When Destiny Brings the Demon (2025): Get Ready to Fall in Love with the Chen Feiyu–Wang Ying Lu Pairing | Review & Cast

Details RATING: (7.5/10) NATIVE TITLE: 献鱼 – Xiàn yú YEAR: 2025 EPISODES: 33 DURATION: 45’ DIRECTOR: Wen De Guang SCREENWRITER: Jin Lu, Feng Ze, Yan Wen, Liu Liu, Liu Si Wei, Huang Dou Dou ORIGINAL CREATOR: Fu Hua (向师祖献上咸鱼 – Offering salted fish to the master) RESPECTED CLICHÉS: 1 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 13 – 15

When Destiny Brings the Demon is a drama that transports the viewer to a world where demons and immortals are separated by age-old hatred and where love is the most powerful panacea. Through legendary battles, romantic moments, and settings suspended in time, the series weaves a tale in which every glance, every word, and every promise sparks a bond that defies centuries of hatred, divine laws, barriers between peoples, and parallel realities.

In this review of the drama When Destiny Brings the Demon, after watching all episodes, I will analyze the plot, character relationships, and visuals to determine whether the series truly delivers on the promises made during its massive promotional campaign.

Plot

Zou Yan is a low-aspirations office worker who, following a car accident, transmigrates into the body of Liao Ting Yan, a cultivator from Serene Vale, a branch of one of the Eight Great Palaces that make up the Inner Court of the Genchen Immortal Mansion.

By a twist of fate, she is chosen to be one of the disciples who will serve the fearsome Grand Master Sima Jiao, the last descendant of the Sima Clan, imprisoned for 500 years atop Three Saints Mountain by the leaders of the Eight Great Palaces and forced to maintain the Fengshan Spirit Fire, the source of spiritual energy of the Immortal Realm.

His pure bloodline has allowed him to absorb the Spirit Fire without being devoured by it, and this has meant that his blood has become a highly sought-after elixir, rapidly increasing the cultivation of anyone who imbibes it, ultimately leading to immortality.

For this reason, Sima Jiao is very cold and prejudiced towards everyone, even the disciples entrusted to him, until he discovers that Liao Ting Yan possesses the rare Demonic Extremely-Cold Nature, capable of neutralizing the excruciating pain caused by the Spirit Fire.

Although Liao Ting Yan initially tries to keep a low profile and only wants to avoid falling victim to the Grand Master's fury, thanks to her cheerful and carefree nature and attentive care, she gradually manages to gain Sima Jiao's trust, eventually accidentally becoming his cultivation partner.

From that moment on, the two become inseparable and together investigate the plot hatched by Shi Qian Lv, the sect leader of the Genchen Immortal Mansion, to gain immortality at the expense of the lives of the last descendants of the Fengshan lineage, and attempt to oppose the return of the Demon Lord You Yan.

Along their journey, Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan will face numerous enemies from the Immortal Realm, the Demon Realm, and the Mortal Realm, risking their lives several times in pursuit of their ambitious goal: to unify the two spiritual realms and restore peace between the peoples. But between devastating clashes, heartbreaking reunions, and painful separations, their destiny may not be to be together.

"Even if your soul were reborn, I’m confident I would still recognize you."

When Destiny Brings the Demon Drama Review (No Spoilers)

When Destiny Brings the Demon hit the screens accompanied by high expectations. The drama, in fact, is an adaptation of the popular novel 向师祖献上咸鱼 (Offering Salted Fish to the Master) by Fu Hua, a highly regarded author and already known for having also inspired the drama Moonlit Reunion.

A targeted promotional campaign contributed to the hype: trailers and teasers released on Weibo and Douyin focused on a highly emotional romance, a pair of intriguing young leads, and a captivating fantasy universe, generating considerable interest in the project well before its premiere.

The premise was undoubtedly fascinating, but the final product feels as if it only partially translated it to the screen.

Plot and Screenplay

When Destiny Brings the Demon is a classic idol drama with a cold and seemingly ruthless male lead and a sunny and carefree female lead. Its plot focuses primarily on the love story between the two leads, with dynamics very reminiscent of those already shown in Love Between Fairy and Devil and Eternal Love of Dream.

The narrative appears much more linear and less fragmented than that of Moonlit Reunion and all the subplots flow seamlessly within the main plot, without creating any kind of disconnect or inconsistency, despite the story being divided into three main narrative arcs.

