Dance of the Phoenix Episode 29 Recap
> Dance of the Phoenix Recap
Mu Jiuzhou, witnessing the Junwu Clan's control by Holy Queen Gao and the Darknight Court as her enforcers, realized that the other sects were only striving for self-preservation. Fearing the entire continent's imminent collapse, he determined the only viable path was to send Feng Wu back to her original place, believing she could find a power to reverse time. They agreed on a departure date two days later.
However, when Jun Linyuan inquired about this mysterious power, Mu Jiuzhou confessed that no such force existed. His spirit energy was severely depleted, and even with the combined might of Junwu Academy, they could not prevail. His true intention was merely to send Feng Wu away, keeping her safe from the coming calamity while he still possessed the means to do so.
Though Jun Linyuan’s heart ached at the thought of their separation, he declared that Feng Wu's safety and happiness were paramount, and he would accept this if it secured her well-being. The next morning, Jun Linyuan roused a sleepy Feng Wu, who initially mistook his presence for a dream. He announced his intention to take her somewhere. Draped in cloaks, they walked through the marketplace, blending in discreetly.
Jun Linyuan expressed his desire for them to abandon their titles and worries for one day, simply enjoying the life of ordinary people, free from cultivation, grievances, or power struggles. Feng Wu, optimistic about her eventual return, suggested they could enjoy such pleasures after she resolved everything. She eventually relented, and they spent the day relaxing. Later, they visited the Skyland, reflecting on their first encounter and how fate had seemingly destined their connection.
There, Jun Linyuan embraced and kissed Feng Wu, a silent tear escaping his eye, revealing his deep reluctance to part. Later, Jun Linyuan secretly infiltrated Junwu Divine Hall, discovering a hidden passage that led to a secret chamber. There, he located the Phoenix Blood, also known as the Ice Bracelet. However, Lord Demon appeared, blocking his escape and urging him to surrender.
Recognizing his disadvantage, Jun Linyuan, amidst a desperate struggle, managed to seal the Phoenix Blood within the chamber walls before Lord Demon struck him down. With his last breath, he wished for Feng Wu's happiness, wherever she might be. Meanwhile, Feng Xun set off for Penglai Pavilion to seek assistance from the Old Master, while Zhao Ge also decided to appeal to her mother, the Leader of Celestial Palace.
Upon her arrival, Zhao Ge was dismayed to find her mother calmly sharing tea with Holy Queen Gao. Holy Queen Gao subtly warned the Leader against interference, drawing upon their shared past and the fate of Qingluan. Reflecting on her own unfulfilled desires and her rivalry with their Senior Sister, Holy Queen Gao espoused a ruthless philosophy: if she could not possess something, she would destroy it, a principle she claimed to have instilled in Qingluan.
The Leader, recognizing the overwhelming power dynamic, promised Holy Queen Gao that she would not oppose her and would ensure Celestial Palace members remained neutral. Holy Queen Gao then expressed mild concern about Zhao Ge's friendship with Feng Wu, casually mentioning that Jun Linyuan had already died. After Holy Queen Gao departed, Zhao Ge confronted her mother.
While accepting that Celestial Palace could not offer direct aid, she implored her mother not to align with Holy Queen Gao, expressing her deep fear of a future where they would be adversaries. Her mother explained that Celestial Palace lacked the power and numbers to confront Darknight Court, unlike Junwu Clan, and also lacked the geographical advantages of Penglai Pavilion, making it essential to adapt to the circumstances.
The Leader then gravely informed Zhao Ge that Jun Linyuan was indeed dead. Overwhelmed, Zhao Ge rushed to the Library Pavilion where Mu Jiuzhou was in the process of sending Feng Wu away. Zhao Ge, unable to contain her grief, blurted out the news. Feng Wu, hearing this devastating information, was immediately overcome with emotion and collapsed. Mu Jiuzhou quickly began healing her, urging her to compose herself, reminding her that nothing was yet certain.
At that critical moment, Lord Demon and Gao Wei, leading a formidable force from Darknight Court, launched a full-scale assault on Junwu Academy. Students valiantly fought back, with some attempting to inform their Master of the unfolding chaos. Zhao Ge remained steadfastly guarding the room where Mu Jiuzhou was tending to Feng Wu. Xuan Yi soon arrived, revealing that Darknight Court had breached the main entrance and the academy's defenses would soon crumble.
