Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 690 - 586: The Two Great Kings Are Invincible - Part 3

Dragon Cypress: "It's not a big problem. With a bit of luck, I'll evolve to the 9th Age Period within 10 years. Then, in the 9th Age, it'll take about 30 years more for the God-Given Life Seed to grow strong. All in all, we won't really lose many years."

Black Birch raised a claw as a gesture and said, "The key issue is, Divine-Grade Wangbai Seeds are just too low in yield, aren't they? By the rules, upon advancing to King-Level, the first fruiting takes one year, the next nine fruitings take four years each? That adds up to 37 years! And just one seed for all that!"

Cypress: "Yeah, exactly..."

Tie Bush asked cautiously, "Great King, does that mean we won't even get to eat any?"

Dragon Cypress: "The truly good stuff always has to meet the needs within the kingdom first."

Dragon Cypress: "King Cypress Divine-Given Seed is on the same level as the Shanglu Divine-Given Seed from the Flame Spider Kingdom. The fruit it produces is absolutely top-notch. While we still lack detailed data on its effects, we do have a general idea: rapid evolution, self-optimization to adapt to the environment. It's a Divine-Grade item everyone can use—especially as we face the unknown Outworld. Tie Bush, you especially could optimize your body structure, be more agile."

Dragon Cypress: "I'll eat one first along with the Second King; then the rest of you line up by age: Round Cypress, Spiked Cypress, Giant Cypress, and so on. I'll eat one; that leaves fourteen left. After advancing to King-Level, one seed every 37 years, so 518 years for everyone to eat their fill. By the time we're all done, it'll be nearly time to leave the Origin Force Star Realm. So, about the King Cypress Divine-Given Seed, there's really no need to mention it to those Flame Spider Roving Merchants."

"..."

Silence.

So, the King Cypress Divine-Given Seed offers no profit at all.

Not only no profit, but it consumes massive quantities of spot Source Stone.

Cypress raised a claw to ask, "Great King, what if our kingdom ends up with a new Assistant King?"

Dragon Cypress: "Nothing to be done—let's see what happens once we get to the Outworld."

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles and ordered, "Tie Bush and Black Birch, stay. Cypress, come back to Xianglan Mountain with me."

...

Xianglan Mountain.

As the Dominating Throne approached the Land of Origin Force, Dragon Cypress activated his Soul-Setting Ability to sense—inwardly, he was mildly delighted.

Ink Orchid, Giant Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, Black Cory, Black Leaf, and Black Sophora were all gathered below Silver Cypress Tree Mother No.1006. Spreading outward, from close by to the outer layers, circles upon circles of Soldier Ants had formed a tight ring.

One look at the scene, and it was clear: mission accomplished.

"Dragon Cypress!"

"Cypress is back!"

Azure's spiritual power rushed to greet him, reporting, "Silver Cypress No.1006 successfully triggered a Divine-Given, and descended Law Divine Power."

In the hills and forest, Ink Orchid hopped away from the cypress, flapping into the air, circling down to the Throne, and cheered, reporting the good news: Divine-Given Seed!

Ink Orchid could finally evolve.

After a wave of celebratory joy, Cypress filled everyone in, detailing what happened at the Areca Rainforest.

A grand banquet was held, celebrating magnificently.

When it was all over, everyone returned to the Land of Origin Force.

During roving merchant trading, Ink Orchid needed to steer clear of the Snow Velvet Spider King and would go stay at Molan Mountain for several days.

Once trade was done, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid quickly wrapped up the Divine-Given Seed search, then remained at Xianglan Mountain themselves, personally guarding the Silver Cypress Divine-Given Seed.

Time flew by,

Late autumn.

The Silver Cypress Divine-Given Seed ripened and was harvested.

Peeling open the shell, inside was a flat, oval seed, reddish-brown with a pattern of silver-white Origin Force.

Judging by its faint Origin Force fluctuation, the enhancement effect hadn't mutated: comprehensive physique, a unique form-optimization effect.

Ink Orchid curled its tongue around it and dropped it into its Life Pouch.

"Great King, this Divine-Given Seed should be officially named now."

"...Second King, please."

"By sequence, this one's called Second Wangbai Divine-Given Seed—Er Bai for short. The next Silver Cypress Divine-Given Seed will be San Bai, and so on."

"Second King is wise! Orderly naming, as always."

