CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 038 ROUND CYPRESS

After over 70 days, the Specialized Worker Ants Dragon Cypress cultivated successively underwent Feather Transformation, emerging at 22 centimeters in length. Dragon Cypress’s current body length was only 18 to 19 centimeters. The Specialized Worker Ants were one size larger than Dragon Cypress, the Ant King. Correspondingly, they were stronger and more efficient at work. The "smaller-sized" Specialized Worker Ants cultivated during the Primary-Level Ant King period had gradually become auxiliary carriers.

At the base of the mountain range was a small hill, covered with a large area of Cornelian trees. After an overnight cold wind, the leaves of the Cornelian trees shone bright red.

「Unknowingly, autumn was drawing to a close.」

Lately, Dragon Cypress had devoted a lot of time and energy to cultivating Intelligent Worker Ants, and the work at the base of the mountain was not too delayed. All three large ponds were completed. The pond water was drained, and they were dug through to form a C-shaped super-large pond surrounding a smaller pond. The upper stream of the adjacent trench was blocked, diverting water into the large pond. Water then flowed from the pond’s drainage channel into the downstream ditch. On the east side of the small pond, including a section of the ditch, another large pond measuring 8 meters on each side was dug. After digging, the pond water was drained again, and everything was connected. Finally, after some rounding and smoothing of the edges and corners, a circular pond about 13 meters in diameter was formed around the small pond. An island remained in the central position. The Azure Divine-Given Seed was striving to take root deep underground. There was no rush to connect everything just yet; they planned to do it in the coming spring. The projects at the base of the mountain were essentially completed.

As the temperature dropped, the Worker Ants became lethargic and simply stopped working. All Worker Ants stationed at the base of the mountain returned to the Ant Nest in the mountain range for a long winter holiday, waiting quietly for the coming spring.

The Intelligent Worker Ant larvae had grown over 20 centimeters in length. Their development was slowing down, but they stubbornly refused to spin silk and form cocoons. These creatures had big appetites; half of the Origin Force Food, worth 1,000 Source Stones, prepared for them had already been consumed. Unsure if it would be enough, Dragon Cypress couldn’t even bear to eat any himself.Uncertain when the Intelligent Worker Ant larvae would spin cocoons and undergo Feather Transformation, Dragon Cypress stayed close to the Ant Nest, not daring to travel far.Similarly, not knowing when the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seed would ripen this year, Ink Orchid had to stay in its territory.The wait seemed endless.

The Large Blue Ants and Specialized Blue Ants cultivated later on successively underwent Feather Transformation and emerged.

Near the mountain range, with the carnivorous beasts driven away, rabbits and squirrels became rampant. Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid hunted them aggressively, allowing the Blue Ants to refine and stockpile provisions. They quickly amassed enough food for the ant colony to last a month, and the Blue Ants were also full.

With nothing to do, utter boredom prevailed.

Ink Orchid flew quickly, sticking to the Origin Force Barrier in flight. It left early and returned late, searching north and south, gathering winter dates, kiwis, tangerines, persimmons, pomegranates, and other wild fruits. On a cliffside, it even scraped a beehive of large black honeybees, bringing back a good amount of honey. Dragon Cypress directed the Blue Ants to combine the honey with fruits to brew ’Ant Honey’ with different flavors. Bored, they took up the research of fine foods. The research results showed that the more varieties of fruit used, the richer the fragrance types became, and the tastier the Ant Honey was. Adding a moderate amount of meat improved the flavor even further. Dragon Cypress speculated that if he could mix in some dried fruits like Green Torreya Seeds, Pine Nuts, Almonds, and Walnuts, the taste would undoubtedly be even more sublime.

The eating habits of Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid had completely changed. The main staple was still fresh meat. During meals, Worker Ants would cut large pieces of meat into appropriately sized shreds. A large tree leaf was laid on the ground, with Ant Honey placed on top. The meat shreds were eaten dipped in Ant Honey. Dragon Cypress had the entrance to the Ant Nest widened and created a spacious dining room on the left side, measuring 1.5 meters in length and 1 meter in width. The eating area was permanently established in the dining room. It was a delicious, refined, and elegantly tasteful new way to eat. Boredom indeed was the driving force behind the advancement of civilization.

Outside the Ant Nest, the sky was overcast, and rain drizzled continuously. Inside the Ant Nest, the Ant Clan was active, constantly releasing body heat, and the Hatchery remained as warm as spring.

Finally, after consuming all of Dragon Cypress’s Origin Force Food, the Intelligent Worker Ant larva spun silk, formed a chrysalis, and entered the final Feather Transformation stage.

