A Thousand Li: the Fourth Wall

A Thousand Li #12

by Tao Wong

The Final Step on a Thousand Li Journey

The half-Immortal tyrant of Cai has been defeated, but at a devastating cost. Wu Ying has sacrificed both his chance at immortality and his greatest treasure. Now, gravely injured and with his cultivation path shattered, he has to rebuild with the help of his friends.

To find his true destiny, Wu Ying must question everything he once knew, retracing his journey from the beginning. But this time, he does so with a broken body and shattered cultivation, racing against time before his injuries claim him.

The Fourth Wall marks the epic conclusion of A Thousand Li, a twelve-book xianxia progression fantasy series.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

467 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Tao Wong is the author of the A Thousand Li progression fantasy series and the System Apocalypse LitRPG series, among others. His work has been released in audio, paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, and translated into German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and several other languages. He was shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect. In 2026, the first three books in the A Thousand Li series will be republished in hardcover by Ace Books.

When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying end. However, like many of the books in this series a bit rushed and abbreviated.

[Tao Wong]

Well, here we are. The end of another series, the end of Long Wu Ying’s journey through the Middle Kingdom and his ascension to the heavens. When I first started writing A Thousand Li, I wanted to incorporate aspects of old-school wuxia thematic elements as well as more modern xianxia cultivation tropes and a small discussion of Daoism.

It has not been the smoothest of rides. For some people, the tropes utilized have not been what they expected, the journey different. I can say with absolute certainty that many of the beats were plotted out many years ago, from the very start.

I always knew he’d make a mistake in where he walked. I always knew what his final dao would be. In fact, the series title hinted at it from the very beginning as I played with the saying of a thousand li. Better to travel a thousand li than read a thousand books. Which is really a bastardization of the original saying, which speaks of traveling ten thousand li and reading ten thousand books to better oneself.

In many ways, Wu Ying did that too.

Yet, while I understood the beats of the story, the themes I wanted to incorporate—the journey itself held many pitfalls and surprises for me. The ending I wrote in case I died was very different. Yang Mu made herself known much more in this book, and the bittersweet their parting brought was unexpected.

Appropriate, for what I set out to do.

Wu Ying and his friend’s story is not entirely over. While Wu Ying might no longer step into the Middle Kingdom as much, his story—and the A Thousand Li universe—is not over. However, the next series will be somewhat different, more epic fantasy than progression fantasy.

Celestial wars, dragons, and petty immortal bureaucrats abound along with wars across realms and more. There’re plans for another twelve books, the ending and each arc already charted in my mind. It’ll be one heck of a ride.

I hope you join me.

(Psst, want to see Wu Ying standing before the Heavenly Palace? Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive bonus art, available only to subscribers: https://www.mylifemytao.com/bonus-epi...)

[A.R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strange finale. Particularly because it's less of a finale and more of a end of the first season, with a sequel directly following already in the works. Seriously, the audiobook has the first chapter of it already. This was a fairly quiet travel story, where our hero is, once again for the 3rd time at least, severely injured. Oddly, the travel books are my favorite in the series, having a much better flow than the rest.

The series as a whole lacked a stable cast, lacked any type of main villain, and overall lacked a plot due to it. Seriously, this whole series was just one man's journey for immortality, but it could have been so much more. I hope the sequel manages to add these things in, because the world is fantastic. The characters are good, particularly when they are allowed page time. It just needs...a bit more. I have hope, but am also worried about another wondering 12 book series without direction.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Wall by Tao Wong

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Wall serves as the epic conclusion to Wu Ying’s thousand‑li journey, capping a twelve‑book progression fantasy saga with both philosophical weight and emotional resonance. Tao Wong delivers a contemplative, slice‑of‑life style finale that wrestles meaningfully with loss, identity, and the nature of immortality—though the slow pacing of the earlier sections may test some readers’ patience.

The book begins with the aftermath of a colossal confrontation: the half‑Immortal tyrant of Cai has been defeated, but at a devastating cost. Wu Ying has lost his ultimate chance at immortality, along with his greatest treasure—and his body and cultivation are shattered. Forced into a reflective odyssey, he retraces his path from the beginning, this time as a broken man racing against his own mortality to find what truly matters.

