Ancient Strengthening Technique

Description

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

A human warrior cultivating the Ancient Strengthening Technique has transcended dimensions and arrived on Kyushu. Together with twelve ravishing beauties with looks that were unmatched in their generation, will he be able to stand on the summit of this world?

This novel is about the main character, named Qing Shui, who transcended dimensions and arrived in the Kyushu continent. Storms of blood and wind, resulting in corpses and bones strewn about are extremely common here. The young warrior Qing Shui forged ahead in his path to cultivate, using 10 years to train himself, only to seek vengeance for the one who had forsaken his mother!

Associated Names
One entry per line
AST
Portraits of Beauty
上古强身术
美女图
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Against the Gods (7)
God Of Slaughter (6)
Chronicles of Primordial Wars (3)
Great Demon King (3)
The Silly Alchemist (3)
Dragon-Marked War God (3)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Best Novels I Read in years (Must read for you)
  2. Novels i Have Read
  3. Novels that I have read
  4. Op Mc / simulation systems
  5. Novels I have read

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/26/16 Wuxiaworld c100
05/25/16 Wuxiaworld c99
05/24/16 Wuxiaworld c98
05/23/16 Wuxiaworld c97
05/19/16 Wuxiaworld c96
05/19/16 Wuxiaworld c95
05/17/16 Wuxiaworld c94
05/17/16 Wuxiaworld c93
05/16/16 Wuxiaworld c92
05/14/16 Wuxiaworld c91
05/13/16 Wuxiaworld c90
05/10/16 Wuxiaworld c89
05/10/16 Wuxiaworld c88
05/09/16 Wuxiaworld c87
05/09/16 Wuxiaworld c86
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
146 Reviews sorted by


Zalpha
Zalpha rated it
July 29, 2016
Status: c155
I truly love this stroy, it was about chapter 80 when I realised not a single person had died yet since the story had started, and here I thinking they were going to kill his mother of by chapter 15 (Lucky it isn't like other perdicatible novels). Really it is a very well told story with very cool ellements thrown together to create a unique world and character system of gaining power. My favourite scene was a horse ride back to town that sounded ultra hot.
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Timid
Timid rated it
December 7, 2018
Status: c15
I tried reading this despite the low review score. Hell, I like MGA despite it's score, so I thought 'how bad can this one be?'

Answer: It's pretty bad.

Due to one particular moment of abysmal characterization in the first ten chapters, I knew this story wasn't for me. Let's set the scene. The MC has always been unable to cultivate. Suddenly at the age of 8, he finds himself cured. He now has a normal body.

So of course his Grandpa who loves him suddenly thinks "Initially, Qing Shui had a very... more>> weak constitution, unsuitable for practising martial arts. However, if Qing Shui ever managed to recover, he would surely be stronger than average when compared to people of the same martial realm. If he grew up, he would definitely become an exceptional genius, and given how much he loved his mother, he would absolutely seek revenge in the future!"

... wait, wut? Am I missing something here...

Then the Grandpa continues to think "However, now that he had recovered and was able to practise martial arts, it was unknown. In the future, would it be a blessing or tragedy for the Qing Clan..."

Honestly, even the suspension of disbelief isn't enough to get around that logic. It makes no sense, and is just pure bad writing. Dropped. Dropped like a brick. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
anirudgoud
anirudgoud rated it
October 13, 2018
Status: c1812
The reason I'm writing this review is there are a lot of negative reviews and because of them I didn't pick the novel for a very long time until a day that I decided to try it.I don't say that the novel is perfect but it has its own charm its the best harem I have ever read and it DOES NOT have one directional female leads (not till the chapter I read). Yeah, there are some parts which might annoy you but trust me I personally did enjoy reading... more>> it. MC is not perfect like any other MC, he annoys you, makes you feel that he is an idiot at times but gets over that, he is funny at times, responsible (ahem) ;he is not someone you have to hate he has his own ups and downs, perfections and flaws.

Before you start complaining about the nonsense and illogical things in the novel you have to remember that it is setup in a completely different society in a completely different world whose values and morals are too different from ours. So what we find in novel might be normal to them but illogical to us. Yeah there is a bit too much of Arrogant Young masters and it is a bit annoying.

My response to negative reviews

1. Don't give the review without even finishing half of the novel because you don't even know things properly and you don't even know how things might change in the future arcs. Even though the first 200 chapters might look s*upid to you things might change later so don't decide things too early.

2. He parts with Yu he due to both being stubborn but hey they will both reunite later so look forward to it

3. Yeah MC is indecisive at times, entangles in relationships from time to time but the novel is still worth reading. This is a novel which emphasizes more on emotions, relations and family than conquering the world or reaching immortality or reaching the peak of martial arts.

All in all its not bad and you can definitely read it.I'm giving it a 5 because I didn't get bored while reading (except the fights sometimes which take too much space I just skipped them and some useless descriptions at many times)

I gave it 5 because of my experience of reading it. The novel itself might get around 4 stars (due to those fight descriptions and some useless descriptions and exaggerations). Its funny, interesting, emotional, annoying so go ahead and give it a try. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ANI3792
ANI3792 rated it
August 25, 2018
Status: Completed
The things that you get to enjoy from this novel are

  1. First of all, plot story is perfect by which I mean that the story follows the almost perfect matching or combination of all the good Chinese novel. So you don't get any usual plot holes, it only follows the usual route with some modification with in limits.
  2. World development is also easy to understand, power levels are also mentioned perfectly.
Now let me mention the things for harem (which is the integral part of this novel) lovers

  • First of all, no girls are left behind, everyone got their fair share of time with mc
  • Next parts are included in spoiler (but these are the only information, a harem lover would love to read)
Spoiler
  • They basically live in a family, yes with mc's family + his wives (obviously more than one)
  • Harem members, some are strong (basically helps MC in his fight), some are total housewife (they bring up his children)
  • He has also lots of children, lots of chapters also mentioned on children's lives, their power level, basically you'll injoy the conversation of his family.
[collapse]
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
GeassAye
GeassAye rated it
September 24, 2017
Status: c1086
Plot in this story is the same the whole time. MC meets girl, slowly builds up relationship, helps girl with problem, wins girl heart. People try to flirt with mc's girls. MC kills him, then dead persons sect/family comes. MC destroys them. Rinse. Repeat.

The other parts of the story is MC getting bullsh*t power ups, and a lot of the text is repeating the abilities he has.

P.s there's like a new girl every arc, or multiple in 1
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Aruzu
Aruzu rated it
July 25, 2017
Status: c778
The novel was kinda good at first but then it starts to go in a really bad direction,

First Qing Shui is label by the author as a really nice guy, loyal with his friends, a lot of conviction etc... but if you think a little about what he does and all the context about 80% of the problems could been avoided without violence, the guy is supposed to want a peaceful life but he abandons it every chance he has... and about 90% of the time the bad guy... more>> is basically the same guy repeated over and over again, basically some rich man who wants to get the girl... or the powerful father or grandfather of the lecherous guy... anyway the novel is incredibly repetitive... and it's a shame because it started quite good... <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
PotatoKing
PotatoKing rated it
April 8, 2017
Status: c615
Let me start by saying that if you've read a lot of novels and are just looking to read a novel because you're bored, then go ahead and read AST. However, if you have ANY other novel that you find remotely interesting and haven't read, then go ahead and read that first. This novel should only be read when you have very little else to read.

Story: 2/5
The story can't be said to be particularly bad, but the way the author decides to progress the story is often quite nonsensical.... more>> The author just makes the MC pick a random fight, or somehow has the MC find a great treasure map on a random cultivator. Finally, if all else fails, the author will just decide to introduce a new woman who the MC falls for and gives the woman some story about how she was bullied by some large sect. The story and world of AST has a lot of potential, but the author just doesn't write it properly.

Characters: 1/5
The characters in AST are really bad. This is even more true for the main character, Qing Shui. The guy has so many mental problems that it's not even funny. He will lash out at people for no reason, or decide to befriend people who want to kill him. His personality also constantly fluctuates because sometimes he'll be a "player", and other times he'll have no confidence with women at all. In the end, I can only conclude that he has a screw loose. The enemies are one dimensional and almost always pick a fight because their son or grandson decided to look at Qing Shui's women wrongly and he decided to kill them for it. The women have slightly more depth, but somehow even the coldest of them fall for the MC because of no reason. Minor spoiler:
Spoiler

Like the guy mol*sts a girl, then she protects him for some reason, and eventually she falls for him. How does that make sense?

