Crystal Coffin Shattered (2-in-1)

Bai Xiaowen's mind raced. She immediately abandoned the idea of using the Green Lotus Seed item and shouted in the Team Channel, "Reinforce me!"

A white light flashed around Li Shuyi, as if an invisible chain was extending and dragging Bai Xiaowen to her side. Gerold lunged at Bai Xiaowen's original spot, only to find nothing. By the time he turned around to look for Bai Xiaowen again, the mere 2.5 seconds of Imprisonment had already ended!

The Elite Tier team's skill "Tether" just proved effective.

It should be noted that while Imprisonment effects can indeed prevent the affected person from using movement skills, they cannot prevent being dragged by external forces. Therefore, Bai Xiaowen could be dragged away while Imprisonment.

In those few seconds, Bai Xiaowen quickly reviewed the combat notifications he had previously blocked and, sure enough, saw several records:

"The Kusanagi Sword has completed its evolution and is currently in its second form."

"Passive Ability: The effect of Heart of Sincerity has been enhanced. Each stack of Heart of Sincerity will grant you a 15% reduction in immunity to abnormal statuses and control effects, up from 10%."

"Active abilities have been updated. Please select one Ultimate Technique as your combat skill. Once selected, you will need to wait 3 natural days before you can select another Ultimate Technique."

Bai Xiaowen was overjoyed; he hadn't expected the Kusanagi Sword to be upgraded during the great battle.

The reason why Bai Xiaowen hadn't received the upgrade success notification was because he was in combat and had temporarily blocked that information, only receiving information about the enemy's combat skills based on his Insight Talent.

As for why Bai Xiaowen did this, it's quite simple. During intense battles, constantly receiving messages unrelated to the fight greatly hinders performance, especially for Summoner Class like Bai Xiaowen who needs to multitask.

Bai Xiaowen quickly glanced at the active abilities; there were three options in total.

A: Ultimate Technique: Super Orochi Nagi: In its burst state, the Super Orochi Nagi consumes one charge and also costs the corresponding amount of stamina (equivalent to the stamina required to unleash a normal Orochi Nagi). The area of effect of Super Orochi Nagi's fire damage is doubled, and targets within the fire area take double the damage (an increase over the normal Orochi Nagi).

B: Ultimate Technique: Ama-no-Murakumo: Requires 1 charge and consumes the corresponding amount of your stamina. Charge forward and dash behind the enemy, grab the target by the throat and slam the enemy down. At the landing point, summon a series of fire pillars that will knock the enemy into the air.

C: Ultimate Skill: Scorching End: Requires 1 charge and consumes the corresponding amount of your stamina. Attacks the enemy in front of you with a series of punches, followed by a kick that launches the enemy into the air, detonating the accumulated fire energy within the enemy's body in one go and causing massive damage.

Bai Xiaowen chose option A without hesitation. They were in the middle of a fierce battle and there was no time for him to slowly familiarize himself with other moves. Moreover, the area-of-effect fire damage of Orochi Nagi was already very useful and suited the current situation.

Compared to these ultimate moves, what Bai Xiaowen really valued was the passive effect of Heart of Sincerity, with its maximum 75% crowd control immunity being incredibly powerful.

Bai Xiaowen's current immunity to control is not much different from that of Kyo Kusanagi back then.

Gerold missed his attack, wasting a control skill that dealt additional damage, but he was not discouraged at all and charged forward again expressionlessly.

The remaining eight Bloodspear Clan Ancestral Spirit, under Bai Xiaowen's control, blocked his path, their spears thrusting repeatedly, forcing Gerold to deal with these summoned creatures blocking his way first.

Gerold's strength was indeed formidable. He killed a Bloodspear Clan Ancestor's Soul in almost two seconds. His Critical Hit rate bonus and all attribute bonuses never stopped, and he even gained a 20% dodge rate bonus!

"Don't worry about Gerold for now."

Seeing that Li Shuyi seemed about to rush over to help Bai Xiaowen relieve some of the pressure, Bai Xiaowen quickly stopped her, "Kill Ludwig first!"

Ludwig had already taken a Critical Hit from Bai Xiaowen and was then focused down by Li Shuyi and Rageclaw, leaving him with less than half his Life Value. He took over Gerold's position partly to free up this formidable fighter, and partly to give himself a chance to catch his breath.

Gerold initially fought alongside Ludwig, providing protection. However, Gerold then used control skills to Imprisonment Bai Xiaowen, intending to switch from defense to offense and eliminate Bai Xiaowen, the key summoner, first.

