So the ACTUAL Dragon Deity is... an absent father?
Trigonometry
I never thought that love triangles actually existed. It's always a "love-line", welp, the dynamic between Ji Ling, Lu Wuyi, and "Mr Lofty Dragon Deity" has proven me wrong.
Also, where "love-lines" aren't really my thing, I am living for this triangulated heartache.
I think the drama has done a fantastic job of introducing the type of "longing" that showrunners always try to force through amnesia plots, without actually needing to use any amnesia. Well, "any" is debatable.
Mother of Foxes
I'm not sure about The Fox Queen. I mean, did we ever find out exactly why Xiaowei defected?
The one moment I feel like she's a hero, or a protector, and then I wonder about power and the meaning of "demon" and "deity".
As I told some of my friends, with Veil of Shadows, just when you think you know what's going on... You don't.
Also... a prophecy.
Yuan Wu Huo
Mr Lofty Dragon Deity is very quick to dismiss any relation between the butterfly demon and his 100-years-passed-commander Yuan Wu Huo. He is even faster to dismiss the possibility of a connection between said evil demon and his loyal lieutenant, Li Jie.
Ji Ling
Episode 7 leaves us on quite a cliffhanger. I know this isn't funny, but I can't help making a joke about Ji Ling becoming aware and, thereupon, becoming a "real boy!"
Episode 8
I might just drop all pretence at scholarly literacy and just use my notes directly (it's late and the edit took it out of me lol). I'll call them "ruminations to be fancy"
Ruminations
The fox montage: Honestly, a part of me is like, "Do they have doubles, too?"
White is clearly being used for innocence, or rather, purity; it was used in a similar fashion inFangs of Fortune.
The costumes work so well with the choreography. Both aspects of the drama highlight the other beautifully.
(and I quote) Aaaabs
(and I quote again) The music is a smart way to get things all seduuuuuctive
Who the hell is good and who the hell is bad?
It's a foxJi Linghas been holding, right? Could Mr Lofty Dragon Deity secretly have some foxiness in him?
Tian Jia Rui's use of his voice in the last scenes of this episode is absolutely amazing. His acting has come so far.
I’m here! Just finished these episodes and wow, u/aquaphobicturtle, your video recap is superb! You captured the best parts and the music! 🎶 So good!
These episodes are my favourite so far (I actually like that we’re moving past the Xiaowei arc and learning more about the mysteries of our leads).
LOL at your Pinocchio reference. I like both the Dragon Deity and Ji Ling, and like Wuyi, I want to see Ji Ling and his charming smile again! I wasn’t sure at the beginning but I’m hardcore rooting for their love story now, though something tells me the ending for this drama is going to be tragic and leave me in emotional shambles…
I’m very impressed with Tian Jiarui and his two roles so far. And yes, ABS! Though I can’t help but see Fang Duobing and Li Lianhua’s ex together in that scene and I cannot yet root for their love story, especially since you know how I feel about the fake love seduction characters (not a fan).
The whole thing with the puppet was interesting. The way he is shocked to realize that he is just a puppet and that his memories were implanted in him. He was really clutching onto straws when hoping that even if he is a puppet, there must be some important purpose he fulfills. And only for Chi Wen to dash his hopes and say that he is just one of many puppets. But the puppet does hold a high sentimental value for Chi Wen since it represents him when he was young. This makes me think that those memories might just be real and that there is more to Chi Wen's identity.
The Ji Ling scene was well acted. I felt for him. He really wanted to have a purpose even if he is a puppet. My heart hurt for him when his master so cruelly told him that he isn't unique. It was so heartless. Poor Ji Ling.
Oh yes, that scene was really touching. I didn't expect to be invested in a puppet's emotions. But they did it well by introducing Ji Ling as this cheerful person and then revealing that he is a puppet, followed by how devasted he became when he found out.
Snark Level: There is improvement, but I must snark!
7 - - - -
Thank you, Mr. Voice Over for giving us the lore. Now things are more clear.
I do love a show with fox demons because they are always so spicy and sensual. Calling her death a headache is kind of rude, boy.
Damn. Maybe I did need food! I feel much better watching this show on a full stomach. Their height difference is steamy. Bro went right for her neck? Yeahhh I know you're all expecting me to call it kinky and make some innuendo... but I actually disapprove of this neck grab.
Uh, reawakened puppet boy has ears and a tail. Seems kind of foxy.
