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Destiny Cycle #1
Forge of Destiny, Volume 1
In the Celestial Empire, a land ruled by Immortals and stalked by Spirits and Beasts, a young girl from the slums of an unimportant city is found to have the Talent that may allow her to become an Immortal herself.
Sent to the storied Argent Peak Sect to harness her talent, she must work desperately to catch up to peers who have been preparing to walk the Way for years. The Sect grants new students only three months to prepare and grow before the true challenges begin and the disciples are freed to battle each other for resources and strength.
Contending with tests, strange teachers, unfriendly peers and her own ignorance, Ling Qi must not only defeat many obstacles, but find those willing to stand at her side when the truce ends.
Can she learn to not only survive, but thrive on that journey?
Inspired by ancient folklore, modern martial arts and Xianxia, this fantasy novel offers a mixture of life and action while developing a world both fantastic in setting yet familiar in the humanity of its inhabitants
Illustrator: Melody Cheng
Editor: Lynn Chang
Sent to the storied Argent Peak Sect to harness her talent, she must work desperately to catch up to peers who have been preparing to walk the Way for years. The Sect grants new students only three months to prepare and grow before the true challenges begin and the disciples are freed to battle each other for resources and strength.
Contending with tests, strange teachers, unfriendly peers and her own ignorance, Ling Qi must not only defeat many obstacles, but find those willing to stand at her side when the truce ends.
Can she learn to not only survive, but thrive on that journey?
Inspired by ancient folklore, modern martial arts and Xianxia, this fantasy novel offers a mixture of life and action while developing a world both fantastic in setting yet familiar in the humanity of its inhabitants
Illustrator: Melody Cheng
Editor: Lynn Chang
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2020
119 people are currently reading
982 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 24, 2020
A fantastic cultivation story
This is one of the absolute best of the xianxia/cultivation genre. The characters and world building are fantastic. I strongly recommend it.
This is one of the absolute best of the xianxia/cultivation genre. The characters and world building are fantastic. I strongly recommend it.
February 20, 2023
Notes:
Currently on Audible +
I'm going to take a chance & buy the next audiobook for the series. I read a bunch of reviews on Audible & GR before taking a gander at Forge of Destiny.
1) MC is a female cultivator. That is cool, but that should not be the only reason you read this book.
- Not sure where people are coming up with the "very capable" blah blah description for the MC. She's pretty much a Mary Sue with mundane doubts. She's the type that'll run & cheat, because she never thinks of herself as a strong person. I do like the character growth of the MC changing from a mundane to a cultivator. The gradual adjustments in physical, spiritual & mental spaces before making a bigger impact on emotional aspects. I thought that was done well.
- MC does a lot of negative self-talk/thinking that basically puts herself down. Some of it is learned behavior that she hasn't let go of with the changes that are happening as she grows as a cultivator.
2) Nothing super crazy or interesting happened in the 1st mini-arc. In fact, I'm not sure why people were excited by the soft ending in Part 1 of 3. Part 1 laid a decent intro. The potential for a cool series with an interesting world & characters. However, I'm not sure if the writer is focused enough to draw out the potential of the ideas.
3) Forge of Destiny read like an anime fanfic with interesting threads of cultivation that can & has been read in other stories.
4) Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Natalie Nadus as a narrator. She has the type of narrative voice that fits romance stories better, but she did a decent job with the many character names. Asian names said with English language accents. It was never going to sound entirely right, but it's less jarring than others.
5) Forge of Destiny is NOT like Cradle by WW. You could make loose comparisons, but you can do that with anything.
Currently on Audible +
I'm going to take a chance & buy the next audiobook for the series. I read a bunch of reviews on Audible & GR before taking a gander at Forge of Destiny.
1) MC is a female cultivator. That is cool, but that should not be the only reason you read this book.
- Not sure where people are coming up with the "very capable" blah blah description for the MC. She's pretty much a Mary Sue with mundane doubts. She's the type that'll run & cheat, because she never thinks of herself as a strong person. I do like the character growth of the MC changing from a mundane to a cultivator. The gradual adjustments in physical, spiritual & mental spaces before making a bigger impact on emotional aspects. I thought that was done well.
- MC does a lot of negative self-talk/thinking that basically puts herself down. Some of it is learned behavior that she hasn't let go of with the changes that are happening as she grows as a cultivator.
