Astral Cockroach

The unknown species of shrub "divine-grade" seed remnants from Daqing Mountain had extremely strong wood toughness, and the texture was fine, dense, and heavy.

Only five bags were brought back in total. Firethorn took half a bag, and the rest was used up in just a few months.

The bloodthorn divine-grade seed only had one unique main branch that continued to grow for more than three months, extending just over 3 meters before stagnating.

Banbu had been paying close attention and noticed that it wasn't growing and seemed a little anxious.

It was now July.

On the Dragon Bamboo Continent, the Northern Wilderness was cooling down, and Rat King and the others should be busy transporting the remnants from the mountain strongholds to Chiwu Mountain.

There was still no news from Chijian County.

Hongmi was sent to inquire, but due to the changes in Changsheng County, the Chijian Roach King was still traveling abroad and had not yet returned.

For long-distance travel and transporting particularly valuable items, it's best to have a Roach King escort. There's no other way but to wait.

… …

Time flew by, and it was mid-August.

Banbu set off for Chiwu Mountain to collect this year's shipment of chinquapin fruits, as per the exchange agreement.

Originally, he had timed it to have the Chijian Roach King help bring it back on the way while escorting the remnants. With the Chijian Roach King delayed, Banbu had to make the trip himself.

There was only one portion, which he spent a few days eating at Chiwu Mountain. After checking the work efficiency of Rat King and the others, he set off and hurried back to Lizhu Peak.

Back and forth, it was the end of September.

The temperature was gradually decreasing, and the nights were chilly.

The lake.

The lotus pods were the first to turn yellow, indicating they were entering maturity. The input of origin stones was increased to replenish origin power and ensure the quality of the lotus seeds.

The lotus leaves began to wither little by little from the edges.

After being exposed to the winter sun for a few seasons, the edges of the lotus leaves were completely withered.

Mazhu, with three bamboo rat warriors, rowed a small boat and used a special iron hook to cut off the lotus leaf stems, allowing the leaves to float on the water. After rotting and sinking to the bottom, they could be transformed into nutrients for the growth of the Nine Leaf Red Lotus.

The lotus pods dried up, and the lotus seeds matured.

In some ways, the growth model of the Nine Leaf Red Lotus had evolved to be perfect. When the lotus seeds were picked, the outer skin had already dried up and could be directly stored. The outer skin was smooth, and both its hardness and toughness were extremely high. There was also a thin film inside that could effectively prevent the loss of origin power. They could easily be stored in a dry place for more than 10 years.

The best of the best, undoubtedly a divine-grade. But it was only at the same level as the fire scale pine nuts produced in Chiwu Mountain, not the quality that a "semi-universe level" should have. The Nine Leaf Red Lotus was indeed slacking off.

The Nine Leaf Red Lotus had a long lifespan and rich experience, and it also had its cleverness in flowering and bearing fruit, understanding the ultimate secret of trade: each portion had as many as 729 seeds, a sufficient number, which was a good selling point.

In the first year of production, there were a total of 11 portions. Banbu, Xiangpu, Duzhu, Hongmi, and Firethorn each received one portion, and one portion was left for Dragon Bamboo.

Five portions were left, and next year they would be sold to the Chonglou and Yuzhu merchant teams for a price of 500,000 origin stones. They had been doing nothing else for the past two years but searching for suitable buyers and had already finalized more than twenty, just waiting for the lotus seeds to be produced.

… …

Xiangpu directed the bee colony to collect the lotus pods.

The lakeside.

Mazhu, with Shuizhu and Hongzhu, removed the lotus seeds from the lotus pods and then packed them into exquisitely crafted metal boxes.

The boxes were square and upright, divided into nine layers, with eighty-one grids per layer. Each box could hold exactly one portion of lotus seeds.

There was also a very thin layer of acid and alkali-resistant protection on the outer layer of the lotus seeds. Zizhu was carefully scraping them off one by one with its toes and then handing them to Banbu.

Banbu was waiting, and as soon as Zizhu finished one, he would swallow it. The powerful digestive system of an origin power creature could quickly corrode and dissolve the lotus seed shell.

He used cultivation techniques to enhance the absorption rate and efficiency.

In this somewhat chilly winter, the ultimate flame origin power flowed with his blood, making his whole body warm and comfortable.

On the distant mountain peaks, three crimson figures sped towards them.

It was the Chijian Roach King, Princess Chuirong, and Princess Tiedao.

Banbu stopped what he was doing and waited.

"Is this a divine-grade? You fellow, you're already eating it."

"The lotus seeds are so small, almost like ordinary lotus seeds. Banbu, how is the quality of the lotus seeds? Is there any problem?"

"729 seeds per portion, it seems the quantity is quite sufficient."

The Chijian Roach King and his party landed, and were immediately attracted by the newly harvested lotus seeds.

Banbu said, "The quality is so-so, barely passable, not worse than other wild 'divine-grades.' Its value lies in the large number of seeds and high yield."

