Astral Cockroach

Ordinary matters can be safely entrusted to Big Bear, but the Holy Bamboo Godsend is extraordinary, so Banbu doesn't dare to relax. After a quick meal, he immediately goes up the mountain to guard the cold storage with Big Bear.

Having rushed back and forth between Lizhu Peak and Lanling Peak without a good rest, he faintly senses another wave of Origin Power rapidly approaching.

It's the Origin Power fluctuation of a warrior from the Red Ant Tribe.

Very strong.

Is it Princess Daye?

The Fire Lotus Queen Bee entered hibernation at the end of spring this year to advance to become a Queen Bee. Counting the time, if everything goes smoothly, she should be waking up about now.

"Big Bear, guard the things. No matter what happens, you must not leave, understand?"

"I understand."

Banbu slowly walks down the mountain, urging his mental power to call Datou back.

Just as Datou returns, Princess Daye arrives, descending in front of Banbu's cave dwelling.

"Banbu, what are you doing on the mountain? In the middle of autumn, what's that bear doing lying on the mountain?"

Banbu notices Princess Daye's arrival at the same time that Princess Daye senses Banbu's movements.

"It's nothing," Banbu says, "A Godsend Seed. I'm having it guard it."

"Oh, another Godsend Seed!" Princess Daye says with a tone of surprise, but she's actually not surprised at all. In recent years, due to the expansion of Youzhu bamboo rice, they have been receiving news of warriors obtaining Godsend Seeds almost every year. She's become a little numb to it.

Especially Lizhu Peak. There are already enough Godsend Seeds there. In Princess Daye's opinion, one more or one less doesn't make much of a difference.

"Princess Daye, is there something you need?" Banbu asks as a formality, then instructs Datou, "Datou, quickly go get two Origin Power Crystals."

When Datou hears that Origin Power Crystals are going to be used again, its antennae immediately stand up, and it asks vigilantly, "Banbu, what do you want to do again?"

Banbu says, "The Fire Lotus Queen Bee is about to advance to become a Queen Bee. Prepare some gifts!"

Datou asks, "Two crystals?"

Advancing to become a Queen Bee is a major event, but it's a major event for Redstone County. Lizhu Peak just needs to show some token of appreciation.

If it were before, Banbu would definitely just send 10,000 Origin Stones and be done with it, but now it's different. The Holy Bamboo Godsend Seed has been successfully cultivated, and Lizhu Peak is about to make a fortune, so he has to act more generously.

When Princess Daye hears about two Origin Power Crystals, she is indeed shocked. She shakes her antennae and wisely chooses not to say much. Who would complain about receiving too many gifts?

Datou lowers its mental voice, reminding, "Banbu, we don't have many Origin Power Crystals in reserve anymore."

Banbu says solemnly, "The Fire Lotus Queen Bee is Xiangpu's direct elder. How can we be stingy when she advances to become a Queen Bee?"

"Alright," Datou reluctantly waves its antennae, directing the ant colony to enter the nest to carry out the Origin Power Crystals.

Banbu asks Princess Daye again, "The Fire Lotus Queen Bee's advancement must be going smoothly, right?"

The Fire Lotus Queen Bee is only just over three hundred years old, several decades younger than the Redstone Ant King. She is already young and vigorous, and she has consumed Longevity Peaches and used nutrient solution to condition her state. The probability of success is definitely much higher than that of the "Redstone Princess" back then.

The Redstone Princess has already evolved into the Redstone Ant King, so there's no reason for the Fire Lotus Queen Bee to fail.

"Smoothly, she's about to wake up," Princess Daye says in a great mood, "Banbu, the Redstone Ant King has invited you to a meeting."

"A meeting?" Banbu asks, "What is there in Redstone County that needs my participation?"

Princess Daye says, "Yes, you'll know when you get there. Go with peace of mind. I'll help you guard Lizhu Peak."

Banbu asks, "What is it?"

"Something important," Princess Daye refuses to say.

Datou brings the Origin Power Crystals.

Banbu quickly packs his things, his mind full of doubts, and sets off for Redstone County.

… …

Princess Youli and Princess Ginkgo are both there.

Redstone County has learned its lesson this time. The Fire Lotus Queen Bee and her Godsend Seed are separated. She is molting and evolving in the Redstone Ant King's territory to avoid a shortage of natural Origin Power. She is still in a state of hibernation at this time, but her aura is stable. She has successfully passed the most difficult stage, and only a few days remain before she wakes up.

The Redstone Ant King personally guards her.

Dense swarms of bees surround Redstone Mountain layer upon layer, not allowing anyone to approach.

Hundreds of Red Ant warriors are also distributed throughout the Redstone Tree Sea, defending and guarding, not allowing anyone to approach.

Banbu is arranged to rest in the trading square of the Redstone Tree Sea.

Following closely behind Banbu, Princess Hanging Fig arrives with the Big Yellow Fig.

"Princess Youli! Princess Ginkgo! Banbu, you're here too? What matter requires our discussion?"

