Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Instead of struggling meaninglessly, he acknowledged his place.

Associated Names
One entry per line
CFZ
Childhood Friend of the Zenith Under the Heavens
The Zenith's Childhood Friend
천하제일인의 소꿉친구
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Ruler Of Darkness (3)
The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me (2)
My Daughters Are Regressors (2)
Love Letter From The Future (1)
The Villain Who Robbed the Heroines (1)
I, The Dragon Overlord (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Nice story
  2. My little corner
  3. Peak Hidden Gems Part 2
  4. all of my 5/5 novels
  5. Peak.

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/18/24 Genesis Translations c208
04/15/24 Genesis Translations c207
04/12/24 Genesis Translations c206
04/10/24 Genesis Translations c205
04/08/24 Genesis Translations c204
04/06/24 Genesis Translations c203
04/03/24 Genesis Translations c202
04/01/24 Genesis Translations c201
03/30/24 Genesis Translations c200
03/28/24 Genesis Translations c199
03/26/24 Genesis Translations c198
03/24/24 Genesis Translations c197
03/22/24 Genesis Translations c196
03/20/24 Genesis Translations c195
03/18/24 Genesis Translations c194
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
54 Reviews sorted by


DarkSamaIg
DarkSamaIg rated it
August 28, 2023
Status: c98
I think I've read a decent amount of this novel to tell you people about my views on it.

Firstly i'd like to appreciate the manner in which the author has written this work.

The aspect of showing multiple POV's has in my honest opinion increased the depth of each character and it has fleshed out their personalities in a very satisfiable way.

... more>> Although this in my opinion at first may look like just your average murim novel later on it develops on the main characters circumstances and the people who surround him.

The main character is really over powered (talented) but his powerups are not those that defy logic so im fine with it.

Overall I would recommend it to everyone who is interested in reading this masterpiece. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Devilyourfriend
Devilyourfriend rated it
April 2, 2023
Status: c42
Great series!

Though it has still fee Chapters it has been a great experience.

Genre- action, fantasy, martial arts.

Regression with the guilt of the past.

Story is great and has many great things like comedy, action and mystery.

And the MC's personality is quite unique with the past life experience he wants to improve him self and the world with him.

All the females characters are nutjobs and funny but may be not intentionally.

Story background is quite unique as marital arts mixed with gates and demons.

Overall great story.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hosh
Hosh
March 4, 2024
Status: c100
Initially when I was about to write this review (half a year-ish ago), this was gonna get 4-5 stars. When I came back however, I found that I enjoyed this novel a whole lot less.

Now I don’t know if the story just took an abrupt nosedive after I temporarily dropped it, or if my standards for cultivation novels have just skyrocketed after reading A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation, but I can barely stand this novel so brace yourselves for a lot of complaints. (These will mostly be based on chapter... more>> 60-100)

1. The MC

Now I remember the MC in this novel being fairly s*upid and whatnot but not to this extent. I get that he did tons of bad sh*t so it makes sense he’d be guilty but after 100 chapters you’d think he’d have gotten over it by now but NOPE. He keeps getting these annoying-ass chapters of character development that does absolutely nothing. It’s like his character just gets factory reset every 10 chapters so the author can copy and paste the same character flaws back onto him. 99% of the story is also written in his POV and since he is IMO the most annoying character yet it makes me hate this novel all the more. This novel would really benefit from reducing that number to an 80% maybe so we can spend time with the heroines who carry this novel.

2. Pacing

I don’t know if it’s the arc that’s the problem but the parts I’ve read since picking up this novel again are unbearably slow. For one, the whole arc is based around someone related to the protagonist so emphasis is placed on the MC and heroines’ relationship with that person. The problem is, nobody gives a shit. 60% of the arc is around rehabilitating this one new awfully written character that I have absolutely 0 attachment to, and the other 30% is centered around the MC overcoming his flaws. The very same flaws he was overcoming 50 chapters ago. Fortunately, the remaining 10%, based around the heroines, is excellent but it still doesn’t make up for the dogsh*t I had to suffer through

All in all, this novel has very high highs and even the lows are tolerable, albeit somewhat annoying. The problem is that most of the story consists of said lows. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
CreamPuffDelights
CreamPuffDelights rated it
October 30, 2023
Status: c130
This... Is a genuinely good story.

