Chapter 288: Chapter 166: The Path of Sole Self, Catching Turtles in a Jar (Double-Length) (2)

Shen Meinan nodded, "In theory, that’s indeed the case."

Chen Kuang stared blankly at Shen Meinan, deep in thought. How did Shen Meinan know this...

It’s not that he looked down on this naive girl, but Shen Meinan’s cultivation was only at the Innate Realm.

Among many prodigies, she wouldn’t even cause a ripple.

The Shen Family didn’t seem to invest much in her, letting her develop on her own. More importantly, Shen Meinan once admitted that she grew up learning the duties of a lady.

This indicated that the Shen Family never intended for her to engage in too many conflicts.

In other words, Shen Meinan shouldn’t have been able to come into contact with such matters.

Moreover, even Jiang Yunqing didn’t know about this information related to the Heavy Pupil!

It’s very likely that the higher-ups of the Shen Family weren’t qualified to know at all.

Although influential due to their unity, aristocratic families actually held a lower status than sects.

This was evident from the fact that among the forces participating in the Pinggu Battlefield, only the Shen Family represented the aristocracy.

So how did Shen Meinan obtain this intelligence?

A question mark flashed in Chen Kuang’s mind.

But then he looked at Shen Meinan’s familiar eyes and shook his head internally, thinking he was overthinking.

Shen Meinan was not only the second Miss of the Shen Family but also the sister of Shen Xingzhu, a designated core disciple of the Mystic God Daoist Sect.

It’s quite normal for her to know some secrets.

Chen Kuang looked at Wen Yao’s figure, feeling an intensifying sense of foreboding.

He muttered, "In theory... that’s indeed the case."

Chen Kuang’s gaze turned cold, "But what if the ’reality’ he’s in is a closed space with a fixed number of people?"

Shen Meinan exchanged a glance with Jiang Yunqing, instantly understanding Chen Kuang’s point:

"As long as he can kill everyone in the closed space, he would kill his target... It’s irrelevant whether he finds them or distinguishes them!"

Chen Kuang’s eyes grew heavy.

Eliminating all other influencing factors, if the Martial Saint’s goal was indeed to kill the other prodigies, then his reason for destroying their Teleportation Jade Slips was to conveniently trap them for Wen Yao!

The entire Pinggu Battlefield was the trap!

As long as they couldn’t escape, certain death awaited them!

...

The timeline shifts back to before the opening of the Pinggu Battlefield.

Tai Mountain, Martial Saint Pavilion.

Mu Zhao, just out of the Pinggu Battlefield, looked at Wen Hongsheng who greeted him and asked, "Has Yao’Er entered?"

Wen Hongsheng nodded respectfully, "He has entered. If this trip goes smoothly, he should advance to Grandmaster."

There was a hint of pride in his tone.

Wen Yao was his biological son, carefully nurtured from birth upon discovering his heavy pupil characteristic, destined for great achievements.

Now, with almost all resources of the Martial Saint Pavilion devoted to him, at only twenty-one, he reached the Peak of Moon Embrace Realm, Half-Step Grandmaster.

Although not as renowned as Jiang Yunqing, in terms of strength, he actually surpassed him long ago. However, Wen Hongsheng carefully honed Wen Yao’s temperament, teaching him to hide his abilities and not expose most of his power.

On the Canglang list, he’s consistently ranked third.

But Wen Hongsheng believed that it was only a matter of time before his son surpassed the so-called "standard-bearer" Shen Xingzhu.

This outing to the Pinggu Battlefield was an excellent opportunity.

Mu Zhao glanced at him, shook his head, and sighed, "Wen Hongsheng, you really disappoint me!"

Wen Hongsheng’s expression turned fearful upon hearing this, cold sweat streaming down his forehead as he immediately knelt on one knee, saying:

"Is there something I did wrong that angered the Martial Saint? I will definitely—"

Mu Zhao interrupted him, lamenting, "You’re known as the ’Wen in martial arts’, unparalleled in wisdom and strategy, yet it’s both your strength and your downfall."

"Back then, despite stronger beings everywhere, only you first proposed establishing the Martial Saint Pavilion for me, making the world see me as towering as a mountain, and I knew you were a rare talent."

"However, when one thinks too much, they become trapped by themselves. Over these years, countless elixirs and resources invested, but ultimately, you remain just a Grandmaster."

