Earth's Greatest Magus

The following morning, Emery returned to the Golden Mountain to check on Morgana’s training.

The Divine Instrument chamber was active, its vast formation arrays humming with restrained cosmic force. From the observation terrace above, Emery watched as Morgana floated at the center of the arena, her body suspended in midair and engulfed in blazing primordial flame. Her aura pulsed like a rising star, each breath drawing dense cosmic energy through the surrounding pillars and compressing it into her core.

The artifacts embedded around the formation glowed in response, channeling torrents of refined energy toward her. The air itself felt heavy, saturated with elemental law.

Watching her, Emery understood more clearly than ever why such facilities were priceless.

The news of Rosin Karat’s approaching Supreme calamity had shifted his perspective. At the grand magus level, cultivation was no longer about ambition alone-it was about survival. Every few centuries, the heavens would test one’s worth. Those who prepared insufficiently perished. Those who prepared well might ascend.

Grand magus consumed resources like fire consumed oil. Treasures were sacrificed. Vaults were emptied. All for a marginal increase in survival odds.

The single week they had spent using this Divine Instrument had cost him over three hundred million spirit stones.

Three hundred million for seven days.

The number settled heavily in his mind. If he wished to nurture not only himself, but Klea, Morgana, Rosia, and eventually an entire Earth faction capable of standing independently, the required wealth would be staggering. Later that day, Emery, Klea, and Rosia attended Golden City’s weekly auction. This time, their status had changed. As a recognized grand magus with close ties to the Karat leadership, Emery was escorted to one of the highest VIP rooms overlooking the central auction stage. Servants attended to them discreetly while the hall below filled with wealthy cultivators and faction representatives.

The auction unfolded in predictable waves-rare ores, ancient manuals, artifact fragments, exotic beast cores.

Unfortunately, no Tier 7 artifacts appeared that week. Truly high-grade items rarely entered public circulation, even for those capable of paying astronomical

sums.

Still, Emery made calculated purchases.

He acquired several rare spirit seeds aligned with the elemental balance of his domain, following the [Land Cultivation 101] guide provided by the Arbor Master. He also secured multiple Tier 6 artifacts suitable for distribution among trusted members of the Earth faction.

By the time the auction concluded, Emery had spent 500 millions spirit stones.

As the hall emptied, Emery leaned back slightly, mentally reviewing his finances.

He had earned considerable wealth from the machinist tomb and from the Dawnstar arena betting. Yet his apothecary network was expanding rapidly, and Dawnstar’s infrastructure demanded continuous investment. The Divine Instrument alone consumed fortunes.

For the first time in years, he felt the strain.

He could not help replaying the battle with the Astiel faction in his mind. In the chaos of that conflict-grand magus falling, their artifacts and treasure-filled apertures left exposed. But, he had focused solely on survival. He had not lingered to claim the spoils.

Caelthar’s Tier 7 ice sword, Blue Quartz resurfaced in his thoughts.

That blade would have been a near-perfect replacement for his shattered Frostveil. In another situation, Emery would never have allowed such a treasure to slip away.

Yet that battlefield had been politically volatile. Touching Astiel’s treasury, seizing their aperture remains would lead to a much worse consequences.

Still, as he reviewed his diminishing reserves and mounting expenses, a faint regret lingered.

Beside him, Klea studied his expression quietly. She said nothing at first. Instead, she opened her storage ring.

A golden spirit card materialized in her hand. Revealing her savings.

The auction unfolded in predictable waves-rare ores, ancient manuals, artifact fragments, exotic beast cores.

Unfortunately, no Tier 7 artifacts appeared that week. Truly high-grade items rarely entered public circulation, even for those capable of paying astronomical

sums.

Still, Emery made calculated purchases.

He acquired several rare spirit seeds aligned with the elemental balance of his domain, following the [Land Cultivation 101] guide provided by the Arbor Master. He also secured multiple Tier 6 artifacts suitable for distribution among trusted members of the Earth faction.

By the time the auction concluded, Emery had spent 500 millions spirit stones.

As the hall emptied, Emery leaned back slightly, mentally reviewing his

finances.

He had earned considerable wealth from the machinist tomb and from the Dawnstar arena betting. Yet his apothecary network was expanding rapidly, and Dawnstar’s infrastructure demanded continuous investment. The Divine Instrument alone consumed fortunes.

For the first time in years, he felt the strain.

