Mo Xiang Tong Xiu is the Chinese fantasy author better known to international readers as MXTX. The author created three influential danmei novel series with major English-language followings. Those stories have also inspired animation, comics, audio dramas, and a widely known live-action adaptation.
For U.S. readers, getting started has become much easier. Seven Seas publishes official English editions of all three original novel series. New deluxe editions and related comics have continued reaching American shelves through 2026.
Quick answer: MXTX is best known for The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, and Heaven Official’s Blessing. Each story stands alone, so no universal reading order is required. New readers can choose according to tone, length, and preferred fantasy style.
| Quick fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Pen name | MXTX, written 墨香铜臭 |
| Genre | Danmei, fantasy, romance |
| Main original novels | 3 series |
| First published work | The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System |
| Other major works | Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and Heaven Official’s Blessing |
| U.S. English publisher | Seven Seas Entertainment |
| English novel volumes | 4 + 5 + 8 across the three series |
| Major screen connection | Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation inspired The Untamed |
Seven Seas lists four English novel volumes for Scum Villain, five for Grandmaster, and eight for Heaven Official’s Blessing. That gives U.S. readers complete multi-volume editions of the three original stories.
Who Is Mo Xiang Tong Xiu?
MXTX is the pen name of a Chinese writer associated with the danmei genre. The author began publishing online on Jinjiang Literature City (JJWXC). Publisher profiles now describe MXTX as a New York Times bestselling danmei author. The pen name itself has attracted considerable reader interest. “Mo Xiang” refers to the fragrance of ink, while “Tong Xiu” evokes the smell of money.
Accounts of its origin link that wordplay to writing, literature, and the practical concerns of earning a living. For more author and culture profiles, browse the Readlish Entertainment section. Reliable publisher profiles provide little personal biographical information beyond the author’s work. They do not provide a verified birth date or age. Readers should therefore treat precise age claims or private-life details from unsourced fan pages cautiously.
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu Books at a Glance
The author’s three main novels share fantasy and romantic elements, but their personalities differ sharply. Each series also has its own characters and setting. You can start with whichever premise interests you most.
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System is the shortest English novel series, spanning four volumes. Seven Seas describes it as a comedy, fantasy, danmei, and isekai-style story. Its setup follows Shen Yuan after he awakens inside a novel as the doomed villain Shen Qingqiu. That premise makes the series unusually self-aware about familiar fantasy storytelling habits. It plays with genre expectations while building the relationship between Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe.
Readers who enjoy comedy and fictional-world mechanics may find it the easiest entry point. The complete standard English paperback run was released between 2021 and 2022. Seven Seas also released a deluxe hardcover box set in February 2026. The publisher lists that U.S. box set at $139.99.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi spans five English novel volumes. Its story centers on Wei Wuxian, a cultivator who returns after his death. Lan Wangji becomes central to both the mystery and the emotional story surrounding that return.
The series mixes mystery, action, fantasy, political conflict, and romance. Its structure gradually reveals past events that changed the central characters. That approach suits readers who enjoy larger casts and layered timelines. This title also has one of the most recognizable adaptation histories.
It inspired comics, animation, and the Chinese live-action series The Untamed. Seven Seas continues publishing its English manhua and deluxe hardcover editions for U.S. readers.
Heaven’s Official Blessing
Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu is the longest of the three English novel editions. Seven Seas divides the complete novel into eight volumes. The story follows Xie Lian, a fallen crown prince who has ascended to godhood again. His journey brings him into contact with Hua Cheng, a mysterious figure deeply connected to his past. The story expands through gods, ghosts, old kingdoms, personal loss, and long-running mysteries.
Its scale makes it a strong option for readers seeking a longer fantasy romance. The eight standard English novels were published from 2021 through 2023. Seven Seas later issued deluxe hardcovers, with volume eight arriving in January 2026. The publisher lists the deluxe hardcovers at $29.99 each in the United States.
What Is Danmei?
Danmei is a Chinese literary category centered on romantic relationships between male characters. English-language publishers commonly use the term directly rather than replacing it completely with another genre label. Seven Seas categorizes all three MXTX novel series as danmei. The books also draw heavily from Chinese fantasy traditions and historical-style settings.
