The Eight (2020)

Although the setting is different, with one being in ancient times and the other in a Republican era, the many sects vying for power all being manipulated by someone, and the ML has to find out who is the master mind.

- intelligently, well written mystery dramas (although I find the Joy of Life dialogue more humorous)
- each character lives and dies with purpose and the story is ended neatly
- involving the jianghu underworld
- main character does not desire power, is upright and loyal to his comrades, displays excellent character growth throughout the drama

Both have quests to complete
Both female lead are always backing up the main male
Lead
Both had a team to to work with them
Both have good martial arts action
Both have a close personality as vilain
The only difference is The Eight has a happy ending compared to Martial Universe

Both have a nice team work among the heroes
Both have a common member as vilain
Both have a very supportive and brave female lead
If you enjoyed the quest mission in The Eight ,you will like Maiden Holmes

Both dramas are wuxia, though set in a different times. When I began watching SSOFV it made me think of the eight. I find that the leads and supporting cast have a similar dynamic. Both dramas are fairly dark and the male lead does suffer a lot. Both male leads seek justice and have a strong sense of right and wrong. If you liked one then you will like the other one.

Ou Hou is the ML in the Eight, a republican drama about a fresh graduate who finds himself entangled in the affairs of a guild that represents eight professions (spies, sages, mechanics, deceivers, thieves, assassins, poisoners and entertainers). This drama showed off Ou Hou's versatility. If you liked him in Lover or Stranger, give the Eight a go!