Ant Lord in the Star Realm-Chapter 738 - 602: The Complete Form of Refinement Ability - Part 2

The insects twitched their tentacles in agreement.

The so-called 'Refinement', from beginning to end, is essentially like this. The stronger the Ability, the higher the purity of the refined food. The state of matter becomes more stable, making it easier to store and transport. Correspondingly, however, it also loses the food's delicious qualities.

In an emergency, it's okay, but it's definitely not good for long-term consumption.

Black Birch announced, "Great King, we have solved the food problem for dealing with Blue Island!"

Dragon Cypress replied, "Pretty much!"

Dragon Cypress continued, "I can't possibly do this job myself. It still depends on whether the King Level Specialized Blue Ants can fully inherit my Refinement Ability."

Dragon Cypress mused, "This Refinement Ability seems to have other uses..."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted and fixed on a nearby Rain Tree.

Dragon Cypress's two tentacles stood erect and slightly parted as Water System Primordial Energy burst forth. A giant Water Sphere, over three meters in diameter, formed out of thin air above his tentacles and floated. The water within spun rapidly, then with a fierce contraction, the sphere shrank to about one meter in diameter, its color turning a profound Azure.

Dragon Cypress aimed at the Rain Tree. The Azure Water Sphere shot out, striking the trunk with a PLOP, and the Water Sphere burst.

The Deep Blue water spread along the trunk, instantly covering the entire large tree. It then suddenly expanded, turning into an elliptical giant sphere over ten meters tall. Under Dragon Cypress's continuous control, it rapidly shrank into a spherical ball about four or five meters in diameter.

It abruptly compressed, continuing to shrink. Finally, Water System Primordial Energy surged from Dragon Cypress's body. The Water Sphere collapsed fiercely and solidified into a faint blue crystal sphere, about ten centimeters in diameter, which then flew back to hover in front of Dragon Cypress.

And the Rain Tree snapped at its roots, its trunk vanishing from sight.

The insects were astonished.

Red Moonseed raised a claw to ask, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, did you refine a large tree into this solid spherical ball?"

Dragon Cypress replied, "Obviously."

Red Moonseed asked, "Can this be eaten too?"

Dragon Cypress said, "It seems... yes..."

Can trees be eaten?

Dragon Cypress was not certain. His gaze shifted slightly, focusing on Mulberry. The Blattidae Clan has the widest range in their diet; when desperate, they would even eat wood.

Mulberry understood Dragon Cypress's meaning. Looking left and right, it seemed that among those present, only he could eat wood. He said helplessly, "I'll try it..."

Mulberry raised a claw and took the Azure crystal ball. He held it carefully between his forelimbs, scanned it repeatedly with his spiritual power, then rubbed and examined it closely with his tentacles. It was a crystallization of ordinary matter and almost tasteless.

After hesitating for a moment, he brought it to his mouth and, with a CRUNCH, bit off a small chunk. It didn't have much taste. Once inside his stomach, it melted quickly and was absorbed by his body.

After carefully sensing its effects for a moment, Mulberry said, "It's edible! It can quickly replenish Physical Strength, and it also contains some nutrients our bodies need." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Red Moonseed raised a claw, took it, and bit off a piece. After a moment of sensing its effects, it twitched its tentacles vigorously and said, "Dragon Cypress Ant King, even carnivorous species can eat this!"

Red Moonseed added, "It's not very tasty though."

Chinese Clematis snatched it, tasted it, and twitched its tentacles, then promptly questioned, "This was refined from a tree, so why can our purely carnivorous Insect Clan also eat it?"

All eyes turned to Dragon Cypress in unison.

Dragon Cypress's thoughts raced. After mulling it over, he said, "Many animals in nature grow by eating plants, don't they?"

"Plants absorb light and thermal energy from the sun, growing luxuriantly. Herbivores eat plants. Carnivores then eat those herbivores. Essentially, this is a process of energy and nutrient transfer, conversion, and refinement. The Refinement Ability simply skips one of the steps."

The surrounding insects buzzed with understanding and excitement.

"That makes sense!" one exclaimed.

"The Great King is unmatched in wisdom!" another declared.

"Great King, can the ant colony use this?" a third asked eagerly.

"If so, then our ant colony's food problem is completely solved!"

"And what about on Wanglan Continent?" someone else piped up. "For dealing with Blue Island, does this mean we no longer need to hunt in the ocean?"

Black Birch and Black Sophora immediately exchanged excited glances; ideas were already forming.

Dragon Cypress swayed his tentacles and said, "It's hard to say. Larvae have high nutritional demands during growth and development. This crystal ball, refined from plants, will probably be insufficient to satisfy their needs. Based on my estimation, meat is still necessary. We'll know for sure after testing it with Soldier Ant and Worker Ant Larvae later."

Dragon Cypress continued, "Let's put aside the issues with the Refinement Ability for now; we can test that slowly later. When I awoke from my slumber, I sensed something unusual here in Areca Rainforest. I set out immediately, rushing over day and night. First, I need to eat and recover."

Black Birch immediately said, "I'll hunt for the Great King!"

Dragon Cypress, however, did not agree. His gaze once again fixed on another large Rain Tree, about twenty meters high. His tentacles stood erect. He initiated Water Making, creating a giant Water Sphere about five or six meters in diameter...

Before long, the tall Rain Tree was refined into a faint blue crystal sphere about twelve or thirteen centimeters in diameter.

Dragon Cypress swallowed it down in two bites.

He silently focused on its effects.

Once inside his stomach, it dissolved almost instantly and was absorbed by his body. Tremendous energy flowed through his bloodstream, spreading throughout his system. The Physical Strength lost after his Evolution quickly recovered.

"Great King—" Black Birch ventured.

Dragon Cypress replied, "The energy is plentiful, but the nutrients are lacking. Black Birch, Black Sophora, go to the edge of the Land of Origin Force. Hunt more fresh meat and bring it back. Make sure the types are varied."

"Yes!" Black Birch affirmed.

"Alright, Great King," Black Sophora added.

Black Sophora and Black Birch led their troops and departed.

The Refinement Ability consumed a lot of Primordial Energy, so Dragon Cypress climbed upon the Throne to recover his Origin Force.

A variety of prey was brought back intermittently.

Dragon Cypress continued to use the Refinement Ability, refining each type of prey separately and personally tasting and testing each one.

Compared to one another, foods derived from animals contained subtle differences in energy and nutrients, but these variations were not significant. Dragon Cypress then specifically tested a few other plants. Compared to each other, the plants also showed no significant differences.

For omnivorous Giant-Headed Ants, animal-based foods and plant-based foods each have their pros and cons.

Dragon Cypress then invited Chinese Clematis, Red Moonseed, Mulberry, and Areca for testing.