Gremio.

—The information is requested on the third floor —the receptionist said calmly.

Without waiting for a response, she led him up a staircase to the upper level. Upon arrival, she briefly explained:

—There are three levels of information: basic, intermediate, and high. Prices and access vary depending on the complexity and exclusivity. There is also the option to request a special assignment, though it is more expensive and slower.

Bai Xuebing nodded with a minimal gesture, avoiding distractions as they walked down a corridor illuminated by spiritual lamps emitting warm light.

At the end of the hallway, they passed through a door into an austere room protected by powerful spiritual barriers. The receptionist left him alone, closing the door behind her.

It was a black room, the walls made of polished rock, and the only decoration was a painting of the guild's symbol.

The atmosphere changed. The air seemed dense, charged with contained energy, and the silence was almost oppressive until a neutral, ominous voice broke the stillness:

—Information. What do you desire?

Bai Xuebing, maintaining his composure, answered directly:

—I want information about a sect.

—Name.

—Blue Heron Sect.

There was a long silence. Bai Xuebing felt how the fluctuations in the air revealed the activity of the spiritual systems analyzing his request. Finally, the voice spoke again:

—There are no records about this sect in our network.

Bai Xuebing frowned slightly.

—Is it possible to investigate it?

—Yes, but it is a personal request. Since there is no prior information and the necessary resources will be significant, the cost will be high and it could take years, as this information is unknown.

The voice paused for a moment, as if hesitating, before adding with a more personal tone:

—Client, I must warn you that, from my experience, you would be wasting your time and money.

The statement took him by surprise. The usual neutrality of the guild seemed absent.

The guild where Bai Xuebing was located was one of the few organizations capable of rivaling sects and clans specialized in gathering information. Its network was extensive, with multiple branches spread across the continent, allowing access to data that few could obtain.

This capability made it a reliable source, but also ruthless. One of its main sources of income came precisely from these assignments, where they offered results in exchange for exorbitant prices, taking advantage of their clients' desperation.

That is why it was unusual for someone from the guild to suggest that Bai Xuebing not spend his money on this assignment. The warning not only went against their usual policy but seemed to hide a personal interest.

—Why do you say that? —he asked, both intrigued and distrustful.

After a dense pause, the voice replied:

—Because I want to thank you.

Bai Xuebing raised an eyebrow.

—Thank me? I don't remember helping you, or even meeting you.

—Maybe you don't know me, but I know you. We gather information about everyone who enters and exits the city. I saw when you eliminated those bandits.

Bai Xuebing remained silent, but the voice continued:

—My main star has the attribute of concealment. I can hide, but I don't have the strength to protect myself or avenge my own. Those bandits… they killed my daughter. I tried to seek revenge, but I was stopped. The guild considered me too valuable as an informant to risk my life. I couldn't do anything, but you… you did what I could never achieve.

Bai Xuebing vaguely remembered the incident. To him, they had been mere obstacles.

—And what does that have to do with your warning?

—Everything. I saw in your eyes the same look I had: hatred, despair, a thirst for vengeance. I understand what you seek, but if you allow this matter to drag on, that waiting will consume you. I just wanted to warn you, because I owe you that.

The silence in the room became oppressive, as if the unspoken words filled the air. Finally, Bai Xuebing broke the stillness with a firm voice:

—I will take it into account.

The voice responded in a more neutral tone, though carrying some respect:

—If you still insist on seeking information, I recommend traveling to Yanshi Guo Country. There is the Star of Knowledge Sect, the number one in information gathering across the continent. I hope this will be useful to you… and, again, thank you.

With nothing more to add, Bai Xuebing turned on his heels and left the room, his mind already planning the next move.

The receptionist was no longer waiting by the stairs, but firmly at the counter.

—Would you like anything else, customer?

—Yes, I need a route to Yanshi Guo.

Once he mentioned the destination, the receptionist's expression shifted to one of fear, her lips trembling with anxiety.

—Customer, you don't want to go there. It's dangerous, not just the route but the country itself has been at war for two years.

—Do you have it or not? —he asked curtly, his gaze emptier than ever, even sending a chill down the young woman's spine.

Down on the first floor, she gave him the directions and more. Once he had this information, Bai Xuebing did the math for his trip. Since he didn't depend on anyone, he lacked enough resources and had to rely on himself. With the capital he had, he couldn't travel.

Although he earned a lot selling skins and cores, it didn't even cover half of the expenses. Most importantly, he would need more to pay the price when he reached the Star of Knowledge Sect.

He truly needed the money but had nothing left to sell. He sat, pondering his situation, when he glanced at the large mural and an idea struck him.

Join the guild and complete assignments to accumulate enough to fund his trip.

—I'd like to join the guild...

—Eh?

The receptionist, still confused, blinked several times before regaining her composure.

—Customer... joining the guild is not that simple. There are requirements to fulfill and a process that...

—I'm not asking for a favor. Just tell me what I need to do —Bai Xuebing interrupted, his voice firm and unyielding.

The young woman swallowed nervously, intimidated by his empty gaze. Finally, she pointed to a bulletin board at the back of the main hall.

—There you'll find the available assignments. However, to formalize your entry, you must first pass an evaluation test.

—Test? —Bai Xuebing asked, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes.

—Yes, customer. All applicants must complete an initial mission assigned by the guild. It's our way of assessing skills and establishing your rank in the hierarchy.

—Where do I apply?

—Wait here. I'll bring the person in charge.

The receptionist disappeared through a side door, leaving Bai Xuebing surrounded by the bustling guild. Cultivators came and went: some carried weapons covered in dried blood, others lugged sacks of glowing spiritual materials. The air buzzed with business and urgent conversations.

