Love beyond the Grave

The Rise and Fall of My Expectations

I picked up Love Beyond the Grave out of pure curiosity rather than genuine interest in its premise. The pairing of Dilraba Dilmurat and Chen Fei Yu sounded intriguing on paper, almost like a “what if” experiment you don’t quite trust but still want to see unfold. The story introduces us to He Si Mu, a sovereign Ghost King who has lived through centuries, and Duan Xu, a young general whose presence immediately feels suspicious. Their initial encounters carry a quiet tension, like a chess match where both players are pretending not to know the rules. There is curiosity, restraint, and a hint of danger. For a moment, it feels like the drama knows exactly what it is doing.

Unfortunately, that sense of intrigue fades too quickly. The mystery surrounding both characters is revealed early on, cutting off what could have been the drama’s strongest hook. Once the “who are you really” question is answered, the story struggles to replace it with anything equally compelling. What follows is a sequence of events that feels oddly stitched together: mortal world meetings, battlefield clashes, a detour into the void, separations, reunions, and then more separations for good measure. It reads like a grand epic on paper, but in execution, it lacks emotional weight. I kept waiting for a moment that would anchor me, but it never quite arrived.

One of the more unique elements is Si Mu’s inability to experience human senses and her reliance on Duan Xu to “borrow” them. The early arc where she experiences touch is genuinely charming. There is a childlike wonder in the way she reacts, and it gives Dilraba room to show both elegance and vulnerability. But as the story moves on to other senses, the magic wears thin. The arcs become shorter, less impactful, and sometimes feel like filler. The logic also raises questions. For someone who has never smelled anything, Si Mu somehow identifies scents with surprising confidence. And when Duan Xu loses a sense temporarily, the rules seem flexible at best. It is one of those “don’t think too hard” situations, except the drama quietly invites you to think about it anyway.

The worldbuilding adds another layer of confusion. Spirits, demons, and supernatural events appear frequently in the mortal realm, yet the humans barely react. It creates a strange disconnect, like watching a fantasy unfold in a world that refuses to acknowledge it. I kept wondering if I had missed an explanation somewhere, but the drama never really addresses it. Instead, it moves forward as if everything makes perfect sense.

If there is one aspect that genuinely impressed me, it is the early battle sequences. After the rather underwhelming action in Pursuit of Jade, this drama delivers a battlefield that feels alive. The scale, the smoke, the chaos, even the background soldiers all contribute to a sense of realism that is rarely seen. Chen Fei Yu shines the most in these moments. He throws himself into the action without hesitation, unafraid to look battered and raw. There is a particular infiltration scene that stands out as one of his best moments in the drama. Ironically, as the story shifts its focus toward romance, this sharp and compelling side of his character slowly fades.

Duan Xu as a character suffers from inconsistent writing. He starts off as a cautious and capable general, someone grounded by duty and suspicion. Then, almost overnight, he transforms into a lovestruck figure whose decisions revolve entirely around Si Mu. His transition feels abrupt, like a switch flipped without warning. The drama tries to sell his devotion as romantic, but it often comes across as excessive and, at times, awkward. It does not help that his role as a general becomes increasingly sidelined, stripping away the authority and presence he initially had.

He Si Mu, on the other hand, remains one of the more consistent characters. She carries herself with quiet authority, balancing power with an undercurrent of loneliness. Dilraba portrays her with a convincing mix of restraint and curiosity, especially during moments where Si Mu experiences the world in new ways. Visually, she fits the role of a ghostly sovereign almost too well. There is an ethereal quality to her presence that makes her feel distant, almost untouchable. Ironically, this works against the central romance. When paired with Chen Fei Yu, the gap between them feels more pronounced, not just in characterization but in overall aura. It becomes difficult to see them as equals within the same emotional space.

Chemistry is, unfortunately, another weak point. Despite the narrative insisting on their deep bond, I struggled to feel it. Their interactions often lean into forced intimacy rather than something that grows naturally. Oddly enough, Si Mu’s brief dynamic with Xue Chen Ying, played by Fu Bo Han, feels more genuine. There is a warmth and simplicity in those moments that the main pairing never quite achieves.

