If you have devoured the Cradle series and find yourself wandering the literary wilderness in search of similarly enchanting tales, dear reader, you have arrived at just the right place. For there exist, scattered across the realms of progression fantasy, stories most wondrous—tales of heroes who begin as humble souls and rise, ever upward, toward extraordinary power.
Come along, and we shall discover them together.
What Makes a Book Perfect for Will Wight Fans?
Those who have fallen under the spell of Lindon and Yerin know what makes the heart sing: protagonists who earn their strength through determination rather than destiny, magic systems of crystalline logic, and that delicious sensation of watching a character grow from weakness to magnificent power. The books gathered here share these qualities in abundance.
1. The Path of Ascension by C. Mantis
Here is a tale that might have been Cradle’s own cousin, so closely do they resemble one another in spirit. Matt, an orphan whose parents fell to monsters, discovers his Tier One Talent has been deemed worthless by all who examine it. Yet when mysterious benefactors offer him entry to the Path of Ascension—an empire-spanning competition to reach the very peak of power—he seizes the opportunity with both hands.
The series spans ten magnificent volumes, featuring dungeon delving aplenty and a progression system that shall satisfy the most devoted cultivation enthusiast.
2. Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić
Imagine, if you will, a young mage named Zorian—rather prickly in temperament and unremarkable in ability—who finds himself trapped within a month that repeats endlessly. Each loop, he grows cleverer. Each repetition, he masters new magical arts. Over what amounts to a decade of subjective time, this ordinary student transforms into something quite extraordinary.
The tale originally unfolded on Royal Road before finding its way to proper publication, and readers have bestowed upon it the highest praise for its inventive magic and wonderfully satisfying time-loop mechanics.
3. Mage Errant by John Bierce
Poor Hugh of Emblin! The worst student at Skyhold Academy, whose spells tend toward spectacular failure, whose peers delight in tormenting him. But when the eccentric mage Alustin selects Hugh and two other supposed failures as apprentices, everything changes. The magic system here positively sparkles with originality, and one watches with great satisfaction as Hugh and his found family of friends grow from outcasts into formidable mages.
Seven books comprise this delightful series, each expanding the world in the most charming fashion.
4. Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko
What happens when one combines the spirit of cultivation with the gleaming technology of science fiction? This particular tale answers that question most satisfyingly. Reidon Ward was born weak, afflicted with painful illness, abandoned by his parents—yet when granted a Combat Assistance Device with seemingly terrible specifications but infinite potential for growth, he begins a journey through the Galens Institute that readers have compared rather favorably to a meeting of Cradle and Ender’s Game.
Be warned: these books are wonderfully lengthy, the first stretching to over eight hundred pages.
5. Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Alex Roth desired nothing more than to become a wizard, and through tremendous effort, earned acceptance to the University of Generasi. But fate, that mischievous creature, branded him with the Mark of the Fool—a divine curse that actively prevents him from learning combat magic. Rather than accept this limitation, Alex flees with his little sister and childhood friend to the university anyway, determined to exploit his mark’s peculiar properties.
With nearly ten million views on Royal Road and ten published volumes, this tale of academic magic and clever problem-solving has captured many hearts.
6. A Thousand Li by Tao Wong
For those who crave cultivation in its more traditional garb, here stands a masterwork. Long Wu Ying begins as a peasant farmer who dreams of immortality—and watches him pursue that dream through the rigid hierarchies and dangerous politics of a world drawn lovingly from Chinese wuxia tradition.
Will Wight himself has praised this series as “one of the best English-language cultivation series out there,” which rather settles the matter of its quality.
7. Beware of Chicken by CasualFarmer
Now here is something altogether different! When a Western soul awakens in the body of a cultivation sect member, he promptly abandons the pursuit of power to become a farmer instead. Jin Rou wishes only to tend his crops, raise his animals, and live peacefully—but his chickens and pigs have begun cultivating powers of their own, and the martial world has a way of finding those who flee from it.
This cozy cultivation comedy has charmed millions of readers with its warmth, humor, and surprisingly touching character relationships.
8. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
When aliens transform Earth’s underground into a deadly game show dungeon, Carl—a Coast Guard veteran—and Princess Donut—his ex-girlfriend’s thoroughly spoiled cat—must fight their way through increasingly dangerous levels while the entire galaxy watches for entertainment. Dark humor abounds, the action proves relentless, and the partnership between man and feline is absolutely unforgettable.
The audiobook narration by Jeff Hays has achieved legendary status among listeners.
9. He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
Jason Asano, an Australian fellow of sardonic wit, finds himself killed during a botched magical summoning and reborn in a world where game mechanics govern reality. His powers lean toward the dark and disturbing, yet his irreverent humor and surprisingly deep emotional journey have made him one of LitRPG’s most beloved protagonists.
The series boldly addresses themes of trauma and mental health whilst maintaining its characteristic wit.
10. Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe
Corin Cadence enters the Serpent Spire—a tower of ever-shifting rooms, deadly traps, and fearsome monsters—seeking the brother who disappeared within five years prior. Survivors of the spire’s trials receive attunements granting magical powers, but Corin’s greater interest lies in unraveling the tower’s mysteries.
Andrew Rowe, who coined the very term “progression fantasy,” has crafted a delightfully analytical magic system that rewards careful attention.
11. Street Cultivation by Sarah Lin
What if cultivation existed in a modern, cyberpunk world where spiritual power served as literal currency? Rick doesn’t dream of becoming the strongest—he merely wishes to build a better life for himself and his spiritually ill sister. This grounded, working-class perspective on cultivation offers something refreshingly different.
The trilogy stands complete, providing a satisfying journey from start to finish.
12. Azarinth Healer by Rhaegar
Ilea finds herself transported to a dangerous world and discovers a most unusual calling: a healer who fights by punching things. Her dual-class abilities allow her to both mend and destroy, and her somewhat reckless personality makes for thoroughly entertaining reading.
With over sixty million views on Royal Road, this tale has proven its ability to captivate audiences.
13. The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba
When Erin Solstice stumbles into a fantasy world and nearly gets eaten by a dragon on her first day, she makes an unconventional choice: rather than become a warrior or mage, she opens an inn. The Wandering Inn blends slice-of-life warmth with epic fantasy scope, featuring an enormous cast of deeply realized characters.
This web serial is free to read online and has achieved phenomenal length—thousands upon thousands of pages for those who crave immersion.
14. Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
In a world where everyone bonds with elemental spirits called furies, young Tavi stands alone—the only Aleran without any magical ability whatsoever. Yet through wit, determination, and courage, he rises from humble shepherd to something far greater across six magnificent volumes.
This completed series from the author of The Dresden Files offers proper progression satisfaction with traditional fantasy polish.
Where to Begin Your Journey
If the tight progression systems of Cradle called to you most strongly, begin with The Path of Ascension or Iron Prince. Should cozy cultivation and humor be your preference, Beware of Chicken awaits with open arms. For those who loved the martial arts traditions underlying Cradle’s world, A Thousand Li provides the most authentic cultivation experience.
Whatever path you choose, dear reader, adventure awaits—and the journey of a thousand li begins with but a single step.
