The grand historical fantasy drama “Sacred Tree Has Heart” is currently airing. Directed by Song Haibo and Ren Yingjian, it features Chen Jiahe, Zhou Yangyue, Mi Re, Pei Jiaxin, Bao Han, Liu Qiqi, and others in the leading roles.
The drama tells the story of a tumultuous era, where various forces vie for supremacy, and the Xueluo Clan's Saintess Xin Yue (played by Zhou Yangyue) possesses the divine vision to see the truth of the world. It is rumored among the nations that whoever possesses the Saintess shall possess the world. In this chaotic world, the kings of the various nations, the young King Guangye of Donglin (played by Chen Jiahe) attempts to bring an end to this era of chaos and bring peace to the people.
In this drama, the main characters are filled with a youthful spirit of determination. Whether it is King Guangye of Donglin or the Saintess Xin Yue who can perceive the will of heaven, they are both concerned for the world and fight for their country. The friendship between the main characters is sincere and heartfelt, which becomes even more precious in such turbulent times.
Furthermore, besides the Saintess Xin Yue, the drama also portrays a group of distinctive female characters such as Princess Qiu Yi of Nanchu, General Meng Yilang of Donglin, and the elder sister Xueying of the Snowfall Clan. They each possess their own charm, conveying both the passion of youth and adding much color to this legendary tale of young heroes.
01 Youth rise & idealistic journey
In “Sacred Tree Has Heart,” the concept of prioritizing national affairs is prominently portrayed. The seven nations of Donglin, Beirong, Nanchu, Dashang, Xiyu, Heishan, and Shanyi are embroiled in constant struggles. Some seek to dominate the world, while others strive to safeguard it, with the most evident contrast between Beirong and Donglin.
Due to the belief that “whoever possesses the Saintess shall possess the world,” the ambitious King of Beirong (played by Zheng Guolin) relentlessly pressures the Xueluo Clan to surrender the Saintess. He hopes to utilize her divine vision, which can see into the future, to achieve his ambition of unifying the world under Beirong's rule.
On the other hand, Donglin is a small nation in comparison, and it is even forced to send Princess Qingbai as a hostage to Beirong. Despite his youth, the restrained King Guangye of Donglin possesses the ambition to protect the world. He is steadfast in his desire to bring an end to this era of chaos and realizes his ideal of a world without war and famine for the people. He is a young man with lofty aspirations and unwavering determination.
While Guangye does not eschew the use of strategy and tactics, his mindset of selflessly serving the people stands in stark contrast to the ruthless approach of the King of Beirong. Driven by his unwavering dedication to “extend righteousness throughout the world,” Guangye embarks on the path of peace through strength. The audience witnesses a young man shouldering the destiny of his country, constantly growing on his journey forward.
Although Donglin is the weakest among the nations, King Guangye's ideals are the most admirable. In his pursuit of this noble ideal, he spares no sacrifice, embodying both the inspirational and patriotic spirit of youth.
“I seek freedom for all, and that freedom belongs to you as well.” These resounding words spoken by Guangye to Xin Yue depict his determination to rebuild the country for the people, and the fervent will to strive for greatness flows through his veins. What is even more remarkable is that this youthful spirit is not limited to him alone but is a shared consensus within Donglin.
His sister Qingbai (played by Zhang Wan'er) emerges to protect the safety of the Donglin people, willingly offering herself as a hostage. His younger brother Chenyang (played by Bao Han) and General Meng Yilang (played by Liu Qiqi) valiantly fight at the borders, resisting foreign invasions and safeguarding the tranquility of Donglin's people.
This group of passionate young individuals revolves around Guangye, dedicating themselves to the pursuit of their ideals, enduring and striving to ensure the peace and prosperity of the people of Donglin. These young heroes, adorned in vibrant attire, either display their might on the battlefield or craft strategies within the court, together creating an anthem of idealism in a turbulent era, a soaring ode to the youth.
02 Utmost sincerity friendship
If the theme of nation and family lays the foundation for “Sacred Tree Has Heart” on a macro level, then it is the profoundly genuine friendships in the drama that touch the audience from a micro perspective.
The most heartwarming storyline in the drama undoubtedly lies in the friendship among Tai Chu, Guang Ye, and Xin Yue. From initial wariness to mutual recognition and then to mutual assistance, their friendship possesses a rare sense of purity. This also indirectly explains why the small nation of Dong Lin repeatedly emerges victorious; it relies on such a compassionate heart. Only the benevolent can be invincible.
There is deep mutual assistance between Xin Yue and Tai Chu. When they were young, Xin Yue, the Saintess of the Snowfall Clan, would often water the Sacred Tree, Tai Chu, on the Eternal Snow Peak. Separated from her family and far away from the Xueluo Clan, the lonely Xin Yue regarded this tree as her best friend, confiding her thoughts and sharing her troubles.
After being forced to go to Beirong, when Xin Yue managed to escape a great fire, her first thought was still about the tree. And the Sacred Tree, sensing Xin Yue's danger, transformed into human form to help her out of her predicament. The good karma sown unintentionally in the past finally took root and bore fruit.
Although Tai Chu is a divine tree, he does not possess any arrogance. He believes, “I am just a tree in the mountains, no different from thousands of other trees. The passing of countless years has not changed me. I am just a tree.” Together, he and Xin Yue face the chaos, supporting each other and saving the common people.
