Chapter 309. Planning for the Last Quest Objective.

Freeing space to place the temple was effortless. Liu Shu had anticipated that there would be more. With that in mind, she reserved the ring where was for unique buildings. Moreover, with the buildings being adorned by , they would become one of the most defended ones. 

Now that this problem was settled, at least for now, Liu Shu focused on the last problem. "I need to upgrade the mine…" The World Tree's gaze expanded, and she took in the entirety of the mine cave system. The complex tunnels were easy for Liu Shu to decipher and analyze. After all, as her entire existence consisted of an intricately layered root net, such things were precisely where Liu Shu exceeded. 

"If this can be upgraded, the thing that would trigger such an upgrade must be a stronger energy flow. When the flow increases, the ternary essences crystalize with a much higher energy amount, becoming a higher-ranked mineral, right?" The World Tree guessed, her sharp mind scanning how good the subterranean energy flow was. "... Hm. It can be strengthened by a lot."

With that in mind, Liu Shu began planning. "It says that I need to upgrade it. However, it doesn't say that I just need to upgrade it from to quality… It must be possible for the mine to become at least a -quality mine." Liu Shu thought about creating a mine. However, she felt that her current knowledge was lacking to create a robust enough energy flow. She didn't sell herself short, though. Upgrading it to was the bare minimum Liu Shu expected from her changes.

Still, there was a big problem Liu Shu needed to solve before she started upgrading the mines. "The nest below the mines is a canopy-ache." Liu Shu didn't notice how her physical facial expressions were replicating her feelings, showing a faint frown and thoughtful gaze. "Ugh, do I need to create something to separate the energy flow from going down into the nest? If I don't do that, the second the pick a hint of the increased energy flow, they will surge upwards, making our mines effectively unusable."

The option of killing the nest flashed in Liu Shu's mind just for a second. She gave up the idea for the simple reason that mature Terragores could reach Level 50. "From what I've seen, the infantile ones are between Level 10 and 20. Those who have reached the juvenile stage can reach between level 20 and level 30+. in their teenage years reach between Level 30 and 40. The mature ones are usually at Level 40+, with the older ones reaching Level 50." Liu Shu summarized in her mind and then sighed. "The thing is… I know there are even stronger ones. I have felt their auras deep inside their nest." 

After so many years of observing them, Liu Shu noticed that the nest area below the mines was just a tiny part of a massive whole. There probably were several exit locations like the one below the mines, specially created for the young to go explore and search for appropriate minerals for their strength level. Thinking about it, she decided to go to the being that should probably know best about them. 

The Ant Queen.

"Ignatiaaaa! Ignanananatiaaaaaaaa!"

The Ant Queen's antennae bobbed as a smile spread on her lips. She was currently in the nursing room, playing with the chunky and cute white pupae. "What's wrong, Love? Did something happen?"

"No!" Said Liu Shu, making the Ant Queen laugh. The mother of the entire species asked patiently, her tone gentle. "Do you need my help, love?"

"Yes!" Answered Liu Shu happily. Then, she asked. "Are you free? Or will you continue playing with those little sisters?"

Ignatia hummed, feeling glad at Liu Shu's way of calling her children. "Don't worry, I don't need to pay much attention to your little sisters. They are quite resilient!"

Just as Ignatia finished her words, Liu Shu saw one of the chunky pupae fall from a relatively high place. Scared, Liu Shu stretched her roots subconsciously, but the pupae hit the ground. "Ah!- Huh?" Instead of the disaster our World Tree expected, this little sister bounced up like a ball! 

Liu Shu caught her before she hit the ground again, full of bafflement. Ignatia saw it and laughed. "See? My children are not so weak that a simple fall will kill them! They are super squishy and cute and chunky and ahhh!" Ignatia started giving many kisses to the little ones in her arms. "They are the most adorable little things in the world~!"

A Worker Ant approached while Ignatia squealed in happiness about her children. The nurse took the pupae with a gentle motion of her mandibles and placed it back where it fell from. Their "bed" was similar to a honeycomb. 

"Ah!" Ignatia stopped kissing her babies and looked toward Liu Shu's roots. "You wanted to ask something, right, love?"

"Oh!" Liu Shu exclaimed, having forgotten as she almost started playing with the little ones as well. "I am about to start modifying the mines. When I do that, I will certainly attract the 's attention. After all, the increased Ternary Essence Flow will create better minerals. Do you know a way to block that?"

"Hmm." Ignatia tilted her head, her long antennae bouncing adorably. "I guess I can do something about that. I will need something from you, though."

Liu Shu asked, curious. "What do you need?" 

Ignatia smiled. "I need five of each of your strongest fruits. I will feed them to four of the strongest soldier ants and one Ant Princess. Then, I will occupy the location between the nest and the mines. Once I make it my territory, I can create installations to absorb the excessive ternary essence the new energy flow will produce and send it to my colony to give us an energy plus." Ignatia smiled. "This way. There won't be any problems, and the won't even notice."

