The Dogblood Group.
"Guys, guys, I heard Lingdian is hosting another writing training camp."
"Damn, Darkwind, what does that have to do with you? You're an 8-star author, going there just to show off?"
"Exactly. The Lingdian writing training camp is for newbie authors. Why do you even care?"
"No, wait. Didn't you see? It looks like this session has invited a heavyweight guest."
"Who?"
"Don't tell me it's Wuhen. If it is, I'm signing up too."
"Haha, if Wuhen is going, I'm going too."
Just as they were talking, Wuhen suddenly appeared and said:
"I am going, but just as a participant. I'm not the guest this time."
"What? Not you?"
"Then who is it?"
"What the hell has Lingdian lost its mind? Even if you're going as an attendee, so who's qualified to be the guest lecturer?"
"Yeah, who could teach Wuhen? Lingdian's strategy is getting harder to understand."
"Darkwind, just tell us already."
"Alright. It's actually nothing special… The Number One White Under Heaven. He's the guest this time."
"Damn, it's him."
"No wonder, no wonder."
"Wuhen, are you going because The Number One White Under Heaven is attending?"
"You could say that. I also want to learn more about noob-style writing from him, especially how he drives reader emotions and creates immersion. He's far ahead of us in those aspects."
"Impressive. If even Wuhen says that, then I definitely need to go learn from him. No, not learn, seek guidance."
"If everyone's going, I'm in too."
"Count me in."
...
Lingdian Newbie Authors Group.
This was just one of countless newbie author groups.
Most members here were new writers.
Just like the Dogblood Group, when they saw the official announcement about the new writing training camp, many interested authors began discussing it.
"Guys, what do you think about this training camp? Is it useful?"
"From what people who attended last time said, it seems somewhat useful."
"Really? Then I'll sign up too."
"You probably won't get in."
"Why? Is there a waiting list?"
"Of course. Lingdian has thousands of authors, but each session only takes 50 people. Everyone wants in, so not everyone can go. Not to mention this time some Top-Tier Authors are going crazy and signing up too."
"Top-Tier Authors? What are they doing there? Showing off? Taking our spots?"
"Looks like you're out of the loop. Don't you know this session invited The Number One White Under Heaven?"
"The Number One White Under Heaven? The guy who wrote 'The School Belle's Bodyguard'?"
"Who else?"
"Damn, he's a role model for us newbies. His 'School Belle' is amazing. Especially his noob-style writing, it's legendary. Even now, people on Feilong keep analyzing his work. If he's going, I have to go too."
"Haha, you think you're the only one? I already signed up, but the editor told me spots are tight this time. With Top-Tier Authors joining, I might not even get in."
"Damn it, those guys again."
"I'm going to complain to Lingdian. Those Top-Tier Authors should leave spots for us."
"I agree, but they're elites, what can we do? Do you think complaining will work?"
"No idea, but let's try. We can post on Feilong saying Lingdian elites are hogging newbie resources."
"Alright, I'll try too. We have to fight for some spots."
"Yeah, if we miss this chance, there might not be another. I doubt The Number One White Under Heaven will attend every session. If we can learn his noob-style techniques, we'll be set."
"Now you've got me excited. Let's go complain together."
"Let's go."
...
The article "All Under Heaven Bustle for Profit," written by Qiushui in 'Youth Literature', directly blasted Nianhua into oblivion.
As a result, the sales of his book 'Left-Handed Nianhua' plummeted. It had previously ranked on weekly bestseller lists, but after that single article, it instantly dropped off the charts.
At the same time, many of Nianhua's fans began abandoning him.
Many felt that attacking other authors during an interview showed poor character. On top of that, his incorrect use of classical quotes exposed his lack of knowledge. And after reading the argument that prose should follow "loose in form, unified in spirit," readers began to realize how meaningless his writing was, lacking both theme and substance. It was only natural that they turned away from him.
Unexpectedly, it wasn't just readers.
Even bookstore owners, after reading Qiushui's article, lost interest in Nianhua. His book, once displayed prominently, was now shoved into unnoticed corners.
This became a classic case of a single article destroying a well-known author.
"Nianhua, are you brain-dead or just stupid? I told you to handle your own promotion, and you used your real pen name to attack others in 'Youth Literature'? I don't even know what to say."
Mota Publishing editor Gao Hong called Nianhua, who was already overwhelmed by the backlash.
"Mr. Gao Hong, I only said one sentence. Who knew that guy would come after me? Besides, I don't even know him."
"So what if he just doesn't like you?"
"But…"
"No 'but.' Handle it yourself."
"Mr. Gao Hong, does that mean the publisher won't support me anymore?"
"What can we do? Do you even know who you provoked? How about this: write a few articles and go head-to-head with that Qiushui guy."
"Uh… Mr. Gao Hong, I… I can't. That Qiushui guy's too strong. I can't handle it."
Just thinking about that article made Nianhua tremble.
Damn it, every sentence was a classic. That level of firepower, not just him, even literary masters might not withstand it.
"Well, obviously."
"But Mr. Gao Hong, we can't just do nothing, right? That Qiushui didn't just attack me, he also criticized prose as a whole. He's basically saying modern prose lacks substance and is meaningless rambling. You should know, at Mota Publishing, it's not just me writing prose; Han Jin does too. If his ideas become mainstream, our youth literature won't sell anymore. So…"
"Didn't expect you to get smarter after being roasted. But don't worry, I know what to do. Since you're still salvageable, I'll give you some advice."
"Thank you, Mr. Gao Hong. Please tell me."
"Stop using the pen name 'Nianhua.' Change it."
"Ah…"
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