I have updated this chapter and the next chapter at the same time. This chapter does not contain any plot-related content, so you can skip directly to the next chapter.

Although Volume 4 has only been open for a short time, I still want to write a separate chapter to explain the update status.

After that, there won't be a separate chapter for Volume 4 to explain anything else.

Volume 4 is quite long, and I've been having a lot of inspiration lately.

However, the number of updates should remain unchanged.

It's not that I don't want to update more, but the website's system doesn't pay based on the number of words updated.

If it's a paid chapter, then I'll pay for each chapter. Of course, the more I write, the better, and the faster I write, the higher my earnings will be.

But here, money is paid based on the amount of data used.

The traffic mechanism is that it's stable during the serialization period, increases for a period after completion, and then immediately drops sharply (for most ordinary books).

It's like if I publish a million words all at once and then immediately click "finish," my earnings will only be less, not more.

However, if I divide it into 250 days and post 4,000 words a day, it will be a steady and continuous flow.

It's strange, isn't it? More money actually means less income.

There was no mention of any data reward for updating frequently, and in my actual testing, I didn't experience any data reward on days with frequent updates.

If I were a very popular author, I wouldn't have much financial pressure.

Maybe I'll update more often to boost my reputation. In fact, I've tried to add more chapters more than once or twice.

But frankly speaking, this mechanism is very difficult to understand.

I'm just a small-time writer, and I don't plan to pursue fame anymore. At least I've given up on fame here.

So I've probably made a decision, and I guess this will be my last work here. (Unless this place becomes a huge hit after it's finished, I might still consider staying, but thinking about it, that's unlikely. If it wasn't popular while it was being serialized, why would it be popular when it's finished?)

The next time we see Lu Cang, the main character, will probably be somewhere else.

I won't mention where it is.

My condition was indeed not good for the first two months. I updated only occasionally, and often only 2,000 words at a time.

The update status I was thinking of has returned to normal.

Ironically, from February 19th to March 12th, my updates were mostly around 2000 words each, and my income was higher than it is now.

It's not convenient to disclose everything.

However, if we consider the income from February 19th to March 12th as 100%, the current income is probably only 60% to 80% of that. (This is excluding tips, and is purely from royalties.)

In other words, effort is futile, and updates yield no benefit.

Even if I don't update for a day or two, my income is still roughly the same.

Such a mechanism is really draining.

When you want to work hard at something, but find that it's better to give up and make another choice.

It would feel absurd.

If I were a complete novice author, I might be able to accept this outcome.

It's a bit of a shame, though, that I once had some slightly brilliant achievements.

Although it's all in the past, at least I got to see some of the view from above.

I really can't accept this slow, agonizing erosion.

Especially at my age.

It's the prime of life for everything, and it's truly unacceptable to live a life of mediocre achievements.

I could even see the ending; I knew that even if I finished writing it, there would be no result.

That's why I said, don't give me any tips.

I actually prefer an environment where nobody cares, where I write and readers can read if they want, or ignore if they don't.

If you think it's wrong, then criticize it. After all, there will always be people who like a novel and people who don't like it.

Those who don't want to watch should part ways amicably; that's about it.

These are all fine.

It's the only person who cares about me that makes me feel a little uneasy.

This makes me worry that what I write doesn't meet expectations.

Writing a book while caring about what others think definitely feels like a shackle.

Actually, the idea to write this chapter came about after reading "Red Heart Patrols the Sky".

I believe that reading a novel is simply reading the novel, not just reading what the author is saying.

The author's constant rambling can negatively impact the reading experience.

Until I saw the author with a sincere heart, who often liked to add his own musings at the end of each chapter.

Uh... it didn't change my mind. I still think it would greatly affect the viewing experience. People were already immersed in the story, but the author's rambling ruined it.

But it also makes me want to talk to the readers about my own situation.

There are so many things I want to say, but I can't share them with other friends; only my readers can read them.

The time I was scolded by [She Bailu] made me feel really sorry for the readers, especially with that kind of update status.

This feeling of guilt is one of the reasons that keeps me updating.

If it were truly an environment where no one cared, I would probably maximize profits, and if the profits weren't good, I would simply cut ties.

If I had to make the best choice right now, it would be to end this book hastily, speed up the pace, make up a random ending, wrap it up, and start a new book.

