Any Novels with a Highly Intelligent Protagonist Whose Schemes Interlock and Who Plans Everything from Behind the Scenes? 有没有主角高智商，谋略一环扣一环，运筹帷幄的书

1. 1 神 The Game of the Gods: Apostle Number Thirteen 神明的游戏：第十三号使徒 Walking a Snail牵蜗牛散步Eastern Fantasy665k WordsCompleted (A battle of human nature + suspense game + in the vein of and + ensemble cast + infinite-loop progression) The doomsday bell tolls A divine oracle appears without warning, a magic cube descends, and the firmament splits with a roar! The selection tournament for the game [The Primordial Age of the Gods] begins. Attention: [The Thirteenth Apostle] has awakened. Now making his entrance [The Thirteenth Apostle] [The Founder of the End] [The Blood-Red Clown] [The 961Reads8.0Score104Shelves

   Reader note

   All three books feature protagonists with high intelligence. I won't go into detail about the latter two, as most people have already read them. Let me focus on the first one. The protagonist is a highly intelligent financial expert who, for his sister's sake, infiltrates a game world, using his financial knowledge to strategize against various professions. The plot is exciting, the strategic battles are mind-bending, and the ensemble cast is well-developed and vivid. It's definitely worth reading.

2. 2 诸EN The Gods' Foolish Game 诸神愚戏 Ninety Autumns in January一月九十秋Urban3.7M WordsCompleted I have two principles in life: 1. I never lie. 2. I never believe anything anyone says, including myself. “Sir, I would like to point out that your second statement conflicts with the first.” “How so?” “If you never lie, why don’t you believe what you say?” “Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention that I don’t consider myself human.” “?” Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cheng Shi, Cheng Shi who never lies. What, you’ve never heard of me? That’s all right. You simply haven’t been deceived by m 519.6kReads9.7Score67.5kShelves
3. 3 十EN Ten Days to the End 十日终焉 Pest Control Team Member杀虫队队员Mystery3.2M WordsCompleted 2024 Tomato Novel Annual Peak Rankings TOP 1 | 2024 China Online Literature Influence List | 2024 China Good Novel Award | Over 2 million copies sold (No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincibility, no System, no mindless antics, no wish fulfillment. Read with caution if these bother you.) Just when I thought it was an ordinary day, I discovered I had been captured and taken to the End. Just when I thought I could escape by continually taking part in death games, people began awakening supernat 1.7MReads9.9Score206.4kShelves
4. 4 天 Fish of the World 天下游鱼 Happy Acorn开心橡果Eastern Fantasy7.5M WordsCompleted By the Canglan River, a young man wears a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, holding wine in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. His heart has no place in the world, yet he finds himself in the jianghu... I come from a place beyond knowing. I want to see this world, just as unknown to me... 90.7kReads9.0Score8.9kShelves

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   These two are definitely top-tier in terms of intelligence! Li Ziye and Jiang Xiaoyu are the same type of people: young men plotting for the world, outwitting older, more cunning individuals with interconnected schemes! Both have terrifying forces at their disposal behind them.

5. 5 天 The Hidden Secrets of the World 天下藏局 Little Nine Disciple小九徒Urban2.8M WordsCompleted [Wuxia World + Antiques Appraisal + Tomb Raiding] I never went to school as a child. Instead, I spent ten years learning the trade from a beautiful woman. Over those ten years, she forged me a pair of “Ghost Eyes” that could identify every rare treasure in the world. She trained my hands into “Buddha’s Hands,” teaching me to break traps and set schemes with impunity. And she taught me a repertoire of “divine skills” that let me navigate the shifting world of the martial underworld with ease. Dra 100kReads9.4Score18.4kShelves

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   Intrigue, strategic planning, thinking ten steps ahead for every one step—even the supporting characters are incredibly intelligent.

6. 6 无 The Peerless Poison Strategist Backs the Empress 无双毒士，力挺女帝 One Glance at the Vast Sea一顾沧海Historical2.1M WordsCompleted [Masterful political intrigue + empress + poetry + contrasts + lie flat + power of capital] From the start, a princess is poisoned and hunted down, but Shen Liuxiang mistakes her for the top courtesan on a pleasure boat. By day... well, by day and night, they have heart-to-heart talks. The princess sighs: “Better not to be born a woman. For a hundred years, our joys and sorrows lie in other people’s hands.” Shen Liuxiang laughs: “Come on, take a look at this book, The Legend of Wu Meiniang.” The 10.2kReads8.1Score1.1kShelves

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   This is my top recommendation. It's the pinnacle of the "poisonous man" genre. The protagonist is a pretty boy, an unparalleled scoundrel, an unmatched schemer, and an unmatched strategist. Even the Black and White Impermanence would have to endure two major battles with him. The main reason is that it's so funny, every chapter is full of jokes, and the humorous writing style makes it an exhilarating read. It's definitely worth recommending.