This final installment is rife with meditation: on earlier missteps, philosophical revelations, and relational connections. While about forty percent of the book feels slow-going—some readers have noted that it could be skipped without missing major plot developments—the latter parts deepen the emotional and psychological stakes appreciably. Overall, it’s a fitting conclusion to a story about inner exploration as much as outward power.

Strengths

Character-driven narrative: Over the series, Wu Ying remains grounded—not the destined dragon‑master, but a thoughtful peasant climbing toward transcendence. His growth feels earned, not cheated by sudden power‑ups. This slow trek resonates with readers weary of overpowered protagonists.
World-building grounded in philosophy: Cultivation is a deeply contemplative practice here—a search for self, Dao, and meaning—not mere power gaming. Readers appreciate the maturation of mind and spirit as much as chi levels.
Emotional payoff: Especially in the later books, Wu Ying becomes a mentor figure, widely respected and significantly more capable—yet never arrogant. His struggles with legacy, mortality, and identity offer subtle but profound introspection.


Weaknesses

Pacing is uneven: Most of the first 40% of the final book is meditative travel and reflection, which some readers might find overly slow or unmemorable.
Lack of a strong antagonist: There’s no dominating “Big Bad.” The protagonist largely journeys through obstacles rather than confronting a final villain. This aligns with the slice‑of‑life tone, but may feel anticlimactic to those seeking dramatic confrontation.
MC character inconsistency: At times, Wu Ying’s emotional responses feel like regressions—especially regarding class resentment or romantic detachment—frustrating arcs that previously seemed resolved.


Plot Summary


After vanquishing the tyrant of Cai, Wu Ying’s cultivation and body are irreparably damaged.
He retreats and begins a journey of self‑reconstruction—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Along the way, he revisits key milestones: former teachers, old allies, and unresolved regrets.
He confronts past decisions—abandoning his shot at immortality, losing loved ones, and the cost of ambition.
Despite his broken state, he rebuilds deeper insights into Dao, re-establishing his path from within.
Wu Ying returns to his sect, now as a respected elder, guiding the next generation and achieving inner peace.
The book closes with a teaser of a potential new arc, hinting that Wu Ying’s journey may not be entirely over.



Protagonist Growth Across the Series

Books 1–3 (Body Cleansing Trilogy): Wu Ying begins as a humble peasant who earns entry into the cultivation world. He experiences early hardships, learns sect politics, engages in a complex romance, and proves his strength through steady determination. His path begins in earnest here.
Books 4–6 (Energy Storage Trilogy): Wu Ying grows into a more capable cultivator. He develops a unique approach to cultivation, diverging from the traditional methods. He also becomes entangled in larger sect conflicts and dangerous secret missions.
Books 7–9 (Core Formation Trilogy): Now recognized as a powerful figure, Wu Ying becomes a mentor and leader. He confronts more complex political and spiritual dilemmas, while seeking to align his power with purpose and identity.
Books 10–12 (Nascent Soul Trilogy, including The Fourth Wall): Facing the brink of immortality and then losing it, Wu Ying must rediscover who he is. The last books chronicle his internal rebuilding, re-evaluation of meaning, and commitment to guiding others while pursuing the Dao through wisdom rather than power alone.


Final Thoughts

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Wall is a deeply philosophical and contemplative conclusion to a cultivation saga that prizes realism over spectacle. Wu Ying’s transformation—from naïve peasant to insightful elder—is gradual, nuanced, and often introspective. While the pacing may feel deliberate, particularly early in the final book, the emotional and thematic territory covered provides a powerful and mature payoff.

For readers who appreciate character-driven fantasy, cultivation done as a practice of self‑understanding, and unhurried growth arcs, this series—and its finale—is profoundly satisfying. Those seeking fast-paced action or grand climactic battles may find it subdued—but even in restraint, the story delivers depth and resonance.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

[Corbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending that leaves you excited for the next beginning.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glad I saw this series through to the end, but not quite pleased with this book overall. It was mostly a journey of introspection and analysis, and the main character considering his journey over the dozen books to find the answers to who he was and who he wanted to be.

