I am unable to provide a rating due to my inability to proceed with the story. The novel, as others have pointed out, is highly frustrating. I refuse to continue reading through numerous chapters filled with anger, solely to witness the arrogant characters suffer and repeatedly resurface like pests. My primary reason for reading is to unwind, not to fuel frustration. This genre does not align with my preferences, but if it appeals to you, feel free to enjoy it. I am unlikely to return to this book, regardless of boredom or the lack of alternatives. By the way, after reading about 20 chapters, I can't shake off the impression that the main character is becoming increasingly spineless.
MC is indeed a genuine and kind-hearted individual, yet Heaven's Will portrays him as a villain. He possesses morals and principles, extending kindness to others as long as they do not transgress his limits. Unlike typical storylines where the protagonist constantly dominates or has an unfair advantage through luck or a 'protagonist halo,' this narrative avoids such cliches. Most people, including MC, have a functioning intellect, and the characters are driven by purpose or hidden motives, not just relying on fate.
In the author's note:
Many readers still struggle to grasp the direction of the book, so allow me to clarify. First, this book does not revolve around an edgy or cool theme, as that is not my forte. In a previous work, I impulsively included a plot involving face-slapping, but upon reflection, I found it unsatisfactory and removed it. I am not skilled in crafting those types of narratives, so readers seeking that genre might be disappointed.
Some compare Feng Shao to a divine figure, but that misunderstanding stems from a lack of understanding of his character. Feng Shao is highly goal-oriented; he focuses on outcomes rather than processes. He宽容他人易如反掌 when the end justifies it, but he shows no mercy to those he deems unredeemable.
Moving forward, the book's plot will consist of three main components: the protagonist's growth, the harvest of the 'sons of fortune,' and the establishment of the protagonist's authority. Consequently, there will be substantial content dedicated to cultivating these characters. The protagonist will evolve into a world-changing force, not someone who seeks to impose or continually offend others.
The narrative initially starts off like a tempting junk food, an enjoyable read without high expectations, but unfortunately, it loses its charm as it progresses. Characters: 0/5 The cast lacks depth; the main character comes across as bland, portrayed as a saint by the author, which occasionally backfires due to his hypocritical behavior. His actions in certain situations border on foolishness, even surpassing that of the villains, who themselves are one-dimensional and redundant, making the story uninteresting past the first few chapters. The heroine is equally unengaging, and the supporting characters are tediously unsmart.
Character Growth: 0/5 No meaningful character development occurs throughout the story.
World Building: 0/5 Even after 100 chapters, the world is inadequately fleshed out.
Action Sequences: 0/5 I tend to skip over the fight scenes, as they consist of generic energy blasts and sword techniques that hold no interest.
Plot: 1/5 The only saving grace is the author's use of clichéd wuxia elements to create occasional engaging moments where villains falter. However, the overall plot is weak, and the inconsistency in the portrayal of characters becomes comical at times.
At chapter 36: As other reviewers have mentioned, this novel can be quite frustrating. Reading it requires immense patience, as it tests one's limits, but that very frustration might be seen as a positive aspect, serving as a mental workout to cultivate patience. The main character stands out, offering a refreshing take compared to others.
However, despite the intriguing premise, the story fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. If the book doesn't improve, I might even learn Chinese just to express my disappointment directly to the author. My earlier enthusiasm is waning, as the character development is shallow, the villains lack depth, and the plot progression is abysmal, making it hard to stay engaged. It's unfortunate to see such potential go to waste. I'm giving it three stars for the initial concept, which had promise.
Update at chapter 137: Regrettably, the decline in quality has forced me to reconsider. The story starts off decently but quickly deteriorates. Character growth is virtually nonexistent, villains are unimpressive, and the plot moves at a snail's pace, making it impossible to become invested. It's a shame to witness such squandered potential. Given the initial idea, I'm now awarding it just three stars.
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In the author's note:
Many readers still struggle to grasp the direction of the book, so allow me to clarify. First, this book does not revolve around an edgy or cool theme, as that is not my forte. In a previous work, I impulsively included a plot involving face-slapping, but upon reflection, I found it unsatisfactory and removed it. I am not skilled in crafting those types of narratives, so readers seeking that genre might be disappointed.
Some compare Feng Shao to a divine figure, but that misunderstanding stems from a lack of understanding of his character. Feng Shao is highly goal-oriented; he focuses on outcomes rather than processes. He宽容他人易如反掌 when the end justifies it, but he shows no mercy to those he deems unredeemable.
Moving forward, the book's plot will consist of three main components: the protagonist's growth, the harvest of the 'sons of fortune,' and the establishment of the protagonist's authority. Consequently, there will be substantial content dedicated to cultivating these characters. The protagonist will evolve into a world-changing force, not someone who seeks to impose or continually offend others.
Character Growth: 0/5 No meaningful character development occurs throughout the story.
World Building: 0/5 Even after 100 chapters, the world is inadequately fleshed out.
Action Sequences: 0/5 I tend to skip over the fight scenes, as they consist of generic energy blasts and sword techniques that hold no interest.
Plot: 1/5 The only saving grace is the author's use of clichéd wuxia elements to create occasional engaging moments where villains falter. However, the overall plot is weak, and the inconsistency in the portrayal of characters becomes comical at times.
However, despite the intriguing premise, the story fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. If the book doesn't improve, I might even learn Chinese just to express my disappointment directly to the author. My earlier enthusiasm is waning, as the character development is shallow, the villains lack depth, and the plot progression is abysmal, making it hard to stay engaged. It's unfortunate to see such potential go to waste. I'm giving it three stars for the initial concept, which had promise.
Update at chapter 137: Regrettably, the decline in quality has forced me to reconsider. The story starts off decently but quickly deteriorates. Character growth is virtually nonexistent, villains are unimpressive, and the plot moves at a snail's pace, making it impossible to become invested. It's a shame to witness such squandered potential. Given the initial idea, I'm now awarding it just three stars.