"Our main products used to be three," Lucas explained. "First, Blood-Replenishing Pills. Great for healing wounds. You're from North Qin—you know how our region, and every province really, is caught in endless wars. These pills are always in demand." Ethan stayed quiet—he truly hadn't realized there was so much conflict all around them. Lucas continued, "Second, Bone-Forging Pills. They're for warriors without spiritual roots. Helps them train, make up some of the difference in strength." "Warriors?" Ethan echoed, curious. Lucas nodded. "Coming from northern nobility, you might not know. Very few are born with roots—most just train as warriors. They say the greatest of them can even rival cultivators." The idea sparked something in Ethan: If he really couldn't rouse a root, could he still become powerful through martial cultivation? "The third is our flagship product: Spirit-Gathering Pills. Expensive, complex—crammed with rare ingredients, a dash of spirit medicine. After awakening, they help cultivators gather world energy and build strength. That's why Danhan still retains some fame, even in the Hanstar Empire." Ethan was quick to question, "Lucas, don't pills like these come in ranks? What level are yours?" Lucas's face reddened. "If they'd reached a real grade, we'd be rich. Ours barely count as true pills—they're some of the few even usable by cultivators here. But newcomers copied us, undercut our price, and getting the spirit herbs for more is just impossible. That's how we ended up like this." So their best-known product didn't even reach the grade of a true pill. In other words, it wasn't really alchemical at all. "Lucas, how much do you know about cultivators and cultivation?" Ethan asked, less interested in past recipes than in the possibilities for the future. Only if he could innovate would he make the gold he needed for another awakening. Lucas hesitated. Ethan's question made him second-guess this partnership—did Ethan even have the right pedigree? Seeing the doubt, Ethan quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, Lucas. I may not know everything about cultivator pills, but I'm aiming high. Before, I was focused on other things. But now? I'm all in." Lucas relaxed a bit, agreeing. "Right—the real money is in cultivator goods." After a moment's thought, he added, "What I know's just rumor. They say Chenyu's national grand magus is almost at Earth Realm—the pinnacle." Ethan pounced. "Wait, what's Earth Realm?" Lucas shook his head. "Not sure. Strong, though. Most of our cultivators are in the Human Realm, which means there are three stages—Vein Expansion, Spirit Building, and Transcendence. Past that, you reach Earth. Vein Expansion comes right after awakening. The most talented can open ninety-nine meridians. The more, and stronger, your meridians, the faster you grow." "Those of us with Mortal Roots, though… we can't open any at all." Ethan felt a shock run through him. "So only those with spiritual roots can expand their meridians?" Lucas gave him a side-eye. "It's spiritual channels, not veins." "Eh, same thing—channels, veins, whatever you call them," Ethan grinned. He wasn't actually sure—but it sounded right. Lucas shrugged. "Meridians, channels—either way, mortals can't have them. Only the gifted, after awakening, can develop more and more." Ethan's knuckles tightened unconsciously. He'd been killed back on Earth because he'd created a serum to do exactly that—expand human meridians. If he could replicate the effect here, could he find a backdoor to cultivation after all? Excitement bubbled in his chest. He'd found his fire again. "Lucas, trust me—Danhan's name will shine once more. But I have two conditions," Ethan declared, his eyes glinting. Lucas straightened up. "If you can restore Danhan, I'll agree to ten conditions!" Ethan nodded. "First, this lab is mine alone. No one enters without my say-so." "Deal," Lucas agreed instantly. He couldn't afford a second alchemist anyway. "My second: I'll be experimenting with all kinds of herbs, even spirit-level ones. You'll make sure I get whatever I need?" Lucas hesitated, thinking of the cost. "If Danhan starts making money again, you'll have everything you need." Ethan stood and offered his hand. "Lucas, let's make it happen. You made a wise choice." Lucas, confused but hopeful, shook it.
