Astral Cockroach

The No. 1 offshoot of the God-Given Seed produced three more offshoots, while the No. 2 and No. 3 offshoots each produced one offshoot. Including the mother plant, there are currently a total of 9 plants, with 4 of them fully grown. The mature plants are about 30 in height, with deep green leaves that are slender and firm, resembling orchid leaves. At dusk, the veins emit a purple-gold halo, revealing a unique nobility.

Chonglou and several spiders of varying sizes stood at a distance, watching carefully, afraid of damaging the grass blades.

A high-level warrior named Luoshi asked with curiosity, "Mountain Lord Banbu, did your God-Given Seed originate from orchids? May I ask which variety it is?"

As traveling merchants, they had journeyed far and wide, personally witnessing various plants. Luoshi pondered, but could not identify the variety of the God-Given Seed.

Chonglou was also puzzled and said uncertainly, "Every plant has its unique aura. Judging by the aura, it doesn't seem like an orchid."

Banbu replied, "It's Xun grass."

Chonglou suddenly understood and said, "So it's Xun grass! That annual grass that produces seeds in autumn. That's not bad. Mountain Lord Banbu, you are truly fortunate. The God of Nature favors you, your God-Given Seed has unlimited potential!"

Luoshi also chimed in, "Judging by its growth, you can harvest the first batch of grass seeds this autumn. Mountain Lord Banbu, your growth rate will surpass all cockroach warriors, quickly growing into a high-level warrior and becoming an outstanding Mountain Lord!"

Traveling merchants travel far and wide, dealing with all kinds of races. They are skilled in conversation and handling affairs. Without considering the details, they start with a round of praise.

Banbu wasn't too fond of this approach and fell into thought: The common Xun grass in nature does produce seeds in autumn. The Xun grass cultivated by the Big-Headed Harvesting Ants seems to be a bit different, yielding two harvests a year. Shouldn't my Xun grass life seed and God-Given Seed also yield two harvests a year?

Seeing that Banbu didn't respond, Chonglou continued, "Mountain Lord Banbu, your God-Given Seed is in its vigorous growth stage. I have a small suggestion. You can pick up some animal droppings, dig a small pit, and bury them next to each plant. This way, it will grow even more vigorously."

Find poop? Pick up manure? What nonsense!

Banbu replied seriously, "Thank you for your suggestion, I will try it. I believe this method can help it grow better."

Banbu changed the subject and asked, "Mountain Lord Chonglou, Mountain Lord Jinzhu of Lizhu Peak has fallen. I am a new warrior, everything is just starting, and I have nothing. I wonder what your purpose is for coming here…"

Merchant trade is very particular. Ordinary high-level warriors in the Iron Saber Mountains can't even feed themselves, let alone take out extra Origin Power fruits for trade. Merchant teams simply don't patronize the territories of these high-level warriors. Their main targets are "big clients" like Mountain Lord Tiedao and County Princess Chijian, who have some strength and reputation in the area.

Putao was qualified to trade with them, and could probably be considered a "small client". The colorful silk bag that Putao used to store Origin Power fruits was a gift from the merchant team.

Chonglou replied, "Our merchant team passes through the Jinping Mountains and the Iron Saber Mountains once every three years, heading to Chijian County. Last time we passed by, I had some trade agreements with Mountain Lord Jinzhu."

Chonglou said with distress, "I ordered a batch of Lizhu bamboo, Mazu bamboo, and Jinzhu bamboo seeds from Mountain Lord Jinzhu. Among them, Lizhu bamboo seeds are very popular. During my three-year merchant journey, I recommended them to dozens of lords and reached pre-sale agreements. You should know that trustworthiness is the most important thing in merchant trade. If we cannot deliver as agreed, our reputation will be damaged."

Luoshi interjected, "We came here to ask, Mountain Lord Banbu, do you have any seeds of these three types of bamboo?"

Banbu was wondering why the other party came here knowing that Mountain Lord Jinzhu had died. It turned out they were here to buy Lizhu bamboo seeds.

Banbu said, "During the drought last year, a large number of bamboos felt the threat to their survival and bloomed and produced seeds at the cost of withering and dying. I did collect a batch of seeds. I have both Lizhu bamboo and Mazu bamboo seeds, but not many."