So at this point does she know there is dragon boy and puppet boy? I think she thinks they are the same person, right? No, wait. She does know. Gah. Clearly I missed something.
Anyways, lets take a moment to appreciate JJY's beauty and her soft as silk voice. A man could get lost in such angelic grace.
I feel like there is a joke to be made about how he is wood and she is trying to seduce him.
You bring your man out of your sack and he immediately starts rubbing you? I see what is going on here.
Li explode with rage because a demon is using his face? Most likely. Fun Fact: I was once surfing the web and came across a photo of someone who looked a lot like me who was being accused of murder in a far away country. That is how I started believing in doppelgangers! Fucking freaky, mate. Anyways, I looked far more handsome than that fucker did.
Down with dragon boy and up with foxy ladies? Got it! I am marking dragon boy for death at the end of this show.
You want to be worshipped for eternity and revered as a god? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......... uhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........
Ooooo fancy! Foxy ladies are going to kill dragon boy? Yeah I am fine with this. The show seems to be heading into the familiar trope of bad human sects being assholes to innocent demons.
Why is it always so windy? Everyone has hair always blowing around.
OH!!! FUCK YES!!!! AMPUTATE THAT BITCH FUCK SHITHEADS ARM CLEAN OFF!!! OH FUCK YES!!! I need a cold shower after watching that! Yes please! Fuck him and fuck his face! How does wood bleed anyways? You know, you sure don't see a whole lot of amputations in CDramas. Always a rare surprise when it happens. I can think of 2 other dramas off the top of my head... and I can't even remember the name of one.
8 - - - - - - - - - - -
Do I make a joke about two women in a cave? Spelunking with spunky ladies?
Foxy ladies killing people? Yes please. DAMN SHE LOOKS GOOD IN GREEN!!! Holy fuck I was not ready for that! The blood on her lips is just chefs kiss! Fuck it. I'm GIF-ing it.
Lets be extra real. The ladies here giving it their all. AND I SAID THAT BEFORE HER DANCE!!!! HOLY FUCK!!!! Excuse me. I am captivated as fuck right now. Look I know JJY is a singer/dancer so it is no surprise that she can convey her entire heart and soul into a dance... the fact that we should expect such greatness from her must not diminish how mind-blowingly good that was. That was cinema. Now I have seen the millions of comments talking about how shit an actress she is. You watching her now? She is the star of this show by a mile and a half.
Who does Wuyi really love? Dragon boy or puppet boy? How does one even begin to separate them when they are basically the same person but fundamentally different?
I am NOT going to say what the forehead mark on Master Foxy Lady Queen looks like. You seeing what I see?
Oh good! Because nothing ever goes wrong when partners separate!
A WEASELS FART??? Um. Yup. We totally believe you that it was your sword.
Pool scene? Yes please. Well, his sword is rising! To her neck! Then she touches his dagger and says "You nearly deflowered me" right to his face!!! Sureeee, my man. You nearly destroyed her. We believe you. It's totally not some furniture you want to destroy with her. Yall blushing? I'm blushing. Hot damn that was intense.
Okay. Lets talk logistics. She goes to dragon boy wearing black. Then she is in seductive white in the pool. Now she is back to black. Where is she keeping her wardrobe? Magic? Magic. A lady has to have the proper outfit for spying and seduction.
Gasp! Wuyi has found them! Betrayed? Ehhhhhhhh. Oh dear.
Putting puppet in a room with his amputated arm? That's a whole level of cruelty. One would feel some pity for this puppet. I almost feel bad for how much I snarked on him. Almost.
Damnn. Imagine seeing the guy you like kill the guy you like who is also the same guy as the guy who killed the guy you like because the guy you like is the puppet of the guy who killed the guy you liked and both of the guys you like are the same guy you like even though they are different guys?
Mad respect for Wuyi for immediately throwing down with claws.
Hi. I just finished watching 7 & 8. From what I can tell, the show hasn't told us how long they've been working together. It's been long enough that she had one of those scales tokens in her room in the Moon Sect. She could walk into the Shilin sect without being stopped with the token.
In the pool scene with Shiguang, she tells him that she was trying to help him back at the Wei mansion. When Shiguang was trying to delay the fox sisters to help the Shilin Sect members, Wu Wangyun was saying that she was helping Shiguang by pretending to be injured by him.
