Ant Lord in the Star Realm

The Dulai Flame Spiders also had their own kingdom, situated south of the Jade Peach Kingdom, bordering a coastal rainforest.

Some young Little Flame Spider Warriors, along with old and frail Flame Spiders who could no longer travel, had settled within the kingdom's territory.

Every early winter, the roving Flame Spider Caravans would gradually return to the kingdom to rest and recuperate for a month.

Three to four thousand Flame Spiders of various sizes gathered, each group centered around their respective Spider King, forming large trading circles where they ate, drank, chatted, exchanged information, and swapped goods.

Large swathes of the lush tropical jungle had been cleared, connected by broad roads constructed and hardened by Earth System abilities.

In total, there were 74 uniquely shaped clearings.

This meant that the Dulai Flame Spider Tribe boasted as many as 74 Spider Kings.

Though their population was small, they possessed vast wealth and flourished magnificently.

It was a grand annual gathering of the tribe.

However, some Dulai Flame Spiders did not return to the kingdom, such as White Ivy.

Every time she returned, the Flame Spiders she once knew—whether their relationships had been good, average, or bad—would all be showing off their achievements for the year: "I established a stable trade relationship with so-and-so!" "I obtained the trading rights for some Divine-Given Seed somewhere else!" "I earned a fortune in Source Stones this year!" "I received a certain rare item..."

Everyone was boasting.

White Ivy disliked such a restless atmosphere, so she never returned to the kingdom for these gatherings. Instead, she spent every year in Yellow Peach's territory, figuring out how to make a fortune with him.

But this year was different...

...

Sunshine. The coast. An orchard made up of palm trees, coconuts, and banana trees.

White Ivy walked with a brisk pace, the Metal Can on her back making a cheerful jingling and clanking sound.

She entered the familiar yet unfamiliar Spurge trading circle.

About sixty to seventy Flame Spider Warriors were gathered here, all of them direct or collateral descendants of Spider King Spurge.

According to tradition, Zeqi Grass took root in the very center. It was guarded by the Life Seed of the Lord-Level Flame Spider in charge, with those of Mountain Lord-Level, High-Level, Mid-Level, and Primary-Level Flame Spiders arrayed outwards in descending order of rank.

The gathering and exchange among kin had already concluded.

Flame Spiders of all sizes were now moving between the trading circles of different Spider Kings, visiting one another.

White Ivy took a detour to avoid a few spiders she had known since childhood and had been close to. She approached Spider King Spurge. He had unloaded his heavy cargo and was now lazing on the ground, enjoying the winter sun.

For once, White Ivy was respectful towards this old fellow who was always lecturing her.

"Spider King Spurge!"

"Oh—"

"I have some good news to tell you!"

"Seeing the look on your face, it's probably not good news."

"It is good news!"

"Go on."

"I've decided to make us rich together!"

"..."

Spider King Spurge stood up, then slowly settled back down again. He had frequently lectured and tried to guide White Ivy, all to no avail.

"Spider King Spurge, please stay calm..." White Ivy urged, having been startled by his sudden movements. Seeing him now lying down, she continued, "It's like this: I've parted ways with Melde. I've decided to go it alone..."

Spider King Spurge couldn't resist asking, "So, Melde finally couldn't stand you anymore?"

White Ivy replied, "It was I who couldn't stand him."

Spider King Spurge asked, "Is there a difference? What about your goods?"

"I gave them all to Melde."

"Are your accounts with him settled? How much do you still owe?"

"...Just a little bit."

"A little bit?"

"A little bit!"

White Ivy moved closer and lay down beside Spider King Spurge. She undid the Spider Silk Rope on her carapace, took out the Metal Can that had just a little Origin Force Honey left at the bottom, opened it, and, retracting her Mental Power, said, "Spider King Spurge, try this. It's super delicious!"

"How many insects have already had their fill of this?"

"Uh—" White Ivy thought for a moment, estimated, and said, "Not too many. About a hundred or so, I'd say."

"That's not bad at all," Spider King Spurge praised, then commented, "Is this from Dragon Cypress's Water System ability? Refined from various Origin Force Foods that enhance comprehensive physique, and mixed with many kinds of fruits."

"So, you plan to collaborate? You'll buy those poorly flavored, poisonous, or cheap Origin Force Foods to produce this so-called 'Origin Force Honey' for sale. This way, you and Dragon Cypress both make a good profit, while the product can be sold cheaply and will move easily, right?"

