He Cultivates the Ruthless Path As A Substitute

Everyone in the Fourteen States knew that Zhao Zhao was just a substitute. It was because he had a face that looked like the crown prince of the Celestial Clan, Mo Yu; that he turned from a wild chicken into a phoenix and was noticed by the God of War, Chang Yuan, who shook the three realms, and was accepted as his disciple. Such a master-disciple relationship is doomed to not last long. When the real disciple of the God of War, Mo Yu, wakes up, he will probably pack up and leave. As the person involved, Zhao Zhao also knows that he is just a dispensable substitute. But it doesn’t matter, as long as this master can help him get rid of the days of living under someone else’s roof. When it comes to pleasing people, he is a professional. Zhao Zhao is very conscious of fulfilling his basic cultivation that a substitute should have, so as to comfort his master’s longing for his favourite disciple. His favourite disciple is a gifted and rare genius in the immortal world for thousands of years. So, Zhao Zhao forgets to eat and sleep, and works hard to cultivate. The favourite disciple is very knowledgeable and has a good handwriting, so he reads and writes without getting sleep, and practices calligraphy. He also took care of everything that the favourite disciple didn’t have time to do. Zhao Zhao had only one goal: to hold on to Chang Yuan’s thigh and stay away from the dangers of the world. Until one day, Mo Yu woke up. #Master has only one heart. Master’s favorite disciple suddenly woke up. What should I do to keep the glory in front of me and not look too embarrassed? #Or, before both parties become too embarrassed, just run away. ** Chang Yuan had always disliked this little disciple who had gone to great lengths to scheme against him and become his disciple on the basis of having a similar face to his beloved disciple Mo Yu. He knows very well that this little thing looks obedient and soft, who loves to please people. But in fact, he is selfish and full of evil thoughts, and would do anything to achieve his goals. His “core” is completely different from the bright and talented, heavenly disciple Mo Yu. There are three thousand paths to cultivate. But according to his disciple’s temperament, he will definitely choose the most opportunistic one. Until that day, when the young man appeared under the fierce wind and thunder with a sword in his hand and covered in blood, Chang Yuan realized that the “little spoiled child” in his eyes has chosen the most resolute and difficult path among the three thousand great paths – the Ruthless Path. Then later, Chang Yuan found a portrait of another man in the room of his cheap disciple. The man in the painting looked 70% like himself. The boy who had always acted cute and coquettishly in front of him said with regret: Although he is not as gentle, considerate, and patient as Shifu, I can still barely fall asleep looking at his face. Chang Yuan:? Chang Yuan later realized that the little thing had been pestering him and trying so hard to worship him as a master because he looked like the man in the painting. ** Everyone knows that the God of War Chang Yuan has a disciple in his heart. He is the son of the Heavenly Monarch and the crown prince of the Heavenly Clan, Mo Yu. Many years ago, he fell into a long sleep because he blocked the calamity for Chang Yuan. In order to wake up his disciple, Chang Yuan traveled all over the world to find a cure. Later, Mo Yu woke up. Everyone thought that the Three Realms would finally be peaceful. Unexpectedly, Chang Yuan began to search the world frantically for another disciple. It is said that not long after Mo Yu woke up, that other disciple fell from the ten-thousand-foot-high Xuexiao Mountain, his soul was scattered, and his body was gone.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on He Cultivates the Ruthless Path As A Substitute "He Cultivates the Ruthless Path As A Substitute" is a web novel that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a story packed with action, drama, and a good dose of tragedy, all set against a xianxia backdrop. While it has its flaws, the overall experience was compelling enough that I couldn't put it down. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a main character cultivating a "ruthless path." However, I soon realized that "ruthless" in this context doesn't necessarily mean unhinged. Instead, it's about detachment and unbiased judgment. The early chapters focus on Zhao Zhao's difficult childhood and his struggle for survival, which immediately made me sympathetic to his plight. ### What Works Well The strength of this novel lies in its character development, particularly Zhao Zhao's. His journey from a naive child to a cunning survivor is both heartbreaking and inspiring. His flaws, such as his jealousy and pettiness, make him relatable and human. The slow-burn romance between Zhao Zhao and Chang Yuan, his master, is also a highlight. Their relationship starts with dependency and obsession, evolving into something deeper over time. I appreciated the emotional depth of their bond, even if it was frustrating at times. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed the story, I also encountered some issues. Several readers, including myself, found the timeline confusing, with potential time distortions and inconsistencies in character ages. The villain storyline felt generic and lacked depth, serving more as a plot device than a compelling narrative. Moreover, the pacing felt uneven at times, with certain plot points being rushed while others dragged on. The two instances where the main character had amnesia felt like a trope. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers might find the family dynamics after Zhao Zhao regains his memories unsettling. The way his family erases his past relationships and treats him like a child can feel insincere and dismissive of his growth. Also, the ending with Zhao Zhao differentiating between Chang Yuan and Wu Qiuyu (his past self) was also an issue. ### Final Verdict Despite its flaws, "He Cultivates the Ruthless Path As A Substitute" is a worthwhile read. The complex characters, emotional depth, and engaging plot kept me invested until the very end. While the pacing and villain storyline could be improved, the overall experience was satisfying and left a lasting impression. I'd recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys xianxia stories with a focus on character development and emotional journeys, but be prepared for a rollercoaster of feelings.