Throwing money at a game doesn't guarantee strength, but without throwing money, you definitely won't get strong!

Over ninety percent of the Ember Chosen Ones are self-taught, not because they don't have the opportunity to study formally but because they simply can't afford the exorbitant cost.

To cultivate a registered craftsman, the initial investment can only be described as astronomical. Yet despite such investment, success is not guaranteed.

Compared to other penniless newbies, Ji Jue's start was like a dream.

With an enlightened teacher who didn't fuss over regulations, a senior sister to guide him at any time, and a whole warehouse of scrap to tinker with as he pleased.

But if he wanted to make progress or even speed up the process, he'd have to face the bottomless pit of needs.

Once you entered the workshop, it was like getting involved in phone scams.

A mature apprentice must learn to frequently reflect on themselves: Is there enough balance in my account? Can I still swipe my credit card? Are there any small loans I haven't milked yet?

Even, can my friends and relatives still fork out the money?

Do my sugar daddies and sugar mommies still need to be buttered up?

Faced with his current predicament, Ji Jue wasn't without solutions; after all, he had just dismantled Mercury's workshop, moved back so much material, and even if it was high-end, it wasn't that he couldn't downgrade and make do.

But are you sure you want to add to this shoddy village sword the Stoneborn Gold, specially preserved by Saints for strengthening legendary weapons with +12?

"So, you have to recognize your own position, Ji Jue."

Ye Chun patted his shoulder with a serious tone, "In the past, I've let things slide with you, but you must understand the gap—a by-blow like you, daring to compete with my legitimate daughter?"

Saying so, she lifted her chin, pointed at the refrigerator, and ordered disdainfully, "Go, fetch me a Coke! Sugar-free."

Ji Jue obediently dashed off and brought back the Coke with both hands, "Here you go, ma'am."

Ye Chun clicked her tongue, shaking her empty hand, "Chips, mustard flavor."

Ji Jue amiably brought back a bunch, grinning sycophantically, "There are three kinds of mustard flavor, which one do you need?"

"Um, let's go with barbecue flavor today."

Ye Chun lounged on the sofa, sipping Coke and eating chips, ordering Ji Jue around to massage her legs and shoulders. After enjoying her fill, she wiped her hands and spoke in full cadence, "Alright, out with whatever scheming you have in mind."

Ji Jue pondered for a moment before tentatively asking, "What do you think—if I were to open a studio and help people make fake arms and legs, wouldn't that make money flow like water? Is there any potential?"

"Unfortunately, that's impossible," Ye Chun shook her head resolutely then raised three fingers, "First of all, the Taiyi Ring forbids the sale of mass-produced alchemy products on the market without inspection and approval, regardless of the degree of alchemy involved—if it has spiritual quality and is not made from standard materials, it counts.

Secondly, to submit an application for approval, the creator must first become a registered craftsman and be backed by an affiliated workshop.

Lastly, few people can afford it."

"What the hell?" Ji Jue was stunned, "Even without registered craftsman qualifications and workshop backing aside, the price of a prosthetic limb can't be so expensive that no one could afford it, right?"

Ye Chun didn't answer, but took out her phone, brought up the calculator, typed away, and then lifted the screen to show him the result: "Based on a conservative estimate, the base model cost of the prosthetic limb you make would be around 310,000 for one."

"What on earth?!" Ji Jue exclaimed.

"That expensive? Is that what you want to say?" Ye Chun laughed, "The materials only add up to a few hundred yuan, and even with the cost of machining and electricity, it's only seventy or eighty cents... right?"

"Eh, it does seem a bit."

So, Ye Chun nodded, asking, "Did you include the royalty for Auntie's technology in there?"

Ji Jue was at a loss.

"Did you include your own time cost and labor cost?" Ye Chun asked again, and seeing that he was about to speak but stopped short, she waved her hand to dismiss him, "You might want to say your time isn't that valuable, and your labor isn't that strenuous? But you're not that penniless college student anymore, Ji Jue."

She sighed, "Do you really want to sacrifice your most precious time, which should be spent delving deep into your courses, on fruitless endeavors?"

Ji Jue had no response.

From any perspective, this period is Ji Jue's golden age for theoretical learning as an apprentice. At this stage, any apprentice with a slight advantage wouldn't distract themselves, let alone open a studio, network sales, create products, and manage after-sales.

Moreover, let alone Fluid Alchemy, he hadn't fully mastered Modern Alchemy either.

"So, regarding the things you made, my only advice as someone who grew up in workshops is this: giving them away is fine, but when it comes to money, sell them for double the cost price. Even reducing it by a fraction is disrespecting yourself."

Ye Chun reached out and patted Ji Jue's shoulder consolingly, "Although it sounds mercenary and cold-hearted, that's just the state of the world and the market.

Don't let your favors be cheap, and don't let yourself be seen as cheap by others; otherwise, you'll court endless trouble."

Ji Jue knew such truths without Ye Chun having to say them.

Regardless of how bizarre and complex market conditions could be, you must maintain a realistic understanding. Those who are out of touch and try to go against the market are nearly wiped out.

What qualifications did Ji Jue, an apprentice who hadn't even passed the registered craftsman's exam, have?

A 620,000 yuan price tag would basically eliminate him from the market.

You see, even the regeneration treatments for limbs using the Vortex System only cost around 2.1 million yuan, and some of the Chosen One's clinics even offer a buy two, get one free deal.

"So, stop daydreaming about all that nonsense."

In the end, Ye Chun handed him a cold Coke and placed the uneaten chips in his hand, again reminding him of the harsh reality: "After you're done, get back to work properly.

Master Ji, it's time to continue processing scrap."

Fifteen minutes later, after his dreams were shattered, Ji Jue, wiping Little Pearl, pushed open the large doors of the workshop once again and gazed at the twisted sword on the workbench, covered in scratches and cracks.

In the utter silence, even his breathing and heartbeat sounded exceptionally clear.

Ji Jue took a deep breath, slowly raised his hands, and as the spiritual energy flowed, the intricate Non-attack circuits grew clearer. Leveling his mindset, channeling spiritual energy, maintaining stability, and ultimately, inducing a transformation.

"Practice makes perfect!!!"

In that instant, his eyes suddenly brightened, and with a swift motion, his raised hands slammed down on the scrap longsword on the table.

— Face my Dissociation Technique!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.