Lin Wei's quiet chuckle reverberated in the tranquil atmosphere, a blend of relief and amusement coursing through him. "Haha! I really can't believe it," he mused internally, reflecting on the recent turn of events. The arrival of the system had caught him off guard, dispelling the lingering apprehension that had plagued him for years.
After nearly two decades in this world, Lin Wei had grown accustomed to its complexities. For five years, he had clung to the hope of encountering the system or awakening some latent talent. Yet, as time passed with no sign of either, he resigned himself to a mundane existence. The sudden emergence of the system shattered his expectations, leaving him both astonished and intrigued.
As Lin Wei gazed at the holographic screen, bathed in a soft, cerulean glow, the room around him seemed to come alive with a pulsating energy. Intricate patterns of light danced across the surface of the screen, casting ethereal shadows that danced along the walls. Already expecting the outcome, Lin Wei delved deeper into exploring the system, drawing comparisons between the intricate workings he had encountered in his readings and the intangible holographic screen before him. However, Lin Wei quickly dismissed this concern. If his understanding was correct, the system should be bound to his spirit, thereby restricting its visibility to him alone.
"But just incase, I should not show the system interface when there are people besides me" Lin Wei thought. "I'm sure ordinary beings wouldn't be able to see the system, but I'm not sure if those beings standing at the top of the food chain will be able to see the system with the use of some special abilities."
Hearing the thoughts of the Host the system is bound to, it was left speechless, it doesn't know what to say to it's host cowardly nature. If it has feelings similar to that of a person, it would probably be regretting binding to him.
Shaking off these unnecessary thoughts, Lin Wei shifted his focus and directly queried the system about aspects he couldn't decipher during his experimentation.
"System, Could you elaborate on your capabilities?" Lin Wei inquired, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation coloring his voice.
"Host, I will provide guidance on the basic functions of the system," the system responded. "However, further exploration and learning will be left to your discretion."
"Understood," Lin Wei acknowledged, processing the system's explanation. The prospect of discovering its hidden features intrigued him; after all, he had encountered similar systems in the novels he had read. The idea of a guided journey, with mysteries to uncover and challenges to overcome, appealed to him more than a straightforward instruction manual.
"Now, about your nature," Lin Wei prompted, eager to delve deeper into the system's capabilities.
"As you've heard, I am a wishing system," the system began, drawing a comparison to mythical entities like genies from Aladdin and Sheng Long from the anime. Lin Wei's excitement bubbled to the surface at the thought of limitless possibilities.
"So, I can wish for anything?" Lin Wei interjected, his mind already racing with potential desires.
"Yes, technically speaking," the system clarified, "but your wishes must align with the laws and logic of the System's origin."
Lin Wei furrowed his brow, seeking clarification. "What exactly do you mean by thatl?" he queried, only to be met with a gentle reprimand from the system.
"Please allow me to continue uninterrupted," the system admonished with it's cold voice. Lin Wei's embarrassment was palpable as he acquiesced, scratching his head in chagrin.
"So, let me break it down for you," the system began, attempting to simplify its explanation. "Think of yourself as a cup of water, and think of me as a vast lake. Your wishes can only draw from the contents of that lake, or in other words, the universe we're in."
Lin Wei furrowed his brow, struggling to grasp the analogy. "I don't quite follow," he admitted, feeling a slight headache coming on from the system's convoluted explanation.
"Okay, sense you can't quite understand my analogy, I'll use a more simpler words. Think of it this way," the system continued, sensing Lin Wei's confusion. "The cup represents your current world, while the lake represents the entire universe. I can only grant wishes that align with the laws of this universe. In other words, I can't grant you wishes that are above my origin, meaning I won't grant you wishes that are illogical to that universe, like for example transforming a circle into a square."
Suddenly, understanding dawned on Lin Wei's face. "Ah, I see," he nodded, a glimmer of comprehension in his eyes. "So, you're saying you're limited to granting wishes that are in line with the rules, logic and laws from your origin?"
