The Story in 3 Sentences
Li Qiye, once a humble sheep-herding boy, had his soul sealed into a crow’s body, granting him immortality and a silent witness to ten million years of history.
He shaped legends without lifting a finger—planting a bamboo that became a god, raising a carp into a dragon, and adopting a girl who would rule the Nine Realms.
When his final disciple, the Black Dragon King, sacrificed everything to retrieve his true body from the Immortal Demon Cave, Li Qiye returned—not to conquer, but to walk the path of invincibility as master of fate itself.
Why It Stands Out
1. A Protagonist Who Outwaits Time
Li Qiye doesn’t rush. He doesn’t roar. He waits. Ten million years mean nothing to him. He plants seeds knowing he’ll harvest them in epochs. His power isn’t in battle—it’s in foresight. While others fight for dominance, he cultivates destinies. Fans call him “the crow who laughs at emperors,” and for good reason: he wins not by strength, but by outliving every challenger. This isn’t a power fantasy—it’s patience weaponized.
2. The Architect of Legends
Li Qiye rarely fights. Instead, he builds. Behind every immortal emperor—the Flying Immortal, the Blood Seal, the Sun Swallowing—there’s a shadow: the crow. He doesn’t seek fame. He doesn’t demand loyalty. He simply guides, manipulates, and waits. When the world finally sees him, it’s not as a disciple or rival, but as the unseen hand behind every rise and fall. The novel flips the script: the master isn’t training one student—he’s shaping an entire era from the dark.
3. A World That Breathes History
The setting spans the Nine Realms and Thirteen Continents across ancient epochs like Santai and Seven Nights. It’s not just a backdrop—it’s a living chronicle. Immortal bloodlines—Human King, Shen Yong, Demon Seal—carry legacy and power. The Nine Heavenly Treasures and Nine Heavenly Books, like the Time Drill and Book of Death, are artifacts of mythic weight. The Twelve Burial Grounds—Sea of Bones, Undead City—are ruled by forgotten beings. This isn’t worldbuilding—it’s archaeology. And Li Qiye has read every layer.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Li Qiye — calm, calculating, timeless, a being who doesn’t prove his strength because history already testifies to it.
You’ll meet the Black Dragon King, who was his final disciple and gave his life to rescue Li Qiye’s true body—a loyalty so rare it breaks the cycle of master and servant.
Then there’s Cuizhu, not just a goddess, but the green bamboo he planted ten million years ago, now ascended—proof that his influence grows like roots in the dark.
And the Empress of the Nine Realms? She’s the one who began as a lost girl, adopted and guided, whose rise proves Li Qiye doesn’t just cultivate power—he cultivates destiny.
The Flaws Fans Debate
Pacing suffers under the weight of time—some arcs drag, others rush, and the sheer scale can make events feel distant.
Power scaling breaks late—Li Qiye becomes so far beyond everyone that battles lose tension before they begin.
Romance is nearly absent—emotional depth is traded for legacy, leaving some fans wanting more heart.
Ending is low-drama—after millions of years, he defeats final enemies and walks away, satisfying but underwhelming for such an epic journey.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch.1–500: Early Life & Soul Sealing – The foundation: how Li Qiye became the crow, joined the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, and began rebuilding from nothing.
Ch.501–2000: Rise of the Shadow Master – He emerges from obscurity, gains followers, uncovers ancient legacies, and starts unraveling his past across epochs.
Ch.2001–4500: World-Shaper Arc – Li Qiye’s dominance becomes undeniable as he crushes dark overlords, reshapes realms, and recruits allies across cosmic scales.
Ch.4501–6708: Epoch’s End – Final confrontations with ancient demons and epoch-level threats, culminating in the conclusion of his legacy as supreme immortal emperor.
Killer Quotes
“Time passes, eras change, invincible characters rise one by one, and giants fall one after another. But across ten million years, the crow still appears.”
“I don’t need to fight. I’ve already won.”
“A single seed planted ten million years ago can shade the entire universe.”
Cultural Impact
Became a landmark in xianxia for its mythic scale and immortal mentor archetype.
Published in 2014 by Yan Bi (厌笔萧生), it ranked among the most-read web novels in China.
Inspired countless stories about long-term cultivation, hidden masters, and bloodline legacies.
The phrase “ten million years ago, Li Qiye planted a bamboo” became a meme symbolizing patience as ultimate power.
Fans praise its deep lore and quiet dominance, though some critique its emotional distance and length.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A protagonist who wins through foresight, not force
A story where legacy matters more than love
A world built on ancient bloodlines, forgotten ruins, and cosmic epochs
Mythic weight over flashy battles
Study If You Love:
The “master behind the throne” trope
Long-term cultivation and strategic dominance
Epic worldbuilding with deep historical layers
Quiet, unshakable protagonists who shape fate
Avoid If You Prefer:
Fast-paced conflict and constant tension
Emotionally rich romantic arcs
Underdog heroes who struggle to grow
Tight narratives without sprawling, repetitive arcs