7. 7 重 Reborn in 1993: Dark Sea 重生1993，暗海 The Gods Want to Go Wild神想出去浪Urban1.9M WordsCompleted The physical edition of Wrathful Sea, Calm the Abyss is now available. Presales officially begin at 19:00 on October 11. [Reborn] [Mystery] [Undercover Agent] [Revenge] [Anti-Drug Operations] [Counterespionage] The golden finger is extremely weak, and he relies on his own abilities. This is a battle of wits between highly intelligent opponents, so you need to keep your brain switched on. There is no showing off and face-slapping! Ideal for veteran readers. If you understand it, you'll find it ve 259.5kReads9.6Score30.9kShelves
8. 8 深 A Master Plan 深度布局 Mist-Shrouded Mystery雾锁谜局Mystery215k WordsCompleted A High-IQ Revenge With a single move, the “Soul-Severing Meridian Needle,” he can kill without a trace. On a crowded bus, he makes his target die silently, without anyone noticing. Police captain Zhao Gang sees everything clearly on the surveillance footage, yet is powerless to act. This is the third unsolved case, and every clue points to his own older brother, missing for twenty years... When the person closest to him becomes the prime suspect, how will he choose between the law and blood ties 887Reads6.4Score100Shelves
9. 9 第 The Ninth Special Zone 第九特区 Wei Jie伪戒Urban6.1M WordsCompleted After the catastrophe, the land was scarred beyond recognition. Food was scarce, resources were in short supply, and the situation was chaotic... A young man who had fought his way out of an undeveloped zone, with endless yellow sand at his back, came alone to District Nine to make a living. Yet he never expected to meet a few good friends by chance, rise to prominence in the chaotic era over a single thought, and embark on a legendary journey... 210.7kReads9.6Score22.6kShelves

   Reader note

   I'd like to recommend some books to everyone; the novels on this list are all excellent and well worth reading!

10. 10 满 My Whole Family Are Cannon Fodder, but After They Read My Mind, They Rebel 满门炮灰读我心后，全家造反了 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Physical edition of "Claiming the Pearl 2" goes on presale October 17 at 7:30 p.m.] [Mind reading + System + adored by the whole family + transmigrate into a book + play the pig to eat the tiger] Qiao Jiaojiao had accumulated so much virtue in her past life that the Old King of Hell granted her a rebirth with all her memories intact, plus a golden finger: a Virtue Points Shop. Qiao Jiaojiao was thrilled to start her new life, only to discover she hadn't been reborn at all. She'd transmigrated i 123.7kReads9.7Score14kShelves

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    [My Two Favorite Political Intrigue Novels] 9.7 High-Scoring Ancient Romance Novels (Completed)! Mind-Blowing! High-IQ Novels! ① The female lead is intelligent and resourceful, possessing strategic vision, assisting the male lead in conquering the world. ② A novel where everyone's intelligence is on point! Their IQs will leave you speechless! It starts slowly but builds to a bang; initially, the protagonist follows a scripted path to change her fate, but later it becomes a pure battle of wits! You might think you're the one holding the pieces, but in the end, you're just a pawn yourself. Who is truly orchestrating this vast chessboard of the world…?

11. 11 我EN I'm Not a God of Theater 我不是戏神 Three Nine Sound Domain三九音域Urban4.0M WordsCompleted The brand-new masterpiece by San Jiu Yin Yu, author of Slay the Gods | Winner of the Best Science-Fiction Web Novel Award at the Macau International Science Fiction Awards | A Chinese grotesque epic that turns the tide of an era After a scarlet meteor streaked across the sky, human civilization ground to a halt. From that day onward, humanity could no longer build a rocket, a nuclear bomb, an airplane, a car... The pyramid of civilization built upon modern science collapsed with a thunderous roa 1.7MReads9.9Score178.8kShelves
12. 12 黄 That Blonde Bully Messes with Me? My Uncle Is Qi Tongwei! 黄毛霸凌我？家叔祁同伟呀！ Lian Cang连藏Male-Channel Fanfiction1.3M WordsCompleted (Completed, no rushed ending, and readers were still leaving over three thousand “hurry up with the next chapter” comments on the final chapter.) Reborn ten years later, Zhao Xue’an is a heartthrob in Handong! Zhao Xue’an was wrongfully imprisoned for ten years. Only as he lay dying did he finally understand: no matter how successful a businessman you are, you can’t compete with a mere whim of power. Given a second life, he abandons business for politics. With his uncle, Qi Tongwei, showing him 45.7kReads9.1Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist is highly intelligent, resourceful, and vengeful, with each plan meticulously crafted.

13. 13 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    I don't know if you've read this book, it's also called "The Struggle for the Throne." The male lead is sickly but incredibly intelligent, and the female lead is skilled in martial arts and also exceptionally clever. The story is exciting with many plot twists, it's definitely worth reading.

