Chapter 345: The Gods' Severed Finger, the Righteous Deity's Deal

Swordsman let out a light shout, his body like an arrow, charging at Jiang Chen.

The final Star Ring exploded, the swordsman merged with the Long Sword, becoming a massive sword that, bearing terrifying Sword Qi, thrust toward Jiang Chen.

The speed was like Lightning, instantly piercing Jiang Chen.

The Bone Armor flickered with light, emitting a creaking sound.

Jiang Chen stood calmly, not dodging at all.

With Bone Armor, damage transfer, and full life linkage, unless one is a true Divine-level Strongman or a Demon King, killing him with a single strike is almost impossible.

The Bone Armor held for a moment before shattering, and the Long Sword, in response, pierced Jiang Chen's body.

However, the blade tip only tore the clothing, unable to harm Jiang Chen at all.

The Undead Legion suffered injuries, but the Lich General quickly administered healing.

Until the Undead Legion is completely dead, Jiang Chen will not be injured.

Brilliant fireworks burst upon the giant sword, while arrows of Lightning struck the giant sword.

In an instant, the giant sword vanished like smoke, and the level‑69 swordsman was already dead.

Jiang Chen gained a certain understanding of his current strength.

The level‑69 Mid-level Mythic Profession is not his match; even harming him is difficult.

Being invincible at the same rank already marks one as a genius; only top geniuses can challenge across ranks.

And he himself seems not only at ease with same‑rank challenges, but also effortlessly handles cross‑rank challenges.

After Second Transcendence, the substantial increase in power seems undeniable.

All of this has been verified both in the books and in the battle before his eyes.

The village was quiet, with no sign of people.

Although everything was constructed from elements and not real, Jiang Chen still did not wish to disturb its peace.

Jiang Chen dismissed the Undead Legion and walked alone into the village.

The village's houses were somewhat scattered, with only a main road.

Jiang Chen followed the main road and arrived at a small hut.

The hut was unremarkable in the village, yet from here one could sense the strongest Soul Breath.

Jiang Chen is highly sensitive to Soul Breath and would not misinterpret it.

"Come in!"

A voice came from inside; Jiang Chen responded and walked in.

Inside, a swordsman sat cross‑legged.

His attire and appearance were exactly the same as the one Jiang Chen had seen before.

The only difference was that there was no Star Ring on his wrist.

Jiang Chen bowed respectfully toward him, "Junior Jiang Chen, pleased to meet you, Great Divine Lord."

"Sit!"

Jiang Yi gestured toward the space in front of him.

Jiang Chen sat down on the ground, facing Jiang Yi.

The person before him was the strongest of the Human Race over 600 years ago, who once, in a great battle, challenged fifty Demon Kings single‑handed.

He inflicted 20 damage and eliminated 30, buying humanity a great amount of time.

He is a meritorious figure of the Human Race.

"Young man, you are impressive!" Jiang Yi assessed Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was modest, "Compared with the Divine Lord, I am still far behind."

Jiang Yi replied bluntly, "No need for excessive humility; you are far more outstanding than I was in my youth."

"Seeing you is like seeing the present Human Race; I am reassured."

Jiang Chen said, "Although the Human Race has not yet eradicated the Abyss Demon, it can already stand against the Abyss Demon."

"Eradicate the Abyss Demon?" Jiang Yi scoffed, "Impossible, never possible."

Jiang Chen frowned; he did not understand why Jiang Yi was so certain.

The Human Race is already quite powerful now; why would it be impossible to someday eradicate the Abyss Demon?

Jiang Yi smiled, "When you reach my level, you will understand why I say that."

Jiang Chen still doubted, "Even now, the strongest among the Human Race is already a Half-step Super God."

Jiang Yi roared with laughter, shaking the house as elements resonated, "Useless— even if one truly becomes a Super God‑level Strongman, you still cannot hope to destroy the Abyss."

Jiang Chen was greatly shocked.

From Jiang Yi's mouth, he heard information completely different from what he knew.

This is something even Hong Jishi and others do not know.

Jiang Yi might have been a Half-step Super God back then, so his knowledge could exceed that of Hong Jishi and others.

Following his words, one might analyze whether Super God‑level Strongmen also exist among the Abyss Demon, for only then would it make sense.

