"Not bad, not bad, quite decisive! Go, deliver it to the Deepwater Floodwyrm. I look forward to your good news."

The old woman's eyes grew even deeper with meaning. Decisiveness was a commendable trait, but she wondered if this young fellow was acting against better judgment or wisely biding his time, gathering strength for the right moment. The former was unnecessary for them, as their Sword of Light was already under the high pressure of the Sakasi Empire. Another reckless one would only meet an unknown death. They needed someone who could preserve themselves, gather strength, and be favored by fate for the right moment.

After the old woman left, Zhou Heng took the badge from the wall, and a corresponding task prompt appeared on his retina...

[You have accepted the task "Deepwater Floodwyrm of Deepwater Cave"]

[Task Description: Please proceed to Deepwater Cave within the agreed time and deliver the "Light and Sword" badge to the Deepwater Floodwyrm]

[Task Duration: Within the agreed time]

[Task Reward: Unknown]

After reading the task description, Zhou Heng's eyes flickered. According to the "Fate Hint," he wasn't supposed to risk his life in the "Deepwater Cave," but rather do nothing and wait for the task to naturally complete after three days? With this in mind, Zhou Heng left the old woman's NPC cabin and continued exploring Little Bird Town while closing the task panel. "Deepwater Cave"? Whoever wants to go can go...

Wandering around, Zhou Heng arrived at a rather tall standalone building.

"Father, you're definitely crazy!"

A clear and bright female voice came from inside the building.

Search "pawℝead.com" for the original.

"What is the Black Bear Guild? Anyone who's been to Frost City knows! How dare you cooperate with them!"

"They came and started buying Blackwater Grass recklessly. You know better than I do what it's used for, old Mayor!"

"Are you trying to drag the entire Little Bird Town down with you?"

"Father, what exactly are you trying to do?"

As the woman's voice fell, a robust male voice responded.

"What do you know, little girl! Little Bird Town's finances are tight. If we can't collect enough 'taxes' this month, we'll both be fed to the Snakebirds. Do you want to watch as your body gets pecked apart?"

"And didn't I tell you not to return to Little Bird Town?"

"Now, immediately, get back to Frost City. You're not needed here!"

Clattering sounds of things being smashed followed.

"Father, you'll regret this! Collaborating with the Black Bear Guild is like asking a tiger for its skin."

An angry, delicate voice echoed from inside the building, and the next second, a woman about 163 cm tall with a lightly freckled Western face stormed out, full of anger. She pushed Zhou Heng aside and strode away.

"My young friend, I apologize for the scene. The Black Bear Guild is a guild formed by you descended players. Not only are they powerful, but they also have great foresight. Cooperating with them won't harm Little Bird Town's interests, rest assured."

[The cunning of fate strikes you at this moment. The seemingly amiable Mayor of Little Bird Town, whom you can't trust, was aware of the Deepwater Floodwyrm's corruption early on.]

[Fate gives you a hint]

[Fate Hint 1: Testing your intelligence and capability, with three lives in hand, in this vast "Infinite Expanse," who else but you? Engage the old Mayor, praise the Black Bear Guild, and gain the opportunity to join them. This relates to a nice little opportunity later on.]

[Fate Hint 2: Firmly refute the old Mayor, dismissing the Black Bear Guild as nothing special.]

After reading the hints on his retina, Zhou Heng agreed wholeheartedly.

"Mayor, you're right. The Black Bear Guild is quite reputable. Everyone I met praised the Black Bear Guild."

"I wonder if I have the chance to join the Black Bear Guild and contribute to its growth."

The Mayor looked Zhou Heng up and down, seeing no signs of deceit, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled.

"My young friend, may I ask what your random talent is? If you don't mind sharing, I have connections with the Black Bear Guild. If your talent is decent, I might be able to introduce you."

A flash of amusement passed through Zhou Heng's eyes, and he immediately put on a very honest and bitter expression.

"Mayor, don't laugh at me, but my talent is quite trashy. It permanently increases my attack by 15 points and my health and magic by 60 points, with no other effects. Sigh... it's only useful in the early stages."

The Mayor showed a look of understanding, with a hint of pity and disdain in his eyes. Such a talent was only useful at the start of the game; as time went on, it would become increasingly worthless.

After all, while others had percentage increases, his was a fixed value increase, and such a small amount at that. The difference in strength was clear with a simple calculation.

However, the Black Bear Guild would likely need such cannon fodder, as it was a trivial matter for him. With this in mind, the Mayor smiled meaningfully and said, "Young man, your talent is very useful in the early stages. If you're really interested in joining the Black Bear Guild, I can introduce you."

Zhou Heng was initially stunned, then displayed a very delighted demeanor: "Really? Thank you so much, Mayor. My respect for you is like the endless river, flowing continuously~"

Hearing this, the Mayor laughed heartily. Although the boy's talent was lacking, his flattery skills were not bad. Surely, the Black Bear Guild would need such a "talented" individual. With this thought, the Mayor didn't hesitate, calling a guard to take Zhou Heng to the Black Bear Guild's branch in Little Bird Town.

"Black Bear Ba, this is a member sent by the Mayor, with a decent talent, permanently increasing attack by 15 points and health and magic by 60 points."

The guard brought Zhou Heng to Black Bear Ba and briefly summarized Zhou Heng's situation. Seeing the obviously new-generation Zhou Heng, Black Bear Ba was about to dismiss him with "go back where you came from, the Black Bear Guild doesn't need trash," but swallowed his words, stood up, and walked over to Zhou Heng, patting him on the shoulder. "Kid, what's your name? Since the Mayor has taken a liking to you, our Black Bear Guild is happy to welcome capable people like you."

Faced with Black Bear Ba's enthusiasm, Zhou Heng put on a very shy expression and said, "In response to Brother Ba, I'm Zhou Heng, from Xia Nation, hehe~"

Black Bear Ba's eyes curved into crescents; he loved being called Brother Ba. "Good, good, good, Xiao Heng, from now on, you're a member of our Black Bear Guild."

[The Black Bear Guild's Little Bird Town branch has sent you a membership request. Do you accept?]

[Initiator: "Black Bear Ba"]

Without a second thought, Zhou Heng confirmed "accept."

Seeing the invitation accepted on the panel, Black Bear Ba grew more satisfied with Zhou Heng.

Who wouldn't love such disposable cannon fodder? It sped up his task progress and gave face to the old Mayor, a win-win.

"Xiao Heng, Brother Ba has a challenging task for you. Are you up for it?" Black Bear Ba asked with a smile, looking at Zhou Heng.