Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 422 - 404: Unexpected Surprise

The Sun Burying Bettle Tribe warriors had very distinct characteristics. When they evolved to the Evolution Mountain Lord Level and awakened their fire talent, their black carapaces would develop orange-yellow circular spots; if they awakened their metal talent, their carapaces would display luxurious and bright silver crescent patterns.

The Crimson Moss Bettle King before them was extraordinary; his carapace pattern was a mix of metallic gold-red circular spots and silver-white moon spots.

This meant he possessed both Metal and Fire Elemental Talents.

It also meant his combat power was stronger, his evolution relatively easier, and he held an exceptional status within the tribe.

"Greetings, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

"White Ivy greets the Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

"Melde greets the Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

Jerusalem Cross, White Ivy, and Melde greeted him with utmost respect.

Dense Plum Lord was aware that a warrior guarding a pass was not suited to participate in the ensuing conversation. He wisely and proactively said, "The caravan has come from afar. I’ll go hunt some fresh food to entertain our esteemed guests." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Hmm. Make it snappy." The Crimson Moss Bettle King tapped his tentacles in satisfaction.

They watched Dense Plum Lord leave.

White Ivy wasted no words. She directly untied the Spider Silk Rope, pulled a Spider Silk Bag from the bottom of the cargo on her carapace, and handed it forward, saying, "Crimson Moss Bettle King, this is the Divine-Grade Fruit, ’Night Fragrance Fruit,’ that our caravan took to Cloud Crown Mountain for trade. Yuezuo Mountain has no use for it, but I hope it’s enough to prove our caravan’s strength and sincerity."

Upon hearing this, the Jerusalem Cross Lord’s body trembled slightly. He mustered all his spiritual power and stealthily released a strand of it.

The Crimson Moss Bettle King’s eyes brightened. He took the Spider Silk Bag, pulled out the Metal Can inside, briefly examined it, twisted it open, peeked inside through a slit, quickly closed the lid, and praised loudly, "Excellent goods! Your sincerity and strength are beyond doubt."

Melde seized the moment, saying, "Crimson Moss Bettle King, it’s like this: our caravan also has two types of Divine-Grade Fruits that Yuezuo Mountain can use. One is called ’White Poplar,’ a Life-Extending Divine Good..."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King raised a claw to interrupt, asking, "I’m already aware of the White Poplar Fruit. Are there any other Divine-Grade items?"

Melde responded, "It’s called ’Jinhe Fruit.’ It confers a Metal System Ability named ’Jinhe Pattern,’ similar to metal enhancement but several times stronger."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King said, "Sounds promising! But you haven’t brought them with you?"

Melde replied, "Divine-Grade Fruits have long Blossom-Fruit Cycles. The White Poplar Fruit can be delivered in 16 years, and the Jinhe Fruit should arrive in 13 years."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King said, "Our Yuezuo Mountain needs both types of fruit."

Melde added, "We only have access to two shares of White Poplar Fruit and one share of Jinhe Fruit. However, our demand for Moon Peach Fruit is quite substantial, and we hope for a long-term cooperative exchange."

"I share that intention..." The Crimson Moss Bettle King lightly tapped a tentacle, pondering and weighing his options, then said, "We can first discuss a specific trading scheme."

"The Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruit was just harvested three years ago. The next batch will mature in 16 years, which coincides with your White Poplar Fruit."

"For two White Poplar Fruits in exchange for one Moon Peach Fruit, you’ll need to compensate Yuezuo Mountain with 300,000 Source Stones."

"As for that Jinhe Fruit, a mere description of its conferred abilities isn’t enough; it requires personal verification. For now, we can set the exchange at one Jinhe Fruit for one Moon Peach Fruit. Once we’ve seen the actual item and confirmed its quality, we’ll negotiate any subsidy."

Melde replied, "We’ll follow your arrangements, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

The Crimson Moss Bettle King lightly tapped a tentacle, paused for a few seconds, then inquired, "I heard from Dense Plum that the Origin Force Honey your caravan sells is brought over from the Ten Thousand Nations Continent?"

"Yes!" White Ivy efficiently flipped a Metal Can from her carapace, handed it forward, and said, "This is a specialty of the Ten Thousand Nations Continent, a variant of the Star Realm’s most delicious fruit, the Golden Light Fruit. It’s Scarletlight Honey, brewed from the fruit produced by a wild Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed. Please try some, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

The Crimson Moss Bettle King opened it, glanced inside, then screwed the lid back on without tasting it.

"You’ve sold Origin Force Honey in the Green Torreya Kingdom, haven’t you? The White Burying Bettle Tribe sends me two cans of this Scarletlight Honey every year. It tastes good."

"Oh—" White Ivy said, "That must be from my junior, Lupine. He travels often in the Green Torreya Kingdom and has befriended many from the Burying Bettle Tribe."

Origin Force Honey had already penetrated to the Insect King level of major tribes across the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent! It was initially positioned as a high-end luxury product, and it seems that strategy succeeded.

