The Story in 3 Sentences

Lu Chen, an eighteen-year-old from Greenheaven Village, has failed his cultivation baptism test for nine consecutive years, marking him as an outcast in his community despite his exceptional intelligence and mysterious dreams of powerful cultivators.

His tenth and final attempt unveils hidden truths about his origin, triggered by a mystical Twin-Fish Medallion that connects him to a broader cosmic conflict known as the Heavenly Emperor’s Rebellion and the Dark Rebellion.

Armed with a hardened resolve and the mantra “cultivation means to struggle against heaven, against earth, and against all things,” he embarks on a journey to defy his predetermined fate and uncover his role in the world’s unfolding chaos.

Why It Stands Out

1. The Perseverance Narrative

Lu Chen’s nine consecutive failures create a deeply relatable underdog story, emphasizing perseverance and mental fortitude over innate talent, which resonates strongly with readers tired of traditionally overpowered protagonists and offers a fresh take on the xianxia genre’s common tropes.

2. Mystical Artifact Integration

The Twin-Fish Medallion serves as more than a mere plot device; it acts as a catalyst for metaphysical transformation and a bridge to hidden dimensions, weaving artifact lore directly into the protagonist’s spiritual and emotional development rather than functioning as a disposable power-up.

3. Cosmic Conflict Personalization

The novel masterfully scales its stakes from a single village’s struggles to a universe-spanning rebellion, making grand concepts like the Heavenly Emperor’s Rebellion feel intimately connected to the protagonist’s personal journey and moral dilemmas.

The Flaws Fans Debate

The early chapters move at an accelerated pace, with quick power progression and sudden plot developments that some readers feel undermine the potential for deeper world-building and character development.

Certain character motivations and reactions, particularly from secondary figures, occasionally feel manufactured to advance the plot rather than emerging organically from established personalities, leading to criticisms about narrative convenience.

The novel’s unique cultivation system, while innovative, sometimes introduces mechanics without thorough explanation, leaving some readers confused about the rules governing spiritual energy and artifact interactions.

Must-Experience Arcs

Ch. 1–20: The Baptism Failures – This arc establishes Lu Chen’s perseverance through nine failed cultivation tests and his determined mindset despite societal pressure and internal doubts, setting the stage for his eventual transformation.

Ch. 25–35: The Medallion Awakening – The crucial segment where the Twin-Fish Medallion activates, revealing Lu Chen’s hidden origins and connecting him to the cosmic conflict of the Heavenly Emperor’s Rebellion.

Ch. 60–82: The Heavenly Tribulation – The ongoing arc featuring dual tribulations that test Lu Chen’s resolved bond with his emerging powers against cosmic challenges, showcasing his growth from a struggling villager to a key player in the universe’s fate.

Killer Quotes

“I, Lu Chen of Greenheaven Village, will become an immortal cultivator. I will challenge the heavens and defy the earth”.

“Cultivation means to struggle against heaven, against earth, and against all things”.

“Your heart… why is it beating so fast? Your Heavenly Pool is strange… it’s different from ours”.

Cultural Impact

The novel has sparked discussions about alternative cultivation systems, particularly regarding the value of perseverance and multiple failures in a genre often dominated by instant success stories.

Readers have engaged in debates about the portrayal of spiritual symbiosis between artifacts and cultivators, with the Twin-Fish Medallion inspiring fan theories about artifact-based progression and cosmic interconnectedness.

The phrase “struggle against all things” has become a popular tagline within its community, used to describe narratives where protagonists overcome repeated failures through sheer determination rather than innate talent.

Final Verdict

Start Here If You Want:

A xianxia story that emphasizes perseverance and mental fortitude over innate talent, featuring a protagonist who grows through repeated failures rather than immediate success.

A narrative that blends personal struggle with cosmic conflict, making grand themes like rebellion and destiny feel intimately connected to the hero’s journey.

An ongoing series with mysterious artifact lore and a cultivation system that integrates spiritual depth with strategic progression.

Study If You Love:

Stories where the protagonist’s growth is measured by emotional and philosophical development rather than just power levels, emphasizing the journey over the destination.

Unique cultivation artifacts that serve as portals to hidden dimensions and catalysts for personal transformation, weaving item lore into the core narrative.

Narratives that explore the tension between predetermined fate and self-determination, challenging characters to redefine their roles in a vast universe.

Avoid If You Prefer:

Stories with slow, methodical world-building – this novel features relatively rapid plot progression and quicker pacing.

Extensively detailed secondary character ensembles – the focus remains tightly on the protagonist’s perspective and immediate challenges.

Completed narratives with resolved endings – this novel is ongoing with many mysteries still unfolding and yet to be explored.