Guardian Recap, Plot, Synopsis

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Guardian Synopsis

Ten thousand years ago, in order to seize the survival resources of the planet “Hai Xing”, the extremists among the “Di Xing Ren” attacked the whole planet, triggering a prehistoric war between the “Di Xing Ren” and the “Hai Xing Ren”.

In order to fight against the “Di Xing Ren” who have supernatural powers, the “Hai Xing Ren” built four sacred weapons.

Under the leadership of the leader “Kunlun” and the leader of the “Di Xing Ren”‘s peace faction “Hei Pao Shi Zhe”, the “”Hai Xing Justice Alliance” finally won the war, and the “Di Xing Ren” retreated to the Earth’s core to live.

After the war, “Kunlun” disappeared, and the “Hei Pao Shi Zhe” kept his promise to “Kunlun” and became the caretaker of the planet.

“Di Xing Ren” and the “Hai Xing Ren” have been at peace with each other since then, maintaining peace for nearly 10,000 years.

Until the Four Sacred Weapons disappeared, the energy weakened, and some “Di Xing Ren” escaped from the Earth’s core to the surface and used their special powers to commit crimes.

So the “Hai Xing” hierarchy set up a special investigation division to catch these “Di Xing Ren” and sent them back to Earth’s core.

In the thirty-fifth century, there are numerous bizarre events in the center city of “Hai Xing”, Dragon City.

In the investigation process, a seemingly ordinary biology professor Shen Wei (played by Zhu Yilong) is attracted the special investigation department’s attention.

The real identity of Shen Wei is the caretaker of the “Di Xing Ren” – “Hei Pao Shi Zhe”, and Shen Wei seems to be hiding a secret from Zhao Yunlan (played by Bai Yu).

As the investigation progresses, the source of a series of bizarre events seems to be inextricably linked to the “Four Sacred Weapons”.

In order to seize the Four Sacred Artifacts, the evil forces of “Di Xing Ren” are stirring.

Behind the conspiracy, Zhao Yunlan’s true identity, the mysterious connection between Shen Wei and the masterminds behind the scenes, are also revealed one by one!

Guardian Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

Marine, an ancient planet, was visited by a group of aliens tens of thousands of years ago. Some of these alien cells genetically fused with the planet's animals and plants, resulting in a race known as the Sub-beasts, who possess animalistic habits and the ability to transform at will. The other alien faction settled deep underground, becoming the Subterraneans. The unique climate there caused their genes to mutate, granting them powers like manipulating weather, decomposing elements, and influencing minds.

Despite their similar appearance to the Mariners, the planet's indigenous inhabitants, the three races initially lived in harmony, segregated due to the Subterraneans' significantly smaller population. However, a massive meteorite strike devastated Marine's ecosystem, depleting the underground resources and forcing the Subterraneans to the surface. Ambitious Subterraneans initiated a war for resources, invading the territories of Mariners and Sub-beasts. The conflict raged until the Mariners forged four hallows from absorbed meteorite energy, finally defeating the Subterraneans.

A peace agreement was then established among the Mariners, Sub-beasts, and Subterraneans, bringing an end to the hostilities that has lasted until the present day. In modern times, Professor Shen Wei, a leading authority in bioengineering, lectured on the genetic variation of species with his student, Li Qian, assisting him. Professor Ouyang, another esteemed scholar, commended Shen Wei's work and revealed that he and Shen Wei's own teacher were researching real-life genetic mutations, inviting Shen Wei to join their institute.

Shen Wei politely declined, asserting his preference to remain a regular scholar focused on his own research, a decision that left Professor Ouyang noting that no one truly understood Shen Wei's thoughts. Due to an increase in Subterraneans committing crimes, the Marine Administration established a secret organization called the Special Investigation Unit to counter them and maintain public safety. The story of the unit began on the day Guo Changcheng, a new recruit, joined their ranks.

Guo reported for duty at an unusual hour, clutching his assignment note. He was greeted by Zhao Yunlan, the Director of the Special Investigation Unit, a man trying to quit smoking.

Inside the unit's hidden facility, Guo met a diverse group of members: Zhu Hong, who had a snake tail; a woman in white floating in mid-air; Lin Jing, a scientific genius often covered in soot from his experiments; and Da Qing, the Deputy Director who could transform into a black cat. Overwhelmed by the surreal sight of these super-powered beings, Guo fainted.

Upon his recovery, Zhao Yunlan, having been informed that Guo was Minister Guo's nephew, instructed his team to treat the new recruit well, specifically forbidding Da Qing from transforming into a cat to scare people unless on a field mission. The Special Investigation Unit soon took on a perplexing case: the death of Lu Ruomei, a student of Professor Shen Wei.

At the crime scene, Zhao Yunlan, accompanied by Da Qing and the still-shaken Guo Changcheng, observed a distinct palm print inside the room, leading them to suspect foul play by a Subterranean. The first witness, Li Qian, another of Shen Wei's students, described seeing a blurry shadow enveloping Lu Ruomei's body, tightening until the victim fell from the window. Shortly after the interview, Shen Wei arrived to take Li Qian away.

Sensing Shen Wei's enigmatic nature, Zhao Yunlan tasked Guo Changcheng with tailing both of them, emphasizing the importance of keeping a close eye on the mysterious professor. Guo Changcheng, however, lost track of both Shen Wei and Li Qian. Instead, he encountered Li Qian's elderly grandmother, who, suffering from memory loss, mistook Guo for her granddaughter. Out of kindness, Guo escorted her home.

While there, the grandmother, fearful of being left alone, clutched Guo's hand, causing him to inadvertently touch a box from which a shadowy entity emerged. Just then, Chu Shuzhi, another member of the Special Investigation Unit, appeared and engaged the shadow in a fierce but inconclusive battle before the entity escaped.

Back at the unit, Zhao Yunlan confirmed his suspicion to Guo: Li Qian was the true target, and Lu Ruomei, who bore a resemblance to her, had been a scapegoat. Despite Guo's feeling of failure, Zhao and Chu reassured him. Later, Zhao Yunlan approached Shen Wei on campus, questioning him about individuals with extraordinary abilities. Shen Wei, acknowledging Zhao's knowledge of the Subterraneans, maintained his role as a biology professor, distinguishing his work from Zhao's duty of catching criminals.

During their exchange, Shen Wei shared a profound, unexplainable feeling that Zhao Yunlan seemed like an old friend he had been searching for for ten thousand years. Zhao, however, appeared to have no memory of their shared past. Prior to this, Shen Wei had also spoken with a troubled Li Qian, discussing the nature of "real monsters" existing within every individual and affirming the worth of protecting someone. Soon after, Shen Wei and Li Qian collided on campus.

Shen Wei noticed a distinctive pendant Li Qian was wearing and asked to examine it. At that moment, the Subterranean in shadow form attacked them. Shen Wei shielded Li Qian, instructing her to call Chu Shuzhi for help while he fought the Subterranean single-handedly, eventually being pushed off the building's roof. Just as the situation grew dire, Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi, and Lin Jing arrived and subdued the attacking Subterranean.

Following standard procedure, a powerful figure known as the Black Robed Envoy appeared to take custody of the Subterranean. Zhao Yunlan addressed him as "Mr. Black," noting it was the first time the Envoy had appeared since Zhao became Director. The Envoy claimed he was "caught up in work," while Zhao subtly implied the Envoy's tardiness might have been intentional. After the Black Robed Envoy departed with the captive, Guo Changcheng questioned why they simply let him go.

Zhao Yunlan explained the peace treaty: the Special Investigation Unit could apprehend Subterraneans, but their final disposition was handled by the Envoy's side. It was then that Li Qian, remembering Shen Wei's sacrifice, frantically inquired about his whereabouts.

Episode 2 Recap

Following the recent Subterranean attack, the episode opens with Shen Wei on a rooftop, being addressed by a shadowy figure who dismisses a previous failure and insists on taking over a mission. Shen Wei cryptically allows it, noting that shadows belong in the dark. The focus then shifts to Li Qian, a young student overwhelmed by grief following the death of her grandmother. She stands on the edge of a tall building at her school, contemplating suicide.

Just as she is about to jump, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei rush to her side and pull her back to safety. At the hospital, a doctor explains Li Qian's situation: her grandmother had suffered a severe cerebral infarction a year ago but miraculously recovered, albeit with Alzheimer's. However, two days prior, she accidentally consumed a fatal dose of sleeping pills. The doctor remarks that the grandmother's extra year of life was a "stolen" one that was ultimately unsustainable.

Meanwhile, at the Special Investigation Unit, the veteran field officer Chu Shuzhi expresses his frustration with his gossiping colleagues and the timid new recruit, Guo Changcheng. Unbeknownst to Chu, Director Zhao Yunlan values Guo's inherent purity and kindness. He tasks Guo and Da Qing with monitoring Li Qian at the hospital, hoping Guo's gentle nature can comfort her, while also warning him about potential Subterranean attacks.

At the hospital, Guo and Da Qing encounter Shen Wei, who is also visiting Li Qian. Guo admits his unease around Director Zhao, prompting Shen Wei to suggest that Guo be more understanding of his young director's heavy responsibilities. When Shen Wei offers food to Li Qian, the taste of dried bean curd triggers poignant memories of her grandmother. Seeing her distress, Guo attempts to comfort her by sharing his own experience of losing his grandmother.

Li Qian laments that she never got the chance to repay her grandmother's love. Shen Wei then offers gentle words of comfort, assuring them that loved ones who have passed on continue to watch over them. While observing the hospital's surveillance footage, Zhao Yunlan spots a peculiar necklace on Li Qian. He has Lin Jing zoom in, identifying it as the Longevity Sundial, one of the four sacred hallows.

Theorizing that the hallow can absorb life energy and is connected to the grandmother's miraculous recovery, Zhao Yunlan rushes to the hospital. Soon after, a Subterranean puppet master attacks, targeting Li Qian. The assailant's dark magic dissipates harmlessly upon contact with Shen Wei. Before the attacker can strike again, Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arrive, forcing him to retreat.

Zhao Yunlan confronts Li Qian, revealing that the necklace is the Longevity Sundial and the cause of both her grandmother's strange recovery and the Subterranean attacks. Pressed about the sleeping pills, a distraught Li Qian confesses she bought them for her own suicide. She explains that when her grandmother was dying a year ago, she desperately wished for her to live, inadvertently activating the hallow.

It absorbed Li Qian's life force to revive her grandmother, but the woman who returned was a stranger—demented, unrecognizable, and a constant, painful reminder of her loss. This despair led her to seek an escape through suicide, but her grandmother found and consumed the pills instead. Later, as Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are driving Li Qian, she, still in deep anguish, throws the Longevity Sundial out of the car, declaring it useless. At that moment, another Subterranean attacks.

A wisp of her grandmother's spiritual energy emerges from the hallow, lovingly calling Li Qian a "silly girl" and urging her to live on. The spirit then shields Li Qian from the fatal blow, sacrificing her lingering essence to protect her granddaughter one last time. Immediately after, the mysterious Black Robed Envoy appears. He takes custody of the attacker and, after sharing a profound, unspoken gaze with Zhao Yunlan, departs.

In the car, Guo is moved to tears by the grandmother's sacrifice. Back at the SID, the team discusses the day's events, with Chu Shuzhi noting the Black Robed Envoy's uncharacteristic kindness towards Zhao Yunlan. Later, Zhao has a private meeting with the Envoy, who reveals that the recent attackers were merely insignificant pawns in a larger scheme. He explains he intentionally left the Longevity Sundial with Zhao, believing the SID's shielded environment is the safest place for it.

He is using the hallow as bait to lure out the true masterminds, encouraging Zhao to "cast a net" and catch them. Following the meeting, Zhao Yunlan gives the hallow to Lin Jing for analysis. The researcher is baffled, noting that the artifact appears to be growing. As Zhao Yunlan picks up the peculiar, dark silver ornament, it suddenly emits a bright light, leaving its true power a mystery.

Episode 3 Recap

Following the recent incident with the Longevity Sundial, a new wave of unrest swept through Dragon City University with the tragic death of a student named Zhang Hao, who was found prematurely aged with white hair. The news reached Zhao Yunlan, Director of the Special Investigation Unit, who, noting the victim's appearance, lamented the immense pressure university students faced. Zhao Yunlan promptly led an investigation, starting with Zhang Hao's classmates.

He first questioned Liu Yadong, the monitor of Zhang Hao's Engineering Class 4, who seemed distraught but offered little useful information. Zhao Yunlan then visited Professor Shen Wei's office. While there, a nervous teaching assistant, Zhang Ruonan, rushed in, apologized, and quickly left. Zhao Yunlan questioned Shen Wei about Zhang Hao, but the professor claimed he was unfamiliar with the student, having only just begun teaching his class, though he did identify Zhang Hao as being from Engineering Class 4.

When Zhao Yunlan introduced himself to Zhang Ruonan and informed her of Zhang Hao's murder, she appeared distressed and fled. Later, Shen Wei vouched for Zhang Ruonan's character, describing her as a kind-hearted person and guaranteeing her innocence. Feeling unwell with a cold, Zhao Yunlan headed to the hospital with Da Qing. There, Da Qing accidentally bumped into a peculiar young woman, Wang Yike, who wore gloves and displayed a hostile demeanor.

Zhao Yunlan, intrigued by her odd behavior, learned from Liu Yadong that Wang Yike was known for her solitary nature and refusal to remove her gloves. A check of her medical records revealed she consistently obtained medication for congenital anemia but never underwent a physical examination. This unusual secrecy led Zhao Yunlan to suspect she might be a Subterranean, a being who fears exposure. Zhao Yunlan assigned Da Qing to observe Wang Ziqiang, Zhang Hao's roommate, who seemed deeply troubled.

Wang Ziqiang was heard agonizing over Zhang Hao's death, wondering if it was linked to an incident that had occurred "that day." While Da Qing was on watch, he dozed off outside Wang Ziqiang's dormitory. Upon waking, Da Qing discovered Wang Ziqiang had also died, his body aged and withered just like Zhang Hao's. A stone found at the scene was marked with the number "Two."

With two students now dead, Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing visited Zhang Ruonan, formally inviting her to assist their investigation. As they questioned Zhang Ruonan, Liu Yadong suddenly appeared, begging her for forgiveness and to spare his life. Zhang Ruonan, in turn, told Liu Yadong to run, revealing she had come to warn him.

Under Zhao Yunlan's persistent questioning, Zhang Ruonan tearfully confessed the truth: half a month prior, she had failed three students from Engineering Class 4 for skipping class. In retaliation, they lured her to a fake "birthday party" which turned out to be a cruel and traumatic setup. Zhao Yunlan deduced that the numbers "three, two, and one" corresponded to the three failed students: Zhang Hao, Wang Ziqiang, and Liu Yadong.

He then tasked Liu Yadong with escorting the distraught Zhang Ruonan to rest before seeking out Professor Shen Wei for the failed exam records. Terrified, Liu Yadong continued to plead for his life with Zhang Ruonan, blaming the other two students for the prank. However, Wang Yike appeared and confronted him, declaring he was the last one and couldn't escape. She then unleashed her power, causing Liu Yadong to rapidly age and die.

Zhao Yunlan arrived too late, witnessing the final moments. To protect Wang Yike, Zhang Ruonan immediately took the blame, falsely confessing to all three murders. She later explained to Zhao her profound bond with Wang Yike, stating they were family. She knew Wang Yike was a Subterranean with superpowers but believed her to be a kind child who had made a terrible choice out of loyalty.

Despite Zhang Ruonan's pleas for her to stop, Wang Yike insisted on making those who hurt her "pay with life." Seeking to end the killing, Zhao Yunlan urged Zhang Ruonan to reason with her, but Wang Yike made a chilling phone call, declaring, "after three, two, and one, there's a zero," implying her revenge was not yet complete.

Wang Yike, driven by a fierce protective instinct, confronted Shen Wei, accusing him of being a hypocrite with ill intentions toward Zhang Ruonan. She attacked him with her powers, but Shen Wei remained mysteriously unharmed, absorbing her energy before effortlessly casting her aside. Zhang Ruonan rushed to Wang Yike's aid and, despite warnings, accidentally touched her hand, causing herself to age rapidly. Shen Wei quickly intervened, pulling them apart and stopping the process.

Now visibly older, Zhang Ruonan calmly accepted her fate as atonement. Heartbroken, Wang Yike admitted her actions were wrong and vowed to pay for them with her life. In a poignant moment, they finally touched each other's faces without fear. As the Black Robed Envoy took Wang Yike away, Zhao Yunlan observed Shen Wei's extraordinary ability to neutralize her powers. Zhang Ruonan, holding a gift from Wang Yike, resolved to be strong and embrace a new life.

A new, gruesome case emerged with victims found with their faces completely erased. As the Special Investigation Unit mobilized, Shen Wei used his own abilities to search the city. Zhao Yunlan sensed the presence of another Hallowed Artifact, the Mountain-River Awl, might be near. Suddenly, a scream pierced the night. Zhao Yunlan and Lin Jing rushed towards the sound and encountered a suspicious figure. Zhao Yunlan ordered the person to turn around, only to find it was Professor Shen Wei, who calmly put on his glasses, resuming his usual scholarly demeanor.

Episode 4 Recap

Following the discovery of a bloody crime scene—involving the footprints of a tall man, a terrified young woman, and the highly suspicious Professor Shen Wei—Shen was brought in for questioning by the Special Investigation Unit. Officers Zhu Hong and Chu Shuzhi interrogated him, with Chu expressing bewilderment at a university professor possessing such remarkable composure, noting that Shen's demeanor strikingly resembled that of the revered Black Robed Envoy.

Zhao Yunlan intervened, releasing Shen Wei due to insufficient evidence and the witness, Zhang Danni, being too traumatized to recall any details. With the investigation at an impasse, a young man named Lin Yusen approached the unit. He revealed he had a crush on Xiaoyan, one of the victims, and had been at the scene to confess his feelings when he witnessed the murderer's face. He provided a poorly drawn sketch but insisted he could recognize the man.

Although Zhao Yunlan admired Lin Yusen's spirit, he urged the young man to leave the investigation to the professionals. As Zhao prepared to visit the crime scene in the forest, Shen Wei appeared, expressing guilt for not apprehending the criminal and offering his assistance. Recognizing Shen's determination, Zhao agreed. In the forest, the team encountered Zhang Danni again. She frantically claimed the attacker had pursued her and she had narrowly escaped.

However, Zhao Yunlan noticed inconsistencies in her story, particularly the absence of fresh injuries despite her claims of a violent struggle. His suspicions aroused, he instructed Guo Changcheng to escort Zhang Danni home while secretly dispatching Da Qing to surveil her. It would later be revealed that this woman was not the real Zhang Danni, but a Subterranean imposter who had taken her face as part of a mission from Zhu Jiu.

Determined to lure the culprit out, Zhao Yunlan used Zhu Hong as bait. Dressed in a striking red dress, Zhu Hong was quickly targeted by the attacker, Jiahui. Jiahui used a fake voice to lure Chu Shuzhi away, then incapacitated Zhu Hong with a knockout substance. Fortunately, Zhu Hong was equipped with a Special Investigation Unit tracker, allowing Lin Jing to quickly pinpoint her location. Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi set off to rescue her.

Zhu Hong awoke to find Jiahui attempting to steal her face using his unique powers. Despite the lingering effects of the drug, Zhu Hong, a powerful Snake Sub-beast, managed to struggle free and ran into the arriving Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi. Chu engaged Jiahui, swiftly subduing him with a puppet string. However, the fake Zhang Danni then appeared, revealing she had captured Da Qing, who had been following her.

She confessed that she and Jiahui were escaped Subterraneans whose lives on the surface were miserable. Jiahui, who could take others' faces, fell in love with her when she was disfigured and began collecting beautiful faces for her, whom he treated as his "Queen Bee." She admitted her desire to collect all the beautiful faces in the world, resentful of a world that judges by appearance. Chu Shuzhi created a diversion, allowing Da Qing to escape.

Witnessing Jiahui's injuries, a desperate Zhang Danni began gathering immense energy for a final confrontation. At that moment, Lin Yusen, consumed by a desire for revenge, rushed forward and attacked with Molotov cocktails designed to harm Subterraneans. In the ensuing explosion, all three were gravely injured. The Black Robed Envoy suddenly appeared and took all three into custody, including the human Lin Yusen.

Zhao Yunlan protested, arguing that Lin Yusen's actions were excusable and questioning why a human should be handed over to the Palace of Lord Earth for judgment. The Black Robed Envoy, stung by Zhao Yunlan's indignation, later confided to his subordinate that Lin Yusen was no ordinary human. Driven by his singular desire for revenge, Lin Yusen had been unknowingly infused with dark energy by a mysterious entity.

