My Swordsmanship Has No Upper Limit

In the end, Zhu Junfeng also persuaded Lin Kong.

"Lin, Ji Qinghui is absolutely right. We truly shouldn’t be too hasty with this matter."

After a glance at Zhu Junfeng, Lin Kong saw the profound meaning in his eyes and... chose to restrain himself for the time being.

"Phew..." Once the people from the Void Moon Sect had left, Ji Qinghui immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He then hurriedly said to Ji Qinglian, "Go invite Zhong Ming right now. Tell him what happened here, and make it clear that Lin Kong and Zhu Junfeng have already figured out his weakness. They’ve requested a powerful treasure from the sect and will be making a move against him any day now."

"Right now, I’m the only one who can stop them."

"As long as he’s willing to join us, I can mediate on his behalf with the Void Moon Sect. When the time comes, all he’ll have to do is apologize, and this whole affair will be considered over."

Hearing the word "apologize," Ji Qinglian frowned deeply. "Brother, Zhong Ming has a proud nature. There’s no way he’ll ever agree to your terms."

"He has to agree."

When it came to Zhong Ming, Ji Qinghui’s arrogance returned. It was obvious that deep down, he believed Zhong Ming was inferior to a True Disciple of the Void Moon Sect.

Furthermore, he felt this wasn’t just wild speculation but was based on solid reasoning. "You heard them. Things are different now. Lin Kong has found Zhong Ming’s weakness and requested a powerful treasure from the sect to counter him. If he doesn’t join us, his defeat is certain."

"And given the bad blood between him and the Void Moon Sect, if he loses, the consequences will be dire."

"Right now, I’m the only one who can save him!"

With his weakness discovered and having made such a powerful enemy, Zhong Ming’s situation did indeed seem somewhat dangerous.

Under these circumstances, the terms Ji Qinghui proposed made some sense.

However, Ji Qinglian quickly recalled Zhong Ming’s proud nature, and more importantly, she remembered... this wasn’t the first time he had been underestimated.

’I once thought it was impossible for him to master the Star Heaven·Divine Monarch in half a day, but in the end, he not only mastered it but opened nine apertures in one go.’

’I also thought his duel with Zhu Hao would be a battle between titans, but in the end, Zhu Hao was killed in an instant with a single glance.’

First one miracle, then another; Zhong Ming had defied expectations twice in a row. This made Ji Qinglian incredibly optimistic about his chances.

’Lin Kong said he found Zhong Ming’s weakness, but is it really a weakness?’

With a plan forming in her mind, Ji Qinglian didn’t share her thoughts with her brother. Instead, she accepted his command and went to find Zhong Ming.

Meanwhile, as they were leaving, Lin Kong could no longer hold back. "Why did you side with Ji Qinghui?" he demanded of Zhu Junfeng. "You must have noticed he plans to recruit Zhong Ming."

"Yes, I know," Zhu Junfeng said with a nod, his expression perfectly calm. "But with Zhong Ming’s arrogant nature, he’ll never agree to join them."

At this, he glanced at Lin Kong. "Besides, Ji Qinghui has a point. We... cannot afford to lose."

"But what about the sect’s honor? Who knows how many people in the Prefecture City are laughing at us right now!"

At these words, the smile on Zhu Junfeng’s face grew more sinister. "If that’s the case, then let’s drag everyone else into this mess."

"Huh?" The words left Lin Kong stunned. "Drag everyone else into this? How?"

While he was still confused, Zhu Junfeng was already giving orders to the others.

"Go out and spread every arrogant thing Zhong Ming has ever said."

"Heh, let’s make a name for Zhong Ming, shall we? Tell everyone in Qinghe Prefecture City that Zhong Ming isn’t afraid of any Major Sect. Tell them he thinks all the young talents in this city are worthless nobodies, that none of them are even worth a single one of his fingers!"

"Er..."

Instead of mentioning the Void Moon Sect by name, he was turning the talented youth of the entire Prefecture City against Zhong Ming, making him a public enemy. Even Lin Kong found Zhu Junfeng’s actions insidious.

