Setting Out

Early the next morning, Ian carried a wooden case and headed for Shadowmoon Tower.

He sold all the potions he could dispose of to the Magic Potion Shop, earning another thousand-plus magic stones, which he exchanged for High-grade Magic Stones for easier carrying.

At this point, the wooden case contained only several Limit Break versions of Awakening Potion and a few potent Rock Bear Potions.

After saying goodbye to Clayton, Christine, and Harvey, Ian headed for the Station.

The few of them had left the High Tower many years ago and did not need to answer the summons.

However, their families needed to send people to the High Tower to complete the corresponding tasks.

This was an obligation that factions dependent on the High Tower for survival had to fulfill.

Half an hour later, Ian arrived at the High Tower's mission area.

A massive Crystal Screen was crowded with apprentices. Amid the majority in gray robes, those in red robes stood out especially clearly.

Missions continually refreshed on the screen, and whenever a relatively safe one appeared, it triggered a frantic scramble.

Ian found Kenna and the others in the crowd. The four had changed into matching dark gray leather armor, simple protective runes glimmering across its surface.

They looked to be in good spirits, clearly having adapted to the strength gained from the potions.

"Any suitable missions we can take together?"

Kenna shook his head, his expression unpleasant.

"We've been looking for ages. Too many people are competing for missions suited to Intermediate Apprentices. Either they require an Advanced Apprentice to lead the team, or they're solo missions."

Robert added, "Besides, we've been assigned to the same patrol group for routine patrols along the Ashen Path. It's a mandatory mission. We can't refuse it."

Ian understood at once. During wartime, the High Tower prioritized efficiency and overall defense in its deployments. It would not consider the wishes of Intermediate Apprentices.

The four of them had clearly defined roles, with combat and support properly covered, and they knew one another well. It was only natural that they had been assigned to the same group.

Kenna was somewhat regretful. After their strength had increased, he had planned to take missions together so they could protect Ian, but they still had to part ways.

"It's fine." Ian did not mind. It would naturally be good if they could take missions together, but not being able to team up would not affect anything.

He carefully searched the screen, and his gaze finally settled on a newly refreshed mission.

[Emergency Support: Scorching Canyon logistics outpost defense and potion brewing.

1.Location: Scorching Canyon perimeter, "Forge" logistics camp.

2.Requirements: Intermediate Potion Master or above, must undertake partial camp defense duties and brew potions urgently needed by the front lines (primarily Lesser Healing Potion and Basic Antidote Potion).

3.Note: This area is currently under level two combat readiness, with occasional Crimson Court wizard infiltration, please prioritize safety.

4.Contribution Points: 20 base points daily, with extra settlement for finished potion batches.

5.Assembly Point: High Tower east side assembly area 3, today at 2:00 PM.]

"Scorching Canyon. Wade said Rock-armored Demon Bears can also be found there!"

A gleam flashed in Ian's eyes. This mission perfectly met all his requirements.

"This one."

Ian quickly noted down the mission number and went to the registration desk to complete the procedures.

The registrar was an expressionless Advanced Apprentice. After checking Ian's Potion Master identification plaque, provided by Starleaf Apothecary, he swiftly completed the registration.

Finally, he handed Ian a metal tag engraved with the mission number.

"Assembly Area No. 3 at two this afternoon. Don't be late," the registrar said coldly.

Ian accepted the metal tag and said goodbye to Kenna and the others.

"Ian, things aren't peaceful over at Scorching Canyon. Be extra careful on your own," Kenna urged solemnly.

"Mm." Ian nodded. "You should be careful too. If anything major happens, send word to Starleaf Apothecary."

Wade thumped his chest. "Once we earn enough Contribution Points, maybe we can request a transfer to help you."

"Alright. I'll be waiting." Ian smiled and turned to leave.

At one-thirty in the afternoon, Ian arrived early at Assembly Area No. 3 on the eastern side of the High Tower.

