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A Thousand Li #2
A Thousand Li: the First Stop: A Xanxia Cultivation Series
As an inner sect member in the Verdant Green Waters, Long Wu Ying must navigate the customs of the cultivators and choose his secondary occupation. From immortal alchemists, blacksmiths, physicians, martial specialists and more, Wu Ying must find an occupation that defines and contributes to his dao. Outside, the drums of war continue to beat and the Sect is about to be pulled deeper into the battle for supremacy between states. The Sect Elders will take Wu Ying and his friends on a desperate gamble to prepare for the upcoming war, putting to test everything that Wu Ying has learnt.
As Wu Ying stops and takes account of himself and the Sect, he will need to accept his place in this new martial world, put aside his past and strive for the future.
The First Stop is the second novel in A Thousand Li series, a book on cultivation, immortals, wondrous martial art styles and spirit beasts. This series will be loved by wuxia and xanxia fans and those looking for a more westernised cultivation story. The First Stop is written by Tao Wong, the bestselling scifi and fantasy LitRPG author of the System Apocalypse, Adventures on Brad and the Hidden Wishes.
As Wu Ying stops and takes account of himself and the Sect, he will need to accept his place in this new martial world, put aside his past and strive for the future.
The First Stop is the second novel in A Thousand Li series, a book on cultivation, immortals, wondrous martial art styles and spirit beasts. This series will be loved by wuxia and xanxia fans and those looking for a more westernised cultivation story. The First Stop is written by Tao Wong, the bestselling scifi and fantasy LitRPG author of the System Apocalypse, Adventures on Brad and the Hidden Wishes.
316 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2019
1153 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Tao Wong
137 books957 followersTao 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.
When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
August 31, 2019
I liked The First Step quite a lot. I tried it with some reservations as I felt Tao Wong's LitRPG books leave a lot to be desired, but it impressed me a lot. So it's with quite a bit of disappointment that I put down The First Stop, the second book of A Thousand Li. Not just the disappointment of reading a mediocre sequel to a good book, but also the disappointment of seeing an author fail to overcome all the failings displayed in his LitRPG forays. I now suspect that it isn't that he's a new or inept author(as I thought initially), he must know what makes a good story, as he did in The First Step. It's just that he rushes the books out the door, which doesn't give him time to work out their problems.
This book definitely felt rushed, from the superficial issues, like the abundance of grammar and spelling mistakes and the occasional incorrect and awkward word choices, to the deep-seated issues, like the failure to include any semblance of a plot(also present in book 1, though at least it had a decent theme to tie it together), the lack of any decent characterization of either the MC or the side characters(hard to do without giving them any interesting choices and without an antagonist), and worst of all, the inability to expand on the setting without doing the typical amateurish exposition dumps. In System Apocalypse, the MC has a convenient little shoulder guy that doles out information "as the (non-existent) plot requires". In ATL2 the exposition is 80% "fantasy school" explanations, a trope that I thought the author had purposely and skillfully sidestepped in book 1. Not so, unfortunately. He was merely saving it as filler for book 2.
To expand a bit: the story has a disgusting amount of exposition delivered in the driest way possible, it lacks a plot, a theme, or even an overarching idea to tie together the story together, the pacing is horrendous(the second act begins at ~75%), and the protagonist Wu Ying has no antagonist, not even a foil, and displays absolutely no sense of agency throughout the whole story, with perhaps one exception at the very end(contrary to the entire theme of the first book). Wu Ying has a throwaway bit of personal growth at the end(tl:dr; "not all rich people are bad") which besides being shallow and trite and requires another character to spell it out to him, it eliminates the one interesting piece of conflict from the first novel, that of class struggle and Wu Ying being an outsider.
Even the decent ending does little to redeem this formless blob of a story; it simply doesn't have anything to say for itself. Not anything interesting, anything at all. It is a filler book in every sense of the term. Truthfully, If the author had summarized this year of schooling in 50 pages and started with the flower expedition, nothing would have been lost.
This book definitely felt rushed, from the superficial issues, like the abundance of grammar and spelling mistakes and the occasional incorrect and awkward word choices, to the deep-seated issues, like the failure to include any semblance of a plot(also present in book 1, though at least it had a decent theme to tie it together), the lack of any decent characterization of either the MC or the side characters(hard to do without giving them any interesting choices and without an antagonist), and worst of all, the inability to expand on the setting without doing the typical amateurish exposition dumps. In System Apocalypse, the MC has a convenient little shoulder guy that doles out information "as the (non-existent) plot requires". In ATL2 the exposition is 80% "fantasy school" explanations, a trope that I thought the author had purposely and skillfully sidestepped in book 1. Not so, unfortunately. He was merely saving it as filler for book 2.
