Bert City is home to over a hundred million people, yet only about ten thousand are force adepts. As for pharmacists, excluding apprentices, there are merely forty to fifty. This highlights the rarity and importance of pharmacists.

  When Master Rhine was assigned to the mine, he took books on basic potion knowledge, similar to the ones Bruce had.

  However, he didn't bring the foundational formulas, suggesting that, in terms of potion skills, Master Rhine might not be as advanced as Bruce and hasn't reached that level yet.

  Aaron finds the foundational formula books quite intriguing.

  Some formulas resemble those he has deduced himself.

  When Aaron mentions he's read them before, Bruce, with a knowing look, says, "Start with the basic knowledge. You need to go over it repeatedly and memorize it. With a good memory, it takes about seven to eight years to fully grasp it."

  "As for the foundational formulas, that's all about talent. Some people spend twenty to thirty years without mastering them, while others can learn them in just seven to eight years."

  "Senior Bruce, have you mastered them?"

  "I started learning the basics at nine, and the formulas at fourteen. This is my fifth year studying the formulas, and I should be ready to take the Level 1 exam this year," Bruce says with a hint of pride.

  Completing the basic knowledge in five years and mastering the formulas in another five is considered a sign of genius in the pharmacist community.

  "What about you? How's your basic knowledge coming along?" Bruce asks.

  "Not too bad," Aaron replies casually.

  Bruce seems quite proud of his five-year achievement, while Aaron recalls he took just over a year.

  Best not to deflate the spirits of his chatty senior, especially since Bruce helped Aaron to change the medication for his wound.

  Bruce glances at Aaron, noticing that his junior brother doesn't provide a clear answer.

  He suspects that Aaron's progress might not be ideal, but perhaps Aaron is too proud to admit it.

  Bruce recalls that he finished learning the basic potion knowledge by fourteen, while Aaron, at sixteen, hasn't completed it yet. This realization makes Bruce feel a twinge of guilt for his earlier boastfulness.

  Although Aaron made an impressive feat by killing a Vitality State force adept as an ordinary person, the field of potion-making isn't about combat or psychological tactics—it's purely about talent.

  Some people can comprehend the foundational formulas after a single glance, while others, despite understanding each word and symbol, struggle to grasp them collectively.

  With this in mind, Bruce pats Aaron on the shoulder. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Studying potion-making can be quite exhausting. Remember to balance work and rest."

  Aaron nods in agreement.

  It's true.

  During the year and more that he spent learning potion knowledge, he also had to mine, work, and train in the force, squeezing in study during any spare moments. That period indeed left him feeling thoroughly worn out.

  As time passes, a towering city comes into Aaron's view.

  Surrounding Bert City is a colossal barrier that stretches beyond the horizon.

  This alloy-built wall stands a hundred meters tall and spans several dozen meters wide, reflecting a cold metallic sheen in the sunlight.

  The massive barrier is hollow, filled with countless arched windows, each equipped with powerful imperial cannons and laser weapons.

  There are three such barriers, each taller than the last, with the innermost one soaring hundreds of meters into the sky.

  Within these fortifications, a vast number of imperial garrison soldiers are stationed.

  It's no wonder this place is called a fortress city.

  The barriers are heavily guarded, with many garrison soldiers, including those at the Vitality State and even some powerful force adepts at the Awakening State.

  The Silver Fox Hunter Group handles their entry procedures at the gate.

  Knowing that Master Scott is part of the group, the officer in charge greets them warmly and, upon realizing Aaron lacks residency status, assists him in registering his identity without any cost.

  After completing all the entry formalities, Aaron steps into Bert City for the first time.

  He has never visited a fortress city before.

  The orphanage he once lived in was situated in a sizable wilderness town, which, despite its size, couldn't compare to the grandeur of Bert City.

  This steel-constructed city boasts towering skyscrapers, densely packed together.

  As the traffic lights turn red at the intersection, vehicles on the road gradually come to a stop. Rows of private cars light up their red lights uniformly, waiting for the signal to change.

  Meanwhile, the car owners gaze upwards at the rapidly flying hover cars in the sky.

  Equipped with intelligent systems and capable of autonomous navigation, these hover cars can automatically avoid obstacles in the air, are coveted means of transportation for countless men.

