End-of-volume notes!

Volume Three has ended.

A new year, a new beginning.

The fourth volume is called "The Battle for the Central Plains".

This volume has a grander scope, with many characters from the earlier episodes returning, and many long-suppressed forces and figures also making their appearance.

Also, in Volume 4, I will resolve many of the foreshadowings from before and fill in some of the plot holes.

Getting back to the main topic, let's review the entirety of Volume 3, "A Young Man's Journey," discussing both the good and the bad. Each chapter offers a rare opportunity for readers and the author to interact.

I will frankly discuss with everyone the troubles and difficulties I encountered in writing, so that everyone can have a preliminary understanding of the author's mental state, inner changes, and so on.

When I first started preparing the structure for this volume, I planned to write it in the style of a travelogue, gradually laying the groundwork and developing the characters along the way.

After writing more than ten chapters, I realized that the map-changing format wasn't popular, and readers didn't like the setting of Xu Baipiao's sealing. But the main theme had already been set, and I couldn't "change it overnight." During that time, I felt particularly lost, and my writing became chaotic.

I hastily revised the outline of Volume 3, adjusted the framework, and even posted a separate chapter seeking everyone's feedback.

While keeping updates up and revising the outline, after a long period of stagnation, my aunt finally arrived.

Data surge

The entire storyline, from dual cultivation to returning to the capital and then leaving the capital, saw a peak in subscriptions that even rivaled the chapter in Volume Two where the father and son confronted each other.

I've summarized the problem with the first half of this volume before: the characters and maps lacked immersion.

This problem occurs whenever a novel changes maps, but I've figured out a solution and would like to try it out sometime in the future.

Next, let's talk about the pacing issue. I've carefully studied the changes in subscriptions, and any chapter that builds up slowly will see a sharp drop in subscriptions, followed by readers complaining that it's not good enough.

The author was in a hurry and sped up the pace, which led readers to complain that the pace was too fast and the writing was poor.

This creates a vicious cycle.

I've come to two conclusions from this. First, I might be too young and not mature enough, easily swayed by data. Second, the celebrity effect might not be sufficient.

If it's an established platinum author, readers might be more patient and able to endure dozens of chapters of buildup.

But I don't have that much patience for a small fry (like me).

Besides the issues summarized above, I'm particularly concerned about a recent issue raised by readers that I found "not satisfying enough."

If you are also a writer, you might want to think carefully about what I'm about to say.

Sometimes, we have to make a trade-off between logic and enjoyment. Books that are too focused on logic often fail to provide enjoyment, so online novels need to be somewhat "brainless."

However, if it's too mindless, it will seem too simplistic. When readers talk about mindless, simplistic novels, they are often referring to this type of book.

Take the martial arts alliance storyline at the end of the book as an example. I actually have a more enjoyable way of writing it, a way that's really, really satisfying.

But that would have resulted in Xu Pingfeng's public image being ruined.

As a book progresses into its later stages, unlike in the early stages, it can no longer solely serve the purpose of providing entertainment. My primary priority in writing now is to maintain the overall tone of the book, which includes character development, plot, the situation in Kyushu, and so on.

Then, consider the points that bring pleasure.

As one of the key figures, Xu Pingfeng's character is such that even if he faces death, he will remain calm and composed, and face it with equanimity.

He was already at his limit in his displeasure at Xu Qi'an's humiliation; it was impossible for him to get angry.

But this would upset the readers.

That's why I said earlier that logic and pleasure are sometimes mutually exclusive.

If we let him leave empty-handed, failing to steal a chicken and losing his rice instead, would you think that's all the villains are capable of?

What about the character's sophistication?

Here's a little tip: maintaining the character's charisma is more important than providing satisfying moments. Even if you have to sacrifice some of the satisfying moments, you should still maintain the character's charisma.

Two books with similar ratings might have vastly different outcomes: one might be considered mindless writing, while the other might be praised without any real substance.

Why?

Because the former only cares about providing instant gratification, while the latter maintains the sophistication of the characters in the book.

You might criticize me for a small plot point that's not satisfying, but you won't abandon the book. However, if the character's personality falls apart, a lot of people will abandon the book.

Am I right?

Getting back to the topic, updating has always been a source of anxiety and headaches for me.

I often sit in front of the computer for a very long time because a daily routine isn't interesting enough, and I often can't put pen to paper for most of the day because I haven't fully figured out a case.

But then I get anxious because the update deadline is fast approaching and I can't submit my work.

This often leads to delays in updates.

Speed and quality are truly mutually exclusive. Sometimes, when you're not in the right state of mind or your brain is foggy, the quality of your updates can drop.

Inevitable.

Then, every time I see readers saying in the chapter comments, "If you're tired, just rest. Don't update anymore."

I took it seriously.

When I woke up the next day, I saw this in the chapter review: Holy crap, this guy's gotten cocky, he tore up the monthly vote.

Hahaha, damn it!

This volume was written with many stumbles and setbacks, and everyone was complaining, but the data wasn't bad.

The average order value is 90,000.

The price rose exceptionally fast, which is the only thing that makes me feel relieved.

This shows that although my writing has minor flaws, it is generally stable. The necessary foreshadowing has been done, and the characters have been well-developed.

If it reaches 100,000 words during the serialization, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Hmm, I hope I didn't plant a flag (i. e., signify a lack of support).

Starting with Volume Four, the book's biggest climax and biggest plot hole will begin.

I will try to lay the groundwork slowly, without looking at the follow-up orders, and gradually develop some supporting characters.

This is another completely new challenge for me.

The greatest charm of writing a book lies in this: constantly seeking breakthroughs. Even if the direction is wrong, the writing falls apart, and subscriptions drop, at least I made an attempt and learned something new.

I always hope that this book brings joy and happiness to everyone, at least most of the time.

This is my biggest motivation for writing the book, and it gives me my greatest sense of accomplishment.

I need to take a day off to work on the detailed outline!