Top 5 Cultivation Novels Every New Reader Should Try in 2026

With hundreds of translated web novels available, starting out can feel like being dropped into a cultivation sect without a manual. Here are five novels we recommend for every new reader, ordered by accessibility.

1. Martial God Asura — The Genre Classic

If xianxia were a pizza, Martial God Asura would be the Margherita — simple, satisfying, and the benchmark against which everything else is measured. Chu Feng starts as a crippled teenager in a world that despises weakness. Through a mysterious inheritance from the legendary Martial God Asura, he rises. Perfect for: understanding every standard xianxia trope done well.

2. I Shall Seal The Heavens — The Epic

Er Gen's masterpiece starts with Meng Hao, a scholar forced into a cultivation sect to pay off a debt — and spirals into one of the most beloved sagas in the genre. What sets this apart is the humor (a con-artist protagonist who scams his way through the cultivation world) balanced against genuine emotional weight. Perfect for: readers who want both laughs and tears.

3. Reverend Insanity — The Dark Horse

Fair warning: the protagonist of Reverend Insanity is not a good person. Fang Yuan is a demonic cultivator reborn into his past, armed with 500 years of experience and zero moral scruples. This novel is often called the "Breaking Bad" of xianxia — a masterclass in writing a compelling villain protagonist. Perfect for: readers tired of righteous heroes.

4. Battle Through The Heavens — The Gateway Drug

Many English readers' first Chinese web novel. Xiao Yan loses his cultivation powers overnight in a mysterious "betrayal," only to discover a powerful master sealed within his ring. What follows is a perfect blend of revenge, romance, alchemy, and tournament arcs. Perfect for: anyone who's never read a Chinese web novel before.

5. A Will Eternal — The Comedy

Bai Xiaochun is not brave. He is not noble. He is a coward who would rather brew longevity pills and avoid conflict entirely — which, naturally, makes him the most dangerous person in the cultivation world. Er Gen's comedic triumph proves that xianxia doesn't have to be grim. Perfect for: readers who want to laugh while reading about immortals.

Start with any of these five, and you'll understand why millions of readers worldwide have abandoned traditional fantasy for the cultivation path.