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Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi (Novel) #3
Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi (Novel) Vol. 3
THE FINAL VOLUME IN THIS THRILLING DANMEI ADVENTURE!
With the elusive sorcerer’s name finally in hand, Xue Xian and Xuanmin should be close to reaching their goal. But something between them has shifted—something neither can ignore. As the final seals on Xuanmin’s mysterious copper coins begin to crack, long-buried memories surface, altering the course of their journey.
Just as Xue Xian starts to think he might want to keep Xuanmin at his side, fate hurls them into a deadly chase through a nightmarish cave crawling with colossal insects. Yet a venomous bite may prove to be the least of their troubles.
As calamity closes in, the question is no longer who stole Xue Xian’s dragon bones—but whether the truth will destroy them both.
With the elusive sorcerer’s name finally in hand, Xue Xian and Xuanmin should be close to reaching their goal. But something between them has shifted—something neither can ignore. As the final seals on Xuanmin’s mysterious copper coins begin to crack, long-buried memories surface, altering the course of their journey.
Just as Xue Xian starts to think he might want to keep Xuanmin at his side, fate hurls them into a deadly chase through a nightmarish cave crawling with colossal insects. Yet a venomous bite may prove to be the least of their troubles.
As calamity closes in, the question is no longer who stole Xue Xian’s dragon bones—but whether the truth will destroy them both.
308 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 28, 2026
When I first started this series, I didn't think that the nickname 'Bald Donkey' would become so dear to me over time, but as I’ve learned, life is full of surprises. Once again, saying goodbye to a beloved series is always a difficult, bittersweet experience. This particular series was almost perfect in my eyes, everything about it, the plot, the characters, and the romance, resonated deeply with me. Every aspect felt just right, as if it were tailor-made for my tastes.
The final volume, however, wasn’t without its flaws. It moved a bit too quickly in places, some scenes or character moments could have benefited from additional development. I also wished the story had been longer, so the plot could have unfolded more gradually and thoroughly, allowing for greater depth. Despite these minor shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and that enjoyment is what truly matters to me.
Xue Xian will always hold a special place as my favorite dragon protagonist. The way he maintained his bratty attitude throughout the entire series still makes me chuckle. He’s a dragon who has lived for many, many years, and yet he remains endearingly bratty. Honestly, he is the heart and soul of this danmei. His fiery and mischievous personality injects so much liveliness and humor into the story. I couldn't have asked for a better protagonist.
Then there’s Xuanmin, who truly surprised me in this volume. He demonstrated how deeply he was feeling through subtle gestures and quiet moments, showing that despite his often stoic exterior, he is, without question, a good and compassionate person. I admit, I had some doubts in some moments, I'm ashamed to say, but he proved himself repeatedly, never lying to Xue Xian and always showing genuine care.
Honestly, I didn't anticipate that he would evolve into such a subtly romantic character after finally regaining his memories.
Their relationship was, without a doubt, the highlight of the volume for me because of how much it evolved. From strangers who initially bickered, to acquaintances who shared snide remarks, to friends who offered support, and ultimately to lovers who maintained their teasing banter, this progression was both believable and heartwarming. I really appreciate stories that develop trust, comfort, and a true sense of home between characters. By the end, they had become each other's true home.
I must also mention that I was surprised, pleasantly so, that a story involving a monk could include such steamy, passionate scenes in the final volume. It caught me off guard but in a good way. The explicit scenes were full of chemistry even if they were not that detailed.
In conclusion, it’s undeniably sad that this story has reached its end. I will miss it immensely. However, I am grateful that Xue Xian and Xuanmin found their happy ending. I take comfort in knowing they will continue wandering the world together, along with their loyal bird companion, though they do seem to keep traumatizing it with their passionate lovemaking. Their journey might be over, but their memories and connection will stay with me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be
repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.
May the seasons and weather be kind, and may the land enjoy lasting peace.
Then, this would be a life without regrets.'
The final volume, however, wasn’t without its flaws. It moved a bit too quickly in places, some scenes or character moments could have benefited from additional development. I also wished the story had been longer, so the plot could have unfolded more gradually and thoroughly, allowing for greater depth. Despite these minor shortcomings, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and that enjoyment is what truly matters to me.
Xue Xian will always hold a special place as my favorite dragon protagonist. The way he maintained his bratty attitude throughout the entire series still makes me chuckle. He’s a dragon who has lived for many, many years, and yet he remains endearingly bratty. Honestly, he is the heart and soul of this danmei. His fiery and mischievous personality injects so much liveliness and humor into the story. I couldn't have asked for a better protagonist.
Then there’s Xuanmin, who truly surprised me in this volume. He demonstrated how deeply he was feeling through subtle gestures and quiet moments, showing that despite his often stoic exterior, he is, without question, a good and compassionate person. I admit, I had some doubts in some moments, I'm ashamed to say, but he proved himself repeatedly, never lying to Xue Xian and always showing genuine care.
Honestly, I didn't anticipate that he would evolve into such a subtly romantic character after finally regaining his memories.
Their relationship was, without a doubt, the highlight of the volume for me because of how much it evolved. From strangers who initially bickered, to acquaintances who shared snide remarks, to friends who offered support, and ultimately to lovers who maintained their teasing banter, this progression was both believable and heartwarming. I really appreciate stories that develop trust, comfort, and a true sense of home between characters. By the end, they had become each other's true home.
I must also mention that I was surprised, pleasantly so, that a story involving a monk could include such steamy, passionate scenes in the final volume. It caught me off guard but in a good way. The explicit scenes were full of chemistry even if they were not that detailed.
In conclusion, it’s undeniably sad that this story has reached its end. I will miss it immensely. However, I am grateful that Xue Xian and Xuanmin found their happy ending. I take comfort in knowing they will continue wandering the world together, along with their loyal bird companion, though they do seem to keep traumatizing it with their passionate lovemaking. Their journey might be over, but their memories and connection will stay with me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be
repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.
May the seasons and weather be kind, and may the land enjoy lasting peace.
Then, this would be a life without regrets.'
May 9, 2026
4.7/5 🌟
So many thoughts. So many tears. Here's my lame attempt to describe my feels: finishing this volume felt like sitting under a tree on a calm afternoon, watching the sunset with a peaceful breeze that dries my joyous tears as it brushes against my cheek. (Okay, that was actually so lame baha!)
So, here's a summary to what I think MSL's message she wanted to say to us:
"Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.
May the seasons and weather be kind, and may the land enjoy lasting peace.
Then, this would be a life without regrets."
This woman was probably a philosopher in a previous life.
I love how overall, this was a well-rounded volume. Though there was moment that I felt it was rushed, I came to be so satisfied by the last 50 pages. Each character, including the side characters, had their happy ending. Each peaceful encounter just strengthening those feelings of tranquility this story evoked in me. But not without the overwhelming anxiety I felt building up with each passing page before that! (more on this after the spoiler) I shed so many tears in this volume! I'm such a baby!
I cry when I'm happy!
I cry when I'm sad!
I cry when I'm angry!
Ugh! My heart! It hurt and then was mended! ಥ_ಥ
Xue Xian will never fail to make me laugh! His and Xuanmin's character reminded me so much of Wangxian, which I absolutely adore to pieces! (They were my first danmei encounter, btw).
Xue Xian and Xuanmin are so precious!
(ㅅ´ ˘ `) ♡
Spoiler ⚠️
.
.
.
.
"`From now on, you'll share a dragon's lifespan.` Xue Xian slapped his palms onto the bamboo bed, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. His voice was low and deliberate. `No take-backs. You're stuck with me for centuries. Millennia, even! If you ever get sick of it, tough luck.`
Xuanmin's dark eyes were fathomless. He seemed to consider his words before he met Xue Xian's gaze unflinchingly.
'I wouldn't have it any other way,' he said.
....
Xue Xian tilted his chin up, eyes glinting with mischief, not to mention something wilder. `In this one, from the moment you opened your eyes...every i bit of you was mine.`"
STAHP! I love them!!! ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾
I really liked how all the previous events were all inner connected. How every location had significance and it kept me as a reader, engaged in the anticipation of wondering what possibly may be next—always unsure of how things will unfold! To me, it's a trope I do like in many reads, especially when written with other tropes I love, like peak humor, great side characters, and steady development etc! This delivered, which it's not be everyone's cup of tea. 𐔌՞ ܸ.ˬ.ܸ՞𐦯
One thing I wasn't too keen on, was how this amazing rope that Xue Xian randomly popped out when it was mentioned in a previous event only once. Like.... Where did it come from? How did Xue Xian make it?
