x_AJ_x

Let's just say, it's an open ending. So it's sad, but also hopeful at the same time. Though, as an open ending, interpretations of it will vary.

Not a problem! Even if I don't necessarily see it the same way as you do, it's still good to hear other's POV's.

I quite liked Arsenal Military Academy too. It had some great moments and characters in it. A good one for Lulu. And a good one for Xu Kai too.

Yeah, that's fair enough. I hear what you're saying.

I didn't have too much of an issue with it. I guess it might be hard to really depict what enlightenment actually entails.

She was in the array screaming in pain and then when she see's him setting the crossbow on people, she has flashbacks to when the Devil God destroyed the sects. She's distraught. and then she just stops, becomes very calm, and there is acceptance there and she says "we do need to finish this" Then she closes her eyes and seems to be in a meditative state. I guess I saw this as the moment she let go and found that balance.

I do think they could have taken a little more time with it though. I think many things were intentionally vague. (for better or worse)

Although, maybe there is another version out there that is a little bit longer? (Without cuts and all that. haha) 😅

There were definitely other sequences in that finale that I did have a problem with and felt it was definitely disjointed, because of obvious cuts. *sigh* What we all wouldn't give to see the unedited version. ahh well.

Right! Would love to see his reaction to this. 🤣🤣

Right! Would love to see his reaction to this. 🤣🤣

Yeah. I actually think she did let go of taking revenge/hate. I don't actually think Li Susu hated TTJ at all at that point regardless of what he said. She knew he was lying about his reasoning behind becoming TDG, She literally slept with him the day before, she was ready to die with him (to take him down with her) I don't think she had any intention of walking away from that situation without him even before she ascended. I just think she felt there was no other choice... (he wasn't really giving her one. It was his intention to give her no choice)

I also don't think the heartless way would stop you from doing what you must to protect the world. Just the opposite. It's just a means of finding inner balance so you can achieve enlightenment. (or looking in at oneself/radical acceptance) Saving the world would come from then having an understanding and love of the universe as a whole, rather than anything to do with "earthly" desire, romantic love (or hate) of the individual. Letting go of your own desires to serve something much larger.

That being said, it doesn't stop her from being able to love in general, it's just something that needs to happen in that one moment, to break through and find balance. After that moment, she will have gained an understanding that was beyond whatever earthly desires she has. But she can still love and feel. (and hate)

Please forgive me if i'm explaining it poorly, it's all stemming from Taoist readings and it's hard to wrap my head around some of them. I'm assuming the heartless way is drawing on that. "All paths lead to the right way" being the way of the Tao etc.

It is a little vague. But I think as she had been trying to practice the "heartless way" as a means of ascending, I assume, when TTJ threw her into the array, it was the last push she needed to find inner calm, let go of all earthly desires, as well as desire for romantic love with him (at least in that moment) and find some kind of inner balance that the heartless way requires - allowing her to become unified heart, mind and body. She did explain how the immortals reach godhood in episode 6 and explained the heartless way to TTJ. This was his intention. Which is why he told her to hate him to the end I guess. (Though she also clarified that the heartless way wasn't the only way to achieve it. )

So I'm guessing it was just the shock, the pain, everything pushed her into a whole new state of being. She let go of it all in that moment, like a kind of radical acceptance., which allowed her to reach enlightenment.

but yeah, vague. lol

I hear you, it would have been lovely to see.

that cracks me up 🤣

I can't say I've been bothered by her appearance personally. 😅 She doesn't look old to me. (the actress is only 23... ) But each to their own.

I just find ZLH's character comes across as kind of a dumbass. lol. The performance itself is not necessarily landing with me either, I admit. (which actually makes me a little wary about his role in Story of Kunning Palace now) But don't take my opinion as fact, there are just as many out there who are loving that character.

Whether it gets better or not will be a matter of opinion too, as many people think it's amazing already. (Personally, I'm not sure i'd say "amazing" just yet, but pretty good and enjoyable to me so far)

So it's just down to personal taste. I guess you won't know for sure unless you watch and see for yourself. 🤣

woah. That was a lot more than I was expecting....

I loved him as Runyu so I can't relate haha 😂

No problem! I don't know if they ever planned on doing the entire full epilogue but the original script for episode 40 did have an abrupt last minute reunion. Where Li Susu and A'Mi meet a reborn Tantai Jin at the banks of the Mohe River, instead of the heart-guarding scale reveal. For whatever reason they changed it to an open ending instead. Which is really sad, but it is what it is. We get the first portion of the epilogue and they left it up to the audience to decide what happens next.

I still think it was hopeful enough - as far as open endings go. And the extra clips kind of fills in the gaps of what might happen next and leads into the second half of the novels epilogue. So I'm choosing to believe she finds him eventually. 😅

I'm so glad you enjoyed it though, even if it did emotionally wreck you 😂 like the rest of us traumatised moonies. 😭

You could also go watch Love Is Sweet (if you haven't already) if you want more of LYX and Bai Lu together.

haha fair enough 💜 I think the entirety of the water festival was one of those moments for me. I'd happily rewatch those scenes on repeat.

I'm enjoying it so far. Esther is doing a great job. The chemistry and tension between the second main leads is really great.

I have to admit I'm not really enjoying Zhang Linghe's character unfortunately. But overall I think the drama is worth giving a go. Cinematography is stunning too.

More actors are starting to dub themselves, if they are able to. It depends on the actor and the circumstance but It's becoming more common. Luo Yunxi always dubs himself for example.

Welcome friend! I absolutely agree with you about it being Enemies to lovers done right. It's my all time favourite trope but it's so rarely done well and often doesn't stick the landing. I feel TTEOTM (for the most part) did it right. The fact that LYX and Bai Lu have unmatched chemistry probably helped a lot too.

Did you have a favourite moment in the drama?

You're definitely not the only one! We were all affected by the ending and still are.
If you're in need of something to soothe your heart a little, you could always read the Epilogue chapters of the Novel, that Micha has translated here. It has the happy ending that the drama only hints at.

There were also a few clips that Youku released that may or may not make you feel better haha

LYX and Bai Lu wrote letters as their characters throughout the airing of the drama. This is Susu's letter to TTJ post finale.
https://twitter.com/xAJx_92/status/1685255175697801217

A little reunion audio snippet.
https://twitter.com/xAJx_92/status/1675718267858739206

In all honesty, not particularly interesting atm. That might change as it goes along though.