一念永恒
A Will Eternal
The most absurd and endearing quest for immortality in the cultivation world
Synopsis
Terrified of dying, Bai Xiaochun takes up cultivation with a single goal: to live forever. Between reckless schemes, chicken theft and recurring lightning mishaps, his unlikely journey still leads him to become one of the most respected figures in the immortal world.
Adapted from the novel by Er Gen, also the author of Renegade Immortal, A Will Eternal stands out for its distinctly comedic tone, rare in the xianxia genre, without ever giving up the stakes and power growth that define cultivation stories.
Launched in 2020 on Tencent Video, the animated series has kept a steady pace of new seasons for several years, driven by an audience devoted to its protagonist's humor and sincerity.
World
The cultivation world of A Will Eternal spans rival sects, immortal dynasties and distant realms, where Bai Xiaochun's fear of death constantly pushes him toward more creative — and riskier — solutions than his peers.
Power system
Bai Xiaochun advances by bending classic cultivation techniques to his own improvised ends, regularly triggering spectacular lightning mishaps that, through sheer repetition, end up strengthening him in unexpected ways.
Reception & popularity
From its 2020 release, the series stood out for its comedic tone, unusual in the xianxia genre, a choice that earned it enough audience loyalty to run for several seasons on Tencent Video.
My take
A Will Eternal is the catalogue's breath of fresh air. Bai Xiaochun is cowardly, a cheat and obsessed with not dying, and his absurd schemes often get a genuine laugh.
The humour won't suit everyone and can feel repetitive over time. But beneath the comedy, the series can turn serious too, and that contrast makes it more endearing than it first seems.
Who is it for?Watch it as a light break between two darker sagas.
Main characters
More character profiles are coming.
Adaptations
This franchise also exists in other formats — each with its own pacing and audience.
Trivia
- Er Gen, the author of the original novel, is also the creator of Renegade Immortal, already featured in our catalogue.
- Bai Xiaochun is known for being struck by lightning again and again, a trait that became emblematic of the series and its comedic tone.
- The series kept a biannual release pace for several years, a rare consistency for a Tencent Penguin Pictures production.
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