The tale of [Zhu Xian] centers on Zhang Xiaofan, a regular youth. Destiny leads him to learn the "Great Brahman Prajna" from dying monk Puzhi of Tianyin Temple, who dreams of dual Buddhist cultivation with Zhang. Tragedy strikes Grass Temple Village, leaving only Zhang and Lin Jingyu, who are rescued by woodcutter Wang Ershu and adopted by Qingyun Sect. Lin becomes a disciple under Cangsong Daoist, while Zhang, less talented, is taken by Tian Buyi.
Zhang grows close to Tian Buyi's daughter, Tian Ling'er, but harbors unrequited love for her. During a bamboo-cutting trip, Zhang and Tian Ling'er pursue a three-eyed monkey, leading Zhang to accidentally create the powerful "Fire-igniting Staff" with his blood.
Zhang surprises everyone by reaching the top four in Qingyun's "Seven Peaks Competition," aided by the staff's sinister energy. He faces his cold, talented senior sister Lü Xueqi but loses, distracted by his feelings for Tian Ling'er.
Later, Zhang and Xueqi encounter trouble at Kongsang Mountain and bond while trapped in the Abyss of Death. Zhang, now deeply involved with Biyao from the demonic cult, betrays Qingyun Sect after Biyao's sacrifice and becomes the notorious "Guili."
A decade later, Guili's path crosses with Xueqi again, intensifying their conflicted relationship. Meanwhile, Guili rescues Xiaobai, a Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox, and they seek to resurrect Biyao, facing many challenges. As war looms, Guili feels drawn to Xueqi but remains focused on reviving Biyao.
In a climactic battle with the Demon King, Guili and Xueqi fight side by side, ultimately triumphing. Yet, a ritual by the Ghost King to resurrect Biyao fails tragically, leading Zhang to rediscover his purpose with Xueqi's and Xiaobai's help.
Summoned by the ancient sword [Zhu Xian], Zhang embarks on a journey revealing hidden truths, culminating in a showdown that saves many lives. The story concludes with his reunion with Lu Xueqi in Caomiao Village, marking the end of an epic saga of love, conflict, and discovery.
However, this is not the end of the legend but the beginning of a new one. The story of [Zhu Xian] was far from over...
...
With unparalleled imagination, exquisite emotional descriptions, and captivating plots, Jiang Dejun was deeply drawn into the world of [Zhu Xian].
After closing the thick manuscript, Jiang Dejun couldn't help but sigh, "This kid's writing has improved again!"
Looking through the entire [Zhu Xian], the main themes revolve around questions like "What is right and wrong?" and "The heavens and the earth are ruthless, treating all beings as mere straw dogs." Compared to [Kunlun], the exploration of "good and evil" may be slightly lacking, but the overall work carries a grander atmosphere than [Kunlun]. The depiction of emotions in this story is outstanding. The sincere love of the protagonist Zhang Xiaofan for his senior sister, the deep affection of his mentor Tian Buyi, and the enduring love between Tian Buyi and Su Ru all stand out as classics.
The plot is full of twists and turns, interlocking seamlessly, making it an irresistible read. However, there are a few unresolved mysteries that linger until the end. Seeing the unfinished feeling in the final sentences, it indicates that there will be sequels to resolve the lingering questions.
There is no doubt that this is a great book that will make waves.
"How do you plan to promote this book?" Jiang Dejun asked Jiang Cheng after reading the entire book.
Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and replied, "I originally planned to upload it to Qidian first to build a reputation for the literary website. But now, I think we should follow the same approach as '[Kunlun],' promote it through advertisements, and then publish it as a physical book without serializing it in 'Southern Weekly - Literature.'"
Jiang Dejun nodded in understanding and suddenly said, "If this book is published, your popularity will definitely soar even higher!"
Jiang Cheng shrugged and didn't respond.
…..
On December 3, 2001, the highly anticipated third novel by the internet sensation author Bright Moon, [Zhu Xian], was released for sale.
"The heavens and the earth are ruthless, treating all beings as mere straw dogs!"
In this world, there were originally no immortals. However, since ancient times, human beings have witnessed various strange phenomena in the world, such as lightning, thunder, fierce storms, and natural disasters, causing countless deaths and suffering. These events were beyond human control, so people believed that there were various gods above the nine heavens and that beneath the Nine Serenities, there were places where souls rested and the halls of the Yama.
Thus, the concept of immortals spread throughout the world, and countless people sincerely worshiped and revered various imagined deities, praying for blessings and relief from suffering, and offerings of incense and candles abounded.
In the present world, the righteous path prospered while the demonic forces receded. The central plains were full of beautiful mountains and rivers, with a thriving population and abundant resources. Three major sects, namely the "Qingyun Sect," the "Tianyin Temple," and the "Incense Valley," stood as the leaders of the righteous path.
This story begins with the "Qingyun Sect."
This was the opening prologue of the new novel [Zhu Xian] by the rising internet author Bright Moon, written after completing the epic [Kunlun].
The first volume of [Zhu Xian] covers Zhang Xiaofan's early life and continues until the end of the Seven Peaks Competition. The story gradually unveils the mysterious world of [Zhu Xian]. It delves into battles between Buddhism, Daoism, and demonic forces, the pursuit of immortality by cultivators, and the use of various dazzling magical treasures. While it may not have the same depth of themes as [Kunlun], it exhibits a grander scale and more intricate storytelling.
In the first volume of [Zhu Xian], the novel showcases its detailed exploration of love. Zhang Xiaofan's sincere feelings for his senior sister and his heartbreak after rejection resonate with readers. Although the volume doesn't delve into the deep romantic relationships between Zhang Xiaofan and the two female leads, Biyao and Lu Xueqi, it still provides an enjoyable reading experience for fans.
On the first day of release, [Zhu Xian] sold a staggering 650,000 copies nationwide, far surpassing the expectations of the author and the publishers. This rapid success was partly due to the author's previous works, [Stories About The Ming Dynasty] and [Kunlun], as well as the growing popularity of Bright Moon, known by his real name, Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng's age and achievements had created a dissonance that led people to acknowledge his genius. His good looks, elegant demeanor, and humorous personality also made him an idol for many. As a result, fan clubs dedicated to Jiang Cheng began to spring up, and he became a role model and hero for a growing number of young people.
With Jiang Cheng's rising popularity, more and more fans recognized him as Bright Moon, and he became a symbol of genius and talent. As a result, the number of fan clubs and fan organizations supporting Jiang Cheng continued to grow.
However, Jiang Cheng, currently in the spotlight, was more focused on preparing for his first film production.
He was about to make a movie!