A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5766

Still, pride forced him to sneer. "What's wrong—scared? Admit your earlier victory was blind luck while you still can, and I may let you walk away."

Paxton turned to Jared, features grave. "Jared, Elder Aileron spoke in anger. You have already dismantled the Threefold Beast-Soul Array—your strength is verified. One million celestial gems will be delivered at once, and a seat among our elders remains open for you. The Beast-Slaughtering God Array is lethally unpredictable. There is no need to force the matter."

Everyone seemed certain Jared would seize the easy path.

After all, he had earned respect and reward aplenty—why invite more danger?

Yet once again, Jared's response veered far from expectation.

He ignored Paxton's caution, ignored Gavin and Yvette's frantic pleas, and did not so much as glance at Arden's taunting stare.

Instead, his eyes drifted past the altar into the shadowed depths beyond, as though some greater power there tugged invisibly at his spirit.

A faint smile—half amusement, half curiosity—ghosted across his lips.

"Beast-Slaughtering God Array?" he echoed softly, nodding once, confidence thrumming beneath the calm. "Sounds... interesting."

He shrugged, as if selecting a dish from a tavern menu. "Very well—bring it on."

Gasps rippled across the viewing stands—an inhalation so sharp it seemed the air itself froze.

Insanity. Absolute, unvarnished insanity.

That was the only thought echoing in the minds of every disciple of the Myriad Beast Sect. Jared has lost his mind.

He had done the unthinkable. He had accepted the challenge—had volunteered, in fact, to try the fabled Beast-Slaughtering God Array.

For a heartbeat, Arden's hawk-bright eyes blinked in disbelief. Then savage delight curled his thin mouth.

"Mr. Riftclaw," he announced, palms clasped as though in earnest petition, "this arrogant cub dares belittle our sect's crown formation. Grant permission to activate the Beast-Slaughtering God Array and teach him how high the heavens truly stand!"

Paxton studied Jared in brooding silence. There was no madness in the youth's gaze, no tremor of fear. Only a depthless calm that made the floor seem suddenly fragile beneath their feet.

Arden sneered. He could already see Jared being torn to shreds.

Jared tilted his head back, studying the nine snarling beast spirits as gale-force power battered against his robes. Even a Level Six Heavenly Immortal would tremble here—yet his heartbeat never quickened.

"Now we're talking," he murmured.

The instant the words fell, he moved—swift, decisive, a single brushstroke of intent.

The Dragonslayer Sword sang—a clear, crystalline cry—as the blade leapt of its own accord into his waiting palm.

The ordinary-looking man now radiated a force that split the sky—a raw sword will that dared every spirit beast to charge.

He became a drawn weapon himself, edge bared to the cold air, brilliance flashing across the entire altar.

Light flared along his silhouette—too bright to stare at—until it seemed the whole world shuddered beneath that singular sword intent.