One-Eyed Monster

Stan Sol spoke casually, not taking into account Kadi’s thoughts and intentions.

Kadi had utterly forgotten his original task. All he knew now was that he had to persuade the Great Mentor. It seemed as if persuading the Great Mentor had taken over his entire mind, squeezing out all other matters.

Stan Sol found it quite baffling. He had a vague sense of unease when Kadi confidently left him earlier, and he didn’t expect this unease to come true. Kadi remained as unreliable as ever when it came to certain matters.

However, this wasn’t a major issue; Stan Sol managed to turn the situation around. Of course, this turnaround was greatly related to Kadi’s unique body. If Kadi weren’t capable of containing such vast Spirit Power and possessing multitasking skills, how could Stan Sol have had a chance to win this persuasion battle and fool Kadi? Anyone else probably wouldn’t have bothered with him.

Now, Kadi had fully placed his trust in Stan Sol. This seemed a bit odd. Kadi was supposed to trust Stan Sol, but in a twist of fate, he had forgotten his original task and regarded Stan Sol as an intruder. As a result, Stan Sol had to craft an unconventional deception to regain his trust.

This is truly exhausting, Stan Sol thought, but at least it achieved the desired effect. Kadi is now willing to listen to me.

Kadi’s current question was, where could they go now? No matter how they acted, they would be monitored by the opposing Alchemy Workshop. No matter where they ventured, the Alchemy Workshop would see. We can hardly sprout wings and fly away, can we? Kadi pondered.

Apparently, Kadi had forgotten Stan Sol’s family secret technique. His mind was now consumed with persuading the Great Mentor. Oh, no, he then remembered, there’s one more thing: how to get the Great Mentor out.

”We do have a way, but it would require your help,” Stan Sol communicated through his Spirit Power. Time has flown, he noted. I’ve already talked with Kadi for so long. The Alchemy Workshop seems to have shifted formations; they’re gradually closing in. Their apprehension about the Great Mentor no longer seems so important.

Stan Sol knew he needed to hurry. These Guru Mountain creatures beside me are grinding their teeth impatiently, wishing they could move this very instant.

”You make it sound so easy!” Kadi suddenly questioned Stan Sol, catching him off guard. ”Are you going to sprout wings and fly away? I don’t believe you have such an ability. Even if you did, you could only fly alone or carry one other person at most.”

Stan Sol couldn’t just blurt out, Oh, I know a secret technique! Watch this, I can teleport all of you out of here... Saying such a thing would be beneath him.

That would be unbecoming. A secret technique must remain secret from start to finish. Even if others know you can do it, you shouldn’t explicitly admit it, Stan Sol reasoned.

He steeled himself. He had no choice but to put on a brave face and respond in Kadi’s own style, meeting every contingency with composure.

”How do we know without even trying?” Stan Sol said. ”Things get done by doing them. We always have to try first.”

Kadi had previously scoffed at Stan Sol’s proposal. But what he’s saying now... it actually seems reasonable, he thought.

”You’re right,” Kadi said. ”But where can we go?”

”It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we avoid those guys on the other side,” responded Stan Sol.

”We’re still going to remain on this mountain, right?” Kadi asked with slight confusion.

This question left Stan Sol a bit taken aback. My Teleportation Spell is indeed remarkable, but its range isn’t that extensive. Currently, the teleportation distance is limited to the immediate vicinity. We might not even be able to leave this mountain…

He wants to leave this mountain? Stan Sol wondered, not quite grasping Kadi’s point; he had misunderstood.

Naturally, Kadi wasn’t thinking of leaving the mountain. He still had to persuade the Great Mentor to help trap Stan Sol and the others there. Moreover, this mountain was their home turf, and Kadi lacked confidence in executing his plan elsewhere.

”No, no, no, I don’t want to leave! I have a lot of other things to accomplish on this mountain,” Kadi hastily said.

”Phew...” Stan Sol sighed deeply in relief. I was afraid Kadi wanted to leave, which I really couldn’t manage. The weight on my chest has finally lifted.

”No, no, we should still be on this mountain,” Stan Sol assured Kadi.

”That’s good,” Kadi said, finally releasing a breath of relief. ”We still need to continue dealing with those scoundrels on this mountain.”

Nevertheless, the question of where they should go arose again. This was actually one for Stan Sol to consider, as he was the one who would execute the Teleportation Spell; the final destination had to be his decision.

However, Stan Sol was not very familiar with the mountain. He needed a clear target for his destination, whether it be a place or a person. As long as this target was within his teleportation range, he could reach them.

Thus, Stan Sol turned to Kadi for help. ”Where do you think we should go?” he asked.

Kadi remained rather calm about this. He knew he lacked the power to confront the Alchemy Workshop alone, but the other creatures of Guru Mountain were formidable. Once they united with them, the Alchemy Workshop wouldn’t pose much of a threat.

Among these creatures, the most powerful were Kevin and Xiso, the Great Mentor’s right-hand men.

The Great Mentor had sent Kevin to Xiso’s location previously. If we go to Kevin’s now, we can overcome this crisis! That’s actually a pretty good choice! Kadi thought.

”We should head to Kevin’s,” Kadi voiced his idea, which was very important to him. ”Maybe Kevin can help me persuade the Great Mentor.”

”Kevin? You mean that master of the blade?” Stan Sol asked, trying hard to place him. I can’t afford to get this wrong. First, I need to confirm the target to determine the range, and then see if it’s feasible.

”Yes, that’s right, that old guy!” Kadi confirmed with great certainty.

With the person confirmed, Stan Sol next had to judge the range. Fortunately, this Kevin is someone I’m familiar with; I still remember the scent of his Spirit Power. It would have been disastrous if Kadi had named someone I didn’t recognize.

Kevin is at the former location of the Twin Peaks; I can sense him. Stan Sol confirmed this internally, then let out another long sigh of relief.

The range is manageable, Stan Sol assessed. The next step is to execute the plan.

And Kadi’s full cooperation will be crucial for what comes next! Stan Sol mused.