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Immersive World-Building and Thrilling Action: My Review of I Shall Seal the Heavens
Journey Through Power, Mysteries, and Destiny in the Unforgettable World of ‘I Shall Seal the Heavens’.
Hello, nice to meet you! In this article, we dive into a novel that amazed me, particularly because of its world-building and expansive universe.
As a point to note, I should mention that I am slightly biased — this is the first Xianxia novel that I’ve ever read.
Before we dissect the novel, let me provide some context. Xianxia is a genre rooted in Chinese cultivation, a belief that humans can ascend to immortality by following certain practices and beliefs. A central theme of this belief is the pursuit of the “DAO” or path, which a person views as the ultimate truth. These stories often mix action with philosophy, presenting unique narratives to their stories.
The story we’re discussing is a perfect example, blending philosophy with captivating world-building. It is written by the author Er Gen and translated by an amazing translator, Deathblade, alias Jeremy Bai.
We start our journey with a failed scholar who is wallowing in his sadness when he is suddenly kidnapped and dragged into the cultivators’ world. In this harsh realm, where survival is of the highest priority, and the resources are hoarded by the strong, our main character must rely on his intellect and strength to pursue his dreams. As we follow his journey, he grows stronger and explores the increasingly complex world while tackling more difficult and deadly hurdles.
As I mentioned earlier, one of my favourite aspects of this novel is the sheer scale of the world we explore. We journey through different valleys, caves, cities, ruins, palaces and deserts, each with unique characteristics and inhabitants with different ideologies and systems. Combined with solid characters, this creates a solid foundation for unfolding the plot.
Despite these strong foundations, the readers stay engaged if we have a moving or interesting story or characters that generate fun. The author handles this issue masterfully, for lack of a better word. Just when the plot begins to slow, we’re hit with either intriguing info…
