Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 385: Society of Sacred Swords (1)

The Lord of Sipjeonmun had been slain.

Alongside his previous crushing defeat at the hands of Ma Gwang-ik, this was another event that would shake the martial world.

However, despite such a significant event, the tides of battle did not shift dramatically. The battlefield was vast, but more importantly, there were simply too many factions entangled in the conflict.

Boom! Boom! Claaang!

Blades scattering cold steel light. Hundreds of weapons wielded by the warriors of the Heavenly Net Brigade formed a veritable hell of swords, akin to the abyss of blades in the netherworld.

Each and every one of them was a master who had cultivated their Protective Essence Veins, capable of surpassing human limitations. They surged toward the leaders of the Society of Sacred Swords, attacking from all directions—both on the ground and in the air.

The air was thick with deafening explosions, the roar of slicing winds, and the relentless clash of blades, all interwoven like an inescapable net.

—"Southwest, by Seomye’s position... The Sipjeonmun-armored warriors have formed a Sword Formation. Hah, and they're even using Isolated Force Transmission? Their eyes must be rolling back in madness. We need to break their necks before they become a problem."

—"Deputy Leader So-yeon is closest."

—"I’m heading there now."

Robes fluttered violently in both the skies and the ground below.

A mix of astonishment and killing intent filled the air. While some screamed as their throats were pierced or limbs severed by the blades of the Great Lords, others, still filled with inner energy, pushed the wounded forward with maddened roars.

"If we advance in Charyun Formation, we’ll win! Forget precision strikes and swordplay—cut their tendons and push them off the cliffs...!"

"They're human just like us! They’re not supreme masters!"

"Indeed! At best, there are a dozen or so commanders from the old orthodox sects gathered here."

"Why are you lowering morale!?"

The reason why the Heavenly Net Brigade’s warriors were desperately pressing against the Great Lords of the Society of Sacred Swords at this moment...

It was because the world knew of Ipwang Fortress’s ruthlessness. When they used the pretext of civilian exploitation to annihilate the Hwangbo Clan, the entire martial world was forced into vigilance.

That had happened in Shandong, near the northern border, yet the tale had long since reached Sichuan.

If they lost, they would be annihilated.

"Ipwahng’s Divine Spears can shatter even bare-handed defenses! We must—Kugh!"

"Those with Dual-Strength Qi Techniques, head that way! Lord of Seonmok Ridge’s Ice Techniques are running rampant!"

Splurt! Rumble—!

Rippling shockwaves clashed endlessly, sending shattered metal fragments flying through the bloodstained air.

Even martial artists were not immune to the madness of mass combat. Those who walked the unorthodox path were even less so.

After all, the Heavenly Net Brigade had been formed precisely to counteract three supreme masters. And behind their faltering frontlines, countless warriors with flashing blades lay in wait.

"It’ll be fine."

Jeong Yeon-shin stood in the heart of the battlefield.

He could feel the overwhelming energy of his seniors pressing against his skin, while his Lightning Blade of the Divine Swords glowed with a long crimson hue.

—"Can you handle it? Hold on just a bit longer. If it’s me, Yeon So-ha, and Myulseom together..."

A girl’s voice whispered in his ear. Without taking his eyes off the battle, Jeong Yeon-shin channeled energy into his throat.

—"Senior Ak."

—"Hm?"

—"I’ll be fine, but you must remain unharmed."

It was what he wanted to say to his grandmother.

Had she been moved? Ak Su-rim’s reply was momentarily silent.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not concern himself with it. His focus was entirely on Ma Gwang-ik, who had now turned fully toward him.

She slowly parted her lips.

"Your Sword Circle is quite dense. It feels slightly longer than before."

"Come in."

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.

His seniors had already made space for him. There was no reason to give her time to analyze him—only the opposite.

Step.

Ma Gwang-ik nodded and took a step forward, murmuring to herself.

"I’m tired of you too."

Then, her lips barely moved.

[Extreme Life (據生).]

She slashed at fate itself. But what did that mean?

Whooong—

With a reverberation like an echo, golden ripples spread across the ground, as if invisible water had been disturbed.

"...!"

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the natural energy around him distort into a massive, dome-like barrier.

Another Sorcery Martial Art, but this time on an entirely different scale.

Wuuuuuuuung—!

The dim, orange light of the sunset was erased. In an instant, day turned to night. The surroundings were engulfed in an eerie indigo glow.

An event akin to the great upheaval of heaven and earth.