This parasitic energy had entangled itself in his body, turning him into a ticking time bomb, even in death. The Black Robed Envoy explained he had to conceal this truth from Zhao Yunlan, fearing that Zhao's empathetic nature would lead him to rash actions. He chose to bear the burden alone, reaffirming a long-held promise to protect the peace, even if it meant carrying a heavy burden forever, lamenting that Zhao's resentment only intensified his own sense of guilt.

Episode 5 Recap

Following up on the case of the murdered Subterraneans, the Special Investigation Unit's work brings public scrutiny upon Professor Shen Wei, whose frequent association with the team has sparked rumors at Dragon City University. To avoid further gossip, Shen Wei moves out of the university apartments and into the same neighborhood as Zhao Yunlan, though he keeps his exact address private, making Zhao suspicious.

Meanwhile, Huang Linqi, the son of wealthy industrialist Huang Chaoyang, returns home after arguing with his father over an arranged marriage to Li Jiaqi. After a heated exchange where his father tells him to "get out," Linqi goes to the bathroom, cries for help, and vanishes into the water. Zhao Yunlan's team is called to investigate the Huang residence.

Butler Wu, a long-serving butler, explains the strained relationship between father and son, revealing that Linqi felt "sold out" for business interests. Soon after, as the SIU tracks Linqi's fiancée, Li Jiaqi, she disappears in the exact same manner. During the investigation, a chilling message appears in the steam on a bathroom mirror: "I am back." Butler Wu is seen acting suspiciously, calling out to an unseen presence by a body of water.

Though he denies any knowledge of Subterraneans when confronted by Zhao Yunlan, he later packs his bags at home, muttering that his son, Xiaojun, has returned. He tells a terrified Huang Chaoyang that he feels a "father-son connection" and is going to find his son, who vanished over twenty years ago. This reaction confirms Huang Chaoyang's fear, as he is responsible for Xiaojun's disappearance.

Separately, the Black Robed Envoy appears before an old Subterranean, warning him not to overextend his powers. He also makes a clandestine visit to Shen Wei, instructing him not to harm Zhao Yunlan, no matter the circumstances. Butler Wu returns to the waterside and is finally reunited with his son, Xiaojun, who emerges from the water full of rage. Xiaojun reveals that he wasn't lost but was cast into a barren wasteland by Huang Chaoyang after displaying his Subterranean powers.

With a twisted worldview, he has captured Huang Linqi and Li Jiaqi, tormenting them to prove that all love is an illusion in the face of death. As Butler Wu pleads for their lives, men sent by Huang Chaoyang ambush them. Butler Wu shields his son, taking a poisoned arrow meant for him. Enraged, Xiaojun escapes through the water and reappears in Huang Chaoyang's swimming pool seeking revenge.

However, Huang had set a trap, and an electric net in the pool weakens Xiaojun. Zhao Yunlan and his team intervene, saving Xiaojun from Huang's men and urging him to see to his dying father. At the SIU headquarters, a distraught Xiaojun begs them to save his father, Wu Tian'en. Guo Changcheng, unable to bear the sight, grabs the Longevity Sundial, willing to sacrifice himself.

Zhao Yunlan takes it from him, preparing to activate it, but the Black Robed Envoy appears and stops him, warning that waking the hallow could have catastrophic consequences. Instead, the Envoy uses his own power to save Wu Tian'en's life. Before taking the father and son into his custody, the Envoy questions Wu Tian'en about a past mission to find a hallow, during which his entire team was killed by Monster Sarcomas.

Wu Tian'en, the sole survivor, provides a new lead: his captain, who was killed in the human world, had a pregnant wife and may have left an offspring. The case closed, the SIU soon receives a new report of a locked-room mystery. A woman named Weiwei, who dislikes sunlight, has vanished from her bathroom with no signs of a struggle. Zhao Yunlan begins his investigation by questioning a witness, Mr. Ji, about any strange occurrences in the bathroom, where the events began.

Episode 6 Recap

The story begins with the disappearance of Zhou Weiwei, Ji Xiaobai’s fiancée, from their bathroom. Days before she vanished, Weiwei had become increasingly unstable, claiming everything felt "fake" and questioning her own reflection. Xiaobai dismissed it as pre-wedding anxiety, but after she disappeared, the Special Investigation Department, led by Director Zhao Yunlan, discovered Xiaobai's home was filled with mirrors.

Da Qing bluntly stated that Weiwei’s chances of survival were low, a sentiment echoed by Guo Changcheng, much to Zhao Yunlan’s frustration. Zhao Yunlan instructed Chu Shuzhi to stay with Guo Changcheng and Xiaobai to provide support. To lift Xiaobai's spirits, Guo took him to a quiet place and encouraged him to shout his wish for Weiwei's return upon hearing a magpie's call, a good omen.

Meanwhile, acting on his strong suspicion, Zhao Yunlan confronted Professor Shen Wei, directly addressing him as the Black Robed Envoy. Without denying his identity, Shen Wei agreed to help find the missing person, though he clarified that he would not engage in combat. To everyone's surprise, Zhou Weiwei returned home, acting as if nothing had happened and claiming she had just visited a friend. Xiaobai was perplexed by her cold demeanor and the absence of her engagement ring.

His unease grew when he later witnessed her cursing at her reflection before vanishing into the mirror. Distraught, he ran to the SID for help. Following Shen Wei's theory that a link between spaces can be created when light hits a mirror vertically, Zhao's team found an entry point. Inside the mirror dimension, Xiaobai was faced with two identical Zhou Weiweis.

He initially thought he recognized his fiancée, but the real Zhou Weiwei, terrified, branded the other a "monster" and revealed she cast no shadow. Enraged at being called a monster, the shadow Weiwei unleashed her power, threatening to kill them all. The Black Robed Envoy arrived just in time, stating that while leaving the Subterrane was not a mortal sin, attempting to kill others was unacceptable. He then took the shadow Weiwei away as a tearful but silent Xiaobai watched.

Later, the real Zhou Weiwei explained she had swapped places with her mirror image because she was tired of human life, while the image craved it. However, seeing the loving relationship the shadow Weiwei built with Xiaobai made the real Weiwei deeply jealous. Xiaobai admitted that despite knowing she was a phantasm, he felt more familiar with the shadow. Realizing the woman he loved was truly gone, he ended his engagement with the real Zhou Weiwei.

Zhao Yunlan's suspicion of Shen Wei deepened due to his extensive knowledge. Impatient to uncover the truth, he and Da Qing discovered Shen Wei lived in the apartment opposite his own. Zhao then had Chu deliver a pennant to Shen Wei, which secretly contained a camera to monitor him.

Elsewhere, the Black Robed Envoy spoke with the captured shadow Weiwei, revealing her father had been his best subordinate who held a great secret and repeatedly uttered the phrase: "Mountain-River Awl guards the south forever." Shen Wei was also seen advising a colleague about a student, Li Qian, and later, effortlessly disarmed a group of thugs who tried to rob him.

Episode 7 Recap

On his way home, Shen Wei is accosted by two men who demand his jade and money. He calmly complies, but just then, Zhao Yunlan appears, and Shen Wei quickly adopts a timid, vulnerable stance. Zhao Yunlan easily dispatches the two thugs, sustaining a minor wrist injury in the process. He follows Shen Wei back to his apartment to have the injury dressed.

During their conversation, Zhao Yunlan offers Shen Wei a consulting position with his unit, hoping to leverage his knowledge of Subterraneans. Shen Wei politely declines, citing a busy teaching schedule, but assures Zhao Yunlan he will provide any information he can. As Zhao Yunlan leaves, Shen Wei gives him some liniment for his wrist. Soon after, the two defeated thugs are attacked by an unseen entity, crying out in terror as they are frozen to death.

A week later, Zhao Yunlan's plans to celebrate a quiet period for the Special Investigation Unit are interrupted by a new case. The victims are the same two thugs, found frozen solid despite the warm weather. Zhao Yunlan confirms their identities and that the time of death matches their encounter. Detectors reveal traces of dark energy at the crime scene. Zhao Yunlan contacts Professor Shen Wei, asking about Subterraneans with the ability to control ice.

Shen Wei, while helpful, maintains his boundaries, explaining he cannot compromise his principles by officially joining the SIU, but assures Zhao Yunlan he would never hide information concerning the safety of his acquaintances. Da Qing then suggests the possibility of "Monster Sarcoma," grotesque, hunchbacked creatures who once terrorized Jiu County before the local Black Robed Envoy drove them into a forbidden area. Before they can investigate further, Zhao Yunlan receives a call that a strange suspect has been apprehended.

At the SIU, Chu Shuzhi and Lin Jing attempt to interrogate the suspect, who can only scream about "a monster." Lin Jing recognizes that the victims' frozen deaths perfectly match Chapter 29 of "August 8 Horror Story," a popular online novel by a new author named Lai Su. He explains to Zhao Yunlan that Lai Su’s stories, though often absurd, are written with such detail they feel incredibly real.

As the head of Lai Su's fan club, Lin Jing reveals a disturbing trend: cases described in the novel seem to be occurring in real life. He cites a frosted sailor's body from Chapter 1 and a dancer killed in a hotel from Chapter 19, both of which coincided with real incidents. The latest chapter, describing a punk frozen to death, now matches their current case.

Lai Su, who typically updates every three days, has been silent for five, drawing the ire of his fans. Zhao Yunlan orders Lin Jing to use the novel’s IP address to locate Lai Su, reminding him that his bonus is on the line. The entire SIU converges on Lai Su’s address. They knock, but there's no answer. Lin Jing picks the lock, and inside, Da Qing detects the fresh scent of a human.

Chu notices the absence of a writing desk, suspecting a hidden workspace. After a brief search, the team discovers a secret passage and finds Lai Su huddled inside, terrified. Lai Su begs for help, claiming someone has been imitating his novel to commit murders and frame him. He confesses that he was a nobody until a "secret visitor" messaged him, encouraging him to write horror stories and promising fame and money.

Consumed by his newfound success, Lai Su continued writing even after realizing his stories were being mimicked by a real killer. Lin Jing, his idol shattered, furiously denounces Lai Su, calling him a "rat hiding in a sewer" who doesn't deserve to be a writer for knowingly continuing despite the deadly consequences. To allow Lin Jing to calm down, Zhao Yunlan leaves Chu and Da Qing to guard Lai Su.

Overwhelmed by remorse, Lai Su uses his computer to update his novel, prematurely ending the story by killing off his protagonist, the murderer. Informed of the update, Zhao Yunlan rushes back, but it is too late. The moment Lai Su publishes the chapter, a Subterranean entity emerges from his computer screen. While it doesn't physically harm Lai Su, the sheer terror causes him to die of cardiac arrest.

This demise perfectly mirrors the death he had just written for his fictional killer. The Subterranean then evades Chu's restraining puppet strings and escapes. The medical report confirms Lai Su was "scared to death." Zhao Yunlan learns that the killer in Lai Su's novel also died after being scared by his own reflection.

Later, Zhao Yunlan discusses the case with Shen Wei, who theorizes that Lai Su possessed dormant Subterranean genes, granting him psychic power that enabled self-hypnosis through his writing. He explains that Lai Su essentially became the very killer he wrote about. In his desperate attempt to end the story by "killing" the fictional murderer, the entity he created turned on him.

Shen Wei laments that Lai Su's desire and greed, combined with his powers, led to his complete immersion and self-destruction, musing that just as authors say their characters take on a life of their own, perhaps everyone is merely a character in someone else's story.

Episode 8 Recap

After a month of hard work, Guo Changcheng was officially welcomed into the Special Investigation Unit, with Director Zhao Yunlan personally announcing his employment. Da Qing humorously warned Guo about the challenges of working under the talkative director. Zhao had already informed the Marine Administration of the new hire and was awaiting internal approval. Wang Zheng presented Guo with his employment notice and a special stamp, explaining that it would prevent the office's protective shield from blocking his entry.

Lin Jing, the shield's inventor, boasted about its necessity for protecting the hallows stored within. Seeing Guo's concern about his lack of psychic powers, Lin Jing gave him a newly invented weapon. This device could transform Guo's fear into electricity, making it more powerful the more scared Guo became. However, Guo's enthusiasm was dampened by his confession that he was also afraid of electricity, a reaction Zhao had anticipated from afar. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan continued his investigation into Shen Wei.

He called the Bioengineering Department at University of Dragon City, feigning interest in a collection of classic books to get in touch with the professor. Zhao admitted to Da Qing his plan was to get close to Shen Wei and investigate him further, as an initial scan with Lin Jing’s energy detector had revealed nothing unusual. Zhao mused that if Shen proved harmless, he would invite him to join the unit.

Despite Da Qing's warning about the Marine Administration's scrutiny, Zhao insisted he would take full responsibility. Later, Zhao met a woman to buy the books, but he recognized a mark on one, revealing he himself had donated the collection to the university library. After exposing her lie, Zhao had the books taken to the office for everyone to read and announced he was going to discuss their new office with Minister Song.

In Zhao’s absence, an anonymous letter containing a black totem and the words "I know who you are" was delivered to Wang Zheng. Reading it triggered a painful, fragmented memory surge, and she kept the letter. Shortly after, the Black-Robed Envoy arrived, revealing that Ding Dun, a recorder from the Palace of Lord Earth, had escaped into the mortal world. Ding Dun possessed the psychic power of tactility, allowing him to see remnant memories by touching objects.

The Envoy suspected a mole within the Palace and believed Ding Dun was part of a larger conspiracy, urging the unit to capture him. As the team discussed the matter, Wang Zheng suddenly fainted. A sinister voice, later revealed to be the antagonist Candle Nine, was heard confirming that Wang Zheng's memories were key to their plan. Expressing disdain for humans, Candle Nine ordered the next phase. While searching for the fugitive, Chu Shuzhi discovered Ding Dun's dead body.

Candle Nine's voice was heard again, posthumously promising Ding Dun credit for his role once the "Mountain-River Awl" was secured. Elsewhere, the Black-Robed Envoy lamented Ding Dun’s death to an unseen, neutral entity, expressing concern about another elusive enemy. The entity refused to get involved in the "fight between gods," but the Envoy pressed for information about a vital item he sought, fearing for the safety of those he protected.

That evening, Shen Wei found a haggard Zhao Yunlan suffering from severe stomach pain by the roadside. He helped Zhao home to his messy apartment and, after getting him to lie down, began to tidy up. A talisman suddenly flew through the window—a reply to an inquiry Zhao, as "Master of Guardians," had sent about Shen Wei.

The message stated that while the name "Shen Wei" was not on the list of Subterraneans, a powerful figure in ancient texts had once used that name. As Zhao slept, Shen Wei subtly altered the message with ink to conceal his true identity. He then watched over Zhao for the entire night. In the Northwest Mountainous Region, Candle Nine followed a map to an ancient cave.

Inside, he found a "Patriarch" who had been trapped for a century, now one with the cave itself. Candle Nine taunted the immobile figure before revealing numerous artifacts, including an "icy awl" he believed would perfect his grand scheme. The following morning at Zhao's apartment, Shen Wei advised him to take better care of himself. He also mentioned he would be leaving Dragon City for a research trip and cautioned Zhao not to leave the city, no matter what.

Shortly after Shen Wei left, Da Qing urgently summoned Zhao to the unit. Wang Zheng had collapsed after reading a newspaper article about a landslide in the Northwest Mountainous Region that had uncovered strange characters. Da Qing recalled that they had found Wang Zheng as a transparent, amnesiac energy being in that same area. Upon waking, Wang Zheng’s memory was restored. Recalling fragmented scenes and the name "Sang," she resigned with a newfound sense of purpose.

Zhao immediately connected her recovery to the Northwest. Just then, Lin Jing announced that the Hallow of Longevity Sundial, long dormant, was suddenly glowing intensely. Recalling the Envoy's words that hallows can resonate with each other, Zhao had Lin Jing trace the source. The signal was coming from 20 kilometers north of the Northwest Mountainous Region, confirming the area's critical importance.

Episode 9 Recap

An experiment conducted for a month shows that a dormant object reacted twice when Zhao Yunlan touched it, with its reaction source located 20 kilometers north of the northwestern mountainous region. This, combined with an earthquake in the same area and a resignation request from Wang Zheng, who wishes to return to her northwestern home, convinces Zhao Yunlan, Chief of the Special Investigation Unit, to investigate.

He decides the entire team will accompany Wang Zheng home to uncover the region's secrets. He instructs Lin Jing to procure a large, movable, human-shaped doll for Wang Zheng, an energy being who cannot remain exposed for long periods. Concurrently, Professor Shen Wei plans a research trip to the northwest with his students to study a mysterious totem discovered in the earthquake's epicenter. Before leaving, Shen Wei warns Zhao Yunlan not to leave Dragon City, alluding to grave dangers.

On a mountain road, Zhao Yunlan's team encounters Professor Shen Wei and his students, whose van has broken down. Seeing it as a fortunate coincidence, Zhao dispatches Lin Jing to help. Zhao teases Shen Wei about their frequent meetings, suggesting Shen has a tracker on him, which Shen counters by implying Zhao is the one following him. After getting information from the students about their destination, Zhao insists on traveling together for mutual protection, dismissing Shen's earlier warning.

He then takes over as the driver for Shen's van, citing his experience with rough roads. As they journey westward, Wang Zheng becomes increasingly uneasy, feeling a distinct discomfort as they near her home. Their progress is halted at a checkpoint where an officer denies them passage due to collapsed roads. As Zhao had anticipated, a local leader he had contacted, Lang from Qingxi Village, arrives to grant them passage.

Deeper into the mountains, a dense fog descends, and their vehicle breaks down, leaving them without a phone signal. While stranded, Shen Wei momentarily sees a fleeting figure, which Zhao dismisses as an illusion caused by magnetic substances. Guo Changcheng points out a large crow, which he calls a "mourning bird" from local folklore, but Zhao dismisses this as superstition. Soon after, Lang finds the group and guides them to a long-abandoned guesthouse.

He warns them to stay indoors and ignore any strange noises at night. As they settle in, Zhao helps a stumbling Shen Wei and remarks on how unusually light he feels. That evening, Wang Zheng recounts the story of the Hanga, an ancient, isolated tribe that once lived nearby. She explains that the Hanga practiced slavery, forcing their captives to wear bronze masks with ferocious fangs and using them as warriors and sacrifices.

The tribe, she claims, vanished due to centuries of inbreeding. Her story is cut short by the sudden appearance of masked figures—her former tribesmen, now energy beings. An unseen antagonist, Candle Nine, speaks to them, angry that the earthquake released them instead of a more powerful prisoner. He coerces them into attacking Wang Zheng by threatening their families, who are still trapped in ice.

At the same time, Zhao Yunlan feels the Longevity Sundial vibrate, indicating another powerful Hallow is nearby. As the attack begins, Wang Zheng tries to lure the figures away, but Shen Wei stops her, promising to protect everyone. Chu discovers his conventional weapons are useless against the energy beings, and Guo Changcheng's terrified scream alerts Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong, who were outside.

Zhao rushes back to help, but as he aims his gun, he is struck by fragmented memories of an explosion and a crumbling fortress, causing him to hesitate—an uncharacteristic reaction that concerns Zhu Hong. After the attackers retreat, Shen Wei confirms a totem he's been studying belongs to the Hanga. This leads Zhao to question the true reason for the tribe's demise and suspect the Subterraneans are behind the unrest.

Later, the unseen Candle Nine admonishes the masked figures for their failure. As the group settles for the night, Wang Zheng secretly slips out of the guesthouse and enters a hidden passage. Candle Nine watches, revealing his plan: he anticipates Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei will follow her with the Longevity Sundial, allowing him to seize both it and the hidden Mountain-River Awl.

The episode ends with a flashback of a man named Sang Zan condemning the "sinner Ge Lan" for bewitching a hero with sorcery, hinting at Wang Zheng's true identity and past.

Episode 10 Recap

Zhao Yunlan woke with a severe headache to find they had all been drugged. Zhu Hong, who was only mildly affected, confirmed that others like Lin Jing, Da Qing, and Shen Wei's students were still unconscious. Zhao Yunlan immediately suspected Wang Zheng. Shen Wei then appeared, explaining that he had not consumed the water Wang Zheng offered. He reasoned that Wang Zheng, a member of the Hanga tribe, had likely intended to sacrifice herself to ensure their safety.

As they discussed the situation, an intense earthquake shook the village. Shen Wei deduced the tremor was caused by dark energy, suspecting that Subterraneans were hiding nearby. Despite the new danger, Zhao Yunlan felt the urgency to find Wang Zheng and set out with Chu and Changcheng, instructing Zhu Hong to remain at the inn and watch over Shen Wei, whose unnatural calm he found deeply suspicious.

Meanwhile, Wang Zheng was confined within a desolate, icy cave, tearfully gazing at her lover, Sang Zan, who was encased within a massive ice formation. An unseen voice revealed that Wang Zheng was merely a lure to draw others to the cave, identifying Sang Zan's icy prison as the Mountain-River Awl itself. Back at the inn, a distrustful Zhu Hong attempted to use a hypnotic snake technique on Shen Wei, but her power proved insufficient.

