There were about five or six days left before school started. Nie Yan and Xie Yao strolled around the First Military Academy, had lunch at the academy’s cafeteria, worked out at the gym for a few hours, and by three or four in the afternoon, they returned to their villa.
Back home, Nie Yan quickly prepared dinner. Although Xie Yao could also cook, Nie Yan’s culinary skills were slightly better. Having lived independently in his previous life, he often had to improve his meals out of necessity, eventually developing quite good cooking abilities.
Three dishes and a soup, though simple, were delicious. Xie Yao felt a growing admiration for Nie Yan, wondering how he managed to make such simple dishes taste so good.
While tidying up together, the two felt a quiet sense of warmth and comfort—the feeling of a home.
After finishing, it was nearly six o’clock.
“The time is about right. Let’s log into the game,” Nie Yan said, glancing at the clock. His expression turned serious. He understood how important this day was for the Bull Tribe.
“Mm,” Xie Yao nodded. Looking at Nie Yan’s profile, she momentarily lost herself in thought. Nie Yan, when serious, was at his most charming—something someone like Jiang Yingyu would probably never understand. As Nie Yan’s closest person, her position was irreplaceable by Jiang Yingyu, so she had no reason to feel insecure.
Two high-end gaming pods were placed side by side in the bedroom—much more advanced than the one Nie Yan had previously used.
The two entered the pods and logged into the game.
Nie Yan and Xie Yao emerged from the villa and looked toward the square outside. It was packed with Bull Tribe players, occupying one corner of the square. Fully armed and ready to go, they exuded an imposing presence. Players from Hilton Fortress watched from afar, mere spectators, awestruck at the Bull Tribe’s formidable aura.
Seeing the Bull Tribe members so full of spirit, Nie Yan felt inspired himself, a surge of confidence rising within him.
“Boss Nieyan! Boss Lady!”
Wherever Nie Yan and Xie Yao went, Bull Tribe players erupted into thunderous cheers, as if they could shake Hilton Fortress to the ground. Nearby players looked on in shock. Such an overwhelming morale—what kind of people were these Bull Tribe members? They could never understand.
Beside them, Hei Se Di Yu (Black Hell) looked at Nie Yan in surprise. Observing the passionate crowd, he was puzzled. How exactly had Nie Yan managed this? Even during the Dark Ranger Guild’s peak, its members had never reached such a state as the Bull Tribe players. If one word could describe it, it would be “fanaticism!” One individual being fanatical wasn’t frightening, but when an entire group entered a fanatical state, each ready to give their life, they became a powerful war machine capable of crushing all obstacles. Even enemies ten times stronger could only flee in fear.
“Everything’s ready. The morale is pretty good. Why don’t you say a few words?” Cui Can Dao Guang (Radiant Blade) smiled beside him.
Everyone looked expectantly at Nie Yan. This battle was crucial for the Bull Tribe. Players across the entire server were watching. No matter how many outside allies the Mage Alliance had brought, they had to win.
Looking at all these familiar faces, Nie Yan felt a deep sense of emotion.
Suddenly, Nie Yan had much to say. He calmed his emotions and spoke loudly: “Has anyone here ever counted how many battles we’ve fought since the Bull Tribe’s formation? Hehe, probably not many remember anymore, and I myself can’t recall exactly. I still remember our first fight, when me and Ya Zi and a few dozen others were surrounded by the Triumph Empire. In the end, only a few of us survived, and Ya Zi’s Arcane Spirit exploded. He was resurrected later using an energy crystal. Back then, the Bull Tribe only had about a thousand members, and our levels weren’t very high. Who among you has followed me, Nie Yan, all the way to today?”
“I have!”
“I have!”
“Me too!”
Scattered shouts came from the crowd—only a dozen or so people. Their faces flushed red, surprised that Nie Yan would mention them. Under the gazes of their fellow brothers, they stood tall and proud.
“It’s heartening to see so many of you still here. You’re the original members, the ones who know how the Bull Tribe grew and developed. I remember my old man once told me: on the battlefield, either you walk over others’ corpses to survive, or others walk over yours. This world is that cruel. We’ve nearly been destroyed several times, but we’ve always managed to survive. Where are our enemies now? Zong Heng Tian Xia (Horizon Sky), Triumph Empire, Zhan Dao Shi Xue (Bloodthirsty Blade)—these names have become history. We’re still here, growing stronger, evolving from a single guild into an entire guild alliance, sweeping through Carol City. But everyone knows, we still have many enemies—Mage Alliance, Holy Guardians, Angel Dominion. They’re always plotting ways to destroy us. If we don’t want to be destroyed, we must pick up our weapons! Our foundation was built bit by bit. The Bull Tribe’s glory will be inscribed in the annals of Faith and eternally reside in our hearts as an indelible memory. Years from now, when we recall these brothers who once fought side by side, we can proudly say, ‘Back then, I stood with you.'”
