’What an impatient man.’

Ian frowned slightly, but remembering Sterling’s instructions, he remained calm.

"Master Copperbeard, I need to check the inventory list. Also, every material requires an authorization slip from either Sterling Wizard or Captain Hank..."

"An authorization slip? I fought my way here from Ziluo and nearly died. You’re telling me I still need a damn slip?" Copperbeard’s voice grew even louder.

"These materials are for reinforcing the entire camp’s defenses. If we waste time and the defenses aren’t ready when the Deep Red attack, will you take responsibility?"

"Copperbeard!" a deep voice interrupted the Dwarf’s roaring.

Hank had appeared at the warehouse entrance at some point, his expression stern.

"Sterling Wizard has given an order: all materials must be requisitioned according to the rules. I’ve brought the authorization slip."

He handed the slip to Ian. "Prepare the materials for Master Copperbeard according to the list. The camp has its rules, please understand. Reinforcing the defenses is of utmost importance!"

Copperbeard snatched the slip, glanced at it, and then shoved it back at Ian.

"Hurry up. My time is precious."

Ian took the slip and said no more, turning to find the materials on the list.

There was plenty of Ashen Moss and Centennial Ironwood Juice in stock, but the warehouse only had seven portions of Earth Vein Crystal Powder.

"Master Copperbeard, there are only seven portions of Earth Vein Crystal Powder at the moment."

Ian took out the materials and placed them on a nearby table.

"Only seven portions? What kind of crappy warehouse are you running!" Copperbeard’s dissatisfaction was practically overflowing.

"Fine, seven portions it is. We’ll make do for now. Hey, you, the Magic Potion Alchemist kid. I remember this stuff can be refined from Earth Vein Stone using Acidic Vine Liquid, right?"

Ian nodded. This was rather advanced knowledge in magic potions, something a Rune Master wouldn’t normally know, but this Dwarf seemed to be an exception.

"Within three days, I want the remaining three portions. The purity must meet the standard, otherwise it will affect the Rune Demonic Conductivity."

Looking at the Dwarf’s bulging eyes, the joy Ian felt from his recent breakthrough faded, and his heart slowly calmed.

’This Rune Master might truly be skilled, but with such an impatient personality, he’s bound to cause a lot of trouble in the future.’

Ian took a slow breath and replied with a calm expression.

"I will look up the relevant refining methods and do my best."

"Do your best? I need it done. No excuses."

Copperbeard gathered the materials and strode away.

Hank watched Copperbeard’s retreating back and shook his head helplessly.

"That’s just his temper. His skills are genuinely incredible. I heard a defensive Rune array he personally set up withstood three major assaults from the Deep Red. If a traitor from within hadn’t destroyed the Rune core, they should have been able to hold out until reinforcements arrived."

"A traitor? Who was it?"

"A spy from the Deep Red. They were killed on the spot, but they apparently came from a small, local clan. You should keep an eye on these Wizard Clan members."

"I understand, Captain Hank," Ian nodded.

Of course, he understood the importance of the camp’s defenses and was willing to cooperate, but being bossed around by the Dwarf left a bad taste in his mouth.

’As the camp’s population grows, relationships will become more complex, and the number of internal threats will increase along with it.’

He pushed the thoughts aside, his gaze falling upon the remaining materials in his hands—the Earth Vein Stone and the Acidic Vine Liquid.

’Refining Earth Vein Crystal Powder... Perhaps the ’Insight’ effect will come in handy.’

Ian put his worries away, his eyes becoming sharp once more.

’First, I’ll take care of this unexpected task, and at the same time, I’ll finish Limit-Breaking the «Crystal Energy Barrier» as soon as possible.’

’Then, I’ll speed up my accumulation of Contribution Points to exchange for the resources I need and keep getting stronger.’

After this camp merges with the other, even greater dangers will arrive.

Only strength was the fundamental solution to dealing with any unforeseen changes.

「The next morning.」

The camp was no longer as dreary as it used to be.

A group of more than eighty people arrived at the "Furnace" camp through the morning mist.

They were almost all Wizard Apprentices. Most of their faces were etched with fatigue, their robes were torn, and many bore wounds.

The eyes of some Apprentices still held the lingering shock of defeat and the sorrow of losing their comrades.

