One-Eyed Monster

”If the predecessors insist on this, don’t blame us for causing offense!” Milo discovered that the current situation was irreversible, and his only option was to activate another plan.

This new plan would involve a showdown with these veterans. He hadn’t wanted to do this, but the circumstances left him no choice.

Even Bigas, despite her haughtiness, had previously vowed that no one could interfere with her plan and that no one was permitted to take action. However, even she seemed less confident in front of these three monsters.

Strength can never be visibly assessed. No one can gauge a person’s strength solely with their naked eye, nor can one measure it accurately with the Spirit Sensing Skill. Strength estimation is an ambiguous matter, and yet, many enjoy the exercise.

Bigas was one of those people. She always assumed she could estimate the strength of her foes before facing them. She paid little attention to the weak and held no reverence for the strong. She would not engage in fights lightly and would never waste her energy unless absolutely necessary.

The proud Bigas picked her fights only with those she deemed worthy to cross swords with.

The atmosphere was tense, yet Grand Witch Biggs showed no signs of tension at all. Astonishingly, she approached the mangled corpse and picked up the Obsidian Staff.

”What a unique staff,” Biggs murmured to herself, untouched by the ongoing events around her.

This surprising shift left many taken aback. In the dark, no one except Jemma could clearly see Biggs in action. They all thought no one would be distracted at this crucial time.

However, Biggs was unique. In the darkness, she was somehow able to spot the Obsidian Staff which, despite its unremarkable appearance, managed to catch her eye. The witch was indeed peculiar.

The moment the Grand Witch spoke, she had already picked up the Obsidian Staff.

Instantly, a warm light emanated from the staff, surprising everyone present.

”What’s happening!” Witch Spirit was completely lost. Although he had taken over Hustace’s body, he was still uncomfortable, glancing left and right, darting about as if trying to adjust to the new host.

Milo had readied himself for the fight, but the sudden emission of light made him retract the Spirit Power he was about to unleash. The sight of the glowing staff signified that the wizard was at least of High Rank. Milo thought that Witch Bigas had turned against their Alchemy Workshop.

But with the aid of this light, he could see clearly that it was not Witch Bigas, but the Wizard in Gray Robe. This was even more inconceivable.

How could a wizard in a gray robe make a staff emit Spirit Power? This is distinctly unusual. Could it be that the Dark Wizard hasn’t been completely vanquished?

”This is indeed a cause for celebration,” Bigas remarked casually, looking at her senior sister.

Bigas believed it to be the result of her senior sister advancing to the rank of White Robe. To her, a fellow disciple continuously growing stronger was indeed something to be cheerful about.

However, the Gray Robe on Biggs’s body showed no change. Under the illumination, there was no sign of it lightening.

”What’s going on?” Witch Spirit was thoroughly puzzled.

Even the most minuscule variation couldn’t escape Jemma’s sight. Being Heavenly Eye Jemma, he knew that the situation was about to become more complex the moment he saw Grand Witch Biggs pick up the Obsidian Staff.

Jemma wondered what the Alchemists present would feel when they met the Great Mentor. Would it be joy, fear, or a sense of guilt? The answer should be revealed shortly.

Jemma noticed a hawk closing in from afar. It wasn’t Joseph’s, nor a mountain hawk. The only other possibility was the Great Mentor’s Exchange Beast.

Jemma could see the details of the incoming hawk. It wasn’t Xiso’s hawk. This hawk had all-white feathers. It was obviously the Great Mentor’s mighty hawk.

The light from the Obsidian Staff became increasingly stable, settling at a certain intensity. Grand Witch Biggs, who held the staff, looked astonished as she found, to her surprise, that the Obsidian Staff could move on its own.

”KREEE—” A sharp cry from the hawk cut through the night sky, causing everyone to look up. A giant white creature was circling down through the darkness, looking formidable.

”Ah!” Milo gasped, his mouth agape. The white object was indeed eye-catching in the dark. He was fully aware of what was approaching.

”Mentor!” The Alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop called out in unison, their voices trembling slightly.

This was their excitement at seeing the Great Mentor, and also the awe he inspired.

The white hawk landed smoothly on a rock, its mere appearance enough to intimidate everyone present.

This was the legendary Guzan White Hawk. Estev shifted his position to get a better look at this legendary figure. Although it was only the legendary figure’s Exchange Beast that had arrived, judging from its appearance, this huge hawk was no different from a real one.

”I learned about the overall situation from Joseph!” said the white hawk.

Bigas’s Witch Spirit again cried out in naive surprise.

”Mentor! You’re really here...” An excited Milo was almost incoherent.

”Ah, Milo. It’s been a while. How are you doing? How’s the Alchemy Workshop?” the Great Mentor replied amiably.

”Mentor!” The agitated Alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop were at a loss for words. They felt relieved. After spending so many days in this place, they had finally achieved their anticipated goal. Their purpose for this journey had been to find the Great Mentor. Now, the Great Mentor’s Exchange Beast—his manifestation—was here talking with them. How could they not be excited?

”Even the Great Mentor of the Alchemy Workshop harnesses such a technique of manifestation. You’ve clearly put in significant effort,” Bigas commented arrogantly, her voice dripping with disdain.

”So, even members of the Wizard Alliance are here. It seems the allure of Guru Mountain’s secret is quite strong,” spoke the Great Mentor mildly, his voice conveying only warmth.

”Mentor, we are Soul Guardians. There is something we do not understand,” Estev began straightaway.

”I understand. Your group bypassed us, the Soul Guardians, and entered this mountain. You’re quite perplexed, right?”

”Mentor, you’ve helped us, the Soul Guardians, in safeguarding the secret of this mountain. We’re incredibly grateful. However...”

”This is a long story. Secrets cannot be kept forever. What we’re protecting is merely a legacy, solely to ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. This is a conclusion I reached after being inspired by a young friend over the past few days.”

The Great Mentor’s words greatly shocked Estev. It was hard for him to imagine that anyone other than the Soul Guardians could be privy to the mountain’s secret.

The appearance of Great Mentor Guzan was entirely unexpected. Now, hearing him utter these words, Estev was further stupefied.