"For us, it felt like an exciting experiment — a way to break free from the usual cliches about fantasy worlds, and create a brand-new heavenly realm that really highlights the beauty of Chinese aesthetics," Luan adds.

The show's success highlights the enduring appeal of xianxia dramas, a genre that rose to prominence in the early 2000s, notes He Tianping, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China.

He says that these fantasy stories offer more than just entertainment, they reflect the Chinese imagination of mystical realms and uphold core values such as chivalry and universal peace, adding that the genre serves as a growing channel for sharing traditional Chinese culture with international audiences.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn