After a lover's betrayal, the ancient dragon Tian Yao found himself badly wounded and heartbroken. The woman he loved betrayed him by dismembering him and stripping him of his dragon scales and then sealing his body parts in five places. Only by luck did his soul escape. Now reborn, he encounters Yan Hui, who vows to protect him as he retrieves his missing bones.
Tian Yao, the ancient spirit dragon, falls victim to betrayal by the deceitful Su Ying, who steals his heart and scales. Dismembered and dispersed, he encounters the dauntless Yan Hui, forming an uneasy alliance where he becomes her demon familiar, a dragon koi. Yan Hui pledges to help him recover his body parts, discovering the challenges of training the dangerous Tian Yao.
A mysterious cupid named Bai Xiaosheng comically influences their romance, eventually becoming an obstacle. Together, they embark on adventures, gaining lifelong friends along the way. Despite some typical xianxia tropes and one-dimensional villains, the friendships and adventures shine as the drama's highlights.
Zhou Ye once again showcases her talent as one of the most promising young actors in the industry. Her portrayal of Yan Hui is truly enchanting, radiating the effervescent enthusiasm and passionate idealism of youth that often eludes more seasoned actors. Her on-screen chemistry with Hou Minghao is undeniable, even though his acting is a work in progress. Hou Minghao's remarkable good looks occasionally distract from his performance, as he sometimes appears a bit stiff in inappropriate moments.
Interestingly, Hou Minghao's casting works well for his role, portraying an uncomplicated character who experiences love and hate with equal intensity. While his character may make some less-than-smart decisions, his pure-hearted nature makes it difficult to fault him. Despite occasional rough patches in their acting, this on-screen duo captivates viewers and had me wholeheartedly cheering for them throughout the series.
I want to conclude by mentioning that I approached this drama with no prior knowledge of the actors or the novel, making this review as unbiased as possible. However, the cast won me over completely. The remarkable chemistry between the two leads was not only convincing but also exceeded my expectations. The acting was top-notch, and I couldn't believe that Hou Minghao, who played the majestic dragon king and the milky dragon simultaneously, could deliver such a stellar performance. Zhou Ye's versatility as an actress truly shone, and she had me shedding tears along with her character on numerous occasions.
Furthermore, the entire cast demonstrated a deep commitment to and genuine connection with the viewers. They tirelessly engaged with fans, answering questions on Weibo and hosting live sessions. Their dedication and hard work deserve all the praise in the world, not just for their exceptional performances but also for their unwavering commitment to their audience.
Highly recommended. Definitely worth watching.