The fact that the storyline of revenge and intrigue plays a secondary role compared to the protagonists' love affairs sometimes causes the narrative to slow down, which, therefore, loses some of its pace and dynamism. There are moments, in fact, in which the love story develops easily, but the political plot seems to languish because too much screen time is given to the FL and ML's affections without the story evolving significantly (at times one even gets the feeling that the profuse scenes of intimacy between the protagonists are inserted just to save time).

Characters and Love Stories

Although the author of the original work is the same as the series Moonlit Reunion, the love story is more spontaneous and much more passionate.

The protagonists quickly transition from enemies, to master and servant, to finally becoming lovers. Although their relationship develops rather quickly considering the number of episodes, it does so in a believable way, with emotional dynamics full of tension and passion—even from a teen drama perspective.

The chemistry between the two protagonists is also very good, and the scenes in which they appear intimate are quite believable.

As for the characters, I particularly appreciated the way the main antagonist, Shi Qian Lv, was developed. He isn't just a complex figure or a simple obstacle to the protagonists, but rather a factor that ends up calling into question the very values ​​attributed to the world of immortals. Despite belonging to a faction theoretically linked to rectitude and spiritual purity, the character gradually reveals its deepest contradictions, demonstrating how ambition and lust for power can corrupt even those who present themselves as morally superior.

Cast

The cast certainly delivered a strong performance, although I personally give most of the credit to FL and the main villain.

Wang Ying Lu as Liao Ting Yan is not only hilarious, but also brings a touch of sweetness, naivety, and humanity to the character that makes not only Sima Jiao, but the viewer, fall in love with her. Her performance is funny, touching, and intelligent all at once. Some have complained about a touch of overacting in her acting, but I think it's in keeping with the series' adolescent tone and lends a more unconventional edge to her character.

Chen Feiyu is very fitting as Sima Jiao. Her icy beauty, deep voice, and frowning expression perfectly match the cold and detached personality of the powerful Grandmaster of the Three Saints Mountain. As his romance with Liao Ting Yan develops, he also incorporates some languid glances into his repertoire and even manages to give us a few tender smiles.

Gao Han is the master of quick-change. This time, he plays the role of the pure and naive helper who knows nothing about life and approaches everyone with trust and optimism. His acting is believable and enjoyable, although I prefer him in roles where his pleasant appearance contrasts with the character's wickedness, as in The Princess’s Gambit.

Zhao Shun Ran is an actor I particularly love due to some of his previous roles, but I wasn't entirely convinced by him in this drama. His demonic tutor is cold and detached enough, but not expressive enough to fully convey the character's evil and devious cunning. In short, I prefer him in positive roles like Wrong Carriage, Right Groom.

Bao Jian Feng (who also recently appeared in Moonlit Reunion as the Emperor) gave an excellent performance, flawlessly portraying the ruthless Shi Qian Lv.

Visual Aspects and Soundtrack

From an aesthetic standpoint, this drama isn't particularly impressive and is decidedly more subdued than its "cousin" Moonlit Reunion. Its color palette is very artificial, and the cinematography often plays with intense filters and saturated colors, especially in the romantic moments and spiritual landscapes, combined with clearly "wrong" lighting that often flattens the scenes instead of enhancing them.

The reconstructed sets appear unnatural, and the CGI isn't up to par for a fantasy drama: while the magic effects are acceptable, the aerial combat and digitally generated creatures look extremely fake.

The costumes, while overall nice, use fabrics that are too modern and cheap (the most obvious example is the plasticky mask worn by Ting Yan in the Demon Kingdom story arc), and some of the hairstyles appear overly eccentric.

A pleasant surprise, however, was the soundtrack, which, despite its strong romantic overtones, managed to convince me much more than I expected. In fact, all things considered, I consider it one of the most successful soundtracks among those of the decidedly sentimental dramas released this year. One of its greatest strengths lies in the variety of sounds proposed, which avoids flattening into the most overused canons of the genre. Although many tracks share a melancholic and contemplative tone, each has its own well-defined identity.

We thus move from the Western-style orchestral arrangements of the unforgettable main theme 这世间我唯独爱你 (In This World, I Only Love You), performed by Tia Ray, capable of accompanying the most emotional moments of the series with great effectiveness, to the more solemn and epic atmospheres of 沧海泅渡 (Swimming Across the Vast Sea), which enriches its musical structure with evocative forays into traditional Chinese instruments. Also standing out is 踏苍穹 (Treading the Heavens), masterfully performed by Liu Yuning, whose rock arrangement, dominated by electric guitars, introduces a decidedly more incisive energy and contributes further variety to the ensemble.

I also really appreciated the choice of vocalists. The different timbres give the songs different emotional nuances, avoiding that feeling of uniformity that sometimes characterizes the soundtracks of romantic dramas. In particular, I found the significant presence of male voices interesting, a choice that is far from obvious in a sentimental fantasy and which helps make the soundtrack more balanced, varied and memorable.