To expand a bit: the story has a disgusting amount of exposition delivered in the driest way possible, it lacks a plot, a theme, or even an overarching idea to tie together the story together, the pacing is horrendous(the second act begins at ~75%), and the protagonist Wu Ying has no antagonist, not even a foil, and displays absolutely no sense of agency throughout the whole story, with perhaps one exception at the very end(contrary to the entire theme of the first book). Wu Ying has a throwaway bit of personal growth at the end(tl:dr; "not all rich people are bad") which besides being shallow and trite and requires another character to spell it out to him, it eliminates the one interesting piece of conflict from the first novel, that of class struggle and Wu Ying being an outsider.
Even the decent ending does little to redeem this formless blob of a story; it simply doesn't have anything to say for itself. Not anything interesting, anything at all. It is a filler book in every sense of the term. Truthfully, If the author had summarized this year of schooling in 50 pages and started with the flower expedition, nothing would have been lost.
April 16, 2022
I had fun reading this story. It reminded me of Eldest in the Eragon dragon series. It was all about learning a spiritual way of being with the world. I enjoy seeing that. We got to learn so much about this sect and what life is really like to learn martial arts and be a cultivator.
I think I have found the problem with the character work. Most of what goes on is in the head of Wu Ying and what he is thinking. When he interacts with someone, there isn't a lot of sharing going on, so it's hard to have character development between anyone. The first one, there didn't seem to be anyone Wu Ying was friend with and in this one we get some time between him and his friend Tao He. They even go on a mission to kill Vampires. I enjoyed it.
There were lots of great monsters from Chinese lore in here I enjoyed seeing. There is a quest at the end in the spirit wilds and we meet all kinds of fierce creatures. I did feel that Wu Ying put in a lot of work and I was surprised he didn't advance further. He broke through 3 levels and he has one left to go on this beginning stage. He sure does stink often, that would get old.
I am enjoying this series and I hope to get the next book soon. We'll see. I want to go on.
I think I have found the problem with the character work. Most of what goes on is in the head of Wu Ying and what he is thinking. When he interacts with someone, there isn't a lot of sharing going on, so it's hard to have character development between anyone. The first one, there didn't seem to be anyone Wu Ying was friend with and in this one we get some time between him and his friend Tao He. They even go on a mission to kill Vampires. I enjoyed it.
There were lots of great monsters from Chinese lore in here I enjoyed seeing. There is a quest at the end in the spirit wilds and we meet all kinds of fierce creatures. I did feel that Wu Ying put in a lot of work and I was surprised he didn't advance further. He broke through 3 levels and he has one left to go on this beginning stage. He sure does stink often, that would get old.
I am enjoying this series and I hope to get the next book soon. We'll see. I want to go on.
October 17, 2019
Liked the series, but this book was lacking. I’ve seen all of the five star reviews for the book and can’t fathom how.
I re-read the first book because I was excited for this book. So I’m very sad to say this book fell flat.
After the first book you would have expected to hear something about his merchant friend. But nothing, why?
His monk friend doesn’t really play a part. Yes he is in the story but their friendship isn’t developed or built further. It’s implied they’ve been bonding but nothing in the book to show how or why. Except one mission where the monk goes down fairly quickly. I would have hoped their friendship could have been developed in a way similar to how Tolkien did it with Gimili & Legolas. No, you don’t see everything that made up there friendship but did see glimpses of what it was like. You also just new it existed by the end.
There is hardly any action in this book, at all. The protagonist improves but barely. The ending was so boring. I’m not sure what the point of this book was? He improved and gained some skills, but he’s still in the body cleansing phase. By My count he only improved 3 levels from book one to the end of book two. If every book after this one goes as slowly we may never see the end of this series.
The only major shifts in the plot are; he gets over his grudges against nobles, no antagonists from the first book attack him, and I think according to the last page he gets a girlfriend. Not, the girl who makes the most sense. So, why not add a crappy girlfriend to it the story for emphasis?
The coolest part and what kept me reading was the Chinese mythical monsters. That was all new to me and very interesting.
