Dragon Cypress waited on Xianglan Mountain for a full four days. The Sea Blue Tree blossoms nurturing the Divine-Given Seed finally withered. After confirming everything was fine, he left at ease.

First, he went to Huagi Mountain to inform Yellow Stem that this year's Source Stone transport work would be seriously delayed.

Then he headed for the Desolation Plains, settling the recently bred Specialized Blue Soldier larvae into the nest.

After that, he went to Hulan Mountain to notify Black Cory.

Only then did he circle round to Cold Orchid Mountain, beginning the transfer of the ant colony to Southern Sour Jujube Mountain…

…

…

…

Early autumn, the summer heat not yet subsided.

He'd made an appointment with Mountain Persimmon to help it break through to Evolution Mountain Lord at this time.

The Dominating Throne carried 10,000 Source Stones, departing from the second Source Stone Mine, passing through Hulan Mountain to pick up Black Cory and fifty large and medium Worker Ants, and rushed to Silver Cypress Mountain.

Mountain Persimmon had spent over thirty years transforming every tract of land on the mountain suitable for planting persimmons into a Persimmon Garden.

Some land at the foot of the mountain was also opened up, but there had been no further reclamation afterward.

Alone as a single insect, no matter how diligent or desperate, time and energy were ultimately limited.

Managing all the Persimmon Gardens on the mountain was already Mountain Persimmon's limit.

Perhaps it was the effect of the Black Lotus Seed; Mountain Persimmon was no longer stubbornly intent on endless expansion, but instead took Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid's advice, and began to try cultivating its own persimmon varieties through hybridization, grafting, and selective breeding.

A big storm had just passed in the last two days.

Mountain Persimmon was clearing the branches, leaves, and mud from the mountain gullies, sorting out the waterways. Sensing the Origin Force fluctuation of the flying Dominating Throne, it set down its work and hurried toward the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed, standing under the tree to wait.

"Mountain Persimmon!"

Dragon Cypress called out.

The Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed was highly alert. Before Dragon Cypress even approached, a wave of threatening, warning spiritual power had already swept over.

Dragon Cypress guided the Dominating Throne to dock at a further distance.

He lowered the plank.

Black Cory led the ant colony onto the ground.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

Mountain Persimmon ran over to greet him. Its slender tentacles gently tapped, softly gesturing toward Black Cory. "Is that Black Cory?"

Dragon Cypress: "Yes. Medium build, not too fat or thin, mandible teeth not too long or short, shining black all over—that's Black Cory."

Dragon Cypress proactively explained, "Ink Orchid was delayed by something and can't make it. When you fall asleep to evolve, I'll guard the cave entrance, Black Cory will stay under the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed, command the Worker Ants, and use Source Stones to replenish Origin Force to help you break through."

Dragon Cypress added, "When Ink Orchid and I evolved to Evolution Mountain Lord Level, Black Cory helped both times. It's very familiar with the process."

Mountain Persimmon: "Thank you—"

Dragon Cypress: "Mountain Persimmon, how are your preparations?"

Mountain Persimmon: "I've finished all the Origin Force Food, feeling a little drowsy."

Dragon Cypress: "!!!"

Dragon Cypress: "Mountain Persimmon, make sure you've communicated clearly with the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed. Evolution is risky—the price of failure is death. Don't be stingy with the Origin Force and energy stored in Glinting Gold. When the colony can't keep up with your evolution needs by releasing Origin Force from Source Stones, use Glinting Gold immediately."

"…Alright."

Mountain Persimmon mulled over the meaning of Dragon Cypress's words, then turned and ran to the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed to give a round of instructions.

Dragon Cypress controlled the Dominating Throne with his mind, having it slowly shrink. He picked up the Spider Silk Bags filled with Source Stones and tossed them down, one bag at a time.

Then he piloted the Throne into Mountain Persimmon's dwelling cave, arranging the bags in the largest, most stable open area.

He readied ant honey and fermented wood material.

Dragon Cypress entered the forest to hunt.

Mountain Persimmon ate some meat, then climbed atop the Throne and began to rest quietly, brewing for evolution.

Dragon Cypress bundled up thorn strips, tied them together, and sealed off the entrance of the cave, standing guard outside.

Black Cory led the ant colony, keeping watch beneath the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed.

All the preparations were complete.

Late at night,

strong Origin Force fluctuations came from inside the cave; Mountain Persimmon had fallen into a deep sleep.

At dawn,

the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed's rate of absorbing Origin Force suddenly increased. Black Cory began directing the Worker Ants, who proceeded methodically to dig shallow pits beneath the tree trunk, scrape off Source Stone powder, and scatter it into the pits.

