My Swordsmanship Has No Upper Limit

"You have hopes for Zhong Ming? You think he can be someone Qinglian can rely on?"

As Luo Qinzh’s gaze rested on Zhong Ming’s figure, a cold, sarcastic voice drifted from beside her.

The speaker was Luo Qinzh’s own brother, Luo Heng, who was also the current head of the Luo Family.

However, faced with this contemptuous question, Luo Qinzh didn’t even lift an eyelid. The chill around her intensified, and she clearly had no intention of responding.

This cold attitude left Luo Heng feeling a bit helpless. Recalling that his plans still needed Luo Qinzh’s support, he could only suppress his impatience and soften his tone to persuade her. "Qin Zhu, I know you resent me for turning you into a priestess for Youtan Heaven, but I truly did it for your own good. You have no idea how vast this coming calamity is."

"Youtan Heaven and the great Youtan Dominator have never been our enemies. To be able to join Its kingdom is, on the contrary, our hon—"

Before Luo Heng could finish, Luo Qinzh cut him off with a cold laugh.

"If you believe joining Youtan Heaven is a supreme honor, a gift from a Divine Spirit, then why do you act so secretively, skulking around like a common thief? Why not announce it to the world and wait for everyone to join you?"

"Er..." Luo Qinzh’s retort made Luo Heng’s breath catch in his throat. In the end, he could only say, "Youtan Heaven will one day walk openly in this world. It’s just that the time is not yet right."

Not wanting to dwell on this topic, he changed the subject, turning the focus back to Zhong Ming.

"You’ll soon see. This Zhong Ming you think so highly of will be utterly crushed before the chosen of the Youtan Race."

This didn’t improve Luo Qinzh’s attitude. Instead, she scoffed, "So this is your so-called great Youtan Race? I thought you were going to boast that all the prodigies in the Prefecture City are nothing before you, and that you were preparing to strike down all the True Inheritance disciples of the Major Sects." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Turns out, you only dare to bully Zhong Ming, who has no sect or backing."

"No, you’re not even his equal. At least he dares to step forward. Even if he loses, it will be because his abilities were exposed and exploited."

"..." Luo Heng.

Luo Qinzh, with her sour attitude, was deliberately picking a fight.

But from her words, it was also clear that she wasn’t optimistic about the outcome of Zhong Ming’s battle.

Her continued hope for Zhong Ming, under these circumstances, was because:

’Being targeted by the Major Sects like this, Zhong Ming’s defeat in this battle is a certainty.’

’Now, we’ll see if he can put on an impressive performance even after losing his connection to the Sun. And more importantly, after he is defeated, can his Dao Heart remain unshaken by the blow?’

’If he passes both tests, he will be worth cultivating.’

Luo Qinzh was never concerned with victory or defeat. What she valued was the resilience and potential Zhong Ming might reveal in a desperate situation.

...

While the crowd was either spectating or waiting in anticipation, Zhong Ming had already risen to his feet, ready for battle.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the hem of his robes stirring without a breeze, a sharp aura faintly pressing out from him. But at a certain moment, his body suddenly froze. A strange look flashed in his eyes, which then morphed into an indescribable expression of oddity and speechlessness.

The reason for this strange reaction was that after the members of the Major Sects had arrived, a charming voice, tinged with cunning and excitement, had sounded in his mind without any warning.

The voice held no malicious intent. On the contrary, it was full of life. "Hee hee, Young Master Zhong Ming, interested in a partnership?"

’A partnership? What do you mean?’

Since the other party made no effort to hide her identity, Zhong Ming quickly realized the invitation had come from Nangong Die of the Spirit Illusion Sect.

A disciple from a Major Sect who had avoided him like the plague just yesterday was now actively sending him a mental transmission to seek a partnership? Zhong Ming was completely baffled.

Fortunately, Nangong Die quickly explained her reasons, her voice carrying a smug tone as if seeking credit for her cleverness:

"I want to help you, Young Master Zhong Ming! You must have anticipated it, right? The Solar Power you displayed has been figured out by the True Inheritance disciples and elders of the various sects, and they’ve all come up with ways to counter it."

"When you fight them like this, you’ll be lucky to use even half of your true strength."

