Eternal Thief

Ace and Eleanor teleported directly to the inner region of the Runic Forge City’s teleportation hall and walked out.

Ace was slightly surprised when he saw the scene in front of him. The streets were like a labyrinth of workshops, market squares, and towering furnaces, with sparks of flames often illuminating the darkened alleys like fleeting stars.

Furthermore, Ace was instantly attracted to the city’s skyline, which was dominated by a central spire.

Eleanor noticed Ace’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile faintly as she said, “That spire is known as the King’s Anvil. It houses the most powerful forge in the entire city, and only the people of the Runic King Palace can enter it.

“May spirit forger longed to enter there because it is rumored that an ancient Ascension King blessed the King’s Anvil, and some believe it is a fragment of an Ancient Artifact that fell from the heavens during the palace’s founding”

Ace was astounded as he looked at the majestic King’s Anvil in the distance before he averted his eyes and asked Eleanor, “Why are we really here? Is getting the qualification to enter the inner city because of your status, or is there something I’m missing?”

“You are partly right. I got the qualification to enter this place because I’m a disciple of a King Sect. But even that is not enough. To enter the inner city, you not only need to be an inner sect disciple of a King Sect, but your cultivation should be at least Ascension Grandmaster Realm.

“Although the Runic Forge City is not the actual Runic King Palace, it is still overseen by an Ascension Quasi-Grand Lord who should also be a 7-Star Spirit Forger at least. “After all, the Runic King Palace is the crown jewel of the Great Crown Domain and the undisputed pinnacle of life professions in the Mortal Ascension Heaven. It is not merely a sect but a symbol of creation and innovation, where the most brilliant minds of forging, alchemy, and formation artistry gathered.

“It is also revered as a sanctuary of unparalleled knowledge and power. The palace represents the unity of craftsmanship and cultivation, offering a path to transcendence through mastery of life’s crafts.

“As for why the Runic Forge City, Runic Alchemy City, and Runic Formation City are so important to the palace, it’s because the Runic King Palace is nestled within the center of these three cities, which seemed to form an array called the Runic Trinity, Array.

“Another rumor is that if someone can climb the top of the three cities, they can sense the palace’s aura of profound wisdom and see its towering spires visible from all three cities.

“The Runic King Palace itself is a sprawling complex of exquisite design, built upon a massive leyline of the spirit vein that is said to pulse with the creativity of the heavens. “As for why we are here…” Eleanor gave Ace a mysterious look before she said, “Didn’t you already guess?”

Ace inhaled sharply when he heard the vague description of the Runic King Palace, and he had to admit, one of the three righteous really was not to be underestimated. He looked at Eleanor and replied, “So you’re here to join the Runic King Palace using the certificate you acquired from the Forger Abyss? But you still brought me here with you. Didn’t you say I can’t be seen in such a place?”

Eleanor didn’t reply to Ace and only snicker as she started to walk towards the streets. Helpless, Ace could only follow behind her as he looked around the shops on the streets.

The more he observed, the more surprised Ace became because there were some Quasi-Spirit Grade treasures on sale; some forges were filled with people in lavish clothes, and they were extremely strong.

Furthermore, Ace also noticed that the signboards of most of the shops were similar. They were all etched with the same runic brush symbol that he saw on the guards’ armor, and these shops were the most lively.

“Don’t look so surprised; that symbol of the runic brush is the emblem that the Runic King Palace issued to their affiliated personnel. These people were once part of the Runic King Palace but failed to meet the standards to stay there, so they could only move to these cities.

“Although the difference in treatment is huge, they are not to be underestimated because they had learned in the Runic King Palace, so when they opened their shops, they became instantly successful, and many cultivators from all over the world sought. them and commissioned them to create treasures for them. And those who are not should be active disciples and here to gather experience. Eleanor explained. Realization dawned on Ace, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, “It seemed the Runic King Palace had quite high standards. If I’m not wrong, the spirit forgers in those shops should at least be 4-Star, yet they were still not qualified to stay at the main palace.”

Eleanor’s lips curled up as she nodded, “It’s not just the Runic King Palace; this is the case for all the powerful sects in the Mortal Ascension Heaven. Even the AIG Sect is the same. Or where do you think they got the manpower to manage their domain? It doesn’t matter how talented you were in the past; once you stop improving, you’ll be discarded and turn into a pawn.

“Furthermore, it’s not like these cultivators didn’t have any choice; no one forced them to stay, but they still decided to stick around because they knew that even if they were discarded, they could still have enough status and riches because they had the name of a powerful sect behind them.”

Ace didn’t retort, but he knew this was the reality of the world and couldn’t help but chuckle: “Then I guess I better not become useless to you.”

“We’ll see in due time.” Eleanor curtly replied.

As Eleanor continued to walk in the city, Ace observed without missing anything. One thing Ace noticed was that every corner of Runic Forge City pulsed with a mystical aura, and its air carried a metallic tang mixed with the faint resonance of runic inscriptions embedded into the streets and buildings.

Ace speculated that these runes should form a massive runic formation that Eleanor had told him about. This would enhance the crafting process and safeguard the city from intruders. The formation was so intricate that even the Ascension Lord would

fail to comprehend it.

But despite the bustling and fiery atmosphere, the city was steeped in history and

mystery.

Soon, they reached another part of the inner city, and following Eleanor, Ace entered a massive, luxurious building that was an inn.

But Eleanor didn’t go to the counter. Instead, she continued walking towards the depth of the inn, which surprised Ace. He silently followed since he had already noticed that Eleanor was extremely familiar with this place and that she was here for more than just to join the Runic King Palace!

At this moment, Eleanor stopped in front of a closed room and knocked on it. Ace instantly noticed a pattern in her knocking, which created a rhythm, and his eyes

narrowed.

After Eleanor knocked, the door didn’t open, and instead, a hoarse voice rang,’ “What

is the color of my eyes?”

Eleanor wasn’t surprised by this voice as she impassively replied, “You are blind!”

The next moment, the door finally opened under Ace’s startled expression!