Then there is Yan Ke, played by Wei Zhe Ming, who initially steals the spotlight. His introduction is magnetic, with a commanding presence that perfectly complements his role as Si Mu’s right hand. The way he looks at her says everything without needing dialogue, and for a while, it feels like the drama is quietly setting up something more compelling than the main romance. But as the story progresses, his character leans heavily into obsessive territory, losing the balance that made him interesting in the first place.

Visually, the drama is a mixed experience. It leans into a gothic, eerie aesthetic that suits its premise, and some elements, like the void, look surprisingly majestic. The battlefield effects are particularly well done. However, other CGI moments feel dated and overly noticeable, pulling you out of the immersion. The purple jellyfish-like creatures, while unique, end up being more distracting than meaningful.

The music follows a similar pattern. The opening feels underwhelming, lacking a strong identity, while the ending themes and OSTs are far more memorable. They do a good job of enhancing the mood, even when the story itself falls short.

By the time I reached the end, the outcome felt predictable. Given the title alone, a fully happy ending would have been wishful thinking. Still, knowing what to expect does not necessarily make the journey more satisfying. In this case, it simply reinforces the sense that the story was always heading somewhere I was not emotionally invested in.

In the end, Love Beyond the Grave became one of those dramas I finished out of obligation rather than enjoyment. It has moments of brilliance, particularly in its action and initial character setups, but they are overshadowed by inconsistent writing, weak emotional grounding, and a romance that never quite convinces. I stayed until the final episode, though I am still not entirely sure why.

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Captivating storyline

This is the first 40-episode drama that finished so fast—a very captivating storyline. The plot grew and developed with each episode. There was suspense and action as well as passion, desire, and love... Both actors showed great chemistry. Dilraba executed this role outstandingly and portrayed her character well. Another actor who benefited on Dilraba's behalf. Chen Feiyu was overshadowed by the 2023 scandal and faced criticism for his poor acting (being too stiff, etc.)... but now, look at him. Dilraba is professional enough to bring the best of co-actors - she indeed is a remarkable actress, so blessed and down-to-earth that girl is.

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Truly love beyond the grave... Also the best xianxia/xianhuan drama

I've watched countless c-dramas and xianxias, and Love Beyond the Grave is extremely immersive and unique; different from all I've watched. This drama unveils its eery and mystique vibes in a deep, unique and artistic way that naturally immerse and draws us viewers in. The pacing of the story steadily builds momentum; layering dimensions of love, sadness, grief and all different type of emotions. From the start till the end, each and every episodes were well-written with no filler plots or characters and I never felt bored for a second while watching this drama.

The soul of this drama is He Simu, the most powerful 400 yr old Sovereign of the Spirits among all the past generations, yet she lacks the five senses of a mortal and is emotionally restrained, and the heart of this drama Duan Xu, a young handsome skilled general who's widely known for being brutal while fighting and bears hidden secrets from his past. He is unlike any other mortal and owns the Deliverance Sword, and is the spell bearer of He Simu; the chosen one. They share their connections through exchanging their five senses adding dimensions to the story, What makes their story so compelling is their unique bond through the exchange of the five senses. Through him, He Simu begins to truly experience life; through her, Duan Xu, whose world has long been defined by bloodshed and survival, discovers care, warmth, and love. Their connection is never loud or declared— it exists in instinct, in quiet understanding, in the way they sense each other’s presence and sacrifice without hesitation. It feels like an invisible thread is linking them. What lingers most is the bittersweet ache beneath their happiest moments; a constant sense of longing, as though love and loss exist side by side. And those tender moments got me completely clinging onto every shared glance, every quiet exchange, every fleeting second of happiness because their joy always seemed touched by something temporary, as if it could slip away the moment you reached for it. That fragility is what makes their love so affecting; it is steadfast and deeply devoted, yet always shadowed by the awareness of how easily it could be lost. I love how their story is not defined by romance alone. They are equally compelling; each carrying their own wounds, strengths, and quiet vulnerabilities that make their journeys resonate far beyond their bond with one another. Dilraba and Chein Feiyu bring these emotions to life with such restraint and depth. They do not need grand declarations to make you feel the weight of longing or the ache of gratitude for borrowed moments. It is there in their eyes, in the stillness between words, in the subtle changes of expression that reveal everything left unsaid. They capture that ephemeral beauty of loving something while knowing it may not last—and it is precisely this quiet, aching honesty that makes their performances so deeply moving.every shared moments between them because of how ephemeral and fragile their love and happiness feels. That emotional undercurrent is what makes their romance so captivating and sets this drama apart from countless xianxia and xianhuan stories. Their chemistry is intense yet effortless, and both leads fully embody their roles. Together, they create a love story that feels rare—tender, tragic, and profoundly moving.

