Probably the best Xianxia ever. Both leads are so nontoxic and grow together and even though the ML is technically older because he was imprisoned in body and soul he’s clearly still a teen so there is zero creep factor. This should honestly have a drama with a huge budget with our favs playing the roles.

P.S. I real this via MTL and it was that good.

First off: THE SUMMARY DOES NOT SPOIL THE STORY. It only covers the backstory/setting for the first few chapters and only mentions things that were revealed in c1-5, it gets a lot more indepth and complicated as you get further in. This is the author's habit which they also did in their other stories (ie first explain the setting and reason for the story in the summary, then expand and explain the setting in the early chapters, then the actual story can be heavier).

The first third of the story is the daily life/intro to the world arc which spans from island living to entering the sect outside, and introduces many of the plot points. The summary is just the early chapters of this section. The midway point is essentially a collection of different side CPs with bad or bittersweet endings with plot thrown in, and is also the "CP growth/get together and character growth" plot, but the stories of the side CPs also explain important plot points. This is also when the novel starts to veer away from the transmigrator vs native angle and delves deeper into the story. The last third is when everything wraps up and questions are answered, but there are also some unexpected plot twists.

It's really difficult to MTL, but it's pretty good so far. I had a good laugh by myself when I thought about how this author's thing for older MLs has finally reached the peak with a 10, 000+ age gap between ML and FL.

Mu Yungui (the FL) is a sweetheart who really fits the "white moonlight" role she had in the original novel. She's a kuudere who seems like a cold, unapproachable white lotus to others, but is actually fierce but has a kind, selfless heart. Although she's a dedicated cultivator, her story is more about learning more about herself. She doesn't have a lot of character growth, but her character arc is more about accepting her past and reconciling her doubts with the novel.

Jiang Shaocai (MTL says it should be Shaoci) (the ML) seems like he'd be the usual "villain ML who was betrayed and locked up years ago but has been released and wants revenge", but he has a lot more personality than I expected. He's a brat whose primary concern sometimes seems to just be food and sweets, he's childish and loves to talk sh*t about others in front of MYG to make himself look better, he's arrogant and tends to have an inflated ego. He's genuinely a genius, but he still has to put in work like regular people and a lot of his great skills are also because he works harder than other people. His story is all about growth- cultivating back to his old strength, becoming (slightly) more mature, moving on from the past, and learning how to love MYG properly and avoid the unhappy endings of the other CPs they've met.

The story itself is pretty interesting (as I expected from this author, but I'm a simp so ignore me). The world of the small island is interesting alone and makes me curious to learn more. The flow is I think pretty good, barring some moments that felt slightly slow, the story moved from plot to plot with enough time to digest but not enough to get tired of it. And my favorite part about this author's better works, there's a good balance between moments between the CP and actual plot. The plot is even more complicated by the fact that there are multiple transmigrated people and characters who can see the future (like FL).

I initially was just looking for another Ancient China webnovel by this author, but I actually don't mind reading this instead since it's still pretty good. I'll probably have to take a lot of breaks just because MTLing is so hard, but I definitely still recommend this.

Remyrem has already given the review I wish I could give, so I'll just add a couple more observations here.

I'm a huge fan of how the author has handled the usual cliché trope of 'OP ML betrayed by all his friends, rises from the dead, seeks revenge'. ML is genuinely a brat lol! The author somehow manages to pull it off in a manner that doesn't make him dislikable, but you can absolutely see how his childish behaviour in some situations leads to whatever his predicament is in the first... more>> place. He must have been insufferable in xianxia middle school.

For instance, ML has vowed vengeance against his ex-fiancée who (as usual) threw him over for his best friend. However, you later find out that he was a real ass to her during their engagement, and often stood her up or tossed her to his best friend when he couldn't be bothered, once even publicly humiliating her. It both makes sense (given that she was also a young, arrogant genius) that she would despise him, and is perfectly in line with ML's character too that he barely remembers doing any of this and instead feels betrayed that she turned on him.

Another example - it is both hilarious and incredibly relatable how embarrassed he is about people teaching and passing around his middle school swordsmanship essays (complete with chuuni epilogue ROFL).

Anyway, this is not my favourite of this author's books, but it's not bad at all. I enjoyed it. <<less

I loved it and would reread. Be prepared to cry though. The MC and ML have a happy ending but every other couple around them.. Tragic.

Their relationship is very sweet and a slow build. I like that the ML and MC try to learn from the mistakes made by other couples, even if they end up falling into the same mistakes themselves, the MC especially knows to communicate.

