Gourdon, Wadeby, and the other Reborn allies couldn’t help but shake their heads.

Even if this was considerably the more ’peaceful’ option since the duel didn’t require any fighting, this kind of battle was perhaps even more fatal.

After all, the Rose of Death was infamous for being an item that could assassinate even a Nascent Spirit cultivator!

If one didn’t have a sufficient Nascent Influence defense to counter the poisonous effects of the Rose of the Death, then one would be dead literally within seconds. The worst part was that there was no cure for this, even if one used an Aubility Power to try and cure those who were afflicted.

After all, the pollen directly poisoned Aubility Power itself. The only way to prevent the Rose of Death from killing someone who touched it was if they used Nascent Influence to defend themselves.

Since a Nascent Influence wasn’t made by the spread of Aubility Power threads and instead was a wave of information or ’intent’, then the Rose of Death couldn’t affect it.

But this wouldn’t work with not just any Nascent Influence. One needed to have a very strong or thicker ’blanket’ to defend.

In short, only those who were extremely familiar with their Nascent Influence and were more experienced with their powers could defend against the Rose of Death’s fatal effects.

Amateur Nascent Spirit cultivators could only create a thin ’blanket’ of Nascent Influence. One would need years of experience to increase that.

So, Micheal truly had no chance of ever touching that rose without killing himself.

"What a wonderful idea, Infernus!"

"Truly, this is the best way to disengage against a rude provocation!"

"He’s truly the student of the great Charys! He is able to preserve the sanctity of the summit while dealing with a difficult problem."

Immediately, the opposing side of Reborn were quick to take advantage of this situation. They treated Michael’s provocation as something that only a brash, impulsive youth was going to do. And Infernus looked more mature by defusing the situation from becoming more violent.

Of course, many would argue this was more violent, since it could only end in death. But that wouldn’t fit their agenda.

"Young Michael, it is best you say sorry now before things truly went awry."

"Yes, the Reborn company has very good potential. You may not be mature enough to enter the Upper Echelons at this moment, but you could try again after decades of learning and experience!"

"No one would insult you for admitting your defeat! Value your life!"

But instead, Michael stepped forward and stared at Infernus. The two young men were face to face.

"I accept," Michael said.

It was at this point that even Infernus was surprised. He only proposed the Rose of Death because he didn’t think that someone would actually be that suicidal to accept his proposal!

"Michael!"

"Damn!"

Gourdon and Wadeby winced. Now that Michael accepted, he couldn’t take it back!

Infernus shrugged. "Very well. This was your decision," he said.

The young Draconian extended his right hand, which was suddenly enveloped with more red scales.

These scales were made out of pure Aubility Power. This was Nascent Armor! For Draconians, having this kind of defense was inherent amongst them. They have had it since they were a kid! That’s why Draconians were so feared—having the powers of a Nascent Spirit cultivator simply for being born a Draconian!

Once his entire arm had been clad in red scales, Infernus reached down into the glass cube, his fingertips soon making contact with the Rose of Death.

Its glittery, violet petals shivered, releasing pollens directly into Infernus’ fingers.

The young Draconian’s face twisted into one of defiance. He immediately used his Nascent Influence, creating a shockwave that emanated straight out of his heart.

The Rose of Death shivered even more. Its proud petals started to wilt and sag under Infernus’ Nascent Influence.

Even the pollens, which were floating up as if magnetically attracted to Infernus’ fingers, found themselves falling down into the bottom of the glass box.

"Amazing! His Nascent Influence is conquering the Rose of Death!"

"As expected of Charys’ student!"

"I shudder to think of fighting against him!"

At this point, Infernus forcefully grabbed the stem of the rose. Its sharp, prickly thorns bent away from the Draconian’s skin, allowing him to pick it up without getting hurt.

"Haha!" he shouted in triumph. "No beauty is exempt from being subdued by me!"

This was Infernus’ Nascent Influence! As long as he deemed something as a beauty, they’d be conquered by him without a problem!

Now, Infernus held the Rose of Death in his hands, making everyone gasp and clap their hands in amazement.

After a few seconds, Infernus’ expression changed and winced. His Nascent Influence was finding it hard to exert control over the rose.

Eventually, he brought the rose back into the box, drops of sweat dripping off the young Draconian’s face.

"Now it is your turn, young man!" Infernus handed Michael the box.

It was at this point that Michael heard the worried voices of his allies, urging him to reconsider. Everything was drowned out in his ears.

He concentrated on the Rose of Death.

He couldn’t help but agree with Infernus. Despite its obvious danger, the rose itself was beautiful. He could feel a sense of loneliness within the plant, like a beautiful woman who had gone through too much to trust anyone else.

Michael raised his hand, gently putting it inside the box.

A shockwave emanated out of his heart. Everyone’s eyes widened with utter shock and surprise.

Nascent Influence!

And before anyone could even say anything else, Michael cupped the bottom of the rose’s petals gently.

As soon as he did, the pollen tried to assault his skin. The thorns in its stem grew sharp, trying to prick him even further.

He let it.

After all, unlike Infernus, he wasn’t going to change the Rose of Death to become easier to handle.

Instead, he was going to change everything else in order to accommodate the Rose of Death! 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

As soon as his Nascent Influence touched the flower, a golden light emerged out of the rose’s bud.