One-Eyed Monster

Igor successfully lured Joseph into his World Setting Technique using Joseph’s Spirit Power.

To put it simply, he first let Kadi experience their previous argument with Joseph in an illusion. This experience would intrigue Joseph, as he undoubtedly wanted to know the outcome of his dispute with Igor.

By the time Joseph reached Kadi’s side, he was completely hooked.

Igor’s World Setting Technique had fully unfolded. A new scene would appear before everyone—a scene Igor and Kuren had discovered in the Inner World, something they had specially prepared to show them.

Scenes from the Inner World unfolded one by one. Kuren was truly an excellent artist; his Spirit Paintings were so lifelike they seemed almost alive.

All these scenes were intended for Kadi and Joseph, primarily for Joseph.

After all, Kadi had already accepted everything Igor claimed, leaving nothing further for him to scrutinize. Besides, he wouldn’t understand such complex matters anyway. What good would it do to immerse him in a situation requiring so much mental effort?

Kuren’s paintings indeed sent shockwaves through Kadi and Joseph. However, these were, after all, just Spirit Paintings, not a truly immersive experience. This method had its advantages and disadvantages, but the World Setting Technique had not yet developed to the point where it could function without Spirit Paintings.

Even so, these Spirit Paintings left Joseph and Kadi agape in awe.

The impact was indeed unbelievable.

Who could have imagined that another world existed within the one they inhabited? Who could have guessed that everything they thought they knew might be based on flawed assumptions?

Such a situation would be difficult and tricky for anyone.

Within the World Setting Technique, Joseph stood with his mouth wide open, utterly shocked. This revelation was a huge blow to him, and he couldn’t fully accept it all at once.

”Did all these things happen in the Inner World?” Joseph asked.

”Correct, they happened in the Inner World—it’s mind-boggling,” Kuren admitted. Within the World Setting Technique, Kuren could use Spirit Power to communicate with others.

”Did you throw me into the World Setting Technique?” Joseph asked, dumbfounded.

”You know the original purpose of the World Setting Technique. I am showing you that very purpose,” Kuren said calmly.

”Why didn’t you show me earlier? Isn’t it a bit late now?” Joseph replied quietly, his tone tinged with complaint.

”If I had told you earlier, you wouldn’t have believed me. It’s better to let you see it for yourself,” Kuren responded, sounding aggrieved. There was certainly truth to his words; Joseph had previously disagreed with them, convinced Kuren had overtaxed his mind in the Inner World to the point of irrationality.

”Uh...” Joseph had no retort. He knew that if Kuren had told him these things back then, he definitely wouldn’t have believed them.

”We can’t delay. We must go out and tell Xiso and the others. Otherwise, it will be truly difficult to explain,” Joseph said urgently, instinctively urging Kuren.

”This technique isn’t as easy to leave as you might think,” Kuren sighed, addressing Joseph with a sarcasm that was hard to fathom.

”Exactly! Just a moment ago, you were arguing with me about whether we should leave or not. How have you changed your mind so quickly? You really lack principles!” Kadi interjected, not about to let go of the argument he’d had with Joseph earlier, and he wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to rub it in.

”The past is the past, and the present is the present. The situations are different, so naturally, my attitude is different. Before a great task, our lives are like ants. Such a principle needs no further explanation,” Joseph retorted.

Joseph’s attitude shocked Igor just as much. The beings of Guru Mountain all possessed this spirit of self-sacrifice for others—a trait both precious and exceedingly rare. If it were just one person, it might be noteworthy, but for an entire group to share this trait was no mere coincidence.

”Joseph is right. We don’t need to dwell on the past; we have enough to keep us busy as it is,” Kuren said softly. He knew Kadi wasn’t entirely convinced but felt he still needed to persuade him to let the matter drop.

”You’re right, Kuren. I just blurted it out instinctively. However, I’m confused about something, and it’s been bothering me,” Kadi admitted. A question had been troubling him, and he was eager to know the answer.

”What are you puzzled about? Is it the content of these paintings? Don’t worry; it’s normal if you don’t understand the profound content depicted in them,” Joseph reassured Kadi. He felt that Kadi must have been shaken by these sudden revelations, his mind struggling to keep up.

”No, the things in those paintings are quite complicated. I don’t understand them at all. I won’t delve into such mentally taxing things. That’s why I’m not dwelling on the content of these paintings,” Kadi answered, flatly denying Joseph’s assumption.

”Then what is it that confuses you?” Kuren asked, his interest piqued by Kadi’s response, while Joseph looked rather embarrassed nearby.

”My confusion is quite simple. There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” Kadi said.

”What don’t you understand?” Igor asked, now curious. Kadi’s insight might just be able to help them.

”I’ve noticed, time is crucial, right? So why are we wasting it trying to convince someone to agree with our perspective? Can’t we just go out on our own?” Kadi asked, puzzled. Couldn’t they just leave on their own? Why did they have to bring Joseph along?

”This...” Igor didn’t quite know how to respond to Kadi.

”Am I wrong?” Kadi pressed, seeing his viewpoint as a way to save considerable time.

”There’s some truth in what you’re saying, Kadi, but it’s not applicable in this cave,” Kuren stated calmly. He understood Igor’s predicament—Igor didn’t want to crush Kadi’s spirit by pointing out his failure to grasp even the fundamentals of the technique. So Kuren decided to step in; his age and experience allowed him to navigate such awkward moments with grace.

”Why not?” Kadi asked, puzzled.

”You noticed when you entered this World Setting Technique that your Spirit Power was brought in with you, right?” Kuren began to explain gently, afraid Kadi might not understand.

”So what if it was?” Kadi was still confused.

”Let me put it this way: didn’t we both get trapped in the World Setting Technique in the Ghost Wind Valley? In the end, we managed to get out together. If you hadn’t been there, I couldn’t have left, and the same goes for you. That’s the main characteristic of this technique—we succeed or fail together. There’s no possibility of going solo,” Igor interjected. He knew that using examples was the best way to convince Kadi; nothing else would be as effective.