My Swordsmanship Has No Upper Limit

SWISH!

Zhong Ming’s Dominating Thought, "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme," descended like the majestic might of the heavens. It carried an absolute will that permitted no argument, forcefully wresting control of the Sword Qi River from Di Yun’s grasp!

Under his Thought, the Sword Qi River, which stretched for several hundred meters, instantly transformed, morphing into a ferocious Water Flood Dragon with fearsome scales and claws.

And when Zhong Ming and the Flood Dragon turned their heads in unison, their icy gazes sweeping over Di Yun, his legs gave out. With a PLOP, he collapsed onto the turbid surface of the lake, sending ripples splashing outward.

His pathetic state wasn’t just because his Dao Heart had been broken. The more fundamental reason was that in the struggle just now, he had burned through everything he had.

His Magical Power was depleted, his Soul Power scattered like a candle in the wind, and his vitality was as exhausted as an expiring flame. With his Essence, Qi, and Spirit completely burned out, he naturally couldn’t withstand Zhong Ming’s oppressive aura.

Well... Di Yun’s desperate struggle earlier wasn’t out of spite, nor could it be called a mistake.

He knew better than anyone that in this weather, a maelstrom of wind and rain, the Sword Qi Torrent with its Foundation Establishment-level power was his greatest asset. It was a force that even he himself could barely contend with.

Therefore, he had to fight for control of the Sword Qi Torrent. To give up would mean defeat.

Unfortunately, though he made the right choice and gave it his all, the gap in raw power was as wide as a chasm. In the end, he could not overcome it.

In the face of absolute power, all his struggles were in vain. Ultimately, he could only collapse at Zhong Ming’s feet.

"..."

The lakeside was silent, save for the howling wind and rain.

His defeat—a defeat caused by Zhong Ming seizing control of his Magic Technique with a single declaration—sent a massive shock through the crowd.

Among the onlookers, the calmest were, surprisingly, the ordinary Cultivators watching from the shore.

They didn’t know about Zhong Ming’s supposed ’weakness’ and hadn’t assumed he would lose. Seeing him win, they merely sighed in admiration in their hearts.

"So strong!"

"Hasn’t Young Master Zhong Ming always been this powerful? Before, he defeated a True Disciple from a Major Sect with a single glance. Now, he just swapped ’a glance’ for ’a declaration’."

They could discuss it with ease, but the true bigwigs of Qinghe Commandery Mansion were finding it hard to stay in their seats.

In the Prince Manor, Prince Qinghe stared at the Water Flood Dragon circling Zhong Ming. For the first time, a look of utter astonishment appeared on his usually placid face.

He stared blankly at Zhong Ming’s figure for a long moment before finally speaking to the old steward below him. "Zhong Ming... he couldn’t actually sweep through all the True Disciples of the Major Sects and become number one in the Prefecture City, could he?!"

The old steward couldn’t answer that question, but he soon replied with a smile, "Your Highness, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing for you?"

"Zhong Ming came to pledge his allegiance to you. And with his humble background, you, Your Highness, are the only one he can rely on. A man like that is far more worthy of your complete trust and favor than those True Disciples from Major Sects with deep roots, or those ambitious scions of noble families."

"Hahaha, you’re right!" The old steward’s words were like parting the clouds to reveal the sun, bringing sudden clarity to Prince Qinghe. His eyes lit up astonishingly. Then, in high spirits, he slapped the table and stood up, ordering the steward, "If Zhong Ming can finish today with a clean sweep, immediately send an invitation on my behalf—invite Zhong Ming, and the people from the Seven Profound Sect, to the Prince Mansion for a banquet!"

"And go to the Treasure Vault and select three rare treasures. I intend to reward him handsomely!"

Just as Zhong Ming had predicted, his humble origins had become an advantage, making Prince Qinghe see him as ’one of his own’.

However, while Prince Qinghe was happy to see Zhong Ming’s power and was even prepared to sponsor him to further enhance his prestige... not everyone could so calmly accept Zhong Ming’s meteoric rise.

At the Golden Jade Tower, it was the same sixth floor, with the same people.

But now, the atmosphere was completely different.

"?!"

