Ant Lord in the Star Realm

Dragon Cypress had carved a map of the 'Southwestern Region of Cloud Trace Continent' on the stone wall of the South Mountain Restaurant, accurately marking the locations of the discovered Origin Force Points. On the map, fine lines depicted the routes of each Roving Merchant journey or exploration. Currently, following the Roving Merchant travel order between Xianglan Mountain, White Rice Mountain, Scarletlight Mountain, and Ghost Fan Mountain, the areas along the routes connecting these four points had been thoroughly searched. However, the vast area between these four points remained blank, almost untouched.

Dragon Cypress adjusted the Roving Merchant routes for early summer: departing from Xianglan Mountain, heading southwest on a zigzag path to Scarletlight Mountain first; then from Scarletlight Mountain, heading northwest to White Rice Mountain; then from White Rice Mountain, heading east to Southern Sour Jujube Mountain; and finally to Ghost Fan Mountain. Perhaps another trip to Scarletlight Mountain would be needed afterward.

「...」

The Dominating Throne had undergone the most significant changes. The Pauwlonia tree stump Ant Nest occupied most of its space, and the carried goods took up what little room remained under the backrest. Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid lay on top of the Stump Ant Nest, surveying the distant view from their vantage point.

「After flying for three days」

They reached the central position marked on Dragon Cypress's map. After circling around a large area, they found nothing.

「Changing direction, they headed southwest for another four days...」

They had just approached Scarletlight Mountain when they felt an unusual Origin Force Fluctuation from afar.

"Is the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed absorbing Origin Force?"

"Has the fruit entered its ripening stage?"

"Is it early summer already?"

"But the South is already so hot."

"Oh no!"

"Quick!"

Ink Orchid leaped into the air and sped off. Dragon Cypress urged the Throne to accelerate.

Soon, Ink Orchid returned.

"Dragon Cypress, it is the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed!" she exclaimed. "Heavens, it has drained all the Origin Force within a range of over one kilometer! The Origin Force Concentration in the entire Scarletlight Mountain has dropped by nearly half. It's terrifying!"

Dragon Cypress was aghast. I need to see for myself... he thought, then said aloud, "Are 1,000 Source Stones enough?"

Ink Orchid landed on the Throne, picked up the Spider Silk Bag containing 1,000 Source Stones, flapped her wings vigorously, and flew off.

After piloting the Dominating Throne for a while, Dragon Cypress descended directly beneath the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed tree.

It was only one step away from reaching Lord-Level, and its area of influence had reached a horrifying diameter of one kilometer. Within this range, Origin Force continuously seeped up from beneath the ground, transforming into wisps of Origin Force that connected to the complex root system and lush foliage of the Divine-Given Seed; this Origin Force was drained the instant it emerged. Outside this range, free-floating Origin Force rapidly flowed in to replenish it, forming tens of thousands of wisps that linked to the great tree's branches and leaves.

"Ink Orchid, help out."

Dragon Cypress placed a wooden plank, connecting the Dominating Throne to the ground. Waving his tentacles, ten Large Worker Ants and thirty Medium Worker Ants lined up and marched down the plank.

"Dragon Cypress, are these Source Stones really enough?" Ink Orchid opened the Spider Silk Bag and asked again, her voice laced with worry.

"It's better than nothing; they'll definitely be of some use," Dragon Cypress replied, then added, "We'd need at least 4,000 Source Stones for it to be truly sufficient!"

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles, directing the Worker Ants to position themselves under the tree trunk, scrape powder from the Source Stones, and release their Origin Force.

Space within the Stump Ant Nest was limited, so they had only brought forty Large and Medium Worker Ants on this trip; their speed was clearly insufficient.

"Ink Orchid, let's help too," Dragon Cypress said.

"How can we help?"

"By smashing them with rocks!"

Dragon Cypress looked around, jumped down from the Throne, took flight, and found two solid rocks nearby, bringing them to the base of the tree. He placed one rock as a base, laid a Source Stone on top, then, rearing up, he gripped the other rock with his two forelegs and slammed it down hard. The Source Stone cracked. He smashed it repeatedly, sending fragments flying. The crystal structure was broken, and the Origin Force within the fragments was released.

Ink Orchid watched for a moment, understood, and began to copy him.

"Dragon Cypress, where's Mulberry?" Ink Orchid asked.

"How should I know?"

"The Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed's fruit is ripening! With such a major event unfolding, isn't he going to come and check on the situation?"

"The fruit ripens every year. He's probably seen it many times and doesn't find it remarkable anymore."

"Er..."

"Shall I go and notify him?" Ink Orchid offered.

Dragon Cypress paused, considered it seriously for a moment, and said, "Alright!"

Ink Orchid tossed aside the stone she was using, soared into the air, and sped off, crossing the mountain range.

