Xu Zifan selected the most suitable raw materials for making cement and produced the cement, then arranged for the beastmen to begin work. The tiger-tribe beastmen, being strong, were assigned to mine with stone pickaxes, while the older females wove rattan baskets. Four baskets were tied together with rattan, and leopard-tribe beastmen carried the various raw materials to the construction site. Then, snake-tribe beastmen sorted and transported them to the various work sites. The snake-tribe beastmen's animal form wasn't a small snake, but a python, and they were just as capable as the other beastmen.
The construction site was chosen by Xu Zifan after he had all the leopard and snake tribes describe what they had seen and heard in the vicinity, draw a map, and select the best location. He had checked it out himself; it wasn't far from water sources and forests, the terrain was excellent, and there was a vast expanse of flat land that could be cultivated. He drew a map of the city and then gathered everyone for a bonfire party.
At night, a bonfire was lit in the tribe. Everyone was somewhat tired, and some seemed lost, because they were busy every day but didn't quite understand why they were doing this. Xu Zifan walked up to the altar, wearing somewhat elaborate clothes and some bone necklaces, which were gifts from the fox tribe as a gesture of goodwill, saying that they were more befitting of his status.
He stood on the platform, ordered his men to unfurl a map of the city, and, illuminating it with torches, pointed to it and said, "This will be our future city, our home. Perhaps some of you think that the tribe has everything, and there's no need to move to the city. Today, I want to tell you all what a city is for."
Look at the outermost city wall. It's so thick that even a hundred orcs couldn't breach it. As long as we close the city gates and set up sentry posts on the walls, we can clearly see whether anyone is approaching. Even if the enemy gets close, they won't be able to invade the city. No matter if it's another tribe with malicious intentions or wild beasts, no one can breach our homeland. This way, the elderly and young children can live in the safest environment.
This area around the city is farmland, where vegetables and fruits are grown; this is a pond, where aquatic products can be raised; this is where livestock are raised, so that females will no longer need to forage and can be self-sufficient. Here are workshops for crafting tools, workshops for sewing clothes and bedding, and all sorts of workshops here, here, and here. I haven't taught you how to do it yet, but once the city is built, you can work in these workshops, producing all sorts of things, and trade will flourish within our city. This is the trading market.
There will also be a pharmacy where talented individuals can learn medicine and pharmaceuticals. The city will no longer be dominated by high priests skilled in medicine; we will have a more comprehensive and secure system to ensure everyone's health. There will also be a training ground where outstanding orcs will teach orcs and children who need training in combat. And a quest hall where anyone can post quests. Anyone can accept a quest as long as the reward is appropriate, and receive payment upon completion. Hunting, exploring terrain, gathering useful resources, searching for people—anything can become a quest.
And here is the school, where I will write down all the knowledge and teach it to the gifted, who will then pass it on to others, to the next generation. This is the research lab, where everyone will not only study, but also think for themselves, conduct research, and unleash their potential.
This is our future life: orderly, prosperous, mutually supportive, and united against external enemies. Most importantly, it will be filled with hope—hope for development and continuation. This is the meaning of our city! Do you still think that doing hard labor every day is a waste of time?
"No!" the crowd responded in unison, their eyes shining brightly as if a flame of hope had been ignited. Although they had never seen many of the things Xu Zifan described, just from the blueprint he outlined, they could imagine how wonderful their future life would be—a life far more exciting than their tribal existence, surely filled with hope and joy!
Sada stood up and shouted, "There are no orcs in the Leopard Clan who can't endure hardship! We support every decision the Wise One makes and will never question it!"
Mo Wen also stood up, "The Serpent Clan supports the Wise One, and has no doubt about it!"
"Absolutely no doubt! We support the Wise One!" The orcs' enthusiasm was ignited, and they all stood up and roared. Then, the representatives from other races who came to learn also spoke up, and their previous fatigue was swept away.
Xu Zifan smiled on the altar. When people are doing things they don't understand, things that are tiring and difficult, what they need most is to see hope and to know the meaning of what they are doing. Xu Zifan smiled and said, "The city is our home, and also a place where different tribes can try to get along amicably. Those who have come to learn from the various tribes should return to their tribes tomorrow to inform them of this news. Those who are interested in joining the city should come and help with its construction. Those who are not interested in joining can also receive compensation for their help. Let us work together to build our future home!"
"Good! Let's build a home! Let's build a home!" the orcs cheered, and the bonfire party officially began. They danced around the bonfire, laughing and joking, creating a lively atmosphere. Xu Zifan put away the city map and returned to his room, not intending to participate. Mainly, he was too small among the orcs, especially the females... he had nothing in common with them.
After a while, Fang knocked on the doorframe. "May I come in?"
"Come in." Xu Zifan put away the city map, smiled at him, and said, "Sit down. Why didn't you go play with them?"
"I saw you didn't go, so you don't like it?"
Xu Zifan shrugged. "Yeah, I don't really like it."
