Molan didn't feel like continuing to search for the Land of Origin Force anymore.

Dragon Cypress controlled the Dominating Throne, flew straight back to Xianglan Mountain.

This year's harvest of Common Life Seeds had already been collected and put into storage in time.

This year, only one Southern Gorgon Divine-Given Seed had produced a yield, about to mature.

The scale of the Ant Kingdom was continuously expanding, so more food needed to be stocked for next spring; the fishing activity at Black Lotus Lake was extended to 20 days and started early.

...

The Dominating Throne carried Cypress and the Blue Soldiers, slowly entering Black Lotus Lake, crossing over the mountains.

Down in the forest at the foot of the mountain, Black Cory was commanding a large number of Worker Ants to fell trees and reclaim wasteland.

White Willow hovered nearby, watching the bustle, circling back and forth—maybe wanting to help, but it really wasn't suited for labor.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King! Molan!"

"Cypress!"

Upon seeing the Dominating Throne, White Willow sprinted forward to greet them.

After a brief greeting.

Dragon Cypress landed the Throne at the entrance of the mountainside Ant Nest and put down the board.

Cypress led the Blue Soldiers, landing first to rest.

Black Cory's body had shrunk again—after its fourth Molting Evolution, its body length had reduced to less than 50 centimeters, accompanied by a drop in strength and speed. Under the protection of the Soldier Ants, it ran over in a hurry.

"Great King!"

Dragon Cypress and Molan's gazes were immediately drawn to Black Cory.

"Black Cory, when did you evolve?"

Dragon Cypress inquired.

Black Cory explained in detail: "Six days ago. According to your instructions, Great King, I ate one Black Lotus Seed every day. After consuming 53 seeds, I successfully completed my evolution. I fell asleep at dusk and woke up the next morning—it felt just like a normal sleep, without any obvious sense of weakness."

On Black Cory, the aura of a Command Ant was already very clear; its tentacles waved, using the Ant Clan's unique way to transmit information—now even smoother and clearer.

Nearby, White Willow was also using spiritual power to describe the changes in Black Cory to Dragon Cypress and Molan.

"I've run some tests for Black Cory. Now when it eats Origin Force Food other than Black Lotus Seeds, its Primordial Energy utilization efficiency reaches 50%, meaning only about half gets lost."

"Is that so? Try again!"

Molan leaped onto the Throne, picked up a petite spider silk bag, and handed it to Black Cory.

Inside were five Divine-Given Gorgon Fruit, ten Divine-GivenFruit-scented Orchid Seeds, and forty-two Black Lotus Seeds produced from its own Black Lotus Life Seed.

Black Cory opened the bag, understood immediately, picked up a Divine-GivenFruit-scented Orchid Seed to try.

Dragon Cypress and Molan instantly enveloped it in their spiritual power, observing continuously.

Just as White Willow said, about half of the Primordial Energy was absorbed, half dissipated.

At this point, the pattern became clear.

After the next Molting Evolution, Black Cory would shrink to a body length of 35 to 40 centimeters, and its Origin Force Food utilization rate would rise to about 65%.

After one more Molting Evolution, Black Cory would shrink to 20 to 30 centimeters in length, with utilization efficiency probably just over 80%.

Altogether, after six Molting Evolutions, it would complete its class advancement and become a 1st Age Mid-Level Command Ant.

Dragon Cypress gave a simple instruction: "Black Cory, eat the Mid-Level Black Lotus Seeds produced on White Willow's territory first. After finishing those, then eat the High-Level ones from Molan's territory. Don't rush—eat one every two days, and control the interval between evolutions."

Black Cory: "Understood, Great King."

Dragon Cypress: "For now, don't hurry to develop new land, go help Cypress with the fishing."

...

Just as in past years, Dragon Cypress made two round trips to transport the Blue Soldiers and Blue Ants to Black Lotus Lake.

During the cold winter season, there was no more wandering about; instead, they rested securely on Xianglan Mountain, and began to use Origin Force Food to prepare for the dormant evolution of the coming year.

Every five days, a batch of hungry Blue Ants was sent to Black Lotus Lake and a batch of satiated Blue Ants returned.

