Also, I enjoy hearing from real people and not static webpages!

(I want to be clear that I'm not trying to self-promote as much as I am interested in learning about how the genre works and what would be necessary to write in it. It's more "I am considering this genre, please educate me")

I know what the genres are and I understand they have become very popular in recent years. It looks like it might be fun to try and attempt a novel in that genre. However, I'd like to know more, especially from readers (I read a lot of manga/novels, but not specifically progression)

a) How important is the progression part? Technically, most shonen manga are "progression" in some sense. Can it just be a really good fantasy story? What makes the genre popular?

b) How important is the cross-cultural element? While I don't read cultivation specifically, I have read a fair bit of wuxia and I feel comfortable writing that. I also speak and read Chinese at a reasonable level of competence.

I'm only aware of Ken Liu's work that seems to have specific Chinese cultural elements. "Cultivation" brings to mind worldbuilding that has Taoist monks, meditative practices etc

Would readers want to read something like that? I'm also fluent in Japanese, so I could easily write it with a Shinto flavor instead.

c) What would you be looking for in your progression fantasy? Do you read on Royal Road or do you prefer published works?

Thanks in advance!

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