Chapter 561: When People Doubt You, Powerful Monsters in the Instance

Jiang Chen today discovered the surroundings bustling, as if the entire Tianshan God Palace Dungeon boiled over because of his arrival.

Huo Yuyao's figure stood out especially in the crowd, and beside her, Qiao Zhixin stood quietly, her gaze never leaving Jiang Chen.

Huo Yuyao, as always hearty, shouted loudly upon seeing Jiang Chen, "Jiang Chen, you came to join the fun too?" Her voice was full of surprise, as if his arrival was her biggest gain today.

Jiang Chen gave a slight smile and nodded in response. His eyes turned to Qiao Zhixin, a hint of tenderness flashing, "Zhixin, long time no see."

Qiao Zhixin's eyes glittered like stars, as if all emotions condensed in those bright pupils, "Indeed, long time no see. Thank you; if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

Although Qiao Zhixin is not a combat‑type profession, her Combat Instinct talent and the "Sure‑Hit" talent she obtained from Jiang Chen make her excel in battle. She knows all this would not be possible without Jiang Chen's help.

Jiang Chen shook his head lightly, "That's your own effort; I only did what I ought to." He didn't wish to dwell on it, for he knew Qiao Zhixin's achievements were no accident.

After a few words, Jiang Chen prepared to enter the Instance. Qiao Zhixin suddenly grabbed his sleeve, "Jiang Chen, can you take me with you?" Her voice was full of expectation and longing.

Jiang Chen stopped, looking at Qiao Zhixin's hopeful eyes; he felt a bit conflicted. But recalling his recent plans, he shook his head, "Zhixin, this time I may not be able to take you; I need to boost my strength quickly."

A hint of disappointment flashed on Qiao Zhixin's face, but she quickly regained composure, "It's fine, I understand. Then promise me, when you have time, you'll definitely take me to grind the Instance."

Jiang Chen nodded, "Of course, I will." His words were filled with resolve and promise.

Watching Jiang Chen's departing back, Huo Yuyao couldn't help teasing, "Zhixin, Zhixin, your soul's already been snatched away by Jiang Chen."

Qiao Zhixin smiled lightly, "I know, but I'm willing." Her voice was soft yet conveyed firmness.

Huo Yuyao shook her head helplessly, "You really are hopeless." She watched Qiao Zhixin's infatuated look, feeling a bit worried. Yet she knew Qiao Zhixin was a measured person who would handle her feelings properly.

The difference in mindset between Qiao Zhixin and Huo Yuyao seemed amusing; Qiao Zhixin thought, "As long as I get a chance to grind the Instance with Jiang Chen, I'll be satisfied."

Huo Yuyao sighed while shaking her head, "You truly are beyond help."

A faint blush spread on Qiao Zhixin's cheeks as she retorted softly, "I've been beyond help for a long while."

Huo Difeng, hearing the vague words, looked at his sister and Qiao Zhixin, his mind full of doubt.

"Divine General Jiang knows my sister, but their relationship doesn't seem that close. On the contrary, his conversations with Sister Zhixin are more frequent," Huo Difeng analyzed silently, "Could it be... Sister Zhixin has intentions toward Divine General Jiang?"

The more Huo Difeng thought, the more plausible it seemed; he couldn't help glancing at Qiao Zhixin a few more times, noticing the gentle, expectant look in her eyes toward Jiang Chen's back.

"Divine General Jiang doesn't seem to reject Sister Zhixin; he even agreed to take her together next time to grind the Instance," Huo Difeng concluded, "Looks like Sister Zhixin really likes Divine General Jiang."

At this moment, Jiang Chen had reached the Entrance of the Instance; his solitary figure drew everyone's attention. Under the crowd's gaze, Jiang Chen entered the Instance without hesitation.

"What is he doing? Going into an Instance alone is courting death, isn't it?"

"Maybe he just wants to go in and enjoy the scenery."

"Stop joking; this is a Middle Stage Dungeon; once inside you'll face combat immediately, there's no time for scenery."

"Let's just wait and see; maybe he'll come out crying soon."

The surrounding people chattered endlessly, all waiting to watch Jiang Chen's joke. Ling Xuan also wore a cold sneer; the anger from being scolded by the Team Leader earlier now fully shifted onto Jiang Chen.