14. 14 南 South Branches Toward Dusk, The Regent Has Been Plotting This for Ages 南枝向晚，摄政王他蓄谋已久 Doudou from Zhongyue Province中月省的逗逗Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted [Just received a rating] Complete ◎ [Revenge after being reborn + mastery of medicine and poison + powerful leads who cherish each other + everyone’s a schemer + palace intrigue and political machinations] Important: No stupid villains. Everyone has eight hundred tricks up their sleeve, and the battle of wits is at its peak! In her previous life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s family, was blind to the truth. She used a forbidden technique to save a scumbag man, dr 22.6kReads8.8Score2.6kShelves

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    [Completed, Rebirth and Revenge + Healing and Poisoning Mastery + Two Strong Individuals Pampered by Each Other + Everyone's Clever and cunning + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggle] Highlight: No villains with low intelligence; everyone is incredibly cunning, a battle of wits at its peak! In her past life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, went blind and used forbidden techniques to drain her life force to save her scumbag husband. In return, she found him secretly having an affair with her scheming cousin, leading to the tragic deaths of her entire loyal family! Reborn, she holds silver needles, returning to the day she used poison to prolong her husband's life. Facing his expectant gaze and her cousin's feigned tears, Shen Nanzhi coldly withdrew her needles: "I won't cure the poison. Since my cousin is so deeply in love, why don't you bleed her and cut her flesh?" In this life, she tears off the disguise, possessing unparalleled healing and poisoning skills, able to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded! Xiao Duo, the Regent of Dayuan, a powerful and influential ruler, suffers greatly from a rare poison. Shen Nanzhi tossed down the antidote, her voice cold and arrogant: "I will extend Your Highness's life. Lend me your blade to slaughter all the demons and monsters, how about it?" The world believed the Duke's daughter was merely a delicate canary in the palm of a living Yama. Only when powerful officials took center stage, and deadly schemes unfolded one after another, did everyone realize with horror—the seemingly fragile Shen Nanzhi was actually a master strategist, a female Zhuge Liang who held the reins of power and calculated every move! She and he entrusted their lives to each other, slaying gods and demons alike, manipulating the entire court with ease! When the bloody path was cleaved through, the world was at peace. The ruthless regent, who struck fear into the hearts of all under heaven, shed his menacing aura and held her tightly in his arms, his voice low and hoarse with madness: "Zhizhi, the realm is now secure. This vast and beautiful land is my dowry; when will you finally grant me a title?!" —A ruthless and decisive medical and poison queen × A crazed regent who bows down to her; together, they join forces to slaughter all demons and monsters!

15. 15 天 Number One Under Heaven 天下第一 The One Playing the Zither抚琴的人Urban4.1M WordsCompleted No money to give you, but you can take my life. I’m the best in the world! Looking at his disheveled reflection in the mirror, Chen Dong slammed a fist into it, his eyes bloodshot. “From today on, no one will ever walk all over you again!” 15.2kReads8.9Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    It doesn't treat the audience like fools; the plot is reasonable, with multiple intellectual battles, and it's easy to understand without requiring much brainpower.

16. 16 恶 The Villainess Has Too Many Secret Identities, and the Cold-Faced Regent Has Fallen for Her 恶女她马甲太多，冷面摄政王栽了 Doudou from Zhongyue Province中月省的逗逗Ancient Romance160k WordsOngoing [Female-led power fantasy + high-IQ political scheming + multiple secret identities + everyone is a schemer + powerful leads flirting with each other + a battle of wits at the highest level] Everyone lamented that Ruan Zhaowei, the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor's household, was a sickly young woman who had to catch her breath after every three steps. Her fiance thought her life was too fragile and she was useless, so he teamed up with her transmigrated half-sister to call off the engagem 1.9kReads—Score378Shelves

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    Highly recommended!!

17. 17 虎 The Tiger Emerges from the Mountain 虎出山 The One Playing the Zither抚琴的人Urban3.2M WordsCompleted (Original Title: The Tiger Emerges from the Mountain) After accidentally killing an old hoodlum, Li Hu spends three years in prison. When he gets out, underworld boss Hong Weijun seeks him out and immediately gives him a bar... At the same time, the police approach him, hoping he will help them send Hong Weijun to prison... 63.3kReads9.5Score8.5kShelves
18. 18 乱 A Lone Woman in Troubled Times, Plotting an Age of Prosperity 乱世孤女，谋千古盛世 Lingering Fragrance and Faded Powder旧香残粉Ancient Romance2.2M WordsOngoing [Strong Female Lead + No CP + Empress + Ensemble Cast + Political Scheming + War + Power Struggles in a Chaotic Era + Nation-Building and Farming + No Spatial Storage or System + Slow-Burn Growth + Epic Length] Yun Huaijin suddenly became a "corpse" in a world torn apart by chaos. She crawled out of a pile of bodies, with only a child on the verge of starving to death beside her. In this world, nobles lived in drunken indulgence, powerful clans monopolized knowledge, bandits slaughtered withou 24.2kReads8.9Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is great!! Highly recommended! And everyone is intelligent, it's very well written.

19. 19 异EN City of Beasts 异兽迷城 Peng Pai彭湃Urban3.0M WordsCompleted Gao Yang was an orphan. At the age of six, he transmigrated to a parallel world and began living in a warm family of five. When he turned eighteen, Gao Yang accidentally discovered the truth about the world: this was not a parallel world at all, but a mysterious realm, and all the relatives and friends around him were terrifying Beasts! Gao Yang nearly lost his life 478.1kReads9.7Score66.6kShelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend these novels; they're all top-rated works by Tomato (a popular Chinese literary website). You definitely won't regret reading them. If you're experiencing a reading slump, check them out—they'll effectively solve your reading crisis.

