The Journey of Chongzi Episode 1 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
In the ancient past, when heaven and earth first formed, all living things multiplied, creating the six worlds. Among them, the God World established the Six-world Monument, which upheld the world's order and peace and represented its rules and truths. However, 30,000 years ago, the God World was destroyed. The Nanhua Sword Clan then took the lead in the Immortal World to guard the Six-world Monument.
Meanwhile, the Demon World, long ravaged by turbid energy, plotted to overturn the existing order, establish new rules, and make the world a dominion of demons. Following the destruction of the God World, the war between immortals and demons never ceased. Demon King Ni Lun summoned all the demons to invade Nanhua through the Tongtian Portal, intent on destroying the Six-world Monument. The Nanhua Sword Clan, led by Celestial King Yunqiu, valiantly resisted, but at a heavy cost.
In the end, with the sacrifice of Ni Lun's wife, Shui Ji, Celestial King Yunqiu utilized the ultimate method to defeat Ni Lun, perishing alongside him. Subsequently, Celestial King Yunqiu's disciple, Sage Chonghua Luo Yinfan, inherited his master's mantle and became the new head of the Immortal World. Though Ni Lun's physical body was destroyed, a trace of his demonic power infused Ni Lun's sword. The Immortal World sealed this demon sword deep beneath Kunlun Mountain.
The Tianmo Token, capable of summoning countless demons using demonic blood, was sealed within the Nanhua Patriarch's Hall to prevent any future calamities. Fourteen years later, the remnants of the past cataclysms had faded, and a semblance of life returned to the ravaged lands. In a town nestled outside the mountains, life was peaceful. As dusk fell, tea houses and taverns filled with guests, and the occasional sighting of an immortal was not uncommon.
One day, a young beggar girl, Chongzi, was caught stealing a steamed bun and was brutally beaten. The men tormenting her scoffed that even immortals couldn't save her. At that moment, Luo Yinfan and his friend Chu Bufu were having tea nearby. Chu Bufu commented that people only remember immortals in desperation and that they, as immortals, should merely fulfill their duties.
He noted that Luo Yinfan had refined the Wufang Pearls while he was off to retrieve the demon sword, indicating their respective important tasks. Hearing Chongzi's cries, Luo Yinfan was moved. Chu Bufu remarked that being blindly compassionate might not always be a good thing. Luo Yinfan intervened, saving Chongzi. She, covered in grime and blood, felt an immediate kinship with the white-clad Luo Yinfan and asked if he was an immortal come to save her.
Luo Yinfan, with a compassionate gaze, silently cleaned her hands and face with a flick of his sleeve and bid her to rest, causing her to fall into a magical sleep. Chongzi awoke the next morning, surprised to find herself alive and unharmed. Initially believing it was a dream, she then discovered a delicate cake in her hand, confirming that the encounter with the immortal had been real. Soon, other arrogant beggars tried to snatch her cake.
Chongzi clung to it, enduring their blows, but as she was about to be overwhelmed, a powerful, unseen force struck the bullies, sending them scrambling away in fear, crying "Monster!" Just as the chaos subsided, Chu Bufu appeared. Chongzi, though grateful for his presence, immediately realized he was not the first immortal she had met, despite his similar appearance and demeanor.
Chu Bufu gently cautioned her, affirming that it was right to fight back against bullies, but warned her against harboring harmful intentions. He then drew a protective talisman on her palm, assuring her that no one would dare bully her again. Chongzi then expressed her fervent desire to become an immortal. Chu Bufu explained that to cultivate immortal bones, one must first cultivate a kind heart.
He also informed her that Nanhua Mountain was currently recruiting disciples and encouraged her to try her luck. He then departed, remarking that the fearlessness in Chongzi's eyes reminded him of a friend whose views diverged from other immortals. Chongzi, despite her hunger, followed Chu Bufu's teachings of kindness and shared her precious cake with her friend Dou and another beggar. Later, when the bullies returned to torment them, the talisman on Chongzi's palm activated, frightening them away once more.
