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Guardian: Zhen Hun (Novel) #3
Guardian: Zhen Hun (Novel) Vol. 3
WILL YOU CHOOSE TO DIE WITH ME AND RETURN TO CHAOS FOR ALL ETERNITY?
When a mysterious illness knocks Zhao Yunlan off his feet, he enjoys being doted on by Shen Wei--until he discovers a grim secret that threatens to tear them apart. However, it's not just their domestic bliss that's on the verge of collapse. The Great Seal is cracking, order itself is about to break down and extinguish all life, and their only hope to stop the destruction is the final Hallowed the Soul-Guarding Lamp. But even as the world threatens to crumble around them, Zhao Yunlan searches for the truth and a way to keep Shen Wei by his side, this time for all eternity.
When a mysterious illness knocks Zhao Yunlan off his feet, he enjoys being doted on by Shen Wei--until he discovers a grim secret that threatens to tear them apart. However, it's not just their domestic bliss that's on the verge of collapse. The Great Seal is cracking, order itself is about to break down and extinguish all life, and their only hope to stop the destruction is the final Hallowed the Soul-Guarding Lamp. But even as the world threatens to crumble around them, Zhao Yunlan searches for the truth and a way to keep Shen Wei by his side, this time for all eternity.
461 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2024
285 people are currently reading
2512 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
September 25, 2024
Did I understand the lore? No. Did I enjoy the story? Yes. Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are iconic. Also thank you, Priest, for Chu Shuzhi/Guo Changcheng - I didn't expect it, but I love them so much!!!
I started watching the live action and really enjoying it so far! :)
I started watching the live action and really enjoying it so far! :)
January 21, 2025
Fecal matter has descended all over the place!
Apologies for this review that might not make much sense, because I am still reeling over this great book and I will try not to spoil it. Everything was happening to everyone, everywhere! Bro, there was even a time travel scene! It is well paced but extra heavy on the lore and mystery, that at times it doesn’t make sense? or maybe I was just too tired to understand because I couldn’t put it down. It was so good.
A love story that spanned tens of thousands of years that will break your heart and make you shed a tear, an oath that was barely kept, there was even a bonus short story of one of the reincarnations called ”The Mountain Spirit” that just….. god, I hated how it ended, but it made me laugh and cry.
There is more obviously but I need to meditate on it for now because it’s that kind of book, and leave you as usual with a quote from the best character Daqing, that should have his own short story where someone falls in love with him and treat him like a princess 👑🐈⬛:
Apologies for this review that might not make much sense, because I am still reeling over this great book and I will try not to spoil it. Everything was happening to everyone, everywhere! Bro, there was even a time travel scene! It is well paced but extra heavy on the lore and mystery, that at times it doesn’t make sense? or maybe I was just too tired to understand because I couldn’t put it down. It was so good.
A love story that spanned tens of thousands of years that will break your heart and make you shed a tear, an oath that was barely kept, there was even a bonus short story of one of the reincarnations called ”The Mountain Spirit” that just….. god, I hated how it ended, but it made me laugh and cry.
There is more obviously but I need to meditate on it for now because it’s that kind of book, and leave you as usual with a quote from the best character Daqing, that should have his own short story where someone falls in love with him and treat him like a princess 👑🐈⬛:
The railing was only half as wide as the cat’s belly, making it seem like Daqing might roll right off at any moment. The words “Why don’t you go somewhere roomier?” slipped out of Shen Wei’s mouth. “Take care not to fall.”
Daqing froze for a moment, then realized Shen Wei was calling him fat. He gave a yowl, fur standing on end. “I’m! Practicing! Yoga! What’s wrong with practicing yoga? Is there a problem?”
Shen Wei gave his head a pat and then headed up the stairs, still smiling.
In a huff, Daqing lay back down on the railing. Further annoyance approached in the form of Lin Jing. “Daqing-gongzi, which yoga pose are you practicing right now?”
“…Cat Pose.”
Reading update:
I AM NOT READY FOR THE ENDING!!!
November 2, 2024
10,000 years is an awfully long time to wait for your beloved but that is how long Shen Wei waits for Zhao Yunlan in “Guardian” by Priest. This third volume wraps up the mythological story of the King of the Gui (Shen Wei) saving the world with a sacrifice and earning the love of his life, Kunlun-jun (the Mountain God aka. Zhao Yunlan). There is a very complex web of mythology that underpins this act of sacrifice but essentially Shen Wei achieves happiness, because he is willing to think of others rather than himself.
The volumes of this trilogy present very differently: The first volume focuses on the SID (Special Investigations Department) solving supernatural crimes and shows how Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan meet again in their present incarnations. The second volume sees the main couple develop a proper relationship with a realistic coming out scene to Zhao Yunlan’s parents as well as a mystery adventure excursion to a mountain side for the entire department. Lastly, this third volume weaves the mythic backstory of gods and the Netherworld into the present-day story at the department. In essence, everything comes together in this last volume but it is very detail heavy and is best read fairly quickly in order to keep one’s bearings.
The complex mythology is both a weakness and a strength. The weakness is that it slows down reading momentum and removes focus from the main couple and the gallery of supporting characters in the department. The strength is that it creates a rich universe in which to understand the depth of Shen Wei’s love for Kunlun-jun. There is sugar in both the present and in the mythical past with tender kisses and romantic waiting for Zhao Yunlan to come out of the reincarnation cycle. One of the most touching tales is in the bonus story, “The Mountain Spirit”, because it shows the one and only time that Shen Wei dared to interact with Kunlun-jun throughout all of those 10,000 years of waiting. It is, however, bittersweet because he knows that nothing can come of it at the time.
Priest’s style of writing is very poetic and dreamy, but also a little heavy. The depiction of Shen Wei’s emotional hesitancy and Zhao Yunlan’s cheeky nature is well done, though, and the supporting cast is allowed its own side stories. The best is the one with Guo Changcheng and the Corpse King, Chu Shuzhi, because they are inherently so different but still depend on each other with a slight indication that their relationship is more than platonic. Daqing, the fat cat, is also a gloriously hilarious character who has more depth than is visible upon first glance.
So read “Guardian” for the epic love story and the fun antics of the supporting cast. The setting is mythological but the story is not; at the core all of these relationships are psychologically realistic and great fun. Who doesn’t need a fat, snarky cat?
The volumes of this trilogy present very differently: The first volume focuses on the SID (Special Investigations Department) solving supernatural crimes and shows how Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan meet again in their present incarnations. The second volume sees the main couple develop a proper relationship with a realistic coming out scene to Zhao Yunlan’s parents as well as a mystery adventure excursion to a mountain side for the entire department. Lastly, this third volume weaves the mythic backstory of gods and the Netherworld into the present-day story at the department. In essence, everything comes together in this last volume but it is very detail heavy and is best read fairly quickly in order to keep one’s bearings.
The complex mythology is both a weakness and a strength. The weakness is that it slows down reading momentum and removes focus from the main couple and the gallery of supporting characters in the department. The strength is that it creates a rich universe in which to understand the depth of Shen Wei’s love for Kunlun-jun. There is sugar in both the present and in the mythical past with tender kisses and romantic waiting for Zhao Yunlan to come out of the reincarnation cycle. One of the most touching tales is in the bonus story, “The Mountain Spirit”, because it shows the one and only time that Shen Wei dared to interact with Kunlun-jun throughout all of those 10,000 years of waiting. It is, however, bittersweet because he knows that nothing can come of it at the time.
Priest’s style of writing is very poetic and dreamy, but also a little heavy. The depiction of Shen Wei’s emotional hesitancy and Zhao Yunlan’s cheeky nature is well done, though, and the supporting cast is allowed its own side stories. The best is the one with Guo Changcheng and the Corpse King, Chu Shuzhi, because they are inherently so different but still depend on each other with a slight indication that their relationship is more than platonic. Daqing, the fat cat, is also a gloriously hilarious character who has more depth than is visible upon first glance.
So read “Guardian” for the epic love story and the fun antics of the supporting cast. The setting is mythological but the story is not; at the core all of these relationships are psychologically realistic and great fun. Who doesn’t need a fat, snarky cat?
August 18, 2024
ZY and SW’s relationship was SO fun, the mythology was fascinating, and the side characters were such a joy (especially GC and CS). I am so sad leaving these characters behind but happy to have finished this series.
I can see why people might be put off with parts of this story (lots of info dumping and sometimes in a convoluted way). I decided to just go with the flow and enjoy the novel instead of stressing over understanding every detail (like I normally would). The relationships and characters are what carried the book for me 👻
I love Priest so much so I do wonder if I am biased when reading her books. I would put this ahead of Stars of Chaos (which I have not completed) but definitely not ahead of my beloved Can Ci Pin 🥰
A few things I didn't love (Spoiler)
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1) Zhu Hong's character development. I despise the “why not me?” when someone finds out their crush likes someone else and doesn’t like them back.
