The morning sun climbed higher as Luo Feng and Miya left the Silver Lantern Inn hand in hand. Kael and Lin Wang were still at the blacksmith, so the two of them walked alone through the bustling streets toward the tall stone building flying the blue-and-gold banner of the Adventurers Guild.
They pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside. The common room was loud and lively—adventurers of every kind sat at long tables, tankards clinking, laughter rolling like thunder. A group of burly warriors arm-wrestled in one corner. A pair of robed mages argued over a map. Barmaids wove between tables with foaming mugs. The air smelled of ale, roasted meat, and adventure.
Luo Feng walked straight to the long reception desk, Miya staying close at his side, her new lotus hairpin catching the lantern light. The receptionist—a sharp-eyed woman in her thirties with a guild badge pinned to her vest—looked up from her ledger.
"I want to register as an adventurer," Luo Feng said calmly, his voice steady and respectful.
The woman raised an eyebrow at the young, handsome traveler and the beautiful village girl beside him, but she didn't question. She slid a sheet of parchment and a quill across the desk. "Fill this out. Name, age, origin, any previous experience. Standard rules apply: no killing civilians, no stealing guild jobs, pay your taxes on earnings, and obey guild orders in emergencies. Break them and you'll be blacklisted across the kingdom."
Luo Feng filled the paper quickly in neat handwriting:
Name: Luo Feng
Age: 18
Origin: Eden Village
Experience: Farmer, hunter, protector of my people.
The receptionist nodded, then placed a smooth crystal orb on the desk—the Guild's Magic Testing Ball. It glowed faintly with inner light. "Touch it. This will measure your rank, magic affinity, abilities, and skills. Be honest. The orb never lies."
Miya squeezed his hand once for courage. Luo Feng reached out and laid his palm flat on the cool crystal.
The orb flared bright white, then settled into a steady blue glow. Words shimmered in the air above it for everyone nearby to see:
Rank: B
Magic Affinity: None
Skills:
Appraisal (Rare)
Stealth Specialist (Unique)
A hush fell over the nearest tables. Then the adventurers exploded into chatter.
"B-rank on his first registration? No magic, but those skills…"
"Appraisal and Stealth? That's a scouting monster right there."
"Did you see that? The orb almost cracked!"
Miya's eyes shone with quiet pride. She leaned closer to Luo Feng, whispering, "They're all talking about you… my strong, quiet farmer."
The receptionist stared at the floating words, then at Luo Feng with new respect. She stamped the parchment with the guild seal and handed him a simple bronze badge engraved with a sword and shield. "Welcome to the Adventurers Guild, Luo Feng of Eden Village. You're officially B-rank. Your card will update automatically as you complete quests. The guild board is over there—take any job you want."
She leaned in a little and added with a small smile, "And between you and me… that Stealth skill will make you very popular with the higher-ups. Not many get Unique skills on day one."
Luo Feng bowed politely, clipping the badge to his simple shirt. "Thank you. We'll look at the board later."
He and Miya turned away from the desk. The guild hall kept buzzing—adventurers still chanting and laughing about the quiet newcomer who had just lit up the testing orb like a small legend. No one knew he was the sixth soul the Goddess had thrown away, or that the farmer from Churachandpur now carried enough secrets and gold to change an entire village forever.
Miya slipped her arm through his as they walked toward the quest board. "What now, my love?" she asked softly, eyes full of trust and love.
Luo Feng looked down at her, his calm smile warm. "Now we wait one more week for the weapons… and then we go home. Together."