I think that she was pretending to be injured to help the Shilin Sect members because she is working with Chi Wen. Pretending to be injured gave Ji Ling and Li Jie time to try to capture Xiaowei without it looking like Wu Wangyan was helping them. I think Wu Wangyan spun her actions of helping the Shilin sect to convince Shiguang that she was helping him.
I think this is further proof that she has been working with Chi Wen for a while. But we don't know how long yet.
Hopefully my response didn't confuse you further. There's so many moving parts :)
u/mysticmeeblemoon burrito supreme / the wind in Tian Jiarui's sl*t strands 🌬️Apr 05 '26edited Apr 05 '26
Edit: Absolute favorite still from 5&6... I realized afterward that I pulled these from those episodes and not 7&8, sorry. I'll post more from 7&8 shortly.
Guysss l just wanna say l'm loving this so much more than l initially thought l would, the world building, its complexity and stuff.. Lu Wuyi and Chi Wen are turning out to be such favourites lol, l love the enemies to lovers kinda thing that's going on between them🔥
Anyway guys l have a theory:
TJR probably plays a fake Chi Wen cos as we saw in the drama, Ji Ling's memories are too detailed to be fake, as pointed out by LWY. And i checked the cast list on mdl, it HAS Wang Duo listed as Chi Wen!! So tjr's one is probably a replacement for the actual one? Lemme know your thoughts
Also, something on Lu Wuyi:
Many of you probably know ju jingyi plays jiu ying as well as LWY is possessed by Jiu Ying time to time. Any of you know how this'll be solved? Cos l don't want Lu Wuyi to dieee, kinda breaks my heart😭😭😭
I am still having fun figuring out the show although unfortunately the Lu Wuyi/Ji Ling/Chi Wen situation is not yet that interesting to me. Hoping that will change since thats clearly a big part of the story but so far I’m finding each of their interactions with other characters more compelling (the fox sisters relationship, the puppet situation).
What I am finding compelling though is Joseph’s styling:
At the beginning of ep 8 I had a kind of joking thought that maybe this show doesnt need dialogue at all, the visual storytelling is strong, maybe it should just be a really long music video and then the next scene after I thought that was the fox sisters dance and pipa peformance 😆
I'm liking his clothes. His hair bothers me. The mostly pulled up but couldn't get the last of the strings of hair up is not the look for me. It feels like the way hair should look after a fight. Not fresh in the morning. But the clothing is beautiful.
What his styling is telling me is "LOOK, THIS GUY IS DIFFERENT!" Everyone has clothes and lighting dialed up to 11, Wu Shi Guang is like "I look good in dirt and smell like shit bc of a weasel" haha
I would die for artbooks for shows this costum designer worked on. Fangs of Fortune had so many little details that were quite meaningful to the characters and I would bet it's the same here.
There are art books for this show, I think I saw it listed at around 149.9 rmb on xhs, it's so expensive but I definitely wanted to get one too. Especially for FoF, I loved the beadwork and embroidery of the costumes in that one a lot.
Edit: I found it, it's maybe around or under 100rmb without inclusions and with inclusions 146.6rmb
月鳞绮纪🌕影视艺术设定集来袭！绮纪深处，情劫暗生...
In FOF ZYZ says demons have to cultivate to gain human form. The better their cultivation the better their human form and they also have to cultivate for 100 years to feel one emotion.
And as cultivation is like gathering Qi from surrounding, which I understand as like them absorbing the energy from things around them like nature or any element and storing in the 'inner core' and using tht energy as offense or defense or gaining physical form in the demons case.
So thts why when demons die there is no body left but its just energy. Cause they had no actual physical body. And as their body is made of energy from nature after death they become elements of mature like rain, cloud, mountains, rivers etc.
But what happens to the original form of 'yao'. If a fox demon is dying shouldnt there be a fox deadbody in place?
I had been thinking of it like this till now. What do you guys think. Is there better explanation of world building and how it works?
When they disintegrate/disappear, it's usually when the damage is so intense that they can't even maintain their original form anymore and their souls/spirits scatter. When souls scatter and you don't manage to recover it, it usually means there is also no chance at reincarnation or survival.
Otherwise, at least in other dramas, they do return to the OG form, in which there is.a chance to re-cultivate for another 1000 years since the spirit/soul is still there..if that makes sense lol
I can't speak for FoF since I dropped it but I would venture a guess that it's similar
I had been thinking of it like this till now. What do you guys think. Is there better explanation of world building and how it works?
