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 (Li Yifeng), and childhood friend Lin Jingyu (Cheng Yi), 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 (Yang Zi), Lin Jingyu and Zeng Shushu (Qin Junjie), 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 (Zhao Liying), 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 (Mao Zijun) to revive Bi Yao.
Season Three Gui Li returns to the central plains to destroy the Zhu Xian sword to revive Bi Yao. However, as he tries to destroy the Zhu Xian sword, he was hurt by the sword's aura. Gui Li was saved by his former master, Pu Zhi, who reminds him of his original heart. He attains the fourth heavenly book from the back mountains of Tian Yin Pavilion. As he enters the Shiwan Mountain to kill the Beast God, he meets Lu Xueqi there and has a fierce battle with her. Gui Li realizes that he loves Lu Xueqi, and was only grateful toward Bi Yao. Gui Li intends to head back to Qing Yun sect to marry Lu Xueqi, but realizes that Dao Xuan has already been taken control of by the Zhu Xian sword. In the midst of battle, Lu Xueqi has no choice but to kill Tian Buyi as he was controlled by Dao Xuan. Unable to accept the death of his former master, Gui Li left Qing Yun. The Ghost Lord went into a craze, causing the Huqi Mountains to be destroyed and Bi Yao's body to be lost. Gui Li's ten-year-wish to revive Bi Yao suddenly falls empty, and realizing the importance of true love, he decides to go look for Lu Xueqi. The Ghost Lord finally revives Bi Yao, and passes to her an overwhelming force of cultivation. Facing his former lover and the common people of the world, Gui Li finally understands that evil and kindness are ultimately decided by one's heart. With the help of Lu Xueqi, he rebuilds the Zhu Xian sword, and then spends the rest of his life with Lu Xueqi.
Cast
Main Actor Character Introduction Li Yifeng Roy Wang (young) Zhang Xiaofan () Gui Li ()Determined, loyal and brave, Zhang Xiaofan starts out as a man with mediocre skills despite his hard work. By chance, he is able to learn the skills of the Heavenly book, and becomes the first person to possess cultivation from Fu (Buddhist), Dao (Taoist), and Mo (Heretics). He obtains the Striking Blood Pearl (噬血珠) from Pu Zhi, one of four reverent masters of Tian Yin Pavilion, and a black stick object called Sucking Soul Club (噬魂) from the Da Zhu Pavilion's lake in the back mountain. Both merges with his blood to become a blood magic object. Later, his soul is trapped by the He Huan bell, causing him to transform into Gui Li, also known as Master of Blood. He thereafter wanders the world in search of a way to revive Bi Yao. And in the end falls in love with Xue Qi. Zhao Liying Zhang Zimu (young) Bi Yao ()Daughter of the Ghost King and Xiao Chi. She wields the Broken Heart Flowers (伤心花) and Happy Reunion Bell (合欢铃). Beautiful, spunky and bright, Biyao is a noble girl who will do anything for love regardless of other people's opinions. She falls in love with Zhang Xiaofan after witnessing his courage and loyalty. She died for Zhang Xiaofan under the Zhu Xian Sword, causing the transformation of his lifetime. Yang Zi Lu Xueqi ()Disciple of Mt. Xiaozhu. Known for her incomparable beauty and icy cold personality, Lu Xueqi is one of the most skillful and talented disciples of the Qing Yun sect. She wields the Tianya Magical Sword (天琊剑) and specializes in the Thunder Driven Spell (神剑御雷真诀). She is an upright and law-abiding person who hates associating with the evil. She falls in love with Zhang Xiaofan after undergoing life and death situations with him. Cheng Yi Wang Junkai (young) Lin Jingyu ()Disciple of Mt. Longshou. He possesses extraordinary skills and potential, and becomes the first disciple of Discipline Hall under Cangsong. Later, he comes under the tutelage of Wan Jianyi, and was given the Slaying Dragon Sword (斩龙剑). He is childhood friends with Zhang Xiaofan, and likes Jin Ping'er. Qin Junjie Zeng Shushu () Disciple of Mt. Fenghui and Zeng Shuchang's son. He wields the Xuanyuan Sword (轩辕剑) and specializes in the Qingmu Magic Incarnation (秦木法咒). He is a humorous, easygoing and quirky man who is known for coming up with many new inventions and techniques. He later inherits the position of Chief of Yu Du City from his grandfather. He is good friends with Zhang Xiaofan, and has an unrequited crush on Lu Xueqi.
