Astral Cockroach

If the cliffside cypress, a seed bestowed by the gods, could accelerate its growth by one or two hundred years, Banbu might live to see it complete its first transformation and growth.

If he successfully advanced to become a Roach King, he might even see it complete its second transformation.

Completing the second transformation would be equivalent to Lizhu Peak having an additional arborescent seed bestowed by the gods, corresponding to the cultivation of a high-level warrior.

That way, when Banbu grew old and died, he could depart in peace, knowing that his insect offspring would at least have a minimum safety net to rely on.

“This… it’s not entirely impossible…” Banbu replied hesitantly, feeling a pang of heartache, and turned to look at Princess Qiufeng.

Princess Qiufeng sighed: “If the Black and White Flower Roach Tribe had discovered the mineral vein forty or fifty years earlier, I might have had a fifty percent chance of advancing to Roach King.

Now… the probability of success is too low, and Qiufeng County hasn't produced any outstanding descendants, so I can't take the risk. I've accepted my fate and given up on advancing to Roach King.”

Princess Qiufeng gently moved her antennae, pointed to the sky, and said: “A prosperous age is dawning, and I must not only protect the development of my tribe and lead them to rise, but also leave behind a foundation for them to stand on during future periods of decline.”

“A wild arborescent seed bestowed by the gods that is compatible with our Black and White Flower Roach Tribe is worth sacrificing some life for.”

Banbu asked cautiously: “You?”

Princess Qiufeng said: “Of course, it can't be me.

Qiufeng County still has several County Princesses whom I've funded and cultivated, and for the future of the tribe, they won't refuse.”

Seeing Banbu's hesitant response earlier, Roach King Chijian asked again: “Banbu, do you agree?”

You're all speaking with such lofty righteousness; if I refuse, wouldn't I be branded a traitor and beaten to death?

“That… I suppose so…” Banbu added emphatically: “A limit of 300,000 Origin Stones, no more!”

Princess Qiufeng said: “Rest assured, ordinary and common arborescent tree seeds aren't worth more than 50 years of life for the warriors of my Black and White Flower Roach Tribe.

If it's a precious tree species, we can discuss it.”

Dusk approached.

Roach King Chijian asked: “Princess Qiufeng, would you like to come and take a look together?”

Princess Qiufeng glanced at the elite warriors gathered at the foot of the mountain, shook her antennae, and said: “I won't add to your troubles.”

Banbu immediately said: “Then, we'll trouble Princess Qiufeng to wait here for a few days.”

Princess Qiufeng nodded her antennae slightly.

Without delay.

Roach King Chijian went down the mountain to gather his tribesmen, arranged a general plan of action and warrior groupings, and then set off.

Banbu carried the camellia oil in a snakeskin bag and followed in flight.

The journey was long, and it took a day and a half of continuous flight to reach Cloud Mist Peak.

Most of the warriors landed directly in the jungle, hiding and concealing themselves.

Camellia Oil, Banbu, Roach King Chijian, County Princess Youli, and County Princess Xuetao cautiously landed on the southern hillside of Cloud Mist Peak, and then quietly crept up to the summit.

Banbu opened the snakeskin bag and released Camellia Oil, asking: “Camellia Oil, can you identify the direction from here?”

Camellia Oil looked around at the surroundings, thought carefully for a moment, wagged its tail, and pointed in a direction, saying: “That way, along this direction, keep going forward, there's a clear landmark, a large reservoir, much larger than the one Banbu dug.”

Camellia Oil didn't like communicating and had even beaten up “Teacher Baizhu,” abandoning its studies halfway through, so its knowledge was incomplete.

The so-called “reservoir” should be a naturally formed lake.

Everyone understood, and Banbu didn't bother to correct it.

Camellia Oil continued: “From the reservoir, walk in a slightly north-westerly direction, cross two small hills, and there's a dense forest on a plain; they're hidden in the middle of the forest.”

Banbu asked: “Specific location? Any special landmarks?”

“No.” Camellia Oil organized its words, used its claws to draw an irregular circle on the ground, and said: “The surroundings are all small hills, forming a circle, with Dire Wolf warriors patrolling frequently.

The middle is a dense forest on a plain, and the seed bestowed by the gods is in the middle, where those powerful Dire Wolf warriors reside.”

