Chapter 304: Bloodline Connection

"Okay, okay... Indeed, the Sect will have to give you a share. But these bonuses aren’t resources or ordinary items like you’re imagining. That’s why you’ll only be able to receive them if you manage to become an Inner Disciple," the Central Elder explained calmly.

Noticing the disappointment on Priam’s face, he let out a soft snort.

"If you really want something right away... we can negotiate. I was sent by the Sect precisely because I’m in charge of the Forge and the weapon treasures. We can exchange what you would receive for other rewards."

Priam immediately picked up on the detail. "Forge? Are you a Catalyst M... Catalyst Sage?"

The Central Elder nodded. "Exactly. I’m the greatest weapon-forging specialist in the entire Sect. I can offer you..."

"No," Priam quickly cut him off. "I really appreciate the offer, but I’ll become an Inner Disciple at the next test, three years from now. There’s no reason to exchange anything now."

Seeing the absolute conviction in the young man’s eyes, the Central Elder was surprised. Priam wasn’t even a Sage yet. And advancing to that level was terrifyingly difficult.

He himself had spent 340 years stuck as a Level 9 Mage Master, fighting with all his strength to break through. His speed was still considered far above average. Normally, it took 500 years or more—and that didn’t even account for the 90% of disciples who failed miserably and would never break through that barrier in their entire lives.

Was that brat in his twenties really being this arrogant?

However, after sensing Priam’s fluctuations, the Central Elder couldn’t find that boldness amusing. It was as if, to this young man, breaking through this bottleneck was simply inevitable.

"Central Elder, since fate wanted us to meet now... could I ask you for a favor?" Priam’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Of course."

Priam nodded and took three objects out of his spatial ring.

The moment they appeared, the Central Elder’s eyes widened.

They were three metal plates of completely different colors. The aura emanating from each of them was deeply anomalous and terrifying.

Priam gave a crooked smile. "I found these treasures during the mission. From what I know, they were created by a Divine Forger using the rarest materials from that world. Since you’re a master forger... how about evaluating them and, perhaps, creating something with them?"

The old man barely waited for him to finish speaking. Like a bolt of lightning, he rushed toward Priam and grabbed the three metal plates with trembling hands, treating them like the most priceless raw diamonds in the universe.

Several minutes passed in absolute silence before he finally murmured:

"I... I’ve never seen anything remotely like these two..."

Taking a deep breath, he reverently held the whitish metal plate.

"As for this one... there’s something very similar, but extremely rare in our world: Bloodline Connection Metal. But this piece of yours... seems to be several levels above anything in the historical records I’ve ever read."

He immediately began explaining with fascination. That metal was used exclusively by the oldest and most powerful races inhabiting the northern region of the divine plane. But only the leader and a few powerful figures possessed it, because it was so incredibly difficult to find and forge more.

The metal could be fused with a specific bloodline. That way, anyone who possessed a piece linked to that same bloodline, anywhere in the universe, could sense the presence of the others, communicate with them, and even exchange energy through that connection.

That was the known and publicly disclosed effect, but since so few possessed it, they certainly kept even greater secrets. The piece Priam had brought radiated a density and purity that had never been recorded before.

"I can copy the energy signature of these other two and research them. Even if they don’t appear in any records from our world, I’ll eventually be able to give you an accurate diagnosis of their properties," the Central Elder concluded, fixing his gaze on Priam.

His eyes were shining like those of a child who had just received the toy of his dreams.

That man had already lived more centuries than Priam could comprehend and had worked with every legendary material imaginable. Seeing two absurdly incredible and completely unknown metals was a dream come true.

As for the third, although it was theoretically known, he had never seen a sample with his own eyes. Forging something like this had been a lifelong dream. He could barely believe what he was holding in his hands.

Priam smiled. "Great, I’d appreciate that. As for the Bloodline Connection Metal, could you use it to forge something for me? Of course, I’ll pay you properly for the work."

The Central Elder let out a slight laugh.

Pay? That young Mage Master had no idea of the astronomical cost of the greatest forging master in the Sect’s work. He was already preparing to refuse and come up with an excuse to accept the job for free when...

His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Priam took ten sparkling crystals out of his inventory.

The second they appeared, the pressure and atmosphere in the hall changed drastically.

"S-Stones of Great Mist?! No... what the hell is this?" Mishnar stammered in disbelief.

Priam explained simply, "As far as I know, the energy contained in these crystals is the same type as the Great Mist Stones, but multiplied countless times. I heard that all Sages consider these priceless treasures, and that the Sect pays a fortune for them. What do you think?"

The Central Elder’s heart raced. Just one of those crystals would be enough to make him advance an entire level. All of this? He could barely calculate the limits of his progress.

Swallowing hard, he tried to regain his composure and put on an air of professional indifference.

"These ten crystals should be more than enough... What do you want to do with the metal, kid?"

Priam’s eyes lit up.

This wasn’t metal meant for blades or heavy armor; its greatest virtue was its magical utility and subtle energy conduction.

"Jewelry, perhaps? What do you think about women’s earrings? Can you make two pairs?"

"Oh? You got lucky," the Elder said with a smile and a nostalgic look. "When I was young, I hated making weapons. I preferred to focus solely on accessories and armor with striking beauty... which, honestly, slowed down my advancement quite a bit."

He sighed, remembering a distant past. "Well then... You want something for women, but every woman has a unique beauty. Not every accessory enhances every feature."

Priam thought quickly. "My two sisters look very similar to me physically. I take after my mother, and so do they. I haven’t seen them in many years, but the structure of their faces shouldn’t have changed that much."

The Central Elder carefully studied Priam’s face, stroking his white beard thoughtfully.

After a few moments of analysis, he nodded in satisfaction and turned to Mishnar.

"Your branch specializes in weapon techniques, so you must have a good forge, correct?"

"Yes, sir," she promptly replied. "I’ll have it cleared out immediately and prepare everything for your arrival."

"Thank you," he said, his eyes shining with excitement, before turning back to Priam.

"I’ll make two pairs of women’s earrings using your facial structure and hair color as references. The material from the plate would be enough for eight pairs, but I’ll use spatial power to condense all the mass and energy into just two. That’ll make the earrings smaller, more delicate, and obviously more powerful."

"Perfect. Thank you very much," Priam accepted, handing over the crystals.

The Elder took the payment and then pulled out two fist-sized spherical objects, pressing them against the other two unknown plates.

The spheres’ colors changed instantly, perfectly copying the signatures and properties of the metals.

Once that was done, he returned the two plates to Priam.

At that moment, Mishnar handed the Central Elder an access emblem for the branch’s forge.

He quickly took it and activated it, disappearing from the hall in a beam of light. The man practically radiated happiness—he really loved the art of creating accessories.

Perhaps his true talent and happiness lay far away from swords and spears, even though the demands of life had forced him down a different path.