Astral Cockroach

The southern jungle was as vast as the sea, with undulating mountains like raging waves. Banbu flew and soared through the forest, searching aimlessly, and soon felt tired.

Heaven and earth were boundless, and an individual was so insignificant.

Whether searching for dragon bamboo or the remnants of insect warrior settlements, individual strength seemed pale and powerless.

After wandering for two days and obtaining some basic information, he returned the way he came.

…

Seeing Banbu successfully emerge from the Illusionary Maze, Princess Leizhu, who had been waiting somewhat bored, was immediately excited and eagerly asked, "Mountain Lord Banbu, how was it? Did you get through?"

"I got through. As we guessed, the terrain and environment on the other side, as well as the plants and animals, are similar to our Ten Thousand Nations Continent," Banbu replied, his mood not improving.

"That's great!" Princess Leizhu was overjoyed.

The other warriors cheered along.

Princess Leizhu quickly realized something was wrong and asked, "Mountain Lord Banbu, what race lives on the other side? Are they very powerful?"

Before Banbu could answer, Leizhu said heroically, "At the Ghost King Chiwu's command, Mount Chiwu can immediately assemble 14 Insect Kings, over 500 County Lord-level warriors, and over three thousand Mountain Lord-level warriors. I don't believe there is any large race that can compete with our Ghost Wasp Kingdom."

"That's right. If they know what's good for them, they should trade with us and help us find dragon bamboo."

"Mountain Lord Banbu, with the strength and wealth of our Ghost Wasp Kingdom, you don't need to be afraid at all. By the way, did you notice? Is there any dragon bamboo?"

…

The Ghost Wasp warriors, led by Princess Leizhu, were all very proud: we don't lack strong individuals, and we don't lack money. It would be best to talk, and everyone could trade peacefully; if we can't talk, then we'll fight.

In any case, dragon bamboo was a must-have.

However, they didn't know that some problems in this universe couldn't be solved by force… Wealth? That's a possibility!

"Princess Leizhu, the situation on the other side is not quite what we guessed," Banbu said, carefully choosing his words. "That continent has no Origin Power, so there are no insect warriors, no beast warriors, only ordinary birds and beasts, ordinary insects living there."

"No Origin Power?" Princess Leizhu was stunned for several seconds, and finally couldn't react, asking, "Mountain Lord Banbu, what does that mean?"

Banbu shook and pointed around randomly, saying seriously, "Princess Leizhu, look, the place where we live is filled with natural Origin Power everywhere, omnipresent, and ubiquitous, right?"

"Yes…" Princess Leizhu asked hesitantly, "Mountain Lord Banbu, do you mean that the continent over there has no natural Origin Power?"

Banbu said, "Yes, there is no natural Origin Power."

Princess Leizhu couldn't believe it, unable to accept it, and asked with difficulty, "This, not, possible, right? Mountain Lord Banbu, are you mistaken in your perception?"

Banbu said patiently, "How could I be wrong about Origin Power."

Princess Leizhu asked, "Is the Origin Power not sufficient? Hmm, is it like some places where the Origin Power is barren?"

Banbu corrected, "It's not barren, it's that there is none at all."

"This… impossible!" Princess Leizhu's mind raced, completely unable to imagine what it would be like without any natural Origin Power.

Not only Princess Leizhu, but the other 10 County Lords traveling with her couldn't figure it out: our natural Origin Power is quite abundant here! How could the other side have no Origin Power?

"The function of the Illusionary Maze is to isolate the flow of Origin Power," Banbu explained simply, uninterested in continuing to explain in detail, and said directly, "Let's return to Mount Chiwu first, report the situation to Ghost King Chiwu, and ask him to decide."

…

Princess Leizhu and the others couldn't believe that there was a place with no Origin Power at all. This behavior was like frogs at the bottom of a well, living in a place with abundant Origin Power, they habitually thought that all places should be full of Origin Power.

Another reason was the instinctive fear of Origin Power creatures. They dared not imagine what a place would be like without Origin Power.

…

"What, can't you pass through the Illusionary Maze?" Looking at the dispirited exploration team returning, Ghost King Chiwu immediately thought of the worst outcome.

"We passed… but…" Princess Leizhu couldn't continue, and looked at Banbu.

Banbu said, "On the other side of the Illusionary Maze, there is no Origin Power, that is, there is no natural Origin Power at all, not even a little."

