Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

The transparent sunlight spread across the sky.

It was the time when the shadows of the crowd were at their smallest.@@novelbin@@

Among them were those whose appearances made it difficult to tell whether they were beggars or wandering vagrants, sprawled lazily on the ground. Others, standing with their arms crossed atop high tree branches, were seasoned martial artists of the Martial Observation Sect. There were even those draped in silk robes, seated within ornate palanquins, flanked by personal guards.

Yet, there was hardly anyone displaying signs of boredom.

As the sun climbed higher, the excitement on their faces only deepened.

And then—

“They're coming! They’re coming!”

“What? Finally...!”

“Where? Who?!”

A formidable presence spread from below the distant mountain road. The synchronized clanking of iron armor echoed as it collided at regular intervals. The sound grew louder.

The crowd buzzed like a swarm of bees.

“The Tenfold Gate! The Ten Thousand Soldiers Heavenly Lord is here, leading his disciples!”

“He really accepted... I wasn’t sure if he would.”

“The leader of the Tenfold Gate displaying his martial prowess in broad daylight…!”

“We’re going to witness the Ten Thousand Bell Convergence Technique with our own eyes.”

The heads of great sects were figures that were rarely seen, even over a lifetime.

Not only for commoners, but even for renowned martial artists in the wulin, it was the same.

These were beings of such status that they rarely moved unless the circumstances were fitting. Even if they did happen to be on the same land, laying eyes on them was akin to trying to glimpse the sun in the sky.

For martial artists, their presence held an even deeper meaning.

It was said that every movement of a supreme grandmaster carried the essence of a higher martial realm. Just witnessing them in action could broaden one’s knowledge and bring about great enlightenment.

“This means we’ll see the Dark King of Huazhong too? They say he’s so handsome even Song Ok and Ban-ak would weep!”

“There’s no way. Rumors are always exaggerated.”

“Move! I can’t see! Move aside!”

“Stop shoving! I said, stop pushing!”

“The gangho fighters have formed a perimeter! If we move any closer, it'll be chaos—just stop already!”

The endless ridge was densely packed with people.

Fights were breaking out within the crowd.

Those who wanted to move forward craned their necks, while those with blocked vision jumped in place, struggling to catch a glimpse of the highest peak.