Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 470 - 450: Moon Peach Fruit Ripens

After half a month, when the transaction with the Flame Spider Roving Merchant was completed and Dragon Cypress came to Molan Mountain again, the Great King Molan Divine-Given Seed had already grown into a lush, expansive patch.

The third batch of 1,728 offshoots had all grown to just over two meters tall, with the pseudobulbs sprouting new buds.

The fourth batch of offshoots resulted from each of the 1,728 third-batch offshoots extending 12 underground stolons, producing 20,736 offshoots.

In the future, when Ink Orchid evolved to Evolution Lord Level, the fifth round of offshoots would be even more astonishing, with each of the 20,736 offshoots again sending out 12 underground stolons, generating 248,832 offshoots in one go.

At King-Level, it would be downright terrifying—a single generation spawning nearly three million offshoots, covering the entire Land of Origin Force.

...

White Rice and Black Cory worked overtime to finish land remediation in a 300-meter radius, then sat together with Ink Orchid by the stream at the foot of the mountain.

A large stone pot was bubbling hotly, cooking prey, as they ate, drank, and chatted.

All around, ants packed tightly together; when they saw the Ant King arrive, the colony grew restless and parted to make way.

"Dragon Cypress, how did this year’s trade go?" Ink Orchid asked.

"I got the Divine-Grade Lightwing Seed. The caravan brought about three million in total of various Divine-Given Origin Force Food."

"Oh! The Divine-Grade Lightwing Seed? Bring it here, let White Rice have a look."

"...Already ate it."

Dragon Cypress took a seat beside Ink Orchid, directing the Worker Ants to bring tableware for itself.

Ink Orchid immediately asked, "Did you tell the caravan about the Divine-Grade Great King Molan Divine-Given Seed?"

Dragon Cypress: "Of course. Otherwise, where would so much Divine-Given Origin Force Food come from? But I only gave them a heads-up, didn’t talk about share allocation just yet. Better to dangle the bait, motivate these cunning merchants to bring us even better stuff. Fairness matters—whoever brings more, gets a bigger share."

"Oh——"

Ink Orchid looked delighted and smug.

Dragon Cypress: "After next spring’s trade, I’ll be able to evolve to the 8th Age Period."

White Rice asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, what about the Two Kings Ink Orchid Divine-Given Seed you bred? Where is it planted? We did the math—when the Great King Molan evolves to King-Level, this Molan Mountain won’t be able to fit any other plant, not even a Divine-Given Seed."

Dragon Cypress: "It’s not a big problem. The plan remains the same. The Two Kings Ink Orchid is still planted on Molan Mountain. I have other God-Given Life Seeds suited for planting here as well; just need to leave enough space for the Great King Molan’s Lord-Level Stage offshoot growth. Later, when I evolve to King-Level first, I’ll transform the God-Given Life Seed into a Tree Heart or seed form and move it away, and then Ink Orchid can evolve to King-Level."

White Rice, Ink Orchid, and Black Cory all nodded their tentacles in agreement. They had discussed this together and had come up with the same solution.

Ink Orchid added, "But I can’t sow my own God-Given Life Seed here on Molan Mountain."

Dragon Cypress: "Correct."

Ink Orchid asked again, "Dragon Cypress, Senior Orchid Mantis’s growth is very strong—give it another dozen days, and all the offshoots will be grown. When do you think it’d be suitable to bloom?"

Dragon Cypress: "Don’t be hasty. Rest for two years first. Once all the offshoots are grown, supply a thousand Source Stones a day and take good care of it."

Ink Orchid: "What about Glinting Gold? Should we bring it over for Senior Orchid Mantis?"

Dragon Cypress: "As for Glinting Gold, White Poplar doesn’t need it, arrange for Senior Orchid Mantis and Night Fragrance to alternate use. However, at the Mountain Lord Level stage, Senior Orchid Mantis’s blossom-fruit cycle will be very long..."

One Glinting Gold isn’t enough for three Divine God-Given Seeds to use, so Source Stones have to be invested.

...

They ate, drank, and chatted until dark,

Dragon Cypress escorted White Rice back to its territory, and picked up Black Rice to show it the herb-type Divine-Given Seed at Molan Mountain, letting it play there for a while.

Black Cory then left for Southern Sour Jujube Mountain, Dragon Cypress transported saplings to continue transplanting Black Peach Trees.

After about ten days of work, all transplanting was complete.

Returning again to Molan Mountain, by then, the fourth batch of 20,736 Great King Molan Divine-Given Seed offshoots had all matured, occupying the entire southern slope and some had even climbed the ridge.

This year there was an awful lot to do—very busy.

