"PHENOMENAL"

Yan Dan: "You protect the Three Realms and I will protect you."
Ying Yuan: "Without the Three Realms, I will lose you."
BOTH: "Not even death can separate us."

❀ YAN DAN ❀ = "A refined simper, a sadness that pierces like a halberd. Purple proses lead to verbosity and simple phrases cut into the viscera."
One of the kindest, intelligent, strong, independent, and selfless FLs out there.

A carefree lotus who's simply just contented supporting her older sister and seeks freedom more than anything else. Unexpectedly, ended up loving Sovereign Lord Ying Yuan. In the process, sacrifices half of her heart for him. Hating him for choosing the world over her yet eventually realizes that love isn't just about two people being together, but about cherishing what the other wants. And came to finally understand the weight of Ying Yuan's responsibilities. She was ready to put aside her feelings and her life for Ying Yuan if it meant he can fulfill his duty.

⚘ YING YUAN/TANG ZHOU ⚘ = Serious but mischievous ML. The best combination.

The most powerful sovereign lord, respected by all immortals, who wish for the peace of the Three Realms. No one is as dutiful as him. He always put the world second to none. Initially took a liking to Yan Dan because of her intelligence, but never thought he'd be enamored by her. Between his feelings for her and her life, he would always first put her safety in a heartbeat, leaving her to misunderstand him in exchange. Went to his trial in the mortal realm to experience the eight sufferings of life. Even without his memory, he's still bound to a great responsibility. After traveling the mortal realm with Yan Dan, he realized he can also choose to live for himself and not be shackled by any rules, and can finally freely love Yan Dan just the same. When he regained his memories, he's willing to fulfill and finish his duty as the sovereign lord and forego his position and then go to Yan Dan.

❋ YU MO ❋ = The SML of all SMLs. A person who devoted himself to loving Yan Dan and protecting her as much as he could, even knowing the fact she could never return his feelings. A man who always respected her. He found a friend in Tang Zhou. Despite being love rivals, he always regarded him as a friend and always supported him.

⚘ YAN DAN AND YING YUAN ⚘ = Yan Dan, in the course of time, learned to not only love Ying Yuan but also the responsibility that comes with him. Her best character growth is when she finally fully accepted Ying Yuan's entirety, a man who is bound by his responsibility but also a man who can still love her despite that. She will never let him choose between her and the world. Ying Yuan didn't choose either the world or her, he chose both. Keeping the peace in the Three Realms equals keeping Yan Dan safe.

❀ CHEMISTRY ❀
Yang Zi and Cheng Yi's chemistry is one of the best I've seen. A pairing I didn't expect but definitely needed. Not to mention their caliber in acting. They are very well-matched and balanced. No one is empowering the other, instead, they're both amplifying each other. They don't need too many skinships to prove their chemistry. Even those simple glances, sweet gestures, staring at each other, and occasional touching of their hands already represent the love they are trying to portray.

Their first and last kiss in Ep. 58 is hands down the best and memorable one they had. It was not romantic per se, but it was heartfelt.

I would love to see them pair up again ~


❀ LOOK AT THE FOREST, NOT THE TREES. ❀
This drama is never purely about romance. It is about love, responsibility, acceptance, forgiveness, loyalty, intimacy, and friendship. Now, if you came here to watch this drama solely for the romance aspect of it, then this might not be exactly for you. You have to watch this drama in ALL ITS ENTIRETY. Yan Dan and Ying Yuan's love story is one of a kind, it was never sweet, but it is true. They didn't throw away anything just for love. They took the responsibility for it.

❀ ENDING. ❀
Ying Yuan will always ALWAYS put Yan Dan's welfare above others, even himself. He will protect the Three Realms to keep her safe even at the expense of his life.
"Yan Dan, if the world falls apart, you'll perish, too. So this time, I want you to live safely. I must protect the world. BECAUSE ONLY WHEN THE THREE REALMS REMAIN CAN YOU CONTINUE TO EXIST." And he fulfilled that.
Yan Dan told Ying Yuan she'll protect him. He will protect the Three Realms and she will protect him. Ying Yuan asked her to not forgive him, but also to not let him go. And SHE DID.


Death didn't separate them. It kept them together. Even though their human form disappeared into thin air, leaving only their primordial spirits, their love still and will always remain because THE AGARWOOD IS STILL BURNING AND HAS NOT TURNED INTO DUST. ❀


P.S. Cheng Yi is a discovery for me. What a stellar performance. He nailed all three characters. No one can pull this off but him. This guy deserves everything ~

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