Watching Zhong Ming win—and by seizing control of Di Yun’s Magic Technique with just a single declaration, no less—was such an inconceivable victory that Qin Hongyu’s pupils contracted, and her delicate, slender hand clutching the fan tightened abruptly.

’How is that possible?!’

’How can he be so strong?’

After her shock, Qin Hongyu subconsciously glanced at Yi Yunya. This time, as she looked at Yi Yunya from Jade Lake City, her condescending sense of superiority—that of a city-dweller looking at someone from the countryside—was gone.

This was the truest experience of the saying, "when one person achieves enlightenment, even their dogs and chickens ascend to heaven." As Zhong Ming’s status grew, so too did the status of Yi Yunya, his closest follower.

Yi Yunya, who had been somewhat reserved in Qin Hongyu’s presence before, was now her equal. If Zhong Ming truly managed to claim the title of number one in the Prefecture City, Yi Yunya’s status would even eclipse her own.

Understanding this, Qin Hongyu couldn’t suppress a surge of envy toward Yi Yunya. As for those who followed her, their gazes toward Yi Yunya were filled with naked jealousy.

’How did she get so lucky?’

But soon, everyone noticed that Yi Yunya... also seemed quite surprised by Zhong Ming’s victory.

This caused Qin Hongyu to raise an eyebrow slightly, her tone probing. "Little sister, were you also worried about the outcome of this battle? Didn’t Senior Brother Zhong Ming tell you about his true strength?"

The moment the words were out, Yi Yunya knew what Qin Hongyu was thinking. She didn’t hide anything and replied candidly, "He did not."

"I understand the principle that ’success lies in secrecy, failure lies in loose talk.’ That’s why I never ask about Big Brother Zhong Ming’s specific abilities."

"..." Qin Hongyu was momentarily speechless, sighing inwardly. ’Not only did I fail to rattle Yi Yunya, but she also managed to subtly one-up me.’

Just then, a faint smile touched the corners of Yi Yunya’s lips as she countered with a question, "Sister Hongyu, have you changed your mind yet?"

This "changing her mind" referred to switching allegiances, from the Seventh Young Master, Ji Qingkang, to Zhong Ming’s side.

Qin Hongyu refused with almost no hesitation.

She still felt that siding with Ji Qingkang offered better prospects, as he had a significant chance of becoming the next Prince.

And if her investment paid off, she had a decent chance of becoming the Princess Consort.

In Qin Hongyu’s view, although Zhong Ming was strong, unless he fully matured, he couldn’t compare to Ji Qingkang, who would inherit the position of Prince and wield immense authority.

Of course, all of this was predicated on Ji Qingkang succeeding, and on she herself successfully securing her position.

To increase both her and Ji Qingkang’s chances, Qin Hongyu tried to persuade Yi Yunya again. Almost subconsciously, she tried to instill a sense of crisis in her. "Sister Yun Ya, do you realize that Senior Brother Zhong Ming isn’t safe right now? In fact, he’s in even more danger... Before, even though Zhong Ming won, the six Major Sects didn’t take him seriously. They were mainly focused on each other."

"You must have heard about last night’s war of public opinion. Back then, the six Major Sects were all targeting one another."

"But now, having fully revealed his strength, Zhong Ming is considered a threat. If I’m not mistaken, the six Major Sects will start to see him as a genuine enemy, and their attacks will follow one after another."

"They’ll bring in more people to deal with Zhong Ming, perhaps even summoning their sect’s Daoist."

Handyman, Outer Sect, Inner Sect, True Disciple... This is the sect’s hierarchy for disciples, and for most sects, the ranks stop at the True Disciple stage.

But the Major Sects of the Prefecture City are completely different. Because their territories are vast and their resources plentiful, these sects can have dozens, or even over a hundred, True Disciples.

And where there are people, there is competition. Thus, above the True Disciples, there is the rank of Daoist, or in some cases, Saint Heir.

Of course, not every sect has a disciple of this level at all times.

As their names suggest, the titles of Daoist and Saint Heir belong to chosen ones who stand above all other disciples, with a high chance of becoming the future leaders of their sects.

Therefore, to obtain this title, one must possess the strength to suppress all other True Disciples and earn their submission.