20. 20 山 Sleeping by Your Side Beneath These Mountains and Rivers 山河共枕与君眠 The Seabed Is a Forest海底是森林Two Male Leads1.0M WordsOngoing [Two strong leads, two emperors, political intrigue and plot, soul transmigration and comeback (ancient to ancient), fictional ancient setting, unification, mutual devotion, happy ending] Content warning: Neither the gong nor the shou is pure! Both had sexual encounters before they met. After meeting, they belong only to each other. The impure content is mentioned only in passing, without excessive detail. The original host, Pei Qingyue, was once framed for a one-night stand with the gong’s youn 2.3kReads9.3Score295Shelves

    Reader note

    In this book, I feel the emotional manipulation is out of 4:5; both protagonists are intelligent. Is there anyone who's interested in reading it?

21. 21 十 Lights Out at 10:30, Anyone Who Makes a Sound Dies 十点半熄灯，出声者死 Sleeping on Rainy Days雨天睡觉Mystery1.4M WordsOngoing The one and only piece of advice. Do not! Break! The rules! [No System; One Female Lead; Global Anomalies; Awakened Powers; A Touch of Horror] Also known as “I Told You Not to Break the Rules,” “Breaking the Rules Really Does Get You Killed,” and “You Die If You Talk After Lights Out, Where’s the Justice?” Rule-based incidents descend upon the entire world. This is a world where rules can kill. From household rules to the laws of the land, rules are gradually taking on physical form. Whenever a 1.2kReads7.7Score146Shelves
22. 22 伏 Ambush 伏杀 Mo Bai1莫白1Historical1.4M WordsCompleted [Original title: Ambush] Beneath the awe-inspiring might of Heaven, all living beings are mere ants. And yet he dares, with the strength of an insect, to turn the world upside down. For family, for friends, for the burning hatred in his heart, for the nightmares that haunt him year after year, for justice, and for fairness. This story is set in an imaginary world and has no connection to actual history. Everything in it is fictional. Any similarities are purely coincidental. 14.8kReads8.3Score931Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing possesses an inherent classical charm, conveying high intelligence and strategic thinking, and is both composed and moving.

23. 23 地 The Eighteenth Level of Hell: No Lying Allowed 地狱十八层：这里禁止说谎 Two Liang of Plain Water二两白开Mystery2.3M WordsOngoing [No System, no power fantasy, no harem, no saintly protagonist. Mind games + wits and strategy + locked-room mysteries + deduction.] Chen Ran is a good person. He went to hell. This is the Tongue-Ripping Hell, where lying is forbidden, so everyone lies about their lies. Differences in how people believe lies should be handled gave rise to two major alliances. The Lie-Slayer Alliance: Lie, and you're killed instantly. The Strange-Tongue Alliance: Turn lies into the truth. A beginner's tutorial wi 74.6kReads9.1Score11.6kShelves

    Reader note

    After reading this book, I proudly announce to everyone that I'm a complete game idiot with a bottomless pit of intelligence—I couldn't understand it at all! It's too difficult! Does the game have no difficulty limit? Experts, please carry me! This is brain-burning, like roasted brain, and I'm getting nosebleeds! How many energy drinks did the author consume to recover?!

24. 24 太 The Crown Prince Is a Treasure Trove, but She Flirts and Runs 太子浑身是宝，但她撩完就跑 Nine Strokes, Then a Horizontal Line九笔横才Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever revenge + ensemble court drama + male lead fakes his death and reveals his identity, then goes mad + heroine is his one true love] [Power couple comedy | Strategic mind games | All the right ingredients | Fictional setting] Axiang, a huntress, bought herself a live-in husband. He was handsome, with a fine figure and a noble, radiant air, like an immortal crane descended from the heavens, or a jade-faced gentleman from a storybook. But he had no idea how to show affection. When she offer 1.5kReads9.2Score185Shelves

    Reader note

    "High IQ" and "Top-Tier Political Intrigue": In a chaotic world, only the strong prevail! The female lead, burdened with a blood feud, has bided her time for years, meticulously planning her moves to stir up the winds of change. The male lead, self-disciplined and principled, is a man of noble character, willing to offer her all his tenderness. They are evenly matched, each other's weakness and strength, upholding their true feelings amidst deceit and protecting each other in the face of danger. The plot is high-octane from start to finish—a must-watch!

25. 25 烬 Embers Meet Zhiwei 烬火遇知微 Sea Salt Crispy海盐酥酥Modern Romance644k WordsCompleted [Bold, direct flirting from the start · Daring · Dazzling] Top heiress × cold, tough soldier, two highly intelligent and equally powerful leads #WomanPursuesMan #IcyBigShot #SweetRomanticPushAndPull Lu Jin is a retired special forces soldier who operates in both the underworld and the legitimate world, and a top bodyguard who moves through the shadows. He is ruthless and violent. Everyone respects and fears him, and no one dares get close! Except Ye Zhiwei. A top heiress, chairwoman of the Ye Gr 20.8kReads9.0Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    This novel is a must-read! It features two highly intelligent and charismatic characters locked in a thrilling tug-of-war, a romance combined with a business drama. [Already hooked!] This novel pushes the tension of a woman pursuing a man to its limits. The author's writing is delicate, and the undercurrents in their interactions are vividly portrayed in every detail, making it feel like watching a short drama! The female lead, Ye Zhiwei, employs a "fishing" approach, understanding Lu Jin's weaknesses while daring to confront his sharp edges. Lu Jin's "tough guy tenderness" is gradually revealed through their interactions, with the female lead gently touching his heart. This tug-of-war between two strong individuals, constantly flirting and testing each other, makes it impossible to put the book down.

