Without a doubt, something is tailing me.
He gazed out at the mountains, his newly acquired sight transforming the world before him.
He could see the flow of mana in the air, swirling like invisible currents, connecting everything in the world.
It was as if a hidden layer of reality had been revealed to him.
He looked down at his own arm, watching as the blue-cyan aura of his mana flowed within him, pulsing with life.
The energy felt more vibrant, more alive than ever before, a testament to the divine gift he had just refined.
"This is truly a heavenly gift," Oasis thought, marveling at the sight.
Yet, as he continued to gaze at his aura, a realization struck him.
"Mmh… but my cultivation did not increase after all that," he pondered, a slight furrow forming on his brow.
Despite the incredible power he now held in his eyes, his overall cultivation level had remained unchanged.
"Ohh, these eyes use my spiritual energy more than my mana," Oasis thought, as he began to feel the extent of his newfound abilities.
The realization was intriguing—his spiritual energy, though potent, was a resource he would have to manage carefully.
Seeking a moment of relaxation, Oasis found the hot water prepared the previous night and soaked himself in the bathtub, letting the warmth ease his body and mind.
After his bath, he dressed and headed downstairs.
By then, the inn was bustling with activity, the morning rush in full swing.
People were seated at tables, talking and laughing, while others came and went, the air filled with the aromas of breakfast and the hum of conversation.
The inn's common room was lively, with patrons of all kinds.
Some were locals enjoying a hearty meal, others were travelers passing through, their packs resting beside them as they ate.
The clatter of dishes and the murmur of voices filled the space, a comforting, everyday sound.
"Good morning, young brother," came a cheerful voice.
The young woman who worked at the inn, approached Oasis with a smile.
"Take a seat there; I'll prepare your food in a second."
Oasis nodded and sat down, watching as her bustled about.
Within a few minutes, a young girl brought his meal to the table.
He barely noticed her approach, his attention on the conversations around him.
But when the voice called out,
"Huh, you!" it snapped him back to the present. He looked up to see a familiar face.
"Huh, this girl is Lila," Oasis thought, recognizing her immediately.
"Oh, Lila, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised to see her working at the inn.
Lila smiled and sat down across from him, grateful to see him again.
Without immediately answering his question, she first thanked him for saving her life. She then explained why she was working at the inn.
It turned out that Lila was the younger sister of Lora, the woman who had been so kind to Oasis during his stay.
The inn was owned by their family, and Lila had been helping out while recovering from the ordeal she had recently gone through.
As they spoke, Oasis learned that Lila had already recovered from the trauma of almost being sold.
She had kept the incident a secret, even from her family.
It seemed that the other children who had been rescued, Kaelith, Toran, and Ronan, were also from decent families.
Toran's father was a merchant, as were Ronan's adopted parents.
They had simply been trying to explore beyond the town when they were captured, unaware of the danger they were putting themselves in.
Oasis was relieved to hear that Lila and the others were safe and had returned to their normal lives.
He had been worried about them since the day of the incident, and knowing they were all right lifted a weight from his shoulders.
After finishing his meal, Oasis thanked Lila and decided to explore the town one last time before moving on.
He wandered through the streets, familiarizing himself with the bustling markets and the people, but a nagging thought persisted—he was barely making progress on his mission.
With that in mind, he decided it was time to leave Belvan and venture to other towns.
Without further delay, Oasis left Belvan town, heading toward Mistvalley.
The moment he stepped out of the town's boundaries, he began his journey in earnest.
At first, he walked at a leisurely pace, passing through nearby villages and enjoying the scenery.
But as he entered the valleys, his instincts kicked in, and he started to move faster, his steps light and swift.
The landscape around him blurred as he increased his speed, the valleys stretching out in every direction.
The air was crisp and clear, the morning sun casting long shadows across the land.
Yet, amidst the serenity, a sense of unease crept into his mind.
"Without a doubt, something is tailing me," Oasis thought, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
He turned his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.
Thanks to his new eyes, he could see the lingering mana trails of his pursuer, even though they were hiding in the shadows.
"These eyes are sure handy," he mused, his expression becoming serious.
He could sense the presence, though it remained elusive, masked by powerful concealment techniques.
Meanwhile, the shadowy figure trailing him was growing increasingly intrigued.
"This brat surely is quick. I'm now certain he is not ordinary, with that speed and the fact that his cultivation cannot be seen," the figure thought,
maintaining a safe distance while observing Oasis.
"And the brat is aware of my presence," they realized, noting how Oasis's movements had shifted.
From the lingering mana, Oasis deduced that his pursuer was at a higher cultivation level than him, though he couldn't yet determine the exact realm.
Understanding the need to act swiftly, Oasis decided to increase his speed further, activating the Dancing Phoenix Technique.
!!!
"What is that speed? Impossible!" the shadow figure thought, stunned by the sudden burst of velocity.
"Without a doubt, I'm now convinced he is my target."
Oasis, sensing the growing intensity of the pursuit, knew he had to stay ahead.
The chase was on, and the stakes were higher than ever.