Jiang Chen had fought demigod-level cultivators before. He had a pretty good sense of their strength.
Perhaps with his current cultivation, it would be difficult to defeat a demigod-level cultivator — or even to trade blows with them head-on.
But when it came to maneuvering against them and ensuring he didn't lose, Jiang Chen was quite confident.
After all, the Jiang Chen of today was not the same Jiang Chen as before. He had broken through to the sixth level of the Celestial rank, and had successively obtained the inheritances of the Fourth and Fifth Palaces of the Six Heritage Palaces.
This had elevated both Jiang Chen's martial realm and his equipment to an entirely new level.
If he could seize this opportunity to break through to the seventh level of the Celestial rank, Jiang Chen felt he would absolutely be able to face a demigod-level cultivator head-on.
After all, the advantages Jiang Chen possessed were simply too overwhelming.
In his mind, Jiang Chen kept reviewing his past battles against demigod-level cultivators — Golden Bell Ancestor, Yuchi Ancestor, and others.
Back then, the Scarlet Divine Bird had been the main force.
But this time, Jiang Chen planned to handle it himself — to step into the fray personally.
Seeing that the brown-cloaked figure remained silent, Jiang Chen smiled faintly and asked, "What's the matter? Is the fear of your identity being exposed greater than your fear of death?"
The brown-cloaked figure chuckled. "Me, afraid? I was just thinking about how impossibly stupid you'd have to be to try bargaining with me here."
"Enough talk. Just tell me whether you have the guts to take me on." Jiang Chen really couldn't be bothered with any more nonsense.
The brown-cloaked figure smirked coldly and said arrogantly, "If you can last ten moves under my hand, we can talk about anything. Come on, kid — step out."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly and cast a glance at everyone, giving them a look of quiet reassurance.
Huang'er gently tugged at Jiang Chen's arm, her eyes brimming with concern.
Jiang Chen gently patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry. It's not like I've never faced a demigod cultivator before."
Huang'er knew that once Jiang Chen made up his mind, he almost never changed it. She urged him earnestly, "You must be careful. Don't drag the fight out, and whatever you do, don't take unnecessary risks."
Though Huang'er was worried, she also knew that with the Scarlet Divine Bird watching over them from the shadows, even if Jiang Chen were to end up at a disadvantage, he wouldn't come to any real harm.
Jiang Chen, meanwhile, quietly instructed the Scarlet Divine Bird, "Brother Scarlet, Brother Dragon — watch my back but don't intervene. Keep Huang'er and the others safe."
With that, Jiang Chen stepped out of the formation and shot toward an open stretch of ground.
"Fighting on the ruins of the Yan family estate is an insult to the Yan family. Sir, let's find another location," Jiang Chen suggested.
The brown-cloaked figure smiled disdainfully. "There's no need."
Seeing the other party's refusal, Jiang Chen realized it had been a wishful notion and didn't press the matter. He nodded. "Very well, then. Here it is."
The brown-cloaked figure didn't seem to take Jiang Chen particularly seriously. He smiled faintly and said, "Would you like me to let you have the first three moves?"
Jiang Chen smiled with contempt. "Don't you find such childish goading embarrassing? Come at me — ten moves. Use your strongest techniques right from the start. Don't go telling yourself later that you hadn't tried your best. You should know — I despise people who make excuses. That's what cowards do."
"Hmph. To wipe out a brat like you, I won't need any special techniques."
With that, the brown-cloaked figure raised one hand beneath the cloak and slammed it hard against the ground.