It would mean betraying his clan to accept but it also meant to continue living on. The choice wasn't too difficult...

...

At the same time, Saint Patron Bôrakos appeared in the middle of the mid-air battle and the entire scene froze. Except for their eyes, none of the three champions could move. This time, Saint Patron Bôrakos made sure to also block any attempts at 'creating' a new organ or such by the champions. He learnt the lesson previously.

He walked steadily through the air towards the gigantic dragon. As he reached it, he stated: "Congratulations, your patriarch has decided to pay the cost of your life"

That being said, that dragon was too big for him to take back in this state. The grand hall was immense but it had its limits. It wasn't supposed to hold such a gigantic creature. He sent a wave of energy at the head of the dragon, making him pass out. As he did, he was forcefully shapeshifted back to the sentient beast form, the humanoid form. Saint Patron Bôrakos nodded to himself before moving on to pick up the passed-out sentient. Once he had him over a shoulder, he turned around, glancing back at the two remaining champions.

He bowed once and said: "Good luck and may the heavens shine on you"

Then, he disappeared and the two could move once more. They hurried away from one another, putting some distance between themselves. They both needed a moment to swallow what happened and figure out their next courses of actions.

...

Saint Patron Bôrakos reappeared on the elevated stage. He brought back the champion. As he threw him down carelessly, he gazed at the dragon patriarch and gestured for him to pay up. The Patriarch, still grinning, turned to his Marshall and said: "It is your time to shine for our clan, Marshall!"

The Marshall frowned at him and clearly stated: "I refuse"

Every individual witnessing this event were floored. They never expected such a thing to happen. After all, only the most loyal of followers were being brought to this sacred place. Being betrayed by champions or other contestants was one thing but by a guest? By a follower? This was unexpected.

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Saint Patron Bôrakos frowned and spoke coldly: "A price has to be paid"

The Patriarch waved at the Saint Patron to indicate for him to wait. Though it was disrespectful, he couldn't bother at the moment. He was furious at his Marshall. Not only did the man throw his face to the ground but he even stepped upon it next. If not for this Marshall being here, would he ever dare to say he would pay the price? No! Lifespan was very previous to the old experts. It was precisely because they were old. The older you got, the harder you grasped life and the less likely you were to give it up. He was no different. He did not want to spend his own lifespan. This Marshall was strong but he was one out of many. He was merely a pawn he could sacrifice and use. He was unique on the other hand. A pinnacle expert of the dragon race? There was only him! A hundred years was the same amount of time to everyone but could it really be said that a century of lifespan had the same value for everyone? No! His century was worth many times more than that of a Marshall.

And yet!

And yet, this Marshall was betraying him. Did he have no shame?! The Patriarch furiously stated: "Are you going to betray our clan and our race?"

The Marshall held firm and sustained his gaze as he stated his position once again: "I won't pay for someone else"

The Clan Patriarch screamed: "Do you wish for me to exile you?!"

Exiling... It meant to send away and cut off all ties. It happened everywhere. But it held a higher importance and meaning for sentient beasts. They were beings of the minority in this world. If they lost the protection of their clan, humans would hunt them. Enslaving sentient beasts, refining them or even absorbing their cores were things humans did and still continued to do.

However, right now, this threat was meaningless. Because at least through this exile would he be able to live further. If he agreed to the Patriarch, he would have his life sucked right out of him by one of these greedy Saints.

As he was wondering on what to say, another peak expert butted in. It was the tiger clan patriarch. He said: "Come over to my clan as we discussed, Marshall. I won't treat you any worse than this old fool did!"

The eyes of the dragon patriarch bulged out. He was thoroughly infuriated. And this was only the beginning as he witnessed the Marshall moving to the tiger's table and taking a seat over there.

This kind of betrayal was the worst. He lost a capable man and would lose a century of lifespan as well... Saint Patron Bôrakos waited no more and directly went to grab onto the payment. He picked a glowing orb and left behind a completely unconscious beastman.

As he gazed at the young dragon that he paid so much to get back alive, he regretted. He was in deep remorse about his choice. A Marshall could be replaced. In fact, this youth might turn into a stronger marshall than the traitorous one. However, the hundred years he spent...He would never get them back. Unless he broke through to the 70th stage as well. Only those who reached that stage could touch onto the life of others.

He ground his teeth as he picked the youth up and left his disintegrating throne to go back to the dragon clan's table. The other guests he brought weren't people that could share their lifespans. They didn't have enough... He brought them here as a way to express his gratitude for their life of work.

He never expected for things to turn out in such an ugly way but so is fate.