You've got the Korean Gate drama, in a ancient Korean Murim setting, which is a first for me tbh. The MC is to put it simply, is a whole ass puzzle wrapped up in an onion made of puzzles. His basic characteristics are clear, and there is indeed enjoyable DEVELOPMENT (Yes, I capitalised it for a reason), he starts off pretty frustrating and doing the whole typical, "since I reincarnated I'm just going to run away from everything and leave PeACefuLLy" thing, but in actual... more>> fact, does the exact opposite by charging headlong into everything until somewhere around chapter 90.

There's actual goddamned romance AND the girls are actually given CHARACTERS! There are some complaints I've noted that the story takes too much time away from the MC but I'm like, "dude, the world is actually getting fleshed out. And it's not like the author is writing whole ass arcs about them or something. They just get a chapter or two to showcase their personality, more if they're more central characters like the female leads. Do you KNOW how frigging rare that is in a Korean novel of all damned things?"

A Korean novel where the regressor MC DOESN'T tunnel vision into "Being Da Best!", sweeping up hidden pieces and treating everyone around him like a useful tool at best?

I can only think of maybe 3 or 4, tops, that can do something this novel is excelling at so far. Killed the Academy Player (worse than this one in terms of dense MC and dumb harem antics), Omniscient (zero character development outside the few male main characters), and maybe tr*sh Count (zero romance whatsoever). <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ChronosMrk1
ChronosMrk1 rated it
April 30, 2023
Status: c48
7.5/10

Side characters are colourful. Mc's boring, cold, and avoidant personality can be very grating though. And it has the usual annoyance of MC not wanting to change too much and having next to no ambition other than to live peacefully - common. Everything else is pretty good though. All in all not bad.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
devil_karma
devil_karma rated it
March 31, 2023
Status: c41
It is an excellent story with the twist and turns.

Mysterious enough to get you engaged.

this novel is also literally became one of the best novels for me. It has everything, action, fantasy and an author who knows where their story is going and can create good world building with their immersion and good writing.

... more>> Also it is perfectly paced. I just recommend you to give it a try.

Don't get worried about harem tag it is not actually focused on harem atleast not yet.

this novel has really high potential, his life before regression is already very interesting and exciting.

So would really suggest to give it a try. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
KuroHaruto
KuroHaruto rated it
February 23, 2024
Status: c53
I totally agree with mja and Fluffums. The world & history of this novel are pretty intriguing, but it's really the characters that drags this novel down in my opinion. I've only read 50+ chapters rn, but the main character is really starting to annoy me.

MC started off interesting, as someone with an inferiority complex who turned to evil and destroyed everything & everyone, only to regret it as he was dying, so now he tries to be nice in his new life but his foul mouth and anger issues... more>> still get him in trouble. A nice redemption story. In fights & confrontations, he has a spine and can stand for himself. BUT, his attitude and general behavior is really starting to annoy me. Despite being a fully grown & mature adult on the inside, he behaves like a total buffoon. Examples: always asking the same question 10-30 times when he's surprised by a piece of news or bored (think of "aRe wE tHEre yEt" or "what? I must've heard that incorrectly. Repeat that?" ×10), always being in denial with sudden circumstances, fainting from shock when he accidentally gets a convenient power-up by absorbing an artefact's qi, always thinking that ppl from his past life are the exact same today, etc.

