Dance of the Phoenix Episode 19 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Jun Linyuan intensely trained Feng Wu for her upcoming match against Zuo Qingluan, even imparting to her the unique sword techniques of the Junwu Clan. Meanwhile, Zuo Qingluan, confident of her victory, focused her worries on Zhao Ge’s recovery. She privately arranged to enter the detention room to confront Mu Yao, whose spiritual power was greatly suppressed. As Mu Yao pleaded for help, Zuo Qingluan slapped her, angrily accusing her of disregarding her words and harming Zhao Ge.
Mu Yao tearfully apologized, expressing her confusion about why Zuo Qingluan still protected Zhao Ge despite her actions. Zuo Qingluan sternly told Mu Yao that her persistent stubbornness had damaged the Celestial Palace's reputation and caused trouble for innocent people. Though upset, Zuo Qingluan still showed mercy due to their shared sect, promising to manage the situation outside while Mu Yao remained in the detention room to reflect for a few days.
As Zuo Qingluan left, Mu Yao called out to her Senior Sister, but Zuo Qingluan was already caught in her own turmoil, resentful that all her efforts to care for Zhao Ge seemed unappreciated, as Zhao Ge's heart was only with Feng Wu. After leaving the detention room, Zuo Qingluan visited Zhao Ge, who was being cared for by Xuan Yi. Zhao Ge was awake but not fully recovered.
She expressed a strong desire to watch Feng Wu's match against Zuo Qingluan, acknowledging the significance of the competition for Feng Wu, who had trained tirelessly day and night. Zhao Ge confessed to Xuan Yi her conflicted feelings, explaining that her own lack of talent led her mother, the Leader of the Celestial Palace, to place all her hopes and burdens on Zuo Qingluan.
Xuan Yi, concerned about Zhao Ge's severe injury, gently dissuaded her from attending, promising to relay the match results instead. Zhao Ge lamented her uselessness, feeling inadequate in her cultivation and unable to even cheer for Feng Wu. Xuan Yi encouraged her to strive harder and get well. However, Zuo Qingluan, overhearing Zhao Ge's fervent hopes for Feng Wu’s victory, felt a pang of resentment. " This match means a lot to Feng Wu?
But it also means a lot to me," she thought, "Feng Wu, why do you always get everything I want so easily?" This moment further intensified Zuo Qingluan's long-standing jealousy and hatred for Feng Wu, especially given her own struggles with integrating the Phoenix Blood she possessed. The highly anticipated match between Feng Wu and Zuo Qingluan commenced with an official reminding the combatants that it was merely a friendly exchange between schoolmates, to be stopped before causing harm.
Each participant wore a ribbon on their arm, and the first to lose their ribbon would be deemed the loser. Thanks to Jun Linyuan's rigorous and secret training, Feng Wu displayed astonishing progress, skillfully matching Zuo Qingluan's every move, a rare feat that surprised the onlookers. Some audience members noted the unusual parity between a high-rank spiritual practitioner and a Great Spiritual Master, while others asserted that Senior Sister Zuo Qingluan hadn't yet unleashed her full power.
Feng Xun remarked to Jun Linyuan that Feng Wu's sword techniques looked familiar, and Xuan Yi quickly recognized them as the unique swordsmanship of the Junwu Clan. Realizing she had underestimated Feng Wu, Zuo Qingluan abandoned the pretense of a friendly spar. With a chilling taunt about regretting not ending her completely before, she unleashed the advanced spiritual technique "Ice Bird," freezing half of Feng Wu's body and aiming for a fatal blow.
As Feng Wu's Phoenix Sword proved ineffective against the ice, a fiery phoenix burst from within her, saving her life. At that critical moment, the Colored Phoenix residing in her Dragon Phoenix Spirit Ring revealed to Feng Wu that her lost Phoenix Blood was held within Zuo Qingluan's Ice Bracelet. Seizing a moment when Zuo Qingluan was momentarily caught off guard, Feng Wu quickly removed Zuo Qingluan’s ribbon, winning the match.
Before Feng Wu could confront Zuo Qingluan for the Ice Bracelet, Holy Queen Gao dramatically arrived, stopping their struggle. When Feng Wu bravely declared that Zuo Qingluan possessed her Phoenix Blood within the Ice Bracelet and pleaded for the Holy Queen's judgment to reclaim it, Holy Queen Gao dismissed her claim, stating that the Ice Bracelet was a gift from herself to Goddess Zuo.
She insinuated Feng Wu was mistaken and cautioned her against slandering a schoolmate, then turned to leave with Zuo Qingluan, instructing Feng Wu to focus on practicing her sword dance with Jun Linyuan for the upcoming birthday celebration.
In the immediate aftermath, Feng Wu, still reeling from the Holy Queen's intervention, desperately asked Jun Linyuan, Feng Xun, and Xuan Yi if they believed her claim about the Phoenix Blood, even as Yu Mingye, who had stayed behind to offer comfort and a special plaster for her wounds, stood by her side.