2) Nothing super crazy or interesting happened in the 1st mini-arc. In fact, I'm not sure why people were excited by the soft ending in Part 1 of 3. Part 1 laid a decent intro. The potential for a cool series with an interesting world & characters. However, I'm not sure if the writer is focused enough to draw out the potential of the ideas.
3) Forge of Destiny read like an anime fanfic with interesting threads of cultivation that can & has been read in other stories.
4) Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Natalie Nadus as a narrator. She has the type of narrative voice that fits romance stories better, but she did a decent job with the many character names. Asian names said with English language accents. It was never going to sound entirely right, but it's less jarring than others.
5) Forge of Destiny is NOT like Cradle by WW. You could make loose comparisons, but you can do that with anything.
December 25, 2020
5 stars because it is one of the best books I have read in years.
Good points that make this book stand out over other progression/xianxia/litRPG books:
1) DOESN'T WASTE TIME. Many similar books provide needless descriptions of magic and skills and rune circles. It is the single greatest fault of such books, ruining all immersion, rhythm, and relaxation. This book does no such self-indulgent nonsense. It tells us enough so that we get a feel for power and so that wins feel earned, and says not a whit more.
2) Logical characters. Many similar books do not. These characters act logically according to pre-defined values, providing us with realism and immersion.
3) Soft power system. Many similar books make the power system needlessly rigid and clearly defined. That, combined with the fact that authors are rushed and fallible, means that many books have characters that are idiotic, missing obvious solutions to problems. That breaks realism and immersion and pisses off the reader. This story keeps the power system soft enough that there are never such infuriating obvious and missed solutions to problems.
Good points that make this book stand out over other progression/xianxia/litRPG books:
1) DOESN'T WASTE TIME. Many similar books provide needless descriptions of magic and skills and rune circles. It is the single greatest fault of such books, ruining all immersion, rhythm, and relaxation. This book does no such self-indulgent nonsense. It tells us enough so that we get a feel for power and so that wins feel earned, and says not a whit more.
2) Logical characters. Many similar books do not. These characters act logically according to pre-defined values, providing us with realism and immersion.
3) Soft power system. Many similar books make the power system needlessly rigid and clearly defined. That, combined with the fact that authors are rushed and fallible, means that many books have characters that are idiotic, missing obvious solutions to problems. That breaks realism and immersion and pisses off the reader. This story keeps the power system soft enough that there are never such infuriating obvious and missed solutions to problems.
May 17, 2022
DNF 30%
The story just isn't holding my attention, there's too much information and too many characters with names I can't keep track of
The story just isn't holding my attention, there's too much information and too many characters with names I can't keep track of
March 24, 2025
It’sa good… I like very much.
January 16, 2021
the writing is quite amateurish, but i guess that is to be expected if this started as a web novel of sorts. listening to the constant internal mumblings of the MC about her insecurities became tedious and plain irritating - yes, yes, we already know she's an ugly poor ignorant kid, no need to keep repeating it every other line. more "show" less "tell". the book would probably be 40% shorter if we took most of those out. the repeated use of cliche lines like "released a breath she didn't realize she was holding" was really unnecessary.
December 24, 2020
Tremendous
Compelling story, likeable main character, and a great supporting cast. Glad that the author is now publishing their work, and look forward to the next installments. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Will Wight’s Cradle series or others in the genre.
Compelling story, likeable main character, and a great supporting cast. Glad that the author is now publishing their work, and look forward to the next installments. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Will Wight’s Cradle series or others in the genre.
February 5, 2021
A great underdog story. Just the right amount of detail nothing was overwrought. The mc was talented but never mary sue levels as she still got the wind knocked out her sometimes.
March 30, 2024
always a fun read. the conceit of most of the major characters having been potential protagonists makes every interaction more interesting. losing the quest elements and discussion is a bit of a loss, but the characters are strong enough to carry the story.
April 28, 2022
I really liked this book. Can't wait to start the second one.
May 24, 2021
While the writing style is little repetitive and choppy at times, I found the storyline to be quite interesting, and I like many of the characters. Looking forward to book 2!
