Ze Tian Ji

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

To pick is to choose. This is a story about choices. Three thousand worlds full of gods and demons, with a daoist scroll in your hand, you are able to control the entire universe…

At the beginning of time, a mystical meteor came crashing down from outer space and scattered all over the world. A piece of it landed in the Eastern Continent. There were mysterious totems carved upon the meteor. Through viewing these totems, mankind comprehended the Dao and established the Orthodoxy.

Several thousand years later, the fourteen years old orphan Chen Changsheng left his master to cure his illness and change his fate. He brought a part of a marriage vow with him to the capital, thus beginning the journey of a rising hero…

Associated Names
One entry per line
Fighter of the Destiny (TV series)
Trạch Thiên Ký
Way of Choices
ZTJ
择天记
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
World of Cultivation (9)
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality (8)
Transcending the Nine Heavens (5)
Nightfall (4)
Joy of Life (4)
Pivot of the Sky (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Novels That I Have Read Over The Years
  2. Novels I have read
  3. The Mt. Tai of Chinese Novels
  4. Light Novel list
  5. Timeless Masterpieces - the Best Novels Ever

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/17/16 Novel Saga c196
07/10/16 Novel Saga c195
07/06/16 Novel Saga c194
07/02/16 Novel Saga c193
06/29/16 Novel Saga c192
11/27/15 Ze Tian Ji Translation c107
11/27/15 Ze Tian Ji Translation c106 part2
11/26/15 Ze Tian Ji Translation c106 part1
11/26/15 Ze Tian Ji Translation c105 part2
11/26/15 Ze Tian Ji Translation c105 part1
Write a Review
205 Reviews sorted by


Noahjeno
Noahjeno
May 28, 2018
Status: c990
This story gave me a trauma. Now whenever I am going to finish any of my favorite stories I am scared of their ending. That's why I am not rating it.

This story is very prose dependent. This affects the opinion of readers. For me it's great. The thing I love the most is the interaction between characters. Because of that I love the romance and bromance.

The first half for me was so amazing but the second not so because it lacked a definitive purpose. That's why when the story was... more>> finished, I thought wow so quick. So I had to go and check the spoilers.

I was so mad at the author and was upset for a whole week. Whenever I think about how he messed up my favourite story I feel sad for it.

From the beginning itself the mc's purpose for going to the capital is for his cure and engagement. End of first half, MC was cured by whom the author expressed as a possible main antagonist.

End of second half, marriage was stopped for no reason at all and the antagonist was the author himself.

Damn you author you killed the whole story. <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Robot12321
Robot12321 rated it
March 15, 2018
Status: c69
So far this story is way too slow and the author does whatever it takes to make it slow on purpose. He focuses on minor, irrelevant and frustrating details to take up entire chapters. MC is interesting, but you get tired of his passive attitude. When you have so many people screwing him over you build up a lot of frustration so when you don't get a way to vent that frustration it makes you dislike the story and seemingly okay story plots. Literally none of the characters so far... more>> besides MC's two friends are likable or interesting. This novel has a lot of politics which I hate. Usually chinese novels take place in sects or on the road, but this constant mention of politics and holy this holy that makes it unbearable to read. I'll continue to read, but I can't emphasize enough how long winded and unnecessary the dragging on of this story is. Definitely the worst story I've read in terms of how hard the author tries to drag things on. <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Darkzeta
Darkzeta rated it
March 4, 2018
Status: c807
Gotta give it a 5.

Why?

Here's my list of why:

  1. Great cast of characters. In ALOT of these wuxia, xianxia, asian martial artist cultivator thingies. The MC is the only one that stands out and the supporting characters don't do much. Well, not here. Here at Ze Tian Ji, or Way of Choices, our characters have lives of their own, dreams, hopes and nightmares. MC isn't the only one that wants something. Some would call this a weakness in these kinds of stories. I call it good writing.
  2. World building. Wow. Just wow. The sense of age and wealth of this world is incredible. The way the writer and translators say things leaves me breathless at times. I feel that there are moments in the story, there is more in the background and if I just wait long enough someday I'll see more details. I want more details. That's just how cool the world building is. Who needs a universe to explore when the world is still incredibly new and different.
  3. The MC is not OP at the start. He grows and grinds his way to his prime spot. He wishes and cries along the way. You will too. This is not a weak ass character though. Don't get that wrong. He spends his blood and life carefully, and doesn't waste a single drop of that precious thing called life. He grits with the best of the best and smiles with the most innocents. His character isn't a bloody rag. The blood you see on his hands came from the enemies that stood before him and he had to smash his way past them. Many of them are not innocents.
  4. The writing style is not garish, not weak, or timid. The writer, editors and the translators did a superb job with transmitting the pageantry and poetry of the story as I read. Sometimes I'd re-read a paragraph just because it was very beautiful and deeply meaningful.
  5. There is romance, humor, friendship and action. What more can you want beyond that?
In the end if you want something more, something to show you what can be a GREAT novel style. Give this a read, the translator and editor teams at Gravitytales did do a GREAT job on this story.