Honestly, I just didn't vibe with some of his conclusions, and was disappointed that the little finale-journey through his history didn't seem to revisit more of the characters and themes of the earlier books. The main character grew, but I don't know if it felt earned, I guess.

When I saw that the end of the series was actually the launching of a new series on a different scale, I kinda sighed and decided to bow out. Not for me.

[Glenn S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Angry

I'm beyond angry I had to read this hogwash to complete the series. It's nothing more than a repetitive, page after page of nothing. The book could have ended at any time because most of the book was simply endless, meaningless diatribe. 

[Steve Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

Well, that's the end. Sort of. It is the end of this series but according to the author's note at the end of the book there will be more in the thousand li universe. There is another 12-book series in the works. Overall, this was an excellent cultivation series. I would rate the Cradle series as the only better cultivation series out there. Everything comes to a close in this book. It had me thinking about some of the weird choices I felt at the time while reading the series. Those choices were explained in this book. It almost seemed like there were different directions the story took a few times in the series. The MC was a poor farmer and ended up being a pretty good gatherer. Based on that, he spent most of his time digging in the ground. That is why I felt it was weird when he became a wind cultivator later in the series. Don't get me wrong, I loved that aspect, I just thought it was a weird change in direction.

Turns out the author did this on purpose. He always knew that he was going to make the MC make a wrong choice in his cultivation path and he knew what his final Dao would be. There is a good quote that explains more about the character. It is better to walk a thousand li than read a thousand books. Makes sense. Which would be more impactful, reading everything about the Sistine chapel over a couple of months or spending an hour inside the cathedral? While there is value in what is written down, sometimes practical experience is more important.

This book was just kind of okay. Wu Ying is on the verge of death. His immortal soul and his immortal body aren't compatible. He made a mistake with his Dao. He could not abide the strictures of the heavenly winds. With the woman he loves by his side a very close friend, they all go on a journey to help Wu Ying find his true path.

This made me question myself a little bit. Would I want immortality? Finding your Dao seems like a pretty good thing, but would it really make you happy. If Wu Ying does make it to become an immortal, he will have to leave the woman he loves behind. They sacrificed so much for him.

The second part is even more of an important question. The author made it seem like every person has a perfect Dao that fits them and all it takes is enlightenment to find your place. I don't like that thought. Most people don't have that option. They do what they can with what is in front of them, even if it doesn't perfectly fit. I read in another book that trying to find your place in the world is stupid. We aren't Jigsaw pieces. What you want to do is find out what you want out of life and make the world around you fit that. There is no perfect place where everything fits. People change. A person in the 20's might be completely different than a person in their 40's. What they value the most might change. It seems like Wu Ying finding his Doa would leave him stuck with that path/goal forever since he would be immortal.

The entirety of the book Wu Ying is injured and for the first time in a long time weaker than his companions. There is a lot of introspection. During his travels, things happen but there really isn't any bad guy to fight against. He spends the whole book searching for an answer and when he finds it, that answer seems a little too simple for me. Wu Ying does reach immortality and ascends to a higher plane, leaving the woman he loves behind. That part was actually very heart breaking. Her love for him was obvious. She may have passed up her chance at immortality for his. She likened it to falling in love with a shooting star, you can't be upset when that star keeps climbing.

Overall, I really enjoyed the series, and I am looking forward to seeing how the new series in the same universe turns out.

[Urhierefe · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Betrayal in the End

I’ve settled down now, and I can say it plainly: this ending isn’t just badly done, it’s a betrayal.

I’ll be bringing my rating from 4 stars down to 1.

I once had the pleasure of chatting with Tao Wong on Threads, where I told him A Thousand Li was the best cultivation novel ever written. After finishing this final book, I have to revoke that statement.

This entry isn’t bad as a middle installment, though even that’s debatable, but as a final book it’s painfully underwhelming. The philosophical weight, the traveling arcs, and the action sequences all feel dulled and lifeless compared to the brilliance of Books 7 and 8 and other books.

And then there’s the ending.
It doesn’t feel like an ending at all. It feels like we stopped mid series because, well, that’s exactly what happened. Tao Wong decided, “Hey, readers will definitely want another twelve book series.”