2) Daqing and Lao-Li ending. Feels unresolved.
3) Guo Changcheng- I needed so much more about him after the revelation of what/who he was! I love him to pieces.
I can see why people might be put off with parts of this story (lots of info dumping and sometimes in a convoluted way). I decided to just go with the flow and enjoy the novel instead of stressing over understanding every detail (like I normally would). The relationships and characters are what carried the book for me 👻
I love Priest so much so I do wonder if I am biased when reading her books. I would put this ahead of Stars of Chaos (which I have not completed) but definitely not ahead of my beloved Can Ci Pin 🥰
A few things I didn't love (Spoiler)
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1) Zhu Hong's character development. I despise the “why not me?” when someone finds out their crush likes someone else and doesn’t like them back.
2) Daqing and Lao-Li ending. Feels unresolved.
3) Guo Changcheng- I needed so much more about him after the revelation of what/who he was! I love him to pieces.
August 21, 2024
Vol 1- 4/5
Vol 2- 5/5
Vol 3- 2/5
This is going to be a review for the entire series as I read them back to back. I'm going to keep this as spoiler- free as possible.
I agree with the other reviews that the ending is confusing. It has tainted my enjoyment of the series as a whole and made me so sad tbh.
Pros:
-The characters are brilliant. Zhao Yunlan (MC) and Shen Wei (ML) are just so loveable. I couldn't get enough of Daqing who is the talking cat.
-Humour - Zhao Yunlan's insights were hilarious.
-Slow burn romance
-Mysteries were ok
-Found family trope
-Written in 3rd person
Cons:
-The plot is more complicated than it needs to be. All the reveals in vol 2 as to our MC and ML backstory turn out to be something completely different in vol 3.
- Lots of info dumping in all volumes. I liked vol 2 the most because this is when it happened the least. I was so confused with all the mythology aspects and just gave up trying to keep up. And there is A LOT.
-Weak villain- I was wondering who this was all the way throughout. I think it was 'Ghost-face'.
-Zhu Hong is a crime scene analyst who is a strong female character (which you don't often see in danmei) was under-utilised. I wanted a lot more development and felt it was a missed opportunity seen as Priest did develop other side characters such as Chu Shuzhi. She should've had a better arc.
-Twists not making sense- especially Guo Changcheng's.
I haven't read the extras so can't comment on those because I wanted the ending to be over and done with. I can't see myself re-reading this series.
Vol 2- 5/5
Vol 3- 2/5
This is going to be a review for the entire series as I read them back to back. I'm going to keep this as spoiler- free as possible.
I agree with the other reviews that the ending is confusing. It has tainted my enjoyment of the series as a whole and made me so sad tbh.
Pros:
-The characters are brilliant. Zhao Yunlan (MC) and Shen Wei (ML) are just so loveable. I couldn't get enough of Daqing who is the talking cat.
-Humour - Zhao Yunlan's insights were hilarious.
-Slow burn romance
-Mysteries were ok
-Found family trope
-Written in 3rd person
Cons:
-The plot is more complicated than it needs to be. All the reveals in vol 2 as to our MC and ML backstory turn out to be something completely different in vol 3.
- Lots of info dumping in all volumes. I liked vol 2 the most because this is when it happened the least. I was so confused with all the mythology aspects and just gave up trying to keep up. And there is A LOT.
-Weak villain- I was wondering who this was all the way throughout. I think it was 'Ghost-face'.
-Zhu Hong is a crime scene analyst who is a strong female character (which you don't often see in danmei) was under-utilised. I wanted a lot more development and felt it was a missed opportunity seen as Priest did develop other side characters such as Chu Shuzhi. She should've had a better arc.
-Twists not making sense- especially Guo Changcheng's.
I haven't read the extras so can't comment on those because I wanted the ending to be over and done with. I can't see myself re-reading this series.
November 10, 2024
This series was a great surprise. I liked it a lot despite this last volume being a bit confusing. The plot lost me at times, I think it's because as the series advance gets heavier in mythology, Chinese culture and cultivation. Which still is a concept difficult for me to grasp. Despite that, the characters are a delight and I liked the conclussion of this.
Daquin keeps being his awesome self the whole series but the closure to his arc was confusing. I suppose there's some cultural meaning that I don't understand there.
I loved how Guo Changcheng and However, I was mad about Zhu Hong for most of the book, that woman needed to get a grip. She was insufferable and put herself and anyone else And everything for what? Fortunately by the end she got better and the conclussion to her arc was satisfying.
The extras round up the story showing the conclussion to some threads that hadn't been fully explained when everything ends. I loved The Mountain Spirit despite What didn't leave me truly satisfied was But overall, I loved this, I'm looking forward to read this again.
Daquin keeps being his awesome self the whole series but the closure to his arc was confusing. I suppose there's some cultural meaning that I don't understand there.
I loved how Guo Changcheng and However, I was mad about Zhu Hong for most of the book, that woman needed to get a grip. She was insufferable and put herself and anyone else And everything for what? Fortunately by the end she got better and the conclussion to her arc was satisfying.
The extras round up the story showing the conclussion to some threads that hadn't been fully explained when everything ends. I loved The Mountain Spirit despite What didn't leave me truly satisfied was But overall, I loved this, I'm looking forward to read this again.
December 28, 2024
如果可以 茫茫人海千年一眼相遇 紅線劃過 深藏輪迴的秘密 （如果可以 韋禮安）
these lyrics are actually so perfect!!! i can't get over how fitting it is!!!
rough translation: 'if it's possible, our glances meet across the crowd, once in a thousand years; the red thread of fate draws across, hiding the secret of reincarnation'
writing? gorgeous. i'm amazed at how it can be funny at times but then spout the most sweetest iconic incredible lines ever???
lore? heavy. ok even chinese readers struggled with the lore 💀 plus some of the lore is fictional and intertwined with real folklore so it made it even more confusing.
plot? confusing. the heavy lore attributed to it - and at times there is a lot going on with the addition of the murder mysteries as well. oh also the murder mysteries lessened as the book went on - i'm a bit sad about that :((
characters? 🤩🤩 zyl and sw!! the sweetest couple ahhhh sw is so devoted 😭 the side couple - i love how gcc just slowly won over scz lmao. daqing - my fav arrogant snarky cat!! like bro dropped this 👑 and ofc lj the self-obsessed jokester 'fake' monk i've never been so excited to recite along a Buddhist scripture??!
the extras were amazing but the historical ones broke my heart 😭💔 did the author just have extra 🔪🔪 around to plunge into poor innocent reader hearts??
tysm @Reem i loved yapping abt the book to you!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
these lyrics are actually so perfect!!! i can't get over how fitting it is!!!
rough translation: 'if it's possible, our glances meet across the crowd, once in a thousand years; the red thread of fate draws across, hiding the secret of reincarnation'
writing? gorgeous. i'm amazed at how it can be funny at times but then spout the most sweetest iconic incredible lines ever???
lore? heavy. ok even chinese readers struggled with the lore 💀 plus some of the lore is fictional and intertwined with real folklore so it made it even more confusing.
plot? confusing. the heavy lore attributed to it - and at times there is a lot going on with the addition of the murder mysteries as well. oh also the murder mysteries lessened as the book went on - i'm a bit sad about that :((
characters? 🤩🤩 zyl and sw!! the sweetest couple ahhhh sw is so devoted 😭 the side couple - i love how gcc just slowly won over scz lmao. daqing - my fav arrogant snarky cat!! like bro dropped this 👑 and ofc lj the self-obsessed jokester 'fake' monk i've never been so excited to recite along a Buddhist scripture??!
the extras were amazing but the historical ones broke my heart 😭💔 did the author just have extra 🔪🔪 around to plunge into poor innocent reader hearts??
tysm @Reem i loved yapping abt the book to you!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
November 1, 2024
نمیدونم ترجمهای که خوندم خیلی خوب نبود یا جدا بخش افسانهها و خدایان این ناول خیلی گیج کننده بود.
از خوندن کل داستان، از شخصیت بیخیال اما در عین حال مراقب ژائو خیلی خوشم امد و بازخوانیش هم لذت بخش بود🥰
از خوندن کل داستان، از شخصیت بیخیال اما در عین حال مراقب ژائو خیلی خوشم امد و بازخوانیش هم لذت بخش بود🥰
September 9, 2024
I think this book finished me. It took me so long to finish this because i did n o t want to say goodbye to these characters. 😭😭😭.
May 8, 2025
This series started a lot stronger than it ended, but the soulmates in every lifetime x light vs. dark pairing will forever have me in a chokehold.