"Hesitant and timid, you can’t achieve greatness." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Wen Hongsheng, upon hearing this, knelt with both legs trembling, not daring to breathe heavily.

For years, administering the Martial Saint Pavilion with Grandmaster cultivation, he greets this reality with fear.

Walking on thin ice, due to his insufficient cultivation... limited potential, as Mu Zhao pointed out, it was simply because he was the first to step up, earning the Martial Saint’s trust, that he achieved his current accomplishments.

In the Martial Saint Pavilion—not lacking cultivators at the Profound Profound Realm.

Any one of them could replace Wen Hongsheng, with greater prestige.

Mu Zhao placed a hand on Wen Hongsheng’s shoulder, patting it, "However, your son is different."

Wen Hongsheng was stunned.

Mu Zhao continued, "He’s a true prodigy, a destined Saint."

Wen Hongsheng undeniably knew this. To be honest, his greatest accomplishment in life was probably his son.

But... because this is indeed a fact, he was slightly perplexed as to why the Martial Saint suddenly mentioned it.

Looking at him, Mu Zhao also said, "Before I entered the Pinggu Battlefield, I had a private meeting with Yao’Er."

Wen Hongsheng was, of course, aware of this matter.

But he merely thought that the Martial Saint was giving him some cultivation instructions.

Now it seemed... something more might be involved?

With hands behind his back, Mu Zhao squinted his eyes, staring towards the direction of the Pinggu Battlefield’s opening, saying, "Since it’s destined, why not expedite the process a bit?"

He whispered, "The Martial Saint Pavilion needs a second Saint."

The second Saint?!

Wen Hongsheng’s pupils constricted: "But... but Yao’Er is only a Half-Step Grandmaster now..."

Mu Zhao laughed: "You’re a Grandmaster yourself; do you know how to prove the Dao?"

Wen Hongsheng replied, "Affirm a path, establish the heart first, then the deeds, verifying the Dao through actions for the heavens to recognize..."

He stopped midway, suddenly realizing, gulping uneasily, "In theory, as long as the actions align with the heart’s path, enabling the heavens’ acknowledgment, the Dao can be verified."

Mu Zhao chuckled, "Indeed, indeed."

Smoothing his long beard, "As long as the actions gain the heavens’ recognition, the Dao can be realized."

"The key is that the action must deeply align with your Dao!"

"The heavens have never truly seen your heart."

Mu Zhao’s gaze was calm yet slightly maniacal: "Once I understood this point, I contemplated, if it’s so, perhaps creating a suitable ’stage’ to perform proving the Dao for the heavens could earn the Celestial Dao’s favor."

"This idea was just a spark, until... I thought of the Pinggu Battlefield."

Looking at Wen Hongsheng, Mu Zhao said, "What a perfect place."

Wen Hongsheng inhaled deeply, "You created a ’stage’ inside?"

"Haha..."

Mu Zhao laughed, "Wen Hongsheng, you’re just as intelligent as ever."

"I crafted a brilliant ’stage’ for Yao’Er, a most straightforward shortcut."

"Once he understands, when he emerges, he won’t just be a Grandmaster, but..."

Mu Zhao’s voice lingered softly in Wen Hongsheng’s ear:

"A Saint!"

Wen Hongsheng struggled to speak, "You’ve chosen the path for him?"

Mu Zhao nodded, smiling, "Rest assured, his path aligns with mine, yet ascends to even greater heights."

Mu Zhao’s path is "Dominance."

The path chosen for Wen Yao is called—

"Only Me" doctrine.

...

"’Only Me’..."

Wen Yao murmured to himself.

Before him lay the ancient scenery of time, where towering ancient trees rose, blocking out the sky.

Among them, massive beasts roamed, roaring with deafening sounds.

In the sky, a grandiose pavilion hung among the clouds, adorned with purple and golden hues, a breathtaking splendor.

A moment ago, he stood in a blood-soaked battlefield, and the next moment, he found himself in this paradisiacal ancient past.

Yet he knew all of this was an illusion.

In normal combat, such illusions wouldn’t affect his actions, for capturing the opponent guaranteed victory.

This time, however, was different.

He knew his opponent was hidden among thousands in the battlefield.

In the Heavy Pupil Ancestral Call state, his time was limited...

The best, and only solution.

Was to kill everyone on this battlefield.

Slaughter every adversary—

Only I remain.