One-Eyed Monster

After Dastan left, Kuren returned to his usual focus.

This wasn't something he should have been responsible for, but now he had no choice. The Alchemy Workshop seemed to be watching intently. If their hiding place were completely exposed, their safety would vanish. Regardless of whether Dastan was acting strangely, Kuren knew he could not allow their opponents to break through. Otherwise, he felt he would deeply disappoint his master.

He was known as the guardian of Guru Mountain's Dawn Peak, but in reality, he was merely an apprentice obsessed with the World Setting Technique. Dawn Peak provided an excellent experimental field for him. Year after year, Treasure Hunters flocked to the mountain. Using his World Setting Technique, he had averted several crises while ensuring the rest of Guru Mountain, apart from Dawn Peak, remained shrouded in its due mystery.

This time, the opponent might pose a significant challenge. However, his years of diligent study were not just for show. The most crucial aspect of the World Setting Technique was its realism. While the landscapes he depicted might not be perfect recreations of reality, he was confident he could achieve an illusion convincing enough to pass for genuine.

He had dedicated considerable time to this World Setting Technique. Every corner of Dawn Peak was familiar to him; the image of every dead end and rock was imprinted in his mind. With just a bamboo stick, he could conjure any scene from Dawn Peak before an opponent.

Indeed, he was a painter—a highly skilled one at that. Each of his paintings was remarkably lifelike. He imbued these paintings onto bamboo sticks using Spirit Power, with each stick corresponding to a Spiritual Power Marker on Dawn Peak. It was a simple Alchemy Array, yet it produced a complex image.

Kuren didn't fully understand the principles behind it. He had once been a mediocre Fighter. If not for the Slaughterer dwelling within him, he likely wouldn't have amounted to much.

However, the Slaughterer's power had left him a substantial legacy: a vast reserve of Spirit Power and an extremely acute ability to detect it. Although Kuren couldn't wield these gifts freely, his instincts would guide him on how to utilize these "treasures" in times of crisis.

"Go back to where you came from," Kuren murmured to himself. It's a pity I can't let you all leave the mountain now.

Kuren glanced at the stones on the sand table. This table was the platform for his World Setting Technique. By merely moving the bamboo sticks, he could make the stones shift accordingly.

Those stones represented everyone on the mountain. Their methods of recognizing paths were simple: they relied on remembered landmarks and what they could see with their own eyes. Some, more foolishly, depended on marks they themselves had made to find their way.

When an unfamiliar path suddenly appears familiar, one would unhesitatingly choose to take it. The groups on the mountain did precisely that. Once they stepped onto that 'familiar' path, they found themselves unable to escape the strange loop.

Conversely, when a path one knows well suddenly becomes unfamiliar, caution and surprise take over. Steps once taken with confidence become hesitant, until finally, one is completely lost, unsure which way to turn.

Kuren used these familiar and unfamiliar paths to keep those on the mountain going in circles.

When Stan Sol perceived something amiss with the path down the mountain, Kuren couldn't help but marvel. Tsk, tsk, they actually discovered the anomaly. Quite skilled.

Kuren's World Setting Technique manifested as a series of paintings. However, since Dawn Peak was a land of Dead Objects, these paintings could not be distinguished by any differences in the Spirit Power they contained. Although Baharo Stan Sol, using his Hunter's Secret Sensing Skills, detected a change in the surrounding aroma, they still couldn't discern the Spirit Power and thus failed to see through Kuren's formation.

Meanwhile, Qi Liu and his group were completely oblivious to this World Setting Technique. They had been wandering in circles for a long time, mistakenly believing they were too exhausted to continue walking.

As for the people coming up the mountain, Kuren wasn't too worried.

Ascending the mountain was different from descending. Those going downhill were often in a hurry, while those climbing up were filled with anticipation. People rarely ascended without a clear purpose. Descending was another matter entirely. Those coming down were either returning triumphant or were consumed by disappointment. In short, while climbers might be filled with eager anticipation, descenders could easily become impatient and disoriented.

Therefore, Kuren wasn't too concerned about those ascending. Such individuals would remain blissfully unaware even if they walked straight into a trap. The leaders of Black Crow, for instance, were currently walking in circles without noticing a thing.

The other group ascending, Joela's party, however, had discovered the trap. This genuinely surprised Kuren.

Kuren was surprised not only to see Joela's familiar face again but also because these Alchemists had spotted the irregularities in the path so quickly. This truly required some skill. Without sufficient perception, it was difficult to detect such subtle differences.

However, even if these Alchemists had discovered the trap, it wouldn't have a significant impact.

At best, they would only realize they were deep within a maze. As for escaping it, they likely lacked the ability.

Kuren had always been confident in his technique; over the years, it had never failed him nor revealed any flaws.

Those reckless Treasure Hunters who got trapped in the mountains during the Deep Winter Season ended up in the Slumbering Mountain Cave, lulled into a deep sleep by his World Setting Technique.

This didn't even account for those detestable Treasure Hunters who aimed to capture monsters. Kuren's World Setting Technique would invariably lead them in circles. They would unconsciously walk to the same places and take the same paths until these clever yet exasperating scoundrels became utterly frustrated. Eventually, they would lose their composure and descend the mountain in disappointment.

Of course, there had been some thrilling moments over the years. But no matter how powerful these Treasure Hunters were, they always succumbed when faced with losing their way. A strong individual who has lost their bearings can sometimes act like a petulant child.

All these were sources of Kuren's confidence.

What boosted Kuren's confidence even further was that everything currently unfolding was well within his expectations.

He moved the bamboo sticks on the sand table, intending to orchestrate an encounter between several unrelated groups.

According to his observations, the Alchemy Workshop's target was surely not the White Cloud Fruit on Guru Mountain. Since they weren't searching for the fruit, their purpose in ascending must be the few individuals who had caused the recent conflict.

So he brought these two parties together...

And just as he had anticipated, these groups began fighting the moment they met, without any attempt at probing or sizing each other up.

Everything is proceeding according to my plan!

His confidence swelled further, knowing they were all performing according to his arrangements.

Next, I'll make things a bit more lively for them, Kuren thought, moving the bamboo sticks again. This time, he also directed those who were similarly searching for people into the fray.

Oh, and there's a newly advanced Wind Wizard among that lot.

This time, I'll ensure they remain on this mountain for good.

A faint smile touched Kuren's lips, his confidence brimming. So great was his self-assurance that he had completely forgotten Dastan's earlier nervousness.

This was also the scenario that Stan Sol and Joela's group were hoping for.

Blind self-confidence can indeed lead to a lapse in vigilance.

Now, it was a matter of who could seize the other's vulnerability first.

Meanwhile, Kadi and Igor, who had departed from Dawn Peak, encountered unprecedented difficulties. They found themselves trapped within a ring of dense fog, completely unable to see.

At this very moment, everyone on Guru Mountain was watching, waiting.

After all, what awaited them all was an unprecedented, unknown future.