(5/10) Story: The story kept me captivated enough to complete both S1 and S2; however, most of it was due to the urge of my wanting to know what happens at the end. I think it's a unique story since I didn't see much good versus evil in this drama. It was more human versus human meaning that there were faults in both sides but also good in both sides. Although the story is unique, I gave a mediocre rating because I feel like compromises could've been made in one way or another.

(10/10) Cast: I didn't notice any type of flaws in the regards of acting.

(8/10) Music: I usually do not pay too much attention to the music because I'm super focused on the story; however, the rap in this historical drama is quite not my taste. I think the opening and ending is fine though.

(1/10) Rewatch Value: Too long for little progress.

|| S P O I L E R S A H E A D - I N D E P T H R E V I E W A H E A D ||
I'm super into the Xiao Fan, Jing Yu, Shu Shu, and Xue Qi squad and also the war between the Ghost King and the Qing Yun sector. The romance is okay, I would love to see Bi Yao wake up and that would be ideal but the thought I had the entire time was "both sides had legitimate causes for joining the war, other than being simply power hungry". I actually wasn't entirely happy with S1's ending where the war suddenly went on a halt due to Bi Yao's death and how soulless Xiao Fan became. Yes, his lover just died protecting him and yes he is a super compassionate person; however, a war was going on. His friends were dying. It's hard to move on, but in situations such as war, you just have to. I was still okay with that; however, what took the cake was when he worked with the Ghost King to bring Bi Yao back. At that moment, Xiao Fan had a great opportunity to kill the Ghost King. I'm not trying to be unsympathetic since I like Bi Yao myself; however, so many people from both sides are fighting to their deaths and Xiao Fan gave up the opportunity to kill the Ghost King just because they were caught up in their emotions about Bi Yao.

As for S2, it felt like a waste of time. Xiao Fan finally kills the Ghost King, which could've happened in episode 55 of S1 and saved dozens of people's lives had he just done so earlier. In such a way, it's like Xiao Fan sacrificed the lives of people from both sides in order to save Bi Yao. And the ambiguous ending made this feel even more unnecessary. It was on purpose of course, since the novel ended in a way that was unpopular for most; however, I still wish the script writers/directors just ended the drama the way they wanted to without worrying about the novel. Bi Yao resurrected? Cool. Xiao Fan finally bidding Bi Yao farewell forever? Cool.

Because both sides had such legitimate motives, it was difficult for me to root any one team on. For that, my ideal ending is probably going to have everyone question this review. I'd like it if Jing Yu, Bi Yao, Xiao Fan, and the Ghost King all died together with Qing Yun sector's victory. Jing Yu and Xiao Fan because I can't imagine Jing Yu's happiness without Xiao Fan and I can't imagine Xiao Fan's happiness without Bi Yao. Bi Yao because the Ghost King would need to die for Qing Yun sector's victory and as a sacrifice for being unable to kill Xiao Fan, Bi Yao dies with the Ghost King. And Shu Shu with the others will continue to train the ways of the Immortal Sword while telling the story of this era.