CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 376: YUEZUO MOUNTAIN, MOON PEACH TREE

Lupine: "The detailed situation is that Lord Melde tried to promote its ’White Poplar Fruit’ in the Green Torreya Kingdom. From Lord Cangtao, it learned that there is a Life-Extending Divine-Grade Divine-Given Seed called ’Moon Peach’ at Yuezuo Mountain."

"Moon Peach is not a peach tree but a mutation of the distinctly different ’Fragrant Peach Wood.’ It is said that its Blossom-Fruit Cycle lasts 19 years, bearing nine fruits each time, and a single fruit can extend life by a hundred years."

"The Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruits produced are not traded with caravans but are sold internally within the Peach Tree Faction of the Burying Bettle Tribe at a low price, only to those core Burying Bettle Warriors in need..."

The Green Torreya Kingdom is a superpower with an Insect Population of 50,000, and its internal situation is quite complicated.

There exist two top-level Great Tribes, divided into northern and southern systems.

In the north lies Yuezuo Mountain, led by the Day Burying Bettle. This group, known as the ’Peach Tree Faction,’ primarily plants fruit trees such as peach, apricot, and plum trees.

In the south is Sunlight Mountain, led by the True Burying Bettle. This group, known as the ’Torreya Tree System,’ primarily plants nut trees such as torreya, cypress, and chestnut trees.

The Day Burying Bettle and the True Burying Bettle compete with each other, and their rivalry even escalates to hostility.

Other Burying Bettle Tribes are caught between these two major Tribes, seeking development.

A few Tribes have a firm stance and align with one side.

Most Tribes swayed between the north and the south. If Yuezuo Mountain offered more favorable terms, they would plant peach trees. If Sunlight Mountain offered more, they would chop down the peach trees and plant torreya trees.

There are also a few Tree Burying Bettles like these that plant both peach and torreya trees, aiming to please both sides but actually being unwelcome by either.

White Ivy interrupted Lupine’s narration and asked, "So, after getting the information about ’Moon Peach,’ Melde thought of using Divine-Grade Baihe Fruits in exchange for Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruits?"

Lupine: "Yes."

Lupine continued, "Melde’s idea was to use two White Poplar Fruits in exchange for one Moon Peach Fruit, with a compensation of 200,000 to 300,000 Source Stones."

White Ivy said sarcastically, "Melde can be quite humorous at times."

White Ivy added mockingly, "Lupine, you are still as cute and naive as when you were a child."

Lupine: "..."

Lupine: "White Poplar Fruit and Moon Peach Fruit each have their strengths. A single White Poplar Fruit can extend life by 50 years. If given to two Insect Clan Warriors, the two fruits together also provide 100 years of extended life, equivalent to one Moon Peach Fruit."

Lupine: "Of course, if one warrior consumes a White Poplar Fruit and then another, the life-extending effect of the second fruit decreases to 30 years. Thus, if a single warrior eats two, their life is extended by only 80 years. In this case, it’s indeed not as effective as a Moon Peach Fruit, so appropriate compensation with Source Stones would be reasonable."

White Ivy: "Does Yuezuo Mountain lack those two or three hundred thousand Source Stones of yours?"

Lupine: "...No."

Lupine: "Moon Peach Fruits have long cycles and low yield. Even internally, the Day Burying Bettle doesn’t have enough to meet demand, so Yuezuo Mountain needs White Poplar Fruits."

Lupine: "Two White Poplar Fruits for one Moon Peach Fruit is an exchange of equal value based on each party’s needs."

An exchange of equal value?

White Ivy suddenly turned to look at Grass Dragon. "Is it Melde who wants Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruits in exchange for a share of the Kunlan Seed trade?"

Grass Dragon: "No! Melde plans to consume them itself and also to honor Spider King Spurge..."

White Ivy: "???"

Lupine: "Melde plans to eat two White Poplar Fruits and one Moon Peach Fruit itself, thereby extending its life by 180 years. This would give it ample time to evolve to King-Level."

Grass Dragon: "Honoring Spider King Spurge is naturally because it hopes that Spider King Spurge will retire later, giving Melde time to grow and compete for Spider King Spurge’s ’inheritance’..."

White Ivy: "!!!"

What a devious Spider!

White Ivy was rendered speechless.

Spider King Spurge was advanced in age and had earned enough Source Stones. He could completely retire to the Kingdom, evolve to a ninth Age Period Spider King and leave the Natural Star Realm, or even die of natural causes.

According to the rules, once Spider King Spurge retired, he would distribute his trading shares in various kingdoms to other Flame Spiders within the Caravan.

The most important ’inheritance’ was the trading rights for Divine-Grade Origin Force Food, traditionally passed to the next leader of the Caravan.

But Spider King Spurge had not yet chosen a Spider to inherit...

Seeing the flicker of red light in White Ivy’s eyes, as if she were about to erupt, Lupine quickly intervened, "After evolving to Lord-Level, Melde seemed to have lost sight of its own limits. It dared to fantasize about things that even you, White Ivy Mountain Lord, wouldn’t dare consider. Grass Dragon and I do not approve of it."