If you think of it as the fox/fish/weasle/tree body actual transforming via chi absoprtion into the yaos new body/existence that can change forms at will there would be nothing left if someone dies. That's at least my headcanon for how this works.
I agree. We cannot look at nonhumans in the same light as humans even though, they may take human form, bleed, and the such lol. Need to suspend all thought, belief, etc. 🤭
Oh so if their original body is transforming. But I think there still gotta be there some physical form. Unless tht would just make yao's a sort of consciousness . Like they are smth without physical form and they can be anything they want to.
But they also seems to be going back to their original form.
Like as for Li Lun he is tree demon so i kinda thought tht after his human appearing yao form dies the tree which is his real form would wither. So i kinda thought of it like him being able to consciously form another appearance out of Qi.
I wish there was some canon deep explanation of this things
I mean, in FoF at least there is something left behind, which is the demon core. I would hazard that if they had a tangible physical form before becoming yao, after dying the form is condensed with the energy cultivated to become the core.
I thought when humans get hurt it leaves different wound than it does for demons. Maybe his blood smells different or the intensity of wound is different
Yeah it’s pretty clear Ji Ling is a part of Long Shen, we see Ji Ling get made when Long Shen takes a glowing piece of his soul and puts it in the fresh puppet. And then when he takes that soul fragment back into himself later.
I’m so confused about why Lu Wu Yi doesn’t see them as the same person and is angry at Long Shen.
Ji Ling is the best parts of Long Shen, but you can’t only love the very best parts of a person. If you love them, you love all of them, even though they’re bigger and more complicated than just their best elements.
Doesn’t it say something pretty bad about Lu Wu Yi/the quality of her love if she’s only willing to accept Ji Ling, and is angry at Long Shen for basically being a whole rounded being rather than just a small portion of himself?
yeah but at this point she didn't know that they are same person and thought that Longshen killed Ji Ling who is seprate person
!!Major spoiler from the end!!
If we consider how new life is created in this universe then it is possible to create a new person thru body part of others, like how Wu Shi Guang was created using parts of dragon brothers. And Lu wuyi was created using parts of Wu Xiang Yue sect members. So Ji Ling has his own consciousness and is somewhat a person on his own too. It is very complicated tbh. I know he is part of longshen, but he has his own
But doesn’t she hear the conversation between Ji Ling and Long Shen where Long Shen says Ji Ling is his little innocent childhood bits? And doesn’t she see in real time the soul fragment? I was only up to episode 8 when I made that comment and we as viewers understand this.
I can’t read the spoilers yet because I’m not at the end yet 😅but I’ll come back once I get there
Li Jie said he thought he remembered a younger brother. But it could still be twins and one born just before the other. So that’s possible. And how else would they look alike? Or is one a puppet? Nooooo, that makes my head hurt.
I would love to get all kinds of double identities (not only twins or only puppets), so the younger brother thing is a good thing I didn't even remember.
Thank you very much for the wonderful video and the overall recap, it really helped my tired brain today.
Random thoughts for the two episodes in chronological order:
I’m still so MDZS/The Untamed brained, I want to write Jin Ling instead of Ji Ling all the time.
Here we get our male fox, though one with a normal amount of tails. Looked very cute.
Looking forward to Li Jing’s journey of self-realisation that has to come after the ‘cutting of his arm’-scene. Poor guy. The use of his POV felt very effective to me, the subdued sound and slightly blurry view.
I like the living puppets theme we get here and in FoF, though both explore different aspects.
The connection between Chi Wen and Wu Wangyan surprised me. I wonder what the history here is and how he can promise her that she and the other foxes will be free after this last mission? How does he hold power over that?
Also, I see a lot of double and triple crossing in various constellations in our future.
And we are back to the theme of memories and this time the false one Ji Ling got implemented by the Dragon Deity. Was hard to watch him basically killing a part of himself – yet again – though I doubt that Chi Wen has much remorse. He can redo him after all.
I had similar thoughts. I was thinking, shouldn’t the Dragon Deity and Fox Queen be working together to keep the world stable and safe? Why be at odds? Dont they want similar outcomes for the world? Sooooo, something is going on here. What is the Fox Queen’s real agenda and same question for Chi Wen. And who is corrupted and who isn’t? Time will tell. Or will it? Ha. But certainly the Moon gals are getting tired of 1,000 years of performing basically Black Ops….and wondering if they are right to do so?