January 14, 2021
Very solid cultivation novel
MC develops slowly, but steadily. Secondary characters develop both on and off stage, deepening the narrative and world. While the MC does not have a specific overarching goal or opponent, she also acknowledges that lack of purpose and uses that as part of her raison de etre. In fact, the narrative is somewhat stronger because there isn’t some instant opponent setting obstacles directly in the MC’s path.
On the negative side, there are a few proofreading errors and an occasional sentence whose grammatical structure could use work. Not truly distracting, but worth noting.
On another level, the pacing could use a little polish as there is a lack of rhythm, instead being a near continuous stream. There should be moments of faster and slower pace in the narrative, using shorter sentences to ramp up the tension.
Definitely worth reading. I consider this to be superior to most other cultivation novels.
MC develops slowly, but steadily. Secondary characters develop both on and off stage, deepening the narrative and world. While the MC does not have a specific overarching goal or opponent, she also acknowledges that lack of purpose and uses that as part of her raison de etre. In fact, the narrative is somewhat stronger because there isn’t some instant opponent setting obstacles directly in the MC’s path.
On the negative side, there are a few proofreading errors and an occasional sentence whose grammatical structure could use work. Not truly distracting, but worth noting.
On another level, the pacing could use a little polish as there is a lack of rhythm, instead being a near continuous stream. There should be moments of faster and slower pace in the narrative, using shorter sentences to ramp up the tension.
Definitely worth reading. I consider this to be superior to most other cultivation novels.
December 22, 2024
A pretty well written (at least for a series which originates as a webfiction) slice-0f-life-ish cultivation novel. The characters and character interactions are fun/enjoyable to read, and the combat scenes are understandable and engaging. Though I never felt like the main character was truely threatened, the challenges/threats/responsibilities scale up as fast her power growth. It probably helps that she has peers who are clearly stronger and get stronger at the same pace.
There are a few immersion breaking comments (e.g. "counter-style build") by the narrator which don't really fit the setting very well but these are made less in the later books of the series.
A comment on the audiobook narration: Natalie Naudus is great and I would have no idea how to pronounce the names etc otherwise :)
There are a few immersion breaking comments (e.g. "counter-style build") by the narrator which don't really fit the setting very well but these are made less in the later books of the series.
A comment on the audiobook narration: Natalie Naudus is great and I would have no idea how to pronounce the names etc otherwise :)
May 16, 2023
Xianxia inspired fantasy which is severely underrated.
The diversity, culture, world immersion? Immaculate!
The plot jumps straight in and never stops. Full of action, friendships and standing up to the hierarchy.
I recommend to people who enjoyed She Who Became the Sun.
Bookstagram
The diversity, culture, world immersion? Immaculate!
The plot jumps straight in and never stops. Full of action, friendships and standing up to the hierarchy.
I recommend to people who enjoyed She Who Became the Sun.
Bookstagram
June 21, 2021
I've really enjoyed this as an audiobook despite the complicated usage of names the authenticity (also in pronunciation) just tickled my fancy, nothing overly original but the building relationships is interesting.
June 20, 2022
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-forge-...
Note: This review is based off the web serial in RoyalRoad.com. The eBook is now available on Amazon (link below cover picture)
I picked this offhand based on a list I saw in a website and boy, did it surprise me!
This is a Xianxia (which kinda translates into Immortal Heroes) book set in Ancient China, where certain people can cultivate (develop by training) their Qi (loosely defined as life force) using martial arts techniques gaining superhuman powers, abilities and extended lifespan. These people are called Immortals (they may not be immortal now, but will be at the end of their path) and they are gathered and trained by various sects which serve as school/training academies. The more promising students can join influential clans and families and become powerful movers and shakers of the society.
Linq Qi is a teen thief in a small city who has been identified to have the talent to Cultivate her Qi, so she’s plucked out of her life and into a sect to develop her abilities. The book follows her trials and tribulations as she trains and develops not just her martial arts poweress, but also her ability to navigate the complex socio-political environment as her growing powers thrusts her into circles gaining attention of powerful people.
The earliest section of the book focuses on the school/academy progression arc as being a nobody, Linq Qi is an object of derision from her fellow students from noble houses, which quickly turns into jealousy as her talent starts outstripping them all. From the get go, we are introduced into the complex socio-political environment as the Sect itself is a microcosm of the wider geopolitics of the nation. We have scions of various political houses maneuvering and politicking as they try to showcase their skills and abilities in the sect to their watching parents and seniors and gain their respect. It’s a cut throat world, where power and abilities rule with filial or family relationships play a secondary role. The politics in the sect is as cut throat as the world outside and the complex threads of relationships, relative levels of importance, the politicking are all packed into a superbly written arc.