So what do we get? A new series teased at the end, starting right where the epilogue leaves off, with no time jump, no resolution, no closure. It’s jarring, lazy, and disheartening.

When the Red Rising Trilogy ended, it ended, even though the saga continued later. That’s how you break a story in parts: give closure, even if you plan to expand the world. A Thousand Li fails spectacularly in this regard.

Because of this, I now despise this book, and it joins Lord of the Mysteries book 8 in that special category of “greatness ruined by refusal to end.” I couldn’t stomach LotM’s sequel despite my devotion, and this feels like the same emotional trap waiting to happen. But I’ve learned. I’ll end here, with this series, and with Tao Wong.

Long Wu Ying will still remain in my top five favorite characters, and that’s not changing. But the story? The story is over for me, no matter how wide open the author leaves it.

Old Review: 4/5
Not an ending, and I’m not sure I care what the second series promises.

[Murphies_law · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end of the journey to immortality

A very slow start a lots of philosophy and contemplation of earlier mistakes. One can easily skip the first 40 percent of the book without missing much. The next 30 percents are travel and minor encounters followed by intense self reflection of the protagonist which were partly psychologically interesting.

The teaser for the continuation in the new series seemed interesting though.

Criticism and comments

The plot about the attacks was super contrived. Why would these attacks happen only after twenty years? Why would they bother to attack trade posts? Why and how would they constantly follow the daughter? Why would they try to kill her? On the off chance that she actually has a cultivation manual? Taking her hostage would seem safer. Why would she blab about family secrets to complete strangers?

The whole series is strange as it misses a real plot and a major antagonist. The hero just keeps rebelling and running around constantly helped by his companions until he reaches immortality.

Interestingly, i liked the hero's travels and his encounters and fights during his travels most and didn't care much about the sect, his cultivation and his love life.

Why is a boy a they/them? Does he have a split personality or part of a hive mind?

[Jonathan Crabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Thousand Li series. I really enjoyed the series overall and it was a worthy series in the Upgrade Cycle style. I didn't enjoy the last book as much as the others as the writing style was often muddled IMO. The primary focus of the book is the culmination of the primary character's journey to becoming immortal. It held a lot of interesting elements in terms of actual progression of life and learning which I enjoyed, but it also was so Dao-ist in its explanations that it lost some context. I think another element of losing a star is that I generally dislike the enlightment path to immortality (in real life). It strikes me as [[Gnosticism]], and while I know that I am mixing Buddhist and Christian philosophies, I still don't like it.

Glad I finished the series and I will read his sequel series that Wong is spinning up.

[Randy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as you would expect.

I was extremely disappointed in the last book ending, just like several of the books before in this series, it ended with the main character of being torn up, which of course meant the next book will be taken up, mostly with him, trying to find a cure for his problems and to straighten out his cultivation and begin to advance again just like several books before. This book mostly consisted of his struggles and how he was trying to find a way to repair his broken body. Sounds familiar. The only reason I gave this book 3 stars is because the writing was excellent, though the content sucked. All I can say is I’m extremely disappointed in how this series ended.

[Andynystrom83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both ending and setup to the next story.

So after the Fourth Fall I was eager to get my hands on this book and read what's next for Wu Ying. The story is one of travel and contemplation as a weakened and very injured Wu Ying searchs for a new path. While I understood this, the pacing of the story was...frustrating, not that it is a bad book but that I missed the cultivator Wu Ying had become, to say he is a shadow of his former self is an understatement. While A Thousand Li is over, it is infact just the origin story for the Immortal Long Wu Ying, we get to see him again in Immortal Connections and I can't wait, I love Wu Ying at his peak.

[Frank Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey!

I want to start by saying that I have read every book. I've waited, altogether, too impatiently, for every addition to the series. I would check regularly to make sure the projected release date was the same. When I started the series on a whim and barely even a skim of the synopsis, I couldn't have guessed that I would enjoy it so much. This series is a credit to its genre, a hidden gem, and the bar for which I measure all cultivation fantasy. I can only say thank you to the author for making something to further enable my addiction to reading and feeding my inner literary Taotie.

Such a great series! Read it.

[Daniel Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Tao Wong
Book: The Fourth Wall

NO SPOILER-ISH.

