Azure

I have always found the equation between Tang Lici and Zhong Chunji very interesting. Zhong Chunji's entanglement with Tang Lici is a subtle contrast to Tang Lici’s entanglement with Fang Zhou.

Tang Lici’s obsession with Fang Zhou stems from the fact that Fang Zhou is the one who greatly reinforced his beliefs and affirmed his self-worth.

For Zhong Chunji, Tang Lici is that person. At her lowest, Tang Lici unhesitatingly extended a helping hand, like a ray of light in the darkness. It was his faith in her that moved Zhong Chunji.

In Ep24, when she was submerged into waters, the words she let out before closing her eyes were, “I want to be the master of my own life” and just then Tang Lici came to her rescue, thus the beginning of her obsession with Tang Lici. It again coincides with Tang Lici fleeing from the celestial realm to live as himself, to break free from this predestined chess game, and crossing paths with Fang Zhou, later indulging in obsession to resurrect him.

What they both love is a burning passion for life, to be free from the shackles of fate. They both were acutely aware of the loneliness and a hidden darkness within themselves. Just as Hua Wuyan said, monsters cherish being redeemed even more. They both clung onto the people who played a redemptive role in their lives.

Tang Lici understands this obsession and his words to Zhong Chunji in Ep37 weren’t just a mere understanding of her but also seeing a glimpse of him in her.

I particularly love the last episode the most, Tang Lici saving and rewritting the world and Zhong Chunji taking on the responsibility of bringing peace back to Jianghu, becoming the heroine that Tang Lici has always believed of her from when he first meet her. It’s not just Tang Lici and Zhong Chunji but the episode was a major turning point for three other characters; Xifang tao choosing mutual destruction as a way of freedom for her and Gui Mudan, Gui Mudan was finally able to feel emotions and named the white cat, and a redemption for Ye Mo.

How about you give a try to Luo Yunxi’s Till The End Of The Moon?

I will definitely be tuning in!

Li Qianmei and A Shui are also the ones who kept feeding their blood to the protagonists (Wang Lin and Tang Lici) to come across as self-sacrifice saints. They are truly soulmates and they should end up together rather than clinging over the men showing zero interest in them.

Regarding Li Muwan, she is the female protagonist of that story, A Shui with her ten generations wouldn’t be able to match her.

Which aspect you liked the most?

As a fan of cultivation donghuas and novels, SLY is indeed on par with them. I’m starting my 3rd rewatch tonight with my friend XD

There is frankly none... if you want to watch something similar, you will need to step into donghua land.

I see ~ RI donghua will get interesting around Ep40 for you, grab lots of popcorn so you wouldn’t get bored, there is also a 'Ye Mo', the progenitor of Ancient gods and devils in the world.

Drama Wang Lin will be as whitewashed as the porcelain jade.

Not really, Reverend Insanity is a story about the antagonist. The only novel where the main character is a villain and follows his journey (there is no protagonist), that being said, it’s a pretty dark novel. Fang Yuan is probably what Ye Mo could have been.

I would recommend Renegade Immortal by Er gen (almost all his novels are praiseworthy) for a protagonist most similar to Tang Lici. RI is nothing like SLY but they have similar vibes, Tang Lici and Wang Lin share similar characteristics, similar path and a similar obsession which becomes their heart of Dao throughout the story— to revive their beloved back to life. RI is much more nuanced and thought-provoking as compared to SLY, and the one with the best world building ever. Try watching its donghua as it’s an improved version, I was recently talking the same with Xiang XD

Having watched hundreds of cdramas but the only cdrama that managed to have a place in my heart is this drama. SLY is truly a rarity in c-ent. I still remember the thrill I felt when I first watched it and I still do get overwhelmed when I think of it. If it’s not for me currently getting nostalgic over some donghuas, I would be doing my 3rd watch, 4th watch, 5th watch, 6th watch... I could watch SLY forever.

I feel that the screenwriters really loved Tang Lici so much. This child, who was abondended and hated by the author was saved by the screenwriters, they honoured him with everything he had longed for the most in the novel— a mother, to revive Fang Zhou (Yes, drama-TLC revived Fang Zhou), to save his friends. And endowed him with all the best qualities—beauty, compassion, wisdom, strength, smartness, aura-farming, courage, strategy, responsibility, being able to get along with everyone, unyielding, turning the tide, saving others, saving himself, and saving all living things.

Most welcome! Do you happen to know that there is popular chinese web novel titled 'Reverend insanity' written by Guan Ren? It literally got banned in mainland because it dared to question the belief system and dared to show the say out loud what most people don’t want to hear. SLY tried to go in the similiar direction with Ye Mo and the Celestial realm arc however it was censorsed to the point that it became difficult to connect dots from here and there.

The screenwriter actually has a strong philosophical bent, with extensive detailed view on human nature, and the will of the heaven/fate. Like the whole good vs evil thing, and the thug of philosophical war going on between Tang Lici and Ye Mo. But sadly anything involving religion, gods, world destruction, achieving Godhood, were heavily censored to avoid any kind of controversy from the religious group. The actual title for Ye Mo was 'Yīn Yáng Fǎwáng' which was changed to 'Yique Yin Yang.' Perhaps this could be the reason for such drastic cuts from the Celestial realm arc.

Several users (particularly CP fans) complain about the ending. They say Tang Lici is gone or forgotten, but none of that matters to him.

That's the whole point of drama—the story teaches people—Unconditionality. The screenwriter's ending is meant to give the audience that sense of peace, to show unconditionality isn't about being remembered and be praised for it by the world. Tang Lici travelled the vast land of Shenzhou, experienced the seven emotions, and in the end, the complete Tang Lici chose the ending he loved most. It’s not a nihilistic ending. Without the story of Shenzhou, Tang Lici wouldn't have made that choice, and he wouldn't be the Tang Lici we love. The story of Shenzhou is the message Tang Lici and SLY want to tell us. This is the most meaningful drama I have seen so far.

Happy New Year to all the whispys and a big congratulations to SLY! A drama worth cherishing!

我们水龙吟这个争气，唐俪辞天下第一!👏🥰

There will never be a drama like Whispers Of Fate because the #1 reason is to understand Whispers Of Fate, is to understand the antagonist wanted to be together with the protagonist forever. #2 the protagonist defending and then redeeming the antagonist. That is something no other drama would dare to show it. Ye Mo and Tang Lici, they will be never be able to write these characters again.

SLY could have been much bigger than TTEOTM if we consider all the 'what ifs'

Congratulations to SLY for being Mango TV's 2025 champion!🔥🔥