"The success rate is around eighty-five percent, slightly higher than I estimated! Not bad!"
Qi Ping looked at the Enhanced Bloodline Alienation Liquid, which radiated an inviting aura, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face. He had broken through to Foundation Establishment and worked hard for three months just for this day!
Among his four animal companions, the bees actually carried the heaviest workload. Combat, scouting, sentry duty, brewing honey, tending the spiritual fields on peaks twenty-eight and twenty-nine, creating distractions during retreats, and hiding loot—they did countless things. They were the companions Qi Ping could least afford to lose. They weren't just for fighting and producing resources; they had become a fundamental part of his life as a cultivator. He could hardly imagine how inconvenient and dangerous his life would be without them.
The Golden Marrow Bees were also his first animal companions, having been with him since he awakened his Druid profession. They had helped him through many crises. Even among the initial batch of mid-level Rank 1 Golden Marrow Bees, over two hundred of the last thousand had already died of old age. Over the next ten years, the remaining seven hundred would slowly pass away.
Until they were too old to move, they worked hard to collect herbs, gather nectar, and brew honey, fulfilling their duties until the very end. This was their honor. As part of the swarm, their greatest wish was to see it prosper and grow. To Qi Ping, the swarm was an inseparable part of his existence. When he first contracted them, he had promised to make their tribe stronger!
For the Golden Marrow Bees, reaching the late-level of Rank 1 and growing to ten thousand members was not the end—it was only the beginning! Next was the metamorphosis to Rank 2, followed by the absorption of the Demon Insect King's bloodline, which would trigger a massive leap in their quality! In the future, Qi Ping would continue to find ways to elevate them. As far as he could walk on the path of immortality, he would take the swarm with him!
"Are you ready?"
Qi Ping looked at the drones before him—the strongest ones, painstakingly selected over the past year—and nodded to himself. After the Queen Bee evolved, the overall quality of the drones had improved significantly. These drones, who were about to consume the Enhanced Bloodline Alienation Liquid, were the best of the best.
The swarm itself took this matter even more seriously than Qi Ping did. They had even requested a competition and assessment from him; only the winners could serve as the seeds for the evolution.
"Buzz... (Boss, we are ready!)" One hundred and sixty-eight drones spoke in unison.
Originally, two hundred drones had been selected, but after the liquid was refined, there was only enough for one hundred and sixty-eight. Consequently, thirty-two drones were left out, flying to the side with drooping wings and dejected spirits. They had prepared for over half a year for this moment of glory, hoping to evolve and lead the swarm to Rank 2. Now that they couldn't participate, they were naturally heartbroken.
However, they felt no jealousy. They knew the one hundred and sixty-eight kinsmen chosen were stronger than them and had a higher chance of success. This was the best choice for the swarm. As for the risk of death during metamorphosis, they didn't care; if their deaths could make the swarm stronger, they would give their lives without hesitation. But this was a chance to birth a powerful Rank 2 breed, so every chosen bee would fight with all its might to succeed!
Aside from these drones, all the other bees—save for those on sentry duty or tending the fields—had returned to the illusion array to watch the ceremony. The Queen Bee, the largest and most powerful among them, stood on Qi Ping's shoulder, her eyes shimmering with excitement. They had waited too long for this!
Beyond the bees, the little spirit fox and the flower spirit also came to Qi Ping's side, watching with wide, curious eyes.
"Chirp! (It's so lively!)"
"Gurgle... (Yes, yes, it's never been this crowded here!)"
Even Ya Ya, who usually avoided crowds, had flown over, though it still chose a spot where it could bask in the sun.
Qi Ping hadn't expected a swarm metamorphosis to become a grand festival for his territory. The term "center of attention" was perfectly fitting.
"Then let us begin! Go in order. Eat until your instincts tell you it is enough—do not eat too much, and do not eat too little!" Qi Ping warned them seriously.
Every bee was different, so the ideal dosage varied. The bees possessed keen instincts, and following their gut was the most reliable method.
"Buzz! (Understood, Boss!)"
With a response, the drones began to consume the liquid in an orderly fashion under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Each drone ate with great care, ensuring they took the right amount without disturbing their kin. The high discipline of the swarm was on full display.
Qi Ping nodded in approval. With such discipline, the power they could unleash when combined with formations would be unimaginable! Once he found a suitable formation, he could use each bee as a node, allowing the collective combat strength of the swarm to explode! To him, this was the proper way to combine beast-taming and formation mastery!
Soon, the one hundred and sixty-eight drones finished their meal. Finding that there were still two portions left, Qi Ping allowed two more drones to join. As the last two chosen drones excitedly finished the liquid, all one hundred and seventy drones began their metamorphosis...