A Thousand Li: The Fourth Fall: A Thousand Li, Book 11

A Thousand Li #11

by Tao Wong

International politics meets immortal blade

The war-mongering kingdom of Cai has begun to stir once again, the long held peace brought to the brink by a widespread drought. Now, the neighbouring kingdoms of Wei and Shen must ally together to deal with the Cai or see the flames of war spread over both nations once again.

Wu Ying is brought into the negotiations for his reputation and strength, but the former farmer and now Head of the Wandering Gatherers is a fish out of water in these political waters. More and more, he wonders where morality and practicality end as he watches the maneuverings of those in power, all while the hungering maw of the Cai kingdom and its powerful king watch over the squabble.

Between kingdoms and cultivators and the demands of an all consuming dao, can there be a peace that isn't won at the end of a blade?

A Thousand the Fourth Fall is the eleventh book of the xianxia series, A Thousand Li. It's the second book of the final arc of Wu Ying's journey to immortality, the trials and tribulations he faces and the leg of his journey. Tao Wong is the bestselling author of the System Apocalypse, Hidden Wishes and Adventures on Brad series.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published October 31, 2024

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

[Tao Wong]

Thank you so much for reading the penultimate A Thousand Li adventure!

We're nearly there. One more book till the end. Some of you might find the ending frustrating but trust me, it was always coming.

Being a pure wind cultivator was never the goal. What he will end up, why, it's been hinted through the books. But I will stop here, other than to say, trust me. The ride will be worth it.

Looking for the bonus scene? You can download it here now!

[A.R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read: This series really needed a stable cast, a long term plan, and an overarching villain.

This one was.....meh. The last 2 hours are fantastic. But most of it? Politics, tons of new characters, light duels and more politics.

This series has struggled with a stable cast. The side characters keep changing, major characters coming and going every few books. Even bad guys, the series has no stable villains. This King, I don't think he had ever been mentioned before this book. No set up, no anything. He traveled all over, but never heard anything about this kingdom.

The last battle was great, this author is always good with fights. I'm still excited for the end, though really confused as to what will happen.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tao Wong’s A Thousand Li: The Fourth Fall is the fourth installment in the A Thousand Li series, a fast-paced, action-packed progression fantasy that continues to captivate readers with its intricate world-building, character development, and high-stakes adventure. If you're already a fan of the series, you know what to expect: the fusion of martial arts, cultivation, and immersive storytelling. If you're new to the series, The Fourth Fall offers a compelling entry point into a world of growth, intrigue, and ambition.

Plot and Structure

In The Fourth Fall, the protagonist finds himself on the brink of new challenges. As the title suggests, this installment marks another phase in his journey toward mastery and understanding. The progression fantasy genre is often defined by the protagonist's growth, both in terms of power and wisdom, and his journey is no exception. What sets The Fourth Fall apart, however, is how it deepens the emotional and philosophical underpinnings of the protagonist’s development.

Unlike the typical “grind to power” plot seen in many cultivation novels, The Fourth Fall focuses heavily on the psychological and emotional challenges that come with each step in the protagonist’s journey. His growth is not just measured by how much stronger he becomes, but by how much he learns to navigate the complex relationships, moral dilemmas, and responsibilities that come with his rise in power. The fall in the title refers not just to the inevitable setbacks but to the humbling nature of progress itself.

Wong does an excellent job balancing action with character introspection. While there are plenty of combat scenes and intense moments of tension, these are framed by the protagonist’s internal struggles and the emotional consequences of his choices. This emotional depth adds richness to the series, making it more than just a power fantasy.

Character Development

The protagonist’s growth as a character is the heart of this book. He faces a variety of new challenges that test his intellect, his strength, and his moral compass. The relationships he cultivates with those around him continue to evolve, and we see him struggle with trust, loyalty, and sacrifice. In The Fourth Fall, the protagonist’s transformation is marked by his increasing realization that power alone is not enough to protect the people he cares about or to achieve the peace he seeks.

The supporting cast in this book also continues to shine. While the protagonist remains the focal point, characters from previous books return, each with their own motivations and arcs. These secondary characters often serve as foils to the protagonist’s journey, helping to reflect his development and providing a richer tapestry of intrigue and emotion.

World-Building

The world of A Thousand Li continues to impress with its complexity and depth. The martial arts system, the political structures, and the various factions vying for power create a dynamic and ever-shifting backdrop. Tao Wong excels in portraying a world where every action has consequence, and every choice carries weight.

In The Fourth Fall, the lore and cultivation system grow deeper, and the reader is introduced to new facets of the world that feel both expansive and well thought out. The magic and cultivation systems are intricately tied to the world’s economy, politics, and even personal relationships, making the stakes feel real and grounded. This sense of immersion is one of the series’ strongest points.

