Restless Blood

In the Myriad Worlds Trading Area, Xiao Yang met Redbeard again, at the usual spot. This time, he almost didn't recognize his old big brother.

Redbeard wasn't dressed as the shirtless dwarf blacksmith from previous encounters. Instead, he wore a full suit of dragon scale armor, a significant portion of which was twisted and deformed, as if he had just come from a major battle.

The closer Xiao Yang got to Redbeard, the more he could smell a pungent scent of sulfur.

When Xiao Yang reached Redbeard, he couldn't help but stop, as if facing some monstrous beast. This continued until Redbeard voluntarily removed his helmet and happily waved at Xiao Yang.

"Little brother! Over here! Xiao Yang, little brother!"

At that moment, the unspoken terrifying aura suddenly dissipated. Xiao Yang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward, arriving in front of Redbeard.

His gaze was first drawn to an exaggerated cleaver lying at Redbeard's feet.

[Gull's Fury

Quality: Epic

Flame Divinity: 1

Restriction: High-level Flame Demon

Damage: 200

Weapon Domain: Lava Hell

Effects: Flame Affinity, Flame Domination, Flame Healing.

Description: This is a weapon specially prepared by a powerful High-level Flame Demon aiming to become an Abyss Lord.]

This weapon was outrageous. What had Redbeard been doing in the Abyss during this time?

As Xiao Yang stared in astonishment, Redbeard grinned, tilting his head up unconsciously. He loved seeing his little brother make this expression.

"Pretty good, right? This cleaver! I spent a lot of effort on this, crossing a deep abyss battlefield, fighting my way into a magnificent, boundless demon fortress, and personally slaying its lord, a powerful High-level Flame Demon named Gull. Roaring Rage, to get my hands on it!"

Xiao Yang listened to the story with a dazed expression. Redbeard began boasting about his glorious deeds, nodding and praising at just the right moments, offering the most suitable compliments.

"Big Brother Redbeard, you're amazing!"

If you asked if Xiao Yang believed him, he'd believe part of it. But, you know, it's all about social graces!

With that, Redbeard's nose practically twitched with pride. He was thoroughly pleased, failing to notice Xiao Yang's slowly rising corner of his mouth.

This dwarf big brother of Xiao Yang was quite easy to appease.

Not long after, before Xiao Yang could even bring up the matter of his advancement to Redbeard, Redbeard suddenly seemed to remember something and sent Xiao Yang a request.

[Your friend Redbeard has sent you a group chat invitation. Do you wish to join the group chat, Justice Squad?]

"Xiao Yang, little brother, I'm a bit embarrassed to ask, but I need your help with something recently. I have a friend who's been feeling very down lately. Could you help comfort her?"

This was the first time Xiao Yang had seen such a hesitant expression on Redbeard's face, a complex mix of guilt and awkwardness.

Without much hesitation, Xiao Yang chose to accept. Since he had decided to trust and acknowledge this big brother, he wouldn't waver.

An unfamiliar interface appeared before Xiao Yang, much like a regular group chat. However, the members of the Justice Squad were surprisingly few – only seven in total, making eight with Xiao Yang. One member's name was dimmed.

Xiao Yang saw names like these within the chat.

I am a Little Flower, Cultivator, Forge Blacksmith (this must be Redbeard), Hates Darkness, Mage Hand is so useful, Holy Light Messenger, Little Qing Who Saves the World!

After Xiao Yang successfully joined the Justice Squad group chat, Redbeard didn't relax. Instead, he became even more anxious, so nervous he started tugging at his beard.

What next? Xiao Yang's gaze fell on Redbeard. A series of questions began to arise, but judging by Redbeard's reaction, he couldn't be relied upon. His big brother was faltering.

After some thought, Xiao Yang decided to follow the normal procedure for joining a group.

He first gave himself a new name in the group, not using his game name or real name, but a more fitting one: "A True Newbie!"

[A True Newbie: Hello, everyone!]

Xiao Yang sent his first message in the group.

Shortly after, a name responded to Xiao Yang.

[I am a Little Flower: Hello!]

As soon as this message came through, a flood of various messages erupted simultaneously.

[Cultivator: Hello, newcomer!]

[Hates Darkness: Hi.]

[Mage Hand is so useful: An emoji of a transparent large hand waving hello.]

[Holy Light Messenger: Hello there!]

[And finally, Forge Blacksmith, also known as Redbeard: Hello, little brother!]

After a series of greetings, Redbeard immediately followed up by posting a picture of a Flame Demon with its head smashed in.

[: I avenged Little Qing. Sophia! The Taoist provided the location, Little Ying used Netherworld Shuttle, Mage Hand provided the Spatial Anchor, Holy Light provided Sacred Source Radiance, and I did the deed!]

Xiao Yang wisely chose to remain silent and observe at this point, curiously watching the conversation in the group chat.

In response to Redbeard's message, the group owner, I am a Little Flower, replied.

[I am a Little Flower: I know, I don't blame any of you. I'm just very sad!]

With the conversation reaching this point, Xiao Yang saw that Redbeard finally let out a complete sigh of relief. The group chat fell silent for a moment, and Xiao Yang finally had the chance to voice his confusion to Redbeard.

"So, Brother Redbeard, what exactly happened here?"

Instead of answering Xiao Yang's question immediately, Redbeard first pulled out a bottle of wine.

[Gull's Horn Tip

Quality: Epic

Description: This is a potent flame liquor brewed from the sharpest, most refined tip of a powerful High-level Flame Demon's horn.]

He didn't dare pour too much for Xiao Yang, only a small cup. Judging by the description alone, this Gull's Horn Tip was much stronger than Red Logan's Great Horn from last time.

However, Redbeard underestimated Xiao Yang, or rather, he underestimated the Pot of Greed.

Xiao Yang took the cup and downed it in one go. The intense heat was immediately and completely intercepted by the Pot of Greed, and Xiao Yang's Strength attribute began to increase, climbing all the way to twenty points.

At the same time, Gull's Horn Tip also bestowed upon Xiao Yang a trait related to Flame Demons.

[Restless Blood: Strength +5, Attack has a chance to ignite enemies.]

[Strength: 25]

Xiao Yang's Strength attribute now reached twenty-five. He realized that his strength improvements seemed to be entirely from drinking Redbeard's wine.

Gull's Horn Tip had brought Xiao Yang significant gains.

The ignition effect from Restless Blood alone was extremely well-suited for the Skeleton Dungeon Xiao Yang was currently tackling. Xiao Yang should have been delighted, but he sat upright with a serious expression.

Xiao Yang's attention was almost entirely focused on Redbeard, on the story that was about to be told.