CHAPTER 380: CHAPTER 366: PLANTING THE BAIBAI DIVINE SEED

Jianlan Plain.

At a bend in the Zhanjiang River’s shallow shoals, White Rice activated Earth System Abilities, churning up the river sand, while Ghost Fan waved its tentacles back and forth, sweeping up, attracting the discovered metal gravel onto its tentacle.

A medium-sized spider silk bag was placed nearby.

After sweeping around twice, Ghost Fan stuck its tentacle into the bag, letting the attached metal gravel slide off inside.

Earth System and Metal System Abilities cooperating, sifting metal gravel from the river sand.

...

The Dominating Throne sped over and docked on the riverbank.

"Ghost Fan. White Rice."

Dragon Cypress greeted them, leaping down from the throne and coming over to rummage through the spider silk bag.

It was only midday now.

The medium-sized spider silk bag was already filled almost halfway.

This should be the result of their half-day’s work.

It looked like the yield was much higher than predicted.

"Take a break."

White Rice called out.

Ghost Fan also stopped, asking, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, have you evolved to age period 4?"

Dragon Cypress: "Yes."

White Rice: "Are you planning to sow the White Poplar Divine Seed? Has the north thawed yet?"

Dragon Cypress: "Let’s head over early."

Dragon Cypress: "Ghost Fan, you come too and help guard."

Ghost Fan: "No problem!"

White Rice, in high spirits, said, "The yield’s a bit higher than estimated. The gravel we’ve currently collected is enough to make 500 small metal cans."

Dragon Cypress: "...Good!"

Dragon Cypress: "After the Deep Spring Season’s trade with the Flame Spider Roving Merchants, I’ll pick up Areca and go to the Desolation Plains. On the way, I’ll transport the metal gravel, and we’ll produce the metal cans in the Purple Tung Insect Nation."

"Okay!"

Ghost Fan and White Rice agreed.

Dragon Cypress waved its tentacle, calling out, "Spring is brief, let’s not delay—let’s set off..."

...

...

...

Purple Tung Insect Nation.

Under the gentle golden sunlight, the leftover ice on the ground slowly melted, soaking into the soil.

Hardy weeds were the first to sprout new shoots.

The ant colony, dormant all winter, emerged from the nest.

Cypress and Black Leaf continued digging, marking out river canals for boundaries.

Fragrant Cypress also directed the worker ants, tilling nursery soil and making rows for sowing.

The Dominating Throne sped in and landed directly on Tubao.

Dragon Cypress, carrying the spider silk bag, leapt down to the ground.

Ghost Fan, White Rice, Snakebark Maple, and Spruce all landed as well.

Dragon Cypress raised its head, shaking its tentacles.

The command for legion assembly spread layer by layer.

Soldier Ants and Blue Soldiers, patrolling the nearby woods or resting in the royal palace, rushed over, neatly lined up.

Fragrant Cypress, Cypress, and Black Leaf hurried over surrounded by Soldier Ants.

"Great King! Are we sowing?"

Fragrant Cypress, seeing the formation, instantly understood that it was time to plant the White Poplar Divine Seed.

"Of course!"

Dragon Cypress didn’t say much more, quickly striding onto Round Hillock, standing on the top, inserting its tentacles into the soil, channeling Origin Force Energy, gently releasing Boiling Ability to thaw the deep soil layer.

It dug a shallow hole about four or five centimeters deep.

Opened the spider silk bag and scooped out a metal case.

Injected Origin Force to open it, carefully took out the White Poplar Divine Seed, placed it in the pit, then refilled the soil to cover it.

Activated Water System Abilities, levitating a chunk of ice from the distant ground, brought it over, melted it into clear water and watered the seed.

Laying nearby, they waited patiently.

From time to time, Spiritual Power swept over to inspect.

Soon, the seed was awakened.

By dusk, it sprouted and took root.

By midnight, the shoot tip broke through the soil.

At dawn, basking in golden sunlight, the seed leaves unfurled and the true leaves began to emerge.

By late morning, the first and second true leaves opened up.

At noon, the third and fourth true leaves spread...

The newborn green leaves greedily absorbed the sun’s energy, and growth was accelerating.

After a day, the seedling grew to about 10 centimeters high.

After three days, the seedling had become a half-meter-tall sapling.

After ten days, it stood over one meter tall—a big sapling. The seed leaves withered and dropped, the large store of energy and nutrients the seed carried was used up, and its growth slowed.

Ten consecutive days of warm sunshine warmed the earth, melted the snow and ice, and the rivers and canals frozen all winter began to flow again.

By this time, the Barley Bug Warriors finally came out from their caves to manage their territory.

Fragrant Cypress continued nursery sowing duties.

Black Leaf and Cypress coordinated the legion’s defenses.

Dragon Cypress, White Rice, Ghost Fan, Snakebark Maple, and Spruce waited at the base of Round Hillock.

It was a time of tranquil waiting.

Half a month later,

The White Poplar Divine Seed had grown to nearly two meters high, began sprouting side branches, and its Origin Force absorption rate increased.

Origin Force concentration at the center of the Purple Tung Insect Nation was so high there was no need to supplement with Source Stones.

Still, Source Stone powder could provide essential Primordial Energy nutrients for Origin Force Plants.

Dragon Cypress lavishly used one hundred a day, observing for five days with some results.

If there’s an effect, it’s worth the continued investment.

...

At sunset and twilight,

Dragon Cypress gathered Cypress, Black Leaf, and Fragrant Cypress to assign tasks.

"This spring’s trade with the Flame Spider Roving Merchant is quite important and can’t be delayed. I need to return to Xianglan Mountain. The trip will take about fourteen to fifteen days."

Dragon Cypress jumped onto the throne, lowered a wooden board.

"Fragrant Cypress, bring a resident working ant colony and come with me to Black Fruit Mountain to help Red Moonseed look after the territory for a while."

"Yes, Great King!"

Fragrant Cypress waved its tentacles, selected, and directed the ant colony to climb the board onto the throne.

Dragon Cypress continued with assignments, saying:

"Black Leaf, you command the fourth mixed legion, staying on guard around the White Poplar Divine Seed."

Black Leaf: "Yes, Great King."

Switching to spiritual communication, Dragon Cypress said, "Cypress, you’ll have to work hard and command both the first and second Blue Soldier Legions at once. The first legion should patrol, scattered by detachment within a kilometer. The second legion will guard near the pond, stationed close to the White Poplar Divine Seed."

Cypress: "Understood, Great King."

Dragon Cypress gently tapped tentacles, continuing, "The Barley Bug Warriors may come looking for something. If they approach, don’t overreact. Ghost Fan, White Rice, talk with them. Spruce, use your Soul-Setting Ability to observe, and if anything happens, notify Cypress immediately."