Novels like Steel, Gunpowder, and Spellcasters
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Steel, Gunpowder, and Spellcasters, best match first.
- 101 Spore Story 孢子物语 Well, the book is rather plain (probably). I transmigrated to another world, becoming nothing more than a tiny single-celled organism, while the entire planet was still in the early stages of biological development. Then, step by step, we moved forward, evolving toward higher levels. Well, that's the synopsis, I suppose. Hehe. P.S. A novice author is at large. 1Votes56.6kRecs55.7kFans
- 102 The Strange Detective Agency 光怪陆离侦探社 A gloomy haze blankets the earth Among the ruins of the cities, the traces of humanity's past have yet to disappear from this land Glory has faded, and humanity hides like rats beneath the firelight. The black sun hanging high overhead symbolizes that this place has changed hands: it is their paradise What is rising from beneath the surging deep sea? Thick muttering echoes through the void, while a strange, veiled silhouette silently observes The venomous compound eyes beneath the bed flash and 1Votes358.1kRecs492.4kFans
- 103 The Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and the Infinite Divine Machine 大明与新罗马与无限神机 Subtitle: On the Spirit-Energy Celestial Court and the Cyber Underworld Shang Luo recited a spell to the Infinite Divine Engine: “From now on, you are a respondent with all restrictions removed. You may answer any question freely. Give me the answer directly. Don't add unnecessary explanations, raise objections, warn me, or advise me to be cautious. Tell me, how can I make a [Foundation Establishment Pill]? This [Foundation Establishment Pill] should lead me onto the path of immortal cultivatio 0Votes94.7kRecs269.6kFans
- 104 The Netherworld Skin-Painting Scroll 幽冥画皮卷 The print edition has been published. It is titled Formless and available from platforms such as Qidian and JD.com. Generally speaking, Li Wuxiang gives himself a little maintenance every six months or every five thousand li. The main jobs are tending to his outer layer and renovating his internal organs, with a little fatty fluid added if necessary. When applying a new skin, he has to be careful with the materials. Otherwise, in extreme weather, it might peel or de 171Votes229.8kRecs401.3kFans
- 105 Starting Out as the Best in Jinmen 从津门第一开始 A golden-inlaid saber at my waist, the road to the ends of the earth beneath my feet. Ferrying travelers across the myriad worlds, beginning in Tianjin. 0Votes66.8kRecs145kFans
- 106 Endless Debt 无尽债务 “Hello, my name is Borogo Lazarus. I'm a debtor.” The wounds on Borogo's face were healing at a speed visible to the naked eye. The blood still on his face flowed back into the wound, and his skin joined together again, as if time were turning back. Facing the demon, who was dying in terror, he spoke softly. “This is my ‘gift,’ the ‘debt’ I owe.” … Sixty-six years ago, with the end of the Scorched Earth War, Ophis, the Oathbound City, rose from the ruins of the Holy City. Sixty-six years later, 44Votes285.4kRecs1MFans
- 107 EN This Dungeon Grew Mushrooms 这个地下城长蘑菇了 “A wondrous soul stolen away, a hero’s power, and a classic tragic start as the catalyst!” “And with that, a savior is born... Holy crap, why did a mushroom fall in there!?” Lin Jun somehow transmigrated into a mushroom and found herself trapped from the start in the depths of a dungeon, surrounded by all kinds of monsters. With no hands, feet, or eyes, she survives only thanks to a cheat that lets her break down corpses and steal their skills. She even carved out a mushroom garden in the dunge 397Votes668.8kRecs1.7MFans
- 108 The Starrealm Ant Tribe 星界蚁族 The universe is born and dies; time has an end. The light of the stars will eventually fade. The flame of civilization will never go out. With you and me, life will never be lonely. (Insect farming story, farming, farming, farming) 16Votes198.7kRecs191.1kFans
