashed consecutively:

Cooperative Combat +20%

Potential Growth +30%

Hidden Skill Fully Activated

After several minutes of intense combat, the beast was pinned to the ground. The trio panted heavily, yet their eyes shone with confidence.

Li Xing patted Zhao Yun's shoulder: “You... awakened!”

Zhao Yun smiled faintly, sweat glistening on his face: So I can sense enemy movements too—much faster than before."

Li Yu crouched beside them, smiling at her brother: “Brother, Zhao Yun, we're stronger now!”

The final system prompt appeared:

"Zhao Yun's Hidden Abilities Awakened: Melee Reaction +25%, Strength +20%, Teamwork +15%, Potential Growth Acceleration +20%. Next Stage: Regional-level enemies or black market factions will appear."

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting patterns on the trio's silhouettes. A faint blue mist shimmered around them, like a symbol of protection and power. Li Xing looked at the two, a resolute conviction rising within him: No matter how perilous the future might be, with them by his side, the safety of his family, brothers, and friends was assured.