Chapter 156: Lost Little Flame

Yan Qianli’s breaking through the boundary was due to seizing the opportunity presented by the spatial turbulence during Qiu Wuji’s ascension and the attempts of the heavenly dao to make corrections. In terms of this independent event, it could be considered an accident. But in a sense, it was also inevitable.

When the outstanding individuals in this realm gradually became aware of the existence of the “heavenly dao” and wholeheartedly began exploring in that direction, there would inevitably come a day like this. If Qiu Wuji could come out, so could others, either now or in the near future.

Especially… as they became increasingly real.

Chu Ge himself didn’t realize just how rich the sense of existence in the world had become. As an author who had spent years immersed in the world of web novels, he often overlooked one crucial aspect… distribution channels.

Web novels may be considered the leaders in people’s minds, but in reality, their daily activity rankings in various apps are relatively low, unable to fully support such a grand proposition as the “sense of world existence.” There are various channels outside, some charging, some free, including WeChat, browsers, and so on.

Many works that have performed well on web novel platforms have not made much impact through distribution channels. This phenomenon is known as “relying on the main platform, unrecognized by distribution channels,” with typical examples being certain serious historical works.

On the other hand, some works that have achieved average results on web novel platforms have the potential to explode through distribution channels, earning several times or more than what they make on the main platform. This is known as “leveraging distribution channels,” and there are countless precedents.

Chu Ge could be considered an experienced web novel writer, but he wasn’t very clear about these concepts. After all, in the past, he mostly relied on the popularity of the main platform and had no impact through distribution channels. Every time he checked the backend, he would see that the revenue from the group’s channels was in the hundreds of yuan, while third-party channels amounted to tens or even a few yuan, which he mostly ignored. As for overseas translations, there were none, and adaptations were nonexistent…

In reality, relying solely on the main platform, what kind of common understanding is that? What kind of “sense of world existence” does it represent? Even if you linger in the top ten, it’s not necessarily enough, let alone the top three. If you want to expand the sense of world existence, you must explore distribution channels and even consider adapting into anime or film. Only then can the number of people who know and recognize this world grow exponentially.

When Chu Ge received a bank notification message and saw the unbelievable numbers, he hurriedly opened the backend to confirm how much his royalties for the month amounted to. It was then that he suddenly realized that his previous perspective seemed somewhat narrow.

Because the revenue from distribution channels this month exceeded that of the main platform by two times.

Chu Ge stared at the terrifying numbers, feeling a bit dazed and unreal.

The last wave not only brought about success in the bestseller rankings but its real impact was here… something that was usually difficult to perceive.

When will it be adapted? How will the world change?

“What’s wrong?” Qiu Wuji embraced him from behind and spoke softly. “You just finished healing, and instead of resting, you immediately got up and checked the computer… the backend… those numbers… Are they fake?” Qiu Wuji was dumbfounded, and her voice even began to drift as she continued speaking.

Once, even ten thousand from a robbery felt like a lot… Last month’s income was also considered unexpected windfall, but what is this now?

No wonder Chu Ge ignored his own recovery to immediately check the message. He said solemnly, “Do you know the concept of being in the top ten bestsellers for a month, plus double the revenue from distribution channels? I won’t give the exact numbers, so readers won’t go attacking those beasts in the top ten.”

Qiu Wuji asked, “…Are you talking about yourself?”

“I’m not pretending, Qiuqiu. I genuinely never considered this. When I saw these numbers, I was momentarily suffocated, and afterwards, I thought about our world’s sense of existence the most,” Chu Ge said. “I even thought, maybe because it has become more real, that’s why you were able to find that heavenly realm… In theory, since I haven’t even written about it, it shouldn’t exist. No one should be able to find it when they attempt to ascend. But it does exist, and now it’s becoming more apparent, so…”

“Perhaps,” Qiu Wuji whispered, “Will you blame me for ascending without consulting you, in case something goes wrong…”

“Although I’m a bit upset… but this is actually the right thing to do,” Chu Ge patted her hand on his shoulder and smiled, “If you had consulted with me and I had let you go, would it be because the heavenly realm wanted you to do it, or because you broke free from the heavenly realm? Don’t think about these things, if you want to do something, just do it.”

Qiu Wuji thought for a moment and shook her head. She used to think the same way, that it was unnecessary to consult, but now she couldn’t help but feel that there was something wrong with this logic.

If I were an independent individual, wouldn’t it be normal to discuss things with my boyfriend? Why does it have to be considered not to consult in order to be counted as independent?

The bloodstains on Chu Ge’s lips were too distressing, making Qiu Wuji feel a bit unsettled.

What is real and what is illusion… Can we truly see ourselves clearly? Forget it, it’s really difficult to judge these things. If they keep going in circles like this, life will be miserable. They’ll have to think about whether something aligns with the will of heaven or if it’s an act of self-liberation… How can they live like that?

Both of them were open-minded people, so they decided not to dwell on it any longer. Chu Ge smiled and said, “Speaking of this experience, it wasn’t without its benefits. I feel more confident in my control.”

