Leaving A Legacy (A Xianxia story)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

What happens when a young master from a declining cultivator clan decides to…be a decent human being? Zhao Ren was not a typical young master. No arrogance, no entourage, no random face‑slapping, at least not any more. He preferred to read books over throwing his weight around. Raised to turn around his family's fortunes, he struggles to live up to their lofty ideals. But man plans and the heavens laugh. Instead he found his own way to the Dao. A cultivator who likes a sustainable approach to growing herbs and leaves behind inheritances instead of looting everything not nailed down? Who even spares a thought for those who come after? Whodoesthat? Why would you refine a precious pill and not swallow it immediately? Why would you craft spirit weapons with your hard earned, expensive ingredients without ever intending to use or sell them? Why even bother planting a tree that won’t bear fruit until long after you’re dead? This guy must be crazy! So how does he keep getting stronger?! What to expect: -Mass release initially then 1 chapter a day M-W-F. - ~2k words per chapter (Slightly longer first chapter) -Slightly more farming, crafting and slice-of-life than most xianxias -MC doesn't discover his own path until Ch 10 so be patient -Gradually accumulating power growth. -No Harem

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2026
Author: 212perseus

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 4,433
Views: 518,823

Chapters(55 total)

What readers say about Leaving A Legacy (A Xianxia story)

“I'm really enjoying this story. The main character is humbled by a better talent and thus tries to progress his cultivation in line with trying to make the world better for those that come after him. His refusal to pull the ladder up after himself makes him…”
AilornRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“If I'm truly honest, I would like give 4.5 stars. But I was only looking for something to pass time at the hospital and somehow I finished it all before I got to leave. That was something and it deserves the half star more for that. I think some characters…”
DumDumDomRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

AilornRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm really enjoying this story. The main character is humbled by a better talent and thus tries to progress his cultivation in line with trying to make the world better for those that come after him. His refusal to pull the ladder up after himself makes him a likable main character, however he isn't idealistic to the point of stupidity. The friendships are enjoyable and funny at times. I'm really enjoying his crafting and gardening. I wish there was more of the story to sink into. The narrative moves at a quick pace.
DumDumDomRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If I'm truly honest, I would like give 4.5 stars. But I was only looking for something to pass time at the hospital and somehow I finished it all before I got to leave. That was something and it deserves the half star more for that.
I think some characters used for the info bits are kinda weird. The haugthiness, arrogance and contempt shouldn't be so common for a guide, an assistant and so. Idk, it's just weird, but ok.
I'm also curious about what happened to that Jian Chang, Fang, Lang, or something. Dude kinda just went to buy milk and never came back. It would be nice to know how the mc compares to him rn.
Anyway, I liked almost everything about this novel. It was a nice and light read. The pace felt right and the mc and his friends are quite likeable.
I recommend it.
Franeloy-cRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm an avid reader of stories about cultivation and progression, and I must say that this choice of Dao resonates with me. It's something I think could provide a lot of plot material, and if I were to write a story it would be about that, so I have high hopes for this novel.
It's very rare to find stories about nurturing, teaching, creating heritage, and legacy.
Therefore, author, you've earned 5 stars.
I hope for a good plot development and that your story has a thousand chapters 😘.
So far, the main character appears mentally sound, with a mature and calm perspective on the cultivation world.
There has been little world-building, but while it seems like a typical Xianxia world, there haven't been any exaggerated or unrealistic plot points: massacres everywhere and cartoonishly arrogant young masters.
I'm reading the translated novel, so I can't comment on the exact wording, but so far it's been a good read—engaging and interesting, without excessive information overload or unnecessary clarification on common genre themes.
200 words is too much
Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word
Jaime lannisterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This hidden gem on Royal Road is an absolute masterclass in web fiction. The world-building is breathtakingly immersive, and the character development feels incredibly grounded and authentic. Every chapter is a polished thrill, keeping me hooked with its perfect pacing and clever twists. It is truly a must-read for any fan!
Phantom SageRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is one of the rare cultivation stories that feels genuinely refreshing without trying too hard to be “a parody” or “a subversion.” It starts with familiar xianxia framing, declining clan, sect enrollment, spiritual roots, outer sect grind, but it slowly reveals that the real hook is not power fantasy. It is the philosophy of what kind of cultivator Zhao Ren wants to become, and how the world reacts when someone refuses to behave like a typical loot-goblin.
The early chapters do an excellent job grounding Ren’s personality. He is not weak, not naïve, and not a saint. He is simply tired of the shallow cruelty baked into young master culture, and the writing makes it believable that this shift came from years of being humbled by true talent and real limits. His dynamic with Bao Hua is one of the best parts of the story. Their friendship feels earned, and it gives the slice of life farming and survival sections real warmth without turning into comedy fluff.
Where the story really locks in is the slow accumulation of systems that reward long-term thinking. Ren’s herb cultivation, formations, market bargaining, contribution missions, and gradual skill stacking feel coherent. Even when he gets lucky, the narrative frames it as “luck meets preparation,” not random author handouts. The karmic theme is handled especially well. It is not preachy, and it does not turn the MC into a monk. It feels like the Dao itself is responding to intention and consistency, not performative morality.
By Chapter 10, the “Legacy Dao” reveal recontextualizes everything. The earlier choices stop looking like quirks and start looking like the foundation of a long-term path that will likely reshape how Ren crafts weapons, builds inheritances, and interacts with the cultivation world. That is a strong payoff for a slow burn setup, and it makes the story feel like it has a real spine beyond the usual sect grind.
RennyTheReaderRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Checklist of cool things I love:
- a novice discovering a whole new world? - ✅
- kind hearted MC but is grounded? - ✅
- slice of life, as in day to day operations is explained and showed? - ✅
- an interesting world of powers, treasures, monsters, and people? - ✅
- slow burn with high and lows? - ✅
- a good cast of supporting charactres? - ✅
- base building? - ✅
- cool companion beast / pets? - ✅
acausalRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It's still early days, but I really like this story a lot so far, I very much hope the author continues with it as I think they're doing a good job so far. This is a story that could have been done in a more clumsy way, and honestly I was expecting that going into it, but instead it seems like the author is considering nuance nicely and putting in the work of building up the foundation for the plot with some care. As the title of my review says, I've got high hopes for this one! I like that the protagonist is neither an impossible saint nor a bloodthirsty cultivation murderhobo, and the idea of the Dao of Legacy is compelling enough to keep me hooked.
The fact that the main character has a sense of relative humility and a practical understanding of his overall strength is also nice, he seems cautious (smart) but realistic. It's fun to read about the protagonist who prepares for everything like Batman, but it does make it a little harder to identify with those types - after a certain point you do have to act, usually, in real life. I don't have a lot else to add because it's early still but so far this has been a breath of fresh air. Positive without being cloying or twee, our protagonist doesn't have a magic cheat apart from finding a suitable Dao for himself which is kind of standard cultivation rather than being a cheat like many protagonists have. This is, so far, a well constructed story. I feel like two hundred words is a bit of a high minimum for writing these reviews but I suppose we do live in an era where you have to be particularly careful to avoid certain automated menaces from the broader world coming in and gaming the mechanisms, so I suppose it's understandable even if it's sometimes, occasionally, very frustrating, annoying, or inconvenient for those among us who are carbon based organic life forms. Truly I am running out of words here hopefully we've reached the minimum number to post this review by now, right?
onoderamyshkinRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I finally found a story that doesn't involve the main character killing everyone because someone looked at them funny. This one follows Zhao Ren, a guy from a fading family who heads to the Heavenly Sword Sect with pretty average spirit roots. It feels grounded because he actually has to struggle with the basics. The early chapters are mostly about him weeding his plot, failing at cooking, and trying to stretch a tiny sect stipend to last the month.
The system is actually pretty interesting. Ren uses a special manual that involves growing his own weapon from a seed. Watching him handle the logistics of qi-infused gardening and carving arrays into rocks gives off a great crafting vibe that makes the progression feel tangible.
The relationship between Ren and his buddy Bao Hua is another high point. Their friendship makes the whole "brutal sect life" feel a lot more human. There's also a great moment early on where Ren has to choose between being ruthless and being ethical. It's refreshing to see a protagonist who succeeds because of his character and mindset rather than just having a random cheat code.
The pacing is definitely on the slower side, though. You spend the first couple of chapters watching him do manual labor and establish his foundation. If you need explosions and sword fights in the first ten pages, this might test your patience, but the payoff starts to hit once he finishes his initial preparations.
Well, this is a good slow-burn xianxia. It reminds me of the early sect days in Cradle. If you like seeing an underdog succeed through hard work, give this a sub.
Patrick WilhiteRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Honestly I'm more suprised authors don't surge on the idea of cultivators creating inheritances then this author doing so. This is a plainly lovable main character, he is no mother Teresa but instead feels like that kind neighbor who helps you unpack your moving van.
IMPORTANT!
If you are seeking drama and action... this probably isn't for you. This is a satisfying story, and pretty well paced. But in no way is it action packed.
LusalmaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Love how the author took karma and started from the beginning of the path instead of the end - addressed in authors note. The friendships seem to be shaping up well & the past is not forgotten! For the upcoming tournament & transfer to the Inner Sect is going to be fun - will he get a mentor or keep trying alone? The Challenges seem to be fun but interested if he will keep low or shine while which Challenges will he put up next! Love the pets & gardening! More please!