Okay ... I wrote a review, deleted it, and now I'm here again. I have a hard time to put my thoughts into words when it comes to this series. First of all, I liked it. And then I didn't. Then I liked it again. And then I didn't. I have a hate-love relationship with this series. Objectively speaking, there was some greatness to be found along the way. But I don't like the style and I couldn't get into the story most of the time. Historical Chinese drama is over the top, cheesy and very theatrical (people flying around and spinning dramatically before attacking an enemy). It looks pretty (the colors, the actors, the backgrounds) and cheap at the same time. Some special effects were really bad. They couldn't even provide some proper wigs. The story itself isn't groundbreaking and innovative, but it is well told. Unfortunately, you must be Chinese to understand most of it. The magic, the instruments, the swords, the clans, the "cultivation" - what the hell? It wasn't explained at all. If you watch the whole series you get an idea how it works, but yeah, I'm not impressed how this was just thrown at me.
Talking about the relationship of the two main characters: I'm not crazy about it. I felt like it was a one-sided love. Wei Wuxian is a very charming character. But unfortunately many people died because of him (it was not his fault, but still). At some point I thought it wasn't fair that he got to live happy ever after. So many people were willing to sacrifice themselves for him. Good people. I really wondered why he had to be saved at any cost and at some point I couldn't really feel for the tragic hero anymore. The love was problematic, becasue Lan Zahn was too fixated on Wei Wuxian and - like many others - suffered a lot because of him. His stubborn love made him a rather pitiful character in my eyes. But I guess that's what people call "romantic".
Still, it's a good series. That's why I rate it so high. But it was not for me.