Eternal Thief

Ace used his runic eyes' technique to examine the golden token. He saw many complex runes and to his astonishment now he could see every line vividly. 

"Is this change because of the heavenly rune crafting?" Ace was uncertain, but this was the only plausible explanation. 

He also examined the cultivation room with runic eyes and finally saw the formation barrier protecting the room, and it was very complex.

Although he can now see the runes clearly, he still can't understand them. 

Ace finally use his Qi to activate the golden token and examined the runes on it. He saw the runes release a bright light before his Qi connected them all and suddenly a projection appeared that was filled with words. 

He knew this was the information Grey was talking about and carefully read it. 

Ace's VIP token has seven functions.

First, one can buy anything in this city with a 30% discount in any shop. 

Second, one can freely roam the city except for Flame Place. 

Third, one can command low-ranking Flame Guards, as long as the command didn't go against the organization's rules and morals.

Fourth, absolute protection inside the city!

If this was a normal VIP token, then the fifth and final function was supposed to be the access to the flame library's 1 to 25 floors and only to just information, not skills or techniques. Even the information has to be from the outer area not the inner area of the floor! 

However, Lan has made this token especially for Finn and has them add some special functions, alter the fifth one, just for him. 

Fifth was, he can access up to 25 floors of Flame library and peruse anything and learn any skill or technique he wanted with any kind of information on these floors! 

Sixth, he has 100,000 Contribution Points, and he can use them with the VIP token!

Seventh and last one, he can purchase from Treasure Exchange Pavilion, and Medicinal Pavilion like other Pill Flame members, and he even got a 20% discount on everything. 

Ace didn't know the change in the fifth function and someone specially added the two new functions just for him. 

"It seemed the organization is quite generous with its VIP guests." He simply exclaimed and show a hint of confusion, "But didn't she say I had to pay for the Library? Well, it's not like I have any problem with this arrangement though." 

Ace cracked an ecstatic smile before storing the VIP token in this thief's space. 

If his life was not in danger and those old guys didn't have any malicious motives, he might consider joining the organization for real and staying here until he learned everything he wanted to. 

However, he only had 10 years to theft thirty strongest places of middle-level lands and ten of them were still unknown. He didn't have any time to waste and have to pick up the pace.

He has to, theft three places a year at least!

If he hasn't encountered Alvin, he would've wasted a year just to reach the first-grade lands, and even more, time just to reach this point. 

That's why he was feeling the immense pressure right now. He had to begin the preparation and think of a miraculous plan that can help him theft and escape this city!

Ace started the preparation tomorrow because he also has to take Alvin's into consideration. 

That guy was his biggest problem right now because he didn't know when Alvin would decide to take him to the high-level lands, and it wasn't in his interest even if he didn't have the mission to complete. 

Ace clear those thoughts and calm his mind and sat crossed-legged. He just mulled over it after he has done reinforcing his cultivation. 

After twenty hours, Ace closed eyes flicker slightly, and slowly opened. If anyone, see his real eyes now they were like an endless dark blue ocean! 

His cultivation was now completely settled at the peak stage of heavenly foundation. 

However, Ace didn't stand up and calmly transmitted, "Active the light soul Qi!" 

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"[Light Element Soul Qi has been activated.]"

[Time Remains: 23:59:59]

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Ace promptly practiced the second rune of Basic Myriad Rune Symbols Encyclopedia, the Water Rune Symbol!

Before being captured by Alvin, he was very close to mastering its 5 runic structures, and he intended to complete it and move to the third one as soon as possible.

Just like that 23 hours passed in rune crafting and at this moment Ace's forehead was filled with crystal beads of sweat. 

The light soul Qi threads were beautifully moving in the air while three triangles with a complex web of lines were hovering before him and he was making the fourth one. 

The three-soul thread gently moved and finally completed the fourth triangle runic structure, and it hovered beside the three, glowing in gentle white light. 

Ace didn't blink and with a solemn face, he moved his finger, and five soul threads made the fifth and final runic structure. 

After half an hour, the structure was 90% done and Ace was immense in the process completely forgotten about his surroundings. 

Time passed again, and it was finally the last juncture, he just has to form the outer triangle, and it would be complete. 

Ace didn't dare to lose his focus because even this slightest distraction could render his effort useless. 

The three soul threads were sliding toward the edges of three white lines and when the last soul thread complete the structure of the triangle, the fifth symbol was finally complete! 

Ace didn't delay and released a large amount of light Qi and five structures merged and, in the end, only a single triangle left. 

It was only the size of a talon and there were small complex structures based on four triangles and its color was gentle blue. 

"Water Rune!" Ace's eyes shone with ecstasy. He didn't think he could complete the water rune on his first practice after entering the peak heavenly foundation stage! 

====

"[Light Element Soul Qi has been deactivated.]"

[Resting Time: 23:59:59]

====

Ace snapped out of his excitement after the system's crisp voice rang in his mind. 

"Just in the nick of time." Ace grin as watched the water rune fade, "Only two more left." 

Ace was elated with his progress, "I spend almost two days here, and I should probably leave after recovering." He muttered to himself.

If it was on him, he won't leave until he also grasps the camouflage steps since he was very close, and he had a feeling that it won't be much longer before he would master it as well. 

However, staying here for so long might make the person next door (Alvin) suspicious that he doesn't want to. 

In his waiting period, he imprinted his heavenly Qi mark on the Silver Shield that Lan gift him after passing their test. The black wristband with silver runic patterns was now resting on Ace's left wrist. 

Ace wanted to test it but can't because of obvious reasons. But this shield was very powerful, and now he can be protected against even flowing river cultivators. Even if it's for only three attacks, that can still make a vast difference.

As for Alvin's skill book, it was indeed profound, but it was useless for him since he was accustomed to using swords from the very beginning, so he was even less interesting in this fist-skill. 

Nevertheless, he carefully remembered it and studied it for the time being because if Alvin inquiry about it, he can answer him that time. 

However, when Ace saw the stance and read the profound explanation about this fist-skill he finds it very fascinating. 

The more he read the stunned he become and after completely reading it his eyes shone in understanding as if he had solved a great mystery! 

"So, all this time I was the one looking the wrong way!" Ace bitterly complain while sighing, "It was indeed my short-sight. Sigh…" 

'I need more physical attacks manuals.' Ace deemed, and he knew just where he could get them. As for why he suddenly felt interested in physical attacks, only he knows.

He waits for six more hours until his soul was at optimal condition and leave the cultivation room after two days. 

Ace didn't know what time it was, but he was full of energy and excitement after his precipitate comprehension in the cultivation room. 

He exited the basement and saw that it was early in the morning. 

"Summon Flame Guard Grey." Ace found a servant girl and order her to fetch Grey.

The servant girl naturally recognized Finn, after all, only the VIP guest and Grey wore masks. The servant girl didn't dare to look down on Finn just because his cultivation was equal to her own. 

She knew any person who can live and even get a personal guard of Grey's caliber was of absolute importance. So, she quickly followed this VIP command and leave to get Grey.

Ace was naturally looking for Grey, so she could lead him to the Flame Library!