It wasn't that the 5 Source Stones and 23 pieces of Origin Force Food were exceptionally heavy. The Spider Silk Bag was simply too large.
Dragon Cypress clutched the two drawstrings at the bag's opening, struggling to drag it.
On the hill, Ink Orchid watched anxiously. When she saw Dragon Cypress finally emerge from the Flame Spiders' flat trading plaza, she immediately leaped up, spread her wings, and glided down the mountain.
"Dragon Cypress, let me help you!"
"Good... I'm exhausted..."
Dragon Cypress handed the Spider Silk Bag to Ink Orchid.
Ink Orchid took the bag, flew over the hill, directly into the tunnel, and entered the Starship, flying a bit further before stopping.
Eagerly, she opened the bag to inspect its contents.
"Wow, Origin Force Food!"
"Is this a Source Stone?"
"Dragon Cypress, were all of these gifts from Spider King Spurge?"
Ink Orchid was even happier than Dragon Cypress.
Dragon Cypress explained each item. "The Source Stone is payment from Spider King Spurge for information about the Origin Force situation here on Cloud Trace Continent... In truth, he's discreetly looking out for me."
"These 23 pieces of Origin Force Food were given to me on credit by Spider King Spurge, on Melde's behalf. I'll have to repay them with interest in the future. Don't just see them as 23 dried fruits; they're not simple. Most are produced in the territories of Lord-Level Insect Clan Warriors, and a few should be from Insect King Territories. This is a set of Origin Force Food for comprehensive physique enhancement, strengthening speed, strength, carapace, muscles, internal organs, and stamina—from the outside in."
"The Spider Silk Bag was a gift from Spider King Spurge. Ink Orchid, you're larger, so you should use this Spider Silk Bag. Let's swap; give the smaller Spider Silk Bag back to me."
That previous small Spider Silk Bag was a gift to Dragon Cypress from a Little Flame Spider named 'Grass Dragon' from the Luoli Caravan.
Dragon Cypress had waited many days, asking Spider King Spurge for a Spider Silk Bag, specifically to get the smaller Spider Silk Bag back from Ink Orchid.
"Okay. Okay."
"Dragon Cypress, thank you!"
Ink Orchid was also overjoyed.
"Spider Silk Bags aren't that valuable. Ink Orchid, a single one of your Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds could be traded for two bags like this."
Seeing Ink Orchid's simple delight, Dragon Cypress couldn't help but explain, then asked, "Ink Orchid, how much further do you have to go to become a Mid-Level Mantis Warrior?"
Ink Orchid pondered seriously for a few seconds, then said, "It seems I'm not far off."
Not very far off, huh?
Dragon Cypress said, "Ink Orchid, your evolution has had some minor issues. This Origin Force Food can help improve your current condition. Eat it and advance to Mid-Level warrior as soon as possible."
Ink Orchid replied, "But Dragon Cypress, that doesn't seem right. You need Origin Force Food more than I do."
Dragon Cypress shook his antennae. "Ink Orchid, after your breakthrough, your Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid's offshoot will produce more Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds. The returns will be greater; it's more profitable!"
Dragon Cypress added, "Then, you can repay me with Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds equivalent to the value, principal plus interest!"
"That makes sense! Dragon Cypress, you're really smart!"
Ink Orchid happily agreed.
"It's troublesome to transport them long distances. Ink Orchid, eat them now. After you've finished and rested well, we'll set off again."
Dragon Cypress pointed to a large seed. "This is a seed from a 'Giant Red-Eyed Grape,' produced in the Red-Eyed Bee King Territory. It enhances speed and muscle toughness. Ink Orchid, eat this one first..."
「...」
A Spider King wouldn't deign to trade with mere insects below the rank of Mountain Lord; even Mountain Lords might not catch his eye. Spider King Spurge primarily dealt with Insect Kings or those at the Lord-Level.
Although Spider King Spurge had only credited Dragon Cypress with 23 pieces of Origin Force Food, they were all top-quality, high-grade items and formed a well-coordinated set.
Among them was a 'Green Torreya Seed' that enhanced strength, a product from an Insect King Territory. It was nearly as potent as any Divine-Given Seed and worth 10 Source Stones by itself.
The entire set of Origin Force Food was valued at 100 Source Stones.
Ink Orchid spent half the afternoon eating just under half of the food. She rested for the night, and they set out in the morning.
She stopped at noon to eat a few more pieces of Origin Force Food, rested, and then continued their journey.
