Volume Two: The Mortal Realm — Preface to Its Release

My novel, "Dream Abyss," is finally going to be published. I feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation, much like a parent watching their daughter grow up and head off to sit for her college entrance exams.

My bond with literature began early. I still remember being in the first grade; because my third sister, who usually read stories to me, was always busy, I took the novels she was reading and struggled through them myself. That book was my literary awakening, and I still cherish it in my home to this day—it was Mr. Jin Yong’s "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

From that moment on, literature became my companion, as intimate as a lover.

Back then, we had no computer, I had no phone, and there weren't many books in the house; I finished them all very quickly. Without money to buy more, and driven by a love for stories and the influence of my sister—who also loved to write—I naturally began to treat writing as a game.

I’ve always said this is my first book, but in truth, my first piece of writing was a short story about a flood I wrote in the second grade. My first full-length novel was a project titled "Battle of the Kings," which I wrote between the second and fifth grades. I filled dozens of exercise books over those three years, and I still keep them today. Looking back, elementary school remains the period during which I wrote the most words in my life.

However, starting from the second semester of seventh grade, I became addicted to web novels after getting a phone. In high school, the school library drew me into social science books and various classics. With an increasingly heavy academic workload, though the desire to write remained, I rarely put pen to paper.

I didn't truly pick up the pen again until college. During my freshman year, I wrote quite a few articles and short stories. It wasn't until this year, when the pandemic provided me with a quiet and leisurely environment, that this long-form novel, "Dream Abyss," finally came into being.

Five years passed between the seventh grade and my sophomore year of college. But fortunately, my youth is still here; it is not yet too late.

In fact, it is never too late. Even though I stopped writing for five years, telling stories has always been my greatest passion. I believe it will remain so until I am old.

I want to especially thank my third sister for guiding me toward my love for literature and writing.

That is the story before "Dream Abyss."

Since I began writing "Dream Abyss," I have created many characters and stories that I hold dear, met many fellow authors and readers, and gained a great sense of joy and accomplishment.

However, the pain of writer's block, the frustration of lacking results, and the agony of self-doubt have always been present. Perhaps the most painful aspect is that my family does not truly support my writing or understand it. When they see how hard I work, they often urge me to give up rather than offer encouragement.

Furthermore, although I am attending online classes at home, I am frequently called upon to help with chores. I have very little time to call my own. For a long time, I have written these stories in a noisy environment—juggling cooking, housework, helping my sister look after her two children, and attending online classes all at once.

Many times, I have felt exhausted, lonely, and desperate to quit, but I kept going.

Keep walking; once you get past it, things will be better.

That is the story of "Dream Abyss" now.

After the book goes live, the initial subscription revenue will surely be meager and won't have much impact on my life. However, for a website, the most important—and perhaps only—criterion for granting a recommendation to an author is the subscription count.

For a new author and a new book, no exposure basically means no success. "Dream Abyss" could accept failure due to its own imperfections, but I would be unwilling to let it die without ever having had any exposure at all.

Every single initial subscription is precious; it represents your recognition and support for this book. I sincerely hope that those who enjoy "Dream Abyss" will support it through subscriptions.

I am not strictly opposed to pirated reading. Although every author emphasizes that reading web novels is very cheap—costing only a few coins—I, who have always lived frugally, know that for friends who read a lot and lack financial independence, these costs are not always easy to bear. Reading a hundred chapters a day for a few dollars is, in fact, enough to cover my daily meal expenses back in high school.

I have always been grateful to those who support legitimate reading. In a web novel landscape where piracy is often more convenient than legal channels, it is the readers who insist on legitimate reading who, through their passion and kindness, have built the industry into what it is today—a literary phenomenon praised as being on par with Hollywood films.

I will write the story of "Dream Abyss" with the utmost seriousness. My updates may not be fast, but I will strive for stability and aim to reach at least one million words before concluding the story.

One million words is actually not the ideal length for the structure and worldview of "Dream Abyss." If the book performs well, I will tell the story in its entirety, at a steady pace, which would likely reach three million words.

After the book is published, there will be red packets and bonus chapters. Additionally, for any single tip exceeding ten yuan, I will add a chapter. For every ten new monthly subscriptions, I will also strive to add a chapter. I write slowly, so I may not be able to deliver these immediately, but I will never break my word or compromise the quality of my work.

The story beyond "Dream Abyss" will be created by you and me together.

Thank you to the readers who have supported me since the book began. I must thank my first true reader, Xiao Xiao Shi; the first to give me tips, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes, Du En; as well as Xin Yi Juan, Hua Wei Ba Gou, Ding Ya 1, Qi Cai Wang Ba Dan, Xi Ying, Liu Ruo Li, Shi Yi Ren aaa, Hong Chen Lao Zhai, Jiu Bai Sui, Shao Nian Tang Huang, and many others.

I also want to thank my fellow author friends who have walked this path with me and supported one another. For example, Brother ID—your advice gave me a deeper understanding of my own work. I also thank Mo Mo, who has always left encouraging comments, as well as Brother Yong, Brother Gu Meng, and Brother Cheng Feng.

Finally, a special thank you to my best friend, Teng. From before I even published the book until now, you have helped me review my work, offered advice, and consistently affirmed and encouraged me. You have been a tremendous help in keeping me going. But, ahem, we agreed to start our books together—how long have you been putting me off?

Thank you. Thank you to every friend who reads my book.