The spell backfired, rendering her unconscious, and Shen Wei seized the opportunity to transform into Mr. Black and depart to aid Zhao Yunlan. Zhao Yunlan led Chu and Changcheng through the treacherous terrain. Initially disoriented, Zhao Yunlan drew upon his knowledge of Hanga tribal customs, specifically their reverence for the "Mountain Soul" and the principles of Robra Magic.

He deduced that the three altar locations formed a symmetrical, equilateral triangle, confirming their target using a rag left behind by Wang Zheng. Upon reaching the cave, Chu forcibly opened the entrance, revealing a horde of monstrous sarcomas. These creatures were fierce, and their deafening shrieks caused tremors akin to the earthquake they had experienced earlier. Zhao Yunlan, prioritizing Changcheng's safety, sent him back. Just as the situation escalated, Mr. Black arrived, providing crucial assistance.

He observed that the sarcomas were vulnerable to light and fire, and that their fatal spot was on their heads. Zhao Yunlan attempted to use his father's Dark Energy Gun, but Mr. Black explained that his own powers were significantly limited on the surface due to gravity and the interference of a powerful hallow—the Mountain-River Awl—complicating their search.

Undeterred, Zhao Yunlan activated the Longevity Sundial, using its resonance to pinpoint Wang Zheng's exact location, despite Mr. Black's warnings about the potential for a dark energy backlash. They finally located Wang Zheng, who was inexplicably bound to the Mountain-River Awl. The surrounding area was deserted, and her strange, unblinking expression raised immediate suspicion.

Mr. Black, sensing a trap, cautiously approached and questioned her identity, specifically how she, known to have died a century ago with the Hanga tribe, was now working for the Special Investigation Unit. Wang Zheng, with an unsettling tone, began to narrate her past, revealing her true Hanga name: Ge Lan, daughter of the tribe's former patriarch. She recounted her first encounter with Sang Zan, a slave she found distinct from the others, unmasked and possessing a fierce, independent spirit.

Sang Zan revealed the dark truths of their society: her brother, the patriarch's son, had whipped Sang Zan's brother to death, and her father, the patriarch, desired Sang Zan's sister, leading to her demise. Sang Zan asserted that prolonged power corrupts, transforming rulers into monsters, and passionately declared that every individual should have the right to self-determination. Initially disbelieving the accusations against her family, Ge Lan was nonetheless captivated by Sang Zan's revelations and fostered a unique friendship with him.

Sang Zan eventually ignited a slave rebellion, leading his people to overthrow the oppressive nobility. He personally slew Ge Lan's father and brother, ascending to leadership. As the new patriarch, Sang Zan abolished the aristocracy and slavery, vowing that every Hanga would live with dignity. Despite Sang Zan's profound affection and protection for Ge Lan, the newly liberated Hanga people harbored deep resentment towards her, seeing her as a symbol of the old regime and fearing she would seek vengeance.

They demanded her execution. Sang Zan, unwilling to sacrifice Ge Lan, resolved to abandon his position and flee with her. However, their escape plan was betrayed. Ge Lan awoke the next morning bound, facing execution, with Sang Zan chained nearby, forced to witness her impending death. She realized with crushing despair that the very people her love had liberated now sought her demise. After Ge Lan's death, Sang Zan was consumed by inconsolable grief.

The unseen voice confirmed that the Mountain-River Awl, unlike the Longevity Sundial, could not restore life; its power was only to forcibly extract a deceased person's energy form and preserve it, without guaranteeing the return of their human shape. In his despair, Sang Zan buried Ge Lan beneath the vibrant flowers where they had first met. From that day forward, Sang Zan transformed, his heart consumed by a vengeful hatred for those who had caused Ge Lan's death.

Listening to the tragic tale, Mr. Black remarked that if his own beloved were to be killed because of the very rules he had established, he would harbor a greater hatred for those perpetrators than for any past oppressor.

Episode 11 Recap

The tragic story of Ge Lan and Sang Zan concludes. Consumed by hatred for the tribal rules that caused Ge Lan's death, Sang Zan confesses to poisoning the elder, believing his own soul was forfeit the moment he took revenge. When the tribe attempts to exhume and burn Ge Lan's body, they unearth the Mountain-River Awl. To stop the cycle of violence, Sang Zan activates the hallow, transforming into a being of pure energy.

He warns his people to flee before the Awl's power permanently encases him in ice. Zhao Yunlan and the Black Robed Envoy confirm Sang Zan's identity as the transparent energy being trapped within the ice. Just as they begin the rescue, Zhu Jiu springs his trap, revealing he orchestrated the entire ordeal to use human power to claim the Mountain-River Awl.

A fierce battle erupts between Zhu Jiu and the Black Robed Envoy, and the force of their clashing dark energy splinters the ice tomb. Freed but weak, Sang Zan joins the fight. When Zhu Jiu tries to absorb his energy, Wang Zheng uses her own power to shield him. This gives the Black Robed Envoy an opening to seize the Mountain-River Awl from the fissure, while Zhao Yunlan fires a specialized bullet, forcing the wounded Zhu Jiu to retreat.

The Black Robed Envoy suspects that Zhu Jiu's meticulous plan points to a greater conspiracy. Moved by Wang Zheng's desperate pleas and Zhao's empathy, he agrees to use the Mountain-River Awl to restore Sang Zan. His energy body rebuilt, Sang Zan is brought to the SID as the new file clerk, a "punishment" Zhao jokingly assigns for their long separation. As energy beings are sensitive to sunlight, Zhao arranges for them to travel after sunset.

Back at the SID, Zhao and the Black Robed Envoy discuss the case, agreeing there is likely a mastermind behind Zhu Jiu, especially since the hallows can backfire on Subterraneans. Zhao later muses to Da Qing about the Black Robed Envoy's true identity, wondering if such a powerful being could live among humans. Da Qing admits that despite his vast knowledge, the supreme leader of the Subterraneans is a complete mystery to him.

Meanwhile, Guo Changcheng laments his own uselessness in battle, wishing for Zhao’s composure or Chu’s dependable strength. While the team is away, Shen Wei prepares for their return by using Serpent Hypnosis on Guo Changcheng, compelling him to forget his name until Zhao Yunlan is back safely. The SID later returns to a triumphant welcome from the villagers.

At the celebratory feast, Zhao drinks heavily, and a concerned Shen Wei, who normally abstains, drinks a bowl of strong liquor on Zhao's behalf, only to immediately pass out. Later that night, while looking after the unconscious professor, Zhao Yunlan detects a foul, familiar odor on Shen Wei's clothes: the unmistakable stench of Underworld beast blood. The realization is instant and absolute—Professor Shen Wei is the Black Robed Envoy.

When Shen Wei awakens the next morning, he finds the SID has already left, leaving behind only a short note from Zhao, a clear signal that his identity has been discovered. A new case develops at a research institute, where director Zheng Zhongyuan and his team are using high-frequency ultrasound to gruesomely kill fish. A compassionate researcher, Tan Xiao, is disgusted by the cruelty and is promptly fired.

To celebrate, Zheng has his 15-year-old mute step-daughter, Zheng Yi, play the violin. After seeing his daughter off, Zheng returns to the lab, where a chilling voice announces his time is up. A powerful ultrasonic wave kills him and his team. The deaths are staged as suicides, with the victims seemingly compelled by dark energy to slash their wrists. Zhao dispatches Chu to track down the missing Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi.

Meanwhile, Lin Jing discovers Zheng's last phone call was to a landline, which is answered by Shen Wei. Concurrently, Zhao sends Zhu Hong and Guo Changcheng to find her Fourth Uncle, a Serpent elder, to inquire about the history of the hallows. Wary of her involvement in human affairs, her uncle tricks her into drinking realgar wine, a substance potent only to serpents. As her strength drains away, she realizes he has trapped her to keep her out of the conflict, leaving a panicked Guo Changcheng helpless.

Episode 12 Recap

Fourth Uncle had taken who he believed to be Zhu Hong captive, but it was actually Guo Changcheng in disguise. Thinking he was speaking to his niece, he pleaded with her to leave the Special Investigation Unit and distance herself from the affairs of humans and Dixingren, emphasizing that the Serpent clan had survived by remaining neutral. However, the real Zhu Hong appeared and forced her uncle to drink potent realgar wine, incapacitating him.

She declared her unwavering loyalty to the Special Investigation Unit, stating she would live and die with them, before leaving Guo Changcheng in the care of her unconscious uncle to go for reinforcements. The guards outside, many of whom had admired her for years, willingly turned a blind eye to her escape. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan's suspicion that Shen Wei was the Black Robed Envoy grew stronger.

He probed Shen Wei about the case, but Shen Wei masterfully deflected, claiming no expertise in sound control and portraying himself as an ordinary person caught in strange circumstances. Frustrated, Zhao Yunlan called the SID to check in. Wang Zheng answered, but the call was abruptly cut off by a piercing sonic disturbance. Sensing trouble, Zhao Yunlan rushed back to the office, with Shen Wei insisting on accompanying him.

They arrived to find the SID office in disarray, with Wang Zheng collapsed. Lin Jing explained that the attacker used powerful sound waves that could interfere with his shield's magnetic field and had even shattered his energy meter. The psychic power was sophisticated, able to vibrate space and control emotions simultaneously. Zhao Yunlan confronted the intruder, Tan Xiao, who was attempting to steal the Mountain-River Awl. Weakened by the sonic attack, Zhao Yunlan was steadied by Shen Wei.

Seeing his advantage lost, Tan Xiao fled. Shortly after, Da Qing arrived, and Lin Jing proposed an experiment to study spiritual frequency, for which Zhao Yunlan volunteered. While attempting to return to the SID, Zhu Hong was ambushed by Tan Xiao. He attacked her with sound waves and a corrupting dark energy that caused her to become disoriented and frenzied.

Lin Jing tracked the energy signature of the attack, arriving just in time to subdue the agitated Zhu Hong with a tranquilizer. As Lin Jing took her back to the SID, Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing successfully located and captured Tan Xiao and the girl with him, Zheng Yi. During interrogation, Tan Xiao calmly confessed to murdering Zheng Zhongyuan.

He explained that Zheng Zhongyuan was Zheng Yi's abusive stepfather and that he had killed the man to protect the girl from further harm. By confessing, he took full responsibility for the crime that the SID believed was committed by a Dixingren with psychic abilities. Zheng Yi, wearing a mask, remained silent throughout his testimony.

As Tan Xiao finished, the Black Robed Envoy materialized, stated that everyone must take responsibility for their actions, and took Tan Xiao away without a word to Zhao Yunlan. With Tan Xiao gone, Zheng Yi began to cry. Zhao Yunlan offered her Da Qing, who had transformed into a small cat, for comfort. However, a sudden realization struck Zhao Yunlan.

Recalling Lin Jing's observations about sound waves interfering with magnetic fields and Zheng Zhongyuan's research into "acoustic oscillation out of water," he connected the facts. He concluded that Tan Xiao, a scientist, was merely a cover. The scientific phenomena he described were not psychic powers. It was Zheng Yi who possessed the true Dixingren ability to both vibrate space and mesmerize minds, and Tan Xiao had sacrificed himself to protect her. Before Zhao Yunlan could act, it was too late.

Zheng Yi had vanished with Da Qing. Shortly after, a mesmerized Da Qing returned to the SID, now under Zheng Yi's control. He opened the protective shields, allowing Zheng Yi to steal both the Longevity Sundial and the Mountain-River Awl before disappearing with the sacred artifacts.

Episode 13 Recap

Wang Zheng confirms that Zheng Yi, now in possession of the Hallows, is heading towards the wedding of Huang Linqi and Li Jiaqi. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zhao Yunlan and his team rush to the Huangs' residence. Upon arrival, they find the wedding plunged into chaos. Zheng Yi, under Zhu Jiu's manipulation, has used the Hallows to incite violence among the guests.

In the turmoil, the bride Li Jiaqi's father is killed, and Minister Gao of the Marine Administration is severely injured. Zhao Yunlan confronts Shen Wei, who is also present. Frustrated by Shen Wei’s recurring presence at crime scenes, Zhao Yunlan struggles to get him to admit his true identity. Minister Gao vouches for Shen Wei, stating that he saved his life.

To cover for him, Zhao Yunlan then claims that Shen Wei is an undercover agent for the Special Investigation Unit. Outside, a reporter who survived the chaos reveals he saw Zhu Jiu conversing with a crow, confirming he has an accomplice. This aligns with information later brought to the Black-Robed Envoy by Ying Chun, the Flower tribe presbyter, who warns him that Yaqing, the presbyter of the Werecrow tribe, has betrayed the Sub-beasts to ally with Zhu Jiu.

In a secret meeting, Yaqing’s collaboration with Zhu Jiu is confirmed, as she reminds him that her tribe’s intelligence was crucial in finding the Hallows. Zhao Yunlan later goes to Shen Wei's research laboratory and discovers Tan Xiao imprisoned there. He confronts Shen Wei, demanding an explanation, as Tan Xiao was last seen being taken away by the Black-Robed Envoy.

Before Shen Wei can fully explain his reasons for protecting Tan Xiao and Zhao Yunlan from greater danger, Zhu Jiu and Zheng Yi arrive. Zheng Yi uses her powers to manipulate Zhao Yunlan and abducts him, while Shen Wei, his own powers suppressed in the human realm, is unable to stop them. Zhu Jiu, confident with Zhao Yunlan seemingly under her control, brings him to the Special Investigation Unit, where only Zhu Hong is on guard.

At Zhu Jiu's command, the seemingly compelled Zhao Yunlan shoots Zhu Hong. However, Zhu Jiu's triumph is short-lived. The entire sequence was a ruse orchestrated by Zhao Yunlan to expose Zhu Jiu and force Shen Wei to reveal his identity. Lin Jing, a SID technician, had developed special earplugs just half a day prior that counteract Zheng Yi's sonic mind control, rendering it ineffective on Zhao Yunlan.

Shen Wei arrives and, seeing Zhu Hong is only superficially wounded, understands the ploy and plays along, feigning a collapse to fool Zhu Jiu. Completely deceived, Zhu Jiu demands the Hallows from Zheng Yi. As the exchange is about to happen, Shen Wei rises, and Zhao Yunlan turns his gun on Zhu Jiu, shooting her in the arm. Trapped by the SID's energy-restricting field, Zhu Jiu takes Zheng Yi hostage in a desperate attempt to escape.

However, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are unfazed, aware that Zheng Yi is not a weakness they share. With his plan a success, Zhao Yunlan is relieved to have finally forced Shen Wei to reveal his true identity.

Episode 14 Recap

Zhu Jiu, having been shot in the arm by Zhao Yunlan, escapes by jumping out a window. When Yunlan picks up the Sanhe Cone that Zhu Jiu left behind, a rush of fragmented memories floods his mind, overwhelming him to the point of unconsciousness. Upon waking, Yunlan finds himself surrounded by his team, with Shen Wei once again in his Black Robed Envoy attire.

Yunlan attempts to address the Envoy by name, but Shen Wei swiftly cuts him off, making Yunlan realize the need to maintain the secrecy of his identity. The discussion turns to Zheng Yi, who is to be taken to the Subterrane for trial. While others, particularly a tearful Guo Changcheng, plead for her due to her circumstances, the Black Robed Envoy states that all living creatures are pitiful and questions the purpose of law if mercy is always granted.

Publicly, he takes Zheng Yi away. However, Yunlan later senses the Envoy's internal conflict, commenting that despite his ruthless exterior, he is considerate and soft-hearted. This proves true when Yunlan later sees a freed Zheng Yi and Tan Xiao on his way home, confirming that the Envoy secretly released them. Determined to have Shen Wei join his team, Zhao Yunlan had made this a condition for forgiving Shen Wei's deception.

With Shen Wei's agreement, the two head to the Marine Administration to report to Minister Gao. They first encounter Guo Ying, the Deputy Minister and Guo Changcheng’s uncle. Before meeting the minister, Shen Wei presents a self-criticism letter Yunlan had asked him to write. Yunlan is amused to find it beautifully written with a brush, a testament to Shen Wei's long life and unfamiliarity with modern pens. Inside the office, Minister Gao welcomes Shen Wei to the Special Investigation Unit.

He also mentions Zhao Yunlan's father, Zhao Xinci, who has been promoted to Director of the Star Supervisory Bureau. Yunlan’s expression hardens at the mention of his father, prompting Shen Wei to quickly change the subject. Minister Gao then warns them about Cong Bo, a professional whistleblower and freelance writer who has been targeting the SID since the wedding incident. He urges them to be vigilant, as Cong Bo is known for exposing secrets through any means necessary.

Following this, the SID members find themselves under constant surveillance, but they remain alert and give Cong Bo no significant material, leading to him documenting only trivial "revelations" like "vulgar music and bad taste" and "late night gibberish of suspected cat abuser." As they leave, Guo Ying invites them to dinner, also inviting his nephew, Guo Changcheng, separately.

At the dinner, Guo Ying reveals his true purpose: he asks Zhao Yunlan to transfer Changcheng to a safer position, expressing deep concern for his nephew's well-being. This surprises Yunlan, who had assumed Guo Ying was the one who placed Changcheng in the SID. Changcheng vehemently refuses to leave, passionately explaining that the SID has given him confidence and a sense of purpose. Sensing the awkwardness, Yunlan and Shen Wei excuse themselves.

Later, Yunlan officially introduces Shen Wei to the team as their Honorary Special Advisor and assigns tasks: continue the search for Zhu Jiu and be wary of Cong Bo. He tells Shen Wei they are now family. Meanwhile, Cong Bo, observing from a distance, recognizes Shen Wei as the hero from the wedding and realizes he has found a new, high-profile target for his exposé.

Episode 15 Recap

Cong Bo discovers the pinhole camera that Zhao Yunlan had previously installed in Professor Shen Wei's office. The footage reveals a disturbing scene where Shen Wei, while alone, responds to an unseen messenger, demanding that the Regent hand over the Book of Lord Earth within three days so he can personally investigate Zhu Jiu's origins and abilities. Cong Bo, who dubs himself the "Dragon City whistleblower," believes he has a duty to expose the truth.

He presents his collected "evidence" to Zhao Yunlan, threatening to publicize it within three days. Shen Wei expresses deep regret for his carelessness, but Zhao Yunlan sees an opportunity to turn an adversary into an ally. He has Lin Jing hack into Cong Bo's computer and delete the stolen data, then visits Cong Bo with Shen Wei.

Cong Bo argues that his revelations serve the public, but Zhao Yunlan challenges this by showing how his reports, based on partial information and misleading angles, have caused immense harm, such as pushing a company to bankruptcy in the case of Mr. Zhang. Confronted with the negative consequences of his actions, a guilt-ridden Cong Bo apologizes. Zhao Yunlan then offers him a position as an external investigator for the Special Investigation Unit, urging him to use his skills for justice.

In the following days, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are inseparable, discussing matters privately in the office and sharing late-night snacks before walking home. Their growing closeness is not lost on Zhu Hong, who, heartbroken over her unrequited love for Zhao Yunlan, confides her frustrations to Da Qing over beer. Overwhelmed, she resolves to call Zhao Yunlan and demand answers. Her distress is also noticed by a naive Guo Changcheng, though Da Qing deflects his questions.

The next morning, Guo is on his way to work when he witnesses an elderly man, the Regent, get hit by a car. The disoriented Regent speaks of not having seen the sun in years and being alone in the world. After initially declining help, he asks Guo to take him to "No. 4 Guangming Road"—the address of the Special Investigation Unit.

Upon arriving, the Regent is immediately confronted by a furious Chu Shuzhi, who recognizes him and nearly attacks him before Guo intervenes. Zhao Yunlan arrives and calmly greets the Regent, acknowledging his status as the third leader of the Subterraneans. When Shen Wei appears, the Regent is terrified of being recognized. To protect Shen Wei's identity, Zhao Yunlan quickly introduces him as Professor Shen, a "special consultant and bioengineering expert."

Inside the office, the Regent explains his predicament: the Book of Lord Earth has been lost. Shen Wei, who needed the book to research Zhu Jiu, is enraged. The Regent tries to blame an escaped prisoner, Ding Dun, but Shen Wei dismisses it as an excuse. The Regent then implores Shen Wei to return to the Subterrane to find the book.

Zhao Yunlan insists on accompanying him, despite Shen Wei's grave warnings that the Dark Energy in the Subterrane could fatally corrupt his body due to his ability to resonate with the Hallows. Zhao argues that as a leader, he must face the danger, especially with Shen Wei by his side. Reluctantly, Shen Wei agrees and uses a shared vision to give Zhao a brief, unsettling glimpse of the dark, timeless world of the Subterrane.

As Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei prepare to leave, Wang Zheng receives an urgent call: the Star Supervisory Bureau is conducting a surprise inspection that afternoon. With Zhao away, the team panics and devises a plan for Guo, who has never officially met the inspectors, to pose as the Director in his office. Da Qing confidently volunteers to stall the arriving commissioner with his charm.

However, when the special car pulls up, Da Qing opens the door and his confident smile freezes as he comes face-to-face with the stern Director General Zhao of the Star Supervisory Bureau.

Episode 16 Recap

A nervous Guo Changcheng, wearing a mask, sat at Zhao Yunlan’s desk, feigning work in a "laboratory" filled with supposed trophies and inventions. A sharply dressed man entered, demanding to see Director Zhao. Guo attempted to deflect by claiming to have a contagious cold, but the man was unfazed, calmly revealing he knew all of Guo's personal details, from his birth date to his family connections. Startled, Guo removed his mask and asked for the man's identity.

The man introduced himself as Zhao Xinci, Director General of the Star Supervisory Bureau, former Director of the Special Investigation Unit, and Zhao Yunlan's father. Zhao Xinci then pressed the team on Zhao Yunlan's whereabouts and also inquired about the new consultant, Shen Wei, noting he had checked Shen's schedule and knew he was free, implying he was well aware of his son's flippant nature. Da Qing explained that Zhao Yunlan was in the Subterranean realm with the Black-Robed Envoy.

There, the Regent informed Shen Wei that he and Lord Earth were waiting for his report. The Regent asked Shen Wei to dismiss Zhao Yunlan, referring to him as a mere "attendant," but Zhao Yunlan firmly corrected him, stating he was a friend. Though the Black-Robed Envoy insisted that no outsiders were allowed, Zhao Yunlan placated him, stating that he knew the Envoy was a man of principle.

With the Envoy appeased, Zhao Yunlan suggested that he and the Regent search for the missing item while Shen Wei attended to his official duties, reassuring a cautious Shen Wei that he would be careful. Back at the SIU, after hearing the explanation, Zhao Xinci criticized Zhao Yunlan for deserting his post, stating that a leader's most serious dereliction of duty is abandoning his team. Just then, an urgent call came in about an incident at Dragon Park.

Upon arrival, Zhao Xinci took charge, reminding everyone that as the acting Director, he expected obedience and efficiency. The key witness, a stammering security guard named Bao Laosan, could only describe waking up to the horrific scene of fractured ground. Zhao Xinci assigned tasks: Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi were to investigate the guard's family, Zhu Hong was to get security footage, and Lin Jing was to analyze the soil structure.

To Da Qing's shock, Zhao Xinci instructed him to question the neighborhood's stray cats for clues, claiming Da Qing had once been a meritorious "cat whisperer." Da Qing protested that he had no such ability and couldn't recall it, but Zhao Xinci insisted, criticizing Zhao Yunlan’s methods as being driven by a desire for quick success rather than solid evidence.

Wandering the Subterranean realm with the Regent, Zhao Yunlan soon stumbled upon a scuffle where an old man, Wu, was being bullied. Zhao Yunlan intervened, using a quick ruse about a contagious disease to scare off the attackers. Later, while alone, Zhao Yunlan encountered a glowing stone that spoke to him, voicing his deep-seated insecurities and cynicism. Before he could process the experience, the same youths who had bullied Wu surrounded him, questioning his identity.

They turned hostile when he mentioned the Black-Robed Envoy, calling him a traitor. Just as they were about to attack, the Black-Robed Envoy appeared, causing the youths to flee. Meanwhile, the Black-Robed Envoy went to the Palace of Lord Earth to consult Ding Dun's personal files. He was informed by an attendant that the files had been destroyed half a month prior by order of Lord Earth, with the attendant asserting Lord Earth's supreme authority.

The attendant then noted the Envoy's mask, remarking on the coincidence of someone else wearing a similar one and jesting about a masked ball. Later, Zhao Yunlan ran into Old Wu again, who warned him that the Regent was a duplicitous man with an ill repute, known for having malice behind his smile. Just then, the Regent arrived, feigning concern and claiming to have searched everywhere for Zhao Yunlan.

He then dramatically complained of feeling unwell and, instead of producing the Book of Lord Earth, vaguely described it as being made of black sheepskin and asked Zhao Yunlan to find it himself before promptly excusing himself to rest. At the SIU, Da Qing reported to Zhao Xinci that their investigations had yielded nothing. Unsurprised, Zhao Xinci called it the "calm before the storm."

He harshly criticized the team's working style as "sloppy and undisciplined" and, citing information from a reliable source, proposed Zhao Yunlan's removal as Director. He announced he would speak to each member privately to gain support. Soon after, another incident of fractured ground was reported. While investigating the new scene, Zhu Hong received a call that the security guard, Bao Laosan, had gone missing.

Lin Jing then had a breakthrough, realizing Zhao Xinci’s request for a soil report meant he had already deduced the culprit had the psychic power to alter soil structures. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the team rushed back to the SIU. Meanwhile, Zhu Jiu was with Bao Laosan, revealing his new plan to destroy the SIU building. Having failed to damage it from within, he now intended to use an external force—Bao Laosan's earth-moving psychic power—to crush it entirely. When Bao asked if this would allow Subterraneans to live on the surface, Zhu Jiu assured him that it would.

Episode 17 Recap

Bao Laosan, driven by resentment, had once resorted to theft and used his psychic powers to wreak havoc to ensure his and his wife's survival. During that time, his nemesis was Zhao Xinci, then the director of the SIU. Though an officer, Xinci was secretly a Subterranean himself. During a confrontation, Bao Laosan's wife was killed by a gunshot from Xinci while trying to protect her husband. This deep-seated hatred made Bao Laosan susceptible to Zhu Jiu's manipulation.

Zhu Jiu coaxed Bao Laosan into escaping the Subterrane to destroy the SIU, promising that this would allow Subterraneans to live freely on the surface. However, during the attack on the SIU building, Zhu Jiu abandoned Bao Laosan, leaving him to face the returning SIU members alone. Under a barrage of attacks, Bao Laosan, in a daze, saw Xinci, his greatest enemy.

Consumed by hate, Bao Laosan lunged at Xinci, vowing to avenge his wife, only to be shot and killed in the ensuing chaos. The SIU members were visibly shocked, feeling that even the most heinous criminals deserved a trial rather than an arbitrary death. For Xinci, no death was easy to face; he only desired to maintain peace and order, viewing death as an unavoidable sorrow that had weighed on him for years.

In a flashback, he is shown kneeling by a tombstone. Years ago, his wife, Shen Xi, was held hostage by a notorious Subterranean criminal. For the greater good, Xinci made the agonizing decision to sacrifice his wife, letting her perish before his eyes. A young Zhao Yunlan cried out in despair as he watched his mother die. This devastating experience shaped Zhao Yunlan's approach to justice.

Unlike his father, Zhao Yunlan, now the Director of the SIU, often shows compassion, even at risk to his own life. Later, Xinci explained to Da Qing that he must play a difficult role, even being seen as a "traitor" by some Subterraneans, to prevent another war, believing the source of the current turmoil lay with the Hallows and Zhu Jiu.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan and Old Wu traversed the Subterrane, feeling a strange familiarity with the paths yet unable to locate either the Book of Lord Earth or Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan struggled with the corrosive dark energy, while Old Wu's frequent use of his teleportation ability was taking a toll. During their search, Old Wu explained that his teleportation required a medium—oxygen.

Zhao Yunlan immediately realized that Zhu Jiu, who always disappeared towards sources of light, likely used light as his medium, and pondered if he could be trapped in complete darkness. Their search led them to a dilapidated house where a masked Subterranean was operating a fortune-telling stall. Zhao Yunlan approached the mysterious figure, paid for a reading, and inquired about the Book of Lord Earth. The fortune teller proved hostile, demanding Zhao Yunlan's life as payment.

Unskilled in close-quarters combat, Zhao Yunlan was quickly overpowered. The mysterious individual then removed his mask, revealing himself to be Ding Dun, whom they had believed to be dead. Just as Ding Dun was about to deliver a fatal blow, Shen Wei arrived and saved Zhao Yunlan. However, Shen Wei discovered that Ding Dun had already burned the Book of Lord Earth to ashes. Shen Wei brought the unconscious Zhao Yunlan back to the SIU.

In his delirium, Zhao Yunlan again dreamt of his mother, who spoke cryptic words about listening to the voice in his heart. Upon waking, Zhao Yunlan was immediately consumed by the pressing issues at hand, leaving no time to ponder the dream. Shen Wei returned home, leaving Zhao Yunlan to marvel at how a "frail intellectual" like him could have survived such an ordeal.

Da Qing delivered a series of photos to Zhao Yunlan, revealing an underground fighting arena where dark energy was detected. Zhao Yunlan decided to send Guo to investigate. Chu, who had been cold to Guo when he first joined, volunteered to go with him, vowing to protect him in the dangerous environment. At the arena, Guo was nervous and apologetic, while Chu fiercely shielded him.

Later, Zhao Yunlan discussed Chu's drastic change in behavior with Shen Wei, noting how protective he had become. Shen Wei, who was simultaneously facing an ultimatum from his university's headmaster to choose between his consulting role and his professorship, smiled and suggested, "Maybe this is brotherhood." Shen Wei's trouble at the university was temporarily resolved when Jiajia, the headmaster's granddaughter and one of his students, passionately advocated for him to stay.

Meanwhile, at the Palace of Lord Earth, the Regent interrogated and ordered the execution of several captured Subterraneans, accusing them of betraying Lord Earth. He also commanded his followers to confiscate all books related to the Hallows from the libraries. Separately, back at the SIU, while sifting through a pile of ancient texts, Da Qing discovered a strange book they had never seen before. It contained a single, cryptic line: "The Lord of the Great Wilderness is named Kunlun."

Episode 18 Recap

At an underground boxing arena, Chu and Lin Jing arrive on a mission to investigate black energy, but before Lin Jing can detect any Subterraneans, a fight concludes. The victor, a desperate young man named Jie, shouts to the crowd, imploring the elusive defending champion, Ye Huo, to appear and fight him. Jie's performance isn't good enough to arouse Ye Huo's spirits. Observing this, Chu abruptly climbs into the ring, taking Jie's place to challenge Ye Huo himself.

Despite initial protests from Lin Jing and the arena's judge, the fight is permitted as victory is the only rule in this brutal setting. After Chu effortlessly wins against Jie, Ye Huo finally emerges, intrigued by Chu's abilities and agreeing to the challenge. He states he wants to see if Chu is capable of protecting those around him. Their match is set for an hour later.

Meanwhile, Director Zhao Yunlan, restless in his office after learning of Chu's unauthorized involvement in the arena, decides to head there with Shen Wei. He voices his frustration with Chu’s reckless nature to Shen Wei, who calmly defends Chu's character and loyalty. Upon their arrival, Chu has already won his fight against Ye Huo. The enraged crowd, having lost their bets, erupts into chaos, but Yunlan quickly quells the disturbance with a warning shot from his Dark Energy Gun.

In the ensuing commotion, Ye Huo seizes the opportunity to flee. Yunlan instructs Chu and Lin Jing to handle the aftermath, including getting the arena's boss, Mr. Zhou, while he and Shen Wei pursue Ye Huo. Lin Jing and Da Qing follow Yunlan and Shen Wei in a separate car. Lin Jing's equipment soon detects two distinct Dark Energy signatures—one stationary to the left, likely a stronghold, and another moving to the right, which is Ye Huo.

They decide to split up, with Lin Jing and Da Qing heading towards the stationary energy source, while Yunlan and Shen Wei continue their chase after Ye Huo. Their pursuit ends when Shen Wei, revealing his identity as the Black Robed Envoy, restrains Ye Huo. Surprisingly, Ye Huo concedes, expressing gratitude for the battle and asking about someone named Zhu Jiu. Concurrently, Zhu Jiu finds Mr. Zhou at the arena and kills him, because he is losing his value.

Zhu Jiu mentions a remote to "obliterate all traces" if necessary. Simultaneously, Lin Jing and Da Qing arrive at a secluded villa where the stationary Dark Energy signature was detected. They find the entrance open and cautiously enter, only to be ambushed and taken hostage by a group of children, demanding Ye Huo's release. The children identify Ye Huo as their "savior." Back with Yunlan, Shen Wei, and Ye Huo, the latter explains his complicated situation.

He confesses that he only learned of Mr. Zhou’s true nefarious nature after overhearing a conversation between Mr. Zhou and Zhu Jiu. Zhu Jiu was complaining about the slow supply of "young, fresh, and healthy" men, which Mr. Zhou promised to provide from the arena. Horrified, Ye Huo began covertly helping young men escape the arena's clutches, sending some home or to other cities. As the number of rescued individuals grew, Mr. Zhou grew suspicious.

To continue protecting them, Ye Huo changed tactics. Instead of letting new contenders win and be chosen by Zhu Jiu, he used his powers in the ring to defeat and injure them, rendering them unsuitable as "supplies." His continuous reign as champion generated massive revenue for Mr. Zhou, making him indispensable and thus protecting him from being fired. Ye Huo also reveals that his scarred face was self-inflicted using his own fire powers, not from an injury by an opponent.

He recounts a past incident involving Jie, the boxer Chu replaced. Jie, burdened by his brother’s crippling medical debt and feeling useless, desperately pleaded with Ye Huo to lose a fight so he could win prize money. Ye Huo refused, unaware of Jie's true despair until after Jie's subsequent suicide. Jie’s suicide note revealed his overwhelming shame and powerlessness over his brother’s medical bills and his own debts.

After hearing Ye Huo's full story, Shen Wei, acting as the Black Robed Envoy, decides against taking Ye Huo back to Dixing. He commends Ye Huo for using his powers to protect innocents rather than harm them and advises him to leave quickly, as Zhu Jiu might come after him. Yunlan reassures Ye Huo that the rescued boys will be taken care of.

He then instructs Chu and Guo to immediately take the boys out of Dragon City to a safe place. As a final gesture, Chu returns the Gold Belt to Ye Huo, acknowledging that Ye Huo’s true honor comes not from winning fights, but from his selfless act of guarding so many ordinary people.

In a separate location, Zhu Jiu, still recovering from his injuries, is reminded of his boss's three main orders: collecting hallows, providing human lives, and one other, which he cuts short due to his worsening wound.

Episode 19 Recap

Following Yunlan's orders, Chu Shuzhi was driving Guo Changsheng and two youths out of the city when their car broke down. Chu got out to investigate and was ambushed by the swift Subterranean, Zhu Jiu. Zhu Jiu mocked Chu, revealing he knew about Chu's deceased younger brother, Jie. He then cruelly confessed to murdering Jie and fabricating his suicide note, reading it aloud to torment Chu, who became enraged.

Just as Zhu Jiu prepared to overpower the group, Ye Huo arrived, having returned out of concern for their safety. Chu, having previously misunderstood him, appealed to Ye Huo for help in avenging his brother. However, Zhu Jiu revealed that Mr. Zhou from the Boxing Arena had rigged the boxers' rewards with hidden bombs.

He then triggered an explosion using the prize in Ye Huo’s backpack, knocking Chu, Guo, and Ye Huo unconscious before gazing at them with a sinister smile. Later, Yunlan, despite Shen Wei's warnings, used the Hallows to locate Zhu Jiu, causing him to faint from the strain of the Dark Energy. He recounted a vivid, precognitive dream in which Chu, Guo, and Ye Huo were dead, their faces pale and covered in snow.

Alarmed, Shen Wei explained that Dark Energy infection can cause visions of the future. Their fears were confirmed when Wang Zheng received an anonymous email from Zhu Jiu, who had captured the trio in a remote lab. He demanded the Longevity Sundial and the Mountain-River Awl in exchange for their lives, giving Yunlan until the next day to choose between his men and the Hallows. Recognizing the urgency, Yunlan devised a two-pronged strategy.

He dispatched Shen Wei and Zhu Hong to the jungle to persuade Zhu Hong's Fourth Uncle, a presbyter of the Sub-beast clan, to hold an emergency meeting, which would successfully delay the rogue Presbyter Yaqing from reinforcing Zhu Jiu. Simultaneously, Yunlan tasked the hacker Cong Bo with infiltrating the city's power grid. The plan was to isolate Zhu Jiu from his support and use a city-wide blackout to trap him.

Zhu Jiu agreed to the exchange but, before leaving, activated a mechanism in the lab. He smugly revealed it to be the "Absolute Zero Lab," which would gradually freeze the captives to death, clarifying the exchange was a ruse to kill them all along. Inside, the three struggled against the plummeting temperature. Changsheng began to experience hallucinations of intense heat, a symptom of severe hypothermia.

A heartbroken Chu removed his own clothes to warm the delirious Changsheng, pleading with him to hold on. Despite Chu's desperate efforts, Changsheng succumbed to the cold and fell unconscious in his arms. Meanwhile, Ye Huo frantically searched for a way to stop the freezing, but while a "stop" button was visible, the control panel was locked and inaccessible. Guided by the Hallows, Zhu Jiu arrived at the downtown meeting point to confront Yunlan and Shen Wei.

Sensing a trap, Zhu Jiu attempted to flee. At that moment, Yunlan gave the signal, and Cong Bo triggered a city-wide blackout, plunging the area into darkness. The move, though impacting thousands of households during the Reunion Festival, was deemed necessary for the city's safety. Disoriented and cut off from Yaqing's aid, Zhu Jiu was left vulnerable. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Wei tracked Zhu Jiu in the darkness and struck him down with the Soul-Slaying Blade.

As he fell, Zhu Jiu expressed his only regret was failing to kill Shen Wei, whom he called a "jinx." Confused by the deep-seated hatred, Shen Wei asked why Zhu Jiu bore such a grudge against him and if he even remembered him.

Episode 20 Recap

Before any significant leads could be extracted from Zhu Jiu, he fell into a coma from his injuries. With his life fading, Zhu Hong used an ancestral serpentine remedy to temporarily restore his strength, granting him a few more hours. Meanwhile, by tracing clues like the timing of firecrackers, the team located the missing trio.

They discovered that the city-wide power outage, engineered to capture Zhu Jiu, had inadvertently shut down the sub-zero freezing system in the lab where they were trapped, thus saving their lives. The power outage was a major breach of regulations, leading to Director Zhao Yunlan and Professor Shen Wei being summoned by the Marine Administration. In the car, a weary Yunlan dozed off and had a vivid dream of a revived Zhu Jiu stealing the hallows.

Recalling how a previous nightmare had come true, Yunlan was alarmed. He had been discussing the nature of his dreams with Shen Wei, who warned that meddling with the "wormhole" of time comes at a "great price." Spooked by his vision and sensing the imminent danger, Yunlan abruptly left Shen Wei to handle the summons and rushed back to the Special Investigation Department, urgently calling Zhu Hong to move the hallows.

Back at the SID, the revived Zhu Jiu attacked Guo Changcheng but discovered he was too late—the hallows were already gone. Black Robed Envoy confronted the cornered Dixingian, demanding to know the identity of his boss. Defiant, Zhu Jiu declared that he had one "last summon" to perform. Intending to fuel his master's escape, he channeled his remaining life force, sacrificing himself and disintegrating into a black, hollow bottle.

Ya Qing, receiving the summons, collected the bottle in silent mourning before setting off to find Yunlan. Simultaneously, in the Subterranean realm, the sky pillar prison glowed with an eerie green light. A surge of dark energy burst forth, escaping its confines and ascending to the surface. Zhu Hong, carrying the hallows with no safe place to hide them, met Yunlan on the street, where Ya Qing intercepted them.

Yunlan finally came face-to-face with the man Zhu Jiu sacrificed himself for: the Night King. Having just escaped his prison, the Night King, a figure clad in a white robe and a hollow white mask, introduced himself as the leader of the Subterranean rebellion. He contrasted himself with the peace-keeping Black Robed Envoy, declaring his ambition to lead the Dixingren back to the surface and reclaim the world from the "inferior" human race.

Yunlan challenged the Night King's distorted ideology, accusing him of using his people as pawns to satisfy his own ambition. He deduced that the Night King's physical form was unstable and that he desperately needed the hallows to counteract the surface world's energy and stabilize himself. Aware of the hallow's dangerous backlash, Yunlan decided to use it as a weapon, feigning to hand it over to exploit his enemy's weakness.

The Night King urged Yunlan to abandon the "ignorant" humans, but Yunlan, while enduring the hallow's immense strain, defiantly asserted his identity as one of them, declaring his faith that someone would arrive to win this fight. Just as Yunlan was about to be overwhelmed by the hallow's power, Shen Wei arrived. His presence was enough to force the unstable Night King to retreat back to the Subterranean realm. Yunlan finally collapsed, having held on just long enough.

After Shen Wei tended to him, Yunlan awoke, but the repeated exposure to the hallows and the immense backlash from this confrontation took a severe toll. He found himself plunged into total darkness, having lost his sight. As he recovered, Yunlan drily remarked to Shen Wei that he had caused another city-wide blackout.