White Ivy glanced at Melde, a smug feeling rising within her again.

"Crimson Moss Bettle King, this one is 5,000 Source Stones per can. If you enjoy it, I can arrange to adjust the concentration, making it 10,000 Source Stones per can, and send you three such cans each year."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King asked, "Only three cans?"

White Ivy explained, "A Lord-Level Wild Divine-Given Seed only yields fruit equivalent to about 90,000 Source Stones per year, based on our caravan’s selling price..."

That’s right!

The Crimson Moss Bettle King asked, "What about other Origin Force Honey? Can you send more to Yuezuo Mountain?"

White Ivy replied, "Of course, that’s no problem!"

The Crimson Moss Bettle King mused for a moment, then asked, "I’d like the 10,000 Source Stones-per-can version, mainly for the Insect King and Lord-Level Sun Burying Bettle Warriors to enjoy. Can you send 500 cans over each year? Would that be difficult?"

Five hundred cans? That’s 5,000,000 Source Stones?!

Even the fearless White Ivy was taken aback for a moment.

White Ivy said with difficulty, "...We’re short on Bee King Jelly."

"No worries! Just wait a moment!" The Crimson Moss Bettle King stood up, walked into the cave, and soon came out holding a Metal Can engraved with White Ivy Grass, Flame Spider, and Gorgeous Gold Mantis designs.

Is this a can I sold?

It must be for storing Scarletlight Honey.

White Ivy, once again feeling proud yet curious, used a Spider Silk Rope to take the can from the Crimson Moss Bettle King’s claw. She twisted it open, and her eight spider-eyes immediately glowed red.

It was a full can of Bee King Jelly! This would be enough to fill five or six hundred cans.

"Crimson Moss Bettle King, this Bee King Jelly is..."

"We produce it ourselves at Yuezuo Mountain. Previously, it was mainly used to seal Divine-Grade Fruits or mixed with water as a refreshment for honored guests. We have a very ample production. I can provide you with one such can each year. The condition is that you send more Origin Force Honey, ideally the kind brewed from Divine-Given Fruits... Bee King Honey, was it?"

White Ivy confirmed, "Bee King Honey!"

White Ivy exclaimed, "No problem! Thank you, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

The Crimson Moss Bettle King said, "It’s a small matter! No need for such formalities."

He continued, "White Ivy, Melde, you qualify to join the Divine-Given Origin Force Food trading system of Yuezuo Mountain. However, our requirements at Yuezuo Mountain are stricter than those at Cloud Crown Mountain. The rules are simple—just two."

"First, according to the sales pricing, whatever value of Divine-Given Origin Force Food you bring, you take the corresponding value of Divine-Given Origin Force Food. Second, the caravan’s annual sales must not be less than 3,000,000 Source Stones. Of course, if you can consistently bring Divine-Grade Fruits, the second rule’s limit can be reduced or waived."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King, picking up the Metal Can containing Scarletlight Honey from the ground, said, "This sells for 5,000 Source Stones per can? That’s a very reasonable price. It shows that your Flame Spider Caravan is very honest. If you have similar great commodities, just send them over. Yuezuo Mountain will ensure you don’t come out at a loss."

White Ivy replied, "Great! We’ll have even better things to send in a few years."

Melde suddenly looked troubled and cautiously asked, "Crimson Moss Bettle King, surely we won’t only be accepting Origin Force Honey and Bee King Honey?"

The Crimson Moss Bettle King retorted, "You’re Melde, aren’t you? And not the caravan leader? Why haven’t you been involved in the Origin Force Honey trade?"

Melde choked up and stammered, "I am the caravan leader, but we were short on Bee King Jelly... Now that you’re offering Bee King Jelly, I can arrange to transport some."

"Is that so?" The Crimson Moss Bettle King, still half-doubting, asked, "Five hundred cans isn’t too many, is it?"

Melde replied, "No, not many."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King said, "First, bring 500 cans over as a trial... I have a suggestion: you could make the cans larger, with capacities equivalent to 30,000 or 50,000 Source Stones. That would save on Bee King Jelly, wouldn’t it?"

Larger cans would be too bulky and unsightly... And they wouldn’t fit through the Starship Rifts on the Cloud Trace Continent...

Melde thought for a moment, then decisively agreed, "No problem! We’ll send two sample cans next year."

The Crimson Moss Bettle King lightly tapped his tentacle in agreement, saying, "The trading affairs of Yuezuo Mountain are managed by the Golden Peach Bettle King. I will take you to meet it. You can get acquainted, and I’ll arrange your access Wood Plaques."

"Thank you for your trouble, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

"Thank you, Crimson Moss Bettle King!"

White Ivy and Melde were delighted at having smoothly gained entry into Yuezuo Mountain’s circle.

The Jerusalem Cross Lord then said at an opportune moment, "Crimson Moss Bettle King, Lord Melde, White Ivy Mountain Lord, I also need to purchase a large quantity of quality, ordinary Origin Force Food. I’ll go attend to that now and won’t accompany you further."