As the sky turned blue, the battlefield vanished without a trace. In its place, a landscape painted by an unseen artist—dense forests, scattered rocks, and towering cliffs—now surrounded them.

A massive cave loomed in the distance, its gaping maw yawning like a beast.

It was similar to the Dragon Formation he had seen before. Every other presence had been erased.

Only the two of them remained.

Boom!

The very moment the Sorcery Martial Art was activated, Jeong Yeon-shin had lunged forward. His blade was blocked by Ma Gwang-ik’s arm.

A blue flame had spread from her elbow to her fingertips, scattering feather-like embers in the air. It was a defense technique of astonishing speed.

Her sleeve shimmered with an amber glow, and despite the impact, her eyelashes, untouched by dust, lifted slightly toward Jeong Yeon-shin.

"I painted the homeland of my prey."

She spoke.

Jeong Yeon-shin understood instantly.

They had not moved locations. Rather, their surroundings had been severed from reality.

Was this what would happen if an intangible sword, formed through sheer will and martial energy, was spread so widely that it overlaid itself upon reality?

Even the illusions of trees and rocks carried Ma Gwang-ik’s true energy. It was a sublime, inexpressible mastery.

There was no mistaking it.

"Phantom Moon Technique, then."

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered, looking down at her.

Even as he gripped the Lightning Blade, Ma Gwang-ik’s arm did not so much as tremble. It was like pushing against a wall.

This wasn’t her full power.

Ma Gwang-ik’s Phantom Moon Technique, a technique where both martial arts and sorcery reached the pinnacle of mastery—once her barrier-like space unfolded, her strength itself transformed.

Had this given her leisure?

"I deceived providence and made you a dragon. Here, you are a Flood Dragon."

There was a hint of pride in her quiet voice.

From Jeong Yeon-shin’s experience, supreme masters always had a burning desire to boast about their martial arts—especially to those capable of understanding them.

They were the type who relished discussions about martial supremacy. Ma Gwang-ik was no exception.

The Heavenly Dragon-Slaying Art was said to be an unparalleled technique created to hunt Flood Dragons.

If, at this very moment, she had instilled the essence of a dragon into him within this mystical domain, then she could afford to speak at her leisure. After all, she had completely reduced him to prey.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

The day when the black-robed masters had arrived. Today, he needed to truly advance into violet.

A few words could broaden one's understanding of supreme martial realms—such opportunities were rare fortunes.

"You just said you deceived providence," he said. "Among the Thirteen Heavenly Lords, the Celestial Extremity Lord is known as a swordsman who cuts through the laws of reality. Would your Phantom Moon Technique be at odds with his swordsmanship?"

"I have never seen him."

Had he struck a nerve? Her reply was low and resolute.

Jeong Yeon-shin stored that possibility in his mind.

Then, activating the Hwanikbo footwork, he swiftly stepped aside.

Kuaaaaaang—!

A massive force brushed past his cheek—the shockwave from Ma Gwang-ik’s fist.

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The sheer impact from her strike displaced the air itself, carving a massive, feather-like trench into the earth below.

The terrifying suction force swept away a few strands of Jeong Yeon-shin’s hair, scattering them into the wind.

Through that fleeting gap, her gaze spoke volumes. His hair was too long for someone of his station.

Snap!

Jeong Yeon-shin’s body blurred in place.

The Ten-League Radiance Step, a movement technique of supreme speed.

The brilliantly white Lightning Blade flashed straight across her flank.

For a brief moment, an abrasive crunching sensation spread through his fingers, followed by an overwhelming shockwave that rattled the hilt of his sword all the way to his wrist.

Blue embers from her protective energy scattered in all directions, momentarily distorting his vision.

"Shallow."

The very moment he passed her completely, Ma Gwang-ik stumbled slightly, her fingers clawing at the air to seize him.

Boom!

A blazing golden force erupted against his back.

A shockwave rippled outward in concentric circles, accompanied by a fierce detonation.

The impact struck like the talons of a raptor, splitting into three and tearing into his flesh.

Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed a groan. The dull pain surged through his nerves, but his mind was already cataloging the sensations.

The air against his skin. The earth beneath his feet. The searing wounds across his back.

The impact radius was too large. His energy pathways and acupoints had been disrupted—even a direct application of Refined Flow Internal Arts wouldn’t be able to mend them immediately.

Sssth!

At that moment, Ma Gwang-ik twisted midair and came barreling toward him.

Her orange-gold sleeves spread like wings, fanning open to either side.

Dragonflight Thousand-Scale Art.

