Zhou Heng settled into the temporary housing built for players in Little Bird Town. It was a dormitory for ten people.
"Brother, how's it going? What level did you reach today?"
"I'm level three!"
"Holy crap, brother, are you cheating? It's only been a little over half a day, and you're level three?"
"My brother is a player from the Black Bear Guild~"
"Wow~ I'm so envious, brother. I worked myself to death today just to level up once. Not only were there many people stealing monsters, but the monsters were also hard to kill."
...
Zhou Heng quietly tidied his bed, not interrupting the conversation in the dormitory. The textbook mentioned that early-stage socializing is basically useless social interaction, because after reaching a certain level and leaving the village, one will find that so-called connections are worthless in the face of the vast territories and powerful creatures. Instead of wasting time on such socializing, it's better to rest early and think about tomorrow's leveling route. Of course, one could also become a lackey for players with backgrounds, like the few people talking, starting with groveling and flattery.
The night was silent. The next day, at the first hint of dawn, Zhou Heng got up early and went to the breeding farm. From a distance, Zhou Heng saw the Old Woman tilling the fields.
"Grandma, I'm here~" Zhou Heng stepped forward respectfully and greeted her.
The Old Woman glanced at Zhou Heng and said with a light chuckle, "Young man, you're quite early. At this hour, I thought you players would still be sleeping. Go ahead, the Lingguang Sickle is in the corner. The fields are about 200 meters straight ahead from here; the two plots are connected."
Hearing this, Zhou Heng nodded and went to the corner to get the Lingguang Sickle.
"Young man, if you can harvest all the pasture grass from these two plots today, emmm... let's say before nine o'clock tonight. If you can finish, come find me." Just as Zhou Heng was about to leave, he heard the Old Woman's request, which carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Zhou Heng thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, Grandma, I will do my best."
Leaving the Old Woman, Zhou Heng took the "Lingguang Sickle" and arrived at the two pasture plots. Taken individually, each of these plots was slightly larger than the one from yesterday.
"Two plots like this, wanting to finish before nine o'clock tonight, I'm afraid the difficulty isn't small. But it's not impossible!" Zhou Heng guessed that this was the Old Woman NPC testing his patience and resilience. If he could finish harvesting the two pasture plots before nine o'clock tonight, it would definitely trigger something.
Dispelling distracting thoughts, Zhou Heng bent down and began harvesting the pasture grass...
【You harvest a bundle of pasture grass】
【You harvest a bundle of pasture grass】
...
【Lingguang Sickle effect triggered】
【Attack power permanently +1】
Although the probability of triggering a permanent increase was very small, whenever it did trigger, it was like a shot in the arm for Zhou Heng, filling him with motivation. Soon, the time reached around eight fifty in the evening.
"Phew~ Done, finally finished harvesting!"
A smile curled up at the corner of Zhou Heng's mouth. His gains today were too great. The probability today was similar to yesterday; the two plots contributed 10 points of permanent attack, and 40 points of permanent health and magic power. This increase was already much higher than that of a normal player at level 10.
"I should go to Grandma's place~" Zhou Heng glanced at the time on his personal panel and rushed non-stop to the simple wooden house where the Old Woman was. "Grandma, I've finished harvesting, and I've put the pasture grass away for you." Zhou Heng did not enter the house but said respectfully from outside the door.
"En~ Good, come in." Only after getting the Old Woman's permission did Zhou Heng cautiously push open the wooden door and enter the house. The interior was very simple, with only basic items like a table, chairs, and a wooden bed. The only thing worth noting was the emblem hanging on the wooden wall. The emblem's pattern consisted of a pure white Light tree and two sharp blades crossing and piercing through the pure white Light tree.
"Young man, what do you think of the Sakas Empire?" The Old Woman straightened the emblem, slowly spoke as she got down from the chair, and looked at Zhou Heng.