The idea itself wasn't wrong; with Bai Xiaowen dead, the Snakefolk would immediately have secured victory. Moreover, Gerold was confident he could kill Bai Xiaowen once they got close.

However, Gerold hadn't anticipated two things. First, Bai Xiaowen's passive ability, "Heart of Sincerity," meant the 10-second Imprisonment effect only lasted 2.5 seconds. Second, Li Shuyi used her Tether to pull Bai Xiaowen to the inner circle, causing Gerold to run to the outer circle only to find himself trapped, blocked by a group of fearless Bloodspear Ancestor's Soul. Before killing all the obstacles, he couldn't reach Ludwig in front of the crystal coffin.

As for the souls of the Bloodspear Ancestor's Soul, Bai Xiaowen didn't care if they all died, since they could only exist for 30 seconds anyway.

At this moment, Bai Xiaowen was inside the crystal coffin, only about two meters away from Ludwig, essentially attacking alongside Li Shuyi! He quickly put away his Desert Eagle, raised his hand, and delivered a powerful punch engulfed in flames, striking Ludwig.

Ludwig swayed violently. To maintain his Suppression of Camelot Queen, he couldn't move or attack, and could only take the blows! This punch was excruciatingly painful, and his willpower fluctuated. At least Bai Xiaowen could see that Camelot Queen's conversion rate dropped by two percentage points after this punch!

This kind of free, unprotected punching bag is a free lunch; why not take advantage of it?

The blue scales on Camelot Queen's body receded at a visible speed, revealing her originally flawless white human skin.

Ludwig cried out for help, "Boss Gerold! Help me!" He was extremely frustrated. If it weren't for the mission to Suppression Camelot Queen, he could have used his high agility to dodge and weave, instead of being beaten to this extent.

Gerold let out a sharp cry and suddenly threw his twin blades.

A piercing sound rang out as the twin blades transformed into two foot-wide blades, slicing straight through the crowd, and the Bloodspear Clan Ancestral Spirit fell one after another!

This was clearly another powerful combat skill, but Bai Xiaowen didn't have time to worry about that anymore. He seized the opportunity to beat Ludwig and, together with Li Shuyi and the other summoned creatures led by Rageclaw, quickly reduced the level 8 Boss Tier's health to below 200.

Gerold's double-edged wheel spun around and returned to his hand. By this time, seven of the eight Bloodspear Clan Ancestral Spirit had fallen.

Gerold expressionlessly chopped down the last Ancestor's Soul and was about to charge forward when suddenly a blue light appeared in Bai Xiaowen's hand and shot towards him.

Talisman Switching - Binding Talisman! If it hits, even with Gerold's 50% control time reduction, he'll be Imprisonment in place for more than 3 seconds!

Gerold moved swiftly to the side, displaying excellent positioning. However, Bai Xiaowen's Meditation Specialty had reached Advanced Level 5, granting him a 25-degree skill correction. This Spell Talisman, though tracing a slight arc, still struck Gerold!

With a soft ding, Gerold was Imprisonment on the spot.

During those 3 seconds of Imprisonment, Gerold could only watch helplessly as Ludwig was ganged up on and beaten. The latter's Life Value plummeted, and with the bursts of Li Shuyi's Demonfire Dance and Thunder Mark, his last few dozen Life Value points were wiped out, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Whoosh!

A Pure Note of shattering glass rang out, and the crystal coffin broke apart.

"I am free! You despicable Snakefolk, pay for your crimes!"

Camelot Queen's majestic voice echoed through the hall! She suddenly raised and pressed her hands together, and a visible ripple quickly spread outwards.

Spirit Realm Rules Message:

"Camelot Queen's combat skill: Overawing Presence activated!"

The Snakefolk shrouded in transparent ripples showed expressions of terror, their bodies stiffening in place, their attack speed drastically reduced! Clearly, this skill, like Bai Xiaowen's Intimidation, is a wide-area control technique, but it focuses on reducing the enemy's attack speed, although it requires a casting animation.

On the other side of the battlefield, taking advantage of Camelot Queen's control skill, Ahan also achieved some success.

During their fierce battle with Gote, both powerful fighters sustained numerous wounds, large and small. Ahan still had more than half of his Life Value, but Gote's Life Value was reduced to only about one-third.

If the fight continues like this, Ahan will undoubtedly win.

