Eternal Thief

“Attention! The Sun and Moon Ascension Gates are about to open!”

Everyone looked in the colossal gates’ direction in unison.

Ace was also observing the bronze gates with sun and moon symbols, but he was more interested in the golden and silver wyvern status standing at each side of these two gates.

Looking at those two statues, Ace’s eyes gleamed in a dark light as a strange golden symbol suddenly appeared deep within his pupils, and it appeared slightly revolving.

The golden wyvern was standing on the side of the sun symbol, while the silver wyvern was standing beside the gate with the moon symbol.

He was feeling strange undulations from those two statues, which was quite compelling, especially for those Qi gates realm youths, as some of them were looking at them with worship.

Unlike others, he could see very faint crimson and purple haze emitting from them.

‘According to some heraldry books, the Wyvern is a legendary beast of war, envy, pestilence, and strength. But they only appeared in symbols or statues like these two, and no one had ever seen a real one even the beasts in the beast continent worship them.

‘It’s even possible that they should be in the same class as Cyrus and from another heaven. As for those statuses, they are quite unique as a massive amount of Qi is released from both of them. The silver one emits gentle soul Qi, and the golden is emitting fiery martial Qi.

‘Even with my Intermediate Thief’s Vision at an early level, I can only see those two-color Qi. Which could only mean they are at least Grade-7 treasures!’ A thievish glint flashed past his eyes before vanishing.

Even if he wanted to steal those statues, he didn’t dare to because he knew the moment he did, he could forget about getting out of here in one piece. Besides, since those union guys dared to place those two treasures on the entrance gates, they should be quite confident in protecting them.

Still, if they had placed two grade-7 treasures on the entrance gates, then just how rich were they exactly?

Ace quickly threw those dangerous thoughts outside his head as he knew he was not ready to raid a place with the possibility of having a grade-8 protection treasure.

The black color in the fate map was more than reason enough for him not to try anything foolish and only focused on finding a way to get out of here and head to the Azure Wind Continent!

This place wasn’t going anywhere after all.

The solemn ethereal voice rang again, “I will repeat the three rules only time, so listen carefully. Even if you are no newcomer, make sure you get your facts straight.

“First, anyone under the age of thirty is eligible to ascend the ascension stairway. But if you are even a day older than thirty years, the moment you cross the gates, you will suffer a torturous death. So, leave now while you still can and save yourself the torture.”

No one moved as they were well aware of this fact and waited solemnly for the voice to continue.

“Second, the ascension staircase has 1,500 steps and is divided into three levels which will test three aspects of you.

“The first level (1st Step to 500th Step) will test your strength!

“The second level (501st Step to 1000th Step) will test your willpower! .

“The third and final level (1001st Step to 1500th step) will test your courage, strength, and willpower all together!

“The first two levels are not deadly, and you will be saved by the invigilators. However, the moment you step on the 1001st step, you will lose your chance to be saved as from that point on, it is either go forward or perish scenario.

“So, know your limit and don’t die unjustly. There are always more chances to return in the future and take the test again as long as you are alive.

“The third and final rule, attack on fellow participants or using any underhanded tactics or treasures are prohibited. If found, you will be detained, including your loved one, and executed in the execution platform of the mortal realm!”

Everyone was silent as they had grave expressions since they were repeatedly warned about this particular rule because it wasn’t a joke at all.

In the past many families, whether they were influential or run-of-the-mill, anyone was foolish enough to try underhanded tricks. They were instantly caught and then executed because of this exact rule.

This made this trial fair for everyone, and no one dared to play dirty, no matter how much guts they had.

Ace’s lips curled up since he wasn’t worried in the least since he had spent a whole month in the Official Mountain City to prepare for this trial.

At this moment, the ground suddenly started to shake as something huge was moving, and it was none other than the two sun and moon ascension gates.

The gates moved inward; dense Qi suddenly rushed out, but no one seemed to bother by it as everyone’s shimmering eyes were affixed to the stone stairway that goes all the way into the clouds.

Although the stone staircase looked extremely ordinary, as if it was carved by an ordinary stonemason.

But everyone knew better than to belittle that ‘ordinary’ stone staircase because if they did, the moment they took the first step, they would be in a world of pain.

‘The Qi is as dense as the imperial demon domain.’ Ace’s expression became solemn as he looked at the long stairway and the clouds blocking the other side.

The solemn ethereal voice sounded snapped everyone from their stupor, “Now, take out your Official Member Identity Token and cross the gates. If your Union Merit Points are below 100, then you better scram, or you’ll be punished the moment you are discovered sneaking!”

Everyone quickly flipped their hands, and palm-size gray cubic tokens appeared in their hands. Some take them out from their pockets and start moving toward the ascension stairway.

Since the Official Members could use Qi, they naturally had lowest-grade storage rings available for 100 union credit, but only some rich family scions could afford them.

Ace also took out the same gray token from his pocket and followed behind the human group.

His lips curled up slightly, ‘I had spent an entire month to forge this little thing. It better be worth it!’