The Legends

The first half of this show was really good and quite addictive. I loved to see how Zhao Yao and Chen Lan met each other and became really close and how Zhao Yao went from a naive little girl to a powerful feared woman. It was such an interesting journey to follow!

After she woke up again, it was even more interesting to watch. Though I hate any kind of misunderstandings, this one wasn't unbearable to watch, even after a few episodes. The way she wanted to kill Chen Lan but wasn't able to was honestly cute. Those moments when Zhao Yao was invisible and had no idea Chen Lan knew about her were so sweet and melted my heart. I couldn't wait until they met each other for real.

But after Zhao Yao was able to get her face back, it wasn't that captivating anymore. Both Zhao Yao and Chen Lan only cared about each other and all their actions were for one another, even when their own sect was having so many problems. And to be honest, I hate those kind of relationships. It feels like they don't think anything else matters and it starts being repetitive.

After the 50th episode, nothing made sense. The last battle was awesome to watch and I thought about raising a bit my rating because of it, but it got balanced for those flashbacks or whatever those scenes were. It's not even possible to understand what was happening without having so many doubts.

Finally, props to Jiang Wu, Gu Han Guang and Tang Yun 'cause they were the best characters here and no one can convince me otherwise.

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Vengeance that turn to love

Basically FL is Lu Zhaoyao, who was born at the Sealed Demon Mountain where she lived with her grandfather. Years ago, the Demon King sealed his son in the mountain and casted a seal on the mountain so that none of the nearby villagers can go out and none can come in too. FL is part of the Lu clan who was tasked to guard the sealed mountain, so she never stepped out and never saw anyone from outside. One day Luo Ming Xuan, titled Golden Diety from the Immortal Sect, came to the mountain to kill the son of demon king, but failed and was injured by the seal. He was found by FL and she took care of him secretly as she was smitten with how handsome he looked. He was the first person she ever saw other than her grandfather, so she clung to him and asked him to marry her as payment for her taking care of him. LMX brushed it off as a joke, and he told FL to be a good person and to live for the good of others. LMX left and after pestering by FL, the grandfather agreed to let her out if she could train hard enough and lift the seal herself. After a while, she managed to do this and set off to see the world, clutching tightly to LMX’s advice to be good and live for the prosperity of the world.

Little that they know, when seal was struck by LMX and backfired, it was broken momentarily and the son of demon king managed to slip out. So all this while the son of demon king was wandering outside, becoming an outcast because he didnt know how to interact and communicate with others. Disciples of the Immortal Sect started to notice him hence captured him to be killed. On the day of the killing, with all other 10 immortal sects convening to commence the sentence, FL came flying and freed him, as she heard from the people that this kid had done nothing wrong besides of being the son of demon king. They fled together and FL named this kid the ML, as Mo Qing with nickname Little Monster because of the mark of the seal on his face . Being the naive girl that she was, FL decided to confront the LMX as she didnt believe he would order the execution of an innocent kid just because he was the son of demon king. LMX imprisoned and tortured FL to force her to reveal the whereabouts of ML, and when he was about to kill her, the grandfather appeared and whisked her free. He cast a spell to open a portal and tossed FL through, and as he did this, LMX killed him. This event marked the point where FL swore defiance against Immortal Sect, where she started her own sect called the Wanlu and fought with Immortal Sect whenever she could. With the title Demoness, she became the worst enemy the Immortal Sect has ever seen. She crashed LMX’s wedding and sealed him, but later died when she tried to obtain the Wanjun sword that was sealed by the Demon King. ML managed to get the sword, unsealed his powers, lost the mark, and he became the Wanlu Sect leader ever since. 5 years passed, FL was revived when Qin Zhiyan’s blood was splashed on her ice tomb. She awoke but realized she had Qin Zhiyan’s face instead. With a huge grudge for ML’s betrayal, FL agreed to help Qin Zhiyan seek revenge for her father’s death if Qin Zhiyan would help her get around Wanlu Sect as a disciple so she could find an opportunity to kill ML and retained her position as leader again. But as she spent time in the sect, she realized everything did not seem like what she believed anymore. At the same time, 2nd ML Jiang Wu appeared, who was actually a demon in the heart of the purest person the immortal sect Qin Qianxian that had materialized while Qin Qianxian was meditating in front of FL’s ice tomb. Jiang Wu wreaked havoc in Jiang Hu and the immortal sect and wanlu sect was forced to join hands to defeat him, which led to a series of events that would unveil the true colours of the Golden Diety that the immortal sects has revered for years.

