Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-1903

?Emery stood at the threshold of the celestial portal, staring at the holographic display of his ranking. The announcement revealed that he had amassed an impressive 8,921 points, securing him the coveted first place. The revelation surprised him, considering the tumultuous events within the celestial ruins. The majority of his points, he speculated, must have been earned through his decisive actions against the basilisk and thwarting the scourge, contributing significantly to his overall score.

Jinkan's briefings had provided some insights into the rewards system, emphasizing a point exchange place where surviving magus could benefit with the assistance of celestial constructs.

With this knowledge in mind, Emery anticipated a collective experience with his fellow magus.

However, reality presented a stark contrast as he stepped through the portal. Instead of joining a congregation of magus on a shared platform, Emery found himself standing alone on a stone bridge suspended in a vast, dark expanse.

Confused by the unexpected solitude, Emery hesitated for a moment. The air was tinged with an otherworldly stillness, and the isolation prompted him to consider the reasons for this solitary encounter. Was it a consequence of the chaotic incidents that unfolded during the expedition, or perhaps a distinctive outcome resulting from his achievement as the first-ranked survivor?

Undeterred, Emery continued to walk along the ethereal bridge and soon after, he found himself standing before a familiar grand golden palace, a celestial domain he had previously encountered. As he approached, the colossal celestial giant seated within became more distinct, its imposing presence radiating both power and wisdom.

"I did what you asked. Why am I here again?" Emery inquired, his voice carrying a note of irritation.

This time, there was no elven priestess standing by his side. Emery was alone when he heard voices entering his mind, a resonance that felt both divine and ancient.

<You did well, young magus. I led you here to personally thank you.>

Upon hearing these words, a subtle smile played on Emery's lips. However, always quick-witted, he responded, "I hope it won't just be verbally, right?"

In response to Emery's playful remark, the celestial giant seemed to acknowledge the sentiment. Without uttering a word, multiple panels ascended from the ground, adorned with intricate symbols that seemed to convey a deeper, cosmic language, resonating in Emery's mind.

Emery stood before the array of panels, each one representing a different category of rewards:

[Artifacts], [Wisdom], [Resources], and [Lifeforms].

The sheer magnitude of information illuminated on each panel captured his attention, presenting an overwhelming array of choices.

The celestial giant's voice echoed in his mind, guiding him through the myriad options. <You may choose what interests you. Take your time.>

As Emery approached the [Artifacts] panel, a cascade of information flooded his consciousness. Thousands of possibilities raced through his mind, spanning from potent weapons to resilient armors, life-saving trinkets, and even ancient vehicles. Each item came with an embedded exchange point value, a currency of sorts in this celestial realm.

Tier 6 artifacts, ranging from 500 to 2000 points, unfolded before Emery's eyes. The selection included a vast array of items, from a humble dagger to armors that rivaled the godly suits worn by the Nephilim prince. Intrigued by the diversity, Emery's gaze lingered on the [Tier 7 Artifacts], which came at a higher cost, starting from 3000 points.

One item stood out, capturing Emery's attention like a celestial beacon:

[Heavenly Key Blade - Longsword - Tier 7 - 4800 points].

Forged from the purest celestial steel, its blade held the essence of fallen stars, giving it a lustrous silver sheen that seemed to encapsulate the cosmos itself. The prospect of infusing the blade with radiant celestial light, transforming it into a divine beacon, added to its allure.

The tier 7 artifact before him was a testament to the celestial craftsmanship that surpassed mortal comprehension. For a grand magus, obtaining such a treasure was a lifelong goal, and the realization that he could now possess one was an eye-opening experience for Emery.

As Emery shifted his attention to the second panel, [Wisdom], the celestial giant revealed a vast library of ancient knowledge. From secret techniques and divine spells to lost legendary recipes, the repository held the wisdom of celestial beings. Divine-ranked spells, which often cost millions of spirit stones, were available for trade at surprisingly modest point values, ranging from 300 to 3000.

Among the array of options, one particular spell stood out:

[Divine Rank A - Circle of Life].

This potent spell, rivaling or perhaps surpassing his own [Rebirth], could be obtained for a modest 1500 points.

Turning his attention to the [Resources] panel, Emery found himself faced with a plethora of choices. Rare materials, considered extinct in the magus universe, were laid out for his selection. [Celestial Essence], a substance he had encountered on a privileged planet, could be traded for a mere 500 points. The allure of obtaining rank 9 ancient blood from all nine bloodlines further enriched the possibilities presented by this celestial trades.

Basic spirit stones were also available, each exchange granting him 300 points for a million spirit stones. However, his attention lingered on another intriguing option: [Celestial Shards]. Priced at 250 points for any medium-sized shard, it seemed like a promising deal. Emery weighed the benefits against the potential penalties incurred when using these shards outside the celestial ruins.

The [Lifeforms] panel unfolded before Emery, revealing a diverse array of creatures – from slaves and pets to powerful guardians. The selection ranged from packs of silverback spiders to slaves with the coveted Titan bloodline, highly intelligent constructs, dragons and majestic being he never seen before. The possibilities presented were both fascinating and tempting, each lifeform possessing unique qualities and potential applications.

As Emery perused the list, a desire welled within him, a desire that seemed to surpass the value of his current first-rank standing of 8900 points. The plethora of choices left him contemplating the limitations of his points and the multitude of options that remained just out of reach.

After a moment of reflection, Emery redirected his attention to the celestial giant. The celestial realms held the answer to his unfulfilled desires, and he sought guidance on how to attain what seemed beyond his current reach.

"I am looking for a way that would help me breakthrough to the grand magus realm,"