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    Cover of Tomb of Fallen Gods | Shenmu | 神墓
    Tomb of Fallen Gods S3 | 神墓ActionAdventureCultivationFantasyMartial Arts,MysterySupernatural

    Tomb of Fallen Gods | Shenmu | 神墓

    by Donghua Reader

    Shen Mu (神墓), known in English as Tomb of Fallen Gods, is a classic fantasy web novel written by acclaimed Chinese author Chen Dong. The novel began serialization on Qidian Chinese Network on May 25, 2006, and concluded on November 24, 2008, serving as a spiritual sequel to Chen Dong’s earlier work Immortal and Indestructible (不死不灭).

    The story opens with the resurrection of the protagonist Chen Nan, who awakens from the mysterious Divine and Demonic Cemetery. From this starting point, the narrative follows his epic quest: seeking his lost lover Yu Xin, who disappeared ten thousand years ago, while also uncovering the ultimate truth behind the extinction of gods and demons.

    Blending Eastern cultivation (修真) traditions with Western magic systems, Shen Mu constructs an expansive epic framework that spans the Heavenly Origin Continent (天元大陆) and the Six Paths of Reincarnation (六道轮回). It skillfully interweaves elements of family saga, ancient mythology, cosmic war, and reincarnation, all bound together by the overarching theme of “Battling the Heavenly Dao” (战天道).

    Chen Dong’s work pioneered two unique sub-genres in Chinese web literature: the “Primordial War Stream” (太古战争流), which emphasizes vast mythological conflicts of ancient eras, and the “Fantasy Suspense Stream” (玄幻悬疑流), which layers mystery and hidden truths into cultivation epics. Alongside Chen Nan, unforgettable characters such as Chen Zhan and Dugu Baitian became icons of the genre, embodying the fusion of heroic tragedy and divine struggle.

    The novel was published in physical form by Jiuzhou Publishing House between 2007 and 2009, spanning 14 volumes. On Qidian, the digital version surpassed 50 million total reads, while the physical editions sold over 500,000 copies—a remarkable achievement for its era.

    Recognition of Shen Mu’s impact has continued long after its completion. In 2017, it ranked 7th on the Hurun Mopic Original Literature IP Value List. In 2018, it was selected as one of the “20 Landmark Works of 20 Years of Chinese Online Literature”, solidifying its status as a genre-defining masterpiece. In 2024, it entered the official list of God-Tier Works of Chinese Web Literature, with results formally announced on January 8, 2025.

    The influence of Shen Mu has extended beyond literature. On August 10, 2025, the second season of the donghua (animated adaptation) premiered exclusively on Youku, bringing Chen Nan’s story to a new generation of viewers with cutting-edge animation. The adaptation was released in tandem with a mobile game, Shen Mu Online (神墓OL), developed by Huanrui Century, as well as cultural tourism projects inspired by the novel’s legendary settings.

    Author Chen Dong is also known for other groundbreaking works that followed Shen Mu, including Shrouding the Heavens (遮天), Perfect World (完美世界), and Sacred Ruins (圣墟)—each further shaping the landscape of Chinese fantasy fiction.

    1. Chapter 01: The Ancient Divine Tomb
      23,092 Words
    2. Chapter 02: Astonishment
      14,222 Words
    3. Chapter 03: The Little Devil Princess
      10,740 Words
    4. Chapter 04: Hou Yi Slays the Dragon
      13,438 Words
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