Although opinions remain divided, Veil of Shadows has managed to attract a huge audience, largely thanks to the strong chemistry between its main cast, including Ju Jingyi, Tian Jiarui, Chen Duling and Zeng Shunxi.
Upon its release, the historical fantasy drama faced mixed reactions. Some viewers criticized the slow pace, unnecessary plot details, overly dramatic acting, and confusing editing that made the plot feel chaotic.
However, despite the negative feedback, the drama quickly surpassed 10,000 Heat Index points on Youku in just three days, making it the fastest project to reach this milestone in 2026.
Many viewers have admitted that while the plot may not be great, they continue to watch the drama’s stunning visuals, impressive action scenes and engaging character dynamics. The two main couples – Lu Wuyi (Ju Jingyi) and Ji Ling (Tian Jiarui), as well as Wu Wangyan (Chen Duling) and Wu Shiguang (Zeng Shunxi) – offer contrasting personalities and relationship dynamics, catering to different audience preferences. Among them, Lu Wuyi and Ji Ling have become fan favorites, leaving viewers anxious after facing their first conflicts after just five episodes.
Lu Wuyi is a fox spirit of Wu Xiang Yue, tasked with getting closer to Ji Ling, who is destined to be his fated bond. In reality, the two have shared multiple lives of love, even if neither remembers their past.
When they meet at the Fei family residence, Ji Ling quickly falls in love with Lu Wuyi. As a cheerful and kind-hearted young magician, Ji Ling’s bright personality naturally attracts Lu Wuyi. However, tragedy strikes when Ji Ling is killed by another fox spirit, Xiao Wei, revealing the truth about his identity.
In fact, Ji Ling is simply a puppet created by the Dragon Deity, who has lost his power and uses such vessels to observe the human world and carry out missions. After learning that Ji Ling has been kidnapped by the Dragon Deity, Lu Wuyi ventures to the Dragon Temple, where he discovers the hidden past between them.
In the first few episodes, the “cub couple” dynamic between Lu Wuyi and Ji Ling was widely adored. Her innocent, smiling demeanor, paired with her playful and provocative personality, makes for a series of fun and heartwarming interactions.
This is why viewers were devastated to learn that Ji Ling was just a disposable puppet, eventually thrown into a lake by the Dragon Deity once she was no longer useful. Even though the Dragon Deity retains Ji Ling’s memories, treats Lu Wuyi with kindness, and possesses immense power and authority, the audience continues to overwhelmingly root for the original couple. Many are now hoping for Ji Ling’s return so that she can reunite with Lu Wuyi in the future.
Directed by Guo Jingming, Veil of Shadows is a high-profile historical project inspired by the story of Wen Xin, a disciple of Xiao Wei in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. The series follows the journey of four characters – Lu Wuyi, Wu Shiguang, Wu Wangyan and Ji Ling – as they seek the power of the Dragon Deity and attempt to defeat the demon king Jiu Ying.
During their journey, Lu Wuyi and his sister Wu Wangyan encounter other key figures, including Wu Shiguang, a magician with a vengeful past, and Ji Ling, a seemingly innocent but mysterious magician. While they all pursue the power of the Dragon Deity, their motivations are different: some aim to protect, while others seek destruction.
As they cooperate and clash along the way, the characters develop friendships and romantic bonds, facing conspiracies, fate, and difficult sacrifices in their battle against Jiu Ying, the ruler of all demons, to protect the human world.
Sources: kenh14