26. 26 双 A Blood-Soaked Reckoning: Twin Sisters Return for Vengeance 【血色满门】双生姐妹踏血归来 Xiao Xiao Ran Zi萧萧然子Ancient Romance606k WordsOngoing An entire family of loyal officials is framed, and a century-old marquis’s estate is turned into a living hell. Twin sisters plunge from a cliff into the water, surviving against all odds. Once cherished young ladies who lived behind closed doors, they now tread a thorny path through the world. One struggles to survive on a sheer cliff, honing her edge; the other wanders in a foreign land, maneuvering at every turn. The court is rife with deceit and schemes, while the martial world flashes with 1.8kReads6.6Score189Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend the historical romance novel "Bloodstained Family"! Twin sisters are involved in a dual-narrative power struggle, engaging in a high-IQ battle of wits throughout. The schemes are intricately linked, with no idiotic supporting characters, and every twist is foreshadowed in earlier chapters. The Lin family is framed and unjustly accused overnight, but the two sisters escape death. One hides in the deep palace investigating the crimes, while the other guards the northern frontier, wielding the sword. The emperor's power struggles, the ambitions of the vassal kings, the choices of the foreign prince, and the princess's obsession with power intertwine to form a vast web. Secrets of the imperial tally, palace intrigues, and the flames of war in the north unfold one after another. Everyone has their own stance and hardships, and the conflict is not simply a matter of good versus evil. Bearing the burden of a blood feud, they come to understand the meaning of the common people and the world as they search for the truth. Revenge is no longer their only goal. When personal vendettas collide with the greater good of the nation, what choices will the sisters make? With its profound scope, well-developed characters, and solid political intrigue, "Bloodstained Family" is a must-read for readers who enjoy intricate plots and emotionally resonant political intrigue stories.

27. 27 步 Splendor at Every Turn, Spring at Every Step 步步惊华步步春 Twenty-Four Flower Mornings廿四花朝Ancient Romance847k WordsOngoing The rating has just come out, so don't pay it any mind... [Pure historical romance] [Plot-driven] [Political intrigue] [Two equally matched leads] [One-on-one romance] [Everyone is clever] [Powerful prince who dominates the court vs. exceptionally intelligent illegitimate daughter] Ruan Zhenzhen is the illegitimate daughter of the Pingyang Marquis's residence. Born of a courtesan's bloodline and raised in a humble country home, she is suddenly forced into the treacherous world of the capital's n 8.4kReads8.7Score838Shelves

    Reader note

    A classic tale of power struggles, unfolding layer by layer, incredibly captivating.

28. 28 谍 The Little Spy's Rise to Power 谍战小特务的逆袭 Winter Isn't Hot冬天不热Urban2.8M WordsCompleted He is the lowest-ranking undercover agent in the Military Statistics Bureau, yet he can spot Japanese spies in a vast crowd. He is also an expert operative, infiltrating enemy-occupied territory to assassinate traitors who sell out their country and vanish without a trace. Because: “Scanning Eye” in operation... 186kReads9.5Score20.6kShelves

    Reader note

    High-IQ crimes, whether the story is still undecided or the final outcome is the kind that makes readers worry about their own intelligence; "Strategic War" is even more about cunning spies; "Return from Hell" makes you feel lucky that you never offended him, such terrifying cunning.

29. 29 末 Apocalypse: The Whole Company Denies the Existence of the 18th Floor 末世：全公司否认18楼存在 On Jiufeng Mountain九峰山上Sci-Fi & Apocalypse783k WordsCompleted [Apocalypse + No System + Reborn + Mystery + One Female Lead + Zombies + Hard Sci-Fi + No Mindless Decisions + Revenge] Reborn six hours before the apocalypse, Chu Yan has not only retained his memories of the future, but also mastered the ultimate secret of genetic evolution! He can become the most powerful god in the apocalypse! He frantically stockpiles supplies, builds weapons, modifies vehicles, and saves his parents, racing against time! He will kill his enemies with his own hands and turn 3.4kReads8.7Score290Shelves

    Reader note

    This post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel has an incredibly imaginative plot. After the protagonist is reborn, the entire world's script is changed. The whole story is full of high-IQ battles and twists, with deep foreshadowing. You'll be thoroughly entertained after reading it!

30. 30 我 I Returned from Hell to Plan the Perfect String of Revenge 我从地狱归来，策划连环完美复仇 Leaves Can't Predict Autumn叶难知秋Mystery525k WordsCompleted [No Female Lead] [Mad Protagonist] [Elegant] [High-IQ Crimes] [No System] Ten years ago, the Shen family was wiped out by a mysterious organization known as the Alliance. Shen Feng was beaten to death and left in the wilderness. Now, Shen Feng’s soul has returned from hell. That day, the criminal investigation squad received a call from a mysterious person claiming he would kill the famous CEO Liu Ruxu at a shareholders’ meeting. The nightmare began at that very moment. Shen Feng planned one per 118kReads9.5Score12.7kShelves
31. 31 狩EN Demon Hunter 狩魔手记 Misty Rain Jiangnan烟雨江南Sci-Fi & Apocalypse2.2M WordsCompleted After the nuclear war, slaughter began to spread across the entire world. The order of human society completely collapsed, and the law of the jungle became the foremost rule. Once desire was freed from its restraints, there was no road forward, only a choice to turn left or right. Hell lay to the left, and hell lay to the right. 3.3kReads9.2Score625Shelves

    Reader note

    This post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel has an incredibly imaginative plot. The protagonist is reborn and completely changes the world's script. The entire story is filled with high-IQ battles and twists, with deep foreshadowing. You'll find it incredibly exciting to read!

