Maybe divide the recs between Xianxia style Xuahuan (which seems to cover 'most' Xianxia), actual Xianxia (set in Feudal or Ancient China if cultivators were real) and Modern Xianxia.
Xianxia Encompassing the World! (Xianxia Rec Discussion and Idea thread)
- Thread starter Hangwind
- Start date
I Shall Seal The Heavens is the classic newbie rec. It's a good introduction to many of the common genre conventions, and goes into a fair bit of detail on the process of cultivation itself, which helped me wrap my head around the core assumptions of the genre. And, of course, it's pretty good overall, with a couple of spots where it gets absolutely fantastic.
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
just that if you go too crazy with how many you make I'll complain and unfollow the thread
Sirrocco
Pedantic
So, for those of you who are interested in such things, I recommended Heart of Cultivation a while back, and said I'd tell you all when the MC finally managed to step up a rank.
Well, it's finally happened, in chapter 43, with chapters generally dropping once every 2-5 days.
I expect it'll come a bit faster from here, but yeah... it's a slow one.
Well, it's finally happened, in chapter 43, with chapters generally dropping once every 2-5 days.
I expect it'll come a bit faster from here, but yeah... it's a slow one.
- Location
- Canada
Er Gen's other novel, A Will Eternal is also a personal favorite in the xianxia genre. Absolutely hilarious in parts, and Bai Xiaochun is a great protagonist, not as 100% sociopathic as a lot of MCs.
I also greatly enjoy Divine Throne of Primordial Blood, a xuanhuan novel where the MC is basically a scientist developing techniques to power up the human race in a world in which they are the underdogs. He's basically building a xianxia world. YMMV here though because he does use a lot of involuntary human experimentation to do so, though only on people who have tried to kill him.
I also greatly enjoy Divine Throne of Primordial Blood, a xuanhuan novel where the MC is basically a scientist developing techniques to power up the human race in a world in which they are the underdogs. He's basically building a xianxia world. YMMV here though because he does use a lot of involuntary human experimentation to do so, though only on people who have tried to kill him.
Since it is not mentioned here, I will do so.
Cultivator Against A Hero Society is a manhua about a very powerful cultivator somehow ending up on the modern world of superheroes, which is both a culture shock to him and a disparity of power, in which he is pretty much the Xianxia One Punch Man.
It is really funny and also have some decent worldbuilding.
I am not going to post any links, since pretty much all of them are fanscanlations.
Cultivator Against A Hero Society is a manhua about a very powerful cultivator somehow ending up on the modern world of superheroes, which is both a culture shock to him and a disparity of power, in which he is pretty much the Xianxia One Punch Man.
It is really funny and also have some decent worldbuilding.
I am not going to post any links, since pretty much all of them are fanscanlations.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
I'm currently reading and enjoying this, but I will say that he doesn't go full scientist for quite a while. I'm currently on Chapter 33, and... well, he's clearly intelligent and acting in intelligent ways (it's show rather nicely, actually). He hasn't really gotten to work on developing any sort of new techniques, though.
As far as toxicity goes, though, it's quite good. there are a decent number of female characters, with no particular sexism that I can see (they have a few personality quirks dialed up, but no more so than most of the people in the story). Can't judge homophobia because homosexuals simply haven't shown up at all. Thus far, protagonist hasn't killed except when absolutely necessary, and isn't predisposed to excessive force. He is occasionally dishonest, but he's also not being set out as some paragon of virtue, which I think helps overall. NPCs are a little flat, but it looks like it's mostly a case of us just not seeing enough of any of them to get real depth. I'm not going to say that the author is amazing at characterization, but it also doesn't feel like the protag is living in a world populated by cardboard cutouts.
Protagonist is something of a Young Master (he's the most talented member of his generation in one of the four clans that runs his city), but is actually a pretty forgiving member of the species.
Also, notable: the author does very well indeed at not actually telling us much about his character's personality. It all just comes out in the action.
Last edited:
- Location
- Canada
Yes, the science stuff doesn't begin until later on, when he regains his sight.
