How could one differentiate between wuxia novels and xianxia novels?

For example, Wind and Cloud. I don't think Wind and Cloud is a wuxia novel. It should be more like a xianxia novel. In Wind and Cloud For example, if an arm was broken, it could still be fitted with a Qilin arm. If it is not a Xianxia novel, then what kind of novel is it? Was it a mythical novel? In the story of Wind and Cloud, there was even a palace. If a character in Wind and Cloud was killed, would the people in the palace interfere? In the story of Wind and Cloud, were there any people from the palace who captured the killers in the martial world? For example, after Xiong Ba was killed, if the people of the palace wanted to interfere, then Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun would be chased away by the people of the palace!
Please answer, thank you!

Answer 1

To distinguish between martial arts novels and xianxia novels, one could start from the following aspects:

1. Setting of the story: Wuxia novels usually use ancient China as the background to describe the grudges of Jianghu, chivalrous feelings, martial arts secrets, and other plots. On the other hand, Xianxia novels usually used Western fantasy worlds or ancient Chinese myths as the background to describe the emotional entanglements between the characters in the Xianxia world, the cultivation path of Xianxia, the war between gods and demons, and so on.

2. Character image: The characters in wuxia novels usually have exaggerated appearance characteristics and profound martial arts cultivation. Their personality characteristics are also more prominent, and they often have complicated emotional entanglements. The characters in Xianxia novels usually had mysterious appearances and extraordinary cultivation abilities. Their personalities were also relatively simple, and they paid more attention to the description of the characters 'hearts.

3. Storyline: The plots of Wuxia novels often involve the grudges of Jianghu, the struggle between sects, the spirit of chivalry, etc. The ups and downs of the plot are full of drama and tension. On the other hand, the story of Xianxia novels usually involved Xianxia cultivation, the war between gods and demons, Xianxia emotions, etc. The plot was more complicated and focused on the cohesiveness and logic of the plot.

4. Worldview setting: The worldview of martial arts novels is usually based on the worldview of ancient China, which has a relatively complete social system, historical background, and cultural heritage. On the other hand, the world view of Xianxia novels was usually based on Western fantasy or ancient Chinese mythology, with more complex settings and richer cultural implications.

In summary, by understanding the background setting, character image, storyline, and worldview setting, one could initially distinguish the difference between martial arts novels and xianxia novels.