Astral Cockroach

Wind Chime was very reclusive, introverted, eccentric, timid, and unambitious… It could be said to embody all sorts of shortcomings.

It was also a bit lazy. Banbu had reminded it more than once that the weeds near its life-seed plants should be removed as soon as possible, but it always waited until the weeds were growing vigorously before cleaning them up.

It was quite diligent in planting Wind Chime Flowers, even going so far as to clear all the cliffs and plant them full, telling Banbu that if he needed to plant bamboo, he could tell it, and it would remove the Wind Chimes.

Wind Chime also had a diligent side. The reservoir inside the summit of Li Bamboo Peak was shared by everyone, and it knew that Banbu was busy taking care of the three God-given seeds, so it silently took on the task of cleaning the canals. The Golden Silk Bamboo and hybrid bamboo species were mainly taken care of by Wind Chime alone, with Banbu only occasionally checking on their growth.

The God-given seeds had a high demand for nutrients. Banbu expanded the biogas digester to four, increasing the demand for fodder. Wind Chime would often cut some grass and silently send it up the mountain, dumping it on the pile of hay, and then silently leave. It was not good at communicating and rarely spoke. Even if Banbu happened to be there, the two would inexplicably fall into an awkward situation where they had nothing to say.

Spring was in full swing.

After dividing into 243 saplings, the Amethyst Gold God-given Seed remained silent.

The 64 underground stems of the Emerald Bamboo God-given Seed grew, sprouting bamboo shoots and growing into 64 bamboo poles. The corresponding 64 bamboo clumps were formed, but there was no tendency to continue to derive underground stems. The demand for nutrients decreased, and it no longer clamored for raw stone powder.

Banbu guessed that, limited by his own strength, their growth had reached its limit, and only after he broke through would they continue to divide.

All the other ordinary life-seeds stabilized, requiring only a regular check and a little biogas water to be poured on them every day.

After more than a month of busyness, he finally had some leisure time again.

Below Li Bamboo Peak, Banbu worked alone, sawing trees, digging, and transporting soil. The outline of the first pond had already been dug out.

It was a square, 10,000 in length and width. The next task was to dig deeper, planning to dig to a depth of 400, and then cut and transport flagstones from the mountain to build a solid dam around it.

The bark of the trees in the large area nearby was stripped by Banbu, and they would slowly wither and die. After a year at most, the dead and dry trees would be cleared, and bamboo species could be planted.

Late at night, Banbu, who was busy in the mud pit, suddenly looked up.

A huge black and white figure swept across the sky, descended on Li Bamboo Peak, and began to wander around Li Bamboo Peak, searching.

Lord Hua Bai Mountain!

Banbu took off and returned to the mountain peak.

Standing on the mountain, Lord Hua Bai Mountain saw the newly opened blank area at the foot of the mountain. When Banbu landed, he asked, "Banbu, what are you busy with at the foot of the mountain?"

Banbu replied, "I plan to plant bamboo on a large scale at the foot of Li Bamboo Peak. To avoid drought, I plan to build several ponds first."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "There is already enough bamboo on Li Bamboo Peak."

Banbu said, "It's not enough. I plan to turn all the forests at the foot of the mountain into a sea of bamboo, as a storage for bamboo species, while Li Bamboo Peak is specifically used as a base for cultivating various new bamboo species."

"Li Bamboo Peak is so big…" Lord Hua Bai Mountain could understand Banbu's intention and said with emotion, "Your ambition is bigger than Li Bamboo Peak!"

Banbu asked, "Lord Hua Bai Mountain, what brings you to me?"

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "The caravan of the Phantom Flame Spider Tribe has arrived. They are here for your God-given seeds. I heard that you have obtained two more God-given seeds? I came to take a look."

How could that be just a visit along the way?

The caravan has finally arrived?!

Banbu was overjoyed and said, "Strictly speaking, it can only be counted as two. The Cliff Cypress God-given Seed is naturally wild and has not been nurtured by the life sac, so it is quite different."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "I saw it. Even if it has not been nurtured by the life sac, the quality of the cypress seeds it condenses will be much higher than ordinary life-seeds."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain turned his gaze to the Emerald Bamboo God-given Seed in front of him and asked with emotion, "Banbu, did you just plant this life-seed this year?"

Banbu said, "Yes."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "It's growing so fast! The tree spirit is very lively. Is it conveying thoughts to you? The emotions seem a little excited."

More than excited, the Emerald Bamboo God-given Seed felt the power of Lord Hua Bai Mountain. At this time, it was frantically conveying anger and fear to Banbu, and also urging Banbu to drive away Lord Hua Bai Mountain.

Banbu truthfully said, "It has a strong sense of territory and is timid. It was frightened by your aura."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain suddenly realized, flapped his wings, and said, "Then let's talk below."

After speaking, he left the territory of the Emerald Bamboo God-given Seed.

Banbu followed and landed, asking, "Lord Hua Bai Mountain, where is the caravan? When will they arrive?"

"Soon." Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "Banbu, I can't tell which bamboo species your bamboo God-given Seed belongs to."

Banbu said, "A brand new bamboo species and a hybrid bamboo species of a certain bamboo species."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said in surprise, "You have cultivated a new bamboo species so quickly?"

Banbu explained, "No, I found it by chance."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain asked, "How many years do you estimate this bamboo God-given Seed will flower and bear fruit once?"

Banbu shook his antennae and said, "I don't know yet."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "Its aura is compatible with the life-seed aura of the Black and White Flower Roach Tribe. The strengthening ability of the seeds is most likely suitable for our tribe."

Banbu said, "Yes, I feel it."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "Banbu, you can consider selling the bamboo rice produced by this God-given Seed to our Black and White Flower Roach Tribe. Trading for raw stones or ordinary Origin Power food is fine. The price will definitely be higher than the caravan, after all, the caravan has to make a profit, and we are a truly fair trade."

Banbu said, "I have considered it, and that's what I plan to do."

"Good to know." Lord Hua Bai Mountain nodded his antennae with satisfaction, and then said, "You are the smartest Red Roach warrior I have ever met, knowing how to negotiate with the caravan, and you won't suffer a loss, right?"

Banbu said, "Of course not."

Lord Hua Bai Mountain said, "This is your business, I can't participate, I'll take my leave first."

After speaking, he flapped his wings and left in a hurry.

As soon as Lord Hua Bai Mountain left, Wind Chime flapped its wings and took off from its territory, flying to Banbu.

"Banbu, what did Lord Hua Bai Mountain want from you?"

Banbu replied, "It came to see my God-given Seed. It wants to buy the bamboo rice produced by the Emerald Bamboo God-given Seed."

Wind Chime pondered and said, "The Cliff Cypress Mountains are not wealthy."

Banbu smiled and said, "But the Black and White Flower Roach Tribe behind it is very wealthy. I heard they have mines."

Wind Chime wasn't stupid and understood, saying enviously, "Banbu, trading with the Black and White Flower Roach Tribe is much more cost-effective than trading with the caravan."

"That's not necessarily true." Banbu shook his antennae and then said, "Wind Chime, the caravan of the Phantom Flame Spider Tribe is already on the way. Do you need a batch of Origin Power food?"

Wind Chime said, "Banbu, you know, my life-seed management is very poor, I have nothing."

Banbu said, "I can help you buy 100 raw stones worth of Origin Power food. As a condition, you help me build the pond."

Wind Chime said, "Banbu, you don't have raw stones."

Banbu said, "But I have three God-given seeds. This is called capital. With capital, there are raw stones."

Wind Chime couldn't understand even more.