Brennnndda

I think they casted well because anyone else playing BOF would make him plain hateful. The fact that he changed a good man's destiny all because she wouldn't return with him. Wtf.

I really hope Zhao Ming gets his closure. He suffered for so long, continuously tortured by people's slander against him.

My question is: where the heck did they get transported to in the present? lol
I find it funny we still don't know what happened to them after being sucked into that void.

Agreed. I'm actually really loving Ah Zhu and ZM. They're very innocent and their love was very pure. It's the lifetime that sets into motion all the proceeding events.

I didn't care for their present story either lol

I think that's what makes TM more frustrating than RY. I agree that it isn't romantic but platonic love. Had it been romantic, it could be reasoned out why he was so obsessed with her, but because it's platonic, it's a bit trickier. Rather than wanting her in a way that completes/complements him, it's more like he wants someone to share his prison with him so he isn't lonely. It makes me wonder if between the two of them, CP was the more indifferent one. Her words of them always being together seemed to mean more to him than it did to her, like maybe it was just a passing comment she made since they were naturally always together.
Also, she was the one thinking their life was boring while he was perfectly content to remain unchanged.
TM is like a boulder; steady but stagnant while CP is like a stream; constantly flowing and moving.

Excuse my little rant. I do understand what you're saying.
But to me, Hao Tian's reasoning is a villain's way of rationalizing their potential harmful actions. The whole "the end justify the means" mentality. Because Hao Tian has no emotion and is impartial, his descent could end up hurting a lot but to him, it's just him restoring balance.
This is probably just me being biased. In every xianxia, gods normally don't interfere because "it's fate" until it affects them.
Hao Tian didn't interfere when the bad deities killed off the good ones but because of his inaction, things have become the way they are. He ordered CP to repair the split in the sky yet it cost her her life, which ironically is what set off all these events.
It angers me since it's very similar to Love and Redemption. The god there also just watched as Dijun committed all his evil acts.
Inaction in the face of evil is complicity.

ZM/XXC also makes me think of Xuan Ji/Luo Hou Ji Du. She was a part of LHJD and in the end, he was sacrificed while she lived. I didn't find that fair since LHJD never got his justice. I'm hoping the same isn't done to ZM. He, like LHJD was a good man/ruler. He was cheated out of his happy ending (also by a good friend) and I'm hoping this drama doesn't separate ZM from XXC.

Tian Ming annoys the crap out of me. No means no, just back off already.

I wonder if they will address Hao Tian wanting to possess Zhao Ming's body to descend to Earth. That is suspicious as hell and sounds more like a villain's move.

Watching xianxia is truly like playing a game with a lot of side quests/ mini games. The first 3/4 of any xianxia is essentially the side quest until the meat of the story and the true issue/bigger picture is revealed in the last 5-6 episodes. XXC and MXL are a means to an end so ZM and CP can be reborn and find their way back to each other and right the wrongs done to them. It'd be sad if the means of "saving" XXC would be to erase ZM. Especially since XXC is just a sliver of ZM.

Side note: Tian Ming reminds me a lot of "Ashes of Love's" Run Yu. He's so fixated on MXL/CP that he fails to realize he has someone who chooses to stand by his side. Instead, he's only focused on his own obsession instead of accepting a happiness that could be his.

For ZM, it was a double betrayal. The betrayal of friendship from Tian Ming and the betrayal of love from CP. From his original flashback, it looks like he was accused of being the bad guy when he invaded heaven and CP was the one who sealed him. Tian Ming was also his friend and ZM probably saw them both together in heaven thinking they colluded together to trap him.
10,000 years is a long time to have to stew in betrayal.

My thinking would be because MXL isn't the original but a reincarnation. She's no longer a goddess, but a member of the spirit clan.

So....all the popular actresses lol

I supposed that could make him worse then. Calmer people are scarier because you don't know what they are capable of. At least pushed, Wang Qing was unable to hide his beastly nature.

Liu Chang is no different from Wang Qing.

He is so delusional, it's annoying.

I really loved the trajectory of Mu Dan and Sheng Yi's relationship; how their upbringings defined their characters, how Sheng Yi is a great foil character to Mu Dan, and how their relationship has run its course.
Mu Dan, although has experienced such atrocities, can be strong and willful because her mother taught her skills she could rely on. Sheng Yi didn't have that; if not oppressed and abused by Wang Qing, then she gets it from her parents. Mu Dan is confident because she loves herself and knows her worth. Sheng Yi is timid because she loathes herself. Her unknowing betrayal was because she couldn't define herself unless someone put a label on her; be it wife, daughter, business partner, etc.
Sheng Yi/Wang Qing also portrays why abused people often return to their abusers. It's a hard cycle to break and outside help only goes so far unless the abused finds the inner strength to break free. But, freedom, to someone who's never had it, can be crippling.

I think it also nicely shows how women can want different things and it's okay. Mu Dan wants independence, freedom, and choice. Sheng Yi wants the more traditional path, ie: marriage and children. There's nothing wrong with either and aside from all the mess with Wang Qing, the issue stems from both not understanding each other. They're at an impasse and unfortunately it's not a bridge they can gap. They've been able to form a sisterhood, but now their relationship can go no further and it's time to go their separate ways.

I don't like nor dislike Sheng Yi. I find her a really pitiful character.

It's really hilarious to me how Zhen Yu had 50/50 chance of guessing with 2 different sets of kids and he chose wrong both times lol

He's hiding what he's doing to climb the celestial ladder since he knows she would try to help. The problem is that the princess is helping him and he's having his people tell her he's "busy." She obviously doesn't doubt his feelings, it's just frustrating to watch.
I'm liking the arc because it shows how innocent both of them were in this 1st incarnation. I'm just hoping it goes a little faster so the ending with hottie Demon Lord Zhao Ming isn't rushed.

Xie Xue Chan was awesome, Demon Lord Zhao Ming is fantabulous...but as of 33..Emperor Zhao Ming is frustrating. Don't keep secrets from her, it's how relationships fall apart. Don't ever keep the woman you love in the dark...she will hold grudges lol

I do pity Tian Ming. He's still his original person hence why he's so obstinate about returning with her to the celestial altar..to the point of acting so psychotically and plotting Zhao Ming's death. He really can't grasp that having a choice is an option.
Chaos Pearl is actually luckier. She was essentially reborn so she has a clean slate which leaves her with an open mind to experience actual life.

I've seen many of ZBB's dramas and I have to say this one probably is one of his better ones. He really plays both well!