The mountain range stretched far and wide, the journey was lengthy. Yet, with the gift of flight, it took only a mere half-day to reach their destination.

The peaks, soaring into the heavens, enshrouded in mist, and kissed by the rays of the sun, presented a scene akin to that of a mythical paradise. Iron Knife Peak, the foremost peak in the range, was established by none other than the illustrious Mountain Lord Tie Dao, the paramount figure in the region. Naturally, he claimed the most coveted summit, aptly named Iron Knife Peak.

Although not its sole occupants, Iron Knife Peak was home to five other tribal warriors, as Fáncù Bān Máo had relayed. Among them was a fledgling warrior named Black Mulberry, akin to Bambu, who had recently earned his warrior status and earned the favor of Mountain Lord Tie Dao, thus remaining on Iron Knife Peak for further development.

Upon Fáncù Bān Máo's landing, a slightly larger red cockroach than Bambu scurried over, curiously eyeing Bambu's snake-skin pouch.

"This is Bambu, like yourself, a warrior born this year," Fáncù Bān Máo introduced.

Whether due to Black Mulberry's skewed sense of aesthetics or his silver tongue, he complimented, "Bambu, your black carapace is splendid."

"Haha, Black Mulberry is astute," Fáncù Bān Máo praised, turning to Bambu, "This is Black Mulberry, already a Level 7 junior warrior. You must strive to grow."

"Hello!"

As a guest in another's domain, Bambu courteously conveyed his message through mental communication.

Black Mulberry was taken aback. "Wow, Bambu is impressive, even more so than myself. To master mental communication at such a tender age!"

Was this cockroach a master flatterer?

Bambu scoffed inwardly.

"Haha, Bambu also possesses a Seed of Divine Bestowal!" Fáncù Bān Máo couldn't help but boast, then turned to Bambu. "Bambu, this is Black Mulberry. He's already seven years old and a junior warrior. You should greet him."

Black Mulberry replied, "The Mountain Lord of Iron Knife has been waiting for you under the Iron Knife Tree for quite some time."

The Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, a venerable elder, possessed over thirty life seeds. Thanks to the rich primal energy on the peak, each of these life seeds had grown into towering trees, forming a lush forest.

Unlike Pútáo's preference for diversity, the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife favored a variety of trees, with the most numerous being the Iron Knife Tree, of which there were only three. Others included the Side Cypress, Thorn Cypress, Raspberry, Sun-reflecting Fruit, Laurel, Tung Oil Tree, Dragon Claw Locust, Mountain Walnut, Chestnut Palm, Golden Silverwood, and Golden Thread Willow...

There was a mix of common and rare plants, with a variety of species and few duplicates. The most obvious characteristic of all the trees chosen by the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife was their towering size, especially the Iron Knife Tree laden with brown-red fruits, its canopy so vast that Bambu couldn't see its top.

As majestic as a mountain, as vibrant as a colorful umbrella.

Ordinary Iron Knife Trees bore fruit in summer and were mildly toxic, requiring processing before consumption, and the life seeds of ordinary Iron Knife Trees were no exception.

The Iron Knife Tree belonging to the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife was a unique mutated species, capable of flowering and fruiting all year round without toxicity. With this mutated Iron Knife Tree, the Mountain Lord had a steady supply of primal energy fruits throughout the year, enabling his ascent to Mountain Lord status.

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Beneath the Iron Knife Tree lay a massive beast, leisurely devouring a pile of ripe fruits.

Its size was so immense that Bambu couldn't estimate its length.

The red carapace was covered with countless complex crimson patterns, the result of genetic evolution reaching a certain level, forming a natural array of primal energy. These patterns shimmered with each breath, like whirlpools, devouring the surrounding natural energy.

Around the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, a zone of primal energy vacuum had formed.

Compared to advanced warriors, the Mountain Lord was an entirely different life form, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, its powerful aura uncontrollably emanating, exerting immense pressure.

Standing before the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, even Fáncù Bān Máo seemed uncomfortable, his respiratory valves accelerating.

