- #1
TL;DR: Besides some minor translation issues, a good and unique read!This novel follows the main character slowly but surely expanding and advancing his spirit farm.The only negative in this novel is the translation quality. While it is generally decent, or even above average, there are some parts of the novel where it is hard to even understand.This problem is mostly seen in monetary transactions, to the point where I didn't really understand how money worked in the beginning of the book, and technique/plant names. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but the technique and plant names change constantly. Sometimes it is a slightly modified name, but sometimes it is the name of a different plant introduced? It is understandable using context clues, but it is mildly annoying.Now, onto the more expansive list of positives.First of all, I love the main character. He has an extremely consistent personality. There are no wild shifts in it for plot and he stays true to himself. For example, he said early in the book that he wants to slowly cultivate at home rather than risk his life outside. Later on, he was invited to a "very safe" secret realm, and I was almost certain the author was going to force him to go out. However, he stayed true and stayed in his farmland.It seems like little things, but these little things are the difference between an alright read and a great read.Secondly, the progression. I know that this is going to be very debatable, with many people hating it, but I love it. The progression of the main character's cultivation is overly slow, beyond what is seen in the vast majority of other novels. He is also unable to fight above his level and is just slowly moving through the ranks.While this doesn't give the same dopamine rush as an OP main character, I am certain that the novel is better as a whole because of it. We are actually able to see the interactions between the lowest rung of cultivators and the society built by them. Every single improvement in cultivation, even if it is a minor realm, feels significant, and changes the way others treat him. This speed of progression gives meaning to cultivation.Also, while the advancement in cultivation realms might be slow, the plot itself is not. There is still a lot of stuff happening and a lot of progress being made. There are no info dumps or wasteful chapters, they all feel productive. This is the main reason I have no problem at all with his cultivation's speed.Thirdly, this novel has a rather good side cast. While the focus is still certainly on the main character, I actually care about and enjoy reading about the side characters, unlike in many other novels. They have their own personalities and add to the story, rather than only existing for plot progression.I will absolutely continue reading this as it updates, and I hope others do as well.I would recommend this novel to virtually anyone, as long as you can bear with the occasional translation errors.
