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Dinghai Fusheng Records (Novel) #1
Dinghai Fusheng Records (Novel) Vol. 1
The hit danmei novel series that inspired the manhua—also available in English from Seven Seas—and the animated series/donghua! In an ancient China where magic has been nearly extinguished, two young men must work together to prevent the destruction of all life. Set in the same universe as Legend of Exorcism!
Once, ancient China was brimming with magic…but three hundred years ago, the Spiritual Qi of the Heavens and Earth dried up in the Silence of All Magic. Hundreds of years with no spiritual qi have allowed resentment to build unchecked, and it’s only a matter of time before calamity descends and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction. Once-powerful exorcists have done their best to preserve their legacy in the centuries since, but now only one remains: Chen Xing, now tasked with venturing out into the war-torn world to prevent the impending apocalypse.
Chen Xing’s sole magical ability is a heart lamp, a supernatural light source that’s supposed to guide him to the destined Protector who will fight at his side. The heart lamp picks Xiang Shu, a mysterious stranger with no interest in being a hero—but fate has other plans for them both. A terrifying conspiracy looms over the Divine Land, and whether Xiang Shu likes it or not, Chen Xing may be his only hope of thwarting the impending darkness.
This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!
Once, ancient China was brimming with magic…but three hundred years ago, the Spiritual Qi of the Heavens and Earth dried up in the Silence of All Magic. Hundreds of years with no spiritual qi have allowed resentment to build unchecked, and it’s only a matter of time before calamity descends and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction. Once-powerful exorcists have done their best to preserve their legacy in the centuries since, but now only one remains: Chen Xing, now tasked with venturing out into the war-torn world to prevent the impending apocalypse.
Chen Xing’s sole magical ability is a heart lamp, a supernatural light source that’s supposed to guide him to the destined Protector who will fight at his side. The heart lamp picks Xiang Shu, a mysterious stranger with no interest in being a hero—but fate has other plans for them both. A terrifying conspiracy looms over the Divine Land, and whether Xiang Shu likes it or not, Chen Xing may be his only hope of thwarting the impending darkness.
This limited Special Edition contains the Regular Edition, but with bonus merchandise shrinkwrapped to the book: a double-sided bookmark, a lined notebook, a set of five trading cards, and a sticker sheet. Don’t miss the new art from guest artists included in this special merch!
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
90 people are currently reading
1780 people want to read
About the author
Fei Tian Ye Xiang
77 books144 followersAssociated Names:
* 非天夜翔
* Arise Zhang
* Fei Tian Ye Xiang
* เฟยเทียนเย่เสียง (Thai Profile)
* 非天夜翔
* Arise Zhang
* Fei Tian Ye Xiang
* เฟยเทียนเย่เสียง (Thai Profile)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 14, 2025
I absolutely loved this! The author has a remarkable knack for crafting historical fantasy that aligns perfectly with my tastes. I didn’t think it was possible to discover another historical fantasy danmei as captivating as *Legend of Exorcism*, but this prequel has truly proven me wrong. It encapsulated everything I desired and even exceeded my expectations.
The world-building in this story was nothing short of amazing. It was so intricately detailed that it felt as though I could step right into the pages. The amount of attention to historical accuracy showcased the author's dedication and passion for the genre. Every element of the setting—the bustling market scenes and the rich cultural nuances—painted a vivid picture that brought the narrative to life. The plot was a rollercoaster of excitement; it launched into action right from the beginning, maintaining a thrilling pace without missing a beat. I adored every twist and turn!
The characters were crafted with great complexity, each existing in a nuanced moral landscape. They weren’t simply categorized as good or bad; instead, they were portrayed with realistic flaws and motivations that made them feel genuine.
CHEN XING, the protagonist, embodies the damsel-in-distress archetype. Surprisingly, the author managed to make me, someone who typically finds this trope frustrating, fall in love with him. Though he requires protection and is rescued countless times, the author beautifully illustrates his inner strength and resilience. His backstory is heart-wrenching, especially when considering the hardships he faces, yet he possesses an indomitable spirit. He is not only funny and innocent but also determined and clever. While I can imagine that not everyone will resonate with him, I can confidently say that few would be able to outright dislike him. He’s like a cinnamon roll—sweet and vulnerable but armed with an awareness of his own predicament, which he cleverly leverages to garner support.
XIANG SHU serves as the love interest, initially presenting himself as somewhat of an arrogant jerk. However, his immediate instinct to protect Chen Xing, refusing to let anyone harm him, reveals a deeper, caring nature that is truly heartwarming. Although we don’t have a full understanding of his backstory yet, the glimpses the author provides hint at his morality and bravery, suggesting that Chen Xing is indeed in capable hands.
Their relationship is a delightful mix of humor and warmth. They start their journey together on the wrong foot, and even by the end of this volume, they haven’t quite found their groove. Normally, this kind of misunderstanding in storytelling can be exasperating, but the author skillfully infused their conflicts with so much humor that I laughed instead of fuming. Each moment Chen Xing pines after Xiang Shu was a comedic highlight for me—I couldn’t help but chuckle every time. Furthermore, the way Xiang Shu comes to Chen Xing’s defense, all while claiming indifference, adds a layer of sweetness to their dynamic that was genuinely touching.
I’m eager to see how their relationship evolves in future volumes. Given the engaging setup, I’m certain it’s going to be an exhilarating journey!
In conclusion, I had an absolute blast reading this, and it was nothing short of phenomenal! I’m left wondering what I will do to pass the time until volume 2 is released.
The world-building in this story was nothing short of amazing. It was so intricately detailed that it felt as though I could step right into the pages. The amount of attention to historical accuracy showcased the author's dedication and passion for the genre. Every element of the setting—the bustling market scenes and the rich cultural nuances—painted a vivid picture that brought the narrative to life. The plot was a rollercoaster of excitement; it launched into action right from the beginning, maintaining a thrilling pace without missing a beat. I adored every twist and turn!
The characters were crafted with great complexity, each existing in a nuanced moral landscape. They weren’t simply categorized as good or bad; instead, they were portrayed with realistic flaws and motivations that made them feel genuine.
CHEN XING, the protagonist, embodies the damsel-in-distress archetype. Surprisingly, the author managed to make me, someone who typically finds this trope frustrating, fall in love with him. Though he requires protection and is rescued countless times, the author beautifully illustrates his inner strength and resilience. His backstory is heart-wrenching, especially when considering the hardships he faces, yet he possesses an indomitable spirit. He is not only funny and innocent but also determined and clever. While I can imagine that not everyone will resonate with him, I can confidently say that few would be able to outright dislike him. He’s like a cinnamon roll—sweet and vulnerable but armed with an awareness of his own predicament, which he cleverly leverages to garner support.
XIANG SHU serves as the love interest, initially presenting himself as somewhat of an arrogant jerk. However, his immediate instinct to protect Chen Xing, refusing to let anyone harm him, reveals a deeper, caring nature that is truly heartwarming. Although we don’t have a full understanding of his backstory yet, the glimpses the author provides hint at his morality and bravery, suggesting that Chen Xing is indeed in capable hands.