Liu Shu exclaimed in awe. "Ohhh! That sounds interesting and complicated!"

Ignatia chuckled. "It's not. Perhaps I've explained it too convolutedly." 

Liu Shu quickly agreed. "Okay! I'll tell a few Rose Fairies to pick the fruits and send them to you!" 

Ignatia smiled. "Thank you, love."

Before Liu Shu went, she asked. "Um. What if an adult appears? Some of them can reach Level 50!"

Ignatia shook her head. "Don't worry. creatures are dangerous. However, they are not invincible unless they come in groups. The ones that attacked Verdantia a few months ago were Level 40+, right?"

Liu Shu agreed. "I guess so. If they were Level 50, I don't think that Verdantia would be alive right now."

Ignatia consoled her. "Don't say that. I am sure that you would've found a way even if the enemy was Level 100!"

Liu Shu giggled. "Perhaps! Anyway, I'll go get you the fruits! Since you are confident, there is no need to ask anymore~."

When she asked for the fruits, the human woman who was in charge of sorting them out and dividing them couldn't help but frown slightly. "Lady Liu Shu. Why do you need so many of them? That's more than half a month's supply of ." 

Liu Shu paused and asked, confused. "Why'd you ask? Just send them."

The human woman shook her head. "Lady Liu Shu, I can't do that. I have orders from Lady Flor to-."

"Hey." Liu Shu's voice lowered an octave as she spoke. "I'll tell Flor myself later." Then, she asked, her aura spreading around the room. "However, regardless of what others have said… Who am I?"

The human woman felt the mountainous pressure, and her heart tightened. "L-Lady Liu Shu is Golden Sap City's World Tree." 

"Right. I am the one creating these fruits, am I not? Who are you to tell me no if I want to use them for another person? I am the ruler of this place, the provider of these fruits, and the defender of the forest and province. What I want, you give me."

The human woman's forehead was filled with sweat. She knew that she had overstepped her boundaries. While she was doing her job, that didn't mean that she could disrespect the literal creator of the entire Golden Sap City. "I will prepare them straight away, Lady Liu Shu."

"Good." Then, Liu Shu's presence disappeared from the room. The woman's legs softened and she fell on her but, her breathing somewhat ragged due to fear. 

Meanwhile, Liu Shu called for her other mother figure. "Floor~. Florflorflorflorrrrrr!"

The Flower Fairy looked up from the document she was reading and smiled. "What's wrong, Love? Did something happen?"

Liu Shu paused and then giggled. "You answered exactly like Ignatia! Hahaha."

"Did I?" Flor raised her eyebrow and chuckled. "Okay, since you've talked with her, tell me what the problem is." 

"I am going to take five of each of the strongest fruits to give to Ignatia so that she can help me with the mines!"

Flor didn't even hesitate a single second and nodded. "Sure. Go ahead. They are your fruits, Love. If you want to take a few or all of them, just take them." 

"Hehe~ Okaaay!"

And like that, Ignatia got the fruits and prepared to execute her plan. In the meantime, Liu Shu sank her conscience into the mine's cave system and told Terran and Terra to evacuate the mines. 

Terra and Terran were curious, so the big sister, Terra, asked. "What are you going to do, Liu Shu?"

Liu Shu started. "I am going to change the tunneling of the mines so that they are better interconnected and also share the natural energy veins of the ground more efficiently." She continued after a small pause. "Also, I want to connect the natural energy flow deeper below with the mines, increasing the source of the ternary essences going into it. Together, they should be able to condense into crystals through the natural methods the mine itself uses to spawn the crystals. What do you think?"

Terra and Terran were impressed. Terran commented while rubbing his chin. "That's honestly perfect. How about you also create a main energy flow path where the smaller paths will branch out like a tree's canopy?" 

Liu Shu liked that idea. However, Terra shook her head. "Don't do that. If you configure it like that, once a part of the main energy flow is cut, the entire mine will become useless. It's more efficient, yes. However, it's similarly increasingly vulnerable. It's better to have a complex and interconnected energy flow system."

Liu Shu's excitement calmed down, and she analyzed things in her head. Several tunnel configurations appeared in her mind, one after another. Eventually, she reached the same conclusion as Terra. "Terran's idea is excellent. However, with the running around, I think the one Terra suggested is better. A concentrated main energy flow will attract attention much easier than the complex tunneling." 

Terran was convinced. "Sure. Do you need our help with the tunneling, Liu Shu?"

"Hm~. Sure! I'll show you several blueprints I have in mind. You tell me which one you think is the best!"

For the next three weeks, Liu Shu worked tirelessly with Terran and Terra to build the most optimal cave tunneling they could think of as of now.