From the very first moment Qin Shangwu met Ji Bozhai, he had remarked that this man appeared gentle and harmless, but in truth harbored an extremely violent temperament deep within. If left unchecked and unguided, he could bring calamity upon Azure Cloud. Thus, Qin Shangwu took him in as a personal disciple, nurturing him with care.

For so long, even when facing formidable opponents, Ji Bozhai had never revealed any trace of that violent nature, so Qin Shangwu had let his guard down.

Yet today, just after reclaiming the beast-drawn carriage with Chu He, Qin Shangwu sensed an unusually restless energy gradually enveloping the entire inner courtyard. The guards who had been pursuing them felt a chill run down their spines, halting their steps in confusion as they looked up.

All Fighters were acutely sensitive to the presence of those stronger than themselves, but none could identify the source of this overwhelmingly powerful and violent aura—it was too unfamiliar.

The guards who realized what was happening instinctively rushed toward the hall where the Minister Superior resided, fearing someone might intend harm against him.

"Let's go!" Qin Shangwu boarded the beast-drawn carriage and immediately set off toward the docks with Luo Jiaoyang and the others.

"Master, he seems to have lost control of his emotions," Luo Jiaoyang said worriedly, gazing at the sky outside the carriage. "Shouldn't we wait for him?"

"We will. He'll make it to the docks," Qin Shangwu assured, urging Chu He to drive the Following Beast at full speed.

Luo Jiaoyang frowned deeply.

Ji Bozhai was undoubtedly formidable, but when he lost control, rationality often deserted him. How could he possibly make it to the docks in such a state?

Within the inner courtyard, the superior fighters began searching for the source of the ominous aura. Yet Ji Bozhai remained motionless on the palace road, his crimson robe now nearly blackened, the mystic mist around him thickening.

A streak of white light flashed, tearing a rift through the gathering darkness.

Ji Bozhai turned his head coldly, ready to strike at the intruder, only for his fingers to be gently clasped.

"This Sunrise River Flower Robe looks rather striking in black," she mused with a light laugh, her soft lips brushing against his cheek. Then, wrapping her arms around his, she pulled him up and sprinted forward.

The scent of bamboo filled his senses, clearing his mind slightly. At last, he recognized the face beside him.

"Lost them?" His voice was hoarse.

Mingyi smiled, her eyes curving. "Thanks to the overwhelming aura you unleashed, those chasing me vanished, and even the guards at the outposts ahead rushed toward the Minister Superior's main hall."

This was their best chance to escape.

Ji Bozhai pressed his lips together, then wrapped an arm around her waist. Together, they vaulted over several outposts, heading straight for the highest courtyard wall.

Normally, this area would be guarded by Divine Tools and superior fighters. But with the discovery of the imperial concubine's body near another high wall and the ominous energy wreaking havoc in the inner courtyard, panic had spread. The guards had been redeployed inward, leaving only a dozen or so here.

Ji Bozhai lifted Mingyi onto the wall with him. She wielded Star River Sunset, deflecting the hidden weapons launched their way. He landed, swiftly dispatching four guards before retreating without further engagement. Grasping Mingyi's outstretched hand, he leaped down with her.

Wind howled against them as Mingyi clung to him desperately, her toes curling in fear.

Noticing her unease, Ji Bozhai chuckled, the last traces of his violent aura dissipating. The river flowers on his robe blazed crimson once more.

"The Ming family heir is afraid of heights?"

"Not usually, but, my lord, this must be at least thirty zhang high."

"Then I'll let go."

Mingyi: ?

"Would my death benefit you in any way?" she snapped.He raised an eyebrow and actually released his grip. She gasped and immediately clung to him with all four limbs, her face colliding with his jawbone, the pain making her grimace.

It had been a long time since she had taken the initiative to get this close to him. Ji Bozhai glanced downward and even thought, If only this place were a bit higher.

Unfortunately, they reached the ground in the blink of an eye.

Thick Essence Power cushioned their fall as he rolled with her in his arms, dodging the hidden weapons flying toward them from behind. He looked around in confusion.

"Southeast direction," Mingyi pointed.

He immediately sprinted in the direction she indicated.

Once they were out of the inner courtyard guards' sight, Mingyi wanted to get down and run on her own, but Ji Bozhai showed no intention of letting go. Cradling her legs with one arm, he pressed her against his chest, their body heat gradually merging through their clothes.

Her ears flushed red, and Mingyi turned her face away.

His speed was indeed faster—in the blink of an eye, they reached the docks.

Sunspire City had two docks, north and south. The beast-drawn carriage Yan Shi had previously provided was parked at the northern dock. By now, the inner courtyard had likely realized Ji Bozhai had escaped and sent pursuers—all heading toward the northern dock.

The two arrived at the southern dock and smoothly boarded their original beast-drawn carriage.

"Thank goodness, that was close but safe," Luo Jiaoyang sighed in relief upon seeing them board. Outside, Chu He immediately urged the carriage forward, soaring through the Azure Cloud.

"The guards in Sunspire's inner courtyard are truly tight. How did you two escape?" Fan Yao asked excitedly, looking at Mingyi. "Tell us!"

The flush on her ears hadn't faded yet. Mingyi sat down, fanning herself with her hand, and replied awkwardly, "Yan Shi had been in the inner courtyard for many years. Though she was demoted overnight, she still has many people at her disposal. The moment she heard Ji Bozhai was willing to eliminate Meng Guifei for her, she cooperated fully and arranged for the guards near the Secluded Hall to stand down. Leaving from there wasn’t difficult."

The hard part was the path afterward and that towering courtyard wall. Fortunately, Ji Bozhai's rampage had drawn away most of the patrols, so it was a close call but ultimately safe.

"Given Sunspire City's domineering nature, they’ll likely send pursuers after us—maybe even all the way to Star Yearn City." Mingyi glanced at the endless sea of clouds behind them. "We can’t take the route back to Star Yearn. They’ll catch up sooner or later."

"Then where do we go?"

"Azure Snow City has always stayed out of conflicts and doesn’t obey Sunspire’s orders. We can hide there for a while." Mingyi pointed in a direction. "It’s also closer."

Qin Shangwu nodded and immediately instructed Chu He to change course.

After resting for a while, the group finally caught their breath. Qin Shangwu looked at Ji Bozhai with excitement. "Kid, you really didn’t hesitate to abandon your position as Sunspire’s heir? This is one of the Upper Three Cities!"

Ji Bozhai smirked. "Whichever city I’m in will become one of the Upper Three Cities."

The group was stunned. Luo Jiaoyang inexplicably felt his blood boil. "He’s right. What’s the point of inheriting an Upper Three City? Pulling Star Yearn City into the Upper Three Cities would be far more impressive."

Fan Yao shot him a sidelong glance. "You were the one who didn’t accept Lord Ji as our leader before."

"That was before." Luo Jiaoyang pouted, glancing at Ji Bozhai. "Back then, Xue Sheng died so suddenly. Even if it really wasn’t your fault, you didn’t even bother explaining. How could I trust you?"Ji Bozhai pursed his lips without speaking, but Mingyi beside him spoke up with a serious expression: "At the Six Cities Tournament, your trust in the team leader is absolutely crucial. In the future, you'll face all kinds of opponents who will try every means to sow discord among you and frame him. He won't always be able to explain himself in time. You must understand what kind of person he truly is to better secure victories in the matches."