Episode 21 Recap

After a day and night had passed, Zhu Hong, still reeling from the revelation that Shen Wei was the Black Robed Envoy, stared blankly as if seeing him for the first time. Pressed by Chu Shuzhi, she shared the astonishing secret, which she herself was still struggling to comprehend, with everyone present. Despite Zhao Yunlan's sudden and inexplicable blindness, which deeply concerned Shen Wei, the cause remained a mystery.

Shen Wei, too worried to think clearly, referred Zhao Yunlan to his college classmate, Doctor Cheng, a human physician. Doctor Cheng's examination confirmed that Zhao Yunlan's cornea, retina, lens, and optic nerve were all normal, yet he remained blind. Despite this baffling condition, Zhao Yunlan remained nonchalant, joking about his blindness and even urging Shen Wei not to miss his university class.

However, Shen Wei found it impossible to concentrate during his lecture, his mind consumed with worry for Zhao Yunlan. The moment class ended, he abruptly dismissed his students and rushed back to the hospital. While Shen Wei was away, Da Qing stayed with Zhao Yunlan, attempting to cheer him up by playing a series of recorded messages from their colleagues expressing sympathy.

Zhao Yunlan reacted with amusement to most of them but was intrigued when Zhu Hong's voice came on, reading from a book titled "Ancient Secret Anecdotes." The passage described the "four hallows" and mentioned Kunlun, a figure said to be as mighty as the Black Robed Envoy and capable of sealing these hallows. Zhao Yunlan was puzzled as to why the Envoy had never mentioned Kunlun.

Upon hearing the name, Da Qing was suddenly seized by an excruciating headache, clearly struggling with a deeply suppressed memory. Seeing Da Qing's distress, Zhao Yunlan entrusted him to Doctor Cheng, who diagnosed Da Qing with dissociative amnesia. Doctor Cheng offered to use hypnosis to help him recover his lost memories, which Da Qing emphatically agreed to, feeling they were crucial to his existence. Ignoring his own impairment, Zhao Yunlan decided to leave the hospital on his own.

He nearly stumbled but was caught by his father, Zhao Xinchi, who then escorted him home. Zhao Xinchi sternly advised Zhao Yunlan to distance himself from Shen Wei, asserting that being involved with him would only lead to endless trouble. Zhao Yunlan, known for disregarding his father's counsel, defiantly stated that Shen Wei's sincerity was what truly mattered to him, regardless of his identity.

He also noted a surprising, uncharacteristic shift in his father's demeanor, finding him unusually profound and questioning if he was an imposter. Zhao Xinchi cryptically remarked that "what you see may not be true" before leaving his blind son to navigate the stairs alone. Shortly after Zhao Yunlan's return, Shen Wei arrived, visibly frustrated by Zhao Yunlan's reckless departure from the hospital.

As Zhao Yunlan lightheartedly probed Shen Wei about the "Ancient Secret Anecdotes" and Kunlun, Shen Wei, agitated by the topic, quickly deflected the conversation by urging Zhao Yunlan to answer a phone call from Zhu Hong. Zhu Hong excitedly shared news about the triennial Sub-animals Bazaar, believing it might hold a cure for Zhao Yunlan's blindness due to the presence of rare talents and treasures.

They immediately set off, only to find the bazaar disappointingly deserted due to the long-standing fragmentation among the Sub-animal tribes. Meanwhile, Zhu Hong had already attempted to enter the forbidden area of the Sub-animals but was stopped by the guard, Mr. Jia, who was mysteriously attacked shortly after. At the bazaar, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei encountered Yaqing in a bitter conflict with Zhu Hong and the presbyter of the Flowers, Ying Chun.

When Yaqing attacked Zhu Hong, Shen Wei intervened, appearing as the Black Robed Envoy. During the intense confrontation, Zhu Hong inadvertently called the Envoy "Wei" before quickly correcting herself. The Black Robed Envoy firmly declared that while the Sub-animals' internal conflicts were their own affair, colluding with Dixing forces and interfering with human lives crossed an unforgivable line.

Ying Chun then proposed a resolution to the Sub-animals' decades of discord: an election for the patriarch would be held in three months to unify their tribes, a challenge Yaqing accepted. Following this, Zhu Hong's uncle, Serpent Four, pulled her aside and entrusted her with a piece of wood, revealing it was the key to the forbidden area, which would only open if a ten-thousand-year-old divine tree could be revitalized.

Later, Guo Changcheng and Cong Bo excitedly informed Zhao Yunlan about a renowned "magic doctor" in Dragon City, rumored to cure even terminal illnesses. Despite skepticism from other colleagues who dismissed it as a charlatan's scam, Shen Wei, desperate to find a cure, insisted they investigate every possible lead. Accompanied by Da Qing and Zhu Hong, they brought Zhao Yunlan to a dilapidated clinic.

The arrogant Doctor Feng took offense when Shen Wei politely questioned his medical methods, accused them of trying to steal his skills, and summarily ejected them. As they were leaving, Shen Wei spotted Professor Ouyang, his university's principal, entering the clinic. Shen Wei waited for him, and Professor Ouyang effusively praised Doctor Feng's extraordinary abilities, recounting how the doctor had instantly cured his chronic knee osteoarthritis. This testament deeply swayed Shen Wei, convincing him to pursue this option further.

Episode 22 Recap

After an initial failed attempt to secure treatment for Zhao Yunlan, where an offended Doctor Feng ordered them out, Shen Wei was moved by Professor Ouyang’s praise for the doctor’s miraculous abilities. Returning to the clinic alone, Shen Wei apologized for their previous intrusion. To test his sincerity, Doctor Feng demanded he kneel outside. Shen Wei complied, remaining on his knees from morning through a heavy downpour at night. His unwavering resolve finally convinced the eccentric doctor to help.

Inside the clinic, without any advanced equipment, Doctor Feng seemingly used a mysterious power to restore Zhao Yunlan's eyesight; however, Shen Wei, waiting outside, could not detect any trace of Dark Energy. Unbeknownst to them, as Zhao Yunlan's sight returned, a young man in a restaurant a block away aged into an old man in seconds. This was the latest in a string of bizarre "aging disease" cases that the Marine Administration transferred to the Special Investigation Department.

The team discovered that all victims worked in the same building, just a street away from Doctor Feng's clinic. Zhao Yunlan deduced that the victims' life energy was not disappearing but being transferred, similar to the function of the hallow, the Longevity Sundial. Confronted by Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei with lists of his patients and the aging victims, Doctor Feng confessed.

He admitted he had been a quack until a mysterious man in a black hooded cloak gave him a strange brush, promising it would awaken his true medical talents. The brush granted him extraordinary healing abilities, but he was horrified to learn that he was inadvertently stealing life from innocent people to cure his patients. Determined to atone, Doctor Feng, with Zhao Yunlan’s consent, reversed the process.

He extracted the energy from Zhao Yunlan's eyes, merged it with his own life essence, and dispersed it back to the victims. Zhao Yunlan was left blind once more, while Doctor Feng, having sacrificed his own life force, was left near death. The SID identified the weapon as the Karma Brush, one of the four hallows, and realized a mastermind was manipulating events.

Their investigation was further complicated when they received a challenge letter from the Karma Brush's owner, following a Subterranean invasion of the Marine Administration. Shortly after, Lin Jing received an anonymous email detailing how to cure Zhao Yunlan using the Longevity Sundial. Knowing it would severely deplete his own energy, Shen Wei performed the ritual without hesitation, restoring Zhao Yunlan's sight while hiding his immense pain behind a warm smile.

Meanwhile, Da Qing underwent hypnosis with Doctor Cheng to recover his lost memories. He saw an ancient version of himself in a barren wasteland searching for someone named Kunlun. He then saw a figure enveloped in black, ink-like energy, whose face he recognized as Shen Wei's. Da Qing awoke with a new, hostile resolve. The Regent suggested that records about the Karma Brush might exist in the Palace of Lord Earth.

Shen Wei planned to go alone, but Zhao Yunlan insisted on accompanying him. At the entrance to Subterrane, they were met by Da Qing, who, now filled with palpable hatred for Shen Wei, forced his way into their party. Their plan for a quick trip was thwarted upon arrival, as they found the palace archives closed for the general election of a new Lord Earth, an event requiring the presence of the Black-Robed Envoy and the Guardian. They were forced to stay until the election concluded the next day.

Episode 23 Recap

Arriving in Subterrane to investigate the Karma Brush, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei found themselves in the middle of a succession ceremony. To Zhao Yunlan's surprise, the chosen successor was An Bai, one of the youths who had recently confronted him. An Bai and his two friends had been sentenced to death by the manipulative regent for a murder case. During their execution, An Bai bravely stepped forward, offering to sacrifice himself if his friends were spared.

This display of courage caught the attention of the incumbent Lord Earth, who, nearing the end of his own life, overruled the regent's objections about An Bai's common background and selected him as the successor. Later that night, Zhao Yunlan questioned Da Qing about his earlier hostility toward Shen Wei. Da Qing admitted to recovering fragmented memories suggesting Shen Wei was untrustworthy and harbored secrets, including knowledge of Kunlun.

Zhao Yunlan acknowledged Shen Wei was hiding things, recalling how Shen Wei had clumsily broken a voice recorder to prevent him from hearing about Kunlun. Despite this, Zhao Yunlan affirmed his trust in Shen Wei, believing his friend was carrying a heavy, silent burden. He resolved to wait for Shen Wei to reveal the truth on his own and permitted Da Qing to monitor him.

Da Qing’s surveillance led him to a grand hall where Shen Wei stood before a colossal pillar imprisoning the malevolent Night King. The defiant villain declared his intent to settle things with Shen Wei, claiming his actions were for the good of Subterrane. As Da Qing listened, a masked assailant lunged at him with a dagger. Shen Wei swiftly saved Da Qing, but the attacker, whose body was as hard as steel, managed to escape.

After this, Da Qing's doubts about Shen Wei vanished. He chose to trust Zhao Yunlan's judgment and made a pinky promise with Shen Wei, vowing to always support Zhao Yunlan. Soon after, the incumbent Lord Earth was found dead, stabbed through a vital organ. The regent immediately accused the missing An Bai and ordered him hunted down. Zhao Yunlan, however, suspected the regent’s two-faced aide, the deacon.

The Black-Robed Envoy brought the deacon in for interrogation, who confessed to murdering the Lord Earth because the old man had "seen something he shouldn't have." He also admitted to being the masked attacker, revealing his psychic ability to harden his body like steel, and that he was serving a "greater master," the Night King. Having failed his mission, the deacon committed suicide in a flash of light.

Zhao Yunlan recovered a file from his body revealing that the Karma Brush can erase traces of Dark Energy and enhance its user's abilities, making it untraceable by conventional means. An Bai, for his part, immediately regretted being chosen. He learned that the role demanded endless, tireless work that had turned previous Lords Earth into haggard old men in a few years. Despite his reluctance, the regent pressured him by reminding him that his friends were still accused of murder.

To save them, An Bai accepted the burden and was crowned the new Lord Earth. Ironically, the two friends for whom he sacrificed his freedom were soon swayed by the Night King and pledged their allegiance to him. Meanwhile, a shadowy group continued their plotting.

One female member was focused solely on her own revenge, while another key figure, who was being tempted to use the Karma Brush for revenge over the loss of his wife and unborn child, was being manipulated. After returning from Subterrane, Shen Wei insisted on staying with Zhao Yunlan. In the middle of the night, Zhao Yunlan found Shen Wei in the kitchen, pale and in pain, a bloodied dagger on the floor.

Zhao Yunlan realized with horror that Shen Wei had used his own life force to counteract the "erosion" afflicting him. Shen Wei admitted his energy system was severely damaged and that he had to undergo a painful, continuous process of replacing his energy. As Zhao Yunlan's eyes filled with tears, Shen Wei simply stated that this was a life he was repaying to him.

Separately, Guo took a day off to visit his parents' graves, reflecting on his efforts to do "meaningful things," and also visited Granny Li's grave. Elsewhere, Doctor Jin comforted his colleague, Wei Lan, who was guilt-ridden over a patient's death. Later, Doctor Jin was seen struggling with someone, urging them to "let go." Amidst these events, Zhao Yunlan received an urgent call from the Marine Administration about an emergency at Longcheng Hospital.

Episode 24 Recap

Fueled by resentment over his wife Bai Suxia’s death at Longcheng Hospital, the Karma Brush wielder, Wang Xiangyang, set his sights on revenge. He found a willing accomplice in Zuma, a young man in his twenties whose physical development had stopped, leaving him with the appearance of a child. Reserved and engrossed in video games, Zuma had bonded with Tan Badou, an elderly patient who was the only one to understand and respect his passion.

Tan Badou’s suicide, which occurred despite the hospital’s efforts to treat him, devastated Zuma. He blamed the staff, particularly Nurse Wei and Dr. Jin, for their negligence. Sensing Zuma's rage, Wang Xiangyang and Yaqing offered him the Karma Brush, which fully awakened his psychic powers, tempting him to start a real-life game to avenge Tan Badou. Zhao Yunlan was unwillingly selected as "Player One" in the deadly game orchestrated by Zuma through his mobile phone.

Empowered by his new abilities, Zuma gloated about the superiority of real-life gaming, using his psychic powers to manipulate the hospital and its occupants. He vented his resentment to Zhao Yunlan, accusing people like him of judging others and dismissing those who find solace in video games. Forced to wear an Explosive Tracker that would detonate if he failed or tried to remove it, Zhao Yunlan faced the first challenge: a round of Russian roulette.

Four of his SID colleagues were also drawn into the game as "NPCs" alongside other hospital staff. Though Zhao tried to concede to save everyone, the game's rules forced the death of a terrified doctor. He survived a second challenge against four "bosses" before reaching the final level, "Lucky Choice." Faced with two glasses of water, one poisoned, Zhao and a final "boss" had to choose.

When Zhao refused, the rules forced the boss to drink both, leading to their death. The reality of the deaths horrified Zuma. Crying out that killing felt nothing like a game, he realized that he wasn't controlling the game, but that it was controlling him. With the "game over" message, the power from the Karma Brush was forcibly stripped from him, and he began to die.

As his life faded, Zuma revealed a final twist: a gravity-balanced bomb, powerful enough to destroy the hospital, was hidden in his ward. Shen Wei arrived amid the chaos, and he and Zhao Yunlan worked together to disarm the complex device. Shen Wei warned Zhao that using his Dark Energy would only accelerate the countdown. They noted Yaqing's surprised reaction from afar, concluding the bomb was not part of her and Wang Xiangyang's plan.

While they worked, a remorseful Zuma died in Dr. Cheng's presence. After defusing the bomb, Shen Wei promised Zhao he would eventually tell him the secrets he was keeping. Later, Zhao awoke at home, where Dr. Cheng warned him that the Karma Brush wielder’s deep hatred for the hospital meant the danger was far from over.

Meanwhile, Professor Ouyang, head of a secret Haixingjian research lab, tasked the SID with researching old game cartridges to find a link to the recent events. Ouyang was also deeply concerned about a missing defective syringe needle used to create a top-secret experimental serum, fearing it could cause a catastrophe if it fell into the wrong hands. He had secretly recruited Li Qian to his lab, as her previous exposure to a Hallows made her a valuable subject.

After she impressed him with her intellect, he offered her a position, unaware of her cunning nature. Soon after, the SID received a new case: Zhu Hao, a gentle, 40-year-old taxi driver, had suddenly turned violent and assaulted someone. During interrogation, Zhu Hao acted scornfully, a stark contrast to his colleagues' descriptions of him as a meek man who didn't even protest his wife's infidelity.

Zhao dispatched Da Qing and Chu Shuzhi to the scene and ordered Guo Changcheng to check Zhu Hao for wounds to verify his claim of self-defense. However, as Guo touched the man’s arm, he was jolted by a powerful wave of dark energy.

Episode 25 Recap

Following the revelation of Zhu Hao's case, Zhao Yunlan finds no further clues from him and decides to send him back to the Marine Administration for custody. However, strange personality changes begin to manifest within the department. Da Qing, usually fond of snacks, complains bitterly after an interrogation, recounting how Zhu Hao violently attacked a waiter with a beer bottle without any provocation.

Guo Changcheng, previously timid, transforms into an aggressive and short-tempered individual, yelling at his colleagues for touching his diary. Zhu Hong, known for her strong demeanor, becomes uncharacteristically demure and openly affectionate toward an uncomfortable Zhao Yunlan. The change in Chu Shuzhi is even more drastic, with his new effeminate behavior horrifying Zhao Yunlan. Da Qing also acts strangely, dismissing his favorite snacks and declaring that the Special Investigation Department has "perished."

Faced with these bewildering transformations, Zhao Yunlan feels overwhelmed, with only himself, Shen Wei, and Lin Jing seemingly unaffected, though Lin Jing appears to be hiding something. Zhao Yunlan goes to the hospital for the victim's test results and encounters a highly agitated patient, Kong Jing, who is restrained. Kong Jing, an aspiring actor, tries to convince everyone he isn't sick and even feigns an asthma attack.

Dr. Cheng clarifies that Kong Jing is obsessed with acting and carries an asthma spray despite not having the condition. He has been diagnosed with delusional disorder, also known as paranoia, and claims to possess 99 different personalities. Dr. Cheng finds this claim medically unbelievable, explaining that such extreme personality dissociation would cause unbearable pain leading to death.

When Zhao Yunlan asks if the condition is infectious, Dr. Cheng confirms it is not, leading Zhao to conclude that psychic powers are at play and that Zhu Hao is the source. Zhao Yunlan learns that Zhu Hao has escaped from the heavily guarded Marine Administration. Soon after, Guo Changcheng and Da Qing proudly announce they have recaptured him, with Guo Changcheng still displaying his aggressive new personality and Chu Shuzhi gazing at him with admiration for his "manliness."

When brought back, Zhu Hao has reverted to his original, timid personality, denying any wrongdoing. Pressed by Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hao recounts a New Year's Eve incident where his car brushed past a pregnant woman, but insists she was unharmed. He then recalls picking up a familiar-looking man in his taxi shortly before his assault on the waiter.

After identifying the man from a photo, and just as he is about to reveal more, an arrow from outside pierces his chest, killing him instantly. Following Zhu Hao's assassination, Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi, and Guo Changcheng split up to search for the assailant. During the search, Zhao Yunlan is captured by the escaped Kong Jing. Struggling with his fragmented mind, Kong Jing expresses admiration for Zhao Yunlan's competence, calling him a "perfect existence."

He reveals his plan to transfer his many personalities into Zhao Yunlan's body, which he deems more worthy. As the restrained Zhao Yunlan watches Kong Jing channel dark energy toward him, Shen Wei and the SID team arrive. Shen Wei swiftly incapacitates Kong Jing, who then, in agony, begs to be killed. Zhao Yunlan attempts to trick him into untying him, but before more information can be extracted, Kong Jing is fatally shot by an arrow fired by a Werecrow.

The Werecrow is accompanied by the Master of the Karma Brush. The Werecrow notes that with Kong Jing dead, the "schizophrenic virus" will become ineffective. The Master of the Karma Brush then speaks of their "boss's 10,000-year plan of rejuvenation," revealing Kong Jing's death marks the thirtieth 'mark' in Dragon City, with only three more needed.

He taunts Zhao Yunlan by mentioning his "beloved son" being tormented in the Palace of Lord Earth and reminding Zhao of his own past trauma before they depart. With Kong Jing, the source of the personality mutations, now dead, all those afflicted begin to return to their normal selves. With the source gone, the affected members of the SID return to normal.

Guo Changcheng, his kind self once more, frequently visits the cemetery, bringing flowers and food to honor those connected to their cases, including Li Qian's grandmother, Zuma, and Kong Jing. Meanwhile, Lin Jing discovers a syringe with pinholes in the area where Kong Jing was found, confirming it was likely used for injection.

At the cemetery, Guo Changcheng's acts of kindness are observed by Dongnan, a frail Werecrow with a weak constitution who, estranged from her own kind, has chosen to live out her final days in the human cemetery. Deeply moved by Guo's selfless compassion, Dongnan tells him she has never witnessed such genuine kindness. As her life ebbs away, she thanks him and asks him to continue bringing her favorite foods to her grave.

After Dongnan's death, another Werecrow appears, confirming Dongnan was one of them and expressing gratitude to Guo Changcheng for bringing her joy in her final moments. Upholding their principle of returning every favor, the Werecrow presents Guo Changcheng with a token that grants him one wish. Guo Changcheng immediately requests that they cease aiding their villainous boss and stop being enemies with the Special Investigation Department. The Werecrow, however, only promises not to harm Guo and advises him to choose his path carefully.

Episode 26 Recap

Following a break-in at his residence, Shen Wei notices the damage is identical to a recent incident at the Marine Administration headquarters. He tells Zhao Yunlan that, as an apprentice to Professor Zhou of the institute, he believes the intruders were after secret experimental results. While the Marine Administration is outside their jurisdiction, Zhao Yunlan suspects the owner of the Karma Brush is involved and predicts another move is imminent.

