Chapter 1203: New Year's Letter to Book Friends

Fellow travelers with the Immortals, Happy New Year!

The New Year is just ten days away, so I want to wish everyone an early Happy New Year!

The original title for this tea party was "Returning to the Jianghu and Second Stage Leap," but it wouldn't fit in the title bar, so I've moved it into the main text.

It took Shuiyun several months to construct the Yangshan Archipelago and Shanjin Plains. This time, I'll discuss their structural design.

As you all know, He Lingchuan's initial goal in establishing the Yangshan Archipelago was to use Yangshan as a springboard to conquer Bailie and Blade Harbor. Simultaneously, by leveraging his special relationship with Mount Ling, he aimed to gain recognition from the Mu Kingdom, thereby becoming a regional power and laying the groundwork for future confrontations with Beijia, and even the gods.

This offered two benefits: first, leveraging geographical advantages and using the Mu Kingdom as a shield to reduce pressure from Beijia; second, becoming an ally of the Mu Kingdom and Mount Ling in their resistance against Beijia.

However, after two transformative journeys of "Heart-Witnessing" and "Self-Reflection," Brother Chuan upgraded his strategy, confirming that his future path lay in "independence and self-reliance," rather than being a subordinate to a great power. At this point, the small Bailie could no longer contain He Lingchuan's ambitions.

Although Bailie had an excellent location and fertile land, its area was too small, its ecosystem was limited in diversity, and its population and talent reserves were far from sufficient.

Brother Chuan needed to set his sights further.

At the same time, he was also studying Mount Ling and the Mu Kingdom. Just as he investigated Beijia in the past, the best way to understand the true nature of a behemoth is to get close to it, or even join it.

Brother Chuan would not join the Mu Kingdom, but he could undertake tasks assigned by Mount Ling and the Mu Kingdom to grasp their objectives, limits, and operational styles and methods. Task rewards and reputation points were secondary.

To understand a person, one observes their words and actions; the same applies to understanding a country or an organization.

More importantly, these tasks served as Brother Chuan's cover for intervening in the Shanjin Plains.

The Shanjin Plains, a land forsaken by the gods, has been chaotic for thousands of years, with various states and factions rising and falling in endless cycles. As one of the most crucial bases for the gods to absorb nightmare energy, its inhabitants endure immense suffering but also harbor immense potential.

What kind of sparks will fly when the ambitious Brother Chuan encounters the Shanjin Plains, which holds immense energy?

From this perspective, let's look back at the construction of the Yangshan Archipelago as a "base."

First, I must thank everyone for the immense patience and tolerance shown to the Immortals, allowing me to calmly complete this less engaging volume—this is quite rare in other books.

I am especially grateful!

Shuiyun naturally understands that inserting the Yangshan Archipelago between the overarching main storyline of "Ruckus in the Heavenly Palace" and "Shanjin Plains," and interspersing a section of world-building plot amidst the journey and adventures, would alter the local pace.

However, for the overall design, it was worthwhile.

The existence of the Yangshan Archipelago not only united companions like Dong Rui and the Spider Demon sisters but also enabled Brother Chuan to complete his transformation from a natural person to a collective leader in terms of mindset, ability, and vision.

One's position dictates their perspective and approach. The establishment of the Yangshan Archipelago, by shifting his identity and status, was precisely what allowed Brother Chuan to develop higher-dimensional strategic considerations.

These factors served as his springboard into the Shanjin Plains, laying a solid foundation for his second journey and adventure.

During his first journey and adventure, Brother Chuan was merely a lone outsider in Beijia, swept along by events and needing to borrow influence.

However, with the Yangshan Archipelago as his backing, Brother Chuan's second journey and adventure in the Shanjin Plains will be conducted with composure and stability.

Returning to the Jianghu, he now has money, energy, and most importantly—

People.

With these resources, he can implement his plans, put his theories into practice, and focus on long-term strategizing and development.

Speaking of structural design, let me mention the Shanjin Plains again.

You've likely noticed that the stories here are concise, independent, fast-paced, and emphasize character and emotion.

On one hand, through rich characters and solid storytelling, by accumulating small details to form a grand whole, I hope to reflect the essence of the Shanjin Plains. This will allow readers to appreciate its unique ecology and conflicts, and to feel the characters' defiance against fate, their longing for salvation for themselves, their collective, their country, and even the entire Shanjin Plains.

They will be, and always have been, the true protagonists of the Shanjin story collection.

On the other hand, with the protagonist's increased strength, his methods are more flexible, and he is more inclined to resolve problems with force, so the narrative will become increasingly straightforward and gratifying.

Shuiyun hopes to use these decisive methods to counterbalance the suffering in Shanjin.

Of course, the ultimate goal of "gathering sand" is to "form a tower," and perhaps even to assault it.

How will Brother Chuan effectively integrate resources? How will he plan for a god-forsaken land that has been divided for thousands of years? How will he become a comprehensively rising new force in this world?

And how will he attract virtuous and ambitious individuals to collectively confront Beijia, which is also rich in talent?

In 2024, shall we accompany He Lingchuan through this challenging and winding, yet exciting and eventful journey? :)

As it's the Year of the Dragon, I wish everyone peace and great prosperity once again!

Turn the page here; there's a bonus chapter at the end of the text. Everyone who leaves a comment and interacts can receive one Dragon Pearl (limited to one per person for this book).

—Fengxing Shuiyun Jian / Jiufang Ye,January 31, 2024