Ultimate Vexation! Please convert this bully!

I do believe you are misinterpreting the term "Smart Protagonist" in this case (or the term could be changed but its good enough lol); Meng Hao is quite smart but more than that, he is Deep and Enlightening. What he says, on whim on Author, can make one ponder about one's life, so Meng Hao is "Smart" (I'm confident there's evidence of him actually being smart in whatever sense you are thinking of though)

The issues of using too much pills only occurs in the 1st book when Meng Hao is a scrub -_-. Hehh, obviously you didnt read too far or just chose to ignore the later chapters about hardwork. You also nicely forget that Meng Hao finds this awesome relic/artifact that lets him exchange money for duplication of pills, making them not-so-rare (if you have unlimited "Rare Candies", why the hell wont you use em?) Offf couuurse, these pills are shiet when you get stronger sooo... Why you acting like they End-Game pills?

Meng Hao is not complex? Go read to latest chapter! In 10 different languages! Orders from Ultimate Vexation! There is a difference between a Static and Dynamic character: the later meaning constantly changing, which, if you read to the latest, you can absolutely agree that Meng Hao is.

The values thing.... In RL, I can certainly see people following values... BAD ONES! I can't help but feel you are a bit too naive about people since truly good people are in the minority (by which I mean they are on the Post-conventional Level of Morality) buuuut why are we talking about RL? Meng Hao was introduced into a new world, where he could gain everything he desires with hardwork, massive luck, and talent but lose it all in a snap. He has nothing in the mortal world and he has nothing in the Xian xia world; the only difference is he has a chance for change in the later and there is no other options (become strong or die like shiet in the beginning) Only the strong can show values like Confucius', otherwise they'd die. Meng Hao changed from the scholar for the bad but if given the chance, he'll reveal profound thoughts. "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself?" Trust me when I say this but there are a LOT of cocky assholes in ISSTH, ALL of which would love to rob Meng Hao blind. Bitch-Slaps are essential. Meanwhile, I have not seen a single critical character that was abused/etc. by Meng Hao UNREASONABLY. "Show Family Loyalty?" Uhh well he'd love to but theys dead. What you expect is a pure nice guy. Wrong genre to even have such expectations. I will say this; if you have the galaxy tattooed on your ass, it certainly is more complex than Meng Hao

Your issue with the constant power ups, stronger enemies, etc, exist in most conflict/fighting-focused works of fiction. You can complain about that, but then, I'd like to know why are you reading this and looking for any Xian xia works? Cuz its good and you know you love it. "Overused" things like the level determinant?... No words, too tired, plz, Ultimate Vexation. Go read "Destruction Flag Otome," that was friggin funny and pretty good.

You uhh, said you expected good world building and a epic saga? Go read up to the latest... Lemme break it down for you, typically, theres something called a Climax, which is what you want. Before that though, theres also something called the Rising Action to build hype. Even before that however, is something called E X P O S I T I O N. I can see you read up to the expostion and thatsss about it. Complaints? Well, I'd have a complaint if I watched an action movie but decided to only watch the talking scenes. I'd also have a complaint when Im called a jackass for doing so, though it'd be unreasonable for having that complaint in the first place.

On the thing about Flawless and Perfect being the same, it's not. Flawless is the best Humans/Martial Artists can do without angering the Heavens while Perfect is truly perfect, which should be impossible to attain (if you do, you'll be smited by the Heavens).

Omg omg this dudeee, use artifacts like never before? Blah blah, blah blah blah? GO READ THE SHIT! Lightning. Badass. The Heavens. Read. Now. Gah. Uop. Cave man talk. Just. Do it.

This guy's complains reeks of "I havent read this story for shit"

Ah that confirmed it, he/she literally read the 1st chapter of the second book before judgement. Welp. Ultimate Vexation, if you will~

Good so far, but is fairly typical as far as all that martial arts Qi training goes.

However, unlike a typical MC, he isn't a pathetic human being with genocide as a side hobby... well, kinda. He is a bit of an ass-man.