I re-read the first book because I was excited for this book. So I’m very sad to say this book fell flat.
After the first book you would have expected to hear something about his merchant friend. But nothing, why?
His monk friend doesn’t really play a part. Yes he is in the story but their friendship isn’t developed or built further. It’s implied they’ve been bonding but nothing in the book to show how or why. Except one mission where the monk goes down fairly quickly. I would have hoped their friendship could have been developed in a way similar to how Tolkien did it with Gimili & Legolas. No, you don’t see everything that made up there friendship but did see glimpses of what it was like. You also just new it existed by the end.
There is hardly any action in this book, at all. The protagonist improves but barely. The ending was so boring. I’m not sure what the point of this book was? He improved and gained some skills, but he’s still in the body cleansing phase. By My count he only improved 3 levels from book one to the end of book two. If every book after this one goes as slowly we may never see the end of this series.
The only major shifts in the plot are; he gets over his grudges against nobles, no antagonists from the first book attack him, and I think according to the last page he gets a girlfriend. Not, the girl who makes the most sense. So, why not add a crappy girlfriend to it the story for emphasis?
The coolest part and what kept me reading was the Chinese mythical monsters. That was all new to me and very interesting.
August 3, 2019
Not as good as the first
I think this book suffers from a lack of a clear antagonist. We learn a bit more about the main character’s sect and his new role in it, with plenty of exposition along the way. Then get goes on an adventure in the wilds because he doesn’t want to alienate someone. While it all makes sense and the characters are good we are missing the interpersonal conflict that provided the first book such great hooks.
I think this book suffers from a lack of a clear antagonist. We learn a bit more about the main character’s sect and his new role in it, with plenty of exposition along the way. Then get goes on an adventure in the wilds because he doesn’t want to alienate someone. While it all makes sense and the characters are good we are missing the interpersonal conflict that provided the first book such great hooks.
June 2, 2025
Re-read: Lots of world building. Some relationship growth. Also a great fight at the end.
I think I am starting to get a better understanding of what this series is about. A bigger arc is beginning to take shape, though the point of this series seems to be the main character's journey. Him discovering himself and his own way. As such, I think this series is more akin to a slice of life series than a fantasy series. I don't think this series will ever have a "point". A great evil to defeat, a world in danger, some disastrous prophecy. That is ok. The main character will continue to grow, to learn and to experience. We are along for the journey.
I still struggle with the names, particularly since they switch between given and titles at times. The footnotes to this book are still amazing.
I think I am starting to get a better understanding of what this series is about. A bigger arc is beginning to take shape, though the point of this series seems to be the main character's journey. Him discovering himself and his own way. As such, I think this series is more akin to a slice of life series than a fantasy series. I don't think this series will ever have a "point". A great evil to defeat, a world in danger, some disastrous prophecy. That is ok. The main character will continue to grow, to learn and to experience. We are along for the journey.
I still struggle with the names, particularly since they switch between given and titles at times. The footnotes to this book are still amazing.
December 26, 2019
Rating 3.5 stars
Not as good as the first book. Now that Wu Ying is part of the inner sect he doesn't have the same problems from the first book. The fact that he was a commoner isn't as big of a deal now that he is in the inner sect. What he has to do now is find his place in the sect. Each person has a primary and a secondary profession. Wu Ying has no idea what he wants to do. Surprisingly, he makes statements throughout the book that he does not want to be a fighter. He still trains to fight but doesn't want that to be his profession. After all the fighting he did in the first book, this surprised me.
One of the differences in Wu Ying as a main character is that he isn't really special at anything. For almost every profession he is just okay, maybe better than average. When looking for your doa though, one is looking for the meaning to their life/ what they were born to do. For a good majority of the story is was just Wu Ying trying out new jobs to see what he likes. He didn't really advance that far in his cultivation either. He was always one of the weakest people in his group. I was hoping for a little more inspiration. A little more advancement. By the end of the book, I still didn't get a hint at what he was going to specialize in. Still pretty good, just a little slow most of the time.
Not as good as the first book. Now that Wu Ying is part of the inner sect he doesn't have the same problems from the first book. The fact that he was a commoner isn't as big of a deal now that he is in the inner sect. What he has to do now is find his place in the sect. Each person has a primary and a secondary profession. Wu Ying has no idea what he wants to do. Surprisingly, he makes statements throughout the book that he does not want to be a fighter. He still trains to fight but doesn't want that to be his profession. After all the fighting he did in the first book, this surprised me.
