Eternal Thief

Ace questioned the system about this new situation, "System, why can't I comprehend Darkness any further? Is 50% the limit?"

"[System has already told the host that the comprehension of darkness is related to the branches of darkness. You will naturally progress as long as the host comprehends more branches of darkness.]

Realization dawned on him as he had already seen that all the laws related to darkness were at 99.99%, so unless he made further progress or comprehended other laws related to darkness, he wouldn't make progress.

The Darkness Comprehension was different from other laws because he only awakened it after getting the first order of darkness. Now, he also managed to awaken a vastly different rule than a mystic ability.

Ace has already assumed that the Darkness was a law like the Evil Occult and Sin, which were the combination of multiple laws, yet it was even more advanced since those two laws were also part of it. Even laws from God were just a portion of the Darkness.

'There are different laws of darkness within here, but how do I comprehend them?' Ace mused with a frown, 'Or if I can directly comprehend darkness, I'll get everything. But it is far easier said than done. Maybe I might be able to do it with the Lawless Darkness, but I can only enter that state for a few seconds, and after awakening the rules, maybe for a minute.

'But this would leave me in a weak state. I should just be content with my current progress and take it slow. This is not the place, nor do I have time to enter seclusion. This place will close off within 100 days, so I should hurry and get to the bottom of it. The Vampyre Race inheritance is more important, and since they can create this place, they will have to have unique laws related to the darkness.'

After thinking of this point, Ace didn't hesitate and increased his speed. The pressure and restrictions of laws here have already decreased by 10% after he comprehended the rule of darkness.

So, he can now use his thief sense up to a 150-mile radius from the original range of 1500 miles, which was more than enough for him to continue without worry.

But despite that, he was still not able to find the bottom of this place, which was quite shocking.

As Ace continued, he found another cavern, and this cavern was another checkpoint at 50,000 meters deep for those who wanted to end their trial after passing the second-class soldier requirements.

But Ace continued and headed deep towards the third-class soldier trial checkpoint, which was 100,000 meters deep. He still continued towards the Vampyre Centurion.

This army rank passing checkpoint was 500,000 meters deep, and Ace continued towards the Vampyre Prefect. But this time, Ace finally felt powerful pressure on both body and soul. His Thief Sense was also restrained again to 50 miles only.

Furthermore, as Ace went deeper and deeper, a sense of unease washed over him as he felt danger looming over him for the first time after he entered this place.

He became fully alert as he walked in this darkness. At this moment, Ace suddenly felt icy chills on his spine as an eerie ancient voice rang in the darkness.

"How long has it been since someone came here? Hehehehe… I can finally enjoy some delicacy!" The voice maliciously laughed as it spoke in the forsaken language of the abyss.

Ace instantly felt piercing pain in his head, making his soul core tremble, 'A powerful soul attack!'

His heart went cold as he still couldn't pinpoint the enemy in this place, but this soul attack was far too terrifying, and he had never experienced something like this before.

"Oh… you are not from that Vampyre Clan? Yet you still managed to pass the Prefect Trial?" The voice sounded in astonishment, "Hehehehe… it doesn't matter which race you belong to; since you were able to come this far, this means you have a delectable soul filled with Abyssal Qi! Stop your meaningless resistance, and let me enjoy a decent meal!"

The moment the voice trailed off, Ace suddenly felt mortal danger from behind, and without hesitation, he used Twilight Traverse to flee at full speed.

Just as Ace moved, black ethereal needles rained down on his spot, leaving behind faint, ethereal dark flames whenever they fell.

Ace's heart turned cold because he could feel terrifying danger from those needles, especially those black ethereal flames they left behind. He knew he wouldn't be able to block it if he didn't use the lawless darkness.

"Hehehe, how interesting; you were still able to dodge my attack despite being a little pup of 8th Mortal Tier. Make it more entertaining for me, then!" The voice laughed with relish as if it was enjoying it very much.

Ace grimaced, 'Just where is he? He can also see through my cultivation!?'

No one had ever been able to see through his cultivation before, especially after he raised his authority over the system. Yet this voice managed to achieve it. Maybe it was because of the strength he used, but it was still no laughing matter!

He was using everything, even the Live Fate Map, to pinpoint this voice location, but there was nothing. This kind of situation was a first for him.

He needed to find where this person was hiding, or he would be passive and might really fall into mortal danger. Furthermore, Ace had a feeling that this person had blocked the path of retreat.

Ace's heart churned at this moment, and without hesitation, he flew upward using the sky steps.

"Boom!"

A black phantom of a huge jaw suddenly appeared out of nowhere and closed in like a death trap where Ace was at this moment, biting nothing but air. However, it leaves behind black ice this time, giving off a freezing aura.

"If you have guts, show yourself!" Ace finally spoke with trepidation because this guy was too terrifying, and he had a feeling that he was not at the level where he could handle him.

Even his stealth wasn't working, and his speed, which he was most proud of, was easily countered.

At this moment, Ace had a terrifying proposition, 'Is this an existence above 8th realm!?'

"Whoa… you really dodge that as well? And your Qi is somewhat strange... I think you might be as talented as the royalties of the Vampyre Clan. Now, this is unexpected, alright, little pup! If you manage to block my next attack, I'll let you pass this place as long as you agree to my conditions. So, try not to die after arousing my hopes!"

For the first time, Ace was finally able to see the light, but it wasn't some warm light from above; instead, it was coming from the depths of this abyss.

Countless crimson eyes filled with endless bloodlust and terrifying killing intent revealed themselves as if the hell had just opened its eyes to gaze upon a tiny ant!