Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

"Ian," Kenner smiled, his nasolabial folds much deeper than before, "we're back."

"Come in quickly." Ian hurriedly invited the group into the house, but his heart sank.

Judging from their appearance, this period is definitely not going to be easy for them.

"Where have you been for the past three months?" Ian asked.

Kenner and Robert exchanged a bitter glance.

"We followed your advice and left Nightfall Town. We first went to the Scorching Canyon in the southwest, and then we traveled to the edge of the swamp in the south. But no matter where we went, we felt like someone was chasing us."

Wade took a big gulp of tea and continued, "Later we found out that the people following behind us weren't from the Shadow Society, but from the Crimson Court!"

Ian's pupils contracted slightly.

Robert took a piece of parchment from his pocket and spread it on the table.

The map above is sketched with simple lines, and many areas are marked in red.

"This is a map we exchanged with another group of apprentices at the edge of a swamp while we were fleeing on the road."

Robert pointed to the map, "The conflict between Shadowmoon Tower and the Crimson Court has escalated significantly. A month ago, a major battle broke out between the two sides on 'Falling Star Plains.' It is said that dozens of senior apprentices from both sides died, and a full-fledged wizard from Shadowmoon Tower escaped severely wounded."

Monica added in a low voice, "We've also heard that the Crimson Court is planning a surprise attack on the rear of the tower, but we don't know which directions."

Kenna looked at Ian with a serious expression. "Ian, Nightfall Town is one of the outer outposts of the Tower, and... on our way back, we heard someone asking about Starleaf Potion Shop."

The room was silent, and Ian's eyes were downcast.

"Do you know who it is?"

Kenna wasn't sure either. "The source is vague, like someone from a bloodline wizarding family. I heard Nolan owed them some magic stones before."

Ian's heart skipped a beat. "What's the name of that family? How powerful are they?"

Kenner was a little embarrassed. "I don't know their strength, I only know that they are the Osborn family."

"A family of bloodline wizards?" Ian had some guesses, but he wasn't sure.

In the past two months, Star Leaf Potion Shop has sold quite a few Rock Bear Potions, perhaps because others are inquiring about them.

Wade's expression was grave: "Ian, this area is also within the red map's boundaries, and it seems there are still remnants of the Shadow Society active there. You need to be careful."

Ian was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"It seems that quiet cultivation is no longer an option."

He stood up, gazing at the dark night outside the window, his eyes gradually sharpening.

"You've come back just in time. I have a batch of valuable resources that can significantly enhance our strength in a very short time, and all of you are suitable candidates!"

Kenna and the others' eyes lit up.

"But in exchange," Ian turned around, his gaze sweeping over the four of them.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears, to help me gather all information about the war, and... any intelligence that tries to find out about me."

He needs to know what the outside world has become.

We need to be even more vigilant against individuals and forces that may be lurking in the shadows.

Now that the war has begun, no one can remain unaffected.

The strength he had accumulated over the past two months gave him the confidence to face the war head-on.

……

The next morning, Ian invited Kenner and the others into his room.

"I thought about it for a long time last night," Ian said bluntly, placing four bottles of "Rock Bear Potion" on the table.

Under the light, the golden threads inside the blood-red potion moved merrily and were extremely active.

"This is a new potion I've concocted, called the 'Rock Bear Potion'."

Seeing the four people's eager eyes, Ian nodded to himself and began to explain the effects of the potion.

"It's an extremely rare bloodline potion that can grant someone the strength of a high-level apprentice in a very short time!"

Kenna and the other three looked at the medicine on the table, their breathing quickening.

With war imminent, no one wants to miss out on gaining strength quickly.

"As I said last night, I plan to give each of you one as an investment in you."

"Ian, this is too precious..." Kenna tried to refuse, but the longing in his eyes was impossible to hide.

"This isn't free," Ian interrupted, waving his hand.

"I need a reliable information network, and you are the people I trust most. Taking these medications will also greatly enhance your safety."

He paused, then his tone became serious: "There's something I must point out: this potion cannot be used alone; it needs to be used in combination with a neutralizing agent, otherwise there's a risk of bloodline mutation or demonization."

"A neutralizing agent?" Robert frowned. "It's expensive and hard to find."

"I know," Ian nodded. "There's a neutralizing potion called 'Quiet Water,' which costs 300 magic stones per vial."

"300 magic stones?!" Monica exclaimed in surprise.

This is an astronomical figure for all of them.

"You'll have to figure out how to get these magic stones yourselves," Ian said.

"However, I can prepay some magic stones as activity expenses, but you'll have to rely on yourselves for the bulk of the cost, or you can wait until you've saved up enough magic stones before using them."

Kenna exchanged glances with his team members, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "We'll figure out a way to get the magic stone; leave the intelligence to us."

Ian nodded in satisfaction, handed the four potions to the four people, and paid an advance of 200 magic stones as start-up capital.

The group agreed on a method for transmitting information, using the Star Leaf Medicine Shop as their base to send back information regularly.

After seeing the others off, Ian also began to think about his own problems.

He still has several potent doses of the Rockbear Potion, but he doesn't plan to use them.

He wanted to wait until both Bloodline Refining Technique and Rock Bear Potion reached their limits before taking its enhanced version!

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how much their strength will improve by then!"

Unfortunately, the proficiency of these two skills improves slowly, and can no longer keep up with the current war.

A thought suddenly struck him, and he remembered the incomplete formula.

"It just so happens that I have Professor Alyvia's class tomorrow."

Ian checked the class schedule. "Let's go."

The next morning, Ian set off early, taking a carriage to Shadowmoon Tower.

Throughout the journey, he carefully observed the atmosphere around him through the car window.

It was definitely much more tense than before, with senior apprentices patrolling everywhere.

Returning to the teaching area, the atmosphere was completely different from before.

The apprentices hurrying along the corridor mostly wore solemn and worried expressions, and their conversations revolved around the war and the Crimson Court.

Ian arrived at classroom number 1 in section 2 of the Potions Department, showed his wooden sign, and entered the classroom to wait.

The classroom was still full of people, almost all of them in red robes, with a few in gray robes standing out conspicuously.

He has come here to attend classes many times in the past two months and has gained a lot of knowledge.

Even his proficiency in "Basic Potion Identification" is nearing its limit.

Although it's not a combat skill, it allows for a slight enhancement of mental energy after breaking through the limits, which is a decent perk.

At the same time, he also learned about Alyvia's status as a mentor.

In Shadowmoon Tower, Elivia's potion-making skills rank among the top three!

His strength is even more terrifying; I heard he's about to break through to become a first-level wizard!

"Perhaps, my hope of completing my 'Balance of Water' rests on her."