Astral Cockroach

(Second Update)

The news of the discovery of a large number of Hooked-pattern Mountain Python warriors spread rapidly.

Overnight, a full 100 advanced warriors of the fourth instar and above gathered at Lizhu Peak from the Iron Saber Mountains, Water Banyan Mountains, Red Tangerine Mountains, and Hoof Mountains.

Upon hearing the news, Princess Chui Rong, worried about accidents, came to participate in the battle herself.

The six Bamboo Rat warriors were too weak and didn't need to participate in the battle, so they stayed at Lizhu Peak.

King Rat led the way alone.

They set off late at night, traveling on the ground.

They arrived at their destination late the next night.

From a distant location, King Rat pointed out the general direction: a small, inconspicuous mountain stream and valley between Cloud Mist Peak and the adjacent small peak.

Princess Chui Rong, having similar combat experience, directed the operation.

Nearly a hundred Red Cockroach warriors, in groups of five, separated, outflanked, and surrounded the area.

King Rat's senses were correct; there were exactly 10 Hooked-pattern Mountain Python warriors, no more, no less.

The battle was imminent, and with a numerical disparity of 100 to 10, plus a princess-level warrior holding the line, the battle ended quickly before Banbu even had a chance to attack.

Princess Chui Rong suddenly descended from the sky, spewing flames, incinerating one python warrior after another, killing five of them in just a few seconds.

The remaining five were swarmed by the other Red Cockroach warriors, completely unable to resist, and lost their lives in just a few breaths.

Finally, there was the God-given Seed.

Knowing about it in advance, arrangements were made beforehand. From the start of the battle, 10 Red Cockroach warriors protected it, preventing it from being affected by the fighting.

This rare Camellia oleifera God-given Seed, growing in the mountain stream, was originally a medium-sized tree, but had grown to a height of over 15 meters! Mentally scanning the trunk, it was approximately 240 years old!

The branches and leaves were lush, full of vitality, with no signs of aging. Judging by its aura, its tea fruits should have the effect of strengthening earth and stone.

The tea fruits currently formed were only slightly inferior to the God-given Seeds nurtured within a life pouch. If transplanted to an environment rich in Origin Power and carefully nurtured, it might successfully complete a transformation and evolution in two or three hundred years. At that time, the quality of the tea fruits would also undergo a qualitative improvement.

A wild God-given Seed with excellent growth potential.

After clearing the battlefield, all the warriors gathered around the Camellia oleifera tree.

Princess Chui Rong beckoned to Banbu and asked, "Banbu, what do you think should be done with this Camellia oleifera God-given Seed?"

The mountain stream was located in the Jinping Mountains, and according to the rules, the Camellia oleifera God-given Seed belonged to the wealth of the Jinping Mountains.

However, several mountain ranges had sent warriors to participate in this siege, especially the Hoof Mountains, which had dispatched nearly sixty warriors in addition to Princess Chui Rong, contributing the most effort.

Banbu said, "There are two options. First, I can offer some Origin Stones as compensation, and the Camellia oleifera God-given Seed remains in the Jinping Mountains. Second, we can all manage it together, and in two or three hundred years, if it successfully transforms and grows, it will be a good source of income."

After Banbu finished speaking, he added, "Such a large tree will be troublesome to relocate! It will be even more troublesome to guard if it stays here."

All the insects fell silent.

The value of a wild God-given Seed was far less than that of a God-given Seed nurtured within a life pouch. At its current scale, the annual income would be approximately 200 to 300 Origin Stones. If further divided, the share would only be a small income.

As for transforming and growing in two or three hundred years, that was even more uncertain. Ordinary Mountain Lords only lived to be 150 years old, so they would have to wait for the next, next generation.

Banbu didn't say much more, waiting for Princess Chui Rong to make arrangements.

Eliminating the potential threat of the Hooked-pattern Mountain Python warriors was already a great achievement. A wild Camellia oleifera God-given Seed was just icing on the cake, not essential.

After a moment of thought, Princess Chui Rong said, "Cloud Mist Peak is too remote. There's no guarantee that stray beast warriors won't wander over, making it difficult to guard. It must be relocated. The current season is also suitable, so we'll move it this year."