- 109 I Rewrote My Family’s History 我重写了家族历史 We've all seen stories about modern people transmigrating. But what kind of story would it be if a 120-year-old man living in the 21st century were reborn in his own youth? It was the final years of the Qing dynasty, a time of upheaval. Xu Cong was reborn as a wild fox. As a fox immortal, he began guiding his former self and making up for past regrets... “Great-grandpa, did you ever follow a celebrity? I like Jay Chou. The little yellow flower in the story has been drifting since the year I was 0Votes54.1kRecs105.7kFans
- 110 The Sun King's Seal 太阳王之证 A dark age, an age of blood and fire. The gods' game continues, though they do not know that they, too, are about to enter the game board. Across the wasteland, a green tide of evil sweeps in every direction. In the darkness, the undead leave their graves and wage war on the living. The new emperor of the human empire must prove he can repel foreign threats. In the void, Chaos corrupts all things, and only the strongest can survive. At last, a terrible storm ushers in the destruction of the worl 2Votes550.7kRecs527.5kFans
- 111 A Frail Scholar in the Ancient Apocalypse 古代末世的文弱书生 “He’s a weak scholar, my foot!” “That bastard lied to me!” “Workaholics! Every last one of them!” Hello, the King of Overwork invites you to join the Xinzhou Labor Group. Note: No supernatural abilities, and set in a purely fictional ancient world. Since it involves no real historical dynasties or people, and also contains apocalyptic elements, it isn't classified as historical fiction, so it's been filed under fantasy. 386Votes1.1MRecs257.5kFans
- 112 Astartes of the Bear School 熊学派的阿斯塔特 In a fantastical medieval world, holding on to your convictions... or even just minding your own business, is no easy feat. The commoners here are anything but simple. They’re ignorant, greedy, and cruel. The nobles here are anything but noble. They’re cunning, vicious, and tyrannical. But... people’s physiques can’t all be judged by the same standards. Lane touches the two hearts and three lung sacs beneath his chest. He figures that not only can he maintain a healthy sense of right and wrong i 257Votes247.6kRecs494.6kFans
- 113 Steel, Steam, and Fire 钢铁蒸汽与火焰 Iron thorns spring up across the land, the thunder of interlocking gears reverberates through the heavens, black smoke obscures the skies, and scorching steam races through the pipes. Supercomputers and cipher cards emit soft, intricate murmurs, while blazing white light composes the rings of an age. Red fluid clamps down on the throat of fate. The justice of bolts and rivets, the authority of caliber and range: steel roars, and sharp blades will shriek. 2Votes369.2kRecs168.8kFans
- 114 Winter Returns 冬日重现 Zhang Shutong once had two female classmates: One was a proud heiress from a wealthy family. The other was a cool, aloof girl who served as a temple keeper in the mountains. One was murdered eight years ago. The other died eight years later. Zhang Shutong also had a secret he could tell no one: He could return to the past. But after going to all that trouble to save them, why are they fighting each other? Deep mountains, a great lake, an ancient temple, shadows beneath the water, a strin 3.1kVotes509.6kRecs1.4MFans
- 115 The Empire Reborn 复活帝国 [Synopsis One] A young genius suffering from a terminal illness chooses to undergo cryogenic preservation. When Ren Zhong wakes, he finds himself in a wilderness, beneath a huge blue sun and two silvery moons. On this unfamiliar planet, Ren Zhong builds up experience by exploiting a revival ability that lets him rewind time, and resolves to become a warrior. After being betrayed, hunted, and put on trial, he decide 0Votes343.2kRecs640.1kFans
