The system is the proficiency panel

Watching Pu Jianxing, Dao Yan and the other three turn into streams of light and disappear in the increasingly thick gray-brown miasma deep in the Quicksand Forest, Yun Shitian immediately moved closer to Lin Ji. Even in the dim light, his golden armor could not hide its sharpness, and his eyes flashed with eagerness.

"Lin Ji, now that they've all left, what's our mission? Just waiting around is so boring! How about... we go check out the core area?"

He rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation, as if he had already seen himself slaughtering everyone. Without even a second thought, Lin Ji shook his head in rejection, his tone calm but unquestionable.

"No."

When Yun Shitian heard Lin Ji reject the idea of ​​going to the core area, his shoulders slumped beneath his golden armor, his face filled with disappointment, as if he had just been splashed with a bucket of cold water. He scratched the back of his head, his golden armor making a slight scraping sound, and muttered unwillingly.

"Ah? You really aren't going? I'd like to stretch my legs!"

Lin Ji glanced at him.

"Shitian, we're new here and know nothing about the source of the corruption. Master Pu and his men are already taking a risk by investigating, so there's no need for us to recklessly jump in. Also, the talisman the Master gave us is a trump card, not a guarantee for reckless behavior."

He paused, his eyes sweeping across the distorted and gray scene at the edge of the Quicksand Forest, his eyes deep.

"Besides, we have more important things to do."

"Something more important?"

Yun Shitian's eyes lit up again and he took a step closer.

"What is it? A fight?"

Lin Ji shook his head slightly and looked towards the outskirts of the Quicksand Forest, vaguely seeing the direction of some relatively regular paths.

"Go to the Adventurer's Guild."

"Adventurer's Guild?"

Yun Shitian was stunned, then a look of disapproval appeared on his face.

"Didn't Daoyan say that? They're the weakest force here. What kind of profit can a bunch of people who just take on missions and run errands bring? They might as well go find that Ash Merchant Group!"

"Precisely because it is the weakest and the oldest, it is worth visiting."

Lin Ji analyzed calmly.

"Being the longest-standing means they likely possess the richest, most fundamental historical information and intelligence about the Shifting Sands, even information overlooked by other factions. The Ash Merchants are driven by profit, so their information is inevitably highly targeted and selective. The Embrace of the Rotmaw is a cult, and their information is extremely distorted. And the Adventurer's Guild... in order to survive and complete their missions, they must learn as much as possible about every dangerous creature in this forest, every possible terrain change, and every historical relic. This seemingly fragmentary, basic information is often the key to our planning and risk avoidance."

He looked at Yun Shitian and added.

"Furthermore, as outsiders, approaching the guild as an adventurer is the least conspicuous way. We can observe the locals' dynamics, learn the details of the current balance of power in the Quicksand Forest, and perhaps even uncover the latest details regarding the conflict between the Ash Merchants and the Embrace of the Corrupted Maw. Only by knowing both ourselves and our enemies can we win every battle."

Although Yun Shitian felt that fighting was more satisfying, Lin Ji's analysis was always well-reasoned and he knew the importance of the situation. He curled his lips and stretched his shoulders.

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say. Just think of it as going to the tavern to listen to stories! But we have a deal, if those guys don't know what's best for them or if there's a fight, don't stop me!"

Lin Ji's mouth curled up slightly.

"As long as you're not actively provoking trouble and are fighting back to protect yourself, I won't stop you. Let's go, restrain your aura. We're just two ordinary adventurers who have just arrived in the Quicksand Forest and want to try their luck."

The two men suppressed the powerful spiritual pressure typical of cultivators, leaving only the fluctuations expected of a cultivator in the realm of mind-building, equivalent to a high-level warrior or a seventh-ring mage in Aetheris. Lin Ji changed into a set of easy-to-move dark leather armor, covered with a nondescript gray cloak; Yun Shitian sheathed his signature golden armor and replaced it with a rather well-worn set of fine steel half-plate armor.

