It was half past six by the time we returned to the inn. Though we were all exhausted from a long day's work, everyone’s spirits were still high. “To celebrate Star's joining us, and today’s great haul!” Long Xin declared generously, “We’re having a feast tonight!

Eat whatever you want! Don’t hold back.” “Since the Leader is treating, we won’t stand on ceremony,” I said, knowing nothing of restraint. “Waiter, bring us one of every signature dish!” “And four pots of the finest Jade Carving Maiden wine!” Long Zhan certainly wasn’t going to pass up such a rare opportunity.

The inn’s signature dishes were numerous—twelve massive plates in total—and they were exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, almost filling the entire table! They were in no way inferior to the Chinese cuisine of my previous life. The four of us ate with ravenous appetites, and after a satisfying meal and plenty of wine, we were all flushed and full, barely able to move.

“Hic!” Long Zhan let out a contented burp. “So full!” Hehe! Long Xin, equally unladylike, patted her rounded stomach and leaned back in her chair with a sigh of contentment.

With nothing pressing to do, we sat there, our conversation revolving around the future development of our guild and our respective insights into martial arts. Since Long Zhan and I were both Warriors, our topics naturally overlapped more frequently. “So, after mastering the Offensive Sword Technique, what are your plans?” Long Zhan asked.

“I think I’ll head to the Ant Cave in Mengzhong,” I replied. This was actually something I had planned for a while, but now that I had joined the Wandering Dragon Guild, I felt obliged to devote some thought to the guild’s progress. “To cultivate the Assassination Sword Technique?” “Mm,” I nodded slightly.

“That’s perfect then!” Long Qi mused, calculating. “At our current pace, completing the quest should take about four days. I believe by the time the task is done, you should have figured out your Offensive Sword Technique too!

We can all go to Mengzhong together then!” “Ah! You’re going to Mengzhong too?” I was a little surprised! “What’s so strange about that?” Long Xin explained with a smile.

“Although we formed a guild, it was primarily for convenience in taking on quests. Our main focus is skill cultivation! If it weren't to reach a Level Two guild for better convenience in future cultivation, we would have gone to Mengzhong long ago.

Why would we be doing tedious collection quests in the Skeleton Cave?” “Hehe! But I’m glad we went! Otherwise, how would I have met you!” Long Qi added, sounding quite reflective.

“So that’s how it is!” I finally understood the reason for their appearance in the Skeleton Cave. “Then you’re heading to the Ant Cave to cultivate higher-level skills too?” “Yes!” Long Zhan confirmed. “I’ve been practicing my Offensive Sword Technique for half a year now.

It’s time to go to the Ant Cave to advance my training!” It seems I won’t be lonely in the future, I thought to myself, and with them leading the way, many hassles could be avoided. “You two carry on talking; I’m going to take a bath!” Long Xin struggled to stand up, clearly not having fully digested her meal yet. Afterward, Long Qi, Long Zhan, and I chatted intermittently.

I also learned that the three of them were noble scions from the Long Family of Beichuan in White Dagger City. They had only started cultivating externally to complete their studies and broaden their horizons, gaining experience for managing family affairs in the future. This was a peculiar tradition among the nobility of the Fama Continent: every noble heir had to undergo a period of tempering outside before being qualified to either inherit the family business or become a pillar of the clan.

During this period, all expenses and costs had to be earned through their own efforts. Furthermore, each noble heir out in the field had to achieve certain milestones. For example, Long Zhan’s objective was to advance to a High-Rank Warrior, the prerequisite for which was completing the Assassination Sword Style and obtaining the Level 28 Warrior Honor Medal issued by the Ranger Guild.

On top of that, he needed to earn a full ten thousand gold coins during this time to be considered fully passed. The standards for Long Xin and Long Qi were likely similar. Such a tradition had been passed down for five thousand years, and one had to admit that these trials set by the nobles were quite sensible.

During this tempering, the noble heirs encountered all sorts of unimaginable difficulties, thoroughly testing their resolve and perseverance. Those with poor character were easily eliminated. Those who passed became the elite of the elite.