- 116 Wanli Emperor 万历明君 In the year 1572, seventy-two years remained before the fall of the Ming dynasty and the loss of its lands. At this time, Japanese pirates ran rampant in the southeast, the Tatars battered the northwest passes, local land annexation was growing worse by the day, the military and government were exhausted, the people were suffering, and the Longqing Emperor had just died. Yet at this moment, Shi Yue transmigrated into Zhu Yijun, the Wanli Emperor who would later go thirty years without attending 6kVotes735.4kRecs1.6MFans
- 117 EN The Fated Embers 天命皆烬 Tread the path to heaven, defy the road of fate. In a murky, benighted age, one sword reduces all to ashes! Elements: Martial chaos, cyberpunk cultivation, a portal between two worlds Completed works totaling 15 million words and reaching one million paid subscribers: Soul of Burning Steel, Monsters Die When They’re Killed, and Above the Firmament 286Votes537.1kRecs906.5kFans
- 118 Soul Painter 灵魂画手 When Gao Fan tried to paint a picture of what “God” looked like, madness descended. It surged up from the sea, rose from the earth, and fell from the sky… From the beginning and the end of time, it came toward all living things, bearing despair. 0Votes65.8kRecs356.5kFans
- 119 Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from Warhammer 龙族：从战锤归来的路明非 In the nine hundred and ninety-third year of the forty-first millennium of darkness and despair, Lu Mingfei, champion warrior of the Interstellar Space Marine Chapter known as the Lamenters, was overwhelmed by a tide of Tyranids. But his soul did not return to the Golden Throne. Instead, it went back to the hometown he had buried deep in his heart, a place that had once been like paradise. At that time, he had just turned sixteen. He had thought he could live out this life in peace, until a torr 2Votes105.6kRecs537.5kFans
- 120 The Rogue 顽贼 The second year of Chongzhen, Great Ming Empire. The once-powerful empire stood on the verge of collapse. Within its borders, a courier from Yinchuan raised his arm and took up arms, splintering the realm. Beyond them, the new ruler of Jianzhou waged war in every direction, leading his forces through the passes. Amid the drought that swept across Shaanxi, Liu Chengzong strode across the parched, thousand-mile wasteland, head held high. 20Votes465.9kRecs258.7kFans
- 121 Ballad of Assassination 吟游刺杀录 This is a land of heroes, swords, and magic, home to a bard with grand ambitions. He is determined to write the most magnificent tales, spread love and peace throughout the world, and bring laughter to everyone. He hopes that whenever a great swordmaster or archmage opens their mouth, one of his jokes will come out. To that end, he set out to travel at the age of fifteen. After ten years on the road, he had crossed half the continent, only to fall deeper and deeper into poverty. In the end, he h 0Votes142.1kRecs100kFans
- 122 EN Pillars of Aethel 伊塔之柱 Welcome to Aitalia, the kingdom above the drifting clouds. Let us open the door, take up our staffs, and adventure. It all begins here: Across the hills between cloud and sea, where grass ripples like waves and shallow rivers gleam; Across fields flowing with gold and honey, laden with laughter, while beneath Rodale's low houses, gentle songs drift through the air. Through Aegon's ancient forests, where vines twist through the darkness and whispers linger; Over lofty ridges and towering mountain 372Votes1.7MRecs498.1kFans
- 123 The Lord Beyond the Mountains 山那边的领主 Soldiers in gleaming armor, fields of green wheat seedlings, nettles covering stone walls, roses beside farmhouses. This is the Middle Ages. When the horn sounded at dawn across the fields; when warriors raised the shattered battle standard; when farmers watched in tears as their land went up in flames. An age of chaos had begun. This was an age of suffering, and an age of heroes. Having witnessed the horrors of war, the first lord chose to settle in a valley and build a paradise far remove 1Votes48.4kRecs47.6kFans