Excelsior!!
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
HarutoraRyu
HarutoraRyu rated it
February 13, 2018
Status: --
Despite the fact author is very good at creating a proper world, there are countless times where the author fills up chapters with nonsense. For example the author spent 2 whole chapters and nearly a thousand word to describe a rainbow and another chapter to describe it's effect, then another chapter to describe what MC felt about the rainbow and then another chapter to make the MC execute one single... yeah 4 chapters to make the MC move 1 step..... this author clearly thinks having more words makes a good... more>> novel.... <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nihilist_smoker
Nihilist_smoker rated it
August 6, 2017
Status: c485
The novel is great. MC is reasonable. The interesting and realistic characters and the author's way of writing just draws you in the story. The world building is good. The story is slow-paced but that juch makes it seem more realistic. Some characters are really likeable and as the story progresses, you start feeling more and more attached to it. There's not much action. The interactions between characters are humourous and the romance in this novel is one of the best (imo). MC is calm and cool-headed and all the... more>> side characters leave a mark in the story. The plot is beautifully written and comedy is really good. Anyways, this is definitely a novel I would recommend. <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
whatswrongwithyou
whatswrongwithyou rated it
May 30, 2017
Status: v5c600
I'm like 600-700 chapters and as others said this is really a slow paced novel.. but different from them, who only like fast paced one (theres even a irritatable one who compared this to novel) and who can't understand background set up and plot twist.... I endured and finally reach where the plot twist occurred and finally it become a novel which had more progression every chapter, and really the characters and all their choice, the world set up and mysteries is GOD CLASS... so I 'll tell you now... more>> that irs still early that the simple talk, simple inner thought of a character (main or side) will affect their choice and would somehow influence the plot.. and so since this is a novel of choice expect different outview of life, perspectives of goals, and way of doing thing from different characters...

No novels are perfect so based on that this Novel deserves A full 5 / 5 points... (less those flaw that may amuse or discourage different types of readers).
So.. my greatest question to those who finished now....

IS THIS A HAREM?! <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ironman96
Ironman96 rated it
December 25, 2020
Status: Completed
Amazing novel, however, it does have a very slow start (takes ~100+ chapters for the MC to become slightly strong) and if you are willing to put up with it, then it truly is worth it. However, be warned, the ending is pretty bad (4.5-5/5 for the beginning and middle portions, 3/5 for the end).

This novel has a lot of fancy writing which can confuse some folks and the descriptions of certain characters are kind of required to understand what's goings on. For example the novel might say "the guy... more>> in white clothes attacked with a sword" or the "bald monk holding a scroll left the area." If you pay attention to detail then you will understand who is who as the author/translator does a good job of describing the character and what they're wearing/looking like. This is not the right novel to skip paragraphs or chapters (I admit I do this sometimes on other novels) and you will suffer for doing so. I also admit that sometimes the flowery language can go over the top and describe things like a poem but that's how the author writes and I care more about the story/characters to get annoyed by the writing.

This story is a character driven story and you will see the MC and the side characters grow throughout the novel. No character is a wasted character, no one is a one-dimensional character, Mao Ni (author) does a great job of giving each person their own unique personality and philosophies.

The romance is well done and sweet, there is no harem. Just like how the novel is slow, the romance also takes some time to progress and its worth it.

Overall, great story but came to a shitty end for me but I would still recommend reading it as there truly are some amazing parts in the story. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
CultivatorW
CultivatorW rated it
August 29, 2020
Status: Completed
Simply the best Chinese web novel which I have read so far.

The author spends much time with rich details, whether from establishing the setting to describing the personality of the characters, all with very flowerly language.

