CHINESE DRAMA NEWS · UPCOMING DRAMA PREVIEW
Dylan Wang Returns to Fantasy in Salted Fish Ascension (咸鱼飞升) — A Powerful Cultivator Who Just Wants a Quiet Life
咸鱼飞升
Imagine getting a second chance at life after becoming one of the most powerful cultivators in the world.
Would you pursue immortality? Challenge your enemies? Establish the greatest cultivation sect anyone has ever seen?
Apparently, Dylan Wang's new character would rather grow potatoes.
And frankly, after everything cultivators usually go through in Chinese fantasy dramas, I can understand the appeal.
Dylan Wang (王鹤棣) returns to the fantasy genre in Salted Fish Ascension (咸鱼飞升), an upcoming 40-episode Chinese cultivation drama also starring Li Qin (李沁).
The series promises a rather unusual twist on the typical cultivation storyline: a powerful man who already knows the cost of ambition and has absolutely no interest in repeating his mistakes.
Of course, the cultivation world isn't about to let him retire peacefully.
What Is Salted Fish Ascension About?
Salted Fish Ascension follows Song Qianji (宋潜机), a cultivator who once stood at the pinnacle of the cultivation world.
After experiencing the consequences of his previous life, he is reborn with a completely different outlook.
This time, he doesn't want fame, power, or an endless struggle to become the strongest.
He wants to live quietly, grow crops, and stay out of trouble.
That sounds reasonable enough.
Unfortunately, his attempts to enjoy an ordinary life don't quite go according to plan.
Despite his determination to avoid the cultivation world's conflicts, Song Qianji gradually attracts a group of companions who become important to him.
His unusual abilities and circumstances eventually draw him back into the very struggles he hoped to escape.
As the story develops, his quiet agricultural ambitions collide with dangerous sect rivalries and responsibilities far greater than anything he originally intended to accept.
According to MangoTV's official synopsis, Song Qianji and his companions ultimately become involved in protecting their homeland and confronting a larger threat.
So much for a peaceful retirement.
Dylan Wang Plays Song Qianji — The Cultivator Who Doesn't Want to Cultivate
Dylan Wang portrays Song Qianji, a man whose greatest advantage may be that he has already experienced the life everyone else is desperately trying to achieve.
Unlike the usual ambitious cultivation hero, Song Qianji knows that reaching the top isn't necessarily the wonderful reward people imagine.
And after being given another chance, he's determined to approach life differently.
The contrast between his extraordinary abilities and his very ordinary ambitions is central to the story's humor.
The official trailer even leans into the absurdity of a powerful cultivator who would rather worry about growing potatoes than compete for supremacy.
For Dylan Wang, it's an interesting return to the fantasy genre.
Many viewers remember him as Dongfang Qingcang in Love Between Fairy and Devil (苍兰诀), a character whose intimidating presence, overwhelming power, and unexpected vulnerability helped make the drama memorable.
Song Qianji appears to offer a different kind of challenge.
Instead of portraying someone determined to dominate the world, Dylan plays a man who has already learned that power doesn't necessarily lead to happiness.
I'm particularly curious about how he handles the comedy.
A ridiculously powerful character pretending to be ordinary can be entertaining, especially when the people around him have no idea what they're dealing with.
But the real appeal will depend on whether the drama gives Song Qianji enough emotional depth beyond its central joke.
Li Qin Joins Dylan Wang in the Fantasy Adventure
Li Qin (李沁) is the drama's specially billed female lead, joining Dylan Wang in the cultivation world.
The production has confirmed her participation through its official cast announcements and promotional materials.
However, the publicly available synopsis focuses primarily on Song Qianji's rebirth, his companions, and the larger cultivation storyline.
That means we shouldn't automatically assume this will be a romance-heavy fantasy drama simply because Dylan Wang and Li Qin are the leading stars.
Will there be meaningful romantic development? Will the characters share convincing chemistry? And will any romantic relationship receive a satisfying conclusion?
Those are questions the completed episodes will need to answer.
For now, Salted Fish Ascension is best understood as a fantasy cultivation adventure with comedy and ensemble storytelling at its center.
A Cultivation Story That Turns the Usual Formula Upside Down
Most cultivation dramas are built around a familiar goal.
The protagonist trains relentlessly, overcomes powerful enemies, advances through cultivation stages, and eventually reaches extraordinary heights.
Salted Fish Ascension takes that familiar structure and asks a different question.
What happens when someone who's already experienced all of that decides he doesn't want to do it again?
It's an interesting premise because Song Qianji isn't starting from the usual position of weakness and trying to prove himself.
Instead, his past experiences have convinced him that an ordinary life might be more valuable than endless competition.
The drama's official promotional campaign emphasizes this contrast through farming imagery, playful dialogue, and scenes involving unexpectedly powerful cultivation abilities.
It also introduces the companions who gradually become part of Song Qianji's new life.
Rather than focusing entirely on one man's pursuit of immortality, the series appears interested in the relationships and responsibilities he develops despite his attempts to remain uninvolved.
I like the idea of a character who doesn't equate success with becoming the most powerful person in the room.
The question is whether the drama can sustain that premise across 40 episodes without turning his reluctance into a repetitive joke.
Who Stars in Salted Fish Ascension?
