Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 18 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Many years ago, the founder of the Xiling Sect discovered the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword on Xiling Mountain. Using its power, he became invincible in the martial arts world and established the sect. Since then, a mission has been passed down through generations of Xiling sect chiefs: to wait for the person who can pull the sword out. Neither the founder nor any subsequent chief has been able to do so.
The former master told Ruan Shiqiong that true strength isn't just power and advised him not to be blinded by obsession. Ruan Shiqiong learned that sacrificing his heart to the sword would grant him power feared by mortals, making him invincible, but at a great cost. With his heart on the sword, he would lose all emotions and only await death from the moment of sacrifice.
Despite this, Ruan Shiqiong declared he wanted to pull the sword and become a strong man like the founder, the disciple his master was proudest of, and ensure Xiling was never attacked by foreign enemies. He was willing to sacrifice his life to become the greatest martial artist in the world and protect Xiling's glory. Fifteen years passed, and the person he was waiting for finally arrived. Duan Yu traveled to the Moon Wolf Tribe camp.
His plan involved entering the camp and setting a fire as a signal for Xiaowu to release horses with firecrackers tied behind them, causing chaos. He would then seize the Moon Wolf leader and use him as leverage to prevent future attacks on the Fire Crane Tribe. As Xiaowu prepared to act, a Moon Wolf tribesman she had encountered earlier, who was thought to be dead, reappeared.
In a moment of danger, Xiaowu killed the tribesman and proceeded with the plan. Duan Yu confronted the Moon Wolf leader but was severely injured during the fight. Xiaowu helped the injured Duan Yu escape the camp. Shaoyi, leading a team of Wuyi Guards, met them outside the Moon Wolf Tribe grounds and took them back. Duan Yu had fulfilled the task given by the doctor, but his tendons and blood vessels were badly damaged.
The doctor's efforts saved his life, but he needed extensive rest and could not move. Xiaowu felt immense guilt, believing Duan Yu's severe arm injury was a result of her needing rescue. She had intended to help but felt she had only become a burden. Shaoyi comforted her, emphasizing that she had saved Duan Yu's life by bringing him out of the Moon Wolf Tribe.
Shaoyi confessed that he felt useless, unable to protect her adequately, especially after she faced danger because of him. He decided they needed to separate for a time so he could become stronger. Meanwhile, Duan Yu learned from Xing Si that Gu Qingqiao had been located on Xiling Mountain in Qingshui Town and planned to leave immediately to find her. The doctor urged him to stay and recover from his injuries, but Duan Yu insisted he had his own arrangements.
He requested the sacred object as previously agreed. However, when the doctor went to retrieve it, it was missing. Upon discovering the disappearance, he asked about Xiaowu, realizing she had taken the sacred object. Duan Yu found Xiaowu and asked her to return the sacred object. Xiaowu agreed but demanded that Shaoyi remain with her.
Duan Yu explained that his desire for strength stemmed from his fear of losing a loved one due to inability to protect them, a regret he carried from a past failure to stand by his beloved. He said Shaoyi likely didn't want to experience the same regret. Xiaowu countered that Duan Yu, despite his strength, had still lost his beloved.
Duan Yu revealed that the woman he loved looked exactly like the Goddess depicted on their sacred object, which made him believe it was connected to her. Xiaowu stated she didn't need Shaoyi's protection and insisted he come talk to her himself. Shaoyi then told Xiaowu that he needed to become stronger because he felt useless and incapable of protecting her, citing Duan Yu's loss as an example of strength not being enough without companionship.
Xiaowu, identifying herself as a prairie woman who didn't need male protection, challenged him not to use that as an excuse to leave. She demanded that if his intentions were true and not merely a scheme to take the sacred object, he should prove it by returning to the Fire Crane Tribe with the woman who resembled their Goddess. If he did that, she would believe him and return the sacred object.
Shaoyi promised to return and stay with her forever, declaring her his slave regardless of where she went. Xiaowu told him to leave, asserting that prairie women didn't cry over men. Duan Yu and his group then departed, saying goodbye to the doctor. In the Xiling Sect, Gu Qingqiao wondered when the Great Master would return. Her master reminded her about the upcoming annual exam, which would cover medical classics and include problem-solving questions.
Failing the exam would result in severe punishment, including expulsion. Students hoped Ruan Shiqiong would be the invigilator, believing he would be lenient and allow them to cheat. Gu Qingqiao confirmed that Ruan Shiqiong would indeed be the invigilator. During the exam, students attempted to cheat but were caught by Ruan Shiqiong. He warned that any further cheating or failing the exam would lead to expulsion from the sect. The results showed that Lu Huahua and Gu Qingqiao failed.
They and other students who failed pleaded with Ruan Shiqiong for another chance. He agreed to a makeup exam in three days, stating that passing it would allow them to remain in the sect. Dongfangchun Mubai, who scored highest, helped tutor the failing students, including Gu Qingqiao and Lu Huahua, but found them difficult to teach.
Gu Qingqiao also asked Ruan Shiqiong if he would still help her find the sword if she was expelled, and he replied that it was not certain unless she passed the exam. After the makeup exam, the disciples discovered that Guan Mu was missing. Shen You had earlier attempted to persuade Guan Mu, who was preparing to leave the sect and was waiting for someone, to return with him to the Herbal King Valley, but Guan Mu refused.
When the disciples realized Guan Mu was missing, they asked villagers about him. The First Senior declared his responsibility to go down the mountain and find him, and all the disciples vowed to join the search, upholding the sect's rule of mutual support. Ruan Shiqiong also decided to accompany them. They searched throughout the morning and eventually discovered a body by the river. Recognizing a bag near the body, they confirmed it was Guan Mu. The government officers arrived and secured the scene. The disciples were devastated to find Guan Mu dead.
