I built a safe house in the eerie night.

Jiang Ning looked at the black banner in his hand, which was only the size of a palm, with dark gold patterns on all four sides and mysterious patterns engraved on the front, with considerable surprise.

"I didn't expect that the Spirit Awakening technique would require the withered vine of the Demon Hand. I wonder what its specific function is..."

Jiang Ning muttered to himself without much hesitation.

"Awaken the spirit and you'll know!"

With a slight thought, select "Yes".

One of the stored "Deceptive Hand Vine" disappeared, turning into a wisp of black smoke that disappeared into the small "Guardian Banner".

In an instant, the banner, which had seemed somewhat lifeless, trembled slightly, as if it had been infused with a soul.

The flag's color became deeper and more subdued, and the dark gold patterns along the edges seemed to come alive, beginning to flow with golden light.

Holding it in your hand, it is no longer an inanimate object, but rather you can faintly feel a sense of connection to the earth beneath your feet.

At the same time, the interface information clearly appears:

【Guardian Banner (Tier 1 Treasure)】

[Description: A banner forged from the power of the earth's veins and the essence of the primordial soil. When placed in the center of a cultivated field ready for planting, it forms a stable "protective domain."]

Within this area, crops will exist in a "phantom state," immune to direct interference and damage from external forces, including physical impacts, most energy erosion, and low-level eerie perceptions.

Furthermore, the banner will continue to improve the soil structure within the area, enhance fertility, promote growth, and gradually transform ordinary land into "fertile fields" suitable for the growth of special spiritual plants.

[Note: Currently, the area covered by the treasure's special properties is only one acre. You can use the "Forging Workshop" to consume specific materials to mass-produce similar standardized treasures. You can also use higher-level materials or special methods to upgrade the main banner and standardized banners to improve the area's range, concealment effect, and efficiency in land modification.]

After reading the information, Jiang Ning's eyes immediately lit up with surprise.

"Great, that's just perfect!"

He couldn't help but let out a soft gasp and gripped the banner in his hand tightly.

This is something we urgently need right now.

It perfectly solves the problem of safe farming under the threat of the treacherous tide, achieving both concealment and protection.

It can also improve soil and promote growth.

The entire feature is practically tailor-made for the current predicament.

"Luckily, I didn't mind leaving it lying around before, and I happened to get the withered vines of the 'ghost hand' yesterday, so it all fell into place naturally."

Jiang Ning felt happy and fortunate.

As for whether to mass-produce them, he thought about it and decided that there was no rush.

The key issue is that currently, we only have seeds of two special crops: "Strange Eye Crystal" and "Strange Hand Vine," both of which have a seven-day growth cycle.

One acre is enough to conduct small-scale trial planting to see the yield and results.

Once this batch of crops matures and we have more experience and resources, we can consider expanding the planting scale and mass production.

Afterwards, Jiang Ning carefully put the "Guardian Banner" that had been successfully activated into his bosom.

I looked up at the sky, and the fine drizzle was still falling.

However, a faint glimmer of light was already visible behind the grayish-white clouds in the distance.

The rain is expected to stop soon.

"Let's pack up last night's loot before the rain completely stops..."

Although I don't have high hopes for last night's results, I still have to hope for some luck.

Jiang Ning walked towards Yu Niu and Er Hu, who were still practicing shooting in the open space in the village, and waved to them.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning's call, the two immediately stopped what they were doing, wiped the sweat and rain from their faces, and ran over eagerly, still wearing their silly smiles, yet also looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Young Master!"

Jiang Ning looked at them, raised his fist, and gently punched Yu Niu's thin chest with a smile.

I was about to say, "You're too thin, eat more," but I swallowed the words back.

In this desolate mountain wilderness, what good things are there to eat besides the tough and chewy sea cucumber?

However, this calf may look thin, but it is quite strong and has a lot of stubbornness.

He then gently tapped Erhu next to him; the chubby boy had indeed become quite robust.

"You're really addicted, aren't you? Getting up so early to practice?" Jiang Ning asked with a smile.

Yu Niu scratched his head and chuckled:

"Young Master, last night was just... just too exciting. Every time I close my eyes, I can feel the sensation of stabbing those things with a gun. But I also know I'm too weak right now. Just randomly stabbing won't do; I need to practice more!"

Erhu nodded vigorously, saying in a deep voice, "Yes, you need to practice more!"

Jiang Ning could see their desire to become stronger, so he offered a small, tangible reward, saying:

"Alright, that's great. When the opportunity arises in the future, I'll get you some powerful cultivation techniques that will make you incredibly strong and formidable!"

"Really, young master?" Yu Niu's eyes widened like copper bells, and his voice rose eight octaves with excitement.

