Eternal Thief

The next daybreak, the golden sky was covered in clouds. But it didn't fluster Alvin since he was settled on leaving today with Finn.

The entire night Alvin didn't leave Finn out of his sight and kept monitoring the entire royal palace with his martial sense. 

If Finn's condition was not so grave he might've taken him the moment Finn regain his consciousness.

As for the reason for his agitation, it was of course Nightmare Ghosts. If it was just Natalia he wasn't afraid of her but unfortunately, she wasn't alone and that's why Alvin have to treat even her discreetly. 

Although Alvin was sure about those ghosts being ignorant when it comes to element physiques, he still didn't want to take any chances and leave this place as quickly as possible to meet with the elder in Damien Capital City's branch

Inside the bedroom where Ace spends the night.

Ace was now fully recovered because of the 1st-Grade Pill he bought from the system shop. He had to admit these pills from the system were tailor-made for him and as long as he had them he can heal any kind of injury. 

The only regret was system didn't provide any pills for soul recovery yet. 

Speaking of which, Ace never tries to escape the palace. One reason was because of Alvin's constant surveillance and the second was after he reflected it; this might not be a bad thing. 

Because if he plays his part well then he might reap enormous benefits from this ordeal! 

But first, Ace had to find out what Alvin was considering him and how he can keep it that way. Moreover, he had to carefully examine the pros and cons of being whatever Alvin suspected him of. 

If this thing was in his favor, he will play along but if he found any excessive danger to himself, then he had already prepared an escape plan. 

Now, he just has to make Alvin talk before they could reach the Damien Kingdom.

Ace's eyes were closed since he was pretending to be asleep while constantly imagining different scenarios. 

'Creek…'

The golden door creek opened at this moment and Alvin enter with a graceful woman beside him. 

She was his sister Sofia who also happen to be an Azure Rank Alchemist! 

But she didn't wear the Azure Flame Robes that was the symbol of Azure Alchemist and Pill Flame Organization because Alvin didn't let her since it would draw unwanted attention.

Finn opened his eye and drowsily saw his visitors.

Ace's eyes narrowed when he saw the graceful woman in dark green attire and sense her soul fluctuation and soul signature. 

'She's that Qi Flowing River cultivator!' He vividly remembered the second expert presence in the royal family's carriage that time and now he finally saw her.

While Ace was observing Sofia, she was also doing the same and closely measuring Finn. 

Sofia was very arrogant because of her status and background. She was only here for Sky Stealer's secrets but she didn't search for him because she knew her brother was an expert in it. 

But now even her brother has failed and instead of Sky Stealer, he brings some random kid and even leaves so quickly without giving her any proper explanation. 

This gives her a terrible impression of Finn but she can't do anything since Alvin was protecting him and didn't let her even see him yesterday. 

Sofia disdainfully looked at Finn and pursed her lips, "Just a fifth Qi gate imp. Why are you protecting him?"

'I also wanted to know that.' Ace wore a wry smile when he senses Sofia's resentfulness toward Finn. He could now imagine this journey is going to be quite a lively one. 

Alvin coolly said, "You don't need to know. If you keep acting like a spoiled brat, I'll ground you when we reached home."

Sofia's face sank and didn't dare to rebuke anymore, but she didn't stop glaring murderously at Finn.

After berating his sister, Alvin looked at seemingly afraid Finn and smile faintly, "Forgive my sister, she's just a little angry with me. Get ready we're leaving." 

'I can see that.' Ace scoffed, but he merely nodded as Finn.

On the side, Sofia was flabbergasted when she saw Alvin speaking so gently with this brat because he never spoke like this even with their parents. 

She examined Finn more carefully but no matter how many times she looked at him, Finn or his aura was extremely normal to her. 

This stimulated many doubts in her heart but she was too afraid to question him in front of Alvin. So, she can only wait for an opportunity to interrogate this brat and uncover his secrets. 