Elsewhere, the villains discuss their plans, mentioning they have found a new, powerful candidate, Da Ji, who shares their goals, though they are wary of whether they can truly control her. Meanwhile, a man named Zheng Daqian, resentful of his wife Da Ji, conspires with his lover to murder her and seize their assets.

On their wedding anniversary, during a candlelight dinner, he thanks his wife for everything and then chillingly adds his gratitude for her "leaving early and setting me free" as she collapses, seemingly dead. However, Zheng Daqian is later apprehended by the authorities for financial fraud, while he hysterically insists he murdered his wife. The SID learns that Da Ji survived, withdrew all their shared assets using a power of attorney, and that her ID card is a forgery.

Lin Jing uncovers two similar cold cases from the past decade involving young women who looked identical to Da Ji and never seemed to age. The team suspects the Karma Brush owner is exploiting the situation. Soon after, a woman also named Da Ji places a marriage ad with requirements that seem tailor-made for Da Qing. Sent on the date, Da Qing feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity with her.

The woman is indeed the same Da Ji, a Werecat who recognizes Da Qing as a long-lost acquaintance, though his memory has been wiped. Having died and revived numerous times, she is numb to death but remains determined to restore Da Qing's memories, believing that humans are not his true companions. She takes him to places from their past, causing fragmented memories to surface in his mind.

During their journey, Da Ji spots the man she holds responsible for Da Qing's amnesia and attacks him with a stick. Da Qing instinctively shields the man, taking the full force of the blow. The impact, while painful, clears his mind and restores his memories. He recalls Kunlun, a figure with Zhao Yunlan's face, telling him that love makes all beings greater and that he would one day find someone he wished to protect.

With his memories and identity as an ancient Werecat king returned, Da Qing chooses to remain with the SID. He explains that he finds humans, despite their flaws, "very interesting" for their capacity to love, cry, and sacrifice for those they care about. The SID finally pieces together all the recent cases, identifying the owner of the Karma Brush as Wang Xiangyang, the seemingly harmless fruit seller near their office.

The brush is his family heirloom, and his motive is revenge. His pregnant wife died on New Year's Eve after a chain of events: a taxi driver, Zhu Hao, caused her to fall; Zheng Daqian stole the next cab she was waiting for, delaying her arrival at the hospital; and her death meant the loss of two lives. Furthermore, his fruit stall was smashed by thugs instigated by Kong Jing. To Wang Xiangyang, all three men were murderers responsible for destroying his family. Though the SID now knows his identity and motive, capturing him remains a formidable challenge.

Episode 27 Recap

Da Qing, having fully recovered his memories, also regained his super-enhanced senses. Among his restored recollections was a past incident where Shen Wei, unfamiliar with cat-humans, had mistaken Da Qing for a monster and attacked him. Deeply regretful, Shen Wei apologized, calling Da Qing his only family and attempting to atone by making dried fish snacks. Da Qing playfully accepted the apology, granting him a second chance.

Da Qing then confided that he remained with the Special Investigation Department to understand the meaning of guardianship and life, which had become the most important thing to him. Acknowledging they both joined the department for similar reasons, Shen Wei declared it was time for the Karma Brush's true owner to reveal himself. Soon after, Zhao Yunlan confronted Wang Xiangyang, identifying him as the owner of the Karma Brush.

Wang Xiangyang, surprised to be found so quickly, admitted he had underestimated them. Zhao Yunlan countered that Wang Xiangyang had been manipulating events from behind the scenes, using others to carry out his revenge and repeatedly deceiving the team. Enraged when his wife's tragic death was mentioned, Wang Xiangyang refused to justify his crimes, asserting that humans were inherently selfish and incorrigible, which validated his decision to ally with Subterrane.

He vowed that his opponents would understand his suffering when his "game" concluded, signaling that their next meeting would be a battle. An accomplice later confirmed to Wang Xiangyang that only one final task remained to complete his plans. Meanwhile, deep within Subterrane, a Regent reported to the Lord about escalating unrest, noting this was the fourth such incident this month. The Lord expressed concern about the Night King's re-emergence after ten millennia of silence.

The Regent explained that since the Lord's inauguration, the unrest had intensified. He feared that if the residents discovered the absence of the Hallow and the worsening resource shortages, reactionaries might exploit the situation. To counter this, the Regent proposed sending a tactical team to suppress the lurking thugs, a suggestion the Lord approved. Back on Earth, the Marine Administration's research lab suffered repeated attacks.

Zhao Yunlan jested with Lin Jing, accusing him of being too distracted by a woman named Sha Ya to focus on his work. Lin Jing admitted his infatuation but denied being in a relationship. Unbeknownst to him, Sha Ya, a Dixingren who could manipulate electricity, was instructed by Wang Xiangyang to infiltrate the Marine Administration. Wang Xiangyang tasked her with acquiring serum research, noting that the absence of key leaders and the Karma Brush's energy would facilitate her entry.

Their roles were established: Sha Ya would search for the serum by stealth while Wang Xiangyang created public diversions. Sha Ya sought assurance that their plan would soon conclude and that her own enemy would not escape. During another attack, Sha Ya used her powers to incapacitate Li Qian, a researcher at the lab, assuring her she would not be harmed.

Although she managed to destroy all the research data, she could not access the serum samples, which were secured in a high-level safe. A recovering Li Qian managed to send an anonymous email to the Special Investigation Department. Upon receiving the tip, Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and Da Qing visited the Marine Administration but were denied entry by an uncooperative Minister Gao. Da Qing's keen hearing overheard officials discussing how the culprit had "got away again," confirming multiple incidents.

Zhao Yunlan pressed Minister Gao for answers, but Shen Wei spotted Li Qian and deduced she was the anonymous sender, suspecting a deeper conspiracy. That night, using a demagnetizing device invented by Lin Jing, the trio secretly entered the lab. They found it suspiciously clean, with all data destroyed or transferred. However, Shen Wei discovered a residual drug formula on a blackboard.

After careful analysis, he realized the Marine Administration was secretly conducting experiments to turn normal humans into super-powered mutants, similar to Kong Jing, as a countermeasure against the Dixingren. This was confirmed in a private conversation between a guilt-ridden Li Qian and Professor Ouyang, who revealed a desperate contingency plan: restarting their research using previously failed samples, a path he knew was significantly more hazardous but felt was necessary for humanity's sake.

Meanwhile, Lin Jing and Sha Ya shared a tender moment as she prepared to leave Dragon City, telling a crestfallen Lin Jing she had to go because the city no longer had the starry sky she wanted to see. Lin Jing vowed they would reunite and asked for a farewell hug. Sha Ya, though drawn to him, remained suspicious, questioning if he was relying on destiny or tracking technology. She promised him a final performance the next night.

Later, she was confronted by Wang Xiangyang's accomplice, who warned her against her attachment to Lin Jing. Sha Ya retorted that she was only trying to gather intelligence, but Lin Jing was too tight-lipped. She asserted her moral boundaries, stating she would not harm an ordinary human. Wang Xiangyang then appeared, not to take back her powers, but to enhance them, emphasizing their shared foe and the nearing end of their plan.

The investigation took a sharp turn when Guo Changcheng's uncle was attacked. The assailant was identified as the "Electromagnetism Girl" by an earring left behind—one Lin Jing recognized. Guo's uncle revealed the attacker sought the travel itineraries of senior officers from the Marine Administration and Star Supervisory Bureau. When Zhao Yunlan asked a distracted Lin Jing to examine the earring for Dark Energy, his connection to Sha Ya became clear to the team.

Separately, Shen Wei confronted Minister Gao, who admitted the research was a desperate measure for survival against Dixingren. Understanding the motive but deeply concerned for Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei made Minister Gao promise to keep Zhao out of all future Marine Administration operations. Knowing Sha Ya's final performance was scheduled, the team set a trap. During the show, Sha Ya vanished from the stage, and Lin Jing intercepted her backstage.

He revealed his identity as a Special Investigation agent and pleaded with her to stop, using his newly invented Capacitance Gloves to counter her electric abilities. Lin Jing implored Sha Ya to surrender, promising her a future where she could see the starry sky she dreamed of. Exhausted and moved by his sincerity, she surrendered. At Special Investigation, Sha Ya confessed to attacking the Marine Administration, stating she was told the serum experiment was beneficial to the Night King's plan.

She admitted she was merely a replacement for another operative and lacked detailed knowledge. When asked why she had repeatedly helped them, she simply said, "Because I wanted to." While she offered little about herself, she described Wang Xiangyang as a plain-looking, middle-aged man consumed by hatred who, too cowardly to act himself, manipulated other Dixingren with shared grievances to carry out his revenge. Zhao Yunlan then asked if Wang Xiangyang's vengeance was complete.

Episode 28 Recap

Held at the Special Investigation Unit, Sha Ya agreed to help locate Wang Xiangyang to atone for her crimes, but only on the condition that they help her find a woman named Hua Yuzhu. She offered no further clues, leaving the team to search through 119 individuals with that name. Despite knowing Sha Ya had been dishonest with him, Lin Jing remained supportive, believing she had sought him out because she genuinely valued their connection. This revealed a painful past.

Years earlier, Sha Ya, Hua Yuzhu, and their friend Gu Ban, all from the Subterrane, longed for the surface world. Sha Ya dreamed of seeing real stars, while Hua Yuzhu wished for lush flowers and trees. Near a sealed area, a mysterious entity—the Night King—sensed their desires and tempted them with a path to the human world. Though Hua Yuzhu was hesitant, fearing capture, Sha Ya's longing for freedom convinced her to escape.

Upon arriving on the surface, the three marveled at their new world. However, a love triangle soon shattered their bond, as both Sha Ya and Hua Yuzhu had feelings for Gu Ban. Their friendship fractured when Gu Ban confessed his love for Hua Yuzhu, devastating Sha Ya. Shortly after, tragedy struck. Sha Ya briefly saw a man with a gun, whom she believed to be Zhao Xinci, in the forest.

When she returned to her friends, she discovered Gu Ban dead beside a weeping Hua Yuzhu. Convinced that Zhao Xinci was the murderer, Sha Ya was consumed by rage and a thirst for vengeance. From that day, the two friends diverged. Hua Yuzhu chose a peaceful life, opening a flower shop and urging Sha Ya to let go of her hatred. Sha Ya refused, accusing Hua Yuzhu of betraying their friendship and Gu Ban’s memory by choosing peace over revenge.

Believing Hua Yuzhu was unworthy of Gu Ban's love, Sha Ya ended their friendship and dedicated herself to finding and killing Zhao Xinci, a goal she shared with Wang Xiangyang. The investigation took a turn when the team learned that a real estate project was set to log the forest east of Dragon City. Sha Ya frantically begged Lin Jing to take her there, certain that Hua Yuzhu would also go because Gu Ban was buried in that forest.

They raced to the site, only to find it already being excavated and Gu Ban’s grave empty. Heartbroken and enraged, Sha Ya left with Wang Xiangyang and Presbyter Yaqing, sinking deeper into her quest for revenge, leaving a desperate Hua Yuzhu behind crying out for her to stop. With his own life nearing its end, Wang Xiangyang prepared to settle his final scores.

He, Sha Ya, and a winged sub-beast ambushed a Marine Administration vehicle, kidnapping Minister Gao and Zhao Xinci. Wang Xiangyang then left a provocative message written in his own blood for the authorities: "Tomb of three people." This was the start of a calculated game designed to make the Special Investigation Unit experience his deep-seated hatred. When Zhao Yunlan learned that his estranged father, Zhao Xinci, had been kidnapped, he was visibly shaken.

Shen Wei grew concerned as Zhao Yunlan became increasingly desperate, even inducing a painful resonance from a hallowed object in a futile attempt to gain a clue. Shen Wei reminded him that as the Director of the Special Investigation Unit and the Guardian, he had to remain calm for the sake of the city. The kidnappers left a cryptic clue: a 24-hour countdown starting at midnight.

While the team struggled with conventional decryption methods, Zhao Yunlan noticed the blood in the message had been traced in a specific way. He realized it wasn't a simple code but a riddle based on the Eight Diagrams ("Three, fire, three") and the Inscription of the River Luo. This complex clue pointed them to an abandoned street in District 29, south-west of the city. Their progress was interrupted by an ambush of Werecrows, followers of Presbyter Yaqing.

After a fierce battle, Zhao Yunlan defeated them and sent them back with a warning for their leader: the Night King is insidious and selfish, and her efforts to aid him would be in vain. Meanwhile, Wang Xiangyang assured a wary Presbyter Yaqing that Sha Ya’s consuming hatred would ensure her loyalty. A flashback to a phone booth, where he proposed to a woman named Bai Suxia, revealed the deep personal loss fueling his own vengeance. Confident in his plan, Wang Xiangyang declared that the outcome was already decided: everyone would die.

Episode 29 Recap

The Special Investigation Unit relentlessly pieced together scattered clues and deciphered intricate riddles. Following the first hint provided by Sha Ya, the remaining mysteries began to unravel. Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei, and the team successfully located two of the missing individuals within ten hours. However, the one person vital to Zhao Yunlan, and deeply hated by both Sha Ya and Wang Xiangyang, remained unfound.

Meanwhile, the King Night stirred with escalating excitement in the Subterranean realm, its growing power threatening to break free as the gate holding it back teetered on the brink. Consumed by anxiety as Wang Xiangyang's deadline loomed, Zhao Yunlan's thoughts came to a standstill. A fleeting memory of his father's childhood lessons on understanding emotional logic resurfaced, prompting him to meticulously analyze the situation and deduce the kidnapper's psychological state.

With a new lead, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei finally located Zhao Xinci on the rooftop of Dragon City University, where Wang Xiangyang was waiting. Despite suffering severe backlash from the Karma Brush, Wang Xiangyang refused to yield. He had completed the final energy reactor and was determined to execute his last act of revenge by killing his ultimate enemy.

The Special Investigation Unit members moved to prevent him, and seeing the tide turn, Yaqing vanished, leaving the dying Wang Xiangyang to glare resentfully at the rescued Zhao Xinci. Wang Xiangyang's intense hatred for Zhao Xinci stemmed from a tragic night. When his pregnant wife, Bai Suxia, was critically ill, he saw doctors rushing to attend to an injured Zhao Xinci in the same hospital, providing him with transfusions while his wife was seemingly abandoned.

He became convinced that Zhao Xinci had cost his wife and unborn child their lives. However, Wang Xiangyang was unaware that Zhao Xinci had instructed the doctors to prioritize Bai Suxia. Unfortunately, her blood type was extremely rare, and she succumbed before a matching supply could arrive. Realizing the King Night had manipulated him into hating the wrong person, Wang Xiangyang shed tears of remorse.

He entrusted the Karma Brush to Zhao Yunlan before disintegrating into dust, his life ending in profound regret. With his death, he warned that the door he opened could not be closed. As the Subterranean realm descended into chaos, Wu Tian'en and his son fought valiantly to defend the Sky Pillar, but they were ultimately overwhelmed as the structure, which had served as the King Night's prison, collapsed.

After ten thousand years of slumber, the King Night's ambition remained undimmed, declaring the end of the era of peace forged by the Black-Robed Envoy. He proclaimed his intention to write a new chapter and lead his followers. Only when the world began to convulse did Zhao Yunlan and his team realize their efforts had only captured a puppet.

They finally grasped that the Karma Brush's true purpose was to construct an energy reactor, using Wang Xiangyang's body as the final component. Its completion dismantled the Sky Pillar, freeing the King Night from his ancient prison. With a catastrophe looming over both realms, Shen Wei privately urged Zhao Yunlan to remain in the human world to maintain order, while he would return to the Subterrane to confront the enemy.

Shen Wei was prepared to die, but Zhao Yunlan firmly forbade him from going alone, insisting he must survive to safeguard their world and vowing to wait for his triumphant return. As Shen Wei, Sha Ya, and Hua Yuzhu prepared to depart for the Subterrane, Hua Yuzhu finally revealed the truth of Gu Ban’s death. She explained that Gu Ban had loved Sha Ya all along, but his intended confession was thwarted by a misunderstanding.

The real tragedy was that Gu Ban was killed by his fellow Subterraneans, while Zhao Xinci, the man Sha Ya blamed, was actually trying to save him. When all the facts came to light, Sha Ya realized her hatred was baseless and her long-held pain had been meaningless from the start.

Episode 30 Recap

The Night King's power grew exponentially as he devoured more energy and lives, quickly subduing the entire Subterrane, from the Palace of Lord Earth down to its lowest ranks. Meanwhile, Shen Wei returned to the Subterrane with Sha Ya and Yuzhu, intending to face judgment. However, upon their arrival, they were ambushed by the Regent and his forces.

The Regent, who had switched his allegiance, revealed that the Night King's influence had spread to the Palace and exposed Shen Wei's current weakened state, noting that Shen Wei had shared his life energy with someone, which severely reduced his longevity and combat effectiveness. Despite his defiance, Shen Wei was quickly overwhelmed and captured while trying to protect his companions. Later, at the Sky Pillar, the Night King confronted a restrained Shen Wei, gloating over his victory.

He acknowledged Shen Wei's diminished strength and reiterated that his own power stemmed from consuming lives and psychic energies. Shen Wei condemned the Night King for treating sentient beings as mere sustenance, but the Night King, filled with millennia of hatred, vowed to make Shen Wei witness the slow, agonizing deaths of his closest friends and loved ones.

In the human world, the Night King instructed Yaqing to execute the next phase of his plan: to dismantle the Special Investigation Unit by manipulating public opinion. He ordered her to alter the SIU's personnel information and leak it to the public, believing that a loss of public trust would cause the unit to collapse from within. Realizing there was no turning back for her and that the future of the Sub-beasts depended on this, Yaqing agreed.

She acted swiftly, disseminating the modified information before Cong Bo, who had been tasked by Zhao Yunlan to delete all sensitive data, could complete his work. The leak quickly exposed the existence of Subterranean members within the SIU, fueling public outrage, panic, and unrest as citizens felt deceived. The SIU found itself mired in public condemnation.

Chu Shuzhi wanted to reveal the truth to the public, but Guo Changcheng dissuaded him, fearing his identity as a Subterranean would only worsen the crisis. The SIU mobilized, with Zhu Hong and Chu Shuzhi setting out to find Cong Bo, while Wang Zheng and Sang Zan were dispatched to locate the Werecrows responsible for spreading the misinformation, quickly realizing the Night King's forces had already successfully guided public opinion.

Earlier, Zhao Yunlan had grown suspicious of Lin Jing when sensitive evidence, securely bagged and recorded, mysteriously vanished. Noticing subtle shifts in Lin Jing's behavior, Zhao Yunlan brought him to the Marine Administration building under the pretext of work. There, Zhao Yunlan confronted Lin Jing, who admitted to being a mole. Lin Jing confessed that Professor Ouyang, his former mentor, had planted him in the SIU three years prior to gather intelligence.

Although Lin Jing insisted he had never provided any information detrimental to the SIU and had remained loyal to the unit's mission against their common enemies, Zhao Yunlan firmly stated that he would dismiss anyone who betrayed his trust. Lin Jing’s dismissal was met with strong protests from the rest of the SIU. Guo Changcheng, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong passionately defended Lin Jing, highlighting his conscientiousness. Guo Changcheng was particularly distraught, begging Lin Jing not to leave.

Zhao Yunlan remained resolute, reiterating that Lin Jing was a spy. Lin Jing accepted his fate, acknowledging that with his identity compromised, he could no longer work there effectively. He expressed his genuine gratitude for his time with the team before departing, with Guo Changcheng seeing him off. Following his departure, Lin Jing joined Professor Ouyang's laboratory as an assistant. Professor Ouyang, needing personnel after disruptions caused by Yaqing, immediately immersed Lin Jing in secret documents and experiments.

Lin Jing expressed his internal conflict to Professor Ouyang, questioning the ethics of experiments that violated scientific principles, but Ouyang brushed aside his concerns, believing his work would ultimately make him a hero. Back at the SIU, Chu Shuzhi received a transfer order supposedly from the Black Robed Envoy, instructing him to return to the Subterrane to assist with the defense of the Palace.

However, both he and Zhu Hong realized the letter was a forgery due to a subtle difference in handwriting. This confirmed the letter was fake but also indicated that the Black Robed Envoy was likely in grave danger. Chu Shuzhi was determined to save him, but Zhu Hong cautioned him against acting rashly given the SIU's delicate situation, and they decided to consult Zhao Yunlan.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan was locked in a tense discussion with Minister Gao from the Marine Administration. Minister Gao insisted on strictly controlling information about the crisis to prevent public panic, but Zhao Yunlan vehemently disagreed, arguing that the public had a right to know. Frustrated, Minister Gao threatened to revoke the SIU's authority. General Zhao, Zhao Yunlan's father, intervened, diffusing the tension. Later, General Zhao invited Zhao Yunlan to his home, but upon entering, Zhao Yunlan sensed something was wrong.

