Eternal Thief

At this moment, Ace's hooded figure appeared in front of a path, narrowed to a single, precarious bridge. It arched across an endless chasm of pure, white lightning, the very embodiment of heavenly wrath.

The bridge itself was a shimmering construct of pure energy, its surface shifting and pulsating like a living organism.

Ace's heart raced wildly when he noticed something. Across the bridge lay a gateway that shimmered with vibrant colors and overflowing energy.

'Is that the end of the Primordial Ascension Path?' Ace thought as his eyes were affixed on the other side of this bridge. But he didn't dare take a step forward and looked towards the black flame, which seemed to have shrunk quite a lot.

"Sigh!" She inhaled deeply, "I didn't think just bringing you here would take up so much of my soul power. No worries, it was all worth it. My dear Steward, this is the Bridge of Ascension, also called the Bridge of Change.

"Once you step on it, the Primordial Ascension Path will mark it as you have passed all the trials, and the Baptism of Primordial Laws, which might be known as the ascension, will begin.

"It is also your reward. Once your baptism is completed, you will break free from your elemental state and ascend from the Mortal Sky Heaven. Your inner space will evolve into an inner world according to the cultivation technique you practiced.

"Your Elemental Body will turn into a Law Body governed by your innate law or Prime Law while the rest of your laws will turn into your supplementary laws or Supportive Laws to strengthen your inner world. The more law you have comprehended up to the Advanced Realm, the more powerful your law body will be.

"However, if your innate law or the law you awakened at the start of your journey from your cultivation technique is only subpar, then this is your chance to change it and turn a more powerful law into your Prime Law.

"But there is also a catch, which is, the more powerful and profound the law you make your Prime Law, the harder it will be to advance in the Law State. For example, if your innate element is Sword or basic elements, but you choose to make the Space or Time Laws your Prime Law, then you will not only have to find the corresponding cultivation technique but also learn those laws to satisfactory stages to break through further.

"Because without completing these requirements, your cultivation will never increase no matter which type of law you comprehend or how high your law comprehension is.

"Simply put, your Prime Law is directly connected to your future cultivation journey, so choose wisely. I will not interfere with your decision because you know yourself the best. All I have for you is this advice.

"But it goes without saying that as my Steward, your Prime Law should be equally profound, or you'll only drag my face through the mud!" She declared solemnly, her words also containing a warning.

However, Ace completely ignored her final words, and he was more focused on the rest of the information.

'So that's the secret behind the Law State, and it seemed my future journey would depend on the Prime Law. But Eva didn't mention it before. Could it be she would only know after she undergoes her tribulation?

'If the Prime Law will be decided according to the cultivation technique I've practiced up until now, then what will be my Prime Law?

'After all, if I consider following the norm, then I have two innate laws: the Dark Wind and the Despair Lightning. Furthermore, I don't think I have to worry about a cultivation technique since the system would give me a new one.

'Then all that remains is for me to walk on this bridge and see what the system does. I don't think it would be a problem at this point.'

"Thank you, Master, for your advice." Ace still thanked his new 'master' for this information.

"Fufu, it's the least I can do as your master. I have another advice for you, and following it is your decision.

"I've already noticed your Sword Law. You have comprehended the Sword Heart already, and it is even a mutated Sword Heart, unlike anything I've ever seen before.

"But you shouldn't choose the Sword Law as your Prime Law because Sword Law is only a part of Weapon Law, which is then part of the War Law. If you ever encounter someone with Weapon Law, your inner world will be naturally suppressed, and the same goes for the person who has the War Law; the suppression will be even more powerful.

"In the not-so-distant future, you'll learn about the Branch Laws and their Mother Laws. The Sword Law is a Branch Law of Weapon Law, and Weapon Law is the Branch Law of War Law. The War Law is the Mother Law of all weapons, slaughter, and many more. A branch law has natural suppression towards its Mother Law.

"Even the Four Basic elements, Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth, are branches of Nature Law. So, whether you want to be mediocre or supreme, the choice is yours." She stated in a lukewarm tone as if she didn't care about what Ace would choose.

However, in truth, she was curious and wanted to see if Ace was a genius who had comprehended Mother Law and if he had the ambition to walk the path of a Supreme. This would also decide whether Ace would have her interest or not.

Ace was again shocked by this revelation as it was his first time hearing about it, and he started to understand just how knowledgeable this new 'master' of his was. It suddenly found it not too bad to have such an encyclopedia as a master.

"I understand." Ace nodded as he didn't comment on it further.

He knew better than anyone what kind of laws he had, and he also slightly understood the nature of Laws like the Sin and Evil Occult. They were probably the Mother Laws combined with other laws. Then what about the Darkness that was even above those two horrifying laws?

Suddenly, Ace felt deep anticipation about this and didn't want to waste more time. He flipped his hand, and a small crystal bead with black ethereal patterns appeared.

"Soul Resurrection Bead! You were not lying to me, and you also seemed to have a space-type innate ability that I can't see through; how interesting! Fufufu!" The voice instantly recognized the Soul Resurrection Bead and started to laugh like crazy.

The next moment, the Soul Resurrection Bead suddenly started to float from Ace's hand and flow towards the black flame. Ace didn't stop it since he didn't want any trouble with this eccentric voice.

After all, since she had kept part of their deal and even gave him this precious information, he would keep his promise. The thought of tricking her had long vanished from his head; it was simply not worth it.

Besides, the Soul Resurrection Bead was just rotting away in his thief's space, and he didn't even know how to use the darn thing or its true abilities. However, it was quite clear that it was an astonishing treasure since even this powerful existence was enticed by it.

The Soul Resurrection Bead suddenly shimmered when it touched the black flame releasing a powerful soul aura, and she exclaimed, "Fuck! It's even the real thing, not a replica! Just where did you get it, and how did it end up in such a barren place? It's not like I care since it ended up benefiting me.

"Alright, little Steward, I'm going to transfer the portal of my soul in it. You can start with the Bridge of Ascension. No need to worry about me." Done saying the black flame with the Soul Resurrection Bead vanished.

'Is she really gone?' Ace was astounded, and after confirming that there was no one there, he found it strange.

Nonetheless, Ace didn't care as he looked at the bridge with shining eyes, and he quickly took his first step towards the ascension!