Sword and Beloved

Forget the romance - just enjoy the stunning visuals and beautiful soundtrack.

CY has captivated me since MLC, so I’ve really been looking forward to his future works. Among all his upcoming dramas, I personally picked this one because of all those gorgeous costume photos and the “love storyline” they mentioned on Wiki and MDL — which made me think, “Okay, this is gonna be a good romance drama.”

But honestly, if they hadn’t branded this series as a “romance drama” or part of the “iQiyi Heartfelt Theater,” I think it would’ve done a lot better. People would’ve gone in with different expectations and probably enjoyed it more. The so-called “romance” mostly happens with the 2nd and 3rd male leads, which feels like a big joke. That misleading “romance drama” label really backfires by the end.

The first half of the drama was great — it built up nicely and hit its peak around episodes 12–13. Those episodes gave me so much hope for a solid love story in the later part. But after that… the story just went off track, and logic basically flew out the window. Even though the original Wangquan Arc was short, I still believe this could’ve been a masterpiece if the production team had a clearer direction, because the potential was huge. Instead, it feels like they didn’t really care and just went wild without a solid story plan. There are many choppy cuts that make the story feel disconnected and messy.

Even if the main focus was supposed to be WangQuan FuGui’s life journey, they could’ve still added the romance along the way — it’s totally possible. But they just didn’t. So personally, I’ll just pretend the Wangquan Arc only runs from episodes 1 to 13, and the rest are just bonus stories.

I’d give this drama 7/10 — mainly for CY’s stunning visuals (those costumes were gorgeous and stayed perfect till the end), his acting in emotional and fight scenes (though I still think his performance in MLC was stronger), and the amazing OST, especially 焚爱 (Burning Love) by Rainie Yang in episode 12. That song is still stuck in my head until today!

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Smile for this drama

1. I truly cried when Quan Ru Mu, covered in blood, died under the tree together with Long Wei Yun. When he died, I could see sadness reflected in his eyes.
2. Qing Tong’s death in Wangquan Fugui’s arms made me cry again, especially with the soundtrack that carried such deep sorrow.
3. The conversation between Fang Yun Fei and the children, when he talked about Wangquan Fugui, was actually meant to comfort the audience of this drama: “Wangquan Fugui didn’t die; he just turned into the life energy among all living beings and continues to be with us.”
4. Fang Yun Fei and his wife are a lucky couple. They appeared halfway through the series, yet they were the ones who got a happy ending.
5. The Fox Queen truly had to be destroyed completely, because if she were only imprisoned, she would still be able to manipulate living beings into doing evil. That’s why Wangquan Fugui’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
6. In this drama, we can see Cheng Yi playing an antagonist role.
7. Cheng Yi’s expressions during fight scenes are familiar to us long-time fans of his dramas. So expressive. I love it.
8. Every time Cheng Yi starts a conversation, he always tilts his head first.
9. As usual, Cheng Yi plays more than one character, one with black hair and one with white, fighting against himself.
10. It seems that lately, in high-quality dramas, the episode duration keeps getting shorter. What used to be 40–45 minutes or more is now less than 40 minutes, around 35 minutes per episode. It’s the same in Blood River.
11. Recently, dramas also tend to use the word “破 (Pò)” (as I hear it) when casting a spell or technique. It’s the same in Blood River.
12. When I hear Liu Yu Ning’s song, I forget that Quan Ru Mu and Qing Tong died in the previous episodes. even though I cried over their deaths. Liu Yu Ning’s song here is so full of energy.
13. Actually, Cheng Yi’s biggest enemy in this drama is CGI itself, namely, the Fox Queen.
14. The Fox Queen talks way too much. Even when she’s about to be destroyed, she keeps talking endlessly.
15. Quan Jing Ting is the worst father ever in any drama. Disgusting.
16. It turns out that the outer realm, after the Fox Queen’s death, is a very beautiful place.

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I watched it from beginning to end with great curiosity. I liked the acting, the direction. I didn't like anything else. In other words, if it weren't for the excellent cast, this series wouldn't have been watched. If you cast unknown actors and didn't have Cheng Yi, you'd just throw it away.

