This novel is just a gem.

Please consider reading this!

This novel will give you a whole new perspective on the cultivation world. This was worthwhile reading, and you wouldn't doing so. So please give this a read!

Rating: 4.3/5

A plot-driven xianxia novel with slow-burn romance

You should read this novel if you enjoy the following.
Hilarious romance harem/stallion parody
The novel started out as a parody as MC is assigned the task of fixing plot holes of the original novel, in which he is a love interest. It did a great job deconstructing tropes such as Mary Sue and harem setup. In doing so, the book brought up the discussion of love vs obsession/idolization/infatuation.

Since our MC is clueless about romance, hilarity ensues when he attempts to understand love, and "cure" OG! FL of her infatuation. His approach to matchmaking is definitely the most unique out there LOL.

Refreshing, plot-driven story with complex world-building
The novel told a mystery/adventure story spanning different realms. It has heavy Buddhism elements - karma (cause and effect), and reincarnation cycles. A large part of the story focuses on cultivation as characters advance, struggle and reflect on their paths (Dao).

Since the majority of the cast are demonic cultivators, who enjoy bickering, scheming, and competing against each other, it's refreshing. It's hilarious to watch them form alliances while backstabbing each other to overthrow the Demon Lord, only to get crushed, and forced back to submission + scheming again. Not to mention their eagerness to develop or use their demonic arts, it's almost cute.

Unique and well-rounded seme protagonist
The MC is a cold-hearted and rational Demon Lord, who cultivates the Path of Slaughter. His approach to problems is to face them head-on, and employ no-nonsense, result-oriented methods befitting a demonic cultivator ie. Violence and torture.

Despite his path and Demon Lord status, our lead is a compassionate individual. His actions are driven by the desire to protect the common people. It may be best to summarize his philosophy by this quote, "the Dao was dispassionate yet held compassion." The MC philosophical outlook is definitely what makes him fascinating and unique among danmei + xianxia leads.

Unconditional love
While the romance is subtle and slow-burn, it's very heart-warming. Both characters are the type to show affection and dedication through their actions. I wish there are more fluffy moments between them though.

Colorful and well-developed supporting characters
Maybe since both leads are neither cute, I'm very much in love with the side characters, particularly the OG! FL and her (forced) found-family. Their companionship is heart-warming despite differences in moral compasses AND intelligence (lol).

In particular, I adore Zhongli Qian as the brainiac, morally-just character who is forced into babysitting, and running errands by/for our MC (lol). The novel also has excellent female characters, who are ambitious, independent, ruthless yet hella loveable. Promise they will grow on you!

Conclusion
If you enjoy a plot-heavy story with a sprinkle of romance, well-rounded characters, and comedic undertone, definitely check this novel out!

P/S: Recommend reading mourningcrow version.

Ok. I didn't go into this thinking I would like it so much. It dragged a bit around chapter 40 or so for me, and I was worried, but it picked right back up!

This author is just.... Really good at tying seemingly mismatched loose ends together, and then you realize that huh.... The loose ends DID match! This is somehow lighthearted despite the huge amount of mu*der lol. It doesn't fall into the pit that a lot of cultivation novels do where they start to get too stuffy.

The character development was really amazing and the story tells a unique way of the cultivation world with most the the things being logical and reasonable unlike the clinche novels. The romance is mostly in last few chapters but is really good. A good read and highly recommended one. The novel will leave was amazed by its story execution and rational factors.

I started reading this without really knowing what to expect and, boy, I was not disappointed!

The "change some things to avoid a bad fate" trope was handled in a totally different way than I anticipated and I was so interested that I completed it in no time! The plot's good, it's not heavy and there are a lot of great comedic scenes. At some point I noticed that the romance part quite took its time, but looking at the story as a whole, it fit just right into the picture.

I... more>> wasn't sure what to think about Wenren E because there was something to him and I couldn't put my finger on it but later he turned out to be quite an interesting fellow.

Yin Hanjiang, this poor boi, made a 180 degrees turn. Docile weapon without his own will, mad demonic maniac, calm puppy in love - it was so amazing to see the changes he underwent. I personally think the thing with the mask and his emotions were a great way to depict his oppression of his feelings.

I also loved those last chapters when

Spoiler

Wenren E showed Yin Hanjiang his past in order to tell him that he's also just a human being and not some invincible deity, and that way resolving YHJ's 'I'm not worthy of my Venerable' problem

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I have to mention the side characters too. Without them the story wouldn't be the same. This is one of those rare novels where there are enough side characters who have an actual personality. At least those who are more important.

