"Brother White, Brother White, are you there?"
"White God, White God, hurry up and post your Four Seas declaration."
"The Number One White Under Heaven??"
Just like these readers, the authors in the Striving Writers group were also constantly sending private messages to Huang Yifan that day.
Unfortunately, all of their messages vanished without a trace, with no reply whatsoever.
"Thirty-Two, why isn't Brother White online?"
"How would I know? I sent him over ten messages, and he didn't reply."
"Same here."
"Damn it, it's already 6 PM. If Brother White doesn't come back, the Four Seas Ranking is going to be snatched away by Badao."
"We should have notified Brother White earlier. After all, he's a newcomer and doesn't know much about Lingdian."
Thirty-Two was full of regret, but now it was too late to say anything.
Those who felt the situation was already hopeless also included the editors of Group 7 at Lingdian Chinese Web.
"Wuyue, have you gotten in touch with The Number One White Under Heaven?"
Group 7's chief editor, Call Me Captain, had already urged Wuyue several times.
"No, I haven't."
Wuyue was also embarrassed. The author he had signed had disappeared right when the Four Seas Recommendation went live.
"Wuyue, why didn't you notify him earlier and tell him to prepare his Four Seas declaration?"
"Captain, I…"
Wuyue said with some difficulty, "We've never really notified authors like that before."
An editor's responsibility at Lingdian was to handle contracts, arrange recommendations, and answer authors' questions related to writing.
Generally speaking, a single editor had to deal with nearly a thousand authors. Most of the time, communication was initiated by the authors asking questions, and editors responding. If authors didn't ask, and editors had to personally teach each author how to use Lingdian, how to write novels, and how to familiarize themselves with Lingdian's rules, it would probably take a thousand years to finish.
Because of that, rules and systems like Lingdian's were always something authors had to learn on their own. Editors couldn't tell you exactly what to do step by step.
Even if you were a newcomer, an editor wouldn't explain everything to you line by line.
"Alright, you don't need to explain. I know."
Seeing how awkward Wuyue looked, Call Me Captain cut him off. He had also started as a regular editor, so he knew that things like this couldn't realistically be notified individually. Even recommendations were usually communicated through backend system messages. Expecting editors to explain everything one-on-one was completely unrealistic.
"What a pity, what a pity."
Shaking his head helplessly, Call Me Captain looked at The Number One White Under Heaven, who was ranked second on the Four Seas channel.
Previously, he had always believed that The Number One White Under Heaven was no match for Badao.
But after a full day of Four Seas promotion, The Number One White Under Heaven's work had shown astonishing potential.
Just like now, even without a Four Seas declaration, he was still sitting firmly in second place on the Four Seas Pavilion.
If he could have seized today's opportunity, it might not have been impossible to drag a Level 7 god tier author down from the top.
But life has no do-overs. Opportunities come only once.
For writers who make a living off talent, opportunity is often the most important thing.
Seize it, and a new god tier author is born.
Miss it, and you might never become a god in your entire life.
At this moment, Badao had 31.000 votes, while The Number One White Under Heaven had 20.900 votes.
The gap between them had already widened to 10.000 votes.
With a light sigh, Call Me Captain checked the time. It was already 8 PM, only four hours left until midnight.
Helplessly, he closed the webpage. He knew that even if The Number One White Under Heaven showed up now, closing a nearly 10.000 vote gap in just four hours was impossible.
…
10 PM.
Another two hours passed.
The gap between Badao and The Number One White Under Heaven had now widened to 12,000 votes.
"Badao, looks like I should congratulate you in advance."
"Congrats, Badao. Just wait for Lingdian to publish the Four Seas Ranking feature tomorrow."
"Damn, looks like Lingdian is really going all out with Four Seas. Being a Four Seas Ranking is even more impressive than a major homepage feature."
"It probably can't beat a major homepage feature. After all, that's the most prominent spot on Lingdian. But Four Seas Ranking carries way more prestige. It's the ultimate tool for raising your status."
"From now on, when I flame people on Feilong, I'll just say this seat is the Four Seas Ranking. And you are what? What right do you have to question this Ranking? Hahaha."
In the God Tier Authors Contract Group, various Level 7 god tier authors congratulated Badao.
"Thanks for the congratulations. I won't say much. In the future, if you need anything, just say the word and come to me, Badao."
Seeing the gap of over ten thousand votes, Badao finally let out a sigh of relief.
Originally, he had looked down on The Number One White Under Heaven, thinking his writing was noob style and his novel wasn't much. So during the initial face-off, Badao hadn't taken him seriously at all. But once the real battle began, Badao realized that in the first few hours, The Number One White Under Heaven's votes had stayed neck and neck with his. Even after pulling in help from other Level 7 god tier authors to boost his votes, The Number One White Under Heaven kept chasing closely behind. Fortunately, after noon, The Number One White Under Heaven's momentum started to weaken, lacking stamina.
However, before Badao could fully relax, a netizen named Xishui sent him a message.
"Badao, want to buy Four Seas votes?"
Xishui was the biggest vote scalper on Lingdian. Countless authors who wanted rankings would buy votes from him.
