Cultivation Novel With Op Mc Novels & Stories

I'm noticing a lot of the recommendations are for webnovels. Are there any published, traditionally edited cultivation or progression fantasy novels from the West that nail this strategic focus? Things like 'Mother of Learning' or 'The Perfect Run'? They're not xianxia but they absolutely embody the 'clever power progression through loops and experimentation' ethos.

If you're into overpowered protagonists like in anime, you'll love 'The Rising of the Shield Hero'. Naofumi starts off weak but becomes ridiculously strong, and the way the story balances his growth with emotional depth is just chef's kiss. Another great pick is 'Overlord', where Ainz Ooal Gown is basically a god in his new world—watching him navigate politics and battles while being hilariously clueless about his own power never gets old.

For something darker, 'Re:Monster' follows a protagonist who evolves from a lowly goblin into an unstoppable force. The gritty survival elements mixed with insane power scaling make it addictive. And if you prefer a lighter tone, 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' is pure fun—Rimuru’s journey from slime to sovereign is packed with creativity and charm. Honestly, these novels capture that same thrill of watching an OP MC dominate their world, but with enough depth to keep things interesting.

Some readers will say 'slow' is a synonym for 'boring.' And they're not entirely wrong if the author lacks skill. The interest has to come from the depth of the process itself—the fascination with the cultivation system, the tension of resource scarcity, the intellectual challenge of the MC's plans. If those elements are thin, then yes, it's just a slog. But when done well, it's the difference between watching a highlight reel of a sport and playing a deep, immersive management sim of that sport.