Well if you have the patience, then read the full novel not just parts. Like seriously, everything is based on the novel. If you read the whole thing and don't skip parts/chapters then it shouldn't be confusing at all.
Also take my advice: if you struggle with the names like me (still didn't know all the names when reaching the last chapter), then keep a tab open with the character description page while reading.
Thank you very much, and I have no problems with names, I memorized them all!
Honestly, you only have yourself to blame. How do you expect to understand the story if you don't pay attention to the plot and skip around.
If you want to know the order in which the story came out, the novel is first. Followed by the audio drama, then the donghua (both in 2018). The manhua came next and finally the live action The Untamed is the last.
If you want to experience the og story, novel is the way to go.
Personally, I feel that the audio drama and the manhua follow the novel the closest. Except, the manhua is more censored than the audio drama.
The donghua has perhaps the fastest pace, but it still follow the novel quite alright.
The similarity between these three is that the past and the present is mixed together. As wwx and lwj try to solve the mystery of the hand, wwx would have frequent flashback, which explain his relationships with the other characters, why he's being treated now and such.
Finally, the live action. It's plot divert the furthest from the novel. There were many element that has been changed. For examples, wwx is no longer the one that invent demonic cultivation, the additional love interest jc has towards wq, the whole having to find the pieces of yin seal and more. However, the live action groups all the flashback together, so I guess that makes things less confusing for viewers.
Anyway, my advice to you is not to skip around, because the different media will have differences between each other. Stick to one media and finish it, this will make things less confusing for yourself. And pay attention to the plot I guess.
I first watched the donghua about 7 months ago and it was pretty interesting but I did not pay as much attention, I have also read some of the novel, and lastly, I've watched some of The Untamed, and yet I'm still confused, so does anyone know an order to read/watch so I can understand?.