Ant Lord in the Star Realm

White Ivy: "Move it back? How long will that take you? Isn't this a waste of time?"

Dragon Cypress: "Don't worry, we have enough time."

Dragon Cypress: "There's too much honey. We don't need that much. I'm too lazy to bother moving it all. Just pour out 20 cans and leave 10 for me; that will be enough."

Dragon Cypress, lifting a bag of Source Stones, said, "White Ivy, don't fuss over it. First, apply the Bee King Jelly to these 30 cans of 'Bee King Honey' to test the sealing effect. With Ink Orchid assisting, I'll be able to move everything quickly."

After speaking, he turned and ran toward the hillside entrance of the Starship.

The back-and-forth began.

The transport volume was considerable: three large bags of Source Stones, 120 metal cans filling four large bags, and 13 large bags packed with Origin Force Food.

Using the Dominating Throne, Dragon Cypress made one trip and transported seven large bags back. He called Fragrant Cypress and summoned the Blue Ants to work overtime on refinement.

Dragon Cypress worked through the night, made another trip, and transported another seven bags. After three trips in total, he had used the Dominating Throne to move all the items back to Xianglan Mountain.

Dragon Cypress personally directed the Blue Ants, overseeing the mixing, blending, flavoring, and canning of the various refined Origin Force Foods.

「Four days later.」

The Dominating Throne was docked deep inside the Starship and hidden.

Dragon Cypress, carrying a large Spider Silk Bag, arrived at the grove.

"These are the leftover Scarletlight Ant King Honey from last year's production: 10 cans priced at 1,000 Source Stones each, and 5 cans priced at 2,000 Source Stones each. Due to an insufficient harvest of Golden Light Fruit last year, I could only blend them with other flavors and aromas. I've marked them all, and they taste quite good."

"There are also 15 cans of regular Origin Force Honey here, all priced at 1,000 Source Stones each, and all made from the Origin Force Food you brought."

"I've moved over another 40 cans as well."

"Also, separately, there are 2 cans of honey-marinated Southern Sour Jujube Fruit, 200 Source Stones each. Take them as display samples. There's no honey-marinated Scarletlight Fruit. Depending on the situation next year, I might make two cans, or perhaps not make them at all."

Dragon Cypress set down the items and, without waiting for White Ivy to speak, turned and ran off.

White Ivy opened each can to check, applied Bee King Jelly to the threaded openings of the cans, and repeatedly twisted the lids to complete the final sealing.

Dragon Cypress made two more trips to move all the 'Origin Force Honey' over.

White Ivy was responsible for the final sealing.

Dragon Cypress picked up a fully sealed metal can. With his spiritual power, he repeatedly scanned it, concentrating his perception.

Perfect. The viscous Bee King Jelly completely sealed the gaps in the threaded openings, with not a trace of Origin Force leaking out.

Theoretically, it could be preserved for many, many years, perhaps even longer than those Origin Force Foods in the form of hard-shelled seeds. If the items could be stored long-term, there would be no need to worry about them spoiling on their carapaces if they couldn't be sold immediately. The Origin Force Honey trade was thus reduced from high risk to almost zero risk.

White Ivy completed all the sealing work.

Finally, she bundled them in groups of five cans, tied together with a Spider Silk Rope. Each bundle was first placed into a sturdy, medium-sized Spider Silk Bag and tied securely. Then, four such groups, totaling 20 cans, were packed into a large Spider Silk Bag to be placed on her carapace.

In total, 100 cans were packed into five large Spider Silk Bags and firmly bound to her carapace. The items were heavy but didn't take up much space; if one had enough strength, one could carry not just 300 cans, but even 500.

Once the packing was complete, White Ivy was in high spirits. She handed the exquisite petite bottle used for the Bee King Jelly to Dragon Cypress, saying, "Spider King Spurge's calculations weren't very accurate, huh? After sealing 100 cans, there's still a little bit left. Here, it's for you!"

Dragon Cypress remained silent.

Spider King Spurge's calculations were quite accurate; only a tiny smear remained at the bottom.

"Okay, thank you."

"It's getting late, let's settle the accounts."

Dragon Cypress began calculating, saying, "White Ivy, this time you brought Origin Force Food worth 91,000 Source Stones and 3,000 Source Stones in cash. I also borrowed 4,000 Source Stones from you the year before last; with principal and interest, I should repay 4,400."

"So, all in all, I owe you 98,400 Source Stones, right?"

White Ivy calculated for a moment and said, "Correct."

Dragon Cypress said, "Count the goods I gave you and tell me the total marked price."

White Ivy's spiritual power swept over them, and she reported, "With 115 rice-grain marks, I should pay you..."

