The skies darkened as though the heavens themselves recoiled from what unfolded below. The entire arena hushed, gripped by a tension so fierce that even breathing felt like a crime.
Shadow and Jinhai stood apart, battered yet defiant, both aware that the line between victory and death was now razor-thin.
Shadow's heart thundered in his chest. His sword trembled subtly, resonating with his pounding heartbeat. Blood seeped from numerous wounds, staining his robes crimson, but his eyes remained fiercely resolute.
Opposite him, Jinhai stood amidst swirling black flames, laughter echoing with madness. His eyes were no longer human, but abyssal pools of malice, pulsing with a hunger for destruction.
"You pushed me this far, Shadow!" Jinhai's voice was distorted, echoing like an infernal chant. "I never thought I'd reveal this secret here, among you righteous fools!"
With a sudden violent gesture, Jinhai raised the **Chains of Hell** above his head. The chains glowed a sinister crimson, symbols blazing ominously. They writhed like serpents, hissing and groaning as though alive.
The Sect Master rose swiftly, voice cracking like thunder. "Jinhai! You dare cultivate demonic arts within these walls?!"
Jinhai sneered, unbothered by the condemnation. "What I cultivate is power—power your so-called righteousness could never give me!"
Shadow spat blood to the side, his gaze locked onto Jinhai's. "Enough talk. If you've chosen to walk this path, you'll face its consequences."
"Then come, Shadow! Face your judgment!"
With a deafening roar, the Chains of Hell surged forward, splitting the air itself.
Shadow didn't retreat. He surged forward, blade flashing like lightning.
Their collision was cataclysmic.
Metal shrieked. Sparks showered like stars. Blood splattered across the arena.
Shadow narrowly twisted aside as the chains scorched past him, melting the stone beneath.
"Is this all you have?" Jinhai taunted, madness dancing in his eyes. "Pathetic!"
Shadow lunged again, his blade tracing arcs of lethal intent. "You'll regret those words!"
**Flash Blade Art: Storm's Fury!**
His blade blurred into a storm of strikes, lightning surging with each motion.
Jinhai laughed wildly, twirling the chains faster, intercepting strike after strike. Each collision reverberated like a hammer striking iron, echoing through the shocked audience.
But Shadow saw an opening.
"Pulse Three—Blade Echo!"
His sword flashed thrice in rapid succession. Each strike landed—thigh, shoulder, chest. Blood exploded from Jinhai, who stumbled back, eyes blazing with fury and pain.
"You… think this pain can stop me?!" Jinhai screamed, voice hoarse with rage. "I embrace it!"
The chains exploded into countless tendrils, filling the arena with deadly lashes.
Shadow felt agony surge through his body as a chain tore across his chest, nearly flinging him off the stage. Yet he gritted his teeth and stood firm.
"You're not the only one who can endure pain!" Shadow shouted, charging forward again, sword poised for a killing blow.
Jinhai snarled, madness overtaking him completely. "Then I'll rip your soul apart!"
The air grew heavy as Jinhai's aura twisted into something monstrous. Shadows coalesced around him, merging with his flames. The Chains of Hell transformed into massive spiked whips of raw darkness.
"Chains of Judgment: Soul Devourer!"
The attack descended upon Shadow like the wrath of hell itself.
Shadow's eyes flashed defiantly. He didn't dodge. He met the assault head-on.
"Thunder Slash—Final Judgment!"
Lightning and darkness collided with catastrophic force, shaking the entire mountain.
Shadow felt his muscles tear, bones fracturing under the immense pressure. Jinhai roared, flames consuming his flesh as he forced himself beyond limits.
Both warriors collapsed to their knees, drenched in blood and sweat, bodies barely holding together.
Yet neither yielded.
"You… forced me to this," Jinhai gasped, blood dripping from his mouth. His trembling fingers fumbled into his robe, drawing out a pill glowing with an evil purple radiance.
"Jinhai! Stop!" Elder Mo shouted desperately, but it was too late.
Jinhai swallowed the pill.
A dreadful silence consumed the arena.
Then his body convulsed violently, muscles bulging grotesquely. An explosion of demonic Qi erupted, shattering the ground around him. His power surged.
**Seventh Layer of Foundation Building!**
"I… will… kill… you!" Jinhai screamed, eyes bleeding, demonic energy exploding from every pore.
Shadow rose unsteadily to his feet, his sword heavy but resolute in his grasp.
"Then let's end this."
Their final clash would not be just a fight—it would be an execution.
The sky above ruptured with thunder.
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