Swallowed Star is a Chinese web novel by I Eat Tomatoes (我吃西红柿 / Wo Chi Xi Hong Shi). (Wikipedia) It ran from July 2010 to July 2012 on Qidian, and has around 1,486 chapters. (Wikipedia) It has since been adapted into manhua (comic) and donghua (animated series). (Wikipedia)
Plot Summary
Here’s a concise breakdown of the story:
- The setting begins in Year 2056 on Earth, after a catastrophic event triggered by the RR virus. The virus killed many, but survivors evolved — humans became stronger, but so did beasts and monsters, which turned dangerous.
- Luo Feng is the protagonist. He starts off ordinary, then joins groups like the Fire Hammer Brigade, goes through the Elite Training Camp, participates in dangerous missions (like those in the No.9 Ancient Civilization Ruins) and faces escalating trials.
- As he advances, Luo Feng becomes one of Earth’s strongest warriors. He evolves from fighting monsters on Earth to exploring space, uncovering cosmic mysteries, confronting powerful threats, and ultimately becoming a “Lord of the Earth” figure for humanity.
Main Characters
Here are some of the central figures in Swallowed Star:
- Luo Feng — the main hero; smart, adaptable, resilient. He grows from a normal teenager into a universe-level power.
- Xu Xin — Luo Feng’s companion (classmate / later more); intelligent, supportive, one of the key people beside him.
- Hong, Thor, Lei Shen — other important warriors / comrades. Each has unique combat abilities, contributions to the plot, and roles in battles or conflicts.
Themes & World-Building
What makes Swallowed Star stand out, and what readers like (or critique):
- Survival in a Harsh World
Humanity is under threat. The mutation of beasts, the virus, the dangers make the story about endurance, adaptation, and pushing past limits. - Power Progression / Growth
Luo Feng’s strength increases over many arcs. There is a sense of “leveling up” (through training, trials, acquiring new abilities) as he moves from Earth challenges to cosmic scale. - Technology + Martial / Supernatural Elements
The setting mixes sci-fi (future tech, space travel, monsters, evolved beings) with powers / cultivation-like elements. This blend appeals to both sci-fi fans and those who like fantasy / cultivation tropes. - Cosmic Scale & Mystery
As the story progresses, there are universal / cosmic threats, secrets about the RR virus, the origins of the monster evolutions, and the fate of the human race in a larger universe. - Sacrifice, Duty, Heroism
It’s not just power for power’s sake. Luo Feng often faces tough choices, missions where many die, conflicts where the stakes are literally the survival of Earth or humanity.
Pros & Critiques
What people like:
- Very long, detailed work — lots of content, character arcs, action, meaning you get a huge journey.
- Strong early setup: Earth’s disaster, danger, and Luo Feng’s gradual rise make for compelling reading.
- Visual / adaptation appeal: manhua and donghua bring the story to life for viewers.
What people criticize:
- Pacing can drag — with so many chapters, some arcs or sections feel repetitive or overly detailed.
- Character depth: some readers feel certain side characters are under-developed or forgotten for long stretches.
- Scale & time jumps: when moving to cosmic / universe level, time scales, distances get enormous and sometimes hard to keep sense of. Some say it dilutes tension. (Reddit)
Why It’s Popular
- Massive Scope: It starts with something relatable (Earth after disaster) and escalates to cosmic adventures. Many readers enjoy that kind of growth arc.
- Blending Genres: Sci-fi + fantasy + monster-action + cultivation aspects give it wide appeal.
- Consistency & Volume: With 1,400+ chapters, fans get a long, detailed story, which is satisfying for people who like big sagas.
Official / Adapted Versions & Where to Read / Watch
- Original novel on Qidian (起点中文网) in Chinese.
- Manhua version (comic adaptation) by Shen Man (manhua.fandom.com)
- Donghua (animation) adaptation on Tencent Video and other streaming platforms.
Final Thoughts
Swallowed Star is a major work in Chinese web novels: high chapter count, huge scale, mixing science fiction, action, and cosmic mystery. It’s best for readers/viewers who enjoy power escalation, apocalyptic / monster threats, and stories where protagonists gradually grow into defenders of humanity. If you prefer tight pacing and small casts, some parts will feel slower, but for the long haul it delivers a lot.
