Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid stayed at Huagi Mountain for two days before heading out to Silver Cypress Mountain to deliver the resources needed for Mountain Persimmon's evolution and growth.

The hour was still early.

They headed directly east into the central eastern region.

From north to south, they searched in a zigzag pattern, looking for the Land of Origin Force.

No gains.

On the way, they slipped into the Purple Tung Insect Nation to consult Wuye for information. Nothing significant had changed in the past three years—it didn't affect their projections for the next slumber evolution of White Poplar Ant King and Red Phellodendron Ant Queen.

Next, they went to Black Fruit Mountain to deliver two jars of Origin Force Ant Honey to Red Moonseed.

Then to the second Source Stone Mine, where they loaded up eight thousand Source Stones, and then leisurely set off for Scarletlight Mountain.

Last winter, the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed bloomed—all its flowers were cut. This year, the tree's vigor flourished even more, already beginning to show signs of a plentiful evolution ahead.

They estimated it would need between 100,000 to 150,000 Source Stones, so every trip they brought some along in advance.

Finally, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid set out for Kiwifruit Mountain, where the Dominating Throne helped Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple break through to Advanced Evolution High-Level Warrior.

Come spring, their Common Life Seeds would experience a vigorous period of growth.

After another year of nurturing, the following year they could blossom and bear fruit, mass producing Divine-Given quality Green-Red Kiwifruit...

...

After making the rounds, they returned to Xianglan Mountain, and by then, winter was in full force.

Winter fishing.

Then, off again to Scarletlight Mountain,

where they gathered nectar from Divine-Given Scarletlight Seeds to brew Bee King Jelly, and, when done, commanded the Worker Ants to cut away all the flowers.

The Dominating Throne assisted Areca in evolving into a Mid-Level Primordial Spider Warrior.

On the way back, they picked up Little Betel Nut at Xianglan Mountain.

At the mouth of the South Mountain Ant Nest, Molan Flowers were in bloom.

Another spring had arrived.

Last year, the Deep Blue God-Given Seed had already started its rest period early, halting blooms and fruiting to store up reserves.

This year, all of Dragon Cypress's Life Seed Plants ceased flowering and fruiting to accumulate vitality.

Dragon Cypress himself secluded in the Ant Nest Royal Family, resting and focusing on devouring Origin Force Food, preparing to evolve into a 9th-Age High-Level Ant King.

Time slipped by, with peach and plum blossoms blanketing the mountains.

Dragon Cypress mustered his team and set out.

...

On the Cloud Trace Continent side, at the Starship exit, Natsumi was already waiting.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

"Areca!"

Natsumi called out, her words tumbling out quickly, "Areca, the Aconite Spider King asked me to tell you: In the Ancestral Land of the Flame Spider Kingdom on the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent, the spider kings managing major kingdom affairs—Lilacs, Illusory Color, Grape Hydrangea, Diaphus, and White-Legged—have reached a consensus after their discussion. They're hoping to receive a group of Native Breed Flame Spiders to come develop on the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent."

Areca: "Oh—"

Areca showed little emotion, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

Dragon Cypress twitched his tentacles lightly—this really had nothing to do with him.

Natsumi: "Mainly, this is to ensure the tribe's bloodline inheritance amid the cycles of Origin Force Silence and Origin Force Reawakening."

"First, if, when the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent enters its Origin Force Silent Period, we can migrate smoothly to the Cloud Trace Continent, that would be best. Areca, your Native Breed Flame Spider Tribe could follow along, continuing to grow and thrive."

"Second consideration...let's be prepared for the worst! If, in the future, the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent enters the Origin Force Silent Period, but there's no channel via Starship Wreckage connecting to the Cloud Trace Continent—no chance to migrate—then the Flame Spider Kingdom could face a crisis of heritage extinction."

"Currently, the solution is to set up a heritage outpost near the Divine Force Barrier, in a place where Origin Force seeps through. The five major Flame Spider Roving Merchant Tribes can only produce one Life Seed, so they can't produce Origin Force Food and can't survive during the Origin Force Silent Period. That's why we need the Native Breed Flame Spider Tribe to sustain the heritage and shelter the Common Flame Spiders of the five major Roving Merchant Tribes."

After finishing, Natsumi asked, "Areca, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Areca: "…I understand."

Areca couldn't help saying, "Then wouldn't it be better for you all to set up the outpost on Cloud Trace Continent? Each of your five major Roving Merchant Tribes can just send a group of Common Flame Spiders to my place."

Natsumi: "Right! Actually, that's in our plans, but not now—the time's not right. There's still a long time to the next continent's Origin Force Reincarnation."

Natsumi asked, "Areca, when you came last year, did you notice those stone pillars on the hill?"

Areca: "Of course. For chronology."