Where were you 99.99999% of the story, ROPE!? Answer me, rope! *violently shaking the rope*
Don't get me wrong, I loved the scene it first appeared with Shijing's brother in law's soul, and I loved how it lead for Xue Xian to be bound to Xuanmin in every life (or was it three? Idfk). Not only that, but he is also bound by sharing his lifespan with Xuanmin thanks to the spiders (black? Mother? Red spider? No idea). Soooo, since they share a dragon's lifespan they won't be dying ANY time soon!
I was devastated when Xuanmin died! How... How do you do that to me! I didn't even know exactly how he was gonna come back after the spider didn't work and wasn't working!
There was a moment there where I was confused af and I think it's still unclear on some parts about that because it info dumped towards 3/4 of the volume (i.e again those damn spiders... )
I didn't mind so much, but I sat there scratching my head for a hot minute. I just smiled and nodded praying it'll all work itself out haha! ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ? So... points docked because of that.
Anyway, excellent read! Made it on my A+ tier.
PS: poor black bird having to deal with Xue Xian and Xuanmin's endless steamy banging and papapa time because of Xue Xian's dragon saliva! ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)
Read 4/22/2026
So many thoughts. So many tears. Here's my lame attempt to describe my feels: finishing this volume felt like sitting under a tree on a calm afternoon, watching the sunset with a peaceful breeze that dries my joyous tears as it brushes against my cheek. (Okay, that was actually so lame baha!)
So, here's a summary to what I think MSL's message she wanted to say to us:
"Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.
May the seasons and weather be kind, and may the land enjoy lasting peace.
Then, this would be a life without regrets."
This woman was probably a philosopher in a previous life.
I love how overall, this was a well-rounded volume. Though there was moment that I felt it was rushed, I came to be so satisfied by the last 50 pages. Each character, including the side characters, had their happy ending. Each peaceful encounter just strengthening those feelings of tranquility this story evoked in me. But not without the overwhelming anxiety I felt building up with each passing page before that! (more on this after the spoiler) I shed so many tears in this volume! I'm such a baby!
I cry when I'm happy!
I cry when I'm sad!
I cry when I'm angry!
Ugh! My heart! It hurt and then was mended! ಥ_ಥ
Xue Xian will never fail to make me laugh! His and Xuanmin's character reminded me so much of Wangxian, which I absolutely adore to pieces! (They were my first danmei encounter, btw).
Xue Xian and Xuanmin are so precious!
(ㅅ´ ˘ `) ♡
Spoiler ⚠️
.
.
.
.
"`From now on, you'll share a dragon's lifespan.` Xue Xian slapped his palms onto the bamboo bed, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. His voice was low and deliberate. `No take-backs. You're stuck with me for centuries. Millennia, even! If you ever get sick of it, tough luck.`
Xuanmin's dark eyes were fathomless. He seemed to consider his words before he met Xue Xian's gaze unflinchingly.
'I wouldn't have it any other way,' he said.
....
Xue Xian tilted his chin up, eyes glinting with mischief, not to mention something wilder. `In this one, from the moment you opened your eyes...every i bit of you was mine.`"
STAHP! I love them!!! ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾
I really liked how all the previous events were all inner connected. How every location had significance and it kept me as a reader, engaged in the anticipation of wondering what possibly may be next—always unsure of how things will unfold! To me, it's a trope I do like in many reads, especially when written with other tropes I love, like peak humor, great side characters, and steady development etc! This delivered, which it's not be everyone's cup of tea. 𐔌՞ ܸ.ˬ.ܸ՞𐦯
One thing I wasn't too keen on, was how this amazing rope that Xue Xian randomly popped out when it was mentioned in a previous event only once. Like.... Where did it come from? How did Xue Xian make it?
Where were you 99.99999% of the story, ROPE!? Answer me, rope! *violently shaking the rope*
Don't get me wrong, I loved the scene it first appeared with Shijing's brother in law's soul, and I loved how it lead for Xue Xian to be bound to Xuanmin in every life (or was it three? Idfk). Not only that, but he is also bound by sharing his lifespan with Xuanmin thanks to the spiders (black? Mother? Red spider? No idea). Soooo, since they share a dragon's lifespan they won't be dying ANY time soon!
I was devastated when Xuanmin died! How... How do you do that to me! I didn't even know exactly how he was gonna come back after the spider didn't work and wasn't working!
There was a moment there where I was confused af and I think it's still unclear on some parts about that because it info dumped towards 3/4 of the volume (i.e again those damn spiders... )
I didn't mind so much, but I sat there scratching my head for a hot minute. I just smiled and nodded praying it'll all work itself out haha! ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ? So... points docked because of that.
Anyway, excellent read! Made it on my A+ tier.
PS: poor black bird having to deal with Xue Xian and Xuanmin's endless steamy banging and papapa time because of Xue Xian's dragon saliva! ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)
Read 4/22/2026
May 9, 2026
The ending was so good. To be honest, there were still moments where I couldn't fully bring myself to care about half of what was happening, but those parts were clearly important to the bigger picture, so I couldn't bear to read them so halfheartedly. In the end, everything came together in a way that somehow made sense.
I do think Zuhong's reason behind his endless greed felt surprisingly shallow, which honestly underwhelmed me a little. But at the same time, I think that works in the story's favor too. Not every villain needs a gut-wrenching backstory or some tragic justification for the things they've done. Sometimes greed is simply greed.
All in all, I deeply enjoyed the way everything came full circle. Despite my reservations throughout the story, I still found myself genuinely satisfied, especially with the final arc.
“Their steps were unhurried, their robes whispering against the path without raising any dust. The mountain trail ahead meandered; time stretched just as endless as the sky. They started and stopped, stopped and started, their steps spanning the long passage of a lifetime.”
The contrast between Xuanmin's stoic nature and his boundless indulgence toward Xue Xian was more than enough to completely sell me on their relationship. There's something incredibly soft about someone so restrained quietly giving everything to one person without hesitation. I'm genuinely so happy that, in the end, they're bound to each other for eternity.
And as I mentioned in my previous review, the symbolism in this story is one of its strongest aspects, especially when seemingly small details later reveal a much larger purpose. The cord Xue Xian once gifted to a soldier so he could find his beloved, the copper coins, the nameless spider—everything had already been set into motion long before anyone realized it. I think that it's really romantic.
“Even the longest vigil must end; kindred spirits always reunite.”
Another thing I absolutely loved was how this story handled reunions. Of course, there's Xue Xian reuniting with his Xuanmin, but also Shitou Zhang meeting his old companions again, Lu Nianqi finding a child who resembles his beloved brother, and Tongdeng encountering the reincarnation of his cherished emperor. The story constantly reminds us that while there is no banquet that never ends, bonds that are truly meaningful never disappear completely. Perhaps people may part ways for years, lifetimes even, but those who are destined for one another will always find their way back in the end.
“But Xue Xian’s fragile cord was like a line that tethered Xuanmin across the boundary of life and death. His insubstantial form suddenly colored with the weight of endless longing, turning solid and grounded.”
Anyway, that's pretty much all my thoughts. I really appreciated how compact the story was. It's relatively short and complete on its own without overstaying its welcome. I'm especially weak for themes involving reunions, waiting across a lifetime, quiet devotion, and sacrificing oneself just to watch over a beloved person from afar, so it's no surprise that this final volume ended up being completely my cup of tea. So satisfied with the ending!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵) — my additional thoughts anyone can just skip:
I don't really like directly comparing one author's work to another because I believe every story deserves to stand on its own, but I'd be lying if I said Xue Xian and Xuanmin didn't occasionally remind me of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Something about their dynamic—the playful chaos contrasted with quiet restraint—gave me the same soft feeling. Anyone who knows me will know that I am irrevocably in love with WangXian.
And honestly, seeing Arc 5 titled No Regrets made my smile disappear instantly because it immediately reminded me of Priest's Tai Sui and its arc titled A Life of Regret. Then Arc 6 being titled Homecoming reminded me of Traveler's Welcome from the same novel. Just those small associations alone were enough to make me emotional. Still, Mu Su Li is very much her own kind of brilliant author, and Copper Coins stands firmly on its own merits.
I do think Zuhong's reason behind his endless greed felt surprisingly shallow, which honestly underwhelmed me a little. But at the same time, I think that works in the story's favor too. Not every villain needs a gut-wrenching backstory or some tragic justification for the things they've done. Sometimes greed is simply greed.
All in all, I deeply enjoyed the way everything came full circle. Despite my reservations throughout the story, I still found myself genuinely satisfied, especially with the final arc.
