In the quiet winter, Dragon Cypress busily relocated the ant colony from Southern Sour Jujube Mountain to Red Cypress Mountain.

Winter passed and spring arrived.

Xianglan Mountain entered a low-level state of alert.

Deep within the royal family chambers of the ant nest, Spiked Cypress sprawled on the Dominating Throne, resting, recuperating, eating Origin Force Ant Honey, brewing evolution.

Black Leaf led a team of Soldier Ants, guarding the entrance.

This spring was a bit busy.

Fragrant Cypress and Round Cypress were commanding the Worker Ants, sowing Thousand-Leaf Fescue and Thousand Mountains Wild Peas seeds all over the mountain orchard.

After a year of cultivation and observation, it was basically confirmed that these two plants, just as Silvergrass described, wouldn't affect the growth of the fruit trees in any way.

The Thousand-Leaf Fescue was a rather magical plant: it had an extremely short life cycle, sown in autumn, flourishing in winter, and producing seeds in early spring. In spring, it could grow another round, with seeds maturing in early summer, and withering in midsummer.

Thousand Mountains Wild Peas, on the other hand, was an annual herbaceous plant: roots and sprouts in spring, thriving in summer, its pods' seeds ripening in winter.

Once cultivation was promoted throughout Xianglan Mountain, further observation would confirm, and by next spring, they'd promote it to all fruit orchards in Lands of Origin Force.

...

Under the orchard groves of Azure Blue Reservoir,

Azure and Dragon Cypress commanded the ant colony, dividing the area, and sowing grass seeds collected last autumn.

Last year, as Dragon Cypress rushed around every Origin Force Point on the continent, it collected eleven alfalfa varieties, including Small Alfalfa, Straight-Fruit Alfalfa, Southern Alfalfa, White Flower Alfalfa, Purple Flower Alfalfa, and so on.

In the inherited memory, Chicory was considered a single species, spread all over the world. But during the gathering, Dragon Cypress found that chicories from different regions, owing to climate and environment, exhibited rather obvious differences.

All kinds of samples were collected, roughly classified into four types and named Native Species Chicory, Giant Chicory, White-Flower Chicory, and Blue-Flower Chicory.

These wild-harvested grass seeds would be experimented with for a year's planting, afterward, adjustments and optimization would depend on the outcome.

While Dragon Cypress was busy, its soul jumped—vaguely sensing something, activated Soul-Setting Ability to perceive: Ink Orchid was standing beneath the Black Yellow Divine-Given Seed.

"Great King. Has Black Yellow bloomed?"

"Its blooming period is early."

"Are you keeping fruit this year?"

"I've reserved twenty clusters, three hundred fruits. Testing its blossom-fruit cycle and fruit quality first."

"Oh——"

Ink Orchid: "I thought you've been busy these days, and didn't notice Black Yellow over here. Alright, that's all."

The information exchange ended.

Dragon Cypress: "..."

The Soul-Setting Ability was handy, but also troublesome—Ink Orchid would pester whenever it felt like...

Dragon Cypress didn't immediately put away the ability, instead using remote sensing, watching Ink Orchid's actions from afar.

Soon came a judgment: it was planting Orchid Grass on the hill under the Black Yellow Divine-Given Seed's roots.

Dragon Cypress was speechless again.

...

Twilight,

About to wrap up after a busy day, waves of Origin Force fluctuation rippled from the mountain.

Dragon Cypress activated Soul-Setting Ability and sensed—it confirmed Spiked Cypress had entered its evolutionary slumber.

It took flight, returning to the nest to check.

No major issues.

Compared to proper Insect Clan Warriors, Assistant Kings breaking through and evolving to Mountain Lord Level was much easier.

The Origin Force fluctuation lasted for most of the night before calming down.

Dragon Cypress summoned Silver Cypress over and assigned it and Black Leaf to take turns standing guard.

Just five days later,

A violent Origin Force fluctuation rippled across the mountain; Spiked Cypress had reached the final stage of its evolution.

Dragon Cypress, busy in the mountains, returned to check.

"Great King——"

Black Leaf, flanked by Soldier Ants, rushed out of the cave at a sprint.

"Great King, is Spiked Cypress going to be alright?"

Dragon Cypress activated Soul-Setting Ability and sensed, "The soul state is stable. No problem. It'll wake up soon."

Dragon Cypress: "Black Leaf, go have a bite at the lower nest, rest and get some sleep. I'll keep watch."

"Alright, Great King."

Black Leaf led the Soldier Ants down the mountain.

Sensing the commotion, Ink Orchid, Giant Cypress, Silver Cypress, Round Cypress, and Fragrant Cypress all arrived in succession, gathering outside the ant nest's entrance.

The intense Origin Force fluctuation gradually subsided.

With Soul-Setting Ability, Dragon Cypress sensed Spiked Cypress awakening from its slumber.

Dragon Cypress led the way, and they jogged out of the cave.

After waiting a bit,

Dragon Cypress extended its spiritual power, scanning through the nest.

Spiked Cypress had successfully shed its old shell; its size had surged, its body length solidifying at just over three meters, with a huge head, super-developed hooked double mandibles making up about a quarter of its total length, its abdominal armor and hind-leg tibiae tipped with spikes—fierce and intimidating.

Dragon Cypress turned back, "It's done!"

Clang!

Silver Cypress pried open the metal door panel blocking the entrance with a paw and dashed inside, eager to be first.

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid followed right after.

"Spiked Cypress?"

Ink Orchid tried calling out with mental power.

"Second King?"

Spiked Cypress responded mentally.

