Chapter 610: Chapter 590: Insect Shell

“I, ah, still remember back then… that brilliant brushwork, I was still young at the time, couldn’t see through it at all…”

“You, learn… first prioritize the bigger picture… innovate a batch… then remember to appear as if you’re burning your bridges… turn public for private benefit, ensure the top tiers are well-fed… naturally, they’ll reciprocate and lean towards you… once your position is stable, focus on one line… resource allocation is always a priority… make the populace suffer a bit, they’re used to it anyway… remember to do good publicity, make those suffering think it’s deserved, prevent them from seeing your hand… never learn… to incite public sentiment, that’s rebellion… ancestral wisdom mustn’t be forgotten… just like, not letting the rescue workers eat well, what will the victims eat…”

After speaking for a while, the lady’s tone shifted, “However, back then we divided too fast, too much, now there’s not much left to divide. Then take what’s private, make it public again… then private… Tianlong has discovered a rich mine, hasn’t he? Let the Zhao Family bear the infamous name, you turn it around for public use, shut their mouths, you’re the governor, afterwards, however you choose to innovate, it’s up to you… if one or two fools try to resist the orders from above, ha, for the sake of the bigger picture, then investigate thoroughly, how many can withstand scrutiny… and do good publicity, let people resent the original mine owner, then no one will care whose hands the mine ends up in…”

“By the way, some of our family’s loss-making enterprises can also be nationalized at reasonable prices… it will take some sacrifices…”

Madam Zhao was beside, gently pounding the lady’s leg, smiled slightly, nodded frequently, bowed, hunched over, looking amiable, as pliable as dough.

Zhao Cong initially sneered at the lady’s words, thinking they were old tricks, nowadays people’s wisdom has opened up, they’ve long understood those old tricks, using them again would be passive.

But after hearing the latter part, Zhao Cong silently praised it.

When the lady finished speaking, Zhao Cong held her age-spotted hand, sighed, “It still takes the lady. I was distressed on how to solve the mining issue, your words are enlightening! Grandma, I admit my fault, at first I didn’t take it seriously, but after hearing more, I’m convinced! Completely convinced!”

The lady laughed heartily, pointing at Zhao Cong, “You naughty monkey, seemed steady from a young age, but full of thoughts inside. If I didn’t showcase skills, you’d really think I’m senile?”

After dinner, Zhao Cong and Madam Zhao left.

Walking along the wind and rain corridor, Madam Zhao stood straight, high-headed, gaze cold, originally a pliable person, but tough like a rolling pin.

She turned expressionless to glance around, the aunt behind stopped immediately.

Madam Zhao, holding her son’s arm, first sighed over Zhao Tong and Zhao He’s deaths, finally, her gaze returned cold.

“Tianlong, that kid, has some temper, but doesn’t deserve death.”

“He heard that the mine produced a large piece of Spirit Mist Jade, brought the photos, without saying a word, didn’t even go himself, first left Celestial Phoenix’s work, came hurriedly to show me, asking how to shape it in the future.”

“Weren’t they selfish? Certainly were, but encountering such a large piece of Spirit Mist Jade, knowing I liked it, without any hiding, directly said it was for your father’s birthday gift.”

“So you see, isn’t it still reliable to trust your own kids? Will those mud-legged folks think about our family?”

Zhao Cong laughed, “You’re right, mom.”

“Don’t look down on me as your mother now that you’re the governor.”

Zhao Cong laughed, “Mom! How could I be like that?”

Madam Zhao said, “In ancient times, you and Celestial Phoenix would be betrothed. Now it’s not possible, but after all, you’re cousins, you should look after them, don’t let them be bullied.”

“Don’t worry, besides, I’ve often cleaned up after them.”

“Heh, what’s cleaning up for them? I heard, that mine might produce a Jade King?”

“I really don’t know, when I get to Rucheng, I’ll find someone to ask.” Zhao Cong understood.

Madam Zhao no longer talked about the mine and jade, she earnestly advised Zhao Cong.

Zhao Cong, a regional officer, about to become the youngest member of the Supreme Court, showed no impatience on his face, humored his mother from start to finish.

That night, Zhao Cong conversed with his father Zhao Hao in the study.

“Once in Rucheng, remember to use the excuse of inter-race communication, take a trip to the Tree-man World… that person is preparing…”

“Also, on March 15th, the Martial Saint Life and Death Platform day, remember…”

“If nothing goes wrong, once the war starts, the Celestial Calamity Envoy will use Shuizhou Demon City as a breakthrough point, your most important mission in Rucheng is…”

“The first Corpse King Throne must not be lost…”

The next morning, Zhao Cong left Xiongjing for Rucheng.

Zhou Leng at the Tree-man Base cultivated for a few days, repeatedly seeing Li Shenkong.

Moreover, each time he could sense the Divine Sword.

They remained unfamiliar, but barely became acquainted nodding.

However, Li Shenkong felt jealous each time they met.

After cultivating for a while, Zhou Leng checked out of the room, purchased some necessities, walked out of the city, preparing to excavate Ancient Tree Fossils.

The cultivation here was too slow, only by consuming large amounts of Ancient Tree Fossils, he could quickly refine the first layer of the Star Phoenix Rejuvenation Technique.

Upon reaching the city gate, he saw a group of tree-men coming from not far, their roots slithering forward like snakes.

Among them, several young tree-men seemed to be at this base for the first time, looking around, their heads full of lush branches, green buds, vibrant with life.

