The Ring-shaped Fortress, at the Merit Point settlement counter.

The area was bustling with people, the lively atmosphere tinged with the exhaustion of having survived a catastrophe.

Ian placed his Demon Hunting Jade Token into the Settlement Array.

Numbers on the Light Curtain flashed wildly before settling on an astonishing figure.

"Tenth on the East Contribution Rankings. Total Merit Points: 87,000."

The Elder Wizard in charge of the settlement glanced up at Ian, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before professionally handing over an exchange list.

Ian’s gaze swept rapidly over the materials section of the list, then suddenly froze.

"Condensed Core of a Silent Jellyfish... A complete shed skin from a Snake of the Retired Qilin..."

His heart leaped. He almost thought he had misread it.

Weren’t these the two main ingredients for the Water of Balance recipe that had been giving him such a headache?

When Kristen had given him the incomplete recipe, he hadn’t even heard of their names.

He had even secretly complained that it was an impossible task, utterly useless!

But during his trade with Sterling back then, a sudden notification from his panel had let him know that this was an extraordinary recipe.

To think the main ingredients would actually appear here!

’This is... a pleasant surprise.’

’It seems the Wizard Alliance really brought out the good stuff for the Demon Hunting War.’

Ian suppressed the turmoil in his heart, but his fingertips still felt slightly hot.

He immediately added both materials to his exchange list.

The Condensed Core of a Silent Jellyfish cost 8,000 Merit Points, and the skin of the Snake of the Retired Qilin was 3,000.

’Judging by the price of these materials, the Water of Balance is definitely the most valuable recipe I’ve ever encountered.’

Although they were expensive, if he could complete the recipe, it would undoubtedly be a Potion of Tier Two or higher.

His Merit Points rapidly decreased by 11,000.

He continued reading down the list. When he saw "Concentrated Brain Marrow Fluid of a Nightmare Beast" and "Condensed Tear Crystals of a Wailing Banshee," his breath caught once more.

"This..."

Weren’t these the two main ingredients for the Dream Potion?

The twisted Runes on that Leather Scroll instantly appeared in Ian’s mind.

So did Sterling’s solemn warning at the time: "This is a Tier One Potion, and Refining it is very dangerous."

When he had first read the recipe, he had been shocked by the unheard-of materials and the complex Refining methods.

He knew its value far exceeded 5,000 Magic Stones.

Now, seeing these two Rare Materials in person, clearly priced on the list, a strong sense of serendipity washed over him.

’The two materials combined cost 1,000 Merit Points per set. The price isn’t steep, but they’re rare. I’ll get five sets for now.’

Without any hesitation, Ian added them to his exchange list as well.

His Merit Points decreased by another 5,000.

Although he couldn’t refine the Dream Potion yet, the materials were a rare find.

Since he had encountered them here, he had to acquire them to pave the way for his future in Potions.

Discovering the key ingredients for two High Tier Potions in a row sent distinct ripples through Ian’s previously calm state of mind.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down and not get carried away.

He turned his attention to a more fundamental need: a Meditation Method.

Suddenly, Ian’s heart skipped another beat.

"[Starry Sky Festival (Volume)], 60,000 Merit Points."

Converted to Magic Stones, that was 600,000 standard Magic Stones. The price made the corner of his eye twitch.

But he knew that if not for the Demon Hunting War, he would never have even been qualified to see it.

’This Meditation Method has a grand origin. I heard it’s the master version of all Star Moon Meditation Methods!’

He had just inquired about it in detail. Even as a single volume, it was a core Inheritance that led directly to the level of a Level Three Wizard.

Moreover, it was a perfect match for his own Star Moon Meditation Method. No matter how expensive it was, he had to get it.

Without a High Tier Meditation Method, a Level One Wizard’s future Cultivation would yield half the results for twice the effort.

His panel could accelerate his learning, but after becoming a Level One Wizard, the progress of improving the quality and upper limit of his Sea of Spirit had also slowed down.

