Mana flowed from Lily''s fingertips into the teleportation scroll, and a bright blue six-pointed star array instantly engulfed John and his team.


    The scenery around them changed dramatically.


    After a brief moment of dizziness, they found themselves back in Ad Vige!


    As the initial starting vige for all yers, every yer held a special sentiment for this ce.


    Even after nearly three months, some yers still chose to stay in Ad Vige, enjoying its rare tranquility.


    "I have to say,ing back asionally is quite nostalgic. I wonder how my little house is doing. Hopefully, no one else has taken it over."


    "Don''t worry about that. Each yer''s house is independent. Unless the owner permits, no other yer can enter."


    "John, does that mean, with over a billion yers, everyone started from the same vige? From the outside, the vige looks so small."


    A peaceful vige at the foot of a mountain couldn''t possibly amodate billions of yers at once.


    It seemed too far-fetched.


    "I''m not sure about that. It must be some kind of setting. Anyway, let''s move freely. We''ll meet at Vige Chief Haren''s house in an hour."


    The main reason John returned to Ad Vige was to meet Ferris.


    Ferris, the only cksmith in the vige, possessed remarkable skills yet willingly stayed in the novice vige to forge weapons for every adventurer.


    Although he was just an NPC, John had a deep fondness for him.


    Now, having obtained so many high-quality weapons and equipment, John naturally wanted to show them to Ferris.


    John vividly remembered that in his previous life, a yer had persistently helped Ferris collect various forging materials, even giving Ferris a [Legendary] quality weapon to study.


    This ultimately triggered Ferris''s special quest.


    It was said that uponpleting the quest, Ferris forged a [Divine] quality weapon, which was unique in the game.


    In other words, it was the only one in the entire game!


    Though John didn''t know exactly who obtained the weapon in his previous life, he was determined that this time, the [Divine] equipment would belong to him!


    With this in mind, John headed straight to the cksmith''s shop.


    As he pushed open the door, he almost collided with a small boy who looked about eight or nine years old, just about to leave.


    They bumped into each other.


    "Ouch! That hurts…"


    The boy staggered back a few steps, his nose turning red visibly, and his eyes welling up with tears.


    Seeing this, John quickly stepped back and apologized, "Sorry, I didn''t mean to bump into you."


    "It''s okay, it''s my fault for not watching where I was going. Big brother, are you here to see Uncle Ferris for a quest too?"


    John paused for a moment, then smiled and replied, "Yes, I''m here for a quest as well."


    "Really? I just got a quest and I''m off toplete it now. Bye, big brother!"


    The boy waved at John and then hopped out of the cksmith''s shop.


    Watching the boy''s retreating figure, John couldn''t help but sigh.


    Due to the previous disaster that had raged for seven days, most of the young children and the elderly had perished.


    Even having lived through two lives, this was the first time John had seen a yer so young, surviving for three months no less.


    John found it hard to imagine how such a young child managed to survive in the real world.


    While lost in thought, the sound of rhythmic hammering drew John''s attention.


    "John! My friend, long time no see! Have you returned from your adventures?"


    Ferris walked up,ughing heartily, and gave John a strong hug.


    "The adventure is far from over. I just came back during my free time to see you and to bring you some good stuff."


    "What good stuff? Is it ore? Demir iron from Calia! Or perhaps the unique entangled vines from the Deep Forest?"


    "You''ll have to see for yourself."


    John smirked, waving his hand.


    The ores and materials from his backpack materialized, piling up into a small mountain in Ferris''s workshop!


    "Ferris, a gift for you!"


    "This! So much? John, this is too precious, I can''t..."


    "Can''t what? Just take it. Didn''t we agree? When you be the best cksmith in the world, you''ll craft me the sharpest weapon ever. This is just the beginning."


    John said, extracting two [Epic] quality items, handing one to Ferris.


    "I can''t stay long this time. I''ll bring you more high-quality weapons and equipment in the future. Your job is to understand the forging principles of these items and be the best cksmith in the world!"


    Hearing this, Ferris''s skin, perpetually reddened from the heat of the forge, now seemed to flush as if stained with blood.


    He was so excited he could hardly speak.


    "John, my brother! I won''t let you down!"


    "Work hard, Ferris. We both must. For now, I need to reunite with mypanions. See you soon."


    Leaving the cksmith''s shop, John thought about it and decided there was nothing pressing at home.


    He headed straight to Vige Chief Haren''s house, surprised to find Lily and the others already there.


    "Ah! We were just talking about you, Johnny. Didn''t expect you back so soon!"


    "Oh? What were you saying about me? Not secretly badmouthing me, I hope?"


    John smiled as he walked forward, shaking Haren''s hand.


    "Chief, I''vee to see you."


    "Good child, you''ve grown stronger, and it seems taller too?"


    Vige Chief Haren patted John''s shoulder with a smile. "Since you left, I''ve been worrying about you and Lily, fearing you might encounter danger. Seeing your achievements now, it makes me very happy! I even heard that Lily is now the best adventurer!"


    "No way, I still have a long way to go, Chief..."


    Blushing at the praise, Lily shyly lowered her head.


    "The vige chief believes you can achieve great things, especially you, Lily. Make sure to take good care of yourself."


    "I will, Chief!"


    This is the difference that intimacy brings.


    Because John and Lily had raised their intimacy levels with Chief Haren to above level seven before leaving, Haren took a special interest in their rumors and news.


    yers like Exiled Immortal and Helena, who hadn''t paid attention to such details, could only feel envious now.


    In a game world, having someone who constantly thinks about you, always expecting the best for you like a family member, would make anyone envious.


    "If I had known, I would have raised my intimacy level too..."


    "Hmm? What did you say? Speaking of which, you seem a bit unfamiliar, child. Are you from Ad Vige, or are you a friend of John and hispanions?"


    Exiled Immortal: "..."


    "Chief, I''m from Ad Vige too. I just usually keep a low profile, so maybe you don''t recognize me."


    "Oh... that could be it. But you''re great too, of course."


    The vige chief patted Exiled Immortal on the shoulder, his smile noticeably less genuine and warm, making Exiled Immortal feel even more disheartened.


    "Chief, I have a few questions to ask you. Has anything strange happened in the vige recently?"


    "Strange? Not really, except the number of monsters near the vige has decreased significantly. I''m not sure if that counts as a change."


    "Hmm... that probably doesn''t count, given there are so manypanions in the vige. Don''t worry, Chief. I''m just asking casually. The vige''s peace and tranquility are good—they give it a homely feel.


    It''s gettingte. We came back just to visit on our way. We''re heading to the [Deep Forest] next, so we might not be able to visit for a while. Take care of yourself, Grandpa Chief."


    "Don''t worry. I won''t have any problems until I see your names celebrated on Mount Olympus. John, Lily, my children, may the gods be with you!"