Chapter 128: William Anderson
Searching for something that could help him become one with the world — did he think he was already at the peak of the Life Aether Realm? the shop attendant wondered, looking Richard up and down; he was still shorter than her despite her being rather short herself.
"It seems you’re the boy named Richard." Someone else spoke suddenly — a man who had just come down the stairs.
He wore a pristine snow-white robe, had long straight blond hair and an almost feminine handsome face, and carried a feather fan, like an ancient eastern scholar.
Richard narrowed his eyes slightly. The man gave off a subtly threatening vibe.
He seemed about Lilith’s age and appeared to possess power not inferior to hers.
When the man mentioned his name, the shop attendants finally realized why this boy was searching for something so extraordinary.
"Who are you?" Richard asked the handsome man.
He guessed this was the shop owner but wanted to know his name.
"William Anderson..." the man replied casually.
"William Anderson..."
Richard repeated the name — remembering it from Monster World, ranked fourth, having defeated a Tier-13 Primordial Beast, the same achievement as the king.
As far as he knew, the Anderson clan was no ordinary house.
It was an ancient clan dating back to the Ancient Era.
The clan once produced a Grand Sovereign in the Ancient Era but never again. They had declined considerably and only recently a few members had relocated to the Star Sacred Kingdom.
Richard hadn’t expected to meet this man.
"Richard, becoming one with the world requires your own ability. You can’t rely on anything external," the man said, prompting Richard to frown.
"However, certain circumstances can sometimes help someone find enlightenment," he added.
"What kind of circumstances?" Richard asked immediately, interest showing on his face.
"The most effective are situations where you’re in mortal danger and truly have nothing to face it with — to the point you’re certain you will die. If you’re interested, I can help arrange such a situation for you, but you’ll have to leave behind any treasures that could help you."
Richard, "..."
"I won’t try any life-threatening situations," he said.
He wasn’t a coward, but this was literally a life-or-death wager. Why take such a risk? Besides, he still had the Black Heart Soul. His innate talent was already extraordinary; it seemed unlikely he couldn’t become one with the world through his own effort.
"That’s only if you want the fast route. Otherwise, who knows — you might need ten more years," William said with a chuckle.
"If you don’t sell something like that, there’s no point for me being in this shop," Richard replied.
"Your standards are high, but if you look around you might find something suitable."
"Maybe..." Richard didn’t argue and decided to walk around, examining the artifacts for sale.
There were wing-shaped artifacts that assisted flight before one reached the World Realm — but since Richard already had dragon wings, those didn’t interest him.
What did catch his eye was a pendant that looked entirely made of white diamond.
Richard didn’t know what it was, but he felt it hid an impressive ability and sensed a compatibility with himself.
The price was 5 million Nature Spirit — the most expensive thing he’d seen, ten times the price of a Tier-4 weapon.
Clearly, it was an artifact with a special function; the pendant form was likely just the maker’s choice.
"What is this?" he asked William.
"It’s called Echo of Wave, a special item for wave-force users," William explained.
"Ohh... Wave..." Richard finally understood why it felt connected to him.
"What ability does this artifact grant wave power?" Richard asked.
"It can merge other powers with your wave force. Even just a voice. For example, when you shout, your shout can be transmitted through your wave. But its energy consumption is very high."
Richard nodded a few times after hearing that.
"Interested in buying it? I know you have wave power. If you want, you can pay in installments."
"Installments..." Richard showed a disdainful expression upon hearing that.
"Why would I need installments? I have more than ten million..." Richard immediately transferred 5 million Nature Spirit into a small Storage Artifact he’d gotten from buying at the Golden Leaf Auction.
He handed it to William, who inspected it in surprise.
"You seem very wealthy," William said with a slight smile.
"Even richer than you think," Richard replied as he took the pendant.
"By the way, you should wear it — it needs contact near your head..."
Richard nodded. His ears weren’t pierced, but the pendant didn’t require a hole to wear. It seemed to have some magnetic ability to adhere firmly to the earlobe.
So he had the pendant on his ear, and it should also enhance his appearance.
Once he put it on, he immediately connected it to his wave power.
Its function indeed linked his waves with other powers, including his voice — even his thoughts, if he wanted.
"Richard, there is one thing I should tell you..." William suddenly spoke again.
"What?" Richard looked at him curiously.
They barely knew each other, so what could he possibly say?
"You’re engaged to Princess Lilith. If you can’t kill Prince Charles, he will kill you. Don’t underestimate his power; he has his reasons to be the Lord of Crimson Veil’s disciple."
"Ohh..." Richard narrowed his eyes slightly at that, though he already suspected as much.
The problem was that this man wanted his wealth — that explained the animosity.
"That’s right. You must know Olivia. Yesterday, she invited me to rob you, but I refused," William added, and Richard rolled his eyes upon hearing that.
"Fortunately, you refused," Richard said before leaving the shop.
He couldn’t call Olivia stupid. Her plans were clever, and she was indeed cunning—but clearly, she was the type who carried bad luck wherever she went.
Still, he couldn’t help but wonder whether Olivia had truly intended to set William up according to their earlier plan... or if she genuinely wanted to rob him together with that man.
After all, the ally she tried to bring in was anything but ordinary.
If that man had decided to act against him, Richard feared he would have been in real trouble. There was even a chance he might have succeeded in robbing him.