Vera and Alken entered the dense forest, where the sunlight was dappled and the deep trees blocked most of the sky. This is the untouched deep forest on the border of Lushipia Village. Legend has it that various mysterious creatures and ancient magic live there. As they walked deeper and deeper, the sounds around them gradually became richer, including the chirping of birds and insects, and occasionally the strange sounds of unknown creatures.
They carefully passed through the thorns and obstacles in the forest, and Alken consulted the scrolls he had found before from time to time, trying to find any method that could help them pass through the dense forest more safely and quickly. However, this woodland seems to have a will of its own, and many times, even the best-laid plans can encounter unexpected challenges here.
Suddenly, an inexplicable cry broke the silence, and then, a group of ferocious phantom wolves appeared in their sight. These wolves are different from ordinary beasts. Their whole bodies exude blue light, and the gazes in their eyes are like the coldest stars in the night sky.
Vera and Arken immediately became alert. They knew that facing such an opponent, pure strength was far from enough. Vera quickly chanted a spell to protect the barrier, while Arken took a defensive posture, preparing to use his incomplete but precise magic attack.
However, at the critical moment, Vera's eyes caught a glimpse of the light emitted by several strange plants. She suddenly realized that these plants were the "Yu Guang Ping" mentioned in the ancient scrolls, which could create illusions that confuse the enemy. She quickly changed her strategy and used her magic power to guide the light of those plants, forming a huge illusion and hiding their whereabouts.
The phantom wolf wanders in the illusion, seemingly completely bewildered. Taking this opportunity, Vera and Arken quietly bypassed this group of dangerous creatures and continued their journey safely. When they looked back, the group of phantom wolves had disappeared deep into the jungle, as if they had never appeared.
An unexpected encounter at Black Lan Peak
After a day's trek, Vera and Alken finally arrived at the foot of the mountain leading to Black Lan Peak. There, the clouds and mist surrounded it, like an insurmountable barrier, covering the Black Lan Peak with a mysterious veil.
"It seems we have to speed up, as the mountain road in the clouds and fog is even more difficult to identify." Vera's eyes were firm, reminding Alken beside her.
"Yes, I heard that the Black Lan Peak is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, but I never thought it would be so thick. It's really a big challenge." Alken answered as he walked, observing the surroundings intently.
Alken and Vera stepped into the thick fog, and the stone road under their feet became more and more rugged. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the fog ahead, approaching step by step.
"Oh? It's so rare to meet a traveler in such a distant place." Vera held her sword tightly and watched the visitor warily.
The traveler walked out of the fog and saw Vera, his dirty look undisguised. He approached in stride, with a malicious smile on his lips: "Beauty, I didn't expect there to be such a heart-stirring scenery in these barren mountains. Instead of taking risks here, why don't you have some fun with me?"
Vera's face darkened and she responded coldly: "Back off! We don't welcome your 'fun'."
The traveler didn't take it seriously, and continued to approach, his tone even more vulgar: "Oh, don't refuse people thousands of miles away like this, I promise to make you happy."
Before he could finish speaking, Alken had already stepped forward and stood in front of Vera, his voice low and threatening: "Stay away from her!"
The traveler's expression changed, but he quickly adjusted his mood and said with a smile: "He seems to be a good man. However, I am not a fuel-efficient person."
After saying that, he quickly drew out the short knife from his waist and swung it at Alken. Alken reacted quickly, dodging the attack, and at the same time retaliated by punching the traveler in the face.
Vera took a slight step back and began to sing in a low voice, her hands drawing complex magic spells. The energy in the air began to fluctuate and gathered at her fingertips. Seeing this, the traveler smiled sarcastically: "Hey, what can you do with your little tricks?"
Before he finished speaking, Alken had a gloomy face and muttered something. As he groaned, the ground began to tremble, and a small crack opened under his feet, and bunches of tiny stone thorns spurted out from the crack, shooting towards the travelers like arrows.
The traveler was shocked and quickly used his magic to try to defend himself. Before he finished the spell, he saw Vera completing her spell, and a dazzling light fell from the sky, forming a wall of light, trapping him in it, allowing the stone thorns to attack mercilessly.
It only lasted a few seconds, and the traveler was exhausted and fell to his knees on the ground, panting heavily. Alken walked over with cold eyes: "I ask you again, what else do you have to say?"
The traveler who was mercilessly hit completely lost his previous unruliness. His voice trembled and he hurriedly said: "Wait! I...I have a secret to tell you! About the Black Lan Peak you are going to... .And the secret of the legendary water dragon!"
Vera and Arken looked at each other, and they realized that this defeated traveler might actually hold some important information. The two decided to put aside their hostility temporarily and listen to him tell the secret.
Under the guidance of the traveler, Alken and Vera learned a key piece of information: how to cleverly avoid the water dragon's attack and escape safely when facing the powerful offensive of the water dragon. As two magicians who were still in the apprenticeship stage, they knew that they did not have the strength to directly compete with the water dragon.
"Listen up," the traveler's tone became serious, "A large part of the reason why the water dragon is powerful is that it controls the power of the water element. But like all creatures, the water dragon also has its own blind spots. In fact, it is carrying out a big During a range attack, the surrounding water element energy will be temporarily depleted, thus forming an 'energy vacuum zone'."
