I wasn't very satisfied with how I wrote the later part of this volume, especially the breakthrough into the realm of legends. I'd already written plenty of breakthroughs triggered by a brush with death or a sudden, forceful revelation, and this time I deliberately avoided repeating myself in the plot. I wanted to show how everything fell into place after many realizations. But the result really did lack explosive power and impact, and couldn't bring out the awe of becoming a legend. It lacked that exhilarating, sweeping feeling. I'll take stock of what I've learned and do better next time.
Xiao Sang's return was a plot point I'd planned long ago, with the clues laid down back in the third volume. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I wanted that feeling of looking back suddenly and finding the one you seek where the lanterns grow dim, along with Gu Xiaosang's unpredictable nature—she never plays by the rules and always catches people off guard. There's less conflict and less intensity, but I feel it has a charm all its own.
As usual, I'm taking a day off to rest and get back in shape after finishing a volume, while I revise the finer points of the outline. I have to ask for a day off, though I used half a day early in December, so I only have half a day left. That means updates resume tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Volume 7: Heaven's Will Has Been Hard to Question Since Antiquity.
Finally, since everyone's discussion has been so lively, why not toss in a few monthly votes to celebrate Meng Qi's magnificently bewildered expression?