Their relationship is a delightful mix of humor and warmth. They start their journey together on the wrong foot, and even by the end of this volume, they haven’t quite found their groove. Normally, this kind of misunderstanding in storytelling can be exasperating, but the author skillfully infused their conflicts with so much humor that I laughed instead of fuming. Each moment Chen Xing pines after Xiang Shu was a comedic highlight for me—I couldn’t help but chuckle every time. Furthermore, the way Xiang Shu comes to Chen Xing’s defense, all while claiming indifference, adds a layer of sweetness to their dynamic that was genuinely touching.
I’m eager to see how their relationship evolves in future volumes. Given the engaging setup, I’m certain it’s going to be an exhilarating journey!
In conclusion, I had an absolute blast reading this, and it was nothing short of phenomenal! I’m left wondering what I will do to pass the time until volume 2 is released.
June 30, 2025
Feisty but cute 16 year old Exorcist, his grumpy unwilling Martial God Protector, an *assasin* martial artist, and an adorable love-sick Imperial Guard Commander navigate how to save the world from resentment by restoring magic to the world and expelling demons. Kind of. One TW (for me) that I’ll put at the bottom because it’s a spoiler. The interior art is 🔥but why are there no chapter titles? The FT translation has them but I guess Seven Seas has decided they aren’t needed.
MC: Chen Xing(Golden Retriever)- BABY, naive/innocent but smart, positive with good luck that causes him to be brave, inexperienced but bold, awkward as he is learning things (young protagonist 16 at the beginning of the book)
ML: Xiang Shu(Black Cat) - cranky, protective, loyal, JEALOUS, good heart, strong, smart
What to expect from this series:
✅Fantasy/mythology-not sure whether this is classified as xianxia or xuanhuan
✅Ancient China setting- Jin Dynasty
✅Magic
✅Epic fantasy- save the world
✅Grumpy/sunshine
✅Enemies? to lovers
✅Slowwww burn
✅Humor throughout that helps with the angst/sadness
✅Amazing cast of supporting characters
✅Found family but more like a community/village?
✅Multiple M/M relationships
✅Much mutual pining and miscommunication but due to fear and pride (I normally despise miscommunication but it did not bother me in this novel).
✅ A map!
This is my favorite universe in danmei and it has four books already published:
1) Ming Wang/Post Training Notice: National First-Class Registered Exorcist (modern)
2) Tianbao Fuyao Lu/Legend of Exorcism (historical)
3) Dinghai Fusheng Records (historical)
4) Wan Wu (modern)
*A fifth novel, Qing Ping, is out on jjwxc now (June 2025) with chapters releasing daily- VIP after chapter 17. It takes place after Tianbao during the Song Dynasty. I’ll use every review of a Fei Tian novel to recommend the other novels in this series and express my love for Fei Tian. I love his protagonists, how he includes history, the world building, the found family tropes, multiple queer relationships, humor, spice, battle scenes- all of it.
*He said there will also be a sixth novel but I’m not sure of the time period.
Heads up-this volume starts off with a lot of ancient China history during the Jin dynasty when there was a lot of conflict between the Han and Hu people. But then the action and plot kick in and then it’s basically non-stop until the end.
Maybe spoilers and a TW:
🔴Something that I’ve never noticed in other Seven Seas books but maybe I just missed it… the first illustration did not match what was written in the book with Xiang Shu. It clearly states he has a beard and disheveled when Chen Xing finds him but the illustration he is clean shaven and gorgeous of course (in the jail cell lol).
🔴TW: puppy death
MC: Chen Xing(Golden Retriever)- BABY, naive/innocent but smart, positive with good luck that causes him to be brave, inexperienced but bold, awkward as he is learning things (young protagonist 16 at the beginning of the book)
ML: Xiang Shu(Black Cat) - cranky, protective, loyal, JEALOUS, good heart, strong, smart
What to expect from this series:
✅Fantasy/mythology-not sure whether this is classified as xianxia or xuanhuan
✅Ancient China setting- Jin Dynasty
✅Magic
✅Epic fantasy- save the world
✅Grumpy/sunshine
✅Enemies? to lovers
✅Slowwww burn
✅Humor throughout that helps with the angst/sadness
✅Amazing cast of supporting characters
✅Found family but more like a community/village?
✅Multiple M/M relationships
✅Much mutual pining and miscommunication but due to fear and pride (I normally despise miscommunication but it did not bother me in this novel).
✅ A map!
This is my favorite universe in danmei and it has four books already published:
1) Ming Wang/Post Training Notice: National First-Class Registered Exorcist (modern)
2) Tianbao Fuyao Lu/Legend of Exorcism (historical)
3) Dinghai Fusheng Records (historical)
4) Wan Wu (modern)
*A fifth novel, Qing Ping, is out on jjwxc now (June 2025) with chapters releasing daily- VIP after chapter 17. It takes place after Tianbao during the Song Dynasty. I’ll use every review of a Fei Tian novel to recommend the other novels in this series and express my love for Fei Tian. I love his protagonists, how he includes history, the world building, the found family tropes, multiple queer relationships, humor, spice, battle scenes- all of it.
*He said there will also be a sixth novel but I’m not sure of the time period.
Heads up-this volume starts off with a lot of ancient China history during the Jin dynasty when there was a lot of conflict between the Han and Hu people. But then the action and plot kick in and then it’s basically non-stop until the end.
Maybe spoilers and a TW:
🔴Something that I’ve never noticed in other Seven Seas books but maybe I just missed it… the first illustration did not match what was written in the book with Xiang Shu. It clearly states he has a beard and disheveled when Chen Xing finds him but the illustration he is clean shaven and gorgeous of course (in the jail cell lol).
🔴TW: puppy death
Read
October 3, 2025dnf @ 32%
I don’t think I’m a picky reader when it comes to danmei…but after reading a bunch of gems that kept my attention the whole way through and the excitement I felt every time I sat down to read more of it I no longer have the patience or motivation to force myself to continue on with something that I feel neither excitement nor motivation in
That was sadly the case with Dinghai. As excited as I was to read this, it fell flat for me. I still stand by saying Feitian Ye Xiang is a phenomenal writer but sometimes their novels either click for me or they really don’t. This one didn’t.
The writing style feels clunky and there was so much infodumping. It could be because of the translation by 7seas or it could just be the writing style the author decided to use, either way it was not for me at all. The writing style made it hard to visualize what was happening even though I’ve never had that problem when it comes to this author 😭 the plot was interesting in theory but not execution. The MC or ML fell. Flat? It’s still the first volume so there’s room for the characters to grow. I’m okay with not being completely invested into a plot as long as I felt investment in the characters. When a danmei has neither than it’s time for me to throw in the towel early instead of pushing through and putting myself in a slump 😭
The reviews for this are so positive so maybe this really is an issue on my end, either way I hope others get more enjoyment out of this than I did
I don’t think I’m a picky reader when it comes to danmei…but after reading a bunch of gems that kept my attention the whole way through and the excitement I felt every time I sat down to read more of it I no longer have the patience or motivation to force myself to continue on with something that I feel neither excitement nor motivation in
That was sadly the case with Dinghai. As excited as I was to read this, it fell flat for me. I still stand by saying Feitian Ye Xiang is a phenomenal writer but sometimes their novels either click for me or they really don’t. This one didn’t.
