strokinit Chapter 371 Ambush
Chapter 371 Ambush
They were like a red-hot knife, slicing straight into the butter.
Encounters became more frequent and intense because the closer to the center, the higher the player density and the fiercer the competition for resource points.
After quickly defeating a seven-man team and seizing a large number of supplies, a series of urgent and familiar bird calls suddenly came from the stone forest on the flank of the team—one of the emergency communication codes within the "Dragon Abyss" guild.
"We're on the same side!" Chen Shan immediately raised his hand to stop the group and said to Sun Qian, "Go check it out, be careful."
Sun Qian silently blended into the shadows of the stone forest.
A moment later, she returned with two disheveled figures, their leather armor torn in several places. They were a man and a woman, both assassins, their eyes sharp but unable to conceal their exhaustion.
"President! Brother Situ!" The male assassin visibly relaxed upon seeing Chen Shan and Situ Zhen, his face showing excitement.
"I'm Zhao Suo from the 7th Squad of the Union's Dark Division, and she's Zhang Que!"
"Just the two of you?" Chen Shan frowned.
Zhao Suo reported rapidly: "Our main force, about twenty men, has already occupied half of the ruins on the southern edge of the 'Eye of the Ancient Wind' as a temporary stronghold. However, we've been targeted by the 'Crimson Dawn' and the 'Wilderness Brigade'! The two have temporarily joined forces and are taking turns attacking our defenses! Our squad, which was originally scouting and harassing the perimeter, was scattered, and only the two of us escaped, trying to find reinforcements or create chaos..."
Zhang Que added, "The stronghold can still hold out thanks to its fortifications, but the costs are high. Moreover, when we arrived, we discovered a six-man elite team from 'Shadow Fang' lingering in the direction we came from, near Echo Pass. They might be trying to intercept other lone survivors or remnants like us, or they might be waiting for us and those two factions to fight to the death before reaping the benefits!"
Chen Shan and Situ Zhen exchanged a glance.
"Echo Pass... is one of the only routes we can take to the 'Eye of the Ancient Wind,' and it's relatively easy to traverse," Situ Zhen said quickly.
"Perfect," Chen Shan cracked his neck, a fierce glint in his eyes.
"Smashing through everything is a bit monotonous; let's get a decent obstacle in the way to loosen up. Zhao Suo, Zhang Que, how are they? Can they still fight?"
"Yes!" The two replied without hesitation.
"Return to the team. Follow Sun Qian and be responsible for flank reconnaissance and surprise attacks at critical moments."
The team has expanded to nine members, with an unprecedentedly unified goal: to break through the Echo Pass, reach the Ancient Wind Eye, and rejoin the main force!
When they arrived at Echo Pass, they immediately sensed the perilous nature of the place.
On both sides are towering, smooth cliffs that reach into the clouds, with a narrow, winding passage in the middle that is only wide enough for four or five people to walk side by side at its narrowest point.
The sound of the wind is distorted and amplified here, forming a howling "echo" that severely interferes with hearing.
"A standard ambush site."
Situ Zhen whispered, his spiritual power cautiously probing forward like tentacles.
"About 150 meters ahead, after the first bend in the passage, there are several hidden life forms. Their energy reactions are well-controlled, indicating they are experts. There are six of them, with a complete range of professions, including healers, controllers, and burst damage dealers."
"The Shadow Fang's interception team." Chen Shan sneered. "Sun Qian, can you see the specific arrangements?"
Sun Qian squinted, using the shadows and angles of several rocks to observe carefully for a moment:
"There were tripwires and simple magical alarms set up around the corner. Their positioning was very strategic: two melee fighters were positioned behind a protruding rock around the corner, while the ranged fighters and healers were further back, under a recessed rock wall, which provided natural cover. There was also a thief, whose location was unknown, possibly high up or in the shadows."
"They're trying to catch us off guard."
After a moment's thought, Chen Shan quickly made arrangements.
"Li Xiang, hold your shield steady. Lead Zhang Wei, Wang Li, Doctor Zhao, Qian Cheng, and these two assassin brothers, slowly make your way through the stone forest on the right, create a disturbance, attract their attention, and make it look like you're about to launch a strong attack on the corner."
"Yes!" Li Xiang replied in a deep voice.
"Situ," Chen Shan said, looking at his friend.
"Wait for my signal. Cover that section of the tunnel ahead, especially that crater where they're holding the long-range position, with your best skill. Don't worry about saving mana."
Situ Zhen pushed up his glasses, a dangerous smile playing on his lips: "I've been itching for a while now. Don't worry, I guarantee a 'warm welcome'."
"And what about me?" Sun Qian asked.
"You, keep an eye on that vanished thief. Also, once I break through the corner, prioritize taking down the healer."
Chen Shan patted her on the shoulder, "As for me..."
He gripped the tower shield in his hand, which was stained with blood and dust, but now faintly shimmered with a dual light of earthy yellow and dark gold.
"I'll go and 'knock on their door'."
The arrangements were finalized, and the group silently parted ways.
Li Xiang led a large group of men, deliberately kicking pebbles, speaking in hushed tones, and rubbing their armor together to create obvious sounds of movement and preparation for attack, slowly approaching the corner from the right side of the stone forest.
Sure enough, the ambushers behind the corner were drawn to the scene.
Chen Shan could even faintly hear hushed commands coming from the other side.
It's now!
Chen Shan took a deep breath, the strong wind filling his lungs, carrying the rough feel of sand and soil.
He didn't shout, nor did he unleash any charging skills. He simply tilted his shield slightly forward to protect his head and chest, and then... began to accelerate!
The heavy plate armor stomped on the ground, initially slowly, but each step was firm and powerful, and the speed increased to a terrifying level in just twenty or thirty meters!
He was like a heavy siege engine that had been started, charging straight and recklessly toward that fatal corner!
"Enemy attack! Frontal assault!" came a cry from around the corner.
Two melee fighters hidden behind the protruding rocks—a swordsman and an axe warrior.
He hurriedly appeared, his sword and axe flashing as he slashed at Chen Shan who was charging towards him!
Chen Shan neither dodged nor evaded, nor even used his shield to block. He simply lowered his center of gravity further, pressing his shoulders against the inside of the shield.
"boom!!!"
The sword and axe struck Chen Shan's shield and shoulder armor almost simultaneously, producing a piercing metallic clang and sparks flying everywhere.
The immense force caused Chen Shanqian's momentum to falter slightly.
But the two melee fighters were in even worse shape! The counter-damage from the [Undying Barrier] caused their arms to tremble violently, their tiger's mouths to split open, and their blood to surge!
Taking advantage of this momentary pause, Chen Shan stomped his left foot heavily on the ground!
Thunderous Stomp!
Centered on him, a violent, earth-yellow shockwave exploded outwards, sending debris flying! The swordsman and axe warrior lost their footing, momentarily stunned and slowed down.
"Situ!!" Chen Shan roared.
"Here they come!" Situ Zhen, who had been preparing all along, raised his staff high, and a terrifying arcane torrent gathered in front of him. It then transformed into countless arcane missiles with purple tail flames, which flew over Chen Shan's head like a rainstorm and accurately covered the recessed rock wall behind the corner - that was where the enemy's ranged and healers were located!