It's unexpectedly good. I enjoy the mixture of urban cultivation, mild horror (demon pools), and underdog protagonist. There's also signs of sect development although I don't know if it will continue or if it's just an arc.

World building is good. The world is made up of different shades of gray and there are hints of conspiracies behind the scenes. It's also an alternate world so you don't have to worry about the protagonist/author vilifying foreigners or destroying Japan or anything like that... which is nice. [Edit: Okay, there is some... more>> vilifying of fictional foreigners later. ¯_ (ツ) _/¯]

Our protagonist is intelligent, chivalrous, and bold. She doesn't tolerate nonsense and isn't afraid to punch first and deal with the consequences later. Some will call her fearless and others will call her reckless. [Edit: She becomes more and more ruthless and domineering as the story progresses.] My biggest criticism would probably be that the protagonist's talent is off the charts and progress comes too fast and too easily because of it. Cultivation should be a journey, not a sprint.

As for the romantic interest, I'm not 100%, but I think it might be the protagonist's cousin... ? I don't know. They aren't related by blood, and the protagonist isn't currently taking it too seriously, but the cousin (niece?) has definitely made her own stance clear. Personality wise she's actually not bad—smart, stubborn, straight forward, and a very high EQ.

4.5/5

P.S. I really don't know if foot fetishism is secretly more prevalent than I realize or if the foot fetish community is overrepresented in Chinese web novels.

———————

Edit: Okay, I've reached volume three and I've realized the overarching narrative so I'll summarize it in a sentence: This is a novel about a domineering, ultra-talented swordswoman, creating/spreading a genuine path to immortality in a modern martial arts world. <<less