The visuals of this drama are over the top. The cinematography, costumes, makeup, camerawork, settings, etc, everything is just beautiful and alluring. The compositions and dynamics between the Mortal realm and the Void realm are well-done. In the Mortal realm, everything was much more vibrant and warm whereas in the Void Realm, everything was just lifeless, cold, eery and toned down. The action scenes from this drama is probably the best I've watched in c-dramas. It was all throughly strategized, everyone was bloody, you could see the tiredness, lifelessness, madness, and pure rage all altered and layered in the eyes and faces of the soldiers and Duan Xu. The OST of the dramas all fit the occasions and scenarios happening and it was just perfect. It's rare to see a drama where it's perfect in all aspects these days however, Love Beyond the grave says otherwise. The ost Above all Spirits by Huang Xiaoyun deeply touches and shatters me the most. I personally feel like breaking down and crying whenever the song plays. The performances are what really brings everything together.

The supporting characters such as Jiang Ai and Yan Ke did a great job in contributing to the story. Jiang Ai was like a mother/elder figure for Simu and the only one in the Void Realm who truly understands Simu and is by her side. While Yanke on the other hand is obsessed with power and authority and mistakes his possessiveness as love for Simu.
I really loved Chenying as well. Chenying was the brother Simu never had and also contributed to helping Simu live life along with Foxy Duan.

By the final episodes, the story got deeper and hundreds of emotions starts flooding in. The ending is one of its strongest settlements. It carries both sweetness and sorrow in equal measure, leaving behind an ache that feels meaningful rather than incomplete. There is a sense of fulfillment in the way it closes, as though the story reaches exactly where it was always meant to; completion and rebirth.

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama and its hands down the best xianxia/xianhuan drama I've ever watched.

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The Extra Episode Changed Everything

I’m honestly so happy I found out about the extra episode because the official ending completely pissed me off at first. Even though the drama was such a beautiful journey from beginning to end, that traumatic ending really would’ve ruined the mood for me and probably made this a one-time watch only.

After getting so emotionally attached to He Simu and Duan Xu, seeing everything end in such a painful way felt unfair, especially after all the growth, emotions, and beautiful moments they shared together. Their relationship felt so genuine and emotional that I just wanted proper closure for them.

Thankfully, the extra episode completely changed my feelings about the drama. It gave back the warmth and happiness that was missing from the official ending and finally made the whole journey feel complete. Now instead of remembering only the pain, I can remember how beautiful He Simu and Duan Xu’s story truly was.

Their chemistry, emotional connection, and the way they slowly became each other’s comfort made them one of the most memorable couples I’ve watched in a long time. I’m genuinely going to miss seeing them on screen together. 🥹♥️

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He Simu Finally Found Her Little Fox

Just finished another long-awaited series! I gotta say it’s absolutely perfect! Giving it a solid 10/10 – no plot holes or disappointments at all. The story is great, fun in every single episode, every character has real depth and dimension, and no one is left behind. Most importantly, the main couple loves each other with all their hearts – no one can come between them.

He Simu has instantly become my all-time favorite character. She’s strong, intelligent, powerful, yet incredibly lonely. Dilraba portrayed her so perfectly that there wasn’t a single scene where she didn’t nail it. She made me believe wholeheartedly that this is the He Simu who truly deserves to be protected.

As for Duan Xu, Chen Feiyu played the young general and “little fox” so flawlessly and adorably. I honestly fell completely in love with this character. Thank you, little fox Duan, for turning He Simu’s world from boring and lonely into one that’s full of warmth and love.

Overall, Dilraba and Chen Feiyu have incredible chemistry — they make a perfect pair. Their deep and tender love makes the whole story even more captivating! If you haven’t watched Love Beyond the Grave yet, I highly recommend it. It’s totally worth it.

