Early the next morning, Ian headed deeper into the Glowing Forest, led by Hawke.

The deeper they went, the more the fog began to thin.

In its place, a hazy luminescence like moonlight enveloped the forest. This was likely the origin of the name "Glowing Forest."

The path underfoot grew much clearer and more defined, obviously worn down and crudely maintained from long-term use.

After walking for about an hour, the faint, noisy hubbub of voices drifted from up ahead, along with a mixed scent of herbs, ores, leather, and some kind of cheap incense.

After passing through a grove of exceptionally tall silver-leaf trees, the scene before them suddenly opened up.

A creek about ten meters wide meandered past. Its water was clear, shimmering with a faint, silvery-white sheen in the hazy light. This had to be Misty Creek.

Scattered along both banks of the creek were over a hundred buildings of various sizes.

There were crude wooden and stone huts, as well as relatively well-built two-story structures.

There were even a few stilt houses built from thick logs and vines, bearing the clear marks of reinforcement through Witchcraft.

People bustled to and fro, making the place at least a hundred times livelier than Hawke’s temporary camp.

At a rough glance, at least several hundred people were active here. Most were Wizard Apprentices, ranging from Low Level to High Level.

There was also a small number of Mortal Attendants or Adventurers in Leather Armor and carrying weapons, responsible for transporting goods or serving as Guards.

This small settlement was already quite self-sufficient, clearly serving as the central hub for the wandering Apprentices in this region, a place where resources and information were exchanged.

"What do you think? It’s pretty big, right?" Hawke said with a hint of pride.

"In the beginning, this place was just a few stalls set up by some High Level Apprentices to make trading easier.

Over the decades, it slowly grew into this. Look at that area upstream."

He pointed to several more refined buildings to the north, which had courtyards and emanated the distinct fluctuations of protective Witchcraft.

"That’s where the most powerful factions have their permanent bases. It’s best not to go near there if you have no business with them."

Ian nodded, his gaze sweeping across the entire settlement.

Just as Hawke had said, the place held a faint, suffocating pressure reminiscent of an Official Wizard.

Across Misty Creek, he could sense the auras of no fewer than thirty or forty High Level Apprentices. A few of them were exceptionally potent, even giving him a faint sense of being threatened.

"Where is the trading area?" Ian asked.

"It’s in the middle section of the creek. That largest three-story wooden building is the one. It has a sign that says ’Dream Weaver’s Cottage.’ It’s the biggest trading post here and also the best place for news."

Hawke led Ian down the main path along the creek.

Along the way, Ian saw many stalls set up on the ground, selling all sorts of materials.

There were dried herbs, ores of various colors, treated animal hides and bones, and some liquids or powders sealed in crude Crystal Bottles that looked like low-quality Magic Potions or extracts.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and customers haggling filled the air. Though chaotic, the scene was charged with a rough, vibrant energy.

Soon, they arrived in front of the three-story wooden building.

The wooden building was quite large and solidly built. Simple Runes with calming and protective properties were carved into its surface.

Though crude, it could be considered "luxurious" for this area.

A deep purple wooden sign hung by the entrance. On it, the words "Dream Weaver’s Cottage" were outlined in an elegantly twisted script with luminous paint, next to which was an abstract eye symbol.

Quite a few people were going in and out, most of them hurrying along with cautious expressions.

Hawke lowered his voice. "The owner here is a woman. Everyone calls her Mira, the Dream Weaver. She’s a very formidable High Level Apprentice. Her Spiritual Power is said to be exceptionally strong, and she excels at Illusion Technique and spirit magic. Her methods aren’t to be trifled with, either.

She might also have special channels for acquiring rare goods from the outside. Once we’re inside, talk less and observe more. This place has a lot of rules, so don’t go touching anything."

Ian was somewhat surprised. He had assumed the owner would be an Official Wizard at the very least. He made a mental note of this as he followed Hawke inside.

The first-floor hall was very spacious, resembling a general store with wooden shelves lining the walls.

On them were various goods, sorted by category: basic herbs, common ores, Low and Middle Level Demonization Materials...

There were even some broken fragments with Runes that Ian couldn’t decipher.

A few attendants in matching gray tunics were waiting on customers. Hawke, who was clearly familiar with the place, led Ian directly across the hall and up the stairs to the second floor.

The second floor was much quieter, having been partitioned into several separate rooms.

Signs hung on the doors: "Potion Materials," "Ores & Metals," "Books & Scrolls," and "Custom Consultations."

The air was thick with the rich aroma of medicinal herbs and the smell of old Parchment.

Hawke knocked on the door to the "Potion Materials" room.

"Come in," a slightly hoarse female voice called out. It had a peculiar, highly distinctive tone.

They pushed the door open and entered. The room was not large, but it was meticulously organized.

All four walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling apothecary cabinets, each small drawer neatly labeled.

In the center of the room was a wide, solid wood table, upon which sat a set of scales, a grinder, several sealed Crystal jars, and a rather exquisite-looking tea set.

Behind the table sat a woman.

She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a simple yet well-tailored deep purple gown that made her skin seem almost unnaturally pale.

Her chestnut hair was loosely pinned up, revealing a smooth forehead and a pair of slightly pointed ears.

Her features weren’t stunningly beautiful, but her eyes were exceptionally striking. Her pupils were a rare deep purple, seemingly swirling like vortexes that could make one dizzy if stared at for too long.

She was holding a pale yellow crystal, observing it against the light.

Upon hearing them enter, she slowly set it down. Her calm gaze swept over Hawke before finally coming to rest on Ian.

Ian immediately detected a subtle spiritual probe sweeping over him. He remained expressionless, reining in his Spiritual Power to maintain only the fluctuations of a High Level Apprentice.

"Hawke, a rare guest. And this is?" Mira asked, her voice still carrying that peculiar rhythm.

"Lady Mira, this is Ian. He is a recently arrived Magic Potion Alchemist from the east, looking to settle here and conduct some trade."

Hawke introduced him respectfully, his demeanor much more cautious than it had been outside.

"A Magic Potion Alchemist?" Mira’s deep purple eyes shifted, her gaze lingering on Ian for an extra moment.

She seemed surprised by his calm resistance to her probe. "What’s your specialty?"

"Basic Potions, like Secondary Healing Potions and Basic Antidote Potions, as well as the Middle Level Potion, the Awakening Potion. I can guarantee their quality will be above standard."

Ian repeated his earlier claim, his tone steady.

He had a few ideas, but he planned to make a decision after this initial contact.

Mira gave a noncommittal nod, stood up from behind her table, and walked over to an apothecary cabinet at the side, casually pulling open a few drawers to inspect their contents.

"Above-standard basic Potions and Awakening Potions do indeed have a stable market here.

My supply of ingredients here is fairly stable. The price is four Magic Stones per portion. You can also pay with finished Potions, or... work to cover the cost."

She turned around, leaning against the apothecary cabinet, her gaze seemingly able to peer into one’s very soul.

"However, a High Level Apprentice who is also a Magic Potion Alchemist, one who crossed the outskirts of the Silent Death Mountain Range to get here... I doubt you came all this way just to trade in basic Potions, did you? What is it you truly want?"