Jacob walked out from the passage and stood in front of the curse source again, and Elia was right beside him as her eyes were locked on the pitch-black pool with a hint of desire and intoxication.
"So, you were drawn here by this curse?" Jacob impassively asked as he could easily sense Elia's emotional fluctuations with his current power.
Elia quickly snapped out of her daze. Her body trembled, and she lowered her head sheepishly and replied, "I-I was wrong. Please punish me, teacher!"
Jacob shook his head and asked coldly, "Tell me, what did you do wrong?"
Elia timidly replied, "I went against your order to stay in the cave, and then I dragged you into this dangerous place. I overestimated myself by thinking that I was strong enough after becoming a Quasi-Legend!"
Jacob nodded before he looked at Elia with a cold glare, "It's not just that. You let your greed and emotions control your actions. You were blinded by your desires and failed to notice the obvious trap. You should've sensed the danger from miles away when you easily reached this place without encountering any enemies.
"Even if you wanted to go alone, you should've never let your guard down just because you have some power. The Zodiac Plains are riddled with mysteries and dangers; even when you reach the top, this place will put you up against something that can easily kill you before you even realize the gravity of the danger you're in.
"I was once like you, and I nearly died many times. Even before coming to the Legendary Plains from the lesser galaxies, I nearly fell into an enemy trap. I'm not disappointed in you because you went against my wishes. What disappoints me is that you let your emotions control you, putting yourself and those around you in danger.
"If I hadn't had Legendary King Rank level power myself, and the Cursed Necromancer King wasn't injured and not confident of keeping me here, and if I hadn't convinced him of my abilities, do you think we would've been having that conversation?"
Elia trembled even more, not daring to look Jacob in the eyes, as she knew Jacob was right. Looking at Elia silently, Jacob said, "I promised you I won't restrain your freedom, but my words are the law. Since you're still naïve and this was your first offense, I'll overlook this incident and take it as a little girl's foolish mistake.
"But if this happened again, it'll be no longer a mistake but a direct challenge to my authority. As long as you are weaker than me, you will forever listen to me. Only defy me if you have the power to go against me.
"I'm your teacher, and I want you to surpass me, but if you insist on walking down this path, I'll personally cripple you since I won't associate myself with fools! Are we clear?"
Elia's eyes were now teary, but she thought that Jacob deeply cared about her. His words might sound harsh, but he also had high hopes for her, so she was moved.
Her eyes shone with resolution, and she quickly kneeled and said, "I won't disappoint you again, teacher!"
"Tsk, tsk, wasn't I supposed to be your only student? And when do you become so gentle? Don't tell me she's even more important than me?" Nyx's perplexed voice suddenly sounded in Jacob's head.
Jacob ignored the jealous nightmare and looked at Elia before he nodded, "Good. Get up now and tell me why you want this source curse. Can you even handle it?"
Elia quickly stood up and collected her thoughts before respectfully replying, "I don't know much. I just had this desire and feeling that this pool is beneficial for me. But there is also a fear that I might die if I touch it with my current power. That's why I didn't dare to jump in it that time and were captured."
Jacob nodded in understanding, "So, you're still weak to take it. If that's the case, I'll take it myself. Once you become a legendary rank, there'll be more chances in the future. Remember, even if you can find treasures, you must be alive to enjoy them. Never let greed cloud your judgment."
Afterward, Jacob said nothing else and immediately jumped into the pitch-black pool of the
curse source.
When Jacob was inside the pool, a terrifying corrosive power hit him, but his hex core trembled excitedly.
Jacob didn't reject or fight this energy as he let it in and started to guide it toward his hex core, which started to absorb it on its own at a terrifying rate while the Cursed Path Glory Gem glowed brightly.
Just as Immortika said, this curse source was extremely beneficial for Jacob. It will also save him the trouble of killing 100,000 fable legendary rank dark beings.
Even if Elia could use this curse source, he was sure she wouldn't be able to take it all with her current power since this curse was a mythical rank one. Only someone like him with the cursed path glory gem can take it.
Moreover, despite being a mythical rank curse source, it can only help his hex core evolve once, which is evidence of how powerful the cursed path glory gem was.
As Jacob's hex magi core absorbed the curse source, black patterns started appearing on his magic core, completely different from the normal magic core evaluation to the legendary rank.
Moreover, the curse source pool started slowly declining, and a whirlpool came from above Jacob. Elia also witnessed this scene with reverence yet a hint of disappointment since she could feel this curse source was quickly becoming weaker.
At this moment, a misty silhouette appeared above the pool. Its crimson eyes were glowing with disbelief, but a hint of terrifying joy was present in them.
"He can really absorb the curse!" Cursed Necromancer King exclaimed with emotions.
Elia quickly became vigilant when she heard the voice of the Cursed Necromancer King. She glared at him warily and coldly said, "Don't try to play any tricks, or my teacher will not let you off!"
"Little girl, you're overthinking. I just want to die." The Cursed Necromancer King replied with a hint of grief as he glanced at Elia, and guilt surfaced in his eyes, "If my daughter were alive, she would've been just like you. I wasn't able to protect her, and that is my biggest sin and guilt. You are very special, and so is your teacher. He seemed to care about you a lot.
"I have no excuse for what I do to you, but I'm glad I won't have your blood in my hands, at least. Once this curse is lifted, if you want, you can have my throne. It's the legacy treasure of my kingdom, and I think it's very suitable for you because it has also been corrupted with curse and death essence and evolved.
"There is also a unique storage space in the throne, and in it should be a remarkable legendary vestige that I was saving for my daughter, but you can have it. There will also be my comprehension of the necromancy and death law.
"This'll be my compensation for what I did to you. I hope you can forgive me one day..." The Cursed Necromancer King's voice became gentler as it faded away with its misty figure.
Elia was in a daze before she quickly looked at the pool, which was now almost empty, and a terrifying change began to appear!