Tales of Herding Gods

Chinese Name: 牧神记

Summary: Qin Mu, an orphan found by the riverbank in the mystical Great Ruins, is raised by the disabled elders of Crippled Old Village—each a hidden master. From Granny Si teaching sewing, Master Ma imparting fist techniques, to Blind teaching vision arts, Qin Mu learns an array of extraordinary skills. Deemed a “mortal body” (weak constitution), he defies expectations by breaking the Spirit Embryo Wall, awakening the legendary Overlord Body, and embarking on a unique cultivation path. One night, defying the village’s rule of “no going out after dark,” Qin Mu ventures into a world of gods and demons. Joining the Heavenly Saint Cult as its Holy Leader, he drives reforms in Yankang Kingdom and confronts powers like the Heavenly Court, Netherworld, and Creators. With wit, cunning, and the Overlord Body, Qin Mu pioneers a new cultivation system, liberating humanity from ancient gods’ dominance, earning the title Mu Tianzun (Heavenly Sovereign Mu), and shaping a new era as a supreme ruler.

Cultivation Realms

Heavenly Court System (Proving the Dao with Strength, Relying on External Objects): Spirit Embryo, Five Elements, Six Directions, Seven Stars, Celestial Being, Life and Death, Divine Bridge, Celestial Palace Divine Realm, Venerable God, True God, Yao Pool, God-Slaying Platform, Jade Capital, Lingxiao (Chaos), Emperor’s Throne, Heavenly Court.

Miluo Palace System (Proving the Dao through Enlightenment): Dao Realm, Great Overarching Heaven (36 Heavens, Proving the Dao), Dao Tree (37 Heavens), Dao Flower (38 Heavens), Dao Fruit (39 Heavens), Dao Realm (40 Heavens).

Ancestral Court System (Relying on Inner Strength): Foundation Building (Seven Divine Treasures), Ancestral Court (Four Heavenly Gates Realm, Yao Pool and Yao Platform Realm, Heavenly Sea Realm, God-Slaying Platform Realm, Nine Prisons Platform Realm, Jade Capital Realm, Five-Colored Realm, World Tree Realm).

Review: Tales of Herding Gods by Zhai Zhu is a fantasy masterpiece, blending humor, drama, and profound philosophy, distinguishing itself from typical satisfying novels with its expansive world and innovative cultivation. Qin Mu is a captivating protagonist: from a mocked “mortal body,” he rises as Mu Tianzun, liberating humanity from ancient gods, his growth fueled by wit, the Overlord Body, and Crippled Old Village’s teachings. Zhai Zhu’s smooth, balanced style shifts seamlessly between comedic moments—like Qin Mu’s village-wrecking antics—and epic battles against the Heavenly Court. The setting, from Great Ruins to the 17th cosmic epoch, is meticulously crafted, steeped in Taoist hues, delivering an immersive adventure. Strengths include the groundbreaking Ancestral Court Dao Realm, vivid supporting characters like Granny Si and Yankang’s National Preceptor, and themes of reform and freedom. However, some philosophical passages can feel protracted, potentially slowing the pace for action-focused readers, and Qin Mu’s romance with Ling Yuxiu lacks depth. With a stellar donghua and 1,846 completed chapters, Tales of Herding Gods excels as top-tier entertainment, inspiring reflections on resilience and the pursuit of change in a mythical cosmos of endless challenges.