And Qin Hongyu knew that among the six Major Sects present here, there were two or three Daoists.

...

Qin Hongyu did her best to embellish the power of the Daoists, hoping to heighten Yi Yunya’s sense of crisis.

But to her surprise, after hearing her words, Yi Yunya merely responded with a deadpan "Oh," her gaze remaining Clear, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

This reaction made it impossible for Qin Hongyu to hold back any longer, and she pressed, "Sister, are you truly that confident in Young Master Zhong Ming’s strength?"

"Not really." Shaking her head gently, Yi Yunya spoke in a calm and steady voice, "I just have a relaxed view on victory and defeat... It wouldn’t be a big deal if Big Brother Zhong Ming lost. It might even be better, as long as he isn’t injured."

As Yi Yunya said this, she wasn’t trying to bargain; she genuinely believed it.

"With his transcendent comprehension Talent, even if Big Brother Zhong Ming suffers a temporary setback, he is destined to become a top-tier expert in the future."

"Besides, a defeated Big Brother Zhong Ming would be seen as less of a threat in the eyes of the Cultists."

As for the issue of resources after a defeat, Yi Yunya was never worried about that either.

Thinking this, she turned her gaze to Qin Hongyu, a hint of amusement and mockery flashing in her eyes.

"Is there something on me?"

That strange look made Qin Hongyu frown.

In response, Yi Yunya simply shook her head. She didn’t say anything directly, only offering an indirect reminder.

"Miss Hongyu, if I were you, I would be thinking about how to soothe someone’s resentment and help them recover from their disappointment."

"Huh?!"

This reply left Qin Hongyu completely baffled, her face a mask of bewilderment.

She couldn’t for the life of her understand why Yi Yunya would say such a thing.

’Soothe resentment, help them recover... Is she so certain that Zhong Ming will lose, and that I’ll join their side?’

’On what grounds? Where does she get this confidence?’

She wracked her brains but couldn’t figure out the source of Yi Yunya’s confidence. However, there was no time to ponder it now. In the center of Crescent Lake, another stir occurred.

Someone had stepped before Zhong Ming.

But this time, it wasn’t a True Disciple or an Inner Sect Disciple from the six Major Sects.

Zhong Ming seizing Di Yun’s Magic Technique with a single declaration had left their minds reeling.

"Dammit, we were all wrong! Zhong Ming isn’t some weakling with only one trick up his sleeve. He’s strong in every aspect!"

"This is bad. This stormy weather isn’t a disadvantage for him at all—it’s his home turf!"

"Everyone, let’s join forces. Zhong Ming... he has become an obstacle to all of our interests."

Just as Qin Hongyu had said, Zhong Ming, this external enemy, made the six Major Sects sense a crisis, forcing them to set aside their mutual grudges and choose to work together.

But soon, someone threw a bucket of cold water on the idea:

"Joining forces is useless! With our sects’ reputations on the line and Prince Qinghe watching, we can’t just gang up on him. But in a one-on-one fight, which of you is his match?"

Looking at the Water Flood Dragon circling Zhong Ming, and the Gale and Torrential Rain now under his control, the True Disciples of the six Major Sects all wore grim expressions, their hearts filled with frustration and fear.

At this moment, not a single one of them was confident they could fight Zhong Ming in this weather.

And while they were stewing in their frustration, another group of people was also having a headache.

That group, naturally, was the Cultists of Youtan Heaven.

"He actually won!"

Ji Qinghui’s mother, Luo Qinzh, had also not expected Zhong Ming to win, let alone so easily.

But soon, she began to laugh. Scoffing, she directly contacted the Chief Priest of Youtan Heaven and spoke coldly to Luo Xiao and the Chief Priest, "It’s your time to shine. Didn’t you keep claiming that only Youtan Heaven can save Qinghe Commandery Mansion? Now, prove it. Let me see just how capable the ’great, divine, and invincible’ people of Youtan Heaven you speak of really are!"

"Don’t tell me you can’t do it." As she spoke, the disdain and mockery on Luo Qinzh’s face were unconcealed. "If you can’t even defeat Zhong Ming, then you can crawl back to wherever you came from! People like you are utterly unworthy and have no right to even speak the word ’save’!"