Love And Destiny Review

Love And Destiny (宸汐缘) is seen as a spin off to Eternal Love (三生三世十里桃花) as it is set in the same fictional world. It is also produced by the same production team although both have totally different storylines. I have not watched Eternal Love yet, so I cannot compare these 2 dramas as I write up this Love And Destiny review. All I can say is it is a compelling watch for me despite its slow start which is to be expected for a 60-episode drama.

Type: Xianxia, Fantasy
Episodes: 60
Release Date: July 2019
Images Credit: iQiyi

The Cast Of Love And Destiny

• Chang Chen as Jiu Chen
• Ni Ni as Ling Xi / Lin Mo
• Li Jia Meng as Yun Feng
• Jessie Zhang Zhi Xi as Qing Yao
• Ethan Li Dong Xue as Jing Xiu
• Karina Hai Ling as Yuan Tong
• Zhang Hai Yu as Si Ming
• Na Guang Zi as Shi San
• Huang Hai Bing as Emperor
• Li Yu as Le Buo
• Zhang Yong Gang as Tian Lei Zhenjun
• Xue Hao Wen as Zhong Hao
• Chen Peng Wan Li as Qin Yuan
• Yiu Ying Lun as Bao Xing
• Liu Qian Han as Ling Yue
• Hou Chang Rong as Lin Shao Hai

The Main Characters

Jiu Chen

Jiu Chen holds the position of God Of War in the 9th Heaven. He is a demon fighter who helps to keep the 6 realms safe. Jiu Chen is a serious, responsible, and capable senior immortal who is usually unruffled by emotions. He cares about his subordinates and is valued by the Emperor. Jiu Chen normally keeps a stern demeanor except with Ling Xi.

Ling Xi / Lin Mo

Ling Xi is an innocent earthly fairy from Peach Blossom Fields. She is a descendant of the Phoenix tribe but adopted by Le Buo. Ling Xi is optimistic and cheerful. She also can be adventurous and trusting. Jiu Chen takes her in as a servant in his palace but she gradually falls in love with him. Ling Xi has a demonic mark on her which she has no idea of all along.

Lin Mo is a deaf girl in the mortal world. She is sent there to undergo Ling Xi’s tribulations due to the demonic aura within her. Lin Mo is kind and gentle.

Yun Feng

Yun Feng is a playful high immortal and Jiu Chen’s junior. Both of them share the same master. Yun Feng is capable but can be laidback in his work. He loves Qing Yao and puts in a lot of effort to woo her.

Qing Yao

Qing Yao is a capable and kind physician in 9th Heaven. She also goes to the mortal world to treat people. However, Qing Yao carries a yearning for her mortal husband who has since died. Her master is Le Buo which makes Ling Xi her disciple younger sister. She also has a brother, Cheng Yan. She is from the Fox tribe.

Jing Xiu

Jing Xiu is a royal counselor in the Mountain Spirit realm. He works for Ling Yue but has his own agenda for revenge. Jing Xiu is calculating and shrewd. He does not hesitate to kill to achieve his aim. His has a deep love for Lin Mo which he couldn’t let go of.

Yuan Tong

Yuan Tong is an army general in the 9th Heaven. She is an ambitious and jealous individual. Yuan Tong has feelings for Jiu Chen but it was never reciprocated. A series of mistakes caused her to be demoted and stripped of her years of cultivation. Her brother is Yuan Zheng who used to serve under Jiu Chen but died in the war with the demons. The Yuan family has an illustrious history as they have served the realm well over thousands of years.

Si Ming

Si Ming is an immortal who is in charge of life and fate of the mortals. Jiu Chen often seeks him out to learn about Lin Mo. Si Ming is a harmless person who tends to be afraid of troubles. He is constantly pursued by Shi San that he tries to avoid her as much as possible. His character is the more light-hearted one compared to the rest.

Shi San

Shi San is a steward at Jiu Chen’s residence in 9th Heaven. She is fiercely loyal although she can also be a bit clueless and reckless. Shi San becomes a good friend of Ling Xi after the latter moves in to become Jiu Chen’s servant. She is a merfolk which means she can transform into another being at certain ages. Shi San used to be a male before she transforms into a female due to her interest in Si Ming. This is also what makes Si Ming uncomfortable about their relationship.

