1 vs 2

Chapter 60 One Against Two

Watching Tallinn continuously sketch and depict with his wrist.

At first, Qiyana was in a good mood because Tarin was asking her for advice.

Qiyana enjoyed this feeling because before this, she was always the one being taught and helped by Tarin.

Even when studying the commonalities between the Primordial Axioms and Life Energy, Tarin was the one who was busier, often spending a lot of time helping Qiyana understand the many forms, properties, and manifestations of Life Energy.

Now, it was finally time for Qiyana to teach Tarin. This feeling of being needed by Tarin, rather than taking from him, made her feel incredibly satisfied.

But gradually, as Tarin's questions became more in-depth, Qiyana's ability to provide assistance diminished.

In the end, Tallinn became completely silent, focusing intently on his depiction.

This undoubtedly made Qiyana somewhat dissatisfied. After all, these spells seemed simple, but Qiyana had spent several days and nights figuring them out before successfully activating them in battle.

But gradually, Qiyana's dissatisfaction was replaced by surprise—

Qiyana was surprised to find that she could no longer understand the markings that Tarin had drawn on her body with the essence of life energy.

Not only could she not understand them, but Qiyana could also clearly feel that these inscriptions from Tarin, carved on her wrists, had already formed a certain cycle with the life energy inside her body.

Even without being fully stimulated, it continues to nourish its body.

In particular, Qiyana was certain that this nourishment was not a burst of life energy during battle, but rather a state of balancing physical and mental well-being in daily life—

This seemingly ordinary spell, yet capable of lasting for a long time, is a top-tier spell in any magical system.

For a moment, Qiyana also put aside the extraneous thoughts in her mind and focused on looking at the depiction and outline of Tarin.

After Tarlin's optimization, this originally simple technique became extremely complex. By the time Tarlin finished sketching it, it had already taken him nearly an hour and a half, using only a slender wrist.

Having confirmed that the integrity of the spell was inseparable from Qiyana's own life energy, Tarin finally breathed a sigh of relief, then nodded and said, "Alright, it's done—hmm, this is the first time I've done something like this, it still took too long."

Tarin looked at Qiyana with his own light and said, "When I become more familiar with Qiyana's life energy reactions under different physiological states, the speed of characterization will be significantly improved, and the coverage of the enhancement effects will be more comprehensive."

"Can we extend the coverage further?"

Qiyana looked at Tarin with some surprise.

Tarlin nodded and said, "Theoretically, it's possible, as long as we can determine the fluctuations of life energy under all psychological and physiological states—but it's too early to discuss that now."

Upon hearing Tarin's words, Farin stroked her chin with interest and then asked, "This spell—can I try it out too?"

Tallinn shook his head, explaining, "The future is fine, but there are some difficulties now."

"How so?" Farin asked.

Seeing this, Tarin explained, "I don't understand your life energy forms in various psychological and physiological states. Once our understanding of each other deepens, I can try to depict them."

"I see—"

Having learned the reason, Farin nodded thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, upon hearing that Tarin couldn't draw the inscription for her aunt but she could, a slight smile appeared on Qiyana's lips.

Although Qiyana could guess that people like Neeko and Nidalee, who had spent a lot of time with Tarin, definitely met the requirements for the painting, she still felt a strange joy seeing that others could not have this unique gift.

After pondering for a moment, Farin said, "So, if you can quickly understand a person's life energy fluctuations in many situations, you can draw a spell for them?"

"More or less," Tallinn nodded.

Although it sounds difficult, it doesn't actually take much effort if you pay attention to a few things.

In Talin's perception, drawing a permanent life formula is not difficult; the main challenge is ensuring that the life energy of the permanent formula resonates and vibrates in various states.

If you can quickly understand the changes in other people's life energy in various states, then the speed of drawing will naturally be improved.

Having received the answer she wanted, Farin nodded in satisfaction and then said, "If I have time, I would like to have more conversations with Mr. Tarlin."

"No problem, anytime is fine," Tarin nodded and said, "I'll be staying with Qiyana."

After Farin left, Tarin didn't stay long either. He and Qiyana reviewed the various points of knowledge about life spells one last time before leaving Qiyana's palace.

They weren't working late into the night like before—Ishtar's plan to open up the country had taken its first step.

The success or failure of the first step directly affects the difficulty of carrying out the subsequent plan. And now it seems that this first step, with Farin's help, has been perfect.

Many apprentices, scholars, and even Yuntars were affected, but it did not arouse any resentment or aversion in their hearts.

This allowed Tallinn, who had been busy for quite some time, to breathe a sigh of relief and decide to take a break and get some rest for the night.

However, Nidalee is out hunting with her herd, so we'll have to wait a while.

Just as Tallinn was still thinking, he suddenly heard the sound of a door being pushed open behind him.

This caught Tallinn's attention.

Because from the very first time they stayed in Tallinn, royal servants and maids were forbidden from entering their resting areas, even for cleaning, and they had to obtain permission first.

In this situation, apart from a limited number of people such as Qiyana and Nidalee, no one can enter directly.

Is that Nidalee? She's back so soon?

Thinking this, Tallinn turned his head to look, but what came into view was a figure wearing a long robe.

Seemingly sensing Tallinn's questioning gaze, the figure chuckled softly.

Then, the person took off their hood, revealing a beautiful face that bore a striking resemblance to Qiyana, adorned with gold-rimmed glasses and earrings, but lacking any arrogance or childishness; instead, it exuded a more mature and intellectual air.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Tallinn was slightly taken aback, then said, "—Fallinn?"

Upon hearing Tarin's voice, Farin nodded without hesitation, and then removed the robe she was wearing.

Although I don't know much about it, based on the Primordial Axioms that Tarin has learned from Qiyana during this time, this robe should have a concealment-type spell enchantment.

