Recommendations from a Reader of 20+ Years: Underrated Stories with Great Writing and Plots 20+书龄推荐不那么热门的文笔剧情好的书

1 钢 Steel, Gunpowder, and Spellcasters 钢铁火药和施法者 Yin Zidien尹紫电Western Fantasy3.0M WordsOngoing Is magic really just a wish-granting machine? No. In a universe where magic truly exists, it must be as simple and beautiful as the laws of physics. This is the story of a mass-produced, expendable magic-combat specialist who learns the ultimate nature of magic. But so what? Birds can fly without understanding aerodynamics, and mages can use magic without knowing its true nature. Learning magic's ultimate nature doesn't mean an expendable specialist can suddenly become a great mage, either. But 345Votes676kRecs863kFans

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Is magic really just a wish-granting machine? No, in a universe where magic truly exists, magic would be as simple and beautiful as the laws of physics. This is the story of a mass-produced magic combat tool who learns the ultimate essence of magic. But so what? Just as birds can fly without understanding aerodynamics, magicians don't need to understand the nature of magic to use it. Knowing the ultimate nature of magic does not mean that a tool can suddenly become a great magician. But the thirst for knowledge is a human instinct, and curiosity is the primary driving force of human civilization. Even with magic, which is inherently illogical, humans still hope to understand its underlying workings. The pursuit of the ultimate nature of magic needs no reason! The story takes place in a parallel universe where the social environment is roughly equivalent to that of our universe in the 16th century. However, due to a butterfly effect, the continents and oceans of this planet are not exactly the same as our geographical environment. Here, firearms are on the rise, but armor has not yet fallen out of favor; military theory is evolving rapidly, and innovations in systems and technology are emerging one after another. Moreover, this world has something else that we don't: magic. The world is undergoing tremendous changes, and no one can remain unaffected.

2 食EN The Immortal Devourer 食仙主 Parrot Bites Its Tongue鹦鹉咬舌Eastern Fantasy3.7M WordsOngoing The mysterious and uncanny swords scattered across the land await swordmasters whose names will shake the world. Who can comprehend the wondrous arts and lost scriptures passed down through the ages? Among the hundred wards of Chang'an, people who can raise fire and swallow the sun lie hidden. In the Central Plains stand vast and decaying thousand-year-old clans. In the north, the silent and battle-hardened barbarians sharpen their blades, while the southern kingdoms revel in song and dance amid 860Votes523.6kRecs874.9kFans

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Mysterious and wondrous swords scattered across the land await their renowned masters. Who can decipher the secret arts and techniques passed down through the ages? In the hidden corners of Chang'an, there are those who would set fire to the sun; in the Central Plains, there are vast, corrupt, thousand-year-old clans; in the northern border, the silent and fierce barbarians are sharpening their swords; and in the southern kingdoms, there is peace and prosperity amidst deceit and treachery... High above the azure sky, a pair of all-encompassing eyes are slowly opening. Pei Ye raised his head and pulled the long sword from his abdomen: "Taiyi True Dragon Immortal Lord... Let's see who is whose food."

3 二 Twenty-Seven Years 二十七载 RongkeHistorical2.0M WordsCompleted The world stands at the turbulent turning point between old and new societies, as clashes in politics, economics, ideas, and culture grow ever more intense. Moste Vilak, a photographer from the slums of Zivode City, is reborn two months into the past. Starting by once again posing as the son of a conglomerate, he stirs up everything and turns the world upside down amid rapid industrial growth and wildly expanding ambitions. [This is a fictional world. Please don't compare it to reality.] [The al 4Votes84.8kRecs146.5kFans

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The world is in a turbulent era of transition between old and new societies, with increasingly fierce clashes in politics, economics, ideology, and culture. Moster Villak, a photographer from the slums of Tzwald, is reborn two months in the past. Starting by impersonating the son of a conglomerate again, he stirs up trouble and upends the world amidst rapid industrial development and rampant ambition. [This is a fictional world; please do not compare it to reality.] The self-titled album "Twenty-Seven Years" is now available on major music platforms.

4 反 The Rebellious Great Demon King 反叛的大魔王 Zhao Qingshan赵青杉Urban7.3M WordsCompleted Literary version: The immortal has already entered the stage, carrying a tranquil richness and fragrance. Apart from the spotlight that tears through the darkness, the unforgivable original sin, and the crown of thorns, when I make my entrance, I will also need a BGM that makes the stars tremble, a breeze that fades the white night away, and a flower of majesty congealed from blood. Popular version: Cheng Mo, a terminally ill young man, obtains his father's mysterious relic. He struggles to surv 3Votes1.6MRecs497.2kFans

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Artistic version: Immortality has already arrived, bringing with it a tranquil richness and fragrance. Besides the spotlight that shatters the darkness, the unforgivable original sin, and the crown of thorns. When I make my entrance, I need background music that makes the stars tremble, a breeze that makes the white night fade away, and a majestic flower that congeals blood. Simplified version: Cheng Mo, a terminally ill teenager, inherits a mysterious artifact from his father. He struggles to survive and grows along the way, transforming from a high school student suffering from a severe case of illness to a formidable figure. He is warmed and melted by kindness, gradually approaching the truth about this world. (VIP group: 564919797)

