Astral Cockroach

Year 75 of Banbu.

December, late winter. Huozhu and Danzhu successively fell into slumber. Winter departed and spring arrived, and they awoke from their slumber one after another, both successfully advancing to L6 Mountain Lords.

The divine seeds of Dasheng Bamboo and Dalei Bamboo completed their gestation and were sown during the rainy, warm spring season.

In the first month after sowing, the main culm grew and began to tiller, each producing 8 underground stems, 8 bamboo clumps, and 8 bamboo poles. Next, it would surely be 8 giving rise to 64, 64 giving rise to 512…

All bamboo-type divine seeds follow the same growth pattern.

In fact, Dasheng Bamboo and Dalei Bamboo belong to the same grade of divine seed, both being top quality. After sowing, their growth patterns are identical, their management costs are similar, and in the future, the size, quality, and quantity of the bamboo fruits they produce will be nearly the same.

The difference in the effects of Primordial Energy enhancement leads to a polarization of their value.

Dasheng Bamboo fruit extends lifespan. On average, each fruit sells for about 10,000 Primordial Stones, with huge appreciation potential, making it a truly expensive luxury item that is still in short supply.

Dalei Bamboo fruit enhances lightning elemental abilities. It's only considered relatively rare. When sold to merchant groups or Chiwu Mountain, each large fruit sells for about 200 Primordial Stones. When Danzhu was at the Mountain Lord level, the annual income generated by the Dalei Bamboo divine seed barely reached 100,000 Primordial Stones, and it only doubled upon promotion to County Lord.

With different values, the treatment is naturally different.

The Dasheng Bamboo divine seed is sown on Lizhu Peak, next to the Shengzhu divine seed. The Primordial Energy on the mountain is abundant. Usually, Duzhu, Datou, and Xiangpu help out, taking meticulous care of it.

There's no need to occupy Lizhu Peak's valuable land for the Dalei Bamboo divine seed. It's simply sown on Huozhu Mountain, allowing Danzhu to manage it himself. Lizhu Peak has managed a considerable number of bamboo-type divine seeds, accumulating rich experience and never encountering problems. It's estimated that there won't be any problems this time either.

After confirming that the quality of the two divine seeds was excellent enough, Banbu stopped paying too much attention to them.

Now is the year when the Giant Dragon Bamboo divine seed blooms, a crucial year. Banbu personally stays by the bamboo forest, occasionally going to the lake to chat with Nine-leaf Red Lotus, or going up the mountain to impart some knowledge to Bloodthorn, developing its intelligence and teaching it to be a law-abiding, elder-respecting, and child-loving good tree spirit.

Banbu's tests confirmed that using the remains of an unknown variety of shrub-type divine-grade divine seed to strengthen Bloodthorn did not result in significant growth in size, but rather in the tree spirit becoming more intelligent. Using Heavenly Eye to observe, it was clear that the Bloodthorn tree spirit was more solid and stronger than it was three years ago.

Upon closer inspection, there was a hint of the temperament similar to the Giant Dragon Bamboo and Nine-leaf Red Lotus tree spirits in its soul. Baba couldn't explain exactly what it was, but it was something unique to "divine-grade" divine seeds.

…

At dusk, Banbu lay beside the Giant Dragon Bamboo forest, focused on eating.

"Banbu!"

"Banbu! Banbu, Banbu…"

A tender voice called out repeatedly.

Qingzhu, who had just advanced to L2 Advanced Warrior, arrived with a large group of young warriors. These little fellows were greeting Banbu.

"Banbu, look, a new warrior was born in our Shengyin Mountain this year. It was born in Leiyin's territory, but it's clear that the little guy likes me more."

On Qingzhu's head, there was a newly Primordial Energy-awakened young warrior. On its back carapace, it carried four mid-level warriors ranging from L1 to L3.

Behind Qingzhu, there was also a long line of mid-level warriors ranging from L4 to L9.

Neatly arranged, from smallest to largest, all 14 of the young warriors added to Lizhu Peak in the past 4 years were present.

"Little one, come here," Banbu beckoned to the newly born young warrior.

The young warrior shrank back, turned its head, and hid on Qingzhu's back carapace, seeking shelter from the other three little ones.

"The great-grandchildren are a little afraid and distant from this old ancestor…" Banbu felt a sense of desolation in his heart, sighing that time waits for no insect.

"It's too young and still very timid," Qingzhu explained, continuing, "This spring, a batch of Dongguan Pear seedlings needs to be cultivated. Guanli is too busy, so I'm helping it take care of these young warriors. They all wanted to see the Giant Dragon Bamboo divine seed, so I brought them here."

