Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan a mysterious persona to hide his identity from Yalan Yan Ran in Season 4 to save her grandfather, the man who insisted on their marriage in Season 1. In this season, we focus mainly on the Xiao Yan's redemption after using an ultimate lotus move consuming the last of his Master's soul power putting him in a deep sleep. He redeems himself and finally understands the words of his Master at the Alchemist Conference when an unexpected guest threatens the safety of him an puts the Jiangi Empire's reputation at risk.
Story: 6/10
Compared to Season 1, Battle Through the heavens has come a long way and improved in many aspects including its story. The story seems to have more suspense and meaningful plot development than before which was a surprise. The arcs are lengthy in season 4 which drags the Alchemist Conference build up and execution to the end of Season 4. Unfortunately, the result is delaying the 3 year agreement between Yan Ran and Xiao Yan which reflects my lower rating despite the narrative being more defined.
Art & Sound: 7/10
Whoever redesigned the characters and scenes in Season 2 to 4 needs a raise. Battle Through the heavens Season 2 to 4 has more satisfying character design revamping Xiao Yan and other characters so they aren't like bootleg Disney characters. The detail and animation is much better and realistic even more than before.
Sound design in this season specifically has improved, now background music is used correctly to invoke fear and suspense. This is more prevalent in the Alchemist Conference arc where Han Li does something something evil or when he corners Xiao Yan after the preliminary round.
Character: 7/10
Having Xiao Yan disguise himself as Yan Xiao and diving head first into the Yalan family to cure the grandfather added more depth into the character development. We see both sides of the story through the grandfather and can finally see through the perspective of this Yalan Yan Ran. Surprisingly, Yalan Yan Ran is a righteous person but her hypocritical and narcissistic personality glooms the story. When Xiao Yan disguises himself, he reflects her personality back at her (Yalan Yan Ran) and seeing her upset is very satisfying since she thinks she's not wrong in denying Xiao Yan.
Overall: 7/10
I was going to give his an 8/10 but I agree with the few people in saying that the season was dragged out to set the stage for the 3 year agreement. The 3 year agreement could have set a better premise in Season 4 within 3 episodes but instead we get a somewhat unnecessary buildup in the last 2 episode of the season.