He confronted the man before him, revealing that he knew he was not his true father but a Subterranean. Zhao Yunlan then produced a specialized gun, harmless to humans but lethal to Subterraneans, and aimed it directly at the impostor, demanding answers.

Episode 31 Recap

Zhao Yunlan confronted his father, realizing he wasn't entirely himself. Zhao Yunlan explained he had long suspected that his father's expressions, tone, and even habits had changed, particularly after a conversation his father had with Wang Xiangyang on the rooftop. He tested his suspicion by threatening him with a gun specially designed to harm Subterraneans, which would have left an ordinary person unharmed. His father, speaking with a different demeanor, revealed his true identity.

He was Zhang Shi, a Subterranean with the psychic power to live inside a human body. Zhang Shi explained that he had peacefully coexisted with Yunlan's father for twenty years after possessing him during an early mission, and had watched Yunlan grow up. The real Zhao Xinci learned that forcibly expelling Zhang Shi would likely harm himself, so he chose to coexist with him.

They shared a body and a family, and Zhang Shi came to regard Yunlan as almost a son. He explained that Yunlan's father, known as the "Hunter of the Subterraneans," had solved many cases because of Zhang Shi's presence, though Zhang Shi admitted he couldn't always override the strong will of his host, especially after Yunlan's mother's death, when Zhao Xinci became determined to eradicate all Subterraneans.

The purpose of their meeting was for Yunlan's father to urge him to abandon the Special Investigation Unit. He argued that with its mixed-species members now exposed, the unit was universally condemned and some members had to be sacrificed to divert public attention. He suggested dismissing the "different kinds"—Chu Shuzhi, a Subterranean, and Zhu Hong and Da Qing, Sub-beasts—as "obstacles." Zhao Yunlan firmly rejected this, declaring he would protect his people and that the SIU was his family.

The two parted in disagreement, with Yunlan's father stating he would have to bear the burden for his son. Later, Zhao Yunlan encountered a distressed Zhu Hong, who had received an ultimatum from her Fourth Uncle to return to the Serpent tribe, as the SIU was deemed an unstable place. Zhu Hong expressed her reluctance to leave, especially because of her attachment to Zhao Yunlan.

She felt neglected since Shen Wei's arrival and confessed her profound love for him, willing to sever ties with her family for his sake. Desperate for reassurance, she pleaded with him to say he needed her. Zhao Yunlan, however, urged her to leave without worry, painting himself as a "black sheep"—loquacious, mean, and a troublemaker—and suggesting she could find happiness with someone else. As he wished her a good life, his words only intensified her frustration.

Before their emotional exchange could resolve, the Werecrow Yaqing appeared, inflicting only a superficial wound on Zhu Hong before disappearing. Zhao Yunlan rushed Zhu Hong back to the SIU, instructing Guo Changcheng to attend to her wound. He retreated, pondering Shen Wei's earlier warning to hold his ground, torn about how to act without his guidance. Meanwhile, public opinion spiraled out of control, with posts about the SIU overwhelming Minister Gao’s efforts to suppress them.

It was soon discovered that Zhu Hong, despite her minor wound and normal vital signs, was trapped in a deep, unresponsive sleep, tightly clutching Zhao Yunlan's clothes. She had been ensnared by Mr. Nightmare, an agent of the Night King, in an illusory dream so perfect she didn't want to wake up. Determined to save her, Zhao Yunlan entered her dream. At the same time, two representatives from the Marine Administration arrived to seal the unit.

Chu Shuzhi intervened, instructing Guo Changcheng to guard the unconscious Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong, giving him an elixir to use on Zhao Yunlan if he didn't wake up within five minutes. Chu Shuzhi then confronted the officials, firmly stating they would not enter as long as he stood there. Inside the dream, Zhu Hong was lost in a fantasy where Zhao Yunlan was entirely devoted to her.

When the real Zhao Yunlan appeared, she resisted his attempts to bring her back, crying that she didn’t want to wake up to a reality where his affection was divided. She tearfully recounted her past efforts to become the "lady" she thought he wanted—practicing walking in high heels and forcing herself to eat dried meat instead of raw—only to feel he still didn't see her as a normal girl.

Zhao Yunlan patiently reassured her, emphasizing that every member of the SIU, including her, was his friend and family, and equally important to him. As she calmed down, Zhu Hong made one final request: to express her feelings as a girl, confessing she had fallen in love with him the first time they met. With her emotions settled, Zhao Yunlan successfully brought her back to reality.

Upon waking, Zhao Yunlan confronted Chu Shuzhi, angered that a "puppet" was allowed to interfere in the dream, fearing Zhu Hong could have been seriously harmed. Chu Shuzhi defended his actions, arguing that Zhao Yunlan was too soft-hearted and that ruthlessness was sometimes necessary. Zhao Yunlan then faced the Marine Administration, asserting his intent to stand with the SIU, regardless of the mounting public criticism.

Episode 32 Recap

After Zhu Hong's harrowing dream came to an end, a pervasive sense of unease settled over everyone, leaving them fearful and unable to rest. Meanwhile, online rumors intensified, viciously targeting Chu Shuzhi and resurrecting his painful past, even dragging his family into the mud. For Chu Shuzhi, his deceased younger brother, Chu Nianzhi, was a sacred and inviolable memory. The online attacks breached this sanctity, pushing Chu Shuzhi's century-long self-restraint to its breaking point.

His heart, long suppressed, now churned with a desire to annihilate those who verbally abused and tormented others from behind screens. Chu Shuzhi confronted Zhao Yunlan, fiercely demanding to go to Subterrane alone to bring the Black-Robed Envoy back. Zhao Yunlan refused, deeming Subterrane unsafe. Chu Shuzhi was furious, explaining that while he accepted the consequences of his crimes from a hundred years ago, he could not stand by while his family was slandered.

He yearned to return to his homeland, the very place that had birthed him and led him down an irreversible path. Realizing Chu Shuzhi's resolve, Zhao Yunlan relented but ordered Guo Changcheng to follow him closely and report any incident immediately. Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng ventured to the portal connecting the human realm and Subterrane. After kicking a bewildered Guo Changcheng through the gate, Chu Shuzhi followed.

Inside Subterrane, he confronted the Regent, whom he correctly suspected had become the Night King's pawn, demanding to know the Black-Robed Envoy's whereabouts. The Regent feigned ignorance, but Chu Shuzhi saw through his deceit, exposing his connection to the emerged Night King. The Regent warned Chu Shuzhi not to jeopardize his impending freedom, but Chu defiantly declared that he had worn the Spring and Autumn Cangue voluntarily and could not be trapped.

Realizing the Regent was useless, Chu Shuzhi decided to return to report to Zhao Yunlan, but first led Guo Changcheng to retrieve something important. He dug through a century of layered earth and unearthed an ancient, wrapped box, only to find it empty. The hope drained from Chu Shuzhi's face as his heart shattered; the box was supposed to hold the last remnants of his beloved brother, but it contained nothing.

Chu Shuzhi was consumed by memories of his twin brother, Chu Nianzhi. Though they shared an inseparable bond, Nianzhi dreamt of becoming a hero like the Black-Robed Envoy. His ambition led him astray, and after causing multiple deaths, he was sentenced to execution by the Regent. Chu Shuzhi, bearing an identical face, tried to take the blame for his frail brother. However, the merciless Regent, unable to distinguish between them, subjected both to inhuman torture.

Nianzhi died at the execution ground, and the enraged, heartbroken Chu Shuzhi's personality fractured. His violent side erupted, and after a murderous rampage, he was bound by the Spring and Autumn Cangue for a century. With his sentence nearly complete, the Night King had no intention of letting him find peace. Maddened by the loss of his brother's memento, Chu Shuzhi raced towards the sky pillar, finding an unconscious Black-Robed Envoy bound by shackles.

His attempt to use his puppet powers only seemed to cause the Envoy more pain. Suddenly, the Night King's voice echoed, morphing into Chu Nianzhi's image to torment Chu Shuzhi. The fleeting appearances of his brother’s face drove Chu Shuzhi to the brink of insanity. In a final, cruel twist, the Night King seemingly killed Guo Changcheng before his eyes, causing Chu Shuzhi's world to crumble as he watched another person he cared for fall.

Chu Shuzhi awoke from what felt like a terrifyingly real dream and was summoned by Zhao Yunlan. Zhao confirmed that what Chu had seen was true: Shen Wei was indeed trapped and unconscious beneath the sky pillar, and he urged Chu to rest. To Chu's astonishment, Guo Changcheng then appeared, perfectly fine. Guo explained that he had only feigned death to deceive the Night King.

Despite this seemingly happy outcome, Chu Shuzhi felt a lingering pain in his heart, a deep emotional ache that persisted from the dream. He remained disoriented and plagued by self-doubt, grappling with the blurred lines between his nightmare and reality.

Episode 33 Recap

Following his confrontation with Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi found himself trapped in a dream orchestrated by Mr. Nightmare. In this illusory world, a healthy Guo Changcheng appeared, affectionately calling Chu Shuzhi "brother." This dream version of Guo Changcheng noted Chu Shuzhi's discomfort, as he relived being flogged and burned, a pain he was willing to endure for his late brother, Chu Nianzhi, whom he couldn't save.

The fake Guo sympathized, expressed his own brotherly affection for Chu, and then suggested they return to Subterrane with Nianzhi. He argued their fates were controlled by powerful figures like the Regent, questioning the point of safety. When Chu Shuzhi asked how he knew about the Regent's involvement, the imposter deflected, claiming it was a guess. The manipulation deepened as "Guo Changcheng," after learning about Nianzhi's love for food, offered to cook for Chu.

He then asked to see Nianzhi within the puppet doll and proposed the idea of reviving him using the Hallows. When Chu Shuzhi dismissed it as impossible, "Guo" argued that he himself had been revived after dying, preying on Chu's guilt. He claimed to have read in an SID library book that a dead person with an "intact body"—like Nianzhi's state inside the doll—could be brought back. He downplayed the risks, promising an end to Chu Shuzhi's long nightmare. "

Guo" led Chu Shuzhi to the SID, explaining they needed to break its protective shield so Nianzhi, a Subterranean, could enter. As Chu Shuzhi prepared to strike the shield, he set a trap, suggesting they dine together afterward and eat the spiciest food. " Guo" readily agreed, exclaiming, "the spicier, the better." This immediately exposed the deception, as Chu Shuzhi never eats spicy food, a fact the real Guo Changcheng would never forget.

Realizing the trick, Chu demanded to know the imposter's identity. The illusion revealed himself as Mr. Nightmare and taunted Chu, who shattered the fake Guo with a single strike, breaking free from the dream. However, the dream shifted to confront him with the painful truth of his past. He relived an argument with his twin brother, Chu Nianzhi, who wanted to go above ground and "be a hero," accusing Chu Shuzhi of wasting his talent on a puppet doll.

The dream then revealed the horrific reality: it was Chu Shuzhi who had gotten into a fight at a bar and killed someone. His gentle, identical twin, Chu Nianzhi, was mistaken for him. In the brutal justice of Subterrane, the innocent Nianzhi was surrounded by those seeking "a life for a life" and burned to death. In his final moments, Nianzhi used his ability for the first and only time, shrinking his essence into the puppet doll.

Upon learning this, a grief-stricken Chu Shuzhi had gone on a vengeful rampage, leading to his sentence of 100 years of imprisonment. The dream forced him to face the reality that he was responsible for his beloved brother's death. Chu Shuzhi awoke, frantically calling for Guo Changcheng, only to realize he had never returned.

The truth crashed down on him: influenced by the nightmare, he had not only been the cause of his brother's death but had now endangered another important person, Guo Changcheng, whose fate in Subterrane was grim. Overwhelmed by grief, Chu collapsed. Zhao Yunlan, witnessing his despair, couldn't bring himself to reproach him.

Mr. Nightmare's voice echoed, mocking the idea of finding real joy, declaring that some are "doomed to live in darkness forever" and that he would be the "master of all this." Meanwhile, the SID team worried for Guo, hoping his noted resilience would see him through. Receiving news from Subterrane, Zhao Yunlan instructed Da Qing to watch over Chu Shuzhi and went alone.

In the Palace of Lord Earth, he found a severely injured Guo Changcheng, with Shen Wei's Gonggong Long Sword beside him. It was clear that as the Night King attacked Guo, an injured Shen Wei had used his remaining power to protect him and send him away from the Sky Pillar. Zhao was then confronted by the "shadow man" who had once stolen the Longevity Sundial, whom he recognized as the Black Robed Envoy.

The Envoy explained he had been released from prison to fight the Night King but had escaped. Nearby, Zhao found Shen Wei bound by cursed chains. The Black Robed Envoy revealed that while Shen Wei had once captured him, he had also cared for his family and pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Recognizing Shen Wei's past kindness and seeing the Night King's true goal of domination, the Envoy felt honor-bound to help.

Zhao took the Gonggong Long Sword and tried to break the chains, but the dark magic repeatedly threw him back. Despite Shen Wei's desperate pleas for him to stop, Zhao persisted. Witnessing this, the Black Robed Envoy took the sword and, with a final, powerful blow, sacrificed his own life to shatter the chains and free Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan returned to the SID with the unconscious Guo Changcheng, entrusting him to Chu Shuzhi and Da Qing.

He then escorted the injured Shen Wei home, who savored the simple pleasure of sunlight after his long confinement. They discussed Mr. Nightmare's failed attempts to trap Chu and Zhu Hong, noting their growing inner strength. Zhao acknowledged the increasing dangers but admitted his exhaustion. Back at the SID, unable to accept Guo's critical condition and despite Da Qing's warnings, a desperate Chu Shuzhi moved to use the Longevity Sundial to save him.

Meanwhile, Lin Jing, a brilliant but lazy inventor at the Marine Administration, was summoned by his superior. The "Mister" praised Lin's talent and revealed his plan to transfer him to the SID as a lead researcher. He framed it as an opportunity to study Subterranean genes for their lab's genetic engineering projects, a monumental scientific endeavor. Lin Jing agreed on the condition that he would never act against the spirit of science.

As the episode closed, Mr. Nightmare continued his work, taunting unseen victims. In his coma, Guo Changcheng heard the voices of his teammates. Suddenly, the SID team awoke with a start, realizing they had all mysteriously fallen asleep and dreamt of each other. They discovered that the SID's protective shield had failed and could not be reactivated.

Episode 34 Recap

Lin Jing awoke from a nightmare, his thoughts consumed by the Special Investigation Unit. He struggled to make a phone call, burdened by the fact that he was responsible for leaking information about the Longevity Sundial and the attack on the Marine Administration, hoping to help but inadvertently making things worse. Elsewhere, Professor Ouyang jubilantly proclaimed the success of his serum experiment.

However, his assistant Li Qian cautioned him, pointing out that the serum wasn't pure enough and using it prematurely could lead to unpredictable consequences. Impatient, Professor Ouyang disregarded her warnings and forcefully injected the serum into his own bloodstream. He then underwent a horrific transformation, howling in pain and madness. Meanwhile, as the now frail Mr. Chu watched over him, narrating a story about twin brothers and their tragic fate, Changcheng slowly began to stir, his heart beating powerfully.

As Changcheng fully awakened, he playfully recalled Mr. Chu’s past lie about eating human flesh, noting that he was not scary at all. Zhao Yunlan, accompanied by Da Qing and Chu Shuzhi, intended to seek a pardon from the Marine Administration. However, the rapidly escalating public outcry worked against them. The Marine Administration issued a formal statement abolishing the Special Investigation Unit and declared Zhao Yunlan a wanted fugitive, accusing him of colluding with Subterraneans and spreading fear.

The Special Investigation Unit headquarters was sealed off, and everyone braced for the fallout. Zhu Hong was brought home by her uncle, Cong Bo, while Wang Zheng and Sang Zan remained at the SIU to safeguard the hallows. Da Qing went to Professor Shen Wei's home, seeking instructions, only to find him not there. Unbeknownst to them, Night King, meticulously dressed in a suit, had assumed the gentle demeanor of Shen Wei and infiltrated the SIU.

He had bypassed the unit’s defenses by having Nightmare manipulate Lin Jing’s dream, forcing him to remove the protective shield. Inside the SIU, Night King, disguised as Shen Wei, found Zhao Yunlan struggling against the backlash of the hallows’ power. Zhao Yunlan, hoping to alter the timeline, sought to return to a point before Night King's emergence, believing this would undo their current predicament.

Night King listened, feigning concern, and subtly tried to persuade Zhao Yunlan to hand over the hallows, citing the risks of time disruption. However, having spent so much time with the real Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan quickly sensed the impostor. Night King’s arrogant demeanor and undisguised ambition shone through his words, betraying his disguise. Realizing the deception, Zhao Yunlan aimed his gun at Night King’s chest. Night King merely laughed, confident that he could not be caught.

Zhao Yunlan fired several shots, all missing. Wang Zheng and Sang Zan then arrived, bravely shielding Zhao Yunlan. They were quickly overwhelmed, their energy drained by Night King, who absorbed them into his service. As Night King turned his attention to Zhao Yunlan, the hallows suddenly flared with intense energy, all three activating simultaneously. At that critical moment, the real Shen Wei arrived, severing Night King’s insidious connection to Zhao Yunlan.

However, the three were caught in the hallows’ powerful anomaly and drawn into a swirling vortex. Zhao Yunlan was flung into a chaotic timeline ten thousand years in the past. He encountered a young Da Qing and the Black Robed Envoy but was bewildered by the era and their unfamiliarity with him. He was particularly confused when Da Qing, upon their first meeting, called him "Kunlun."

Da Qing, identifying himself as a unique werecat from the Sub-beasts, explained that he was sent by the Triple Alliance of humans, Sub-beasts, and Subterraneans to bring him to their headquarters. Their purpose was to suppress the powerful Rebel Regiment, led by the Rebel Chieftain, who sought to dominate the Marine. Da Qing then led Zhao Yunlan to the Triple Alliance headquarters to meet Mr. Ma Gui and Patriarch Fu You.

There, Zhao Yunlan finally grasped the full extent of the situation. They explained that a meteorite impact had released immense energy, destroying the Subterraneans' underground homes. The Rebel Chieftain, an extremist among the Subterraneans, had used his bewitching powers to form the formidable Rebel Regiment, aiming to conquer the entire Marine. The three factions had united as the Triple Alliance to counter this threat.

They had sought to recruit the great warrior Kunlun, but the Rebel Chieftain had preemptively eliminated Kunlun's entire party. To maintain morale, Mr. Ma Gui and Patriarch Fu You had kept this news secret and brought Zhao Yunlan from ten thousand years in the future to "replace" Kunlun, leading the war and preventing disruption to the timeline. They knew Zhao Yunlan’s future role as a beacon of hope for the Marine.

They also revealed that the hallows were forged from meteorite fragments intended for the benefit of all but had been stolen by the Rebel Regiment, and that Da Qing had accidentally touched them in the past, explaining his long life. Soon after, Zhao Yunlan met the Black Robed Envoy. In this past, the Black Robed Envoy had no recollection of Zhao Yunlan, despite Zhao Yunlan knowing him intimately. He addressed Zhao Yunlan as "Kunlun" and found his familiar words unsettling.

When the Black Robed Envoy offered to repay Zhao Yunlan for saving his life, Zhao Yunlan simply asked him to smile. The Envoy questioned the worth of a peace bought with so much blood, but Zhao Yunlan affirmed that sacrificing a few for thousands of years of peace for the many was a choice he would still make. The Black Robed Envoy revealed he wore his mask to hide his fear from his enemies.

Zhao Yunlan offered him a sweet, encouraging him to experience all of life's flavors and predicting a long future for him. After confirming his name was Kunlun, Zhao Yunlan contemplated the unchangeable past with Patriarch Fu You, who spoke of the Sub-beasts’ plan to retreat to a secluded place after the war. Hearing this, the Black Robed Envoy asked for her name, which prompted him to ponder his own identity, wondering aloud if he was born to be the Black Robed Envoy.

Episode 35 Recap

In the distant past, the man who would be known as Kunlun gives the Black Robed Envoy a new name: Shen Wei. Shen Wei gladly accepts it and recounts his past, explaining that he and his brother were orphaned and struggled to survive in a harsh world transformed by a meteorite strike. Unwilling to accept the world's cruelty, he began to punish wrongdoers, earning his title as the Black Robed Envoy.

Kunlun observes that Shen Wei's righteous nature is undeniable, and that he would always fight for his conscience, even if it brought him no joy. Meanwhile, Shen Wei's brother, not yet the Night King, is a powerless subordinate to the brutal Rebel Chieftain. After the Night King's suggestion for activating the four hallows is dismissed, the Chieftain mocks him and threatens to hunt down and kill his brother, the Black Robed Envoy.