As soon as the words fell, a young warrior on its back carapace suddenly flapped its wing membranes and flew towards the Giant Dragon Bamboo divine seed culm not far away.

Banbu waved its antennae and knocked it to the ground.

Immediately, an L9 mid-level warrior following behind Qingzhu rushed forward and held down the naughty young warrior.

"Tortoise Shell Dragon Vine, don't make trouble. Every bamboo flower of the Giant Dragon Bamboo divine seed is very important, understand?" It said in an educational tone.

The young warrior named Tortoise Shell Dragon Vine was only L2 mid-level, and the difference in size and strength was too great. It tried to struggle a couple of times but had to give in.

"I know, let go of me!"

Nearby, Kongzhu quietly reminded, "Little one, don't be naughty, be careful of the red-ringed acid bee biting you."

Qingzhu immediately introduced, "The naughty little guy is called Tortoise Shell Dragon Vine. It was born in Zongli Peak, Zongli's territory, and the name was given by Tortoise Shell Tendon Vine."

"There's also this young warrior. It comes from the Myriad Kingdoms Continent and is called Zhenguo Yellow Peach. It's as smart as Hongdao and particularly sensible. Hongdao liked it very much and wanted to keep it on Guanli Peak, but Bitao refused to agree. After arguing for a while, the life seed was still sown on Bitao Peak."

Qingzhu knew everything about every young warrior.

Banbu's heart lit up: Qingzhu has a gentle temperament and has always liked playing with young warriors since he was little, a qualified kindergarten teacher!

"Qingzhu, from now on, you will be responsible for taking care of the young warriors sent from the various peaks to Guanli Peak to study. Guanli is responsible for teaching, but may not always be available. You can't just take them to play, you also have to teach them knowledge, understand?"

Qingzhu immediately happily agreed, "I know."

"Zhenguo Yellow Peach is very good, smart, sensible, and responsible," Banbu tried to make himself appear kind and said, "Hongdao was like this when he was young."

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Just as he was speaking, his antennae swayed, receiving a wireless signal: Banbu, County Lord Kuli is visiting.

County Lord Kuli of the Cockroach Kingdom, Wutong County, has a high reputation. It possesses a "Bitter Guan Pear" divine seed, which is one of the most valuable physical enhancements, second only to "divine-grade" in quality.

County Lord Kuli is responsible for the Cockroach Tribe's purchase of Shengzhu bamboo fruit. In addition, Lizhu Peak and Wutong County have some stable exchanges in other types of Primordial Energy foods.

This year, Duzhu's Shengzhu divine seed bamboo fruit is ripe.

But that will be in autumn, right? It's only spring now, why is she here so early?

Banbu was puzzled, turned his head to look, and the bee colony commanded by Xiangpu was guarding the bamboo forest. Even if these little guys made trouble, they wouldn't be able to actually pick the bamboo flowers or anything. He instructed, "Qingzhu, take them to play next to the bamboo forest, but don't allow them to enter the inner bamboo forest."

Banbu also threatened the young warriors, "The red-ringed acid bees guarding the bamboo flowers all have the ability to breathe fire. They are all foolish worker bees, and they don't recognize that you are red cockroach warriors."

After speaking, he strode away.

In the trading square, County Lord Kuli was alone, watching Lizhu Peak from afar, her attention drawn to the Tata Tree.

Yan Cong Banmao followed, explaining to it somewhat pale and weakly: This wild divine seed just looks strange, it grows particularly well, particularly tall, there's really nothing special about it.

"County Lord Kuli!" Banbu greeted enthusiastically from afar, deliberately stirring up his spiritual power to help Yan Cong Banmao out of the predicament.

"County Lord Banbu!" County Lord Kuli responded. The relationship between the two was considered familiar, and she joked, "Lizhu Peak is developing, and there are countless high-quality divine seeds, making you one of the wealthiest. Isn't the Red Firm Cockroach King willing to support you with more warriors to help you promote the mountain range to a county territory?"

"Haha, the matter of promoting to a county territory is being planned and is not far off," Banbu laughed loudly, quickening his pace to walk forward, and asked, "County Lord Kuli, there's still more than half a year before the Shengzhu bamboo fruit matures."

This was a question he already knew the answer to.

County Lord Kuli came alone, definitely not for the Shengzhu bamboo fruit.

"County Lord Banbu, won't you invite me up the mountain to talk?"

"Hiss, is it a very important matter?"

"Very important!"

Banbu pondered slightly and said, "County Lord Kuli, please!"

PS: There will be an extra chapter today. The daily update of chapters will maintain an even number, making it look neat.