Wei Xian looked smug, as if just watching Su Yi fight from a distance was an honor worth taking pride in.

And, following Wei Xian’s lead, the others in attendance started discussing numerous matters related to Su Yi as well, like the battles at the provincial governor’s estate, Dragonbridge Station, and Roiling Cloud Temple.

The lively atmosphere peaked when the conversation turned to Su Yi slaying the earthly immortal Li Changning at the Cloud-Scraping Army’s camp. 

All sorts of startled, stunned, lamentful, and emotional voices rang out, endlessly assailing the ears.

In the end, Wei Xian summarized, counting the dead on his fingers, “Between now and the Western Mountain’s Tea Party, even if you just look at non-Zhou kings, three have died at Su Yi’s hands: the White-Eyebrowed King, the Firedome King, and the Cloud-Scraping King.

“Similarly, three non-Zhou marquis have died beneath his blade: the Huaiyang Marquis, the Jade Mountain Marquis, and the Heavenbrave Marquis.

“In addition, Hidden Dragon Sword Sect Elders Lu Dongliu, Li Cang, and Liao Yunliu, and the palace heads of Jixia and Watermoon Academies….” The words flowed out in a non-stop stream as he went on to list a whole series of prominent names; it seemed he knew them like the back of his hand. 

However, before he could finish, someone interrupted him. “Enough!”

It was Wen Yuchong, who was seated at the head of the table. He said calmly, “To the best of my knowledge, it won’t be long before Su Yi faces disaster. There’s no longer any meaning in discussing his accomplishments.”

After a brief, stunned pause, the crowd agreed. Lately, people throughout the Great Zhou were saying that when Su Yi arrived in the Jade Capital, he would face certain doom. There was absolutely no way the Su Family, the Great Zhou’s imperial family, and the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect would let him off.

“Brother Wen, you’re absolutely right.” Just moments ago, Wei Xian was exuberantly listing Su Yi’s accomplishments, but now, he sharply changed tacks. “Furthermore, the way I see it, eliminating Su Yi will benefit the entire Great Zhou.”

He paused, looked up and met the crowd’s bewildered gazes, then said with an air of righteousness, “Think about it: in recent days, how many of the Great Zhou’s powerhouses has he killed? He’s already brought turbulence and turmoil to the nation. What will happen if he’s allowed to continue?”

As he spoke, he rose, then said with vehemence, “You ask me, and Su Yi is basically a harbinger of disaster. He has no loyalty to the empire. No, instead, he’s killed repeatedly, causing one massacre after another. He’s no different from a demon; everyone ought to condemn him!”

He spoke with such assurance that numerous people felt their hearts swell with emotion. They clapped and shouted their approval.

However, Gu Caining furrowed her brow. What, was this guy born in the year of the dog? Isn’t he changing his tune a bit too easily?

“Everyone ought to condemn him? What, because you, Wei Xian, say so?” Fu Qingyuan laughed coldly.

Wei Xian’s expression froze, and he said in displeasure, “Fu Qingyuan, I’m expressing my indignation and criticizing Su Yi’s violent behavior. I’ll admit that I cannot defeat him, but aren’t I at least allowed to view him as a scoundrel and a harbinger of disaster?”

Fu Qingyuan said in a low voice, “We have no idea what went on between Su Yi and his opponents. Who are we to criticize him or declare him a harbinger of disaster?”

Wei Xian had changed his tune far too quickly; it was shameless, and Fu Qingyuan couldn’t stand to watch it.

“I….” Wei Xian was just about to say something.

However, before he could, Wen Yuchong waved and interrupted him. “Enough, let’s not argue over this. Both Su Yi and the people he killed live in a different world from us. I’m afraid our lives will never intersect with people like that, so there’s no need to lose your temper over them.”

Gu Caining took a deep breath and said, “But the way I see it, the strong are worthy of respect. Furthermore, whenever Young Lord Su fought, it was his enemies who came looking for him; he never took the initiative to harm anyone. This is someone who can kill an Earthly Immortal. Isn’t he worthy of our respect and admiration?”

The group was stunned, and they sank into silence. No one could argue with that.

Su Yi had been watching in silence this whole time. When he saw this, he couldn’t help but smile and drain another glass of wine. When Su Xuanjun conducted his affairs, how could he possibly concern himself with the general populace’s opinion?

However, Gu Caining and Fu Qingyuan’s dispositions and attitudes had won his approval.

“Miss Caining, it’s up to the individual to decide whether or not Su Yi is worthy of their respect. You can’t force it.” Wen Yuchong waved magnanimously. “Let’s end this here and keep drinking.”

“This matter cannot end here!”

Suddenly, a low, muffled voice rang out, like thunder rumbling through the Qinglan River. The sound stung the youths’ ears and made them see stars. The plates and glasses laid out on the table shook, and the entire tower ship rocked back and forth.

The group looked around in astonishment. Who said that?

Almost immediately, Su Yi glanced outside the hall and saw the vast waters of the river churning, resulting in several hundred-foot, snow-white waves.

He could dimly discern a vast, dark shadow beneath the river’s surface, like a mountain’s reflection.

The moment Su Yi looked over—

Rumble!

