Sudden Malice

Jin An stood at the bow, the sea before him rising and falling gently with the breeze. The distant island grew clearer, its atmosphere oppressive and grave.

Just as he prepared to adjust course again, a powerful presence suddenly swept toward him, as though some invisible force had crossed the sea and was rapidly closing in.

That presence carried intense malice, as if it wanted to devour him.

Jin An's body stiffened abruptly. He frowned slightly, his eyes swiftly sweeping the surroundings in search of the source.

"Blackbeard?

Imu?"

He murmured softly, uncertainty in his tone, but even more so, deep vigilance.

The fluctuations of that presence reminded him of the terror he had felt when fighting Blackbeard. It also resembled the aura Imu possessed—something that did not belong to this world.

His pupils contracted sharply, and his gaze turned keen.

"This presence seems to belong not only to Blackbeard, but also carries Imu's existence..."

As the presence drew closer, a powerful sense of unease rose within Jin An.

He felt as though it was watching him from the shadows, like an imperceptible darkness poised to pounce at any moment.

He knew this was no mere sensory illusion, but an instinct rooted deep in his soul. This malice was not directed at him personally—it came from a higher level.

"Could it be..."

Jin An drew a deep breath, lowered his head slightly, and calmly assessed the situation before him.

As those presences intertwined, he suddenly recalled the hints Imu had given before. That sinister feeling and Blackbeard's overwhelming dominance seemed to have merged together to some extent.

This presence was more than a simple threat. The message it conveyed was more direct and profound than any words.

"Damn it..."

He cursed under his breath, then turned and waved to the