Dance of the Phoenix Episode 15 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Feng Wu, determined to acquire the Water Sky Vase from Jun Linyuan, tried everything from preparing breakfast and massages to crafting small gifts. However, Jun Linyuan remained unmoved, steadfastly insisting that she pass the Junwu Academy entrance examination before he would grant her wish. Feng Wu was so frustrated by his obstinacy that she even refused her favorite Phoenix Tea, much to the concern of her maids.
Zhao Ge, seeing Feng Wu's distress, proposed they invite her to the annual Xianyang Bazaar at the capital gate for a change of scenery. Qiu Ling enthusiastically agreed to suggest this to Feng Wu. While exiting Feng Wu's room, Qiu Ling and Zhao Ge encountered Xuan Yi. Zhao Ge, having fully recovered her original appearance after being cured of her poisoning, was no longer the plump girl Xuan Yi had briefly met when he saved her from bullies.
To her delight, Xuan Yi immediately recognized her. He playfully remarked that while other girls smelled of rouge, Zhao Ge had a unique scent, like "preserved fruit, almond, melon seed cake. . . and honey." Zhao Ge, flustered, thanked him for his past kindness.
Xuan Yi explained he was there to request Feng Wu's help in drawing a chart of acupoints and meridians as a birthday gift for his grandfather, Spiritual Elder Fang, who had an interest in various branches of study. Qiu Ling, noticing Zhao Ge's burgeoning feelings for Xuan Yi, subtly invited him to join them at the bazaar. Xuan Yi accepted, and Qiu Ling went to inform Feng Wu, who told them to proceed without her, promising to follow shortly.
At the bustling Xianyang Bazaar, Qiu Ling bought three green glaze stones, believed to offer protection from demonic beasts, intending to give one each to Feng Wu, Zhao Ge, and Madam Feng. Zhao Ge, secretly enamored with Xuan Yi, purchased an additional stone and shyly offered it to him. Xuan Yi accepted, though his reaction did not clearly indicate whether he understood her feelings. Soon after, Feng Wu arrived and was happily greeted by Qiu Ling.
Suddenly, a panicked horse burst through the crowd, causing chaos. A worker tumbled from a ladder, about to fall on a small child. Without hesitation, Feng Wu threw herself forward to shield the child. Before the worker could hit the ground, an old man in a straw hat, later revealed to be the Ageless Child, Spiritual Elder Wu Youdao, swiftly intervened, using spiritual energy to protect the worker and then subdue the frantic horse, averting a larger disaster.
Wu Youdao then advised Feng Wu to "deal with the root of the problem" before risking her life, lest she "get herself killed." Meanwhile, Holy Queen Gao, already aware of Wu Youdao's arrival in the capital to become the new Supervisor of Junwu Academy, had prepared a grand welcome at the city gate. She had also brought Zuo Qingluan, hoping Wu Youdao would take her as a disciple.
However, due to the market incident, Wu Youdao proceeded directly to Junwu Divine Hall, forcing Holy Queen Gao to return to the palace without meeting him. At the Divine Hall, Holy Queen Gao attempted to flatter Wu Youdao by asking him to demonstrate his spiritual arts, but he politely declined, claiming his methods were merely "small tricks" and he was unqualified to showcase them before her.
Spiritual Elder Fang, Xuan Yi's grandfather, interjected to support Wu Youdao, warning Holy Queen Gao against pressuring him. Afterwards, Spiritual Elder Fang privately advised Jun Linyuan that Wu Youdao was a stubborn and principled man, and any attempt to overtly recruit him would be counterproductive, suggesting they "wait and see." Zuo Qingluan also approached Wu Youdao, praising his heroic actions at the bazaar and formally requesting to become his disciple.
Wu Youdao recognized her use of Celestial Palace techniques and refused, explaining he had no desire to owe Celestial Palace a favor or get involved in unnecessary conflicts, stating he was merely a "sinecure" guarding the academy's library. Later, Feng Wu's off-screen master revealed to her that Junwu Academy was founded by Lord Mu, Jun Linyuan's previous incarnation, and that entering the academy might be a necessary step in her quest to find the Star Shards.
