Dear readers, here I come!
Seven days ago, I finished chapter 862, and Old Ghost took a deep breath, feeling relieved.
Then, in those seven days, it was all about resting, getting a health check, and even flying to Shanghai for an event, feeling like my parts were about to fall apart.
Most importantly, of course, was the result of the health check.
One item after another in red, it's downright scary—if only Old Ghost himself could be as red as the health check results.
Before the health check, what scared me most was when I went to Shanghai and saw the hotel was just one kilometer away from the company, I thought I'd stroll over, but just within a thousand meters, I couldn't even make it halfway before my chest felt tight and I broke out in a cold sweat.
Just a thousand meters, and I had to sit down and rest?
I was truly scared, so the day after the event, I went straight for a health check.
But the results weren't too bad; although there were quite a few minor problems, there wasn't anything wrong with my heart—it's just that my cardiopulmonary ability is too weak.
As for the heart rate issue, I asked the doctor, who said it's because of too much tea and coffee, not enough rest, and not enough exercise.
Anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, one thing after another, really overloaded the heart.
However, overall, Old Ghost feels it's all worth it.
I completed writing "Dusk Frontier," which in itself is a tremendous satisfaction and sense of achievement; nothing else can replace it.
Writing this book, Old Ghost felt exhausted for the first time.
Several times, I could feel my mind was empty, just forcing myself to update.
Perhaps Old Ghost must admit the impact of age and physical condition and needs to determine that in the future, it might be my mindset that needs adjustment.
In fact, in between, after that hospital stay, there was clearly a period when I was powerless, but still thought about updating.
Didn't dare to relax at all.
Always felt that stopping was laziness.
Always thought that updating no matter what was the best way to repay everyone. But now, thinking back, perhaps it's not quite right.
Updates are important, but quality is more important.
Reflecting now on this book, it's indeed a folklore subject, simple to start, but there's no reference for writing it long. Normally, starting with folklore often ends up transitioning to Immortal Cultivation, if not fantasy.
After all, all are flying here and there, immortals fighting, and that's exactly what Old Ghost initially wanted to transition to—after all, writing Xianxia is my specialty.
But as I wrote on, I felt it wasn't right, not the same flavor.
Forcing the transition might mean some readers would go along, but the book would feel inconsistent.
So back then, I thought while updating, I should figure out how to unfold the story, how to maintain a bit of folklore's flavor even when the power levels and character abilities grew, a dual pressure that truly made things messy for myself.
Old Ghost can't say how this book turned out because even I feel there are quite a few regrets.
However, I certainly tried my best.
The most satisfying thing for me is the ending.
Initially, I wrote the outline only up to the reveal of the protagonist's true identity, not being a Reincarnator, but a native.
Originally thought that once I wrote up to here, I'd relax, take a few days off to refine the following content.
But by that time, it was tricky to handle, the subsequent plot seemed to have several directions to choose from, yet none seemed perfect.
Should it be a shock to the highest realm? A grand battle to unite all conflicts and solve them?
These two are common closure methods, but Old Ghost didn't choose them.
Firstly, I felt this book is folklore, high-level battles inevitably stray from that flavor.
Secondly, such closure methods are too bland, like something's missing.
Finally, I thought about weaving the cause and effect of natives and Reincarnators into the ending.
The Reincarnator, armed with ideas from an advanced civilization, looking at this backward world, naturally would feel superior, proud, and seek novelty.
However, the imprints of our civilization determine that we would not think about ruling or conquering but helping and empathizing, which is what sets our civilization inherently apart from others.
Leaving a mark, the influence and inclusiveness of culture, is our weapon.
If one day, we come to a backward place, what's the greatest gift we can give them?
There are countless transmigration stories, but Old Ghost believes that after serious selection, the final answer many leave behind is:
To give them a revolution!
And in times when we fall behind, we possess the most simplistic kindness; for those who helped us, we are always grateful, yet unwilling to let "those who bring firewood for us freeze to death in the wind and snow," which is the kindness within our civilization.
Whether Reincarnators or natives, in my imagination, they are actually all of us.
Old Ghost's clumsy pen may not depict the grand, but as long as I can describe even a thousandth of this subtle emotion, I'm satisfied.
Haha, feedback from everyone, I've seen it; this ending still made a lot of readers express their satisfaction.
Compared to battles and realms, sometimes friendship and emotions are the most moving.
The whole book, from the beginning with Reincarnators to the end with Reincarnators, it also gives Old Ghost a sense of finally seeing a perfect conclusion.
Most directly, it's reflected in the results; the book's subscriptions actually surpassed "Red Moon" early on, and in the end, the momentum is very good, now nearly around eighty thousand, and with the completion event, it's bound to be another substantial surge.
But whether it can break a hundred thousand, that'll depend on a bit of fate.
However, Old Ghost's subscription broke a new record, and I am truly satisfied myself.
Of course, it's also because it's perfect, so initially aiming for three while hoping for four couldn't be achieved.
Haha, although if I converted to Xianxia, it would allow me to write more content and earn more, but after writing books for ten years, perhaps for Old Ghost, overall integrity matters more!
Indeed, for this entire book, a very crucial part is still missing, which is the Reincarnator's segments.
Without these segments, the book would lack some flavor.
But everyone, no need to worry, Old Ghost is already conceptualizing these, and they'll be updated soon.
At that time, they will be released as free chapters, no charge.
The relationship between Reincarnator and Hu Ma is mutually supportive, and Old Ghost is grateful to all the readers for the success of this book.
This final benefit is something that should undoubtedly be offered.
Finally, thank you all, Old Ghost bows deeply to the readers, wishing everyone good health and abundant wealth!
PS: I recommend the book "Southern Dynasty Strange Record" by Master Sanjie of Old Platinum, with Mountain Spirits and Ghosts, She Shen Chenghuang. Strange and bizarre, humans and ghosts coexist, a great substitute for meals, and Old Platinum indeed has a good reputation.