Princess Hanging Fig is also unaware and starts asking questions as soon as she lands.

"Don't know."

Banbu shakes his antennae.

Princess Youli and Princess Ginkgo both shake their antennae to indicate that they don't know.

Currently, the most influential elder in the Red Ant Tribe is definitely the Redstone Ant King, followed by Princess Youli and Princess Ginkgo, and then the other veteran county elders, Princess Hanging Fig, and Lizhu Peak.

Due to having a Big Yellow Fig Godsend Seed, Hanging Fig County has great potential in the future. It is a typical case of a father becoming noble because of his son. Gradually, Princess Hanging Fig has a certain say in the tribe.

Lizhu Peak has a particularly large variety of Godsend Seeds and is particularly rich. In addition, Banbu's abilities are recognized, and Youzhu bamboo rice benefits the entire tribe, so he also has a say.

Generally speaking, the Redstone Ant King will only gather everyone to discuss major issues concerning the development of the race.

Princess Youli waves her antennae and says, "The Fire Lotus Queen Bee is about to succeed. Let's wait patiently for a few more days."

The waiting time is not long.

The Redstone Ant King, having received the message, arrives at the trading square in advance.

After greeting everyone, Princess Youli rushes to ask, "Redstone, what important matter is it?"

"It's nothing major," the Redstone Ant King says, "There's a difficult matter that requires your help in making a decision."

The Redstone Ant King pauses and says, "This autumn harvest, a Redstone Tree Godsend Seed was discovered in the Redstone Tree Sea. It's a high-quality tree species cultivated about twenty-two years ago. We named it 'Ember Fruit Redstone'. The fruit is fiery red, and ordinary seeds that are cultivated into Life Seeds have a better effect of enhancing fire abilities."

"Ember Fruit Redstone Tree!" Princess Hanging Fig exclaims.

Hanging Fig County is also planting Redstone Trees, so she knows about this rare tree species.

Princess Youli seems to know a little as well and asks, "The Ember Fruit Godsend Seed should be better than your current Redstone Tree Godsend Seed, right?"

Banbu's mind immediately becomes active: This tree species was cultivated more than twenty years ago. Is this a natural probability birth? Or a Godsend reward from the 'stars' in the sky?

Banbu then understands what the Redstone Ant King is struggling with: How should this Ember Fruit Godsend Seed of superior quality be handled?

Incidentally, there's also a bit of showing off.

Banbu can't help but feel a little disdain: It's just a high-quality arborescent Godsend Seed, what's there to show off? It's 100% for enhancing fire abilities, right? Can it compare to the Holy Bamboo Godsend Seed?

Sure enough, the Redstone Ant King then says, "The aura displayed by this Godsend Seed clearly surpasses my Redstone Tree Godsend Seed. I'm very troubled now!"

"After thinking about it, there are three ways to handle it: First, don't cultivate it into a Life Seed, directly sow it, cultivate it, and leave it as a legacy for future generations; Second, the Fire Lotus Queen Bee is about to wake up, give the seed to her to cultivate; Third, select an outstanding young warrior from the Redstone Tree Sea, pour resources into him, and Redstone County will start cultivating a second Ant King."

It's indeed very difficult.

None of the three methods are very good.

The Redstone Tree itself is a slow-growing tree species. The first method takes too long, and the benefits come too slowly.

The second method yields the fastest benefits, but there is a big problem. With the Fire Lotus Queen Bee's violent temper and stubborn personality, if the Ember Fruit Godsend Seed falls into her mouth, the Redstone Ant King's position in Redstone County will be reduced. Redstone County might as well be renamed Fire Lotus County.

The third method has its merits, but it also has many drawbacks, and the interests involved are quite complex. The biggest problem is that the young warrior must go through the life-threatening hurdle of advancing to become an Ant King in the future. What if he has bad luck and dies?

Thinking carefully, there doesn't seem to be a perfect solution.

For a while, no one can make up their minds or offer good suggestions.

"Why not just sow it directly?" The Big Yellow Fig, who is habitually ignored, asks tentatively, timidly, "I think we should leave more things for the younger generation to help them through the difficult period of decline. In the next period of prosperity, Redstone County can be even more prosperous."

When Banbu hears this, he is immediately annoyed: If you don't speak, no one will know you're a fool!

Sure enough, it comes right after.

"Perhaps that's what should be done," Princess Youli says, "The remnants of the World Tree from outside the sky have a good promoting effect and can also slightly improve the quality of the Godsend Seed. Does Redstone County still have any in storage? If not, Lizhu Peak has plenty. Ask Banbu for some."

Princess Hanging Fig immediately adds, "Our Hanging Fig County can use some Big Yellow Figs to trade with the Black and White Flower Roach Tribe and ask them to help with appropriate promotion to help them quickly get through the seedling stage and compress the time of the first transformation and growth to within a hundred years."

PS: I have a cold recently and I'm not feeling well, so there may not be any updates.