Chapter 872: Future Prospects

The Naraku Arc has concluded, and I’d like to take this opportunity to say a few more words.

This arc serves as the opening, or perhaps the overture, to the book's second part. In it, the protagonist devises a trap for Naraku and the Heavenly Palace to address the latent threat of being divinely possessed by Naraku. Resolving this crisis is the prerequisite for the second part to truly unfurl and for the protagonist to fully unleash their abilities. Furthermore, the secrets of the Heavenly God and the Grand Cauldron will gradually be unveiled.

I will now address two questions that have been raised most often.

First, by the end of this arc, He Lingchuan has not eliminated the Naraku mark from his mind. Instead, he chose to imprison Naraku's avatar, preventing a second divine possession and thus ensuring his own safety. Some readers expressed dissatisfaction, asking: "Why not completely remove the mark? This leaves a hidden danger!"

I understand the desire for perfection, but as the saying goes in real life: life is full of unforeseen circumstances. Millions of high school students study diligently for over a decade, yet only a small fraction ever gain admission to top universities like Tsinghua or Peking University. Is it because they don't want to? It's because they can't get in. Why are more and more patients with terminal illnesses embracing the concept of "coexisting with cancer"? Is it because they don't want to be healthy and disease-free? It's because it's incurable.

Similarly, is He Lingchuan simply careless and unwilling to remove the mark? It cannot be removed. At least for now, if it can't be removed, it simply cannot be removed. In objective circumstances and under limited conditions, everyone, from a nation to an individual, must learn to compromise, to achieve goals through indirect means, and to reach the "best possible state" given current circumstances. Surviving and enduring first opens up limitless possibilities for future planning. This applies to reality, and it applies to the book as well. I believe this reflects a pragmatic and truth-seeking attitude, and such a character demonstrates a strength that surpasses mere perfection.

The second question is: Why does He Jing have so much screen time? Are you, the author, just adding filler? What's the point of dedicating so much attention to a supporting character? I believe many readers who have reached the end of the arc have formed their own opinions. However, as this is a popular work, I wish to address any grievances and offer a brief explanation:

The Heavenly Palace is situated above Lingxu City. Lingxu City is the capital of Beggar. Beggar is one of the most formidable nations in this world. As the Cloud Emissary of the Heavenly Palace, He Jing holds a position of immense authority, second only to one individual and superior to thousands. He is on par with Bai Ziqi, and even the Demon Emperor of Beggar treats him with deference. To merely gloss over such a character would be disrespectful to the Heavenly Palace and to the Heavenly God. Furthermore, on a deeper level, it would undermine the protagonist's plans and efforts.

Secondly, He Jing's Heavenly Palace team is the primary combat force within the Dragon Coiled Secret Realm. Their involvement also provides an indirect means of understanding the Heavenly God's stance on the Grand Cauldron, and it explains why Naraku's avatar could be drawn into the secret realm by the Sacred Spirit Canopy. Why did He Jing, despite knowing the secret realm was a trap, still resolutely enter after Naraku's avatar descended? This is connected to the secret of the Grand Cauldron, which will be revealed later. Consider this a subtle piece of foreshadowing. Consequently, the timing of He Jing's team's entry, their combat sequences, their ultimate fate, and the lingering suspense they create all demanded substantial attention and could not be merely simplified for brevity.

The extensive role of He Jing's team is akin to *The Demon's Utopia (Part 2)*, where I utilized over a dozen different perspectives, all with the singular goal of telling the story well. An "ensemble cast" is merely a tool, not a defining characteristic; its ultimate purpose is to serve the narrative.

Speaking of which, have you noticed that *Immortal* reads somewhat differently from other books? It's neither easy to summarize nor to categorize; only the story itself seems acceptable. Perhaps this is because, with *Immortal*, my sole and pure intention is to tell a good story. Everything else that might influence the narrative, such as emphasizing individual characters or showcasing writing style, takes a backseat to this primary goal.