Well, the series is over. Did it have a good ending? Yes. Did it satisfy everything? No. In 12 books, you come to like many characters besides the MC, so having an ending to one but many others left untold, is well, greedy of me the reader. I wanted to see what was left behind. Did they survive? Get revenge? Reach their goal? Die? I will say, having all those question marks the ability of Tao Wong being a great writer that I would love to know what occurred to the other great characters he created, besides the MC.

A fantastic series that has kept me hungry for more, even after 12 books.

[Trax Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realm far beyond what you can imagine

Each time I pick a book such as this, one is struck by the profound wisdom in each turn of the page.

It is a mirror, a meditation woven into every fabric of the story.

Wong-san wove the Daoist philosophy, self-awareness, and quiet moral strength into a tale that humbles as it uplifts.

Indeed, the seat of wisdom resides in the east.

A bow of gratitude to Wong Laoshi for continuing to share this path with us. May the Thousand Li continues and may we grow with each step.

[TBRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Wall by Tao Wong
Wu Ying, broken and dying has to travel to find himself again and hopefully ascend to be an immortal. I enjoyed his travels again. I love his relationship with Yang Mu and I was terrified of the ending. I was not ready to end this story. Every single book in this series was amazing and now that I’ve finished it I am going to miss Wu Ying. I can’t wait to start the next series by Tao Wong!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and fitting end to a wonderful story’

I love good stories, and I adore great storytellers. Tao Wong is a great storyteller. This has been such an incredible journey - feel like I’ve been on a grand adventure throughout this series. Such a fitting and satisfying ending! Can’t wait to read the next series!!!

[Aaron Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable cultivation series

This series has really captured the essence of what cultivation books should be, I think. Growth not only into power but also into understanding. It’s also very thoroughly researched, to the point where I thought in the first book that it might have been a translation. Very highly recommended!

[Robert Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very satisfying end to Wu Ying's story, made especially enjoyable by the presence of some old friends, only let down by a few loose threads left loose - but perhaps they will be picked up in the next series. If you enjoyed The Second Sect, you'll enjoy this immensely.

[Karl Griffin]

A fine finale to the Thousand Li

I am not going to say it is the best of the Thousand Li, for me books 7 and 11 were better, but it is a very thought provoking final push into end of the first cultivation journey for Wu Ying.

I cannot wait for the new series!

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's the end of one series, but the beginning of another

An exiting end to this portion of Wu Ying’s journey. I look forward to reading more when the Celestial Cataclysms series comes out!

[Logan Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

This series has been amazing. I have learned a lot from it as a reader and person. Can’t recommend it enough. The audio books are also amazing and are some of the greatest. Travis Baldtree is the best.

[VWTingler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and unique

While following many of the strictures of other common Epic Fantasy writings this one has its own delicious flavor that draws the reader in and connects you to not only the well developed characters but also the culture of this amazing fantasy world!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man I was hoping this book would be better than the last one, but alas it was not to be. This story seemed like Wu Ying took a back seat and was only a passive character in the final book of a series about him. I just wasn’t a fan of how the author concluded the story.

[Spencer Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m getting pretty excited for the next book

It’s been a journey, year after year still the series I look forward to. I was upset when Tao took time from the system apocalypse to start this series now I like it more. Thanks for the book I’ll definitely get the next one!

[John E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost a fitting conclusion

A long tale of cultivation, learning and self identity comes to its mortal conclusion in this final book. It isn't a fairy tale ending but none of the books have been in that vein. Overall, this is a very good series and well worth the time to read.

[Jeremy Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow ending

I was going to rate this lower, but the inclusion of the sequel chapter made up for it a bit.
A whole book of mostly internal monologue, recall scenes, memories and no progress or hints at Yu Ming's fate was not engaging.

[Evan Parrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a wonderful conclusion to a powerful and entertaining series. at first, I was a little taken aback by the final journey Wu Ying has to take in this book, but once you reach the climax, it all becomes clear and it's perfectly executed. I can't wait for the sequel series.

[Joshn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting end to a great series and 12 books following Wu Ying’s adventures. Can’t wait to see what the author does next with the world of a Thousand Li!