Episode 3 recap: Zhang Chu Lan's identity was exposed and became the focus of attention.
Nado Tongming appeared to be an express delivery company on the surface, but it was actually a high-tech company conducting research in various fields. The most important focus of their research was to find the origin of "qi." The reason why the "strange individuals" possessed extraordinary abilities beyond ordinary people was because they had "qi" within their bodies. Xu Xiang was the head of a division, and he took Zhang Chu Lan on a tour of Nado Tongming's interior. He told Zhang Chu Lan that the universe is divided into the visible universe and the dark universe, with the dark universe composed of dark matter, which is "qi." Zhang Chu Lan stated that he was just an ordinary college student who needed to go back to class and promised not to disclose any information about Nado Tongming. Just as he was about to leave, Xu Xiang mentioned that he knew Zhang Chu Lan's grandfather, Zhang Xi Lin.
Zhang Chu Lan recalled that many years ago, his grandfather was already old, and the village chief was concerned that if his grandfather passed away, there would be no one to take care of him. So the village chief persuaded Zhang Xi Lin to send Zhang Chu Lan to a boarding school in town where food and accommodation were provided. Zhang Chu Lan, who had no parents, met the requirements. However, Zhang Xi Lin believed that he was still strong and refused the village chief's kindness. He had some matters to attend to and made three big pork elbows for Zhang Chu Lan. He also taught Zhang Chu Lan how to make a fire and cook, instructing him not to use his supernatural abilities to fight with others unless it was a matter of life and death. Zhang Xi Lin said he would return once Zhang Chu Lan finished eating the elbows, but Zhang Chu Lan finished them in the morning and waited until evening without seeing Zhang Xi Lin. At that moment, there was a commotion outside the house, and Zhang Chu Lan thought it was his grandfather returning. He ran out happily, only to find his grandfather dead by the large tree near the door. Zhang Chu Lan wanted to know the cause of his grandfather's death, but Xu Xiang couldn't provide an answer. He could only mention that Zhang Xi Lin was a disciple of Longhushan Tian Shi Fu.
At Tian Shi Fu, Zhang Ling Yu was practicing while listening to music. He quickly stopped and received a message from a fellow disciple, saying that Zhang Zhi Wei wanted to see him. Zhang Ling Yu promptly went to meet his master. At that moment, the master was watching a live stream and tending to flowers and plants. His mood immediately soured upon hearing the name Zhang Huai Yi and instructed Zhang Yu Ling not to worry about that person who had been crossed out.
Liu Yan Yan is a descendant of the Xiangxi family. Her father recently reported to Xu Si that Liu Yan Yan had run away from home and was missing. Xu Si was surprised to learn that Liu Yan Yan had become a member of the Full Sexuality, a group without rules. Liu Yan Yan explained that before the age of fifteen, she had no friends because she devoted herself to the family's puppetry technique. After fifteen years of training, when she had mastered the technique, her parents forbade her from using it and wanted her to live a normal life. This made her feel that her fifteen years of effort had been wasted, leading her to rebel and join the lawless Full Sexuality.
Zhang Chu Lan, with tears in his eyes, told Liu Yan Yan that her life couldn't be considered as miserable. He shared his own story of losing his grandfather at the age of ten and living a solitary life, eating alone, talking to the wall all day. His only wish was to live a normal life, but Liu Yan Yan stole Zhang Xi Lin's body, ruining everything. Out of guilt towards Zhang Chu Lan, Liu Yan Yan revealed that the Full Sexuality wanted Zhang Xi Lin's body for his memories and the "qi" within him, which they referred to as the "qi body source flow." Zhang Xi Lin, who had injured numerous supernatural beings years ago but only suffered severe injuries himself, became the target of the Full Sexuality's relentless pursuit.
Zhang Xi Lin always taught Zhang Chu Lan to endure everything. After Zhang Xi Lin's body was used by Lv Liang and discarded in the garbage dump, Zhang Chu Lan felt angry but still wanted to endure. However, Feng Bao Bao believed that Zhang Chu Lan should not endure the pain caused by others and should seek revenge against those who harmed him. Zhang Chu Lan made a decisive choice and joined "He Du Tong" (a group mentioned earlier).
Zhang Xi Lin's original name was Zhang Huai Yi. He had been in hiding for over a decade, and it was only today that Zhang Zhi Wei learned of his death, feeling deeply saddened. He went to drink with Tian Qing Zhong, and they stayed inside for a long time, causing concern among their disciples. Zhang Ling Yu, who was favored by Zhang Zhi Wei, was called in to check on the situation. Zhang Ling Yu's rigid demeanor was a minor flaw in the eyes of Tian Qing Zhong and Zhang Zhi Wei. Zhang Zhi Wei asked Zhang Ling Yu to find Zhang Chu Lan and test his ability to become a Tian Shi Du (a celestial master).
Members of the Tian Xia Hui (a different group) found Zhang Chu Lan first and abducted him using a large white turtle. Zhang Huai Yu discovered Zhang Chu Lan and instructed the Tian Xia Hui members to wait while he brought two Taoist priests to test Zhang Chu Lan's skills. The result disappointed him, and he couldn't understand why his master, Zhang Zhi Wei, took an interest in Zhang Chu Lan. Zhang Huai Yu personally used the Tian Shi Fu's unique technique, the Golden Light Curse, against Zhang Chu Lan. Zhang Chu Lan, who had practiced this technique since childhood, recognized Zhang Ling Yu as a comrade and mocked the Zhang family as traitors for believing the Golden Light Curse was a secret technique.
If you insist on comparing the original work with the live-action adaptation, if you love the original work so much, why don't you just stick to reading the manga? The live-action adaptation will always have differences. If it remains exactly the same, then what's the point of making a live-action version? If the live-action adaptation were to be made exactly like the manga, it would be intellectually backward, even stupid and a terrible film. Initially, I was worried that if they followed the original work too closely, it would be awkward or even silly. However, they made changes in collaboration with the original author to make it more suitable for the live-action adaptation.
Xia He, this character is only beautiful, but lacks charm. Even with dyed hair, I still feel like she has a somewhat righteous face. Don't always say that fans of the original work are too demanding. The plot is indeed very faithful, but the casting choices aren't great. If the original work wasn't popular, it wouldn't have been chosen for a remake. Since it's a remake, it's natural that fans of the original work would come to watch and compare it.
This drama was initially silly and full of teenage angst, quite amusing. Then the part with Bao'er made me cry so much. The storyline involving Bao'er and Tian Lao added a touch of humanity to the drama.
And the later scenes with Lao Tian Shi were incredibly satisfying. I think the plot of this drama is quite fulfilling. Beneath its comedic surface, it conveys profound truths. For instance, the character development of Zhang Ling Yu.
Zhang Ling Yu desires to be seen as a perfect individual in the eyes of others, and it takes great courage to confront one's imperfections and face them head-on.