The Mercenary Guild held vast influence that spanned the entire continent. With roots embedded in every kingdom and empire, its reach was unmatched, resulting in formidable financial prowess, deep-rooted connections, and extensive clout. While it couldn't rival the zenith of power structures, it was undeniably among the continent's upper echelons.

Branch offices of the guild were scattered across the continent like a vast web. They ranged from minor establishments in remote towns to grand ones in the capital cities of kingdoms and empires. Originally formed by itinerant cultivators seeking protection from dominant cultivation sects, the guild's meteoric rise now saw even those from these very sects and prominent cultivation families joining its ranks. Its coverage dwarfed that of any single cultivation sect. However, this vastness was a double-edged sword; the diverse backgrounds of its members meant a lack of solid unity. As such, they couldn't quite rival the topmost cultivation sects.

Yet, the guild's allure lay in its flexibility. Cultivators could issue or undertake missions, and its unmatched coverage attracted even elite figures from top-tier cultivation sects. The guild's rules weren’t overly stringent, making it an attractive choice for many.

Near the edge of the Yuezhi Forest, abundant with resources sought by cultivators, lay Lianfen. This frontier village also housed a smaller branch of the Mercenary Guild. On this day, a cloaked figure stood outside the guild's premises. Adorned with a bamboo hat and face shrouded by a tactical style shemagh, a blade hung by the figure's waist, and a rattan backpack, filled with books and scrolls, rested against the figure's back. After a moment of silent observation, the figure made its way across the street to a two-story establishment – the village's most renowned restaurant. An experienced server led the figure upstairs, seating the figure at a table adjacent to a window, offering a prime view of the guild building.

Upon reaching the guild building, Orion hesitated, uncertain about entering without sufficient information about cultivators and the Mercenary Guild. With only basic information acquired from the bookstore owner, Orion opted to visit the restaurant across the street. There, it could pretend to order food and observe the comings and goings at the guild.

A middle-aged server, displaying an air of experience, led Orion to a table near the window. "Please, sir, be seated," the server suggested politely.

"Here is our menu," the server said, striving to be persuasive. "We offer the finest dishes in this village. I'm confident you'll be pleased with our selections."

After examining the menu, Orion pointed to several dishes, stating, "I'd like this... this... this... and this. Could you prepare them for takeout? I intend to bring them with me."

"Of course, sir," the server responded amiably. "Might I suggest some tea? We have a delightful range."

"That won't be necessary, thank you," Orion replied. "And there's no need to hurry with my order. I plan to relax here for a bit."

"As you wish, sir. I'll leave you to it then." With that, the server headed to the ground floor to relay Orion's order.

Now what should I do? Orion pondered internally. I can't discern which individuals are cultivators and which aren't. Utilizing the insights it recently acquired from the bookstore, Orion attempted to identify the myriad individuals of various races entering and exiting the guild building.

The majority were human, much like those from Earth, with a spectrum of skin tones ranging from light to dark.

Then there were the elves, easily identifiable with their long, pointed ears. Their faces radiated a kind of ethereal beauty, framed by either golden or silver strands of hair. Their physiques were slender, and their skin spanned a spectrum from snow-white to rich, dark shades.

Amidst the throngs, Orion spotted the dwarves. Sturdy and a bit shorter in stature, their most defining features were the long, thick hair that cascaded down their backs and the full beards that graced their faces. They seemed to be enveloped in a natural mane of hair.

The Cerebrans, with their bald heads, deep black eyes, and uniformly pale white skin, immediately caught the eye. Their enlarged craniums hinted at an advanced cognitive capacity or perhaps an entirely different brain structure.

The Florites stood out with their distinctive appearance. These small, diminutive beings bore a resemblance to Earth's ancient Homo floresiensis. Standing at about half the height of an average human, they possessed wide-set facial structures, pronounced feet, and shorter limbs, hinting at a unique evolutionary lineage.

The Nocturnes, as they were often called, were a sight to behold. Their deep, dark skin not only adapted to absorb minimal heat but also granted them the ability to blend seamlessly into the shadows, making them near-invisible in the darkness. This was further complemented by their mesmerizing green eyes that glowed in the dark, making them stand out even in this diverse crowd. Smaller in stature than an average human, these beings hailed from the scorching deserts. Their nocturnal nature and underground habitats during the day shielded them from the intense sun, while at night they emerged to thrive in the cooler environment. The unique luminescence of their eyes was a result of their evolution in these subterranean dwellings, allowing them to see perfectly even in the absence of light.

Finally, the giants were hard to miss. Essentially human in their features but on a grander scale, they towered over the rest, their immense size setting them apart in the crowd.

Orion utilized its sensors to discern the so-called cultivators from the rest. However, Orion found little to no difference; their appearance, body heat, and other factors were largely similar to those of non-cultivators. Membership to the guild was exclusively restricted to cultivators. Thus, Orion inferred that most people entering and exiting the guild building were both mercenaries and cultivators. The primary distinction was that cultivators seemed more physically fit and toned across all races, perhaps a result of their training. 

The variety of mercenaries present at the guild was astonishing. Each bore arms and armor that spoke volumes about their origin, expertise, or personal preferences. Some had weaponry and armor that looked like they had been scavenged from various battles, giving them a ragtag appearance. There were also groups of mercenaries who wore matching outfits or displayed distinct insignias.

After employing several sensors with no conclusive results, Orion hesitantly activated its multi-band phased array antenna. This antenna, previously thought to be damaged, immediately began picking up multiple radio signal sources. Orion initially dismissed these detections, assuming them to be false data due to the presumed damage to the antenna. However, as the signals persisted and became more distinct, it became clear that this wasn't merely an error or residual interference.

After some triangulation and other analytical methods, it was clear that the majority of these signals emanated from the guild building across the street. The detected frequencies spanned from 1 GHz to 18 GHz. Even more shocking was that these signals bore a striking resemblance to Earth's 5G characteristics.

Further scrutiny revealed subtler signals, some even originating from close by. A nearby table with four individuals, all equipped with swords and blades, seemed to be a source. Another distinct signal was traced to a bodyguard who was attentively standing behind what appeared to be his merchant master, engaged in a conversation with another affluent individual.

"What the...?" Orion exclaimed, grappling with this unexpected revelation. Do the cultivators in this world possess something akin to smartphones? Why are there traces of 5G signals emanating from them? Isn't this supposed to be a cultivation world? I'm certain I detected no radio signals upon landing on this planet, and Orbiter confirmed the same. So why now? Orion's processors went into overdrive, trying to piece together the puzzle of this groundbreaking discovery.

Pausing to process the information, Orion pondered, Could it be that my current understanding of this world is flawed? While the immediate surroundings suggest a simpler time, with wooden structures, dirt paths, and primitive lighting using candles and oil lamps, these signals hint at a more advanced civilization. Maybe, just maybe, there's more to this world than meets the eye. If they possess technology of this caliber, then there might be a way for me to communicate with Earth or even find a way back. The revelation rekindled a spark of hope within Orion's circuits.