ALL NOVEL Chapter 70: Abyssal Scholar
Hua Mi stayed up late studying the "strategy" until his mental faculties couldn't endure any longer, prompting him to finally retire to bed.
In his dreams, he found himself in the Brass City.
Tower-like structures of brass stood magnificently before him, a sight that shook him to the core. It was a concoction of architectural sketches seen in Alyss' notes, accompanied by the city's name, creating this dream.
At the center stood a Mayan-style pyramid-shaped temple surrounded by a flame-like "Mother's Blessing," resembling a sea of roaring flames.
Within this floral expanse, he spotted a figure cloaked in black.
Was it the owner of those notes?
Approaching, Hua Mi tapped the person's shoulder.
As they turned, it was a familiar face.
Alyss?
"No, you're not Alyss," Hua Mi made a clear assessment, "She's not this tall."
At his words, the figure's expression darkened, pushing him forcefully.
Then, Hua Mi woke up.
Reflecting on the dream's scenes, his curiosity about the legendary Lost City grew.
"But I should wait for Alyss' companion before deciding anything."
...
Suppressing his curiosity, Hua Mi returned to his beekeeper routine.
Days later, another three acres of Thunderstrike Flowers were planted in the greenhouse.
With approximately seven acres, it seemed sufficient. The Thunderstrike Flowers yielded ample nectar, their green substance and care from the seven pseudo-flower spirits granting a dual buff. The concern shifted from the quantity of honey to the bees' capacity to harvest it all.
About three acres of space remained in the greenhouse for future use.
The Thunderstrike Flowers' scent wasn't merely aromatic; Hua Mi found it slightly overpowering, causing discomfort if exposed for too long.
However, the seven pseudo-flower spirits didn't seem bothered; within this atmosphere, they grew livelier.
Whether due to their physiological differences from humans or habituation to the scent remained uncertain.
Though the current quantity sufficed, the breeding work needed more time. Retaining additional seeds for future or sporadic needs was essential.
Ten new bee colonies had also arrived, adding to the existing fourteen ordinary Chinese honeybee colonies.
"It's time to expand the honey harvesting team."
While the Great Strength Bees had larger honey sacs, their productivity slightly lagged behind the Forest Swift Bees due to their 0.8 speed.
However, the disparity wasn't significant; both had a productivity rating of 2. Moreover, the Great Strength Bees showed superior wind resistance, possibly making them more efficient considering the losses incurred during Forest Swift Bee honey collection.
Thus, the newly introduced harvesting bees would excel in various aspects as Great Strength Bees.
In a way, the Forest Swift Bees seemed obsolete as harvesting bees.
However, they still held value.
Primarily for diversifying trait libraries.
To put it bluntly, for hybridization, aiming for more and superior traits.
Maintaining diversity within trait libraries was crucial.
Hua Mi wasn't rushing into the transition; he intended to decide post the Great Strength Bees' hybridization results.
Perhaps, a more exceptional bee species could be cultivated.
After a day or two, two new Forest Swift Bee queens matured, ready for hybridization experiments.
Hua Mi then proceeded to crossbreed the Great Strength Bee and Reconnaissance Bee templates successively with the two Forest Swift Bee queens.
The hybridization process with the Great Strength Bees went smoothly.
For Hua Mi, already possessing "Bee Mastery Stage Three," such crossbreeding was a cakewalk.
However, complications arose during the Reconnaissance Bee X Forest Swift Bee hybridization.
Despite several attempts, the Reconnaissance Bee template couldn't seamlessly merge into the queen's body.
Clearly not an issue with his abilities.
"Is it impossible for this bee species to hybridize with others?"
Seems like there's reproductive isolation between them.
That's fine.
Try again once the queens of the other bee species mature.
The hybridized queens returned to the nest to produce wax cocoons.
Hua Mi wasn't optimistic about the Great Strength Bee X Forest Swift Bee hybridization.
From experience, an auspicious outcome between them was improbable.
Simply put, apart from speed, the Great Strength Bees outclassed the Forest Swift Bees in nearly every attribute. Consequently, the hybrids might be inferior to the Great Strength Bees.
Even if the speed increased, if other attributes were inferior to the Great Strength Bees, it wouldn't be worthwhile.
Of course, the traits of hybrid offspring weren't an average of both sides' attributes; there could be exceptional new traits from hybridization, but it was a matter of chance.
And as anticipated, the hybrid "Great Strength-Swift Bee" exhibited slightly enhanced speed but suffered a decline in significant attributes, like vitality.
Even their honey sacs reduced to normal size.
Strictly deemed a failed hybrid, unworthy of recording.
...
A couple of days later, Hua Mi received a raven letter from Alyss.
She mentioned her companion's arrival in the Black Forest.
It was time to make the final decision—go or not.
This time, the raven didn't depart immediately; it perched on the windowsill, preening its feathers, seemingly waiting for his reply.
Hua Mi pondered and wrote beneath her message, "Is the Lost City called the 'Brass City'?"
He rolled the letter and handed it to the raven.
The raven snatched the letter, taking flight.
"I wish I could fly as smoothly as it does."
Watching the raven, Hua Mi harbored some envy.
Inspired, he continued practicing flying.
Believing in miracles!
Just a few minutes later, the raven returned.
This time, Hua Mi intercepted it mid-air, retrieving the rolled-up paper from its claws.
It was the same letter, and upon opening it, one word had been added below: "Yes."
Seems like he was right.
Although nearly confirmed, he felt more assured with this confirmation.
Alyss was a reliable elf.
Moreover, he held the strategy guide.
It was a double assurance.
But one last detail needed confirmation.
Adding a line below, he inquired about the other companion's information and handed it back to the raven.
He glimpsed a somewhat human-like reaction on the raven's face, as if it was giving him a skeptical look. It grabbed the paper, stretched its wings before flying, giving him a vigorous flap, then soared into the sky.
After a few minutes, the raven returned.
This time, the paper had an additional sentence: "He's an Abyssal Scholar."
An Abyssal Scholar...
What did that mean?
Related to the abyss... Doesn't feel quite right.
...
"Abyssal Scholar!"
At these words, the seven spirits appeared shocked, gathering in a circle to discuss.
They were sharing their gathered information.
Hua Mi didn't rush; after all, conclusions drawn from comprehensive information were the most accurate.
A minute later, the discussion concluded.
"Simply put, an Abyssal Scholar specializes in studying the abyss."
"..."
Seemed like something was said.
Yet, also like nothing was said.
"I could guess that much. What I mean is, is there anything... special about this profession? Or anything I should be cautious about?"
Xiao Hong said, "Imagine in a tavern, ten people drinking. Mention an Abyssal Scholar
, and nine would express admiration, offering a drink. But if you declare that an Abyssal Scholar will join them, nine out of ten would find excuses to leave, not wanting to stay even a second longer."
"What about the one person?"
"Is that the main point?" Xiao Hong looked incredulously at him, "The main point is, while the profession is highly respectable—and that's undeniable—nobody wants to associate with them."
"Why is that?"