The Story in 3 Sentences
A system-less transmigrator, Li Xuan, hides in a quiet village, desperate to avoid the chaos of the martial world, only to have his peaceful lie shattered by an overly enthusiastic young man who mistakes him for a hidden master.
Faced with relentless pleading and tempted by the offer, Li Xuan abandons his moral qualms and fabricates absurd, nonsensical cultivation techniques, expecting his new disciple to fail spectacularly and leave him alone.
To his utter horror and bewildered amazement, the disciple, Xu Yan, not only masters the fake techniques with terrifying ease but also triggers a mysterious “Golden Finger” that rewards Li Xuan’s flawless deception by multiplying his own power a hundredfold, binding them together in an escalating cycle of lies and ludicrous success.
Why It Stands Out
1. The Ultimate “Fake It Till You Make It” Power Fantasy
The novel’s core premise is a brilliantly executed comedic engine. It takes the common xianxia trope of the overpowered master and flips it on its head. The master’s power isn’t earned through grit or destiny; it’s a direct, absurd consequence of his disciple’s inexplicable, monstrous talent for turning garbage into gold. Every time Li Xuan spins a new web of lies, he inadvertently becomes stronger, creating a hilarious and endlessly escalating feedback loop of accidental godhood. The humor stems from the sheer dissonance between Li Xuan’s internal panic and the external perception of his divine wisdom.
2. The Disciple Steals the Show (And the Thunder)
What truly sets this story apart is its narrative focus. Instead of dwelling on the protagonist’s internal struggles, the spotlight shines almost entirely on the disciples, particularly Xu Yan. They are the ones performing the classic “Er Gen MC” moments—facing down enemies, achieving shocking breakthroughs, and radiating an aura of terrifying, righteous power—all while their “master” watches from the sidelines, sweating bullets. This shift in perspective is incredibly refreshing, turning the usual power fantasy into a spectator sport where the audience (Li Xuan and the reader) is perpetually one step behind the unstoppable force they accidentally created.
3. A Symphony of Controlled Chaos
The story thrives on the chaotic energy generated by its central irony. Li Xuan’s desperate attempts to maintain his facade, the disciples’ unwavering, almost fanatical belief in his genius, and the world’s growing terror at the “hidden sect” producing such monsters create a perfect storm of comedic and action-packed scenarios. It’s a narrative that understands its own ridiculousness and leans into it, delivering satisfying payoffs whenever a new, hastily invented technique is unleashed upon an unsuspecting and thoroughly doomed antagonist.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Xu Yan – the first disciple whose zealous determination and freakish, reality-bending talent for cultivation turned Li Xuan’s life upside down; he is the living embodiment of the novel’s core joke, transforming fabricated nonsense into world-shaking power with a straight face and unwavering loyalty.
You’ll meet Meng Chong, who followed in Xu Yan’s footsteps as a junior brother, bringing his own brand of terrifying strength to Li Xuan’s fabricated martial arts, particularly excelling in techniques that forge thunderous muscles and resilient bones, becoming another pillar of the master’s accidental legend.
And Su Lingxiu? They’re the one who applied the same inexplicable genius to the field of alchemy, mastering even the “hiding techniques” and medical arts Li Xuan carelessly invented, watching over their senior brothers’ training with a confidence that further cements the master’s undeserved reputation.
The Flaws Fans Debate
The plot structure becomes highly repetitive, relying on a predictable cycle: Li Xuan invents a technique, a disciple masters it and defeats an enemy, Li Xuan’s power level increases, repeat.
The translation quality, especially in earlier chapters, is inconsistent, with frequent errors in character, location, and technique names, which can be jarring and confusing for the reader.
The protagonists and their disciples, while powerful and entertaining, often exhibit morally questionable behavior, manipulating and eliminating enemies with little empathy, making them hard to root for on a deeper level.
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1–50: The Reluctant Master’s First Lie – The foundational arc where Li Xuan, cornered by Xu Yan’s persistence, fabricates his first technique, setting the entire chaotic premise in motion and witnessing the terrifying, awe-inspiring birth of his disciple’s power.
Ch. 200–400: The Sect’s Legend Spreads – As more disciples like Meng Chong and Su Lingxiu join and master new fabricated arts, the small mountain village’s reputation explodes, drawing the attention (and ire) of major powers and forcing Li Xuan to spin ever more elaborate lies to keep up appearances.
Ch. 800–1100: Divine Realm and the Master’s Ascendancy – The disciples reach the pinnacle of power, casually challenging celestial beings, while Li Xuan, riding the coattails of their success, finds himself propelled to divine heights, culminating in a finale that tests the limits of his deception and the bonds he’s formed.
Killer Quotes
“I fabricated it all! How did you manage to cultivate so successfully? What kind of monster are you?”
“Your flawless completion of the technique has enhanced your strength a hundredfold compared to others at the same level!”
Cultural Impact
The novel has garnered a massive following, with millions of readers, cementing its status as a popular and highly discussed title in the English webnovel community.
It has inspired countless memes and discussions online, particularly around the “fake it till you make it” premise and the hilarious dynamic between the terrified master and his overpowered disciples.
Fans frequently recommend it to others seeking a unique blend of high-octane xianxia action and sharp, situational comedy, often comparing its disciple-centric focus to the works of authors like Er Gen.
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A hilarious, high-energy comedy wrapped in a martial arts epic where the power fantasy is delightfully subverted.
To experience the unique thrill of watching disciples outshine their master in the most spectacular and unintended ways possible.
A fast-paced, binge-worthy story with satisfying, over-the-top action sequences and constant, escalating stakes driven by pure, chaotic luck.
Study If You Love:
Deconstructing classic xianxia tropes, particularly the “hidden master” and “system-assisted protagonist” archetypes, through a lens of irony and absurdity.
Narrative structures that shift focus from the protagonist to the supporting cast, exploring how their actions drive the plot and define the central character.
The comedic potential of dramatic irony, where the audience and protagonist share knowledge that the rest of the world is fatally unaware of.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Deep, intricate world-building or complex, multi-layered political plots; the story prioritizes its core comedic premise over expansive lore.
Flawless prose and perfectly consistent translations; known issues with the MTL can detract from the reading experience for some.
Morally unambiguous protagonists; the main characters often operate in a grey area, using their power for personal gain and retribution without much introspection.
