Dance of the Sky Empire Episode 5 Recap
> Dance of the Sky Empire Recap
After falling from a cliff, Su Youlian awoke in the arms of a handsome man, Yu Fengmu, the Prince of State of Sha. Sensing a unique aura about her, Yu Fengmu grew curious about her identity. Upon learning she was a student at Moyun Ancient Academy, he offered to escort her back.
Their eyes met; while Su Youlian was embarrassed, Yu Fengmu's gaze was gentle, and he expressed his anticipation of their next meeting, revealing he too would soon enroll at the academy. Meanwhile, Long Wei'er learned that Su Youlian had saved the Crown Prince and became suspicious of her background. Her subordinate described the unusual, tiny wounds on the assassins' bodies, indicating a mysterious weapon.
Long Wei'er dismissed the idea of a simple investigation, reasoning that a true expert would have already concealed her identity to enter the academy. Instead, she confided in her subordinate about a new strategic plan she was orchestrating. Simultaneously, Lord Zi received reports that searches across the city and the academy had found nothing unusual.
Recognizing this lack of evidence as a sign of the Kunwu clan's clandestine movements, he ordered an intensified investigation and announced his immediate seclusion to strengthen the Moon-fall formation, fearing the Kunwu were preparing to break the Dragon Emperor's seal. That night, Li Xuan was restless, his thoughts consumed by the head injury he had seen on Su Youlian earlier. He decided to bring her medicine, playfully deflecting his attendant Changqing's offer to go in his stead.
Changqing saw through the pretense, teasing that Li Xuan simply wanted an excuse to see her. Li Xuan arrived at Su Youlian's window, awkwardly claiming to be "admiring the moon" before leaving the medicine. Inside, Su Youlian's Sword Spirit master demanded she discard anything from Li Xuan. Su Youlian protested, arguing that Li Xuan wasn't a bad person and had even spoken up for the Kunwu clan in class.
However, the Sword Spirit sternly reminded her of the irreconcilable enmity between their clan and the Nation-protecting Master, recalling that the previous Master had personally sealed the Dragon Emperor. Conflicted, Su Youlian clutched the medicine bottle. In class, Mentor Xuanming publicly admonished Li Xuan for sleeping, contrasting him with the diligent Xiao Fengming, a comparison Li Xuan met with sarcasm. Elsewhere, Pianran practiced her dancing, aiming to represent the Tianqi State at the upcoming Assembly of States.
Her practice was interrupted by students praising Su Youlian's talents and heroism in saving the Crown Prince, noting that even Li Xuan now held her in high regard. Fueled by jealousy, Pianran engineered a confrontation by bumping into a male student and feigning outrage upon seeing a banned book in his possession, sparking an idea for a malicious scheme. Later, Su Youlian received an anonymous note, supposedly from Li Xuan, inviting her to meet at the forbidden Qianyuan Pavilion.
Though surprised, she went, mentioning her destination to her friend Yanran. Unaware of the danger, Yanran later found Li Xuan in the canteen and innocently told him that Su Youlian was waiting for him. Realizing Su Youlian had been lured into a trap, Li Xuan rushed to the pavilion. Inside, Su Youlian was ensnared by ancient tree vines that began to drain her spiritual power.
A mysterious man wielding a fan appeared, forcing her to play a game of chess for her life. Having never learned, Su Youlian made random moves as the man urged her to play faster. Outside, Long Wei'er and her subordinate observed, confirming the trap was their design to test Su Youlian's true abilities. They were surprised when Li Xuan arrived with his attendant, Changqing, who was also quickly trapped by the vines.
The fan-wielding man threatened Su Youlian's life to stop Li Xuan from acting rashly. To save them, Li Xuan volunteered to solve the chess puzzle. He recognized the board, recalling a similar, difficult game Lord Zi had once made him play. Skillfully applying the solution, Li Xuan broke the ancient formation, inadvertently releasing a powerful Qilin that had been sealed within. In the aftermath, Li Xuan panicked, fearing Lord Zi's wrath over the escaped Qilin.
Watching from a distance, Long Wei'er was impressed by Li Xuan's ability to break the formation. Seeing him as a powerful asset rather than an obstacle, she resolved to win him over to her side. Meanwhile, Su Youlian confronted Pianran, accusing her of sending the deceitful note. Pianran admitted it was a "prank," claiming she didn't know the pavilion was so dangerous. Mentor Xuanming arrived and sternly reprimanded all three for breaking academy rules and releasing the ancient Qilin.
Pianran took full responsibility for luring the others to the forbidden area. As punishment, she was assigned a month of yard cleaning and given a major demerit, a lenient sentence due to her upcoming role in the Assembly of States. Mentor Xuanming then ordered Li Xuan and Su Youlian to await Lord Zi's final judgment.
