The penultimate stop was Liyue.
After arriving in Liyue, Paimon and the Traveler were puzzled for a moment.
"I can't think of anyone good to find for now."
Paimon scratched her hair.
"How about Xingqiu?"
The Traveler thought of the boy who always had a book in hand.
"Would Xingqiu like this type of book?"
Paimon was uncertain, after all, she remembered Xingqiu always reading ancient books.
The books written by the Pyro Archon could be considered super modern, which might not suit his taste.
"It should be fine," the Traveler said.
Actually, Xingqiu himself was writing novels, and his novels were even more super modern than the Pyro Archon's.
As long as he had no objections to his own works, he should be able to accept the Pyro Archon's too.
When the Traveler and the others found Xingqiu, they saw the boy walking along, sighing from time to time.
"Xingqiu, what happened?" Seeing Xingqiu's state seemed off, Paimon went over to ask.
"It's the Traveler and Paimon," Xingqiu turned his head and poured out his troubles.
"You know, I usually like reading books, but recently the books I'm following have almost all stopped updating."
"I'm very anxious about this, thinking whether I should write one myself, but when I pick up the pen, I realize that those books—whether in wording, settings, or other aspects—I'm far behind the authors."
"I've thought for a long time but always can't get started, not knowing what to do," Xingqiu said.
"Xingqiu, the novels you're talking about—aren't they these?" Paimon took out all the books from her arms.
"Yes, exactly these. I didn't expect you to read these novels too, Paimon," Xingqiu said with a smile.
"Chongyun and I started reading with the mindset of ordinary novels, but unexpectedly, the stories turned out so captivating."
"It's a pity that every time Chongyun meets me, he nags about how great it would be if those novels updated," Xingqiu said.
"Then maybe these novels won't update anymore," Paimon said.
"What did you say?" Xingqiu exclaimed loudly.
In the following time, Xingqiu learned the full story.
"Who would've thought the person who could create such masterpieces is actually a god from another nation," Xingqiu said in admiration. "I thought he was just a reclusive literati."
"Xingqiu, since you like this novel so much, how about trying to write its sequel?" Paimon asked.
"Of course," Xingqiu answered resolutely.
"I think all the fans of these novels feel the same as me—we all want to see the later stories," Xingqiu said.
"Even though the original author has many things to handle, we're not willing for the stories to end just like this."
"Then Xingqiu, how do you hope the story develops next?" Paimon casually picked one novel.
"For example, this "Swallowing the Firmament"—the story has already written the protagonist defeating his fiancée's sect. What can be written next?"
Xingqiu placed his hand on his chin, furrowing his brows in thought: "Unlike other novels, this one wouldn't have any issues even if it ends here."
"After all, the protagonist's greatest wish has been fulfilled. Continuing might not give readers the same feeling as before."
"So what does Xingqiu mean?" Paimon asked.
"Leaving aside other novels, let's end the story of "Swallowing the Firmament" here," Xingqiu said.
"Didn't you just say you wanted to see the later stories?" Paimon said.
"I did say that, but this novel is special—ending it here wouldn't be a problem," Xingqiu said.
"Rather than forcing it to continue just for money, it's better to end it like this."
"I think the fans would prefer this imperfect ending over a dog-tailed continuation."
After asking Xingqiu, the Traveler and the others fell into contemplation again.
"Who should we ask next?" Paimon spread her hands.
In their impression, there didn't seem to be anyone else who looked like they would read novels.
At that moment, a white ghost suddenly appeared in front of Paimon.
"Wah!" Paimon cried out in surprise.
Then she saw Hu Tao making a funny face.
"Hu Tao, what are you doing?" Paimon said angrily. "You scared me to death!"
"Oh my, aren't you still alive and well?" Hu Tao placed her hands on her hips, chuckling lightly. "Paimon, your body's quite sturdy. Even if I scare you a few more times, nothing would happen."
"No, no, I don't want to go through that again," Paimon quickly waved her hands and shook her head.
She would rather travel with the Traveler to the most dangerous places than be continuously scared by Hu Tao.
"Hu Tao, there's something we want to ask your opinion on." Since Hu Tao had come over, the Traveler simply asked her about the novels.
"Oh, my turn to step up?"
After hearing the full story, Hu Tao said: "The protagonist's master in this novel seems to have died already, right?"
"Then as the disciple, shouldn't he hold a grand funeral for his master?"
Hu Tao said.
"Very much in Hu Tao's style of suggestion," the Traveler nodded.
She felt that although there wouldn't be new stories afterward, ending with a funeral for the master would also put a perfect capstone on the tale.
"Wait, I just remembered something," Paimon suddenly said.
"I recall that in the earlier plots of this novel, it mentioned the protagonist could try to revive his master later on. Could the next story focus on that?" Paimon said.
That would be the complete opposite of Hu Tao's suggestion.
The Traveler pondered for a moment, feeling conflicted.
"There's no issue following Paimon's idea either," Hu Tao, as the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, said something different from usual.
"Eh, Hu Tao doesn't mind these things?" Paimon was somewhat surprised.
"It's just a novel, after all," Hu Tao spread her hands.
"Since it's writing fantasy stories anyway, including things that revive the dead isn't a problem."
"I can't have people reading novels without any hope, right?" Hu Tao said with a smile.
Thus, for the next story, the Traveler had three choices again.
The first was to follow Xingqiu's words: since better stories can't be written, and even the previous standard can't be maintained, then just straightforwardly don't write it.
In Xingqiu's view, compared to a dog-tailed continuation, this imperfect ending would be more favored by readers.
The second was Hu Tao's approach: the novel would continue, but only with a short story—holding a funeral for the protagonist's master, putting an end to the tale.
The third was Paimon's suggestion: the next main storyline would be reviving the master, with the protagonist embarking on a new adventure to do so.
When choosing the first, the editor's reply would be: "Maybe ending it here really is the best choice."
"After all, with the original author not writing, if the story turns rotten, it's all our responsibility. Doing nothing might be the best."
When selecting the second, the editor would say: "It's not impossible; it's just that earlier it mentioned hope for reviving the master, and now turning around to bury him."
"It might require a lot of foreshadowing beforehand to pull off the funeral."
For the last option, the editor would nod, thinking it could work.
"Though it might not be written well, if the story develops this way, readers should accept it. Let's try writing it."