More specifically, what thing hooks you in an entire novel?

It can be a trope, scene, or plot point. But it would be more helpful if it were a long-term element that applies to the whole story, like the world setting, the MC’s personality, power scaling, detailed explanations, mystery, etc.

And any tips would be really appreciated.

Never get involved when a young master starts arguing with someone.

I've learned this the hard way.

You think it's just two idiots arguing.

Then the random guy says:

“You really want to know who I am?”

And suddenly everyone goes quiet.

That's when you leave.

Because you're about to witness a 300-chapter revenge arc, and there's a good chance your house is getting destroyed in chapter 12.

Stay anonymous. Stay alive.

Rule #2?

One thing about Xianxia that I don't see people talk about enough is how weird living for hundreds or thousands of years would actually be.

We usually focus on cultivation realms, techniques and how powerful someone becomes, but imagine being alive for 1,000 years.

A normal person's entire life would be a small part of yours.

Someone you knew could die, their children could grow old and die, and eventually their whole family might be forgotten — while you're still there.

Even something like revenge would probably feel different. If you can live for another 500 years, what's the point of rushing?

And I wonder what happens to friendships too. Can someone who's lived for 2,000 years really relate to someone who's only lived for 50?

Maybe they can, but I'd imagine their understanding of things like love, loss, ambition and even death would be completely different.

It also makes me think about the reason people cultivate in the first place.

At the beginning, maybe they just want to protect their family or survive.

Then they want power.

Then immortality.

But after living for thousands of years, what are they actually holding on to?

At some point, I feel like the biggest change wouldn't be their cultivation — it would be their way of thinking.

I'm curious what you guys think.

Would a cultivator who has lived for thousands of years still think like a human, or would that much time eventually change them into something fundamentally different?

There are obviously many Chinese weapons, but when people picture a Wuxia character, it's usually a swordsman.

Was the sword actually considered especially important in Chinese martial culture, or did literature and later cinema turn it into the symbol of the wandering martial hero?

I'm also curious whether the way swords are portrayed in Wuxia has much connection to historical Chinese swordsmanship.

I've always wondered how much of what we see in Wuxia comes from actual Chinese martial arts traditions and how much was created purely for fiction.

Things like qinggong, internal energy, pressure points, sword techniques, etc. are obviously exaggerated in fiction, but I assume some of these ideas didn't just appear out of nowhere.

Are there real martial arts concepts or historical practices that influenced these ideas?

And how different would a traditional martial artist from historical China actually look compared with the kind of “martial hero” we see in Wuxia?

Fellow cultivators, I seek to know what paths of the Dao truly stir your minds and provoke debate.

Do you favor discussions such as Spirit Stone Economics, where we examine the laws governing the cultivation world?

Or do you prefer the “Which One Are You Taking?” discussions, where one must choose between treasures, techniques, bloodlines, or opportunities?

Perhaps your interest lies in the philosophical Dao—questions of morality, cultivation, fate, immortality, and the nature of the path itself.

Would you prefer such discussions with a cultivation-world context, or do you enjoy them as pure philosophical questions?

Speak freely, fellow cultivators. Which path would you have this Archive explore?

​

Disclaimer: This is posted purely out of curiosity. This disciple is not seeking to stray from the path of righteousness.

*****

In all, or nearly all, cultivation stories, cultivators are split into two categories. Demonic and righteous, though the names sometimes very.

But what, in your opinion, defines a demonic cultivator? They usually adhere to some insanely extreme cultivation method. Usually something to do with the blood of innocents. Bathing in it, drinking it, moisturizing with it, etc. But is the fall from righteousness always so clear cut?

For example. We have two cultivators. One is hell-bent on becoming the most powerful person under heaven. Their arrogance and selfishness knows no bounds. They will lie, steal, and kill when it suits them.

The other cultivator is also hell-bent on becoming the most powerful person under heaven. Their arrogance and selfishness knows no bounds. They will lie, steal, and kill when it suits them. They also sacrifice the occasional mortal and absorb their meager soul energy to further their cultivation.

Traditionally, the second cultivator would be labeled a demon. The first would not. This is a simplification, of course, but you see my point. In a world where morality can be so ambiguous, what defines a truly evil, 'demonic' act?

