Chapter 452 - 432: New Ability: Flourish and Furious Rage

At the ant nest’s exit, both sides of the ant road were densely planted with Molan Grass by Ink Orchid, just as spring brought the first blossoms.

Dragon Cypress picked one at random.

His gaze and spiritual power locked on together, gathered for a moment, as a stream of Primordial Energy gathered at his left tentacle.

The tentacle curved, gently tapping the orchid grass.

Primordial Energy seeped into the grass; in an instant, its life breath became especially vigorous.

Dragon Cypress patiently waited for a while.

No other changes appeared.

He swept it with spiritual power, checking repeatedly, and roughly understood: this ability consumes his own physical strength and nutrients, combines with Primordial Energy, and replenishes and enhances the plant’s life vitality.

Afterwards, it should speed up the plant’s growth rate, make the plant stronger, and grow more vigorously.

It’s a purely territory management-type ability.

——Could this ability be inherited by Wood Element Soldier Ants or Worker Ants?

——Could it be used on Life Seed Plants?

——Could it work on Divine-Given Seeds?

——If it can, then it’s absolutely worth 3 million Source Stones!

——Spent 4.5 million to buy a Divine-Grade Kunlun Seed, not only awakened Wood Element Talent as I wished, but also got a Wood Element ability as a bonus—jackpot!

——I really am a genius!

Dragon Cypress pondered, caught up in another wave of wild joy.

Primordial Energy gathered at his right tentacle; he picked another one at random, bent down, and tapped lightly.

Quickly, he noticed a problem:

This ability consumes a lot when used. Even with his 7th age period Mountain Lord Level Ant King body, he could clearly feel the drain. If given to Wood Element Soldier Ants or Worker Ants, even if they successfully inherited the ability, it probably wouldn’t be too strong—and there’d be usage limits.

Dragon Cypress turned his gaze to his Dragon Cypress Life Seed nearby, hesitated slightly, ran up, gathered Primordial Energy in both tentacles, and gently tapped the trunk.

Swept with spiritual power to check.

The Dragon Cypress Life Seed’s life breath improved slightly.

——This ability works on Origin Force Life, but its effect isn’t very strong; if used on Divine-Given Seeds, the effect would be even weaker.

——The ability’s consumption is significant, and it can’t be unleashed at will.

——Is it worth 3 million? The key is whether it can be inherited by Wood Element Soldier Ants and Worker Ants.

Dragon Cypress’s ecstatic emotions gradually cooled.

"Great King!"

Cypress hurried over when he heard, "Congratulations, Great King, you got what you wished for and awakened your Wood Element Talent!"

Cypress sped up and gazed up at the Dragon Cypress Tree, asking, "Great King, your Wood Element Ability?"

Dragon Cypress: "Yes."

Cypress carefully examined the Dragon Cypress Life Seed in front of him. "Can it speed up the Life Seed Plant’s growth?"

Dragon Cypress corrected, "It’s not simply accelerating growth—it provides... it injects life vitality, which prompts them to grow better."

Cypress: "That’s even better!"

Dragon Cypress calmly twitched his tentacle in agreement.

Fragrant Cypress also hurried over after hearing the news.

And another round of explanations ensued.

Dragon Cypress led Fragrant Cypress and Cypress down the mountain to the Southern Gorgon Reservoir.

"Southern Gorgon!"

Cypress and Fragrant Cypress called out enthusiastically.

Southern Gorgon sent a wary, questioning spiritual thought: "What are you up to?"

Fragrant Cypress rushed to explain: "Great King just awakened a Wood Element ability that helps plants grow."

Southern Gorgon fumed, "You want to test the ability on me?"

"Cut the nonsense!"

"Let’s see if it works. If it does..."

Dragon Cypress’s words trailed off as he controlled the Dominating Throne to float above the mother plant, gathered Primordial Energy in his tentacle, and gently tapped a leaf.

"Oh—"

Southern Gorgon exclaimed in delight, "Dragon Cypress, what’s your ability called?"

Dragon Cypress countered, "Southern Gorgon, pay close attention. Any discomfort? Are there any side effects from this ability?"

Southern Gorgon paused for two seconds, then declared, "Very good. No discomfort. It actually feels pleasant—do it two more times."

——Awesome!

——This ability works on Divine-Given Plants too!

Cypress and Fragrant Cypress were the first to cheer up as they listened to the conversation, hopping and cheering in excitement.

Fragrant Cypress asked, "Great King, what’s this ability called?"

Dragon Cypress thought for a moment, then said, "Let’s keep it simple—call it ’Flourish.’"

Fragrant Cypress: "The Great King’s naming is so profound!"

Cypress dryly said, "Great King, great naming!"

Southern Gorgon: "Shameless!"

Southern Gorgon urged, "Dragon Cypress, hit me with it a hundred more times."

Dragon Cypress: "I just evolved and have no energy. Wait till I’m fed and watered, then I’ll give you ten thousand hits."

Southern Gorgon: "..."

Southern Gorgon asked, "Wood Element Soldier Ants and Worker Ants? This ability can be inherited by them, right?"

Dragon Cypress: "Needs testing. If it works, I’ll assign 100 ants to help you grow, taking turns using the ability."

Southern Gorgon: "100? Not enough! I want ten thousand!"

Dragon Cypress: "Ten thousand’s not enough—I’ll give you a hundred thousand. But only after further testing confirms it’s possible."

Southern Gorgon: "..."

Southern Gorgon knew Dragon Cypress was talking nonsense again.

Southern Gorgon also knew that when an ant goes full-on shameless, there’s nothing you can do.

Southern Gorgon didn’t want to talk anymore.

