Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

In the quiet room, the faint aroma of tea mingled with the sound of the stream outside the window.

Mira's voice was clear and steady, as if she were stating an established rule.

"In accordance with past practices, our Darkwood region will be assigned to the Southeast Seventh War Zone, which is under the jurisdiction of the Silver Ring, in response to the call to arms for the 'War of the Demon Hunters'."

All wizards and their families within the war zone will be placed in the same combat order, but lone advanced apprentices like yourself will be randomly assigned to a replenishment order before entering the underground.

Ian picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth of the celadon porcelain with his fingertips.

How are war zones divided? And how do participants obtain rewards?

"The division is based on the distribution of underground sealing nodes and the number of resident wizards in each region."

Mira traced a rough outline of a map on the table with her fingertips.

"Our Seventh War Zone is mainly responsible for clearing the defensive line from 'Mossy Cavern' to 'Iron Ridge Canyon,' a stretch of about three hundred miles. As for meritorious service..."

She paused, and a glint of light, irresistible to all wizards, flashed in her deep purple eyes.

"All rewards are calculated in 'Abyss Crystals'. After defeating underground monsters, you can collect the crystals formed from their cores and submit them. Merit points are awarded based on the quality of the crystals and the monster's level."

Merit points can be exchanged for various resources in a wartime exchange list that connects the four major organizations.

Magic stones, high-grade potions, rare materials, and even... secret first- and second-tier sorcery models passed down within certain organizations.

Ian's eyes narrowed slightly. The secret witchcraft model was knowledge that no wizarding organization would easily reveal.

"To incentivize participants, each of the four major organizations will contribute a portion of their treasured items as additional rewards," Mira continued.

"The Silver Ring has brought out three 'Blood Origin Contracts' this time, which are ancient contract scrolls that can transform the bloodline of magical pets or familiars, raising the upper limit to the level of a third-level Grand Wizard."

The Shadowmoon Tower has opened up access to the "Star Moon Realm," Crimson Castle has offered spots for the "Crimson Heart" trial, and the Withering Council has promised opportunities to use the "Ashes Reborn" arcane ritual.

She looked at Ian: "But only those whose merit ranks in the top ten of the four war zones are eligible to compete for these top rewards."

As Mira finished recounting the rewards, her eyes gradually became fervent.

"In addition to the rewards mentioned above, legend has it that the more Abyss minions you slay during the Demon Hunt, the more likely you are to gain the approval of the Wizarding World's will, thus being granted a wisp of Origin!"

Ian didn't show much emotion after hearing this.

He didn't know what it was, but just from the name, he knew it was an excellent thing.

"What was the exact number of kills? What is the origin of this world?"

Mira didn't answer directly; she looked out the window at the hazy light of dawn.

"In every war, there are always some participants whose realm is exceptionally stable after breaking through, and who even comprehend certain unique witchcraft or secret techniques."

Although no one publicly acknowledges receiving the gift, it is an open secret.

This is why, during each "Demon Hunting War," even those reclusive old fogies are willing to risk coming out of seclusion.

"How long will the war last?" Ian pressed.

"It will take anywhere from three months to half a year. During this period, the four major organizations will unite with other races to set up 'purification barriers' in the main strongholds and mortal towns on the surface to prevent the abyssal aura from rising and eroding."

"But outside the barrier..." Mira's gaze returned to Ian, carrying a warning, "You are responsible for your own life and death."

She stood up, the hem of her gray robe fluttering slightly: "That's all I can tell you."

In about a month, Amos will arrive to deliver the final batch of war supplies. After that, all merchants from the Silver Ring will cease operations. You must use this time to make all necessary preparations.

Ian nodded, stood up, and bowed: "Thank you."

When I left the Dream Weaver's Hut, the morning mist had not yet completely dissipated.

Ian walked along the forest path, repeatedly processing the information Mira had revealed in his mind.

Forced conscription...the abyss beneath the earth...a gift from the world...

"I just want to cultivate peacefully, why is that so difficult?"

No matter how much he complains, what he needs to do now is to arm himself before this demon-hunting war begins!

Back in the tent, Ian closed the door and lit a calming incense stick.

Instead of immediately beginning his cultivation, he sat down at his workbench, took out a rough parchment, and began planning his next battle preparations.

"First, solidify the foundation and amass resources rapidly."

His gaze swept over the materials piled up in the corner, and he already had a plan in mind.

When Amos arrives, we will use all our savings and inventory to scale up the production of the Rock Bear Potion.

This potion, which can permanently enhance physical fitness and strength in a short period of time, is extremely useful in the complex and harsh underground environment, and it is a hard currency with no shortage of buyers.

As long as he has enough essence and blood, he can quickly push the [Rock Bear Potion] to its limit, and the effect of the potion will undergo a qualitative change!

At that time, it will be combined with the Bloodline Purification Technique, which has already exceeded its limits twice and possesses the [Awakening] effect...

At that time, the extracted rock bear blood essence will be incredibly pure.

Then, using this top-grade blood essence as the main ingredient, the potion was combined with the [Dream Potion] that was purchased from Sterling and kept unused for a long time, to perform a deep body tempering and mental resonance!

The effects of the [Dream Potion] are very likely to trigger the potential deep within one's bloodline, resulting in a significant leap in physical fitness and laying the most solid foundation for becoming a formal wizard!

"Second, find familiars to make up for the shortcomings."

Ian's gaze fell on the scroll of "Spiritual Pact (Fragment)" on the other side.

The limitations of [Vigilant Eye] are becoming increasingly apparent. The underground environment is complex and bizarre, and he needs a more agile and intelligent reconnaissance and support partner.

Although the conditions for this "shortcut" are stringent, it is worth a try.

"The Silent Mountains... perhaps there's a chance."

Ian tapped his fingers on the table, making a decision.

We must set off immediately tomorrow to search for the familiar deep within the Silent Mountains, with a seven-day deadline.

Seven days later, regardless of whether there was a harvest or not, they must return to Misty Creek and wait for Amos.

Once the supplies arrived, he immediately went into seclusion, frantically refining, purifying, and tempering his body until the conscription order arrived!

After completing his plan, Ian burned the parchment.

In the past seven months, Ian has thoroughly understood the contents of the parchment.

"And there's the [Rock Bear Potion]. Two months is more than enough time to break through the limits!"

Before he left, Tomira contacted Amos urgently, asking him to collect a large amount of the Rock Armor Demon Bear's essence blood over there.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to practice the [Intermediate Star and Moon Meditation Method].

Within the spiritual sea, the illusory images of stars and the moon slowly rotated, resonating faintly with the stellar power of the outside world. Strands of pure energy seeped in, nourishing the completely atomized spiritual sea.

After breaking through the limits, the efficiency of his meditation method increased by about 30%, which is an astonishing improvement for someone who is about to advance to a higher realm.

The soft light outside the window flowed silently, and the tent was as still as an abyss.