Banbu instructed, "Zizhu, hurry up and peel one for the Chijian Roach King and the others."

"No need," said the Chijian Roach King. "Is this an even 11 portions? The items are precious, don't waste even one. We just need a general idea."

Banbu said, "There will be production next year as well. According to the agreement, 6 portions will be sold within the tribe. Have you all chosen your warriors?"

"Of course."

"We've chosen them long ago."

“Is there even a need to choose?”

The Chijian Roach King, Princess Chuirong, and Princess Tiedao all nodded their antennae in response.

The Chijian Roach King then asked, "Banbu, about that continent, you mentioned last time that you found the remnants of that shrub 'divine-grade'?"

"I found it. It's a little troublesome." Banbu paused and said,

"It's buried deep in the yellow sand, making it difficult to excavate. Rat King and the others can't speed up the process, so 100 warriors set out every year after the dry season, working for half a year to transport it in two trips."

"The unknown plant species has a high wood density. Specifically, a piece of remnant of the same size weighs twice as much as the previous 'divine-grade' red pine remnants. Therefore, one senior warrior can only transport one bag per trip."

"So heavy!" The Chijian Roach King was first surprised, then asked, "Can't you identify the plant species?"

Banbu said, "I can't identify it. I searched around the excavation site and didn't find any similar plants."

The Chijian Roach King asked, "Have you brought back samples to try? How is the improvement effect on the bloodthorn?"

Banbu said, "Very good!"

"That's good!" The Chijian Roach King said, "100 warriors have already been organized, have arrived at Lizhu Peak, will rest for one night, and will set off tomorrow."

Banbu nodded his antennae and asked, "How is Changsheng County? Who did you choose?"

"Of course it's Roach King Huotao." The Chijian Roach King then said with regret, "But the result is not what we expected. Roach King Youtao inherited the position of County Lord of Changsheng County."

Princess Chuirong said with some concern, "Starting next year, Roach King Huotao will no longer be in charge, and Roach King Youtao will be in charge of all affairs of Changsheng County and its branch counties and mountains."

Banbu shook his antennae and said, "It doesn't matter, our Chi Roach Tribe no longer needs the assistance of Changsheng County."

The Chijian Roach King and Princess Chuirong both nodded their antennae in agreement.

In fact, there was another benefit to the passing of the Changsheng Roach King, which everyone was too embarrassed to say openly: on the continent, the only origin power foods that could greatly extend lifespan and were willing to be sold publicly were the Changsheng Longevity Peach and the Sacred Bamboo Fruit. With the Changsheng Longevity Peach gone, could the price of the Sacred Bamboo Fruit be appropriately increased?

Moreover, the timing was just right. Duzhu had just been promoted to County Lord, the production of Sacred Bamboo Fruit had doubled, and the quality had slightly improved. The same number of bamboo fruits, which previously extended lifespan by about 50 years, could now extend lifespan by about 53 years. Previously, it was priced at 500,000 origin stones per portion, but now raising it to 600,000 would be quite appropriate.

In the future, when Duzhu was promoted to Roach King, the price would be raised again, taking two steps to make the Sacred Bamboo Fruit an astronomical price.

There would definitely be insects in urgent need of extending their lives, with no other choice, and they would always come to the door. As long as the price was not too outrageous, it could always be sold.

The Sacred Bamboo and Nine Leaf Red Lotus divine-grade seeds would be the two largest sources of income for Lizhu Peak. After deducting the origin stone costs invested in operations, the annual net income of Sacred Bamboo Fruit was about 3.4 million origin stones, and the annual net income of Nine Leaf Red Lotus seeds was about 4.4 million origin stones.

The total was an annual income of 7.8 million.

Currently, expenses were not particularly large. The largest consumption of origin stones was none other than Banbu and Duzhu, who were promoted to County Lord and planned to quickly be promoted to Roach King. Other expenses, all added up, were only about 600,000.

Next, Hongdao, Xiangpu, and Rat King of Lizhu Peak would be promoted to County Lord level.

After that would be Daxiong, Datou, Mazhu, Baizhu, Hongmi, Firethorn, Dragon Bamboo, and other members.

Banbu planned to let everyone be promoted to County Lord first. After he was promoted to Roach King, he would then consider which members would continue to grow towards the King level and which members would stop at the County Lord level. The surplus origin stones earned during this period would be hoarded and reserved to prepare for his promotion to Roach King.

Another trouble was Fengling. Her soul disability could not be repaired, and the risk of being promoted to County Lord was too great. This fellow had eaten a portion of Sacred Bamboo Fruit and refused to use other "divine-grade" seeds. She seemed to have a "what's the worst that could happen" attitude, not planning to risk promotion, and preparing to plant Fengling flowers leisurely on Lanling Peak for a hundred years or so, and then die.

Banbu and Dragon Bamboo had persuaded her several times, but to no avail.

Fengling was most afraid of Princess Tiedao.

As a final attempt, they would let Princess Tiedao go over and give her a stern warning to see if it would have any effect.