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Top 10 Must-Read Chinese Web Novels: Divine Picks from Internet Literary History

1. Lord of the Mysteries | Fantasy

Author: Diving Octopus

Word Count: 4.465 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: After transmigrating into a world of extraordinary abilities and steampunk, the protagonist investigates the suicide of the original host’s master, uncovering manipulation behind the scenes by extraordinary powers. By utilizing Qin-Han rituals, he enters an extraordinary space and disguises himself as the behind-the-scenes boss Fool, successfully forming a secretive organization akin to Freemasonry. Meanwhile, he contacts and joins the government organization after contributing as an extraordinary diviner. Thus, the protagonist becomes a “hidden hand” controlling the world while also acting as a law-abiding figure, capturing criminal extraordinary individuals and cutting off the tentacles of invading evil gods. The deep bond between the protagonist and his siblings, as well as the camaraderie with companions, is greatly appreciated, offering hope amidst industrial revolution oppression and Cthulhu-esque religious invasions.

2. Supernatural Notebook of Spirit Absorption | Fantasy

Author: Essence of Magic

Word Count: 657,000 words

Status: Ongoing (Suspected to be on hiatus)

Synopsis: Recognized as a masterpiece within the DND circle and even published in fantasy magazines, this work presents a cold, cunning, and cruel environment and rules through the perspective of a native spirit absorber. It blends dark humor with thrilling plots, showcasing the greatness of psychic abilities alongside magic in the DND realm. The protagonist, “Loz Spasm Pain,” becomes a supporting character in many stories, indicating his profound impact.

Each volume constitutes a standalone story, with the third volume requiring online search.

3. Hero in the Snow | Martial Arts

Author: Playing with Fire

Word Count: 4.61 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: A traditionally righteous martial arts novel with a grand narrative, numerous characters, abundant foreshadowing, intricate plots, and various allusions effortlessly woven throughout. The protagonist is portrayed realistically as an ordinary person, neither elevated nor a dominant antagonist, simply a mortal. Under the author’s pen, every character possesses distinct life stories and backgrounds. Compared to “Heroic Chronicles,” which leans towards realistic martial arts by Liang Yusheng, this work leans towards romantic martial arts akin to Gu Long. The characters exude a sense of romance and legend, evoking both moving and thrilling moments within readers amidst the industrial revolution’s oppression and the invasion of Cthulhu-esque gods.

4. Jade Dynasty | Xianxia

Author: Xiao Ding

Word Count: 1.685 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: “Legend of the Swordsman” is a Xianxia-themed romance novel recommended for younger readers. It boasts a simple plot, clear mainline, well-defined characters, and beautiful, moving descriptions.

This novel, although not overly complex or thought-provoking, crafts a love story that feels genuine and heartwarming without the intricacies of human affairs or the societal class struggles. It remains a special piece of literature, offering tranquility and loveliness amidst the frenzied and intense world of online literature.

Hence, the characters and plot are not crucial; what truly matters are the contemplative thoughts during reading.

5. Back to the Past, Becoming a Cat | Urban

Author: Chen Cilantuo

Word Count: 1.44 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: Arguably Chen Cilantuo’s best work, this novel revolves around a young boy who transmigrates into a cat’s body. He secretly surfs the internet with cat paws, dyes his fur for movie roles and pet food commercials, and enjoys daily walks with dogs in the neighborhood. It’s an addictive feel-good story of raising a human child as a cat, devoid of ambiguity or female leads. Despite being marketed as a cute story, the protagonist follows various cool, dominant, and aloof paths, providing endless entertainment. Besides the protagonist, various adorable pets steal the limelight, especially General, whose appearances never fail to bring joy.

The novel primarily features kind, ordinary people and heartwarming stories with their pets, much like a warm layer of sunshine filtering through the early winter morning, washing away the lingering darkness in my heart, leaving me stretching lazily in the golden sunlight, filled with warmth.

