Returning to his room, Liu Sen gently pushed open the door and habitually gnced to the left inside the door, the spot where Beth always knelt. But today seemed different; she wasn't there. Where could she be? Lifting his gaze, Liu Sen smiled; he saw her sitting by the window, hugging her knees, quietly staring at the sea outside, as if lost in thought.

  Taking a few steps closer, the sound of his footsteps startled the person by the window. Beth turned around abruptly, kneeling in surprise: "Young Master!"

  Though it was just a fleeting gnce, Liu Sen was surprised to see tears glistening at the corners of Beth's eyes. He pulled her up, cupping her face: "What's wrong?"

  Beth quickly wiped away her tears, offering him a smile: "It's nothing, just the wind!"

  "You're troubled by something," Liu Sen said gently. "What is it? Tell me!"

  Beth shook her head slightly, looking down in silence.

  "Is there something wrong at home?"

  She shook her head again.

  "Then what is it? Speak up, and I'll help you resolve it!" These words seemed more befitting of a young master, and he was confident he could fulfill them, especially since he noticed both his grandfather and father were fond of him, and his father looked particurly pleased today.

  "Are... are you leaving?" Beth whispered softly. "They all said, you're going to the mainnd."

  "Word sure gets around, huh!" Liu Sen remarked. "What? Can't bear to part with me?"

  Beth was in turmoil. Could she really not bear to let him go? She shouldn't! If her parents found out, they would kill her. How could she possibly not bear to let go of this demon? But she couldn't lie to herself. In the time after he cimed her, he had been so kind to her, never once mistreating her, always pampering her, never speaking harshly, and even making her blush and heart race in bed turned into moments full of warmth, making her linger...

  Liu Sen watched her, a tenderness emerging in his heart. This girl was just an ordinary servant to him, perhaps someone he had made love to a few times. In her heart, he must be the biggest cage restricting her freedom, this huge dragon turtle shell, to her, was like an incredibly solid birdcage, and she was just one of the poor canaries inside!

  Canaries yearn for freedom; she couldn't possibly not bear to part with him!

  His joking about whether she could bear to part with him was just that, a joke. Once it was made, it was over. Liu Sen said, "I just gave you a choice yesterday, but now you don't have to choose. Pack your things and leave!"

  Beth trembled slightly: "Young Master, can I... leave tomorrow instead?"

  Liu Sen gently reached out, pulling her into his embrace: "Alright, we will leave together tomorrow. I'll arrange for someone to give you enough gold coins. Take them back and settle down well!" He too found it hard to let her go, but all he could do was let her leave. Once he was gone, this birdcage would become the most boring prison! And perhaps even dangerous, as killing a servant was nothing out of the ordinary for his family.

  That night, as she washed Liu Sen for the st time, and he held her in the bathtub, entering her once more amongst the petals and steam, Beth cried. She had held back her tears the first time he took her, but this time she couldn't. Fortunately, in the midst of the steaming water, no one could tell if her face was wet from tears or not. In bed, Liu Sen held her tender body, also staying awake till midnight, his truly first woman.

  At dawn, Beth finally left. She didn't refuse the gold coins he gave her, nor the kiss. With a heart either relieved or sour, she left the prison that had confined her for over a month. She had been forcibly brought here, originally unable to escape a fate of losing her virginity that very night. But Akrus had gotten drunk, and by the time he returned from the sea the next day, he had changed a lot, whether for better or worse, it was different from the rumors, and so was her fate, completely different from what she had imagined.

  In front of the huge pace made of dragon turtle shells, there was a spacious square. Though rge, it wasn't crowded. Those present were all influential figures on the isnd. Liu Sen's second uncle had sent his two sons to see Liu Sen off, and Alto also arrived, approaching him with a smile.

  "Brother!" Alto opened his arms: "I really can't bear to part with my brother!"

  "Me neither!" Liu Sen opened his arms to warmly embrace him.

