Eternal Thief

Ace passes through the passage while impersonating Antonio, especially where the Demonic Winged Tiger is standing guard, using his stealth and twilight traverse ability.

Although he was disguised as Antonio, he still didn't have his memories, so he needed to be very careful about how he interacted with the members of the Skylar Clan. He had already decided that if someone doubted his identity, he wouldn't hesitate to get rid of them.

It was also his first time leaving the underground palace without any need to sneak around. He already knew where the passage was because of the fate map, and he had been there before in Leroy's disguise.

When he approached the hidden passage's exit, he found that it was locked in a formation. After skimming through Antonio's stuff, he found a formation plate, and after using it, the passage was opened.

Ace's current formation knowledge was on top of this world, so this grade-8 formation and its mystery were nothing in front of him.

When he appeared in the space treasury passage, Ace was dressed just like Antonio. However, Ace wasn't nonchalant because someone was waiting for him outside the passage.

When he appeared, an old giant in lavish robes and a skinny constitution was waiting for him outside.

The old giant's eyes were razor-sharp, and when he saw Antonio arrive, he asked gravely, "What happened? I noticed your chaotic aura a few minutes ago when you abruptly barged into the sacred passage. You make me stand guard here, yet you yourself are acting like barbarians."

His words were harsh, and he did not respect Antonio. He scolded him like an elder his junior. Furthermore, Ace could sense that this old giant's hidden aura was at a late stage of the Law Comprehension Realm while Antonio was at the Late Law Comprehension Realm Stage.

Furthermore, Ace felt a familiarity with this giant's soul signature, 'He was present among those giants in the golden lands, so he's an ancestor!' He instantly connected the dots.

Although Sofia didn't comply with the soul contact and ran away before he could force her, he still learned some things from her about the golden lands, especially about these old fossils.

'So, he instated an ancestor to guard this passage?' Ace mused before he acted like Antonio with the limited knowledge he had of him.

"Forgive me, Ancestor, the beast suddenly went berserk, so I thought something had happened. But it was a false alarm." He replied as subtly as possible.

The old giant frowned, "Demonic Winged Tiger? Well, it's been guarding the sacred door for over nine thousand years now, and he only had around another thousand years to live. It's about time we capture another beast."

"I have the same opinion." Antonio nodded with an impassive look.

"Alright, if something like this happens again, don't forget to tell me beforehand; my old bones can't keep the suspense." The old giant waved his hand dismissively, seemingly tired.

'They are indeed using unorthodox methods to cheat death and extend their lifespan. Even I can sense his every move somehow uses up his life energy. But why did they leave these guys outside?' Ace wondered silently before he left for the main palace.

'Although I can't remember the clan members of Skylar Giant Race, I can still use those servants for my act. As long as I don't interact with imperial family members, I'll be fine.

'I should first find Antonio's cultivation chamber and then lock myself there and practice before gathering pawns for my final act…' Ace mused gravely as he walked around the huge palace corridors, and whenever he saw someone, he tried to probe their memories.

At this moment, Ace was passing by the throne hall when a heroic giant in golden armor appeared in front of him and bowed deeply, "You left seclusion, Your Majesty?"

"What is it?" He asked impassively.

"Your majesty, I'm here to report that the traitor has refused to give up the secret method. Please forgive your subject for his incompetence!" The heroic giant replied in a bitter tone as he bowed deeper.

'Which traitor?' Ace wanted to ask but suppressed his curiosity.

He didn't know what had been happening around the imperial palace for over the past year, and he was still desperately comprehending the forbidden runes in the underground secret cavern.

But Ace was surprised when he tried to use a soul probe on this giant because he succeeded!

'Could it be that only the imperial family members who know about the Ascension Temple or anything related to it are under restraint?' Ace quickly guessed.

Whatever the case was, he could now get this person's memories of someone who had a high rank in the imperial palace, and this would make things easier.

The giant was clueless about Ace assimilating his memories, and he took Antonio's silence as a sign of displeasure. But he didn't dare speak up or raise his head as he awaited Antonio's fury.

After a few seconds, Ace finally spoke, "Marshal Callan, you don't need to blame yourself. I know you tried your best. Please raise your head."

Surprisingly, this guy was the marshal of the imperial army and the first-ranked imperial guard. But what Ace found startling in his memories was a ritual that every Marshal of the imperial army had to go through when they received their titles.

'They really didn't believe anyone, did they? To ensure the Marshall of the Imperial Army remained on the imperial bloodline side, they secretly planted some kind of restraint on him. He can't go against the Emperor's order even if he told me to commit suicide…'

Ace didn't feel pity or good for Callan, who had so much power, yet he couldn't use it. He knew this was the rule of this world.

But at this moment, as Ace refined more and more of Marshall Callan's memories, his eyes suddenly went cold, and a hidden killing intent flashed past his eyes because he finally knew who the traitor or, actually, traitors were!

Ace looked at Callan coldly and ordered, "Bring me to the traitor!"