P12345 a month ago
Okay everyone bear with me because this is going to be a long post.
The Daomu Biji (盗墓笔记 / Grave Robbers’ Chronicles / The Lost Tomb) universe is massive — spanning multiple books, adaptations, and spin-offs.
Different studios adapted different volumes of the novels, often out of order and with overlapping content, so the release order, book order, and chronological order are all different.
This guide fixes that — showing the true story order (how events happen in Wu Xie’s life), while also clarifying which novels each drama draws from and why kisskh’s adaptation numbers can be misleading.
1. The Mystic Nine (2016)
Setting: Republican-era prequel.
Plot: Explores the origins of the Nine Families and the roots of the tomb-raiding world.
Adapted from: Prequel stories before Book 1.
Notes: Wu Xie isn’t born yet, but this series sets up the lore, the families, and the events that echo throughout the entire universe.
2. The Lost Tomb (2015)
Setting: Modern day; Wu Xie’s first major adventure.
Plot: Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling, and Fatty Wang explore the Seven-Star Lu Palace tomb.
Adapted from: Book 1.
Notes: The beginning of the Iron Triangle’s story. Establishes their bond and introduces the dangers of the tomb-raiding world.
3. The Lost Tomb 2 (2019)
Setting: The Paracel Islands (Xisha).
Plot: The Iron Triangle investigates an underwater tomb hidden in a sunken ship.
Adapted from: Books 2–4 (mixed).
Notes: Features the underwater exploration arc. Sets up major mysteries connected to Wu Xie’s uncle and the earlier Mystic Nine expedition.
4. Ultimate Note (2020)
Setting: Continues from The Lost Tomb 2.
Plot: Wu Xie investigates his uncle’s past and the Mystic Nine’s expedition to Parcel Island, uncovering secrets behind the Xisha tomb.
Adapted from: Books 5–7.
Notes: Chronologically follows The Lost Tomb 2. Deepens the story of the Xisha arc and bridges to later adventures.
5. The Lost Tomb 2: Explore with the Note (2021)
(Also known as “Heavenly Palace on the Clouds”)
Setting: Changbai Mountains / Korean border.
Plot: Wu Xie and his team search for the Heavenly Palace — a mythical frozen tomb in the mountains.
Adapted from: Book 4.
Notes: Although based on an earlier novel, its events happen after Ultimate Note. It’s the glacial palace arc in the timeline.
6. Adventure Behind the Bronze Door (2023)
(Also known as “Tibetan Sea Flower”)
Setting: Post-Explore era.
Plot: Focuses on Zhang Qiling’s past, the Bronze Gate, and links the early stories to the later “Sand Sea” timeline.
Adapted from: Between main series and Sand Sea novels.
Notes: Takes place a few years after Explore with the Note, acting as a bridge between the old and new generations.
7. Tomb of the Sea / Sand Sea (2018)
Setting: Around a decade after the early tomb adventures.
Plot: A more mature Wu Xie mentors Li Cu while facing new mysteries in the desert.
Adapted from: Sand Sea / Tibetan Sea Flower novels.
Notes: Introduces a new protagonist but continues Wu Xie’s storyline as he nears middle age.
8. Reunion: The Sound of the Providence (2020–2021)
(Also known as “Restart / Reboot” saga)
Setting: Wu Xie’s later years.
Plot: The Iron Triangle reunites for one last major expedition, uncovering secrets buried for decades.
Adapted from: Restart / Reboot novels.
Notes: The final chapter of Wu Xie’s journey — emotional, mature, and brings closure to the DMBJ saga.
Many fans notice that kisskh shows:
The Lost Tomb 2 → adapted from novels 2, 3, 4
Ultimate Note → adapted from novels 5, 6, 7
The Lost Tomb 2: Explore with the Note → adapted from novel 4
That’s correct technically, but it causes confusion because adaptation ≠ chronological sequence.
Different studios took parts of various books and rearranged them for smoother TV storytelling.
The Lost Tomb 2 (2019)
Novel Sources: Volumes 2–4 of the Daomu Biji novels.
What the Drama Did:
Merged several book arcs into a single, cohesive storyline centered on an underwater tomb in the Parcel (Xisha) Islands.
Condensed events and combined key elements from multiple volumes.
Acts as the “Underwater Ship / Paracel Islands” arc in the timeline.
2. Ultimate Note (2020)
Novel Sources: Volumes 5–7.
What the Drama Did:
Continues directly after The Lost Tomb 2 in story chronology.
Focuses on Wu Xie’s investigation into the Mystic Nine’s past expedition to Parcel Island.
Deepens the mysteries from the underwater tomb arc, connecting to Wu Xie’s family history.
3. The Lost Tomb 2: Explore with the Note (2021)
(Also known as “Heavenly Palace on the Clouds”)
Novel Sources: Primarily Volume 4 (Changbai Mountain / Heavenly Palace arc).
What the Drama Did:
Adapted the Changbai Mountain expedition, where the Iron Triangle searches for the mythical Heavenly Palace amid glaciers and avalanches.
Though it’s based on an earlier book, the drama reorders it so that these events occur after Ultimate Note chronologically.
Serves as a bridge leading toward the Bronze Door storyline.
The True Story Flow-
1️⃣ The Mystic Nine — sets the stage (past).
2️⃣ The Lost Tomb — Wu Xie’s first adventure.
3️⃣ The Lost Tomb 2 — underwater tomb in Parcel Islands.
4️⃣ Ultimate Note — investigates the Parcel Island expedition.
5️⃣ Explore with the Note — glacial tomb / Changbai Palace.
6️⃣ Adventure Behind the Bronze Door — bridges to later era.
7️⃣ Tomb of the Sea — older Wu Xie mentoring Li Cu.
8️⃣ Reunion: The Sound of the Providence — Wu Xie’s final chapter.
