Astral Cockroach

Time flies, and it's once again mid-May, the season for the Snowpeak Jinlan melons and fruits to ripen.

The newly arrived young fighter has successfully grown into an L4-level primary fighter.

Members of Lizhu Peak gathered together, and the Fragrant Torreya Peak was also invited.

The cold storage at the peak still holds a python-patterned honeydew melon, which is the highlight.

Banbu is in charge of cutting the melon.

The wild young fighter is not very well-behaved. Having mingled on the mountain, it's just like Duzhu was back then, exceptionally lively and mischievous.

As soon as the honeydew melon was cut open, the restless little fellow was immediately attracted. It flapped its veined wings and came to Banbu, constantly waving its antennae, releasing pleasing and affectionate pheromones.

"Banbu, be careful," Fengling reminded, worried that the embarrassing incident that happened to Xiangfei last year would happen again.

"I know."

Banbu thought for a moment, plucked a melon seed, carefully cut off one-third, dipped it with his toe-tips, and handed it to the young fighter.

The young fighter shook its antennae, refusing to take it, and pointed at the honeydew melon with its forelimbs: Melon seeds are not tasty, I want to eat the pulp.

"Hey, little thing, you're quite picky."

Banbu gestured left and right, cut off a tiny bit of melon pulp, pinched it with his toe-tips, and handed it to it, his mental power gentle, and said: "You're too small now, you can't eat too much."

The young fighter shook its antennae to show understanding, took the melon pulp, and ran to the metal box containing compressed biscuits, directly occupying the box, taking a bite of the melon, and burying its head to nibble on a biscuit, enjoying itself.

Banbu couldn't help but praise: "This little guy is especially clever!"

Hongdao quietly said: "That's because Xiangfei is too silly."

"Hmph!"

Huoji and Xiangfei snorted simultaneously, expressing their dissatisfaction.

Banbu waved his antennae and flicked Hongdao on the head, reprimanding: "You're about to be promoted to Mountain Lord, and you still can't get rid of your venomous tongue."

"Just stating the truth," Hongdao waved his antennae indifferently.

"Eat melon."

Banbu began to divide the melon.

Each member received a large piece.

"Baba, would you like some too?" Banbu teased, holding a piece of melon.

Baba said unhappily: "No power!"

Banbu said: "I'll help you build a few more later."

"Banbu, you've said that 87 times," Baba said very dissatisfied. After spring, there's less wind, and the power is increasingly insufficient. It can't move freely at all. To come up the mountain to attend a gathering, Baizhu had to carry it up.

Banbu said: "I've thought about it carefully. I'll go to the Orchid Mountains to get a few kilometers of power lines, and then get an electric box and a source crystal. We'll build nine more wind power stations on the southeast side of Lizhu Peak."

"Banbu, this is the 88th time," Baba said seriously: "Wind power stations won't work, it's a waste of materials. We must have a hydroelectric power station or a thermal power station. It would be best if you could build a nuclear power station."

"Mm, mm, then I'll consider it carefully," Banbu said perfunctorily.

"You're lying to me again!" Baba was very angry, shaking in place, wishing it could jump up and kill Banbu.

Hongdao reminded in a serious manner: "Banbu, we have more and more members in the Jinping Mountains. As the Mountain Lord, you should pay attention to your words and deeds."

Banbu flicked Hongdao on the head with his antennae and asked: "Do you want to be the Mountain Lord instead?"

Fengling reminded: "Banbu, the young fighter has finished eating. Are you going to ask it?"

"Of course, I am the Mountain Lord," Banbu stretched out his forelimbs, moved the metal box along with the young fighter in front of him, his mental power as gentle as possible, and asked: "Little guy, tell me, what kind of plant do you like?"

The young fighter thought for a moment and shouted: "Fengling!"

What the heck?!

Banbu changed his angle, organized his words, and asked again: "I'm asking you, what kind of plant do you like, not which fighter you like. Now, answer my question again."

The young fighter mustered its mental power and shouted: "Fengling! Fengling flower, beautiful!"

The members of Lizhu Peak eating melons were all dumbfounded. Then, they all glared at Fengling: Did you eat too much and plant Fengling flowers again? Are you doing it on purpose?

Fengling was embarrassed by the stares and stammered: "I was just trying it out, I didn't expect... this has nothing to do with me!"

MMP!

Such a clever little fighter, and you've ruined it.

Banbu sighed in frustration and finally said: "Forget it, Fengling, you can name it!"