Dragon Cypress escorted Black Rice home, took Ink Orchid, and hurried back out, roaming between Origin Force Points in search of Divine-Given Seeds.

There were still 4.5 million Source Stones to transport back to Huagi Mountain...

...

...

Ten-thousand Tribes Continent.

Golden autumn, harvest season.

Yuezuo Mountain had entered a state of heightened vigilance.

The Sun Burying Bettle Tribe Warriors, specially trained for combat, were all dispatched, guarding all major highlands and passes.

The bee swarms flew overhead, patrolling and scouting.

It was the season for Origin Force Plant fruits to ripen and be harvested in bulk, so most Insect Clan Warriors were busy on their own territory; the trade plaza outside the mountain felt a bit empty, mostly just Flame Spider Roving Merchants wandering about, awaiting the busy trading season after the harvest.

Lord White Ivy led the way, jogged across the plaza, and headed straight to the canyon pass.

The gatekeeping Dense Plum Lord spotted them from afar and eagerly came up to greet them.

"Lord White Ivy! Lord Melde!"

"Lord Dense Plum!"

They greeted each other. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

After years of interaction, Lord Dense Plum had noticed a pattern—White Ivy and Melde alternated as caravan leader.

This year White Ivy was at the front, serving as rotating leader.

Lord Dense Plum asked, "Lord White Ivy, where is the Spider King Boneset? Why didn’t you come together? Your caravan arrived a bit early this year. If I recall right, the Revolve Spider King’s group won’t arrive for another ten days."

White Ivy replied, "We didn’t have any valuables on our carapace this year, so we moved fast and got here early."

White Ivy lowered their Mental Power slightly and said, "I need to borrow a peak at Yuezuo Mountain for a small Age Period evolution."

"Oh!"

Lord Dense Plum understood and said, "No problem! It’s an honor!"

The Flame Spider Roving Merchants traveled the continent year-round, making it difficult for them to settle and evolve.

Top-level great tribes like Yuezuo Mountain usually set aside a few Origin Force-rich peaks, exclusively for the caravan to slumber and evolve.

Lord Dense Plum led the way through the canyon, then suddenly slowed and glanced back at Melde and Lupine’s carapace, which was crammed with heavy large metal cans—all Origin Force Honey, delivered to Yuezuo Mountain.

"Lord White Ivy, Lord Melde, would you like to visit the Golden Peach Beetle King first?"

Melde: "Is it convenient? I’m sure the Golden Peach Beetle King must be very busy these days?"

Lord Dense Plum: "Yes, quite busy. But Origin Force Honey transactions are straightforward, shouldn’t disrupt anything."

Melde: "Then we’ll trouble the Golden Peach Beetle King, thank you."

Lord Dense Plum: "Not at all, not at all."

Lord Dense Plum added thoughtfully, "Five days ago, many elite soldiers were assigned to Moon Peach Peak..."

He scanned left and right, confirmed there were no insects nearby, and lowered his Mental Power: "There was a massive Origin Force Fluctuation late last night—should mean the Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruit has ripened."

The caravan had been counting down, and all knew this year was the year for the Moon Peach Fruit to mature.

White Ivy feigned surprise and cheered, "That’s wonderful!"

Melde thanked him warmly, "Much appreciated for letting us know!"

Dense Plum asked, "Lord White Ivy, Lord Melde, would you like to visit the Crimson Moss Beetle King first?"

White Ivy: "Let’s wait. After I finish my Age Period evolution, your Yuezuo Mountain will probably be done with your busy work as well—just right for a visit."

Lord Dense Plum: "Indeed! Lord White Ivy, you’re very thoughtful..."

With light chatter and several turns, they soon arrived at the base of Golden Peach Peak.

They paid a visit to the Golden Peach Beetle King, who was in charge of trade for the tribe, handled the Origin Force Honey settlement, and unloaded the metal cans.

The caravan still had over a million Source Stones’ worth of Divine-Given Origin Force Food for sale; through equivalent exchange, they also purchased just over a million in Wood Element Divine-Given Origin Force Food from Yuezuo Mountain.

Then they arrived at the mountain set aside exclusively for Flame Spider Roving Merchants to evolve.

Lord Dense Plum hosted them with food and drink; White Ivy then entered the cave, devouring the newly collected Wood Element Divine-Given Origin Force Food and resting in preparation.

Melde waited at the cave entrance.

Red Peach, Lupine, Grass Dragon, and Silvergrass guarded the surroundings.

To evolve a Lord from Age Period 1 to Age Period 2, it would cost roughly two million Source Stones with regular Origin Force Food.

But if only Wood Element Divine-Given Origin Force Food was used, the price would soar to over 8 million Source Stones.

White Ivy was determined to gain the Wood Element Talent and had invested heavily in this evolution.