Just as Dragon Cypress had predicted, after seeing the Divine-Grade Soul-Setting Fruit, both Spurge and Aconite, the Spider Kings, were completely reassured and intended to support the war on this side.

This year's trade alone cost 200,000 Source Stones for various Divine-Given Origin Force Foods, and they returned fully loaded.

The most crucial achievement was smoothly securing the Divine-Grade Youlian Seed. Ink Orchid used it immediately; the "Youlian Form" Ability it granted would awaken after the next Molting Evolution.

The Divine-Grade Youlian Seed brought a strengthening effect equivalent to 50,000 to 60,000 Source Stones' worth of Origin Force Food.

For a Mountain Lord at Age Period two to evolve to Age Period three, the required resources were about 250,000 Source Stones. Over the next three years, Ink Orchid needed to consume a large amount of Origin Force Food that enhanced Wind System Abilities.

「...」

Back on the mountain, they sorted the Treasury, tallied their wealth, and celebrated with a banquet in the evening.

Early the next morning, Dragon Cypress began to travel between various Origin Force Points, distributing the Origin Force Food obtained from trade with the Flame Spider Roving Merchants to warriors across the Cloud Trace Continent.

Everyone used them as soon as possible, knowing the sooner they were used, the sooner they would be effective.

Dragon Cypress swiftly handled the spring Roving Merchant affairs, arranged the new year's various operations and cultivation tasks for Xianglan Mountain, raced to Huagi Mountain to return the Divine-Grade Soul-Setting Fruit, then rushed to the Desolation Plains.

He continuously cultivated Specialized Blue Soldiers while also hurrying to transport Source Stones to Huagi Mountain. This year was less busy; he only needed to harvest the wild Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed fruits in early summer, with no other matters causing delays.

「...」

Ten-thousand Tribes Continent, Southeast Mountains.

Stone Pattern Kingdom, Hidden Wing Mountain.

It was deep autumn, the season when the Divine-Given Hidden Wing Seed fruits matured and were released. This was an annual event, the Stone Pattern Mantis Little Warriors' favorite season for scavenging Divine-Given Hidden Wing Seeds during the frenzied harvest.

Hidden Wing Mountain was also on high alert at this time. Along the border, swarms of Worker Bees flew back and forth on patrol, their buzzing thunderous. Warriors rotated duties at posts atop various peaks. During the harvest season, no outside insects were allowed to enter.

「...」

Outside Hidden Wing Mountain, at the mountain access pass, on the broad road, Stone Pattern Mantis Warriors carrying large and small bags rushed from other mountains within the Stone Pattern Kingdom for trade. Other Mantis Tribe Warriors from neighboring kingdoms had formed teams to participate in the grand trade festival. The Flame Spider Caravan had also arrived prematurely. Countless Insect Clan Warriors of all kinds gathered at the pass, waiting for it to open. The Flame Spider Caravan had already set up stalls along the road, starting their trade early. The temporary free market bustled with insects coming and going, creating a lively scene.

Atop a Stone Pattern Mantis Mountain Lord, a Mid-Level Little Stone Pattern Mantis Warrior looked around, then suddenly lifted its claw, pointing towards a distant mountain path and shouting excitedly, "Origin Force Honey!"

The White Ivy Trade Caravan, which specialized in Origin Force Honey, was distinctive. They had only a meager layer of cargo on their Carapaces, just a dozen or so large Spider Silk Bags. However, the Metal Cans filled with Origin Force Honey were exceptionally heavy, causing the ground to tremble as they ran.

"Origin Force Honey! It'll be sold out in a moment!" the Little Stone Pattern Mantis Warrior reminded the Stone Pattern Mantis Mountain Lord it was riding, tapping its head.

The Stone Pattern Mantis Mountain Lord it was riding muttered, "Strange! Didn't their caravan usually arrive much later in previous years?" After a pause, it added reluctantly, "Alright. Let's go take a look."

The Stone Pattern Mantis Mountain Lord slowly walked toward the fork in the mountain road. It hadn't yet gotten close when it saw the White Ivy Trade Caravan suddenly take a sharp turn, cross through the woods, and head straight for the entrance to Hidden Wing Mountain.

"White Ivy Mountain Lord? You're so early this year!" the Emerald Sparrow Lord, who was leading the team at the pass, greeted them warmly.

"Emerald Sparrow Lord!" White Ivy greeted, lifting a foreleg in a gesture. Lupine, Grass Dragon, Red Peach, and Silvergrass waited where they were. White Ivy walked alone toward a secluded woodland nearby.

The Emerald Sparrow Lord followed, lowering his Mental Power, and asked curiously, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, what's the matter?"

White Ivy said, "Emerald Sparrow Lord, could you please inform Lord Heartwing that the goods he wanted to see have been brought over."

"Oh—" After thinking for a moment, the Emerald Sparrow Lord asked curiously, "What goods are so important that you altered your Roving Merchant path?"

"They are quite valuable," White Ivy said vaguely. She untied the Spider Silk Rope on her Carapace, took out a well-packed Spider Silk Bag, then took a Metal Can from another bag, placed it inside the first one, and handed it forward. "Emerald Sparrow Lord, this is the Origin Force Honey you ordered last year. There's a bulk discount, and I'm throwing in a small can as a gift. Take it back for the Little Warriors to eat."

"White Ivy Mountain Lord, you are too kind." The Emerald Sparrow Lord glanced at the label and saw it was a can of Origin Force Honey priced at 2,000 Source Stones. He was pleased and impressed, and his curiosity grew even more.

The Emerald Sparrow Lord waved a foreleg and called out, "Chao Mao, come here."

A Mountain Lord Level Stone Pattern Mantis Warrior, who had been standing by the road sneakily watching them and listening to their conversation, stepped forward.

"Emerald Sparrow Lord, at your command!"

"Chao Mao," the Emerald Sparrow Lord ordered, "run quickly to Heartwing Peak. Notify Lord Heartwing that White Ivy Mountain Lord has arrived and has important matters to discuss with him."

"Understood!" Chao Mao quickly ran off.

The Emerald Sparrow Lord swayed his Tentacles to signal. "White Ivy Mountain Lord, take your caravan to rest in that forest over there..."

「...」

Hidden Wing Mountain was quite large, and Heartwing Peak was remote. After a long wait, Lord Heartwing arrived.

Upon meeting, they exchanged simple greetings. Without further pleasantries, Lord Heartwing led White Ivy and her party into the territory of Hidden Wing Mountain, turning left and right as they followed a narrow mountain path. Silence filled the journey.

They climbed to the top of a hill. After looking left and right to ensure no other insects were around, Lord Heartwing stopped, turned, and asked hopefully, "White Ivy Mountain Lord, did you bring the goods?"

White Ivy replied, "Of course!"

She added, "It's not convenient to inspect them here..."

Lord Heartwing agreed. "Right! Let's go to Heartwing Peak first."

"Lord Heartwing, please wait a moment!" White Ivy said, then continued slowly, "I have a small request... I wonder if you could possibly arrange for me to meet the Spiky Wing Mantis King..."

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