Chapter 156 - 155: Searching for a New Gathering Place

Chapter 156: Chapter 155: Searching for a New Gathering Place

The Will of Nature told Han Ning that this fat bee was called a Treasure-Seeking Bee.

The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee was a rare Extraordinary Insect that lived deep in the wild. Their population was incredibly small, unlike ordinary bees that easily numbered in the thousands or tens of thousands per hive. A single hive typically contained only a few dozen drones and one Queen Bee. However, they possessed an innate Talent—treasure hunting!

This type of bee had an acute Perception of various Energy Fluctuations in the air. Simultaneously, they were extremely familiar with the forest environment. In addition, the honey they produced was a high-grade resource; long-term consumption could enhance the power of an Awakened’s Superpower. Because of this, many natives of this world loved keeping one of these chubby, cute large bees as a pet, which had only further contributed to their dwindling numbers.

"AWOO~" Smelling the enticing, sweet fragrance, Snow Cake leaned its large head over, a sound of longing rumbling in its throat.

"I’ll put it away for now. It’ll taste better after we process it when we get back," Han Ning said, storing the honey and gently patting Snow Cake to comfort it.

Now was not the time for tasting. Besides, he suspected that there wasn’t much of this honey left. In these apocalyptic conditions, it must be incredibly difficult for bees to produce honey.

He gathered his thoughts, his gaze sweeping between the Ironthorn Tree Demon and the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee. The feedback from his call to the forest was clear; these two companions were likely the friendliest and strongest terrestrial creatures in the vicinity.

"I need your help." Han Ning got straight to the point. Through the "translation" of the Will of Nature, his voice was clearly transmitted into the Perception of his two companions. "My friends and I need a safe place to live. Ideally, it should meet a few conditions: a dry environment, high elevation, a relatively large area, and no threat of flooding. It needs a stable, clean water source and a natural barrier, or... at least be far away from the lairs of powerful predators.

"Uh... the conditions are a bit demanding," he paused and added. "Meeting just one or two of them is fine."

"GARLU..." Hearing this, the Ironthorn Tree Demon indicated that its range of activity was limited and it knew of no such place. As a Tree Demon, it spent its entire life moving within a restricted area and rarely saw the scenery outside its territory. If it hadn’t been summoned by the aura of nature, it would never have left its home to travel such a long distance. Its kin lived where it resided, and to ensure their safety, it couldn’t bring outsiders back with it.

Meanwhile, the big, fat bee fell into deep thought.

"Is there a chance?!" Han Ning thought, watching its posture as his expression shifted in anticipation.

"BUZZ~ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ~ BUZZ~"

A moment later, the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee snapped out of its contemplation. It waved its insect limbs, continuously explaining something to Han Ning.

"Mhm, mhm..." Han Ning’s expression flickered. "You’re saying there’s a place we can live?"

"BUZZ! BUZZ BUZZ!" The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee nodded vigorously, then quickly shook its head. It indicated that it knew of a place they could live, but it wasn’t sure if the conditions would satisfy them.

"Then please take us there to take a look," Han Ning said with a smile.

"BUZZ BUZZ!" The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee’s chubby body hovered in midair, and it pointed its twig-made Long Spear toward the northwest. Its posture seemed to say: *What are you waiting for? Let’s get moving, buddy!*

At the same time, the Ironthorn Tree Demon stood up. Taking heavy steps, it took the lead and walked in the direction the bumblebee pointed. Even though it didn’t know where they were going, it could help clear the way!

Han Ning turned back to the group. "We’re going to follow them and take a look. The bulk of the supplies, along with the wounded and exhausted, can stay here for now. They will be protected by the other Awakened. Once we confirm the destination is safe, we’ll relocate everyone."

"Understood!" Chairman Wu’s Spirits were greatly lifted. He selected a few Awakened who were in relatively good condition—including Lin Qianqian, Vice President Zhao, and Yu—to follow Han Ning’s core team. Under his command, the rest of the survivors found a place to rest briefly.

The advance team moved rapidly along the "road" carved out by the Ironthorn Tree Demon.

The massive tree creature navigated the mountain forest with immense ease. It effortlessly tore through the vines and thorns blocking their path, clearing a safe and clean trail for everyone. The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee acted like an agile, chubby Scout, buzzing about a dozen meters ahead of the group. It occasionally stopped to point the way with its twig or dove into the canopy to investigate, ensuring their route remained safe.

The mountain path was rugged and slippery. Long-term erosion by the rain had formed mud pits of varying sizes in the low-lying areas, filling the air with the heavy stench of rotting vegetation.

The deeper they ventured into the mountain range, the denser the vegetation became. However, based on Han Ning’s observations, many of the plants were already dead, their roots rotted from the excessive rainwater. With the sudden drop in temperature, even the plants that managed to survive the flooding would soon freeze to death. They were merely maintaining a superficial facade of life, waiting to decay.

The rain, mixed with hail, was mostly blocked by the canopy, leaving the forest interior cold, gloomy, and slippery. A thin layer of frost had even formed on the surface of some plants. Gradually, the soil beneath their feet grew firmer and the incline steepened noticeably, signifying that they were finally moving away from the flood zone.

"BUZZ!"

Flying at the front, the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee suddenly let out a warning cry. It hovered in midair, pointing its twig toward a patch of woods ahead and to the side.

"On guard!" Vice President Zhao shouted in a low voice. The muscles on his remaining right arm bulged, faint steam rising from his skin.

In that Forest Clearing, seven or eight mutated monitor lizards—each about three meters long with grayish-green scales—were entrenched. Disturbed by these uninvited guests, they raised their heads and hissed, flicking their tongues.

The group was clearly crossing through their territory. However, there was no need for the humans to act.

"SUGA!" The Ironthorn Tree Demon let out a low roar. Taking a heavy step forward with its branch-entwined body, the sharp thorns covering it trembled menacingly.

Not to be outdone, the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee flew a bit lower. It aimed its Long Spear at the pack of giant lizards and emitted a threatening buzz.

Sensing the imposing aura radiating from the Ironthorn Tree Demon, the mutated monitor lizards glanced at the fierce-looking barbs on its body, then at the fat bee in the air emitting strange Energy Fluctuations. They shrank back in fear.

"HISS..." They let out a few hesitant hisses before slowly backing away, quickly disappearing into the deeper, denser forest.

A potential skirmish was thus defused.

"Thank you both," Han Ning said gratefully.

"BUZZ~" the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee replied. Raising its head proudly, it flew ahead to continue leading the way.

"LU..." the Ironthorn Tree Spirit responded with a goofy rumble, returning to clearing the path.

With these two powerful forest companions acting as a deterrent at the vanguard, ordinary creatures simply didn’t dare approach. After crossing a steep mountain ridge, the air became fresher and more humid. It carried a refreshing mist that immediately lifted everyone’s Spirits.

"BUZZ BUZZ! BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!" The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee cried out excitedly, accelerating as it dove toward a mountain hollow below that was half-hidden by fallen trees.