Female Cultivators of Our Generation Should be Self-Reliant

• Author: Riding through Chang 'an
• Genres: Xianxia, Drama
• Status: Completed
• Chapters: 1385
• Rating: ★ 4.5 / 5
• Published: 2026-10-04

Rising From the Mud

Let me kick things off with a long-form xianxia novel that is absolutely worth every single penny for my fellow readers who crave a realistic cultivation grind. Forget those lucky, cheat-filled rebirth or transmigration starts—this masterpiece throws us headfirst into the brutal survival story of a total nobody.

Our protagonist, Xu Chunniang, is a young girl from a dirt-poor village living with her beloved Mother Xu. As if being poor wasn't enough, she also bears a large, disfiguring red birthmark on her face, earning her the cruel mockery of everyone around her and the sarcastic nickname Ah Chou.

The Unyielding Will of Ah Chou

She only has a three-attribute spiritual root of Water, Wood, and Earth, with a talent grade that is average at best compared to actual prodigies. With such a crappy starting hand, stepping into a ruthless, cutthroat cultivation world is basically a suicide mission for a young girl.

Yet, it's her painfully average starting point that makes her hard-fought progress so incredibly gripping to watch. Starting as a lowly outer disciple, she grinds day and night, scraping by to reach the Foundation Building stage to flip her fate and secure a spot in the inner sect.

Overcoming the Odds

What absolutely sells this novel is how the author throws all cheap cheat code buffs and ridiculous plot armor right out the window. All our protagonist has is an ironclad mental state, sharp wits, and sheer, unadulterated hard work through every single storm-tossed chapter.

The romance aspect is also handled beautifully—by which I mean there is absolutely none! The author makes it crystal clear that this is a pure no CP novel. No silly love drama is going to distract her from her ultimate path. Instead, we get some deeply touching and genuine friendships with Wei Dawu, Lin Yuxuan, and Huangfu Yao.

Why You'll Love It

• A fiercely independent and resolute protagonist who tackles every crisis using her own brawn and brains rather than relying on dumb luck or some white knight to rescue her.
• A gritty, incredibly realistic cultivation setting that perfectly captures the brutal survival of the fittest on the path of Dao, which is a merciless minefield for ordinary, untalented cultivators.
• Healthy and heartwarming friendships built on mutual respect, free of frustrating drama, cheap misunderstandings, or backstabbing among like-minded companions.
• Her grueling efforts pay off at every single breakthrough, delivering an immensely satisfying feeling as we witness her earn every scrap of power.
• The prose is clean and the psychological depth is superb, making it easy to empathize with the isolation and resolute spirit of a lone girl in a vast, uncaring world.

A Few Minor Caveats

• The pacing in the early stages is quite slow and meticulous, which might test the patience of readers used to fast-paced, instant-gratification xianxia.
• The tone is consistently serious and tense, with very little lighthearted relief or humor to ease the mental strain.
• Watching an underdog with average talent rise to the peak is a massive commitment, requiring readers to stick with her through thousands of chapters fraught with hardship.
• Some of the cultivation mechanics and tactical mind games can get a bit dry, requiring close attention to fully appreciate the author's setup.

Community Ratings

• WTR-LAB: 4.5/5 (43 ratings, as of 04/10/2026)
• Shuqi Novel: 9.1/10 (60 ratings, as of 04/10/2026)

Is This for You?

All in all, this is a top-tier xianxia novel for anyone tired of protagonists getting cheap, system-boosted power-ups. It's a gritty, inspiring, and deeply human tale that absolutely deserves a prominent spot on your cultivation progression reading list.

While the marathon journey has its slow stretches, the payoff is incredibly rewarding and won't disappoint any true fan. Strap in, pack your patience, and join the resilient Ah Chou as she sets out to conquer the rugged peaks of cultivation.

In short: If you're looking for a genuine, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps cultivation journey with zero cheap buffs and zero romance clutter, this is your holy grail.

Tags: cultivation, strong female lead, no romance