2 July (2014-07-02) – 25 September 2014 (2014-09-25)
Swords of Legends (Chinese: 古剑奇谭; Chinese: 古劍奇譚; pinyin: Gu Jian Qi Tan) is a 2014 Chinese television series based on the role-playing video game Gu Jian Qi Tan developed by Shanghai Aurogon.[1] It aired on Hunan TV from 2 July to 25 September 2014.[2]
Set in the Tang dynasty, a young boy named Han Yunxi (Li Yifeng) is infected by the aura of an ancient demonic sword known as the Sword of Burning Solitude. After his entire tribe was killed, he was brought to You Du by Sword Deity Yinzhen, where he meets Feng Qingxue (Yang Mi), who saved his life. Qingxue is part of the immortal order in You Du governed by Goddess Nuwa, who ensures that all ancient magical swords are properly sealed from the mortal realm. In an attempt to re-seal the ancient demonic sword, the people of You Du almost killed Yunxi, whose lifeforce is tied to the sword. To ensure his safety, Yunxi was brought to Tian Yong Cheng (Sword Guild City) by Ziyin, where he was given the name of Bali Tusu and trained as a swordsman together with his senior brother Ling Yue (William Chan).
Years later, while slaying demons, Tusu meets Ouyang Shaogong (Qiao Zhenyu), who is on a quest to find a jade ornament that will help him create a resurrection elixir to revive his lover, Princess Xunfang (Gillian Chung), who died in a flood. They are joined by Qingxue, who left You Du to search for Yunxi and her long-lost brother Feng Guangmo (Vengo Gao) who disappeared 11 years ago after the massacre of Wu Meng Valley; Fan Lansheng (Ma Tianyu), a young master who seeks to escape an arranged marriage and a fox-turned human Xiang Ling (Zheng Shuang) who is searching for her parents.
Eventually, Shao Gong succeeds in making the resurrection elixir and Tu Su's mother is awakened. Only then does Tu Su discover that Shao Gong has secretly endangered his mother. Shao Gong intends to use the jade ornament to control Tu Su and use him to assist his grand dynastic plans to rule the world.
Han Yunxi is the son of the Wu Meng valley's head shaman. After his whole tribe was massacred, the aura of the Sword of Burning Solitude was inserted into him to save his life, including one half of Crown Prince Changqin's celestial soul (Sword of Burning Solitude). He was then brought to Tian Yong City and trained as a sword immortal under the name of Bali Tusu. Three years later after an incident where he was accused of killing his fellow disciple, he left Tian Yong City to search for the murderer who killed his family and destroyed his village, thus beginning his journey.
The future head shaman of You Du, who shares the fate of sealing the evil aura of the Burning Sword. In order to search for her long-lost brother, she came to the mortal realm where she met and fell in love with Tusu, whom she once saved when they were young.
An elder of the Qing Yun clan, who specializes in healing and medicine. Possessing only one half of Crown Prince Changqin's celestial soul (Pure Light Lyre [纯阳琴]), he wanders aimlessly in the mortal world for centuries until he meets Xun Fang, the princess of Peng Lai. However, a flood disaster which destroys Peng Lai occurred and separated the two. Having lost his one true love, Shao Gong would stop at nothing to get what he wants in order to get his revenge on Heaven, who he blames for Xun Fang's death.
The princess of Peng Lai. After she was being saved by Shao Gong from a pack of wolves, the two fell in love. Her hair simultaneously turned white as a result of using too much internal energy. Her face was destroyed because of the Heavenly Disaster and her voice became hoarse and rough. In order to preserve her youthful looks and unchanging beauty in Shao Gong's memory, Xun Fang disguised herself as Ji Tong and stayed by his side as his caretaker. Chung also simultaneously plays Jin Niang, who morphs her appearance to look like Xun Fang in order to gain Shao Gong's affections.
The adopted son of the Fang family, who aspires to become a sword immortal. His actual identity is Ling Yue's younger brother, who was separated from him when they were young. In order to escape his arranged marriage with Sun Yueyan, he decided to leave Qin Chuan and join Tusu and the rest on their journey. He loves Xiang Liang, but eventually gives up on her to realize his responsibilities after his sister's death. Ma also simultaneously plays Jin Lei, the previous reincarnation of Fang Lansheng.
A half-fox demon and half-human, who was saved by Tusu when he was young. In order to repay the favor, she decided to follow Tusu on his adventures while searching for her long-lost parents along the way.
The senior disciple and future leader of Tian Yong sect known for his bravery and uprightness. Having lost his younger brother when they were young, Ling Yue treats Tusu as his real sibling and would protect him at all cost.
Vengo Gao as Yin Qianshang (尹千觞) / Feng Guangmo (风广陌), Feng Qingxue's brother and You Du's shaman who is responsible for sealing the Burning Sword. After losing his memory because of a type of medicine that Shao Gong gave him after the latter saved him, he changed his name to Qian Shang. Eventually, he discovers Shao Gong's true nature and stops him from unleashing his evil plan.
Li Xiaolu as Han Xiuning (韩休宁), Tusu's birth mother and the Head Shaman of Wu Meng Valley.
Liu Fang as Grandma You Du (幽都婆婆), shaman of You Du
Shen Baoping as Head of You Du (幽都长老)
Yang Chengcheng as Huan Huan (欢欢), Qingxue's attendant.
Zhang Meng as Fang Ruqin (方如沁), Fan Lansheng's sister and the head of the Fang household. She loves Shao Gong since they were kids.
Fan Cai'er as Ji Tong (寂桐), Xun Fang in disguise. She stays by Shao Gong's side and takes care of him like family.
Zhang Na as Sun Yueyan (孙月言) / He Wenjun (贺文君), Fan Lansheng's wife. He Wenjun is her previous reincarnation, a Bishan sect disciple and Jin Lei's lover.
Yue Yaoli as Ye Wenxian (叶父), head of Zi Bi Pavilion who destroyed Bishan sect.
Qi Wei as Ye Chenxiang (叶沉香), daughter of Ye Wenxian and Jin Lei's fiancé.
Yue Dongfeng as He Wenjun's father (賀父), head of Bishan sect.
Ji Yang as Cha Xiaoguai (茶小乖), a sea demon who disguises as a knowledgeable tea server.
Cheng Cheng as Old Master Fang (方老爹)
Jin Yiru as Fang Qin'er (方沁儿), Lansheng and Yueyan's daughter. She is named after Fang Ruqin to remember her.
Tong Tong as Nanny Sun (孙奶娘), Sun Yueyan's caretaker.
Zheng Yecheng as Wang Cai (旺财), Lan Sheng's attendant.
Shen Jianing as Yu'er (玉儿), Fang Ruqin's attendant.
Ma Dalu as Uncle Wu (吴大叔), a constable who saved Baili Tusu's life.
Li Yaojing as Lei Yan (雷严), the head of Qing Yun clan. He aspires to attain immortality and take over the wuxia world, and attempts to manipulate Shao Gong into helping him accomplish his goals.
Wang Yimiao as Su Jin (素锦) / Jin Niang (瑾娘), Lei Yan's underling who was sent to be a spy under Shao Gong. In order to gain his affections, she transformed her looks to resemble Xun Fang.
Lee Xindong as Yuan Wu (元勿), one of Lei Yan's underlings.
The drama was a huge success, topping viewership ratings and market share; and was the most viewed drama online at that time.[6][7]
The drama was praised for its exciting action scenes, suspenseful plot devices and matching casting.[8][9]
However, it was criticized for its special effects and weak storyline.[10]
