It's been two months since the upload, and it's finally time for it to go on the shelves. Over these two months, I've hardly written any reflections or chat updates, and I haven't engaged much with the readers—mainly because I've come to realize that the best way for an author and a reader to communicate is directly within the novel itself. What I want to express, what I wish to share, all reside in the stories I write, and there's no need for additional commentary. Thus, when I felt fully prepared—mentally and structurally—to independently build a fresh, innovative world and an engaging, novel system, I began this book with a mixture of trepidation and courage. At its core, the 22 pathways of the "Role-Playing" method, 220 magical potions, and 220 distinct professions—these are the aspects I most hope will captivate readers. Additionally, there is the world itself, woven together with Lovecraftian elements, SCP Foundation influences, the ambiance of the First Industrial Revolution, and a strong sense of steam-punk charm. I've read countless books and created numerous settings, yet I know what I truly need: to tell the story well—slowly, steadily—without rushing. This is precisely why I've deliberately slowed down the pacing of my first novel and made four十一 thousand words of free chapters available. I want to stay grounded in the narrative, to carefully develop characters, to paint the world in vivid detail, not chasing what's traditionally considered a climax. I simply wish to present the scenes and images I deeply wish to share with you. Thank you to the martial arts masters of writing, whose dedication has elevated my daily storytelling to an engaging standard, endowing me with the genuine ability and prose to tell a story honestly and with sincerity. Previously, I learned how to express—perhaps every writer or author instinctively does so. Now, I feel I'm beginning to learn restraint. Often, I narrate without commenting; I convey emotions through actions, dialogue, and expressions, and sometimes even refrain from using any of these, simply describing scenes with a cold, detached clarity, as in the chapter about the pale female factory worker. This is the standard I hope to maintain in the pivotal scenes of "The Master of Mysteries." This book’s structural coherence is probably the most thoughtfully developed among my works, with careful attention to continuity and interconnection—everyone will be watching closely. These are the thoughts and experiments behind this book. I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you will subscribe to sustain it, because I still need to earn a living, still need to buy my wife clothes, dresses, handbags, and a home. I’ve always been a rather ordinary person—something I never doubt—and at the same time, I’m quite lazy, with a rather flawed personality. I once thought about organizing my fans the way other authors do—well, oh dear, how tedious and exhausting that was. And then, nothing really happened. I once imagined setting up Weibo to gather momentum and build a following—again, oh dear, how tedious and exhausting that was. And now, I'm not even sure how long it's been since I last updated my Weibo. I created a WeChat official account, trying to write regularly, but again, oh dear, how tedious and exhausting that was—so I only managed to update it after a long while. I once hired someone to help keep the account active, but every time I read what they posted, I felt awkward, flushed with embarrassment, and ended up pausing the effort again. Ah, now I simply want to make peace with myself. I need to admit it: you are simply a lazy person. You are someone with interpersonal weaknesses. You are someone who's painfully shy and values appearances. You are someone who dislikes being interrupted by all sorts of琐事. You are someone who, no matter how hard you try, just can't rise to the occasion. Perhaps the thing I can do well and am willing to do well is to write novels—telling the stories that reside in my heart. This is my reconciliation with myself: no longer awkwardly living, no longer striving for things that might gather audience attention, such as a WeChat public account. If I think of it, I’ll write more; if I have content, I’ll write more; if I don’t think of it, well, that’s fine. Yes, reconciliation is merely a literary pretense—accurately speaking, it’s just self-sabotage. I’ll go ahead and add a touch of humor here. Once the conversation is over, at around midnight tomorrow—today, just after 12 o’clock—I’ll update the VIP chapters, asking for subscriptions and monthly memberships in advance. I’ll really burst forth—I’ve got material ready! Yes, at least five chapters, maybe six!