"If the rules were unfair, they would attract the attention of the Six Paths."
"What would happen then?"
"It would awaken and purge the unfair rules—"
Gu Qingshan didn't finish.
The Old Fairy said disappointedly, "I was hoping the Holy Chosen's civilizations would slaughter one another while we watched from the sidelines."
"None of the civilizations can stay out of it," Gu Qingshan said.
He looked toward the ape-men in the distance.
One of them was sharpening the head of a Stone Spear by a stream.
As he worked, the ape-man seemed to get more ideas.
He changed how he held it, honing one side of the spearhead to a sharper edge while leaving the other side relatively thick.
A Stone Dagger was born.
The first true close-combat weapon in ape-man civilization.
The ape-man held the Stone Dagger and examined it for a long while, then let out an excited shout.
He ran all the way back to the Ape-man Camp.
The other ape-men gathered around him, their eyes fixed on the Stone Dagger in his hand.
Gu Qingshan turned his gaze away and said,
"—But your idea gave me a new inspiration."
"What?" the Old Fairy asked.
"The Holy Chosen aren't allowed to fight openly themselves. They can only guide their civilizations from the shadows, to ensure fair wars between civilizations," Gu Qingshan said.
The Old Fairy narrowed her eyes. "Good idea. That way, we'll naturally stay hidden among all the Holy Chosen, and the Heavenly Emperor won't find us so easily."
Gu Qingshan reached out and gently pressed his hand against the void.
An invisible ripple spread from his palm.
Soon, he withdrew his hand, but a line of Crimson Small Characters appeared in the void:
"Supplementary rules for the Six Paths Competition:"
"The Holy Chosen may only