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles, "In this evolution, I also grasped a Strength System ability. Fragrant Cypress, Cypress, let’s head up the mountain to the Shandong Reservoir for a try."

They went up the mountain together.

Dragon Cypress stood by the shore, immersed in contemplation, then looked up, waving his claws to clear the area: "This is a sudden burst attack skill. Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, you both get back—careful not to get caught in the crossfire."

——Long live the King!

Fragrant Cypress and Cypress waved their tentacles in response, leading the watching ant swarm away and observing from a distant slope.

Dragon Cypress walked across the water to the reservoir’s center.

He stopped and began to accumulate force.

Suddenly, all his Primordial Energy gathered in a spot at his chest and abdomen, instantly transforming into a terrifying shockwave force.

A thunderous boom exploded.

With Dragon Cypress at the center, the lake water blasted sky-high.

Countless droplets shot in all directions with a hiss.

A cacophony of splashes,

The plants around the reservoir were battered every which way by the water droplets, broken branches and wilted leaves were scattered everywhere.

This ability...

The Great King went berserk~ The watching ant swarm immediately scattered in panic.

Cypress and Fragrant Cypress were stunned.

Even Dragon Cypress was startled out of his wits.

Looking around, the big and small fish raised in the reservoir were all belly-up.

Well, plenty of fish for the celebration feast now...

Maybe a bit too much...

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles to issue commands:

"Fragrant Cypress, clean up a bit."

"Cypress, remember to add a batch of fry to the reservoir."

"Okay—"

"Got it—"

...

This ability is an instantaneous explosive type—the closer you are, the more deadly. Good for melee fights, especially when surrounded; hit this once and flatten a whole crowd.

Pros: ferocious burst, immense power.

Cons: equally fierce Primordial Energy consumption.

Linnan Divine Tree’s guidance: High-level combat skills are all about causing maximum damage with minimal Origin Force used.

The new ability has obvious flaws—not something you use lightly.

Probably worth about 1.5 million Source Stones.

Dragon Cypress named it "Furious Rage."

...

Skill testing complete.

One more urgent matter: the Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed needs to be sown immediately.

Where to plant it?

In the Natural Star Realm, oaks are a big family—six hundred and fifteen species worldwide.

The Thunder Oak cultivated on Huagi Mountain is likely one of the northern species.

This tree has strong vitality and excellent adaptability. It’ll do fine in the southern temperate zone too.

Xianglan Mountain is the Ant Kingdom’s main nest, already crowded with too many fighty and worky ants; there’s no room for more Divine-Given Seeds.

White Lotus Lake and Molan Mountain’s two Lands of Origin Force are both available options.

After a quick thought, Dragon Cypress decided to plant the Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed at Molan Mountain.

A feast was held at noon. After eating and drinking their fill, Dragon Cypress set off with Fragrant Cypress.

Fragrant Cypress directed Worker Ants to dig the hole.

Dragon Cypress transported shredded Divine-Given Remains as mulch.

It took three days to prepare everything.

The Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed was sown into the earth.

One day later, the seed sprouted.

Two days later, the cotyledons dropped; it grew into a ten-centimeter-tall seedling.

...

At the same time,

The Dominating Throne successfully nurtured six Guardian·Wood Ant Eggs, placed in the Xianglan Mountain Ant Nest Royal Family, with special Worker Ants assigned to care for them.

Two were stimulated toward Specialized Ant differentiation.

The remaining four were separately stimulated toward large, medium, small, and micro sized ants using pheromones.

...

Ten days later, the seedling grew into a little tree half a meter high.

Dragon Cypress cautiously used his Wood Element ’Flourish’ ability on it.

Observed closely for three days.

The obvious changes: underground main root thicker, fibrous roots abundant; aboveground trunk and branches sturdier, leaves lush and dark green.

The Flourish Ability can make plants grow more robust.

Dragon Cypress carefully used his ’Flourish’ ability again on the Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed.

Observed again for three days.

The Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seedling grew rapidly, surpassing 1 meter in height.

As a bonus, it definitely has some effect promoting plant growth.

This Wood Element ability is great!

...

The first Micro Ant hatched from Guardian·Wood Ant Egg—so small, just over 1 cm long.

From its faint Origin Force fluctuation, it inherited the Wood Element Talent.

Very similar to the Blue Soldiers (Water System), slim-bodied, with a teal-green ring pattern on the abdomen.

Dragon Cypress named it "Green Soldier," and preemptively named the Wood Element Worker Ants as "Green Ants."

The micro Green Soldier was just too small—can’t use the Flourish Ability.

It’s quick, good at climbing, strong mandibles, excellent for orchard pest control work.

...

Another half month passed,

The Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed grew to about 1.5 meters tall.

The second small Green Soldier feathered and emerged, just over 3 centimeters long, slender, with shiny black carapace and a teal-green ring on the abdomen.

Still too small—still can’t use ’Flourish’ ability.

...

The peach blossoms on Molan Mountain were about to burst open.

Spring’s transaction time with the Flame Spider Roving Merchant was coming up.

Dragon Cypress brought Black Cory to Molan Mountain to guard the Thunder Oak Divine-Given Seed, then headed north a few days early to Black Fruit Mountain to fetch Chinese Clematis, and on the way shared good news with Ink Orchid.

On his return to Xianglan Mountain, he got a piece of bad news—not unexpected: Second batch Black Peach Tree Seed planting tests ended, 30% didn’t sprout, 50% died at seedling stage, and the remaining 20% became curled, deformed seedlings.

Still no viable seedling stock found.

Then simply scale up again; raise 10,000 more seedlings, clear out most of the grape orchard on Cold Orchid Mountain, and transplant them next year to Cold Orchid Mountain.