Chapter 134: Changing Direction
"Wasn’t that one of the seven geniuses of the Karnull race’s generation?"
Suddenly, Priam heard that murmur and turned around. The one who said it was a young man in the corner, relatively close to where he was. This young man seemed to be very well informed.
"Do you know anything about that Sage?" Priam asked calmly.
That young man was startled by the sudden question. But, seeing Priam’s attentive and calm gaze, he hurriedly nodded.
"I believe that Sage is one of the Seven Greats of the Karnull race. From the description I received of one of them, it matches perfectly. The leader of the seven is currently a Philosopher Sage, and he’s an inner disciple of the sect."
Flaris heard that and became excited, asking:
"Philosopher Sage? Is that a higher Rank?"
"Yes, Sages have three Ranks: Enlightened, Philosopher, and Exalted. In any sect of the Divine Plane, there’s no shortage of Enlightened Sages. But reaching the next Rank is something less than 1% can manage, making Philosophers the elite of the universe. As for the Exalted... they’re the ones who rule everything."
That young man spoke excitedly, not holding anything back. After all, Priam had now revealed himself as someone incredible to everyone. Those beside him were possibly already part of his group.
Inside the sect, everyone had to find armies to join and a good leader to serve. Priam was certainly destined to become the leader of a great faction.
So, all the less fortunate ones felt envious of that young man, because he was buying favors with his knowledge so he could be accepted into his faction.
At that moment, Priam’s eyes changed. He had a very bad feeling, but he still couldn’t figure out the reason.
He turned to that same young man and asked politely:
"What’s so special about this race? I felt that you admire him quite a bit..."
"Ah, it’s not exactly admiration... I admit that what I actually feel is a bit of envy. It’s no secret; they say it proudly to anyone who asks: the reason is that, when that Philosopher Sage reached that terrifying level, he managed to activate an extremely high-level stage of his race’s Ancestral Art."
"This stage allows him to create a contract with others of his race and, like that, establish a connection to share power, along with other mutually beneficial things. Back then, there were still six of them, and he managed to make the other five become Enlightened Sages with his support. It wasn’t bad for him either... in a very short time, that Leader broke through to the higher Rank."
"A few years ago, a seventh relative was chosen. He was an incredibly talented young man, destined to ascend to the heavens once he entered the sect... but... recently, I heard rumors that the youngest of the seven, who was going to take the entrance test this year, died tragically in an incident."
"I don’t know if the rumors are correct. But it is, in fact, enviable, because the people that the leader chooses are destined to become the elite of the universe."
Priam swallowed dryly.
Connection? Sharing power?
"!"
At that moment, only at that moment, Priam’s memories returned to that auction on the demon planet.
He remembered clearly hearing that succubus arguing with an arrogant Young Master, who didn’t even bother hiding his face. (Chapter 68)
*Don’t be foolish! My uncle is an inner disciple of the Thunderhead divine sect. He’s close to becoming a Sage, and he’ll definitely owe your clan a favor for this.*
Priam recalled that Young Master’s words, and his eyes widened.
He stared at the young man in front of him.
"By any chance, was the name of the chosen young man who may have died... Rhuths?"
"Oh? That’s right. Do you know him?" the friendly young man answered lightly, but soon became surprised when he saw Priam’s expression subtly twist.
Know him? That Rhuths was responsible for the death of Luvinah and all the Pristine Wild-Spirits.
Besides that, it was precisely Priam who killed him.
’Shit... I heard the name of the Thunderhead divine sect long before going to the auction. Then, when I heard that name again, I was so stunned by that little girl who became a slave that I couldn’t reason through it.’
After the auction, Priam entered an endless chaos.
And with Luvinah’s death, he fought not to think about anything related to that period. So, he never made the obvious connection.
He was... going to exactly the same sect as that Young Master.
Not only that...
’That Sage... he found me in the middle of the crowd, then kept staring at me coldly for a few seconds, only then approaching me... fuck... I even told him my name and my clan...’
Priam wasn’t sure, but he could imagine that the contract with that Rhuths must have already been created, so he could prepare himself to enter the sect.
That was the only explanation.
In the Basic knowledge he received from the system, there was a brief explanation about karma and its power.
No race could use it directly. But... some races could, whether through Ancestral Arts or some other high-level method, subtly sense the karma of someone who had harmed them.
For example, a Mage who had killed countless members of a race in the past.
If another person from that same race met him, even with no connection at all to the past, he would still feel a deep hatred and desire for revenge.
Now, connecting everything, Priam was certain: that Sage must have noticed something similar in him. Possibly because the contract with that idiot from before had already been established, and all seven of them had a strong connection.
Priam swallowed dryly, reflecting.
’Fortunately, the clan isn’t in its home now, and few people know its whereabouts. They won’t find them easily if they want revenge.’
Priam took a deep breath, calmly reflecting.
’I’m still too weak... I don’t have the strength to protect myself, or protect them... I can’t risk everything for no reason. I can’t fail again.’
In mere seconds, Priam felt that entering the Thunderhead sect would be the same as choosing to live on a tiger’s mountain.
Was it worth it?
Their leader was an inner disciple of the sect, with a lot of power and influence. Even though there were rules in the sect... there were certainly many loopholes for him to attack him.
Priam snorted dryly, making a decision. He needed to change direction...
Just thinking about it a little, he realized that this had been his destiny from the start. He had another great possibility in his hands, but he had never even tried to choose that other direction.
He turned to Lumiere, Shione, and Flaris. The three saw his gaze and grew tense, noticing that something very serious had happened.
"I can’t stay here. I’m going back to the flying boat, then I’ll go somewhere else."
When his words came out, the three widened their eyes, becoming stunned in the first second.
But... in the next second.
"The Ancestor of my second race left behind writings saying pretty bad things about this place, talking about how toxic its rules were, favoring only those native to the Divine Plane," Lumiere murmured, sighing.
"That’s right. In this place, our growth would be limited, and meaningless problems would never stop knocking at our door, delaying us," Shione said, puffing out her chest.
Flaris smiled lightly, staring at Priam.
"Cousin, the flying boat has very little energy left. Do you have a plan?"
At that moment, Priam swallowed dryly, seeing the look without any hesitation in those three’s eyes.
He was certain that if he said he had no plan at all, they would say something random like: let’s go on an adventure until we find something.
In short, they would follow him without caring about anything.
Not long ago, Priam had submerged himself in an absolute void, feeling absolutely nothing. But now, a subtle warmth and emotion sprouted in his chest.
Fortunately, Priam had another path before him.
If he didn’t, he would think twice before abandoning that place.
"We won’t need the flying boat much."
He said it, and the three nodded in silence.
Then they turned and moved, turning their backs to that place without looking back.