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 thr
Instantly, they melted into the shadows, ready to evade or strike if necessary.A guard descended the stairs, his form slowly becoming visible in the dim light.He was dressed like the others, but his demeanor was different.He wore the same uniform as the others in the manor, but something was different about him.As he approached the cell, the guards prepared to knock him out—until they saw him pull food from his pockets“It’s been a while, young lord Raven,” the man said quietly, his voice filled with respect.“How is father’s condition?” the boy, Raven, asked, his voice clear and strong despite the abuse he had endured."Still the same, young lord. His condition is declining," the guard replied, his voice laced with sorrow.As they spoke, Raven’s eyes flickered toward the shadows where Oasis’s guards were hidden.“What are you looking at, young lord?” the guard asked, sensing something amiss.“Nothing,” Raven replied calmly. “You should leave before the lackeys of that pig catch y
Back in the chamber, Oasis stood calmly in the wake of the city lord’s unleashed aura, completely unfazed.His azure eyes remained steady as he watched the older man with quiet respect.“Not bad,” Oasis thought, his expression unchanged, though inwardly he acknowledged the power being displayed.“Follow me, young man,” the city lord said, his voice now firm and commanding as he walked toward the door. “Let me show you how to deal with traitors.”As the city lord strode out of the room, Oasis followed at a measured pace.The two of them barely made it past the threshold when a group of guards came rushing down the corridor, their faces pale with fear.They skidded to a stop the moment they saw the city lord standing before them, fully revitalized.“My lord!” the guards gasped, immediately dropping to their knees, their bodies trembling from the pressure of his aura.Sweat dripped from their brows as they struggled to maintain their composure in his overwhelming presence.The city lord’
Pervard laughed loudly, looking up toward the ceiling as he shrugged off the upper part of his clothing, revealing a tattoo on his chest—a hand drenched in blood.One of the men behind him quickly stepped forward, draping a jacket over his shoulders.“Yes, I am Pervard, the executive of the Crimson Hand—the Cruel Hand,” Pervard declared, grinning as he soaked in the shocked reactions of the crowd.His tattoo glistened under the light as he spoke, “You may know my name, boy, but it won’t matter. You’ll die today, along with Riftain.”Riftain clenched his fists, fury coursing through him.“The Crimson Hand… these bastards. So, I’ve been harboring one in my own town this whole time.”“Pervard the Cruel Hand, huh? Thanks for making it easier to find you,” Oasis said coldly.In a swift motion, he unleashed an even stronger wind magic barrier, this time enveloping the entire manor.The gust of wind swept through the hall as the barrier sealed them inside.Gasps and whispers spread through t
The atmosphere in the manor shifted from tense anticipation to outright horror as Oasis stood over the five mangled bodies, his expression calm, almost indifferent.His hands and legs, not even stained with blood, were all it took to dispatch them.The shock of the scene silenced the onlookers—guards, servants, and even Pervard’s lackeys—all frozen in disbelief.“Is he really a mage?” a servant thought, trembling, her knees buckling under the weight of the spectacle.“How… how can a mage move like that?” one of the manor guards thought, sweat running down his face. “No mana, no spells… just raw strength and precision.”“I’ve never seen anyone fight like this, not even our strongest warriors,”another guard, drenched in sweat, trembled as he struggled to comprehend the sight.“It’s impossible. A mage should be relying on spells, not... this,” Alto thought, his eyes wide with fear. “How can he kill with just his bare hands?”Oasis’s own guards, who had been standing beside Raven, could h
The remaining lackeys began to panic, their techniques growing more desperate. One after another, they attacked, but Oasis was always one step ahead.A man with a curved blade aimed for Oasis’s head, but Oasis dodged with ease, delivering a spinning backfist that caved in the man’s skull.Another, a martial artist using fist techniques, charged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches.Oasis weaved through the blows with fluidity, stepping inside the man’s guard and breaking his arm before snapping his neck with a single, swift motion.Each of the lackeys fought with everything they had—one using fiery martial techniques, another enhancing his body with earth aura—but Oasis was untouchable.He moved like a ghost, anticipating every attack, countering with lethal precision.He dodged a fiery fist, and in the same breath, drove his elbow into the attacker’s spine, paralyzing him instantly.A man with twin daggers tried to slash at him, but Oasis caught his wrists, disarming him effortles
He advanced on Pervard, his aura flaring with renewed intensity, prepared to deliver the final blow.Pervard, blinded by rage and fear, roared as he threw everything he had into one last desperate attack, but his movements were wild and unfocused.Riftain easily dodged, stepping inside Pervard’s guard and delivering a devastating strike to his chest.The impact sent Pervard crashing into the ground, his body convulsing from the blow.Thud. Thud. Thud.Pervard's chest heaved as he coughed blood, his body barely able to keep itself upright.Riftain advanced toward him, his eyes cold with the intent to end it all, prepared to deliver the final blow.Pervard, blinded by pain and rage, could barely comprehend what had just happened."How did he get this strong?" Pervard thought, blood seeping from his mouth."We were almost of equal strength. I’ve been active while he was sick..." He grimaced, spitting out more blood, his thoughts racing with confusion and despair.Oasis stood back, watchi
Pervard’s mind raced as he recalled everything he knew about the Phoenix Clan."Most people might be ignorant about it, but I’ve read on hidden archives about the Volacris family in the Phoenix Clan.""Our Crimson Hand is in deep trouble. I should’ve been allowed to kill myself. My master would’ve known the moment I died."He grit his teeth in frustration, realizing that even biting his tongue wouldn’t end his life due to his advanced cultivation."We’re doomed..." Sweat dripped down Pervard’s face, and fear crept into his heart—a fear that had not been evident earlier.As the speech ended and the mood among the servants lightened with relief, Oasis instructed his guards.“You two, come with me.”The city lord went to reunite with his children, but Oasis made his way to the basement, where Rex and Pervard were held.Both men were suspended, their hands chained to the ceiling and their feet hanging limply.Oasis’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Rex, who was still feigning unconsciousnes