Earth's Greatest Magus

Feeding the Shadowflame bees proved to be a task requiring effort and patience. Livi, with her proficiency in dark flames, was able to provide the sustenance they required, albeit with some strain. As the bees hadn't fed for a while, she could only continue casting her spell, her energy waning with each passing moment.

"Master… can't I just do it again tomorrow?" Livi pleaded, her exhaustion evident in her voice.

Emery responded with a gentle smile before delving once more into his domain, his curiosity piqued to explore another area of the mountain—the deepest layer underground.

With a simple thought, he whisked away, leaving Livi to her task.

Here, the environment underwent a dramatic transformation. Instead of the cold, unyielding rock of the upper levels, the chamber was now a labyrinth of twisting passages, cloaked in a thick layer of viscous mud. Sinewy roots snaked across the ground and ceiling, their presence casting eerie shadows that danced in the flickering torchlight.

Emery found himself in unfamiliar territory. This cavern was a recent addition, an expansion of his burgeoning primal core. Curious, he collected samples of the mud and roots before casting a special spell to investigate further.

[Fragmentation]

[Unidentified material]

[Unknown properties]

Emery couldn't contain his excitement as he examined the samples of mud and roots he had collected. With meticulous care, he teleported back to his workshop chamber and conducted a thorough analysis, marveling at the unique qualities they possessed.

Eager to deepen his understanding, Emery teleported himself to various locations around the mountain and even ventured to the other side of the river, gathering additional soils and materials for comparison. After several hours of intense testing and experimentation, he made a breakthrough—the two substances were identified as rare Tier 5 materials.

The discovery filled Emery with a mixture of emotions. On one hand, he was elated at the prospect of uncovering such valuable resources within his domain. Yet, on the other hand, he couldn't shake a sense of apprehension.

Over the course of more than two years, Emery had meticulously observed the growth and development of his Magus Domain. Despite his ability to shape and manipulate any aspect of the landscape within it, he understood that the fundamental nature of the domain—its soil, its air, and the overall spiritual energy—remained intrinsically connected to his core. These elements were a reflection of his own strength and the type of law he cultivated.

While the other side of the riverbanks boasted verdant trees and lush grass, infusing his aperture with life and nature energy, the mountain and its chambers exuded a starkly contrasting aura of darkness. Every part of this domain had become a natural crucible, generating and nurturing materials that were uniquely attuned to Emery's identity.

Emery operated the crystal on the table, triggering a soft hum as it activated. A holographic figure materialized before him—a beautiful woman with short, ethereal white hair, adorned in resplendent golden attire. Delicate wings adorned her back, adding to her otherworldly beauty.

"VIA, please update the domain information using these new findings," Emery requested, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"Certainly," replied the artificial being, her voice carrying a faint mechanical undertone.

As Emery watched, the holographic figure began to interface with the crystal, processing the new data. The air around them seemed to shimmer with energy as the system worked its magic.

Soon enough, a comprehensive list of data appeared before him, projected in a translucent display.

[Domain Size: 82 (85) square miles]

The display unfolded, revealing intricate details about the growth and composition of Emery's domain. It showcased the sprawling expanse of his territory, delineating the various regions and landmarks within it. Each section was meticulously cataloged, highlighting the diverse array of beings that called the domain home, from mystical creatures to ethereal souls. Notable materials and resources were listed alongside, indicating their abundance and significance within the domain. From rare flora and fauna to precious gemstones.

Emery studied the information with keen interest.

As a comparison, the average aperture of a One Cosmos Grand Magus typically spans around 10 square miles. For Two Cosmos Grand Magus, their domain expanded to encompass 100 square miles—an exponential increase in size and potential. This scale would further amplify with the attainment of Three Cosmos levels, culminating in a significant transformation upon reaching the rank of Supreme Magus.

