Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 654 - 575: Lord of the 7th Age Period

The renovation plan for Fragrant Silk Island was much simpler.

Dragon Cypress planned to establish three sub-nests on the north, east, and west sides of the island, open up three wide escape tunnels heading north, east, and west, then connect them with a small number of relatively narrow water-vein tunnels, and simply add several more emergency exit holes around the island.

Dragon Cypress led the ant colony to work alone.

The mountain where the Fragrant Silk Tree was rooted was opened up as the east sub-nest, and the escape tunnel dug eastward, the distance being only about 5 kilometers.

Four quiet months passed, and the tunnel was completed.

Dragon Cypress headed to Swinging Leaf Island.

Cypress stood on the mountaintop sentry post.

Tie Bush quietly kept watch under the Swinging Leaf Iron Core Tree Divine-Given Seed.

Black Birch directed the ant colony, busily pruning and shaping the fruit trees on the island.

Black Birch paused her work, first following Dragon Cypress back to the Cloud Trace Continent for a trip.

...

Areca Rainforest.

From a distance, Dragon Cypress could see that his Elephant Foot King Orchid Divine-Given Seed had grown into a giant tree over ten meters tall.

A single main trunk, with no branches, shedding leaves constantly as it grew, its top crowned with a huge cluster of broad whorled arrow-shaped leaves.

The base of the trunk was swollen and thick, reaching about one meter in diameter, but it tapered sharply upward, so at the point where the leaves grew, it was just over ten centimeters thick.

The woody trunk was tough and had an extremely wind-resistant treelike shape.

"Dragon Cypress!"

"Black Birch!"

Ink Orchid fluttered its wings and greeted them in a measured pace, "Elephant Foot King Orchid has awakened its soul consciousness. But it's not very friendly. I wanted to help it with some Source Stones, but the thing kept getting angry."

"Didn't I tell you? Just ignore it."

Dragon Cypress asked, "Nothing happened, right?"

Ink Orchid: "No, I tried approaching, realized it had a real temper, so I just kept my distance. I sent over a bag of Source Stones, and some smart Specialized Worker Ants figured out what I meant, so they took the mid-sized and junior Worker Ants and used the Source Stones in time."

—That's good then.

Dragon Cypress asked, "Anything else?"

Ink Orchid: "Nope. I've been here alone, just about bored to death."

Ink Orchid asked, "How's the King Cypress Divine-Given Seed coming along?"

Dragon Cypress: "Not great. This guy is basically a bottomless pit; its absorption rate for Primordial Energy is three times that of those regular Divine-Given Seeds, and even after half a year there's no sign of being saturated."

Dragon Cypress: "I feel like this thing isn't just a Divine-Given Seed."

Ink Orchid transmitted a confused and questioning spiritual power intent, clearly not understanding what Dragon Cypress meant.

Dragon Cypress: "Forget it. I can't explain it clearly either—let's just get it germinated as soon as possible. Once the seed is planted, we'll know right away."

As they spoke, the Dominating Throne descended, drawing near to the Elephant Foot King Orchid Divine-Given Seed. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

A furious spiritual power intent surged forth.

Yet another grumpy Divine-Given Seed like Southern Gorgon and Junior Orchid—looks like the Elephant Foot King Orchid type of plant leans even more toward the "herbaceous" side.

Ink Orchid's figure flickered and sensibly retreated.

Dragon Cypress maneuvered the Dominating Throne to land beneath the tree, leapt down, walked over for a closer look. Underground, the woody rhizome was spherical, a massive ball about two meters in diameter.

Soul-Setting Ability, activate perception.

The soul of the Elephant Foot King Orchid was hidden inside the corm, very arrogant, incessantly bombarding Dragon Cypress with questioning, interrogating, angry, warning, and threatening mental currents.

Dragon Cypress lightly waved his tentacle, unleashing a burst of Flourish Ability.

The threatening and warning spiritual intent vanished.

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacle again, another burst of Flourish Ability fell.

The angry and questioning spiritual intent disappeared.

Dragon Cypress flicked his tentacles several times, casting two more Flourish Abilities in succession.

The Elephant Foot King Orchid Divine-Given Seed sent a questioning mental message: Who are you?

"My name is Dragon Cypress. Dragon Cypress is my name."

Dragon Cypress introduced himself, dropping another wave of Flourish Ability, waggled his tentacles, conjured a Water Sphere, which boiled into steam.

Tranquility Ability activated, wood Primordial Energy fused with the water vapor, forming a cloud of vibrant green mist that enveloped the Elephant Foot King Orchid Divine-Given Seed.

The Elephant Foot King Orchid sent a delighted and amazed mental message, "Dragon Cypress is so amazing!"

"That is Black Birch. The name is Black Birch."

Dragon Cypress pointed at Black Birch to introduce her.

"Hello, Elephant Orchid~" Black Birch tried sending a friendly greeting through spiritual intent.

Elephant Foot King Orchid locked onto Black Birch and blasted her with a barrage of questioning, interrogating, angry, warning, and threatening mental messages.

Black Birch: "..."

Black Birch turned her head, eyes blank, and looked to Dragon Cypress.

Dragon Cypress: "Black Birch, go check the Ant Nest, then go see how Second King's Red Leaf Rain Tree Divine-Given Seed is growing."

Black Birch: "Alright, Great King."

Dragon Cypress stayed to communicate with Elephant Foot King Orchid, teaching some basic knowledge.

After lingering in the Areca Rainforest for half a month, once Elephant Orchid got familiar with Black Birch, the teaching was handed over to Black Birch.

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid began this year's roving merchant trade and Divine-Given Seed search work.

The northern hemisphere entered winter.

Dragon Cypress once again invited White Rice to Fragrant Silk Island, to help reinforce the already dug escape tunnels and to continue digging the northern tunnel, staying busy until spring came to the northern hemisphere.

...

Unknowingly, it was already Silver Cypress Year 2.

Peach blossoms marked the start of the roving merchant trading season.

Snow Velvet Lord arrived as promised, her powerful mental force sweeping over Dragon Cypress.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King, you smoothly awakened your Fire Talent? Congratulations! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Snow Velvet Spider King."

"So you've mastered a flame ability?"

"Got one."

"Then you should try roasted food."

"I have. It's truly a different flavor."

"Haha, isn't it?"

After the greetings, business resumed. Snow Velvet Spider King asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, for your next Age Period Evolution, which talent do you plan to awaken? You've only got earth, thunder, and life left, right?"