Although this world doesn't have genre-defining novels like A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Dragon and Tiger, or Buddha Is the Tao, online novels have existed here for over twenty years—perhaps even longer than on Earth. Genres such as Xianxia, Xuanhuan, competitive gaming, and travel fiction have long been established, making it impossible to become a pioneering master anymore.
"The most popular way to succeed in online literature," Su Shichen thought, "is to create a new genre that draws countless imitators."
Unfortunately, the major categories of online novels in this world were already fixed, leaving only smaller subgenres to explore.
"Among them, Xianxia novels like Buddha Is the Tao, Stellar Transformations, and A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality would also be considered pioneering works in this world," he mused.
Buddha Is the Tao pioneered the "Hong Huang" (Mythical Wilderness) genre.
Stellar Transformations created the "Infinite Leveling" system.
A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality opened the "Mortal Cultivation" path.
"These three are pending…"
He looked further down the list he had scribbled:
Tomb-raiding genre: Ghost Blows Out the Light and The Grave Robbers' Chronicles.
"Better suited for print publication," he muttered. "Online subscriptions wouldn't do well. Rejected."
Sci-fi mecha genre: The Legend of the Master of Arms.
Infinite flow genre: Infinite Terror.
"Infinite Terror… immediately rejected! There aren't even any of the movies from the novel in this world. I'd have to create and film them myself. Too costly."
"As for The Legend of the Master of Arms, the same issue. Without Transformers or Gundam existing, readers wouldn't even get the references. Rejected!"
He sighed deeply. "There are too many classic novels. Choosing is harder than writing one myself."
If online writers from Earth could see his current "predicament," they would die of envy.
After much consideration, only a handful of titles remained on his white sheet of paper:
Battle Through the Heavens (Peak of the Novice Genre) △ Pending
Buddha Is the Tao (Hong Huang Genre) △ Pending
A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality (Mortal Cultivation Genre) △ Pending
Stellar Transformations (Infinite Leveling Genre) △ Pending
How a Bad Guy Was Forged (Antihero Genre) △ Pending
Purple River (Xuanhuan War Genre) △ Pending
Divine Tomb (Xuanhuan Mystery Genre) △ Pending
Dragon Snake Romance (Peak of the National Martial Arts Genre) △ Pending
"Which one should I choose?"
After long deliberation, Su Shichen finally made his choice.
"Xiao Chen, dinner is ready!"
"Coming!" He put down his pen.
When he left his room, only one title remained on the white paper:
A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality.
---
The family of three sat around the dinner table.
"Shichen, have you finished your homework?" his father, Su Jian, asked.
"Yes. Today was registration day. Only the homeroom teacher assigned an essay—six hundred words. It's done."
"Hmm. Good." Su Jian nodded, pleased.
"Old Su, do you know what day it is today?" Wei Xin asked with a grin.
"I was just wondering," Su Jian said, puzzled. "Your birthday already passed in March… Is it mine?"
It was indeed a feast—spicy fish, boiled sliced meat, husband and wife lung slices, twice-cooked pork, braised intestines—an entire table full of fragrant dishes.
"What birthday? This meal is to celebrate A-Chen!" Wei Xin rolled her eyes, though joy shone in them.
"Celebrate? Celebrate what? He didn't have an exam today."
Su Shichen was about to answer, but his mother jumped in, beaming. "A-Chen wrote a book, and Deyun Publishing House wants to publish it! My son's going to be a Great Writer! They're even paying him five thousand yuan in royalties!"
"Shichen's book… is getting published?" Su Jian froze. When had his son become capable of such a thing?
"Yes," Wei Xin said proudly.
"Well done," Su Jian said, still maintaining a calm expression—but the pride and surprise in his tone couldn't be hidden.
The family ate heartily that night. Su Jian even had two extra drinks, breaking his usual restraint. He was the one who signed the publishing contract.
---
The next morning, the sky was filled with soft, marshmallow-like clouds.
In the classroom, chatter and laughter filled the air. After a long summer break, no one was ready to settle down.
"Hey, Little Four, have you finished your essay? Let me see it!" Li Dongfang bounced over, hand outstretched.
"Wow, Class Monitor, are you trying to copy my homework?" Su Shichen teased.
"Hmph! Who dares to copy essays? The teacher would see through it instantly."
"Do you remember our bet from yesterday? Did you check if I was right?" Su Shichen asked, smirking.
"I didn't—just guessing, that's all! Okay, the teacher's coming, I'm going back to my seat!" she stammered, her cheeks pink.
In truth, she had checked. What Su Shichen said yesterday was completely accurate—even the subtle meanings were right. How did he know all that? After just one summer vacation, he'd become unrecognizably sharp—writing books, mastering English…
A tiny seed of admiration sprouted in her heart. But with her pride, she'd never admit it.
"Ding, ding!" The bell rang.
"Hand in your essays from yesterday," said Zhou Bi, their Chinese teacher and homeroom teacher.
After the essays were collected and taken to the office, Zhou Bi began grading. It was a grade-wide assignment: Environmental Protection. The best essay from each class would be chosen for the school magazine.
Ten essays in, he rubbed his temples. Every piece said the same thing—"environmental protection is everyone's duty," or "a touching story about picking up litter." Formulaic. Predictable.
He sighed. "Let's see Tang Lingyu's."
Her essay, A Letter to Mr. World, personified the Earth to criticize humanity—a creative and elegant piece. As expected, very good.
Then another title caught his eye:
"Hey—Come Out."
That didn't sound like it had anything to do with environmental protection. It sounded more like a story about manners or morality. Intrigued, Zhou Bi began to read.
It turned out to be a micro–science fiction story.
He leaned in closer, surprised. "Who wrote this?"
He turned to the front page—Su Shichen.
The more he read, the more astonished he became. The story was concise, clever, and carried a chilling irony—the hallmark of a true master. Even judged by a novelist's standards, it was outstanding.
"Brilliant!" Zhou Bi muttered. "Who would've thought Su Shichen could write something of this level…"
When class resumed that afternoon, Zhou Bi stood before the students, holding the essays.
"Teacher is very pleased that everyone completed the assignment conscientiously," he began. "Two students wrote exceptionally well this time."
Everyone looked at Tang Lingyu, expecting her name—as always.
"One is student Tang Lingyu," Zhou Bi confirmed. "Her piece, A Letter to Mr. World, was excellent in both style and creativity."
The students nodded; nothing surprising there.
"As for the second student," Zhou Bi continued, his tone shifting, "the teacher wants to give a special commendation—student Su Shichen. His essay, titled Hey—Come Out, is a science fiction miniature novel. Let's all hear what makes it so remarkable…"