Eternal Thief

Looking at Alina's shimmering eyes with anticipation, Ace couldn't help but smile wryly, "Are you sure? You know that you might no longer be a hunter once you change your bloodline. I don't know which race this bloodline belongs to besides its being powerful." 

Although Ace was told that this bloodline belonged to the Sun and Moon God, he wasn't told what race the Sun and Moon God belonged to. So, he naturally asked the system. 

But to his dismay, except for the fact that this bloodline was extremely powerful, the system couldn't analyze the origin because of the seal placed on the Mystic Bloodline Cist, at least not with its current level. 

Only after someone successfully sweeps with that bloodline could the nature of that bloodline be revealed, and that's why he was uncertain about what would happen to a natural-born hunter like Alina if she sweeps with another race's bloodline.

In truth, Ace was taking a massive risk by selecting Alina for this bloodline because of the uncertainty involved. However, since the system said the Cist was entirely safe for changing bloodline, he was willing to trust it. 

After all, the Sun and Moon God also had to keep this fact in mind when he left this Cist and Bloodline here. If it were unsafe, he would've given specific instructions for only a particular race to inherit this bloodline, yet he didn't. So, the Mystic Bloodline Cist was the key here. 

Still, Alina agreed too quickly, so he was somewhat baffled since he thought she might have qualms about changing her entire identity into something else. Yet she was too fired up, as if it didn't matter to her at all. 

Alina replied without hesitation, with determination, "I know, but I'm ready. Since you asked me, it means you're certain that it's safe, and I trust you completely. Even if I lost my bloodline, nothing would change the real me. 

"Besides that, after living in your storage space, I discovered just how talented she-devil is, and it is all because of her bloodline, right? You were the one who gave it to her, so I'm sure you won't discriminate between us. I'll give her the competition she wanted!" 

Ace couldn't help but smile wryly when he heard this and finally understood that it was all about Eva and Alina's rivalry. He knew better than anyone just how powerful Eva was, and Alina couldn't beat her without joining the thief's house first. 

So, he thought she might lose her will to fight after discovering just how talented Eva was now and how quickly she was improving. But he was now glad to see that Alina hadn't lost her determination and was more optimistic than ever. 

Furthermore, she trusted him with her life, which was more than enough to warm his heart. 

"You silly girl, at least think about how parents would react if they knew you abandoned your bloodline for another. Won't they fight me to death?" Ace jokingly uttered. 

A charming smile bloomed over Alina's lips, "That's your problem. I can say you forced me to do this. After all, it's me against the infamous Sky Stealer." She giggled playfully. 

Ace's eyes widened as he looked at the cunning smile on Alina's face and retorted, "When did you become so shameless?" 

"What can I do? I have to be like this to earn my place between your entourage of women." Alina replied with pursed lips. 

Ace sighed and decided to change the topic before he dug a deeper grave for himself, "Anyway, at least discuss it with your maid. I do not know how much time will be needed before the process is completed. Minimum it will need months and maximum years. 

"Furthermore, you need to have an unbreakable will to integrate with this bloodline fully, and failure means certain death. Once you start, there's no way to go back. But I'm not too worried about this since I know you are strong-willed. 

"Still, talk with Lillian about it. After all, she will be constantly worried. Once you're ready, I hand you the bloodline." Ace solemnly stated, making Alina's expression grave as well. 

"Alright, send me back." Alina nodded before Ace sent her back into her house. 

Ace sighed gravely as he muttered, "System, you better be telling the truth about pulling her out if something goes wrong." 

"[Host can rest assure as long as the integration process is happening in the thief's space, the system can interfere if Host spend sufficient TP and cancel the bloodline sweep process.]" 

This was the main reason Ace was willing to put Alina through such a risk, or if he didn't have such assurance, he would never have put Alina's life at risk, no matter the rewards involved. 

The system seemed to be very optimistic about the Mystic Bloodline Cist for some reason so that it would answer some related questions. 

Now that Alina had agreed to change her bloodline, if she succeeded, he would not only have another strong woman by his side but also the key to dig out the secret treasure. 

If that secret treasure was the Heaven's Secret he sought, he had to find someone to inherit that bloodline. If Alina couldn't succeed, he would then choose the other women present in the thief's space.

But deep down, he hopes that Alina succeeds, or it will be a massive blow to her and entirely his fault. 

Nonetheless, he believed in her, and after seeing her determination, he was sure she had the will to endure anything. 

Afterward, Ace peered into the thief's space and observed the discussion between Alina and Lillian. 

In contrast to Alina, Lillian's reaction to Alina's plan to change her bloodline was more natural, and she instantly rejected it. However, Alina was adamant; no matter what Lillian tried to pursue her, she remained stubborn. 

In the end, Lillian looked upward with teary and resentful eyes, and Ace could clearly feel that hostile gaze was for none other than himself. 

On the other hand, Cyrus was hiding from Lillian somewhere in the thief's space so he didn't have to study. It has become so common that Cyrus even started to think of it as an entertaining game, while for Lillian, it was torture. 

After the decision was made, Ace didn't hesitate any longer, and the rectangular Mystic Bloodline Cist appeared in the living room of Alina's house, drawing both women's attention.

At this moment, Ace finally spoke, "Since you're ready, just open the lid and lay down. The process will start the moment you close the lid. Once it closes, only after you succeed can you come out or in case of failure…" 

Alina and Lillian looked at the Cist, which was even more significant than their heights, with astonishment. They didn't feel any trace of Qi from this strange Cist, but their martial senses lost meaning when they touched that Cist's surface. 

"Princess, are you really going to abandon your bloodline for another one?" Lillian asked again with an anxious expression. She didn't even think it was possible before, but since it was coming from the Sky Stealer himself, she knew it wasn't a joke. 

"It's just a measly bloodline; no matter what bloodline I get, it'll still be me. My bloodline won't define me." Alina coldly uttered, and the next moment, she created an ice staircase and opened the Cist lid, which was extremely light despite its size. 

However, when she opened it, her heart skipped a beat because inside was like an endless abyss. Although she still feels nothing, her mind seems to be getting blank just by staring at that bottomless darkness. 

Blood suddenly tinkled down the corner of her lip the next moment, and clearness returned to her eyes. She has to bite her tongue to keep her mind intact. 

She could finally avert her eyes, but fear was evident this time. Furthermore, she felt fear just by thinking she had to enter that darkness and stay there for who knows how long. For the first time, her confidence wavered since she had never thought she had to enter this eerie thing to change her bloodline. 

"If you don't want to you, don't force yourself." Ace's concerned voice rang. It was also the first time he saw what was inside the Cist, and despite being only an observer, it gave him the chills just looking at that darkness. 

Lillian also found hope in Ace's voice and yelled, "Yes, princess, it seemed too dangerous! Please come down. What's the point of having power if you're not alive to keep it!" 

Alina collected herself, and a determined smile emerged as she said, "You're right, but I'm going to live. Just do one thing for me; tell her not to slack off when you see that arrogant she-devil, or she's going to lose!" 

The next moment, without waiting for a reply, Alina jumped into the seemingly endless darkness, and the lid clamped down before the symbols on the Cist lightened up almost instantly!