Will internally miss this, if not renewed❤️
As someone who hasn’t watched the donghua or read the novels, this show was an absolute banger and a great introduction to Wuxia without romance. The visual effects were amazing, to say the least. The variety of character development left me not only enjoying the main cast but also actively drawn into the other storylines. I didn’t find it slow at all—in fact, I really enjoyed the pacing.I think Yang Yang was a great choice for the main role and did an amazing job capturing the essence of the character. I’m glad the show didn’t create diverging storylines to appeal to those who wanted something else. It’s simply an awesome fantasy martial arts series with a badass storyline and constantly escalating plot goals.
I watched it every single day and was actually satisfied with where they left season one. I even caught myself thinking, “This felt like watching half of Game of Thrones in less than three weeks, and I want that dopamine shot straight into my DNA—I’m really going to miss this.” I truly hope they bring it back and complete the series, because I don’t know if I can just settle for the novel or the donghua after seeing how visually fulfilling the show was. I enjoyed every minute, glad I watched every single opening song/ending, and it literally melted me into being way more interested in these types of dramas! Going to miss it for sure, already do! Glad I stepped out of my normal genre box for this and will not forget it ❤️
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This review may contain spoilers
Absolute Banger
I am just gonna skip to the chase. Absolutely entertaining (IN MY OPINION) and everything about the drama was just amazing although many would complain about the CGI, I'm just gonna say... I've seen worst, and what was provided in the drama was not by any stretch "Bad" at all. Soundtrack was absolutely bad ass, which makes fight scenes much more high stake and cool. At first I thought it would just be another cultivation drama with emotionless and cold Male lead, but boy was I wrong, everything in the drama has reasonings and story behind to it. Nothing about the story is the "Oh this is cool, I'll write it in" type, but has intentions behind them. Another thing that surprised me was that characters (even the irrelevant ones) has their own moments and weight behind it, not just some extras to fill the scene. I've yapped enough haha so just watch it bro like wtf?Was this review helpful to you?
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Good if you're okay with plot line and character inconsistencies
The world-building is fantastic, with breath-taking camera pans of stunning natural landscapes and some of the best action sequences I’ve seen in Wuxia.Unfortunately, the show suffers from weak character development, plot holes, and a reliance on coincidences to push the story forward. The pacing is slow, and many key moments feel unearned. For example, one of the main villains is walking across a vast plain when, out of nowhere, one of the female leads just happens to be running across it too, without any clear reason.
The sects also feel strangely inactive. While a hierarchy exists, grandmasters and masters seem to do little beyond handing books to disciples. In one baffling decision, the Seven Sects, who have historically fought against the demon sects—suddenly refuse to defend innocent lives and instead take a defensive stance when the big war arrives. They even prohibit anyone above a certain cultivation level from fighting, choosing instead to lounge around, gamble, and make “comedic” small talk while their disciples die defending themselves and the sect.
Many events don’t make sense. The main character is introduced as having fake spirit roots and being unable to ascend to the Foundational level, yet when he does, nobody reacts to it. He also repeatedly defeats opponents with much higher cultivation levels with little explanation.
If you’re fine with some mindless fun and a main character who powers up despite glaring inconsistencies, it can still be an entertaining watch. But the plot holes and lack of internal logic make it hard to take seriously. I’ll see it through to the end, but it’s definitely fallen short of its potential and the promise of its wonderful world-building.
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YANG SPECIAL
I think after watching the whole show, which is very flawed in every plot. It is safe to say it is for Yang fans only. If we remove Yang from the story, the whole show looks like shit.Acting is okay, but I wanted to ask the maker why you even put FL lead there when you have no useful plot for her. Such a waste of talent.
Okay to watch, nothing to embrace. Hope to see another good drama from Yang. Thanks
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Shallow
This show did not translate well from animation to live action. One dimensional characters that I have a hard time caring for. Very forced flashbacks whenever a character died, some with less than 5 minutues screentime. Power progression felt non existent, and couldn't really see the leap from Qi to Foundation. Alchemy also felt very lacklustre and not as extensive as in the animation. Dropped at episode 22 out of sheer boredom. Han Li and Mo are the only semi decent characters, but not enough to carry this lifeless adaptation.Was this review helpful to you?
Goosebumps from the start
I watched the first 4 episodes today and it didn’t disappoint me! It was just amazing! Seeing Yang Yang also and his acting skills is superb! From young to cultivated, wow just wow!The effects are amazing - it gives me goosebumps especially the fighting scenes.
The wait is really worth it! Yang Yang also proves how versatile and effective actor he is.
I am just loving it and looking forward for the next episodes to be available! 🫶♥️
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A remarkable adaptation
As a native Chinese speaker I usually have a pretty high bar for webnovel adaptations, but this one hit it out of the park. Of the ones based on books I've read, it is second only to Joy of Life. The adaptation does a great job of preserving the essence of the books while simplifying/streamlining the story, and adjusting it in small ways that add more emotional heft and flesh out the supporting cast.The only complaint I have is that the show isn't available in 4k to stream (in the US). Otherwise it's really a 10/10, top tier acting, top tier music, top tier action, top tier story. Everything came together really nicely.