Themes and Philosophy

One of the standout features of The Fourth Fall is the way it tackles themes of responsibility, personal growth, and the consequences of power. The protagonist’s journey is not just about accumulating strength but about learning how to wield that strength wisely. The novel delves into the philosophy of power, control, and leadership, exploring what it means to be a ruler, a protector, and a leader who bears the weight of others’ lives.

Tao Wong’s writing also invites readers to consider the price of ambition and success. The notion that every rise to power is balanced by a fall — whether it be a personal loss or a betrayal — is a recurring motif throughout the book. This philosophical depth elevates The Fourth Fall above typical progression fantasy fare, giving it a more nuanced, introspective quality.

Conclusion

A Thousand Li: The Fourth Fall is a captivating continuation of Tao Wong’s A Thousand Li series, blending thrilling action, deep character development, and philosophical reflections on power and responsibility. With its rich world-building, evolving relationships, and an ever-growing sense of personal and external conflict, it keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

For fans of progression fantasy, especially those who enjoy a slow burn of character growth alongside a deep, lore-rich world, The Fourth Fall is a must-read. The protagonist’s journey remains compelling, and Tao Wong once again proves himself to be a master of blending action with introspection. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning reader, this installment will not disappoint.

[Murphies_law · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first three quarters are about political maneuvering which i only found mildly interesting, the last quarter is a huge fight scene in Chinese style. Of course our hero succeeds in the very end due to plot armour if once again crippled with hardly a chance of recovery..

The author once again uses they/them for single persons to appease wokies even though just assuming pronouns is considered evil..

[Daniel Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: A Thousand Li: The Fourth Fall
Author: Tao Wong

NO SPOILERS.

Fourth Fall is the eleventh book of the xianxia series, A Thousand Li. And it is really hard to not spoil it. Because a lot of amazing things occurred in the story. Events worth spoiling.

I have really enjoyed the series. Even after 11 books, Tao Wong has found a way to keep you engaged. Our protagonist, Wu Ying, does not have full plot armor. Which is one way other series start to lose its appeal the further the story goes. Wu Ying gets bested. Gets beaten. Does not have all the answers. Or all the power.

The fights are momentous, not too long whilst preserving the interesting bits. The war-mongering kingdom of Cai is the enemy. But are they alone? Working with others? What is Cai's true goal?

Will Wu Ying survive the trap? Whole? Building towards an epic ending. I can't wait for the next book to be released.

[Yoel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

Tao Wong manages to teach us about the hidden agendas, public image manipulations, and backstabbings of politics while somehow keeping it interesting.

The book was perfectly paced, and it had a great balance of Wu Ying's time in the sect as an elder, his time in politics, and the ending.

The ending was entirely butt-clenching. It was a political, philosophical, and action-packed sandwich that I absolutely ate up. I was enthralled to an unhealthy degree, I lost the time, what I was doing, and where I was, but I just had to keep reading.

9.8/10 book. Can't wait for the next one.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fourth Fall is the penultimate book of the A Thousand Li series, continuing the story of the acension of our favorite cultivator and his growing responsibilities as one of the most capable and notorious cultiovators in the kingdom, getting involved in national politics and intrigue. With great power comes great responsibility, and Wu Ying's duties extend far beyond his prior experiences. I really enjoyed the expansion of the world I've come to love and the greater understanding of the immortals and heavens that Wu Ying seeks to join. As expected by now in this series, the action and ascension sequences are brilliant, and even blend together a bit in book 11.

After a very cool ascension-related opening, this book started slow (in a good way) with Wong's world-building expanding on what we already know about cultivation and politics (war), introducing a wide range of characters involved in a three state political negotiation. I personally love the political stuff, I have often wanted the series to delve deeper into local politics as Wu Ying traveled the world, and it seems Wong was saving the meaty stuff for Wu Ying's home kingdom. Scummy politics look the same whether it's in the real world, in history, or in fiction, and Wong reminds us to "fear the Greeks, even those bearing gifts." I admit I couldn't keep track of all the princes and generals involved but it did not affect my following of the story as long as I remembered who was on whose side. The tensions grow until Wu Ying is forced do do that voodoo that he does so well against some uniquely talented opponents, drawing on a lifetime of knowledge that we got to experience him acquire in prior books.

We also get an indication of what clashes to expect in the last book and it made me sad, not just about this fun series ending but the (suspected) antagonist's circumstances that have been built up since book 1. I really look forward to the last book, but I also hold out hope that Wong has plans to expand this universe as he did with System Apocalypse and Hidden Wishes. I also still hold out hope that the misanthropic Sundering Blade survived and did a "Clifftop Crisis & Transformation" thing.

