There exists, dear reader, a peculiar sort of magic in certain stories—the kind that whispers of mortals who dare to defy heaven itself. These are tales of cultivation, wherein brave souls refine their very essence, gathering the mystical energy called Qi as one might collect dewdrops at dawn, ascending ever upward toward immortality.
Should you find yourself hungering for such adventures, you have arrived at just the right place. What follows is a gathering of the finest cultivation fantasy novels, both from the mysterious East and the adventurous West, each one a doorway to worlds where power flows like rivers and determination moves mountains.
What Is Cultivation Fantasy?
Before we venture further into this enchanted garden of books, perhaps a word of explanation is in order. Cultivation fantasy—known also by the lovely names xianxia (immortal hero) and wuxia (martial hero)—springs from the deep wells of Eastern mythology and Taoist philosophy.
In these stories, characters train their bodies and souls through meditation, martial arts, and spiritual practices. They absorb the world’s energy, refine their cores, and climb through stages of power with names like Foundation Establishment and Nascent Soul. The destination? Nothing less than immortality itself.
Cradle Series by Will Wight
In the manner of all truly magnificent stories, Cradle begins with a boy who possesses nothing—and that nothing is precisely what makes him extraordinary. Wei Shi Lindon dwells in Sacred Valley as an Unsouled, a soul so empty of magical potential that even children might defeat him in sacred combat.
Yet when the heavens part to show him a glimpse of doom approaching his homeland, Lindon must venture into a world where even the strongest of his valley would be considered mere children. What follows is a breathless adventure through twelve books of pure, addictive delight. Will Wight writes with such momentum that pages turn themselves, and Lindon’s growth from powerless outcast to formidable force feels wonderfully earned at every step.
A Thousand Li by Tao Wong
If Cradle races like a hare, then Tao Wong’s A Thousand Li moves with the patient wisdom of a tortoise—and proves equally rewarding. Long Wu Ying never expected to become a real cultivator. A farmer’s son planting rice in a rural village, his conscription into the army and subsequent discovery by the Verdant Green Waters Sect sets him upon a path he never imagined.
As bestselling author Matt Dinniman declares, Tao Wong has crafted “one of the most epic English-language cultivation book series of all time.” For those new to cultivation fantasy, Will Wight himself recommends this as the perfect place to begin. The rich details of ancient Chinese culture and meridian systems create an immersive world where Wu Ying’s slow, arduous journey feels thoroughly authentic.
Beware of Chicken by CasualFarmer
And now for something delightfully different! What happens, one might wonder, when a soul from our world awakens in the body of a dead cultivator—and decides that defying heaven sounds frightfully exhausting?
Jin Rou (or rather, the modern soul inhabiting him) takes one look at the treacherous world of arrogant young masters and life-or-death battles and promptly announces: “No, thank you.” Instead, he builds a farm. He invests his spiritual energy into the land itself. And in doing so, he accidentally creates something marvelous—a rooster who becomes a martial arts master, a farm that becomes a paradise, and a story that warms the heart like fresh bread from the oven.
Beware of Chicken represents the very best of cozy cultivation fantasy, proving that sometimes the mightiest power of all is simply choosing peace.
I Shall Seal the Heavens by Er Gen
Among the classic xianxia novels from China, few shine quite so brightly as this monumental work. Meng Hao is not your typical cultivation hero. He possesses no legendary bloodline, no world-breaking powers, no mysterious backer. What he does possess is cunning, determination, and the heart of a conman.
This sprawling epic—roughly four times longer than the Bible, yet worth every moment—traces Meng Hao’s journey from failed scholar to someone who dares seal the very heavens themselves. Er Gen weaves comedy, romance, and suspense into a tapestry where seemingly insignificant threads reveal their importance hundreds of chapters later. For those who wish to understand why xianxia captured millions of hearts, this is essential reading.
Reverend Insanity by Gu Zhen Ren
Here we venture into darker waters, dear reader. Fang Yuan is no hero—he is a demon in the truest sense, a five-hundred-year-old soul reborn with memories intact and morality discarded entirely. His only goal is immortality, and he will commit any atrocity to achieve it.
What makes Reverend Insanity fascinating rather than merely grim is its brilliant power system—magical Gu worms that can be combined in endless creative ways—and its unflinching examination of ruthlessness. Fang Yuan’s plans run so deep that even readers cannot predict his next move. This is cultivation fantasy stripped of its heroic pretenses, revealing the harsh philosophy beneath.
Coiling Dragon by I Eat Tomatoes
For many Western readers, Coiling Dragon served as their first taste of xianxia—and what a magnificent introduction it remains. Linley Baruch descends from a once-legendary clan of Dragonblood Warriors, now so fallen that their heirlooms have been sold.
When young Linley discovers the mysterious Coiling Dragon Ring, he begins a journey that spans twenty-one books of escalating wonder. From his humble hometown to battles that shake entire planes of existence, Linley’s rise exemplifies the pure progression fantasy that makes cultivation novels so satisfying. Though the plot armor may gleam rather brightly at times, the adventure never fails to thrill.
Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier
What happens when cultivation meets the apocalypse? Zac was alone in the forest when the multiverse came calling, transforming Earth and thrusting humanity into a deadly competition for survival.
