Chapter 1368: Light Boat Has Passed Thousands of Mountains

Debates about "pacing issues" have resurfaced in the comment section. After some observation and reflection, Shuiyun has decided to host another discussion session to address everyone's concerns.

The core of the debate primarily centers on two points:

First, some readers believe that the current "Golden Plains Arc" has too many side quests, leading to a slow progression of the main storyline.

Second, the protagonist frequently engages in casual chats and playful antics with friends, coupled with descriptions of food, which some feel dilutes the substantive content.

Given the limited daily update word count, these two points lead to a feeling that chapters are quickly consumed, diminishing the reading experience for those following the updates.

Please feel free to add any other questions you might have later.

Let's first address the first point by examining the main plot and side plots of the Golden Plains Arc.

The main storyline of this arc is the unification of the Golden Plains – I assume there's no disagreement on this. The next question, then, is how the protagonist will achieve it.

In other novels, it might simply involve boosting abilities and relying on overpowered advantages to easily dominate the late stages, providing immense gratification. However, this approach doesn't align with the tone or selling point of this book; in fact, the protagonist's only unique advantage isn't always beneficial to him.

As the old saying goes, if a place is worth conquering, why should it just fall into your hands? The protagonist's ambition to unify the Golden Plains leaves him no choice but to proceed systematically, undertaking extensive and meticulous preparatory work.

Recall the second volume of *The Monster's Utopia*, where the main plot involved raising havoc in the Heavenly Palace to reclaim the lid of the Great Square Pot. The climax spanned dozens of chapters, yet the in-book timeline covered a mere thirty minutes. How much preparation and effort did the protagonist put in beforehand? Were all those pages and descriptions merely filler added by the author to inflate the word count and earn more royalties?

In fact, *The Monster's Utopia, Part Two* featured no fewer than eight side plots. These eight storylines ran in parallel, gradually converging and finally funneling into the main plot, collectively driving towards an overwhelming and earth-shattering climax. Each side plot involved distinct events and characters. They not only allowed readers to experience different perspectives and gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the six-hundred-year empire, but also made the underdog victory in the Heavenly Palace War plausible rather than unreasonable. In fact, these storylines will connect with future plots, and their significance and weight will continue to grow.

Returning to the Golden Plains Arc, the protagonist faces the same challenge: the task is too difficult, and the opponents are too strong. He Lingchuan's adversaries are not just the powerful local magnates of the Golden Plains, but also all forces unwilling to see him become overly powerful. To conquer the entire Golden Plains, the familiar formula applies: swiftness is paramount. When he finally makes his move, it must be swift and decisive, catching any external forces completely off guard.

People often only perceive the earth-shattering impact of an avalanche, overlooking the gradual accumulation of snow and ice. This is He Lingchuan's advantage: building strength discreetly. His current task is to carefully guide the process of quantitative change leading to qualitative transformation before triggering the highly anticipated "avalanche."

What kind of person or force is the most terrifying? Is it those who constantly threaten to suppress you? Those who make countless petty moves to humiliate you? Those who try to gain small advantages over you every day? Haha, a wise person once said, if you truly want to defeat someone, it's best not to let them know beforehand. By the time they perceive danger, your blade should already be in their chest.

This is precisely He Lingchuan's plan for the Golden Plains. Conversely, for the ultimate unification of Golden Plains to be overwhelming and unstoppable, all the preparatory work serving this goal is, in fact, part of the main plot, isn't it?

So far, what preparations has He Lingchuan been making?

First, he is operating the Original Homeland Association. This is not merely about attracting talent and establishing an intelligence network, nor is it simply because these individuals are easily won over. Their role will gradually become apparent later.

Second, he is using mercantile activities as a cover to infiltrate the influence of Yangshan into every corner of the Golden Plains.

Third, the Black Armored Army is upholding justice on behalf of Heaven, establishing the myth of the Great Emperor of Nine Underworlds, while also coordinating with Yangshan's propaganda teams for widespread publicity.

All these efforts are relatively covert, unlikely to attract the attention and vigilance of local magnates, yet they achieve a subtle but pervasive impact.