Emperor

He is the ruler of the 9th Heaven that also oversees the 6 realms. The Emperor is wise and fair. He trusts Jiu Chen a lot and is supportive of all of Jui Chen’s decisions.

Le Buo

Le Buo is the owner of Peach Blossom Fields. He is a great physician who has treated many and used to be among the heavenly tribes. But he has since retired to Peach Blossom Fields and couldn’t care less about state affairs. Ling Xi is his adopted daughter but he keeps it a secret from her. He also bars Ling Xi from getting out of their area. His disciples are Qing Yao and Cheng Yan.

Tian Lei Zhenjun

Tian Lei Zhenjun is the God Of Thunder in 9th Heaven. He is also a senior immortal who helps the Emperor to keep peace. He is strict and fierce but upright. Tian Lei Zhenjun doesn’t particularly like Jiu Chen and distrusts him at times. But he has a lot of respect for Jiu Chen all the same.

Zhong Hao

Zhong Hao is a rebel in Mountain Spirit who is hunted by Jing Xiu. His father is a former army general under Jiu Chen but was banished from 9th Heaven. Due to his tribe being annihilated by Jing Xiu, Zhong Hao sold his soul to the Demon Lord to get revenge. He is a cruel man intent on helping the Demon Lord to break free from the seal affixed by Jiu Chen. He has an adopted son, Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan

Qin Yuan is a disciple of Nanji Xian Weng from the South Pole. His adopted father is Zhong Hao. He left his master to help his adopted father with his revenge against Jing Xiu. However, Qin Yuan is not entirely evil as he has his limits. He also has an interest in Bao Xing.

Bao Xing

Bao Xing is the adopted daughter of Ling Yue and princess of Mountain Spirit. She is arrogant and jealous as well as prone to temper tantrums. She loves Jing Xiu but the love is one-sided.

Ling Yue

Ling Yue is the ruler of Mountain Spirit. She leaves much of the state affairs to Jing Xiu. Her father is Yuan Du which she deposed of together with Jing Xiu. Ling Yue’s biological daughter is presumed dead when she and her husband were being pursued by Yuan Du’s soldiers 50,000 years ago.

Lin Shao Hai

Lin Shao Hai is a physician and Lin Mo’s father. She is adopted but he treats her as his own and dotes on her despite her disabilities. Lin Shao Hai took Lin Mo home from an orphanage but lied to his mother that she is his own daughter to protect his wife who is barren. He also keeps it a secret from Lin Mo.

Synopsis

Jiu Chen, the God Of War, fought with the Demon Lord at You Du Mountain 50,000 years ago. All of his soldiers died, including Yuan Zheng who was one of his generals. Jiu Chen defeated the Demon Lord and sealed him up. But Jiu Chen almost died himself. He went into a deep sleep in an icy chamber. A chance encounter with Ling Xi wakes him up after 50,000 years.

At about the same time, You Du Mountain begins to show signs of activity. The Demon Lord has also been awaken and is looking for a way to break free from his seal. Jiu Chen suspects this has something to do with Ling Xi. Not only she is able to wake him up, her presence also seems to have stimulated the Demon Lord. So, Jiu Chen takes her in as a servant at his residence at Floating Clouds Palace to keep an eye on her.

As time passes by, Ling Xi and Jiu Chen fall in love. But Jiu Chen discovers that there is a demonic aura in Ling Xi and she is the key that the Demon Lord needs to break free. That means Ling Xi is wanted by both the Heaven and Demonic tribes. But who is Ling Xi exactly? How would Jiu Chen protect her? Will their love survive the tests ahead?

Love And Destiny Ending (Spoilers Alert!)

In the final scene of the last episode, Jiu Chen is seen returning to Ling Xi and their little daughter at Polar Abyss. So, it is a happy ending whereby they have a reunion after being separated for 300 years following the battle with Jing Xiu at the bottom of the Spirit Chaining Abyss. This is a long xianxia drama that it is hard to explain everything in a review. So do check out the Love And Destiny episode summary for a recap of the whole story.

Did Ling Xi And Jiu Chen Become A Couple?

