Top 19 Chinese Xianxia Novels with Calm Protagonist in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Calm protagonists fit xianxia's philosophical underpinnings. Cultivation often involves mental cultivation alongside physical or spiritual development. Characters who maintain composure embody the ideal cultivator mindset, treating provocations as tests to pass rather than fires to fuel.

I find calm xianxia protagonists satisfying when their composure has teeth. They don't rage at insults, but they also don't forget them. The calm demeanor masks capability rather than passivity. The better entries make the protagonist's restraint feel like strength rather than weakness, with moments where the control breaks being significant rather than routine.

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1
TOP PICK
Heaven Official’s Blessing
4.7
(3.0K ratings)
Genre: drama, mystery, romance
Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of the Xian Le kingdom. He was loved by his citizens and was considered the darling of the world.
First Impressions
"Heaven Official's Blessing" is quite a ride, a sprawling xianxia novel that's clearly captured the hearts of many, even inspiring an anime adaptation. Diving into this world of gods, demons, and intricate relationships, I can see why it’s become so popular, but I also noticed some recurring concerns that held it back from being a perfect read for me. The story immediately throws you into the chaotic world of Xie Lian, a god who's ascended (and descended) multiple times. His initial assignment and subsequent meeting with the mysterious Hua Cheng sets the stage for a grand adventure filled with...
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2
RUNNER UP
My Disciple Died Yet Again
4.5
(1.6K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Game designer Zhu Yao accidentally gets transmigrated into a new xianxia VR game that is currently in development. There she becomes the disciple of the most beautiful male immortal Yu Yan who had to wait 16 thousand years before finally getting a disciple of his own.
First Impressions
"My Disciple Died Yet Again" is a wild ride, a xianxia story that isn't afraid to poke fun at itself and the genre as a whole. It's a blend of action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, josei, and romance, which might sound like a lot, but somehow the author manages to make it (mostly) work. Initially, I wasn't sure what to make of it. The beginning felt a bit slow, and the humor didn't always land for me. The premise is unique: a modern-day debugger gets transported into a xianxia world to fix "bugs," and when she fails, she dies and reincarnates, each time with a new perspective and challeng...
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know
4.7
(1.5K ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, romance
In a Mary-Sue novel, the readers all liked the Devil Venerable, the second male lead who devoted himself whole-heartedly to the female lead. However the female lead only loved the male lead who ab*sed her physically and mentally.
First Impressions
This novel was quite the ride! It's a xianxia with a strong comedic bent and a refreshing take on familiar tropes. I found myself thoroughly entertained, and it's easy to see why it has such a high rating. Initially, the story felt a little slow as it set the stage, but that didn't last long. The premise is intriguing: our protagonist, the Devil Venerable Wenren E, discovers a book detailing a future where he's a supporting character in a trashy romance. His reaction? Utter confusion and a determination to understand why the characters are acting so…illogically. I was immediately hooked by his...
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang
4.7
(1.1K ratings)
Genre: comedy, fantasy, josei
This is a story that follows the courtship between a stone from Hell and a god from Heaven that begins in the underworld and spans for three lifetimes in the mortal realm.
First Impressions
This novel promised a journey through love, loss, and reincarnation, and while it delivered on some fronts, it also left me with mixed feelings. Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang certainly has its strengths, but some elements gave me pause. The premise, involving three lifetimes of romance between a stone spirit and a god undergoing mortal trials, immediately grabbed my attention. The overwhelmingly positive reviews further piqued my interest, suggesting a deeply touching and memorable story. I dove in expecting a rollercoaster of emotions, and in some ways, that's exactly what I got....
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5
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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6
#6 PICK
Mistakenly Saving the Villain
4.6
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: drama, mature, psychological
Professor System has issued a mission: to rescue the gentle, kind and tragic protagonist shou of the novel “The Exceptional Furnace”. Song ‘Scholar-Tyrant’ Qingshi: “Don’t worry, Professor!
First Impressions