With such refined heirs taking over the family business or becoming vital pillars, the family’s prosperity and longevity were naturally assured. On the Fama Continent, countless ancient, prominent families existed, some maintaining their vigor for three thousand years, largely thanks to this ancient custom. After a short rest, we went upstairs together, and to my surprise, their room was just across the corridor from mine.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, completely relaxing my body. My mind endlessly replayed the scenes of fighting the Skeleton Generals in the Skeleton Cave during the day, trying to find any areas for improvement. However, after thinking for quite a while, I reached no conclusion.

Perhaps the Skeleton Generals were too weak, and as a result, the combat against them hadn't exposed the shortcomings of my blade work. But I was certain that as the monsters I faced grew stronger, the weaknesses in my blade style would gradually surface. Still, these were things I couldn't imagine out of thin air; thus, solutions could only be sought when problems actually arose—after all, practice yields true knowledge.

Putting the blade work issues aside for the moment, I had been out for six days now, so I decided to write a letter home. At least this way, Mom and Feng wouldn't worry about me anymore. As soon as I decided, I spent an hour finally finishing the letter.

The next morning, I hurried to the post office in town and mailed the letter. When I returned to the inn, I arrived just as Long Xin and the others were having breakfast. Naturally, I joined them at their table.

“Later, we need to hit the announcement board to turn in the Skeleton Eyes we collected yesterday,” Long Xin calculated while munching on bread. “And Star, you’ll come with us to take the Ranger Certificate exam.” “Don’t forget! We also need to hire a few people to help us collect Skeleton Eyes,” Long Qi instructed, then added after a moment’s thought, “We should hire seven people; I don't want a repeat of yesterday.” “Hehe!” Long Zhan chuckled, affecting an air of lingering fear.

“That goes without saying!” Long Xin continued. “But, you and Zhan, head to the Skeleton Cave first and gather the Skeleton Eyes we couldn’t collect yesterday, just so others don't pick up what’s ours for cheap. Remember, we aren't the only ones who took this quest.” “Mm!” Long Qi and Long Zhan nodded in unison.

After breakfast, Long Qi and Long Zhan immediately set off for the Skeleton Cave, while I followed Long Xin to the announcement board to submit the quest and, incidentally, take the Ranger Certificate exam. The announcement board in the Fama world was somewhat similar to train stations in my previous life. Outside in the open air was just a massive signboard bearing the words "Rongcheng Maple Leaf Town Ranger Guild." Behind this sign was a large building, spacious inside, about the size of half a soccer field, with clearly categorized Ranger quest lists lining the walls.

This reminded me of the train schedules I used to see at stations. Although dawn had barely broken, the area around the announcement board was already crowded with a dense mass of people, most of them Rangers armed with weapons, many wearing unified uniforms and displaying guild insignia to show their identity and affiliation. Contrary to my expectations, despite the large crowd, the area wasn't noisy.

Many people were intently studying the quest lists, selecting tasks they deemed suitable. Once a suitable task number was chosen, they would take the corresponding numbered token from the board to the dedicated task acceptance counter to handle the submission procedures. The entire process was very simple and clear, possessing a distinctly modern automated office feel.

However, more people were gathered around the central liquor cabinet, drinking and chatting. It seemed this place doubled as a tavern in addition to posting Ranger quests. It made sense; with so many capable and high-spirited Rangers gathered, it was hard to imagine what the scene would be like without organized leisure activities.

Drinking and chatting were undoubtedly the most effective pastimes. “Quest Number 0453,” Long Xin led me to the submission counter near the west wall and pulled out a palm-sized square token from her waist pouch—this was the Wandering Dragon Guild's token for this mission. Long Xin handed the token to the Guild administrative staff member stationed at the counter.

“Mm, Quest Number 0453 requires collecting 150,000 Skeleton Eyes within half a month!” The administrator at the counter, a tall man in his thirties, quickly checked their mission manifest after taking the token. “We’ll submit thirty thousand today!” Long Xin reached into the backpack behind her and placed fifteen small bundles on the counter. “Wandering Dragon Guild!” The administrator looked at Long Xin and me with surprise, scrutinizing us closely.

