Released in 2016, L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹) represents a significant, albeit polarizing, milestone in Chinese cinema as the country's first fully CGI-animated feature film. Directed by Jingming Guo and based on his own fantasy novels, the film attempts to create a sprawling epic of sorcery and political intrigue, though it faced criticism for its uncanny valley visual style and dense, often confusing mythology.
The story unfolds on the mythical Odin Mainland, divided into four counties governed by the elements of water, fire, wind, and earth. The narrative focuses on the Aslan Empire (Water County), where the ruling "Silver Priests" oversee a hierarchy of seven powerful soul masters known as "Noble Lords," each paired with a dedicated "Disciple". The protagonist, Qi Ling (played by Cheney Chen), is an unassuming inn worker who is suddenly chosen as the Seventh Disciple to the noble Yin Chen (Kris Wu). As Qi Ling navigates his new magical world, he is swept into a brewing "Upcoming Storm"—a complex web of conspiracies involving the search for the missing former First Lord, Gilgamesh, and the ruthless "Corroders" who seek to eliminate potential rivals. L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (2016) - Letterboxd