170: surprise

Following Brian into his Main Tower laboratory, Catherine's gaze was first drawn to Heart, who stood beside him.

Initially, she merely gave it a routine glance, as the fundamental evolution of the Spirit Eye was her achievement after all.

However, when her perception truly landed on Heart, her elegant and composed expression instantly froze, replaced by unconcealed astonishment.

"This is... a Spirit Eye?"

Catherine's voice held a trace of uncertainty. She took a few steps forward, her gaze sharply sweeping over the spiral patterns of silver-white and pale gold intertwined on Heart's wrist, sensing the spiritual radiance and stable Spiritual Power fluctuations contained within, far exceeding that of ordinary constructs.

"Her essence has improved this much? And this Spiritual Power... it's so solidified, even showing traces of cultivation!"

She abruptly turned to Brian, her eyes filled with inquiry and disbelief:

"Brian, what did you do to her? No, did she evolve on her own? And more than once?!"

Brian was not surprised by Catherine's reaction; he smiled and explained:

"Yes, Your Excellency. After you first helped her improve her essence, Spirit Eye underwent two more crucial evolutions.

One was after I developed the Level 5 Limit-Breaking spell; she resonated with it, giving birth to her own Spiritual Power and gaining the potential for cultivation and spellcasting.

The most recent one was when my territory attracted and merged with a special intermediate life plane, the Verdant Source. She absorbed a portion of the nascent origin of that plane, completing her third leap."

He paused, looking at Heart with a sense of gratification:

"And the most significant change in this evolution, as you've perceived, is not just an increase in power, but a complete differentiation and perfection of personality."

Just then, a side door within the laboratory slid open, and Spirit Eye Xi walked in.

The purple-gold starry sky chain patterns on her wrist seemed to slowly rotate, containing endless mysteries.

She nodded slightly to Catherine, her gaze habitually falling on an energy simulator in the center of the laboratory, her tone calm and unwavering:

"Master, the seventy-third energy flow sequence simulation is complete, and the data has been archived. Good day, Your Excellency Catherine."

Her demeanor was entirely that of a scholar engrossed in research.

Catherine's gaze swept back and forth between Heart and Spirit Eye Xi, sensing their distinctly different personality traits—

One agile and intelligent, coordinating internal and external aspects; the other cool and focused, seeking only truth.

"More than one?! These differentiated personalities..."

Catherine murmured, her perception like invisible tendrils, gently probing deeper into the laboratory, to the core area where the Spirit Eye main body, spiritual pupil - source, was located.

She did not forcefully intrude but could still feel the vast, profound, all-encompassing maternal consciousness, like a calm universe, and the core computing power, essentially Level 8, that stably supported all its avatars.

She was silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping over Heart and Spirit Eye Xi again, finally letting out a long sigh and looking at Brian, her tone filled with unprecedented solemnity and a hint of awe:

"Brian... do you know? You have created a miracle."

She slowly said:

"Constructed life forms with Spiritual Power capable of cultivation, while extremely rare, are not unprecedented in the long history of the Empire.

But for a Spirit Eye like this, not only possessing independent evolutionary abilities but also developing such complete, distinct, and complementary multiple personalities, all integrated and coordinated by such a powerful main body... this already goes beyond the scope of advanced constructs or special tower spirits."

Her gaze seemed to penetrate the walls, seeing the main body as serene and beautiful as a green lotus, then returning to the two avatars with their distinct personalities before her.

"They are the embryonic form of a true, unprecedented intelligent life species! Each individual possesses independent thought and growth direction, yet they are closely connected through the main body, forming a perfect whole.

This form of existence... its potential, even I cannot estimate. Brian, protect them well, and guide them well. Their value, perhaps one day, will surpass all your spells and creations."

"I understand, Your Excellency. They are my family, and my most trusted companions."

Brian solemnly promised.

Heart also bowed again to Catherine, representing all Spirit Eye individuals: "Thank you for your recognition and care, Your Excellency. We will always remember your teachings."

Catherine nodded with satisfaction, then turned her attention to the other creations Brian had mentioned earlier.

At Brian's signal, Heart and Spirit Eye Xi cooperated, systematically demonstrating through projections and calling forth physical samples.

One by one, Level 5 intelligent robots were activated, demonstrating their functions in designated display areas.

The joint barrier deployed by the iron oath guardian was as heavy as a mountain;

The sky patroller concealed and reappeared like a ghost, releasing invisible reconnaissance waves;

The breaker's pulse cannon left deep scorch marks on the test target;

The annihilator's figure flickered in and out of the shadows, exuding a deadly aura;

The Sanctuary simulated a gentle healing aura, showcasing its powerful logistical support capabilities.

Catherine watched, nodding slightly:

"A very mature combat system. Modular, functionally specialized, collaborative combat—clear thinking. For plane conquest and territorial defense, it is a very reliable force.

Especially this Sanctuary; integrating high-level healing capabilities into a construct is a very clever idea, greatly reducing casualties among elite personnel."

Next was the demonstration of the ring of judgment and final judgment.

When she saw a single ring of judgment stably unleash an attack of ninety thousand units, and the combined activation of twelve units—the Divine Authority mode, condensing that terrifying aggregated light column reaching five hundred thousand units—Catherine nodded again.

"Stably releasing limit-breaking spells through a construct platform is a very practical innovation."

She commented: "It allows this extraordinary power to be deployed more flexibly, even for over-the-horizon strikes. This is a huge help at the tactical level. Brian, you have great talent in popularizing and practicalizing high-end power."

After touring all the exhibits, Catherine turned her gaze back to Brian, her eyes filled with admiration and expectation.

"Brian, I must say, the surprises you've brought me this time far exceed my expectations."

Her tone was sincere:

"Not just the Level 6 Limit-Breaking spell that touches upon laws, but also the evolution of the Spirit Eye, and this series of mature and creative construct systems.

This fully proves that your potential extends far beyond that of a powerful battle mage; you are also a pioneer, a builder capable of creating systems and leading directions."

She gently raised her hand, and a purple crystal token, radiating a soft glow and engraved with a complex emblem, appeared in her palm, floating towards Brian.

"This is my token. With it, you can enjoy a higher level of authority in the Imperial Royal Mage Association, including access to some non-core forbidden knowledge, applying for certain rare resources in my name, and gaining certain conveniences when encountering some... unnecessary troubles."

Catherine said: "I believe you are qualified to possess it. Continue your journey, Brian Jose, I look forward to the day you truly make your name known across the Boundary Sea."

Receiving the weighty token, representing the recognition and protection of a Level 9 mage, a warm current and powerful motivation surged through Brian's Heart.

He bowed deeply:

"Brian will not fail to live up to Your Excellency's high expectations!"

Catherine smiled faintly, her figure slowly fading, eventually disappearing in the glow of the teleportation.

Inside the laboratory, Brian gripped the purple crystal token in his hand, looking at Heart and Spirit Eye Xi beside him, feeling the close connection with the main body, spiritual pupil - source, and all its avatars, his Heart filled with soaring ambition.

The road ahead was still long, but with his own strength, reliable companions, and the recognition and support from top-tier powerhouses, he was filled with infinite confidence in the future.