Gosh that is super long summary. No wonder i was puzzled by the summary in dramalist and other sites, they didnt tell quite the exact story cuz they all started when FL already became notorious as demoness. This super long show took 30 episodes for the ML and FL to reconcile and 32 episodes for the misunderstanding between them to straighten out. OMG cant believe I stayed for that long. 😂

Anyway, i think this show is okay, it’s too long but okay enough to keep me watching. Better than Burning Flame that i watched prior to this one. But the theme is kinda the same. The immortal sect that was supposed to be good and uphold justice turned out to be the real demon, and the
bad, demonic sect that was ostracized all this while had been the good one.

I especially loved the way the story is strewn. There were goofy parts and there were serious parts. Love the goofy parts when FL was walking around the sect with Qin Zhiyan’s face and thought she was seducing ML, when in reality ML had seen through all her facade right from the beginning. The proposal scene is probably the sweetest yet the goofiest that I’ve seen on screen of all cdrama so far.

This is the first time that I saw Bai Lu, and I thought she has an uncanny resemblance to Li Qin. From her facial expressions, the way she portrays the arrogant Lu Zhaoyao, the way she acted as the mischievous and haughty Qin Zhiyan double, the way she dress, looked exactly like Li Qin’s characters in Princess Agents and The Song of Glory, so from start to finish i keep seeing Li Qin instead of the one named Bai Lu. Anyway, the actress executed this character well, love her domineering act as demoness and the cutesyness when she was impersonating Qin Zhiyan. She is really good playing different types of characters at one go.

I think the one playing ML was extremely handsome with a boyish look. But even with such boyish look, he managed to pull off the look of a strict and arrogant sect leader, and that look of evil as the demon was consuming him. He didnt get much dialogue at the beginning of the show, so I failed to feel the attraction between him and FL, but as the story unfolds, the attraction becomes strong and real really quick. He was really good at sad scenes too. I really like the blue hue of his hair. The red hair on Jiang Wu is brilliant too, it kinda gives off good-bad vibe on their characters ML and 2nd ML. Blue being good and red being bad.

I need to specially mention Qin Zhiyan as the 2nd FL, gosh at first i hated this character, so cowardly, always making silly mistakes bringing trouble to FL, very childish and weak too. But I guess this character was important to nurture FL into what she became towards the middle of the story, as this may be considered the first friend she ever had after ML. This character started to be useful when the Wanlu Sect almost broke apart with Jiang Wu’s intervention as she helped with the sect management. And the ending for her is truly unpredictable cuz I never imagined it to be as such. But she looked the part so I guess this 2nd FL character must have the biggest progress among all. She became wise, reasonable, and capable in the end.

I have not much memory of the music, i think they were good but not captivating enough.

I love the fighting scenes. Although the CGI in the last few episodes especially of ML in limbo is horrible and those zapping sounds when he was fighting the dragon only make it worse, the rest of the show is bearable and okay, definitely better than Burning Flames.

SPOILER BEYOND THIS LINE !!!!!!
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When i was watching, i thought the editing isnt as bad as the chats have been mentioning, because I have seen worse edits than this, but when i reached episode 53, okay this show really topped it out of having the worst editing ever. How come everything got jumbled here and there and not streamlined? They really love to keep the audience confused and frustrated is it? The ending episode is the worst, although it shows they finally got together, the scenes are all haywire! One scene FL was all in white and reminiscing her memory while waiting for ML outside the sword tomb, looking all mature, soft and aloof, and the next where ML and FL were grinning and laughing while holding hands, walking down the street filled with people, in the attire they were in was what they wore years before. Omg is this a flashback or what!!! And the next scene was of a pair of their teenage kids reenacting the scene where supposedly the parents met. Omg yes this is the most unfulfilling ending I’ve ever seen. 😡

Edit: i was not satisfied with the ending, did not comprehend it at all, so I decided to read the novel. My gosh the novel’s ending was so damn perfect and even more exhilerating! Why the heck did the writers decided to change it into this abomination of all endings? Duhhhhh. So those who feel as i did about the series horrible ending, go read the novel instead.

