A Mortal’s Journey [Season 4 Episode 172: Return to Tiannan]

Yo, what’s up anime crew? Today we’re diving into A Mortal’s Journey Season 4 Episode 172—Return to Tiannan! If you’re a fan of cultivation donghua with heart-pounding battles and nostalgic throwbacks, this episode is a must-watch. Let’s break it down, no major spoilers (promise—just enough to get you hyped).

First, let’s get the basics straight: this series is produced by Original Force and Wan Wei Mao Donghua, and it’s been killing it since 2020—dropping new episodes every Sunday on Bilibili, each 18-22 minutes of pure cultivation chaos. Episode 172 is part of the Return to Tiannan arc (the 20th episode of that arc, to be exact), and it’s all about Han Li’s latest hurdles on his quest for immortality.

The star of the show here? Han Li’s first-ever full Nascent Soul-level battle. Yeah, you heard that right—this isn’t some small fry fight. He’s going up against a Moulan spell warrior packing a peak-grade barrier and vicious spirit arts that’ll make your jaw drop. The animation in this scene? Chef’s kiss. Bright, fluid movements, flashy spell effects, and that epic background music that makes your heart race faster than Han Li when he’s dodging a demon’s attack. You can tell the animators poured their souls into every punch and incantation—this is the kind of battle you’ll rewind three times just to catch all the details.

But it’s not all fights and flash. There are some real emotional beats here too. Remember that old friend Han Li had from Season 1? The one with the bell? Well, he runs into him in a tea house during this episode—and twist: the friend isn’t the same person anymore. He’s been taken over by a demon sect member who lost his physical body in battle, and get this—he even has a family now. Wild, right? Fans are split on this callback: some say it’s a nostalgic gut punch, others think it’s a bit sudden, but I love how it ties Han Li’s past to his present. It’s a reminder that even immortals can’t outrun their history.

Then there’s the 10-year time jump everyone’s talking about. Some fans hate it—saying it ruins the flow of the show. I get the frustration; skipping a decade can feel jarring if you’re binging. But honestly? Time jumps are a smart move here. They let the story move fast without dragging things out, and they show how the world has changed while Han Li was off on his adventures. Plus, it sets up new arcs (like finding his old colleagues) that’ll keep us hooked for weeks.

Another thing that makes this series stand out is how it treats mortals. In most cultivation shows, regular people are just background noise, but here? They have actual feelings. When Han Li walks into a village, you see awe, fear, even a little jealousy in their eyes. It’s small details like that that make the world feel real and lived-in. One fan pointed this out too—saying it’s a rare touch in the genre, and I totally agree. It’s the difference between a generic fantasy world and one you can almost step into.

Now, the Mo family arc—let’s talk about it. Some fans are tired of it, saying it never went anywhere and want it wrapped up. I kinda feel the same way. Don’t get me wrong, it had its moments, but it’s been dragging on for a while. Fingers crossed the writers tie it up soon so we can focus on Han Li’s main quest for immortality again.

Overall, Episode 172 is a solid addition to the series. It’s got everything we love: epic battles, emotional callbacks, and a few surprises that’ll leave you scrolling for fan theories afterward. The animation is top-tier, the story is engaging, and it leaves you craving more. If you’re a long-time fan, you can’t skip this. If you’re new? Start from the beginning (it’s worth every minute!), but this episode gives you a taste of why this show has such a loyal fanbase.

And hey—since it’s on Bilibili with multilingual subtitles, you don’t have to worry about missing out if you don’t speak Chinese. That’s a win for international fans like me.

So, what did you think of Episode 172? Did the battle scene blow your mind? Were you confused by the time jump? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your takes. And don’t forget to tune in next Sunday for the next episode—who knows what chaos Han Li will get into next?

Until then, keep watching and stay awesome! 🎬✨