The pitch-black drone appeared as if it were encased in ink-colored armor, radiating a heavy, metallic texture. Its wings even bore black patterns and looked exceptionally tough.
'Based on these traits, this must be a defense-oriented bee.'
The appearance of the Toxic Bee and the Ink-Armor Bee put Qi Ping in an excellent mood. Even though the failure rate was higher, getting these two variants made it a massive win. But he would have to wait for them to wake up to test their specific attributes.
Of course, his greatest joy came from the experience points.
[Druid Class EXP +29!]
[Druid Level: Lv2 (179/200)] -> [Lv3 (8/400)]
His long-awaited Level 3 was finally here! Though the experience gain was less than the previous 47 points—likely because Balanced Bees weren't "new"—it didn't matter. Level 3 was the milestone he needed.
Wild Shape was finally within reach!
[Level 3 Druid Skill Generation in progress...]
[Please select your class skills...]
[Beast King Druid (Choose one): Wild Shape, Bloodlust Bestowal]
Lv1 Wild Shape: You can transform into an animal and gain its supernatural powers. (Gain one form every 3 levels. Must be a familiar form, and its energy cannot exceed your own.) (Active, non-upgradable)
Lv1 Bloodlust Bestowal: Grant your Animal Companions the passive skill "Bloodlust." (Active, non-upgradable)
[Jungle Druid (Choose one): Healing Touch, Ravenous Vines]
Lv1 Healing Touch: Summon healing energy. Effective on flesh and plant injuries. (Active, upgradable)
Lv1 Ravenous Vines: Summon a massive vine to attack enemies. (Active, upgradable)
"Wild Shape, Bloodlust Bestowal, Healing Touch, Ravenous Vines... pick two."
Qi Ping had no hesitation for the first choice. He had worked so hard specifically for Wild Shape; nothing could compare to its importance. While Bloodlust was good for short-term burst damage, it was secondary to his own survival.
"Beast King Druid: Wild Shape selected!"
For the Jungle Druid choice, he stuck to his philosophy: his own level was low and likely to stay that way for a while. Therefore, unless it was a utility skill like Plant Growth, he prioritized survival and support.
Healing Touch could save his own life or keep his companions and herbs alive. It was a skill that would be useful from the beginning to the end.
"Jungle Druid: Healing Touch selected!"
[Skill selection complete. Generating data panel...]
[Name: Qi Ping]
[Level: Lv3 (8/400)]
[Class: Beast King Druid (Primary), Jungle Druid (Secondary)]
[Talents: Animal Companion, Nature Affinity]
[Animal Companion: (1/3) Golden Marrow Bee]
[Wild Shape: (1/1) Golden Marrow Bee]
[Shared Talent: Grand Brewer]
[Skills: Lv2 Plant Growth (67/200), Lv1 Beast King's Grace (15/100), Lv3 Barkskin (268/400), Lv1 Healing Touch (0/100)]
[Skills (Constant): Animal Speech, Befriend Animal, Heart of the Wild]
[Wild Shape Options (Golden Marrow Bee): You can transform into any variant within the bloodline. Current forms: Golden Marrow Bee, High-speed Ring-cutter, Brewer Pot-bellied, Balanced Bee, Toxic Bee, Ink-Armor Bee. (Transformation fails if the target's energy exceeds your own or if the rank is incompatible.)]
[You have gained a new Animal Companion slot.]
'I can choose any variant of the Golden Marrow Bee bloodline?'
'I can turn into the High-speed variant, or even the new Ink-Armor and Toxic variants?'
Intense joy flooded Qi Ping's heart. He was impressed! In the game, there was no such thing as mutation cultivation, so he hadn't known Wild Shape would allow him to pick any variant of his contracted species.
This meant he could hide in the swarm as a standard bee, but if he had enough energy, he could instantly switch to the High-speed, Ink-Armor, or Toxic forms. The Pot-bellied and Balanced forms weren't very useful for him personally, but the others were game-changers.
The High-speed variant could rival a Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivator in speed. The Ink-Armor variant was clearly built for defense. Having both at his disposal would make him incredibly hard to kill.
'With this skill and the hive, no one below the Foundation Establishment stage can threaten me.'
'Even against a Foundation Establishment expert, I have a chance to escape!'
'Beekeeping is definitely the path for me. The Demon Insect Chapter can take the colony to the Foundation Establishment stage, and maybe even the Golden Core stage. I'll need to find more clues from Sister Nan.'
'Now, while I have time, let's try Wild Shape.'
"Wild Shape First Form: Golden Marrow Bee!"
[First Wild Shape form confirmed.]
[Wild Shape: (1/1) Golden Marrow Bee]
Just as he was about to transform, a Ring-cutter bee shot toward him at extreme speed.
"Buzz buzz... (Boss, many fierce bugs are coming!)"
"Buzz buzz... (And there's a black-robed two-legged beast with them. He feels like a First-tier Late-stage expert!)"
A late-stage black-robed cultivator?
Qi Ping's brow furrowed. Today was the three-day mark for the insects, so their arrival was expected. But who was this black-robed man?