HaremLitGuide
← All Lists

Reading List

Best Cultivation Novels in English

Cultivation fiction — xianxia in its Chinese-origin form — is one of the oldest and most developed traditions in the broader harem and power fantasy genre. The premise is its own sub-genre convention: a practitioner cultivates their spiritual energy, refines their soul, and ascends through realms of power over decades or centuries of in-universe time. The journey is the point.

The genre's roots are deep in Chinese web fiction, particularly platforms like Qidian and its international counterparts. The English-language cultivation scene now spans official translations of landmark Chinese novels, fan translations, and a growing body of original English cultivation fiction from authors who grew up reading the translated works.

What makes cultivation fiction distinct from other progression fantasy is the philosophical weight it often carries — the idea of cultivation as a path to genuine enlightenment, not just power. The best cultivation novels use their system as a meditation on patience, sacrifice, and the cost of ambition. The worst use it as an excuse for infinite power numbers. This list focuses on the former.

1 books · Ranked by community rating · Data from Harem-Lit.com

Crystal Core : A Litrpg Cultivation Adventure cover

Crystal Core : A Litrpg Cultivation Adventure

David Burke

Crystal Core #1

★★★★½ 9 ratings LitRPG Cultivation

Ryan lived his life on Earth trapped in his own body. The doctors couldn't explain what was happening to him, but slowly his body was crystalizing. Then the portal opens up on the ceiling of his hospital room. He'd seen that one in enough anime to recognize what was happening. It couldn't possibly be worse than the hell that was his life on Earth, not that he was given any choice. Now, those who summoned him expect some type of hero. That isn't Ryan. Ryan wants freedom. He wants to live his life his way. He'll do the right thing when confronted with it, but he isn't out to be anyone's savior. Of course in a world under a brutal siege and surrounded by powerful cultivators, Ryan realizes the only path to freedom is becoming strong enough to make his own path. For once, the mysterious disease will work in his favor as he forms his Crystal Core. Notes: This story features slow burn romantic interests, world building, a cultivation system with a litrpg framework, making fun of cultivation tropes, powerful supporting characters who have their own motivations and background, and an MC who has potential but is still growing in power. Be warned there is some mild cussing from some of the characters and the MC undergoes a great deal of personal growth this book so that he will be in the place he needs to be for the rest of the series.

Track every book on this list — ratings, new releases, and your reading library.

Explore on Harem-Lit →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cultivation novel?

Cultivation novels (xianxia fiction) are a Chinese-origin fantasy genre in which practitioners cultivate spiritual energy — "qi" or similar — to advance through realms of power, gain supernatural abilities, and pursue immortality. The genre is defined by long power arcs, sect politics, realm hierarchies, and philosophical undertones.

What is the best cultivation novel to start with?

I Shall Seal The Heavens (ISSTH) by Er Gen is widely considered the gateway cultivation novel for English readers — well-translated, manageable in scope, and representative of the genre's best qualities. Cradle (Will Wight) is an English-original cultivation-influenced series that removes the translation barrier entirely. For English-original xianxia with alchemy and crafting mechanics, River of Fate by David North is a strong modern entry.

What is the difference between xianxia and wuxia?

Wuxia is martial arts fiction set in a historical Chinese world — mortal warriors with exceptional physical skill. Xianxia adds supernatural cultivation: qi refinement, spiritual cultivation, immortal realms. Xianxia is the cultivation sub-genre; wuxia is its grounded, non-fantastical cousin.

More Lists