Explosions echoed incessantly, and dust filled the sky.
This was the construction site where the stone people were digging a grand canal.
The stone people themselves fed on mud, and many had gu insects parasitic on their bodies that could be used.
"Chieftain, you can't keep doing this! Yesterday, three more clansmen died from exhaustion. They died miserably, without leaving any offspring."
An old stone man knelt before Yan Yong, weeping loudly.
Once a stone person died from overwork, their soul dissipated completely, and no remnant would form a small stone person.
Yan Yong beat his chest and stomped his feet, roaring in a low voice: "How could I not know? How could I not know? Another hero of our clan has died! For our clan's bright future and better tomorrow, they dedicated their lives."
"That's exactly why we can't slack off. Since we started, we've suffered many attacks from fox groups. These fox groups are getting larger, clearly that male immortal who deserves a thousand cuts is continuously recovering his immortal essence! We must continue to work hard and dig open the canal to cut off his power base!"
The old stone man was stunned for a moment: "But, Chieftain..."
"You are a good stone man, thinking for the clan; I understand. These heroes will not die in vain. Look over there, I have already erected tombstones for them. Future generations will offer sacrifices and be grateful." Yan Yong pointed into the distance, where the tombstones stood densely.
The old stone man looked at the tombstones and sighed.
When large numbers of stone people first started dying from exhaustion, Yan Yong, the new chieftain, had ordered these tombstones erected.
The low morale was immediately boosted. Every day, stone people died from overwork, but they still worked with great enthusiasm.
"What use are tombstones when people are dead?" The old stone man was one of the few sober ones, deeply worried about this.
"Chieftain," he pleaded earnestly, "we stone people also value inheritance and reproduction. These stone people who died from overwork have completely dissipated souls, without any descendants."
Yan Yong's expression did not change, and he did not speak.
But among the young stone people beside him, someone shouted indignantly: "You old thing, are you afraid of death?"
The old stone man immediately stiffened his neck: "Kid, how can you talk like that? I am old, but I have always been a stone person. How can a stone person be afraid of death?"
"If you're not afraid, why are you hemming and hawing?"
"Exactly. We are contributing to the clan!"
"What is giving up a little personal interest for the collective?"
Beside Yan Yong, a group of young stone people all started shouting.
"Old predecessor, if you're feeling tired, take a rest first. It doesn't matter. I'm very tight on time and need to go to other places to supervise progress." Yan Yong patted the old stone man on the shoulder, stepped past him, and continued on his way.
A group of young stone people followed closely behind Yan Yong, chirping, fully expressing their contempt for the old stone man.
Being scolded by these juniors made the old stone man extremely stifled, fuming with rage.
He wanted to argue loudly, but saw that around the construction site, large stone slabs were erected everywhere, engraved with various slogans.
"Work even if it kills you!"
"With everyone united, a grand canal can be built in three days!"
"As bold as the stone people are, that's how much they produce."
"Create a bright future for the stone people together!!"
"Long live Chieftain Yan Yong!"
"Dedicate life and youth for the bright future of the stone people!"
A fanatical atmosphere hung over the hearts of the stone people. Even the stone people who died from overwork had smiles on their faces before death.
The old stone man wanted to speak, but opened his mouth several times without saying anything.
He knelt blankly on the spot for a long time, then suddenly extended his fist and struck the ground hard.
With a dull thud.
The old stone man stood up abruptly, without a word, hunched his back, and walked toward the construction site.
Yan Yong arrived at the next section of the construction site.
The canal had begun to take shape, with large numbers of adult stone people digging in the riverbed. Beside them, the slightly weaker young stone people formed patrol teams. Some supervised the work site, some carved slogans, and some erected hero tombstones.
These young stone people were collectively called the Yan Guard Soldiers, established personally by Yan Yong.
"Report to the Chieftain!" Five or six young stone people immediately went before Yan Yong and loudly reported the work results of these days.
"Report to the great Chieftain, our section has dug another fifty li!"
"Report to the great Chieftain, we regretfully sacrificed one hundred and twenty clan members, all heroes of our clan!"
"Report to the great Chieftain, we found three clan members who were slacking off and sleeping! This is a disgrace to our stone people clan! They must be criticized!"
"Very good, very good. You are all excellent! Remember, you must build tombstones for the fallen heroes. At the same time, tie up those disgraces for public show, criticize them publicly, so they learn from their shame and become courageous." Yan Yong instructed.
"Understood!"
"You are all the future of our clan. Seeing you is like seeing our clan's brilliant tomorrow. You must continue to work hard." Yan Yong praised.
The young stone people were so excited that their whole bodies trembled.
"Everything for the stone people clan!"
"Beloved Chieftain Yan Yong, you are our glorious banner!"
"We unite by your side, marching toward a bright and brilliant future together!!"
They all shouted loudly, their eyes extremely fanatical.