Author of The Multiverse

After uploading Chapter 2, Lin Xian stretched his fingers, feeling a mix of satisfaction and uncertainty.

Now that he had started, a question burned in his mind.

> "System, how do I level up as an author?"

---

[System Response]

> [Information Locked – Cost: 5 Points]

Lin Xian's eye twitched.

"…Are you seriously charging me for basic information?"

> [Knowledge has value.]

"Tch. Fine."

With a reluctant sigh, he paid 5 points and waited for the system's response.

---

[Author Levels & EXPR]

> EXPR (Exclusive Reader Points) measures dedicated readers who follow your work.

1000 EXPR needed to reach Level 2.

Each level increases your authority over world-building.

Higher levels unlock advanced artifacts, skills, and narrative tools.

---

Lin Xian frowned.

"So… I need 1000 readers just to reach the next level?"

> [Correct.]

"And what do you mean by 'unlocking artifacts'?"

> [Information Locked – Cost: 1000 Points]

"…Yeah, not happening."

He exhaled.

This system was a damn scam.

Limiting his world-building? Controlling his creativity? What kind of nonsense was that?

But for now, he had no choice.

---

Researching the Star Web

Lin Xian leaned back and decided to do some "research."

Opening the Star Web, he browsed through the different genres and top-ranking novels across various planets.

And what he found was mind-blowing.

---

The Orc Planet, Gorr'Thak: Preferred ultra-violent novels, gladiator stories, and brutal war epics. Anything with blood, gore, and conquest thrived here.

The Tree Civilizations of Verdenia: Loved slice-of-life, nature-focused stories, and deeply philosophical tales about life and existence.

The Cybernetic Empires: Enjoyed sci-fi thrillers, AI-focused literature, and dystopian tech-based narratives.

The Cultivation Planets: Dominated by Xianxia, Wuxia, and Eastern fantasy, with a heavy emphasis on martial arts legends, immortal sects, and ancient prophecies.

The Demonic Realms: Had a thriving dark fantasy and horror scene, where authors created nightmare-inducing eldritch horror sagas.

---

Lin Xian scrolled further and nearly choked when he saw the reader count on the top-ranked books.

> [The Eternal Dao – 312 Billion Readers]

[Mecha Lord of the Abyss – 278 Billion Readers]

[Godslayer Chronicles – 198 Billion Readers]

"…WHAT THE HELL?"

His brain short-circuited.

But then, he calmed down.

It made sense.

The Star Web was galactic in scale. Across trillions of worlds, billions of people read books.

Suddenly, his goal of 1000 readers didn't seem so impossible.

Still… he needed to figure out how to gain those readers.

With renewed determination, Lin Xian opened his laptop and started planning his next move.