The officially announced cast includes:
- Dylan Wang (王鹤棣) as Song Qianji (宋潜机)
- Li Qin (李沁) — Special lead billing
- Rong Zishan (荣梓杉)
- Wang Duo (汪铎)
- Zhang Yaqin (张雅钦)
- Xia Meng (夏梦)
- Tong Mengshi (佟梦实)
- Wu Xize (吴希泽)
- Ye Shengjia (叶盛佳)
The production features an ensemble of characters whose relationships with Song Qianji help shape his second journey through the cultivation world.
Detailed character dynamics, romantic pairings, and individual storylines should be verified once the series begins airing.
Who Is Behind the Production?
Salted Fish Ascension is adapted from the online novel 咸鱼飞升 by Chong Guan An Du (重关暗度), originally published through Jinjiang Literature City.
The officially announced creative team includes:
- Chief director: Ding Hei (丁黑)
- Directors: Fu Cexin (符策欣) and Zheng Junmo (郑君墨)
- Screenwriter: Rao Jun (饶俊)
- Chinese distribution: Hunan TV and MangoTV
The adaptation brings a fantasy cultivation story with an unconventional protagonist to a full-length television format.
Its combination of rebirth, supernatural abilities, sect conflicts, comedy, and found companionship gives the production considerable storytelling possibilities.
The challenge will be keeping those elements balanced.
A good cultivation drama needs more than elaborate special effects and powerful characters. It also needs a reason for viewers to care about what happens to them.
The First Official Trailer Is Already Out
The production released its first official trailer on May 28, 2026, as part of Mango's spring–summer programming presentation.
The promotional material introduces Song Qianji's unusual approach to cultivation and highlights the contrast between his laid-back attitude and extraordinary abilities.
Rather than presenting him as an endlessly serious immortal hero, the trailer emphasizes the humor of someone who would prefer growing crops to chasing power.
Dylan Wang's character also appears alongside other cultivators, suggesting that his plans for a quiet second life will become increasingly complicated.
The trailer establishes the drama's general tone, but it does not confirm the ending, final romantic relationships, or the outcome of the central conflicts.
When Will Salted Fish Ascension Premiere?
Salted Fish Ascension is part of MangoTV's 2026 drama lineup.
There have been reports suggesting a possible late-October release, but an exact premiere date has not been officially confirmed as of October 21, 2026.
MangoTV's official series page currently lists 40 episodes and remains in its upcoming-programming section.
Until the broadcaster releases a final broadcast calendar, any specific date circulating online should be treated as tentative.
We'll update this article when Hunan TV or MangoTV announces the confirmed premiere date.
Where Can You Watch Salted Fish Ascension?
The officially announced Chinese broadcast platforms are:
- Hunan TV: Television distribution.
- MangoTV: Online streaming.
Official MangoTV series page:
https://www.mgtv.com/h/755817.html
International distribution, actual U.S. playback, and English-subtitle availability have not yet been independently confirmed.
Viewers outside China should wait for an official regional announcement rather than assume the domestic premiere will be available worldwide.
Is Salted Fish Ascension a Romance Drama?
This is where expectations need a little adjustment.
Although Dylan Wang and Li Qin headline the series, the official synopsis emphasizes cultivation, rebirth, friendship, responsibility, and an unconventional approach to immortality.
A central romantic relationship has not been established as the primary focus of the television adaptation.
That doesn't mean romance is impossible.
It simply means there's not enough verified information to promise that viewers will get a major romantic storyline, frequent kissing scenes, or a traditional main-couple relationship arc.
For anyone coming directly from Love Between Fairy and Devil, that's an important distinction.
Dylan Wang may be returning to fantasy, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's returning to the same kind of romance.
Does Salted Fish Ascension Have a Happy Ending?
The television adaptation has not finished airing, so its ending cannot currently be verified.
The production's promotional material indicates that Song Qianji and his companions become involved in larger conflicts and eventually take on significant responsibilities.
However, those descriptions do not establish the final outcome of the story.
They also do not confirm whether there is a central romantic couple, when any relationship becomes official, or whether a romantic happy ending occurs.
Even if the source novel provides clues, the television adaptation may change important details.
For now, the happy-ending classification and relationship milestones remain unverified.
My First Impression: I'm Curious About This One
Dylan Wang returning to a fantasy drama is already enough to get my attention.
But what makes Salted Fish Ascension interesting is the character he's playing.
Song Qianji isn't desperate to become stronger. He's already seen what happens when ambition consumes a person's life, and he's decided that growing potatoes sounds like a much better use of his time.
I can't entirely disagree.
I also appreciate that the story appears willing to poke fun at the usual cultivation-drama formula.
Still, I have a few reservations.
Forty episodes is a considerable commitment, particularly if the drama focuses heavily on sect politics, cultivation conflicts, and a large supporting ensemble.
And while I enjoy fantasy adventures, I generally prefer a strong central romance with meaningful emotional development.
If Salted Fish Ascension spends most of its time on cultivation and comedy, it may appeal more to viewers who enjoy fantasy adventures than those specifically looking for a romance.
But I'm keeping an open mind.
Dylan Wang has already shown that he can make a powerful fantasy character memorable. This time, it'll be interesting to see what happens when his character wants nothing more than to be left alone.
Salted Fish Ascension (咸鱼飞升) is expected in 2026 on Hunan TV and MangoTV. An exact premiere date has not yet been officially confirmed.
And if Song Qianji really manages to escape cultivation politics and live peacefully on his farm?
That might be the most unexpected fantasy ending of all.