Still, this guy appears to not be a complete prick of a human being and it's refreshing to not see the same old tropes like
-mc is loser
-gets bullied
-suddenly plot
-is genius
-SKIN LIKE SMOOTH WHITE JADE BEAUTY THAT CAN DESTROY THE HEAVENS becomes his girl because plot
-becomes 10x worse of a human being than anyone who ever bullied him

Instead, he's just a scholar who gets something interesting and proceeds to not be a depraved murderhobo. It has a bit of comedy, bit of fantasy, bit of martial arts and a lot of ass.

(Suddenly a wild meat jelly appeared!)

1,2,3,1,2... IMMORAL!!! SUCH FEW REVIEWS!!
Ai, quick kids and spread this novel aiii! too immoral!

I heard someone said this is boring, Ai, you cant say that child! it's immoral!! look child, don't struggle,I'm a good person. I'm trying to help you, you're on the path of wickedness, but I'm willing to use my own power to help you! In the name of justice, allow me to convert you!

Anyways, I need three bullies!!

If you are reading xianxia/wuxia, it's pretty hard to find a decent one that is well balanced. Moreover as plot moves deeper, a lot of these novels can go a bland. Not this one. The author cleverly put interesting twitch and turns that holds the reader and make them wonder what's gonna happen next. My pros to this story are..

This was the second wuxia that i started readind after xian ni and after it i tried many more. but compared to issth i found all the others lacking.Seriously issth probably set the standard to high for me to get interested in other novels in same genre.

... Last updated on December 5th, 2015, 10:32pm

I'm a prodigious reader, I read pretty much everything I can get my hands on. This includes web novels, which for some reason I keep reading even though the majority make my eyes and brain bleed due to the low writing OR translation quality. I Shall Seal the Heavens, thankfully is not one of them. The translation quality is literate and well done, and the writing quality is general paperback novel level. This is a large mark in it's favor before we even talk about the story/characters or plot itself

<disclamer: I will attempt to explain xanxia novels for those unfamiliar with them in the following paragraph, if you are familiar with the genre feel free to skip this section>

ISSTH is a Xanxia novel, which for those of you unfamiliar with chinese novels, this means it's an "Immortal Hero" novel. Xanxia (for the uninitiated) is a genre of chinese fantasy with it's own tropes and cliches, usually featuring some martial artist who practices some form of internal enlightenment translated as "cultivation" which will lead to some further enlightenment which will lead to stronger "mystical powers" which will eventually lead to some form of immortality. Xanxia novels typically include characters who are called "immortal cultivators" fighting against each other, sometimes fighting against monsters, dragons and demons, often eventually fighting some god or gods. It might be easier to imagine if you think of a movie like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, which while not really a xanxia tale, comes close enough to a "low level" story in a xanxia world as to give you something to work with.

ISSTH is of course a xanxia novel. because of this it contains many of the tropes and cliches of the genre. It features a main character who practices "cultivation", who gains martial prowess though increased enlightenment in "cultivation"; the character eventually get powerful enough to no longer need to eat, sleep or even breath. They can suffer and heal wounds that would kill a "mortal", they hold long grudges and tend to fight with eachother for stupid reasons. If you don't like Xanxia you probably will struggle mightily to enjoy ISSTH because as a story ISSTH exists comfortably within it's genre.

That is not to say it is held back by it's genre. ISSTH, while containing many of the tropes, trappings and cliches of the genre also distinguishes itself from the genre. It has an uncommon main character who is a failed scholar and a shameless conman. He's grew up poor and as a result has an ABNORMAL lust for $$$. As a result he tries all the angles. Immortal Cultivation itself is something he does for some loose reasons, as its never been his ultimate goal. Money is his ultimate goal. With such a mundane and human motivation he's infinitely more relatable then most of the MCs of Xanxia novels who often follow cultivation for "power" because "the world of cultivation is the world where the strong takes from the week" (yes that is a quote from another Xanxia novel, in fact that quote probably shows up in some form in MOST xanxia novels, it's a very common mindset/setting).

