This modern supernatural drama marks another adaptation of Wei Yu’s work, following Seven Relics of Ill Omen earlier this year. As with her previous stories, Wei Yu draws heavily from Chinese mythology and folklore. In the original novel, the world is shaped by Chinese Goddess Nu Wa, who creates both humans and the Di Xiao beings who dwell underground and possess long life. While humans live under the sun, the Di Xiao rule the shadows, and the conflict between humans and Di Xiao spans millennia. During the Qin dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang dispatches the Chan Tou army to uncover the Di Xiao’s secrets of immortality. Though the mission fails, the army’s descendants continue the hidden war across generations. Three families emerge: the Gou family, tasked with tracking Di Xiao; the Bian family, responsible for restraining them; and the Dao family, capable of killing them. In modern times, as the Di Xiao find new ways to infiltrate human society, the Nan Shan Hunters must rise to confront them.

For the drama adaptation, however, heavy revisions were made to sidestep overt mythological references. The Di Xiao are reimagined as extraterrestrial beings rather than creations of ancient legend, a change that noticeably alters the story’s mythic weight.

As a fan of both Wei Yu and Dilraba, I approached this drama with high expectations. Dilraba shines as Nie Jiu Luo, delivering strong emotional beats and impressive action sequences, and her chemistry with Chen Xing Xu is a consistent highlight. She commands attention whenever she appears on screen, supported by a cast that largely turns in solid performances across the board. It’s clear that the production team put genuine care into building this world and adapting the source material within the constraints they faced.

This is not a typical “爽剧” (wish-fulfillment power fantasy drama) where protagonists effortlessly overpower their enemies. Instead, the drama opts for a slower burn, emphasizing vulnerability. Its leads are ordinary humans facing enemies far stronger than themselves, and death is always a real possibility. That said, the pacing can feel sluggish, and extensive cuts to key scenes make the narrative difficult to follow without revisiting episodes.

From a performance standpoint, the drama underwhelmed, failing to surpass the 28,000 mark on Tencent. Interestingly, it still attracted unusually strong in-show advertising, suggesting a smaller but high-spending audience. Its rise on piracy platforms further hints at quiet popularity beyond official metrics. Tencent is slowly rolling this drama worldwide including Netflix in some territories. I hope I get to see this on Netflix in the US. 

While it may not have lived up to expectations commercially, this remains a worthwhile watch for viewers looking to step away from conventional romance and family dramas. With its modern setting, supernatural elements, restrained romance, and well-executed fight scenes, it offers something refreshingly different within the current drama landscape.