Wait… I’m a Druid in a Cultivation World?! - Chapter 31

“Eight successes out of ten attempts… An eighty percent success rate with a century-old Blood Ginseng—not bad luck at all!”

Qi Ping was quite satisfied with this result. Initially, he had estimated only about seven successful batches.

“But the next step—merging them into a complete potion—is going to be much harder…”

The fusion process required combining all the medicinal extracts in one go, with absolutely no room for error. Each step had to be timed perfectly, and the balance between the essences of the spiritual herbs was critical.

This stage was a tremendous test of one’s spiritual energy control, sensitivity to herb properties, and mental composure.

Especially during the step where One Point Green fused with the Blood Ginseng and Flowing Light Grass—there was less than a single breath’s margin for error. A moment too early or too late would ruin the entire mixture.

Unlike a failed Blood Ginseng extraction—which could still be salvaged by feeding it to the Golden Marrow Bees for honey—a failed fusion would render the potion completely useless, leaving no choice but to discard it.

A single misstep meant wasting precious spiritual herb essences.
But this was an unavoidable risk.

“My success rate for this fusion step is probably only around sixty percent…”

“Hopefully, the final result will give me a pleasant surprise…”

Before beginning, Qi Ping meticulously checked the proportions of each herb extract multiple times. Only after confirming everything was correct did he close his eyes to meditate and steady his mind.

After roughly half an hour, once his focus had peaked again, he opened his eyes.

These herb extracts were far too valuable—even wasting a single batch would pain him deeply—so he couldn’t afford the slightest carelessness.

“Let’s begin!”

With renewed determination, Qi Ping started the fusion without hesitation.

He had practiced this process countless times and even mentally simulated it endlessly.

As a result, his movements were fluid and precise, carrying an air of mastery.

Yet, despite his flawless execution… his first attempt at fusing the Bloodline Mutation Potion ended in failure.

“The Flowing Light Grass extract was slightly insufficient, while the One Point Green was a bit excessive…”

“The difference between a fifty-year-old Flowing Light Grass and an ordinary one is just too significant.”

Although Qi Ping had strictly followed the formula’s ratios, deviations still occurred.

“Maybe the herb properties shifted over time, or perhaps it’s just natural variation between individual plants. But as long as I can pinpoint the issue, it’s manageable.”

This highlighted the importance of sensitivity to herb properties. Each spiritual herb had unique variations, and these differences could manifest unpredictably depending on the potion being brewed.

Following a formula blindly meant leaving success up to pure luck.

A skilled alchemist or potion-maker could quickly identify these variations and adjust accordingly—yet this was only the most basic requirement for becoming a true master.

Qi Ping was fortunate. Not only did he have the support of his Forest Druid class, but he also shared the Golden Marrow Bees’ innate brewing talents.

“Again!”

Once he identified the problem, he immediately began a second fusion.

Second attempt—failure.

“The timing for adding One Point Green is even more precise than expected…”

Another setback darkened Qi Ping’s expression.

This time, he didn’t rush into another attempt. Instead, he took a moment to recalibrate his mindset and review the previous two failures.

A long while later, when he reopened his eyes, they were once again calm and resolute.

This time, his movements were just as smooth as before.

Third attempt—success!

Fourth attempt—success!

Sixth attempt—failure!

Seventh attempt—success!

Eighth attempt—success!

Out of eight attempts, three failures—and five successes!

“Hah…”

After exhausting the remaining herb extracts in one go, Qi Ping finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

The two initial failures had shaken his confidence, but thankfully, he managed to recover. Of the remaining six batches, five had succeeded!

“Barely met the sixty percent target I set…”

No pleasant surprises—just a near heart attack!

Still, the final outcome was acceptable.

“No luck with the fusion success rate, but maybe the bees’ bloodline mutation will bring some good news…”

Qi Ping consoled himself—if luck hadn’t favored him here, perhaps it was reserved for the hive’s evolution.

“Buzz… (Boss, is the Bloodline Mutation Potion ready?)”

“Buzz… (This stuff smells even more tempting than the last batches! I can barely resist!)”

Seeing that Qi Ping had finished, the Golden Marrow Bees hovering nearby couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, it’s done. There’s enough for about fifty drones.”

Qi Ping nodded, a rare smile of satisfaction appearing on his face.

It hadn’t been easy.

He had poured so much effort and thought into these potions—now, all he could hope for was that the hive’s transformation would bring some reward.

Otherwise, all this hard work would feel like a waste.

And the Golden Marrow Bees would be sorely disappointed.

“Buzz… (Wow! Boss, you’re amazing!)”

“Buzz… (I want to try it too…)”

“Buzz… (That’s only for the drones, dummy!)”

“Buzz… (Boss, should we notify the drones to prepare?)”

“Mn—” Just as Qi Ping was about to nod in agreement, several Golden Marrow Bees came rushing over at breakneck speed.

Even from a distance, they urgently relayed a message through their psychic link.

“Buzz… (Boss, there’s a strange two-legged creature on the mountain!)”

“Buzz… (It feels slightly dangerous, but we haven’t detected hostility yet.)”

A stranger?
Slightly dangerous?

These two details sent a jolt of alarm through Qi Ping. His first thought was that a rogue cultivator had come knocking.

But upon hearing there was no hostility, he relaxed slightly. Golden Marrow Bees were highly sensitive to ill intent—they rarely misjudged such things.

It was probably Steward Zhu, coming to collect rent.

“Checking the dates, it’s about time for him to show up…”

With that realization, Qi Ping’s nerves settled somewhat.

Still, caution remained. It was always best to be prepared for the worst.

“Tell the other bees to stay on alert. If I give the signal, attack immediately!”

“Buzz… (Understood, Boss!)”

At the same time, Qi Ping discreetly slipped the Obsidian Cicada into his sleeve and donned his low-grade magical robe, ready for any sudden danger.

Once these preparations were complete, he sprinted down the mountain at full speed.