I liked that the MC wasn't completely dependent on the ML and had her own strengths.

I really want to like this one, but it's just not there yet.

The first problem is the synopsis spoils too much. It takes the readerat least 8 chapters in to the novel.

The second big problem is that the author isn't able to generate tension or empathy. While a portion of that is from the synopsis, the rest is from poor decisions about how to write the scenes. There's just no sense of being involved with the character.

Bottom line hope it gets better

This novel was so good it makes me willing to sacrifice my grammar and clenching my teeth through the MTL. It was that good

The plot is excellent even though I felt the climax wasn't that thrilling but maybe that's because I MTLed.

My favorite thing from this novel is the dynamic of our two main leads TvT the ML literally went from "I will kill her" to "I will kill her later" and "Nvm might as well spare her life" then "Anybody touch her hair and I will go berserk"

The cutest... more>> part is when the ML started to feel jealous unconsciously, like when Mu Yungui started talking about other men, Jiang Shaocai immediately felt annoyed and then perplexed by that feeling😭😭😭 if that didn't make you fell for this ML then I don't know what will <<less

This time, it's a different genre from what I usually read of the author's work. But still, it's amazing. It's ingenious.

The plot is exciting, and most importantly, it doesn't drag on, which makes it simple and enjoyable. There are so many mysteries to be solved and the flow is just right. You thought you can deduct what happened before, or predict what happened next... but the story has more webs and connections than you can imagine 🕸✨

The romance also has no cliche drama that can make you roll your eyes.... more>> They are some drama, but they don't suffocate you to death. Both ML and FL complementary each other, and just proves that together they triumph the evil.

Also, you kind of get the tear-jerking romance drama from the side characters. I shed many tears for them 🥺

And the bonus chapters! A must read because they tell you the end and the beginning of this story 🌦

Anyway, I think, the way the story was written and delivered definitely captured my interest. So yes, a recommended reading to all 🌈 <<less

Don't let the other reviews deter you. I am halfway through the book, and would like to make some slight comments.

1) The novel gets better and will start speeding up, the beginning is a bit slow.

2) The synopsis isn't too much of a spoiler, as it reflects the first two chapters. There will be a more in-depth explanation in later chapters and other mysteries unveiled along the way.

3) There will not be intense tension or empathy in the first two chapters... This book is more of a casual intense read,... more>> not too much tension but at times your heart might clench or worry about a character at a certain time. As for empathy, there is a well-written sub-story in the middle of the novel (it deals with issues of depression and su*cide, let that be a warning). The struggles of the MC is relatable and you can feel for the pain she has with her family. I also felt hard for the ML, you really just have to feel bad about what happened to him.

4) This xianxia is not an easy read through MTL. It will seem like a jumble of information because of inconsistencies, but I assure you it is not so bad after the first few chapters. If you're able to, I do recommend reading the raws.

Okay!! With all that being said, right now I only have positive things to say about this novel. The author has always written semi-casual novels and I think this is one of the best xianxia in that aspect. I would also like to comment on how lovely the relationship between the MC and ML is. Although there is certainly an undercurrent of romance, the friendship and camaraderie is admirable. I recommend this novel 100%!

Edit: After finishing the rest of the novel... a few things to say.

MC's power growth is redundant during the later stages of the book. Although a protagonist does not need to be OP to be strong, I just felt like all this pushing for strength ended up being unused and unnecessary in the end.

To add onto that, the book is more focused on the ML's power growth, for obvious reasons. There's no issue with this, besides the fact that it isn't as detailed as the MC's growth. I feel like if the ML is the focus for power, he should have more detailed descriptions for his cultivation.

My true gripe on this novel is the ending. Extremely abrupt and just... not satisfying at all. I guess it's safe to say that it's not about the destination but the journey for this book. I'm terms of enjoyment, I went down from a 5 to a 4.5, but I'll just leave it at 5 stars. <<less

A very boring read

The author seems to not understand how to create tension very well and the characters are flat. The female lead is like an unboiled stick of spaghetti whereas the male lead, whilst the novel does try to give him a “rebellious” personality he doesn’t really do anything to warrant that and is extremely muted. Let’s not even mention the side villains- they’re so two dimensional it hurts...