"Ants aren't happy, though."

"Ecstatic..."

The whole Silver Cypress naming system was basically scrapped.

"Congratulations, Second King!"

"Felicitations, Second King!"

"Second King, you are truly far-sighted!"

"Second King, such wisdom and might!"

Fragrant Cypress and Black Sophora did their best to flatter and butter up.

Dragon Cypress, inwardly annoyed, waved his tentacles and shooed them, "You two get back to the nest, pack up—the autumn trade season is starting."

...

Autumn roving merchant trade.

Nothing much in winter, overwintering at the Areca Rainforest.

Ink Orchid lay steadily atop the Dominating Throne, using the throne's support ability to speed up nurturing the Second Wangbai Divine-Given Seed.

Come early spring of the new year, the nurturing was complete.

Without delay, it went into deep sleep to evolve, directly in a branch nest in the Areca Rainforest.

Six days passed,

Waking from hibernation, it rapidly completed molting.

"Wow! Oh!"

"Ha! Ha!"

From inside the cave, Ink Orchid let out wild shouts of joy.

Dragon Cypress: "..."

—Idiot~

From the cave entrance, Dragon Cypress called out congratulations: "Congrats, Second King! Felicitations! Second King, such wisdom and might..."

—Such a sarcastic ant!

Ink Orchid burst out, both tentacles swaying side to side, bright arcs of silver lightning crackling noisily.

Excitement and joy were written all over Ink Orchid's face as it said, "Dragon Cypress! I've mastered a super awesome ability!"

Dragon Cypress: "Super awesome? Show me."

Ink Orchid turned and bolted out of the nest.

Dragon Cypress hurried to follow.

The two arrived at their usual training ground.

Ink Orchid took a stance, powered up, and in a flash, countless arcs of bright silver lightning rose from its carapace. With a whoosh, its entire form became a dazzling mass of silver lightning and thunder.

Dragon Cypress turned his head away from the glare, unleashed spiritual power to scan, and was utterly shocked.

Ink Orchid's state was extremely bizarre—no longer material, but instead a volatile Origin Force Energy Body of wind and thunder dual systems.

At the same time, there were Exotic System energy traits from the 'Divine-Grade Ghost Lotus Seed's' ability 'Youlian Form'—all combined, Ink Orchid's state was remarkably strange, half-real, half-illusory.

Dragon Cypress activated Soul-Setting Ability to get a feel.

Even Ink Orchid's soul had mutated, actually merging into the wind-thunder dual system Primordial Energy Body.

Wind System, Thunder System, Soul System, plus the Exotic System's 'Youlian Form'—all fused into a single ability.

Bee~

A sharp whistle pierced the air.

In a flash of silver lightning, Ink Orchid teleported a hundred meters away.

Bee~

A lingering shriek followed.

Ink Orchid spread its wings, hovering a kilometer up in the sky.

—That ability!

Dragon Cypress was totally stunned.

Midair, Ink Orchid suddenly returned to normal—apparently running out of energy. It flapped its wings and spiraled down to land.

"I really thought I was invincible..."

"There's a weakness, though..."

Ink Orchid muttered, drooping its tentacles, clearly crestfallen: "This ability looks super flashy, but honestly, it doesn't have any substantial offensive power!"

Ink Orchid: "Besides, the energy cost is huge. After just two moves, my primordial energy is completely drained."

Dragon Cypress asked in all seriousness, "Ink Orchid, in that state just now, you can't activate other abilities?"

Ink Orchid: "Exactly! I couldn't do a thing. Not one ability would trigger. I couldn't even swing my catching feet to strike, because in that state, I'm not even physical anymore."

Dragon Cypress: "All your primordial energy, gone?"

Ink Orchid: "Yes. The energy burns insanely fast, especially while moving. The only really impressive thing is that in that state, I can avoid almost any kind of attack, and can teleport to anywhere within my spiritual power range in a blink."

Dragon Cypress thought for two seconds, then asked, "Ink Orchid, how many skills did you acquire?"

Ink Orchid said, frustrated, "Only two. The other one's just basic lightning control. I didn't pick up any Soul System ability."

"This ability is absolutely not ordinary! It's beyond my and your understanding."

Dragon Cypress called out, "Ink Orchid, eat some ant honey and recover a bit. Let's set out for the Purple Tung Insect Nation and go see the Linnan Divine Tree."