3.75⭐️ No 🌶️
3.75⭐️ No 🌶️
November 29, 2024
I try very hard not to compare books to each other when I read or review them, even other books by the same author, but considering how much I adore Stars of Chaos and sing it's praises to the moon and back, I can't help but think of it, and then think of Guardian and feel a bit underwhelmed.
Don't get me wrong -- I enjoyed reading this immensely, and I love the lore, mythology, concept, and characters deeply. But when I first started reading this series, I wondered how on earth it inspired a 40 episode series when the book itself wasn't very long. And now, upon completing the third volume, I think I have my answer; it inspired a 40 episode series because this story needed to be 40 episodes long -- and it should have been a longer book.
I don't think every danmei novel needs to be upwards of five or seven volumes, but I do think that Guardian should have been at least another 200-300 pages, given the complexity and depth of the plot. As it stands now, it feels like the last few arcs of the plot were spedrun, the ending was rushed, the lore was dumped haphazardly without proper build up or the slow unveiling of information I had been expecting, and none of the beats during the last 200 or so pages were really satisfying. Like, I was obsessed with Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan's relationship in the first two books, but at the end of this one, I found myself happy for them but not really actively excited or thrilled, given how tedious the recent road to this point felt. And I felt similarly about Guo Changcheng -- I liked what his character twist allowed for the ending, but I didn't really understand how we got to that point, unless there was some cultural nuance that was lost on me in translation. Also, I'm writing this review the day after I finished the main story, and not gonna lie, the main villain was so not a threat and the final confrontation was so anticlimactic that I straight up forgot he was part of the plot. Like, he really just spends three books falling for all of Shen Wei's schemes and then blows himself up... like... girl...
Probably the best way to explain how I feel about this series overall is this: I love the premise and the characters, I loved the first two volumes, and I really liked how it ended -- but I didn't like the final stretch of getting to the ending because it felt too rushed for the story it was trying to tell. I wish things had been unveiled a bit more slowly and a bit more naturally, without needing to directly tell the reader what was going on so often because otherwise we would not have known. I wish a few things had been hinted at earlier -- or if they had been, the translation would have been clearer about this foreshadowing.
I think though, overall, I still enjoyed this story. Not nearly as much as I enjoyed Stars of Chaos, and if I reread it some day, it won't be any time soon, but I did have fun while reading this. And at the end of the day, that's what matters the most to me.
Don't get me wrong -- I enjoyed reading this immensely, and I love the lore, mythology, concept, and characters deeply. But when I first started reading this series, I wondered how on earth it inspired a 40 episode series when the book itself wasn't very long. And now, upon completing the third volume, I think I have my answer; it inspired a 40 episode series because this story needed to be 40 episodes long -- and it should have been a longer book.
I don't think every danmei novel needs to be upwards of five or seven volumes, but I do think that Guardian should have been at least another 200-300 pages, given the complexity and depth of the plot. As it stands now, it feels like the last few arcs of the plot were spedrun, the ending was rushed, the lore was dumped haphazardly without proper build up or the slow unveiling of information I had been expecting, and none of the beats during the last 200 or so pages were really satisfying. Like, I was obsessed with Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan's relationship in the first two books, but at the end of this one, I found myself happy for them but not really actively excited or thrilled, given how tedious the recent road to this point felt. And I felt similarly about Guo Changcheng -- I liked what his character twist allowed for the ending, but I didn't really understand how we got to that point, unless there was some cultural nuance that was lost on me in translation. Also, I'm writing this review the day after I finished the main story, and not gonna lie, the main villain was so not a threat and the final confrontation was so anticlimactic that I straight up forgot he was part of the plot. Like, he really just spends three books falling for all of Shen Wei's schemes and then blows himself up... like... girl...
Probably the best way to explain how I feel about this series overall is this: I love the premise and the characters, I loved the first two volumes, and I really liked how it ended -- but I didn't like the final stretch of getting to the ending because it felt too rushed for the story it was trying to tell. I wish things had been unveiled a bit more slowly and a bit more naturally, without needing to directly tell the reader what was going on so often because otherwise we would not have known. I wish a few things had been hinted at earlier -- or if they had been, the translation would have been clearer about this foreshadowing.
I think though, overall, I still enjoyed this story. Not nearly as much as I enjoyed Stars of Chaos, and if I reread it some day, it won't be any time soon, but I did have fun while reading this. And at the end of the day, that's what matters the most to me.
November 18, 2024
There was a lot of mythology is this series. A little too much. It didn't help either that every time we saw the origin myth, it changed. On top of that, there were pillars and artifacts to keep track of and various other things. I just stopped keeping track of it all after awhile. Some of the main conflict resolution was too convenient, though, and felt like a bit of a letdown. But this volume also finally had some illustrations for moments that were really worthy of them. While the art itself is good, I feel like the majority of it was for inconsequential moments throughout the series.
I never did warm up completely to the main couple, though they did have their moments when they were sweet in their own unique way. I ended up shipping a couple of the side characters pretty hard though. GCC is my absolute favorite character, followed closely by Daqing, the yao cat. And boy, was I ever happy when Zhu Long got over herself, lol.
The extras were fun. I enjoyed getting to see where the team was after the main story. The third one was sad though, but the last one got us back to a happy place after a weird side quest.
I never did warm up completely to the main couple, though they did have their moments when they were sweet in their own unique way. I ended up shipping a couple of the side characters pretty hard though. GCC is my absolute favorite character, followed closely by Daqing, the yao cat. And boy, was I ever happy when Zhu Long got over herself, lol.
The extras were fun. I enjoyed getting to see where the team was after the main story. The third one was sad though, but the last one got us back to a happy place after a weird side quest.
September 2, 2024
4.5☆
“I hold all the world’s famous mountains and rivers in my hand, but what of it? They’re nothing but a bunch of rocks and wild waters. Of all that I am, the only part worth anything may be my heart. If you want it, it’s yours.”
“I hold all the world’s famous mountains and rivers in my hand, but what of it? They’re nothing but a bunch of rocks and wild waters. Of all that I am, the only part worth anything may be my heart. If you want it, it’s yours.”
September 8, 2024
Complete review of all volumes:
I wish I could say that I loved this, or even really liked it. After all, Priest wrote Faraway Wanderers, which contains one of my favorite pairings of all time. But this just didn’t work for me. I think I was enjoying it with ease for the first half of volume 1, when Zhao Yunlan was very much in the dark of Shen Wei’s identity, and the dramatic irony was super fun. But then, the relationship really just moved too fast for me from there. And then it just got super confusing to me. Maybe it’s my fault for having such a shaky understanding of Chinese mythology, but holy shit, Priest kinda dropped the ball here with regard to world-building, which in my opinion, makes the entire second half of the novel a confusing mess. And look, this isn’t my first danmei!! So I’m pretty used to the typical pacing and world-building of these. Furthermore, and likely because I had so much trouble following the plot, Shen Wei’s continued deceptions don’t come across to me as noble and understandable. It just makes him seem sketch ngl. There were enjoyable aspects of this novel for sure (I’ll get into in a sec), but at the end of the day, I was not invested in the main couple, which is the point of a danmei novel, so….
To make up for my interest in the main couple waning, I grew to love the cast of side characters by the second half of the novel, especially Zhu Hong, Guo Changcheng, and Chu Shuzhi. And of course, how could I forget the best part of this book, the guy that made it all worth reading?? That’s right. Daqing. The fat black cat yao. Any scene with this cat was made instantly better by miles. His relationship with Zhao Yunlan was so touching.
I will say I actually really enjoyed the extras here, ESPECIALLY the one following Shen San (I’m a sucker for anything jianghu-related). Their established relationship actually ended up feeling so natural. I could actually get a read on Shen Wei, which was just so difficult for me during the main story. The last extra was a bit much, though.
I don’t regret reading this, but I think there are others who would enjoy this way more than I did. There’s also just something about the modern setting mixed with the wuxia-type stakes that wasn’t super satisfying to me, I dunno. I might watch the cdrama.
I was considering giving this a 2.5 for a minute whenever it was chapter after chapter of confusion, but reading the extras really softened me and reminded me of the aspects I appreciated. So solid 3!
I wish I could say that I loved this, or even really liked it. After all, Priest wrote Faraway Wanderers, which contains one of my favorite pairings of all time. But this just didn’t work for me. I think I was enjoying it with ease for the first half of volume 1, when Zhao Yunlan was very much in the dark of Shen Wei’s identity, and the dramatic irony was super fun. But then, the relationship really just moved too fast for me from there. And then it just got super confusing to me. Maybe it’s my fault for having such a shaky understanding of Chinese mythology, but holy shit, Priest kinda dropped the ball here with regard to world-building, which in my opinion, makes the entire second half of the novel a confusing mess. And look, this isn’t my first danmei!! So I’m pretty used to the typical pacing and world-building of these. Furthermore, and likely because I had so much trouble following the plot, Shen Wei’s continued deceptions don’t come across to me as noble and understandable. It just makes him seem sketch ngl. There were enjoyable aspects of this novel for sure (I’ll get into in a sec), but at the end of the day, I was not invested in the main couple, which is the point of a danmei novel, so….