When Destiny Brings the Demon Drama Review (Spolers)

What Works

The Main Love Story

It's clear that the love story between Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao is the focal point of this drama, but I must admit it's also one of its greatest strengths.

Although it has a somewhat adolescent feel and isn't entirely free of genre clichés, it's enjoyable to watch the events that lead the carefree and idle FL to win over the cold and aloof ML with her dedication, humor, and sincerity. Their relationship is born from a shared daily routine of small gestures, jokes, and mutual attention, elements that help make it believable even within a fantasy world populated by immortals, demons, and cultivators.

It's interesting to follow the evolution of the relationship between the two protagonists, especially the way Liao Ting Yan gradually undermines Sima Jiao's emotional defenses. Through her constant presence, the FL pushes him to abandon a life dominated by suffering, resentment, and isolation, gradually opening him up to affection and the simple pleasures of life. In this sense, the male protagonist's journey is perhaps one of the romance's most successful aspects: love is not presented as a force that suddenly transforms him, but as a feeling that allows him to slowly rediscover his humanity.

I also appreciated the fact that the affection Sima Jiao develops for Liao Ting Yan never takes on the characteristics of a possessive or suffocating devotion. Despite being deeply protective of her, he maintains a altruistic dimension that makes their relationship surprisingly balanced. The two protagonists appear to be in harmony in many ways and quickly learn to trust each other, facing the difficulties that arise along the way together.

In a landscape where many love stories are built on endless misunderstandings, secrets kept for dozens of episodes, and easily avoidable conflicts, I found it particularly refreshing to see a couple communicating with relative maturity. Problems don't disappear, but they're generally addressed and resolved with unusual speed thanks to the FL's intuition, the ML's patience, and their mutual desire to understand each other. It's precisely this dynamic, more than grand romantic gestures or melodramatic moments, that makes their relationship engaging and makes it easy to root for them until the very last episode.

The Main Antagonist

I found Shi Qian Lv's characterization particularly successful, an antagonist who stands out thanks to his understandable motivations, a well-defined personality, and a screen presence that rarely goes unnoticed.

Unlike in Moonlit Reunion, here the villain often ends up stealing the show from the protagonists. His ambiguous nature, his ability to manipulate events, and the constant feeling that he's always playing a different game than the one shown to the other characters make him an extremely interesting figure to follow. Even when he's not at the center of the action, his influence continues to be felt, contributing to a sense of tension that permeates much of the narrative.

Paradoxically, on more than one occasion, it is Shi Qian Lv himself who drives the story forward. Many of the obstacles, narrative twists, and conflicts faced by the protagonists arise from his actions or the consequences of his choices. Without his presence, the plot would lose a significant part of its propulsive force, and several events would risk appearing less impactful.

What I appreciated most, however, was the symbolic contrast embodied by the character. Despite belonging, at least in theory, to the world of immortals and cultivators who are supposed to represent discipline, rectitude, and spiritual purity, Shi Qian Lv ends up embodying the darkest side of that system. His obsession with power, his ambition, and his willingness to sacrifice any principle to achieve his goals transform him into a sort of distorting mirror of the values ​​he claims to uphold, demonstrating how ambition and the thirst for power can corrupt even those who consider themselves morally superior.

This is certainly a familiar juxtaposition to fans of the genre (we also find it in Back From the Brink, albeit in different terms), but in this case it works thanks to the solidity of the character and the way she is integrated into the story. Shi Qian Lv's presence helps strengthen the epic dimension of the tale and makes the clash between opposing worldviews more evident, bringing one of the most classic fantasy themes back to the center of the narrative: the struggle between moral integrity and the desire for domination.

The Comic Times

Another great strength of this drama is the humor and lightheartedness that shine through on several occasions throughout the narrative. Despite being a xianxia, ​​When Destony Brings the Demon isn't always dark and serious and often offers humorous moments and comical scenes.

The protagonist's reaction to the new developments in the cultivation world, her jokes, and her relaxed attitude create ample moments of respite that defuse the narrative tension of the main plot of revenge and intrigue and allow the audience to enjoy the dramatic moments more fully.

Some examples include when the FL complains about the workload at the Central Pagoda of the Three Saints Mountain in episode 3; when she transforms into a comical otter after taking the Form-Changing Pill; when the ML wakes up in episode 13 after she "enters his Soul Manor" and she acts embarrassed; and, finally, when they go to “touch fishes” (摸鱼 which in slang means “to slack off” but which Sima Jiao interprets literally) at Cloudsky Lake.