Grass Dragon said, "Melde acts timidly and hesitantly; it is afraid to offend any Spider King, worried about ruining its reputation in the Tribe. Melde doesn’t dare to compete for the trading rights of the Divine-Grade Kunlan Seed, let alone covet the Soul-Setting Fruit."

Lupine added, "Melde isn’t capable enough; it can’t compare to you, White Ivy Mountain Lord."

White Ivy: "..."

White Ivy knew better than anyone that with her troubled past and terrible reputation, once Spider King Spurge retired, she would not stand to gain any benefits, let alone Divine-Grade ones; she wouldn’t even get a share of the transactions for ordinary Divine-Given Seeds.

She held no hope, nor did she care for it.

Other Spiders revered Spider King Spurge and respected Aconite Spider King and Wormwood Spider King.

White Ivy feared none and would not play by their rules.

White Ivy had no concerns.

Melde, on the other hand, had been outstandingly calm and wise beyond ordinary Spiders since its youth. It had to be acknowledged that such a Spider more easily won over other insects’ favor and trust. Since becoming an independent Roving Merchant, its business had been vibrant and gradually gained a reputation.

Spider King Spurge initially had a favorable impression of it.

If Melde could present a Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruit to Spider King Spurge, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance the King’s favorable opinion and prove its own capabilities. This would also delay Spider King Spurge’s retirement, buying Melde time to grow and evolve.

The most ruthless part was that if Spider King Spurge retired 180 years later, he would outlast a large group of older Lord-Level Flame Spider Roving Merchants, effectively killing them off without a trace.

The key was that everyone couldn’t blame Melde; on the contrary, they had to praise its capabilities and filial piety.

Several benefits in one move! How devious! Despicable! Shameless!

White Ivy’s thoughts raced, and she also understood the intentions of Grass Dragon and Lupine.

Lupine said, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, neither Yuezuo Mountain nor Cloud Crown Mountain are easy to enter. Whether it’s the Luoli Caravan or the White Ivy Trade Caravan, our strength is too weak. Our evolutionary levels are low, we have few Caravan members, and even the guards look down on us and don’t take us seriously."

Grass Dragon said, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, regarding the dispute over the Origin Force Honey, Melde recognized its error, sincerely apologized to you, and requested your forgiveness."

White Ivy looked on coldly, silent.

Lupine continued, "Really. Melde has a thin Carapace and was too embarrassed to apologize to you personally, so it asked Grass Dragon and me to mediate. Silvergrass can testify."

Silvergrass immediately lifted its front leg and said, "It’s true! I vouch for it with Wormwood Spider King’s credibility!"

Lupine added, "Melde suggests that we reorganize into one caravan. With Lord-Level Melde, plus you, an eighth Age Period Mountain Lord White Ivy, and also me, Grass Dragon, Silvergrass, and Red Peach, this group could finally resemble a Great Caravan. Next year, if we bring the Divine-Grade Night Fragrance Fruit and head to Cloud Crown Mountain together, we would surely pass through smoothly and complete the trade."

Grass Dragon explained, "Similarly, the year after, we’ll head to Yuezuo Mountain together. I’ve thought of a specific exchange plan: from the first batch of three White Poplar Fruits, we’ll send one to Hidden Wing Mountain to swap for a Divine-Grade Lightwing Seed. We can replenish their stock with the next batch. The other two will go to Yuezuo Mountain for trading."

Grass Dragon added, "The first Moon Peach Fruit obtained from the exchange will be under your control, White Ivy Mountain Lord, to be sent to the Cloud Trace Continent first! The second will belong to Lord Melde, as a gift to honor Spider King Spurge. You, White Ivy Mountain Lord, and Lord Melde will take turns."

After finishing, Grass Dragon said, "The war between Dragon Cypress and the Termite Kingdom has ended; the demand for Lightwing Seeds isn’t so urgent. If they need them, you can slowly swap with Hidden Wing Mountain."

Grass Dragon continued, "As for Hidden Wing Mountain, White Ivy Mountain Lord, you only need to tell them that you’re striving for stable trading rights for the Divine-Grade Kunlan Seed. Once successful, you might consider trading one or two to them. Hidden Wing Mountain will then respect you even more."

Lupine said, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, once successful, you can use Divine-Grade Moon Peach Fruit to swap for several Soul-Setting Fruits for yourself!"

Red Peach, very tempted, chimed in, "The ability endowed by the Soul-Setting Fruit is amazing! The best part is that it can discern lies through the soul. White Ivy Mountain Lord, if you master the Soul-Setting Ability, Grass Dragon and Lupine won’t dare to deceive you with such poor lies anymore."

Grass Dragon: "..."

Lupine: "..."

White Ivy: "Makes sense!"

White Ivy announced grandly, "If that is the case, then I shall forgive Melde."