It’s been a while since we reviewed an entire novel, but now the time has come to recharge our Kindle. Seven Seas Entertainment announced they had acquired the licensing for all of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s books back in August, and have released the first volume of all three of her series as of this December. To kick things off, we’re diving into the official English localization of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s most recognized series, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. What started as a web novel published for free in the author’s free time has now become a global sensation spawning numerous live-action and animated adaptations. We’re excited to finally see where it all began.
Before we begin, we’d like to give a very special thank you to jinzillaa on Twitter who drew the cover illustration for the English release. All artwork used in this article was provided with their permission.
Story
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is set in ancient China, during an undisclosed dynasty. The story opens with a brief description of the character, Wei Wuxian, and this vile figure of demonic cultivation who brought about great calamity to the world despite him basically revolutionizing the art of Chinese exorcism. After we get the idea of who Wei Wuxian is, we find that he’s dead and the people are celebrating.
A few years later, Wei Wuxian wakes up in a confinement stable in the middle of a summoning circle, and in a body that isn’t his own. Quick observation shows that the previous owner of his now-body had somehow stumbled across nearly-forgotten and forbidden magic to allow him to resurrect a spirit for the sake of vengeance at the cost of the obliteration of his own soul. Wei Wuxian quickly learns that his new body belongs to an infamous homosexual and failed cultivator who had lived a humiliating life and wants revenge on his family. Bound by strict spiritual laws, Wei Wuxian is forced to (but happily) comply to do so, relishing the fact that he’ll be free to run about the mortal world again with a new, youthful body.
In the process of making a complete fool of himself, embarrassing the family he’s exacting revenge on, and slaying many zombies (named ‘walking corpses’), he encounters Lan Wangji, a skilled cultivator of the Lan sec, swordsman, guqin player (an instrument slightly similar to a harp), and someone Wei Wuxian knew in his previous life… not fondly. From there, they encounter each other repeatedly until Lan Wangji grows suspicious of Wei Wuxian’s possible resurrection when this (otherwise) stranger plays a bamboo flute just like Wei Wuxian had done many years ago. Concerned, Lan Wangji forces Wei Wuxian to return to his cultivation clan’s main hub with him to keep him under supervision, but also to recruit him into his clan’s cultivation sect. From then on, the misadventures and slow-blooming romance of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji begin.
Translation
The last time we reviewed a novel, it was also done by Seven Seas Entertainment. I am pleased to say that the issues with the Yes, No, or Maybe? translation has since improved. Given that Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation’s original language is Mandarin Chinese, there is a lot of metaphors that don’t make sense to English speakers, even with context. However, this time around, instead of using the closest English replacements, Seven Seas directly translates slang and metaphors while providing footnotes to better explain intended meanings.
While particular jokes or sayings might still seem strange to English speakers, it’s great to see such a level of care and effort put into keeping the novel as true to the original as possible. I find it less distracting to read a passage, not fully understand the humor behind it, and dismiss it as something that doesn’t make sense to me, rather than read an obviously Americanized edit.
Overall?
At times the novel can drag on, spinning off from the main focus to ramble for the sake of world-building and describing the character’s history, but it’s an enriching story from cover to cover. Wei Wuxian’s antics are delightfully humorous and entertaining to watch unfold. Although the romance between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji doesn’t even begin to bloom until the last fifteen pages of this volume, it’s almost a relief given that you’ll spend nearly 400 pages reading roughly twenty-five years of character history and world lore establishing a cultivation system and common law. Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is a series not to be overlooked.
It’s fun, flirtatious, funny, and downright unforgettable. We can’t wait to get our hands on the next volume!
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is available now from Seven Seas Entertainment.
