A day later, Shadow received the answer.
And for the first time since arriving in Lootwell, the black-robed leader truly lost composure.
"The ingredients are ready," Lucien said.
Shadow stared at him.
For several breaths, he said nothing at all.
Then, very carefully, he asked, "Ready… as in prepared to begin cultivation?"
Lucien shook his head once.
"Ready as in already produced."
Shadow's expression did not change.
That somehow made the silence even louder.
Lucien reached into his storage and placed a storage ring on the table between them.
"See for yourself."
Shadow took it, sent his senses inside, and froze.
The ring was full.
It was packed with matured hybrid ingredients prepared to become medicine.
His fingers tightened around the ring.
"This is impossible," he said at last.
Lucien only looked at him.
"No," he said. "It is just fast."
Then he added, almost as an afterthought, "And that is only the first batch."
Shadow slowly lifted his head.
