Igor and Kadi were chatting casually, giving the impression that they didn’t take the monster seriously at all.

The monster looked at Igor and Kadi, chuckling foolishly, seemingly not taking them seriously either, thinking of the two teenagers as easy prey.

"I’m really glad to have met Master Lao here, otherwise, I wouldn’t know what weapon to use." Kadi said to Igor, still immersed in the joy of acquiring the weapon earlier, as if the monster before him was unrelated to him.

"I’m glad too!" The monster suddenly joined in their conversation, making the tense atmosphere seem a bit relieved.

"What are you so happy about?" Hearing the monster speak, Igor became angry. He felt that today was supposed to be a happy day, having helped Kadi craft a mask, acquired a new weapon, and met Master Lao, but now having to deal with such an ugly monster, it was utterly disappointing.

"I’m glad I met the two of you treasures!" The monster laughed out loud, clearly showing genuine amusement in his chuckle.

"What are you trying to say?" Igor furrowed his brow, displeased. Unlike Kadi, Igor was somewhat impatient.

Kadi stood there silently watching the monster, as if assessing prey.

"If you hadn’t set fire to those four lackeys’ luggage, I wouldn’t have targeted you, and if I hadn’t tracked you, I wouldn’t have discovered him so soon." The monster pointed his large finger at Master Lao, clearly admitting his purpose for coming here.

"So, you’re here for Master Lao!" Igor reconfirmed with the monster. Although he felt he already knew, he wanted more details to figure out who the real puppet master behind the scenes was.

"I came for the unique Spirit Core!" The monster’s eyes gleamed with greed, clearly coveting the Craftsman Spirit within the master.

"Are you working for Kuyi Tulan?" Igor asked again, more directly this time, as he recalled only Kuyi Tulan used the term "Spirit Core," leading him to believe the monster was serving Kuyi Tulan.

But the monster only laughed heartily at Igor’s words, clearly mocking Igor’s assumption: "What a joke! How could I serve a mere human!"

"You’re not human?" At that moment, Kadi became more interested because he was not human either, and encountering a similar being intrigued him to explore his roots.

"Human? Haha, I am and I am not. I am because this body needs human blood and flesh to stay fresh. I am not, because I’ve long transcended the bounds of humanity; for instance, my strength is beyond your reach." The monster talked more, even attracting the attention of Master Lao, who was smoking and listening intently.

"So, are you or aren’t you?" Kadi wasn’t satisfied with the monster’s answer because he couldn’t understand.

"Does it really matter?" The monster grinned, revealing a set of chilling white teeth.

"It doesn’t matter to me, but it does to him." Igor answered on behalf of Kadi, shrugging, showing disdain for the monster’s antics.

"You will all eventually become my lackeys, my puppets." The monster continued.

Master Lao squinted, the flames in the kiln were still flickering, highlighting his resolute face. He could tell why the monster had come, and felt he couldn’t remain just an observer.

"I see, you came here for me, didn’t you?" Master Lao said slowly, his unexpected remark surprising Igor and Kadi.

"Master, don’t come out!" Igor shouted anxiously, knowing the master’s unique qualities and hoping he wouldn’t take such a risk.

"Yeah, master, don’t come out, our agreement isn’t over yet!" Kadi too worried for the master, given the monster’s formidable strength was a tough challenge.

"Haha, I am here for the Spirit Core in your body, your shell is aged, not as fresh as a young maiden’s, I have no interest in it." The monster licked his lips.

"You used to be just a puppet master playing with circus dolls, now you’ve obtained some power and started pretending to be mysterious!" Master Lao blew out a smoke ring nonchalantly, as if unfazed by the monster’s grim appearance.

The excitement on the monster’s face vanished upon hearing this, his body began to tremble uncontrollably...

"Damn it!" The monster raised a hand, and Grim, among the smoky figures, stood up and dashed towards Master Lao with incredible speed.

"Wow, you’re really..." Igor wasn’t pleased with this scene, attacking someone without combat skills is truly disgraceful! Igor couldn’t tolerate such shamelessness, and he leapt up, swinging his staff directly at the hefty figure.

However, the bulky figure showed no intention of dodging.

"Then I’m sorry!" Igor sighed lightly, swinging his sword, causing a loud clash, sparks flying, and then saw the hefty figure bounced away.

"Even a puppet can have a Body of Iron, I’ve learned something new!" Igor shook his head, never imagining his blow couldn’t cut through the bulk, but fortunately, he blocked the attack, keeping the master safe.

Master Lao blew out another smoke ring: "You circus clowns are always so selfish, never knowing what should and shouldn’t be done!"

"Haha!" The monster suddenly laughed, bending over with laughter, "A mere human, a mere human, daring to lecture us!"

"Hey!" Igor shouted at the monster, "Master was right, what are you laughing at!"

"Haha, you really are a bunch of self-righteous humans, in the face of power, you are nothing. We are selfish for seeking strength, fighting for ourselves, what about you? Wasting yourselves for some illusory nonsense, truly a pity!"

"You talk too much!" Kadi flipped up, his Butterfly Dual Blades whistled...