The wait is finally over for fans of the Grave Robbers’ Chronicles universe. Mystic Nine (2026), the sequel to the 2016 hit series, arrived on July 30, 2026, exclusively on Youku. The first four episodes are already available for streaming, and the show is rolling out new episodes daily.
The series brings back William Chan as Zhang Qishan, the military commander of Changsha and leader of the Nine Gates, after a decade-long gap. Set in the Republican era around 1933, the show follows the powerful Nine Gates families as they face new threats and unravel ancient mysteries.
If you are wondering when the next episode drops and how the release schedule works, here is everything you need to know.
Mystic Nine Release Schedule: Daily Episodes on Youku
The Mystic Nine 2026 series is available exclusively on Youku, and the release schedule follows a daily pattern. Here is how the episode rollout works:
- Express Pass subscribers can watch the first four episodes immediately.
- VIP subscribers get access to the first three episodes on launch day.
- After the premiere, two new episodes drop every day.
According to social media updates, the airing schedule follows Beijing time at 12:00 PM. The release pattern for the first few days is:
- July 30: SVIP gets episodes 1-4, Membership gets episodes 1-3.
- July 31: SVIP gets episodes 5-6, Membership gets episodes 4-5.
- August 1: SVIP gets episodes 7-8, Membership gets episodes 6-7.
- August 2: SVIP gets episodes 9-10, Membership gets episodes 8-9.
A subscription plan is required to watch the series. You can download the Youku app through the App Store or Google Play, or visit youku.tv on your PC.
What Is Mystic Nine About? Plot and Storyline
The story of Mystic Nine takes place in Changsha during the Republican era. The Nine Gates, a group of nine powerful families, control much of the city’s underground world, including tomb raiding and antique trading. While each family has their own goals, they work together to maintain a balance of power.
Everything changes when a strange train arrives at Changsha railway station filled with dead bodies and mysterious coffins. This event sets off a chain of events that pulls the Nine Gates into a dangerous new quest.
The main plot revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the 401st Unit, a group of about one hundred people linked to the Zhang family. They vanished without a trace during a mission in western Hunan, leaving behind only a strange symbol pointing toward a mysterious place known as the World-Parting Tower, also called the Interdimensional Tower or Geshi Tower.
Zhang Qishan gathers the other key figures of the Nine Gates to investigate. As they enter the World-Parting Tower, they encounter:
- Supernatural phenomena
- Unexplained distortions of time and space
- Long-hidden secrets buried for centuries
The team also faces rival groups and factions who have their own plans for the tower, making their mission even more challenging. They must deal with both human enemies and unknown dangers hidden within the ancient structure.
Mystic Nine Cast: William Chan Leads the Nine Gates
The cast of Mystic Nine brings together popular Chinese actors, with William Chan returning to his iconic role.
Main Cast
- William Chan as Zhang Qishan: The military commander of Changsha and leader of the Nine Gates. He is the central figure who leads the investigation into the disappearance of the 401st Unit.
- Joseph Zeng (Zeng Shunxi) as Wu Laogou: The fifth master of the Nine Gates and the grandfather of Wu Xie, the main character from The Lost Tomb franchise. He is smart, resourceful, and an expert tracker and dog handler.
- Chen Yao (Sebrina Chen) as Huo Xiangu: The only female leader among the Nine Gates and the seventh master. She is intelligent, fearless, and highly skilled in strategy and ancient mechanisms.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes members of the legendary Nine Gates families:
- Jeremy Tsui (Xu Zhengxi)
- Ashton Chen (Shi Xiaolong)
- Ying Haoming
- Li Naiwen
Production Team
The series is executive produced by Nanpai Sanshu, the original author of the Daomu Biji (The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles) novels. It is directed by Bai Shan, known for his work on Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty. The production is a collaboration between Youku and Quantum Entertainment.
Mystic Nine Episode Count and Where to Watch
How Many Episodes Does Mystic Nine Have?
The 2026 series consists of 30 episodes. The show falls under the action, adventure, and drama genres.
Where to Watch Mystic Nine
Mystic Nine is available exclusively on Youku. The platform offers two subscription tiers:
- VIP: Provides access to episodes with a standard schedule
- Express Pass (SVIP): Allows access to more episodes earlier than the VIP plan
You can access Youku through:
- The App Store (iOS)
- Google Play (Android)
- The website at youku.tv
International Availability
The series is available for international audiences starting July 31, 2026. This wider release gives global fans of The Mystic Nine universe access to the show.
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Connection to The Mystic Nine and The Lost Tomb Universe
Mystic Nine (2026) serves as both a sequel to the 2016 series The Mystic Nine and an important chapter connecting the stories of The Mystic Nine and The Lost Tomb universe.
The original The Mystic Nine aired in 2016 on Dragon TV and iQiyi, running from July 4 to October 17, with 48 episodes. It was a commercial success in China, becoming one of the most watched Chinese dramas with over 12 billion total views.
The 2026 series returns to the world of Old Nine Gates (Lao Jiu Men) with a larger production scale, featuring more action sequences, archaeological mysteries, and political intrigue. The show explores the same Republican-era setting and continues the legacy of the nine grave-robbing families.
For fans of the franchise, the return of William Chan as Zhang Qishan after ten years is a major highlight. The series also introduces Joseph Zeng as Wu Laogou, connecting the story to the broader Daomu Biji universe, as Wu Laogou is the grandfather of Wu Xie, the protagonist of The Lost Tomb.
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