They walked along a trampled and relatively uncorrupted path towards the Adventurer's Guild headquarters indicated in Daoyan's intelligence.

The air outside the Quicksand Forest still stank of decay, and the ground felt uncomfortably soft. Twisted, withered trees bared their fangs and claws, their bark streaked with dark red veins like dried blood.

After walking for about half an hour, the road ahead opened up. On a relatively solid, open space stood a building constructed from massive, weathered logs and gray-black rocks. Its architecture was rugged and utilitarian, resembling a fortress, a stark contrast to the elegant refinement of the elves. Atop the roof hung a faded but still striking banner—a crossed sword and staff, with an unfurled scroll beneath—the emblem of the Adventurer's Guild.

The building's entrance was bustling with activity, making it seem much more lively than the rest of the forest. There were fully armed, weathered human warriors; half-elf rangers, longbows slung across their shoulders, their eyes alert; mage apprentices, wrapped in robes, emitting faint elemental energy; and even one or two stocky dwarves, carrying enormous packs. Most of them moved hurriedly, talking in low voices or checking their gear. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, leather, cheap tobacco, and a faint hint of tension.

"Hey, that's quite interesting."

Yun Shitian lowered his voice and looked around with a bit of curiosity.

"Although... the taste is a bit strong."

Lin Ji remained silent, his gaze scanning the surroundings sharply. The guild's doors were open, and from within came a cacophony of voices, the clinking of cups, and the shouting of quests. Standing at the door were two guards, wearing the guild's standard leather armor and wielding halberds, who observed everyone entering and leaving with a wary eye. Their strength was roughly equivalent to that of a mid- to late-stage Qi training cultivator, making them a formidable defensive force at the edge of the Quicksand Forest.

"Let's go in and take a look."

Lin Ji took the lead, followed closely by Yun Shitian.

As I entered the guild hall, I was immediately overwhelmed by the clamor and bustle. The hall was spacious and dimly lit, with a roaring fire burning in the fireplace against the wall, dispelling the cold and damp air from the forest.

In the center stood a large wooden counter, behind which stood several busy clerks, handling the assignments and registrations of adventurers. The walls were covered with densely packed quest boards, ranging from simple tasks like collecting herbs and clearing low-level monsters to high-risk quests like exploring specific areas and hunting powerful monsters. There were even several bounties for information on the whereabouts of the Cult of the Rotmaw Embrace. Many adventurers gathered around the boards, pointing and arguing.

The hall was lined with rough wooden tables and benches, filled with adventurers of all stripes. Some drank, others boasted of their experiences, and others gathered together to whisper and plot. The air was filled with the smell of ale, roasted meat, sweat, and rust.

Lin Ji and Yun Shitian's arrival didn't attract much attention. Every day, new adventurers arrived, seeking wealth or opportunity in this cursed land. The two walked straight to the central reception counter.

An experienced-looking middle-aged female clerk behind the counter looked up at them with a professional, slightly tired smile on her face.

"Welcome to the Quicksand Outpost Guild. Are you two registering as new adventurers, or are you here to take on a quest?"

Lin Ji deliberately made his voice sound calm and steady with a hint of caution of a newcomer.

"We've just arrived at the Quicksand Forest and would like to register as adventurers to learn about the situation here and...possible opportunities."

As he spoke, he calmly placed a few silver coins (the common currency given by Elvis) on the counter, his movements natural and unobtrusive.

The female clerk skillfully put away the silver coins, and the smile on her face became a little more sincere.

"A wise choice. The registration fee is ten silver coins. Just provide basic identity information. The guild will protect member privacy."

She pushed over two parchment forms and a quill.

"Fill this out. Also, as a newbie, I suggest you take a look at the 'green' (easy) and 'blue' (normal) missions first to familiarize yourself with the environment. The Quicksand Forest, especially the deep part, is not a place for novices."

