Elawn You do realize that there are countless aggregators out there, right? People can just choose to go there if things changes, don't forget that QI is a newcomer and I doubt they'd introduce either a paywall or an ad-free plan anytime time soon if they're smart.
We're a leecher community you see (well unless those of us who like to support TLers by donating), so neither of those propositions look appealing as either of them might be the harbinger of the even more dreadful pay-per-chapter system.
There are some people like yourself who believe a paywall isn't coming in the next few years or if ever.
I guess I'm not that optimistic. I believe it is coming and pretty soon in fact.
Spirit Stones is pretty much a precursor to a paywall. Buy spirit stone for $0.01 each. 4 Spirit Stones per chapter.
Qidian in China use a paywall. What make you think Qidian International will be a special snowflake?
How would they justify to their paying readers in China if the international version is free while readers in China have to pay?
Last but not least, Qidian International never said that it will be FREE FOR a LONG TIME....it would be great publicity to come out and say that but they didn't. Which mean they intend for some kind of paywall some day down the road.
If you like www.webnovel.com to continue to be FREE, you should hope that QI implement FREEMIUM.