  The truly successful have taken to the skies, leaving the rest of the hardworking souls stuck in ground traffic.

  The new generation of imperial citizens has a saying about love: "Better to cry in the sky than to laugh on the ground."

  "Love, how much is it worth?"

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Can it make you fly?"

  "Can it brew anti-aging potions?"

  "Can it replace your heart with a mechanical one when it fails?"

  "Love can't, but the Rhine Consortium can. Welcome to join the Rhine Consortium!"

  This advertisement plays repeatedly on the LED screens of the skyscrapers.

  Elite members of the consortium hustle between buildings, dressed in sharp suits and moving briskly. After passionately finishing calls with clients, their gaze often lingers on the ad slogans displayed on the LED screens across from them.

  Many silently curse, having been part of the consortium for years without seeing these promises fulfilled.

  After a few grumbles, their eyes drift to the high-speed maglev trains zipping through the air outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

  "Hope that damn fool of boss doesn't make us work late again today!"

  This is a wish countless workers make daily, though it never seems to come true.

  As night falls, it lights up the city like a sea of stars.

  The maglev trains on the elevated tracks flash with rows of red lights, resembling red ribbons fluttering through the sky.

  On the LED screens of various buildings, charming women with sweet voices and alluring figures introduce the consortium's products.

  The entire city lights up, enveloped in a neon glow that blurs the boundary between earth and sky.

  Aaron lowers his binoculars, clicking his tongue in awe. "Damn, this place is bustling."

  It's undeniable that even with his mature mindset, this wilderness-born mining slave is taken aback by the technological splendor of Bert City on his first visit.

  "Your first time in Bert City can indeed be overwhelming," Ava remarks, appearing next to Aaron without him noticing. "But once you've been here a while, you'll realize that we're different from them."

  "Those people are part of the system. Their lives, from birth to death, are confined within this fortress, never able to leave. They only see what others want them to see, and their sense of freedom is merely what others give them."

  "Those towering skyscrapers look impressive and grand, but after a while, they start to feel oppressive and cramped.”

  ”Even with a decent quality of life, having a luxurious apartment that overlooks the city's splendor, the sense of satisfaction and superiority is subtly instilled by others, making you compare yourself only to those in the same tier."

  Ava's words resonate as Aaron stands on the street, lost in thought, absorbing the reality of his new surroundings.

  She then gestures towards a nearby area.

  "That's where people like us belong, our world. A place where, through our own efforts, we can reach the highest peaks."

  Aaron follows Ava's finger, looking at a relatively quiet area—the City-in-City.

  Unlike other parts of Bert City with skyscrapers reaching hundreds of stories, that area has buildings that are modest in height.

  There are no towering buildings or corporate offices, just structures belonging to the Hunter Union.

  This era is one of war, but even more so, it is the era of hunters.

  All imperial citizens, upon becoming Force Adepts or Pharmacists, choose to join the Hunter Union as registered members.

  As an official imperial organization, the Hunter Union does not compel hunters to do anything beyond its formal members.

  Its purpose is to provide a platform for communication and connection for Force Adepts and Pharmacists who transcend ordinary human capabilities.

  Hunters earn commissions and acquire cultivation resources by completing tasks published by the union.

  The empire's upper echelons intentionally separate hunter members from ordinary citizens.

  Each fortress city builds the City-in-City centered around the Hunter Union, creating a world exclusively for hunters.

  This enclave features a wilderness resource trading platform, Potion Hall, Divine Judgment Hall, Firearms Manufacturing Hall, Force Gun Hall, and various hunter group headquarters.

  Everything a hunter might need can be found here.

  Additionally, there are expansive villas, parks, green spaces, and lakes for relaxation and leisure, designed for the hunters' enjoyment.

  Aaron pulls his gaze away from the surroundings of the Hunter Union and nods. "Thanks, I get it."

  For a moment just now, he did feel tempted to explore the dazzling, colorful world beyond.

  Seeing Aaron regain his composure, Ava playfully grins. "Hey, buddy, don’t be mad at me! I was not to mock you on purpose. My laughter wasn’t that loud!"

  For the past few days, Aaron has not been talking to Ava.

  It’s not that he thinks too highly of himself, but her constant amused smile whenever she sees him irritates him.

