Pursuing Immortality Novel Review

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By sleeping will make you fair, 睡觉会变白

4.1

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CompletedLicensedchineseWeb Novel

Genres

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action adventure mature mystery romance slice of life supernatural

Chapters

841 chapters

Started

2016

Description

Meet Gu Yu—a college dropout and a talented incense maker, and at the same time, the rather stoic protagonist of this story. Despite his somewhat introverted manner, he has a tendency to make sarcastic remarks in his thoughts. One day, after saving a squirrel, a windfall (metaphorically and literally) dropped into his lap. Stumbling into the cultivation world with little help, he was not turned into Superman overnight (as he would like). Apparently, becoming a cultivator would not make your life easier, at least in the beginning. Somewhere along the road, he ran into Jiang Xiaozhai, a young woman whose got the brains, the beauty, and maybe one or two secrets of her own. As it turned out, the two made a perfect team—Mulder-and-Scully style. Motivated by many unanswered questions, they had been running up and down the country, getting into all kinds of trouble, and learning more of the modern cultivation world, which is by no means the same as in the ages long past…

Publication Information

Original Publisher: qidian
English Publisher: webnovel
Original Language: chinese
Type: Web Novel

Pursuing Immortality Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator

My Thoughts on Pursuing Immortality

"Pursuing Immortality" promised a fresh take on the modern cultivation genre, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered such a mixed, yet passionate, response. It's a story with some truly unique strengths, but also some definite quirks that might not appeal to every reader.

First Impressions

The initial chapters drew me in with their blend of slice-of-life and supernatural mystery. The idea of spiritual energy returning to the modern world, and a seemingly ordinary guy stumbling into cultivation, felt like a breath of fresh air. I appreciated the slow burn and the initial focus on world-building, which felt grounded and realistic.

What Works Well

One of the most consistently praised aspects of this novel is its world-building. The author clearly did their homework, weaving in elements of Daoism, Chinese history, and mythology to create a rich and believable setting. I particularly liked how the story explored the impact of cultivation on society, with the government playing a significant role. The relationship between the MC and the government felt nuanced and engaging.

Many also celebrate the main couple, Gu Yu and Xiaozhai, for their mature and equal relationship. I found their interactions refreshing, especially compared to some of the more trope-filled romances in the genre. The fact that Xiaozhai is portrayed as a strong and capable character in her own right is a huge plus.

Areas of Concern

However, the novel isn't without its flaws. Several readers have criticized the protagonist, Gu Yu, for being bland and lacking personality. I can see where they're coming from. While I appreciate his calm and collected demeanor, at times he can feel a bit too passive.

The pacing can also be uneven. Some reviewers found the info dumps on Taoist techniques and organizations to be excessive and tedious, while others appreciated the detailed explanations. I think it depends on your tolerance for exposition.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

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Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, "Pursuing Immortality" is a worthwhile read for fans of the modern cultivation genre. The strong world-building, engaging plot, and mature romance make it stand out from the crowd. While the pacing and protagonist might not appeal to everyone, I think the novel's strengths outweigh its weaknesses. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.