Chapter 164: Chapter 162: Jingtian Finger Strike

Three simple words, yet they sent a chill through the crowd gathered at the city gate, causing them to cry out in shock.

That was Luo Hao!

He was a powerhouse at the True Martial Realm Eighth Stage and a genius who had once come close to getting on the Spirit List.

And Jiang Chen dared to provoke him to his face?

Even after witnessing Jiang Chen defeat Hee Qiang and his man in a single move, everyone still felt that his provocation of Luo Hao was unwise—it was pure arrogance!

"Hahaha..."

Luo Hao was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. The Thunderfire Griffin he rode snorted two jets of hot air from its nostrils as if it, too, were mocking Jiang Chen. After a pause, Luo Hao leaned forward slightly. His eyes, as sharp as a falcon’s, glinted dangerously. "Kid, are you sure you want to challenge this Commander?"

"And why not?"

Jiang Chen shrugged and pointed at Hee Qiang and his companion on the ground. "In my eyes," he said coolly, "you’re just like them—pathetically weak."

’I even managed to kill Luo Meng, and he was at the True Martial Realm Ninth Stage.’

’This Luo Hao is nothing.’

At these words, Luo Hao’s expression turned completely grim. He nodded. "Arrogant indeed. Among your peers, you’re the first to call this Commander pathetically weak. Let’s do this: I’ll grant you three moves. You can attack me with everything you’ve got. If you manage to injure me within those three moves, we’ll consider this matter over. After three moves, I will personally make my move. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I’ll just cripple your cultivation and hang you from the city wall to bake in the sun for three days. A warning to others, you see!"

’Cripple my cultivation and hang me from the city wall for three days?’

’That’s a fate worse than death!’

A chill flashed in Jiang Chen’s eyes. ’This Luo Hao is truly vicious!’

However... a faint smile touched his lips. "Let me have three moves? Are you sure?" he asked calmly.

"A Commander’s word is his bond. Three moves means three moves," Luo Hao declared proudly. "Forget injuring me—if you can even force me off my Thunderfire Griffin within three moves, I’ll admit defeat. I, Luo Hao, always keep my promises. I won’t go back on my word."

Jiang Chen grinned. "Alright. Since you’re so insistent, I’ll grant your request. Here’s the first move—One Finger Shatters the Earth!"

He suddenly raised his right hand, holding up a single finger.

A brilliant golden light pulsed from his fingertip. Like a bolt of lightning, a beam of golden light shot forth.

Terrifying waves of energy coiled around the golden beam, making the surrounding air roar. It whipped up a furious wind, drawing cries of alarm from the onlookers.

Luo Hao’s expression was calm as he sneered in disdain. "A parlor trick. Watch me shatter your first move!"

He raised his hand and brought his palm down in a chop.

The palm strike was like a thunderbolt.

As swift as lightning!

The palm strike manifested as the phantom of an Ancient Wild Elephant, which stomped forward and swatted at the incoming finger attack.

BOOM—

The finger and palm collided, unleashing a terrifying energy shockwave that radiated in all directions. Onlookers were sent tumbling, and some with weaker cultivation even felt their internal energy roil, suffering minor injuries from the aftershock.

The two opposing energies canceled each other out!

The look of disdain on Luo Hao’s face deepened. He crooked a finger at Jiang Chen. "Two moves left. Make your move!"

"So you do have some skill," Jiang Chen remarked, his expression calm and unconcerned as he launched another finger attack. "If that’s the case, then try this one—Two-Finger Sky-Breaking!"

With that last attack, he hadn’t even used half his strength.

This time, however, he held nothing back!

WHOOSH!

Surging True Essence flowed like a mighty river, forming a golden vortex in front of Jiang Chen. From the heart of the vortex, a finger shimmering with resplendent golden light burst forth.

The finger seemed far away, yet in an instant, it was right in front of Luo Hao.

’So fast!’

Luo Hao’s pupils contracted, and his face fell. He threw a devastating punch. "Barbaric Elephant Divine Fist!"

ROAR—

As the punch flew forward, the phantom of a giant wild elephant, glowing with green light, materialized. With a thunderous rumble, it charged at Jiang Chen.

"To hell with your Barbaric Elephant! Break!" Jiang Chen sneered, thrusting his finger forward.

BOOM!

