Hello dear readers. I've come to the unfortunate realization that my novel will never be popular in the way I hoped, at least on Royal Road. To be successful on this platform requires a writing style I'm not as interested in. Secondly, I realized that the best performing books on this platform are almost exclusively System or Isekai/Portal fantasy; I don't want to write System stories because I think they are a crutch in 90% of cases, and I have nothing to add to the extensive Isekai genre at this time.

  I will be going through a rewrite, or several, of the existing chapters until I'm satisfied with the story. I decided to write a xianxia style novel because it's what I'm most interested in, but I'm flush with ideas and energy for other stories now. Having found my writing voice (rough as it is), I will be consolidating the story into a single novel with a slightly open ended conclusion. John's story is his coming of age, ultimately. The process by which he breaks out of his mortal shell and accepts responsibility for those around him. Whether or not he continues on to fight back the twisted Elder Gods will be a decision of the future.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  My goal now is to complete the final draft and upload the story to Kindle Unlimited. When or if that happens, I will post an update here, as well as stubbing the existing chapters and uploading the appropriately edited opening chapters.

  Thank you for your readership.

  -Night