I've actually started reading the novel right now because of all the comments saying the novel is much better. And indeed it is! The translation is much smoother and now I unterstand the plot better because the manhua left out some things. I still like the way the manhua portrays the game-style, I haven't seen anything like that so far but the dialogue is lacking and you have the feeling there are some plotholes. I think reading the novel and reading the manhua to have some visualization might be the way to experience the best of both worlds.
Ah but it's no longer free so you need a lot and I mean A LOT of spirit stones to unlock chapters. I've been following it since before when it was on GT and [thankfully] downloaded it so I got the first 600 chaps and a year's worth of free SS, but it'll be hard for beginners to start now. Just search it up on Google or...
*Go underground*
https://toc.qidianunderground.org/
*Cough coughs* Ya heard nothin from me (~ ̄ ³ ̄)~
Dang!!!! Compare to the novel.... the manga is a total Bulls**t