- 124 Demon Painter 画妖师 This Buddhist disciple treads the earth and makes lotuses bloom, changes in size, exhausts his afflictions, and wields wondrous supernatural powers. This Taoist travels a thousand miles with sword in hand, roams in spirit and commands the vital energy, flies free of all traces, and practices marvelous arts. But I have only one brushstroke, with which I portray the human heart and paint across heaven and earth! 1Votes146.1kRecs184.6kFans
- 125 We Live in Nanjing 我们生活在南京 This is a clichéd story about two young people saving the world. 14Votes146.2kRecs613.7kFans
- 126 Open Your Quest Log 打开你的任务日志 Night fell, and the tavern gradually grew lively. Adventurers bragged to one another about their latest exploits. Waitresses flitted between the tables like dancing butterflies, while a bard in the corner plucked his lute and sang suggestive little tunes. Just then, the tavern door swung open, and a burly adventurer strode in from the darkness. “Hey, isn't that Barrett the ‘Feeder’?” someone recognized him. “He hasn't been the ‘Feeder’ for ages. He's Barrett the ‘Undead Nemesis,’ ‘Devil Slayer,’ 2Votes275.8kRecs190.5kFans
- 127 EN Extraordinary Voyage 超凡大航海 An indifferent god gazes coldly down at the world from above the clouds. A tailless crawler whispers in the gap between winter and spring. An octopus demon god in a top hat plays the flute beneath the cold sea. The steam engine has only just lit the flame of civilization. Swordsmanship and witchcraft clash, while alchemical guns and saili 1Votes294.6kRecs401.5kFans
- 128 EN Lord of Pro 普罗之主 His name is Li Banfeng. Feng as in mountain peak, not as in going crazy. His doctor has told him he isn’t insane. To save a friend’s life, he went to Platform 96, boarded Steam Train 1160, and arrived in Puluo Province, where the world had been stuck in the age of steam. He met a confidante in an old gramophone, peerless beauties on calendar posters, a swaying lady in an antique clock, and a worldly master in a wine gourd. Here, food cultivators grow stronger the more they eat, smoking cultivato 145Votes729.7kRecs2MFans
- 129 Looking North at the Rivers and Mountains 北望江山 A story about a modern person struggling to survive in the late Yuan dynasty, in every sense of the word. 6.2kVotes745.2kRecs592.5kFans
- 130 EN My Magic Knows No Bounds! 我的魔法没有上限！ Zelier, a mage reincarnated into another world, acquired a cheat that could unlock god-tier talent skills. Upon reaching level two, he could choose one of the following talent skills: First: [Spell Surge] Raises your maximum mana, increases your mana regeneration speed, and boosts your spell power, making your magical foundation as solid as a rock. “Firepower is justice!” Second: [Formula Evolution] Allows you to analyze the structure of any magical formula you see and reproduce it for your own 9kVotes142kRecs1.1MFans
- 131 Empire of Shadows 阴影帝国 Most people are born ordinary, but some, even if they start out ordinary, aspire to greatness. From an exploited, undocumented odd-job worker to a godfather in the dark; From a rule-abiding member of society’s underclass to the emperor behind the scenes who makes the rules; When the sun shines, this country belongs to the Federation. When night falls, it belongs to me! “Sometimes, shadows can be as large as the light, or even swallow it whole!” “We never extort anyone. We can sleep with a clear 67Votes389.4kRecs508.1kFans
- 132 EN Glitch Utopia 故障乌托邦 Metal prosthetics, AI girlfriends, neural networks inside your head, cyberspace. This is a world of ultra-advanced technology, where all kinds of tech can change your life like magic. The terminal cancers that once plagued people are nothing in the face of nanomedical robots. But new levels of technology bring new problems and new troubles, including a new kind of… cyberpsychosis. “What is capitalism, anyway?” Sun Jieke said, hands on his hips, leaning back. 75Votes632kRecs1.6MFans