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This is definitely worth the watch. It’s just sad how the editing and transition of music was poorly done but thanks to the storyline and its actors, you’ll still be able to give it a pass. I didn’t know any of the actors but 1.) decided to give it a watch when I saw Xu Kai being so handsome with his scar on. 2.) Stayed and endured the frustrations I have with the antagonists because of my faith and love for Li Chen Lan. 3.) Lu Zhao Yao is one of the best strong-female character I’ve watched. But I agree that both LZY & LCL’s character weakened near the end, they were both invincible — so to witness them becoming weak is saddening (but then again, it’s understandable). 4.) Li Chen Lan will probably be one of my most favorite male character of all time. His growth, kindness, faith, and love for Zhao Yao is just so amazing. Words aren’t enough to describe him. *sigh

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Good start

It was difficult to finish:
The Legends started out really well up until about episode 30. Up until episode 30, the drama had a really good synopsis, it was interesting, unique and had great potential. However, from episode 30 onwards it was a let down. I found it really hard to not skip sections within each episode and found it difficult to finish in general. In saying that, it was not that bad, just not what i expected to happen.
In my opinion, the drama became a drag because various ideas in the drama were reused (can't explain in detail otherwise the drama will be spoiled) or the flow was just really slow with no action happening in certain episodes.

Confusing scenes:
Towards the end of the drama it was quite confusing. I believe it was due to how the parts in the episodes got put together. Even after finishing the drama I have no idea what some of the certain scenes meant.

Ending:
The ending of the drama, I did not enjoy at all. It felt really rushed but at the same time dragged out. I think they could have just stuck to one impactful ending scene. The part with the kids was really confusing and weird too.

Nonetheless, the casts acted really well and really portrayed their characters and emotions really well and the actors had great chemistry. I would recommend this drama for the acting and if you just want to watch something on the side but don't hold great expectations.

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This is a really good fantasy period drama. The drama has a good story line and the cast did a great job delivering their characters. The leading couple has great chemistry and their romantic scenes are very nice. Having said that, this drama had too many fatalistic ending to the supporting cast and, although there’s a seemingly and rushed happy ending for the lead couple, it is a bit confusing at the end. There’s also an overuse of flashbacks and the main couple didn’t displayed the strength of character that developed through the first half of the drama. Despite these shortcomings, the drama is entertaining. Enjoy it!

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I could really feel the love from Xu Kai towards Bai lu. He did really good on his acting for this drama. There were so many annoying characters in the drama like Liu Su Ruo who was obsessed with Luo Ming Xuan (Who was also so annoying) and there was Lin Zi Yu who was obsessed with Mo Qing and so she did the stupidest/ unnecessary things to get his attention. Which he never cared for. She was honestly so weak in terms of power/fighting.

Qin Qian Xian was such a lovely character in the drama. I'm glad this character existed in the drama. The mild love line he had with Lu Shi Qi was a nice touch.

There were many draggy parts of the drama that I can't point out when. I came to this drama after Arsenal Military Academy and probably hoped for too much. All in all I finished it! (:

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Now I'm Xu Kai and Bai Lu shipper ????

Story.

The storyline is great. One of a few best chi-drama that I watched without skip. There's a small flaw of this story, I got confused with the ending.

Acting/Cast

What's keeping me from no skipping any minutes of the drama, is the acting of each cast. Especially, male lead and female lead. Their acting is so great. And the most important is, their chemistry is very natural. Its very pleasant to watch any of their moment.

Music

I did enjoy the music/ost.

Rewatch Value

I've been watching this about 6 times already. The main leads and their amazing chemistry that keep me to rewatch it again and again, without get bored.

