Top 19 Chinese Kingdom Building Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Chinese kingdom building novels combine territory development with cultivation or wuxia elements. Protagonists typically start with limited resources and expand through military conquest, economic development, or political maneuvering—often all three.

The genre appeals to readers who enjoy logistics and strategy alongside personal power progression. Some novels balance both elements well, others lean heavily in one direction. Pacing tends to be slower than pure action novels since empire-building takes time.

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1
TOP PICK
Release that Witch
4.5
(3.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Chen Yan travels between worlds, ending up becoming an honorable prince in a medieval fantasy world. Yet this world was not quite as simple as he thought.
First Impressions
"Release that Witch" is a web novel that I dove into with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, given its high ratings and somewhat misleading title. What I found was a surprisingly engaging story, albeit one with some notable flaws. It's a unique blend of genres that, while not perfect, held my attention far more than I initially expected. Initially, the title and cover art gave me the impression that this would be another generic harem story. However, I was quickly proven wrong. The premise is intriguing: a modern-day mechanical engineer reincarnated as a disregarded prince in a medieval-esque ...
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2
RUNNER UP
Apocalypse Lord
4.6
(480 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Yun Ling was invited to attend the public beta test of “Apocalypse Calamity. ” In the end, she successfully survived a hundred days, and obtained the “Lord Token”, “Life Skill Level Retention” and “S Rank Skill” as rewards.
First Impressions
"Apocalypse Lord" is one of those web novels that really surprised me. I went in expecting a grim, action-packed story, but what I found was something far more unique and, dare I say, chill. It's a blend of apocalypse survival, city-building, and a healthy dose of comedic hoarding that kept me thoroughly entertained. The premise is simple enough: apocalypse hits, and our MC, Yun Ling, becomes the lord of a city in a game-like world. What sets it apart is Yun Ling's personality. She's calm, collected, and incredibly pragmatic, more focused on long-term survival than immediate glory. It's a refr...
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3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I Raised A Sick And Weak Prince
4.7
(323 ratings)
Genre: fantasy, historical, romance
Suxi, who had been well cared for since childhood and had achieved excellent results, was a good girl everyone liked. Lu Xun was exiled from his childhood and suffered humiliation before he became an emperor.
First Impressions
"I Raised A Sick And Weak Prince" had been sitting on my to-read list for a while, and I finally dove in. This historical fantasy romance, with a dash of slice of life, promised a unique premise, and I was eager to see if it delivered. Overall, I found it to be a charming and heartwarming read, though not without a few minor drawbacks. The initial hook is definitely intriguing: a modern-day high school student, Su Xi, finds a mobile game that connects her to a sickly, abused prince in ancient China. The idea of raising a character through an app, only to discover he's a real person, is undenia...
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4
EDITORS CHOICE
Female-Dominant World: The Fallen Saint Just Wants to Die
5.0
(1 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Tien transmigrates into a female-dominant world, becomes the Saint, and faces the desperate situation of a fallen nation. Coincidentally, the cheat promised by the goddess requires dying once to activate.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "Female-Dominant World: The Fallen Saint Just Wants to Die." The title alone grabbed my attention; it's got that perfect blend of intrigue and dark humor. The premise is certainly unique: a male protagonist, burdened with a goddess's promise of a time reset and cheat abilities upon his death, is actively seeking a way to kick the bucket, with the catch being he can't do it himself or harm others. It's a fascinating setup, ripe with comedic and potentially tragic possibilities. The core concept is undeniably strong. The idea of a protagonist constantly failing in his at...
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5
EDITORS CHOICE
World of Cultivation
4.3
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
An unknown disciple from a small sect battling against the strongest in the cultivation world! The long journey working at cultivation, the realization of destiny, and the chance to reach the apex of the world.
First Impressions
"World of Cultivation" is definitely a web novel that sticks with you. With a solid 4.3 rating, it's clear a lot of people have found something to love here, and I can see why. It’s a unique xuanhuan story that deviates from some of the genre's more tired tropes. Initially, I was drawn in by the promise of a less overpowered main character. Zuo Mo, our protagonist, starts out as a humble farmer, and his journey is about so much more than just brute strength. I found myself chuckling at his money-grubbing tendencies and his interactions with the quirky cast of characters surrounding him. Howeve...
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6
#6 PICK
Chronicles of Primordial Wars
4.5
(1.0K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, martial arts
Shao Xuan joins a friend in his expedition to a recently discovered archaeological cave. After he picks up an ordinary looking stone he is teleported to a different world and wakes up in the body of a small orphan child.
First Impressions
"Chronicles of Primordial Wars" is a web novel that took me by surprise. With a solid 4.5/5 rating and a slew of glowing reviews, I had high expectations going in, and for the most part, it delivered. It's a unique blend of action, adventure, and xuanhuan set in a primordial world, and the story's originality is definitely one of its strongest points. Initially, the pacing is slow. The story eases you into this ancient, tribal setting. We follow our protagonist as he adapts to life in the body of a young orphan in this harsh, Stone Age world. It's a far cry from the typical cultivation novel, ...