Bambu and Black Mulberry stood at a distance, not daring to approach.

"Greetings, Mountain Lord of Iron Knife!" Fáncù Bān Máo looked around nervously, his attention involuntarily drawn to the tree laden with fruits.

The Mountain Lord asked, "Fáncù Bān Máo

, is this the warrior born in your territory? The little guy with the black carapace?"

"Yes, Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, this is Bambu, who possesses a Seed of Divine Bestowal," Fáncù Bān Máo replied.

"I heard about it as soon as I returned. A lucky little one favored by the True God," the Mountain Lord said.

"I spend time every year searching for Seeds of Divine Bestowal in the jungle, persisting for over a hundred years, yet have found nothing," Fáncù Bān Máo said with mixed emotions—pride and worry for Bambu being born in his territory, and concern for his own inability to find a Seed.

"Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, unfortunately, Bambu's first life seed chose a Xun Grass seed, essentially wasting a chance to nurture another life seed, which will affect his future growth. I hope to obtain a Red Hardwood Tree seed and an Iron Knife Tree seed to make up for his loss," Fáncù Bān Máo requested.

"Iron Knife Trees are under our control, so he can have as many as he wants. The Red Hardwood Tree seeds you requested were already distributed to you from the last transaction with Princess Chi Jian," the Mountain Lord replied.

Fáncù Bān Máo hesitated before asking, "Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, could you arrange another transaction with Princess Chi Jian? Bambu is truly exceptional."

The Mountain Lord didn't directly answer, instead focusing on Bambu and asking, "What makes Bambu different from others, apart from his black carapace?"

Fáncù Bān Máo pondered for a moment before answering, "Bambu has been able to use mental communication since he was a Level 4 junior warrior."

"Strong mental communication skills are the ability of the Black and White Cockroach Tribe, but he doesn't possess the typical aura characteristics of the tribe. It should have evolved naturally," the Mountain Lord remarked.

Primitive civilizations lacked the concept of genetics, so "natural evolution" referred to genetic mutations. Observing phenomena without understanding their underlying reasons led to attributing them to the "True God."

"Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, have you found similar individuals in your territory?" Fáncù Bān Máo shook his antennae, asking.

"I've carefully checked, but haven't found any," Fáncù Bān Máo replied.

"Then he's an individual exception," the Mountain Lord said somewhat disappointedly, then turned to Bambu and continued, "Have you found any other special traits in him?"

"Special traits..." Fáncù Bān Máo momentarily forgot about the abundance of Iron Knife Tree fruits and tentatively answered, "He has a special appetite?"

"..." The Mountain Lord paused, then said impatiently, "Fáncù Bān Máo, you also have a special appetite!"

Fáncù Bān Máo earnestly said, "Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, I'm serious. Bambu can eat much more than me. At 5 years old, he can consume two Side Cypress seeds a day. I remember when I was a Level 9 junior warrior, I could only absorb the power of one Side Cypress seed a day."

"Is that so? Then he truly has a good appetite," the Mountain Lord said seriously, then added, "Strong digestion implies good physique, allowing for a rapid transition through the junior and intermediate warrior stages."

"The Jinping Mountains cannot remain without warriors for too long. The Black and White Cockroach Tribe has repeatedly urged Princess Chi Jian. She cannot arrange other warriors, so she requests that we send three warriors from Iron Knife Mountain to slowly rebuild our dominance over the Jinping Mountains."

"Bambu is an excellent choice. With a carapace color and abilities similar to the Black and White Cockroach Tribe, possessing a Seed of Divine Bestowal, and with well-developed forelimbs, he is naturally adept at combat. As he grows, he will have enough strength to deal with those despicable beasts."

"Jinping Mountains!" Fáncù Bān Máo exclaimed anxiously, "Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, no, Bambu is still young. He will be eaten by beasts. No, the tragedy of Mayu will repeat itself!"

"I've already discussed the matter with Mayu. As for whether Bambu stays or goes, he has the most say, right?" the Mountain Lord said.

"You're right. We should consult Mayu's opinion," Fáncù Bān Máo said.