Finally, in Ink Orchid’s territory, the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid absorbed a tremendous amount of Origin Force. After using 50 Source Stones, the Capsules entered their final maturation stage. The Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds matured and were harvested first, yielding 308 grains without any change in quantity. However, the quality improved, fetching a price of 6 Source Stones per grain.

Dragon Cypress now found that after eating his fill, he wouldn’t feel hungry for three to four days. Ink Orchid, after eating its fill, could remain satiated for five to six days. From this year’s yield of Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid each sampled four. The remaining 300 seeds were kept to be sold to the caravan next spring. The seeds were dried and stored properly.

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid began to tidy up their respective territories in preparation for a long journey. There wasn’t much to organize; the primary concern was the safety of the territory. They collected thorny branches and reinforced the fences.

Currently, Dragon Cypress had a total of 100 Specialized Soldier Ants: 36 in the North Mountain, 12 at the summit, 36 in the South Mountain, and 12 at the mountain’s base, with 4 disabled Soldier Ants left over, standing guard at the entrance to the Ant Nest.

All was ready, except for the Intelligent Worker Ant.

After a full wait of 10 days, this one finally broke out of its chrysalis. It was shiny black, about 25 centimeters long, slightly larger than the Specialized Worker Ants, with an exceptionally large head that accounted for one-third of its entire body.

"Do you have Inherited Memory?" Dragon Cypress swayed his antennae, sending information in the unique communication method of the Ant Clan.

The Intelligent Worker Ant sent back a wave of confusion and puzzlement.

That meant it had none.

Dragon Cypress asked, "Can you command the other Worker Ants?"

The Intelligent Worker Ant was momentarily puzzled but then grasped Dragon Cypress’s meaning. It turned its head and waved its antennae; the Worker Ants nearby gathered around.

"Not bad..." Dragon Cypress swayed his antennae to disperse the Worker Ants that had crowded around and said, "You come with me."

During the days of waiting, Ink Orchid had simply moved into the dining room.

"Dragon Cypress? The Intelligent Worker Ant?" Ink Orchid asked.

"That’s right."

"Can it command the Worker Ants?"

"Commanding Worker Ants is instinctive; it’s born with the ability. However, it lacks Inherited Memory and understands nothing. I will have to teach it many things."

"Dragon Cypress, you mean..."

"Let’s delay one more day. I’ll take it to familiarize itself with the territory, recognize the various Life Seed Plants, and the seedlings we cultivate in the nursery."

"Okay then..." Ink Orchid agreed reluctantly and followed them out of the nest.

"This is Ink Orchid, my friend. You don’t need to fear it," Dragon Cypress turned to introduce to the Intelligent Worker Ant.

The Intelligent Worker Ant, which had been hiding behind Dragon Cypress, touched its antennae, indicating it understood.

Dragon Cypress then pointed at the four Specialized Soldier Ants standing guard at the entrance and asked, "Can you command the Soldier Ants?"

"It seems I can..." The Intelligent Worker Ant tried shaking its antennae, and the four Soldier Ants moved closer. However, the four Soldier Ants approached, circled the Intelligent Worker Ant, looked at it, then turned and walked away.

The Intelligent Worker Ant communicated, "They don’t recognize me."

Dragon Cypress was speechless. "..."

"Ink Orchid, let’s take it out to see the world."

Dragon Cypress led the Intelligent Worker Ant out of the Ant Nest and, standing under his Dragon Cypress Life Seed Tree, began a solemn introduction, "This tree is my Life Seed, the species ’Dragon Cypress,’ which I am named after. The Life Seed... The Origin Force Food you ate as a larva was produced by the Life Seed; it’s the most important wealth of the territory."

Dragon Cypress continued leading the way to his second Life Seed Tree, saying, "This tree is also my Life Seed, the species ’Round Cypress’..."

Ink Orchid, who was following along, suddenly asked, "Dragon Cypress, didn’t you say the Intelligent Worker Ant is particularly clever? Should we give it a name?"

"Indeed..." Dragon Cypress thought. "How about we call it Round Cypress?"

Dragon Cypress immediately turned, addressing the Intelligent Worker Ant, "Its name is ’Ink Orchid,’ my name is ’Dragon Cypress,’ and I am your king. Now, I bestow upon you a name of your own: Round Cypress! Named after my second Life Seed."

"Ink Orchid. Dragon Cypress. Round Cypress." The Intelligent Worker Ant seemed very pleased. Grasping the main points, it jubilantly waved its antennae. "My name, Round Cypress!"

"Very clever!" Dragon Cypress praised, then continued, "That is the Spiked Cypress Life Seed, and that one is the Cypress Life Seed..."