To make up for my interest in the main couple waning, I grew to love the cast of side characters by the second half of the novel, especially Zhu Hong, Guo Changcheng, and Chu Shuzhi. And of course, how could I forget the best part of this book, the guy that made it all worth reading?? That’s right. Daqing. The fat black cat yao. Any scene with this cat was made instantly better by miles. His relationship with Zhao Yunlan was so touching.
I will say I actually really enjoyed the extras here, ESPECIALLY the one following Shen San (I’m a sucker for anything jianghu-related). Their established relationship actually ended up feeling so natural. I could actually get a read on Shen Wei, which was just so difficult for me during the main story. The last extra was a bit much, though.
I don’t regret reading this, but I think there are others who would enjoy this way more than I did. There’s also just something about the modern setting mixed with the wuxia-type stakes that wasn’t super satisfying to me, I dunno. I might watch the cdrama.
I was considering giving this a 2.5 for a minute whenever it was chapter after chapter of confusion, but reading the extras really softened me and reminded me of the aspects I appreciated. So solid 3!
December 5, 2024
Zhao Yunlan y Shen Wei son la bonita definición de amor.
Gran manera de dar un cierre para su historia, aunque había mas que dar.
El extra de Shen San termino conmigo. Saber el origen del nombre de Shen Wei.
Pero siento que se desperdiciaron tantas cosas o las tramas fueron muy apresuradas.
Pero en general disfrute mucho la historia.
Gran manera de dar un cierre para su historia, aunque había mas que dar.
El extra de Shen San termino conmigo. Saber el origen del nombre de Shen Wei.
Pero siento que se desperdiciaron tantas cosas o las tramas fueron muy apresuradas.
Pero en general disfrute mucho la historia.
June 21, 2025
Shen San😭💔
(while this ending is happier than the show, i still prefer the show)
(
December 16, 2024
Honestly, there was so much deception that I was shocked that Zhao Yunlan was able to bounce back and forgive him again. Even if part of that deception was for his sake, I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to deal with it.
However, upon further thought, I’m not sure anyone could’ve done what Shen Wei did either, which was to remain as only an observer as the love of your life married and lived their whole life never knowing you. He accepted eternity for Zhao Yunlan, even though he knew he would never achieve his happiness. In that way, it’s understandable why Zhao Yunlan forgave him. When someone loves you unconditionally like that, it’s hard not to forgive them.
I do wish we would have gotten more extras with Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. Their partnership was interesting, and I would’ve liked seeing more of the Corpse King.
However, upon further thought, I’m not sure anyone could’ve done what Shen Wei did either, which was to remain as only an observer as the love of your life married and lived their whole life never knowing you. He accepted eternity for Zhao Yunlan, even though he knew he would never achieve his happiness. In that way, it’s understandable why Zhao Yunlan forgave him. When someone loves you unconditionally like that, it’s hard not to forgive them.
I do wish we would have gotten more extras with Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. Their partnership was interesting, and I would’ve liked seeing more of the Corpse King.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
The final arc of the series is... A clusterfuck, I'm sorry. If you've watched the live action adaptation and thought the final arc was messy, then the book's final arc is just as messy if not more. Not only did we get a whole history lesson of the entire world, we later learned said history lesson is fake and modified, so don't even bother trying to understand the lore. The whole final fight feels like a blurry fever dream. Such a shame, the past 2 volumes have been consistent 5 stars for me... At least the extras are cute.
December 8, 2024
I didn’t enjoy this volume as much as the second one. The story felt a bit all over the place, and I felt even more overwhelmed by the lore. That said, it was still a great read. I especially loved the Mountain Spirit extra ❤️
November 5, 2024
I'll talk about the series as a whole and why my rating dropped from the first volume to here...
Honestly? I liked the first book and was excited to read the story further. The story itself is interesting, tho there are some cliche stuff I hoped will be avoided... but I was like "meh, I can live with that" and kept reading, but... I don't see myself getting attached to any of the characters and sometimes some of them act outside their age, in other words - childish.
In the first book it was fun to read, funny even - what with how Zhao Yunlan was so confident and met mixed signals and rejection from Shen Wei. And yeah he's smart and I liked that about him and how he helps people even though he acts like a ****. I liked the tension and chemistry between them and my mind went wild with theories... Only to feel extremely let down later on. His obsession with Shen Wei made no sense beyond a certain point. Cause yeah okay, you saw someone and felt strong attraction to them, but the lengths to which he goes at times are a little illogical. I hoped the past life thingy will be awesome and it left me feeling disappointed and dejected, mainly cause of the way Zhao Yunlan behaves and speaks. Dunno, I guess people have a thing for a rascal type of MC with a thick face, who cusses a lot and I'm simply not a fan of that when it's too much. His thick face does make me laugh and my jaw drop with how outrageous he can be xD but yeah...
Shen Wei? I was starting to feel for Shen Wei, but... *sigh* the dude is so toxic and manipulative in a horrible way. He was playing hard to get, to get Zhao Yunlan's attention and schemed how to get him in his net in a way that Zhao Yunlan won't be able to get away, which was.... so unnecessary? I mean Zhao Yunlan obviously got obsessed with him from the start... all the lies Shen Wei said and things he hid were not for the sake of the one he loved, it was for his own sake - to ensnare his love interest. I had so much hopes for the guy. But it all went down the drain when he pretty much r*ped Zhao Yunlan the first time. It left my mouth gaping and I was literally caught between laughing and crying. Laughing at Zhao Yunlan, cause things didn't go how he imagined and crying cause - what the actual hell?! No communication, no consent, no lube or prep.... he just dove into it mindlessly. And no, I will not excuse him with "oh his passion and repressed for centuries desires just overflowed" , not after all the time he tried to be careful around him prior to that. This wasn't even properly addressed after that... I was just starting to be happy the author brought up how much that was not okay, when it was literally brushed off and then turned into some kind of joke.
Shen Wei was an intriguing character when we knew nothing about him and that's as far as it went. He's presented as someone really smart, so how and why was he doing these illogical things? And why did he try to ensnare Zhao Yunlan with all those schemes, when the guy was obviously obsessed with him from the start? He was afraid and insecure? He felt undeserving and filthy? Yet he wanted to literally kill the one he loved in order to have Zhao Yunlan belong only to him and end it all... You might say "oh but he didn't end up doing that, he sacrificed himself and even tried to erase Zhao Yunlan's memories of him" yeah, great way to redeem him. But it didn't feel emotional to me, it felt forced and rushed as a lot of other things about the story.
Aside from that, the characters feel quite flat and the author keeps waving a mystery about one of the characters in our faces all 3 books (Guo Changcheng), all the while continuing to insult the same character. The rest of them are just... well being insulted and are there for some scenes and sometimes used as plot device, outside of which, whether they are there or not wouldn't make a difference. One of the characters I was curious about turned out to have an interesting background (Chu Shuzhi), or at least it would've been, if we knew more about him, but the author just threw casually the bomb "ah yeah, he's the Corpse King and stuff happened back in the day, so here we are" in the story and moved on. I was excited for Daqing at first, but my feelings for this character also grew cold. He had the potential of being wise, badass and all and was reduced to a "selfish fat cat that's there sometimes, gets offended and scratches people". Zhu Hong was another failed potential and wow was it the 3rd book in which we found out the color of her scales? ... And the way she acted like a silly love-struck teenager, when in the first book she seemed mature and cool... That was yet another unnecessary thing. Lin Jing? The selfie maniac is mostly what we know about him, since it is constantly reminded to us how useful yet useless he is - Zhao Yunlan said he's the most dependable of the bunch, yet are we really left with that impression? All of the SID are supposed to be badass characters who have skills and are powerful, yet are reduced to a useless bunch and Zhao Yunlan does all the work.... While being lazy making them do the leg work...?
Ghost Face never got a name... Or to be a proper villain or much background. Things he did came as quite illogical sometimes and I could try to find a meaning behind them, but that feels like lazy writing on the author's part. I guess he was there to pose as a threat and tinfoil for Shen Wei, who is oh so much smarter and all -.- the "final battle" felt so anticlimactic, the Yanluo kings were not spared of the author's mocking and demeaning and were useless, the main characters literally tried to walk away from the battle as it happened as if it had nothing to do with them... The suicide bombing Ghost Face did was absolutely ridiculous and had me roll my eyes, since it was more of a plot device than anything else...
