"Fán Cù Bān Máo, you should be happy for Bambu," Mayu said meaningfully. "Bambu, you should be happy too. This is a rare opportunity that comes once in a millennium. You can occupy Lijian Peak, the most abundant peak in the Jinping Mountains. Warrior growth depends not only on life seeds but also on the choice of territory, which is a key factor in determining future achievements."

"The borderlands are barren, and good peaks are few. Lijian Peak is one of the few treasures! When I was young, I traveled the continent with merchants, witnessing various races and bustling scenes. I can assure you that Lijian Peak is no less prosperous than those fertile lands."

Bambu felt much better hearing this.

However, Fán Cù Bān Máo still worried and said, "But it's too dangerous there."

"Danger and opportunity coexist," a deep mental voice came from afar. Pútáo flew over and landed, glancing at Bambu's bulging snake skin bag teasingly. "Little guy, you've got quite a haul."

"Mm-hmm," Bambu responded, feeling somewhat fond of Pútáo, nodding his antennae in joy.

Mayu spoke seriously, "Fán Cù Bān Máo, Pútáo, both of you lack insight. Have you not noticed the unique features of Bambu's physique?"

"Look at its forelimbs, thick and powerful, and then its toes, long and sharp, divided into three sections rather than two, which makes it more agile. Seemingly minor differences can lead to two completely different outcomes. Bambu will appear more agile and flexible in combat, a naturally excellent warrior."

Bambu wasn't surprised by this revelation. This body structure was the intentional result of his soul's guidance towards becoming more adept at combat and flight.

Fán Cù Bān Máo stubbornly argued, "But it's still too dangerous, and besides, Mayu, you..."

Mayu interrupted, "Bambu survived alone in the jungle for a year. That alone proves its ability! With my guidance, establishing a foothold in the Jinping Mountains in the future won't be a big problem for it. There are risks, but they aren't as severe as you imagine."

Pútáo said, "Let's prepare and then set out for an inspection. Based on the specific situation, we'll make a decision. If the situation is dire, then let the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife organize a large-scale cleanup, at least wiping out the fierce beasts around Lijian Peak."

"That's right, both the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife and I agree. Let's go see the situation first before making a decision," Mayu added.

Mayu was a perennial herbaceous plant.

It had flowers and seeds, but its main purpose wasn't for consumption. Mayu could also produce spherical tubers underground, containing neurotoxins.

Very few insect warriors chose Mayu as their life seed.

Mayu, a warrior of the Red Cockroach Tribe, had lost many life seeds when invading Wolf warriors entered its territory during its youth. Knowing that its future was hopeless, it simply nurtured a Mayu seed as its life seed.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Fán Cù Bān Máo dug out three fist-sized gray-brown tubers from Mayu's life seed, each of the three high-ranking warriors took one, crushed them with stones, and began to apply the paste.

They mainly applied it to the six legs and veins, especially the parts with sharp thorns, repeatedly applying it several times.

Bambu understood at a glance that this method was similar to "poisoning weapons."

A disgraceful method, in battle, just piercing the opponent's skin would introduce the toxin into their body, immediately causing widespread neurological paralysis, muscle paralysis. It could hinder combat at the least and render them combat ineffective at worst.

Fán Cù Bān Máo called out, "Bambu, come, apply some too. With the anesthetic toxin, you can easily kill beasts several times your size."

Bambu had long been curious about the toxin effect of Mayu's life seed. Upon hearing this, he approached and, using his toes, picked up a tiny bit of juice, extending his tongue to taste.

Seeing this, Fán Cù Bān Máo shouted urgently, "Bambu! Stop! That's not for eating!"

However, it was too late.

Bambu's half-opened mouth couldn't close, and he struggled to nod his head up and down, trying to stay awake.

As he had tasted it with his tongue, the toxin quickly invaded his brain, making his consciousness somewhat fuzzy.

His breathing became rapid, and all the closed reserve blood vessels and hearts in his body were activated, producing a large amount of fresh blood. In a short time, the nutrients and energy stored throughout his body were urgently transported to his brain.

"Bambu?"

Fán Cù Bān Máo called out softly.

Mayu said calmly, "The toxin isn't lethal. It might just make him fall asleep, and the numbness will naturally disappear after a short nap."

Pútáo said, "Mayu, you've misjudged this time. This little guy hasn't been knocked out by the anesthetic."

Bambu stood on the ground, shaking his head and body, trying to stabilize himself, gradually steadying his form, and using his mental power to transmit a message to Fán Cù Bān Máo: "I'm hungry."

Mayu was puzzled, "How is that possible?"

Pútáo explained, "I've seen him exercise regularly and actively. His physique is definitely stronger than an ordinary warrior at the 5th level, so his resistance to poison is naturally stronger."

"Is that so?" Mayu was skeptical, flapping his wings, and said, "There's no time to lose. Let's go."

Fán Cù Bān Máo followed, spreading his wings, and said, "Bambu, come up first. There will be food when we arrive."

Bambu pushed his snake skin bag into Mayu's nest, flapped his wings, and landed on Fán Cù Bān Máo's back armor.

Mayu led the way, and the group flew swiftly through the vast jungle, arriving at the Iron Knife Mountains after half a day and then turning to fly along the mountain range.

Standing on Fán Cù Bān Máo's back, looking down from high above, Bambu finally saw the situation on the south side of the Iron Knife Mountains: undulating hills, dense forests, vast marshes, serene flowing rivers.

Fán Cù Bān Máo explained voluntarily, "Bambu, see that? South of the mountain range, all the way to the Jin River, belongs to the Iron Knife Mountains. Hills, mountains, gorges, jungles, marshes, rivers, the terrain is complex and difficult to control, with over thirty kinds of ferocious beasts living there, and their numbers are unknown. Riots often occur, making it famous for its dangers."

"The Jin River is still the border between the Fire Cockroach Kingdom and the Flower Cock

roach Kingdom, and to the south of the river is the territory of the Black and White Flower Cockroach tribes. Both being borderlands, the Black and White Flower Cockroach tribes are not as strong in controlling the border territory as our Red Cockroach Tribe, so the beasts in the Iron Knife Mountains are never killed off. Today, we may kill a batch, but tomorrow, another batch may come across from the Black and White Flower Cockroach territory."

Bambu now understood what they meant by the danger of the Iron Knife Mountains.

Pútáo slowed down and flew side by side with Fán Cù Bān Máo, saying, "Bambu, don't worry too much. With high-ranking warriors helping with patrols, ordinary beasts pose little threat. As for beast warriors, the probability of them appearing is very low, and they won't be foolish enough to launch an attack on your territory."

Using all his mental power, Bambu asked, "What happened to the previous Mountain Lord?"

"Oh, you mean Jīn Zhú, the Mountain Lord?" Fán Cù Bān Máo answered eagerly, "They were ambushed while besieging a group of beast warriors and all perished."

"It happened..." Fán Cù Bān Máo suddenly faltered, asking, "Pútáo, was it last summer?"

Pútáo replied, "Yes, it was last summer, during the peak of the dry season."

Mayu, who was flying in the front, said, "Then let's take Bambu to see that place first."

Bambu listened with confusion, using all his mental power to ask, "What place? What happened?"

"It's an evil place. Something suddenly fell from the sky, the jungle was destroyed, the earth shook, and the river water poured back... Afterward, I followed the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife to investigate. That area was shrouded in an evil aura, and everything—rocks, grass, trees, soil, even the backflowing river water—was dyed black!"

Bambu's heart raced at the description. Last summer, wasn't that when he was reborn?

From the description, it was undoubtedly the aura of a Dominant Core Lifeform!