Episode 1 recap: The Iron Triangle was entrusted to search for the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror.
Archaeologist Professor Chen invited Hu Ba Yi and Wang Pangzi for a meal. They arrived at the designated location and saw wedding candies on the table. Thinking that Professor Chen had invited them to discuss Hu Ba Yi's marriage to Sherry Yang, Wang Pangzi took the initiative and, on behalf of Hu Ba Yi's family, readily agreed when Professor Chen mentioned having something to ask of them. However, they were taken by surprise when Professor Chen revealed that what he wanted was for them to search for the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror.
Legend has it that during the unification of the six states, Emperor Qin obtained many treasures, including a mirror that could reflect a person's bones and meridians. It was later known as the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror. Professor Chen had already discovered the whereabouts of the Bone Mirror. It was purchased by a wealthy merchant who intended to take it abroad but tragically perished at sea. The Bone Mirror sank to the depths along with the merchant. The place where the merchant met his demise is known as the Coral Spiral, where compasses malfunction due to the numerous shipwrecks, thus earning the name "Ship Graveyard."
Upon hearing Wang Pangzi's agreement, Professor Chen was overjoyed because he knew that only with the ancestral skills of Hu Ba Yi's family could they navigate without losing their way in the compass-distorted environment. Hu Ba Yi, dissatisfied with Wang Pangzi's impulsive response, gave him a disdainful look. Prior to this, Hu Ba Yi, Sherry Yang, and others had already decided to retire from archaeology. However, after listening to Professor Chen's story about the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror, Hu Ba Yi became interested in it and agreed to Professor Chen's request. He made one condition, though, which was to bring Sherry Yang along. As the three of them were known as the Iron Triangle in the field of archaeology, Sherry Yang couldn't refuse, considering Professor Chen's face.
After the banquet, as Hu Ba Yi and Sherry Yang were leaving the restaurant, they encountered Ming Shu, an old blind fortune-teller who could also calculate people's fates. Ming Shu predicted a dangerous outcome for Hu Ba Yi from the divination, indicating that there would be danger in the water. He warned Hu Ba Yi to be cautious since they would be diving underwater to search for treasures. Sherry Yang was about to scold Ming Shu for being a harbinger of misfortune, but when she turned around, Ming Shu had mysteriously disappeared, just as he always did.
To reach the Coral Spiral, one must first go to Coral Temple Island. Wang Pangzi, Hu Ba Yi, and Sherry Yang arrived at Coral Temple Island and first went to see the hairless deity, Jin Ye, asking him for some assistance. Upon realizing that Wang Pangzi knew nothing about the Coral Spiral, Jin Ye gave him a brief introduction. Regarding the shipwrecks, Jin Ye's knowledge was similar to Professor Chen's. When ships reach that area, not only does the compass malfunction, but the engines also tend to stall. Despite these dangers, people continue to go there one after another because of the giant clams that produce precious pearls. The term "collecting eggs" is a secret code among pearl divers, which actually means collecting pearls.
While strolling through the streets, Sherry Yang felt that Coral Temple Island was filled with a mysterious atmosphere. She noticed a witch with a paper doll beside her, which caught her attention. Seeing the cheap items the witch was selling, Sherry Yang casually picked up one and gave the witch one yuan. The witch thanked her and inexplicably added, "When the shadow covers the second step, danger will arrive."
Initially, Sherry Yang didn't pay much attention to the words of the witch, but she found the witch's expression somewhat unsettling and didn't dare to ask her for further explanation. Upon returning to their lodging, Sherry Yang saw Jin Ye still enthusiastically explaining the Ship Graveyard to Wang Pangzi and Hu Ba Yi. She started to regret involving Hu Ba Yi in this mess. In an attempt to comfort her, Hu Ba Yi deliberately said that he enjoys such adventures because they are thrilling for him. While speaking to Sherry Yang, Hu Ba Yi, like her, referred to his father as "Dad." Sherry Yang was in the process of correcting him when suddenly a terrifying sound reached their ears. At that moment, the sun was setting, and the shadow had just reached the second step.
1. Candle in the Tomb: After Hu Bayi retires from the military, he visits the Xinjiang Desert and becomes cursed, developing a red eye-shaped mark on his right shoulder.
2. Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Caverns: To lift the curse, the trio goes to Shaanxi and investigates Li Chunfeng's tomb beneath the Fishbone Temple for clues about the Mu Chen Pearl.
3. Candle in the Tomb: The Worm Valley: Guided by Chen Xiazi, they travel to Yunnan and explore the tomb of the Xian King to find the Mu Chen Pearl.
4. Candle in the Tomb: Kunlun Tomb: After returning from Yunnan, they must visit the demonic realm in Tibet, ultimately succeeding in breaking the curse.
Flashback 1: (After the curse is lifted, they plan to go to the United States, and a flashback of their youth as educated youth is shown with old photographs in "Candle in the Tomb: The Weasel Grave.")
5. Candle in the Tomb: South Sea Tomb: Invited by Professor Chen, they go to the South China Sea to salvage the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror.
Flashback 2: (After salvaging the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror, they return to Beijing and Chen Xiazi tells the story of their youth in "Candle in the Tomb: The Wrath of Time.")
6. Candle in the Tomb: Raiders of the Wu Gorge: During the salvage operation for the Qin Emperor's Bone Mirror, a woman named Duo Lin is injured.
To save her, they must obtain the Golden Elixir. Following Professor Sun's arrangement, they travel to the Wu Gorge in Sichuan and successfully break into the Celestial Immortal's Tomb. However, they fail to save the woman.
In the final chapters, the author extensively connects all eight works, depicting the relationships between characters and resolving various plotlines, including Zhang Sanlian's disciple and the origin of the Vajra Umbrella, providing a satisfying conclusion.
Here is a Chinese to English translation of drama titles and airtime:
精绝古城 Candle in the Tomb (2016)
黄皮子坟 Candle in the Tomb: The Weasel Grave (2017)
龙岭迷窟 Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Caverns (2020)
云南虫谷 Candle in the Tomb: The Worm Valley (2021)
怒晴湘西 Candle In The Tomb: The Wrath Of Time (2019)
昆仑神宫 Candle in the Tomb: Kunlun Tomb (2022)
南海归墟 Candle in the Tomb: South Sea Tomb (2023)
巫峡棺山 Candle in the Tomb: Raiders of the Wu Gorge (2025)