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#7 PICK
The Good for Nothing Seventh Young Lady
4.2
(749 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
She was the godly thief of the 24th century, yet she was reincarnated as a good-for-nothing idiot with no parents. Not only that, she had to bend her will according to her relatives’ mood.
First Impressions
"The Good for Nothing Seventh Young Lady" is quite a ride, a xuanhuan tale with a strong female lead that had me hooked despite a few bumps along the way. With action, adventure, comedy, and a dash of gender-bending, there's a lot to unpack in this completed original web novel. Initially, I wasn't sure what to expect. Some readers mentioned a slow start, with early chapters feeling repetitive and the main character's initial "foolish" persona being off-putting. I can see where they're coming from; the pacing does take a while to pick up. However, I found that sticking with it paid off, and the...
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8
#8 PICK
The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich
4.3
(763 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
This is the story of a crazy lich who possesses an internal game system and brings catastrophe to the entire world. “Let’s look at the daily quests today… it’s the damned choose one-of-two-options-type again.
First Impressions
"The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich" is definitely a wild ride! From the title alone, I knew I was in for something different, but I wasn't quite prepared for the mix of genres and tones. It throws you right into the life of Roland, a reincarnated lich with a system, in a world heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy media. The initial chapters set up a silly, almost parodic atmosphere, but there's a serious plot brewing beneath the surface. What really stands out is the world-building. It's deep, detailed, and doesn't offer easy solutions. Roland can't just brute-force hi...
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9
#9 PICK
The Only Favourite Ugly Husband
4.2
(546 ratings)
Genre: romance, slice of life, yaoi
Jiang Zhen crossed into ancient times and became the old bachelor eldest Jiang who was neglected by his whole family in Hexi Village. He was born into a good family, but the eldest Jiang was busy all year and couldn’t even eat a full meal.
First Impressions
"The Only Favourite Ugly Husband" presents a unique premise: a reincarnated special forces soldier finding love with a "ugly" ger in an ancient, impoverished setting. I found myself drawn in by the initial world-building and the promise of a different kind of historical romance. While the novel has its strengths, some later plot developments and character choices left me feeling conflicted. The early chapters hooked me with the MC, Jiang Zhen's, directness and the ML, Zhao Jinge's, quiet strength. The stark contrast to typical ancient romance settings, with its focus on rural life and genuine ...
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10
#10 PICK
The Strongest Legend of Dragon Ball
4.2
(599 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Xiaya reincarnated in the Dragon Ball Universe as a Saiyan 12 years before the destruction of Planet Vegeta. Watch him as he creates the strongest legend of Dragon Ball World from the beginning.
First Impressions
Alright, let's dive into "The Strongest Legend of Dragon Ball." As a long-time web novel enthusiast, I'm always eager to see fresh takes on established universes, and this one definitely piqued my interest. It's a fanfic that aims to weave together elements from across the entire Dragon Ball saga, from the original series to Super and even GT. The initial chapters grabbed me. The premise of a Saiyan reincarnating with knowledge of the future is inherently appealing. It sets the stage for interesting divergences from the established timeline, and the early focus on the MC's preparations to face...
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11
#11 PICK
Unprecedented Pill Refiner: Entitled Ninth Young Lady
4.4
(446 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
She is the twenty-fourth century’s strongest immortal cultivator, but transferred into a world of magic where demons roamed rampant; a punching bag tyrannized and ostracized by her clan on one side while the s*um of a man that is her fiancé humiliated, trampled her on the other side… Want to rava...
First Impressions
Okay, let's dive into "Unprecedented Pill Refiner: Entitled Ninth Young Lady." I went in with a mix of excitement and trepidation, given the wide range of opinions I'd seen. Overall, I found it to be a fun, if imperfect, read. Initially, I was hooked by the promise of a strong female lead who doesn't dilly-dally. And, for the most part, the novel delivers on that front. The MC is powerful from the get-go, which is a refreshing change from the typical transmigration trope where the heroine spends ages building her strength. She's also quite shameless, which leads to some genuinely hilarious sit...
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Conclusion

This list gathers Chinese kingdom building novels ranked by reader ratings. The balance between personal cultivation and territorial development varies across entries. Check individual descriptions to find the approach to empire-building that interests you.

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

Release that Witch

First Impressions

Apocalypse Lord

First Impressions

I Raised A Sick And Weak Prince

First Impressions

Female-Dominant World: The Fallen Saint Just Wants to Die

First Impressions

World of Cultivation

First Impressions

Chronicles of Primordial Wars

First Impressions

The Good for Nothing Seventh Young Lady

First Impressions

The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich

First Impressions

The Only Favourite Ugly Husband

First Impressions