In the skies above Mary Geoise, the battle raged like a violent storm.
Clouds churned and lightning flashed, as if the entire world was being torn apart by this duel.
The confrontation between Jin and Im was no longer a simple contest of strength, but a struggle on the very brink of life and death.
Jin's figure flashed across the sky, his blade slicing through the air, creating bursts of sonic booms.
Although his body was formidable, he was now covered in blood, his clothes tattered, and wounds all over his body oozing blood.
Each swing of his sword brought intense pain, but there was no trace of retreat in his eyes, only increasing determination.
Every strike was a desperate gamble for survival.
His breathing grew heavier, the bloody scent swirling around him, as if he were incompatible with this world.
His abdomen had been severely injured by Im's palm strike, and it had not yet healed; the wound had reopened, and blood continued to seep from his body.
Yet Jin did not stop; he knew that stopping meant death.
Across from him, Im, though still looking stunning and possessing an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers, was also not in good shape.
Her clothes were also torn, and there were several obvious scratches on her skin; blood flowed from the wounds, and although her figure maintained its elegance, a hint of fatigue was faintly revealed in her eyes.
Her breathing was weak, and her movements were slightly sluggish, but she still maintained that transcendent aura, like a supreme god, unshakable by anyone.
"You are tenacious."
Im said coldly, her tone full of disdain, but a trace of vigilance flashed in her eyes; she realized that Jin's counterattack was exceptionally strong, even putting her on the defensive at one point.
"I don't believe in gods, let alone your power."
Jin retorted through gritted teeth, his voice weary but still filled with unyielding spirit.
"Only oneself is the strongest."
Im was slightly taken aback; she had never encountered such a stubborn opponent; facing the threat of death, Jin was still so resilient, making him difficult to fathom.
She looked down at the wounds on her body; although not fatal, they had significantly affected her power.
Her aura was somewhat unstable, and her confidence in controlling the battle was gradually diminishing.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?"
Im sneered, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
Her hands waved slightly, and the surrounding space instantly twisted, the oppressive force in the air suddenly increasing.
Jin frowned, his body suddenly crushed, almost unable to breathe.
He felt the power surging from all directions, like invisible chains locking down his every movement.
However, his powerful will prevented him from retreating even a bit.
"Impossible!"
Jin roared inwardly, enduring the pain, he suddenly leaped, his body turning into a streak of cold light, charging towards Im.
Im coldly greeted him, her palm unfolding, the air cut by her palm wind shattering like glass.
The two figures instantly intertwined in the air, the light of the blade and the shadows of the palms interweaving, as if the heavens and earth were shaking for this battle.
"Bang!"
A loud noise came, Jin's blade collided with Im's palm force, the intense collision sending both of them staggering back several steps.
Jin's feet swept across a broken cloud layer, finally stabilizing his figure, but the injuries to his body almost made him lose his balance, and blood gushed from his mouth.
Im stood steadily in the air, her face more solemn than before, a rare trace of fatigue showing in her eyes.
Although she had been controlling the battle all along, Jin's persistence made her feel a sense of unease.
Jin gasped for breath, taking a deep breath, trying to keep himself calm.
He knew that if he continued to wear himself down like this, his injuries would worsen, eventually leading to a state where he couldn't move at all.
"I must find an opening!"
Jin's eyes stared intently at Im, constantly calculating in his mind, looking for her weakness.
There seemed to be an invisible force surging within his body, every muscle twitching in pain, yet he still didn't give up.
Instead, he felt that force accumulating little by little, as if it were about to explode.
"You may be strong."
Jin murmured, the fire in his heart growing hotter.
"But I won't give up, I will definitely defeat you!"
Im heard his voice, her cold gaze sweeping over him, the corner of her mouth slightly raised:
"Interesting."
A sharp light flashed in her eyes.
"But you are ultimately just a mortal, destined to be unable to break my control."
Before the words were finished, she once again pounced fiercely towards Jin.
At this moment, Im's figure almost turned into an image, rapidly approaching, her palm striking towards Jin's chest like lightning.
Jin did not retreat, he gripped his long sword, facing Im's attack head-on.
In the fierce confrontation between Im and Jin, the air was filled with scorching energy and intense killing intent.
The blade light and palm wind collided again and again, the deafening roar causing the entire Mary Geoise to tremble.
However, just as the two were preparing to go all out once again to determine the outcome, the atmosphere between heaven and earth suddenly changed.
A huge and bizarre shadow silently descended from the sky, like a wide-open mouth, swallowing the two on the battlefield along with the surrounding space.
The shadow was filled with distortion and chaos, like darkness from the abyss, carrying an irresistible sense of oppression.
Jin instantly sensed an unusual threat.
His body instinctively tensed, his silver pupils slightly contracted, the long sword in his hand gripped tightly, scanning the surroundings warily.
But the speed of that shadow was too fast, so fast that even his Ultra Instinct could not fully predict it.
He only had time to dodge sideways, but he was still caught by the edge of the shadow.
Im's brow also furrowed slightly; she obviously also sensed that this force was extraordinary.
This shadow was mixed with a nauseating aura, as if it were a chaotic force soaked in death and resentment.
She quickly waved her hand, a black barrier rising in front of her, trying to resist this sudden force.
However, the shadow was coming on fiercely, seemingly not just for deterrence, but premeditated.
"What is it?"
Im spoke coldly, a hint of displeasure in her voice.
And within this bizarre shadow, a low and familiar laughter gradually rang out, the laughter rough and triumphant, as if announcing the capture of prey.
"Zehahahaha! Got it!"
That voice carried a highly recognizable cunning and arrogance, echoing within the entire shadow-covered space, making people's hearts sink.
Jin's brow furrowed slightly, he quickly looked towards the direction of the voice, a trace of solemnity and vigilance flashing in his eyes.
He was very familiar with this laughter; it was a name that had stirred up countless storms of blood on the sea, a man even the Navy was wary of.