The pacing is good striking a delicate balance between plot progression and worldbuilding. Both the immediate and the wider goals are blended in seamlessly as the book moves away from the training arc and into actual macro events that affect the sect and the students directly with past enemies come forth and new mysteries arise.
I love the character work. The character building is simply phenomenal as we the gradual maturity of the characters, not just the protagonist as they are molded by their experiences in school is done just perfect. every character is unique and their role however big or small is etched so we get to know them individually and personally.
There’s lot of diversity in magic systems too. Not just the traditionally sword and sorcery, but we get to see may varieties that we don’t normally see in mainstream fantasy. The protagonist uses a song/music themed magic which I found very intriguing. Also there’s stuff on Alchemy etc which adds lots of interesting facets to the plot.
Overall, I’ve become a huge fan of the series after having binge read everything available till now (new chapters still being released in RoyalRoad which would become books in future) and would highly recommend this.
Note: This review is based off the web serial in RoyalRoad.com. The eBook is now available on Amazon (link below cover picture)
I picked this offhand based on a list I saw in a website and boy, did it surprise me!
This is a Xianxia (which kinda translates into Immortal Heroes) book set in Ancient China, where certain people can cultivate (develop by training) their Qi (loosely defined as life force) using martial arts techniques gaining superhuman powers, abilities and extended lifespan. These people are called Immortals (they may not be immortal now, but will be at the end of their path) and they are gathered and trained by various sects which serve as school/training academies. The more promising students can join influential clans and families and become powerful movers and shakers of the society.
Linq Qi is a teen thief in a small city who has been identified to have the talent to Cultivate her Qi, so she’s plucked out of her life and into a sect to develop her abilities. The book follows her trials and tribulations as she trains and develops not just her martial arts poweress, but also her ability to navigate the complex socio-political environment as her growing powers thrusts her into circles gaining attention of powerful people.
The earliest section of the book focuses on the school/academy progression arc as being a nobody, Linq Qi is an object of derision from her fellow students from noble houses, which quickly turns into jealousy as her talent starts outstripping them all. From the get go, we are introduced into the complex socio-political environment as the Sect itself is a microcosm of the wider geopolitics of the nation. We have scions of various political houses maneuvering and politicking as they try to showcase their skills and abilities in the sect to their watching parents and seniors and gain their respect. It’s a cut throat world, where power and abilities rule with filial or family relationships play a secondary role. The politics in the sect is as cut throat as the world outside and the complex threads of relationships, relative levels of importance, the politicking are all packed into a superbly written arc.
The pacing is good striking a delicate balance between plot progression and worldbuilding. Both the immediate and the wider goals are blended in seamlessly as the book moves away from the training arc and into actual macro events that affect the sect and the students directly with past enemies come forth and new mysteries arise.
I love the character work. The character building is simply phenomenal as we the gradual maturity of the characters, not just the protagonist as they are molded by their experiences in school is done just perfect. every character is unique and their role however big or small is etched so we get to know them individually and personally.
There’s lot of diversity in magic systems too. Not just the traditionally sword and sorcery, but we get to see may varieties that we don’t normally see in mainstream fantasy. The protagonist uses a song/music themed magic which I found very intriguing. Also there’s stuff on Alchemy etc which adds lots of interesting facets to the plot.
Overall, I’ve become a huge fan of the series after having binge read everything available till now (new chapters still being released in RoyalRoad which would become books in future) and would highly recommend this.
February 19, 2023
Coming straight from the nice glow of my 5 stars review of Unsouled, I thought I'd check out more samples of what Xanxia has to offer as a genre. This is one of those that I selected.
My first red flag was the "magic academy" thing. I normally don't take on this kind of books because few of them escape the overbearing tropes - alpha bitch, snotty aristocrat schoolmates, underdog under-privileged MC, condescending teachers... bla bla bla...
I had built a bias against xianxia because the little I came across were mostly webtoons (and very bad LitRPG cross-overs); the genre seems to revel in pushing the above tropes to their corniest extremes. But Will Wight has managed to make me believe it can be done differently. So I was willing to give it another chance. Unfortunately, this book doesn't measure up.
