Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 571 - 548: Returning to Fragrant Silk Island, The Divine-Given Seed of the White Wax Tree

White Rice arrived at Swinging Leaf Island, spending seventy days to complete the hardening and reinforcement of the tunnel stone walls. The direct escape tunnel from the Central King Nest stretches straight to the east, penetrating into the depths of the sea.

With the Central King Nest as the center, escape tunnels leading east, west, and north have all been completed.

At the same time, the underground passage connecting the western sub-nest and the main western escape tunnel has also been hardened and opened up.

The next step is to excavate more underground tunnels connecting to the escape routes, creating a complex, interwoven subterranean water network, and establishing more entrances and exits for escape.

Once completed, insects proficient in swimming will move here like fish in water, while those not skilled will be left staring helplessly. Insects familiar with the island environment will appear and disappear unpredictably, while unfamiliar ones landing here will face constant danger of ambush and encirclement wherever they go.

…

After sending White Rice back to the mountain, they picked up Ink Orchid along the way.

…

Early spring on Cloud Trace Continent,

In the south of Wanglan Continent, it was the height of clear skies and refreshing air, a mild early autumn—perfect season for launching wars and battles.

Ink Orchid flew slowly above the drifting white clouds.

Dragon Cypress controlled the Dominating Throne, carrying Black Birch, diving deep beneath the sea.

The Soul-Setting Ability was deployed, locking onto Ink Orchid in the sky.

Ink Orchid sensed it immediately, unleashed her own Soul-Setting Ability, locking onto Dragon Cypress.

"Great King, please give your orders."

"We're about 600 kilometers from Blue Island. Let's stop here and observe the situation ahead. Blue Island is a no-go zone now—there must be Insect Clan warriors from Wanglan Continent conducting reconnaissance. Caution above all."

"Received!"

Communications cut off.

Ink Orchid circled high in the air.

The Dominating Throne surfaced and ascended vertically, rising above the clouds.

The higher you stand, the farther you see.

But Insect Clan warriors and the Dominating Throne both have a ceiling on flight altitude—at ten thousand meters, going higher is met with invisible suppression by the Natural Law, a downward force pressing them back, making ascent difficult.

The Dominating Throne could resist the Law's pressure somewhat, climbing to an altitude near 12,000 meters.

Ink Orchid swooped close, landing atop the throne's backrest.

Dragon Cypress piloted the Dominating Throne higher, reaching the limit.

"Black Birch, activate your Scorching Ability. Scan ahead inch by inch—search both the sea surface and cloud layer for any sign of Insect Clan warriors."

"Understood, Great King." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Black Birch stepped to the throne's edge, body half-raised out, gaze fixed forward, activating his ability.

A blue-violet elliptical concave Primordial Energy Barrier spread out.

Seven or eight seconds passed.

Black Birch retracted his ability and reported: "Great King, Second King, 20 to 50 kilometers south—no sign of Insect Clan activity."

Dragon Cypress flexed his tentacle.

Black Birch rested a while, then activated his ability again, scanning the 50 to 80 kilometer range ahead.

After another rest, he activated his ability for another scan.

Repeated this ten times, advancing 30 kilometers each time, and preliminarily confirmed: the sea within three hundred kilometers ahead was secure.

The planet is round, the sea surface curves—Scorching Ability can reach no farther than 320 to 350 kilometers.

No room for carelessness,

Ink Orchid joined, diving deep at night for the journey.

At dawn, they arrived at a sea zone more than 400 kilometers from Blue Island.

After careful observation, confirming the sea around to be safe, the Dominating Throne shot up to ten thousand meters altitude.

Black Birch continued using the Scorching Ability for long-range reconnaissance, spending half a day scanning all directions and ensuring safety.

The Dominating Throne raced ahead at high altitude, advancing another 200 kilometers.

"Just about here!"

Dragon Cypress raised a claw and pointed far off, "Black Birch, about 200 kilometers ahead is an island. Check the garrison status on it first."

"Okay!"

Black Birch had already mastered the Scorching Ability, focused his gaze, made adjustments, precisely fixed on a spot 200 kilometers away, and activated his ability to scout.

The scan lasted seven or eight seconds before he withdrew the ability.

"Great King, I see the island you mentioned."

"What's the situation?"

"Seems like... nothing going on..."

"???"

Ink Orchid jumped in, puzzled.

Black Birch: "I see Stone Hunt Blue Ants—Worker Ants are gathering ripe fruit in groups. Scattered here and there, some Soldier Ants are patrolling in formation."

Black Birch: "Great King, Second King, this doesn't look like wartime status to me."

"..."

Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid were speechless.

Ink Orchid: "Dragon Cypress, could it be false information? Did that butterfly trick you?"

Dragon Cypress: "No. I used Soul-Setting to observe—the butterfly didn't lie."

Dragon Cypress analyzed: "We're too far west. Maybe the Stone Hunt Blue Ant Kingdom doesn't know the Mainland allied army is scheming an assault on Blue Island, so they're not on alert?"

Dragon Cypress steered the Dominating Throne and flew fifty kilometers further south.

"Black Birch, use all your eye power, look that way—you should be able to see Blue Island's mainland. Check out its state."

"Yes, Great King."

Black Birch complied.

Ability activated.

After seven or eight seconds, the ability was withdrawn.

"Great King, Second King, I see it! There's something going on! On the eastern coast of the mainland, Stone Hunt Blue Ants are circling in flight patrols! On the ground, large groups of Soldier Ants are marching in formation, and up on the peaks I saw an Assistant King personally leading sentry squads on guard."

Ink Orchid: "Flying ants?"

Black Birch: "Maybe something like the Great King's 'Wind Wings' ability. I can't see any wings, but they really can float in the sky! On closer inspection, it's not really winged flight—it's more like drifting with the wind, but they can steer the airflow to carry themselves in their chosen direction. Very peculiar flying style."

Dragon Cypress: "..."

Dragon Cypress: "It should be Wind System Ability."

Ink Orchid: "I heard the Stone Hunt Blue Ant Kingdom added ten million troops? Black Birch, can you tell?"

Black Birch: "That I can't see. Being also of the Ant Clan, Stone Hunt Blue Ant Kingdom is surely like our Xianglan Mountain Kingdom—most Soldier Ants stay resting in the ant nest to conserve physical strength and save food, only sending out a portion from the nest for sentry and patrol duties."