Dance of the Phoenix Episode 1 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Life began on the Qianyuan Continent, where people revered cultivation. Only a select few born with natural talent could become cultivators. The Junwu Academy in the Capital was held in the highest esteem by all cultivators, with Penglai Pavilion in the East Quarter and Celestial Palace in the South Realm serving as its loyal subordinates. However, the Darknight Court in the West Region remained a deviant force, at odds with Junwu Academy and other sects that championed world peace.
Thirty years ago, demonic beasts ran rampant across the Qianyuan Continent, causing immense suffering to mortals. Mu Jiuzhou, the most powerful cultivator, led the various sects to subdue the beasts and establish an energy barrier. He entrusted the Junwu Clan with its governance, tasking cultivators with protecting the people from future demonic threats. Afterward, Mu Jiuzhou retreated from the mortal world to focus on his cultivation. Unexpectedly, he encountered an accident during his ascension to immortality, disappearing without a trace.
The star representing him also dimmed to a faint glimmer. Concurrently, Feng Wu, the legitimate daughter of the Feng family in the Capital, was born. Her birth caused a sensation due to her innate Phoenix Blood, making her the second person on the Qianyuan Continent, after Mu Jiuzhou, to possess such power. Twelve years later, little Feng Wu accidentally discovered a spirit ring. Within it, she encountered Mu Jiuzhou, now a ghost residing there after his failed ascension.
Feng Wu, who had long been mocked for being fatherless, desperately sought to enhance her spirit energy to protect her mother. She earnestly requested Mu Jiuzhou to teach her, vowing to use her powers only for good deeds. Mu Jiuzhou, recognizing her sincerity, agreed to take her as his apprentice, but on the condition that their connection remain a secret.
With her innate Phoenix Blood and Mu Jiuzhou's secret tutelage, Feng Wu's cultivation advanced rapidly, making her a celebrated genius in the Capital. However, her extraordinary talent also sowed seeds of jealousy in others. As Feng Wu was on the verge of a major breakthrough, Zuo Qingyun, a goddess from Celestial Palace, ambushed her, stealing her Phoenix Blood. Zuo Qingyun demanded that Feng Wu leave the Capital permanently, promising to spare her life in exchange for this pledge.
Feng Wu vehemently refused, leading to a fatal pursuit by Zuo Qingyun. Critically wounded, Feng Wu plunged off a cliff. Following this, Zuo Qingyun officially renamed herself Zuo Qingluan, proclaiming herself the only true Phoenix on the Qianyuan Continent, the "Blue Phoenix, Queen of Birds." Miraculously, Feng Wu was saved by Mu Jiuzhou, who injected his own Phoenix Blood into her, preserving her life. However, this was only a temporary measure.
To fully restart her cultivation, Feng Wu needed to consume the Nine Transformation Spirit Restoration Pill, which required the Celestial Fruit as a key ingredient. When Feng Wu regained consciousness, she suffered from amnesia, not recognizing Mu Jiuzhou or knowing her own identity. Mu Jiuzhou, understanding her new state, urged her to live well, to always be kind, and to avoid conflict with evil.
With that, the ethereal Mu Jiuzhou, now devoid of his Phoenix Blood, vanished into a wisp of white smoke. When others found Feng Wu, the former genius had not only lost all her cultivation but also experienced a complete personality change and memory loss, unable to explain the events that had transpired. As a result, she and her mother were exiled by her family to an old house on the border.
At this time, the mysterious link between Feng Wu and Mu Jiuzhou reappeared, the energy barrier developed cracks, and Mu Jiuzhou's representative star completely disappeared. This marked the beginning of a second life for an otherworldly soul now inhabiting Feng Wu's body. Three years passed quickly. Feng Wu, along with her mother and personal maid Qiu Ling, operated a medicine shop in Border City.
Despite the passage of time, Feng Wu still didn't know who she was or how she had arrived in this world. The only clue she possessed was the Celestial Fruit, which ripened only once every sixty years. Recently, she learned from Old Man Ba, an apothecary, that the Celestial Fruit was ripe in the Frozen Forest. Determined to make the Nine Transformation Spirit Restoration Pill and recover her identity, Feng Wu resolved to seek it out.
Meanwhile, in the Capital, Holy Queen Gao arrived to speak with Holy Sovereign, expressing concern for Crown Prince Jun Linyuan, who had already departed for the Frozen Forest. She worried about the dangers posed by the numerous fierce demonic beasts there, though Holy Sovereign assured her that Xuan Yi and Feng Xun were accompanying him. Holy Sovereign noted that Jun Linyuan, despite his young age, possessed the potential to become a Spiritual Elder, a talent not seen since Mu Jiuzhou.
He stressed the importance of obtaining the Celestial Fruit, as its essence could significantly boost his spiritual power, which was vital since the cracked energy barrier had emboldened demonic beasts. This would also deter the rebellious Darknight Court. Holy Queen Gao expressed hope that Jun Linyuan would successfully retrieve the Celestial Fruit to celebrate Holy Sovereign's upcoming birthday.
The following day, Feng Wu, still pondering a dream about her master urging her to seize this opportunity, disguised herself with a "Seaweed Black Pearl Powder" and set off for Yunlai Tavern, the last stop before the Frozen Forest, accompanied by Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling, witnessing the tavern bustling with cultivators, realized that many were likely also seeking the Celestial Fruit.
They overheard conversations about Jun Linyuan's impending arrival at the Border City and how his engagement to Feng Wu had been canceled three years prior, leaving Feng Wu labeled a "good-for-nothing." Qiu Ling reminded Feng Wu of her former glory as one of the Capital's "Two Phoenixes," a title she shared with Zuo Qingluan, who was now a leading candidate for Spirit Princess.
Feng Wu, still lacking her memories, simply remarked that it was good for her if Jun Linyuan found a new match. Soon after, a beggar who had been given food by Mu Yao, another disciple from Celestial Palace, suddenly collapsed with a seizure. Feng Wu instinctively stepped forward to treat him with silver needles, but Mu Yao, recognizing the technique as Mu Jiuzhou's, accused Feng Wu of charlatanism and tried to stop her. Just then, Zuo Qingluan arrived.
As the beggar regained consciousness, onlookers, witnessing Zuo Qingluan's presence, attributed the recovery to her. Zuo Qingluan, maintaining a benevolent image, gently chided Mu Yao for her earlier harshness, reminding her of their sect's teachings of universal compassion. While Zuo Qingluan inquired about someone named Zhao Ge, Mu Yao gently redirected her attention to their mission to assist Crown Prince Jun. Unrecognized by Feng Wu, Zuo Qingluan then distributed medicine, while Feng Wu silently collected her needles.
Suddenly, the Firecloud Giant Hawk, known to guard the Celestial Fruit, attacked Yunlai Tavern, sending everyone into a panic. Zuo Qingluan and Mu Yao activated the Celestial Palace's unique Ice Shield to defend themselves and others. However, the Hawk's fiery attacks eventually shattered the shield, endangering Feng Wu and Qiu Ling, who were hiding nearby. In a critical moment, Jun Linyuan made a dramatic entrance, saving them just in time.
He, along with Xuan Yi and Feng Xun, had been pursuing the Firecloud Giant Hawk for the Celestial Fruit. As the cultivators battled the Firecloud Giant Hawk and it began to weaken, the Dragon Phoenix Spirit Ring on Feng Wu's finger began to glow and vibrate. Attracted by the sound, the Firecloud Giant Hawk seized Feng Wu and carried her away.