To further elaborate on the actions of the Black Armored Army and the Great Emperor of Nine Underworlds: some readers have expressed that they don't want to read about eliminating villains and bringing peace, nor about the suffering in the Golden Plains. In fact, the emergence of the Black Armored Army holds significant importance for the Golden Plains: It shatters the common people's superstition that oppressors are invincible, thereby awakening their innate desire to resist oppression, which is to say, sowing the "seeds of fire." It also gains the recognition of the Golden Plains' common folk, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent unification of the Golden Plains, ensuring it aligns with the people's will and popular expectation. All these aspects are related to wish power and primal energy, which will be elaborated on in future stories.

While managing the overall strategy, we also need to provide quick portraits of individuals. The Golden Plains Arc sketches many characters; let me briefly give an example: Wan Qiliang. (For comparison, consider Sha Wei from the *Coiling Dragon* series.) When he first appeared, he was depicted as a "hothead," belligerent and always looking for trouble – hardly a qualified warrior, let alone an excellent general. Many say this world is just a huge amateur operation, but I believe that's only half true. Everyone is born with potential; it merely depends on how they are sculpted: if poorly refined, they remain scrap iron; properly tempered, they become divine weapons.

In He Lingchuan's hands, Wan Qiliang will undoubtedly transform into a divine weapon. Using this example to illustrate a broader trend, I will show readers the metamorphosis of "Wan Qiliang types" from mere Yangshan warriors into an elite force. From then on, their collective will no longer be a makeshift troupe. The growth of characters represented by him will showcase He Lingchuan's unconventional methods of promoting and nurturing talent. Furthermore, I also need to explain why Yangshan's warriors are willing to fight for the Golden Plains, which is thousands of miles away. This represents not only a shift in identity but also an elevation of their mindset and character.

There are many similar examples; if you're interested, you can look back, or if you prefer not to reread, they will also be revealed in future plot developments. These details are minor and complex but absolutely essential. They imbue the book's framework with flesh, blood, and humanity, connecting all the causal links for future developments. However, these elements cannot stand as independent chapters. I will let them lie hidden within each story, like a dragonfly briefly touching the water, eventually leading to their natural fruition.

What preparations and efforts are needed to unify chaotic lands and establish a powerful empire? What hardships and battles must be endured? These are the historical events the Golden Plains Arc aims to portray and the questions it seeks to answer. As the curtain slowly rises and various characters and forces take the stage, the answers to these questions will gradually reveal themselves, like riverbed stones emerging as water levels recede—They were always there, but required the right moment to come to light.

Readers often ask me when the Golden Plains Arc will conclude. In fact, He Lingchuan's preparations are already halfway complete, and the book *Immortal* is also past its halfway mark. Both within the story and in its creation, progress is steadily being made.

My hope is that by the time this arc concludes, the plot, side stories, and characters will all have been fully and richly developed. And the protagonist's adversaries—those forces unwilling to acknowledge or accept us—after wildly raging, seeking revenge, failing in their suppression efforts, and even paying a heavy price, will suddenly realize, almost in a daze, that the light boat has swiftly passed thousands of mountains, and the rise of this new power is unstoppable.

Situ Yu, in his analysis of He Lingchuan, stated that a person who accomplishes so much always has a purpose, though he couldn't discern He Lingchuan's ultimate goal. Similarly, Shuiyun hopes that my own thoughts and insights will gradually be conveyed to every reader as the novel unfolds.

If you, my dear readers, could place a little more trust in me, believing that I am a diligent, hardworking, and patient author, and that I am fully committed to the quality of *Immortal*; if you could lower your guard and move forward with the rhythm of this book, enjoying the grand world Shuiyun has painted for you—I believe we would all have a more relaxed mindset and a more enjoyable experience, wouldn't we?

I've rambled on for quite a while today, and it seems I've only addressed the first point of contention. Due to limited space, the second point of contention, which pertains to the creative thinking and philosophy behind *Immortal*, would require a separate discussion session to explain thoroughly. If there's enough interest, I can arrange that later.

I know some readers will surely say that a lengthy discussion session is less valuable than simply writing more novel content. However, writing is writing, and communication is communication; one cannot perfectly substitute for the other. Shuiyun is willing to take time out of my daily routine—from eating, sleeping, exercising, and relaxing—to address your concerns, all while maintaining a full workload, in order to foster communication and reduce misunderstandings.

Long live understanding – it's more than just a slogan.

—Fengxing Shuiyun Jian / Jiufang YeApril 21, 2024