The next moment—
The ten eerie stones on the ground shattered instantly, turning into a milky White Grade liquid that flowed into the Eerie Fire at the center of the Camp. A panel slowly appeared before him.
-
"The Eerie Fire has reached Level 2. The Safe Zone has expanded to a diameter of 20 meters, and its deterrent effect on strange entities has increased." "Please choose an upgrade direction."
"Please select an upgrade direction."
"1: Expand the Safe Zone to 30 meters."
"2: Moderately increase its deterrent effect on ghost beings."
"3: Slightly reduce the consumption of Defensive Structures within the Camp." ```
-
"..."
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. He had chosen to spend ten eerie stones to upgrade the Eerie Fire, his core structure, to Level 2. Along with the improved basic effects, he had received another three upgrade options.
He was a little curious. The native builders of this world surely couldn't see this panel when upgrading structures, so how did they determine their upgrade direction?
Was it completely random?
After a little thought, he chose the third upgrade option.
With two Level-2 Arrow Towers, he had some confidence in his Camp's security. For now, he didn't need the Eerie Fire to exert a stronger deterrent effect on strange entities. As for the first option, although it was practical, the third would definitely yield the greatest returns in the long run.
The Arrow Towers didn't consume all that much.
During last night's battle, each tower had consumed only a tenth of the eerie stone embedded in it. But he would certainly have more Defensive Structures in the future. This upgrade would save him a great deal of resources and directly strengthen his Camp.
Once he made his choice—
The Eerie Fire began to change slowly. Its base took on a more ancient appearance, and two milky White Grade energy channels extended across the ground like blood vessels, connecting to the bases of the two Level-2 Arrow Towers.
"Phew..."
Chen Fan let out a soft breath. His Camp now spanned twenty meters in diameter, which was enough for the time being. Upgrading it to Level 3 would require fifty eerie stones.
He didn't linger.
He immediately spent another two eerie stones to create a plot of Farmland, placing it at the edge of the Camp.
Five meters long and five meters wide.
A square plot of Farmland.
As the phantom image of the Farmland slowly solidified in the air, a square plot of already-tilled soil appeared at the edge of the Camp.
Growing ordinary crops such as wheat would greatly shorten their maturation period. But planting "seed-type exotic treasures" wouldn't shorten their maturation period at all.
Still, that hardly mattered.
Both batches of seeds he had matured fairly quickly.
"Crippled Monkey!"
Chen Fan looked toward Crippled Monkey, who was crouching beside the Eerie Fire and studying the two White Grade channels, and shouted, "Time to work! Bring all the Monkey-Head Ghost corpses out from behind the Wooden Hut and bury them in the Farmland."
"You got it!"
By the time all the strange entity corpses were buried in the Farmland, it was already noon.
Chen Fan took the Monkey-Head Mushroom Seeds and Ghoststone Vein Seeds out of his clothes and buried them in the Farmland one by one. There was no need to water them. At least, the panel hadn't said to, which meant watering wasn't necessary.
A while later—
"Phew..."
Standing where he was, Chen Fan wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. Farming was physical work, too. He had seventeen Monkey-Head Mushroom Seeds in total.
And twelve Ghoststone Vein Seeds.
He had no idea exactly how much he would harvest.
Still, this had reminded him of something. He would definitely acquire more and more seeds in the future, and each kind required different growing conditions.
For example, Monkey-Head Mushroom Seeds didn't need strange entity corpses as fertilizer, but Ghoststone Vein Seeds did.
As the Farmland expanded, he and Crippled Monkey definitely wouldn't be able to handle everything by themselves.
He would have to build a force of his own and find people to help him farm and tend this land.
But... he turned to look at Crippled Monkey, who was loosening the soil nearby with the Godslaying Spear, and narrowed his eyes slightly. Loyal, hardworking Subordinates like Crippled Monkey weren't easy to find.
"Young Master."
Crippled Monkey had finished his work, too. He jogged over with a limp, his movements looking rather comical, and reported with a grin, "I found a few seeds under the bed in the hut just now. Couldn't tell what crop they were, so I found a corner of the Farmland and buried them there."
"Maybe they're fruit tree seeds or something. Then we won't run out of fruit to eat."
"..."
Chen Fan smiled without saying anything. They were probably wheat seeds or something similar. After so much time, there was no telling whether they could still sprout, but there was no need to say that and dampen Crippled Monkey's enthusiasm.
Just then—
"Station Master Chen?"
A startled voice reached his ears. Stationmaster King and his Subordinates had arrived beside the Camp without him noticing.
"It's only been two days since we last met, hasn't it? What have you..."
Standing inside the Camp, Wang Kui looked at the Eerie Fire, which had clearly reached Level 2, and the two Arrow Towers that looked anything but harmless. His eyes were full of bewilderment.
What was going on...?
Wasn't Chen Fan the Chen Family's illegitimate son, persecuted and sent to the Wasteland to die?
What was with these Arrow Towers?
And two of them, at that?
He had hardly seen any Stations with Arrow Towers. Stations were merely temporary stopping points and generally faced no threat from strange entities. Who would pay such a steep price to build Arrow Towers there? They were usually placed within the family head's territory or at important hubs.
If Chen Fan weren't an illegitimate son, it might have made sense. The Chen Family could have sent him here to polish his credentials, then arranged for the family's Level 5 Builder to construct two Arrow Towers to protect him.
But as things stood...
An unsurprised glimmer of understanding flashed deep in Wang Kui's eyes. The situation was obvious now. Chen Fan's mother had indeed left him a fallback, and that fallback most likely had something to do with builders.
If that really was the case—
The Chen Family would regret this so bitterly it hurt.
Countless thoughts raced through his mind, but his face showed only a trace of helplessness. "Station Master Chen, you really had me fooled. I thought you... but now you've..."
"..."
Chen Fan looked at the two large vats on the cart behind Wang Kui and chuckled. "Here to return things again? It seems my predecessor borrowed quite a lot from your Station."
"Station Master Chen, please stop teasing me." Wang Kui turned his head away in embarrassment. "Looks like the little bit of kindness I finally managed to muster turned out to be pointless."
"Not at all."
Chen Fan shook his head and looked at Wang Kui, speaking softly. "I've kept your kindness in mind, Stationmaster King. The things you brought last time really helped me a great deal."
"If the opportunity comes, I'll certainly repay you generously."
"Good, good, good..."
Wang Kui couldn't keep a hint of excitement out of his voice. "Then I'll head back to the Station. If you need anything, send someone to find me anytime."
He left the Handcart behind.
Taking his Subordinates with him, he headed back toward his own Station, unable to keep the spring out of his step. He had truly bet right this time. Chen Fan had most likely already become a builder.
Five eerie stones in exchange for a favor from a builder.
Was there any better bargain than that?
Before you continue