One-Eyed Monster

Kadi’s response was quite straightforward. He was never the contemplative type, preferring to express whatever he felt at the moment when faced with such situations.

He was known for his forthrightness. How could he possibly deliver flattering words?

”This experience has taught me a lot.” Although Kadi was not one for fancy speeches, he could still articulate his thoughts clearly.

”What did you learn?” Igor couldn’t help but make a playful comment.

”I learned a lot,” Kadi responded innocently.

Igor nearly sputtered. He had only been teasing, but Kadi took him at his word, which Igor found quite amusing.

But jokes aside, Igor still allowed Kadi to continue his account.

Kadi’s account wasn’t very long. He never had the patience for long speeches as they required time and thought, and he wasn’t fond of using his brain that much.

”I believe to protect something well, one must possess Transcendental abilities. Now, I feel that my capabilities are too limited.”

Kadi’s words reminded the Great Mentor of Kuyi Tulan.

In their shared desire to protect something precious, Kadi’s current demeanor bore some resemblance to Kuyi Tulan’s in the past.

Kuyi Tulan had gone down an irreversible path in his quest for strength, and the Great Mentor feared that Kadi might do the same. Thus, he asked worriedly, ”What would you do if one day, you find that your power is not enough to protect what you want to protect?”

”I would seek help!” Kadi answered immediately without hesitation.

Everyone initially thought that Kadi would hesitate before saying, ”I would try to increase my strength again.” But Kadi did not do so. Instead, he naturally answered that he would seek help.

The Great Mentor was quite satisfied with this answer. He had not expected Kadi to answer that way. Kuyi Tulan was a genius but often a solitary traveler. Kadi was different. He had integrated himself into the community at Guru Mountain. He was no longer considering things purely from his own perspective.

Kadi was not as selfish as Kuyi Tulan. Of course, Kadi also didn’t possess Kuyi Tulan’s talent.

The monsters of Guru Mountain were delighted. They knew what they had to do next. The fog of failure had lifted from them, and many things became clear, although many others remained enigmatic.

Igor looked around at his friends. He felt that his adventure was about to be interrupted. He would return to Guru Mountain, but for now, he needed to return to the Yonder Travel Academy first. A storm is coming to the world, and I must be prepared.

He had to protect the world; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to continue his adventure.

The world was so vast, and he wanted to see it all. For now, he had to make those preparations.

”We... are going to descend the mountain!” Igor broke the silence, standing alongside Hustace and Qi Liu. The intruders of Guru Mountain had taken what they wanted, and calm was restored to Guru Mountain. Igor had also found his new mission. After returning, he would have a proper conversation with Teacher Hadi.

”I didn’t expect this kind of moment to come again.” Out of all the monsters, Kuren had spent the most time with Igor, accompanying him throughout his spiritual awakening and their shared experiences in the Inner World.

But no matter how splendid the brief time had been, it was time to say goodbye. Igor’s initial goal when he first ascended the mountain was to find and capture a monster. But now, he had become friends with the monsters.

”I will return and protect this world together with my seniors.” Igor clenched his fist, full of determination.

”Parting is always inevitable in this ever-changing world. You all have to remember to protect yourselves,” the Great Mentor advanced and bid them farewell, not forgetting to offer a few words of caution.

”Everyone has their own mission. Since you do not wish to be the Great Mentor’s disciple, you must blossom and bear fruit on the path you seek,” Kevin said. His interaction with Igor hadn’t been long, but he genuinely liked the young man.

”What about you two? Are you staying here or coming down the mountain with us?” Igor asked Stan Sol and Estev beside him. These were his comrades-in-arms, and an indescribable bond had formed between them.

”I... I am a monster and a Soul Guardian here. As a failure, I choose to stay here. I wonder if the Great Mentor is willing to accept me,” Estev was the first to speak.

”Guru Mountain welcomes every monster,” Kevin said, speaking on behalf of the Great Mentor.

A relieved smile spread across Estev’s face.

”Me, want, Luona, Imperial Capital…” Stan Sol painfully voiced his intent. He had a mission to fulfill: finding his brother Tobin was the most important thing for him now. His brother was in Luona; how could he not go!

”Okay, I will definitely find out all I can.” Igor recalled Stan Sol’s story and felt as if another responsibility had been added to his shoulders. ”You come with us. We’ll go to Luona together.”

Before they knew it, everyone’s immediate paths were set. The moment of parting always brought sadness, but such moments were bound to come sooner or later. Now, both Kadi and Igor were prepared for it.

Although it seemed abrupt, the time had come. Igor staying on the mountain would not be of much help now. As for Hustace, he was already very uncomfortable; the sooner he was sent back, the better. It was Igor’s duty as a friend to ensure his safe journey.

”The journey downhill is rugged, especially during the harsh winter. In that case, I’ll have Simon escort you,” the Great Mentor said. There was quite a distance from Twin Peaks to Guru Village at the foot of Guru Mountain, and they would not make it in a day or two.

The Great Mentor certainly wasn’t at ease letting Igor and his companions go on their own, which was why he decided to have Simon accompany them.

Igor knew he was not good with directions, so he gladly accepted the help. He remembered that on his climb to Dawn Peak, he had relied on Liko and Pita for guidance and then met Kadi, his guide. Without them, he would still have been lost wandering in some mountain gully.

Everyone was ready. Kadi even ran off into the distance to dig up some fruits for Igor, fearing he would go hungry on the way down the mountain...

Just as they were about to wave goodbye, Qi Liu, Hustace’s assistant, suddenly pointed to the distance and asked, ”Aren’t we waiting for the Lord Witch to come down?”

It was only then that Igor remembered there were others with them.

Not too far away, Xiso and the Female Saint Robe Wizard were chattering about something. Behind the Female Saint Robe Wizard stood another bewildered Wizard...