After all, although this move has higher defensive power than "Iron Wall," it has a downside that it significantly interferes with one’s agility attributes and is a skill not easily used unless absolutely necessary.
However, in Yan Hui’s eyes, the situation had a completely different interpretation.
In his view, although the enemy was unscathed, with just a casual sword stroke, he forced Xu Shu, his previously troublesome adversary, to retreat in defeat, proving again his own improvement! Just now, he was simply careless and got ambushed, nothing to worry about!
Yan Hui didn’t think much of it, nor did he take advantage to pursue victory, but instead maintained that strange posture of supporting with his palms, slowly stepping back and landing.
Crack.
He landed at the barely concealed iron gate of the dungeon, which was being lifted by five "Dragon Elephant" knights.
His supporting hand perfectly wedged under the iron gate; his feet continued to coordinate with other teammates in the formation, building a connection.
Remarkably, he never left the "Eight Gates Coffin Carrying" array, continuously maintaining his original posture!
"Commander Yan Hui?!"
The rest of the Red Emperor Army were moved and exclaimed.
Yan Hui said, "Everyone, hold the Array, continue the ritual, don’t delay the big event!"
He scanned the surroundings, his gaze severe, his presence formidable, allowing no refusal.
"Yes, Commander!"
The soldiers were bolstered in spirit.
However, the five standing behind him lifting the iron block at the dungeon entrance shared tense expressions, not as optimistic as their comrades.
The "Eight Gates Coffin Carrying" is named after "Nine Dragons Dragging the Coffin," initially requiring the strength of nine "Dragon Elephants" to function.
In the past, a great talent optimized this array, reducing the necessary participants by one, but eight was absolutely the minimum number and couldn’t be reduced further.
Commander Yan Hui had returned safely, yet two others were already utterly annihilated by "Yin Hu" with a single strike, leaving no remains.
All things considered, there were only six people; how could the array be sustained?
With crowd temptation, Yan Hui spoke with authority, "No need to argue, maintain the array!"
"...Yes!"
The people dared not disobey, their faces flushed as five actual "Dragon Elephants" pulled one fake "Dragon Elephant," straining with all their might to continue the coffin carrying!
Of course, under such circumstances, the power was insufficient to activate the "Eight Gates Coffin Carrying."
The massive iron block sealing the entrance didn’t move, but if it did, it would be at a snail’s pace.
If this continued, before opening the seal, they would exhaust themselves to death here.
At the crucial moment, Yan Hui gave a glance to the old black-clothed priest, or rather, the black-dressed woman, and gravely said, "Won’t you make a move yet?"
Seeing this, the black-dressed woman hesitated slightly, glancing at "Xu Shu" as if debating whether he would intervene again.
Yan Hui said, "It’s a mere trifle; don’t mind it and hurry! Don’t let previous efforts go to waste! Remember the promised reward!"
"Commander Yan Hui... truly decisive!"
Seeing his determination, the black-dressed woman no longer hesitated, reaching into her chest and forcefully rubbing at an area.
Shh! Shh Shh...
A pained expression flickered under her hood, but after several rounds of swift rubbing, she extracted two bizarre long fleshy worms.
About the size of a finger, their hue resembling human skin, though faceless, emitted a faint shrill screech.
The black-dressed woman randomly tossed them to the ground, and the two worms burrowed swiftly into the earth, vanishing.
Moments later, the sound of footsteps thumped from outside the hall.
Soon, two tall, burly figures staggered inside.
Their bodies were bloody, like a lump of clay molded together; facial features—mouth, teeth, eyes, nostrils—were scrambled chaotically, much like roadkill repeatedly run over or a child’s crude humanoid drawing, grotesque and terrifying.
They were undoubtedly the two "Dragon Elephants" whose bodies were nearly pulverized by Xu Shu’s spear!
Two already deceased "Dragon Elephants!"
Their necks or breastplate bones twisted unknownly, opening their voices:
"Yan Hui, Commander."
"We, come to, aid you!"
Speaking, their grotesque limbs bulged, returning to the "Eight Gates Coffin Carrying" array, to their original places, fortifying the critical spots.
In mere moments, their actions quickly grew agile, brimming with a lively aura, apart from lack of humanoid form, as if truly revived!
Boom! Boom! Thud!
The array reactivated.
The dungeon iron gate began creaking upwards again, nearly opening!
"..."
Witnessing the scene, the battle-hardened Xu Shu couldn’t help but pause.
"Corpse driver? Animated corpse?"
"No, they even have intense spiritual essence..."
"And those tiny worms, seem like, seem like..."
Xu Shu’s eyes rapidly turned, a term suddenly sprang to mind:
Parasite species!
The woman actually took out "parasite species"!
Parasite species can even briefly revive the dead! (Note 1)
Xu Shu wouldn’t mistake it.
Because he once obtained parasite species from a Demon God’s chosen mortal summoned by the Evil God "Paimon," and had not one but three, currently well-stored in his satchel!
But now was not the time to worry over details, the priority was not to let them continue.
Xu Shu stepped forward without hesitation.
At that moment, Yan Hui glared coldly at Xu Shu.
He bore residual minor injuries, yet his expression thundered with defiance, boastfully declared:
"A defeated foe, do you dare challenge me? Even burdened by the array’s backlash pressure, holding the Fearful God’s seal with one hand, killing you is no trouble at all! I’ll slay you with one hand and let you try your luck!"
—