Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Murphy’s gaze swept over the massive creatures below. His Spiritual Power spread out like invisible ripples, meticulously sensing the special radiation in the air, so dense it was almost palpable.

"The experiment is progressing smoothly, Elizabeth. The data on these creatures’ adaptive evolution under directed, gentle radiation is extremely valuable. You’ve done well."

Elizabeth turned her head slightly to meet Murphy’s gaze, the glow of the Ancient Bell reflected in her deep, dark eyes.

"It is my honor to assist you, my Lord, and to further your understanding of the rules of the world."

Murphy was silent for a moment.

"You know, you don’t have to keep calling me ’my Lord’."

Elizabeth shook her head, looking directly into Murphy’s eyes.

"My Lord, no matter what crown I wear or what position I hold, you will always be my Lord. That was true ten years ago, it will be true in ten years, and so it will be until the end of time. That will never change."

Murphy fell silent again, not pursuing the topic any further.

"Are there any issues with the energy consumption from continuously stimulating the radiation of the Morning Star Bell?"

Elizabeth replied,

"The consumption of World Origin is currently within a stable and sufficient range. According to our monitoring, the World Origin overflowing from the Sanctuary, once converted by the Ancient Bell, is enough to support the ’Cradle’s’ operation and the bell’s own maintenance. Our energy budget is currently running a slight surplus."

Murphy shook his head slightly.

"I wasn’t asking about the World Origin. I’m asking about you, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth froze for a moment, then broke into a smile.

"Please rest assured, my Lord. When I first rang it ten years ago, I had to rely on faith and rituals to forcibly resonate with it, placing an enormous strain on myself. But I have not stood still for the past decade. My experiences as Pope—ruling the Church Court, implementing new policies, and gathering the will of the faithful—have all served to temper and increase my Holy Power. Simply maintaining this low-intensity, directed radiation is no real burden now. You see..."

She raised her hand, a wisp of pure, soft, milky-white light swirling around her fingertip. The glow was stable and restrained. "I am in excellent condition."

Murphy watched the light dancing on her fingertip. Sensing that her Holy Energy was indeed more solid and condensed than it had been ten years prior, he gave a slight nod.

Elizabeth, however, let out a soft sigh. She lowered her hand, her gaze returning to the "Cradle" below, a trace of regret in her voice.

"If only I possessed the world-shaking power of the First Pope... I could do more than just maintain an experimental ’Cradle’ like this."

"Legend says the First Pope used his supreme power to create the ’Eternal Spring Radiance’ Barrier, which covered the entire Holy City and protected its people from hunger, cold, and illness. That was a true demonstration of turning faith and power into a nourishing rain for all of humanity. It’s nothing like what I’m doing now—carefully controlling variables, using these animals and plants for simulations and tests, but unable to truly help the many who are in need."

Murphy said calmly, "It is enough. The growth and use of power require a steady, grounded approach. The First Pope’s great deeds were built upon the unique circumstances and accumulated knowledge of his time. What you are doing now is precisely what this era requires. Trying to reach the heavens in a single bound often backfires."

Just then, an unusual rustling came from the center of the ecosystem below, from within the densest grove of giant ferns.

A creature that had been lurking beneath the broad leaves suddenly shot out.

It was a creature nearly one and a half meters long, its entire body covered in smooth, dark-brown scales. It resembled a lizard but sported a pair of large, fleshy wings.

It suddenly began flapping its wings furiously, flying toward the observation platform where Murphy and Elizabeth stood.

Yet, neither Murphy nor Elizabeth showed the slightest sign of alarm.

The moment the flying lizard struck the translucent energy field, an astonishing transformation took place.

Its body began to glow. The dark-brown scales gradually turned transparent, and its form shrank and morphed within the light.

By the time it passed completely through the energy field and landed on the ground, it was no longer a flying lizard, but a living, breathing person.

A tall woman dressed in tight, dark-brown Leather Armor.

The woman appeared to be in her thirties. Her face had the chiseled features characteristic of mountain people, and her sharp, light-brown eyes were like a falcon’s. She had healthy, wheat-colored skin, and her long, dark-chestnut hair was arranged in several intricate braids, fastened at the back of her head with bone ornaments.

With a relaxed smile, she turned to Murphy and Elizabeth, placed her right hand over her chest, and gave a slight bow.

"Good day, Your Holiness the Sword of Divinity. Good day, Vesta’s Throne."

Murphy nodded slightly.

Elizabeth’s expression had already resumed the dignified grace of the Pope.

"Master Flora, how is your work progressing? Are you finding the environment here suitable?"

Flora Josephine, from the "Night Owl" Wizard Organization in the Northern Mountain Kingdom of Erlent.

Like Edwin, she was an exceptional individual who had walked her own Path to the peak of an Official Wizard, only a single step away from the threshold of Elementalization.

The difference was her specialization: the study of changes in life forms and their adaptability, with a particular talent for the arts of mimicry and transformation.

A Wizard specializing in the Transformation School.

Ten years ago, while traveling the Continent to recruit talented individuals, Murphy had been captivated by her unique philosophy and talent. He had invited her to the Holy City to participate in the "Cradle" project and its related biological research.

Flora stretched her arms, a look of satisfaction on her face.

"Perfectly, Your Holiness. The energy field here is pure and brimming with activity. For observing the subtle evolution of life forms under specific radiation, it’s a dream environment. I’ve already compiled the growth data for the creatures in the ’Cradle,’ as well as the records of changes in cellular activity. I will submit a detailed report shortly for Edwin to run his computer simulations."