I might be too pissed off right now to pay attention to the "beautiful (?) love story" in this, or this is simply not my cup of tea and that's that. If you read this series and liked it, then that's great. I wish I did too, but by the time I got to the epilogue I was impatient for it to just be over already. I read only two side stories and I'll try to read the rest some other time, cause I no longer have patience or the mood for it at this time.
Honestly? I liked the first book and was excited to read the story further. The story itself is interesting, tho there are some cliche stuff I hoped will be avoided... but I was like "meh, I can live with that" and kept reading, but... I don't see myself getting attached to any of the characters and sometimes some of them act outside their age, in other words - childish.
In the first book it was fun to read, funny even - what with how Zhao Yunlan was so confident and met mixed signals and rejection from Shen Wei. And yeah he's smart and I liked that about him and how he helps people even though he acts like a ****. I liked the tension and chemistry between them and my mind went wild with theories... Only to feel extremely let down later on. His obsession with Shen Wei made no sense beyond a certain point. Cause yeah okay, you saw someone and felt strong attraction to them, but the lengths to which he goes at times are a little illogical. I hoped the past life thingy will be awesome and it left me feeling disappointed and dejected, mainly cause of the way Zhao Yunlan behaves and speaks. Dunno, I guess people have a thing for a rascal type of MC with a thick face, who cusses a lot and I'm simply not a fan of that when it's too much. His thick face does make me laugh and my jaw drop with how outrageous he can be xD but yeah...
Shen Wei? I was starting to feel for Shen Wei, but... *sigh* the dude is so toxic and manipulative in a horrible way. He was playing hard to get, to get Zhao Yunlan's attention and schemed how to get him in his net in a way that Zhao Yunlan won't be able to get away, which was.... so unnecessary? I mean Zhao Yunlan obviously got obsessed with him from the start... all the lies Shen Wei said and things he hid were not for the sake of the one he loved, it was for his own sake - to ensnare his love interest. I had so much hopes for the guy. But it all went down the drain when he pretty much r*ped Zhao Yunlan the first time. It left my mouth gaping and I was literally caught between laughing and crying. Laughing at Zhao Yunlan, cause things didn't go how he imagined and crying cause - what the actual hell?! No communication, no consent, no lube or prep.... he just dove into it mindlessly. And no, I will not excuse him with "oh his passion and repressed for centuries desires just overflowed" , not after all the time he tried to be careful around him prior to that. This wasn't even properly addressed after that... I was just starting to be happy the author brought up how much that was not okay, when it was literally brushed off and then turned into some kind of joke.
Shen Wei was an intriguing character when we knew nothing about him and that's as far as it went. He's presented as someone really smart, so how and why was he doing these illogical things? And why did he try to ensnare Zhao Yunlan with all those schemes, when the guy was obviously obsessed with him from the start? He was afraid and insecure? He felt undeserving and filthy? Yet he wanted to literally kill the one he loved in order to have Zhao Yunlan belong only to him and end it all... You might say "oh but he didn't end up doing that, he sacrificed himself and even tried to erase Zhao Yunlan's memories of him" yeah, great way to redeem him. But it didn't feel emotional to me, it felt forced and rushed as a lot of other things about the story.
Aside from that, the characters feel quite flat and the author keeps waving a mystery about one of the characters in our faces all 3 books (Guo Changcheng), all the while continuing to insult the same character. The rest of them are just... well being insulted and are there for some scenes and sometimes used as plot device, outside of which, whether they are there or not wouldn't make a difference. One of the characters I was curious about turned out to have an interesting background (Chu Shuzhi), or at least it would've been, if we knew more about him, but the author just threw casually the bomb "ah yeah, he's the Corpse King and stuff happened back in the day, so here we are" in the story and moved on. I was excited for Daqing at first, but my feelings for this character also grew cold. He had the potential of being wise, badass and all and was reduced to a "selfish fat cat that's there sometimes, gets offended and scratches people". Zhu Hong was another failed potential and wow was it the 3rd book in which we found out the color of her scales? ... And the way she acted like a silly love-struck teenager, when in the first book she seemed mature and cool... That was yet another unnecessary thing. Lin Jing? The selfie maniac is mostly what we know about him, since it is constantly reminded to us how useful yet useless he is - Zhao Yunlan said he's the most dependable of the bunch, yet are we really left with that impression? All of the SID are supposed to be badass characters who have skills and are powerful, yet are reduced to a useless bunch and Zhao Yunlan does all the work.... While being lazy making them do the leg work...?
Ghost Face never got a name... Or to be a proper villain or much background. Things he did came as quite illogical sometimes and I could try to find a meaning behind them, but that feels like lazy writing on the author's part. I guess he was there to pose as a threat and tinfoil for Shen Wei, who is oh so much smarter and all -.- the "final battle" felt so anticlimactic, the Yanluo kings were not spared of the author's mocking and demeaning and were useless, the main characters literally tried to walk away from the battle as it happened as if it had nothing to do with them... The suicide bombing Ghost Face did was absolutely ridiculous and had me roll my eyes, since it was more of a plot device than anything else...
I might be too pissed off right now to pay attention to the "beautiful (?) love story" in this, or this is simply not my cup of tea and that's that. If you read this series and liked it, then that's great. I wish I did too, but by the time I got to the epilogue I was impatient for it to just be over already. I read only two side stories and I'll try to read the rest some other time, cause I no longer have patience or the mood for it at this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
(Warning: lots of yapping and spoilers)
Okay. So, that was wild.
I have many things to say about this book. Initially, I really wanted to give it a 2 stars, since I found that the plot was pretty messy, I didn’t understand half the things that’s happening, ending is super confusing for me, and I got into a sort of reading slump because of this book. Seriously, i had to sometimes force myself to read, it’s not this book’s fault though, when I do pick it up, I can read lots of pages at times. It’s probably something to do with the fact that I barely have free time to read, that probably played a big part in this
I still didn’t fully understand the plot, so I still have a lot of questions, which is kind of annoying since I felt like I didn’t get the full book experience. Normally I’m definitely someone that would want to retain the plots in my brain, but for the plot of guardian, I really can’t. The plot is just too messy, I don’t know what’s going on half the time, as I wrote in my last review, I don’t understand why the characters do this or do that at times, just, I would definitely appreciate proper plotting next time, since I couldn’t catch up at most times which just made me give up on following along. When I read the first book, I can definitely still catch up, retain info and figure it out by myself if I get confused, but for the second and third book, it truly gets soso hard, okay?
Enough of my random rant, lets get into talking about the book
I would say the few hundred plus pages was…pretty hard to get through, thats for sure. It’s the point where you just don’t get what’s going on, what’s real and what’s fake..? Doesn’t help that Shen Wei and yunlan was distant with each other. Shen Wei was clearly hiding something, and zhao yunlan is seeing memories that us readers can’t even trust if it’s real or fake, once everything is revealed, you’ll still be very confused, with all the info being thrown at you with no warning, and all the Chinese mythology’s. For me, I gave up keeping track of the plot of the book and just started enjoy reading about all the characters instead. One thing I like about priest is that she sure can write interesting characters, and the dynamics are TOP TIERR
And the ending, well, it felt very underwhelming. The whole series, ghost face is introduced as someone who seems very powerful, someone that is on the same level as Shen Wei, so imagine my surprise when ghost face is so easily defeated, and not even by Shen Wei himself?? And bro does some weird sacrificial thing to open the seal, which I guess it’s pretty alright but seriously? Aside from doing that, what use does ghost face, a Villian, have in the whole plot?? Write your main antagonist as a powerful ghost, whose presence is feared by everyone, even more than Shen Weis. Proceeds to make him seem like a complete idiot that fell for all of Shen Wei’s scheme, and die in the dumbest way ever. So much lost potential, sigh
I also really disliked the whole ‘Shen Wei planned everything the whole time!’ It just, doesn’t hit the same, okay..? The plot simply doesn’t hit the same once you find out about this. It would’ve been better if it was the two of them battling the unexpected, instead of ‘I knew it the whole time, I planned it myself’, like aughhh it simply ruins everything and make things seem not real at all!!!!!
And Shen Wei’s character, really, I don’t really know what he wants at all. So, he does all these scheming, trying to get zhao yunlan to die with him when the time comes, and when zhao yunlan agrees, bro just randomly changed his mind and wanted to save zhao yunlan and sacrifice himself instead?? His character is just too questionable for me, and honeslty he doesn’t seem like the type to do that, but what can I say, I didn’t write this book. And I get that the author wanted a happy ending, but making the soul guarding lamp spit him out is one of the most confusing,, umm, happy endings like ever? Well nice! Shen Wei is back, but the way he came back was too weird, so the lamp can just randomly do that now, okay??
