For readers, the conclusion of "Net King" wasn't abrupt. The editorial department had already announced the novel's impending end in April's fourth volume. Despite this heads-up, readers were still reluctant to bid farewell.
Everyone was tuned in.
"You're telling me the book's about to end?"
Given that best-selling novels typically span two to three million words, readers didn't feel blindsided by the news but were nonetheless somewhat disconcerted. This unease underscored their reluctance.
But such reluctance was expected.
With its tightly woven plot, "Net King" left little room for literary detours. Each volume could be considered a climax, and the last one, featuring a thrilling national competition, marked the pinnacle moment for the characters in the Youth Tennis Club!
The story was devoid of literary pretensions.
Readers received a satisfying conclusion.
After Chu Kuang clinched first prize in the tribal literature competition, extensive discussions ensued among short story fans. Simultaneously, "Net King" sparked conversations among fantasy literature enthusiasts. The gap between the two events was a mere day.
"I devoured the final volume in one sitting!"
"Although the ending was perfect, I still feel a bit stunned. Perhaps it's because these characters have been with me for nearly half a year, and their sudden departure feels like a loss."
"It's hard to bid farewell to such an engaging book."
"I borrowed the first few volumes from a classmate. Today, upon learning of the novel's conclusion, I decided to purchase the previous volumes. I plan to preserve this series on my bookshelf, revisiting it in the future."
"The pioneer of competitive storytelling!"
"I never imagined I'd be so engrossed in a sports-themed novel. Though I'm still not a tennis pro after reading, it doesn't diminish this novel's significance to me."
Readers' comments flooded the message boards of Yinlan Library, numerous novel forums, tribal user posts, and even social media feeds.
This novel was a resounding success.
It not only captivated readers but also influenced many authors. Before Chu Kuang released "Net King," sports competitions were an unpopular subject. However, after its publication, more sports-centric novels flooded the market.
Some delved into basketball.
Others explored football.
There were even stories about track and field.
Among these, one of the most acclaimed books was "Slam Dunk" by He Mingxuan, a writer who felt overshadowed by Chu Kuang's success. Inspired by Chu Kuang's novels, He Mingxuan found his niche. In a public statement on the tribal platform, he declared, "It was Chu Kuang who steered me toward sports-themed novels. He's the trailblazer for our niche!"
While sports-centric literature remained niche, Chu Kuang proved there was a market for it. Even if an excellent novel employed sports as its backdrop, readers were willing to pay for it. This success paved the way for imitators, and those who found success by following Chu Kuang hailed him as the standard-bearer for sports-themed storytelling!
Within the industry, many discussions revolved around the novel's conclusion. Most echoed the sentiments of Yinlan Library's editors, viewing Lin Yuan as a bold newcomer who decisively ended a best-selling series like "Net King"!
"Isn't it foolish to walk away from success?"
"A million words, just like that?"
"Yinlan Library must be bewildered. Where else would you find such a wayward author? Most writers strive for millions in manuscript fees each month, yet here's someone willing to call it quits after a single million-word novel. Unreal."
"Wasn't Chu Kuang focused on short stories?"
"I've been following Chu Kuang's short stories. This person is truly formidable. Mastering two vastly different genres so effortlessly, he's the most promising newcomer in years."
"What's next for him?"
"Once Chu Kuang realizes his next book pales in comparison to "Net King," he might regret ending it so abruptly. After all, sports competitions aren't as popular a theme as one might think."
Some expressed regret, others were sentimental, and a few even secretly rejoiced. Competitors of Yinlan Library, for instance, were particularly gleeful. The editor-in-chief of Dingsheng Publishing House, for instance, savored a glass of wine, reveling in Yinlan's potential disappointment.
"What a setback for Yinlan Library."
The thought brought a smirk to his lips. It wasn't personal; he had never even met Chu Kuang. This sense of satisfaction stemmed purely from Yinlan Library's rivalry with his own publishing house. Now that their flagship series had concluded, Yinlan was undoubtedly feeling the pinch. Bestsellers were few and far between.
Every potential bestseller was a publisher's dream. From the editor-in-chief to the junior editors, everyone treated such works with utmost care, fearing any misstep.
What could go wrong?
For instance, the plot could unravel.
But worse than a faltering plot was when there was nothing wrong with it, and yet the author chose to end the series. This wasn't unheard of; authors often grew weary after millions of words. In other words, they simply got tired of writing.
However, such weariness typically set in after a series reached two or three million words. For a lucrative bestseller like "Net King," it was rare for an author to tire after just one million words. After all, this was when authors earned the most.
"Life's good."
The editor-in-chief of Dingsheng took another sip, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through his stomach. Meanwhile, Yang Feng, Chu Kuang's editor, contacted him, his nerves tingling. "When will your next novel begin?" he asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice.
"No rush," came Chu Kuang's reply.
Far from being disappointed, Yang Feng found this response reassuring. If Chu Kuang wasn't in a hurry, it meant he might continue writing. Yang Feng feared Chu Kuang might shift his focus to short stories, abandoning longer serials that required more investment.
However, this relief was short-lived.
Yang Feng couldn't help but worry. It was all well and good for Chu Kuang to continue writing fantasy novels, but could he replicate the success of "Net King"?
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan pondered which novel would be best suited for customization with the system. "Net King" had concluded too swiftly, leaving the dog system none the wiser about the costs involved!