Ant Lord in the Star Realm

"Oh—"

Sky Blue Persimmon said with some anticipation: "Azure, I know that one. Mountain Persimmon told me. It's the Divine-Given Seed from the Outworld Creator Civilization!"

After finishing, Sky Blue Persimmon changed the subject and asked in confusion: "Dragon Cypress, doesn't Rainbow Island have snow in winter?"

Dragon Cypress: "..."

Dragon Cypress: "Rainbow Island doesn't have winter."

Sky Blue Persimmon: "No winter? Why not?"

Dragon Cypress thought for a moment, swaying his tentacles, and condensed a large and small water sphere floating in the air...

...

Mountain Persimmon's understanding of the world was very limited, and he didn't focus on thinking or learning knowledge.

What Mountain Persimmon could teach Sky Blue Persimmon about the Divine-Given Seed was extremely limited.

It was very obvious that Sky Blue Persimmon had a strong curiosity and thirst for knowledge about this world, and also possessed rather good comprehension and learning ability.

Dragon Cypress had nothing else to do, so he stayed under the tree, explaining and introducing the basics of this world to Sky Blue Persimmon, going over all sorts of elementary knowledge.

Time flowed on. Another twenty-one days passed.

Mountain Persimmon, after eight violent Origin Force eruptions and a total of forty-two days, finally awakened from slumber and successfully shed his old carapace.

First Age Period Insect King.

Red-Margined Tenebrionid Beetle Warrior.

By convention, he should now be called "Mountain Persimmon Beetle King."

Ink Orchid carefully controlled and activated Earth System abilities, the rocks blocking the entrance to the cave loosening and collapsing.

Poking his head out to observe.

After finishing his evolution, Mountain Persimmon immediately swallowed the two White Refining Beads left on his Throne, waiting to recover his physical strength and at the same time examining himself, trying to comprehend his newly acquired abilities.

"Mountain Persimmon?"

"Mountain Persimmon Beetle King?"

Ink Orchid lowered his spiritual power and called out with his mind.

Black Peach rudely squeezed Ink Orchid aside, crowding into the cave ahead, and without waiting for Mountain Persimmon to ask, hurriedly spoke first:

"Mountain Persimmon Beetle King, rest assured, Sky Blue Persimmon's Divine-Given Seed breakthrough and advancement was completed successfully over twenty days before yours."

Mountain Persimmon: "Oh—"

Ink Orchid rushed in, pinned down Black Peach with one claw, and asked: "Mountain Persimmon Beetle King, how about your Earth Talent? Successfully awakened?"

Mountain Persimmon: "..."

Mountain Persimmon: "It's better if you just call me 'Mountain Persimmon', it sounds more familiar."

Mountain Persimmon paused, then said excitedly: "Successfully awakened! And I gained two and a half Earth System abilities right away!"

Mountain Persimmon: "The first, normal Earth Control ability; the second, ordinary Earth-Stone Hardening ability. Both are useful. Also, there's a dual Earth-Wood System hybrid ability. And it's exactly the one I've always wanted, an ability that can help with territory management..."

As Mountain Persimmon spoke, he suddenly stopped and looked toward the cave entrance.

Dragon Cypress arrived.

After a brief greeting, they all walked out of the cave together.

Mountain Persimmon led the way, heading down the mountain, passing through the persimmon orchard and arriving at an undeveloped wasteland.

"I named this ability 'Earth-Wood Burial.' If there was an animal, it would be even better—this ability can accelerate decomposition..."

As he spoke, a burst of dual Earth and Wood Primordial Energy erupted inside Mountain Persimmon.

In front, a vast forest, grasses and trees swayed, roots curled upward, earth churned; after a chaotic stirring, the jungle floor became flat, and a small mound of soil mixed with bits of wood and plant debris rose from the ground.

Isn't this just the method everyone uses—cutting down plants in bulk, composting, making humus?

It's also kind of similar to Dragon Cypress's water-earth dual system ability, "Swamp Sinking."

Pretty much the same category of ability.

Makes it sound so grand, and this is all it does?

"..."

Dragon Cypress, Ink Orchid, and Black Peach were speechless.

Mountain Persimmon himself was very satisfied; seeing Dragon Cypress and the group's reactions, he explained: "This ability also has a strong offensive aspect. It can strangle and shred any target caught within."

Dragon Cypress: "Not bad. Useful for both combat and territory management. The White Ivy Spider King has also mastered a Divine-Grade Fruit that grants an earth-type imprisoning ability called 'Land of Sighs,' which perfectly complements your dual Earth-Wood System ability—can be used together to condense Divine Mark."

Mountain Persimmon: "Got it—"

Ink Orchid asked: "Mountain Persimmon, do you have any other abilities?"

Mountain Persimmon: "Yes, there's also a rather powerful Wood Element attack ability..."

As he spoke, a burst of Wood Primordial Energy erupted; at the keratinized tumorous protuberances on his carapace, golden-red plant roots suddenly sprouted.

The whole insect was instantly covered by over a hundred swaying roots.

Wood Primordial Energy kept surging.

These golden-red roots continued to extend, snaking outward like agile serpents, spreading in all directions.

Mountain Persimmon then withdrew the Wood Primordial Energy.

The dense golden-red roots quickly disintegrated, turning into fine powder drifting away on the wind, vanishing into nothingness.

"Great ability!"

"This one's really impressive!"

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid's eyes sparkled with admiration, praising without hesitation.

Mountain Persimmon: "This is an area attack ability, entangling and crushing targets. But the Primordial Energy consumption is too intense, so it can't last long."

Ink Orchid: "Mountain Persimmon, this ability is excellent and can serve as your core ability for growth and evolution during the Insect King stage."

Dragon Cypress: "When there's time, go see the Linnan Divine Tree. It can give you the best combination suggestions, help you avoid detours."

Mountain Persimmon: "Winter gathering?"

There is no winter gathering.

The defenses of Rainbow Island are still not solid; the winter gathering is suspended and won't resume in the short term.

Mountain Persimmon went to familiarize himself with his new abilities alone.

Black Peach stayed behind to help look after Mountain Persimmon's common Life Seeds, protecting them through a smooth transition and evolution.

It was now early summer.

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid said their farewells and hurried back to Rainbow Island.

…

…

If there wasn't anything urgent to take care of, Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid just garrisoned Rainbow Island.

Ink Orchid brought in many species of orchid grass suitable for planting in the tropical rainforest, like Showy Flower Orchid, Jade Orchid, and so on, strolling around the island every day with Tie Bush, looking for suitable plots to grow and transplant seedlings.

Cypress and Black Birch were both practicing their Refinement Abilities, working together to train using the cast-off plants from the island.