6. Unbreakable Cipher | Military

Author: Red Flag Flying

Word Count: 831,000 words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: Produced by Uncle Red Flag, this annual spy drama boasts concise, vivid writing and a rollercoaster plot. Its unique style combines lively energy with a skeletal, animated vigor.

When a reincarnated individual returns to the 1980s with knowledge of future national strategic secrets, will he bring about fortune or disaster? This heart-stopping international espionage legend unfolds instantly upon receipt of a mysterious “spoiler” letter from a reborn individual decades later.

7. Ruling the World | Historical

Author: cuslaa

Word Count: 7.35 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: At least ranking in the top three of historical fiction, this book boasts a sharp writing style and superb portrayal of historical figures. Even minor characters, with just a few lines, come to life vividly. The historical research is rigorous, and aspects such as war, logistics, battlefield medicine, etc., are engagingly depicted. The conflict between the new and old parties, personal promotion, the creation and practical application of Western physics, and various aspects of the Northern Song Dynasty are vividly displayed in a three-dimensional, “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival”-esque manner. Furthermore, all female leads are well-developed; for instance, Yun Niang exhibits the traits of a naive girl, and with just a few words, she leaps off the page.

8. Candle in the Tomb | Suspense

Author: Tianxia Bachang

Word Count: 917,000 words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: A milestone in the tomb-robbing genre, the author’s concise writing style and exceptional storytelling ability or innate talent create an explosion of visual and dimensional effects in this book. It captures attention with its unique and captivating narrative, offering an exhilarating feeling, despite being a wild fox discussion. The entire book exudes a sense of realism, immersing readers in its world, transcending the boundaries of internet literature. The intricate plot threads and compelling storytelling make the reading experience smooth and compelling, invoking memories of the bizarre tales and legends recounted by older generations. Through non-supernatural or pseudo-scientific means, the book dispels doubts, leading to sudden realizations and dissolving lingering doubts.

9. Starting from Zero | Gaming

Author: Thunderstorm

Word Count: 19.726 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: A must-read for every genuine reader, much like making an annual pilgrimage to a temple, if every internet writer possessed such spirit, where would there be a shortage of books?

Written since 2005 and completed in 2016, this 20 million-word masterpiece is said to have caused countless readers to binge-read, serving as a milestone in

internet literature history.

Due to its early writing, the early stages may be toxic, but it quickly becomes exciting. The teamwork in battles showcases technical highlights, coupled with flashes of brilliance and strategic maneuvers. While not exceptional in military or political aspects, compared to the vast majority of internet authors without knowledge, it’s relatively free of plot holes.

The work strongly expresses anti-Japanese sentiment, with the protagonist constantly clashing with Japanese individuals, perhaps reflecting the zeitgeist of the time. The author often uses the protagonist’s voice to proclaim that opposing Japan is not out of national hatred, but a matter of interests and territorial disputes. Regardless of the author’s true intentions, this stance elevates the narrative above many contemporary works that glorify defeating Japan.

In conclusion, Starting from Zero may not be a masterpiece, but it’s undoubtedly legendary.

10. Infinite Terror | Science Fiction

Author: zhttty

Word Count: 2.698 million words

Status: Completed

Synopsis: Infinite Terror is a classic. The novel’s character depiction has reached a pinnacle, with each character possessing their own personality. Zheng Zha’s kindness, Chu Xuan’s wisdom, Zhang Heng’s cowardice, Zero’s calmness… Each character has their backstory and is a protagonist in the story. The novel doesn’t just portray struggles in movie worlds but also despair in the real world. It delves into the darkness of human nature and the helplessness of ideals. Regardless of the space, it reflects the despair and struggle of life. Even characters as powerful as Zheng Zha and as intelligent as Chu Xuan cannot escape fate. This is the true Infinite Terror! A classic in the infinite flow genre! The entire book, centered on gene locks and set against a backdrop of movie worlds, tells the fantastic journey of urban white-collar worker Zheng Zha, who ultimately regains his confidence and motivation for life. It’s a decent book, deserving careful consideration and judgment. I once fantasized that we live in a “box”!

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