Gosh this is getting too long. Anyways, would given 2 stars but 3 stars because I can’t bear rating a book containing my beloved Guo Changcheng, Chu shuzhi, wang zheng, sangzan and Daqing low, okay. And also Weilan, after reading the shen san extra, they really grew on me, and so I can’t bear to rate this book relatively lower than my other book ratings since I really liked the characters, and because it’s danmei (I’m super biased ^^)
I feel like Shen yuan
Okay. So, that was wild.
I have many things to say about this book. Initially, I really wanted to give it a 2 stars, since I found that the plot was pretty messy, I didn’t understand half the things that’s happening, ending is super confusing for me, and I got into a sort of reading slump because of this book. Seriously, i had to sometimes force myself to read, it’s not this book’s fault though, when I do pick it up, I can read lots of pages at times. It’s probably something to do with the fact that I barely have free time to read, that probably played a big part in this
I still didn’t fully understand the plot, so I still have a lot of questions, which is kind of annoying since I felt like I didn’t get the full book experience. Normally I’m definitely someone that would want to retain the plots in my brain, but for the plot of guardian, I really can’t. The plot is just too messy, I don’t know what’s going on half the time, as I wrote in my last review, I don’t understand why the characters do this or do that at times, just, I would definitely appreciate proper plotting next time, since I couldn’t catch up at most times which just made me give up on following along. When I read the first book, I can definitely still catch up, retain info and figure it out by myself if I get confused, but for the second and third book, it truly gets soso hard, okay?
Enough of my random rant, lets get into talking about the book
I would say the few hundred plus pages was…pretty hard to get through, thats for sure. It’s the point where you just don’t get what’s going on, what’s real and what’s fake..? Doesn’t help that Shen Wei and yunlan was distant with each other. Shen Wei was clearly hiding something, and zhao yunlan is seeing memories that us readers can’t even trust if it’s real or fake, once everything is revealed, you’ll still be very confused, with all the info being thrown at you with no warning, and all the Chinese mythology’s. For me, I gave up keeping track of the plot of the book and just started enjoy reading about all the characters instead. One thing I like about priest is that she sure can write interesting characters, and the dynamics are TOP TIERR
And the ending, well, it felt very underwhelming. The whole series, ghost face is introduced as someone who seems very powerful, someone that is on the same level as Shen Wei, so imagine my surprise when ghost face is so easily defeated, and not even by Shen Wei himself?? And bro does some weird sacrificial thing to open the seal, which I guess it’s pretty alright but seriously? Aside from doing that, what use does ghost face, a Villian, have in the whole plot?? Write your main antagonist as a powerful ghost, whose presence is feared by everyone, even more than Shen Weis. Proceeds to make him seem like a complete idiot that fell for all of Shen Wei’s scheme, and die in the dumbest way ever. So much lost potential, sigh
I also really disliked the whole ‘Shen Wei planned everything the whole time!’ It just, doesn’t hit the same, okay..? The plot simply doesn’t hit the same once you find out about this. It would’ve been better if it was the two of them battling the unexpected, instead of ‘I knew it the whole time, I planned it myself’, like aughhh it simply ruins everything and make things seem not real at all!!!!!
And Shen Wei’s character, really, I don’t really know what he wants at all. So, he does all these scheming, trying to get zhao yunlan to die with him when the time comes, and when zhao yunlan agrees, bro just randomly changed his mind and wanted to save zhao yunlan and sacrifice himself instead?? His character is just too questionable for me, and honeslty he doesn’t seem like the type to do that, but what can I say, I didn’t write this book. And I get that the author wanted a happy ending, but making the soul guarding lamp spit him out is one of the most confusing,, umm, happy endings like ever? Well nice! Shen Wei is back, but the way he came back was too weird, so the lamp can just randomly do that now, okay??
Gosh this is getting too long. Anyways, would given 2 stars but 3 stars because I can’t bear rating a book containing my beloved Guo Changcheng, Chu shuzhi, wang zheng, sangzan and Daqing low, okay. And also Weilan, after reading the shen san extra, they really grew on me, and so I can’t bear to rate this book relatively lower than my other book ratings since I really liked the characters, and because it’s danmei (I’m super biased ^^)
I feel like Shen yuan
March 30, 2025
“I hold all the world’s famous mountains and rivers in my hand, but what of it? They’re nothing but a bunch of rocks and wild waters. Of all that I am, the only part worth anything may be my heart. If you want it, it’s yours.”
As I have said before, I fucking love Priest! Aside from the heart-gripping romance, 镇魂 is a masterfully crafted blend of intelligence, wit, and daring, with a well-researched narrative that leads to a truly satisfying and joyful conclusion. What stands out most is the Priest's exceptional effort and meticulous attention to detail, especially in weaving elements of Chinese and Buddhist mythology into the story, from folklore to popular beliefs. This is one of the earliest works made by Pipi so I get it when people get confused with her writing. But that doesn't make the book less enjoyable and endearing.
Speaking of romance, the bond between the Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei is deeply moving. I remember crying over WeiLan years ago when I first set my eyes on their story. Nothing changed, I'm still crying over them right now! At times it’s tender and heartbreaking, other moments it’s delightfully goofy and full of humor, and there are instances where it’s exquisitely sensual—but always beautifully portrayed, perfectly reflecting their individual personalities. Pipi excels at crafting intricate, compelling backstories that span centuries, exploring themes of rebirth, devotion, love, longing, sacrifice, and intrigue. PLUS THE YEARNING?! God, it hurts so good! It turned out there was a kind of love that was like a knife to the heart.
I highly recommend exploring her other works as well. Especially the ones with similar themes that are more or less touching themes of love which transcends time and space like Liu Yao, Can Ci Pin, and Lie Huo Jiao Chou, or you can give her non-CP book Tai Sui a try for a really painful kind of self-sacrificing love.
Another standout feature of Zhen Hun is its diverse and memorable cast of characters. Not just the leads, but even the supporting roles are unique and richly developed. Each and everyone are bringing their own brand of humor and vitality to the story, enriching the overall experience. I can't pick a favorite but I want to special mention Guo Changcheng, my child. He is just so kind, it hurts.
I went back to my old account and check my thread about Zhen Hun and I realized how long it was ago because at that time, we can only share the Shen San extra discreetly. But now it's here in volume three as The Mountain Spirit on its mesmerizing glory. Good old days! Anyway, reading Zhen Hun really made me realize how I miss Priest, I've been trying to catch up to her newest novel CBEM but since there's no full TL, I'll probably be going around rereading her works once again. Thank you so much Pipi!
“Finally, Shen Wei glanced to the south and met Zhao Yunlan’s gaze. A faint smile suddenly graced his lips, like a springtime flower bursting into bloom.”
As I have said before, I fucking love Priest! Aside from the heart-gripping romance, 镇魂 is a masterfully crafted blend of intelligence, wit, and daring, with a well-researched narrative that leads to a truly satisfying and joyful conclusion. What stands out most is the Priest's exceptional effort and meticulous attention to detail, especially in weaving elements of Chinese and Buddhist mythology into the story, from folklore to popular beliefs. This is one of the earliest works made by Pipi so I get it when people get confused with her writing. But that doesn't make the book less enjoyable and endearing.
Speaking of romance, the bond between the Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei is deeply moving. I remember crying over WeiLan years ago when I first set my eyes on their story. Nothing changed, I'm still crying over them right now! At times it’s tender and heartbreaking, other moments it’s delightfully goofy and full of humor, and there are instances where it’s exquisitely sensual—but always beautifully portrayed, perfectly reflecting their individual personalities. Pipi excels at crafting intricate, compelling backstories that span centuries, exploring themes of rebirth, devotion, love, longing, sacrifice, and intrigue. PLUS THE YEARNING?! God, it hurts so good! It turned out there was a kind of love that was like a knife to the heart.
I highly recommend exploring her other works as well. Especially the ones with similar themes that are more or less touching themes of love which transcends time and space like Liu Yao, Can Ci Pin, and Lie Huo Jiao Chou, or you can give her non-CP book Tai Sui a try for a really painful kind of self-sacrificing love.
Another standout feature of Zhen Hun is its diverse and memorable cast of characters. Not just the leads, but even the supporting roles are unique and richly developed. Each and everyone are bringing their own brand of humor and vitality to the story, enriching the overall experience. I can't pick a favorite but I want to special mention Guo Changcheng, my child. He is just so kind, it hurts.
I went back to my old account and check my thread about Zhen Hun and I realized how long it was ago because at that time, we can only share the Shen San extra discreetly. But now it's here in volume three as The Mountain Spirit on its mesmerizing glory. Good old days! Anyway, reading Zhen Hun really made me realize how I miss Priest, I've been trying to catch up to her newest novel CBEM but since there's no full TL, I'll probably be going around rereading her works once again. Thank you so much Pipi!
