Eternal Thief

Chapter 1063 The Patsy

After settling the matter between Zack and Eva, Ace arranges their accommodations in the living space ring so Zack and Connor can recover. They canʼt recover in the thiefʼs space because their cultivation will be suppressed.

Furthermore, when Eva wanted to enter the space ring, Ace first asked the system and got a startling piece of information that Eva couldnʼt enter the grade-9 living space ring or that, with her current cultivation, the space within the space would be destroyed.

The grade-9 living space ring can only accommodate elemental state beings, not those above it. So, she had to stay in the thiefʼs space no matter what. Although she was sulky, she tried not to show it and focused on Riana, who had submitted to her. However, they didnʼt tell Connor or Zack about this.

Thereupon, Ace left the core area of the imperial prison and encountered Warden Gerald, who was waiting for Antonio. Ace now had to make an excuse for Zack and Connorʼs sudden disappearance.

”Warden Gerald, you donʼt need to pay attention to the two traitors anymore.” Antonio impassively stated.

Gerald was taken aback and wanted to know what Antonio meant when he continued, ”Iʼve already dealt with them after acquiring what I wanted. Since they no longer serve any purpose, Iʼve ended their lives by burning them to ashes. This matter ends here.”

Gerald was shocked, ”S-so, they are dead?” He wasnʼt expecting that at all since it was Antonio himself who declared that he would torture Zack for a very long time because of his rebellious act, yet now he killed him just like that.

Antonioʼs eyes went icy cold, ”Do I need to explain myself further?”

Gerald shuddered, quickly kneeled down, and pleaded, ”I donʼt dare to question his majesty! Please forgive this humble subject!”

”Hmph!” Antonio snorted and left without saying anything, leaving sweating Gerald behind.

Only when Antonio was completely gone did Gerald breathe a sigh of relief, thinking, ʼShould I report this to Her Majesty?ʼ

Ace left the imperial prison before his lips curled up in a cold sneer, ʼHe would most likely report this to Jenna. Even Antonio wasnʼt aware that she had found a loophole in the ritual and that she could easily use his authority. Sheʼs been secretly undermining him for a long time and spreading her influence in places where she shouldnʼt have.

ʼFurthermore, Antonio also doted on her, and even if he had known this, he most likely wouldnʼt have said anything since he loved her. Itʼs a pity I canʼt get that guyʼs memoirs, and Eva has just started to interrogate him.

ʼBut it doesnʼt matter anymore. I just need to play Antonio for a year and then take full advantage of his identity to use those items…ʼ Ace mused as he reached the Emperorʼs cultivation chamber.

He looked at the empty corridor and coldly ordered, ”Come forth!”

The next moment, from the empty corridor, a dark silhouette suddenly appeared in front of Antonio, kneeling; this was the protector of this cultivation chamber and Antonioʼs most trusted aid, Dark Shadow.

”Bring Princess Sofia to my cultivation chamber,” Antonio ordered, but Dark Shadow didnʼt reply; instead, he vanished without a trace.

Ace didnʼt mind, as he had long found Dark Shadowʼs presence and stolen his memories. He was like a puppet who only obeyed the Emperor without any sliver of hesitation and did all the dirty work for Antonio.

ʼAccording to those memories, this Ancestor Monserrat was Sofiaʼs master, and after her death, she seems to be mourning her. Since she had the imperial bloodline and was also the most talented in the Skylar Clan, sheʼll be perfect for my plan…ʼ Ace chuckled deviously as he looked forward to seeing this sly princess again and entered Antonioʼs cultivation chamber.

After half an hour, he heard a familiar crisp voice, ”You summon me, Your Majesty?”

Ace sat on Antonioʼs position above the eye of the key gathering formation, which provided pure Qi, and impassively ordered, ”Come in.”

The next moment, the cultivation chamberʼs door opened, and the masked Sofia in black clothes entered with a hint of confusion in her eyes. She didnʼt know why her father summoned her so abruptly into his cultivation chamber.

”Sit.” Antonio beckoned her in front of him.

Sofia was even more confused as she sat down in front of Antonio, and she couldnʼt help but feel Antonio in front of her was somewhat different. Although he was her father, he rarely showed compassion for his kids, and Sofia was closer to her mother.

But despite that, she didnʼt have much attachment to her parents since they had sent her to the golden lands at a very young age and never showed parental love. Thatʼs why she was far closer to Ancestor Monserrat.

”How are you feeling now?” Antonio asked.

”Iʼm feeling fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.” Sofia replied.

”You can call me father when there is no one around.” Antonio suddenly smiled, startled Sofia as Antonio became more unfamiliar.

Antonio then continued, ”I know you were close with Ancestor Monserrat, and we are all saddened by her death. But she sacrifices herself for the greater good of our empire, and thatʼs why sheʼs a hero. She had high hopes for you, in fact, we all have, so you need to do your best not to let her down and fulfill her wishes.”

Sofiaʼs eyes fluttered with a hint of sadness as she nodded, ”I understand. Thank you for telling me this; I wonʼt let you down.”

”Good. Now that you seem to be on the right path, I donʼt have to worry about others after I leave.” Antonio sighed in gratification.

Sofia was startled as she asked, ”Leave? Are you going somewhere?”

Antonio smiled mysteriously as he revealed, ”Well, I summoned you to discuss this matter. Even your mother didnʼt know that, and I hope you wonʼt tell her since it will make her sad. Iʼll do it myself once sheʼs done stabilizing the school.

”The thing is, after many years of cultivation and experiencing the battle with the traitors, I finally managed to break through in the final stage, and I sense that within one year, I would be able to ascend.”

Sofiaʼs eyes trembled in disbelief. She knew that her fatherʼs talent wasnʼt enough to reach this stage, and even her mother secretly told her that her father might not be able to ascend in his lifetime. Yet now, Antonio was confidently telling her that he would be able to ascend within a year. She was shocked.

”I-is it true, father?” Sofia questioned, still in disbelief.

”Heh, do you think your father doesnʼt have what it takes to ascend?” Antonio asked sternly.

Sofia snapped out of her daze and quickly shook her head, ”Forgive my insolence; I was out of line! Congratulations on your breakthrough, Father. Mother will be thrilled once she finds out.”

Antonioʼs expression relaxed a bit as he nodded smilingly, ”Thatʼs why you have to keep it secret for now. The reason Iʼm informing you beforehand is that I want you to witness when I ascend. Itʼll be very beneficial to your cultivation journey. Just follow me that day, and itʼll be an unforgettable experience for you!”