That evening, Jared had dealt with every obstacle swiftly and decisively, never dragging things out or hesitating. This gave the Madman the impression that the other cities within Winged Tiger City were comparatively weak.
“Don’t let your guard down. Let’s keep moving!” Jared urged.
The group of four pressed on. Before long, another city appeared on the horizon. This one was clearly larger than the previous ones. Though it wasn’t on par with the main city, it was still far more expansive than the rest.
Most notably, the city gates were tightly sealed. A dense, grey-brown mist hung thick in the air around it, completely obscuring the gates from view.
The entire city was blanketed in fog so heavy that even when Jared ascended into the sky, couldn’t clearly make out its structure.
He tried probing it with his spiritual sense, only to find that the mist blocked them completely. It was no accident. Someone had clearly laid the mist intentionally, as if to keep the city concealed on purpose.
“This is so strange,” Madman said. “It’s like a ghost town. I can’t feel a single trace of aura.”
“Someone‘s masked the city‘s aura on purpose. This place probably holds way more significance than any of the others we’ve passed in Winged Tiger City. Getting through this one might not be as easy as the last,” Eason said gravely.
“It’s covered in mist on all sides. We can’t see what’s going on inside. Should we try flying over it? If we can’t see them, they can’t see us either,” the Madman replied.
“That won’t work. That mist is the result of a massive arcane array. Even flying over it would set off alarms. For now, we take it step by step. Let’s just break the arcane array first. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting ducks in a trap,” Jared said, determined.
The group approached the city, and to their surprise, found no guards at the gates. It looked abandoned, like a ghost town, but Jared wasn’t fooled. A truly deserted city in Winged Tiger territory was practically impossible.
Standing before the towering gates, Jared’s eyes glinted red. He had activated his Nethersky Eye.
The arcane array was huge, and if went about breaking it through normal means, it would take too long, and there was no guarantee of success. So, Jared turned to his Nethersky Eye, cautiously beginning to analyze the arcane array.
Buzz!
The moment activated it, his vision shifted drastically.
The Nethersky Eye was fully open. In his view, the once-impenetrable mist began to lift. As its power intensified, Jared’s gaze pierced the city gates, as though were already inside the walls.
The arcane array had blocked off all auras and spiritual senses, but it couldn’t block the Nethersky Eye.
Looking into the city, Jared saw no civilians. Only soldiers everywhere. Rows upon rows of armored troops, some training, others patrolling.
Then it clicked. This wasn’t a regular city at all. It was a giant military camp for Winged Tiger City. Soldiers were trained here before being dispatched to the other cities.
Jared‘s heart began to race. All their wandering had led them straight into the lion’s den. He deactivated his Nethersky Eye.
“Jared, what do you think?” Eason asked quietly. “Can you crack the arcane array?”
“I changed my mind. Let’s take another route,” Jared said without hesitation, turning on his heel.
“Jared, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re scared?” Madman called after him, puzzled.
