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sid_guardian2025-09-25 07:45 am
Poll: The Sundial and the Box (drama)
What is the deal with the little metal box in Li Qian's grandmother's couch cushions?
the Shadow Man was hiding in it??
4 (30.8%)
it's a portal to Dixing
0 (0.0%)
the Shadow Man just happened to be lurking at Li Qian's house, looking for the Sundial, and sprang out the moment Changcheng opened the box
0 (0.0%)
Li Yufen used to keep the Sundial in the box, and it still smells of Hallow
8 (61.5%)
the Shadow Man recognised it as Hallow-adjacent, and that's why he pounced
5 (38.5%)
it smells of weed, and that's why the Shadow Man pounced
1 (7.7%)
it's an ancient artefact made of leftover meteorite
2 (15.4%)
it's just an ordinary cute little box, and the Shadow Man collects them
1 (7.7%)
other
0 (0.0%)
Where did Li Qian’s grandmother get the Longevity Dial?
she had an affair with a Yashouren who took her to the Yashou Market, where she picked it up at a charms & jewelry stall (she has an interesting past)
3 (23.1%)
she had an affair with a Dixingren who gave it to her as a token of their star-crossed love (she has a tragic past)
1 (7.7%)
she found it while burying a body in her garden (she has a dark past)
1 (7.7%)
she found it while hiking in the mountains, near where the Mountain-River Awl was found (she has an outdoorsy past)
7 (53.8%)
other
4 (30.8%)
When the SID sees Li Qian wearing the Longevity Dial, Lin Jing brings up a 3D model of the Dial on his computer. Where did the computer model come from?
free with Windows 10
1 (7.7%)
bundled with a particular flavour of Linux
4 (30.8%)
the Hallows don't want to be forgotten, so they send periodic reminders across space and time – like Netflix!
5 (38.5%)
a mysterious source (Shen Wei) provided detailed schematics on paper, and Lin Jing digitised them
6 (46.2%)
a mysterious source (Zhang Shi) created the computer models from memory
5 (38.5%)
other
0 (0.0%)
How do you solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
4 (33.3%)
How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
4 (33.3%)
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
6 (50.0%)
other
5 (41.7%)
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I think the box is where the Sundial used to be kept, and it left some of its Hallows energy behind. (I love that you put that as "smells of Hallow", hee!) But the meteorite option does make me wonder if there are more things other than the Hallows that were made of meteorite metal, and if they're also weirdly powerful or if that's something unique to whatever Ma Gui did when he made the Hallows.
For how Li Yufen got the Sundial, I vote she inherited it from her grandma, who had a very interesting past. (And the Hallows, when they disappeared from Dixing, time-travelled and all appeared in random places at random times in history.)
The model is the one that I really don't have a consistent theory or headcanon for. But all the options are hilarious! "Free with Windows 10" indeed! Hallows pop-up reminders! :D
If I think about it more seriously, Shen Wei or Zhang Shi are both reasonable options for where the schematics came from - they both have a vested interest in the Hallows being found - but if so, I don't think Lin Jing digitised them. He wouldn't do that for no reason, and if he thought it was important, Zhao Yunlan would have heard about it. So if either Shen Wei or Zhang Shi are the source, I think it's more likely it happened earlier, prior to Zhao Yunlan's tenure, so there's a reason he doesn't know. For Shen Wei, I think he'd only have provided the info early on before he gave up on cooperating with the SID, and I guess Zhao Xinci could have insisted Lin Jing's predecessor digitise it, since intel from the Envoy has to be assumed to be important. Or Zhang Shi could have made Lin Jing's predecessor digitise some schematics from a book he himself provided (or wrote). And Lin Jing then found them when he took over and poked through the SID's computers while setting up his own stuff.
Alternate theory, though: since Zhu Hong knows the Hallows and she's friends with Lin Jing, maybe she's the one who brought in some Yashou tome, and they played around with digitised models for fun? And since they were slacking off, of course neither of them mentioned it to Zhao Yunlan. *g*
(Oops, I think I just accidentally convinced myself that that's what happened! *g*)
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But the meteorite option does make me wonder if there are more things other than the Hallows that were made of meteorite metal, and if they're also weirdly powerful or if that's something unique to whatever Ma Gui did when he made the Hallows.
I always wonder if ZYL's gun is the fifth Hallow. (I have that being the case in a couple of long-standing my WIPs.)
Shen Wei or Zhang Shi are both reasonable options for where the schematics came from - they both have a vested interest in the Hallows being found
True -- though do you think Shen Wei wants the SID to find them? I suppose he might have originally trusted the SID to return the Hallows to Dixing, before the relationship soured...