One of my favorite passage is from Chapter 68:

... more>> This marriage, since the very beginning, was a great event in the human world. When the Southerners came to propose and did not tell Xu You Rong, the South and the Great Zhou court could push the blame onto her parents if any problems occurred later on. When Chen Chang Sheng suddenly appeared with an engagement, people then decided to respect Xu You Rong’s own opinion but when the white crane flew brought a letter to reveal Xu You Rong’s true feelings, someone stood up to argue that individuals should sacrifice for the benefit of the entire human race.

When you talk about promises, they talk about feelings. When you talk about feelings, they switch the topic and talk about morals. When you talk about morals, they then talk about reasons. In short, when they can’t argue against you and when they don’t have anything to back them up, they will change the topic. They will keep changing the topic until the situation is favorable for them and until they emerge as the victors.

This was truly shameless.

One amazing thing is that all the characters seem unique - nothing generic. Even the villains are not completely evil.

However, it takes somewhat of an effort to start reading this novel as it starts out slow and many readers may be put off by the lengthy descriptions. However, once the reader is able envision the setting in his/her mind, the story becomes absolutely fascinating. I think that is it only because of the slow start that the series does not have as high of a rating as it should have. But if the reader is able to get through the start of the novel, then he/she will be much rewarded.

The only negative point for this novel was that the ending was a little abrupt.

This is perhaps the only webnovel that I had read one more time after completing it.

I also recommend reading all the other works by this author. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kurokazin
Kurokazin rated it
May 14, 2019
Status: c451
This is pretty much the opposite side of the coin to MGA. Where MGA is extreme violence an barebones world-building/bland characters, ZTJ is extreme world building/interesting characters with nothing ever going on. While I can appreciate what the author is trying to do, it gets hamstrung by the constant repetition and consecutive chapters of nothing "engaging" happening.

I loved this novel for a while, but I simply cannot subject myself to the monotony the author employs to pad his word count. It's less noticeable in worse novels like MGA since at... more>> least something is "happening" during the relentless filler chinese web novelists are basically forced at gun-point to do.

Besides the above, a big gripe I have is nothing is thoroughly explained and the translation is riddled with grammatical errors. For the former, I didn't get a good grasp of the cultivation levels until about 140~ chapters in. In the case of the latter.. Any given chapter I usually have to re-read 2-3 lines because the translator is absolute dog sh*t and mixes up plurals and pronouns relentlessly. "Wait, the dragon's female? I thought it was male. Oh, it's male again, I guess?".

If you're a big fan of actual literature, this novel might appeal to you. If you're more looking for an entertaining read that's supposed to stimulate your imagination, I'd look elsewhere. This novel doesn't give a damn about your entertainment and neither does the author. Unfortunate, since each chapter takes about 10 minutes to read without skimming and considering how many I've read, I wasted roughly 70~ hours reading a disappointing and unfulfilling pile of crap. This is the Lord of the Rings books, but with none of what makes LOTR great, and it's just describing trees chapter after chapter. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
antoniomanuel10
antoniomanuel10 rated it
July 16, 2018
Status: Completed
Amazing novel.

Just got destroyed by the author at the end of it..

The story is unique, the characters have amazing depth, this story gives you a million times where you just feel so great about it, but at the end the author dediced to ruin it with where he took the romance.. (any more and I will be spoiling it)

All in all, I recomend this story to everyone, it´s amazing, and really a breath of fresh air from all the generic ones, just... be prepared to not having the... more>> ending it should have. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Gorgeously Large Panda
Gorgeously Large Panda rated it
March 20, 2018
Status: c838
Really good series where the MC is clearheaded and has a brain. He doesn't go around killing everyone and their entire clan/sect because some random guy looks at him the wrong way. This is a slow series where you can feel the MC grow and change. The MC doesn't feel op even though he's op, which is a good thing.

