"Master Lu, are you hiring me because you want me to develop a new medicine for Danhan Alchemy?" Ethan asked, breath held. If he was going to make enough gold, it had to be a serious gamble. Lucas hesitated. "Not entirely to have you invent something from scratch. Danhan collapsed because I sank everything into new development, but it failed. If you build on our previous projects, it'll be easier, saving time and effort." It was true—after Theodore Moore disappeared, Danhan's cashflow improved. Lucas, no man for comfort, hired a squad of alchemists to innovate. But the nest egg Theodore left behind barely covered the new formulas. In the end, the funds—and Danhan—ran dry. Locals called Lucas a madman who ruined the workshop, not knowing that even without his gamble, Danhan would have lost its edge. Decades-old recipes couldn't compete with rivals like Shengling Workshop. "If I lead the R&D, I want seventy percent of the profits," Ethan said bluntly, knowing he'd need that capital for his own future. He had no intention of sharing credit with anyone just for legacy's sake. "No way! You want seventy percent with no certificate? That's madness. At best, a proper alchemist could ask for two or three hundred gold a month," Lucas snapped, nearly leaping from his seat. But Ethan merely smiled—a calm born of countless negotiations in his past life. "Can those alchemists guarantee a breakthrough? Even if they deliver, what's to stop them from taking the recipe elsewhere? And if you sign a contract, can you really afford months or years of top-level pay without results? I'm different. I'll take only ten gold a month till the breakthrough, then claim my share." He knew Lucas had no spare gold for pricey experiments, so he was gambling too, this time on Ethan. "So I'm paying you AND giving you a share?" Lucas sighed, clearly exasperated. Ethan nodded. "Of course. You're smart to find me—you know I won't work for free, and you also know your risk is limited. If someone else wastes your funds, you'll be ruined. If I fail, you're only out a few dozen gold at most." Lucas glared at him, beginning to wonder who the real madman was. "Fine. Fifty percent—no more," Lucas relented at last. Ethan stroked his chin. "Fifty's fair—but not on the new medicine. On Danhan Alchemy itself. If you agree, we'll put it down in writing. If not, I'm off to get my official certificate—and trust me, I'll find a way around the diploma rule. Once I have it…well, let's just say you'll wish you'd agreed." Lucas sighed—Ethan had him cornered. Offer any less, and he'd find no takers at all. "Deal. You have my word. You're Danhan's chief alchemist now," Lucas said at last. In reality, dividing workshop profits WAS splitting new drug profits—new products were the only hope for revival, after all. Ethan patted Lucas on his shoulder. "You're a clever one, Lucas! Just watch me bring Danhan back to life. Oh, and loan me ten gold coins—I'm cleaned out at home." Lucas's face twitched, but he handed over a pouch anyway. "We're partners now, right? Take what you need—I'll prepare everything, and you can sign tomorrow." Ethan checked the pouch—sure enough, nearly ten coins. He'd just turned to thank Lucas when he spotted Luna Yates in the crowd, searching for him, worry written all over her face. "I'll come by tomorrow!" he called, already heading out. "Luna, over here!" After all the turmoil that morning—the doubts, the negotiations—Ethan's heart finally felt settled. He was here for now; he'd make the most of it. "Young master!" Luna's anxiety melted at the sight of him. She raced over. "Let's go home, and grab something good to eat along the way," Ethan said, grinning as he whisked her out toward the street. Truth was, that meager breakfast had left him starving. Now, with gold in his pocket, skipping a good meal was out of the question. "Chenyu Awakening Tower?" Ethan stopped abruptly just outside the guild. Across the street, a tall, golden tower loomed, its bold inscription glinting in the sun: Chenyu Awakening Tower. He'd missed it on his way here, focused on the guild instead. Luna noticed his lingering gaze and sighed. "That's the place for spirit awakening. You've been, young master." Her reminder was clear: he was a Mortal Root. Ethan caught the hint but said, "Let's check it out before we eat." Now, more than anything, he needed proof—proof he could cultivate. If his negotiations with Lucas had a purpose, it was this. Otherwise, earning enough for food was child's play. "Ah—" But Ethan was already leading her across the street. — "Halt! Only those registered and paid may enter the Awakening Tower," barked a guard at the door as they approached. "Young master, you need to register and pay before you can do anything. If you try to cheat, there'll be serious consequences..." Luna whispered, worried he'd ignore protocol. Ethan nodded. He wasn't about to take chances, not with matters this crucial. He just wanted answers—what were the real requirements, the actual fees? Before he could speak, an odd rasp sounded behind them. "Little miss, are you here to awaken?" An old, gravelly voice questioned. Ethan and Luna turned to see an elderly man—long white whiskers, robes as pristine as his air of confidence. At his side stood a young woman, beautiful and distant, her regal manner oddly intimidating. Luna shrank back, shaking her head.
