One minute later, Jiang Fan stared at the four words “Upload Failed” that popped up on his screen and fell into confusion.
Was the internet lagging?
He disconnected the wireless network and switched to his phone’s hotspot. The result was the same. Upload failed.
Luo Xian asked, “What is going on?”
Jiang Fan scratched his head anxiously. “I I am not sure yet. This has never happened before. Wait a moment. I will ask around and see if the website backend has crashed.”
Although Luo Xian did not fully understand, she could tell that Jiang Fan was trying to solve the problem.
He asked several authors on the same platform in their group chat. The result left him extremely frustrated. The backend had not crashed. Others could modify their previous chapters and upload smoothly. No one had encountered a situation like his.
After tinkering for more than ten minutes, Jiang Fan still could not find the cause.
The network was normal. The backend was fine. Could it be a problem with his computer?
Thinking of that possibility, Jiang Fan immediately ran a self-diagnostic on the laptop that had accompanied him for nearly five years. The result showed no issues. Aside from being a bit slow and occasionally freezing, there was nothing seriously wrong with it.
“What the hell…”
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. He quickly opened one of his previously completed novels, randomly edited a chapter, and clicked upload.
Upload successful.
He then tried modifying the new novel again. When the “Upload Failed” prompt appeared once more, he already had his answer. “I think I have found the reason.”
Luo Xian stepped lightly to his side and stood on his right. “What reason?”
Jiang Fan pointed at the screen. “It seems there is some kind of force interfering, preventing me from modifying the plot. You saw it just now. I can edit other novels. Only ‘Sword Immortal’ cannot be modified.”
Luo Xian’s voice was soft but heavy. “The will of Heaven.”
Jiang Fan froze, then suddenly understood.
If this had happened before, he would have dismissed it outright. As a young man living in the age of technology, he would never have believed in something so mysterious.
But now…
Even the female lead of his novel had run into the real world. The existence of the will of Heaven was not that hard to accept anymore.
“In other words, you, the Creator, not only cannot control the future development of the Sword Immortal World, you do not even have permission to revise it anymore?”
“It seems… that is the case.”
“Heh.”
The sarcasm in Luo Xian’s laugh made Jiang Fan feel even more irritated. “What are you laughing at? I am just an ordinary person. I do not have your kind of power to move mountains and overturn seas. Even you cannot do anything about the will of Heaven. What do you expect me to do?”
“…”
That evaluation made Jiang Fan furious. He sprang to his feet and glared at her. “I have already explained everything clearly. I have tried my best to cooperate with your request. Fine if you do not thank me. But you are actually insulting me. Do not forget. You were created by me.”
Luo Xian remained silent for a few seconds. The Ice Glass Sword turned into a streak of light and entered her forehead. “I am not insulting you. I just look down on you.”
“Is there even a difference?”
“If you want me to respect you as my Creator, then delete all of my future romantic plotlines.”
Luo Xian was not unreasonable. She simply hated the feeling of her emotions and desires being manipulated.
The will of Heaven?
Just wait.
One day, she would erase it completely.
Jiang Fan was silent for several seconds. Then he began operating his computer nonstop, ignoring the repeated protests from his stomach.
He would rather lose steamed buns than lose face. As a man, being looked down upon by a woman, especially one as beautiful as Luo Xian, was infuriating.
More than two hours passed in a flash.
After countless attempts, Jiang Fan finally made a new discovery.
It was not that the plot could not be modified at all. The number of characters he could change was extremely limited.
In a 2,000-character chapter, he could only modify two characters. In a 3,000-character chapter, he could modify three characters, and so on.
Simply put, he could change one character per 1,000 characters. If he exceeded that limit, the upload would fail.
This was the pattern Jiang Fan gradually discovered.
When Luo Xian learned of this, her brows knitted together. “What use are changing a few characters? There is no way to delete my romantic plotline.”
Jiang Fan disagreed. “Do not underestimate a few characters. Many times, a single character can completely change the meaning of a sentence.”
As he spoke, he opened the scheduled draft from the website’s backend.
The general content of that chapter was that during the sect competition, Luo Xian encountered an outer disciple named Lin Han. Their strengths were not on the same level, and Lin Han was quickly defeated. Because Lin Han possessed extremely pure sword intent, Luo Xian developed a favorable impression of him.
Jiang Fan typed and changed the six words “Luo Xian developed a favorable impression” to “Luo Xian felt nothing.”
Just two characters of difference. The meaning was entirely reversed.
This Creator…
Was not completely useless after all.
Jiang Fan went through all the drafts in the draft box. Under his operation, he completely cut off the emotional line between Luo Xian and Lin Han.
After finishing everything, he stood up proudly and walked to Luo Xian like a general returning from victory.
Was it a hint?
No. It was obvious.
“I take back my previous evaluation. You are somewhat useful.”
Luo Xian’s words made Jiang Fan’s lips twitch wildly. “I helped you. Should you not show some appreciation?”
“How?”
“Agree to one condition.”
“As long as it is not excessive, I can consider it.”
Jiang Fan blurted out without hesitation. “In the future, do not draw your sword at me every time. I am like a mouse. I am timid.”
He truly could not stand Luo Xian’s habit of drawing her sword at the slightest disagreement. If this continued a few more times, he might develop heart problems from the fright.
A trace of surprise flickered in Luo Xian’s eyes. “Agreed.”
Hearing her agreement, Jiang Fan let out a long breath. At that moment, his stomach protested for the Nth time. He glanced at Luo Xian and saw no reaction from her. “Well… I am going out to get something to eat. Are you not leaving?”
“Take me with you.”
“Huh?”
Luo Xian’s sudden request left Jiang Fan stunned. “Have you not already broken through to the Spirit Spring Realm? Cultivators in the Spirit Spring Realm can sustain their bodies by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. There is no need to eat.”
Luo Xian answered frankly. “It is not only the girls in your world who have cravings. I do as well.”
In the next second, the Ice Glass Sword appeared again, pointing at Jiang Fan’s face.
“Are you taking me or not?”
“Why are you drawing your sword at me again?”
“Which eye of yours saw me draw it? Clearly the Ice Glass Sword ran out on its own.”
“…”
The humming Ice Glass Sword and Luo Xian’s innocent expression told Jiang Fan one thing.
He had been played.