Qiu Wuji became curious, “What do you mean?”

“Although I can’t achieve the feeling of having a personal space like with the pocket dimension, I feel like I have clearer permissions… or rather, a stronger sense of interaction?” Chu Ge smiled slightly, “Take a look.”

Qiu Wuji watched as a plant appeared in his hand.

“It’s the Luminous Moon Herb!” Qiu Wuji exclaimed with surprise and joy, “Did you pick this from the back mountain?”

“Yes, right on the pavilion outside your closed-door cultivation area, I picked it casually,” Chu Ge winked, “I can take things out from there now.”

Because of stronger control? Or because the world has become more real? It’s difficult for the two of them to determine the exact reason, perhaps it’s a combination of both…

But at this moment, the excitement is enough to make them forget about analyzing these reasons. Chu Ge can take things out from the martial world! What does this mean?

“Can you only take plants? Can you take something else?” Qiu Wuji asked with a mix of excitement and anticipation, “My Falling Sunset Cloud Brocade, my Autumn Water Sword…”

Chu Ge, “…No.”

Damn it, only now did he realize how long he made those artifact names for the sake of word count.

Qiu Wuji whimpered, “Oh…”

Chu Ge comforted her, “For now, I can only take some lightweight items. We can select the ones with the highest cost-effectiveness, like alchemy materials. It’s much more meaningful than relying on the small amount of spiritual energy from the pearl that we had before. It will also be beneficial for your clone’s cultivation. And in the future, as my cultivation and control grow stronger, maybe I’ll be able to bring out the Cloud-Horizon Mountain…”

Qiu Wuji’s eyes sparkled.

She didn’t need to bring out the Cloud-Horizon Mountain , just bring out her true self…

Infinite consciousness, the ability to traverse, but restricted by the physical body that cannot truly manifest. Unless the nascent soul leaves the body and leaves behind an empty shell… but that doesn’t seem necessary. It’s a pity that every time she went through the process of splitting the soul, if there comes a day when she can freely enter and exit, that would be wonderful.

Even now, they can indeed select suitable materials for alchemy or make some robes. Just look at Chu Ge, his clothes are always tattered after every battle…

Once the two worlds are truly linked, there are so many things they can do, so many benefits that Qiu Wuji can’t even begin to comprehend at the moment.

This is a terrifying leap, undoubtedly symbolizing the beginning of Chu Ge’s cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds.

Chu Ge held the Luminous Moon Herb in his hand and stared at it absentmindedly for a while. He murmured, “I’ve also realized something else… as the connection between the two worlds becomes tighter, with you being able to come out, it’s not impossible for other incredible individuals to slip out as well. I need to reinforce it, just in case…”

As he spoke, he opened a document and added a line after the patch that allowed Qiu Wuji to traverse: “Although Qiu Wuji has not ascended, through multiple attempts, she has already sensed the existence of the myriad realms. Hence, she has the ability to traverse. Other individuals who have not attempted ascension, but have instead caused spatial turbulence due to Qiu Wuji, have become more closed off. Even if they had faintly sensed the doors to the myriad realms before, they have now lost that perception.”

Qiu Wuji looked at him with a strange expression, thinking that this Creator God was really peculiar. She wasn’t sure if he was worried about others coming out and causing havoc in this peaceful world, or if it was a manifestation of possessiveness, claiming, “This world is mine, don’t even think about stirring things up.”

Yet, despite this possessiveness, he was always willing to let her break free.

Qiu Wuji looked at the side profile of Chu Ge’s face, not knowing how to evaluate this contradiction… Perhaps people are just complex. Chu Ge may have had thoughts of modifying and possessing her at will, but ultimately gave up?

She sighed and whispered, “Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. Rest for now. If you have any questions, we can discuss them tomorrow.”

….

At the top of a certain building, a cluster of small flames sat on the edge, feeling incredibly lost in this unfamiliar world.

What are all of these things?

I don’t recognize anything, I can’t understand anything… Everything seems inexplicable to me.

And not only that, even the spiritual energy is different from what he had imagined. Yan Qianli used to think this place was the heavenly realm, with dense and abundant spiritual energy, making it easy for him to heal and recover. But what is this? The spiritual energy here is so thin that it’s even worse than his own fart. Everywhere he looked, it’s all concrete and steel, not a single blade of grass that isn’t affected by polluted air.

If he wanted to restore his peak state, it will take forever. Even the little flame is about to disperse!

Maybe he came out too hastily, without proper preparation… Since he’s already come out for the first time, he should be able to come out a second time. Maybe it’s better to go back and fully recover from his injuries first? Yan Qianli sighed, attempting to return. It’s true that there was no need to rush coming out.

But as soon as the thought arose, he realized he couldn’t go back.

Earlier, he could clearly sense the existence of his original world, but now, he suddenly can’t sense it anymore. It’s like that little crack he managed to pry open has been closed shut by the owner.

The little flame stood there dumbfounded.

Heavenly Dao, are you playing with me?