Bambu's construction of the biogas digester aimed to create an environment conducive to the growth of anaerobic bacteria, accelerating the decomposition of plant matter, removing unnecessary substances, and leaving behind nutrient-rich sludge and water for plant growth. The key to the biogas digester was maintaining moisture and airtightness.

Deciding to excavate the biogas digester on the north side of the mountain cliff, Bambu began by carving a horizontal passage into the rock layers inside the mountain. After a certain distance, he turned vertically downwards to dig a deep well. With well-developed forelimbs and sharp, agile toe tips, cutting through the rocks was relatively easy. However, the laborious task lay in transporting the broken stones. Bambu used bags made of python skin to carry the stones. Once filled, he dragged the bags with his forelimbs while walking on all fours, slowly pulling them out of the cave. Due to the small mouth of the well and the awkward position for exiting, with legs unable to firmly grip the rock wall, the amount of stones transported out each time was limited. Bambu had to shuttle back and forth constantly, making the process inefficient.

Soon, he devised a solution using a plant called "hemp" to make ropes. By attaching the ropes to the bags made of snake skin, he could crawl out of the well and then pull up the ropes, making the process much easier.

With only a few young plants requiring minimal nutrients, Bambu wasn't in a hurry to complete the biogas digester. Therefore, he only spent some time digging every afternoon, considering it as exercise and also waiting for the return of the Iron Knife Peak patrol warriors to collect food and chat politely.

The weather was not particularly pleasant at dusk, with red clouds filling the sky, indicating an impending rain.

After seeing off Yuntao, Bambu enjoyed his meal at the cave entrance.

For almost ten days, the biogas digester was nearing completion. Bambu decided to work extra hard tonight after having his fill, to finish it and test its viability.

"Is the Mountain Lord of Lichong Peak present?"

The call came, somewhat blurry, as if transmitted by mental waves.

It definitely wasn't the spiritual fluctuations of the Red Cockroach tribe warriors!

Startled, Bambu raised his antennae, swaying them gently to sense the air.

Carefully, he moved towards the slope, casting his gaze downwards.

"Is the Mountain Lord of Lichong Peak present?"

The call came again.

Bambu locked onto the approximate direction and then spotted the target—a massive insect-like creature crawling along the mountain range, slowly approaching Lichong Peak.

A spider!

With its rainbow-like body color, it belonged to the Flame Cluster Bambo tribe.

A traveling merchant!

According to Yuntao, merchants like this one traveled the continent alongside the Flame Cluster Bambo tribe.

Yuntao had provided detailed information about the Flame Cluster Bambo tribe: they could only incubate one Life Seed throughout their lives, so they resorted to trading to obtain the Force food needed for growth. They could weave beautiful silk bags to prolong the shelf life of their food, which became their biggest asset in trading goods from one place to another—a skill other races couldn't match. Their Life Seeds could switch between plant and seed forms at will, and their large size and broad carapace allowed them to transport large quantities of goods.

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Various natural talents made them a special race living off trade.

Yuntao didn't like the Flame Cluster Bambo tribe very much, describing them as seemingly friendly but actually deceitful and greedy merchants.

No business without deceit—Bambu could understand that.

The Flame Cluster Bambo tribe behaved decently when traveling between various insect kingdoms, focusing solely on trade and advocating peaceful and profitable exchanges.

As long as they weren't attacking.

Bambu sighed in relief, trying his best to muster his mental strength to answer, "Here!"

From a considerable distance, a gentle mental wave swept over Bambu, indicating that the creature was at least at the level of a Mountain Lord, with a strong soul and robust mental power, capable of effortlessly transmitting messages over long distances.

Bambu lacked that ability, so he didn't bother responding and simply lay down on the slope, watching the approaching figure.

As the traveler approached the foot of the mountain, Bambu could finally see clearly. Behind the massive spider was a smaller one, and behind that one, several smaller spiders were carried on their backs.