Banbu asked, "How will we move it?"

Princess Chui Rong replied, "We'll cut off some of the side branches."

"This…" Yabai subconsciously felt that it was inappropriate. After thinking about it carefully, he shook his antennae and sighed, "What a pity."

God-given Seeds were different from ordinary plants. Every leaf, every twig, was precious, like the six legs of an insect warrior, and they were non-renewable.

Cutting off a large number of branches was equivalent to cutting off more than half of its life, and would leave permanent disabilities, seriously affecting future transformation and evolution.

"This… isn't that too cruel?" Banbu also felt a little unbearable.

Princess Chui Rong said, "The plant is too large, and we can't move it without cutting off some branches."

A warrior from the Water Banyan Mountains said, "If we cut off the branches, the God-given Seed will be severely damaged. Even if it survives the relocation, the income will be greatly reduced."

A warrior from the Red Tangerine Mountains said, "Why don't we just leave it here and not move it?"

Princess Chui Rong said, "This place is too remote. Who can spare the strength to guard it? If beast warriors are attracted, there's also the risk of being harmed. It's not worth risking so much for a wild God-given Seed."

Again, there was silence.

After considering it, Banbu said, "Princess Chui Rong, cutting off some branches and moving it back will only increase the annual income by 100 Origin Stones. It's not easy for a God-given Seed to be born, and it has grown for over two hundred years, and has almost initially nurtured a natural tree spirit, with a rudimentary soul. It's a life, and there's no need to harm it for such a small income."

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Princess Chui Rong asked, "Banbu, do you have a solution?"

"No," Banbu said. "I'll offer 3,000 Origin Stones to compensate the participating clansmen, and another 1,000 Origin Stones to thank you, Princess Chui Rong, for your help."

Banbu paused and continued, "Let's just leave this Camellia oleifera tree here. Don't move it, and don't send warriors to guard it… I'll come and check on it when I have time."

"Leave it here? Sooner or later, it will attract other beast warriors…" Princess Chui Rong said, then paused, tapped her antennae, and said, "Okay! But you can skip my 1,000 Origin Stone compensation."

Yabai said, "Banbu, Mountain Lord Iron Saber was injured, and you've already spent tens of thousands of Origin Stones. We Iron Saber Mountain warriors shouldn't accept your Origin Stones again."

A warrior from the Hoof Mountains followed up, saying, "Mutual assistance among clansmen is a matter of course. There's no need to pay for such a small matter."

The other warriors from the Red Tangerine Mountains, Water Banyan Mountains, and Hoof Mountains echoed in agreement.

Banbu thought for a moment and said, "Then how about this? Next autumn, when my Blood Thorn God-given Seed's thorn fruits are ripe, everyone can come and eat them. I'll only keep the seeds, and the fruit pulp will be given to all of you clansmen free of charge."

Princess Chui Rong said, "That's the most reasonable arrangement. The pulp of the Blood Thorn fruit is troublesome to store, and it's a pity to discard it, so giving it to nearby clansmen is the best arrangement."

…

The matter of the Camellia oleifera God-given Seed was settled.

After a simple cleanup of the site, everyone returned.

Banbu returned to Lizhu Peak and rearranged the tasks.

The seven Bamboo Rat warriors began digging the soil.

Banbu himself was specifically responsible for transporting and dumping it.

Big Bear was still responsible for slapping the trees with his Iron Sand Palm and clearing the open space.

After paying another sum of Origin Stones as a reward, he asked Lizhu for help in gradually transplanting the bamboo species of Lizhu Peak down the mountain.

With the potential threat of the Hooked-pattern Mountain Python warriors resolved, the Iron Saber Mountains lifted the alert. Putao and Yan Cu Banmao often came to help, cutting flagstones from the mountain.

Soon, the fourth and fifth ponds were completed. Banbu numbered and named the ponds simply and clearly as No. 1, No. 2, No. 3…

Each pond had a corresponding bamboo forest, also numbered according to the rules of No. 1, No. 2, for easy management in the future.

Calculating the time, less than a month remained of winter.

Banbu accelerated the rate of consuming Origin Power food and fell into slumber.