The one thing this novel does have that’s interesting is a somewhat novel setting. However, this setting is rarely explored... more>> in favor of some weak face slapping moments. It feels like the author had some good ideas for a cultivation story but flopped and made a cultivation textbook. <<less

I don't really read this kind of genre but the way the author manipulate and twist the plot without adding any out of the context subject is amazing. What makes me stay was the way the author wrote the story by adding another mystery after answering one yet not unfolding all the answers.

Spoiler ahead.

First of all, I would like to acknowledge a review which states that no wonder ML was betrayed by his fiancee was because of his own actions. I won't deny that ML didn't became a truly deserving... more>> fiance to ZQX but that doesn't mean he did not acknowledge the fact that she was his fiancee. Next, if that really IS the case, then why should ZQX stole his meridian? Isn't the fact that ZQX betraying him by being with ML's bestfriend is betrayal itself?

In fact, the reason is arrogance and pride. ML's once criticise the fact that ZQX has low amplitude for cultivating but at the same time he told a way she can cultivate higher. Yet ZQX can't accept that, so, since she can't find fault with ML's talent she find fault with ML's lack of affection with their engagement.

Next, how would you expect someone who lost the concept of affection will know how to express it? At the age of 6, ML's was separated to his parents and the environment he grew up doesn't teach him about it. ML lack the emotional support he should have as a child. It was shown in th story in the story how he lack EQ in some ways.

Moving on, while mtl-ing the story I read a part about the prediction eyes something like that. When I read it, the first that comes to mind is that knowing the or predicting the future is both a curse and a blessing. And MC's mother is one of the very best example. (Of course, there's another persons who suffer from it too but I want to used her as she is one of the most ill-fated character in the story.)

For me, one of the most pitiful character in this story is MC's mother. The moment she was born, she didn't get the deserving treatment she should have and even suffers in another person's instead. Unraveling the truth about all her experience, I felt unfair for her, without her prediction ability maybe she can be happy with MC's father but at the same time with it she was able to change not only her daugther's life but also ML's. In the extra, her life was told and shown that the moment she has with MC was her happiest moments yet I still felt that she should have and deserve more than that.

To be honest, the story has this lowkey angst touch in it. Every side story will always have a element in it that makes you feel like reading more into it. The very reason I was able to finish it. Every character in this story isn't just simply 2D character but they reflect different human characteristic depending on their experiences. Good characters have their shortcomings so does the bad ones.

Also, I felt that the real MC in this story is the ML. The author makes the MYG the MC or told the story in her point of view so that the typical harem genre a 'revenge' type of almost xianxia story should have will be eliminated. In fact, the ML like remyrem said in her review has more character than the MC did. The MC make me feels like the third person in the story where she exist only to tell us the story.

Next, let's talk about a character I kinda hate. Yan Yubing, a character that would become a bridge for MC to reunite with her father. This is the first time I hate their culture's upbringing, because if only YYB could have told her thoughts maybe her husband (Huo Li) wouldn't have died thinking she doesn't love him.

There was a part about having YYB and her husband life be connected to one another or something like that. It was told in the story that if YYB won't love HL, he would die because of setback of having their life sealed with each other. But I think YYB was actually in love with HL, only the thought that YYB did not love HL I think makes HL suffers from it. Anyways, I think the onlu good thing YYB did for HL is stopping the antagonist's formation.

All in all, I'm amaze by the turning of events. As I said earlier, the author did not add any out of the context elements but instead tells us the elements little by little and used it accoringly. He did not left any questions unanswered but in fact, already told us the answer yet we won't be able to notice at all. I was expecting a OP cultivator couple but ended up reading more than that.

I rate it 4 stars because the ending was kinda abrupt, and the MC did not have the development I was atleast expecting she would have. Anyways, read it. It was a good read. <<less

xianxia adventure with some unexpected plot twists here and there. And uniquely, a touch of modern things as well, but not prominent later on.

FL is diligent, kind, but able to make a stand for her self. ML is a genius that's been betrayed so badly but is actually a good boi :D

romance is there but not explicit as both FL & ML have been together as companions way before the confession. It's only at the later half of the story you can see they're more romantic towards each other. So,... more>> adventure is the main thing here. <<less

4.5 stars

This is an epic xianxia/fantasy with romantic elements. I love the couple--but this is not a romance-heavy story! (We did get a lot of awesome back hugs tho.)

Anyway, I binged it for 4 days straight and it made me cry 3 times but it was great lol. Loved the ending. The whole thing was super cinematic and I could easily see it adapted as a show.

