Chongqing - From "Blossoms Shanghai" and "A Lifelong Journey" to "City of the City," many highly popular film and television productions in recent years have been adapted from online literary works. In this regard, Chongqing's literary scene has delivered outstanding results. On August 24, the Chongqing Writers Association announced that the latest achievement in the city's literary adaptation efforts - the historical drama "Shadow Love," adapted from the novel of the same name by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang, Vice Chairperson of the Chongqing Online Writers Association - has officially premiered on iQiyi. Topping the platform's most-anticipated list, the series is regarded as one of the summer 2025 season's most notable historical dramas.
Poster of Shadow Love.
Jiu Lu Fei Xiang, whose real name is Hong Wanling, is a Chongqing-native writer born in the 1990s. She began her literary career in 2010 and has since completed approximately 20 full-length novels. Her representative works include "Love Between Fairy and Devil," "The Legend of Shen Li," " Back From the Brink," and "The Legends." Several of these, such as "Love Between Fairy and Devil," "The Legend of Shen Li," and "Love You Seven Times," have been adapted into successful film and television productions, establishing her as a leading author in the Xianxia (fantasy) genre for screen adaptations.
Poster of Jiu Lu Fei Xiang.
Adaptation Stays True to Original While Highlighting "Professional Journey"
"Shadow Love" is one of Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's classic Wuxia (martial arts) novels set in ancient times, portraying a story of love and conflict amid war and harsh frontier life. The protagonist, Li Shuang, the adopted daughter of a general, is tasked with guarding the borders of the Great Jin Dynasty. By chance, she discovers Ao Deng, the prince of the Western Rong nation, who has been transformed into a child by a curse. She names him Jin An. By day, Jin An appears as a child, but at night, he becomes a masked figure who repeatedly helps Li Shuang repel invasions by the Western Rong army. After many challenges, the two overcome adversity together and eventually retreat to a life of seclusion in the mountains.
The series adaptation focuses on the central characters Li Shuang and Jin An, tracing their evolving relationship from daily companionship and uncovering conspiracies to falling in love. After Jin An recovers his memory and returns to his identity as an enemy prince, the two love birds find themselves on opposite sides in battle, before ultimately joining forces to resolve a national crisis. The 38-episode drama artfully integrates elements such as lost memories, dual identities, emotional conflicts, and war, resulting in a richly layered and suspenseful narrative.
In the series, actress Song Yi plays Li Shuang, an undefeated female Tai Jin Dynasty general renowned for her archery skills and strategic brilliance on the battlefield. Cheng Lei portrays Jin An, who appears to be an enemy prince but, after losing his memory, becomes the loyal and dependent "follower" of the female lead. The stark contrast between these two identities makes the character particularly compelling.
"Every time one of my works is adapted for the screen, I anticipate it just as eagerly as my readers do," said Jiu Lu Fei Xiang. She emphasized that the drama remains faithful to the original storyline and does not focus solely on romance. The battle scenes, in particular, are striking—conveying the intensity of large-scale combat and city siege warfare - and reinforce Li Shuang's image as a powerful leader on the battlefield. This emphasis on "professional development" aligns well with contemporary audience preferences.
Regional Culture as an IP Treasure Trove
Prior to "Shadow Love," several of Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's works had already been successfully adapted into widely acclaimed film and television productions. What is the key to this success? "I believe a successful literary adaptation depends on two crucial elements: relatable characters and an engaging plot," she noted. For online literature, Chongqing's regional culture offers a wealth of material worthy of deeper exploration and innovative interpretation. "Chongqing boasts the majestic Three Gorges and the mythical Bayu divine bird totem. Incorporating these elements into contemporary narratives would undoubtedly enhance their vitality. In fact, many xianxia novels draw inspiration from Fengdu’s underworld legends. In the future, I hope to explore such locally rooted myths and legends further, using them to reflect modern realities."
Regarding her expertise in the xianxia genre, Jiu Lu Fei Xiang explained that these stories evolved from ancient Chinese mythology. Common themes in such works—such as struggle against fate, life and death, and good versus evil—have long been present in mythological traditions. "This genre possesses enduring appeal, rooted in the past and extending into the future. Myths and legends embody the unique creative DNA of Chinese culture. Take, for example, Fengdu's tales of the underworld, which use the concept of eighteen layers of hell to impart moral lessons. These seemingly terrifying stories are, in fact, ancient and accessible ways of conveying ethical teachings. By reinterpreting such cultural elements, we can foster innovation in online literature."
High-Quality Adaptations Drive Literary Development
"The national recognition garnered in recent years by Chongqing's online writers, including Jiu Lu Fei Xiang, demonstrates the strong potential of local literary adaptations,” said a representative of the Chongqing Writers Association. In 2024, writers from the city received more than 20 national awards, and Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's "The Legend of Shen Li" was selected as one of the “Top Ten IPs in Chinese Online Literature.” The adapted web series has been translated into at least 16 languages and broadcast in over 180 countries and regions. Additionally, more than 30 works by Chongqing online writers underwent copyright adaptation in 2024, generating substantial economic returns and social impact.
Poster of The Legend of Shen Li.
“High-quality literary development relies on high-quality adaptations. Despite challenges, we are committed to advancing this effort,” the representative emphasized. Chongqing has seen vibrant activity in literary adaptation and dissemination, with over 200 local works transformed into various forms such as film and television dramas, stage plays, online audiovisual programs, animations, and script-based games. As Chongqing strengthens its cultural profile, the value of its literary IP continues to grow.
Expanding adaptation opportunities requires an open-minded approach—literary works can be adapted not only for the screen but also for stage, radio, games, and other interactive formats. The Chongqing Writers Association has already established the Chongqing Literature Audio Library to promote audio adaptations of local works. Many have been launched on platforms like Ximalaya, reaching wider audiences. The association also regularly compiles works by local writers for copyright recommendation to relevant departments and private cultural enterprises, supporting high-quality literary development through enhanced adaptation efforts.