Ancient or Cultivation BL reads that will make you feel you didn't waste your time. This list is apart of a series classified by genre; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, Fluff, and Modern/Transmigration novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list. Honest note--not a big fan of ancient settings. I've judged quality by reviews and seeming plot. ... more>>

So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?

-No/little plot holes & well developed plot

Capable MC and ML  (not aggravatingly s*upid and knows when to respect each other but also put their foot down at the right moments). 

 -Lasting impression. I made this list by memory so if it's not on here...Chances are it's not worth remembering for the list.

-Makes me think--especially applies to this genre since I usually read this genre for the court schemes and palace intrigues. 

-Make me cry, laugh, yell or gasp. Perhaps all at the same  time. 

*****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars. Hence, "***, **, *."

PS. Novels I've read are the only ones rated according to number. The rest (unread) are just listed randomly.

 PSS. There are always exceptions on this list that don't fit the requirements. But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone.  <<less

2023 updated list bio:
variety of genres, including but not limited to: historical, sci-fi, unlimited flow(thriller/horror), xianxia/wuxia/xuanhuan, (e)sports, mystery, psychological, supernatural, slice of life, school life, comedy, transmigration. PLOT HEAVY>>>... more>>

enjoy relatively balanced power dynamics between the two leads - especially in the more enemies to lovers novel e.g. ML insanely obsessive paired with a MC who knows his worth and will beat the sh*t out of ML if he tries anything weird

⚠️ NO MPREG, NO “UWU” MC, NO SEME PROTAGONIST, NO SHITTY TRANSLATION, NO BELOW 4.2 STARS

recs are welcomed!

notw: most reviews r very old and cringe… sorry <<less

This is the continuation for the lists of Gems I have read so far, that will shake up your mind and emotions. I hope you... more>> will enjoy it, as well as I did.  Thank you and good luck. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ <<less

No description.

[For untranslated CN novel suggestions, please refer to the Comment Section of this list]... more>>

Romance novels that will make you reconsider the pre-established order of things, that shine by their realism, that demand that you acknowledge cannon fodders, that hinder you in condemning villains. <<less

A few ancient Chinese novels whose heroines I am quite fond of. Mostly calm, smart, and reasonable women who are not overpowered. Most of these webnovels... more>> also have minimal angst. I also have untranslated suggestions in the comments. <<less

Lots of scheming and imperial drama with exceptionally 'wise' emperors, more often than not. ... more>>

[Read the tags.] <<less

Good day ladies and gents, these are CN historical novels that I never regret reading in no particular order.

This list contains the novels that i whole-heartedly enjoyed, which isn´t easy to find since I´m a very picky reader. I love novels that wrecks... more>> my emotions. Not a fan of dumb, weak, naive MC´s and prefer novels with  3-dimensional characters. I abhor paper-thin cannon fodders and shallow romance with uneven relationships.  Hope you like my list! <<less

A ranking list of the best to good novels set in ancient china.... more>>

Note: Only novels without xianxia/xuanhuan tag are considered for this list. The xianxia novels are being added to another list still being made.(Di Wang Gong Lue and Peerless also belong on this list, but I am still in the middle of them). <<less

ONLY based on my own preferences~~~~~

Novels with a historical setting that kept me intrigued till the very end. Romance, Political intrigue, mu*der mysteries, harem fights and revenge galore.... more>>

( please note : you must dumb down a lot of your morals for these. Even though none of these will be too disturbing, each one them definitely does touch the morally grey area few times.

includes BL and BG ( and one GL)

( will be BG unless stated otherwise !

Most of them are complete , others are relatively easy to MTL. 

Arranged in no particular order ! <<less

The following novels are ones that I've read (several times) and thought were excellent.... more>>

NOTE: I'll keep adding to the lists till I remember which ones I've already read and for the future reads that I find very good. <<less

MXTX (#1-3), Meatbun(#4-5), and Priest (#6-24) novels!! If you haven't heard of them in the BL community, then welcome you must be new here ! These 3 authors have had at least one of their novels adapted into a drama or donghua recently (or at least it's in the works *cough* HYX *cough*) you can pretty much consider them classics on danmei twt sooo here's the big 3 in BL collection!!! also,,, BUY THE OFFICIAL MXTX ENGLISH BOOKS PREORDERS OUT NOW !!! ... more>>

