While the events of the story are fine but not unusual, there is something about the MC that seemed very refreshing to me, perhaps because I have read a number of cultivation stories with rather toxic or heavily-carried MCs. Due to his background and status at the start of the story, it is not odd that he is detached and self-interested in most of his dealings with other, but he is surprisingly sincere/earnest in responding to kindness.
While he has a calculating nature common to MCs in these stories, it can express itself as insightful deduction, which is more fun, and not so common. Also, his general quiet demeanor makes this aspect of his character more of a hidden blade than something which is is an obvious part of a more overbearing and obviously-cocky MC personality. He comes across as more stubborn/strong-willed/immovable than someone who is trying to move others.
A related note to that, about the story. The setting has not provided any kind of large goal for the MC thus far (just speaking of the manhua... I have not read ahead in the web novel). He does his thing and has goals for personal improvement and such, but outside influences so far are just people reacting (usually badly, as is common in these stories) to his increasing prominence. So, there are dramatic events, but the manhua has not included a dramatic overarching story arc up until now.
For people who like a "practical" MC, I will say that another hidden blade to this MCs quiet demeanor is that he is not especially shy of ending threats permanently. He also has a pretty extreme "bloodthirsty battle maniac" switch that gets flipped when the odds are bad.
edit add: I've since gone on to read ahead in the web novel, and the MC's character is very consistently developed, even as his role in the world grows over time. I feel like it confirmed the impression I had gotten from the manhua and, given the way the manhua has been adapted so far, I'm confident enough to set a rating now, and to suggest people go along for the ride to see how the story is developed.