Earth's Greatest Magus

“We’re in”

Emery declared as he shattered the barrier and broke into the domain. He and Ashaka descended together from the sky, plunging into an expansive world below. The landscape that unfolded before them was breathtaking—a vast, enchanting realm filled with towering mountains, sprawling forests, and winding rivers. In the distance, the shimmering blue of an ocean stretched endlessly towards the horizon.

Emery’s first impression was one of awe. The domain appeared immense, easily ten times the size of his own. However, his admiration quickly shifted to suspicion. Something felt off.

“This… it’s an illusion, a formation!” Emery warned, his tone urgent.

The vastness of the domain seemed unnatural, a carefully crafted trap. Ashaka, flying alongside him, nodded, immediately on guard.

Emery intended to study the surroundings further before landing, but the formation had other plans. Without warning, the very air around them shifted, and they were forcefully pulled down into the dense forest below. Acting swiftly, Emery cast his gravity spell, pulling Ashaka close to him to prevent them from being separated. As soon as Emery and Ashaka touched the ground, the domain retaliated. The forest came alive with a barrage of defensive formations. Stone spikes erupted from the earth beneath their feet, forcing them to dodge. Wild vines twisted and lashed out from the trees, attempting to ensnare them. The relentless assault quickly escalated—sharp gusts of wind hurled them into the air, where bolts of lightning crackled down from the darkened sky, turning the forest ablaze and followed by a deluge of water surging in from the distant ocean.

Emery recognized the infamous hexagram formation—a manifestation of Fuxi’s mastery over the eight elements. Fire, water, earth, air, plant, metal, lightning, and ice. Each element shifted seamlessly into the next, making the formation unpredictable and nearly impossible to dismantle. Even with their knowledge of Fuxi’s methods, Emery and Ashaka found themselves struggling to keep up with the rapid changes.

“If only Klea were here,” Emery muttered under his breath, dodging another barrage of spikes. “She’d be a great help with this.”

Ashaka nodded but was too focused on evading the attacks to respond. Emery’s high soul force allowed him to hold his ground and tackle each elemental strike that came his way, but dismantling the entire formation would require more time than he anticipated.

“This is so annoying,” he growled, frustration bubbling as the onslaught continued.

They had been trapped in the formation for hours. Though Emery’s endurance remained steady, Ashaka was beginning to show signs of wear. His movements grew sluggish, and the continuous bombardment of elemental attacks was taking its toll.

Emery knew they couldn’t afford to stay trapped much longer. The formation’s relentless nature was designed to break down even the most seasoned of warriors. He had to find a way out, fast, before it overwhelmed them both.

If brute force wouldn’t get them out, then he would have to exploit a weakness in the formation. Activating his [Prism of Light], he amplified his soul force, allowing his divine sense to reach deeper into the intricate web of illusions and elemental defenses surrounding them. As he focused, an unexpected sensation brushed against his mind—a voice, distant yet distinct.

The voice echoed within Emery’s consciousness, unfamiliar but strangely compelling. Despite not recognizing its source, Emery cautiously responded, engaging in a brief mental exchange. To his surprise, the voice wasn’t hostile—it seemed curious and, after a few moments of conversation, even offered help. It whispered guidance, revealing the locations of the eight formation eyes that anchored the hexagram’s power.

Reluctantly, Emery set aside his suspicions. Though unsure of the voice’s origin, he couldn’t deny the accuracy of its instructions. Using his divine senses, he located the eight points scattered across the vast landscape, each pulsing with elemental energy. Together with Ashaka, they began their methodical approach to dismantling the formation.

The water, plant, and earth eyes were the first targets. Emery’s deep understanding of the nature laws made them relatively easy to break. His mastery allowed him to neutralize the flow of energy, dissolving the elemental defenses around these points with precision. Each time an eye collapsed, the domain seemed to shudder, its grip loosening just a little more.

Ashaka, though weary, proved invaluable. His expertise in fire, ice, and metal complemented Emery’s skills, and he quickly went to work on those elemental eyes, his attacks sharp and efficient. Together, they moved swiftly, breaking through the six anchors, their confidence growing with each success.

All that remained were the wind and lightning eyes, the most volatile of the group. With a combined effort, they prepared for the final strike, and Once the final eye shattered, the entire domain shifted.

The vast, chaotic landscape of mountains, forests, and oceans dissolved like a mirage, leaving behind a much simpler, serene environment. Emery and Ashaka found themselves standing in a bamboo forest, only about two miles in radius. In the center of it all was a peaceful pond, and beside it stood a small, unassuming bamboo hut.

The sight struck an emotional chord in both of them. This place, though humble, felt deeply familiar—like a remnant of Fuxi himself. Memories of their mentor flooded back, and for a brief moment, they stood in silence, reflecting on the Sage.

Emery, driven by anticipation, entered the hut. His heart pounded as he crossed the threshold, hoping to finally uncover the source of the mysterious voice. But inside, the hut was empty. There were no hidden figures or spirits waiting for him—only simple furnishings: a wooden table, a modest bed, and a few artifacts that belonged to Fuxi.

Disappointment flickered in Emery’s eyes. “Where did the voice come from?” he murmured, his thoughts racing. His attention was quickly drawn to the walls. There, hanging with care, were Fuxi’s cherished belongings: the precious [Heavenly Array Flags], a fishing rod, a zither, and Fuxi’s wooden sword.

As his gaze lingered on the sword, the voice returned, soft but clear in his mind.