Dragon Cypress said, "Just multiply by 0.8. You need to pay me 92,000 Source Stones."

White Ivy said, "Plus two sample cans, valued at 400 Source Stones, makes it 92,400 Source Stones."

Dragon Cypress said, "So, I owe you 6,000 Source Stones."

White Ivy said, "Correct!"

Dragon Cypress said, "This bit isn't for interest. I thought the Bee King Jelly would be just enough for 100 cans, so I didn't prepare any extra."

Dragon Cypress shook the petite bottle and said, "I still have Origin Force Food that strengthens Comprehensive Physique worth over 50,000 Source Stones. I can refine it in advance, seal it up, and during next year's trade, we can directly blend it into cans of Origin Force Honey."

"Great!" White Ivy agreed readily. She handed the Spider Silk Bag containing the Divine-Given Gorgon Fruit Seeds back to Dragon Cypress, saying, "Melde and I have divided our affairs. The trade shares for Divine-Given Southern Gorgon Fruit Seeds and Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds go to Melde, while the trade shares for Azure Fruit go to me."

Dragon Cypress said, "That's reasonable."

White Ivy said, "During this return trip to the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent for trade, I'll also inquire about what other types of enhancing effects people need from Origin Force Honey. I'll purchase the corresponding Origin Force Food based on demand. Dragon Cypress Ant King, what do you think?"

Dragon Cypress said, "Of course, no problem. That's a very sound method!"

Dragon Cypress added, "However, I recommend bringing a few cans of Origin Force Honey with each type of enhancing effect."

White Ivy said, "I understand!"

Dragon Cypress pondered for a moment, then said, "Now, Bee King Jelly has become the core of the 'Origin Force Honey' trade. Can the supply of Bee King Jelly be stable?"

White Ivy said, "Spider King Spurge promised to help get a few more bottles."

Dragon Cypress gently tapped his tentacles and said, "White Ivy, if it's convenient, could I trouble you to bring 10,000 Source Stones next year? I plan to use more on the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed to accelerate its growth and help it evolve to the Lord-level."

"Okay!" White Ivy agreed emphatically, then asked, "Dragon Cypress, all that Origin Force Food, you've moved it all back to your territory? Didn't you say your settlement is quite far from here? How did you and Ink Orchid manage it so quickly?"

Dragon Cypress said, "Don't underestimate the strength and speed of the Ant Clan. I'm just that fast an ant!"

Changing the subject, Dragon Cypress earnestly advised, "White Ivy, for the canned 'Origin Force Honey', your cost per can is as high as 850 Source Stones, right? Such precious items—don't just give them away recklessly again."

White Ivy said, "I understand! It even pains me to open one as a tasting sample."

White Ivy asked, "The Divine-Given Southern Sour Jujube was harvested just last autumn, wasn't it? How much is left?"

Dragon Cypress said, "There's still a lot. Based on the 1,000 Source Stones per can standard, we can probably make about 70 more cans."

White Ivy said, "Give them all to me next year!"

Dragon Cypress shook his tentacles and said, "The first problem is that we don't have enough metal cans. The second problem is, can you acquire a sufficient amount of Bee King Jelly for sealing? I'll give you half next year."

Without waiting for White Ivy to agree, he continued, "As sales channels open up, we can gradually replace the 'Bee King Honey' with versions priced at 2,000, 3,000, or even 5,000 Source Stones per can. This will reduce sealing costs and also lessen your carrying burden."

White Ivy said, "That's what I was thinking too!"

Dragon Cypress asked, "What is your production cost for the metal cans, in Source Stones per can?"

White Ivy said, "I charge Yellow Peach 30 Source Stones."

Dragon Cypress was silent for a moment. White Ivy Mountain Lord is still so generous.

After a pause, Dragon Cypress said, "You can offer a buy-back price of 50 Source Stones per can. A metal can valued at 50 Source Stones—I think it will quickly become famous. Some insects would be willing to place one or two in their dwelling caves as decoration."

After contemplating for a good while, White Ivy praised, "Great idea!"

Dragon Cypress said, "Scarletlight Fruit is produced every year and can be supplied stably and in large quantities. Any other problems?"

White Ivy said, "No more for now!"

Dragon Cypress said, "Help me collect some precious, top-level plant seeds, from the south or the north—any variety will do. Also, gather as many ordinary fruit seeds as possible. Ink Orchid and I are establishing an orchard to cultivate and harvest fruits, which we'll use to brew flavored 'honey'."

White Ivy said, "Noted."

Waving his tentacles to dismiss her, Dragon Cypress said, "If there's nothing else, White Ivy, you should head back. Remember to be discreet—very, very discreet. Notify Melde to come for her trade."