When Marcus' mouth was unsealed and he was able to speak again, he looked at William and asked carefully, "Are you going to let me go now? You've already taken my Soul Strength and my dignity, what else do you want?"
Marcus was currently incredibly weak from losing his Soul Strength. Even a gentle kick from Charlotte might spell death for the old man if it hit the right spot.
William thought for a moment. It's like the System said, he's too dangerous to be left alive... what should I do?
The answer presented itself in the form of a stray Superior Tribulation that glanced off of William's shoulder and pierced through Marcus' forehead cleanly. With a dull thud, Marcus fell to the floor, stunning everyone present silent.
"Is he... dead?" Carl asked while Charlotte rushed forward to heal Marcus. William helped too, but their combined efforts weren't enough. Marcus was dead, and with no Soul Strength he wouldn't even leave behind a soul.
William didn't know what to say. As if it were a gift from the Heavens, his problem was solved, though he felt bad for the old man that had been unlucky enough to meet him.
The other Revista Faction members that had arrived long ago were infuriated, and even the Patriarch clenched his fists in anger. The only thing preventing him from approaching William and punching him in the face was the boy's unbelievable strength.
How can someone be so strong? That was an Ascension Realm Cultivator, even if he hadn't consolidated his strength yet, he was the real deal!
The same thought was on the minds of many others present, but William and his group didn't give them time to think about it too much.
"Since Marcus has turned over his Technique, I was wondering if you could tell me where to find Rudeus Velos?" William asked the most important-looking person in the area, the Revista Faction's Patriarch.
"I..." the Patriarch had to do his best to conceal his anger. Between deep breaths, his scowl turned into an ingratiating smile as he spoke, "I heard that Rudeus Velos issued a request for the Seven-Colored Poison Marigold, our Faction happens to have one, perhaps he would meet with you if you buy it from us?"
William's expression brightened as another Supreme Lightning Bolt bounced off his body and created a deep gash in the ground at the Patriarch's feet, "You're giving us a Seven-Colored Poison Marigold for free? That would be great, your hospitality is appreciated!"
The Patriarch's smile stiffened as he jumped back to avoid the Lightning, "Y-Yes, I suppose."
Of course it's not for free, but how can I tell you no when even the Supreme Tribulation can't harm you?!
William smiled back and said nothing, waiting patiently while the Patriarch ordered one of his Faction members to retrieve the requested item. With shaky hands, the subordinate brought William a bright golden marigold that changed colors depending on how the light reflected off of it.
"We're here," the Revista member said, "Please take off your shoes and sit cross legged in one of the statues. After that, your Cultivation can proceed as usual."
The group did as instructed— except for William who remained at the entrance— while the Revista member stood to the side to watch. Seeing this, William frowned and waved with his hand in a shooing motion, to which the subordinate had no choice but to comply.
Usually those in the Cultivation Site would be closely monitored to prevent any damage to the area, but they each valued their lives more than the state of their Cultivation Site. They could only hope that the group wouldn't cause any trouble.
"This place is amazing!" Yuming exclaimed as he circulated his Cultivation Technique, finding it roughly ten times more efficient than before. He had only just reached the Golden Core Realm during William's travel across the Continent, but if he could Cultivate here for a few days, he might just break through to the Nascent Soul Realm!
Charlotte, Carl, Tia, and Gunther felt the same way. They could sense the strong Poison Mana in the environment, but it was pure and not dangerous at all. Not only that, but the special Mana could be converted to the other Elements with ease!
It was truly a Cultivation Holy Ground!
"William, aren't you going to Cultivate?" Carl asked from afar?
William was still standing at the entrance and hadn't moved from his spot even after the Revista Faction member left. What was he waiting for?
"Ah... I suppose I can Cultivate a bit, but I'll need to break through first." William said as he broke through to the sixth level of the Golden Core Realm under the eyes of all his friends. From the sixth level, William broke through again, then a third time to the seventh level.
As his strength increased, he had to push the Seal Element's suppression further and further to keep his mere existence from shattering the World into pieces. Thankfully, the increased Cultivation also meant stronger Magic, which held a delicate balance for a while, the Seal Element slowly losing ground.
His friends couldn't see any rapid advances of his Golden Core considering his Stealth Talent, but they could sense that William's pressure became stronger and stronger over time. After he reached the ninth level of the Golden Core Realm and pushed it up once more, his Golden Core and the Seven-Colored Poison Marigold appeared from his body and each spun through the air wildly and merged.
-The Host has acquired a secret special advancement item. Advancement replaced with an improved Heavenly Golden Core.
Instead of reaching the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm, William's Golden Core underwent a qualitative change, turning a vibrant rainbow color matching the seven colors of the Marigold, flashing from one to the next out in the open.
His friends couldn't possibly Cultivate under these conditions, having been pressed to the ground completely by William's overwhelming aura.
-Cultivation: Golden Core 10 (0/400000)