Unfortunately I'm not overly looking forward to the second season since most of the best bits of the book are in the front, but this is still one to savor and appreciate.
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Yang Yang Ascending!
Episodes 14 - 24 there is no rest with this story it is powering ahead! I’m just so thankful the subtitles are much better now too so thank you to the production team for small mercies hehe.Episodes 5 - 13 it’s been a mix between The Matrix and Neverending Story, I’m hooked. The se? scene in ep 12 was the weirdest love making I’ve ever seen, you need to watch it to believe it, but all things being equal it kinda bizarely fits, one word ‘surrealism’ lol.
Episodes 1 - 4 are delivering story! The opening credits gave me The Untamed vibes so very ready for action.
The opening sequence does not dissappoint, so fast, and I’m hooked from the sad story opening.
CGI is excellent. Unfortunately, the subtitles aren’t quite right so hopefully they get fixed up a little bit more. The opening OST was average.
Great start and looking forward more of Yang Yang.
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?
This drama purely about immortality and cultivation .after years of waiting i can finally see YY .Okay about story... What the writer tring to say?
Han li will purchase some treasure he will use in the upcoming fights again he buy some treasure again use in fights this drama fully about low cgi fights, immortality, cultivation i don't see any emotions connections between leads or senior junior.
Where is chemistry/romance?
Forget about chemistry/romance lead couple don't share screentime at all!!! FL have screen time about 10mins throughout the 30 episode damn .only 2 SFL one from mortal world one from same sect will follow him have a crush on him.FL and ML have intimate scene in their first meet later they do their own business don't care about each other ..Like What???? If he have SFL why can't writer add FL to the Plot??? Like WTH??
It's not like TBOY or Dashing youth not about friendship purely about damn immortal cultivation damn...
I'm sorry but I hate this plot
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When all the great ingredients failed to make a beautiful dish
The premise of this fantasy Chinese drama about a simple country boy with no special powers and lacks ambitions, going through life with a passion to grow and learn is classics as time. The best part is watching our protagonist grow into the hero that he is. Unfortunately the show is filled with so many characters that diluted the essence of the story. Some characters were introduced but led to nowhere and makes one wonder what was that all about. Even the antagonists were confusing to the point that there was no single entity who took the role. So was this good vs evil or dumb vs dumber? The show felt like watching The Hunger games met Harry Potter and the video game Destiny. Acting was good but lack depth and sincerity. My favorite parts were the fighting scene with magical powers which were beautifully done but other than that we could have skipped 20 episodes or maybe needed another 10 episodes to expand on the storylines.
Our protagonist had a personality of a toad who only loved to swallow everything in front of him. The introduction of a love story only to end with nothing felt like a hitting the wall at high speed.
Just like the love story lost in the muddy waters, there was not enough focus for his friendship to grow with his best friend, albeit a soulless body wearing a mask. Not sure why he has to wear a mask at all.
The show has so much potential starting out in the first epsisodes only to be messed up by bad script writing and poor editing. What is unfortunate when the storyline goes awry is that the ending is even worse. Maybe there will be another season based on how it ends yet at this point I really didn’t know who to root for and why should there be another season. If there is another season with a really bad storyline or script please spare us the agony of figuring out the essence of this show.
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Horrible show
dont even bother. it starts of slow and decent then ends in a huge mess and a cliff hanger. Nothing gets resolved. the pacing is awful. story is awful. special effects are awful. Im just glad at the same time legend of the female general was airing and i had something good to actually watchEverything is terrible about this show. No redeeming qualities unless you a yang yang mindless fan girl, that which i am not. Theres barely any character development. No emotional development. Fight scenes are ridiclous like shooting lasers and fireballs. I normally cant stand the xian xia genre but this one makes me detest it even more
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A top-quality fantasy drama
The Immortal Ascension is an amazing xianxia drama that delivers a fantastic story.It follows Han Li as he grows from a simple young man into a skilled cultivator, facing dangerous enemies, rival sects and secrets of immortality.
Each story arc brings new challenges and interesting characters with clever twists that keep the plot exciting and unpredictable.
The pacing is great, balancing action-packed battles with quieter moments that let viewers connect with Han Li and the people around him.
Yang Yang gives an outstanding performance, fully showing Han Li’s growth, determination and emotions.
He makes both the intense fight scenes and the quiet, emotional moments feel real.
The production of the drama is also impressive. The visuals are beautiful, with detailed sets and amazing CGI that make the mystical world come alive.
The fight scenes are exciting and well-choreographed, and the music fits perfectly, making both action and emotional scenes stronger. The supporting characters are memorable and add depth to the story while Han Li stays at the center as the main focus.
Every plot twist feels earned, every conflict has meaning and the show balances action, adventure and emotions really well.
It’s immersive, exciting and hard to stop watching once you start.
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