He instructed Zhao Ge to lead Mu Jiuzhou and Feng Wu through the secret passage in the Library Pavilion to escape to the back mountain. Distraught, Zhao Ge refused to leave Xuan Yi, fearing it would be their last meeting and wishing to stand by him. Xuan Yi, pained by her distress, promised to return safely if she secured her own escape, reminding her of her responsibility to protect Feng Wu. He pledged to buy them enough time to escape.
Outside, Darknight Court forces continued their brutal onslaught, claiming many student lives. Elders from Peerless Tower and the Shadow Swordsman joined the fray, with the Shadow Swordsman fighting with incredible speed. However, Lord Demon, whose spiritual power far exceeded anyone else present, conjured a formidable barrier, intending to annihilate all the defenders. In a dramatic moment, Mu Jiuzhou appeared, creating a counter-barrier to allow the remaining students and allies to flee the immediate danger.
Lord Demon mocked Mu Jiuzhou’s diminished power, gloating that he would witness the destruction of Junwu Academy. Mu Jiuzhou defiantly declared that the true spirit of Junwu Academy resided in its people, not its buildings, and as long as they lived, hope for Qianyuan Continent would persist. Despite his heroic sacrifice, Mu Jiuzhou was captured by Lord Demon, who boasted that with Mu Jiuzhou's weakened state, the escapees would not get far and would be hunted down.
Lord Demon revealed that Holy Queen Gao, whom he referred to as Ziyan, specifically wanted Mu Jiuzhou kept alive. Mu Jiuzhou was then dragged away to Junwu Divine Hall. With Mu Jiuzhou's spiritual power significantly weakened, the temporarily escaped group couldn't travel far. They sought refuge in the secret room in the back mountain, regrouping with Feng Wu and Zhao Ge.
In the confined space, they discussed their injuries, Feng Wu's profound grief over Jun Linyuan's supposed death, and the heavy impact of Mu Jiuzhou's sacrifice. However, the outside world was swarming with Darknight Court forces, and it was clear their hiding spot would soon be compromised. Faced with the desperate situation, Feng Wu, despite her own deep sorrow, proposed a new, undiscoverable sanctuary.
She led them to the Skyland, a place only she and Jun Linyuan had known, making it a temporary safe haven. She arranged for everyone to rest and recover from their injuries there. Meanwhile, Holy Queen Gao raged over the disappearance of Feng Wu and her companions, harshly chastising Gao Wei for his failure to find them.
Lord Demon then proposed a cunning plan: to publicly execute Mu Jiuzhou using the devastating Bone-eroding Thunder at the Sky-reaching Terrace in three days. This, he argued, would serve as bait, either drawing Feng Wu and her allies out for a decisive capture or, if they failed to appear, eliminating Mu Jiuzhou and leaving the remaining resistance a disorganized rabble. Holy Queen Gao, though questioning Lord Demon's eagerness to dispose of Mu Jiuzhou, ultimately agreed.
She personally visited Mu Jiuzhou in his prison cell, revealing herself as Ziyan. She coldly informed him of the impending public execution, where the Bone-eroding Thunder would reduce him to ash, ensuring his complete eradication, a suffering she claimed would rival his Heavenly Tribulation. Mu Jiuzhou, heartbroken, asked when she had become so changed.
Ziyan bitterly explained that all her actions stemmed from his past rejection and his exclusive focus on her Senior Sister, followed by his singular devotion to cultivation after her death. She confessed that people might think she only loved power, but all she ever truly desired was his affection. Since he cherished the Qianyuan Continent and the cultivation world, she vowed to seize and then destroy it all, a direct act of revenge for his neglect.
Mu Jiuzhou attempted to reason with her, suggesting that if she stopped now, there might still be a way to mend things, but Ziyan was resolute. She declared that her years of planning were almost complete, and only his death would truly settle all their past grievances. As Ziyan left, Mu Jiuzhou, reflecting on his predetermined fate, entrusted Feng Wu and Jun Linyuan with the task of bringing an end to the chaos.
