The Candidates

In the Mohist Knight Guard Base, inside an underground research lab capable of withstanding apocalyptic disasters.

Yan Jinghong, who had arrived in Tange City at some unknown time, glanced at Han Lin's corpse, preserved with his icy True Qi, lying on the white jade bed, and said, "Is this the person who used the martial arts of the 'True Scripture of Sinful Punishment' and showed symptoms of being possessed by the Eight Asura Sin Lord? What are the investigation results?"

The professor didn't answer, but instead asked, "Have you heard of superstring theory?"

"I'd like to hear the details." Yan Jinghong was never one to pretend to know what he didn't.

The professor, with a keen interest in popularizing science, explained, "Superstring theory posits that the fundamental units of nature are not point-like particles like electrons, photons, neutrinos, and quarks, but rather extremely tiny string-like structures. Different vibrations and motions of these strings produce various fundamental particles, thus achieving the conversion of energy into matter. This unifies the fundamental particles of nature with the four fundamental forces. In superstring theory, the universe is a large-scale membrane..."

Of course, none of this is relevant to the survey results. The most crucial point is that this theory posits that the human soul is a string. When a person dies, the microtubules lose their quantum state, but the quantum information within the microtubules is not destroyed; it simply leaves the body in the form of a string and returns to the vast membrane of the universe. If the deceased were to be resurrected, it would mean that the quantum information has returned to the microtubules.

Yan Jinghong said, "It sounds quite similar to our Mohist Religion's description of the Taiwei God."

The supreme god of the Mohist Religion is Taiwei, which corresponds to the Juzi (霊子) of the Mohist School. In the scriptures, Taiwei is not a personal god, but Hundun entity that has mastered all the Principle of the world and understands the laws governing the operation of all things. It is composed of endless knowledge. It desires more knowledge, so it spreads the seeds of knowledge outward, creates living beings, and reaps more fruits of knowledge.

The Mohist Religion believes that after a living being dies, its memories transform into a stream of knowledge that returns to the Taiwei in Chinese mythology), and that during the process of growth, living beings can cultivate and strengthen the seeds of knowledge.

The reason why humans are the masters of all living beings and are favored by heaven and earth is because humans are better at creating knowledge than other living beings.

The Mohist Religion does not talk about reincarnation or hell. It believes that the so-called "reincarnation" in the secular world is actually just that a person occasionally obtains the overflowing stream of knowledge from the Taiwei (Taiwei and subtle system of thought), and possesses the memories of others. In reality, the two people have no relationship.

"They are indeed very similar, which is why many people jokingly call the Mohist Religion Divine Religion of Science," the doctor chuckled. "Actually, I've long felt that the founder of the Mohist Religion was either a great physicist with extraordinary supernatural Divine Ability, or a powerful being who had discerned the Principle of the universe and intentionally satirized the religious Divine Ability of fools."

Having reached the level of Yan Jinghong and the Doctor, they naturally dared to be "disrespectful" to the gods and discuss their origins. In any case, according to the description in the Mohist Religion scriptures, the Taiwei God did not care about the criticism of others. His only desire was the thirst for knowledge, and it didn't matter whether he guessed right or wrong.

Many in the Mohist Academy of Science speculate that the founder of the Mohist Religion never really intended to establish a religion. From a religious perspective, the supreme god of the Mohist Religion is not a personal god, does not require followers to worship, opposes superstition and ignorance, and is not an exclusive religion. Its combat power is very low, and it can only be passed down through the protection of the strong in a world with a huge gap in individual strength. In a world where the difference in individual strength is not significant, it would probably have become dust in history long ago.

After laughing, the doctor said seriously, "On this person's corpse, I found traces of the Soul String, and they were artificially created."

"Super Martial Dao!" Yan Jinghong immediately thought of it.

The professor nodded and said, "The person behind this likely obtained the super-string system's Super Martial Dao scriptures, thus transferring the soul string of the Eight Asura Sin Lord to Han Lin. However, there's one thing I don't understand. According to superstring theory, only memories and personality can be transferred; cultivation cannot be transferred along with them... Of course, theory is theory, and Cultivation Method is Cultivation Method; the two are not entirely equivalent. Perhaps it's a derivative effect."

