SinGood

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.

Can someone help me link to a page where I can find the background track used in ep. 9 at 14:00-17:00, the best part of that episode where ZZS and WKX are talking about soulmates?

I find that track very relaxing. I love many Chinese instrumental tracks especially with flute and guqin accompaniment. Listening to it would remind me of this series.

Thank you in advance.

I can't say it's a short story considering the last translated chapter is 71 and there seem to be many chapters to translate and publish for international audience consumption. And I also feel that the story is one of the stories in a universe with ZZS being a central or supporting character. There is another novel Lord Seventh in which the main character is a close friend of ZZS (and who is also the character that WKX is extremely jealous of). Even ZZS regards Lord Seventh of having very beautiful features. Lord Seventh appears in the story in the novel.

Perhaps, I need to go over again the novel chapters because I couldn't recall the characters of Four Sages of Anji(or perhaps, I missed them). But somehow, I find the addition of the characters in the series an allegory of having soulmates(and the tragedy that could come because of greed or certain behavior resulting to their untimely demise.) WKX might have learned a lesson from that tragedy as seen from his reactions(considering his action would be seen as the cause of that tragedy).

The story in the novel is very good even though I am up to chapter 71 and waiting for the translated ones. But somehow the changes in the novel is a good thing for I can witness WKX's road to redemption earlier-- from being a ruthless person to someone who is very eager to stick with his soulmate(ZZS)in his lifetime.

Point taken.

I understand the point of the categorization, which at its first few episodes, any one who knows about wuxia would classify the series as under that genre,

Perhaps, my point of its categorization is on how certain elements seemingly magical and mystical are integrated in the story. I can do bullet points for that:

- the incense that induces illusion magic seems to be an invention of Zhou Zi Shu(chapters 10-11)
- sound magic using the flute and zither (or guqin) to manipulate consciousness, actions, situations, living things and even other things of malignant characters or puppets is under music sorcery. This has been employed by ZZS and WKX in the series. I have considered sound magic as one of the highest forms of magic and in cultivating spiritual power.
-cultivation art employed by ZZS such as Swift Moving Steps is a speed cultivation art using footwork.
-glazed armour(lapiz armour) broken in 5 pieces but assembled together with the key can reveal the cultivation manuals coveted by the sects and heroes of the that world. Question is how will that piece reveal those manuals? Would it be through projection or through absorbing the manuals using the consciousness?
-in the novel, both WKX and ZZS discovered Zhang Chen Ling had larger meridian, which can be considered an innate cultivation base and advantage for me Chen Ling.

There are more to mention though that is why I feel like the classification of the series as wuxia is not really wrong but the elements from what I have read make the story more like a high fantasy to me; hence, why I feel like it's xianxia.


By the way, I have been interested in reading xianxia novels from Sovereign of Three Realms(which I have finished for 15 days, a record for me)) to Records of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Ye Futian , Soul Land( Doulou Continent), Versatile Mage and even Legendary Master's Wife for years now though I have started watching wuxia films in 2000's.

Xianxia is a high fantasy for me. However, I find certain xianxia novels to be disclosures of some cultivation arts and principles in Eastern esotericism. I feel like those in the West who want to really know how to "ascend" and leap up to higher planes or realms of existence can learn from the xianxia novels. Why I have shared this is because I have known for years as someone in the esoteric community that there are people who have experienced spiritual awakening but have not really learned more about what planes of existence are and how to go about ascension. The lack of knowledge may stem from the fear of being enrolled in mystery schools.

Shamans, alchemists, mystics and martial artists who have cultivated their consciousness to higher spiritual realms are cultivators of spiritual energy.

Anyways, that's all for now.

Thank you for your insights.

Thank you for those who have replied to the above comment. I respect all of your views by the way and I am not here to say you're wrong or that I am right. I am aware of the classification of this series as wuxia so I instantly understand those who point out that this is wuxia and not xianxia. I have also made certain points that are based on why I believe this series as xianxia even though I initially though of this as wuxia.

There's one who pointed out that wuxia and xianxia can't be interchangeable. Perhaps, I think it's in the realm of the writer on how he/she limits or expands the story with the martial art base and premise. As I have read the novel version of this story, I have also wondered on the writing style and premise of the story. As for the writing style, I have formed the conclusion based on the translated chapters with my limitation as a non-Chinese. As to how the writer expands the storyline, this can be theorized by the readers. As a reader, I have formed things based on certain principles, descriptions and observations. Hence, I feel like as the story progresses, the addition of magical elements in the story expands its genre despite the use of purgilist world referring the space or universe of the story as a martial arts world.

Anyways, the argument is formed based on observation but it is not in my powers to change the genre of the story as the author itself has the fundamental right to do so. I am just an observant reader and follower of the series who attempts to follow the canon of making titles on subjects based on conformed descriptions.

