Renegade Immortal, Xian Ni, Episode 108 review, Wang Lin, Qianqin, donghua 2025, xianxia anime, cultivation anime, Chinese animation.
仙逆 – Renegade Immortal (Xian Ni), adapted from Er Gen’s iconic xianxia novel, continues to enthrall viewers with its gripping narrative and stunning visuals. Produced by BUILD DREAM Animation Studio, known for its high-quality donghua work, Episode 108, released on September 30, 2025, introduces the captivating Qianqin, a character whose beauty and tragic circumstances have sparked intense fan discussion. This episode blends high-octane action, emotional depth, and the moral complexities of the cultivation world, centering on Wang Lin’s encounter with the Da Luo Sword Sect elders and his unexpected compassion toward Qianqin. While the episode shines in its animation and character moments, some novel fans criticize its simplified plot, particularly the omission of key characters like Guo Xingyi.
Episode 108 of Renegade Immortal centers on Wang Lin’s arrival in the Demonic North Realm, where the coveted Yaohuang Fruit Tree (耀金果树), a metallic spiritual treasure, becomes the focal point of conflict. The episode opens with Qianqin, a talented cultivator from the Random Gate Sect (随意门), being coerced by two powerful elders from the Da Luo Sword Sect. These elders, both at the Infant Transformation Stage (婴变期), overpower Qianqin, who is only at the Core Formation Stage (结丹期). They bind her with spiritual ropes, exploiting her knowledge of the Yaohuang Fruit Tree’s location to secure the treasure for themselves.
Qianqin’s plight is palpable. Her white dress, flowing yet practical, contrasts with her bound hands, emphasizing her vulnerability. The episode highlights a subtle design detail: her left shoulder is exposed, revealing smooth, pale skin, while her right shoulder is covered, creating an asymmetrical aesthetic that enhances her visual appeal. This small detail, paired with her long, elegant legs, makes her a standout character, drawing immediate attention from viewers.
As Qianqin reluctantly leads the elders to the Yaohuang Fruit Tree, tension builds. The elders’ motives are clear: they seek the Yaohuang Fruit, a rare treasure that enhances metallic spiritual roots, and they’re willing to kill to keep its discovery a secret. Qianqin, aware of her precarious situation, fears they’ll eliminate her once the fruit is secured.
Enter Wang Lin, the stoic and calculating protagonist. His arrival shifts the dynamic. Observing the situation, he quickly deduces the elders’ intentions and Qianqin’s unwilling role. The episode’s action sequence is a highlight, with Wang Lin engaging the two elders from the Infant Transformation Stage in a fierce battle. His sword techniques, infused with his signature ruthlessness, dominate the screen. The animation captures the fluidity of his movements, with glowing sword arcs and explosive spiritual energy illuminating the eerie landscape of the Demonic North Realm.
The battle concludes with Wang Lin decisively defeating the elders, likely killing them, though the episode leaves their fates slightly ambiguous to maintain suspense. This victory underscores Wang Lin’s growth as a cultivator, showcasing his ability to overpower opponents far above Qianqin’s level.
Post-battle, the episode slows to focus on Wang Lin’s interaction with Qianqin. Contrary to her fears of being silenced, Wang Lin shows compassion. He recognizes her as a victim of circumstance, not an enemy. In a pivotal moment, he gifts her a single root hair of the Golden Spirit Root (金灵根), a valuable fragment of the Yaohuang Fruit Tree’s essence. This act surprises Qianqin, who had braced for betrayal or death. The scene is understated yet emotionally charged, with Qianqin’s wide-eyed gratitude contrasting Wang Lin’s calm demeanor.
The episode closes with Wang Lin departing the Demonic North Realm, leaving Qianqin to reflect on her losses. Her companions, fellow sect members who joined her quest for the Yaohuang Fruit, were all killed in earlier skirmishes (though these events are only briefly mentioned in the donghua). Qianqin’s solitude is palpable as she exits the realm, her heart heavy with guilt over her fallen comrades. The cliffhanger teases her uncertain future and Wang Lin’s next steps, setting the stage for Episode 109.