The surface of the water suddenly rose with a massive splash, and an incomparably enormous spirit beast slowly rose from beneath the currents. It was a softshell turtle as vast a mountain, and its dark shell was as thick as a boulder and textured. Its limbs were thick as stone pillars, and its head was the size of a house, while its eyes were like secluded pools. They flashed with sinister, icy luster.

Rumble! The currents churned as the beast’s aura rose into the sky, transforming the wind and clouds and shaking the tower ship so hard that it seemed it might fall.

“My heavens! What kind of yao is that?”

“Don’t tell me this is the legendary Water Monarch that lies dormant beneath the Qinglan River?”

“Don’t panic! Don’t panic!” Startled cries rang out, one after another, as everyone lost their cool.

Wang Yuchong led the other youths out of the hall in a hurry. When they saw the massive beast within the river, every last one of them gasped, and their eyes widened. They feared that this spirit beast surpassed the usual nine tiers; it was most likely a yaoling! Yaoling were spirit beasts with high intelligence, and they were ordinarily comparable to Xiantian Martial Ancestors. Those that were relatively strong could even contend with Earthly Immortals!

“What… What do we do?” Gu Caining’s pretty face went white. The imposing aura emanating from the spirit beast seemed to have terrified her.

“Don’t be afraid. It has no ill intentions,” said Su Yi casually from the sidelines.

He could tell at a glance that this was just an ordinary softshell turtle, nothing rare, except that it had intelligence and understood a bit about cultivation.

“Is that so…?” Gu Caining was a bit stunned, but she dared not believe it.

It was then that the captain of the ship charged out, gazed at the massive turtle in obvious terror, and bowed. “Water Monarch, please, don’t be angry! We’ll prepare you the best brew we have on hand right away!” 

“I’m not here today to drink. I’m here to voice my objections!” The turtle’s voice was low and muddy, like thunder reverberating beneath the water’s surface.

Its lake-like eyes gazed at Wen Yuchong and the other youths, and it said coldly, “Earlier, I was traveling beneath your ship. I wanted to hear you young cultivators’ views on cultivation! Who’d have thought that instead, I’d hear a group of ignorant boasters? It’s truly disappointing.”

The youths’ expressions shifted, and they felt a chill course down their spines. The terrifying Water Monarch had actually heard everything they’d said?

Before they could respond, the softshell turtle continued, “If that were all, with my status, I’d disdain making trouble for young people such as yourselves, yet you were even so brazen as to vilify and slander Young Lord Su’s illustrious name? You ought to die for this!”

When he said that last part, his voice boomed like thunder; his rage was readily apparent.

The youths’ expressions shifted dramatically. They finally understood. So, it was their discussion of Su Yi that infuriated the Water Monarch!

Especially Wei Xian. He was so scared that his thighs trembled and his face went white.

Su Yi, meanwhile, was a bit dumbstruck. This little softshell is actually here to stick up for me? Interesting!

Wen Yuchong took a deep breath, then feigned calm. “Water Monarch, we spoke without restraint. If we offended you, please forgive us.”

“I naturally won’t kill the innocent. Otherwise, I would have already devoured this entire tower ship,” said the softshell turtle coldly. “However, as they say, loose lips lead to disaster. Someone has spoken viciously and capriciously, and he must be punished!”

Everyone instantly sighed in relief, then glanced at Wei Xian, their expressions carrying a thread of pity.

Earlier, hadn’t he talked up Su Yi’s amazingness, only to turn around and slander him without restraint? That was indeed “capricious.”

Gu Caining was inwardly exultant. This is called getting what you deserve! This is what you get for changing your tune at the drop of a hat!

Wei Xian was so scared that his soul practically left his body, and his knees thudded to the ground. He said in a quavering voice, “Water Monarch, please forgive me! Water Monarch, please forgive me! I won’t dare do it again!”

When they saw how terrified he looked, many people inwardly shook their heads in disdain.

However, others couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Wen Yuchong spoke up, saying, “Water Monarch, we’re all from the nation’s various academies. Might you spare Wei Xian as a show of respect for our masters?”

“Hmph!” The old softshell turtle’s eyes flashed with cold light. “If you’re courageous enough to suffer his punishment on his behalf, I’ll spare his life. How about it?”

Wen Yuchong’s expression changed, and he hesitated.

“What a sham!” The old softshell turtle’s eyes flashed with contempt.

Wen Yuchong’s expression froze, and he felt both awkward and embarrassed, but he dared not argue.

The turtle then fixed his gaze on Wei Xian. “Wei Xian, I won’t bully you. So long as you dive into the Qinglan River and endure for three breaths of time, I’ll spare your life.”

Wei Xian hurriedly shook his head, then begged, “Esteemed Water Monarch, I’d be dead in the blink of an eye, never mind three breaths. Please, be merciful and leave me a path to survival. I swear I won’t ever do it again.”

“It seems you want me to do it myself? Fine then!” The turtle bellowed, then opened its mouth.

Boom!

A terrifying suction swept through like a storm, sweeping up Wei Xian.

They could only watch as Wei Xian flew away, but then—

A voice like clanging metal resounded from the distant skies. “Brazen beast! How dare you attack someone in broad daylight? You’re seeking death!”