Reinventing the martial hero

Following the separation of the celestial and human realms, the mythical beasts, deities, and spiritual herbs described in The Classic of Mountains and Seas, which were said to have existed around 5,000 years ago, gradually dwindled and vanished. Over the course of three to four millennia, that vast and majestic landscape shed its mythological aura and evolved into a deeply rooted martial arts world.

This is the setting of Radiant Blade of the Wilderness, the latest novel by popular web novelist, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving. He draws on the ancient myth of Zhuanxu (an ancient saint and grandson of the Yellow Emperor) and his act of "severing the connection between heaven and earth" from the Chinese ancient mythological book The Classic of Mountains and Seas to create a "post-classic of mountains and seas" martial arts universe.

Since serializing the novel on WebNovel on May 30, the book has quickly become the most "collected" title of the week and topped the weekly list for new translated books on the platform. It also ranked as the second most-read book of the week on WebNovel, just behind Lord of Mysteries, another work by the 41-year-old Cuttlefish That Loves Diving.

WebNovel, the international platform of Chinese online literature provider Yuewen Group, reaches readers in more than 200 countries and regions.

The novel was launched simultaneously on Qidian, WebNovel's Chinese counterpart. Within 24 hours of release, it topped the platform's best-seller chart, becoming one of the most talked-about titles in China's online literature market this year.

Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, whose real name is Yuan Ye, is known for his imaginative world-building and genre-blending narratives. His works span Western fantasy, Eastern Xianxia (Chinese fantasy literature), and steampunk.

As one of the most prominent online literature writers in China, he has won multiple awards, including the Mao Dun New Talent Award, which is the online literature category of China's top literary award, the Mao Dun Literature Prize. His notable works include Lord of Mysteries, Lord of Mysteries 2:Circle of Inevitability, Extinction Record (originally titled Path to Immortality), and Throne of Magical Arcana.

Lord of Mysteries blends European and American steampunk elements with Eastern philosophical thought, exploring humanity's place in the vast and unknowable universe. The novel has been praised for transcending cultural boundaries and delivering stories with broad global appeal. On WebNovel, the English edition holds a rating of 4.85 out of 5, while its sequel is rated 4.81.

In 2024, Lord of Mysteries and its sequel were added to the collection of the British Library. The series has been published in nine languages, including English, French, and German, with over 1 million copies sold globally.

In the latest Radiant Blade of the Wilderness, the author weaves together three core threads — ancient imperial legacies, the bloodlines of mythical beasts, and shamanistic mysticism — to construct a richly layered and expansive new martial arts world.

The novel also departs from familiar online fiction conventions, particularly in its portrayal of the protagonist.

"In many web novels, characters who travel through time are usually young people. This time, the protagonist is middle-aged and has spent years working hard. After crossing over, he is no longer driven by fame or ambition. Instead, he longs for a more relaxed life of cultivation, adopting a more Zen-like and tranquil mindset," the author says.

According to him, the character reflects the outlook of many contemporary readers. After navigating life's ups and downs and the pressures of modern society, many people increasingly seek simplicity, hoping to step away from complexity and reconnect with their true selves.

"Even though it has just come out, the introduction of the main character and the first supporting character is very intriguing, and this story shows amazing promise," a reader named Wondering_pen said on WebNovel.

So far this year, Qidian has seen a wave of new releases from top authors. Paperboy, the author of The Guardians of Dafeng, has a new book Lin Sheng, which has already garnered over 500,000 pre-subscriptions. Other leading authors such as Wang Zijun, Tian Zi, and Nan Zhan Tai have also launched new projects. Additionally, I Eat Tomatoes has announced plans for a new martial arts book.