‘First things first we’re gonna have to decide how we’re going to get into the castle. Boss said to let you handle the planning but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you out or answer some questions for you.’ Fair opens up the conversation while the two of them are perched on a building within sight of the castle and the streets surrounding it.

After thinking for a bit, Seren asks, ‘Well they'll have to be people who come in and out the castle on at least a semi daily basis right? I think we can use that as a method to get us into the castle.’

‘That's a good start but do you really want just anyone who comes in and out? After all CinderSands is by no means a small city and has an equally not small castle.’ Fair asks in return with a small smirk on his face.

Appearing stymied for only a second Seren thinks for second before coming up with, ‘Well it should be someone who can normally be seen with them on regular days, so possibly someone like a caretaker or handler, but I don’t know how often they would have to leave the castle or where they would go when they do.’

Nodding sharply Fairs before speaking, ‘That's good, and you’re right but here we can assume that for the most part a caretaker of children like those two who officially speaking don’t exist would be kept close to them but also someone well trusted with the people, after all if they suspect that the caretaker is mistreating them along with they already are being forced to leave it wouldn’t work out so what I suggest we do is follow the city lords assistant and see where that leads us.’

‘Okay but how do we do that without being seen?’ Seren asks while looking over at Fairs who can be seen smirking again.

‘Normally at the 3rd hand you wouldn’t have a chance to interact with the Dao yet but because you intend to walk the path of Mortal energy today is your lucky day. What I’m about to tell you is actually the only reason Braz was willing to let you do this otherwise it would be a senseless risk.’ taking a pause to gather his thoughts Fairs starts, ‘So Qi and Mana despite being the major two energies worldwide they are not actually our human species inherent energy type, this is why at the same stage as beasts humans are generally weaker in raw power. We make up for this with versatility and then during the Quarter Breaks of cultivation we can begin the reforging process to bring our bodies closer to harmony with those energies. I bring all this up because where those are the natural energies of beasts, the energies we practice for Mortal energy are precisely our inherent energies. The reason Beasts can achieve insights into the Dao without meditation and enlightenment is because of their bloodlines but also because of their increased natural harmony giving them a superior connection to the Heavens and Earths where the Dao resides. Humans can have this same advantage but only upon achieving at least a second Quarter Break and even then only if both breaks were of sufficiently high quality. Since we practice these inherent energies we can interact with the Dao at earlier stages and therefore have an edge in using them. Which is why despite the Dao generally only being something you focus upon reaching the 6th hand and needing one to break into the 3rd quarter, I have already reached a high enough level in the Dao of Stealth that I can cover us both in it and we won’t be detectable by physical or energy based senses by anyone below peak 6th hand.’ Fairs states produly.

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Looking at him excitedly at first then confused Seren asks, ‘If our own natural energy can bring us closer to the Dao which is required to enter the higher stages then why don’t we practice these energies anymore?’

Fairs looks away and looks as if he’s remembering a heart rending story before answering, ‘While I can answer that, the academy can answer it far better and in a way that will give you an understanding that I can’t. So with that being said let's get on with this mission.’ Here Fairs jumps to the next roof heading towards the city halls leaving Seren to have to rush after him.

‘Heyyy! Wait up!’ Seren yells while Fairs just looks back and chuckles.