First of all, thank you for reading my story.
To be honest, the previous chapter marked the end of Volume 1: Undesirable Outcomes.
I'll leave the interpretation to you, guys.
This is my second time finishing writing the first volume of my works because many wouldn't pass after chapter ten or less.
Anyway, you might have noticed that Volume 1 was flat and anticlimactic. Unfortunately, I can't do much about it. Mainly, my skills are still too low to uncover its true potential. The other reason is that the MC didn't follow the predetermined path set for him, the thread of fate that weaves his journey from beginning to end.
Having read some novels, I couldn't help but ask myself why transmigration/reincarnation MCs don't try to use their knowledge from the previous world in a specific or strategic way. Why do they just passively follow the path laid out for them? Why are they wasting such a chance by having a mundane life?
To sum it up, here's what I want to see:
A determined MC from the start with a grand goal. To set a worthy and meaningful journey.
Carefree and curious. To relate with readers instead of being a heartless and emotionless block of wood.
Aware of the hidden hands controlling their fate.
Actively using their previous life's knowledge to understand the "fantasy" within the fantasy world.
I managed to do it and finished Volume 1, but I discovered a fatal flaw lurking behind my hopeful vision. It wouldn't work as I intended.
If the MC is determined and has a grand goal, it means they won't be swayed by random passersby to prolong their journey to gather strength. If they encounter an inevitable problem, they need to resolve it without delay, creating no conflict for the story.
Being carefree and curious, in a world where strength is everything, the MC naturally wants to maximize their potential by using their strength to achieve their desires, instead of being restricted by the morals they grew up with, which may disgust the readers with immoral actions and thinking.
Being self-aware of their own condition, after reading so much, the MC should naturally be able to avoid tropes that are easy to perceive and not bring trouble upon themselves. However, they should also avoid becoming an actor on stage; instead, they should be a spectator who plays their own fanfiction within the play to disrupt the director's plans, basically an easy conflict solver.
Lastly, using their knowledge from their previous life, I can't help but think that after reading so many xianxia novels and witnessing endings where the so-called "dao" turns out to be nothing but an attainment, readers should also have their understanding of the dao. Although it may be superficial, the depth should be there, waiting for readers to enter a world of cultivation and cultivate that dao with ease.
If I were to ask you what the dao is, you should understand what I mean. You have your understanding of the dao, and after reading so many books, it's inevitable that your dao attainment shouldn't be weak.
What readers need is a world that supports cultivation. And because of this, the MC will get endless skills at the end of the day.
I have many things to convey, but I will stop here and convey them through the story instead. I will also try not to extend simple things to fix the pace.
Also, I won't be posting a new chapter for a few days, but I will resume once I finish what I need to do.
Have a good day!