Chapter 1797: Chapter 1797: Should We Take Some Hostages Too?
When Coleson James first met Carson Flores, it was outdoors, but Vincenzo Reid solemnly led Carson into the Council Hall within the Sect Main Hall, with a warm and respectful attitude!
In the Council Hall, Rhys Fox, the Sect Master of the Hundred Tribulations Gate, was already waiting.
Carson was very clear that they did not respect him, but the Celestial Palace.
Even though the Celestial Palace might be inattentive, and even though Nico Weaver had disappeared, it was still the Celestial Palace, the highest order in the entire Immortal Domains.
As the Immortal Palace Envoy, if they did not give him face, then they were not giving face to the Celestial Palace.
At this critical juncture, as the Celestial Palace was about to reassert its authority, if they did so, they could very well become the chicken killed to warn the monkey.
After some pleasantries, Carson began to listen to the details of the entire incident.
Due to geographical reasons, the Hundred Tribulations Gate and a branch tribe of the northern Azure Dragon Clan were relatively close, thus there were some conflicts over territory, interests, and other aspects, and the two sides often had friction.
Some time ago, the Hundred Tribulations Gate discovered a gaseous spiritual vein in the northern mountain range, with moderate quality and a substantial amount.
A spiritual vein is naturally very significant for a sect, and the Hundred Tribulations Gate was overjoyed, secretly modifying it and sending potential disciples to cultivate in the spiritual vein to enhance their strength.
Although Elijah White had not been in the sect for long, having ascended to become an immortal from the spiritual energy-poor Barbaric Wilderness Realm, each one was a highly potential seed for immortal cultivation, not to mention Elijah White’s high comprehension, self-creating the Astonishing Cicada Technique from a myriad of cultivation techniques, considered a peerless genius, and thus the Hundred Tribulations Gate valued him greatly, directly admitting him into the Inner Sect.
Elijah White was among the disciples sent to the spiritual vein for cultivation this time, and they also dispatched strong experts from within the sect for protection. However, somehow the news of the spiritual vein leaked and was discovered by the northern Azure Dragon tribe.
The Dragon Clan and the Human Race were originally adversaries, engaged in year-round fighting, and now for the spiritual vein, they naturally would not let it go.
The Azure Dragon branch tribe formed a team to attack the spiritual vein, killing two people, severely injuring several others, and capturing all the Hundred Tribulations Gate disciples who were cultivating in the spiritual vein.
This group of disciples were highly valued by the sect, thus the Hundred Tribulations Gate also placed great importance on them; however, being wary, they did not dare initiate a slaughter and are currently negotiating with the Azure Dragon tribe, hoping to safely rescue the sect’s disciples.
"How many were captured in total?"
Vincenzo Reid replied, "Eighteen people, fifteen disciples, and three are our fellow junior brothers."
Carson Flores frowned, "How are the negotiations progressing?"
Vincenzo Reid sighed, "Not well, they are very aggressive, not only demanding that we withdraw from the spiritual vein and promise not to have any designs on it in the future, but also asking for a large compensation of spirit stones..."
Carson did not comment, only asked, "What is your sect’s opinion?"
Vincenzo Reid showed a difficult expression, "Envoy of the Celestial Palace, this matter is indeed difficult for us. The fighting with the Dragon Clan has never ceased, and everyone is originally in an enemy relationship. The spiritual vein was discovered, modified, and developed by us, and it should rightfully belong to us, but now they ask us to relinquish it, which is completely unreasonable."
"Cultivators do not reason but speak through strength, this is naturally clear to me. If we of the Hundred Tribulations Gate had no combat power and could only swallow our pride, I would accept it, but we clearly do not lose to them in strength, so why should we yield?"
"Moreover, this time they launched a surprise attack on us, killed our two junior brothers, and captured our people. This matter is already a blood feud. If we still choose to retreat, wouldn’t that mean acknowledging we are inferior to them, bowing and admitting defeat? Wouldn’t the Hundred Tribulations Gate lose face?"
Sect Master Rhys Fox spoke earnestly, "Envoy of the Celestial Palace, Elijah White is a young talent we highly regard. Although he joined the Hundred Tribulations Gate not long ago, his cultivation aptitude has already been displayed, and his combat talent is even better. He can learn any cultivation technique with ease and can integrate and adapt it, making him a key training target for us."
"We would certainly want to rescue him if possible, but when it comes to the dignity of the sect, this matter..."
Carson Flores spoke, "Since they initiated a surprise attack, captured our people, and did not follow the martial code, in that case, we can completely counter them in the same way..."
Rhys Fox was slightly startled, "Envoy of the Celestial Palace, do you mean?"
Carson replied, "They took our hostages, trying to force us to surrender. We are hesitant, having the strength but not daring to start a war. Instead, why not change tactics, let us also find a way to launch a surprise attack on them, capture some significant hostages, so we can negotiate on a normal footing, not completely at their mercy."
Rhys Fox’s eyes lit up, "We actually also had this idea but feared the action might fail, worsening the situation..."
Originally worried that Carson Flores might pressure the Hundred Tribulations Gate for Elijah White’s safety, forcing them to accept the Azure Dragon tribe’s demands, Rhys Fox did not expect Carson Flores to not mention it at all, instead advocating for an attack on the Azure Dragon tribe to capture their hostages.
This action was very aggressive!
Regardless, Rhys Fox breathed a sigh of relief internally. He was speaking all truth, he also wanted to save the sect’s disciples, but if saving them meant trampling the dignity of the sect, then what if anyone could just capture a Hundred Tribulations Gate disciple and cause this to happen, who could bear it?