One of the differences in Wu Ying as a main character is that he isn't really special at anything. For almost every profession he is just okay, maybe better than average. When looking for your doa though, one is looking for the meaning to their life/ what they were born to do. For a good majority of the story is was just Wu Ying trying out new jobs to see what he likes. He didn't really advance that far in his cultivation either. He was always one of the weakest people in his group. I was hoping for a little more inspiration. A little more advancement. By the end of the book, I still didn't get a hint at what he was going to specialize in. Still pretty good, just a little slow most of the time.
August 6, 2019
Straight through
This was so riveting, I ended up reading through a couple of sittings in less than a day. Really looking forward to the next in the series, although this just came out a few days ago.
The struggle is real.
This was so riveting, I ended up reading through a couple of sittings in less than a day. Really looking forward to the next in the series, although this just came out a few days ago.
The struggle is real.
April 4, 2021
A fun follow up that follows his journey through the inner sect. Much of it is negotiating schooling and deciding how to progress, and that was pretty enjoyable for me, as I find the setting interesting and wanted to know more about it. There’s quite a bit of a exposition dump but I think otherwise it would have been quite a large book, so I didn’t mind this.
It wasn’t as strong as the first plot wise, though, which I think would have easily made this a 4 star book. Some foreshadowing and restructuring would have made this really tight. As is though, I didn’t mind the character arc, which felt like it came out of no where - but when listening to an audiobook that can happen sometimes. I am definitely less engaged listening than reading, so I try to choose straightforward and less complex titles for audio. This one has a good narrator and because a bunch of words aren’t English, it’s great listening to how things are supposed to be pronounced.
All in all, it feels like an indie self published title, but also better quality than most titles like that I’ve found on Amazon. I’m pretty happy with this and will get the next book at some point.
It wasn’t as strong as the first plot wise, though, which I think would have easily made this a 4 star book. Some foreshadowing and restructuring would have made this really tight. As is though, I didn’t mind the character arc, which felt like it came out of no where - but when listening to an audiobook that can happen sometimes. I am definitely less engaged listening than reading, so I try to choose straightforward and less complex titles for audio. This one has a good narrator and because a bunch of words aren’t English, it’s great listening to how things are supposed to be pronounced.
All in all, it feels like an indie self published title, but also better quality than most titles like that I’ve found on Amazon. I’m pretty happy with this and will get the next book at some point.
August 3, 2019
The Dao of Servility
This is the book of a young rice-farmer-turned-cultivator who learns the value of obediently doing what he is coerced into doing, then later learning the joys of apologizing for disliking aristocrats, because not all aristocrats are LAZY.
Again, bad moral philosophy, I'm choosing to be somewhat charitable and expecting the MC to get his head out of his slave-mentality in book 3.
This is the book of a young rice-farmer-turned-cultivator who learns the value of obediently doing what he is coerced into doing, then later learning the joys of apologizing for disliking aristocrats, because not all aristocrats are LAZY.
Again, bad moral philosophy, I'm choosing to be somewhat charitable and expecting the MC to get his head out of his slave-mentality in book 3.
November 2, 2019
This book picks up where the 1st one left off and continues to set the bar for cultivation stories in my opinion.
I've come to the conclusion that I'm not that into cultivation stories and the early/middle parts of this book reflected that at times since I found the pace dragging a bit. There is a lot of 'side questing' as I think of it in this book. Basically, it's a bunch of various tasks that the MC does while gradually becoming more familiar with how the sect works. I think this book explains cultivation better than any other and if this is a person's 1st cultivation series, then I don't think there's anything to complain about as it does it better than any others.
I picked up more interest during the last 30% of the book once the plot started moving again on a larger questline. While I'm not too interested in the basics of a cultivator's daily life, I am still invested in the overall plot that is unfolding in this story and I look forward to the next book since it seems the day to day life will be disrupted by some world events.
I've come to the conclusion that I'm not that into cultivation stories and the early/middle parts of this book reflected that at times since I found the pace dragging a bit. There is a lot of 'side questing' as I think of it in this book. Basically, it's a bunch of various tasks that the MC does while gradually becoming more familiar with how the sect works. I think this book explains cultivation better than any other and if this is a person's 1st cultivation series, then I don't think there's anything to complain about as it does it better than any others.