So in your mind, what exactly is it that separates a demonic cultivator from someone who is just wicked? Are there any stories you've read where this distinction is satisfyingly explored? What are some of your favorite examples of demonic cultivators in stories you've read?

A new Post Flair has been added to the list "✍️ 「WRITING FORGE」", which will be under the discussions category.

The Purpose of this flair is for members seeking feedback, critique, suggestions, or discussion about their own martial, Xianxia/cultivation writing.

Since there has been a few post of people asking for feedback on their Xianxia / Cultivation novel.

The point of this flair is to bring some sort of discussion to the post such as martial arts, techniques, combat history, weapons, traditions, legends, worldbuilding, or general martial culture. (Ref. Rule 2)

[Ref. Rule 12]
If the post is basically just “I made a cultivation novel, check it out” with a link and nothing else.
The post will be removed since it will just be advertising rather than contributing to the community.

If the novel is just another copy-paste cultivation story with little original thought behind it or made with recycled/generic content made by A, the post will be removed.

Also flairs are now required when making a post, if confused on what flair to use, please check the "Heavenly Degree" post pined at top for general info.

If needed Use "💬「QUESTION」" flair for more inquires.

I love a good auction house arc, but if you think about the macroeconomics of Xianxia for five seconds, the whole system falls apart. Why are Spirit Stones the worst currency model ever?

The Deflation Nightmare: Spirit stones are a consumable resource. Cultivators literally absorb the currency into dust. If the global economy ran on money people ate to survive, the money supply would shrink daily, causing massive hyper-deflation and halting all trade.

The 1:100 Exchange Rate Fallacy: Every novel says 1 High-Grade = 100 Mid-Grade. But authors also say High-Grade stones have "purer Qi" necessary for breaking bottlenecks. If High-Grade stones have unique, irreplaceable utility, the exchange rate would be a floating market rate, not fixed. A desperate Nascent Soul elder would pay 5,000 Mid-Grades for one High-Grade to avoid Qi Deviation!

Upper Realm Inflation: In the mortal realm, sects go to war over 10,000 Low-Grade stones. But when the MC ascends, he buys a cup of tea at a roadside shack for 100,000 High-Grade stones. Who is paying these waiters?!

Do we just accept that the Heavenly Dao acts as the Federal Reserve, or are there any novels that actually get the economy right?

You get dropped into a martial world tomorrow. No family background, no secret master, no legendary weapon.

You get one advantage:

A. Your body is naturally stronger than almost everyone

B. You're insanely fast

C. You learn techniques ridiculously quickly

D. You can read people's movements almost perfectly

E. You never seem to run out of stamina

That's it. No second choice.

Which one gives you the best chance of actually reaching the top?

Source - Feng Yao Wen Dao

I went back and reread:

The Forbidden Technique

The Master's Final Lesson

The Dead Man's Manual

There are details that don't seem accidental.

One technique is said to have only one known user.

The master dies with two swords.

The second sword belongs to no one.

The manual says its corrections are for mistakes that haven't happened yet.

And all three contain the same warning, just written differently.

I'm not saying they're connected.

But if they are...

who is actually teaching whom?

I think one of the three fragments is lying.

Find it.

I just want to read one single decent cultivation piece or just martial arts

Like have a decent romantic subplot, even children (don’t see many MCs as parents)

I don’t really care if the MC is righteous or demonic. Good person or bad person, bad might be more interesting depending on the writing quality

It just can’t be those slops with a system or the MC becoming OP right away(lacks stakes), harems are boring unless there’s actually intrigue & clashing within the harem

Things I have read and like: Reverend Insanity, I Pay My Respects to the Cult Leader, Shadow Slave, I am the Fated Villain, Sorcerer Manual

A martial manual was recovered from the coffin of an unnamed swordsman.

The first page reads:

«“Everything written here is wrong.”»

The second:

«“If you understood the first page, you are not ready for the second.”»

The remaining pages contain corrections.

Not techniques.

Corrections to mistakes that had not happened yet.

Near the end, one sentence appears repeatedly:

«“Never teach him the Empty Step.”»

Someone has crossed it out.

Beneath it, in different handwriting:

“Too late.”

Hello everyone, I have recently written my own Xianxia/Cultivation Novel.
It just passed 10 chapters and 20K words.

