Killer bees, also known as tiger-headed wasps, are notorious as one of the mountain forest's most vicious creatures. Fierce by nature, highly aggressive, moving in swarms with rapid flight speed, they don't produce honey but prefer raw meat. A single sting can cause poisoning in mild cases and death in severe ones. Truly an infamous species of wasps.
"Who's injured?" Li Pingfu asked gravely. He knew Li Yuan's temperament - his brother wouldn't panic unless something serious happened.
"Little Five and Little Seven got stung! Those wasps are vicious - their stingers pierce right through leather armor!" Li Yuan exclaimed fearfully.
Over the years, the brothers had gradually established their hierarchy based not on age but on strength. As the undisputed eldest brother, Li Pingfu led his brothers to make their name known. None in Peach Blossom Mountain could rival them, and they were rising stars even in Flat Peach Town.
"Apply antidote ointment first to neutralize the poison, then take them to the town clinic," Li Pingfu decided immediately. "Gather all our brothers. This wasn't an accident - we're being targeted."
Due to their threat, killer bees had been actively exterminated by mountain villagers. Their remaining numbers were few, and wild swarms couldn't form large enough groups to pose serious danger to humans.
For Little Five and Little Seven to get injured right away... was highly suspicious.
"Big brother," Li Pingcan interjected, "it's early spring - the snow just melted. This isn't killer bee season."
Li Pingfu's frown deepened, confirming this was no accident. "It must be the work of the Bee Alliance."
Some in the Bee Alliance sold real honey, while others peddled fake, diluting pure honey with syrup! Recently, villagers discovered several beekeepers adulterating their products, leading to a confrontation where the old village chief nearly took a punch. Li Pingfu and his brothers had intervened to resolve it.
Who would have thought those cheaters would hold a grudge and attempt murder using killer bees?
"Li Yuan, take Little Five and Little Seven to the clinic first, then gather all our brothers."
"Got it, Brother Pingfu." Li Yuan hurried off.
Once Li Yuan was gone, Li Pingfu asked, "Little brother, can you handle these killer bees?"
Wasps capable of injuring martial artists clearly transcended ordinary insects - these were Blood Qi species, perhaps even Treasure-grade insects. Normal protective gear would be useless, while steel armor would hinder mobility in mountain pursuit.
They could only rely on his mysteriously capable younger brother.
Perfect timing - this was right in his expertise!
Li Pingcan smiled faintly. After contracting the Purple-Gold Blood Centipede, ant colony, and a Blood Qi scorpion, his [Insect Contract] had leveled up from 0 to LV3, with one contract slot remaining.
Find the queen bee, and he could control the entire swarm.
"Don't worry, brother. I'll take care of the killer bees."
The earth was a Druid's ears, spores his eyes.
As the natural breeze swept across rolling green mountains and crisscrossing valleys, carrying ancient ballads and legends, Li Pingcan traversed brambles and vines with leisurely ease. Guided by nature's whispers, he effortlessly located both the killer bee swarm and their queen.
Truthfully, even without the mushroom's perspective, he could have found the queen.
Two tiger-striped black-and-yellow wasps happily fluttered their wings as they devoured meat strips from Li Pingcan, their synchronized wingbeats creating a resonant buzz.
Thanks to the Druid's natural affinity, these aggressive killer bees showed no hostility toward him. After being bribed with pork, they even volunteered as guides, leading the Druid back to their nest without suspicion.
"You two can go back. I won't follow further."
Li Pingcan addressed the two little wasps, having already spotted the plump queen bee clumsily rolling about in a beekeeper's hands. At this distance, he could initiate the contract without revealing himself.
"Activate [Insect Contract]."
As his consciousness connected with the queen, Li Pingcan immediately sensed resistance. Nurtured by humans, this queen was stronger, capable of controlling a swarm exceeding a thousand.
This also meant greater mental resistance from the queen.
If the first contract attempt failed, a second would be nearly impossible.
After consideration, Li Pingcan tempted: "Come with me - unlimited honey water, endless meat, and I can make your swarm stronger."
This was just an attempt - if the worker bees were gluttons, perhaps the queen shared this trait.
Unexpectedly, the queen's resistance vanished instantly, and the contract succeeded.
"Seriously? Betraying this easily?"
Li Pingcan was speechless. This queen had absolutely no principles, just pure gluttony.
Thinking back to the two traitorous guides, it suddenly made perfect sense.
Meanwhile, the lead beekeeper frowned, sensing something wrong.
His killer bee queen was a Treasure-grade specimen, its lethality allowing him free rein through these mountains. Yet suddenly, the faint blood contract with the queen had completely severed. Though the queen remained in his hands, he could no longer sense its presence!
"Damn this tiny Peach Blossom Mountain and its weirdness!"
The lead beekeeper spat viciously. "All that kid's fault! Hmph, I've already cased Peach Blossom Village. After reporting to Wu Laoliu, we'll split the loot and leave. I'll ask Master about the queen later."
With the queen physically present despite the broken contract, he wasn't overly worried.
"Casing the village? Splitting loot?"
"These beekeepers are multi-talented - moonlighting as burglars now?"
Li Pingcan chewed leisurely on a grass stem while watching the raven circling overhead, knowing his brothers had already blocked the mountain path exit.
"Think you can rob our village? I'll teach you a lesson first! Queen, attack!"
At his command, the queen wriggled, releasing pheromones to mobilize the swarm: Attack those bastards!
A dense cloud of killer bees erupted from the hives, their wingbeats creating helicopter-like vibrations that terrified ordinary bees into frozen stillness. Like a disciplined army, they blanketed the beekeepers, lifting their stingers for brutal strikes.
Screams and curses filled the air.
"What's happening? The swarm's gone mad!"
"It hurts! So much pain!"
"Old Huang! What did you do to your queen?"
The beekeepers hastily took anti-venom, which only mitigated toxicity but not the stinging agony! Each man's head became enveloped in a living "bee hat."
In their panic, they abandoned their hives, fleeing like startled rabbits.
In the chaos, the queen bee vanished from Old Huang's hands!
At the mountain's base...
The disheveled beekeepers encountered five young martial artists lying in wait. Their leader's gaze was cold as steel.
"Attack. Kill. Bury the bodies."