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EDIT:  I completely forgot to mention this, but if you start reading Puluo because of this review then remember to comment, "I came from Dragon Canon/DC!"

Hey guys! this is a novel review and promotion of The Overlord of Puluo. If you don't know I'm a huge fan of that novel, so much so that I've stan it for like, 3 times already. This is the 4th! Crazy huh?

Anyway let's go~

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Translator of the novel: GLTD (GT & LD)

1. Introduction

The Overlord of Puluo follows the story of Li Banfeng, who definitely isn’t mad. To save his best friend, He Jiaqing’s life, he thrust himself into a fantastical, insane world that he knew nothing about. At first, he was scared out of his mind, but he gradually came to realize that it was the world he has always wanted to live in. Alas, no world is perfect, and Puluo is riddled with termites and parasites who would see it destroyed for their own personal gain.

It’s fine, though. Banfeng is here to provide corrections.

2. Similarities to my novel 

As I became older, I came to realize I really cannot stand evil MCs. I’ve read one that features a bandit with an actual bandit’s mindset and let me tell you, to call him the most loathsome creature I’ve ever read would be an exaggeration, but you definitely won’t understand my feelings until you’ve read him.

This is probably why I’m drawn to The Overlord of Puluo as I’m drawn to Dragon Canon: Their hearts are always in the right place. It doesn’t if one of them is a little mad, and the other is a little more perverted. Banfeng will not tolerate evil. Wei Yuan will not tolerate oppressors. Banfeng will not overlook atrocities. Wei Yuan will not ignore sacrifices. Banfeng will right the wrongs, no matter what it costs him. Wei Yuan will not let people starve, even if it means making hard decisions that should never be asked of anyone.

Sometimes, it’s not a matter of right or wrong. It’s about getting it done, and both Li Banfeng and Wei Yuan are doers.

3. Differences and/or unique aspects

It should be obvious to anyone who even read the synopsis, but The Overlord of Puluo features a unique cultivation setting unlike anything the cultivation scene has ever seen. Folly Cultivators bring your IQ down to the negatives. Deception Cultivators possess no cultivation—but do they really, when they are never exposed? Agrarian Cultivators can grow crops that kick your ass with kungfu, and Love Cultivators—Love at first sight has never been so literal. Be sure not to look them in the eye.

Anyone who thought they’ve seen all there is to be seen with cultivation, they ain’t seen nothing yet.

Dragon Canon is unique in the sense that… I’m spoiling a bit, but the MC is the closest we’ve ever gotten to a Buddhist protagonist. To be clear, he does not want to be a monk, as the path will lead him to losing things he never wants to lose in his life, but there honestly are very few protagonists who are as good-hearted as him. But no, he’s neither foolishly good nor self-sacrificing. He’s just greedy; greedy for a world where no one will starve, greedy for a world where even the lowest lifeform gets a chance at greatness, greedy for an utopia where everyone can live happily ever after. Some more than others—preferably him and those he cares about—but still, he actually is striving toward a utopia.

How many people can say they are still fighting for their dreams, fictional or real?

4. Personal reading experience

I mean, what can I even say? This is a parody (the actual line doesn’t make sense without context), but:

“You are my dearest brother. Should there comes a time where I must choose, I will not hesitate to abandon you!”

Oh, and how about:

“The person outside the window said, "Miss, would you like to employ my services? Twenty centimeters long. You pick the time. I guarantee you'll be satisfied before the train leaves. The price is just eighty yuan."

Li Banfeng withdrew his hands. He could not accept this offer.”

And of course, the very next chapter:

“Endure. I have to endure it. Come tomorrow morning, I'll get to Jiaqing's place. And he's gonna have to find someone to perform some services for me. And if he can't find someone to satisfy me, then he'll just have to do it himself.”

Every joke in the novel feels original. Every character in the story is colorful and vibrant. The intelligent are intelligent, the competent are competent. It never feels like the author “nerfed” a character’s intelligence; if anything, I’m pretty sure the readers are the ones who need to improve their intelligence to keep up with them. The world is novel yet coherent (like seriously, I can’t wait until we get to the part where the background is explained and see how people’s minds are blown). The “magic” system is unique and logical. The culture is unbelievably rich.

In a genre where you think everything has gone stale, to find a novel like this… it’s just a joy, you know?

5. Why readers should read the novel

There are many novels out there that I think are interesting, exciting, thrilling, healing, heart-warming, riveting, fascinating, illuminating, so on and so forth. But ones that would actually set your head straight, strengthen your character, and improve yourself as a human being? Like seriously, give it a thought. Most books written in this day and age lack that quality. This is a book with that quality. No, it doesn’t force chicken soup down your throat or anything like that. It just… shows you, through the actions and words of Banfeng. If you take what you’ve read in this novel to heart, I truly believe you’ll come out for the better. 

And if nothing else, at least it’ll be one helluva ride.

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The link to The Overlord of Puluo is at the top of this announcement. If you missed it, no fear, here's another one!

The Overlord of Puluo | Wuxiaworld 

Hope to see you there too!

EDIT:  I completely forgot to mention this, but if you start reading Puluo because of this review then remember to comment, "I came from Dragon Canon/DC!"