"Mistakenly Saving the Villain" is quite the rollercoaster, and I’m honestly still processing everything. This novel dives deep into some heavy themes, and while it’s not always an easy read, it’s definitely a memorable one. Initially, I was intrigued by the premise – a transmigration story where the MC accidentally saves the villain instead of the intended target. This setup felt like a refreshing twist on familiar tropes. However, I also approached it with caution, given the mature themes and potential for triggering content....
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7
#7 PICK
The Desolate Era
4.2
(2.1K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, drama
Fate had never been kind to Ji Ning. Wracked by illnesses and infirm his entire life on Earth, Ji Ning knew early on that he would die as a teenager.
First Impressions
"The Desolate Era" is a xianxia novel that I dove into with a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing IET's reputation. While it didn't completely blow me away, it definitely had its moments, and I can see why it's popular. The initial chapters grabbed me. Ji Ning's journey from a sickly Earthling to a cultivator in a mystical world is compelling. I appreciated the early focus on his family and clan, which gave the story a grounded feel. The world-building also felt richer than in some similar novels, drawing on Chinese mythology in a way that felt authentic....
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8
#8 PICK
It’s Not Easy Being a Master
4.3
(672 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, mature
Shen Zhixian transmigrated into a book as a cannon fodder master who hatefully severed his disciple’s spirit root. This disciple fell into the devil’s path and returned to make mincemeat out of him.
First Impressions
It’s Not Easy Being a Master promised a blend of xianxia, romance, and mystery, and for the most part, it delivered an enjoyable reading experience. It wasn't perfect, but its strengths definitely outweighed its weaknesses for me. Initially, I was wary of the comparisons to Scum Villain's Self-Saving System. I'd heard mixed opinions on the similarities, with some claiming it was almost a copycat while others vehemently denied it. I went in expecting familiar tropes, but hoping for originality. The beginning definitely has that "villainous master trying to avoid a bad end" feel, but it quickly ...
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9
#9 PICK
Grasping Evil
4.3
(620 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, ecchi
Master said, the woman I held in my hands, I must protect for the rest of my life Master said, it’s hard to cultivate as a Demon, and once you enter the Demon Dao, you should never look back. Master said, Heaven is a Circle and the Earth is a Square; that Circle represents (is) consummate perfec...
First Impressions
"Grasping Evil" is quite the ride, and after diving deep into what others have experienced, I'm ready to share my take. This novel definitely has a unique flavor that sets it apart in the crowded xianxia genre. Okay, I'll be honest, the initial chapters can be a bit rough. It seems like the author was finding their footing, and some early plot points might feel a little cliché or even off-putting. Some have mentioned a slow start and a massive info dump of terms in the first 50 chapters. However, I've heard from many long-time readers that pushing past the first 200 chapters is crucial. Appare...
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Completed
10
#10 PICK
Who Touched My Tail!
4.2
(652 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
Xue Ling is a nine tailed fox who has been cultivating for thousands of years but lost all his tails in a moment of capriciousness. Tails are easy to self destruct, but not easy to recover.
First Impressions
"Who Touched My Tail!" promised a delightful blend of adventure, comedy, and romance in a xianxia setting, and while it had its moments, my overall experience was a bit of a mixed bag. It's a complete original novel with an ongoing translation, so I was eager to dive in. The initial premise, with Xue Ling, a demon fox traversing worlds to regain his lost tails, hooked me immediately. I was anticipating clever schemes and satisfying face-slapping scenarios. The MC’s fox-like personality, indolent yet haughty, was also quite charming....
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11
#11 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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Conclusion

These rankings favor protagonists whose calmness serves the story rather than just being a character quirk. Reader ratings reward competent leads who demonstrate their temperament through meaningful choices. If reactive protagonists exhaust you, this list offers alternatives.

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

Heaven Official’s Blessing

First Impressions

My Disciple Died Yet Again

First Impressions

Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know

First Impressions

Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang

First Impressions

I Shall Seal the Heavens

First Impressions

Mistakenly Saving the Villain

First Impressions

The Desolate Era

First Impressions

It’s Not Easy Being a Master

First Impressions

Grasping Evil

First Impressions