As the tower ship shook back and forth, the tables and chairs on the ninth-floor terrace toppled, scattering food and wine. Countless cups and plates shattered audibly on impact, one after another.

Startled cries soon followed.

“Hurry up and hide!”

“Dammit, what’s happening?”

Everyone shot to their feet and scattered, throwing the entire venue into chaos.

Practically the instant the massive vessel first shook, Zhang Duo leaped to the purple-robed youth’s side, nimble as a civet, and stood protectively in front of him. His gaze swept across the surrounding area, his eyes overflowing with sharp light.

Su Yi and his companions rose as well, then steadied themselves. When they saw what was happening, they couldn’t help but frown.

What’s going on?

It was already dark out, and from their position on the ninth floor terrace, they couldn’t tell what the tower ship had collided with. 

“Roar~!”

Suddenly, the roars of spirit beasts filled the air, one after another, the sound filled with ferocity.

Immediately afterward, a series of startled cries rose from the first five floors.

“This is bad! All the captive spirit beasts have escaped! Hurry up and run!”

“The spirit beasts we had in captivity have all escaped!”

“%@$&*! Who opened all those cages?”

Their shouts mixed with the roars, reverberating throughout the night sky.

From time to time, someone let out a piteous shriek; it seemed some of the guests were under attack!

When they saw this, everyone on the terrace panicked. All of them were at a loss.

They were well aware that the ship currently housed a full eight hundred captive spirit beasts!

Just the thought of so many escaped beasts was enough to cause a mental breakdown.

“Why would something like this happen all of a sudden….?” Yuan Luoxi’s pretty face was utterly grave

Cheng Wuyong said in a low voice, “Miss, please relax. Given the power of Zhang Yiren and his subordinates, dealing with a handful of beasts won’t be difficult.”

“I’m afraid this incident won’t be as simple as a few spirit beasts running rampant.” Huang Qianjun sighed.

Someone ill-intentioned had obviously opened the beasts’ cages on purpose!

Su Yi brushed his fingers along his bamboo staff, then glanced at the panicked guests, his expression just as calm as before. He said nothing.

It was then that the purple-robed youth strode over to Yuan Luoxi and comforted her with a smile. He seemed perfectly composed. “Miss Yuan, please rest at ease. I’m here, and I won’t let any harm befall you!” 

That guy sure can talk! Huang Qianjun sneered inwardly.

Yuan Luoxi furrowed her willowy brows. “Thanks, but the way I see it, you ought to worry about protecting yourself first.”

The youth shot her another dashing grin. “Over the past year, I’ve overcome countless dangers. What does a minor incident like this amount to?

“If you’ll forgive my immodesty, if even I cannot resolve this crisis, I’m afraid no one on board will escape calamity.”

He said this, then smiled. “Of course, nothing of the sort will happen.”

Huang Qianjun froze. A moment passed before he understood the young nobleman’s implications. He couldn’t help but find it funny. Is he saying he’s the strongest person on board this ship?

He couldn’t help but glance at Su Yi, only to find that Su Yi seemed as composed as ever, as if he hadn’t even heard what the purple-robed youth was saying. 

Huang Qianjun thought to himself, Look! That’s Brother Su for you! He can’t even be bothered to pay attention to you!

It was then that the group’s keen senses alerted them to the fact that, although the ship was no longer shaking, it had stopped firmly in place.

But the nonstop roars of the spirit beasts still rumbled like thunder, filling the night skies and mixing with the screams of passengers scattered throughout the ship.

Everyone’s expressions were solemn. Fortunately, this was the ninth-floor terrace. No beasts would show up here. At least, not for a while.

Suddenly, a man in warrior robes charged onto the platform. He rushed up to the purple-robed youth and whispered something in his ear.

The youth immediately gave his orders. “Tell them they needn’t worry about my safety. Once you reconvene with them, go help Zhang Yiren slay the spirit beasts. Get this situation under control as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, sir!” The man in warrior’s robes cupped his fists, then left.

That’s another late-stage Qi Accumulation tough customer! Cheng Wuyong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The purple-robed youth then smiled at Yuan Luoxi. “My subordinate just reported that someone deliberately unlatched the spirit beasts’ cages, and that Zhang Yiren is currently leading his subordinates into the fray. I’ve already sent my own men to help out. I trust that before long, we’ll resolve this incident.”

His words were smooth and self-confident.

But it was then that Su Yi suddenly spoke up. “We should leave.”

Before the words even left his lips, he turned and walked away.

He’s leaving? At a time like this? Yuan Luoxi, Huang Qianjun, and Cheng Wuyong were stunned, but despite their confusion, they hurriedly followed him.

The purple-robed youth’s eyes went blank, and he felt a hint of displeasure. He’d planned to seize this opportunity to chat up Yuan Luoxi. Who’d have thought Su Yi would leave just like that?

If he wants to leave, so be it. But why does he have to take Yuan Luoxi and the others with him? This was an affront to the youth’s dignity. He couldn’t help but shout, “Yao are currently attacking the ship, yet you want to leave? How stupid are you!? If you want to throw your life away, fine, but don’t drag others down with you! How selfish can you be?”

When he lost his temper, he emanated the air of one long accustomed to power.

He’d already learned Su Yi’s background from his guards; he knew that Su Yi was nothing but a live-in son-in-law from a backwater like Guangling City, and furthermore, that he was only in the Blood Circulation Realm. 