This enrages the younger brother, who declares that only he has the right to kill his sibling. When the Chieftain attacks him in a fury, he inadvertently awakens the young man's latent power of absorption. The future Night King consumes the Chieftain, taking his power, which turns his hair white. Donning a white robe, he sets himself on a path of opposition to his brother. Da Qing delivers urgent news that the Rebel Regiment's leader is attacking with the hallows.

Kunlun and Black Robed Envoy set out immediately, successfully reclaiming the four sacred artifacts—the Karma Brush, Longevity Sundial, Mountain-River Awl, and Guardian Lantern—from the rebels. With the task complete, Kunlun prepares to return to his own time through a wormhole. A reluctant Da Qing pleads with him to stay. Kunlun reassures the young werecat and entrusts him with a bell, meant for a future master. Valuing his freedom, Da Qing initially refuses, but Kunlun insists he keep it.

Just then, the Night King appears, tracking the hallows. He stuns Shen Wei by calling him "Brother," feigning remorse and claiming he was manipulated by the Rebel Chieftain. Overwhelmed by the reunion, Shen Wei lets his guard down, only for the Night King to attack him, snarling that Shen Wei is the one who deserves to die. The hallows' power erupts, tearing the landscape apart and pulling Kunlun into a wormhole.

As the Night King is immobilized by the sacred power, he cries out for his brother's help. Despite the betrayal, Shen Wei tries to save him, but the force is too great. Consumed by hatred, the Night King plummets into an abyss, where he is imprisoned in the Sky Pillar for 10,000 years. In the aftermath, Shen Wei accepts custody of the hallows and begins wearing a mask, unable to bear seeing a face that resembles his brother's.

Within the time-distorting wormhole, Shen Wei finds Kunlun, revealing he has searched for him for 10,000 years. They return to their time together, discovering only two days have passed, but the situation has worsened. Da Qing, having hidden as a cat in the Marine Administration, reports that the Subterraneans have declared war on humanity, incited by an imposter impersonating the Black Robed Envoy.

The Night King, with the allegiance of the Regent and the new Lord Earth, has publicly burned the 10,000-year-old peace treaty, declaring it a hoax and rallying the Subterraneans to "Rule the Marine." Shen Wei blames himself for not dealing with his brother decisively in the past. During this unrest, Guo Changcheng is brought to the Marine Administration by his uncle.

Shen Wei explains that the Night King's power is not yet strong enough to control all Subterraneans, forcing him to use deception to start a mutiny. Confident the SID members are in hiding, Shen Wei mentions that he has already sent Da Qing to find them. He and Kunlun then set out to locate Lin Jing.

Episode 36 Recap

As Professor Ouyang passionately urged Minister Gao to approve the mass production of his nearly perfect experimental serum, Minister Gao remained hesitant. Their intense discussion was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Night King, who mocked their efforts and declared his intent to build a bridge of friendship between their sides.

Professor Ouyang attempted to strike the Night King, but his blow passed harmlessly through the elusive figure, revealing the Night King's formidable power and deepening the Marine Administration leaders' apprehension. The Night King proposed a trade for peace: the capture and handover of Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei.

Minister Gao told the Night King he would consider it, but after the Night King left, he confided in Professor Ouyang that the Marine Administration had its own principles and would not betray its people. However, the enemy's easy infiltration proved their readiness for war. Seeing no other choice, Minister Gao reversed his earlier hesitation and approved Professor Ouyang's serum application. Assistant Minister Guo, who openly opposed the experiment, was swiftly removed and locked away by Minister Gao's orders.

Professor Ouyang, overjoyed, reaffirmed his commitment to the serum's success, eager to commence its use. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan initiated a public live stream, broadcasting a message of unity. He acknowledged that some Special Investigation Unit members had left but expressed understanding for their choices. He urged all those with power to lend their strength, stating his belief that collective effort could prevent war and proclaiming that the Special Investigation Unit was born for this moment.

This broadcast served as a crucial distraction. During this time, Lin Jing and Changcheng secretly rendezvoused in the men's room after Lin Jing passed a coded message. Lin Jing revealed that his apparent betrayal of the Special Investigation Unit was a deliberate ruse orchestrated by Zhao Yunlan. Their mission was to steal Professor Ouyang's serum and sabotage his dangerous experiments.

As Professor Ouyang and Li Qian were preparing to retrieve the serum in the lab, Lin Jing and Changcheng burst in. Lin Jing directly confronted Professor Ouyang, accusing him of reckless scientific pursuit with an immature serum. A struggle ensued between Lin Jing and his former mentor. When Professor Ouyang attempted to inject his opponent, Changcheng bravely intervened and was injected with the semi-finished serum himself.

Lin Jing managed to escape the lab while Changcheng, now suffering from the serum's effects, was taken into custody by Li Qian for observation. However, Li Qian secretly released Changcheng and provided him with the three hallows that the Marine Administration had seized from the Special Investigation Unit, urging him to return to Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei. Struggling with pain, Changcheng clutched the hallows and fled. Separately, the Night King conveyed his grand strategy to Mi Lu.

He declared that the destruction of humanity was merely the first step, and once accomplished, the Sub-beasts would also be annihilated, leaving the pure Marine world to the Subterraneans alone. Mi Lu was instructed to assist Yaqing in acquiring the Sub-beast power, close any unnecessary passages, and, most importantly, monitor Yaqing, with orders to eliminate her if she showed any signs of disloyalty.

In a flashback, it was revealed how Chu Shuzhi, once imprisoned for avenging his brother, was visited by the Black Robed Envoy. The Black Robed Envoy, impressed by Chu Shuzhi's fierce loyalty, convinced him to redirect that dedication toward a greater mission in the above-ground world, thereby securing Chu Shuzhi's cooperation. Later, Chu Shuzhi and Changcheng were patrolling, with Chu Shuzhi sensing the arrival of the Night King’s vanguards. They soon encountered an Enchanter and his subordinates.

Chu Shuzhi engaged the enemies, cautioning Changcheng not to look into the Enchanter's eyes. Shortly after, Da Qing and Zhu Hong arrived at the scene. The Enchanter used his power, casting a spell that caused both Da Qing and Zhu Hong to fall into a deep sleep. As the Enchanter focused his mesmerizing gaze on Chu Shuzhi, Changcheng, despite his own suffering from the serum, courageously intervened, pulling Chu Shuzhi back from the brink of unconsciousness.

At that critical moment, Zhao Yunlan suddenly appeared, swiftly ending the Enchanter's life with a single shot. With the Special Investigation Unit members reunited, they shared their relief. Da Qing recounted how he had attempted to secure the hallows from their lab during the chaos, only to be intercepted by the Marine Administration. Now, with three hallows recovered, the conversation shifted to the missing fourth hallow, the Guardian Lantern, and the possibility of it being hidden nearby.

Shen Wei observed Changcheng's physical state, confirming that he had mutated from Professor Ouyang's serum, leading Zhao Yunlan to question if he had developed new psychic powers. The Black Robed Envoy then made an appearance, revealing that the Enchanter was merely a subordinate and that someone else had been impersonating him to sow confusion. He declared the battle for the Marine world was far from over, as the Night King’s true form remained in the Subterrane, unchanged in his ruthless ambition.

Episode 37 Recap

Upon returning to the Special Investigation Unit, the team found their headquarters in ruins. Li Hongchun, who had diligently guarded the entrance, lay fatally wounded after fighting off Yaqing's subordinates. He died in Da Qing's arms, and as he passed, Guo Changcheng's nascent psychic power manifested, allowing him to perceive Li Hongchun's final wish to fry tiny dried fish for the deputy director one last time.

Though shaken, Changcheng was encouraged by Zhao Yunlan to embrace his new ability to record the last wishes of the deceased. Filled with grief and renewed determination, the team vowed to avenge their fallen comrades. Zhao Yunlan recalled that the final Hallow, the Guardian Lantern, was likely among the old items stored at the unit. After a frantic search, they found the ancient lamp, but it was merely a shell without its wick, rendering it powerless.

Shen Wei speculated the wick was still on the Subterrane, but the only known passage was now heavily guarded by the Night King's forces, making a group crossing impossible. Just as they were losing hope, a scheduled email from Lin Jing arrived. His video revealed not only that he had been swallowed by the Night King, but also contained crucial intelligence: the Night King had ordered the closure of several "unnecessary passages."

This sparked a memory in Da Qing, who recalled that Ma Gui had created two passages between the worlds. One was the known route near the locust tree, while the other was entrusted to the Sub-beast tribe, guarded by their leader. With a new route identified, Zhao Yunlan, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong prepared to go to the Sub-beast camp, taking the sacred wood given to them by Serpent Four.

Before they left, Guo Changcheng gave Zhu Hong a necklace from Yaqing, hoping it could be used as a bargaining chip. Changcheng, now able to perceive the final wishes of the dying, decided to remain at the SIU to comfort the spirits of the dead, with Chu Shuzhi staying behind to protect him. The trio journeyed into the Sub-beast forest, only to be trapped in a disorienting maze of illusions created by Milu.

The shifting trees and dense fog separated them until Da Qing, an expert climber, scaled a real tree and spotted their foe. He and Zhu Hong worked together to defeat Milu, dispelling the maze. Meanwhile, Yaqing had gathered the Sub-beasts for an election to name a new Patriarch, confident she would win. Her plans were derailed when a Subterranean commander, acting on the Night King's orders, demanded she execute her own people.

Horrified that her goal of revitalizing her tribe had been twisted into this, Yaqing turned against the Subterraneans. She then demanded the sacred wood from Serpent Four, invoking the prophecy that whoever could make the dead wood sprout would be the true Patriarch. Just as Zhao Yunlan's group arrived, Zhu Hong was revealed to be in possession of the wood. At Zhao's urging, she gave it to Yaqing, who failed to make it sprout.

Zhao then explained that success required the right "strategy," not just will. Prompted by his advice, Zhu Hong recalled an old story and poured alcohol on the wood, causing it to miraculously grow new leaves. Witnessing this, the Sub-beasts proclaimed Zhu Hong their new Patriarch. Defeated, Yaqing conceded, acknowledging that cooperation with humans might be a better path for her people.

At the same time, Shen Wei returned to the Subterrane alone, heading for the collection room in the Palace of Lord Earth, where he believed the Guardian Lantern's wick was kept. After assuring a distrustful elder that he remained committed to protecting the Subterrane, his search was cut short. The Night King appeared and used his powers to have Shen Wei ambushed and knocked unconscious.

Elsewhere, Lin Jing awoke in a strange, organic environment, realizing he was inside the Night King's stomach. Thinking of Sha Ya, he resolved to find a way to escape before he was digested.

Episode 38 Recap

Following the lead of Zhu Hong, the new patriarch of the Sub-beasts, Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing enter a forbidden area and place the four hallows in their designated spots. However, they are unable to activate them to change the past, as the Guardian Lantern is missing its wick. Suddenly, a commotion erupts outside, prompting the trio to quickly secure the hallows and investigate.

The disturbance is caused by Professor Ouyang Zhen, who has injected himself with a mutant serum, becoming dangerously aggressive in his mission to eliminate the Sub-beasts. Seeing he is outnumbered, Ouyang prepares to inject more serum, but Zhao Yunlan tackles him. At that moment, Zhang Shi arrives and tosses a handgun to Zhao Yunlan. As Ouyang aims his serum, Zhao aims the gun. A single shot rings out, and Ouyang Zhen falls, his insane experiments ending with him.

Meanwhile, Guo Changcheng uses his psychic ability to broadcast the dying wishes of dozens of victims to their families via a live stream, helping to calm the panicked Dragon City and restore faith in the Special Investigation Unit. His mission complete, Guo and Chu Shuzhi rush to the forbidden area to meet Zhao.

After Zhang Shi helps subdue Ouyang Zhen, he reveals his true form and identity: the only Subterranean mutant left on the surface and a disciple of Ma Gui. With his help, a channel to Subterrane is opened, and the secret of the Guardian Lantern's wick is revealed to Zhao Yunlan.

As Zhao Yunlan prepares to go to Subterrane to rescue Shen Wei, Guo Changcheng insists on joining him to fulfill his promise of delivering the last words of fallen Subterranean soldiers to their families. Impressed, Zhang Shi places his hand over Guo's head, causing it to emanate a pure white light, astonishing even the ancient Da Qing, who marvels at a human heart so untainted. With a protective talisman from Chu Shuzhi, Guo Changcheng follows Zhao Yunlan into Subterrane.

In Subterrane, the Night King has Shen Wei bound and is torturing him with a whip. Weakened and pale, Shen Wei's wounds no longer heal since he shared his life force with Zhao Yunlan. The Night King taunts him by revealing that Zhao Yunlan is on his way, causing Shen Wei to roar in defiance, which only earns him his brother's dark, mocking laughter.

After the Night King leaves, the Regent, unable to determine which brother can truly save their people, decides to release Shen Wei, giving him a chance to fight back. Upon arriving in Subterrane, Zhao Yunlan and Guo Changcheng are immediately attacked. Zhao is quickly overwhelmed, but the heavily injured Shen Wei appears and shields him, vowing that no one will harm Zhao as long as he lives.

To ensure Zhao's escape, Shen Wei stays behind to fight off the pursuing soldiers. However, Zhao Yunlan's escape is thwarted. Guo Changcheng, who was secretly implanted with dark energy by the Night King, suddenly loses control at the critical moment and grabs Zhao's legs. Recognizing Guo's familiar, stubborn determination even while being controlled, Zhao smiles in resignation and tosses the bag containing the hallows to the arriving Night King, signaling his surrender.

Shen Wei, now defeated and bloody, is trampled and taunted by his brother. Zhao Yunlan, maintaining a defiant smirk, is bound to a stone pillar. The Night King boasts that he has orchestrated all this chaos to absorb the hallows' energy and become invincible, but his plan is incomplete without the Guardian Lantern. Zhao's mocking laughter enrages the Night King, who begins to beat him brutally. Just as the final, devastating blow is about to land, Shen Wei throws himself in front of Zhao, taking the full force of the attack.

Episode 39 Recap

Heartbroken by his brother’s unwavering opposition, the Night King consumed Shen Wei, telling him to witness his grand plan from within his stomach. As a final act of fury, the Night King impaled Shen Wei’s heart with an ice pillar. Zhao Yunlan could only watch in agony, devastated by Shen Wei's sacrifice. Later, inside the Night King, the gravely injured Shen Wei was discovered by Lin Jing.

Shen Wei instructed him that at the critical moment, Lin Jing must drive the ice pillar fully into his chest to unleash his complete power for one last stand, to which a tearful Lin Jing agreed. Meanwhile, as Subterraneans continued to surge onto the surface, Dragon City fell eerily quiet.

Chu Shuzhi, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong were busy with rescue efforts when Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi arrived, offering to help out of gratitude for past aid from the SID. Elsewhere, Zhao Xinchi organized the Sub-beasts for a counterattack. Yaqing, a Werecrow, was initially shocked to be fighting alongside humans, but under Zhao Xinchi’s command—with the Serpents for containment, the Flowers and Werecrows for flanking, and Zhao Xinchi leading the frontal assault—they united.

Zhao Xinchi recalled a young Yunlan’s wish for peace, a dream his father had encouraged. Through the combined efforts of humans and Sub-beasts, the invading Subterraneans were driven back. In the battle, the Werecat Da Ji sacrificed the last of her nine lives. Dying in Da Qing’s arms, she remarked on her newfound reluctance to let go of life and urged him, now the last Werecat, to live well.

With the surface temporarily secured, Zhao Xinchi initiated "Plan B: Subterrane Rescue." Determined not to be left behind by Yunlan again, Chu Shuzhi, alongside Da Qing and Zhu Hong, resolved to venture into the Subterrane. Before their departure, Zhao Xinchi gave Da Qing a potent, refined serum developed by Li Qian, warning that while it could amplify strength a hundredfold, its severe side effects made it a weapon of last resort.

In the Subterrane, the Night King, frustrated by his inability to bewitch Zhao Yunlan, attempted to negotiate. He asked what Yunlan desired, but Yunlan, staring at the face identical to Shen Wei's, stated coldly, "I want you to die." Enraged, the Night King stormed off. The Regent then released Zhao Yunlan, claiming it was a deliberate ploy to ensure the Night King would ultimately triumph. Free, Zhao Yunlan retrieved the Guardian Lantern he had hidden in a bar.

The Night King, having tracked him, appeared and, believing victory was at hand, gloated about his plan to annihilate all species. However, Yunlan recorded the entire confession with a high-tech device and broadcast it across the Subterrane. Hearing the Night King's true intentions, the manipulated Subterraneans turned on him, marching on the Palace of Lord Earth. As the rebellion began, Chu Shuzhi, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong arrived and joined the advancing crowd.

Undeterred, the Night King consumed both the Regent and the newly-awakened Lord Earth, who had just tried to exact revenge, before dragging an injured Yunlan back to the palace. There, the Night King brutally beat Yunlan, who taunted him for lacking a wick for the Guardian Lantern. The Night King revealed his true plan: to use Guo Changcheng, whose pure spiritual energy was the perfect "nourishment" to serve as the wick.

Yunlan screamed desperately, trying to rouse Guo from his trance. Fueled by the rebels’ cries for justice and Yunlan’s pleas, Guo's memories of the SID—his found family—and his resolve to protect others awakened. At the last second, just as the Night King began to merge the hallows' energy, Guo awoke, manifesting a strange dual-colored power that blocked the process. Chu Shuzhi, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong burst in to defend Guo. As Da Qing tended to the battered Yunlan, Yunlan snatched the serum and injected it into himself, declaring he had perhaps been waiting for this very moment his whole life.

Episode 40 (Ending) Recap

The Night King's uncontrollable hunger for energy consumed all, turning Subterraneans and Sub-beasts into mere instruments for his domination of Marine. Driven by a deep-seated hatred for the world, his brother, and his own face which mirrored his brother's, he sought to shatter the existing order and forge a new one, believing history would favor his vision. Zhao Yunlan, accepting his destiny, prepared for a final confrontation.

Within the Night King's monstrous form, Zhao Yunlan's allies found themselves trapped and tormented. As the chaos escalated, Shen Wei, despite his grave injuries, saw a critical window of opportunity. He instructed Lin Jing to act, then, utilizing the last of his life force, propelled his companions to safety while he was consumed by the Night King.

In the aftermath, the Night King realized Shen Wei's treachery: the energy he had absorbed was not dark, but a pure force capable of destroying him from within. Defeated, the Night King found himself in a void, where Shen Wei revealed the true, tragic origin of his millennia of hatred. It was Shen Wei who had been cast from a cliff while protecting his younger brother, not abandoned by him.

Shattered by this truth, the Night King let go of his resentment. Reconciled, the two brothers faded away together, leaving a devastated Zhao Yunlan to call out Shen Wei's name in vain. Though the Night King had fallen, the aftermath was dire. All energy on the Subterrane had been absorbed, causing planetary cracks to expand catastrophically. Critically wounded and knowing his life was ending, Zhao Yunlan recalled the secret of the Guardian Lantern.

He had learned that the hallow, a beacon against evil, was fueled by integrity and demanded the ultimate sacrifice: if its wick was lost, a warrior must offer their own life force, becoming the fuel and enduring agony far worse than any flame. Before the final battle, Zhao Yunlan had made a pact with the ancient being who revealed this secret, asking it to live on for him—to be filial to his father and protect the world in his stead.

With his father, Zhao Xinci, looking on with sorrowful understanding, Zhao Yunlan embraced his fate, igniting the Guardian Lantern and sacrificing himself to save the world. A brilliant, hopeful light began to emanate, illuminating the previously darkened world. With the crisis averted, the world began a slow reconstruction. The forbidden passage between the Subterrane and Marine was permanently sealed, separating them into two distinct realms. In the rebuilt world, life found a new rhythm.

Guo Changcheng, now a respected senior at the Special Investigation Unit, still humorously claimed to have "post-war trauma" during clinic visits but showed his courage in his work. Zhu Hong, having risen to become the new Sub-beast Patriarch, now presided over reform meetings, fondly recalling her past crush on the Master of Guardians. Zhao Xinci, free from his past mental afflictions, helped oversee the reconstruction.

Fulfilling his promise, the ancient being now inhabited Zhao Yunlan’s body, serving as the new Director of the SIU. Hailed as a hero, this "Director Zhao" led the unit’s renewed commitment to peace, while always feeling the true Zhao Yunlan was watching over them. Though stability had returned, a profound sense of loss remained for the true heroes whose sacrifices had paved the way for this new era.

In a realm beyond time, within a wormhole created by the hallows, Zhao Yunlan found Shen Wei patiently waiting. Knowing their time might be fleeting, Zhao Yunlan proposed one last bet: that no matter how much time passed or where their paths might lead, they would find each other again. With a quiet gaze, Shen Wei accepted his promise.