The finger attack was incredibly sharp, piercing straight through the phantom of the elephant fist.

Without losing any momentum, it bore down on Luo Hao.

At that moment, the golden finger was a mere half-meter away from Luo Hao. With no time to counter, he could only leap into the air in a panic. The Thunderfire Griffin beneath him shrieked as the finger attack obliterated it, reducing it to a pile of gore.

"Hiss... J-just two moves, and he forced Luo Hao to retreat?"

"Could this young man be a genius from the Spirit List? But I’ve never heard of him!"

"Luo Hao is completely humiliated. He just swore up and down that he’d lose if he was forced off his Thunderfire Griffin in three moves. Now his griffin has been blasted to bits—he’s lost!"

Hearing the crowd’s murmurs, Luo Hao’s face turned impossibly grim.

Floating in mid-air, he glared at Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with venom and icy killing intent.

He looked as if he wanted to tear Jiang Chen to shreds on the spot.

Jiang Chen looked up at Luo Hao, meeting his icy glare without a trace of fear. "And here I thought you’d make it to the third move," he said lightly. "I didn’t expect you to fold on the second."

"You..."

Luo Hao’s expression flickered, and he ground out through clenched teeth, "Kid, I admit I underestimated you."

"So, does that mean you’re going to honor your promise?" Jiang Chen asked.

Luo Hao faltered, speechless for a moment.

’Honor my promise?’

’Impossible!’

’Never mind the fact that Jiang Chen had crippled Luo Ben and defeated Hee Qiang and his man in one move, causing me to lose face.’

The sheer humiliation of being forced to abandon his mount from a single attack was enough reason to never let Jiang Chen go. He took a deep breath, his voice low. "Promise? What promise? Did I promise you anything?" He scanned the crowd, a cold glint in his eyes, and asked menacingly, "Did any of you hear me promise this man anything?"

No one dared to meet his gaze. "No!" they all said.

"My ears were ringing. I didn’t hear a thing!"

Hearing their responses, a smug look appeared on Luo Hao’s face. He sneered at Jiang Chen. "Did you hear that, kid? I never promised you anything!"

Jiang Chen’s face fell. "So this is one of the great Ten Great Aristocratic Families of the Imperial Capital. Your words are nothing but hot air, and your promises are worth less than garbage. In that case, why waste any more words? Let’s just fight!"

"Hmph! I was just being careless before," Luo Hao snorted. "Now, I’m going all out. You’re dead, kid!"

Luo Hao snorted, his palpable killing intent flaring into a powerful fighting spirit. He gripped a Nine-Ring Saber, its rings clashing with a DANG DANG sound. Wielding the Battle Blade, he charged at Jiang Chen. "Barbaric Elephant Earth-Splitting Slash!"

"Three Fingers Burn Heaven!"

True Essence surged through Jiang Chen, gathering on three fingers of his right hand.

He jabbed them forward!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH—

Crimson pillars of fire erupted from all three fingers. As they shot forward, the licking flames receded, revealing three incredibly condensed True Essence Giant Fingers.

The first finger slammed into the gleaming arc of the blade.

BANG—

The powerful arc of light shuddered, and cracks spiderwebbed across its surface.

The second finger followed immediately after.

BOOM!

The arc of light exploded, scattering into motes of brilliance.

The third finger arrived right on its heels, striking toward Luo Hao.

"How can he be so strong?! Block it for me!" Luo Hao’s face contorted in alarm as he hurriedly raised the Nine-Ring Saber to block in front of his chest.

THUD!

With a thunderous crash, the final finger beam struck the flat of the Nine-Ring Saber. The immense force knocked the blade from his grasp. With the saber gone, the residual power of the attack slammed into Luo Hao. The battle armor on his chest instantly melted away, sending up plumes of black smoke with a SIZZLE.

"AARGH..."

A pained scream tore from Luo Hao’s throat. The finger attack had burned straight through his battle armor, searing a gruesome, ghastly wound onto his chest. Blood streamed from it as Luo Hao was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Jiang Chen strode through the air after him. He planted a foot on Luo Hao’s face, grinding him into the dirt. Leaning down slightly, his calm voice boomed like thunder: "You. Are. Defeated!"

Inside and outside the city gate, everyone who witnessed this scene was pale with shock, utterly stunned!