Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Countless gazes fell on the black cliff, upon Chen Changsheng, but nobody dared to speak or to step forward and disturb him.

Linghai Zhiwang had earlier stated loud and clear that anyone who dared to take one step toward the black cliff would be regarded as an assassin.

The Prime Minister and the Shi clan leader glanced at each other. There was no happiness in their eyes, only concern and unease.

The concern was because nobody knew what they would see once Chen Changsheng opened this black cliff. If it was the worst result, what would they do? Would the generals, ministers, and tribes that supported them almost immediately bow at the Empress's feet?

Unease arose from two sources.

As the largest and strongest tribe in the Demi-human race, why did the Xiang clan continue to support Madam Mu?

And why had Madam Mu done nothing to stop all this, only quietly watched as they broke the array?

……

……

Not everyone had gone to the Starfall Mountains.

In the courtyard of yellow sands, the young Demon Lord calmly inspected those two stone statues, which had returned to their places by the back gate. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

In the nearby estate, the Xiang clan leader looked at his own son. He hesitated for a long time but ultimately chose to say nothing.

In the stone hall at the highest point of the Imperial City, Luoluo sat by a window, quietly waiting for something.

In a swamp deep in the mountains, Chusu licked at his wounded stump, his body trembling in pain.

In that small courtyard next to the Celestial Tree temple, Xuanyuan Po sat on his front porch, gazing blankly at that small mound.

In an ordinary inn, after enduring a sleepless night, Xu Yourong used water to wash her face, then sat in front of the bronze mirror and began to comb her hair.

A melancholic voice came from the bronze mirror.

"Since you are still beneath the stars, how can you not see all living beings?"

……

……

On the lake, high in the clouds, atop the mountains, countless sword glows abruptly and simultaneously vanished.

A shrill howl resounded through the air.

Countless sword glows returned to the sheath.

Chen Changsheng grasped the middle of the sheath and stood up.

Everyone watched him.

But he was gazing at the lake, the clouds, the mountains.

The swords had returned, but their sword intents were still there.

A flock of geese flew over the snowy peak but was suddenly forced to descend.

A sea breeze blew out from the mountains but was slashed into wisps.

A few drifting clouds in the blue sky were torn by some invisible power into threads which gradually disappeared.

These were all signs that the seal was collapsing.

Only after confirming these things did Chen Changsheng turn his gaze back to the black cliff.

Boom!

Countless thunderous booms came from deep within the black cliff, even deep underground.

The ground quaked and the lake tossed and turned. A nearby mountain shed its snowpack while beasts mournfully wailed.

Rocks were sent flying while dust exploded. It took quite some time for everything to gradually settle.

The black cliff had vanished, leaving only a massive pit, several hundred zhang wide.

At its bottom was an incredibly smooth stone wall, seemingly made of jade or gold. But it also seemed like even the sharpest blade or sword would not leave behind a single mark on its surface.

This was the legendary Starstone, possessing an unimaginable weight and density. Now, however, it was buried beneath dirt and gravel, revealing only a small portion of it to the outside world.

A straight path rose up from behind the Starstone.

The massive pit that was once the black cliff was divided in two by this stone path.

This path was extremely long, extending many li into the distance.

Innumerable gazes followed the stone path, ultimately ending up ten-some li away.

There, half a mountain had collapsed.

This mountain had actually been a palace.

A stone chair was set in the half-mountain.

This stone chair was ten zhang tall and ten zhang wide, massive to an exaggerated level.

One person sat on this chair.

This person wore a white imperial gown. He was extremely thin, his eyes sunken. He seemed like a corpse.

……

……

"Your Majesty!"

A cry of shock rose from the crowd.

It was followed by many more.

The air howled.

Countless figures, afraid to be last, rushed toward that half-mountain ten-some li away.

Linghai Zhiwang's earlier warning had been cleanly forgotten.

As one got close to the massive stone chair, one felt like the person sitting in it was very small, almost to a comical level.

But those demi-human ministers and experts thought no such thing. Their faces were filled with excitement, and some even began to cry.

To them, the person in the chair was God.

Even if that person was shriveled up, his eyes closed, so weak that he seemed to be taking his last breaths.

But as long as he was still alive, no, even if he was dead, he would still be the God of the Demi-human race.

Because he was called Bai Xingye.

He was the White Emperor.

……

……

It was obvious that the important personages of the Demi-human race had prepared themselves for such a sight.

Several famous demi-human doctors were transported to the stone chair by black vultures, where they began to diagnose the White Emperor.

Seeing that the White Emperor's eyes were still shut, Xiaode became somewhat anxious and asked, "Where is His Holiness the Pope?"

Everyone knew that Chen Changsheng's medical skills were unequaled. In their view, not even the best demi-human doctor was Chen Changsheng's equal.

The Prime Minister and the others turned, and then froze.

They did not see Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng was still ten li away.

He was still where that black cliff had been standing.

……

……

Watching the activity in the distance, Chen Changsheng suddenly ordered, "Go."

As he said this, his gaze remained fixed on the massive stone chair, on the White Emperor's face.

This was his first time seeing the White Emperor. For this, he had toiled for many days and nights.

But upon his first look at the White Emperor, he decided to leave.

To immediately leave.

The crowd was flabbergasted at Chen Changsheng's words, confused as to why he was doing this.

Only the blind zither player seemed to understand Chen Changsheng's intentions. Leading Fivekind Man, he headed toward the secret path behind the lake.

……

……

Just when an elderly physician had drummed up the courage and was about to insert the stone needle in his hand, the White Emperor opened his eyes.

His eyes were very dim.

They were like snowy plains on an overcast day.

An ashen white.

A little black dot appeared on the plain of snow.

The black dot began to increase in size, its hue deepening. It was like a traveler who had crossed ten thousand li of snowy plains was drawing near.

He truly awakened.

He might have been sealed for five years, with the Starstone sucking away at his star radiance and beast essence. He was already weak to the extreme, on his last breaths.

But when he opened his eyes, an unfathomably majestic energy surged out from his body.

"All of you came?"

His voice was very soft, and because he had not drunk any water for some time, it was rather hoarse.

But all of the Starfall Mountains could hear his voice.

Like a tide, the demi-human experts kneeled.