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MY REVIEW.---

# The Story-
## What I liked-
1. The "Void" and the spirit world are visually breathtaking. The concept of an immortal Spirit Lord who lives in gray/black/white until she borrows a mortal’s senses is a brilliant metaphor for how love "colors" our world.
2. I loved the early episodes where it was a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. Having a female lead who is objectively more powerful than the male lead—and stays that way—is refreshing.
3. The drama excelled at showing, not just telling, the intimacy of the five senses. The way she experiences "touch" or "smell" for the first time felt incredibly visceral and high-stakes.
##What I didn't like-
1. Around the mid-point, the story shifts from a clever supernatural thriller to a "martyrdom contest." The internal logic breaks: if Duan Xu is a brilliant general, his decision to trade his life for a few days of her "happiness" feels like a tactical failure rather than a romantic win.
2. The Deliverance Sword Building it up as a 300-year-old legendary weapon only for it to be a glorified flashlight is a major writing flaw.
3. The transition from the gritty war-torn mortal world to the "shopping and fun" arc in Youzhou felt like watching two different dramas. It lost the urgency that the first 10 episodes worked so hard to build.

# He Simu-
## What I Liked-
1. She truly feels like a 400-year-old being. Her initial coldness isn't "mean"—it's the result of centuries of sensory deprivation.
2. Her transformation into a "happy puppy" when she finally tastes or feels something is the emotional heart of the show. It makes her vulnerability feel earned.
3. Even when she loves him, she remains the Sovereign. She doesn't suddenly become "weak" just because she has a boyfriend.
## What I Didn’t Like-
1. In later episodes, she fluctuates between being a cold, calculating leader and a worried girl. The transition between these two "modes" isn't always smooth, making her feel slightly out of character during the climax.
2. Her decision to erase his memories to "protect" him is a tired trope that undermines the growth they shared. It felt like a forced way to create drama rather than a logical choice for a wise Spirit Lord.

# Duan Xu-
## What I Liked-
1. In the beginning, he wasn't just a "fighter." He was a strategist who used his wits to stay alive in He Simu’s presence.
2. Beyond the visuals, his vulnerability when injured allowed for a more intimate, quiet chemistry that didn't rely on flashy magic.
3. His background as an "impostor" and his complex identity added layers of mystery that made him more than just a standard hero.
## What I Didn’t Like-
1. As a viewer, it’s hard to root for a character who keeps throwing himself into the fire. His "borrowing senses" knowing it kills him makes the romance feel heavy and stressful rather than beautiful.
2. For a legendary general, he spends a lot of time being fainted, cursed, or rescued. It weakens the "power couple" dynamic when one partner is constantly on a hospital bed.

# Conclusion
8/10. It is a visual and emotional feast, but the narrative bones are a bit brittle. It relies too much on the chemistry of the leads to cover up for a magic system that changes its rules whenever the plot needs a tear-jerker moment. It’s a great "watch-once" experience, but the plot holes make it hard to call a "masterpiece."

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Breathtaking Visuals, Superb Acting, & Extremely Disjointed Plot

Love Beyond the Grave is a romantic drama that follows a powerful ghost sovereign He Simu (Dilraba Dilmurat) and a young mortal general Duan Xu (Arthur Chen) as they work to maintain peace between the mortal and spirit realms while a slow, impossible romance unfolds between them.

If you decide to watch this drama, don't set any expectations just because two big names that have been in a variety of successful romance dramas are attached to it. Love Beyond the Grave is a very different C-drama experience unlike any other romantic drama you've seen. Unfortunately, despite the absolutely stunning cinematography and very good acting, the disjointed plot ruined it for me. No, this isn't a horrible drama — I've definitely seen worse ones that I dropped. I did power through to the end, but for about two-thirds of it (last two-thirds no less), I kept asking myself why it was taking so long to get to the point and when it was going to end. So as far as the enjoyment and entertainment factor go, this drama was absolutely underwhelming.

Now that I've shared my personal experience, let me expand on why you might still want to watch this — and why it may not be for you.

The Pros

First and foremost, Love Beyond the Grave has the best cinematography and the best CGI I've seen in a Chinese drama so far. It beats everything else. All the fantasy elements are extremely nuanced — color, graphics, composition. The camera work, the slow-motion sequences, the music, and the visuals come together to bring you a one-of-a-kind experience. If you appreciate good cinematography (like in The Double) and scene composition, you will genuinely enjoy this.