It's become an inconsistent, illogical, mediocre series. Simply put, the villain, Quan Jing Ting, doesn't die no matter what you do. Not only does he not die, he also wreaks havoc on everyone in sight. There's no need for another enemy. He's self-sufficient. He dies and resurrects. They destroy everything. His hands, arms, legs, bones, lungs, and spine are destroyed, but he gets back up and continues his evil deeds as if nothing happened.

Fu Gui, on the other hand, has one of his bones taken. He can't use a sword. Suddenly, he's gone. He's relegated to a secondary role. There's such absurdity. How can a leader train his own child to kill and force him to do it? It's illogical. He even makes a mistake, and the other leaders tell him to fire him, take away his abilities, and his father does the same. It's illogical. And this man protects them from demons. He kills for them. If you render this man incompetent, who will protect you? There's no answer to that. It's illogical. They're driving him away. Even if it's logical, I don't understand. I mean, the characters of Quan Jing Ting and Hong Ye are worthless. I don't understand what the screenwriter was thinking to impose these meanings on these characters. It's a shame for these actors, it's a shame for these images, and they've wasted the actors with the characters they've placed on these two actors.

For example, Ru Mu dies, and a girl, Wei Yun, suddenly has a mausoleum built in the middle of the desert. And it's beautifully designed, as if crafted by a master. It's completely unconvincing. You'll say, "This series is fantastic. This man burns a hundred people to death with his bare hands. He moves mountains. He raises water. He wields a hundred swords in the air. So, you're stuck with dementia?" I found it pointless. There were so many negatives. They didn't think or plan anything. It was a complete waste.
The chemistry between the leads was also lackluster. So, there was no real love, no connection, no trace of affection. It was very superficial. I didn't get any emotional content. They didn't contribute anything.

If the actors weren't good, even these scenes wouldn't have been watchable. Absolutely. Guo Jun Chen, He Ru Xian, Chang Hua Sen, Zhang Kai Ying, and Wang Hong Yi in the supporting roles were excellent. The relationships between these two, even if comical, seemed to contribute something. They became watchable because of the actors. I really liked Cheng Yi, Guo Jun Chen, and Chang Hua Sen. They were great together. There were some good scenes, too. I gave the series a 7.5 for their sake. I was going to lower it even further, but considering the cast, I decided it would be a shame.

Aside from that, some very valuable actors appeared in brief scenes. The series was like a celebrity parade, but the poor script took away their efforts. It was as if they'd said, "Our series is so bad, let's at least save it with good actors." I don't recommend it to anyone.

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Like Most in This Show, this Drama Is Largely Saved by Fugui

This show can be separated into 4 broad arcs:
1-13, the arc focusing on Fugui and Qingtong
14-18, the arc focusing on Fei and Hongye
19-30, the filler + fluff arc in which Cheng Yi gets 3 mins an ep on average and the plot jumps the shark. assassinating the characters of everyone getting screentime as they oscillate in personality by episode and scene, bravely and nobly sacrificing their “in character” points on the alter of “for the lolz” or “making what the writer wants to happen happen”. (I won’t say getting the plot from A to B because there was none in this arc.)
31-36, the wrap up arc, in which plot resumes and we get back to being in character again. albeit a rush towards the finish line.

1-13 are epic, 14-17 are decent, and 31-36 at least make sense and wrap it up neatly. The middle? Total mess. Fugui is the only one who stays in character from start to end. Worth watching for CY and his fight scenes, he’s amazing here, super handsome, and his performance is easily the best, but anyone hoping for a solid plot the whole way through or romance between the leads would be better lowering their expectations or stopping at ep13. Watch without minding too much overlong separation arcs or that that good guys are sparing bad guys for the nth time and locking them up without monitoring them for the nth time only to have the bad guy break out and cause trouble for the nth time and it’s not a bad ride. Songs are good and CY’s fight scenes are epic. 🔥 Overall good, just not the masterpiece of depth and growth and romance that it promised to be at ep12.

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This was my first drama featuring both Li Yi Tong and Cheng Yi. I actually dropped some of their previous works before, but I decided to give this one a try. It’s not going to be a long review — I just want to share how I feel.

