Lord of Mysteries
Web serial cover art | |
| Author | Cuttlefish That Loves Diving |
|---|---|
| Original title | 诡秘之主 |
| Translator | Webnovel[1][2] |
| Illustrator | OSSS[1][2] |
| Country | China |
| Language | Mandarin Chinese |
| Genre | |
| Publisher | |
| Published |
|
| Published in English | July 29, 2025 – present |
| Media type | Web novel, print |
| No. of books | 2 |
| OCLC | 1517658409 |
| Followed by | Circle of Inevitability |
| Website |
|
Lord of Mysteries (Chinese: 诡秘之主; pinyin: Guǐ Mì Zhī Zhǔ)[3][4][5] is a Chinese web novel written by Yuan Ye/Cuttlefish That Loves Diving. Serialized on Qidian from 2018 to 2020, the story blends steampunk, Lovecraftian horror, and Xuanhuan elements in a Victorian era-inspired world.[6][7][8]
Plot
The story begins in the year 1349 of the Fifth Epoch, on 28th June. Zhou Mingrui (周明瑞; Zhōu Míng Ruì),[9] a Chinese youth, transmigrates into the body of a university graduate, Klein Moretti (克莱恩.莫雷蒂; Kè Lái Ēn Mò Léi Dì),[9] after the latter seemingly commits suicide.
Finding himself in a world reminiscent of late Victorian era England, Zhou Mingrui (now Klein Moretti) searches for a way to go home. After reproducing a ritual that presumably caused his transmigration, he masquerades as a god-like entity and forms an organization known as the 'Tarot Club'. He is also later questioned by the police about his friends’ suicides; it is revealed that the police have mystical powers. People with mystical powers are called Beyonders. Through a series of events, he becomes an official Beyonder (one who is affiliated with the story’s Seven Orthodox Churches), and tries to find out why the original Klein committed suicide while trying to eventually return home.
Media
Novel
The novel was serialized on Qidian from April 2018 to May 2020.[6] Yen Press is releasing the novels in print in English.[10]
| No. | Title | Release date | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 小丑; Xiǎochǒu; "(The) Clown" | April 1, 2018 – July 6, 2018[3] | — | |
| No. | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vol. 1: The Clown, Part I[a] | July 29, 2025[13] | 979-885541377-9 |
| 2 | Vol. 2: The Clown, Part II[a] | December 9, 2025[14] | 979-885541427-1 |
Manhua
A manhua began serialization on January 21, 2020, and was published on Bilibili Manhua. A translation is available on Webnovel.[15]
A new adaptation began serialization in 2025 and was published on AC.QQ.[16]
Donghua
A donghua adaptation, covering the first volume (Chapter 1 – Chapter 213), and produced by B.CMAY PICTURES, premiered with a double-episode special on June 28, 2025. It is directed by Xiong Ke and written by Yuan Ye.[7] The ending song for Season 1 is "Dark Dream", performed by Curley Gao. The season was streamed on WeTV and Crunchyroll.[17][18]
B.CMAY PICTURES has unveiled a roadmap for the Lord of the Mysteries donghua adaptation. This roadmap spans from 2025 to 2035, outlining plans for six seasons, three special episodes, and a movie adapting the final volume.[19][20]
The following is the official release calendar directly from the event held by B.CMAY PICTURES:
| Year | Name | Adapts novel volume |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Season 1 – Clown | Volume 1 |
| 2026 | Special Episode 1 (Qilangos arc + City of Silver introductory arc) | Volume 1 |
| 2027 | Season 2 – Faceless | Volume 2 |
| 2029 | Special Episode 2 | ? |
| 2030 | Season 3 – Traveler | Volume 3 |
| 2032 | Season 4 – Undying | Volume 4 |
| 2033 | Season 5 – Red Priest | Volume 5 |
| 2034 | Seasons 6–7[b] | Volumes 6–7 |
| 2035 | LOTM Movie – The Fool Arc | Volume 8 |
| 2035 | Special Episode 3 | ? |
Episodes
| No. | Title [c][d] | Directed by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Fool" "愚者; Yúzhě" | Ke Xiong | June 28, 2025 |
| 2 | "Beyonder" "非凡; Fēifán" | Ke Xiong | June 28, 2025 |
| 3 | "The Notebook" "笔记; Bǐjì" | Ke Xiong | July 5, 2025 |
| 4 | "Magic Mirror" "魔镜; Mó Jìng" | Ke Xiong | July 12, 2025 |
| 5 | "Hero" "英雄; Yīngxióng" | Ke Xiong | July 19, 2025 |
| 6 | "Teacher" "老师; Lǎoshī" | Ke Xiong | July 26, 2025 |
| 7 | "Coincidence" "巧合; Qiǎohé" | Ke Xiong | August 2, 2025 |
| 8 | "Losing Control" "失控; Shī Kòng" | Ke Xiong | August 9, 2025 |
| 9 | "Party" "聚会; Jùhuì" | Ke Xiong | August 16, 2025 |
| 10 | "Clue" "端倪; Duānní" | Ke Xiong | August 23, 2025 |
| 11 | "Mastermind" "黑手; Hēi Shǒu" | Ke Xiong | August 30, 2025 |
| 12 | "Bomb" "炸弹; Zhàdàn" | Ke Xiong | September 6, 2025 |
| 13 | "Light" "光; Guāng" | Ke Xiong | September 13, 2025 |
Video game
As of 2024, a multi-platform RPG titled Lord of the Mysteries[22] is in development using Unreal Engine 5.[23]
Reception
The novel amassed a large fandom among Chinese and English speakers.[6] It was ranked #1 on Qidian's popularity rankings for several consecutive months.[3] As of 2023, it had tens of millions of readers.[24]
Fans of the series frequently discussed fan theories regarding the protagonist and his abilities, which the author directly engaged with online, sometimes by confirming fan speculation or by redirecting them. He also incorporated reader feedback into future instalments of the series.[25]
It is one of 144 web novels in the National Library of China.[26]
Notes
- ^ a b The English release of volume 1 was split into two parts
- ^ Both planned for the same year, although it’s not yet confirmed if they’ll be separate seasons or one combined season
- ^ All English episode titles are taken from Crunchyroll.