“Finally, Shen Wei glanced to the south and met Zhao Yunlan’s gaze. A faint smile suddenly graced his lips, like a springtime flower bursting into bloom.”
August 22, 2024
“I hold all the world’s famous mountains and rivers in my hand, but what of it? They’re nothing but a bunch of rocks and wild waters. Of all that I am, the only part worth anything may be my heart. If you want it, it’s yours.”
Despite their many set backs, as a couple Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are adorable.
It starts off good, it was funny to realise Guo Changcheng was actually in the wrong place all along. It’s good he got to push himself though because he’s actually been doing well! Also, all the way through I wanted him and Chu Shuzhi to get together and it’s pretty much heavily implied the more you go through.
I said Zhu Hong would end up having her heart broken if she didn’t let it go. She’s definitely a persistent one. Even when she finally gives up, her jealousy has her mocking the fact that he’s getting it so much he can’t walk anywhere 😂
I maintain that Shen Wei is a cutey, fancy getting embarrassed because of a Hickey when you have his ability lol. Zhao Yunlan ever the joker the banter he tries to have with Shen Wei is funny especially when it only serves to make him blush profusely.
“Did I catch a cold? Why am I getting sick so easily lately?- ‘It’s nothing. Your time within the Great Divine Tree took too much of your energy’.- ‘Oh’. After a long look, Zhao Yunlan continued, deliberately drawing out each word, ‘I thought maybe…’ Shen Wei’s spine stiffened, only for him to hear the dumbass conclude, with a bit of a lilting whine, ‘I was carrying your child.” 😂
He is a bit of an idiot sometimes but it’s funny throughout. The story plays out well enough. I agree with other reviews that book 2 is the clear winner out of the 3. Usually with these types of books the end goal is them getting together but they’re together by book 2 so this one was just bringing all the little bits together. Which in all honesty made it drag out a bit at times. However, it was a good story overall and I like that it was set in modern times and we got endings for most of the characters.
My few negatives are… firstly, these Danmei books are a little bit annoying so far as you have to either keep notes to remind yourself what’s happening or read them off the trot. Considering most of the time I forget to check and end up starting an incomplete series it always takes me at least a few chapters to remind myself who is who and what is actually going on. It’s one of the big downsides for me as a reader of these books. Secondly, there’s a lot of filler nonsense in these Danmei books. An example here is about the train ticket, I don’t think it’s necessary to specify what ticket he bought and then to go further and actually have a reference at the bottom of the page to tell us a standing room ticket means he had to stand 😂 another example is the exact dimensions of a chopping board. This type of detail for me is not necessary just get to the point quicker before you lose me altogether. #adhd 😂
Lastly, this book is a very jam packed philosophical book, sometimes too jam packed. So, the eyes glaze over. I’m a speed reader usually, and despite that I can understand what I’m reading and remember every part of the book. Yet, with some of these Danmei books no matter how slow, or how many times I re-read a paragraph, it might as well have been gobbledegook. I’m clearly NOT a philosophical person 😬
Overall I enjoyed the book but in order of enjoyment for me it would be book 2 at the top.
Despite their many set backs, as a couple Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are adorable.
It starts off good, it was funny to realise Guo Changcheng was actually in the wrong place all along. It’s good he got to push himself though because he’s actually been doing well! Also, all the way through I wanted him and Chu Shuzhi to get together and it’s pretty much heavily implied the more you go through.
I said Zhu Hong would end up having her heart broken if she didn’t let it go. She’s definitely a persistent one. Even when she finally gives up, her jealousy has her mocking the fact that he’s getting it so much he can’t walk anywhere 😂
I maintain that Shen Wei is a cutey, fancy getting embarrassed because of a Hickey when you have his ability lol. Zhao Yunlan ever the joker the banter he tries to have with Shen Wei is funny especially when it only serves to make him blush profusely.
“Did I catch a cold? Why am I getting sick so easily lately?- ‘It’s nothing. Your time within the Great Divine Tree took too much of your energy’.- ‘Oh’. After a long look, Zhao Yunlan continued, deliberately drawing out each word, ‘I thought maybe…’ Shen Wei’s spine stiffened, only for him to hear the dumbass conclude, with a bit of a lilting whine, ‘I was carrying your child.” 😂
He is a bit of an idiot sometimes but it’s funny throughout. The story plays out well enough. I agree with other reviews that book 2 is the clear winner out of the 3. Usually with these types of books the end goal is them getting together but they’re together by book 2 so this one was just bringing all the little bits together. Which in all honesty made it drag out a bit at times. However, it was a good story overall and I like that it was set in modern times and we got endings for most of the characters.
My few negatives are… firstly, these Danmei books are a little bit annoying so far as you have to either keep notes to remind yourself what’s happening or read them off the trot. Considering most of the time I forget to check and end up starting an incomplete series it always takes me at least a few chapters to remind myself who is who and what is actually going on. It’s one of the big downsides for me as a reader of these books. Secondly, there’s a lot of filler nonsense in these Danmei books. An example here is about the train ticket, I don’t think it’s necessary to specify what ticket he bought and then to go further and actually have a reference at the bottom of the page to tell us a standing room ticket means he had to stand 😂 another example is the exact dimensions of a chopping board. This type of detail for me is not necessary just get to the point quicker before you lose me altogether. #adhd 😂
Lastly, this book is a very jam packed philosophical book, sometimes too jam packed. So, the eyes glaze over. I’m a speed reader usually, and despite that I can understand what I’m reading and remember every part of the book. Yet, with some of these Danmei books no matter how slow, or how many times I re-read a paragraph, it might as well have been gobbledegook. I’m clearly NOT a philosophical person 😬
Overall I enjoyed the book but in order of enjoyment for me it would be book 2 at the top.
September 8, 2024
I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous volumes :( it was very convoluted and boring. GCC and CSZ were cute though, and I liked the bonus stories. You'll definitely need to read the extras for closure on the happy ever after.
July 12, 2025
"Even a dog would go blind, seeing this, Lin Jing thought to himself.
He pretended to not exist."
He pretended to not exist."
August 29, 2025
Rounding this up to four stars when it really should be three only for that blind date extra and the extra on how Shen Wei got his last name.
The main storyline however... I don't know if it's just because I'm utterly ignorant of Chinese mythology and lore, but I fount the events increasingly outlandish and nonsensical. *SPOILER* You're telling me the villain just...exploded himself? What the hell was that?
The ending felt so rushed and if I had more than one brain cell I'd be able to point out the plot holes but as I don't, I can just vaguely wave a hand and say I was dissatisfied with it.
I like the main couple but what really stole the show in this volume for me were Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. I cherished any screen time they got. On my way to ao3 I go!
Overall I had a good time, but I wouldn't reread it.
The main storyline however... I don't know if it's just because I'm utterly ignorant of Chinese mythology and lore, but I fount the events increasingly outlandish and nonsensical. *SPOILER* You're telling me the villain just...exploded himself? What the hell was that?
The ending felt so rushed and if I had more than one brain cell I'd be able to point out the plot holes but as I don't, I can just vaguely wave a hand and say I was dissatisfied with it.
I like the main couple but what really stole the show in this volume for me were Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. I cherished any screen time they got. On my way to ao3 I go!
Overall I had a good time, but I wouldn't reread it.
August 23, 2024
"I hold all the world's famous mountains and rivers in my hand, but what of it? They're nothing but a bunch of rocks and wild waters. Of all that I am, the only part worth anything may be my heart. If you want it, it's yours."
A great conclusion to the story overall. There were some issues I had with it, which I will go over in a bit, but let’s first focus on the positives.
The romance was even better in this volume. Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei were in such a domestic stage of their lives, but the book still managed to make it more tragic and interesting. And I am seriously a sucker for their dynamic as the tragically beautiful trope, Immortal x Reincarnated.
First reading the scenes of Kunlun-Jun and the young king of the Gui was enjoyable. Their relationship was very interesting with Kunlun-Jun getting attached to the young king’s naive view of the world. Then during the extra The Mountain Spirit, Yao-xiong Wei and one of Kunlun-Jun/Zhao Yunlan’s reincarnations, Shen San. Absolutely devastating. They built a freaking home together, all for Shen San to die because of Wei’s ghost nature. And Wei took his name too, he’s Shen Wei because of Kunlun-Jun and Shen San *sobs* But overall, I’m very glad we got this glimpse into their past. Because we only know the story of their relationship during Kunlun-Jun and Zhao Yunlan’s lives, it puts into perspective how heartbreaking it must’ve been for Shen Wei to spend thousands of years trying to help the Guardian but also keeping his distance for his safety. And then of course, their final form, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei who now get to live happily ever after.
