Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

The Lord of Taemosan Fortress.

The Dark Heaven Emperor, Cho Ryeol.

His long, flowing black hair cascaded down to his waist.

His ears, sharply angled like those of a celestial warlord, added to his distinctive and almost theatrical appearance. Across the chest of his worn, pure-white robe was an enormous golden sun, radiating a silent yet oppressive authority.

Cho Ryeol’s sculpted features harmonized perfectly with his attire. His entire presence exuded an almost statuesque chill, as if he had been carved from marble.

Even as he released the Moonless Dominion, his expression remained unchanged.

Indifferent to all things in the world.

Flap!

The sound of powerful winds tearing through fabric.

He had emerged, soaring through the space reflected in the falling droplet.

A technique of such mysticism that even among the most divine martial sorceries, it stood in a league of its own.

A feat impossible unless one's entire being had been forged from true energy and spiritual essence.

From behind his back, an orange monk’s robe billowed.

Diamond Immovable Body Technique.

There was no time for anyone to react.

From one of the monk’s shoulders, golden light flared and took the shape of an arm. The moment it fully formed, the golden palm cleaved downward, seeking to split open the back of the Dark Heaven Emperor’s skull.

BOOOOM—!

A devastating shockwave erupted from the point of impact.

A concentric ripple blasted outward, shaking the entire underground chamber.

From the surrounding rock walls encasing the cavern, chunks of stone broke loose and tumbled down, as if a great bell had been struck.

There were no words exchanged. No hesitation.

It was an unquestionable strike.

The divine monk, Beomheo, had arrived.

"……"

The elite warriors of Taemosan’s subordinate sects fell silent. Even Cho Il-seo, who had just begun stepping down from his palanquin, froze mid-motion.

It was an inhuman display of martial prowess—anyone would be struck speechless.

As the underground cavern became fully engulfed in the Realm of Nihilistic Annihilation, the Shaolin Abbot’s counter to the Dark Heaven Emperor’s ambush had been seamless.

Yet, neither Beomheo nor Yulha Nangnang, nor even Cheongsu Jin-in or Ak Su-rim, were looking at him anymore.

[Beomheo.]

A voice echoed from the heart of the cavern.

Through the humid, dense air, a figure emerged, walking forth.

The image of the Dark Heaven Emperor flickered before solidifying.

The hollow footsteps rang out, empty yet profound.

The Dark Heaven Emperor, whose skull had been shattered by the Shaolin Abbot, had vanished like foam on the tide.

An Avatar of Soul Essence.

A revered Taoist technique. By fully merging one’s spiritual essence with true energy, one could manifest a second body.

It was a technique once wielded by the ancient swordmasters of the orthodox sects.

Yet, for a sorcery-wielding grandmaster like the Dark Heaven Emperor, it was nothing short of his rightful domain.

[At last.]

The newly materialized Cho Ryeol spoke.

[You have stepped into my domain.]

But it was not Beomheo who answered.

From the side, the Grandmaster of Qingcheng Sect, Cheongsu Jin-in, stepped forward.

"When did Hangzhou become your land?"

The piercing blue glow of his eyes intensified—a gift of his noble lineage, granting him unparalleled clarity.

Cho Ryeol did not so much as glance in his direction.