I haven't read path of the heavenly throne personally but if you want a good cultivation novel on KU try painting the mists its a good xanxia novel imo but isnt litrpg so that might be a deal breaker.
TJ is a friend and one of my favorite LitRPG authors. He released Core Sworn today, and I snatched a high res cover for you fine folks. I'm reading the first book now and have shared many quotes that I just loved. It's beautiful writing with heart and plenty of fantasy, litrpg, cultivation, etc going on. Highly recommended.
Links: Book 1 (amazon.com) | Book 2 (universal link)
Book 2 blurb:
Find a Dungeon.
Build Defenses.
Fight the Monster that Comes...
Kai is finally becoming the hero he's always dreamed of. As the enemy pursues, he's forced to accept his complicated identity and the power that comes with his blood.
Rhona can endure a blow to her pride. But when that blow comes from the vile Hastings, she has to strive to match his savagery and save her friends.
Ban discovers the ultimate prize for an Earth Core. Secrets, magic, and an incredible housewarming gift can be attained in an ancient keep once home to his ancestors. But can he defend the territory he's taken?
Read The Guild Core's second installment, where our band of heroes endures to restore the world to an age of dragons, heroes, and honor.
The Guild Core is a novel by TJ Reynolds Fantasy LitRPG author of Eternal Online books 1-3. The Guild Core was inspired by the Divine Dungeon series, the Wheel of Time, and classic films like The Labyrinth and The Neverending Story.
This story takes place in an Epic Fantasy world governed by gaming mechanics. It contains light to moderate LitRPG, Gamelit, Cultivation and Dungeon Core elements. Features realistic violence, 3 MC POVs, and more than a few quaint jokes. Language and adult content is appropriate for teen readers.
I just finished all three of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Shades-First-Rule-Adventure-Apostasy-ebook/dp/B07TTDGKP2
By: A. F. Kay
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I'm a cheapo audiobook guy so it really irked me that you can't get the $7.49 price for the first book. That being said books 2 and 3 are $7.49 and they are really really solid. I completed the first one within 24 hours. They are a bit on the shorter side but still well worth it.
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If only audiobook is acceptable, I'd say purchase the first one. If it's no good get your money back but I don't think you'll be disappointed.
World of Combat series by Misty Zaugg. The setting is a post-apocalyptic dystopian society that settles all disputes with unarmed combat between professional champions. Book 1 is only on Amazon now but it's $1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S8F8DMG
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/28041/combat-origin-a-dystopia-gamelit-adventure
Have you read Painting the Mists? Silver Fox and the Western Hero?
Wow! This is a hard one as these stories are super rare. I knew I'd seen one, and after losing myself into the sewer that is Amazon, killing the rabbit eared false leads, and skinning the champions of light that stood in the way of my diseased needs, I FOUND IT!
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This book by Miles English is just what you are looking for! It’s fun and pretty well thought out.
I wrote a urban fantasy / litrpg, and a lot of my readers have been telling me it would do really well with YA audiences. It's funny, light-hearted, and it's got some characters that I really think you're going to get attached to.
In another world, I must defeat the Demon King
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W84B7FQ
And here's the blurb:
Henry’s life as a valiant defender of the realm is over—stolen away when he is transported to a strange new world. Instead of horses and swords, it has cars, rent, hamburgers, and a gun-toting part-time waitress named Shana. There isn't much use for a white knight atop a fiery steed… or is there?
Thankfully, Henry’s ability to level up and unlock powerful new skills hasn’t abandoned him. In fact, Shana is starting to level up, too. But there's a catch. Turns out, they’ve caught the attention of a secret society that's devoted to the very system of power that Henry was raised on. Led by the enigmatic Demon King, they aren’t happy about newcomers getting involved in their affairs. Magic, power, experience—the Society wants it all for themselves, and they'll happily kill whoever it takes to keep it that way.
How about Painting the Mists by Patrick Laplante? https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07BJFFXL5/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_SQDSFB7JN49AXDSAQSXK
It's got that asian fantasy vibe, but it's a western novel at its core. And the progression is very well done, with its focus on themes like depression and loss.
I am currently reading the Threads of Fate series and the story is a "start over at the beginning" reincarnation/cultivation story.
So much of the story is him (a hidden master) has to convince people of whatever he knows about. So when people question why they should believe a child, the MC typically points at the events they witnessed.
Its a good progression cultivation story
Michael Head's series Threads of Fate is quite well done for a reincarnation novel. Two books so far. Main character was sent back in time with almost all of their knowledge for a purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/Reincarnation-Xianxia-Cultivation-Threads-Fate-ebook/dp/B08TTK29LT
OP, if you liked A Thousand Li in the progression genre, I have to recommend the Painting the Mists series. Its all about cultivation and has 6 books in the series currently. I quite enjoyed it. Just like A Thousand Li, its not a translated series so the prose is much better than you get out of standard Wuxia novels
Yo you should check out the series Painting the Mists. Its a typical Xianxia novel but its written by a western author and is easy to read. I loved it