apocalib

Of course, opinions will vary but again, to me, TYK reads very much as a wuxia novel. Not that I’m here to argue lol but I’ve got to say, I do not recall WKX ever labeled straight up as a demonic cultivator in the novel? He’s the leader of the Ghosts in Ghost Valley but they’re not actual demons, they’re regular martial artists. Also, tbh I’m just going by the official labels used and TYK has always been referred to as wuxia (but like you said, xianxia is basically wuxia, just with a fantastical element to it).

RE: Immortality, it’s pretty clear that the Ye BaiYi is an exception and not the norm with his age. And I feel throughout the series, there’s not much emphasis on obtaining immortality but most of the characters are normal martial artists who cultivate their qi etc such as Cheng Ling. As for the sound magic, I guess I always saw it as using the natural vibrations created by the instruments to cause damage and not so much them creating magic out of thin air ie CQL with a flute that can control the dead. The music played by the assassin is used to damage inner qi and cause internal bleeding, which are very human injuries.

I mean at the end of it all, I do think there’s some fantastical elements but it’s always felt more wuxia than anything else to me xD Like I said, either way, I appreciate the effort made in the storytelling. I do think WKX also survived mainly bc he didn’t insert all seven nails in at once, which was the norm and instead, he did it one at a time and allowed his body to become used to their presence. (I haven’t read Qi Ye yet though so I can’t comment since I know there’s more of an emphasis on reincarnation in that story!) IDK if they’ll change anything in the series since there were leaked pics of white haired!WKX but the fact that he was nearly dead at the end of the novel shows he isn’t as OP as some xianxia characters. I think the fear of him was more so because at any given time, a master of the ghost valley can be challenged for the seat etc and its stated in the novel that he’s maintained his position for longer than anyone else has in the past but again, I do not recall any mention of him attaining his powers through demonic means.

I think what's interesting about TYK's two main characters is that they both come from quite a tragic and so to speak, unclean, past. Both WKX and ZZS aren't your classic typical heroes. They both have already gone through crap and are meeting at a point in their lives when they've sort of been there, done that. I quite like that about them and the fact that SHL has kept the two of their characters very true to novel-form is a huge plus for me. WKX, like you said, is a very blunt and obvious person. He is who he says he is and while he might not completely be upfront about who he is, he also doesn't ever purposely try to hide his true self. (Got to say, he's somewhat annoying in the novel, lol but Gong Jun has done an excellent job in making him much more likable in the drama).

Interestingly though, I feel like TYK is very much a novel that takes place in a wuxia-setting. It's got the basic themes of righting old wrongs, removing oppressors and fighting/doing what's right. I wouldn't classify WKX as a demonic cultivator exactly? It's true that he's the leader of the Ghost Valley but he got to that point through good old fighting. He's literally the best fighter in the entire novel (not counting YBY who is a different story, lol) because he's continuously fought his way to the top. Unlike WWX in MDZS, who is clearly a demonic cultivator as he uses a magical flute as means for his power, WKX uses a sword, his fan or his own fists. The whole glazed armor thing, to me, is more just a key to a manual for a secret technique that basically could empower the beholder, which again is a very classic wuxia thing. It's literally an object that was broken into x amount of pieces and serves to unlock the manual, but in itself, hold zero power. I don't think any of the "ghosts" (who aren't actually ghosts because again, I think the moniker is more for the fact that they do unseemly acts) cultivate through demonic means either.

I think it's kind of obvious that SHL didn't have the biggest budget and that's completely ok. I can see the obvious love the scriptwriter has for the novel/story and the effort that everyone put into making the series good. A great example of money =/= success. I really applaud the entire cast and crew for their dedication and hard work into making SHL such a fine series (so far). Coming from a POV of someone who adores wuxia series, I love this drama. It reminds me why I like wuxia settings in the first place! (Altho, lol the BL aspect isn't too. bad either)

1. Unfortunately, yes, Gu Xiang and Cao Weining both die. Cao Weining was killed by his master and Gu Xiang was killed shortly after by the enemy while saving/fighting alongside WKX :((((((( The extra chapter was just them reuniting, so to speak, in the afterlife. It was cute, basically CWN was waiting for GX before drinking the "forgetful" water and going on to his next life. Because of how fated they were to be able to reunite so quickly after they died, they were gifted red strings so that in their future lives, they would "know" each other and that extra chapter ends with them sort of being match made in their second lives when they're young.
2. Can only really guess as they haven't reached the point yet where WKX comes clean (stop lying to your boo, boy!) but I think they'll most likely keep his background the same. In the latest episode, ZZS tries to ask WKX is his last name is really Rong (which is an exact line from the novel) and WKX gets mad at the question (more at being seemingly tricked into answering) and avoids answering.
3) YBY was indeed Rong Xuan's master but I can't really remember the details 100%, sorry x.x

You can read the novel here --> https://www.zhenhunxiaoshuo.com/tianyake/

I'm not sure if it's a strict rule but Priest novels have HE (Happy Endings) so unless the scriptwriter changes the story (which is doubtful because the scriptwriter has stated they're Priest fans and said that it was v important to them to stick as close as possible to the actual story), then WenZhou have a happy ending with their son~

At this point, I'm watching solely for Wallace and Seven. They're cute and it's adorable to see the way their relationship is deepening. The little smiles Wallace gives her and the way she's kind of clueless about some things (since she is supposed to be younger in this after all) makes me lol. But man, the actual plot of this story is really meh. Concubine Qiao is turning into such a joke tbh, her poor acting (in the context of her fooling everyone else around her) is making me headdesk.