There are some tasteless 'fearing for your butt' jokes later on, which is actually
Su Chen stripping people down to do science to them, though they think it's for a different reason
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
As a recommendation, I have Mo Dao Zu Shi (also called MDZS) which was in turn recommended to me by my sister. There's an animated adaption on YouTube with English subtitles. And it is sponsored by Cornetto making for some really weird commercials and product placement.
It's definitely Xianxia given the focus on sects and clans, and the prevalence of ghosts, demons, spirits, zombies, and the like. However, it is very low-level compared to most Xianxia with pretty much every character I've seen so far being more on the level of a regular Wuxia character, just with magic assisting them.
The story is, well... the first season, which I am in the middle of, is named Founder of Diabolism: The Past. So far, it has opened with said Founder finding himself brought back to life 15 or 20 years or so after his allies killed him. Since episode 3 the season has been one long extended flashback detailing the Founder's youth and relationships.
It's definitely Xianxia given the focus on sects and clans, and the prevalence of ghosts, demons, spirits, zombies, and the like. However, it is very low-level compared to most Xianxia with pretty much every character I've seen so far being more on the level of a regular Wuxia character, just with magic assisting them.
The story is, well... the first season, which I am in the middle of, is named Founder of Diabolism: The Past. So far, it has opened with said Founder finding himself brought back to life 15 or 20 years or so after his allies killed him. Since episode 3 the season has been one long extended flashback detailing the Founder's youth and relationships.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
Lord of Mysteries
Ze Tian Ji/Way of Choices
Jiang Ye/Nightfall
Sword Dynasty
Lord of the Mysteries isn't really Xianxia. Unless every Chinese action/adventure webnovel ever counts as Xianxia I guess.
Like, it's extremely good, and I wholeheartedly recommend it, but it really isn't a Xianxia story under any sort of definition of the genre.
Like, it's extremely good, and I wholeheartedly recommend it, but it really isn't a Xianxia story under any sort of definition of the genre.
Some recommendations:
* The Sage Who Transcended Samsara 一世之尊
* 灭运图录
Both stories are from the same author of The Lord of Mysteries, and ones of the best Xianxia IMO. The first one isn't a typical Xianxia story, it begins as more of a Wuxia story and transition into Xianxia. The second (older) story is closer to the typical Xianxia, but without the usual pitfalls, ie. dumb antagonists, immoral MC. Unfortunately I don't think it is translated to English. For romance, there's no harem, and whether there's even a love interest or not is a spoiler.
* Great Dao Commander 大道争锋
IMO the translated name is completely wrong, so I am not sure about the quality of the translation. Anyway, the first third of the story is like your typical Xianxia, cultivating to get stronger, completing missions for the sect, etc. The MC faced some troubles from members of the sect, but it is due to internal political struggles between two factions in the sect (MC is part of one faction) instead of the cliche that everyone looks down on MC. Afterward, the MC becomes one of the leaders of the sect, and takes a more backseat role. The story spends more focus on side characters (MC's students and younger generations). This shift of focus isn't well received by many readers, though I personally enjoyed it.
* 仙葫
One of the best Xianxia. When it was first written, almost all other Xianxia at the time is what was termed 'resource-focused' (资源流), where the most important thing to cultivators are resources, be it qi, spirit herbs, etc. (with memes like with enough spirit pills, even a pig can become immortal). This story, however, starts the Xianxia trend termed 'temperament-focused' (心性流) where states of mind is most important to cultivators. No matter how much resources a cultivator, if they doesn't have the right state of mind (as dictated by the cultivation method), they can never become immortal. So cultivators of different sects have different requirements, and they tried different methods to cultivate the right state of mind (ie. some lives among the ordinary people, pretending to be a mortal). Sadly, I don't think this is translated either.
