Dong Chen

Chen Dong , born Yang Zhendong , is a Chinese web novelist. He is known for large-scale xuanhuan and xianxia fiction, particularly Tomb of Fallen Gods, Shrouding the Heavens, Perfect World, and The Sacred Ruins. He later wrote the science-fiction-influenced Beyond the Deep Space and the ongoing fantasy novel Night Without Bounds.

Chen Dong entered online literature in 2004 with Undying and Immortal. His second novel, Tomb of Fallen Gods, established his reputation and was followed by The World of Immortals, Shrouding the Heavens, Perfect World, The Sacred Ruins, and Beyond the Deep Space. He is a member of the China Writers Association and a platinum-level author associated with Qidian.

Early life and education

Chen Dong, born Yang Zhendong in 1982 in Beijing, China, graduated from China University of Petroleum. He developed an interest in wuxia fiction from an early age.

The Sacred Ruins

In 2016, Chen Dong began publishing The Sacred Ruins. The novel quickly became one of the most popular works on Qidian, topping the platform's monthly ticket rankings for ten months in 2017. It was also included in the China Writers Association's 2016 program for supporting key online-literature works.

Beyond the Deep Space

In early May 2021, Chen Dong began publishing Beyond the Deep Space on Qidian. It marked his first attempt at future science fiction while retaining his characteristic large-scale world-building and fast-paced style. The novel quickly gained attention on the platform, attracting 78 alliance leaders and reaching the top of several major Qidian rankings, including the new-book chart for contracted authors.

Night Without Bounds

Chen Dong began serializing Night Without Bounds on Qidian on 6 September 2024. The novel is an Eastern fantasy story set in a world where the sun has disappeared and never rises again. The novel is still being serialized as of 2026.

Writing style and themes

Chen Dong's novels are known for their large-scale fantasy settings, extensive world-building, and narratives that combine cultivation, mythology, mystery, and conflicts on a cosmic scale. Tomb of Fallen Gods features a grand narrative structure, numerous interconnected plotlines, and a wide-ranging fantasy world.

Personal life

Chen Dong has described himself as a low-key person. In a 2015 interview, he discussed his childhood interest in wuxia fiction, his university years, and how he began writing online novels, while also speaking about his views on web literature and his responsibilities as a writer.

Tomb of Fallen Gods

An animated adaptation of Tomb of Fallen Gods premiered on Youku on 21 July 2022. The series was jointly produced by Youku Animation and Wonder Cat Animation, with animation production by Wonder Cat Animation and Rocen Digital.

A new year-long season of the animated adaptation of Tomb of Fallen Gods premiered on Youku on 8 August 2025. It was produced by Youku Animation and Wonder Cat, with animation by Wonder Cat Animation and Ian Animation.

Shrouding the Heavens

A 3D animated adaptation of Shrouding the Heavens premiered on Tencent Video on 3 May 2023. The series was produced by Penguin Pictures and Xingyue Chenshi, with Original Force responsible for animation production. It was produced using Unreal Engine 5, and was described as the first Chinese animated series to use Unreal Engine 5 throughout its production process.

The World of Immortals

An animated adaptation of The World of Immortals premiered on Tencent Video on 29 October 2024. The series was broadcast weekly on Tuesdays, with Tencent Video as its exclusive streaming platform. The first season consists of 26 episodes.

Beyond the Deep Space

An animated adaptation of Beyond the Deep Space premiered on Bilibili on 16 January 2026. The series was released weekly, with three episodes premiering on the first day, and its first season consists of 26 episodes.

The animated series, adapted from Chen Dong's novel, began airing on Bilibili in early 2026.