A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5040

Jared chuckled. “If you're feeling nervous, Ms. Murray, you can stay behind.”

“W-Who's nervous?” Jemina snapped, gritting her teeth. “I'm going with you!”

The two of them dove into the lake. The water was icy, sharp as needles against the skin, but to cultivators like them, it was hardly a challenge.

As they descended dozens of feet, the lakebed slowly revealed itself. There, nestled beneath the surface, was a massive stone platform, carved all over with complex, ancient array runes. At its center was a glowing blue crystal, about the size of a clenched fist, radiating a soft light.

“Is that... the Skybound Crystal?” Jemina gasped in awe. “The divine item that balances the energy of heaven and earth?”

Jared's eyes sharpened. “That confirms it. This entire arcane array has been running off the power of that Skybound Crystal, channeling energy from the earth vein. That's how it's stayed active for ten thousand years.”

He swam closer, carefully examining the carved array runes. Then his expression darkened.

“Something's off... some of these runes have been altered. Looks like someone tampered with the arcane array. And I think there's another restriction hidden inside!”

Jemina's eyes widened. “What are you saying?”

Before Jared could answer, the stone platform suddenly lit up with intense brilliance. The Skybound Crystal at its center began to vibrate violently. “This is bad!” Jared grabbed Jemina. “Get back, now!”

But it was already too late. A terrifying suction force erupted from the lakebed, pulling them toward the platform like a whirlpool.

“Jared! What's happening?” Jemina cried out, panic in her voice.

“We triggered the arcane array!” Jared shouted, gritting his teeth as he struggled to resist the pull. But the suction force was overwhelming. In an instant, both of them were sucked into a rift in space that had ripped open beneath them.

The world spun around them in a dizzying blur. When their vision cleared, they found themselves lying amid ancient ruins.

Towering stone pillars lay shattered around them, broken palaces crumbled into dust. The air was heavy, filled with the smell of age and decay.

Not far ahead, a colossal stone pillar loomed into the sky, covered in ancient runes. Behind it, a mountain split down the middle had been carved into two malicious spirit statues.