The 6 Best Cultivation Manhwa (Webtoons) You Must Read 2025
Are you a fan of cultivation manhwas? Then this list is for you!
Embracing elements of magic and mystical forces – as opposed to sheer brute force – these types of webtoons are an interesting sub-niche of the murim and martial arts manhwa.
With narratives and plots more geared towards transcending limits, these stories grip readers with a compelling sense of progression as the lead character pursues ascension.
Overall, there are plenty of outstanding titles in this genre. But, if you are not familiar with it, here’s our list of the 6 best cultivation manhwas you must read in 2025 to introduce yourself to it.
- Father, Unrivaled
If you are looking to read a good cultivation manhwa then Father, Unrivaled is an excellent choice.
It follows the story of Gajang Noh, whose entire life has been spent working as a muscle for hire in the dangerous and nefarious world of mercenaries. Sadly, his life takes an unexpected turn when he is left with triplets after the untimely death of his wife.
Devastated yet determined to provide them with the best life he can, he leaves behind his skills as a warrior in favor of a job with the Murim as a simple gate guard.
However, things get tough when a creepy cult begins stealing children from the area, to which Gajang is compelled to stop – and unleash his true warrior potential to protect his little ones.
Unlike most other murim, what sets this webtoon apart is that it is more about personal sacrifice, parenthood, and family values than action, which makes for an interesting change for fans of the genre.
It might take a little getting used to, but pretty soon, you will view it as one of the best cultivation manhwa you have ever read.
- The Legend of the Northern Blade
Originally a webtoon series, this engrossing story has now been officially published in a book format by Seoul Media Comics. Additionally, it has been digitally published in multiple languages by Tappytoon, including German, French, and English.
Its plot centers around the courageous warriors of the Northern Heavenly Sect who did all they could to protect the world from the evil Silent Night.
Unfortunately, when its fourth-generation leader is accused of being in cahoots with the sworn enemy, he is left with no choice but to break up the sect and commit suicide – as a way to protect Moowon, his son.
Left with no family, friends, or allies, Moowon leads a desperately lonely and dull life under close scrutiny until he finds his freedom after Silent Night launches a surprise attack, which enables him to escape to the mountains.
Spurred on by the safety of that environment, the young warrior trains hard to master the combat styles of his predecessors until he returns to the mainland to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a loved one.
This leads to a series of captivating encounters where Moowon seeks to avenge the death of his father and defeat the villains who are intent on running riot.
- Volcanic Age
In Volcanic Age, you can’t help but feel sorry for Joo Seo-Cheon because the poor guy has had to endure a lot.
Not only has he survived the chaotic upheaval of the Murim, but he also became Mount Hua’s great elder, which, despite looking perfect, resulted in him living a pretty stressful life of self-loathing, sorrow, and regret.
As he lies on his deathbed, he starts to reflect on his life, in the process, claiming that he would have done things differently.
However, with seemingly his last breath, the heavens suddenly open up, and he is granted the chance to do so.
But will it all be in vain, or can he make the most of this second chance and reverse the demise of his nearest and dearest?
This cultivation webtoon will immediately hook you with its gripping, emotion-filled initial arc, which should be enough to keep you reading until the end. The high-quality art style is also particularly noteworthy.
- Reborn as a Scholar
Reborn as a Scholar tells the tale of Junwoo Hwang, who, in a past life, used to be a ruthless warrior who was feared by all in Murim.
However, when he is reborn as the child of a revered scholar known as the Lord of Suzhou, he has to live up to the expectation of being as good as his old man.
Facing no other choices, Junwoo is forced to temper his love of martial arts by balancing it with his studies, which does not come naturally to a former hooligan who used to administer fear with his fists and rhetoric. But, through discipline and knowledge, he gradually starts to toe the line.
While this manhwa could have gone full edgy, it takes a more lighthearted plot that is centered around family. In doing so, the reader is introduced to a series of multi-dimensional and hilarious characters, that make the reading experience even more enjoyable.
Heavenly Demon Reborn!
The story of Heavenly Demon Reborn! revolves around Woon-Seong, who is the epitome of a classic and orthodox martial disciple. In other words, respectful, righteous, and disciplined.
However, this doesn’t save him and his master from an unfortunate murder at the hands of a group who didn’t like the look of him.
Thankfully, his plight did not go unnoticed by authorities in the heavens, who ensured he was reborn as a child within the Demon Sect.
Fueled by a burning desire for revenge, he begins a long quest to make things right and honor his master’s memory.
Overall, the best aspects of this webtoon are its exceptional training arcs and its unique art style. Refreshingly, instead of going full-blast revenge straight up, it takes its time to reach this all-action finale.
- Absolute Sword Sense
Poor Woonhwi So, the main protagonist of Absolute Sword Sense, has been the black sheep of his clan and family for as long as he can recall.
Additionally, as his spirit core has been completely annihilated, he is left with no other choice but to be a spy for the Blood Cult. However, during a mission to locate the infamous Blade Scroll, he is murdered and sent 10 years back into the past.
On regaining his consciousness, it quickly dawns on him that he has gone back to the very day when he was first kidnapped by the Blood Cult. Moreover, he has gained a mysterious power that could just change the entire course of his life.
Final Thoughts about the Best Cultivation Manhwa
If you love stories that center around martial and cultivation, with a little magic thrown in, then you’ll love this list of the best cultivation manhwa.
Covering everything from the physical and emotional demands of constant training to the struggles of attaining immortal status, these stories are so compelling that once you start to read them, you won’t be able to stop.
FAQs
What are cultivation webtoons?
Cultivation manhwa or webtoons are a sub-niche of the martial arts and murim genre, although they differ from them in several ways.
The main one is that instead of concentrating the story around training to achieve the peak of human achievement, they focus instead on transcending limits.
About The Author
