He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

Jiang Yi, male dormitory.

Chen Ming had just finished his morning classes and eaten lunch when he returned to his dormitory.

This afternoon, Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu did not return with Chen Ming.

Perhaps spurred on by Chen Ming, the two of them suddenly began to work hard these past few days.

Chen Ming thought this was a good thing.

If he could motivate the two of them to become stronger, he wouldn't mind increasing the intensity.

At the same time, a new message popped up on Chen Ming's phone.

It's news from senior student Lin Wei.

"Junior!!! You wrote 'Listen to the Sea'?!?"

Chen Ming picked up his phone and replied with a simple "Mm".

"That's fantastic!!!" Lin Wei's messages came one after another at an astonishing speed. "I've been searching for a title track for half a year, and the moment I saw the sheet music, I knew it was the one! It felt like walking on the beach for a long time and finally finding the perfect seashell! Please, you absolutely must collaborate with me!! Name your terms!"

Looking at his phone, Chen Ming could imagine that this usually gentle senior in the recording studio was probably holding her phone right now, her eyes shining and her fingers flying across the screen.

He recalled Lin Wei's voice, that gentle quality with a slightly husky, grainy quality, and her delicate emotional expression when she sang.

It really does match the song "Listen to the Sea".

"Sure," Chen Ming typed back. "This song is actually more suited to your voice, so I don't need to find a singer for you."

"Wow, you're so good with words, junior!" Lin Wei replied instantly. "Then let's meet and chat as soon as possible? When are you free? I'm available anytime! Tomorrow? The day after?"

Chen Ming glanced at the date: "Sunday afternoon, perhaps."

This time, Lin Wei paused for a few seconds.

For a singer who is eager for songs and has an album recording deadline looming, the feeling of "waiting a few days" is not pleasant.

"Sunday...that's fine too!" Lin Wei replied quickly, adding a few "crying" and "frustrated" emojis, but her tone remained decisive. "Then Sunday afternoon at 2 PM? You choose the location—near the company, school, or a coffee shop that's convenient for you!"

"Sure, you can decide the location, senior. I'm fine with anything," Chen Ming replied.

"Okay! I'll make the arrangements! See you on Sunday!!" Lin Wei sent a "Go for it" emoji, and the conversation temporarily ended.

Today is the 29th, and "Big City, Small Love" will be released in two days. Before that, Chen Ming has one more thing to do, which is to type out the first 50,000 words of "Battle Through the Heavens".

For the average author, writing 50,000 words in one afternoon is simply a pipe dream.

But it's fine for him, because he doesn't need to think at all; he can just type by hand. He's quite confident in his typing speed.

A few hours later.

Chen Ming closed his laptop and let out a soft breath.

On the screen was the first 50,000 words of "Battle Through the Heavens" that he had just finished organizing. Below the title, he casually filled in a pen name—"Suiyi" (meaning "at will").

After studying the online literature market on Earth for an afternoon, he discovered an interesting phenomenon.

Online literature here is still in the golden age of "wuxia" (martial arts), with the fantasy genre just beginning to emerge, but it is essentially a variant of wuxia.

As for the concept of "fantasy," it seems that it has not yet been systematically developed.

Combat power system? Level division? World setting?

Most of them still revolve around internal energy, techniques, and sects.

The clear and imaginative level system of "three stages of Dou Qi", "Dou Zhe" and "Dou Shi" in "Battle Through the Heavens", as well as the imaginative settings of "different fire" and "alchemist", are almost blank in the online novels of this world.

A fertile land yet to be cultivated.

Chen Ming clicked on "Thousand Worlds Library" in his browser's bookmarks.

This is the largest online literature platform in China, with a market share exceeding 60%.

He registered an author account, randomly selected a new editor named "Xiaoqing" from the editor list whose name seemed pleasing to the eye, dragged the document into the submission email, and clicked send.

The whole process took less than three minutes.

......

The editorial department of Qianjie Bookstore, 5:20 PM.

Editor Xiaoqing stretched and rubbed her dry eyes.

On the computer screen, the list of submissions for review for today has been filled.

As a new editor who has only been with the company for three months, he can count the number of authors he has signed on two hands, and most of them are students who write for fun, with inconsistent updates and varying quality of their works.

The number of new submissions that can be allocated each day is limited. Often, like today, I finish my work early but have to sit at my desk and "pretend to work hard" to avoid being seen as too idle by my supervisor.

Salary is linked to performance, and commissions are based on subscriptions and tips from the authors under their supervision.

Without good work, there are no good results, and no satisfactory salary, creating a vicious cycle.

Xiaoqing sighed and glanced at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen.

If I slack off for another ten minutes, I can leave work on time.

Just then, my email notification went off with a "ding".

New submission email!

Xiaoqing instantly perked up and moved the mouse to click.

Sender: Random.

Manuscript title: Battle Through the Heavens (first 50,000 words before submission).