Right before watching this, I finished Yummy Yummy Yummy (starring Li Yun Rui and Wang Ying Lu), and maybe that’s why the first few episodes of this drama felt kind of boring to me. I guess I was still in the mood for comedy, and after watching Yummy3x, I kept looking for that same funny energy in new dramas. Still, I pushed through because I’d already seen Love in Pavilion and really wanted to complete more of the Fox Spirit Matchmaker series.

To be honest, I’m a bit short-tempered when watching dramas — even though I understood Wangquan Hong Ye’s story, I couldn’t help but hate him at first (I’d definitely lose to Black Fox LOL). But later, I started to understand him more than I disliked him.

My favorite character here is Feng Ting Yun. She’s loyal, respectful, and understanding — I seriously love how she stays devoted to her master. No words can really describe how much I liked her.

Also, shoutout to Fan Yun Fei and Li Xue Yang — they’re the real winners among all the couples in Fox Spirit Matchmaker. It’s kind of sad though, because most human-demon relationships in this universe never end well like Bu Tai and Shi Kuan, Yue Ti Xia and Hu Wei Sheng, etc.

Even though this drama isn’t exactly my style, I’d still recommend it if you love xianxia, light romance, and magic.

If I had to rank the Fox Spirit Matchmaker dramas I’ve seen so far, it would be:
1️⃣ FSM: Sword and Beloved
2️⃣ FSM: Love in Pavilion
3️⃣ FSM: Red Moon Pact

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What a wonderful drama

when I first watched it I thought I will not like it but the first 5 episodes are so awesome. The first fight scene of Fugui are do cool and Cheng Yi portray Wangquan Fugui are so awesome too, and Cheng Yi looks are on fire🔥🔥. I'm so happy to watching this drama and I didn't have time skip some scenes because all of the scenes are so interesting. I can't wait to watch all of the episodes🥺Also, I hope the ending isn't so sad or maybe it's not a sad ending. Most of Cheng Yi's dramas are all sad endings🤧 since I became a fan of his in Love and Redemption, only this drama has a happy ending, the rest are all sad endings or open endings like Mysterious Lotus Casebook. Many people are traumatized by Cheng Yi's dramas but all of his dramas are interesting to watch. His drama Sword and Beloved is really good and interesting to watch so I will watch it until the end. He and Li Yitong have chemistry so I'm very happy and they were together again in Sword and Beloved. I just watched the first of the 5 episodes that aired on Saturday, I already told myself that this drama is good so I rated all the ratings for Sword and Beloved perfect because it's worth watching all the scenes are interesting to watch you won't be able to skip because if you skip you will miss some parts and you won't understand that episode or that drama. It's really worth watching all of Cheng Yi's dramas, you won't waste your VIP and time watching Cheng Yi's dramas. Cheng Yi looks so handsome and princely now, I can't describe his look now, his look is different, it's not just Wangquan Fugui's look, it's just different.

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A bittersweet heroine story

The beginning arc of the drama set off greatly, the pacing, the characters was perfect. The ML and FL are so cute together and the chemistry is a cherry on top.

The falling action is abit draggy. The villian building is good but they kinda overdoing it. Not to mention, the sudden decrease of ML and FL screentime. They could’ve form everyone in a group and let them go on an adventure but nope, they chose to separate them instead.

The ending, for our main cp is bittersweet (very obvious for xianxia/wuxia genre). I interpret it as a brave hero willing to sacrifice his lives for peaceful of the world, yet the love between the him and his lover are so strong even after fulfilling his duties, he will surely go back and be with her and fulfill their promise.

Like their represent quote
“the first snow asks dust how deep the love is”. As deep as the grief tree’s root.

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Purest and my top favorite c-drama of 2025!