Some have also questioned whether I create plot twists just for the sake of it, or if I sacrifice logic and character intelligence. In truth, what you read is my pre-written draft, meticulously crafted with internal consistency and forethought. While minor logical oversights might not be entirely absent, they are genuinely rare. If you identify something as a logical error, I suggest you make a note of it; there might be a different explanation later on.

Having written this far, I sincerely want to tell everyone: I, Jiufang, do not use filler text and am incapable of doing so (with the exception of food descriptions, as some hobbies are simply incurable). Most authors resort to filler because they lack content but need to meet a word count, so they simply pad out their text. However, I have an abundance of content to write: In the real world, there's the construction and expansion of the young master's territory, his relationship with Bai Lie, and the protagonist's entanglement in the disputes between the Mou Kingdom, Spirit Mountain, and Beggar. Within the Grand Cauldron, there are the pinnacles and conflicts of Dragon Coiled City, the rise of Yuheng, the interconnectedness of Dragon Coiled and Spirit Mountain, and the war machine of Beggar and the gods. And of course, there's an underlying plotline involving the gods' clandestine machinations.

I have also stated previously that *Immortal* Part Two will unveil the secrets of the Heavenly God, Mitian, Dragon Coiled City, and the Grand Cauldron. Thus, the Dragon Coiled World's narrative in this second major part is crucial; it's not merely one of the main storylines but also serves to provide an overarching framework and reflect real-world themes. I will do my utmost to make it a vivid and thrilling read. I also hope that readers will be patient and grow alongside He Lingchuan and Dragon Coiled City.

You see, with so many primary storylines to develop, I'm constantly working to the point of exhaustion. Is there really any need for me to add filler? It's not that I lack material; rather, I have so much content that I can barely finish it all. However, while integrating new content into the book, I must also ensure it flows naturally, with seamless transitions, making for a smooth, rich, and engaging read. In short, I need to control both the pacing and the intensity. After all, a successful novel cannot rely solely on an outline or mere logic.

My ideal is to present a unique aesthetic experience; my mission is to build a bridge between reality and the book, inviting readers to immerse themselves and share in the characters' experiences and destinies; and my ceaseless pursuit, my "Dao," is to grant readers a more complete world than those who haven't read this book. My purpose in coming to Qidian is to validate this very "Dao."

So, am I being frank enough? In this day and age, how many writers dare to speak so openly about their ideals? My presence on Qidian is precisely to indulge in the luxury of pursuing these ideals. I hope you all become Jiufang's loyal readers and not just customers. For the sake of *Immortal*, I, Jiufang, am prepared to give my absolute best and no longer have the capacity to cater to everyone's individual preferences. Those whose expectations I cannot meet, I respectfully ask that you distance yourselves from my work. Please respect everyone who works diligently.

Regarding *Immortal*'s subscription numbers not yet reaching 10,000, please don't worry. Once the editor provides a better recommendation and a slight push, it will surely get there. After all, transitioning from a humble beginning to a soaring success and becoming a literary "god" is a script we are very familiar with. Why wouldn't I be confident?

Oh, of course, while my ideals are abundant, the task is indeed daunting. I've never been a fast writer; I've been writing for nine years, and there hasn't been a single year where I could consistently update 6,000 characters for long stretches. That's why, when I started *Immortal*, I prepared a 500,000-character draft, expecting it to last at least two years. Who knew it's already nearing its end, *cough*. It's all because the writing complexity of this book far surpasses my previous works. T_T

For the past two months, I've been adjusting my routine and underwent a thorough physical examination. All issues discovered are now being actively treated. I now exercise three hours daily, hoping my health indicators return to normal levels soon and that I can quickly break my habit of irregular sleep patterns. I, Jiufang, intend to dedicate myself to writing *Immortal* with the healthiest body and the most vibrant energy possible.

The next arc, "Bai Lie," is about to commence. The initial pace will be gentle, so I'll start with 5,000 characters per day while I build up more drafts.

I thank you again for your understanding and patience.

—Jiufang Ye / Fengxing Shuiyun JianAugust 20, 2023