One-Eyed Monster

The Great Mentor’s words plunged everyone present into endless reminiscence. They had all heard various stories about the Kayne Empire’s history of development, which was by then deeply ingrained in their minds. Just by closing their eyes, they could imagine how this empire had come to stand so prominently on this continent.

Did the Kayne Empire exist a thousand years ago? No. Their ancestors were Alien Species who were exiled, physically weak, and considered so unimportant that they weren’t even allocated resources.

However, their ancestors did not submit to such a destiny. Instead, they defied the odds, relying on their own efforts to establish the Kayne Empire on this continent.

The will of their ancestors lived on in them; they had inherited their ancestors’ noble traditions.

Now, the Great Mentor’s words made them reflect on their ancestors, the people they most revered...

”Our ancestors faced circumstances far more complex than what we face now. Despite this, they did not give up. They used their resilience and indomitable fighting spirit to overcome one challenge after another,” the Great Mentor said leisurely. Kuyi Tulan’s previous words had caused some to waver, but now the Great Mentor’s words rallied them.

”Our ancestors didn’t look for shortcuts. They used the most rudimentary methods to build a foundation for their descendants’ survival.”

The Great Mentor recounted the familiar tales of their ancestors. Though everyone knew these stories, listening closely now, they felt strangely new.

”Our ancestors, starting with nothing, relied on their own strength, step by step, to complete the explorations that defined Adventurers with Class. This was a truly monumental achievement,” the Great Mentor said calmly, looking at each person.

Their emotions had been stoked to a fever pitch by this exchange between master and disciple—all that was missing was a spark to set them ablaze.

Kuyi Tulan understood the underlying meaning in the Great Mentor’s words. His previous question had clearly caused everyone to waver; after all, the Mantai Empire and the Wensi Empire did indeed control the other Alien Species on the continent, forcing them into battle. This reality made many feel a sense of crisis, and he had intended to use this crisis to press his Purification Plan once more...

Unfortunately, the Great Mentor interrupted him, and did so by invoking their ancestors’ struggles.

He could not refute their ancestors’ struggles. As the Mentor had said, their ancestors were then a weak group, possessing nothing. Yet, it was this very weak group that discovered Spirit Power and brought Adventurers with Class onto the world stage.

This truly was a miracle...

”In contrast, look at us now. We’ve become so blind that we’ve even forgotten our ancestors’ teachings,” the Great Mentor sighed, continuing. These stories weren’t new to them, but each time he retold them, he discovered new insights.

”When faced with various difficulties, we cannot retreat. We all know this, without a doubt. However, we now have many different methods to deal with these difficulties.”

”Any method that solves the problem is a good method,” Kuyi Tulan interjected, picking up on the Great Mentor’s point. He felt it was necessary to state his stance.

”If our ancestors had thought that way, there would be no such thing as Adventurers with Class.”

Kuyi Tulan was puzzled. Wasn’t what he just said correct?

”If our ancestors had only blindly pursued acquisition, without exploring, then we would be nothing today.”

Kuyi Tulan still didn’t quite understand.

”Acquisition is easy; exploration is complex.”

So what? What matters is solving the problem. Once the problem is solved, you can reflect all you want...

”Complacency and stagnation set in because our choices have gone astray,” the Great Mentor sighed again.

”Tulan, my child, your plan is grand, but you’ve overlooked the most important thing: we are ultimately explorers of this world, not just takers. Therefore, know when to stop.”

This was the Great Mentor’s hope. He wished his disciple would be awakened by the stories of their ancestors and then gradually make amends for his past mistakes.

However, hopes often go unfulfilled. The Great Mentor’s earnest advice, as usual, fell on deaf ears.

Kuyi Tulan simply wouldn’t listen. Regarding the Great Mentor’s stories about their ancestors, he just sneered, ”Times change. Our ancestors could never have predicted today’s situation.”

The Great Mentor shook his head helplessly. No matter how moving the stories, they couldn’t sway his obstinate disciple. It was truly heartbreaking.

Kuyi Tulan had his own perspective on the ancestors’ experiences. He believed it was their ancestors’ thirst for power that led to the founding of the Kayne Empire, and what he was doing now was essentially the same.

He felt that what he was doing now, seeking new power, was merely taking their ancestors’ path a step further, delving deeper.

Their ancestors lacked today’s conditions and established systems; their situation was more complex. However, their ancestors’ rudimentary exploration definitely couldn’t compare to what was possible now.

Therefore, the Great Mentor’s stories had no substantial effect on him, other than interrupting his speech.

”Child, do you even know what it is you truly want?”

”I want to present the Empire with a fearless Guardian Army—one that is invincible and all-powerful.”

”You are stripping everyone of their emotions, turning people into less than human!”

”Mentor, as I’ve said, one must be prepared to make sacrifices to achieve great things. Without sacrifice, there can be no success.”

The Great Mentor shook his head again. Kuyi Tulan’s Purification Plan would turn people into emotionless machines. Looking at his unrepentant disciple, he still felt the urge to persuade him to turn back from this path: ”You just witnessed the resistance against the Dark Force, the Undead Soldiers it summoned, and the Death Knights. What is the difference between those creatures and the army you envision?”

Everyone’s thoughts returned to that recent battle. The Undead Soldiers, the skeleton warriors—they were incredibly difficult to deal with. Those creatures had no feelings and were practically unstoppable.

”I have never shunned power, not even the Dark Force.” Kuyi Tulan straightened his posture, showing no sign of guilt.

”Stop this, child, before it’s too late.”

”Mentor, everything I do is for the sake of protection.”

”This kind of emotionless protection, I cannot comprehend.” The Great Mentor waved his hand. ”I don’t want to see those I care about become unfeeling, walking corpses.”

”Protection demands a price. Let me be the one to bear it... Mentor, sacrifice is inevitable.”

”My child, my dear child, you still don’t understand what true sacrifice means!”