"Is it... the kind of martial art those old men in the city practice, the kind that I heard can shatter rocks with one punch and kill those monsters with one punch!"

Erhu rubbed his hands excitedly and asked innocently, "Young Master, I heard that the best ones can even fly! If I practice, will I be able to... fly for a little while too?"

The two gestured animatedly, and Jiang Ning said, "That damn cultivation requires reaching a very high level, but I see you two have extraordinary physiques; maybe you really do have that talent!"

"I can do it!"

"I can do it!"

The two men thumped their chests loudly, making solemn promises, then chuckled in unison, "Thank you in advance, young master!"

Jiang Ning added, "But not yet, we have to wait for better luck."

"Yes, yes, we understand, we'll do as you say, young master!"

The two nodded their heads like chicks pecking at rice.

Jiang Ning had naturally been planning this for a long time.

For a village to develop, improving individual combat skills is also very important.

Functional buildings like "practice rooms" and "transmission pavilions" will have to be built sooner or later.

Moreover, he himself needs systematic training to strengthen his currently overly weak body.

But just like the "Forging Workshop", it requires corresponding architectural blueprints, including core materials, and even the advanced cultivation techniques needed later.

All of this must be achieved through hard work and gradual accumulation, bit by bit, in the darkness.

"We have to take things one step at a time, let's focus on the present first." Jiang Ning gathered his thoughts. "Let's go, let's get to work!"

"Yes, young master!" Yu Niu Erhu replied energetically, following closely behind Jiang Ning.

As they walked, Yu Niu couldn't help but move closer, a hint of competitive glint in his eyes, and asked, "Young Master, tell me, of the three of us, who performed the best last night?"

Erhu, not to be outdone, shook his head and chimed in, "That must be me! My self-created sneaky head-tapping technique is super cool!"

Yu Niu scoffed, "Give me a break! That's just blind shooting. Watch me, one shot, one kill, fast and ruthless, that's real skill!"

The two started arguing back and forth, each believing they were better than the other.

Jiang Ning simply smiled and remained silent, letting them argue.

This kind of youthful, competitive spirit, in a repressive environment, can also be seen as a manifestation of vitality.

Upon reaching the crematorium outside the village, Zhou Lei, who was busy at work, immediately stood up straight and greeted Jiang Ning respectfully.

"Good morning, young master!"

"Okay." Jiang Ning nodded, noticing his still somewhat pale face, and asked, "How did you sleep last night?"

"Hmm...hmm, it's good!" Zhou Lei nodded vigorously, then lowered his head slightly, feeling a little embarrassed as he recalled his frenzied state last night.

"Did you find anything fall off the ones you burned this morning?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at the crematorium.

Zhou Lei shook his head: "No, young master, it's very clean."

"Alright." Jiang Ning had expected this and wasn't disappointed.

He walked to the outside of the barricade, looked at the scattered, somewhat eerie corpses that had been deliberately piled up the night before, and sighed softly.

"If a rare treasure falls from the sky, even just a small lucky bag, I'll be content."

Looking around, the total number of corpses was probably less than a hundred, and they were all the lowest-level spirits and monsters. There wasn't even a trace of a wandering ghost, let alone a belly-walking ghost or a bag-headed ghost.

After a few days, Jiang Ning had already figured out some patterns.

Even the lowest-level cannon fodder like spirits and monsters have been completely exploited, so you can imagine how low the current drop rate is.

Jiang Ning also bent down and began to clean and move the corpses.

Although I didn't get much sleep last night, I managed to get a deep sleep, which restored my energy and allowed my body to gradually adapt to the harsh environment and arduous labor in this remote mountain area.

I can't help but feel unaccustomed to it; I was too weak before, and I felt completely out of sorts.

When the other young and strong men in the village saw that Yu Niu, Er Hu, and even Jiang Ning were working themselves, they all stepped forward to help.

Jiang Ning straightened up and instructed them:

"We'll handle the corpses here. You guys go outside the dead forest and dig out as many tree stumps as possible from yesterday's clearing. Also, loosen the soil in that area. Use your strength sparingly. You have to do the work, but don't overwork yourself."

"Yes, young master!"

The young men responded in unison, carrying their simple tools, and headed towards the uncultivated land outside the village.

The rain had subsided considerably, but the fog in the mountains remained thick. The village, situated in a valley between mountains, was shrouded in white mist, reducing visibility and leaving it enveloped in a hazy rain.

The three of them worked together and quickly cleared away the less than one hundred skeletons of spirits and monsters scattered outside the village, piling them up next to the crematorium.

Just as Jiang Ning had predicted, not only did they not find any rare treasures, but they didn't even see a lucky bag.

"well......"

Jiang Ning looked at the pile of bones, sighed helplessly, and could only accept the reality of zero income for the day.

