The newly born Giant-Headed Ant first needed to become familiar with the environment and the powers within its Territory.
It had to learn basic arithmetic.
It had to recognize the Life Seed Plants within its Territory.
It had to identify which ordinary plants were important and which were not, which plants were poisonous, and which plants’ fruits were edible.
It had to identify various animals. The Orchid Mantis on the mountain and the frogs below could not be hunted, but other creatures could. However, when encountering wild boars, bears, tigers, and other ferocious beasts, they still had to run. Mid-level Gigantification Soldier Ants couldn’t defeat them, and an ant swarm attack would inevitably cause massive casualties—a loss rather than a gain.
It had to learn how to command Soldier Ants in battle formations, how to defend effectively, ambush, and encircle, all while trying to avoid or minimize battle damage...
Dragon Cypress was too busy and didn’t have time to teach Giant Cypress.
Spiked Cypress already had a wealth of experience, so it would substitute for now.
Spiked Cypress led Giant Cypress, followed by a large group of Soldier Ants, arriving grandly at the construction site on North Mountain.
"Great King, look quickly! This is all from the hunt Giant Cypress led on his own this afternoon!"
Spiked Cypress shook its tentacles excitedly. "Under my guidance, Giant Cypress has become a qualified Gigantification Soldier Ant. He can stand on his own now."
Having said that, Spiked Cypress carefully observed Dragon Cypress’s reaction.
Dragon Cypress, who was controlling the Dominating Throne to haul soil, stopped his work and remained silent for a long time.
Giant Cypress, its mandibles holding a bloody, grey-haired wild rabbit that was riddled with holes from Soldier Ant Mandible Teeth, lurked behind Spiked Cypress, its tentacles twitching nervously.
The surrounding Soldier Ants also carried different kinds of food.
It looked like they had a fruitful harvest. But...
Dragon Cypress asked, "Giant Cypress, did you command the Soldier Ants to hunt all this food?"
Giant Cypress replied, "Yes... Great King..."
Dragon Cypress looked towards Spiked Cypress.
This fellow is naturally bellicose, always eager to lead Soldier Ants on distant hunting trips. But Spiked Cypress is still a bit reckless, far less clever than Round Cypress. If Spiked Cypress got injured, it would be a big problem. The Dominating Throne’s Ant Egg production is limited, and the painstakingly raised Soldier Ants can’t withstand too much attrition.
Dragon Cypress was silent for a long while, then turned and waved its tentacles. "Round Cypress, come here!"
Round Cypress, who had been directing Worker Ants digging a pond, quickly ran to the area beneath the Dominating Throne.
"Dragon Cypress Ant King, what are your orders?"
Dragon Cypress said, "The pond will be dug soon, and the reservoir is also nearly ready. Tomorrow, you will bring the Worker Ants here to work alone. I will take Spiked Cypress and Giant Cypress on a long-distance hunt."
Dragon Cypress then said to Spiked Cypress and Giant Cypress, "I will ask Ink Orchid to guard the Territory for a few days. I will take you on an expedition, plan your marching routes, and guide you in the practical command of ant swarm battles."
"Great!" Spiked Cypress cheered. "With the Great King personally taking the field, we’ll surely bring back a black bear!"
Spiked Cypress, intending to flatter, got carried away and his attempt backfired spectacularly.
Dragon Cypress leaped down from the Dominating Throne. Its claws pressed Spiked Cypress’s head down while its tentacles whipped out, chastising him, "How many times have I told you?! Do not provoke large ferocious beasts! Do not disturb ferocious beasts! Do not even think about hunting ferocious beasts..."
Dragon Cypress waved its tentacles, assembling 100 Mid-level Specialized Soldier Ants, 30 Large Soldier Ants, and 50 Mid-level Soldier Ants.
They were accompanied by 20 Specialized Blue Ants, 20 Mid-level Blue Ants, 30 Specialized Worker Ants, and 20 Large Worker Ants.
The Mid-level Soldier Ants and Mid-level Blue Ants were smaller and ran slower. To avoid affecting the marching speed, Specialized Soldier Ants carried the Mid-level Soldier Ants, and Specialized Blue Ants carried the Mid-level Blue Ants.
From the South Mountain Ant Nest, they followed the mountain range westward.
Thirty Large Soldier Ants, in groups of three, took charge of scouting, running at the very front.
The Specialized Soldier Ants, in pairs, brought up the rear.
Dragon Cypress, Spiked Cypress, and Giant Cypress ran in the middle.