In addition to ming hao's twisted and "colored" world view there are an assortment of colorful side characters who Gen Er introduce who are all largely memorable.

The comedy in ISSTH is one of it's strong points, however it's best to understand that GenEr's sense of humor isn't readily apparent at first. Much like Gintama, there is a weirdness factor that the reader must acclimate to in order to see all the small funny things GenEr includes in his stories. Better still are the hundred plus chapter long jokes he'll build in the background all for some uproariously funny punchlines entire books after he started to build the joke. A good early example of this multi-chapter /book buildup would be the introduction of the Reliance Sect's founder and leader in book 1. This is a character a whole novel builds up only for several punchlines to be dropped when he finally shows up. A better example would be the search for the husband for the Song clan girl in book 2. the first 3 chapters at the song clan event are ALL punchline/payoff for a 70-100 chapter long joke gen er started to weave mid way through book 1 (those three chapters had me laughing so hard i couldn't even read it i was crying too hard from all the laughter).

The plot does wind around a bit, it's organic, and grows from point to point rather then have some overarching theme, as Ming Hao himself likes to talk about his own "Dao" (way) the story is about Ming Hao's journey, not his destination. GenEr does add a lot of philosophy and some interesting and profound moments to this book. And while the philosophy can be engaging at times, what the author does better then philosophising or humorizing, is HUMANIZING the story. This is a story with a heart, and there will be many sad-nostalgic-deep HUMAN moments throughout the story. This is something most Xanxia fails to establish even when the mc is human and weak, and it is something that often is forgotten early even in the xanxia novels which succeed in humanizing it's characters and plot. No matter how strong the MC gets, this story always finds a way to keep itself lively and human.

I noted some reviews complain about the slow start. I actually went back and reread the first 20 chapters of the story and disagree. I remember the start being slow, much like I dropped Gintama around episode 13. However I was still getting used to the author's style, and much like with gintama, somehow I was able to persevere till I started to get the author. The first 50 chapters or so of ISSTH is just as funny and human as the last 50 (translated). however since I wasn't familiar with his weird sense of humor, and didn't grasp the world or characters well I found myself bored early in this series as well. However right around the time Ming Hao became an inner sect disciple I fell into GenEr's pace and was trapped by a very adictive, and funny story.

ISSTH is not a masterpiece, there are weaknesses in his story (like how the MC's love interest is somehow the most boring girl in the series), however by webnovel standards it's easily one of the best you'll ever read.

Don't read JetGT's comment, too long
Story 10/10
Plot twists 10/10
Battles 10/10
Competition (eg alchemy battles, spar, exams, debates) 10/10
Romance 9.9/10 ... damn it Meng Hao, you just made our pretty such a nice gurl
Arrogant Enemies aka enemies who can't see Mt. Tai 9.8/10
Enemies who can see Mt. Tai 9.5/10
Lord Fifth over 999999/10
Power ups 10/10
Smexy moment ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Heroines 10/10
Feels 10/10
extra Feels 10/10
Etc. 11/10
MC 10/10
Badassery 10/10

... Last updated on January 23rd, 2016, 12:48am

ISSTH is one of the best light novel I have read. The story is a typical Xianxia novels : a young MC who will train and become powerfull. BUT the mentality is totally different.

The protagonist is not a flamboyant badass, he is calm composed, and deadly. There no differences in genders. Strong female and male characters, beaten characters do not fall in love magically with the MC. The MC doesn't make a harem. Everybody is equal in face of death (or in face of the MC's plan/jugement). So in my opinion the machism that plague many xianxia is not present and it make a lot of differences. A good number of time the MC is too weak and have to flee. There is a Lot of humour that often come unexpected.