Supporting Qing Yun Sect (青云门) Actor Character Introduction Mt. Tongtian (通天峰) He Zhonghua Reverend Daoxuan () 18th leader of Qing Yun sect, head of Mt. Tongtian. He attempts to use the Zhu Xian sword (诛仙剑) to kill Zhang Xiaofan, which was blocked by Bi Yao's infatuation curse. Liu Xueyi Xiao Yicai ()Senior disciple of Mt. Tongtian; known as the number one disciple of Qing Yun sect. He wields the Seven Star Sword (七星剑). He drank the blood of the Heavenly Beast to infiltrate the Demon sect, causing him to turn into a beast every full moon. He was sent by the Ghost King to spy on the Qing Yun sect, but he actually hates the Ghost King and attempts many times to harm Bi Yao. Later, he becomes possessed due to his desire for power. Mt. Da Zhu (大竹峰) Xie Ning Tian Buyi () Head of Mt. Dazhu. Zhang Xiaofan's teacher and Tian Ling'er's father. He wields the Chi Yan Sword (赤焰剑). He is strict but caring toward his disciples, particularly Zhang Xiaofan. Yang Mingna Su Ru () Shui Yue's junior sister, Tian Buyi's wife and Tian Ling'er's mother. She wields the Mo Xue Sword (墨雪剑). She is strong but gentle, acting as a mother figure to the disciples. Tang Yixin Xu Shuo (young) Tian Ling'er () Tian Buyi and Su Ru's daughter. She wields the Amber Silk (琥珀朱绫). She is Zhang Xiaofan's unrequited first love, senior sister and stands up for him when he is bullied. However, the one she loves is Qi Hao. Zheng Guolin Song Daren () Senior disciple of Mt. Dazhu. He wields the Ten Tiger Sword (十虎). An honest and loyal man. Ding Yi Wu Dayi (吴大义) Second disciple of Mt. Dazhu. Ji Xiaobing Zheng Dali (郑大礼) Third disciple of Mt. Dazhu.Jiang Zhenhao He Dazhi (何大智) Fourth disciple of Mt. Dazhu. He possesses the magic weapon, Jiang Shan Pen (江山笔). Dai Zixiang Lu Daxin (吕大信) Fifth disciple of Mt. Dazhu. Li Ze Du Bishu (杜必书)Sixth disciple of Mt. Dazhu. He possesses the magic weapon, Shenmu Dice (神木骰). A lively and chatty man who likes to gamble with others.Mt. Longshou (龙首峰) Lu Xingyu Reverend Cangsong () Head of Mt. Longshou and the Disciple Hall. A spy and assassin for Lian Xie Hall, who tries to steal the Striking Blood Pearl from Zhang Xiaofan and attempts to kill him. He held great respect for Wan Jianyi, and resents Daoxuan for expelling the latter. Later, he is killed by Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu but before he dies, he destroys the last remaining magical stone that could revive Bi Yao. Chen Zeyu Qi Hao () Senior disciple of Mt. Longshou. He likes Tian Ling'er. Mt. Xiaozhu (小竹峰)Jiang Hong Shui Yue () Head of Mt. Xiaozhu. Su Ru's senior sister, Lu Xueqi and Wen Min's teacher. She is cold and strict. Ma Chengcheng Wen Min () Disciple of Mt. Xiaozhu. Song Daren's fiancée (wife) and Lu Xueqi's senior sister.Mt. Fenghui (风回峰) Zong Fengyan Zeng Shuchang () Head of Mt. Fenghui. Zeng Shushu's father. Li Yin Peng Chang (彭昌) Zhang Xiaofan's second competitor in the martial arts competition. Mt. Chaoyang (朝阳峰) Ge Ziming Shang Zhengliang () Head of Mt. Chaoyang. He was attacked by Xiao Yicai and his cultivation sucked away by him, and became gravely injured and fell into permanent unconsciousness. Lu Yulin Chu Yuhong (楚誉宏) Zhang Xiaofan's first competitor in the martial arts competition. Wang Leifang Kun Tiandou (申天斗) Mt. Luoxia (落霞峰)Wang Bin Reverend Tianyun (天云道人) Head of Mt. Luoxia.He died during the rebellion staged by Cangsong. Grandmaster Ancestral Shrine (祖师祠堂) Huang Haibing Wan Jianyi ()A mysterious old man residing at the Grand Master Ancestral Chamner, who guards the Zhu Xian sword. Ex-disciple of Mt. Tongtian. Hundred years ago, he was in a relationship with You Ji, but they could not be together as they were from opposing sects, and he was expelled from Qingyun sect. He later becomes Lin Jingyu's teacher.
Tian Yin Pavilion (天音阁) Actor Character Introduction Wu Yue Pu Zhi () One of the four reverent masters of Tian Yin Pavilion. Zhang Xiaofan's first teacher, who passed on Tian Yin sect's hidden skill to Zhang Xiaofan. Under the influence of the Striking Blood Pearl, he killed Zhang Xiaofan's entire village. Leon Lee A Xiang () Senior disciple of Tian Yin Pavilion. He possesses the Reincarnation Pearl (轮回珠). Zhang Xiaofan's good friend. He likes Ding Ling, whom he was engaged to since young. Guo Kaimin Pu Hong () Chief of Tian Yin Pavilion. One of the four great reverends of Tian Yin Pavilion. A Xiang's teacher. Liu Bo Pu Kong ()One of the four great reverends of Tian Yin Pavilion.
Ghost King Faction (鬼王宗) Actor Character Introduction Fu Chengpeng Archlord Ghost King () Head of the Ghost King faction. Bi Yao's father and Xiao Chi's husband. He is unpredictable, ambitious and crafty. He aims to unite the Demon sect. Xiong Naijin You Ji () One of the four messengers of the Ghost King faction: Zhu Que (朱雀”). Biological aunt of Bi Yao. She used to be in a relationship with Wan Jianyi, but the rivalry between their sects forced them to separate. Yang Xuwen Qing Long () Head of the four messengers of the Ghost King faction. He is highly skilled and possesses the Qian Kun Green Light Ring (乾坤清光戒). He is cruel and calculative toward his enemy, but fiercely loyal to the Ghost King. He is Bi Yao's big brother and a long time friend of Qin Wuyan. Liu Can Mr Ghost () A man of mysterious origins who was born in Fen Xiang Valley and later became a subordinate of the Ghost King. Also called Ghost Doctor (), he is knowledgeable and serves as the Ghost King's advisor.
Hundred Poison sect (万毒门)