“Their steps were unhurried, their robes whispering against the path without raising any dust. The mountain trail ahead meandered; time stretched just as endless as the sky. They started and stopped, stopped and started, their steps spanning the long passage of a lifetime.”
The contrast between Xuanmin's stoic nature and his boundless indulgence toward Xue Xian was more than enough to completely sell me on their relationship. There's something incredibly soft about someone so restrained quietly giving everything to one person without hesitation. I'm genuinely so happy that, in the end, they're bound to each other for eternity.
And as I mentioned in my previous review, the symbolism in this story is one of its strongest aspects, especially when seemingly small details later reveal a much larger purpose. The cord Xue Xian once gifted to a soldier so he could find his beloved, the copper coins, the nameless spider—everything had already been set into motion long before anyone realized it. I think that it's really romantic.
“Even the longest vigil must end; kindred spirits always reunite.”
Another thing I absolutely loved was how this story handled reunions. Of course, there's Xue Xian reuniting with his Xuanmin, but also Shitou Zhang meeting his old companions again, Lu Nianqi finding a child who resembles his beloved brother, and Tongdeng encountering the reincarnation of his cherished emperor. The story constantly reminds us that while there is no banquet that never ends, bonds that are truly meaningful never disappear completely. Perhaps people may part ways for years, lifetimes even, but those who are destined for one another will always find their way back in the end.
“But Xue Xian’s fragile cord was like a line that tethered Xuanmin across the boundary of life and death. His insubstantial form suddenly colored with the weight of endless longing, turning solid and grounded.”
Anyway, that's pretty much all my thoughts. I really appreciated how compact the story was. It's relatively short and complete on its own without overstaying its welcome. I'm especially weak for themes involving reunions, waiting across a lifetime, quiet devotion, and sacrificing oneself just to watch over a beloved person from afar, so it's no surprise that this final volume ended up being completely my cup of tea. So satisfied with the ending!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵) — my additional thoughts anyone can just skip:
I don't really like directly comparing one author's work to another because I believe every story deserves to stand on its own, but I'd be lying if I said Xue Xian and Xuanmin didn't occasionally remind me of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Something about their dynamic—the playful chaos contrasted with quiet restraint—gave me the same soft feeling. Anyone who knows me will know that I am irrevocably in love with WangXian.
And honestly, seeing Arc 5 titled No Regrets made my smile disappear instantly because it immediately reminded me of Priest's Tai Sui and its arc titled A Life of Regret. Then Arc 6 being titled Homecoming reminded me of Traveler's Welcome from the same novel. Just those small associations alone were enough to make me emotional. Still, Mu Su Li is very much her own kind of brilliant author, and Copper Coins stands firmly on its own merits.
May 7, 2026
This was more than I could have wished for... so sweet and beautiful! Seriously, one of the most satisfying endings I've read lately.
Xue Xian and Xuamin love each other so deeply. Although the first two volumes focus more on the mystery and humour, this last volume, especially the second half, really shows just how strong their bond is. I love the teasing, I love how well-matched they are. I also loved that the book became more explicit at the end hehe. Definitely became one of my favourite danmei series.
Xue Xian and Xuamin love each other so deeply. Although the first two volumes focus more on the mystery and humour, this last volume, especially the second half, really shows just how strong their bond is. I love the teasing, I love how well-matched they are. I also loved that the book became more explicit at the end hehe. Definitely became one of my favourite danmei series.
April 25, 2026
This was such a great ending to the story. Xuamins and Xue Xians relationship development ist absolute perfection.
I feel like some of the resolutions in this volume felt a bit like a stretch, but it wasn't severe enough to impact my enjoyment of the series in any way.
What came of a bit of a surprise to me was the amount of spice in this book. Even though the descriptions were always rather vague (probably due to chinese censorship) you could always tell what was happening and well... it happened a lot for danmei standards. I'm not complaining, it just surprised me in a series that has a monk as one of the main characters haha.
I feel like some of the resolutions in this volume felt a bit like a stretch, but it wasn't severe enough to impact my enjoyment of the series in any way.
What came of a bit of a surprise to me was the amount of spice in this book. Even though the descriptions were always rather vague (probably due to chinese censorship) you could always tell what was happening and well... it happened a lot for danmei standards. I'm not complaining, it just surprised me in a series that has a monk as one of the main characters haha.
May 9, 2026
MAJOR SPOILERS!
I’m disappointed.
It’s painful to be giving the final volume in a series such a low rating seen as I gave the previous ones 5*. Be warned, there is a LOT less humour which definitely impacted my enjoyment.
I can forgive a lot in fantasy stories but not when things regarding the plot don’t make sense. And this all started in ‘Arc 5: No Regrets’.
Here are just a few of the questions without answers that I was left with:
1. What is the deal with all these different spiders? I was confused.
2. What happened to Songyun who was also casually helping complete an array that would kill hundreds of people?
3. How is Xuanmin ok without the ‘Buddha bones’ in his body?
4. How was Xue Xian able to preserve his Xunanmin’s body when he was dead for a 1+ month?
I still care for the characters a lot. I had a tear in my eye when we said goodbye to the cinnamon roll that was Jiang Shining.
I’m hoping to like this more on a re-read and be less confused.
I’m disappointed.
It’s painful to be giving the final volume in a series such a low rating seen as I gave the previous ones 5*. Be warned, there is a LOT less humour which definitely impacted my enjoyment.
I can forgive a lot in fantasy stories but not when things regarding the plot don’t make sense. And this all started in ‘Arc 5: No Regrets’.
Here are just a few of the questions without answers that I was left with:
1. What is the deal with all these different spiders? I was confused.
2. What happened to Songyun who was also casually helping complete an array that would kill hundreds of people?
3. How is Xuanmin ok without the ‘Buddha bones’ in his body?
4. How was Xue Xian able to preserve his Xunanmin’s body when he was dead for a 1+ month?
I still care for the characters a lot. I had a tear in my eye when we said goodbye to the cinnamon roll that was Jiang Shining.
I’m hoping to like this more on a re-read and be less confused.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2026
“Some connections in this world defied explanation. Sometimes, the connections didn’t even have a clear beginning, yet they tugged at the heartstrings, seeped into the bones, and endured from youth to old age—unbroken for a century, unchanged for three lifetimes.”
I’m not sure this series ever fully worked for me, but this final volume did make me care more than the first two did. For most of the book, I felt like there was a lot happening on the page, but I wasn’t always sure if I was understanding it the way I was supposed to. Some scenes are packed with imagery, spiritual rules, hidden memories, and supernatural details, and I kept second-guessing what I was picturing in my head. I don’t mind dense writing, but here, it sometimes made the story feel harder to hold onto. I also felt like I didn’t really get what the story was about until the last quarter. That was when the book finally started to feel more intimate and sad to me, and that was the part I connected with the most.
I’ve seen people call the romance quiet, and I agree, but I think the whole story is quiet. It doesn’t always reach out and pull emotion from you. A lot of it feels held back, almost muted, so I had to wait a long time before the emotional parts really hit me. Mu Su Li is good at writing those moments without making them feel too dramatic, though. Xue Xian was still easy to enjoy because of his sharp tongue, shameless confidence, and stubborn pride, but I liked the small cracks in him more. He cares before he wants to admit it, and those little reactions made him feel warmer to me. Xuanmin also changed for me near the end. For most of the series, I saw him as emotionally detached, but the last quarter made me realize it was more like he was forcing everything down on purpose. Seeing that made his restraint, guilt, and quiet care feel more painful. His feelings show through protection, patience, silence, and worry, and I did like how he and Xue Xian slowly became each other’s safest place.
I was really happy that this volume finally explained why the series is called Copper Coins. I had been wondering about that since volume one, so getting that answer gave me the closure I needed. I also liked the warmth Jiang Shining, Tongdeng, Shitou Zhang, and Lu Nianqi added, because they made the world feel less empty outside of Xue Xian and Xuanmin. The heavier imagery might not be for everyone, especially the blood, insects, corpses, rituals, and body-related supernatural parts. I also think some sections felt like filler and could have just been an extra chapter. Still, I’m relieved this final volume didn’t have extras taking up a big chunk of the book. This series didn’t make it to my favorites, but this volume did improve my feelings toward it. It gave me answers, closure, and an ending that made the main relationship feel more tender and real to me.
Read Date: 2026:.05.09
I’m not sure this series ever fully worked for me, but this final volume did make me care more than the first two did. For most of the book, I felt like there was a lot happening on the page, but I wasn’t always sure if I was understanding it the way I was supposed to. Some scenes are packed with imagery, spiritual rules, hidden memories, and supernatural details, and I kept second-guessing what I was picturing in my head. I don’t mind dense writing, but here, it sometimes made the story feel harder to hold onto. I also felt like I didn’t really get what the story was about until the last quarter. That was when the book finally started to feel more intimate and sad to me, and that was the part I connected with the most.
