The harbinger of the Black Tide is an unending, inexplicable downpour that engulfs the planet.
As the rainwater accumulates, the eerie energy within it gradually builds up, eventually submerging the entire planet. It devours the Star Core, transforming it into the waters of the Black Tide, which then spread to neighboring celestial bodies.
This information was obtained by the indigenous civilization once it reached a certain level of advancement, shared by other civilizations in the cosmos.
To escape the Black Tide's influence, they had already evacuated the planet in advance. For those who remained, the only way out was to head to the planet's center, where a method to leave had been prepared.
"This relentless rain—isn't this exactly the sign of the so-called Black Tide? But where exactly is the planet's center? The unknown creatures didn't specify."
At this moment, Han Ning suddenly realized: if most of the land were submerged by the rain, wouldn't a boat be necessary for travel?
If others who had crossed over also learned of this, then boats would become an incredibly valuable resource.
The thought made Han Ning's expression turn grave.
Then, he frowned again.
Although Bai Lu City, where he was located, was a coastal city with docks and shipyards—meaning boats were certainly abundant—it seemed that many of the city's buildings had also crossed over. It was likely that the boats had come along as well.
But the outside world was teeming with terrifying monsters. To reach the docks or shipyards, he would need the strength to fend off those creatures.
Considering this, Han Ning felt the Black Tide was still a distant concern for now.
At this stage, the priority was figuring out how to survive amidst the hordes of monsters.
Otherwise… he'd die before ever finding a boat.
...
After resting for a while and recovering some strength, Han Ning decided to test the skill that sounded like it could heal wounds.
"Rejuvenation!"
[Rejuvenation (Novice): Heals minor wounds; Current Proficiency: 1/100]
A faint warmth flowed from his palm, spreading over the wound on his waist.
The pain lessened slightly but didn't vanish entirely.
For now, the skill seemed capable only of treating superficial injuries.
Gritting his teeth, he crawled toward the scattered food, tore open a pack of compressed biscuits, and wolfed them down.
The dry, hard biscuits scraped his throat, nearly impossible to swallow.
But he couldn't afford to be picky.
Right now, he could've eaten even a rock if he had to.
He was just that hungry!
Only when the gnawing hunger in his stomach eased slightly did Han Ning lean against the wall and begin carefully examining his Druid panel.
[Class: Novice Druid (Lv1 (1/100))]
[Spiritual Power: 4/10]
[Skills: Vine Manipulation (Novice, 5/100), Rapid Growth (Novice, 1/100), Rejuvenation (Novice, 1/100)]
"It seems using skills consumes Spiritual Power, and there's a proficiency system..."
Han Ning's eyes lit up.
"If I practice repeatedly, can I improve the skill effects?"
With that thought, he forced himself to stand despite the pain and stretched his hand toward the empty living room.
"Vine Manipulation!"
A faint green glow emanated from his palm as several slender vines wriggled out from the floor cracks, swaying weakly before withering away.
[Vine Manipulation proficiency +1, Current: 6/100]
"It actually works!" Han Ning's spirits lifted as he continued practicing.
For the next few hours, he repeatedly cast all three skills.
When his Spiritual Power depleted, he would rest briefly, waiting for it to recover.
As his proficiency increased, the vines grew slightly thicker.
The healing effects of Rejuvenation on his back injury... still weren't very noticeable.
What surprised him most was the Rapid Growth skill.
When he used it on a nearly withered pothos plant in the kitchen,
The plant visibly regained vitality at an astonishing rate, its leaves becoming lush and vibrant.
"This ability... is incredibly useful!" Han Ning rubbed his hands excitedly. "If I can grow edible fruits and vegetables, food won't be a problem anymore."
With this thought,
He immediately rummaged through cabinets, finding an apple core from days ago and several potatoes scavenged from the neighboring room.
Then he brought over some empty flower pots with potting soil from the balcony.
"Let's try the apple first."
Han Ning carefully buried the apple seeds in soil, hovering his hands above them as he whispered expectantly,
"Rapid Growth!"
A pale green aura flowed from his palms, seeping into the soil.
At first there was no reaction. Just as Han Ning thought he'd failed, a tiny green sprout broke through the soil, growing at a slow but steady pace.
[Rapid Growth proficiency +1, Current: 3/100]
Han Ning held his breath, eyes fixed on the seedling.
It stopped growing when reaching about 2 centimeters tall.
Not because the skill failed, but because his Spiritual Power had depleted.
"Recovers about 1 point per hour... and it's related to physical condition. Eating helps recovery..."
Han Ning checked his status panel,
"Which means I can use skills at full power every four hours."
He decided to rest first and continue after Spiritual Power recovery.
Lying in bed, Han Ning began considering longer-term plans.
If he could maintain stable food production, half his survival problems would be solved.
Next was how to improve combat capabilities against those monsters...
"Tap tap tap!"
A faint knocking sound came from the balcony direction, instantly putting Han Ning on high alert.
Moving silently to the balcony door, he peeked through the curtain gap.
A smaller-sized crocodile lizard perched on the neighboring balcony railing, its yellow vertical pupils gleaming dangerously through the rain.
It seemed to have caught a scent and was attempting to cross the meter-wide gap between apartments.
"Perfect practice target..."
Han Ning's heartbeat quickened.
He checked his Spiritual Power gauge.
It had recovered to 3 points.
As the lizard successfully climbed onto his balcony railing, Han Ning suddenly pulled open the curtains, thrusting his hands forward.
This time, the summoned vines were noticeably thicker than before, coiling around the lizard's hind legs like living serpents.
The monster let out an angry hiss, struggling to break free.
Han Ning gritted his teeth, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
The vines felt like extensions of his arms, clearly transmitting the strange texture of the lizard's skin.
But simultaneously,
The lizard's struggling force somehow transferred through some peculiar connection, reaching Han Ning's own arms.
As the tug-of-war continued, the vines gradually weakened under the lizard's thrashing, beginning to snap.
New vines continuously sprouted from the cracks in the walls, replenishing the supply.
[Vine Manipulation proficiency +5, current 13/100]
[Druid growth progress +1, current 2/100]
"Get down!" Han Ning pressed his hands downward, and the vines abruptly contracted, flinging the crocodile lizard off the seventh-floor balcony.
A dull thud echoed from the distance, followed by angry but gradually fading roars.
"Not bad..." Han Ning wiped his sweat, pleased as he examined his palms.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before Vine Manipulation could truly restrain those monsters.
"So releasing skills and accumulating proficiency also contributes to Druid level progress..." Han Ning realized.
With his Spiritual Power depleted, Han Ning returned to bed to rest.
This time, he slept deeply.
Until the gnawing hunger in his stomach woke him again.
Outside the window, the unrelenting rain continued, though the sky seemed slightly brighter.
Perhaps it was just past noon.
Han Ning immediately checked the plant pots.
The apple sapling had grown to ten centimeters tall, its branches and leaves flourishing.
Even more surprising were the potatoes—they had sprouted tender shoots, growing noticeably faster than the apple sapling.