To me, I am personally very satisfied with the drama. It kept me hooked till the last, though I know many left it in between maybe after ep 12 or didn't like the story. But it is one of the most refined, balanced and mature plots I have ever seen. I loved how every episode was crafted, the hidden layers and the morals it was conveying throughout. It was like finding my own conscience and the Way while watching it. i was not just lost in romance or a scripted World, it was like I am personally being transformed throughout. The acting was top-notch, along with the dialogues. The best chinese historical drama which went so ahead in conveying the overall message. Good always wins over the evil. Love is never a weakness. It can win over anything,
I loved every character, our both secondary couples and the characters from its past prequels. Every episode felt like a story I wanted to rewatch again and again, and all episodes are so wisely numbered and arranged. Episode 12 , 29 and 36 were my favorites. It shows us all forms of love and relationships. The best drama to watch for unconditional and true love and promises.

Don't watch it if you are only here for entertainment, time pass, to see some romantic arc between the ML and FL, conventional power struggles, or some Xianxia. Watch it with a pure heart, try to understand what deeper message the drama is trying to convey and the essence of living this life. The war between hatred and love, good and evil, desires and promises, so beautifully and painfully portrayed. There was no kissing scene between the ML and FL, still love never felt distant between them. They were so pure as characters, their love naive and eternal, their affection deep and so do their strong mind, sticking to their morals and the duties. Their individual selves not lost in the love but being complimented by it. The main story was not lost in love, though love did play a huge role. A strong emotion capable of destruction and new beginnings.

I loved our two couples in Western regions. I enjoyed the comaraderie, the freedom and the unrestraint throughout. I know many sacrifices and deaths are there throughout, each one teaching you something and bringing out a strong emotion, still the other characters' carried. Every character (good) was capable of saving the world in their own way and did their best. They believed in each other till the end. Love doesn't always need a long time to be spent together. Even one small encounter can bloom into something deeper and sacred. The way they looked at each other, always there by each other's side, always protecting each other, even sacrificing themselves, their hearts speaking the same emotion.

Trust me, you are gonna enjoy its every episode. It is one of the most refined and powerful c-dramas of all time. The vfx, the sceneries, the osts, the costumes, the stage design, everything. It's meant to be watched on big screen. I usually watch dramas at 2x, but here I really wanted to slow down, to feel the emotions, and the essence truly. I know the ending was not that great. We don't know if the couple ended together or not, was very much like an open ending. But now it doesn't matter. Having witnessed their true love and the life story, now I couldn't care less if they end up together. I know they will always be happy wherever they would be and would always be together. If not in this realm, maybe the other and would forever be remembered in our hearts. A silent smile filled with hope, is all I can say to describe the ending. It is not weak but exactly as how it should be. Looking forward to the new generations while cherishing the past ones! I hope the sacrifices were worth it and if there is a sequel to this, it would be less painful and wish for more mortal togetherness.

It gives me the same feeling I had while watching The Untamed. Die a life with no regret. Do everything you can to protect your loved ones and let love never be a burden. Don't let your heart be corroded with hatred, walk on your Way, and find your purpose. Wanquan Manor or Western Regions- I prefer western regions more. (stories etched on borders are more fateful than those of central plains)

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A strong start, but a weak progression.

The series started off incredibly strong — the story was engaging, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the music was truly unforgettable. I still listen to the soundtrack because it was one of the best parts of the show.
However, as the episodes went on, especially around the middle and towards the end, the plot completely lost its direction. The pacing became messy, the character development weakened, and the emotional impact slowly disappeared.
It genuinely made me sad because this drama had so much potential, yet it wasn’t used properly. If I ever had the chance, I would love to see this series remade with better writing that truly matches the strength of its beginning.

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10/10 — An Absolute Must-Watch!

I genuinely loved this drama from start to finish. The plot is captivating, especially for someone like me who isn’t into romance—I was fully invested in how the story unfolded. The cast did an amazing job: the protagonists are easy to love, while the villains are perfectly hateable, which just proves how well they delivered their roles.

The visuals are beautiful, and the OST is incredibly catchy—I found myself humming it without even realizing. The storyline is solid and meaningful without needing to rely on romance, and the ending left me satisfied, especially with the Black Fox finally gone.

What really sets this drama apart is its message about love and sacrifice. A happy ending doesn’t always mean the leads end up together. True love can be selfless, and Fugui showed that through his devotion to protecting all living beings. I’ll always choose a story with depth and purpose over one packed with romantic clichés.

Overall, this drama delivered everything I want and more—a well-deserved 10/10!

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