As you can guess from the title I'm looking for Subverted Tropes, specifically from Cultivation type novels, though it can be from any novels that contain's some form of Action in it. I'm looking for novels like: Arrogant Young Master Template A Variation 4 - from RoyalRoad/ScribbleHub This Young Master is not a Cannon Fodder - from RoyalRoad/ScribbleHub My Otherworldly Guidebook - from ScribbleHub History's Number 1 Founder - from Webnovel Master of Untold Daos - from WuxiaForums History's Strongest Senior Brother (only for the first world's arc) - ???
They aren't all as good, genre savvy, or self-aware, but they do change up the formula and tropes. These are the only ones I can think of atm: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/15819/the-only-real-cultivator https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/11397/the-dao-of-magic https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/15517/eat-and-grow-strong-old https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/15293/re-young-master There's also the quick transmigration genre which sometimes play on tropes and completely screw with the cultivation worlds/genre. Cultivation Chat Group also shake things up with a modern setting, some comedy, and a lot of nice cultivator seniors. I think The Ultimate System and Library of Heavens Path also fit as subverting things a bit. There's also the infamous BaiSiWa's Number One Under Heaven (the many versions!/rewrites) and Legacy: God's Inheritance, both which have been deleted though you may still find copies or using the wayback machine. That's all atm. Anyhow, thanks for the new reads!
I'd say a one of the key elements in Warlock of the Magus World was how the author kept setting up scenarios like you'd expect in the cliches, only for the MC to do the opposite of what's expected. So that should count for something? Though I can't say that the entire novel is only about that one gimmick.
I've read The Dao of Magic and it kinda got stale for me. I've tried reading Cultivation Chat Group but couldn't finish the first chapter since I was expecting a novel (and I didn't like the artstyle). I've finished The Ultimate System, and I've dropped Library of Heaven's Path since it was getting repetitive. Thanks for recommendations, I'll be sure to check them out. I've finished Warlock of the Magus World, pretty great novel. Josei novels ain't really my thing.
You can read Josei with male protagonists The best way to subvert tropes is to read from another perspective or read male written/targeted cultivation novels with female protagonists. I don't read webnovels mostly because they are too rapey for my taste, I just get them translated but don't limit yourself. If you feel the novels are too much to get into then watch the live-action adaptations like The Legends I prefer the live action since I won't have to deal with minors as love interests