Yet, the significance of these expansive domains extended beyond mere cosmic energy storage. They presented a lucrative opportunity for resource expansion and passive income generation. Harnessing the rich energies within their domains, most Grand Magus could cultivate unique resources, leveraging their domain's innate properties for financial gain.

When Emery successfully crafted his domain, he took deliberate steps to partition it into distinct realms of light and darkness. However, achieving this balance required substantial investment and meticulous care. Emery spared no expense, pouring millions of spirit stones into the construction and nurturing of his aperture. It was an endeavor aimed not only at fortifying his core but also at unlocking the possibility for valuable resources to emerge.

The subsequent update brought a wave of unease over Emery as he scrutinized the data:

[Energy balance: Darkness 55 (57)%, Light 45(43%)]

It had only been two months since the last update, coinciding with Emery's immersion in the Academy's Myriad Spring of Life, which boosted his domain with rich light energy. The fact that the balance had once again tilted toward darkness troubled him deeply.

The emergence of the newly grown Tier 5 materials served as undeniable evidence. Across the river, only Tier 2 and Tier 3 materials had flourished, a stark contrast that highlighted the imbalance within his Domain.

One possibility cause lay in the burgeoning population of the Chizpurs race. Their expanding numbers were slowly draining the life force of light, impeding its growth. However, Emery understood that this effect paled in comparison to his own increasing affinity for Khaos energy. The best way was still to find a way to enrich his domain with light energy; having more time in the Myriad Spring of Life was a great solution.

On the other hand, Emery's decision to breed the Shadowflame bees had been a step in the right direction, but the outcome had clearly fallen short of his expectations. While allowing the three acolytes to consume his Khaos energy offered a temporary solution, Emery knew that he needed a more permanent fix.

As he contemplated possibility remedies, his thoughts turned to the muddy subterranean chambers. They held promise, a potential solution waiting to be unearthed. But what could grow in such an environment? Emery racked his brain, sifting through old ideas and discarded plans.

One idea surfaced, lingering in the recesses of his mind like a dormant seed waiting to sprout. He had formerly entertained the notion of creating another plant species akin to the Chizpurs, but the memory of past failures loomed large. The traumatic incident had left its mark, instilling a sense of caution and responsibility that weighed heavily on Emery's shoulders.

Yet, despite the risks and uncertainties, Emery couldn't shake off the allure of the idea. If successful, it could offer a sustainable solution to rebalance his Domain and mitigate the encroaching darkness.

Another spark of inspiration ignited, giving him an alternative option.

"Perhaps I can begin that project here," Emery mused aloud, the idea taking root in his mind.

Emery shelved the idea for the time being, opting to seek out other possibility alternatives through VIA's assistance. He instructed the artificial intelligence to scour the vast repository of knowledge, searching for a plant or beast that could thrive in the unique conditions of the subterranean chambers.

Not forgetting, Emery asks VIA about the result of searching for those dark energy crystal, ones similar to the one he retrieved from Alvanic mountain. The prospect of acquiring another such item held immense significance for Emery—it could herald the return of Chututlu to his core or facilitate the creation of a new portal at the Magus academy, granting him greater mobility during his time in the academy.

However, VIA's findings yielded disappointing results. Two dark crystals matching Emery's criteria were in the possession of specific factions, and none were available for purchase on the market.

Despite the setback, Emery remained resolute. "Keep on the lookout," he instructed VIA firmly. His determination to secure a suitable crystal persisted.

After completing his analysis of the domain, Emery shifted his focus to the dark cauldron, his prized [Star Forge Furnace]. With a reverent touch, he ignited the flames beneath it and began concocting a new recipe. The art of apothecary always brought him joy.

The air was thick with the heady scent of brewing potions as Emery focused on his latest creation – a third recipe aimed at potentially curing one of his acolytes, Hardy, the Kaleos noble ailments.

Meanwhile, as the potion bubbled and simmered, the three acolytes reached their maximum absorption of Khaos energy. With their training complete, they followed Emery out of his domain and back to the academy.