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Unintended Cultivator #8
Unintended Cultivator: Volume 8
When Politics and Cultivation Collide…Summoned by the king, Sen reluctantly goes to the capital. However, the path there is anything but easy. Sen must battle his way to the city, revealing that not everyone is pleased by his imminent return.
When he finally reaches the city, he finds it changed. The web of politics has only grown more tangled in his absence, and now cultivator emissaries from beyond the Mountains of Sorrow have arrived to further cloud the waters. Much to his horror, Sen finds himself pressed into service as a distraction and deterrent to those very cultivators.
While the name Judgment’s Gale conjures fear in the capital, it may not prove enough as enemies old and new reveal themselves. While Sen tries to navigate around uncertain agendas and noble plots, he will be forced to take actions he would have once considered inconceivable. And the wandering cultivator’s life will never be the same…
When he finally reaches the city, he finds it changed. The web of politics has only grown more tangled in his absence, and now cultivator emissaries from beyond the Mountains of Sorrow have arrived to further cloud the waters. Much to his horror, Sen finds himself pressed into service as a distraction and deterrent to those very cultivators.
While the name Judgment’s Gale conjures fear in the capital, it may not prove enough as enemies old and new reveal themselves. While Sen tries to navigate around uncertain agendas and noble plots, he will be forced to take actions he would have once considered inconceivable. And the wandering cultivator’s life will never be the same…
- GenresFantasy
469 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
373 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Eric Dontigney
31 books199 followersRaised in Western New York, Eric Dontigney has lived in New Mexico, Florida, Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. He currently resides near Dayton, OH. He is a fan of photo-realism paintings, coffee and well-made food. He has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 20, 2026
This series has kinda become everyone being awed at Sens power and I’m kinda okay with it? His fatherly instincts are so heartwarming, especially when he wants to massacre people who threaten his family. Love this series.
March 17, 2026
absolutely fabulous again
Beautifully written. I can’t even say anything bad about the story. At several points, characters seemed to ‘disappear’ from the plot, and there’s an instinct to say that’s lacklustre writing or plot structure or something, but in the end it felt natural. Lu Sen was just so frustrated and so busy that of course people got forgotten. Like in real life, not everything (or more accurately- practically nothing) works out in neat little patterns and controlled progress. Sen was steadily fraying from his extended time in the city and the challenges he was overcoming, so it feels natural that things seemed to get a bit lost. I think my biggest question is what happened to Righteous Wu Gang- was he part of the caravan north?
I think also I expected more of the threat/plot line regarding the visiting kingdom dignitaries, but I’m not unhappy with what was there. Maybe more will come of it in the future, but this is a progression style story, so sometimes living ‘a day in the life of …’ means dealing with problems that feel more important than they end up being. Either way, whether it becomes more in the future or not, I thoroughly enjoyed coming along for the ride.
One of the things that makes this story so enjoyable (despite existing in a ruthless world) is that Sen and most of those he associates with have compassion. Sen sometimes moralises (not too much imo), & often agonises, over whether he has a right to make the decisions he does, and what impact those decisions might have now & in the future. He genuinely cares. The story also doesn’t wallow heavily in graphic violence and gore, but it still gives weight to what is shown. That balance between the MC who cares and the pile of bodies that builds up in the merciless world is nicely threaded- it stops the story from feeling like a violent / murder hobo / might is right / “everyone is wrong except for sanctimonious me” two dimensional novel.
Looking forward to the next story already.
Beautifully written. I can’t even say anything bad about the story. At several points, characters seemed to ‘disappear’ from the plot, and there’s an instinct to say that’s lacklustre writing or plot structure or something, but in the end it felt natural. Lu Sen was just so frustrated and so busy that of course people got forgotten. Like in real life, not everything (or more accurately- practically nothing) works out in neat little patterns and controlled progress. Sen was steadily fraying from his extended time in the city and the challenges he was overcoming, so it feels natural that things seemed to get a bit lost. I think my biggest question is what happened to Righteous Wu Gang- was he part of the caravan north?