In the Xianglan Mountain Ant Nest, all the Blue Ants had their abdomens filled with Ant Honey, stockpiling enough food for the entire kingdom to last the rest of winter and throughout the next spring.

The annual fishing operation ended.

After resting for about ten days, they set off to Scarletlight Mountain, delivered 1,000 Source Stones, gathered nectar to brew Ant King Jelly, and picked Golden Light Fruit.

By the time all this was done, winter was drawing to an end for the year.

...

Xianglan Mountain.

The Dominating Throne slowly descended, nearing the entrance to the South Mountain Ant Nest.

A Command Ant almost 30 centimeters in length, with blue ring patterns on its abdomen, emerged from the adjacent dining hall, raised its head, and looked at Dragon Cypress and Molan on the Throne.

"Huh!"

"Silver Cypress?"

"Silver Cypress has finally undergone Feather Transformation!"

Molan flapped its wings hard on Dragon Cypress, cheering in excitement.

Dragon Cypress: "..."

Dragon Cypress waggled its tentacles in greeting: "Silver Cypress, when did you emerge?"

Silver Cypress: "A couple of days ago."

Dragon Cypress asked: "Has Fragrant Cypress shown you around the territory?"

Silver Cypress tilted its head, thought about it, and answered: "Fragrant Cypress introduced me to the Life Seed Plants. Cypress showed me the reservoir. Originally, Spiked Cypress wanted to take me hunting but was stopped by Giant Cypress, saying we should wait until the Great King returned."

"Uh—"

"I am the Great King!"

"Spring is coming, everyone's busy. You come with me."

Dragon Cypress lowered the board, instructed the Worker Ants and Blue Ants accompanying them to return to the nest, jumped off the Throne, and, pointing to Molan, asked:

"This is Molan, do you remember it?"

Silver Cypress: "I remember!"

Dragon Cypress waved its tentacles and said:

"Come on, let's take a walk up the mountain."

"Molan, let's go have a look at the northern persimmon orchard."

...

Dragon Cypress had assigned Fragrant Cypress to manage the Ant Nest's logistics. The workload wasn't too heavy, so it also often joined Round Cypress to supervise the ant colony in digging the marsh gas pool, building reservoirs, excavating channels, and opening up orchards.

With Fragrant Cypress and Round Cypress's efforts, all the orchards planned for the southern slopes had been reclaimed.

The northern mountain orchards were mostly completed as well.

Key cultivated plants: Large Fruit Hemlock, Green Torreya, Coarse Torreya, Golden Pine Nut, Great King Fir, Dominant Chestnut, Black Emperor Peach, Spotted Star Pear, Sky Blue Persimmon, Purple Kiwifruit, Silver Cypress

As a pest and disease barrier, interplanted among the orchards: various Cypresses led by Dragon Cypress; various peach trees led by Yellow Peach; various orange trees led by Blood Oranges; Rice Trees led by White Rice; grapevines led by Black Cory; and other berry plants used for making Ant Honey—a total of over two hundred varieties.

There were also various spice plants for making broth that Fragrant Cypress had tried and tested.

Beneath the trees, different Orchid Grasses were planted, as well as hybrid orchids that even Dragon Cypress and Molan didn't recognize.

Although reclaiming the wasteland damaged the natural ecosystem, Dragon Cypress had established a new one; the plant variety remained abundant.

Dragon Cypress led Silver Cypress wandering up and down the mountains, first teaching him to recognize each plant, explaining cultivation and management techniques.

By keeping him close, he first learned basic knowledge about animals and plants, then received lessons in hunting and combat from the Giant-Headed Ant Tribe.

With the emergence of a new Command Ant, Molan happily tagged along for two days, but the novelty soon wore off, and it went back to the cave to focus on eating Origin Force Food, resting and gathering strength for evolution.

Early spring, as the Molan Flowers bloomed.

In the evening, a wave of Origin Force Fluctuation suddenly came from the north of the mountain.

"Molan has evolved."

Dragon Cypress led Silver Cypress, ran through the mountain tunnel, and headed north.

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