The group stepped into the forest along the familiar path, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows around them.
The forest was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, and the chirping of birds and the humming of insects created a unique and tranquil atmosphere.
“Wild animals often roam around here, everyone must be careful,” Uncle Li warned solemnly, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
“Don’t worry, Dad, we know what we’re doing.” Erhu patted the spear in his hand and replied confidently, his words full of youthful vigor and fearlessness.
After traveling for about half an hour, they arrived at an open space.
This place was sunny and lush with vegetation, making it an excellent spot for rest and herb gathering.
“Let’s rest here for a while and gather some medicinal herbs,” Liu Qing said, putting down his bag and then starting to search for suitable herbs in the surrounding area.
Liu Feng followed his grandfather Liu Bai and carefully explored the area around the open space.
They harvested common herbs such as honeysuckle, mint, and purple leaves, and even discovered some rare herbs that Liu Feng had never seen before.
“Grandpa, what is this?” Liu Feng pointed to a strangely shaped plant, his eyes full of curiosity.
“This is Earth Spirit Ginseng, which is different from ordinary ginseng and is quite precious.” A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Bai’s eyes.
“Its nourishing effects are very strong and will greatly benefit your recovery.
My first soul skill originated from an Earth Spirit Ginseng that is nearly a hundred years old.”
Liu Feng nodded solemnly, then carefully dug out the Earth Spirit Ginseng and gently placed it into the medicine bag.
Finding such a precious medicinal herb for the first time filled Liu Feng with excitement and pride.
Meanwhile, Erhu and Liu San were also focused on finding medicinal herbs.
Liu San bent down and parted the grass, and sure enough, he found several common hemostatic herbs.
He gently dug the herbs out by the roots and put them into the medicine basket.
“Xiao Feng, Xiao San, come quick!” Erhu suddenly shouted.
Liu Feng walked over quickly and saw that Erhu was holding a herb that emitted a faint fragrance.
Upon closer inspection, Liu Feng blurted out, “This is Purple Spirit Grass!
Although it’s not very old, it’s still a rare medicinal herb.”
Erhu’s face broke into a smug smile: “Looks like I’m really lucky today!”
Liu Feng smiled and patted him on the shoulder: “Keep it up!”
After gathering the medicinal herbs in this area, the group continued deeper into the forest.
As time went by, the light in the forest grew dimmer, and the atmosphere gradually became oppressive.
The occasional roars of wild beasts echoed from afar, making the atmosphere in the group increasingly tense.
“Everyone, be on high alert.
We may have already entered the territory of wild beasts.” Liu Qing’s voice was low and serious, breaking the brief silence.
“Don’t worry, Father, we understand.” Liu Feng gripped the spear tightly, his eyes revealing determination and vigilance.
They continued on their way and soon discovered a patch of trampled grass with some fresh animal tracks on it.
“There are signs of large wild animals here, everyone be careful,” Uncle Li warned again, his eyes sharp as he vigilantly surveyed the surroundings.
“Gulu, go ahead and scout ahead.” Liu Feng gently patted Gulu’s head, his tone filled with trust and expectation.
As if it understood, Gulu ran forward happily, sniffing the surrounding scents as it ran.
Not long after, it let out a low growl, as if it had discovered something.
“Everyone get ready, there might be a ferocious beast.” Liu Qing quickly picked up his weapon, stood ready, and stared intently ahead.
The group cautiously approached, and soon they saw a huge black bear standing in the bushes ahead, emitting deep roars.
“It’s a black bear, everyone be careful,” Liu Qing reminded again, his voice steady and unwavering.
Everyone quickly assumed a fighting stance, and Liu Feng gripped his spear even tighter. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Although he was inevitably a little nervous, he knew that this was an important experience on his path to growth, and he had to face it bravely.
“Gulu, go distract it,” Liu Feng said softly to Gulu, while gently patting its head.
Gulu nodded in acknowledgment, then ran happily toward the black bear, letting out a provocative growl.
The black bear’s attention was instantly drawn to it, and it immediately launched an attack on Gulu.
Gulu moved nimbly, dodging the black bear’s attacks, and occasionally turning back to send signals to Liu Feng and the others.
“Good opportunity, go!” Liu Qing gave the order and launched the first attack on the black bear.
Everyone seized advantageous positions and launched their attack.
Liu Qing’s spear moved like a nimble dragon, piercing straight for the black bear’s eyes, nose, and other vital parts.
Uncle Li, meanwhile, was at a distance, drawing his bow and arrow, using his precise archery skills to continuously weaken the black bear’s strength.
Liu Bai, Er Hu, and Liu San also displayed their skills and engaged in a fierce battle with the black bear.
Holding his bow and arrow, Liu Feng took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then shot an arrow at the black bear.
With a “whoosh,” the arrow shot towards the black bear’s throat like lightning.
At the same time, the black bear roared and swung its huge claws, fiercely pouncing at Liu Qing.
