Eternal Thief

After that day, George almost vanished from the public eyes as he closed himself in his cultivation courtyard.

The four clans closely observed his every action, but they couldn’t do anything if he didn’t leave or do anything. Although this was strange, everyone believed George was in seclusion and working on his spirit forging.

But George never went to Forger Hall to seek knowledge or advice from the elders or the Hall Master. The Weston and Norberg clans were the most uneasy about this.

The former was because they were ready to provide him with every resource, knowledge, and even instructors to help him grow, while the latter was prepared to obstruct George in any way possible.

Furthermore, the top forger disciples were also paying attention to him, but they soon lost interest when three months passed, and there were no signs of George coming out of his courtyard. Everyone’s time was precious, so attention to George started to decline, and since not many people knew about it, his name began to fade.

On this day, on the outskirts of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect, scattered around the main volcano, within an extinct cinder cone shrouded in perpetual ash and smoke, a crimson mountain suddenly started to tremble and pulse with an ethereal crimson glow and released a terrifying fiery aura.

The moment this aura spread, in the dark corner of this cinder cone, a pair of dark blue eyes suddenly snapped open, and a hint of surprise flashed past them.

‘Is it time?’ This pair of eyes belonged to none other than Ace’s Avatar of Holy Twilight, whom he left here before he left for the AIG Sect.

Ace naturally wants the Crimson Platinum because it was one of the materials to upgrade the Eternal Thief Fate Compass, but it wasn’t ready when he found it, and he can’t wait here since he doesn’t know how much time it would take for it to manifest, and he has many things to take care of.

But it didn’t mean he would give up. In fact, Ace had already planned on sending his Avatar of Holy Twilight here once he sorted out things and upgraded it, and he just did that. Moreover, the Avatar of Holy Twilight was special as it was also his biggest trump card that could help him escape if he fell into any danger.

Now, it’s been over six months since the Avatar of Holy Twilight sneaked back into this place and lay in wait for the Crimson Platinum to manifest. It was also comprehending laws for Ace, making his cultivation progress faster.

Today was just another day, but it seemed his wait was over. As the Crimson Platinum was nearing its manifestation, an ominous change began to stir above the cinder cone.

But Ace didn’t move as he attentively observes everything since he knew he only had one chance at this and he was waiting for the right opportunity!

But he didn’t expect the manifestation of the Crimson Platinum would cause such a scene. The ash-filled skies that had once been still now churned violently as if the very air was igniting with anticipation.

The clouds, thick with soot and embers, twisted into a vortex of fire, casting a reddish glow that bathed the entire landscape in an eerie crimson hue. A strange, supernatural phenomenon enveloped the silent volcano, signaling the beginning of the final stage of the Crimson Platinum’s birth.

Suddenly, a low hum vibrated through the caldera, resonating deep into the ground. From within the mouth of the long-dormant volcano, Crimson Platinum began to rise.

Slowly, as if reluctant to leave its fiery cradle, the molten metal floated upward, defying gravity. Its surface shimmered like liquid fire, a radiant blend of molten silver and deep scarlet. The temperature in the vicinity soared, but the heat wasn’t oppressive; it was filled with the essence of pure Fire Law, potent and undeniable.

The Crimson Platinum wasn’t just any metal-it was alive with power-a Spirit Metal, one of the primary materials to forge a Spirit Weapon!

As it hovered above the volcanic mouth, it greedily absorbed the potent Fire Laws in the atmosphere, glowing brighter with each passing moment. The surrounding air seemed to tremble as waves of heat and energy rippled outward.

A mesmerizing dance of fire element particles swirled around the floating metal, drawn to it like moths to a flame.

Not only did the Crimson Platinum feed on the ambient fire energy, but the volcano below responded in kind. Spirit Crimson Lava-the very lifeblood of the volcano, rich with spiritual essence-began to bubble up. This Spirit Crimson Lava was born with the Crimson Platinum and has been nurtured along with it.

Thick streams of glowing red lava surged upward, flowing toward the hovering metal as though summoned by a spirit metal. The Crimson Platinum eagerly drank in this molten energy, the glowing liquid merging into its form to complete its final stage of manifestation. Nearby, the Mountain Tyrant had also appeared at the foot of the mountain. The volcanic spirit beast that had safeguarded the metal’s growth for so long stirred as the process began. Its mission was complete. The massive, imposing creature, with scales like molten rock and eyes burning with fiery wisdom, retreated toward the far side of the cinder cone.

As the Crimson Platinum absorbed the Spirit Lava and Fire Laws, the Mountain Tyrant’s cultivation surged. Flames swirled around its body, signaling the culmination of the long- sought benefits it had patiently awaited.

Its power expanded rapidly, reaching heights it had long desired. This was the reason the Mountain Tyrant had guarded the Crimson Platinum so diligently-this very moment when it would receive the pure flames of law.

Now, having fulfilled its role, the Mountain Tyrant calmly observed the ongoing manifestation, knowing that any interference during this critical stage would be disastrous for both the spirit metal and itself.

The beast let out a low rumble of satisfaction before disappearing into the shadows of the volcano, leaving the Crimson Platinum to complete its final transformation and start its long-awaited breakthrough to Ascension Grand General Realm!

It didn’t seem to be worried about any disturbance because Flame Elder Emil had arranged many powerful formations, and he wasn’t planning on alerting Emil as well, not until he completed his breakthrough.

Ace naturally noticed this, and his expression was grave because if the Mountain Tyrant succeeded, it would be impossible for him to kill it and take revenge for Cyrus.

Nonetheless, he didn’t let his personal vendetta cloud his judgment. After all, now that Mountain Tyrant had left for its breakthrough, the Crimson Platinum would be unguarded, and he could grab it easily.

Ace was sure that once Elder Emil found that Crimson Platinum was gone, he wouldn’t spare Mountain Tyrant, and they might even fight with each other. So, he again pays attention to the Crimson Platinum, which was now completely manifested.

Hovering above the caldera, the Crimson Platinum was a sight to behold. Its surface was polished to a mirror-like shine, with veins of molten fire coursing just beneath its metallic

exterior.

It seemed as though the metal was breathing, pulsing with life, its surface swirling with an inner heat that defied the natural world. Shaped like a jagged gemstone, the Crimson Platinum radiated raw elemental power, embodying fire law itself.

The sky crackled with fiery arcs of energy, and the ground beneath quivered as the spirit metal hovered silently, absorbing the last of the Spirit Crimson Lava. The final moments of its manifestation were approaching, and it was becoming clear that no mortal or beast would dare interrupt this awe-inspiring spectacle.

The Crimson Platinum was on the cusp of reaching its perfected state, and once it did, its power would be coveted by all who sought this top-tier Spirit Metal, but alas, there was no one here to compete for it with Ace.

Ace’s moment has arrived. Sensing the exact moment of the Crimson Platinum’s completion, Ace directly activated his divine trait’s ability, ‘Soul Body Sweep!’