If you're a fan of MDZS, I urge you to read The Dragon. The novel will fascinate you with its rich cultivation world and captivating female characters. You'll be happy with what it has to offer!

I had to get that out of the way for those who will only ever see a glimpse of my review before they continue scrolling.

This novel was fantastic! It delivered the cultivation setting I was yearning for, introduced me to the type of fierce female characters I'm now deeply invested in, and stirred up a whirlwind of emotions that kept me engaged.

How are there so few reviews of this web novel on Goodreads? I. Do. Not. Understand. There are some similarities between the novel and MDZS, including the genre, story arcs, and character interactions. At the very least, a quarter of MDZS lovers would at least find delight in The Dragon. This novel has much of what you want as an MDZS fan, but this time, with female empowerment! Unlike MDZS, where I can only remember one female character who didn't die a horrible death, The Dragon is full of female characters absolutely crushing it in life. I love it.

Speaking of those badass characters, Gu Fuyou initially drove me slightly bonkers due to her immaturity. However, GF's "growing up" deeds were central to the story, so her initial childishness was necessary. Ultimately, GF thrived as an adult and never gave up on fighting for what she believed in. Zhong Michu was, thankfully, more mature than GF from the beginning. It helped that she had a few hundred years on GF. ZM started the story and finished the novel as my favorite character. She was mature, to begin with, but still evolved. She was patient but also confident. Affable but strong. Calm but passionate. Her pain was so palpable that it made me cry, but her joy was also so heartwarming that it made me physically smile. ZM was not only GF’s rock and guide but also the rock and guide of the entire story.

The Dragon could be a good option for readers new to the cultivation genre. Initially, the author genuinely and effectively attempted to explain the cultivation basics to new readers. I was impressed by the effort. I read more on Google than the story during my first dive into the cultivation genre. So, I appreciate that new readers wouldn't have had to do that. The educational effect was dropped as the chapters progressed, but that was okay. If new readers have made it through the book's first third, they are in it for the long haul by then.

The length of the novel was perfect. It was shorter than I'm used to, but that was also refreshing. The shorter length of the story also helped to develop the ending. Most web novels I've read until now have a sudden ending that comes out of nowhere. Then, the authors add some extras to make the reader feel better. This novel had a drawn-out ending, which I wasn't initially sure about. The story gradually wound down as loose ends were tied. You didn't need to read any extras to feel better, and you didn't feel quite slapped in the face with a disappointing ending. In the end, I liked how this novel was completed because the end of the book was just that, The End.

What was missing from the translation was, well... a translator. It felt very machine-generated heavy, and there was none of the personal touch I'm used to. I think Melts and Douqi have spoiled me. I'm still super grateful to the DragonTL group for their translation. I would not have been able to enjoy this fantastic story without their hard work. A million thanks!