One day later...
[Ding! Congratulations to Master, you have just gained 11,300 exp. Your Monarch Auction House has been upgraded to Level 1.]
Moments later, the ground shook again, and the Monarch Auction House was filled with light.
After the light faded, the upgraded Level 1 Monarch Auction House came into view.
It became larger, more luxurious, and grander. The Spiritual Energy Vine of the Monarch Auction House reached Level 4.
Calyx, along with Selene who stood beside him, admired the new auction house for a while. Then, Selene's energy suddenly surged.
"Oh right, their realm was also increasing. They couldn't cultivate like normal people because their strength was bound to the system."
Boom. Boom.
One after another, the spiritual energy of his servants surged like thunder.
Dante reached Peak Tier 5.
Lilith reached Peak Tier 4.
Nyx reached Peak Tier 5.
Selene reached Peak Tier 6.
The twenty guards also reached Peak Tier 3. The ten demonic beasts also reached Peak Tier 3.
There were also ten female servants responsible for basic tasks during auctions, like serving food, tea, or bringing out the items. Their realms peaked at Tier 2.
After some time...
"System, show me my panel."
[Ding. At your command, master.
Name: Calyx Invictus
Age: 33
Lifespan: 999,987
Realm: Peak Tier 1
Points: 8,010 (Generating 1 in 11:21)
Monarch Auction House: Level 1 (Exp: 1,300/100,000)]
Calyx smiled and felt satisfied when he saw this.
Spring, summer, autumn, and finally, winter arrived.
One year had passed.
The year is 14.
Calyx was making a snowman, and beside him, Selene was lying in the snow.
Many things had happened in the past year.
Larisha had reached Early Stage Tier 3. She now had a Rank 4 Mud Glory Armor and a Rank 3 sword.
The Ice Domain Temple became one of the top forces in the entire Eldoria Empire.
Equal to, or perhaps even stronger than, the Eldoria Empire.
The Eldoria Empire only had the advantage in terms of the number of their experts, while the Ice Domain Temple had only Larisha as their top expert.
Under Larisha's lead, the Ice Domain Temple expanded into the southern forest claiming many lands previously infested with wild demonic beasts.
They managed to seize several spirit stone mining caves, making the Ice Domain Temple even wealthier.
Many talented individuals, even from distant cities, wanted to join the Ice Domain Temple and become disciples.
The reputation of the Monarch Auction House also spread to other empires, though many refused to believe in its power at first.
An arrogant crowned prince from a neighboring empire decided to visit the Monarch Auction House. Upon arrival, he entered the 100-meter perimeter of the auction grounds, despite it being prohibited as there was no ongoing auction.
Relying on his status and his father's strength at Late Stage Tier 3, he thought they wouldn't dare touch him.
But the moment he crossed the line, Dante struck with his sword from afar. The prince instantly felt his head separate from his body, along with all his followers suffering the same fate.
Days later, the emperor of that empire received news of his son's death. Enraged, he brought all the experts of his empire to destroy the Monarch Auction House.
But they were wiped out by Dante, and the empire ceased to exist overnight.
The entire desolate region was shocked, and soon, a war erupted between four other neighboring empires, all racing to claim the fallen empire's lands.
In the blink of an eye, another year passed.
The year is 15.
Calyx was sitting near a river, holding a fishing rod.
Not far from him, Selene was grilling the fish he had caught.
This year, Calyx was already 35 years old, and Selene was 30.
Their appearances remained unchanged, as youthful as eighteen-year-olds.
Selene was now at Peak Tier 6. Her lifespan had reached one thousand years.
This year, Calyx had reached the early stages of Tier 2. Even though he had set his talent to F-class, the Monarch Auction House's Level 4 Spiritual Vine helped increase his cultivation speed.
He didn't cultivate all day, only when he felt like it—maybe five hours a day or during night.
Within the Ice Domain Temple, his reputation remained the same.
He was known as the Ghost Alchemist Master.
He supplied pills to the temple every year, helping disciples strengthen themselves. Even some elders had broken through to Middle Stage Tier 2.
The only issue was that Calyx never appeared in public. The last time the elders saw him was two years ago during an event at the Monarch Auction House.
As for the disciples of the Ice Domain Temple...
They had never seen him in person, but Calyx was very famous and considered second only to the Temple Master as he was a Rank 2 Alchemist.
Many inner disciples hoped to join his Alchemy Hall and become alchemists. But the Ghost Alchemist Master didn't entertain them, even if they waited outside for days.
A splash echoed as Calyx pulled on his fishing rod, having caught a fish.
He calmly stood up and picked it up.
"Master, that's a Rank 3 Emerald Fish!. I have 2,131 ideas for how to cook it." Selene said, quickly arriving at his side.
"Alright, we'll have it for dinner later. Let's eat what you grilled for now."
The two of them began eating the grilled fish.
They were currently in the Grimlith Forest.
It was known as the most dangerous area in the entire desolate region. But it also offered the greatest opportunities—if one had the strength to survive and fight the powerful demonic beasts living there.
For Calyx, it was a precious, untouched gem. A place to relax and enjoy peaceful activities.
He opened his book and wrote something. Moments later, a luxurious glass of wine appeared.
"My Selene, would you like to try this?" Calyx asked with a smile.
She slowly nodded, also wanting to try it.
With that, they savored the freshly grilled fish and luxurious wine while sitting beside a scenic river.
The gentle sound of flowing water, the chirping of birds, and the soft breeze created a peaceful atmosphere.
Nearby, red maple trees shed their leaves into the river, carried by the wind.
It was serene.
"Try not to use your spiritual energy to dissolve the alcohol. Let yourself feel everything. I promise, it's worth it." Calyx said.
"O-okay, Master." Selene replied.
She followed his instructions.
After an hour, her pale cheeks turned red. She was already drunk.
"Master, I feel dizzy…" she murmured, but still didn't use her spiritual energy.
Calyx took her hand and summoned his Lightning Falcon demonic beast. It had a name now—Velo.
He got the name from the word velocity.
"Let's go home now. I'll carry you."
He lifted her gently, then leapt onto Velo's back.
"A-ah, Master..."
"Just stay still. Sleep for now and relax, okay?" Calyx whispered softly.
Selene slowly nodded. She was dizzy and truly wanted to sleep.
She was a Peak Tier 6 expert… she shouldn't be feeling this. But she allowed herself to—because she liked it, especially being in Calyx's arms. She couldn't understand herself right now.
Moments later, she drifted off to sleep.
Calyx smiled, then gave the order for Velo to take them home.