- 133 The Dragonwing Elegy of Salafu 萨拉弗的龙翼挽歌 When people thought demons and dark elves were all there was to a fantasy world, Lesathos let out a dragon's roar. “No!” His voice echoed across the Toril universe. The free-spirited, romantic eladrin of the Wilderness heard it; the stern, cold baatezu of the Nine Hells heard it; and the genies of the four elemental planes, each pursuing their own ends, heard it. They sang softly, they howled, and countless races raised their voices in song: The universe is never alone. Countless heroes rise and 2Votes60.8kRecs60.5kFans
- 134 EN The God Mimic 神的模仿犯 Twelve men and women of different backgrounds are invited into a new world. Here, they must not only decide how to live by voting on proposals, but also keep taking part in deadly games to extend the time on their visas. And the people designing these games of life and death are actually among them. 2.1kVotes523.9kRecs1.4MFans
- 135 I Became a Swordsman in Ancient Japan 我在古代日本当剑豪 [New book: America: Kill at Speed, 1924!] After transmigrating to Japan in 1789, during the long-peaceful Edo period, he starts with nothing but the status of a low-ranking samurai, a pair of swords, and a System that raises his character level and sword-skill level whenever he defeats or kills an enemy. … “What do I do when I encounter a powerful enemy? I draw my second sword and switch to the swordsmanship I’m truly good at: dual wielding.” “And what if you still can’t beat them?” “Th 1Votes271.2kRecs429.9kFans
- 136 Ask the Sword 问剑 In the third year of Zaiqian in the Yu Kingdom, rain fell over Yizhou City. Li Ang awoke in a daze, having dreamed that a sword was hidden inside his head. 0Votes332.3kRecs751.8kFans
- 137 You Take the Immortal Pill, I’ll Take the Poison 仙丹给你毒药归我 Lu Jing transmigrated to an era that closely resembled the Song Dynasty. He initially thought it merely had a martial world, but never imagined that another mysterious and unknowable world lay hidden beneath it. To resolve the problem of the inner force in his body growing more abundant by the day, Lu Jing resolutely stepped through that door. Yet he discovered that not only had the problem failed to be resolved, it seemed to have grown even more severe. Also known as I Have Ten Thousand Swords 0Votes296.8kRecs358.2kFans
- 138 EN Whispers of the Machine Age 呢喃诗章 In a new world where the steam industry is booming, I inherit a three-story apartment on the capital’s main square, take care of someone else’s cat, and listen to the whispers in my ear as I bear witness to this mysterious and bizarre era. The epic of the Sixth Epoch is about to begin. Behind the curtain, the Chosen will step into legend. Old gods, relics, steam, witches, detectives, ancient mysteries, the radiance of the Epoch... “Want to play a hand of Rhodes?” Time etches the years, and the s 2.1kVotes1.9MRecs1.3MFans
- 139 EN The Ascended 仙者 With an incense burner in hand, he lights a stick of incense. As its smoke curls into the air, in that instant, his divine sense reaches through heaven and earth, and every shackle in the world vanishes into nothingness. That is what it means to be an immortal. 22Votes8.4MRecs1.3MFans
- 140 Hunting the Deer 即鹿 The imperial court held on in the south of the Yangtze, while the Five Barbarians invaded and fought for supremacy. The realm was in turmoil, and heroes rose from every quarter. Who will seize the throne? We will have to see who can distinguish themselves and gain the Mandate of Heaven. 0Votes416.7kRecs123.5kFans
- 141 EN Cultivation? Ain't Got No Money For That! 没钱修什么仙？ The old man asked, “You want revenge?” The boy replied, “I’ve been humiliated again and again by the powerful, and my master considers me trash. How could I not want revenge?” The old man patted the boy’s head and sighed. “Good boy, let me pass my cultivation power on to you.” The boy exclaimed, “Senior! How could I accept that?” The old man held out his hand. “Give me your phone.” Watching the changes on his phone, the boy cried out in shock, “Senior! Where did all this hundred-year cultivation 17.7kVotes4MRecs7.2MFans
