Dance of the Sky Empire Episode 7 Recap
> Dance of the Sky Empire Recap
The students returned to Moyun Ancient Academy after successfully subduing the ancient Qilin, a task which left most of them injured. Complaints about the Qilin's ferocity and the extent of their injuries, including fears of disfigurement, filled the air. Li Xuan, however, exhibited a peculiar ability to heal himself almost instantly, a fact that surprised those around him. Amidst the recovery, Li Xuan pondered the identity of the mysterious "capable person" who had aided them during the battle.
Mentor in Chief Xie then arrived with a new student, Prince Mu of the State of Sha, introducing him to the group as Yu Fengmu. Yu Fengmu presented a special vulnerary from his state, claiming it was highly effective for injuries from ancient mythical creatures, and offered it to the wounded students. He commended their success in catching the Qilin, stating he would report their achievements to the emperor.
Li Xuan, however, clarified that he was the one who had released the Qilin and therefore, it was his responsibility to recapture it. Mentor in Chief Xie expressed his satisfaction with their performance and dismissed them to rest. Before leaving, Yu Fengmu requested to see Yunshan and Su Youlian, mentioning he had previously met Su Youlian and they had arranged to meet at the academy. Hearing this, a wary Li Xuan quickly volunteered to lead Yu Fengmu to Su Youlian.
Upon entering Su Youlian's room, Li Xuan offered her a vulnerary he had brought from home. As they spoke, Su Youlian reflected on the recent battle, admitting that while Li Xuan usually appeared carefree, he had shown remarkable bravery and loyalty in the face of danger, which had changed her opinion of him. She also expressed curiosity about the capable individual who had appeared during the fight. Li Xuan playfully teased her, asking if she liked him.
Just then, Yu Fengmu arrived, surprising Su Youlian. He expressed his joy at seeing her again and revealed he was now a student at the academy. Cui Pianran, who entered shortly after, immediately approached Yu Fengmu, introduced herself, and presented him with her master’s finest panacea. Yu Fengmu confirmed his identity as Yunshan’s elder brother and the Prince of the State of Sha.
While Cui Pianran was fawning over the prince, Li Xuan's earlier gesture with the medicine left Su Youlian with a warm feeling. Yu Fengmu then went to visit his sister Yunshan, who was with the injured Xiao Fengming. Yunshan had brought soup she prepared herself to thank Xiao Fengming for saving her. She tenderly fed him, as his injuries made it difficult for him to eat.
However, Xiao Fengming insensitively remarked that the soup tasted "strange" and later asserted that he would have saved anyone, not just her. Offended by his lack of appreciation and tact, Yunshan angrily called him a "nerd" and stormed out, leaving Xiao Fengming confused. Outside, Yunshan met Yu Fengmu, who playfully teased her about her weight and her unauthorized escape from an arranged marriage.
Yunshan firmly declared her refusal to marry an "arrogant and incapable man" and expressed her desire for a true hero, like her brother. When Yu Fengmu asked about the schoolmate who had saved her, Yunshan emphatically stated her strong dislike for that "nerd," proclaiming him the most annoying person in the entire academy. The next day, during an academic session, students discussed the considerable amount of homework Mentor Xuanming had assigned.
Yunshan attempted to pass a note insulting Xiao Fengming, but it ended up in Bian Lingcheng's hands. When Mentor Xuanming called on Bian Lingcheng, he was caught and forced to read its contents aloud: "A nerd like you, I can deal with ten at one time." Enraged, Mentor Xuanming expelled Bian Lingcheng from the class. Li Xuan then provocatively asked if the note was about him, which led Mentor Xuanming to throw him out as well.
The mentor expressed his extreme frustration, labeling the current group as the "worst" students he had ever taught. Meanwhile, other students taunted a classmate who had not participated in the Qilin capture, calling her a "coward." Later, during archery practice, Su Youlian openly admired Yu Fengmu's skill. He offered to teach her, patiently guiding her through the proper stance and technique. Observing their interaction, Cui Pianran immediately became jealous.
She commented on how Su Youlian appeared to attract all men, then directly approached Yu Fengmu to introduce herself and disrupt his teaching, hoping he would instruct her instead. Yu Fengmu, however, gently but firmly told her that she was "disturbing them," causing Pianran to leave in a huff. Li Xuan soon arrived at the archery range and, upon witnessing Su Youlian and Yu Fengmu together, felt a pang of jealousy.
He quietly mused that good looks attract all the girls and feared Su Youlian might also be enchanted by the prince. He then impressively shot several arrows, but when Su Youlian noticed him, he awkwardly retreated, claiming he was just "passing by." Su Youlian approached him, noting his strange behavior. Li Xuan then asked how she had gotten to know Yu Fengmu so quickly. In response, Su Youlian praised Yu Fengmu's kindness and lack of pretense.
Li Xuan retorted with biting sarcasm, questioning how she could know his character so well and wondering if "good man" was written on his forehead. The mentor then announced that for the archery class, students could form self-selected pairs for a competition, each shooting three arrows to achieve the highest combined score.
As students scrambled to find partners, Li Xuan remarked to Su Youlian that her archery skills were so terrible he would have to consider whether to team up with her. Taking offense, Su Youlian teamed up with Yu Fengmu, stating she wouldn't want to "encumber" Li Xuan. Seeing Li Xuan alone, Cui Pianran immediately pulled him into a partnership, pointing out that Su Youlian only had eyes for Yu Fengmu.
Elsewhere, Yunshan tried to team with Xiao Fengming, who dismissively called her a "nerd" and walked away. During their practice, Yunshan secretly used her powers to trip Cui Pianran. As she stumbled, Pianran feigned helplessness and grabbed Li Xuan, causing both of them to fall to the ground in a compromising position. Li Xuan quickly scrambled away.
Cui Pianran then subtly taunted him, pointing out that Su Youlian had remained unaffected by their fall and seemed to care only about Yu Fengmu. Witnessing the scene, Su Youlian was visibly upset. She shot her arrows with a tense expression, internally calling Li Xuan "damned" and "terrible" and wondering why seeing him with another girl made her so unhappy. Li Xuan, wanting to explain but unable to, could only watch as Su Youlian continued to practice with Yu Fengmu.
That night, Su Youlian felt dispirited, her mind consumed by thoughts of Li Xuan and Cui Pianran. Her Sword Spirit, perceiving her lack of focus, reminded her of the important mission she needed to accomplish. Reinvigorated, Su Youlian decided to go to Li Xuan's room to search for a token. As she approached, Feng Changqing was guarding the door. Su Youlian mistakenly believed he was asleep, unaware that he was purposefully allowing her entry. Feng Changqing even discreetly intercepted Bian Lingcheng, who attempted to enter, thereby creating a private space for Li Xuan and Su Youlian inside the room.