The ways MC gets power-ups are also too convenient to my taste and feel very unearned so far. I would've much preferred he have less qi and stay "weak" for another 50ish chapters while defeating stronger opponents with his wits & battle experience, but by chapter 52 he already has more qi than his 2-year older sister and a genius (older than him) from another clan. And to reach his current qi level, he went through 2 major power-ups, both of which he was totally unconscious during and unintentionally received.

The love interests are also fairly simple and 1 dimensional. 1 genius girl is into MC cuz he doesn't stink like other ppl (*cough* Cha Hae-in in SL), 1 is madly in love with him cuz he has sharp facial features unlike other men in her life, and 1 acts like a toddler that's extremely attached to MC as she always looks for food and follows him around.

Honestly, I'm not too bothered by the 1 dimensional girls. I'm used to characters like this in other novels, mangas/hwas, etc. The girls are usually just in the story for MC to win over. But them being fairy stereotypical AND our main character being annoying really doesn't help the novel for me.

The worst part is that I actually quite like many of the support characters. MC's oldest sister is the source of MC's inferiority complex yet she still cares for him cuz he's her little brother, and she promised MC's mom (they have different mothers) she'd protect him. But MC tries to push her away, so all she can do is show tough love and force her way into his personal space. Overall, I quite enjoy her headstrong yet caring personality. MC's second sister is also very interesting. She hates MC because he's the heir of the clan despite being talentless and having a terrible personality just cuz he's a boy. She believes that their oldest sister should become lord instead, and blames MC for how unjust the situation is. But she also pities him for having no talent and losing his mother.

The sisters are the most interesting characters so far, and the other characters are fairly inoffensive for me, EXCEPT FOR THE MAIN CHARACTER.

I will continue reading the novel for now since it has a good rating and many people are loving it, but if the author doesn't fix MC's attitude soon, I will probably drop this novel. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hani36
Hani36 rated it
December 7, 2023
Status: c145
Really enjoyed reading this harem novel

The girls are nice and MC is good

Not usually a fan of the murim setting but this one made it interesting

The characters are written well and not borning or bland

The fights are hype and well written tho they're very strenched throughout multipe povs over multipe chapters which is my only gripe with it
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Sirusblue
Sirusblue rated it
November 18, 2023
Status: c254
I really love this story which is a character-driven murim novel following a regression of a man that has regretted falling into the dark path in his previous life. It is really engaging story filled with intrigue and growth. The MC really try to redemp and atone for his previous life in his own frustrating way. I really love how the world is set up with the combination of traditional jianghu and the usual korean gate. The mystery on why the world the way it is, why the MC fall... more>> into the dark side, and the origin of the that side. Accompenied by many interesting and compelling character.

In here, the side character get their own intrigue and drama that they went through and overcome with the help of the MC. The MC also has to come face with the reality on how ignorance he was in hhis previous life as he faced with really different characters compared to the one he used to because of how early in development they are in this new timeline. He used to meet the already scared and grown character but then regression brought him to meet with character that has just started to growth. How he effect their growth is also part of the story.

Things that I love about this story is the harem which is really enjoyable and comfortable without any dog-blood drama. The MC is not dense and aware of the girls feeling but due to his character, is confused most of the time on why the girl fall for him. It isn't like that he pushed them away either, he accepted that they likes him and feel comfortable with them getting close to him. Not all the harem has a proper and defined relation with him though, only his fiance has that solid and firm relationship with him. The other is still waiting because of how busy the MC is at saving the world.

Other part about the harem, that it also work both way at tackling the relationship problem. There is no overbearing one-side demand, the MC and the harem both trying to find comfortable ground and adapt when other girl try to get close the MC. There are cat fights but it is done in way that might not inconvenience the MC and the MC is also not dense about this even though most of the time he is confused about the outcome or even the detailed of the fight.

The plot is not that great due to reason talked below but it is still good. It might seem bad at earlier part before the MC find his resolve but immediately pick up pace afterward with many pieces getting revealed. There are many parts that seem disconnected early on but it getting reduced as the plot goes along. The other character's also participate at getting the plot moving which is good in my opinion, making this not just one man show.

