Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Ian felt a chill run down his spine; this woman was indeed extraordinary, with a keen intuition.

He stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Ms. Mira, I do need some more precious materials to try to refine higher-level potions and improve my skills."

I've heard you have special connections here; perhaps you can find a way."

"Oh? Tell me, what kind of materials do you want?" Mira seemed to have become somewhat interested.

Ian took a deep breath and slowly recited a few names: "Starlight Vine Marrow Crystal, Moon Essence, Silver Soul Grass Pollen, Extract from the Bark of the Ancient Tree of Life, and Tranquil Spring Water."

With each name announced, Mira's deep purple eyes flickered slightly, and after Ian finished speaking, a half-smile appeared on her face.

"【Mind-Concentrating Potion】...I didn't expect you to know this recipe and even try to collect the materials."

Her tone was unreadable, "Young man, you have quite the ambition."

Any one of the main ingredients of this potion would be something that a formal wizard would pay attention to.

The difficulty of collecting and processing the materials is far beyond the reach of an apprentice.

"I want to give it a try," Ian readily admitted.

"I don't need a complete set. Even if it's just one or two clues, or a few defective or scrap materials, I'm willing to pay the price for research and experimentation."

Mira walked back to the table and sat down, tapping her fingers lightly on the surface, as if weighing her options.

The room fell silent, with only the faint sound of a stream flowing outside the window.

After a long pause, she finally spoke: "I don't have Starlight Vine Marrow Crystals and Moon Essence here. Their production areas are controlled by powerful forces, and very few are released. Every time they appear, they cause a fight."

Ian's heart sank.

If there is no hope even for the most essential materials, he must consider leaving this place and heading to a town closer to the core area of ​​the "Silver Ring".

He cannot delay his cultivation progress here; the [Mind-Concentrating Potion] is key to his rapid improvement of strength.

But Mira changed the subject: "However... this is, after all, the territory of the Silver Ring. Although it is remote, it is still rich in resources."

Every so often, merchants from the core area of ​​the 'Silver Ring' pass through, bringing with them supplies rarely found in the outer regions.

She paused, her deep purple eyes fixed on Ian.

"I recently received a bottle of Silver Soul Grass pollen from a guy who survived an adventure deep in the 'Dead Silence Mountains'."

Extract from the bark of the ancient tree of life... I have a clue, but obtaining it would involve a great risk.

Tranquil spring water is relatively easy to find, but high-purity water isn't cheap either.

Ian felt relieved; at least there were connections.

Although the two most essential components are not yet available, obtaining the auxiliary materials is still a good step forward.

More importantly, Mira mentioned the merchants of the "Silver Ring"!

This means that the channels exist, but it takes time and effort.

"As for Starlight Vine Marrow Crystals and Moon Essence," Mira continued, "although I don't have them here, I can keep an eye out for them for you."

The next merchant guild arrived about a month later, sometimes carrying these rare materials, but they were quite expensive.

If you can prove your worth, I can make an introduction.

Ian steadied himself; a month was a timeframe he could accept.

If you can acquire some materials to train with and establish channels for obtaining core materials, then staying here will be worthwhile.

"Ms. Mira, what price is required for the clues regarding the Silver Soul Grass pollen and ancient tree bark extract?"

Mira didn't answer directly, but instead asked a question in return.

"What will you use to pay? Magic stones? You look travel-worn; you don't seem to be carrying a lot of magic stones."

Special resources? Or... your alchemy skills?

Ian pondered for a moment, then took out two vials of medicine from his bag and placed them on the table.

One is a "secondary healing potion" that provides "continuous healing" after he breaks his limit, and the other is a standard-quality "awakening potion".

"This green one is a modified healing potion that is more effective than the standard version and has the property of continuous recovery."

This blue one is a [Clarity Potion], of above-standard quality. It has a good effect on stabilizing the mind and aiding meditation for intermediate apprentices and some advanced apprentices.

Ian explained, "I can pay with potions. In addition, I have some materials from enchanted creatures that might be of value to you."

Mira picked up the two vials of medicine, carefully sensing the energy fluctuations within them, then uncorked them and sniffed them with extreme caution.

"The healing potion is indeed remarkable; its energy structure is more stable, and its recovery effect is longer-lasting. The purity of the [Clarity Potion] is also quite good."

She re-corked the bottle, her gaze towards Ian now filled with concern.

"With the ability to consistently produce potions of this quality, you'll have a good trading position in this region."

She tapped her fingers on the table again, making her decision.

"I can sell you Silver Soul Grass pollen in exchange for this improved healing potion and the standard [Clarity Potion]."

I can provide clues about the extract from the bark of the Ancient Tree of Life for free, but you'll have to figure out how to obtain it yourself.

Moreover, if I successfully obtain it, I want 10% of it as an information fee.

Tranquility Spring Water is available at market price and can be purchased with magic stones or other potions.

A glint of light flashed in Mira's eyes. "We can sign a preliminary supply agreement, whereby you will provide me with a certain quantity of these two medicines on a regular basis."

I'll supply you with the necessary ingredients for the [Concentration Potion], and I'll also keep an eye out for news about Starlight Vine Marrow Crystals and Moon Essence, notifying you first when the merchants arrive. How does that sound?

Ian didn't hesitate for long and nodded: "Okay. But I need to get the Silver Soul Grass pollen first, and find out the clues about the bark extract."

The specific quantity and duration of the supply agreement need to be discussed in more detail by the two parties.

Mira smiled slightly, a smile that made her appear less mysterious and more shrewd, like a businesswoman.

"Very well. Hawke, could you please wait outside for a moment? Mr. Ian and I need to discuss the details privately."

Hawke nodded knowingly and left the room.

In the following time, Ian and Mira held detailed discussions on the deal.

In the end, Ian traded ten limited-edition Lesser Healing Potions and ten Clearing Potions for a bottle of Silver Soul Grass Pollen, worth a total of about 90 Magic Stones.

Silver Soul Grass pollen is only an auxiliary ingredient, and very little is needed when refining it. This bottle is enough to refine about a hundred [Mind-Concentrating Potions].

Regarding the clues about the extract from the bark of the Ancient Tree of Life, Mira tells us that it is said to be located deeper within the "Deadly Mountains".

It is near the heart of a region known as the "Whispering Forest," where traces of a small, possibly subspecies or distant relative of the ancient tree of life have been discovered.

However, the area is infested with an extremely troublesome "Soul-Eating Tree Demon," whose mental attacks are impossible to defend against. Moreover, the environment is eerie, and those who venture there almost always face certain death.

"Be careful, the strength of each Soul-Devouring Tree Demon there is comparable to that of a top-level advanced apprentice. It's best to go in a team or spend magic stones to hire someone to go with you."

After reminding Ian again, she provided him with a rudimentary hand-drawn map, marking the approximate location and known dangers.

As for the supply agreement, it is tentatively agreed that Ian will provide the "Dreamweaver's Hut" with one hundred doses of Improved Healing Potion and fifty doses of [Awakening Potion] per month.

Mira, on the other hand, prioritized supplying Ian with the basic medicinal materials he needed at 85% of the market price.

He promised to introduce him to the traveling merchants when they arrived a month later and to try to secure the opportunity to purchase Starlight Vine Marrow Crystals or Moon Essence.

The transaction was complete. Ian carefully put away the Silver Soul Grass pollen and memorized the simple map.