Now that they were allies, the atmosphere between them instantly shifted.

Ian’s smile deepened. "Also, if Captain Hank has other trustworthy friends who need to increase their strength, you can introduce them to me. The price will be the same, but I’ll need you to vouch for them."

Hank’s eyes lit up. This was essentially giving him partial distribution rights.

It meant that not only could he get Potions for himself, but he could also accumulate favors and resources by making introductions.

With this one move, Ian both expanded his client base and bound Hank more tightly to his cause.

"Understood," Hank said with a firm nod. "I’ll screen for suitable candidates and make sure they don’t cause you any trouble."

Finally, the two exchanged Secret Magic Marks so they could contact each other at any time.

For the free Witchcraft he received upon his promotion to High Level Apprentice, Ian had ultimately chosen this Secret Magic Mark. It was standard for High Level Apprentices.

Leaving Hank’s stone house, Ian felt much more relaxed than when he had arrived.

Through his connection with Hank, Bloodline Potions would gradually filter into the ranks of the camp’s High Level Apprentices. Even some wealthy Middle Level Apprentices might be drawn in.

Ian returned to the Alchemy Room and began his daily routine.

His Skill Level with both Potions was at the Control Level, so he finished brewing them quickly, which freed up more of his time.

The war was still ongoing, and he had no intention of shifting the focus of his cultivation. All other skills, including Magic Potion Science, were merely a means to an end.

Only his Meditation Method was the foundation of everything.

Since the restrictions had been lifted, he had gradually exchanged his points for thirty Concentration Potions to ensure his cultivation speed didn’t slow down.

The effects were obvious. Over the past two weeks, not only had his Spiritual Power growth accelerated, but his Skill Level in the Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method was on the verge of Limit-Breaking.

[Realm: High Level Wizard Apprentice (1.5%)]

[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]

[Skills: Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method: Control (796/800)

Wizard’s Hand: Limit-Broken 1 time (184/800) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Spiritualization)

Frost Freeze Ray: Limit-Broken 1 time (528/800) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Twin)

Scorching Beam: Control (481/800)

Eye of Vigilance: Control (786/800)

Secret Magic Mark: Beginner (18/400)

Crystal Energy Barrier: Limit-Broken 1 time (62/1600) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Reorganization)

Awakening Potion: Limit-Broken 1 time (129/800) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Strong Effect)

Basic Magic Potion Recognition: Limit-Broken 1 time (34/800) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Insight)

Bloodline Purification Technique: Skilled (318/400)

Rock Bear Potion: Beginner (175/400)

Other Skills...]

’I have to achieve Limit-Breaking with my Meditation Method tonight!’

His Realm progression was too slow, increasing by less than 0.1% per day on average. This was mainly due to his Low Tier Meditation Method.

His pace might have been astonishing compared to other Apprentices, but Ian still felt it was too slow.

He centered himself, and his consciousness sank into his Sea of Spirit.

After two weeks of accelerated cultivation using Concentration Potions, his Spiritual Void seemed to have expanded somewhat, and the pattern of the star and moon at its apex was gradually emerging.

Within his Sea of Spirit, a Will Rune Array composed of twenty-seven runes was clearly visible, rotating slowly.

Of these, nine large Will Runes were the most complete and substantial. They interlocked with one another, forming the core framework of a cyclical system.

The eighteen smaller Runes that he had formed later orbited this core like satellites. Although fully formed, their size and solidity were clearly less than the nine central Runes.

And on the periphery of the Will Rune Array floated three small, exquisite Witchcraft Runes.

One was shaped like a slender palm, another resembled two ice crystals entwined together, and the last Rune was in a constant state of disintegration and Reorganization.

The existence of these three Runes not only represented mastery in his Witchcraft but also allowed them to resonate with the Will Runes, nourishing the Sea of Spirit in return.

Ian calmed his mind, drank a Concentration Potion, and entered the deepest level of Meditation.

The twenty-seven Runes gradually lit up. Above the Sea of Spirit, starlight and moonlight intertwined, casting a hazy glow.

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

...

「Time passed slowly.」

Suddenly, his Sea of Spirit began to churn violently. Free-roaming Energy from the outside world was violently drawn in, forming a spiritual vortex invisible to the naked eye.

In his bedroom, the very air seemed to freeze for an instant.

CRACK...

A crisp sound, one that only Ian himself could "hear," erupted from the core of his Sea of Spirit.

A small Will Rune on the periphery of the array began to hum and vibrate, its position and angle minutely adjusting.

It was followed by a second, then a third... until finally, even the large Runes joined in.

The intense vibrations assaulted Ian’s consciousness, feeling like countless fine needles probing the depths of his Soul.

But his Will was as hard as iron, and he held fast to the last shred of clarity in his mind.

The original structure began to change, constantly readjusting and merging under the glow of the starlight and moonlight.

The original internal cycle of absorption, condensation, and storage was scoured by the power of Limit-Breaking—forcibly rerouted, its winding paths straightened and optimized.

The process was painful and long. Fine beads of sweat broke out on Ian’s forehead, and his body trembled slightly.

The roar of the Spiritual Power coursing through his body grew louder, like a rising tsunami.

Finally, just as the light from all the Runes reached its peak, it suddenly collapsed inward.

HUMMM!

A brand new Rune Array was born!

Ian knew that no additional Will Runes would be generated this time.

However, the starlight in his Sea of Spirit shone more brilliantly than ever, and the structure of the twenty-seven Will Runes had undergone a monumental change.

The moment the Rune Array stabilized, a flash of insight flooded Ian’s mind.

’Acceleration!’

This new effect optimized the core internal cycle of Spiritual Power within his Meditation Method.

It was as if a straight, smooth expressway for Spiritual Power had been paved over what was once a winding country road.

The time required for a single complete cycle was drastically reduced.

This meant that in the same amount of time, Ian could complete far more cycles, causing his Meditation efficiency to improve by leaps and bounds.

Consequently, the speed of his Realm progression would also skyrocket.

Ian slowly opened his eyes. A river of stars seemed to swirl within his pupils before they returned to normal a moment later.

He felt an unprecedented "openness" and "lightness" in his Sea of Spirit. The growth and recovery rate of his Spiritual Power was now noticeably faster.

’Perhaps, after a few more Limit-Breaks, the Meditation Method will be able to cycle automatically without me needing to actively cultivate!’

Ian pulled up his panel:

[Realm: High Level Wizard Apprentice (1.5%)]

[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]

[Skills: Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method: Limit-Broken 1 time (0/1600) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Acceleration)

Other Skills...]

A smile touched Ian’s lips as he looked at the description on the panel.

This effect might seem less impressive than an Attack Witchcraft, but for a Wizard, it was the key to solidifying his foundation and ascending to higher levels.

He got up, stretched his slightly stiff body, and walked into the Alchemy Room.

He still had a good amount of refined Blood Essence on hand. Since he was in excellent condition, he could go ahead and brew a batch of Potions.

He only had 660 Contribution Points at the moment, which wasn’t even enough to redeem the half-priced Star Moon Middle Level Meditation Method.

’But it won’t be long now,’ he thought. ’I’m sure that the next time we meet, Hank will have a satisfactory answer for me.’

Once the first person in camp bought a Bloodline Potion,

a second would follow, then a third...