I read the 1st edition in 60's
I read all the 2nd. edition volume,
haven't seen the 3rd. edition except the one in Simplified Chinese, I do not appreciate them.
To me, Simplified Chinese maybe alright for science, but for classical literature, no way.
It took me a while to read the 4 articles
I have the 2nd Edition Sets. I dunt mind some of the changes, but sometime the imperfect makes things perfect. Just like 天龍八部 新三版, they changed the ending as 段譽 didn't marry 王語嫣. 王語嫣's case is very realistic in 二版. She turned to段譽 after being 慕容復所棄. Which is quite reasonable, and it is not fair to compare 王語嫣 with 馬夫人 woh.
I still prefer the 2nd edition that 段譽 and 王語嫣 ended up together. I do think it's reasonable for girl to change like that... (i mean 王語嫣 turn away her passion from her cousin to 段譽).
And 段譽 remains faithful and end up together is just the perfect 童話式 ending in girl's mind la..haha
I guess the 3rd edition is more for "guys perspective"...when they 得到手, then passion started to die down...haha