What Is Apotheosis
Apotheosis (百炼成神, Bai Lian Cheng Shen) is a Chinese donghua (animated series) adapted from a popular cultivation novel/manhua. Its subtitle in English is often Become a God. The novel is written by Mushroom (蘑菇). The donghua is produced by studios including Qingxiang Culture, Youku, and WonderCat Animation.
It began airing around November 2022. Episodes are relatively short, about 8-19 minutes each depending on the listing.
Plot / Synopsis
- The protagonist is Luo Zheng, once a young master of a powerful martial clan. After the decline of his family, Luo Zheng’s sister is imprisoned by a strong force, and he falls into servitude.
- In his darkest moment, Luo Zheng discovers an ancient book (left by his father) that contains a powerful cultivation / refining technique — one that can transform a person’s body (or parts of it) into a weapon or divine instrument.
- Using this secret inheritance, he begins his cultivation journey, facing adversaries, sect conflicts, betrayals, and becoming stronger. His goal includes rescuing his sister, restoring his family’s honor, and becoming a god or divine cultivator.
Characters
Here are some of the main characters in Apotheosis:
| Character | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| Luo Zheng | Protagonist, starts as a fallen noble, then becomes a menial slave. His cultivation hinges on the ancient book left by his father. |
| Ao Xiang | A human cultivator known as Terminator of Shadow Wolf King. Formerly independent martial artist; later affiliated with the World Commercial Alliance. Fiancé of Xiao Yu. Peak cultivation: Celestial Realm. |
| Wang Yan Miao | Core disciple of Qing Yun Sect, from the Wang family; significant in the early plots. |
| Shi Jing Tian | Patriarch of Qing Yun Sect; high cultivation, fatherly / authoritative figure. |
Production & Details
- Studio / Producers: The animation is created by Qingxiang Culture in cooperation with Youku, WonderCat Animation, and related companies.
- Status & Episodes: The donghua has multiple episodes, and Season 1 has at least 52 episodes. Season 2 is ongoing or has been released as well.
- Episode Length: Many episodes are on the shorter side (~8 minutes) though some are longer (up to 19 minutes) depending on source/listing.
Themes & What Makes It Stand Out
- Cultivation + Body Refinement
The method where Luo Zheng can refine his body, or parts of it, into a divine instrument or weapon is a distinctive cultivation angle. It adds physical transformation to the spiritual / energy cultivation typical in xianxia / cultivation stories. - Rise from Humble Beginnings
Luo Zheng starts off as a slave or a person in low status, and must overcome betrayal, enemies, sect rivalries, etc. His journey from being powerless to powerful is inspirational for many fans. - Family & Honor
The plot heavily involves family downfall, rescuing a sibling, upholding family honor, uncovering secrets tied to his father’s past. - Adversities & Betrayal
There are multiple forces against him: stronger sects, rival cultivators, internal betrayals. The adversity is not only external but involves interpersonal conflicts. - Moral Growth & Character Development
Luo Zheng’s character growth is consistent. He is not just about power, but about making choices, dealing with the responsibilities that come with strength. Some reviews note that the donghua emphasizes his persistence and inner qualities as much as his external power.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Engaging world-building with sects, cultivation ranks, magical abilities, ancient tomes.
- Good pace of progression in early episodes: viewers see genuine progress in power, fights, and revelations.
- Visuals & action scenes are relatively polished given budget and production constraints.
- Themes of justice, family, self-strengthening resonate well.
Weaknesses / Critiques:
- Because episodes are short and the story is large, sometimes plot / character details are compressed or simplified. Fans of the original novel/manhua note missing or changed plot points.
- Power scaling / consistency can vary: some opponents seem too strong or too weak depending on narrative needs.
- Romance / harem elements exist, but sometimes are underdeveloped in donghua compared to novel / manhua. Some characters may not get the attention they deserve.
Where to Watch / Access
Here are platforms and sources where Apotheosis is available (legitimacy depending on region):
- Streaming on Youku (China) via official channels.
- Subtitled versions (English or other languages) are available on various donghua streaming websites. Checking whether these are officially licensed in your region is important.
Final Thoughts
Apotheosis (Bai Lian Cheng Shen) is a strong choice if you enjoy cultivation stories with:
- Clear power progression and cultivation mechanics
- Protagonists who start from zero (or worse) and work their way up
- Family drama, betrayal, sect politics
- Ancient mysteries (father’s legacy, ancient techniques)
If you’re a fan of xianxia / cultivation donghua, Apotheosis offers good balance of action, character growth, and mythic elements. It may not perfectly match the novel or manhua in every detail, but it captures the core journey of Luo Zheng and his rise to godhood well.
