Let me add a little more – this Xianxia novel is also considered a legend of the early cultivation world. The writing style of Ze Tian Ji is very evocative. Especially the dialogues, which are quite brilliant. Although some criticize it for being somewhat romance-focused, it’s also part of Mao Ni’s personal style.

The Plot and Characters of Ze Tian Ji

Regarding the division of powers, it mainly involves humans and demons working together to resist the demon race. This is a fairly common trope in Xianxia novels.

The story begins like this: In the first year of Taishe, divine stones flew from beyond the sky and scattered across the human world. One of these stones landed on the Eastern Continent, bearing strange totems. Some people gained enlightenment by observing these totems and subsequently founded the State Church. Thousands of years later, Chen Changsheng, an orphan of 14, leaves his master with a marriage contract in order to cure his illness and change his fate, arriving in the Divine Capital and embarking on a path to becoming a heaven-defying powerhouse.

– The male protagonist is Chen Changsheng, described as a handsome young man, wearing a washed-out Daoist robe, with a youthful face, upright features, and bright eyes, possessing an indescribable charm, as if he can see through countless truths, like a mirror. While reading Ze Tian Ji, you can feel Mao Ni’s meticulous writing, precise word choice, and the depth of life philosophy. The male protagonist’s personality is quite gentle, not easily seducing innocent girls, and he loves only Xu Yourong from beginning to end. Although he is surrounded by women who actively offer themselves, including older sisters, younger sisters, and even a young dragon, each is outstanding and unique. In short, if a friend likes works with a devoted male lead, then this is definitely a worthwhile read. I also admire the male protagonist’s character.

Chen Changsheng’s image is portrayed vividly. Sometimes he’s like a prematurely old man, extremely stable and intelligent, speaking with clarity and logic. Other times, he’s very overbearing. Although he’s only 14, perhaps the author realized that this setting wasn’t quite right, so the male protagonist often relives experiences, so that with his previous memories, he can appear seasoned and clever. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a 14-year-old child to be so scheming, would it? Moreover, Chen Changsheng also displays his youthfulness and naivete at times. It is precisely because of this that partners like Tang Sanshiliu and Zhexiu have room to shine. These supporting characters are also given unique personalities by Mao Ni, and do not simply rely on the protagonist.

– The female protagonist is Xu Yourong, described as having an innocent face and extraordinary temperament… The female protagonist is always beautiful and aloof, isn’t she? Xu Yourong possesses Phoenix blood, so her cultivation speed has been extremely fast since childhood, making her a favored child of heaven. She is a unique young Phoenix in the world, the next Holy Maiden of the Southern Sect, and the leader of the Azure Cloud Rankings. In short, she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, taking all the luck in the world.

Initially, Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong had never met, although they had a betrothal arranged by their parents. However, they began to get to know each other through small cranes flying back and forth, exchanging letters, and gaining mutual understanding. Later, Changsheng went down the mountain to enter the Heavenly Tome Monolith to find a way to change his fate, and also wanted to break off the engagement. He felt that he might die young, so he didn’t want his fiancée to be buried with him from a young age. Gradually, he was drawn into the struggles of various forces in the capital.

Changsheng’s cultivation is also overbearing. Initially, he cultivated by guiding starlight to cleanse his marrow, but it had no effect. After a battle, he realized that he had actually succeeded in his cultivation, but he was walking a different path from ordinary people. Later, Changsheng inherited the position of Pope by virtue of his ability and wisdom.

In addition to the male and female protagonists, I am deeply impressed by the young Zhexiu. He is a natural-born killer. Whoever he wants to kill, no matter how difficult or arduous it is, he will always pursue his target. Because he is a demon, possessing the blood of a wolf, he possesses all the instincts of a wolf, namely patience and cruelty.

Regarding the ending, although the demon race was ultimately defeated, the relationships between the characters were not fully explained, giving the feeling that there was still a sequel. Changsheng and Xu Yourong agreed to travel in another world, mentioning the Holy Light Continent, while the sisters either married or were still working hard to cultivate, hoping to see Chen Changsheng again.

The End!