Read up to chapter 16 translated by beauty brute and mtl the rest. Each chapter is really long. Probably average to 2-3 times the length of other novels' chapters. Chapter 16 of the translation is actually in chapter 5 of the original.

i like remyrem and literallynob's reviews but I'll add my two cents. I like our main characters and I don't have a problem with them. Our ML is not black and even in the original setting before things change (shown near the climax), you can see he was a... more>> long way from blackening. Just fyi if you had wanted a black ml.

I like the writing and story just fine but I did not appreciate the author trying to yank your heartstrings all the time. It wasn't only in regards to the main couple. We had a very long digression into the tragic love story of ML's study mate's niece that takes place 6000 yrs ago right before the collapse of spiritual energy. Sure, there's background info and more set up for the story and serves as an example for our lead couple, but it was more indepth and heartbreaking than need be. And the back story for this tragedy is riddle with plot holes. Read the next paragraph for more info. Then the next tragic love story is related to our FL's mother and grandmother. Oh, both of these tragedies rely on a lot of miscommunication - my least favorite. Then we have the love story of FL's distant cousin. Her cousin should have fallen in love sooner instead of being an iceblock like her name. I'm even fine with her being an unfeeling iceblock if she would have stayed that way but at the critical moment the author yanks on your heartstrings some more. Her love interest sacrificed himself and she falls in love at that moment which leads her to self sacrifice and more heartache and tragedy all around. And we're not done yet.

Back to the plot holes. So when spiritual energy was abundant, there are lots of third and fourth level immortals around. Yet the baby brother of ML's childhood friend has such a hard time cultivating and they were going on about bloodlines and being broodmares. He was only able to get to second level before an incident prevented him from further cultivation. Now his only worth is to be a broodmare and his best marriage prospect is a first level woman from a cultivator family except I don't know how she got to first level when she doesn't actively cultivate. And I don't know how his mom live so long to give birth to him and still dictate his marriages (by this time, the older brother is 4000yrs old). Pretty sure the mom wasn't a cultivator either. Anyway, he's trying to convince his daughters to get marry like broodmares just like he did. One argument was that if she wastes time cultivating, she's not going to want to get marry anymore if she actually gets to level two and also any man would want to marry a younger woman. Wow, who said cultivating will exclude getting married? It's more likely for a man not to want to get a cultivator wife since she might actually kill him for cheating. Also, if she actually gets to level 3 or 4, that would prove her worth as a broodmare and besides at that level you don't age. Anyway, that's the backstory for the niece's tragic life.

More tragedy: our FL only has three friends and two cousins and in the end only one survives and some of the deaths were sad.

Spoiler

one was a douche who died, another was a traitor, and two of them self sacrificed themselves

[collapse]

Our ML only has one friend which is also a tragic story. Of everyone that has a name in the story, very few survivors and only the one cousin has a good end besides the main couple. I'm only assuming the cousin has a good end.

Spoiler

presumably she gets to inherit the throne since FL doesn't seem interested

[collapse]

. I do like the epilogue or extras on the main couple at the end.

One more disappointment is how the villains die. Such a let down. The big bad died off screen and we only know for sure he's dead is because it was mentioned in the extras. His followers died on stage during the epic fight but the author had to tarnish my satisfaction with one of the deaths by trying to make him sympathetic. I understand humans are complex and multifaceted. He might feel bad about what he did but he obviously didn't regret it because he continued targeting the ML and what he said in private prior to the climatic battle. Also, the way our supporting leads died was figuratively off screen and very anticlimactic. I can kind of see how one of the deaths is suitable but it still gave me a shitty taste.

I would say it's worth a read if you've got the time and it's completely done translating. The flaws can make this a real drag if you have to wait at the current translation speed. Mtl is doable if you don't mind the occasional mistranslation of names as words. I.e. Cousin yan yu bing often translated as cold speech instead of written as a name.

Ps I did enjoy the little twist at the end.

Spoiler

book wearing girl (transmigrator) actually wasn't a transmigrator and there was a different explanation

[collapse]

<<less

Read the MTL version - my eyes aren’t sore from reading but from crying over the final battle scenes. A rebirth novel, a story wearing novel, a wuxia adventure, some time traveling and a little robot all mashed together made for an excellent novel. Deserves more translations or some sort of adaptation.

There were too much historical vomit and xianxia-related specifics that fried my brain cells.

If you're looking for a smooth, brainless read... then this ain't it.

But if you're okay with all the "heaven-defying-vein" theatrics and backstories of each faction, then this might be up your alley... maybe