Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

laboratory.

Ian lay on the bed next to the lab table, breathing evenly and deeply, with parchment covered with formulas spread out beside him.

The quack nestled on his shoulder, its wings brushing against his ears like a warm shadow.

The midday sunlight filtered through the metal grille of the courtyard, cutting out long, thin patches of light on the ground.

Ian's eyelashes trembled slightly as he opened his eyes.

He straightened up, his bones crackling slightly, and his mental energy swept across the lab table like a tidal wave.

The dark amber crystal tube stood quietly on the stand.

Inside the tube, the liquid flowed slowly like solidified lava, with fine, earthy-yellow veins swirling and intertwining deep within.

Deep within, the faint outline of a mountain range looms in and out, exuding a heavy and ancient aura.

Ian reached out and picked it up; his fingertips felt icy cold, and he could feel a pulse beating inside the liquid.

One after another, resonating with the earth's veins.

He closed his eyes and sensed for a full ten minutes before slowly opening them.

"It's a success," he muttered to himself, "but there are limitations."

Gaga raised its head, its black bean-like eyes fixed on the medicine, and rubbed its cheek against his.

"So, Ian, are you going to eat?"

"Not for now," Ian shook his head.

"I possess the [Seed of Stars], which is more in line with the rules of stars and time, and the bloodline of the earth... These can be used as backup options, but not the main path."

He walked out of the laboratory and pushed open the metal door to the courtyard.

The midday sun shone down, illuminating the half-withered golden oak tree.

Old Finn was organizing the ledgers in the front hall when he heard footsteps. He looked up and a look of concern flashed across his aged face.

"I slept for less than six hours."

"That's enough. Tell Edel to come over here."

Ian turned to look in the direction of the laboratory, his eyes gleaming with silver light.

Tell her... there's something she needs here.

Twenty minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Adele, dressed in a dark blue robe, strode in, followed by Delia, whose gaze immediately fell upon the open laboratory door.

"Ian," Adele stopped three steps in front of the lab table, "Old Finn said..."

"Look at this." Ian didn't explain much and directly picked up the [Earth Tyrant Potion].

The crystal tube gleamed with a dark amber luster in the sunlight.

Adele's pupils contracted.

She stretched out her hand, her fingertips hovering an inch above the tube wall, without touching it directly.

Deep within the deep blue pupils, pale silver patterns belonging to the "Time Mark" bloodline quietly emerged.

"boom!"

The moment she felt the medicinal liquid, a picture exploded in her mind.

Majestic mountains rise abruptly from the ground, rocks crumble and reform, and a deep roar echoes from the depths of the earth.

A powerful, profound, and almost primal force surged in the opposite direction of her perception, causing ripples to spread across her mental sea!

Edel swayed, but Delia caught her on the shoulder.

"This...this is..."

Her expression changed drastically as she stared intently at the potion in Ian's hand.

"A second-tier potion? No, that's not right, this energy fluctuation is already close to the peak of the second tier..."

Ian flicked the tube wall with his fingertip.

"Thump!"

A deep rumble echoed in the courtyard, and the half-withered golden oak leaves rustled.

The illusory mountain shadows deep within the medicinal liquid suddenly became clear for a moment, emanating a chilling sense of oppression.

"【Earth Tyrant Potion】", Ian said calmly.

"This is what I've accomplished in just over half a month. Thank you so much for your support."

Adele's breath hitched: "I..."

"Let me finish," Ian interrupted her, handing her the potion.

"This is a second-tier bloodline potion; it's quite effective."

He raised his first finger: "After taking it, the body will be permanently strengthened, and the strength will reach the level of a late-stage Level 2 Body Refinement Wizard... The bone strength will be comparable to that of a Level 2 Extraordinary Creature."

Adele's throat bobbed, and her palms were sweaty.

Ian raised his second finger: "The additional [Child of the Ley Line] trait... is a top-tier ability for reconnaissance and risk avoidance."

Delia couldn't help but gasp, her fingers on Adele's shoulder tightening slightly.

Ian raised his third finger, a silver glint flashing in his eyes.

"It can also gain an extremely powerful ability, [Usa's Body]."

You can transform for five minutes each day, during which half of the damage is transferred to the ley lines.

Its own strength and defense are increased fivefold, and its attacks are accompanied by shockwaves, enough to pierce through defensive magic of the same level.

The courtyard was deathly silent.

Only the medicinal liquid, driven by the illusory shadows of the mountains, emitted a low, pulsating sound like a heartbeat.

The sound struck the wall and bounced back, as if the entire workshop was trembling slightly.

Adele stared at the potion, the light in her deep blue eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Shock, elation, disbelief, and the hope of escaping from the brink of death.

A mix of emotions swirled on her face, eventually solidifying into an almost fiery resolve.

"What about its side effects?" she asked in a hoarse voice.

Such a potent drug must have significant side effects, right?

Ian nodded and tucked one finger away.

"There are two points. First, being away from the earth for a long time will gradually weaken you, and the longer you are away from the earth, the more obvious the decline will be."

Secondly, personality traits are influenced by earthy qualities, adding a tendency towards stubbornness and inflexibility.

He paused, lowering his voice.

"The most troublesome thing is... when trying to become a level three wizard, you need to break free from the 'shackles' brought by this bloodline."

