Setting Out

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

He sold all the potions he could part with to the Magic Potion Shop, earning over a thousand magic stones, which he exchanged for High-grade Magic Stones for easier carrying.

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

After bidding farewell to Clayton, Christine, and Harvey, Ian hurried to the Station.

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

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

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

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

The enormous Crystal Screen was crowded with apprentices. Among the many gray robes, the red robes stood out especially clearly.

Tasks constantly refreshed on the screen, and every relatively safe mission triggered a frantic scramble.

Ian found Kenna and the others in the crowd. The four had changed into matching dark-gray leather armor, with simple Protective Runes flickering across it.

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

"How is it? Have you found 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 suitable for Intermediate Apprentices. Either they require an Advanced Apprentice to lead the team, or they're solo missions."

Robert added, "And we've been assigned to the same patrol group for the routine patrol of Ashen Path. It's a mandatory mission and can't be refused."

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

The four had clearly defined roles, with combatants and support all accounted for. They also knew one another well, so being placed in the same group was only natural.

Kenna was somewhat disappointed. After their strength increased, they had originally planned to take missions together so they could protect Ian, but they still had to split up.

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

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

[Emergency Support: Defense and potion brewing at the Scorching Canyon logistics outpost.

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

2. Requirements: Intermediate Potion Master or above. Must undertake part of the camp's defense duties and brew potions urgently needed at the front line, mainly Lesser Healing Potion and Basic Antidote Potion.

3. Note: This area is already under Second Order combat readiness. Crimson Court wizards occasionally infiltrate the area. Please pay attention to your safety.

4. Contribution Points: 20 base points per day. Additional settlement for brewed potions based on finished products.

5. Assembly point: Assembly Area No. 3 on the east side of the High Tower, 2:00 p.m. today.]

"Scorching Canyon... Wade said Rock-armored Demon Bears also appear there!"

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

"This one."

Ian quickly noted down the mission number and headed to the registration desk to complete the formalities.

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. No waiting for latecomers," the registrar said coldly.

Ian accepted the metal tag and bid farewell to Kenna and the others.

"Ian, Scorching Canyon isn't peaceful. You need to be extra careful on your own!" Kenna solemnly reminded him.

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

Wade patted his chest. "Once we gather enough Contribution Points, maybe we can apply for a transfer and come help you."

"Alright, I'll wait for you." Ian smiled and turned to leave.

At half past one in the afternoon, Ian arrived early at Assembly Area No. 3 on the east side of the High Tower.

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

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

The apprentice in charge of receiving him pointed at a burly man wearing dark-red leather armor, his face weathered by hardship.

"Hank, captain of this team, 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 secretly observed him. The man's aura was steady, carrying the murderous air of someone long accustomed to battle. A broad-bladed saber hung at his waist, its hilt glistening with oil.

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

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

"Yes. Intermediate Potion Master Ian. 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 even be bothered to touch 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 enthusiasm toward Ian's identity as a Potion Master.

Next, Hank briefly introduced the other members of the team.

Lina, the team's long-range archer and scout, was tall and wore a ponytail. She was 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, muscles bulging all over his body. He carried a tower shield as tall as a person and wore a short hammer at his waist. He was the team's defender.

Poison Fang was a small-framed Advanced Apprentice with gloomy eyes. His Fingers were slender, and his nails carried an abnormal dark-purple sheen.

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

Ian understood. He was a curse wizard and also skilled with poison.

"Everyone's here. Move out."

Hank did not waste any words. With a wave of his hand, he took the lead in heading out of the High Tower.

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

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

The High Tower was nearly two thousand li from the "Forge." They had to travel diagonally across two mortal kingdoms before reaching the border with Crimson, which was now also a front-line battlefield.

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

Big Guy walked along one side with his tower shield over his shoulder, while Poison Fang lingered at the edge of the group, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

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

The farther they traveled from the High Tower, the more obvious the scars of war became.

They passed through a small burned-out village. Amid the shattered walls and ruins, they could still see charred traces and dried dark-red stains.

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

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

"Last month, a squad from 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 them, they burned everything to the ground. The nearby patrols arrived too late."

Ian silently nodded. The air seemed to retain a faint trace of scorching smoke and blood.

Along the way, they also encountered other teams heading toward different destinations.

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

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

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

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

In the distance, the enormous rift of the canyon resembled a scar upon the earth, with heat haze faintly rising from within.

Hank pointed at a camp built on a hillside ahead.

"We're here."