Xuanhuan's worldbuilding is freer than xianxia — you can throw in any element.
Tips
culture
One of the defining web novel genres, codified in the early 2000s. Contrast with 修仙/仙侠 (pure Daoist cultivation) and 奇幻 (Western-style fantasy). Famous example: 《斗破苍穹》.
usage
Often compounded: 东方玄幻, 西方玄幻, 异世玄幻. 'Xuanhuan' has entered English usage among web novel translators untranslated.
