Chapter 1788: Chapter 1788: How Could It Be Such a Coincidence?
"Sect Master Gao, don’t be so quick to refuse outright."
Carson Flores looked directly into Emerson Gross’s eyes and smiled, "Perhaps your Sect also has some unsolvable problems, doesn’t it? The Celestial Palace can help solve them. Moreover, as for learning the Soul Separation Technique, I will be the only one learning it. I can swear never to pass it on, ensuring that your Sect’s secret will not be leaked."
"Think of it this way, as if you’ve gained another disciple. This disciple, however, has a powerful background and can help you solve some major troubles that you can’t handle yourselves. Isn’t that a good thing for the Spirit-Separation Sect?"
Emerson Gross and the others had peculiar expressions on their faces.
Emerson Gross asked, "Envoy Lin, I’ve already agreed to help. Why do you insist on learning the Soul Separation Technique?"
Carson Flores replied, "The Palace Master mentioned that things which we can handle ourselves should not be entrusted to others. This matter is very important to someone, so there can be no room for any error."
Emerson Gross frowned, "So you’re saying that the Palace Master sent you to learn the Soul Separation Technique to ensure that there are no mishaps in the Soul Separation process?"
Carson Flores nodded, "Yes. By learning the Soul Separation Technique, even if I don’t reach your Realm, I can still better understand the state of the Divine Spirit and make accurate assessments."
Before coming here, Carson Flores had received careful instructions from Alfred Weaver, allowing him to negotiate on behalf of the Celestial Palace when dealing with others.
Alfred Weaver unconditionally supported Carson Flores in any decision.
Although Carson had no intention of completely relying on the Celestial Palace, it was evidently very useful to flaunt its name in unfamiliar places.
If it weren’t for his identity as an Immortal Palace Envoy, he couldn’t have even entered this sect.
After a few seconds of silence, Emerson Gross chuckled softly, "Though I am the Sect Master, this matter involves the interests of the Sect. I can’t decide alone. Envoy Lin, why don’t you stay for a while until we discuss this and give you a response?"
Carson Flores smiled, "Can Sect Master Gao give a definite timeframe?"
Emerson Gross pondered and said, "We have an important senior member who has yet to return, probably in ten or so days. Why not stay for half a month, Envoy Lin? In half a month, no matter the result, I’ll definitely give you a definite answer."
"Very well!"
With the official matter settled, Carson Flores was led out of the grand hall.
As soon as Carson left, the smiles on the faces of those in the grand hall vanished and turned quite serious.
Elian Eaton activated the Formation within the grand hall, isolating the outside world, then spoke, "What do you make of this? Why has the Celestial Palace suddenly sent an envoy at such a sensitive time?"
Emerson Gross frowned, "Helping one person with Soul Separation yet wanting to learn the Soul Separation Technique, which is our secret art, makes me feel that things aren’t that simple."
Deputy Sect Master Luke Roth spoke softly, "Could it be that the Celestial Palace has heard something and sent Carson Flores here, ostensibly to assist with Soul Separation but actually to probe our stance by asking to learn the technique?"
Elian Eaton exclaimed, "You mean they’ve detected our collaboration with the Heavenly Alliance?"
Luke Roth replied, "Otherwise, there’s no other explanation. It’s too coincidental! For years, the Celestial Palace has never paid us any mind. But now that we’ve just established contact and formed a partnership with the Heavenly Alliance, the Immortal Palace Envoy shows up. Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?"
Emerson Gross asked, "What do we do now?"
Luke Roth replied, "There are only a few days until our scheduled deal with the Heavenly Alliance. Why don’t we negotiate with them again and then make a final decision?"
Emerson Gross sighed, "We’ve already started collaborating with the Heavenly Alliance, and there’s basically no turning back. If what we are doing is exposed, we’ll immediately be labeled as demonic and aberrant, and the Celestial Palace might come to eradicate us."
Elian Eaton made a slashing motion with his hand, "This envoy has clearly come alone. Why not just kill him outright, as if he was never here at all? Even if the Celestial Palace investigates later, we can still wash our hands of it."
Luke Roth voiced his concern, "How did he find us here?"
Elian Eaton thought for a moment, "He may have been playing tricks, but I think it has to do with the disciple who went out to procure the Soul Hook Five-Flavor Herb. That disciple had just returned, with the envoy following closely behind..."
"Summon that disciple for questioning."
"Alright!"
Soon, the black-clothed man Carson had been tailing appeared before everyone and made a respectful bow.
"Did anyone follow you today when you went to pick up the goods?"
The man in black shook his head, "I was vigilant, no one followed. But after I left the pharmacy with the goods, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was a man I didn’t recognize. When I turned around, he claimed it was a mistake."
Emerson Gross’s eyes brightened, "Tell me the details of the encounter."
The man in black recounted the experience in detail, and Emerson Gross confirmed, "You’ve been under surveillance for a while. That person must have used some special technique during your encounter to track you. This Envoy Lin must have followed you all the way here..."