And I love to see all the rest of the characters in this volume. Daqing, Lin Jing, Zhu Hong, but especially Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. I kind of hate it when I get so attached to side characters because now I want more of the two of them. We love to see Guo Changcheng grow and develop, and get just a bit more braver. I felt like a proud mama reading his character arc. And please tell me I’m not the only one who was obsessed with Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi’s relationship. The way Chu Shuzhi goes from being annoyed by Guo Changcheng’s presence, to tolerating it, to basically actively seeking it (even if he doesn’t want to admit to it but come on boy. There was no reason for you to crash GC’s date in the “interest of curiosity of human dating”) I lowkey ship them so hard, somebody please tell me I’m not the only one.
And then the plot and certain scenes made me so emotional and tear up. I love that this series is modern but combines some fantasy elements, giving it more similar vibes to other danmei I’ve read while taking place in the 2000s. And it was interesting to see Shen Wei’s more crazy side. He is a soulless being, with the nature of a Gui, so to see his more insane, calculative, scheming, obsessive/possessive side even more in this volume was a treat.
Now for some negatives. Overall, I really enjoyed this series and I sort of cruised through this book without thinking too hard, but saying that, the plot was much too convoluted in this volume. Of course, I checked other reviews to make sure that I’m not just dumb (which I usually am) but thankfully, it seems I’m not the only one confused. There was a lot of info-dumping and the plot twists were kind of weighed down with so much detail that I’m still not really sure what happened in the end. But it didn’t deter me too much from reading. And Ghost Face, who was supposed to be the main antagonist/villain, was so lackluster. The stakes felt low, he felt like a weak character, and I immediately forgot about him when he exploded because he left no impact at all. Which sucks, because compared to other danmei I’ve read where the antagonists always leave a lingering emotional impression and impact, Ghost Face was just kind of there. They didn’t even utilize his relationship (because they’re technically twin brothers) with Shen Wei, so no emotional investment to be had. And finally Zhu Hong’s character arc was not developed properly. She’s a badass female character but she was once again reduced to a female side character in love with the MC with no chance in hell of ever being with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2024
Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3 - A Thrilling Journey of Growth and Revelation
"Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" continues the compelling story of Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, two men bound by destiny and a deep, unspoken love. This volume takes readers on an exciting journey of discovery, pushing the boundaries of the supernatural world and delving into the complexities of the characters' relationships.
The mystery surrounding the ancient artifact and the antagonists' motivations are well-developed, maintaining suspense until the very end. The narrative seamlessly transitions between different perspectives and time periods, adding to the intrigue.
Although the plot is engaging, it can be a bit confusing for those not familiar with Chinese culture. However, the explanations at the back of the book and some basic knowledge of Chinese mythology of mine helped clarify the story.
The characters undergo significant growth in this volume. Zhao Yunlan evolves as a leader, dealing with the responsibilities and emotional turmoil of his relationship with Shen Wei. Shen Wei confronts his past and fears, adding depth to his character. The supporting characters also contribute to the overall narrative.
I love all the characters, especially the SID members. However, I wish there was a more definitive closure between Da Qing and Lao Li. Da Qing trying to avoid Lao Li is amusing, but it's hard to imagine him doing that for the rest of his cat life. I also wanted more on the revelation about Guo Changcheng, so I'm glad there's an extra for that. (I did not review the book with the extra chapters in my mind so the book is a bit lacking without the extras.)
One standout scene is the confrontation/ fight between Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, where the tension and raw emotion are masterfully captured. This scene is both physically and emotionally charged, leaving a lasting impression. Another memorable moment is the revelation of Shen Wei's past. I just love their interaction in every lifetime.
Reading "Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" was exhilarating. The story kept me on the edge with its twists and turns, and the characters' development from past to present kept me invested. I highly recommend this book to fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller with a touch of romance. On top of it all a BL one at that.
"Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" left me satisfied after I watched the show version. The story's conclusion leaves a sense happiness for the characters' future.
I love this book series. It made me cry and laugh, and it did not disappoint. It's rare for me to be this immersed in a book.
But this volume is not at its best, I like the Vol 2 more. Good book nonetheless!
"Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" continues the compelling story of Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, two men bound by destiny and a deep, unspoken love. This volume takes readers on an exciting journey of discovery, pushing the boundaries of the supernatural world and delving into the complexities of the characters' relationships.
The mystery surrounding the ancient artifact and the antagonists' motivations are well-developed, maintaining suspense until the very end. The narrative seamlessly transitions between different perspectives and time periods, adding to the intrigue.
Although the plot is engaging, it can be a bit confusing for those not familiar with Chinese culture. However, the explanations at the back of the book and some basic knowledge of Chinese mythology of mine helped clarify the story.
The characters undergo significant growth in this volume. Zhao Yunlan evolves as a leader, dealing with the responsibilities and emotional turmoil of his relationship with Shen Wei. Shen Wei confronts his past and fears, adding depth to his character. The supporting characters also contribute to the overall narrative.
I love all the characters, especially the SID members. However, I wish there was a more definitive closure between Da Qing and Lao Li. Da Qing trying to avoid Lao Li is amusing, but it's hard to imagine him doing that for the rest of his cat life. I also wanted more on the revelation about Guo Changcheng, so I'm glad there's an extra for that. (I did not review the book with the extra chapters in my mind so the book is a bit lacking without the extras.)
One standout scene is the confrontation/ fight between Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, where the tension and raw emotion are masterfully captured. This scene is both physically and emotionally charged, leaving a lasting impression. Another memorable moment is the revelation of Shen Wei's past. I just love their interaction in every lifetime.
Reading "Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" was exhilarating. The story kept me on the edge with its twists and turns, and the characters' development from past to present kept me invested. I highly recommend this book to fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller with a touch of romance. On top of it all a BL one at that.
"Guardian: Zhen Hun Vol. 3" left me satisfied after I watched the show version. The story's conclusion leaves a sense happiness for the characters' future.
I love this book series. It made me cry and laugh, and it did not disappoint. It's rare for me to be this immersed in a book.
But this volume is not at its best, I like the Vol 2 more. Good book nonetheless!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2024
The finale of Guardian focuses on Zhao Yunlan's attempts to determine how much of the convoluted backstory he's been told is actually true. This makes the reading experience slightly confusing at times, although it always comes down to this: can he and his soulmate be together without killing each other and/or tearing reality apart? Those stakes neatly combine the individual and epic, although the complex mythic backstory does rather crowd out cute romantic moments. On the other hand, the antics of other Special Investigations Department employees continue to be charming and hilarious. Even Guo Changcheng briefly becomes competent at his job, bless him. The four bonus chapters also included are an appealing mix of adorable, tragic, and weird episodes. I definitely enjoyed the first volume of Guardian most, because of the meet-cute and fun monster-fighting scenes. Volumes 2 and 3 are nonetheless a lot of fun and wrap up both romance and supernatural plotlines neatly. Both characters and worldbuilding are compelling, while the action scenes are thrilling. Now I want to watch the 2018 TV adaptation.
November 18, 2024
I didn't review the second book before starting this one and now I can't remember exactly what happened in one and in the other; also, I don't feel much like reviewing, so...here are some random thoughts on the book/series:
- at times pretty heavy on the mythology, I gave up on trying to guess where the story was going with it and just went with the flow. It worked for me, but I'm not sure that was the result the author was going for.
- the relationship development wasn't particularly memorable in any way that I can pinpoint and yet Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei managed to make me smile and melt and laugh. Their brand of sappy/stalkerish fit them very well. I wouldn’t recommend trying it at home, though.
- the female character with the most page time (and one of the very few in the entire story) started strong and then it was revealed that . She was starting to get better by the end, but she acted like a toddler throwing tantrums for the last two books. Not cool.
- Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. 🥰🥰🥰
- and Daqing, of course. He’s not fat, shut up.
Thanks to Linda and Rosa for putting up once again with my snail pace.
- at times pretty heavy on the mythology, I gave up on trying to guess where the story was going with it and just went with the flow. It worked for me, but I'm not sure that was the result the author was going for.
- the relationship development wasn't particularly memorable in any way that I can pinpoint and yet Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei managed to make me smile and melt and laugh. Their brand of sappy/stalkerish fit them very well. I wouldn’t recommend trying it at home, though.
- the female character with the most page time (and one of the very few in the entire story) started strong and then it was revealed that . She was starting to get better by the end, but she acted like a toddler throwing tantrums for the last two books. Not cool.
- Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi. 🥰🥰🥰
- and Daqing, of course. He’s not fat, shut up.
Thanks to Linda and Rosa for putting up once again with my snail pace.
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