by basilisk142

Xuanhuan is basically a mysterious fantasy, a genre of fictional stories that contain Chinese folklore/mythology with peculiar elements and settings. These novels are similar to Xianxia and Wuxia novels. It often doesn't have Daoism, which Xianixa has. They also could have other genres such as romance, comedy, action, adventure and etc... The settings are usually based in Ancient China. Most of the Xuanhuan novels, the ultimate goal of cultivation is to become powerful or seek revenge.

Some important terms to know are:

Qi – the vital energy which exists in all things. The cultivation of Qi is a major theme in Wuxia, Xianxia & Xuanhuan novels.

Magical Beasts – Animals capable of cultivation. Some are innately magical and simply grow stronger over time, while others must practice a cultivation method to grow stronger. They tend to be much more intelligent than regular animals, and some are capable of speaking in human languages. Magical Beasts that have reached a high stage of cultivation may even be able to take on a human form. These Beasts often possess a Core in their bodies that contains their essence or cultivation base. It's highly prized. The Cores are generally either consumed by cultivators (to grow stronger) or used in the production of magical items. Beast Cores are also sometimes called Neidan. Some novels give the Beasts slightly varying names such as Demonic Beasts or Spirit Beasts, but they're all essentially the same sort of creature.

Cultivator – a person who trains in martial & mystical arts, usually to become powerful and increase their longevity. Meditation and the cultivation of Qi are common practices among cultivators. Rogue Cultivators – "Loose Cultivators". Independent cultivators unaffiliated with any sect, clan, or other martial organizations. Devil Cultivators  – Also known as Demon Cultivators. Wicked cultivators who emulate Devils and seek power by any means necessary. They are often said to follow the Devil Path / Devil Dao, in opposition to the orthodox Immortal Cultivators.

Internal Energy – also called Inner Energy, Internal Strength, Internal Power, or Internal Force. The cultivated energy within a martial artist's body. Doing it, a martial artist can accomplish superhuman feats of speed, agility, strength, endurance, etc... It can even be used to heal wounds and nullify poisons.

Cultivation – the process of improving health, increasing longevity, and growing power. Accomplished by cultivating Qi and training in martial & mystical arts.

Dantian – The region in the body where a person's Qi is concentrated.

Meridians  – the network of vessels/channels in the body through which Qi flows. Like blood vessels, but for Qi instead of blood.

Ranks / Levels / Realm – A way to measure the individual's martial power or the progress made in cultivation. Usually, there are 9 ranks/levels to each stage of cultivation, with rank 1 being the start and rank 9 being the peak. After breaking through to the next stage, the practitioner starts at rank 1 of that new stage. The number 9 has a great deal of symbolism. But instead of rank 1 or rank 9, there could be names for each level, such as the Spiritual realm or Sage realm. Other commonly used terms are Early-stage, Middle-stage, Late-stage & Peak. For example, might be a "late-stage Core Formation expert" or they could be at "the peak of the Nascent Soul stage". A half step refers to someone who's close to breaking through to the next stage of cultivation but hasn't achieved it yet. For example, someone who's "a half step to Foundation Establishment" is still technically at the Qi Condensation stage, but they're only a hair's breadth away from Foundation Establishment.

Alchemy  – the refining of plants, minerals, and other substances into medicinal pills & elixirs. In novels, Alchemists are essentially pharmacists who work with magical materials and make miracle drugs.

Overall, I love this genre because it lets you explore many things you've never imagined and when I first read this genre, I never knew about this genre but I became in love with this genre and it taught me so much new information. Also, Xuanhuan teaches you about Chinese cultures and history too. So, people who are interested in Chinese history and cultures or have read about Wuxia and Xianxia should look more into the Xuanhuan genre.

Example of Xuanhuan Fantasy on Wattpad:
I transmigrated into a demon?! by basilisk142

Synopsis:

Yuna Satamaki is a  world-class Assassin and adept at poison, medicine, and martial arts. She's extremely lazy when she's got free time and is the biggest flirt ever. A total player. Her goal is to bed all the beauties she could find.

BUT everything gets ruined when her current obsessed lover kills her out of jealousy. Then she somehow gets transmigrated into a demon by a God...

Excerpt:

From the sky, the moon was illuminating very brightly through the window onto a woman. The woman emitted a alluring and elegant aura. Skin white and smooth. Fleek eyebrows that were slightly crescent. Waist as thin as a willow branch. Eyelashes that seemed like butterflies when they fluttered. Plump red moist lips and Peach blossom eyes that would bewitch anyone.

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" The woman asked with her melodious and pleasant voice.

"It's me, Mei'er." A very handsome man came in. He wore a black and silver suit. It gave him a very exceptional look.

His gaze on her was filled with so much warmth and tender, that the woman's heart shook a bit and felt a little bad for what she was going to do in a minute. The woman nodded and continued to brush her hair, looking at the mirror.

The man took this chance to talk, "Since I did everything you told me to do, let's get married like you promised." The woman's plump lips lifted up and laughed. Not the ones that were filled with joy but the ones that would send chills to your bones.

"Liu Wei, did you really think I would marry you?!" She said mockingly.

"W-what you mean?" Liu wei's bottom lip trembled.

"Ai ya, you are really foolish! I only stayed with you so you can kill Wang lei for me. I can't really believe that you actually fell for me. When I first received this mission, I didn't believe that you would accept me and kill Wang lei. I really do pity you, Liu Wei, for falling for me. From now on we will be strangers who never met before so just forget about me," she coldly replied.

"THAT CANT BE TRUE! WE SWORN UNDER THE NAMES THAT WE WILL NEVER LEAVE EACH OTHER!!!!!" He raged. Veins were showing on his red face and fists were trembling from clenching too hard.

"That's right we did swear but I swore with the name of Fang Mei so it doesn't matter since that's not really my name," she coolly said with an expressionless face but deep down she was troubled by his rage. She has never once seen him so mad. He was always cold and sharp, never mad or hot headed.

"You LIED to me?!" His voice cracked. Tears fell onto the ground.

"That's right, I did. Since I betrayed you, I will leave," seriously, she was getting a headache from him. She rubbed her temple and turned to leave.

"I forgive you," he said, "so don't leave me." He looked at her desperately and grabbed her arm. But she shook her arm and said something that broke his heart, "I don't want to be with you so leave me alone or else I will have to be merciless," she threatened.

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https://youtu.be/2rcckLnrAbg