When the starship started up and lifted off, someone voiced his dissatisfaction. "Can't we wait a little longer? My friend will be here any moment."
The beautiful attendant replied with a smile, "If we don't leave now, we'll be trapped here. Even our Supreme Guard Consultant didn't make it in time."
Sure enough, less than two minutes after takeoff, an announcement came over the public channel.
"Emergency notice: An Anomalous Celestial Phenomenon has appeared. All flights are grounded!"
At the words "Anomalous Celestial Phenomenon," the expressions of those aboard the luxurious starship turned rather strange.
Some remained expressionless, some smiled faintly, and some looked helpless, but most merely snorted.
Everyone present was part of the Empire's upper class, and they all knew that "Anomalous Celestial Phenomena" usually had nothing to do with celestial phenomena.
When a genuine anomalous celestial phenomenon occurred, people of their standing could generally find out exactly what the anomaly was.
The person who had complained earlier froze for a moment, then smiled and raised his wineglass.
"I was rash and nearly delayed everyone's journey. My sincerest apologies. I'll drink a cup as punishment!"
He did not particularly care about the captain's attitude. Instead, he apologized to the others, clearly aware that he could not withstand everyone's anger.
Yet even as he apologized, he remained seated with an unhurried air, making him seem somewhat indifferent.
These people often behaved this way—courteous, yet casual.
Even as they displayed their refinement, they gave off an intense sense of distance.
Qu Jianlei and the two women paid them no mind. They sat in a corner of the hall, speaking quietly.
Mu Yu's Mental Strength was formidable, Tian Yin excelled at the Harmonizing with Light Technique, and with Qu Jianlei's illusion techniques added in, no one noticed them at all.
Even