What is the difference between cultivation novels and system novels in fantasy?

While both cultivation and system novels fall under the fantasy genre and often involve characters gaining power, their core mechanics and progression differ significantly. Cultivation novels, often found in the Xianxia genre like "A Will Eternal," focus on a character's journey of self-improvement through spiritual or martial arts training. The protagonist typically cultivates their inner energy (qi, mana, etc.), learns powerful techniques, and strives to ascend to higher realms or achieve immortality. The progression is usually organic, driven by the character's dedication, talent, and understanding of natural laws. There's a strong emphasis on philosophical concepts, understanding the Dao, and overcoming internal and external challenges through sheer willpower and skill.

System novels, on the other hand, introduce an external, often supernatural or technological, 'System' that guides or grants the protagonist power. This System might assign quests, provide skill trees, offer rewards for completing tasks, or even bestow abilities directly. "Pampered By All In Different Planes" seems to incorporate a system, suggesting a more structured or game-like progression. The System acts as a crutch or a direct power-up mechanism, often making the protagonist's growth faster or more assured than in traditional cultivation. While cultivation relies on the character's internal journey and mastery of inherent abilities, system novels often involve the character interacting with and leveraging an external framework for their advancement. Sometimes, these two can overlap, with a System assisting a cultivator, but the fundamental difference lies in the source and method of power acquisition.