Fragrant Orchid Mountain.

Underneath the Shandong Reservoir, in the forest land.

Ink Orchid and Cypress were huddled under a large camphor tree, taking turns playing with the Rose Halo.

As the Dominating Throne approached, Ink Orchid pushed off with its legs, lightly flapped its wings, and landed on it.

"Dragon Cypress, it seems the trade dealings have gone very smoothly this year?"

"Of course. Surprisingly smooth! White Ivy Mountain Lord turned out to be a tad more reliable than we had speculated. It brought a vast amount of Origin Force Food and a sufficient quantity of Source Stones."

"White Ivy Mountain Lord has always been impressive!"

"...Yes."

Dragon Cypress carefully controlled the Dominating Throne to hover about one meter above the ground. It lay on the edge and peered downwards intently.

The Cuihua Hanlan mother plant was in good health, with new leaf buds emerging. A scan with spiritual power revealed that the Divine-Given Seeds within were brimming with vitality.

Ink Orchid had cultivated Orchid Grass its entire life. It knew exactly how to care for them and did so exceptionally well.

Xianglan Mountain would soon have its fifth Divine-Given Seed.

Dragon Cypress looked on, suddenly feeling a twinge of discomfort. After careful consideration, the Deep Blue God-Given Seed was found inside the Starship. The Southern Gorgon and Northern Gorgon Divine-Given Seeds were discovered by Ink Orchid. Both the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid and the Cuihua Hanlan were cultivated by Ink Orchid. It had made great efforts to procure various top-level plant seeds from the continent, mobilize the ant forces, build reservoirs, set up nurseries, and establish orchards. Yet, after more than ten years of hard work, the actual profit was zero. Despite its diligence and wisdom, it had not reaped the rewards it deserved. On the other hand, the somewhat clueless Ink Orchid was always so lucky; its gains clearly did not match its intelligence and effort. Could it really be under the care of a Natural God? If there really was one, it should be looking after the six-limbed, hardworking, and thoughtful Dragon Cypress Ant King. What other insects were incredibly lucky? Did they share any common traits?

Dragon Cypress fell into thought.

"Dragon Cypress, how many Source Stones do we still owe the caravan?" Ink Orchid fluttered its wings, interrupting Dragon Cypress's thoughts.

Ink Orchid did not like being in debt. It always felt uneasy at the thought of being fleeced by cunning merchants charging interest.

"We've settled our debt of Source Stones to Seven-Leaf Mountain Lord and White Ivy Mountain Lord. Currently, we only owe the Melde Caravan 4,000 Source Stones, which were due for repayment this year. The amount is not large, so repaying it next year will be just fine."

Dragon Cypress said, "In this year's trade, White Ivy Mountain Lord actually owes us 19,000 Source Stones. I estimate it can't produce that many, so to help it out, I entrusted it with the task of inquiring about the Ice-Fire Water-Making Pot..."

"Buy?" Ink Orchid suddenly became anxious. "Why buy? That's such a waste of Source Stones! We could have found it ourselves at Cold Orchid Mountain."

Dragon Cypress: "Er..."

Dragon Cypress pointed to the Orchid Grass below and said, "You would have to go there yourself to find it. For now, Ink Orchid, you don't have the time to go."

"Won't there be plenty of time in the future?"

Annoyed, Ink Orchid had a sudden stroke of inspiration. "Mulberry has plenty of Source Stones stored here, and Mulberry has more Source Stones than it can spend. Mulberry can buy one!"

Dragon Cypress: "...Good idea."

Mulberry's wealth was only temporary. While rich during its High-Level Warrior stage, once it advanced to the Mountain Lord Level, the benefits brought by the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed would barely maintain a reasonably good pace of growth and Evolution.

Cypress climbed up the trunk of the large camphor tree, reached a height parallel to the Throne, and gazed eagerly at Dragon Cypress.

Sensing that the Great King and the Second Great King had paused their conversation, Cypress cautiously swayed its tentacles, asking, "Great King, now that the spring trade has ended, is it time to distribute the rewards?"

Dragon Cypress: "Of course—"

Dragon Cypress asked, "Ink Orchid, do you want to come back to the Ant Nest to tally the earnings?"

Ink Orchid: "I can't leave this place. You go and do the accounting, then tell me about it."

"Alright!"

Dragon Cypress swayed its tentacles and said, "Cypress, go notify Spiked Cypress and Round Cypress to return to the nest. We're going to tally up last year's earnings."

"Yes, Great King!"

Cypress turned swiftly, climbed down from the trunk to the ground, summoned a team of Soldier Ants to follow, and quickly ran off.

「Ant Nest.」

Dragon Cypress, along with Round Cypress, Spiked Cypress, Giant Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, and Cypress, counted the inventory together.

The Source Stone warehouse was full to bursting. A second one had been temporarily opened, containing a total of 11,400 Source Stones.

The surplus value of the various Origin Force Foods delivered by White Ivy was 31,000 Source Stones. Calculated at the selling price of a Roving Merchant, it would be worth 37,200 Source Stones.