And Lin Jing then found them when he took over and poked through the SID's computers while setting up his own stuff.
That makes the most sense to me. He seems to know they exist, but not be familiar enough with them to recognise the Dial immediately himself.
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!!! I don't think I've ever heard of this idea before, and now I'm all YES?!! :D
"He seems to know they exist, but not be familiar enough with them to recognise the Dial immediately himself."
Oh yep, this probably proves that he's not the one who digitized them.
(Now I randomly thought 'what if he did recognize it immediately' and started to wonder if any of this could have anything to do with Lin Jing theoretically being a spy, but I have absolutely no idea if it could or how. xD)
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It would at least explain where it came from, if not how Zhao Xinci got it. (I presume Zhang Shi arranged for it to end up in his hands...)
Now I randomly thought 'what if he did recognize it immediately' and started to wonder if any of this could have anything to do with Lin Jing theoretically being a spy, but I have absolutely no idea if it could or how. xD
Yeah, I don't know either. I prefer to think Lin Jing is being genuine -- he does bring up the schematics as soon as Zhu Hong mentions the Longevity Dial. :D
(Omg, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: your icoooonnnnnn!!! aldkfas;lkdfjas;dflkj)
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Yep, I didn't even think he wasn't genuine, just 'what if it took him a moment to decide what to do about this' but idk why it would happen so probably not. :D
"(Omg, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: your icoooonnnnnn!!! aldkfas;lkdfjas;dflkj)"
:D :D :D Ikrrrr,
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My theory/headcanon (that I've used in this fic) is that it's like the box - it's made from material that was exposed to the Hallows over a long time, and has been affected by them. So many options to play with! *g*
I suppose he might have originally trusted the SID to return the Hallows to Dixing, before the relationship soured...
Yeah, that was my thinking.
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Ooh, I like that one! I liked all the proposals that china listed, too.
"Free with Windows 10" indeed! Hallows pop-up reminders! :D Right?! LOLOLOL I chose the Linux one because, let's face it, Lin Jing is probably a snob about operating systems and would want to use one that he can
tinker with obsessivelyoptimize for efficiency.Alternate theory, though: since Zhu Hong knows the Hallows and she's friends with Lin Jing, maybe she's the one who brought in some Yashou tome, and they played around with digitised models for fun?
Hee hee hee!!! I can totally see this happening!!!
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:D :D :D :D :D
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Hee hee hee!!! I can totally see this happening!!!
Hee! :D
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Same! :D And now I'm thinking it sounds like radioactivity, lol.
"But the meteorite option does make me wonder if there are more things other than the Hallows that were made of meteorite metal, and if they're also weirdly powerful or if that's something unique to whatever Ma Gui did when he made the Hallows."
Ma Gui definitely did something imo, but I'm loving the idea that the metal itself is powerful! Even if the objects were less powerful than the actual Hallows, they'd still be very cool. :D
"And the Hallows, when they disappeared from Dixing, time-travelled and all appeared in random places at random times in history."
Oooh, very neat explanation, and a lot less handwavy than just rolling with it! :D
"For Shen Wei, I think he'd only have provided the info early on before he gave up on cooperating with the SID, and I guess Zhao Xinci could have insisted Lin Jing's predecessor digitise it, since intel from the Envoy has to be assumed to be important. Or Zhang Shi could have made Lin Jing's predecessor digitise some schematics from a book he himself provided (or wrote). And Lin Jing then found them when he took over and poked through the SID's computers while setting up his own stuff."
Exactly what I was thinking, the Shen Wei explanation in particular!
"Alternate theory, though: since Zhu Hong knows the Hallows and she's friends with Lin Jing, maybe she's the one who brought in some Yashou tome, and they played around with digitised models for fun? And since they were slacking off, of course neither of them mentioned it to Zhao Yunlan. *g*
(Oops, I think I just accidentally convinced myself that that's what happened! *g*)"
I am so sold on this theory now too, haha. :D Especially because it includes Zhu Hong, and extra SID shenanigans too! :D
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Ooh, I wonder if this is how Lin Jing developed his tracking technology (like in ep 13, when he calls to say something's happening at the wedding). :D
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Yeah, a bit like that! *g*
(Or like the magic leaking out of Unseen University in Discworld.)
Ma Gui definitely did something imo, but I'm loving the idea that the metal itself is powerful!
