The scorching beams shot out from under the water, instantly vaporizing the seawater within their touch radius.
A substantial amount of water vapor filled the surface of the sea.
"He's even using the Heat Vision now. It seems Jericho is gradually adapting to Conner's body. Could I have been mistaken in my assumptions?"
Yuri's alertness surged as he observed the surrounding sea, preparing for a sudden attack from Jericho.
At the same time, he extended a hand and rotated the omnitrix, switching to a called DNA sample.
"Shadow Ghost!"
With a flash of light, the first form of Ghostfreak, cloaked in invisibility, appeared above the sea surface.
Against Jericho, who possessed soul-based abilities, although the race of Ghostfreak didn't possess any special advantage against souls, it was evident that Yuri didn't have a better choice than Ghostfreak at this moment.
As for why Yuri hadn't turned into it earlier and instead used Speedstar, it was because Ghostfreak's race had slow flying speeds, and he hadn't hidden in Superboy's shadow beforehand. If he had turned into the latter on the shore, it would take him at least half an hour to arrive here.
Since he was already at the location as Speedstar, he might as well use the opportunity to launch an attack on Superboy, affecting Jericho's mental state and not missing out on the opportunity.
After all, when Ghostfreak possessed someone, their sensory perceptions were synchronized. Almost a hundred percent of the pain experienced by the possessed person would be transmitted to Ghostfreak, who controlled the body.
In Yuri's understanding, Jericho's possession ability was based on the soul, which would certainly make him more sensitive to external attacks on the body. The rapid succession of five thousand kicks Yuri executed should have dealt a considerable blow to Jericho. Then, Conner could counterattack Jericho.
Now, if Yuri transformed back into Ghostfreak, entered Superboy's body, and together with Conner confronted Jericho, wouldn't that be a surefire win?
However, while the idea was beautiful, the unfolding reality turned out differently than Yuri had envisioned.
Ghostfreak slipped into the sea and immediately spotted Superboy, who wore a pained expression. His elbows were pressed against his sides, and both hands twitched and clawed frantically.
Superboy's head tilted towards the sky, and two red beams shot out from his eyes.
"Conner Kent! You possess such immense power, yet you don't know how to wield it properly. This only harms others and yourself. Do you still remember Donna?"
Jericho's soul continued to suppress Conner's soul, attacking his combat resolve with words.
"If you had fully unleashed your power at that time, how could you have been defeated by a mere android? How could Donna have died protecting you?"
"If you truly wish to do something for this world, then give me your body. I'll ensure there are no more senseless sacrifices. Only I can wield the power of this body properly!"
Fortunately, Jericho lacked the authority to obliterate souls. Conner's soul could barely resist for a short while, but it wouldn't last long before being pushed deep into the subconscious.
By then, Superboy would be completely under Jericho's control, much like with Jericho's father, and Conner would fall into an extended slumber.
"Hold on, Conner!"
At that moment, Ghostfreak infiltrated Superboy's body and also began to contend for control over his body.
"What are you?"
Jericho was taken aback; he had never heard of a body being able to accommodate three souls simultaneously.
"Yuri?"
Conner asked uncertainly.
"It's me. If you don't want this guy to take over your body, don't just stand there. Hurry up and help me drive him out!"
Yuri responded with his mind, simultaneously releasing the unique power of the Ectonurites.
Dark purple, peculiar energy condensed over Ghostfreak's claws, releasing an energy wave towards Jericho.
At the same time, Conner roared and charged at Jericho, his fist aimed at the latter's face.
In the soul space, a dark void without boundaries, indescribable and beyond imagination, Conner and Yuri engaged in the first round of battle against Jericho.
"Your powers are too weak!"
Jericho revealed a bloodthirsty grin, and a strange, thick liquid resembling blood oozed out from every pore of his body, completely enveloping him.
Only his face remained visible.
As Yuri's energy wave was about to hit Jericho, the thick liquid on his body suddenly extended several tendrils, swiftly striking the energy wave and dispersing it in an instant.
After dispersing Yuri's energy wave, the tendrils didn't pursue further; they quietly retracted.
The blood-like substance on Jericho seemed to possess some kind of intelligence. It automatically sensed incoming attacks and counterattacked, and these tendrils had incredibly potent strength.
"Ahh!"
On Conner's end, a similar occurrence transpired. The viscous liquid transformed into sharp tendrils that pierced straight through Conner's body.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Conner's soul couldn't be killed, nor could it bleed or be physically injured, but it experienced an excruciating agony, far more unbearable than any physical pain.
Summoning a surge of strength, Conner slashed at the tendrils that pierced his body with a hand chop.
The viscous blood tendrils were indeed as fluid as liquid. As the saying goes, "A drawn knife cuts water." Conner's hand chop easily passed through the blood-soaked tendrils, yet failed to completely sever them.
With no other option, Conner had to exert all his strength, propelling himself backward, and the blood tendrils allowed him to retreat.
"Did Starfire mention Jericho having this ability?"
Yuri felt a hint of complexity in the situation.
"No, just a minute ago he didn't possess this ability
Conner forcibly endured the searing pain that originated deep within his soul, a pain that could almost drive anyone to madness, as he explained to Yuri.
"Jericho, like those demons, can enhance his abilities through some kind of fanatical prayer. They are all followers of that 'Trigon'!"
Upon hearing this, Yuri finally understood what was going on.
"The Trigon again! Why is everything related to the Trigon so complicated?"
Yuri cursed silently in his mind.
He wasn't sure if Jericho's powers had reached their peak or if there was room for further enhancement.
But, as Tim had said, if they wanted to defeat Jericho, they could only seize the opportunity now.
Yuri mobilized all the energy within Ghostfreak, planning to use his full strength against Jericho.
He shed the invisible slime covering him, revealing the true form of Ghostfreak.
An inverted skull, menacing claws, countless tendrils wriggling on his chest.
Yuri rushed toward Jericho, and once again, the blood tendrils sprouted, madly assaulting him.
In the face of this situation, Yuri manipulated the tendrils from his chest to extend outward, colliding with the blood tendrils.
Not only that, his hands once again condensed dark purple energy, with brightness and scale several times greater than before.
Swoosh!
Both of Yuri's claws pushed forward simultaneously, and an energy beam, several dozen centimeters in thickness, surged out from between his claws in an instant.
°°°
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