Ant Lord in the Star Realm

In the Jade Peach Kingdom, a winding mountain range in the north served as the settlement of the Swift Mantis Tribe. They were a small tribe, their insect population only slightly larger than that of the Golden Mantis.

They had one Mountain Lord-Level Warrior, eleven High-Level Warriors, and one newborn Little Warrior.

Their leader, a Mountain Lord-Level Swift Mantis Warrior named Wind Wheel Mountain Lord, possessed a Wind Wheel Grass Divine-Given Seed.

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord had already established stable trading relationships with other caravans.

But White Ivy and Melde insisted on visiting every year, hoping to secure a share when he became a Lord and redistributed the Divine-Given Seed quotas.

As members of the Jade Peach Kingdom, most warriors of the Swift Mantis Tribe primarily focused on cultivating peach trees.

The mountainsides were cleared into regular rectangular peach orchards, interspersed with cypresses, paper mulberry trees, lychees, longans, and other fruit trees.

White Ivy stepped briskly, stopping at the foot of a mountain peak.

Ahead, between the orchards, lay a wide, flat stone slab path winding its way up the mountain.

Continuing forward led into Wind Wheel Mountain Lord's territory.

"Wind Wheel Mountain Lord!"

White Ivy expanded her spiritual power to call out, simultaneously vibrating her forelimbs rhythmically, releasing Origin Force fluctuations to alert him.

A Mid-Level Swift Mantis Warrior, about thirty centimeters long, appeared on the stone slab path and ran forward.

"Are you White Ivy Mountain Lord?"

"Little Dendrobium, don't you recognize me?"

"...I do."

The Little Swift Mantis Warrior named Dendrobium stared intently at White Ivy, his gaze fixed on her empty carapace. "White Ivy Mountain Lord! What happened?" he asked in shock. "Did some damned Beast Clan Warriors rob you?"

"No," White Ivy replied. "That didn't happen."

White Ivy asked, "Where's Wind Wheel Mountain Lord?"

"Over there! Digging."

Dendrobium lifted a foreleg and pointed toward the distant forest, unable to hide his disappointment.

Many caravans visited Peach Garden Mountain every year. Among them, White Ivy was the most generous, often bringing delicious Origin Force Food for the Little Warriors.

White Ivy was very popular among the Little Warriors.

But Dendrobium asked, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, where are your goods?"

"I..."

Just as White Ivy was about to explain, a Swift Mantis Warrior, over three meters long and somewhat slender in build, emerged from the trees.

"Wind Wheel Mountain Lord!"

"White Ivy Mountain Lord."

The two greeted each other.

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord, equally shocked, looked at White Ivy's carapace. Where are the goods?

White Ivy took the initiative to explain, "I've split from Melde."

Split up? Wind Wheel Mountain Lord thought. Could splitting up wipe out all your goods?

"Err—" Wind Wheel Mountain Lord was beginning to understand, but more questions arose in his mind. He asked, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, weren't you and Melde on good terms? Why did you suddenly split up?"

What's stranger still, shouldn't you be devastated by such an event? he wondered. As a Flame Spider Roving Merchant with an empty carapace, why are you still so elated and lively?

White Ivy confidently declared, "I'm preparing to become an independent roving merchant, specializing in a brand-new type of goods."

"Hmm—"

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord, following White Ivy's lead, politely inquired, "What kind of goods?"

He shows no intention of inviting me up the mountain to rest— White Ivy noted silently. She knew he had never thought highly of her.

White Ivy didn't mind. She untied the Spider Silk Rope, unfolded the bundled Spider Silk Bag, took out a Metal Can containing 'Origin Force Honey,' placed it in front of her, and lifted the lid.

"This is 'Origin Force Honey,'" she announced. "I've crafted it in collaboration with a Water System Mutant Bee King from the Ten Thousand Nations Continent, using fresh fruits and Origin Force Food—refined, purified, and brewed."

White Ivy continued, "In the future, I will focus on selling Origin Force Food in this honey form."

"Sweet and delicious, and affordably priced," White Ivy added. "Dendrobium, have a taste."

"It smells great!"

Without waiting for White Ivy's invitation, Little Dendrobium had already scurried over. He reached the Metal Can, peered inside, thought for a moment, then stretched an antenna into the can, got some 'Origin Force Honey' on it, and held the antenna with both forelegs to lick it.

Then came a long string of surprised exclamations: "Tasty! Tasty! Really tasty... Wind Wheel, you try it too!"

Tasty? Origin Force Honey? Wind Wheel hesitated, dabbed a bit with his antenna to taste, then said, "The flavor is indeed nice."

Dendrobium immediately chirped, "Buy! Buy! Buy!"

"Little Dendrobium, stay quiet!"

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord examined it closely, then looked up at White Ivy and stated bluntly, "The Origin Force is dissipating. This Origin Force Honey can't be stored for too long, can it?"

White Ivy took out an empty can with a threaded opening. She manipulated her spider silk to twist open the lid, demonstrated, and explained, "If you smear Bee King Jelly on the threads here, it can be sealed for long-term storage."

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord: "!!!"

It wasn't hard to grasp; the principle was clear at a glance and easy to understand.

"This design is truly ingenious!" Wind Wheel exclaimed.

"Was this method an evolution of the Honey Pickled Yellow Peach?" he asked.

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord was sincerely impressed, a hint of respect in his tone.