Furthermore, in wuxia novels, characters are regular people with the main being martial artists who also undergo the cycles of life from being young to looking old as they reach a certain age.

In xianxia, characters that are seemingly old because of their age can still appear youthful. The eternal youthful appearance is due to a certain cultivation art or from inducing a face-retaining pill, a magic pill created by alchemists. In the novel, Zhou Zi Shu and Wen Ke consider themselves old. They may even be middle age characters but why do they still retain handsome youthful appearance? Perhaps, it is in their cultivation art that they practice or that they are of higher cultivation level than their peers.

Correction: He is leaning towards radical socialism not against. Apologies.

Apparently yes

I am aware of the classification though. I have also read many xianxia novels mentioning jianghu that mostly refers to the place or space(AU) of community of martial artists but also of cultivators and groups of experts in various crafts. Hence, the term is not exclusively used in wuxia novels but also in xianxia.

Also, energy cultivation exists in wuxia genre with qi(life force) as the fundamental force in attaining and channeling power for martial artists. Beyond the qi realm is where the martial artists can expand his cultivation base and consciousness to achieve higher realms to attain immortality with the aid of cultivation arts.

I am aware that the series is classified under wuxia. The absence of cultivation levels and ranking has made me also think that this masterpiece is under wuxia genre. But the addition of magical elements make me reclassify it as part of the xianxia genre. Untamed is another xianxia series that does not emphasize cultivation ranking of its characters though it still falls under that genre because of the apparent display of flying swords, use of sound magic(flute and guqin) and talismans. Meanwhile, WOH is a story in a setting or universe where magic, ghouls, puppets, immortals, shamans, alchemists(Divine Valley), demonic cultivators(Ghost Valley) exist. Those are elements in xianxia.

What I know of wuxia is that it is more a historical drama of martial artists. Considering WOH under costume drama classification makes me think that the genre is under xianxia.

I understand your view on labeling this as more on wuxia. Perhaps, my benchmark for wuxia is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragons, Hero and other martial arts movies with less fantastical elements such as flying/gliding and more on the martial art skills. WOH has high fantasy elements that make me categorize it as xianxia.

I have also read upon the distinctions of wuxia and xianxia being avid readers of the genres, thanks to Mo Dao Zu Shi.

Also, Ghost Valley is a sect/place of demonic cultivators. It's based on the description and the nature of the martial artists who dwell in the place as what I have read in the novel and even can be seen on the series. In Untamed, Wei Ying is a demonic cultivator and even called as the patriarch of Demonic Cultivation. A demonic cultivator follows the dark path and does not necessarily have a face of a demon.

The nature of Wen Ke in WOH is that of a cultivator on the demonic path as seen on his style of eradicating the beggar gang. The novel also distinguishes the Five Lake Alliance sects forming the righteous cultivation group while the martial artists in the Ghost Valley as the demonic group. Xianxia novel and animated series such as Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality has distinguishing details between righteous and demonic cultivators.

In the cultivation world, righteous cultivators are not totally righteous as they can also be hard killers. Same can be said to demonic cultivators though their redemption can be difficult compared to righteous cultivators. It's the dilemma WKX faced when he implicated on sticking his position as the Valley Master after considering his feelings for ZSZ as the renouncing his position can be a death of him.

In the novel, Zhao Jing uses the alibi of attacking Ghost Valley being a place of demonic cultivators to convince his comrades in the alliance to conceal his agenda of coveting the Lapiz armour.

Perhaps, you're Chinese and have read in advance the Chinese novel and that there may be errors on the translated chapters that I have read so that may be the reason we can't even agree on WKX being a demonic cultivator or not. Pardon my inadequacies.

In the novel, it's informed that Wen Ke is a demonic cultivator, the Valley Master of the Ghost Valley. It's also seen in the series on how he uses sound magic by playing the flute, helping Zhou in alleviating the condition of the effects of the seven nail acupunctures. Even Zhou uses sound magic to combat the sinister music magic of an assassin. This is in the series when he borrowed the flute from Wen Ke though he played it on off key.

I might agree that the story has a wuxia setting but then many of xianxia stories occur in wuxia settings. However, the existence of the Shaman, the Immortal monk and Puppet master in the novel's later chapters somehow upgrades the story as xianxia. Ghost warriors also use emoji-shaped yellow papers turning them into sharp objects as tools for combat.

Moreover, the glazed armour is like a jade slip, a magical object used by cultivators to store information and secret cultivation manuals. It's also implied that the manuals contained in the glazed armour can resurrect lives(the yin yang manual) and purportedly another manual to attain immortality with higher risk for cultivation yet with no guaranteed effects.

