Is Pursuit Of Jade Losing Its Spark? Fans Debate Episode 25 Chemistry.

Pursuit Of Jade Episode 25: Why Fans Think Tian Xi Wei Is Outshining Zhang Ling He In The Latest Twist.

Episode 25 is finally here, but fans aren’t just talking about the plot. Is the chemistry between the leads failing, or is it just getting real?

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The Chemistry Crisis In Pursuit of Jade Episode 25

The wait is finally over for fans in Mumbai and across India as the clock strikes 11 am IST this Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Pursuit of Jade has officially hit its stride with the release of Episode 25, but the buzz isn’t just about the war. It’s about the vibes. Or lack thereof. While the drama has been a juggernaut on streaming platforms, a vocal section of the fandom is now questioning if the fire between the leads is starting to flicker out.

The show has been a monster hit since its premiere.

On Tencent Video, it smashed through the 28,000 popularity index mark within days. It even became the fastest drama of 2026 to hit major milestones on iQIYI. But as we dive into the second half of the series, the initial excitement is being replaced by a heated debate. Is the romance between Fan Chang Yu and Xie Zheng actually romantic, or is it just… convenient?

Why Fans Are Calling The Lead Romance Stale

The internet loves a slow burn. We all do. But there is a thin line between a slow burn and a cold one. In the latest episodes, viewers have noticed that Tian Xi Wei’s chemistry with the villains seems more electric than her scenes with Zhang Ling He. It’s a strange phenomenon.

According to data tracked on the Guduo Popularity Index and initial reports from Sina.com, Zhang Ling He’s character, Xie Zheng, surpassed 100 million in character popularity on day one. Yet, the comments on social media are telling a different story today.

Some fans are brutally honest. They feel the “parting kiss” in earlier episodes lacked a certain spark. One viral Reddit thread even suggested that the lead pair’s interactions feel more “formal than familiar.” It’s a tough pill to swallow for a drama that had 4 million pre-release reservations. The “calm” nature of their love is being interpreted by some as a lack of effort. They want wild eyes. They want frantic movements. Instead, they are getting a measured, realistic portrayal of two people trying to survive a civil war.

The Great Acting Divide: Tian Xi Wei Steals The Show

There is no denying that Tian Xi Wei is carrying the emotional weight of this series right now. Her portrayal of Fan Chang Yu, the butcher’s daughter with a hidden past, has been praised for its grit. She isn’t just a damsel. She is a warrior. However, this strength is making some viewers feel that Zhang Ling He is being left in the shadows. He is handsome. Very handsome. But is he expressive enough?

The contrast is becoming a major talking point in Indian fan groups. Many compare his performance here to his previous work in The Best Thing, where his chemistry with Xu Ruohan was considered legendary. In Pursuit of Jade, he plays a fallen noble who is slow to trust. While this makes sense for the character, it is testing the patience of an audience used to high-octane C-drama passion. The reality is that the show’s director, Zeng, is known for “period idol dramas” that focus on aesthetics, but here, the cinematography is almost outshining the actors.

The production value is top-tier. The sets feel lived-in. The lighting is natural. Even the fake snow on Tian Xi Wei’s face looks real. But you can’t build a masterpiece on lighting alone. The industry is currently watching to see if the “marriage of convenience” trope can successfully transition into a “battlefield reunion” without losing the audience’s interest. If the chemistry doesn’t pick up by the finale, Pursuit of Jade might be remembered more for its record-breaking start than its emotional finish.

Is It A Flop Or Just Mature?

Honestly? I think the fans are being a bit dramatic.

We are so used to “toxic” or “over-the-top” romance that when a show gives us a mature, steady partnership, we call it boring.

Zhang Ling is playing a man who has lost everything. He isn’t going to be doing heart-eyes every five seconds. That said, Tian Xi Wei is clearly the MVP here. Her “Main Character Energy” is off the charts, and if Zhang doesn’t step up his game in the next few episodes, he might just become a very pretty background prop.

This isn’t a flop, it’s just a different kind of love. It’s a slow, realistic grind. Whether that’s enough to keep the 2026 record-breaking streak alive is the real question.

Barkha Jha – Journalist

Original Source: First reported as a trending topic on the Guduo Popularity Index and expanded upon via fan discussions on the r/CDrama community.

Question For You: Do you think Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei have enough spark to carry the war arc, or are you only watching for the politics now? Let me know in the comments!