Chapter 113: Chapter 112: Source Annihilation Array

With a thought, Ian called up the information on his Demon Hunting Jade Token.

He immersed his Spiritual Power into the token. Its back was densely packed with points of light, nineteen of which were Tier One stars that shone with exceptional brightness.

[Merit Points: 8896 (Tier Zero Demons: 6996, Tier One Demons: 19)]

Over the past month, he had frantically accepted one clearing mission after another, specifically targeting areas dense with low-threat Demons for quick and decisive battles.

His Merit Points had skyrocketed to nearly nine thousand—a terrifying rate of progress for a High Level Apprentice.

’Time to cash these in.’

Ian got up and walked out of his stone house.

The atmosphere inside the stronghold was completely different from a month ago.

The number of Wizards coming and going in the central plaza had increased, and each one’s aura felt more formidable than the last.

Ian could even sense that inside the Rock Fortress, four or five more of those terrifying, soul-trembling auras had appeared.

The air was thick with an invisible pressure. Apprentices hurried to and fro, their voices hushed.

"Have you heard? The sweep of the outskirts of the Rotting Moss Cave is basically finished."

"The largest Demon Nests have been wiped out. So... it’s time for the all-out assault, isn’t it?"

"I heard the Alliance sent more Official Wizards. Even a few Level Two Lords have arrived..."

Ian listened silently, walking straight toward the Merit Point exchange.

His goal was clear: a Purification Rune Array.

He needed a safe environment capable of purifying energy so he could continue refining Concentration Potions and practicing deep meditation in his push to become an Official Wizard.

Ian quickly browsed the offerings on the exchange light screen.

[Basic Heart Purification Array Disc (covers a single room): 500 Merit Points]

[Tier One Top Level Purification Array Disc (covers a private residence, includes silencing and early-warning functions, medium purification effect): 3,000 Merit Points]

[Tier Two Purification Array Disc (covers a private residence, adjustable elemental environment, high purification effect): 8,000 Merit Points (Insufficient clearance)]

...

The prices were staggering. Plus, he didn’t have the clearance for the Tier Two Purification Array Disc.

’I’ll get a Tier One Array Disc for now.’

He didn’t hesitate, spending 3,000 Merit Points to purchase a top-level Tier One Source Annihilation Array.

The Array Disc was a palm-sized metal plate, cool to the touch and covered in intricate runes.

Ian also purchased a large quantity of materials for Concentration Potions. He still had a supply of Ancient Tree of Life Extract on hand.

’With this purification array, I can refine my potions and meditate in peace.’

Ian turned and returned to his stone house.

On the way back, he noticed more and more Wizards beginning to gather. In the central area, those few terrifying auras fluctuated frequently, as if their owners were in discussion.

The atmosphere was as taut as a bowstring.

’It seems the time has come to wipe out the Rotting Moss Cave,’ Ian thought to himself.

The first phase of the Demon Hunt was to sweep the outer areas and isolate the core Demon Nest.

Now that the sweep of the outer areas was nearing its end, the next step would be to gather forces and storm the Rotting Moss Cave.

It not only held vast quantities of Abyssal Crystals but also treasures that could help a Level One Wizard achieve a breakthrough, making it a place all the major powers would fight to claim.

As for the depths beyond, at the site of an ancient battlefield, that was the core area where the Demons were most numerous and powerful.

The various powers had spent the past month clearing the outer areas precisely so they could concentrate their forces and advance toward the central region.

However, it wasn’t for an Apprentice like him to worry about any of this. When the time came, he would simply await his assignment.

’I have to seize this last bit of time to get even stronger.’

Back in his stone house, Ian activated the newly acquired Source Annihilation Array.

HUMMM...

The metal disc floated in the center of the room as its runes lit up one by one, emitting a soft, milky-white halo.

The halo spread, forming a hemispherical barrier five meters in diameter that enveloped the interior of the stone house.

Inside the barrier, the chaotic Magic Power suffusing the air was swiftly broken down and purified, becoming mild and orderly.

Although its efficiency couldn’t compare to a High Tier Array Disc, it was more than enough for him to refine Concentration Potions and practice deep meditation.

"Gah! Much better!" Gaga wriggled out of Ian’s pocket and flapped its wings cheerfully inside the barrier.

Ian sat down cross-legged and took out the materials to refine Concentration Potions.

With the Purification Barrier in place, he could finally begin refining potions again.

’First, I’ll refine a batch of Concentration Potions to advance my Realm. Then... I’ll keep grinding my Furnace Body Tempering Skill.’

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. On this chaotic front line, Power was the only true Protective Talisman.

As for the Deep Red Royal Court’s pursuit and the potential risks posed by the Crimson Secret Scripture...

’What does any of that have to do with me? I’m just a lowly High Level Apprentice.’

He clenched his fist, feeling the searing heat of the Furnace slowly activating within his body, and began to process the potion ingredients.

The crowd in the central plaza grew denser as Wizards and Apprentices from all the major powers gathered. The air was thick with the grim tension and restless energy that came before a battle.

Silver-white, deep blue, blood-red, ash-black—robes of every color intermingled.

At the edge of the Shadow Moon Tower’s assembly area, several Apprentices in gray robes with deep blue and silver trim were resting.

One of them, a gaunt apprentice with a stoic expression, was inspecting his Magic Staff with his head bowed.

His teammate patted him on the shoulder, a note of envy in his voice.

"Robert, back there against that Stone-Skinned Inferior Demon, I saw you take a direct hit from its claw and you barely even stumbled... Your build is as good as any of those guys who specialize in Body Refinement!"

Robert looked up, his face devoid of expression.

"A long time ago, a friend gave me a Bloodline Potion that enhanced my Physique." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Oh? What kind of potion is that potent? Which Magic Potion Alchemist made it?" his teammate asked, his interest piqued.

Robert paused, his gaze growing distant. "His name is Ian. A very talented Magic Potion Alchemist."

Not far away, a figure clad in Silver-White Light Armor stiffened slightly.

Mira had been chatting with a few other Apprentices from the Silver Ring. Though her expression didn’t change when she heard the name "Ian," a flicker of curiosity flashed through her eyes.

She cut her conversation short and slowly walked toward Robert’s group.

"Did you just say... the Magic Potion Alchemist, Ian?" Mira’s voice was gentle.

Robert tensed up instantly!

He didn’t recognize Mira, but a High Level Apprentice from the Silver Ring suddenly asking about Ian immediately put him on high alert.

’Ian fled and disappeared back then. No one knows where he went. Could it be...’

Robert’s mind raced, and his expression returned to its usual silent, wooden state.

"Apologies, ma’am. I’ve only heard the name mentioned elsewhere. It was just a passing comment; I don’t know the man."

Mira gave Robert a long, hard look but didn’t press the matter, simply nodding.

"Is that so? Then I must have misheard." She turned and walked away, but her mind was reeling.

’Ian, it seems there’s more to your story than I imagined. And your relationship with Shadow Moon Tower doesn’t seem to be a simple one.’

「On the other side of the plaza, in the assembly area for Shadow Moon Tower’s Official Wizards」

A dozen or so Wizards in deep blue, silver-trimmed robes stood in silence, each exuding an aura of profound and unshakable power.

One of them had a cold, stern face, his eyes holding a suppressed darkness.

When the name "Ian," carried across the noisy plaza, pierced his ears like a fine steel needle...

His eyes snapped open!

His gaze instantly locked onto the source of the sound, landing on Robert and the retreating back of Mira, who had just turned to leave.

He slowly pushed back his hood, revealing a deathly pale face.

It was none other than the former commander of the Furnace camp—Sterling!