This pre-ordered book was delivered about a month early! That never happens, but Wong's diligence is no surprise for those of who follow him. Also, reading this book while watching my NY Mets in the postseason was fun cus Vientos (which translates to "Winds") was killing it. Alas, the western winds had other intentions.

[Franziska Tinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story losing its power; too drawn out

This was a difficult book to get through. Long drawn out preparation to get to the main part of the story, the fourth fall. Then betrayal and here I found it very difficult to get through the second part of the story, boring because of repetitive talking about politics. Lengthy discussion about diplomacy, saving face, settling disputes.

The last part of this book, the 12th in this series, is all about battling the evil King and the political systems, just too tedious. I actually got bored and started skipping pages. The story became Bogged down in details about political meandering between sects, in what felt to me like filler material, or a need to meet a word-count.

This is very disappointing because I absolutely loved the last 11books. Tao Wong has such a way of imparting information, even details, and keeping one interested, for me it was what kept me coming back to this series and devoting way more time reading his books than I normally do. Learning Chinese cultural history and beliefs all wrapped in a Fantasy was very enjoyable. I was continually astounded by his knowledge and attention to details.

However, this read was rather boring, tedious even. Often, editing errors or too elaborate descriptions, made the story feel stuck. Too many details, some due to what seemed like a less careful editing process, or filling pages. It felt as if Tao Wong had problems filling the needed word count, excessively detailing what was already sufficiently explained and rambling without actually moving the story along.

And all this was leading up to the reason for book 12, to what really should have been exciting, the battles between good and evil. Instead, Wong got lost in the details again. Way over the top detailed and unbelievable battle scenes, stretching the readers believes and imagination, to such an extent that do not even happen in fairy tales.

I am very disappointed, but maybe this story has run it's course. At some point even the most fantastic fairy tale runs out of steam, and writers run out of believable ideas.

I however, encourage readers to take the time to read the entire story. I found it enlightening. 😉 , an exceptional and even educational read, theand well worth my time. Thanks Tao, it was a pleasure meeting you in the 'A Thousand Li' series.

[FRED · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loss of coherence with the rest of the series

There comes a point in every progression story author’s journey where they either hit the bottleneck between good and great or ascend to greatness. Unfortunately for Tao Wong he has stumbled and fell flat on his face at this bottle neck. Ironically just like his MC has in this story (maybe some self projection there). Anyways, this happens when a good author builds a great progression story inside a rich world that transcends their own ability to maintain or grow (progress) any further. The author either rises up and grows in their own ability to meet the demand of greatness coming the world they built. Or they fall victim to their own hubris and believe that they have already achieved greatness when they have only just touched upon it. This book proves that Tao Wong has gone down the path of hubris. This is a well written book (2 stars instead of 1) that gave no consideration towards the overall path, trajectory and tempo of the series. It’s so bad that we literally end this book right back where we started it. The story literally cancels its own self out. The series momentum has stalled and, for Tao Wong, it’s weight too heavy to wield. It lacks any cohesive direction towards where it’s going and what it will become. It has progressed past the point of the author’s original imagination at inception and is now stuck at the inability for that same author to imagine what the world and life is like for his MC at the next level of progression. Travis Baldree can only continue to carry this story much further before it will just become trash.

[Steve Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

It is hard to write reviews for books that are this far along in the series. Should I rate the book or the series? At this point, the story itself is secondary to the rest. I like the world that has been built. I like the characters that have been written about. It is almost like hanging out with a good friend even if you don't really do much. It is still a really good time. That is how I felt about this one. The story itself was just okay. However, I really love the world and characters that Tao Wong has created. He has also integrated a little more balance in the cultivation world. There are personal connections with the MC that are usually missing in most other cultivation novels. The MC is trying to ascend to the heavens but at the same time, keep who he is and what he cares about. He has friends, a love interest, parents and responsibilities in the sect. He has to push his own growth forward without trying to go to fast and fail or leave people behind. He now is one of the most powerful people in the sect, but his age/knowledge and position are somewhat narrow. Overall, I really enjoy the series and am looking forward to the next one.

[Paps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful continuation, I love the politic intrigue in this one, the author explained deeper the implications of actions, how they can be interpreted by allies and contra parts. The obvious intentions and the secret ones, the advantage or disadvantage of each. Despite been 11 books following this characters there is still more depth in them to discover. How their actions are dictated as much by their personality as the Dao they follow. The story keeps driving home the importance and completeness of DAO how is existence as a whole and different Dao are just different paths to understand it. Another thing to enjoy about this book is how Mr. Wong mix up the traditional Chinese fantasy with modern trends in fantasy genre, especially the Demon King Extermination trope, liked the way he handled it. Even more the necessity of it.