Attachment: Battle Through the Heavens (1-5w words).docx

"Suiyi?" Xiaoqing read the pen name aloud, feeling that the author was indeed quite casual.

With a mix of curiosity and the mindset of a new editor who cherishes every submission, he downloaded the document and opened it.

The opening line: "Battle Qi, Level Three!"

Xiaoqing's brows furrowed slightly.

Battle Qi? What kind of cultivation system is this?

The martial arts novels he had read all talked about how many years of internal energy one had cultivated, or about innate and acquired realms.

The concept of "fighting spirit" is quite novel.

He continued reading.

In Wutan City, within the Xiao family, a once-promising young man is reduced to a useless piece of trash, facing the cold stares of his clan and the sighs of his father…

The text is clean and concise, and the imagery is very vivid.

Xiaoqing unknowingly looked inside.

When Nalan Yanran brought the elders of the Yunlan Sect to break off the engagement, Xiao Yan clenched his fists and wrote a letter of divorce in front of everyone, saying in a resounding voice, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential!" Xiao Qing felt a surge of hot blood rush to her head and subconsciously clenched her fists.

"Okay!" he said in a low voice, drawing sidelong glances from his colleagues at the next workstation.

Just then, a figure stopped beside his workstation.

He is Du Dong, a senior editor in the editorial department, who is thirty-five or thirty-six years old. He has mentored several well-known martial arts authors and usually looks at new editors with a sense of superiority as a senior.

Du Dong glanced at Xiao Qing's computer screen and saw the words "Battle Qi". A dismissive smile immediately appeared on his lips.

"Xiaoqing, what are you looking at so intently?" Du Dong patted Xiaoqing's shoulder, his tone carrying the earnestness of someone who had been through it all.

"I'm not trying to be mean, but you should watch less of this kind of... well, weird stuff. We editors have to consider the market. What does the market value these days? It values ​​martial arts, solid stories of chivalry and revenge, and the joy of chivalry and vengeance."

"This so-called 'battle aura'? I've never even heard of it. It's probably just a concept made up by some new author. It's good enough to fool themselves."

He glanced at the pen name "Suiyi" above the document and shook his head even more: "Look at this author's name, so casual. This kind of manuscript is a waste of time. If you don't have enough manuscripts to read, I have some decent martial arts manuscripts over there. I can send you a few to take a look and learn the proper way to write them."

Xiaoqing snapped out of her reverie, looked up at Du Dong, and smiled sheepishly, "Thank you, Brother Dong, but no need. I think this one is quite good."

Du Dong was taken aback, then pouted somewhat boredly: "Fine, do what you want, get ready to go home."

After saying that, he walked away unsteadily with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself that newcomers these days really don't listen to advice at all.

Xiao Qing paid no attention to Du Dong's words; his mind was completely captivated by the boy named Xiao Yan.

The humiliation of being annulled, the appearance of the mysterious old man in the ring, the chilling question, "Can you accept the price?", and Xiao Yan's resolute willingness to endure inhuman torture in order to return to his peak...

He was completely absorbed in the moment, his fingers scrolling the mouse wheel unconsciously, his eyes glued to the screen, forgetting the time, forgetting to leave work, and even forgetting the sounds of his colleagues leaving one after another.

One by one, the lights in the office went out, until only Xiaoqing's workstation remained lit.

A familiar colleague passed by and asked curiously, "Xiaoqing, aren't you leaving yet? You don't get overtime pay for working overtime!"

Xiaoqing just gave a vague reply without even looking up.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiaoqing took a deep breath and instinctively wanted to click "next page".

That's all?

"Damn it! You short-circuit dog!" he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, feeling an itch in his heart like it was being scratched by a cat.

Has Xiao Yan successfully condensed the Dou Qi vortex?

What will the old doctor teach him next?

Will Nalan Yanran and Yunlan Sect let this go?

A strong desire to know how the story would unfold filled his mind.

It was only then that he suddenly realized something.

I think I'm the editor, not a reader!

He glanced at the time in the bottom right corner of his computer screen and realized it was almost 7 p.m.!

It was already dark outside the window, and the office was empty except for him.

My heart suddenly started racing.

Xiaoqing sat up abruptly and re-examined the document on the screen.

The writing may still be somewhat immature, but the overwhelming, unprecedented narrative tension, the strong emotional resonance of "never underestimate a young man's potential," and the grand imaginative space displayed by the "fighting spirit" system, which far surpasses traditional martial arts novels...

This is hardly a "strange or bizarre thing"?

This is clearly the key that could open the door to a new world!

Sign! You must sign! Sign now!

He quickly opened the submission email, his fingers flying across the keyboard, composing a warm and enthusiastic acceptance notification, sending it back to "Suiyi's" email address, and finally adding "Suiyi's" QQ number.

After doing all this, he leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh of relief, and felt his whole body trembling slightly with excitement.