* Approaching Cultivation 走进修仙
The title is a play on the TV show 走近科学 (Approaching Science). It is actually SciFi, which tries to explain cultivation and related cliches (ex. heaven tribulation) with in-universe science. One thing notably is that instead of ancient cultivators being better than modern cultivators as in most Xianxia, this story treats cultivation as a field of study that's being constantly developed, thus modern cultivators are much better than ancient cultivators, where secret techniques that can only performed by ancient masters are now something that can be performed by low-level cultivators. Unfortunately, also not translated AFAIK.
* Forty Millenniums of Cultivation
Recommended many times in this thread already. Started off as a generic Xianxia but after the first arc shifted genre into SciFi.
* 幽冥仙途
* 问镜
By the same author of the Master of the Stars. Don't think they are translated either.
Wow, just realize almost none of my recommendations are translated.
+1 to these recommendations. For Lord of Mysteries, I recommend reading it regardless if you consider it Xianxia, as I consider it one of the best web novels.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It's translated but it might as well not be because the TL is complete dogshit. That said, you can still the glimmers of a good story that lies beneath that so if you can push through, I'd also recommend it.
I second all of these.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
Your recs hurt me because I've read some of these and the fact that their TLs are so shit hurts me.
Genesys
(Discrete Mokona)
- Location
- California
Haven't read some of these yet, and don't feel strongly about others, but I can second LotM, Sword Dynasty, and 40M.
Sage is really painful in terms of tl, and looks to be on indefinite hiatus, so I'm not sure I'd really rec it unless you can read the raw.
Besides that ...
Tales of Herding Gods is also on indefinite hiatus, but as mentioned before in the thread, the general conflicts with existing power structures within most xianxia are motivated by various cultivation reforms, and there's a lot of elements of discovery and invention in it. Not quite enough to make it a wholly unique xianxia, but I'd rec it overall.
I personally feel that A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality is pretty much the archetypal xianxia, without massive flaws and painful points but similarly without really amazing bits either. What it does do a good job of is introducing the reader to the genre's general tropes and feel and whatnot, without teaching them to be disappointed in everything, and also lets them appreciate more nonstandard xianxia that twist the common tropes to some degree.
Necropolis Immortal, or NECRO, is only at about 300 chapters so far, but it's been pretty solid. The general themes of this one are "rediscovery" so far - some massive events happened before the start of the book, and the MC is digging up both history and wealth, as well as personnel, from the tombs. The major bit I liked about it is a spoiler, but similar to ToHG, the upset of existing power structures by the dissemination of information that brings overall benefit to the general population.
Legend of the Great Sage/Saint starts out pretty wuxia but fairly quickly outscales that portion of the story by the second volume. Though one of the main reasons I liked it was because it actually got revived (it died roughly two years ago and only sputtered in revival until half a year ago), but in any case, the tl's well and alive and relatively quality. The primary draw is how much of a person the MC feels like, I suppose? He's decidedly imperfect and emotional and whatnot and loses sometimes, bonds deeply, etc.
Reverend Insanity. There's been a lot said about this, but honestly, it effectively pans down to Fang Yuan being amoral and playing 10d chess or whatever. Schemes are really solid, as long as you can stand an evil protag. Not stupid evil, he's only evil whenever it benefits him, but he really has no bottom line. For example, using infants to refine Gu is a whatever for him. Not a specific flouting of morals but a total lack of them. (also, discontinued in country of origin, which is a bummer for sure, though the author is trying to get it unbanned)
My Disciple Died Yet Again, the most atypical of the ones I'm reccing. Also the only one that's complete!
It's basically about a reincarnating (female) disciple who's tasked with fixing various faults in the world. I remember liking it quite a lot, but it's also been two years since it's been finished, so I don't remember too much of the details.
Sage is really painful in terms of tl, and looks to be on indefinite hiatus, so I'm not sure I'd really rec it unless you can read the raw.
Besides that ...
Tales of Herding Gods is also on indefinite hiatus, but as mentioned before in the thread, the general conflicts with existing power structures within most xianxia are motivated by various cultivation reforms, and there's a lot of elements of discovery and invention in it. Not quite enough to make it a wholly unique xianxia, but I'd rec it overall.
