Pursuit of the Truth求魔

Beseech The Devil

IT IS ONE OF THE BEST(only if you can go through the first hundred ch) but the ending.....

I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen
I hate er gen

My long ahh review on this novel after finishing it
(Skip till the end if you don't have patience and just want my verdict)

If you're already used to Er Gen’s writing style, heavy introspection, long arcs, and cosmic cultivation themes, then Pursuit of the Truth will feel familiar. Among fans, it's considered one of his more emotionally resonant works, maybe even a hidden gem in his lineup.

That said, I came away with very mixed feelings.

There are genuinely beautiful moments... chapters that deliver on philosophy, emotional depth, or world-shifting revelations. Su Ming's path, especially in the later stages, reaches awe-inspiring heights. But those highs are spread across a lot of slow, often meandering build-up. Some chapters feel padded just to hit a word quota, which makes parts of the journey feel more like a grind than a ride.

Another issue that chipped away at the immersion was the repetition of certain clichés, like supposedly intelligent characters suddenly acting irrational or conveniently “dumb” when the MC is involved. Antagonists often feel powerful and composed... until they have to face Su Ming, at which point their logic tends to fall apart for the plot’s sake.

Power scaling also suffers from a common xianxia problem. When Su Ming is in a certain Realm, anyone even slightly above him seems rare and mythical. But the moment he advances, that Realm becomes the new norm... suddenly, everyone and their ancestors are in it. It's not a dealbreaker, but it happens enough times to feel noticeable (and a little cheap).

There are also those eye-roll-inducing scenes, over-the-top reactions, overly dramatic declarations, or moments that should feel profound but come off forced because of how often they’re used. It happens just enough to remind you that not all of this novel’s 1400+ chapters are created equal.

People who don't like any romance or harem would probably not like this; in contrast, people who like romance and or harem would also not like this...

Lastly, and maybe this is just me, but sometimes I felt like Su Ming would’ve been happier if he had stayed a mortal. There’s a lingering sadness in his journey. The stronger he becomes, the more detached, lonely, and burdened he seems. It's powerful in a thematic sense, but it also made me question if the price of “truth” was truly worth it.

Who this novel is for:

1. Readers who enjoy philosophical cultivation, slow-burning character growth, and introspective themes

2. Fans of Er Gen’s other works (Renegade Immortal, ISSTH, etc.)

Who might struggle:

1. Anyone seeking tight pacing or consistent plot momentum

2. Those frustrated by contrived plot armor or cliché enemy behavior

3. Readers who want strong, satisfying romantic arcs or harem dynamics (this novel fumbles both)

Strengths:

1. Emotionally grounded MC arc

2. Deep themes on time, fate, loneliness, and existence

3. Memorable climactic scenes and unique world concepts

Weaknesses:

1. Filler-heavy stretches, especially mid-novel

2. Cliché or illogical enemy behavior near the MC

3. Inconsistent power scaling

4. Unresolved or weak romantic subplots

Final Verdict:
Pursuit of the Truth is a thought-provoking but uneven ride. It has emotional weight and philosophical depth that hit hard when they land, but those moments are buried under a lot of slow chapters and frustrating tropes.

I’d still recommend it with context: if you have the patience, and you're reading for the bigger picture, you'll find some profound beauty here. But it’s not for everyone, and honestly, Su Ming’s pursuit of the truth might be more tragic than triumphant.

i tried to read it twice and couldn't get past 100 chapters ...

theres just something inherently boring in this novel

I agree with ''alshb'' perspective entirely.
But Fellow Daoist, Having journeyed through all of Ergen's novels, save for Beyond the Time, I believe this particular one stands out for its masterful world-building, layered with intricate cultivation systems and profound depth. However, the path through its pages is not an easy one. The beginning is slow, steeped in tragedy, demanding patience and perseverance from the reader. Yet, those who endure are richly rewarded, for the middle section of the story is nothing short of awe-inspiring, brimming with excitement and grandeur.

As for the ending, it is a mirror, reflecting the inner philosophies and personalities of each reader. Some may find it satisfying, while others may walk away with differing sentiments. It's not a perfect 10/10, nor do I deem it an absolute must-read for everyone. But for those who can push through the first 120 chapters, I believe it’s an experience worth having—a story that may not be for all, but is certainly deserving of a try.

This Berserker is Made in China , read it you'll definitely regret the simp character of mc without a proper plotline.

The rating may be a bit low for my standard but er gen has never disappointed me so here I go

firstly, Murphys Law is the king in this. he can't and won't do anything about it, it doesn't matter how strong he is or how impossible that is; and 'convenience' is the major plot of the story

even when some plots are jerky, cheap, or simply trash, it'll happen just because. conversely, he went so far as to not care about some matters and "forgetting" his arts and artifacts useful for situation at hand just because it'd make the fight that much easier and or the event could be wrapped sooner. so many plots got abandoned, artifacts and arts got forgotten, forgiving others' debts and slights without reason, pulling so many punches early in the story and left so many loose ends later in the story

but despite that, Er Gen thought it's important enough to write

10/10 won't recommend

If only Er gen’s novels did not have sad endings… sigh…