Chapter 361: Life Goal

"Nature Star?" Priam murmured in confusion.

The Central Elder nodded and gently explained, "That place is the central territory of the Primordial Chaos Beast Races connected to nature. It’s obviously located in the Primordial Chaos Beast universe. However, the leader of that territory is a hidden ally of the humanoids."

Priam still couldn’t see the point. "What do I gain by going there?"

"Two important things. The first: that place is a sanctuary for several Primordial Chaos Beast Races, but also for countless Mutant Beasts."

Seeing the young man’s confused expression, the Central Elder elaborated:

"Mutant Beasts are an intermediate stage that ordinary beasts go through before becoming legitimate Primordial Chaos Beasts. Their power is identical to that of an ordinary beast, but after several generations, there is a chance for a true Primordial Chaos Beast to be born among them. When that happens, the entire race transforms forever."

Priam gestured in agreement.

"The most important thing is that the entire planet possesses inheritances, treasures, and knowledge focused on the study and evolution of the beasts that live there. It’s almost like a sect, although Primordial Chaos Beasts don’t organize themselves the way humanoids do," the Central Elder continued. "That’s the first benefit: you’ll be able to stay there for 30 days, and that contracted beast of yours could make immense gains, don’t you think?"

Priam’s eyes lit up.

"And that’s not all. Our Ironweald Sect gets an opportunity every 100 years to go there and harvest unique mystical resources from the planet. The nature energy there is the purest in our entire world. The treasures found there are extremely rare and of the highest level. You’ll be able to explore the place freely for 30 days... but be careful, because some of the Primordial Chaos Beasts living there can be quite aggressive."

Priam nodded, filled with excitement. At that very moment, he remembered Dandara.

She had lost her six beasts in that war. That place would also be a perfect sanctuary for her to find new companions who were just one step away from reaching a new level.

With the Goddess’s techniques, Dandara might even be able to help them complete their mutation.

"Besides my partner, can I bring one more person with me?" Priam quickly asked.

"Looks like you liked the proposal. Yes, you can bring one more person; however, remember that the time limit is 30 days." The Sect Leader smiled slightly.

"Normally, the sect confiscates everything the person finds and only grants a proportional reward. But in your case, the sect can fairly divide the gains obtained from whatever you harvest. What do you think?"

"I accept," Priam replied without hesitation.

"Excellent. I’ll arrange all the preparations, and you should be able to leave in a few days. Take advantage of this opportunity; the test for the inner sect will be held in about two years. The sooner you pass, the better it will be for your future."

Priam agreed enthusiastically. High-level herbs and resources were exactly what he desired most, as they could massively boost his strength. Besides, Mirra and Dandara would benefit immensely from the trip; the opportunity couldn’t have been more perfect.

"I have a request," Priam said without hesitation, looking the Sect Leader directly in the eyes.

"Go ahead."

"Have you ever heard of the Growlyn race, which inhabits one of the sect’s outer territories?" Priam asked, turning toward the scholarly Central Elder. "You know that they carry the Bloodline of the Cursed Forest Elves, right?"

The Central Elder nodded, intrigued. "Of course. However, that Bloodline merged with them more than 1,860 generations ago. After 800 generations, no descendant of that race was born with that Bloodline active again. Only an insignificant residual trace remains within them."

"I can’t say you’re completely correct," Priam countered without hesitation.

"If you look through the recruitment records of my 11th branch, you’ll see that a half-beast named Dandara appeared with that exact Bloodline. This was verified and confirmed by the branch itself, wasn’t it?"

The Central Elder snorted. "That proves nothing. The verification system isn’t perfect. I received that information in the past. However, across all 13 branches—with the exception of you and the two you brought with you—five other figures appeared whom the system claimed possessed ’Goddess-blessed Bloodlines.’ But they were all false."

"There are infinite Bloodlines, and many of them are almost identical energetically. The verification system doesn’t even have records of a fraction of them. That’s why, when it can’t identify the exact nature of the energy, it simply indicates an energetically similar race."

Priam let out a restrained sigh, understanding his point. Even if Dandara’s race had a distant ancestor from the Cursed Forest Elves, her relatives could have simply mixed with another similar Bloodline, and she had inherited that characteristic.

Even so, Priam continued, "The thing is... a miracle happened. You know the Ancient Art of the Cursed Forest Elves, right? Dandara can use it. Therefore, this is irrefutable proof that she possesses that Bloodline."

"WHAT?!" the Central Elder exclaimed, completely dumbfounded.

