Top 11 Chinese Xianxia Novels with Cunning Protagonist in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

11 Novels

Cunning protagonists in xianxia must navigate a world where raw power often dominates. The successful ones use intelligence to compensate for cultivation gaps or to leverage advantages others miss. Sect politics provide fertile ground for schemes since xianxia settings feature complex faction relationships.

I find cunning works best in xianxia when the protagonist's plans involve actual cultivation knowledge rather than generic scheming. Understanding pill refinement, formation arrays, or cultivation bottlenecks lets them manipulate situations in ways that feel genre-appropriate. The weaker entries just have clever-seeming protagonists without showing why their plans work within xianxia logic.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
Nan Chan
4.5
(530 ratings)
Genre: adventure, mature, psychological
I have experienced all the eight sufferings of this world. I do not ask for nirvana, but for you.
First Impressions
"Nan Chan" is a xianxia novel that took me on quite a ride. It's a story that demands patience and rewards it with a complex plot, intriguing characters, and a romance that, while controversial, ultimately captivated me. The world-building is extensive, drawing you into a supernatural ancient China filled with demons, deities, and mysteries around every corner. I'll admit, the beginning was a bit rough. The initial chapters threw me into the deep end with a lot of unanswered questions. Jing Lin, our seemingly cold protagonist, is suffering from amnesia, and Cang Ji, a newly-formed human-demon,...
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
My Senior Is Always Salivating After Me!
4.5
(187 ratings)
Genre: comedy, slice of life, xianxia
Lin SuCi transmigrated into a book, and became a kitten who had just cultivated into becoming human. When he was still young, he was picked up by a good man to be become his apprentice, but he did not expect his master to let his senior — the number one villain in the book — raise him?
First Impressions
"My Senior Is Always Salivating After Me!" is a xianxia yaoi comedy that I dove into with a mix of curiosity and amusement, and I have to say, it's quite a ride. The story follows a protagonist who transmigrates into the body of a cat spirit beast. The premise alone had me intrigued! Initially, I was a little unsure. Some readers have pointed out that the title and synopsis can be a bit misleading, and I can see where they're coming from. It's not quite the 'naive MC gets preyed on' story I was expecting. However, that quickly became a non-issue as I got to know the characters....
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Industrial Cultivation
4.7
(251 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
Due to a small accident, the young streamer, Zhu Changyang, traveled to the world of cultivation. Bad news: He had no money, no sect, no cultivation, and was very poor.
First Impressions
"Industrial Cultivation" is a novel that grabbed my attention with its unique premise: a blogger with a science background transmigrating to a cultivation world and using modern technology to solve ancient problems. I found the blend of xianxia, comedy, and romance to be a refreshing take on the genre. Initially, I was drawn in by the humor. The idea of a protagonist creating bicycles, flashlights, and even mass production lines for down jackets in a world of dignified martial artists is inherently funny. I was quickly invested in the main character, Zhu Changyang, and his journey. The chemist...
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
I Shall Seal the Heavens
4.3
(3.2K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
“What I want, the Heavens shall not lack! ” “What I don’t want, had better not exist under the Heavens!
First Impressions
"I Shall Seal the Heavens" (ISSTH) is a web novel that I found myself diving deep into, and it's been quite the journey. With its blend of action, adventure, and xianxia elements, it's easy to see why so many readers have been captivated. However, like any story of this length, it has its high points and its low points. Initially, I was drawn in by the unique premise. The protagonist, Meng Hao, starts as a regular scholar, far from the overpowered reincarnations or clan heirs that often populate the genre. This fresh start was a welcome change, and I appreciated the early focus on his cleverne...
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5
EDITORS CHOICE
Reverend Insanity
4.3
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Human beings are the very spirit of all life, while Gu embody the essence of heaven and earth. When one’s worldview, values, and philosophy become twisted, they are no longer human but demon reborn.
First Impressions
"Reverend Insanity" is a web novel that I dove into with a mix of excitement and trepidation, given its reputation. It's a xianxia story, but not quite like any I've encountered before. The sheer volume of content available is impressive, but does the story live up to the hype? After spending a significant amount of time with it, here are my thoughts. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a truly ruthless protagonist. So many novels claim to have an 'evil' MC, but quickly fall into anti-hero tropes. "Reverend Insanity" seemed different. Fang Yuan, the main character, is dedicated to his ...
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
Holding Onto My Man
4.3
(887 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
After an accidental death, in order to continue to live, Gu Bai had to choose to go through various wonderful books to complete tasks. Every time he became a variety of small cannon fodder inside the story, Gu Bai’s code of conduct when completing task is – by all means, don’t be inferior, don’t...
First Impressions
"Holding Onto My Man" is a completed original web novel and ongoing translation that dives into action, adventure, drama, romance, xianxia, and yaoi genres. With a 4.3/5 rating from nearly 900 votes, it's clear this story has resonated with many readers. Let's dive into my thoughts. Going into this novel, I was intrigued by the sheer number of tags. Amnesia, ancient China, apocalypse, a charming protagonist, and a cold protagonist all in one story? It seemed like a wild ride, and I was eager to see how the author would weave these elements together. The premise of a quick transmigration story,...
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Conclusion

This list collects xianxia novels where cunning meaningfully affects how the protagonist survives and advances. Reader ratings favor novels where intelligence feels integrated with cultivation rather than separate from it. Worth checking if you want xianxia with more tactical depth.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

Nan Chan

First Impressions

My Senior Is Always Salivating After Me!

First Impressions

Industrial Cultivation

First Impressions

I Shall Seal the Heavens

First Impressions

Reverend Insanity

First Impressions