Cheng Yi Leads The Journey Of Legend For iQIYI

Streaming platform iQIYI has premiered its latest high-concept drama, The Journey of Legend, starring Cheng Yi and Gulnezer. Drawing from the classic works of writer Wen Ruian, the series brings a contemporary lens to the traditional martial-arts hero story, blending time-slip fantasy with grounded emotional arcs.

At the heart of the narrative is a present-day office worker who is unexpectedly pulled into the martial world. As he assumes the identities of Xiao Mingming, Xiao Qiushui, and eventually Li Chenzhou, his character undergoes a powerful transformation—from impulsive fighter to principled protector of the people.

Since the series’ date announcement, The Journey of Legend has generated strong anticipation, with early praise focused on Cheng Yi’s performance. His ability to shift between three distinct personas—each with its own physicality and emotional register—has been described as both controlled and compelling.

Departing from formulaic genre tropes, the series infuses the wuxia tradition with real-world moral complexity. As Xiao Qiushui confronts questions of loyalty, power, and consequence, his journey evolves from hot-blooded youth to composed knight-errant—underscoring themes of personal growth, responsibility, and inner strength.

The storyline is purposefully designed to resonate with younger viewers, spotlighting the challenges of doing the right thing under pressure and staying grounded in a shifting world.

To match the scale of the story, the production team constructed 327 practical sets and shot on location across China, including the bamboo forests of Yunnan and the dramatic Hukou Waterfall. Action choreography leans into realism, favouring clean lines, credible movement and rhythm to deliver both impact and visual grace.

The release of The Journey of Legend caps a busy summer for iQIYI, which has kept audiences engaged with titles such as FEUD, A Dream Within A Dream, Coroner’s Diary, and This Thriving Land.

With its emotional depth, visual ambition and reinvention of classic martial-arts storytelling, this latest series adds new momentum to the platform’s growing drama slate.