Pro: lovable characters (bear guy, Wang Po, Zhizhi), incredibly descriptive world

Con: annoying characters (pedo girl Mo Yu), unnecessary spoilers (e.g. "At the time they didn't know that in 20 years they... more>> would still be fighting each other", something like that), incredibly descriptive world (e.g. MC went though a secret entrance, but the author described everything around that entrance, including a servant walking two dogs and the colors and texture of EACH of the dog's fur)

It's a nice, long and slow read, although there are so many (loli) girls it's annoying. If it's too long for your taste, it's fine to skip all those random useless details and the story is still enjoyable. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Juliwen
Juliwen rated it
March 2, 2018
Status: c803
Yes, this novel is slowly paced and there are repeats in the wording, however this is one of the few Chinese novel that has proper story direction and character development. Most wuxias you read are about the underestimated protagonist powering up, beating cliche villains, rinse and repeat. This story focus instead on developing the narrative. Defining the side characters so they aren't paper thin and keeling over at the slightest touch. Developing the political landscape where tension are hidden and misdirected. Expanding upon the personal dilemmas of the main character... more>> whether that be his illness, his engagement, his purpose and identity. I strongly recommend this novel, the writing isn't perfect, but in no way does it deserve the 2 or 3 stars some are giving it. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ginko
Ginko rated it
November 7, 2017
Status: c652
4.2- (Real score)

*sigh*
It's too bad many of the of the reviewers here are impatient. I generally don't care about writing style, as I always only care about a solid plot. However, I truly admire the writer and (his/her writing).
... more>>
Spoiler

HOWEVER Minus points for :
-.2 for pacing - move the plot author!
-.2 every detail is narrated as if the readers are dumb or as if they should care
-.2 for constantly giving the MC a load of sh*t one after another.
-.2 Author rambles in later chapters on and on about his characters philosophy
Good side - I also usually hate romance in my novels but this is one is actually believable.
Additionally, you watch the MC slowly begin to change as a result of the people he comes into contact with.

[collapse]
Both characters develop love through days of life and death struggle. Additionally, interesting fights and MC growth.

Compelling story <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
hphunter
hphunter rated it
June 29, 2017
Status: c530
I can say with certainty that this is one of the best CN novels I've ever read.

Good points:

  • Likable characters. Every character has an opinion and a lifestyle - you can picture them in their daily lives even when they're off-screen. Instead of simply talking, the writer describes their emotions as they talk vividly, making every conversation a delight to read. When two characters face each other, you get excited when you think how they will interact.
  • World building. The world has factions, has different races, has politics between factions and races. Even those uninterested in those will get involved. The world makes sense and you can draw it in your mind while you're reading it.
  • Mysticism. Dragons exist. People may be born with the power of divine beasts. Your fate can be read from the stars, but is it possible to change your fate? what would be required? Swords owned by the strongest swordsmen may still have a lingering will. Lots of mysteries, lots of the good stuff.
  • Cultivation and Techniques. It's a marvelous part of the story. A sword can command the will of another hundred swords. Some sword slashes can darken the skies or fall over the enemies like a heavy rain. The beautiful imagination of the techniques colliding is present in a lot of fights. Some swords techniques and their origins are explained, adding even more to the fight.
  • MC. This protagonist may be my favorite one ever in a novel. He's hard working, thinks before talking, has an extreme obsession with cleanliness and he. does. never. give. up! People gather around him and you can see how he can change people's hearts with his words, his knowledge and his actions. Even his enemies share the speechlessness from his actions!
Bad points:

  • The early translation is not very good. The novel became much better when hypersheep took over but it's easy to get bored in the start. I have to admit it took three tries to really get into the story.
  • The agony when you are up to the latest chapter and don't have any more material to read and have to reread certain arcs so that you can remember the story and have a good feeling while you get through the day...
There's even a drama, a manga and an animaton of this series. So come enjoy the speechlessness!
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Anonymousse
Anonymousse rated it
June 8, 2017
Status: c120
IF you like to read some cheap novels where MC mostly met super elixir/op skills/item/etc by some random dogsh*t luck to quickly leveled up then this novel is not for you.

ZTJ is a slow pace novel with its own building momentum that make it got alot of potential to become a masterpiece because theres story depth with lots of details of the world history, story plot, characters personality and background story, etc

The story starts with MC told to have some unique body. A body that so pure that it make... more>> him looks nice (delicious?) to all living beings from beast, humans, yao, even a mighty dragon (reminds me of the monk in "journey to the west"). The body traits makes him hard to cultivate with normal way and even supposed to die a young age at 20. Therefor, in order to change that MC starts his journey where he met alot of characters, some being friends, some are unreasonable, some are scheming against him, and many more as story goes.