The mc's character is rough and really chaotic at early chapter. In my opinion, this is the author gauging and experimenting which is why the early part is really not that great. It gets better, especially after the MC make up his mind about his goal. His character immediately shine and with many flashback about his past life on how his character get to this point, it make him a compelling character to follow.

There are few things that really stuck in my nerve while reading this. One is how much the author conveniently played around with the story elements, be it with the information or mc's intellegence. The author sometime bring up one information which sometimes conveniently being forgotten even though it is important and explicitly said that the character aware of this information.

Then there also the mc's intellgence which getting on my nerve, I understand he avoid some topic or person due to guilt but come one, he should have at least the intelegence on what better to do or not, it is this disparity sometime between his mental age and his actual age should be.

Another thing that getting on my nerve is how much the author love bring in new element mid-story that just isn;t relevant or even bringing the story forward or even mentioned in early part. It just frustrating because it sometime bringing question on how the hell that this aren't mentioned earlier. It make the MC seem more confused thant ever, in my head I just screamed "why the hell do you just remember or mentioned this now of all the time????". It make the mystery just never ending, it just added more and more element which should be have been tackled earlier but only brought up in later part of the story. It just irritated me.

The mc's character can also be called chaotic or incosistence at worst because of how much the author's deliberate convenience. It just feel contrived or forced most of the time. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Xuper9
Xuper9 rated it
October 30, 2023
Status: c126
This story is below average. I don’t like any of the characters and the story is a series of tropes that I’ve seen dozens of times before.

- broken engagement

- the spirit of an old master in the MC

... more>> - dysfunctional family

- troubled past and sad previous life

There’s nothing wrong with these things as long as the author gives it an original twist but that’s just the thing it doesn’t. I don’t care about any of the characters because they’re unoriginal. I don’t care about the story because it’s another regression novel. This isn’t going to kill your brain cells but I wouldn’t read this even if I was bored. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
AMissingLinguist
AMissingLinguist rated it
August 25, 2023
Status: c82
The story is a Korean wuxia. Wuxia is a genre about martial heroes with superhuman feats.

For first time readers of wuxia, I can recommend this story as a good entryway for the wuxia genre. Unfortunately, there is nothing here for me. Regression wuxias have been done before, and this story does nothing new or interesting to change the formula.

Here's some elements of the story that I found bothersome. The author tends to repeat information that was previously shown to the reader. Most enemies of the main character are males and... more>> most allies are females. The past of the main character is sporadic and not entertaining to read. Fights tend to be one sided beatdowns.

The story may get better, but I am disinclined to continue reading.

My rating score is as follows. 1 is bad. 2 is meh. 3 is good. 4 is great. 5 is a masterpiece. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Pratt_42
Pratt_42 rated it
July 16, 2023
Status: c72
Childhood Friend of the Zenith follows Gu Yang Cheon, a former demon cult heir who regresses after regretting his life choices. Now returned to his childhood, he aims to forge a new path.

The novel blends martial arts and fantasy elements, with rifts unleashing monsters into the world. It starts off a bit slow-paced, but builds into an engaging and addictive read once the foundation is set. The regression premise adds strong character development, as Gu Yang aims to redeem himself from past mistakes.

The writing and translations are praised for being... more>> high quality and easy to immerse in. Fight scenes are vividly described without excessive filler, helping visualize the action. The plot seems well-planned, raising intrigue about where things will go next.

A particular highlight is the complex and nuanced protagonist. Gu Yang has a unique personality shaped by his experiences, remaining likable despite his flaws. Supporting characters also receive attention and depth.