Minutes later, a tall, sturdy man appeared with the receptionist. He wore light armor adorned with runes and carried an imposing axe on his back. His eyes scanned Bai Xuebing with the scrutiny of someone who knows how to gauge danger in people.

—I'm Guo Tian, admissions supervisor. You want to join the guild?

—That's right.

—Perfect. We need capable hands. But first... —Guo Tian pointed toward the front door— show me that you can handle yourself.

Bai Xuebing raised an eyebrow.

—What do you need me to do?

Guo Tian flashed a crooked smile, as if enjoying the challenge.

—There's a pack of spiritual wolves in the hills to the north. Their leaders have been causing problems for merchants. Eliminate the two alphas and bring back their cores as proof. Don't worry, I'll give you a map.

Bai Xuebing took the map without hesitation.

—I'll return before nightfall.

Guo Tian chuckled briefly.

—Let's see if you can keep your word.

Bai Xuebing didn't respond. With a swift turn of his cloak, he exited the guild.

In sects, accepting a new member meant a rigorous evaluation of their cultivation level, techniques, and potential. However, for guilds, these details were secondary. What really mattered was ability. It didn't matter how insignificant someone seemed; if a mantis could kill a snake.

In this world, strength was the pillar that ruled everything, but it was useless if one couldn't sustain it. In the end, it wasn't raw power that determined the victor, but the ability to use it with precision and efficiency.

The fresh air of the hills greeted him as he followed the path indicated on the map. His spear rested on his shoulder, an imposing weapon with a tip as black as night, designed to be a perfect conduit for his blood energy.

The roar of a wolf echoed in the distance. Bai Xuebing stopped, observing the terrain. The deep tracks and fresh bloodstains were clear signs that the pack was near.

He moved calmly to a clearing, where the wolves gathered around two leaders. The alphas were imposing, with dark fur that gleamed under the sunset light, and eyes that burned with spiritual brilliance. The pressure of their energy was enough to intimidate any average cultivator, but Bai Xuebing was not one of them.

He let his blood energy flow from his core, creating a spear that enveloped the blade in a faint crimson glow. The wolves noticed his presence instantly. A low growl became a howl that alerted the entire pack.

—Perfect —Bai Xuebing whispered, stepping forward.

The first wolf charged at him with speed, but Bai Xuebing spun his spear in a fluid motion. The black tip pierced the animal, draining its blood upon contact. With a skilled move, he unleashed his Black Fangs style: a whirlwind of cuts charged with energy that struck three more wolves in the blink of an eye.

The alpha leaders reacted immediately, launching a coordinated attack toward him. Bai Xuebing dodged with precise movements, each step calculated to maximize his advantage. When one of the alphas tried to attack his side, he turned his spear and focused his energy into the tip.

—Savage Fang!

A horizontal cut released a burst of crimson energy that shredded the alpha, leaving a trail of blood floating in the air. The remaining energy flowed back into the spear, strengthening Bai Xuebing's core.

The last alpha retreated, but Bai Xuebing didn't give him a chance to escape. With a leap, he drove his spear into the beast's neck, draining all its blood in an instant.

The battle was over in minutes. Bai Xuebing took the spiritual cores of the leaders along with their skins.

As he returned to the guild, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face. "If this is just the beginning, this guild will give me more resources than I expected."

With a swift motion, he stored the spiritual cores in his ring along with the skins. As he crossed the city gates, the gazes of passersby fell upon him, some filled with curiosity and others with fear, but he ignored them.

His goal was clear: to prove that his ability was more than enough to earn a place in this guild.

The guild building loomed ahead, with lights already lit as activity inside seemed to never diminish. As he entered, the noise of conversations and the clash of weapons echoed, but everything seemed to pause for a moment when Bai Xuebing crossed the threshold.

The cultivators watched him, some with disdain and others with interest, but he didn't stop to meet their gazes.

He went directly to the counter, where the receptionist from before waited with a mixture of disbelief and relief.

—Do you have them? —she asked, though the answer was obvious.

Bai Xuebing placed the spiritual cores on the table with a sharp thud.

—Here they are.

The young woman blinked, surprised by how quickly he had completed the mission. Before she could say anything, Guo Tian appeared behind her, arms crossed and a smile of approval on his face.

—Quick and efficient. Not bad for a rookie.

—Does this mean I'm in? —Bai Xuebing asked, cutting straight to the point.

Guo Tian chuckled again.

—Oh, don't get too excited yet. This was just the beginning. But yes, you have shown that you have what it takes to be considered. From now on, you are an official apprentice of the guild.

—Apprentice?

—Don't worry —Guo Tian replied, amused by the tone of discontent in Bai Xuebing's voice— Earn enough points with the missions and you'll rise quickly. This guild rewards those who earn it.

Bai Xuebing nodded, his gaze fixed on Guo Tian.

—Then give me the next mission.

Guo Tian raised an eyebrow, impressed by the young man's determination.

—Rest first, kid. We need you alive, not dead from exhaustion. But if you insist...

Guo Tian pulled a scroll from the inner pocket of his robe and placed it on the counter. Bai Xuebing took it, unrolling it to read the instructions.

A slight smile reappeared on his face as he thought to himself: "Points, rewards... not bad, but right now my priority is to make money and leave. The rest can wait."

—Perfect —he said aloud, rolling up the scroll decisively.

"The numbers are beautiful, money is beautiful," he thought to himself as he looked at the rewards. Money had triggered a new phase in Bai Xuebing, having been born into poverty, without resources, not knowing if he would eat tomorrow, living hand to mouth. But now, with money in his hands, his instincts as a poor person kicked in.