I honestly watched this drama for (a) get over Ashes of Love (b) to catch glimpses of the ML and his broad shoulders but to my amazement I really loved and enjoyed it. Usually strong ML's are portrayed broody and who rarely smile but I was happy to see the ML in this story have a cheeky smile on his face always.

Cast and Acting
Overall I think all the cast did a good job but I also wish that the FL was someone else. Not because she didn't do a good job acting, I just didn't connect with her. I did find some of the characters a little annoying at first but grew to like them. The ML also did a good job but mostly I just watched him for his broad shoulders so that did distract me from noticing his acting skills. I also liked the Divine Doctor. He was my 2nd favorite character after the ML. He was all mysterious but always appeared when the leads where in trouble. But I also felt that there were too many casts, too many side stories and side romances.

Plot
I really liked the idea of the story of a strong FL and a strong ML who together tackle any issues thrown their way. I also liked the fact that they got together pretty early and didn't break up for stupid reasons in between but continued to love and care for each other. They were such a power couple. There were lot of cliches in the story but they managed to pull off the cliches. I'll mention a few under spoiler below:

spoiler*** The FL has to be killed for the world to be saved, the ML is the destined one to kill the FL, the FL is actually a princess***

There was a hint of a love triangle but the FL and ML's love and trust towards each other was amazing. That doesn't mean that there weren't times they got jealous but they acted like adults instead of losing their heads about it and these things only brought them closer together. I specially loved the devotion the ML and FL had for each other. How they respected each others actions and wishes.

The best part of the drama for me was the first 20ish episodes. Though the CGI was bad here, I liked the whole mysterious appeal of the ML. Spoiler *** He acted like this weak person who couldn't think for himself but was actually a brilliant strategist. And when I knew he was the crow prince of all 5 kingdoms I couldn't help squealing, but thereafter he lost his mysterious appeal. Spoiler end***

In the drama both FL and ML are supposed to be brilliant strategists and they were in the beginning but as the story progressed they sometimes acted blind and I was like you are supposed to be brilliant not dumb. As the story developed it sorta become repetitive and lost a bit of appeal.

Costumes
I wasn't very impressed with any of the costumes in the drama. The FL's was just ugly and all sorts of gaudy later on. The ML's I sorta of liked in the beginning but they also weren't that great. This is my second historical/Wuxia drama and I really looked forward for the billowy sleeves but was very disappointed.

OST
The OST was nice but it took some time for me to grow to like it. The drum beats throughout was very captivating tho. My thoughts on the OST is biased though coz I was still hung over Ashes of Love OST while watching this.

Significant Plot holes (Please explain of you can)
1. The ending wasn't very clear and I wish they did another episode to settle things
2. Is Tai Yan the ML's step sister (By his dad and aunt/stepmom)?
3. If the rightful heir of the Xuanji kingdom didn't appear which will make the phoenix of the purple phoenix mountain go away, which in turn will release the evil spirit there, wont killing the FL be redundant anyway. = kill FL the evil spirit will get released. Don't kill FL she will release the evil spirit.
4. How did Dr Zhong and Wu Ji meet?

Overall
I will definitely rewatch it but can someone please explain why cdrama's start good and end not so good.