"No natural Origin Power!" Butterfly King Haitang exclaimed subconsciously.

Ghost King Chiwu was much calmer, lowering his antennae, silent and speechless.

Butterfly King Haitang followed suit and calmed down, falling into contemplation.

Origin Power creatures all knew how terrifying it was to have no Origin Power, it was an absolute domain of death!

The air stood still for two seconds.

Unexpectedly, Ghost King Chiwu raised his antennae and gently nodded, saying, "We understand, don't spread the news to avoid causing unnecessary panic."

Butterfly King Haitang asked, "Mountain Lord Banbu, what is the geographical environment like on the other side of the Illusionary Maze? Is it very different from our side?"

Banbu said, "I carefully examined the mountains, rivers, climate, soil, vegetation, birds, beasts, and insects, etc., and there is almost no difference. The difference is that there are no beast warriors, no insect warriors… without Origin Power, there is no possibility of warriors being born at all."

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"Understood." Ghost King Chiwu asked, "Mountain Lord Banbu, do you have any good suggestions?"

Banbu shook his antennae, saying, "Without Origin Power, no warrior can stay for long, and the search for dragon bamboo becomes extremely difficult. I have been thinking all the way, and I can't think of any good solutions, unless…"

Ghost King Chiwu said, "It probably won't work this year, but I will start preparing, stockpiling a large amount of ordinary Origin Power food, and recruiting a batch of warriors who are not afraid of hardship."

Banbu suggested, "It's best to use some Origin Stones. Relative to volume and weight, Origin Stones contain more Origin Power than ordinary Origin Power food. You can chew Origin Stones in moderation to replenish Origin Power."

"Yes, a good idea, but it can only be used as an emergency and auxiliary method. The main thing is to replenish through Origin Power food," Ghost King Chiwu said. "This year's Origin Power food reserves are not sufficient… Mountain Lord Banbu, what do you think about the year after next?"

Banbu thought for a while and said, "It's best to postpone it for a few more years. The Fire Ant Kingdom is leading the various kingdoms of the Eastern Region's insect tribes to block trade with the Northern Wilderness beast clans. I am worried that those beasts will go south to retaliate, so we need to see the situation clearly before making plans."

"Are the Northern Wilderness beast clans starting to become restless again?" Ghost King Chiwu paused for two seconds and said, "I think searching for dragon bamboo is more important. Beast troubles are just a small matter, I will find a way to help you solve it."

Banbu was puzzled and asked, "Help me solve it?"

Ghost King Chiwu said, "I can send a Ghost King and a Butterfly King to help you guard it, no problem at all. Lízhu Peak is just a remote little place, the Northern Wilderness beast clans can't specially send a large number of beast kings to attack your territory, right?"

"…" Banbu chuckled and said, "That won't happen."

Ghost King Chiwu asked, "Then shall we set the time for the year after next?"

Banbu said, "Yes, yes."

Ghost King Chiwu said, "Haitang and I both want to go to the continent on the other side of the Illusionary Maze to see what a world without Origin Power is like. Mountain Lord Banbu, is that okay?"

Banbu said, "Of course. We can leave now."

"After we explore the situation, there's no need to be too hasty. You've worked hard during this time, take a good rest for two days first," Ghost King Chiwu said. "Mountain Lord Banbu, do you know Maple Leaf County Lord of the Magnificent Golden Hall Tribe of the Gold Mantis Kingdom?"

"Maple Leaf County Lord! Of course, I know her. I was in a group with her researching the wreckage in the Knife Mantis Kingdom," Banbu suddenly realized and laughed, "She's here to help build wind power stations, right? I cut off her financial path!"

"That won't happen. Mount Chiwu won't mistreat Maple Leaf County Lord who came all the way to help," Ghost King Chiwu said. "Maple Leaf County Lord is at the foot of the mountain. What I mean is, ask her to stay for two days. You both live in the Eastern Region, so you can return together, which will be safer."

"Ghost King Chiwu is thoughtful!" Banbu thought for a while and suggested, "Maple Leaf County Lord is very serious about her work and is one of the rare insects who can use her brain. If there is a large-scale operation next time, you can also bring her along to help."

"Oh?" Butterfly King Haitang was surprised and teased, "Are you two in cahoots? Maple Leaf County Lord keeps praising you for being extremely clever, and you praise her for using her brain. Is this mutual flattery?"