Except Me, Everyone Else Is the Protagonist

Song Nanshi arrived in a cultivation world composed of three novels, where everyone in the sect except her was a protagonist. The Eldest Senior Brother was a reincarnated protagonist who withdrew from his marriage early on. He possessed a jade pendant and was known in the martial world as Long Aotian. He used a broken sword to build his foundation and killed the boss of the Nascent Soul realm. The Second Senior Sister was a stand-in who was betrayed in a crematorium. After being reborn, she became enlightened and had both her cold master and her former fiancé lining up at the crematorium. The Youngest Junior Sister was the female lead of a sweet novel. She raised a demon prince who could transform into a human in her cave. She was regularly pinched at the waist and pressed against the wall affectionately by the jealous prince. Song Nanshi became the Third Senior Sister, who had the least presence in the sect. Not only did she lack any special plotlines, but she also, having been an atheist in her past life, became a professional fortune-teller in this life, using a turtle shell every day to tell fortunes. Faced with the fate of being involved in the main storyline as a background character in her daily life, Song Nanshi, who considered herself the only ordinary person in the sect, chose to be indifferent. Eldest Senior Brother: “Junior Sister, does being born lowly mean I have to accept my fate?” Song Nanshi took out the turtle shell and comforted, “Senior Brother, your fate is in your hands.” Eldest Senior Brother: “!” Second Senior Sister: “Junior Sister, he has done so much for me. Should I forgive him? But I feel unwilling!” Song Nanshi took out the tarot cards, shook her head after a series of operations, and said, “Delayed affection is inferior to grass.” Second Senior Sister: “!” Youngest Junior Sister hesitated, “Third Senior Sister, he said he wants to propose to me, but… he’s a demon, and I’m human.” Song Nanshi looked up at the gloomy sky, “I have observed the celestial phenomena at night; you two are definitely a match made in heaven!” Youngest Junior Sister: “!” Eldest Senior Brother/Second Senior Sister/Youngest Junior Sister: She understands me so well! In the original work, Song Nanshi, out of jealousy towards her fellow disciples, conspires with the antagonist and is eventually killed. This time, she encountered a pitiful antagonist who had just been betrayed by his family. After a moment of silence, Song Nanshi chose to take out her treasure, the turtle shell, and said sincerely, “Brother, do you want a reading? It’s only ten spiritual stones.”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Except Me, Everyone Else Is the Protagonist "Except Me, Everyone Else Is the Protagonist" is a wild ride through cultivation tropes, turned on their head with a healthy dose of self-aware humor. It's a story I found myself chuckling at constantly, and while it wasn't perfect, it left a lasting impression. ### First Impressions Initially, I was hooked by the sheer comedic energy. The premise itself is hilarious: a protagonist who's acutely aware that she's surrounded by *other* protagonists, each living out their own cultivation novel storylines. Our main character, Song Nanshi, is a clever and resourceful diviner, whose defining trait is her obsession with money. This immediately sets the stage for some laugh-out-loud moments as she navigates the world with her unique (and often morally flexible) approach to wealth acquisition. ### What Works Well The humor is definitely the strongest aspect of the novel. It's a satire of common cultivation tropes, and the author executes it brilliantly. The character dynamics are also a major highlight. Nanshi's interactions with the other "protagonists," her martial siblings, are genuinely heartwarming and hilarious. They form a found family that supports each other, even when Nanshi's money-grubbing antics get them into trouble. I particularly enjoyed how the author subverted expectations by making the male lead a sweet and devoted partner, a welcome change from the typical cold and aloof ML. The slow-burn romance between Nanshi and the ML felt natural and earned. ### Areas of Concern While I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, it wasn't without its flaws. The comedy, while initially refreshing, can become repetitive at times. The constant money gags, while funny at first, can overshadow the MC's other qualities and make her seem one-dimensional. Some found the romance writing to be a little off-putting, with some kissing scenes described in a way that felt forced. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers felt that the plot became repetitive, particularly with the recurring villain encounters. The dynamic between the youngest junior sister and her demon rabbit prince love interest also drew criticism, with some finding the constant (accidental) violence unfunny and even disturbing. ### Final Verdict Despite its flaws, "Except Me, Everyone Else Is the Protagonist" is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. Its strengths lie in its clever humor, well-developed characters, and heartwarming found family dynamics. While the repetitive plot and occasional tonal inconsistencies might deter some readers, I believe the novel's overall charm and comedic brilliance make it a worthwhile experience. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted and satirical take on the cultivation genre.