The Mirror Legacy

author's other works?

After great wait I will now read this novel (was waiting till 1000 chapters but I failed)

This blew my mind.

Kinda bored so here's a translated Author's comment I found on Qidian! "It’s late at night now. The comment section is lively, so I thought I’d pause and address a few things. My plotlines aren’t exactly gripping. Many lose patience before reaching the paywalled chapters, partly because they’re unused to a story where the ‘protagonist’ has so little screen time. They find it confusing and stop to ask questions—I get that. I used to write short stories for magazines and blogs, purely as a hobby, selling pieces for a couple hundred yuan. Then one day, I decided: no, I’m writing a novel. So I launched a book on Qidian, randomly picking a title from the rankings… Even now, this ‘non-protagonist protagonist’ exists because I thought a ‘family saga’ should center the family, not an individual. I used a family heirloom as the narrative anchor, never expecting steady traction—four rounds of recommendations later, here we are, monetized." Note #1

"Eventually, I figured since I’d already started writing, I might as well finish it! I genuinely tried learning the tropes of web novels, pacing the story faster or slower based on readers’ feedback—but I often reminded myself of my original purpose: this was just practice. My focus in writing lies in the rises and falls of characters’ fates, and the sudden turns of good and bad fortune. Every plot point exists to serve them. Some readers love this; others find it baffling or unrealistic. But to me, the way to make fiction feel ‘real’ is precisely this: logically unpredictable yet abrupt twists. Because fiction is the realm of ‘reason,’ while reality is the realm of ‘unreason.’ The fusion of the two lies in using ‘reason’ to convey reality’s merciless chaos." Note #2

"I’ve written many tragic short stories, but this is my first attempt at a long-form work—and I’ve been criticized for it. I’ve never written ‘wish-fulfillment’ stories; I’m not attuned to what brings others joy. That’s what I’m trying to learn now, experimenting within this novel. But I do know what brings sorrow. Tragedy exists, often striking abruptly or unfolding logically toward ruin. I know this is self-inflicted hardship, but producing a story that’s nothing but joy and gratification would leave me restless and miserable. Better to let others suffer a little. I’m afraid of reading comments and arguing with others, but in reality, I often have to do both. What’s even scarier is reading comments while also witnessing others fight in them—it drains me mentally. I read every single comment and do my best to make adjustments within my limited time. My hope is that those who leave will at least grumble on their way out, remembering a few characters before they go." Note #3

This is peak xianxia, redefined what a 10/10 for me is. If you like cultivation this is a must read, there is no plot armor, all tropes are masterfully navigated, and even bad decisions by characters are realistic and not frustrating. Some below will claim its sexist with how women are treated sometimes in regards to marriage but you may disregard the tourists, that is how all cultivation novels are and this one respects them a lot more than any other while being realistic and believable with them.

Note to upcoming reader: There's one main character in the story, the MIRROR, he's the core of the story the guardian and narrator. And there's the central MC, the Li Family, this novel is about the rise of the Li family, with the help of the mirror. This is a clan building novel, the Mirror only appears once in a blue moon, the main focus is the struggle and rise of Li family.

Just gave a casual look at the comments and I have to admit that this is the most unique aspect of argument I've seen in any novel's comment section... Can someone just tell me what all this gender stuff is about.. I don't mind spoilers.

This novel is epic. No unnecessary plot and dialogues. Sufficient char depth. Amazing plot, good power system, harrowing antagonists, original idea and well thought out too Hope it continues to be underrated lest fans from the top ranking deliberately nitpick about it