32. 32 妖 The Prodigious Scholar’s 39th Book 妖孽书生第39本书 Bewitching Scholar妖孽书生Urban1.6M WordsCompleted [New book: They sent you undercover, so why did you sleep with the mob boss's daughter?] I caught my fiancée cheating, then married the man she was cheating with's fiancée on the spot. She was fair-skinned and beautiful, with a stunning figure and plenty of money and influence. I thought I'd hit the jackpot. But I never expected that on our wedding night, she would actually... 1.7kReads7.7Score215Shelves

    Reader note

    The title of the book is a disservice

33. 33 我 Reborn Under the Tutelage of the Guesthouse Owner 我在民宿老板娘的调教下重生 Sea Salt Crispy海盐酥酥Urban321k WordsCompleted [Roguish CEO and Rich Young Master x Fierce Big Sister and Money-Loving, Loyal Heroine] Older Woman-Younger Man Romance, Packed with Satisfying Moments On a stormy night, Lu Qiming, president of the SM Group, is ambushed by his own uncle. He fakes his death in a car crash and escapes, covered in blood, before pounding on the door of a mountain lodge for help. To his surprise, the person who opens the door is a young proprietress with even more grit than he has: Murong Laidi. At just twenty, she’ 174Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These two books on high-IQ political intrigue are super engaging! [Thumbs up]

34. 34 孤 A Solitary Seeker of the Dao 孤独的寻道 Egg Fried Rice Fried Rice Egg蛋炒饭炒饭蛋Urban3.3M WordsCompleted The Dao has died! The laws have begun to fade! Only techniques remain, reaching into every corner of the world. Ye Ming, the hated, ill-fated loner, suddenly discovers he has a grandfather. Then his grandfather takes him to a new world. His new book, Envying the Dao, is now online. 39.7kReads9.0Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one is more to my taste, the only downside is that it's not finished yet, so I need to wait and see. The second one is alright, readable for me, definitely worth reading. The third one has a good premise and a very imaginative concept.

35. 35 高 A Master Comes Down from the Mountains: Beautiful Ladies, Please Stay 高手下山，美女请留步 Wind and Waves风浪波Urban10.4M WordsCompleted [Invincible + overwhelming victories + decisive and ruthless + fight anyone who dares defy you] A master descends from the mountain and sweeps all before him. He wields the power of the world by day and sleeps in the arms of beauties by night. He crushes every opponent along the way. What more is there to say but: exhilarating... [First Senior Sister: The Dragon Maiden of Longdu, richer than a nation] [Second Senior Sister: The Divine Maiden of Shendu, wielding immense power] [Junior Sister: The 6.3kReads8.9Score716Shelves
36. 36 开 From the Start, I Revealed the Achievements of Ancient Emperors and Stunned the Emperors 开局曝光古人皇功业，惊呆皇帝们 Trainee001练习生001Historical4.3M WordsOngoing [Historical retrospectives] + [a commoner's view of history] + [spoilers in the comments] + [emperors goofing around] + [A complete run-through of Chinese history from the Yan and Huang emperors, starting with the Shang] Chen Yong was hired to make a series of historical retrospectives. He planned to start with the Shang dynasty. To set his videos apart from the many others, he decided to follow standard historical methodology. Source priority: archaeological artifacts > official histories > 71.6kReads9.0Score4.9kShelves
37. 37 犯 The Usurper 犯上者 Li Ma李马Urban2.7M WordsCompleted [The print edition has been signed, so read with confidence] (No System, no invincibility, plot-focused, explores human nature, not a formulaic power fantasy) (The protagonist grows and changes as the story unfolds) (An ensemble cast: supporting characters aren't one-dimensional, and respond with genuine emotions to the changes around them) No one knows when this world began to split in two. 218.8kReads9.4Score35.1kShelves

    Reader note

    If you don't like it, you can hit me. The writing is great, and I wait for updates every day. Just look at my reading time; I'm a veteran bookworm. I've also read thousands of hours on another app. I've been reading novels since middle school, for over ten years now.

