My Swordsmanship Has No Upper Limit

He couldn’t understand why Zhu Junfeng hadn’t vied for the chance to make a move this time. Logically, with the precedent of the Void Moon Sect’s very own Lin Kong being defeated by Zhong Ming, they had the perfect justification to act under the banner of avenging a fellow disciple.

’The chance to defeat Zhong Ming and become famous only comes once. If the Celestial Sound Sect seizes this opportunity, not only will their prestige soar, but they’ll also gain an edge over you.’

’After all, among all the Major Sects, only a True Inheritance disciple from your Void Moon Sect has ever lost to Zhong Ming... Zhu Junfeng, why won’t you make a move?’

Wei Yuan wasn’t the only one confused. Aboard Third Young Master Ji Qinghui’s Flying Ship, Ji Qinglian and Ji Qinghui also cast looks of surprise toward Zhu Junfeng.

"Aren’t you going to seize this opportunity, Zhu?" In the end, Ji Qinghui couldn’t resist asking.

To this, Zhu Junfeng’s response was very brief: "It’s not time yet."

He glanced deeply in Zhong Ming’s direction, his eyes filled with immense gravity.

"Zhong Ming is nowhere near as simple as he appears on the surface. Defeating him will be no easy task—and that holds true even if the Celestial Sound Sect has found a way to counter him."

These words made Ji Qinghui raise an eyebrow, but in the end, he said nothing.

But though he remained silent, a rude, mocking voice rang out from within the Flying Ship:

"Not simple? Heh, I fail to see what’s so special about Zhong Ming... You all haven’t been scared out of your wits by him, have you?"

These abrupt words instantly made the people from the Void Moon Sect glare angrily in that direction.

Although they too were somewhat dissatisfied with Zhu Junfeng’s overly "cautious" attitude, that didn’t mean they were willing to be mocked by an outsider.

"Bastard, what’s that supposed to mean?"

"What else could it mean? I’m just saying you’re a bunch of cowards!"

CLATTER...

The moment those words were out, the atmosphere aboard Ji Qinghui’s Flying Ship grew incredibly tense.

Seeing that the two sides were about to come to blows, Ji Qinghui had no choice but to stand up and shout at the instigator.

"Luo Xiao, control your people."

"...I understand." Luo Xiao’s expression darkened slightly as he signaled to his subordinates via voice transmission.

The ones on Ji Qinghui’s Flying Ship who were at odds with the Void Moon Sect were none other than his cousin, Luo Xiao, and the group he had brought along.

Logically, Ji Qinghui should have been happy to have his own forces strengthened and to have a counterbalance against the Void Moon Sect’s Cultivators.

However, sensing the strange aura from Luo Xiao and his subordinates, Ji Qinghui’s brows furrowed slightly.

His expression turned particularly ugly when he discovered that Luo Xiao seemed to have some trouble controlling the subordinates he had brought.

Fortunately, those people also seemed wary of something, and after Luo Xiao sent a series of voice transmissions, they slowly quieted down.

However, before they fell silent, the leader of the group, a Cultivator with a third eye on his forehead, still shot a barb at Zhu Junfeng.

"To remain so composed at a time like this... Zhu, your temperament is truly unflappable."

Hearing these obviously mocking words, Zhu Junfeng... wasn’t angry.

His gaze profound, he simply shrugged and gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Can’t be helped. Being ’unflappable’ is the only thing I’ve got going for me. Unlike Ming, whose strength is absolute and whose temperament is fearless."

After offering this praise, Zhu Junfeng seemed to recall something and added casually, "My duel with Zhong Ming is scheduled for three days from now. I won’t be making a move before then... From the sound of it, Ming, are you preparing to take on Zhong Ming yourself?"

"If the opportunity arises, I wouldn’t mind... I’m very curious to see whose Pupil Technique is stronger, his or mine." As Mingya said this, his eyes shone with boundless confidence.

This made Zhu Junfeng laugh. "My intuition tells me you will get a chance to fight... as long as you don’t suddenly get cold feet and avoid the battle, Ming."

Raising an eyebrow, Mingya realized that Zhu Junfeng was goading him.

However, his confidence in his own strength made Mingya pay it no mind.

"Don’t worry. I would never flee from a battle like a certain coward."

"Haha, then it’s settled. I’ll be sure to remember this for you, Ming."

Zhu Junfeng and Mingya exchanged a glance and then stood apart, flanking Ji Qinghui on either side.

After returning to his own group, Zhu Junfeng, without much attempt at concealment, began giving orders to his subordinates.

"Go make some arrangements outside. When Zhong Ming wins, build up some good momentum for our ’friend’ and add a little more glory to his victory."

This was both to build hype and to force his hand.

If Mingya had kept his mouth shut, it would have been fine. But he had said he would challenge Zhong Ming. After Zhu Junfeng’s machinations spread the news throughout the Prefecture City, if Mingya were to suddenly back out of the challenge, his reputation, and that of his entire faction, would be ruined.

After all, Zhu Junfeng hadn’t made some wild boast about challenging Zhong Ming yesterday only to then retract it.

Besides, his own withdrawal had a very plausible reason: he was concerned for the safety of his junior brother and was in no mood to fight.

Not to mention, he had also set a date for a duel with Zhong Ming three days from then.

If any of those three factors had been absent, the Void Moon Sect’s reputation would have been ruined. Of course, their reputation wasn’t in the best shape at the moment anyway.

...

Zhu Junfeng’s series of actions made it clear to Ji Qinghui that he was serious this time.

But because of this, Ji Qinghui grew confused.

’What’s going on? He was so full of confidence yesterday. Why the sudden change in attitude today?’

’Why does he rate Zhong Ming so highly... No, that’s not it. You could even call this fear.’

Filled with curiosity, Ji Qinghui turned his gaze out the window, toward the center of Crescent Lake.

Regarding the outcome of this battle, he had originally thought Di Yun’s victory was certain, but now, a sense of anticipation for the unknown rose in his heart.

While Zhu Junfeng and Mingya were talking, Di Yun, holding his Flute Sword, had already walked to stand opposite Zhong Ming.

"Zhong Ming, I’ll give you one last chance. Will you admit your guilt and sincerely apologize to my junior sister..."

Major Sects always like to have a just cause for their actions. At this moment, Di Yun was hypocritically offering Zhong Ming a "chance."

Zhong Ming’s response was just four words.

"You talk too much."

"HMPH..." That response made Di Yun’s expression turn completely cold, and the aura around him began to surge wildly. "So you insist on doing this the hard way. Zhong Ming, since you refuse to see reason, don’t blame me for what comes next."

"I’ll make you understand that you have no right to be arrogant in front of me!"

WHOOSH—!

The instant his words fell, the gales between heaven and earth suddenly intensified. A furious storm swept up the dark clouds, and in the blink of an eye, the sky turned completely dark, without a single ray of the Sun’s light breaking through.

In the next moment, huge raindrops began to fall in a deluge, shrouding Crescent Lake in a raging storm.

The scene—furious winds, roaring Thunderbolts, and a torrential downpour—made Zhong Ming instantly realize that the Major Sect had stacked the odds against him.

But this scene also left Zhong Ming stunned—frozen in sheer disbelief.

Looking at Di Yun, Zhong Ming’s expression became peculiar. He desperately wanted to ask him a question: ’Don’t you people know that we of Longxi Peak specialize in Water Techniques?!’