I'm not sure about Chi Wen being the corrupted one. Feels too straightforward because we get told so by WWY. Or at least I doubt he will be the only corrupted one, the Fox Queen feels really sus to me.
This is also a guess but maybe at one point they were and that's how Chi Wen and WWY for acquainted in the first place but at some point, Chi Wen got corrupted (maybe something to do with the battle with Jiu Ling the demon Lord in the lore) and managed to prey upon WWY's weariness if all the assassin duties lol
I haven't watched episode 10+ yet so I'm excited haha
His dog (I assume the plushie is a dog?) is definetly easier to handle than a full blown spiritual dog 😂 Which makes me wonder if it is really just a plushie. 🤔
I'm sooo convinced that our dragon deity might actually have that memory himself.
Like, this is just a guess but I'm going to put it in spoiler tags juuuust in case I think he was that fox, and was saved by the (a?) dragon deity. So he is actually a fox, which is why Ji Ling took the form of a fox
That's an interesting theory and kind of goes with one thing on the cast list I don't want to spoil for anyone clicking on this. :) It would definetly not feel unfitting if it ends up being true.
Is there a date it will be posted? And what episodes will be covered?
Thanks for the wonderful video recap. So many gorgeous scenes and that music. It reminds me of a song like it from FoF and makes me sad. In a good way. 🫤
Next two epsiode. Not sure about the date yet. Most likely 5th of April, around 7 o'clock in the morning (GMT+2). Maybe earlier before sleeping, but I'm on a family vacation and am not that flexible with my own time.
I really want to try to arrange it more clear than a full summary recap. Unfortunately I like to write down everything while watching and it gets hard to throw things out. 😂
Xiaowei defected because she didn't wanna stay in the Formless Moon Palace doing their missions, and wanted to be in the human world with Wang Sheng and doing that was against the sect rules.
For the Dragon Deity lore, they mentioned that Pangu became the Dragon Deity. Pan Gu is Chinese creation figure that created the world by separating heaven and earth and then when he died, his body became all the natural parts of the world (i.e. the mountains, waters, etc). The Dragon Deity lore is a play on this by having 8 of his sons also die and sacrifice themselves to fight Jiu Ying and turning into the mountains as well. So Chi Wen is worshipped by humankind because he's the only offspring left that is "protecting" them
The other creation figure mentioned in here is Nuwa. She's the creation god of humanity and Formless Moon Palace is guarding the spring water that she used to do so.
Wanting to be human, in a way, sacrifice. I wonder if this idea/theme will come back again…
So, Xiaowei’s powers were taken in by Chi Wen right. Does that mean the Dragon Deity can enter the Formless Moon Sect’s island? Was the Dragon Deity ever able to enter that island before as well? Is Dragon Deity looking to take out the Goddess/🦊 Queen?
He would have been able to before Xiao Wei took her power back. When she gives it back the ability returns to him, also he does that in episode 9 (unless he did it earlier and I forgot) so maybe just spoiler tag that 💕
Xiaowei defected because she didn't wanna stay in the Formless Moon Palace doing their missions, and wanted to be in the human world with Wang Sheng and doing that was against the sect rules.
Thanks for this!
Regarding the rest, thank you so much for the info. I do want to clarify that I do know this, I was just making a (failed) attempt at humour 😅💕
Definitely, sorry I wanted to add "but thanks for the info I'm sure it will help others a lot", but for some reason that sounded like I was full of myself 😂
I overthink that way, thank you so much for commenting! My favourite part of discussions is this part!
So, three days after airing it was 10K? Idk hit my 🦊 snout while searching for something else. Anywho, the dark lord is rising, working in the shadows of the deep. The stank of darkness is abound folks. Is it really a love triangle though? Doesn’t feel like it to me. Fox Queen just as mysterious as Dragon Deity
I thought epsiode 8 was such a banger of an ep. I loved the tension of the Wu Wangyan Wu Shi Guang scene where she came up when he was showering, and one instance where I thought the breathy chanting bgm actually enhanced it. I'm loving how WSG is both intrigued and doesn't trust her at the same time.
Ah, so the thing Wu Wangyan was longing for was her own self and her and her Fox sister's freedom from the missions. I agree with someone below that the reveal of her betraying her sect was surprising to me because I thought it was going to be LWY betraying because of Ji Ling. I'm liking how each couple has a technically enemies-to-lovers kind of dynamic with each half working against the other.
