A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 6786

"Calder is waiting for all of you in the Council Hall," the captain said.

His voice remained steady, but far less caution colored his tone. "He said to go there as soon as you returned."

Kael nodded without further comment.

The group passed through the coral-stone gate and followed the streets toward the white hall at the heart of the city.

Water Clan cultivators watched them along the way. This time, curiosity and friendliness had largely replaced the scrutiny and suspicion in those gazes.

Some even nodded to Kael. After looking at Jared, they did not avert their eyes but offered him friendly smiles.

Jared knew that word had already spread.

Seventeen poisoned cultivators had survived because of him. Polluted waters had been purified. Seaweed and coral had begun to grow once more.

The Water Clan might be isolated from the world, but word traveled quickly among them.

In an underwater city of only a few thousand inhabitants, the smallest change soon became known in every corner.

The Council Hall's doors stood open. Brilliant light from its luminous pearls poured outside and lit the surrounding water like midday.

When Jared entered, he found far more people inside than when he had left.

In addition to the 12 elders, dozens of Water Clan cultivators stood along both sides of the hall. Men and women, young and old, all turned toward the entrance.

Calder stood before the place of honor. His silver-white hair gleamed gently beneath the luminous pearls, and Jared's figure was reflected in his ocean-dark eyes.

He regarded Jared for a long time before speaking slowly. "The Sunken Abyss Current, the Bluewater Shoals, and the Green Coral Ridge have all been restored."

It was not a question, but a statement confirming something whose answer he already knew.

Jared nodded. "All three have recovered. The sources of pollution have been eradicated, and the remaining nether energy is gradually dissipating.

"I absorbed and purified some of it. The rest will dilute naturally with the currents and should disappear completely within about half a month."

The hall stayed quiet for a moment. Then the statement struck like a boulder dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through the crowd.

The cultivators lining the walls began whispering. Some shook their heads in amazement, others clenched their fists with excitement, and still others exchanged looks filled with disbelief.

"All three regions have been restored?"

"Together, they span roughly 220 to 250 miles! He purified all of that by himself in only two days?"

"Even the Water Clan sacred water couldn't remove the nether energy. How did he manage it?"

The murmuring grew louder. Everyone looked at Jared with unprecedented reverence and gratitude.

The white-haired elder emerged from the crowd and walked over to him. He bowed so deeply that his stooped back bent as far as it could.

His hoarse voice carried the solemnity of long years. "Mr. Chance, I doubted you in this hall before. I questioned you and opposed Calder's decision to use the Sea Soul Pearl.

"Today, in front of everyone, I apologize. You saved the future of the Water Clan, while I was too blind to recognize your worth."

Jared caught the old man's arm and helped him upright. "You needn't go so far, sir. You wanted to protect the Water Clan. I understand."

The elder straightened and looked into Jared's calm violet eyes, complicated emotion flickering through his clouded gaze. "The Water Clan can never repay everything it owes you."

Calder raised one hand to quiet the crowd.

The discussion gradually subsided. He swept his gaze over those assembled before settling it on Jared. His voice was calm but carried the solemn weight of a deep-sea current. "Tonight, Deepblue City will hold a feast. The entire city will celebrate."

Suppressed cheers burst through the hall.

The celebration took place in the central plaza of Deepblue City.

The glowing seaweed overhead had been brightened to its limit, illuminating the whole square as clearly as day.

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