He could not help replaying the battle with the Astiel faction in his mind. In the chaos of that conflict-grand magus falling, their artifacts and treasure-filled apertures left exposed. But, he had focused solely on survival. He had not

lingered to claim the spoils.

Caelthar’s Tier 7 ice sword, Blue Quartz resurfaced in his thoughts.

That blade would have been a near-perfect replacement for his shattered Frostveil. In another situation, Emery would never have allowed such a treasure to slip away.

Yet that battlefield had been politically volatile. Touching Astiel’s treasury, seizing their aperture remains would lead to a much worse consequences. Still, as he reviewed his diminishing reserves and mounting expenses, a faint

regret lingered.

Beside him, Klea studied his expression quietly. She said nothing at first. Instead, she opened her storage ring.

A golden spirit card materialized in her hand. Revealing her savings.

Emery’s eyes sharpened.

“One billion, three hundred millions”

He looked at her in disbelief.

“Formation scroll sales,” she continued. “And selling everything I didn’t need

from the Nephilim sanctum rewards.”

She extended the card toward him without hesitation.

“Remember, You’re not alone,” she stated softly. “We carry this together.”

For a brief moment, the weight on Emery’s shoulders lightened.

###

The following day, Morgana completed her training within the Divine

Instrument chamber.

When she emerged, her aura sensed different. Not dramatically stronger, but more consolidated. The chaotic edge of her primordial flame had tempered

into disciplined force.

Emery sensed that she had crossed a subtle threshold.

Before he could prepare their departure for Terra City, however, the mansion

staff announced new visitors.

Officials from the Magus Alliance.

He had expected them eventually, given Earth faction’s recent promotion-but he had not anticipated that the minister himself would appear. Barty Grouch entered the hall with calm authority. The senior minister of the Golden City branch looked older than Emery remembered from his academy days, yet his eyes remained sharp. Two junior officers followed behind him,

carrying sealed cases and projection devices.

“Congratulations on your advancement,” Barty said formally, inclining his head slightly. “And on your wedding as well.”

The pleasantries were brief.

They moved directly into official matters.

With Earth faction’s elevation to Grade Two status, its privileges and obligations had expanded significantly. Trade access, developmental rights, cluster governance authority-these were no longer distant prospects but enforceable powers under Alliance charter.

A holographic star map materialized in the air between them. Following their victory against Kronos, Earth and its home galaxy were formally recognized under Earth faction sovereignty. Now, with advancement, jurisdiction extends to the surrounding cluster.

The projection zoomed outward.

“There are twenty-eight galaxies within this Virgo cluster,” Barty continued.

“Nine hundred sixty-five planets. Fifty-six are habitable. Twenty-three are confirmed to contain valuable mineral. Eight are currently under operational control of other factions.”

The eight external holdings were mining installations-small-scale operations extracting ore, energy crystals, and rare metals. Some were nearing depletion; others still produced substantial output.

“Under Alliance guidelines,” Barty said, “Earth faction may now levy structured

taxation on these facilities or negotiate reacquisition at regulated market

value.”

Emery had studied these regions during his earlier security assessments. Now,

with official rights granted, the path was clear.

He consulted VIA internally.

Estimated cost to reacquire all eight facilities: five hundred millions spirit

stones.

It was expensive.

It was necessary.

Control of those outer systems would not merely generate income; they would

serve as forward outposts, creating distance between Earth and external

factions.

He delegated the negotiation process to Rosia.

After the formal explanations concluded, the minister gave a slight nod to one

of his aides.

A metal case was brought forward and placed carefully on the table between

them.

“And here,” Barty said, “are the additional privileges granted to a Grade Two

faction.”

The lid opened with a soft click.

Inside lay three silver markers-sleek, oval-shaped sigils etched with intricate

runic lines. Emery recognized them immediately.

Virtual Palace access sigil.

These were not the temporary visitor tokens. These were faction-level

authorizations.

The junior officers stepped forward and began activating them one by one. A

faint pulse of spiritual light flared as each marker synchronized with its

recipient.

Klea, Rosia, and even Morgana.

At the same time, Emery felt his bracelet pulse. His status shifted from visitor

to full member.

“You may wish to log in soon,” Barty added. “There are influential figures

requesting your presence.”

Emery raised an eyebrow.

“Influential?”

He realized quickly that this was likely connected to Delbrand’s earlier words.

High-level individuals within the Virtual Palace were seeking him out.

He exhaled slowly.

His brief period of personal quiet was ending.