The book is well-written, mind you. The prose is not (too) juvenile. We (mostly) keep a single POV. The narrator does an excellent job, especially with the pronunciation of the names, which helps a lot in keeping the characters separate because there are so many already. But it's just not enough!
I reached all the way to chapter 15 and I was still waiting for a story to spark. 15 chapters of daily routine, school drudgery, over-the-top classism, and zero actual conflict. Fights scenes don't qualify as "conflicts"; they are potential conflict-resolution devices. Nothing actually happens to push the story along. . No tension, no goals, no overarching conflict, no world-building... Just some random girl said to have some "talent".
Progress for progress sake is not interesting. The fundamental difference between LitRPG and Xianxia is the advancement mechanism. LitRPG uses fighting to fuel advancement, but Xianxia uses pills and meditation. Because we spend a lot of time reading about someone's literal navel-gazing, it's imperative that a solid story surrounds the mechanics to give it narrative impetus. This does not happen in the book, at least not up to where I reached. I guess this is what they call slice-of-life? It's like watching a plant grow... Boring.
It may be that the pace picks up in the coming chapters, or that something important eventually happens to finally set the MC on a more specific path than "become stronger". I just don't think I have to wait until the middle of a book to find out why I should care.
My first red flag was the "magic academy" thing. I normally don't take on this kind of books because few of them escape the overbearing tropes - alpha bitch, snotty aristocrat schoolmates, underdog under-privileged MC, condescending teachers... bla bla bla...
I had built a bias against xianxia because the little I came across were mostly webtoons (and very bad LitRPG cross-overs); the genre seems to revel in pushing the above tropes to their corniest extremes. But Will Wight has managed to make me believe it can be done differently. So I was willing to give it another chance. Unfortunately, this book doesn't measure up.
The book is well-written, mind you. The prose is not (too) juvenile. We (mostly) keep a single POV. The narrator does an excellent job, especially with the pronunciation of the names, which helps a lot in keeping the characters separate because there are so many already. But it's just not enough!
I reached all the way to chapter 15 and I was still waiting for a story to spark. 15 chapters of daily routine, school drudgery, over-the-top classism, and zero actual conflict. Fights scenes don't qualify as "conflicts"; they are potential conflict-resolution devices. Nothing actually happens to push the story along. . No tension, no goals, no overarching conflict, no world-building... Just some random girl said to have some "talent".
Progress for progress sake is not interesting. The fundamental difference between LitRPG and Xianxia is the advancement mechanism. LitRPG uses fighting to fuel advancement, but Xianxia uses pills and meditation. Because we spend a lot of time reading about someone's literal navel-gazing, it's imperative that a solid story surrounds the mechanics to give it narrative impetus. This does not happen in the book, at least not up to where I reached. I guess this is what they call slice-of-life? It's like watching a plant grow... Boring.
It may be that the pace picks up in the coming chapters, or that something important eventually happens to finally set the MC on a more specific path than "become stronger". I just don't think I have to wait until the middle of a book to find out why I should care.
September 6, 2025
What an incredible cultivation story. What an incredible beginning to a series. And what an incredible introduction to this World.
This book was fantastic from start to finish. Cultivation stories can sometimes have an issue in balancing story, with character progression, and power progression. But the Forge of Destiny had no such balance issue.
Ling Qi is our main character. A fourteen year old girl with the potential to become a cultivator. She’s likeable and relatable. Something that is very impressive to me considering her young age. She doesn’t fall into typical young teenager tropes, she is a believable fourteen year old without them. She’s also a believable former street urchin with trust issuing trying to build relationships. I love that her character progression doesn’t alter her core personality, but instead matures it in a very natural way.
The Interlude chapters were spaced perfectly throughout the book, providing alternate character views. I found it interesting seeing the thoughts of other characters and seeing the more intricate side of their personalities as up until that point we only know the characters through Ling Qi’s thoughts and experiences of them. Any deeper reveals of the side characters personalities in these chapters didn’t change what we knew of these characters, they matched perfectly with what we knew of them, but provided a greater understanding of their motivations and made them feel even more real. It was fascinating to learn more about them.
