Sequence Beyond: My Wife is a Mysterious Boss

"call--"

A long sigh shattered Lin Bai's self-pity.

Clang!

Shen Shu jumped off the chair, his mechanical legs slamming into the floor with a dull thud.

She rushed to the control panel, her large, bright eyes fixed on the glowing array diagram, then glanced at the empty mithril jar beside her.

"Finally... finally it's lit up..."

Shen Shu's voice trembled, not from emotion, but from a bleeding heart.

"Do you know how much money you've spent this week?!"

Snapped!

She suddenly raised the calculator in her hand, as if she wanted to slap it onto Lin Bai's face:

"700 grams of mithril powder! 40 kilograms of scrap brass plates! Plus depreciation costs for the lab, equipment wear and tear..."

"A whole 70 gold coins!!"

"70 gold coins, you bastard!!"

Shen Shu's voice cracked as he shouted, his delicate porcelain doll-like face contorted like a debt collector:

"That's enough for an average family of three in the outer city to eat their fill for twenty years!"

"You're not learning alchemy, you're drawing blood from my arteries!"

Lin Bai's lips twitched. Looking at the little girl who was on the verge of going berserk, he pondered for a second with some confusion.

Does your body really contain blood?

But in the end, he wisely chose to keep quiet.

70 gold coins...

This is indeed an astronomical figure.

No wonder everyone says that.

Alchemy, indeed, is a "pay-to-win game" that only the wealthy can afford.

"Alright, Xiao Shu, calm down."

Gu Canglan wore his signature mild smile.

He walked to the control panel, reached out and gently stroked the still glowing array, feeling the stable energy flow within it with his fingertips.

"The outcome was good."

"Lin Bai is even more outstanding than I imagined."

"Even stronger than 99% of alchemists."

"Mastering the basics in a week... I've never even heard of such a talent."

His gaze fell on Lin Bai, carrying a mixture of admiration and satisfaction.

"You've accomplished something that many people can't do in their entire lives."

As he spoke, Gu Canglan took out a brand-new badge from his pocket and gently placed it on the table.

The badge is made of black iron and is engraved with an ouroboros reborn from flames.

Exquisitely crafted, it exudes a rustic and dignified feel.

"congratulations."

Gu Canglan's voice became solemn: "From today onwards, you are officially a master alchemist."

"In this circle, we call this stage—the Ash Apprentice."

"The implication is: We burn materials in the flame of truth and extract strength from the ashes. Though insignificant, they are the foundation of a towering building."

Lin Bai picked up the badge.

It was cold, heavy, and a little rough to the touch.

This is the first legitimate identity he has acquired since coming into this world.

Mr. Gu.

Lin Bai gripped the badge tightly in his hand, his eyes burning: "Now that we've mastered the basics, what's the next step...?"

He couldn't wait.

To put it bluntly, the Illumination spell is just for proving talent; it has little practical value in combat.

He needs real power!

Those incredibly powerful alchemical artifacts, or miraculous potions that can regenerate severed limbs.

That was his only means of survival in this cannibalistic world.

however.

Upon hearing the words "learn what", Shen Shu, who had been relatively calm, suddenly bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Study? Still study?!"

Shen Shu strode up to Gu Canglan, spread his arms wide, and shielded Gu Canglan behind him like a mother hen protecting her chicks, glaring fiercely at Lin Bai:

"What else would you like to learn?"

"Do you think we're a charity?!"

"I haven't even settled the cost of the materials with you yet! Are you trying to rip us off?"

"Believe it or not, I'll take you apart and sell the parts to pay off my debts!"

Lin Bai was stunned.

He looked at Gu Canglan.

This usually gentle and refined master did not reprimand Shen Shu at this moment.

On the contrary, Gu Canglan's smile remained, but there was a deeper meaning in his eyes.

"Lin Bai, do you remember the first lesson I taught you?"

"What is the first principle of alchemy?"

Lin Bai's heart skipped a beat.

"Equivalent exchange".

"That's right, an equivalent exchange." Gu Canglan nodded.

"As per our previous agreement, I gave you the opportunity to step through the door, providing the venue and guidance. Xiao Shu gritted his teeth and took out the materials."

"This is a promise I owe you, and it's also fate."

Gu Canglan pointed to the still-glowing light array:

"But the moment you light it up, my duty as a guide is complete."

"I've already opened the door for you. As for how to get there, that's your problem."

The air suddenly became quiet.

Lin Bai looked at Gu Canglan and gradually understood what the other party meant.

The free trial period has ended.

"Of course, you are now my apprentice, and I will still teach you knowledge."

Gu Canglan changed the subject, looking at Lin Bai with a smile:

"But nothing is given away for free."

"You want to learn more advanced alchemy? Sure, you can trade something of equal value for it. Information, money, items, anything is fine."

"As for the materials... I'm sorry, you'll have to figure that out yourself."

"It's not because I'm reluctant to part with it, nor is it because I'm petty."

"It's because—rules are rules."

"This is the rule of equivalent exchange that any alchemist must abide by."

The words are not crude, and the reasoning is sound.

Lin Bai took a deep breath and nodded: "I understand."

No complaints, no disappointments.

On the contrary, these straightforward trading rules made him feel more at ease than ever before.

Free things are often the most expensive; they represent debts of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Having prices clearly marked actually makes people feel more at ease.

"Very good, your mindset is more mature than I imagined."

Gu Canglan nodded approvingly, then waved his hand dismissively.

A thick, yellowed book appeared on the control panel.

The book cover resembled the leather of some unknown creature, exuding an ancient aura.

"Now that you have officially become an Ash Apprentice..."

"Now, we're going to take the first step that all apprentices have to go through."

"He was also a teacher, giving his apprentice his last unconditional gift."

Gu Canglan's fingers lightly traced across the book.

Choose.

Choose an alchemy style that truly suits you, and use it as the starting point of your journey!

......