Watching Natsumi leave.

Areca lifted the metal case, injected Origin Force to open it, picked up the Divine-Given Wood Tangerine Seed to inspect it, and then proactively handed it to Dragon Cypress.

The Native Breed Flame Spider Warriors have awakened Fire Element abilities.

But Wood Tangerine is the enhancement type of Wood Element ability.

It's unclear whether those Spider Kings of the Flame Spider Kingdom did this on purpose, or if they truly couldn't find a Divine-Given Seed that matched Areca's elemental talent.

Still, it's not bad—at least it's an arbor.

"Areca, I'll accept this."

Dragon Cypress opened a Spider Silk Bag and tossed the Divine-Given Seed inside.

Areca's eight eyes glowed green and eerie, unmoving, staring at Dragon Cypress in silence.

——What a boring little fellow.

If it were Ink Orchid, Blue Catalpa, or Snakebark Maple, they would have already charged over, fighting desperately.

Areca is a bit smarter, able to sense that Dragon Cypress was just joking with it.

But Areca is a spider incapable of joking.

Dragon Cypress plucked the Divine-Given Seed back out and returned it to Areca, reminding: "Keep it safe. This autumn or winter, when you borrow the Dominating Throne to evolve into a mid-level warrior of Age Period 2, sow it early."

"Also, keep the metal case. If you lack resources for evolution in the future, sell it to a caravan. It's worth 10,000 Source Stones."

"Understood——"

Areca replied happily.

Dragon Cypress checked over the various Divine-Given gifts and ordinary Origin Force food sent by Natsumi again, wiggling his tentacles to call in the Worker Ants to move everything back to the Ant Nest.

With these, both Ink Orchid and I can stably evolve to Mountain Lord Level.

...

Three days later,

Grass Dragon came over with heavy steps, looking quite cheerful.

"Dragon Cypress!"

"Areca——"

Grass Dragon greeted, then immediately asked: "I heard the matter of transferring the Native Breed Flame Spider was settled? Was it that little one Natsumi who came to talk?"

Areca: "Yes."

Grass Dragon: "I heard you got a Divine-Given Seed? Areca, you got a Divine-Given Seed too?"

Areca: "Yes. And also a metal case for storing seeds."

Grass Dragon: "That's the reward paid to you after the five tribe Spider Kings guarding the ancestral land discussed together. The metal case is a gift from the Spider King Spurge. It wasn't Aconite Spider King being generous. Seven-Leaf and Natsumi were just messengers."

After saying this, Grass Dragon added, dissatisfied, "A matter this important clearly suits me better. Letting that Natsumi steal the spotlight."

Areca: "Oh——"

Dragon Cypress: "Mm——"

Natsumi is more suited.

The Flame Spider Tribe places great importance on bloodline inheritance, and that does make some sense.

The Aconite Spider King's line, with Seven-Leaf and Natsumi, is noticeably more reliable in communication, trade, getting things done, and conducting themselves than the likes of White Ivy, Grass Dragon, and Lupine of the Melde line.

Of course, it's also probably due to their different backgrounds and the distinct education received growing up. Natsumi is more graceful, more fit for great undertakings.

Looking at Melde and White Ivy, when they were still high-level Flame Spider Warriors, their immediate elders passed away, and they've mingled only in small tribes ever since.

Dragon Cypress smoothly diverted the topic and asked: "Has Melde come by?"

Grass Dragon: "Of course."

Dragon Cypress: "Let's trade first, and then you take Areca over to meet Melde."

"Alright."

Grass Dragon undid the Spider Silk Rope binding the cargo on its carapace, took out an Ice-Fire Water-Making Pot, and handed it over, saying:

"Melde asked me to bring this for you. The appearance is slightly flawed, but otherwise there's nothing wrong with it."

The Ice-Fire Water-Making Pot on the outside was wrapped in a layer of white spider silk. A sweep with spiritual power showed the pot's white coating was covered in scratches.

Apparently, some Insect Clan Warrior used it, over a long time, leaving sharp claw marks.

The appearance is flawed, but after wrapping it in a spider silk with floral patterns, it still looks beautiful and doesn't affect its use.

Dragon Cypress tested it simply; the functions of water making, hot water, and ice making were all complete.

Grass Dragon: "Melde bought it for 15,000 Source Stones, and I'll sell it to you at cost. No markup."

"Deal!" Dragon Cypress agreed crisply.

"Now to business. Over at Hidden Wing Mountain..." Grass Dragon began unloading goods at a faster pace, then stopped, and solemnly said:

"It's preliminarily agreed upon. They have a Divine God-Given Seed called 'Lightwing', which grants a life system ability named 'Lightspeed Healing'. Hidden Wing Mountain is willing to trade a 'Lightwing Seed' for a 'White Poplar Fruit'."

"Utterly ordinary."

Dragon Cypress commented honestly, secretly delighted.

When attacking the Termite Kingdom, the healing ability will surely be useful.

This Lightwing Seed can be used by me!

Grass Dragon was watching Dragon Cypress's reaction, but the other only seemed mildly interested, not at all dissatisfied, and then said sincerely: "Dragon Cypress, this ability is pretty decent… No insect ever complains about having too many abilities…"

Dragon Cypress: "How exactly will the exchange be conducted? Have you discussed the details?"

Grass Dragon: "We have. After some fierce haggling, the deal was finally set as: two White Poplar Fruits for one Lightwing Seed. But it's not barter, it's priced by Source Stones—a buy-sell transaction."

