But before she could rejoice, the rain of arrows behind her changed as well.
The area covered by the arrow rain slowly shifted, gradually spreading from the Central Region of the formation toward its edges.
The two Core Formation Cultivators were frightened out of their wits at the sight. Caring nothing for their dignity, they scrambled and crawled their way to Dongfang Yingcai's side.
"Little friend... no! Benefactor! Benefactor! You must save me!"
"Benefactor! As long as we can make it out alive, Spirit Crystals, treasures—name any price you want! The sects behind us can afford it all!"
Their injuries had worsened once more, and their combat strength was less than a tenth of what it had been. Even if they still had true essence left in their bodies, they could not cast many spells.
If they wanted to survive, they still had to rely on Dongfang Yingcai.
Looking at the approaching arrow rain, Dongfang Yingcai estimated the time it would take the ant puppets to break the formation, then said to the two men, "Seniors, the situation is critical. Breaking the formation will take time, but this arrow rain is clearly arriving faster."
"I do not have much true essence left. I cannot hold out until the formation breaks, so I need the two seniors to contribute your true essence and lend me a hand."
"No problem!"
"Of course! Benefactor, use as much as you need!"
Upon hearing this, the two Core Formation Cultivators hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Thus, after the arrow rain completely covered the area where they stood, Dongfang Yingcai raised her true essence shield once more.
At the ant puppets' current speed of gnawing through the formation, with the two men supplying true essence and the reserves within her puppet armor added in, it would be