Chongzi realized that the immortal had indeed kept his promise. That night, however, she noticed the talisman had inexplicably vanished, leaving her puzzled. The next morning, Dou accompanied Chongzi to bid her farewell. Dou had used all her savings to buy Chongzi a Dingsheng cake, wishing her success on her journey to Nanhua Mountain. Dou reminded Chongzi not to be looked down upon due to their humble origins.
As Chongzi walked away, an unseen observer watched her departure and later reported to Wang Yue. Meanwhile, news reached the Nine Heavens that Chu Bufu, a disciple of Changsheng Palace, had stolen a demon sword, murdered the Palace Lord and three thousand disciples, and defected to the demonic path, alarming all the immortal sects. Councilor Sage Min Yunzhong of Nanhua assembled the disciples and declared Chu Bufu expelled from the Immortal World.
He commanded them to immediately set out to capture Chu Bufu and retrieve the demon sword, regardless of his fate. Luo Yinfan, known as Yinfan to Min Yunzhong, suspected there was more to the story. He declared he would personally investigate the matter and would not spare Chu Bufu if the accusations proved true. Min Yunzhong cautioned Luo Yinfan against emotional judgment, acknowledging their close friendship.
It was revealed that Luo Yinfan had once used the Qi of Beidou to refine the Wufang Pearls, and Chu Bufu had previously led three thousand disciples to Kunlun to escort the demon sword. Luo Yinfan found it hard to believe his long-time friend could commit such heinous acts.
On the day of Nanhua Mountain's disciple recruitment, Chongzi arrived, her tattered clothes a stark contrast to the well-dressed children of noble families, who mocked her for even daring to seek immortal cultivation. Soon, the sound of horses' hooves heralded the arrival of Qin Ke, splendidly dressed and riding a tall horse. His mother, stepping out of a luxurious carriage, handed him a letter from his father to deliver to Sage Tianji (Yu Du).
The other noble children looked on with envy. Chongzi, however, scoffed, accusing Qin Ke of using his parents' influence to enter the Immortal World. Qin Ke's expression darkened, but he refrained from arguing due to his noble status. Just then, the Ninth Princess, Sima Miaoyuan, arrived, openly displaying her affection for Qin Ke. She too intended to join the Immortal World, following him.
Qin Ke and Sima Miaoyuan, both from high-ranking families, regarded Chongzi with disdain, but Chongzi fiercely retorted, refusing to be intimidated. Suddenly, a booming sound echoed across the mountain. Everyone looked towards the mountain gate to find the entire mountain had transformed into an impossibly deep chasm, with a perilous stone bridge spanning to the other side, overgrown with countless vines. Some rushed onto the bridge, only to fall into the abyss.
The Immortal Sages, it became clear, had set these trials not to harm but to test the aspiring disciples. Many were eliminated, but Chongzi, Qin Ke, and others successfully passed the first stage, arriving at a three-sided lake with freezing water and no boats. During this stage, Chongzi and Sima Miaoyuan continued their bickering. From the Immortal Palace, Luo Yinfan observed them, remarking on Chongzi's fiery temper.
As the aspirants puzzled over how to cross the lake, stones began to emerge from the water, shifting unpredictably. A wrong step meant no return. Qin Ke remained composed and skillfully identified the stable stepping stones. Chongzi, fearless, repeatedly helped Sima Miaoyuan when she faltered. Their exceptional aptitude caught the attention of Councilor Sage Min Yunzhong and Sage Tianji (Yu Du), who noted Chongzi's daring spirit.
After successfully crossing the lake, the group continued through a forest of ancient trees, surrounded by an auspicious aura, almost forgetting the dangers until a formidable white tiger blocked their path. Chongzi, seeing Sima Miaoyuan's fear, bravely stepped forward, urging the others to run while she faced the beast. Though calling Sima Miaoyuan annoying, she vowed not to let her die.
