Ian’s life in the Underworld gradually fell into a routine.

Once his power reached a certain level, even in such a harsh environment, life was no longer so difficult.

A few days later, a knock came from outside the stone house.

Ian opened the door to find Robert standing outside.

He wore the deep blue-gray robe of Shadow Moon Tower. His aura was much more solid than before, and his eyes held a complex expression.

"Ian," Robert’s voice was a little hoarse.

Ian’s expression was calm. "Come in."

Robert entered the house, took a cloth bag from his robes, and placed it on the table.

"The Magic Stones you invested in me... With principal and interest, it’s nine hundred in total."

Ian didn’t refuse and accepted the bag. "Congratulations on your promotion to High Level Apprentice."

"Thank you." Robert paused. Looking at Ian’s placid gaze, he suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

Although Ian still greeted him with a smile and a gentle tone, Robert keenly sensed that the person before him was completely different from the sunny, naive Magic Potion Apprentice back in Nightfall Town, the one who would worry about his companions and lend a helping hand.

That settled aura, a kind of tranquility forged through life-and-death struggles, and... an indifference beneath the calmness.

The atmosphere grew a bit heavy.

Robert opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, it was only a soft sigh.

"You’ve... changed a lot."

Ian smiled. "People always change."

The two exchanged a few more simple words about their recent situations before Robert got up to leave.

"Take care." Ian saw him to the door.

"You too." Robert gave him a deep look, then turned and left.

Ian closed the door, put away the Magic Stones, and returned to his cultivation.

That failed investment was now completely settled.

...

The days passed, peaceful yet intense.

Another month passed as the forefront of the Seventh War Zone pushed to the core defensive line designated by the Eastern Theater Command Headquarter.

Ian’s cultivation progress had finally reached a critical point.

[Name: Ian Marcus]

[Age: 18]

[Realm: High Level Wizard Apprentice (99.9%)]

[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]

[Scorching Beam: Limit-Breaking Second Stage (187/3200) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Focusing, 2. Yang Flame)]

[Secondary Frost Freeze Beam: Limit-Breaking Second Stage (860/1600) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Twin, 2. Deep Tie)]

[Other Skills...]

Inside the stone house, the Purification Barrier operated steadily.

Ian sat cross-legged. In front of him were three vials of Concentration Potion, two vials of Strong Spirit Recovery Potion, and a large number of other Compound Potions.

’The time has finally come.’

He took a deep breath, a determined glint flashing in his eyes.

This time, he didn’t plan to go outside for his breakthrough.

The stronghold had a Purification Barrier, making it relatively safe, and he had already made all the necessary preparations.

’Let’s begin.’

Ian consumed a vial of Concentration Potion and sank his consciousness into his Sea of Spirit.

Eighty Will Runes were already constructed, all equal in size and as solid as Star Essence Gold, forming a complex and perfect three-dimensional array.

Only the final few strokes of the last rune were needed to complete the count of eighty-one.

He mobilized his Vaporization Spiritual Power and began to trace the final Will Rune at the edge of the array.

A dot, a stroke...

His Spiritual Power moved like the finest carving knife, slowly tracing a profound trajectory.

In the Void, scattered Spiritual Power was continuously drawn in, tempered, and poured into the gradually forming rune.

Time seemed to slow down.

Ian could clearly perceive the flow of every strand of Spiritual Power, every minute adjustment to the rune’s structure.

Finally, the last stroke was completed!

BUZZ...!

All eighty-one Will Runes lit up simultaneously!

The lights intertwined, forming a complete, stable, and self-contained perfect circulatory system!

Immense Spiritual Power erupted from the circulation, sweeping through his entire Sea of Spirit.

But Ian’s promotion was completely different from that of an ordinary High Level Apprentice.

Ordinary apprentices needed to use their potent Life Force as fuel at this moment, burning it frantically to convert it into Spiritual Power and purify it into a vapor.

This was the most difficult and dangerous step, where countless people failed.

But Ian’s Spiritual Power had already undergone complete Vaporization through his multiple Skill Limit-Breaks!

Now, under the resonance of the eighty-one runes, the dense, almost tangible, silvery-white spiritual fog began to compress and purify even further!

The formidable physique, enhanced by the Limit-Breaking Rock Bear Potion, now displayed a terrifying advantage.

His Life Force, as vigorous as a Furnace, connected with the ocean of Spiritual Power through a temporary, profound channel, allowing them to convert between each other.

And Ian’s Life Force wasn’t just being converted by burning; it was also nourishing through resonance!

Infused with his formidable Life Force, the density of his Vaporization Spiritual Power continuously increased, its concentration soaring wildly!

The silvery-white fog grew thicker and heavier...

Finally, at a certain critical point.

DRIP.

A drop of shimmering, mercury-like silver liquid condensed in the center of his Sea of Spirit and fell.

Liquefaction!

This was a state that only a Level One Peak Wizard could achieve after tempering their Spiritual Power to the absolute limit!

Although the total amount of his Spiritual Power was small compared to theirs, its degree of refinement was exactly the same.

And Ian had reached it the very moment he was promoted to an Official Wizard!

One drop, two drops, three drops...

More and more of the Vaporization Spiritual Power transformed into liquid, gathering into a small silver puddle in his Sea of Spirit.

Although its scale was still small, its extreme purity and mercury-like weight signified a foundation that far surpassed others of the same rank!

The Energy Force Field naturally emanating from his body caused the air to distort slightly, and a steady resonance came from the rocky ground beneath his feet.

But now, he was still one final step away from being a complete Level One Wizard.

As the last drop of liquefied Spiritual Power fell.

’Here it comes!’

A vast, ancient, and indescribably great Will descended upon this place, passing through the Void.

Although it was only for a brief moment, he clearly perceived the existence of the "World Rules"—the fundamental Laws that constituted all Witchcraft and all Energy!

At the very instant these Rules descended, Ian didn’t hesitate to push his pre-selected Witchcraft Model towards the Will Rune Array.

It wasn’t Crystal Energy Barrier.

Instead, it was a composite model of Scorching Beam and Secondary Frost Freeze Beam!

His reasoning was very clear:

Crystal Energy Barrier and Energy Shield still had room for improvement and could be fused and enhanced through practice in the future.

His body had been enhanced by the Limit-Breaking Rock Bear Potion and was founded upon the Crimson Secret Scripture, making it incredibly powerful.

But Attack Power had always been his greatest weakness.

During his Apprentice stage, he could dominate with his multiple Limit-Breaking beam-type Witchcrafts.

But against a true Level One Wizard, especially those with Talent Witchcraft and rich combat experience, his attacks seemed somewhat "mediocre."

Therefore, he decided to continue strengthening his offense!

These two beam Witchcrafts had already shown signs of fusion in countless previous battles: the Ice and Fire Spiral, alternating suppression, energy resonance...

Now, seizing the opportunity of the Rules’ brief presence and his mind becoming incredibly sharp and active...

At the same time, in the outside world, the rules of the Wizard World were stirred.