"Tell me you're not just smitten by her looks."
Neville studied Jared's expression, trying to read the truth beneath the calm façade.
"Hardly. Beautiful women are hardly a novelty to me. Besides, you're coming with us tomorrow. If trouble shows its face, I'll have you standing between it and me."
Jared's grin widened as he spoke, confidence rolling off him like summer heat.
Neville barked a laugh, clapped Jared's shoulder, and said, "With me around, Sylvia wouldn't dare pull any tricks. I'll make the arrangements right away."
He turned to leave, boots already scraping across the stone floor, when Jared's voice stopped him.
"Neville, one more thing—I need to ask about someone."
"Who?"
"Do you know the Celestial King of the Celestial Palace—the one whose court sits on level eight?"
"Of course. The Celestial Palace is famous. That Celestial King may reside on level eight, but his strength is nothing to scoff at. Why the sudden interest?"
"A friend asked me to inquire. The Celestial King traveled up to level nine and then vanished. No one has heard from him since."
"I met him years ago near Heaven Gate Mountain. He had two hall masters with him, probably searching for the sect's old ruins. Where he's gone since, I can't say—but once we're at the mountain, we can poke around."
Neville's words made Jared's determination flare even hotter.
If the Celestial King had truly been spotted near Heaven Gate Mountain, Jared now had one more reason—perhaps the most pressing yet—to make that journey.
"Thank you, Neville." He dipped his chin in genuine gratitude.
Jared froze, breath locking in his chest. Why in the world does he need my blood all of a sudden?
Boom!
Disciples spilled outside in panic, only to stop short at the sight of their Sect Master—naked, trembling, and covered in dust.
Stunned, Jared took two careful steps back. "Mr. Contreras, does every secret art of Nethergate Sect demand a price this steep?"
Neville said nothing. He slowly uncurled his fist. In his palm, Jared's congealed blood had reshaped itself into one enormous scarlet character. "Leave."
Swallowing hard, Neville managed, "M-Mr. Chance... the being behind you is beyond anything I can even comprehend."
He spun and bolted, a damp trail glistening on the polished stone where his steps fell.
Neville had known Jared had an expert backing him, but never imagined a force so vast that a casual probe could nearly obliterate an entire sect. If that unseen giant had not shown mercy, the Nethergate Sect would already lie in ruin. Only mercy kept every soul here alive.
Jared glanced down and realized the Sect Master had lost control of more than just his courage.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance)
5826???...
5670 available...
Nothing got 5 days 🙉🙉🙉...
5476 is available...
Any updates on new chapters? Been few days without new chapters....
Where’s the rest??...
Why there are 5102 chapters and I can only see 5086? Thanks...
Truly an epic, could very well be a movie series just like the Lord of the Rings....