In the industry, this was called data brushing, or simply brushing.
"Buy your sister."
Seeing Xishui, Badao cursed outright. "Xishui, are you trying to get me killed?"
Although Badao's character wasn't great, his principles were firm.
He had always despised people who bought votes, let alone the head of vote scalpers.
And now this guy was trying to sell votes to him. Badao immediately lashed out.
"Hehe, Brother Badao, how could I harm you? I'm here sincerely to help you."
"Help? You think I'm three years old?"
"Seems you still don't understand the situation. Let me put it bluntly. Your first place isn't secure. Even if you're first right now, no one can guarantee you'll still be first two hours later."
"Ridiculous. I'm leading The Number One White Under Heaven by over ten thousand votes. Do you think he can overtake me in just two hours?"
"Why not? Let me tell you this. The reason The Number One White Under Heaven is behind you isn't that he's weak or his fans are lacking. It's because he hasn't posted a Four Seas declaration. As a Level 7 god tier author, you should understand the significance of a Four Seas declaration. I don't know if, once he comes back and posts one, you'll still be able to hold onto first place."
"So what if he comes back? You think just because someone writes a vote-pulling declaration, people will vote? Heh. I didn't become a Level 7 author for nothing. Even if The Number One White Under Heaven comes back now, he's destined to be second."
Although Xishui's words made Badao's heart jolt, and he secretly thought it was close, Badao had fought for countless rankings since becoming a professional writer. Every time, he meticulously crafted his vote-pulling declarations. Under those domineering, blood-boiling declarations, countless readers instantly became his soldiers, while he became their general, leading them to conquer cities and seize land. In just a few years, he rose from a Level 1 nobody to a Level 7 god tier author.
"Alright then. Since you're so confident, I won't say more. Whenever you need votes, you can come to me anytime. Badao, I believe we'll have a chance to work together."
"Hmph."
Badao snorted coldly and didn't reply.
…
"Damn it, what the hell. Late at night, and I still had to make up classes."
At 10 PM, Huang Yifan finally got home.
After cursing his homeroom teacher in his heart, Huang Yifan quickly logged into Lingdian.
Today was the Four Seas Recommendation. He had heard it was very important. He hadn't had time to post his Four Seas declaration yet.
He wondered how the battle was going.
Muttering to himself, a few seconds later, Huang Yifan entered Lingdian.
"Damn it, looks like I came back too late. I'm already behind by over ten thousand votes."
Feeling anxious, he cursed himself for being late. But regret was useless now. He hurriedly entered the backend, uploaded the day's chapter, and then uploaded his Four Seas declaration.
The Number One White Under Heaven's novel had been updated.
At the same time, many readers who had bookmarked his novel received a notification on their bookshelf.
"Holy shit, Brother White finally came back."
Liu Feilong had the urge to curse.
A perfectly good book had been ruined by this guy.
What's the point of coming back now? What's the point?
First place has already been taken by Badao. Even if you get second, who in this world remembers second place?
Once the Four Seas Ranking is announced, whether it's The Number One White Under Heaven or any other Four Seas work, they'll all just be background.
Still, he genuinely liked The Number One White Under Heaven's novel. Although Liu Feilong was furious at such an irresponsible attitude, the novel itself was still worth reading. Forget fighting for first place. Since this guy doesn't want to fight, why should readers help him fight for it?
Better to quietly read, vote, and maybe subscribe when needed.
As for whether he can become a god tier author, what does that have to do with me?
With that thought, Liu Feilong comfortably read the latest two chapters.
They were really satisfying. The protagonist Xie Wendong was awesome.
When he went to flip to the next chapter, there was none. Instead, a Four Seas declaration appeared.
So this guy still remembers to write a Four Seas declaration.
Seeing it, Liu Feilong instantly had the urge to close the page.
In the end, he held back. He wanted to see what kind of Four Seas declaration such an irresponsible guy could write.
"Sorry, everyone. Because I'm not very familiar with Lingdian's rules, I didn't update the latest chapter in advance. Plus, I had some personal matters tonight and came back late. As an apology, I'll offer you a poem, 'The Song of a Man', as my repentance."
Seeing this, Liu Feilong was still not appeased.
You think one apology is enough?
Do you think coming back late justifies what we readers felt?
And as for repentance, The Song of a Man. Heh, what is that?
However, just as Liu Feilong was about to dismiss it, sounds of clashing weapons suddenly echoed in the room, like ten thousand horses charging.
[Among them stood a man with a sword.
Leaping into the air from amidst an army, singing loudly.
In the land of Yan and Huang, heroes abound.
Facing a hundred foes alone, never afraid.
Never afraid, vengeance must be paid in blood.
Behold the blood of Huaxia's sons.
A man's blood burns, heroic and fierce.
Pride fills the chest, the heart as hard as iron.
Golden blade in hand, white jade at my waist.
Hungry, I feast on the heads of chieftains. Thirsty, I drink the blood of rakshasas.]
==========
Support the translation and help me keep the work.
patreon.com/Childish_Patriarch