Chapter 31: The Three-Year Promise (Fourth update—please support!)

The long-awaited three-year promise, anticipated by readers for so long, arrived unexpectedly, catching everyone off guard with its swiftness. No one imagined it would come so soon. The author’s phenomenal update pace was to blame; over the next few days, it was as if he were injected with adrenaline—ten chapters a day, ten chapters a day. Who could keep up with that?

The number of paid readers for “Battle Through the Heavens” skyrocketed, surpassing the previous two leaders and claiming the top spot on the official Literary Tempest Rankings. Two weeks and fourteen days after leaving the Newcomer List’s summit, “Battle Through the Heavens” ascended once again, this time reigning over the most prestigious paid ranking of official literature.

An earthquake swept through the entire online literature scene. The newcomer author, a genius, crushed all veteran writers in less than two months. It was an achievement beyond anyone’s imagination.

Hundred Reads Literature poured its best promotional resources into “Battle Through the Heavens,” seizing the opportunity to attract this rising star. More than that, Official Literature arranged a homepage login splash-screen promotion for the novel—an honor rarely seen.

New readers, bewildered after perusing the book’s reviews, began reading with confusion. What was happening? For such a popular book, why was the review section filled with criticism? Was this the work of jealous authors hiring fake reviewers to sabotage the book’s reputation? Otherwise, it was hard to explain why a blockbuster would attract so many detractors.

What puzzled them further was that the harshest critics were also the most generous in their rewards. Truly bizarre.

Soon enough, after finishing all chapters, these new readers quietly joined the ranks of the critics.

"The author doesn't need other writers to slander him; his own readers are his biggest haters," concluded a new reader.

“‘Battle Through the Heavens’ is a sensation not only because the author pioneered a new genre but also because of his relentless update pace,” an established writer admitted in his own work.

This seasoned writer was edited by Liu Da, who did everything in his power to funnel traffic to “Battle Through the Heavens.”

Following the combined efforts of Hundred Reads Literature and Official Literature, the novel’s popularity soared to its peak.

Li He could hardly contain his joy—Hundred Reads and Official Literature were truly supportive.

“They know I’m preparing a grand gift for readers, so they’re madly channeling traffic to ‘Battle Through the Heavens,’” said Li He, who released twenty chapters in one breath, enjoying himself thoroughly.

All fans of “Battle Through the Heavens” rushed into Hundred Reads Literature. The novel’s first major climax was about to arrive.

When Xiao Yan entered Cloud Mist Sect and declared, “Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!” the chapter reviews exploded, reaching 99+ in just a few minutes.

When Nalan Yanran used every trick and revealed all her cards, only to be crushed by the man she once considered an insignificant ant three years ago, all readers felt a jolt—they were exhilarated beyond measure.

Some compared this three-year promise to the climaxes of unstoppable, invincible protagonist novels and concluded that it outclassed them.

The sense of satisfaction in “Battle Through the Heavens” built up gradually, not abruptly.

When the former sect master Yun Shan emerged, his Dou Sect strength overwhelming the scene, and Sea Emperor Hai Bodong along with Dou Emperor Uncle Ling sent by Xiao Xun’er were all defeated, readers felt anxious for Xiao Yan, who had no way to counter Yun Shan’s ruthless tactics.

Then the cold, proud queen Medusa appeared, contemptuous of all, subduing everything, making readers shout with delight and praise the author’s genius.

With such volume and consistency, the waves of satisfaction came one after another, no cliffhangers, no need to wait a day between chapters.

In that moment, “Battle Through the Heavens” was thrust to its peak.

[Rule by Inaction]: “The author finally acts like a human being.”

[Cocoa]: “In the face of the three-year promise, Little Fairy Doctor and Yun Yun suddenly seem less important.”

[Nothing to Blame]: “Just enjoy it.”

The plot continued smoothly, with no disgusting twists. Fans felt a bit uneasy; based on the author’s usual style, after the high, there should be something frustrating. Yet even after finishing the latest chapters, the story progressed normally.

It was uncharacteristic of the author.

Minutes after readers had finished the new chapters, “Battle Through the Heavens” updated with five more chapters.

Excited readers went wild, cheering the author’s greatness.

Some readers exclaimed, “Something’s going to happen,” but their voices were drowned out.

Veteran reader Zeng Ying was among those who lost their minds.

She read as Xiao Yan, for the sake of the Xiao Clan, entered Cloud Mist Sect again, determined to slay the wicked elder under Yun Shan’s hand.

“The author is incredible, he nails the sense of satisfaction,” Zeng Ying exclaimed.

It was terrifying.

Overjoyed, Zeng Ying rewarded the novel with a silver coin—her second time doing so. The first was during Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor’s intimate moments in the valley; though she regretted it then, this time she was certain she wouldn’t regret rewarding “Battle Through the Heavens” with silver.

Immediately after, Yun Yun appeared.

Xiao Yan and Yun Yun met again after many days.

Zeng Ying was stunned.

Yun Yun was unharmed, not dead? She returned to Cloud Mist Sect, fully recovered.

Crucially, they now stood on opposing sides.

When Zeng Ying clicked the next chapter, it showed “You have read the latest chapter.”

Zeng Ying: ????

It was…just over.

Zeng Ying was about to lose her mind.

At such a critical moment, the story was abruptly cut off.

Damn!

No wonder he’s called a genius.

I actually thought he was a good person.

Zeng Ying was on the verge of collapse.

It was infuriating, devastating to the reader’s mindset.

She wasn’t alone; the entire fanbase was driven mad.

[My Hand Is Too Quick]: “I just tipped another gold, damn, this is too much.”

[YJ]: “This is the genius I know; the earlier smooth ride made me suspect he’d hired a ghostwriter.”

[Feels Like I’ve Lost My Heart]: “New readers want to know what will happen between Xiao Yan and Yun Yun next—will they fight?”

[Asylum]: “Two people who love each other standing on opposite sides. Can we get a clear answer about whether they’ll fight or not? Taking off pants halfway—what’s that supposed to mean?”

[Confused]: “I’m used to it. If nothing bad happens, reading doesn’t feel right. I’m developing a bit of a masochistic tendency thanks to the author.”

[Castle in the Sky]: “Since Yun Yun is unharmed, does that mean Little Fairy Doctor and the Xiao brothers are also safe?”

[Not Alone]: “Now that you mention it, I’m suddenly worried Little Fairy Doctor might end up on Xiao Yan’s opposing side in the end.”

Readers vented furiously in the review section—so aggravating, so infuriating.

Some wanted to rant on social media, only to discover the author hadn’t opened a microblog.

But venting in the review section alone wasn’t enough; readers felt ever more stifled.

No place to vent their frustrations.

Soon, a reader noticed “Battle Through the Heavens” had updated with one more chapter.

[My Deepest]: “The genius dog must be scared.”

[Omnipotent]: “Even the dog can be afraid. Let’s see you act smug—now you’re updating obediently.”

Full of expectation, readers opened the new chapter, then threw their phones aside.

Too infuriating.

Too shameless.

New readers said they shouldn’t have started reading at all.

“Battle Through the Heavens” is a trap—a pit you jump into willingly, with nothing to say.

On the other side, Li He, delighted, posted the leave-of-absence chapter and logged out of the writer’s assistant app.

He glanced at the system data, his smile broadening, hope filling everything.

“Time for another spin at the lottery,” Li He thought calmly, unruffled.

As for the reviews, best not to look. They’re just beloved readers’ blessings—nothing worth reading.

“What will I draw this time?” Li He wondered, anticipation rising.

—

(Post first, revise later)