A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5936

Jared's pupils narrowed; he knew this strike could no longer be dissolved. With both hands locked on the hilt, every shred of power inside him surged outward. The Dragonslayer Sword roared like a living beast as gray chaotic energy took the shape of a dragon and charged forward.

Clang!

This time, the ring of true metal sliced the heavens, a single note that left the air quivering.

The Sword Duel Platform convulsed beneath them, and spiderweb cracks began bursting across the obsidian Test-Blade Stone.

Spectators—Winslow and the others—staggered backward under the shockwave. Leopold, whose cultivation lagged behind, coughed scarlet at the corner of his mouth.

At the clash's center, sword light and the gray dragon tore space apart, revealing strips of bottomless darkness.

After three breaths, the radiance faded.

Jared remained where he had begun, expressionless, the Dragonslayer Sword quietly humming beside his leg.

Ten yards away stood Oswald—robe shredded, ash-gray hair unbound. Having been injured by chaotic sword energy, a gash the width of two fingers split his left shoulder to the bone, yet his face shone with exhilaration.

He laughed—deep, liberated laughter that rolled across the broken platform.

"Excellent! What an excellent Chaos Genesis Sword! With that stroke, I glimpsed the realm beyond the state of man and blade as one. This has been worth every drop of blood!"

Oswald threw his head back, laughter pealing through the clouds like rolling thunder.

With that, he snapped the sword back into its sheath, the click crisp and final, then strode across the battered stone toward Jared.

Stretching out a calloused hand, he hauled the young man upright in one smooth pull, the gesture rough yet strangely respectful.

"As for the alliance—Heavenly Sword Pavilion is in. But hear me first. Within the alliance, our sect will only take orders from you alone. As for all the pointless disputes and back-and-forth—don't ever involve me. Bring the petty squabbles of others to my door, and I will turn you away at the gate."

Jared dipped his chin, acceptance firm and unflinching. "Understood."

Oswald's eyes narrowed, the smile sharpening. "Also, you'd better prepare yourself for Aurelian Metalhart. That silver-tongued fox is far harder to bend than I ever will be."

"I know my limits," Jared answered, confidence ringing clear, his steady gaze promising far more than simple words.

***

Seven days later, the group arrived at Five-Element Range.

Unlike the knife-edged ridges of the Heavenly Sword Range, the Five-Element Range unfolded in five distinct peaks, each washed in its own hue—gilded metal, emerald wood, sapphire water, scarlet fire, earthen brown. Streams of a five-colored spiritual energy spiraled between those heights, weaving a panorama that was equal parts dazzling and uneasy.

Yet the nearer one drew, the more obvious the strain became. Currents of spiritual energy butted and repelled, their collisions betraying the sect's simmering internal discord.

Thanks to a Sword Essence Pill and his own prodigious vitality, Jared's injuries had mended by nearly seventy percent. No sooner had his party stepped across the sect's boundary stones than five separate patrols exploded from the tree line, hemming them in from every direction.

Robes told the story: gold for Metal, green for Wood, deep blue for Water, ember red for Fire, ochre for Earth. The disciples formed five distinct wedges, each eyeing even their supposed allies with measured suspicion.

"State your names and purpose!" the five branch leaders barked in imperfect unison—one voice cold as quenched steel, another hot as a bellows, the rest scattered like wind-ruffled leaves.

Winslow opened his mouth to reply, but Jared raised a quieting hand and stepped forward alone.

He pressed his palms together. At his brow, a mote of dim gray light blossomed, then burst into five radiant streams.

Chaos-tinged brilliance arced out, each ribbon homing toward a different squad of disciples without a hint of malice.

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