I think also I expected more of the threat/plot line regarding the visiting kingdom dignitaries, but I’m not unhappy with what was there. Maybe more will come of it in the future, but this is a progression style story, so sometimes living ‘a day in the life of …’ means dealing with problems that feel more important than they end up being. Either way, whether it becomes more in the future or not, I thoroughly enjoyed coming along for the ride.
One of the things that makes this story so enjoyable (despite existing in a ruthless world) is that Sen and most of those he associates with have compassion. Sen sometimes moralises (not too much imo), & often agonises, over whether he has a right to make the decisions he does, and what impact those decisions might have now & in the future. He genuinely cares. The story also doesn’t wallow heavily in graphic violence and gore, but it still gives weight to what is shown. That balance between the MC who cares and the pile of bodies that builds up in the merciless world is nicely threaded- it stops the story from feeling like a violent / murder hobo / might is right / “everyone is wrong except for sanctimonious me” two dimensional novel.
Looking forward to the next story already.
March 18, 2026
I needed this
Last book I read was disappointing. This is not.
Bits of humor—usually where someone is questioning their choices—mixed with serious moments. The narrative moves quite well; no long navel gazing moments of grand awareness.
Looking forward to 9.
Last book I read was disappointing. This is not.
Bits of humor—usually where someone is questioning their choices—mixed with serious moments. The narrative moves quite well; no long navel gazing moments of grand awareness.
Looking forward to 9.
March 22, 2026
Okay but annoyingly uber liberal at times..
The book had a strong start but the plot degenerated in the MC being a super simp - again. And the author emphasises once again what a beautiful gary stu the MC is and has him struggle with missing consent while healing people #rofl#.(funnily he didn't struggle with missing consent when he killed or separated families though..)
I found the constant general contempt against all nobles and sects tiresome and overdone. By now the MC should have understood that power can corrupt everyone, no matter the gender or social class!
Criticism and comments
The constant forced use of they/them for single entities is super annoying and frustrating!
The book had a strong start but the plot degenerated in the MC being a super simp - again. And the author emphasises once again what a beautiful gary stu the MC is and has him struggle with missing consent while healing people #rofl#.(funnily he didn't struggle with missing consent when he killed or separated families though..)
I found the constant general contempt against all nobles and sects tiresome and overdone. By now the MC should have understood that power can corrupt everyone, no matter the gender or social class!
Criticism and comments
The constant forced use of they/them for single entities is super annoying and frustrating!
March 23, 2026
After introducing a daughter to his family in volume 7, this book disappointed me by immediately leaving her behind.
I had some fun watching nobles futilely seek revenge against Sen. The fights were great but it was missing an emotional core.
I had some fun watching nobles futilely seek revenge against Sen. The fights were great but it was missing an emotional core.
March 29, 2026
Great book
Another great book the characters are interesting the stocks deep this last book was a bit boring compared to the other but still a great story
Another great book the characters are interesting the stocks deep this last book was a bit boring compared to the other but still a great story
March 19, 2026
A new cult arises
This series just keeps improving and even book1 is great. Overall, this is easily one of the best if not the best in my current, can't wait for the next book list. A fantasy series with politics, unique abilities from high level cultivation, destruction with prejudice and yet a perfect amount of comedy too keep the story from being too chilling.