Yeah, I always assumed that the material was half of why they're so overpowered, but agreed that Ma Gui definitely did something that accounts for the other half. *g*
Oooh, very neat explanation, and a lot less handwavy than just rolling with it! :D
Yay! :D
I am so sold on this theory now too, haha. :D Especially because it includes Zhu Hong, and extra SID shenanigans too! :D
LOL! SID shenanigans FTW! \o/
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:D :D YES! :D
"Yeah, I always assumed that the material was half of why they're so overpowered, but agreed that Ma Gui definitely did something that accounts for the other half. *g*"
Hee, that's such a neat way to phrase that! :D
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I always kind of assumed the box was Hallows/Meteorite adjacent in some way but that there was also a little POtP (Power Of the Plot) involved with the shadow man popping up when he did.
As for *how* the family got the dial in the first place? How any of them ended up where they did never made much sense to me and since they never tried to explain it I just assumed we were supposed to roll with it and not think about it too hard. I like the idea it was just randomly found somehow though.
The 3D model is a good question - especially since ZYL didn't seem to know about them. I chose the nexflix-ish answer because maybe the hallows or someone seeded the computer with info like the way the library was seeded with importantly relevant books (like the Kunlun one that shows up later) that make themselves known when the info is needed?
As for how to solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan, you find a word that means Zhao Yunlan: a flibbertigibbet, a will-o'-the-wisp, a Kunlun.
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Yeah, I think there's definitely narrative causality at play, but I honestly have no idea if the box itself is special. I like the idea of it being adjacent -- I wonder if it has any powers.
How any of them ended up where they did never made much sense to me and since they never tried to explain it I just assumed we were supposed to roll with it and not think about it too hard.
I don't think anyone knows. They were either stolen or lost (the latter of which might include them wilfully misplacing themselves). Maybe Ye Zun mind-controlled someone into getting rid of them, hoping that it would weaken his pillar? Or maybe they just got restless and wanted to see more of the world? ;-p
I chose the nexflix-ish answer because maybe the hallows or someone seeded the computer with info like the way the library was seeded with importantly relevant books
The Hallows are so mysterious, this seems quite plausible to me. :D
you find a word that means Zhao Yunlan: a flibbertigibbet, a will-o'-the-wisp, a Kunlun.
LOLOL, exactly! :D :D :D
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Oooh, I like how you link the schematics with the books - what a cool idea!!!
As for how to solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan, you find a word that means Zhao Yunlan: a flibbertigibbet, a will-o'-the-wisp, a Kunlun.
BAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!!!
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Yeah, it's a concept from the novel that even the novel itself has handwaved away, so I think any explanation (or lack thereof) is as good as any other?? :D
"I chose the nexflix-ish answer because maybe the hallows or someone seeded the computer with info like the way the library was seeded with importantly relevant books (like the Kunlun one that shows up later) that make themselves known when the info is needed?"
It's unexpectedly my favorite option too! It's so plausible to me - the Hallows can do so much that messing with a computer really wouldn't be a big deal for them. :D
"As for how to solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan, you find a word that means Zhao Yunlan: a flibbertigibbet, a will-o'-the-wisp, a Kunlun."
PERFECT omg!! :D :D :D :D *grinning like a silly person*
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(If it does smell of Hallows, you'd think Lin Jing would want to study it!)
I don't know about Li Yufen's backstory with the Sundial, but I kind of want fic for all those options.
I'm attributing the schematics to Zhang Shi while he was working at the SID. He's Ma Gui's student, so he knows they'll be important, and I feel like if Lin Jing had anything to do with them being in the system, then Lin Jing would have recognised the Sundial pendant when/before Zhu Hong did.
The only one equipped to solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan is Shen Wei, end of story. ;-)
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As I said, it's never occurred to me before, but I like this idea and this is a very good argument, hah - maybe they'll just put the Dial back in the box and he won't have to do anything. ;D
"The Shadow Man keeps hold of it all through the fight with CSZ, only dropping it just before he leaves. I'm so confused. :-)"
I'm confused by this part too - why is holding onto it? (Now I remembered that this made me think that the Dial was actually inside the box during my first watch. :P)
"If it does smell of Hallows, you'd think Lin Jing would want to study it!"
Maybe he did? :D
"I don't know about Li Yufen's backstory with the Sundial, but I kind of want fic for all those options."
Hee, that would be wonderful, especially the Yashou Market one. :D
"I'm attributing the schematics to Zhang Shi while he was working at the SID. He's Ma Gui's student, so he knows they'll be important, and I feel like if Lin Jing had anything to do with them being in the system, then Lin Jing would have recognised the Sundial pendant when/before Zhu Hong did."
Ooh, all very good points! (Is there any explanation/theory why Zhu Hong recognizes it first?)
