Divine Destiny Episode 22 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
Hierarch Ziwei told Ji Ruochen that he was the chosen one destined to help them overcome a great calamity. He explained that only by destroying the Asura Tower in the Nine Hells and the spiritual caves could the chaotic Ethereal Blue Flame return to its proper path, thereby restoring peace to the Three Realms. His master also revealed that this mission would allow Ji Ruochen to undergo a transformation and rekindle his relationship with Zhang Yinyin.
Ji Ruochen accepted this immense responsibility for the sake of the Three Realms and Zhang Yinyin, then asked for the method to destroy the tower. Hierarch Ziwei explained that ever since the Bamboo Snake appeared, the spiritual power of Heaven and Earth had become unstable. The recent stirring of the Earth's Veins signaled the emergence of the Asura Tower.
To prevent further chaos, all spiritual caves across the Divine Land had to be destroyed to thoroughly disrupt the flow of spiritual power, thus preventing disaster. According to a map given to him, the spiritual cave near the Zijin Palace of Sand Sea possessed the strongest spiritual power, making it the highest priority. Ji Ruochen expressed concern that destroying these spiritual caves, which were fundamental to world peace, would invite misunderstanding and hostility from mortals.
Hierarch Ziwei stressed that while it seemed an act against Heaven, the Asura Tower was a millennium-old secret of the Three Realms, and the truth could not be revealed before the mission's completion, no matter how wronged they felt. Hierarch Ziwei also warned him that Sun Guo, harboring personal grudges, was framing the Xixuan Sect for rebellion and was using imperial power to unite other sects against them.
Ji Ruochen's journey to the Sand Sea would be perilous, with no allies and countless enemies. Ji Ruochen, grateful to the Xixuan Sect, affirmed his resolve to destroy the spiritual caves as the one born to face this calamity. He then asked his master about his master's, Zhang's, and Jinhua's past, and about Luo Feng's death, but was told that Heaven's secrets could not be revealed.
Later, Ji Ruochen gathered his friends and announced he would begin closed-door cultivation in the Changyang Palace secret room to advance his skills, implying he wouldn't see them for a long time. He also mentioned that Zhang Yinyin’s memories were likely unrecoverable after her exchange of Nuwa's Tears with the Master of Emotion Devouring, as she would forget him again if she developed feelings for him. He entrusted Zhang Yinyin's care to his friends.
His friends, however, suspected his sudden closed-door cultivation was a ruse to go down the mountain on a secret mission from his master. Driven by curiosity, they secretly followed him using a Star Stone that one of them had placed on Ji Ruochen's Chiying Sword while he was drunk. After tracking him, they caught up and realized Hierarch Ziwei had entrusted him with the precious Chiying Sword, signifying the mission's gravity.
They decided to join him, hoping to contribute to the Xixuan Sect. When they met up, Ji Ruochen was dismayed to find Zhang Yinyin there, scolding his friends for not looking after her as he had requested, as he knew the mission was perilous. Zhang Yinyin, who usually received important assignments from her master, Master Ziyang, was upset that such a crucial mission was given to a "new disciple" (Ji Ruochen) instead of her.
Unaware of the true danger, she insisted on joining. After some playful banter and a failed attempt by his friends to keep her from joining, she used her Heavenly Fox Secret Technique to compel Ji Ruochen to reveal his destination: the Zijin Palace of Sand Sea. Her friends, seeing her determination and learning the destination, decided to follow, each hoping to prove themselves.
Meanwhile, Yinfeng, a Banished God, sought out Imperial Advisor Sun Guo, hoping to find a way to restore Gu Qing's immortal dharma-laksana. He first went to the Crown Princess Luo Xichen, who mocked his humility. Sun Guo then appeared and offered a solution: if Yinfeng helped him destroy the Xixuan Sect and establish Zhenwu Temple's rule, he would reveal the method.
Yinfeng stated his disinterest in mortal disputes, but Sun Guo introduced him to another immortal who explained that Gu Qing could ascend to the Ascending Platform with a Soul of Immortal Cloud, even without her dharma-laksana, thus fulfilling their destined reunion. The condition was for Yinfeng to fulfill his duty as a Banished God and kill Ji Ruochen, who was heading to destroy the spiritual cave near the Zijin Palace.
Yinfeng initially doubted this, believing he had already stripped Ji Ruochen of his cultivation. However, the immortal insisted it was Gu Qing's only chance, and revealed that their master could predict the spiritual caves' locations and Ji Ruochen's movements. Yinfeng reported back to Gu Qing about the Soul of Immortal Cloud, but Gu Qing expressed suspicion towards Sun Guo and Luo Xichen.
Yinfeng asserted that the spiritual caves' fate concerned the Three Realms, and even if not for her, he would step forward. Gu Qing remained skeptical about Ji Ruochen's restored cultivation and resolved to investigate herself. Elsewhere, Hierarch Jin Shan confronted Hierarch Ziwei, accusing the Xixuan Sect of planning to destroy the world's spiritual caves using the Shenzhou Energy Map and demanding to know the whereabouts of his disciple, Shang Qiushui.