This series just keeps improving and even book1 is great. Overall, this is easily one of the best if not the best in my current, can't wait for the next book list. A fantasy series with politics, unique abilities from high level cultivation, destruction with prejudice and yet a perfect amount of comedy too keep the story from being too chilling.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lu Sen started off as a wandering cultivator, but he's come such a long way since, he used to be angry and quick to react, always on his guard, but now though still ruthless with those he deems out to kill him, he has grown a heart for those less fortunate, and I put this down to his mortal adopted daughter Aia. She has become his greatest pleasure, and she has changed him no end. He takes his fatherly responsibilities very seriously, and in this book when he goes to the city where he has been summoned by King Jing, we see this most clearly. He is drawn into the political intrigues he really hates, as well as into battles with those out to kill him. He is forced into taking actions he usually would not have taken, such as the devastation of House Xie. This he adopts as his own, thus House Lu is born. He does this for his own peace of mind, as he has become more focused on Aia's security than his own ascension. In this book Sen revises his previous ideas about the nobility and cultivators, as he becomes Lord Lu, as well as the hatred he'd held towards sects, as he now is seriously considering turning his own academy into a sect, to provide an army loyal to House Lu. This book is amazing, every line is a pleasure to read, I particularly enjoyed reading about Glimmer of Night, the spider-kin, who I find fascinating. Thank You Eric Dontgney for giving us Lu Sen.
March 18, 2026
My thoughts
I really have enjoyed the story. I did enjoy this latest entry. There was a decision that the author made in the previous book which made me kind of shy away from the series, but given some time I came back and I haven't regretted that choice. I will say that there's still some minor things that the author chooses to do that personally I don't care for. There's a good balance to the story and it's definitely written well. The book is about 450 pages long. I did find that I had trouble putting it down just always a good sign in my opinion. I find myself here at the ending sooner than I would like. If you are the kind of person that enjoys the audiobook then the good news is that this story gets released with the audio version at the exact same time. The narrator did a pretty good job with that too in my opinion. As a general rule I'll read an audiobook first and then if I like it I'll go back and buy the audio. If I trust the author enough to deliver stories that I like then I'll go ahead and buy the audiobook in the blind.
I really have enjoyed the story. I did enjoy this latest entry. There was a decision that the author made in the previous book which made me kind of shy away from the series, but given some time I came back and I haven't regretted that choice. I will say that there's still some minor things that the author chooses to do that personally I don't care for. There's a good balance to the story and it's definitely written well. The book is about 450 pages long. I did find that I had trouble putting it down just always a good sign in my opinion. I find myself here at the ending sooner than I would like. If you are the kind of person that enjoys the audiobook then the good news is that this story gets released with the audio version at the exact same time. The narrator did a pretty good job with that too in my opinion. As a general rule I'll read an audiobook first and then if I like it I'll go back and buy the audio. If I trust the author enough to deliver stories that I like then I'll go ahead and buy the audiobook in the blind.
March 26, 2026
Didn’t think it could get worse…. I was wrong
Sen has betrayed every principle he had. He began as a street urchin and hated the nobles, rightly; however, now he has become even worse than they were. He constantly kills people for basically looking at him wrong, he destroys entire families, and basically steals children simple because he can. He is a massive hypocrite too since he is so concerned with his own daughter, yet doesn’t care about the families he has butchered and destroyed because they “might be a problem later”.
The author has destroyed his MC in a very thorough way. He is no longer the troubled good guy, now he is just a whiney young master with too much power and a superiority complex. Sen has become everything he hated in the beginning but so much worse since he has so much power. It’s compounded because it’s power he didn’t earn, he’s like a toddler with a nuke.
Sen has betrayed every principle he had. He began as a street urchin and hated the nobles, rightly; however, now he has become even worse than they were. He constantly kills people for basically looking at him wrong, he destroys entire families, and basically steals children simple because he can. He is a massive hypocrite too since he is so concerned with his own daughter, yet doesn’t care about the families he has butchered and destroyed because they “might be a problem later”.
The author has destroyed his MC in a very thorough way. He is no longer the troubled good guy, now he is just a whiney young master with too much power and a superiority complex. Sen has become everything he hated in the beginning but so much worse since he has so much power. It’s compounded because it’s power he didn’t earn, he’s like a toddler with a nuke.
