One-Eyed Monster

All sorts of rotten flesh and bones fell from the body of the Soul Puppet.

Milo’s Exchange Beast had found the connection points within the Soul Puppet. His ant bit down, severing the connection and breaking the Ant Connection Spell within the puppet. This directly turned the Soul Puppet into a complete Dead Object, and the various spells it carried also disintegrated.

The Soul Puppet relied on this Ant Connection Spell to maintain its operations and its connection to its master. Once the spell was broken, the Soul Puppet became like a kite with a severed string, unable to soar in the sky.

Large amounts of rotten flesh and bones littered the ground, creating a truly disgusting scene. Bunan Qi Liu could not help but retch, though none of those present had much to bring up by now.

The disintegration of the Soul Puppet released a potent stench of death, casting a pall over the entire mountaintop.

This deathly aura also caused the recently cracked stone to tremble slightly, as if responding to it.

Pedro from the Alchemy Workshop used an exchanged ability, a containment space, to seal a portion of the death energy. Otherwise, they would have had to expend Spirit Power to resist its massive surge.

With the Soul Puppet completely disintegrated and the three Black Crow leaders rendered helpless by Estev’s detached arm, it seemed everything was about to conclude.

Milo looked at the wandering arm in the distance and said quietly, ”I wonder how much longer until you’re finished.”

Once the Soul Puppet was dealt with, the relationship between their Alchemy Workshop and Estev underwent a drastic shift, transforming them from allies into enemies.

This change required some internal processing, affording them time to converse while observing each other with an air of mutual appreciation.

Estev, having lost an arm, didn’t appear as formidable as before. His Spirit Power was controlling the detached limb. Although he currently had the upper hand, the three Black Crow leaders had not yet fully surrendered.

”Just give me a little more time, and I’ll have this handled,” Estev said, turning to prepare a new assault on the three Black Crow leaders. However, it was clear he was pushing his limits. If he didn’t rest and gather more Spirit Power now, he might not last until a confrontation with the Alchemy Workshop.

The Alchemy Workshop members also conducted themselves as formidable opponents. They chose not to attack Estev at this moment, showing him a degree of respect. His previous displays of power had left a deep impression on them. To fight such a person was an honor. Not showing him sufficient respect would make them no better than beasts.

The alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop gradually gathered. Despite their ongoing mission, they chose to do nothing for now.

They would wait until Estev was ready. They wanted to face Estev when he was unhindered.

Stan Sol shook his head, patted Estev’s shoulder, and whispered, ”I’ll handle it.”

Estev sat on the ground with a sense of relief. Although he couldn’t determine Stan Sol’s exact purpose right now, he was sure that this ancient Hunter was not his enemy.

Stan Sol used his Flame Battle Pet to surround the three Black Crow leaders. He had never felt such power before—a power that seemed to emanate not from an external source, but from deep within his own heart.

Sitting on the ground, Estev smiled again. ”Now, we can face each other one-on-one!” His smile, however, still carried a hint of bitterness and grim resolve.

”No rush. We of the Alchemy Workshop do not take advantage of an opponent’s predicament,” Milo said calmly, Brad, Joela, and the others beside him nodding in agreement.

”To dance with opponents like you at the end is my honor, Estev Thomas.”

”Milo Ross of the Alchemy Workshop. The mark of our duel will be etched onto me for life.”

Brad thumped his chest with one hand. ”Brad Nuobodi of the Alchemy Workshop.”

”Joela Damon of the Alchemy Workshop.”

”Pedro Leon of the Alchemy Workshop.”

They were exchanging names, which was the highest courtesy during a duel on the Yowein Continent. Only when both parties respected each other would they exchange names.

”My honor, and yours. It’s a pity we have so little time; otherwise, I would truly like to gamble my luck.”

”The outcome is uncertain. We at the Alchemy Workshop cannot be sure of defeating you alone,” Milo said. He was speaking honestly. He was genuinely uncertain what kind of power Estev might unleash in the end. The scene of the battle where Estev had severed his own arm was still vivid in his mind. That self-sacrificing method of combat was something they at the Alchemy Workshop couldn’t replicate; he doubted even the Empire’s Guardian Army, or many others, could manage it.

”Thank you for the high praise, despite my... incompleteness,” Estev chuckled bitterly. He knew that in his current Spirit Power State, he stood no chance against these four Alchemists. All he could do was stall them...

Moreover, the stone already had a crack, and he wasn’t sure if this ’door’ had sustained any damage.

He wasn’t the only Soul Guardian. He had already reached his limit. The enemy was too numerous and too powerful; he was fighting a losing battle alone...

”I didn’t expect the Alchemy Workshop to also be interested in this Power of Darkness,” Estev sighed. He didn’t know their true purpose, but he felt that anyone trying to open this ’door’ must, to some extent, be coveting the secrets hidden within this mountain.

As the pillar of the Empire, the Alchemy Workshop undoubtedly had access to a great deal of information. Though this mountain seemed hidden, the gossiping Spiders and Crows had sold enough rumors to leak some of its secrets. Ordinary people might not discern the truth amidst the rumors, but Scholars were different. Sooner or later, those Scholars would unravel the full story.

”I don’t know what you’re talking about. The Alchemy Workshop acts with integrity and would not seek any Power of Darkness,” Milo answered categorically, having no doubts about the Workshop’s conduct.

Estev was naturally skeptical. ”Is that so?”

”We have our own reasons. The Power of Darkness, while tempting, is not our goal. We came here solely for our Great Mentor!” Milo retorted, unable to tolerate Estev’s contemptuous tone and feeling the need to set him straight.

”Looking for someone?” Estev mused. He had heard tales about Great Mentor Guzan but found it hard to believe Guzan would be hidden on Guru Mountain.

”Yes, that’s the information we received, and we found an old friend on the mountain!”

”So that’s how it is!” Estev murmured, as he began to understand the full picture from Milo’s explanation.

So, the seemingly invincible Alchemy Workshop could also be led around by the nose by the Black Crow.

It seemed the Black Crow would truly stop at nothing to obtain the Power of Darkness on this mountain, even risking offending both the Empire and the Alchemy Workshop...

Then again, wasn’t Willem precisely the type to walk a tightrope on the edge of danger...

”HEHEHEHE...” A sharp laugh suddenly cut through Estev’s thoughts.

”I didn’t expect it to be so lively here. If I’d known, I would have come up sooner. A pity the master is always so worried about me.”

The voice arrived before its owner, and the familiar sound caused Estev to heave an inward sigh of relief.