Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 700 - 590: Invitation from Red Crow Mountain (Additional Release)

The entrance to the Abyss was located at the peak of a towering mountain in the central forbidden area of the Flame Spider Kingdom.

It was said to be a naturally formed pit that extended 10,000 meters underground, where the Flame Spider hoarded all the Source Stone they earned from trading.

The ultimate goal of the Flame Spider Kingdom was to one day fill the pit.

The Abyss was a crucial area of the kingdom. Retired Old Spider Kings resided on the mountain, and the higher their status, the higher the location of their cave dwellings.

A circular river demarcated the forbidden area's boundaries. Stone bridges, built using Earth System Abilities, crossed it and were guarded by Spider Kings. Flame Spiders below King-Level were not allowed to cross the bridge without permission.

「...」

It was a long journey; it had taken most of the day to reach their destination.

Spider King Spurge, leading White Ivy and Column Spotted, arrived at the foot of the mountain.

In front of them was a majestic building with a unique design; overall, it resembled an enormous spider.

The roof of the building was made of Earth-Stone Ability fortified crystals. During the day, sunlight could shine through, illuminating the grand hall brightly.

This was the administrative hall of the Flame Spider Kingdom.

Its main function was to record and settle the accounts of Spider Kings who roamed the continent as Roving Merchants.

White Ivy, now an Evolution Spider King, could also establish her own credit account here. From now on, whenever needed, she could weave Spider Silk Scrolls and issue Spider King Scrolls branded with her soul's essence.

There were two benefits to this.

First, when the transactions of Spider King Caravans grew large, the wealth amount could reach hundreds of millions. Even with Spider King Scrolls of a 10,000 denomination, the sheer number of scrolls was still significant and a considerable burden. She could store the unused wealth in the kingdom during her merchant journeys, reducing the burden on the caravan.

Second, Spider King accounts were settled yearly. However, each Spider King Scroll issued circulated among various tribes and Flame Spider Caravans across the continent. It could take years, or even decades, for them to flow back to the Flame Spider Kingdom. In this way, a Spider King could issue extra Spider King Scrolls as needed. They just had to ensure that the Scrolls flowing back to the Flame Spider Kingdom would not cause their account balance to become negative.

Once the account balance turned negative, it meant that the Spider King's credibility was in crisis. She would either have to replenish the funds promptly or be forced to retire by the Steward Spider King of the tribe...

「...」

"Column Spotted, stay here at the cave entrance," Spider King Spurge ordered. "White Ivy, unload the goods from your carapace. Column Spotted will keep an eye on them. You come up the mountain with me."

"What's this about?" White Ivy complained.

After a year's trade, White Ivy's carapace was fully loaded with Spider King Scrolls, precious Divine-Given Origin Force Food, and extremely valuable Divine-Grade Fruit.

We're not going to get robbed, are we? White Ivy felt uneasy.

Spider King Spurge's aura faltered. He raised his claw to strike but stopped at the last moment.

After all, she was a Spider King now.

Spider King Spurge spoke calmly, "Who dares to rob in the Flame Spider Ancestral Land?"

White Ivy unloaded the goods from her carapace, instructed Column Spotted to guard them, and followed Spider King Spurge up the mountain.

Following the winding mountain path, they arrived at the summit.

In front of the living cave, there was a gray-white, stone slab-paved flat area.

A fierce-looking Insect Clan Warrior stood beside Spider King Pickerelweed.

It was golden all over, its body covered in ferocious spikes, with three sharp horns on its head.

A Grasshopper!

It took White Ivy some effort to recognize it by searching her Inherited Memory.

A Ghost King Grasshopper!

It possessed Talent Potential in the Strength System, Earth System, and Wood Element. It was an Evolution Mountain Lord Level creature with a stable Awakening in Strength System Talent, while simultaneously awakening either Earth Talent or Wood Element Talent.

Such a race, with even slight development, would inevitably become a powerful fighting force and could easily develop into a Great Tribe.

But— White Ivy felt strange. In nearly thirty years of following various Spider King Caravans and visiting almost all the rich Great Tribes of the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent, she had never encountered a Ghost King Grasshopper Tribe.

The strangest thing was, what was Spider King Pickerelweed's status? One of the top Managers of the Flame Spider Kingdom! To be able to stand so comfortably next to him on the Abyssal Peak, this Ghost Grasshopper Insect Warrior must be no simple entity.

White Ivy became serious. Although she did not understand the other party's origins, she could discern their goal. Divine-Grade Fruit! Or could it be an old friend Spider King Pickerelweed met in some nameless little place when he was young? Couldn't they be trying to use connections to buy Divine-Grade Fruit from me with Source Stone? White Ivy had another guess.

"Spider King Pickerelweed!" Spider King Spurge greeted.

"Greetings, Spider King Pickerelweed!" White Ivy greeted respectfully, asking, "Spider King Pickerelweed, is this your friend?"

Spider King Pickerelweed replied, "Ghost King Woonyoung, an old friend of six or seven hundred years."

White Ivy murmured, "Oh—"

Just as I suspected, she thought. Her mind raced, beginning to think about how to refuse.

"Greetings, Ghost King Woonyoung!" Spider King Spurge greeted warmly.

"Hmm—" Ghost King Woonyoung responded, lightly touching his tentacle.

Spider King Pickerelweed gestured with his front leg. "Spider King Spurge, you may attend to your duties. We have a small matter to discuss with White Ivy."

A small matter? Anyone can see this isn't a small matter at all! Spider King Spurge thought.

"...Alright," Spider King Spurge said.

He turned and glanced at White Ivy, reminding her, "White Ivy, you've just advanced to Spider King, and there are many urgent matters you need to handle. Stick to what's important, and don't bother Spider King Pickerelweed for too long. I'll wait for you at the mountain's foot."

Having said this, he quickly departed.

White Ivy took a few steps forward and cautiously asked, "Spider King Pickerelweed, Ghost King Woonyoung, you wanted to see me about...?"

Spider King Pickerelweed countered, "White Ivy, regarding your growth and evolution after becoming a Spider King, especially the techniques and crucial points for Condensing Divine Pattern—has Spurge taught you all of that?"

White Ivy replied, "I'm mostly clear on them. Thank you for your concern, Spider King Pickerelweed."

Spider King Pickerelweed inquired further, "I hear you've been operating on this side of the Ten-thousand Tribes Continent for years? And the trade on the Ten Thousand Nations Continent is being handled by just a few Little Flame Spiders?"