It was a small plaza where more than twenty people had already gathered, clearly divided into several groups.

After Ian showed his metal tag, he was led before one of the five-person squads.

The apprentice responsible for receiving him pointed at a burly man in dark red leather armor, his weathered face marked by hardship.

"Hank, the captain of this squad. Advanced Apprentice. You'll be heading to the 'Forge' camp this time."

Hank sized Ian up, his gaze lingering briefly on Ian's gray robe and youthful face.

He said nothing, merely nodding.

Ian also discreetly observed him. The man's aura was steady, carrying the killing intent of someone long tempered by battle. A broad-bladed saber hung at his waist, its hilt gleaming with oil.

"Captain Hank." Ian took the initiative to greet him.

"Mm. A Potion Master?" Hank's voice was rough.

"Yes. Ian, an Intermediate Potion Master. I specialize in brewing healing and antidote potions."

In truth, he had only brewed small quantities of such low-level potions at Starleaf Apothecary. Normally, he could not be bothered with them.

"Fine. Stay close on the road. Don't fall behind."

Hank's tone was flat, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure. He showed no extra warmth toward Ian because of his identity as a Potion Master.

Hank then briefly introduced the other members of the squad.

Lina was the team's ranged attacker and scout, a tall woman with a ponytail and an Advanced Apprentice.

Old Tobacco Pipe looked to be over fifty. He had a briar pipe clenched between his teeth and was the team's rune craftsman.

Big Guy lived up to his name. He stood over seven feet tall, his body packed with bulging muscles. He carried a tower shield as tall as a person on his back and wore a short hammer at his waist. He was the team's defender.

Poison Fang was a slight Advanced Apprentice with gloomy eyes. His fingers were long, and his nails carried an unnatural dark purple tint.

When Hank introduced Poison Fang, he said only one thing. "He handles certain 'special' situations."

Ian understood. This was a curse wizard, and one skilled in poison.

"Everyone's here. Move out."

Hank wasted no words. With a wave of his hand, he took the lead toward the outside of the High Tower.

The others followed. The group moved quickly from the start, and a day later, they had left the territory directly controlled by the High Tower.

This was a mixed region of wizards and ordinary people. Wizard families of every size had taken root around the area, guarding the High Tower.

The High Tower was nearly two thousand li from the "Forge." They had to cut diagonally across two ordinary kingdoms before finally reaching the border with Crimson, which was now also a frontline battlefield.

Hank and Lina took positions at the front and rear, protecting Ian and Old Tobacco Pipe, the two noncombatants, in the middle.

Big Guy walked along the side with his tower shield on his shoulder, while Poison Fang drifted around the edge of the group, watchfully surveying their surroundings.

The sights along the way weighed heavily on Ian's heart.

The farther they traveled from the High Tower, the clearer the traces of war became.

They passed through a small village that had been burned to the ground. Between the broken walls and ruins, blackened scorch marks and dried dark-red stains were still visible.

The fields by the roadside had long since been abandoned. Occasionally, they saw civilians fleeing in haste.

They dragged their families along with them, their faces filled with fear.

"Last month, a squad from the Crimson Court's Blood Bats attacked this place."

Old Tobacco Pipe puffed on his pipe, his voice low. "Not a single person survived. Every drop of blood was drained. After killing everyone, they burned it all down. The nearby patrols arrived too late."

Ian silently nodded. The air seemed to still carry a faint scent of char and blood.

Along the way, they also encountered other groups heading to different locations.

They kept wary distances from one another and rarely exchanged words. The atmosphere was oppressive and tense.

Six days later, the group entered the outer region of Scorching Canyon.

The scenery here was completely different from Nightfall Town. The air was dry and scorching, and vegetation was sparse.

The exposed rocks were dark red, as though they had been seared by flames.

In the distance, a massive rift in the canyon resembled a wound across the earth, heat haze faintly rising from it.

Hank pointed at a camp built on a hillside ahead.

"We're here."