Unworthy

The sultry air pressed down so hard people could barely breathe. One glance around showed glaring streaks of fire everywhere—through the air, across the rooftops, on the walls, over the ground. There was nowhere that was not blindingly white.

Splash!

Water waves shimmered as half a furry buttocks pushed aside a lotus leaf and emerged from the surface.

The Great Beaver took a single breath and dove to the bottom of the pond, finally finding a trace of coolness.

The Bing Fire Day was too dry—so dry that the entire pond had been baked into a hot spring. It did not even want to gnaw on its favorite wood. Fortunately, the gods had granted the beaver family a long Three Fu vacation, allowing them to rest until mid-August before returning to work, with their ore payments continuing as usual.

"Elder."

"Ahem, Binglin. Sit."

Inside the pavilion, Liang Qu poured Long Binglin a cup of ice water, his expression somewhat unnatural.

Before he could speak, Long Binglin solemnly said, "Rest assured, Elder. The major event comes first."

Liang Qu was speechless. "You guessed what I was going to say?"

"More or less." Long Binglin laughed heartily. "Elder, you were so confident last year, saying you could get me into the Grandmaster realm. Then I thought of the Scarlet Flame Long Qi you brought out last year. After giving it some thought, it should be connected to the annual Bing Fire Day, shouldn't it?"

"Indeed."

"Elder, you are going to deal with the Octopus King. All resources should be prepared for that right now. There is no need to concern yourself with me."

"Yes and no."

Liang Qu was not particularly surprised that Long Binglin had guessed it.

Several of the Dragon Man Tribe's upper echelon were all his trusted confidants. Coupled