Eternal Thief

1182  Apportionment Trial (1) n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Sect Core area was in the very center of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect. It was a restricted place; even the Flame Master and Forger Master needed permission to enter.

The core area was also the heart of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect, a place filled with immense fiery spiritual Qi and hidden knowledge. It was a subterranean complex bathed in an otherworldly, crimson light.

The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries depicting the sect's history and the creation. At the center of the Core Area was a massive, pulsating, ethereal bird-shaped crimson flame above an ancient formation; it was the manifestation of Sky Grade Spirit Vein, the source of the sect's power.

Furthermore, this was the most protected area of the sect and safest because the sect leader and grand elders' dwellings were located here, a solitary tower that reaches towards the sky, its peak lost in the perpetual twilight.

At this moment, on the top floor of this tower, a scholarly man in white robes with long dark hair and pale skin who appeared to be in his late twenties sat cross-legged, an antique cauldron hovering above his head.

He seemed immense in his training when the antique cauldron suddenly released a gentle light. His ruby-like eyes snapped open, and a surprise flashed past them.

At this moment, an impassive voice suddenly rang, "Someone with an Outer Elder Apportionment Token has entered the sect, and he seems very special."

The scholarly man's eyes widened ever so slightly before a hint of intrigue shone in them: "A holder of an Outer Elder Apportionment Token even alerts you, Guardian Spirit?"

"Indeed, and I can't see through him; he's very strange." The Guardian Spirit's voice rang again with uncertainty, yet there was a hint of interest in it.

The scholarly was even more astounded. The next moment, he seemed to mutter something before a mirror appeared in front of him, and an image started to play.

It shows George and Marguerite crossing the Inferno Mountain Pass. Crossing this place was also a kind of test, for the temperature rose exponentially, and the air became increasingly difficult to breathe. No elemental state cultivator could pass this place without any protection, and even Ascension Soldiers would have a difficult time if they didn't have the protection of sect badges.

Furthermore, it wasn't the only test; as soon as the cliffs began to morph into grotesque, demonic statues, their faces were contorted in eternal agony, which directly affected one soul. The sky above was a perpetual twilight, suffused with an ominous, crimson hue that made one feel like they were walking on top of magma, and they could feel the heat with their souls. The sounds of the roar of the inferno and the echo of one's own heartbeat made it even more difficult.

Yet, the scholarly man observed George and noticed that George didn't show any reaction, as if he were completely immune to all of that.

"His soul is indeed more powerful than normal Ascension Soldiers. But what do you find special about him, and why can't you see through him? Don't tell me he's a 'Lord' playing with us." His last words were more of a joke since he knew it was impossible to draw a 'Lord's' attention for a second-grade sect.

"Heh, your humor is still as bad as ever. Do you think if a Lord decided to target the sect, you'd still have time to joke around? With a single flick of a Lord, the entire sect would flatter." The Guardian Spirit retorted, "What I'm saying is, I can't completely scan him and could only measure his bone age, and cultivation, I can't see thought his Spirit Qi or Prim Law, at least not while only using the grand formation of the sect.

"Furthermore, as a Cauldron Spirit, I can notice things that you humans can't. There is someone extraordinary about him. As for what it is, it still eludes me. Nonetheless, it's been many years since I've noticed such an interesting doll. Maybe he can meet your ridiculous conditions and become your disciple. I'm tired of seeing your annoying face." The Guardian Spirit snorted, but there was a hint of anticipation and care in its voice.

The scholarly man didn't mind as he chuckled before looking at George with great interest. He had been with Guardian Spirit for hundreds of thousands of years and knew the Guardian Spirit's standards were even higher than his, and it had never praised anyone like this. So, his interest in George was finally piqued.

"Then let's see what this 'special' kid can do…" He said as he looked towards George with anticipation. His boring life finally had some amusement in it.

---

Ace didn't know that he had alerted a terrifying being as he was curiously walking past the Inferno Mountain Pass. Although it may look like he was fine, he could still feel the strange anomalies in this place that seemed to be targeting his soul. But he didn't have time to mull over them as he reached the end of the passage. Beyond the Inferno Mountain Pass lies the Outer Court, a vast, barren expanse of volcanic rock. The architecture was stark and imposing, with structures resembling jagged, obsidian spires.

The buildings seemed to be heated from within, casting an eerie orange glow against the twilight sky. The air was filled with the constant hum of machinery and the faint distant rumble of forges.

The law of fire in this place was so dense that he could literally feel them on his skin and sense their mysteries.

However, at this moment, Ace's attention shifted as he looked towards the twilight sky, which seemed to be the result of fire law or some formation. Three figures in white scholarly robes with a crimson cauldron symbol surrounded by golden flames descended a few meters away from him, and they were all looking towards him curiously.

Furthermore, Ace instantly noticed two golden crystalline stars on each of their collars; they were the outer court forger elders of the sect!

Marguerite was surprised before she quickly bowed her head and greeted in respect, "Flame Disciple Marguerite, greet three Forger Elders!" George quickly followed suit.

They nodded in acknowledgment before the tall, middle-aged man with a bald head and thick beard questioned while looking at George, "You are the one with a Forger Elder Apportionment Token?"

George quickly replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Elders. George Edward from Violet Yang Grand Sect is here to initiate the Apportionment Trial."

"Which elder gave you the token?" The dwarf old man asked curiously.

Before George could reply, an amiable elderly voice rang, "I was the one who gave it to him."

Everyone looked toward the voice's owner and saw an old man followed by a middle-aged woman landing beside the three elders; it was none other than Elder Dewey, who had come back a few days prior to George.

"Elder Dewey?" The middle-aged sect elder frowned ever so slightly before he quickly hid it, but Ace didn't miss it, and he could feel hostility from him.

'Don't tell me…' Ace instantly knew things weren't going to be simple!