The acting, including the child actors, is amazing. I have absolutely no complaints.

The Lead Pairing

I see a lot of criticism about Arthur and Dilraba giving off "aunt-nephew vibes." That's absolutely not true. I think some viewers simply forget that it's intentional for her to read as older than him — she is literally four hundred years older. He is young, ambitious, and full of life, and I had no problems with their pairing at all. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this criticism of age gaps between actors when the woman is older in real life needs to stop. Women have been judged and stigmatized for centuries, and for some reason their entire identity gets tied to their age. Dilraba is a talented actress who absolutely inhabited the role of He Simu. She showcased her range immensely as we follow her character from the cold, unfeeling, and calculating figure at the beginning to her devastating breakdown in the final episode. It's a stellar performance.

Arthur Chen is a great fit for Duan Xu. He has the youthful energy, but as an actor, he doesn't fit the typical mold of popular C-drama actors with an insane face card. He has this mature and masculine energy about him that allows him to embody the role of an army general convincingly. As far as chemistry between him and Dilraba goes, this is not a story that concentrates strongly on romance in the traditional sense with all the bells and whisles and crazy skinship, but the chemistry is there. It's executed really well in the scenes where both leads are present — I liked all of their interactions, all the tender moments and the way they were set up and excuted by the production team. I believe considering the actual age gap between the characters in the story and the difference between their life experiences, these two actors were very well matched in this drama to represent what needed to be conveyed on the screen.

The Plot Problem

Now…the biggest issue. The plot and how different storylines are presented absolutely did not work. I don't know if it has anything to do with the source material, but rewriting source material to match what viewers expect on screen is never off the table. So here's what went wrong.

The pacing at the beginning was slow but done really well. There was a lot of focus on our lead couple during the first military campaign arc where we get to know our characters and learn Duan Xu's backstory. The story was developing in an engaging, eerie way — almost a noir feel to the entire picture. There was this dark on the current of suspense that transported me elsewhere, and I truly connected with it. Duan Xu's fighting scenes when he infiltrated the enemy camp were a visual feast. Arthur Chen did so well in them. Some of his scenes were extremely intense and were great to watch, which mistakenly set up certain expectations for me as to how the rest of the drama may unfold.

Then the second arc comes in, set in the Spirit Realm where he follows He Simu, and nothing happens. Absolutely nothing. Everything that occurred there could have been wrapped up in two to three episodes. It didn't need to drag on for ten. The characters didn't get quality interactions, we didn't see any real high stakes, and Duan Xu spent most of the arc in bed or walking around the realm and doing random things. It stretched on for multiple episodes until I started skipping. We had characters introduced who only lasted a few episodes and existed solely to be killed off — I did not understand why they needed that much screen time. That valuable screen time could have been given to the lead couple so we could experience more romantic situations between them.

Meanwhile, one of the most interesting supporting characters, our antagonist Yan Ke, was robbed of a proper backstory and story arc. Miles Wei was amazing as Yan Ke, but he was written as a villain for the sake of being a villain. We've had several really good villain origin stories in recent 2025 dramas (I still can’t get over how well Situ Ling was written), so I don't understand why Yan Ke had so much screen time but didn't even get a proper backstory. It was extremely disappointing. His character was flat and not even charming. You absolutely didn’t want to route for him or understand him.

Then in the second half, additional characters start popping up in the mortal world. We had an interesting storyline developing between Fang Xian Ye (Gao He Yuan) and Duan Xu's sister, only for it to end in the most underwhelming way. I understand why Fang Xian Ye sacrificed himself, but you just feel sorry for the man because he never had a chance — his entire life was reduced to dying for somebody after already doing so much for them. Then there's an emperor who shows up out of nowhere for a handful of scenes, and every single one of those scenes dragged on unnecessarily. I started questioning why we were suddenly deep in the mortal world politics without any fantasy elements. This drama started off as a fantasy drama very strongly, but then shifted to the mortal world and most fantasy elements just disappeared until the final few episodes. Essentially, I could not understand the direction of the drama. Was it going to stay a fantasy drama or was it going to become a court politics drama? It was neither. It kinda just wobbled unevenly through the poorly paced script. We also have too many episodes where our lead couple did their own separate things (that weren’t very interesting to watch) and had no screen time together at all.

