Live Long and Prosper (TV series)
A reborn cultivator seeks a peaceful life but is drawn back into conflict.
Live Long and Prosper (Chinese: 咸鱼飞升; pinyin: Xiányú Fēishēng) is an upcoming period fantasy Chinese television drama directed by Ding Hei, Fu Cexin, and Zheng Junmo. The series stars Dylan Wang, Li Qin, and Rong Zishan, and is adapted from the xianxia fantasy web novel *Xian Yu Fei Sheng* by Chonguan Andu, which is not driven by romance. It is set to air on Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV.
The story takes place in a xianxia realm where cultivators seek immortality through the Dao. It follows Song Qianji (Dylan Wang), once the most powerful figure in the cultivation world, known for his ambition and arrogance. After exhausting himself in rivalry, he is granted a second life with his memories intact and decides to live as a carefree "salted fish"—someone who chooses to "lie flat"—spending his time tending crops. Despite his intentions, he gathers loyal companions and becomes entangled in sect conflicts. To protect those he cares about, he reluctantly returns to cultivation, facing heavenly tribulations and leading his friends in a mission to save the world.
The main cast includes Dylan Wang as Song Qianji, a rogue cultivator reborn after betrayal who now prioritizes peace over ambition; Li Qin as Miao Yan, the cultivation world's most beautiful woman, who in her second life breaks free from her past pride and obsession; and Rong Zishan as Meng Heze, Song Qianji's devoted junior disciple whose fate changes after being rescued. Supporting roles include Wang Duo as Wei Zhenyu, a morally ambiguous figure who shifts from adversary to ally; Zhang Yaqin as He Qingqing, an outcast whose desire for recognition grows into a drive to overturn the existing order; Xia Meng as Chen Hongzhu, a principled eldest daughter of the Huawai Sect; Tong Mengshi as Ziye Wenshu, leader of Qingya Academy; Wu Xize as Yuan Qingshi; and Ye Shengjia as Ji Chen.
Production began in late April at Hengdian World Studios, with the series officially announced in mid-May at the Hunan Satellite TV & Mango TV industry conference. Filming moved to Xinjiang in August and wrapped on 26 September 2025.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Fantasy, Adventure
- Based On
- Xian Yu Fei Sheng (The Ascension of a Salted Fish) by Chonguan Andu
- Writer
- Rao Jun
- Director
- Ding Hei · Fu Cexin · Zheng Junmo
- Starring
- Dylan Wang / Li Qin / Rong Zishan
- Country
- China
- Language
- Mandarin
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Location
- Hengdian World Studios, Xinjiang
- Company
- Nice Story · Baination · Phood
- Network
- Hunan Satellite Television, Mango TV
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series follows Song Qianji (Dylan Wang), a rogue cultivator who rose from humble beginnings to become the foremost figure in the cultivation world. Betrayed and driven to self-destruction in his previous life, he is reborn with his memories intact and resolves to abandon ambition, declaring that growing potatoes is more important than seeking immortality. However, his kindness gathers loyal companions, drawing him back into sectarian conflict, and he reluctantly returns to cultivation to protect the land and people he cherishes.
Li Qin plays Miao Yan, the most beautiful woman in the cultivation world, who after rebirth gradually awakens her own sense of self. Rong Zishan portrays Meng Heze, Song Qianji's devoted junior disciple whose fate diverges completely after being rescued. Supporting characters include Wei Zhenyu (Wang Duo), a morally ambiguous figure who evolves from adversary to ally, and He Qingqing (Zhang Yaqin), an outcast whose longing for acknowledgment becomes ambition to overturn the existing order.
Reader's Guide
Live Long and Prosper represents a notable entry in the xianxia television genre, adapting a non-romance-driven web novel that subverts typical cultivation narratives. The story's central conceit—a former top cultivator choosing to 'lie flat' as a salted fish before being forced back into action—reflects contemporary Chinese internet culture's 'tang ping' (lying flat) philosophy. The series features a large ensemble cast and was produced at Hengdian World Studios and Xinjiang, with filming completed in September 2025. Its release on Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV positions it for broad Chinese audience reach. The drama's significance lies in its adaptation of a popular web novel that deliberately avoids romance as a primary driver, focusing instead on themes of rebirth, personal choice, and reluctant heroism within a fantasy cultivation setting.
Did You Know?
- The series is based on the web novel Xian Yu Fei Sheng, whose title literally means 'The Ascension of a Salted Fish'.
- The lead character Song Qianji declares that growing potatoes is more important than seeking immortality.
- Filming took place in Hengdian World Studios and Xinjiang, and was completed on 26 September 2025.
- The drama is directed by three directors: Ding Hei, Fu Cexin, and Zheng Junmo.
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