Seven Seas revealed the cover for Vol. 4 of their hardcover re-release of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi, a danmei novel by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX). [Source: Twitter/X, Bluesky]
The five volume re-release matches the original English paperback count and chapter split, and promises foil-lettered dust jackets with exclusive art, linen-texture graining covers with foil imprints, illustrated edges, and a ribbon bookmark. The release includes the black & white interior illustrations from Grandmaster‘s paperback release by artist Marina Privalova, and the hardcovers have dust jackets, endpapers, painted edges, and foil designs provided by artist Ruthie (kkcoocool).
For Vol. 4, the painted edges and foil imprints on the hardcover itself are themed to the Jin Clan; one of the five major leaders of the cultivation world within the series universe. Artist Ruthie indicated in a Twitter/X post that this theming would continue across all five volumes to eventually represent all five major clans. Previous volume themes have been dedicated to the Lan Clan, the Nie Clan, and the Wen Clan.
Seven Seas provides the following volume summary:
THE LONG WAY HOME
History stands poised to repeat itself as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are besieged by walking corpses atop the Burial Mounds. It is here fate offers them a second chance to protect their loved ones and unmask the true instigator of this grisly onslaught. As shocking revelations shake the cultivation world to its very core, the unlikely couple becomes preoccupied with other matters–like an evening of drunken impulse that may push their budding relationship into bold new territory.
Fans had a mixed response to this cover reveal on Twitter/X and Bluesky—some were overjoyed at the inclusion of their favorite secondary cast members, but others criticized the cover for not featuring the main series couple Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Hardcover) Vol. 2 saw a similar split reaction with its focus on the Yi City cast, but Twitter/X replies from Vol. 4’s critics contain a particularly high level of vitriol from fans who indicate hatred of one of the cover’s featured characters, Jiang Cheng (middle left).
For a more detailed discussion on the matter of character representation in official release illustrations, please see DanmeiNews’ coverage of Vol. 2’s reveal.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Hardcover) Vol. 4‘s release is slated for March 24, 2026. Preorders are now live with select retailers:
More retailers are available via the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Hardcover) Vol. 4 catalog page.
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Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师) is a danmei novel series written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (also known as MXTX). It began serialization on jjwxc in 2015 and ran for 113 chapters (plus 13 extra chapters). It has inspired numerous adaptations, including a donghua, a completed Chinese manhua (available in English through Seven Seas), an ongoing Japanese manga, an audio drama (dubbed in Chinese and Japanese), a Japanese stage play, and a live-action (known as The Untamed).
DanmeiNews provides the below summary from its catalog:
The powerful necromancer Wei Wuxian, despised across the land, awakens in a stranger’s body thirteen years after his death. He is drawn into a supernatural murder-mystery and must investigate alongside the straitlaced Lan Wangji, with whom he shares a very tangled past.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation was originally picked up for English release in 2021 by Seven Seas Entertainment, and saw staggering success on sales charts; netting multiple New York Times Best Seller placements across its run. Seven Seas announced a hardcover re-release of the series in April 2025.
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu has also written two other hit danmei series that are available in English: The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System (人渣反派自救系统) and Heaven Official’s Blessing (天官赐福).
