Oasis moved silently through the shadows of the city lord's residence, his steps light and precise, avoiding detection with ease.
The mansion, though worn by neglect, had a complex layout.
Guards patrolled in predictable patterns, moving along predetermined routes that Oasis had already observed using his spiritual senses.
Their movements are methodical, but uninspired, Oasis thought as he studied the guards' routines.
The guards stationed near the entrance rotate every twenty minutes. The inner patrols are less frequent, giving me small windows to slip through.
As he moved, his azure eyes scanned the manor's halls, catching subtle details—
scuff marks on the floor indicating where guards commonly stood, and faint energy traces revealing where magical wards were placed.
The layout matches what I sensed earlier, Oasis thought, gliding between two patrols with practiced ease.
Once I pass through this wing, the room where the city lord is bedridden should be up ahead.
Passing through narrow corridors, Oasis kept his spiritual energy concealed, making him nearly invisible to anyone scanning for power fluctuations.
Even without taking lives, his movements were like that of a shadow, unnoticed by the guards as they passed mere feet away.
Each time he encountered a patrol, he either waited for them to pass or altered his path, using the environment to stay concealed.
No one noticed him. Killing was unnecessary, and it would only draw attention. His mission was stealth, and he executed it perfectly.
Finally, he reached the door of the bedridden man's room. Quietly, he slid it open and stepped inside.
Upon entering the dimly lit room, Oasis immediately activated his azure serpent eyes, scanning the figure lying on the bed.
The man was pale and gaunt, his breathing shallow, and his once powerful aura had diminished to a faint trace.
Oasis's azure eyes glowed faintly as he observed the thin layer of mana barely clinging to the man's body.
Vitality was slowly leaving his body, slipping away like sand through fingers.
"What is this?" Oasis wondered as he stepped closer. "Was he poisoned?"
Oasis leaned over the bedridden figure, his eyes piercing through the thin veil of energy that surrounded the man.
There was a faint aura around the man, suggesting he was once a cultivator of great strength.
But now, his life force was withering away, almost non-existent.
Oasis could see the mana flowing around his skin, but it was weak, barely sustaining him.
His aura was faint but gentle—there was no malice, no corruption. It was clear that this man, despite his current state, was a good and just ruler.
This is the city lord, without a doubt, Oasis thought as he continued examining him. Even if his aura is fading, I can tell he's a good man.
Oasis's azure eyes allowed him to see the flow of mana around the city lord's body, but not inside.
I can only see the mana flowing around his skin, not within his body. His life force is drifting away—I have to do something.
He clenched his fists slightly in frustration.
I wish I could see his mana veins the way I can see mine. The serpent eyes, though powerful, had limitations.
Oasis could only view external energy flows and the auras of others, but not the internal workings of their bodies.
His life force is slipping fast. I need to act quickly, Oasis thought, determination flaring in his chest.
!!!
A thought struck him. He reached into his storage bracelet and pulled out a small vial.
Oasis raised his hand, casting a wind magic barrier around the room.
The barrier filtered any magical signatures from leaving the space, ensuring that no one outside could detect the energy being used.
The wind swirled silently, creating a protective dome.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the manor, Oasis's guards moved with the same stealth and precision.
They followed the layout Oasis had described, evading guards at every turn.
At one point, they narrowly avoided being seen when a patrol passed through a narrow hallway.
The guards exchanged glances but remained silent, relying on their training to navigate the dangerous environment.
I swear, this brat somehow knew the exact layout of this place, one of them thought, slipping into a side passage.
But how? We haven't scouted it properly.
The basement should be up ahead, one guard thought, his eyes scanning the area. The patrols are thinner here, but we can't risk any noise.
The guards moved with precision, their training as part of the Shadow Unit of Belvan allowing them to bypass potential threats with ease.
At one point, they were almost caught by a passing guard, but with quick reflexes, they blended into the shadows, avoiding detection.
That was close, one of them thought, his heart racing slightly. We can't afford to slip up.
As they reached the basement door, they carefully picked the lock, entering the cold, dimly lit room.
Inside, they saw two young boys imprisoned in a cell—one around Oasis's age and the other about ten years old.
Both looked weary but resilient.
The older boy sat with one leg straight and the other knee raised, while the younger one leaned on his lap, sleeping.
Despite their condition, the older boy's eyes were full of life and determination.
These kids… the guards thought as they began picking the lock of the cell door.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching from the stairs.