Zhou Leng froze, staring at one of the young tree-men.

On the branches atop the young tree-man’s head hung a fragment.

The fragment resembled an enlarged remnant of an ant cocoon, its spiral brown bony shell about half a meter long, riddled with holes.

Zhou Leng stared for a long while, his mind picturing a giant ant cocoon writhing continuously, sometimes burrowing, sometimes leaping, squeaking timidly.

Finally bursting like fireworks, scattering across the sky.

Zhou Leng took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, approached the young tree-man.

Pointing at Xiaoyong’s shell, he asked, “Where did you get this?”

The young tree-man and other tree-men looked curiously at Zhou Leng.

The young tree-man felt somewhat shy, replied softly, “The Elder said, before my tree-man heart resurrected, a very good friend gave it to me as a gift to keep for life.”

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Vigorous Root.”

Zhou Leng’s eyes were slightly red. Smiling, he gently nodded and said, “Remember to protect the gift from your friend.”

“Mm!” Vigorous Root nodded vigorously.

Zhou Leng turned and left, walking for a long time, unable to resist turning back, looking at Vigorous Root and the tattered insect shell above his head.

Turning back, he strode forward.

Following the vague old map, Zhou Leng kept running towards the Flute Forest from last time.

Even if it’s already been leveled.

About a hundred kilometers from the Flute Forest, a Grandmaster Tree-man led a team of Innate Tree-men to face them head-on.

“Are you the Ancient Tree-man, Zhou Leng?”

“Yes, can you recognize me?”

“Your aura is quite unique.”

“It’s me.”

“May I ask, are you here to participate in the Holy Land trials again? That might take a few more years.”

“No, I’m here to excavate Ancient Tree Fossils,” Zhou Leng didn’t hide it. They would surely find out anyway.

“So for the Ancient Tree Fossils, you’d better go to ’Old Fertile Land.’ There, the underground Ancient Tree Fossils far exceed those in Flute Forest. Although it’s a bit far, with fewer Insect Race, it’s safer.”

“Has the Flute Forest changed?”

“Rumors of the hidden Holy Land underground were discovered by the Insect Race. We have launched multiple battles around the Flute Forest. The Holy Land is too important; we will stop at nothing to prevail.”

“Do you need help?”

“No need to trouble you. By the way, before you advance to Martial Saint, remember to visit the Mother Tree for cultivation; it will be very beneficial for your future.”

Zhou Leng thought, indeed Tree-men hide great power, they could even notice his advancement to Grandmaster.

Zhou Leng inquired about some things, asked for a map, and left.

The Tree-men watched Zhou Leng’s back, looking at the smoke and dust left behind.

The Grandmaster Tree-man sighed and said, “What a pity, such talent, severed from Martial Arts.”

“But, Elder, his aura is so strong. I’m also Great Innate, but I feel like he could shatter my trunk with a single punch.”

“That’s why I say pity. He has no True Qi, relying solely on physical power containing such terrifying strength. If he could advance to Grandmaster, he might be no less than the ’Son of the Mother Tree,’ Grey Scroll Beard.”

“Ah? He can compare to Elder Grey Scroll Beard? Elder Grey Scroll Beard can rival Blood of Tyranny within three hundred moves, our tribe’s number one Grandmaster.”

“Very likely. But, ultimately, severed from Martial Arts, a pity… Yet, why do I feel like I can’t beat him either?” The Lower-Rank Grandmaster Realm Tree-man Elder fell into contemplation.

Zhou Leng ran along the map, entering a forest that seemed somewhat familiar.

Passing through the forest, a brown earthen mountain full of holes stood ahead, a human-height flying giant ant looking down from above, others the size of cattle and horses digging back and forth within the holes.

“Turns out to be old acquaintances…”

Zhou Leng calculated the time, quite coincidental, almost a year.

This means the Ant Queen has already replenished the Radiant Juice.

Last time, Blood of Tyranny took half, this time should be his turn.

With previous experience, this time prepared multiple large-capacity demonized bottles.

Filling a few hundred Ant Queen’s Radiant Juice is completely doable.

As Zhou Leng appeared, the flying giant ants emitted piercing screams and vibrating wing sounds.

Dense hordes of giant ants charged frantically.

Zhou Leng took out two legendary weapons, a long-handled broadsword, and a giant horse-slaying sabre.

Wielding the two door-sized weapons, he strolled forward.

In Zhou Leng’s perception, these once troublesome giant ant swarms seemed like slow-moving maggots.

Moving slowly, attack preparations crude, no different from beasts.

He himself as a giant ant would bite better than them.

No need for True Qi or Starry True Power, just utilizing the strength of the body.

Waving the two legendary long-handled weapons.

In the past, Zhou Leng’s weapons in his hands opened and closed, like a giant attacking, unmatched in ferocity.

But now, whether it’s the broadsword or the horse-slaying sabre, it’s soft and gentle, like waves, rising and falling, always making small adjustments.

Either up or down, speed up or slow down, slashing diagonally or striking directly.

One slash, transforming twelve times.

The heads of twelve giant ants were severed.

The neck remains at the break points, the neck’s remaining position, and the entire neck length ratio, all are 0.618 to 1, not a bit more, not a bit less.

Zhou Leng smiled slightly.

Through the battles and tortures of the Great Battlefield, with Shen Yunxian’s guidance, and having experienced Void God teaching, his Martial Arts Realm is incomparable to before.

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