The Path of Ascension (Light Novel) Vol. 1

by C. Mantis, Karla Diaz (Illustrator), Der-shing Helmer (Editor), Adam Cahoon (Designed by)

Overview

THE WHEEL OF TIME meets DEMON SLAYER in the bestselling LitRPG Epic Fantasy Action Adventure series THE PATH OF ASCENSION – in print and as a Light Novel for the very first time with THE PATH OF ASCENSION (Light Novel) Vol. 1 from Vault Books!

Orphaned by monsters, Matt must power-up to save others from the same fate.

Matt plans to delve the rifts responsible for the monsters that destroyed his city and murdered his parents. But his dreams are crushed when his Tier 1 Talent is rated as detrimental and no guild or group will take him.

Working at a nearby inn, he meets a mysterious and powerful couple who give him a chance to join the Path of Ascension, an empire-wide race to ascend the Tiers and become living legends.

With their recommendation and a stolen Skill, Matt begins his journey to the peak of power. Maybe then, he can get vengeance he seeks...

Experience the start of an action-packed fantasy adventure that blends the best of LitRPG and Progression Fantasy with Xianxia (Chinese for “immortal heroes” and is Chinese fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology). With more than 5 million views on Royal Road, this hit web serial is new-and-improved - and now in Light Novel format from Vault!

The Path of Ascension (Light Novel) Volumes 1-4 narrative corresponds to The Path of Ascension, Book 1 eBook from Aethon Books.

About the series: This is a mix between LitRPG and Xianxia. It's like a car that looks like a LitRPG with dungeons and skills, but the interior and engine are all Xianxia. It features a magic system and progression system that are logically and internally consistent, as well as realistic fight scenes and a rational MC.

THE PATH OF ASCENSION (Light Novel) Vol. 1 is for fans of: The SUMMONER Series (The Novice, The Inquisition, The Battlemage, The Outcast by Taran Matharu), The Wheel of Time series (Robert Jordan), The Name of the Wind / The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss), The Traveler’s Gate Trilogy (Will Wight), Will Wight’s Cradle series , Coiling Dragon, Stellar Transformation, Mark of the Fool, Path of the Dragon Mage, Black Clover, Mother of Learning, Mage Errant, System Universe, I Shall Seal the Heavens, Renegade Immortal, A Hero Born, The Primal Hunter, Defiance of the Fall, Azarinth Healer, Beware of Chicken, The Beginning After the End, A Will Eternal, Amelia the Level Zero Hero, System Reborn/Apocalypse Reincarnation, All the Skills, Sufficiently Advanced Magic, He Who Fights With Monsters, My Necromancer Class, Axis Church vs. Eris Church, Kino’s Journey, and Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe.

About Light Novels from Vault Books:
All Vault Books Light Novels are based on mega-bestselling LitRPG and Progression Fantasy eBooks published by trailblazing digital Science Fiction and Fantasy publisher, Aethon Books.

If you’ve read and enjoyed the Aethon eBooks, Vault Books light novels have kept everything you love about those eBooks – and upped the game. By dividing each original Aethon eBook into two to four Light Novel volumes, Vault endeavors to enhance the reading experience by providing an easily-digestible print edition with illustrations and design details. Every Vault light novel volume is produced in conjunction with and approved by the author/creator of the bestselling eBook.

Each Vault light novel volume contains seven original, exclusive illustrations – in both full color and black and white - from some of the most talented manga artists and illustrators from around the world, while every page of the book is meticulously designed and embellished with never-before-seen elements taken directly from the narrative heart of the story.

If you’re already an existing fan and you’ve devoured the eBook, now is the time to grab the light novels in print format and widely distributed for the very first time! And if you’ve never read any of the bestselling eBooks, this is your opportunity to dive into the intersecting world of Light Novels, LitRPG, Progression Fantasy, Isekai, and Manga!

LIGHT NOVELS FROM VAULT BOOKS:
2024
The Primal Hunter (Light Novel) Vol. 1
My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror (Light Novel) Vol. 1
2025
Mark of the Fool (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Path of Ascension (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Battle Mage Farmer (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Road to Mastery (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Hell Difficulty Tutorial (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Reborn as a Demonic Tree (Light Novel) Vol. 1
The Primal Hunter (Light Novel) Vol. 2, Vol. 3
My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror (Light Novel) Vol. 2, Vol. 3

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781638492443
Publisher:	Vault Comics
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Series:	Path of Ascension (Light Novel) , #1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

C.Mantis is the author of the bestselling LitRPG series, The Path of Ascension.

Der-shing Helmer is the Eisner-nominated and Ignatz-award winning independent science-fantasy and educational comic artist from the CA Bay Area, now based in the San Diego Area. Der-shing is currently the Managing Editor at Vault Comics. She is a self-taught artist, and has a biology degree from UC Berkeley as well as a formal background in secondary science education.

Adam Cahoon is a Senior Designer and Production Lead for Vault Comics. He is a comic book artist best known for The Nasty from Vault Comics and his self-published comics The Tuffs, Origin House: Spa and Retreat, and Anomaly. He is a member of Second Rocket Comics and has design work as well as short comics in the books Everything Is Different Now from Justin Richards, Morsels by J Donahue, and Dead Blood by DB Andry.
Keep up with Adam Cahoon:
adamcahoon.com
Bluesky and IG as @adamccahoon