In the Golden Lotus Pond of the Dao, the elder known as Shang An lowered his gaze, listening to the words of Xu Senior. After a long silence, Shang An finally spoke:
"Xu Senior, you may be correct, but there is one thing this junior has never understood."
"Speak," Xu Senior replied calmly.
"You mentioned that the heavens conceal an elusive enemy, one that cannot be overcome unless by a peerless prodigy. For countless years, seniors like you have sought out such prodigies, but without exception, they all failed.
"And these prodigies were supposedly chosen by the Golden Lotus Pond of the Dao.
"I am one such person." Shang An looked at the elder before him and continued, "Then, have you ever considered the possibility that those chosen by the Golden Lotus Pond of the Dao are inherently incapable of overcoming this so-called enemy?
"It is not that I am unwilling to save the world, but that I lack the ability to do so. Furthermore, there seem to be numerous issues with this arrangement."
Xu Senior responded with tranquility: "You need not overthink. The Golden Lotus Pond of the Dao selects those with the greatest potential, those who are most likely to succeed.
"Their failures are not due to weakness, but because the enemy is simply too powerful.