Looking at the players around him, Nie Yan spoke from the heart.
These words deeply moved many Bull Tribe players. Looking around, they saw their brothers beside them, in front and behind. This was their reason for fighting—together for a common goal, united in brilliance. Shoulder to shoulder, back to back, entrusting their lives to each other—that was the true meaning of brotherhood.
Hei Se Di Yu (Black Hell) couldn’t help feeling a sense of loss after hearing Nie Yan’s speech. Where were those Dark Ranger Guild brothers who once fought alongside him? His departure had left the guild in disarray, and everyone eventually scattered. Reflecting on his past mistakes, he felt regret. At this moment, he envied Nie Yan for having so many brothers.
Hei Se Tian Tang (Black Heaven) approached Hei Se Di Yu’s side, watching the Bull Tribe players. Turning to Hei Se Di Yu, he spoke with emotion: “Brother, Lao Liu, Xia Zi and the other old brothers still often mention you. Although you changed your name, you’re still the Du Bu Tian Xia (Unrivaled Under Heaven) in our hearts. I still remember when Xiao Ao’s people killed Xia Zi, you stood alone at their guild’s gate and slaughtered over a hundred of them. At that time, I told myself, you are my big brother, and I, Tian Tang, recognize only you as my big brother.”
Hei Se Di Yu wanted to say something, but Hei Se Tian Tang continued, his voice filled with longing: “After you deleted your character and left, we searched everywhere for you. When you entered Faith and changed your name to Hei Se Di Yu, I became Hei Se Tian Tang. When you joined the Dark Ranger Guild and stayed quiet, I didn’t oppose it. I knew it was because of that woman. In the end, you still asked me to leave, and I joined the Bull Tribe. When I first arrived here, I felt a bit out of place. I was arrogant. Later, I lost a duel against Bad Guy. Then, Dao Guang and Shui Se took me into dungeons and taught me many things. In the Bull Tribe, I learned what teamwork means and became brothers with Bad Guy and others. My perspective gradually changed. I asked myself, if one day you came here and asked me to leave with you, would I go? I asked myself countless times and finally got an answer. Brother, please forgive me. Tian Tang has decided to stay, to remain in the Bull Tribe.”
Upon hearing Hei Se Tian Tang’s words, Hei Se Di Yu felt a complex mix of emotions. It was he who had pushed Hei Se Tian Tang away, urging him to join the Bull Tribe. Tian Tang had found a sense of belonging, so he should be happy, yet why did his heart ache so much, as if someone had sliced into it? Reflecting, Hei Se Di Yu realized he had betrayed his brothers, causing them to drift apart one by one.
“Brother, I’m sorry. Since you left, Nan Shan was poached by rival guilds. That clown Mo Shu became the guild leader. Lao Liu and Xia Zi left too. I gradually realized that even if we found you, the Dark Ranger Guild would never be the same. Until you slaughtered Mo Shu and his gang, I knew that the Du Bu Tian Xia I admired and respected had returned. But Tian Tang is no longer the same naive follower. I’ve found my own path. Du Bu Brother, are you proud of me?” Tears streamed down Hei Se Tian Tang’s face as he looked at Hei Se Di Yu.
Hei Se Tian Tang’s words pierced Hei Se Di Yu’s heart like knives. Hei Se Di Yu felt lost, his heart aching. Once the glorious Du Bu Tian Xia, during his prime, had he ever considered his brothers’ feelings? He had founded the Dark Ranger Guild, and he had destroyed it.
Hei Se Tian Tang’s departure was an inevitable result—everything was his fault.
“I’ve already messaged Lao Liu and Xia Zi. They’re willing to join the Bull Tribe. Du Bu Brother, what are your plans next?” Hei Se Tian Tang asked. He understood that, given Hei Se Di Yu’s personality, he probably wouldn’t stay in the Bull Tribe and might choose to wander the world instead.
“I considered staying here for a while and taking you with me. I thought you’d come with me, but I was wrong,” Hei Se Di Yu said with a lonely smile.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. The one who should apologize is me!” Hei Se Di Yu patted Hei Se Tian Tang’s shoulder.
“Wherever I go, Tian Tang will always be your brother,” Hei Se Tian Tang said firmly and solemnly.
“Strange, I don’t feel like leaving anymore. Maybe I’m just tired. I’ll stay here and wait for Lao Liu and Xia Zi to come,” Hei Se Di Yu smiled. Rather than wandering the world, he preferred to stay here for now. He wanted to see what kind of guild the Bull Tribe was, one that had so profoundly influenced Hei Se Tian Tang.
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