The Flame Cluster Bambo tribe had their own kingdom, but its territory was small, only accommodating the elderly and retiring members, so they traveled with their families.

The traveler, named Zhonglou, stopped at the foot of the mountain and asked, "Young Mountain Lord, may we ascend the mountain?"

Traveling merchants were always welcome, as they invariably brought various exotic items from different regions.

With little effort, Zhonglou and the smaller spider climbed the steep slope, praising as they ascended, "A black carapace, handsome little warrior, blessed by the true nature god, you will become the finest warrior of the Hualan Kingdom!"

"Thank you for your praise," Bambu politely replied, feeling uncomfortable. With such a disparity in size, Bambu had to look up.

Zhonglou's natural size was much larger than that of a cockroach, and compared to the Mountain Lord of Iron Knife, he was several times larger, with a robust, colorful fur covering his entire body, making him quite beautiful.

Looking up, all Bambu could see were Zhonglou's two poisonous limbs emitting a colorful halo. Bambu took flight, hovering at low altitude, curious and observant.

On Zhonglou's back were not only many Flame Cluster Bambo spiders of various sizes but also numerous bundles of colorful silk bags, making him look like a cargo truck. These silk bags contained their trading capital.

Upon arrival, the other spiders, from the smallest plant-type to slightly larger warriors, climbed down from Zhonglou's back, forming a neat line on the ground.

Zhonglou began introducing them one by one, pointing to a spider with nearly 100 legs and saying, "This is Luoshi, a high-level warrior!" Then he pointed to five other spiders of varying sizes and continued, "This is Diyu, this is Xiye Yangmao... this is Xiaoxue Mai, it's still a junior warrior."

Zhonglou was a Mountain Lord-level being, Luoshi was a high-level warrior, and the four smaller spiders were mid-level warriors, with the smallest one being a junior warrior. Even the smallest one had nearly 100 legs, much more than Bambu.

The other ordinary Flame Cluster Bambo spiders, upon closer inspection, had around 30 legs, and some of them even carried smaller spiderlings on their backs, with the smallest ones having around 10 legs—pitifully small.

Truly a family, from large to small, with distinct levels.

"I am called Bambu. The previous Mountain Lord of Lichong Peak passed away unexpectedly, and I have taken over the management," Bambu introduced himself.

Zhonglou's mood seemed somewhat sad as he said, "When I arrived, Flower Cypress Mountain Lord had already informed me of this unfortunate news.

I have been friends with Jinzhu Mountain Lord for many years, and I am truly saddened by its unfortunate demise."

Truly hypocritical.

Bambu replied lightly, "I am also saddened."

Zhonglou changed the subject, saying, "On our way north, we saw a large number of plants withered due to drought, and we heard that there was a drought last year. Lichong Peak seems to have been hit harder, with large swathes of bamboo forest dying."

Bambu answered, "As you can see, most of the bamboo forests on Lichong Peak have withered."

Zhonglou asked, "Mountain Lord Bambu, do you intend to continue Jinzhu Mountain Lord's path and continue to cultivate bamboo?"

Bambu said, "Currently, that is the plan. I will make specific plans after becoming a high-level warrior."

"The Jinpin Mountains are complex in terrain. We encountered no fewer than ten beasts on our way here. Bamboo is a wise choice," Zhonglou commented, turning to look at Bambu's Life Seed plants, and remarked, "A Xun Grass, that surprises me. Daystar Fruit, White Jade Mulberry, Cedar, are all standard choices. Lichong is your best choice. The Iron Knife Tree is an excellent tree species."

Bambu remained indifferent.

Zhonglou continued, "I also sensed the presence of a God-given seed on the south side of the mountain. Mountain Lord Bambu, you are a junior warrior of eight ages, right?"

Bambu replied, "That's correct."

Zhonglou asked, "Mountain Lord Bambu, can I see your God-given seed?"

Bambu didn't think much and said, "Of course."