Mulberry was huddled in his cave, clutching a metal can between his feet, his tentacles drooping, completely still. A thick air of despondency emanated from the cave. Perhaps due to his prolonged solitude, Mulberry's spirits had once again plummeted to rock bottom.

Seeing this, Ink Orchid's heart tightened with worry.

"Mulberry?"

"Ink Orchid—"

Still clutching the metal can, Mulberry stood up. "Where are Dragon Cypress Ant King and the Dominating Throne?"

"The Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed's fruit is ripening! Dragon Cypress is busy over there."

"Oh..."

Mulberry, dragging his injured leg, slowly and somewhat awkwardly made his way out of the cave.

Ink Orchid, her tone light and enthusiastic, said, "Mulberry, I have some good news for you!"

"What good news?" Mulberry asked.

"Dragon Cypress and I managed to get a Divine-Given Persimmon Fruit Seed!" Ink Orchid announced.

Previously, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid had told him about the enhancement effects of the Sky-Blue Persimmon. A flicker of emotion finally stirred Mulberry's desolate and somber mood.

"That's wonderful! Thank you both!"

"We've also prepared many other types of Origin Force Food for you—ones that can enhance your carapace," Ink Orchid continued. "Mulberry, do you want to go see the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed tree?"

"Alright..." Mulberry agreed with some hesitation.

They walked together, crossing the mountain range, and soon arrived beneath the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed tree.

"Dragon Cypress, Mulberry is here!" Ink Orchid hurried forward, picked up a rock, and resumed smashing Source Stones.

"Mulberry." Dragon Cypress paused his work and greeted him.

"Dragon Cypress—" Mulberry responded, then asked, "Is this what a Source Stone is?"

"Yes," Dragon Cypress confirmed.

Mulberry pondered for a good while. "Isn't this a waste?"

"A waste?" Dragon Cypress asked.

"It doesn't seem to be having much effect..." Mulberry clarified.

"Ah!" Dragon Cypress understood. He explained, "We only brought 1,000 Source Stones this time, which is definitely not enough—far from it. However, it can somewhat alleviate the strain on the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed during its fruit ripening period."

Dragon Cypress continued, "During their fruit ripening period, Divine-Given Seeds can suffer damage due to insufficient Origin Force, which in turn affects their growth. If this persists, an Insect Clan's God-Given Life Seed might suffer the painful consequence of failing to break through and evolve. Wild Divine-Given Seeds, on the other hand, will exhibit slow growth, an inability to evolve, or outright evolution failure.

"There are two solutions: one is thinning the flowers and fruits, or even preventing flowering and fruiting altogether. The other is supplementing their Origin Force with Source Stones.

"For Wild Divine-Given Seeds on the scale of this Scarletlight, their cultivation and care require considerable effort. During the fruit ripening period, a large input of Source Stones is needed to replenish Origin Force. It's also best to provide a supplement during the flowering season. And if resources allow, one can also provide Source Stones moderately at other times.

"Only with a rich supply of Origin Force, nourishment from Source Stone powder, diligent fertilization and irrigation, and meticulous care can Divine-Given Seeds grow and evolve smoothly."

Mulberry was silent for a moment, then merely said, "Oh..."

He looked at the Dominating Throne, his attention captured by the giant Stump Ant Nest. Clearly, Mulberry didn't seem very interested in the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed.

"Mulberry, have you eaten many Scarletlight Fruits before?" Dragon Cypress asked.

"I have," Mulberry replied. "It's precisely because I ate so many that I..." He trailed off.

Dragon Cypress continued, "Before reaching the High-Level Warrior stage, it's not advisable to consume too much Elemental System Origin Force Food. At the High-Level Warrior stage, it should only be used in moderation. However, after reaching Mountain Lord Level, their physique stabilizes, and their evolutionary growth no longer relies so heavily on Comprehensive Physique Enhancement.

"To continue growing after reaching Mountain Lord Level, Insect Clan Warriors need to consume massive amounts of Origin Force Food. Elemental System Origin Force Food that aligns with their own element is undoubtedly the easiest and most economical choice. At the Mountain Lord Level, they can consume Elemental System Origin Force Food without restriction.

"Mulberry, in the future, when you advance to become a Mountain Lord, this Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed can provide you with an ample supply of Fire System Origin Force Food to support your continued evolution. However, if you wish to advance to Lord, or even Insect King..."

Dragon Cypress tactfully stopped there.

Mulberry slowly turned, slowly straightened, and gazed up at the immense tree, his emotions complex.

This Wild Divine-Given Seed helped me through my most difficult period as a larva, he thought. Yet, it was also because of this seed that I've fallen into my current crippled state.

After a long silence, Mulberry said aloud, "If I survive, I will take good care of it."