I’ve seen people call the romance quiet, and I agree, but I think the whole story is quiet. It doesn’t always reach out and pull emotion from you. A lot of it feels held back, almost muted, so I had to wait a long time before the emotional parts really hit me. Mu Su Li is good at writing those moments without making them feel too dramatic, though. Xue Xian was still easy to enjoy because of his sharp tongue, shameless confidence, and stubborn pride, but I liked the small cracks in him more. He cares before he wants to admit it, and those little reactions made him feel warmer to me. Xuanmin also changed for me near the end. For most of the series, I saw him as emotionally detached, but the last quarter made me realize it was more like he was forcing everything down on purpose. Seeing that made his restraint, guilt, and quiet care feel more painful. His feelings show through protection, patience, silence, and worry, and I did like how he and Xue Xian slowly became each other’s safest place.
I was really happy that this volume finally explained why the series is called Copper Coins. I had been wondering about that since volume one, so getting that answer gave me the closure I needed. I also liked the warmth Jiang Shining, Tongdeng, Shitou Zhang, and Lu Nianqi added, because they made the world feel less empty outside of Xue Xian and Xuanmin. The heavier imagery might not be for everyone, especially the blood, insects, corpses, rituals, and body-related supernatural parts. I also think some sections felt like filler and could have just been an extra chapter. Still, I’m relieved this final volume didn’t have extras taking up a big chunk of the book. This series didn’t make it to my favorites, but this volume did improve my feelings toward it. It gave me answers, closure, and an ending that made the main relationship feel more tender and real to me.
Read Date: 2026:.05.09
June 14, 2026
Pretty fucking incredible. I knew from 300 Years of Longing that Mu Su Li can write comedy and still deliver absurdly heart-wrenching scenes and lessons, but I was caught by surprise by this nevertheless. How to explain this story and the multitude of emotions it caused? It's almost impossible, I think, but I will try.
Starting off with the romance, I'd say Mu Su Li found a very interesting middle ground between having a heavy plot and having heavy romance. It is a slow-burn, so we only see the climax of that by the end of the book, but there was enough developments in each of the books that it felt like a natural and fair conclusion. And it is a proper slow-burn, no past relationship or forgotten feelings to use as a crutch. These dudes just fucking met. And yet, their relationship is the thread that ties all the plot and all of the books together and it does that masterfully. (It felt a lot like Cezhou's vibe in QJJ; there's a lot of plot, but it is About Them™). Both of the MC's are fully fleshed-out individuals and they are sufficiently interesting to keep you reading until the plot sinks its claws into you and you are hooked.
I do think this book is a great ending to the story; the revels are done very nicely (the scream of I FUCKING KNEW ITTTT!!!!! i let out when it became clear what happened was epic), the devotion comes through, and Mu Su Li takes the time to make this even bigger than them. It's about love and loss, sure, but it's also about loyalty, and the fear of death, and righting our wrongs, and being fair to those around us. All of those snippets of seriousness they nurtured in the cracks of the comedy in the first two books shine through to make this almost a treaty on human relations and the consequences of letting fear dictate our actions. I feel like this quote by the end of the book is a lovely encapsulation of everything they tried (and accomplished) to say in this series:
“Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.”
I'm so glad I picked this series up.
Starting off with the romance, I'd say Mu Su Li found a very interesting middle ground between having a heavy plot and having heavy romance. It is a slow-burn, so we only see the climax of that by the end of the book, but there was enough developments in each of the books that it felt like a natural and fair conclusion. And it is a proper slow-burn, no past relationship or forgotten feelings to use as a crutch. These dudes just fucking met. And yet, their relationship is the thread that ties all the plot and all of the books together and it does that masterfully. (It felt a lot like Cezhou's vibe in QJJ; there's a lot of plot, but it is About Them™). Both of the MC's are fully fleshed-out individuals and they are sufficiently interesting to keep you reading until the plot sinks its claws into you and you are hooked.
I do think this book is a great ending to the story; the revels are done very nicely (the scream of I FUCKING KNEW ITTTT!!!!! i let out when it became clear what happened was epic), the devotion comes through, and Mu Su Li takes the time to make this even bigger than them. It's about love and loss, sure, but it's also about loyalty, and the fear of death, and righting our wrongs, and being fair to those around us. All of those snippets of seriousness they nurtured in the cracks of the comedy in the first two books shine through to make this almost a treaty on human relations and the consequences of letting fear dictate our actions. I feel like this quote by the end of the book is a lovely encapsulation of everything they tried (and accomplished) to say in this series:
“Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished.”
I'm so glad I picked this series up.
April 27, 2026
How did a series that started as a comedy give me this level of emotional damage at the end!? istg I teared up, and then went back at laughing with the extras
June 15, 2026
Is 3 volumes enough? Unsure; I feel like more is always welcome in Danmei. However, Copper Coins is a well-condensed story with unexpected twists, turns, hidden plots and an unforseen steamy ending.
While the general feeling was that Xue Xian is fully fledged throughout the story as this sassy, old dragon that you cannot one up, Xuanmin is generally shrouded in mystery. Good news, this volume is almost all about discovering Xuanmin.
The back story of the State Preceptor and the engineered spiders keep you on the edge of the seat. The delivery is gradual and all the details came together nicely at the end. The end tragedy also hit hard but I loved the creativity of turning it around (well deserved; I want to see them happy).
Lu Nianqi, Shitou Zhang and Tongdeng also get teary but deserved endings. I enjoyed seeing them in the spotlight for the little bit at the end.
Also, the most unexpected element was the end spiciness??? I must admit, the novel never hinted to anything more than soft scenes. Something to look forward to!
Overall, a great series. Recommended!
While the general feeling was that Xue Xian is fully fledged throughout the story as this sassy, old dragon that you cannot one up, Xuanmin is generally shrouded in mystery. Good news, this volume is almost all about discovering Xuanmin.
The back story of the State Preceptor and the engineered spiders keep you on the edge of the seat. The delivery is gradual and all the details came together nicely at the end. The end tragedy also hit hard but I loved the creativity of turning it around (well deserved; I want to see them happy).
Lu Nianqi, Shitou Zhang and Tongdeng also get teary but deserved endings. I enjoyed seeing them in the spotlight for the little bit at the end.
Also, the most unexpected element was the end spiciness??? I must admit, the novel never hinted to anything more than soft scenes. Something to look forward to!
Overall, a great series. Recommended!
June 5, 2026
"No matter his original intentions, he would make amends in full. Bone for bone."
I'll keep this short since it's been a month and a half since I read this and have mostly lost my train of thought. (Work has been busy!)
But I really must emphasize that the yearning and romance in this series come across stronger than I expected. More than once I felt my chest tighten up because of Xuanmin and how the revelations regarding his past put strains on his relationship with Xue Xian. As I've said in my review of the first book in the series, I was initially on the fence with starting this because I was craving more romance. Well I'm eating my humble pie right now!
The plot throughout all three volumes remains tight and intriguing for me, and each arc slowly unravels the big picture. While resolutions for certain plot points do feel a little bit too convenient, I'll shrug them all off and just pin them all down to the power of love.
Mu Su Li has a new fan in me. I'll definitely be reading the other two series in this "trilogy" in the future.
I'll keep this short since it's been a month and a half since I read this and have mostly lost my train of thought. (Work has been busy!)
But I really must emphasize that the yearning and romance in this series come across stronger than I expected. More than once I felt my chest tighten up because of Xuanmin and how the revelations regarding his past put strains on his relationship with Xue Xian. As I've said in my review of the first book in the series, I was initially on the fence with starting this because I was craving more romance. Well I'm eating my humble pie right now!
The plot throughout all three volumes remains tight and intriguing for me, and each arc slowly unravels the big picture. While resolutions for certain plot points do feel a little bit too convenient, I'll shrug them all off and just pin them all down to the power of love.
Mu Su Li has a new fan in me. I'll definitely be reading the other two series in this "trilogy" in the future.
July 3, 2026
cute cute CUTEE
May 16, 2026
Xuanmin watched him for a while, then bent down and kissed him. If every day were like this, that would be nice. Loquats and light rain, and peace on earth.