(The earnings of online novels are mostly up at first and then down. It is easy to have explosive income before a million words, but if it doesn't pick up after that, it's just so-so.)

From a purely rational perspective, this choice is definitely my best option right now.

Of course, I also know that some people, upon seeing me say these things, will think that I'm just writing whatever I want, or I should just leave.

At least that's how I sometimes think from a reader's perspective.

You can probably tell from my writing style that it's not very sentimental or emotionally rich.

I believe that seeing a work is like seeing the person. Sometimes, writing about emotional things makes me feel awkward, as I feel it doesn't align with the best interests of the writer.

I think rationally speaking, he should have known to do this and should have made the best choice.

This is also my weakness. A good work needs to be rich in emotion, and I am too weak in describing emotions.

As an author, I am actually quite aware of my many shortcomings.

However, being unable to do it or write it is another matter entirely.

The author and the work resonate with each other. If the author's own values ​​are not aligned with what they write, and they even deny their own work, then it is simply a mess.

For example, when I tried to learn how to write about mythical beasts, my writing turned out to be neither fish nor fowl.

Of course, the fact that people read my books also shows that I have my own unique characteristics.

When I was writing about Lu Cang, I felt that he shared the same thoughts as me.

The choices he made, the decisions he considered, are the same choices I would make, the same decisions I would want to make.

As for the other characters, I dare not say that I portrayed them very well, but at least the character of Lu Cang is true to my original intention.

Writing for too long can easily lead to a lack of inspiration, so I always need to read a lot of works and play a lot of games. Simply put, I just want to take a break.

Now, I've finally found enough inspiration to finish this volume.

Although it seems like you can just work from home every day.

But I have to work every day, and after a year I still hope there will be a period of time, maybe four or five days, or a week, where I can completely stop writing novels.

I wish I could completely stop thinking about novels.

This book will eventually have to be written, regardless of what the readers think, or how troublesome, unwilling, or tired I feel it is.

They might really want to take a few days off, or they might want to quit.

But I will continue to write.

Putting income aside, I have more and more reasons to finish writing this book.

To hone an even sharper sword.

I want to complete this full work.

They wanted to respond to readers' expectations, so they wrote about friendship and bonds, and that was it.

Of course, it would be even better if we could discuss this without setting aside income.

It would be great if I could earn more money while achieving my goals.

For the next few years, I will probably continue working in the novel industry until I completely give up and have no hope of reaching the real summit.

I might have some savings by then, and I'll probably consider switching to another career.

I also hope that one day, the name Lu Cang will be widely known.

Even if you don't go looking for it, it will reach your ears.

If I ever become famous, I will welcome everyone to watch my videos, whether they are original or pirated, no matter where I make a living.

By the way, the character theme song for Kokoro no Tsuki will probably be released within a week. (Probably on Bilibili)

I really wanted her to appear on stage, but she never had the chance. I can only remember her through a song.

I don't have the energy to do much extra creative work, and I don't know if there will be similar creations before the series ends, such as character songs or illustrations.

The fantasy world will likely be the foundation of my future works, and its setting may be used in certain situations. I don't want my foundation to be dilapidated.

Although I said a lot of discouraging and complaining things, I didn't actually regret it.

Actually, a long time ago I didn't want to interact with readers at all. I felt that I was just making my money and readers were reading my books.

Everyone maintained a respectful distance.

And there are always people nitpicking, ah~ anyway, it's so troublesome, I don't want to deal with it, I'll just finish writing the book and making money and that's it.

I read the comments, and I read them to learn. I know where I didn't like the writing or where there were problems, and I remember them. I've never argued with readers afterward.

As I've always believed, the author is a mercenary, going wherever the money is.

All I have to do is hone my skills and then find work.

After coming here, I gradually started interacting with readers.

It's probably because it's a free site that has a lot of users.

With so many viewers, the discussions are quite interesting, and to be honest, I haven't really accepted the concept of fans yet.

I don't think an author of my stature deserves to talk about fans.

I hope there are other fans who like my style.

What I write is currently something I like myself.

In the future, I will continue to work as an author, writing many more novels.

Uh, to summarize.

Basically, updates will likely stay at around 4000, no more.

The link to the character song for Shinbaiyue will be posted in the "Say Something" section at the end of one of the chapters later.