Character Arcs and the Romance

Overall, the character arcs for most of the cast were flat, incomplete, and not woven into the story evenly. Poor Duan Xu also lost his steam as a character toward the end — nothing ever came of him owning the magical sword, and I'm not sure why that element was even introduced at the beginning. If this information was somewhere in the drama and I missed it, the writing wasn't good because the sword presence and a promise of Duan Xu becoming immortal just wasn't explained very well. Why was it mentioned at all? The one character who made complete sense was Xia Qing Sheng. He was saved by He Simu and ended up taking over her duties, which is a twist I did not expect but was totally fine with. It worked. The child actor who played his young-self was very good.

The romance itself starts off great, but the love story between our lead couple is sweet and slow and not overly exciting, especially later on. It's very different from a typical romantic drama. There's almost no comedic relief with the exception of a couple of scenes. The music sets the mood from the very beginning — it's dark and becomes foreboding toward the end, and you can tell something is going to happen. While some characters do survive and get a good ending, the ending for the lead couple is different. I wouldn't call it open because it's easy to guess what will probably happen in the future, but I still wish we could have had a glimpse of them together one screen one last time.

The Last Stretch

The last ten episodes are absolutely convoluted and they just keep dragging. There are a couple of exciting episodes toward the end, and the final episode will probably make you tear up. I enjoyed the wedding scene and everything that happened after—it made me fele things. But essentially, the biggest flaw with this drama is that the script was underdeveloped. It didn't develop supporting characters or supporting storylines well, the pacing was off, and there was a lot of foundation-building that led absolutely nowhere.

Final Verdict

My advice? You may enjoy Love Beyond the Grave if you haven't yet seen the top-tier romantic C-dramas, because this one lacks most of the classic elements of a typical romance. It could probably serve as a good entrance point into Asian dramas if you are just starting out and want to dip your toes into something. But you may not enjoy other fantasy dramas after this, because as I've mentioned, the CGI is superb here, so everything else that has heavy CGI you'll watch after this drama mught a disappointment. But if you’ve seen a lot of C-drama romance and are coming in expecting a swoony love story packed with romantic tension, this is not that. But if you want something visually stunning with strong performances, it might be worth your time. What works here is the cinematography, the graphics, the visual storytelling, and the acting — it is an absolute stunner to look at. What doesn't work is almost everything else underneath. So think for yourself and decide if you want to give it a try.

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A touching fantasy romance between the Ghost King and her little Fox General

As many others have mentioned, this drama is a hauntingly beautiful love story. It reminded me of some of my favourite K-dramas like Goblin and Hotel Del Luna, with even a touch of Harry Potter-like magic. At its core, it explores the timeless theme of love between an immortal and a mortal—so it’s no surprise that the story leans bittersweet.

Highlights

- The aesthetics and special effects—especially the transition between the mortal realm and the Void—were beautifully executed. The level of detail in the costumes was stunning. One standout moment for me was when Duan Xu visits the Void for the first time; it had a magical, almost Hogwarts-like atmosphere.
- Reba looked absolutely incredible. This might be one of her strongest roles to date, as her ethereal, untouchable presence perfectly suits a 400-year-old Ghost King. It was refreshing to see her take on a more layered and complex character.
- Chen Fei Yu also delivered a compelling performance as Duan Xu. Episode 8, in particular, really showcased his range—his ability to convey intense, almost hysterical emotion was impressive.
- The chemistry between the leads was undeniable. I’d love to see them reunite in a modern drama someday.
- The OST was solid throughout, especially the instrumental themes used for character introductions. Moments like He Si Mu and Yan Ke’s entrances felt especially grand and memorable. The music really amplified the drama’s haunting, magical tone.
- From what I’ve heard, the adaptation stays fairly faithful to the original novel, which is always a plus. It’s clear that care was taken to preserve key elements of the source material.

