By Many readers who love xianxia eventually notice something missing: deep, satisfying romance. While cultivation stories deliver incredible power progression and epic world-building, they often treat romance as secondary or rushed. That’s where fantasy romance novels shine. They put emotional connection, tension, and genuine love at the center of the story.
After reading hundreds of xianxia titles for the last 10 years, I can safely say that the xianxia author has much to improve in this aspect. And in my opinion, they are missing a lot by not making an effort to improve the romance plot in their stories. We as humans are emotional creatures, and speaking with experience, those who love fantasy and fiction stories are particularly emotional and attached to the stories they read.
Adding romance to the story not only improves the plot of the story, but it also leads to character development as the story progresses, and readers feel a connection and a deep bond with the characters. A lot of readers specifically look for fantasy stories and xianxia novels that contain a romantic plot, but sadly for xianxia readers, there are many to choose from.
Why Xianxia Struggle in Fantasy Romance Novels Genre
The reason xianxia struggle with romance and lack the romance that other fantasy romance books excel at is because the main focus of xianxia novels is on cultivation, realm breakthroughs, sect politics, clan development, and the protagonist’s journey to immortality. but that doesn’t mean romance does not exist.
The Romance does exist, and almost all xianxia novels in their stories accept the fact that the main character’s immortal journey cannot be without companionship, but alas, they always fail to implement it the right way and are buried along the story. Romance, when it appe,ars is as follows.
One-sided or shallow
When Romance does appear in xianxia cultivation novels, it mostly appears one-sided or shallow. Most of the time, characters fall for the MC. The protagonist rejects them under the pretext that they only want to focus on the Dao of cultivation, or, looking at the talent of the protagonist, they give up confessing, admitting they are not worthy and belong to different worlds. These types of one-sided romance plots are very common in xianxia novels.
MC in xianxia novels is like an irresistible force for the opposite sex. They easily fall for him sometimes because the MC is handsome, very powerful, very talented, or sometimes they fall for him simply because the protagonist praised them once. All of these scenarios make the romance very shallow compared to the other fantasy romance series in the genre.
Used mainly as motivation for the MC
One of the repeated plots in Xianxia novels is when romance is used to motivate the MC to advance in cultivation. Most of the MC’s love interests are from a powerful background, or the love interest is abducted or taken back to the family/sect.
which prompts the user to gain the power and advance cultivation stages quickly, so the protagonist can be reunited with their love interest. Many times, the same plot is repeated across different arcs to motivate the MC’s progression. All this makes the romance between character lacking.
Rushed in the later arcs
In some stories, love is introduced very late as the MC is very focused on the martial path and cultivation early on. By the time the love interest is introduced, the story has already progressed very far, and their love story plot feels very rushed. There are no deep emotional and no intense scenes that romance readers love.
which leads to a lack of story and character development, and after a few arcs, the story just ends.
Secondary to Power Progression
The protagonist is usually too busy surviving, training, or seeking revenge to develop a meaningful romantic relationship. Even when a love interest is introduced, the emotional depth often takes a backseat to the next major breakthrough or tribulation.
This isn’t a flaw in every xianxia story, but it is a common pattern that leaves many readers wanting more emotional payoff.
Xianxia Novels: Long Separation and Harem
One of the reasons why the reader doesn’t feel a strong connection to love interests and romance plot in xianxia is long separation and Harem. Most of the time, MC is separated from the lovers, either because the main character has ascended to the upper realm or the love interest is abducted. The separation period sometimes lasts for thousands of chapters, and during this long separation, which in the real world sometimes lasts years, leading to readers losing the emotional connection with the plot and love interests.
Another reason is Harem, because of the many lovers, readers fail to feel any deep emotional connection with the characters. As too many lovers lead to a lack of character and plot development, making romance lacking.
Xianxia Should Learn Wuxia Inspired Chinese Romance Dramas
It is not like there are no examples of good romance in cultivation xianxia and wuxia stories. There are a lot of Xianxia and Wuxia stories that have a good romance plot. There are a lot of Chinese romance dramas that are inspired by xianxia and wuxia cultivation stories. In fact, wuxia drama is one of the most popular genres in China.
Xianxia authors should learn from them and accept the fact that the romance plot is very important for a good fantasy story. It will surely increase the readership and the popularity of Xianxia novels in the fantasy novel genre.
FAQ
Are there any good xianxia romance novels?
Yes, though they are still uncommon. Some xuanhuan stories blend cultivation with stronger romance.
Is there such a thing as cultivation romance novels?
Yes. Some xuanhuan and hybrid stories combine cultivation mechanics with deeper romance. They are still rare but growing in popularity among readers who want both progression and emotional payoff.
Why do many xianxia stories have weak romance?
Most xianxia prioritize cultivation, breakthroughs, and world expansion. Romance is often treated as secondary, resulting in rushed or underdeveloped relationships.
Should I read fantasy romance if I love xianxia?
Yes, especially if you want more emotional depth and character connection. Fantasy romance can beautifully complement your love for cultivation stories.
What are some popular fantasy romance novels?
What are some popular fantasy romance series? Highly recommended series include From Blood and Ash, The Bridge Kingdom, and The Winter King. They offer strong romance with engaging fantasy elements.