After more than ten episodes of build-up and anticipation, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" exploded with the male and female leads entering the volcanic island to search for the martial arts manual left by Qiao Beiming.
This segment of the plot contained two intertwined storylines.
The overt storyline was the conflict between good and evil, with Jin Shiyi and others battling the demonic sect leader Meng Shentong for the martial arts manual. They engaged in a contest of wits and strength, remaining evenly matched until each side snatched half of the manual and departed.
The covert storyline was a battle between two women for one man. Li Shengnan, due to Jin Shiyi's wavering emotions, frequently became jealous and clashed with Gu Zhihua. Jin Shiyi found himself caught between the two women, unsure of how to choose.
Jin Shiyi's battle of wits and strength against Meng Shentong kept the audience enthralled.
After so many years, they rediscovered the feeling of watching dramas in their childhood, the authentic taste of wuxia.
However, what truly ignited the heat surrounding "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was the debate over Li Shengnan and Gu Zhihua's status as the female lead.
In reality, for anyone who had read the original novel, the question of who was the female lead was virtually settled.
Both Li Shengnan and Gu Zhihua were considered female leads, with no distinction between primary and secondary roles.
But when a novel was adapted into a television series, the situation changed.
Due to differing preferences, men tended to enjoy games and anime, while women were more inclined towards dramas and variety shows.
Consequently, 80% of the audience for film and television dramas were women.
This also explained why young male stars were more likely to become popular than young female stars.
Women not only enjoyed watching dramas and variety shows but also loved reading romance novels.
As is widely known, no matter how many excellent men appeared in a romance novel, the male lead was always singular.
Whom the female lead liked, and with whom she ultimately ended up, determined who the male lead was.
Similarly, in female-dominated television dramas, there was only one male and one female lead.
Even in wuxia dramas that focused on the male protagonist, they generally recognized only one female lead; whoever the male protagonist liked was considered the female lead.
Yet, in the current drama, two female leads, one representing good and the other evil, appeared simultaneously.
Gu Zhihua was as delicate as a spring stream, yet possessed an inner resilience like reeds, with a kind heart and dignified demeanor. She was both a lady of a renowned family and a chivalrous heroine of the righteous path.
Li Shengnan was passionate like fire, intelligent and beautiful to a heart-stopping degree, competitive and possessive, loving and hating boldly. She was devoted to love and could sacrifice everything for the person she loved.
One was a secluded orchid, the other a fiery rose; like moonlight and cinnabar, it was truly, truly difficult to choose.
Although Guan Suyin favored the character of Li Shengnan, believing her to be the soul of the drama, she did not forget Gu Zhihua.
Li Shengnan, portrayed by Jiang Ling, was dazzlingly beautiful, making it exceedingly difficult to find someone who could match her in appearance.
Therefore, Guan Suyin, considering Gu Zhihua's personality, cast a temperament-focused actress.
This actress's facial features, at first glance, were rather ordinary. Her eyes, nose, and mouth did not exhibit striking beauty.
However, when combined, they created a remarkably captivating presence, becoming more charming and appealing the longer one looked.
She was like a blooming jasmine flower, not particularly eye-catching, its faint fragrance only discernible upon closer proximity.
Due to the debate over the female lead, the audience descended into endless arguments.
One side championed Gu Zhihua, the other Li Shengnan.
The factions were evenly matched, engaged in a heated dispute, with neither side able to convince the other.
Those who supported Gu Zhihua believed that as a lady of a renowned family, she would undoubtedly make a good wife and mother if she were with the male lead.
The pursuit of a virtuous wife favored a maiden like Gu Zhihua.