【You are new here and cannot be said to know nothing about the Sakas Empire; you can only be said to know absolutely nothing. Therefore, you cannot answer this question very accurately. You face a choice from Destiny. Different choices will lead you to completely different lives.】
【Destiny gives you a prompt】
【Destiny Prompt One: The Sakas Empire was founded over three hundred years ago, breaking the three-hundred-year nation curse. However, the rampant cruel officials and fangs hidden in the dark are all eroding and Decaying this vast empire. Answer "Sacas is Decaying" to gain the questioner's appreciation.】
【Destiny Prompt Two: Answer "The Sakas Empire is not bad, it can last at least another three hundred years" to gain the questioner's disappointment.】
Looking at the "Destiny Prompt" that suddenly appeared on his retina, Zhou Heng's gaze slightly condensed. After a moment of thought, he had a plan in his heart.
"Grandma, although I am new here and don't know much about the Sakas Empire, from some things I saw last night, I feel that this Sakas Empire is not as good as imagined. There is a saying circulating in our world: few nations can cross the three-hundred-year mark. Your asking me this must have a deeper meaning... I think the Sakas Empire, from top to bottom, has already begun to Decay." Zhou Heng simply and clearly elaborated on the words from the Destiny Prompt, adding some of his own thoughts.
The Old Woman smiled lightly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. Not being led by the nose by the Black Bear Guild people at the beginning of his birth - this showed caution. Two and a half days of harvesting, with tight time, but still completing it meticulously - this showed resilience. Now, facing the unknown Sacas, he can still make accurate judgments - this showed wisdom. Such a seedling is worth looking forward to, but there is still one test, and that is Destiny...
Thinking of this, the Old Woman spoke directly, "Young man, I remember you said earlier that your name is Zhou Heng. Which Zhou, which Heng?"
Zhou Heng: "Grandma, the Zhou from 'Zhou Quan' (complete), the Heng from 'Yong Heng' (eternal)."
The Old Woman: "A good name. I'm very optimistic about your future. Like this, I happen to have a task here. I wonder if you dare to accept it?"
Zhou Heng's heart tightened, and he immediately said, "I am willing to serve you, Grandma."
The Old Woman nodded, patted the wooden wall, and gestured for Zhou Heng to look at the emblem.
"In the 302nd year of Sacas's founding, the Emperor is muddle-headed, and the council is greedy, causing the people to suffer and demons to run rampant. I need you to deliver this emblem to the Deep Water Cave outside the town within three days and give it to the Level 10 boss, the 'Deep Water Flood Dragon insect'."
【The gears of Destiny begin to turn at this moment. You are about to face a challenge from death.】
【Destiny gives you a prompt】
【Destiny Prompt One: The Black Bear Guild is collecting Black Water Grass to prepare Black Water Purulent Gel, attempting to contaminate the Deep Water Flood Dragon insect with it, causing it to blacken and evolve while simultaneously swallowing the entire Little Bird Town. This is a test of life and death, blood and fire, wisdom and strategy. Is three days truly enough time for you to go to the Deep Water Cave? Accept the task and find a way to deliver the emblem to the "Deep Water Flood Dragon insect" within three days.】
【Destiny Prompt Two: No one will tell you that this is just a trap. You simply cannot deliver the emblem to the "Deep Water Flood Dragon insect" within three days, because as soon as you get close, the Black Bear Guild and even the entities behind it will instantly obliterate you, burying you permanently. This is not a delivery task at all, but a test of Destiny. And interestingly, for you, who has the unique-level talent "Destiny Prompt," it seems to have no meaning. Pretend to accept the task, then ignore it and wait for the opportunity.】
Looking at the two Destiny Prompts that appeared before him, Zhou Heng fell silent. The "boundless and endless" that had been open for ten thousand years was even more terrifying and exaggerated than what he, a new player, had learned from the "textbook." It truly was a situation where every step required caution; a slight mistake could lead to eternal damnation. But thankfully, he was lucky; he had the unique-level talent "Destiny Prompt."
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Heng accepted the task...