Jiang Chen's Magnetometric Metal Mountain was rarely deployed. Back in the Myriad Manifestations Region, he had practically never used it. Anyone who had seen him use it had basically been wiped out by his hand.
At the Liuli Royal Tower Tournament, he had once brought it out. But while plenty of people had witnessed it then, they were mostly from Liuli Royal City.
These four rogue cultivators primarily operated around the Chiding Central Domain—tens of thousands of miles from Liuli Royal City and then some. There was no way they would know about the Magnetometric Metal Mountain.
After all, the martial world's territory was vast beyond measure, and Jiang Chen's reputation was far from widespread. He rarely made his moves publicly, so it was impossible for everyone to know of him.
Unless the day came when he became a Great Emperor, and the entire human world was talking about him—only then would everything about him become common knowledge.
By then, perhaps he could casually deploy a single technique or unveil some prized treasure, and everyone would recognize it at a glance.
But right now, Jiang Chen had no such worries.
Besides, the Magnetometric Metal Mountain was highly mutable in form. With a simple alteration, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to connect it back to him.
"Old Granny Golden Needle, what other tricks do you have? Bring them out. I already told you—if I so much as move, you win!" Jiang Chen remained as composed and unhurried as ever.
But at this moment, his demeanor looked entirely different in Golden Needle Granny's eyes.
Golden Needle Granny was no fool. Despite her rage, reason still whispered to her that her golden needle techniques, however versatile, were being hard-countered by his treasure.
Even if she could conjure up a thousand variations of her needles, it would still be utterly futile!
All she would accomplish was handing her needles over to be toyed with.
Golden Needle Granny was practically seething with fury. Ninety-nine percent of her life's cultivation was invested in those golden needles. She had fought countless battles throughout her life and weathered her share of setbacks.
But to be this thoroughly humiliated—she had never experienced anything like it.
This practically shattered her will to fight.
If her golden needles were useless, then ninety-nine percent of her strength was effectively rendered forfeit.
Young Master Miao let out a strange laugh upon seeing this. "Granny, it seems your golden needles are rather limited after all. Brother Kongyun, Brother Silver Sand—what do you make of this?"
Silver Sand Guest frowned. "Young Master Miao, spare us the wisecracks. We may not be exactly close, but at the very least we're on the same boat. If Golden Needle Granny loses face, none of us come out looking good."
Elder Kongyun nodded, which was rare for him. "This kid is truly uncanny. To be fair, the four of us should attack together. That way nobody gets the short end of the stick."
Young Master Miao shrugged. "Four of us against one nobody? I can't afford to lose that much face. Go ahead if you want—I'll provide backup."
Jiang Chen smiled coldly. "Why bother with all the talk? Since you've already committed yourselves as dogs for the Cuihua Pavilion Master, you've abandoned even the most basic bottom line. What face is left to worry about? Coming at me together would be perfect—saves me the trouble of dealing with you one by one."
"What an arrogant brat." Elder Kongyun's proud nature was stoked by Jiang Chen's provocation. "Boy, judging from your skills, you clearly have some background. But don't think that coming from some big sect gives you license to look down on everyone here!"
"Ha ha ha, look down on everyone?" Jiang Chen laughed with righteous fury. "I have plenty of respect for people in my eyes—and I've always held rogue cultivators of true ability in high regard. But the four of you, with all your considerable skills, have sold yourselves to someone utterly unworthy of your loyalty. And you still expect anyone to respect you?"
Elder Kongyun's tone was flat. "The Cuihua Pavilion Master pays, we provide the muscle. It's perfectly straightforward."
"Oh, perfectly straightforward!" Jiang Chen mocked. "Even if the Cuihua Pavilion Master defected to the Demon Race and became a traitor to all mankind, you'd still serve willingly—wouldn't you?"
"What?" Elder Kongyun froze, clearly caught off guard by Jiang Chen's words.
Silver Sand Guest was equally startled. "The Demon Race? Young man, why resort to such alarmism?"
Golden Needle Granny's expression turned grave, her eyes boring into Jiang Chen, equally bewildered by his claim.
But Young Master Miao—whose face had been all grins and mischief—suddenly wore a look that was hard to read.
Jiang Chen's gaze seemed capable of piercing through all pretense. A sharp, blade-like look shot toward Young Master Miao. "Young Master Miao, I hear you've risen to prominence in the rogue cultivator world these past years. It seems your service to the Demon Race has furnished you with quite the reputation—and you're quite satisfied with it."
Young Master Miao's frivolous expression turned murderous in an instant. "Boy, at this point, are you just slinging baseless accusations? Trying to talk your way out of death?"
Jiang Chen burst into laughter. "Your Blood-Light Binding Formation couldn't even hold me. A petty lackey who's sold himself to the Demon Race—you don't think you're overstepping a bit?"
Young Master Miao's eyes flickered as he stared at Jiang Chen, his expression growing increasingly strange.
Suddenly, Young Master Miao let out a sharp cry. "Brother Kongyun! Brother Silver Sand! Old Granny Golden Needle! This kid is trying to drive a wedge between us—utterly cunning! We must unite and eliminate him right now before he can spread any more of his poisonous lies and tear apart our bonds!"