One-Eyed Monster

Kadi’s confidence truly stemmed from Igor’s suggestion. Although he didn’t know if he possessed the exceptional perceptiveness Igor claimed, he was certain of one thing: he absolutely could not disappoint Igor’s expectations.

While Igor did trust Kadi, this ”expectation” was largely Kadi’s wishful thinking. Igor didn’t consider it a major issue, believing Kadi fully capable of mastering the technique. Kadi could grasp the entirety of such matters simply through imagination, not to mention he had his seniors, Joseph and Kuren, guiding him.

Of course, neither Joseph nor Kuren doubted Igor’s words, primarily because, at present, there was no better method than what Igor had proposed.

They certainly couldn’t conjure someone out of thin air or attempt to attach a message to another Spirit Power flow, could they? That might be even more difficult than teaching Kadi how to bind a message to his own Spirit Power.

Thus, Kadi, Joseph, and Kuren got busy.

Two mentors and one apprentice. Between the two mentors, there were no disagreements, only a shared understanding. This teaching method naturally flowed smoothly. Besides, Igor was there, occasionally providing guidance. His intermittent comments were more effective than anyone else’s painstaking advice because Kadi deeply trusted Igor. This trust was akin to his faith in Kevin of Guru Mountain. If Kevin was Kadi’s first mentor, then Igor was Kadi’s best friend—no, more accurately, his confidant. A friend might not fully grasp Kadi’s temperament, but Igor understood it perfectly, without the slightest misjudgment. And they hadn’t even known each other for very long.

Kadi quickly learned how to bind a message to his Spirit Power. Once he mastered this, he needed to start transmitting that Spirit Power into the Spirit Power channel.

They asked many questions, all in the secret language they had created on Guru Mountain—what Kadi called the language of ”monsters.”

”Can we send it now, Igor?” Joseph and Kuren, having learned their lesson, were afraid of overlooking something and decided to consult the meticulous Igor first.

”We should set up a few traps—Spirit Power flows, of course—just to prevent the enemy from accurately pinpointing our location,” Igor explained. He had considered things thoroughly, proving much more astute than Kuren and Joseph.

”You truly are remarkable, Igor!” Kuren couldn’t help but praise.

”It’s not that I’m remarkable, Senior Kuren,” Igor said. ”You were just too anxious, and your haste muddled your thinking. Under normal circumstances, you would be as cautious as I am.”

Igor’s suggestions were swiftly implemented. Kuren was particularly skilled in this area. With a few deft modifications, the collected Spirit Power flows changed significantly, becoming very similar to another—a tactic of misdirection.

Everything was ready. Kadi had successfully launched the Spirit Power sphere containing the message. Their preparations were complete. Now, all they needed to do was wait patiently.

The THUMP-THUMP-THUMP of heartbeats echoed within the cave. During the wait, they all remained silent, hardly daring to breathe. Even the usually talkative Kadi held his breath, waiting for the Spirit Power flow from the Two-way Channel to bring them what they desired.

They sent out numerous messages, mostly inquiries.

These inquiries were transmitted using their secret language, so even if intercepted by the enemy, nothing significant would be revealed.

They asked:

”Have those bastards from the Alchemy Workshop arrived yet?”

”Could you land a few extra blows on Kuyi Tulan for me?”

”Please describe what the enemy looks like.”

”Is this year’s extreme winter very cold?”

”What on earth are you all up to?”

These questions were quite mundane. Thanks to the secret language, they were posed very casually, almost as if they were just chatting.

Igor and the others waited, anticipating a response.

The waiting time seemed to stretch on, so slow that Igor found it hard to believe.

At the same time, Igor pondered what they would do if the worst-case scenario unfolded outside. Should we force our way out? Or should we continue to build our strength here and wait for the right opportunity for revenge? Though these questions seem distant, they are pressing, and plans need to be made now.

Igor knew that Senior Kuren and the others were also contemplating these issues. Yet, everyone clung to a glimmer of hope that the news would be good, allowing them to rest safely and peacefully in this safe house.

As for their new discoveries, they could simply transmit them using this method and then await the Great Mentor’s instructions. After all, in their eyes, the Great Mentor, seasoned by years of experience, would surely have unique insights into these new developments...

They waited in a state of inner conflict and anticipation...

The first wave of Spirit Power Feedback quickly came through the Two-way Channel...

They watched with bated breath, especially Kuren, who craned his neck so far it nearly stretched.

But the first wave of Spirit Power Feedback contained nothing!

”What...?” Kuren looked at Igor, his expression a mixture of doubt and disbelief.

”Perhaps they haven’t seen our questions yet!” Joseph reassured Kuren.

Kadi systematically diverted the incoming Spirit Power flow, various colors gliding smoothly between his fingers.

”This Spirit Power flow still contains traces of the Great Mentor’s group’s Spirit Power,” Igor stated bluntly, seemingly unconcerned about how Kuren and Joseph might react. ”At least it shows they are still over there, although some of their Spirit Power signatures now feel very weak.”

”But they should at least reply to us, shouldn’t they?” This time, even Joseph couldn’t suppress the doubt welling up inside him.

”Maybe they haven’t had time yet. You know old Kevin always drags his feet when replying,” Kadi comforted Joseph, which was true.

And so, with hearts full of apprehension, they once again began the anxious wait for the second wave of Spirit Power flow.

Their unease stemmed from their complete ignorance of the situation outside. They had desperately hoped the Spirit Power flow would bring useful information, but unfortunately, this hadn’t materialized; the first wave had brought nothing.

Could it be that Kadi’s Spirit Power was too unfamiliar, and they hadn’t noticed it? Or perhaps they had, but couldn’t be sure it wasn’t a trap?

They began to speculate, each searching for an answer.

While these speculations were underway, the second wave of Spirit Power flow swiftly streamed in.

This time, it carried a message!

Finally, there was a response!

Igor tossed the Spirit Power flow to Kadi. ”Kadi, it’s your turn. You sent this Spirit Power, so this incoming message is a communication directed at you!”

Kuren and Joseph also turned their eager eyes towards Kadi.

Kadi, flattered, sensed the Spirit Power. He then realized the message transmitted from outside was very concise, just two short words.

Those two words were: ”Be careful!”