Started this drama seeing Leo Wu (Nirvana in Fire, The Long Ballad), Li Qin (Princess Agents) and Xiao Zhan (The Untamed, Douluo Continent) in the cast, having enjoyed their respective performance in other dramas.

First impression is the similarity with Douluo Continent, training in academy and levelling up RPG Final Fantasy*-style to be the best fighter in Douqi / Douluo Continent. This similarity with Douluo Continent waned off soon as the drama progressed to focus only on the protagonist’s (Leo Wu) journey to become stronger, find his family’s killer and return peace to the Douqi Continent.

I prefer Douluo Continent for a story not just on the protagonist, but also on his six interesting team mates and their three teachers, each with their unique personalities, backstories and relationships, and their strong friendships and teamwork as a formidable team, winning battles and thwarting devious plans.

Random musings:

1. *The protagonist Xiao Yan is the live version of the protagonist Squall from Final Fantasy VIII, with his heavy sword resting on his shoulder and the unusual short hairdo for a male in historical costume. See pic here: https://mydramalist.com/profile/whatever_weus/feeds/vYdj5Sx

2. Just 3 years, Leo Wu had certainly grown from kiddish Fei Liu in Nirvana in Fire (2015) to a more matured but no less determined and skillful Xiao Yan.

3. Xiao Zhan had a support role in this drama where the father of the protagonist is also called Xiao Zhan (萧战), with a different Xiao but the same intonation.

4. Li Qin's character reminded me so much of Miss He He in Sword Snow Stride - the lady who rode on a panda and carrying a sunflower.. hmmm