Divine Destiny Episode 8 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
During a confrontation, Ji Ruochen swiftly defeated the Great Ancestor, leaving onlookers stunned by his prowess. As the battle concluded, a man from the Endless Sea appeared, revealing Qingyi's true identity as "my lady" and affirming that her uncle was the Master of the Endless Sea and the head of all monsters in Xuanhuang. Qingyi, who had secretly run away, pleaded with Zhang Yinyin and Ji Ruochen not to make her return.
Zhang Yinyin, sensing Qingyi's reluctance, used a spell to create a diversion, allowing her, Qingyi, and Ji Ruochen to escape from the Endless Sea's forces and head towards Haofang City. Meanwhile, in a separate stronghold, a powerful demon lord was enraged upon learning that his beloved generals, Chaoxi and Jihou, had been killed by disciples of the Xixuan Sect, evidenced by the Grand Five-Element Sword Formation scars on their bodies.
He immediately ordered the withdrawal of the enchantment boundary at the Xiaohun Valley entrance, prioritizing revenge against the Xixuan Sect, even if it meant sacrificing others, including Qingyi, to achieve his goals. Concurrently, in Haofang City, the Imperial Advisor informed the King of Haofang that Ji Ruochen, whom they believed was dead, had arrived outside the city walls, and that the Great Ancestor had indeed perished.
The King, concerned about Ji Ruochen seeking revenge, was reassured by the Imperial Advisor that Ji Ruochen would not suspect them. The Imperial Advisor then suggested they use Ji Ruochen to eliminate the demons, and then deal with Ji Ruochen himself. Elsewhere, Gu Qing was approached by Yinfeng, who had recovered from an arrow wound, thanks to pills she had given him.
He expressed his intention to stay by her side, but she politely stated that he had repaid his kindness and did not need to keep helping her. Yinfeng countered that his Qingxu Sect was also searching for the demon and that their meeting was merely a coincidence. Soon after, Gu Qing encountered a demon in the Hao River and swiftly saved a civilian. She had previously noticed demonic energy lingering in the area and realized the gravity of the situation.
Suspecting the demonic energy was drifting downstream, she resolved to head to Haofang City immediately to inform everyone. Yinfeng, still caring for her, offered her more of his self-made medicine for her wound before she departed. As Ji Ruochen, Zhang Yinyin, and Qingyi arrived in Haofang City, they were greeted by Xu Zekai, a junior fellow disciple from their sect.
Xu Zekai informed them that the King of Haofang had organized a banquet and Demon-Exorcising Assembly to discuss the impending emergence of the Bamboo Snake. At the banquet, Ji Ruochen was introduced to various powerful figures, including Priest Dragon Elephant and Priest White Tiger from Mount Xingyun, who immediately lavished him with flattery, recognizing him as the "Exiled Immortal."
Zhang Yinyin openly scoffed at their sycophancy, leading to a tense exchange with other sect leaders like Liu Yechuan of Zhenwu Temple, Lord Daluo and Lord Daran of Luoran Sect, and Master Huihai. The King of Haofang welcomed Ji Ruochen, expressing his immense fortune at meeting the "Exiled Immortal." Ji Ruochen proposed a strategy to prevent the Bamboo Snake from emerging by locating its underground lair and setting up a sealing formation before it was fully prepared.
Gu Qing of Yunzhong Residence then arrived, suggesting the Bamboo Snake's lair was in the Hao River, given the demonic energy she observed downstream. She further offered a sealing formation from her sect, which could trap the demon. Amidst the general approval and whispers of Ji Ruochen and Gu Qing being a "perfect match" with a "hundred-life predestination," the King appointed Ji Ruochen as the Vanguard to lead the demon-slaying efforts.
Following the assembly, Zhang Yinyin, visibly annoyed, expressed her frustration to Qingyi about the situation and Gu Qing's apparent closeness to Ji Ruochen. Gu Qing approached them, accusing Zhang Yinyin of practicing Monster's Art because of the Demon Subduing Stone she wore as a bracelet. Zhang Yinyin retorted that it was a token from a shared life-or-death experience with Ji Ruochen in an underground palace.