Fengling's heart was already blooming with joy, ignoring the angry gazes around her, she thought seriously and said: "Then let's call it Lanling. Blue Fengling flower, it's very rare, I've been looking for it for more than ten years."

Blue Fengling flower is indeed rare. It wasn't Fengling who found it herself, but the Xianghun Merchant Guild, in order to curry favor with Lizhu Peak, inquired around and helped to find it.

However, blue, purple, white, red... What use are colorful flowers other than being pretty? Flashy and impractical.

King Rat raised his paw and said: "Banbu, isn't the larger of the two peaks in the Jinping Mountains very steep? I remember it has three cliffs? It's perfect for planting Fengling flowers, right?"

"That makes sense! With this arrangement, it will be just right!" Banbu pondered and ordered: "Duzhu, go to Chijian County, visit the Lord of Chijian County, inform them of the situation, and relay a message to adjust the arrangements for the young fighter. We will arrange for Lanling to live in the Jinping Mountains."

Duzhu replied: "Understood!"

Banbu continued: "Those two continuous peaks will also be officially named 'Lanling Peak'."

There is also a potential benefit to this arrangement, which King Rat didn't say: Although the young fighter was born in Chijian County, it is a wild young fighter, without direct elders, and it grew up in Lizhu Peak under the care of Fengling. In the future, when it is separated to command the Jinping Mountains, its sense of belonging to Lizhu Peak will be stronger.

...

After the Snowpeak Jinlan harvest, the dry season follows immediately.

This year's dry season requires relatively simple tasks.

The first task: to cultivate the existing eight high-quality bamboo species, such as Green Bamboo, Rain Bamboo, Little Fire Bamboo, Mud Bamboo, Steel Bamboo, and Dark Bamboo, through three-line hybridization.

Xiangpu is responsible for directing the bee colony to pollinate, and each bamboo species needs to cultivate 10,000 seeds. Nowadays, Lizhu Peak can harvest 40,000 original stones annually just by selling bamboo seeds.

Currently, the number of combat worker bees in the bee colony exceeds 50, among which the combat worker bees born in the last two years have high intelligence after eating Rain Bamboo rice, and Xiangpu does not need to spend too much effort.

Since the harvested seeds have to go through layers of screening, only retaining full and high-quality seeds, the workload is relatively large. Banbu plans to wait for Xiangpu to be promoted to Mountain Lord and the bee colony to exceed one million in size before considering increasing the number of seeds sold annually, with an estimated increase in income to 60,000 original stones.

Lizhu Peak is not short of money now.

Banbu began to ponder cultivating a unique and iconic high-quality bamboo species for Lizhu Peak.

The second task is to induce ordinary bamboo species to flower and bear seeds on a large scale, harvest them in the autumn, destroy most of the full seeds, and retain a small amount for sowing and breeding in the coming year. Select less full seeds for cultivation, and look for special aberrant species that can flower every year from the slim chance.

This is the most important and most arduous task. Aberrant species not only mean new and high-quality bamboo species, but also mean harvesting at least one God-given Seed.

However, this year seems to be a bit special. By May 20th, it had only been dry for three days, and suddenly there was lightning and thunder, and a torrential downpour.

According to the usual pattern, isn't it supposed to be the dry season at this time?

It's not normal.

After the heavy rain, there were five days of sunshine, one day of haze, and then a heavy rain that lasted for a whole day.

Time unknowingly came to June.

Banbu is now 100% sure that this year's climate is abnormal and there is no dry season.

Without a dry season, the planned breeding work is completely shelved.

This planet has obvious traces of transformation, and the four seasons are relatively stable. However, the past time is too long, crustal movement, terrain changes, and the rise and fall of mountains and rivers, so occasional accidents are within the normal range.

Bamboo species that flower and bear seeds every year flower as usual, but the flowering period is ravaged by storms and rain, and many flowers fail to complete pollination. The situation of God-given Seeds is slightly better, the plants are strong, and there is almost no loss.

The only loss is nothing more than one less year of seed trade income. The mere 40,000 original stones are still affordable for Lizhu Peak today. Next year, just explain to the merchant guild, and they certainly won't make things difficult, after all, it's a "natural disaster", an uncontrollable accident.

...

Time flows peacefully.

In late autumn, Red Steadfast Ant King of the Red Ant Tribe spearheaded the organization of a tour group. A small portion consisted of those with God-given species and spare money, while the majority were young warriors whose direct elders had made a fortune from treasure hunting. The team was heading to the Orchid Mountains market, mainly to purchase high-quality Origin Force food, broaden their horizons, and find some novelties.

