"No need to pursue!"
The Azurecloud Sect Master called back the elder Daoists who were about to chase after the thief, shaking his head. "That man's speed is too fast, and he can change his appearance at will. Even if you catch up, you won't recognize him. Leave it at that, don't dig deeper, and don't make a fuss. Someone go search for Junior Brother Flying Crane. Just now, the old thief disguised himself as Flying Crane, so the real Flying Crane must be tied up somewhere, no doubt bound and stashed away."
Immediately, some Daoists went to search for Flying Crane's whereabouts, while the other elders swiftly gathered around the Azurecloud Sect Master, asking, "Just now, the star phenomenon revived Heaven Duke and activated the formation—what exactly happened?"
"Naturally, it was Dao Ancestor's doing."
The Azurecloud Sect Master said calmly, "Both the Everpeace Overlord Body and the Heavenly Court envoys wanted to eliminate each other, leaving Dao Ancestor with no choice. But what kind of existence is Dao Ancestor? How could he let two juniors decide his fate? That is not what a wise man would do."
The Daoists were deeply shaken. "Master, what do you mean?"
"Dao Ancestor has taken them to Heavenly Court to make his own decision. As for Azurecloud Sect's future, we need not worry—Dao Ancestor will handle everything."
The Azurecloud Sect Master said, "All we need to do now is prepare for the aftermath."
A Daoist quickly replied, "Jaden Jadehall has already gone to make preparations—he says we should have a backup plan."
The Azurecloud Sect Master inquired further and couldn't help but praise, "Jaden Jadehall has done very well. Heavenly Court is full of talented people, and even a small place like Everpeace has so many outstanding geniuses. Fortunately, Azurecloud Heaven also has a younger generation that can rival them, so we're not falling too far behind."
Outside Azurecloud Heaven, the 'Flying Crane' Daoist sped away with the young novice, quickly leaving Azurecloud Heaven tens of thousands of li behind. He repeatedly changed his appearance—sometimes male, sometimes female, sometimes old, sometimes young, even shifting into demigod forms at times. He also produced all sorts of different outfits, leaving the young novice utterly dumbfounded.
Not only did the old man transform himself, but he was also a master of creation arts, changing the novice's appearance more than a dozen times.
"We're safe now. The Azurecloud Heaven Daoists can't catch up."
The old man returned to his true form, hands clasped behind his back and a simple, honest grin on his face, circling around Heaven-Guide Venerable and sizing him up. Sure enough, just as Quinn Shepherd predicted, the old man was Crippled Joe.
Heaven-Guide Venerable felt uneasy.
"You're a real prodigy."
Crippled Joe exclaimed, "You learn everything so fast—even faster than that rascal Quinn! Let's go empty-handed and steal across the world together!"
Heaven-Guide Venerable quickly shook his head. "I have to find my brother..."
"Why bother looking for him?"
Crippled Joe shook his head, a bit displeased. "That kid was fun when he was little, but he got dull as he grew up. I taught him the art of Stealing Heaven and Swapping Sun, thinking we'd become a legendary grandfather-grandson thief duo. But what does he do? He goes out playing all day and never takes me along, and he doesn't even steal anything—just fills his head with muscles from learning with Butcher. Come, I'll show you my treasure vault! Listen, these past years I've made it big—even Emperor Evan calls me 'Grand Thief.' Do you know how to fly? I'll teach you how to walk on the wind..."