March 24, 2026
All good things come to an end
I have really enjoyed this series right up to the point where the author basically changes the MC into the very thing the MC has been fighting against. About a third of the way in, the MC goes scorched earth on the noble house, kids and servants included. So far in the series, the MC has been fighting against this specific mentality and tyranny in others, and now, in a perverse way, that it's the exact mentality that the MC is exercising. The worst part is that he is going to force his daughter into being a noble and the politics it includes. The MC hates nobles and their politics. The MC is now just like all the others he has railed against for 7 books. Stopped reading after that.
I have really enjoyed this series right up to the point where the author basically changes the MC into the very thing the MC has been fighting against. About a third of the way in, the MC goes scorched earth on the noble house, kids and servants included. So far in the series, the MC has been fighting against this specific mentality and tyranny in others, and now, in a perverse way, that it's the exact mentality that the MC is exercising. The worst part is that he is going to force his daughter into being a noble and the politics it includes. The MC hates nobles and their politics. The MC is now just like all the others he has railed against for 7 books. Stopped reading after that.
March 21, 2026
Solid entry in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed that. The banter and action were so satisfying that I'm not even going to quibble that the entire pretext for visiting the King was so thoroughly lost in the telling of this story that it barely qualifies as a footnote.
I love this author's treatment of family and Ai, in particular. It's such a wonderful dichotomy to have these ancient monsters be so wonderfully kind to each other. And, Ai, just makes me reminisce so hard about my daughter at that age. The story is a delightfully brutal broth for your soul.
I love this author's treatment of family and Ai, in particular. It's such a wonderful dichotomy to have these ancient monsters be so wonderfully kind to each other. And, Ai, just makes me reminisce so hard about my daughter at that age. The story is a delightfully brutal broth for your soul.
March 17, 2026
Title: Sen and the city
Content Ratings: Language – PG13; Violence – R; Other – R
What do you get when you cross a wandering cultivator with big city politics? Read the book and find out. Seriously, though, this train just keeps rolling. This series has been at the top of my favorites list since early in book 1, and this one continues that trend. As usual, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Content Ratings: Language – PG13; Violence – R; Other – R
What do you get when you cross a wandering cultivator with big city politics? Read the book and find out. Seriously, though, this train just keeps rolling. This series has been at the top of my favorites list since early in book 1, and this one continues that trend. As usual, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
April 1, 2026
Sen is summonded to the Capital by the King. It leads him to some of his least favorite things politics, nobles, and dealing with foreign emissaries.
Really enjoyed volume 8 of the Unintended Cultivator. Less fighting and more world building and progression of Sen on his path. Several suprises pop up along with a few mysteries. Many of these are resolved during the book and shed light on what has been going on in the Capital. Excelent addition to the series.
Really enjoyed volume 8 of the Unintended Cultivator. Less fighting and more world building and progression of Sen on his path. Several suprises pop up along with a few mysteries. Many of these are resolved during the book and shed light on what has been going on in the Capital. Excelent addition to the series.
March 20, 2026
Another Excellent Entry
Yet another fun read in Sen’s continued adventures. I appreciate that Sen is at least becoming more aware of his shortcomings and accepting the power he has. Wish the whole book didn’t encompass the capital, but was a great story. Looking forward to the next!
Yet another fun read in Sen’s continued adventures. I appreciate that Sen is at least becoming more aware of his shortcomings and accepting the power he has. Wish the whole book didn’t encompass the capital, but was a great story. Looking forward to the next!
March 26, 2026
Fantastic continuation
Never been a fan of politics. This book is more like Diet Politics.
Confused as to the point of introducing the princess. Unless it was a brief foreshadowing of future books, it seemed wholly unnecessary to the plot of this book.
I missed Lo Meng and Grandma Lu, the interactions between them and Sen just kept a smile on my face.
Have fun !!!!!!
Never been a fan of politics. This book is more like Diet Politics.
Confused as to the point of introducing the princess. Unless it was a brief foreshadowing of future books, it seemed wholly unnecessary to the plot of this book.
I missed Lo Meng and Grandma Lu, the interactions between them and Sen just kept a smile on my face.
Have fun !!!!!!