The writing style feels clunky and there was so much infodumping. It could be because of the translation by 7seas or it could just be the writing style the author decided to use, either way it was not for me at all. The writing style made it hard to visualize what was happening even though I’ve never had that problem when it comes to this author 😭 the plot was interesting in theory but not execution. The MC or ML fell. Flat? It’s still the first volume so there’s room for the characters to grow. I’m okay with not being completely invested into a plot as long as I felt investment in the characters. When a danmei has neither than it’s time for me to throw in the towel early instead of pushing through and putting myself in a slump 😭
The reviews for this are so positive so maybe this really is an issue on my end, either way I hope others get more enjoyment out of this than I did
October 31, 2025
“People always wanted to cherish beautiful things. Who wouldn’t be upset to see them destroyed for no reason?”
Dinghai Fusheng Records, Vol. 1 is a slow burn, but once it clicks, it really clicks. The mix of mysticism, history, and looming fate makes for a moody, sometimes meandering ride—but there’s something magnetic about the world. The pacing’s all over the place, with parts that drag and others that absolutely deliver. It doesn’t always feel tight, but by the time I hit the ending, I was surprised how much it stuck the landing. It wraps up with just enough answers to keep you curious, and honestly, it's one of the more satisfying volume-endings I’ve seen in a multi-part danmei.
I read the manhua before this, and to be honest, I barely remember it. I liked where the story was heading back then, but I didn’t think it was particularly strong—something always felt like it was missing. After reading the novel, I finally get what the manhua was trying to do. The story just hits harder here. The characters, the emotions, the lore—it’s all richer and more layered in text. Chen Xing is a great lead with so much heart, and his dynamic with Xiang Shu has that kind of slow-building tension that keeps you reading. Tuoba Yan is just easy to love—his earnestness makes you root for him from the moment he appears.
The world is immersive, but the reading experience gets a little bumpy because of the editing. I already have trouble keeping track of Chinese names, so when an unfamiliar one popped up mid-scene, I thought I missed something important and ended up flipping back a few pages to check. It happened more than once—names like “Chu Xing” or “Fu Xian” showing up when it clearly meant someone else. For a book this layered, even small name errors can throw you off. I’ve gotten confused in other series because of similar issues, so now I second-guess every name just to be safe. If not for that and a few clunky lines here and there, this would've been an easy 5-star read.
Date Read: 2025.07.22
Dinghai Fusheng Records, Vol. 1 is a slow burn, but once it clicks, it really clicks. The mix of mysticism, history, and looming fate makes for a moody, sometimes meandering ride—but there’s something magnetic about the world. The pacing’s all over the place, with parts that drag and others that absolutely deliver. It doesn’t always feel tight, but by the time I hit the ending, I was surprised how much it stuck the landing. It wraps up with just enough answers to keep you curious, and honestly, it's one of the more satisfying volume-endings I’ve seen in a multi-part danmei.
I read the manhua before this, and to be honest, I barely remember it. I liked where the story was heading back then, but I didn’t think it was particularly strong—something always felt like it was missing. After reading the novel, I finally get what the manhua was trying to do. The story just hits harder here. The characters, the emotions, the lore—it’s all richer and more layered in text. Chen Xing is a great lead with so much heart, and his dynamic with Xiang Shu has that kind of slow-building tension that keeps you reading. Tuoba Yan is just easy to love—his earnestness makes you root for him from the moment he appears.
The world is immersive, but the reading experience gets a little bumpy because of the editing. I already have trouble keeping track of Chinese names, so when an unfamiliar one popped up mid-scene, I thought I missed something important and ended up flipping back a few pages to check. It happened more than once—names like “Chu Xing” or “Fu Xian” showing up when it clearly meant someone else. For a book this layered, even small name errors can throw you off. I’ve gotten confused in other series because of similar issues, so now I second-guess every name just to be safe. If not for that and a few clunky lines here and there, this would've been an easy 5-star read.
Date Read: 2025.07.22
September 10, 2025
It only took me a few days to finish because I liked it so much. It’s rare I get to read a historical/fantasy danmei that’s filled with constant humor.
Really, I was laughing the entire time I read this. All of the characters were funny and charming. I specifically loved Chen Xing, he’s a very fun protagonist and different than what I’m used to.
I will say, the way Xiang Shu is constantly rude and talking over Chen Xing drove me nuts. I do like him, but sometimes I just wanted to shake him and say “SHUT UP”.
Really, I was laughing the entire time I read this. All of the characters were funny and charming. I specifically loved Chen Xing, he’s a very fun protagonist and different than what I’m used to.
I will say, the way Xiang Shu is constantly rude and talking over Chen Xing drove me nuts. I do like him, but sometimes I just wanted to shake him and say “SHUT UP”.
September 10, 2025
4.3/5 🌟
The beginning of this story was hilarious! I love how witty Chen Xing is. I love the bickering and funny relationship between him and Xiang Shu! I loved learning about Xiang Shu's identity. It was all so wonderful!
The plot is excellent! I'm so intrigued to know how is the spiritual qi going to return, and how is the love going to flourish! So much to learn and we have very little info, but given ALOT.
Now, for some pet peaves, I also had issues with this same thing in To Rule in a Turbulent World, but some of the battle scenes didn't need to be dragged like 90+ pages. There was so much going on that it all began to feel very repetitive. It was wave after wave after wave of just this constant and never ending battle scene that didn't flow right. All of a sudden they're in one place and all of a sudden they're in another. In Joyful Reunion it didn't feel like the battles dragged as long and were a lot more emotional and interesting, imo.
For this, there was the random meeting they had in the middle of a battle. What about the corpses? Are they just chilling not causing havoc? It didn't say. So, that was random. So much going on about the Murong Clan and Fu Jian obsessing over wanting answers... But they literally are getting answers and are unsatisfied. Don't they see a whole army of this enemy in front of them??
Also, there was so much detail about the history of this and this, but randomly, the Sword of Harmony controls vines? Since when? How does this happen? Is it worked by qi? How is Feng Qianjun able to control that when there isn't any qi? Has he always been able to?
It over explained on so many things, yet was vague or gave hardly any info about another.
The last arc was so long it kinda dragged and was a little boring. I feel like if the volume was a little more balanced on the info part, it would have made it less frustrating. But, I love the connection and how well the protagonists blend together. They were meant to be and fight together. ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)
The heart lamp powers were sudden in some parts and it was nice when Chen Xing even explained, "I don't know!" at times, and just simply tried things out. Other times, he did new things as if knowing what he was doing. Thus, I was confused.
But overal, it was an enjoyable read! I'm intrigued to know more about the characters and more about this world.
I just feel like it info dumped on so many things all at once (especially at the beginning), but lacked info on other things where I felt like a whirlwind and I ended up very confused.
On to vol 2! Woohoo!! (˶ ᵔ ̫ ᵔ ˶) ♡
The beginning of this story was hilarious! I love how witty Chen Xing is. I love the bickering and funny relationship between him and Xiang Shu! I loved learning about Xiang Shu's identity. It was all so wonderful!
The plot is excellent! I'm so intrigued to know how is the spiritual qi going to return, and how is the love going to flourish! So much to learn and we have very little info, but given ALOT.
Now, for some pet peaves, I also had issues with this same thing in To Rule in a Turbulent World, but some of the battle scenes didn't need to be dragged like 90+ pages. There was so much going on that it all began to feel very repetitive. It was wave after wave after wave of just this constant and never ending battle scene that didn't flow right. All of a sudden they're in one place and all of a sudden they're in another. In Joyful Reunion it didn't feel like the battles dragged as long and were a lot more emotional and interesting, imo.
For this, there was the random meeting they had in the middle of a battle. What about the corpses? Are they just chilling not causing havoc? It didn't say. So, that was random. So much going on about the Murong Clan and Fu Jian obsessing over wanting answers... But they literally are getting answers and are unsatisfied. Don't they see a whole army of this enemy in front of them??
Also, there was so much detail about the history of this and this, but randomly, the Sword of Harmony controls vines? Since when? How does this happen? Is it worked by qi? How is Feng Qianjun able to control that when there isn't any qi? Has he always been able to?
It over explained on so many things, yet was vague or gave hardly any info about another.
The last arc was so long it kinda dragged and was a little boring. I feel like if the volume was a little more balanced on the info part, it would have made it less frustrating. But, I love the connection and how well the protagonists blend together. They were meant to be and fight together. ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)
The heart lamp powers were sudden in some parts and it was nice when Chen Xing even explained, "I don't know!" at times, and just simply tried things out. Other times, he did new things as if knowing what he was doing. Thus, I was confused.
But overal, it was an enjoyable read! I'm intrigued to know more about the characters and more about this world.
I just feel like it info dumped on so many things all at once (especially at the beginning), but lacked info on other things where I felt like a whirlwind and I ended up very confused.
On to vol 2! Woohoo!! (˶ ᵔ ̫ ᵔ ˶) ♡
August 8, 2025
4.25/5☆
July 9, 2025
Really good start! I love Xiang Shu, but did anyone else feel as though the formatting for this book was super weird??
(Also not at all jealous that everyone is reading erha 9 rn and I’m reading 0.5 Tianbao… not jealous at all 🥲)
(Also not at all jealous that everyone is reading erha 9 rn and I’m reading 0.5 Tianbao… not jealous at all 🥲)
December 1, 2025
Damn that was one hell of a ride. The only thing I'm mad about is I don't have the next volume in my hands right now lol
July 25, 2025
I am quickly falling for this author. They do such a good job with their protagonists. Cheng Xin is effortlessly funny, and while he doesn’t have much in knowledge or possessions, he refuses to let anyone treat him poorly, even the Great Chanyu. It isn’t hard to get absorbed into his story.
July 15, 2025
Chen Xing is the last living exorcist charged with stopping the resurrection of Mara. To do this he must find his Protector so after his shifu passes he sets off into the world with only the heart lamp to guide him to find the person who will become the Protector Martial Guard. Not long after he leaves the heart lamp points him to Xiang Shu, who is currently being held prison in Xiangyang, after staging a daring (and mostly lucky) rescue of Xiang Shu Chen Xing assumes things will be smooth sailing from there, turns out that Xiang Zhu wants nothing to do with him though and sets off on his own. As the resentment builds in The Divine Land Chen Xing knows he must find some way to convince Xiang Shu to work with him or the entire world is doomed.
Oh wow! I just finished book 2 of Legend of Exorcism which was absolutely amazing so I kinda figured this would be good but it was exceptional! Honestly, I thought at first that Xiang had maybe gone a little too hard on the enemies to (hopefully) lovers thing, but by the end, I was totally on board. Xiang Shu isn't just a lone wolf type character, he is essentially, a king in his own right. So his standoffish demeanor makes sense. He's used to giving orders and not having to be beholden to anyone. Whereas Chen Xing has this very naive and extremely reckless view of the world. He's got valid reasons for this don't get me wrong but his attitude of "Everything will work out in the end" is the antithesis of Xiang Shu's more realistic world view. You can feel Xiang Shu rolling his eyes more than a few times.
Side characters were awesome as well, all of them and there are quite a few of them that play integral roles in the story. If any of them had been less fully realized than they were this simply wouldn't have been half as good. Fu Jian especially was interesting. As the Emperor he is a strong leader who doesn't seem to take advantage of his position often but he never lets anyone forget that he's the guy in charge. This allows for an undercurrent of tension that has to be there to make this story work as well.
This was incredibly fast paced and the world building was excellent. What I really loved about this though is that Xiang truly ensures that if anyone thought that Danmei is just smut, they haven't been paying attention. Endless wars have allowed resentment and hatred to fester, while in Chang'an everything is peaceful on the surface if you peel back the cover you find that its not. Outside of Chang'an it's even worse and just like in real life the more Fu Jian tries to conquer this by force the bigger that resentment grows. This was a very timely release given the current state of our world and Chen Xing makes a speech towards the end of this that drives the point home that you can't expect after decades of war people simply aren't going to be happy.
Highly recommend this one and personally I think this would be a great danmei for someone is interested in starting to read this niche genre.
Oh wow! I just finished book 2 of Legend of Exorcism which was absolutely amazing so I kinda figured this would be good but it was exceptional! Honestly, I thought at first that Xiang had maybe gone a little too hard on the enemies to (hopefully) lovers thing, but by the end, I was totally on board. Xiang Shu isn't just a lone wolf type character, he is essentially, a king in his own right. So his standoffish demeanor makes sense. He's used to giving orders and not having to be beholden to anyone. Whereas Chen Xing has this very naive and extremely reckless view of the world. He's got valid reasons for this don't get me wrong but his attitude of "Everything will work out in the end" is the antithesis of Xiang Shu's more realistic world view. You can feel Xiang Shu rolling his eyes more than a few times.
Side characters were awesome as well, all of them and there are quite a few of them that play integral roles in the story. If any of them had been less fully realized than they were this simply wouldn't have been half as good. Fu Jian especially was interesting. As the Emperor he is a strong leader who doesn't seem to take advantage of his position often but he never lets anyone forget that he's the guy in charge. This allows for an undercurrent of tension that has to be there to make this story work as well.
This was incredibly fast paced and the world building was excellent. What I really loved about this though is that Xiang truly ensures that if anyone thought that Danmei is just smut, they haven't been paying attention. Endless wars have allowed resentment and hatred to fester, while in Chang'an everything is peaceful on the surface if you peel back the cover you find that its not. Outside of Chang'an it's even worse and just like in real life the more Fu Jian tries to conquer this by force the bigger that resentment grows. This was a very timely release given the current state of our world and Chen Xing makes a speech towards the end of this that drives the point home that you can't expect after decades of war people simply aren't going to be happy.
