Chapter 309 - 305: I Made Them Strive from Zero

Huagi Mountain was once embroiled in the ’Crimson Vein Mountain Calamity’, sending the Insect King and a Lord to Dragon Bamboo Continent to join the battle.

The Quandong Divine Tree personally lived through that war-torn and chaotic era, and has a deep understanding of the Termite, Bee, and Ant Clans.

The four insects and one tree gathered together to discuss the details of attacking the Termite Kingdom.

After talking for a long time, everyone fell into contemplation, pondering if anything had been overlooked.

Yellow Stem asked with some concern, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, has the matter of bidding for the second One-Glimpse Fruit been settled?"

"No."

Dragon Cypress: "When spring arrives next year, I’ll renegotiate the allocation shares of Divine-Given Seeds with the Flame Spider Caravan, and we’ll talk about it then."

Yellow Stem tapped his tentacle, suggesting, "The bidding price for the One-Glimpse Fruit could be appropriately increased. Just a few million Source Stones—compared to a Divine Grade Divine-Given Seed, it’s insignificant."

Dragon Cypress: "My idea is to exchange a ’Soul-Setting Fruit’ for a ’One-Glimpse Fruit’ with the caravan—they definitely won’t refuse, and will do their utmost."

Yellow Stem and Spruce immediately showed worry on their faces.

The Quandong Divine Tree asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, Ink Orchid, if I remember correctly, you mentioned that Xianglan Mountain is close to the western Divine Force Barrier, and it’s easy for Ant or Bee Clans from the Ten Thousand Nations Continent to find it."

Ink Orchid: "That’s right—"

Dragon Cypress said confidently, "The Mountain Lord Level specialized Blue Soldiers and specialized Soldier Ants I cultivated will feather out and emerge one after another this winter. They’ll soon become combat-ready, and I’ll never have to worry about Xianglan Mountain’s safety again."

Dragon Cypress chuckled drily, "That narrowest part of the Starship Rift was formed by the Starship’s shell, torn apart and compressed by super-strong Primordial Energy Metal. It’s almost indestructible. Now, those who are strong enough to fight me can’t get through; those who can get through can’t beat me."

Yellow Stem: "Better not let your guard down."

Spruce tapped his tentacle in agreement.

Dragon Cypress: "Everyone, relax. For the next two years, I’ll stay in Xianglan Mountain, focus on breeding Combat Ants, consolidate the Ant Kingdom’s strength, and won’t make any mistakes."

After speaking, Dragon Cypress paused, then said, "There’s another serious issue concerning the One-Glimpse Fruit that we previously didn’t consider. After eating the fruit, no strengthening or transformation takes place; the Origin Force Energy forms a ’Primordial Energy Divine Pattern’ on the carapace—it’s attached externally to the carapace."

Dragon Cypress: "If Molting Evolution occurs, the Primordial Energy Divine Pattern will molt off as well."

Yellow Stem: "Doesn’t that mean..."

Dragon Cypress: "After using the One-Glimpse Fruit, until the granted ability is unleashed, Molting Evolution cannot happen."

Dragon Cypress: "The Soul-Setting Fruit grants powerful Soul system abilities and dramatically boosts evolution, right?"

Yellow Stem: "Of course!"

The Quandong Divine Tree said, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, according to your roving merchant trade pricing rules, the evolutionary boost from one Soul-Setting Fruit is roughly equivalent to the value of 300,000 Source Stones’ worth of basic Origin Force Food."

Dragon Cypress: "...That’s brutal!"

Dragon Cypress: "If I haven’t miscalculated, the Soul-Setting Fruit matures six years from now?"

Yellow Stem: "That’s right."

Quandong: "Roughly the autumn six years from now."

Dragon Cypress: "The One-Glimpse Fruit matures five years from now. It’ll be delivered in the spring of the sixth year, and can be stored up to three months—so it can be used as late as mid-summer of the sixth year."

Dragon Cypress: "Quandong Divine Tree, do you think you could speed up the Soul-Setting Fruit’s maturation by two or three months?"

Quandong: "It’s not impossible."

Quandong: "That issue can be solved with Source Stones."

Quandong: "Alternatively, Divine-Given Exuviae would also work."