Lows

- There were a few stretches where the pacing slowed and the story drifted from the main plot. If you’re watching primarily for the romance, it’s still enjoyable—but some tighter editing would have helped.
- While the costumes were gorgeous overall, some of the wigs and oversized headpieces were a bit distracting (a minor issue, though).
- The ending felt slightly disjointed. Combining episode 40 with the extra episode might have made for a more cohesive conclusion. It seems like they were aiming to offer two alternate endings—one more bittersweet and grounded, the latter closer to the novel’s resolution. While both have their merits, committing to a single, well-developed ending might have been more impactful. Although, both can technically be interpreted as 'happy' endings - with Duan Xu accompanying Simu as a spirit (with hope that he will take his real form one day) or Simu living her life as a mortal with Duan Xu.
- Not much of a con but I will say they really dragged things out in the last few episodes - it was painful! Not because it was bad, but because it was sad. I took my sweet time to get through them. But that's the price you pay when you watch this genre (you cannot help but root for the couple even when you know the inevitable will happen)

Overall, this was an easy and enjoyable watch. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance with a melancholic edge, it’s definitely worth checking out.

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A Lifetime of Obsession and Yearning

He Simu is a 400yo sovereign of the Spirit Realm, holding the ultimate power against all the other spirits for the past 300years, and is on vacation in the mortal realm when she chanced upon Duan Xu, an eccentric scholar of the court who was punished to lead the army at the border which was thought by other ministers to be a death sentence for him. But to everyone’s surprise, he managed to excel in this military endeavour and went on to reclaim cities after cities that were previously conquered by the neighbouring kingdom, North Chong. He Simu, seeing the young general wielding the Breaking Delusion Sword forged by her aunt 300 years ago, immediately set her eyes on him, curious on why the sword had acknowledged a mortal as its master, especially when it also means that he could be her spell bearer whom could lend his five senses that she was deprived of as somebody who was born as a spirit right from the getgo, not just somebody who turned into a spirit upon death like the rest of the spirits in her realm. As she posed as the mortal He Xiaoxiao with an adopted brother Chen Ying whom she picked up along the way, she managed to get closer to the general and learnt that there was so much more to the general than what meets the eye.

These two main characters are really unique, one a born spirit that had never been indulged by senses that we humans usually never notice - the sense of touch, taste, smell, sight (as in seeing colours) and hearing music. While the other was a human who had been left to survive on his own in sweat, blood and grit from a very young age despite coming from an aristocrat family revered in court, due to being kidnapped by the enemy state and turned into an assassin. One grew up filled with love and contentment only to meet with disaster upon her parents’ demise, turning her into a stone-cold, disconnected and ruthless Spirit Lord, while the other grew up in pain and misery, only to find love and contentment when he met the arrogant and mindless Spirit Lord. They both felt alive when they met each other, although they could not hide from the fact that that it was indeed a forbidden relationship that could ruin the both of them.

What I liked about the characters here is both FL and ML never expected to be rescued by each other in their respective fights, but somehow when they were in the verge of perishing for real, the other half would always come through, though FL didnt need any saving even when she was at her lowest. But most of the time, they held on their own and fought their own battles, which took a considerable amount of years of being apart from each other. I am also glad they did not water down the FL’s OG powers just so the mortal ML with no supernatural neili could shine by coming to her rescue, like in most typical love stories.

I commend the CGI team that managed to make all the special effects look seamless without looking out of place or cartoonish. The fights are excellent, they had good choreograph in that part too. The makeup department was great, they actually managed to make the ML look messy during and after battles, like real messy with blood and grit splashed over the face instead of full on flawless foundation. 🫣

For those who complains that the last 10 episodes to be draggy, well, i guess the screenwriter cant help it if they were to follow the novel, cuz it was written that way by the original author. They did spend years apart from each other during Yan Ke’s rebellion and the war with North Chong, although FL did share a more frequent sense-exchange with ML which contributed to his worsened health that the FL realized only too late.

I’m grateful that the adaptation managed to adhere to the novel’s plot pretty much to the T, without much deviation. And I especially liked how they improvised the novel’s ending into two parts, which was pretty neat.

I have to say this show is packed with excellent music scores, especially those for the spirit realm, they sounded eerie and mysterious which is most fitting for the occasion. There are quite a number of tracks that I would add to my running playlist. The Lantern Guide song had similar ring to What Defines Humanity from Whispers of Fate, although I wondered if the composer was the same person, it turned out the former was by Yang Bingyin while the latter was by Zeng Zilin. Both songs were a feast to my ears with its unique lyrics and music.

All in all, for somebody who has read the novel before watching the adaptation, this is definitely one of the better ones out there that managed to satisfy the novel’s reader by being faithful to it.

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