Origin Force Plants absorbed Origin Force, presenting two different states.
The first was passive absorption, which occurred normally when the plants respired, steadily and slowly drawing Origin Force from nature. The denser the Origin Force in the environment where they took root, the more favorable it was for the growth of Origin Force Plants.
The second state was active absorption, a condition that only manifested during rank Evolution, when fruits were about to ripen, or flowers were about to bear fruit. Active absorption heavily consumed the Energy of Origin Force Plants. If the plants used up Energy but failed to absorb enough Origin Force, the duration of this process would extend, potentially leading to excessive wear and even damage to the Origin Force Plants.
1,000 Source Stones. How much was that?
Dragon Cypress had observed the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed closely. 1,000 Source Stones were roughly equivalent to the amount of Origin Force it absorbed from nature in five or six days under passive conditions.
A drop in the bucket.
But at least it was akin to pouring a cup of water on the problem, somewhat useful.
Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid grabbed stones and brutally smashed the Source Stones. Forty large and medium-sized Worker Ants vigorously scraped at the Source Stones.
This continued from the morning, when the golden, fierce sun slanted across the eastern skyline, until the afternoon ended with a blood-red, setting sun slanting across the western skyline.
The Source Stones were exhausted. The peak period of the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed's Origin Force absorption also passed, gradually slowing until it paused at Twilight.
The smashing was done, and it was time to clean up. Dragon Cypress moved his Tentacles, issuing an order for the Worker Ants to use their mandible teeth to turn the soil and bury the scattered Source Stone powder in the earth. Later, a torrential rain would carry this Source Stone powder deep into the ground, becoming precious nutrients that promoted the better growth of the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed.
Ink Orchid, carrying a Bamboo Tube, fetched water from a small stream below the mountain range for irrigation.
Dragon Cypress leaped onto the Dominating Throne, maneuvering it to slowly float across the mountain range, arriving in front of Mulberry's cave.
He set down a Metal Can in front of Mulberry, stating solemnly, "Mulberry, this can primarily contains Divine-Given Persimmon Fruit Seeds, mixed with four types of Enhanced Carapace Persimmon Fruits, blended into 'Ant King Honey.' The selling price is 5,000 Source Stones per can."
"Thank you, Dragon Cypress Ant King!" Mulberry, who had been waiting all day, eagerly opened it to check.
Dragon Cypress then took out two more Metal Cans, placing them in front of Mulberry, and said, "This can still contains purely Enhanced Carapace, a mix of various enhancement types, priced at 2,000 Source Stones per can. This can is for Comprehensive Physique Enhancement, containing 100 Divine-GivenFruit-scented Orchid Seeds. This can also is priced at 2,000 Source Stones."
"Understood. Thank you!" Mulberry thanked them again, staring at the Metal Cans, feeling the potent Origin Force aura emanating from within, his heart thumping with excitement.
Extremely high-quality, Enhanced Carapace Divine-Given Origin Force Food!
Mulberry gained a new understanding of Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid's abilities. Initially, he had been dubious about their ability to save him. Now he believed completely. Mulberry himself was well aware of his condition; even he hadn't had confidence. Now his confidence surged dramatically.
I will definitely survive!
Mulberry, holding the Metal Can, greedily lapped up the Ant Honey with his Tentacles.
"Mulberry!" Dragon Cypress called out, timely reminding him, "Don't rush. Eat the Origin Force Food a bit each day; consume it in moderation. For these two cans of Enhanced Carapace, eat a little every day, spread over three months. It's better to finish them gradually. At the End of Summer and beginning of autumn, Ink Orchid and I will come over using the Dominating Throne to aid your Evolution."
"Oh!" Mulberry stopped his actions, clumsily picked up the lid, and covered the can.
Dragon Cypress continued to settle accounts with him, saying, "Mulberry, last year, you owed Ink Orchid and me 3,000 Source Stones. Adding these... this can is 5,000 Source Stones, this one is 2,000 Source Stones, and this one is 2,000 Source Stones."
Dragon Cypress stated, "Currently, you owe Ink Orchid and me 12,000 Source Stones."
Mulberry nervously asked, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, is that too much to owe?"
"Not much. Not much at all. For you, it's not much at all." Dragon Cypress repeatedly swayed his Tentacles, then waved them upward toward the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed, saying, "One year's production will be enough for you to repay all the debt."
"Oh!" Mulberry couldn't hide his joy.
So many life-saving goodies, and all it took was one year's production from the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed. You should have come sooner!
