Ian wandered around for a bit. He could feel the tension of war in the air, but this was still, for all intents and purposes, the relatively safe rear.

His Potion-making quota was meant to supply the wounded and combatants on the front lines.

He eventually made his way back to the Shadow Moon Base, intending to check the mission hall for available tasks.

The hall was much quieter than outside. Seven or eight people were lined up at a single window, waiting to turn in or accept missions.

Ian walked over to the information board, his eyes scanning the trade posts and mission requests.

Suddenly, an inconspicuous trade posting caught his eye.

"Seeking to purchase: Fresh Essence Blood from a Rock Armor Demon Bear, at least 200 ml. Willing to trade for Fire Qilin Ore or Magic Stones of equal value. Contact Harold at East District No. 7 Alchemy Workshop."

A Rock Armor Demon Bear!

Ian’s eyes narrowed. This was exactly the material he needed. His *Rock Bear Potion* was still at the Beginner level because it lacked Essence Blood.

A powerful physical body was an important piece of the puzzle for his future strength.

It wasn’t meant for direct combat, but rather to enhance his survival capabilities outside of the Witchcraft System.

Ian memorized the location but didn’t head over immediately. As a newcomer, he needed more information.

He moved away from the information board and walked toward the mission window. As he waited in line, the conversation between two Apprentices ahead of him drifted into his ears.

"What did you trade for this time?"

"A piece of Flame Pattern Steel. I’m planning to find someone to forge it into my Magic Staff... Unfortunately, the waitlist is until next month."

"Who’d you go to? Someone from the Crawford Clan?"

"No, they charge a fortune. I’m going to one of the new Alchemists in the Workshop district. I heard they arrived with the Shadow Moon supply team and that their work is good."

"That clan?"

"I’m not sure. Their cuffs are embroidered with a mountain rock crest, so they’re probably a clan that specializes in Earth Witchcraft."

...

Ian listened silently, his expression calm.

When it was his turn, the middle-aged Wizard Apprentice at the window checked his mission Scroll and nodded. "Quota completed. Contribution Points have been recorded."

"Excuse me," Ian took the opportunity to ask, "what’s the process for posting a mission here? Are there any rules or things I should avoid?"

"You’re a Magic Potion Alchemist from the High Tower, so there aren’t really any restrictions for you. But you will be charged a fee in Magic Stones every time you post a mission.

Hmm... one more thing. Some of the Wizards from the clans have strange personalities. It’s best to avoid dealing with them if you can."

Ian paused. ’Would Wizards from those clans dare to offend a High Tower Apprentice?’

’But then again,’ he thought, ’this is a warzone. Anything can happen.’

"Which clans are near the camp? And which one is the new one?"

"I haven’t paid attention. They were all sent by the High Tower to provide support, anyway." The middle-aged Apprentice’s face showed a hint of impatience.

Ian thanked him and left the mission post, making a mental note of the conversation.

He then headed for the Workshop district, which was much busier than the rest of the camp.

All sorts of noises echoed from a dozen or so stone houses and shacks, and the air was thick with the mixed smell of metal, sulfur, and Magic Potions.

He found East District No. 7 and saw a stone house with a Metal Token hanging on it that read "Harold’s Alchemy".

The door was ajar, and a rasping, grinding sound came from within.

Ian knocked on the door.

"Come in," a hoarse voice replied.

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

A disheveled old man in a leather apron was crushing a red crystal with a mortar and pestle.

Seeing Ian enter, he looked up, revealing a pair of sharp, hazel eyes.

"What is it?"

"I saw the notice you posted. You’re looking to buy the Essence Blood of a Rock Armor Demon Bear."

Ian maintained a polite tone. "I’m also interested in finding a source for that material."

Harold stopped what he was doing and looked Ian over. "Are you looking to buy or sell?"

"For now, I’m just gathering information. I’d be willing to make a trade if the opportunity arises."

"Essence Blood is hard to come by." Harold wiped his hands. "Rock Armor Demon Bears have tough hides and go berserk when injured. On top of that, they’re not worth much."

"Last time, a High Level Apprentice hunted one, but the new group in the Workshop district snatched it up first."

Ian’s interest was piqued. "You’re talking about..."

"The very same." Harold pursed his lips. "They haven’t been here more than a few days, but they’ve already occupied several of the best spots in the Workshop. They’ve also monopolized a lot of Magic Beast materials. They’re pretty high-handed. You’d think the High Tower would rein them in!"

Ian continued to ask, "What do they need the Rock Armor Demon Bear’s Essence Blood for?"

"Who knows? Aren’t they Bloodline Wizards? Maybe they need that stuff."

"If you hear anything about Essence Blood, or find a hunting party willing to take on that kind of contract, please let me know. I’ll pay a reasonable finder’s fee."

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

On his way back from the Workshop, Ian saw several Knights from the Crawford Clan training a group of commoners.

A few Attendants resting nearby were chatting.

"The clan got into another fight at the Fire Vein Mine. I heard a few people were injured."

"They’re so damn high-handed. Didn’t the High Tower explicitly state that the mines were to be exploited jointly?"

"Rules are rules, but what can you do? They have connections in high places."

...

Ian listened in silence. ’It seems that even in a front-line warzone, internal conflict is unavoidable.’

Returning to his residence, he reorganized his Cultivation plan.

After completing his daily mission quota, he would prioritize his Cultivation of *Crystal Energy Barrier*.

He also had to continue searching for the Rock Armor Demon Bear’s Essence Blood. This would require a two-pronged approach: keeping an eye on hunting missions and gathering information through intermediaries like Harold.

’Maybe I could ask Captain Hank?’

The problem was, he didn’t know Captain Hank well. They had barely exchanged a few words on the journey, and ever since Hank took up his leadership post, the man was nowhere to be seen.

Back at his quarters, Ian began to strictly follow his plan.

In the mornings, he would complete his Magic Potion Refining quota, then head to the Witchcraft training area in his backyard to practice his Shield Witchcraft.

Aided by Concentration and Insight, his understanding of the Energy Structure deepened steadily.

In the mid-afternoon, he would spend some time at the mission area, checking for information from hunting parties to see if any Rock Bear Essence Blood was available.

Later in the afternoon, he would practice his two ray-based Witchcraft spells as usual, his Skill Level steadily increasing.

Three nights later, Ian consumed a Limit-Breaking Edition of the *Awakening Potion* and entered a deep Meditation.

...

Five kilometers from the camp, a team dressed in deep red Long Robes advanced in silence.

They used no illumination Witchcraft, relying on their familiarity with the canyon terrain and their Extraordinary night vision to navigate the treacherous landscape.

There were nine people in the team. The man in the lead had a somber face and deep-set eyes.

His name was Moritz Bloodthorn. The edges of his deep red Long Robe were embroidered with an intricate pattern of silver bats.

This was the symbol of the Deep Red Royal Court’s "Blood Bat" squad! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Moritz held a Short Staff, its tip embedded with a deep red, egg-sized Gemstone. The body of the staff was wrapped in the sinews of some Magic Beast, and it pulsed faintly in time with his breathing.

"Is the intelligence confirmed?" Moritz’s voice was sharp and grating.

Behind him, a short Apprentice with blood-red eyes replied in a low voice.

"Confirmed, Captain. The ’Furnace’ camp currently has only one Official Wizard in residence."

’The Official Wizard wasn’t their concern.’

’When the time came, someone else would deal with him.’