The next moment—

The ten Ghost Stones on the ground instantly shattered, turning into a milky white liquid that flowed into the Ghost Fire in the center of the camp. A panel then slowly materialized before him.

-

「The Ghost Fire has been upgraded to Level 2. Its safe zone has increased to a 20-meter diameter, and its deterrent effect on Ghost Objects has been enhanced.」

「Please select an Upgrade Direction.」

「1: Increase safe zone to a 30-meter diameter.」

「2: Moderately enhance the deterrent effect on Ghosts.」

「3: Slightly reduce the activation cost for City Defense Buildings within the camp.」

-

"..."

Chen Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had chosen to spend ten Ghost Stones to upgrade the Ghost Fire, a core building, to Level 2. While its basic effects were enhanced, he was also presented with three Upgrade Directions again.

He was a little curious. ’The native Architects of this world definitely can’t see this panel when they upgrade buildings. How do they decide on their Upgrade Direction?’

’Is it completely random?’

After a moment of thought, he chose the third Upgrade Direction.

With two Level 2 Arrow Towers, he was fairly confident in his camp’s security for now. There was no immediate need to make the Ghost Fire’s deterrent effect on Ghost Objects even stronger. As for the first Upgrade Direction, while practical, the third one definitely offered the highest long-term returns.

The Arrow Towers’ consumption cost wasn’t too high.

During last night’s battle, the two Arrow Towers had only consumed a tenth of their inlaid Ghost Stones. But in the future, there would certainly be more City Defense Buildings. This Upgrade Direction would save him a lot on costs and directly increase the camp’s strength.

After he made his choice, the Ghost Fire began to change slowly. Its base looked more archaic, and two milky-white energy veins extended from it across the ground, connecting like blood vessels to the bases of the two Level 2 Arrow Towers.

"Hooo..."

Chen Fan let out a light breath. His camp’s range had now expanded to a 20-meter diameter, which was enough for the time being. Upgrading to Level 3 would require fifty Ghost Stones.

He didn’t linger. He immediately spent another two Ghost Stones to create a plot of Farmland, placing it at the edge of the camp.

Five meters long, five meters wide.

A square plot of Farmland.

As the illusory image of the Farmland slowly solidified in the air, a square, already-tilled plot of land appeared at the camp’s edge.

If Ordinary plants like wheat were grown, their maturation period would be significantly shortened. However, if Seed-type Treasures were planted, their maturation period would not be reduced.

But that wasn’t a major issue.

The two types of seeds he had both had fairly short maturation periods.

"Lame Monkey!"

Chen Fan looked at Lame Monkey, who was squatting by the Ghost Fire studying the two white veins, and shouted, "Time to work! Move all the Monkey-headed Ghost corpses from behind the Wooden House and bury them in the Farmland."

"You got it!"

...

By the time all the Ghost Corpses were buried in the Farmland, it was already noon.

Chen Fan took the Monkey Head Mushroom Seeds and the Ghost Ore Vein Seed from his pocket, planting them one by one in the Farmland. ’They don’t need watering. At least, the panel didn’t say so, which means it isn’t necessary.’

After a while, Chen Fan stood up, wiping the sweat from his forehead and letting out a long breath. ’Farming is hard work.’ He had planted a total of seventeen Monkey Head Mushroom Seeds.

And twelve Ghost Ore Vein Seeds.

’I wonder how much the harvest will yield.’

However, this incident served as a reminder. In the future, he would surely acquire more and more seeds, and each type would have different growing conditions.

For example, the Monkey Head Mushroom Seeds didn’t need Ghost Corpses as fertilizer, but the Ghost Ore Vein Seeds did.

As the Farmland grew larger, he and Lame Monkey would definitely not be able to manage it all by themselves.

Therefore, he had to build up his own force. He needed to find people to help him farm and take care of the Farmland.

But... He turned his head to look at Lame Monkey, who was loosening the soil nearby with the Godslaying Spear, and his eyes narrowed slightly. ’Loyal and hardworking subordinates like Lame Monkey are hard to find.’

"Young Master."

Lame Monkey had just finished his work and came jogging over with his characteristic limp, his movements looking a bit comical. Grinning, he reported, "Just now, I found a few seeds under the bed in the house. I couldn’t tell what kind of crop they were, so I just found a corner in the Farmland and buried them."

"Maybe they’re fruit tree seeds or something. That way, we won’t have to worry about fruit in the future."

"..."

Chen Fan just smiled and said nothing. ’They’re probably wheat seeds or something similar. After all this time, it’s hard to say if they can even sprout.’ But he wouldn’t say that out loud and discourage Lame Monkey’s enthusiasm.

Just then—

"Station Chief Chen?"

An astonished voice sounded out. Station Chief Wang had arrived at the edge of the camp with his men at some point.

"It’s only been two days since we last saw each other, right? What is all this...?"

Standing inside the camp, Wang Kui stared at the Ghost Fire, which was clearly now Level 2, and the two menacing-looking Arrow Towers. His eyes were filled with bewilderment and utter confusion.

’What’s going on...?’

’Isn’t Chen Fan an illegitimate son of the Chen Family, persecuted and sent to the Wilderness to die?’

’What’s the deal with these Arrow Towers?’

’And there are two of them?’

’He’d rarely seen any stations with Arrow Towers. Stations are just temporary outposts and are generally not threatened by Ghost Objects. Who would spend so much to build Arrow Towers here? They’re usually placed within a Patriarch’s territory or at important hubs.’ 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

’If Chen Fan weren’t an illegitimate son, it might be understandable. The Chen Family could have sent him down here to gain experience, assigning a family Level 5 Architect to build two Arrow Towers to protect him.’

’But as for now...’

A look of understanding, as if he’d expected it all along, flashed in the depths of Wang Kui’s eyes. ’The situation is clear now. Chen Fan’s mother must have left him a trump card, and it’s likely related to being an Architect.’

’If that’s really the case,’

’The Chen Family is going to regret this so much it hurts.’

Though a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, his face only showed a helpless expression. "Station Chief Chen, you really had me fooled. I thought you were... but as it turns out, you’re..."

"..."

Chen Fan chuckled, his gaze falling on the two large vats on the cart behind Wang Kui. "Here to return more things? It seems my predecessor borrowed quite a lot from your station, didn’t he?"

"Station Chief Chen, please don’t tease me." Wang Kui turned his head away in embarrassment. "It seems the little bit of goodwill I managed to muster has turned out to be useless."

"Not at all."

Chen Fan shook his head and said softly to Wang Kui, "I will not forget Station Chief Wang’s kindness. The items you sent last time were a great help to me."

"If I have the chance in the future, I will surely repay you handsomely."

"Good, good, good..."

Wang Kui couldn’t help the excitement in his voice. "Then I’ll head back to my station for now. If you need anything, just send someone to find me anytime."

Leaving the cart behind, he led his men back toward his own station, his steps feeling light and airy. ’My gamble really paid off this time. Chen Fan has most likely already become an Architect.’

’Five Ghost Stones in exchange for a favor from an Architect.’

’Is there a better deal than that?’