One-Eyed Monster

Beneath Guru Mountain, Lubin Tavern.

Kuyi Tulan was sitting in a corner as usual, sipping on low-quality fruit wine, but this time he had more company.

If you were fortunate enough to approach Lubin Tavern, you might see through the windows seven people inside, some standing, some sitting, their faces expressionless, discussing something unknown.

Unfortunately, you do not have such luck. Nobody can approach the tavern beneath Guru Mountain right now. Even Lubin, the honest owner of the tavern, had been driven out by these detestable Alchemists just moments before. They informed Lubin that they had important business to discuss and asked him to leave temporarily. Meanwhile, no one was allowed to approach the tavern without their permission.

Honest Lubin didn't ask many questions. He had already earned enough gold coins and even had the honor of cooking for Elder Rostellum... He was quite content these days. Even if these strange Alchemists asked him to sell his tavern, he would do so willingly. This was because the Alchemist leading them would occasionally exchange a gold bar for a bottle of fruit wine, and the gold obtained from these exchanges was already enough to buy a large tavern in Liuli City.

So, honest Lubin cheerfully left the tavern. He even eagerly helped the Alchemists place some strange stones and pieces of wood around the tavern. Though he had no idea what purpose this served, they gave him gold coins. He took the money and left promptly, without asking a single question.

Those stones and pieces of wood were Markers crafted by Kuyi Tulan and the other Alchemists. By placing them around the tavern, the Alchemists could use an Exchange Beast to form a small Alchemy Array. Its purpose was simple: to prevent disturbances. This was far more effective than a wooden sign reading 'No Entry for Outsiders'. Some meddlers would react defiantly to such signs. If you tell me I can't enter, I'll go in just to see what you can do about it! Such people usually lacked any real ability; they were merely seeking verbal satisfaction. He recalled when they first arrived at Guru Mountain, an overconfident drunkard who defied them was taught a harsh lesson by Brad. Although Brad had been a bit heavy-handed, directly transforming the man's mouth into a duck's beak, the deterrent effect of that ferocity was remarkable. That moment of brutality ensured everyone else in the tavern promptly retreated without another word.

Kuyi Tulan had always believed that merely persuading through words was a waste of time. A display of strength, even for a few moments of Gudu Time, would shut up those verbose good-for-nothings. Those with real strength never wasted too much time on idle chatter. That was why the Alchemy Workshop he led never engaged in verbal disputes; it was pointless. Only with tremendous strength could one have a true say in matters.

Kuyi Tulan took a sip of wine, his eyes downcast. He said mildly, "I was too hasty before, couldn't see clearly or far enough. It seems we've been used."

At these words, the surrounding Golden Seat holders frowned. However, as they, after all, were not the Chief Alchemist, they couldn't grasp the full implications. They could only remain quietly standing or seated, pondering the meaning of their leader's words.

"Are you referring to the information Black Crow gave us, sir?" Milo, second among the Golden Seats and a fellow disciple of the Chief Alchemist, his thoughts naturally sharper than the others, asked.

"Yes and no. To be precise, I still can't be sure," Kuyi Tulan replied. "It seems there are many interconnected issues. It's a pity we don't have a natural Politician with us. They might have discerned some clues. We can only guess." While Kuyi Tulan was taciturn with outsiders, he was quite forthcoming with his own subordinates. He had appointed most of the seat holders in the Alchemy Workshop; only a few were promoted by the Workshop's elders. Kuyi Tulan had always felt that the Alchemy Workshop would become stronger if the elders interfered less.

"Could Black Crow be playing us?" Hector, the youngest Golden Seat holder, asked, unable to contain his temper as he clenched his fists.

"The previous destruction of the Heaven and Earth Bind Array was no accident. I doubt any outsider in the Empire understands Alchemy Arrays, so I'm skeptical about Black Crow's information," Joela mused, stroking her chin.

"Joela's right. I also suspect the one who damaged our Alchemy Array was one of our own, someone who once belonged to the Alchemy Workshop," Milo added.

"I don't dismiss Black Crow's information, but I don't rule him out as a suspect either," Kuyi Tulan said, pouring each of the other six a cup of wine. He continued unhurriedly, "This Guru Mountain isn't what we imagined. Haven't you all sensed it?"

"Indeed. There are too many Dead Objects on this mountain," Pedro said sullenly, taking the wine. "My Exchange Beasts can't absorb Spirit Power here. I can only resupply them through my avatars, which wastes too much energy."

"And the mountain's actual height differs from its apparent height," Carmello added. "It looks like a day's journey up and down, but in reality, my Exchange Beast takes longer than expected for each round trip."

Joela added, "Those rabble also claim people vanish while walking on this mountain. I used my Exchange Beast to investigate but found those individuals had no special talents. By my assessment, at least, none of them possess Stealth Ability." She had already verified these rumors.

"Yes," Carmello chimed in. "Following Joela's description, I used sparrows to observe that route and found that the anomaly truly lies with this mountain itself. Several caves have been hidden using a Concealment Spell, and it appears the Great Mentor's World Setting Spell was also employed."

A smile touched Kuyi Tulan's lips. "It seems Guru Mountain truly does hide secrets," he mused.

"I also believe our Great Mentor wouldn't have chosen an unremarkable mountain range without reason." A surge of warmth filled Milo's heart; his respect for their Mentor was profound.

"It's highly possible we're being used," Kuyi Tulan said slowly, his gaze sweeping over them, "as tools to unearth Guru Mountain's secrets."

Everyone drew a sharp breath, suddenly realizing the chilling possibility in their leader's words.

"Then should we upgrade the Heaven and Earth Bind Array to keep those who want to use us out?" Hector demanded, his voice rising. He was clearly angered; the feeling of being manipulated was never pleasant.

"No," Milo said. "As we discuss redeploying the array, we must look further than the immediate situation. I don't know who the scoundrel behind this is, but I believe we need to lure them out."

"I agree with Milo. The Alchemy Workshop will not be so easily manipulated," Kuyi Tulan said, a smile playing on his lips as he surveyed them, a fierce glint in his eyes.

The Golden Seat holders fell silent, seeing the look in their leader's eyes. They knew he was about to issue a command.

"We will lower the level of the Heaven and Earth Bind. Let those scoundrels ascend the mountain. I'm eager to see just what kind of specter is hiding behind all this."

Kuyi Tulan raised his wine cup. "May the Stars above light our way!"

"May the Stars above light our way!" the Golden Seat holders echoed, raising their cups and draining them in a single gulp.

Kuyi Tulan then declared, "Alright, Brad, dismantle the array! It's time for the real work to begin!"