Highly recommend this one and personally I think this would be a great danmei for someone is interested in starting to read this niche genre.
July 1, 2025
Another easy read from Fei Tian. I’ve consumed this story now in three different ways (manhua, donghua and now the novel) and each version has been a joy to experience. My favorite is the manhua with its beautiful art and because I find that the simplicity of Fei Tian’s writing just lends really well to that medium.
The plot for Dinghai is one of my favorites and the mysteries are interesting even if the pace can feel a little too quick sometimes.
Regardless there were parts of the story I had completely forgotten about that were both hilarious (the boner scene) and sad (TW puppy death).
It’s something that I didn’t expect, the way most of his novels seem to start off comedic/upbeat and then he gets you where it hurts. Also the sheer amount of anxiety I had for Tuoba Yan in this volume was unreal. I adore that character in a way that I don’t think I ever had in either of the other versions of this story. He was an unexpected highlight and I would fight for this man.
Looking forward to volume two.
The plot for Dinghai is one of my favorites and the mysteries are interesting even if the pace can feel a little too quick sometimes.
Regardless there were parts of the story I had completely forgotten about that were both hilarious (the boner scene) and sad (TW puppy death).
It’s something that I didn’t expect, the way most of his novels seem to start off comedic/upbeat and then he gets you where it hurts. Also the sheer amount of anxiety I had for Tuoba Yan in this volume was unreal. I adore that character in a way that I don’t think I ever had in either of the other versions of this story. He was an unexpected highlight and I would fight for this man.
Looking forward to volume two.
July 5, 2025
I was already familiar with the opening moments of Dinghai Fusheng Records having previously reviewed the first volume of the manga. I enjoyed the novel just as much. The world building was well handled, the pacing of the action was generally good, and the characters were well portrayed. I enjoyed the banter and the dynamics between Chen Xing and Xiang Shu and I am eager to see how things progress between them as the story continues. I have volume two already on pre-order, so I will definitely be reading on, and I am giving this volume 4.5 stars. I recommend it to danmei fans who like tales with a blend of history and fantasy and don't mind super slow burn on the romance side of things.
July 4, 2025
I enjoyed the lore, but I wasn't as enamored with the characters as I have been with other danmei. Still, I will continue with the series.
July 7, 2025
Xiang shu 😍😍
Read
November 5, 20254.25 ⭐
July 3, 2025
OMG?! So. GOOD. One of my favourite reads of this year. I LOVED Legend of Exorcism and this being in the same world did not disappoint. Loved the chemistry and just the whole story as a whole. It really pulls you in. I can’t wait for the next volume!
June 29, 2025
great beginning to a lovely story
This is just the beginning part of the story, but it already showed a very interesting layout. The story is written in a very funny way , i burst into laughter at several scenes. Chen Xing is so cute, can’t wait for the remaining books.
This is just the beginning part of the story, but it already showed a very interesting layout. The story is written in a very funny way , i burst into laughter at several scenes. Chen Xing is so cute, can’t wait for the remaining books.
November 17, 2025
мене артбейтнули неймовірної краси обкладинки, але сама історія виявилась, ну, вкрай миршавенькою, м'яко кажучи... перші глави — суцільний захват: це було направду дотепно, органічно й жах як симпатично. далі — meh. так, мк чудовий, кейс fairly entertaining, але манера оповіді та динаміка між гг мені взагалі ніяка. так, можливо, далі буде краще, але я поки не готова інвестувати свою увагу й час в щось настільки сумнівне. краще qjj дочитаю, їй-богу.
July 17, 2025
I'm actually pretty surprised by how...not into this book I was. I really enjoy Fei Tian's works, I love Legend of Exorcism and while Riverbay Road simply wasn't my favorite genre, I did think it was very well written. I normally read a book in 1-2 days, this one took me a week to finish - I couldn't really get absorbed in the characters or the plot until several chapters in. As always, I really have to consider how much of this is down to translation and formatting vs. the original writing.
I've been enjoying the manhua quite a bit, so the actual plot is pretty interesting - after all, it's a very similar setting to Legend of Exorcism which I love. This is one of my favorite subgenres of danmei, with yao and magical items, etc. The through-line of disputes between various tribes and the Han vs. Hu tensions was overall well-done. And I did eventually get into the story towards the end, and I will continue reading the next volumes, but I had issues with just about every level of this story aside from the main plot - which is a somewhat typical hero's-journey-style narrative.
First, the MC. Chinese authors are occasionally criticized in the West for not following the rule of "show don't tell" (which I have a lot of feelings about in general) and in this case I really wish there was more "telling." Chen Xing's character is very hard to figure out, because although he is the MC and we're seeing the world through his eyes, we really don't get very many of his actual thoughts on things. He seems sad about [spoiler] the dog dying [/spoiler] but then the Emperor Fu Jian apparently just...[spoiler] killed a ton of people without much thought?? at the end of vol.1 [/spoiler] and the main characters including Chen Xing barely react at all! He also starts to feel resentment [spoiler] when he finds out how his parents died [/spoiler] but then has no emotional growth or real thoughts about the matter until the very end of vol.1 when it turns out he doesn't care at all. It's pretty strange and can really only be down to poor writing or poor translation. I will say, I have seen a lot of people who are uncomfortable with Fei Tian's semi-historical works where the MC is 16 - in ancient China 16 was considered an adult and Chen Xing definitely acts like an adult. He's someone with a lot of life experience so far, he's able to hold high level mature conversations, etc. I personally didn't think the age gap made any difference in this novel and it's not highlighted as a topic either.
The side characters are really well-developed, which is a hallmark of Fei Tian's writing that I've really come to look forward to. It's hard to manage such a large cast of characters while still making us feel a little something about each one. In a lot of ways, I think this skill backfired in Dinghai when it comes to the romance. I personally don't see the main pairing having tons of connection - the ML is your stereotypical cold and aloof, doesn't-talk-much, kind of character. But other than his somewhat reluctant hangouts with Chen Xing, there just doesn't seem like there's much there. Meanwhile, because the side character of the 2nd main lead (Tuoba) is so well written, it just seems like a much more romantic option (this is possibly my bias for more simp-style, TGCF-like pairings showing, though). It feels like [i] because [/i] Tuoba is not the ML, Fei Tian had to nerf his strength. It just doesn't make sense that the literal general leading all of the troops for the capital city is so much weaker than both the ML and the other important side character of Feng Q. This was especially apparent in a lot of the fight scenes where he's almost always thrown aside as quickly as possible by normal level enemies. I hope vol.2 makes the romance between the MC and ML make more sense.
