Divine Destiny Episode 17 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
Late at night, Ji Ruochen abruptly sat up in bed, overcome by a malevolent aura. He seemed not to recognize Qiushui, clutching her neck and throwing her forcefully to the ground, shattering a table. Hearing the commotion, Zhang Yinyin rushed in, repeatedly calling Ji Ruochen's name and urging him to awaken. He lunged at her with a sword, but Zhang Yinyin's persistent cries ultimately pierced through his madness, restoring his senses and causing him to drop the weapon.
After Ji Ruochen collapsed, Qiushui and Zhang Yinyin discussed the alarming incident. Qiushui was particularly worried about the "blue energy" that had manifested, noting it was an unknown technique to the Xixuan Sect. She suspected it was related to the Ecstasy Needles but remained uncertain. Qiushui sternly warned Zhang Yinyin to keep the events of that night a secret from Ji Ruochen, emphasizing that they were his sole support.
Meanwhile, Luo Xichen, Yinfeng's sister and now the Crown Princess, confronted Yinfeng. She confessed to having used Ecstasy Needles, crafted with her divine power, to target Ji Ruochen, causing him to lose his mind. She explicitly stated her intent to kill him to avenge Yinfeng, accusing Ji Ruochen of killing him and usurping his identity as a banished god in the past.
Yinfeng tried to dissuade her, asserting that he would resolve his own grievances and did not wish for her to become entangled in mortal enmities. However, Luo Xichen was resolute, claiming her past suffering was due to Ji Ruochen. Later, Taixuan and Taiwei were dispatched to the capital to rescue imprisoned disciples, including Zekai, who confirmed that his Senior Brother Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin had saved him from the dungeon.
To aid Ji Ruochen's recovery, Senior Yunfeng tirelessly prepared elixirs, staying awake for two days and nights. Ji Ruochen, however, found the initial concoction to have a foul, fishy odor, likening it to "mouse droppings." Senior Yunfeng realized his mistake: he had forgotten to dry and fry the "trogopterus dung", a crucial ingredient. He apologized and promised to prepare a new batch. Later, Mr. Ji visited Ji Ruochen. Ji Ruochen expressed skepticism about Senior Yunfeng's elixir's efficacy.
Mr. Ji then offered an enigmatic alternative, suggesting that the true solution lay within Ji Ruochen himself and his ability to act according to his own will, rather than being bound by a predetermined fate. This advice prompted Ji Ruochen to seek solitude by a stream. There, he began to forcefully expel the Ecstasy Needles from his body, using his own power. Gu Qing arrived as Ji Ruochen was expelling the second needle.
Observing the lingering malevolent energy on it, she finally conceded that Yinfeng had been right all along: Ji Ruochen was indeed a demon, bearing the energy of the Nine Hells. She expressed regret for her earlier disbelief in Yinfeng. Gu Qing then questioned Ji Ruochen about his decision to choose Zhang Yinyin over her. He confessed that he couldn't explain why, only that since meeting Zhang Yinyin, his heart had no room for anyone else.
Gu Qing then bid him farewell. As Gu Qing departed, she realized Yinfeng was tracking her. Yinfeng, now assured that Gu Qing also recognized Ji Ruochen's demonic nature, urged her to join him in eliminating Ji Ruochen, asserting it was their divine responsibility as gods and demons were irreconcilable. Gu Qing refused, reiterating her reluctance to harm him, as he had once been the one she cherished, despite his current nature.
Disregarding Gu Qing's refusal, Yinfeng directly confronted Ji Ruochen, declaring his intention to kill him to uphold the natural order. Yinfeng revealed that the blue flame Ji Ruochen possessed was the "Blue Fire of the Nine Hells," a remnant demon flame from the ancient Demon King, capable of destroying all life. He proclaimed that Ji Ruochen, born with this power, was undeniably a demon.
Ji Ruochen, taken aback by the revelation of his power's name, scoffed at the idea of being a demon, particularly given how he was once believed to be destined to save the Three Realms. He challenged Yinfeng's rigid definitions of "celestial" and "demon," questioning Yinfeng's sole authority to interpret the will of heaven. Their debate escalated into a fierce confrontation.
During the battle, Ji Ruochen, recalling a past instance where he almost harmed Yinfeng, voluntarily ceased fighting, declaring their old grudges settled. However, Yinfeng, acting without honor, launched a sneak attack. He exploited residual divine power still lingering on the Ecstasy Needle to disrupt Ji Ruochen's demonic energy, rendering the "Blue Fire of the Nine Hells" ineffective. Yinfeng maintained that eliminating demons was his duty as a deity, regardless of the means, and prepared to deliver a final, decisive blow.