What Doesn't Work

CGI

One of the elements that most disappointed me about When Destiny Brings the Demon is undoubtedly the quality of the CGI. Considering it's a fantasy drama with a heavy focus on magic, supernatural creatures, and action scenes, I expected a more refined and convincing visual rendering. On several occasions, however, the digital effects appear dated and poorly integrated with the rest of the image, ultimately compromising immersion in sequences that should be more spectacular.

Paradoxically, the element that works best is one of those that on paper could have been the most problematic: the depiction of animals. Their deliberately cartoonish and unrealistic appearance fits with the light-hearted and ironic tone that characterizes much of the series. Rather than aiming for realism, these creatures seem designed to arouse sympathy and make the viewer smile, an approach reminiscent of what we saw in Back From the Brink. In this case, CGI ends up serving a comical rather than purely aesthetic purpose.

The situation is different for the more ambitious sequences. While the effects associated with the characters' spells and powers are generally acceptable, the flight scenes and many of the digitally generated creatures are decidedly less convincing. Movements often appear unnatural, textures are sparse, and the interaction with the surrounding environment lacks the fluidity necessary to make them believable. As a result, some of the scenes that were intended to convey wonder or tension unintentionally end up appearing artificial, constantly reminding the viewer of the presence of special effects rather than seamlessly integrating into the narrative.

Although it never reaches the point of completely compromising the visual experience, CGI represents one of the production's most obvious limitations. In a drama that relies on fantastical imagery as one of its cornerstones, a more robust technical execution would likely have enhanced the world constructed by the story much better.

The Relationships Between the Characters

Another aspect that I found less convincing about When Destiny Brings the Demon is the way the relationships between the characters are developed.

With the exception of the relationship between ML and FL, the writers limit themselves to hinting at emotions and feelings without ever giving depth and coherence to the connections between the different characters. The interpersonal dynamics lack structure and are often introduced abruptly, leaving the viewer with the feeling that the bonds presented in the story are more affirmed than truly constructed, and are based on assumptions that lack real emotional depth, coming across as weak and ill-conceived. This weakens the story's human dimension, making it difficult for viewers to truly empathize with the characters.

One of the most emblematic examples of this construction is the character of Ye Ru Ling, torn between the desire to save her people and the attempt to avoid harming Liao Ting Yan. Although this internal dilemma is clearly presented to us from the start, the story never explores her relationship with her mother, which is the foundation of her "mission," nor her relationship with her sister, her only surviving relative, whom she doesn't miss even when she falls victim to Shi Qian Lv, nor her friendship with Liao Ting Yan, which seems to emerge out of nowhere in episode 3. This makes Ye Ru Ling's character seem dull and her internal conflict inconsistent, leaving the viewer with only a vague feeling of sympathy, thanks to the fact that the FL seems to appreciate her.

Her romantic relationship with Hei Nian Jiu also seems extremely forced, as it suddenly develops when the snake takes human form in episode 4 and credits her for it. This storyline is subsequently shelved and brought up only occasionally to liven up the narrative, but it never gains depth due to the scant on-screen interaction between the two characters.

Another relationship that is only hinted at is that between Liao Ting Yan and Feng Qi. The two meet in the Demon Realm, but we're not told anything specific about how their friendship develops.

When the amnesiac FL is found by Sima Jiao, Feng Qi shows up to take her away, and the viewer doesn't understand how she could abandon her beloved ML for a near-stranger.

Rationally, it's logical to imagine that in the 18 years Liao Ting Yan spent in the Demon Realm, she and Feng Qi had the opportunity to get to know each other and grow fond of each other, but in terms of screen time, the couple would have appeared in the same frame for a maximum of fifteen minutes, so it's impossible for the viewer to consider their relationship as significant.

Feng Qi himself isn't clearly introduced to us: we're told almost nothing about his past, so much so that his love for FL, born when she saved him from death as the Frost Fish, seems both decontextualized and superficial.

The Minor Inconsistencies of the Plot

Finally, I can't help but mention some of the narrative inconsistencies scattered throughout the series. While some made me smile involuntarily, others ultimately weakened the immersion in the story.

First and foremost, the fact that to save the soul of an immortal cultivator, one must become their cultivation partner, as Liao Ting Yan unexpectedly learns in episode 13.

Then I wondered how Ting Yan had such specific knowledge about the world of cultivation despite coming from another reality (for example, she was the first to understand why Hei Nian Ju became human after Ye Ru Ling returned his snake heart).

