A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 6770

Neris's expression shifted, and concern flashed in his eyes. He wanted to refuse, but this was no time to act on emotion.

He was the weakest of the three. Leaving him behind to support their retreat was the soundest choice.

He gritted his teeth and nodded. His voice remained firm. "All right. Be careful. I'll wait here for you. One hour—I'll be here waiting for you to return.

"If you run into danger, I'll find a way to draw the enemy away and buy you time."

Kael nodded without another word. He took a deep breath and sprang from the water, his body tracing a graceful arc before landing steadily on the staircase.

His steps were as light as a cat's. Making almost no sound, he climbed the damp stones at speed.

Whenever his waterscale armor brushed the flagstones, he used spiritual energy to conceal the faint noise.

Riven followed close behind. His armor slipped through the gloom like a silent serpent. He moved swiftly and quietly, scanning the surroundings in readiness for any sudden threat.

As they approached, the sigils on the iron door suddenly lit. Pale blue radiance flickered once and immediately went dark again.

Alarm shot through Kael. He stopped, held his breath, and watched the cavern until the continued silence allowed him to relax.

After closely examining the carvings, he understood their purpose. They maintained the circulation of seawater and contained neither additional restrictions nor a warning function.

Damian apparently never imagined an intruder reaching this point from below.

Kael gave the door an experimental push. Its low creak was not loud, but in the silent cavern it sounded painfully conspicuous.

His chest tightened. He immediately wrapped the door in spiritual energy to contain the sound, then slowly opened a narrow gap.

Kael squeezed through sideways and swept his gaze across the other side. Once he confirmed that no danger awaited them, he signaled Riven to follow.

Beyond the door, a narrow corridor climbed at an incline of about 30 degrees. It was roughly 11 feet wide and 22 feet high.

Pale blue stones were embedded in the walls every few steps. Their cold, weak glow gave the corridor the appearance of the sky just before dawn. The light was dim but sufficient to reveal the path underfoot.

Water stains and moss made the walls slick. Small pieces of gravel lay scattered over the floor and threatened to crunch beneath an incautious step.

Kael slipped through the gap and headed upward, placing every foot where the floor was clear of stones.

Riven stayed close behind him. They traveled single file through the dim corridor with their breathing suppressed, accompanied only by the softest echo of footsteps.

After approximately 30 paces, they reached another door at the corridor's end. This one was not iron, but heavy stone.

Carved from a single slab of bluestone, the door was about 22 feet tall and 20 inches thick. Dense sigils covered its surface, glowing faintly blue and releasing a powerful restrictive aura.

Kael stopped at once. His pupils contracted, and his face became grave.

He recognized the markings. They were Water Clan warding sigils, a potent sealing art created to obstruct the circulation of Water Clan spiritual energy. Even a Grand Zenith Immortal Level One cultivator would struggle to break them.

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