"Hello, we'd like to register a permanent team. Is that possible?" Lin Cheng asked the receptionist at the front desk.

"Sure! How many of you are there?" the receptionist smiled at Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng glanced back, counted the people, then replied.

"Six in total," Lin Cheng said, flashing pearly white teeth and grinning mischievously at her.

"Alright, please fill out this form," the receptionist said, handing over an A4 sheet. Bold letters read 'Adventurer Team Registration', followed by terms below.

Lin Cheng took it, glanced once, then grabbed the pen she offered and started scribbling furiously.

"For the member names section, each person must sign," the receptionist kindly reminded him, thinking he might not know.

"Got it!" Lin Cheng said without looking up.

"Done!" Soon, he'd filled everything except the names.

He wrote his name first, then passed the paper to the next teammate.

Everyone quickly added their signatures.

Lin Cheng handed it back. After a glance, she nodded. "Please wait in the lounge. We'll process it soon."

"Okay, thank you!" Lin Cheng said politely.

"You're welcome! It's our job," she replied with a professional smile.

The group returned to the lounge and sat at their previous spot.

"Hello, Brother Xifeng. From now on, we're teammates. Please take care of me!" Lin Cheng said to Nian Xifeng after everyone sat.

"It's you who should say that. I'm just a rookie. I'm the one needing care—I hope you won't look down on me later!" Nian Xifeng replied politely.

*If he's a rookie, the rest of us might as well give up and sleep!*

"Haha, Brother Xifeng, you're too modest. We're all rookies anyway," Ke Feng chimed in. He was right—they were all Yellow-level beginners.

"We should just work hard together!" Xianxian spoke up softly, smoothing things over.

"Mhm! Xianxian's right. Let's all do our best!"

Watching them chat happily, joking as if carefree, Nian Xifeng felt a quiet enjoyment. Honestly, he liked this atmosphere.

Soon, the receptionist approached. "Your team is created."

"Here are your badges. Drip a drop of blood onto each," she said.

Everyone took the small, thumb-sized badges made of unknown yellow metal. They followed her instructions and dripped blood onto them.

"Perfect. Congratulations on your new team!" she smiled.

"Mhm, thanks!" Lin Cheng nodded slightly.

"No problem!"

"Alright, let's accept our first mission!" Lin Cheng waved grandly and led them to the Adventurers' Guild mission area.

Missions were ranked by level: Yellow at the bottom, Human above, up to Heaven at the top.

Difficulty varied sharply between levels. Completing three same-level missions allowed advancement, but no one was reckless enough to rush it.

For instance, a team might handle a tough Yellow mission easily but fail at the simplest Human one—even dying.

As newcomers, they could only take Yellow missions, the most numerous at the bottom.

Lin Cheng scanned the Yellow listings.

"What about this one?" he pointed to a mission and asked the group.

Everyone glanced, then agreed unanimously.

"You're captain—you decide!"

"Then this it is!" He wouldn't decline; a captain needed authority to command respect.

"Mhm, we'll follow you!" Ke Feng nodded.

Others agreed silently.

"Good, settled!"

It was a hunt: kill a Fierce Beast resembling a scaled cow. Its defense was extremely high—hard to break without special attacks. It moved slowly, ate plants, fled when attacked, and never fought back. A simple task, really.

The only challenge was its defense.

Break that, and it was easy. They didn't know this Fierce Beast was also weak to poison—its defense would plummet if poisoned.

Solitary and common, it roamed forests. The mission required killing it and retrieving its scales.

They moved to the mission reception desk.

"We'll take this," Lin Cheng placed the sheet on the counter.

The receptionist confirmed it and processed the request.

"You've accepted the mission," she said, handing the sheet back.

"Thank you!" Lin Cheng turned to the group. "Let's go!"

En route, to include Nian Xifeng, Lin Cheng had everyone reintroduce themselves and state their abilities—essential for trust and teamwork.

"To cooperate better, let's reintroduce ourselves!" Lin Cheng announced.

"I'll start! I'm Lin Cheng. First ability: 'Slash'—releases an energy blade. Second: 'Chop'—similar principle." He was really just explaining to Nian Xifeng; the others knew each other well.

"I'm Ke Feng. Ability: 'Freeze'—slows opponents' movement!" Ke Feng said next.

"I'm Xianxian. Ability: 'Thrust'—knocks enemies away." She spoke softly, looking delicate.

"I'm Cheng Runchen. Ability: 'Shield'—creates a protective barrier."

"I don't need to introduce myself, right? Brother Xifeng!" Han Yuying teased playfully. He already knew her power.

"Mhm!" Nian Xifeng just nodded.

*Better not reveal too much—trouble might follow. I'll share one.*

"I'm Nian Xifeng! Ability: 'Black Wind'—blocks enemies and makes them lose direction!" he explained calmly.

*He hid several other abilities. Staying low-key was safer.*

Abilities were unique superpowers—attack methods or effects. Their number determined strength and influence.

Everyone awakened with one ability. Gaining more required deep understanding and creative application.

Mastering an ability strengthened it; deriving a new use could create a second ability.

"Good. Now that we know each other's powers, I'll assign roles!" Lin Cheng said to the group.