C4 The Novel Specialist Skill Should be Enough
Fong Chao glanced downward and immediately spotted a light blue button emblazoned with the words "Storage Space."
He pressed it, and in an instant, a vast, empty space materialized before him.
The ten-cubic-meter space measured roughly 2.5 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 2 meters in height—quite sizable indeed, large enough to comfortably accommodate a compact car with room to spare.
"Can I store actual items from the real world in this space?" Fong Chao inquired.
"Absolutely, host. You can move the Storage Space button to your hand for convenience. It will make storing and retrieving items much easier," the elegant woman in the cheongsam thoughtfully suggested.
"Is that really possible?" Fong Chao asked, somewhat incredulous.
"Of course, it is," she affirmed.
Fong Chao reached for the button and, to his delight, easily removed it.
He placed the blue button in the palm of his left hand.
However, he quickly became concerned: wouldn't it be visible to others?
"Rest assured, dear host, the Storage Space button will not be visible to anyone else," the woman in the cheongsam reassured him.
"Ah! That's a relief," Fong Chao sighed, his worries alleviated.
His gaze then shifted to the shelf that held the Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book and the Novel Writing Master Level Skill Book.
He noticed the Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book was priced at 200 skill points, while the Novel Writing Master Level Skill Book cost a hefty 500 skill points.
Upon seeing this, Fong Chao took a sharp breath.
My goodness!
Will I ever be able to afford this Novel Writing Master Level Skill Book in my lifetime?
It took me 14 years to accumulate 250 Karma Points. To gather the required 500 Karma Points, wouldn't it take another decade or more?
By then, it would be too late.
A sense of urgency welled up in Fong Chao. He was determined to acquire a super skill quickly and write several monumental works, not only to cement his reputation in the national literary scene but also to earn the money he needed!
Yes! He had to make money fast. He was resolved to change not only his destiny but also the future of his family!
He couldn't let his life remain in misery any longer!
Maybe he should start by acquiring the Novel Writing Specialization?
While Fong Chao pondered this, the elegant woman in the qipao spoke up, "Dear host, earning Karma Points is actually quite simple. You can gain them by performing acts of kindness that benefit others. If your good deeds have a significant impact, the Karma Points can even be doubled. So, keep your spirits up! Additionally, I must say that the Novel Writing Specialization skill is quite impressive. With it, you'll write at the level of a top-tier novelist in the country, though crafting a sensational masterpiece will be quite challenging."
Reflecting on her words, Fong Chao realized just how formidable the Novel Writing Specialization skill was.
Then it made sense for him to acquire such a skill.
He might not be able to produce Master Level works, but surely Master Level wasn't necessary for penning popular fiction, was it?
Besides, he had an advantage, having traveled from the future with over twenty years of life experience. A little bit of leveraging that knowledge wouldn't hurt, right?
With that thought, Fong Chao decisively grabbed the Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book.
"Ding!"
An alert chimed in his ear.
The qipao-clad beauty smiled and inquired, "Dear host, are you certain you wish to purchase the Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book?"
"Yes!" Fong Chao confirmed.
"Very well, the transaction is complete. You've spent 200 Karma Points and have acquired the Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book. Congratulations, host," she said with a smile.
"May I leave now?" Fong Chao asked.
"Certainly, you just need to will it to exit the store," she informed him.
"Leave!"
Fong Chao silently commanded.
"Whoosh!"
Instantly, the scenery shifted. The store and the woman in the qipao vanished, and Fong Chao found himself back in reality.
However, he now held a Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book that glimmered with an unusual golden radiance, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the small window into his room.
He decisively flipped open the Skill Book.
"Ding!"
A notification chimed in his ears.
The sultry voice of the beautiful woman in the qipao once again filled Fong Chao's ears, "Dear host, are you ready to read this Novel Writing Specialization Skill Book now?"
"Yes!" Fong Chao affirmed with conviction.
"Whoosh!"
A golden radiance, clear as water, instantly enveloped Fong Chao.
As the light faded, Fong Chao felt transformed.
His grasp of this era, this world, and all of humanity had significantly deepened.
Now, whenever he contemplated anything, his mind effortlessly crafted the literary language to describe it.
Heavens!
Was this the sensation that came with the Novel Writing Specialization Skill?
This feeling was utterly sublime.
Gazing at the pristine moonlight casting a small patch of luminance in front of his bed, Fong Chao was exhilarated.
His thoughts raced, fixated on how to pen a groundbreaking novel!
Only a sensational work could catapult him to fame in this nation!
And only with fame could his novel be published and rake in substantial royalties!
In this day and age, to achieve renown, Fong Chao realized he must write a work of pure literature.
Yet, with only the Novel Writing Specialization Skill at his disposal, crafting a Master Level piece seemed out of reach.
Perhaps, then, it was permissible to draw upon the experiences of his future life and claim a future literary masterpiece as his own? Seeking fame in such a manner wasn't entirely dishonorable, was it?
After all, a bit of shamelessness was far preferable to the destitution of his past life!
Since fate had granted him a second chance, it was as if this privilege had been placed squarely in his hands.
"Which book should I 'borrow'?"
Fong Chao's mind began to reel, replaying memories like scenes from a film.
Among the classic modern works he had read, the author Fong Chao revered most was Yuh Hua.
Yuh Hua's writings possessed a power that resonated deeply, more so than any other author's.
Fong Chao could still vividly recall the tears shed while reading Yuh Hua's To Live, how his heart felt weighed down by a boulder, his contemplations on life and destiny profoundly deepened.
To Live was an immensely significant piece by Yuh Hua, a work that undeniably propelled him into the ranks of the most esteemed literary masters in Huaxia.
When was this piece published?
Having perused Yuh Hua's personal creative resume, Fong Chao faintly recalled that this novel was published in the "Harvest" magazine back in 1992.
