White Rice Mountain.

The Dominating Throne soared high, and from a distance, the riotous bloom of pure white Rice Tree blossoms was already visible.

This year's Divine-Given Seed of White Rice wasn't just blossoming in abundance—its trunk had also shot up conspicuously.

This isn't a good thing~

The ominous feeling in Dragon Cypress's heart grew ever stronger.

Ink Orchid had nothing left to do on Xianglan Mountain, but was too afraid to hear any bad news about Red Fox, no matter what, refusing to come along…

The Dominating Throne slowed down, lowering its altitude.

"You two, quiet down."

Dragon Cypress gave a warning to Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple at his side.

Blue Catalpa: "We haven't even moved."

Snakebark Maple: "We're being very quiet."

Dragon Cypress: "Be a little sad."

Blue Catalpa: "???"

Snakebark Maple: "???"

Dragon Cypress: "Red Fox is too old, it might…"

Dragon Cypress said irritably, "Anyway, keep alert, be serious, and don't laugh like fools."

Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple understood, exchanged glances, drooped their tentacles, and fell silent, low-spirited.

"Put your metal cases away—don't show them off in front of Black Rice."

Dragon Cypress gave a reminder, then with a thought, had the Dominating Throne accelerate, tilting downward to land beside the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice.

Black Rice stood alone under the tree.

"Black Rice! Where's White Rice? Red Fox…"

Dragon Cypress called out.

"Black Rice—" Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple followed, jumping off the throne and converging over.

"Blue Catalpa, Snakebark Maple."

"Dragon Cypress Ant King."

"White Rice is tending the orchard. Red Fox…"

Black Rice pointed under the tree, at a crimson mountain stone with marks of having been cut and polished.

On the stone, a rough outline of a fox had been carved.

Dragon Cypress extended his spiritual power, sweeping it through the soil beneath the stone—there, the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice's new roots had grown thick and entangled.

Sure enough,

Red Fox hadn't survived the past winter.

White Rice and Black Rice had buried it beneath the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice.

A planting technique not recorded in the Inherited Memory: Ordinary animal corpses can be composted to provide all kinds of nutrients for plant growth; Origin Force Creatures, even more so—and the effect on Divine-Given Seeds is especially strong.

From afar, Dragon Cypress had already guessed as much from the growth of the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice.

Now with certainty, a renewed heaviness settled on Dragon Cypress's heart.

Though they'd known each other over ten years and hadn't spoken much, he could always sense from Red Fox that profound yearning for life, the unwillingness of an Origin Force Life to face its end.

And that heartfelt, elder's tenderness Red Fox held for Black Rice.

"Dragon Cypress Ant King!"

White Rice jogged over the hill, hurrying up.

"Red Fox has passed away…"

"Red Fox said that Black Rice and I were its hope, and the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice meant everything to it. Right before dying, Red Fox made us promise to bury it under the tree, to fuse with the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice, so it could watch us grow."

"Black Rice hasn't left the tree, always keeping watch. In this state…"

White Rice recounted, the pain and weary grief thick in his voice.

This time, Dragon Cypress had come not just to gather nectar for Ant King Jelly, but also to borrow the Dominating Throne to help Black Rice break through and evolve into an Advanced Warrior.

But right now, Black Rice seemed unfit for evolution in sleep.

White Rice's condition was just as bleak, inside and out.

White Rice hoped Dragon Cypress could help comfort Black Rice, but Dragon Cypress really had no talent for that.

"It's alright."

"Let Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple keep Black Rice company."

"Is your territory too busy? I'm in no hurry. I can stay and help out a few days."

Dragon Cypress, seeing that even the usually loudmouthed Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple were now at a loss for words, instructed:

"Blue Catalpa, Snakebark Maple, go pick some beautiful wildflowers from the mountain and place them on the stone."

"Okay."

"Got it."

The heavy mood left Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple paralyzed, but upon hearing this were relieved, and ran up the mountain together.

Dragon Cypress hopped onto the Dominating Throne, took out a jar of ant honey and set it before Black Rice, saying:

"Top-tier Origin Force Food from the territory of Lord-Level Insect Tribe Warriors. Black Rice, give it a try."

