A Pug's Journey (Cultivation Starts with Breathing)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Idiedanoldpug.Peacefully.Warmblanket.Chickendreams. ThenIwokeupinanewworld,stillapug,butnowtheruntofadivinelitterborntoaliteralgodbeast.Mysiblingsareradiantwolfgodspawndestinedtosaveanation.Iwheezeonstairsandgetstuckinceremonialrobes. Now,mygoddess-momisdead,theholyempireispanicking,andeveryone’sexpectingmiracles.Ihavenomana.Noprophecy. Whilemysiblingsroar,Iread.Whilenoblesscheme,Inap. An underdog fantasy about divine legacies, spiritual politics, and what happens when the pug refuses to roll over. Rewriting this story.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: Pope Pug

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 914
Views: 43,449

Chapters(15 total)

What readers say about A Pug's Journey (Cultivation Starts with Breathing)

“A fine example of how to cut out vast filler and have meaningful moments. This novel is amazing so far and I have no qualms so far. Weaving a good start into an interesting mixture. No grammar issues and the style is immaculate. I love how it isn’t a wish f…”
OrangeMamothRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“What is better than a pug? A magical pug with a system, in a magical world, with a fulfilling past life. All I can say is, it is a strong start! I'm looking forward to more chapters and wish you good luck. Pugs are awesome. Can't wait to see him making Papa…”
God on a HillRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

OrangeMamothRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A fine example of how to cut out vast filler and have meaningful moments. This novel is amazing so far and I have no qualms so far. Weaving a good start into an interesting mixture. No grammar issues and the style is immaculate. I love how it isn’t a wish fulfillment type novel so far as it isn’t just an op protag running around. It really nails the do nothing and ignores everything until stuff happens aesthetic.The subtle politics and world building seem to be ramping up and I am so hype for how the author is going to tackle it. The emotions woven into the text are great as well, subtle nods and great layers on how a character deals with them as well that I just didn’t really expect from a novel about a pug. I expected a good popcorn novel and got a no filler masterpiece in writing. 10/10 would recommend.
God on a HillRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
What is better than a pug? A magical pug with a system, in a magical world, with a fulfilling past life. All I can say is, it is a strong start! I'm looking forward to more chapters and wish you good luck. Pugs are awesome.
Can't wait to see him making Papa Fenrir cry!!
HEYHEYHEYHEYHEYRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It is so much more than I expected. Peak humour while not taking away from the story. That hilariously morbid style, it’s all just amazing. Highly recommend giving a try. Oh right, be wearied that there is quite a bit of violence so don’t recommend anyone below 14 or so to read.
MorhRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
There are quite a bunch of those weird "stupid concept stories" on RR. Some are high effort to contract with the stupid idea. Some are comical.
This one is surprisingly poetic. Relaxing and passive acceptation of the world. I didn't expect to like the first chapters that much. I hope the author will manage to make that freshness persist.
Jay ThornRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A hilarious morbid story about our cute furry friend navigating a world full of laughter, death and suffering. It's absolutely incredible along with some emotional depth. It's a good story to binge and I recommend you at least give it a try. (Note: There are a few tiny grammatical mistakes and awkward sentences but mostly it's fine).
M.S. DavidsonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
What the hell, Pug. You should be campy... you shouldn't work. This is a terrible idea on paper.
But Good Lord, does it ever work. I love it.
If you love Xianxia and stories that turn traditional Xianxia on their heads (like Beware of Chicken) this is going to tickle you in ways that make you say 'yeah, that's nice.'
Miko MelinaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Normally Im a cat person, but this story has me rooting for the underdog the whole time. I love the character and the world building, and overall this is a sweet and wonderful tale of loyalty, family, and overcoming appearances. Absolutely wonderful. It made me cry in a good way and I can't wait to read more.
Style: the style here is very personable, very stream-of consciousness. It really reinforces the personality and character of the MC. The narration really has drawn me in and I love it.
Story: Though there are times when small reactions are made for the purpose of building tension and plot, they don't hinder the plot. Everything surrounding those moments is absolutely awesome, with cozy moments between siblings shifting into scenes that could be taken from a Marval movie...if Marval was cool enough to have a giant dog as an MC, which they definitely are not. This story has me captivated and I cannot put it down.
Grammar: grammar is good. Author edits. Don't have much else to say on that front. Cannot complain.
Character: the MC needs a hug and I want to give it. He needs many hugs. All the hugs. I adore his narration and description. One very large potatoey boi who is very well written. I am constantly rooting for him to succeed and am crying with him when things are hard. Bonus points for superb representation of mental illness and a power set that turns that illness into strength.
Overall, I adored it. This pug has enchanted this reader.
Moon_WinchesterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have been reading on Royal Road for a long time now and I can confidently say this is one of the most well written stories that I’ve come across that is immediately good. I am deeply impressed with the writing and handling of both the main character in the world at large. I have enjoyed every second of reading this story and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
style – I have no qualms about the style. For cultivation story set in a fantasy world I deeply enjoy how it is progressing. Occasionally, I was a little annoyed when for a book clearly labeled as a cultivation story. It never really felt like that aspect was being developed. Just hinted at or conclusions that you would have to make on your own. I also like the very minor litrpg Aspect. This story does not have leveling or any of that. Instead A simple status screen that appears very rarely to track the main characters progress. So far I like a lot how it’s been implemented. Though in the beginning, I was a little annoyed because after it appeared the first time it took a lot of chapters for it to appear again. But I actually think it’s being utilized perfectly and I like it a lot.
story – hands-down one of the best stories I have read on this website. The way they have written the main character is genuinely three-dimensional. And it also feels like a dog. Not like someone stuffed a human brain in an animal, but like an animal slowly coming to terms with its greater intelligence. slowly humanizing because of the overall species surrounding him.
character – they have written the main character, so there will always be character growth and development. It is not out of place and it is not rushed or forced. It is simply a normal dog from earth being born in a new life with raised intelligence. Slowly having to deal with experiences and emotions he couldn’t comprehend before. and like all beings, it has flaws and I love watching the development of it all. And this goes the same for external characters. While the
MorganGrindallRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a gorgeously written work that I'm very anxious to see updated often, which I have every confidence it will be. The style is thoughtful, introspective, and beautifully written. The author has an excellent grasp of poetry and prose, and our MC, a delightful pug-turned-divine-beast, uses that to his best advantage as a wry, sometimes cynical, sometimes tired, sometimes funny, but always thoughtful commentary. The tension has been a slow but steady build so far as our MC finds his feet in a world that doesn't quite know what to do with him, and he, not yet quite knowing what to do with himself. I very much look forward to seeing his growth and advancement as he goes from - very literal - underdog, to taking the world by storm in what promises to be a wholly unique way.Oh, also love the worldbuilding, what we've been revealed of it so far.You will love this story if you like an introspective, intelligent MC and you find fantasy politics and theology fascinating (which I do!). And of course, who doesn't love an Underpug?(Character in particular is strongest, with style being the second strongest. Story is strong, but story is heavily focused on character so that's why it's strong, and I never noticed any grammar issues of any kind, which is pretty sweet. Seriously, give this a look/try!)
RennyTheReaderRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
There's a vast world, many diff magic systems are mentioned, the characters are interesting, and the MC is a delight to read about.
The entire relationship dynamic in the story is well written, there's ups and downs, some funny moments, and cool battle overall. MC's abilities are pretty cool tho, and I look forward to seeing how it keeps developing