Restless Blood

In the Myriad Worlds Trading Area, Xiao Yang saw Redbeard once again, in the same old place. This time, he almost didn't recognize his big brother.

Redbeard wasn't dressed like the dwarf blacksmith from their previous meetings, bare-chested and covered in soot. Instead, he wore full dragon-scale armor, much of it twisted and misshapen, as if he'd just fought a fierce battle.

The closer Xiao Yang got to Redbeard, the more pungent the smell of sulfur became.

When Xiao Yang reached him, he couldn't help stopping in his tracks, as though he'd come face-to-face with some terrifying beast. Only when Redbeard took off his helmet and waved at him cheerfully did the oppressive menace finally dissipate.

"Little brother! Over here! Xiao Yang!"

Xiao Yang let out a breath and hurried over to Redbeard.

His eyes were immediately drawn to the enormous executioner's blade at Redbeard's feet.

Gull's Fury

Quality: Epic

Flame Divinity: 1

Restriction: High-level Flame Demon

Damage: 200

Weapon Domain: Lava Hell

Effects: Fire Affinity, Flame Domination, Flame Healing.

Description: This weapon was specially prepared by a powerful High-level Flame Demon who sought to ascend to the rank of Abyss Lord.

The weapon was outrageous. What on earth had Redbeard been doing in the Abyss all this time?

Seeing Xiao Yang's stunned expression, Redbeard grinned and raised his head without thinking. He just loved seeing his little brother react like this.

"Not bad, huh? This executioner's blade took a whole lot of work. I crossed an Abyssal Blood War battlefield, fought my way into a colossal demon fortress, and killed its lord—a powerful High-level Flame Demon named Gull, the Roaring Fury. I took this right out of his hands!"

Xiao Yang listened, half in a daze, as Redbeard began boasting about his glorious exploits. He nodded and praised him at just the right moments, offering the compliments best suited to the occasion.

"Big brother Redbeard, you're incredible!"

Did Xiao Yang believe him? Maybe a little. But that was just how people got along.

Redbeard's nose practically rose into the air. He was clearly pleased, but failed to notice Xiao Yang's lips slowly curling into a smile.

His dwarf big brother was pretty easy to flatter.

A little later, before Xiao Yang could bring up the matter of advancing his rank, Redbeard suddenly seemed to remember something and sent Xiao Yang an invitation.

Your friend Redbeard has invited you to join a group chat, Justice Squad. Join?

"Xiao Yang, I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, but there's a favor I might need you to do. I have a friend who's been feeling really down lately. Could you go cheer her up?"

It was the first time Xiao Yang had seen Redbeard look so awkward. His expression was a complicated mix of guilt and embarrassment.

Without much hesitation, Xiao Yang accepted. He had chosen to trust Redbeard and take him as his big brother, so he wasn't about to waver or second-guess himself.

An unfamiliar interface appeared before Xiao Yang, much like a regular group chat. But the Justice Squad had surprisingly few members: seven in total, eight including Xiao Yang. One member's name was dimmed.

Xiao Yang saw the following names in the chat.

I am a Little Flower, Cultivator, Forge Blacksmith—presumably Redbeard—Hates Darkness, Mage Hand Is Really Useful, Holy Light Messenger, Little Qing Who Saves the World!

After Xiao Yang successfully joined the Justice Squad chat, Redbeard didn't relax. If anything, he became even more anxious. He was so nervous that he grabbed his own beard.

What now? Xiao Yang looked at Redbeard. A string of questions came to mind, but judging by his big brother's reaction, he couldn't count on him for answers. His big brother was letting him down.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yang decided to follow the usual process for joining a group chat.

First, he gave himself a new name in the chat. He didn't use his game name or his real name, choosing something more fitting instead: "A True Newbie!"

A True Newbie: Hello, big shots!

Xiao Yang sent his first message in the chat.

Before long, someone replied.

I am a Little Flower: Hello!

As soon as the message appeared, a flurry of replies flooded the chat.

Cultivator: Greetings, young friend!

Hates Darkness: Hi.

Mage Hand Is Really Useful: [A transparent giant hand waves in greeting.]

Holy Light Messenger: Hello!

Last came Forge Blacksmith—Redbeard himself: Hey, little brother!

After everyone had exchanged greetings, Redbeard immediately posted a picture of a Flame Demon with its head caved in.

Redbeard: I avenged Little Qing, Sophia! The Cultivator gave us the location, Little Shadow used Netherworld Shuttle, the Mage set up a Spatial Anchor, the Holy Light Messenger used Sacred Source Radiance, and I landed the finishing blow!

Xiao Yang wisely chose to stay quiet and lurk, curiously reading the conversation.

After Redbeard's message, I am a Little Flower, the group's owner, responded.

I am a Little Flower: I know. I don't blame anyone. I'm just really sad!

At that, Xiao Yang saw Redbeard finally let out a breath of relief. The group chat fell quiet for a moment, and Xiao Yang finally had the chance to voice his confusion to the dwarf in front of him.

"So, big brother Redbeard, what happened?"

Redbeard didn't answer Xiao Yang right away. Instead, he first took out a bottle of liquor.

Gull's Horn Tip

Rank: Epic

Description: A fiery liquor brewed using the most exquisite tip of a powerful High-level Flame Demon's horn.

Redbeard poured Xiao Yang only a small glass. Judging from the description alone, Gull's Horn Tip was much stronger than the Red Logan's Great Horn he'd offered last time.

But Redbeard had underestimated Xiao Yang—or rather, he'd underestimated the Pot of Greed.

Xiao Yang took the glass and downed it in one gulp. The liquor burned fiercely, only for the Pot of Greed to intercept it completely once again. Xiao Yang's Strength began to rise, climbing straight to twenty.

At the same time, Gull's Horn Tip gave Xiao Yang a trait connected to Flame Demons.

Restless Blood: Strength +5; attacks have a chance to set enemies on fire.

Strength: 25

Xiao Yang's Strength was now twenty-five. He realized that all his Strength increases seemed to come from drinking Redbeard's liquor.

Gull's Horn Tip had given Xiao Yang quite a lot.

The burning effect from Restless Blood alone was a perfect match for the Skeleton Dungeon he was currently tackling. Xiao Yang should have been pleased, but instead he sat there with a serious expression.

Almost all of Xiao Yang's attention was fixed on Redbeard, and on the story he was about to tell.