"Thank you—"

Black Rice, downcast, said, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, White Rice, I'll stay here with Red Fox, you don't need to mind me."

Dragon Cypress looked to White Rice.

White Rice sighed deeply, settled down beside Black Rice, unfurled his elytra, and gently patted him with it.

Dragon Cypress: "Lots of blossoms this year."

White Rice: "Yes. Red Fox's strength has merged with the Divine-Given Seed of White Rice."

Dragon Cypress: "Red Fox's greatest wish was for you and Black Rice to both evolve smoothly to Mountain Lord Level."

White Rice: "Yeah—"

Dragon Cypress chatted with White Rice for a while, then unloaded the Stump Ant Nest, commanding the Miniaturization Blue Ants to collect ant honey and brew Ant King Jelly.

Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple returned with all kinds of wildflowers, set them before the stone, then laid quietly beside Black Rice.

…

Red Fox had died because he'd entered old age, could no longer evolve upward, and his life span ran out—dying of old age.

Such an ending cast a shadow over every insect head: Would there come a day when our own lives, too, would end?

This only strengthened Dragon Cypress's resolve to kill White Poplar and seize the Divine God-Given Seed.

At least for now, it could be said—life evolution had no endpoint.

Dragon Cypress would never allow himself or Ink Orchid to end up like Red Fox, growing old someday in the future.

…

It took three days to finish the nectar gathering.

Time was still early,

so Dragon Cypress stayed to help White Rice take care of the Rice Tree Orchard he and Black Rice managed.

With Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple as company, Black Rice slowly emerged from mourning his dearest companion, and began eating Origin Force Ant Honey.

After ten or so days of adjustment, signs of evolution began to appear.

Dragon Cypress arranged to have the Dominating Throne shrunk and set inside his living cave.

After eating his fill, Black Rice fell asleep atop the throne.

Black Rice had been doted on since birth by Red Fox and White Rice, eating all kinds of top-quality, broadly strengthening Origin Force Foods.

His mental state was poor, but physically, he was at his prime.

In only five days of sleep, he woke up, and completed the evolution smoothly.

…

…

…

The Dominating Throne slowly entered Scarletlight Mountain.

Only upon seeing the towering, ancient, verdant Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed did the shadow in Dragon Cypress's chest finally dissipate.

"Gan!"

"We've come to see you!"

Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple, less troubled by worry, cried out, leaping from the throne and gliding down the mountainside plot.

This year, a large batch of Golden Light Fruit saplings had been transplanted and Gan was repairing orchard irrigation channels.

They greeted each other upon meeting.

Blue Catalpa jumped onto the Dominating Throne, holding his metal case, came up before Gan, and opened it to reveal a black-and-white striped seed within.

"Gan, look, what's this."

"What?"

"Six Peaks Mountain, a Six Paths Wood seed!"

"It bears Life Seeds—the Six Paths Fruits it produces strengthen the soul!"

"One of the rarest seeds in the whole world—among the top of the Natural God System!"

"Gan, you're about to evolve into a 4th Age period High-Level Warrior."

"This is our gift to you!"

Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple bounced and cheered around Gan, delight brimming in their voices.

"This…" Gan looked at Dragon Cypress.

This was far too precious!

According to the Inherited Memory, soul-type Origin Force Foods were the most valuable of all.

But within the Natural God System, there were no plants recorded with soul-enhancing effects.

Those that existed had all been cultivated and mutated; they were exceedingly rare. Any Insect Clan with such plants would do everything possible to prevent their seeds from spreading.

Dragon Cypress was utterly surprised that the two sycophants, Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple, would part with something this invaluable for Gan.

The two were usually shameless, but apparently had some conscience left.

Dragon Cypress: "Gan, just accept it. I'll get Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple another one next year."

Dragon Cypress: "Gan, I brought top-quality Origin Force Ant Honey for you—go rest easy in your cave and prepare to evolve. Leave the fieldwork to Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple."

Gan stared for a moment, then replied, "Alright!"

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