38. 38 原 Primordial Gray Mist 原初灰雾 Zhou Guan the Old Rogue周官老贼Sci-Fi & Apocalypse3.4M WordsCompleted [Cyberpunk] [Cthulhu Mythos] [Slow Burn] A bizarre world born from the interweaving of technology and myth, where science and theology have merged. When the human body can be modified and genetic locks unlocked, are people still human? The Ship of Theseus paradox takes on a different meaning when it comes to cyborgs. Silence seems to do no good anymore. Yet the even more mysterious “Near-Divine Attendants” tempt humanity into submission and worship. When myth enters reality, beneath the gloomy s 4.2kReads8.7Score361Shelves
39. 39 降 After My Pay Cut, I Decided to Ruin My Boss 降薪的我决定搞垮老板 A Leaf, River, and Mountain一叶川山Urban328k WordsCompleted [Surrounded by beautiful women] [Workplace power games] [Startups and making money] I caught the boss making out with his secretary in the stairwell. She didn’t panic. Instead, she leaned in with a smile and said, “Save the video. Don’t delete it.” I’m a company workhorse who’s been there for ten years. She’s the woman the boss brought back from a karaoke club. She wants Boss Wang Jianqiang’s money. I want his life. The boss’s wife dragged me into the pool and asked, “Do you have feelings for me 120Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The story begins with Liu Bo'er catching his boss and secretary cheating! A lowly office worker, Liu Bo'er, has been exploited for ten years and even put on the pay cut list! Little did he know, he'd been gathering dirt on his boss for three years. Boss, you're doomed!

40. 40 我 I Took Over My Own Body 我夺舍了自己 Fang Yebai方夜白Urban1.2M WordsCompleted An accident turned Chen Luo into a vessel for his parallel-world selves, who had died and come back to life. He was possessed by his counterparts from parallel worlds. Every time Chen Luo fulfilled an unfinished wish of one of his parallel selves, he gained a skill they had learned, such as combat, languages, computers, firearms, and more. Assassin Chen Luo: “Let's go paint the town red!” Playboy Chen Luo: “My blade is practically begging for a taste!” Master Thief Chen Luo: “Next, we're going t 14.5kReads9.0Score1.4kShelves
41. 41 双 Bound Together Across Two Lifetimes, We’ll Grow Old Together 双世缱绻，与君共白头 Dreamer Dadao爱做梦的大道Ancient Romance727k WordsCompleted [Two powerful leads who rise to greatness | Complete souls | Extreme contrast | Love across two lifetimes | Sweet romance and court intrigue] A modern married couple are reborn as babies in the Tianqi Dynasty. He becomes an iron-fisted Crown Prince, commands the Xuanhuo Army, and plots to industrialize the realm. She becomes a queen of commerce, controls trade routes along three borders, and holds the lifeblood of the people in her hands! Toward their enemies, he presides over the execution of t 5.5kReads8.1Score646Shelves

    Reader note

    A 55-year-old childhood sweetheart couple, both reborn, a UI designer male lead with a meticulously crafted political intrigue plot (implementing new policies, court intrigue), a delicate emotional arc (daily interactions, pampering details), and practical application of modern skills (double-entry bookkeeping, design applications). This well-balanced story combines sweet romance, political intrigue, strong-willed co-governance, past-life bonds, a deeply affectionate time-travel romance, and a profound entanglement of love and court politics.

42. 42 宁 Ning Yan: When Women Rule the Roost 宁兖，牝鸡司晨 Books Bring True Wealth有书真富贵Historical168k WordsOngoing [Ensemble political intrigue + entrusted heir + factional strife + expansion of the realm + redressing an old injustice] [Wronged powerful minister male lead x emperor female lead disguised as a man] Also known as "After I Blundered into the Imperial Family, I Discovered I Was the Imperial Family" On a winter night in the seventh year of Chengxu, Emperor Zhao Ning Fu suddenly went mad. Wearing the robes of his favorite consort, Yan, he climbed the bell tower and rang the funeral bell before fall 189Reads—Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    A ensemble drama of power struggles, including the entrustment of a young heir, factional infighting, territorial expansion, the redress of old grievances, and counter-espionage. No time travel, no idiotic supporting characters. Also known as "After Accidentally Entering the Imperial Family, I Discovered I Am the Imperial Family."

43. 43 逆 Against the Meridians: Liar, Stop! 逆经：骗子住手 Ren Fanwuyin任梵无音Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Original novel for the animated series This Taoist Is Not Quite Right] Life is unpredictable. The fit thrive under Heaven's law, Those skilled in force become generals, those skilled in strategy become kings. Born into the lowest of professions, he refuses to live like a nobody, He waves the yin-yang banner and sees through the Six Lines of Divination. Watch him play at being a spirit medium, watch him swindle and deceive, Watch him make ruthless decisions, watch him rise like a hidden dragon f 43.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    I wholeheartedly recommend this high-IQ political intrigue novel! It combines martial arts, crime-solving, suspense, genius, and a comeback story! The writing style is humorous and unconventional! Full of surprises and plot twists! A must-read for both male and female bookworms!

44. 44 灰 The Gray Lotus 灰莲花 Clouds of Rough Noodles Again又见糙面云Modern Romance819k WordsCompleted [A textbook case of realist business warfare + a deeply romantic, top-tier intellectual romance] The world has gone mad. A top-tier rich, handsome young heir is forced to compete with his wealthy wife for a lover... “If she likes me and I like her too, then we’ll each have to prove ourselves.” The male lead is loaded with resources and comes with every advantage, while the female lead has brains and beauty and rises from humble beginnings. A textbook case of realist business warfare, arranged fa 36.4kReads9.4Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    It has a powerful staying power. A top-tier contemporary romance novel, the male and female leads are deeply devoted and of high caliber, the romance is grand and impactful, and the career storyline is exciting and thrilling. Not suitable for casual readers; once you're hooked, you'll likely find it quite sophisticated. There are no substitutes; it's one of the few truly excellent novels I've read this year. Highly recommended.

