It took Emery only three days to perfect the creation of a successful Tier 8 Dual Refinement Pill. The breakthrough he had been missing all this time lay in his ability to balance the two opposing elements—an achievement made possible by his recent comprehension and advancement into the Grand Magus realm. His newfound mastery allowed him to refine the dozen prepared recipes with absolute precision.
[Tier 8 Dual Refinement Pill]
[112% potency]
[Effectiveness for all elements: 120%]
[Temporary Boost: 500 Battle Power]
[Permanent Boost: 200 Battle Power]
Though he did not achieve the exceptional 130% potency he had once reached in competition, this batch of pills was still an undeniable success. Unlike the previous ones, which required rare and exotic ingredients, this particular formula could be mass-produced.
Word of his success spread swiftly, reaching the ears of the Skyroot faction. Within hours, several of their elders arrived, eager to assist in fulfilling the Warmaster’s request. The faction, with its vast warehouse and resource network, possessed the means to produce a significant batch of pills. However, even with their extensive reserves, they could only gather enough rare ingredients to create 130 of them, each valued at 150 million spirit stones.
As the inventor and lead alchemist of the project, Emery was entitled to a substantial 40% share of the profits without investing a single spirit stone himself. However, rather than taking the earnings in full, he negotiated for a portion of the final product, recognizing its immense value for the upcoming expedition or to bring back home. After a brief discussion, he secured 30 of the pills along with a sum of 2 billion spirit stones.
The timing could not have been more perfect. By the next morning, he was set to deliver the pills to the Warmaster before departing for the expedition. Yet, just as the night fell, a message arrived from his dark counterpart.
“He finally appeared at the Fey Planet, didn’t he?”
Emery wasted no time. He stepped into his domain and made his way toward the dark mountain where his connection to the Khaos hub was strongest.
Ever since their separation, his access to the Khaos hub had been severely limited. He could no longer enter freely—only wait on the outskirts, waiting for any updates.
Placing his palm against the massive obsidian door that marked the threshold of the hub, he focused his divine sense, trying to pierce through the veil and catch a glimpse of what was unfolding on the other side.
His heart pounded.
“Damn it… He’s already fighting? Can’t he try to talk his way out of this first?”
Anxiety twisted in his gut as he sensed the surge of Khaos energy.
The atmosphere within his domain became restless, mirroring his turmoil. The slumbering Star-Devouring Beast stirred from its deep sleep, responding instinctively to the growing surge of Khaos energy. It began thrashing wildly, the very fabric of Emery’s domain trembling under the creature’s raw hunger.
He tried once more to reach out, sending urgent messages across their fractured connection—but there was no response.
“Damn it! I should be the one going!”
Then, amidst the storm of emotions, a third presence made itself known. A voice—not his own, not his counterpart’s—whispered into his mind.
“Who are you?” Emery demanded.
No answer came. Only an overwhelming sensation—raw, insatiable hunger.
At first, he assumed it was the Star Devouring Beast. But as he concentrated, he realized something was wrong. The beast was merely a reflection of himself, a part of his being. This entity, however, was something else entirely. Something unknown.
A chilling realization settled over him.
Khaos. It was behind this.
The primordial force had somehow latched onto both his dark counterpart and the beast. A deeper connection than he had ever comprehended. A force that had its own will.
Memories of his breakthrough surfaced—his dark self had been on the verge of destruction, and it was Khaos energy that had saved him in that critical moment. But now, Emery questioned its true intentions.
“What are you doing? What do you want?”
Again, silence.
Then, his other self resurfaced, but not in the way he had hoped. A fragmented message reached him, chaotic and broken. His counterpart had been forced into hiding.
A sharp breath escaped Emery’s lips. His worst fears had been realized—things had spiraled far beyond his expectations. Worse still, the clone body had been pushed to its limits. It would not hold out much longer.
Frustrated and unable to communicate with his counterpart, Emery turned to the one person who might have answers—the Skyroot Patriarch.
For the past six days, he had sought wisdom from the Grandmaster, and now he needed guidance more than ever.
A way to deal with his separate souls.
The patriarch offered his counsel.
“Completing all one hundred levels of the Heaven and Earth trial might give you the answers you seek,” he said. “But I believe the true issue lies elsewhere. that Darkness—it is not truly yours. You do not have full authority over it. That is why you cannot fully merge with your other self.”
A grim choice lay before Emery. Sever himself from Khaos entirely, or dedicate years to mastering the Heaven and Earth Scales.
Neither option was acceptable. He was running out of time. His friends—his people—were waiting for him back home.
By morning, his decision was made. He bid farewell to the Skyroot faction, prepared to join the expedition. Before he departed, the Patriarch handed him a book.
“These are the notes of my master,” the elder said. “I hope they will help you grasp the final stage of the Heaven and Earth Reversal technique. Remember, you are his successor.”
Then, with a knowing smile, he added, “Good luck on your journey.”
Something in his tone made Emery pause. And then, it hit him.
The Supreme Being knew.
He knew Emery was a Traveler.
The realization left him momentarily speechless. Had the Patriarch been aware of his secret all along? Had he always known that Emery might never return?
Swallowing hard, Emery bowed deeply in respect. “Thank you… for everything.”
The old man nodded, watching as Emery turned and left the Skyroot estate, giving one final glance at the Skyroot Estate.
He did not know when—if ever—he would return.