The Blue Ants and Worker Ants trailed at the very back.
Like a long serpent, the column snaked forward.
After nearly half a day, they bypassed the majestic mountain peak to the southwest.
"Stop!" Dragon Cypress shook its tentacles, issuing the command.
The ant swarm halted.
"Rest in place!" Dragon Cypress ordered.
"Great King, why?" Spiked Cypress asked.
Dragon Cypress did not answer but asked Giant Cypress, "Giant Cypress, why do you think I stopped here?"
Giant Cypress twitched his tentacles, sensing his surroundings, and said uncertainly, "Great King... it seems like there is no Origin Force ahead..."
Good! Dragon Cypress thought. Though Giant Cypress is somewhat timid, his mind is clearly sharper than Spiked Cypress’s.
"Exactly!" Dragon Cypress explained, "Ahead, the Origin Force concentration drops sharply. Between this large mountain and the Divine Force Barrier, there’s an Origin Force vacuum zone of about five to seven kilometers. We need to cross it at top speed!"
"Oh—" Spiked Cypress suddenly understood and quickly praised, "The Great King is wise!"
"Enough of that!" Dragon Cypress said. "Let me test you two again. Use your brains: what else should we be aware of?"
Spiked Cypress offered, "Run faster!"
"Nonsense!" Dragon Cypress snapped. "What else?"
Spiked Cypress lowered his head in thought.
Dragon Cypress said, "Giant Cypress, you tell me."
Giant Cypress stammered, "Since we need to cross at top speed... and the mountainous terrain is complex... we need to choose the shortest path with the fewest obstacles."
He continued, "The mountain Ridges have sparse vegetation; that might be the best choice."
"Correct!" Dragon Cypress was delighted. Though Giant Cypress is somewhat shy and timid, he’s quite intelligent. Ant swarm battles aren’t about the individual fierceness of Gigantification Soldier Ants, but about their commander’s ability.
Dragon Cypress wasn’t very worried about Giant Cypress anymore.
Looking at Spiked Cypress again... Dragon Cypress felt even less reassured about this fellow. Would it be safe to assign him to lead long-distance hunts? Use your brain more! Think more! Think more! Think more!
Dragon Cypress pinned Spiked Cypress down with its claws and swatted him with its tentacles, harshly lecturing: "Spiked Cypress, it’s okay if you’re not clever. Just remember three things. First, in the future, do exactly as I teach you today. Second, if you encounter something you can’t beat, or suspect you can’t, don’t hesitate—run! Third, if you see any unfamiliar creature bigger than you, don’t even try to test it; just run!"
Spiked Cypress remained silent. "..."
Dragon Cypress pressed, "Do you understand?"
Spiked Cypress mumbled, "...Understood."
Dragon Cypress said, "It seems you still don’t understand."
Spiked Cypress hastily replied, "Understood! Understood! Great King! I understand..."
Dragon Cypress first climbed the mountain and ran along the Ridge to ensure the path was mostly clear, then turned back.
The ant swarm had rested well.
Dragon Cypress waved its tentacles, giving the command: "Up the mountain!"
The ant swarm scrambled up onto the Ridge.
Dragon Cypress then issued the order: "Full speed ahead!"
The ant swarm rushed along the Ridge.
They successfully crossed the Origin Force vacuum zone.
Dragon Cypress reminded, "Spiked Cypress, remember this route!"
This time Spiked Cypress had learned his lesson and answered firmly, "Yes, Great King! Spiked Cypress has remembered!"
That’s more like it, Dragon Cypress thought, then waved its tentacles to issue the command: "Slow down! Advance!"
Moving forward, the Origin Force gradually grew richer.
After they had run for another ten kilometers or so, it was already noon.
"Stop!" Dragon Cypress issued the order. He took flight, scanned the area down the mountain, then returned to the ground.
"Spiked Cypress, Giant Cypress, let me test you again: which areas have the most prey?"
Giant Cypress looked clueless.
Spiked Cypress said uncertainly, "Near a water source?"
"You’ve finally shown some cleverness for once!" Dragon Cypress said. "Water is the source of all life. Places with water are certain to have thriving plants and animals. Especially in summer, during a drought, animals large and small will gather near water sources."
Dragon Cypress pointed toward South Mountain. "Below us, there’s a stream that feeds into a small river about three to five meters wide. We’ll start here, sweeping from the mountain down to the river. Then, whether we go downstream or upstream, both banks will be rich with food."
"Giant Cypress, you will command the ant swarm."
"Spiked Cypress! You just watch quietly."