WHEN THE HEAVENS LIE, WHO DECIDES WHAT IS REAL?With Xiao Fuxuan at his side, Wu Xingxue survives the ordeal of recovering his memories--only to find himself with lingering questions. Their search for answers leads them to an impossible another Urbs Caelestia, where history repeats in warped reflections. Amid the fractures, Hua Xin's truth surfaces, shaped by the devotion he carried, the choices he cannot undo, and the reckoning that awaits him. To complicate matters further, the reckoning is interrupted by Tianxiu and Rex Spiritus, who believe their world is the core reality--which makes Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan a threat. Despite all opposition, Wu Xingxue is determined to destroy the Heavenly Principles for good. But when reality threatens to collapse under divine wrath, will the love he shares with Xiao Fuxuan be strong enough to save what remains?
< It is said that the world holds no banquet that lasts forever, and that even old friends must one day part. Then again, as long as remembrances endure, partings are but preludes to reunion. As surely as the sun and moon must fall, they inevitably rise again. >
The end of another danmei that captured my heart from the very first volume.
This final volume was packed with action as the characters raced against an all-seeing, all-knowing force to save their world. The stakes felt intense throughout, and the story brought together all the elements needed for a satisfying conclusion.
Wu Xingxue finally regained his memories and resumed the mission that had nearly cost him his life at the very beginning. I like him, but I’ve never been able to stand his self-sacrificing nature. I generally struggle with characters like that, but thankfully, Wu Xingxue has so much charm and such a mischievous personality that I can overlook the one trait I dislike.
And then there’s the love interest, Xiao Fuxuan, whom I love with all my heart. Over the course of this danmei, he slowly became my favorite. He’s the quiet, protective type, with a heart so pure that I want to hug him every time I read about the silent, enduring pain he bears for the person he loves. I especially adore his balanced sense of justice. He doesn’t let regret, compassion, anger, or any other difficult emotion stand in the way of holding those who have sinned accountable.
Their relationship is filled with teasing, heartache, and love. The way they fight for each other and refuse to give up on each other is the strongest testament to their bond. They forget each other again and again and face countless obstacles, but no matter what happens, they always find their way back to one another in the end.
What I adore most about this danmei is its setting. From the very beginning, we learn that the world is dying and that heaven itself has been destroyed. I loved how the author explored this world and its implications. The story shows how even an unseen, incorporeal force (especially a divine one) can become corrupted, and how the darker emotions that are in humans can become dangerous even for a spiritual entity. It also makes clear that balance isn’t always good, and that the cost of preserving it can be too high, with consequences that ripple outward. And whether human or celestial, no one is truly free from the world they inhabit or from fate.
In conclusion, the story delivered the satisfying ending I hoped for, and I'm going to miss all of these characters, especially the little pageboys I've grown so fond of.
gentle reminder: only a few weeks left until the last volume, so please pick this series up and read it. not to be dramatic, but i know that after this, i’ll lose all motivation to read any danmei. i feel a crushing sadness already. oh, mianwu.
anyone who loves mianwu is a friend of mine, even without an introduction. may you receive all the happiness in the world. oh my god!! i'm really, really, really, really in love with them. volume four please be here soon.
this is undoubtedly the prettiest danmei cover i've ever seen. respectfully speaking, i wish i could kiss the hands of the person who illustrated it. 🪷🪷🪷
I really loved Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan 😭 The sacrifices they made for each other completely shattered my heart and had me in tears multiple times 😭 Their deep love, enduring longing, and unwavering dedication are just breathtakingly beautiful.
Also, I think this is only the second novel I've read where the true villain turns out to be the heavenly principles itself.
I will say, the plot got a bit tangled for me at times, between the time travel mechanics and the alternate universe elements, it definitely required some brainpower to keep up! But even with the confusion, I had a great time reading it.
It also genuinely hurts to witness the tragic fates of characters outside our main couple, such as Hua Xin, Yunhai, and Yi Wusheng.
On the bright side, seeing usually cold and stern Xiao Fuxuan become so soft and possessive over Wu Xingxue brought me so much joy 😆
Overall, the story can sometimes be a bit confusing, much like other Mu Su Li novels I've read, but the emotional payoff makes it entirely worth it. I still adore this story so much! 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"No one knew the bitterness of forgetting or being forgotten better than they did. They had tasted it for hundreds of years. The agony of climbing a mountain of swords or drowning in a sea of fire could not make Wu Xingxue wince, but the thought of him and Xiao Fuxuan forgetting one another again filled him with real fear." --- p. 288
"It is said that the world holds no banquet that lasts forever, and that even old friends must one day part. Then again, as long as remembrances endure, partings are but preludes to reunion. As surely as the sun and moon must fall, they inevitably rise again." --- p. 404
I wish I could give this book a higher rating. Instead, I almost dnfed it more than once. The concept was good, and I liked the love story, but something about this final installment had me skimming the last portion because I wanted to know what happened, but also just wanted to be done. I like the concept of abberant timelines, but I can't say I was thrilled with how things were concluded. Yes, it's a happy ending, and there is much joy to be had; reunions to be made. But I can't say I was enamored with it, which is a shame, because the series, while not my favorite danmei, had at least been decent. Giving it 2.75 because I didn't completely hate it, but it's not a solid 3, either.
This is one of my favourite stories. It's so beautiful and there's so much going on. It's almost like a J-RPG in how it starts simple with an adventure, trying to recover his memories and figure out what's going on, to trying to destroy the very ruling principles of the Heavens. Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan's relationship and love is so gentle and subtle and beautiful. It isn't there in your face all of the time, but the love they have for each other is so clear if you're looking for it. They're so devoted to each other.
Loved the first three books, but there were still a lot of flaws technique-wise regarding to the author’s prose. I was able to ignore them because I liked the books, though. Book four was just… meh. To me, the writing quality really dropped here. The aberrant timelines became confusing and felt unnecessary, even somewhat detrimental to the story. The ending was good, though! That made me like it a little more. Plus the extras were cute. Overall, four book was disappointing.
oh xiao fuxuan, you raised the bar to the heavens and beyond. Every time he revealed another thing he went through it left me in shambles ;; they both did tho, their love is so beautiful and seeing how much they fought for each other was truly an experience. I really like the "I'll find you no matter what" trope. I'm so happy from now on their days will be full of good things, they deserve it so much.
One thing I've come to believe after reading two of Mu Su Li's works is that, in this lifetime, we will part ways from people we love and cherish, but someday, somewhere in another lifetime, our paths will cross again. That's all the hope we need in life.
By any chance, is there anywhere I can get a little pageboy?
The side stories leave you with a better aftertaste than the story itself
I think xianxia stories are just not for me. It takes me a while to actually get engaged and I never feel fully invested in them. I much prefer historical danmei.