Chapter 99: Chapter 099 Evolution, High-Level Flower Mantis Warrior
"It’s not that I am stingy, but your evolutionary level is still low. You cannot fully absorb this high-quality Origin Force Food. It would be a waste..."
Melde untied the Spider Silk Ropes binding the package on his back and rummaged through it. He pulled out an Oversized Spider Silk Bag from the bottom, opened it, and then took out a bulging medium-sized Spider Silk Bag and opened it as well.
Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid’s eyes lit up when they saw what was inside.
Melde, provoked, finally decided to take out the precious items he had been keeping at the bottom of his stash.
The medium-sized Spider Silk Bag contained Cypress Seeds.
Dragon Cypress recognized them and had mentioned them to Ink Orchid more than once.
They were from a Divine-Given Dragon Cypress Seed produced in the Flowerhorn Ant King Territory of the Giant-Headed Ant Tribe, on the Ten Thousand Nations Continent.
The purest Strength System enhancement, a premium item among Divine-Given Origin Force Foods.
"Dragon Cypress, I’m giving you 30 seeds as a congratulatory gift in advance for your promotion to High-Level Ant King," Melde said.
"Mountain Lord Melde, you are too generous," Dragon Cypress said.
"Ink Orchid gets 30 seeds as well," Melde added.
"Aren’t 30 seeds too many?" Ink Orchid asked.
"You think it’s too many? Then make it 20," Melde replied.
"Melde, you might as well not give any," Ink Orchid said.
"...Fine! Then I won’t give any," Melde said.
Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles indifferently.
Melde, visibly upset, muttered, "Damn Seven-Leaf!"
He counted out 100 seeds, packed them into a small Spider Silk Bag, and handed it to Ink Orchid. He also took one from the Spider Silk Bag that Ink Orchid was carrying, which was a gift from Seven-Leaf Mountain Lord.
"I just don’t understand what you two need all these Spider Silk Bags for?" Melde asked.
"For building reservoirs, carrying and transporting soil, and stacking dykes," Ink Orchid replied.
"You—"
Angered, Melde’s eight legs trembled as he made a threatening declaration, "Never again expect to take a single Spider Silk Bag from me!"
Dragon Cypress could no longer bear to provoke Melde and seriously suggested, "Melde, let’s stop joking and make a trade. I’ll sell 300 Orchid Seeds this year."
"1,800 Source Stones," Melde said.
"I want all Source Stones in cash," Dragon Cypress said.
Melde asked, "What do you need so many Source Stones for?"
"Ink Orchid needs a large amount for his promotion to High-Level Warrior. My Deep Blue Divine-Given Seed will also need a significant amount when it bears fruit this year, and the Divine-Given Gorgon Fruit Seed will definitely need some too. Better to have some extra," Dragon Cypress explained.
That’s right! It’s good to be prepared.
Melde didn’t say much more. He drew two more Spider Silk Bags from Ink Orchid, one filled with exactly 1,000 Source Stones and the other barely filled with 800 Source Stones.
"What about the Origin Force Food? Still buying on credit?" Melde asked.
"Of course," Dragon Cypress said.
"For 4,000 Source Stones’ worth?" Melde asked.
"2,000 Source Stones will suffice," Dragon Cypress said.
"...Alright." Melde hesitated slightly but then agreed.
Ink Orchid was about to be promoted to High-Level Warrior. A High-Level Warrior has a Life Span of one hundred years, and Divine-Given Seeds also produce a substantial yield. Ink Orchid was no longer in such a hurry to grow and Evolve, and would no longer need to buy Origin Force Food on credit.
Dragon Cypress was also about to become a High-Level Ant King. With two Divine-Given Seeds, Dragon Cypress’s benefits from Evolving to a High-Level Warrior increased even more. They would pay off their debts year by year and wouldn’t need to buy on credit anymore.
Melde asked, "What do you need? The usual set?"
"The usual," Dragon Cypress replied.
"Little Dragon Cypress, you should not always go for the cheapest when choosing Origin Force Food. It’s beneficial for your Evolution to diversify your options appropriately," Melde advised.
Suddenly generous, Melde said, "I’ll put together a set for you, throw in a little extra, and guarantee you’ll smoothly complete two Age Periods of Evolution within a year."
