'Spirit Beast Cultivation: Demon Insect Chapter?'
Qi Ping's heart skipped a beat as he read the title. 'No way...'
Recently, he had been trying to think of ways to nurture the Golden Marrow Bees, but aside from using his Plant Growth skill to pile up resources, he had come up empty. He figured he would eventually have to rely on the knowledge of a Beast Taming sect, as his own efforts couldn't possibly match thousands of years of specialized tradition.
But that was a dream for the distant future. He hadn't even heard of a manual for nurturing spirit beasts appearing in Qingshi County. In this region, combat-oriented beasts were rare, and beast taming techniques were even scarcer.
He had even braced himself for the possibility that he wouldn't find a way to help the bees evolve their bloodline until he reached Foundation Establishment. He believed the Golden Marrow Bees had massive potential; if the Brewing Artisan talent could be elevated to the Second Order, their value would multiply. Second-Order pills were exponentially more expensive than those of the Qi Condensation stage. Even if the honey couldn't match a pill, its value would be immeasurable for his cultivation!
Yet, something he thought would require the status of a Late-Stage Qi Condensation or even Foundation Establishment cultivator to acquire was now sitting in his hands. It was unbelievable!
'I hope there's a method for bee-type insects...'
With excitement and trepidation, he continued reading.
Introduction to Demon Insect Cultivation: While demon insects are among the most difficult types of spirit beasts to tame, they are relatively easy to nurture. This is because they offer a large margin for error and require fewer rare medicinal ingredients...
Basic Nurturing Methods: Spirit Herb Nurturing, Flesh Nurturing...
Special Nurturing Methods: Mutagenic Potions. This book introduces seven primary types...
Introduction to Major Demon Insects and their Nurturing Characteristics: Blood Mosquitoes, Sin-Eater Insects, Viper Ants, Dream-Eater Moths...
Mutagenic Potion I: Bloodline Mutation Potion (Main Ingredients: Streaming Light Grass, Blood Ginseng...)
After a brief skim, although he didn't find a specific section for bee-type insects, his face was alight with profound joy! After reading the manual, his mind felt as if a new world had opened to him!
While this manual only focused on nurturing and didn't cover contracting, combat, or bonding—and four of the seven potions were missing—it was still a massive windfall for Qi Ping! As a Beast King Druid, the difficult parts of contracting and bonding were already solved. What he lacked was the how of nurturing.
Even without a specific guide for bees, many of the methods were universal. He could even deduce the combat styles of certain insects from the text. Most importantly, the manual stated that five of the seven potions were universal for almost all demon insects!
Among the remaining three potions, the Bloodline Mutation Potion was one of them—and Qi Ping already possessed one of its two primary ingredients: Blood Ginseng!
Truly, one could search far and wide and find nothing, only to have the prize fall into one's lap with no effort at all!
"This is amazing!" Qi Ping shouted in his mind. How could he not be excited to receive a legacy so perfectly suited to him? The evolution of the Golden Marrow Bees was finally in sight!
"Well? Do you like it?"
Sister Nan saw his expression and knew the manual was of great help to him.
"I love it, Sister Nan!"
Qi Ping didn't hide his excitement. It would be insulting to feign indifference after she had gifted him something so precious.
"But... isn't this too valuable? I want it desperately, but I feel I don't deserve it," he said, feeling a touch of shame. The value of this manual was immeasurable. The three potion recipes alone were worth a fortune.
"You just saved my life. Is my life not worth a single insect manual in your eyes?" Sister Nan rolled her eyes at him to put him at ease.
"Sister Nan... I didn't mean that. It's just that your role in the fight was vital. If I were alone, those two might have killed me, especially with that Ink Cicada."
"So it's not right to say I saved your life alone. But I truly do want this manual. How about I give you some Golden Marrow Honey? It is the most valuable thing I have right now."
"This batch of honey is exceptional. I can see you are close to breaking through to the fifth level, Sister Nan. I estimate the probability of you succeeding after refining this honey will be very high. In the future, once I have more spirit stones, I will compensate you further."
Sister Nan was surprised. She truly hadn't misjudged him!
The reason she had hesitated before giving him the manual wasn't because she was stingy. The book was useless to her; without the contracting and bonding knowledge, it was just a waste of space in her bag. If she tried to sell it, she probably wouldn't survive twelve hours. Such a legacy was too valuable—once exposed, it would bring certain death. That was the source of her hesitation.
But Qi Ping's character proved her right. It was because of this quality that she had finally decided to give it to him. If his bees grew stronger, it would be good for her as well. She just hadn't expected a return so soon.
How could she not be moved by the prospect of reaching the fifth level? She had wanted to break through for a long time but could never afford the right spirit herbs or pills.
"Little Qi, I will accept your honey then. I truly am in need of spirit herbs to break through. But as for spirit stones later, don't bother. Just remember, when you become someone great in the future and I come to you for help, don't kick me out of your house."
"How could I? If you ever need me, Sister Nan, I will do everything in my power to help!"
The two shared a smile. Qi Ping knew that after this experience, their friendship had deepened significantly. He estimated that after she refined the honey, she would quickly reach the fifth level. Combined with her combat experience and poisons, she would be a formidable force.
Having such an ally provided him with much-needed security. Today's events proved that "another friend is another path." Especially someone like Sister Nan, who possessed both strength and the rare talent for predicting danger. That ability could be a lifesaver in certain situations.
After stowing the manual, they began inventorying the rest of their spoils. Their eyes immediately landed on the ink-colored jade cicada.
The first prize: The Ink Cicada!
With this item in their possession, the safety of their return to the mountains was guaranteed.