Top 21 Chinese Kingdom Building OP MC Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

21 Novels

Chinese kingdom-building novels with OP protagonists combine empire management with power fantasy. The main character typically has some advantage, whether from reincarnation, a system, or innate talent, that lets them dominate both martial conflicts and political maneuvering. These stories focus on expansion, resource management, and army building alongside cultivation elements. The appeal lies in watching territories grow and enemies fall to superior planning. Some handle the strategic elements with depth, others use them as backdrop for the protagonist's dominance.

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1
TOP PICK
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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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Game of the World Tree
4.6
(274 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
In The Kingdom of Elves, the War of Gods 1000 years ago caused the fall of the World Tree. In a world where true gods rule, the fall of the elven civilization came soon after.
First Impressions
"Game of the World Tree" is a web novel that I dove into with a mix of curiosity and excitement, given its high overall rating and intriguing premise. It blends action, adventure, comedy, and slice-of-life elements within a fantasy framework, promising a unique reading experience. And, for the most part, it delivered. The initial setup is quite captivating: a protagonist reincarnated as the World Tree, a goddess named Eve, tasked with revitalizing her kingdom with the help of players from another world. It's a blend of "I Am the God of Games" and "Shepherding Humanity" with a gender-bender twi...
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Completed
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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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
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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Completed
6
#6 PICK
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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Completed
7
#7 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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Completed
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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Completed
9
#9 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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Completed
10
#10 PICK
After Being Abducted by the General
4.4
(323 ratings)
Genre: adult, fantasy, historical
Yuan Li was an excellent logistics personnel on the battlefield. One day, after transmigrating, he found himself in ancient times as the son of a minor official.
First Impressions
"After Being Abducted by the General" certainly took me on a journey, and it's a novel that seems to elicit strong reactions from readers. This historical fantasy, with its blend of kingdom-building, romance, and political intrigue, had moments where I was completely captivated, and others where I felt a bit uneasy. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a modern man transmigrating into ancient China and using his knowledge to improve the lives of the common people. The story starts strong, with the MC, Yuan Li, quickly proving his intelligence and resourcefulness. I was eager to see how he...
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Completed
11
#11 PICK
Lord and Dragon
4.5
(404 ratings)
Genre: adventure, fantasy, romance
The young lord of a small and weak country saves a dragon beside the sea one day. Since then, his country became prosperous, rich, and powerful.
First Impressions
"Lord and Dragon" is a delightful little confection of a story, a quick and easy read that left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's the kind of novel you pick up when you need a break from heavier fare, and it delivers exactly what it promises: a sweet, fluffy romance with a dash of fantasy adventure. From the very beginning, I was charmed by the premise: a naive lord and a powerful dragon forging a bond amidst a world of fantasy creatures and political intrigue. The fairytale-esque atmosphere is immediately apparent, drawing you into a world where anything is possible. It's a fast-paced story...
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Completed
12
#12 PICK
I Rely on Drawing Cards to Set Up a Persona
4.3
(129 ratings)
Genre: adventure, fantasy, shounen ai
A distinguished guest was welcomed to the palace of the Arilance Empire. This lord was said to be a noble emperor.
First Impressions
"I Rely on Drawing Cards to Set Up a Persona" is quite the ride! As someone who enjoys web novels with a unique premise, I found myself drawn into this story of an MC pretending to be an emperor and using a card-drawing system to solidify his lies. It's a blend of fantasy, adventure, and shounen ai that kept me entertained, though not without a few reservations. The initial concept is undeniably intriguing: a scriptwriter transmigrates into a madman who's pretending to be an emperor. Add a gacha-style card system where the MC draws "waste" cards, and you've got a recipe for chaos (pun intended...
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Conclusion

This list includes 21 Chinese kingdom-building novels featuring overpowered protagonists. They range from cultivation-focused to more management-heavy in their approach. Translation quality and update frequency vary, so checking those details helps before starting a long series. Rankings are based on reader data and update periodically.

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

Apocalypse Lord

First Impressions

Game of the World Tree

First Impressions

I Raised A Sick And Weak Prince

First Impressions

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

First Impressions

Release that Witch

First Impressions

World of Cultivation

First Impressions

Chronicles of Primordial Wars

First Impressions

The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich

First Impressions

Unprecedented Pill Refiner: Entitled Ninth Young Lady

First Impressions

After Being Abducted by the General

First Impressions