One-Eyed Monster

Integration is not an easy thing.

It is a process of mutual understanding. Whether it’s Kuyi Tulan or the Shadow Ghost, both are embodiments of pride and arrogance. They inherently cannot tolerate others, and now being asked to lower themselves to communicate with others is an awkward matter.

The best way to understand each other is through communication, and they have had many exchanges.

However, throughout these many exchanges, they haven’t found common ground between them.

Even as they each lowered their stance, they still couldn’t achieve a unified goal. This process of mutual understanding gradually began to change in nature, and it truly was a difficult thing to comprehend.

Each taking a step back would naturally open broad horizons, but these two guys remain as they were, refusing to yield or retreat.

For some unknown reason, they suddenly found themselves at a stalemate.

The rationale is simple: proud people always have a dogmatic view of things. They won’t agree with others’ viewpoints, always trying to overturn others’ statements.

Now, the situation between the Shadow Ghost and Kuyi Tulan is exactly that. They are constantly clashing over trivial matters. Each expressing opinions endlessly, you disagree with me, I disagree with you, with harsh words being traded, neither yielding.

Initially, they just had a dispute over a tiny point, much like before when there was disagreement over whether to be called Kuyi Tulan or Shadow Ghost after integration, with neither wanting to abandon their familiar side. Arguments followed. Once arguing started, nothing good came out of it, with all sorts of words flying around.

Mutual mockery, mutual disdain, mutual neglect.

”Look at your body, it can’t withstand any hardships, I told you before, you have high aspirations but a fragile destiny.”

”If your capabilities were so great, why did you still lose?”

”Isn’t it because your body is dragging me down?”

”My body, squandered by you, and now you turn around and say it’s my fault, this is utter nonsense.”

The two of them argued there, seeming to have forgotten their previous words.

Although time means nothing significant to them, continuing such pointless bickering is also meaningless.

They both believe their own strength is formidable, caring not how the other acts. Yet, they continuously forget they just lost a decisive battle. Indeed, the previous failure was due to incomplete integration, but don’t forget, their integration remains incomplete, and continuing like this will lead to repeated failures.

However, for some reason, proud people always disregard these factors. They are headstrong and impulsive, caring little for others’ opinions.

Neither of these two guys can persuade the other, neither can do anything about the other, for they are mutually dependent.

So the inevitable outcome of arguing is mutual silence.

This silence made the atmosphere on-site become eerie, and this eerie atmosphere was a rare occurrence.

Kuyi Tulan still considers himself to be on top, but now there’s a slight change in his thinking. He believes he should be the man standing at the pinnacle because his current strength is insufficient to make the Shadow Ghost completely obey him.

He has already seen the Shadow Ghost’s power, and he believes this powerful strength should be at his disposal.

However, currently, he cannot obtain such strength, leaving him uncomfortable.

The previous battle allowed him to feel the gap in strength, letting him realize his deficiencies. He thinks he must use this Shadow Ghost properly to make it serve him fully.

But his strength doesn’t permit him to do so, as the Shadow Ghost continually suppresses his consciousness.

Even though it’s supposed to be a process of mutual understanding, what the Shadow Ghost mostly shows is the display of strength, suppressing his existence. Such treatment is unacceptable to him. How could the chief of the Alchemy Workshop, who stands above all, endure such humiliation?

That’s why he resists and quarrels with the Shadow Ghost; all he wants is to gain control.

Only this way can he realize his plans...

Without common ground, the Shadow Ghost and this guy find it difficult to move forward together again. Fortunately, for the Shadow Ghost, time isn’t too important a factor.

He even considers, at an appropriate time, replacing this body might be good.

This thought arose from the very beginning, but it’s a challenging thing to accomplish. As a Spirit of his strength, the corresponding Awakener should also be very strong. Simply occupying someone’s shell doesn’t allow for complete release—instead, his excessive strength might crush that body’s consciousness. Once the consciousness is shattered, it’s all for naught, and he would fall back into another slumber.

So the Shadow Ghost cannot find a suitable replacement for now.

However, in the heart of the Shadow Ghost, he’s dissatisfied with Kuyi Tulan. This guy is excessively arrogant, not worth anything.

Primarily because Kuyi Tulan never takes him seriously.

Now Kuyi Tulan has long thrown the matter of patience to the winds, feeling he should confront the Shadow Ghost properly. After all, he no longer fears getting hurt, since the Shadow Ghost always has ways to bring him back.

As long as his consciousness remains intact, even if his body is fragmented, the Shadow Ghost has the opportunity to restore it.

Such power can be considered divine power, completely surpassing common understanding. It’s impossible for Kuyi Tulan not to be moved by such power.

To acquire this power, he indeed thought of many ways. Yet in the end, his proud self found that direct confrontation is more satisfying.

The Shadow Ghost has no way to deal with such a Kuyi Tulan. This state makes it impossible for him to exert his power, truly leaving him restless. Never would he have thought Kuyi Tulan would become such a rogue.

The unreasonable confrontation leaves the Shadow Ghost quite irritated, never imagining himself in this situation at such a time.

The process of mutual understanding isn’t completely fruitless. At least these two guys understand they both aren’t ones to easily admit defeat.

No one knows how long this confrontation will last, but throughout this confrontation, these two guys can be considered as integrating.

While their exchanges haven’t found any common ground, their actions are entirely similar.

Proud, arrogant, they never know how to rein themselves in...