Almost all Level One Wizards relied on their own Meditation to grow slowly, but fortunately, they had long lifespans.

However, whenever a treasure that could enhance or purify one’s spirit appeared, the competition for it was extremely fierce.

"I’ll take it!"

Sixty thousand Merit Points were instantly deducted.

With that, out of his 87,000 Merit Points, only 11,000 remained.

Ian didn’t feel the slightest bit of heartache. Instead, he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

He exchanged all his remaining Merit Points for treasures that could nourish his spirit.

Five bottles of Moonlight Condensed Dew and ten Pure Soul Crystal Fragments.

Treasures that enhanced and purified Spiritual Power were more than ten times more expensive than ordinary Tier One Potions!

His resources were exchanged like flowing water, and his Merit Points were completely depleted.

But now, Ian held a High Tier Meditation Method that could lay the foundation for his future Cultivation.

He also had the key main ingredients for two top-tier Potions and a batch of spiritual treasures to accelerate his growth.

As he walked out of the exchange counter, he felt the Starry Sky Festival Scroll in his robes.

He then felt the sealed material boxes in his Dimension Bag, his eyes glinting with irrepressible excitement and anticipation.

’I have the main ingredients for the missing part of the Water of Balance... and I’ve also gotten the materials for the Dream Potion...’

With these materials, those two Potion recipes were finally no longer just a pipe dream.

’First, I’ll cultivate the Meditation Method and strengthen my spiritual foundation. Then...’

He needed to return to Shadow Moon Tower and find a chance to see Alevia as soon as possible.

Just as Ian turned around, he saw a solitary figure in the corner.

A figure stood quietly in a corner of the exchange hall.

Irena.

She was still dressed in a white gown, her aura as ethereal as an orchid under the moonlight.

But a faint starlight swirled around her. Her aura had reached the Perfection of Vaporization, just one step away from Liquefaction.

Beside her was an Elder Wizard in black robes, his aura as deep as the Abyss. He was shockingly at the Peak of Liquidation.

The people around them consciously kept their distance, their gazes filled with awe.

As if sensing his gaze, Irena turned to look at him.

Their eyes met.

A trace of confusion flickered in her eyes. She felt like she had seen him somewhere before, and his aura was also at Level One.

But the confusion quickly faded into a calm as still as an ancient well.

She gave a slight nod, a silent greeting, before turning to leave.

The black-robed Elder Wizard shot Ian a glance, his gaze as sharp as a knife, but said nothing and followed her away.

Ian stood his ground, making no move to go over and reminisce.

The difference in their statuses still existed.

Irena had a protector at the Peak of Liquidation, limitless resources, and a Cultivation path as smooth as a mirror.

He, on the other hand, had to fight, to struggle, to walk the line between life and death.

But so what?

"I’ve already made it this far. I no longer need to look up to so-called geniuses."

The words were a low mutter, and a silver light flowed in his eyes.

The resources he had exchanged for 80,000 Merit Points were enough to support him until the Late Stage of Liquification.

The knowledge from the completed Abyssal Soul Contract was a key to the endless Void.

The Abyssal Law Crystal Fragments would allow him to analyze Rules and glimpse a higher level of existence.

His goal had already surpassed the East Coast.

Leaving the settlement counter, Ian returned to his temporary residence.

Gaga was squatting on the table, its small claws fiddling with the newly acquired Star Realm Silver, its eyes sparkling.

"Ian, this shiny thing, can you make a nest for me with it?"

"This is a material, not a toy."

"Oh..." Gaga drooped its head in disappointment.

Ian chuckled and rubbed its head. "I’ll buy you something better when we get back."

"Really?"

"Really."

「Night fell.」

Ian took stock of his gains, and a plan gradually formed in his mind.

First, he would return to Shadow Moon Tower, settle his family affairs, and resolve old grudges.

Then, he would set foot on the true path of a Wizard.