Rabbit Hole

Description

Er Gen is the pen name of Liu Yong, one of China's most influential and commercially successful web novel authors. He is renowned for his xianxia (immortal heroes) cultivation novels that blend Chinese mythology, Taoist philosophy, and epic fantasy. His works, particularly 'I Shall Seal the Heavens' and 'A Will Eternal', have defined modern xianxia genre conventions and attracted millions of readers worldwide through official translations.

Related Concepts

major_works

I Shall Seal the Heavens:Er Gen's most famous novel that follows Meng Hao's epic cultivation journey and established many modern xianxia tropes.

A Will Eternal:A more comedic cultivation novel featuring Bai Xiaochun's attempts to achieve immortality while avoiding danger at all costs.

Renegade Immortal:His breakthrough work that introduced his signature style of complex, morally ambiguous protagonists in a dark cultivation world.

Pursuit of the Truth:A philosophical cultivation novel exploring themes of destiny, memory, and the nature of reality through Su Ming's journey.

A World Worth Protecting:His more recent work blending cultivation elements with science fiction and ecological themes.

literary_influences

Chinese mythology:Er Gen extensively incorporates elements from Classic of Mountains and Seas, Investiture of the Gods, and other mythological texts into his world-building.

Taoist philosophy:His cultivation systems are deeply rooted in Taoist concepts of qi, meridians, and the pursuit of immortality through alignment with the Dao.

Jin Yong:Inherited the wuxia tradition's emphasis on martial arts and chivalry while transforming it into the xianxia genre.

Classical Chinese literature:Draws from traditional storytelling techniques and poetic descriptions found in works like Journey to the West.

genre_contemporaries

I Eat Tomatoes:Another massively popular xianxia author known for works like Coiling Dragon and Stellar Transformations.

Tang Jia San Shao:Author of Douluo Dalu series, representing a different approach to cultivation novels with more game-like elements.

Heavenly Silkworm Potato:Creator of Battle Through the Heavens, another foundational xianxia work that helped popularize the genre.

Mad Snail:Author of Tales of Demons and Gods, representing the newer generation of xianxia writers influenced by Er Gen's success.

adaptations

Manhua adaptations:All of Er Gen's major works have been adapted into popular Chinese comics with millions of readers.

Audiobook productions:His novels feature extensive audiobook adaptations with professional voice actors and sound effects.

Animation projects:I Shall Seal the Heavens and A Will Eternal have received animated adaptations, though with mixed reception from fans.

key_themes

Dao comprehension:His characters frequently gain power through understanding fundamental truths about the universe rather than simple cultivation.

Mortality and immortality:Explores the psychological and philosophical implications of seeking eternal life and transcending human limitations.

Causality and karma:Many plots revolve around the consequences of actions across vast timescales and reincarnation cycles.

Resource competition:The brutal economics of cultivation resources drives much of the conflict in his fictional worlds.

protagonist_archetypes

Scheming protagonists:His main characters typically win through intelligence and planning rather than raw power alone.

Alchemist heroes:Many protagonists specialize in pill refinement, using alchemical skills to advance their cultivation.

Morally complex characters:Er Gen's heroes often operate in moral gray areas, doing questionable things for survival or advancement.

Lone wolves:His characters frequently operate independently, forming few permanent alliances despite their power.

publishing_platform

Qidian Chinese Network:The original platform where Er Gen published his works and built his massive reader base.

Webnovel.com:The international platform that hosts official English translations of his novels for global audiences.

China Literature Limited:The parent company that owns Qidian and manages Er Gen's publishing rights and adaptations.

cultural_impact

Xianxia genre definition:Er Gen's works helped codify many standard tropes and cultivation systems used throughout modern xianxia.

Global popularity:His novels were among the first xianxia works to gain massive international audiences through translations.

Cultivation system innovation:Introduced complex cultivation realms and progression systems that influenced countless other authors.

Web novel economics:Demonstrated the commercial viability of long-form serialized web novels through subscription models.