Carson Flores directly committed suicide, an action taken out of helplessness.

The sudden appearance before indicated a Great Land Prime Immortal. If he fell into their hands, the option to die wouldn’t be his anymore.

He couldn’t guarantee the other party didn’t have some mystical means, like the Soul Searching Technique, to extract information about his true self from his memories. Hence, Carson Flores always chose to commit suicide promptly.

Even if the opponent discovered that the deceased was merely a doppelganger, it didn’t matter as the doppelganger had already served the purpose of deceiving the enemy. Turning back to search for the true self would be futile.

The Ethereal Pagoda was indeed an excellent hiding place.

Sect Master Brock searched around but couldn’t find the whereabouts of Carson Flores and Niall Sinclair, his expression as grim as impending rain.

Eldric James’s face was awkward, internally lamenting how he had been toyed with by an average young man who managed to rescue Niall Sinclair right under his nose.

"Sect Master, I performed inadequately; please punish me."

Brock glared coldly at Eldric James: "What’s the point of punishing you when the person is gone? Can you bring them back out of thin air?"

Eldric James whispered apologetically: "Niall Sinclair practices the Primordial Profound Water Technique; as soon as she cultivates, she can be sensed. She can’t forever refrain from using spiritual power and act like a regular person."

Brock’s voice was icy: "While you understand this, so does she. Hasn’t she been acting as a regular person all this time to avoid becoming the Pathist couple of the old ancestor? She can surely endure it."

Eldric James hesitated, mustering his courage: "I know Niall Sinclair is beautiful, one of the North Sea’s Three Great Goddesses. But there are so many beautiful women in the world. Having lost Niall Sinclair, I shall scour the earth to find another exceptional beauty to present to the old ancestor..."

Brock frowned, gazed solemnly at Eldric James for a few seconds, then sighed lightly: "Do you think the old ancestor wants to become Pathist couple with Niall Sinclair solely for her beauty?"

Eldric James’s expression was bewildered—wasn’t that the case?

Brock sneered: "If it were merely for beauty, there are countless beautiful women in the world. Why would the old ancestor necessarily want a Sect disciple as his wife?"

Eldric James blinked, a realization dawning on him: "Is it because of the Primordial Profound Water Technique?"

Brock nodded: "The old ancestor has a revelation, nearing the Quasi-Saint Realm, but there’s still something missing. The Primordial Profound Water Secret Niall cultivates is of utmost nether and softness, and even more valuable is that she is still a virgin. If she dual cultivates with the old ancestor, he could gain substantial benefits, perhaps crossing that threshold to achieve Quasi-Saint status!"

Eldric James was struck with realization, a growing urgency overtaking him, having lost Niall Sinclair—didn’t he just sabotage the old ancestor’s advancement to Quasi-Saint?

"Why is she so important, why not capture her earlier..."

Brock sighed: "Due to complicated circumstances, the old ancestor was in secluded cultivation, still having some time before emerging. Niall Sinclair’s temperament is soft on the outside but firm on the inside; she might not willingly comply. Hence, you were set to guard and fish for her associates, someone she highly trusts, to threaten her..."

At this point, Brock glared at Eldric James, who was instantly embarrassed.

Everything was planned perfectly, yet somehow Eldric James ruined it.

"Send people to find Lorvian Randall. If he refuses to speak, quietly investigate to unmask that man’s identity and bring back Niall Sinclair."

Brock’s expression was laced with worry: "Niall Sinclair’s virginity is crucial. If she were to give it to another man, reclaiming her won’t mean much, so urgency is paramount..."

Eldric James nodded decisively: "I’ll depart for the Sea God Sect immediately!"

...

"You have your doppelganger traveling outside while you are cultivating inside the pagoda?"

Niall Sinclair gazed at Carson Flores, who sat cross-legged, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Carson Flores smiled: "Yes, traveling only requires no wasted time if the doppelganger can suffice."

Niall Sinclair marvelled: "Your Doppelganger Divine Ability is truly convenient, able to fight and deceive the enemy while helping you with some simple tasks..."

Carson Flores chuckled: "Indeed, quite convenient."

Pausing, Carson Flores gazed at Niall Sinclair’s face: "You have been wearing an unfamiliar face; don’t you feel uncomfortable?"

Niall Sinclair pursed her lips slightly, a bit embarrassed: "I don’t want it, mainly to avoid trouble."

Niall Sinclair removed the disguising effect of the magical treasure, revealing her true appearance once again.

Carson Flores looked at that flawless face, sincerely praised: "It’s indeed very beautiful, no wonder even your old ancestor can’t resist it. Old or not, still a man."

Niall Sinclair shook her head: "He doesn’t seek merely my beauty."

Carson Flores asked curiously: "Then why?"

"It’s the Primordial Profound Water Technique I practice."

Facing Carson Flores, who had rescued her from danger, Niall Sinclair didn’t hide the truth, choosing instead to be forthright: "The Primordial Profound Water Secret, utmost nether and softness, can achieve Harmony with the Tyrant Fire Secret he cultivates, thereby aiding his advancement..."

Carson Flores’s eyes widened: "Advancement? Wouldn’t that be the Saint Realm?"

"Saint Realm is not that easy!"

Niall Sinclair smiled wryly: "What he’s aiming for is the Quasi-Saint Realm..."