March 18, 2026
still a good series
This feels more like an interim book, one that if removed the story still has continuity and anything missed could be summed up in a paragraph in the next book. Not saying we’ve jumped the shark but the stage is being built
This feels more like an interim book, one that if removed the story still has continuity and anything missed could be summed up in a paragraph in the next book. Not saying we’ve jumped the shark but the stage is being built
March 19, 2026
Another good one
Another great addition to a great series.
It's a little darker than some of the others, but it does a beautiful job continuing the plot. There are also more hints of future problems in the end.
All in all, it's another good one.
Another great addition to a great series.
It's a little darker than some of the others, but it does a beautiful job continuing the plot. There are also more hints of future problems in the end.
All in all, it's another good one.
March 20, 2026
Super Awesome
This story of an orphan being taught and adopted by the most powerful people was a fantastic read. He is heaven blessed that’s really messing with his life as he’s advancing faster than he wants. At the end of this book he’s finally home after helping the king.
This story of an orphan being taught and adopted by the most powerful people was a fantastic read. He is heaven blessed that’s really messing with his life as he’s advancing faster than he wants. At the end of this book he’s finally home after helping the king.
March 21, 2026
Delightful as always
I’ve enjoyed reading everyone of these stories and I can’t wait for the next ones. The progression of talent is interesting, but it’s the humor underlying the entire story that keeps me coming back to read every sequel in the series
I’ve enjoyed reading everyone of these stories and I can’t wait for the next ones. The progression of talent is interesting, but it’s the humor underlying the entire story that keeps me coming back to read every sequel in the series
March 22, 2026
Sen
Great book better story from weak to strong or MC is a positive monster. If you like Cradle, you may like this even better. Treat yourself, I'm off to Royal Road because I can't stop with this author.
Great book better story from weak to strong or MC is a positive monster. If you like Cradle, you may like this even better. Treat yourself, I'm off to Royal Road because I can't stop with this author.
March 27, 2026
I gotta wait 'til July.....
I have read a LOT of litrpg over the past 2 years, and I never chuckle and laugh out loud as much as I do with this series. I'm really looking forward to Book 9.
I have read a LOT of litrpg over the past 2 years, and I never chuckle and laugh out loud as much as I do with this series. I'm really looking forward to Book 9.
March 29, 2026
I quite liked this one.
Nothing much happened in this one, but I was fine with that. Wonderfully written. I like my hero over powered, and Sen's growth as a Cultivator and a decent man is refreshing. Not an obnoxious asshole and not a simp. Job well done Mr Dontigney.
Nothing much happened in this one, but I was fine with that. Wonderfully written. I like my hero over powered, and Sen's growth as a Cultivator and a decent man is refreshing. Not an obnoxious asshole and not a simp. Job well done Mr Dontigney.
March 31, 2026
murder murder murder
Back to being a murder hobo. And becoming the very thing he hated.
A noble, pompous better than everyone else.
All the delf work and growth of book 7 out the window and Sen the killing machine returns
Back to being a murder hobo. And becoming the very thing he hated.
A noble, pompous better than everyone else.
All the delf work and growth of book 7 out the window and Sen the killing machine returns
March 17, 2026
A fascinating look at how a powerful cultivator decides to do things he does not want to do for the greater good, in his own inimitable way.
March 19, 2026
solid entry that is just more of the same.
March 18, 2026
Great addition to the series
The book was an enjoyable read that continued the storyline of Sen and his adventures. Fast paced story with lots of action in the capital city.
The book was an enjoyable read that continued the storyline of Sen and his adventures. Fast paced story with lots of action in the capital city.
March 19, 2026
great series
The only problem right now is that there are not more of them. Awesome series with a lot of good humor
The only problem right now is that there are not more of them. Awesome series with a lot of good humor
March 19, 2026
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
March 25, 2026
Love this see es
Love all the books can't wait for the next one been reading them as soon as they come out really fun reads
Love all the books can't wait for the next one been reading them as soon as they come out really fun reads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews