One of the best danmei and novels in general I have ever read. Each character is exceptionally written with their own motivations (even the braindead harem protagonist) and it manages to be funny while delving into genuinely deep topics like the nature of love, existence, life and death. Even on my second reading I was completely engrossed by the characters and plot, and the love between the two protagonists. This novel is a truly unique experience that I highly recommend to anyone who loves cnovels.

The translator did an excellent job... more>> bringing this story to life for the western audience and every 5 star review of this story is 100% deserved <<less

Excellently written, pokes fun at sappy love stories, harem protagonists, and brain hole plots. Extremely funny, clever - plot is tight! But also easy to read.

What I loved:

• intriguing premise - MC happens upon a cheesy novel describing himself as a romantic lead and plans accordingly
• Really colourful characters, and plenty of great female characters! No misogyny. Really likeable female characters, including orig female protagonist BL
• Great exploration of the cultivation genre
• MC the devil venerable is not evil, nor is he good. He’s fair, pragmatic and focused. Really like how he adapts and knows when to reward loyalty, has good EQ, etc and his relationship with ML!
• Plot twists are great! Layers of twists
  Spoiler

  turns out the original male protagonist WC is possessed by a great blood demon... and MC discovers another novel but written from WC’s perspective not the original female BL.

  [collapse]
• One of the funniest scenes imo:
  Spoiler

  MC tries to get BL to fall in love with QLQ. He reads about how love makes you always see someone in the crowd, or you feel inexplicably connected to their emotions. To emulate this... he plants curses in their eyes so their vision is helplessly drawn to each other, and infect them with gu worms to connect their emotions... the result being that ZLQ must wear a blindfold and BL an eyepatch to avoid dizzy and uncomfortable closeups/cross eyes of each other even penetrating walls. This emotional bond actually helps BL calm her emotions and stay mentally strong... hilarious and oh so clever

  [collapse]

OMG, WTF?!! How come I hadn't written a review?!!!! I'm totally flabbergasted rn. From the time I've read this novel, it has always been in my top favourite ones and I always thought that I must have left a review but now I'm finding out that I hadn't left a review on one of the best cultivation novels ever and I'm just devastated.

The only explanation for this is, I must have read this before I made a NU account. Therefore, I didn't review. Cause brooooooo, when I say I love... more>> love love this novel! When I was reading it, I hadn't known wat a true gem I had found out.

This novel is just so amazing with such smart characters and such an interesting plot, it's really rare finding these kinda novels which r new and not same old stuff.

It's a pity I can't write wat I had felt when I reached the ending but the only thing that remains in mind is that this was a spectacular danmei and I would like to recommend this to everyone to read! You won't regret reading this gem, so do give it a try!

❤❤❤ <<less

• the plot is great.

• wow, the characters are surprisingly well developed, especially the women in this novel, be very surprised how well developed and fun they are, it's rare in bl novels for women to be intelligent! Women are always portrayed as s*upid, unfortunately it's rare to find a novel like this, I say you can read it without regretting it.

• The protagonist's romance is good and sincere, I wish there was a spin-off of each notable character in this novel, I would definitely read it.

The female characters are actually important, the main couple actually has a pretty refreshing dynamic, and the themes were presented well, love this book.

Also, I love Zhongli Qian so much.

First, this story is truly underrated and deserves recognition. I enjoyed how you could clearly see every character's development in the story, every character really shone with their unique characteristics, and will really make you love them. It's also quite different from other cultivation novel as the protagonist in this one is a demonic cultivator however, it is visible that despite being a demonic cultivator, the MC remained his morals, even greater than the hypocrite og MC (He Wenzhao).

SO GOOD!!! It's slowburn and things doesn't really hit until the half point, but it's really worth it. Definitely isn't tooth rotting fluff even after ML and MC are together, but it's cute enough for their characters to make sense. There is a female char that gets annoying, but I think she's intended to be. The writer is good at writing Shu Yanyan tho, I love her sm.

I'll be honest, all though I hadn't read this novel before, I have been reccomending it to a lot of people. All of which have given be positive feedback and thanks.

After this small experiment, I decided to read it for myself. And It did not disappoint. Even still, I have not read the novel in full yet. I will likely update my review later. I just don't want to be late in reviewing so that other readers who read after me can be left behind.

1. 1. It's very funny in a serious way and when the OG FL found that ghost cultivator I specifically could not control my laughter

Updated review

The Novel is kind of like a time paradox?

I liked how everything was wrapped up and explained, the ending did the whole thing justice. But the romance did feel a little sudden.

Its like MC woke up and had the sudden realization 'Oh! So what I feel for him is love! El, Oh, Ve, Eh!'

which he did.

ML is very badass, he just had to fall for this wacky MC. Which is not unexpected because ML is mentally wacky as well.

Overall, the novel has many questionable characters. And the whole novel will also make you question things just like MC, right until the very end, where it feels like a very drunk author came up to you, patted you on the back, and went, "Still dont understand? well, let me explain it to you then. You see it all started when Wenren E sacrificed himself in the blood pool..." while you with a fast beating heart just listened until the author finished explaining and disappeared, leaving you with question marks, thinking "What did I read? what dao did

comprehend?"

This story is a perfect 5/5 for me.

The ML is my favorite type of love interest and literally embodies the concept of 'a hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you'.

... more>>

Spoiler

There is a happy ending all around.

[collapse]

The story is mainly in the perspective of Wenren È, so that makes him the MC, whereas Yin Hanjiang is the ML. Also, the tags aren't all very accurate: for example, 'Seme Protagonist' doesn't really fit unless I missed a lot of context (it reads more like these guys would switch it up, but nothing is specified), and the random 'Pill Based Cultivation' tag which I can only assume someone added because there are pills taken, though I can only recall them being used for healing rather than any type of cultivation advancement/enhancement. <<less

Reading this has been a really fun and easy read. Lately, I really had trouble reading new novels. Some danmeis are just a little bit long-winded for me. Which I don't mind, skill issue I know, but there are times when I really had to force myself to read. But I had no problems with this novel!! It captures my attention and was really interesting. The undertones of humor had me smiling the whole time I was reading it.

And of course, the characters!! Everyone was fleshed out amazingly. Even the... more>> side characters. They are all so interesting and I don't even mind even if the point of view shifts at times. Honestly, everyone's interaction with each other is so hilarious. The female characters I think are very well written and have their own motivation and end goals. Yin Hanjiang's character development was really something, I like how he slowly changed and started seeing Weren E as human and with fault and still loved him anyway. All in all I loved everyone!!

Anyways, this was very easy and enjoyable to read. I suggest giving it a chance if you have nothing to read <333 <<less

v lovely!!! I love how both characters were written 😭❣️❣️❣️ I felt for the both of them so much. I like wre a bit more but yhj going insane was rlly cute too.....

plot was v good! I just felt that end was a bit lacking? bc the scale of the story was rlly big but it suddenly vanished? kinda like that, but it's not anyth negative I was just surprised it conflict ends there hahah

plot 10/10 actually bit ploth-eavy but main characters are always involved.

... more>> pace was lovely ! 10/10

romance 10/10 their devotion was too pure TT I love how you see them slowly fall in love with each other.

characters 15/10 for gong, 10/10 for shou! gong history was painful and I love how noble he was even as a demonic cultivator

Spoiler

you'd discover even his demonic path wasn't of his own volition, too. he was righteous to core but very human all the same.

[collapse]

i love how they will readily die for eo and protect eo w their life TT❣️ theyre good husbands. I rlly love MC. I love ml's wild character, too! he's a yandere who deserved taming thru a good dicking!

i wish there were more fluff to ease pain tho ;;;;;; I WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY BANG!!!!

i wished there were more lovey dovey extras TT

either way it's a complete novel! it's just me that's unsatisfied im p sure others would be satisfied! I will recommend this I think it's a p solid novel w solid plot \o/ <<less

If you've been thinking about reading this book and you're not sure. This is your sign to read it!!

It's a wonderful xanxia novel and the romance isn't overwhelming

It's also hilarious how they change the fate of the FL

Give it a try, it's worth it!

• • first of all so far this novel has one of the best reasons For why this unnatural thing happened

there is actually nothing I can complain about

What I really LIKED about this is that even though they are master and subordinate their relationship is balanced and respectful spoiler is about their dynamic

• the relationship is healthy which is such a fresh air

CHARACTERS (FOR development, thought process, being interesting and lovely) :A BIG 10/10

MC : despite being a very serious guy MC is really likable he is rational steadfast and surprisingly moral and fair

Ml: he is really loyal he has some psychological issues but they don't get really bad as MC will find out and helps him to solve them what is really interesting is how Author explore his psychological issues and how MC someone who is pretty much unfamiliar with feelings learn about them and try to solve them

STORY PLOT (FOR going according to logic, being interesting and having good ideas, lack of loop holes, not being boring or giving useless info,) :

10/10

If I could I would give a 50

SIDE CHARACTERS (back storys, having a good reason for being there, not just vanishing because Author doesn't want them anymore, having a rational behavior and not just because there is a need for a bad/good guy.) :10/10

Side characters are so good so realistic they might even surprise you with their intelligence and teach you something

Villains: not just being bad because there is need for bad guys, not just drop dead because mc/ML has first role halo:10/10

I think this one deserves so much more recognition it's one of the best yaoi novels ever

I left a really long meandering note on my recommendations list praising this story to high heaven only to now realize that I never left a review for it, so here it is, half-copied from my long note.

This is quite possibly the best xianxia I've ever read, maybe only second to Liu Yao (we'll see once I finish it). It's so incredibly good.

I feel like the summary makes this story sound like more of a comedy than it actually is, when it's actually super plot focused. It's definitely an incisive... more>> critique of typical BG xianxia romances and stallion harem novels, which isn't really a unique take, but Cyan Wings absolutely elevates it with really fantastic writing.

I think what sets this story apart from so many others is that the readers can really see how much Cyan Wings actually loves xianxia. Because underneath it all, this novel is a really good xianxia novel! It reminds me of all the reasons I love xianxia, and even my usual critiques of the genre (e.g. random acts of violence) is actually explained here. The whole "life/death is cyclical and cultivators are humans trying to defy the heavens" is done so well and really informs the story, instead of just serving as background noise for the protagonists. Honestly, I don't think I can even read most other xianxia after this because they're going to pale in comparison.

Another thing is that the characters are also well-developed, and none of them are there just for the sake or it, or to act as random cannon fodder. Even though it's really easy to slip into a character assassination of the original female lead with this kind of story, this series never does this! In fact, the female lead, Baili Qingmiao, is given a lot of help, and even when the other characters disagree with her actions, it never feels malicious. And even as Wenren E follows his path of slaughter (and tries to get Baili Qingmiao to turn to a path of indifference), none of his philosophy feels particularly preachy, as if the author was trying to convince you of the their views (hoo boy, how many webnovels have you read where the MC was just the author's mouthpiece? too much) ; all of his thoughts/ideologies feel suitable for his character, just like most of the other characters' thoughts/ideologies feel suitable for theirs. Even when I disagreed with Wenren E, I could understand why he acted the way he did -- and he's certainly a fun MC to root for! Always sure in his ways, but still baffled by most human emotions (and not afraid to admit it either). He's exactly the kind of character I like -- cool and confident but still open to the advice and opinions of others.

Oh, and while my main love is the plot (ah, xianxia <3), I also like that the relationships doesn't take a backseat and is always present, even if its not the focus, because the chemistry between the two is sooo good. Usually with these types of emotionless characters, it feels awkward if they get into a relationship, but here the author manages to write the slow moving towards that relationship so naturally! Wenren E really, really values Yin Hanjiang, and the fact that he wants Yin Hanjiang to stand by his side instead of below him is just... wow, true love, right there. Honestly, my fatal weakness is open and honest communication in a relationship, which fits this to a T. Like, wow, did the author reach into my brain and just pull out everything I want to see in a relationship right here??

My only criticism is regarding the flashback sequence near the end, which I felt was clunky in execution and really disrupted the flow of the story, though I understand its narrative necessity. It seems this is a common theme with this author, though, since they also use a similar trick in Mr. Melancholy Wants a Peaceful Life (which I read after this), and I have similar criticisms there about its use. Just not a fan of flashbacks, especially when they're being used as deus ex machinas. Very minor blip, though, in the grand scheme of things.

Anyway TLDR; this story is amazing. I reread it all the damn time. Every character is just so darn fun to spend time with, and all of them have their own strong voices/desires. Ugh, just thinking of this story makes me want to reread it again!! <<less

Many points to note here. People who just want a consistent burning passionate romance will not like it. This is mostly plot driven and people who don't like cultivation and dao can't like this at all.

Pros:

#good plot

... more>> #Characters of the main leads r well written.

#Also love the fact that their love isn't driven by lust or any physical intimacy in its growing phase. They have the purest feelings of love and respect.

#good female representation

#It has got the best male lead 3 in the universe lol

Cons:

#the plot sometimes becomes uninteresting

The first half of the novel was kinda boring, even for me, mainly because I couldn't really get attached to the plot or the characters. There weren't any "looking forward" moments in the first half. The reasons being,

# untrustworthy and heartless side chars (all of the demonic path). Couldn't relate to them. Knowing they always plot at each other's backs at every chance, their interactions just felt like a heavy sack of rice and failed to entertain me.

#the consistently infatuated and dumb original FL, the kind that I hate the most and a cheating bastard original ML who is self righteous and doesn't get his retribution or character development until the end.

#the main chars being very uninteresting and almost emotionless for the first half.

A line/comment in the novel even said, "You can’t even become a fan of characters in this novel because they can change their face at any time" lmao understandable

But the latter part of the novel was very exciting. That underworld blood sea arc was peak. Even in the second half, the side chars of demonic path won't have much char development but they atleast share a little affection. Loved original FL's char development.

#How the relationship between both the male leads progressed, I'm very satisfied. There's not much physical intimacy at all so don't expect it.

#Loved the characters of both the male leads. My fav char of the novel being Zhong Liqian. He's the most normal and relatable one lmao

Spoiler

I felt that Baili's char dev was too sudden. Also, I felt that the stars in the sky indeed enhanced the importance of the plot but gave way to some inconsistencies.

Until the end, the purpose of Hanjiang's mask confused me. Sometimes it's written that he uses it to be his own free self and sometimes it's written that he uses it to suppress his emotions so which one is it? It can't be both

[collapse]

.

The synopsis says that the original novel is Mary Sue but I didn't find any traces of it being one lmao.. How can a dumb girl who's always abused and trampled on be a mary sue?

Anyways, I had a good enough time reading this. <<less

5/5!

The summary does not do the novel justice! I thought it would turn out to be a very cheesy danmei story where I'd only wait to see how the MC and ML (Wenren E and Yin Hanjiang) get together, but was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out be more than just their relationship. Very well-written, and translations are really well done.

A lot of the characters are explained well. It's such an interesting concept of changing the events of the books in the story real-time and seeing the effects and... more>> thought processes of all the characters! I felt like I was playing 5D chess. Very intriguing and engaging story where the reader

Spoiler

is guessing along on who might be the traitor or baddie. Or even guessing along with the MC on why certain people fell in love with either the FL or ML of the original books. MC finds out there's logic to everything.

[collapse]

Really interesting twists, and so well explained!

You would also think a brain ded original FL like Baili Qingmiao is not worth saving or readers might even dislike such Mary Sue characters, but she actually ended up being charming. Like it's funny bc we (in the comments) started shipping her

Spoiler

with other women in the novel lmao. But the ending was very surprising. And I think we're all pretty glad she was redeemable from her obsession with the original book ML.

[collapse]

Not a lot of actual romance between the MC and ML, but I adore the trust and devotion between them.

Side characters and their personality were superb! Great characterization that I even ended up simping for Zhongli Qian, Shu Yan Yan, Altar Master Qiu, etc. At times.

A gem of novel and refreshing read from all the abuse danmei ones lol <<less

All time fav novel. Made me laugh and cry. The pairing was unique and were both so lovable. It's is definitely a plus that our MCs are demonic cultivators. Righteous cultivators suck lol. Ending felt a little bit rushed but it was still satisfactory.

The male lead is amazing along with his "bodyguard" (lover). The female lead of the novel that he read actually has a good personality and plays an important role instead of just being a jealousy maker.

not even gonna lie, I read this novel purely because I thought that this book would be one of those comedic parody ones. I didn't expect anything major.

this novel turned out to be very engaging and enjoyable. Yes this is one of those "fixing (finding out) the plot holes task" kind of cultivation novel but this time, the MC actually did exactly what he should (fixed and debunked some plot holes and found some understanding of why certain characters in the novel behave in certain ways / has some... more>> weirdly inconsistent behavior)

the plot twists were pretty natural and seemless (VERY enjoyable and engaging to me), the character development of the female protagonist of the novel that the MC obtained was also pretty satisfying.

the author showed that they have a good understanding of the cultivation concept in their novel (distinguishing and explaining certain things/aspects pretty informatively unlike some other cultivation novels I read before) without it being tiring info dumps.

the romance here might not be the entirely main focus of the novel, but im not mad at it at all.

this novel also gave quite a lot of pretty eye-opening view and some explanations about the cultivation world. One of them (and also the most obvious one) was ofc the MC being someone who cultivated the Path of Slaughter, he always stood strong with his own principles in life while also being the master of XuanYuan Sect. Truly such an admirable character.

overall, this is a well-thought novel with an enjoyable romance in it too. I would actually recommend this to someone who's not into cultivation novels that have danmei aspect in it. No wonder why it has such good reviews. An unexpected 5 stars read for me today 😌 <<less

This is nice, I love it!

The characters are all well done, they have their own characteristics that made them stand out.

And I think, some of the situation in the novel can be seen in real life.

... more>> Most notably is the 2 different opinions of the readers of two different books (but same universe).

On HWZ's side, most of them doesn't like BQM and their comments ar brainless.

While on BQM's side, they understand that HWZ is a scum and is clear on it.

And I LOVE THE ENDING!! ♡ Simply perfect. *Chef's kiss*

I also love the extra chapters, a must read. Don't forget to read them.

Spoiler

WENREN È ACTUALLY SURVIVED IN THE ORIGINAL BOOK!

Tho it made sense since he also survived in the current timeline more faster.

[collapse]

Spoiler

For those people who quickly determine that Yin Hanjiang is the shu,

HOW'D YOU ALL DO THAT?

I mean! I also got clue who it is but not as quick as you all did!

[collapse]

Bye bye, Wenren È~

Bye, Yin Hanjiang~

You two, take your time and practice well. <<less