Qi Ping looked at the excited Lin Chaoyang and found himself caught between laughter and tears.
Given his current situation, the High-speed Ring-cutter army—with combat power rivaling the late stage of Qi Refinement—would be ready in over a month. Meanwhile, he could accelerate the growth of spirit herbs on his mysterious plot of land, and the Blood Ginseng could now reproduce on its own.
Qi Ping estimated he wouldn't have to worry about spirit herb supplies until the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. Once new century-old Blood Ginseng appeared, he could even consider breeding new bee species. Under such conditions, unless he had a hole in his head, he would never choose to risk his life in some unsecured Secret Realm.
However, he knew Lin Chaoyang meant well. Otherwise, there was no reason to seek out a "Qi Refinement First Layer" cultivator. Most people wouldn't dream of bringing a burden along; only a simple-minded scion like Lin Chaoyang would do such a thing. When Qi Ping first met him, he thought it was an act, only to realize later that the man was truly like this, year after year.
After weighing his words, Qi Ping decided to gather some information about the Secret Realm first. Not to consider going, but to verify his suspicions about the insect-related sect.
"Chaoyang, you know my strength is average. A dangerous place like a Secret Realm isn't somewhere I dare to tread lightly. Have you found out the specific details? Is it dangerous?"
Qi Ping spoke with absolute sincerity. In a place like a Secret Realm, even the Ring-cutter army might not be able to protect him.
"Brother Qi, I've investigated everything, so don't you worry!"
"Let me tell you, there's an eighty percent chance this is a trial realm left by an ancient sect for their Qi Refinement disciples. Only those at the middle stage or below can enter."
"Once inside, as long as you pass the trials, you'll receive rich rewards. Brother Qi, we're talking about rewards from an ancient sect!"
As he spoke, Lin Chaoyang's tone grew increasingly excited. In the Life-Prosperity Association, Qi Ping was the only youth of a similar age. It seemed only right that the two of them should go after this fortune together. If they could achieve Foundation Establishment or even the Golden Core stage because of this, it would be a legendary tale.
Thus, Lin Chaoyang continued: "Moreover, this Secret Realm tests character and potential, not just raw strength. We brothers can charge through it together, hehe."
"The only possible danger is a rumor about first-tier Demon Insects inside. But that's just a bit of hearsay; the probability is low. After all, such things usually don't appear in trial realms."
When he heard the words "Demon Insect," Qi Ping's heart skipped a beat. It matched!
To Qi Ping, who had seen traces of Blood-Iniquity Insects, contracted the Golden Marrow Bees, and held the Demon Insect Chapter, this wasn't just hearsay—it was a hundred percent real!
'I'm not going! Not even if I'm beaten to death!' Qi Ping decided privately.
Having received this confirmation, Qi Ping stopped being polite and refused without hesitation.
"Chaoyang, I think the news about the Demon Insects is likely true. I've heard others mention seeing signs of them in the Cloud-Mist Mountains. The details were very specific and the credibility is high, so... I think I'll sit this one out."
"How about we wait and see? Let the first wave of people scout the way first?" Qi Ping suggested.
He was certain that the first wave would suffer heavy casualties. Once the news spread, Lin Chaoyang would naturally be dissuaded.
"Brother Qi, I think that's just a rumor spread by other cultivators to keep us away."
"..."
'What kind of logic is that?' Qi Ping was truly exasperated, but he remained patient. "Chaoyang, it's always better to be cautious."
However, after a round of debate, neither could convince the other. In the end, Lin Chaoyang wasn't angry. He simply said before leaving:
"Brother Qi, I'll go scout the way for you then. When I bring back the fortune to show you, don't you dare refuse again."
With those words, Lin Chaoyang bid his farewell and left. Qi Ping watched his retreating back, wanting to advise him further, but he opened his mouth only to find he didn't know what else to say. He had already said everything he could.
After all, he couldn't reveal his own secrets; that was absolutely impossible. And it was even more impossible to kidnap the man. Blocking someone's path to the Dao was akin to murdering their father. Qi Ping couldn't be certain he was right; what if Lin Chaoyang truly was a man of great destiny?
Ultimately, his open mouth only released a helpless sigh.
Living a steady, low-profile life versus fighting fiercely for the Dao—which was the right path? It seemed everyone had their own choice, and both paths had those who made it to the end.
With a heavy heart, Qi Ping began tending to the common flowers he hadn't cared for in days. The Black Little Bees relied on these for nectar; for now, the honey from the Black Little Bees was his main source of legitimate income.
During this process, he carefully observed the state of every plant, watering, fertilizing, and pruning. After half a day of work, his mind finally calmed. Furthermore, perhaps due to his mental state, notifications of experience gain popped up from time to time:
[You have gained a new insight into plants, Druid EXP +1...]
[You have gained a new insight into plants, Druid EXP +1...]
[You have gained a new insight into plants, Druid EXP +1...]
By the end of the day, Qi Ping had actually harvested thirteen points of class experience! If he continued at this rate, he estimated he would have enough to reach Level 3 Druid in less than half a month.
However, he knew this was impossible. He had entered a special state of enlightenment, which allowed him to gain so much experience at once. Normally, gaining five points a day was good; most days it was only around three.
'Still, this provides a thought for gaining experience quickly. I should try this more in the future.'
After Lin Chaoyang left, Qi Ping returned to his quiet farming life. A week later, the Queen Bee laid about two hundred High-speed Ring-cutter eggs and fifty Brewer Pot-bellied eggs. Some had already hatched into larvae and were being fed the best honey.
The production and cultivation of these two species were much more difficult than the ordinary Golden Marrow Bees, which could produce two hundred eggs a day at their fastest. The Black Little Bees could exceed five hundred. It seemed that as the bloodline rank increased, the difficulty of gestation also grew.
Furthermore, since Qi Ping was stabilizing his cultivation and didn't need to refine the Golden Marrow Honey for the time being, a surplus began to accumulate, after accounting for the bees' own needs and the small amount consumed by Old Man Zhou.
Aside from the portion he planned to give Sister Nan, Qi Ping had no intention of selling the rest. He planned to stockpile it for "Explosive Colony Growth" in case of an emergency. Once he began mass production, the consumption of honey for cultivation and daily feeding would be a terrifying figure; his Plant Growth skill alone would struggle to keep up. This was why he hadn't allowed the colony to expand massively yet; once the numbers grew, the daily consumption of honey would make his heart ache.
'Maintaining an army is not easy!'
However, his steady life was soon shattered. On this day, Sister Nan visited and brought him a piece of dire news:
Lin Chaoyang was dead in the Secret Realm!
Even more chilling was that various terrifying Demon Insects had emerged from the Secret Realm and begun to ravage the entire Qingtian Domain.