Though it uses some common wuxia tropes, Childhood Friend of the Zenith executes them in a polished way and adds its own twists. For those wanting a character-focused wuxia story with solid writing and an emphasis on martial arts, this highly-rated novel seems to fit the bill. Just push past the initial slower setup to get to the meat of the story. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MonsieurLimes
MonsieurLimes rated it
January 2, 2023
Status: c166
It's a great story and whatnot aside from the fact that lots of the chapters are just building up the world and characters.

seriously like 130 chapters are just world building and introducing character development.

"Wow I am on my way to Hurihange for a tournament or something, Omg is that Jue Jit-Su the 'Hand that Destroys the Evil that Plagues Siswanje or whatever' man I will not interact with him but I will interact with him anyways" imagine this but for like 167 chapters

nothing wrong with that because it's setting the... more>> theme but personally, I want to see the story progress instead of character development. I know those things kinda go hand in hand together but sheesh, reading person after person kinda gets tiring after a while. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
hiddenmachine
hiddenmachine rated it
March 18, 2024
Status: c147
Love it so far. I actually enjoy how much things are hidden behind the scenes because it make me want to find out even more. Romance is good, but would be more enjoyable if it felt natural. And the translations are really good, took a while to get used to the different style of line spacing from what I'm used to. Only nitpick is I find some details in the translations that don't read right or are wrong so I hope those will eventually get fixed. Other wise, 4.7/5
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Simplified
Simplified
February 13, 2024
Status: c43
Honestly the novel started out quite decently, but quickly fell of for me. I came in expecting to get lots of action with some harem and romance subplot with an engaging plot. Well, sorry to say but that’s not what I got.

My biggest gripe is that this novel seems to have made the harem and the girls its main focus point. Within 43ch we have only gotten 2 very minuscule amounts of action and no real plot progression because everything isn’t what it seems to be. So instead you’re just... more>> co fused and sitting there speculating as to what the facts and the plot really is. I honestly don’t foresee any major future action in this novel. Nothing that really keeps you engaged. All you’ll get in the 43 chapters really are eating dumplings, girls being introduced during every event, and some s*upid MC that doesn’t seem to comprehend the fact that because he is acting different from the past his present will then change.

Overall I give this novel a 3/5. If what you’re looking for is harem then this’ll do you fine.

My personal review is a 1/5 because the story lacks progression and there’s a lack of engagement. Action seems rare while eating dumplings 3 times every chapter is way too common of an occurrence. Not to mention that the plot seems to progress incredibly slow as well and also seems to contradict itself. The author will give very small snippets of the plot but then change something of it later, although the is a slight justification I just think it’s lazy. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kleini
Kleini rated it
November 10, 2023
Status: c120
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this gem of a novel! The story follows a young man who seems to have hit rock bottom, but through a twist of fate finds himself returned to his childhood with a chance to start over.

At first I'll admit I found the main character frustrating. His cold personality and lack of drive made it hard to connect with him. But as his backstory unfolds you start to understand the wounds and regrets that have made him this way. And when he wakes up years... more>> in the past, you can't help but root for him to seize this opportunity!

The pacing is excellent, slowly revealing details about the MC's mysterious past life and future knowledge. The supporting cast is full of colorful personalities too. Some seem a bit over-the-top, but it adds to the charm and humor.

The martial arts action is gripping, and combines nicely with the supernatural elements. And the world-building has me totally hooked. There's clearly so much history and lore the author has crafted behind the scenes.

I don't want to give too much away, but if you enjoy regression style stories with redemption arcs, great action, and dashes of comedy, I highly recommend giving this novel a try! The writing and translation are top-notch. I have a feeling this will go down as one of my all-time favorites before it's through. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Guiffiur
November 7, 2023
Status: c6
Literally the first 5 chapters the MC does something so efffing out of the blue that it hurts my brain. I like to see some cohesion in my story not what ever this is: the MC supposedly a child (10 ish) not even a teenager goes to a neutral gang and riles them by saying that he knows their secret because he regressed, and that too with only one body guard in a den of this gang. Apparently even the body guard and the MC find his own action weird...... more>> sheesh. At least make him 14 or 15 year old and say this is happening in chapter 20 after a bit more world building. not throw at us a useless filler. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
dkragoon
dkragoon rated it
October 31, 2023
Status: c116
First and foremost, I have to say, thank you so much for your excellent work, Genesis Translation. I hope you can keep picking up so many great novels.

