Liyue Harbor.
The sky had just begun to show the faint white of dawn.
Yet, this port city was already bustling with activity.
Early-rising vendors pushed their carts toward the docks, shouting as they went.
"Meat buns, fresh-from-the-oven meat buns!"
A hurried young man paused in his tracks. "Give me two meat buns."
"Right away!" The vendor skillfully packed the buns and handed them to the young man. "Master Xingqiu, take these. Eat well so you have the strength to uphold justice!"
The other vendors around chuckled knowingly.
This left Xingqiu rather embarrassed, and he quickly dashed upstairs.
Of course, he knew they meant no harm, but this kind of public teasing was still a bit…
However, the reason Xingqiu was up so early today—early enough that even his household staff hadn't yet risen to prepare breakfast—wasn't to uphold justice.
It was because Teacher Lingyuan's Great Love Immortal Venerable was about to update.
Xingqiu's destination was the Wanwen Bookhouse.
Based on the story's progression, today's content was going to be monumental, with a great battle on the horizon.
So, he had to be the first to read it, lest Chongyun spoil it right in his face.
Though that one time was an honest mistake, Xingqiu still found it hard to let go.
To explain this properly, we need to rewind a bit.
That day, a bored Xingqiu had gone to the Wanwen Bookhouse to browse for books.
While there, he also checked on the sales of his own Chenqiu Sword Records.
As expected, the book's performance in the Liyue market wasn't exactly raking in piles of Mora—it was practically gathering dust.
Xingqiu sighed. Oh well, might as well revise the content and aim for the Inazuma market.
He browsed for a while, but the books were all rather uninspiring.
Sigh, ever since Mu Yang gifted him that set of Battle Through the Heavens, his standards had been raised a bit too high.
Now, these books just felt bland in comparison.
Just as he turned to leave, he heard the voice of Jifang, the owner of the Wanwen Bookhouse, from behind.
"That kid Zhenyu is stuffing my shop with books again. Take them away quick, and clear out that pile of money-losing old books too!"
Hearing this, Xingqiu turned back.
He wasn't annoyed by Jifang's jab at 'Zhenyu' and had no intention of arguing with her.
He was simply intrigued.
Jifang ran the shop mainly to deal with her husband's old books to supplement the household income.
She tended to the shop rather casually most days.
Whose work could make her react so strongly?
Once the bookshelf was set up, Xingqiu approached.
To his surprise, the owner had added a new rule.
The books were sold as a set—ten volumes in total, and you had to buy the whole set.
No previews allowed.
This immediately piqued Xingqiu's interest.
"The author's got some guts. Bundled sales with no previews? Either they're extremely confident in their work…"
"Or they're not in it for the money, just writing for fun, waiting for a kindred spirit."
Jifang walked over with a painting in hand. "Make way, young master."
"Sorry." Xingqiu stepped aside from the bookshelf, watching as Jifang hung up the painting. He asked, "Boss, what's this?"
Jifang explained that this was the author's requested method of promotion.
This author had self-published, spending a hefty sum on promotion, yet the profits went to the Wanwen Bookhouse. Why wouldn't she agree?
Xingqiu thought to himself, As I suspected, it's someone who doesn't lack Mora. They're not writing for profit.
But he wondered how good the book actually was.
He looked at the ink painting, its calligraphy bold and powerful.
The strokes made Xingqiu feel a bit inferior by comparison…
The promotional slogan read:
In the desolate valley, cold winds blow, as cicadas sing of spring and autumn's return.
At Soul-Shaking Mountain, stone men weep, as the Immortal Traveler subdues demons northward.
Against the river's flow, ten thousand immortals retreat; love cannot rival persistent tears.
Fate is set, destiny brings defeat, the Immortal Venerable regrets, but I do not!
After reading it, Xingqiu glanced at the title: Great Love Immortal Venerable.
A surge of excitement welled up in his heart.
He needed to read this book now!
"Boss, I'll buy a set!"
Xingqiu paid, grabbed the books, and rushed to his secret hideout.
He couldn't wait to dive in.
As for what happened next—if Chongyun hadn't come looking for him, Xingqiu wouldn't have realized he'd been so engrossed that he hadn't eaten all day.
When Xingqiu first started reading, he thought it might follow the same formula as Xiao Huohuo's story.
Though the abilities were different, the plot's trajectory should be similar.
But when he saw Fang Yuan's methods, he realized this protagonist couldn't be judged by past experiences.
The more he read, the more hooked he became, finishing all ten volumes in one go.
Xingqiu let out a long cry to the heavens, "What a Great Love Immortal Venerable! What a Lingyuan Xianyu! You've written a masterpiece!"
Chongyun frowned, looking at his close friend. What was this all about?
He'd never seen Xingqiu talk like this before. Could this book have some kind of magic?
So, Chongyun… well, Chongyun read it too.
Coming from an exorcist family, Chongyun was firmly on the side of righteousness.
His thoughts and conduct were upright and proper.
He didn't particularly like this book's protagonist.
He preferred the heroes in Mu Yang's stories—those who slayed demons and protected the land.
But he couldn't deny that this story was gripping.
So, Chongyun bought a set of the books to read as well.
Xingqiu didn't think much of it at first, until the day of the new release.
He'd just returned from a business trip when Chongyun unintentionally spoiled something, making Xingqiu realize the gravity of the situation.
From then on, every time a new volume was released, Xingqiu made sure to read it first thing.
Today was no different!
Munching on his meat buns, Xingqiu waited until Jifang finally arrived.
"So early, young master," Jifang said as she unlocked the door, with several workers behind her carrying large boxes.
It seemed these were Teacher Lingyuan's new manuscripts.
Xingqiu paid and grabbed the latest volume of Great Love Immortal Venerable, rushing to his secret base.
But as he rounded the corner, he found Chongyun already waiting there.
And in his hand was a book!
That shouldn't be possible—Xingqiu was certain he was the first to buy it, and he hadn't seen Chongyun earlier.
Approaching, Xingqiu asked about the book in Chongyun's hand.
Chongyun flipped open the title page, revealing Teacher Lingyuan's signature.
No mistake—it matched the calligraphy on the promotional slogan perfectly!
Chongyun explained, "Didn't I tell you about Aunt Shenhe before?"
"She gave me this book. She said Teacher Lingyuan is her acquaintance."
Seeing Xingqiu's 'hungry' gaze, the kind-hearted Chongyun scratched his head.
"How about I ask her to get you a copy too?"
Xingqiu felt a pang of guilt. He often teased Chongyun, yet Chongyun treated him so well.
Truly…
What a good brother.
The two tacitly entered their little hideout, pulled out snacks, and began enjoying the moment…
About an hour later, a commotion erupted from the room.
"It's over?! How can it just end like that?! Write two more chapters, Teacher Lingyuan!"
"Aaah, how could it end with Fang Yuan getting stabbed by Bai Ningbing?!"
Their wails and howls startled passersby.
Xingqiu suddenly realized something—the cliffhanger technique…
Battle Through the Heavens?!
Indeed, Mu Yang had said it was written by his Adeptus friend.
And Teacher Lingyuan was Shenhe's acquaintance, and Shenhe was Mu Yang's disciple.
It all connected!
Xingqiu gave a wry smile. "As expected of an Adeptus. Such skill is just too impressive…"
It wasn't just Xingqiu and Chongyun—for all the book fans in Liyue, tonight was destined to be sleepless.
A cliffhanger at this point? Lingyuan Xianyu, you're truly ruthless!