Unlike American films, this series has kind of fragile happy ending for some of the characters, showing the complex reality they have to face. That’s great (I love open endings where nothing is decided by a static ‘they lived happily ever after’ without any spark of adventure and a chance to develop), although when I was watching this for the first time, I decided that everybody was doomed to a certain death and only then I realized it was on the contrary their chance to save each other (still, I haven’t watched ‘The Lost Tomb’, the continuation of the ‘The Mystic Nine’, so I don’t know). So be warned those who seek fluff in the end, there isn’t much of it in this drama at all.

My favourite character from this series (and probably from anything I’ve seen so far) is Fo Ye (or Zhang Qi Shan). I think William Chan is awesome in this role. We first meet the character as a full-hearted energetic man who does not believe in any mystic curses and performs his duty while defending his city. He will risk his life but also handle anything. Being a human he at the same time seems almost invincible (which isn’t quite accurate and sometimes only luck and his friends can save him). He can be humorous, serious, friendly and menacing and all mentioned is natural for him. I really love him teasing people and showing the bright and dark sides of his nature. He’s pretty much exploring himself as well as the tomb he has to search through.

I really enjoyed Zhang Qi Shan and Xin Yue's relationship. A wonderful mischievous music shows how they would probably like to see their relationship, but how much tragedy and seriousness they actually had to face! I was inspired by the way she was ready to sacrifice everything for him and did not want to leave him no matter what. This is an image of a multifaceted heroine: a capricious, gentle, but very strong and proud woman. Xin Yue's probably one of the most memorable characters there although she only sometimes influences the plot.

Ba Ye and Lieutenant Zhang are great, and it’s really fun to watch how they compete for Fo Ye’s attention and approval, while all being friends. Ba Ye is quite cute because he’s the most human of all; he fears the dangers and expresses his emotions freely. Still, his predictions are not entirely tricks and this intrigues the watchers of the series. Lieutenant Zhang is just amazing. When even Zhang Qi Shan can’t handle everything, his lieutenant can. So devoted to Fo Ye, so loyal and talented; Zhang Qi Shan is very lucky to have him on his side. I’d never get enough of watching these characters interacting.

Er Ye is a great character, too. He’s passionate as well but seems either calm or self-contained. Still, his warmth towards his wife is almost palpable. Why did Zhang Yixing say in one of the interviews he could have shown more love for Ya Tou? He did it just perfectly! Er Ye as a character is very restrained but suffers deep inside as his family business contradicts his unfailing love to Ya Tou. From the first episodes, we can see a foreshadowing of their separation. Despite fate and common sense, I still was hoping they would save her and the episodes with Er Ye and Ya Tou were the most emotional ones. The impression does not wear out even when you rewatch the series. It is interesting that Er Ye seems to exist in his own world, as if he could not quite return from an underworld. I think, that’s shown in a right way psychologically. And definitely looks right aesthetically. Ya Tou seems really fragile and yet protective as she wants her husband to live a happy life. She never complains and always takes care of Er Ye, be it some new clothes, dinner or flowers only she can attend. She feels as if very young and quite adult at the same time, so noble, even-minded, resigned and eager to share the blink of happiness with her close ones.

The antagonist, Chen Pi, can be despised, pitied, despised and pitied once again throughout the entire series. He is a perfectly conveyed restless archetypal disciple. He might seem very impulsive and crazy. But in general, he has some motivations, and his torment, illness and unknown fate still make you feel kind of sympathetic for him.

There are some flaws or questionable parts in the story as well. The American dug up a gold trinket from the place where it was buried half a meter in the ground. How come? What happened to the meteorite in the end? This series does not answer to that. Despite the title, there was almost nothing mystical in the story. And you know what, it's still good, because a good story is the one that seems realistic. This rises it up to a new level. The heroes of this series are almost common people, I mean, they can be injured, deceived, and they cannot solve all the problems by magic. Nevertheless, the story would be more logical if there were some mysterious events explaining what was happening to Zhang Qi Shan (you can get an idea if you watch the cut-out scenes). And finally, my biggest question is where the members of the Nine have been throughout half of the series. (Ok, not half, about 80%, right?) The story is about Fo Ye (plus his friends and a bunch of ever-plotting enemies) but what about the Nine? Never mind, I do love Fo Ye, I don’t ask for the detailed storylines of all nine families.

Some plot twists also seem strange when you watch it for the first time. I believe, the pace of the narration’s a bit unbalanced (the first half of the story is really catchy and the events keep happening one after another but later the pace slows down until we almost have a typical ‘ending’ episode; after that, though, some more of them follow giving us some plot-related answers in a rather hurried and yet believable way). However, it’s one of the best dramas I’ve seen so far. And I rewatch it like once in a year, so it’s definitely stolen my heart.

The music is also great in this series. I loved many tracks but the most memorable ones were those of Ya Tou’s fate foreshadowing and the opening songs. So awesome and setting the mood!

Actually, even I’m surprised at how much I’ve written and I believe one can read as much only if they are totally into this series, just as I am. Still, I feel I haven’t said everything I wanted to. This series created not only great alternative universe, a personal new world for any of the characters. It has done so for me as well. And sometimes you don’t want to give up an illusion for the real world, right? This is the question the characters should answer but we as watchers can just… enjoy it with our whole heart.