Eternal Thief

When Ace heard the Dread Duchess was willing to help Kharon despite the risk of reprisal or of offending the Weaponized Mystic Haven, he was slightly astonished.

”See, I’ve told you she treats me well and won’t make things difficult for you!” Eva commented with confidence and pride.

Ace agreed, since the same thing had happened with Nomad as well. That time, Nomad was also useful to the Dread Duchess, but Kharon was a nobody, which meant the Dread Duchess was doing this just for Eva.

He glanced at Eva with a thoughtful look, thinking with a hint of worry, ’I don’t believe you won’t feel anything once you betray her...’

Ace quickly hid his inner thoughts and replied, ”Indeed, now we can stay here while figuring out our next move.”

Dread Duchess was unaware of Eva and Ace’s secret conversation unless they used the spirit transmission in her presence, and, in her eyes, Kharon was still insignificant, so she wouldn’t pay him more mind than necessary.

Afterward, the Dread Duchess lightly waved her hand and commanded, ”Kharon, wait outside.”

Ace, still disguised as Kharon Veyth, immediately bowed respectfully. ”As you command, Your Highness.”

Without hesitation, he retreated from the command center; the heavy doors closed behind him. Neither Ace nor Eva showed any objection. After all, from everyone’s perspective, he was merely a subordinate.

Once the doors were sealed shut, only two figures remained within the vast chamber.

The Dread Duchess and her disciple, for several moments.

Silence reigned as the Dread Duchess simply stared at Eva, not with the gaze of a superior examining a subordinate. But with the gaze of a master observing her most prized disciple.

Finally, she spoke, ”This Kharon, I hope you’ll do the right thing once the time comes.”

Eva easily guessed what the Dread Duchess was implying, and readily agreed, ”No need to worry, master. I know what I’m doing!”

Eva knew the Dread Duchess probably considered she had taken a momentary interest in Kharon, and once she realized he was worthless, she would discard him. But if Kharon shows no extraordinary qualities and Eva still doesn’t let him go, as her master, she’ll make the decision on his behalf.

The Dread Duchess nodded in satisfaction before her tone turned serious as she said, ”Now to the main business. The Corpse Clan of the Undead Race will not be easy opponents. Many fools within the Evernight Council believe this conquest is already won because the Undead Boundary is waning.

”Although they are not wrong since the Undead Boundary was the reason they were able to survive for this long, and now that it is suddenly waning, they are going to be annihilated like they should’ve been a long time ago.

”But this doesn’t mean this war is going to be easy, and whoever believes that is wrong, since they are already concerned, and a cornered enemy is the most dangerous.

”Moreover, the Hunter’s Hunt won’t stop, and the Evernight Council will allow many low-realm corpse cultivators to reach the participants. At that time, it’ll be a battle of life and death with no rules, disciplines, or mercy; it’ll be the battle for survival!

”Even the high realm cultivators can target you guys if they managed to sneak past us, that’s why you need to be very careful since I might not be able to protect you in time.”

The Dread Duchess was nothing but concerned about Eva’s safety, but she knew if she didn’t allow Eva to participate in this war, not only would it ruin her reputation, but Eva would never be able to grow past her protection.

But contrary to her expectations, Eva remained calm and replied, ”I know, master, this war is going to be a brutal one, and I’m not afraid. Furthermore, the Council has already distributed numerous anti-undead techniques and manuals to the participants. As long as I learn them, the Corpse Clan won’t be a problem!”

”Hmph!” The Dread Duchess immediately snorted as disdain flashed within her eyes behind the mask, ”Those things? They are nothing more than mass-produced battlefield arts. They are suitable for ordinary participants. But my disciple is not ordinary.”

Her tone became colder as she declared, ”Those techniques are unworthy of you and will only slow you down. On a battlefield, even a moment can be a deciding factor between life and death!”

Eva’s eyes flickered, and then the Dread Duchess raised her hand as a jade scroll appeared.

The moment it emerged, the surrounding space faintly trembled as countless ancient crimson runes filled with profound intent flowed across its jade surface. Even without opening it, one could feel an overwhelming aura of destruction emanating from within.

Eva’s expression finally changed as the Dread Duchess placed the scroll before her.

”This...” The Dread Duchess’s voice carried unmistakable pride, ”...is one of the highest anti-undead inheritances possessed by the Evernight Council.”

Eva immediately became attentive.

The Dread Duchess continued, ”Only Evernight Dukes possess authority to access it. Even Abyssal Grand Lords cannot obtain it freely. Normally, it would never be transmitted to outsiders.”

A rare smile appeared beneath her mask, ”But you are my disciple, and your talent is sufficient. Therefore, I am giving you the qualification to learn the first section.”

Eva carefully accepted the jade scroll, and when her law sense touched it, her pupils contracted because the name instantly appeared within her mind.

”Void Annihilation Trinity Scripture!”

Even Eva felt shocked, and the Dread Duchess naturally noticed her reaction.

”This Spell Art was created specifically to exterminate vile immortal entities like the Undead Race’s clan, like the Corpse Clan, Ghost Clan, Wraith Clan...by some unknown senior.

”Even beings possessing regenerative immortality, everything can be annihilated by it.”

Her voice carried absolute confidence, ”The scripture consists of three sections. The First Section is called the Voidbreaker Seal. The Second Section is the Annihilation Domain. Lastly, the Third Section is called the Empty Void Funeral!”

Even Eva felt a chill at the sound of those names as the Dread Duchess slowly explained.

”The first section allows one to fuse Space Laws and Destruction Laws into a unique Qi known as Void Annihilation Power. This force ignores many forms of regeneration. It destroys both physical and spiritual essence simultaneously. Against undead creatures, its effectiveness is terrifying.

”The second section transforms that Qi into a Domain. Everything within the domain is constantly annihilated. As for the third section...”

For the first time, even the Dread Duchess paused, ”It is capable of permanently erasing certain forms of immortality.”

Eva’s eyes widened as the Dread Duchess merely shrugged, ”Of course. You need not think about that now, as only Abyssal Grand Lords can barely begin cultivating the third section, and only the Abyssal Kings can bring out its true power. Anyhow, the first section alone is already enough for your current realm!”