Top 21 Xianxia Novels with Transmigration in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Specialized Lists

21 Novels

Xianxia transmigration novels feature protagonists who've moved into cultivation worlds from outside. They bring modern knowledge, past-life cultivation experience, or simply a different perspective to their new immortal-seeking circumstances. This creates opportunities for characters to approach cultivation differently than natives. The transmigration element varies in importance across entries. Some leverage it heavily for strategic advantages, others use it mainly as setup before following standard xianxia progression. The combination works well when authors exploit the outsider perspective meaningfully.

Completed
1
TOP 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....
Read More
Completed
2
RUNNER UP
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,...
Read More
Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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 ...
Read More
Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse
4.6
(768 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, drama
Xiao Xiang Zi, a cloud spirit in heaven, and Chu Kong mess up the red strings of fate by accident during their brawl. As a consequence, they are sentenced to be a fated couple in the mortal realm for 7 lifetimes as a punishment for not getting along with each other.
First Impressions
"Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse" promised a rollercoaster of emotions, and I'm happy to report that it delivered. This xianxia romance took me on a journey through love, loss, and reincarnation, leaving me with a satisfied, if slightly bittersweet, feeling. The premise alone hooked me: a fated couple entangled in seven lifetimes, each with its own unique challenges. I was immediately drawn to the idea of exploring how their relationship would evolve across different circumstances and identities. The initial chapters were definitely a grab for my attention...
Read More
Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
The Demon Lord Only Wants to Follow the Script
4.3
(405 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, drama
Fang Li transmigrated into the cannon fodder gong demon lord of a dogblood novel. The demon lord’s cultivation was outstanding, his power shaking the heavens.
First Impressions
"The Demon Lord Only Wants to Follow the Script" has been quite the ride, and I have mixed feelings about it, like many other readers. It's a story that starts strong but stumbles a bit along the way. It's a danmei novel that throws our MC into the body of a ruthless Demon Lord, Yan Sui, who is destined to be killed by the protagonist, Xie Huai. Our MC, a self-proclaimed straight man, wants nothing to do with the original plot and tries to rewrite his destiny. Initially, I was hooked. The premise is engaging: a transmigrator trying to avoid a tragic fate. The comedic undertones and the angst-f...
Read More
Completed
6
#6 PICK
My Junior Still Hasn’t Killed Me
4.3
(504 ratings)
Genre: adult, comedy, mature
However, not only was his current identity just a wimpy, low-level sect senior, but also a no-name background character in the novel who should have died after witnessing Gu XuanYan’s first mu*der! Can Zhong Yan prevent himself from being silenced by Gu XuanYan?
First Impressions
"My Junior Still Hasn’t Killed Me" promised a sweet and funny xianxia romance, and for the most part, it delivered. As someone who enjoys a lighthearted read, I was eager to dive in. While it's not without its flaws, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I can see why it has a dedicated fanbase. The premise is classic transmigration fare: an average MC finds himself in a cultivation world, tasked with preventing a yandere ML from going off the rails. Right away, the story establishes a casual tone, and I felt the MC was relatable in his initial desire to just survive. The dynamic between t...
Read More
Completed
7
#7 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...
Read More
Completed
8
#8 PICK
Reborn As a System
4.5
(558 ratings)
Genre: action, adult, adventure
Space, system, treasure, spirit tools … other protagonists all have golden fingers, Shi Qing: this young grandpa [Xiao Ye] is a golden finger. It’s just that …he is now a golden finger and even more importantly bound to a host?
First Impressions
"Reborn As a System" caught my eye with its unique premise: the protagonist becomes the system, rather than being hosted by one. I dove in hoping for something fresh, and I definitely got it. This novel is a rollercoaster of action, adventure, and romance, with a healthy dose of xianxia thrown in for good measure. I was immediately drawn in by the fast-paced plot. There's never a dull moment as the MC and his ML traverse various worlds, each with its own distinct flavor. The initial setup is intriguing, and I found myself quickly invested in the leads' journey. I was a little wary of the "yand...
Read More
Completed
9
#9 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....
Read More
Completed
10
#10 PICK
Offering Salted Fish To Master
4.4
(291 ratings)
Genre: comedy, psychological, romance
Liao Tingyan, a new disciple who had just started and had the lowest rank, got to be near the terrifying great master of Gengchen Xianfu, which caused a lot of discussions. Shimei Liao, How did you do it?
First Impressions
"Offering Salted Fish To Master" is a novel that certainly left an impression, though a somewhat conflicted one. With a blend of xianxia, comedy, and romance, it aims for a lighthearted and unique experience. Did it succeed? Mostly, yes, but with a few caveats. I was immediately intrigued by the "salted fish" concept. A protagonist whose main goal is to laze around in a cultivation world? That's a premise I can get behind! The initial chapters were promising, establishing the female lead, Liao Tingyan, as someone endearingly unmotivated and the male lead, Sima Jiao, as a powerful figure with a...
Read More

Novel Translator 2026

Enjoying Xianxia Stories?

Unlock xianxia novels from any language with professional-quality AI translation.

40+ Languages

Translate to and from major world languages

Custom Made Translation Engine

State-of-the-art translation quality

EPUB and TXT Support

Keep formatting, chapters, and covers

Fast Processing

Translate entire novels in hours

View Pricing

Trusted by 16,000+ readers worldwide in 2026

Completed
11
#11 PICK
The Villain Loaded My System
4.4
(344 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
Gu Xiyu led a task. He needed to go to few small worlds to solve the villains whose dangerous index exceeded the standard, so that the world can restore it’s harmony and beauty.
First Impressions
"The Villain Loaded My System" promises a fresh take on the quick transmigration genre, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered a dedicated following. It's a wild ride through various worlds with a unique system twist, but it does have some quirks that might not appeal to every reader. The core concept immediately grabbed my attention: a cold protagonist tasked with dealing with a villain who's somehow hijacked his system. The dynamic between the MC and ML, where the ML is aware of the mission and actively interfering, is intriguing. I was eager to see how their relationship would dev...
Read More
Completed
12
#12 PICK
Meow Meow Meow
4.3
(376 ratings)
Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy
A two year old ordinary cat travels through time to become a thousand year old demon cat, Hua Miao Miao. Little Miao Miao doesn’t understand the complications of life, still acting like an ordinary cat.
First Impressions
"Meow Meow Meow" is a wild ride! I went in expecting fluffy fun, and while it definitely delivers on the "cute" factor, I found myself surprisingly invested in the characters and the overall story. It's one of those novels that manages to be both silly and surprisingly poignant, which isn't an easy feat. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a house cat reincarnated as a powerful demon cat. The early chapters are hilarious, and the author does a fantastic job of capturing the feline perspective. The main character, Miao Miao, is naive and straightforward, seeing the world through the simpl...
Read More

Conclusion

These 21 xianxia transmigration novels are ranked by reader ratings. How central the transmigration element remains to the plot varies significantly. Some maintain that outsider perspective throughout, others treat it as backstory after initial chapters. Rankings update as new novels release and ratings shift.

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

Mistakenly Saving the Villain

First Impressions

Holding Onto My Man

First Impressions

It’s Not Easy Being a Master

First Impressions

Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse

First Impressions

The Demon Lord Only Wants to Follow the Script

First Impressions

My Junior Still Hasn’t Killed Me

First Impressions

Who Dares Slander My Senior Brother

First Impressions

Reborn As a System

First Impressions

Who Touched My Tail!

First Impressions

Offering Salted Fish To Master

First Impressions