Chapter 1791: Chapter 1791: A Long Life Without a Future
"Have you never left the Spirit-Separation Sect?"
Carson Flores held a magical treasure in his hand, casually examining it while chatting with the shop assistant.
"Yes, when I was eight, I was chosen by a martial uncle from the Spirit-Separation Sect in the village. They gave my parents a large sum of money and took me back to the Sect. I’ve never left since."
Carson smiled, "So, you’ve been here for a long time then?"
The assistant’s eyes held a sense of melancholy and helplessness: "Over two hundred years."
Carson looked up, his eyes showing slight sympathy, "How does it feel?"
The assistant smiled, "Every day is the same, what else can I feel?"
The assistant’s smile carried some restraint and obvious helplessness. Clearly, he was not satisfied with his current life.
Carson asked, "Aren’t there many people here getting married and having children?"
The assistant shook his head, "There are far fewer female disciples in the Spirit-Separation Sect than male disciples. Even if they want to marry, they choose those who are more outstanding and have the potential to leave here, the disciples who get to go outside. Who would marry a man like me with no future?"
"After cultivating for over two hundred years, I’m only barely at the Foundation Establishment Peak. With my talent, I’m at the bottom here, just slightly better than those slaves without freedom. I can only comfort myself, pretending this is my small village, and many people in such a village have never left. I am just one of them..."
Carson asked, "Do you all want to leave?"
"Who doesn’t want to leave?"
The assistant’s eyes lit up, showing a hopeful expression, "Except for the core disciples and the high-ranking members of the Sect who have the privilege to leave, we have no right to go out. We can only live here our entire lives."
"Although I entered at eight and don’t have many memories of the outside, I know the outside world isn’t like this. Everything here seems no different from the outside, but it’s all fake."
"People like me will probably live here our entire lives and die here, unknown and uncared for..."
Carson was slightly surprised. He had no special relationship with this assistant, having only interacted a couple of times. When the assistant heard Carson was an Immortal Palace Envoy from the outside, his eyes lit up.
It seemed he had been repressing his feelings for a long time. People like him likely never had any contact with the outside world.
"Aren’t you afraid of others finding out when you say these things?"
The assistant smiled, "Who here doesn’t want to leave? Everyone is the same as I am, and who would care? Even the high-ranking members within the Sect wouldn’t care."
With a pout, the assistant murmured in a low voice, "Would an eagle flying in the sky care about the complaints of ants on the ground?"
Carson confirmed, "Most people here think this way?"
The assistant nodded, "Look at how many people there are in this Underground City. Most are like me—having some talent, but not enough. Failing to develop, they’re left to survive underground, unable to leave."
"We’re even worried that one day, when our group becomes numerous enough to be a burden, we’ll be dealt with directly or turned into slaves, ultimately wasting away in the Formation..."
Carson nodded, having gained a certain understanding of the situation throughout the Spirit-Separation Sect. There’s sympathy, but also recognition that it’s an internal matter he has no right to intervene in.
The way the Spirit-Separation Sect keeps its location so secretive, it’s clear they won’t let these people leave. What if the location gets leaked?
As they were chatting, a Spirit-Separation Sect disciple entered respectfully, "Envoy Carson, the Sect Master requests your presence."
Carson set down the magical treasure, nodding to the assistant, "Live well, opportunities will come."
The assistant glanced at the accompanying Spirit-Separation Sect disciple, hesitated, and then just nodded.
Carson followed the disciple towards the main hall, casually asking, "Why does the Sect Master want to see me?"
The disciple shook his head, "I’m not sure. I’ve just been ordered to invite Envoy Carson."
Carson nodded, choosing not to speak further.
Following the Spirit-Separation Sect disciple into the main hall, he immediately saw Emerson Gross and others waiting there. However, an unfamiliar man, not seen last time, was also present.
This must be the important figure Emerson mentioned.
As Carson entered, Emerson Gross smiled, "Envoy Carson, have you been comfortable these days?"
Carson smiled, "The Underground City is a completely new experience, quite impressive. Sect Master Gao has been very considerate."
After a pause, Carson’s gaze fell on the unfamiliar man’s face, "I haven’t seen this one before..."
Emerson Gross smiled, "He’s the high-ranking member of our sect I’ve mentioned, Mr. Simmons."
Mr. Simmons?
Not an elder or hall master, but addressed as Mr.?
Carson was slightly surprised inwardly, but maintained a calm demeanor, smiling, "Mr. Simmons, hello. May I know the outcome of your discussions? Can you provide me with a definite answer now?"