I picked up more interest during the last 30% of the book once the plot started moving again on a larger questline. While I'm not too interested in the basics of a cultivator's daily life, I am still invested in the overall plot that is unfolding in this story and I look forward to the next book since it seems the day to day life will be disrupted by some world events.
September 6, 2019
What was the point of this book?
Book wasn’t written poorly, but added absolutely nothing to the actual story. Author doesn’t go into the different aspects of cultivation, but instead spends most of the book talking about the ever present “secondary jobs” that are very basic and in almost VERY book of this genre. MC only has two breakthroughs in cultivation and his personality has drastically changed from the first book. The ending was pointless and did nothing but reaffirm how awful this book was.
Would not recommend and will not be continuing this series.
Book wasn’t written poorly, but added absolutely nothing to the actual story. Author doesn’t go into the different aspects of cultivation, but instead spends most of the book talking about the ever present “secondary jobs” that are very basic and in almost VERY book of this genre. MC only has two breakthroughs in cultivation and his personality has drastically changed from the first book. The ending was pointless and did nothing but reaffirm how awful this book was.
Would not recommend and will not be continuing this series.
August 6, 2019
Quality cultivation story that avoids the too common failings of the genre
I love cultivation stories ( and progression fantasy in general) but often am frustrated by bland characters and plot. Tao does a great job giving his characters believable depth and interactions. While also being unafraid to take his time with the growth of the MC. In all this gives Fist Stop time to grow the characters and setting.
I love cultivation stories ( and progression fantasy in general) but often am frustrated by bland characters and plot. Tao does a great job giving his characters believable depth and interactions. While also being unafraid to take his time with the growth of the MC. In all this gives Fist Stop time to grow the characters and setting.
August 4, 2019
Meh
As far as cultivation books go this was very very meh. Nothing special in my opinion. While it wasn’t bad there wasn’t anything great either. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I see all these people rating it at 5* and wonder if they have read any of the really awesome Wuxia or light novels like I shall seal the heavens (ISSH), or legendary moonlight sculptor.
As far as cultivation books go this was very very meh. Nothing special in my opinion. While it wasn’t bad there wasn’t anything great either. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I see all these people rating it at 5* and wonder if they have read any of the really awesome Wuxia or light novels like I shall seal the heavens (ISSH), or legendary moonlight sculptor.
August 24, 2019
Wow
This is such a rare piece of literature. If you read Eastern Fantasy you will understand. This combines the best part of both worlds... its got an actual plot, describes a cultivation journey with real editable arcs, and you can connect with the main character because he feels real. Book 2 does not disappoint.
This is such a rare piece of literature. If you read Eastern Fantasy you will understand. This combines the best part of both worlds... its got an actual plot, describes a cultivation journey with real editable arcs, and you can connect with the main character because he feels real. Book 2 does not disappoint.
December 12, 2019
Not a bad continuation of the series. Steady progress of the main hero, who is developing nicely. Enjoyable :)
June 10, 2025
3.5/5
the ending of this book may have saved me from dropping the series, had i not intended to at least give the series 3 books before deciding how I was going to continue.
if you like cradle, this series may be for you! it certainly seems to be going down a somewhat similar path.
the ending of this book may have saved me from dropping the series, had i not intended to at least give the series 3 books before deciding how I was going to continue.
if you like cradle, this series may be for you! it certainly seems to be going down a somewhat similar path.
April 16, 2023
similar to the first one. Fun to learn about the sect life and stuff, but character work there is none.
October 25, 2024
This is now "slice of life" but in a world that I cannot relate. It is high in conflict and low on resolution.
December 26, 2020
The series gets better with book two.
Once again Wong was able to create a story that pulled me in and all the way through. It is told in third person limited and at times omniscient. there is a few parts in which it gets a tad bit jumbled but not bad enough to completely pull me out. The truth is this martial art fantasy series has had me wanting to continue to read one more page. Which is meant I've stayed up a little late just to finish a book. It was that good.
This story is appropriate for young adults and above. It does have some musings from the main protagonist that may not be appropriate for preteens but is not explicit or overly bad.
The author has set up a fascinating world with interesting characters doing interesting things. The plot in book 2 did not have an overarching or threatening antagonist all the way through. But it was interesting nonetheless because of how much the character kept moving through the story. He had focus and was learning. This did keep me interested long enough until the real action started. I like to take my time and read and I still almost managed to finish this in a day. So this is a fairly fast read particularly how the author pulls you in and through.
