Calyx closed the book, a smile playing on his lips out of sheer amusement.
That's right—he had just given that boy named Von a system. But it was the weakest system he had ever created.
Its function was simple: it gave physical training tasks. For example, if Von completed 100 push-ups, he would receive a pill. The next task might require 1,000 push-ups, or involve running long distances. The tasks would grow progressively more difficult.
However, if Von managed to complete all the quests in the system, he was guaranteed to reach the Peak of Tier 3 Realm in the future.
"I'm curious to see what will happen... what that kid will do now that he possesses the weakest system I've ever made," Calyx murmured.
With that, he left the area and headed toward the Ice Domain Temple.
He planned to enter it. At 33 years old and already at the Peak of Tier 1, he will gonna be considered above average by the temple's standards—suitable for the role as an Elder in the Outer Disciples area.
But he would also present himself as a Rank 2 Alchemist.
He had already written it into the book, instantly making himself a Rank 2 Alchemist.
Riding his Lightning Falcon Demonic Beast, he spotted the Ice Domain Temple after an hour. It sat atop a tall mountain thausand kilometers from Gerbur City. The temple was massive, and Calyx could sense a Level 2 Spiritual Energy Vein flowing from the temple. Located in the heart of a forest, it was surrounded by three cities in three directions, all controlled by the Ice Domain Temple. Every year, the temple recruited new disciples from these cities—Gerbur City was among the three.
Just then, Calyx noticed a woman running through the forest toward the temple. Her hair was disheveled, blood stained her lips, and her internal injuries looked severe. If she hadn't been at Peak Tier 2, she would likely already be dead.
In the sky, Calyx decided to put his demonic beast in his sea of consciousness and teleported to the ground.
He began running, moving at the speed of Peak Tier 1.
Moments later, the woman emerged from the forest and collapsed onto the main road. She coughed up blood, and her vision began to blur.
Calyx stopped running and rushed to her side, just as he had planned.
"Are you alright?" Calyx asked, feigning concern.
"Who are you?" the woman asked warily.
"That's not important right now. Here, take this pill—it should help heal your injuries."
After a brief pause, she chose to trust him and swallowed the pill.
Within seconds, her wounds began to heal rapidly. She stared in shock as her injuries vanished.
"You pushed your energy too hard to get here, worsening the damage to your internal organs. You're lucky you ran into me," Calyx said calmly.
"Thank you for saving my life, benefactor. My name is Larisha—I am the Temple Master of the Ice Domain Temple."
Calyx's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She was the Temple Master?
"So, you're the Temple Master? It's an honor to help you," he replied with a slight bow. "My name is Calyx. I actually came here hoping to join the Ice Domain Temple—as an Elder."
Larisha looked him over in surprise. He was so handsome and looked incredibly young, yet he was already at Peak Tier 1.
"I'm actually already 33 years old," Calyx explained. "I took a Youth-Preserving Pill to maintain my appearance."
Larisha nodded in understanding. Thirty-three and at Peak Tier 1 was above average for the temple, though not shocking. Besides, this man had just saved her life. She could make an exception and offer him a high position.
"Sir Calyx, what pill did you give me? It didn't just heal my injuries—it fully restored my strength and even boosted my cultivation. I might reach Tier 3 in just another year!"
"It was a Rank 3 Healing Essence Pill."
"W-What!?" Larisha gasped in shock.
A Rank 3 pill! Such pills were so rare that only the Eldoria Royal Family possessed them within the entire empire.
"It was a gift from my master, a powerful alchemist. I myself am a Rank 2 Alchemist."
Larisha felt dizzy with shock and disbelief.
The two walked together toward the Ice Domain Temple.
Along the way, Calyx told her he was originally from Gerbur City. Both his parents had once been disciples of the Ice Domain Temple. As a child, he had been taken in by a mysterious alchemy master from another empire, who recognized his high talent in alchemy.
Of course, none of this was true—it was a fabricated story designed to gain Larisha's trust.
Eventually, they arrived at the Ice Domain Palace. As the Temple Master, Larisha didn't need to pass through the gates. She held Calyx's arm, and together they bypassed the gate's protective array without resistance.
They made their way into the Inner Area.
Upon entering the Master Hall, they were greeted by an old woman at Middle Stage Tier 2.
"Welcome back, Temple Master," the old woman said. Then she turned her gaze to Calyx. "Temple Master, who is this...?"
"Granny Nayi, this is Calyx. He will be our Alchemy Master—he's a Rank 2 Alchemist."
Granny Nayi was momentarily stunned. A Rank 2 Alchemist? So young?
"Granny Nayi, please inform the other Elders that we'll be holding a meeting," Larisha instructed.
"Yes, Temple Master," Granny Nayi replied, then left.
After she was gone, Larisha pulled out an ancient-looking wooden box from her storage ring.
Calyx took a seat and watched her. It was then that he truly noticed how beautiful Larisha was.
Though she was in her 40s, she looked like a woman in her early 20s. This was thanks to her cultivation at Peak Tier 2, which extended her lifespan to around 150 years—and possibly a Rank 2 Youth-Preserving Pill as well. Women often paid extra attention to their appearance.
When she opened the box, the scent of rare herbs filled the air.
"These are all Rank 2 herbs!" Larisha exclaimed with joy.
She had obtained this treasure from an inheritance cave, where she had fought other Temple Masters to secure it.
At the bottom of the box, she discovered a technique scroll.
When she picked it up, Calyx's eyes gleamed.
"Temple Master, that's a Rank 3 Dual Cultivation Technique. I've learned a lot from my master—I wouldn't be mistaken," Calyx said.
"W-What..." Larisha stammered.
Of course, she knew what a dual cultivation technique was.. This tecnique is a Rank 3, rare and powerful. But how could she possibly use it?
Decades ago, she had many admirers, including members of the royal family. She rejected them all coldly, dedicating herself solely to cultivation.
She sighed and decided to store the scroll away, hiding it for now.