The writing in general is extremely fast paced, interspaced with the occasional info dump of lore. Some of my issues are definitely down to formatting, which I'll mention below. The whole plot of vol.1 takes place extremely quickly (I want to say in the span of just a few days but there may be unaccounted time when they are on their way to the capital). It's kindof amazing how Fei Tian can get you to feel anything for any of the characters given the short amount of time - I just think it would have been even better if things had slowed down and more *full* conversations happen. Half the time entire conversations are elided, like one scene where the ML is going to shave, MC offers to do it for him, and then there is no conversation, no talk of eye contact or body language, the next line is just the MC doing it. I think this also contributes to the lack of romantic feeling in what should otherwise have been a very intimate moment. The lore dumps are, perhaps, necessary - on topics like a characters lineage or the workings and history of artifacts. I just think they could have been either explained better or made more interesting. My eyes tended to glaze over a lot in these passages, and I'm someone who reads heavy academic articles full of jargon a lot. That's kind of what these felt like, and I don't love them in my "lighter" reading.
My next issue is the actual quality of the text and the book. I don't know what's going on but it does feel like Seven Seas bindings are getting increasingly less good, as both Peerless vol.4 and this book are very...floppy. The paper and ink quality is super easy to smudge just from the oils on your fingers, you can see through the paper, and with a single read the spine has warped. The text itself is pretty poorly formatted, with scene transitions only highlighted by a single additional space most of the time. This leads to a lot of confusion when reading as I have to jump back a paragraph to figure out what's going on before I realize that we've apparently shifted time/place. Then, things like quotations are really poorly formatted to the point where I couldn't always figure out if someone was actually speaking the lines, or just a thought in a characters head. The most egregious is relatively early on when a poem is quoted - there's no real blocking, no italics, just simple indents for each line. Really weird, which leads me to hope a lot of the other issues I had above are due to lack of time put into the translation.
All in all, I really hope vol.2 is better, because there is good potential. I just think this book is a bit of a struggle at the moment.
I've been enjoying the manhua quite a bit, so the actual plot is pretty interesting - after all, it's a very similar setting to Legend of Exorcism which I love. This is one of my favorite subgenres of danmei, with yao and magical items, etc. The through-line of disputes between various tribes and the Han vs. Hu tensions was overall well-done. And I did eventually get into the story towards the end, and I will continue reading the next volumes, but I had issues with just about every level of this story aside from the main plot - which is a somewhat typical hero's-journey-style narrative.
First, the MC. Chinese authors are occasionally criticized in the West for not following the rule of "show don't tell" (which I have a lot of feelings about in general) and in this case I really wish there was more "telling." Chen Xing's character is very hard to figure out, because although he is the MC and we're seeing the world through his eyes, we really don't get very many of his actual thoughts on things. He seems sad about [spoiler] the dog dying [/spoiler] but then the Emperor Fu Jian apparently just...[spoiler] killed a ton of people without much thought?? at the end of vol.1 [/spoiler] and the main characters including Chen Xing barely react at all! He also starts to feel resentment [spoiler] when he finds out how his parents died [/spoiler] but then has no emotional growth or real thoughts about the matter until the very end of vol.1 when it turns out he doesn't care at all. It's pretty strange and can really only be down to poor writing or poor translation. I will say, I have seen a lot of people who are uncomfortable with Fei Tian's semi-historical works where the MC is 16 - in ancient China 16 was considered an adult and Chen Xing definitely acts like an adult. He's someone with a lot of life experience so far, he's able to hold high level mature conversations, etc. I personally didn't think the age gap made any difference in this novel and it's not highlighted as a topic either.
The side characters are really well-developed, which is a hallmark of Fei Tian's writing that I've really come to look forward to. It's hard to manage such a large cast of characters while still making us feel a little something about each one. In a lot of ways, I think this skill backfired in Dinghai when it comes to the romance. I personally don't see the main pairing having tons of connection - the ML is your stereotypical cold and aloof, doesn't-talk-much, kind of character. But other than his somewhat reluctant hangouts with Chen Xing, there just doesn't seem like there's much there. Meanwhile, because the side character of the 2nd main lead (Tuoba) is so well written, it just seems like a much more romantic option (this is possibly my bias for more simp-style, TGCF-like pairings showing, though). It feels like [i] because [/i] Tuoba is not the ML, Fei Tian had to nerf his strength. It just doesn't make sense that the literal general leading all of the troops for the capital city is so much weaker than both the ML and the other important side character of Feng Q. This was especially apparent in a lot of the fight scenes where he's almost always thrown aside as quickly as possible by normal level enemies. I hope vol.2 makes the romance between the MC and ML make more sense.
The writing in general is extremely fast paced, interspaced with the occasional info dump of lore. Some of my issues are definitely down to formatting, which I'll mention below. The whole plot of vol.1 takes place extremely quickly (I want to say in the span of just a few days but there may be unaccounted time when they are on their way to the capital). It's kindof amazing how Fei Tian can get you to feel anything for any of the characters given the short amount of time - I just think it would have been even better if things had slowed down and more *full* conversations happen. Half the time entire conversations are elided, like one scene where the ML is going to shave, MC offers to do it for him, and then there is no conversation, no talk of eye contact or body language, the next line is just the MC doing it. I think this also contributes to the lack of romantic feeling in what should otherwise have been a very intimate moment. The lore dumps are, perhaps, necessary - on topics like a characters lineage or the workings and history of artifacts. I just think they could have been either explained better or made more interesting. My eyes tended to glaze over a lot in these passages, and I'm someone who reads heavy academic articles full of jargon a lot. That's kind of what these felt like, and I don't love them in my "lighter" reading.
My next issue is the actual quality of the text and the book. I don't know what's going on but it does feel like Seven Seas bindings are getting increasingly less good, as both Peerless vol.4 and this book are very...floppy. The paper and ink quality is super easy to smudge just from the oils on your fingers, you can see through the paper, and with a single read the spine has warped. The text itself is pretty poorly formatted, with scene transitions only highlighted by a single additional space most of the time. This leads to a lot of confusion when reading as I have to jump back a paragraph to figure out what's going on before I realize that we've apparently shifted time/place. Then, things like quotations are really poorly formatted to the point where I couldn't always figure out if someone was actually speaking the lines, or just a thought in a characters head. The most egregious is relatively early on when a poem is quoted - there's no real blocking, no italics, just simple indents for each line. Really weird, which leads me to hope a lot of the other issues I had above are due to lack of time put into the translation.
All in all, I really hope vol.2 is better, because there is good potential. I just think this book is a bit of a struggle at the moment.
August 16, 2025
This is the second series I have read by Fei Tian and once again I find it a light slightly humorous read. The characters are a little archetypal but the story is enjoyable
September 18, 2025
1.5/5 [DNF at ~50%]
This is the first danmei novel I've ever had to put down because I just couldn't keep reading it anymore. No, it's even worse - it's the first book in over a year I truly decided to DNF instead of giving it yet another chance!
I've enjoyed Fei Tian Ye Xiang's writing in "Legend of Exorcism", so I was looking forward to picking "Dinghai Fusheng Records" up. At first glance, it seemed perfectly tailored to my tastes in fiction: a fantasy setting, magic, cold gong and a good-meaning shou, elaborate lore...
