CasualCDfan

They are two different people. And I think Jing Yan recognized Shi Luo as the lotus demon. However, he chose Jing Xi because, in this lifetime, she is his true love. So I think Qing Ye actually broke the curse.

Currently both SL and XZ are prisoners of fate and circumstances. XZ cannot pursue true love due to his obligations to the realms, whereas SL is being forced in to a loveless marriage because of her responsibilities to her people. Interestingly, while Shen Li claimed to reject determinism, she resigned herself to marrying Furong.

After reading the novel and watching the latest episode, I was still confused by Qing Ye's love trial.

When Qing Ye was Gu Cheng Jin, the lotus demon was Xiao He. But he got entangled with Ye Shi because she saved him, thus breaking the lotus demon's heart. In their next life, Shi Luo (previously Ye Shi) became the lotus demon (as evidenced by the tattoo), while Jing Xi (previously Xiao He/lotus demon) became a snake demon but looked like the lotus spirit in appearance only. After XZ opened Jing Yan/Qing Ye's immortal eye, he found his lost love.

So, I couldn't understand why, in the end, Jing Yan chose Jing Xi (snake demon) instead of Shi Luo (lotus demon), who I assumed was his true love. I think I get it.

Remember Shen Li's speech (Novel version): “I do not believe the matter is as complicated as that. Qing Ye’s godhead is gone but it does not mean Heaven will negatively interfere with the course of his lives. In this life, he is Jing Yan. And in this life, he grew up with Jing Xi. Obviously, he cherishes her. The two generations are not related. His destiny is mainly in the hands of fate; however, he still has free will. And that free will’s influence will impact his fate.”

After XZ opened Jing Yan's immortal eye and allowed him to look through his previous lives to find his true love, he did find her. However, I believe Jing Yan decided to stop playing Heaven's game. In this lifetime he was Jing Yan and his affection was towards Jing Xi (the snake demon), and not Shi Luo (the lotus demon). I might be wrong. But this seems to be a subversion of the I-will-only-love-you-accross-multiple-lifetimes trope.

It'll be over very soon. Things are about to escalate.

In his previous lives, it might have been the lotus demon. But in this current one, the woman that Jing Yan loves is Jing Xi. So, he let go of the lotus demon from his previous lifetime.

I don't think she intentionally lead him on.

Absolutely! Those two will act very recklessly and test nature's patience. lol

Remember Shen Li's speech: “I do not believe the matter is as complicated as that. Qing Ye’s godhead is gone but it does not mean Heaven will negatively interfere with the course of his lives. In this life, he is Jing Yan. And in this life, he grew up with Jing Xi. It’s obvious he cherishes her. The two generations are not related. His destiny is mainly in the hands of fate; however he still has free will. And that free will’s influence will impact his fate.”

After XZ opened Jing Yan's immortal eye and allowed him to look through his previous lives to find his true love, he did find her. However, I believe Jing Yan decided to stop playing heaven's game. In this life time he was Jing Yan and his affection was towards Jing Xi (the snake demon), and not Shi Luo (lotus demon).

During that scene XZ's pettiness and passive aggressiveness were next level. lol

Happy ending. Married with at least 3 kids. Everything went back full circle to the courtyard.

They don't date during the main story because both of them are shouldering big responsibilities. Do you want spoilers for the ending?

No. He's a tragic character.

indeed lol

Shen Li and Xing Zhi's relationship has such a fun dynamic. The former is a badass warrior who secretly loves being treated like a girl, while the latter is an omnipotent ancient god who doesn't mind being bossed around by the woman he's fallen for.

No problem. Fu Sheng's group wants to end the power imbalance (which was created by XZ), while XZ is trying to improve the relationship between the two realms through Shen Li's arranged marriage. But things got very complicated when XZ started falling in love.

Think of ML as someone standing on a unicycle while balancing expensive pieces of porcelain (the 3 realms) in both hands and on his head. If he sneezes (falls in love) he might lose his balance.

Fu Sheng's agenda is deeply connected to Shen Li's past and where she came from. SPOILER: Fu Sheng is part of a group that hates how subservient the Immortal realm is to the divine realm. There's a reason for this power imbalance.

You're welcome. But let's hope the drama stays faithful until the end. So far, it has been extremely faithful to the source material.

On the way back home, Xing Zhi was silent for a long time, and then he asked carefully: “Do you want a wedding?”

“Huh?” Shen Li was stunned.

“I used to think that a wedding was just a formality. Therefore, it was unnecessary. But after attending the ceremony these last few days, I suddenly felt that it was a pretty good thing to announce the identity of my significant other to the world.”

Shen Li continued to stay stunned.

Xing Zhi stroked her head and said: “Ah Li, marry me. I will give you a wedding that is blessed by a hundred thousand deities.”

Shen Li pondered, “Alright, but you have to do it as soon as possible, otherwise when my stomach gets bigger, it won’t look good in wedding attire.”
“…”
“It’s really rare to see the Divine Sovereign Xing Zhi staring so bewilderedly like this.”

As the corners of Xing Zhi’s lips rose uncontrollably, his lean fingers pressed lightly against Shen Li’s belly. He bowed his body slightly to rub against Shen Li’s ear, and sighed, “My wife, what more can I ask for…”

~~~~~ Epilogue ~~~~~
The next year…
In the small courtyard, the cries of two babies could be heard…
Then the next year…
Along with Mu Zi Chun, Lady Jin brought her baby to visit Shen Li, who was pregnant again…

For those wondering if it's a sad ending or a happy ending. Read the spoiler below. But remember, the drama might take a different route.