Primera vez que leo a esta autora y no será la última, aunque si tengo que ser del todo sincera, este último volumen me ha costado bastante más que los dos anteriores. Cuando al principio de la historia y en su cumbre tienen un tono más de aventura y de humor, siento que en este último tomo el cambio tan brusco que da con todos los secretos que salen a la luz, los conjuros prohibidos que dan poder a aquellos que no lo merecen y Xuanmin recuperando la memoria, hace que el impacto no sea tan fuerte, en mi opinión. El tema de ir desvelando los secretos finales se podría haber hecho desde el segundo tomo al menos, para que la cosa fluyera mejor. También es solo mi opinión: no me gusta demasiado cuando el plot se vuelve increíblemente pesado hacia el final, cuando la historia pide cerrarse con el final feliz que todo romance merece, y poco más. Siempre he dicho que mis danmeis favoritas son las centradas en el romance, y esta no ha sido tanto eso, sino más del estilo de Meng Xi Shi y Priest: mucho plot, pinceladas de romance y un final feliz.
Sin embargo, pese a que no sea mi tónica favorita esa forma de estructurar la historia, me ha entretenido mucho Copper Coins. Las aventuras de un monje calvo amnésico con un dragón parapléjico que ha perdido sus huesos y tendones, acompañados de un fantasma cobardica y un chiquillo casi ciego, han resultado en un viaje la mar de entretenido (al menos en los dos primeros volúmenes, como he dicho más arriba), y la química entre el monje, Xuanmin, y el dragón, Xue Xian, cumple con todos los requisitos de las parejas en que los opuestos se atraen, aunque en principio parece que no tengan nada en común. Sin embargo, poco a poco el romance se va desenvolviendo en pequeños gestos y silencios que encierran verdades más profundas (en el caso de Xuanmin, cumpliendo el papel de monje estoico y frío pero de buen corazón) y arrebatos megalomaníacos muy extravagantes (en el caso de Xue Xian, un dragón cambiaformas orgulloso y narcicista que desea recuperar sus huesos y vengarse). La verdad es que la dinámica funciona y sus aventuras juntos han resultado de lo más entretenidas.
Como digo, es una novela entretenida, con sus más y con sus menos, no tanto en la tónica que prefiero, pero aun así, disfrutable y recomendable.
Review of advance copy received from Outro
"Como dizer a alguém que você sente falta dela, que você não pode deixá-la ir? Talvez a maneira mais terna seja dizer: Você se foi, mas tudo bem, vou me tornar você, vou levá-lo comigo"
muito, muito querida mesmoooo!! achei uma novel extremamente amável e friendly. normalmente eu sou a pessoa das histórias desgraçadas, mas foi muito bom ler algo que realmente aquece o coração. gostei demais da relação entre os personagens, do jeitinho que o grupinho vai se formando ao longo da história… muito found family.
o final me emocionou bastante. eu amo o conceito de vidas passadas e reencarnação, então foi lindo ver os personagens reencontrando pessoas que haviam perdido antes.. aquelas que eles achavam que nunca mais encontrariam nessa vida..
também senti que essa é muito mais uma novel sobre companhia do que sobre romance. o romance existe, mas está nos pequenos detalhes, e isso deu um tom muito delicado pra história inteira. ler me deixou feliz e terminei também muito feliz. tem sim coisas trágicas, lutos, separações… na verdade, eu diria que é o assunto principal mas a autora escreve de um jeito tão leve que em nenhum momento eu senti o peso dessas dores. com toda certeza vou dar in nas outras novels dessa diva!
e desculpa, mas não existe nada mais incrível do que uma high fantasy chinesa. é isso simplesmente mágico, tão vivo e único, nunca vou me cansar de ler.
última coisa: não tenham preconceito com carecas, eles também servem cunt!
muito, muito querida mesmoooo!! achei uma novel extremamente amável e friendly. normalmente eu sou a pessoa das histórias desgraçadas, mas foi muito bom ler algo que realmente aquece o coração. gostei demais da relação entre os personagens, do jeitinho que o grupinho vai se formando ao longo da história… muito found family.
o final me emocionou bastante. eu amo o conceito de vidas passadas e reencarnação, então foi lindo ver os personagens reencontrando pessoas que haviam perdido antes.. aquelas que eles achavam que nunca mais encontrariam nessa vida..
também senti que essa é muito mais uma novel sobre companhia do que sobre romance. o romance existe, mas está nos pequenos detalhes, e isso deu um tom muito delicado pra história inteira. ler me deixou feliz e terminei também muito feliz. tem sim coisas trágicas, lutos, separações… na verdade, eu diria que é o assunto principal mas a autora escreve de um jeito tão leve que em nenhum momento eu senti o peso dessas dores. com toda certeza vou dar in nas outras novels dessa diva!
e desculpa, mas não existe nada mais incrível do que uma high fantasy chinesa. é isso simplesmente mágico, tão vivo e único, nunca vou me cansar de ler.
última coisa: não tenham preconceito com carecas, eles também servem cunt!
May 15, 2026
Copper Coins has adventure, magic, humor, a fantastic cast of characters, and it is also a deeply romantic story. And I don’t mean that only in the sense of the main couple having a great romance (which is also true), but in the way the book talks about life and about human connection. It leaves you with a warm and soft feeling in your heart.
The only reason why I’m not giving it five stars is because the narrative can get a little confusing at times, especially during action scenes. The constant switch between multiple POVs with the occasional flashback thrown in there is great for giving the reader all the informarion, but it can make it difficult to grasp the chronological sequence of events. Besides, sometimes the translator seems more interested in being literal than in taking the meaning of a sentence and shaping it into something that sounds natural in English, which also takes away from the reading experience.
The only reason why I’m not giving it five stars is because the narrative can get a little confusing at times, especially during action scenes. The constant switch between multiple POVs with the occasional flashback thrown in there is great for giving the reader all the informarion, but it can make it difficult to grasp the chronological sequence of events. Besides, sometimes the translator seems more interested in being literal than in taking the meaning of a sentence and shaping it into something that sounds natural in English, which also takes away from the reading experience.
April 30, 2026
What an utterly fantastic ending! I loved every moment of it. I have been loving all of the danmei coming out but I will say I really appreciate some of the shorter series because it really lets me enjoy the story cohesively as a single entity. Getting Xuanmin's entire backstory was very interesting (even if I suspected quite a bit of it at this point as the author intended). It was also very touching to finally see Xue Xian and Xuanmin's relationship fully blossom in this book. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of smut we were given. I was also happy to get to see where everybody was years after the main story was over toward the end of the book. They were a great couple and this was truly a wonderful read. Between this and 300 Years Mu Su Li is an insta buy for me. If you love a silly time but also a serious and exciting adventure I highly recommend picking this story up! It's fast but meaningful and you won't be left disappointed.
June 11, 2026
”Within this bustling mortal world, we ask for only this: that debts be repaid, kindness be returned, promises be honored, and love be cherished. May the seasons and weather be kind, and may the land enjoy lasting peace. Then, this would be a life without regrets.”
May 26, 2026
This series was a great mixture of fun adventure and serious intrigue…but i’m not gonna lie, the ending tugged at my heartstrings. It was really endearing. The “mysteries/adventures” in this reminded me a bit of Grand Master of Demonic Cultivation in that there were a lot of ghosts, arrays, and tragic backstories. The banter and hijinks displayed by Xue Xian towards Xuanmin helped balance and keep it a little lighter. Overall really liked this one.
August 10, 2026
I LOVE THEM DRAGONS
June 8, 2026
The whole story is ok/good, just what I was expecting. Maybe is 3,5⭐.
‼️MINI MINI SPOILERS maybe
Not enough worldbuilding for my tastes and the romance felt rushed, but there were funny and sad moments, I got attached to the characters and I liked how the final chapters were set years apart (although a certain one should have remained dead imho).
The writing style felt a bit simplistic, with too much repetitions and always explaining how the characters felt instead of simply showing it; and the plot, although interesting, deserved more space, for example two more books would have been perfect for better exploiting it, building the main relationship and inserting more pathos into plot twists.
I don't know, it feels like in the future I'll remember only the general vibes and nothing else...
‼️MINI MINI SPOILERS maybe
Not enough worldbuilding for my tastes and the romance felt rushed, but there were funny and sad moments, I got attached to the characters and I liked how the final chapters were set years apart (although a certain one should have remained dead imho).
The writing style felt a bit simplistic, with too much repetitions and always explaining how the characters felt instead of simply showing it; and the plot, although interesting, deserved more space, for example two more books would have been perfect for better exploiting it, building the main relationship and inserting more pathos into plot twists.
I don't know, it feels like in the future I'll remember only the general vibes and nothing else...
May 24, 2026
idk if its just where I’m at mentally but some of this felt confusing plot-wise lol. they were really cute together though
July 8, 2026
Review: 4.5 stars
This is probably one of the rare occasions that I am actually reading an officially translated edition, and this is broken down into 3 volumes. Since this is the case, I will try to summarize my thoughts in each volume and ring everything together into one review in vol 3.