  "I've prepared a rge amount of gold coins for my brother and given them to Naka!" Alto said. "I know my brother likes them, so I've arranged for Grus and Naka to accompany my brother on his journey!"

  "Is that appropriate?" Liu Sen was somewhat surprised. Having bodyguards in college was not unheard of, but he had always found it distasteful, and now it was his turn to be surprised.

  "What's wrong with that? Father has written a personal letter to the instructor at Magic and Martial Arts Academy, and Grus has the letter!" Alto raised his voice: "Grus, Naka!"

  Two clear voices responded: "Big Young Master!"

  "Stay by the young master's side at all times to protect him!" Alto said sternly. "If my brother faces any danger, I will repay it a hundredfold on you!"

  "Yes!" the two bowed and took the order.

  Perhaps this was a common practice in this world. If it felt inappropriate ter, he could always ask them to leave the academy. Liu Sen no longer refused. Alto gestured, and a man stepped forward, handing over a package. Alto took it: "Brother, this is the finest dragon turtle armor. I had the isnd's skilled craftsmen select the hardest scales from the dragon turtle and craft it with dragon sinews. Even a great swordsman's sword can't pierce through it. Please wear it, just in case!"

  "Brother, is that necessary?" Liu Sen said. "I'm just going to study, not to battle!"

  "Though that's true, as your brother, I can't help but worry!" Alto expressed his genuine concern. "Please wear it, for my peace of mind."

  Everyone in the square smiled warmly at the brothers' closeness. The grandfather and father, unknown when, also stood on another side of the square, witnessing this deep brotherly affection.

  "Thank you, brother!" Liu Sen finally accepted and put it on. It fit perfectly, not too big or too small, and amazingly, it was not cumbersome at all, very light, practically wearable under clothing as an undershirt.

  Alto also said, "Brother, you should wear it close to your body and cover it with an outer garment."

  Liu Sen replied, "Yes! After boarding the dragon turtle, I will wear it inside. For now, I'll wear it like this, letting everyone see the bond between us brothers is as indestructible as this dragon turtle armor!"

  "Great! That's wonderful!" Appuse rang out, and the grandfather and father came forward together: "It's great that you two brothers can be like this. Grandfather is very pleased!"

  The white deer was brought over, and the three of them mounted it. On the deer's back, Liu Sen deeply bowed to his grandfather, father, and brother, then spurred the deer downhill. The sunlight reflected off the dragon turtle armor, casting a dazzling glow.

  The white deer sped off like the wind, startling many birds into flight, crossing beside the ke. Liu Sen's eyes gleamed with a mysterious light. This light seemed to mark a change in him, his expression becoming more solemn. Having just received an opportunity to go out, facing the magic of the world, receiving admiration from his grandfather and father, and the generous gift from his brother, did he have a reason to feel heavy?

  Yes, he felt oppressed, perhaps just an inexplicable hunch, the cause of which y in the dragon turtle armor itself. Dragon turtle armor was truly a precious item, unique to Wind God Isnd, impossible to replicate elsewhere because it was not just any dragon turtle scale, but from a specific spot on the dragon turtle's back, where the scales are ultra-thin and light yet incredibly hard. But such a scale is not rge, and to make such armor, at least a dozen dragon turtles were needed. Elsewhere, even one dragon turtle is rare, let alone enough to make armor.

  His brother giving him the dragon turtle armor was indeed a generous gesture, but he was wrong. Such a treasure was not meant for him to own, for with his capabilities, he absolutely couldn't protect it. On the contrary, it would only bring danger to himself. Not wearing the dragon turtle armor might indeed pose unexpected dangers, but if someone knew he possessed such a treasure, the danger would be much greater than not having it at all.

  His brother had thought everything through so thoroughly, money, followers, body armor, but why omit such a crucial aspect? Was it unintentional or intentional?