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Cant get enuf even after watching 4 times

Phenomenal show. Bai Lu's acting is amazing and Xu Kai really pulls on your heartstrings when he smiles slightly from Bai Lu's antics. The chemistry is top notch like the CP is one of my top favourites in any xianxia I've watched. OSTs were superb my favourite was 宿命 I've been listening to it non-stop even till now. The only problems I had was the lack of depth in the characters in the 宗门 sect (supposed good guys) I feel like they were just bad for little reason that didn't rly persuade me that they really felt genuinely that way. Wan Lu Sect chracters on the other hand had wonderful chracter developments and interactions with each other throughout the show was meaningful and true to their character. Another was that as the story progresses, all the characters on zhao yao's side seemed to be continually played down in terms of their powers and skills which the producers lost the opportunity to kind of "give a slap in the face" to the bad guys. Lastly the ending was unimpactful ahd more cringey when the kids tried to act like the CP in the past. Especially considering how they r supposed to be siblings. the actress who played Qin Zhiyan really kudos to you for being able to show such clarity in the 2 contrasting characters protrayed with the same face. All in all, execution of the show was ver professional, y'all shouldn't miss out on this show otherwise because it's literally a legend.
You can have a look at my other ratings of other shows to have a rough gauge of how highly I think of this drama. The fact that I watched this so many months ago and came back again to write a review should speak volumes.

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Great story and chemistry

I'm writing this review after re-watching, I first watched the drama while it was airing, but never wrote a review. I just re-watched it and decided to write my review now.

This was the third xianxia drama I've seen, and its the first drama i watched while airing, i just happened to see it on Viki and thought it looked great so I watched it, waited every week for the episodes and subs, it was also my first drama with Xu Kai and Bai Lu who are now two of my favorite Chinese actors.

This drama was pretty good, the chemistry between the leads were great. the only issue is that it did get a little bit draggy closer to the end, and there were some bad editing, which is no fault to the story and actors, so i stuck with my 9/10 because well i watched it twice so i really enjoyed it.

You'll love the story for this drama, you'll maybe cry for some of the deaths, and you'll be very angry and furious with the villains, trust me if i could have gone into the screen i would have, that's how furious i was with the villains, they played the role too good, i hated them soo much loool.

Give this drama a chance, lots of beautiful faces, great storyline, a great message as well "We're not always right", and "We should always check ourselves first before pointing a finger at someone else, because we might end up being the worse one" soo many things you can take away from this, and the best enjoyment you can have.

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Okay, I am not gonna start with the biggest spoiler regarding the ending, because I am afraid that I will hinder you who have planned to watch it. Let me tell you. Despite the not-so-well-done ending, this drama is still awesome. This is my 3rd Chinese drama to date, as I have been a loyal K-dramas watcher for 13 years, while the first and second Chinese dramas I watched were Ten Miles of Peach Blossom and Ashes of Love which I also loved very much. Then, I was looking for dramas with a loyal and swoon worthy male lead but had not been able to find any until one day I stumbled upon this drama.

I saw the trailer and was intrigued by it, then I proceeded to watch the 1st and 2nd episode. Though not as beautiful as TMOPB, but I was hooked! This drama is all about the demons, mortals, and immortals, not kind of heavenly immortals like TMOPB and AOL though.

STORY: (Funny and absolutely romantic)
The story flows quickly in the first 4 episodes without wasting any time for unnecessary scenes though the parts with Immortal Sects was quite confusing at first. It is a story between the goods who was claim to be treacherous and the baddies who claim to be the good ones who will punish those whom they think are demons.

Our female lead, Zhao Yao, is the legendary demoness who was once a really naive and good girl but turned to evil after her grandfather was murdered by her crush while our male lead, Mo Qing, is a shy and timid demon king's son who is sealed in a cave and finally saved by Zhao Yao. Our lead characters are unlike the mainstream characters in other dramas. The female lead is just so badass that she does not need to be saved so often unlike other dramas. The male lead is also not the kind who will tell I love you, word by word to make his feelings known, instead, with actions and loyalty. No matter how evil his girl's attempt to kill him, he still loves her and dotes on her until she falls in love with him.

