Chapter 62: Temporary Lull in the War
As the battle between the three Level 6 creatures on the Eastern front battlefield ended, there was no longer any obstacle in the 2456 world that could hinder the Wizards' progress.
The remaining Kings of the Mayfly with the ability would take their tribes away, while those without would directly use dimension teleportation to flee.
Although the Great Wizards attempted to intercept, they could only catch some of them.
However, even so, the Wizards' bounty this time was quite abundant. Nearly a hundred Kings of the Mayfly fell on this battlefield, including more than a dozen Level 5 Kings of the Mayfly and two Mayfly Quasi-Emperors.
The mid-level forces of the Galaxy Mayfly were almost reduced by nearly one-tenth.
In addition, with the mid-level strength enhancement brought by the Beast Origin World, the Wizards now hold a considerable advantage in mid-level combat power.
Undoubtedly, the Galaxy Mayfly will not have a large-scale war offensive in the coming period.
The most critical moment for the Wizards has passed.
...
Secondary Battle Zone Command Center.
"Is this the technology given to you by the Curse Crown?"
In the makeshift testing ground transformed from the cargo plaza, a layer of Holy Light shone on Ali, whose expression was as excited as a child with a new toy.
"Yes, this is the technology given to me by the Curse Crown," Richard lied without changing his expression.
In this war, the Miracle System displayed extremely high potential. Through the unique property of twisting reality, he could even deceive the perception of Level 6 creatures.
Such a useful system, Richard had no intention of hiding it away like the old Wizards did, storing it as deep magical arts.
The Power of Faith is a very promising power; if the Gods Civilization can build a civilization based on it, it can undoubtedly become the foundation for his truth.
A hidden system cannot emerge as a school of thought.
A system that wishes to become a school must inevitably be promoted. Only when enough Wizards use this system does it qualify to become a school.
This is the necessary path to achieving the truth.
Of course, the average Wizard is unaware of this. Just like Richard didn't know back then, the physique evolution he was undergoing was actually part of achieving the truth of the Physique Crown.
Ali toyed with the Power of Faith in her hand, casually grabbing a piece of iron from the testing platform while murmuring words.
"Great Sage, watch over your people."
"When you walked the earth, you once shed the shackles of dust to reveal its golden core."
"May you pity your people by manifesting that incredible miracle and turning this mortal iron into gold."
Along with the recitation of the prayer, Ali cut her finger, letting a drop of blood fall.
The moment the blood touched the iron, a streak of gold began to expand continuously across its silver-white surface, with its mass increasing along the way.
Soon, the entire block of iron turned golden. Ali made a simple slash, splitting the iron and revealing its completely golden interior.
In an instant, the entire iron block accomplished one of the ultimate goals of the Alchemy School—turning stone to gold.
Seeing the completely golden block of iron, Ali's face once again showed a look of amazement.
"Such a miraculous technology, the Crown actually gave it to you. I really wonder how profound the knowledge of the Crown truly is."
Richard smiled, then retracted the Power of Faith from the block of gold, restoring it to its original state.
"This system isn't complete yet; don't use it casually unless necessary."
Though the miracles' effects are astonishing, so too is their consumption.
The energy Richard expends in using the Substitute Miracle once is nearly equivalent to using the Divine Speech Skill ten times on Level 5 creatures.
The three instances of the Substitute Skill in this war nearly equaled the total consumption of an entire war in the Wilderness World.
If Ulysses knew Richard was going to the frontline battlefield this time, the moment he used the first Substitute Miracle, Ulysses' miser-like clamor would ring in his ears.
"It's incredible that it's this powerful before completion. I can't imagine how powerful it will be upon completion." Ali said, somewhat astonished.
Afterward, Richard handed over several other miracles he deemed practical to Ali and had her try them all.
After collecting the data, he sent Ali away from the experimental site under the pretext of conducting experiments.
Clack.
With the closing of the experimental site's door, the smile on Richard's face gradually turned into everyday calmness.
He approached the testing table, taking the notebook recording Ali's data in front of him.
"Having spirituality is good; it can reduce the consumption when using miracles."
In the notebook, the consumption of Power of Faith when Ali used her Divine Arts was less than Richard expected. The more substantial the miracle, the more evident the reduction was.
When using the Substitute Skill, Ali's consumption was even only two-thirds of Richard's expected amount.
This was not due to a miscalculation on his part; considering all factors, Richard believed it was a matter of spirituality.
Spirituality allowed Ali to unwittingly draw a portion of the Power of Mystery when using the Power of Faith.
These powers replaced part of the Power of Faith in operating the miracles.
Otherwise, Richard simply couldn't understand how Ali, who was at most a Divine Wife, could consume less when using miracles than he, a Divine being.
As he thought this, Richard inserted a note at the top of his experimental agenda.
