The Story in 3 Sentences
A boy named Shi Xiaobai, hailing from ordinary Earth, stumbles into a chaotic modern world teeming with superpowered heroes and monstrous calamity fiends, immediately declaring himself its destined king.
His grand proclamation is instantly tested by the cruel, inescapable “Absolute Choice” curse, which forces him into absurd, often humiliating decisions under threat of time looping, turning his quest for kingship into a darkly comedic gauntlet of trial, error, and public spectacle.
Despite the curse’s mockery and his own dense, chuunibyou antics, Xiaobai’s journey evolves from pure farce into a profound, if meandering, odyssey of self-discovery and power, gathering allies and enemies as he climbs towards a destiny that may redefine what it means to be a king.
Why It Stands Out
1. The Unbeatable Comedy Engine
The novel’s core mechanic, the “Absolute Choice,” is a masterstroke of comedic timing. It forces the protagonist, Shi Xiaobai, into situations where his lofty ambitions and delusional self-image collide violently with ridiculous, often self-destructive options. This creates a relentless stream of laugh-out-loud moments, from choosing to “kiss the floor” to declaring “I choose death!” in a fit of pique. The humor isn’t just slapstick; it’s deeply rooted in character, making Xiaobai’s suffering both hilarious and strangely endearing.
2. A World Built for Parody and Power
The setting is a brilliant, chaotic mashup. It takes the tropes of Japanese anime, superhero comics, and xuanhuan cultivation, throws them into a blender, and serves up a world that is simultaneously familiar and absurd. Heroes with over-the-top powers battle calamity fiends in city streets, all while the narrative winks at the reader. This self-aware parody never undermines the stakes, allowing for genuinely thrilling action and dramatic tension to coexist with the comedy.
3. The Slow Burn of a King’s Soul
Beneath the layers of chuunibyou posturing and forced comedic choices lies a compelling character arc. Xiaobai’s journey is about more than just getting stronger; it’s about a naive, arrogant boy being forged into a true leader through relentless, often cruel, experience. The novel takes its time, letting his relationships with key figures like Riko and Murong Ling develop and challenge his worldview, transforming his initial delusion into a hard-won, believable conviction.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Riko – the stern, initially cold-hearted hero instructor whose rigid worldview is completely upended by Xiaobai’s chaotic presence, forcing her to confront her own ideals and eventually becoming his most ardent, if exasperated, supporter.
You’ll meet Murong Ling, a figure of immense power and ancient wisdom whose millennia-long existence is turned upside down by a simple misunderstanding involving Xiaobai, leading her to develop a deep, almost comically earnest affection for the dense protagonist.
And Shui Yue? They’re the one who serves as a mysterious, grounding force, their calm demeanor and hidden depths providing a crucial counterbalance to Xiaobai’s flamboyance and Riko’s intensity, often appearing at pivotal moments to offer cryptic guidance or decisive aid.
The Flaws Fans Debate
The infamous “Tower Arc” drags on for hundreds of chapters, turning what should be an exciting climb into a repetitive slog that tests reader patience.
The protagonist’s chuunibyou personality, while the source of much humor, can become grating and feel stagnant, with little meaningful growth for long stretches of the story.
The novel’s abandonment by the author leaves the grand narrative and character arcs frustratingly unresolved, a gaping wound for invested readers.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1–50: The King’s Humble Beginnings – This opening arc throws readers headfirst into the madness. We meet Shi Xiaobai as he makes his grand, foolish declaration and is immediately humbled by the Absolute Choice curse. It establishes the core comedic tone, introduces Riko as his reluctant handler, and sets up the basic rules of the world through a series of escalating, hilarious misadventures.
Ch. 225–525: The Endless Ascent – The sprawling, controversial Tower Arc. Xiaobai enters a colossal structure filled with trials, new allies, and powerful foes. While criticized for its length and repetition, this arc is where the supporting cast truly shines, and Xiaobai’s power and strategic thinking undergo significant, if slow, development as he fights his way floor by floor.
Ch. 500–583: Whispers of an End – The final published chapters hint at a convergence of plot threads and a looming, world-altering climax. Xiaobai begins to grasp the true nature of his curse and his destiny, facing off against ancient powers and making choices that carry far more weight than his earlier, comedic dilemmas, setting the stage for a finale that sadly never came.
Killer Quotes
“If I do not make a choice, time will remain paused at this moment.”
“Who am I? I’ve been called the fairy of towering mountains, the father of the sun, the ancient heroic spirit, the soul of the earth.”
“He is not humble nor is he modest, but neither is he delusional.”
Cultural Impact
The novel developed a cult following for its unique brand of humor, with fans frequently quoting Xiaobai’s dramatic pronouncements and the absurd options presented by the Absolute Choice.
Its abrupt hiatus and unresolved ending became a major talking point in web novel communities, serving as a cautionary tale and a source of enduring frustration for its dedicated fanbase.
Despite its flaws and unfinished state, it is often recommended as a “must-read” for its sheer originality and the unparalleled comedic highs it achieves in its early and middle sections.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A relentlessly funny, genre-bending adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
A protagonist whose failures are as entertaining as his victories.
A unique world that blends Eastern and Western pop culture tropes in a fresh, chaotic way.
Study If You Love:
Narratives that use humor as a vehicle for deeper character exploration.
The deconstruction and parody of common xianxia and superhero tropes.
Stories where the central gimmick (the Absolute Choice) is intricately woven into the plot and character development.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Tightly paced plots without long, meandering arcs.
Protagonists who are consistently serious or undergo rapid, linear growth.
Stories with definitive, satisfying conclusions rather than open-ended, abandoned narratives.
