Top 19 Chinese Xianxia Novels with Cunning Protagonist in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

19 Novels

Cunning protagonists in xianxia solve problems through intelligence and manipulation rather than pure power. This creates different story dynamics than typical cultivation novels where strength determines outcomes. I find these more engaging when the schemes feel plausible rather than relying on everyone else being conveniently stupid.

The subgenre works best when authors commit to the protagonist's cleverness consistently. Weak entries have "cunning" leads who occasionally think of obvious solutions. Strong entries show genuine strategic depth, with plans that account for multiple contingencies and opponents who pose real intellectual challenges.

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
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
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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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4
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
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Renegade Immortal
4.1
(1.2K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Wang Lin was a bright and kindhearted boy raised by loving parents. Despite being shunned by their relatives, his parents always held hope that their son would rise above and achieve greatness.
First Impressions
"Renegade Immortal" (Xian Ni) is a web novel that I've been diving into, and it’s been quite the journey. It's a xianxia story with a darker edge, and while it has its flaws, it's also incredibly compelling. It's definitely a series that sticks with you, prompting a lot of thought. At first, I was a bit hesitant. Some readers have pointed out that the beginning can be slow, focusing more on Wang Lin's transformation from a naive child to a ruthless cultivator than immediate action. It took me a bit to get into it, but I soon realized that those early chapters are crucial for understanding the ...
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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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Completed
7
#7 PICK
Zhanxian
4.1
(793 ratings)
Genre: action, harem, mature
Gripes have their origins and debts have their debtors. We haven’t crossed each other in days past or present, nor formed any grudges.
First Impressions
"Zhanxian" is a xianxia web novel that I found to be a mixed bag, but ultimately enjoyable despite its flaws. It has an interesting premise and a clever protagonist, but it can also be repetitive and frustrating at times. The initial chapters hooked me with the unique concept of an executioner MC who had executed immortals in his past life. This created a sense of mystery and intrigue that I wanted to explore. The early stages of the story, where the MC is navigating sect politics, were also engaging. However, as I delved deeper, I noticed some recurring issues that detracted from my overall e...
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Completed
8
#8 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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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 Dares Slander My Senior Brother
4.3
(592 ratings)
Genre: adult, adventure, mature
Transmigrating into a novel one morning, Wen Jing arrived at the side of the one he worshiped and admired the most, becoming a loyal hound that was willing to go through fire and water for his senior brother. Even the most arrogant cultivator said: “There is no one in this world who can enter my...
First Impressions
"Who Dares Slander My Senior Brother" promised a captivating blend of xianxia, mystery, and yaoi, and after diving in, I found myself with a mixed bag of impressions. It's a story that certainly has its strengths, but also some aspects that might not appeal to every reader. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a transmigration into a xianxia novel. The idea of a fanboy suddenly finding himself in the world of his beloved story, especially with a "senpai notice me" dynamic, was instantly appealing. The early chapters set a lighthearted, almost slice-of-life tone, and I found myself enjoy...
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Conclusion

These rankings favor protagonists who demonstrate intelligence through actions rather than narrative claims. Reader ratings reward satisfying schemes and earned victories over convenient plot armor. If you want xianxia where brains matter as much as cultivation level, these deliver.

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

Industrial Cultivation

First Impressions

I Shall Seal the Heavens

First Impressions

Reverend Insanity

First Impressions

Renegade Immortal

First Impressions

Holding Onto My Man

First Impressions

Zhanxian

First Impressions

Who Touched My Tail!

First Impressions

Grasping Evil

First Impressions