Some things that I hoped for didn't happen (Baili Qingmiao x Que Congxue) and I really wouldn't have complained if there were a bit more romance between the main two, but I'm generally happy with this novel! <<less

Preface: A lot of good points have been discussed by other reviewers but I also want to add:

1. The story DEFINITELY sticks with the title. This isn't some grand adventure/romance type where you can expect complex events and nitty gritty details. At the end of the story, all it boils down to is that the "Devils Venerable Also Wants to Know" he succeeds in this and achieves a little bit more on the side.
2. Technically, if you think about it, the story isn't about Wenren E and Yin Hanjiang. They're just side characters in the original novel. The meat of the "plot" really does happen between Baili Qingmiao and He Wenzhao, but this novel shows how even side characters can play a big role in things.
3. The way this was written was coherent with the "theme". Again, this is not some grand adventure/romance between the MC (Wenren E) and ML (Yin Hanjiang). This is Wenren E's perspective on things and his character makes his interpretation of events really funny in cases because his emotional depth (or lack thereof; the only one he really has emotions for/s shows emotions to is Yin Hanjiang).

It's so good. I'd say one of my favorites.

It's not that angsty but it can make you cry. The humor is superb, the relationships are well-developed and the characters are delightful.

It's just... more>> a really good read.

Highly recommended. <<less

Solid 5/5. The rating this novel has deserves it truly. Plot? Dang if u want it here, it's here all right. One of the best novels with solid world settings. Author-san got the job well done. I even got goosebumps after reading extras mennn, the first one especially. Albeit it's one of the last chapters which makes a lasting impression, I gotta say that the closure author gave for the uhmm (original setting (??)) had me shiver huhu which was why it drove me to post a review cuz it... more>> really has a good plot and world setting.

The Mc? Dang look at other reviews for that cuz I know they have better descriptions than what I would tell. All I gotta say is that you'll definitely love him

romance? Dang bruh it's good as well. Love how the main leads are connected and dependent of each other (not gonna explain how, read if u wanna know hehe). Side characters are also well-defined.

and I gotta say, there is an occasional thrust of knives coming huhu. All I remember was me crying 😭.

Spoiler

dang when ML fell into madness, I cried and succeeding chapters after that successfully made me cry more 😭😭😭 I dunno if it's still called love cuz what he had for MC was way beyond that and vice versa! Goddang the only thing I'm unsatisfied with is the fluff & snusnu. I need more details of their romance cuz I gotta take back the tears this novel made💆‍♀️

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4.75/5

This is a great novel. The reason why I’m not giving 5 is because I was hoping for more romance.

One interesting thing about this one is the side characters of the xuanyuan sect. Their fights are so refreshing! I usually don’t care much about the side characters but this time it was an absolute treat. Thank you authors and translators!

Waaahh what a satisfying read. Very intriguing and worth the time.

If you are having doubts as to whether to read this story or not because it has little romance. You are absolutely wrong. This story can be included in the books having pure, unconditional and wholly devoted love between MC and ML. Also, it is not like those novels where the story could be even better without the romance, because from the start what the MC and ML feels is a major drive in the story whether in the first... more>> book or here. The star symbolism is a good touch from the author, I really liked it.

Plus, the humor in here is good, its not awkward or you're forced to laugh with the characters, but the writing and their situation are unnecessarily hilarious. After I finished the story I feel satisfied with it all, there's no rushed final chapter, no loose ends, and when explaining the existence of the books I had goosebumps. Okay, I don't want to influence the first time reader's thoughts or anything. Just read it, you won't regret it. It is worthy of the high rating. <<less

Brilliant!!! The story is so exciting and entertaining.

I loved the characters, the plot, the world building and the pacing. The characters were all quite well-developed and had personality. At first I wanted to smack Baili Qingmiao, I mean what's wrong with you girl?!?!?

... more>>

Spoiler

Hè Wenzhao is an a**hole, although he considered himself "righteous" in some aspect, but come on now, you belong to the righteous sect, no? Oh well, usually it's the righteous sects that are more evil than those in the Demonic sect. Good thing she finally realised and was able to conquer her infatuation! Ugh!

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And for my dear Wenren È and Yin Hanjiang, I love these two, although I wanted papapa scenes (author is a little stingy. Ha!), I am still satisfied with how their relationship unfolds, anyway this is shounen ai therefore not expecting something wild.

I also love the side characters Shu Yanyan, Zhongli Qian, Su Huai and Master Shi. I also love the back story of Wenren È and little Yin Hanjiang, it's so cute and at the same time very beautiful.

That said, it is highly recommended! <<less

I don't understand people who gave less than 4 stars...

This is a masterpiece. I just wanna scream how much I love it!

Author is great!

... more>> And tl was really good too!

Thank God I read this book... Whoever doesn't is really missing on a great book.

Damn I don't wanna say anything cause there's a lot to say... Just great really great!

Why its only 4.8? It should be full on 5.

After reading the author's name I was like... Oh thats why. I have read author's other books if you notice most are High rated.