The distance vanished in an instant.

Her leg arced toward him with a whip-fast kick, filling his entire vision.

Jeong Yeon-shin extended his hand outward and met her strike head-on.

CLAAAANG—!

"Tch."

A blazing-hot shockwave surged through his bones.

His foot and her shin locked in a battle of force.

Even though he had used Everlasting Stillness True Barrier to counter her kick directly, he still found himself slightly pushed aside.

The recoil from her footwork was staggering.

Behind him, the golden sand forming the domain of her Phantom Moon Technique swelled up like a crashing wave.

Boom!

At that moment, Ma Gwang-ik caught his descending blade with both hands.

A blue flame-like energy surged from her entire body, scattering the pale sword aura into the wind.

"Your heart... impressive. It’s the size of a dragon’s core."

Her golden eyes swept across his chest.

With one leg raised, she exuded an overwhelming aura—like a golden-winged eagle preying upon a dragon.

Her expression was eerily calm—cold, analytical, predatory.

"You're absolutely right."

"Hm?"

"Your Heavenly Dragon-Slaying Art perceives me as a Flood Dragon. The shockwaves behind your attacks have increased dramatically... Your Phantom Moon Technique is close to a divine formation. I suppose this was possible."

"It's a technique meant to shatter the scales of a mountain lizard, after all."

She spoke as if it were obvious.

The moment the words left her lips—

Golden mist surged from her body, and in the blink of an eye, both fighters retraced their positions, resetting their stances.

SZZZZT—! BOOOOM!

Ma Gwang-ik’s fists, kicks, and claw strikes came crashing forward in a seamless, unpredictable storm.

Jeong Yeon-shin met them head-on with Lightning Blade’s Thunderous Ridge Style in one hand, while his other unleashed Everlasting Stillness True Barrier.

Sword and bare hands clashed like colliding meteors, the two figures weaving through each other in a ceaseless exchange.

Every direct clash of their inner energy shattered distant boulders into dust.

Twenty rounds passed in the blink of an eye.

Wuuuung—

Suddenly, a golden glow engulfed Ma Gwang-ik’s hands, taking on the shape of a massive raptor’s talons.

A tangible manifestation of her inner power.

With every swing, her golden claws began to rip apart his robes.

RUUUMBLE!

Even the aftershock of a single blow left deep scars across the battlefield.

Every strike from both sword and claw left nothing untouched—the terrain itself was reduced to rubble.

As their exchanges intensified, blood began to seep from multiple wounds across Jeong Yeon-shin’s body.

His Wind God’s Steps lagged half a breath behind Ma Gwang-ik’s Dragonflight Thousand-Scale Art.

Her relentless kicks disrupted his Ten-League Radiance Step, forcing their fight into a tight, enclosed rhythm.

If Jeong Yeon-shin wanted to counter the Sky-Splitting Dragon Strike, he needed longer setups.

Yet—

Ma Gwang-ik’s eyes gradually filled with astonishment.

Her Phantom Moon Technique did not merely rewrite reality.

It overturned an entire domain with her profound internal energy, distorting providence itself through complex sorcery formations.

A technique that temporarily imprinted the essence of a dragon onto her opponent.

It defied natural order—anyone who used it would need a full month of recovery.

"And yet, how...?"

Her Heavenly Dragon-Slaying Art fully recognized him as a Flood Dragon.

She was overpowering him in both strength and speed, crushing his energy waves with every shockwave kick.

Every move was a counter to his techniques.

The fight should have ended already.

"He’s adapting to my counters."

Ma Gwang-ik.

BOOM! BOOOOM!

Even as her claw techniques and leg strikes slammed into him, Jeong Yeon-shin was figuring out how to counter a fundamentally opposing martial art.

His body was battered, yet his momentum did not break.

Each time their attacks clashed, he subtly adjusted his energy waves to match and counter her structure.

By the # Nоvеlight # hundredth exchange, his annoyingly sharp blade had managed to graze her shoulder, slicing through the edge of her sleeve.

And then—

KRRAAAAACK—!

In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin shattered the ground beneath him, using his sole to rupture the Spring Well Acupoint in his foot—unleashing a skyward knee strike like a lightning bolt.

Ma Gwang-ik’s eyes widened slightly.

For a fleeting moment, she found herself staring blankly at his face.

Like a man who had just stumbled upon a fateful epiphany.

His blood-streaked lips curled into a faint, sharp arc.

It was the madness of a prodigy who had devoted himself entirely to the path of martial supremacy.