“I recall the Wandering Dragon Guild was established only three days ago. I didn't expect you to have already collected thirty thousand Skeleton Eyes; your speed is truly remarkable!” “Hehe, well, yes!” Long Xin’s face flushed slightly, but she couldn't hide her proud, pleased expression. “Very well, the progress has been registered.” The administrator handed the token back to Long Xin.

“We look forward to your performance; keep up the good work!” “Thank you!” It seemed Long Xin, being a young girl, couldn't help but show delight when praised, but she didn't forget the main objective, pulling me toward another room! Above the doorway hung a horizontal plaque inscribed with the golden characters: Ranger Qualification Trial Arena. About a dozen youths, seemingly around sixteen or seventeen, were lined up outside the door.

It appeared they were here for the Ranger qualification trial, just like me. I counted carefully: fifteen in total. Judging by their weapons, I discerned ten Warriors, three Mages, and two Daoists.

As I observed them, they too were curiously examining me. I knew my strange blade must have caught their attention. Weaponry on the Fama Continent generally followed universal standard equipment with clear level markings.

For those undergoing trials now, the Warriors all carried the standard Eight Desolations Blade, the Mages held the Trident of Sea Souls, and the Daoists carried the small Crescent Moon Scimitar. My blade wasn't an Eight Desolations Blade; moreover, they couldn't tell what kind of weapon it was—it looked like both a sword and a saber, with an unusual design, so it was no wonder it drew their attention. However, after a brief look, they returned to preparing their minds.

After all, while standard equipment was common on the continent, it didn’t mean no one used their unique personal weapons; they were just less frequent. Soon it was my turn for the trial. It was a very strange, large room, easily the size of a basketball court, square in shape, and packed with a dense crowd of scarecrows—which was quite unexpected.

I hadn’t anticipated that straw men would be my trial opponents. A rough estimate suggested there were over fifty scarecrows in there, which instantly settled my nerves. I instantly activated my movement technique and charged into the middle of the scarecrow group.

A few swings dispatched the heads of several straw men. My current strength far surpassed my previous capabilities. Dealing with a few dozen scarecrows was no longer an issue.

And then, just as I chopped down the last scarecrow, the room door flew open. An administrator was waiting outside and handed me a card the size of a business card. “Number 57342, qualification trial passed.

Congratulations, young man! From today onward, you are a qualified Ranger. I hope you continue to work hard.” “Thank you!” I respectfully accepted the card and tucked it away carefully.

By the time I walked out the main door, it was half past six. Long Xin led me to find seven Dongbao—the term Dongbao was equivalent to modern temporary workers; the name itself was rather strange. The seven Dongbao were all around forty years old, two men and five women.

When the seven first heard they were going to the Skeleton Cave, they were so frightened they immediately turned to leave. It took Long Xin considerable effort and a heavy hike in wages—up to two silver coins per person per day, which was four times the normal Dongbao commission—and repeated assurances that they would only be collecting Skeleton Eyes with absolutely no danger, to persuade the seven to follow us up the mountain. It was half past seven by the time we reached the Skeleton Cave.

Long Qi and Long Zhan had each already collected a large bag’s worth of Skeleton Eyes. “Phew! Finally waited for you guys!” Long Qi looked greatly relieved.

The seven Dongbao behind us were startled by the dense piles of Skeleton remains on the ground. As locals, they certainly knew how terrifying the Skeleton Generals were. Now, they saw Skeleton Generals lying on the ground in swathes, all bearing a single, shared characteristic: decapitated by a single strike.

“Heavens! What happened here? Did you all cut off the heads of these Skeleton Generals!” one of the seven Dongbao, clearly the leader, asked in shock.

“Hehe,” Long Qi only smiled faintly without explaining. “Isn’t this more convenient for you to collect?” As Long Qi spoke, he casually picked up a skull, inserted his thumbs, and with a hook and a pull, dug out two sparkling green orbs. The whole process was fluid and practiced.

“Y-yes! Understood!” The leading Dongbao forced a smile, repeatedly agreeing. Ordinary commoners always harbored a strange fear of Rangers and dared not press for further questions.