The plot is the most common and repititive you can find everywhere; Gu yacheon, the protagonist and the only male heir of the gu clan, regressed to his childhood to ammend all of his mistakes after a life full of regrets and repentance, serving under the demon lord, heavenly demon, maou sama, etc., and becoming an essential part of the destruction of the... more>> humanity.

Now, What makes this story shines is not its plot, but its MC and his relationship with the others chatacters. Let me point out the good points about this:

Gu Yancheon (Main character)
Spoiler

At the beginning, Yancheon adopted the same typical passive behaviour we see often; I dont want to get involved with anyone, everything is a pain in the ass, I want to live a quiet and peaceful life, even took in consideration moving to the mountains and live in reclusion until everything is over with the demon war and the hevenly demon since this is defeated and killed by the zenith and now current childhoodfriend, Wi seolah. However, slowly but surely he changed his mindset and start taking responsability on his duties as a regressor.
The MC is not your common doormat nor pushover. If some as*hole attack him or act in any disrecpetful, impolite or offensive way, he will retaliate with everything. By far, the MC have killed a few ones, and amongst those few, would have been young masters of others clans, who were saved just because someone has been there to stop the MC.
But at the same time he showes vulnerable sides that make him human and not the perfect and HANDSOME guy usually seen in the korean standards. For instance: when his father praised him for rising to another realm, his lips almost curled into a smile, even though he has the mentality of a grown up adult, he never received a compliment for his father, so he was subconsciously happy

[collapse]

Secondary characters and the MC
Spoiler

The depictions of the relationship with his family and relatives is so complex and interesting, I am never tired of it.
He regards them, his family, as a bunch of battle maniacs who only knows how to use their punches to comunicate and finds them annoying, yet he cares for all of them and feels grateful because they stood all of his sh*t throughout the years.
The brute but caring older sister Huibi and the mean and playful Second elder are my favorites.
Not to mention the heroines. Wi seol ah, the childish but misterious future zenith, the beatiful and enchanting but nonchalant and cool Bi Ah, and the unique poisonous queen, soyeol. Any of them are in love with the main characters, are attracted or interested in him for various reasons.
I like this, how the author is building the relationship with the MC slowly and not introducing the romance so early.
Also, I Have read several complaints about how he is "dense", and does not reciprocated the feelings of the heroines or ignored their advances. Yancheon is not dense, rather he has a guilty conscience. We have to understand he was involved in their deaths, except for Seolah. In adittion, the girls are not the most expressive; Seol ah is just a kid, Nangung Biah is following him for his lack of smell, how is she going to explain this? And Soyeol finds his scary and sharp facial features attractive. He has not done anything to gain earn their affection, so, is pretty normal he is bewildered by their sudden approaches.
As an extra, I just love how in every illustration in which the heroines appear, they dont take suggestive poses making emphasis in the breast, butts and thighs, to say the least. In other words, the author doesnt appeal the horniness of the readers. This show how much he repects his characters and his readers.

[collapse]

This was my first korean noveI, so I like it so much and wait everyday for a new chapter to read. However how I pointed his good points, I have to do the same with the bad ones. I would like the author try to fix because is ruining his story.

