Tales of Herding Gods

Plot Overview

“Tales of Herding Gods” is a Chinese animated series (donghua) that follows the journey of a young man named Qin Mu, who was raised by a mysterious group of nine elders in a remote village. The world around him is one of forgotten ruins, divine bones, dragon protectors, ancient ships dragging the sun, and darkness creeping from all corners. Motivated by the strange awakening he experiences (a speaking cow, a call to danger), Qin Mu sets out to uncover his destiny and carve his own path to power.

Beginning

Qin Mu grows up under the care of nine enigmatic elders in the village of Can Lao (or “Disabled Elderly Village”), where many of the inhabitants are disabled or afflicted. One day the cow he herds begins to speak human language, triggering Qin Mu’s awareness of the vast, dangerous world beyond his village—one filled with ruins, divine remains, and creeping darkness.

Realizing that his simple life is not the whole story, Qin Mu leaves home to explore the wider realm known as Da Xu (or Great Ruins), where demons, divine bones, dragons and ancient ships are part of the strange tapestry of the land.

Middle

As Qin Mu ventures out, he begins integrating the teachings and skills passed down by the nine elders. He faces countless threats—ruins haunted by divine bones dancing, dragons protecting their young, and demonic forces descending into darkness. His training, inheritance of ancient legacies, and willingness to push forward combine to steadily build his strength and resolve.

Along the way, he confronts the mystery of his own origins (why he was found as an infant), the true nature of the elders who raised him, and the hidden history of the world he inhabits. The narrative expands from his personal growth to the fate of the larger world.

Climax & Ending

In the current arc, Qin Mu has grown into a formidable presence: mastering inherited skills, challenging the old powers, and staking his claim in a realm that was once abandoned by gods. The story does not yet conclude, as the series is ongoing with many episodes still releasing, so the ending remains open — Qin Mu’s journey toward carving his “own realm with a peerless and domineering physique” is still unfolding.

Key Themes

• Origins & Identity: Qin Mu’s mysterious beginnings and upbringing by the nine elders raise questions of identity, legacy, and who we become when shaped by forces beyond our control.
• Power & Responsibility: The series explores how great power comes with great responsibility—Qin Mu must decide how to wield the profound abilities he inherits, and what kind of ruler or force he will become.
• Ruins & Forgotten Histories: The setting is filled with ancient ruins, bones of dragons, relics of gods—emphasising that the past reverberates into the present, and that what’s forgotten still holds power.
• Growth Through Struggle: Qin Mu’s journey is not one of instant triumph—he begins without extraordinary talent, but with resilience and training he grows. The show emphasises the process of becoming rather than immediate dominance.
• Visual & Mythical Wonder: Beyond story, the show is praised for its high-quality visuals, atmospheric design and action choreography, making the mythology and the world-building immersive.

Notes

• The show originally aired on October 27, 2024 and is still ongoing.
• The original Chinese title is 牧神记 (Mu Shen Ji).
• Some viewers consider it among the higher-quality donghua in recent years due to its production value and storytelling.