- ^ Chinese episode titles are taken from Tencent Video[21]
References
- ^ a b c "Lord of the Mysteries / Cuttlefish That Loves Diving ; cover art by OSSS ; translation by WebNovel". Library of Congress catalogue. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b "Lord of the Mysteries". WorldCat. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "诡秘之主" [Lord of the Mysteries]. Qidian (in Chinese). Archived from the original on August 2, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Lemons, Jordan (July 21, 2025). "Lord of the Mysteries Is China's Hottest New Anime, But It Comes With a Big Problem for Fans". Screenrant. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Dockery, Daniel (July 4, 2025). "What is Lord of the Mysteries? The New Donghua Series, Explained". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c Gupta, Jahnavi (October 8, 2020). "Famous Chinese web novel 'Lord of the Mysteries' a smash hit at Bangkok International Book Fair". Hindustan Times. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Lord of the Mysteries Trailer Drops Ahead of Summer Debut, Teasing Anime's Turn to China". Screenrant. March 9, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ Gamerant Staff (April 18, 2025). "Lord of the Mysteries Author Will Release New Series in 2026". GameRant. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c "第一章 绯红" [Chapter 1 Crimson]. Qidian (in Chinese). March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Tantimedh, Adi (December 17, 2024). "Yen Press Announces 9 Manga and 5 Light Novels Coming in June 2025". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Cuttlefish That Loves Diving (July 29, 2025). amixy (ed.). Lord of the Mysteries, Vol. 1: The Clown, Part I. Translated by Webnovel (1st ed.). Yen On. ISBN 9798855413779.
- ^ "第二百一十三章 再看一眼" [Chapter 213 Another Look]. Qidian (in Chinese). July 6, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Lord of the Mysteries, Vol. 1: The Clown, Part I". Yen Press. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Lord of the Mysteries, Vol. 2: The Clown, Part II". Yen Press. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Lord of the Mysteries". Webnovel. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "诡秘之主". AC.QQ. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Pollacco, Laura (August 27, 2024). "'Lord of the Mysteries' spectacular trailer has us excited for this animated adaption". The Mary Sue. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Cardine, Kyle (June 18, 2025). "Crunchyroll Summer 2025 Anime Season Lineup Announced!". Crunchyroll. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ Nakade, Umair (August 11, 2025). "'Lord of Mysteries' Roadmap Revealed for Next Decade". TechWiser. Archived from the original on November 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ^ Lemons, Jordan (August 12, 2025). "The Lord of Mysteries Reveals Plans Through 2035 With 7 Seasons, Movie". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on November 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ^ "诡秘之主_01_动漫_高清完整版视频在线观看_腾讯视频" [Lord of Mysteries_01_Anime_High Definition Full Version Video Online_Tencent Video]. Tencent Video. Tencent Video. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Lord of Mysteries – SPARK NEXA". Lord of Mysteries – SPARK NEXA. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Kalita, Parash Jyoti (September 24, 2024). "Lord of the Mysteries RPG: SPARK NEXA brings the popular Web Novel to life on Mobile and PC". GamingonPhone. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ Xu, Han; Patiño, Javier González; Linaza, José Luis (December 13, 2023). "The Phenomenon of Cultural Exchange and Learning Reflected in the Transmedia Fiction Comment Area: Taking Lord of the Mysteries as an Example". Human Arenas. doi:10.1007/s42087-023-00387-x. hdl:10486/714564. ISSN 2522-5804.
- ^ Liu, Zhenhua; Xu, Mingze; Tang, Yi (February 28, 2025). "The Impact of Real-Time Reader Interactions on Plot Structure and Pacing in Chinese Web Novels". Studies in Art and Architecture. 4 (1): 48–57. doi:10.56397/SAA.2025.02.05. ISSN 2958-1540.
- ^ "Chinese web novels arrive at the British Library for the first time: The 16 pieces were originally serialised on China literature's Qidian website". Business Matters. September 12, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2025.