[Research the Power of Faith, deepen the Miracle System]
Beside this task, the only tasks of the same level were [Ascend to Sixth Circle Wizard] and [Create Rule Implants].
"Speaking of which, aren't Rule Implants a kind of Alchemy Machine?"
Looking at the tasks in his notebook, a flash of inspiration crossed Richard's mind.
The Heart of Annihilation of the Great Wizard and the Creation Apprentice of the Mayfly Quasi-Emperor are both extensions of the Four Elements Rules.
Then, if he were to create a set of Rule Implants based on the Four Elements and combine them with appropriate Rune Models, could he achieve the same abilities?
To further extend the thought, if a creature possesses both the Heart of Annihilation and the abilities of a Creation Apprentice, wouldn't that make them a perfect Sixth Circle Alchemy Wizard?
By constructing a body through the Creation School and using the Heart of Annihilation as an energy source... suddenly, an image flashed in Richard's mind.
"Perhaps this little guy can develop in this direction."
Opening the Secret Realm Rift, Richard found the Gestalt Creature he raised—Elderly—at the edge of the Secret Realm.
"Hmm? This little guy... is he evolving?"
In front of Rich, Elderly's smoke-like body had contracted into a black solid sphere, with balanced energy waves emanating from within.
"World Mushroom, how long has he been in this state?"
"Master, this little guy has just been asleep for less than a month."
"What has he been doing during this time?"
"Besides daily eating and drinking, and reading books published by the goblins, his only unusual act might have been eating several Hearts of Mayfly."
Richard furrowed his brow slightly: "Eating several Hearts of Mayfly?"
"Yes, Sir. You had given him part of that level 5 insect's corpse last time, and after eating it, he still felt unsatisfied.
I thought the Heart of Mayfly was also part of this insect's body, so I showed him the Hearts from the Divine Palace Laboratory.
He seemed to have an appetite for them, so Lan and I made a few for him to eat."
"Lan is aware of this? What did it say?"
"It said this was a very rare experiment, worth the use of these resources."
Richard nodded slightly and replied, "Keep an eye on him during this time, report to me promptly if anything happens."
"Yes, Master."
Elderly's slumber was unexpected to Richard, but it also brought a small surprise.
If he can evolve successfully, Richard's vision might truly come to fruition—not on him, but on his brother.
Richard activated his powers, and soon found Elderly's brother—Chameleon.
This Gestalt Creature, first mastered by Richard but lagging behind Elderly in consciousness birth, has been living in the Floating City Laboratory since its creation.
For a long time, Richard forgot he had such a pet.
Initially, he intended to cultivate Wuxiang into a Floating City; that idea was mere fantasy at the time.
But now, this idea seems to be a lucky blow.
"Wuxiang, how have you been recently?"
"Oh, my lord, you finally called for me."
Wuxiang's voice was extremely excited, like a child who had been away from home for a long time seeing their parents.
"I've been doing very well at the laboratory; the goblins taught me a lot, and recently I learned new things from those werewolves.
Master, am I finally going to the battlefield like Elderly brother?"
"Not exactly, I just thought of a suitable evolutionary path for you.
Your power is too weak on my battlefield."
"Well, my lord." Wuxiang's voice was somewhat disappointed but then quickly became invigorated.
"What path have you thought of? I promise to learn it with all my might!"
Upon hearing this, Richard showed a faint smile on his face, as a wizard, he always admired such diligent and eager-to-learn creatures.
"You have much to learn, let's start with the constraints of the Four Elements.
Later, I'll give you a list; after you've learned everything on the list, you can go to the battlefield."
...
The collapse of the King of Mayfly led the war in the 2456 World to its end; after three months of thorough cleaning, this world, a crucial node in the iron wall defense line, finally embraced a brief tranquility.
The Engineering Wizards began rebuilding fortress groups on the land, based on analysis from war reports, and a considerable part of the temporarily deployed troops were reassigned to other worlds.
In front of the teleportation gate, Old Abel made a Wizard's Salute to Richard.
"Sir, I'm glad to be appreciated by you. If I succeed this time, I will join your ranks in the future."
Richard nodded slightly and patted Old Abel on the shoulder.
"As long as you keep fear out of your heart, advancement should not be a concern for you."
After enduring prolonged warfare, Old Abel finally decided to exchange for the Great Wizard Promotion Ceremony.
In this era, nothing is more reliable than one's own strength.
Old Abel nodded, turned, and entered the teleportation gate.
They were all old fellows thousands of years old, playing out scenes of life's farewells was too cliché.
Mature wizards remain calm when faced with death. If it is the death of relatives and friends, they simply offer a white rose.
After sending off Old Abel, Richard gestured to Ali behind him and then stepped into the teleportation gate.
Although the frontline war had ceased, his battles were far from over.
Richard murmured to himself: "Command system reform... I hope there will be some results."