A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5937

"T-This is..." gasped several elders at once, their voices trembling under the rainbow light.

Pyre, elder of the Fire Branch, sprang to his feet, cloak billowing like opened bellows. "The Five Elements cycle can automatically absorb spiritual energy? How is that even possible?"

"Chaos births all things and can, when guided, reforge the five elements," Jared said evenly. "Fuse it with a cooperative cultivation array, and the cycle sustains itself."

He turned toward Aurelian, eyes steady. "I will teach this method to the Five-Element Sect on one condition—cast aside old grudges, join the Anti-Demon Alliance, and face the Malevolent Path Hall beside us."

For the first time, Aurelian's habitual smile faded.

He descended from his high seat, skeletal fingers slipping into the swirling hologram, feeling the flawless ebb and surge of elemental force as if testing a heartbeat long forgotten.

A glint of astonishment flickered in his eyes before sinking into sober contemplation.

"The elements nurturing one another, in an endless cycle... In theory, it's certainly possible." Aurelian murmured at last. "But Jared, do you know why, for a thousand years, our sect has failed to live that ideal?"

Jared did not answer at once. He let his gaze circle the Five-Element Grand Hall, studying the five elders perched on their thrones of colored jade.

In the stillness, he could sense five completely distinct auras—metal's sharp edge, wood's vibrant life, water's supple resilience, fire's wild fury, and earth's solid weight. Those auras should have complemented one another, yet now they clashed and repelled, like five ferocious beasts trapped in a tiny cage, tearing at one another.

"The strife exists because each branch swears its doctrine is sovereign," Jared said, his words falling like hammer strokes. "The Metal Branch sees metal as the force of decisive action, unstoppable in its power. The Wood Branch values growth, ceaseless and ever-renewing. Water benefits all things, nurturing the world. Fire burns away evil while illuminating what is just. And Earth bears all, steadfast and full of virtue."

At every declaration, the elder of that branch straightened, pride flickering across lined faces like sun off steel.

"The five branches have argued for a thousand years, each claiming their own path as the foundation of the Five Elements. However..." Jared added before letting his tone grow heavy and deliberate. "The elements nurture one another, but they also restrain one another—they are part of a single whole. To forcibly separate them is like cutting a person into five pieces: each piece may insist it is human, but the integrity, the true meaning, is already lost."

"You insolent fool! You know nothing! Metal is the head of the Five Elements—war and conquest are the very foundation of our cultivation!" Ferrum thundered.

"Rubbish!" Pyre retorted as he slammed the table. "Metal melts before Fire! Only blazing flames that purge all can stand as the ultimate law!"

Aquilus, elder of the Water Branch, gave a frosty sniff. "The ultimate law can only be realized when Water and Fire are in harmony!"

Terran, elder of the Earth Branch, folded arms of stone-tinted sleeves. "Wood strengthens Earth, and Earth yields Metal—none of you comprehend the cycle!"

Woodric, elder of the Wood Branch, remained silent, though his gaze made it clear he disagreed with the other branches as well.

Before their quarrel could erupt a second time, Jared stepped forward.

The very air congealed, as though the hall itself held its breath.

He closed his eyes. Both hands rose, palms skyward, slow as dawn.

A mote of swirling gray light blossomed at his brow—not the polite demonstration shown earlier, but something vaster, older, and raw.

Buzz!

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