  It makes him want to press her pretty face into the snow.

  To keep his peace of mind, he’s been steering clear of her.

  "Such a nice girl! Too bad she’s not mute," he mutters.

  "Aaron, that’s too much!"

  Ava exclaims, playfully shaking her fist at his retreating back.

  Aaron had asked Bruce about Ava's background, but Bruce couldn’t provide much information. All he knew was that she had some connection to the head of the Potion Hall.

  She seemed to be a pharmacist, but her exact levels were unknown.

  It felt like she was just here for the experience.

  On this wilderness trip, she simply wanted to get out and explore, so the head of the Potion Hall casually assigned her to Master Scott, who was heading out to gather herbs.

  Overall, her background and abilities are a mystery, but her mischievous streak is quite apparent.

  The next day, Master Scott meets with Aaron and advises him to focus on his studies. In a month, he plans to assess Aaron's progress and sternly warns him not to get distracted by practicing the force, or there will be serious consequences.

  After delivering his advice, Master Scott, seemingly at a critical point in his research, retreats back into his lab.

  Aaron readily agrees to Master Scott's instructions.

  Initially, becoming a disciple was a decision born out of necessity.

  Although he has had only a handful of conversations with Master Scott during their journey, carrying the title of his apprentice has afforded him significant advantages.

  And Master Scott has never disclosed Aaron's background, leading others to assume he is a child of Scott’s family or a family friend.

  Being rootless and alone, Aaron has come to genuinely appreciate this somewhat unconventional master-disciple relationship.

  Under Bruce's guidance, Aaron officially registers with the Hunter Union's Potion Hall.

  Currently, his status is that of a junior pharmacist apprentice.

  Technically, he isn’t even a junior apprentice yet, as he hasn't passed the necessary exam.

  However, as Master Scott's disciple, he has been granted this status in advance.

  It’s undeniable that Master Scott, being one of only three level 3 pharmacists in all of Bert City, carries significant influence.

  Because of this, no one underestimates Aaron's potential.

  Bruce takes Aaron on a tour of the Hunter Union, explaining the roles and locations of various departments and discreetly pointing out which individuals are best avoided.

  In the evening, Bruce leads Aaron to a three-story villa with over 700 square meters of garden space.

  "Here you go, a gift from our master. Here are the keys. The place has been cleaned up for you. Go on in!"

  "Uh..." Aaron stands there, stunned.

  It's not an act; he's genuinely taken aback.

  Having led a life of constant upheaval and always dreaming of having a home, he never imagined it would happen so suddenly—and in such a luxurious manner.

  "Don't get too sentimental," Bruce advises. "Our master has several more villas like this, all allocated by the Hunter Union. As your senior, let me tell you—cars and houses, these are just basic amenities in our world."

  As a renowned genius pharmacist in Bert City, Bruce is well accustomed to this lavish lifestyle.

  For ordinary people, life's hardships are hard to escape.

  But for geniuses, once their talents are recognized, the world tends to embrace them. This is especially true for force adepts.

  In Bert City, out of a billion imperial citizens, only ten thousand are force adepts.

  Each one is a rare gem, one in a hundred thousand.

  And pharmacists are even rarer, one in a million.

  For these talents, it's unthinkable to let them worry about mundane things like housing.

  "Your primary task now is to dive into potion studies and quickly become a pharmacist," Bruce advises.

  "Thank you for the reminder, senior brother," Aaron replies.

  He’s not naive; just two weeks ago, he was a slave in a mine. Now, he's suddenly considered a genius. The stark contrast is overwhelming, and he needs some time to adjust.

  "Alright, I'm heading back. Didn't sleep well out in the wilderness, I need to catch up on some rest," Bruce says with a yawn before turning to leave.

  Aaron feels a warm sense of gratitude.

  Senior Bruce is really quite decent, he muses.

  ……

  Half a month later.

  "Welcome to the House of the Bronze Tree," reads the computer screen.

  On the computer screen, a bronze tree extends its branches in various directions. At the end of each branch, a fruit appears—each one an open bronze eye.

  After a brief moment, the bronze eyes close in unison.

  Aaron successfully logs into the House of the Bronze Tree.

  Honestly, each time he logs in, he instinctively feels that these eyes seem to be alive, possessing awareness.