Eternal Thief

After discussing some matters with Eva, Ace quickly left just as he arrived, and no one noticed anything.

Once he returned to begin Leroy, he didn't leave his mountain courtyard and started to practice again in Death Striker Archery Art. Although he wanted to eat an insight pill to mull over the sky sword, he decided against it since the insight pill was very precious, and once he ate one, he would fall into a state of daze for months or even a year if he managed to found the insight he's looking for.

Since there were only five weeks before the Sky Abyss Secret Realm opening, he didn't want to miss it, or if Conner arrived and found Ace in his peculiar state, he might get suspicious.

Furthermore, he still didn't know if Conner would even earn a spot for Leroy to enter the Sky Abyss Secret Realm. So, he might have to find some excuse to leave the school.

However, at noon, he received a visit from an unfamiliar, uninvited guest. It was a demon wearing imperial school robes and a broad sword attached to his back.

"I'm Imperial Student Purple Sword, a direct disciple of Imperial Teacher Thunder Sword. I'm here to meet my new junior brother, Leroy!" He loudly stated while standing at the foot of the mountain.

The personal mountains where the disciple resides were all protected by a formation so no one could disturb them or enter without permission. If someone dares to trespass, it would be harshly punished.

So, if someone wanted to pay a visit, they need to seek the permission of the student living on that mountain first. Furthermore, Leroy's status was even higher because of Conner, and the mountain he was living at was one of the best presents in the entire imperial school.

News about Conner accepting a human disciple had already been spread. Even if Conner didn't brag about it, he still had to register Leroy under his name to acquire the culmination resources. So, this matter can't be hidden since an imperial teacher accepting a disciple was a huge matter.

"Please, Senior, enter; Leroy welcomes you!" Leroy's impassive voice rang.

Purple Sword frowned as he narrowed his eyes. He had clearly stated his status as another direct disciple of an imperial teacher, and he was far more powerful than him as well as his senior, yet Leroy not only came down to receive him personally, but his voice was dismissive as if he was greeting a nobody.

Although Purple Sword wasn't the only disciple of Imperial Teacher Thunder Sword, he was still one of the top three, so he had his own pride.

'Did he think since he's accepted by Death Striker, he's the son of heaven?' Purple Sword's eyes were filled with displeasure; if not for someone important sending him here, he would've already stomped away.

Suppressing his anger, he climbed the mountain, and just as he was halfway there, another crisp voice, much gentler and warm, sounded, "Imperial Student Gentle Jade, a direct disciple of Imperial Teacher Saoirse, is here to greet junior brother Leroy!"

Purple Sword's eyes flashed with astonishment because he knew who this Gentle Jade was, and unlike him, she was the only disciple of Imperial Teacher Saoirse and a true powerhouse among the imperial students.

"Please enter Senior Sister, welcome." Leroy's dismissive voice rang again.

'This brat really didn't know the immensity of the sky, did he?' Purple Sword's lips curled disdainfully, but he didn't say anything and waited for Gentle Jade.

Soon, a graceful pitied figure of a woman appeared, she was a beautiful elf with delicate white features and hourglass figure and an aura of nature surrounded her as if she was one with it.

Gentle Jade's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise when she spotted Purple Sword waiting there with a warm yet hideous smile. But her expression remained tranquil and warm.

"Greeting senior sister, what a surprise." Purple Sword warmly greeted without any hint of arrogance; a hint of adoration was present in his eyes.

"I could say the same." Gentle Jade nodded in acknowledgment, "So you are also here to pay junior Leroy a visit? It seemed I come at the wrong time." Her smiles were meaningful as they both knew they weren't here for just pleasantries.

"I don't dare to think such a thing." Purple Sword polity said, "Since we are here, let's go together. This new junior is quite interesting."

Gentle Jade could sense the double meaning behind Purple Sword's last sentence, but she merely nodded, and both of them climbed the mountain together.

'How interesting…' Ace, who was standing outside his courtyard, waiting for those two newcomers, couldn't help but smile coldly.

Although those two were quasi-law awareness and early-stage law awareness realm cultivators, they were completely helpless against his soul prob. So, while they were climbing the mountain, Ace was stealing their memories to find the truth about their intentions of visiting him as well as getting a clear picture of the imperial school.

Since they were far older and high-ranking students of the imperial school, they naturally knew about many secrets of both the imperial school and the capital because of their backgrounds.

As for directly greeting and receiving them, Ace thought little of it since he didn't care about how they felt. Leroy's status was enough to protect him from anyone, and as long as the imperial teacher-level figure didn't come, he didn't need to give someone else much face.

Soon, both of the visitors arrive, and when they see Leroy standing there, powerful senses wash over him. Although it was rude to probe someone with their martial and soul senses, as long as they won't find out, it wasn't rude at all.

But how could they see through Ace? They only saw what he showed them!

"Seniors, it's my utmost pleasure to meet you two. Forgive my lack of hospitality, but I'm new here, so I hope you can forgive me if I showed you something embarrassing." Leroy politely bowed.

Purple Sword sneered, "Heh, I can see that Junior is new and lacks some manners. But don't worry, I know you'll learn in time."

Gentle Jade was courteous and warm. "You are really extraordinary to catch the eye of Imperial Teacher Death Striker. Here, I bring you a meeting gift. You have to accept it."

She flipped her hand, and a translucent jade bottle appeared, and inside was a ruby pill.

Ace could sense that this pill was a high-grade-6 soul-

gathering pill, only worth 1 SP to current him. But it was a very expensive and rare gift for any other soul manifestation realm.

"Thank you." He accepted it.

Purple Sword frowned seeing this, but he remained silent as he didn't bring anything, and he was planning to give it away to Leroy since he didn't like him.

"Please come inside." Ace invited them in.

They didn't decline and followed him into the guest hall.

At this moment, Gentle Jade suddenly said while glancing at Purple Sword, "I know Junior Purple Sword has some private matter to talk about with Junior Leroy, and I'm the same. So, since junior Purple Sword came first, I'll wait outside before you talk over with junior Leroy. Don't worry, take your time."

"You have my gratitude, senior sister." Purple Sword didn't decline.

"Alright." Ace also agreed.

Soon, only Leroy and Purple Sword were sitting around a table.

Leroy said, "Please speak your mind, senior; I will do my best if there is a matter that I can help you with."

Purple Sword nodded before his expression became stern, "I won't beat around the bush with junior Leroy. I'm here on behalf of the Crown Prince to invite Junior Leroy to join His Highness's faction!"