Now, all that remains are the five strange corpses that were used to train Yu Niu and his men last night, and that died under the bone spears and iron shovels.

These deaths were different from those caused by arrow towers, which are too powerful and often pierce or shatter bones.

Human combat primarily targets the external sarcoma of the Tai Sui, its bizarre core, thus the corpse is relatively well preserved.

Jiang Ning approached one of the skeletons and used a short-handled tool he carried with him to casually pry open the grayish-white flesh covering the skeleton, which had begun to shrink and dry.

He didn't have high hopes; it was just a routine check-up.

However, just as the tip of the tool parted a small patch of sticky tissue, a faint white halo suddenly peeked out from the gap in the skeleton.

Rare treasure!

Jiang Ning's heart skipped a beat, but was immediately filled with immense joy.

He immediately dropped his tools, ignoring the sticky, slippery substance of the gray scorpion, and reached out, following the white light, to probe inside the skeleton's chest cavity, groping around for a while.

Soon, he touched a smooth, cool, and hard object.

Jiang Ning pulled it out with force.

A bead, warm and milky white throughout, with a smooth surface, radiates a pure white halo even in the gloomy, rainy weather.

It is a rare treasure of the precious category.

Jiang Ning's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but smile.

Regardless of what this bead might yield, at least yesterday's efforts weren't in vain; there was still some gain.

Jiang Ning simply wiped away the stains and watermarks on the surface of the beads and was in a great mood.

He was already quite impatient. Holding the precious gem-like bead, Jiang Ning walked to a slightly cleaner spot and concentrated.

[Do you wish to unlock a Tier 1 rare treasure?]

"yes!"

The white bead in his hand flashed slightly, then transformed into specks of pure light that merged into Jiang Ning's palm.

[Activation successful. Obtained "The Record of a Hundred Ghosts".]

【The Record of a Hundred Ghosts (Special Rank)】

[Description: An ancient and mysterious scroll that records information and characteristics of many strange races.]

[By carrying it on your person and gazing at the eerie creature, you have a certain chance of discerning some of its essential information, including but not limited to: species name, approximate rank, common weaknesses, and the approximate amount of the "eerie source" within it.]

[Note: This booklet is a unique item and cannot be mass-produced through the "Forging Workshop," nor can it be damaged or discarded (it may contain certain special techniques that allow for deeper enhancements).]

"The Record of a Hundred Ghosts...Understanding Strange Information?"

Jiang Ning's eyes grew brighter and brighter; he was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

Not only do these treasures not require additional awakening, but their functions are also extremely important at this stage.

"In the future, when encountering unknown and strange phenomena, at least I will have a general idea of ​​what to do, how to defend myself, and even whether I should fight or not."

Jiang Ning pondered to himself.

"Excellent, this is much better than expected."

He felt that, at the current stage, the practical value of this "Record of a Hundred Ghosts" might even exceed that of some treasures that require complex spiritual awakening but whose uses are currently unknown.

but......

"Does it need to be carried with you at all times for it to be effective?"

Jiang Ning frowned slightly.

"Can't we learn directly through the interface? What if we lose it or accidentally destroy it?"

The interface clearly states that it is a one-off copy.

"This setting is a bit... off-putting."

Jiang Ning muttered to himself as he materialized the Hundred Ghost Records in his hand.

The book I received was a thread-bound book full of signs of age, with an old yellow cover and a sturdy feel.

The corners of the book were clearly curled and worn, and the spine was somewhat loose. The whole book was full of old paper and had a faint smell of ink, making it look like an ancient book that had been read countless times.

He tried to turn the pages of the book.

The result was a blank page.

Apart from the slightly yellowed paper and its rough texture, there is not a single word or picture on it; it is a completely wordless book.

"Um?"

Jiang Ning paused for a moment, then recalled the description in the message.

"By staring at something strange, there is a certain chance of gaining insight into some of its essential information."

It seems that the way to read this book is not the traditional way of flipping through text, but a special mechanism similar to identification or information mapping.

"This really does have a bit of an idealistic and real-time feel to it."

Jiang Ning muttered to himself, "However, it's really inconvenient to always carry such a thick book with me."

He weighed the book in his hand, considering its thickness and weight. For someone in his current physical condition, carrying it for an extended period would be a burden.

Feeling a bit frustrated, he summoned the virtual interface of [Heavenly Craftsman] again, habitually trying to find other solutions there.

My gaze had barely swept across the interface when suddenly...

A pale gold notification box, never before seen, appeared in the center of the interface:

[The "Hundred Ghosts Record" has been detected. Do you wish to learn and input it?]

[Note: After you have completed the learning process, the "Mastery of Craftsmanship" panel will be available.]