The combat power of S-class ability users was completely different from that of D-class ability users.
Although Han Lang and the other four had consumed Spirit Gathering Pills, replenishing their states, they were still somewhat at a loss when facing the attacks of S-class ability users.
Among them, the most arduous battles were for Ma Long and Tang Qin, who had just broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
If the battle were a fair one-on-one at this moment, they could both fight S-class ability users on equal footing, and even defeat them with a little time.
But now, facing dozens of S-class ability users, even if Han Lang, Tang Geng, and the third person could contain more, they still had to face at least three S-class ability users each.
This made them somewhat overwhelmed.
Moreover, although Han Lang and the other two had been at the late stage of Foundation Establishment for a long time, after this battle, they might have almost touched the threshold of the Golden Core stage.
But they had not yet broken through.
To alleviate the pressure on Tang Qin and Ma Long, the three of them had to face at least five S-class ability users each.
Therefore, the current situation was that, in addition to Tang Qin and Ma Long being overwhelmed, the other three were not much better off.
"Everyone, let's retreat a little further, stick close to the cliff behind us, and gather our strength to counterattack. Otherwise, it won't be long before we are defeated one by one!"
Han Lang, while frantically controlling his golden needles, issued new orders to everyone.
The others did not hesitate. After forcing back the attacking ability users, they all retreated to the edge of the cliff.
The area of the small hill was not large to begin with. Although Han Lang and the others retreated, the number of S-class ability users who could truly stand on the small hill and fight them directly was greatly reduced.
Half of the S-class ability users had to pause their attacks due to spatial constraints, waiting for those in front to be repelled before those behind could continue to pressure the five of them.
They also knew that the circular defense formed by Han Lang and the five of them was extremely difficult to break through.
Apart from a continuous consumption of their strength, there was almost no other way to defeat them in a short period.
Of course, Han Lang and the others also understood this.
Although such a defense could temporarily reduce their pressure, the Spirit Gathering Pills had already been consumed.
Once their spiritual energy was depleted again, they would all become lambs waiting to be slaughtered, waiting for the enemy to kill them.
"Everyone, our goal now is to try and delay for a longer time. Therefore, we must cooperate to the utmost, cover each other's defensive blind spots, and strive to wait for reinforcements from Huang Pai and the others!"
The others understood Han Lang's intentions completely.
In this situation, waiting for reinforcements was almost impossible.
However, the only way to resolve the current crisis was indeed to extend their defensive time to the limit.
This way, everyone would have a better chance of survival and a greater chance of the warriors winning the battle normally.
"Understood! Tang Qin and Ma Long, you two stand at the back of the formation. Han Lang, Zhao Wu, and I will form a triangle to face the enemy. This way, your pressure will be less, and you can also better fill our defensive loopholes!"
Tang Qin and Ma Long also knew that Tang Geng's arrangement not only considered their lack of strength but also ensured the perfection of the five-person defensive formation.
Therefore, they did not hesitate at all and quickly switched their formation, replying confidently.
"Don't worry. With us here, you can act with confidence!"
On the battlefield, there was only life and death.
Therefore, at this moment, if they hesitated or were polite because their comrades left the relatively safer positions for them, it would definitely be the most wrong decision for the entire battle.
As expected, after changing the formation, with the strength of Han Lang, Tang Geng, and Zhao Wu, they could almost hold their own against the enemy with minimal consumption.
Even if there were occasional defensive errors, they would be instantly filled by Tang Qin and Ma Long.
This made the S-class ability users in front of them anxious.
"Damn it! I've never fought such a frustrating battle in my life! For these brats, half of us can only watch from the sidelines!"
"Who's not saying that! If it weren't for the commander's orders, why would we be like this!"
"Why don't we withdraw half of our forces to support elsewhere? I just saw that the fighting in several places was a bit tight!"
"Stop chattering! Don't you know the commander's temper? If we let these people go on our own, don't you know what awaits us?"
"That's right! Let's just finish these people off honestly! Everyone, put in more effort. They can't hold on much longer!"
As the ability users finished their discussions, their attacks became even more intense.
As a result, the consumption of Han Lang and the others increased even more.
Before long, Han Lang and the other two, who were fighting at the forefront, began to feel a little exhausted.
"Damn it! If we keep fighting like this, we'll be finished soon! Everyone, do you have any other ideas? Even finding another Spirit Gathering Pill would be great!"
Han Lang was extremely anxious.
However, he did not receive any good responses.
"There are no more Spirit Gathering Pills. I think that at this point, besides our will and determination, we have no other way to turn the tide of the battle."
Hearing Tang Geng's reply, everyone's hearts trembled.
"Could it be that the five of us are really going to perish here today?"
"This is bullshit! If we had just one more Spirit Gathering Pill, we could have held on until victory!"
"Since there's no other way, why don't we break out! If we kill one, it's a draw; if we kill two, it's a profit!"
Hearing Ma Long's last heroic statement, Han Lang and the others almost agreed to his proposal.
However,
Zhao Wu in the group had a strange expression. He hesitated several times, as if he was considering something.
After hearing Ma Long's words, perhaps moved by this spirit of facing death without fear,
His inner turmoil, which had been agonizing and indecisive, seemed to find a reason to convince himself.
He said softly.
"Perhaps, I have a way to allow us to hold on for a while longer!"
Hearing this, Han Lang and the others seemed to have grasped a lifeline and quickly asked.
"What way, tell us quickly!"
Only Tang Geng seemed to see Zhao Wu's inner struggle.
"Zhao Wu, if the sacrifice is too great, we would rather die together than force yourself!"
Hearing Tang Geng's words, Zhao Wu was filled with emotion.
He smiled bitterly and replied.
"Compared to life, it's not a huge sacrifice. It's just that I'm not sure if my method can hold on until the moment hope arrives."
After speaking, he moved his mind, and the originally huge Brahma Gold Bell was instantly retrieved by him.
"The Brahma Gold Bell is primarily a defensive spiritual artifact. If I use it, perhaps we can hold on for a while longer. But I don't know how long it can last against the attacks of so many S-class ability users!"
As soon as he said this, everyone understood Zhao Wu's dilemma.
The Brahma Gold Bell was one of Zhao Wu's most precious treasures.
If it were damaged here, it would have a great impact on his strength.
But if he didn't use it, everyone's lives would be in peril.
The most crucial thing was that even if he used it, it might not necessarily allow everyone to get through this crisis.
For this reason, Han Lang fell silent.
He dared not ask Zhao Wu to give up his most beloved spiritual artifact for a fleeting hope.
Tang Geng and Tang Qin also lowered their heads.
Perhaps due to their inherent character, they were too embarrassed to make such a request.
Only the carefree Ma Long seemed to say without any reservation.
"Oh, what are you all hesitating about! In this situation, every second counts. After all, it's just a spiritual artifact! If we can survive this time, at worst, I, Ma Long, will compensate you with all my treasures! Can you please hurry up and use it now? If we delay any longer, we won't be able to hold on!"
Ma Long's words seemed to have completely awakened Zhao Wu.
Yes.
This was just a spiritual artifact.
Even if he had feelings and reluctance in his heart, wasn't protecting the owner's life the best destiny for a spiritual artifact?
Thinking of this, Zhao Wu no longer hesitated and immediately said.
"Ma Long is right! Han Lang, you saved my life before. Now I will repay you with this Brahma Gold Bell, and from now on, we will still be even!"