Eternal Thief

The Imperial Demon Domain incident was completely under-wraps, just as Ace suspected. As a result, this news and the entry to the domain were closed off.

However, after three days of the foray, the entire demon content experienced an absolute lockdown.

Powerful demons from the Imperial Demon Council started spreading on the entire continent, and everything was again related to the elusive thief Sky Stealer.

Yet, this time, the search wasn't just a search anymore. It was simply a massacre!

Because if a city, town, village, or even a prominent clan fell under the suspicion of the Imperial Demon Council, they would be slaughtered to the last men. The demons no longer care about the aftermath. It was like they had gone insane for the thief.

No protest, no complaint, not even a plea was allowed. Whether they were from eight provinces or the royal demon nation, whoever did so, was detained and killed without mercy!

Even Grand Demon Dukes, who seldom made public appearances, was also part of this search force.

Naturally, this action of the demon won't go unnoticed by the two devil envoys, who are baffled by this sudden change in the demon race's attitude.

It was like the demon continent was at war with its own people, but the only difference was no one could resist!

Today, Raul and Ralph were escorted by the Sixth Demon Elder to this obscure underground passage somewhere in the Royal Demon Nation.

Truth be told, Raul and Ralph were quite wary of demons after they started their mad slaughter, and no matter how much they inquired, the Sixth Demon Elder won't tell them what happened.

The Fourth Demon Elder left long ago, joining the mad search for the elusive thief.

Both Devil Envoy wanted to leave the Demon Continent, but today they were summoned by the Demon Emperor to this place.

They had no choice but to comply since Sixth Demon Elder was not inviting them.

Still, they were envoys of the devil race, and Ralph was one of the pillars of the Devil Race, so unless Demons were gone bonkers, they wouldn't harm them.

Yet, Raul and Ralph were still prepared. If push comes to shove, they won't hesitate to use their life-saving means to flee.

The Sixth Demon Elder led them to a 10-meter large stone door, and when he placed his hand, the stone door slowly opened.

The Sixth Demon Elder gestured toward the opened door and coldly uttered, "Please, His Majesty is waiting for you. I'll be staying right here."

Ralph looked deeply at Sixth Demon Elder before nodding, "Thank you for the trouble."

He then signaled Raul to follow him. Raul wasn't as calm as his brother about this situation, but he knew better than to antagonize demons now. So, he followed his brother's lead.

The stone door was closed as they entered, and after walking a long corridor, they finally appeared in a bright grand hall.

However, they both didn't have time to look around because they were shocked when they saw the giant masked figure sitting on a pitch-black throne.

Ralph had a terrible proposition about the identity of this giant individual. Still, he didn't dare to believe it because this existence should not bother him with worldly matters anymore, much less meeting them in such a place.

Demon Ancestor coolly spoke in his raspy voice, "My brethren, from afar, I need you to contact your Ancestor. Unfortunately, he's not responding to my communication. I guess he's in either seclusion or he is simply ignoring me.

"I reckon with his vexed personality. It is the latter case. Nevertheless, this matter is pressing. Tell him, 'Key is lost,' and he'll contact me!"

Demon Ancestor's tone was mild as if he was talking to his juniors, but there was absolute authority and manic hidden within, which sent goosebumps to the devil brothers!

---

At nighttime, on the outskirts of the Black Mountain Demon Institute,

Ace looked at the radiant barrier covering the area in front with a grim expression. Not only that, but there were rows of Demon soldiers blocking the perimeter.

He never thought demons would react so quickly that they completely blocked every possible way out of the continent—especially the paths toward the forbidden zones.

The Black Mountain Range was on the rear of the Black Mountain Demon Institute, and if it were any normal time, there wouldn't be anyone out there, much less a barrier and soldiers.

This showed just how serious demons were.

He nearly got caught when he was heading this way by a peak soul realm cultivator scanning the area with a powerful formation from where he was coming. He ends up using the space step talisman to escape from that formation.

He was pretty sure even if he showed his demon face, they wouldn't let him go since he was wandering in this barren region. The disguise was pretty much useless in this situation where these demons were suspecting everyone.

Even for Ace, this time, it was almost impossible to escape. Almost…

But he had the Space Step Heavenly Talisman, and as long as they didn't conjure up a space-locking array, he was as uncatchable as before.

He still has over 50 talismans left, and he knew they would be his trump card to leave these blockades and the continent without a scratch.

Even if something goes wrong, he now has Devi's Horn thief symbol summoning ability.

Ace then quickly used the heavenly talisman and appeared on the other side of the blockade and vanished in the wilderness as those guards had no idea; someone just passed their blockade with a single talisman which wasn't even a grade talisman!

Afterward, Ace didn't encounter any more blockades since this region was under the Black Mountain Demon Institute. They also had every formation active to find Ace if he dared to enter this region.

Ace suddenly stopped a hundred meters away from a mountain ridge.

His expression turned ashen when he saw the fate map showing that area as a black fate location!

'Do I have to climb this steep mountain?' Ace looked at the hundreds of meters tall black mountain dyed red on the fate map.

Although it was still dangerous, it wasn't deadly.

He knew on the other side of this ridge was the entrance to the Black Mountain Range as well as the Institute location. He planned to cross this ridge and then vanish within the maze of mountains, but it seemed the entrance was guarded by a powerful formation.

So, he had to take the detour, which was a steep climb. Or he could simply use his new wings or even a talisman. But he didn't want to waste any of them unless absolutely necessary.

Ace goes miles in the south and but the red fate color still hasn't vanished. He mused that it might be the case for all of the Black Mountain Range since it was the most dangerous forbidden zone on the continent.

Nevertheless, he still had to be careful and complete this climb as quickly as possible.

After making sure there wasn't anyone around, something shot from Ace's right sleeve toward the top of the steep black mountain like a piercing arrow.

It was the Thievish Soul Cord!

When the edge of Thievish Soul Cord reached its peak, it suddenly changed its shape into a harpoon, and the next moment, it pierced right into the mountain!

Ace smiled contently since he was the one controlling the Thievish Soul Cord with his thoughts. This cord was simply too magic, and the size control and shape control wasn't its only functions.

It could bind anyone, rendering their cultivation useless. It doesn't matter if they're martial or soul cultivators.

Furthermore, this cord was a deadly weapon, and as long as he learned the Thievish Soul Cord Control Secret Skill to full mastery, he would be a disaster to his enemies.

With a thought, the soul cord suddenly started to shrink at a fast pace, and Ace was running on the steep mountain thereby.

Ace was on top of the cliff within a minute as the cord vanished into his sleeve. Behind him was a vast mountain range surrounded by clouds, and some peaks were so high they were hidden under the clouds.

On the east, he could see lights and silhouettes of buildings. It was the Black Mountain Institute.

Ace suddenly sensed something as his expression turned ashen, and he activated the space step talisman and vanished from his spot.

Thereupon, a tall demon in the institute attire appeared a few meters away from where Ace was standing moments before his arrival.

A terrifying soul sense was oozing from this demon as he had a deep frown on his face.

"I just sense a presence on this cliff, but there's no one. It was like it only existed for a fleeting moment. Or was it my paranoia?" He couldn't help but smile bitterly while shaking his head, "Those damn imperials had gone completely mad, and now it even started to affect the peace of the continent and our minds!"