Chinese dramas of days frequently have a broadcast style that releases all of the episodes leading up to the climax all at once, making binge-watching nearly mandatory. I ended up enjoying a marathon of “The Legend of Shen Li” (与凤行), which was really fulfilling.
This is Jiu Lu Fei Xiang’s sixth novel adaptation.
In the historical setting of “The Legend of Shen Li,” following the fall of the gods, Xingzhi is the lone god that still exists. He withdraws into solitude; nobody knows where he is. ShenLi, meanwhile, suffers injuries as she escapes a political marriage. She is imprisoned by a vendor after being mistaken for a chicken in her phoenix form, and by coincidence, she meets an enigmatic guy who purchases hers.
This is yet another Jiu Lu Fei Xiang 九鹭非香 book adaption. The author’s 2019 novel “The Legends,” which included a fierce heroine and a loyal male lead, drew me in as a fan. Shen Li is comparable in certain aspects. After “The Legend of Shen Li” (2024), “Love You Seven Times” (2023), “Back from the Brink” (2023), “Love Between Fairy and Devil” (2022), “The Blue Whisper” (2022), and “The Legends” (2019), this is the sixth drama to be adapted from the author’s works.
My Princess Agents Heart
With “Princess Agents,” seven years ago, I fell in love with the on-screen relationship. I’m not sure if this has made me biased, but I was captivated by The Legend of Shen Li right away. I had so much fun watching the lead pair flirt and get to know one another. Even when it was just moments of Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin in “chicken” phoenix form, it felt like chemistry was radiating. The narrative then shifts to the Immortal Realm, where the mortal Xingyun, with his sardonic humor, grows even more austere in his role as a god. Since the actor does have a humorous side, I swear that Lin Gengxin was born for this part. And then there’s Zhao Liying, who we all know possesses all of Shen Li’s badassery.
The Side characters
It’s like a breath of fresh air because it’s far lighter than your typical angsty xianxia. This is not the place for the power-hungry Heavenly Immortal, portrayed by Liu Guanlin, who is undoubtedly too young to have that much white hair. Not only is he there, obviously, but He Yu also plays Furong, the “good-for-nothing” immortal who is engaged to Shen Li. Subsequently, Jackie Li portrays Furong’s elder sister, who is purportedly the person plotting to separate the lead couple. In this tale, the brothers end up becoming the primary shippers for the main pair. Furthermore, Furong and Mo Fang—Xin Yunlai’s second lead—are a ship worth navigating on their own, particularly considering that the latter was never going to win the girl.
Was it faultless? In the opposite way. But, it’s rather apparent that the drama isn’t all that serious. I will confess that there were sporadic dull patches where it seemed like nothing was occurring, but the climactic story pulled me in.
Spoiler: There are spoilers for the ending in the debate that follows.
After the Flower Journey, Xu Haiqiao and Zhao Liying Reunite
The moving tale of Shen Li’s parents, as portrayed by Xu Haiqiao and Xuan Lu, is shown to us just prior to the major battle. We find out that Qiu Xinzhi’s big terrible produced the demon king known as Chimei Wang. The Chimei Wang resembles a newborn in many ways. They fall in love as a result of Xuan Lu’s guidance. Who would have imagined that their narrative would be so endearing?
Additionally, a moving revelation regarding Shen Li’s father is made. He has a good heart, albeit with his intimidating persona. After discovering the truth, it was almost inevitable that he would return to rescue Shen Li and give his own life in lieu of hers. Even though it’s funny to watch them play father and daughter despite their actual age difference of only four years, this is Xu Haiqiao and Zhao Liying’s reunion since 2015’s “Journey of Flower.”
My favorite scene is the one where the father and daughter have an emotional reunion, and Zhao Liying’s expressive doe eyes look like a daughter’s longing, and Xu Haiqiao’s character Feng Lai admits that she looks like her mother. Xu Haiqiao’s cameo was hailed as the most impactful, and given that his tale appears to be the most sorrowful, it makes sense. Years spent hidden away, only to finally have to confront his death and lose the love of his life.
It’s Cool Again, Lin Gengxin
When the antagonists succeed in unleashing Shen Li’s father, Chimei Wang, to wreak havoc, an epic showdown culminates in the last battle. Reliving the scenes, I found myself high on adrenaline. I thought I had moved on, but evidently not, because Lin Gengxin was too cool as Yuwen Yue in “Princess Agents.” The CGI battle scenes seemed impressive, and I found myself replaying the most memorable scenes over and over: Shen Li’s heroic rescue of Xingzhi from her father, which set up the duel between the two phoenixes, and Xingzhi caught between Xutianyuan’s implosion and Chimei Wang’s strikes. Numerous moments exist.
Then, once Xingzhi “dies” from using up all of his energy, there are still more tears. But I sensed that they wouldn’t take the “Princess Agents” turn again—it’s just not possible. With the help of the strength left over from his slain allies, he is able to return, though not as the all-powerful god he once was and instead as a common immortal. And what’s this? That’s more than enough for me.
A Stunt for the Grand Finale?
Remarkably, the final episode doesn’t make you cry. The heroine’s buddy is helping the main couple win over her future husband’s heart, thus it almost feels like a filler episode. Having seen far too many sudden “happy endings,” I was glad to see the main pair just going about their lives as any other couple would. The episode concludes with Lin Gengxin’s character proposing marriage and Zhao Liying’s character admitting she is pregnant.
Is this where they’re going to leave us? If so, may they also record the wedding scene? Would you please?
