Sometimes, Chu Ge doubted his own judgment because there seemed to be a logical flaw.
Take Wang Ming as an example. If the more people know about him, the more they believe "there really is a Wang Ming," then the Wang Ming in their minds should be a hot-tempered, mindless, and warlike figure. In other words, his characterization would become more rigid, what's called "deeply ingrained in people's minds."
Just like people believe Guan Yu had a red face, a green hat, and wielded the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, that image became fixed. What he actually looked like was irrelevant.
From this perspective, people's perceptions don't make the world more realistic; on the contrary, they become more rigid and stereotypical.
But Wang Ming has indeed become less rigid; he's even become a monk… What's the logic behind this?
Is it that what people perceive him to be like isn't important, but rather that there must be perception first?
Once people have this person in their minds, he becomes more real. Does it matter what others perceive him to be?
That's true... A person's true nature isn't determined by others' perceptions. Just because someone thinks Guan Yu uses a sword doesn't mean they can use a spear.
Everyone thinks Chu Ge is short doesn't mean he's actually quite long and sturdy!
On this special stage where the world comes true, he first needs to have a presence, then everything else.
Coincidentally, Wang Ming is an initial minor character who will never appear again; "Heaven's Way" no longer looks his way, so he has his own life.
Chu Ge suddenly wondered, what if he remembered to write about him again later, but Wang Ming was no longer in the Cloud Realm Sect? What would that mean? Would it mean that after he wrote about him, Wang Ming felt he wasn't suited to be a monk and returned to secular life...?
Of course, he couldn't write about him again; it would be meaningless filler. But such a life is indeed quite tragic, which is why Qiu Wuji wants to break free.
Ever since her forced ascension, which resulted in the "serious consequence" of the little flame escaping, Qiu Wuji has never tried to break free from Heaven's Way, but Chu Ge understands that this is still her biggest goal.
And her own.
I want a real person, not a two-dimensional character I control. Even if she now looks very much like a real person… that's just "like" her. Her life is still under my control, still in a situation where she could die if I wanted to harm her.
I'm thinking of starting a series where she sleeps with Chu Ge, the disciple of Tiandao. I bet she'd actually do it…
She's never truly escaped this situation; she just stopped emphasizing it because she was in love.
"Wang Ming has changed himself, which is proof that we're on the right track," Chu Ge laughed. "And we've tested this before; this kind of progress greatly enhances my control over the world, especially details I wouldn't write down, like when the sun rises—it can all have an impact. My GM authority is much stronger now. If we continue, we'll succeed sooner or later." Qiu Wuji glanced around: "Try to avoid revealing 'heavenly secrets.' You're used to being in the shadows; you might accidentally let something slip in public. Be careful."
"Okay…"
"We're definitely on the right track; the changes are visible to the naked eye," Qiu Wuji said. "But your strength must match it. Otherwise, it's like being given the authority to modify a script but lacking the skill—it's a waste."
"That's a good analogy, haha…"
"There's a precedent. When you corrected my ascension, you turned pale and almost suffered internal injuries. If there were more serious changes, you wouldn't be able to control it."
"Hmm…but you seem to be revealing heavenly secrets too." Qiu Wuji glared.
Chu Ge tilted his head.
"No way." Qiu Wuji gritted her teeth, her face hardening. "No, we'll do it."
Chu Ge was delighted. "Right here? Won't it be a bit cold?"
Qiu Wuji sneered. "That's right, right here. Go and feel the icy sword intent on the stone platform where I was practicing. I've also left an advanced flying sword technique here. How much you can comprehend depends on how long you can endure."
Chu Ge: "?" You mean to do this?
Qiu Wuji looked up at the sky with her hands behind her back. "Don't you have any idea what you're going to face here?"
Oh yeah, this is the cold-faced, wicked woman Qiu Wuji, not the cute Qiu Qiu, sob sob sob...
Chu Ge sniffed. "Can we not be so different between these two?"
"No." Qiu Wuji flicked her sleeve.
Chu Ge let out a scream and plummeted onto the platform as if riding on clouds.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Sword energy condensed into frost all around, forming a sword prison from which there was no escape… A bone-chilling cold seeped into his very soul. Chu Ge shivered, hugging himself, "Qiu Wuji, you bastard…"
Qiu Wuji turned and left expressionlessly.