Cultivation, spiritual powers, gods, demons, sects, and supernatural conflicts appear across the different stories. Readers unfamiliar with these ideas usually learn them through context as each plot develops. Danmei is not a single storytelling formula. Comedy dominates parts of Scum Villain, while Grandmaster emphasizes mystery and cultivation conflict. Heaven Official’s Blessing uses a broader mythic world and a longer romantic arc.
Which MXTX Series Should You Read First?
No required order exists because the three stories don’t form one shared narrative. Your starting point should depend on the reading experience you want. Starting with one series won’t spoil the others.
| Start with | A good fit if you want | English novel length |
|---|---|---|
| The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System | Comedy, parody, and isekai elements | 4 volumes |
| Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation | Mystery, action, cultivation, ensemble drama | 5 volumes |
| Heaven’s Official Blessing | Epic fantasy, gods, ghosts, slow-building romance | 8 volumes |
Choose Scum Villain when you want the shortest commitment and a playful premise. Choose Grandmaster when you want mysteries, action, and complicated histories. Choose Heaven Official’s Blessing when you want the largest world and longest reading experience. Publication order offers another simple approach.
The original stories appeared in the sequence Scum Villain, Grandmaster, then Heaven Official’s Blessing. That route lets readers see how the author’s published storytelling developed across the three works.
Why MXTX Became So Visible to U.S. Readers
Official English publication made these stories easier for American readers to access. Seven Seas announced licenses for all three novel series in 2021. The first English volumes then arrived in the U.S. market that December. The adaptations also gave readers several ways to encounter the same fictional worlds. Grandmaster gained particular international visibility through animation, manhua, and The Untamed. Heaven Official’s Blessing and Scum Villain also received animated adaptations.
The U.S. publishing catalog has continued growing beyond the original paperback releases. Deluxe hardcovers, box sets, and translated comics remained active products during 2025 and 2026. Penguin Random House listings show multiple MXTX releases in the American market during 2026.
What to Know Before Buying the Books in the U.S.
Check whether a listing is a novel, comic adaptation, or deluxe edition before buying. Several series now exist in multiple formats with similar English titles. The publisher’s series pages provide ISBNs, formats, volume numbers, and U.S. prices. New readers can begin with volume one of any original novel series. You don’t need to buy every series together. Buying one opening volume is an easy way to test the author’s storytelling style.
Collectors have more choices than early English readers had. Standard novels, special editions, deluxe hardcovers, manhua volumes, and boxed products now coexist. Always compare the format and ISBN before ordering a replacement or completing a set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mo Xiang Tong Xiu?
MXTX is a Chinese danmei and fantasy author known for three major novel series. Those works are Scum Villain, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, and Heaven Official’s Blessing. Seven Seas publishes the official English editions in the United States.
How many original MXTX novel series are there?
Three principal original novel series are associated with the author’s established bibliography. Their English editions contain four, five, and eight volumes, respectively. Comic editions and deluxe reissues create additional individual book listings.
Are the three series connected?
The three novels have separate casts, plots, and settings. You do not need information from another MXTX title before starting one. That makes reading order a matter of preference rather than continuity.
Which MXTX book should a beginner read first?
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System offers the shortest complete English series. Grandmaster works well for readers drawn to mystery and action. Heaven Official’s Blessing suits readers ready for a longer fantasy epic.
Is The Untamed based on an MXTX novel?
Yes. The Untamed is a live-action adaptation connected to Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. The underlying novel also inspired animated and comic adaptations.
How old is MXTX?
Major English-language publisher profiles don’t list a verified birth date or current age. That means specific ages found on unofficial pages should not automatically be treated as confirmed. Publisher-backed information is safer when checking biographical details.
Where to Go Next
For a first purchase, pick the story whose tone matches your interests rather than following fandom popularity. All three novel series are available through official English editions for American readers. Check the publisher’s format and ISBN to avoid buying the wrong edition. If you enjoy learning about the people behind popular stories, you can also read the Hank Azaria profile and the Gregory Hines feature for more entertainment biographies.