[collapse]

World: 3/5
I don't have much to say about the world AST is situated in because it's not that bad, but the author doesn't realize its potential. Translation: 2/5
The translation is also bad. I will admit that I have little idea if the translation is being done right since I can't read Chinese, but I do know there are many mistakes. A lot of times the realms of the cultivators are written incorrectly and make no sense. For example, in one of the chapters, Martial King was written as Martial Emperor. The editing for anything pre-chapter 580 is really bad and in one of the chapters I read, I'd say it was actually as bad as MTL. The editing has improved significantly after chapter 600 though. Conclusion: 2/5
This novel is definitely THE WORST novel I have ever read to date. I would say I'm actually really easy to please and I'll like virtually any novel as long as it has a somewhat decent MC and plot, but I just can't find myself liking this novel. I'll read it to find the ending, but that's all. I've read novels such as AGM, DMWG, ATG, MGA, CSG, and many others that are reviewed badly by some, but I still find myself intrigued and like these novels. There are some novels that are just not my cup of tea, such as WMW where the MC is an anti-hero, but I still appreciate the writing and plot of those novels. However, AST is just really bad, even for it's own genre. That all being said, the best way to decide if you like is obviously reading it yourself. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hunterxwx
Hunterxwx rated it
April 6, 2017
Status: c500
As most reviewers have already stated, this is one cringe-worthy novel. Only reason I've read so many chapters is due to my stubborn tendency to finish what I've started, but I really can't stand it anymore and have decided to drop this novel. As you progress in the novel, it becomes less and less like a story and more like a transcript to a game where the player (mc) gains random skills with random statistics. For example, the author would spend multiple chapters literally just listing skills being leveled up... more>> and the MC gaining something like 10% increase in def, atk, speed, etc... Not only were there lots of pointless chapters dedicated to listing random acquiring of random skills and their level up, but there were also lots of plot holes if one just take a little time to think about it. The author constantly emphasized how much the MC care about his women, but the MC would constantly disregard them and focus on another beauty that for no reason at all falls in love with him almost first sight. Be prepared to enter a world were women are definitely inferior to despite the many time the author states otherwise. Also, be prepared for lots of deus ex machina. Items, skills, level up, and help would be suddenly given to the MC whenever he needs them for no apparent reason.

Truthfully, there are just too many reasons not to read this novel. Like most, the novel appears to have some potential at the beginning, but as you read on, it seems like the author just wants to write words to fill up space. There are no depths to the characters or the plot. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS NOVEL!!! <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
thekingofgamez
thekingofgamez rated it
February 21, 2017
Status: c514
This story isnt bad but what bothers me the most is the constant reminder of his status boosts by the way of his techniques. His personality is way to passive for me in most aspects. He's reincarnated and I cant remember is his past life was a loner / timid guy but considering how long he has lived in this new life and all the killing he has had to do you would think he wouldnt be as timid as he use to be. I do enjoy that the women... more>> in his life have personality you can remember each and every women in his life. Even at chapter 514 it still feels like it's missing something. Once you read this and always see something like diamond qi +20 percent increase like every chapter along with his other qi's you will understand why each chapter even though it has the word count still feels small. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
giratina143
giratina143 rated it
May 26, 2020
Status: c300
This one is on the translator in my opinion. The novel, good or bad has a flow, MC is written as hot blooded male, looking to bone anything.

the problem is the complete censorship of the novel, after which the whole thing becomes a ret*rded tease fest that probably masochistic men enjoy. I couldn’t get past 300 with this bullshit. I can handle cringe tropes and overused ideas, but taking away parts of the novel and expecting it to make sense? Na.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Darkzeta
Darkzeta rated it
October 30, 2019
Status: afterword
Hi, here's why I rated it a 5 stars.

  1. the MC isn't as simple as portrayed. He isn't perfect, he's pretty flawed. He knows he loves women and some he just can't give up, because he loves them all. Hell he marries them and keeps them around to the end of the series. (minor spoiler there). And so unlike other MC of this genre, he builds relationships with his gals. Instead of just moving on with his cultivation after the snu snu (unlike some who don't even snu snu)
  2. the world is a lot more complex and diverse as we go along. I like it. there's always something interesting ahead.
  3. the training arcs are not too tedious. god I hate some that take forever or too short.
  4. And the MC's Mom? We got an MC who still has parents. To the end as well.
  5. MC has kids. Yes. children. wow. imagine that. A harem that he actually bangs and has kids with. Go figure. totally different for me. And the relationships maintained by his different wives as well. cool that.
  6. The Ending: it actually wasn't too jarring or too dissappointing. nice. better than most endings to a series.
Overall, if you're still reading my review. Give this series a try. You may be surprised like I was. (sorry about the minor spoilers)... to the APEX!!!
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rexatras
rexatras rated it
May 24, 2019
Status: c2492
This novel have some good and bad side

Spoiler aler - example of some plot of the story.
Good:
... more>>
Spoiler

Don't have 1 stricte plot that repeat all the time (yes it have this: go to new place meet new enemy, but approach constantly change and outcome is difference)