The power system develops in a really satisfying way. The growth of Ling Qi as she develops her path is well thought out. She’s strong but not overpowered, her achievements feel earned. Even when she catches lucky breaks it doesn’t feel like plot armour, the lead up to them makes it feel earned.
The side characters in this are all wonderful and unique. Each friend is different. And each antagonist is different. All being believable characters with powerful abilities and strong personalities.
I’m looking forward to more of this world!
This book was fantastic from start to finish. Cultivation stories can sometimes have an issue in balancing story, with character progression, and power progression. But the Forge of Destiny had no such balance issue.
Ling Qi is our main character. A fourteen year old girl with the potential to become a cultivator. She’s likeable and relatable. Something that is very impressive to me considering her young age. She doesn’t fall into typical young teenager tropes, she is a believable fourteen year old without them. She’s also a believable former street urchin with trust issuing trying to build relationships. I love that her character progression doesn’t alter her core personality, but instead matures it in a very natural way.
The Interlude chapters were spaced perfectly throughout the book, providing alternate character views. I found it interesting seeing the thoughts of other characters and seeing the more intricate side of their personalities as up until that point we only know the characters through Ling Qi’s thoughts and experiences of them. Any deeper reveals of the side characters personalities in these chapters didn’t change what we knew of these characters, they matched perfectly with what we knew of them, but provided a greater understanding of their motivations and made them feel even more real. It was fascinating to learn more about them.
The power system develops in a really satisfying way. The growth of Ling Qi as she develops her path is well thought out. She’s strong but not overpowered, her achievements feel earned. Even when she catches lucky breaks it doesn’t feel like plot armour, the lead up to them makes it feel earned.
The side characters in this are all wonderful and unique. Each friend is different. And each antagonist is different. All being believable characters with powerful abilities and strong personalities.
I’m looking forward to more of this world!
December 21, 2021
One of the better straight cultivation novels. No arbitrarily antagonistic bullies. The MC is neither painfully naive, nor a 10,000 years old master fighting children. The MC isn't a weird prodigy and her 'sect' treats her more or less normally, all things considered. This might be the first time that I've read a cultivation story that might involve what could be a functional society!
Things do eventually come to a head, of course, but it's nice when an author works to avoid the most common tropes.
I will say that the cultivation world building in this book is *heavy.* There are 4 separate cultivation tracks and the MC, of course, has to power down all of them. There's a moment, about 3/4ths of the way through, where story gets a little weighed down while the MC just kind of overcomes all these supposed roadblocks. Aside from that, I really liked it.
Things do eventually come to a head, of course, but it's nice when an author works to avoid the most common tropes.
I will say that the cultivation world building in this book is *heavy.* There are 4 separate cultivation tracks and the MC, of course, has to power down all of them. There's a moment, about 3/4ths of the way through, where story gets a little weighed down while the MC just kind of overcomes all these supposed roadblocks. Aside from that, I really liked it.
December 27, 2023
I might be on a bit of an action movie kick with my reading, as I’ve been doing a lot of these types of books recently. Forge of Destiny is a cultivation novel, which isn’t a style that I’m particularly familiar with, but is rooted in writing traditions of East Asia. It follows a character who, after unlocking her potential, joins a mountain training camp to become an immortal. It features frequent power upgrades, new abilities, and a few fun fights.
However, compared to some in genres adjacent to this, I found the story and characters lacking, and this reinforced that even in my popcorn reads, I need more than just cool flashy fight scenes. This just didn’t stand up to things like Dungeon Crawler Carl or Mage Errant, and I likely won’t continue the series unless the audiobook is free when I don’t have anything I’m particularly excited to read.
However, compared to some in genres adjacent to this, I found the story and characters lacking, and this reinforced that even in my popcorn reads, I need more than just cool flashy fight scenes. This just didn’t stand up to things like Dungeon Crawler Carl or Mage Errant, and I likely won’t continue the series unless the audiobook is free when I don’t have anything I’m particularly excited to read.
February 6, 2024
Really fun, standard cultivation novel. Highly recommended as a starting point for the cultivation genre (basically Chinese high fantasy with established tropes of meditating/fighting to progressively get stronger).