Yan Jinghong thought further, "Although I don't fully understand your theory, the Soul String couldn't have been created out of thin air. It must be related to the Eight Asura Sin Lord himself. I was the one who brought his body back back then. Only people within our Mohist School had the opportunity to come into contact with it... In the end, he still couldn't resist the temptation of the Super Martial Dao?"

"It's only natural. Even the Daoist School, who advocate tranquility and inaction, couldn't resist sending a disciple of the Formless Sect to test our reaction. After being exposed, they even sent us research materials on the 'Heat Death Tome,' asking if we wanted to cooperate—we had already thoroughly studied these materials twenty years ago!"

The PhD student was speechless at the Daoist School tortoise-like personality, and it didn't seem like bureaucratic style either. They rarely talked about rules, and they didn't deliberately find excuses to delay, but they were always a step behind others in doing things.

Of the three major schools of thought in the world today, Confucian School is known for its rhetoric, Mohist School for its action, and Daoist School for its patience.

Often, other countries have already mastered the technology, while Germany, composed of Daoist School and Yin-Yang School, only begins to catch up slowly. It's always a slow and unhurried pace, with a relaxed and unrigorous style.

The doctor said, "Under the Eternal Barrier shrouding Sea Continent, those legendary world-changing superior Higher Vehicle Cultivation Method will be suppressed, with only one-hundredth of their effects remaining. The Super Martial Dao series is the most adaptable. Back then, when the three countries joined forces to explore the ruins of the East Sea, they jointly obtained a copy of the 'Heat Death Tome.' Because of its hidden dangers, they verbally agreed to list it as a taboo, but privately none of them intended to actually abide by it. I didn't expect Germany to only think of trying it today. They're really too late to catch up with the trend."

Yan Jinghong sighed, "Perhaps they really intended to abide by the agreement, but they only rushed to catch up after discovering that our Mohist School treated the agreement as worthless. That disciple named Lian Buqi was just a stepping stone."

The PhD student scoffed. "Sacrificing a clueless disciple is like asking us to share research data. Should we call them clever or stupid? The higher-ups will definitely pretend they don't know anything."

Yan Jinghong shook his head, then said with slight excitement, "There is one thing we should thank them for: at least it proves that the 'Blazing Yang Battle Art' can counteract the hidden dangers of Super Martial Dao. The Grandmaster's conjecture was correct!"

In the battle in the grove, Si Ming Lian Buqi. Although the two had a grudge, it hadn't reached the point of life and death. In the end, he contacted the hospital and surrendered to Mohist Knight Guard. He thought he would be punished for the private fight, but nothing came of it. He also confessed that he had learned the Bullet Fist and the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art.

Afterwards, Jiang Zhengtai conducted a thorough physical examination on Si Ming and found nothing unusual. Yan Jinghong then consulted several psychologists to confirm that Si Ming did not show any signs of a change in personality.

The professor poured cold water on the idea, saying, "The conclusion may not be what you expect. Bullet Fist is purely an external martial art, not involving mental cultivation. Learning it won't affect one's temperament; we've already had this verified. As for the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art, what your disciple learned was neither the original nor a modified version, but rather the opponent's Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art. It also falls under the category of technique, not involving mental cultivation. Even if he hadn't cultivated the 'Blazing Yang Battle Art,' he probably wouldn't be affected."

Si Ming's phase shift was actually a forced imitation of Lian Buqi's technique based on his martial arts talent. In essence, he had never learned phase shift. He could only protect a few vital parts and could not make any progress. It was not the same as the Bullet Fist that had evolved to the perfect state.

Yan Jinghong insisted, "But I still believe the Grandmaster's guess back then: Mystic Sect's 'Record of Ten Thousand Slaughters and Evil's Extermination' can resolve the side effects of Super Martial Dao, and the 'Blazing Yang Battle Art' contains traces of the 'Record of Ten Thousand Slaughters and Evil's Extermination'."

