Chapter 557: Pleasantly Satisfying! (5/10, Autumn Moon Votes)

Human?

Just as Tian Erjun was stunned, the iron-chain-wrapped human hand gripped downward, effortlessly crushing the protruding rubble into powder.

Then he saw another white bone hand, similarly bound in iron chains, emerge from the crack, followed by… a bizarre half-human, half-bone figure, entwined in iron chains, slowly stepping out of the underground fissure.

Behind this half-human, half-bone entity dragged a massive Bone Coffin, far larger than its body, pulled out of the fissure, then halted, scanning the surroundings as if searching for something.

"That's it!"

"The Pulling-Coffin Ghoul!"

"Everyone, execute the plan!"

Tian Erjun and the three human-grade sect warriors shouted in unison.

They had been discussing how to set up their defense line, but before they finished, the Underground Stronghold's formation was in critical danger.

They rushed over with their men immediately.

The original decision regarding Fang Yue's disposition was temporarily shelved.

They ordered the Qingwei and sect disciples to quickly take up positions at the Underground Stronghold's exits and entrances, as arranged beforehand—this was the only thing they could accomplish in such a short time.

But just as the defense line was set, the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 had already emerged!

Tian Erjun, Bei Hufa, Heng Zongzhu, and Hei Zhanglao each took one direction, forming a four-cornered encirclement to seal off the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】; behind them stood the Hou Tian Realm Qingwei and sect elites.

Under heavy encirclement, the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 appeared utterly unconcerned, merely searching for its target.

"Let me test its limits first!"

Heng Zongzhu roared and charged forward first.

In a flash, he appeared before the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】, palm raised to strike—then his expression changed abruptly; his attack shifted to defense, arms crossed before him.

Boom!!

A circular shockwave exploded before Heng Zongzhu; his body was flung backward, landing hard on the ground before he stabilized, his face still etched with shock, his arm numb—he silently began sliding on ring after ring of Diamond Rings.

"So fast!"

Bei Hufa of the Flame Sect and Hei Zhanglao of the Heilu Sect, both familiar with Heng Zongzhu's strength, knew this meant he was now using his true power.

What startled them even more was the Pulling-Coffin Ghoul's speed.

That instant's afterimage—many present likely hadn't even seen the attack's trajectory before Heng Zongzhu was thrown back.

Bei Hufa and Hei Zhanglao's expressions darkened slightly; this 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 was at least Catastrophe-class—the equivalent of a human-grade cultivator's power!

Among the same level, ghouls were stronger; whether their three human-grade cultivators could handle this Pulling-Coffin Ghoul was truly uncertain.

But seeing Tian Erjun, nearly reaching the peak of the Xiantian Realm and barely qualifying as a half-human-grade warrior, their hearts eased slightly.

Three and a half human-grade warriors, plus so many elite disciples surrounding them—definitely capable of fighting!

"Don't hold back—we attack together!"

Bei Hufa's body ignited in flames; he drew his purple-dragon-wrapped staff and charged forward.

Seeing this, Hei Zhanglao's fingers instantly sprouted long claws, joining Bei Hufa in the encirclement.

Tian Erjun reacted slightly slower but still kept pace.

Seeing the three encircle and attack, Heng Zongzhu sneered; the Diamond Rings on his wrists vibrated violently, emitting a low hum.

Without pause, he charged again, reaching the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 first; amid the hum, his heavy fist slammed toward it.

The battle had begun—words were useless; only killing the ghoul and ending the fight mattered.

The Pulling-Coffin Ghoul's iron-chain-wrapped human hand blurred.

Boom!!

Heng Zongzhu's punch veered sharply off-course; his hand bones seemed slightly twisted.

But compared to before, he had now absorbed the iron chain's force—and with the deflected punch, he struck the Pulling-Coffin Ghoul's human torso.

Thud!!

A fist-shaped depression instantly dented the ghoul's half-human chest; its body was flung airborne by Supernatural Strength, but the heavy Bone Coffin yanked it back instantly, leaving it crashing face-first into the ground in disgrace.

Everyone's eyes lit up!

"We can fight it!"

"It's not that strong!"

"Weak impact resistance!"

Sssssss—

As they shouted, five rapid crossbow shots suddenly rang out.

It was the giant war crossbow's volley attack!

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!

Five bolts struck the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】's body, pinning it in place.

Faces brightening, Tian Erjun and the others reached its side and struck simultaneously!

"Die!"

"Try my technique! Exploding Fire Staff!"

"Yingou Zhua!"

All three struck at once, capitalizing on its vulnerability, landing blows on the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】.

Amid roaring flames and chilling winds, the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 was pinned down, battered relentlessly, its half-human, half-bone body trembling as if about to shatter.

"Get out of the way! Let me finish it—"

Heng Zongzhu roared, cracking and popping his bones back into place, rushing forward to deliver the killing blow—when suddenly the iron chains wrapped around the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 whipped wildly, snapping three times and flinging the three attackers back.

Heng Zongzhu froze, halting his advance; meanwhile, the 【Pulling-Coffin Ghoul】 used its agile chains to pluck the embedded bolts from its body and slowly rose.

It tilted its head, glancing sideways at Heng Zongzhu—its wrist blurred in an instant.

A single iron chain rose and fell like a python, striking toward him.

With a snarl, Heng Zongzhu instantly threw a punch—Boom! —his fist slammed into the iron chain, sending it flying, while he charged forward again.

"Even without anyone restraining you, I'll take your damn life!"

Roaring wildly, he surged forward; the iron chains instantly lashed out in chaotic unison toward him.

As he charged, Heng Zongzhu shattered seven iron chains, took fifteen strikes, and multiple bones on his body cracked under the blows.

Still charging, he reached the 【Laguan Gui】's front—just as the 【Laguan Gui】 drew back its iron chains, he seized seven or eight of them, restraining its attack, and drove a punch straight into the 【Laguan Gui】's abdomen.

Boom!!

Invisible waves exploded from the 【Laguan Gui】's back; its body arched, revealing a distinct fist imprint on its spine.

But as its body was flung backward again by the impact, Heng Zongzhu yanked back the iron chains he held, dragging the 【Laguan Gui】's body forward and smashing its forehead with a direct headbutt.

Crack!

Half of the 【Laguan Gui】's skull caved in, white bone shattering; it staggered back two steps and knelt on one knee.

"Hahaha! Delicious! Delicious!"

Though his own injuries were no less severe than the 【Laguan Gui】's, Heng Zongzhu laughed wildly, exuding a wild and frenzied air.

Requesting monthly votes!!!

(End of Chapter)