A Beekeeper in a Magical World

Hua Mi contemplated the words spoken by the young girl, intrigued by the term she had used. It seemed like a title or perhaps a level in a game.

Xiao Huang explained, "In simple terms, it's a measure of a mage's strength."

Indeed, that made sense. Hua Mi wondered how high the rankings could go in this world.

From the girl's description, it seemed like reaching five rings was quite an impressive achievement.

"In fact, the number of rings can also describe the intensity of a spell. The higher the rings, the more powerful the spell, and the higher the requirements for the caster. For example, a 5-ring spell would require at least a 5-ring mage's strength to cast..."

With Xiao Huang's caretaker-like explanation, Hua Mi grasped the concept clearly. The term "rings" could describe both an individual's magical power and the intensity of a spell. However, when describing a spell's power, it typically referred to the minimum requirement. The actual strength of the spell might be even greater. For example, a 10-ring mage could cast a 5-ring spell at 10-ring intensity, making it far more destructive than if cast by a 5-ring mage.

A 5-ring mage was already considered a mid-tier mage in the pyramid of power. Hua Mi couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

Were they really just here to invite him to join them? Uncertain about their intentions, Hua Mi turned to Xiao Huang and asked, "Did they have any ill intentions toward me just now?"

Xiao Huang, with a somewhat clueless expression, replied, "How would I know?"

"But don't you have telepathic abilities?"

Xiao Huang clarified, "But that requires cooperation from the target."

Hua Mi realized he had misunderstood. Telepathy wasn't mind-reading. The former required mutual cooperation, much like making a phone call. If the other party didn't answer, there was no way to communicate. Since he couldn't determine their intentions, overthinking the situation seemed futile. He decided to stay cautious.

Hua Mi finished his sandwich and took a few sips of honey water, packed his belongings, and continued on his journey. Several hours passed without any unexpected events. Finally, at dusk, they reached their destination.

"The Black Castle Ruins are not far from here. We need to be prepared..." Xiao Huang said solemnly. "Unicorns are extremely proud creatures, even surpassing elves. So, when interacting with them, we must remain humble. If they show impatience, regardless of whether we achieve our goal, it means we must leave."

Hua Mi nodded, knowing that his own safety was paramount in this foreign realm. He was here to negotiate, not to fight a boss. They had entered the unicorn's domain, and as the adventure guide stated, he could sense a peaceful and serene atmosphere, which helped calm his nerves.

Although it was evening and the surroundings were desolate, Hua Mi felt like he was bathed in a soothing spring breeze. This was the unique magical effect of the unicorn's territory.

He knew that powerful magical creatures could emit certain effects within a specific range, serving as both a deterrent and a warning. Sometimes, adventurers could use these effects to detect the presence of a nearby boss.

After walking for a while, he could already see the dark ruins through the gaps in the trees. It was right in front of them. Hua Mi quickened his pace. Suddenly, two sharp screeches echoed from above. Two greenish figures leaped from the trees, blocking Hua Mi's path on the left and right.

Hua Mi carefully examined the creatures – they had long arms and green fur. They were the same green apes he had encountered during his previous exploration.

"Be cautious when encountering Green Apes and guard your belongings..." The warning from the adventure guide immediately flashed in his mind.

Hua Mi tightened his grip on his equipment, especially his magic box. The two Green Apes each held a wooden stick with a pointed stone at the top, showing an unexpected level of tool usage. This was clearly an influence of the unicorn, elevating their intelligence.

Some creatures in the area voluntarily served the unicorn, considering it their master. These two goofy apes seemed to be functioning as guards.

Xiao Huang flew off his shoulder and approached the Green Apes to communicate. After a brief conversation, Xiao Huang turned to Hua Mi and said, "We can pass, but we have to hand over your bow and arrows to them for safekeeping."

Hua Mi was about to object, but Xiao Huang quickly reassured him, "Don't worry; they will return them to you when we leave."

Hesitating, Hua Mi was skeptical of these cheeky apes' honesty. He didn't fully trust their monkey-like behavior. Normal bows and arrows weren't a big deal, but his Wind God Arrow was irreplaceable. However, considering the situation, he reluctantly handed over his equipment.

His two bee companions hidden in his sleeves were still at the ready.

With the Green Apes guarding them on both sides, they entered the Black Castle Ruins.

This castle, surrounded by trees, looked like a scar on the forest. Most of the walls had collapsed, and the main building had only one level left, with some adjacent towers still standing but barely so.

As the evening darkened, the entire ruins gave off a somber and oppressive atmosphere. It was clear that this place hadn't fallen apart naturally due to neglect. Instead, it seemed to have been damaged during a fierce battle, with evidence of ferocious clashes.

Inspecting the fallen stones, Hua Mi noticed that they weren't entirely black; some broken parts showed their original color.

"Could it be that they were scorched?" Hua Mi could imagine the scene – a towering inferno or thunderbolts striking from the sky, turning the entire castle black.

The stories they had heard earlier, about unicorns being able to contend with dragons, might not all be false...

After crossing a pile of rubble and passing through a crumbling stone arch, Hua Mi arrived in a dilapidated courtyard. Compared to the outer area, this courtyard was relatively intact. Some green plants adorned it, creating a serene atmosphere.

Several stone pillars of varying heights stood around the courtyard, covered in vines and foliage. In the center, the fountain's stone sculpture miraculously remained unscathed, with only a few cracks.

Behind the fountain, a faint white light shone, casting an ethereal glow in the surrounding darkness, much like moonlight.

"That's the unicorn..." Hua Mi couldn't help but murmur. The unicorn, bathed in holy light, stood up, its indifferent gaze fixed upon him.