MC power ups

Spoiler

I dont care how many power ups, skills, abilities or realms he get as long as he does everything by him own will and overcome hurdles or hardships in his way to prove his repentance is genuine. This is very important because what made him deserted his clan and joined the demon army was his inferioty complex of being compared to his two talented elder sisters and he being a arrogant and ignorant shitty brat who never put efforts in anything.
The MC beat the sh*t out of his cousin and the nangum young master using his experience, perfect control of ki and taking advantage of them looking down of him, he literally swept the floor with them by training and putting effort. By far pretty good.
He also got the power of the golden nature treasure which increased his capacity of Qi and helped him raise to the 3rd real, almost 4th, located in sichuan where the tang clan resides. I has no problems with this, since this was planned from the very start.
But, after that, he found out he still has the ability bestowed by the heveanly demon, demonic absortion by pure coincidence. This allowed the MC spam like crazy his flame martial arts and consisted in absorbing the demon energy from others users. But absorbing a lot of demonic Qi makes the users goes crazy and addictive, so he cannot abuse from this, right? No. Also, He found a special trait who purified and assimilated the demonic Qi to his flame arts. He even was in shock because this ability never manifested itself in his past life and there is no records of this in the Gu clan. Wasnt he talentless???
Later, he accidentally run across the sacred treasure of the plum blossom sect, absorbed its Qi and gained a spiritual master who will save his ass subsequently. A fortuitous encounter. Step by step he becomes a overpowered guy.
Stick to your ideas until the end. If you are gonna give me a main character who main reason to desert his clan was his powerlessness, then dont make him the most lucky guy by gaining random powers constantly.

[collapse]
Sencondary characters roles

Spoiler

I said that I like the the depiction of the interactions between the MC and the secondaries; but, apart from that, there is nothing interesting in them since they do nothing for the sake of the plot.
For instance, In the plum blossom sect, Yancheon killed and chased away the intruders, saved his little sister and Biah, killed the branch manager of the black palace, discovered the corpses of the disciples who dissapeared, killed the assassin send by the plack palace, cured the plum blossom master who was suffering who even the inmortal healer could not healed.

And where were the others doing? I guess, they were poking their noses and scracthing their balls.

The secondaries characters are the ones who make the world that turns around the MC alive and attractive with their interactions with the MC and each other, and their actions impact the plot.
So, If you are going to introduce so called Geniuses, prodigies, and master who can crush mountains, make them do something worthy the title. The fact, they are all smokes and mirrors.
If every final decision falls in the MC hands, your world is dead and boring.
Even BiAh had to be saved as f*cking damsell in distress by the MC at the exact moment.

[collapse]

I didnt wanted to rated less than 4 because I have a faint hope the author will give an original twist and improve these flaws pointed out, but for now 4 out 5. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Galath rated it
October 21, 2023
Status: c118
It has an interesting plot, good construction of characters and the world.

Its is also really interesting how the MC interacts with the people he met in its previous life and how its past experiences define the approach he takes while dealing with everyone.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
sinbadw
sinbadw rated it
August 21, 2023
Status: c48
Childhood Friend of the Zenith is a promising wuxia story with a unique premise and flawed but compelling protagonist. It follows Gu Yang Cheon, a young master who defected to a demonic sect, died regretting his choices, and returned to his childhood.

Yang Cheon makes for a refreshingly complex MC. His questionable past adds depth, while his desire for redemption is sympathetic. However, his avoidant personality can frustrate at times, especially in romance. Still, his flaws lend realism.

The story utilizes a time loop structure in an intriguing way. Yang Cheon must... more>> navigate his foreknowledge of the calamity to come, accounting for changes in his new timeline. This opens opportunities to alter key events and relationships.

The worldbuilding incorporates various interesting fantasy elements into traditional wuxia. Lore about chi manipulation and demonic gates provides unique powers and threats. Fight scenes are well-choreographed highlights.

While the initial chapters are slower paced as the pieces are put in place, the narrative gains momentum once the MC's sect adventures begin. The supporting cast, while not fully fleshed out yet, offer personality to bounce off the stoic protagonist.

In summary, Childhood Friend of the Zenith lays the groundwork for a grand tale with promise. If the storytelling and character dynamics continue developing smoothly, this could become a top-tier wuxia read. I'm invested enough to overlook current flaws and look forward to more. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.