Eternal Thief



Alina replied Winter without hesitation with conviction, "I want to meet him!" 

Herman's expression was not good when he heard Alina was still stubborn, and he knew it couldn't be avoided, 'I can't leave her alone. Maybe…' His wily old eyes shone in a peculiar glint as he replied, "I will follow Alina no matter where she goes." 

Lillian hastily nodded after Herman, fully agreeing with that statement, "I will also follow Princess no matter what!"

Winter gave Herman a deep, meaningful look before her lips curled up, and she nodded, "Alright, there should be some robes of the Azure Wind Mountain Sect in the ring I gave you. Change into them and hide your head with capes. It's going to be a dangerous journey from here on out. We are in the heart of the Azure Wind Mountain Sect, so be ready for confrontation on my signal." 

The three hunters didn't reject Winter's plan and started to change into the sect robes. Meanwhile, Winter was thinking while looking at the raging azure winds. 

'I'm at the lowest level of this mountain, and even this elder only had access to this level while this mountain is way bigger than this. Now that Prime One is not present. I wonder if there are hidden treasures or other secrets concealed on top of this mountain. Only the Azure Patriarch has access to move to the top. Pity, it could've been a massive thievery…' She thought with a hint of regret. 

Nevertheless, she knew her true goal and didn't want to waste this chance on a treasure hunt which was far more dangerous than her real goal. 

'It's not like I'm nothing getting anything out of it, and that thievish leader will owe me a big one after this. Still, if not for what he had done and that mysterious expert's timely escape, I would've never gotten such a chance….' 

Winter was snapped out of her thought and turned around. Alina had already changed into loose azure robes and covered her head with a white cloak. Herman and Lillian were still changing behind their silver ice screens. 

"I want to ask you something." She softly uttered. 

"Ask away." Winter coolly replied while looking at Alina with scrutiny, 'His sister, huh? She must've known quite a lot about his past since he cares so much about her….' 

Alina asked with anticipation, "I-is he here?" 

Winter pulled a playful smile and replied, "No, he was busy elsewhere and sent me. You should know his 'noble' identity, and he can't just walk into dangers like it's nothing." 

"I-is that so…" Alina's voice was clearly shaky with a hint of sadness. 

"Heh, look at you, all sad just because he isn't here. You should think more carefully about his plight. For all we know, it could've been a massive trap, and you might've already betrayed him…." 

"I would never!" Alina strongly retorted with a chilly tone. She was clearly offended by Winter's words and felt a sting in her heart. 

Winter was a little surprised by Alina's strong reaction, "Alright, let's just say you will not do such a thing. But what about others? I can tell your old servant is clearly not happy about your decision, and he even contains hate for 'him.' Don't get me wrong, but emotions are the biggest enemy of living things, and your enemies will exploit them the moment they know you have them." She coldly replied. 

Alina lowered her head in defeat as she already understood Winter's point. She knew she had placed many people's lives at risk when she got caught, and Ace was the main target. 

They didn't go too far in their methods because they had no idea if Ace would even come for her and her relationship with Blood Ancestor. However, if they had known Ace deeply cared about her, they would do anything to make him come here by doing all sorts of things to her. 

Nevertheless, even if given another chance, she would still come back to find him because she would never be able to live peacefully without meeting him.

Although she was dejected that he never came and even somewhat heartbroken about his absence and vigilance, she still wanted to meet him just one time; she wanted to talk with him. 

She wanted to say something, but Herman and Lillian were already done, and Winter didn't want to waste more time. 

Winter again chanted something in front of the azure winds, and something seemed to glow in the back of her. The next moment, the azure winds started to part, opening up a passage. 

"Let's go, don't lag behind, or this way will be closed in twenty seconds. You'll be dead at that time." She sternly warned before she headed into the passage, which was going downward, and three hunters closely followed behind.

The four of them walked for around 1200 meters before they finally exited the azure winds and appeared on the mountain footing. 

Looking behind, the hunters were astounded when they saw a four-kilometer-tall mountain, and it was completely enshrouded with the Azure Winds while its peak was hidden behind a massive azure swirl. 

"Quickly follow my steps like you did in the cavern. We can't remain here for long." Winter urged them as she walked in a particular pattern and headed in the direction of a mountain pass 1000 meters away from the prime Azure mountain entrance. 

Their speed also increased as Winter was in a hurry to leave this area since it was a forbidden zone. Even the 7th Azure Elder can't come here without Azure Patriarch's permission. 

The Azure Patriarch was absent, which means she wasn't given permission. She can handle the others, but if the Azure Patriarch came back, it would be impossible to explain why she was bringing the prisoners out. 

Furthermore, the atmosphere of the human continent was not good, and everyone was on edge, so things would be quite dangerous for the four of them if they got caught. 

But Winter's worries seemed unnecessary as they easily left the mountain pass and exited the forbidden area after crossing another formation gate and appeared in a web of beautiful mountain peaks. 

At this moment, Winter gravely said, "We are in the peak court of the Azure Wind Mountain Sect. So, keep your head low and don't interact with anyone, and let me deal with them. We are still quite far away from exiting this place, so behave!"