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~
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