Jiang Chen said no more; speaking further now would be futile.

When he reaches that level, he will eventually know.

Jiang Yi ceased laughing and did not bring up the topic again.

"Aren't you curious why I created this Secret Realm and set such harsh conditions?"

"Aren't you curious why I don't tell people or explain, in case those who meet the conditions or teams don't enter?"

Jiang Chen shook his head; indeed, he had never thought of it.

At that moment Jiang Yi spread his hand, two small boxes appeared in his hand, and he said to himself, "Anyone who can finish a Hell Difficulty Instance within ten minutes must possess such strength."

"Someone like that wouldn't be timid; how could they possibly not come in."

Jiang Chen nodded inwardly, it was indeed so.

Even before, even if Hong Jishi hadn't told him about Jiang Yi, he would have entered with a ten‑to‑one chance.

Jiang Yi opened one of the small boxes and continued, "And after entering, you must also pass my test."

"You are excellent, truly excellent, beyond my expectations."

"Therefore, I wish to make a deal with you!"

As they spoke, Jiang Yi had already handed the opened box to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned; inside the box was a broken finger.

The broken finger was exquisitely delicate, looking like a piece of fine jade, almost unreal.

It didn't resemble a Human Race finger, nor that of a beast, and certainly not of a Demon or Dragon Race.

Jiang Yi said, "This is a broken finger of a Divine Spirit."

Jiang Chen was suddenly shocked—Divine Spirit!

He had cleared an Elemental Instance before and obtained items related to Divine Spirits.

But they were merely items; Jiang Yi actually claimed that this broken finger before him belonged to a Divine Spirit.

Jiang Yi snapped the box shut and said, "You don't need it for now, but I can tell you that with it, your ascent to Divine Level will be much easier, and you may even have a chance to surpass the gods."

Jiang Chen nodded, "What do you need me to do?"

He had no doubt about Jiang Yi's words; since Jiang Yi said so, it must be true.

Since Jiang Yi said it was a deal, there must be something he has to do, and it won't be too simple.

Jiang Yi opened another box, revealing a bead inside.

The bead was only fist‑sized, pitch black, and Jiang Chen couldn't tell what it was.

Jiang Yi said, "The deal is that you take this bead to the Upper Space of the Ancient Battlefield and hand it personally to the BOSS at the center of the Core Area."

Jiang Chen's heart roiled with turmoil; he hadn't expected the deal to involve it.

On the surface, he showed nothing, merely staring at the Dragon Pearl in the box.

After Jiang Yi finished speaking, he fell silent, waiting for Jiang Chen's answer.

Jiang Chen thought for a moment, "I accept this deal."

Jiang Yi seemed to sigh with relief, a faint smile appearing, and handed the two boxes to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback, "Aren't you afraid I might deceive you, take the items and not act?"

Jiang Yi shook his head, "I won't misjudge a person; I trust you."

He said it with great confidence.

Jiang Chen put the boxes away, "Rest assured, I'll see this through."

Jiang Yi nodded, "No rush; go when your strength is sufficient, the Core Area is hard to breach."

"I've been waiting for over 600 years; a few more years won't make a difference."

Jiang Chen felt some doubt arise, "Why don't you let a Divine-level Strongman help you?"

Jiang Yi shook his head, "They have no right to converse with it; in the past they only courted death."

"You are different; you should have the right to speak with it."

Jiang Chen didn't understand why Jiang Yi trusted him so much.

But he had begun to grasp Jiang Yi's meaning.

Even someone as strong as Ao Hongchen was defeated in a single strike and nearly died.

The opponent outright refused to speak with Ao Hongchen, leaving only a few words at the end.

Clearly, in its eyes, Ao Hongchen had no right to speak with it.

Only I; that terrifying BOSS not only spoke with me but also wanted to make a deal, indicating I have the qualification.

Jiang Yi looked at Jiang Chen and, suddenly solemn, said, "I'll give you another piece of advice."

"Never let anyone see what's inside the box, especially the broken finger; its temptation is too great and will bring you mortal danger."

"Whether Human Race, Abyss Demon, or Dragon Race, they will stop at nothing to obtain it."

Jiang Chen realized the seriousness from his words, "Rest assured, I've noted it."