Ant Lord in the Star Realm

Chapter 753 - 607: Airflow Barrier_2

Winter,

Dragon Cypress entered the tropical sea alone to fish, diligently training his Refinement Ability, while also gaining deep familiarity with the ocean environment.

In the sub-colony of Zilian Mountain, both small and medium Soldier Ants successively underwent Feather Transformation and emerged, yet no 'Divine Mark' was visible on their carapaces.

The body length of the medium Soldier Ants reached about 60 centimeters. Dragon Cypress tried commanding them to activate 'Adaptive Evolution' to molt and alter their forms.

It was simply impossible; they did not possess this ability.

If medium ants can't do it, large and Specialized Ants are likely out of luck too.

Chances are, the ant colony can enjoy the evolutionary effects brought by Dragon Cypress's 'Adaptive Evolution,' but do not inherit the Adaptive Evolution ability itself at all.

…

Year 75 of Silver Cypress.

Spring.

Dragon Cypress purposely molted once, adjusting his physical form to a bulky and robust type, then set off for Rednan Mountain, Trade Cave.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King?"

Heliotrope greeted him, puzzled and shocked.

Chasing Wind struggled to ask, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, your figure... Divine-Grade Fruit?"

Dragon Cypress vaguely explained, "A Divine-Grade Fruit from the Southern Hemisphere, very well-preserved. Several years before my Evolution, Snow Velvet Spider King delivered it to me. I kept it frozen until after evolving, then used it."

Dragon Cypress: "A Divine-Grade that enhances strength, doubling size and power."

Heliotrope exclaimed in admiration, "A rare Strength System! Absolutely among the most top-tier Divine-Grade Fruits on the continent!"

Red Peach, aware of the secrets of the Law Divine Tree and Ghost King Sophora Seeds, didn't say more, but tactfully asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, can it be inherited by the ant colony?"

Dragon Cypress: "It can!"

Dragon Cypress waved his tentacles, calling out, "Let's discuss the trade matters first..."

Chasing Wind snapped out of her shock, deftly unfastened the Carapace Spider Silk Rope, and handed over a Spider Silk Bag.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King, this is the Divine-Grade Wind-Knowing Fruit. Wormwood Spider King entrusted Silvergrass, who then asked me to deliver it. I heard this share was promised a very long time ago by Wormwood Spider King."

"Alright! The Wormwood Spider King is very thoughtful. Chasing Wind, help me express my gratitude."

Dragon Cypress took it, opened it for a look, then lifted his claw and passed it to Black Sophora.

Fragrant Cypress called over some Worker Ants, dragged a Spider Silk Bag forward, and opened it; inside was a Spider King Scroll.

Three million Source Stones, counted and settled on the spot.

"Thank you, Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

Chasing Wind thanked him resolutely.

For the first time in her life as an Insect, she was personally handling a Divine-Grade Fruit transaction; it was done simply and the task was accomplished.

Chasing Wind was overjoyed.

Red Peach also handed over a Spider Silk Bag, speaking solemnly, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, this is the Divine-Grade Butterfly-Beard Fruit prepared for you by White Ivy Spider King! It grants a Wind System defensive ability called 'Airflow Barrier'—compressing local air to form a high-speed flowing defense. Not expensive, 2 million Source Stones."

This Wind System defensive ability was similar to Spruce's Talent, 'Wind Veil.'

"Good! Please thank White Ivy Spider King on my behalf!"

Dragon Cypress took it to check, then turned and passed it to Black Sophora.

Fragrant Cypress stepped forward to settle the bill.

Having evolved to King-Level, Dragon Cypress needed to eat every kind of Divine-Grade Fruit that bestowed abilities, but this year the caravan only brought two…

Dragon Cypress took the initiative, "Preliminary confirmation—after evolving to King-Level, each batch of Divine-Grade White Poplar Fruit produces fifteen fruits, which means the yield is now five shares."

Dragon Cypress: "White Ivy, Melde, Seven-Leaf, and Wormwood—each Spider King gets one share. I keep one for myself, for the use of Cloud Trace Continent."

Heliotrope immediately cheered, "Thank you, Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

Dragon Cypress: "In the past, did Spider King Spurge's share of White Poplar Fruit go to Lupine and Grass Dragon? Tell White Ivy and Melde to discuss and redistribute. In the future, when Cloud Trace Continent has had enough, and I no longer need to keep a share, I'll divide it between White Ivy and Melde."

Red Peach beamed, "Many thanks, Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

Dragon Cypress immediately asked, "Red Peach, I recall that White Ivy Spider King could get a Divine-Grade Fruit that bestows the 'Vortex Worm' ability?"

Red Peach: "Yes! It's a pretty good Water System scouting ability. It's usually cheaper, but since White Ivy Spider King got it via other Spider Kings, the price is 3.2 million Source Stones. Does Dragon Cypress Ant King need it?"

Dragon Cypress: "Of course! I'll take one."

Red Peach lowered her head and did some mental math, "The next batch should ripen for harvest in six years. If we reserve in advance, we should be able to get one. It would be delivered in the spring, seven years from now..."

Dragon Cypress: "Good!"

Dragon Cypress added, "I'm preparing to condense a Water System Divine Pattern, and I need every Divine-Grade Fruit with Water System abilities! Red Peach, Heliotrope, Chasing Wind, go back and let the Spider Kings know, help me find as many as possible. No matter good or bad, type doesn't matter, as long as it's an ability, I want it; the price is negotiable."

"Okay."

"Understood."

"No problem!"

Red Peach, Heliotrope, and Chasing Wind all agreed.

Dragon Cypress: "Red Peach, one more thing."

Red Peach: "Please speak, Dragon Cypress Ant King."

Dragon Cypress: "Send another Divine-Grade Leilian Seed over—I want to let Cypress try it."

With these words, hearts of Red Peach, Heliotrope, and Chasing Wind all sank.

Trading with Cloud Trace Continent—the best part was being able to purchase Divine-Grade Fruits directly with Source Stones.

The invisible benefits and status that Divine-Grade Fruits brought were immense.

Divine-Grade Fruits bought with Source Stones could also be allocated freely.

The Flame Spider Caravan, holding freely distributable Divine-Grade Fruit shares, was welcomed wherever they went.

In the past century, every caravan trading with Cloud Trace Continent had risen and grown rapidly.

Previously, to buy Divine-Grade Fruits, the caravan only had to provide those required by Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid.

It was simple; how much could two Insects possibly consume?

But if the twelve Assistant Kings are counted in…

The ones to suffer first would be the White Ivy Spider King, who specialized in Divine-Grade Fruit trade~

Red Peach asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, can Assistant Kings also use Divine-Grade Fruits that bestow Elemental Talents?"

Dragon Cypress: "In general, Assistant Kings nurtured by Ant King and Bee King can also use them, but it's extremely difficult—the success rate is reduced by half. For Assistant Kings raised by the Dominating Throne... I'm buying one to try."