Best Cultivation Novels 2026: Top Picks for Qi, Realms, and Progression
The best cultivation novels of 2026, including new releases, ongoing favorites, and completed series. Xianxia, wuxia, and English cultivation recommendations.
Looking for the best cultivation novels in 2026? Here are the top picks across subgenres—xianxia, wuxia, and English cultivation fiction.
What Makes Great Cultivation
Before diving in, here's what separates excellent cultivation from the rest:
- Clear progression stages (qi, realms, breakthroughs)
- Training and improvement as central focus
- Sect politics and martial arts elements
- Power scaling that makes sense
- Eastern-inspired elements (qi, dao, tribulation)
These recommendations hit all those marks.
English Cultivation Classics
Cradle (Will Wight)
Status: Completed (12 books)
Progression fantasy masterpiece. Lindon starts as the weakest in his clan and works his way up through clear power stages. Fast pacing, great action, found family dynamics.
Why it's great: The standard for English cultivation fiction. Perfect pacing, clear progression, and a satisfying completed ending.
Read if you like: Cultivation, fast pacing, underdog stories, completed series
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Want similar recommendations? Check out our complete guide to books like Cradle.
Forge of Destiny (Yrsillar)
Status: Ongoing
Cultivation web fiction with fantastic worldbuilding. Female MC, more political and slice-of-life than pure progression, but excellent character growth and clear advancement stages.
Why it's great: Detailed worldbuilding, political intrigue, and character growth. More slice-of-life than pure action, but excellent cultivation.
Read if you like: Cultivation, political intrigue, slice-of-life, character development
Where to read: Royal Road, Sufficient Velocity forums
A Thousand Li (Tao Wong)
Status: Ongoing (Book 12+)
English-language cultivation done well. MC joins a sect, climbs ranks. Traditional cultivation structure with clear progression.
Why it's great: Traditional cultivation done well in English. Clear progression stages, sect politics, and ongoing story.
Read if you like: Traditional cultivation, sect politics, ongoing series
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Slice-of-Life Cultivation
Beware of Chicken (Casualfarmer)
Status: Ongoing
A cultivator rejects the cultivation rat race to become a farmer. Comedy, slice-of-life, found family, and a protagonist who chooses peace over power.
Why it's great: Unique take on cultivation. Comedy, slice-of-life, and found family all done well. Refreshing change from typical cultivation stories.
Read if you like: Comedy, slice-of-life, found family, cultivation
Where to read: Royal Road, Kindle Unlimited
Want similar recommendations? Check out our complete guide to what to read after Beware of Chicken.
System-Based Cultivation
Defiance of the Fall (TheFirstDefier)
Status: Ongoing (Book 12+)
System apocalypse where Earth integrates with a multiverse. Zac starts alone and must survive, then build. Cultivation meets LitRPG, constant progression.
Why it's great: Perfect blend of cultivation and LitRPG. Constant advancement, empire-building elements, and a protagonist who earns every power gain.
Read if you like: System apocalypse, cultivation, constant progression, empire-building
Where to read: Royal Road, Kindle Unlimited, Webnovel
Want similar recommendations? Check out our complete guide to what to read after Defiance of the Fall.
Translated Cultivation
I Shall Seal the Heavens (Er Gen)
Status: Completed
Classic Chinese cultivation novel. Meng Hao starts weak and works his way up through cultivation stages. Traditional xianxia with clear progression.
Why it's great: Classic xianxia done well. Clear progression, traditional cultivation elements, and a completed story.
Read if you like: Traditional xianxia, clear progression, completed series
Where to read: Webnovel, official translations
Coiling Dragon (I Eat Tomatoes)
Status: Completed
Classic Chinese cultivation novel. Linley starts weak and progresses through cultivation stages. Traditional progression with clear stages.
Why it's great: Classic cultivation with clear progression. Traditional elements and a completed story.
Read if you like: Traditional cultivation, clear progression, completed series
Where to read: Webnovel, official translations
Quick Comparison Table
| Series | Type | Progression Focus | Slice-of-Life | Status | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle | English | Very High | Low | Completed | Cultivation fans |
| Forge of Destiny | English | High | High | Ongoing | Political intrigue fans |
| A Thousand Li | English | High | Low | Ongoing | Traditional cultivation fans |
| Beware of Chicken | English | Low | Very High | Ongoing | Slice-of-life fans |
| Defiance of the Fall | System | Very High | Low | Ongoing | Progression grinders |
| I Shall Seal the Heavens | Translated | Very High | Low | Completed | Traditional xianxia fans |
| Coiling Dragon | Translated | Very High | Low | Completed | Classic cultivation fans |
What to Read Based on Your Preferences
If you want English cultivation:
- Start with Cradle (the standard, completed)
- Then try Forge of Destiny (more character-focused, ongoing)
If you want slice-of-life:
- Start with Beware of Chicken (comedy slice-of-life)
- Then try Forge of Destiny (political slice-of-life)
If you want constant progression:
- Start with Defiance of the Fall (cultivation + LitRPG)
- Then try Cradle (pure cultivation progression)
If you want traditional cultivation:
- Start with A Thousand Li (English traditional)
- Then try I Shall Seal the Heavens (translated traditional)
If you want completed series:
- Start with Cradle (English cultivation, completed)
- Then try I Shall Seal the Heavens (translated, completed)
Where to Find These
Most of these are available on:
- Kindle Unlimited: Cradle, A Thousand Li, Beware of Chicken, Defiance of the Fall
- Royal Road: Forge of Destiny, Beware of Chicken, Defiance of the Fall
- Webnovel: I Shall Seal the Heavens, Coiling Dragon, Defiance of the Fall
- Audible: Most have audiobook versions
Create Your Own Cultivation Story
Can't find exactly what you want? narrator can generate cultivation stories with specific elements:
- "Cultivation story with underdog MC and clear power stages"
- "Slice-of-life cultivation with found family and comedy"
- "System-based cultivation with constant progression"
You can get the exact combination of cultivation elements you're craving.
Browse our collection: Cultivation | Xianxia | Progression Fantasy
The Cultivation Landscape in 2026
Cultivation has become one of the most popular subgenres. The best cultivation novels of 2026 show incredible variety—from English originals to translated classics, from slice-of-life to pure progression.
The key is finding what works for you. If you love progression, start with Cradle. If you love slice-of-life, try Beware of Chicken. If you love traditional cultivation, check out A Thousand Li.
The genre keeps growing, and there's no shortage of excellent stories to discover. Pick something from this list and start reading. By chapter ten, you'll know if it's for you.
Your next cultivation adventure is waiting.