One-Eyed Monster

Igor surveyed the surroundings; Guru Mountain had drastically changed.

He didn’t know whether it was due to seasonal change or some other reason. In any case, the present Guru Mountain was totally different from what he had seen before.

Guru Mountain used to be a green expanse as well, but the green back then felt lifeless compared to the lush vibrancy now. To be precise, the green color from before had a dull, lifeless feel, unlike the vibrant life all around now.

Igor once asked if it was the season causing the change in greenery. Master Guzan shook his head and clearly informed him it wasn’t the case. The change was due to the seal on Guru Mountain. Master Guzan also suggested Igor visit Dawn Peak, which had undergone earth-shattering changes as well.

Igor had been journeying back and forth on Guru Mountain, rarely seeing Kadi. Kadi was undergoing special training with various monsters, so appearances were scarce.

Through his interactions with the mountain monsters, Igor learned a great deal and shared many insights with them. These monsters, once the Empire’s elite, found Igor’s peculiar experiences intriguing—especially when he spoke of Guru Mountain as a passageway for an invisible enemy. They expressed how surprising it was that their bodies could serve as the first line of defense for the continent’s populace.

Through mutual exchange and learning, they gradually also became Luona’s contacts.

The actions of Elder Rostellum caught the attention of these monsters. When they saw Rostellum directing mountain folks to maintain those Rum Fruits, they realized this politician had some worth. Though greedy, at least he knew not to excessively strip resources from Guru Mountain but let it prosper—an admirable trait.

Igor relayed Rustellum’s actions word for word to Perkins, who was dealing with gold shortages in the Gold Room...

Fortunately, Guru Mountain’s Goodley was a scholar—one of the Empire’s best—who effortlessly solved Luona’s gold coin shortage issue.

The Gold Room’s shortage stemmed from large expenditures, with funds going to the Guardian Army and defenses against external threats. Governor Rostov didn’t act recklessly. The monsters of Guru Mountain were willing to collaborate with such a governor, as they all faced a common enemy now, unbeknownst to the people. Even if people knew, it wouldn’t change anything—only induce more panic. At this moment, Guru Mountain’s Rum Fruits contributed by ensuring the elites spent hoarded money on them, a decent method. However, the money earned this way must not go to the merchants’ guild, as they would subtract many fractions and pay minimal tax. Elder Rustellum directly monopolized this financial path, compelling merchants to pay directly to the administrative office, then continue taxing the guild on profits. Such direct market involvement by the administrative office could effectively generate gold coins for them and eliminate the need to kowtow to the guild’s old men during critical times.

Goodley explained these matters in detail to Igor, urging him to hasten the City Administrative Office’s appointment of Rostellum as chief administrator to increase revenue. Igor faithfully conveyed this to Perkins, who presented it to Governor Rostov and Dean Hoffman. Both were amazed at Igor’s intelligence.

Even the City Administrative Office’s intelligence officers conducted secret investigations, discovering astonishingly that Elder Rostellum had stored a roomful of gold bars in the Gaga County Administrative Office!

All the gold bars bore the administrative office’s seal, meaning Elder Rostellum hadn’t treated them as private assets...

This revelation shocked Governor Rostov, prompting him to summon Aevernan from Liuli City for insights on Rustellum.

Ultimately, Governor Rostov decided to bring Rustellum over to assist Louvkat in managing finances.

Moreover, Rustellum had to bring all the gold bars to cover the City’s Administrative Office’s expenses...

If Elder Rostellum learned that his hard-earned gold was being divided up this way, he’d fly into a rage against Igor and company.

Although he hadn’t claimed the glittering items as his, Elder Rostellum hated to see them slide from his grasp. He preferred accumulation over depletion, the more the merrier with shiny gold.

”I wonder if the Sol Brothers will come to Guru Mountain,” Igor mused, knowing from Perkins’ communication yesterday that the Sol Brothers were coming to escort the gold bars and Rostellum to Luona. He hoped for a chance to meet them.

But his cultivation tasks were heavy, making it impossible to leave the mountain. Starting afresh would waste time if he left. It would be ideal if the Sol Brothers came, but they had tasks too, so it wouldn’t be easy for them to come.

Igor hung his head, knowing that after the Eagle Eye Training he must attend Time Leap training as Mr. Arnold demanded promptness.

Significant changes had occurred on the mountain, and Igor himself had also transformed. He felt many things started here; surely there would be new discoveries. He diligently trained on the mountain, thoroughly pursued overlooked aspects.

The Guru Mountain monsters trained Igor and Kadi every day. They believed imparting all skills to the two youths was essential, as if the world’s future rested on their shoulders.

In another corner of Guru Mountain, Kadi skipped alongside Simon. Kadi had trouble mastering Ghost Shadow Dance, having suffered many beatings from Kevin.

”Once you perfect these steps, finding Igor won’t be as troublesome!”

”Why can’t I learn Time Leap!” Kadi complained, upset that Kevin said for now he could only train in physique techniques.

”Because you’re not suited for it!” Kevin lounged under a giant tree, leisurely remarked.

”Kevin, can you stop interrupting and confusing him? Is he even learning these steps!” Simon snapped, annoyed with Kevin’s endless interference during Kadi’s training.

”My fault...” Kevin quickly sat up, greeting Simon.

”Looks like there’s an Exchange Beast coming—Master’s White Eagle,” Simon noticed a flying beast in the distance, alerting Kevin.

”Let me check it out,” Kevin stood and made his way toward the direction.