Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu, Vol. 5 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù – [Review]

What’s the Buzz about this book?

In Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu, Volume 5, we delve deeper into the ghostly world. Characters from the first book appear once more, and the focus of the book is the “last ghost Standing, first Love Blossoms.” (Back Cover) Continuing from Volume 4, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng deal with the opening of the ghostly mountain, Mount Tonglu, as the competition for the new appearance of a ghost king begins. The Heavenly realm tasks Xie Lian with dealing with the ghost most likely to become ghost king. While the ghost mountain is not good for heavenly officials, Xie Lian has an ally, Hua Cheng.

Of course, the journey to the Kiln won’t be easy. Hua Cheng is hunted by Heaven’s Eye (a cultivator) and seems to have regressed to a child. He remains the same mentally, but he is so tiny. Adding to the cuteness, shrinking also affects Eming. Xie Lian is excited to care for Hua Cheng and equalize their relationship.

Familiar faces appear! Due to the opening of the Mountain, ghosts are convening on the location. The fetus’s spirit and its mother appear to cause problems. So Qi Rong and his human son, a less crazed Xuan Ji make problems. We see Ban Yu, Little Pei, and General Kemo appear. Adding to the pot, we add General Pei and his angry former general/broken sword. So many problems and so many people are flitting in and out of the book.

A mystery also arises. As Hua Cheng and Xie Lian (plus company) continue on their walk to the Kiln, they come upon a Crown Prince of Wuyong temple with very cryptic murals. Concerned about the content, Xie Lian starts to see connections between himself and the nameless Crown Prince. The murals hint at a mysterious crown prince who rises to fame and when destruction falls upon his people, that prince opens the gates of the heavenly realm and leads his people there! A problem for another book but still mysterious.

Hua Cheng may be small, but he is not harmless. He retains his killing aura and his need to protect Xie Lian. In one scene, a group of ghosts come upon our boys and to protect themselves, Xie Lian tries to pretend to be a puppeteer. In a twist of fate, Xie Lian ends up being the puppet and Hua Cheng is the puppeteer … a protective puppeteer that won’t let anyone touch his puppet. (ha ha ha)

The volume does not solve the Mount Tonglu ghost king competition, but the group does get closer. We learn about General Pei’s ascension and we meet the Rain Master. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian grow closer throughout this book, even going as far as Xie Lian almost telling Hua Cheng that his most trusted person is the Ghost King across from him. We end on a cliffhanger. Who is the person changing/ destroying the murals surrounding Mount Tonglu?

Favourite Quote(s):

” Xie Lian quickly crouched behind Hua Cheng to hide, much to the annoyance of the ghost women.

“What, are you going to say that your puppet also has a bad temper and doesn’t like other people touching him? he looks nice!”

Hua Cheng reached out and lifted Xie Lian’s chin. “His temper is certainly nice, but mine is bad. No one but me can touch the things I love.”
Page 103

Book Information:

Book Title: Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu, Volume 5

Author: Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

Summary:

“LAST GHOST STANDING, FIRST LOVE BLOSSOMS

Ghosts are converging on the cursed Mount Tonglu for a massive battle royale, the sole survivor of which may become a Ghost King, a being of unimaginable power. Xie Lian is sent to secretly infiltrate and try to prevent this–by destroying any ghosts strong enough to stand a chance.

His heavenly powers are weakened near the cursed mountain, but he has one trump card on his side–Hua Cheng, who has survived Mount Tonglu before. As they struggle against murderous ghosts and the mountain’s strange defenses, Hua Cheng’s knowledge of the area may prove invaluable. But can they even begin to unravel the cursed peak’s secrets?” (As pulled from GoodReads)

Book Length: 465

Genre: Danmei, Fantasy Romance, LGBTQ2S+, Light Novel, Xianxia

Series: Heaven Official’s Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu

Spice Level ( If applicable): 0 / 5

Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10

Spoilers Bee-ware!

You have been swarmed. Reading past this post means that you understand that you might spoil the book for yourself.

Stats + Facts:

There are 19 chapters.

There are 13 illustrations, with my two favourite illustrations on pages 105 & 243.

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