Today, I suddenly received a message from the back end, informing me that *Crimson Heart Ascends the Heavens* will be launched tomorrow.

I immediately sought out my editor and delivered a lengthy barrage of nonsense, filled with talk of effort, dedication, and dreams, before finally managing to push the launch back to next week.

Yes. It will launch next week.

The word count is reached; launch is inevitable.

I truly cannot imagine what kind of subscription numbers I can expect with a mere 629 favorites.

Since signing the contract, I’ve only received two recommendations, both so obscure they’re practically frozen over.

I asked my editor, “Why don’t you have faith in my book?”

Regarding the framework and settings, I’ve created tens of thousands of words of settings and plotlines. The story will absolutely not collapse later.

Regarding writing quality, I am second to none.

Regarding content, many readers have expressed genuine emotion.

Regarding diligence, I have not missed a single update.

Even judging by the raw data, I have nearly three thousand recommendation votes with only six hundred-odd favorites. I am quite content with that.

I even have forty-odd real, honest-to-goodness rewards, from Alliance Masters to Helmsmen.

This is all legitimate data. May I be struck by lightning if I bought even one vote.

Isn’t that better than those who use bots and fake numbers?

The editor said that my read-through rate during my recommendations was too poor. And recommendations for xianxia novels are particularly scarce now.

Very well. I understand. I comprehend.

I hold no resentment towards anyone. Editors have no obligation to do anything for authors.

But I truly cannot reconcile myself to this.

Am I not dedicated enough?

Am I not sincere enough?

Every day, after writing four thousand words, I am completely drained, both mentally and physically.

The pacing is a bit slow. Can I not write slowly? Can I not offer a few more free chapters for readers to see? Without recommendations, can I not slowly accumulate readers through word-of-mouth?

Apparently not. It must be launched.

I don’t know what to say.

Some readers say I write online novels to make easy money.

I could just accept some soft advertisements, require no thought at all, and just click to publish them; wouldn’t that bring in money faster than writing this?

The only difference between online novels and physical books for me is the platform; nothing more.

I pour the same crimson heart and sincerity into writing novels.

I don’t know how things turned out like this.

Too many blows. Too many people striking me down. Too many things battering me.

I am not invulnerable. I am not immune to poison. I do not possess skin of steel.

I am truly disappointed, dejected, and self-doubting.

Am I truly not suited for writing online novels?

I strive to build a realistic world, focusing my writing on the lives of ordinary people. Is that truly out of step with the times?

I give each character, each city, and even each nation its own style and unique character. Is that a waste of effort?

I design different combat systems for each individual, striving to match their character. Is that gilding the lily?

I pursue logical consistency and a complete plot, refusing to write brainless power fantasy. Have I done something wrong?

I have no answers.

But everything before me seems intent on shoving the answer down my throat.

…

I flipped through my own novel again.

I have a document called “Crimson Heart Ascends the Heavens Plot Flower,” filled with various plot fragments. Over ten thousand words. Written segments are crossed out. Abandoned segments are moved back. Segments about to be written are moved forward.

Constantly supplemented and revised.

I have a document called “Crimson Heart Ascends the Heavens Resource Library,” filled with various settings and frameworks.

Simply copying the table of contents should be enough to demonstrate the effort I’ve poured into it:

Detailed Explanation of the Illusionary Realm of Great Void, Detailed Explanation of the Dao Vein System, Unified Description of Cultivation Realms, Dao Technique Levels and Representative Dao Techniques, Formations and Formation Runes, Divine Powers, Dao Merit System, Unified Description of Aquatic Tribes, Demon Beasts, Ferocious Beasts, and Wild Beasts, Record of Cultivation Methods, Record of Divine Weapons, Record of Treasures, Record of Strange Objects, Monetary System, Map Chapter (with Approximate Faction Information), Nations, Sects.

There is also a timeline spanning from the Ancient Era, the Primeval Era, the Medieval Era, to the Recent Era, including plot background, important historical milestones, and the process of historical change.

All leading to the present, the beginning of the story of *Crimson Heart Ascends the Heavens*.

I completed these settings as if writing a thesis. Is it all meaningless?

Does the complete world they construct lack grandeur?

Can the emotions I poured into this world not move readers?

I refuse to believe it.

I do not believe it.

…

Without any recommendations, I will see if extra chapters can increase the number of favorites before the launch.

From now until the launch next week.

For every hundred new favorites, I will add one extra chapter. Until my backlog is exhausted.

I have at least ten chapters in reserve to add.

…

Perhaps it will be useless.

I am simply trying my best to do my part.

That is all I have to say.

I will, without fail, finish writing this story.

I will not let down any reader who follows this novel.

Let the story of *Crimson Heart Ascends the Heavens* begin with a crimson heart, and end with a crimson heart.

— 情何以甚, December 5, 2019

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