"Ian." Kenna smiled, the lines around his mouth much deeper than before. "We're back."
"Come in, quickly." Ian hurriedly invited them inside, but his heart sank.
From the way they looked, the past few months had clearly not been easy.
"Where... where have you been these past three months?" Ian asked.
Kenna and Robert exchanged a glance, their faces full of bitterness.
"We followed your advice. After leaving Nightfall Town, we first went to Scorching Canyon in the southwest, then eventually made our way to the edge of the southern marshes. But no matter where we went, it felt like someone was tracking us from behind."
Wade gulped down a mouthful of tea and took over. "Later, we learned that the ones following us weren't from the Shadow Society, but the Crimson Court!"
Ian's pupils contracted slightly.
Robert pulled a sheet of parchment from his robes and spread it across the table.
A map had been sketched on it in simple lines, with large areas marked in red.
"We traded for this map from another group of apprentices we encountered at the edge of the marshes while fleeing."
Robert pointed at the map. "The conflict between Shadowmoon Tower and the Crimson Court has fully escalated. A month ago, the two sides fought a major battle on the Falling Star Plains. It was said that dozens of Advanced Apprentices died on both sides, while one Formal Wizard from Shadowmoon Tower escaped with grave injuries."
Monica added softly, "We also heard that the Crimson Court has recently been planning raids against the rear of the High Tower. We just don't know which directions they'll strike from."
Kenna looked at Ian with a grave expression. "Ian, Nightfall Town is one of the High Tower's outer strongholds, and... on our way back, we heard someone asking about Starleaf Apothecary."
The room fell silent as Ian lowered his gaze.
"Do you know who it was?"
Kenna was not certain either. "The source was very vague. They seemed to be people from a Bloodline Wizard family. I heard Nolan owed them a sum of magic stones before."
Ian's heart skipped a beat. "What is that family's name? How strong are they?"
Kenna looked somewhat embarrassed. "I don't know how strong they are. I only know they're the Osborne Family."
"A Bloodline Wizard family?" Ian already had some suspicions, but he did not dare be certain.
Over the past two months, Starleaf Apothecary had sold quite a few Rock Bear Potions. Perhaps they were simply asking around about someone else.
Wade's expression was heavy. "Ian, this area is also within the range marked red on the map. There also seem to be remnants of the Shadow Society active here. You need to be careful."
Ian fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Looks like peaceful cultivation is no longer possible."
He rose to his feet and looked out at the pitch-black night beyond the window, his eyes gradually sharpening.
"You came back at the right time. I have a batch of precious resources that can greatly increase your strength in a very short time. Every one of you is suited for them!"
Kenna and the others' eyes lit up.
"But in exchange..." Ian turned around, his gaze sweeping over the four of them.
"I need you to become my eyes and ears. Help me gather every piece of information about the war, as well as... any intelligence on anyone asking about me."
He needed to know what the world outside had become.
More importantly, he needed to guard against individuals and forces that might be watching from the shadows.
Now that the war had begun, no one could remain uninvolved.
And the strength he had accumulated over the past two months gave him the confidence to face the war head-on.
Early the next morning, Ian invited Kenna and the others into his room.
"I thought about it for a long time last night." Ian got straight to the point and placed four Rock Bear Potions on the table.
The blood-crystal-colored potions shimmered in the light, golden threads swimming joyfully within them with remarkable vitality.
"This is a new potion I refined, called the Rock Bear Potion."
Ian looked at the eager gazes of the four and nodded inwardly before beginning to explain the potion's effects.
"It is an extremely rare Bloodline Potion. In a very short time, it can give someone the strength of an Advanced Apprentice!"
Kenna and the others stared at the potions on the table, their breathing quickening.
With war approaching, no one did not wish to gain strength quickly.
"As I said last night, I intend to give each of you one as my investment in you."
"Ian, this is far too valuable..." Kenna wanted to refuse, but the longing in his eyes could not be concealed.
"This isn't free." Ian raised a hand and interrupted him.
"I need a reliable intelligence network, and you are the people I trust most. Taking these potions will also greatly improve your safety."
He paused, his tone turning stern. "But there is something I must make clear. This potion cannot be used alone. It must be paired with a Neutralizing Potion, otherwise there is a risk of bloodline mutation or demonization."
"A Neutralizing Potion?" Robert frowned. "Those are expensive, and they're hard to buy."
"I know." Ian nodded. "There is a Neutralizing Potion called Tranquil Water. One vial costs 300 magic stones."
"300 magic stones?!" Monica cried out.
For all of them, that was practically an astronomical sum.
"You'll need to find a way to earn those magic stones yourselves," Ian said.
"However, I can advance part of the magic stones as operating funds. But you'll have to handle the bulk yourselves, or you can wait until you've saved enough magic stones before taking the potions."
Kenna exchanged looks with the others, then finally gritted his teeth. "We'll find a way to get the magic stones. Leave the intelligence work to us."
Ian nodded in satisfaction, handed the four potions to them, and advanced another 200 magic stones as startup funds.
They agreed on a method for passing intelligence, using Starleaf Apothecary as their base and sending information back regularly.
After seeing them off, Ian began considering his own problems as well.
He still had several enhanced Rock Bear Potions, but he did not intend to take them yet.
He wanted to wait until both the Bloodline Refinement Technique and the Rock Bear Potion had reached Limit Break before taking its enhanced Limit Break version!
What kind of improvement in strength will that bring? I really can't wait!
Unfortunately, the proficiency of these two skills increased too slowly and could no longer keep pace with the war at hand.
His mind stirred as he recalled that incomplete formula.
"Alivia has a class tomorrow."
Ian checked the schedule. "I'll make a trip there."
Early the next morning, Ian set off early and took a carriage to Shadowmoon Tower.
Along the way, he watched the surroundings through the carriage window, carefully taking note of the atmosphere.
It was indeed far more tense than before. Advanced Apprentices on patrol could be seen everywhere.
When he returned to the teaching district, the atmosphere was completely different from before.
The apprentices hurrying through the corridors mostly wore solemn, worried expressions, and their conversations never strayed far from the war and the Crimson Court.
Ian arrived at Classroom One, Potion Studies Area Two. After presenting his wooden token, he entered and waited.
The classroom was still packed, almost entirely with red-robed apprentices, making the few gray-robed ones especially conspicuous.
Over the past two months, he had attended many classes here and gained a great deal of knowledge.
Even the proficiency of Basic Potion Identification was nearing its limit.
Though it was not a combat skill, after reaching Limit Break it could also slightly condense Mental Power, which was a decent benefit.
At the same time, he had learned of Mentor Alivia's standing.
Within Shadowmoon Tower, Alivia's attainments in Potion Studies ranked among the top three!
Her strength was even more terrifying. It was said that she was close to breaking through to become a First-Level Wizard!
"Perhaps my hope of completing the Water of Balance formula rests with her."
Before you continue