Natsumi: "Those were left by the greatest spider king of our Dulai Flame Spider Tribe over four thousand years ago. That king left a message—when all the stone pillars are filled with spider carvings, we can consider moving to the Cloud Trace Continent."

Natsumi: "Both Cloud Trace Continent and Ten-thousand Tribes Continent need to make preparations."

Areca: "There are 13 Chronology Steles in total."

Natsumi: "Currently, only 5 are filled; the sixth is halfway done. Still six thousand years to go."

Areca: "..."

Natsumi slowed her speech, speaking gravely: "The Common Flame Spiders of our Lilacs, Illusory Color, Grape Hydrangea, Diaphus, and White-Legged five derived clans can't survive the harshness of nature on their own. Once they lose the protection of the Flame Spider Warriors, they'll perish, so full preparations are a must."

Areca: "I think I get it."

Natsumi undid the Spider Silk Rope from her carapace, opened a small Spider Silk Bag, took out a Metal Case Dragon Cypress had sold to the caravan, and opened it—inside lay a seed, white with reddish-brown Original Energy Patterns.

Divine-Given Seed!

Natsumi showed it off, injected Origin Force, and closed the Metal Case, saying, "Areca, this is your payment from the Flame Spider Kingdom on Ten-thousand Tribes Continent—a Divine-Given Wood Tangerine Seed!"

"!!!"

Areca was shocked and inwardly delighted.

Areca: "Thank you—"

Lazily sprawled at the side, Dragon Cypress, who had previously kept an aloof attitude, suddenly stood up, mind whirring, then slumped down again.

Natsumi: "The spider kings have one last small request: Please ensure the Native Breed Flame Spiders you send to Ten-thousand Tribes Continent have excellent bloodlines. Each year, they want you to deliver 100 subadult Native Breed Flame Spiders, with as little blood relation as possible."

Areca: "I understand."

Natsumi: "You'll need to send them for ten consecutive years—a thousand Little Flame Spiders overall."

Areca: "…Works for me."

Natsumi: "Great!"

Natsumi: "The spider kings have one more tiny request."

Areca: "..."

Natsumi: "Areca, is the Origin Force Concentration where you live now about the same as on neighboring Wan Country Continent?"

Areca: "More or less."

Natsumi: "What about the area?"

Areca: "Very small—just a patch with a radius of two or three thousand meters."

Natsumi: "And the ecosystem? Is it suitable for us Flame Spiders?"

Areca: "Pretty good."

Natsumi spoke solemnly: "The will of the spider kings of the Flame Spider Kingdom is that, after you evolve to Evolution Mountain Lord Level, you'll need to spend some time and energy transforming your living place and the surrounding forest's ecosystem—including the parts adjacent to the Divine Power Barrier, wherever Origin Force seeps through."

Natsumi: "From the types of plants and animals to the geography of the mountains and rivers—an all-around transformation, to make it even more suited for Flame Spider survival. As much as possible, as wide-ranging as possible, so that this ecological system can remain stable for the long term."

Areca: "I knew it, you won't get such good deals from schemers without strings attached."

Natsumi: "Don't worry. When the time comes, the spider kings will for sure provide you with resources to help."

Natsumi handed the Metal Case to Areca, then looked at Dragon Cypress and asked: "Dragon Cypress Ant King, what do you think?"

Me?

I can't even be bothered with the Giant-Headed Ant Tribe.

Dragon Cypress, young as he was, had already seen through the rise and fall, cycles of this world…and taken it all in stride…

Dragon Cypress enthusiastically said, "I think it's excellent."

Natsumi: "Then let me trouble Dragon Cypress Ant King to look after Little Areca a bit more."

Dragon Cypress: "Will you pay for caretaking?"

Natsumi: "…There will be benefits for you."

Natsumi took down a small Spider Silk Bag from her carapace and said, "Aconite Spider King knows you and Ink Orchid are preparing to advance to Mountain Lord Level, so specially prepared some Divine-Given Origin Force Food that can effectively increase your success rate."

As she spoke, she lifted out a Spider Silk Bag, saying, "Lord-Level Purple Kiwifruit Seeds, 2,000 pieces, 15 Source Stones each…"

Dragon Cypress: "Oh…"

Dragon Cypress hesitantly asked, "Are these a gift?"

Natsumi: "..."

Natsumi: "Dragon Cypress Ant King, you're mistaken. These were transferred by the Aconite Spider King to the Seven-Leaf Mountain Lord, and then sold to you."

Dragon Cypress: "So you're asking me to help look after Areca?"

Natsumi: "Dragon Cypress Ant King, you know very well that being able to buy Divine-Given Origin Force Food with Source Stones is already pretty lucky."

Dragon Cypress said helplessly, "Fine. Go ahead."

Natsumi: "Lord-Level Xincao Seeds, 500 in all. These are exceedingly rare Divine-Given Origin Force Food that can improve carapace quality and make it lighter, so the unit price is 30 Source Stones each…"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.