Traveling intermittently, they didn't return to the mountain range until the following morning.
First, she checked her territory on North Mountain. Fortunately, no issues had arisen.
Entering the cave she lived in, Ink Orchid opened the Spider Silk Bag, intending to transfer the Source Stones into Dragon Cypress's smaller Spider Silk Bag.
Dragon Cypress stopped her. "Ink Orchid, you take these 5 Source Stones too. At the end of autumn, when the fruits of the Divine-Given Fruit-Scented Orchid mature, use these at the right time to replenish Origin Force. The quality of the Fruit-Scented Orchid Seeds produced will be slightly better."
Really?!
Ink Orchid readily agreed, "Alright!"
They set off together, crossing the mountain range to reach Dragon Cypress's territory.
No incidents had occurred; all was well.
The three Cypress Life Seeds sown last year had all grown to 40 centimeters tall.
The Giant Cypress sown this year had also reached over ten centimeters in height, guarded by Specialized Soldier Ants, Great Soldier Ants, and Mid-Level Soldier Ants.
Before leaving, Dragon Cypress had ordered them not to stray far from the territory to forage.
He had been gone for six or seven days, and the food reserves were long depleted. The ant colony was extremely hungry. When they saw Ink Orchid, who often fed them, land, they swarmed around her.
"Dragon Cypress, they seem to be starving."
"Dragon Cypress, you must be hungry too, right? You rest; I'll go hunt for food."
With that, Ink Orchid leaped into the air and glided down towards the forest at the foot of the mountain.
Dragon Cypress entered the Ant Nest to check on the larvae. They were all fine. Another Mid-Level Worker Ant had eclosed, bringing their number to seven.
In the next 30 days, three more Mid-Level Worker Ants would emerge, bringing the total to ten.
Ten Mid-Level Worker Ants should be sufficient.
Gradually, the Ant Nest might become a bit cramped. Dragon Cypress considered whether he should cultivate two more Large Worker Ants to excavate rock and expand the chambers of the Ant Nest.
"Dragon Cypress, time to eat!"
Ink Orchid flew back, holding a Black-Striped Snake with its head severed.
"Alright."
Dragon Cypress quickly ran out of the cave.
Ink Orchid, hungry herself, dived back into the forest and caught a plump wild rabbit.
They chatted leisurely and had a hearty meal.
It was nighttime by then, so Ink Orchid bid farewell and headed home.
After a day of flying, Dragon Cypress was exhausted. He returned to the Ant Nest and jumped onto the Dominating Throne to rest.
Before he could fall asleep, Ink Orchid's mental voice reached him from the cave entrance.
"Dragon Cypress, I'm so sleepy... I think I'm about to undergo Molting Evolution..."
What?!
Dragon Cypress froze for two seconds, then quickly landed. With a thought, he commanded the Dominating Throne to shrink and fly with him to the cave entrance.
"Ink Orchid, are you about to break through and advance to Mid-Level Mantis Warrior?"
"It should be!"
Ink Orchid looked lethargic, on the verge of falling asleep.
Her lethargic state clearly indicated she was about to fall into a deep slumber.
How come there were no signs beforehand?
Spider King Spurge's Origin Force Food is truly potent!
A thought struck Dragon Cypress. He manipulated the Dominating Throne to fly higher and expand to about a meter in diameter.
"Ink Orchid, get on the Dominating Throne."
Ink Orchid gathered her strength and jumped onto the Throne.
"I'll take you back."
"Ink Orchid, focus on your advancement; I'll guard you."
Dragon Cypress controlled the Dominating Throne, flying it over the mountain range and finally placing it in the center of the cave where Ink Orchid resided.
When he looked back, she had already fallen asleep.
Ink Orchid couldn't control the Dominating Throne, but its function of gathering Origin Force to aid cultivation could be used by anyone.
Moreover, it seemed to have sensed something; dense Origin Force automatically converged around Ink Orchid.
The Origin Force continued to gather, gradually forming an elliptical, white Origin Force Cocoon that emitted a hazy, white glow.
Dragon Cypress witnessed the entire process, and understanding dawned on him.
He had always found it strange, always feeling that his previous evolution from the 4th to the 5th Age Period had been very short.
But he hadn't been sure.
Now it seemed that with the Dominating Throne's assistance, his Molting Evolution had indeed been completed in a remarkably short time.
The Dominating Throne can also assist with evolution!