Hierarch Ziwei justified his actions by stating they were following Heaven's will in the face of the Three Realms' great calamity. Hierarch Jin Shan, however, accused Hierarch Ziwei of self-preservation and disregarding common people to protect Xixuan's fortune and counter Sun Guo. Hierarch Jin Shan then severed ties between their two sects and declared Shang Qiushui no longer had any connection to Hierarch Ziwei. Simultaneously, Imperial Advisor Sun Guo traveled to Netherworld Mountain to meet Demon Emperor Yi Xuan.
Sun Guo deceitfully informed Yi Xuan that the Xixuan Sect had colluded with the Demon Clan of the Nine Hells and intended to destroy the spiritual cave in the Zijin Palace of Sand Sea, which was sacred to the Monster Clan. He emphasized the urgency, stating the Zijin Palace would appear on the full moon night. Enraged, Demon Emperor Yi Xuan ordered his monster soldiers to accompany him to the Sand Sea.
At the Zijin Palace of Sand Sea, Ji Ruochen's friends caught up to him. As they arrived, Zhang Yinyin began suffering from a painful demon toxin, which caused her whole body to ache and convulse, as it was the full moon night. Ji Ruochen, aware of her condition, gave her a Monster Subduing Stone bracelet, which instantly alleviated her pain, much to her surprise and curiosity about how he knew.
Their reunion was cut short by the arrival of Demon Emperor Yi Xuan and his army, who attacked them for intruding on their sacred land and intending to destroy the spiritual cave. As they fought, Ji Ruochen urged Zhang Yinyin and his friends to flee into the Zijin Palace. Zhang Yinyin initially resisted being "ordered" around but eventually followed him. They discovered the true entrance to the palace, realizing the previous one was merely an illusion.
Ji Ruochen's friends, including Shang Qiushui, Xuanzhen, and Senior Bingxian, courageously stayed behind to fend off the attackers, expressing their unwavering trust in Ji Ruochen's mission, even if it meant destroying everything. Yinfeng and Sun Guo's forces then arrived. The Xixuan disciples managed to trap them temporarily with a Deity Trapping Formation, specifically designed to counter immortal arts. However, due to the waning full moon, Yinfeng realized they would have to wait to enter the Zijin Palace.
During the struggle, Shang Qiushui was captured by Sun Guo's men, who intended to use him as bait to lure his companions. Xuanzhen and Senior Bingxian decided to retreat and plan a rescue rather than charge in recklessly. Yinfeng returned to Gu Qing, confirming Ji Ruochen had regained his cultivation and was indeed attempting to destroy the spiritual cave. He reported that Ji Ruochen and Demon Emperor Yi Xuan had fallen into the Zijin Palace, their fates unknown.
He then suggested to a shocked Gu Qing that if Ji Ruochen continued his path, they would have to fulfill their immortal duty and kill him. Back at Zhenwu Temple, Crown Princess Luo Xichen visited Gu Qing, mocking her for Yinfeng's perceived abandonment and Ji Ruochen's broken engagement, accusing Gu Qing of clinging to Yinfeng despite her fallen status.
Gu Qing retorted, reminding Luo Xichen that she herself was rejected by Yinfeng and married someone she didn't love, yet still lived. Enraged, Luo Xichen attacked Gu Qing. Gu Qing initially deflected Luo Xichen's poisoned needle, but Luo Xichen persisted with more vicious methods. Just then, Yinfeng arrived to intervene. He warned Luo Xichen, striking down her sword, that he spared her only because she had helped him find the method to restore Gu Qing's immortal dharma-laksana.
However, if she ever dared to harm Gu Qing again, he would show no mercy. Luo Xichen argued she acted out of love for Yinfeng, but he dismissed her, urging her to leave before he changed his mind. Gu Qing admitted she could have handled the situation herself, but Yinfeng insisted on being decisive to prevent further harassment. Inside the Zijin Palace, Ji Ruochen cared for Zhang Yinyin, who was still recovering.
He offered to carry her, playfully suggesting he might owe her from a past life. Suddenly, Demon Emperor Yi Xuan appeared, expressing frustration with Jia Geng and his subordinates for failing to locate the spiritual acupoint within the palace. He then noticed Ji Ruochen, remarking that the Shenzhou Energy Map's ownership might be changing hands. Just then, a Master from the Endless Sea arrived, recognized by Yi Xuan, who noted his unchanged temper and impatience.
Yi Xuan recalled their past conflict and how his clan had lost to "old man Ziwei" because of the Master's retreat. The Master from Endless Sea, whom Yi Xuan referred to as "uncle," demanded Ji Ruochen's release. Yi Xuan defiantly refused, prompting the Master to warn him not to force him into using violence.