Ling Qi is a commoner sent to the Argent Peak Sect to become a cultivator among the powerful and strange nobles. She must cultivate her body and spirit while learning to navigate noble intrigue. This was super fun cultivation fantasy, with a reasonable protagonist and great worldbuilding. Theres a really focus on balancing personal improvement with finding a community, which is definitely not always handled well.
Highly recommended if you want a quality intro cultivation fantasy. Also if you like magical schools or monasteries. Note, I read this as a web serial on royalroad for free, so some of the formatting might be awkward in book format.
Ling Qi is a commoner sent to the Argent Peak Sect to become a cultivator among the powerful and strange nobles. She must cultivate her body and spirit while learning to navigate noble intrigue. This was super fun cultivation fantasy, with a reasonable protagonist and great worldbuilding. Theres a really focus on balancing personal improvement with finding a community, which is definitely not always handled well.
Highly recommended if you want a quality intro cultivation fantasy. Also if you like magical schools or monasteries. Note, I read this as a web serial on royalroad for free, so some of the formatting might be awkward in book format.
May 5, 2023
DNF about two thirds in. I think.
I think I can put this down as DNF as I've not had the urge to pick it up for a few weeks now. I felt like this couldn't understand if it wanted to be a wuxia martial arts rise to the top at all costs, or a laid back slice of life everyday life of a martial can. So for me, it didn't really fit into either - I enjoyed the training aspects but once the "truce" ended and the infighting started I rapidly lost interest. Shame, as it was nice to have a female protagonist and good characterisation
Audio: the way that the Chinese pronunciation of names sounded like they were spliced in was pretty jarring, but otherwise was well read. I listen to this one again
I think I can put this down as DNF as I've not had the urge to pick it up for a few weeks now. I felt like this couldn't understand if it wanted to be a wuxia martial arts rise to the top at all costs, or a laid back slice of life everyday life of a martial can. So for me, it didn't really fit into either - I enjoyed the training aspects but once the "truce" ended and the infighting started I rapidly lost interest. Shame, as it was nice to have a female protagonist and good characterisation
Audio: the way that the Chinese pronunciation of names sounded like they were spliced in was pretty jarring, but otherwise was well read. I listen to this one again
February 8, 2024
2.0/5
Imagine reading near 500 pages of a book and still knowing nothing of the world.
The story starts directly with the main character going to this magic school, and the only thing you learn of the how is that someone thought she had the potential to be one of the immortals, that's it.
The characters are okay, but I don't know what motivates them to go through the trials, cause she mentions she doesn't want to be poor or mortal, but I don't know, tell me why she doesn't, tell me what did she go through to want that. Also, does she want it? She seems she's just there, because, like she could be anywhere else and wouldn't make any difference.
I don't know, the author rushed so much to start developing the plot and then seems she didn't want to focus on anything else.
Imagine reading near 500 pages of a book and still knowing nothing of the world.
The story starts directly with the main character going to this magic school, and the only thing you learn of the how is that someone thought she had the potential to be one of the immortals, that's it.
The characters are okay, but I don't know what motivates them to go through the trials, cause she mentions she doesn't want to be poor or mortal, but I don't know, tell me why she doesn't, tell me what did she go through to want that. Also, does she want it? She seems she's just there, because, like she could be anywhere else and wouldn't make any difference.
I don't know, the author rushed so much to start developing the plot and then seems she didn't want to focus on anything else.
January 13, 2021
4.5*
ends abruptly, writing is a wooden in places, but the heroine’s journey is interesting, as is the world. A couple of niggles: why use western ranks like King, Duke, Marquis, etc. in an eastern-based fantasy? Pushed me right out of the story for a moment.
Also, I wish Qi were less instantly good at everything—more struggle would help ground the book. On the other hand, given how far behind she was when she started, she’d likely already be dead or beaten if she weren’t so talented. So that’s a wash, but I hope future books involve more real difficulty—Qi got a lot of growth from being painfully questioned in the first set of challenges.
ends abruptly, writing is a wooden in places, but the heroine’s journey is interesting, as is the world. A couple of niggles: why use western ranks like King, Duke, Marquis, etc. in an eastern-based fantasy? Pushed me right out of the story for a moment.
Also, I wish Qi were less instantly good at everything—more struggle would help ground the book. On the other hand, given how far behind she was when she started, she’d likely already be dead or beaten if she weren’t so talented. So that’s a wash, but I hope future books involve more real difficulty—Qi got a lot of growth from being painfully questioned in the first set of challenges.