After saying this, he spread out a large Spider Silk Bag, flaunting the Spider Silk lavishly. He opened several Spider Silk Bags one by one, taking out various high-quality Origin Force Foods.
"Thirty Coarse Castanopsis Seeds from the Territory of the Mountain Lord-Level Spotted Burial Bettle Warrior, fifty Source Stones, plus an extra three for you," Melde said.
"Blue Serpent Grape Seeds from the Territory of the Mountain Lord-Level Green Ground Bettle, fifty seeds, thirty Source Stones, plus an extra five for you..."
For each, Melde gave ten percent more. After counting twice, the final cost was 2,000 Source Stones, but in truth, he had given goods worth 2,200 Source Stones.
"I’ve been a Roving Merchant for decades, seen all sorts of Insects, and paid attention to how each Origin Force Food strengthens different Insects. Little Dragon Cypress, this is a lifetime of experience you can’t learn. Just trust me. Take it back and try it!"
"Thank you, Melde," Dragon Cypress said sincerely.
Melde warned, "You all are blessed by the Natural God. Next time there’s a Divine-Given Seed, just let me know. Tell me or White Ivy first, then Seven-Leaf Mountain Lord. That fellow is only so generous to steal the trading shares from me and White Ivy. Don’t be fooled again."
"Sure!" Ink Orchid cheerfully agreed.
"...Yes," Dragon Cypress responded.
The slight touch of sentiment that had just arisen in Dragon Cypress was shattered by Melde’s words.
You’re still an old cunning merchant after all!
"Dragon Cypress, your Deep Blue Divine-Given Seed bore fruit last year, right? It should be ripe this year?" Melde asked.
"Yes."
"How is the yield?"
"Fairly average. A total of 280 fruits."
"That yield isn’t low, is it? Arbor! How many years have you been growing it?"
"Maybe..." Dragon Cypress hesitated, ultimately choosing to say no more.
Melde asked further, "I heard that the exit of the Starship Wreckage on the Cloud Trace Continent is a narrow slit? Dragon Cypress, Ink Orchid, did you notice when you came through? Approximately when will you no longer be able to pass through?"
Sorrowful, Ink Orchid spoke, "We’ve estimated... I might not be able to pass through when I’m a High-Level Warrior in my second or third Age Period."
Dragon Cypress said gloomily, "I’m a Male Ant. I used to be very skinny. I’m losing weight, so I can hold on for a few more years. Don’t worry, Melde. I’ll give you advance notice if it really becomes impossible."
Melde said, "Dragon Cypress, you are meticulous. I’m very reassured by your actions."
Dragon Cypress replied, "Rest assured!"
Dragon Cypress continued, "Melde, give my regards to Spider King Spurge. And to Grass Dragon, wishing it a quick promotion to a High-Level Flame Spider Roving Merchant. If possible, bring it to the Ten Thousand Nations Continent once..."
Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid had consumed too much Origin Force Food and had reached the critical point for a slumbering Evolution.
Ink Orchid Evolved first.
「North of Xianglan Mountain.」
The cave where Ink Orchid originally resided was converted into a dining hall. Dragon Cypress directed the Worker Ants to carve out a more comfortable bedroom next to it.
The Dominating Throne was enlarged to a diameter of 1.5 meters. Facing the stone wall, it was placed inside the bedroom. Ink Orchid’s tentacles drooped as he lay quietly on a soft pad, dozing off.
Dragon Cypress brought twenty Specialized Soldier Ants, who stood guard quietly outside in the dining hall.
At night, Ink Orchid fell asleep. Gradually, Origin Force began to converge upon him. The Dominating Throne immediately responded, increasing the supply of Origin Force.
Little by little, white Primordial Energy brilliance started up, strand by strand, wisp by wisp, gradually forming a Light Cocoon enveloping Ink Orchid.
A night passed.
A day passed.
Four whole days went by.
Even with the assistance of the Dominating Throne, he’s still not awake after five days of slumber. Could the Evolution interval have been too short?
Just as Dragon Cypress was beginning to worry, the bedroom suddenly erupted with waves of Origin Force Fluctuation. Natural Primordial Force rushed toward the Dominating Throne, and the fluctuation was quickly suppressed.
The white glow of Primordial Energy illuminated the entire cave. It lasted for half the night, then suddenly went out.
The Light Cocoon enveloping Ink Orchid silently dissipated.