I'm still unsure why, when Shi Qian Lv subjects Ting Yan to the Soul Purification Spell, she loses all her memories of the Immortal Realm, but retains all her knowledge of the reality she came from.

The author, in my opinion, has attributed truly excessive power to Sima Jiao. I understand that he is the one and only Grand Master of the Genchen Immortal Abode, the last descendant of the extremely rare Fengshan lineage, master of the Spirit Fire, and Lord of Mercy of the Three Saints' Mountain, but his power is far too disproportionate to that of the other characters. The fact that he always manages to save himself and Ting Yan from any danger, even when seriously injured, is beyond belief.

Finally, it makes little sense that, in the first part of the drama, Ting Yan is consistently portrayed as an extremely helpless and defenseless girl. It is true that he is a xián yú (咸鱼 or “salted fish” which in slang means “lazy and unambitious person”) but given his level of cultivation, which has increased rapidly thanks to Sima Jiao’s blood, he should at least know how to defend himself, instead he cannot even escape the kidnapping attempts carried out by Yue Chu Hui in episode 16 and by Ye Ru Ling in episode 19.

Characters and Cast

Primary Characters

Mr. Wei/Sima Jiao (Chen Feiyu) the last descendant of the Sima Clan, Grand Master, Supreme Elder, and Lord of Mercy of the Genchen Immortal Mansion. He belongs to the ancient Fengshan lineage, the only one capable of nurturing the Spirit Fire, the source of spiritual energy of the Immortal Realm. To free him from the control of the leaders of the Eight Great Palaces, his parents sacrificed their lives and had him absorb the Spirit Fire, never imagining that this would lead to endless torment and 500 years of imprisonment atop Three Saints Mountain. In the modern world, he is Mr. Wei, CEO of Sanshan Tech, to whom Zou Yan must present the “Serene Mountain” project.

Zou Yan/Liao Ting Yan/Shi Yan (Wang Ying Lu) present-day girl who finds herself transported to Sima Jiao’s world following a car accident. She is the disciple of Master Dong Yang Zhen Ren of the Serene Vale, a minor branch of the Palace of the Four Seasons. She has a low-level three-element spiritual root, but possesses the rare Extremely-Cold Nature of the Demon Realm as a reincarnation of the Frost Fish of the White Bone Abyss.

Ye Ru Ling/Hong Luo (Wang Yi Ting) disciple of the Yin Palace who befriends Liao Ting Yan at Three Saints Mountain. She is a demon and her family was enslaved following the first war between the Immortal Realm and the Demon Realm. She wants to bring her people home, so she agrees with Shi Qian Lv to kill Sima Jiao and dissolve the barrier of Yin-Yang Lake, but her plan fails and she ends up in the Demon Realm with no memories. Here, under the new identity of Hong Luo, she becomes Preceptor of the Kingdom when Liao Ting Yan assumes the office of Mistress of Demons and Immortals.

Black Serpent/Hei Nian Jiu (Gao Han) Sima Jiao’s spiritual beast who takes human form after his serpent heart comes into contact with Ye Ru Ling’s spiritual energy. He falls in love with her and decides to become her disciple, but fate has other plans for them.

Shi Qian Lv (Bao Jian Feng) Sect Leader of the Genchen Immortal Mansion and attendant of the Sima Clan. His goal is to achieve true immortality by uniting with the Fengshan Spirit Fire, as Sima Jiao did. For this reason, he imprisons the descendants of the Fengshan lineage on Mount Baifeng to use their blood in the blood-exchange ritual, but Sima Jiao thwarts his plans. To take revenge, he kidnaps Ting Yan and deprives her of her memory, convincing her that she is his daughter and that she must kill the Grand Master. He is killed by Sima Jiao when the two face each other at the White Bone Abyss.

Supporting Characters

Genchen Immortal Mansion

Sima E/Empress Dowager Hu (Zeng Li) descendant of the Fengshan lineage of the Sima Clan and mother of Sima Jiao. To free her son from the control of the leaders of the Eight Great Palaces of the Genchen Immortal Mansion, she sacrifices her life and has her newborn son absorb the Fengshan Spirit Fire. In the Mortal Realm arc, she is the Empress Dowager, mother of the young emperor Sima Jiao.

Sima Shi (Dan Xiang Yu) descendant of the Fengshan lineage of the Sima Clan and father of Sima Jiao. On the day of the fire at White Deer Cliff, in which all the descendants of the Sima Clan die and Sima Jiao absorbs the Spirit Fire, he is kidnapped by Shi Yong You and forced to feed his blood to a fragment of the Fengshan Spirit Fire that the sect leader intends to use to achieve immortality.

