One-Eyed Monster

The Great Mentor’s duplicate was rapidly approaching its limit, yet he still hadn’t resolved the pressing issue he’d just contemplated: How could such a large group of people be transported to another location quickly? Should he attempt to create a Teleportation Portal for them? But he was merely a duplicate now, and it was exceedingly difficult for him to perform any spells, let alone a Teleportation Portal—an art that existed only in legends.

”The adversary is proficient in the Dark Arts and shrouded in unknowns. Even I may not be confident in my ability to control him.”

”Mentor, we will depart immediately. We should be able to reach Moonflow Stream before dawn,” Simon stated. Deep down, a current of anxiety ran through him. The Dark Wizard was so enigmatic that even the Great Mentor wasn’t certain of success. Didn’t this indirectly imply that the Mentor himself was in danger?

As creatures of Guru Mountain, Simon and the others could not allow Master Guzan to walk into peril. Thus, they were restless, eager to rush to Moonflow Stream without delay.

”Don’t concern yourselves with me. I’m instructing you to go to Moonflow Stream because the extreme winter is upon us, and Grey Eagle Peak is unsuitable for wintering.”

”Is the Great Mentor confident in dealing with that Dark Wizard?” inquired the one-armed Estev, clearly the most preoccupied with this question.

”Confidence is not something I can claim, but I will protect this mountain range. That is beyond doubt.”

”If that’s the case, then we have even more reason to go to Moonflow Stream and assist the Great Mentor in repelling the enemy.”

Estev wished he could fly there instantly. He possessed some knowledge of Guru Mountain. Although, in the eyes of others, it consisted only of Dawn Peak, as a Soul Guardian, he knew the mountain also encompassed Grey Eagle Peak, Moonflow Stream, and the Twin Peaks.

Unfortunately, he was not a wizard in a holy robe and thus couldn’t harness Natural Force. At this moment, Estev felt a twinge of envy towards Bigas’s profession. Wizards could manipulate Natural Force, quickening their pace. Sometimes, watching a wizard in a holy robe move was like observing a person gliding on clouds and mist, soaring through the sky.

This meant that among those present, only Bigas and Wizard Yuga could reach Moonflow Stream in a short time. The others would have to undertake a lengthy trek.

”That... perhaps... I... can... help,” Stan Sol, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly interjected.

”Hm?” Estev was momentarily surprised, then swiftly regained his composure. He even slapped his own head, as if annoyed at having forgotten something crucial.

”What can you possibly do?” Simon and the others were equally astonished. This quiet individual, who claimed to be the mysterious Hunter replacing Dastan in guarding Dawn Peak—what special skill did he possess that could help them reach Moonflow Stream quickly?

”He can. His technique is even faster than ours, holy robe or not,” Bigas unexpectedly spoke up. For the usually aloof Bigas to actually praise someone—it was as if the sun had risen in the west.

The night wind was sharp, chilling everyone. It seemed the entire night was growing colder. The moon, which had been flickering in and out of view, was now completely obscured as the dark clouds in the sky grew thicker.

Everyone on Grey Eagle Peak awaited Stan Sol’s answer. It felt as though the decision of their fate now rested in the hands of this ancient Hunter.

”I... Teleportation... family... secret technique,” Stan Sol stated faintly. Towards Dastan’s benefactor, he felt compelled to be honest. Even with those bastards from the Alchemy Workshop present, he didn’t hesitate to name his family’s secret technique.

”Teleportation?” Master Guzan’s voice held a note of puzzlement. ”Can it be that you are from the Sol Family?”

”I... Stan Sol!”

”I never expected to again see a member of the Sol Family who could use the Teleportation Spell.” Memories flooded the Great Mentor’s mind once more. In recent days, he had recalled countless things.

Could this be a sign? Master Guzan chuckled inwardly. People often said that before journeying to the Eternal Tranquility Realm, one’s mind would fill with memories of their entire life. These memories were worth savoring; they included regrets and surprises. Although such memories lasted only for a moment, they felt extraordinarily precious.

The Great Mentor felt his many recent memories were signals from the world, telling him his departure was near and that he should arrange his affairs well. This was the main reason he had asked Simon and the others to return to Moonflow Stream; the rest were merely pretexts. He sensed his advancing age and felt his time was short. These creatures, once formidable individuals, had willingly followed him to this remote mountain range. They revered him as their Mentor. He could not let these people down. He resolved to pass on all he had learned and known in his life…

Stan Sol, seeing that the white eagle—the Great Mentor’s duplicate—remained silent for a long time, was unsure what to do. Should he activate the Teleportation Spell, or await the Great Mentor’s further instructions?

It was only because it was the Great Mentor that Stan Sol hesitated. Had it been anyone else, he would have initiated the spell long ago. The Great Mentor exuded an indescribable majesty. Even as a duplicate, he emitted a powerful aura that directly intimidated Stan Sol.

Stan Sol was not a person easily intimidated. He was awed solely because the Mentor’s Spirit Power intensity resonated on the same frequency as his own. He could sense the Mentor’s inner tolerance and strength. This empathy was a characteristic unique to his family members. Thanks to this trait, his family could easily distinguish the loyal from the treacherous. The prerequisite was that their Spirit Power frequencies were aligned.

”Teleportation Spell? How is that possible?” It was Simon who first broke the silence. ”The Sol Family withdrew from the ranks of Hunters many years ago. This declining family doesn’t even have a presentable clan leader; how could anyone still know the Teleportation Spell?”

Estev offered no rebuttal. Facts speak louder than words. After they had crushed another of the Dark Wizard’s duplicates at Dawn Peak, they had arrived here relying on Stan Sol’s technique. Therefore, he didn’t doubt it in the slightest.

Milo and the others harbored no doubts either. They had clashed with Stan Sol before. Dastan’s final madness had provided Stan Sol an opportunity to escape, and the mysterious Hunter had teleported away then. Thus, they were not surprised by the Teleportation Spell.

As for Bigas, she was naturally composed. Had she not experienced it before, she, like Simon, would undoubtedly have scoffed at Stan Sol’s words. But she had, which was why she had offered Stan Sol that understated praise.

Stan Sol made no comment in the face of Simon’s skepticism.

He simply needed to await Master Guzan’s response…

”My apologies, I was distracted again. That’s what happens when one grows old. Since young Sol is capable of Teleportation, let us begin. What more is there to wait for?”

”Then... I... prepare.”

The Great Mentor paid no heed to Simon’s skepticism. He pulled himself from his reverie and directly instructed Stan Sol to proceed with the Teleportation.

”Is your Spirit Power sufficient? Do you need to use the Ant Connection Spell?” Estev asked.

”Rest... assured.”

”Do you require any other preparations?” Master Guzan also inquired with concern.

”Just... need to borrow... the Great Mentor’s... duplicate.”