Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2717: Arbor Master

Emery followed the familiar voice into the inner garden.

The moment he stepped past the vine-carved archway, the world shifted into something wondrous. The air itself seemed alive—brimming with the scent of blossoms, dew-kissed leaves, and the faint vibration of spiritual energy humming through every root and branch. Along the stone path, he saw the familiar, extraordinary plant-creatures. Their humanoid forms were built of bark and vine, their eyes glowing with emerald luminescence as they moved with slow, deliberate grace. Each tended to the flourishing beds of herbs, pruning blossoms or watering soil with streams of condensed mist from their palms.

It stirred something deep in Emery. His fascination with the Arbor Master’s work had never faded, and now, standing here again, it returned in full force. Few living beings could create life so intricately woven with spirit and nature. This was not cultivation alone—it was artistry.

At the heart of the garden stood the simple yet elegant wooden house Emery remembered well. Its roof was layered with living moss, and white flowers trailed down its eaves. As he approached, a figure stepped out onto the porch. An old man with silver-white hair and a long beard, his frame slightly stooped yet radiating a strength beyond mortal reckoning. His eyes, bright and kind, carried the warmth of spring sunlight.

”There you are...” Linnaeus, the Arbor Master, greeted with a smile that seemed to dispel all distance and time. ”How long has it been?”

Emery bowed respectfully. ”Senior, it has been far too long. I apologize for not coming to see you sooner.”

The old man laughed, his voice rich and hearty, like a grandfather amused by a child’s earnestness. ”Hahaha! And what are decades to cultivators like us? A fleeting breeze, nothing more.”

His gaze swept over Emery, lingering for a moment as if peeling away layers of disguise. His smile softened, but his tone gained weight. ”Impressive. Already a Two-Cosmos realm, and an unusual one at that.”

Emery was not surprised. To many, Linnaeus seemed a harmless old gardener, but Emery knew better. Even Grand Magus Yvere of the Academy spoke of him with respect. To have reached such an unshakable mastery over life and nature—it would not be strange if Linnaeus was, in truth, a supreme figure in hiding.

”Come, sit,” Linnaeus said, gesturing toward the porch. ”We’ll share a cup.”

Humanoid attendants of woven vine and glowing sap moved gracefully to serve them drinks. A fragrant steam curled up from the teapot, filling the air with a fresh, soothing aroma.

”Try this,” Linnaeus said, pouring the golden liquid into delicate cups carved from crystalized leaves. ”This is Verdant Spring Dew, one of my favorites.”

Emery lifted the cup to his lips. At the first sip, his entire body seemed to reset. A tide of pure, vibrant energy surged into his meridians, flowing like a cool river through every channel, washing away fatigue and sharpening his senses. Even his soul felt as though it had been gently polished.

”Incredible...” Emery murmured.

Linnaeus chuckled. ”Hahaha! I’m glad you enjoy it.”

They spoke for a while, about trivial things, about growth and journeys. Yet Emery had not come merely to share tea. At last, he reached into his spatial pouch and summoned a figure—a small Chizpur stone creature.

”Kuang... kuang...” The creature chirped, its rocky body gleaming faintly under the garden’s light.

As expected, Linnaeus immediately leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with rare intensity. He rose from his seat and studied the Chizpur closely, running his fingers along its ridged form as if every groove was a revelation.

”I see you have been making a good use of my teaching.. Very good... very good indeed.” His voice carried reverence. Then, he turned to Emery, his expression demanding. ”There are more, aren’t there? Show me.”

Emery hesitated. He had an entire village of them hidden within his domain, but revealing his private sanctuary to another—even Linnaeus—was no trivial matter. He also wasn’t sure if its possible to bring such a figure into his domain.

As though reading his thoughts, Linnaeus smiled knowingly. ”You certainly won’t mind if I come visit, will you?”

Before Emery could answer, the space behind the Chizpur, the spot where it came from stirred, rippled and opened of its own accord. A widening gate unfolded in the air, shimmering with nature energy.

Emery’s eyes widened. He had closed that passage himself. For Linnaeus to open it, and so effortlessly, without causing harm or resistance, spoke of a power beyond spatial mastery. It was as if the Arbor Master had tuned his essence to match the frequency of Emery’s domain, slipping into harmony rather than brute-forcing his way in.

It was no longer a suspicion. The Arbor Master was not simply a powerful figure—he was a supreme existence.

Linnaeus glanced at Emery, his expression playful. ”After you.”

Despite his unease at allowing someone into his personal domain, Emery was just as curious to know what the Arbor Master would think of his domain. At the same time, this was the best chance to reveal his true purpose for seeking Linnaeus.

Together, they stepped through.

They emerged high above a vast landscape. Emery’s domain stretched beneath them like a miniature continent. Clouds drifted lazily below their feet, parted by a horizon that seemed impossibly wide.

”Remarkable...” Linnaeus whispered. ”I have never seen a two cosmos Grand Magus domain this vast.”

Indeed, since Emery’s breakthrough to the Two-Cosmos realm, his domain had transformed. Its size had expanded fourfold.

[Domain size: 1982 square miles]

The north was dominated by jagged mountain ranges, their peaks veiled in mist. The south was a sea of endless forest, dense with towering trees and hidden valleys. Between them wound a massive river, splitting the land and feeding into a glittering lake at its heart.

From the east blew sharp, icy winds, carrying the sting of snow from glacial mountains and frozen woods. From the west burned dry heat, spilling out from volcanic ridges and desert plains. The four climates clashed and coexisted, shaping a world of balance and extremes.

Within it, life thrived. On the northern banks of the river stood the orc settlement, their numbers now swelling close to ten thousand. Their rough-hewn buildings clustered together into a burgeoning town, smoke rising from forge and hearth. In the south, nestled within the forests, the Chizpurs had formed their own village, numbering a little over five hundred.

Linnaeus’ gaze fixed there, his eyes bright with wonder. Yet as he scanned the domain further, his expression abruptly shifted. His composure broke.

On a southern forest hilltop, a tree unlike any other spread its branches skyward. Its leaves shimmered with faint golden-green light, its trunk exuded ancient power, and its roots pulsed with the rhythm of creation itself.

Linnaeus hovered closer, disbelief etched across his face. ”A Heavenly World tree.... To think one of them lives in your domain... Incredible.”

Beside the great tree stirred a massive bear-like beast, its fur bristling as it sensed their arrival. As he close in to the Elysian tree, his eyes wander upon a smaller tree growing nearby.

Emery stepped forward, his heart pounded. ”Senior... this is the true reason for my visit.”