Glossary

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Cultivation

修炼 (xiūliàn)

Cultivation is the process of refining body, mind, spirit, or qi to gain power, extend lifespan, and move toward immortality in Chinese fantasy novels.

Face-Slapping

打脸 (dǎ liǎn)

Face-slapping is the trope where a previously humiliated character returns stronger and publicly shames their bully, 'slapping' their social reputation.

Qi

气 (qì)

Qi (气) is the vital energy cultivators absorb, refine, and use to power their abilities in Chinese fantasy novels.

System Novels

系统流 (xìtǒng liú)

System novels feature a protagonist who gets a 'system' interface — quests, rewards, stats, and level-ups like a game UI inside their head.

Transmigration

穿书 (chuānshū)

Transmigration is when a character's soul moves into another body — usually into a novel, game, or historical world they know from their past life.

Wuxia

武侠 (wǔxiá)

Wuxia (武侠) is a Chinese genre about martial heroes, honor, and the Jianghu — the world of martial artists.

Xianxia

仙侠 (xiānxiá)

Xianxia (仙侠) is a Chinese fantasy genre centered on cultivation, immortality, magical sects, and the pursuit of the Dao.