The power scaling feels off in the manhua. In the novel, you have a very clear sense of levels, equipment tiers, and skill ranks. The manhua visuals sometimes make a +10 Bronze sword look as flashy as an Epic sword, blurring the progression. The novel's text-based system inherently forces a clearer hierarchy of power, which is satisfying for progression fantasy fans.
The sheer number of volumes is daunting. I wouldn't stress the order—just getting through them all is the achievement. They're mostly self-contained arcs anyway.