MC is not brain dead character, who don't know what other people around him feel

A lot of good romance

[collapse]

Bad:
Spoiler

Author don't remember/don't care what he write earlier (example MC after marriage go to bedroom of his wife, and author stat that he is there for first time, but ~50 chapter earlier MC was there and bedroom look totally different, or item description and what it do can change literally from chapter to chapter)

I think story have good sens till chapter ~550 till that point the power in the world ar describe pretty good, after that weird things start to happen (1 clan ruling continent for over 1000 yer's but after MC become ruler of the clan from nowhere pops a lot hidden aristocrat clan who challenge MC over to rule the continent. When MC defeat those from nowhere popup even stronger Guardian clan, who is a lot stronger then aristocrat clans. And for over 500 chapter not even single character hear of them but when they join the story everyone know of them, and why they don't fight for power for over 1000 years, but month after MC get on top they challenge him?

Constant change of the world/cultivation/item/crafting - I mean rly constant to the point that after chapter 1000 I don't give a f*ck about the world build and how cultivation work cuz author also don't give a f*ck about it cuz it change constantly as it feat the story

MC - can use/learn /do absolutely everything and with everything is the best, and its make no sens cuz its establish in story that MC has mediocre talent but have OP treasure item that alternate time, and thx to that item it can rival other ppl.

Story identity - first 500 chapter are written in some way to make fun of typical Wuxia novel and pin point typical behavior of standard MC of wuxia novel. But after chapter 500 MC become typical wuxia protagonist that author try to make fun of earlier (go to new place ->make enemy with yong lord of the sect ->defeat him ->his father/ancestor comes up -> defeat him ->go to new place)

[collapse]

I say a lot bad things about this novel but over all I still like it. I dont know why but rly like style of writer. Overall if you have a lot of free times I recommended its to you but remember to turn off brain sometimes, and don't try find sens in bigger picture cuz it don't have it :) <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hundred Lilies
Hundred Lilies rated it
December 20, 2018
Status: --
Originally I liked this novel, but as I got further into the story I started to get extremely disappointed.
The MC is a hypocritical mess. He claims himself to be a just man, but goes on killing sprees like a mass mu*derer for even the smallest of insignificant grievances, he beds multiple women who he proclaims his love for, gets them pregnant and leaves to find a new love, a new woman to bed and a new child he barely sees. It's very repetitive and the author created soo many... more>> characters, actually too many, that feels like fillers and written on the go. Even the translator lost track of the characters gender, sometimes one character is described as a woman and a few chapters later the character has changed to a man. It's very confusing. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Akadimz
Akadimz rated it
September 30, 2018
Status: c1700
I like the part that MC relationship with his family is close, and butch of cute children

To put it simply, this is a story about the rising up in ranks, and getting hot chicks along his journey to stand at the summit of this world.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
zaimokuza
zaimokuza rated it
July 26, 2018
Status: c25
Simply ridiculous, everything is so obscure here.

Starting from cultivation concept, if I get it right, the level of cultivation here is based on how many layer or step on take on their cultivation method (which the MC accidentally has two). MC has a higher level cultivation technique, that's why he's stronger than his peers, however I highly doubt there will come a day where there's another characters that are more powerful than their peers (same level I mean), since if that happens the MC will loss his sole strong point.... more>> However that's exactly why the concept is so obscure, because there's no way everyone (except Mc) around the world uses the same level of cultivation technique. However, if I get it wrong, then how the hell his cultivation is still at lvl 3 after five years? If we follow the typical troupe, the level should increase as long as he train his body and meditate, but it still doesn't nonetheless, thus the first obscure theory comes.

Next, there's as if no 'teaching' concept, everyone (even the children) trains by themselves.

Also, the concept of profound art, the MC somehow gets those sh*t from his ancient cultivation (not from his family technique), but how about the other? Do they fight solely with body + cultivation techniques + weapon?

Not to mention the interaction, plot, characters, and so on, everything is so obscure that it's unbearable to read. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
vaserick
vaserick rated it
March 22, 2018
Status: c1450
First and foremost, THIS IS A HAREM. There are going to be a ton of wives (11+ so far) and kids. No surprise they're all jade-white skin and virg*ns (except 1). MC somehow behaves differently to them then any male ever has. So if this is not your type of tea, don't read it. Moving on, the techniques used are good and you can imagine the fights without to much trouble. He is OP. Whenever he is going to fight a major enemy, he thrashes them. There is no suspense... more>> in the fights. He basically has no trouble beating his enemies. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
pauguste16
pauguste16 rated it
March 2, 2018
Status: c500
1.5 stars

i tried I did my very best to slog through it but it feels like its been written by someone who has never read a book before.