There were a few spots in which I noticed anything errors or was confused in point of view. But again it was really nothing that threw me out of the story. For those that enjoy the art that is writing outside of the story itself you can appreciate how seamless the story is. This is not a story where the main protagonist is all powerful by the end. He is plotting along in fact it seems building a good foundation at the very least while being in over his head. That hits the right notes at least for me.
The series will definitely be added to my library. As soon as I wake up... After I read a few pages into the next book....
Once again Wong was able to create a story that pulled me in and all the way through. It is told in third person limited and at times omniscient. there is a few parts in which it gets a tad bit jumbled but not bad enough to completely pull me out. The truth is this martial art fantasy series has had me wanting to continue to read one more page. Which is meant I've stayed up a little late just to finish a book. It was that good.
This story is appropriate for young adults and above. It does have some musings from the main protagonist that may not be appropriate for preteens but is not explicit or overly bad.
The author has set up a fascinating world with interesting characters doing interesting things. The plot in book 2 did not have an overarching or threatening antagonist all the way through. But it was interesting nonetheless because of how much the character kept moving through the story. He had focus and was learning. This did keep me interested long enough until the real action started. I like to take my time and read and I still almost managed to finish this in a day. So this is a fairly fast read particularly how the author pulls you in and through.
There were a few spots in which I noticed anything errors or was confused in point of view. But again it was really nothing that threw me out of the story. For those that enjoy the art that is writing outside of the story itself you can appreciate how seamless the story is. This is not a story where the main protagonist is all powerful by the end. He is plotting along in fact it seems building a good foundation at the very least while being in over his head. That hits the right notes at least for me.
The series will definitely be added to my library. As soon as I wake up... After I read a few pages into the next book....
April 14, 2020
One of the most boring MC ever
I have a question Mr. Wong. "Why would we care about Wu Ying?
There was a part of the book where Wu Ying was talking to an elder and he was about to have a breakthrough, only to come up short and get nothing more than a whisper. That pretty much sums up Book 2. A lot of teasing and hinting of some future plot only to come up with nothing more than well, nothing.
Look I get it. You don't want your MC to be OP. I get that. But you had your character in Kindergarten grade playing with HS varsity, it's a bit frustrating to root for. And what's up with identity crisis? He wants to get stronger, not because he loves to fight, nor because he likes to protect but because he wants to have a choice? Choice to do what? Is the MC the pacifist hero in a war movie? Or somebody who doesn't care about questing and looting in a Litrpg novels? Slow book. Page turner because I just want to get to the part where Wu Ying does something extraordinary or something that will separate him from the rest. Like what the other reviews mentioned. You can pretty much skip to the last page and won't miss anything.
I have a question Mr. Wong. "Why would we care about Wu Ying?
There was a part of the book where Wu Ying was talking to an elder and he was about to have a breakthrough, only to come up short and get nothing more than a whisper. That pretty much sums up Book 2. A lot of teasing and hinting of some future plot only to come up with nothing more than well, nothing.
Look I get it. You don't want your MC to be OP. I get that. But you had your character in Kindergarten grade playing with HS varsity, it's a bit frustrating to root for. And what's up with identity crisis? He wants to get stronger, not because he loves to fight, nor because he likes to protect but because he wants to have a choice? Choice to do what? Is the MC the pacifist hero in a war movie? Or somebody who doesn't care about questing and looting in a Litrpg novels? Slow book. Page turner because I just want to get to the part where Wu Ying does something extraordinary or something that will separate him from the rest. Like what the other reviews mentioned. You can pretty much skip to the last page and won't miss anything.
August 27, 2019
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Cheers
August 19, 2020
I so wanted our protagonist to select the herbal line of work when it was offered, and when he picked elsewhere, well, nothing more boring than reading about wrestling, unless you are a wrestler...but a turn of the plot made the book much more appealing. I consider this fairly light reading that doesn't require my full attention all the time, and it succeeded in keeping me listening, though sometimes with half an ear. I applaud both the herbal aspects and the humbling realization the main character has late in the book.
August 6, 2019
Exceptional! Wonderful story of a China we wish was real
Another great installment. A wonderful story spiced perfectly with authentic (mostly) Chinese lore and folklore. Delightful foot notes worthy of Pratchett.