After episode 5 when Mo Qing has turned into the mature, reliable, and powerful Wan Lu Sect Leader, the story really begins to be interesting, funny, romantic, and enjoyable. Zhao Yao who believes that Mo Qing has betrayed her, tries to kill him many times but absolutely fails because our male lead is invincible now and God, he is a really one-woman man type! Not fearing anything if it means to protect his Zhao Yao!! He willingly risks his life to take the Heaven Sword for his girl though he knows it will cost him life as he is a demon, because he just wants his girl to be happy. Mo Qing has set the standard for a male lead too high.

The only part that I find really annoying is Jiang Wu! He is really annoying and his part was dragged too long. So, be prepared for an annoying second male lead.

I watch the last 4 episodes from the fan edits in soompi forum so I do not have much complaints, except that I just wish they can add 1 minute of a real happy ending or if it is supposed a sad ending, then be real sad, not that hanging. Based of the version I watch, the ending is when the Heaven Sword rises from the bottom of the tomb and Mo Qing calls Zhao Yao which means that he finally can free himself from the Wanjun Spirit and also the stab of the Heaven Sword. Based on the Youtube version, the series ends with the children scene and thus if the fan edit version and the youtube version are compiled, then after he calls Zhao Yao, he finds her and finally get married and live peacefully in their private place they first met. It has potential to have a great happy ending, but sadly it did not.

ACTING:
I like Xu Kai as Mo Qing/Li Chen Lan and Bai Lu as Zhao Yao. Bai Lu is really badass as Zhao Yao. The way she smiles arrogantly is really contrast when she acts girlish towards Mo Qing which make her a really good actress. Xu Kai as Mo Qing, OMG, he is so suitable as the powerful, handsome, young, smart, and quiet sect leader. He is the same age as me but he can look both young and mature when he acts. When he cries, he really cries as if the world has fallen especially when he is afraid that Zhao Yao will die in episode 43 and also when he can not find Zhao Yao's body in the Sword Tomb. When he fights, he can act as if he really fights his soul off. The chemistry is good.

MUSIC:
Just so so.

Overall, I am really in love with this drama. Li Chen Lan aka Mo Qing has set the male lead standard definitely too high. He is almost in the same level as Ye Hua. If I can put it in rankings regarding the male lead character in Cdramas I watched:
1. Ye Hua of TMOPB
2. Li Chen Lan/Mo Qing
3. Xu Feng of AOL

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This drama has everything that wuxia fans like me look forward to watching. It has a great premise that draws you in right away. Awesome cinematography/ CGI and compelling characters. The main female lead is amazing and carries her role well. The character development as the story progressed is flowing smoothly for me too. There's a lot of lighthearted fun along the way, as well as tragedy that helps shape the lead's character. The male lead is also doing a great characterization along with the rest of the cast. I liked the period costumes, magic and fantastic kung fu.

But, the main light at the end of the tunnel of this drama is that there is incredible chemistry between the main leads. Their love is convincing when they look into each other's eyes. It makes you root for them through their hard times and celebrate their happy moments. The rest of the cast did good too and I especially love Zhi Yan and Shi Qi. Xiao Yan portrayed her role well switching between her character and Zhao Yao when they still shared a face and was spiritually connected. I liked the progression of their characters from acquaintance to becoming close like sisters.

Another comedic relief was Shi Qi or Seventeen who was fun, loyal and super cute as she attaches herself to her Sect Leader Zhao Yao and Qian Xian. Without these good points and the main "meat" of the story, the drama would totally fail. It was so drawn out with sub-plots and other romances that ended unhappy. I did like the way the main antagonist died at the end but I didn't like the ending when they used the same actors as siblings. Sure, it did have a happy ending but I would have liked to see how they settled and not abruptly showing their grown children who looks like them. It's just weird that they used the same actors that acted as lovers and at the end, acted as siblings. It just threw me off, that's all. Anyway, I still loved this drama although it dragged a bit towards the end and I still think I didn't waste my time.

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