Pros:
Solid beginning. The best part about this story is actually the heroines. Thats about it

... more>> Cons:
bipolar MC. I have no understanding of his motivations. In the beginning he was rather shameless in a funny way but then he was like, "i would never be attracted to this girl becomes shes too sexy, and too many people will fight for her".

he also is unrealistically cruel to the point where its detrimental to him, like someone would give a minor insult to one of his girls or family and 10 chapters later he is like fighting that persons entire clan.

The enemies are also unrealistically dumb, they'll be like he's only this young with no background so its okay to offend him, but literally a few chapters ago news spread of him wiping out a powerful clan

cultivation, literally makes no sense and seems to be written on the fly. First MC has his own cultivation system, but there is also the standard system that has standard levels, okay cool thats fine. But then it goes off the rails with strength based on countries, then it adds like 9 forms of martial arts each with their own levels. In addition to alchemy level, where the author names like 12 ingredients required for a pill that you're supposed to remember., his time dilation dimension takes you out of the story. Then they add black smithing levels, beast taming, and a whole bunch of nonsense.

80% of most chapters is him progressing in what was mentioned above, 10% is his interaction with side characters/ heroines and the other 10% nonsensical bland fights

pacing and writing is just god awful. By writing I dont mean translation I mean just bad story telling. He is weaker for like 10 chapters against a certain opponent then he makes a break through and tr*shes him.

the sad thing is this isnt like MGA or something similar where you can turn your brain off and kill time and find it somewhat enjoyable. There is so much useless information where you dont know what to skim and what not to so a few chapters down the line you have no idea what happened. My best description would be if a transformers movie started to explain to you how the actually technology works step by step <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
iWulf
iWulf rated it
November 16, 2017
Status: c840
Do not read... I have continue because I always try and finish what I start, but I am just about to make an expection for this novel.

Unless your into Xianxia Hentai! A good idea but too much women. To the extent that the author doesn’t know what to do with them. So he has the MC keep the all at home. All 3 dimension males are evil doers and the MC kills them within a few chapters. All he males that hang around the MC are lackys and 2D.

Plot is... more>> overrated Repetitive and recycled. Basically he has women which horse problem is solved because he’s got too many bloody women the problems never stop.

It becomes pretty clear that this novel is a dung pile when the author themselves say all the women are similar. Apparently if anyone other than him screws around with the women they are unworthy. Yet he keeps on going on and on about how his got enough women now yet because women keep throwing themselves at him his got to take responbility and imp**gnate them all.

Summary the MC can not keep it in his pants. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
jootsie
jootsie rated it
August 3, 2017
Status: c162
Randomly downloaded the EPUB one night to read on the road (I have no internet) since I've just finish a good xianxia (I Shall Seal The Heavens).

Chapters 1-20?

-Actually interesting and the MC shows promise between the mother and tr*sh thing

... more>> Chapters 20-60ish?

-Okay, I don't know what the author know about pacing but suddenly he decided to just pour all information regarding world building and its really hard to power through.

Chapter 70? Onward (The part where he went to the first city)

-This is where it starts on another way and the MC suddenly turns into greasy guy that gives cringeworthy narratives to the females he sees. This also marks the start of the harem scene

-All that cultivation terms that you just got into your head after a couple dozens of chapters? F*ck that and throw that and just remember "Xiantian" since the MC doesn't really follow that anymore and just becomes OP as f*ck and gains everything he needs out of nowhere.

-Also there are chapters where 80% of what happens is the MC just being a 14 year old horndog giving cringeworthy sayings to the females he "annoys" into liking him.

TL;DR

Want a "cultivation" and harem story with R18 parts? Read this.

Want a worthwhile story where the MC is not s*upidass hornball? Don't read this.

Edit: Currently re-reading again since I'm waiting for updates on other novels I read. Chapter 276 and goddamn is the dialogue much much worse. It actually have an interesting plot (forging and the main story of revenge for his mother and sister) but still all of this is in the backseat because the author gives like 20-30% of main plot and 70-80% of shitty dialogue between the women he is with in every f*cking chapter that I've read. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
chaosmagez
chaosmagez rated it
August 23, 2016
Status: --
Starts off pretty boring and lackluster, but it gets better as it progresses.

It takes about 50 chapters for it to start getting better. So, I can definitely see why people would drop this story since that's quite a bit of reading before it becomes decent.

Recommend the story, but don't feel too bad if you can't stand it anymore. It's a pretty boring beginning.
4 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.