Like all MSL’s works, this one is a slow start with the introduction of the characters. The meeting of Xue Xian, the paralyzed and sassy dragon (MC), and Xuanmin, the amnesiac monk (ML), is so funny considering Xue Xian’s spirit is in a paper doll, given that his real dragon body is “missing”. As we dive further into the novel, we find that Xue Xian is missing his dragon bones and tendons, and, too weak, his body turned into golden marble and separated from his spirit.
Vol 1 comprises Arc 1 and part of Arc 2. Arc 1 begins with the meeting of the characters and indirectly leads to a series of events that the character resolves, during which the character stumbles upon Xue Xian’s golden marble. Xue Xian, being the person he is, decided to escape from Xuan Min to journey to another province, but indirectly stumbled on a sinister situation involving his dragon bones. The antics between two opposite characters are low-key funny. The novel ends with a satisfying conclusion, somewhat wrapping up Arc 2.
Vol 2 comprises the wrap-up of Arc 2, the start of Arc 3, and the start of Arc 4. The novel progresses quickly with the discovery of more of Xue Xian’s bones and more mysteries surrounding them. The main characters’ relationship developed further, where they learned to rely heavily on each other and enjoyed each other’s company.
Vol 3 comprises the wrap-up of Arc 4, Arc 5, and Arc 6, the finale. Oh man, I did not expect that angst to hit and boy, did it hit hard. This one explored the underlying link between the main leads and the prior circumstances that led to the explosive climax. I have to say the ending concluded quite nicely, with a peek into the characters' HEA, making this one such a satisfying read.
Another buddy read with Mandy (mantoumandy) as we both love MSL’s works.
Like all MSL’s works, this series starts off slowly. The introduction of our characters Xue Xian, the paralyzed dragon (MC), meeting Xuanmin, the amnesiac monk (ML), is so funny considering Xue Xian’s spirit is in a paper doll, given that his real dragon body is “missing”. As the story progresses, there seems to be a link between Xuanmin and Xue Xian, and the quest to find Xue Xian’s body and bones reveals a sinister plot that threatens the world.
Unlike her other previous works, I find the plot and mysteries for this one to be more simplified, with a strong focus on the characters and their development. The dynamic between Xuanmin and Xue Xian starts off on the wrong foot, since they are polar opposites. Xuanmin comes across as a cold and calm person who doesn’t let anything bother him. In contrast, Xue Xian is a hot-headed dragon, prone to mischief and drama, which leads them into trouble on occasion. Despite that, they are both super OP characters who are powerful, smart and distant towards each other at times. (Well, Xue Xian’s OP-ness eventually came back as he retrieved parts of his bones, while Xuan Min’s OP-ness increased with the recovery of his memories in fragments) The romance here is slow-burning and subtle, starting with them being indifferent towards each other, then relying on each other, and eventually caring for each other and recognizing that they want to be together. I did find this one more “smuttier” than her other books, which can be fun in its own way.
There is also a found-family concept, as others joined them on their journey. The supporting characters really add to the story, and you grow to love them as they enrich the plot and the dynamics of the main characters without overshadowing them.
While the plot itself is simple compared to MSL’s other works, it is by no means a linear progression. The mysteries the characters get involved with are feng shui-related, and as the series progresses, you find that everything is somehow linked and there is a sinister overarching plot taking place. There is also an underlying link between the two main characters, leading to some unexpected moments of angst and betrayal (the angst really hits in this one, since my heart broke for them, and Mandy cried here).
I find the novel to have a steady pacing despite the slow start and a beautiful ending. The extras and epilogue fed me with their humour and tenderness, focusing on the antics of the main characters, with occasional interludes featuring our supporting characters. I also likened their relationship to MDZS…
My bestie told me ages ago to read it, but I was reluctant, given my weird bias towards religion and the involvement of a monk. However, my worries are unfounded, as I enjoyed this one immensely and would recommend a read.
PS: I wonder if it is just me, but the translations come across as very modern slang, and I find that they gloss over the feng shui part at times...
This is probably one of the rare occasions that I am actually reading an officially translated edition, and this is broken down into 3 volumes. Since this is the case, I will try to summarize my thoughts in each volume and ring everything together into one review in vol 3.
Like all MSL’s works, this one is a slow start with the introduction of the characters. The meeting of Xue Xian, the paralyzed and sassy dragon (MC), and Xuanmin, the amnesiac monk (ML), is so funny considering Xue Xian’s spirit is in a paper doll, given that his real dragon body is “missing”. As we dive further into the novel, we find that Xue Xian is missing his dragon bones and tendons, and, too weak, his body turned into golden marble and separated from his spirit.
Vol 1 comprises Arc 1 and part of Arc 2. Arc 1 begins with the meeting of the characters and indirectly leads to a series of events that the character resolves, during which the character stumbles upon Xue Xian’s golden marble. Xue Xian, being the person he is, decided to escape from Xuan Min to journey to another province, but indirectly stumbled on a sinister situation involving his dragon bones. The antics between two opposite characters are low-key funny. The novel ends with a satisfying conclusion, somewhat wrapping up Arc 2.
Vol 2 comprises the wrap-up of Arc 2, the start of Arc 3, and the start of Arc 4. The novel progresses quickly with the discovery of more of Xue Xian’s bones and more mysteries surrounding them. The main characters’ relationship developed further, where they learned to rely heavily on each other and enjoyed each other’s company.
Vol 3 comprises the wrap-up of Arc 4, Arc 5, and Arc 6, the finale. Oh man, I did not expect that angst to hit and boy, did it hit hard. This one explored the underlying link between the main leads and the prior circumstances that led to the explosive climax. I have to say the ending concluded quite nicely, with a peek into the characters' HEA, making this one such a satisfying read.
Another buddy read with Mandy (mantoumandy) as we both love MSL’s works.
Like all MSL’s works, this series starts off slowly. The introduction of our characters Xue Xian, the paralyzed dragon (MC), meeting Xuanmin, the amnesiac monk (ML), is so funny considering Xue Xian’s spirit is in a paper doll, given that his real dragon body is “missing”. As the story progresses, there seems to be a link between Xuanmin and Xue Xian, and the quest to find Xue Xian’s body and bones reveals a sinister plot that threatens the world.
Unlike her other previous works, I find the plot and mysteries for this one to be more simplified, with a strong focus on the characters and their development. The dynamic between Xuanmin and Xue Xian starts off on the wrong foot, since they are polar opposites. Xuanmin comes across as a cold and calm person who doesn’t let anything bother him. In contrast, Xue Xian is a hot-headed dragon, prone to mischief and drama, which leads them into trouble on occasion. Despite that, they are both super OP characters who are powerful, smart and distant towards each other at times. (Well, Xue Xian’s OP-ness eventually came back as he retrieved parts of his bones, while Xuan Min’s OP-ness increased with the recovery of his memories in fragments) The romance here is slow-burning and subtle, starting with them being indifferent towards each other, then relying on each other, and eventually caring for each other and recognizing that they want to be together. I did find this one more “smuttier” than her other books, which can be fun in its own way.
There is also a found-family concept, as others joined them on their journey. The supporting characters really add to the story, and you grow to love them as they enrich the plot and the dynamics of the main characters without overshadowing them.
While the plot itself is simple compared to MSL’s other works, it is by no means a linear progression. The mysteries the characters get involved with are feng shui-related, and as the series progresses, you find that everything is somehow linked and there is a sinister overarching plot taking place. There is also an underlying link between the two main characters, leading to some unexpected moments of angst and betrayal (the angst really hits in this one, since my heart broke for them, and Mandy cried here).
I find the novel to have a steady pacing despite the slow start and a beautiful ending. The extras and epilogue fed me with their humour and tenderness, focusing on the antics of the main characters, with occasional interludes featuring our supporting characters. I also likened their relationship to MDZS…
My bestie told me ages ago to read it, but I was reluctant, given my weird bias towards religion and the involvement of a monk. However, my worries are unfounded, as I enjoyed this one immensely and would recommend a read.
PS: I wonder if it is just me, but the translations come across as very modern slang, and I find that they gloss over the feng shui part at times...
June 3, 2026
So Shitou Zhang did have a wife...and two children, who were all who knows where while he was running around with a mysterious monk and a dragon. He's such a random character to include, honestly, but the scene at the end was pretty cute. I guess it's important to include some normal people in the mix to show the impact of all these strange, powerful people on the common populace.