——Roving Merchants need to make a margin.

Dragon Cypress tapped his tentacle lightly in agreement.

Grass Dragon continued: "The Lightwing Seed is sold to you at a standard price of 1.2 million per seed. And you can sell White Poplar Fruit to the White Ivy Mountain Lord for 700,000 per fruit."

Grass Dragon: "We're actually not making any profit from this. We're just using the opportunity to get our Origin Force Honey trade into Hidden Wing Mountain."

Dragon Cypress tilted his head, coolly side-eying: "So you gain nothing here, nothing there—is the honest Flame Spider Warrior doing charity work?"

Grass Dragon: "Alright then, according to the continent's usual price, Life-Extending Divine Good is worth 15,000 Source Stones per year, and one White Poplar Fruit can sell for 750,000 Source Stones. We're all friends here, and we don't need runners' fees."

The hypocritical Flame Spider Roving Merchants will say they're not making money when they profit, but if they really don't, they'll wail about losing everything.

Even so, the buying and selling prices are acceptable. It must be that Hidden Wing Mountain urgently needs the Life-Extending Divine Good and, to facilitate the deal, offered some profits.

As for specifics, Dragon Cypress didn't inquire further; whether profit was great or small depended on the skills of White Ivy, Grass Dragon, and company.

Dragon Cypress: "Grass Dragon, how long is the blossom-fruit cycle of the Lightwing Divine Seed? What about the yield?"

Grass Dragon: "Cycle is 14 years, with eight Lightwing Seeds each harvest."

Dragon Cypress: "That's actually quite a high yield for a divine grade! Did you ask closely? When is the next ripe batch?"

Grass Dragon: "They're dry fruits with excellent storage. Stock is always available—I've seen the real thing, guaranteed genuine. However, Hidden Wing Mountain doesn't fully trust the White Ivy Mountain Lord. They request a Divine-Grade Baihe Fruit be sent first."

The White Ivy Trade Caravan's meager finances and credit can't possibly win Hidden Wing Mountain's trust.

This is a problem.

Dragon Cypress pondered and found a way.

Grass Dragon pressed: "Dragon Cypress, you're in good shape right now, right?"

Dragon Cypress: "Very good. The Aconite Spider King sent plenty of good things; I'll stably ascend to Mountain Lord Level next year."

Grass Dragon: "Then estimate; how many years before you'll get the first batch of Divine-Grade Baihe Fruit?"

Dragon Cypress: "Uhhh…"

Barring the unexpected, attacking the Termite Kingdom should take place in 13 years, so the White Poplar Divine Seed can be obtained after 13 years. It needs at least 2 years to gestate into a Life Seed, 2 or 3 years to grow after sowing, and 16 years to flower and fruit.

It'll take about 34 years to harvest the first batch of Divine-Grade Baihe Fruit.

Dragon Cypress thought for two seconds, then said: "Grass Dragon, have the White Ivy Mountain Lord tell Hidden Wing Mountain that I happen to need a Divine-Grade Lightwing Seed and agree to the trade. Then tell them the next batch of Divine-Grade Baihe Fruit has all been traded away; only the batch after that will be available."

Grass Dragon looked blank, confused.

Dragon Cypress shook his tentacles hard and said: "No rush on this—let it wait. I need to focus on evolution now and don't want to worry about these things. Any issues, discuss after I've evolved to Mountain Lord Level."

Grass Dragon: "…Alright."

Grass Dragon asked: "Do you have enough Source Stones to evolve?"

Dragon Cypress: "Enough."

Dragon Cypress: "The wild Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed has already shown signs of evolving, and it will need a huge amount of Source Stones. How many did the White Ivy Mountain Lord secure this year?"

Grass Dragon: "Not entirely sure. White Ivy is working with the caravans of Spurge, Aconite, and Atractylodes. About thirty Flame Spider Warriors are carrying goods for it, so forty or fifty thousand Source Stones should be there."

Dragon Cypress: "..."

That Little Mantis Red Peach is truly formidable!

Dragon Cypress was a little impressed by now.

Grass Dragon hesitated, then said: "Dragon Cypress, let me tell you something else. I plan to evolve into a 7th Age High-level Flame Spider Warrior this autumn. I'll be going independent as a Roving Merchant too…"

...

After completing the trade with Grass Dragon, Areca followed along to visit Melde, bringing Dragon Cypress's greetings and reminders:

[This year's ripe One-Glimpse Fruit—make sure, absolutely sure to win it at auction; you may add to the price.]

Buying a batch of Origin Force Food from Melde, with Grass Dragon helping to transport it over.

Areca then joined Grass Dragon for another trip to visit the White Ivy Mountain Lord.

White Ivy had gradually developed its Origin Force Honey trade in Hidden Wing Mountain, and this year's transaction volume had improved noticeably over last year. In addition, they managed to bring over fifty thousand Source Stones. The trade goods were so much that Red Peach had to pull a stone slab wheelcart ten times back and forth to finish hauling everything.

All in all, it took nine days. The spring trade with the Flame Spider Roving Merchants was complete.

Returning to Xianglan Mountain,

They checked and tallied their wealth, distributed rewards, and held a banquet to celebrate.

The next day,

Dragon Cypress took his seat on the Dominating Throne, brought Fragrant Cypress with him, and went to White Lotus Lake.

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