The next morning, Ian carried his wooden box and headed to Shadow Moon Tower.

He sold all the potions he could part with to the Magic Pharmacy, earning over 1,000 Magic Stones, which he then exchanged for High Level Magic Stones for easier carrying.

Inside the wooden box now, there were only some Limit-Breaking Edition Awakening Potions and a few Strong Effect Rock Bear Potions.

After saying goodbye to Clayton, Kristen, and Harvey, Ian hurried to the station.

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

However, their families still had to send people to the High Tower to complete their assigned tasks.

This was a mandatory obligation for any power that relied on the High Tower for survival.

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

A crowd of Apprentices packed the area beneath a massive Crystal screen. Amidst the mostly gray robes, the red ones stood out starkly.

Missions constantly refreshed on the screen, and every time a relatively safe one appeared, a frantic scramble would ensue.

Ian found Kenna and the others in the crowd. The four of them had changed into matching dark gray Leather Armor, on which simple Protective Runes shimmered.

They looked to be in high spirits, having clearly adapted to the Power gained from the potions.

"How’s it going? Any suitable missions for us to take together?"

Kenna shook his head, his expression grim.

"We’ve been looking for a while. There are too many people fighting over missions suitable for Middle Level Apprentices. They either require a High Level Apprentice to lead or they’re solo missions."

Robert added, "Besides, we’ve been assigned to the same patrol team for daily patrols on the Ashen Path. It’s a mandatory mission, we can’t refuse it."

Ian understood. ’During wartime, the High Tower’s dispatching prioritizes efficiency and overall defense. They wouldn’t consider the preferences of Middle Level Apprentices.’

The four of them had clear roles, a complete configuration for both combat and support, and they were very familiar with each other. It was only natural they’d be assigned to the same group.

Kenna was a bit disappointed. After their strength increased, they had planned to take on a mission together to protect Ian, but it seemed they would be separated after all.

"It’s fine." Ian didn’t mind. It would have been great to take a mission together, but not being able to team up didn’t change anything.

He carefully scanned the screen, his gaze finally landing on a newly refreshed mission.

[Urgent Support: Scorching Canyon Logistics Base Defense and Magic Potion Refining.

1. Location: Outskirts of Scorching Canyon, "Furnace" logistics camp.

2. Requirements: Middle Level Alchemist or higher. Must undertake some camp defense duties and refine urgently needed potions for the front lines (mainly Secondary Healing Potions and Basic Antidote Potions).

3. Note: This area is already on Level Two combat readiness. There are occasional infiltrations by Wizards from the Deep Red Royal Court. Please be cautious.

4. Contribution Points: 20 base points per day. Refined potions will be compensated additionally based on finished products.

5. Assembly Point: Assembly Area 3, east side of the High Tower. 2 PM today.]

’Scorching Canyon... Wade said Rock Armor Demon Bears appear there too!’

A glint flashed in Ian’s eyes. This mission perfectly matched all his requirements.

’This is the one.’

Ian quickly noted the mission number and went to the registration office to complete the formalities.

The registrar was a High Level Apprentice with a blank expression. After checking Ian’s wooden Magic Potion Alchemist identification tag (provided by the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy), he quickly completed the registration.

Finally, he handed Ian a Metal Token engraved with the mission number.

"2 PM, Assembly Area 3. Don’t be late," the registrar said coolly.

Ian took the Metal Token and said goodbye to Kenna and the others.

"Ian, the Scorching Canyon area isn’t peaceful. You have to be extra careful on your own!" Kenna warned solemnly.

"I will." Ian nodded. "You all be careful too. If anything major happens, get a message to the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy."

Wade slapped his chest. "Once we’ve saved up enough Contribution Points, maybe we can apply for a transfer over to help you."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting." Ian smiled, then turned and left.

At 1:30 PM, Ian arrived early at Assembly Area 3 on the east side of the High Tower.

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

After Ian showed his Metal Token, he was led to one of the five-person squads.

The Apprentice in charge of reception pointed to a burly man in dark red Leather Armor with a weathered face.

"That’s Hank, the captain of this squad, a High Level Apprentice. You’ll be heading to the ’Furnace’ camp this time."

Hank sized Ian up, his gaze lingering for a moment on his gray robes and young face.

He didn’t say anything, just nodded.

Ian also observed him discreetly. The man had a calm and steady aura, but also carried the grim air of a seasoned warrior. At his waist hung a Wide-Blade Battle Saber with a well-worn, polished hilt.

"Captain Hank," Ian greeted proactively.

"Hn. Magic Potion Alchemist?" Hank’s voice was rough and hoarse.

"Yes. Ian, a Middle Level Alchemist. I specialize in refining Healing Potions and Antidote Elixirs."

In truth, he had only refined small batches of such Low Level Potions at the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy and usually couldn’t be bothered with them.

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

Hank’s tone was flat, revealing no emotion, and he showed no extra enthusiasm for Ian’s status as a Magic Potion Alchemist.

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

Lina, the team’s ranged shooter and scout, tall with her hair in a ponytail, a High Level Apprentice.

Old Pipe, looked to be in his fifties, with a Heather Pipe clamped in his mouth, the team’s Rune Artisan.

Big Guy, true to his name, was about two point two or three meters tall with bulging muscles. He carried a man-high Tower Shield on his back and a Short Hammer at his waist, the team’s defender.

Poison Fang, a skinny High Level Apprentice with a gloomy gaze. His fingers were long and slender, his nails an unnatural dark purple.

When Hank introduced Poison Fang, he only said one thing: "He handles some... ’special’ situations."

Ian understood. ’This is a Cursed Wizard, and one who’s also skilled with poison.’

"Everyone’s here. Let’s move out."

Without any unnecessary words, Hank waved his hand and led the way out of the High Tower.

The group followed. The team moved quickly at first, heading southwest.

「One day later.」

They had left the area under the High Tower’s direct jurisdiction.

This was a mixed territory of Wizards and mortals. Wizard Clans of all sizes had taken root in the surroundings, forming a protective ring around the High Tower.

The journey from the High Tower to the "Furnace" was nearly a thousand miles long. It required them to cut diagonally across two mortal Kingdoms before finally reaching the border with the Deep Red, which was now also the front line of the war.

Hank and Lina took the lead and rear positions respectively, protecting the two non-combatants, Ian and Old Pipe, in the middle.

Big Guy walked to the side, carrying his Tower Shield, while Poison Fang drifted along the edges of the group, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

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

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

They passed through a small, burned-out village. Amidst the crumbling walls and ruins, they could still see blackened scorch marks and dried, dark red stains.

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

They traveled with their families in tow, their faces etched with fear.

"Last month, a squad from the Deep Red Royal Court’s ’Blood Bats’ attacked this place."

Old Pipe puffed on his pipe, his voice low. "Not a single survivor. They were all drained of blood. After the killing, they burned everything to the ground. The surrounding patrols arrived too late."

Ian nodded silently. A faint scent of char and blood still seemed to linger in the air.

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

They all maintained a wary distance from one another, with very little communication. The atmosphere was oppressive and tense.

「Six days later.」

The team entered the outer regions of the Scorching Canyon.

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

The exposed rock was a dark red color, as if it had been scorched by fire.

In the distance, the massive rift of the canyon looked like a scar on the face of the Earth, with faint plumes of hot air rising from it.

Hank pointed to a camp built on a hillside ahead. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"We’re here."