This is probably the only drama that is much better than the original source novel. And the unique quality of this drama: it gets better as the episodes go on.

The world building in this drama is stunningly done. All the clans have their own flavor to them. It has some really beautiful cgi+ cinematography too.

The best thing about this drama? The relationships!

Bai Xuelu and Qing Gang start off as enemies but they end up becoming the sweetest couple there is. Bai Xuelu has the best character growth I've seen in any drama. She starts off as your usual green tea 2nd fl, but you can see from the start, there's something special about her. At the end she becomes so empowered and a overall great human being. She had potential and definitely achieved it! Qing Gang is just so righteous and charming. There relationship developed very organically.

Bai Xueying and Shi Yu fell in love a little too fast but they are the much needed calmness amidst all the knives in this drama.

Now are main couple: Shi Ying is the best! Whatever it is, looks, righteousness, kindness, backstory. He is the best in everything. This man even has some good humour mind you, definitely not your usual shifu. He and Zhu Yan are more or less the same age too! He is just so pure, I cried for him the most. He deserves the world but the world is too cruel to him.
Now Zhu Yan, I admit she's kinda annoying. I hated the way she treats Zhi Yuan. She calls him a friend but her actions kind of suggest something more than that. I was secretly happy everytime Great Grand Priest reprimanded her lol. But at the end she redeems herself with a ton of sacrifices.
Xiao Zhan always does a great job playing whatever character he gets. His emotional scenes and they eat he carries himself in character are really non-questionable. Ren Min does crying scenes like no other. Wang Churan is really good too.


Da Siming aka Great Grand Priest is my favorite character. He's this no bullshit guy everyone fears. And the only person who actually gets works done and puts the useless emperor on line. The emperor is too useless he gives me a headache. The empire wouldn't last a day if anybody depended on the Emperor. I liked the friendships in this drama too. Bai Xueying, Zhu Yan, Qing Gang trio was fun.
Chong Ming is sooo fun to watch. He's adorable, confident, hilarious and savage. Our most beautiful and favorite divine bird!!

The true OTP of this drama? Why yes it's obviously Chong Ming and Shi Ying.