I enjoyed this series - and am deeply confused by the large number of reviews I'd seen beforehand that claim this hardly counts as a romance. I feel like we must read different types of stories. The chemistry was present from the beginning, turning from mutual irritation to a strange camaraderie, respect, and a surprising degree of trust.
Xue Xian's feelings are much more obvious because that's the type of person (dragon) he is: he wears most of his emotions on his sleeve, even if he huffs and tries (badly) to hide the more vulnerable ones. He's visibly drawn to Xuanmin, experiencing a degree of longing that he's unfamiliar with and is still trying to fight, but allows to overtake him for much of this final volume. It's a slow burn, sure, which I appreciate - relationship development is key! - but it's also only 3 volumes, so it doesn't take that long for them to progress.
Xuanmin is harder to read, but as his connection with Xue Xian grows, it gets easier to pick out some of his much more buried emotions. Which makes the betrayal and Xue Xian's devastation hit even harder...because it's obvious that it hurts both of them. Xue Xian because he'd fallen in love with the man who'd taken everything from him, and Xuanmin because he truly hadn't remembered being responsible.
I will say that the landing was a little too soft...I get why things had to wrap up neatly, with another villain to take all the heat, especially with a series that wasn't going to drag on through long redemption plotlines. But it would've been a bit more interesting if Xuanmin had been a more morally grey character who'd been transformed during his time with his dragon and other companions. I don't know if Xue Xian would've been able to forgive him, but dragons have very long lives and I think he could've come around on it.
Still, the last few chapters were wildly romantic. I love that the story continues well after the big, dramatic climax. I love that Xuanmin tried to sacrifice himself for Xue Xian and that Xue Xian was far too stubborn (and clever) to let his death stand. I loved seeing Xuanmin's emotions blossom more and more once he was able to thaw around someone who loved him so firmly that he hardly had any other choice...after all, with a dragon relentlessly prying his shell apart, what's the point of trying to hide all those soft inner layers anymore?
Mu Su Li relies really heavily on fate and reincarnation, at least in this story, but I suspect in others. That's not always my thing, and some elements, like Lu Nianqi's story, didn't quite work for me. But I loved the connections made through that lifetime-spanning rope, and Xuanmin's mentor and his long-lost emperor were interesting.
And I liked that Xue Xian and Xuanmin weren't tied together by any sort of fate. They should've been natural enemies, but they were drawn together by an odd set of circumstances and reshaped their world into an eternity of companionship. I don't understand how anyone can fail to see the romance there.
I don't think this will be in my top 10 danmei, since there are some pretty incredible series out there, but I'm definitely glad I came back and gave it another try. Xue Xian was worth the read just on his own, and Xuanmin was an interestingly multi-layered character who transformed quite a bit over the course of the books.
I enjoyed this series - and am deeply confused by the large number of reviews I'd seen beforehand that claim this hardly counts as a romance. I feel like we must read different types of stories. The chemistry was present from the beginning, turning from mutual irritation to a strange camaraderie, respect, and a surprising degree of trust.
Xue Xian's feelings are much more obvious because that's the type of person (dragon) he is: he wears most of his emotions on his sleeve, even if he huffs and tries (badly) to hide the more vulnerable ones. He's visibly drawn to Xuanmin, experiencing a degree of longing that he's unfamiliar with and is still trying to fight, but allows to overtake him for much of this final volume. It's a slow burn, sure, which I appreciate - relationship development is key! - but it's also only 3 volumes, so it doesn't take that long for them to progress.
Xuanmin is harder to read, but as his connection with Xue Xian grows, it gets easier to pick out some of his much more buried emotions. Which makes the betrayal and Xue Xian's devastation hit even harder...because it's obvious that it hurts both of them. Xue Xian because he'd fallen in love with the man who'd taken everything from him, and Xuanmin because he truly hadn't remembered being responsible.
I will say that the landing was a little too soft...I get why things had to wrap up neatly, with another villain to take all the heat, especially with a series that wasn't going to drag on through long redemption plotlines. But it would've been a bit more interesting if Xuanmin had been a more morally grey character who'd been transformed during his time with his dragon and other companions. I don't know if Xue Xian would've been able to forgive him, but dragons have very long lives and I think he could've come around on it.
Still, the last few chapters were wildly romantic. I love that the story continues well after the big, dramatic climax. I love that Xuanmin tried to sacrifice himself for Xue Xian and that Xue Xian was far too stubborn (and clever) to let his death stand. I loved seeing Xuanmin's emotions blossom more and more once he was able to thaw around someone who loved him so firmly that he hardly had any other choice...after all, with a dragon relentlessly prying his shell apart, what's the point of trying to hide all those soft inner layers anymore?
Mu Su Li relies really heavily on fate and reincarnation, at least in this story, but I suspect in others. That's not always my thing, and some elements, like Lu Nianqi's story, didn't quite work for me. But I loved the connections made through that lifetime-spanning rope, and Xuanmin's mentor and his long-lost emperor were interesting.
And I liked that Xue Xian and Xuanmin weren't tied together by any sort of fate. They should've been natural enemies, but they were drawn together by an odd set of circumstances and reshaped their world into an eternity of companionship. I don't understand how anyone can fail to see the romance there.
I don't think this will be in my top 10 danmei, since there are some pretty incredible series out there, but I'm definitely glad I came back and gave it another try. Xue Xian was worth the read just on his own, and Xuanmin was an interestingly multi-layered character who transformed quite a bit over the course of the books.
July 26, 2026
It was a cute way to end this series but I was bored throughout and it didn’t suck me in like I would hope a mystery would. The romance was really sweet tho
Some scenes I found adorable
"From now on, you'll share a dragon's lifespan." Xue Xian slapped his palms onto the bamboo bed, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. His voice was low and deliberate. "No take-backs. You're stuck with me for centuries. Millennia, even! If you ever get sick of it, tough luck."
Xuanmin's dark eyes were fathomless. He seemed to consider his words before he met Xue Xian's gaze unflinchingly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
——
Xue Xian lifted one brow. "Previous previous life." Xue Xian tilted his chin up, eyes glinting with mischief, not to mention something wilder. "In this one, from the moment you opened your eyes...every bit of you was mine."
Xuanmin turned to him. The lamplight caught in his dark eyes, warm and steady. "Mm. All yours."
——
The bird cracked me up
Having heard the dragon's roar, the black bird had flapped itself over to greet them, but the second it burst from the woods, it saw the two tangled figures in the hot spring and bolted in sheer horror.
It found a crooked tree and spent hours sizing up the old hanging vines, trying to determine the optimal angle with which to hang itself, but couldn't find one. In the end, it just stretched out its legs and passed out cold in the fork of the tree, dead to the world.
—-
Xue Xian chattered on, and Xuanmin listened for a while before simply nodding with a soft grunt. Then, he grasped Xue Xian's chin and sealed his mouth with a kiss.
The sight was enough to send the black bird scrambling to get away. It fled as far as possible, terrified the scene would sear its eyes out.
The two of them remained locked together until they finally calmed down around midnight. Wrapped in each other's arms, they drifted into a light slumber.
—
Xuanmin leaned against the wall, watching quietly while some- body earnestly picked a fight with a bird.
When Xue Xian turned around, he caught the faint quirk of Xuanmin's lips just as it faded away. He gawked. "Were you just trying to stifle a laugh?"
"I was not." Xuanmin's expression was utterly composed.
Xue Xian glared. "I saw it!"
"You saw wrong." Xuanmin sounded unshakable.
"...Laugh for me again?"
Xuanmin straightened Xue Xian's robes for him without so much as a word, then rose with flawless serenity.
After tidying up, Xuanmin turned back. "Shall we visit Daze Temple?"
"Visit my ass! You laugh first!" Xue Xian was already climbing out of bed to attack him
—
Xuanmin glanced at the fruits in the courtyard. After a few weeks of Xue Xian's vigil, the raindrops were now polishing each loquat to a gleaming golden yellow. They were vivid as they hung heavy from the branches.
When Xuanmin returned his eyes to Xue Xian's face, he found the dragon with a corner of his mouth quirked up.
Xuanmin watched Xue Xian for a moment before he dropped his head to press a kiss to those smiling lips.
Perhaps this was what the world's finest days looked like.
Gentle rain on loquat leaves, and peace throughout the prosperous land.
—-
That contentment from earlier grew even stronger, almost to the point of bursting out of Xue Xian's chest. He had the impulse to half jokingly ask Xuanmin, “Once you regain your memories, if there's nothing urgent, why not stay with me?”
