Danger Closing In

Ian took a look around. Though the air carried the scent of war, this was still relatively safe rear territory.

His quota potion-making task existed to supply the consumption needs of frontline wounded and combat personnel.

He eventually circled back to Shadowmoon Outpost, intending to see what tasks were available in the mission hall.

The hall was much quieter than outside. There was only one window, with seven or eight people lined up to hand in and accept tasks.

Ian walked to the information board, his gaze sweeping over the trade listings and missions.

Suddenly, an inconspicuous trade listing caught his attention.

[Wanted: Fresh essence blood from a Rock-armored Demon Bear, at least 200 milliliters. Can be traded for Fire Qilin Ore or magic stones of equal value. Contact: Harold Alchemy Workshop No. 7, East District. Harold.]

Rock-armored Demon Bear!

Ian's eyes narrowed. This was the material he needed. The Rock Bear Potion was still stuck at the introductory stage due to a lack of Blood Essence.

A powerful body would be an important piece of his future strength.

Not for directly fighting enemies, but to strengthen his means of survival outside the wizardry system.

Ian memorized the location but did not head there immediately. Having just arrived, he needed more information.

Leaving the information board, he headed for the mission window. While waiting in line, he overheard a conversation between two apprentices ahead of him.

"What did you exchange for this time?"

"A piece of Flame-Pattern Steel. I'm planning to find someone to forge it into my staff... but I won't get a slot until next month."

"Who did you find? Someone from the Crawford Family?"

"No. They charge too much. I found one of the newly arrived Alchemists in the workshop district. I heard they came with Shadowmoon's supply convoy, and their work is pretty good."

"That family?"

"Not sure. Their cuffs were embroidered with a mountain-rock crest. They should be a family skilled in earth-element wizardry."

Ian listened in silence, his expression calm.

When it was his turn, the middle-aged Wizard Apprentice at the window examined his task scroll and nodded. "Quota completed. Your Contribution Points have been recorded."

"Excuse me," Ian asked naturally, "what is the procedure for posting a task here, and are there any taboos?"

"You're a Potion Master from the High Tower, so there aren't many taboos. But there's a magic stone fee every time you post a task."

"Hmm... one more thing. Some of those family wizards have strange temperaments. It's best not to deal with them too often."

Ian was taken aback. Did those family wizards dare offend High Tower apprentices? Or even...

But on second thought, this was a war zone. All kinds of strange things could happen.

"Several families have sent people to the camp. Oh, what was that newly arrived family called?"

"I didn't notice. Anyway, they were all invited by the High Tower to provide support." The middle-aged apprentice sounded somewhat impatient.

After thanking him, Ian left the mission outpost, though he kept the matter in mind.

He then headed to the workshop district, which was busier than any other part of the camp.

Various noises rang out from more than a dozen stone houses and sheds, while the air was thick with a mingled smell of metal, sulfur, and potions.

He found Workshop No. 7 in the south district, a stone house with a metal sign reading "Harold Alchemy."

The door was half-open, and the rasping sound of grinding came from within.

Ian knocked on the door.

"Come in," a coarse voice answered.

Ian pushed the door open and entered. The room was piled with ores, beast bones, and glassware.

An old man with disheveled hair and a leather apron was crushing red crystals with a mortar and pestle.

When he saw Ian enter, he looked up, revealing a pair of sharp yellow-brown eyes.

"What is it?"

"I saw the listing you posted. You're looking to buy the essence blood of a Rock-armored Demon Bear."

Ian remained polite. "I would also like to learn about the source of such materials."

Harold stopped what he was doing and looked Ian over a few times. "Are you buying or selling?"

"For now, I'm asking around. If the need arises, I'm willing to trade."

"Essence blood isn't easy to obtain." Harold wiped his hands. "Rock-armored Demon Bears have thick hides and tough flesh. They go berserk when injured, and they aren't worth much to begin with."

"Last time, an Advanced Apprentice hunted one, but the newcomers in the workshop district got there first and bought it up."

Ian's heart stirred. "You mean..."

"Them." Harold curled his lip. "They've been here less than a few days, yet they've already taken several prime spots in the workshop district and monopolized quite a few magical beast materials. They're rather overbearing. Doesn't the High Tower do anything about them?"

Ian pressed on. "What do they need Rock-armored Demon Bear essence blood for?"

"Who knows? Aren't they Bloodline Wizards? Maybe they need that sort of thing."

"If you hear any news about essence blood, or if there is a hunting party willing to take such a commission, please let me know. I'll pay reasonable compensation."

"Fine." Harold nodded. "But don't get your hopes up."

On his way back to his residence after leaving the workshop, Ian saw several Knights of the Crawford Family instructing civilians in training.

Nearby, several resting attendants were chatting.

"The family got into another fight with someone at the Flame Vein Mine Site. I heard several people were injured."

"They really are overbearing. Didn't the High Tower clearly stipulate that the mine sites were to be jointly developed?"

"Rules are rules. Who told you they had people backing them up?"

Ian listened silently. It seemed that even on the frontline battlefield, internal conflicts still occurred from time to time.

Back at his residence, he went over his cultivation plan again.

After completing his daily quota task, training in the Crystal Energy Barrier would take top priority.

He also needed to continue searching for Rock-armored Demon Bear essence blood. He would have to approach that from two angles: keeping an eye on hunting missions and asking intermediaries like Harold for information.

Perhaps I could ask Captain Hank?

However, he was not familiar with Captain Hank. They had barely exchanged a few words on the journey, and ever since Hank became the team leader, Ian had hardly seen him.

From that day onward, Ian strictly carried out his plan.

In the morning, he completed his potion-making tasks, then went to the wizardry training area in his backyard to practice shield spells.

With the aid of Focus and Insight, his understanding of energy structures steadily deepened.

In the afternoon, he spent some time checking the mission area, watching for information about hunting parties and whether any Rock Bear Essence Blood was available.

Later in the afternoon, he practiced his two ray spells as usual, and their proficiency continued to increase steadily.

On the night of the third day, Ian drank a Limit Break version of the Awakening Potion and entered deep meditation.

Five kilometers from the camp, a group clad in dark crimson robes advanced soundlessly.

They used no illumination spells. Relying on their familiarity with the canyon terrain and their exceptional night vision, they passed through one dangerous stretch after another.

There were nine people in the group. The man at the front had a gloomy face and deeply sunken eye sockets.

His name was Morez Bloodthorn. The edges of his dark crimson robe were embroidered with dense silver bat patterns.

This was the insignia of the Crimson Court's Blood Bat squad!

Morez held a short staff, its tip set with an egg-sized dark crimson gem. The staff was wrapped in the sinews of some magical beast, which pulsed faintly with his breathing.

"Has the intelligence been confirmed?" Morez's voice was sharp and grating.

Behind him, a short apprentice with blood-red eyes answered in a low voice.

"Confirmed, Captain. The Forge camp currently has only one Formal Wizard stationed there."

A Formal Wizard was not something they needed to consider.

When the time came, someone would naturally step forward to deal with them!