Finally! It took 9 months to finish this series. Almost going to drop it. I had a great hope last year when I start, first is because of Xiao Zhan and the good ratings (back then).
40 episodes is way too much! And the female lead, bad selection to give this role to this actress!
The story line is all over the places, not sure what is the focus of this series? Is it love? Is it the war between Kong San and Melfork? Is it the long waiting time for the sea emperor? Is it about who get the throne? No focus at all!
in the beginning it seems like it is about Shi Ying return to get back the throne, but shift to Zhu Yan the stubborn girl.
I never saw this actress playing Zhu Yan before, so my opinion on her is solely according to her acting in this drama.
1. This Zhu yan character is really stupid and far beyond like. When the Sumo real sea emperor said : I want revenge, can she said that revenge is not good instead of teaching a stupid magic to send a "bird" to his mother??
Then when Sumo suddenly "sick" is this Zhu Yan so unknowledgeable to even don't know anything at all?? she think bring this to a normal doctor will help?
2. The actress acting is really terrible, especially episode 1 to 25. When she act happy, the smile ( the mouth, lips stretch like being forced) very unnatural and doesn't seems like happy at all. And this is happen many may times
When she cried, there's no tears at all. When she "act" with a wah sound her eyes is not "wah" she tried with the fake open happy mouth but it failed terribly.
When she "fight" every time need to spread her 2 hands whenever go down or do some magic action?
She always use a stuntman in every fighting (only rolling the body, not even falling down).
And her face so big, not suitable for the outfit?
This actress suitable for maybe police roles, her dub voice so sweet, but it does not suit her at all.
The actress playing Xue Lu is a better choice for Zhu Yan role.

So many unnecessary misunderstanding. This Zhu Yan isn't she always have big mouth and said what she think and feel??? Why when she heard her master want to leave priesthood she can't just ask him?? She suddenly have a change of character after the 30 episodes of very annoying character that worth a slap.
All the stories will not happen if this Zhu Yan did not do her stupidity since she was a kid until she is grow up.