Dong Yang Zhen Ren (Chen Bo Hao) master of the Serene Vale and shifu of Liao Ting Yan.

Su Chang Qing (Li Jia Hao) disciple of the Serene Vale and shixion of Liao Ting Yan.

Bai Zhu (Yu Zhi Jian) disciple of the Serene Vale with medical knowledge who follows Sima Jiao on his foray into the Demon Realm to find Liao Ting Yan.

Shi Yong You, deceased sect leader of the Genchen Immortal Mansion and shifu of Shi Qian Lv. It was he who decided to imprison Sima Jiao on the Three Saints’ Mountain and kept Sima Shi alive so that he could nourish a piece of the Fengshan Spirit Fire.

Shi Zhen Xu (Li Xin Ze) young sect leader of the Genchen Immortal Mansion. He helps his father carry out his sinister plans and is killed by Liao Ting Yan at Sima Jiao’s insistence, becoming her recurring nightmare.

Shi Qian Du (Ma Ya Shu) Shi Qian Lv’s younger sister and Shi Zhen Xu’s aunt. She dies trying to help her brother convince Liao Ting Yan/Shi Yan to kill Sima Jiao.

Yuan Che (He Zhong Hua) master of the Palace of the Four Seasons. When he discovers that Shi Qian Lv attempted to kill his son to frame Sima Jiao, he vows to serve the Grand Master and agrees to become his spy within the Genchen Immortal Mansion.

Yuan Shang (Liu Zhe Hui) young master of the Palace of the Four Seasons. He enlists Ming Li’s help to increase his cultivation and plots with him to destroy the barrier of Yin-Yang Lake that separates the Immortal Realm from the Demon Realm. For this reason, he arranges for Liao Ting Yan to be chosen as a disciple destined to serve Sima Jiao on the Three Saints’ Mountain. But when the girl is possessed by the spirit of Zou Yan, she forgets her mission, causing him to get into trouble with the demonic tutor. He is killed by Shi Qian Lv.

Ri Gui (Wang Li) master of the Sun Palace.

Yin Liu Nian (Ding Zhi Yong) master of the Yin Palace. He is killed by Sima Jiao during the ritual to break the seal that keeps him imprisoned on the Three Saints’ Mountain and is replaced by Ye Ru Ling.

Ye Cang Lan (Pei Jia Xin) disciple of the Yin Palace and younger sister of Ye Ru Ling. She is killed by Shi Qian Lv to convince his sister to collaborate with him.

An Xue (Li Jia Jie) disciple of the Yin Palace, secretly in love with Shi Zhen Xu. While on Three Saints Mountain, she discovers that Sima Jiao will be vulnerable during the night of the new moon and allows herself to be killed so she can report this to her master. Once resurrected, she is murdered by Shi Qian Lv to prevent Shi Zhen Xu from being distracted from his mission.

Tan Mu Ying (Hu Qian Qian) disciple of the Yin Palace, who, along with An Xue, discovers that Sima Jiao will be vulnerable during the night of the new moon and helps her companion report this to their master.

Di Zhi Yuan (Wang Lu) master of the Night Palace.

Tian Wuya (Ding Zhi Yong) master of the Heavenly Palace.

Mu Ni Sheng (Chen Shu Jun) most brilliant disciple of the Heavenly Palace, who leads the group of disciples destined to serve Sima Jiao. She will be appointed general when Liao Ting Yao becomes Mistress of Demons and Immortals.

Yang Chi (Li Jin Rong) master of the Yang Palace.

Xing He Can (Zhu Rui) mistress of the Star Palace.

Yun Xi Yue (Yao Xiao Xiao) and Hua Wan Qing (Chi Ning Ning) disciples of the Star Palace. They torture Liao Ting Yan because she managed to win Sima Jiao’s favor and, for this, the Grand Master killed them but he retains their spirits to use in the ritual to break the seal imprisoning him on Three Saints Mountain.

Yue Lang Ning (Lin Jing) mistress of the Moon Palace.

Yue Chu Hui (Ding Jie) young mistress of the Moon Palace. When the disciples are selected to serve Sima Jiao, she is not chosen because her spiritual energy is unknowingly absorbed by Liao Ting Yan.

Yu Rong Rong (Zhang Xin Dan) disciple of the Moon Palace, che dies after smelling one of the poisonous Bone Pearl flowers (flowers born from the souls of deceased members of the Sima Clan) found on Three Saints Mountain.

Chi An He (Qi Pei Xin) general of the Immortal Mansion during the second war between the Immortal Realm and the Demon Realm, which broke out following the dissolution of the barrier between the two worlds.

