Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 19: First adventure in danger

Lu Ming prepared for several days and memorized the information about several low-level monsters that might appear around the academy from "Detailed Explanation of the Weaknesses of Common Low-Level Monsters".

Lu Ming, Qin Feiyu, and Hu Zhen decided to go to the outer area of ​​the Misty Forest, where the academy allows its disciples to train, for their first real combat experience.

The Misty Forest is located on the edge of the mountains surrounding the Taoist Academy. The forest is perpetually shrouded in mist that interferes with perception. The trees are tall and dense, the light is dim, and it is home to a variety of low-level demonic beasts.

The academy has set warning boundaries here, strictly prohibiting disciples from venturing into areas beyond their own capabilities.

The three of them cautiously stepped into the Misty Forest. The air was filled with the smell of earth and decaying leaves. All around was quiet, except for the rustling sound of their feet stepping on the fallen leaves.

Qin Feiyu took the lead, holding a sturdy wooden stick he had found on the spot, his eyes wary.

Hu Zhen followed closely beside Lu Ming, clutching a Qingfeng talisman that Lu Ming had given her, looking somewhat nervous.

Lu Ming walked at the back, observing the environment while silently circulating the Qi-guiding technique to maximize his perception.

According to the book, they were searching for traces of a low-level demonic beast called the Ironback Ape.

Ironback gibbons usually live in groups, but occasionally a lone individual may wander on the edge of its territory. Its back fur is as hard as iron, and it is quite strong, but it is not very agile. A head-on confrontation is definitely not a good strategy.

After traveling for about half an hour, they finally spotted their target in a relatively open forest clearing: a large, nearly adult-sized ironback ape with dark gray fur on its back, its back to them, searching for something under a fruit tree.

"Only one!" Qin Feiyu's eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice, eager to try.

Lu Ming carefully observed his surroundings, confirming that there were no other Ironback Apes nearby. He nodded and whispered:

"Proceed according to plan. Feiyu, you draw their attention from the front, Hu Zhen, provide support, and I'll find an opportunity to attack their weaknesses!"

"Alright!" Qin Feiyu responded, suddenly bursting out from behind the tree where he was hiding, his wooden stick whistling through the air as he swept it straight at the Ironback Ape's lower body!

The iron-backed ape reacted extremely quickly. Upon hearing the sound of the wind, it immediately stood up on its hind legs, letting out an angry roar. Its thick arm slammed down, smashing the wooden stick that Qin Feiyu had swept at it into pieces!

The immense recoil caused Qin Feiyu's arm to go numb, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

"What great strength!" Qin Feiyu was secretly shocked, but he was not afraid at all. He threw away the broken stick, circulated his qi and blood, and used the Body Tempering Fist to fight against the Ironback Ape.

The Ironback Ape was incredibly strong, and each swing of its claws carried a gust of wind, forcing Qin Feiyu to constantly dodge and find himself in perilous situations.

Hu Zhen was anxious and quickly made a hand seal, trying to cast a low-level binding spell called Vine Entanglement, which she had only recently mastered.

Pale green light gathered at her fingertips, transforming into several illusory vines that wrapped around the ironback ape's legs.

However, her casting speed was too slow, and before the vines could fully take shape, they were violently crushed by the Ironback Ape's stomping foot. The backlash from the spell made her face turn pale.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lu Ming silently approached, spotted the opening under the armpit of the Ironback Ape exposed by attacking Qin Feiyu, pointed his fingers like a sword, gathered the pure spiritual power in his body, and thrust out suddenly!

"puff!"

With a soft sound, Lu Ming felt as if his fingertips had pierced steel. Although he couldn't completely break through the defense, it still made the Ironback Ape roar in pain and its attack falter.

"It works!" Lu Ming's spirits lifted.

The Ironback Ape, in pain, became even more frenzied. Abandoning Qin Feiyu, it turned and pounced on Lu Ming, its arms flailing wildly, leaving trails of afterimages.

Lu Ming dared not take the attack head-on and quickly retreated, shouting at the same time, "Hu Zhen, Qingfeng Talisman!"

Hu Zhen realized what was happening and immediately channeled her inner energy into the Qingfeng Talisman in her hand.

A flash of pale blue light, and a light force instantly enveloped her legs. She felt her body become lighter and her steps became exceptionally agile. Instinctively, she dodged to the side and back, narrowly avoiding the Ironback Ape's sweeping claw!

"This talisman is really useful!" Hu Zhen exclaimed in surprise.

Qin Feiyu seized the opportunity and attacked from the side again, delivering a heavy punch to the Ironback Ape's waist.

The Ironback Ape roared repeatedly. Despite its thick skin and thick flesh, it was not fatally injured by the combined attacks of the three, but it was still flustered and had several bruises and shallow bloodstains on its body.

It seemed to realize that these people in front of it were not easy to mess with, especially the girl whose movements had suddenly become agile and the boy who always managed to find its weaknesses to attack.

After roaring furiously a few times, it suddenly shoved Qin Feiyu aside, got off on all fours, and quickly darted into the dense bushes, disappearing from sight.

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief when they didn't give chase. They looked at each other and found that each other's foreheads were covered in sweat and their clothes were somewhat disheveled.

"That guy's really tough!" Qin Feiyu rubbed his numb arm, looking in the direction where the Ironback Ape had disappeared, feeling both lingering fear and excitement.

Hu Zhen patted her chest to calm her racing heart: "Luckily, I had the Qingfeng Talisman, otherwise I would have been in grave danger just now."

Lu Ming walked to the place where the battle had just taken place, carefully observing the traces left on the ground and a few broken ape hairs, reflecting on the cooperation and attack just now.

"Our attacks are still too weak to inflict effective damage on it. Our coordination is also lacking, especially in the integration of spells and martial arts; our practical combat experience is still too poor."

"Let's go back first. We'll come back next time with better preparation," Lu Ming said.

"We're still missing a suitable magic weapon. It's a pity our contribution points are too low; we can't even afford the lowest-grade magic weapon. Ordinary mortal items are no match for these demonic beasts," Qin Feiyu said dejectedly.

"It's okay, we still have time, there will be opportunities," Lu Ming said.

The three walked out of the forest side by side; their practical combat experience was still too poor.