Divine Destiny Episode 2 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
Newly admitted to Xixuan Sect, Ji Ruochen finds himself in a surprisingly spacious residence, a privilege that seems to exceed even that of the senior disciples. One morning, while exploring, he approaches the scripture library and is suddenly startled by two fierce Cloud-Parting Evil-Repelling Beasts guarding the entrance, which bare their fangs at him. Petrified, Ji Ruochen frantically calls out for Senior Yinyin. Zhang Yinyin swiftly arrives, scolding the beasts and ordering them back to their pedestals.
Relieved, Ji Ruochen thanks her, playfully assuring her that no matter how many wits he loses, one will always be reserved for her. Inside the library, Zhang Yinyin explains that access is a privilege granted only to the first-place winner of the Annual Exam.
She recommends a comprehensive "Book of Cultivation," compiled by various sect Hierarchs, dismissing his previous version as a "pirate edition" and warning him of severe penalties for late returns by recounting her own month-long punishment of washing the beasts. When he requests a more abstruse book, she hands him the thin "Shangqing Mantra," chiding him for underestimating the difficulty of seemingly simple texts.
While Ji Ruochen is engrossed in the "Shangqing Mantra," he panics as the characters on the pages inexplicably vanish. His concern is quickly overshadowed when Li Xuanzhen rushes to inform Zhang Yinyin that her ranking on the Qingyun List has dropped. Zhang Yinyin is incensed upon discovering that Ji Ruochen has not only surpassed her to claim the top spot but has also been given her Chiying Sword.
She laments the years she spent striving for that position, only for him to effortlessly take it upon his arrival. Determined to make him feel ashamed and give up, she declares her intention to retrieve her lesser Qingmu Sword to confront him, despite Li Xuanzhen's skepticism about her chances. Later, Senior Yunfeng, burdened by two injured newcomers who fought over a bed, entrusts Li Xuanzhen with Ji Ruochen's textbooks and uniform.
Zhang Yinyin soon encounters Ji Ruochen after he has changed into the Xixuan uniform. She scolds him for choosing such a high residence, complaining about the arduous climb to reach it. Ji Ruochen retorts that he would gladly endure the climb, recounting his previous harsh life of waking at dawn, sleeping at midnight, and personally composting waste, all for a tiny side room.
Angered by what he perceives as her ingratitude, he declares that their "new and old scores" must be settled. Taken aback, Zhang Yinyin tells him to collect himself. She declares them "implacable enemies," and, as the chief disciple of Taixuan Palace, formally challenges him to a duel for the dignity of all Xixuan disciples.
Ji Ruochen, bewildered, asks what he did to offend her, reminding her of their earlier lighthearted agreement that he would be "her person," but she curtly dismisses him. As Ji Ruochen walks away, Li Xuanzhen comically offers himself as a potential roommate, but Ji Ruochen ignores him. The next morning, during the collective training, Ji Ruochen’s early arrival earns praise for his diligence, though some disciples playfully liken him to a "big clumsy bird."
The training ground is across a treacherous chasm, accessible only by flight. Unable to fly on a sword, Ji Ruochen confesses his inability to cross, drawing mockery from other disciples. He desperately asks for an alternative route, but they tell him to just fly. Zhang Yinyin refuses to help, urging him to prove his supposed innate talent.
Feeling abandoned, Ji Ruochen resigns himself to his fate, stating that with no family, death holds no fear, and promises he won't embarrass her. As the disciples train, they eventually spot Ji Ruochen painstakingly crawling across the chasm's iron chains. His tenacity reminds Zhang Yinyin of her own past struggles. Senior Yunfeng admonishes the impatient disciples, stating this ordeal is a form of cultivation for them as well.
Driven by hunger, the disciples begin to cheer for Ji Ruochen to quicken his pace. With renewed effort, Ji Ruochen accelerates, and a fellow disciple extends a helping hand to guide him the final stretch. Proudly seeking praise from Zhang Yinyin, he is met with silence as she walks away towards dinner, leaving him to wish someone would carry him back.
Later, Ji Ruochen begins practicing the Grand Five-Element Swordsmanship under Master Jingxiao, with Senior Yunfeng assigned to oversee his progress. Unbeknownst to them, Zhang Yinyin observes from a distance and subtly attaches a spirit talisman to his sword. Master Jingxiao and Yunfeng are astonished by Ji Ruochen's seemingly remarkable progress, hailing him as a "once-in-a-millennium cultivation genius." However, Ji Ruochen is baffled, confessing he has no idea how to control the sword.
From her hiding spot, Zhang Yinyin mutters that he is her "nemesis." She later confronts him, accusing him of using the Chiying Sword to slice the Sect Leader's treasured gourd. Ji Ruochen denies it, suggesting someone put a talisman on the sword. When he admits he hasn't mastered the technique, she takes his sword and performs a flawless demonstration. Noticing her pale face, he asks if her old headaches have relapsed.
She dismisses it, explaining her injured hands are from rigorous practice, and offers to teach him more. When he asks if she knows who placed the talisman on his sword, she brushes off the question, stating her only focus is on practice. Meanwhile, a search for a missing young master proves fruitless, and it is suggested that the powerful Imperial Advisor Sun Guo be consulted.
Concurrently, in Qingcheng Mountain, Xuxuan, the Sect Leader of Qingxu, and his junior Xuwang locate the true banished god, Yinfeng, who was left for dead. Noting his spirit has not yet dissipated, they resolve to save him. In a separate event, a Qingxu disciple, punished for releasing a demon, is forced into a "crash method" for cultivation against his will before being banished to the mortal world. Yinfeng eventually awakens in Qingxu Sect, disoriented and with no memory.
Xuxuan deceitfully explains that they saved him after he was poisoned and that a cunning imposter, Ji Ruochen, has assumed his identity in Xixuan Sect. Offering to help him regain his powers and exact revenge, Xuxuan persuades the grateful Yinfeng to join Qingxu Sect as a disciple. Li Xuanzhen takes Ji Ruochen to observe a duel between Shang Qiushui and Ji Bingxian.
Li Xuanzhen explains that Shang Qiushui, a disciple from Sikong Palace, challenges Ji Bingxian, the sole disciple of the Zi Wei Hierarch, every year on the day of Frost's Descent, despite being severely defeated each time. As Ji Bingxian arrives, her icy presence chills the air. The duel is swift and decisive; Shang Qiushui is soundly beaten but vows to return next year. The conversation then shifts to the impending Annual Exam.
Li Xuanzhen suggests that to avoid the pressure of the exam, Ji Ruochen could intentionally make a mistake and get punished to Tianxin Cave. Through this, Ji Ruochen learns that Zhang Yinyin was sent there after the Hierarch discovered she had placed the spirit talisman on his Chiying Sword. Disoriented by this revelation and convinced he is hallucinating from eating too much congee, Ji Ruochen begins to nonsensically recite a mix of cultivation mantras and a list of food dishes.
