Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Jeong Yeon-shin’s grip tightened around the Divine Thunderblade.

The sword had returned to him, flowing seamlessly from the Golden Dawn Sect Master’s abdomen as if guided by water.

High above, the mist-covered Unhoe Peak loomed below them.

They hovered in the air—suspended in a battlefield beyond mortal reach.

Fwoosh.

Blue flames crackled violently around the Golden Dawn Sect Master as she dipped her head slightly toward him.

As she moved, golden embers scattered from the nape of her neck like fluttering feathers—an illusion reminiscent of a golden phoenix incarnate, said to devour dragons.

Yet there was nothing auspicious about her presence.

She radiated a transcendence so absolute that it felt otherworldly.

"That was a little sharp."

Her clear voice rippled through the air.

Jeong Yeon-shin cast a fleeting glance at her exposed midsection.

Through the flickering blue flames, he caught sight of a faint streak of blood seeping into her golden garments—a remnant of his Sword Projection Art.

A shallow wound.

That was all.

"Her defensive energy is absurd."

The sheer speed and density of her internal energy barrier were beyond comparison. It not only absorbed force but diffused it completely—rendering most techniques ineffective.

Swish.

She reached out.

Her delicate fingers extended toward Jeong Yeon-shin’s brow.

Golden energy rippled from her fingertips—a power that had earlier paralyzed his body like a petrified statue.

The winds that had fiercely lashed at their robes suddenly fell silent.

A blue glint flickered in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

Heart-Eclipsing Qilin—Modified Formula.

A surge of white and crimson energy overlapped like converging tides, stretching outward from his grip on the Divine Thunderblade.

Moonlit Harmony Formation and Demonic Blood Arts—not wielded simultaneously, but alternating in rapid succession, creating an endless oscillation of force.

The veins on the back of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand pulsed.

Enshrouded in swirling crimson and white energy, the Divine Thunderblade slashed upward in a blinding arc.

Fwoosh!

Golden waves shattered like sea foam, dispersing to the sides.

The Golden Dawn Sect Master’s technique, which had twice sealed his energy, had been broken.

Yet, her face remained expressionless.

The violent winds roared around them once more, her jet-black hair rippling upwards as if untouched by gravity.@@novelbin@@

Then—her lips moved.

It was impossibly fast, as if spoken in silent incantation.

"Fengming." (縫鳴, Phoenix Cry).

Her melodious voice layered over itself—echoing in multiple tones at once, as if many voices were speaking in unison.

A technique unique to spell-martial arts.

Not even a breath had passed since their last exchange, yet a golden halo had already formed in the air around her hand—growing into an immense, translucent ring of light.

Its density was suffocating.

Like a tidal wave, it expanded instantly, engulfing Jeong Yeon-shin completely.

His jin-gi froze.

Completely.