The only praiseworthy thing about him was that a few days ago, Su Yi had taken the top spot in the Dragon’s Gate Banquet.

But in the eyes of a lofty noble like the purple-robed youth, a minor accomplishment like that wasn’t worthy of notice.

That was why he dared openly rebuke Su Yi.

Su Yi’s companions’ expressions shifted, but Su Yi himself merely responded coolly, “If you’ll forgive my bluntness, we’ll be in more danger if we stay here with you. You’ve perhaps already guessed why this incident happened tonight.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The purple-robed youth’s expression darkened, and his eyes flashed with cold light, but Su Yi’s words were right on the mark.

Su Yi’s companions couldn’t help but start. Did Master Su sense something?

“Fortune and disaster aren’t up to destiny; people bring their fates onto themselves. You’d best watch out. Good luck.”

Su Yi shook his head, lifted his foot, and was just about to leave when Zhang Duo blocked his path. He glared coldly and said, “Young man, it won’t be too late to leave after you’ve explained yourself!”

His words carried an unconcealed threat.

Cheng Wuyong instantly stood and growled, “Friend, that was but a minor verbal disagreement. What need is there to threaten others? Let’s all step back, shall we? No need to take this too far!” 

Zhang Duo ignored him, looking instead at the youth in purple.

The youth was already angry. He glared at Su Yi, saying, “It was out of respect for Miss Yuan that I even bothered trying to stop you. Since you insist on throwing your life away, fine. Go right ahead. But don’t drag the others down with you!”

“If we want to ‘throw our lives away’, what does that have to do with you?” Huang Qianjun laughed coldly. 

“Impudent!” Zhang Duo’s expression darkened, and he was just about to say something when the youth in purple waved impatiently.

“Enough,” he said. “Let them go. I’ve never seen such a willfully ignorant group before!”

He then turned to Yuan Luoxi and said with the utmost confidence, “Miss Yuan, please relax. I guarantee you’re safest right here with me!”

But Yuan Luoxi merely shook her head. “No, I want to stay with Master Su.”

She paused, then added, “Young Master Zhili, I’ve experienced something like this before too, so I urge you to calm down and consider why Master Su said what he did; don’t just get angry for no reason. Rage will only lead to errors in your judgment.”

She sounded sincere, and she was. Every word came straight from the heart; she’d learned this lesson the hard way.

But the purple-robed youth froze; he almost didn’t believe his ears. A sense of utter absurdity filled his heart.

The glorious daughter of the Yuan Family would rather throw her life away alongside some Blood Circulation Realm youth than trust my words?

And she even…. She even urged me to cool my head and consider ‘Master Su’s’ words….?

The youth’s anger was so overwhelming that he couldn’t help but laugh. Given his lofty status, no one had ever lectured him like this before.

What angered him the most was that the one lecturing him was a girl he rather admired!

In the end, his spirits sank, and he sighed. “And here I thought you were different from other people. Who’d have thought you were so shortsighted? Fine. All of you can leave.”

He suddenly felt alone, as if no one understood him.

The people of Cloudriver Prefecture, even the pearl of the Yuan Family, had limited perspectives. Their world was too small; they couldn’t grasp just how lofty the person they now faced really was!

He was willing to offer them his protection, something others could only dream of. The funny part was, they didn’t even realize it…

How foolish!

But if they wanted to throw their lives away, he’d let them.

As he thought this, the youth’s temper fizzled out.

Su Yi had no idea how many emotional changes the youth underwent in that short period of time.

But even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared in the least.

Because in his eyes, the youth with a spiritual brand on his soul was trouble. The loftier his status, the more trouble he’d bring!

But just as they neared the stairs, someone blocked their path.

“Everyone, please do as we say and go back. Or else, don’t blame us for our poor manners.” The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar. It was unclear when he’d arrived, but he was already standing in the shadowed stairwell.

His cheekbones were gaunt, his eyes sunken and flashing with sharp light. His right hand hovered over the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist, and his aura was cold and sinister as winter gales.

Several others stood behind him, blocking the way down. There were over a dozen of them, all of them emanating murderous intent and fierce bloodlust.

When Su Yi saw this, he couldn’t help but sigh. “We were one step too late. It seems we can’t count on Zhang Yiren to stabilize the beasts’ rampage anytime soon.”

Yuan Luoxi, Cheng Wuyong, and Huang Qianjun’s hearts sank. All of them sensed that something was amiss.

It seemed tonight’s incident wasn’t as simple as a mere beast rampage. They also had to contend with the ill-intentioned scoundrels planning to take advantage of the chaos!

“Master Su, what do you….” Yuan Luoxi was just about to ask if they should force their way through or not when Su Yi shook his head.

“Let’s go back. Given the current situation, it doesn’t matter where we go. Trouble is sure to come knocking at our door, so we might as well just bide our time and see what happens.”

As he spoke, he turned and went back, and his companions followed.

The middle-aged scholar was stunned; he seemed surprised at Su Yi’s obedience. He snorted and shook his head. And here I thought they were tough. Turns out they’re nothing but cowards!

When he saw Su Yi’s group making their way back, the youth in purple was stunned too. Then, a hint of a cold smile tugged at his lips, and his eyes shone with amusement.