"This is also why the True Inheritance disciples who feared you like a venomous snake yesterday dare to come looking for a fight today."

"If you go up there now, you will lose without a doubt."

"But I can help you." Nangong Die’s voice was laced with a hint of temptation. "I have a way to break the arts they’ve used to block the daylight."

"Hee hee, how about it, Young Master Zhong Ming? Aren’t you tempted?"

Hailing from the Spirit Illusion Sect, Nangong Die was indeed quite clever. While the other sects were still thinking about how to restrain and defeat Zhong Ming, she took the opposite approach, wanting to help him break the restrictions the other Major Sects had placed on him.

If such a partnership succeeded, not only would it allow Zhong Ming to turn the tables, but it would also cause the high-and-mighty Major Sects to lose all face, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Prefecture City.

And with the other Major Sects humiliated while her own remained undefeated, the Spirit Illusion Sect would have effectively won a round.

Moreover, doing so would also build goodwill with Zhong Ming. The benefits were numerous.

’Hee hee, I really am the cleverest,’ Nangong Die thought smugly to herself. ’Next, Zhong Ming should ask, "What are your conditions?" or "What do you want?"’

This also got Nangong Die calculating what conditions she should propose. ’Have Zhong Ming lose to me directly... he definitely wouldn’t agree to that.’

’I’ve got it! I’ll have him mercilessly taunt the Celestial Sound Sect when he defeats them. Then, I’ll have him personally spread some rumors about himself and Miaoyun... Hmph, as long as the words come from Zhong Ming’s own mouth, let’s see how that bitch Miaoyun clears her name!’

Just as Nangong Die was gleefully imagining the members of the Celestial Sound Sect suffering in silence, Zhong Ming’s reply arrived.

However, his response left Nangong Die completely stunned.

"Not interested!"

"Huh?!" The answer was so far beyond Nangong Die’s expectations that she was dumbfounded for a long moment.

A few breaths later, she came to her senses and, filled with confusion and urgency, sent another mental message, "Why refuse?!"

"This is a win-win situation! With help from my Spirit Illusion Sect, you can secure victory and maintain your title as number one in the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, while I’ll only gain some minor benefits..."

At this moment, Nangong Die truly could not understand why Zhong Ming would make such a choice.

’If you had listened to my conditions and refused because my price was too high, I could accept that. But I haven’t even named my price yet, so how could you just refuse me?!’

Sensing her confusion, Zhong Ming offered a brief explanation this time.

"Because there’s no need!"

"A win-win scenario assumes that your countermeasures pose a threat to me!"

"But that’s impossible!"

The moment the words fell, Zhong Ming glanced over at Nangong Die. His gaze held a steel-like determination.

"Below Foundation Establishment, I am invincible!"

"No matter what tricks you have, they will all be crushed to dust before my invincible Dominating Thought!"

HUM!

The instant he rejected Nangong Die’s offer of cooperation, resolving to face all crises by himself, Zhong Ming felt his Mental Realm become unprecedentedly clear, as if a shackle had been completely shattered.

The system prompt also sounded in his ear as expected.

[You have solidified your heart’s conviction, firmly believing that the sword in your hand can sever all threats. Your Dominating Thought has been enhanced. Mirror Heart Demon Slayer progress +3791]

"..."

After declaring he would face all threats by his own power, Zhong Ming’s heart was resolute.

But on the other side, Nangong Die was completely dumbstruck.

"Below Foundation Establishment, I am invincible! How dare you make such an arrogant boast!"

The first thing Nangong Die thought upon hearing Zhong Ming’s words was that he was incredibly conceited and ignorant.

But soon, an absurd yet persistent thought wrapped around her heart like a vine, impossible to erase:

’Zhong Ming... is it possible that he’s not being arrogant, but that he really possesses such heaven-defying strength?’

At this moment, Nangong Die’s heart was in turmoil.

Those eyes, usually so lively and cunning, always holding a mix of shrewdness and charm, were now fixed on Zhong Ming’s back, filled with shock, doubt, and a hint of something she hadn’t even noticed herself... wavering!

That sentence, "Below Foundation Establishment, I am invincible," echoed repeatedly in her mind.

A moment later, she abruptly clenched her sleeve, making a decision that could only be called a wild gamble.

’Heh, I must be crazy.’