"I can't keep imitating my past self." Lin Ye tightened his grip on the sword hilt.
"I have to create a way of fighting that belongs to who I am now."
He recalled the two constellation marks he had obtained.
The searing flames of Aries and the unyielding will of Taurus.
Perhaps these two starkly different powers could be fused.
Seeing the change in Lin Ye's expression, the duplicate sneered.
"Still trying to struggle? A defective copy is still defective."
"Galaxy Taboo: Star River Annihilation!"
The intact divine sword unleashed another terrifying attack.
But this time, Lin Ye did not meet it head-on. Instead, he began trying a new approach.
He activated the Aries Mark within him.
Searing flames surged from the broken sword's hilt.
At the same time, he channeled the tenacious power of the Taurus Mark.
A dense, ocher glow enveloped his entire body.
"Fusing fire and resilience..." Lin Ye gritted his teeth.
The two completely different powers began converging within him.
But things did not go smoothly.
The fury of the flames clashed violently with the steadiness of resilience.
The energy within him began spiraling out of control, nearly turning against him.
"Urgh!" Lin Ye spat out blood.
The clash of powers had injured him internally.
The duplicate seized the chance to launch a furious assault.
"Galaxy Flash: Combo!"
The intact divine sword became countless sword shadows, stabbing wildly at Lin Ye.
Lin Ye barely managed to dodge, but his left shoulder was still pierced through.
Blood instantly stained his tattered battle robe red.
"See that?" the duplicate said smugly.
"This is what happens when you overestimate yourself."
"Give up those pointless attempts."
He thrust his sword toward Lin Ye's heart.
"You'll never surpass your perfect self!"
At that critical instant, Aries's words flashed through Lin Ye's