Introduction: A Reader’s Confession
Last week, a friend of mine – a 28-year-old accountant in Shanghai – told me she had just finished a 5-million-word cultivation novel. ‘Why do you read such long stories?’ I asked. She smiled and said, ‘It’s not about the fighting or the magic. It’s about the bros. The way they stand by each other, the master who gives everything for his disciple. I wish real life had that kind of loyalty.’
Her words made me think. Cultivation novels (修仙小说) are wildly popular in China – topping bestseller lists, driving streaming dramas, and inspiring endless fan art. But beyond the fantasy of flying swords and immortal powers, what truly hooks readers? I believe it’s the relationships: brotherhood and master-disciple bonds that feel sharper, purer, and more meaningful than many relationships in everyday life.
Brotherhood: Sworn to Die Together
In novels like A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality (《凡人修仙传》), the protagonist Han Li relies on a few sworn brothers through decades of peril. They fight side by side, share rare resources, and never betray each other – even when facing death. This ‘brotherhood’ (兄弟情) is built on trust and shared sacrifice. It’s a stark contrast to the precarious friendships many young Chinese experience today, where career competition and social media comparisons often strain bonds.
One iconic scene: when a brother is trapped in a deadly formation, the others risk their own cultivation to save him. No hesitation, no calculation. This resonates deeply in a society where ‘guanxi’ (networks) can sometimes feel transactional. Readers tell me, ‘I wish I had friends like that.’
Master-Disciple: A Bond Deeper Than Blood
Equally compelling is the master-disciple relationship. Think of Li Xiaoyao and Drunken Sword Immortal in Chinese Paladin (《仙剑奇侠传》). The master doesn’t just teach skills – he imparts wisdom, protects the disciple, and even sacrifices his life for him. This idealization draws on the traditional Confucian value of ‘revering the teacher and respecting the doctrine’ (尊师重道).
But real teacher-student dynamics in China can be stressful: exam pressure, hierarchical expectations, and sometimes distant relationships. Cultivation novels flip that: masters are selfless, disciples are devoted, and the bond is unconditional. For many young people, this represents a fantasy of being fully seen and nurtured without strings attached.
Idealization vs. Reality
Let’s be honest: real life is messier. Friends drift apart after graduation. Colleagues are both allies and rivals. Teachers have limited energy for each student. The pure loyalty in novels is a form of wish fulfillment – an escape from the ambiguity and disappointment of actual human interactions.
Yet this idealization serves a purpose. It reflects a collective longing for relationships that are ‘simple, sincere, and eternal,’ as a 24-year-old reader told me. In a fast-paced world where even friendships are curated on social media, these stories remind people of what they deeply crave.
Cultural Roots: From Ancient Codes to Modern Desires
The emphasis on brotherhood and master-disciple loyalty isn’t new. Chinese folk tales, wuxia classics, and even historical records celebrate such bonds. The concept of yi (义, righteousness) demands that a person put loyalty to friends above personal gain. Similarly, the teacher-student relationship has been sacred since Confucius.
What’s new is how these values are repackaged in cultivation novels with a modern twist. They become a safe space to imagine a world where relationships are not corrupted by money, status, or time. This is especially appealing to younger generations who feel the pressure of economic uncertainty and social disconnection.
Conclusion: More Than Just Fantasy
So next time you see someone glued to a thousand-chapter cultivation novel, don’t dismiss it as mere escapism. Those stories are windows into what many Chinese people yearn for: bond that are pure, loyal, and transformative. They are a quiet protest against the transactional nature of modern life – a reminder that, deep down, we all want someone who will fight by our side and a master who believes in us.
As for my accountant friend? She’s now writing her own cultivation story, hoping ‘to create a brotherhood that readers can believe in.’ Perhaps that’s the real magic of these novels: they inspire us to seek better relationships, both in fiction and in our own lives.