Vera listened attentively: "So, we only need to accurately predict the location of this energy vacuum zone, and we can avoid its attack at the critical moment?"
The traveler nodded: "To be precise, this requires extremely high observation and reaction speed. There will be a brief energy condensation process before the water dragon attacks, and at that moment, the surrounding air will become extremely quiet. Observe this subtle change, It's the key to your escape."
Alken mused: "We need to train to improve our acuity and reaction speed."
"That's right," the traveler confirmed his idea, "As low-level magic apprentices, you may not be able to defeat the water dragon directly, but by cleverly using your knowledge and environment, one day, you will be able to find a way to overcome it."
After these words, Vera and Alken understood that what the travelers passed on was not only escape skills, but more importantly, a kind of survival wisdom. So they decided not to embarrass travelers any more.
Under the guidance and inspiration of the traveler, Vera and Arken began to prepare to face the challenge of the water dragon. They understand that with their limited abilities as magic apprentices, it is almost impossible to directly fight the water dragon. So they turned to another strategy - using their wits and circumstances to find a chance of survival.
First, they decided to delve into the nature of the water element and find ways to mask their aura and avoid the water dragon's perception. Vera proposed using smoke made from dried herbs and specific ores. This smoke could not only mask their magical fluctuations, but also interfere with the water dragon's perception for a short period of time.
To test this idea, they conducted an experiment near a clear spring in the forest. Vera was responsible for preparing the herbs, while Alken used his knowledge of stone mines to find the most suitable ore. After repeated attempts and adjustments, they finally produced a special smoke bomb.
Then, they began to train their reaction speed and observation skills. They set up a series of mechanisms in the forest to simulate the changes in the environment when the water dragon attacks. Through repeated practice in this high-pressure environment, their skills have become more and more agile, and their perception of subtle changes in their surroundings has become more and more acute.
Finally, one day after the preparations were completed, they decided to head towards the water dragon's lair. Although their hearts were full of nervousness and uneasiness, they also had some confidence. They know that the next challenge is full of unknowns and dangers, but they are ready to do their best and use all available resources and wisdom to find the key to lifting the haze of Black Lan Peak.
When they approached the water dragon's territory, Vera and Alken were even more cautious. They used the special smoke bombs to cover their auras and carefully shuttled through the water dragon's territory, trying not to disturb this powerful creature.
Whenever they feel the presence of the water dragon or notice subtle changes in the surrounding environment, they will immediately stop and look for what the traveler calls the "energy vacuum zone" to find a space to survive under the attack of the water dragon.
Just as Vera and Arken were carefully crossing the territory of the water dragon, suddenly, an indescribable premonition enveloped their hearts. It seemed as if some powerful being was approaching them quietly. Soon, they heard a slight sound of water, as if something slowly emerged from the water, exploring this unknown intruder.
The water dragon, this creature that lives at the bottom of the dark lake, has a shocking appearance. Its body shows a deep blue-green color, which seems to blend the depth of the night sky and the mystery of the forest. Its huge body is winding and winding, and its surface is covered with gem-like scales. Each one shines with a faint light, as if each of them hides an unfathomable small universe.
The water dragon's head is majestic and majestic, and a pair of long tentacles extend from the top of its head, emitting a subtle blue light, as if it is a mysterious sensor for detecting the surrounding environment. Its eyes are large and round, like two bright gems, revealing deep wisdom and calm scrutiny. Under the powerful jaws, there are teeth as sharp as swords, revealing the water dragon's talent as an apex predator.
The tail is strong and powerful, and the fin-like appendages allow it to swim through the water as if it were flying between the stars, both gracefully and swiftly. When it moves at full speed, the water surface will stir up ripples due to its power, like light and shadow jumping on the lake.
This is the water dragon, a mythical creature full of legend and awe-inspiring appearance. It is the guardian of the lake, and it is also an existence that is both feared and longed for in the hearts of those brave explorers.
They could hardly breathe, their hearts filled with fear. They knew that with their own strength as low-level magic apprentices, they had no chance of winning against this magnificent and mysterious creature. At this moment, their nervous eyes were searching around for possible hiding places, and finally chose the shadow of a large stone. Their bodies were pressed against the wet ground, trying to blend themselves into the surrounding environment as much as possible.
The water dragon slowly emerged from the water. Even if only part of its huge body surfaced, it was enough to make them tremble. Its eyes seem to penetrate the night, searching for any intruder who dares to approach its territory.
Just when the water dragon seemed to be approaching their hiding place, suddenly, there was an unusual wave in the lake, as if something was moving rapidly under the water. The water dragon's attention was immediately attracted. It turned its huge body and stared closely at the movement under the water.
This sudden change gave Vera and Alken a valuable opportunity. They could hardly believe their luck, but they knew now was not the time to hesitate. When Shui Long was distracted, the two of them almost exhausted all their strength, like frightened deer, and hurriedly rushed towards the established escape route.
They could only hear the turbulence of the water behind them getting farther and farther away, but the extremely nervous feeling seemed to still linger in their hearts. It wasn't until they were sure that they were far away from the water dragon's territory that they took a deep breath, secretly glad that they could escape without any danger this time.
Vera and Arken stopped and looked back at the dark lake, feeling both horror and joy in their hearts. "We're really lucky..." Vera gasped. "Yes, but we can't do it again." Alken replied, and a trace of determination flashed in their eyes.