Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 659 - 576: Sowing King Cypress_3

This year, the trade with the Flame Spider Roving Merchant was about to begin.

Dragon Cypress sent Ink Orchid to Molan Mountain to check on the status of Great King Molan's Divine-Given Seed, and Ink Orchid stayed to take care of it.

Black Peach followed Dragon Cypress back to Xianglan Mountain to prepare for this year's trade.

The Snow Velvet Spider King arrived on time.

"Snow Velvet Spider King!" Dragon Cypress exclaimed, leading Silver Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, and Black Peach forward to greet him.

They exchanged greetings, and the gazes of Dragon Cypress, Silver Cypress, and Fragrant Cypress all fell on the Snow Velvet Spider King's carapace.

The Snow Velvet Spider King untied the spider silk rope, took off a Spider Silk Bag, and handed it to Dragon Cypress, announcing, "Divine-Grade Ink Fruit, delivered as scheduled!"

"Thank you, Snow Velvet Spider King!"

"Thank you, Snow Velvet Spider King!"

"Mighty Snow Velvet Spider King!"

"Generous Snow Velvet Spider King!"

Dragon Cypress, Silver Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, and Black Peach exclaimed in joyous thanks.

Dragon Cypress performed a symbolic check, then lifted a claw and handed the pottery jar to Black Peach.

Currently, in the Xianglan Mountain Kingdom, only Black Persimmon and Black Peach, the two Assistant Kings, had awakened their Wood Element Talent. Black Persimmon had evolved from Specialized Green Soldiers, and his Abilities leaned toward combat. Black Peach had evolved from Specialized Green Ants, and his Abilities leaned toward support and management.

The 'Red Crow Pattern' bestowed by the Divine-Grade Ink Fruit was a plant growth support Ability, making it most suitable for Black Peach.

However, Black Peach's eyes were always a problem. The Mountain Lord's Molting Evolution was a breakthrough to the major realm of Evolution Lord Level, but he had not managed to remove the Luoli Grass Leaf-shaped Primordial Energy Seal from his eyes. They had also not found a Divine-Grade Fruit that bestowed Wood Element visual Ability, or even any fruit that bestowed visual Ability. Now they were completely out of options, so they decided to try their luck with the Divine-Grade Ink Fruit.

"Goodbye, Snow Velvet Spider King~" Black Peach said. "Great King, I'll head back to the Ant Nest first." He took the item and headed back towards the Ant Nest.

Black Sophora had also arranged for a large army of ants to participate in the trade.

The formidable procession set off, winding its way forward.

Dragon Cypress walked on the ground alongside the Snow Velvet Spider King, side by side at the front of the procession.

The Snow Velvet Spider King asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, you've reached the 7th Age Period? Successfully awakened the Thunder System Talent, right?"

"Yes," Dragon Cypress confirmed. "I have awakened the Thunder System Talent as I wished."

"How many Thunder System Abilities did you comprehend?" the Snow Velvet Spider King inquired.

Dragon Cypress replied, "My elemental perception is somewhat lacking; I only comprehended two. One is Control Thunder, and the other is the most common Lightning attack." As he spoke, he raised a tentacle, and a spark of electricity formed at its tip.

The Snow Velvet Spider King was momentarily speechless. He then reassured Dragon Cypress, "No worries. Just eat a few more Divine-Grade Fruits that confer Thunder System Abilities."

The Snow Velvet Spider King then asked, "What are your plans for the next Age Period?"

Dragon Cypress said, "Aconite Spider King has retired but remains active, and the promised Divine-Grade Fruits that grant Life System and Soul System Talents still haven't arrived... Snow Velvet Spider King, what's the situation over at Wave Tree Bay? When will One Fruit Bee Queen's Divine-Grade Quin Olive Fruit ripen? Can we trade for one in advance?"

The Snow Velvet Spider King responded, "That's what I was thinking. You use the 'Quin Olive Fruit' in your 7th Age Period, an Earth System fruit in the 8th, and a Life System fruit in the 9th. That would be just perfect."

The Snow Velvet Spider King sighed softly and said, "Mountain Ant King and Red Maple Dragonfly King have already reached their 9th Age Period at King-Level. Barring any accidents, they will leave next year.

"According to Stellar Realm Laws," the Snow Velvet Spider King continued, "Insects who meet the departure criteria are periodically taken away. This cycle is 30 years, and the year of departure is called the 'Expedition Year.' One Fruit, Two Fruit, and Three Fruit Bee Queens should evolve to their 9th Age Period in the coming years. After participating in the next battle with Blue Island, they will leave in the next 'Expedition Year.'

"Dragon Cypress Ant King," he added, "you still have a chance to trade for four Divine-Grade Quin Olive Fruits."

"I absolutely must trade for them," Dragon Cypress affirmed.

Four won't be enough to go around. I must eat one myself. Spiked Cypress, Giant Cypress, Cypress, and Silver Cypress—the four Gigantification Soldier Ants specialized in combat—could each use one. It wouldn't be right to skip any of them... However, the departure of a renowned Bee Queen is not something my current self can influence.

Dragon Cypress asked, "Snow Velvet Spider King, do I need to use four Divine-Grade Molan Seeds for the exchange? In that case, shall I ask Aconite Spider King, White Ivy, and Melde to spare three more?"

"No need," the Snow Velvet Spider King replied. "I've already discussed it. One Fruit, Two Fruit, and Three Fruit Bee Queens always travel together; just give them two Divine-Grade Molan Seeds. The other two can be delivered in installments to the successor Leaders of the Wave Tree Bay United Kingdom. From the next batch produced, deliver two seeds."

"No problem!" Dragon Cypress exclaimed. "Aconite Spider King has the largest share. I'll discuss it with him and see if he can spare one for now."

"Mm," the Snow Velvet Spider King acknowledged. "You handle it as you see fit." He then added, "The next Divine-Grade Quin Olive Fruit will mature next year. I'll bring it to you the year after next."

"Great!" Dragon Cypress agreed.

The crucial matters had been settled.

Entering a more casual mode of conversation, Dragon Cypress inquired, "Snow Velvet Spider King, Wave Tree Bay has two Leaders about to leave, so their successors must have been chosen, right?"

"Yes," the Snow Velvet Spider King confirmed. "I believe I've mentioned the Fish Cutting Leaf Ants Kingdom to you, haven't I? They are an Ant Clan capable of awakening both Strength System and Water System Talents and are adept at naval warfare. Mountain Pepper Ant King will take up residence in Smoke Blue Mountain, succeeding Mountain Ant King's leadership position. Red Maple Dragonfly King has always been responsible for reconnaissance, communication, outpost alerts, and intelligence gathering. It has nurtured many descendants, and Dark Maple Dragonfly King will succeed its position.

"As for the leadership positions of One Fruit, Two Fruit, and Three Fruit Bee Queens," he continued, "ten Bee Queens and Ant Kings have entered the preliminary list. It will depend on their performance in the next great battle; the best will be chosen."

Dragon Cypress remarked, "It seems Wave Tree Bay considered the issue of leadership succession long ago; the five old Leaders are not stepping down hastily."

Dragon Cypress inquired half-jokingly, "Snow Velvet Spider King, what do you think about me joining the Wave Tree Bay United Kingdom?"

The Snow Velvet Spider King replied, "A leadership spot would definitely include you. But if you were to appear publicly... it would be hard to explain things clearly..."