Noble Aspirations


Noble Aspirations, also known as The Legend of Chusen, is a 2016 Chinese xianxia television series based on Xiao Ding 's best-seller novel Zhu Xian. Produced by H&R Century Pictures Co.,Ltd, the series stars Li Yifeng, Zhao Liying, Yang Zi, Cheng Yi and Qin Junjie in the leading roles.
The first season aired from 31 July to 8 November 2016 on Hunan TV. The second season premiered on 8 December 2016 on Tencent Video.

Synopsis

Season One

Zhang Xiaofan, and childhood friend Lin Jingyu, are the sole survivors of a village massacre. The two are accepted into the Qing Yun sect, where they learn the ways of the Immortal Sword. Although he is hardworking and determined, Xiaofan struggles to catch up to his peers due to his slow wit. One day, he acquires a "dementor sword" by chance when he was training in the mountains.
During the martial arts competition held within Qing Yun sect, Xiaofan enters the Top 4. Together with Lu Xueqi, Lin Jingyu and Zeng Shushu, he heads to the Bat Cave in Mt Kongsan to investigate the trails of the demonic sect. There, Xiaofan encounters danger and pivotal circumstances make him grow and mature. Along the journey, he meets Bi Yao, daughter of the Ghost King. Their relationship slowly grows and takes a meaningful turn through these difficult times.
However, the villainous Ghost King attempts to overthrow the Qing Yun sect, and Xiaofan puts his life on the line. Bi Yao sacrifices herself to save him, falling into an endless sleep.

Season Two

After Bi Yao sacrifices her life to protect Zhang Xiaofan, she falls into an endless sleep. Devastated and vengeful, Xiaofan decides to devote his life to saving her. He enters the Ghost King's faction, and becomes his right-hand man Gui Li, also known as "Lord of Blood". He embarks on a quest with former allies Lin Jingyu and Lu Xueqi, as well as former enemies such as Qin Wuyan to revive Bi Yao.

Season Three

Ghost Li returned to the Central Plains, personally destroying Xi Xianjian to resurrect Biyao, and met Lu Xueqi at the moon platform. Xue Qi persuaded Gui Li to return to the right path, but Gui Li questioned the distinction between right and evil. Gui Li interrupted Qingxian Mountain while the beast god attacked Qingyun Mountain, but was seriously wounded by Qixian sword, and was rescued by Tianyin Pavilion. Master Puzhi woke up his original heart, and obtained the fourth volume of Tianshu in Yuzi Yuyu. Gui Li entered the 100,000 Mountains to slay the beast god, and experienced a life-and-death battle with Lu Xueqi, embracing each other. Gui Li realized that he was kind to Biyao and loved Xue Qi. Gui Li intends to return to Qingyunmen and befriend her with Xue Qi, but finds that Dao Xuan has been swallowed back by Qi Xianjian. Lu Xueqi defended Qingyun Gate and destroyed Dao Xuan while being forced to kill the controlled Tian. It was difficult for Gui Li to accept and left again. Ghost King's ambition erupted, leading to the collapse of Huqishan and disappearance of Biyao. Gui Li's long-cherished wish for ten years failed, but realized true love, and found Xue Qi again. The ghost king resurrected Biyao and infused the terrible Shura power. Faced with his former lover and the world's life, Gui Li finally realized that the righteousness and evil are in his heart, and with the help of Xue Qi, he reinvented the fairy sword. She returned to her original heart and changed back to Zhang Xiaofan and Xue Qi for a lifetime.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Qing Yun Sect (青云门)

Tian Yin Pavilion (天音阁)

Ghost King Faction (鬼王宗)

Hundred Poison sect (万毒门)

He Huan Sect (合欢派)

Lian Xie Hall (炼血堂)

Fen Xiang Valley (焚香谷)

Yu Du City (渝都城)

Chang Sheng Hall (长生堂)

Eastern Sea's Ding Hai Mountain Villa (东海定海山庄)

Little River Town (Heavenly Fox tribe) (小池镇天狐族）

Others

Production

The Golden Horse Award winner, serves as the stylist and the Hong Kong Film Award laureate,, serves as the art director. serves as the clothes designer. Stunt director helped designed the wushu stunts and fighting styles for each character. The production of special effects is handled by South Korean company IOFX.

Casting

On September 24, 2015, singers Roy Wang, Wang Junkai, and Jackson Yi from TFBOYS were cast in the drama. On December 5, actress Yang Zi attended the commencement ceremony, and the producers announced that she was cast as Lu Xueqi, one of the two female leads. On December 19, Wu Yue, Zhao Lixin and Chen Chuang joined the cast during filming.
On January 12, 2016, the television series's official Sina Weibo announced that Li Yifeng had been signed on to star as Zhang Xiaofan, the protagonist of Noble Aspirations. On January 25, it announced that Zhao Liying landed the female lead role of Bi Yao.

Filming

started on 5 December 2015 at Hengdian Studios and wrapped up on 29 April 2016. The scenes of the drama were shot in various parts of China, such as Yunnan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Henan. The total investment of the television series reaches ¥ 60 million, with majority of the budget going to special effects.
The scenes set in Qing Yun Mountain were filmed in Laojun Mountain, in Luanchuan County, Henan province. The monkey groups scenes in the Qing Yun Mountain were filmed in Huangshan, Anhui province. The scenes set in Heyang Castle were filmed in Hengdian World Studios, in Dongyang, Zhejiang province. The Liuboshan scenes were filmed in Erhai Lake, Yunnan.

Soundtrack

The television series's soundtrack is composed by Japanese composers and, who have previously worked on the film Painted Skin and Dr. Jin respectively. "Have You Ever Loved", "If We Never Met" and "Broken Heart Flower" were not included in the album and were released as solo singles.

Reception

Critical response

When the television series premiered on July 31, it received mainly positive reviews for its acting and production quality. The series was praised for its beautiful cinematography, exquisite costumes and music.

Commercial reception

The drama was a commercial success. It achieved a market share of 7.075 for its first two episodes, the highest record held by a Chinese drama for the year 2016. In October 2016, it surpassed 20 billion views, becoming the third drama to do so after The Journey of Flower and The Legend of Mi Yue. In December 2016, it became one of the most viewed drama online with over 25 billion views.

Ratings

International broadcast

Global Broadcasting: