Could you possibly exchange a little less?" The shadow stone held no utility for the human faction despite being a scarce resource.

In the hands of humans, it bore no distinction from ordinary stones.

"Could you inform me how this shadow stone is acquired?" Fonhow inquired.

Genuinely intrigued about the means of obtaining such shadow stones.

Certainly, I discovered a subterranean ancient tomb near my territory and found it within, Dong Juer replied.

Funhow stroke his chin, pondering.

Did this mean a shadow stone could only be procured from grave sites? Would he need to construct necroantic edififices and venture intombs? Are you still there, Big Shot? A lesser exchange of food would suffice.

Dong Jiua hastily remarked, fearing Fong how I'd lost interest in the trade.

You can just call me by my name.

In that case, I will offer you 30 units of meat for one stone.

And you can still obtain it at the same rate in the future, Fong Hao proposed.

He was not in want of food, especially since the shadow stone was precisely what he required.

Thank you, brother Fonggha.

I will list the shadow stone now.

Good.

Shortly, the designated trading area displayed the shadow stone, albeit only a single piece.

The exchange was promptly completed for 30 units of meat.

With the shadow stone in hand, Fongo resumed upgrading his structures.

The laboring skeletons worked tirelessly, amassing resources at a commendable pace, sufficient for his needs to upgrade the buildings.

Materials required for upgrading to level three Lord's cabin.

1,200 wood, 600 stone, 300 thatch, 120 leather, 50 hemp rope.

Confirm upgrade.

A brilliant light flickered as the lord's hall of the cabin expanded once more.

Its area increasing, becoming even more exquisite and robust.

Level three lord's cabin.

Owner Fong Hao.

Existing structures.

Level two underground tomb.

Level two warehouse.

Level one burial site.

Note core structure of the territory.

Materials required for upgrade.

2,200 wood, 1,000 stone, 200 brick, 240 leather, 180 hemp rope.

Upon reaching level four, a new material brick appeared.

The method to acquire it still unknown.

After a brief wait, there was no sound of rewards as experienced during the initial upgrade of the main city.

Leaving him somewhat disappointed, he continued to examine other constructions within his territory.

Both underground tomb and burial site remained unable to upgrade due to the lack of shadow stones.

However, the warehouse could be upgraded to level three.

Level three warehouse 1,200 wood, 950 stone, 320 thatch, 100 leather, 220 hemp rope.

Confirm upgrade.

The warehouse successfully ascended to level three.

Level three warehouse.

Storage capacity 50 0000.

Note, resources stored within the warehouse are preserved more effectively and food storage is less prone to spoilage.

The higher the warehouse level, the greater the capacity for resource preservation and the better the effects.

Materials required for upgrade.

2,000 wood, 1500 stone, 400 stone bricks, 300 leather, 220 hemp rope.

The total storage capacity has been elevated to 50,000.

However, the overall resources within the territory consistently exceed the warehouse's capacity.

The warehouse is at saturation.

While various resources continue to pile up in the open spaces of the territory.

After upgrading the structure, Fonghouse summoned all his skeletal soldiers back.

It was time to explore the surrounding territory.

Tightening his leather armor, he grasped a stone axe.

Other lords began to survey the maps of their territories, and he too could not confine himself to the immediate vicinity.

Much like Dong Jiua, who traded shadow stones with him, he discovered a nearby graveyard that yielded shadow stones.

Regrettably, apart from himself, none of the other skeletons possessed the ability to explore or chart maps.

Thus, he could only venture forth alone.

Nevertheless, compared to other lords, his forces were evidently superior, which mitigated the dangers.

Observing the gathered skeletal soldiers, he proclaimed, "Follow me.

Your task is to protect me.

" The skeletal soldiers responded with silence.

Standing motionless with wooden shields and stone axes, setting off, Fong How led the way, stepping beyond the protective barrier.

The woods in front of the territory had cleared significantly.

The labor skeletons continued their tireless work.

Leading a throng of skeletal soldiers through the dense forest, they emerged into a vast plane where a crystalclear stream flowed gently.

Fonha took a wooden plank and marked the location of stream.

This spot was closer than his water collection site and no dangers had been detected.

Unfortunately, he had not brought any containers or he could have filled some and sent the skeletons back to the territory with them.

Following the stream upstream, Fonggha's expression suddenly shifted.

He stepped forward and crouched to examine the marks on the ground.

Wool tracks.

The soil by the stream was soft, clearly revealing impressions left by wheels.

A lord or another faction? Fonggho pondered quietly as he gazed at the tracks.

He then beckoned the skeletal soldiers to follow the direction of the tracks.

Nearby the territory, a new neighbor had unexpectedly appeared, inciting both curiosity and concern about potential threats.

Soon, Fongo encountered the owner of the tracks.

It was a humanoid creature with a massive dog-like head and a hunch body.

On the flatbed cart lay the bloody carcasses of animals, dog-headed stone thrower, tier 2, skill, sling.

The do-headed stone thrower stood at modest height approximately between 120 to 130 cm.

Its skin was a grayish white reminiscent of a hairless dog.

The sight of Fong's entourage of hundreds of skeletons also captured the attention of this creature.

After a brief moment of distraction, a series of piercing howls erupted as the slingshots were set in motion, launching an assault.

The resounding thuds echoed, though seemingly rudimentary.

The slingshots possessed formidable power.

The projectiles whistled through the air, striking the wooden shields with thunderous force, sending the front line of skeletal soldiers reeling.

Attack! Eliminate them, commanded Fonggha with a clatter.

Hundreds of skeletal soldiers brandished their wooden shields and charged forth, advancing towards the dogheaded foes.

The disparity in numbers was stark.

Despite the slingshot's formidable strikes, the wooden shields and leather armor of the skeletal soldiers provided significant protection, preventing any substantial harm.

The dense failanks of bony warriors swiftly approached while the dogheaded adversaries numbering barely over 20 found themselves unable to mount an effective counterattack once the skeletal soldiers closed in.

Armed with dominion of daggers, their frantic cries and flailing gestures proved feudal against the relentless tide of skeletal warriors.

A few anguished whales pierced the air as they succumbed beneath the onslaught of shields and errant blades.

Once the tumult subsided, Fong House stepped forward, surveying the lifeless bodies strewn upon the ground alongside a scattering of dismembered skeletal remains.

Clear the battlefield, he instructed.

The skeletal warriors obediently began to gather the equipment dropped by the dogheaded throwers.

His gaze then fell upon the corpse of the fallen do-headed creature where he noticed a cluster of white bones resembling vertebrae.

Wriggling spine type consumable description a sacrificial offering of the undead utilized for the recruitment of undead soldiers.

Chapter 7.