Ace sense Sofia's intense curiosity and his heart sank, 'I better stay away from her.' 

Now that he played along with Alvin, he had to be very careful of these people around Alvin or he might find himself in someone's torture chamber. 

His best bet was to stick with Alvin who seem to be quite protective of Finn since he didn't even tell his sister about this theory of his. 

Ace quickly takes a bath with the help of palace maids. He was quite unwilling but he can't do anything about it since Finn was used to this kind of lifestyle and even more inappropriate things than just this. 

After wearing new white robes Finn's skinny figure looked quite handsome with long black hair. 

"Let's go, our ride is waiting." Alvin nodded toward clean Finn and led the way.

Finn excitedly followed Alvin and resentful Sofia.

'This is it!' Ace inhales deeply. He knew this is going to be his biggest con-act and if he messed up even a little, then this will be his last.

Ace observed the luxurious royal palace and couldn't help but think it was just too damn exaggerating! 

After crossing some large hallways, Ace's group of three finally reached a large open area. 

Ace's eyes instantly contracted after what he saw before him. 

There was a 15-meter large silver-grey crane, gracefully sitting in the open field. Only its beak and eyes were golden grey and it looked quite beautiful sitting below the soft light. 

"Ghost Crane!" 

Ace exclaimed in shock because this aerial-type demonic beast was too rare. The main reason for this was, it can reach the Qi River realm at maturity, just like the one sitting before him!

The purity of their bloodlines also limited demonic Beasts like other powerful beings in this world. 

The more powerful ancestral bloodline a demonic beast has the more powerful its cultivation grows and vice versa. 

A demonic beast that can reach the Qi River or Soul River realm was very rare in the middle-lands and most of them were in a forbidden area of the middle-lands. 

That's why Ace was astonished to see this kind of rare and fully mature aerial Ghost Crane. 

"Magnificent isn't it?" An old man with a gentle smile appeared beside Finn at this moment.

Ace was stunned when he saw this old man with long grey hair and a long beard appearing beside him like a ghost. 

'A peak Qi River cultivator!' Ace's heart sank because he never expects another expert this powerful appearing here. 

Moreover, he didn't sense this old man's soul signature until he show himself! 

'Another treasure that can fool my soul sense!' Ace instantly guess the reason for the failure of his soul sense. 

"Don't be alarmed, this is Beast Master Luke. An envoy from Beast Calling Organization and also the owner of that Ghost Crane." Alvin impassively introduced Old Man Luke.

"Beast Master Luke!" Finn quickly greeted Luke politely. 

"Hahaha, you don't have to be on edge around me. Just call me Old Luke." Old Luke nodded with a gentle smile on his face. 

"Are we ready for takeoff?" Alvin impassively looked at Old Luke. 

"Yes, as long as Lord Flame General gives command we can take flight any time." Old Luke replied with a smile. 

Alvin nodded in satisfaction before saying, "Then let's go. I'll fill Grand Beast Master in the details when we reached the Damien Kingdom." 

"Yes." Old Luke solemnly nodded when he heard Grand Beast Master's name.

Old Luke didn't dare to delay anymore and controlled the Ghost Crane with his beast taming technique. 

The Ghost Crane instantly let loose a loud, rattling bugle cry and stand straight on her long beastly legs. 

Old Luke jumped on the Ghost Crane first before gesturing the other three with a smile, "Please."

"Let's go." Alvin cover Finn within his manifest wood Qi and jump on the Ghost Crane, Sofia followed suit. 

"Didn't my family say they'll be here for my departure?" Finn asked in bewilderment. 

On the contrary, Ace was happy inside since he don't have to deal with Finn's mother anymore but he still pretends like Finn so no one suspects anything.

"They all give their regards." Alvin faintly said.

It was Alvin's doing that he didn't let them meet Finn since it would waste too much time. 

However, the actual reason was; Alvin's sense of Natalia's Qi projection just an hour ago, and that's why he was in such a hurry!