Considering the mentioned factors in the novel, I think the story leans more to xianxia most specifically on the existence of magic and the natures of the characters. Zhou could have lived more than a hundred years considering his aptitude in cultivation but then that possibility is impeded because of seven nails. His high level of cultivation can make him withstand the painful effects of that self-infliction technique for assassins for 3 years. This makes him outstanding compared to others who are inflicted with the similar technique but ended up dying earlier after leaving the clan. Moreover, Wen Ke is likely to have learned more powerful demonic magic considering his ascent to become the Valley Master. His high level of demonic cultivation makes him a fearsome character even among the sinister leaders and cultivators in the Ghost Valley. These characters are not typical wuxia characters who have limited supernatural abilities even though they've learned otherworldly sword techniques. WKX and ZSZ have magical abilities attributing to their high level of cultivation despite the absence of cultivation ranking in the novel as mostly read and seen in xianxia novels.

People have different political views. He is more leaning to radical socialism and against a recent administration which has gained more favorable views from the Philippine populace.

I have considered reading the novel while I am waiting for subbed episodes, done in less than 2 days. I have found it a better accompaniment to know more the male leads' back stories. You can't really find perfect translated chapters from a Chinese novel, but what is available seem better than other translated chapters of more popular wuxia/xianxia stories such as Doulou Continent.

Also, the story is very intelligently done. It's intriguing. Character developments and redemption arcs are better understood while reading the novel considering both male leads have sinister characters.

You're right. But later chapters show the character development of Wen Ke as less predatory and more considerate in his pursuit for Zhou Si zhu. So, he experiences love on the later chapters making himself reconsider to retain his position as a Valley Master of a demonic cultivation sect.

While people are debating not to make this series more obvious as having a BL trope, upon reading the novel until the translated chapters, I find the story more of having a gay plot than just pure BL.

Wen Ke Xing is a character that is very "straight-forward". In the novel, I feel his honesty of only preferring male lovers to be somewhat unique and something that I rarely find in a character in wuxia, xianxia and donghua novels. It doesn't mean though that there are no honest gay characters in wuxia and xianxia novels. But donghua novels are less than 5% (rough estimate) of the total wuxia and xianxia novels combined.

Moreover, the male leads seem old in age though they still retain their very handsome youthfulness, an effect of their being master cultivators. This really makes me think that this is not the typical BL that we think in which the characters are young, less than 30 years old. This factor also makes me think that the story is under xianxia genre, which is different from typical wuxia stories. Readers and followers of wuxia and xianxia should have known the distinction though many of the viewers are from the BL community, so this factor is not really brought to light most often.

In comparison, the Untamed derived from Mo Dao Zu Shi novel is under the xianxia genre. The existence of a demonic cultivator such as the main character, Wen Ke Xing and and a central object such as Glazed Armour (Lapiz armour in novel) in Word of Honor are factors that would categorize the novel/series/story under xianxia. The glazed armour is a magical object that holds the coveted cultivation manuals, sought after by the righteous sects of the Five Lake Alliance and the demonic cultivators of the Ghost Valley, in which Wen Ke is the Valley Master; hence, he is a very powerful character here similar to Zhou Zi Shu, the lord of an assassin clan.

I find the production of the series very superb. Cinematography is topnotch. However, if they follow the story in the novel strictly with more magical elements, perhaps, we could see more graphic effects than what are seen in the current episodes.

Also, the story is very good, Having read the novel, I find it to be an untypical romantic story of two sinister main male characters seeking for redemption after having found someone they can spend a lifetime with.

I have often commented more than 2 times that I didn't see eye-to-eye with Severo. I have seen his tweets and I don't like them. However, I can't discount GSP as a masterpiece just because the person I don't like created it.

GSP is a masterpiece even if I don't like the creator. The piece as a stand-alone story may have gained fans on Wattpad with Severo's sole effort. I may like it, which I actually do but I might not promote it.

However, in the case of GSP the Series, it is a collective effort with many people involved. Each of them has contributed to its success. It is only worthwhile for me to rave about it here and that's because it's not just Severo's effort but the actors, directors and the prod crew who have made it this successful and impactful are involved and they are worth to be appreciated for their work.

I haven't moved on from GSP yet. It's like most of the YT reactors I have watched cried from alternate ending scene. And every time I watch that scene, it never fails to make me cry. The'what if' in my life as a gay person somehow reflects in that powerful scene.

By the way, as for this statement in Karl and Vlad's dialogue: "Remember what I said about microagressions?", I believe it is very important to educate people about the different types of gay people. I don't know what nationality you are but the way GSP is promoted in my country, it's about educating people about the gay members of the community through this series. It may seem didactic to you but for me as a gay person, it's nice that Vlad shares those things about the LGBTQIA community to someone whom he initially thought as a straight guy. That part in their dialogue for me is impactful.

I have come to assume that there's a team behind ITSAY that helps in the promotion for the series to earn more revenues especially knowing that the episodes with English translation are only available on Vimeo but each episode costs more than 10USD. Yeah, they have to make an ROI.

I think it all boils down to personal preference of what we think about the two shows.

Anyways, I don't want to rebut what you think about ITSAY and GSP. It's your preference.