Qingyi stepped in, defending Zhang Yinyin by citing ancient texts that stated all beings with nine senses could cultivate to immortality, questioning why Monster's Art should be deemed unorthodox. Gu Qing, undeterred, simply reaffirmed her "hundred-life predestination" with Ji Ruochen. Xu Zekai intervened before a fight could break out, and Ji Ruochen arrived, stressing the importance of prioritizing the mission to find the Bamboo Snake's lair over personal disputes.
He outlined a plan to divide into groups and search the Hao River and its tributaries, as well as the eastern and western parts of Haofang City, where demonic energy had been detected. Zhang Yinyin suggested she and Ji Ruochen team up, while Gu Qing tried to persuade Ji Ruochen to join her, offering to teach him the sealing formation.
However, Priest Dragon Elephant and Priest White Tiger interjected, asking Ji Ruochen to accompany them to search outside the East Gate, to which Ji Ruochen agreed. Later that night, the Imperial Advisor met with Li Zhiyao from Liuxian Hall, who confirmed his earlier report that both Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi were female monsters, having witnessed Zhang Yinyin use Monster's Art and Qingyi summon monster generals on Netherworld Mountain, leading to the Great Ancestor's demise.
The Imperial Advisor, pleased, declared his intention to use the pretense of capturing demons to stir up trouble, thus distracting Ji Ruochen by forcing him to rescue his "confidantes," and ensuring the Bamboo Snake's emergence so he could seize its accompanying treasures. Meanwhile, Zhang Yinyin, having drunk too much, was being supported by Ji Ruochen.
In a state of emotional vulnerability, she confessed her feelings of inadequacy, crying that she couldn't help him like Gu Qing could, and expressing her fear that he would eventually leave her for Gu Qing, as others deemed them a "perfect match." Ji Ruochen comforted her, assuring her that she was the only one in his heart.
He silently resolved that he would confess his true identity as "Clerk Ji" and not the "Exiled Immortal" to her when the time was right, hoping she wouldn't resent him for the long wait and deception. Afterward, Ji Ruochen encountered Gu Qing, still awake. She apologized for her earlier "frivolous" behavior, and he offered her hangover medicine. They discussed the Bamboo Snake's treasures; Ji Ruochen stated his priority was the lives of Haofang's people over any treasure.
Gu Qing wholeheartedly pledged her support, acknowledging that this path would invite opposition from treasure seekers. As Ji Ruochen left, Gu Qing looked on, quietly vowing that one day, she would make him remember her. The search for the Bamboo Snake's lair continued. Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi were assigned to the East City.
Qingyi, observing Zhang Yinyin, mused about the nature of love and questioned Zhang Yinyin about Gu Qing's apparent affection for Ji Ruochen, recalling how others spoke of their "predestined connection" at the Tingsong Building. Zhang Yinyin dismissed these notions as nonsense. Simultaneously, Ji Ruochen was searching with Priest Dragon Elephant and Priest White Tiger. The two priests, instead of assisting, repeatedly questioned Ji Ruochen about his preference for Zhang Yinyin over Gu Qing.
Their conversation was cut short when a demon appeared, and the priests, revealed to be utterly useless and without their magical weapons, panicked and fled, leaving Ji Ruochen to face the creature alone. The Imperial Advisor's plot to frame Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi escalated.
Master Huihai and other sect leaders, having been informed by Gu Qing at the Tingsong Building that Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi were female monsters who had admitted to it, were convinced that Zhang Yinyin was using Monster's Art to bewitch Ji Ruochen to gain access to the Bamboo Snake's treasures. They decided to "eliminate" the "female monster" to "free" Ji Ruochen.
The Imperial Advisor, upon hearing that the two "female monsters" had entered through the East Gate, dispatched the sect leaders to pursue them. Xu Zekai, realizing the dangerous scheme, resolved to warn Ji Ruochen. The sect leaders soon located Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi, who had found a spot with strong demonic energy, likely the Bamboo Snake's lair. Qingyi, sensing their pursuers, became frightened, but Zhang Yinyin reassured her, telling her to run. During the chase, a follower of the King of Haofang, Ji Tianxia, recognized Zhang Yinyin and skillfully helped her and Qingyi escape the pursuing cultivators, allowing them to evade capture.