Zhu Junfeng, however, just shrugged nonchalantly. "I’m not making this up. That guy really did say that all of us... are just challengers!"

"Heh heh. ’Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.’ Zhong Ming, you’re so arrogant, so self-assured, aren’t you?"

"Let’s just see how many days you can last when you’re being hounded by everyone in Qinghe County City!"

...

The Void Moon Sect moved quickly. By that very night, Zhong Ming’s declaration that "all of you are just challengers" had spread like wildfire throughout Qinghe Prefecture City, causing an even greater uproar.

"Is Zhong Ming really that outrageous?"

"I’d like to say it’s just slander from the Void Moon Sect, but Zhong Ming really did say those words."

"And the Void Moon Sect isn’t the only Major Sect he’s antagonized. Didn’t he drive off people from Qianqiu Valley right after he joined Princess Qingyue’s side?"

"I also heard that Zhong Ming once said that cultivating an Earth-level top-grade cultivation method is so easy, anyone with hands can do it."

"..."

The roiling discussions and brewing undercurrents outside alarmed even Ji Qingyue, and she rushed to the Seven Profound Sect’s residence in the middle of the night.

What she didn’t know was that someone else had already reached Zhong Ming before her.

And that person was not Ji Qinglian, but... someone from Prince Qinghe. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Looking at the old man before him, Zhong Ming’s expression was grave, even with Sect Leader Zong Chengze by his side.

It was no wonder. Even with both Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples and As Clear as Daylight active, he couldn’t perceive the old man’s aura. This told Zhong Ming that the person before him was undoubtedly a powerful expert.

Sect Leader Zong Chengze also regarded the old man with a solemn gaze.

"Senior, thank you for apprising me of my current situation. May I ask what the Prince has sent you here for?"

The old man before him laughed. "Young Master Zhong, you misunderstand. The Prince has not given any orders. All decisions are yours alone to make."

"I am merely here on his orders to relay a message: Prince Qinghe’s Mansion is never stingy with its rewards for outstanding individuals... Furthermore, we will do everything in our power to protect the Child of the Morning Star and the Banner Holder."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Ming understood at once. Just as he had suspected, Prince Qinghe and the Major Sects of the surrounding Prefecture Cities were not on the same side.

Therefore, the Prince wanted him to step forward, to become a banner-bearer and challenge the Major Sects.

And as long as Zhong Ming could withstand the pressure, the Prince wouldn’t mind offering some rewards.

Now, Zhong Ming had to choose: either accept this reputation of being "invincible" and become a target for every power, or shrink back and miss this opportunity.

This choice didn’t trouble Zhong Ming for long.

"What does the Prince Mansion’s Treasure Vault have to offer?"

Zhong Ming’s reply made the old man laugh as well.

"Hahaha, that’s a question I should be asking you. What is it that you need, Young Master?"

Zhong Ming’s eyes narrowed at this, but he quickly replied in a calm voice, "I need a treasure that can eliminate physical exhaustion!"

This did not seem to surprise the old man. Without even needing to go back and consult Prince Qinghe, he took out nine porcelain vials.

"Inside each of these porcelain vials is a wisp of source qi from the Demon Star Tai Sui... Tai Sui, also known as Meat Ganoderma, is considered a type of Spiritual Medicine."

"The Demon Star Tai Sui, however, is a peculiar and baleful entity. If an ordinary person is contaminated by it or accidentally ingests it, they will become ravenous and greedy, desiring to devour everything in existence. During this process, a Cultivator’s body will also proliferate wildly, sprouting deformed limbs and eyes."

"However, everything in this world has its use. Used correctly, it becomes a wondrous treasure."

"This wisp of refined Tai Sui source qi is one such case. Refine it, and your physical body will temporarily break its limits, allowing it to grow and evolve at a frantic pace."

"Of course, this process will also consume a vast amount of nutrients. Therefore, before you consume and refine it, you must prepare enough Red Flame Golden Pattern Pills."