45. 45 别 Don't Mess with Her: The Princess May Lie Flat, but She'll Still Crush the Scum 别惹她，长公主虽躺平，但狠虐渣 Flying Like Clouds如云飞扬Ancient Romance1.0M WordsOngoing [Transmigration, past and present lives, woman disguised as a man, political intrigue, sweet and satisfying] Yun Qing was a princess born of the emperor's elder sister. On the day she was born, she was switched, poisoned, and hunted down, ending up in the common world as a discarded daughter of the family who had to disguise herself as a man. Her heartless father, her vicious concubine stepmother, and all manner of monsters and demons wanted her dead. When she opened her eyes again, she had s 1.4kReads9.3Score173Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a master strategist, calculating and manipulative; in short, she's ruthless, arrogant, and domineering—never mess with her.

46. 46 重 Reborn, I Become My Arch-Enemy's Living Widow Sister-in-Law 重生后，我成了死敌的活寡嫂子 Two Times Four Means Prosperity二四得发Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn + sister-in-law and brother-in-law + an aloof beauty brought down from her pedestal + emotional push and pull + winning her heart and her body + devoted couple] The Eastern Palace has no crown prince, and the princes are locked in a fierce struggle for the throne. Ning Miao and Yan Mobai are the top strategists of their generation, each serving a different master. They cross paths over a map of iron mines and kill each other. Only after her death does Ning Miao learn tha 39.2kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The male and female protagonists were originally mortal enemies, serving different princes. Both were top strategists, making them both incredibly capable. The plot is full of twists and turns, with each event intricately linked to the next, making it a masterpiece of ancient political intrigue. The male and female protagonists understand each other exceptionally well, and the book's meticulous analysis is incredibly satisfying.

47. 47 别 Stop Cultivating Spirit Roots! I'll Become a God by Trading Spirit Stocks 别修灵根了！我靠炒灵股封神 Dula Da Chubby嘟啦哒胖胖Eastern Fantasy413k WordsCompleted Eastern Fantasy #Scheming Protagonist #Behind-the-Scenes #Feel-Good Fiction #Subverting Expectations There are no bizarre secret-realm adventures here, only ruthless capital warfare fought with open and hidden blades! This story doesn’t preach about karma and ascending through enlightenment. It believes only in the strong crushing the weak through sect power! Traditional cultivation rules become a laughingstock in the face of capital. Chen Long catches the scent of money filling the air, and the 23Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A financial fantasy novel featuring overwhelming intelligence, a passionate ensemble cast, and an unconventional, exhilarating story. Hope you enjoy it!

48. 48 惊 The Horror Realm: Entering the Strange World from a Psychiatric Hospital 惊悚领域：从精神病院进入诡世界 Tender Little Puppy香嫩的小狗Mystery1.5M WordsOngoing (The hardcover edition has been published!) [Infinite Flow] [Original Horror Instances] [Mild Horror] “Chen Ji murdered his mother a week ago and spent three days with her corpse before he was arrested.” “You have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and are about to be transferred to a psychiatric hospital for supervision.” “Do you have anything to say?” The black-haired boy before them slowly raised his head, his expression calm. “I’ll say it again.” “The thing I killed wasn’t my mother...” “It w 335.3kReads9.5Score66.6kShelves
49. 49 巅 At the Pinnacle of Politics: Winning With a Rebellious Streak 巅峰官场：胜在反骨 One Pick, Twelve Strokes一拾二画Urban622k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + political intrigue + revenge + one heroine + wish fulfillment + no self-sacrificing saint] In his previous life, Zheng Gongcheng was reduced to a pawn, framed by others, and died in despair. Reborn, he is defiant to the core, sees through the ways of officialdom, and rises to the top. (The sequel to this book, “The Pinnacle of Officialdom: Defiance Wins, Part 2,” has been signed. Readers are welcome to follow it. I dedicate this book to everyone who enjoyed this story and political in 2.6kReads9.0Score214Shelves

    Reader note

    A highly recommended novel about political intrigue and power struggles. The plot is realistic, and everyone is intelligent. The protagonist starts in the provincial Party committee's organization department and, drawing on his past life's experience and wisdom, navigates the power struggles of officialdom with ease, rising through the ranks. Reading it will boost both your IQ and EQ. Everyone, I highly recommend it!

50. 50 末 Apocalypse Cockroach 末日蟑螂 Mighty Cockroach伟岸蟑螂Sci-Fi & Apocalypse6.3M WordsCompleted Zhang Xiaoqiang is an insignificant nobody, a lazy loser who had been content to lounge around and wait to die. Staying at home lets him avoid the first outbreak of the zombie virus. When he sees his neighbors in the same apartment complex turn into zombies, he is overcome with boundless terror. He struggles to survive alone in an Apocalypse where people prey on each other. At last, worn down by loneliness, he picks up his gear and heads out into a world shrouded in smoke and fire. He takes the 27kReads8.9Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    A rare high-IQ game in post-apocalyptic novels, the protagonist's strategies are intricately linked, the plot is realistic and engaging, there is no system or cheat code, veteran readers all say it's good.

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