Dark Shadow Island.

Suburban construction site.

As noon approached, it was time for the lunch break.

Workers of all sizes took off their hard hats and sat under the shade of nearby trees, just picking up their delivered lunch boxes.

Before they could even take a bite, dozens of workers gaped in shock at the scene unfolding before them on the site.

In their line of sight, a wheelbarrow was frantically hauling bricks, racing back and forth between the brick pile and the foundation at breakneck speed—its wheels practically sparking from the friction, kicking up clouds of dust!

Beside the brick pile, another figure was swinging his arms in wide arcs, loading bricks with astonishing efficiency.

In the blink of an eye, the wheelbarrow was filled to the brim, the movements so smooth and practiced they bordered on artistry—as if the man had reached the realm of "bricks in the heart," where no glance was even needed!

These two tireless workhorses were none other than Xiong Fen and Xiong Zhong, father and son.

The construction site was sweltering, though it was hard to tell whether the oppressive heat came from the blazing sun or the terrifying work ethic radiating from the duo. The watching workers felt their throats go dry just from observing.

The father and son moved in flawless sync, showing no signs of stopping.

Their faces bore no trace of exhaustion—only the exhilarated grins of men who thrived on the grind.

By the time the lunch boxes had barely cooled, they had already demolished another towering mountain of bricks.

It was downright insane!

After watching for a while, the dozens of workers found themselves staring blankly, their appetites suddenly gone, replaced by an inexplicable sense of unease.

Exchanging furtive glances, their murmurs soon turned into curses.

"Uh… should we maybe get back to work?"

"Something’s not right—if this keeps up, we’ll be left in the dust by these two new guys!"

"Damn it!"

"These two are absolute machines—they don’t even stop to eat!"

"Seriously, who the hell can compete with this?!"

"Yeah, even a workhorse from the old collective farms wasn’t this insane!"

"This is brutal…"

The grumbling grew louder until it finally reached the ears of Xiong Fen and Xiong Zhong.

Hearing the complaints, Xiong Fen—who had just loaded another wheelbarrow—turned with a sly glance.

"Son, our recent efforts have stirred envy. The exceptional are always met with resentment. Perhaps you should take a break, lest we invite more gossip!"

"Your old man here isn’t afraid of the harsh realities of the world, but you mustn’t act recklessly. Learn the ways of social grace!"

Xiong Zhong nodded slightly, as if ready to heed the advice and rest.

But when he caught the glint in his father’s eyes, his grip on the wheelbarrow tightened instead, his smile widening even further.

"Father…"

"This son of yours isn’t tired. You’re the one who should rest."

"As the saying goes, the young suffer when away from home. Let your son bear more of this humble labor!"

The two shared a knowing grin, their expressions eerily identical.

Seeing his son’s growth, Xiong Fen stroked his beard in satisfaction.

"Well said, well said."

"It seems your recent cultivation breakthroughs have also taught you the value of diligence. You’ve finally matured—your father is deeply moved!"

Leaning in, he whispered with encouragement:

"Son! That’s the spirit!"

"Truth be told, your old man has gained much from this brick-hauling. Not only have I broken through to the Heaven Tier, but I’ve also recently grasped a devastating palm technique—tentatively named ‘Brick-Hauling Palm.’ It’s at least a Heaven Tier martial art! When the time comes, I’ll personally pass it down to you!"

"This brick-hauling gig is too good to let slip away!"

Xiong Zhong’s eyes flickered with excitement before he too grinned and nodded.

"I shall heed your teachings!"

"To be honest, Father, my own cultivation has advanced as well. I’ve also grasped a technique—‘Wheelbarrow Hand’—equally fearsome in power…"

Hearing this, Xiong Fen’s eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.

"Oh?! My son’s talent truly surpasses mine! Your future is boundless!"

"Not at all, not at all—it’s all thanks to your guidance, Father!"

The two chuckled conspiratorially, their competitive auras perfectly matched.

Under the distant tree, the group of workers watched with gritted teeth, seething at the shameless display. They rolled up their sleeves, ready to fight for their pride!

Just then, the foreman—who had been silently observing—stepped forward with his hands behind his back.

The moment the blue-hatted foreman appeared, everyone stood and saluted!

"Greetings, Foreman!"

Even Xiong Fen and Xiong Zhong composed themselves, their faces now tinged with reverence—gone was their former ignorance.

The foreman’s gaze swept over the crowd before settling on the father and son.

"Lately, the two of you have performed admirably. You’ve shown remarkable progress."

As his words hung in the air, the other workers clenched their jaws in silent frustration.

Basking in the envy, the father-son duo inwardly rejoiced while maintaining a humble facade.

"You flatter us, Foreman! We are unworthy!"

The foreman gave a slight nod before flicking his wrist.

Two pairs of gloves flew toward them!

Catching the gloves, Xiong Fen and Xiong Zhong immediately sensed their extraordinary material and aura. Their expressions turned solemn.

"Due to your diligence, I’m entrusting you with a mission to gather construction materials beyond the island. These gloves were issued from above—their quality is exceptional. They’re yours now. Within ten days, bring back demon corpses. Your rewards will be based on the number you retrieve!"

"Do your utmost. Don’t disappoint the higher-ups… or me."

As his commanding voice echoed, the father and son were already brimming with ecstasy.

Trembling with excitement, they saluted and responded in unison:

"We thank the Foreman for this opportunity! We swear to give our all!"

Only after the foreman left did they dare to straighten up.

Clutching the gloves in awe, Xiong Fen’s face flushed red with exhilaration.

"These… these gloves are extraordinary! They must be at least Heaven Tier!"

Xiong Zhong was equally euphoric, as if living a dream.

"Father!"

"Our efforts haven’t been in vain! Our fortunes are about to change!"

The two locked eyes, on the verge of tears.

Who could have imagined?

After a lifetime of hardship, and after their bizarre experiences on Cloud Star, they had finally reached this moment—receiving a Heaven Tier, Grade Two treasure!

Remembering their struggles, they trembled with emotion.

Watching their jubilation, the other workers burned with envy, yet they couldn’t deny the truth: Xiong Fen and Xiong Zhong’s efforts were undeniable!

Without a word, the entire group began wolfing down their meals before rushing back to work.

In an instant, the construction site was once again engulfed in dust!

The father and son exchanged a glance, overwhelmed with emotion.

In just a few days of hard labor, they had gained more than in half a lifetime of mediocrity. The site that had once felt stifling now seemed welcoming—a place where they felt an unparalleled sense of pride and belonging.

From this day forward, they would work themselves to the bone here. Even in death, they’d want to be buried on this land. Dark Shadow Island was their true home!

This sense of belonging was something they had never known before.