This White Ivy Mountain Lord had a certain reputation. Her roving merchant business, however, was a mess. When dealing in Origin Force Food, a simple transaction could take her half a day just for calculations—it was utterly terrible.

But when it came to devising all sorts of novelties, she excelled.

White Ivy calmly replied, "We no longer have Honey Pickled Yellow Peach. However, we can make Honey Pickled Divine-Given Fresh Fruit."

"Honey Pickled Azure Fruit?" Wind Wheel Mountain Lord asked.

"Yes!" White Ivy confirmed.

White Ivy continued, "There's also Honey Pickled Divine-Given Southern Sour Jujube Fruit, which will be available next year or the year after. However, the main product will be 'Bee King Honey.'"

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord: "???"

Bee King Honey?

Southern Sour Jujube?

The enhancement effect of the Divine-Given Southern Sour Jujube Seed is quite useful for Mountain Lord-Level Swift Mantis Tribal Warriors!

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord pondered for a few seconds, then complimented, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, have you gained the trading rights to a new Divine-Given Seed? Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Dendrobium, who had been eagerly scooping from the Metal Can, his antennae sticky with 'Origin Force Honey,' paused upon hearing the conversation and clamored,

"Honey Pickled isn't tasty!"

"Origin Force Honey is tasty!"

"I want Bee King Honey!"

White Ivy listened to the noise, a secret delight in her heart.

Just as I expected, Dragon Cypress's 'Origin Force Honey' is especially popular with the young, gluttonous Little Warriors.

The best way to open up the market is to start with the Little Warriors.

What elder doesn't dote on their juniors?

If the Little Warriors clamor to buy, the elders will have to oblige.

Although this sales method is a bit underhanded... well...

In the past, how much Origin Force Food did these guys con from me? It's time to collect.

White Ivy manipulated her spider silk to point to the Wood Plaque tied to the can's lid, introducing it to Dendrobium,

"Little Dendrobium, don't rush. Listen to me explain carefully."

"We try to ensure the Southern Sour Jujube Bee King Honey retains its original flavor. The ordinary Origin Force Honey comes in four fragrance profiles: Fresh Fruit Light Fragrance, Fresh Fruit Strong Fragrance, Dry Fruit Mellow Fragrance, and Mixed Mellow Fragrance. These are made from a variety of delicious fruits from all over the continent, south to north, east to west."

"Little Dendrobium, look at the Wood Plaque. This side with the 'Woodberry Fruit' logo means this can is 'Fresh Fruit Light Fragrance.' There are other flavors you can try; you might find one you like even more."

Dendrobium cheered, "I want them all! I like them all!"

"We just finalized this product line," White Ivy said. "This can is a sample. There's none left this year, but we'll have more next year."

White Ivy looked toward Wind Wheel Mountain Lord. "If you need any, you can place an order."

Dendrobium: "Order! Order! Order! I want them all!"

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord: "..."

Annoyed, Wind Wheel Mountain Lord scolded, "Dendrobium, be quiet!"

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord was more concerned about the Divine-Given Origin Force Food he needed. He asked, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, regarding the Southern Sour Jujube Divine-Given Seed you mentioned... what's your share?"

"It's quite plentiful," White Ivy replied. "I should be able to bring a batch of samples next year. We can discuss it further after you've seen them. Wind Wheel Mountain Lord, rest assured, there will be a share for you."

"Okay!" Wind Wheel Mountain Lord agreed.

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord further inquired, "Since you've split from Melde, what about the shares of the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seed and Divine-Given Gorgon Fruit Seed...?"

White Ivy said nonchalantly, "I don't need them anymore; I've given them all to Melde. If you need them, Wind Wheel Mountain Lord, you can buy them from the Melde Caravan. Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds will be available this year, though not in large quantities—only 600 seeds. Gorgon Fruit Seeds will be available next year, and the quantity won't be large either."

"I see..." Wind Wheel Mountain Lord murmured thoughtfully.

"...Order!" Dendrobium called out carefully.

Exasperated, Wind Wheel Mountain Lord flicked an antenna, slapping it on Dendrobium's forehead. He then lifted a foreleg, pointed at the Metal Can, and asked,

"Do we need to order this rather ordinary Origin Force Honey as well?"

"The Metal Cans are heavy," White Ivy explained. "They're difficult to transport back from the Ten Thousand Nations Continent, and we can only carry a limited quantity each trip, so ordering is necessary."

"Alright. How many Source Stones per can? And how many Source Stones are required for a preorder?" Wind Wheel Mountain Lord asked.

"There are two types: 1,000 Source Stones per can and 2,000 Source Stones per can. We only require a 5% deposit, payable only in Source Stones."

White Ivy flipped to the other side of the Wood Plaque and explained, "Besides flavor, they also come in four enhancement types: Element, Comprehensive Physique, Sensory, and Carapace."

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord looked at the Wood Plaque, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "I'll take one can of each of the four flavors for the Comprehensive Physique enhancement—the 1,000 Source Stones per can type."

"Great! The deposit will be 200 Source Stones."

White Ivy agreed and informed him, "I'm on my own now, an independent roving merchant traveling between the Ten Thousand Nations Continent and the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent. I need to lighten the load on my carapace to travel as quickly as possible."

"From now on, I will only sell Origin Force Honey and Bee King Honey in my trades. I will no longer buy Origin Force Food, only Spider King Silk Scrolls."

Wind Wheel Mountain Lord considered this for a moment, then agreed without much deliberation, "Understood. I'll go up the mountain to get the Source Stones for you."