These were the remnants that had retreated from the Ziluo Logistics Camp.

Their composition was somewhat complex, consisting of combat personnel withdrawn from the front lines, High Tower Apprentices, and members of Wizard Clans who had gathered from nearby.

Leading them was a powerful, middle-aged Female Witch with a stern expression, dressed in a deep blue Wizard Robe.

The sleeve of her left arm was empty, but the fluctuations of Magic Power emanating from her were still unnerving.

Sterling Wizard was already waiting at the camp entrance. He gave a slight nod upon seeing the Female Witch.

"Eleanor, it’s been tough." Both of them belonged to the High Tower, so they were naturally familiar with each other.

"Sterling," the Female Witch, Eleanor, said in a hoarse voice tinged with deep exhaustion.

"The Ziluo front... is gone!"

Sterling already knew this. The collapse of the Ziluo front had led to the logistics base suffering heavy casualties, having been caught unprepared.

"It’s good enough that you made it out alive." Sterling’s gaze swept over the group behind her.

"The ’Furnace’ camp welcomes you."

Another leader from the group stepped forward and bowed to Sterling. "Sterling Wizard."

This person’s nickname was "Anvil," and true to his name, he had a stocky build, dark skin, and hands covered in calluses and burn marks.

He was an Alchemist and a craftsman, skilled in repairing and creating Witchcraft Tools and defensive fortifications.

"We’ve brought twelve crates of standard Magic Stones, seven crates of various Middle and High Level materials, and..."

He paused, his voice low. "And three damaged ’Rune Crossbow Cannons.’ If Copperbeard can repair the Runes, perhaps they can be redeployed."

A glint flashed in Sterling’s eyes. "Rune Crossbow Cannons? Good. Copperbeard is currently reinforcing the camp’s defensive Runes. I’ll have him take a look later."

The merging process began swiftly. The High Tower Apprentices were absorbed into the core ranks, while the Wizard Clan members were assigned to patrol and defense teams.

Supplies were inventoried and stored, the wounded were sent for treatment, and the camp’s size increased by nearly half.

The total number of Apprentices in the camp now reached over four hundred, comparable to a small frontline stronghold.

Ian was also assigned by Sterling to supervise several of the newly arrived Middle Level Alchemists.

They already had some foundational skills and were also tasked with some Magic Potion Refining duties.

As the camp’s population grew, Ian’s Magic Potion tasks increased, and his Cultivation time was correspondingly compressed.

The pressure on Ian seemed to have suddenly increased, but inwardly he was thrilled. More tasks meant more Contribution Points.

Thinking of all the good things in the warehouse, Ian was filled with motivation.

That day, after completing all his Refining and supervisory work,

he consumed a Limit-Breaking Edition «Awakening Potion» and began his Meditation.

After his breakthrough, his Meditation time had extended by another two hours, but most people at this stage could only grind through it with low efficiency.

The Cultivation for the High Level Apprentice stage involved first slowly strengthening the previous eighteen minor Runes.

Once they were the same size as the initial nine Will Runes, one would then outline fifty-four more Will Runes, ultimately forming a more complex cluster of eighty-one Will Runes.

Time flowed by, and the sky gradually dimmed.

[Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method Skill Level +1]

An hour later, Ian stopped his Meditation. Seeing his Skill Level had only increased by a single point, a trace of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

’The efficiency of my Meditation has really dropped.’

He had expected this. Ordinary High Level Apprentices would have long since given up on this kind of Low Level Potion.

Only he was still using it, thanks to the Limit-Breaking Edition. If he used the Meditation Method at full power, he could still increase his Skill Level by about 8 points a day, but it took up too much time.

To save time, his only option was to spend Contribution Points to exchange for some «Concentration Potions» for his Cultivation.

Furthermore, his Low Tier Meditation Method could no longer keep up with his current Realm. He would have to see if he needed to replace it after it was Limit-Broken.

He looked at the two Skills on his panel and fell into deep thought.

[Awakening Potion: Skilled (216/400)]

[Crystal Energy Barrier: Mastered (795/800)]

The supportive effects of the «Awakening Potion» weren’t very good. He decided to stop Refining it from now on.

As for the Crystal Shield, it was only 5 Skill Level points away from a breakthrough.

It would generate a brand-new Limit-Breaking Effect!