Astral Cockroach

On the Wan Clan Continent's southwest region, the lowest temperature of Crimson Crow Mountain would never fall below 20 degrees Celsius, whether it was a rainstorm or the sun shining brightly.

The feeling of being exposed to the scorching sun was still more comfortable.

Yulan fruits matured in winter, and the Heavenly Eye Yulan God-given species matured even later, still more than 30 days away.

Under the leadership of the Crimson Crow Ghost King, the Crimson Crow Mountain ghost locust warriors were exceptionally efficient, and some of the materials for constructing the plank road were already prepared.

Banbu rested in the square at the foot of the mountain for two days to relax and, having nothing else to do, simply started working, first tackling the most difficult section of the plank road.

Building a plank road within the Illusionary Mist Maze, the most difficult part was undoubtedly the steep cliff.

Climbing vertically was too troublesome, so Banbu designed a suspended plank road that sloped towards the cliff by pulling iron chains from the mountain and stretching iron cables.

…

A very complex design, a massive project.

Within the Illusionary Mist Maze, because the external mental power was isolated, only release-type abilities could be used, not manipulation-type abilities.

First, Banbu had to personally clear the rocks on the mountaintop, level the ground, and dig three circular pits with a diameter of 3 meters and a depth of 3 meters.

The stones within the Illusionary Mist Maze were really too hard, and this simple project took half a month.

Then, with several Lord-level ghost locust warriors, he transported the smelted steel blocks up the mountain.

The steel blocks were placed in the pits, and then Banbu had to personally use his flame ability to continuously release and burn the surrounding Illusionary Mist Maze, while also using his metal ability to melt all the steel blocks and form giant steel pillars with a diameter of 3 meters, a depth of 3 meters underground, and a height of about 0.5 meters above the ground.

With the three steel pillars built, the next step was relatively simple.

The warriors of Crimson Crow Mountain who had awakened their metal abilities had already made steel chains 5 meters long and 3 centimeters thick, with buckles at both ends.

One end was hung on the steel pillar on the mountaintop, and then they were connected one by one.

Finally, 50 Lord-level warriors were sent to pull and straighten the chains.

The other end was hung on a thicker steel pillar outside the Illusionary Mist Maze.

With all three chains straightened and connected horizontally with smaller chains, and paved with lighter aluminum alloy plates, a sloping suspended plank road was built from outside the Illusionary Mist Maze to the top of the cliff inside the Illusionary Mist Maze.

…

This was the first step in building the plank road, which took two months. During this time, the Heavenly Eye Yulan fruits matured, and Banbu ate two every day while working and resting, quickly finishing one portion.

The soul perception ability was significantly enhanced, and he could sense soul fluctuations about 500 meters away without using mental power. The soul fluctuations of each biological species were different, and there were also differences in the soul fluctuations of different individuals of the same species. Within 300 meters, he could make relatively accurate distinctions through soul fluctuations.

Next, he simply built the sloping plank road from the cliff to the inner side of the Illusionary Mist Maze in one go, which took another month and a half.

Continuing forward was a middle zone with undulating hills about 80 kilometers long, which was relatively less difficult, but the project was too large and required more materials.

The specifications were all the same, with a 2-meter-high metal stake erected every 3 meters, connected by a 3.3-meter-long metal chain.

The visibility within the Illusionary Mist Maze ranged from 3 meters to 5 meters.

The plank road was designed to be 8 meters wide, so that warriors walking on it could basically see the metal stakes on the left and right sides as long as they stayed slightly to the side, and follow the plank road. Even if they didn't see clearly and strayed, they would be blocked by the chain, so there was no problem of getting lost.

The Crimson Crow Mountain Lord slowly mined and smelted the ore himself, manufacturing a sufficient number of metal stakes and chains according to the specifications given by Banbu.

…

After several months of consideration, Banbu agreed to exchange 11 portions of Giant Dragon Bamboo fruit for 11 portions of Double Star Apricot.

In the second round of negotiations with the Crimson Crow Ghost King, after bargaining, Crimson Crow Mountain compensated Li Bamboo Peak with 5 million original stones in one lump sum.

In addition, Crimson Crow Mountain would also pay 10 million original stones for the construction of the plank road in advance.

He set off and headed back to Li Bamboo Peak.

Banbu was not traveling alone, but with a mighty entourage of 150 ghost locust tribe warriors, escorted by two Ghost Kings and two Butterfly Kings.

15 million original stones were too eye-catching, so they didn't dare to cross the kingdom, and instead chose to travel on remote roads.

Each ghost locust warrior carried 10 large bags of original stones on their backs, which was 100,000 stones. It was okay for short distances, but it was a considerable burden for long journeys, and there was also the problem of hunting along the way, so the speed was very slow.

