Earth's Greatest Magus

Emery found himself in a predicament. While he was grateful that the Grandmaster had agreed to repair his Star Forge, there was an unsettling ambiguity about the cost. The elder had never mentioned a price.

“Did he say he’d do it for free?” Emery mused, shaking his head. “That can’t be right.”

Until he confirmed the cost of the repairs, Emery decided to hold onto the remainder of his points.

With the royal summons to the capital scheduled in three days, he extended his stay at the Skyroot Estate. He spent this time diving into the faction’s vast library, immersing himself in the study of the realm’s unique flora and fauna. He meticulously examined ancient texts, eager to uncover knowledge that might aid his apothecary endeavors.

During this period, the two alchemist brothers, Baldoni and Ivaris, sought him out. Their visit began with pleasantries and an exchange of knowledge in the art of alchemy, but it soon became clear that they had a greater motive.

They were not merely interested in friendship; they were keen to trade techniques and recipes. More specifically, they desired his now-famous body refinement formula. Despite lacking the ability to merge opposing elements as Emery did, the brothers were highly intrigued by the foundation of his refinement technique—the [Celestial Body Refinement] method he had obtained during the Celestial Expedition.

Emery, however, was not foolish enough to hand over a recipe that could create potential competition. Instead, he made them a counteroffer. “I won’t share my body refinement formula, but I can offer something of equal value—the [Celestial Spirit Enhancement Recipe].”

The two brothers were masters in spirit-enhancing potions; Emery knew this alternative would still be of great interest to them. As expected, their eyes lit up at the mention of such an advanced formula, but Emery wasn’t about to hand it over cheaply.

“In exchange,” he said, his voice steady, “I want your Undying Flame recipe.”

A heavy silence fell between them.

The Undying Flame formula was their most treasured secret, the foundation of their success as renowned alchemists. Emery knew that even if he possessed a billion spirit stones, such a recipe would not be easily available for purchase. Yet, he had a very specific reason for wanting it. He believed the formula could help him refine his Chututlu Bomb, pushing it to the next grade and significantly boosting his combat prowess.

Baldoni’s face darkened, his expression bordering on offense at the audacity of the request. “You expect us to hand over our family’s greatest legacy? That’s outrageous.”

Understanding their hesitation, Emery made his intentions clear. “I have no desire to copy or distribute your family’s recipe. I only need insights to improve my own work. I am willing to trade for an incomplete version.”

Ivaris, the elder of the two, deliberated for a moment before speaking. “Even an incomplete version of the Undying Flame formula is not something we part with lightly. But…” He paused, considering the worth of the spirit enhancement potion. “Your formula has immense value. I am willing to make this trade.”

Baldoni remained reluctant, but seeing his brother’s decision, he begrudgingly agreed. “Fine. But we expect you to keep your word.”

With a firm nod, Emery sealed the agreement.

The next day, Emery spent hours in the Skyroot workshop, first trying out his newfound flaming recipe and secondly refining his control over his new Dao of Heaven and Earth technique. This profound skill allowed him to deepen his understanding of nature’s laws, and he began experimenting with ways to create a more accessible version of his body refinement potion—one that the Warmaster Illir had requested.

Unfortunately, even with VIA’s assistance, finding a suitable substitute for the key materials was proving exceedingly difficult. Calculations were incomplete, and trial batches would be necessary before VIA could finalize the formula. He considered replacing the pill with his 360 Meridian Pill, but aside from several untraceable herbs in this realm, there was also the issue of elemental resistance—something crucial for the Warmaster’s needs.

Despite these challenges, Emery pressed on. He knew that with enough experimentation—analyzing each rare, unknown material and carefully cataloging them to expand VIA’s database—he would eventually develop the necessary resources to complete his research.

On the third day, Emery decided to take a break from his alchemical experiments and stepped into the gardens. The Skyroot gardens, lush with rare herbs and mystical plants, provided an ideal environment for hands-on study. As he wandered through its tranquil pathways, he observed the delicate interplay of nature’s energy, each plant carefully cultivated to maintain the estate’s intricate balance. The air was thick with the scent of potent flora, some exuding a faint glow, while others pulsed with latent magical properties, waiting to be harnessed.

As he strolled through the tranquil pathways, he was approached by an unexpected visitor.

Kaeylin Silverleaf.

The fey girl stood before him, her expression unreadable. It was rare for her to initiate a conversation, and even rarer for her to seem hesitant.

“You are not planning to accept the Pardera King’s request, are you?” she asked, her voice firm but carrying a note of restraint. “The Fey Clan must not involve itself in this matter.”

Emery raised an eyebrow. He knew what she was referring to—the royal summons that would take place tomorrow. But her concern puzzled him.

“I thought you didn’t believe I was a fey,” he said, studying her carefully. “Why do you care? Also… You vouched for my identity to the Skyroot patriarch… Why?”

Her silver eyes flashed with frustration at his pointed question. She looked away, clearly struggling to find an answer.

After a tense silence, she finally spoke. “Just don’t get involved. You must come with me to our clan. You and your daughter. Right after the summons.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned on her heel and left, disappearing among the trees.

Emery watched her retreating form, his mind racing. Her words only deepened his curiosity about what awaited him at the capital tomorrow.