She pointed to the bulletin board on the wall.

"Especially recently, it's not peaceful."

"It's not peaceful?"

Yun Shitian couldn't help but interrupt, his voice a little louder, with his characteristic bluntness.

"Apart from those damn tree roots and cultists, what else could it be?"

His shout attracted the attention of people at several nearby tables, with a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of displeasure at being disturbed.

The female clerk frowned and lowered her voice.

"Keep your voice down, friend. The Embrace of the Rotmaw has been active recently, seemingly preparing for some large-scale ritual. The number of cultists patrolling has increased several times. And..."

She hesitated, her voice lowering even more.

"I heard that Ash and Rotmaw just had another fight in Weeping Gorge a few days ago, and it was quite a commotion. Many people were killed on both sides, and now anger is very high. The guild has also received several missions to investigate the conflict site and assess the risks. The rewards are good, but the risks... you know."

At this moment, a tall and strong man with a hideous scar on his face, who was probably drunk, sneered when he heard Yun Shitian's words and shouted drunkenly.

"Hey! Newbie! If you're afraid of death, don't come to the Quicksand Forest! Those tree roots are nothing! Cultists? Just chop them down! The Ash Merchants? A bunch of money-hungry hyenas! Want to know what's 'unsettled'? I'm telling you, the biggest unsettlement is you incompetent and noisy newbies!"

Yun Shitian couldn't stand this kind of provocation. He clenched his fist beneath his cloak, a fierce aura threatening to erupt. Lin Ji calmly held down his arm, a gentle but irresistible force emanating from him. He glanced coldly at the drunkard.

The drunkard was sobered up instantly by Lin Ji's gaze, as if he were stared at by a cold poisonous snake. A chill ran up his spine, and he choked back the rest of his words. He turned around angrily and gulped down the beer.

Lin Ji withdrew his gaze and turned to the female clerk, as if the previous incident had never happened.

"Thanks for the reminder. We will be cautious. Also, besides the mission bulletin board, will the guild provide a more detailed map of the area or... historical records? About what this forest looked like in the past, or some ancient legends?"

He asked about the key purpose of this trip.

The female clerk was stunned for a moment, then showed a

You really are the newcomer.

"A detailed map? That's a strategic resource. I have to buy it from Old Pipe, or exchange it for high-level mission points. As for the historical records..."

She pointed to a dimly lit bookshelf in the corner of the hall, piled high with dusty scrolls.

"There are some free miscellanies and legends over there, but it's hard to tell whether they're true or false. The truly valuable historical materials are all in the archives, and only senior members or teams that have completed specific tasks have permission to access them. Or..."

She rubbed her fingers together, the hint was obvious.

"You can occasionally find some at Old Pipe, if you can afford the price and he's in a good mood."

"Old pipe?"

Lin Ji wrote down the name.

"Look, that old man in the corner who naps with his pipe in his arms all day is him."

The clerk pointed to a dimly lit corner at the back of the hall. There was a small counter piled high with all kinds of strange items. An old wizard with gray hair, an unshaven beard, and wearing a greasy robe was huddled in a tattered armchair, holding a large brass pipe and seemed to be dozing off. Wisps of green smoke were still floating from the pipe.

Lin Ji's gaze fell on the inconspicuous corner and the seemingly sleepy old mage, and a clear understanding came to his mind. It seemed that if he wanted to obtain the dusty secrets of the Quicksand Forest and truly valuable information, whether it was maps or history, this mysterious merchant known as Old Pipe and the guild's archives, which required permission, were the key.

"I understand, thank you."

Lin Ji nodded to the clerk and, dragging the still-irritated Yun Shitian, walked toward a dark corner cluttered with debris. Yun Shitian turned back and glared at the drunk as they walked, earning a slap on the back of his head. The clamor of the Quicksand Forest Adventurer's Guild continued to boil behind them.