"The only one equipped to solve a problem like Zhao Yunlan is Shen Wei, end of story. ;-)"
:D :D :D This is beautiful! :D (Damn, I love this question, the comment replies are A+++. :D)
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I figured it's for the same reason that she knows about Fu You when no one else seems to - Yashou traditions/history.
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Or hurt anyone. Exactly!! :D
I'm confused by this part too - why is holding onto it?
Maybe he's so surprised by the fight that he just forgets to let go?
Maybe he did? :D
True -- or maybe the SID never join the dots.
(Damn, I love this question, the comment replies are A+++. :D)
Hee! Yes! I am loving all the answers. :D :D :D
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I'm still so fascinated that that idea never even occurred to me until you mentioned it!
he has to be lurking somewhere -- why not the exact place where they usually keep the Hallow?
Hee! Yeah, that does make some sense. I almost wish it did look to me more like he came out of it! (I looked at it frame by frame, too, LOL. This show!!!!!)
If it does smell of Hallows, you'd think Lin Jing would want to study it!
But does anyone know that at this point? CSZ doesn't look like he's paying any attention to it, so maybe his sense of smell is bad. *g*
I feel like if Lin Jing had anything to do with them being in the system, then Lin Jing would have recognised the Sundial pendant when/before Zhu Hong did.
Eh, I have no issue with him not immediately recognising something he never saw IRL before, that seems very normal to me.
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Same! *high five*
"CSZ doesn't look like he's paying any attention to it, so maybe his sense of smell is bad. *g*"
LOL! :D I was wondering if CSZ could tell that it was special, but I assume that the Shadow Man only could because he was specifically looking for the Dial.
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Hee!
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(Ahhhh, your icon! <333)
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Eee, thank you! When I first got into the fandom, I mostly made myself icons for Da Qing, Guo Changcheng, Chu Shuzhi, and of course Guo Changcheng AND Chu Shuzhi. Of late I've come to appreciate ALL the characters (thanks in part to discussions on this community!) and I've been gradually adding more icons to represent more of them.
I spotted some nice images when I was scrubbing through all the eps looking for Lin Jing moments for the vid, and I've made a few from those (including the one I'm using for this reply), and now I'm seeing even more possibilities in
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It's never occurred to me before that the Shadow Man could have been hiding in the box (I saw this conversation elsewhere here tho :D I generally read even the comments that I don't have time to answer, lol), so I'm still voting for 'that's where the Dial was, he can sense it', but it is such a fun option, why not. :D (What was he waiting for - for someone to put the Dial back in the box? :D)
I adore the Yashouren option, it's my favorite one, and I also voted for hiking because it's really cute to me for some reason. :D All of them are so fun though! (And also she might have inherited it. But I like these options better! :D)
Re: the 3D model, I'm assuming the SID has had for a while and originally got it from the Envoy? But idk. I also voted for Hallows reminders, lol, because they can do much more complicated things than creating and sneaking in a computer file. :D I'm not even really questioning why Lin Jing knows it's there and Zhao Yunlan doesn't (Lin Jing is the one on the computer all the time :P), but I wonder why Zhu Hong is the first one to recognize it? (This is from the novel, but in the novel she's reading from a book. Though now I'd need to check if she recognizes it before looking it up in a book - possibly!)
And the last poll is flawless (and what a fantastic screencap choice for it!! :D), but also this problem doesn't need solving. :D
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Damn, I don't remember that at all. Why is my memory such a sieve????
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I checked now and "I thought of something" is a similar vibe to the drama version - she knew something about this, even if it wasn't much - but other than that she's only reading from a book. (“You managed to find something about that old sundial?” Zhao Yunlan asked. / “Mm-hmm—actually, when you mentioned the old sundial this afternoon, it made me think of something.” She bent over and took an old, thread-bound account book from a drawer. “I borrowed this from the Netherworld. You can take a good look through it when you have time. Legend has it that the first of the Hallowed Artifacts from the Netherworld is called the Reincarnation Dial.”)
(Just went and got me a Zhu Hong icon, lol. :D (by
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Oh right, I remember that part!
And I agree, "I thought of something" definitely sounds like she was already aware of the Sundial's existence or something. I assume that's where the drama writers got this particular puzzle piece from. *g*
(And yay Zhu Hong icon! :D
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Yes, or a clue. Or maybe he was having a catnap. (Boxes are the best place for that, as we know. ;-)
I also voted for Hallows reminders, lol, because they can do much more complicated things than creating and sneaking in a computer file. :D
Ha, so true!
but also this problem doesn't need solving. :D
Also 100% trufax. :D :D :D
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