Suddenly, I felt the urge to say something.
With the completion of this section, the narrative truly shifts from the world of martial arts to the realm of immortality. The opening chapter was actually written several years ago; after multiple revisions, it became what everyone now sees. The earliest drafts appeared in the group in several versions, but fortunately, none were outright rejected.
I’ve long harbored the idea of writing a series, but when I wrote about the Taoist, my skill was not yet sufficient, so I borrowed the framework of fan fiction. By the time I began Dao Master, I still felt my abilities lacking, but if I never write, I will never improve.
Over the past few years, I have read relatively few immortal cultivation novels. The only one I finished was "Notes on Destroying Destiny." Among those I enjoyed were "Great Vastness," "Striving for the Dao," and Gongzi’s "Spirit Mountain." Indeed, traces of these predecessors can be found in my own work.
Martial arts is not my passion, nor do I have much sentiment for the immortal cultivation genre. Perhaps by nature I am somewhat indifferent, but I have always yearned for that transcendent existence, and so inevitably wished to write about it.
If you have followed the story to the latest chapters, you might have noticed that at least Dao Master offers something worthwhile, a bit of originality to discover.
In truth, nearly every plot in novels has been written before. Yet just as the same egg fried rice tastes different depending on the chef, so too does each author bring their own flavor, which is why writers have not been abandoned by readers.
Though I am not wholly satisfied with the first thirty chapters of Dao Master, I know I achieved what I was capable of. Subsequently, there were indeed some issues with pacing, but in a long-running serial, given my limitations, such flaws are difficult to avoid.
Up to this point, my favorite character is Ye Liuyun. In traditional storylines, Ye Liuyun would likely be the protagonist; he is stronger, more resilient, and truly wise. In any era—even in the cultivation of immortality—people like Ye Liuyun are more likely to succeed. Yet in this novel, Shen Lian remains the main character.
It’s hard for me to define Shen Lian, because he is constantly evolving. With each chapter and every story arc, he is always growing. As for what Shen Lian will ultimately become, I can scarcely say for certain.
In immortal cultivation novels, the joy brought to readers is not necessarily just through fighting monsters, acquiring treasures, or leveling up. The vastness of the Dao, the cultivator’s exploration of heaven’s mandates and human principles, and that carefree existence—all are worth writing about.
At this point, I can’t help but recall a poem by Bai Yuchan, which I’d like to share with you:
A sword leans toward the blue sky, a flute rests on the tower,
Cloud shadows drift endlessly, crane silhouettes float freely.
Let’s ascend to Yingzhou together,
Though our bodies dwell in the mortal world, our pursuits remain here.
A stretch of crimson clouds and green trees brings sorrow,
Yet it is now time to let go, as it always has been.
The sun sets in the west, waters flow east,
What is wealth to seek? What is honor to desire?
The poem’s wandering spirit reveals the heart’s aspirations, and I hope one day I can fully express such feelings myself. After rambling on for so long, I’m not even sure what I intended to say. So, one last reminder: there will likely be no update tonight; please check back tomorrow during the day.
P.S. If anyone is interested in me or my reader group, you can obtain my "Divine Light" and then join group 1.3.4.2.3.2.8.6.8. Of course, if you find it troublesome to get the "Divine Light," you can also join by becoming a helmsman or a higher-tier fan of Dao Master on Qidian.