I touched my forehead, sensing a slight fever, but much improved from yesterday.
At this turning point of the year, I feel truly fortunate!
This year, upon opening my new tome, *Immortal Craft: A Record of Creations*, I intended to undergo a transition, to fully assimilate and comprehend the techniques of screenwriting and online literature creation through practical application.
Little did I expect, upon unveiling this new tome, to receive such widespread attention from all of you, a fervor truly rare within the realm of online writing!
I understand this is all due to your support!
A thousand words cannot convey the depth of my gratitude.
I am but an ordinary man, yet for over a decade, I have persisted in writing, consistently pursuing something that brings joy from the depths of my soul.
I am like an ostrich, buried in the dreamscape I have woven — seeking only to create, heedless of worldly affairs.
The beautiful dream was shattered.
In truth, cracks had appeared long ago, but this year brought a sudden awakening.
Hence, I altered my perspective on life; I resolved to emerge from the valley within my heart and actively engage with the world.
Fortunate to receive everyone’s favor, I experienced the most explosive launch of a book in over ten years.
Since April, I entered an unprecedented state of busyness. For a time, from dawn till dusk, I was almost entirely engrossed in writing, with merely 30 minutes each day to venture outside, to stroll and bask in the sun.
I participated in the Essay Contest for “Meeting Intangible Cultural Heritage,” and was honored to win, with *Immortal Craft: A Record of Creations* being collected by the Shanghai Library.
I attended the Sino-Foreign Forum in Shanghai and met many authors and fans. Speaking of which, during the roundtable discussions, hearing foreign authors praise the overseas edition of my book under the same title was genuinely somewhat embarrassing.
Late this year, I was fortunate to enter the Lu Xun Academy of Literature, the highest hall of Chinese literature, for further study, where I met many excellent editors and authors, and had the opportunity to learn from teachers who receive state council subsidies and stand at the pinnacle of the industry.
I am learning about society, seeking opportunities.
From the very beginning of my creative journey, I have always insisted on completing every book. Fate plays its tricks, and two books, or rather, two trees, have not yet truly matured.
I wish to revive these two trees!
I know the hope is slim, and I know failure is highly probable. But if I do not exert my utmost effort, I will be unable to find peace, nor can I provide an explanation to all of you.
Stumbling and fumbling.
There are many oversights, such as my TikTok live stream being blocked, the slow distribution of thank-you gifts to fans, and unstable updates.
I need time, truly need time to adapt.
I thank all of you for your support and patient waiting. How can I possibly remain content with the status quo when you treat me with such kindness?
2025!
I shall strive to complete the updates I owe everyone. The leave of absence in December + the two extra chapters for Golden Alliance members + a pile owed from August.
I must find a method to stably distribute the thank-you gifts to my fans.
I shall also continue live streaming, rising from where I fell, and declare to you all—
Gentlemen, I am here.
I am still here.
I am still here.
I am still here.
Gritting my teeth.
Bumping and stumbling.
Plodding forward.
I shall continue to refine. As of now, the reading experience of the second volume is clearly better than the first. Especially in the recent updates, I have touched upon the feeling of updating *Reverend Insanity* once more.
Evidently, my strength is gradually recovering, and the fusion and mastery of the two techniques in practice has begun.
Adjusting writing techniques, styles, and the like is exceedingly difficult and requires a lengthy period of time.
I lack innate talent; I am but a mortal.
Perhaps my only reliance… is perseverance.
I am a late bloomer. My books have always started slowly and soared high.
The major climaxes in each volume of *Immortal Craft: A Record of Creations* can fill me with excitement, even bringing tears to my eyes.
This is the greatest return I can offer for your support.
Time will be the finest witness!
Furthermore—
Recently, Qidian held a “Battle of the Gods” event, which garnered a significant response across the internet. Thanks to the deep affection and persistence of all readers, *Immortal Craft: A Record of Creations*’ ranking is currently quite good!
This scene reminds me of the Qidian 515 event in 2018, where the “Gu Immortal” team fought their way through fierce competition, ranking among the top, which truly evokes many emotions!
We of the past, we of today, we of tomorrow, shall be stronger, only stronger!
And now, an even more precious ranking is within reach. I must consider if this might be the only opportunity in my lifetime! Therefore, I humbly ask for your votes once more, hoping everyone can vote and support me generously! May we advance further and achieve a satisfactory ranking, so that persistence finally yields reward!
And again—the January monthly pass lottery event.
Prize: New Year’s themed merchandise (a set including: Ning Zhuo window decoration *1 + Fang Yuan window decoration * + Ning Zhuo red envelope *4 + Fang Yuan red envelope *4 + Ning Zhuo amulet *1 + Fang Yuan amulet *1)! I hope everyone can vote and support generously!
We will randomly draw 100 lucky monthly pass numbers from the monthly passes received between January 1st and January 7th at 8 PM. Afterward, I will publish a single chapter announcing the winning monthly pass numbers (monthly pass numbers can be found in the “Monthly Pass Souvenir Book” in the upper right corner of the monthly pass voting interface).
Eligibility:
Readers who cast monthly passes between January 1st and January 7th at 8 PM are automatically entered and have a chance to win.
Drawing Method:
At 8:30 PM on January 7th, the winning monthly pass numbers will be drawn live in the Gu Alliance group, and then announced in a single chapter.
Redemption Method:
I will publish a single chapter announcing the winning monthly pass numbers. Winning readers, based on a screenshot of their monthly pass stub, should join the event group and contact the administrators to verify and claim their prize (the event group will be announced after the drawing. The group link will be at the bottom of the work’s introduction, providing a one-click jump).
Redemption Period:
After the winning monthly pass numbers are drawn at 8:30 PM on January 7th, please join the group and verify to claim your prize before 8 PM on January 14th. Failure to do so will be considered a forfeiture!
Note: Monthly pass numbers can be found in the “Monthly Pass Souvenir Book” in the upper right corner of the monthly pass voting interface, or under “My Account” – “Monthly Pass” – “Monthly Pass Souvenir Book”.
This event is limited to the Qidian platform, and the final interpretation right belongs to the author. Thank you for voting, thank you for your support!
Finally—
I wish everyone a Happy New Year!
Let the thousand layers of rain and wind signify intent, the years be like a song, the stars like a dream, the initial heart still present as brilliance arises!