Dragon Cypress: "It’ll definitely be Divine-Given Exuviae! I’ll send you extra."

Quandong: "Not a huge amount is needed. Just do it as soon as you can."

Dragon Cypress: "Alright! Once this roving merchant transaction is done, I’ll take care of it!"

Yellow Stem waved his front leg and called out, "No more chatting—let’s hurry up and trade!"

"Wait a moment. No rush. There’s still something to discuss with you all."

Dragon Cypress interrupted, carefully choosing his words. He drew a straight line on the hard earth with his claw, and drew a circle at each end, saying:

"This is Huagi Mountain, and this is the second Source Stone Mine."

He then drew another circle between the two, saying, "By coincidence, there’s a Land of Origin Force right between these two points, which I’ve named ’Hulan Mountain’. It’s mountainous terrain, full of pines and cedars, and its climate is much like Huagi Mountain’s. I’m considering, when transporting Source Stones later, having the Worker Ants open up this place along the way."

Dragon Cypress sighed lightly, "Deciding what to plant there is an issue. After the Land of Origin Force is cultivated, the Xianglan Mountain Ant Kingdom may not have the resources to tend to it. I’ve thought long and hard, and I feel the pines and cedars from Huagi Mountain would be a good choice. Quandong Divine Tree, Yellow Stem, could you get me some top-level tree seeds?"

Dragon Cypress lifted his head and promised, "You can rest assured—I won’t spread the seeds to any third party. In the future, if Ink Orchid and I achieve evolutionary perfection and decide to leave, I’ll have the ant colony destroy and clear out the woodland myself, ensuring no problems remain for the future."

Yellow Stem lowered his head forcefully, bumping his head against the soil, remaining silent.

The Quandong Divine Tree also said nothing.

For a great tribe like Huagi Mountain, seeds are their core legacy. Controlling a unique top-level tree species is one of their greatest advantages on the continent.

Dragon Cypress pointed at the Sky-Blue Persimmon Trees at the foot of the mountain forest, saying, "I still possess other top-level plant seeds suitable for sowing in Huagi Mountain. I can share them with you."

Quandong Divine Tree: "Silver Cypress?"

Dragon Cypress: "Yes, Silver Cypress Trees are absolutely top-level species. They originated from Silver Cypress Mountain—but I’ve chopped down all the mother trees there. Now, in the entire Natural Star Realm, only my Xianglan Mountain has them."

You really are a shameless ant~ Yellow Stem lifted his head, speechless.

Dragon Cypress: "I can also promise that in the future, before Ink Orchid and I leave, I’ll remove all the Silver Cypress Trees as well. That way, in the next Origin Force Era, your Huagi Mountain will have another top-level plant seed."

Dragon Cypress: "In addition, Large Fruit Hemlock is also suitable for planting in Huagi Mountain—a top-level cedar that strengthens carapace hardness, working perfectly with the carapace toughness of Sky-Blue Persimmon."

Quandong Divine Tree: "Sky-Blue Persimmon, Large Fruit Hemlock, Silver Cypress—three top-level plant species."

Dragon Cypress: "Currently, those are the only three suitable for cultivation in Huagi Mountain. I’ll see if I can get you more."

The Quandong Divine Tree went silent for a long time, then said, "No matter what, I can only give you two top-level plant seeds: Huagi King Pine and Nine-Leaf Huangqian."

Dragon Cypress hesitated briefly, then solemnly promised again, "That works! You can rest assured—Ink Orchid and I are determined to leave the Origin Force Star Realm, to venture outside, explore the ends of the world, and seek the apex of evolution. We won’t leave any legacy behind. When the insects leave, I’ll erase every trace of our existence, and leave a pristine natural forest for the future Insect Clan, so they can start from zero..."

...

After completing routine trade with Huagi Mountain, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid set off in haste, heading for Silver Cypress Mountain.

The Sky-Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed at Mountain Persimmon was sown this spring, using Divine-Given Remains wood chips mixed with humus as the seedbed. After growing for a year, it quickly reached nearly three meters in height, and awakened soul consciousness.

After two more years it can be considered for flowering and fruiting—the first harvest won’t be small.

They didn’t linger. After finishing the trade, they exchanged a few words and then took their leave, heading east.