The Rose of Death, the very item that had claimed the lives of people who had already reached the peak of their cultivation, looked as resplendent as ever.

Its glittery, violet color was alluring. It invited everyone to touch it. And if one didn’t know the truth, then they would have definitely fallen for it.

Michael looked down at the rose. It had now been influenced by his Nascent power. Reality had changed.

He reached down into the glass box and grasped the rose in his hand.

As soon as he did, it garnered the gasps of shock and horror from the people in the room.

After all, as Nascent Spirit cultivators themselves, they knew that Michael had not used his Nascent power to shield himself from the Rose of Death! He had used his bare hands, letting his skin get affected by the poisonous spores that rose out of bud and attached themselves to his skin.

They all held their breaths. In just a few breaths, they would soon see the young, golden haired boy convulsing in the floor, nearing death.

Yet, that did not happen. Michael stayed standing in his own two feet, observing the Rose of Death with a smile on his face.

"WHAT?!"

"How is this possible?! I saw the pollen rise and attach themselves to his hand!"

"And look at his hand! It’s bleeding!"

Michael held the rose in its stem. The prickly thorns had remained as sharp as ever. He didn’t alter them a single bit. Because of that, holding the rose had caused his hand to get pricked by the thorns and cause his blood to spill into the floor.

This was even more proof that Michael hadn’t used any of his Nascent Spirit power to shield himself from the Rose of Death’s effects!

With an open wound, the pollen would give an even faster effect on Michael.

Yet, he didn’t die. Michael held the rose in his hands like a romantic lover, sniffing the bud with a smile on his face.

Then, Michael walked towards one of the women in the room. She was the human woman who was in Infernus’ arms just a little while ago.

She was a mortal. Yet, Michael gave the Rose of Death towards her with a respectful bow, as if he was a dashing young man courting a beautiful woman from the street.

The woman blushed, not expecting such a romantic move from Michael. And in her flusteredness, she hurriedly accepted the rose from Michael’s hands.

The fact that this was the Rose of Death didn’t even occur to the woman, even if she knew what it was. What truly mattered was that a handsome young man had given it to her. It was rude not to accept.

And so, she did. She accepted it and lived.

The Rose of Death looked beautiful in her hands.

"It’s true... I cannot believe it. This young man has used his Nascent Influence to change reality!"

Everyone drew a sharp breath. As much as it was hard to swallow the idea that Michael was a Nascent Spirit cultivator, they had to finally admit the truth.

That shockwave was undeniable proof that the young man had breached through the realm of the supernatural.

But that wasn’t even the most surprising part. After all, everyone knew that becoming a Nascent Spirit cultivator was not the hardest part of ascension. It was Nascent Influence.

One would need a lot of experience and practice if one wanted to use their Nascent Influence. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The more fundamental the change, the harder it was to perform, especially for newbies and the untalented.

The Rose of Death was a killer. Its very nature was the fact that it would kill anyone who touched it, even Nascent Spirit cultivators.

Yet somehow, Michael was able to change its nature without much problem! Now, even a mortal was able to touch it without getting hurt.

This immediately made Reborn’s opposing side worry.

"This young man has already mastered his own Nascent Influence at such an age?!"

"This leader of Reborn did not only have a good business acumen, but he is also a talented cultivator?!"

Michael’s talent was simply too outstanding. Too overwhelming. It was only now did it truly seem as if the Reborn company was destined to rise to the ranks and become an Upper Echelon.

After all, the very basis of their rejection towards him was the fact that they did not have a Nascent Spirit cultivator.

But now, clearly they had. And not a mediocre one at that.

Michael silenced all of the harsh critics in one fell swoop.

"How... How beautiful."

Infernus kept his gaze straight. Just as he said earlier, the Rose of Death was one of the most beautiful things in the world. He thought that the beauty about this came from the fact that it was unattainable. Its beauty could not be obtained by anyone unless they paid the ultimate price: their life.

But now, in the hands of the mortal woman, the Rose of Death looked even more alluring, more beautiful than it was before.

Death incarnate in the hands of someone alive. It was only now that Infernus understood what true beauty looked like.

And it was all because of that human boy.

"Amazing. Young man! You are a beautiful specimen of a human!" Infernus said, immediately lunging towards Michael and giving him a hug.

Then, without missing a beat, Infernus offered him something that many people would die trying to get.

"You should visit our homeland sometime! I’ll show you around!"

As soon as he said this, every single Upper Echelon leader felt their hearts squeeze with jealousy.

Infernus was actually offering passage to the infamous Draconian Continent!

That place that only harbored Draconians was both legendary and mythical. After all, not a lot of humans have had the privilege of entering this place.

It could not be bought, for Draconians had their own wealth. It could not be fought for, since Draconians were the strongest species.

The only way they could enter was if someone invited them in!