Not always. While in some cases, they can add depth to characters or relationships. For example, if a character's sexual awakening is a key part of their journey, then an erotic scene might be relevant. But many great stories have been told without any such scenes.
It depends on the nature of the story. In certain genres like erotica, they are central to the plot. However, in most mainstream novels, they are not necessary. A story can be developed through other means such as character growth, conflict, and resolution. Take adventure novels for example, the focus is on the journey and challenges, not on erotic scenes.
Erotic scenes are not a must - have for story development. There are countless novels that have achieved great success without including them. They can be a tool, but a very delicate one. If misused, they can overshadow other important elements of the story. For instance, a mystery novel should focus on the mystery - solving aspect rather than erotic content. But if used sparingly and purposefully, they can enhance certain aspects like the emotional connection between characters.
Chapter 300, "Perseverance, Beast Tide Breaks the Barrier (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Meng Yi's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Don't be fooled by the fact that all three of their fathers have Cold... and follows through with As soon as the Longyou Army comes in, engage immediately and use a....
Chapter 154, "He Came, Bringing with Him the Bastard Game", is the clearest early answer because it turns Ahhhh's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter, Lili, do you really have to be so...
Chapter 346, "Mighty Soldiers, One Against Three, The Cause of the Beast Tide", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Chuan's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from five million!" "Silver is just one of the main materials used in the... to Among the Six Armies, the first batch to rush up are all the....
Chapter 335, "Songyang Ridge, Seven Houses Surrender, First Batch of Silver Arrives", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Brother Ji into a new phase or setting. Early on, It seems you all came prepared today.. By the end, Lord Xu, our Great Xia's expansion and annexation outward is.... Inside the broader power growth storyline, it turns Brother Ji's growth into a concrete upgrade step and sets up the next payoff in the relationship tension storyline linked to Xu Ning.
Chapter 327, "Beast Tide Battle, Wolf King and the Hidden Move, White Dew Gu’s Dead End (Part 5)", is the clearest early answer because the buildup finally cashes out in a real clash. Early on, Because the Iron Arrow flew above the Cold Ruins Tripod, a fierce.... By the end, The Cold Blood Blade, along with the crossbow arrow, simultaneously....
Chapter 263, "Offering Advice, An Elder Brother Like a Father", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xiao Yu's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Big sis, second sis, I brought soup." "Coming!" Outside the main... and closes on I heard father say in the camp now, there are close to four hundred....
Chapter 287, "Cloud Dragon Army's First Battle, Zhou Yuan's Bloody Struggle, Decisive Victory and Unexpected Windfall (Part 4)", is the clearest early answer because the buildup finally cashes out in a real clash. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on The two large carts were finally pushed aside by the combined effort... and ending on He only managed to block Xia Chuan's Sword Puppet attack, while Peng....
Chapter 292, "White Dew Gu's Open Plot, Long Mountain's Advance", is the clearest early answer because Long Mountain finally turns buildup into a real advancement. The setup is With the Holy Sun Pill, that White Dew Gu will definitely use Li..., but the pressure keeps building through Li Xuanling should have calculated this point long ago..
Chapter 346, "Formidable Soldiers and Brave Generals, One Against Three, Reason Behind the Beast Tide", is the clearest early answer because it turns Arrow Bamboo Forest's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with The beast tide in the Arrow Bamboo Forest has been going on for so... and closes on In fact, until now, they have only managed to scatter the beast tide..
Chapter 52, "Your Child is in Danger Now", is the clearest early answer because it turns Destiny's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with The village chief and the woman behind him exchanged a glance,...