NOVEL WEB Chapter 14: Moonlit Honey
Ironclad Bees
"Derived from the Chinese honeybee, they can harden parts of their bodies. After hardening, they develop a crystalline armor on their body, capable of easily piercing hardwood. Their stingers no longer detach easily. However, hardening reduces their agility..."
Hua Mi paused and pondered for a moment, then continued writing:
"Their size is similar to the Chinese honeybee, and they display diffraction patterns around their membranous wings..."
Hua Mi's drawing skills were far from impressive, but he attempted to create a simple sketch alongside the description. It didn't need to be a masterpiece; it just had to capture the unique characteristics of the new bee species.
Next, he evaluated their relevant attributes:
Lifespan: 1
Reproductive Rate: 1
Productivity: 0.7
Their lifespan and reproductive capabilities were similar to those of ordinary Chinese honeybees, but their productivity was lower. This was mainly due to their flight speed, which was approximately 0.7 times that of regular bees in their normal state, even lower when they were in their fully armored state, possibly reaching as low as 0.5.
However, these calculations were made under special circumstances and weren't taken into account for their overall assessment. In the end, Hua Mi rated their collecting ability at 0.7.
Regarding combat abilities:
Attack: 1
Defense: 5
Lifespan: 2
Speed: 0.5
Hua Mi assigned a combat rating of 3 to the Ironclad Bees. The term "combat rating" wasn't a measurement compared to other bees, but rather how much they could assist him in dangerous situations or during battle scenarios. It was a subjective evaluation, but since Hua Mi was creating it for himself, he didn't mind the subjectivity. His goal was to highlight the differences between bee species and quantify their attributes for better management and distribution.
Next was the "Agonizing Bees."
Agonizing Bees
Derived from the Chinese honeybee, they can secrete a neurotoxin that inflicts a level 10 pain on the target, equivalent to the sensation of being shot by a bullet. They were similar in size to the Chinese honeybee, but their stingers became longer and thicker, with enhanced venom gland function.
Lifespan: 1
Reproductive Rate: 1
Productivity: 1
Hua Mi evaluated their collecting ability as 1.
Attack: 4
Defense: 1
Lifespan: 1
Speed: 1
Their combat rating was also 3, based on the same criteria.
By these standards, the Forest Swift Bees had a collecting ability of 2.3 (thanks to their double speed and positive effect on reproduction) and a combat rating of 1.2 (primarily due to their speed advantage).
With this, all three new bee species were now documented.
In the following days, Hua Mi decided not to venture outside. He planned to wait until the first batch of Moonlit Sleep Flower Honey was produced. With honey as a reward, he might be able to enlist the help of the seven pseudo-nymphs, making exploration safer and more productive.
Replacing the entire hive with high-efficiency Forest Swift Bees would double the speed of honey production, and he expected the first batch to be ready in about a week. However, intermittent rain during this period wasn't conducive to beekeeping. But the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks, and there was nothing to complain about.
In the rainy weather, aside from the occasional rumble of thunder, he also heard eerie, ghostly sounds from the depths of the forest. It sometimes sounded like a whale song or a woman singing, but these strange sounds only lasted for a few seconds before vanishing. It sent shivers down his spine and reinforced his decision to avoid exploring the mysterious forest.
In the magical world, especially in remote forests, one never knew what kind of supernatural creatures they might encounter.
Nonetheless, he felt his nerves becoming stronger under such trials, and his mental strength had improved as well—hopefully, it wasn't just his imagination.
He had to give credit to the building materials of his cabin. Even in the rainy season, there was no sign of dampness inside the house. When it rained, he simply moved the beehives indoors to allow the bees to take a break.
On sunny days, Hua Mi would recline in the backyard on a bamboo chair, leisurely sipping his own honey-infused fruit tea, reading books like "The Alchemy Journal" or "The Black Forest Adventure Guide."
A few times, he noticed a petite figure peeking out from behind the large tree, acting furtive. Even though she never revealed herself completely, her distinctive purple hair gave away her identity.
Hua Mi didn't call her out, choosing to ignore her presence.
In his spare time, he practiced controlling the Ironclad Bees and Agonizing Bees. This was a life-saving skill, and the more proficient he became, the better.
Ideally, he would develop tactics to handle different situations, avoiding panic in unforeseen circumstances.
In his initial plan, the Ironclad Bees were for defense, to ward off threats. While a single Ironclad Bee couldn't protect him, a group of them formed a sturdy shield that could be broken and reassembled, providing strong protection.
The Agonizing Bees were meant for offense or control. A single sting could inflict excruciating pain, rendering the victim incapacitated, making them excellent for control purposes.
Although he could only control one group of bees at a time, he could rapidly switch between them for coordinated efforts. However, there was a delay in switching, as establishing a connection with the bee group required time, similar to a casting time in a game. It also required additional mental energy. Nevertheless, with practice, he could reduce the time and energy required.
As the days passed, the flow of Moonlit Sleep Flower nectar clearly diminished. The Watercrest Moon Festival was approaching.
"The temperature has dropped a few degrees," Hua Mi noted. Dressed in his black robe, he felt comfortable despite the changing weather, so there was no need for additional clothing.
This level of temperature fluctuation wasn't enough to affect the bees' habits, so there was no need for any artificial interference. Everything proceeded systematically.
On a sunny afternoon, Hua Mi closed his alchemy journal and walked toward the beehives.
It had been 21 days in total.
The first batch of Moonlit Sleep Flower Honey was ready, thanks to the Forest Swift Bees. If regular bees had been used, it would have taken twice as long.
Hua Mi had already moved his portable honey collection equipment to the hives. He skillfully removed chunks of honeycomb from the beehives, placed them into the machine, and, with the centrifugal force, the golden honey flowed continuously into the barrel, releasing a rich honey aroma.
Hua Mi was very familiar with this process. He could do it blindfolded.
"After bottling, I shouldn't sell all of it online. I should reserve a portion to entice those seven little nymphs to help out on my bee farm. With their assistance, whether it's finding new sources of nectar or tending to the flower fields, everything will become much easier. Those little ones are no bigger than honey bottles, so they can't consume much."
Plus, he expected to have a dozen or so bottles left before the honey flow period ended.
After harvesting all the honeycombs, it was already dusk. Hua Mi scooped a spoonful of honey, slowly pouring it into the barrel. With the evening sun's warm glow, the honey formed an orange-gold column as it dripped in, displaying the perfect color and consistency.
"The Brix level should be at least 41, maybe even 42... Let me try the flavor."
Taking a small spoonful, Hua Mi savored the silky sweetness. The delightful taste unfolded on his taste buds, uninterrupted and heavenly.
"It's hard to believe this is completely natural honey with no additives!"
The honey's fragrance, enhanced by the unique scent of the Moonlit Sleep Flower, seemed to mitigate the usual sourness of natural honey. Even for an experienced honey taster like Hua Mi, this high-quality honey was a delightful surprise.
He awarded this honey a 90 out of 100 for its flavor, leaving the remaining 10 points as room for improvement, to keep himself from becoming too complacent.
He couldn't resist eating several more spoonfuls.
After who knows which spoonful, a peculiar sensation suddenly coursed through his body.