This is a drama to be watched for its unique storyline and for Xiao Zhan who reveals in here an amazing acting talent. There is no Wei Wu Xian without Xiao Zhan who brings to this character all his emotional strength and genuinity. This drama is very well filmed and actors are shown at their best. Undoubtelessly, this drama had to meet its fans. Characters and story are both captivating.
There are 2 parts in this drama which are quite unequal. Personnaly, I did find the first part really brilliant, original and catchy in getting to know the characters and their story. The main characters are so good and so many things happen to them. There are different clans with different aims and values, good ones and bad ones. You really get involved in the story, loving or disliking the different characters, feeling sorry, moved or angry with some of them.
I really appreciated interactions between Wei Wu Xian and his sister and brother. Alghough, Wei Wu Xian is an adopted child, his sister Jiang Shi ( Xuan Lu) is really the only one who fully understands him, trusts him and supports him whatever happens. Xuan Lu and Xiao Zhan have great chemestry and their scenes are one of the best of this drama. Jiang Shi is more than a sister, more than a mother to him, she really loves him and the feeling is shared, they are so protective to each other. This makes her sibling brother Jiang Cheng (Wang Zhou Cheng) a bit jealous because he would like to be the only one Wei Wu Xian would truely care for. So of course when Wei Wu Xian and Lan Zhan (Wang Yi Bo) become sworn brothers, Jiang Cheng will feel bad and cheated. Wei Wu Xian's character is sensitive, honest, caring but untamed. He wants to think out things by himself and mainly listen to its heart. He will sacrifice a lot for his brother (without this one knowing it) and this is the clue point that will lead Wei Wu Xian becoming Li Ying Demonic Patriarche, leaving his sword for the flute.
The first part of this drama really moves you and it's all terrific. Alghough you have plenty of nice and funny scenes, you also have terrible ones and finally it's quite sad in the end. Then comes the second part of the drama, with new characters and lots of good looking boys ! You won't find female leads aymore and this is bad because female characters brought so much to the first part of the drama. I was less interested by this part, still I was eager to know how the drama would end.
The important point in the second part of the drama is that Wei Wu Xian and Lan Zhan are now sharing a real brotherhood bond mainly because Lan Zhan is feeling guilty for not having supported him before and for mistrusting Wei Wu Xian's personnality and judgement. Also because Wei Wu Xian is now alone and hides his true identity : only Lan Zhan recognized him at fist glance no matter he was wearing a mask. They are now following the same path fighting together hand in hand to solve puppets mystery, evil doings and bring back peace among the clans. Lan Zhan has changed, he is now supportive, caring and protective. Are those 2 in love ? Bromance or what else ? You will have to make your own point of view.