I personally feel that A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality is pretty much the archetypal xianxia, without massive flaws and painful points but similarly without really amazing bits either. What it does do a good job of is introducing the reader to the genre's general tropes and feel and whatnot, without teaching them to be disappointed in everything, and also lets them appreciate more nonstandard xianxia that twist the common tropes to some degree.
Necropolis Immortal, or NECRO, is only at about 300 chapters so far, but it's been pretty solid. The general themes of this one are "rediscovery" so far - some massive events happened before the start of the book, and the MC is digging up both history and wealth, as well as personnel, from the tombs. The major bit I liked about it is a spoiler, but similar to ToHG, the upset of existing power structures by the dissemination of information that brings overall benefit to the general population.
Legend of the Great Sage/Saint starts out pretty wuxia but fairly quickly outscales that portion of the story by the second volume. Though one of the main reasons I liked it was because it actually got revived (it died roughly two years ago and only sputtered in revival until half a year ago), but in any case, the tl's well and alive and relatively quality. The primary draw is how much of a person the MC feels like, I suppose? He's decidedly imperfect and emotional and whatnot and loses sometimes, bonds deeply, etc.
Reverend Insanity. There's been a lot said about this, but honestly, it effectively pans down to Fang Yuan being amoral and playing 10d chess or whatever. Schemes are really solid, as long as you can stand an evil protag. Not stupid evil, he's only evil whenever it benefits him, but he really has no bottom line. For example, using infants to refine Gu is a whatever for him. Not a specific flouting of morals but a total lack of them. (also, discontinued in country of origin, which is a bummer for sure, though the author is trying to get it unbanned)
My Disciple Died Yet Again, the most atypical of the ones I'm reccing. Also the only one that's complete!
It's basically about a reincarnating (female) disciple who's tasked with fixing various faults in the world. I remember liking it quite a lot, but it's also been two years since it's been finished, so I don't remember too much of the details.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Eh? It was Sci Fi from the beginning. MC literally started out scavenging tech in a dump that was constantly being refilled by spaceships.
I mean, I agree with the rec, but it was totally Sci Fi from the beginning.
It started out in a high tech setting but I would not call a story SciFi just because of the setting has advanced technologies. The early focus is still typical Xianxia-lite, ie. MC getting stronger, etc, where you can switch the setting to lower tech without much trouble. While the focus of latter arcs shifted to exploring the impacts of advanced technologies (in this case cultivation and related technologies) on society and how people react to them. You can still tell such story in a lower-tech setting but the story would be very different. That's why I believe this story isn't SciFi in earlier arc. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
What do you mean specifically by "xianxia xuanhuan"? My understanding was that they were two different genres, with some disagreement about the definitions.
I will say that Forge of Destiny (while perhaps at this point somewhat overrecommended) is an excellent story in the "Native English remix" sub-genre of xianxia, with a female lead and a number of strong female supporting characters.
Last edited:
I mean xianxia or xianxia like xuanhuan story. edit: thanks for the rec.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Not specifically about the previous request, but I do want to put out the news about https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/32502/heart-of-cultivation. It's hit the end of its first book at Chapter 45, and will be sending it off to Amazon in a couple of weeks (and thus no longer being available for free reading). It's a slow paced (especially wrt advancement in the MC's cultivation), well-written English-native xianxia with a heavy crafter focus, and (thus far) a perpetually underdog MC. It's cool. If you like it, the author apparently has a bunch of fanfic up on SB, as well (though not so much xianxia).
Last edited:
Ascending, Do Not Disturb. Quite possibly the most wholesome xianxia ever written.
- Location
- Singapore
You can try Phoenix destiny. It used to be translated by Volare, then jumped to Qidian, and the later chapters disappeared, but up until the point where it stopped, it was quite reasonable giving the MC cool scenes and cheats without being overpowered. Good mix of social conflict and actual fighting conflict, and character development. Also, My disciple died yet again and the other stories by this author, but that is kinda meta/deconstruction of xianxia than straight xianxia.