Why then was this one so goddamn boring?!
I am able to handle almost anything in fiction. I don't care about dubcon, murder, war, guts and blood, thinly-veiled kinks of the author... but one thing I cannot handle is a novel not being entertaining. It can be silly, written rather badly, from first perspective, anything - but at least let me enjoy reading it, to an extent!
Maybe reading LoE first ruined this one for me, because the dynamic of this couple just... couldn't compare. There was absolutely zero chemistry, none at all. I was optimistic at first due to a few well-executed jokes (the horse speeding off with Xiang Shu tied to it... lol), but the illusion quickly faded away. Chen Xing was an extremely frustrating, naive protagonist who had better chemistry with every other male character he'd come across. Hongjun from the other series was at least naive on purpose, childlike and rather pure, but Chen Xing felt so terribly, terribly shallow.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shu is the typical soulless gong. Oh, tortured almost to death- but give it a week and he's actually fine, totally handsome, absolutely part of an ethnic minority despite looking Han -- and don't even get me started on the fact the "Martial God" title is just that, a title! What a missed opportunity to actually raise the stakes a little.
On top of that, the plot is kind of ass, too. None of the moments made me feel anything, not even a single spark of interest. How could the author make so many scenes of war & battle boring?! I didn't think that was possible! This novel has so many stimulating concepts without any pay-off. The narration tells the reader hey, this is important! This is so meaningful! But how about... showing, not telling?
I kept reading just for the sake of reading, but... I really cannot do this anymore. I'm so terribly disappointed and shocked at the fact a read I expected to be a solid 4-star turned out to be my very first 1-star review. I absolutely do not recommend this one, no matter how 'better' it might get in future installments. A boring story is one I cannot forgive. I even had to look up the names of the leads online, because my mind already erased their existence for me. And it's such a relief to not have this one dragging behind me for another few months...
This is the first danmei novel I've ever had to put down because I just couldn't keep reading it anymore. No, it's even worse - it's the first book in over a year I truly decided to DNF instead of giving it yet another chance!
I've enjoyed Fei Tian Ye Xiang's writing in "Legend of Exorcism", so I was looking forward to picking "Dinghai Fusheng Records" up. At first glance, it seemed perfectly tailored to my tastes in fiction: a fantasy setting, magic, cold gong and a good-meaning shou, elaborate lore...
Why then was this one so goddamn boring?!
I am able to handle almost anything in fiction. I don't care about dubcon, murder, war, guts and blood, thinly-veiled kinks of the author... but one thing I cannot handle is a novel not being entertaining. It can be silly, written rather badly, from first perspective, anything - but at least let me enjoy reading it, to an extent!
Maybe reading LoE first ruined this one for me, because the dynamic of this couple just... couldn't compare. There was absolutely zero chemistry, none at all. I was optimistic at first due to a few well-executed jokes (the horse speeding off with Xiang Shu tied to it... lol), but the illusion quickly faded away. Chen Xing was an extremely frustrating, naive protagonist who had better chemistry with every other male character he'd come across. Hongjun from the other series was at least naive on purpose, childlike and rather pure, but Chen Xing felt so terribly, terribly shallow.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shu is the typical soulless gong. Oh, tortured almost to death- but give it a week and he's actually fine, totally handsome, absolutely part of an ethnic minority despite looking Han -- and don't even get me started on the fact the "Martial God" title is just that, a title! What a missed opportunity to actually raise the stakes a little.
On top of that, the plot is kind of ass, too. None of the moments made me feel anything, not even a single spark of interest. How could the author make so many scenes of war & battle boring?! I didn't think that was possible! This novel has so many stimulating concepts without any pay-off. The narration tells the reader hey, this is important! This is so meaningful! But how about... showing, not telling?
I kept reading just for the sake of reading, but... I really cannot do this anymore. I'm so terribly disappointed and shocked at the fact a read I expected to be a solid 4-star turned out to be my very first 1-star review. I absolutely do not recommend this one, no matter how 'better' it might get in future installments. A boring story is one I cannot forgive. I even had to look up the names of the leads online, because my mind already erased their existence for me. And it's such a relief to not have this one dragging behind me for another few months...
August 29, 2025
Of all the stories by Fei Tian Ye Xiang I've read so far, this has started out as my favorite. He is a very gifted author and it's refreshing to have a man writing Danmei. It's unusual. It has a bit of a different feel to it as well.
So, if you were 16 and you learned you only have four years to live, how would you spend this four years. Chen Xing's has the Heart Lamp inside him and he is going to try and use those four years to bring magic back to the world so other exorcists can help protect the world. That's a great beginning to a story, I think.
An exorcist needs a protect who will be called the Marshall God, Xiang Shu who runs from his destiny. He has no desire to be a protector. Still, fate throws these two together over and over again.
This is another story where there are lots and lots of zombies. There has been lots of wars and resentment is so high that the dead are rising again. Who is the mastermind behind it all?? We still don't know.
I couldn't put this book down. It was stellar. It's another hit Danmei in this endless genre. I can't wait to read more. 1 of 6 books.
So, if you were 16 and you learned you only have four years to live, how would you spend this four years. Chen Xing's has the Heart Lamp inside him and he is going to try and use those four years to bring magic back to the world so other exorcists can help protect the world. That's a great beginning to a story, I think.
An exorcist needs a protect who will be called the Marshall God, Xiang Shu who runs from his destiny. He has no desire to be a protector. Still, fate throws these two together over and over again.
This is another story where there are lots and lots of zombies. There has been lots of wars and resentment is so high that the dead are rising again. Who is the mastermind behind it all?? We still don't know.
I couldn't put this book down. It was stellar. It's another hit Danmei in this endless genre. I can't wait to read more. 1 of 6 books.
December 7, 2025
feitian just does not miss. this is the third series I've started by him, and once again, I've immensely enjoyed it. dinghai fusheng records is actually a prequel to legend of exorcism, and takes place in a time where all the magic in the world has gone silent, and the last remaining exorcist has set out to find his destined protector to face the growing danger in the future.
problem is, our last exorcist, chen xing, is a young man with barely any powers or experience, and his protector, xiang shu, is obstinate in not wanting to protect this stranger (his actions say otherwise though).
chen xing does come off as naieve and blind to the world, but anytime I found myself questioning him, I remembered that he is a 16 year old who knows he's going to die in four years. it makes sense that he trusts people at their word, and holds expectations towards xiang shu. but he is also a quick study, and not stubborn when it comes to others. I've genuinely enjoyed him as a protagonist here.
problem is, our last exorcist, chen xing, is a young man with barely any powers or experience, and his protector, xiang shu, is obstinate in not wanting to protect this stranger (his actions say otherwise though).
chen xing does come off as naieve and blind to the world, but anytime I found myself questioning him, I remembered that he is a 16 year old who knows he's going to die in four years. it makes sense that he trusts people at their word, and holds expectations towards xiang shu. but he is also a quick study, and not stubborn when it comes to others. I've genuinely enjoyed him as a protagonist here.