Since Red Steadfast Ant King and Princess Youli also had to organize warriors to cleanse the beasts within the Jinping Mountains, the team was escorted by Princess Ginkgo and Princess Duzhong, gradually gathering at Lizhu Peak before setting off along the Jin River.

This winter, Lizhu Peak had a lot to deal with, so Banbu followed the team alone.

He aimed to complete the transaction agreed upon with Cedar Ant King and survey the market situation.

The Illusory Mist treasure hunt had completely ended, and the influx of insects into the market made it unprecedentedly lively. The Mantis Tribe had anticipated this and reorganized, using earth and stone abilities to build neat rows of shops on flat ground and plan wide streets, changing the previous disorder and crowding into the rudimentary form of a regular commercial street.

Banbu wandered around for several days, checking each shop, but didn't find any major bargains.

The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ is ⊥ in ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ first ⊥ hair!

Pretending to stroll casually, he nonchalantly approached the wreckage of the warship erected on the Orchid Mountains, secretly observing. The number of guarding Mantis warriors had increased rather than decreased, with approximately 2,000 patrolling high-level warriors and more than a dozen princess-level warriors. Faintly, there seemed to be more than one Mantis King guarding the interior of the wreckage.

The security had become even tighter.

Turning back to conduct market research, the sales of gene fluid were generally poor. With a price exceeding 10 Origin Stones per vial, the black-hearted Mantis warriors were asking for as much as 20 Origin Stones. Some insects bought it, but only in small quantities, just to try it out. Very few insects were willing to buy whole boxes.

Banbu estimated that the gene fluid was unlikely to be sold out within ten years, putting him slightly at ease.

Currently, the Mantis Tribe regarded this well-preserved large wreckage as a forbidden possession. It was estimated that a collection of clever insect kings from various kingdoms were conducting various research.

Banbu had always wanted to go up there and dismantle something, but currently, it was definitely impossible. Bringing Baba into the wreckage to charge would be akin to courting a short circuit. He decided to temporarily refrain from action for the next two or three years, waiting for the treasure hunting craze to completely cool down before making plans.

That was a Level 7 technological civilization. A group of indigenous insectoids who didn't even possess a Level 1 technological civilization, what could they possibly research? Banbu wasn't too worried. After staying for a few days, he followed the tribe's team and set off on the return journey.

… …

Over on the Jinping Mountains, Camellia had spent a full half-year figuring out the number and strength of the beasts within the territory. The weak ones were directly killed, leaving only a few powerful ones. After winter, she led the Red Ant Tribe warriors to track down and exterminate them.

At the same time, the six bamboo rat warriors led by Rat King, as well as Big Bear, helped to build a hidden reservoir on the summit of Bluebell Peak, dig irrigation ditches, and open up open space at the foot of the mountain, planning to plant some bamboo next year.

Wind Chime also brought Dragon Bamboo to join in the fun, chiseling rocks on the three steep cliffs to form steps and transporting fertile soil back to fill them in.

Banbu was speechless and had nothing to say. Since it was an extremely suitable terrain for Wind Chime flowers to grow, and since Bluebell liked it, he would let it sow seeds to its heart's content.

However, the Wind Chime flowers on Lizhu Peak had to be completely eradicated, no discussion!

… …

With Red Steadfast Ant King and Princess Youli personally taking action, the various preliminary matters for occupying the Jinping Mountains were successfully completed after a busy winter.

In the spring of Banbu's 14th year, Bluebell officially settled in Wind Chime Peak, sowing the life seeds she had conceived last year.

Yellow Stripe, White Fluff, and Brown Hide, the three mountain lords, were stationed there year-round.

Youli Camellia continued to lurk and wander in the Eucalyptus Mountains, investigating the beast warriors within the mountains.

Princess Red Steadfast was also brewing a cleansing operation this winter, planning to send small warriors to settle there next year, occupying the Eucalyptus Mountains in one fell swoop.

In March, a caravan passed by, and Red Steadfast Ant King once again sent two small warriors as promised to settle in Torreya Peak.

The small warrior born in Red Steadfast County was named "Huangjing", a mid-level L1 warrior; the small warrior born in the Myriad Kingdoms Continent was named "Lilac", only a low-level L5 warrior.