White Ivy exclaimed, "!!!" As expected! One who becomes a Spider King truly has some real skills.

White Ivy answered happily, "Yes!"

She manipulated her Spider Silk Ropes, lowering three Spider Silk Bags filled with Source Stones. She opened them for him to see and said, "Spider King Spurge, take a look! I collected a 5% deposit. Here are 2,550 Source Stones!"

Spider King Spurge calmly said, "White Ivy, you may be a bit foolish, but you're naturally kind-hearted. You've lost many Source Stones over the years, yet most of the insects you've traded with still trust you, despite your habit of breaking promises."

Is this praise? Or an insult?

Unsure, White Ivy continued, "Spider King Spurge, look! I've successfully pre-sold Origin Force Honey worth 51,000 Source Stones, with a net profit of 7,140 Source Stones! And that's just the pre-sales for the ordinary Origin Force Honey..."

Spider King Spurge sighed, "White Ivy, let me finish. Based on the trust you've invisibly accumulated over time, others haven't abandoned you even though you're now penniless. They've given you deposits, but this is likely their final show of faith. However, if you break your promise again, or if there are quality issues with what you sell, have you considered the consequences?"

White Ivy asked, "Quality issues? Spider King Spurge, are you referring to storage problems with the Origin Force Honey?"

Spider King Spurge replied, "It seems you're not entirely foolish then."

This time I'm sure he's insulting me! Alright, I need something from him. I'll endure it!

White Ivy sighed. "Spider King Spurge, it seems you've really gotten old. It's such a simple little problem; can't you solve it by just thinking a bit?"

Spider King Spurge was quite annoyed and didn't want to speak.

White Ivy took out an improved Metal Can and unscrewed the lid.

Spider King Spurge stated bluntly, "That might be slightly better, but it won't fundamentally solve the problem. It can't lock in the Origin Force."

White Ivy pointed at the can's opening. "What if we smear a little Bee King Jelly on it?"

Spider King Spurge went, "!!!" This little rascal really knows how to come up with ideas!

He understood instantly and was left speechless.

White Ivy said, "I need some startup funds..."

Spider King Spurge didn't respond.

White Ivy offered, "Three percent annual interest."

Spider King Spurge turned away.

White Ivy quickly moved to stand in front of him. "I only need 100,000 Source Stones for startup capital."

Spider King Spurge said, "You always find all sorts of unexpected ways to lose money. I'm afraid I won't even get the principal back."

"Impossible!" White Ivy declared confidently. "This time I will definitely earn Source Stones!"

Spider King Spurge retorted, "You used to say that to Melde every time. How much do you owe Melde?"

White Ivy mumbled, "Not much, just a little..."

Spider King Spurge said, "You shouldn't have separated from Melde. Without him, you can't survive in this world."

White Ivy cried, "Impossible! Why? I'm no worse than Melde! When we were young, Melde learned to weave Spider Silk Bags in just over ten days. Carpesium always praised him for being smart. But me? I just couldn't learn, and Carpesium was always scolding me. Later, I changed my approach. I used only my most agile forelegs, manipulating just two strands of Spider Silk to weave. Even so, it took me two years to learn. Then, it took another five years before I learned to use four legs to manipulate four strands of Spider Silk."

"And now? The Spider Silk Bags I weave are the most exquisite in the entire Tribe! Melde can't compare; no one can! It's the same with being a Roving Merchant. I might be slow to catch on, but I'll definitely do better than any other spider!"

Spider King Spurge sighed. "Being foolish isn't what's scary. What's scary is being foolish and still having baseless confidence."

He turned away again.

White Ivy had planned to borrow the money with an air of confidence, but that now seemed impossible. She quickly moved to stand before Spider King Spurge again and pleaded, "My dearest, most respected Spider King Spurge, please lend me 100,000 Source Stones! Just 100,000! Believe me, this time I'll definitely make a profit!"

Spider King Spurge pointed at the Metal Can, which still contained a trace of Origin Force Honey. "If this is all you have... I've done the math. You'll never earn enough Source Stones to repay your debts. Even if everything goes perfectly, you'll barely make enough to support yourself."

White Ivy was speechless. "..."

Unconvinced, she asked, "How did you calculate that?"

Spider King Spurge explained, "It's simple. Consider two questions carefully: How much can you sell? How much can you transport? For each can like this, how much do you yourself earn?"

"Oh—"

White Ivy leaned closer, lowered her mental voice, and said, "Spider King Spurge, there are other good things... three Divine-Given Seeds..."