… In the present world.
Qiu Wuji carefully brewed a cup of spiritual tea for Chu Ge, who was engrossed in typing.
Chu Ge's eyes were vacant, his fingers flying across the keyboard like a typewriter, seemingly completely unaware of her presence.
He was just a shell driven purely by instinct, his only spark of spiritual energy entirely devoted to typing.
So incompetent.
Qiu Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. She was afraid he'd be bullied over there, and then this would happen. What would happen to her poor little assistant, Qiu Qiu, then…?
The shell suddenly moved, reaching for the teacup and taking a sip: "So cold… Qiu Wuji, you bastard…"
He put the teacup down and continued typing.
Qiu Wuji: "..." She whispered in his ear, "Write a little side story that won't be released outside the book. Write about Qiu Wuji warming his disciple with his arms. Father God wouldn't be bullied by the stinky woman he created, would he? Idiot." Whether Chu Ge's broken body heard her or not, Qiu Wuji blushed and, not daring to wait for his reaction, shrank back and tiptoed out.
Qiu Wuji, oh Qiu Wuji, how could you be so depraved?
Not only did you offer yourself up, but you also slandered him, plunging him into misery.
Isn't this a seductive concubine who corrupts the emperor's heart?
Go write a diary to criticize yourself...
... The world within the book.
Knowing that entering meant being forced to cultivate, Chu Ge still hadn't expected it to be so direct and ruthless.
This wasn't just a matter of snowflakes as big as goose feathers falling from the sky; this stone platform was clearly crafted with a special formation, further concentrating the extreme cold. The platform was engraved with magical runes, containing Qiu Wuji's insights into swordsmanship and a complete flying sword technique gained during his comprehension of the icy sword intent. Combined with the extremely icy environment, this made cultivation even more suitable.
If a real disciple came here, it would be a phenomenal opportunity, potentially transforming them overnight into a powerful figure.
Chu Ge knew this was a good thing, but... well, it's hard to describe. The difference between the book and reality is just too great. Qiu Qiu is so cruel, sob sob...
He could only force himself to shift his thoughts away from romantic entanglements and focus on cultivating in this place.
Because he was a soul being, his comprehension of magical runes was more direct than ordinary people, somewhat like enlightenment, reaching directly to the soul.
Chu Ge clearly felt the sword intent combining sword energy and icy chill, as if ice crystals were blooming everywhere in a vast glacier, cold and sharp, yet possessing a unique beauty.
It was as if ice peaks were rising from the seabed, like swords piercing the sky, straight to the heavens. A chilling, icy mist swirled around them, coalescing like a dragon, winding and coiling.
Chu Ge couldn't help but feel admiration. He hadn't actually written Qiu Wuji possessed these abilities, yet her self-taught and self-created skills were already unparalleled in the world.
This was the true Qiu Wuji.
But… so cold, so tired…
He couldn't take it anymore… It felt like his soul was being frozen, as if a thousand swords were repeatedly cutting him; the discomfort was truly indescribable.
This was too cruel, Qiu Qiu. It could have been done gradually. Was it really necessary?
Admiration aside, I'm not a real masochist. This is bullying… You wait, see how I bully your alt account when I get back, hmph.
Just as he was thinking this, a demon's murmur seemed to echo from the depths of his soul: "Write a little side story that won't be published, about Qiu Wuji warming her disciple with her embrace. Father God wouldn't be bullied by the stinky woman he created, would he? Idiot." Chu Ge blinked.
He hadn't dared to write about things Qiu Wuji disliked doing for a long time; long before they even started dating, they'd promised, "We'll discuss it together."
But this time…
was it Qiu Qiu's own doing?
Was she so cold-hearted that she was hallucinating? Would Qiu Qiu really do this?
Wasn't this wrong… Chu Ge, Chu Ge, how could you be so shameless? I would never do such a thing!
The dazed body in front of the screen opened a new document and typed out, word by word: "Extra Chapter: A Few Things About Qiu Wuji and Tiandao's Disciple"
Words may be silent, but actions speak louder than words…