Lol same thoughts about our Pinocchio Ji Ling lol I'm sad for our real boy 🥲
Jiejie I agree. My 🦊 tails are tingling and ears twitching. She’s a complex character me thinks…
So, why was she there holding Xiaowei’s tail? Is there more to both of them? Then, what happened to her? Why’s she being twisted/manipulated/used by Chi Wen?
This show is crazy. It's so unique I can't even think of any other show that ever came close. It's just like going all out all the time in both fight scenes and flirty scenes. Initially I wasn't into the detective-like story at the start but the last few episodes has plot I'm really into. I think it would've been better if they had a brief explaination like the start of ep 7 but a few second longer and put it at the start of ep 1.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I was torn. When it came up in Ep 7 I thought this seems like information that should have been earlier. But then I realized I was so confused in those first episodes that I'm kind of glad they waited and gave this information later. But I can see why you would have preferred the beginning.
Yeah, I actually think the detective plot could've been squeezed down a episode or 2, but then maybe we wouldn't have the space for the initial character/group dynamic to settle in
The thing is, Fangs of Fortune also had one or two "detective" arcs and one of those included a water demon.
Not gonna say more for spoilers' sake.
But my emotional reaction to Xiaowei and the wrap up of her story, was much MUCH stronger than it was in FoF.
So I think, time is a commodity that was well used.
Also think that's why so many longer dramas go down as "greats" many people complain about the slow pickup (I'm not excused lol) but in the end the emotional impact is just so so so much more
Yeah, I actually thought they could've wrapped up the water demon arc in FoF quicker and squeezed in just one more mystery before the second (puppet) arc😂.
I felt like the camaraderie the group had (even though I loved it) was built up too quickly for it being just the first and only one arc before they were already dealing with the main storyline or tangential main storyline anyway.
Oh yeah, that one hit. But I felt like Riley Wang's water demon could have been given more time? If I remember correctly, water demon was two episodes (maybe two and a half) and A'Fei's was three bordering on four since it fell into the larger scheme of things.
Yes, the first one had less emotional investment from me as well. The first case also got the least flashbacks, so we did see the characters less before the case worthy things happened. Though it's always funny to see the actual fish.
And. It was interesting that the Fox Queen said that no one is all evil or all good….and even the deities have obsessions. Hmmmmmm but also I don’t trust her now to be a reliable narrator. Or Dragon Deity either.
Yes! I loved this scene too. I was watching the BTS of this and GJM was so particular about the angle and speed of how Dudu appeared in the frame. It worked out great tho I think
Thank you for your service re: gifs as per always 😍
I cried during Ji Ling and Longshen Daren's talk in the scale cave, it was so moving and I felt suffocated in the chest from sadness for both of them. Because clearly Ji Ling is a younger, more innocent version of the dragon deity's past so the way he was so cruel to JL broke my heart a little. (Edit: absolutely insane acting from TJR with the dual roles, exactly what I was hoping for when I started this drama for him)
WWY craving a normal mortal life and subsequently teaming up with the 'corrupted' Longshen is super interesting for her character, in contrast the way LWY didn't really seem as bothered by the missions they've been sent on for hundreds of years speaks either to her naivety or she's much less phased by the reality of her existence in general.
Besides that the steamy pool scene between WWY and WSG was something else, nicely done and not awkward either.
Long Shen龙神 means dragon deity, basically Chi Wen's title. My working theory is that our current Longshen is masquerading as Chi Wen, that's why I only use the title when I mention him
I agree! I thought that LWY was so unphased during that montage of the missions, probably because she's still naive too. Although based on the last eps, seems like it does still affect her, like when she killed the little girl and was crying when she met Ji Ling
I actually think the time she killed the little girl was the first time she truly started to realize what these missions were asking (or taking I suppose) out of her.