  If it were the real Akrus, he would never have such thoughts. Even if he suspected the whole isnd was against him, he would never suspect a brother so weak that all he did was ftter him. But Liu Sen would not think this way. He knew the brutal struggle among princes in a feudal society, where every means was used to its fullest. Although Wind God Isnd was just an isnd, on this isnd, the isnd lord was the king, sometimes wielding even greater power than a king. If no one vied for the position of successor, it would be strange. What was a dragon turtle armor in the face of such a position?

  If this was indeed intentional, who would be the first to vie for this treasure? This treasure had just been given to him today, theoretically, apart from the isnd's inhabitants, only these two followers knew. They were both swordsmen, first-level swordsmen. If the treasure were worn by them, even a great swordsman's sword could not penetrate it. Did this mean their strength would increase by one level? Grus and Naka, the daily actions of these two floated in his mind. The incident of releasing the mermaid and apologizing to her was known only to Grus, the only one who could inform the grandfather and cause trouble. Was his informing the grandfather meant to help his brother?

  Would he help his brother again as a reward, and this dragon turtle armor was actually meant for him?

  But all these were just conjectures. Perhaps he was overly suspicious. After all, in the short time he had interacted with his brother, his brother had always seemed so easy-going, always prioritizing his opinions, respectful, and caring.

  The ten-mile journey quickly came to an end, and ahead was the azure sea. Where the waves began, a bit of heroism was stirred. A dragon turtle y quietly on the blue waves, one of its hind legs possibly serving as the gangpnk.

  Dismounting the white deer, about a dozen people by the seaside bowed simultaneously: "Young Master, please board the dragon turtle!"

  Liu Sen nodded slightly, leading the way up, with everyone else following. Naka and Grus stood by his sides. As the dragon turtle retracted its leg, it cut through the waves, heading deep into the sea.

  This was truly a fine ship, a completely pollution-free green yacht. Liu Sen sat by the side, a voice coming from behind him: "Young Master, you should wear the dragon turtle armor. In case you fall into the waves, it might not be recoverable!" Liu Sen was actually holding the dragon turtle armor in his hands, as if carefully examining it, seemingly reminiscing about his brother's care.

  Liu Sen looked up: "Grus, tell me, would it be more appropriate for a swordsman to wear this dragon turtle armor?"

  "Of course!" Grus replied. "With this item, even if the opponent is twice as strong as you, they wouldn't stand a chance!"

  "That's great!" Liu Sen's hand lightly tossed the dragon turtle armor towards Grus: "It's yours now!"

  Grus had just caught it when he heard these words, startling him: "Young Master, what... what did you say?"

  Liu Sen said casually: "I said the dragon turtle armor is yours now. My brother gave it to me, I accepted it, and now I'm giving it to you, hoping you'll accept it!"

  Naka and the others around were stunned, and Grus was even more baffled: "Young Master, this dragon turtle armor is so precious, you..."

  Liu Sen raised his hand to stop him: "Because it's precious, I'm giving it to you. Think about it, I know neither swordsmanship nor magic. The dragon turtle armor is a waste in my hands, but in yours, it can fulfill its greater potential. With your safety secured, I can be safe. Understand?"

  Grus wanted to say more, but Liu Sen had already turned away, leaving him with a cold statement: "If you don't accept it, it means you're not pnning to protect me anymore!"

  "I dare not!" Grus bowed deeply: "Thank you, Young Master!"

  Liu Sen breathed a sigh of relief, having passed on this hot potato. With so many witnesses, once they returned, the whole isnd would know. If news leaked, Grus would be the target of a concerted attack from somewhere. You, this talkative servant, regardless of your intentions, should experience the young master's might! As for the treasure, honestly, he really didn't care. No matter how precious it was, it was just dragon turtle armor. If he could py his cards right on Wind God Isnd, ten or a hundred pieces of dragon turtle armor could easily come his way. Taking on immense danger for a little something from his own household was a fool's errand!