Divine Destiny Episode 19 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
The calm that Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin found in the valley was short-lived, as people from Zhenwu Temple soon located them. Zhang Yinyin, Ji Ruochen, and Senior Yunfeng quickly evacuated that night. With the news of Ji Ruochen being a fake banished god now widely known, various sects began to turn against Xixuan.
Meanwhile, Hierarch Xuxuan of Qingxu Sect, having recently accepted Yinfeng into their ranks, visited Hierarch Jin Shan of Yun Zhong Ju, hoping to persuade him to join forces against Xixuan. Hierarch Xuxuan congratulated Jin Shan, claiming Fairy Gu Qing had joined Qingxu. However, Hierarch Jin Shan corrected him, stating Gu Qing was merely a guest accompanying Yinfeng. Hierarch Xuxuan continued to blame Xixuan Sect for the "fake banished god" deception, arguing that it harmed both Yinfeng and Gu Qing.
He pressed Hierarch Jin Shan to cut ties with Xixuan and align with Qingxu and Imperial Advisor Sun Guo in upholding the "heavenly way." Hierarch Jin Shan, philosophically musing about the true meaning of the "heavenly way" while fishing, chose to defer a decision and politely asked Hierarch Xuxuan to leave through the front door next time.
Despite the refusal, Hierarch Xuxuan believed that Yun Zhong Ju, though not overtly allying, would likely not assist Xixuan in future conflicts due to Hierarch Jin Shan's apparent shift in stance, leaving Xixuan vulnerable. By a tranquil river, as Senior Yunfeng practiced sword fighting, Ji Ruochen struggled to even lift the Chiying Sword, keenly feeling his weakness. Senior Yunfeng, who had been diligently caring for him, offered words of encouragement, reminding him of his past prowess and giving him medicine.
Ji Ruochen, burdened by a secret, confessed that he was not the true banished god but a fake, mistakenly taken into Xixuan Sect. Senior Yunfeng calmly revealed he had suspected as much, having observed strange blue flames and sleepwalking during Ji Ruochen's time in Xixuan. He reassured Ji Ruochen that his true identity was less important than his upright character.
Senior Yunfeng then shared his own story of being rescued by Master Ziyang and finding purpose as a Xixuan disciple, emphasizing his pride in Ji Ruochen's contributions. He urged Ji Ruochen to embrace his own path, knowing he had already done much for Xixuan. The next morning, Zhang Yinyin left to gather bamboo shoots for Ji Ruochen and Senior Yunfeng. Unbeknownst to her, a deadly ambush awaited.
Luo Xichen, accompanied by Imperial Advisor Sun Guo and operatives from Luoran School and Zhenwu Temple, cornered Ji Ruochen and Senior Yunfeng. Luo Xichen taunted Ji Ruochen, mocking his apparent loss of spiritual power and declaring him a "useless" man who should die. Senior Yunfeng bravely stepped forward, engaging the enemies with his "Swords as Shadows" technique. He urged Ji Ruochen to escape, affirming his duty as a senior disciple to protect his junior.
Luo Xichen offered Senior Yunfeng a chance to live if he abandoned Ji Ruochen, but Senior Yunfeng adamantly refused, proclaiming the unwavering dignity of Xixuan Sect. In a fierce struggle, Senior Yunfeng shielded Ji Ruochen, suffering multiple fatal blows. He collapsed in Ji Ruochen's arms, urging him to never forget Xixuan before dying.
Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Ji Ruochen watched as Luo Xichen bound him to a tree, taunting him about the suffering she had endured and promising him an even greater pain, mentioning a past figure named Luo Feng. Ji Ruochen, despite his helplessness, swore a solemn oath to avenge his senior and kill Luo Xichen. Just as Luo Xichen prepared to deliver the final blow, Zhang Yinyin arrived, swiftly severing Ji Ruochen's bonds.
Recognizing the overwhelming odds, Qing Yi and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox arrived just in time, their presence forcing Luo Xichen and Imperial Advisor Sun Guo to retreat. Qing Yi, joining the fray, playfully chided them for not inviting her to the fight earlier. After the harrowing ordeal, Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin respectfully laid Senior Yunfeng to rest. Ji Ruochen, his cultivation now abolished, abandoned his previous plan of starting an inn outside the border.