Banbu looked into the distance, but it was too far to see clearly, and asked: “Camellia Oil, how long would it take you to run over there from here?”

Camellia Oil said: “Not very far, probably half a night.”

Not very far, but not exactly close either.

Roach King Chijian had a rough idea in his mind and said: “In winter, Dire Wolves are accustomed to foraging during the day.

So, let's go down the mountain first, rest and eat, set off at dusk, arrive around midnight… and end the battle before dawn.”

County Princess Xuetao said: “The number of warriors is too small to form a perfect encirclement.”

“Sending out too many warriors might be noticed, which would be even worse.” County Princess Youli retorted, saying: “First, snatch the wild seed bestowed by the gods, kill all the County Princess and Mountain Lord level Dire Wolf warriors, and then use a day to hunt down the high-level warrior-level Dire Wolf warriors.

Any remnants that manage to escape aren't a threat.”

Roach King Chijian said: “Agreed.”

“Whatever.” County Princess Xuetao waved her antennae, indifferently saying: “If anything goes wrong, it's your Red Roach Tribe that will suffer… as long as you provide enough Origin Stones.”

The lands of the Red Roach Tribe were all reclaimed from the wilderness; County Princess Youli and Roach King Chijian, the older generation of warriors, had experienced countless battles, large and small, and their practical experience was far richer than Banbu's.

It sounded quite reliable, so Banbu didn't express an opinion and simply led the way with Camellia Oil.

Everyone participating in the battle was stronger than him, so all he had to do was hide and watch the show when the fighting started.

…

After resting for a day, restoring their energy and physical strength to their peak, they set off at dusk, trying to stay close together and reduce the probability of being discovered, and advanced stealthily under the cover of night.

After half the night, they arrived at the lake that Camellia Oil had mentioned.

Roach King Chijian led the 13 County Princesses, Banbu, and Camellia Oil ahead.

The rear formation changed.

Every three warriors formed a group, arranged in a semi-circular encirclement, and set off a little later.

…

Camellia Oil suddenly stopped, wagged its tail, and pointed ahead, saying: “Once you cross that small mountain range in front, you'll be there.”

A semi-circular hill, a small mountain range, about a hundred meters high.

Next, Roach King Chijian led the way, his soul was strong, and he could also keenly sense the distribution of Dire Wolf warriors in the distance, and then skillfully avoid them.

Banbu followed and climbed over the mountain range, consciously taking Camellia Oil to find a hidden spot to hide, overlooking the scene, waiting to watch the show.

“They're coming.” Camellia Oil suddenly wagged its tail, pointing in a direction.

Banbu concentrated his mind, carefully sensing, and faintly detected that three fellow tribe warriors were approaching stealthily.

Camellia Oil, like Rat King, was sensitive to Origin Power, which was probably a racial talent.

The difference was that Rat King's perception was inclined towards Origin Power, while Camellia Oil's perception was inclined towards various Origin Power creatures.

Banbu waited two more seconds before accurately judging that those approaching were Mountain Lord-level warriors from Green Oak Mountain Range, and one of them was particularly familiar, Mountain Lord Iron Oak.

According to the plan, at this time, the Mountain Lord-level warriors participating in the battle had already separated, forming a leaky encirclement around the plain at the foot of the mountain, slowly tightening.

A very reasonable tactic, like a net being pulled tighter; the tighter the net, the finer the mesh, the smaller the chance of anything slipping through.

Banbu quietly locked onto Mountain Lord Iron Oak with his mental power, sensing that they first carefully climbed down the mountain, advancing slowly, and then, as the “net” tightened, their speed gradually increased.

An impeccable encirclement operation.

“These detailed behaviors weren't arranged during the pre-battle discussion; they should originate from the fighting talent within their genes, a fighting instinct that is triggered when facing danger.”

“The insectoids on this planet, each and every one of them looks honest and simple… but they're not simple at all!”

Banbu thought silently.

Soon, a light erupted from the central location of the plain forest; the 13 County Princess-level warriors simultaneously used their flame abilities, igniting a large number of trees.

In an instant, the fire blazed into the sky, illuminating the night.

PS: I'm already on the bus, my hometown doesn't have a computer or internet, the chapters are automatically uploaded, if there are any problems, they can only be resolved after I get home.