When Xin Yue's eyes, which could see into the future, were harmed by Shang Guan Zui, Tai Chu even entrusted his most important bud to her. It must be emphasized that each tree only has one bud, so such a gift can be described as a sincere and weighty friendship.
They accompanied each other in childhood and redeemed each other in adulthood. In a world of great strife, everyone's destiny is beyond their control. Plots, schemes, and deceit are common occurrences. Therefore, such pure friendships become even more precious. Xin Yue's alignment with Guang Ye is based on their shared ideals.
As the Saintess, Xin Yue already possesses a kind heart. If her father, He Lan Da, had demanded that she stay in Dong Lin and assist the King as an external force, it was Guang Ye's lofty ideals that truly attracted her to remain.
Without this alignment of ideals, Xin Yue would never have stayed in Dong Lin for long, and the outcome would likely have been similar to her escape from Beirong. Under their shared ideals, the bond between Guang Ye, Xin Yue, and Tai Chu gradually deepened, becoming a friendship that is both moving and enviable.
Their joint efforts to save the world and resist the schemes of Beirong also align with the Confucian philosophy of “the benevolent love others.” This compassionate heart, which cares for all living beings, is essential for those who rule the world. Only through this can Guang Ye achieve the state of invincibility as a benevolent person and realize the ideal of “a world without weapons, and the people free from hunger and famine.”
03 Three key female characters
“Sacred Tree Has Heart” portrays a group of resilient female characters, each with a distinct personality and unique charm, but all with a sincere heart. They protect their families and defend their country, together weaving a tapestry of beauty in a chaotic world.
Undoubtedly, the position of Xin Yue is of utmost importance. As the saintess, she possesses insights into the world and a kind heart that cares for the people. In order to realize Guang Ye's ideals, Xin Yue strives to help Dong Lin. This is not only due to friendship, but also stems from her own nature.
Even with her sight impaired, her original intention remains unchanged. With unwavering determination, she relentlessly pursues her grand aspiration of protecting the people. This steadfastness makes her the most unforgettable female character in the entire drama.
As a princess of a nation, Qiu Yi does not confine herself to the palace, but fights for the survival of Nan Chu. In order to assist the king of Nan Chu and her ambitious younger brother, Qiu Yi risks her life by infiltrating Dong Lin Palace multiple times to assassinate Guang Ye, attempting to eliminate the crisis for Nan Chu. After reconciling with Guang Ye, she arrives at Dong Lin Palace as a princess to share the burden with Guang Ye, jointly confronting the covetous Beirong.
Qing Bai, possesses a strong heart beneath her petite figure. The Beirong covets Dong Lin, and in order to suppress its development, they plot to use Qing Bai as a hostage. Faced with the formidable external pressure and the safety of Dong Lin, Qing Bai volunteers to become a hostage in Beirong, saying, “If Qing Bai doesn't go, it will be difficult for my eldest brother, and the people will suffer.” Her motivation is her family and the people, without considering herself.
Even when Xin Yue tells her that she will die in the Beirong palace, Qing Bai remains resolute. This noble spirit of self-sacrifice is a reflection of her pure nature and a manifestation of her commitment to protecting the people.
Meng Yi Lang, with her heroic demeanor. As the leader of the Thirteen Tribes, she has never been defeated and is a legend on the East Sea. However, her true identity is unknown. In order to resolve her own concerns, she must bear the burden of a heavy past. Meng Yi Lang willingly decides to become the commander-in-chief of Dong Lin when King Guang Ye seeks cooperation. She gives up her carefree life in the East Sea and joins the military, embarking on a challenging path.
Faced with the invasion of the Beirong, Meng Yi Lang volunteers and takes the lead, charging into the battlefield and achieving a great victory against the Beirong. This act is inspired by Guang Ye's ideals and her own burdensome past. When Zhao Chen Yang, the Marquis of Dong Lin, declares that Fuzhou cannot be defended against the enemy's attack, Meng Yi Lang stands up and says, “Even if we cannot defend it, we must defend it.” This demonstrates her determination to fight to the end. Defending the city is her only belief, and as for life and death, she has long disregarded it, accepting death on the battlefield. Meng Yi Lang embodies a tragic and courageous spirit.
Xue Ying, is the daughter of clan leader Helan Da and the older sister of the saintess. After Xin Yue escapes, she bravely assumes the responsibility of the saintess and travels to the Beirong. Faced with Xin Yue, who has been thrown into the Prince's Mansion in the Beirong and blinded, she secretly takes care of her, remaining resolute and gentle, always fulfilling her duty as the elder sister.
Throughout the entire drama, there is no female character who is a mere decorative vase, waiting to be saved while sitting idle in the inner chambers. They are flesh and blood, blooming amidst the chaos. Numerous women engage in their own battles for their families and country, proving that this turbulent era is not solely a battlefield for men. The strength of women is fully showcased behind the scenes, highlighting its value.
With the response to the foreshadowing in the early stages, the plot of “Sacred Tree Has Heart” welcomes new suspense. Where will Guang Ye's ideals lead? What tests will Xin Yue, Tai Chu, and Guang Ye's friendship face? Will the ambitions of the King of the Beirong and Shang Guan Zui to control the world come to fruition? Continue watching the drama, the answers lie ahead.