Huo Difeng looked somewhat worried as he watched Jiang Chen disappear toward the darkness, silently praying, "Divine General Jiang, you must succeed!"

Qiao Zhixin curled her lip, scoffed disdainfully, "An Instance of this level is a piece of cake for Jiang Chen."

Huo Yuyao added, "I haven't fought side‑by‑side with Jiang Chen, but based on his reputation and strength, I believe he can handle this Instance easily."

Qiao Zhixin heard the surrounding chatter, those people waiting to see Jiang Chen's joke, and she sneered internally, "Later they'll learn what a slap in the face looks like."

She stared intently at the Instance Entrance, her eyes full of trust and expectation toward Jiang Chen.

In the middle stage of the Tianshan God Palace Dungeon, the difficulty here is far higher than the Initial Stage. There is no safe zone; players must face combat the moment they enter.

Jiang Chen had just stepped into the Instance; his vision just cleared when a massive Black Shadow lunged at him. It was a black bear, towering over five meters tall, like a small mountain.

Behind the bear, other beast silhouettes flickered, clearly more than one monster.

Jiang Chen instinctively leapt, his Lightning Nether Spirit Wings flapped rapidly, skillfully evading the bear's charge. At that moment, a sharp cry rang from the sky, and a swarm of feathers shot toward Jiang Chen like arrows.

The feathers flew at incredible speed, crackling as they struck Jiang Chen. Yet his Bone Armor glimmered, blocking each feather attack.

After reaching Level 60, Jiang Chen's Bone Armor defense also increased. Though it only provides defense equivalent to 6000 constitution points—weak compared with a mage's shield—it can be cast for others, has no cooldown, and can be used continuously.

Coupled with his Talent Amplification, the Bone Armor's defense surged to an astonishing 420,000. Under the dense feather barrage, the Bone Armor stood like a copper wall, unyielding and pressure‑free.

Jiang Chen noticed a huge black male hawk soaring toward him; those feathers were being launched from its body. He was mildly surprised, "So it can reuse this attack."

Then a thick black shadow burst from the ground like a whip, striking Jiang Chen heavily. The Bone Armor twisted under the force, shaking constantly.

Jiang Chen judged the strike's power to be considerable, the opponent's strength likely exceeding 200,000. He looked up to see a massive black python coiled on the ground, about fifteen meters long and astonishingly robust.

After the snap, the python landed again, then bounced up. Simultaneously, the black bear leapt high, charging Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen flashed his form, dodging both attacks. He flicked his fingers, several Detection Techniques shot out, quickly gathering the monsters' data. Qiao Zhixin curled her lip, scoffed disdainfully, "This level of Instance is a piece of cake for me."

Outside the Instance, members of the Blue Leaf Guild also began murmuring softly.

Huo Yuyao said, "I haven't fought side‑by‑side with Jiang Chen, but based on his reputation and strength, I believe he can easily handle this Instance."

Qiao Zhixin heard the surrounding chatter, those people waiting to see Jiang Chen's joke, and she sneered, "Later they'll know what a slap in the face is."

She stared intently at the Instance Entrance, her eyes full of trust and expectation toward Jiang Chen.

Inside the Instance, Jiang Chen had already detected the monsters' information.

"Tianshan War Eagle (Boss-level Monster)"

"Level: 66"

"Tianshan War Bear (Boss-level Monster)"

"Level: 66"

"Tianshan War Python (Boss-level Monster)"

"Level: 66"

Three Detection Techniques fired instantly, and the feedback—all without exception—were all Boss-level Monsters.

Boss-level Monsters are a special kind of existence in Instances; their strength equals that of ordinary BOSSes in the wild. Yet the Tianshan God Palace, as a high‑difficulty Instance, has Boss-level Monsters far surpassing ordinary BOSSes of the same tier, even comparable to Lord-level BOSSes.

The middle‑stage difficulty of the Tianshan God Palace is manifested here. Players entering the Instance must immediately confront these powerful Boss-level Monsters, with no buffer or preparation time.

At this moment, all pressure converged on Jiang Chen. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze flashing resolve and confidence, "Time to test the true combat power of the Skeleton King!"

With Jiang Chen's summons, the Undead Legion surged from the darkness. Immediately, black Qi spread in the air, and a throne of the Skeleton King, flickering with pallid light and wrapped in blood, slowly floated within the Instance.