In the pop songs, Zhou hopes the audience can feel the bravery of yinglong (a winged dragon) and that the love songs can express the charms of jiuweihu (nine-tailed fox). Although these implausible tales have endured for thousands of years, their exploration about the feelings of fury, love, desire and loss are still felt today.

In these songs, the ancient mythical world is recalled and triggers the cultural confidence among the younger generation, according to Zhou.

Besides songs, Liu Yu performed a dance, Painting Scroll, using his body as brush strokes to paint luanniao, zouwu and zhulong, three mythical creatures from Shanhaijing.

At the gala, there was also a specially created "street" with a hotpot restaurant that hosted a gathering of post-1990 generation photographers, illustrators, craftsmen and designers, who have rediscovered the beauty of ancient Chinese culture.

"Nowadays, young people want things that reflect their own culture, which takes the guochao trend to new heights," Zhou says, adding that Shanhaijing provides endless expressive possibilities to youths, favoring creativity and surrealism.