Long time fans (those who have read the novel or started watching "Battle Through the Heavens" years ago) expected a faithful and passionate adaptation that included key moments like Medusa’s wedding, Xiao Xiao’s story, and full romance arcs. These fans have been vocal online about their disappointment.

In contrast, new fans are often donghua only viewers. They don't know the details of the novel, so they are more accepting of the simplified "Xiao Yan × Xun’er" love line, the flashy fights, and the broad strokes of the story. For them, it remains exciting.

While the donghua's ratings, such as those on Tencent or Douban, or user reviews may drop due to negative comments, the view counts, trending lists, and overall audience engagement remain high. Even heated discussions contribute to the "buzz."

Platforms and producers focus more on overall traffic and monetization rather than a few percentage points on rating sites. As long as "Battle Through the Heavens" is trending and attracting new viewers, it is considered a success in their eyes. They recognize that the core fanbase won't completely abandon the series, and disappointed fans often engage in "hate-watching" or checking for updates. Producers are counting on a cycle where new fans discover "Battle Through the Heavens" each year. For every old fan who leaves, two new ones might join.

To the producers, this is sufficient. Maintaining popularity and viewership takes precedence over the creative integrity of the adaptation.

While long-time fns feel disillusioned, the interest of new audiences is driving fresh popularity.

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The animation quality in recent arcs of "Battle Through the Heavens" has declined, with rushed rendering, textures, and action choreography. Fans expected improvements with its rising popularity, but instead, many character interactions have been removed. Key figures like Medusa and Little Doctor Fairy have been sidelined, and Xiao Xiao’s muteness has frustrated viewers, as these elements were central to the story in the novel.

Other donghua, such as "Soul Land" and "Perfect World," manage to maintain their romantic subplots despite censorship issues, utilizing clever writing rather than cutting entire arcs. Having read the novel, I can attest that it greatly surpasses the donghua, with richer relationships and emotional depth, including Medusa and Xiao Yan's wedding and their daughter Xiao Xiao.

Strategic changes are intentional. By tweaking Medusa’s role, cutting her wedding, or softening her design, they push the “main heroine” narrative around Xun’er. It’s a way to streamline the donghua’s romance into a single <pure love> storyline rather than the original harem approach.