This means that an additional barrier needs to be overcome on the path to promotion.

Edel remained silent for three breaths.

Then, she chuckled softly, and the whole room lit up.

"Ian, do you know what I need most right now?"

"I know," Ian said, looking directly at her, "time, and power."

"Yes." Adele stepped forward and reached out to grasp the crystal tube.

The pulse of the medicine traveled through my palm, heavy and forceful.

Yet it carries a reassuring sense of solidity.

She felt that power, and her fingers trembled slightly.

"Father is in a coma, the elders have taken power, and my eldest and second eldest brothers are joining forces to suppress him..."

"As the seventh in line to the throne, do I not need to talk about the future yet?"

She raised her head, her eyes sparkling with silver veins.

"What I lack is the power I can hold in my hands right now, the power that will allow me to survive in the Colosseum."

And, the power that will allow me to stand firm before the final battle in the ruins!

Ian looked at her: "So, have you thought about your payment?"

"Of course." Adele gripped the potion tightly, her knuckles turning white.

What do you want?

"Star Crystallization," Ian said, enunciating each word clearly.

"A large amount of star crystals, and star fragments would be even better."

Adele's breath hitched.

Star Crystals are not ordinary resources.

Those are rare minerals that involve the rules of the stars, and their production in the Central Continent is also limited.

Most of them are monopolized by level four or higher Morning Star Wizards or top families.

Given her current situation...

"It's difficult," she said through gritted teeth, "but I still have other options."

Ian raised an eyebrow. Even the most down-on-their-luck family scions still have some underlying strength.

Adele took a deep breath: "Fifth sister Aisha, she is a senior potion master in the family and has a stable supply of star crystals."

The fact that she was willing to send so many resources before shows that she is optimistic about our cooperation.

She paused, a calculating glint in her eyes.

"I can exchange this for closer cooperation in the future. I can give her a share of the monthly supply of Starshine Potions and Bloodline Potions, and lower the price by half."

"And another thing," she said, her voice growing deeper.

"Some of the non-core assets left by my mother... can be quietly sold off."

Although it will attract the attention of the elders, as long as the operation is discreet, a batch should be able to be assembled before the assessment.

Ian looked at her.

The girl in the dark blue robe stood ramrod straight, her hand holding the medicine as steady as a rock.

His eyes held a ruthless determination, as well as a burning desire to seize hope in dire straits.

"I can give you the potion first," Ian said slowly, "and you'll need more than one later."

Adele's pupils contracted: "What?"

"There are at least two more [Earth Tyrant Potions] left, I'll give them to you in a few days."

One is for your own use, to deal with the gauntlet battles in the arena; the other two... are for your trusted confidants who are worth cultivating.

However, taking the Bloodline Elixir requires a neutralizing agent, which isn't too difficult to obtain; you'll need to figure out a way to get it yourself.

He paused, a hint of deeper meaning in his voice.

"Edel, you are the seventh in line to inherit the family business."

To have come this far, it's impossible that Delia was the only person who could be relied upon.

Previously, we lacked the resources to support them; now, with this, you can begin cultivating a real team.

Adele's throat bobbed as she stared at the vial, her eyes finally reddening.

She blinked hard to clear the moisture from her eyes, her voice low and hoarse.

"Ian, you..."

"Don't be so moved," Ian interrupted her, his eyes calm.

"This is a deal: you take the Star Crystal in exchange for my technology and achievements."

The more crystals you collect, the stronger I will become, and the faster I can refine potions.

The stronger I become, the better the potions I can concoct; it's a virtuous cycle.

He tapped the lab bench lightly with his fingertip. "On the condition that you can show me 'sincerity' that satisfies me."

Edel took a deep breath and carefully stored the potion into her dimensional ring.

The movements were so solemn, as if they were accepting fate.

"Two days," she said, raising her eyes, the silver lines in them shining brightly.

"Give me two days, and I will deliver the first batch of Star Crystals to you, no less than twenty standard units."

Ian smiled and said, "I'll wait for you."

Adele turned to leave, then stopped and looked back at him.

"Ian, if... if I ultimately fail, if the Legacy perishes in the end..."

"Then our deal is off," Ian said calmly.

"But before that, I will keep my promise."

Adele smiled, and this time it was a genuine smile.

"That's enough."

She led Delia away from the courtyard quickly, their footsteps disappearing outside the workshop.

Old Finn stepped out from the doorway, his aged face displaying a complex expression.

"Wizard Marcus, it will be difficult for Miss to obtain twenty Star Crystals within three days."

"I believe she can."

Ian turned and walked back to the lab, his voice drifting back.

The quack flew to his shoulder and nuzzled his face.

"Ian, did you make a bad deal?"

"Hehe, this is an investment," Ian corrected, a silver glint in his eyes.

"Using technology to exchange for resources, and using resources to accelerate growth, this is the path that potion masters should take."

He looked at the remaining blood essence materials on the experimental table, and pale golden threads appeared in his palm.

"Before she brings the crystals back," he said, looking at Gaga.

"We need to refine another batch of blood essence. You're not far from the second tier..."

Gaga's little eyes lit up; it had longed for that blood essence.

"In a little while, I'll be a second-tier familiar too!"