Love of the Divine Tree (2025) Drama Review – A Missed Opportunity with Moments of Magic

Platform: iQIYI
Air Date: February 7, 2025
Episodes: 40
Main Cast: Deng Wei, Xiang Han Zhi

Love of the Divine Tree (仙台有树) brings together classic xianxia tropes—reincarnation, forbidden love, memory loss, celestial battles, and master-disciple bonds—but ends up more style than substance. With an intriguing setup and visually impressive world-building, this drama had the bones of a hit. Yet inconsistent storytelling, a lackluster female lead, and overdone tropes ultimately left it struggling in the shadow of more compelling contemporaries like Perfect Match and Six Sisters.

Plot Overview: A Divine Rebirth and a Brewing Storm

Eighteen years ago, Mu Qing Ge (Xiang Han Zhi), a formidable sect leader and the so-called Demon Child, nearly destroyed the cultivation world through her connection to the Spirit Spring. She was eventually sealed by her own disciple, Su Yi Shui (Deng Wei), in a powerful celestial formation. Rather than killing her, he preserved her soul in the form of a divine tree—if it were to perish, the Western Sect would fall with it. Now, reborn as Xue Ran Ran, Mu Qing Ge’s fate teeters once again between destruction and redemption, as sects rise to eliminate her for good.

What Worked: The Drama’s Undeniable Strengths

Deng Wei as Su Yi Shui – The Heart and Soul of the Drama

Deng Wei completely steals the show. As Su Yi Shui, he delivers a nuanced performance filled with quiet intensity, internal conflict, and softhearted devotion. His character arc—from a heartbroken disciple to a protector battling darkness—hits all the right emotional notes. Even when the script falters, Deng Wei remains captivating, giving the audience something to root for. His chemistry with Xiang Han Zhi doesn’t quite ignite, but Deng’s smoldering gazes and multi-phase portrayal still make for compelling viewing. Minor gripe: someone tell him to stop pouting so much.

The Unique Master-Pupil Dynamic

A refreshing reversal of traditional power roles is at the core of this drama: Mu Qing Ge, not Su Yi Shui, is the mighty master. Watching the two characters’ bond develop from teacher and student to complicated soulmates was one of the emotional highlights. Their backstories were introduced early, giving depth and shape to their individual journeys.

Deng Kai as Wei Jiu – Scene-Stealing Comic Relief

Surprisingly, Wei Jiu’s subplot with Tu Jiu Yuan brought levity and charm to an otherwise heavy storyline. His “puppy-dog” persistence and accidental antics gave the drama some much-needed comic relief. While his redemption arc wasn’t revolutionary, it was sweet and earned, adding color to the supporting cast.

The Western Sect’s Camaraderie

The drama truly shines when exploring the camaraderie between the Western Sect’s disciples and elders. Their loyalty, teamwork, and mutual respect form a powerful emotional backbone. It’s unfortunate that the narrative sidelines them in favor of less interesting arcs. With more screen time, these bonds could’ve truly elevated the show.

A Darker, Bloodier Fantasy Landscape

Visually, the drama leans into a darker, more sinister tone. Henchmen explode into bloody mist, and villainous characters are portrayed as irredeemably ruthless. While still far from HBO-level gore, the intensity adds high stakes and intrigue. The CGI—though inconsistent—is often ambitious, with Venom-esque visual effects making for some eye-popping moments.

What Didn’t Work: The Drama’s Critical Missteps

Xiang Han Zhi’s Uneven Dual Performance

As Xue Ran Ran, Xiang Han Zhi brings charm and innocence, but as Mu Qing Ge, she fails to radiate the commanding presence the role demands. Her portrayal of the powerful master feels too soft, lacking the gravitas that would make others’ devotion feel earned. Worse still, once she reverts fully to Xue Ran Ran, her character devolves into a love-struck shadow of her former self, endlessly pining for Su Yi Shui with little personal drive or growth. Her arc stalls, and the drama never recovers from it.

Tired Tropes: Love Turns to Villainy

One of the biggest letdowns is the recycled “unrequited love becomes hatred” arc. A certain side character takes this route, and the writing offers no depth—only predictable bitterness and clichéd rage. It’s a storytelling shortcut that fails to engage, especially when this genre is capable of exploring emotional complexity so much better.

Undying Antagonists: Too Many Second Chances

Villains who never seem to die or learn are another glaring issue. Repeatedly spared without cause, these characters reappear to commit the same crimes with no meaningful change. The prolonged screen time given to such flat antagonists undercuts the tension and drags down the pacing.

Wobbly CGI and Sloppy Editing

While there are moments of brilliant VFX work, some scenes are marred by janky CGI and abrupt, awkward editing. One would expect more polish from a 2025 fantasy production, especially with iQIYI’s standards. Unfortunately, these inconsistencies chip away at the immersive quality of the world.

Random Observations and Trivia

• Oddly, the main leads are dubbed while side characters, including children, retain their original voices. It doesn’t disrupt the immersion, but it’s a curious production choice.
• The drama wisely drops the convoluted “reincarnated gods” subplot from the original novel. Good call.

Final Verdict: Worth It for Deng Wei, Skip the Rest

Despite flashes of brilliance, Love of the Divine Tree falls into the unfortunate category of forgettable xianxia dramas. It lacks the narrative punch and chemistry needed to stand out. However, Deng Wei’s powerful performance almost makes the journey worth it—he proves he has leading man potential and deserves better material in the future.

If you’re a fan of Deng Wei or love tragic master-disciple romances, give this a watch—but keep that fast-forward button handy. For others, you’re better off rewatching The Journey of Flower or Eternal Love for a more satisfying fantasy fix.

Rating: 2.5/5
Recommended For: Fans of Deng Wei, xianxia completists
Skip If You: Hate weak female leads, overused tropes, or love triangles gone sour