Instead, consumed by grief and a renewed sense of purpose, he vowed to seek vengeance against Luo Xichen, Imperial Advisor Sun Guo, Zhenwu Temple, and Luoran School for Senior Yunfeng's sacrifice. Zhang Yinyin stood firmly by his side, reaffirming her lifelong commitment to him and their shared goal of helping Xixuan and eradicating evil. She also suggested taking Senior Yunfeng's sword back to Master Ziyang at Xixuan Mountain.
Meanwhile, at Taixuan Palace, Hierarch Ziyang confronted Huang Xinglan, Zhang Yinyin's mother, regarding the escape of Su He, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, from Peace Hall, where she had been locked by the Demon Subduing Nail. Huang Xinglan, with defiant courage, admitted to releasing Su He. She challenged Ziyang to punish her or her husband, Jingxiao, who was now paralyzed.
Ziyang, acting as interim Hierarch, showed leniency, issuing a warning but allowing it to be a one-time offense, noting Huang Xinglan's fortune that the stricter Ziwei Zhenren was not present. Huang Xinglan later explained to her husband that she released Su He because Ji Ruochen’s nature would lead him down Ziyang's path of calamity, potentially dragging Zhang Yinyin with him, and only Su He could truly protect their daughter.
Her husband expressed concern but acknowledged the deep love between Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin. Zhang Yinyin then pleaded with her master, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, for a way to restore Ji Ruochen's cultivation, which had been damaged by divine power. The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox revealed a difficult but possible solution: obtaining a drop of Nuwa's Tear from Emotion Devourer Venerable at the Sky Mending Cliff, located within the Monster Forbidden Zone in the Endless Sea.
Nuwa's Tear was said to have the power to regenerate bones, revitalize flesh, and restore cultivation. Despite the perilous journey, Zhang Yinyin was resolute, convincing her master to accompany them. The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox reluctantly agreed, warning that Emotion Devourer Venerable was not easily found and their success would depend on luck. She also revealed that everyone who leaves the Monster Forbidden Zone forgets what happened inside, hinting at her own past failure to obtain the tear.
Concurrently, at Qingxu Sect, Xuwang Zhenren attempted to pressure Gu Qing into persuading Yinfeng to join their alliance against Xixuan. Gu Qing, agitated, refused to involve herself in sectarian disputes, declaring her disinterest in Qingxu or Yun Zhong Ju matters. Xuwang Zhenren persisted, emphasizing Gu Qing's status as a guest of Qingxu and reminding her of her "hundred-lifetime appointment" with Yinfeng. Gu Qing, however, insisted she had forgotten everything about her past as an immortal.
At this critical moment, Yinfeng arrived. He fiercely defended Gu Qing, warning Xuwang Zhenren that any disrespect towards her would be met with his wrath, even if it meant destroying Qingxu Sect itself. He ordered his uncle, Xuwang Zhenren, to ensure no one disturbed Gu Qing's quiet cultivation without his explicit permission, then apologized to Gu Qing for his own momentary impatience.
With a potential path to recovery for Ji Ruochen, Zhang Yinyin and Ji Ruochen prepared for their arduous journey. Qing Yi and Mr. Ling joined them. Ji Ruochen expressed gratitude to Mr. Ling for his past assistance in saving Zhang Yinyin. Mr. Ling confirmed that his master had sent him to ensure their safe passage to Sky Mending Cliff.
Discovering that opening the Gate of the Monster Forbidden Zone required a significant expenditure of cultivation and that Mr. Ling's master had not authorized him to do so, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox stepped forward. Declaring she would open the gate herself, she warned that she could only sustain it for a brief period, and that once inside, everything would be an illusion, demanding they remain clear-minded lest they be trapped forever. Zhang Yinyin and Ji Ruochen, expressing their profound gratitude, entered the mystical and dangerous Monster Forbidden Zone.