By the time the team arrived at Li Bamboo Peak, it was late spring of Banbu's 39th year.

Banbu spent two days explaining the construction method of the plank road to King Rat in detail.

King Rat left with the Crimson Crow Mountain transport team. He could get busy first, and Banbu planned to go there again in the season when Snake Scale Fruit matured the year after next.

…

After seeing off the Crimson Crow Mountain team, Banbu immediately looked for Baba.

"Baba, please help me analyze what quality of God-given species remnant this is. I found it in Dragon Bamboo Continent."

Banbu placed several pieces of broken wood in front of Baba.

"This should be an unknown derivative species formed from White Oak or Rock Oak as the original species, which then gave birth to a God-given species."

Baba pondered slightly and understood Banbu's intention, saying, "The quality is good, but it's not the 'divine grade' you want. Moreover, because the time is too long, its original force properties have long been destroyed and can only be regarded as high-quality fertilizer. The gene enhancement effect is almost completely lost, and the value is not high."

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"Okay. I just happened to come across it and picked it up. If it's worthless, then forget it." Banbu was slightly disappointed and continued to ask, "Baba, do you have a type of God-given species like this in your inherited memories… that can randomly generate a second elemental ability after consumption."

"Yes!" Baba said, "Type O, similar to the Blood Jade Longan, but mainly to coordinate elemental genes, with the ability to modify the soul and physique, belonging to a composite gene modification original force food. These kinds of things can't be used casually, and there are often strict restrictions."

Baba asked, "You didn't exchange for this type of original force food again, did you? Is it still Crimson Crow Mountain?"

It was best if there was relevant information in the database. Judging from Baba's tone, it could be determined that the exchange was generally correct.

Banbu said, "Crimson Crow Mountain also has a God-given species called 'Double Star', with a flowering and fruiting cycle of 22 years, condensing 22 fruits, with 2 fruits paired as one portion. I used all 11 portions of bamboo fruit to exchange for them."

Baba said, "I need to scan the real thing to make an accurate judgment."

Banbu asked, "I now have two abilities, flame and metal. Theoretically speaking, is it still possible to master a third elemental ability?"

Baba said, "Theoretically speaking, it's not possible. Is that 'divine grade' God-given species from Crimson Crow Mountain? Things on this planet are always illogical, so maybe, perhaps, it's possible again."

…

Banbu, having been promoted to Lord, found it even more difficult to travel in Dragon Bamboo Continent and urgently needed to activate the second small supernatural power in the second heart position.

The first and second groupings of the second small supernatural power had already been completed, and the third grouping had lit up and activated 1 supernatural power vein, with 29 more to go.

The original stones from Crimson Crow Mountain had arrived in one lump sum, most of which were earned by his own hard work, so he could spend them as he pleased.

He summoned Giant Dragon Bamboo and Blood Thorn to help.

He mobilized the members of Li Bamboo Peak to crush the original stones together.

In just 5 days, 2.5 million original stones were used up, and the third grouping was completely lit up.

In another 10 days, the fourth and fifth groupings were successively lit up and activated, and 5.5 million original stones turned into dust.

With 5 groupings connected and the original force flowing, the second small supernatural power was completely stimulated and began to gather original force to modify Banbu's genes.

The essence of original force creature growth is the increase in the number of original force genes. When the number of original force genes reaches a critical value, it manifests as a breakthrough in evolution. The stronger the strength, the more original force genes are needed for breakthrough evolution.

L1 Lord, evolution and growth are not as simple as at the Mountain Lord level. The power of the modified genes released by the second small supernatural power can promote Banbu's rapid growth, but it is not as "violent" as before.

Baba helped to check and gave accurate data: the entire modification process would take 1 year to complete, and Banbu would also need to ingest high-quality original force food worth 500,000 original stones to reach the standard for promotion to L2 Lord.

Promoted to L2 Lord, the modification of the genes by the second small supernatural power was completed. Molting and evolution, the new carapace would have the ability to absorb visible light and ultraviolet rays and convert them into original force. The efficiency depended on the time, high during the day and low at night, and also depended on the weather, high on sunny days and not very efficient on rainy days.

On average, it was estimated that it would still produce original force equivalent to 150 original stones per day.

With the first and second small supernatural powers combined, it would produce original force equivalent to 300 original stones per day, which would be enough to support Banbu to travel freely in Dragon Bamboo Continent.

Lighting up and activating the third and fourth small supernatural powers would require 13.5 million original stones each, and because there were no X-rays and gamma rays in the planet, the benefits were almost zero, so it was not considered for the time being.

The original stones were all hoarded, and in the next decade, the Giant Dragon Bamboo God-given species would flower and bear fruit, requiring a large amount of original stone investment. It was never a bad thing to have a full inventory.