When the group of bandits saw their boss' mysterious way of dying. They bewitched. 

But the very next moment, everyone was scared silly as they looked at the young man, who was smiling calmly at them. That smile gave everyone shivers as if grim ripper was looking at them while sharpening his scythe. 

"M-monster, RUN!" Trenton bark and runs without thinking. He knew he had provoked a terrifying individual. 

Well, no one can blame Trenton because no one as powerful as Ace came here so easily, and Trenton stays far away from powerful cultivators.

When Trenton saw the storage ring in Javier's hand and after confirming his weak cultivation. He calls for his group of bandits and thought it would be a big harvest this time around because they never rob some with a storage ring before. 

Trenton planned to rob this brat at night with no one finding out and was heading back into the town to smuggle his gang of bandits inside. But to his surprise, that brat was quite far away from the town and, though the luck was on his side.

He has done this kind of thing before and rob quite many helpless people and even killed them. But this time he has provoked a dark star who has killed their boss without even blinking. 

"Heh. Good luck with that." Ace's impersonal voice brushes past their ears.

This was the last thing everyone in the group hear before they fell on the dirt and become corpses!

"Not even a single EXP, huh." Ace was coldly looking at those ten corpses as he pursed his lips, "But soul attacks are dreadful and mine was only at the low efficiency."

This was his first time using soul-piercing bullets on someone, and it didn't disappoint him.

'Now, I should learn the Soul Barrier of Soul Guardian Barrier Art and Camouflage Steps.' Now that he had mastered a soul attack completely, he needs a defensive skill as well.

The soul barrier was like soul-shattering eyes and had a backlash, but it was still a protective soul skill and the backlash was far better than being dead. 

As for Camouflage Steps, it was specifically for fighting and since he masters, the lightning steps to low-level mastery and didn't seem to make any progress in it any further; it was time to move on to this part of the Misperception Sky Steps Art.

Ace scan the corpses and didn't sense any qi stones or storage rings. 'Bandits are surprisingly poor these days.' He sighed.

If those corpses knew what was thinking, they might die again from anger. 

Since there were no more hindrances, with the lightning-like movement, he blurs and disappeared in the avenue that leads to Zander City. 

---

A week later,

Ace was looking at the large golden gates that were exploding with activates. 

These golden gates were the city gates of Zander City!

Without resting for a moment, Ace reaches the biggest city of Zander County in a week, from Lane Town. 

This journey would normally take him a month if he leisurely travels but Ace didn't want to miss this big chance of farming a large amount of TP and a chance to raise his thief rank. 

'This city is even more packed than the luminous city.' Ace nodded in satisfaction. He was finally seeing what he had imagined.

On the city gate, there were three blocks, one for carriages, one for pedestrian, and the last was almost empty as if was specific for the special personal like nobles. 

The guards on the gate were middle stage Qi Foundation realm and collecting tolls showing no emotions. 

Ace was amazed because almost everyone in that sizeable crowd was a cultivator of at least Qi Gates Realm. 

Since there was no check for identity, he gets in the second line and waits for his turn. 

If he wanted, he can just sneak inside, but he didn't mind waiting and go like a proper person since he was not here for stealing. Because if he makes a move right now, he might alert many.

Ace also noticed that there were many youngsters in the masses and instantly knew they were also here for the competition in the capital. 

They might not be participants, but they can always watch and gain experience or just enjoy the grand show. This was especially the case for nobles.

In front of Ace, there were twenty men, and the line was moving steadily. At this moment, Ace felt a hand on his shoulder from behind and curiously turn around with a plain face. 

Ace saw a tall, slim young man in his late twenties beaming at him. This young man was quite handsome, much pleasing to the eyes than Javier's plain face.

"Hehe, little brother, are you alone?" The young man asked with a beaming smile.

Javier said, showing no emotions, "Yes, is there some problem with it?" 

Ace measure the young man closely and a hint of surprise flash past his eyes. But it was all hidden under Javier's face and the young man didn't suspect a thing.

"Oh, you take it in the wrong way." The young man put a friendly face before saying, "I'm also alone. Why not we tag along?"

"Sure." Javier coolly said.

"My name is Jason Lan." Jason introduces himself enthusiastically.

"Javier," Javier said impassively.

"Haha, little brother Javier, why so cold? We're friends after all." Jason seems to be very optimistic as if he didn't care about Javier giving him the cold shoulder.

"You two lovers, move quickly or I throw you out of the line!" A man behind Jason yell. He was an early stage qi foundation cultivator.

"Geez, uncle, why are you yelling? My ears almost fell off." Jason retorted. He didn't seem to be afraid of that Qi Foundation cultivator. 

After all, Jason was only a fourth gate cultivator himself!

"Boy, you dare to call me uncle??!" That man's face turns red from anger. He didn't seem to like this word.

"So, what can I call you little oldy?" Jason innocently asked

A thick vine pop on that man's forehead. He was very short temper and about to attack Jason. 

After all, this guy was 'insulating' him with such an innocent face. How could he take it standing?!