Since the Garlic Tribe was founded, every structure the Pixelated Villagers built had served a survival function.
The old thatched huts and the current wooden houses were shelters from wind and rain, while some of the larger buildings were Granaries.
There were also Fences enclosed with stone and wooden palisades, where Camels and sheep were raised.
Two Forest Cabins stood in the forest as temporary camps for Hunters, making it easier for them to venture deep into the woods and track prey.
The Simple Pier was where Dugout Canoes and Fishing Boats docked.
Unlike previous constructions, the Monument had no practical purpose. It was the first cultural landmark to appear in the tribe. After it was built, many villagers stopped there to look at the records carved into the crude stone tablet and discuss the tribe's past.
A short passage was inscribed on the Monument.
"Lie Tou: one of the tribe's earliest two Heroes. He once bravely fought the Demon Cultists and died defending the tribe in battle against Cave Dwellers."
After his closest comrade died, Hero Yu Zou often came here as well.
He stood silently before the Monument, his mind filled with thoughts.
If I had fought alongside him until the end, maybe he would have survived.
If we hadn't attacked those Cave Dwellers and had chosen to avoid them and retreat instead, Lie Tou would probably still be telling me stories about White Boars.
I was too weak. My brother, I couldn't protect you. I only became a burden to you instead.
...You were the Hero. I was only a deserter.
We need more training, better weapons, and more territory if we want to protect the tribe.
Lie Tou's death changed Yu Zou completely. He lost his former talkativeness, energy, and excitement, becoming quiet and reserved.
More often than not, he taught the Hunters combat techniques: how to kite enemies, how to evade, and how to retreat.
Having witnessed death firsthand made Yu Zou exceptionally steady from then on.
Under his leadership, the Hunters moved closer to becoming professional soldiers. They never took needless risks or launched reckless attacks. Before battle, they always patiently observed their opponents. This also became the Garlic Tribe's style of fighting.
Looking down at all of this, Lu Yao suddenly thought of something the Garlic Tribe could use now.
He put on his shoes, locked the door behind him, and went downstairs.
More than ten minutes later, Lu Yao returned with an Iron Hammer in his hand.
This was the next [Blessing] he had decided upon.
The Garlic Tribe had already learned [Mining Technique] and discovered minerals such as Copper, Iron, gold, and Crystal, but they had never mastered Smelting. They only used the most primitive method of firing natural ores. The metal they produced was treated as a collectible rather than a tool.
At the root of it, they had simply been living too comfortably.
The Garlic Tribe's villagers had no worries about food or clothing, faced no pressure from powerful enemies, had Isabelle to solve any trouble they encountered, and had Lu Yao above them. A Miracle could turn the tide at any moment.
Without need, there was no motivation.
That was why the Garlic Tribe's civilization had basically fallen into Stagnation lately.
Lu Yao had considered several times whether he should harden his heart and hit them with a Hurricane or torrential rain, so they could at least understand that misfortune could strike at any time.
But in the end, he could not bring himself to do it.
Every one of these Pixelated Villagers was precious to Lu Yao.
But his thinking had changed now.
Spare the rod and spoil the child. Especially when dealing with a bunch of lazy dogs from the tribal age, sometimes he had to be ruthless. They needed to understand that it was still far too early to coast through life and wait for death.
Besides, Ghost City Sanilo was there now, and that was currently the main foundation of his faith production.
This place could serve perfectly as a testing ground.
Lu Yao selected [Miracle] and began [Rainfall].
At first, the Garlic Tribe did not realize anything was wrong. But as the rainfall grew heavier and a Hurricane joined it, five Granaries and all the food inside were completely destroyed by the Storm and Heavy Rain. More than a dozen Farmlands were ruined as well, and several people died.
The tribal villagers panicked completely.
The torrential rain did not stop, while the Hurricane continued to loom menacingly beside the tribe.
They could only pray beside the Temple, hoping to receive God's protection and see this terrifying natural disaster end sooner.
The Prophet knelt in the Temple.
"Great God Yao, the tribe does not know which God we have angered to bring this disaster upon us. We beg for Your mercy, that You may restore peace to the tribe."
"The tribe deeply acknowledges its sins. We have not offered You Sacrificial Offerings and have committed the blasphemous sin of laziness. We humbly beg Your forgiveness."
This time, Lu Yao gave him no hint at all. He merely watched coldly.
The torrential rain and Hurricane continued, relentlessly battering every member of the Garlic Tribe.
Lu Yao had made up his mind this time.
He spent a total of 250 Faith to show the Garlic Tribe that heaven's might was unpredictable and disaster could be found everywhere.
Once he felt the pressure from the natural disaster was enough, Lu Yao guided the Prophet to the Monument.
The Prophet fell silent for a while. Then an exclamation mark appeared above his head.
"God, are You telling the tribe not to forget the shame of Lie Tou's death?"
"I understand now. The tribe's outstanding Hero died at the hands of monsters, yet we survivors gained no awakening at all. We were still relying on the Apostle's power... How arrogant and lazy we were."
"From this day onward, we will always remember our present weakness. We will never stop moving forward, and we will be ready at all times to face calamity."
"We who are weak have no right to stop and rest."
The Prophet's realization differed somewhat from Lu Yao's original plan.
But the general direction was still the same.
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Lu Yao stopped the Miracle.
The sky above the Garlic Tribe cleared once more. All the Pixelated Villagers immediately breathed a sigh of relief and began rebuilding their damaged homes together.
While they were busy repairing houses and Farmland, exclamation marks suddenly popped up above their heads.
"God's Blessing!"
"God Yao has bestowed His grace!"
"God's revelation!"
"Merciful God Yao, great God Yao!"
"It's an Iron Hammer, an Iron Hammer, an indestructible Iron Hammer!"
The Prophet retrieved the Iron Hammer from the Temple, and it was first put to great use in the hands of the Carpenters.
Both Carpenters could not put down the Iron Hammer and gave it extremely high praise. They believed it was a magnificent tool, an indispensable aid for building houses and wooden goods.
Soon, a series of notifications appeared on the game interface.
[The Garlic Tribe learned to use the Iron Hammer.] [The Garlic Tribe learned Copper Smelting.] [The Garlic Tribe learned Stone Construction.] [The Garlic Tribe learned how to use Copper.] [The Garlic Tribe gained Reputation among other tribes by mastering new technology.]
Over the following period, the Garlic Tribe built a Furnace out of stone. The villagers began firing Copper inside it, then making Copper Hammers from the metal.
The Hunters improved their Bow and Arrow and Spears with Copper, giving them copper arrowheads and spearheads. Not long afterward, the Shaman personally crafted Copper Shields and Copper Armor. At last, the metal Copper began to see widespread use throughout the tribe.
Lu Yao watched with some emotion.
The tribal villagers really did share a common human flaw... give them good food and drink, and they lost all fighting spirit. Only disasters and hardships could unleash their astonishing creativity and drive.
He still needed to keep these tribal villagers feeling at least a little sense of crisis.
At this moment, Isabelle finally crossed the towering mountains and found the Salt Pool Tribe on the other side.
Thanks to Wuyu Zai for supporting with 100 Qidian Coins.
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