The doctor said, "I have no doubt about this either, otherwise I wouldn't have helped you complete this plan. The 'Record of Ten Thousand Slaughters and Evil's Extermination' is hailed as the most sacred and pure Cultivation Method, capable of overcoming all evil martial arts in the world. It becomes stronger when it encounters evil, and stronger when it encounters poison. The more evil and insidious the martial art, the more it is restrained by it. Unfortunately, it disappeared along with the Mystic Sect. I don't know if any of the Mystic Sect members escaped with the Cultivation Method when the cataclysm occurred in the Divine Continent."

Yan Jinghong remained silent for a moment, a hint of struggle in her expression, before finally speaking, "I've decided. Once Si Ming has consolidated his Foundation, I'll have him cultivate the 'Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture'."

The doctor frowned and said, "That's too fast. According to the original plan, he should not be allowed to make contact for another three years."

"Plans can't keep up with changes. Lately, I've had a feeling that those lurking in the shadows are starting to stir. The peaceful days won't last long. And then there are those power holders who are blinded by greed and have betrayed the spirit of the Mohist School. Once they discover our plans, my disciple will be in danger. We must ensure he has the ability to protect himself before that happens," Yan Jinghong paused, then continued, "Most importantly, Si Ming has already comprehended the Dao Heart!"

"... Perhaps you're right. Well, anyway, cultivating the 'Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture' doesn't require much cultivation level. What's important is willpower and talent. Since he has comprehended the Dao Heart and cultivated the 'Blazing Yang Battle Art,' he has already met the prerequisites. If even with his talent, he can't cultivate the 'Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture,' then I guess no one in the world can."

With the doctor's support, Yan Jinghong breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I didn't expect him to understand the Dao Heart so quickly. It seems that his childhood experiences have made him more mature than his peers, far surpassing his master in this respect."

"Keep showing off! Your disciple is not only mature, but his martial arts talent is also unparalleled in my life. Throughout history, there are few who can compare to him. He can even learn other people's martial arts in battle. He's simply a monster!" The professor couldn't help but roll his eyes at Yan Jinghong. "Back then, you were quite reluctant to let me find candidates, thinking that the prophecy was unreliable. Now you've gotten the benefit and you're still acting innocent."

Yan Jinghong shook her head and said, "I still don't believe that Si Ming is the predicted candidate. I don't think so. There are so many students in that school; there might be someone else. Just because Si Ming is performing well now doesn't mean he's the chosen one. That's just a result-oriented view."

"Believe it or not, it's up to you. Anyway, I quite like this kid. He's optimistic, hardworking, neither self-deprecating nor pretentious. Since becoming your apprentice, he's never used your name to show off. If he can become Grandmaster, I'll fully support him."

"As his master, I am quite satisfied with this disciple's character and talent, but he still lacks a bit of political acumen to become Grandmaster. As you know, to become Grandmaster, martial prowess is secondary; after all, whoever wields the Sacred Sword is invincible. The most important thing is the wisdom to see through the darkness and the strategic vision to outmaneuver all the schemers."

Upon hearing this, the doctor appeared slightly surprised. "Your attitude has changed. What happened? Don't try to fool me. I can sense that you initially intended to promote your disciple to become Grandmaster. Otherwise, you wouldn't have let him cultivate the 'Blazing Yang Battle Art' and fulfill the Grandmaster's unfulfilled wish."

It was no coincidence that Yan Jinghong was invited to Si Ming's school as a temporary teacher and to take him as a disciple, teaching him the "Blazing Yang Battle Art." It was all to find someone who could cultivate the "Supreme Plain Decay True Scripture." For this purpose, he even consulted a fortune teller.

"I saw a 'snake' when I went to the Heaven's Will Palace before."

"And then what? You were convinced by him? You didn't believe his bullshit idea that 'only deeper darkness can devour darkness,' did you?" the doctor couldn't help but mock.

"That's irrelevant. I just met the candidate he found, and I have to admit, he is indeed more suitable to become the next Grandmaster than my apprentice." Yan Jinghong sighed, a regretful expression on his face.

"Oh, what's so special about his candidates?"

Having witnessed Si Ming's terrifying martial arts talent, the Doctor simply couldn't imagine anyone else possessing talent surpassing Si Ming's.

Yan Jinghong closed his eyes and recalled, "That girl could see into people's hearts."