牧神记
Tales of Herding Gods
"When night falls, don't go out": a child of the Great Ruins sets out to conquer the world
Synopsis
The ancestors of the Great Ruins repeat one rule: when night falls, don't go out. In this land overrun by darkness, a village of disabled elders finds a baby by the river and names him Qin Mu.
Each of the elders, whether blind, deaf, mute or crippled, passes on their art to him. As a teenager, Qin Mu leaves the Ruins for a world where gods, empires and secrets concerning his mentors as much as himself await.
Based on Zhai Zhu's novel, the donghua by Xuanji Technology, the studio behind Qin's Moon, has streamed on Bilibili since 27 October 2024. Made in Unreal Engine 5 under director Shen Leping, it releases new seasons at a steady pace.
World
The Great Ruins (大墟) are a cursed land where the darkness of night hides horrors. Beyond lie human empires and an ancient divine order whose foundations rest on carefully buried truths.
Power system
Cultivation involves awakening spirit bodies and mastering a range of arts: sword, medicine, forging, demonic arts. Qin Mu's strength comes from the sum of the teachings he received far more than from innate talent.
Reception & popularity
From its release, the donghua established itself among Bilibili's most impressive 3D productions thanks to Unreal Engine 5. It made the April 2026 top 10 of donghua alongside Tencent's major franchises.
My take
Tales of Herding Gods first stands out for its technique: Unreal Engine 5 gives the Great Ruins an eerie atmosphere rarely seen in donghua. But it is the village of elders, tender and funny, that forms the heart of the series.
Once Qin Mu leaves the Ruins, the story becomes more conventional and the cast balloons. The mystery surrounding the elders is still enough to keep you hooked.
Who is it for?Watch it if you enjoy coming-of-age stories, colourful mentors and dark, mysterious worlds.
Main characters
More character profiles are coming.
Adaptations
This franchise also exists in other formats — each with its own pacing and audience.
Trivia
- The novel was published on Qidian from 20 June 2017 to 31 August 2019.
- The novel's opening line, "When night falls, don't go out", has become a cult phrase among Chinese readers.
- Xuanji Technology is also the studio behind Qin's Moon and Soul Land 2, both in this catalogue.
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