One-Eyed Monster

Kuyi Tulan could never have imagined that so many people would disappear in such a short span of time. He had been planning how to take away the blue-skinned individual beside the Great Mentor, but before his plan could even be formulated, the target vanished. This stunned Kuyi Tulan.

”Chief?” Milo, standing to the side, was no stranger to this phenomenon; he had encountered it once before when he fought Stan Sol, Dastan, and the others. This time, however, he was deeply shocked to experience the spell so closely and without obstruction.

”It’s an ancient spell. They’ve taken the Great Mentor away,” Kuyi Tulan stated.

”Chief, the Great Mentor... just now...” Milo was still somewhat puzzled by the Great Mentor’s recent actions.

”Different philosophies, unable to reach a consensus,” Kuyi Tulan replied calmly.

”So... what should we do now?” Pedro, who was nearby, was somewhat unsure about their next course of action. He didn’t know whether to continue observing on the mountain or to initiate an aggressive, sweeping search of the entire area. Their Spirit Power was recovering rapidly, and they were fully capable of creating more Exchange Beasts to conduct a thorough search of the mountain without difficulty.

”Descend the mountain!” Kuyi Tulan declared without the slightest hesitation. He understood their current situation clearly but chose not to take aggressive action.

”We’ve finally found the Great Mentor, Chief. Are we really going back just like that?” Joela and the others were somewhat unwilling to accept this outcome.

”Descend the mountain!” Kuyi Tulan repeated, his voice firm and unwavering, offering no further explanation.

Such was Kuyi Tulan’s decisiveness that the others could not voice many complaints. Even Joela, who had voiced objections just moments before, now fell silent.

Kuyi Tulan also wished he could spend more time with the Great Mentor, but the development of events had far exceeded his expectations. He knew he had to let go.

Now, for the first time in many years, he had completely released this burden from his mind, and he instantly felt a great sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted.

He had always valued the Great Mentor too highly. From the moment the Great Mentor sealed his spells and departed the Alchemy Workshop with that group of ’monsters,’ Kuyi Tulan’s mind had known no peace. He had placed far too much importance on the Great Mentor’s opinion of him.

For so many years, he had longed to find the Great Mentor, hoping to demonstrate his achievements. His research on Spirit Cores had reached maturity, yet without the Great Mentor’s acknowledgment, he always felt something was lacking. Now that he had finally found the Great Mentor on Guru Mountain, he had initially intended to win her support. Who would have thought, however, that the situation would unfold so differently from his imagination? Everything was running counter to his wishes, completely beyond his control.

Therefore, he came to a profound realization: the Great Mentor would never stand with him. This was a scenario she was unwilling to see, yet it was also a truth he was powerless to change.

Kuyi Tulan had originally believed that upon meeting the Great Mentor and gaining her approval, he could justifiably reclaim these Spirit Cores. But things didn’t turn out as he wished. He hadn’t received support from anyone.

The Alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop naturally understood the significance of the Spirit Cores. They felt it was necessary to speak with the Great Mentor again; after all, the Spirit Cores were the culmination of the arduous efforts of most people in the Alchemy Workshop, and they were not prepared to abandon them so readily.

However, their Chief disagreed. Their Chief had decided they would descend the mountain.

Descending the mountain meant relinquishing their claim, a surrender that left them feeling somewhat resentful.

”I know the resentment you hold in your hearts,” Kuyi Tulan began, ”but things have not gone as we wished. The Great Mentor can no longer walk alongside us.” A good leader must always be considerate of his subordinates. At such times, it is crucial to make them understand that his decision is not driven by emotion. Kuyi Tulan understood this, so he wanted to convey to his followers the principle that ’those with differing goals cannot travel the same path.’

Regardless of what the Great Mentor was like previously, or how much kindness they had received from her, none of it could alter the path they were now set upon. Their path differed from the one the Great Mentor had chosen; it could not be forced.

”We will descend the mountain and regroup. The Alchemy Workshop still has a very long journey ahead.”

”But, the Spirit Cores...” Pedro still felt it was a pity. He was Kuyi Tulan’s most steadfast supporter.

”We possess a unique form of spellcraft; there’s no need to be overly concerned about those,” Kuyi Tulan stated truthfully. He had no desire to provoke conflict on this mountain now, even though he was confident in his ability to lead the Golden Seats to overwhelmingly defeat anyone here. But he felt it was no longer necessary. He had already achieved his objective.

Kuyi Tulan took out the letter he carried. He gazed at it once more. This would be the last time he read it.

”May the Stars in heaven bless you.” After his prayer, Kuyi Tulan crushed the letter into pieces, letting them scatter in the wind.

The Alchemists understood the significance of this letter to their Chief. Now that the letter was gone, it signified that their Chief had truly made a complete break with the Great Mentor.

”If we meet again in the future, we may be enemies,” Kuyi Tulan announced. ”But regardless, we must demonstrate that our chosen path was the correct one. Everyone, we must continue to strive harder!”

”Yes, Chief!”

”Yes!”

”Yes!”

The Alchemists were once again inspired by Kuyi Tulan, their confidence surging. They resolved to achieve great things to show the Great Mentor. When they met her again, they would make the Great Mentor understand that some things simply had to be done by someone.

”Descend the mountain!” Kuyi Tulan declared with a flick of his sleeve. I must let go of this burden. Next, the Alchemy Workshop must regroup. All these years of searching have finally yielded an answer. We have our answer now.

Just as everyone from the Alchemy Workshop prepared to descend, Milo remained rooted to the spot, unmoving.

”Milo, what’s wrong? Didn’t you understand what the Chief said?” Pedro asked.

”No, I understand everything the Chief said,” Milo replied. ”But... are we just going to descend like this? What about this one?” He pointed to a translucent, floating object in mid-air.

Only then did the other Alchemists notice that someone had indeed been left behind.

It turned out Stan Sol hadn’t teleported everyone away; he had missed one...

And the one left behind was none other than the once-arrogant Witch Spirit from the foot of the mountain.

”Bring it. It belongs to the Wizard Alliance; it will eventually be of use,” Kuyi Tulan said without turning his head.

”Also, that One-Eyed Monster, we should also...”

”There’s no rush for that one!” Kuyi Tulan cut Milo off. ”We will meet again eventually, but not now. At present, we are in no position to engage the Great Mentor in battle!”

”Yes, Chief!”