In the middle of the drama, there is actually a possibility that Lin Mo and Jing Xiu might have a relationship since they were looking after each other. But as Jiu Chen persists, Lin Mo also finds him irresistible. After she passes her tribulations in the mortal world and returns as Ling Xi, her love interest is very clear. Jiu Chen is the one she loves greatly. Ling Xi is only indebted to Jing Xiu for giving her his Pearl Of Life to save her in the mortal world and there is little more to it than a feeling of respect and gratitude.

Towards the last few episodes of Love And Destiny, preparations for the wedding of Jiu Chen and Ling Xi are underway. They did sleep together before the wedding which explains why Ling Xi has a little daughter in the final scenes. But the wedding ceremony didn’t take place as Jiu Chen has jumped into the Spirit Chaining Abyss to guard the demon’s gate. When Ling Xi finds out where Jiu Chen is, she jumps in to look for him. So, they did marry but the oath is taken at the bottom of the abyss rather than at a grand wedding that everyone is anticipating.

Did Yun Feng Manage To Win Over Qing Yao?

Yun Feng has been relentless in his pursuit of Qing Yao. Due to a past love in the mortal world, Qing Yao has been unable to move forward. But as Yun Feng persists, Qing Yao’s heart softens. She is also able to let go after meeting her old flame and getting to know more about him. After Yun Feng is turned into a statue for 1,000 years to take a punishment on her behalf, Qing Yao begins to appreciate him and misses him terribly. So, when Yun Feng is freed, it is only expected that they get together as a couple.

Will Si Ming Accept Shi San?

Si Ming and Shi San is the funny couple in the drama to provide viewers with more comical moments. Shi San is never shy about her feelings for Si Ming. But Si Ming has always avoided her and feels uncomfortable about a romantic relationship. He didn’t accept her advances throughout the drama although they are friends. Eventually, Shi San turned into a fish to stay alive after being severely injured by Jing Xiu. 300 years later, she transforms back into human form but has no recollection of the past. So, Si Ming is a bit disappointed that she has forgotten about him.

What Happened To The Demon Lord?

When Lin Mo died, the Demon Lord exploded. The strong aura seeped into Yuan Tong who was nearby. With the dark arts that she practiced, she grows a powerful demon seed and convinces Jing Xiu to be the new Demon Lord with the seed. Jing Xiu is trapped by his love for Lin Mo and is unable to let go. With his suffering, he wants others to suffer with him. Jing Xiu also wants to reclaim Lin Mo from Jiu Chen. So, he agrees to accept the demon seed and be the new Demon Lord.

With Jui Chen guarding the demon gate at the bottom of the abyss and Ling Xi joining him, Jing Xiu goes there to look for them. A fight breaks out. Jiu Chen pushes Jing Xiu through the gate and instructs Ling Xi to seal it from the outside with a combination of their powers. Ling Xi seals it with a heavy heart. So, Jiu Chen and Jing Xiu are trapped inside the gate. The story doesn’t tell us what exactly happened to them but Jiu Chen is seen returning to Ling Xi at Polar Abyss 300 years later.

Who Died In Love And Destiny?

Lin Mo’s Tribulations

Lin Mo died after removing the Pearl Of Life within her that is keeping her alive. She does so voluntarily after being asked by Jiu Chen. Illness and death are part of her tribulations in the mortal world for Ling Xi to be reborn. She passes the trial and returns stronger as Ling Xi with her demonic mark extinguished.

Jing Xiu’s Victims

Zhong Hao is killed by Jing Xiu and Hei Chi at the bottom of the Spirit Chaining Abyss. On the surface, Hei Chi is Zong Hao’s subordinate. But in actual fact, he works for Jing Xiu. So, Hei Chi betrays Zhong Hao and stabs him in the back as Jing Xiu finishes him off when they have managed to open up the abyss.

Others killed by Jing Xiu and his men are Ling Yue, Grandmother Shi, Hua Yan, and Bao Xing. Ling Yue knows Jing Xiu is responsible in the opening up of the Spirit Chaining Abyss. So, Jing Xiu kills her while she is still weak after waking up from a coma. Grandmother Shi is Ling Yue’s trusted aide and she needs to be silenced too as she knows too much.

