Chapter Twenty-Nine: Joining

It wasn’t long before people began to arrive at Wang Xiao’s place.

Wang Xue was the first to show up; the others were probably still gathering their things. She was the same friend who had sold Wang Xiao the blueprints before. Wang Xue had always been quite intrigued by Wang Xiao, and the moment he released his location, she was the first to come.

The surroundings were desolate, even less inviting than where she’d been before. But what was with this enormous pile of bones in front of her?

“Let’s take a look. Maybe there’s something valuable here,” Wang Xue thought, creeping forward cautiously. As she got closer, she realized the thing was alive!

“No way, am I here to deliver myself as a meal?” she blurted out.

Little Bone shifted slightly in its sleep; as for Wang Xue, Wang Xiao had already instructed it—so long as she didn’t attack, it wasn’t to bother her.

But Wang Xue was terrified by Little Bone. “This is it, I’m dead for sure,” she muttered, turning to run and forgetting entirely why she’d come. All she wanted now was to get away as fast as possible.

But just as she was about to flee, she caught sight of a man standing atop the giant creature.

Could it be…

Wang Xue began shouting loudly, “Hey, hey! I was invited here by Lord Wang Xiao!”

She quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, but seeing that the creature took no notice of her, she called out again.

Yes, Wang Xue felt her courage returning. She began to jump and wave her arms, looking every bit like an excited child.

High above, Wang Xiao stood at the highest point on Little Bone’s back, waiting to welcome the newcomers. He hadn’t intended to receive them in person, but worried that the sight of Little Bone might scare them away, he decided it was necessary.

A voice drifted up to Wang Xiao’s ears. Yes, someone had arrived. He followed the sound and saw a figure bouncing and calling out, his own name featuring in nearly every sentence.

When Wang Xue saw that Wang Xiao had noticed her, she became even more enthusiastic, shouting louder and leaping higher. In Wang Xiao’s eyes, she looked like a child with far too much energy.

Expressionless, Wang Xiao leapt from Little Bone’s back. Wings unfurled from his shoulders, and with a powerful beat just before landing, he touched down gracefully.

Yes, first impressions were important in front of one’s own people.

“Weren’t children and the elderly supposed to be excluded from this?” he said.

Wang Xue bristled. “I’m already an adult!”

Oh my, a legal loli, he thought. Cute enough, but as flat as a runway.

“Ha, sorry, my mistake.”

Seeing Wang Xiao apologize, Wang Xue let the matter drop. “Hello, I’m Wang Xue. You’re amazing, jumping down from such a height.”

Good, he thought, I like hearing that. Maybe say it a couple more times.

“Hello,” he replied.

After a moment’s hesitation, Wang Xue asked, “Were you also invited here by Lord Wang Xiao?”

Wang Xiao’s face darkened. Did he really lack that much leaderly presence?

“Actually, I’m Wang Xiao,” he said, rubbing his nose awkwardly.

Wang Xue felt embarrassed—so this was Wang Xiao? He didn’t quite match the legendary image she’d imagined.

She decided to change the subject. “So, how do I join?”

“No need to worry about that now,” Wang Xiao replied. “Come up with me—we’ll wait for the others.”

“Oh, alright. But… how do I get up there?” Wang Xue asked, pointing at Little Bone.

“Little Bone, bring us up.”

At Wang Xiao’s command, a staircase of bones extended down from Little Bone’s back.

What a fierce beast to have the name ‘Little Bone.’ Clearly, the lord here had no talent for naming things.

“Come on,” Wang Xiao called.

Wang Xue snapped out of her daze to see Wang Xiao already standing on the stairs. She hurried to his side, her short legs scrambling to keep up.

Faced with the steep stairs, Wang Xue felt drained. How she hated climbing stairs!

She had no idea that Wang Xiao had seen every nuance of her expression.

The staircase began to move—Little Bone’s version of an elevator. Instantly, Wang Xue was delighted. Now, this was considerate—walking would have been exhausting.

Wang Xiao had already informed the others about the situation, assuring them there was nothing to fear.

Night fell, and those invited by Wang Xiao had all arrived by then.

That day, they spent in a constant state of amazement. Some went weak in the knees at the sight of Little Bone, but upon learning that the giant beast was merely Wang Xiao’s pet, their courage returned.

Many even boasted in the Eastern Region channel: “You might not believe this, but our territory can move.”

They also took turns trying out Little Bone’s “elevator.”

When they saw the crops growing on the second tier, their astonishment grew. They’d been in this world for a month and had never seen so much food in one place.

Especially vegetables—such abundance was unimaginable. It was clear that the life of a true master was beyond their comprehension.

Among them were a few former chefs. Wang Xiao put them to work preparing a fine meal to welcome everyone. This was their first banquet since coming to this world.

The ingredients were top-notch, and the chefs knew their craft. It was probably the best meal most had eaten in the entire month.

Steamed rice—how many had longed for it? Tonight, they finally had it, and they could have it again in the future.

A few mischievous souls even ran back to the Eastern Region channel to show off, provoking a wave of envy.

The bonfire cast a warm glow on every face, each one shining with hope. Hope inspired by Wang Xiao, hope for the future.

Men and women alike talked freely, the atmosphere entirely different from chatting in a channel. Some, in the midst of conversation, even formed sworn brotherhoods.

Once everyone had eaten their fill, Wang Xiao climbed to the highest point to address them.

Seeing their leader ready to speak, everyone fell silent.

“Greetings, everyone. It is fate that brings us together here today,” Wang Xiao began. “First, I want to welcome you all to our new family!”

A wave of genuine applause broke out.

“You’ve all noticed the stone monument at the center, I’m sure?”

All eyes turned to the stone, which stood tall and unadorned at the heart of the gathering.

People exchanged puzzled glances, unsure why Wang Xiao brought it up.

“That stone will record the names of all who join us,” Wang Xiao explained.

With that, he walked over, picked up a small knife, and slashed his finger, writing his name on the stone. At once, a golden light flashed, and his name appeared at the top.

After witnessing this, everyone understood how to join Wang Xiao’s territory.

“Well? Have you made up your minds?” Wang Xiao asked.

Someone shouted, “Follow Lord Wang Xiao and you’ll never go hungry!”

That person strode to the monument and, without hesitation, wrote his name.

No one hesitated after that. They had come here to join Wang Xiao, and there was no reason to back down now.

Soon, every name was inscribed.

They would never regret their decision today—and they would only grow more certain in the days to come.