Demon Realm

Ming Li (Zhao Shun Ran) preceptor of the Demon Realm. To resurrect the deceased Demon Lord, he commissions Liao Ting Yan to kill Sima Jiao. After his plan fails, he allies himself with Shi Qian Lv to kidnap the girl and infuse her power into the Xingtian Chain, the only magical artifact capable of killing Sima Jiao. He is killed by the Grand Master because he refuses to reveal the location of the fragment of You Yan’s soul that escaped the destruction of the Blood Sacrifice Chamber of the White Bone Abyss.

Venerable Gui (Min Zheng) Ming Li’s senior advisor.

You Yan, deceased Demon Lord. His soul is in the White Bone Abyss, awaiting translation into You Chi’s body through a blood sacrifice. However, since his death was caused by the Fengshan Spirit Fire, it is necessary to use Sima Jiao’s blood, which can only be obtained by killing the Grand Master with the Xingtian Chain infused with the power of the Frost Fish’s extreme cold. After his plan fails, he takes possession of Bi An’s body and hides in the mortal world to attempt to open the gates of the Nine Abyss Purification Prison and free the Demon Army.

You Chi (Tang Zhen Chao) young Demon Lord who rules the Demon Realm. Ming Li intends to use his body to host the soul of the deceased Demon Lord and thus bring him back to life. He will sacrifice himself to foil Ming Li’s plan by instilling You Yan’s demonic core in Liao Ting Yan.

Feng Qi (Wu Yu Heng) son of General Chang, saved from the massacre of his family thanks to the help of Ming Li and the Frost Fish. While working as a guard at Yanzhi Terrace (Rouge Terrace), he befriends Shi Yan, unaware that she is the reincarnation of the Frost Fish who saved him years before. When he discovers this, he tries everything he can to restore her memories of that time, even agreeing to collaborate with Ming Li to kill Sima Jiao.

Niu San (Li Zhuo Yang) Lord of the city of Dong (Winter City). He surrenders to Hei Nian Jiu and Sima Jiao when they claim the city to provide refuge in the Demon Realm for refugees from the Immortal Mansion, and he becomes their general in the Demon Realm.

He Sou, Lord of the city of Hexian (Celestial Crane City), surrenders to Hei Nian Jiu and Sima Jiao after they conquer the city of Dong.

Zhihun Ji (Zuo Xiang) and Zhihun Yi (Chen Xian Min) brothers belonging to the Zhihun clan of the city of Dong, are assassinated by Lian Ting Yan/Shi Yan for killing Hong Luo during the banquet in honor of the new Lord of the city.

Heng Lin, Hexian City black market guy who lures Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao to the phantom Guyu Vale (Grain Rain Vale) on Ming Li’s orders.

Mortal Realm

Marquis of Nanyan (Huang Hai Bing) uncle of Sima Jiao and provisional ruler of the Kingdom of Hu. He wants to usurp the throne and allies himself with You Yan, but is killed.

Noble Consort Si Xian (Wei Xiao) daughter of the Marquis of Nanyan and first consort of Sima Jiao. She is killed by You Yan to pin the blame on Liao Ting Yan and have her sentenced to death.

Wei Xian Yu (Gao Yi) Governor of Liyang Commandery. He is in league with the Marquis of Nanyan, but after the latter fails to intervene to save him from execution, he allies himself with Sima Jiao.

Eunuch Jiang Cha (Sun Di) Sima Jiao’s attendant in the Kingdom of Hu.

Yi Huo (Liu Meng Meng) Imperial physician of the Kingdom of Hu. In reality, he is a spy placed by Sima Jiao alongside the Marquis of Nanyan to monitor his movements.

Chen Tang (Zhao Wen Long) Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Hu and a study companion of the young Emperor Sima Jiao. He is assigned to investigate the death of Noble Consort Si Xian and the deaths of numerous children found bleeding to death around the capital.

Other Characters

Yan Huan (Shi Zi Xun) young lord of the Yan Clan of Chiyan who possesses a flame-shaped birthmark on his shoulder. Like the Sima Clan, the Yan Clan belongs to the ancestral Fengshan lineage, and those among them who possess the flame-shaped birthmark have the ability to fuel the Spirit Fire if their spiritual power is sufficiently strong. The boy is therefore forced by his father to marry 14 concubines to have as many descendants with the flame-shaped birthmark as possible, thus achieving glory and wealth by delivering them to Mount Baifeng. His only love, however, is Zhou Qing Er, with whom he has a daughter, whom he tries to protect by distancing herself.

