"...I don't quite understand what you mean."

Fang Zheng didn't think it was shameful that he couldn't beat the other party. It was normal for him to not be able to beat a powerful being that could build such a space. If he could win, why would he waste time talking to the other party?

"It's very simple. The reason why you feel you can't defeat me is because you don't even think about winning by defeating me. But strangely, you are obsessed with surviving. Not only that, I can also sense a very strong self-confidence. That is, you believe that as long as you can survive, you will definitely win... What a contradictory logic."

Hearing the other party's words, Fang Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then fell silent.

Indeed, just as the opponent said, Fang Zheng had never thought about defeating the opponent from the beginning. He just wanted to investigate the opponent's strength through probing, and then find a way to defeat the opponent. But that was the extent of it. How persistent was Fang Zheng in defeating the opponent in front of him... He really didn't have any special ideas.

Perhaps because of this, Fang Zheng's attack had no effect on the opponent.

But on the other hand, Fang Zheng was obsessed with keeping himself alive. After all, when he came to this world, he encountered a life-and-death battle as soon as he opened his eyes. After that, Fang Zheng's desire for survival was even higher. At that time, he was not only very weak, but also had a wanted order from the cultists. For Fang Zheng at that time, keeping himself alive was the top priority in his life.

The training in the Dark Souls world has strengthened Fang Zheng's will to "be timid but not reckless", which is why whenever he encounters trouble or danger, his first reaction is to get out of the way. If it weren't for the system's mission, Fang Zheng would never put himself in danger. The reason why he completes the system's mission is also because if he doesn't complete the mission, his strength will be weakened, and if he completes the mission, his strength will become stronger, which will ensure his survival.

It can be said that until now, everything Fangzheng has done is ultimately for one thing.

Survive.

That's all.

"You have shown me your faith through fighting. Now, the next step is a verbal confrontation."

As he spoke, the figure raised the sword in his hand again.

"So, tell me, is there anything you want to protect?"

"certainly."

Fang Zheng answered without hesitation. If he was alone when he first came into this world, now, Fang Zheng has more and more things to protect.

"So, are you willing to do everything, even sacrifice your own life, to protect me?"

"No."

Fang Zheng answered without hesitation again, but this time, the figure was stunned.

"……Why."

"The reasons are complicated. In short... you can think of this as some kind of summoning contract. If I die, then they won't be able to continue to exist in this world. So, for their sake, I can't die either."

"Well, that's interesting, I see what you mean."

Hearing Fang Zheng's answer, the figure smiled.

"So...what exactly are you dissatisfied with about your own will?"

“…”

This time, Fang Zheng fell into silence. Then he frowned and thought carefully for a moment.

"Perhaps it's because... it's not kingly enough?"

Fang Zheng was not joking. As he said, he always felt that his thoughts were not enough to become stronger. After all, Fang Zheng had read so many novels, movies and TV series, and basically the characters became stronger by "sacrificing everything for power" or "sacrificing their own lives to protect others" and so on. But for Fang Zheng, his will was obviously not so radical.

Just a joke, if becoming bald can make you invincible, then Fang Zheng should still consider his hairstyle. He won't even give up his hair just to become invincible.

That's why Fang Zheng thought that his ideas were not "royal" enough. At least compared with those "protagonists" or "villains", he did not have any idea like "sacrifice XX for XX", and he was determined to carry it out unswervingly.

"I think... I can understand what you mean."

Faced with Fang Zheng's unexpected answer, the figure seemed a little surprised. He was silent for a moment, which was rare, and then he sighed softly.

"Indeed, giving up something for power is the rule of this world, but protection is also a firm belief. Living for yourself and for others is not something to be ashamed of."

At this point, the figure chuckled.

"I've met quite a few people before. Just as you said, they are willing to sacrifice a lot in order to become stronger. But... it's really interesting that there are also people like you. Well, let me repeat to you what I said to them before."

Hearing this, Fang Zheng also concentrated and listened carefully to what the other party said.

"Be true to your own desires, be true to your own heart. The opinions of others are ultimately just dust in the mortal world. Only you are your own master. And your power will only exist for yourself. And... you need to create a swordsmanship of your own. What you are using now is just something you got from somewhere else. Creating a swordsmanship of your own will allow you to see your own path forward more clearly."

After saying this, the figure put away the sword.

"Okay, that's it. I'm really looking forward to what level you can reach. Moreover, I can feel that what you are displaying right now is not your true strength... Then, the last question, what kind of power do you think is your true strength?"

“…”

Hearing this question, Fang Zheng fell silent. He glanced at the sword in his hand and sighed softly.

"As long as it is my power, it is my power."

"…Very interesting, you can go now."

As the words fell, the thick white fog reappeared, covering Fang Zheng. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the Mage Tower. In front of Fang Zheng, the mirror that was supposed to be standing there had disappeared without a trace.

"Real power...?"

Fang Zheng murmured to himself while looking at his palm. To be honest, according to the routine, he should answer with something like mind and will, but for Fang Zheng, his answer was only that. Whether it was the power of the dimensional code, the knowledge and spells he learned in this world, or the power he gained in other worlds, all the power ultimately had only one purpose, which was to allow Fang Zheng to continue to exist and survive.

"I hate this kind of reading comprehension the most. I don't know how I'll score."

Shaking his head, Fang Zheng put down his hand and sighed. Although this battle did not help him successfully break through the bottleneck of legend, Fang Zheng successfully understood his own flaws. He had never believed that his will belonged to the "kingly way", and it was precisely because of this that he limited himself and had no way to break through. Now, what Fang Zheng had to do was to give up this idea.

No, or rather... he should save the country in a roundabout way?

Fang Zheng raised his hand, and soon, the Dimension Code appeared in front of him again.

Looking at the pattern on the dimensional codex, Fang Zheng frowned.

He had a hunch that he would most likely find the key to his own breakthrough in the next world.