"Exactly," the system confirmed. "I'm essentially a by-product of the world during its formation, so I can only grant wishes that adhere to its logic. I cannot fulfill wishes that exceed my capabilities," the system explained.
"You could have started with that analogy instead of opting for more complex examples," Lin Wei remarked.
"Host, you're a bit slow on the uptake. But it's understandable, given your limited understanding of the world's logic, let alone the entire universe," the system replied.
Lin Wei felt the urge to refute the system's implication, but he restrained himself. Despite his limited firsthand experience, his extensive reading in cultivation fantasies had imparted him with some understanding of the genre's tropes and conventions. However, he couldn't be certain if those novels entirely aligned with this world's reality. The only aspects he could confidently consider to be influenced by his reading were the fundamental principles of the Law of the Jungle and now, the presence of the system.
"I remember you saying that you can grant wishes that are logical, So you're saying you have limitations?" Lin Wei queried, a tinge of disappointment evident to his tone. However, upon reflection, he realized the insignificance of such constraints. After all, even with limitations, having the system was undoubtedly superior to leading a mundane existence.
"... Host, I'm merely employing it as a possibility. I possess limited knowledge myself. However, it stands to reason that as you ascend to greater heights, I maybe able to gradually unveil more about my origins. The information I've imparted thus far is merely the recollections accompanying my awakening," the system responded, devoid of emotion.
Hearing the system's response, a wave of relief washed over Lin Wei.
"Anyway," Lin Wei continued, wanting to move on to his next questions, "you mentioned I can wish for anything possible, right? And is there a limit to how many wishes I can make?"
"You have infinite wishes, Host," the system clarified. "But you'll need to earn them. I'll explain more about that later."
"There are two types of wishes: the Minor Wish and the Major Wish." replied the system.
"Minor Wish are wishes that only grant things that has the highest value in your current places of activities."
""To simplify, the system will assigns grades to various settlements, starting from Grade 0 as the weakest and ascending as the strength of the location increases. Higher grades correspond to the availability of a higher level wishes," the system explained patiently.
"So, I can wish for cultivation realms?" Lin Wei asked eagerly, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"Yes, but only up to the level of the strongest in those locations," the system replied. Lin Wei's excitement dimmed slightly as a question arose in his mind.
As the system elaborated on the types of wishes, Lin Wei's excitement grew. The prospect of having his desires granted was exhilarating, but he couldn't help but wonder about the restrictions.
"Do I have to be physically present in that location to make such a wish?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.
"No, as long as you've made a name for yourself there, you can still make wishes even if you're not present," the system assured him.
"So you're saying I have to be high-profile?" Lin Wei inquired, a note of concern in his voice.
"No, host. Even if you don't show your face or make your name known in that region, your actions still count. They're attributed to you, regardless," the system reassured him.
Relieved, Lin Wei let out a sigh.
As he mulled over the system's explanations, a new question surfaced in his mind. "What about Major Wishes?" he queried, eager to learn more about this aspect of the system.
"Major Wishes are more complex," the system explained. "While they're not bound by the same rules as Minor Wishes, they still need to align with the logic of the universe."
Lin Wei nodded, absorbing the information. Despite his initial disappointment at the system's limitations, he felt a renewed sense of excitement at the prospect of exploring its capabilities further.
"And?" Lin Wei inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity. However, silence greeted him, stretching into the stillness of the room. "Hey, system?" he prompted again, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.
"Host, as I've mentioned before, I'll provide guidance on the fundamental aspects of the system. However, for more complex features like Major Wishes, exploration and discovery are essential," the system replied, its tone unwavering.
A fleeting sense of disappointment washed over Lin Wei, a pang of longing for the elusive answers he sought. Yet, he quickly quelled these feelings, embracing the uncertainty that enveloped the system's inner workings. 'Some mysteries are perhaps best left unsolved,' he reflected, finding solace in the anticipation of the journey ahead.