Jiang Chen’s ears suddenly twitched. The minute airflows in the air formed strange tracks that appeared under the scrutiny of his epassing consciousness.


    In the next moment, he dematerialized into nonexistence, fading away like a ripple in the air.


    A silvery streak shed through where he’d stood. A fissure appeared on the spot, a jagged scar that was almost too painful to behold.


    "Remarkable!"’ A bellow came forth from the air. Clearly, its source was astonished at Jiang Chen’s exceptional reflexes.


    There was a faint maism to this voice, as well as a particr unruliness that defied authority. The man’s personality was evident in his way of speech.


    Jiang Chen trained his God’s Eye upon a specific patch of space while hovering in another part far opposite. "This is the first time I’ve been weed like this in the Six Pces of Heritage." He shrugged with a faint smile.


    An odd ripple in space was followed by the slow emergence of a towering figure. A mane of messy hair hung on his shoulders. Hisplexion was quite brutish, his eyes wild and free. He seemed animated to the degree of reckless madness.


    Jiang Chen perused this rather strange man, who returned his regard with a simr half-smile.


    "A very special wee, is it not?" The long-haired codger shed a toothy grin.


    Jiang Chen harrumphed. “A sneak attack is unbing of a true warrior.”


    The codger seemed to take that as apliment. “A true warrior?” he cackled. “In the world of martial dao, those tend to die out real quick. I’m beginning to wonder how you got to the fourth pce in the first ce, kid!”


    His voice was loud and booming, the man apparently in high spirits.


    “What’s your rtion to the protector of the fourth pce?” Jiang Chen frowned. His understanding of the pces so far had showed him that the real protectors typically didn’t take to the field themselves.


    Master P’eng, Venerated Skysoarer, and the Grand Marquis alike had followed this rule. In fact, they had seemed to be stuck in the pces,cking freedom outside their respective posts. But this old man was very different.


    The entric elder grinned again. “Do I look that ugly? What, you don’t think I can be a protector?”


    “You?” Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow in doubt.


    “Congrattions, kid! You haven’t had the chance to fight directly with the first three protectors of the pces. But this pce has the protector as the test. Don’t be surprised if you fall here! Every genius must kneel before the Mad Fiend.” He licked his lips in mock bloodthirst.


    Jiang Chen felt like he was hallucinating.


    How could there be such a strange guardian in a ce as sacred as the Six Pces of Heritage? This ‘Mad Fiend’ waspletely off his rocker!


    Weren’t these protectors supposed to be imprisoned by the master of the Veluriyam Pagoda, hence their presence here?


    He saw no such restrictions with this specific one. Was he the exception?


    Jiang Chen took a deep breath. “If you are the protector of the fourth pce, may I ask your name?”


    “What’s with you?” The maniac of a man shouted with arms akimbo. “Didn’t I introduce myself already? I am the legend feared by all, living and dead alike – the Mad Fiend!”


    Mad Fiend?


    Jiang Chen had no impression whatsoever of this title. None of the previous protectors had mentioned someone like this. Nevertheless, he didn’t look like an easy character to contend with.


    He yed it cool. “If you are the fourth pce’s protector, what is your test?”


    There had been specific tasks he had been required to perform to pass through the first three. Now that he was in the fourth pce, Jiang Chen believed the same rules applied, and it certainly wouldn’t be easy.


    The Mad Fiend smirked, then shook his head. “The fourth pce has only one test. To pass on through, you must go through me!”


    “What do you mean?” Jiang Chen asked in a low voice.


    “Heheh, haven’t I made myself clear? Your only test is to beat me!” The kooky old man chuckled. “Of course, you’ll leave if I beat you as well.”


    Jiang Chen furrowed his brow. Each and every protector within these pces was immensely powerful. As a venerated senior worthy of bing a protector here, the Mad Fiend would be no slouch.


    To defeat him was an almost insurmountable task. He examined the Mad Fiend, calcting all the while.


    The madman had guessed what he was thinking. “Kid,” heughed, “I know why you’re trying to size me up. Don’t worry! I am a senior of the ancient era. I see no reason to use my cultivation as a bludgeon. I had a bet with the master of this Veluriyam Pagoda once... that bastard managed to trick me!


    “While guarding this ce, I can only fight with strength equal to the challenger. You’re already fifth level empyrean realm, eh? Almost sixth, now. The strongest among all the challengers I’ve seen so far! This’ll be very fun, very fun indeed. I wouldn’t want my ytime to be cut short. Are you prepared, kid?”


    “Prepared for what?” Jiang Chen was somewhat relieved. If the protector was forced to use only the same amount strength he had, he was no longer too worried about the fight ahead.


    Perhaps the Mad Fiend had once been someone universally feared, but Jiang Chen saw no reason to fear anyone at an equal level of cultivation.


    “Why, prepared for a trip to hell, of course!” The Mad Fiend grinned once more. “You did well toe so far, kid, but this ce has always been a nightmare for its challengers. I hope the risk and excitement is sufficiently stimting!”


    Jiang Chen shrugged. He wasn’t scared of threats from an opponent at his level. Given the constraints, he firmly believed that he had a better chance of winning.