Chen Shu's options reappeared before his eyes.
[Accept Zhou Cheng's offer and become the company's dedicated alchemist. Reward: All Alchemy Illustrations Unlocked, Contract Spirit Disappears]
[Gently refuse and resolutely become a Beastmaster. Reward: Moderate Spirit Power]
Without hesitation, Chen Shu chose the second option.
Although the reward for the first was extremely tempting, unlocking it would instantly make him the world's number one alchemist.
But what use would that be?
In the end, alchemists were always meant to serve Beastmasters.
"Uncle Zhou, my journey is to the sea of stars," Chen Shu stated his refusal.
Zhou Cheng chuckled. "Ambitious. If you ever wish to become an alchemist, the company's doors will always be open to you."
The two shook hands briefly. Zhou Cheng then turned his gaze to Xu Xiaoyu.
"Xiaoyu, I didn't expect your school to have such talent. You should communicate with Chen Shu and learn about alchemy."
Despite being rejected by Chen Shu, Zhou Cheng still wanted to try.
If he could retain Chen Shu, it would be a money tree for the company.
"It's after work now. Do you need Uncle Zhou to give you a ride?" Zhou Cheng asked.
"No, thank you. I'm leaving with my friend."
"That's good. Xiaoyu, please see your classmate out," Zhou Cheng said as he left the alchemy room.
"I can't believe you can actually refine potions," Xu Xiaoyu marveled, scrutinizing him with admiration in her eyes.
Although she was the top student in her year and was expected to be admitted to Huaxia University, she knew nothing about alchemy.
In fact, many college graduates were far from reaching this level; they needed time for practice and refinement.
"How can you refine elixirs at such a young age?" Xu Xiaoyu was filled with doubt, finding it utterly incomprehensible.
"That story goes back to when I was a child."
The two walked and talked.
"That day, dark clouds gathered, the sky was dim, and a storm was imminent. I was walking down the road, eating spicy chips."
Chen Shu seemed to be recalling that day.
"Suddenly, the wind and clouds surged. Deep within the clouds, a golden dragon coiled, its mouth large enough to swallow a football stadium, looking incredibly terrifying.
I sensed something and suddenly looked up, meeting the golden dragon's gaze. To my surprise, it spoke."
Chen Shu paused deliberately and swallowed.
"Then what did it say? What did it say?" Xu Xiaoyu's eyes showed interest.
"I'll remember the dragon's words for the rest of my life," Chen Shu said as he pressed the button for the first floor elevator.
"It exclaimed, 'Amazing, amazing! Young man, a spiritual light is erupting from the crown of your head. You are truly a peerless genius, rarely seen in ten thousand years. Here is a priceless treasure, 'The Art of Alchemy.' I feel we are fated, so I'll sell it to you for ten yuan.'"
Xu Xiaoyu fell silent.
"What was I even expecting?"
"So you bought it for ten yuan? And then you automatically learned alchemy?" Xu Xiaoyu's temples throbbed.
"Do you think I'm an idiot, Chen Shu?" Chen Shu retorted. "I questioned it then. What kind of thing is this expensive?"
Unexpectedly, the golden dragon writhed and roared, "Damn it, do you think I'm a con artist? We intellectuals have integrity!"
Xu Xiaoyu rubbed her forehead. "My head hurts so much."
"I can prove it, it's true. I am that dragon," a voice suddenly declared.
Zhang Dali, dressed in a security guard uniform, walked over with a serious expression.
"Chen Pi, you still remember what happened when you were little? When will you give me back that ten yuan?"
"Good heavens! Help!"
Xu Xiaoyu slapped her forehead and decisively turned to leave.
She feared that if she stayed with the two of them any longer, she would also seem mentally unstable.
"Chen Pi, how was the interview today?"
"You can call me by my other name now: Alchemist Chen!" Chen Shu coughed, deliberately emphasizing the word "Alchemist."
"As expected of my best friend!"
The two walked together. After a satisfying meal in the city center, they returned home.
"Mom, Dad, I forgot to tell you, this is the 100,000 yuan reward from the Spirit Suppression Bureau."
Chen Shu took out the money from his backpack. He had been too busy with the interview to remember.
"Son, what did you do?" His father, Chen Ping, frowned, not with joy, but with a solemn question.
After Chen Shu's explanation, his parents relaxed.
"No more of this next time. A wanted criminal who can be rewarded with 100,000 yuan must have blood on their hands; they are not someone you students can deal with."
Chen Shu nodded repeatedly. He had expected his parents to happily accept the money, but instead, they refused.
"We don't need it for now. You are cultivating your spirit power. If you need any potions, buy them yourself. If it's not enough, tell your dad."
"Don't need it? Dad, am I secretly a rich second-generation heir?"
Chen Shu's eyes widened. Their family was ordinary, and 100,000 yuan was a significant sum, yet his parents refused it.
"Don't worry about it. We have no use for it anyway," his father, Chen Ping, explained no further.
Chen Shu reluctantly put the 100,000 yuan away and returned to his room.
"Could there really be a secret at home?"
Chen Shu developed a suspicion, recalling various clues.
Uncle Zhang was a Black Iron rank Beastmaster, yet he frequently addressed his father as "Brother Chen" without any of the arrogance typical of Beastmasters. Could there be a deeper reason?
Chen Shu shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. If there was a secret, his father would naturally tell him.
He placed all the Potentia Potions from his system space on the table.
"So many Potentia Potions. I never thought wealth could come so easily."
A total of forty bottles of Potentia Potion, at five thousand yuan per bottle, amounted to a staggering two hundred thousand yuan.
"I hope it doesn't disappoint me."
With a thought, a golden slime appeared in Chen Shu's arms.
"Gurgle! Gurgle!" The slime swayed its head, wriggling affectionately in his embrace.
Although the slime's potential was only rated E, its disposition was extremely docile, with obedience to its master exceeding 80%.
Chen Shu opened the bottles of Potentia Potion one by one and poured them all into the golden slime.
The effect of the Potentia Potion was to permanently increase the strength of a Contract Spirit.
However, the increase from a single bottle was not significant, boosting strength by approximately 0.5%.
"Gurgle! Gurgle!"
The golden slime opened its large mouth and drank all forty bottles of Potentia Potion.
"Burp~~" The slime let out a satisfied burp and hopped around, appearing extremely excited.
"Although my strength is weak, I can eat!"
Chen Shu stroked the golden slime in his arms and stored it in his Beast Taming Space.
The forty bottles of Potentia Potion permanently increased its strength by 20%, enough to give the Contract Spirit a certain advantage in combat.
"Pay-to-win never goes out of style. This is the pressure of a top-tier player!"