A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5875

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Outside the colonnaded entrance, Vermilion Demon Lord kept his voice just above the wind. "Jared, the power you revealed earlier will draw sharper eyes. Malevolent Path Hall in particular—"

"It's okay. Let them come," Jared replied calmly. "It's only a matter of time before they track me down anyway. Showing a fraction of what I can do scares off bottom-feeders and saves us needless skirmishes. Besides, Earthfire Pavilion is curious about me now. That curiosity could turn into protection if we play our cards right."

Vermilion Demon Lord mulled the logic, then offered a brief nod, scarlet hair stirring in the dusk. The pair returned to their inn, spending the rest of the evening sharpening blades, minds, and resolve for the journey through Flame Gorge at dawn.

Unbeknownst to them, word of the afternoon's spectacle raced along every information channel in Crimson Flame City. By nightfall, each major faction—Malevolent Path Hall included—spoke of a young, enigmatic cultivator who crushed a Level Seven Combat Puppet with bare hands.

"He shattered a Level Seven Combat Puppet's Flame Dragon Slash with just his bare hands?"

Bennett Bloodwyn listened to the report, crimson eyes gleaming like coals. "No wonder Darkwind Gorge fell. That boy truly does have some skill."

"Elder Bloodwyn, shall we strike now?" a subordinate asked.

Bennett shook his head. "No. There's no hurry. He's currently a guard on one of Earthfire Pavilion's missions. If we launch a blatant attack, we'd only offend Earthfire Pavilion. Let's wait until he leaves the city and steps into Flame Gorge—chaos is our ally there. Tell Barnaby to head there first and set the Myriad Ghost Devouring Grand Array along the outer rim. This time, I will take action personally. Jared Chance will not escape again!"

"Understood!"

In the hollows of that lair, murderous intent gathered like frost, invisible yet bitterly real.

Meanwhile, in a rented room above a quiet tavern, Jared sat cross-legged, eyes closed, steadying his breath. Each inhale drew in fiery essence; each exhale forged calm into steel for tomorrow's march through Flame Gorge.

At first light the next morning, beyond Crimson Flame City's southern gate, Jared and Vermilion Demon Lord arrived punctually at the rendezvous point.

More than twenty figures had already gathered beneath the smoldering dusk, their murmurs swallowed by the wind that rolled off the distant lava fields. Ten were newly hired guards—blades gleaming, eyes alert—while the rest wore the deep-crimson tokens of Earthfire Pavilion: disciples and enforcers standing in disciplined rows.

Ahead of the gathering, three sumptuous carriages waited in silence. Each carriage was yoked to four Crimson Flame Steeds whose burning hooves cast restless sparks across the baked roadway.

Resembling stallions yet bred from fire, the Level Three spirit beasts boasted hide the color of molten iron and an endurance few could match, making them the preferred mounts for exhausting treks through the searing Blaze Region.

Shortly after sunrise, a figure in ember-red robes glided through the main gate, snow-white hair framing a face as unlined as a child's, disciples crowding in formation behind him.

Warm benevolence softened his smile, yet every slow blink released a needle-bright spark that hinted at power pooled deep as an ocean—Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Eight.

He supported himself with a crimson-jade staff, its head holding a fist-sized fiery-red gemstone. The stone burned, but its heat felt more like sunlight on skin than an open flame.

"Greetings, Elder Flameheart!" the Earthfire Pavilion disciples shouted together, bows crisp and perfectly timed.

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