Hua Yan is indebted to Jing Xiu for past assistance but she is also Ling Xi’s maid and friend. She overhears Jing Xiu’s conversation with Bao Xing about the death of Ling Yue. Jing Xiu orders her killed to prevent her from telling Ling Xi. But 300 years later, Hua Yan returns to Floating Clouds Palace as a maid. She has just gained her immortality. Hua Yan meets Ling Xi but has no memory of the past. She has been reincarnated as a mortal after her death and while in the mortal world, she is a disciple of Bao Shuo Zhu whose grand master is Jiu Chen.

Bao Xing is killed by Jing Xiu when she goes to see Ling Xi. Bao Xing claims to know who killed Ling Yue while at the same time threatening Ling Xi with a weapon. Jing Xiu moves in quickly to stop her from spilling the beans and she dies as a result.

The Fate Of Jing Xiu’s Subordinates

Eventually, Hei Chi and He Bi also died. Hei Chi is killed by Jiu Chen’s general as he escorts Bao Xing’s servant to be banished to a barren land. This is because the servant knows Jing Xiu’s secret and Jiu Chen orders his general to save her. During the fight, Hei Chi is killed. Jing Xiu’s general, He Bi, is killed when they are fighting their way out of Tianxi Palace after their secret has been exposed.

The Unrepentant Yuan Tong

Yuan Tong sold her soul to the Demon Lord after she has been stripped of her immortal bones and banished to a wasteland. She has harmed Ling Xi and framed Qing Yao but she is still unrepentant despite being given chances. When she killed her own soldiers, that is the last straw and she is banished from the Heaven. She convinces Jing Xiu to be the new Demon Lord and helps him to open the demon gate at the bottom of the Spirit Chaining Abyss. She knows duty would call upon Jiu Chen to come down to the abyss. By then, the demonic aura has more or less makes her lose her mind. She walks into the demon gate after meeting Jiu Chen.

Love And Destiny Review – Should You Watch?

I have to say that Love And Destiny has a compelling storyline despite the unexplained situations towards the end. It sucks you in like The Untamed and the deep love of 2 men for a woman is akin to Princess Silver.

I think what makes this drama a success is the chemistry between Chang Chen and Ni Ni as Jiu Chen and Ling Xi respectively. It simply sizzles. If you believe in opposites attract, this couple personifies it with their different personalities. Jiu Chen is serious and stern while Ling Xi is playful and gentle. It is a joy to watch how they interact as Ling Xi breaks down Jiu Chen’s defenses. Although some people might find Jiu Chen to be too old for Ling Xi, I think there is a valid reason behind it and having a younger man for this role would not be able to give off the strong aura of a God Of War.

Apart from the romance, the plot also covers Ling Xi’s life and how she got the demonic aura within her. Thus, for the first 20 episodes or so, I’m also curious to find out how Ling Xi ended up with Le Buo as her father and how the Demon Lord is related to her. In that sense, the romance is only one part of the story. There is also a compelling storyline to the other parts to tie everything up nicely.

The Acting

Chang Chen and Ni Ni did very well with their characters. Chang Chen’s strong features are suitable for this role and he successfully displays a dominant man with his screen presence. At the same time, Chang Chen is also able to shift his expressions to be softer when he is interacting with Ling Xi. Ni Ni shines in her role too. She is convincing as an innocent lovestruck fairy who is awed by her man. She is very comfortable in her role that the acting looks natural whether she is being a silly young girl or a more matured woman after her rebirth.

I also have no complaints regarding the rest of the cast. Whether they are supposed to act clueless, laidback, comical, or anguished, the actors and actresses are able to express them well enough to give the whole drama a good flow of emotions.

Overall Verdict

From the acting to the costume, Love And Destiny has pretty high marks in my books. The only dissatisfaction that I have is the loose tie-up in the last episode. The ending is nothing spectacular. It is never explained how Ling Xi escaped from the Spirit Chaining Abyss. Neither do we know how Jiu Chen escaped from inside the demon gate which has been sealed and what happened to Jing Xiu inside the gate. I suppose it leaves viewers with some room for imagination but the ending is a letdown after a good story for most of the drama.

Nevertheless, I would still say give it a go for this Love And Destiny review despite the loose ending. The middle part could be a little draggy and could have been shortened. But just as it starts to become a bore, the story picks back up again. So, it is not so bad as a whole. Watch it for the acting, storyline, and romance. Leave some room for imagination for the ending though.