Five days later,

the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed was the first to complete its evolution.

Three days after that,

a violent burst of Origin Force shockwaves erupted from Mountain Persimmon's dwelling cave, and only after half a day did it settle down.

Another half day of waiting, and the evolution succeeded.

...

Dragon Cypress entered the forest to hunt.

Mountain Persimmon spent another half day eating, recovering from the weakness after the evolutionary break though.

When Dragon Cypress thought it was about time, he asked, "Mountain Persimmon, take a moment and sense—how many abilities have you awakened?"

"Oh—"

Mountain Persimmon bowed in contemplation, and quickly replied, "There's one!"

After speaking, it stood up. Primordial Energy erupted inside its body, converging at the almond-sized tumorous protuberances on its carapace, forming several five- to six-centimeter-wide brownish-red bumps, linking together to create full-body defensive coverage.

Wood Bump Shield

Wood Defense Ability.

For Red-Margined Tenebrionid Beetle Tribe warriors who evolve to Mountain Lord Level, this is an innate Talent Ability they're guaranteed to awaken.

Dragon Cypress lifted his claw, focused Primordial Energy onto his toes, and poked forcefully. He praised sincerely, "Very hard, very solid!"

Dragon Cypress followed up, "Mountain Persimmon, any more? Try sensing again."

"Let me think…"

Mountain Persimmon lay down again, drooped its tentacles, and buried its head in deep thought.

After a long, long while,

Mountain Persimmon suddenly jerked its head up, excitedly saying, "There's another one!"

Dragon Cypress: "What ability?"

Mountain Persimmon glanced around, eyes locking onto a clump of weeds above the cave entrance. It got up, trotted over, and touched them with its slender tentacles.

The lush, vibrant weeds withered and died at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Mountain Persimmon: "This is an attack-type ability. It can quickly kill the weeds in the orchard!"

Dragon Cypress: "..."

Dragon Cypress's thoughts spun quickly, and he asked, "Can it also quickly kill other insects' Life Seed Plants?"

Mountain Persimmon understood what Dragon Cypress implied and replied, "If it's a Lord-Level Life Seed Plant, it would be very tough."

Dragon Cypress: "Still not bad! Maybe it could come in handy when attacking the Termite Kingdom."

After a pause, Dragon Cypress asked in a casual tone, "Mountain Persimmon, constantly weeding the orchard must waste a lot of time, right?"

Mountain Persimmon, clearly experienced in this, replied, "Exactly. Weed seeds get into the orchard through all kinds of ways, and no matter what, you can't get rid of them all."

Dragon Cypress: "Our Xianglan Mountain has recently been researching a new technique: fighting grass with grass. You should give it a try later."

Mountain Persimmon: "Fighting grass with grass?"

Dragon Cypress: "It means sowing shallow-rooted grass species under the orchard canopy—ones that won't compete with arbors for nutrients, are tough, and aren't prone to pests and disease. By using a fixed ground cover, you suppress the growth of harmful weeds. There are lots of advantages: in hot summers, it can cool the forest floor…"

...

After Mountain Persimmon successfully evolved to Mountain Lord Level, he rested a day, recovered to eighty or ninety percent, and went to the Sky Blue Persimmon Divine-Given Seed to retrieve the Glinting Gold, then returned it to Dragon Cypress.

Dragon Cypress made a beeline for White Lotus Lake to deliver the goods to the Night Fragrance God-Given Seed.

This time, three fruits were to be borne, so several years of power reserves would be needed in advance.

After that, he turned north and entered Huagi Mountain.

According to the plan, Spruce would also break through to Evolution Mountain Lord Level this autumn.

Spruce had two Divine-Given Seeds: Green Shura and Rattan Leaf Snake Grape.

Huagi Mountain was rich, and had its own supporting methods for assisting evolution breakthroughs.

For five days before evolution, each Divine-Given Seed consumed 1,000 Source Stones per day for a total of 10,000 Source Stones, pre-conditioning the two Divine-Given Seeds.

Then, Spruce began brewing for evolution and deep sleep.

As expected, the breakthrough went smoothly.

Spruce awakened two abilities: one was the Long Shield Grasshopper Tribe's Talent "Wind Veil," which can both attack and defend; the other is condensing Primordial Energy on its wings to form razor-like blades, which can be used to slash in close combat or fired as ranged attacks, as well as accelerate flight.

After evolving to Mountain Lord Level, Spruce's combat power became quite formidable.

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