After evolving Mountain Lord Level, Assistant Kings developed spiritual power.

Now Spiked Cypress could use spiritual power to communicate too.

"Great King!"

Spiked Cypress mentally greeted Dragon Cypress.

"Wow!"

Ink Orchid hopped and cheered.

Xianglan Mountain finally had a third insect that everyone could talk with.

After so many years together, they could finally communicate.

"Spiked Cypress, hungry?"

Ink Orchid asked.

Spiked Cypress: "A bit hungry."

Pleased with itself, Spiked Cypress turned and waved its tentacles, "Giant Cypress, go catch some food for us. Let's have a feast tonight to celebrate."

Giant Cypress looked at Dragon Cypress—seeing the Great King didn't waggle its tentacles in scolding, shot Spiked Cypress a warning glare, and left.

Ink Orchid ran out after him, full of enthusiasm.

Fragrant Cypress led the Blue Ants into the cave, climbed the wooden platform to the Throne, and fed Spiked Cypress, urgently replenishing its physical strength.

After eating, Dragon Cypress saw that Spiked Cypress had recovered somewhat, so called it to come outside, heading together to the Azure Blue Reservoir.

"Dragon Cypress? Is this Spiked Cypress?"

Azure asked.

Dragon Cypress: "Yes. Spiked Cypress has successfully evolved to Mountain Lord Level and developed spiritual power."

Spiked Cypress tried sending a mental message: "Azure?"

Azure: "Hello~"

Spiked Cypress: "Oh!"

Spiked Cypress stretched its legs, "I just evolved and feel a bit hungry. Azure, can I catch a few of your frogs to eat?"

Azure was alarmed: "No way!"

Spiked Cypress: "Don't be so stingy."

Azure: "Dragon Cypress!"

Dragon Cypress pressed a claw on Spiked Cypress and flicked its tentacles repeatedly.

Then they continued to the Southern Gorgon Reservoir.

Dragon Cypress: "Southern Gorgon, this is Spiked Cypress."

Southern Gorgon: "I recognize it."

Dragon Cypress looked to Spiked Cypress.

Spiked Cypress dutifully called out, "Southern Gorgon? I'm Spiked Cypress."

Southern Gorgon replied impatiently, "I know you. Block-headed fellow."

Spiked Cypress: "..."

Now Spiked Cypress could also communicate with Dragon Cypress's God-Given Life Seed.

If Spiked Cypress could, then so could Giant Cypress, Cypress, Round Cypress, and Fragrant Cypress after they evolved to Mountain Lord Level.

From now on, managing the God-Given Life Seed was going to be that much easier for Dragon Cypress as Ant King.

"Alright then."

Dragon Cypress called, "Southern Gorgon, you take it easy. Spiked Cypress, come with me to Black Yellow and pay a visit."

...

The main thing was still the communication between Assistant King and Azure!

Now, Azure could be counted as a key labor force on Xianglan Mountain. But it was, after all, just a tree—unable to move, and could only command the ants within its own psychic range, so there were many inconveniences.

Once Command Ants evolve to Mountain Lord Level, they too could communicate with Azure.

This was much more convenient.

...

The first Mountain Lord-Level Command Ant in Xianglan Mountain Ant Kingdom celebrated with a grand feast at night.

After feasting and drinking their fill—

Dragon Cypress, seeing Spiked Cypress had almost completely recovered, asked, "Spiked Cypress, do you have any awakening abilities?"

Spiked Cypress pondered a moment, swayed its tentacles, and replied using both Ant Clan message exchange and the general spiritual power method: "Yes!"

Spiked Cypress: "I acquired your Strength System 'Rend' ability, Great King."

With that, it lifted its forefoot, Primordial Energy gathering at the tip of its toe.

Retracting its claw, head lowered in thought, it looked up, then exclaimed in delight, "Great King, look!"

With that, it concentrated its Primordial Energy into its mandibles.

"Great King, I can also use my mandible teeth to unleash the 'Rend' ability."

"Not bad!"

Dragon Cypress twitched its tentacles, very satisfied.

When Assistant Kings evolve to Mountain Lord Level, there's a chance to inherit the Ant King's abilities.

Spiked Cypress happened to inherit a Strength System talent, and being a battle-type Command Ant, it had eaten not a few quality Origin Force Food at the high-level stage. Awakening the 'Rend' ability came naturally.

If Spiked Cypress could do it, so could Giant Cypress.

Cypress had already mastered Water System Ability, so it would surely be able to as well.

Ink Orchid: "Next up is Giant Cypress?"

Dragon Cypress: "Yes. Once everyone's eaten and rested tonight, we'll begin tomorrow morning."

...

After some time, Giant Cypress and Cypress both broke through to Mountain Lord Level one after another.

Through detailed testing, Dragon Cypress gained a clear understanding.

For an Assistant King to evolve and grow, it only costs about half the resources of an Ant King, and its power level is only half that of the Ant King's.

Moreover, according to inherited memory, Assistant Kings have a chance to inherit Ant King abilities only during the evolution to Mountain Lord Level—afterward, they can only acquire more skills by self-improvement through their own growth.

Similarly,

Because the resources consumed for an Assistant King's growth and evolution are only half that of an Ant King, it is ten times harder for them to comprehend abilities on their own.

Of course, for Assistant Kings who want to master more skills, there is a shortcut: using a Divine-Grade Fruit that bestows abilities.

When resources were abundant in the future, it might be worth considering.

Assistant King and Ant King share one fate; the stronger the Assistant King, the stronger the Ant King.

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