A great addition to the genre, consistently raising the bar. Can't wait for the next one.
Another great installment. A wonderful story spiced perfectly with authentic (mostly) Chinese lore and folklore. Delightful foot notes worthy of Pratchett.
A great addition to the genre, consistently raising the bar. Can't wait for the next one.
August 24, 2019
Story so far is decent
Only gripe I have with this book, the MC is a whiny ungrateful person. Hopefully his character will develop to be better. Especially since he was a farmer and peasant and should be used to hard work. But every time he is given a task, he just whines about it.
Only gripe I have with this book, the MC is a whiny ungrateful person. Hopefully his character will develop to be better. Especially since he was a farmer and peasant and should be used to hard work. But every time he is given a task, he just whines about it.
August 25, 2019
I reserve one star reviews for truly terrible books with incoherent plots, lack of copy editing, poor translations, etc. This series is barely better than that. It's filled with unfun tropes without the slightest sense of originality, boring cultivation, and dull characters, and doesn't really have any sort of long term plot.
August 9, 2020
It is an interesting cultivation read the MC doesn't have some super constitution or pearl that means he will advance faster than everyone else. He just has to advance like your average cultivator with a little more lucky than most. Also we get to see some character development so that's pretty cool.
October 4, 2019
Really slow book
First book was better. Just felt nothing really happened of note. The story could have flowed much better and had a real purpose other then a single moment of clarity. Felt much more like a filler book.
First book was better. Just felt nothing really happened of note. The story could have flowed much better and had a real purpose other then a single moment of clarity. Felt much more like a filler book.
August 21, 2021
Still no Cradle, but cultivation books are kinda neat.
January 19, 2022
4 stars
A step better than the first book
A step better than the first book
September 5, 2025
This series is quickly turning into one of my absolute favorites in progression fantasy. The First Stop picks up with Long Wu Ying as he steps into the inner sect and has to navigate a whole new stage of cultivation life. From figuring out his secondary occupation to training under new pressures, and from testing his limits in battle to handling the politics and expectations of the sect, this book shows just how much more complex and layered Wu Ying’s journey is becoming.
One of the things I love most is how relatable and likeable Wu Ying remains throughout it all. He’s not a perfect hero, but someone who constantly questions himself, works hard, and grows through his struggles. That makes it really easy to root for him. The supporting cast adds so much richness, too—friends, rivals, and mentors who all feel like they have their own lives and ambitions.
The worldbuilding continues to shine here. Tao Wong does such a great job of showing the many aspects of cultivation society—whether it’s training halls, spirit farming, alchemy, or the economics of how a sect functions. It really makes the world feel lived in and believable.
And of course, the fights are excellent. Every clash feels intense and meaningful, whether it’s sparring or a real threat, and I love how strategy, skill, and cultivation techniques are woven together. The action always feels earned, never just flashy for the sake of it.
One small detail that makes me smile every time are the footnotes. They add humor and extra context in just the right way, often breaking up the tension with a funny aside or clarifying worldbuilding without bogging the story down.
If you’re a fan of progression fantasy that mixes action, thoughtful character growth, and immersive cultivation systems, I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s been such a rewarding read so far, and The First Stop is a great continuation that makes me even more excited to keep going.
One of the things I love most is how relatable and likeable Wu Ying remains throughout it all. He’s not a perfect hero, but someone who constantly questions himself, works hard, and grows through his struggles. That makes it really easy to root for him. The supporting cast adds so much richness, too—friends, rivals, and mentors who all feel like they have their own lives and ambitions.
The worldbuilding continues to shine here. Tao Wong does such a great job of showing the many aspects of cultivation society—whether it’s training halls, spirit farming, alchemy, or the economics of how a sect functions. It really makes the world feel lived in and believable.
And of course, the fights are excellent. Every clash feels intense and meaningful, whether it’s sparring or a real threat, and I love how strategy, skill, and cultivation techniques are woven together. The action always feels earned, never just flashy for the sake of it.
One small detail that makes me smile every time are the footnotes. They add humor and extra context in just the right way, often breaking up the tension with a funny aside or clarifying worldbuilding without bogging the story down.
If you’re a fan of progression fantasy that mixes action, thoughtful character growth, and immersive cultivation systems, I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s been such a rewarding read so far, and The First Stop is a great continuation that makes me even more excited to keep going.
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