This sprawling series merges LitRPG mechanics with Eastern cultivation, creating a hybrid that feels wonderfully fresh. Class systems, skill trees, and endless progression choices combine with qi cultivation and ancient techniques. The world-building achieves remarkable heights, explaining the System’s origins in chapters that readers describe as truly impressive. For those who enjoy their cultivation served with crunchy statistics and apocalyptic stakes, Defiance of the Fall delivers magnificently.
Street Cultivation by Sarah Lin
Not all cultivation stories unfold in ancient kingdoms or mystical sects. Sarah Lin’s innovative series asks: what if cultivation existed in a modern world? In this urban landscape, qi is money, power is controlled by corporations and governments, and the mystical has become mundane.
Rick doesn’t dream of immortality or supreme power. He simply wants to build a better life for himself and his chronically ill sister. This grounded approach, combined with sharp social commentary about capitalism and class, makes Street Cultivation unlike any other entry in the genre. It’s cultivation fantasy filtered through cyberpunk sensibilities, and it works beautifully.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Also known as Mo Dao Zu Shi, this New York Times bestseller has captivated millions worldwide, inspiring comics, animation, and the beloved live-action series The Untamed.
Wei Wuxian was once a brilliant young cultivator who turned to demonic arts during wartime—and paid the ultimate price for it. Thirteen years later, he awakens in a new body to find himself solving supernatural mysteries alongside Lan Wangji, a former classmate with whom he shares complicated history. The world-building rivals the finest fantasy series, bringing Chinese folklore vividly to life. It’s a ghost story, a romance, and a cultivation epic all wrapped into one unforgettable package.
Desolate Era by I Eat Tomatoes
Ji Ning lived a short, illness-plagued life on Earth before death claimed him. But death, as it turns out, was merely a doorway. Reincarnated into a world governed by Taoist principles, Ji Ning begins his true journey toward immortality.
Drawing deeply from Chinese mythology, Desolate Era creates a universe of remarkable richness. Ji Ning stands out among xianxia protagonists for his calm wisdom and genuine respectfulness—neither servile nor arrogant, simply decent. The story grows darker than the author’s other works, but this adds weight to Ji Ning’s struggles and triumphs alike.
World of Cultivation by Fang Xiang
Zuo Mo is possibly the most entertaining protagonist in all of cultivation fantasy. A zombie-faced low-level cultivator with no memory of his past, he possesses one overwhelming passion: making money. Lots and lots of money.
This obsession with jingshi (spirit stones) drives him through a wonderfully plotted journey full of formation magic, gang-like territory building, and gradually unlocked mysteries about his true identity. The farming and construction elements feel refreshingly constructive compared to stories focused purely on combat. The ending—rare for xianxia—is genuinely satisfying and emotionally resonant.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality by Wang Yu
Han Li begins as what every cultivation novel protagonist claims to be but rarely is: truly ordinary. A poor village boy with mediocre talent, he joins a minor sect and must navigate treacherous paths using nothing but caution, wisdom, and painstaking effort.
This novel pioneered the “Mortal Stream” approach to xianxia, focusing on a humble protagonist who earns every advancement through struggle rather than fortune. The cultivation takes place over centuries, making each breakthrough feel genuinely momentous. For readers weary of overpowered protagonists, Han Li’s patient journey offers a deeply satisfying alternative.
Forty Millenniums of Cultivation by The Enlightened Master Crouching Cow
Imagine cultivation fantasy fused with science fiction—cultivators piloting mechas through interstellar warfare, ancient techniques combined with artificial intelligence, traditional mysticism meeting advanced technology. This is the ambitious vision of Forty Millenniums of Cultivation.
Li Yao is a brilliant, resourceful protagonist who relies on scientific thinking and sheer ingenuity rather than overwhelming power. The novel asks fascinating philosophical questions while maintaining enough action to satisfy any adventure-seeker. It’s the epitome of magitech in xianxia form.
Unintended Cultivator by Eric Dontigney
Sen never wanted to become a cultivator—such dreams belonged to rich nobles, not street orphans. Yet destiny had different plans. Discovered by three ancient cultivators who become his unlikely family, Sen learns everything from sword arts to mysterious alchemy.
What makes this series special is its warmth. The “grandparenty” supporting cast brings genuine heart to Sen’s coming-of-age journey. With over three million views on Royal Road, Unintended Cultivator proves that cultivation fantasy can be wholesome without sacrificing its edge.
Where to Begin Your Journey
For those newly arrived to cultivation fantasy, the path forward gleams with possibility. If you desire fast-paced Western cultivation with addictive momentum, Cradle awaits. If you prefer traditional xianxia with authentic Chinese flavor, A Thousand Li calls your name. Should you wish for something cozy and heartwarming, Beware of Chicken will welcome you home.
For the ambitious reader ready to dive into classic Chinese web novels, I Shall Seal the Heavens or A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality offer journeys of magnificent scope. And for those craving something darker, Reverend Insanity waits with patient malevolence.
Whatever path you choose, dear reader, know this: cultivation fantasy offers something rare in literature—stories about becoming more than you were, about defying the limits that heaven itself has set. These are tales of transformation, of discipline, of the belief that even the lowliest mortal might one day shake the heavens.
Your own journey to immortality begins with turning the first page.