5 伊EN Pillars of Aethel 伊塔之柱 Crimson Flame绯炎Gaming8.6M WordsOngoing 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

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Welcome to Aetaria, the kingdom above the clouds. Let's push open the door, pick up our canes, and the adventure begins here— Passing through hills where clouds meet the sea, like floating waves on the grass, the shallow river glistens; The fields, flowing with gold and honey, are filled with laughter; beneath the low houses of Rodale, soft songs drift. Passing through the ancient, dense forest of Egon, where vines grow wildly in the shadows and whispers linger; Beyond towering mountains and lofty peaks, shadowy figures lurk in the underworld, fraught with danger, and the sword reflects light. The story of a boy chasing his dreams, where a dragon soars through the sky and above the clouds, its wings outstretched. Even after time has passed, the fire in the hearth still burns brightly.

6 诡 The Uncanny Martial World: A Knight’s Record of the Rhinoceros 诡秘武林：侠客挥犀录 Entering Tong Pass入潼关Martial Arts1.9M WordsOngoing When I set foot in the martial world once more, ready to found a sect, I discovered that something strange and indescribable seemed to be stirring beneath its surface... (Volume Seven is now complete. Read without worry.) This book is also known as The Esoteric Martial World Could Never Have Sect Management and I Play Cthulhu in the Martial World. 48Votes113.1kRecs176.5kFans

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When I stepped into the martial arts world again, preparing to establish my own sect, I discovered that something inexplicable and elusive seemed to be surging behind the scenes of this martial arts world... (Volume 7 has been successfully completed and is ready for viewing.) This book is also known as "The Mysterious Martial Arts World Cannot Have Sect Management" and "I Am Cthulhu in the Martial Arts World".

7 死EN Scripture of the Dead 死人经 Bing Lin Shen Xia冰临神下Martial Arts3.9M WordsCompleted A book of the dead, half a scripture without the Dao. I have severed a thousand heads and devoured the bones of a hundred bodies. 111Votes380.9kRecs1MFans

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A book of the dead, half a book of the unprincipled. He beheaded a thousand men and devoured a hundred bodies.

8 赛EN Cyber Hero Chronicles 赛博英雄传 My Way Is Never Alone吾道长不孤Sci-Fi3.6M WordsOngoing What is martial skill? Martial arts have nothing to do with music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, nor with treasured artifacts or secret manuals. And there aren't all that many unrivaled champions, either. Martial arts are a skill, a way for the weak to seize an opportunity and turn their blades on the strong. What is chivalry? Chivalry isn't romance or traditional culture, and it has nothing to do with being gentle, kind, courteous, and frugal. Chivalry is violence, a bayonet forged for a tyr 628Votes1.8MRecs549.6kFans

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What is martial arts? Martial arts have nothing to do with music, chess, calligraphy, or painting; they have nothing to do with treasures or secret manuals; and there are no so many "world's best" martial arts. Martial arts are a skill, a skill that allows the weak to seize an opportunity to wield their swords against the strong. What is chivalry? Chivalry is not about romance or traditional culture; it has nothing to do with gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, or modesty. Chivalry is violence; it's the bayonet forged by those forced into banditry for a tyrant. Cao Mo allied with Ke, then returned to Lu and invaded its territory. Zhuan Zhu presented roasted meat, pacified Wu, and usurped the throne. Zhang Di cried in the marketplace, then avenged his lord by smearing the latrine. He cut his throat to plead his case, acting swiftly and decisively. The tyrannical Qin dynasty stole his spirit, while cowards gained courage. This is a martial arts story. In the 1930s, a group of like-minded young people came together to work towards changing the world. Then, two hundred years later, in a certain landfill, Xiang Shan, the progenitor of cyber martial arts who had recreated the world and established his own system, woke up while chanting the name of his enemy, having lost all his memories. "Perhaps it's because I lost back then that the world has become the way it is..." "Then this time, I will not lose!" This is the story of one person who changed the world once again!

9 十 Tales of the Ten Provinces 十州风云志 Zhi Qiu知秋Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsOngoing 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

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Seek your own path, look forward, and you will find the way of humanity. No matter how many rivers and mountains you have traveled, you will not find them. May the heavens never grow old, and may my hometown forever remain good. All I see are green mountains, and everywhere I look, the mountains are pierced by rain and wind. The road to my hometown seems endless. The Taoist's Way, the God's Way, all seek the Way in the human world. Demons and monsters all claim to be good. The wind howls and thunder roars, heaven and earth waile and ghosts cry. Why has the former land turned into a sea of blood? The road to my hometown, how can it be a road of no return? Where in the human world can one find the true path? (Although it's been used before, I'll still use this one because it feels appropriate for the occasion.)