Eternal Thief

1181  Inferno Mountain Pass

Within a dark mountain pass seemingly made with magma, a fiery heat radiated from it as if there was still molten lava coursing through it. In the middle of the Inferno Mountain Pass, a towering crimson gate with the AIG sectʼs symbol carved on it stood there. There was a hint of ancient air around this place as if it had stood for hundreds of thousands of years like an unshakable mountain.

This place is the Inferno Mountain Pass of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect, and the imposing gate marks the territory of the Guardian Sect. Only sect members or esteemed guests were allowed to pass this point, which normally remained barren. Seldom do sect disciples appear in this place when they are leaving or coming back from sect missions, or it becomes extremely lively upon the sect entrance test.

However, today wasnʼt such a day. Two cloaked figures could be seen approaching the Inferno Mountain Pass; one was tall, while the other was dainty.

”Are you sure your magic beasts would be fine on their own in the wilderness? You shouldʼve left them back in the estate,” The dainty figure, Elder Marguerite of Weston Clan, asked with a hint of uncertainty. She was also an outer court flame disciple of the sect. The other figure was Ace in Georgeʼs disguise, and he replied with confidence, ”Thank you for your concern, Elder Marguerite. But I know my friends the best, and they wonʼt like to be confined in a space. So, itʼs better to leave him in the wilderness and roam free instead of having them cause trouble for your clan. Furthermore, Iʼm sure they can survive on their own, and itʼs only temporary.”

They were naturally talking about Cyrus and Chuchu, who were now actually in Aceʼs thiefʼs space. Still, Marguerite naturally didnʼt know about it since, while coming in here, Ace had made an excuse to leave them in the wilderness around the sect.

Ace had to do this because Marguerite insisted on tagging along with him, the reason for going back to the sect and as his guide. Furthermore, he canʼt refuse since Lloyd and the other elders of the Weston Clan seem pretty persistent.

Although they didnʼt tell him the true reason, he could guess that there was something going on, and Marguerite seemed to be his bodyguard instead of a guide. Moreover, his guess became more solid when he was giving this cloak which was actually an ascension treasure that could hide other probing and how they left through the secret passage instead of the front door. Even though it was bothersome and Ace was more than capable of protecting himself, he didnʼt refuse their goodwill and went along with the flow. But he didnʼt leave Cyrus and Chuchu in the clan despite their persistence since Elder Dewey had already talked about this matter.

After all, what could be the safest place for them than his thiefʼs space? He wonʼt be at ease if he leaves them alone, especially Cyrus. So, he had to trick Marguerite so he could send them to the thiefʼs space until he learned that Law Beast Channel spell.

”Alright, if youʼre confident, then I wonʼt say anything. Oh, and you should call me Senior Sister in the sect; Iʼm no elder here.” Marguerite ordered and didnʼt push any further.

Since it was Georgeʼs decision, she could only respect it. Furthermore, she knew George was, in a way, Johnʼs successor, and she would do everything to make sure he wouldnʼt suffer in the sect while she exacted her revenge on the person who was behind Johnʼs death.

At this moment, they were both suddenly stopped when they were only a mile away from the Inferno Mountain Pass because a burly man in a dark combat robe with a crimson flame symbol on his chest; his attire was almost like Elder Homerʼs, but he didnʼt have any crimson stars around his collar, which mean he was a Flame Disciple.

”Who are you, and what are you doing in this place? This is a restricted area of the AIG Sect. If youʼre lost, then you only have one chance to turn around, or donʼt blame me for being impolite.” The man, with a solemn expression, coldly questioned while releasing his cultivation pressure. He was at least a 4-Star Ascension Warrior.

However, both Ace and Marguerite were unfazed by his pressure. Ace was obviously immune to this kind of pressure at this point. At the same time, Marguerite was a 9-Star Ascension Solider and only a step away from becoming an Ascension Warrior, far stronger than this man.

But she didnʼt take any action, and the next moment, the cloak on her figure vanished, revealing the same kind of attire as the man, but hers was more famine, startling the man.

But then, a flame-shaped badge appeared in her hand, and she flashed it in front of the man and impassively said, ”Iʼm Flame Disciple Marguerite Weston, coming back to the sect. This is Sir George, a holder of the Elder Apportionment Token. Heʼs here to initiate an Apportionment Trial. Open the gates and let us pass through.”

The Flame Disciple was even more shocked when he heard the term Elder Apportionment Token because he knew those tokens were considered extremely precious. Elders wouldnʼt give them to just anyone. Every holder of an Elder Apportionment Token should have talent far greater than normal disciples because only this could move the elders or if the holder had some very close connection to an Elder.

Furthermore, itʼs been almost two centuries since the last Elder Apportionment Token was used. This information can easily be found in the sectʼs public library.

”So, itʼs a senior sister returning to sect. Please forgive my offense.” The Flame Disciple quickly changed his tone into a more respectful one before he looked towards Ace, who was still in a cloak, and politely said, ”May see the Elder Apportionment Token of Sir George? Itʼs protocol, and without it, I canʼt let him pass. Please try to understand. Iʼm only doing my job.”

The Flame Disciple smiled wryly as he told the truth. If it had been on him, he wouldnʼt have stopped Marguerite at all because she had the surname Weston. He wasnʼt part of the four clans, and he knew better than to offend them, whether they were from the outer branch or the main branch.

Nonetheless, he knew his every action was being monitored, so he couldnʼt give special privileges to anyone, especially those who entered the sect. The sect took this matter extremely seriously.

Marguerite didnʼt make things difficult for him, either. She glanced at George and said, ”You can reveal yourself; no one will trouble him, and show him your token.”

Ace was finally convinced, and he was even more surprised when he found a seal on this manʼs knowledge sea as well. His conjecture about it being a norm turned out to be true. He was already working on a solution to this problem, or his Soul Probe would become useless, and the only solution he could think of was Mind-Stealing!

But at this moment, he had to enter the sect first without any hitch. The cloak on his figure also vanished before the golden Elder Apportionment Token, which was actually shaped like a cauldron, appeared in his hand.

The Flame Disciple was astounded, ”A Forger Elder Apportionment Token!” He then promptly took out a white formation plate and said to George in a polite tone, ”Senior Sister and Sir George, please put your badge and token on this Identity Scan Spirit Device. Once the authenticity of your badge and token are confirmed, you can pass.”

Marguerite didnʼt question and placed her token on it, and the next moment, the token shimmered in ethereal light, and a projection appeared with all the information about Margret written on it.

The Flame Disciple nodded, ”The Spiritual Mark is still active. Please take your badge. Your identity is confirmed. Welcome back, Senior Sister.”

Marguerite nodded to take her badge away, and it was Georgeʼs turn. Ace was secretly surprised by this placeʼs security measures. Although he didnʼt know how they determined that the badge holder was the real Marguerite, he guessed that it had something to do with Spiritual Mark.

Nonetheless, he placed the token on the formation plate like Marguerite, and the next moment, it lit up, and another projection appeared.

The Flame Disciple nodded again, his tone becoming more respectful, ”It is a real Elder Apportionment Token. You can take it back, and Iʼm sure someone will be there to receive you. Good luck with your trial. I hope the next time we meet, youʼll be my Junior.”

Ace found this Flame Disciple personality to his liking as he nodded, ”Thank you, senior. Iʼll try living up to seniorʼs expectations.”

At this moment, the massive gate of the Inferno Mountain Pass started to pass. At the same time, the appearance of the Elder Apportionment Token suddenly triggers an alarm, drawing many powerful figuresʼ attention!