April 15, 2021
This was my first introduction to the xianxia/cultivation genre and for my part I think it's fantastic. In some ways it really reminds me of my favorite classic Dungeons and Dragons novels in terms of tropes. The main character is likeable and quick rise through the ranks of the powerful cultivators is very believably written. I love the cultivation power system itself and the different physical and mental aspects of the magic. Also the worldbuilding is nicely done and introduced organically to the story, not just giant info-dumps thrown in at random moments. Definitely can't wait to read more!
November 13, 2024
Chinese Howarts of Martial Arts and Magic.
This book was a pleasant surprise indeed.
Very well written, it's a YA oriental fantasy stupendous novel.
Maybe been all just "kung fu high school" with some high state politics mix fells odd, as the story does not progress much in a world sense, is very enjoying to follow the protagonist journey through her first year as an Inmortal.
As a occidental reader sometimes the names are hard to distinguish, specially by the end, but is a minor complaint.
I want to read more of this series, but I don't know if I will like another book just about teenager studing marcial arts.
This book was a pleasant surprise indeed.
Very well written, it's a YA oriental fantasy stupendous novel.
Maybe been all just "kung fu high school" with some high state politics mix fells odd, as the story does not progress much in a world sense, is very enjoying to follow the protagonist journey through her first year as an Inmortal.
As a occidental reader sometimes the names are hard to distinguish, specially by the end, but is a minor complaint.
I want to read more of this series, but I don't know if I will like another book just about teenager studing marcial arts.
April 5, 2021
Writing is decent.
Has the same problem as most Cultivation novels--reading about someone sitting on their butt while they pop pills and experience mystical insights that can't be explained to the reader just isn't that interesting.
I'm mostly engaged by Ling Qi's social and her emotional struggles more than anything. How she grows into a new place as a result of her powers and tries to understand what she wants out of life.
The story itself doesn't seem terribly interested in that though, so we'll see how long my interest holds.
Has the same problem as most Cultivation novels--reading about someone sitting on their butt while they pop pills and experience mystical insights that can't be explained to the reader just isn't that interesting.
I'm mostly engaged by Ling Qi's social and her emotional struggles more than anything. How she grows into a new place as a result of her powers and tries to understand what she wants out of life.
The story itself doesn't seem terribly interested in that though, so we'll see how long my interest holds.
June 29, 2022
Cultivation school
Not bad. Progression in mc is fun to follow. It's a girl who gets into a outer sect school and has a knack for cultivation. She thinks herself as weak throughout it despite her steady progression.
Bad thing are the names of the characters. There's so many L S and X names that it gets confusing on which character is which. This will cause me problems if I take a break between books luckily 4 books are out so I will continue with this series to see where it goes
Not bad. Progression in mc is fun to follow. It's a girl who gets into a outer sect school and has a knack for cultivation. She thinks herself as weak throughout it despite her steady progression.
Bad thing are the names of the characters. There's so many L S and X names that it gets confusing on which character is which. This will cause me problems if I take a break between books luckily 4 books are out so I will continue with this series to see where it goes
May 19, 2025
I've read up to chapter 161, and while this book is well written, and can be quite good at times, it is not for me. It focuses heavily on relationships, and to a lesser extent, world-building. While it does have a minor focus on progression and conflict, the MC is "protected" by her friends or alliances, and the stakes do not seem very high. This seems very slice of life and passive, which is not my cup of tea. Again, if you like relationship heavy stories, you will probably love this book. I do not.
October 8, 2025
4.5 stars would be more accurate of my feelings on this book. But I put 5 stars because Goodreads doesn’t permit have stars and to put just 4 stars would be too low.
My reasoning for taking point off was simply because when nearing the end of the book it felt more like I was reading about a video game. I mean the storage ring and levelling up all that is pure gaming and the entire story is a bit tropey but I think there’s only just so many ways to do stories of this genre.
Regardless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I will gladly move on to the next book of the series
My reasoning for taking point off was simply because when nearing the end of the book it felt more like I was reading about a video game. I mean the storage ring and levelling up all that is pure gaming and the entire story is a bit tropey but I think there’s only just so many ways to do stories of this genre.
Regardless, it was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I will gladly move on to the next book of the series
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