I’m writing this review after reading this book for the second time in about 7 months. The new book in the series is out and I want a refresher on everything that’s happened before I jump back in.

If you’ve never read a cultivation novel before this is the one you probably want to start with. It is fairly typical of them. There’s an initially weak martial artist and through work and adventures he slowly gains power.

If you have read a cultivation novel before then you’ll still want to read this series, because it’s really really good.

In this case the martial artist is Wei Shi Lindon. He has been set aside by his family and clan as he was born with a weak soul, destined to be unable to advance down any of the Paths to power. However, after an intervention from heaven he realises that he must go beyond the valley he was born in to seek true power.

This is a long series and it starts relatively restrained. The book is comparatively short. And yet there are some moments that just made me sit up and go “Yes!” There’s a few scenes throughout the series that I’ve reread again and again because they’re so cool and one of them is in here, with a major character introducing the meaning of her Path. When you see it, you’ll know what I mean.

The action is well described, though restrained as the main character isn’t that strong, instead relying on set up and trickery to win most confrontations. The world is nicely described and future conflicts are set up. Because it is the first book and thus must set a solid foundation, which it does.

This book is a seed. Great on it’s own but read it and let it sprout into a series and you’ll fall in love. Just like I did.