One-Eyed Monster

”I just. Need to borrow. Great Mentor’s. Avatar. For a moment.”

Stan Sol’s words immediately caused a commotion.

”No way!” The creatures of Guru Mountain stood before the white eagle without hesitation. In their eyes, the Great Mentor was sacred and inviolable. Under no circumstances should anyone tamper with him.

So when Stan Sol mentioned borrowing the Great Mentor’s avatar, they were the first to stand against it.

”Given the Great Mentor’s status, how dare you speak of defiling him?” The people from the Alchemy Workshop also stepped forward. Pedro was the first to shout, Brad beside him giving his characteristic disdainful hum. It seemed that if anyone showed disrespect to the Great Mentor, Brad would strike without a second thought.

Whether it was the creatures of Guru Mountain or the alchemists of the Alchemy Workshop, they all momentarily put aside their disagreements. They stood united, protecting the white eagle on Grey Eagle Peak—the avatar of the Great Mentor Guzan.

The night wind blew stronger, and the temperature continued to drop. Bunan and Qi Liu, already shivering, now trembled even more. These past few days had been tough on the two youths; they hadn’t experienced much beyond witnessing other people’s fights. They had developed a keen habit: upon hearing the wind shift, they could anticipate what was about to happen.

At this moment, they sensed something was wrong. The atmosphere on the peak grew somber, feeling as if swords were about to be drawn again.

Qi Liu and Bunan’s instincts were correct. Just as the alchemists and the Guru Mountain creatures surrounded the white eagle, Estev and Bigas suddenly moved to Stan Sol’s side, apparently determined to defend him.

”You all need to trust him!” Estev said little else. He simply felt the opposing group was being overly anxious, making a mountain out of a molehill.

”Are you doubting my words, Bigas? Does my word carry no credibility? Are you questioning me?” Bigas felt personally affronted. She sided with Stan Sol purely because she felt questioned by those she considered weak, and this questioning made her feel as if her honor was being violated. In her mind, her status was akin to that of Biggs of the Sacred Robe! How could these weaklings question her? How could she allow these people to infringe upon her!

Thus, the people on the mountain instantly split into two factions. Apart from the two Youths still shivering too much to speak, everyone else had chosen their side. One faction centered around the Great Mentor, composed of alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop and the creatures from Guru Mountain. The other centered around Stan Sol, with Bigas—one of the Sages of the Six Systems from the Wizard Alliance—Soul Guardian Estev, and the muddle-headed Great Witch Biggs.

The two groups were on edge, looking as if a fight could break out at the slightest provocation.

One side felt the other had offended the Great Mentor and harbored ill intentions toward him. The other side felt deeply mistrusted, a distrust that threatened their reputation and felt like an infringement.

This all transpired in the instant Stan Sol spoke. In that moment, everyone else quickly found their positions without any hesitation.

Throughout this, the two central figures, Great Mentor Guzan and the ancient Hunter Stan Sol, had yet to make any statement. It was unclear what they were planning.

”What exactly are you trying to do?” Bigas pressed, showing no sign of backing down.

”What do *you* mean, wanting to interfere with the Great Mentor’s avatar?” Yuga, not wishing to be left out, retorted sharply.

Neither side was easy to deal with, and both knew that excessive bickering was pointless. They wouldn’t waste many words; it wouldn’t be long before fists did the talking. In their philosophy, fists were the primary tools of communication; too many words only slowed down one’s punches.

Therefore, they preferred a silent standoff to further verbal sparring.

They were waiting—waiting for the other side to make the first move, and also for the opportune moment for themselves to strike.

The conflict had arisen simply and suddenly. It also seemed quite trivial.

Stan Sol knew the conflict had started because of him, and naturally, he wouldn’t let it continue. So, he stood up.

Stan Sol’s movement put the opposing side on high alert. Both the alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop and the creatures from Guru Mountain adopted defensive stances. Correspondingly, Bigas, Estev, and the others with Stan Sol also reacted.

”Do not. Be. Anxious.” Stan Sol was slightly flustered. The matter had begun with him, and he didn’t want it to escalate further. But he had to say what was necessary, even though he never spoke quickly.

”Why so nervous? Is there something amiss?” Great Mentor Guzan said gently. His avatar was nearing its limit; if they didn’t hurry, it would truly be too late.

”Mentor, they want to tamper with your avatar!”

”Mentor, they definitely have ulterior motives! We can’t fall into their trap!”

The creatures from Guru Mountain and the people from the Alchemy Workshop voiced their concerns one after another, and the mountaintop instantly erupted into a cacophony.

The Great Mentor listened carefully to every word but remained unworried. This wasn’t his first encounter with the Sol Family, and he had considerable faith in their integrity.

”You don’t need to worry about this and that. Just a moment ago, I told all of you to set aside your concerns and stand together. Have you forgotten so quickly?” The Great Mentor’s voice was resonant and deep, carrying an air of authority.

Indeed, as soon as the Great Mentor spoke, those who had been clamoring were immediately awed into silence.

The mountaintop fell quiet once more. The Great Mentor’s words made those who had been fussing feel somewhat ashamed; they hadn’t taken his earlier words to heart.

”My time is short. So, please, grant an old man some peace. Can we set aside this temporary dispute?”

The experts on the mountain remained silent again.

”My avatar is almost at its limit. We need to go to Moonflow Stream; this place is unsuitable for the extreme cold of the harsh winter. So, young friend Sol, please activate your spell quickly.”

”Yes!” Stan Sol slowly walked towards the Great Mentor’s avatar. He reached out and placed his hand on the great white eagle’s wing.

”Borrowing. Mentor’s. Avatar. Is for. Spell. Necessary!” Stan Sol explained. ”I need. A. Target. To. Teleport.”

Though Stan Sol’s explanation was halting, the powerful individuals present generally understood him.

The essence was that this Teleportation Spell couldn’t be used freely at any time or to any place. It wasn’t a matter of simply wishing to go somewhere. A specific marker, a target, was required. Only with a target would the teleportation have a destination, enabling the spell to be cast.

”Everyone. When it begins. Please. Do not. Leave. This circle.” After Stan Sol spoke, a shimmering circle appeared on the ground.

Everyone did as Stan Sol instructed, stepping inside the circle and waiting quietly.

At this moment, snowflakes began to drift down from the night sky.

This signified that the harsh winter had officially arrived.