Even in its most primitive form, the finished brick kiln stood as tall as a half-beastman.

Teng Qian and Teng Kun built a simple ladder, which they could climb to add more firewood.

Teng Kun pulled out the dry grass that had been stuffed into the pit, then lit the fires at the top and bottom of the kiln, giving it a preliminary firing.

After lunch, the slaves carefully carried over the unfired bricks and tiles. They only brought a small batch for the test run.

Wu Yue was a little nervous, hoping the bricks and tiles would fire successfully.

If this kiln wasn’t a success, they would have to build another one.

Nearby, Teng Qian and Teng Kun, who were about to start the firing, were also tense. They took a deep breath, walked up to the kiln, and lit it to begin the process.

The fire in the kiln roared to life again, its flickering light carrying the hopes of everyone present.

Because everyone thought they were just playing in the mud, no one else from the tribe bothered to check on them anymore. Only the witch, the Clan Leader, Qingcao, and Aya would occasionally stop by to watch for a bit.

Though none of them had ever seen a stone house, they had heard the Beastman Warriors who went on salt-trading expeditions talk about them. Those magnificent structures were said to be built from enormous, carefully polished stones.

But for the past few days, all Wu Yue, Yuan Lang, and the others had been doing was playing with mud.

The fire at the bottom of the kiln was never allowed to go out, and Teng Kun continuously fed firewood in from the top.

The intense fire burned for two full days. They only stopped adding new firewood when the clay covering the kiln’s roof had changed color.

Even from a great distance, the heat radiating from the brick kiln made everyone sweat profusely.

Getting close enough to add firewood was a job only the Beastman Warriors could handle. If the slaves got anywhere near, the hot air would make them dizzy and light-headed.

"All that’s left is to wait..."

Wu Yue murmured, then turned to Teng Qian and Teng Kun, whose faces were flushed red from the kiln’s intense heat. "You two go get some rest. We can’t open the kiln until the temperature comes down."

The two of them were indeed exhausted. They immediately returned to the simple tents the slaves had set up and fell straight asleep.

"Chang Ye, take the rest of the people and keep making unfired bricks and tiles. The more, the better. Store the newly made ones in the deepest part of the cave."

Chang Ye nodded and led the group of slaves away.

Just then, Yuan Lang looked at her and said, "You should get some rest, too. I can keep watch here."

Wu Yue stood up. "I think I’ll go make us something to eat. I’m tired of eating flatbreads every day; I want a change of pace."

Hearing this, Yuan Lang’s eyes lit up. "I want noodles."

Wu Yue nodded. "Alright."

She then turned and walked toward her tent.

"Host, don’t you worry. This kiln might be crude, but it will definitely be able to fire bricks and tiles."

The System poked out its small head and two front paws, patting its little chest with confidence.

"I do trust you, System. After all, anything from the System is guaranteed to be top-quality. But if too many of the bricks and tiles end up ruined..."

She then shot a pointed look at the System’s chubby little face.

A flicker of apprehension appeared in the System’s eyes, but it secretly peeked at the Dog Host’s mission progress. The heart that had been in its throat instantly settled halfway, and it said confidently, "It will definitely be a success."

"Yue!"

Just as Wu Yue reached the entrance to her tent, Qingcao—her hair once again a bird’s nest—popped out from the side. The moment she saw Wu Yue, she looked as if she was about to burst into tears.

Wu Yue, who had been talking to the System and wasn’t looking where she was going, was so startled she nearly jumped out of her skin. "Holy crap! You scared me half to death!"

Qingcao chuckled sheepishly, blinking back her tears. She poked her fingers together awkwardly. "I just missed you, is all. You’re busy with Yuan Lang and the others all day, and you haven’t spoken to me in ages."

’And you haven’t made any delicious food in a long time, either...’

Her gaze held a hint of playful resentment. Being looked at like that, Wu Yue felt like some heartless scoundrel who had abandoned his wife and kids.

But the moment Wu Yue saw the drool at the corner of Qingcao’s mouth, that feeling was instantly tossed out the window.

Wu Yue felt her eye twitch. "What do you want to eat?"

At her words, the disappointment in Qingcao’s eyes vanished, replaced by a wide, expectant grin. "Noodles!"

The noodles that Amu and her sisters made came in all shapes and sizes, long and short, but the flavor couldn’t even begin to compare to the ones Yue made.

Qingcao wasn’t one to freeload, though. She always helped out when food was being made, it was just that her constant chattering nearly drove Wu Yue to throw her out.