Last year's internal trades on Cloud Trace Continent included the purchase of ordinary Origin Force Foods and those produced by the territories of Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid. During the trade with White Ivy, a large batch of these was mixed in with 'Origin Force Honey' and sold off. Only a little remained, with various items adding up to a total worth of around 10,300 Source Stones.

In addition, the Divine-Given Ghost Fan had been continuously consumed by Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid, leaving 610, valued at 15,250 Source Stones.

The Divine-Given Seed of Northern Gorgon produced Gorgon Fruit Seeds. After priority distribution within Xianglan Mountain, 220 seeds remained. These were sold to other insects on Cloud Trace Continent at 26 Source Stones per seed, for a total value of 5,700 Source Stones.

This year, Melde did not come to the Ten Thousand Nations Continent. Xianglan Mountain internally consumed some of the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds, leaving 700 seeds. These are sold to caravans at 10 Source Stones per seed; Melde's share is 500 seeds. They are sold to internal insects of Cloud Trace Continent at 12 Source Stones per seed, totaling a value of 7,400 Source Stones.

The remaining Divine-Given Southern Sour Jujubes were very few, valued at around 21,000 Source Stones.

Also, there were three jars of Origin Force Ant Honey from last year's tests: one valued at 1,000 Source Stones, one at 2,000, and one at 3,000. They were all still in good condition, totaling 6,000 Source Stones in value.

Dragon Cypress used a piece of wood to etch the accounts. After a round of inventory checking and calculations, it concluded:

"After a year of hard work, the Ant Nest's available wealth has reached an insect-shocking total of over 114,000 Source Stones."

"Great King is wise!" Spiked Cypress shouted, waving its tentacles.

However, no ant echoed its sentiment.

Round Cypress, Giant Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, and Cypress all held their breath, looking at Dragon Cypress, waiting for the distribution.

"Spiked Cypress, be quiet!"

Dragon Cypress said, "Fragrant Cypress, you select the comprehensive strength-enhancing Origin Force Foods for Refinement. At a standard of 1,000 Source Stones per jar, package five jars. Each of you five take one jar. I will be staying at Xianglan Mountain for a while, so you should all complete an Evolution as soon as possible."

Only 1,000 Source Stones?

Round Cypress, Spiked Cypress, and the other three silently stared at Dragon Cypress, waiting for more.

Dragon Cypress walked to the entrance of the warehouse. It swung its claw to smooth the stone wall, then carved an ant pattern with six legs, encircled it with a circle, and said:

"Round Cypress, this is you. I'm also allocating 1,000 Source Stones as a reward for you, noted on the account. During your Mid-Level stage, the consumption of Origin Force Food for growth and Evolution will not be counted. Once you evolve to High-Level, you may withdraw from the warehouse at any time."

Dragon Cypress etched a rice grain symbol behind the pattern, saying:

"One grain represents 1,000 Source Stones. After disbursing, cross it out with a slash. Fragrant Cypress, you manage logistics and also the warehouse Origin Force Foods. It's your responsibility to record the accounts."

Round Cypress responded, "Understood, Great King."

Fragrant Cypress replied, "Got it, Great King."

Spiked Cypress asked eagerly, "What about me, Great King?"

Dragon Cypress continued to carve an ant pattern on the stone wall. It encircled it with a triangle and said, "Spiked Cypress, this is you. You too will be rewarded with 1,000 Source Stones, noted on the account. After evolving to High-Level, you may withdraw at any time."

After that, it added a rice grain symbol.

Spiked Cypress asked, "Great King, can I be rewarded a bit more?"

"No!"

Dragon Cypress continued to carve.

Giant Cypress was marked with a square, rewarded with 1,000 Source Stones.

Fragrant Cypress was marked with a pentagon, also rewarded with 1,000 Source Stones.

Lastly, Cypress was noted with a hexagon.

Dragon Cypress said, "Cypress discovered the Divine-Given Cuihua Hanlan Seed while it was still at the flowering stage and protected it promptly, so you are rewarded with 1,000 Source Stones. For last year's labor, another 1,000 Source Stones. Cypress's account is noted with 2,000 Source Stones."

Dragon Cypress marked two rice grains behind the emblem that represented Cypress's account.

All five looked somewhat dissatisfied, openly showing they felt it was too little.

Dragon Cypress said in annoyance, "Don't think the rewards are too little, and don't think there's so much Origin Force Food in the warehouse that you can't finish it. Once you all gradually evolve to higher Life Levels, and after I evolve to a third Age Period High-Level Ant King next year, the Kingdom's annual income and expenditures will barely maintain a balance."

Dragon Cypress swayed its tentacles and continued with the arrangements, "Fragrant Cypress, next, direct the Blue Ants to refine and brew a jar for Ink Orchid. It must be to the standard of 2,000 Source Stones per jar, with half Divine-Given Ghost Fan and half comprehensive strength-enhancing food. Send it to Ink Orchid."

Dragon Cypress stated, "Provide Ink Orchid with such a jar every month."

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