The writing is smooth & easy to read. Fast when there is action, passionnant when there is reflections. Few descriptions and a really good translator, who when we meet an old caracter again, make endnotes pages' link to the chapter where the characters first appeared. (sooo useful !).The translation is top notch and the chapters come really fast (daily)

ISSTH is one of my top three favorite ongoing series and Meng Hao is my favorite mc in this genre.
i love this scholar-cultivator, though i have to admit that what drew me in initially was the mystery of the mirror and his experimentation with it. i can't really think of another xianxai series where the mc does anything like it. i laughed so hard.
i like that he's very intelligent but he's not infallible; sometimes his clever plans backfire on him and he ends up in yet another situation where he either has to run for his life or fight. i agree that the poison was a clever addition, it forces the mc to follow the path of a cultivator in order to search out a cure. he also has a talent for stumbling into situations and making enemies by accident.
he one of the most likable mc (so far) that i've seen in a xianxai series.
most are ruthless and arrogant with a hair-trigger temper and a tendency to repay a slap to the face by wiping out your entire family/ school/sect.
lastly, its nice to take a break from the overused harem theme. most of the xianxai series being translated at the moment seem to be harem-focused and i've gotten a bit tired of it.

I Shall Seal the Heavens (ISSTH) is one of my favorite xianxia series out there as the story doesn't follow the usual rinse and repeat format unlike the other popular novels out there.

ISSTH is not only about Meng Hao getting powerful in every arc. As Meng Hao once said Immortality is just a destination but what matters the most is enjoying the scenery.

ISSTH would make you laugh. Meng Hao's conman skills would make your day and so would Lord Fifth. It is also the only xianxia novel which would make you cry. The novel is full of strong philosophical moments.

Sure the entire story is focused around Meng Hao and the focus on side characters is pretty low but ISSTH'S side characters are one of the most well characterized side characters out there.

ISSTH has one of the best female side characters out there. Sure we see some fanrgirl but most of the female cultivators are unique in personality. They are not some stupid and one dimensional characters. I especially liked "Big sis" from Fang clan. The chapters focused on her are treat for eyes.

ISSTH has the best Master-Discipline relationship out there. Usually when I read cultivation novels the Master-Discipline relationship is pretty shallow. But in ISSTH the personality of Pill Demon is such that you can't help but praise the author for creating such a perfect character. The arc in which Meng Hao was accepted as his legacy apprentice was one of the best storyline out there.

Meng Hao sows karma with many during his journey for better or for worse. I liked how the story wasn't about just getting power-up. The Desert Migration arc was one such beautiful arc. Meng Hao developed family love for the tribe he was protecting. I especially liked how he got sad when he learned that one of his "subordinate" (who was once his opponent) was killed in order to draw him out...that scene was so painful.

I think the best part for action and fantasy readers is that the story doesn't focuses on "arrogant genius" vs MC. We don't see the descent of one stupid villain after the another. Plus author rarely uses tournament style arcs and when he do they are full of suspense and drama.

Er Gen is a genius when it comes to creating unique abilities. Characters have so many never seen before abilities. Plus the battles are rarely dragged and mkst of the times there is no stupid side characters reaction.

Believe me this series deserve a chance. It's in no way perfect but still the best read out there. Give it a chance.

... Last updated on May 28th, 2016, 9:12am

I'm shocked that there are so many bullshit so-called 'reviews' treating this as their comment section.

I could do the sensible thing and refute them. And believe me it would be easy. People like Jetgt make it seem like there's so much wrong with the novel while being immensely vague at same time. And then there's the "I wanted to read this, but then I read Jetgt's review and decided not to, but instead decided to post here my non-existant opinion".
For the love of god, how ignorant must one? I will quote you the reason why Jetgt dropped this novel: "randomness at the end (turtle in space) made me dropped it. No, I'm not kidding. There is a huge turtle in space."

A giant turtle holding a whole continent. Now this is unheardof! Unfathomable and utterly ridiculous. Author must be pulling everything out of his ass. You will notice my sarcasm here, if you're familiar with the World Turtle. It is indended.

So I beg of you. And I don't do this usually. Please ignore these ignorant opinions, and at least make your own opinion by reading this novel.

This is by far the best Xianxia on my reading list.

... Last updated on July 5th, 2016, 8:10am