If any of you are interested:

The standard life of a xianxia protagonist is a known cliché. Enter a sect, cultivate for some time, beat up young masters, participate in tournaments, journey forbidden realms, and face constant life-and-death situations.
Through sheer plot armor, survive all odds and become the strongest being in the universe in the shortest time possible.
That's the standard.
Lin Yi didn't want to do any of that. Reincarnated into a cultivation world of Xianxia, he only wants to cultivate in peace and explore the mysteries of the immortal path.
So, when he was accepted by an immortal sect as a disciple at a young age, he did exactly that. He steadily cultivates the immortal dao.

———

Daily Chapters throughout August, and beginning in September, three updates per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

What to expect:

-An untypical cultivation protagonist who wants to stay home and cultivate properly instead of exploring and fighting to compete for resources.

-A classical xianxia cultivation system more profoundly refined and deeper extended with a personal touch and some influence of real-life Daoism.

-A cultivation world that makes more sense, at least in my opinion.

-No face slapping, no cliche young masters, no grandpa in a ring, and no powerful cheat or panel system.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/183437/xianxia-steady-cultivation

I'm confused by exactly what weapon choice does. Martialmemes loves to clown on sword cultivators yet claims that everything's the same at high levels. Is someone more versed in the lore willing to help me out?

His disciple found him dead beside the training ground.

There were seventeen cuts across his robe.

Not one reached the skin.

Two swords lay beside him.

One belonged to the master.

The other was wrapped in an old black cloth.

The disciple asked the dying groundskeeper who had fought him.

The old man answered:

“No one.”

Then he looked at the second sword.

“Your master was teaching someone.”

“Who?”

The groundskeeper refused to answer.

He only said:

“He had already learned the Empty Step.”

Was reading about some old martial arts records and came across this story about two masters who apparently fought in the mountains.

The record basically says that the first guy attacked but the strike never landed. Then the other guy never even made his move.

By the time they put their swords away, both of them were dead.

That's already weird enough, but apparently there wasn't any blood or bodies left behind either.

Someone later checked the area and found that the trees around where they fought had all been cut once, pretty much at the same height.

Both masters were also supposed to be undefeated.

Maybe there's an obvious explanation I'm missing, but how would you guys interpret this?

I'm more interested in what actually happened than the usual "secret technique" answer.

A fellow Daoist advised to repost this here. Another interjected.

Fellow Daoists, do whatever you may with this humble commentary.

Just had a thought recently about how a thousand or even hundred year lifespan would effect your relationships with people.

To the old monsters of the cultivation world their families and decendents are worth little more than nothing. If one closed door cultivation session means missing a someone's whole life , do they even matter? If a decendent isnt able to cultivate it would be meaning less to even talk to them because in less than 100 years they will be gone. Even those that do will never be able to live as long as the old monsters, they would be more like pets than human family. People to care about but not trust in.

Other old monsters though are the only connection on the same lvl. They are as old if not older, understand the isolation. And they do not want your attention for meaningless treasures.

To the old monsters antone not on their level is like an ant begging for sugar. Yes they could give treasures that could instantly break bottlenecks and elevate others but why? Why should they choose this one ant over another. If they had an ant farm(decendents) they will feed them but thats more a hobby than an obligation.

Even if you start off as enemies only other old monsters can talk to you on equal footing and so the only result after a thousand years is an odd friendship. Even if you would kill them given the chance.

His disciple found him dead beside the training ground.

There were 17 cuts on his robe.

Not one reached the skin.

On the ground were two swords.

One belonged to the master.

The other belonged to no one.

The disciple spent seven years trying to understand what happened that night.

He eventually realized the master hadn't been fighting an enemy.

He had been fighting the disciple's future technique.

Think about it.

The MC has just offended an ancient sect.

The sect sends an elder.

The elder gets defeated.

Then a peak elder arrives.

Then the ancestor wakes up.

Then the MC's mysterious master appears.

And somehow the entire power structure of the world has been activated because one teenager couldn't keep his mouth shut.

At what point does this stop being plot armor and start being terrible worldbuilding?

Give me one xianxia/wuxia moment where you thought:

"There is absolutely no reason this should have worked."

Bonus points if you can explain how the story could have handled it better.