Eternal Thief

After settling the matter between Zack and Eva, Ace arranges their accommodations in the living space ring so Zack and Connor can recover. They can't recover in the thief's space because their cultivation will be suppressed.

Furthermore, when Eva wanted to enter the space ring, Ace first asked the system and got a startling piece of information that Eva couldn't enter the grade-9 living space ring or that, with her current cultivation, the space within the space would be destroyed.

The grade-9 living space ring can only accommodate elemental state beings, not those above it. So, she had to stay in the thief's space no matter what. Although she was sulky, she tried not to show it and focused on Riana, who had submitted to her. However, they didn't tell Connor or Zack about this.

Thereupon, Ace left the core area of the imperial prison and encountered Warden Gerald, who was waiting for Antonio. Ace now had to make an excuse for Zack and Connor's sudden disappearance.

"Warden Gerald, you don't need to pay attention to the two traitors anymore." Antonio impassively stated.

Gerald was taken aback and wanted to know what Antonio meant when he continued, "I've already dealt with them after acquiring what I wanted. Since they no longer serve any purpose, I've ended their lives by burning them to ashes. This matter ends here."

Gerald was shocked, "S-so, they are dead?" He wasn't expecting that at all since it was Antonio himself who declared that he would torture Zack for a very long time because of his rebellious act, yet now he killed him just like that.

Antonio's eyes went icy cold, "Do I need to explain myself further?"

Gerald shuddered, quickly kneeled down, and pleaded, "I don't dare to question his majesty! Please forgive this humble subject!"

"Hmph!" Antonio snorted and left without saying anything, leaving sweating Gerald behind.

Only when Antonio was completely gone did Gerald breathe a sigh of relief, thinking, 'Should I report this to Her Majesty?'

Ace left the imperial prison before his lips curled up in a cold sneer, 'He would most likely report this to Jenna. Even Antonio wasn't aware that she had found a loophole in the ritual and that she could easily use his authority. She's been secretly undermining him for a long time and spreading her influence in places where she shouldn't have.

'Furthermore, Antonio also doted on her, and even if he had known this, he most likely wouldn't have said anything since he loved her. It's a pity I can't get that guy's memoirs, and Eva has just started to interrogate him.

'But it doesn't matter anymore. I just need to play Antonio for a year and then take full advantage of his identity to use those items…' Ace mused as he reached the Emperor's cultivation chamber.

He looked at the empty corridor and coldly ordered, "Come forth!"

The next moment, from the empty corridor, a dark silhouette suddenly appeared in front of Antonio, kneeling; this was the protector of this cultivation chamber and Antonio's most trusted aid, Dark Shadow.

"Bring Princess Sofia to my cultivation chamber," Antonio ordered, but Dark Shadow didn't reply; instead, he vanished without a trace.

Ace didn't mind, as he had long found Dark Shadow's presence and stolen his memories. He was like a puppet who only obeyed the Emperor without any sliver of hesitation and did all the dirty work for Antonio.

'According to those memories, this Ancestor Monserrat was Sofia's master, and after her death, she seems to be mourning her. Since she had the imperial bloodline and was also the most talented in the Skylar Clan, she'll be perfect for my plan…' Ace chuckled deviously as he looked forward to seeing this sly princess again and entered Antonio's cultivation chamber.

After half an hour, he heard a familiar crisp voice, "You summon me, Your Majesty?"

Ace sat on Antonio's position above the eye of the key gathering formation, which provided pure Qi, and impassively ordered, "Come in."

The next moment, the cultivation chamber's door opened, and the masked Sofia in black clothes entered with a hint of confusion in her eyes. She didn't know why her father summoned her so abruptly into his cultivation chamber.

"Sit." Antonio beckoned her in front of him.

Sofia was even more confused as she sat down in front of Antonio, and she couldn't help but feel Antonio in front of her was somewhat different. Although he was her father, he rarely showed compassion for his kids, and Sofia was closer to her mother.

But despite that, she didn't have much attachment to her parents since they had sent her to the golden lands at a very young age and never showed parental love. That's why she was far closer to Ancestor Monserrat.

"How are you feeling now?" Antonio asked.

"I'm feeling fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Sofia replied.

"You can call me father when there is no one around." Antonio suddenly smiled, startled Sofia as Antonio became more unfamiliar.

Antonio then continued, "I know you were close with Ancestor Monserrat, and we are all saddened by her death. But she sacrifices herself for the greater good of our empire, and that's why she's a hero. She had high hopes for you, in fact, we all have, so you need to do your best not to let her down and fulfill her wishes."

Sofia's eyes fluttered with a hint of sadness as she nodded, "I understand. Thank you for telling me this; I won't let you down."

"Good. Now that you seem to be on the right path, I don't have to worry about others after I leave." Antonio sighed in gratification.

Sofia was startled as she asked, "Leave? Are you going somewhere?"

Antonio smiled mysteriously as he revealed, "Well, I summoned you to discuss this matter. Even your mother didn't know that, and I hope you won't tell her since it will make her sad. I'll do it myself once she's done stabilizing the school.

"The thing is, after many years of cultivation and experiencing the battle with the traitors, I finally managed to break through in the final stage, and I sense that within one year, I would be able to ascend."

Sofia's eyes trembled in disbelief. She knew that her father's talent wasn't enough to reach this stage, and even her mother secretly told her that her father might not be able to ascend in his lifetime. Yet now, Antonio was confidently telling her that he would be able to ascend within a year. She was shocked.

"I-is it true, father?" Sofia questioned, still in disbelief.

"Heh, do you think your father doesn't have what it takes to ascend?" Antonio asked sternly.

Sofia snapped out of her daze and quickly shook her head, "Forgive my insolence; I was out of line! Congratulations on your breakthrough, Father. Mother will be thrilled once she finds out."

Antonio's expression relaxed a bit as he nodded smilingly, "That's why you have to keep it secret for now. The reason I'm informing you beforehand is that I want you to witness when I ascend. It'll be very beneficial to your cultivation journey. Just follow me that day, and it'll be an unforgettable experience for you!"