Alchemists make good money; as long as they're diligent, every furnace can produce Spirit Stones. However, becoming a top-tier Alchemist requires an astronomical investment in Spirit Stones.
The vast majority of Alchemists study new elixir formulas while using the ones they've mastered to refine elixirs for others in exchange for Spirit Stones. Then, they learn new formulas, buy ingredients, and practice repeatedly.
A hardworking Alchemist striving to improve their craft is almost always perpetually broke.
Refining low-level elixirs might cost one or two Spirit Stones, but high-level elixirs can cost tens of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions of Spirit Stones. How long would one have to work to earn the cost of a single batch of high-level elixirs?
"Bang!"
The furnace exploded!
A year's hard work, gone in the blink of an eye—returning one to square one.
The rule of alchemy is eternal: "One elixir can bankrupt you!"