Liu Qing reacted quickly, nimbly dodging to the side while simultaneously launching a counterattack, thrusting his spear straight at the black bear’s leg.
With everyone working together, the black bear was finally defeated.
It let out a low growl of resentment and slowly collapsed to the ground.
Gulu ran back happily, nuzzling affectionately against Liu Feng’s leg, as if celebrating its victory.
“Well done, Gulu.” Liu Feng smiled broadly, gently stroking Gulu’s head, his eyes filled with gratitude.
“Everyone did a great job.” Liu Qing smiled with satisfaction, affirming everyone’s performance.
After a short rest, they continued deeper into the forest.
Along the way, they discovered some precious medicinal herbs and hunted several small soul beasts—the Soft Bone Rabbit and the Armored Snake, both of which were about ten years old, adding a lot of resources to their family’s medicinal reserves.
The group continued deeper into the forest.
“Everyone, please be careful.
This is an area where soul beasts roam,” Uncle Li warned in a low voice, his expression tense.
Liu Feng could clearly feel the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense.
He subconsciously gripped the tools in his hand and cautiously observed his surroundings.
Gulu seemed to sense the danger as well, its ears perked up and its sharp eyes scanning its surroundings.
Suddenly, one of Uncle Li’s hunting dogs let out a low growl and stared intently at a bush in front of it.
Uncle Li immediately raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, and said in a low voice, “Something’s up, everyone be careful.”
Liu Feng held his breath, his heart pounding.
He stared intently at the bushes, and just then, a huge wild boar burst out of them, its tusks razor-sharp and its eyes filled with ferocity.
“It’s a Soul Beast, the Iron Armored Boar!
Judging by its appearance, it’s around ten years old!” Liu Bai exclaimed in a low voice.
“Everyone, spread out and be careful!”
Liu Qing quickly pulled a short spear from the medicine basket, while Liu Bai drew his bow and aimed at the armored boar.
Uncle Li’s three hunting dogs were brave and fearless, and they rushed forward first to engage in a fierce battle with the armored boar.
Looking at the tense battle scene before him, Liu Feng felt both nervous and excited.
He knew that this was the first time he had faced a real soul beast, and he had to be careful.
Don’t get too close!” Liu Qing shouted back.
Liu Feng nodded in acknowledgment, but did not retreat too far.
Instead, he kept a close eye on the battlefield, looking for an opportunity to strike.
The armored boar was incredibly strong.
Although the three hounds were brave, they couldn’t subdue it for a while.
They could only harass it from time to time, taking advantage of their numbers to bite it.
Seizing the opportunity, Liu Bai fired an arrow, striking the armored boar squarely in the side.
The boar, in pain, let out an angry roar and charged madly at Liu Bai.
“Watch out!” Liu Qing shouted and rushed forward, his spear pointing directly at the Iron Armored Boar’s throat.
Upon seeing this, Liu Feng felt a pang of anxiety.
He understood that although his father was exceptionally skilled, he was still in danger when facing such a powerful soul beast.
He gritted his teeth, gripped the short spear tightly, and resolutely charged forward.
“Xiao Feng, don’t come any closer!” Liu Qing called out anxiously as he turned around.
However, Liu Feng had already rushed to the side of the Iron Armored Boar.
He seized the opportunity and swung the short spear with all his might between the hind legs of the armored boar.
The short spear struck the armored boar squarely between its legs, hitting its vital spot perfectly.
The armored boar felt pain and its body suddenly froze.
Seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Liu Qing thrust his spear into the iron armored boar’s throat.
With a “clang,” the spear did not pierce completely.
It turned out that a layer of yellow light emanated from the armored boar’s body, and it was this light that blocked Liu Qing’s spear.
Liu Qing braced himself against the spear with both hands, not daring to relax for a moment.
At this critical moment, Uncle Li drew his bow and shot an arrow that struck the armored boar in the left eye, the entire arrow penetrating the eye.
At the same time, Liu Bai also circled around to the back of the armored boar, holding a knife in his right hand, and stabbed it hard into the armored boar’s wide-open anus, then followed up with a dragging knife maneuver.
The armored boar let out a shrill scream before collapsing to the ground, never to move again.
Liu Feng was panting heavily, his heart pounding like thunder.
Looking at the fallen Iron Armored Boar, he felt both the joy of victory and a complex, indescribable emotion.
“This is an armored boar with about ten years of cultivation.
We should stop here and not go any deeper into the forest.” Uncle Li said cautiously, looking at the fallen soul beast.
“Alright, everyone, follow the direction it came from and search the surrounding area.
Then we’ll walk along the outer edge of the forest and not go any deeper.” Liu Bai wiped the blood from his right hand while methodically arranging the next steps.
“Well done, Xiao Feng.” Liu Qing walked over and patted Liu Feng on the shoulder approvingly.
Liu Feng gave a tired smile: “I just wanted to help.”
“Xiao Feng, you did a great job today.
But next time you must follow instructions and never act rashly.”
Liu Feng nodded seriously: “I’ve got it.”
[end of the chapter]