September 1, 2025
So, this is about a LITERAL sunshine boy who meets the grumpiest of tsunderes—both of whom are a bit doomed by the narrative.
There are also a LOT more zombies in this one than you’d expect—known as “drought fiends”. Something I mistakenly read as “drought FRIENDS” for almost two-thirds of this book. Which, was understandably confusing for me.
Anyway.
If that sounds like your jam, you’d probably enjoy this story?
Granted, this isn’t a super romantic volume or anything. It’s WAY more focused on the world-building. If you are looking for an off-the-bat lovey-dovey or *spicy* danmei read, this definitely ISN’T it.
But, if you like a slow-burn, fantasy queer romance, thus seems promising~
(Also, if you buy the special edition of this first volume, you get some very cool extras—a notebook, bookmark, stickers, and character cards. All of which are lovely, especially the bookmark and character cards!)
There are also a LOT more zombies in this one than you’d expect—known as “drought fiends”. Something I mistakenly read as “drought FRIENDS” for almost two-thirds of this book. Which, was understandably confusing for me.
Anyway.
If that sounds like your jam, you’d probably enjoy this story?
Granted, this isn’t a super romantic volume or anything. It’s WAY more focused on the world-building. If you are looking for an off-the-bat lovey-dovey or *spicy* danmei read, this definitely ISN’T it.
But, if you like a slow-burn, fantasy queer romance, thus seems promising~
(Also, if you buy the special edition of this first volume, you get some very cool extras—a notebook, bookmark, stickers, and character cards. All of which are lovely, especially the bookmark and character cards!)
September 30, 2025
I rate this 4.5 stars.
I really did enjoy this book< I don't know why it took me so long to finish it. Part of it is because I finished it while waiting at the airport for my flight home on Sunday (I had 26 pages left and before I went on vacation I had I think 190 or 200 pages left) and surprisingly didn't get as much reading done as I usually do on vacation (maybe that's a good thing since I did m0re stuff, I don't know), but I'm not sure why I was so slow at reading this book before that. Worse thing is that I only got 3 books done this month. I'm a slow reader, but never that slow. Yeah, it's more about quality over quantity, but the first book I finished this month wasn't even 4 stars for me.. Better luck in October.
I enjoyed this book so much that when I order some books next, I will order vol. 2 as well, which will be soon.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
I really did enjoy this book< I don't know why it took me so long to finish it. Part of it is because I finished it while waiting at the airport for my flight home on Sunday (I had 26 pages left and before I went on vacation I had I think 190 or 200 pages left) and surprisingly didn't get as much reading done as I usually do on vacation (maybe that's a good thing since I did m0re stuff, I don't know), but I'm not sure why I was so slow at reading this book before that. Worse thing is that I only got 3 books done this month. I'm a slow reader, but never that slow. Yeah, it's more about quality over quantity, but the first book I finished this month wasn't even 4 stars for me.. Better luck in October.
I enjoyed this book so much that when I order some books next, I will order vol. 2 as well, which will be soon.
Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01
August 22, 2025
This is my second novel by the author Fei Tian Ye Xiang. It's from the same universe as Legend of Exorcism; it seems like a prequel to it, and it doesn't matter what order you read it in.
It starts off with a 16-year-old named Chen Xing, who is the last Exorcist since magic disappeared, and he goes on a journey to find his grumpy, unwilling protector, Xiang Shu. On Chen Xing's journey, he meets an "Assassin" martial artist and a lovesick imperial guard commander, and together they team up to defeat the villain and look for some answers on how to restore magic.
It's a slow burn; nothing much is going on in the romance so far.
Chen Xing makes me laugh with his crazy luck.
Xiang Shu—I love him; nothing more to say.
There's a dog in this story; don't get attached—just a warning for you.
It starts off with a 16-year-old named Chen Xing, who is the last Exorcist since magic disappeared, and he goes on a journey to find his grumpy, unwilling protector, Xiang Shu. On Chen Xing's journey, he meets an "Assassin" martial artist and a lovesick imperial guard commander, and together they team up to defeat the villain and look for some answers on how to restore magic.
It's a slow burn; nothing much is going on in the romance so far.
Chen Xing makes me laugh with his crazy luck.
Xiang Shu—I love him; nothing more to say.
There's a dog in this story; don't get attached—just a warning for you.
November 5, 2025
i'm looking for something to fill the danmei-shaped hole in my heart made by heaven official's blessing, and this book is not it.
the characters not getting along was grating. i guess i'm not as into enemies-to-lovers as i thought? i dunno. after reading this, i feel exhausted, like i've spent the week studying for an exam rather than reading a book. there's way less fantasy here and more history, with emperors, dynasties, and generals thrown around. i guess if i were a native chinese reader, this would be easy to follow, but as an amurikan, i don't have the historical knowledge to support the information being given here. i ended up skimming a lot, and i feel like i didn't miss anything from that.
someone else might have a good time here, but i did not. the characters were grating, and there wasn't enough of a fantastic element to keep me interested. 2*
the characters not getting along was grating. i guess i'm not as into enemies-to-lovers as i thought? i dunno. after reading this, i feel exhausted, like i've spent the week studying for an exam rather than reading a book. there's way less fantasy here and more history, with emperors, dynasties, and generals thrown around. i guess if i were a native chinese reader, this would be easy to follow, but as an amurikan, i don't have the historical knowledge to support the information being given here. i ended up skimming a lot, and i feel like i didn't miss anything from that.
someone else might have a good time here, but i did not. the characters were grating, and there wasn't enough of a fantastic element to keep me interested. 2*
August 21, 2025
i don't think i've ever laughed so much reading a danmei novel
chen xing is so unintentionally funny & when he drags xiang shu into his antics too? lord 😂
the author could've easily make him a naive & innocent 16 yo but chen xing surprisingly has guts & uses his brain. he also has no problem speaking up & standing up for himself (even tho he gets beat up by xiang shu half of the time...) he's a good kid :')
the sunshine x grumpy dynamic between these two is so good. xiang shu you fake idgafer 😂
good start to the series! i'll be keeping up with this one (i need to see that romance develop 😈)
chen xing is so unintentionally funny & when he drags xiang shu into his antics too? lord 😂
the author could've easily make him a naive & innocent 16 yo but chen xing surprisingly has guts & uses his brain. he also has no problem speaking up & standing up for himself (even tho he gets beat up by xiang shu half of the time...) he's a good kid :')
the sunshine x grumpy dynamic between these two is so good. xiang shu you fake idgafer 😂
good start to the series! i'll be keeping up with this one (i need to see that romance develop 😈)
August 19, 2025
I was very entertained throughout but honestly it needs a bit of work. A lot of things are happening and nothing's given any room to breath, which makes it a bit unreadable and boring during the first 30% of the book. It wouldn't be so bad if we get to sit with the characters for just a bit. The action scenes are well-written though. Also, if Chen Xing can be the Great Exorcist because he's the only one in the world, Princess Qinghe should be called the Great Woman because she's the only woman in this whole goddamn book.
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