Chapter 1082: Shadow Island Is Home

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 a tree, just as the delivered lunch boxes arrived.

Before they could even pick up their chopsticks, dozens of workers were dumbfounded, staring at the construction site.

In their line of sight, a wheelbarrow was frantically transporting bricks, shuttling back and forth between the brick pile and the foundation at breakneck speed. The wheels were almost sparking, and dust was flying everywhere!

Next to the brick pile, another person was swinging their arms, moving bricks with full force!

In the blink of an eye, the wheelbarrow was fully loaded. The movements were so smooth and practiced, it was as if they had reached the realm of "bricks in the heart"!

These two tireless model workers were none other than the Xiong father and son.

The construction site was scorching hot, and it was hard to tell whether the two were working so hard that they were radiating an intense energy or if it was just the heat. Dozens of their fellow workers watched with dry throats.

The two worked together seamlessly, showing no signs of stopping.

There was no trace of dissatisfaction on their faces, only smiles of pure enjoyment.

Before the lunch boxes had even cooled, they had already moved a mountain of bricks several meters high.

It was just insane!

After watching for a while, the dozens of workers were stunned, feeling that the food in their hands no longer tasted good. A sense of unease began to creep into their hearts.

Exchanging quiet glances, their murmurs started to mix with curses!

"Uh... should we get back to work?"

"Something's not right. If this keeps up, we won't be able to keep up with these two newcomers!"

"Damn it!"

"These two are really grinding hard, not even stopping to eat!"

"Seriously! Who can compete with this level of grind?!"

"Yeah, even the donkeys from the production team weren't this crazy!"

"This is too much..."

The murmurs grew louder and finally reached the ears of the Xiong father and son.

Hearing this, Xiong Fen, who had just finished loading a wheelbarrow of bricks, slyly glanced back.

"Son, we've been working too hard these past few days, and it's starting to make people jealous. Talented people always face envy. Maybe you should take a break to avoid stirring up more gossip!"

"Your old man here isn't afraid of the dangers of the world, but you, my son, mustn't act impulsively. You need to understand the ways of the world!"

Xiong Zhong nodded slightly, seemingly ready to heed his father's advice and take a break.

But when he saw the smile in his father's eyes, his hands, which were about to let go, tightened their grip on the wheelbarrow handles, and an even brighter smile spread across his face.

"Dad..."

"I'm not tired. You should be the one resting."

"As the saying goes, when you're away from home, the younger ones should bear the burden. Let me handle more of this brick-carrying work!"

The father and son exchanged knowing smiles, their expressions identical.

Seeing his son's progress, Xiong Fen stroked his beard with satisfaction.

"Good, good."

"It seems you've not only made great strides in your cultivation recently but also understood the value of hard work and diligence. You've finally grown up. Your father is very pleased!"

With that, Xiong Fen leaned in and whispered words of encouragement.

"Son! That's the spirit!"

"To be honest, your father has gained a lot from carrying bricks. Not only have I broken through to the Heavenly Rank, but I've also recently comprehended a powerful palm technique. I've tentatively named it the 'Brick-Carrying Palm.' It's at least a Heavenly Rank martial art. I'll teach it to you when I get the chance!"

"This brick-carrying job is too good to let anyone else take it!"

Xiong Zhong's eyes flickered, and then he nodded with a smile.

"I will follow your teachings, Father!"

"To be honest, I've also made great progress in my cultivation and have comprehended a technique called the 'Wheelbarrow Hand.' It's equally terrifying..."

Hearing this, Xiong Fen's eyes lit up with surprise and joy.

"Oh?! My son's talent is indeed superior. Your future is boundless!"

"Not at all, it's all thanks to your guidance, Father!"

The father and son whispered and chuckled, their competitive spirits evenly matched.

Under a nearby tree, a group of workers watched with gritted teeth, hating the sight of the two conspiring together. They were ready to roll up their sleeves and settle the score!

Just then, the foreman, who had been quietly observing for a while, walked over with his hands behind his back.

As soon as the blue-hatted foreman appeared, everyone stood up and saluted!

"Greetings, Foreman!"

The Xiong father and son also composed themselves, their eyes showing a hint of reverence, no longer as naive as before.

The foreman's gaze swept over the crowd and settled on the father and son.

"In recent days, the two of you have performed well and made great progress."

As soon as he finished speaking.

The group of workers clenched their teeth, but there was nothing they could do.

Feeling the envious gazes, the father and son secretly rejoiced, but on the surface, they remained calm and respectful.

"Foreman, you flatter us. We are humbled!"

The foreman nodded slightly and waved his right hand.

Two pairs of gloves flew toward them!

The Xiong father and son caught the gloves, feeling the extraordinary aura and material. Their expressions immediately turned tense.

"The two of you have been diligent lately. This opportunity to go out and search for building materials will be given to you. These gloves were issued by the higher-ups. They are of good quality, so I bestow them upon you. Within ten days, bring back demon corpses. Your achievements will be measured by the number of demon corpses you collect!"

"I hope you will give it your all and not disappoint the higher-ups or me!"

As the foreman's voice echoed, the Xiong father and son were filled with ecstasy.

Their slightly trembling hands quickly saluted, and they responded loudly!

"Thank you, Foreman, for your kindness! We will give it our all!"

The foreman left satisfied, and only then did the two dare to slowly rise.

Holding the gloves with reverence, Xiong Fen's face turned red with excitement!

"These gloves are of extraordinary quality, at least Heavenly Rank!"

Xiong Zhong was overjoyed, as if he were in a dream!

"Father!"

"Our hard work hasn't been in vain. From now on, we're going to rise to greatness!"

The father and son exchanged excited glances, almost on the verge of tears!

Who would have thought.

After a lifetime of hardships and strange experiences on Cloud Star, they would finally have this moment, obtaining a Heavenly Rank treasure of the second grade!

Remembering all the hardships they had endured, the father and son were overwhelmed with emotion.

Seeing their ecstatic expressions, the group of workers' eyes turned green with envy, but they had no choice but to admit defeat. No matter how jealous they were, the Xiong father and son's hard work was undeniable!

Almost without a word, everyone started frantically eating their lunch and then rushed back to work!

In the blink of an eye, the construction site was filled with dust!

The Xiong father and son quietly looked back, filled with indescribable emotions.

After just a few days of hard work, their gains far surpassed a lifetime of mediocrity. The construction site, which had once made them feel stifled, now seemed so familiar and welcoming. Being here filled them with an unparalleled sense of honor and pride.

From now on, they would work themselves to the bone on this construction site. Even in death, they would be buried here. Shadow Island was truly their home!

This sense of belonging was something they had never experienced before in their lives.