Earth's Greatest Magus

Emery made his way to the Moon base hangar and carefully selected one of the five available ships. To avoid unnecessary entanglements with the magus alliance, he opted for the smallest vessel, the [Dragonfly]. This two-person scout ship was designed to cater to the magus' need for swift reconnaissance around Earth.

Leaving the rest of his team behind at the Moon base, Emery took off for Earth along with Morgana. The ship gracefully descended, its nimble design ensuring a smooth journey.

As the ship descended, Emery observed the alterations made by the grand magus Fuxi's formation array—manifested in the form of thick clouds covering most of Earth's seven continents.

Over the past four years, the Eastern sage had successfully implemented this vast array. Without a secret seal, anyone approaching these clouds would be enveloped in a mist that interfered with their spirit reading. Even if they managed to forcefully breach the clouds, a potent energy restriction within the formation's area would limit their abilities, rendering them unable to unleash their full strength.

The ship approached the atmospheric barrier with a warning, signaling a potential obstruction ahead. Almost immediately, a new message appeared.

[Dragonfly 02, you are cleared to enter]

Having been granted access by Moon Base, the ship descended through the barrier into Earth's sky. At the same time, the seals on both Emery and Morgana's arms emitted a radiant glow, shielding them from the restrictive effects of the formation.

Their destination came into view—the Bodhi temple, where the much-anticipated tournament was set to take place. Employing the ship's cloaking technology, Emery carefully descended, choosing a location miles away from the temple to avoid any interference. All these meticulous measures were in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the magus Alliance.

Since Emery assumed the role of Earth's caretaker, he had been under constant scrutiny by the magus alliance. Each year, a magus alliance officer would visit to assess his governance, particularly focusing on his adherence to the Prime Directive and the extent of his influence in the lower realm.

During his initial year, Emery received unfavorable evaluations and incurred substantial penalty fines. This was a consequence of providing defensive formations and resources to Earth's residents, despite the justifiable reason of defending against pirate attacks. Emery and his companions understood that these repercussions stemmed from their association with a low-grade faction, placed under the watchful eye of the powerful Nephilim faction.

Subsequently, Emery became meticulous in avoiding any rule violations, determined not to give the magus alliance any reason to revoke his caretaker role over Earth. The consequences of losing this position were too severe to ignore.

As Emery neared the temple, the sight below unfolded like a vibrant tapestry. Tens of thousands of people had congregated, transforming the town beneath the temple into a bustling hub of activity. Spiraling through his spirit reading, Emery discerned the diverse array of races and nations represented, creating a more extensive and varied gathering than the Holy Harvest Festival held every decade.

To maintain a low profile and not disturb the residents, Emery approached discreetly. Utilizing his spirit reading abilities, he wove an intricate layer of spiritual barriers. This concealed both him and Morgana from the prying eyes of the crowd, rendering them invisible. However, Emery knew well that this spiritual camouflage might not be potent enough to elude the sharp senses of Klea.

"There you are!!! You are here!!"

Klea's exuberant voice cut through the ambient noise, reaching Emery's ears as she joyfully approached. Her warm hug conveyed both relief and affection, followed by a deep sigh that betrayed her concerns. "You made me worry every time you take any of these trips," she admitted with a gentle chiding tone.

Turning her attention to Morgana, Klea inquired, "So... anything interesting happening there?"

Emery's heightened spirit reading defense had become a formidable barrier, and Klea had long accepted that extracting truth directly from Emery was an elusive endeavor. Instead, she had grown reliant on Morgana for comprehensive reports. The private conversation between the two women momentarily sparked Emery's concern, which carried more significance than any report from the magus alliance officers. However, a reassuring nod from Morgana provided the green light Emery needed.

"Good, i am proud of you" Klea said, satisfied with the report.

"Let's go, you came at the right time," Klea announced, steering the two towards a isolated area on the elevated grounds of the Bodhi temple. The advantage point offered an unobtrusive view of the entire tournament, allowing them to observe without drawing much attention. As they reached the special private area, Emery spotted Ashaka, Chumo, and the esteemed Eastern Sage Fuxi already present, attentively watching the unfolding matches.

"Glad you two can join us," greeted the Eastern Sage, Fuxi, as Emery acknowledged the senior with a gesture of respect before settling into a seat among the group.

The anticipation in the isolated area was palpable as the six strongest individuals on Earth gathered, their camaraderie evident from an unspoken bond formed over the years. Emery, having been occupied for the past two months, was now keen to catch up on the tournament matter.

"So, are we still looking for our tenth participant?" Emery inquired, referring to the ten participants needed for the upcoming duel against Kronos. With the six present, plus Julian, Thrax, and Fjolnier who were still away, they already had nine confirmed participants. The confusion stemmed from the assumption that the young monk, Damo, might be the strongest candidate for the tenth spot.

Klea sniggered in response, "No, no… it's not fair if Damo participates in this. We don't want to disrupt his studies at the Magus Academy."

"Ah, just a friendly tournament then?" Emery queried.

With a sly smile, Klea replied, "I promise you, it will be more interesting than that."

As the sun rose high in the air, casting a golden light on the Bodhi temple, thousands of spectators and hundreds warriors filled the temple yard. The Earth's strongest had gathered to showcase their prowess, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation.