MF-novel Chapter 257 - 201: The Bee Queen’s True Name
Chapter 257 - 201: The Bee Queen’s True Name
Inside the Immortal Mansion, it was as if time stood still. Everything was exactly as it was when Fang Qingyuan had left.
The only thing that had changed was the Bee Queen’s plump belly. She had eaten more than ten pounds of Golden Jade Flower Honey and was now lying comfortably in her little nest, looking utterly content.
When Fang Qingyuan entered, the Bee Queen wriggled over to his side and spoke using her Mind Divine Technique:
"Master, what are we going to do next? Should I continue laying eggs?"
Hearing this voice in his mind, Fang Qingyuan felt a slight sense of dissonance. He had always treated the Bee Queen as a mere tool. Ever since he had brought her from the sect, nurtured her from a tiny egg into an adult, and raised her to her current state, Fang Qingyuan realized that, without noticing it, he had developed some affection for her.
This feeling wasn’t like his bond with Yinbao, one of mutual support in their humblest beginnings, nor was it like his pride and satisfaction in having a powerful Spirit Beast like Jinbao. Instead, it was an emotion that had gathered drop by drop, accumulating until this very moment when the Bee Queen spoke to him.
Only then did Fang Qingyuan realize that the Bee Queen was truly an independent life, a unique individual, and no longer just the production tool he had seen her as.
Thinking of this, Fang Qingyuan’s expression softened, and he said gently:
"We’ll talk about laying eggs later. Right now, I want to give you a name."
"A name? Why should I have a name? Master, do you have a name?"
The Bee Queen had been kept inside the Immortal Mansion by Fang Qingyuan ever since she was born and had never had contact with the outside world. As a result, she was unclear on many matters of common sense.
Hearing the Bee Queen’s naive words, Fang Qingyuan said patiently:
"A name represents a living being’s connection to the outside world. With a name, you become an independent individual. And of course I have a name."
The Bee Queen propped up her upper body, looking at Fang Qingyuan with her two huge compound eyes, and said joyfully:
"Then I want a name too! Master, hurry and give me a name."
Fang Qingyuan chuckled lightly, stroking the Bee Queen’s head. After a moment’s thought, he said:
"From now on, you’ll be called Ruoxi. Remember, this is your name from now on. Fang Ruoxi."
The Bee Queen, now Fang Ruoxi, heard the name Fang Qingyuan had given her. Though she didn’t know its meaning or how the name was written, she couldn’t help but feel happy. She rolled over to Fang Qingyuan’s feet and happily somersaulted several times.
After giving the Bee Queen a name, Fang Qingyuan felt more at ease himself. Now he had Jinbao, Yinbao, and the Bee Queen, Ruoxi. He felt he had more attachments in his life, and he was no longer as lonely as when he had first awakened his past life’s memories, like a newcomer to this world.
As for the Crimson Young Bird outside, Fang Qingyuan subconsciously ignored it. He didn’t just take in any Spirit Beast. The young bird had merely been an excuse to fool Situ Jingyu back then. Now, three or four years had passed, and while the Crimson Young Bird had grown a little, it would take decades before it could be of any real help to him.
Right now, Fang Qingyuan was just keeping the Crimson Young Bird as a pet and wasn’t very invested in it, so naturally, he didn’t feel like giving it a name.
After Fang Ruoxi had celebrated for a long while, Fang Qingyuan led her outside the Purple Bamboo Forest to admire the beautiful scenery of the hundred-acre Immortal Mansion together.
As far as the eye could see, the hundred-acre Immortal Mansion was a lush, verdant expanse. It was a magnificent sight of numerous Spirit Plants growing vigorously. Tens of thousands of Scorpion-tailed Bees flitted among the Spirit Plants, busily pollinating and gathering nectar.
Three hundred zhang up in the sky, the Three-legged Golden Crow Illusion Beast had become a miniature, fiery red sun, freely radiating light and heat.
This was the Three-legged Golden Crow Illusion Beast’s daily routine, and also its method of cultivation.
In a sizable lake with crystal-clear water, a few Spirit Fish could occasionally be seen darting past in a flash. As if sensing Fang Qingyuan’s gaze, a ripple spread across the water, and an Illusion Beast with a Turtle Shell and a snake’s tail emerged, treading on the waves and letting out a friendly cry toward Fang Qingyuan.
Fang Qingyuan sensed the locations of the five hidden Five Elements Illusion Beasts within the Immortal Mansion, a smile appearing on his face. Inside the Immortal Mansion, these Illusion Beasts grew much faster than they would in the outside world.
In just over half a year, their bodies had grown a fair bit larger. The Dragon Spirit, their leader, was now five and a half inches long.
At the thought of the Dragon Spirit, a small Fish Dragon revealed itself from a patch of Spirit Plants. It came to Fang Qingyuan’s side and swam continuously around his spirit.
Fang Qingyuan laughed heartily and said to the Bee Queen, Fang Ruoxi:
"This is my Divine Power Illusion Beast. It’s different from you—not as smart."
Receiving Fang Qingyuan’s praise, the Bee Queen Fang Ruoxi’s compound eyes twinkled happily a few times. When Fang Qingyuan had condensed the Five Elements Illusion Spirits, she had already fallen into a deep slumber. Now, with a few more companions in the Immortal Mansion, she would have playmates even on days when Fang Qingyuan wasn’t around.
Seeing the Bee Queen Fang Ruoxi’s happiness, Fang Qingyuan felt a wave of hesitation. ’Should I take her outside the Immortal Mansion to see the world?’
’If she just stays inside the Immortal Mansion, then her newly awakened All Things Heart Sound Divine Technique and Ten Thousand Luminous Illusion Eye will have no place to be used. There aren’t many living beings in the Immortal Mansion. The best place for her Divine Techniques to be effective is the outside world—the Wilderness Forest, with its countless creatures.’
’But if she sees the reality of the outside world, will she still be willing to return to the Immortal Mansion?’
’The Bee Queen, Fang Ruoxi, could have just lived on happily like this. If she had never seen the light, she would never know the darkness she currently inhabits.’
For a moment, Fang Qingyuan was undecided. But before he could make up his mind, a sensation from his physical body outside made his expression shift slightly.
"Go back on your own. I have to leave now."
After instructing the Bee Queen Fang Ruoxi, Fang Qingyuan’s spirit returned from the Immortal Mansion to his physical body. Meanwhile, Fang Ruoxi looked at the long distance back to her honeycomb, and her face fell. She sighed, then slowly began to wriggle her way toward the Purple Bamboo Forest.
.....
In the secret chamber, Fang Qingyuan opened his eyes, his expression turning cold. Waves of Magical Power fluctuations were coming from outside. He scanned the area with his Divine Sense and discovered numerous battles taking place all around the camp.
Just then, he sensed someone approaching his location. Facing the newcomer, Fang Qingyuan didn’t rush out. Instead, he manipulated the Array and asked:
"Who’s there?"
"Elder Fang, it’s me, Shangguan You! A large number of demonic beasts have suddenly appeared around the camp. They’ve charged here from dozens of li away and are now attacking the camp’s surrounding Arrays. Seeing their massive scale, I came to ask you to come out and discuss a countermeasure."
Hearing it was Shangguan You, Fang Qingyuan’s expression relaxed slightly. He called out in a clear voice:
"I understand. Senior Brother Shangguan, please go and take charge of the situation first. I’ll be right there."
After Shangguan You’s aura had retreated, Fang Qingyuan thought for a moment. He removed the Low-grade Spirit Stones from the three Arrays and replaced them one by one with three Top-grade Spirit Stones of different attributes. Only after doing this did he summon all his Magical Artifacts, arm himself completely, and step out of the Array.
Once outside the Array, Fang Qingyuan’s perception became even clearer. Thousands of demonic beasts were swarming in from all directions. Their eyes were crimson, and they were relentlessly attacking the outer Arrays set up by the Beast Taming Sect. Even if it meant their own deaths, they seemed determined to leave a few more marks on the Array Spirit Shield.
Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan’s brow furrowed. He quickly headed toward the front line where the battle was most intense. At the same time, amid a sky full of deep, rumbling sounds, a stream of Scorpion-tailed Bees as hard as metal flew out endlessly from the long banner in Fang Qingyuan’s hand, dispersing to hide themselves throughout the camp.