I was really looking forward to this drama mainly for Seven and Wallace. I enjoy both their acting and got to say, their chemistry together has been worth the watch so far. I'm only up to ep7 so far and while it is indeed a bit slower paced, I think it's necessary to set up the story. I haven't been bored thus far and I think we've instead been given a good insight into both Seven and Wallace's characters! The entirety of their awkward wedding night makes the longer wait 10000% worth it!

I, on the other hand, am really enjoying the harem aspect, lol. I like some scheming and I like a FL who doesn't take crap sitting down. Many classic Cdramas are harem-based, so I'm not sure why some people are acting like it's a brand new thing. But if harem isn't your cup of tea, then it's fine to move on to the next drama too!

Hm, not sure if you're referring to stigma about it being a BL novel but if an actor such as Jing Boran could accept a script originating from a BL novel, then I'm not sure any actor is out of the question. Also, BL novels are the current trend and guarantee a certain audience, and more importantly, a shot at becoming much more well-known/popular than staring in otherwise non-BL dramas.

(For ex: this is the first drama of Zhang Zhe Han's that I've watched, nothing against him, I just haven't had a chance to see anything else he's in yet!)

Youku said they'll be uploading the drama starting 3/1 with English subs on their YT channel! Until then I think it's in Chinese only, but not 100% certain, sorry!

I only just started watching but this is trashy good in the best of ways. Also, Gong Jun has really nailed his role as WKZ and he's made him even more likable for me! He wasn't my fav in the novel (actually, overall this isn't my fav Priest novel) but he's got that slightly haughtiness to him that makes me roll my eyes in the fondest of ways.

Np! I wasn't really sure if you wanted a bio of who he was in the past or not but another user has given it already so hopefully that answers it!!

Not quite sure what you mean by who he is a reincarnation of? Tang San existed in a previous life, died and then when he woke up, he was Tang San 2.0 in the current life. His name in his previous life was still Tang San (clan named Tang).

To be fair, the point of a cliffhanger is to keep you anticipating S2 so you'll tune in to get your unanswered questions answered. If you do watch the anime, it's already covered the point up to who is Tang San's mother but it hasn't covered why Bibi Dong kills her husband (who isn't her husband in the novel). I'm not actually certain they'll keep the same storyline as they did change multiple details throughout.

Per Tencent's schedule chart, it's 40 episodes due to end 2/21 with paid VIP. They haven't announced any changes and with only one more day to go, there's no way they're extending it by 12 episodes suddenly, especially when there are other dramas already scheduled to air after this on both CCTV and Tencent after Douluo is done.

The pool can be used multiple times and if you keep watching, it'll be used in later episodes by Tang San. The gift Xiao Wu received is a very rare immortal herb called the Yearning Heartbroken Red. I don't want to explain further as it would be very spoiler-y but it's a top grade herb and in this specific case, helps heal Xiao Wu and restores her spirit powers!

Np! If we're going to go via the novel, then yes, Tang San does confess but if it happens in the drama, it likely won't be until the last few episodes! Hang in there for the romance, lol.

He's another Titled Douluo named Titan and his power is basically his strength which is overwhelming. He was sent to kill Tang San until he saw Tang San's Hao Tian Hammer. He then surrendered because basically, Tang San's father was actually his Master which is why he then calls Tang San, Young Master and tries to bow to him.

If you're expecting a direct confession from Tang San to Xiao Wu, that's not going to happen unless they really change things up. But they're very obviously a pair, and the way Tang San treats Xiao Wu is clearly more than just a sister but maybe by the end of this season you'll get verbal confirmation!

(You might want to spoiler your comment as some are not up to the same episode!)

It only took 30 episodes to finally see Tang San's smirk as he displays his fourth soul ring and finally gains full control of his Blue Silver Grass and Xuan Tian Gong, I really could cry x.x

I think people are also forgetting that the rating system is an AVERAGE of everyone’s ratings so that means in order to rate an 8 (so far), it means there’s a lot of people rating a drama, higher than an 8 as well, in order for it to get that, lmao.

Personally, I’d watch anything over a 7 unless it has a really uninteresting bio. And with user based ratings like this, just read some reviews and see whether the low vote is for a reason that you might be able to handle.

(Like you mentioned, 90% of my MAL list is in the 8s and for me, that’s extremely solid and great animes. There’s a reason FM:B is consistently hailed as one of the best and coincidentally my first 10 along with Champloo.)

Like what the other comment said above, Douluo is a big, big IP. The donghua is one of the most watched in China and is still currently airing. When XZ landed this role, it was consider a big deal for him and a huge opportunity. There’s a risk that comes with every adaptation of an IP and it can either bring you great fame (lol what did you think The Untamed was? No one thought it would explode the way it did) or it can be a dud. In this case, the blame is mostly on the script and not the acting so XZ isn’t getting blamed.

Np! There was a lot of terminology that I'm ?? bc it differs from the novel so hopefully this will do the trick, haha.