[MFD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story, Minor Typos

I’ve been following this author for some time- over half a decade, by my count. Still, this is definitely one of his better works.
5% of the way into the book, the rising action begins- it was somewhat uninteresting? But the promise of more to come kept me reading- and he delivered. Wu Ying’s perception is described with a unique writing style, and it’s frankly just enjoyable to read.

The fights are momentous, not too long whilst preserving the interesting bits.

Most of the issues with the book are honestly just typos and minor grammatical errors I imagine will be resolved in later releases/editions. Great work, 5 stars.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book was just ok in my opinion. The first 80 percent was very political and not very engaging for me. Too many parties and players that were thrown into the story to keep track of. The last 20 percent of the book was a fantastic fight scene where the stakes have never been higher and the action was all there. The only problem I have though is that Wu Ying never wins outright. He always barely escapes with his life and always seems to be broken beyond repair while we wonder if he’ll ever recover only to find out he does. It feels a little re used in a different way. Overall this series has been a great one to go through and a fun journey. I’m excited for the final book.

[Jonathan Crabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good entry in the series. Interestingly quite a bit of the book is dedicated to statescraft and very high level negotiations. This actually makes quite a bit of sense which was really interesting to me because as characters get stronger and more powerful, it is somewhat natural that they would fight less and less as a last measure. This part of the book was good in that regard, but the best part of the truly epic battle that the book ends with. Huge, and really sets up the series nicely for the last book number 12.

[TBRBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it!



A thousand li the fourth wall by Tao Wong

475 Pages

Wu Ying has joined the Sect to help with peace negotiations between the Wei, the Shen, and the Cai. Book 11 was not one of my favorites but I still enjoyed it. I much prefer a traveling Wu Ying. The ending has left me feeling all kinds of feelings and I’ve already jumped into the last book and im dreading the ending because I can’t get enough of these books!

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

A strangely poor entry to an otherwise enjoyable series. The writing is often weird and jumbled, and to top it off even the author's own characters spend more than half the book talking about how tedious and boring the plot is. They're not wrong.

Hopefully the next book is better.

[Keith Clauson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luv everything bout it

Love the author, love the series, can't get enough. An author that actually has a plan, writes well, and does it all with grace, style, and endnotes (super useful and nice to have!). Can't wait for the end of this series and the next one the author brings (I know, I need to move on to his other current almost done series, I'm almost there!)

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

it starts political

But it ends kinetic.

Bit of a time-skip from the previous book, which is good. We didn’t need the details of his gradual build up of the Department, nor the gory details of his continued medicinal baths.

This is the good stuff.

[Je'Maal Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Political Intrigue

This was an eye-opening viewpoint of the political world that Wu Ying always tried to avoid. Great development of the characters, I just wish it did not have to end like it did.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

acceptable

Well written as always and a compelling plot. However, for a progression fantasy, there is very little actual progression. It is very slow at times, a lot of useless filler.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the series, I honestly felt I could have skipped this one as a whole.

Very good series but this book I honestly felt I could have skipped 80% of and not really missed anything at all. Tons of “political intrigue” and well written. Just not for me at all.

[Mike Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Stuff

This story of a farmer becoming a high tear cultivator was fantastic. In this book our guy takes on an impossible King and gets hurt. The best part of these stories is the explanation of the culture. Great Story

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

What a ride, great addition to the series! Really loved the focus on human relationships in this book. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Randy Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does the main character have to be crippled at the end of half the book?

It would be nice if the Author could come up with a different storyline than having the main character heavily injured at the end of every other book in this series. Then the main character has to spend the next book or two to find a way to heal himself. I will say the writing is quite nice and flow elegantly. Despite the excellent writing the story arcs keeps repeating themselves. I think this is now the third time the main character has several injured himself at the end of the book so much so that he has to spend the next couple of books to try to find a way to fix the damage. But of course, since this is going to be the main character, “final adventure”, the injury at the end of this book had to be the greatest of them all.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story moved forward in major ways in this book, both in terms of time (skipped some years down the road) and in character progression. It started slow and ended epic. Love this series.

[Brian Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading Will Wight. I like that Wong stays much closer to Taoist cultivation methods. Can't wait for the next book.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

delayed gratification

This one takes a long time to pay off but when it does, it more than makes up for the slow start.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best of the series by far.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hard to put down book

As fast paced and interesting as the others in the series. I can't wait for book 12 now and the culmination of all the storylines.

[Urhierefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Collapse of everything was brilliant and the foreshadowing of how Ying's path goes has been touched upon multiple times