Martial Arts: Starting by Creating the Insidious List
- Author: Honghuang Longdi
- Genres: Hệ Thống, Võ Hiệp, Hài Hước
- Status: Ongoing
- Chapters: 3877
- Rating: ★ 5.0 / 5
- Published: 2026-09-23

The Martial Arts Chessboard
What truly hooked me about this story is how seamlessly the author weaves so many familiar martial arts legends into a single world. When Liu Xiao transmigrates into this comprehensive martial arts world, iconic figures and rival sects coexist, sparking countless captivating and unpredictable clashes.
It creates an atmosphere that feels both wonderfully nostalgic and refreshingly novel. You meet legendary names, but they now must navigate an absolute wildcard: the Heavenly Secret Tower. For me, the deeper your appreciation for martial arts lore, the more delightful this setting becomes—every familiar face brings the promise of an exciting new dynamic.
Shaking the World with Heavenly Secret Tower
The Heavenly Secret Tower is the true beating heart of the story. It empowers Liu Xiao to fathom all secrets under heaven, unlocking grander facilities as his fame and subtle influence ripple across the world.
What I love is that this power isn't meant for mindless violence. Liu Xiao turns information into ultimate influence, releasing leaderboards that throw the entire martial community into psychological turmoil. When his Insidious List exposes hidden, dark motives of revered figures, the magic lies in watching every faction react rather than in a simple sword fight.
Liu Xiao as the Strategist
Liu Xiao is the kind of system protagonist who quickly wins you over: rather than blindly charging into fights, he thoughtfully leverages his assets to build quiet power. Knowledge from his past life allows him to stay one step ahead of everyone, while the Heavenly Secret Tower turns that strategic insight into tangible strength.
What resonated with me most is how he feels like a grandmaster seated at a chessboard rather than a pawn on it. When powerhouse figures like Xiao Feng or Shangguan Jinhong enter the fray, Liu Xiao doesn't need to engage them physically; he reshapes the whole situation through information, reputation, and tactical leverage.
An Addictive Ranking Dynamic
The leaderboards give the story a deeply addictive rhythm. The Insidious List makes a dramatic entrance by unmasking hypocrites, paving the way for the Lovers List, martial technique rankings, weapon rankings, talent rankings, and many more.
This approach turns every new ranking into a brand-new stage. In particular, when beloved heroines like Wang Yuyan, Xiao Longnu, Cheng Ying, or Xiao Zhao join the narrative, warmth, humor, and tender romance elevate the tone, providing a welcome breather from tense martial conflicts.
What Works Well
- The leaderboard concept is immensely satisfying, turning secret reveals into the main engine driving the plot forward.
- The progression of the Heavenly Secret Tower feels organic and clear, evolving from a simple intelligence hub into the true center of global influence.
- Liu Xiao shines as a calculating strategist, ideal for readers who enjoy intelligent protagonists who play the long game.
- A crossover world packed with famous characters ensures a constant stream of exciting meetings, rivalries, and heartfelt interactions.
Where It Falls Short
- The monumental length is a clear commitment: with over 3,800 chapters in the original text and still going, readers should prepare for a very long journey.
- The formula of unveiling a list and showcasing character reactions can feel somewhat repetitive as more rankings are introduced.
- Multiple romantic subplots running in parallel can occasionally drift attention away from the core plot of expanding the Heavenly Secret Tower and building faction strength.
- Heavy reliance on system advantages means moments of genuine, high-stakes peril aren't always present.
Community Reception
- Faloo: 10/10 (76,099 ratings, checked on October 2, 2026).
- This is an ongoing novel, with the raw release reaching chapter 3,877 and continuously expanding its world, leaderboards, and character arcs.
Compared to traditional wuxia, this novel doesn't try to maintain absolute seriousness. Instead, it leans into the exhilarating thrill of information control, dramatic reveals, and hidden influence, blending in humor and romance to keep the ride engaging.
Best for: Readers looking for an epic, long-form system martial arts novel with a smart, influential protagonist who delights in shaking up the world through entertaining leaderboards.
Tags: system, transmigration, rankings