At this time, Torreya was already a mid-level L7 warrior, expected to be promoted to a high-level warrior next winter. In terms of strength, it definitely overwhelmed the two newcomers, but the only thing Banbu was not too worried about was that he might not be able to suppress them in terms of intelligence.

Especially Lilac from the Myriad Kingdoms Continent, this little thing was just like Duzhu when he was a child, excessively lively. As soon as her front foot landed, she immediately started all kinds of mischief.

Banbu simply sent Duzhu over to suppress her, fighting evil with evil.

At this point, the number of Red Ant warriors in the Jinping Mountains exceeded single digits, no more, no less, exactly 10, occupying two peaks.

… …

The four seasons alternated in reincarnation, and time passed quickly like an arrow.

Banbu's 15th year, the bleak late winter season.

He woke up from evolutionary slumber.

L5 Mountain Lord level.

Due to the rapid growth, this time he experienced a long-lost extreme weakness again. His six legs struggled for strength, and his mind was still somewhat dizzy.

"Dragon Bamboo!"

Banbu called out, waited for a moment, but there was no movement.

"What is this guy doing? Such a big deal, how can he neglect his duty."

Banbu muttered, struggling to climb to the metal cabinet, opened the cabinet door, took out a can of energy drink, and drank it all in one gulp.

After resting for a while, he recovered some strength, activated his metal ability, the top row of cabinet doors automatically opened, a box of compressed biscuits automatically floated down and landed in front of him. He opened it and ate three pieces in a row, then lay down in the cave, quietly recovering.

"Banbu?"

Flame Cluster Zebra Grass's call suddenly rang out outside the cave.

Why did it have a bit of a miserable flavor?

Banbu mentally scanned outwards, and was immediately shocked: What's going on? Had Flame Cluster Zebra Grass caused trouble? What big deal could bring them to my Lizhu Peak?

On the flat square, Flame Cluster Zebra Grass was being held down on the ground by Princess Ginkgo and Princess Youli, one on each side, with their wing membranes spread open.

There was also a Red Steadfast Ant King, glaring angrily at the cave, looking furious and ready to breathe fire at any moment.

It turned out that Dragon Bamboo, who was responsible for guarding the slumber outside the cave, must have been frightened away by this array.

Banbu crawled out of the cave and tentatively asked: "Red Steadfast Ant King, Princess Youli, Princess Ginkgo, what is this…"

"Have you recovered?"

Red Steadfast Ant King asked impolitely.

Banbu said: "Recovered a bit, but my head is still a little dizzy."

"That's for the best." Red Steadfast Ant King said: "We need to have a good talk about the matter of You Bamboo rice."

"You Bamboo rice again?" Banbu looked at Flame Cluster Zebra Grass, who was being held down on the ground, and asked: "Red Steadfast Ant King, what's the problem?"

Red Steadfast Ant King waved his wing membrane.

Princess Youli and Princess Ginkgo released Flame Cluster Zebra Grass.

Red Steadfast Ant King snorted coldly: "This little fellow is too clever for his own good, and even wanted to sneak over to give you a heads-up."

Princess Youli sarcastically said: "You two guys are worthy of being born in the same nest, one more cunning than the other."

Banbu roughly understood what was going on.

Back then, it was decided that You Bamboo rice would be given away for free, only charging a reward for successfully finding a God-given species of the same race. When this promotion model first came out, all the warriors of the Red Ant Tribe, including Red Steadfast Ant King and Princess Youli, believed that Banbu was subsidizing Origin Stones to do something beneficial to the development and growth of the tribe, so they all strongly supported it.

After several years of promotion, the situation gradually exceeded expectations. So far, 6 warriors have successfully found God-given species. Among them was also a Tree of Heaven God-given species that strengthened the physique. With good luck, Banbu could earn 200,000 Origin Stones from this one alone.

At this time, Red Steadfast Ant King and the others finally realized: This bastard Banbu had already planned it all along. He was fleecing the entire Red Ant Tribe!

Princess Ginkgo, with a slightly better temper, sincerely said: "Banbu, we are all of the same race, isn't it a bit too ruthless to collect 20 years of returns?"

It was indeed a bit ruthless.

Banbu estimated that this day would come sooner or later, and solemnly said: "Red Steadfast Ant King, Princess Youli, Princess Ginkgo, I didn't expect this at first. Recently, after thinking carefully, I have made some adjustments to the reward."

PS: Asking for monthly tickets, asking for recommendation tickets! Make the data look better, attract more popularity, thank you in advance!