Simultaneously, four words emerged from the abyss.
âCrossing the Demon Realmâ
The opening theme played, and the drama officially began.
The first episode depicted the massacre of the Qinglin Estate by evil demons, leaving only Sui Yan alive. By chance, the Celestial Ruler who just passed by took her to Celestial Realm, her eyes filled with curiosity.
As it was a prime-time show, there were no live comments, but online critiques had already started appearing.
[Is the female lead another love-struck fool? Calling this a strong female lead series is an insult. Iâm switching to âGreat Zhao Dynastyâ.]
[No intelligence, just blindly follows others without a second thought. Thereâs no such thing as a free lunch.]
[Iâll keep watching. Honestly, Si Fuqing makes me feel like Iâm experiencing first love again. Sheâs so beautiful in this role, I could watch her face for a year.]
[Feels inferior to âSword Immortal.â Tang Haiqiu canât surpass himself, a bit disappointed.]
The first episode set the stage for Tang Haiqiuâs constructed xianxia world.
The second episode plunged directly into the dramaâs first climax.
It was also the first point of emotional torment and marked Si Fuqingâs first standout moment in the series.
What was supposed to be Sui Yanâs birthday turned into a nightmare, with a sword piercing through her heart.
Unlike the prop-less audition, the palace of the immortals was a real set, only the mists and clouds were CGI.
Blood drenched the ground as the young girlâs soul was forcibly pulled from her body.
She watched as another took over her body, her expression devoid of sadness or joy, yet chillingly calm.
The Celestial Ruler confirmed the Celestial Queenâs resurrection and then turned to the young girl, âI owe you an apology. You were born with a celestial body, the perfect vessel. Do you have any wishes I can fulfill?â
âYou saved me once, so I owe you my life. Letâs pretend we never knew each other,â she said calmly, a hint of cold fury rising in her eyes. âBut your life, I will take.â
She even smiled faintly: âI wish you and your wife a century of happiness.â
But in a hundred years, she would return.
She swore this oath on the lives of the three hundred eighty-four people of Qinglin Estate.
At his level of cultivation, the Celestial Ruler might not live as long as a god, but he would live for tens of thousands of years.
The Celestial Ruler sighed, his gaze filled with pity.
Knowing she would soon die completely, his tone softened, âSuisui, donât be so impulsive. You were meant to die in that massacre. I gave you ten more years of life; you should be grateful.â
The girlâs expression remained indifferent, her soul becoming more transparent.
Her eyes, dark as night, seemed to burn with fierce fire as she pronounced each word distinctly: âThis oath, heaven and earth, demons and gods bear witness!â
âBoom!â
Thunder roared continuously, the entire Celestial Palace shook with her words.
The newly awakened Celestial Queen flinched, clutching at the manâs robe, tears welling up: âIâm scaredâ¦â
âDonât be afraid,â the white-robed Celestial Ruler protected the woman beside him. âSheâs just a remnant soul now; she canât hurt you. It will dissipate soon.â
He looked coldly at the increasingly transparent Sui Yan.
Even if Sui Yan ascended to immortality, she was no match for his millennia of cultivation, let alone as a mere soul.
Taking his life was a joke.
The Celestial Queen bit her lip, tears in her eyes, âYes, Iâm fine, but sheâs so pitiful⦠canât we save herâ¦â
âNo need to save her. She was destined to face this ordeal,â the Celestial Ruler said with cold compassion.
The final shot was of Sui Yanâs soul scattering, plummeting into the Demon Realm.
Below her was an unfathomably deep abyss, and above, the affectionate Celestial Ruler and Celestial Queen.
Half darkness, half light.
Intertwined, they reflected the central theme of the entire drama.
As the ending theme played, the room remained silent.
Without fast-forwarding or skipping, they had watched two full episodes, totaling forty-five minutes.
Yu Tang took a deep breath, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through the social media comments.
Turning her head with difficulty, her voice quivering, she managed to say, âQingqing⦠Qingqing youâre going to be famous!â