Shortly after, Jun Linyuan arrived at Feng Wu's residence. He adopted a softer approach, acknowledging his previous insistence on the exam was "inconsiderate." He reasoned that recent events should have made it clear that Junwu Academy was the most effective path to significantly improve her spiritual energy. Feng Wu, who responded better to gentle persuasion, conceded that she indeed needed to strengthen her spiritual power and accepted the necessity of the exam.
Jun Linyuan, having anticipated her agreement, promptly presented her with a large stack of books, confidently assuring her that memorizing them would guarantee her success in the written examination. Meanwhile, Xuan Yi invited Zhao Ge to study together for the Junwu Academy entrance exam. Zhao Ge expressed her self-doubt regarding her cultivation talent, but also her strong desire to enter the academy with him and Feng Wu.
She asked for a word of encouragement, and Xuan Yi offered her a poetic well-wish for success. Visibly flustered, Zhao Ge wished him good luck in return. Seeing her reaction, Xuan Yi promised to grant her one wish if she successfully passed the exam. Zhao Ge was overjoyed but decided to keep her wish a secret until that day came. Feng Wu, struggling with her studies, received a visit from Yu Mingye.
He informed her that Wu Youdao, Spiritual Elder Fang, and Dean Ning of Junwu Academy were all old friends, and surprisingly, so was Old Man Ba, who had previously helped Feng Wu refine elixirs. Yu Mingye also mentioned that Spiritual Elder Fang and Wu Youdao frequently bickered. Seizing this opportunity, Feng Wu drew a chart of acupoints and meridians.
She first presented it to Wu Youdao, flattering him with fabricated praises from Old Man Ba, calling him a "resolute, straightforward, extremely gifted man" and an "exceptional genius." A pleased Wu Youdao accepted the chart. Feng Wu then went to Spiritual Elder Fang, indignantly claiming that Wu Youdao had "forcibly taken" the chart she drew specifically for him, arguing they "don't differentiate between each other."
Infuriated, Spiritual Elder Fang stormed off to confront Wu Youdao, accusing him of being a "robber." Their argument quickly escalated into a spiritual energy battle, during which Feng Wu, from a hidden vantage point, meticulously observed their techniques. She realized the "checkerboard" Wu Youdao had been studying was actually a "spirit energy map" and, by reciting a chant, learned critical cultivation insights, using their rivalry to secretly advance her own spiritual power.
Holy Queen Gao, still intent on controlling Wu Youdao, hosted a banquet and sent her nephew, Gao Wei, to invite him. However, Wu Youdao politely declined, stating he had "paperwork to do." Enraged by his repeated defiance, Holy Queen Gao decided that if she could not control Wu Youdao, she would "destroy him." She dispatched Gao Wei and a team of shadow guards to eliminate him, explicitly stating he must not serve Jun Linyuan if he would not serve her.
Gao Wei, knowing Wu Youdao's formidable spiritual power, ambushed him using "magic incense," a colorless and odorless substance that rendered Wu Youdao unable to use his spiritual energy without causing severe internal damage. Despite his weakened state, Wu Youdao valiantly fought back, managing to escape the initial assault. However, Wu Youdao was eventually cornered in a deserted street and wounded by a poison dart from Darknight Court, flung by Gao Wei.
Fortuitously, Jun Linyuan and Xuan Yi happened to be passing by. They had been discussing the persistent presence of Darknight Court members since the Frozen Forest and Jun Linyuan's suspicion of a traitor within the Junwu clan, realizing he needed external help like Wu Youdao to address this threat. They quickly intervened, fighting off Gao Wei and his shadow guards, forcing them to retreat.
Jun Linyuan and Xuan Yi brought the injured Wu Youdao to Feng Xun's residence, where Jun Linyuan personally extracted the poison. Wu Youdao, profoundly grateful for his rescue, acknowledged Jun Linyuan's desire for his support. Yet, he stated he was too old and weary of conflicts, and despite believing Jun Linyuan would be a benevolent ruler, he wished to remain out of the power struggles, asking for Jun Linyuan's understanding.
Jun Linyuan accepted his decision, affirming that he understood it was merely his "wishful thinking." Wu Youdao then advised Jun Linyuan to remain resolute and prioritize the people's interests, assuring him that this path would lead the Junwu Clan to peace and prosperity. Jun Linyuan accepted his counsel and assured Wu Youdao that he was safe at Feng Xun's residence and should rest and recover.