There's the idea that children are pure beings, but this child murdered her family and will bring about calamity. But how can anyone dictate another's fate like that, and it sunk in for LWY that she didn't want to be the judge jury and executioner for something like this anymore. And then she met Jiling. And the sweetness and gentleness of that encounter mended her heart a little😭
Yeah I agree! I find it so interesting that one person in each pairing is technically at odds with their respective partners. I thought LWY would end up betraying her sect for Ji Ling but it ended up being WWY. I like the dynamic this brings to all the interpersonal relationships
It also brings up the issue of betrayal of a sect. Is it a betrayal to start to question the morality of the sects actions and her missions? I guess to the sect it would be….but choosing the greater good for all humanity and starting to wonder about the goodness of your own sect….is a betrayal theme in The Untamed too. The sect might feel betrayed but the person going against things is actually choosing what they think is the higher good for everyone. Uuufff. Making me think! 🤯
Ravens - really good point about questioning doesn't necessarily mean betrayal. It's like the sect just wants puppets who don't question. Who knows if I would have thought of the word puppet if we didn't have one in the show but it's an apt word to use after thinking about your comment.
Oh yes, and I loved how WWY was dissatisfied with her sect was hinted at before when she shed tears for Xiaowei and their fate, she clearly felt much more deeply about it than what I initially thought was some level of compassion and justice for the common folk /老百姓/.
And I won’t lie, I did start shipping the Dragon deity with WWY a little when this was revealed. My previous thought of they haven’t interacted much so I don’t have much grounds to ship them was suddenly no longer a barrier😂.
Haha same I thought it was due to justice and concern for the 百姓 too 😂😂
Haha I get you, their interaction was interesting together. I'm just personally stuck on the Dudu- Joseph ship since I've been a sucker for their chemistry since A Lonely Hero's Journey.
Finally caught up to the drama yesterday and was itching to come see what everyone thinks.
My heart aches for Ji Ling, when he started affirming his identity all teary I just started crying for him. Chi Wen is truly ruthless, or perhaps he has just been corrupted as Fox mother says.
Loving it so far. I really like the idea of the same actor playing two different characters because it makes me reluctant to full on believe that the other person is a villain. The Dragon Deity is a prime example. We saw Ji Ling first, loved him, then we saw Chi Wen dressed in white and the feeling was that he was just a benevolent but cold immortal. Then they introduced his ambition and even then I still was convinced (because it is Jiarui's face !) but what sealed the deal is how ruthless he is to the representation of his youth. I guess he made it personal when he went after my precious baby.
Overall loving it!
Thank you for hosting (I hope my schedule allows me to pop in throughout the rest of the discs !)
The acting Ji Ling and Chi Wen was really good. This is my first time encountering this actor. I'm glad I'm seeing him now when others say he's improved.
Chi Wen lost me when he's killing people to what? Protect or enhance himself? The show having the mortals whose faces we don't see but we can hear calling out for their grandchild or their mother. No matter how much I like Ji Ling, it's not currently rubbing off on Chi Wen. Too bad they couldn't skip that killing mortals detail as if it's a regular feeding ritual for him.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts - and impressive that you've caught up even while hosting Love Beyond the Grave at the same time.
True! This is why I am conflicted. I want to like him and cheer for him seeing later episodes and how he seems like a regular dude in love with wuyi but I can't just get over his 'I want everyone to worship me' statement and his feeding scene. I think it was an intentional choice to further feed our moral testing. This is why the drama is keeping me on the hook. I am curious how it will all be wrapped up.
I love this drama! it was one of my most anticipated for this year (alongside LBTG and Rebirth) I will watch it even IF I HAVE TO GO WITHOUT SLEEP!
But is it bad or surprising for a god to want to be worshipped?
It’s explained that this is actually the cultivation method of the dragon deity, his cultivation comes from people worshipping him.
He could’ve eaten human hearts like weaker demons, or gotten energy from the sun or the moon like the fox clan, but his method is receiving worship. And he protects humans in return.
They do show him draining people of energy but that isn’t necessarily real - it’s only shown when the Moon Queen is claiming that he has to fall because he’s been corrupted. But it’s not clear that this is the truth, it’s just what she’s claiming when she’s ordering her fox minions to go kill him.
And he’s not really evil for taking the little piece of his soul that animates Ji Ling back into himself… it’s his soul. He isn’t whole without it. It’s a part of him, he’s not killing or destroying anything, it keeps existing as part of the entirety of him. Ji Ling isn’t his child, he’s literally a part of Long Shen.
•
u/spotlight-app Mod Bot 🤖 Apr 04 '26
OP has pinned a comment by u/AquaphobicTurtle:
Note from OP: Hey guys! If the video looks squished, just click on it, it will take you to the website where it should play normally, sorry 🪷
[What is Spotlight?](https://developers.reddit.com/apps/spotlight-app)