I'll be ranking them within their sections except for the top 3 once ive finished all of the list ((also also, Priest has BG novels as well, but i didn't include them bc this is a BL list)) 

Some notes on author styles before reading:
MXTX: very complex world building, flashbacks galore, some explicit scenes so pls pls either skip or be 18+, YEARNING

Meatbun: you literally have to be 18+, READ THE WARNINGS if you can't stand them just wait for the HYX drama to come out with a heavily censored version, knives knives knives, tissues are a must, pls i beg of you read the warnings

Priest: has lots of the politics side, not too much romance overall (but more than ppl say), very plot heavy, knives but TYPICALLY happy ending especially in the extras!! <<less

↷ ·˚ ༘ s e t t i n g : historical / ancient times .°୭ ˎˊ˗↷... more>>

male empress, concubine, wife, wangfei, consort <<less

No description.

<<selection of good BG c-novels i have read/planning to read>> ... more>>

Note: This list is entirely based on my preference. Always read the tags and be mindful of the triggers before you proceed.  <<less

No description.

Just to keep track of what I’ve already read

This is not in order...

Bah, is the title something long? Does it sound like cheap advertising? Don't be fooled, this is not a trap!  You will find on this... more>> list several Male Gods preaching their goodwill and their righteousness in their breadth of interpretations of different characters! Ditch that cheap male ...!Ah ..... does this include .... reincarnation? Transmigration? Time and space travel? Cultivation? Magic? Fantasy? Politics? Different times? Supernatural? Culture? Food? 'Breeding'? System? Romance? 'entertainment'? ¿Entrepreneurial business?  Counter attack? OCC?Yup, and not only that. The 'performer' starts with a blank character or rebuilds either villain, minor character, extra cannon character and even a f*cking male character to confront and combat fate and be ...A good ... father ... husband ... brother ... grandson .... filial son ... friend ... and maybe more ...?! in short a Male God loved by the Heavens!Although there is someone who appears to be a bad man but is a bread of God!Warning: The list is in 'process'. It should be remembered that some are abandoned or slow... Although please respect the rhythm of translations and be grateful to the respective translator. Also not all of us have the same tastes when it comes to good reading, don't blame the translator or the same author! But I assure you that it will be a good read even for lovers of anguish and drama (or who like the world on fire)! <<less

- Korean edition... more>>

- For those who fan of pure angsty,tragedy,sad romance and full of misunderstanding troupe <<less

List of good books with independent, badass females or female in male body. A protagonist that needs no man but can have one if they... more>> want to lol. Dm me if you know any books I can add to the list (so I can read those too hehe) <<less

List of danmeis that threw me off orbit, rated and given commentaries by a picky reader. ... more>>

Rating components: 50% romance / chemistry / dynamic, 20% technical writing, 20% MC and ML characterizations, 10% plot. Reviews may contain spoilers (rest assured, I will put a warning).  

Edit: Added a song recommendation to some novels for funsies xD <<less

List of newer additions to NU, so that I can MTL them later. Also included are machine translated novels on other sites. The quality is unknown, so reader discretion advised. These are mostly CN romcoms set in ancient China. 
If you know of any new titles, please let me know.... more>>

(* = MTL edition available)
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COMPLETED NOVELS AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE:

After The Divorce, I Became the Favorite of the Powerful Ministers. https://www.mtlnovel.com/after-the-divorce-i-became-the-favorite-of-the-powerful-ministers/.

Sturdy Countryside: Lord, Please Blow The Lamp. https://www.mtlnovel.com/sturdy-countryside-lord-please-blow-the-lamp/.

Daily Life of the Reborn Daughter. https://www.mtlnovel.com/daily-life-of-the-reborn-daughter/.

The Little Crying Bag of the Prime Minister’s House. https://www.mtlnovel.com/the-little-crying-bag-of-the-prime-ministers-house/

Your Majesty’s Heart-to-heart Pet. https://www.mtlnovel.com/your-majestys-heart-to-heart-pet/

King’s House Kindergarten. https://www.mtlnovel.com/kings-house-kindergarten/

After Being Forced to Marry a Tyrant of the Enemy Nation. (Loved it. Dark RomCom) https://www.mtlnovel.com/after-being-forced-to-marry-a-tyrant-of-the-enemy-nation/. <<less