Dance of the Phoenix Episode 18 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Unaware that Jun Linyuan was currently undergoing punishment at the perilous Sky-reaching Terrace, Feng Wu was approached by Wu Youdao, who led her to the Library. Wu Youdao had observed Feng Wu searching for something, and although he couldn't directly provide answers, he suggested the books within might hold them. He explained that only the first floor was accessible to disciples, while the second floor was strictly off-limits.
He then gave her a key to the side door, allowing her free access, but emphasized she must not tell anyone, especially His Highness Jun. When Feng Wu questioned why Jun Linyuan was singled out, Wu Youdao revealed that their destinies were intertwined in a difficult path, and if they insisted on being together, it would bring immense misfortune. He urged Feng Wu to carefully consider her true purpose and not let romantic affections overshadow her original mission.
Later, a memory of her Master, Mu Jiuzhou, saying, "You are not you. Yet he is he," and reminding her to live well to discover her identity and reason for being there, flashed through Feng Wu's mind. Later that evening, as Feng Wu exited the Library, she noticed a figure slipping inside. She returned to investigate and discovered Yu Mingye attempting to access the forbidden second floor, but a protective barrier prevented him.
Yu Mingye, feigning innocence, claimed he was just "studying" to avoid falling behind and suggested they keep their presence there a secret. He then tried to persuade her to get late-night snacks, stating they were different from Jun Linyuan and his companions. Unbeknownst to them, Jun Linyuan, who had been searching for Feng Wu after his punishment, watched them from a distance.
He had visited Feng's Mansion earlier, asking her servant about her whereabouts and instructing them not to inform Mrs. Feng of his visit. Seeing Feng Wu safe, he quietly departed. Upon returning to her room, Zhao Ge informed Feng Wu that Jun Linyuan had been frantically looking for her, even turning the entire Junwu Academy upside down before going to Feng's Mansion to inform her family.
Zhao Ge urged Feng Wu to explain herself to Jun Linyuan the next day, as he had been very worried. Feng Wu agreed distractedly. In the following days, Feng Wu consciously distanced herself from Jun Linyuan. She reflected on Wu Youdao's warning about their "tough destiny" and did not want to bring disaster upon him.
Her spiritual guide, a bird, reinforced this, reminding her that her true purpose was to awaken her Master and leave this place, and warning that her own body might eventually change, creating an inevitable separation. Though she denied liking Jun Linyuan, the bird insisted she couldn't fool herself. Jun Linyuan, confused and hurt by her sudden coldness, confessed to Xuan Yi his nervousness about the upcoming Holy Queen's birthday celebration.
He hoped Feng Wu could perform with him before the Holy Sovereign and Holy Queen, believing it would ease the path to naming her his spiritual consort. Xuan Yi advised him to directly ask Feng Wu about her feelings, acknowledging the difficulty in understanding a girl's mind. Meanwhile, Holy Queen Gao's birthday celebration was approaching. She had planned for one male and one female disciple from Junwu Academy to perform the Double Swordsmanship created by Master Mu Jiuzhou.
While Jun Linyuan was the undisputed choice for the male role, Holy Queen Gao personally selected Zuo Qingluan as the female representative, clearly favoring her as Jun Linyuan's future spiritual consort. Jun Linyuan, however, opposed this direct appointment. He suggested holding a public challenge, arguing that a hasty decision would not be convincing and that the most capable disciple should be chosen.
Holy Queen Gao agreed but stipulated that if no one successfully challenged Zuo Qingluan, then she and Jun Linyuan would still perform. Mu Yao, harboring jealousy over Zhao Ge's continued closeness to Zuo Qingluan despite having left Celestial Palace, decided to stir trouble. Surrounded by other students who echoed her sentiments, she openly mocked Feng Wu as a "pathetic loser" and called Zhao Ge an "ungrateful traitor."
Zuo Qingluan, overhearing this, sternly warned Mu Yao not to speak ill of Zhao Ge, who was their Junior Sister. Ignoring the warning, Mu Yao later confronted Zhao Ge, calling both Feng Wu and Zhao Ge "pathetic losers" and cruelly suggesting Zhao Ge's mother had abandoned her. Enraged, Zhao Ge lashed out, but Mu Yao, claiming self-defense and using her superior spiritual power, severely injured her.
Xuan Yi and Feng Xun arrived, and Zuo Qingluan also intervened, preventing further harm, but Zhao Ge was already weak and fainted. Xuan Yi, furious, carried Zhao Ge away, vowing severe retaliation if anything happened to her. During the subsequent inquiry by Dean Ning and Supervisor Wu, Mu Yao insisted Zhao Ge had attacked first. However, two student witnesses testified that Mu Yao had been bullying Zhao Ge.
Supervisor Wu, invoking the academy's rules against bullying, sentenced Mu Yao to "confinement for seven days" for her actions and lack of repentance. Zuo Qingluan, accepting responsibility as the Senior Sister, offered to personally care for Zhao Ge until she recovered and promised to ask the Palace Leader to expel Mu Yao from Celestial Palace if she reoffended.
Feng Wu, however, was unwilling to let the matter rest, stating that Zhao Ge's injury was a fact that could not be undone by mere apologies or care. When the Dean and Supervisor suggested letting the matter conclude, Feng Wu declared she was "never a broad-minded person." She announced her intention to participate in the selection for the Holy Queen's birthday performance.
She explained that since Celestial Palace members proudly called Zhao Ge a traitor and lauded Zuo Qingluan's selection, she would challenge Zuo Qingluan to deny them their pride and seek justice for Zhao Ge in her own way. Zuo Qingluan, after sincerely apologizing again, accepted the challenge. The Dean agreed, setting the competition for three days later. With time running out, Feng Wu felt immense pressure.
Fellow students openly doubted her, noting the vast difference in cultivation levels between a Senior-rank Spiritual Practitioner like Feng Wu and a Great Spiritual Master like Zuo Qingluan, calling her challenge "looking for trouble." Feng Xun even suggested sabotaging Zuo Qingluan, but Xuan Yi quickly dismissed the idea, knowing Feng Wu would be blamed.
To help Feng Wu, Jun Linyuan took her to an ancient relic he had discovered as a child while flying around with his sword, a place he called "Skyland." He revealed that she was the only other person he had ever brought there.
Recognizing her cultivation was insufficient, he began teaching her the secret swordsmanship of the Junwu Clan, emphasizing that its power lay in intricate footwork rather than brute strength, offering her a chance to overcome Zuo Qingluan through technique. Though initially overwhelmed by the complexity, Feng Wu resolved to learn, declaring, "For Zhao Ge, and for you, I've got to win the competition!" Meanwhile, Zuo Qingluan visited Mu Yao in her confinement.
Mu Yao complained about her suppressed spiritual energy and pain. Zuo Qingluan sternly reprimanded Mu Yao for hurting Zhao Ge despite her repeated warnings not to, but Mu Yao still questioned why Zuo Qingluan continued to protect Zhao Ge after her perceived betrayal. Zuo Qingluan gave Mu Yao a Celestial Pill and comforted her.