"Unfortunately, there are no Jinzhu bamboo seeds at all. As you know, Jinzhu bamboo is the most drought-resistant bamboo, and they are all doing well now."

Chonglou said happily, "That's good enough, I don't need much."

Banbu said, "Mountain Lord Chonglou, please wait a moment."

After speaking, he crawled into the cave opened up by the original Mountain Lord Jinzhu and dragged out a snakeskin bag. The bag was wrapped layer upon layer with python skin. Unfolding it layer by layer, inside were hollowed-out fruit shells, and inside were seeds wrapped in cotton and stored dry.

Banbu said, "There are still 99 Lizhu bamboo seeds. 99 Mazu bamboo seeds. I plan to keep 1 for myself to nurture a life seed. May I ask, how do you purchase them?"

"Only 99 Lizhu bamboo seeds?" Chonglou said with slight disappointment, "What I agreed with Mountain Lord Jinzhu was 10,000 Lizhu bamboo seeds. During these three years, the number I promised to sell exceeded 10,000…"

"The demand is so great?!" Banbu's mind raced and asked, "How do you purchase them? Perhaps I can provide a sufficient number of seeds in three years."

Chonglou said, "10,000 Lizhu bamboo seeds, a one-time payment of 10 Origin Stones, or equivalent goods. Mazu bamboo is the largest and longest-lived bamboo species, flowering and producing seeds only once every hundred years. The seeds are precious. I want as many as you have. For 98 seeds, I can pay 1 Origin Stone, or equivalent goods."

The Lizhu bamboo improved by Mountain Lord Jinzhu flowers and produces seeds once every three years. It has been promoted for more than 20 years, so naturally it has become less valuable.

On the contrary, Mazu bamboo seeds have always been precious.

In fact, there are very few Mazu bamboo planted on Lizhu Peak. Most of them died in the drought last year. These seeds were left behind before they died. There were originally many, but unfortunately Banbu didn't expect the merchant team to come at that time, and he didn't expect them to be so valuable. He only collected 100.

Now in spring, those seeds have sprouted and taken root, growing into new plants, which is considered a missed opportunity to make a fortune.

Chonglou said generously, "Mountain Lord Banbu, I will pay you 2 Origin Stones for 99 Lizhu bamboo seeds and 98 Mazu bamboo seeds. What do you think?"

Banbu really wanted to bargain, using the "scarcity of seeds" as an excuse to raise the price on the spot. But then he thought about it and gave up the idea, saying readily, "A very fair price, deal!"

Merchants travel around the continent from south to north and then from north to south, with a cycle of 1 year. The lands of the Flower Cockroach Kingdom and the Fire Cockroach Kingdom are vast, with numerous mountains and rivers. Merchant teams have thousands of routes to choose from. Chonglou's merchant team passes through the Jinping Mountains and the Iron Saber Mountains once every 3 years. The main purpose is still to go to the territory of County Princess Chijian. Passing by on the way is just incidental trade.

Merchants pursue profits. If the profit from trade is not enough, they may not come next time. They can choose to travel through mountains with higher profits and still reach their destination.

"Deal!" Chonglou did not hide his disappointment at not being able to purchase a sufficient number of Lizhu bamboo seeds. He said spiritedly, "Mountain Lord Banbu, thank you for your seeds, they can solve my urgent need."

After Chonglou finished speaking, he continued, "It can be seen that you are a straightforward Mountain Lord. Your future is immeasurable. This is our first transaction, but definitely not the last. This is the beginning of cooperation."

Banbu said, "Happy cooperation!"

Chonglou instructed the little Flame Spider warrior next to him, "Xuemai, take out the Fire Oil Pine seeds and give them to Mountain Lord Banbu."

After Chonglou finished instructing, he explained to Banbu, "The Fire Oil Pine cultivated by the Northern Wolf Scorpion Tribe is a precious tree species that is as famous as the Fire Oil Tung cultivated by the Fire Cockroach Tribe. In order to monopolize profits, the Wolf Scorpion Tribe strictly controls every Fire Oil Pine seed produced, and strictly prohibits it from being spread."

"This pine cone was originally a transaction item agreed upon with Mountain Lord Jinzhu three years ago. We spent a lot of effort to get it. Now that Mountain Lord Jinzhu has fallen and the new Mountain Lord has taken over Lizhu Peak, then I will give it to you as a congratulatory gift."