10:55 a.m.
Lu Yang had slept for less than five hours. Before the alarm set for 11:00 could wake him, he woke up on his own.
"Brother, you're awake." Han Fei had been waiting nearby. He was responsible for waking Lu Yang.
Lu Yang smiled and stood up. "Anything unusual?"
"Everything is normal. After we took out King Gu's Poison Orbs, Maireizhe can only defend passively. He's gathering players right now," Han Fei said.
Lu Yang sneered. "Let's log in."
Arriving at the studio downstairs, Lu Yang put on his helmet, opened the game interface, and entered "Second World."
Torrent City, Canglang Fortress.
Xia Yuwei, Bai Shi, Zhuojiu Qingshang, Jiang Ze, Zhou Tianming, Sun Yu, and Ku Ai Bansheng—the seven vice guild leaders—were gathered atop the eastern city wall, organizing the players.
Before them, more than five million Iron Blood Brotherhood players had assembled. Their formations had long since been arranged, and every face was filled with excitement.
A flash of light appeared.
Lu Yang appeared atop the eastern wall, and the already soaring morale instantly reached its peak. Everyone looking at him wore barely contained excitement.
"Boss, you're here." Bai Shi, Xia Yuwei, and the other seven cupped their hands together.
Lu Yang nodded. "Is everyone assembled?"
"The current total is 5.82 million people," Zhuojiu Qingshang said. "The elite corps, Forbidden Spell Mage Corps, special units, and guard corps are all at full strength. No one is missing."
Lu Yang nodded and looked down at the players below. More than 5.8 million people stretched beyond the eye could see; beneath the walls, there was nothing but a dense sea of people.
"Brothers, today we have gathered here once again. Some of you have followed me for a year, while others joined more recently. Do you remember what I told