In response to a torrent of continuing fan harassment directed at the cover artist, publisher Seven Seas Entertainment revealed the cover for volume 5 of their hardcover re-release of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi. This fifth book is also the final volume of the series. [Source: Twitter/X, Bluesky]
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation‘s five volume hardcover re-release matches the original English paperback count and chapter split, with the addition of 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 with the dust jackets, endpapers, painted edges, and foil designs provided by artist Ruthie (kkcoocool).
For volume 5, the painted edges and foil imprints are themed to the Jiang Clan; one of the five major leaders of the cultivation world within the series universe. Previous volume themes have been dedicated to the Lan Clan, the Nie Clan, the Wen Clan, and the Jin Clan.
Seven Seas provided the following volume summary:
HAPPILY EVER AFTER—AND THEN SOME
A three-way showdown occurs as Jin Guangyao, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, and Nie Mingjue’s reassembled fierce corpse converge on the Guanyin Temple. With decades-long schemes finally unveiled, and terrible secrets unearthed, the events of this rain-battered night will decide not just the future of the entire cultivation world—but also that of a love story two lifetimes in the making.
Also included in this book are eight short stories about what happens when an epic tale ends but life goes on. From magical incense burners to tense banquets, lotus-pod-hunting and Night Hunts with the juniors, these stories span dawn to dusk and so much more!
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Hardcover) Vol. 5‘s release is slated for May 19, 2026. Preorders are now live with select retailers:
U.S.:
Canada:
International:
Disclosure: Some retailers are through affiliate programs and may result in payment or reward to DanmeiNews.com if the item is purchased via provided link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Are Some People Complaining?
Since the reveal of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Hardcover) Vol. 2, fans have been split on their reactions to the Grandmaster hardcovers: some have been pleased by the decision to focus on secondary characters, while others criticized Vols. 2-4 for not featuring the main series couple Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. The fourth volume’s critics appeared to take particularly vitriolic umbrage with the inclusion of the character Jiang Cheng, who is a polarizing figure among fans of the Grandmaster series. Grandmaster fandom has seen a long history of wars between his fans and anti-fans, both in China and internationally.
The criticism of volume four on social media rapidly deteriorated in tone, spiraling into abuse and harassment of the cover artist. This escalated when an English-speaking individual spread misinformation about the artist’s involvement across the Chinese social media site Weibo, kicking off an additional wave of organized harassment against the artist and Seven Seas. They sought to force Seven Seas to dismiss the artist, and also to petition JJWXC (the original license holder) and Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (the original author, also known as MXTX) to strip Seven Seas of their publication rights. [Source: Reddit (1), Reddit (2)]
Some Weibo users took the bait, and began to harass the artist on Twitter/X both personally and with poorly disguised bot accounts. Critics hurled accusations that the artist allegedly hated the main couple, that they allegedly sought to promote their own alternative shipping preferences for Wei Wuxian, and that they were allegedly homophobic—despite the fact that the ship the artist was accused of promoting was also an M/M ship, and the fact that the artist has publicly identified as queer.
The artist explained on Twitter/X that they do not choose what characters are depicted on the covers; stating that Seven Seas dictates the final cover content.
“Also please understand I don’t have full say over who does or doesn’t appear on the cover. It’s fine to have different opinions or critiques for my work but personal attacks are a step too far, especially over something that I myself don’t have control over” —ruthie枫玉
All new danmei artwork is also approved by the original rights holders, as per standard industry practice, and verified by the Seven Seas Danmei FAQ webpage:
Is the artwork “official”?
Yes! All the artwork published in our editions—from the character designs to the logos to the interior illustrations—must receive full approval from the rights holders.
However, some critics continued to insist that the series author herself would allegedly “never” approve a cover that did not have both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji on it. Declarations that MXTX is “in seclusion” with no access to online messages appear provably false, as shown by MXTX’s previous involvement with the English edition—providing new signatures and short afterwords—as well as her recent involvement in updated versions of her other series, The Scum Villan’s Self-Saving System and Heaven Official’s Blessing. Both series recently had new editions in Mainland China, including new chapters by the author herself.
