Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Chapter 987 – The Sword Is His Fate

Madam Mu’s words cast the observation platform into an eerie silence.

The Unity Sword Art that Chen Changsheng spoke of was the South Stream Temple sword array!

But since it was a sword array, how could he use it alone?

Just what was going on here?

To many people, Madam Mu’s rueful comments were an enigma.

They simply could not understand, or perhaps it was better to say that their brains simply could not grasp such a concept.

The Xiang clan leader had long since cultivated to half a step from the Divine Domain. Excluding Madam Mu, he was the expert with the highest cultivation level of the people present, so he quickly understood the meaning of Madam Mu’s words.

His expression became abnormally grave. In the gaze he aimed at Chen Changsheng, there was now respect alongside wariness.

Since a sword array was an array, it naturally had to be formed from many swords. It was impossible for one person.

The South Stream Temple sword array was famed throughout the world, but it could be no different. Although two South Stream Temple disciples could use the Unity Sword Art to fight a foe, exhibiting some of the sword array’s strength, the true and most powerful South Stream Temple sword array required several dozen disciples working together.

Even the most insane of individuals would not dare imagine that the South Stream Temple sword array would one day appear in the hands of just one person. Just as Madam Mu said, probably not even the monstrously talented first Holy Maiden who had created the South Stream Temple sword array had imagined that such a scene would take place.

……

……

How had Chen Changsheng been able to accomplish this feat?

His spiritual sense was incomparably powerful and serene, like the waters of a deep mountain stream, unable to be severed and never running dry.

He had countless famous swords that he had formed empathetic connections with. He used them like his hand used his fingers.

He had countless sword styles. With a thought, the sword techniques of various sects would come in a continuous stream.

Thus, at the very beginning, in the Garden of Zhou, he could use one spiritual sense to form ten thousand swords into a dragon.

Later on, he learned to divide his spiritual sense into several hundred strands that would control several hundred swords, relying on this skill to force his way into the alley of the Northern Military Department.

But just this was still far from enough to make the South Stream Temple sword array appear in his hands.

To use several hundred strands of spiritual sense to control several hundred swords was just an increase in quantity. The swords were not cooperating with each other and were fighting their own battles.

The South Stream Temple sword array was too complicated, and besides, the might of the sword array needed the disciples forming it to cooperate to truly be utilized.

Chen Changsheng had been able to resolve this problem through an opportunity.

One could also call it chance, karma, or fate.

From the moment the Tang Old Master gifted him the Yellow Paper Umbrella, his fate became inseparably linked to swords.

This was the case whether he was discovering the Sword Pool in the Garden of Zhou or learning the sword from Su Li in the wilderness.

Several days ago, upon meeting Xiao Zhang in Fengyang City and learning that something had changed in Holy Maiden Peak, he became worried for Xu Yourong’s safety and forced his way to the summit of Holy Maiden Peak.

At the time, Xu Yourong had been on the other side of the stone wall, so he sat on the edge of the cliff, watching the sun set over the Tong River. Somewhat bored, he began to read.

Thus, he learned the Unity Sword Art.

On the next day, his and Xu Yourong’s swords worked in harmony, stunning the world.

He then went to Mount Li. As he arduously pressed through the sword path, his cultivation in the sword advanced once more.

After that, he mounted the crane and set off on his journey of eighty thousand li. It was very boring, so in his idle thoughts, he suddenly thought of a possibility.

Since the Unity Sword Art was the foundation of the South Stream Temple sword array, since he and Yourong could harmonize their swords, then could he and these swords work together?

As the White Crane pierced through the dark clouds while bathed in starlight, he pondered these questions.

After thinking for an entire night, he encountered a few incidents, where he made a few experiments with his swords.

Finally, he understood.

From that moment, the storm of swords had an order, each sword having its own position. A connection formed between them.

Position was relative and connections went in both directions. The sword intents conformed, the sword energies joined, and as they grew and multiplied, a sword style was formed.

Thus, a sword array was formed.

How strong was the South Stream Temple sword array?

Several days ago, in the ceremony to close the temple, Wuqiong Bi, an expert of the Divine Domain, was powerless against the hurriedly formed sword array formed by several dozen South Stream Temple disciples.

If not for Huai Bi’s treacherous blow, perhaps Xu Yourong would not have needed to break out of seclusion.

Even Zhou Dufu had needed a great deal of energy and wisdom to break through South Stream Temple’s sword array and enter Holy Maiden Peak.

From a certain perspective, Chen Changsheng alone was a South Stream Temple sword array.

It was no wonder the Demon Lord lost to his sword.

“Your Holiness the Pope is truly a genius of the sword, one that is hard to find even once a generation.”

Madam Mu said this with a very calm expression, but her mood was not so.

Chen Changsheng’s feat was truly too absurd. Even she had to sigh in emotion and then raise her guard further.

When she thought of her unflinching stance toward Chen Changsheng when discussing with the White Emperor, she could not help but feel some regret.

Chen Changsheng answered, “I have only obtained the shape. I am still missing the spirit.”

He was not being humble but speaking the truth.

Madam Mu calmly replied, “Of course, or else would not Your Holiness even be able to kill me?”

The meaning of this question was very complicated.

To be able to kill meant that he had the ability to kill, and also that he wanted to kill.

Chen Changsheng felt Luoluo behind him lightly pull on his clothes. He quietly thought for a few moments, then asked, “Why did the Demon Lord appear in White Emperor City?”

He did not follow the line of conversation Madam Mu had laid down but asked his own question.

The meaning of this question was also very complicated and very difficult to respond to.

Because he had asked even though he knew the answer.

Several hundred swords were still quietly floating in the air, following Chen Changsheng’s gaze to aim at the distant Madam Mu.

The mists lingering about the flowers, trees, and stone walls of the Imperial City had not yet dispersed. At any moment, they could reform into a white cloud and devour all.

People stared into each other’s eyes, apparently wanting to see the weakness in each other’s eyes. The mood on the observation platform was even more tense and oppressive.

Madam Mu did not answer Chen Changsheng’s question. This was an extremely intelligent choice. More importantly, she had the means of stopping this line of questioning from Chen Changsheng.

She looked at Chen Changsheng and said, “You should currently be more concerned with another matter.”

White Emperor City was prepared to renounce its alliance with the Human race and form one with the Demon race. What could be important than this?

Through his clothes, Chen Changsheng sensed that Luoluo’s small hand was rather cold. This caused his heart to slightly sink and for him to remain silent.

Madam Mu added, “Alas, in the end, you still came a little late.”

The Divine Staff had burst with light and the White Crane had flown through the clouds. He had used the South Stream Temple sword array to win a great victory over the Demon Lord and drive him away. Luoluo would not be married, and even if the demi-humans still wanted to ally with the demons, the situation was momentarily under control. The Human race had gained a little breathing room, so how had he come too late?

Madam Mu said, “A few days ago, Bie Yanghong and Wuqiong Bi, two of the Storms, were ambushed by demon experts deep within the mountains and heavily injured. For some reason, they refused my assistance and vanished. Presumably, they have already returned to the sea of stars. Your Holiness is too late to send them on their final journey. It is truly a pity.”

Chen Changsheng froze.

He turned his head to Luoluo.

Luoluo lowered her head.