Yeah author is great! <<less

I don't feel like doing a super long analysis of the novel, so I'll just say that it was great. I really liked this story. I found the characters to all be pretty unique with each their own interesting personnalities and there really wasn't a single moment where the plot was stalling. It is mainly focused on the plot and puts the romance kind of in the back but it doesn't mean it gets neglected. I actually liked this kinf of more subtle romance where you can see it clowly... more>> develop with the flow of events. That sentence was wierd but I don't feel like fixing it so too bad for you. :) Anyways, this is a good novel. Read it. <<less

Just... wow! I absolutely love it!!! Please read this because you won’t regret it. I was laughing my ass off almost the entire time. It’s not sad, yet it’s not silly either. The author balanced it perfectly and the translator did an amazing job (I don’t remember which translation I read only that it had a clock and the website was white?)

Brilliant.... I loved the storyline... it was a bit different from what I usually get to read.... the characters are well thought out and the plot line is pretty good... I kind of get the feeling of watching "Inception"; a dream within a dream concept... it is something like that in the plot... Although the romance between the MC and the ML takes a long time to take shape and even after that there is not much focus on their relationship progress, this book is worth a read.... I thank... more>> the author and the translator for bringing us this piece of gem...🙏🙌💎 <<less

It's fulfilling. Usually I do not really enjoy seme protagonist. But this one really got me good. It's refreshing. The plot pacing is great. The characters are all alive. They all have their well deseved endings. MC&ML development is the best of all. I really enjoyed it. No wonder many ppl rate this 5 stars. It is indeed deserved to do so.

(Sorry if my English gets awkward at some parts).

I love the characters, they're so well built-up and are in constant change, reflecting about their past behaviour, questioning why they acted that way or another. Each character is so characteristic, since the author constructed them as it's supposed to be done, so you are able to distinguish them from their dialogue or their little gesture with no need of their name, and that's so satisfying and sad, cause all stories should have well-built characters.

About the plot and the world: more... more>> of the same. The plot is quite original, as it mixes transmigration and reincarnation elements, but resulting in something different and refreshing. I's not the best of the best, but I really enjoyed reading and at no time I got bored: author knew how to devide narration, description and action parts so you don't feel there's too much of any of them.

In conclusion, I really recommend this novel. I was having a hard time finding a story I could be dragged into, when I went across with this one (well, not that I found it all of a sudden, but I had saved it long time ago and this time I decided to read it). I'm in debt with the author, I couldn't stop reading. I was wondering what was going to happen next at all time and had to grab my phone to keep with the story.

Hope you also give it a chance and enjoy it as much as I did! <<less

Keep in mind that this is plot driven --- most focused on xianxia with a subtle BL, so don't expect a lot of snu snu.

The world building, character development, and the execution on how the story flows was execptional! You'll understand that not all evil are truly evil, and good are truly good.

MC and ML are both fleshed out really well. They are strong but have weakness. They are strongwilled but imperfect. Other characters are well written too. I specially adore MC. Him being a 'devil venerable' doesn't hinder his... more>> principle. Although ML does irked me quite a bit but I'm not exactly sure of the reason. It's also great that MC and ML compliments each other.

In conlusion, this is a pleasent read, albeit not my favorite.

Also a kudos to the team behind the translation! Xoxo <<less

A joy to read!!! Both MC and ML are power packed and even our other character leads are too entertaining when they’re thrown into the mix.

Love the comedic undertones and I do think everyone would love this! No sense of yellow scenes so it’s really a good dip into this danmei world

my first non-straight novel, what else can I say except this is a total gold, platinum, or whatever that describe the word masterpiece the most.

Plot 10/10 Self-concious "side" character that is changing the plot little by little, very intriguing

Characters 10/10 My favorite is actually not the MC or ML, but Shu Yanyan, almost all the characters are not what they looked like, and always have hidden persona, definitely not 1st/2nd dimensional characters

... more>> Romance -/10 Non-straight is really not my cup of tea, so I have no comment here.

Read/Not ? Why bother reading others review, READ IT NOW COMRADE. <<less

Amazing work.

It takes devil and make it not necessarily evil but just one side of the same coin. Right is not without evil, there is no new beginnings without destruction. Love this aspect of the story. So behold amazing villain story!

Another great part is that it takes stallion novels, Mary Sues characters and points out all the illogical things that are there. Wifes and harem, ML getting all the goodies in the world, Mary Sue too good to all others except herself. Our ML takes these inconsistencies and set out... more>> to find out whys. As per the title of the story. And the best of all - he will find the answers to his questions! Brilliant? Brilliant!

And don't let me start about how clever and intelligent the plot is. Smarts, smarts everywhere with crazy plot twists and funny commentary as added bonus!

Minor spoiler about MLs.

Spoiler

The romance is slow burning in this story. MLs are taking their sweet time to comprehend it and when the moment of truth comes, we can see relationship that is true and without toxic aspects that can be found in other stories aka using force or unhealthy obsession mixed with restricting the other person. Yes, there are unhealthy aspects because one ML is a little bit extreme. But they are healing and that's the only really important thing.

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All in all, one of the best stories I read in a while. :))) <<less