Top 15 Hidden Gem Chinese Action Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Editor's Picks

15 Novels

Chinese action's mainstream gets repetitive. The same cultivation tiers, the same face-slapping patterns, the same power curves. But buried beneath the popular titles are novels doing something different. These fifteen found smaller audiences because they don't fit neatly into trending categories, not because they lack quality.

What qualifies as a hidden gem here: strong ratings without proportional readership. Some focus on martial arts fundamentals rather than realm advancement. Others emphasize tactics and strategy over raw power. A few experiment with pacing or tone in ways mainstream action doesn't. If you've exhausted the obvious recommendations, these offer fresh angles on familiar genre pleasures.

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TOP PICK
The Earth is Online
4.6
(2.1K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, mature
Six months ago, tens of thousands of black phantom towers appeared all over the world, floating above the cities. Chemists, physicists, religious people… all of them could do nothing.
First Impressions
"The Earth is Online" promised a thrilling blend of action, mystery, and survival with a BL twist, and after diving in, I can confidently say it delivered an engaging, albeit sometimes challenging, experience. The premise is immediately captivating: a sudden apocalypse forces humanity into deadly games orchestrated by the enigmatic Black Tower. I was initially drawn in by the unique concept and the promise of a clever protagonist navigating a world turned into a perilous game. The early chapters successfully establish the stakes and introduce Tang Mo, our resourceful and observant MC. I found ...
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RUNNER UP
Mist
4.7
(1.4K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, mature
Hyperthymesia. Those with this condition can remember every detail of their lives from something as significant as the world’s turning point to something as small and as insignificant as a minor fleeting thought.
First Impressions
"Mist" is a web novel that really took me on a ride. Blending action, adventure, sci-fi, and romance with a dash of mystery, it's a story that demands your attention. While it has its quirks, the overall experience was definitely memorable. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of time travel interwoven with complex sci-fi elements. The beginning felt a bit slow as the characters were being introduced, and I wondered if the romance would feel rushed. However, as the story progressed, the initial setup proved essential for understanding the intricate plot and the characters' motivations. I q...
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Global Examination
4.7
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, horror
The whole world is subjected to a highly dangerous standardised exam called the Global Examination. Answering questions by putting their lives at stake, they would live if they passed the test.
First Impressions
"Global Examination" is a wild ride of a novel, and I can definitely see why it has such a devoted following. From the very first chapter, I was thrown into a bizarre world of deadly exams, quirky characters, and an overarching mystery that kept me hooked. It blends elements of action, comedy, horror, and romance (shounen ai/yaoi) into a surprisingly cohesive whole. Initially, the premise of a life-or-death exam system felt a little chaotic. The early chapters are heavy on the examination aspects, which I didn't mind, but I can see why some readers might find it a bit confusing or dry until th...
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EDITORS CHOICE
Supernatural Movie Actor App
4.7
(923 ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, horror
Xie Chi is a patient with multiple personality disorder. On the surface, he is educated and gentle but the secondary personality is cold, ruthless, and powerful, with explosive strength.
First Impressions
Okay, wow. "Supernatural Movie Actor App" was quite the ride. I went into this expecting a fun horror romp, and while I got that, I also got a whole lot more. This novel isn't just about scares; it's a clever blend of genres that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The premise alone grabbed me: a protagonist who falls in love with his split personality and then uses a horror movie app to help them get their own body? It's bonkers, and I was immediately on board. I was a little hesitant about the self-cest aspect, but the author quickly establishes the MC and ML as distinct individuals, which...
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EDITORS CHOICE
Thriller Trainee
4.6
(696 ratings)
Genre: action, fantasy, horror
The washed-up magician Zong Jiu transmigrated into a horror, infinite flow novel about a survival show, taking the place of the cannon fodder who died tragically in the first evaluation round. This show was very interesting.
First Impressions
"Thriller Trainee" is a web novel that throws you headfirst into a world of transmigration, infinite loops, and deadly games. I was intrigued by the premise – a blend of action, horror, and even a dash of romance (yaoi, to be specific). While the overall rating is quite high, my experience was a bit more nuanced than a simple thumbs-up. The initial chapters definitely grabbed my attention. The idea of a magician thrust into a series of increasingly dangerous "instances" was compelling. I was eager to see how the protagonist, with his supposed antisocial tendencies, would navigate this bizarre ...
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#6 PICK
The Legend of Sun Knight
4.7
(642 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
I am a knight. To be precise, I am the Church of the God of Light’s Sun Knight.
First Impressions
"The Legend of Sun Knight" is a wild ride, a series I initially avoided but quickly fell in love with. It's a story that expertly blends humor and heart, and I found myself completely swept up in the adventures of Grisia Sun and his band of quirky knights. At first glance, I'll admit, the title and cover art didn't exactly scream "must-read." I braced myself for something generic, maybe even a bit cheesy. What I found was anything but. The initial chapters grabbed me with their unique brand of humor, and I was soon hooked. The premise, while seemingly unbelievable, quickly becomes endearing as...
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#7 PICK
Worship Me, I Can Make You Rich
4.6
(706 ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, fantasy
On the first day of work for the little intern God of Wealth, Zhuang Zhou was filled with confidence and complacency. He looked at the man collecting junk from a pile of garbage and said: “Worship me, I can make you rich.
First Impressions
"Worship Me, I Can Make You Rich" had me hooked from the quirky premise. It's a blend of interstellar adventure and sweet romance that proved to be a delightful surprise. I went in expecting lighthearted fun, and while it delivered on that, it also offered unexpected depth and emotional resonance. The initial chapters are undeniably cute. The dynamic between Zhuang Zhou, the little god of wealth, and Wen Xiaoyun, the admiral, is instantly endearing. I chuckled at the absurdity of their first meeting and how the ML patiently helps the MC learn the language. The comedy is well-timed and never fe...
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#8 PICK
Silent Reading
4.7
(659 ratings)
Genre: action, mature, mystery
Childhood, upbringing, family background, social relations, traumatic experiences… We keep reviewing and seeking out the motives of criminals, exploring the subtlest emotions driving them. It’s not to put ourselves in their shoes and sympathize, or even forgive them; it’s not to find some reason...
First Impressions
"Silent Reading" is a wild ride through the dark underbelly of society, cleverly disguised as a thrilling crime novel with a slow-burn romance simmering beneath the surface. It's the kind of book that keeps you up at night, not just because you're engrossed, but because the themes it explores are genuinely unsettling. I went in expecting a straightforward mystery, but "Silent Reading" quickly proved to be much more. The initial setup, with a gruesome murder pulling together a cynical police officer and a flamboyant young CEO, felt like familiar territory. However, Priest's writing quickly drew...
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Conclusion

Hidden gems require trust from readers. These fifteen earned strong ratings from those who found them. Worth exploring when you want Chinese action that breaks from dominant formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

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

The Earth is Online

First Impressions

Mist

First Impressions

Global Examination

First Impressions

Supernatural Movie Actor App

First Impressions

Thriller Trainee

First Impressions

The Legend of Sun Knight

First Impressions

Worship Me, I Can Make You Rich

First Impressions