However, in the instant that Gote was affected by the Overawing Presence and his body stiffened, Ahan directly launched his ultimate move, "Sword of Judgment"! A giant sword burning with fire slashed down, which not only guaranteed Critical Hit, but also added a large amount of holy damage.

Bang! A gunshot rang out as Bai Xiaowen, in the midst of his busy work, fired a shot at Gote. Although the damage wasn't high, Bai Xiaowen's main goal was to collect Soul Essence; as long as he Kill Contribution was enough.

Of course, it would be even better if treasure chests dropped; Bai Xiaowen doesn't care about water tanks!

Gote let out a miserable howl as Ahan cleaved off a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder and arm, causing his Life Value to plummet to 1 point.

"I haven't witnessed... Camelot's demise yet..."

Gote collapsed to the ground, a hint of resentment in his eyes.

Although no treasure chests dropped, as an 8th-level Boss Tier, Bai Xiaowen still received 24 points of growth and Soul Essence, which made him very happy.

Gerold's face was grim. Camelot Queen's escape meant that Bai Xiaowen's side had gained another Advanced Boss comparable to Ahan! Moreover, Camelot Queen was a mental powerhouse, and under the protection of Bai Xiaowen's summoned creatures, she could cast spells without any scruples, making her even more terrifying than Ahan melee fighter.

Without hesitation, Gerold turned and left in a flash. With an agility of nearly 80, he was as fast as the wind, Bai Xiaowen's side couldn't stop him even if they wanted to.

However, this means that Gerold has essentially abandoned Mylo — Mylo, who is still fighting in the hall, has had most of his Divine Might drained by the Vengeful Spirit, and is now just a super soldier with high strength.

Mylo also wanted to escape, but the Skeleton Champion changed their previous defensive stance and became ferocious, willing to trade blows to block his escape route. Meanwhile, the Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier on the side were also annoying, constantly slamming their iron shields down. Whenever Mylo showed any tendency to escape, they would immediately Shield Bash. Although they could not knock Mylo out of balance, they did greatly reduce Mylo's speed.

Then, the summoned creatures, including Rageclaw, surged forward again.

Ahan and Camelot Queen also came over, wanting to join the siege. Bai Xiaowen righteously and sternly stopped them:

"How could such a Snakefolk be ganged up on by Her Majesty the Queen and the Vice Commander of the Sword of Blazing Fire? It would ruin your reputation if word got out! Don't worry, leave it to me! You all get some rest."

Camelot Queen and Ahan were indeed somewhat exhausted. Ahan, needless to say, had exerted all his strength to kill Gote, Boss Tier of the same level, and had even used his ultimate move; the cost to him was considerable. Camelot Queen, on the other hand, had expended a great deal of energy in the struggle against the odds.

Although the two found Bai Xiaowen's refusal to help a bit strange, they didn't think much of it.

Under the onslaught, Mylo didn't last long, managing to kill only one Elite Terror Knight and two Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier. Moreover, the Elite Terror Knight was a temporary summon summoned by an item, only lasting for 10 minutes. Bai Xiaowen intentionally sacrificed it to quickly kill Mylo and lure him into revealing a weakness.

Bai Xiaowen discreetly put away the two Large Golden Treasure Chest.

"Thank you for your help this time," Camelot Queen said with gratitude. "I was blinded by the allure of the Abyss. I now understand that it was too naive to save Camelot from destruction by wishing for it. I can only rely on my own strength to protect my country."

Bai Xiaowen secretly praised her, thinking, "She's got the makings of a queen. She's good at reflecting and summarizing; she's practically a template for a Hollywood movie heroine."

"This must be the final hall of the Shadow Labyrinth, the Hall of Termination, right?" Bai Xiaowen looked around. "Where are the inner chambers?"

"The door to the inner secret room is here, but you need a key to Opening Gate."

Camelot Queen strode to the north wall of the hall, where an inconspicuous hidden door stood. A strangely shaped statue of a monster opened its mouth wide in the hidden door, and a keyhole could be vaguely seen.

"Key?"

Bai Xiaowen quickly remembered that he did have a key to the Shadow Labyrinth, but he had never used it. Could it be the key to the lock on the inner chamber door?

Bai Xiaowen quickly retrieved the special item, the Shadow Labyrinth Key, and walked to the monster statue.

"I wonder how many years have passed. I hope the keyhole isn't blocked up," Bai Xiaowen muttered, inserting the key to Opening Gate.

Rumble!

Before Bai Xiaowen could even insert the key, he felt the Earthshaking Tremor, and dust and gravel fell from above.