After glancing at the time, Tallinn asked, "What brings you here at this hour?"

"Didn't you say that if we could understand the life energy responses under different conditions faster, we could draw the incantation for me sooner?"

Farin gestured with her chin toward Tallinn and said, "I have a hypothesis that I can quickly understand—I wonder if you have any ideas on how to put it into practice with me."

Farin winked at Tarin.

In response, Tallinn stroked his chin and then said, "I'm more worried that you might be acting impulsively."

"Perhaps." Upon hearing Tarlin's words, Farin did not deny it, but raised her chin and said, "So you're prepared to back down?"

"That's impossible." Tarin shook his head decisively. He had been holding back a lot of anger lately, and the Angry Bead was starting to take effect.

Upon seeing Tarin transform into a demon and activate her Insect Glaive in its red-blade state, Farin's eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly concealed her shock and instead said casually, "How honest of you—perhaps my clothes are in the way?"

Tallinn nodded in response, then gently added, "Don't take off your pantyhose."

An hour later, outside the door, Nidalee had finished her hunt. After escorting the herd back to the resting area, she transformed into human form and arrived at Qiyana's princess villa.

I'm finally done with my work.

Nidalee thought to herself.

Although life had been fulfilling lately, and the herd was gradually growing stronger, Nidalee felt a complex mix of emotions and disappointment watching Tarlin's busy life.

Tallinn devoted himself to the beasts, while he himself—

When they were in the village, I could help Talin rest at night.

But now that she's in the city, Nidalee finds herself unable to help in any way. With so much to do, Tallinn is often busy until late at night.

Today Tallinn can finally get some rest, so I can...

Thinking about it, Nidalee quickly went to the bedroom and opened the door.

Then, they saw the two from Tarlin locked in a fierce battle.

Nidalee's arrival also drew the attention of Tarlin and his companion.

Sensing their gazes, Nidalee paused slightly, then hesitated before saying, "Did I come at the wrong time?"

"No." Tarin shook his head and continued fighting.

While engaged in fierce fighting, he casually remarked, "You've come at just the right time."

Upon hearing this, Nidalee relaxed and quickly joined the one-sided battle.

Just as Tarlin was fighting two opponents in Ixtal, on the other side, the last remaining hunter of the Piltover Trailblazers successfully returned to Piltover. News about this instantly dominated the headlines and became the hottest topic in Piltover.

Let's rewind to a few days before Tallinn arrived in Ishuoken.

Under the covert escort of the flesh-toothed beast hunters, the novice hunter from Piltover, who had been let go as a messenger, finally stumbled and staggered to the trade checkpoint on the other side of the Sun Gate after running for three days.

His clothes were tattered, he was covered in blood, and the continuous mental pressure had completely broken his spirit. He could only repeat a few words over and over again:

Monster — Beast — Savage — Mage —

At first, the people at the checkpoint just thought the hunter was a madman.

But slowly, as the hunter regained his senses, under the prosecutor's questioning, he finally revealed what he had encountered deep in the Kumangu jungle.

Unsurprisingly, this place contains ferocious monsters, terrifying beasts, powerful alien races, primeval forests, ancient traditions, and ancient civilizations—

The story, with its many captivating features, quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Piltover thanks to publicity in various newspapers.

Especially as time goes by, now the streets and alleys of Piltover, tea shops, pubs, and even Hextech workshops are filled with discussions about it.

"Have you heard? There really is a country in the forests of the Kumangu Mountains, and the people there know magic!"

An enthusiastic Hextech apprentice sat in an open-air seating area, discussing something with his companion.

His companion, however, didn't seem to care much, saying nonchalantly, "What country? I think they're just a bunch of barbarians who control wild beasts. They killed so many pioneers; they'll probably just hide in the forest and pull dirty tricks."

The enthusiastic apprentice was dissatisfied: "You saw the pictures those adventurers brought back. Even the pioneering tractor was shot through. I don't think ordinary barbarians could do that."

"It's just a pioneer vehicle." The indifferent apprentice continued indifferently, "So what if it's strong? What year is this? Even if it's strong, can it stop guns and cannons? Can it stop airships? And compared to these things, a hint of eagerness appeared on the indifferent apprentice's face as he licked his lips.

"Didn't you hear? There are exotic beasts, rare woods, and magical gemstone mines inside—that's all money!"

"You're just obsessed with money—"

Regarding this suddenly emerging ancient civilization that they had only heard about in textbooks before, some people in Piltover were afraid, some were disdainful, but many more had their eyes shining with greed, feeling that they had discovered a new business opportunity.

Walking down the street, Vi, who had just been released from prison and was dressed in a Piltover Enforcer uniform, listened to the conversations around her but didn't understand what they were saying. She simply nudged Caitlyn's shoulder and said, "Wasn't I supposed to be off work today? Why did you suddenly call me out to work?"

"Didn't everyone around say it? Because of Ixtal," Caitlin said casually.

Vi couldn't help but purse her lips in response, then said, "And who is Ixtal? Didn't you call me out to deal with Zaun's affairs? How did it suddenly escalate to Ixtal?"

"Because of vested interests —"

Upon hearing Wei's words, a hint of helplessness appeared in Caitlin's eyes.

"Caitlyn, full name Caitlyn Gilamann," a name that commands respect from any veteran Piltover resident.

The reason is simple: the Giraman family is one of the founding families of Piltover and the initiator and organizer of the Sungate Canal lock system. They hold a pivotal position in Piltover's trade shipping, city-state defense, and Hextech applications.

The Kumangu Jungle has long been one of the development directions designated by the Piltover Council, as it is a major source of Hextech crystal rough.

Now that such a tragedy has occurred there, the Giraman family cannot remain uninvolved.