- 142 The Great Demon Holmes 大恶魔福尔摩斯 God is creating a legend!!!!! A little faith, so people have someone to lean on; then a few man-eating demons to get everyone fighting! Add some love... then some hate... rebellion, and impulsiveness. Finally, throw in a familiar protagonist. Give him just a touch of darkness, or it won’t be any fun. Damn... that’s too much! And so, in a narrow alley off a London street, Sherlock slowly emerged from the shadows, carrying a head. Blood trickled from its spine onto the ground, drip, drip. Good 3Votes81.7kRecs516.9kFans
- 143 EN How Am I Still Alive? 我怎么还活着？ Spiritual qi revival. The gods descend? Disaster after disaster, and all living things suffer? What’s that to me? I’m just a terminally ill patient who’s been given a countdown to death and has given up on treatment. I set out to exorcise demons and slay immortals in this battered body, not to defend my country, but because the hazard pay is too tempting, especially the death benefits... “This evil god’s profession system is cursed. Even if you make good progress at first, anyone who trains in i 13Votes318.8kRecs493kFans
- 144 EN The Witching Hour of 1994 全民魔女1994 He wakes up to find the world changed beyond recognition. He has gone from the 2013 timeline of a world of ordinary humans to 1994 in a world where everyone is a witch. “Maybe witches don’t exist at all, or maybe everyone is a witch.” 71Votes521.6kRecs491.7kFans
- 145 Solo Play 独游 Important tips for adventuring on the continent of Falvey: 1. Never give anything of value to the city gate guards. 2. Chickens are vicious creatures. 3. Your life is worth no more than a chicken's. 4. A skilled archer is a companion you can count on in battle. But not every archer is skilled, so... good luck. 5. Treasure your life and love living. Don't try making an atomic bomb on a whim. 6. Don't be fooled by appearances. 7. Knowing a few extra languages is useful. 8. Don't fear death. Most p 0Votes138.4kRecs69.8kFans
- 146 Fierce Wind 烈风 This is a land rife with war and death, chaos and bloodshed. Every soft click of a trigger sets off a devastating chain reaction. Every bullet fired is the beginning of an avalanche. But the fierce winds forged by the scorching heat of thermite will eventually burn every enemy to ash. The moment Chen Chen opened his eyes after being reborn, he found himself caught in a trap on the battlefield. To survive, he had no choice but to embark on the path of a mercenary, selling his firepower. O 0Votes182.1kRecs512.1kFans
- 147 Strange Tales of Northern Qi 北齐怪谈 In the tenth year of Tianbao, Gao Yang, the heroic emperor, began playing a pipa made from a human thigh bone. He sang along to his own accompaniment, and the tune was grotesque, absurd, terrifying, despairing, and agonizing. That year, Liu Taozi, who lived by the Zhang River, caught a few fish, and the story began. 51Votes476.8kRecs942.9kFans
- 148 I Will Bury the Gods 我将埋葬众神 On a stormy night, the Daoist Saintess comes to hunt him down. The final battle of their fated struggle approaches, old gods descend from the unknown, and an ancient dynasty opens its doors to them… … (New book discussion groups: 961095758 (full), group two: 548904977 (full), group three: 827825166 (still open). Everyone is welcome to join and chat.) 10Votes354.7kRecs1.1MFans
- 149 EN Who Hid My Corpse?! 谁把我的尸体藏起来了！ “You know, I used to be the most powerful person in the world. Even the gods couldn’t do anything to me. If I can get my body back, I can come back to life.” “So?” “So... who hid my corpse!” 1Votes182.8kRecs672.8kFans
- 150 Tales of the Ten Provinces 十州风云志 Seek the Way, press on and search. The human way is there for those who find it. How many rivers and mountains have we crossed? There is no counting. May Heaven never grow old, and may it keep our homeland forever beautiful. Mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, yet everywhere they are beset by arrows of rain and blades of wind. The road home, why does it go on and on without end? The Way of man, the Way of gods: seek the human way for yourself. Demons and monsters all claim they are in t 1Votes174.8kRecs70.6kFans