Mengya paused for a moment, seemingly unsure what to say; he was never good at conversation. Just as Xu Zifan was about to find a topic, he took out a necklace made of animal teeth from his pocket. "Thank you for giving the Tiger Clan a chance."
"This is…" Xu Zifan felt a chill run down his spine. He remembered that animal teeth were used for marriage proposals, right?
Seeing his reaction, Mengya unconsciously tightened her grip on the necklace, lowered her eyes, and placed the necklace in front of him.
"It's the tooth of the ferocious beast that you dealt with using anesthetic powder. Keep it as a souvenir."
Xu Zifan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Okay, thank you."
Mengya nodded, turned, and walked out. He had lied earlier; the beast tooth belonged to the most ferocious wild animal he had ever killed. He knew Xu Zifan wouldn't agree to a marriage, but for some reason, he just wanted to give him his most precious beast tooth.
Sada and Mowen walked over and saw him, saying, "Mengya, did you go to find Zifan? What is he doing?"
"rest."
"Why rest now? We should be having fun! Come on, let's go drag him out to play!" Sada quickened his pace and ran towards Xu Zifan's house. Mo Wen followed, and Meng Ya thought for a moment, then followed after him.
Sada ran into the house and shouted, "Zifan! Zifan, come out and play! What are you doing hiding in the house all by yourself? It's no fun at all."
Xu Zifan quickly said, "No, I find it very interesting, I don't want to go."
Sada grabbed his wrist, pulled him up, and led him outside. "Let's play together, make it lively, eat good food, wouldn't that be great? What's the point of you being all alone here?"
"Hey, I don't want to go. Sadah!" Xu Zifan pushed him twice, but he just couldn't get the strength to do it.
Sada stopped, looked down at him, and asked, "You really don't like it? Why?"
"Why is there no reason? Why do you like to eat so much?" Xu Zifan pushed his hand away in annoyance.
Sada stroked his chin and laughed, "You don't like bonfire parties, so let's go out and have some fun. I know a lake that's especially beautiful at night, we can go there." He saw Mowen walk in and asked him to confirm, "Mowen, you know that place too, right? Isn't it beautiful? Zifan, you must go and see it, it's the most beautiful place in our area."
Mo Wen nodded. "Yes." He looked at Xu Zifan, then looked away. "Everyone has been busy for a long time. Today is a day off, and you should rest too."
When Xu Zifan saw that Mengya had also returned, he thought for a moment and said, "Let's go then, it's a bit noisy in the tribe."
Sada immediately transformed into beast form and lay down in front of him, wagging its tail. "Zifan, come on up quickly, we're leaving."
Xu Zifan mounted his back, and Sada called to Mo Wen and Meng Ya before galloping off. Mo Wen sneered, "All you do is rely on your beast form..."
Mengya didn't hear the last two words. He thought Mowen probably meant "competing for favor." Xu Zifan clearly preferred Sada's beast form and always preferred Sada to take him out. Mowen was the only one Xu Zifan had never ridden. The python's beast form didn't seem so appealing, not to mention Sada's shameless tail-wagging.
Mengya pretended not to hear and chased after Sada and the others. Mowen naturally followed, but his expression wasn't so good before he transformed into his beast form.
The place they were going to was some distance from the tribe. The lake was indeed beautiful at night, with moonlight shining on its surface like twinkling stars. Moreover, it was very peaceful there. Xu Zifan felt his heart calm down as he came to the lake from the noisy tribe. It was truly a peaceful place to enjoy himself.
Sada asked with a smile, "How about it? I wasn't wrong, was I? Isn't it beautiful?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "It's not bad." He sat down on the ground, supporting himself with his hands behind him. He felt a gentle breeze on his face, which was very comfortable and made his whole body relax.
The three of them sat beside him, chatting idly, with Sada doing most of the talking; he was always incredibly lively. When the topic turned to city maps, Sada suddenly had a bright idea, "Hey? Zifan, you can draw city maps, can you draw people too? Can you draw me?"
"Hmm...yes." He had maxed out his drawing skills in the previous world.
Sada immediately got excited, "Then I want to draw a human figure, and then a beast figure! Zifan, can you draw yourself? The four of us are together every day, how about we draw a picture of all four of us? That way, people will know at a glance that we are different."
Mo Wen scoffed, "What's the difference? If you're drawing four people, what are their identities in the drawing?" He stared at Xu Zifan's reaction, unsure of what response he was hoping for.
"What identity?" Sada paused for a moment. "The four of us have been together for so long, aren't we... a family?"
Mengya lowered his head and remained silent. He was the person who had been in contact with Xu Zifan the longest, and he understood Xu Zifan's thoughts. He also noticed that Sada and Mowen were attracted to Xu Zifan; after all, who wouldn't like someone so powerful?
Xu Zifan felt a chill run down his spine again, took a deep breath, and smiled, "Of course we're family. The four of us are the best brothers, like 'blood' brothers, brothers for life."