Eternal Thief

Chapter 1159: Inferno Weapon Smith Association (1)



In the central region of the Western Guardian Sect City, this place was also called the Weston District because it was where the people of the Weston Clan lived, and no one was allowed here without permission.

At this moment, a few figures were gathering in a lavish meeting hall, sitting around a large table and looking solemnly at the gloomy middle-aged man with short light red hair and a thick beard. He was the one with the title Western Guardian, also the head of the Weston Clan's outer branch, Lloyd Weston. The people sitting around the table were Elders, with status only below Lloyd.

"John was assassinated five days ago!" Lloyd spoke in a grim tone as a hint of sadness laced with dens killing intent flashed past his eyes.

"What!?"

"Is this true!?"

The elders' expressions finally changed as they all exclaimed with different reactions. It finally dawned on them why Lloyd suddenly pulled them out from their posts and also explained the reason for his gloomy mood.

"I've confirmed it. Five days ago, his Life Jade broke, and after I personally investigated, I found traces of Forbidden Spell, Flame of Destruction, being used on the outskirts of Forbidden Wall.

"We all know that spell is our last resort, and once used, the outcome is certain death. So, this also brings to my conclusion that John was assassinated, and the assassins were too strong for him to even have him use the forbidden spell to sacrifice his own life." Lloyd stated as his killing intent intensified.

After all, John was his brother, and they had a very good relationship. Not to mention, John was special as he was a protégé of Spirit Weapon Forging, a One-Star Spirit Weapon Forger above the Grad-9 Runic Smith!

Furthermore, he was also one of the ranked Forger Disciples of the outer sect court of Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect and a direct disciple of an Outer Court Forger Elder. He was here to gain experience, while the truth was he was here to help Lloyd evaluate the status of Western Guardian Sect City and, with that, his own outer branch family as well.

After all, although they are named Weston, one of the four ruling clans of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect, they do not belong to the main clan's direct bloodline, and to get their attention and resources, they need merits and achievements.

It was also the same case for the other three guardian sect cities as well, and what could be a better way to earn merits by directly competing with each other? After all, the four clans were bitter rivals as they always secretly clashed with each other for the Sect Master, otherwise known as the Artifice Guardian Master's position.

Furthermore, only the 'Forger Disciple' or 'Forger Faction' has a true say in the sect because they are the sect's true backbone, while the other faction, the 'Flame Faction' of 'Flame Disciples', is the sect's shield, as they are all fighters.

That's why their background status was also elevated whenever a Forger Disciple appeared. The requirement to become an Outer Forger Disciple was a 'One-Star Spirit Weapon Forger' that can create at least a lower ascension grade-1 weapon, while an Outer Flame Disciple status can be achieved by becoming a 1-Star Ascension Solider and passing the corresponding entrance test. The difference in treatment was too big!

Overseeing the Outer and Inner Flame Disciples and Forger Disciples were Outer and Inner Flame Elders and Forger Elders. Both were part of the Outer and Inner Court of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect.

Above them were the Chief Flame Disciples and Chief Forger Disciples, and overseeing them were the Flame Masters and Forger Masters. Then, finally, the Sect Leader, the Artifact Guardian Master, and above him were elusive Grand Guardians, the Grand Artifact Guardian Masters.

"It has to be those Sutton bastards! Don't you know the moment Elder Brother came out from the sect, the fourth successor of the Southern Guardian Sect City' Sutton Clan also made his appearance? The Second Lord had also made that vile fellow suffer great humiliation in a Forging Challenge!

"Since then, those Sutton Bastards are always coming in our way, yet Elder Brother always managed to make them suffer losses. But now, the thorn in their path is gone! Clan Head, please give me permission to avenge Elder Brother!" A woman with charming features exclaimed while trembling with eyes full of grievance and hatred.

"Elder... Little Marguerite..." Lloyd and everyone else sighed ruefully, as they knew Elder Marguerite and John were lovers.

Marguerite was also a Flame Disciple, while John was a Forger Disciple of Outer Court, and not only that, they had been together since childhood.

Lloyd clenched his fists as he felt even more indignant and had the same thoughts as Marguerite. He knew the Sutton Clan was the prime suspect behind John's uncanny death.

But he can't let his emotions get the better of him; without any evidence, the Sutton were untouchable, and if they made some reckless move, they would suffer. He can't let Marguerite take rash action, either.

"Don't worry, Elder Marguerite. I've already contacted John's master, and I'm sure the Outer Sect Court would've already been alert by John's death since they took a Forger Disciple's uncanny death extremely seriously, which is a matter of upholding the sect's integrity. "I'm sure John's master would be here any moment now with Sect Enforcers. They can easily find out what happened to John, and those Sutton bastards won't be able to hide for long!" Lloyd gritted his teeth as he suppressed his fury and urged to go on a rampage in Southern Guardian Sect City.

While a slight undercurrent raged, Ace stood before a grand fifty-floor pagoda with rows of lines outside. Everyone seemed extremely respectful as they waited for their turns.

He saw the grand sigil of an imposing crimson 'Fire Bird' craved from some glowing crimson mineral. Just by looking at it, one would feel a burning sensation. It was the symbol of the Artifact Inferno Guardian Sect.

Ace looked towards the imposing name carved on the entrance, which seemed to be burning like a living flame, 'Inferno Weapon Smith Association.'

'According to the memories of those guides, this association was established by some Forger Master many years ago to give the Forger Disciples a platform to practice their forging skills with other people's materials and forge weapons for others. It's a win-win scenario.

'But who could've thought that the same Elder's successor turned it into a huge business and spread the Ascension far and wide? Now, they not only accept requests but also let unaffiliated forgers join the association and seek talented disciples through it.'

Ace's eyes shimmered with intrigue as he walked towards a line and mused, 'Not only that, they also sell weapons... let's see if I can gather some materials for Universal Ascension Black Physique from here before going into the Black Market!'