Zhao Ge, torn between her loyalty to Feng Wu and her long-standing relationship with Zuo Qingluan, hesitantly stated that while her Senior Sister had always wanted to surpass Feng Wu, she didn't believe Zuo Qingluan capable of such a thing. Yu Mingye openly mocked Jun Linyuan and his companions for their silence, questioning why they wouldn't defend Feng Wu against the Holy Queen's authority.
He sarcastically suggested that if they wouldn't act, then he would wait until Feng Wu sought his help. Despite his public silence, Jun Linyuan secretly instructed Feng Xun and Xuan Yi to investigate the matter, revealing his suspicion of Holy Queen Gao and his unwavering belief that Feng Wu would not lie. He acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation and the need for careful investigation to avoid falling into a passive position.
Elsewhere, Holy Queen Gao reassured a contrite Zuo Qingluan, who had confessed her carelessness in losing the match. Holy Queen Gao reiterated that Feng Wu, without her Phoenix Blood, would never be recognized as the spiritual consort of the Junwu Clan. She emphasized the importance of the Ice Bracelet to Zuo Qingluan and warned her to control Mu Yao, so as not to ruin her future over a "nobody."
Soon after, the Leader of the Celestial Palace also visited Zuo Qingluan, sternly reminding her that there was no "next time" and that opportunities, once lost, were gone. She encouraged Zuo Qingluan to regain her pride, reminding her of their shared history with Holy Queen Gao, who was once a disciple of the Celestial Palace, and hinted that with Holy Queen Gao's continued support, Zuo Qingluan could still achieve her goals.
Later, Feng Wu learned of Jun Linyuan’s true intentions to investigate the Holy Queen and was deeply encouraged by his unwavering trust and determination to stand by her, no matter the consequences. Jun Linyuan confided in Feng Wu that while he believed in evidence, he believed in her more, and promised to be with her forever, to which Feng Wu simply appreciated their shared moment under the moonlight.
Holy Queen Gao, having once been a disciple of the Celestial Palace herself and a senior sister to its current leader, harbored a deep affinity for Zuo Qingluan. She saw in Zuo Qingluan a reflection of her own character—proud, competitive, and ruthless. Her grand plan was to secure Zuo Qingluan's position as Jun Linyuan's spiritual consort, thereby gaining control over the vital affairs of the Junwu Clan.
On the day of Holy Queen Gao's birthday banquet, Jun Linyuan and Feng Wu performed a magnificent and perfectly synchronized sword dance, drawing high praise from the assembled guests. Madam Yan and Madam Ning, who knew Feng Wu from a past encounter, spoke highly of her exceptional talents in both swordsmanship and medicine to the Holy Sovereign, even reminding him of Feng Wu's previous engagement to Jun Linyuan.
Unwilling for Feng Wu to gain favor with the Holy Sovereign, Holy Queen Gao subtly prompted Zuo Qingluan to present a birthday gift. Zuo Qingluan offered an exquisite mermaid silk, using a clever play on words to wish the Holy Queen prosperity. Yu Mingye, watching from the side, mused about Zuo Qingluan's choice of words, but Zhao Ge quickly defended her Senior Sister's intentions.
Seizing the moment, Holy Queen Gao openly suggested a match between Zuo Qingluan and Jun Linyuan, praising their suitability. Just as the Holy Sovereign seemed on the verge of agreement, Jun Linyuan, having just returned with Feng Wu after changing into their usual attire, intervened loudly. He declared his heartfelt love for Feng Wu, stating unequivocally that he wanted her as his spiritual consort and sought the Holy Sovereign's blessing for their marriage.
The Holy Sovereign erupted in anger, chastising Jun Linyuan, the Crown Prince, for daring to make such a monumental decision about his marriage without consultation. Holy Queen Gao attempted to mediate, suggesting they discuss the matter another day, but Jun Linyuan stood firm, holding Feng Wu’s hand and refusing to be swayed by anyone's arrangements. In his fury, the Holy Sovereign slammed the table, sending fruits scattering. A small, hand-drawn flip-book fell from Jun Linyuan's possession.
It was Feng Wu's artwork, depicting Jun Linyuan from childhood to adulthood, in both his innocent and majestic armored forms. The Holy Sovereign, upon flipping through the book, was deeply moved as he recalled the dying wishes of his late queen, who had longed to see their son grow into a valiant leader of the Junwu Clan.
His heart softened considerably, and upon learning that Feng Wu was the artist, he made a public decree: if Feng Wu could recover her Phoenix Blood, she would be allowed to become Jun Linyuan's spiritual consort. Jun Linyuan, overjoyed by this significant step towards their union, expressed his profound gratitude to the Holy Sovereign for his approval.
