Rock Bear Potion

Ian took out the unexpected gain from this trip: Rock Bear Potion.

The potion's main ingredients were 100 milliliters of blood essence from a Rock-armored Demon Bear, 10 grams of Thornvine bast...

Its effect was that the first dose could greatly enhance one's physique and strength, with the effects gradually diminishing afterward.

It was a permanent enhancement!

"Simon, I don't blame you for leading them here."

Bloodline-type physique potions were exceedingly rare. They were far less varied than meditation potions, but every formula was precious.

Ian frowned slightly as he read the description of the main ingredient.

"Blood essence?"

Blood essence, also called Blood Essence, required a unique spell to obtain: Bloodline Purification Art.

This was a gap in Ian's knowledge. He had never encountered it before.

This spell was uncommon and part of the advanced curriculum for those following the Bloodline Modification path.

"Isn't Kenna a bloodline wizard? Too bad his level is too low. I'll ask him later."

According to Shadowmoon Tower's rules, spell transmission between apprentices was limited to low- and intermediate-level spells.

He did not know whether this spell fell within that category.

"Besides, Rock-armored Demon Bears aren't easy to hunt."

He had been here for two years, after all, and still knew some common knowledge.

Rock-armored Demon Bears generally lived in rocky mountain regions, around the outskirts of mines, and in hilly areas rich in metal ore veins.

Their nests were usually caves they had excavated themselves. They possessed an extremely strong sense of territory and were almost always solitary.

They were high-level Magic Beasts. Ordinary Low-Level and Intermediate Apprentices were simply no match for them.

Ian was not about to gather materials in the wilderness himself just to brew a potion.

"I'm a Potion Master. Leave such dangerous work to someone else."

He needed to gather the materials for the Rock Bear Potion as quickly as possible and strengthen his physique.

He had previously arranged a time with Kenna's team. He would meet them shortly and get a preliminary understanding of them.

Now that he was working with Starleaf, he would not be short of magic stones for the time being.

He could also slowly collect other spells and broaden his methods.

Just after noon, Kenna was already standing outside the door, accompanied by his three teammates.

"Ian, I brought them over."

After Ian invited the four inside, the man wearing leather armor was the first to step forward.

"Hello, Ian. I'm Wade. Nice to meet you. I hope we can exchange ideas often in the future."

"Hello, I'm Robert."

"My name is Monica. I'm not particularly capable. I study life-element spells."

The three introduced themselves with somewhat formal expressions and tones.

The scene felt oddly familiar to Ian, like a job interview from his previous life.

It seemed they also attached great importance to this meeting.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Ian, a Potion Master who has only just started out."

After everyone sat down, Kenna spoke. "You went to the High Tower yesterday and didn't come back. I was worried you'd run into Simon, but it seems you're fine."

After considering it, Ian decided to reveal part of the truth.

"I did meet Simon. I already killed him."

He was afraid that if he concealed it, the Shadow Society might investigate their way here, and Kenna's group would suffer badly without any preparation.

"What?" Kenna was deeply shocked.

Although Simon was weaker than him, he had been an Intermediate Apprentice for several years. How had Ian killed him?

"I used a magic item left behind by my family and got lucky," Ian made up an excuse.

"Kenna, be careful. After I killed Simon, the Shadow Society may get involved and trace things back here."

The two then began coordinating their story, and the three people beside them also learned what had happened.

"I've heard some news about the Shadow Society. It seems they've been expanding rapidly lately, and you can barely see any of their people outside."

Wade did not know much either. He had only heard a friend mention it briefly.

He was the legitimate son of a great noble and had extensive connections. Among Kenna's team, he was the best-informed.

As they talked, Ian secretly observed the three of them.

Monica spoke cautiously and did not seem to have much of an opinion of her own.

Wade was straightforward in his manner. He said whatever he had to say and was not afraid of offending others.

Robert was quiet and reserved. He specialized in fire-element spells, yet lacked the fiery temper typical of fire-element wizards.

Ian felt that Robert was the calmest and smartest of them, and likely the strongest member of the team as well.

The group was also subtly probing Ian's attitude.

Seeing that they had talked enough, Ian took out four Awakening Potions from the cloth pouch tucked against his body.

"I happened to brew some before coming, so I brought them with me."

He did not say he was giving them away directly. Their relationship had not reached that point yet.

He himself urgently needed vast resources to sustain his training.

Ian had also recognized his current level of strength. He could reveal a little of his talent for potion brewing.

The four exchanged glances. Ian's attitude indicated that he intended to cooperate, and delight appeared in their eyes.

"Haha, I'll go first." Wade took one first and handed over five magic stones.

The other three also took out magic stones in thanks.

"Wade, do you know where to find Rock-armored Demon Bears?"

"Yes. There are a few in Gale Wind Fjord. They shouldn't be too hard to find."

Wade looked invigorated. This was the first cooperative task Ian had offered them.

"I need Rock-armored Demon Bear blood to make a potion. I heard they're difficult to deal with."

"As long as we prepare properly, we should be confident. Besides the blood, what else do you need?"

After Robert spoke, the other three did not object, and Ian quietly relaxed.

It seemed the new formula could soon be put into production.

"There is usually Thornvine near a Rock-armored Demon Bear's nest. I need its bast."

"No problem. Give us some time to prepare, and we can make the round trip in about ten days."

Ian nodded. "As for payment, do you want magic stones or potions?"

Robert looked at the other three and saw them nod.

"Pay us entirely in Awakening Potions. Sorry to trouble you."

Ian also preferred paying with potions. It saved him the trouble of reselling them and was the most cost-effective arrangement.

"I'm also purchasing Moonlight Grass. If you have any in the future, you can sell it all to me."

He briefly explained the matter of Starleaf Apothecary and changed the delivery location to Nightfall Town.

After hearing this, Kenna and the other three looked extremely envious.

"Actually, we have quite a lot on hand right now. We were just waiting for you to say that."

Kenna carried a bundle out from the inner room and handed it to Ian.

"This contains what the four of us collected together. Take a look and see how many Awakening Potions it's worth?"

Ian accepted it, feeling both amused and helpless. It seemed they had prepared long ago.

As long as he completed his tasks while working with Starleaf Apothecary, Potion Masters were not forbidden from taking private commissions.

Ian had some ideas, but he would have to wait until he had established himself at the shop.

"Kenna, I also need the Bloodline Purification Art. Do you have any information about it?"

"I haven't learned that spell. I heard it's extremely profound and difficult to learn. The bloodline implanted in me was bought, but I know who has that spell."

Ian was overjoyed. "Help me ask how many magic stones they want. As long as it isn't outrageously expensive, I can accept it."

"No problem."

Kenna agreed immediately. He dealt with that person often and was highly confident.

After finalizing the cooperation with Ian, even the lines around his mouth seemed to fade somewhat.

His other teammates felt much the same.

Being able to cooperate directly with a Potion Master was a rare opportunity.