Chen Kuang always firmly believed one thing—once someone is scheming and setting up behind the scenes, then nothing seen within the situation can just be a coincidence.

Besides, Mu Zhao set up his plans a whole month in advance, it’s absolutely impossible for such an obvious mistake to occur.

Chen Kuang had two hypotheses regarding Mu Zhao’s intentions.

Firstly, Mu Zhao wants to trap them on the battlefield of the Upper Three Grades, breaking them one by one.

If that were the case, then there would absolutely be no other participants appearing on the battlefield!

It must be known that all who can participate on this Pinggu Battlefield are the prodigies of the current generation. If they cooperate, it would absolutely result in more than the sum of their parts, and the possibility of survival would infinitely increase.

Mu Zhao would never allow such a situation to manifest.

Secondly, if two participants appeared on the same battlefield, then they should be in different camps, and must be in a life and death struggle.

The same applies if there are more than two.

In this way, once their identities are engulfed by the environment, in order to survive and simultaneously gain more benefits, the participants would have no choice but to compromise—becoming enemies with each other.

Even if such internal slaughter ceased when leaving the battlefield, it would be unlikely that all grudges would be settled.

However, the appearance of Jiang Yunqing rendered both of Chen Kuang’s hypotheses void.

He was the second person on this battlefield, yet was in the same Mystic God Daoist Sect camp as Chen Kuang.

Therefore... only the last conjecture remained.

In a deliberate set-up, since there was no absolute dispersal, it implied absolute concentration.

All participants should have been sent to the same battlefield.

Which means the battle between Mystic God Daoist Sect and Bitean Celestial Palace!

Chen Kuang looked at Jiang Yunqing, and said, "Did you know something would go wrong all along?"

Although it was a question, Chen Kuang’s eyes revealed certainty.

Jiang Yunqing nodded slightly, swirling his sword:

"The moment I saw the Stone Gate, I sensed the residual power of the Dao Realm."

In other words, he sensed that the "Martial Saint" might have tampered within the Stone Gate, only then did he choose to hand the Salt Plum Sword to Chen Kuang, making it easier to locate when entering the battlefield.

A true prodigy indeed... Chen Kuang couldn’t help but sigh internally.

Upon seeing the fragmented Jade Slip in his hand, Chen Kuang only then detected a trace of Dao Rhyme, yet Jiang Yunqing had already sensed it the moment he saw the Stone Gate.

The hard gap in their realms indeed couldn’t be compensated by these passive abilities alone.

Hmm... unless I manage to develop another passive ability to enhance perception.

Then, Jiang Yunqing provided a piece of information that took Chen Kuang by surprise.

He explained: "The Dao Realm doesn’t stop within the Stone Gate; it also encircles the area around it. Those Grandmasters are within the Dao Realm’s scope as well."

"Under the influence of ’domination’, they will act solely according to Mu Zhao’s wishes, even if I state the truth, they’d absolutely refuse to believe it."

"And since the opening of Pinggu Battlefield is in the common interest of various sects, it’s absolutely impossible to delay or cancel because of this. I had no choice but this drastic measure."

Jiang Yunqing’s expression carried a hint of apology, as if he felt a bit embarrassed about utilizing Chen Kuang.

Although Chen Kuang foresaw that Jiang Yunqing left the sword with him with another plan in mind, he truly didn’t expect that this seemingly honest "Wisdom Sword" would have so many tricks up his sleeve.

But, what was that saying...

There are no wrong nicknames, only wrongly chosen names.

Said to be the "Wisdom Sword," it definitely wouldn’t suggest a blockheaded person.

However, what shocked Chen Kuang even more was Mu Zhao’s "domination" actually being able to directly influence the mind?

Chen Kuang’s heart couldn’t help but sink.

While he knew that the "Martial Saint" borrowed another’s body to kill him using less than full power, perhaps even less than ten percent, he truly didn’t realize the gap was this substantial.

As Jiang Yunqing mentioned, the Dao Realm of "domination" couldn’t even be resisted by a Grandmaster.

In other words, if Mu Zhao used the Dao Realm to influence Chen Kuang, he wouldn’t even have a chance to strike.

During these seven days, if no breakthrough occurs, once they leave Pinggu Battlefield, facing the "Martial Saint" in person could indeed be quite risky...

Jiang Yunqing continued:

"The moment the Stone Gate opened once more, the Dao Realm of ’domination’ directly altered the entire structure of Pinggu Battlefield and shattered the Jade Slip the moment we entered."

He extended his hand, pulling out another fragmented Jade Slip.

Chen Kuang glanced at the Jade Slip, which indeed bore traces of Dao Rhyme:

"Structure?"

Jiang Yunqing gestured: "If at first, each battlefield was like a randomly floating bubble, then now, it has become a fixed plane. One must first pass through the first layer before falling into the next."

Chen Kuang immediately grasped the concept: "So, now everyone can only descend layer by layer according to the order Mu Zhao arranged?"

Jiang Yunqing nodded.

Chen Kuang inhaled deeply, comprehending Mu Zhao’s intention.

Since he already arranged the order, he could directly set up a battlefield with ten Upper Three Grade participants, primarily focusing on a no return scenario.

Truly domineering!

However, this also confirmed Chen Kuang’s previous assumption that indeed everyone was now on the same battlefield.

From this moment onward, this Pinggu Battlefield could very well become a battle royale among prodigies.

Chen Kuang’s thoughts turned, looking at Jiang Yunqing.

So... this "Wisdom Sword" befriended him from the beginning to find a teammate.

But indeed, Chen Kuang didn’t know him, how could he have such discerning insight to choose the person with the lowest cultivation among everyone present?

At this moment, he finally could voice his doubt.

Chen Kuang pondered for a moment and frankly asked: "I am not a disciple of Freedom Mountain, I suppose my elders have no acquaintance with your master..."

Jiang Yunqing shook his head, and said: "It’s not your elders who have connections with my master, but yourself."

Chen Kuang was taken aback, an idea popped in his mind—bizarre yet entirely plausible.

Jiang Yunqing looked at him earnestly and said:

"My master, named Jie Kun, is the one who steadfastly adhered to his sword thirteen years ago at the Dongting Lakefront."

Fuck.

No wonder Sword Lodge never publicizes Jiang Yunqing’s lineage.

Firstly, the person is dead, and secondly, having a master who bears the burden of ten thousand lives and has forged a Demon Sword doesn’t benefit Jiang Yunqing’s reputation.

Since Jiang Yunqing isn’t known for forging swords anyway, better to have fewer hassles.

Though, thirteen years ago... Jiang Yunqing would’ve only been nine years old?

He previously mentioned this sword is the only one he successfully forged and was recognized by his master.

In other words, this sword was crafted before he was even nine.

Chen Kuang was somewhat enlightened; this would explain the abysmal crafting quality of the sword...

More likely than not, the "recognition" was akin to humoring a child.

Jiang Yunqing said: "From you, I sensed my master’s ’intent’, ’heart’, and ’state’. When he perished with his sword, he transformed himself into the three elements of the sword, along with his life’s work and skills."

"In a certain sense, you are indeed the one who truly received my master’s legacy."

He looked at Chen Kuang and said: "May I have a look? That Demon Sword."