He even subconsciously mimicked Xiao Yan's tone, muttering in a childish, pretentious voice towards Du Dong's empty workstation: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, never underestimate a young man's potential!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a chuckled voice came from the office doorway: "Hey, Xiao Qing, who are you arguing with? Still up so late? Are you really planning to selflessly dedicate yourself to the company?"

Xiaoqing was startled and turned around to see Xie Ming, the company's deputy editor-in-chief. He was in his early forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looked refined and scholarly.

"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief!" Xiaoqing quickly stood up, a little embarrassed. "I was reading a manuscript and got so engrossed that I forgot the time."

"Oh? What kind of manuscript could make our editor Xiaoqing forget to eat and sleep?" Xie Ming walked over with a smile, looking at the computer screen with interest. "Battle Through the Heavens? That's an interesting name."

"It's about a world called Dou Qi Continent, and a genius boy..." Xiao Qing was excited and wanted to introduce it, but she didn't know where to start.

Xie Ming waved his hand and laughed, "Alright, judging from your expression, you really think it's good. Here, send me a copy of the document, and I'll take a look when I get home tonight. If it really is a gem, you'll have done a great job as its patron."

"Really? Thank you, Editor-in-Chief!" Xiaoqing's eyes lit up, and she quickly sent the document to Xie Ming's internal email.

"Go back quickly, be careful on the road." Xie Ming patted Xiao Qing on the shoulder and turned to leave the office.

Xiaoqing turned off her computer and walked briskly out of the building.

The night wind was cool, but it made him feel exceptionally clear-headed as it blew against his face.

He glanced back at the brightly lit logo of the Thousand Realms Library, his heart filled with anticipation.

Perhaps a turning point is really coming?

10 PM, in the study of a high-end residential complex.

After finishing the last work email, Xie Ming rubbed his temples and took a sip of his now-cold coffee.

He suddenly remembered Xiaoqing's excited appearance that afternoon, and the manuscript titled "Battle Through the Heavens".

"Whatever... this author's name." Xie Ming shook his head, somewhat casually, and opened the document.

Besides being the deputy editor-in-chief of Qianjie Bookstore, he is also a seasoned novel enthusiast.

He was actually quite interested in "Battle Through the Heavens".

In fact, although the current market is mostly dominated by martial arts and fantasy themes, it is clear that these two genres have reached their limits and there is no possibility of further breakthroughs. They may even decline further.

Therefore, the market urgently needs fresh blood.

"Battle Qi, Level Three".

The opening also gave him a slight pause.

But unlike Du Dong, he didn't jump to conclusions immediately; instead, he patiently read on.

This observation lasted for more than two hours.

Only one desk lamp was on in the study, casting a warm light.

Xie Ming's body tensed up as he watched, his eyes behind his glasses fixed on the screen, his left hand unconsciously clenching into a fist.

He witnessed Xiao Yan's fall from grace, the coldness of the world, and the boy's frantic cultivation in the backyard late at night.

He witnessed the tense atmosphere at the scene of the annulment, saw the letter of divorce as a resounding slap in the face, and saw the young man stand tall, making a three-year promise.

He saw the aged soul floating out of the ring, saw Yao Lao's cold test, and saw Xiao Yan struggling painfully during training, yet his eyes held a wolf-like ferocity...

When Xie Ming saw Xiao Yan finally condense the Dou Qi vortex and felt that long-lost power filling his whole body, he couldn't help but let out a soft breath and lean back in his chair.

Then, he naturally swiped the mouse, wanting to open the next chapter.

The document has ended.

Xie Ming was stunned.

He glanced at the progress bar; it had indeed reached the bottom.

The first 50,000 words abruptly end just as Xiao Yan is about to begin formally cultivating under the guidance of Yao Lao.

A strong, unbearable itch welled up inside me.

What happens next? What kind of cultivation technique will Elder Yao teach him? What other turmoil will occur within the Xiao family? How will the pressure of the three-year agreement be resolved?

He glanced at the time; it was already past midnight.

But he was wide awake, his mind filled with thoughts of the boy named Xiao Yan and the bizarre and fantastical "Dou Qi Continent" where he lived.

This novel worldview, this exhilarating narrative of a comeback, and this clear and exciting "battle spirit" system.

It truly opened up a whole new world for him!

Having been immersed in the online literature industry for over a decade, Xie Ming keenly sensed something unusual.

This might not just be a "good-looking" book, but perhaps a new genre?

He picked up his phone, opened WeChat, found Xiaoqing's profile picture, hesitated for a moment, and then sent her a message:

"Xiao Qing, are you asleep? Is there any sequel to 'Battle Through the Heavens' by that author named 'Suiyi'?"

The sound of the message being successfully sent was exceptionally clear in the quiet of the night.

This author is named "Suiyi".

The works he produced were anything but casual!