Some scenes I found adorable
"From now on, you'll share a dragon's lifespan." Xue Xian slapped his palms onto the bamboo bed, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. His voice was low and deliberate. "No take-backs. You're stuck with me for centuries. Millennia, even! If you ever get sick of it, tough luck."
Xuanmin's dark eyes were fathomless. He seemed to consider his words before he met Xue Xian's gaze unflinchingly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.
——
Xue Xian lifted one brow. "Previous previous life." Xue Xian tilted his chin up, eyes glinting with mischief, not to mention something wilder. "In this one, from the moment you opened your eyes...every bit of you was mine."
Xuanmin turned to him. The lamplight caught in his dark eyes, warm and steady. "Mm. All yours."
——
The bird cracked me up
Having heard the dragon's roar, the black bird had flapped itself over to greet them, but the second it burst from the woods, it saw the two tangled figures in the hot spring and bolted in sheer horror.
It found a crooked tree and spent hours sizing up the old hanging vines, trying to determine the optimal angle with which to hang itself, but couldn't find one. In the end, it just stretched out its legs and passed out cold in the fork of the tree, dead to the world.
—-
Xue Xian chattered on, and Xuanmin listened for a while before simply nodding with a soft grunt. Then, he grasped Xue Xian's chin and sealed his mouth with a kiss.
The sight was enough to send the black bird scrambling to get away. It fled as far as possible, terrified the scene would sear its eyes out.
The two of them remained locked together until they finally calmed down around midnight. Wrapped in each other's arms, they drifted into a light slumber.
—
Xuanmin leaned against the wall, watching quietly while some- body earnestly picked a fight with a bird.
When Xue Xian turned around, he caught the faint quirk of Xuanmin's lips just as it faded away. He gawked. "Were you just trying to stifle a laugh?"
"I was not." Xuanmin's expression was utterly composed.
Xue Xian glared. "I saw it!"
"You saw wrong." Xuanmin sounded unshakable.
"...Laugh for me again?"
Xuanmin straightened Xue Xian's robes for him without so much as a word, then rose with flawless serenity.
After tidying up, Xuanmin turned back. "Shall we visit Daze Temple?"
"Visit my ass! You laugh first!" Xue Xian was already climbing out of bed to attack him
—
Xuanmin glanced at the fruits in the courtyard. After a few weeks of Xue Xian's vigil, the raindrops were now polishing each loquat to a gleaming golden yellow. They were vivid as they hung heavy from the branches.
When Xuanmin returned his eyes to Xue Xian's face, he found the dragon with a corner of his mouth quirked up.
Xuanmin watched Xue Xian for a moment before he dropped his head to press a kiss to those smiling lips.
Perhaps this was what the world's finest days looked like.
Gentle rain on loquat leaves, and peace throughout the prosperous land.
—-
That contentment from earlier grew even stronger, almost to the point of bursting out of Xue Xian's chest. He had the impulse to half jokingly ask Xuanmin, “Once you regain your memories, if there's nothing urgent, why not stay with me?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this deserves infinity stars
I am sad that i finished this volume. It was the final volume and it served everything. It wrapped up the plot likes pretty well. No lose threads and we get to see everything including the dragon bones, Xuanmin’s memories and everything else. I loved the whole plot and its execution. I cried my eyes out when Jiang Shining was finally let go. And even cried my eyes out at the last final battle and i am so damn glad i already knew it has a happy ending orelse this would have been another trauma
Xue Xian and Xuanmin’s chemistry and romance was everything. We get to see more of their romance in this book. Xuanmin loves Xue Xian soo much that he takes the bite of those spiders. Trust me it was everything i wanted and needed from this book and it has the happiest ending and this is exactly what my babies deserve. Also the sex scenes here was even though closed door/ fade to black but it still had enough description and it was enjoyable. I never knew “ bald donkey” would turn into such an adorable nickname. I loved the ending. And it was beautiful. I would read more of the author works soon.
I am sad that i finished this volume. It was the final volume and it served everything. It wrapped up the plot likes pretty well. No lose threads and we get to see everything including the dragon bones, Xuanmin’s memories and everything else. I loved the whole plot and its execution. I cried my eyes out when Jiang Shining was finally let go. And even cried my eyes out at the last final battle and i am so damn glad i already knew it has a happy ending orelse this would have been another trauma
Xue Xian and Xuanmin’s chemistry and romance was everything. We get to see more of their romance in this book. Xuanmin loves Xue Xian soo much that he takes the bite of those spiders. Trust me it was everything i wanted and needed from this book and it has the happiest ending and this is exactly what my babies deserve. Also the sex scenes here was even though closed door/ fade to black but it still had enough description and it was enjoyable. I never knew “ bald donkey” would turn into such an adorable nickname. I loved the ending. And it was beautiful. I would read more of the author works soon.
August 5, 2026
I have been very unsure about how I felt about these books throughout them. Because I have liked them, but there was something that didn't feel like it fit. It both felt too slow paced and too quick paced at times, and I think I finally figured out my issue: I did not care for the plot.
Now, I did enjoy the characters a lot and that is probably what took me through all of these books, but the plot just did not resonate with me at all. Objectively the plot seems fun, but it just didn't work for me. Not to talk about the ending that felt like they didn't even properly explain how things worked (or maybe I just skimmed over it too fast?)
I did like the personal ending for Xue Xian and Xuanmin though and how we got to follow them after getting together, without it being too much (I am looking at you, MXTX, with all those extra stories)
Now, I did enjoy the characters a lot and that is probably what took me through all of these books, but the plot just did not resonate with me at all. Objectively the plot seems fun, but it just didn't work for me. Not to talk about the ending that felt like they didn't even properly explain how things worked (or maybe I just skimmed over it too fast?)
I did like the personal ending for Xue Xian and Xuanmin though and how we got to follow them after getting together, without it being too much (I am looking at you, MXTX, with all those extra stories)
July 24, 2026
This was a good end to an interesting story. I was super curious how everything will come together and the book didn’t disappoint. The real identity behind Xuanmin and what happened on the day of dragon’s tribulation was a good plot. It was a satisfying end of the story.
At first, I wasn’t so sure of the couple and how they would work together as a couple but surprisingly, it’s a good match. Xuanmin’s doting attitude towards Xue Xian is a cherry on top. I love how they quickly became the couple obsessed with each other. The extra chapter with the shifu and all the side characters was a nice tie to the story as well. I like it when all side characters also get their happy endings so this was very satisfying to read.
At first, I wasn’t so sure of the couple and how they would work together as a couple but surprisingly, it’s a good match. Xuanmin’s doting attitude towards Xue Xian is a cherry on top. I love how they quickly became the couple obsessed with each other. The extra chapter with the shifu and all the side characters was a nice tie to the story as well. I like it when all side characters also get their happy endings so this was very satisfying to read.
July 18, 2026
Me gusto mucho.
Al principio no me había llegado a interesar demasiado pero me dejo un toque pica, ya con el segundo volumen me término de atrapar y con este último cerro muy bien.
Me gusto que no fuera una trama super extensa y que estuviera todo ahí sin tener que rebuscar super al fondo.
Xue Xian y Xuanmin son muy tiernos, para mí son medio un slow born pero a término medio no super lento.
En este volumen tuvimos muchísimo drama y ame eso porque realmente me conmovió.
Todo lo que tiene que ver con reencarnaciones me causó tanta ternura y también me conmovió muchísimo.
Realmente valió la pena no abandonarlo.
Al principio no me había llegado a interesar demasiado pero me dejo un toque pica, ya con el segundo volumen me término de atrapar y con este último cerro muy bien.
Me gusto que no fuera una trama super extensa y que estuviera todo ahí sin tener que rebuscar super al fondo.
Xue Xian y Xuanmin son muy tiernos, para mí son medio un slow born pero a término medio no super lento.
En este volumen tuvimos muchísimo drama y ame eso porque realmente me conmovió.
Todo lo que tiene que ver con reencarnaciones me causó tanta ternura y también me conmovió muchísimo.
Realmente valió la pena no abandonarlo.
June 3, 2026
I really liked it! Xue Xian’s character really saved this book. Initially I was really apprehensive about Xuanmin being a monk but it turned out alright. Their pairing didn’t feel awkward at all!
The only downside was the dying and coming back to life. It’s not specific to this book but Danmei’s use this trope so much that it feels predictable and repetitive. And some parts of about the rebirth cycle could’ve been explained better.
Would I read this book again? Probably not because this one read was satisfying enough for me!
The only downside was the dying and coming back to life. It’s not specific to this book but Danmei’s use this trope so much that it feels predictable and repetitive. And some parts of about the rebirth cycle could’ve been explained better.
Would I read this book again? Probably not because this one read was satisfying enough for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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