Priam firmly nodded. "And that’s not all... my mother and my younger sister, who are currently in my branch, possess the same characteristic. You can go there whenever you want to verify it: all three of the women I mentioned can use the Ancient Art."

A murmur of surprise spread throughout the entire hall.

Among the thousand races blessed by the Sovereign Goddess, the Cursed Forest Elves were the most problematic and, without a doubt, the ones most targeted for extermination. They weren’t even supposed to still exist in this world.

Priam turned toward the Sect Leader. "I’d like to ask that Dandara’s family be brought under the Sect’s direct protection, just as you did with my family. That way, in the future, when we become inner disciples, we can bring them with us to the central sect."

The Sect Leader immediately nodded. "If what you’re saying is true, we’ll do everything we can to protect them." ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Priam smiled slightly. Now that Dandara had recovered part of her former glory, she could finally prove her Bloodline and take care of her people.

In the future, Priam would find a way to protect her entire home planet. The beasts living there didn’t deserve the hell they inhabited.

A few seconds later, the Sect Leader concluded:

"Later, the Central Elder will verify this fact in your branch. For now, we’ll discuss the actions against the Heavenly River Valley Sect. They’re not getting away with this, and all the humanoids will demand an explanation."

He spoke coldly before turning toward Priam. "You should return to your branch. The war is over. After this blow, the Sorcerers will completely retreat."

With that, the Sect Leader waved while holding a talisman. At the same instant, the space around Priam distorted.

...

Seconds later, Priam reappeared in the center of his 11th branch.

All the branch disciples who had fought alongside him in that war were gathered there.

Everyone jumped for joy when they saw Priam, bursting into laughter and enthusiastic celebrations.

It had been a complete and overwhelming victory.

Almost everyone had returned alive, and that war would be remembered forever in the history of the sect.

...

After a brief celebration, everyone returned to their residences.

A short while later, Dandara hurried into Priam’s room, wearing a wide, radiant smile.

"Boss! Suien won the first young mages’ competition, while Meien and her faction came in second. Then, in the second competition, Meien got her revenge and won! The two of them are fiercely fighting for the top spots, while third and fourth place aren’t even close to their level."

Dandara’s happiness at seeing those twins doing so well was genuine. Priam could tell that Dandara regarded them as if they were her sisters too.

"I heard their army is extremely well organized, although the two of them are a little too aggressive and strict with their subordinates."

Priam nodded slightly. The two had inherited that trait from their mother.

Seien was an extremely loving, protective, and incredible mother; however, when it came to teaching and properly shaping someone, she spared no effort and could be frighteningly strict.

That ’swimming training’ Priam had gone through in the past was a perfect example of this.

Right now, the two girls were simply giving it their all.

"Speaking of that, get ready. You, me, and Mirra are going to visit a great place soon."

Dandara’s eyes lit up with curiosity and anticipation.

"But before that... A Central Elder will come here to test your Bloodline. Once everything is confirmed, your father and your entire race will be able to come to the sect in complete safety...!"

Priam cut himself off halfway through the sentence, swallowing hard.

He saw Dandara’s face completely freeze.

Her eyes remained fixed on him in absolute silence.

For a few seconds, it felt as if time had stopped. Then, it was as though an invisible dam had suddenly burst.

Tears of relief and disbelief overflowed from her eyes. Without thinking twice, she threw herself against Priam’s chest, burying her head against him while her entire body trembled with restrained sobs.

Priam took a deep breath and firmly wrapped his arms around her body, gently stroking her hair.

He felt the warmth of her skin against his and the frantic beating of that heart that had always remained by his side, as his most loyal companion and unquestionable vice-leader.

He knew exactly how hard this woman had fought for this moment. He knew the weight of every drop of blood, pain, and sweat she had shed in the hope that one day she could hold her head high and protect her race.

Now, she had finally achieved the great goal of her life.

Dandara raised her tear-stained face, staring at Priam with a look that made him tremble.

For some reason, he felt an immense urge to move closer to that face.

But... he swallowed hard and quickly restrained his impulses.

After a sigh, he gently wiped away the tear running down her cheek with his thumb, feeling the softness of her skin. Dandara closed her eyes for a second when she felt his touch, tilting her head against his hand.

"!"

Suddenly, Dandara hurriedly backed away.

On the bed behind Priam, Mirra was staring intently at her with a strange expression.

’Damn...’ Dandara muttered inwardly before turning around and running away.