A Beekeeper in a Magical World

Chapter 13: Neurotoxin

These adorable little creatures are usually the size of a palm, easy to hold in one hand, and have a pleasant texture (the author hasn't tried, but heard from friends).

Hua Mi knew that these pseudo-flower spirits represented the will of nature and were a highly pure species. They were closely connected to the local natural environment. In theory, as long as the environment didn't deteriorate, they could exist indefinitely. Their longevity was the envy of pure-blooded humans.

Pseudo-flower spirits typically lived in groups, and each group didn't have too many members. To express their individuality, they often dressed in different styles using materials like leaves, vines, and flower petals to create various beautiful designs.

Although their personalities varied, overall, they were a kind and warm-hearted group. If you were fortunate enough to encounter them in the Black Forest, you could ask for directions or seek their assistance with small tasks. As long as it was within their capabilities, they generally wouldn't refuse.

If they liked you, they might even prepare an exquisite banquet for you (don't expect to get full at a pseudo-flower spirit banquet).

No need to worry about language barriers; these little beings were proficient in various languages. It was more like telepathy than language.

Pseudo-flower spirits primarily fed on flower nectar. As a way of reciprocating, they were more than willing to help with pollination or perform simple magic to aid in the growth of flowers.

...

"These little beings can help flowers grow faster and better... This is great! The greenhouse needs you!" Although the greenhouse's construction was still in the planning stages, it was best to be prepared.

Hua Mi was determined to establish a good relationship with them and was ready to offer some honey as a reward. Since they embodied the will of nature, they wouldn't be interested in money, so honey was the most suitable form of payment.

Given that they consumed nectar, they couldn't refuse honey.

...

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This adventure guide deepened Hua Mi's understanding of the Black Forest. He learned about various creatures, some highly intelligent, some less so, some gentle and kind, while others were evil and ruthless.

The environment might be complex, but his goal remained unchanged: to continue his belief in farming and beekeeping in this otherworldly realm.

Though he hadn't read even half of the guide, he found his energy waning. He was drained.

"I'll continue reading the rest tomorrow."

Hua Mi lay half-awake in bed until dawn.

After breakfast, he made his way to the otherworld as usual, taking the beehive outside. He then injected the template of Ironclad Bees and X Venom Bees into separate bee swarms.

These two new bee varieties were more combat-oriented, and it was sufficient to expand one swarm for each. Currently, he could only control one swarm at a time, and having more would be a waste of mental energy.

After arranging everything on this side, Hua Mi returned to Earth, retrieved the vial of X Venom Bee venom from the refrigerator, and carried five gold coins in his pocket as he hurried to get them appraised.

The first stop was the town's appraisal laboratory, a historical legacy of Huayu Town's peak era. Although its importance had diminished today, the equipment inside was still top-notch.

The laboratory wasn't large, just a small house from the outside. Hua Mi pushed the door open and found an elderly man in a white lab coat inside. He had silver hair and a square face, which gave him a resilient and cheerful appearance.

The townsfolk usually called him Dr. Chen. He wasn't a native but had moved to Huayu Town after retiring from the university. The reason was his fascination with studying the town's ecological changes.

As a resident of Huayu Town, Hua Mi wasn't sure whether to feel honored or not. It was like naming a disease after oneself. In any case, the feeling was quite complex.

Hua Mi took out the vial and said, "Hello, Dr. Chen. I'd like to have a test done."

Dr. Chen took the small vial, and after putting on his glasses, he examined the small drop of colorless, transparent liquid at the bottom of the vial. Without asking too many questions, he probably thought it was some plant juice or bodily fluid secreted by a bee. After all, Hua Mi was a beekeeper, and what else could he analyze apart from these two substances?

He walked over to the analytical instruments, and although operating them seemed a bit complicated, Dr. Chen chatted with Hua Mi while working.

"How's business lately?"

"The same as usual."

"There aren't many people left in town. Sometimes, giving up is also a choice. When you can't hold on anymore, there's no need to force yourself. You're still young, and you have time to switch to another field."

"I'm the kind of person who doesn't give up until they see the coffin."

Hua Mi replied half-jokingly, and Dr. Chen smiled and didn't say anything more, focusing on the analysis of the venom.

When the results were out, Dr. Chen stared at the screen for a moment, his expression suddenly becoming serious.

"Where did you get this stuff?"

"I had a strange bug at home, and out of curiosity, I captured it. This is the fluid it secreted."

Hua Mi couldn't say it was bee venom. Dr. Chen was not someone easy to deceive, and if he started asking about what kind of bee, it would be difficult to hide the truth.

Dr. Chen immediately said, "That bug is dangerous, it needs to be dealt with immediately."

Hua Mi hurriedly said, "I've already killed it and flushed it down the toilet. What's wrong, Dr. Chen? Is this thing poisonous?"

Dr. Chen nodded. "It's a potent neurotoxin."

Hua Mi's heart skipped a beat. "Is it lethal?"

"Not lethal... at least this quantity generally won't be fatal to a person, but it will cause extremely intense pain, possibly accompanied by spasms, allergies, and even shock, depending on the individual's constitution."

"Extremely intense pain... How painful is that?"

"To put it simply, so you can understand, have you heard of bullet ants? Their neurotoxin induces a pain comparable to being shot. Hence, the name 'bullet ant.' The components in the sample you brought are similar to the venom of bullet ants and will cause pain no less excruciating."

It was equivalent to the pain of being shot by a bullet? That was quite impressive. Most people couldn't even stand a bee sting.

Good, another means of self-defense.

"Since it can cause pain like being shot, let's call it the 'Agonizing Bee.' Simple and easy to understand."

Dr. Chen seemed to want to ask more about the source of the sample, but Hua Mi was afraid of revealing too much and gave some vague answers before hastily leaving the laboratory.

The next stop was a jewelry store in town, where Hua Mi asked the owner to help appraise the material of the five gold coins.

"These four are definitely gold."

The owner weighed them and had a fair idea. To make Hua Mi trust him, he even used a gold purity testing machine to confirm.

"I see, 24K. Exquisite craftsmanship as well. Where did you get these?"

"My grandfather left them to me. What about this one?"

"This one doesn't look like a regular gold coin. I can't be sure about the material. It's quite unusual. I find it strange. I haven't handled any metal like this before. You can take it to a professional organization for a more detailed analysis, and make sure to tell me the results."

Even this experienced jeweler couldn't identify the material, so it was likely a special resource from the otherworld.

Taking it to a professional organization might create a sensation in the scientific community. It was best to be cautious.

Hua Mi was deep in thought when the owner nudged his arm. "Hey, are you selling these four gold coins? I can offer you a good price."

"I'm not selling."

Hua Mi put the gold coins away and answered firmly. These were the currency used in the otherworld, and he might need them at any moment. Converting them to cash would be a big loss.