The Raid in the Shadows

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the small village nestled at the world's edge. It was the 30th of June, and the night was eerily quiet. The villagers were fast asleep, unaware of the shadow that moved silently among them. Kai, cloaked in darkness, made his way towards the village leader Chen's house. His heart pounded with anticipation and determination. Tonight was the night he would raid the vault.

Kai had spent his recent days meticulously planning this raid. He had observed the guards' routines, mapped out the layout of the house, and identified the vault's location. He knew this village didn't have much, but he hoped to find enough resources to aid his breakthrough from Mortal Qi Realm to Foundational Establishment.

As he approached the house, Kai's senses were heightened. He could hear the faint rustling of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the soft breathing of the guards stationed outside. He moved with the grace and precision of a predator, slipping past the guards unnoticed. His training had honed his skills to perfection, and he was confident in his ability to complete this mission without detection.

Kai reached the back of the house and found the small window he had identified during his reconnaissance. He carefully pried it open and slipped inside, landing silently on the wooden floor. The house was dark, but Kai's eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light. He made his way through the narrow corridors, avoiding the creaky floorboards and the occasional guard patrolling the halls.

Finally, he reached the door to the vault. It was a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron, but Kai had come prepared. He pulled out a set of lockpicking tools and set to work. His fingers moved deftly, and within minutes, he heard the satisfying click of the lock disengaging. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The vault was small and sparsely filled. Kai's heart sank as he took in the sight. There were a few chests and shelves, but they were mostly empty. He had hoped for more, but he reminded himself that this was a small village on the world's edge. Resources were scarce, and he couldn't expect to find a treasure trove.

Kai began to search through the chests, his movements quick and efficient. He found a few bags of coins, some precious stones, and a handful of scrolls. But what caught his eye were the elixirs. There were several vials filled with shimmering liquid, each labeled with their contents. Kai's eyes widened as he realized these elixirs could help him break through to the Foundational Establishment.

He carefully packed the elixirs into his bag, along with the coins and stones. Just as he was about to leave, he heard footsteps approaching. His heart raced, but he remained calm. He had anticipated this possibility and had a plan in place.

Kai quickly moved to a shadowy corner of the vault and waited. The door creaked open, and a group of guards entered. There were twenty of them, and they were armed and alert. Kai knew he couldn't afford to be discovered. He took a deep breath and prepared to strike.

With a swift motion, Kai launched himself at the nearest guard. His movements were a blur as he struck with precision and speed. The guard didn't even have time to react before he crumpled to the ground. The other guards turned, but Kai was already moving. He flowed through them like a shadow, his strikes deadly and efficient.

One by one, the guards fell. Kai's training and experience made him a formidable opponent, and he showed no mercy. Within moments, all twenty guards lay on the ground, their lives extinguished. Kai stood in the center of the room, his breathing steady and his mind focused. He had completed his mission, but he knew he couldn't linger.

He quickly made his way out of the vault, retracing his steps through the house. He slipped out the window and disappeared into the night, leaving no trace of his presence. As he made his way back to his inn, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The raid hadn't yielded as much as he had hoped, but the elixirs were a valuable find.

Back in his room, Kai carefully examined the elixirs. Each one was labeled with its effects, and he could see that they were indeed powerful. He knew these elixirs would help him break through to the Foundational Establishment, and he felt a renewed sense of determination. He had come this far, and he wouldn't let anything stand in his way.