Overall ZTJ is AWESOME !!! Very recommended for you all who tired of cheap 3rd grade novels! <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Demonic Reader lv 451F
Demonic Reader lv 451F rated it
July 31, 2016
Status: --
Good translation. Good story BUT not for every one, especially guys who love fast action, kill, cultivate, r*pe, cultivate, kill, loop, looop, loop. Lot of dialogue and thought from surrounding chars. Best for slow reading - to appreciate the atmosphere of the story. The MC is constantly being bullied. Harder and harder. Not until ch.150-160 that we start to get the idea of the reason "why". After these chapters, I feel pity for those who were puppetted to play the role of being the villain.

Worst problem of this story, for... more>> now, is.. Will the translation continue?

SIGH. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
nEoQuIcKsiLvEr
nEoQuIcKsiLvEr rated it
May 26, 2016
Status: c187
This is an excellent series that focuses on dialogue, characters, and world building. It's another kind of Xianxia that's in my top 3 just because of the writing.

It is a slow compared to the typical chinese xianxia.

If you are looking for a smart lead protagonist that doesn't solve his problems through fighting then this is the novel for you. The writing is particularly well done with some insights into how characters interact and think. There are some politics at play and some espionage in the background. Characters act because of... more>> status or honor compared to how they feel. Cultivation is done by constellation and knowledge is power here as well.

While as of almost 200 chapters we haven't gotten to the main cause of trouble nor have any backgrounds to other characters been fleshed out. It's still a good read and it's more at a pace of a regular novel than a light novel. There's heavy descriptions and heavy insights into thoughts and actions.

If you are okay with actually reading (And I don't mean skimming like other typical chinese novels) and want a smart lead then this will give you some enjoyment. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Spiritsong
badiyee rated it
May 19, 2016
Status: c179
I consider this as a 'must read' series, for certain reasons:

1) the storytelling focuses a lot on narrating the thoughts and emotions of not one character, but multiple characters. What makes it interesting is that, the narration allows characters that are supposed to take the spotlight shines, be it the antagonist or the protagonist. 2) The world building is great, the build up is good. Its not like its forced to be slowed, nor its forced to be sped up, but just nice. 3) you should read it if you're... more>> into emotional stories. The writing reminds me a lot of Paolo Coelho's style of narration. (At least the translation is) <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rdawv
rdawv rated it
January 30, 2016
Status: --
Review as of Ch20.

It is rare that I have formed a good opinion of a series so early. The reason is because of the MC. I don’t know where the story is going. Maybe it will end up being one of those “cultivation-maniac” or “kill-everyone-revenge” (doubtful), I don’t know. What I do know is that I like the MC. Stoic, logical, persistent, socially awkward.

tl, dr: Spock from Star Trek in a xianxia setting.

Update as of Ch136. My gut feeling is vindicated, as I truly enjoyed reading this series. The key... more>> strength of this novel is the writing, especially the dialogue. Sparse yet meaningful, layered yet direct, plain yet evoking emotions. Plot threads come together magnificently, I felt Ch187-189 of “I Shall Seal The Heavens” was a great payoff for that MC’s many situations. Well, Ch65-70 of Ze Tian Ji surpasses this. All this, and the two main characters of Ze Tian Ji haven’t even seen each other yet.

Events don’t happen magically to the MC, almost everything that had occurred is the result of someone manipulating in the shadows only for the MC’s unexpected behavior (to them) to result in a mess nobody could have foreseen. Therein lies the charm of the series: the MC is being true to himself, and this alone causes others to be suspicious of him. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Enyhrye
Enyhrye rated it
January 19, 2016
Status: --
This is easily the best CN I ve seen.

Characters are “real”, they have real motives, real emotions and psychology. In most xianxia novels characters can be divided in probably less than 10 categories and within those categories all that differentiate one from another is their name. You have “young-master-this-is-my-woman”, “brother-please-save-me”, “extremely-jadelike-proud-beauty”, “not-so-strong-anymore-good-father”, etc. If you open up few random chapters you will find the same conversations: “die tr*sh!”. Not in Ze Tian Ji.

Story is actually really good. There has been at least 3 times that I thought: “oh! this is... more>> the place that MC will get his new super artefact!”, “and here goes the super expert that will help the MC solve his problems”, “now he will get powerful for sure!” – NOPE. Not even once was I right.

There are actually real political schemes going on... And Im not talking about “sect A doesnt like sect B so they send dumbest of their young students to show them who's boss”.

Things that characters say to each other really matters! This is new! No “die tr*sh! you die! my power is stronger! such profound strength!” god, why... But we have real dialogues here.

I would love to read this much faster so guys! Go support the translator pls! <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.