Episode 108 balances action, character development, and emotional weight, though it stumbles slightly due to its simplified adaptation of the source material. The pacing is brisk during the battle, with Wang Lin’s confrontation unfolding over roughly half the episode. This keeps viewers engaged, but the rushed setup for Qianqin’s predicament feels abrupt. Her capture by the Da Luo Sword Sect elders is explained through minimal dialogue, leaving some viewers wanting more context about her journey to the Demonic North Realm.
The emotional core of the episode—Wang Lin’s decision to spare Qianqin and gift her the Golden Spirit Root—lands effectively, showcasing his moral complexity. However, the omission of key novel details, such as Guo Xingyi’s betrayal, dilutes the narrative’s depth. In the novel, Guo Xingyi’s actions add layers of intrigue and betrayal, which the donghua glosses over, making Qianqin’s isolation feel less earned.
BUILD DREAM Animation Studio delivers stunning visuals in Episode 108. The Demonic North Realm’s desolate, mist-shrouded landscape is rendered with muted purples and grays, creating a haunting backdrop for the action. The Yaohuang Fruit Tree, glowing with golden light, stands out as a visual centerpiece, its metallic sheen meticulously animated. Wang Lin’s swordplay is fluid, with dynamic camera angles capturing the intensity of his clashes. Compared to earlier seasons, the animation feels more polished, rivaling top-tier donghua like Swallowed Star or Perfect World in its action sequences.
Qianqin’s character design is a highlight, with her asymmetrical outfit and delicate features stealing the spotlight. Her white dress, flowing yet practical, mirrors her dual nature as both a talented cultivator and a vulnerable figure. The attention to detail in her shoulder design adds a unique flair, setting her apart from other female characters, such as Li Muwan.
The voice acting shines, particularly Qianqin’s portrayal. Her voice conveys a mix of defiance and fear, capturing her precarious situation without overplaying it. Wang Lin’s stoic delivery remains consistent, with subtle shifts in tone during his interaction with Qianqin that hint at his empathy. The soundtrack complements the episode’s tone, with ominous strings during the battle and softer, melancholic notes underscoring Qianqin’s departure. While not as iconic as Battle Through the Heavens’ sweeping orchestral score, the music enhances the emotional beats effectively.
Renegade Immortal Episode 108 weaves in xianxia staples like the pursuit of power and the moral dilemmas of cultivation. The Yaohuang Fruit Tree symbolizes the ruthless competition inherent in the cultivation world, where treasures spark betrayal and bloodshed. Wang Lin’s decision to spare Qianqin reflects Taoist principles of balance and compassion, contrasting with the Da Luo Sword Sect elders’ greed. Qianqin’s tragic arc—losing her companions and grappling with guilt—echoes the xianxia theme of sacrifice, where personal ambition often comes at a steep cost.
The Demonic North Realm, with its desolate aura, draws on Chinese mythology’s depictions of otherworldly realms, reinforcing the story’s cultural roots. Qianqin’s white dress, a nod to purity and elegance in Chinese aesthetics, contrasts with her perilous situation, symbolizing her inner strength amid vulnerability.
The donghua’s simplification of the novel’s plot has sparked debate among fans. In the source material, Guo Xingyi, Qianqin’s ally, betrays her by alerting the Da Luo Sword Sect elders, adding a layer of personal betrayal to her story. His eventual possession by Elder Shi Fang, who then negotiates with Wang Lin, is a pivotal moment that deepens the intrigue. The donghua’s omission of Guo Xingyi entirely flattens this subplot, reducing Qianqin’s arc to a straightforward victim narrative. While this streamlines the episode for new viewers, it alienates novel fans who expected a faithful adaptation. The absence of Shi Fang’s possession scene also means Wang Lin misses out on learning a rapid possession technique, a detail that could impact future arcs.
On Tencent, Bilibili, and Weibo, Chinese fans have mixed feelings about Episode 108. Qianqin’s debut has been a major talking point, with many praising her design and calling her “more captivating than Li Muwan.” Comments like “Qianqin’s shoulder detail is so unique!” and “Her white dress is pure elegance” highlight her visual appeal. However, novel fans expressed frustration over the simplified plot, with one Weibo user lamenting, “Where’s Guo Xingyi? His betrayal made Qianqin’s story so much sadder.” Others criticized the pacing, noting that Qianqin’s backstory was rushed, making her less relatable than in the novel.
On Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube, international fans are similarly divided. Qianqin’s beauty has sparked fan art and discussions, with Reddit threads like “Is Qianqin the new best girl?” gaining traction. However, novel readers on Twitter voiced disappointment, with comments like “Cutting Guo Xingyi was a huge mistake. The donghua feels too rushed now.” Some praised Wang Lin’s compassion, with a YouTube commenter noting, “Wang Lin giving Qianqin the Golden Spirit Root shows he’s not just a cold cultivator.” Speculation about Qianqin’s future is rampant, with fans theorizing she might reappear in a later arc, possibly seeking revenge or redemption.
Fans predict that Episode 109 will shift focus to Wang Lin’s next cultivation milestone, possibly exploring the aftermath of the Yaohuang Fruit Tree’s acquisition. Some speculate Qianqin could return, perhaps joining a sect allied with Wang Lin or seeking to repay his kindness. Long-term, novel readers expect her tragic arc to tie into larger themes of loss and redemption, though her low cultivation level suggests she won’t play a major role soon. The omission of Guo Xingyi and Shi Fang’s possession scene has fans worried that future novel subplots may also be cut, potentially altering Wang Lin’s development.
Renegade Immortal Episode 108 stands out in the xianxia donghua genre for its focus on character-driven moments amid high-stakes action. Compared to Soul Land, which emphasizes team dynamics and flashy battles, Renegade Immortal leans into Wang Lin’s solitary journey and moral complexity. The episode’s animation quality rivals Perfect World’s vibrant visuals, though it lacks the latter’s expansive world-building. Unlike Martial Universe, Battle Through the Heavens which often prioritizes romance, Episode 108 uses Qianqin’s brief appearance to highlight themes of sacrifice and survival, making her more than just a love interest. Wang Lin’s compassionate act sets this episode apart, offering a nuanced protagonist who contrasts with the more aggressive leads of other xianxia donghua.
Renegade Immortal is adapted from Er Gen’s novel, a cornerstone of the xianxia genre known for its philosophical depth and gritty realism. Budget constraints may account for the simplified plot. However, the novel’s Taoist influences—highlighting themes of balance, self-reflection, and the pursuit of immortality—are evident in Wang Lin’s actions and the mystical aura of the Demonic North Realm. Qianqin’s white dress and the metallic symbolism of the Yaohuang Fruit Tree draw on Chinese cultural aesthetics, where white represents purity and gold signifies spiritual refinement. Additionally, the xianxia trope of ruthless competition for treasures reflects historical Chinese tales of ambition and betrayal, grounding the story in cultural tradition.
Episode 108 of Renegade Immortal delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant chapter, with Qianqin’s debut and Wang Lin’s compassion stealing the show. The animation and action sequences are top-notch, and Qianqin’s design is a highlight, though the simplified plot disappoints novel fans. Pros include the compelling character moments and gorgeous visuals, while cons center on rushed pacing and omitted subplots. This episode is a must-watch for donghua fans, setting up intriguing possibilities for Wang Lin’s journey and Qianqin’s future. Despite adaptation flaws, it captures the heart of Renegade Immortal’s xianxia spirit, making it a strong addition to the 2025 season.
The episode count for Season 4 is still unconfirmed, but previous seasons typically had between 24 to 30 episodes. Based on the arcs of the novel, we can expect Season 4 to have around 20 to 26 episodes. Additionally, the existence of all 128 episodes confirms that updates can be made without any issues.
The donghua retains the novel’s core themes but simplifies subplots, like Guo Xingyi’s omission in Episode 108. This makes it accessible but frustrates novel fans.
Wang Lin is the central protagonist, joined by Li Muwan and new characters like Qianqin. Antagonists like the Da Luo Sword Sect elders drive conflict.
Try ‘A Record of Mortals’ Journey to Immortality’, ‘Swallowed Star’, ‘Soul Land’ for cultivation battles, Perfect World for stunning visuals, and ‘Tomb of Fallen Gods’ for xianxia drama. ‘Jade Dynasty’ offers similar stakes.
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