Eternal Thief

Within the Upper Ancient Battlefield of the Undead Cradle, just as the participants were starting to move towards their posts while some were still discussing strategies and forming groups, something unexpected happened.

At that moment, the enormous Evernight Alliance Hub beneath everyone’s feet suddenly trembled.

’RUMBLE!’

The floating island-sized platform shook violently, making participants stagger; others immediately took to the air, and then, under countless astonished gazes, the Alliance Hub itself began to move.

The gigantic structure drifted forward through the sky as a celestial war fortress, awakening from slumber, with ancient formations ignited across its surface, thousands of runes lighting up, and countless abyssal arrays roaring to life.

Its destination was obvious, the Main Forward Outpost, the true command center of the upcoming war. The battlefield had not even begun yet, yet the Evernight Council was already mobilizing on a scale that left everyone speechless.

Far beyond the horizon, enormous construction sites could already be seen, strongholds, fortresses, defensive walls, supply stations, as those Evernight Council cultivators were building them at terrifying speed.

All of them shared one location, the now-visible Undead Boundary, as the invisible shield that had protected the Corpse Clan for countless years was no longer hidden. Its existence had become exposed to the world.

Meanwhile, far above the battlefield, the Evernight Kings silently observed everything as their law senses swept repeatedly across the Undead Boundary, closely monitoring its waning state and seeking further changes.

More importantly, they were still trying to understand how an obstacle that had halted the Evernight Council for countless years had suddenly become vulnerable. But no matter how deeply they probed, the answer remained hidden and elusive.

On the other hand, the moving Evernight Alliance Hub continued its advance, and soon countless participants began departing along their assigned routes, with streams of cultivators shooting toward their designated regions.

Half-Moon Hunters, Full-Moon Hunters, and former Hunts, now Crescent Moon Hunters, all moved like rivers flowing toward war; some were excited, some were nervous, and others carried naked killing intent.

But regardless of their thoughts, everyone understood that the real trial had begun.

---

Deep inside the Undead Boundary, the atmosphere was completely different from the Evernight Council.

There was fear, panic, dread, hysteria... as those emotions spread like wildfire among the Corpse Cultivators as they gathered across countless hidden settlements.

Every face was pale, their expressions ugly and dazed as they all stared toward the distant Undead Boundary, toward the shield that had protected them for generations, their lifeline and final sanctuary.

Not long ago, they had received an abrupt order from their superiors to retreat. At the time, nobody understood why, even many complained. After all, preparations for the Great Corpse Carnival had already begun.

Yet now, looking beyond the boundary, while the sky outside was filled with Evernight Council’s cultivators creating war fortresses, forward outposts, and military formations... they finally understood.

The Evernight Council was preparing for a full-scale invasion, and coming with an army!

”It started...”

A Corpse Elder muttered weakly.

”The calamity...”

Another corpse cultivator trembled.

”The Evernight Council is coming...”

The older members of the Corpse Clan looked even worse because they remembered the Great Calamity, the war that nearly exterminated the Corpse Clan, and had turned entire regions into graveyards.

The war that forced their ancestors to hide behind the protection of the Undead Boundary, and now, it seemed history was about to repeat itself.

Only this time, the Undead Boundary might no longer protect them.

Fear spread rapidly, just as panic threatened to erupt...

’BOOM!’

A terrifying pressure descended, and countless corpse cultivators immediately raised their heads towards a colossal figure that appeared in the sky.

His monstrous silhouette was wrapped in corpse Qi, and everyone instantly recognized him, and their despairing eyes flashed with hope.

It was the Ninth Bone Legion Commander, or at least, one of his corpse vessels, but those low-ranking members didn’t know about it.

His true Undead Soul wasn’t present, nor was his main vessel; only a substitute body had appeared, but nobody paid attention. The appearance of a Bone Legion Commander alone was enough to stabilize countless trembling hearts.

The Ninth Commander looked toward the frightened masses before his voice thundered across the region.

”Members of the Corpse Clan!”

Silence instantly descended.

”The Evernight Council has launched another invasion.”

Murderous intent surged from his body.

”They seek our extinction! They seek our destruction! They seek to erase the Corpse Clan from existence!”

The crowd immediately became restless as anger and killing intent gradually replaced fear and panic.

The Ninth Commander continued, ”Something unexpected has occurred within the Undead Boundary. I cannot reveal the details, but make no mistake, the Evernight Council believes this is their opportunity to exterminate us and plunder our home.”

His eyes burned with cold fury, ”But they didn’t know about one thing...they are wrong!”

’Boom!’

His aura exploded, ”The Corpse Clan has survived the Evernight Council before. And we shall survive again!”

The crowd erupted as their morale instantly rose.

The Ninth Commander pointed toward the distant boundary, ”Prepare for war! Establish defensive positions! Construct fortifications! Take any resources you need to protect yourselves, your clansmen, and your home. This battle shall determine our fate!”

Countless corpse cultivators roared in response.

The Ninth Commander raised his hand, ”And fear not! Lord Corpse Governor has already moved. The Evernight Council shall not have an easy victory. We will repay blood with blood, and death with death!

”Hold your ground, trust in the Lord Corpse Governor, and trust in the Corpse Clan!”

The heavens shook with countless roars as the panic that had dominated moments ago slowly gave way to grim determination.

War was coming, and everyone knew it!

---

Elsewhere, not far from both camps, two figures moved through the sky. They were naturally Ace and Eva. Both had originally intended to infiltrate the Evernight Alliance Hub itself.

But unfortunately for them, neither of them had expected the entire structure to suddenly start moving. Ace looked toward the colossal war fortress advancing across the heavens.

His eyes narrowed, ”So much for quietly breaking in.”

Eva’s beautiful eyes shimmered, and a faint smile appeared beneath her veil. ”I have to admit, this surprised even me.”

The Evernight Alliance Hub had become their primary target, and now it was moving directly toward the main battlefield, which made things significantly more complicated.

Ace observed the massive fortress carefully; the number of experts stationed there alone had multiplied several times. Not to mention the Evernight Kings themselves might be now actively monitoring the Undead Boundary. This was no longer a simple operation.

”It seems,” Ace said calmly, ”our target just placed itself at the center of the storm.”

Eva’s eyes gleamed, ”Then we’ll simply enter the storm.”

The two exchanged a meaningful look as neither appeared worried. If anything, their determination had only grown to go through with Eva’s insane plan!