As a translator, I find reading to be one of my favorite ways to pass the time. And if you're anything like me, you know the feeling of finishing a great novel—or catching up to the latest chapter—only to be left wondering what to read next. I go through that constantly, which is why I'm always on the lookout for my next series. If you've already caught up with Desolate Devouring Art (DDA), why not check out another cultivation novel that puts a unique spin on the genre?

If you've played online games before, you probably know which type of player everyone hates the most: trolls. There's nothing more frustrating than trying your hardest to win, only to have a teammate sabotage the entire match for laughs. But let's be honest—it probably feels very different when you're the one doing the trolling instead.

Keyboard Immortal follows Zu An, a modern-day internet troll. After being struck by lightning while trying to "troll the absolute shit" out of people online, he suddenly transmigrates into a cultivation world. (Yes, I had to quote that.)

As with most cultivation protagonists, Zu An has a cheat of his own. He possesses the Keyboard Warrior System, a unique system that allows him to grow stronger by trolling and provoking others. The angrier his victims become, the greater the benefits he gains, making his path to power unlike that of any traditional cultivation protagonist. 

Interestingly, Keyboard Immortal's protagonist, Zu An, shares quite a few similarities with Desolate Devouring Art's Liu Wuxie. Both are presumed orphans at the beginning of their stories, and both are infamous wastrels within their respective cities. They also share the same status as live-in sons-in-law, with much of the hostility directed toward them stemming from their exceptionally beautiful wives. 

Personally, one of the things I enjoy most about Keyboard Immortal is how much it embraces Zu An's modern background. His personality, way of thinking, and behavior genuinely feel like those of a modern-day youth who has been thrown into a completely different world.

In many transmigration novels, the protagonist's past life quickly becomes irrelevant after the opening chapters. The modern setting often exists for only one purpose: to provide a logical explanation for the protagonist's cheat. Once that's done, their previous life is rarely brought up again, and they end up behaving no differently from someone born and raised in the cultivation world.

Most cultivation novels are set in worlds heavily inspired by ancient China, where social norms are far more conservative and traditional. As a result, protagonists often behave in accordance with the expectations of their era.

Zu An, however, is a completely different story. Having grown up in modern society, he retains a much more contemporary mindset even after transmigrating. He doesn't constantly worry about maintaining the image of a proper gentleman, nor does he strictly adhere to the social conventions of the cultivation world. If he meets an attractive woman who catches his eye, he won't hesitate to flirt with her.

Keyboard Immortal is one of the novels I've genuinely enjoyed reading. After all, it's not every day you come across a novel that can consistently make you grin and chuckle while turning the pages.

Do check out Keyboard Immortal for something refreshing. I promise that it'll be a journey packed with laughs.