Zhou Qing Er (Zheng He Hui Zi) courtesan beloved by Yan Huan, with whom the young lord has a daughter who shares his Fengshan bloodline. She will help Sima Jiao enter Mount Baifeng to thwart Shi Qian Lv’s plans.

Zhou Yue Qing/Bi An (Wang Ya Jia) daughter of Zhou Qing Er and Yan Huan. Following the outbreak of the second war between demons and immortals, she and her mother flee to the Demon Realm. Sima Jiao rescues her from Ming Li’s men, who are monitoring all the inhabitants of the Immortal Mansion who have fled to the Demon Realm to find Ting Yan, and takes her with him. After his plan fails, You Yan takes possession of her body to hide in the mortal world and attempt to free the Demon Army from the Nine Abyss Purification Prison.

Yong Ling Chun (Luo Yu Tian) granddaughter of Master Mu Xiu, patriarch of the Mu Clan, and a disciple of the Night Palace. She has come to the Luo River Immortal District to attend the Chen Academy. Her identity is assumed by Liao Ting Yan when she and Sima Jiao investigate the shady dealings of the Shi Family.

Yong Shi Qiu (Liu Shang Lin) grandson of Master Mu Xiu, patriarch of the Mu Clan and disciple of the Night Palace, arrives in the Luo River Immortal District to attend the Chen Academy. His identity is assumed by Sima Jiao when he investigates the shady dealings of the Shi family.

Shi Yu Xiang, lady of the city of Fenghua (Wind Flower City), the outer territory of the Genchen Immortal Mansion and a member of the Shi Clan. Liao Ting Yan assumes her identity after Sima Jiao saves her from Yue Chu Hui, and the two are forced to leave the Luo River Immortal District.

Lily jie (Wen Zheng Rong) Zao Yan’s boss at the company where she works.

Favorite Character: Liao Ting Yan

She is a protagonist who conquers with her irony and her very particular way of facing adversity, but who leaves her mark above all for her humanity.

Her spontaneous sweetness, the naivety with which she looks at the world and the ability to remain authentic even in the most absurd situations make her an easy character to love: in a world dominated by greed and ambition, she represents the purest, most sincere and most compassionate side.

Her irony and lazy, relaxed and unambitious nature make her a bridge between the public and the fantasy world in which she moves, making her the exact opposite of the classic stereotype of the stoic and perfect heroine.

Initially she appears as a fearful and idle girl, although over time she shows herself capable of facing challenges that exceed her initial possibilities.

Her strength does not lie in magical powers or fighting skills, but in the intelligence that allows her to see beyond deceptions and to trust Sima Jiao and his feelings for her and in the resilience that allows her to move forward even when all seems lost.

Thanks to his optimism, his sensitivity and his empathy, he manages to smooth out the hardest sides of Sima Jiao's character, bringing light into his dark world and making it capable of expressing tenderness and humanity.

Her excessive naivety leads her on more than one occasion to trust the wrong people and to rely excessively on Sima Jiao, but all this turns out to be a school of life for her, capable of transforming and improving her.

In fact, in her personal growth journey she goes from a passive figure, fragile and inexperienced, often overwhelmed by events bigger than her, to a woman capable of choosing her own path and sacrificing herself for what she believes is right, fighting to change her own destiny and that of the people she loves.

Un-Favorite Character: Shi Qian Lv

He is a man devious, duplicitous, callous, and power-hungry.

His insatiable lust for power and his desire to bend fate to his will leads him to make destructive choices that ruin the lives not only of Sima Jiao and his family, but also of the Shi Clan.

His obsessive pursuit of immortality often pushes him to resort to violence, deception, and even dark practices of demonic magic, such as the Soul Purification Spell, to which he also subjects Ting Yan so he can exploit her for his own sordid purposes.

He is cruel and ruthless toward everyone and unscrupulously manipulates subordinates, allies, and even his own family, including his beloved sister and precious son, abandoning and betraying anyone who no longer serves his greater purpose.

He considers feelings and emotional bonds a weakness and, for this very reason, attempts to use them to his advantage to blackmail and manipulate those around him.

He is willing to sacrifice innocent lives, such as those of his disciples and the descendants of the Fengshan lineage, to achieve his goals, and never shows an ounce of remorse or repentance, blaming others for his heinous actions.

On more than one occasion, he jeopardizes the very balance of the immortal world, attempting to convince the leaders of the other Palaces to kill Sima Jiao, preferring chaos to the possibility of losing his chance to dominate the Three Kingdoms.

His blind ambition makes him an obsessive and paranoid figure who ends up self-destructing in an attempt to eliminate Sima Jiao and gain a power that was never his.