Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Early the next morning, Ian carried the wooden crate to Shadowmoon Tower.

He sold all the potions he could to the potion shop and got more than 1000 magic stones, which he exchanged for high-grade magic stones that were easier to carry.

At this moment, the wooden box contained only some overpowered versions of "Clarity Potion" and a few potent versions of "Rockbear Potion".

After saying goodbye to Clayton, Christine, and Harvey, Ian headed to the station.

They had been away from the tower for many years and did not need to respond to the call to arms.

However, their family needs to send someone to the tower to complete the corresponding task.

This is an obligation that forces dependent on the tower for survival must fulfill.

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

The area beneath the enormous crystal screen was packed with apprentices, and among the majority of grey robes, those in red robes stood out conspicuously.

The screen kept refreshing the tasks, and each relatively safe task that appeared would trigger a frenzy of competition.

Ian found Kenna and his group in the crowd. The four of them had changed into matching dark gray leather armor with simple protective runes flashing on it.

They looked to be in good spirits and had clearly adapted to the power of the potion's growth.

"So, are there any missions we could take on together?"

Kenner shook his head, his expression not looking good.

"We looked around for a long time and found that there were too many people vying for tasks suitable for intermediate apprentices. Either a senior apprentice was needed to lead the team, or it was a solo task."

Robert added, "Moreover, we were assigned to the same patrol group for the daily patrols of Ash Trail, which was a mandatory task that we couldn't refuse."

Ian understood. During wartime, the tower's deployment prioritized efficiency and overall defense, and the thoughts of intermediate apprentices were not taken into account.

The four of them had clearly defined roles, with both combat and support roles, and they were very familiar with each other, so it was perfectly normal for them to be grouped together.

Kenner was somewhat disappointed. After his strength increased, he had planned to go on a mission together to protect Ian's safety, but he didn't expect that they would still have to separate.

"It's okay." Ian didn't mind. It would be great to be able to do missions together, but it wouldn't matter if they couldn't team up.

He searched carefully in front of the screen, his gaze finally settling on a newly refreshed task.

[Emergency Support: Defense of the Scorching Canyon Logistics Base and Potion Brewing]

1. Location: Outside the Scorching Canyon, at the "Furnace" logistics camp.

2. Requirements: Intermediate or higher level potion master, who is required to undertake some camp defense responsibilities and brew potions urgently needed on the front line (mainly "Secondary Healing Potions" and "Basic Antidotes").

3. Note: This area is under Level 2 alert and there are occasional infiltrations by Crimson Court wizards. Please be aware of your safety.

4. Contribution Points: 20 basic points per day, additional points are awarded for refining potions based on the finished product.

5. Assembly point: Assembly area No. 3 on the east side of the tower, 2 PM today.

"Scorching Canyon, Wade said the Rock Armored Demon Bears also roam there!"

A glint flashed in Ian's eyes; this mission perfectly met all his requirements.

"This is it."

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

The registrar was a senior apprentice with an expressionless face. After checking Ian's potion master identification plaque (provided by Starleaf Potions Shop), he quickly completed the registration.

Finally, he handed Ian a metal plaque engraved with the mission number.

"2 PM, assembly area number 3. No exceptions." The registrar said indifferently.

Ian accepted the metal plaque and said goodbye to Kenner and the others.

"Ian, things aren't safe in the Scorching Canyon. Be careful on your own!" Kenna solemnly advised.

"Yes." Ian nodded. "You all need to be careful too. If anything serious happens, report it to Starleaf Potion Shop."

Wade patted his chest. "Once we've collected enough contribution points, we might be able to apply for a transfer to help you."

"Okay, I'll be waiting." Ian smiled and turned to leave.

At 1:30 p.m., Ian arrived at Assembly Area 3 on the east side of the tower ahead of time.

This is a small square, where more than twenty people have gathered, clearly divided into several groups.

After Ian showed his metal badge, he was led to one of the five-man squads.

The apprentice in charge of guiding the trainees pointed to a burly man wearing dark red leather armor with a weathered face.

"Hank, the leader of this squad, senior apprentice, you are heading to the 'Forge' camp this time."

Hank sized up Ian, his gaze lingering for a moment on his grey robe and youthful face.

He didn't say anything, he just nodded.

Ian also secretly observed the other party. This person had a calm demeanor and carried the murderous aura of someone who had been through many battles. He had a broad-bladed sword at his waist with a shiny hilt.

"Captain Hank," Ian greeted him.

"Hmm, a potion master?" Hank's voice was hoarse.

"Yes, Ian, an intermediate potion master, is skilled in concocting healing and antidote potions."

In fact, he had only refined a small amount of this kind of low-level potion at Xingye Potion Shop, and usually he was too lazy to touch it.

"Okay, stay close on the road, don't fall behind."

Hank's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, and he showed no particular enthusiasm for Ian's identity as a potions master.

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

Lina, the team's ranged shooter and scout, is tall with a ponytail and is a senior apprentice.

Old Pipe, around fifty years old, with a briar pipe in his mouth, is the rune craftsman in the group.

The big guy, true to his name, is 2.23 meters tall, with bulging muscles all over his body. He carries a tower shield as tall as a person on his back and a short hammer at his waist. He is the defender of the team.

Venomous Fang, a slender, brooding senior apprentice with long, thin fingers and nails that had an unnatural dark purple hue.

When Hank introduced Fang, he only said one sentence: "He is in charge of handling some 'special' situations."

Ian knew in his heart that this was a cursed wizard who was also skilled in using poison.

"Everyone's here, let's go."

Without uttering any unnecessary words, Hank waved his hand and took the lead in walking out of the tower.

The group followed, and the team moved very quickly at first. A day later, they left the area directly under the tower's control.

This is a mixed land of wizards and mortals, with wizard families of all sizes taking root around and guarding the tower.

The tower is nearly two thousand miles from the "Furnace," and it has to diagonally cross two mortal kingdoms before finally reaching the border with the Crimson, which is now also the front line of the battlefield.

Hank and Lina positioned themselves one in front and one behind, protecting Ian and Old Smoker, the two non-combatants, in the middle.

The big guy carried the tower shield and walked to the side, while Venomous Fang hovered at the edge of the group, vigilantly observing the surroundings.

The scenery along the way weighed heavily on Ian's mind.

The further away from the tower, the more obvious the traces of war become.

They passed through a small, burned-down village, where charred traces and dried dark red stains could still be seen amidst the ruins.

The fields along the roadside had long been abandoned. Occasionally, one could see civilians hurriedly fleeing.

They had their families with them, and their faces were filled with fear.

"Last month, a squad from the Crimson Court's 'Blood Bats' attacked this place."

The old man puffed on his pipe, his voice low and menacing: "Not a single one survived. All the blood was drained. After the killings, everything was burned. The patrols around here arrived too late."

Ian nodded silently; a faint trace of burnt and blood seemed to linger in the air.

Along the way, they also encountered other groups heading to different destinations.

They maintained a wary distance from each other, rarely communicating, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Six days later, the team entered the outer area of ​​the Scorching Canyon.

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

The exposed rocks are dark red, as if they had been scorched by flames.

In the distance, the massive canyon fissure resembles a scar on the earth, with faint steam rising from it.

Hank pointed to a campsite built on a hillside ahead.

"We've arrived."