Mulberry also realized that if he could survive, he would be a very wealthy insect. Every year, trading with Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid, he could purchase large amounts of Origin Force Food beneficial for his Evolution and growth.
Survive! Survive! Survive!
Mulberry hardened his resolve in secret, strengthening his will.
Dragon Cypress took down three gourds from the Throne and said, "Mulberry, your condition is still not great. You need to improve your diet, replenish nutrients, and accumulate Physical Strength. These three gourds contain Ant Honey brewed from various types of refined meat. It takes half an adult wild boar to refine this much into one gourd, so eat sparingly. This is a gift to you, not counted in Source Stones."
"Thank you..." Mulberry felt he had received too many favors from Dragon Cypress and was somewhat embarrassed and uneasy.
"You're welcome." Dragon Cypress then took out two Spider Silk Bags, continuing, "These Metal Cans are very troublesome to produce, and their quantity is limited. You need to return the empty cans to me after you've finished with them. I'm giving you the three gourd containers, and also two Spider Silk Bags, one large and one small, for storing Origin Force Food."
"Thank you..." Mulberry fell silent for a long moment, then, realizing, turned and went into his cave to fetch two empty cans, returning them to Dragon Cypress.
Dragon Cypress packed up the items and, changing the topic as if making casual conversation, asked, "Mulberry, do Golden Light Fruits mature in the Late Winter Season?"
Mulberry replied, "Yes. They mature when the weather is cool. I used to like picking and eating them."
Dragon Cypress commented, "The Golden Light Fruit is the most delicious fruit."
Mulberry agreed, "Yes."
Dragon Cypress added, "But its environmental requirements are quite harsh."
Mulberry slowly agreed, "...Yes."
Dragon Cypress said, "In the future, you could clear land for an orchard and cultivate them on a large scale. When they mature, Ink Orchid and I will come to collect them. We use them to refine delicious Ant Honey."
Mulberry hesitated, then agreed, "Okay—"
Dragon Cypress suggested, "You might also consider cultivating two Golden Light Fruit Life Seeds. Ink Orchid and I would buy them at a high price."
Mulberry affirmed, "Yes—"
Dragon Cypress observed, "Mulberry, it seems you really like mango trees."
Mulberry confirmed, "I do."
Dragon Cypress offered, "Ink Orchid and I can help you collect some rare mango tree seeds that are superior in three aspects: strengthening effects, quality, and yield."
Mulberry exclaimed, "That would be wonderful! Thank you so much!"
Dragon Cypress explained, "But mango seeds are too large; you'll need to reach at least the Mountain Lord Level before choosing them as a Life Seed. Trust me, the Golden Light Fruit is a very good choice..."
Dragon Cypress's conversation with Mulberry wasn't aimless; the core of their discussion was to persuade Mulberry to choose more Golden Light Fruits as Life Seeds. Later, he and Ink Orchid could return to purchase them and produce delicious Origin Force Ant Honey.
Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid settled down under the Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed tree.
The color of the fruit on the tree changed daily, from shiny orange-red to bright red, then to vibrant scarlet. The fragrance of the fruit permeated the air.
Many birds and beasts were attracted. Dragon Cypress, Ink Orchid, and Mulberry all released their auras of High-Level Origin Force Life, deterring and driving them away. Ink Orchid flew about, hunting the reckless birds that dared to approach. Mulberry stood under the tree, driving away those animals adept at climbing trees. Dragon Cypress flew up and down, quickly completing the harvest.
"One hundred twenty-one clusters of fruit."
"A total of 2,058 fruits."
"Mulberry, according to our agreement, your share is 1,029 fruits."
"Due to insufficient Origin Force during the maturation period, the quality was slightly lacking, so Ink Orchid and I are buying them at 13 Source Stones each."
"That makes a total of 13,377 Source Stones."
"Subtract the 12,000 Source Stones you owe us."
"During the ripening period, an investment of 1,000 Source Stones was made, which we split between us, so subtract another 500 Source Stones." This text is hosted at novel-fire.net
"Leaving a balance of 877 Source Stones."
Dragon Cypress meticulously went through the accounts, item by item.
Mulberry responded, "Yes—"
Dragon Cypress said, "The balance of Source Stones will be settled in our next transaction."
Mulberry agreed, "Okay—"
"Good! Then I'll command the ant colony to get to work." Dragon Cypress waved his Tentacle, directing the Worker Ants to step forward, pick the fruits one by one, and hand them over to the Blue Ants for Refinement.