The moment Iron Mask appeared, the Sand Leeches on the Zombie Red Serpent near the hall began to writhe and swell. Packed together like fungal threads, they pulled what little pallid muscle the Red Serpent had left inward. Its nearly hollowed-out body coiled like a spring.
It was about to launch itself at them!
Click, bang!
A gunshot thundered through the air!
Muzzle fire burst forth. A bullet wreathed in Black Flame spun through the air, punched clean through the snakeskin, and tore apart a knot of intertwined Sand Leeches. A high-pitched hum that seemed to rattle their skulls rang out, and the giant serpent's launch came to an abrupt halt.
Gun Parry!
In an instant, the immense force compressed within the serpent burst free. Its remaining muscles exploded with a bang, like an overpressurized canister. Sand Leeches sprayed out like rain, their mouthparts open as they shot in every direction like arrows!
There was no avoiding them!
"Watch out!" White Line warned.
Xia Lun hurriedly raised a hand and formed a Black Flame shield before him. Before he could check the result of his shot, a wave of impact slammed into his palm and surged up his forearm into his body!
The storm's winds were too strong. Propelled by the gale, the exploding Sand Leeches struck with the force of crossbow bolts. Hundreds upon hundreds of them together made for a terrifying barrage!
Burning Sand Leeches and powdery debris splattered everywhere. Xia Lun turned his foot half a step and used Force Dissipation to channel the impact away. The ground beneath him sank, and web-like cracks burst outward from his heel.
Boom!
The great sandstorm severely hampered his Black Flame. Every grain of sand added to Xia Lun's burden. He held the shield for a few hurried seconds, long