At time of writing, Seven Seas Entertainment has made no public statement defending the artist or explaining the company’s involvement in the creative process. They pinned a past social media post decrying the harassment of their employees and contractors to the top of their Twitter/X account, which was originally made in response to another harassment incident surrounding Seven Seas’ release of the series KinnPorsche.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation‘s Covers Across the Globe: A Brief Look
The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation hardcovers are the first of the original danmei trio from Seven Seas to have not exclusively featured the main pairing on every front cover, instead featuring them only on Vol. 1 (the first volume) and Vol. 5 (the last volume). This is not a decision exclusive to Grandmaster, as displayed most prominently by the recently revealed cover for The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System (Hardcover) Vol. 1: another series by the same author, which depicts the main character but not his love interest.
All five paperback volume covers of Seven Seas’ initial release of the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation series depicted the main couple, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian (also known by the ship portmanteau “wangxian”), and featured secondary characters on several of the back covers. At this time, all paperback volumes remain available for sale. Additionally, the English release of Grandmaster‘s manhua adaptation, also published by Seven Seas, features the couple on twelve of its thirteen total volumes.
The English hardcovers are also not the first time an international release of the Grandmaster series has not featured Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji on every volume’s cover. The Thai release by publisher Bakery Book Co. devoted three of its six volumes to supporting characters (Jiang Cheng, Wen Ning & A-Yuan, and Jin Guangyao). The hardcover French release by publisher Éditions Bookmark focused primarily on depicting scenery from the series—and, ironically, the cover of its third volume also featured Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng.
Other Seven Seas Danmei Covers and Fan Behavior
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is not the first time a Seven Seas Danmei release has not featured a given series’ main couple on the cover. Along with the previously mentioned Scum Villain, both volume 5 and volume 9 of The Husky & His White Cat Shizun feature supporting cast members, as does volume 2 of Dinghai Fusheng Records.
Although Dinghai Vol. 2’s cover received overwhelming praise from readers, it should be unfortunately noted that at the time of the reveal, the artist on the Husky series received such severe harassment for including supporting characters on volume 5’s cover that they briefly deactivated their social media accounts. Thankfully, the fan reaction for Vol. 9’s cover was extremely positive—suddenly garnering praise for the decision to feature members of the supporting characters.
Editorial: Can Mo Dao Zu Shi Fans Have Nice Things?
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are indisputably the main characters of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and are an iconic danmei ship. One could argue that the pair launched the danmei genre itself outside of China thanks to the popularity of Grandmaster‘s live-action adaptation, The Untamed. While fans have the right to their own opinions on the English hardcover release, they should remember to be respectful and civil if they choose to voice them in a public forum for any publisher’s work. Harassing individual creatives involved with the release is never acceptable—nor, in many cases, even factually appropriate.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Vol. 5’s cover reveal—which features the wangxian ship front and center—was marred for fans of the series by the negativity of a select group, and casts a somber shadow over Grandmaster‘s ten-year anniversary as a work: a work which is, sadly, often defined by its history of dispute and drama. The story’s harsh depictions of and warning against mob mentality feel especially poignant in times like these, and often, fans seem to ignore the lessons it seeks to teach.
Despite this, enthusiasm for the series continues in the hearts of those who love it, and excitement for the new English hardcover editions remain the majority voice, even if they do not always seem the loudest. The first volume of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Hardcover) Vol. 1 will be released next week as of time of writing, on November 4, 2025.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
魔道祖师
[Synopsis Provided by Seven Seas Entertainment:]
Wei Wuxian was once one of the most powerful men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek more power through demonic cultivation, the world’s respect for his abilities turned to fear, and his death was celebrated throughout the land.
Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he’ll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师) is a danmei novel by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, also known as MXTX. It began serialization in 2015 and ran for 113 chapters (plus 13 Extras), and is available to read in Chinese on JJWXC.
The series has received numerous adaptations, including a donghua adaptation, a manhua adaptation (also available physically and digitally in English), a Japanese manga adaptation, an audio drama adaptation dubbed in Chinese and Japanese, a Japanese stage play, and a live-action adaptation known as The Untamed.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation was 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. 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).
You can learn more about Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation in the DanmeiNews catalog.
