Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 23 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Ruan Shiqiong explained to Duan Yu that his heart was sealed within the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword. When the sword seeker touched him, his power would resonate, and his lost emotions would gradually return. He stated the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword belonged to the sword seeker and he had to return it. Duan Yu asked why he was revealing this now.
Ruan Shiqiong explained he needed a favor: if Duan Yu promised that the Duan family and Xiling would form a lasting alliance, sharing fortune and hardship, he would draw the sword. Duan Yu was confused. Ruan Shiqiong clarified that the mark of the Star of Rebellion on Gu Qingqiao already had four black petals, meaning she would die soon if not saved.
However, saving her would make her an enemy of the Duan family, and Duan Yu's brother would not spare Xiling. Duan Yu suggested that with Ruan Shiqiong being the greatest martial artist in the world, his brother might not be able to harm Xiling. Ruan Shiqiong countered that his heart was sealed in the sword long ago, and when Gu Qingqiao pulled it out, his life would end.
Gu Qingqiao delegated her duties as Grand Steward to Fu Rong and Lu Huahua. She prepared a blackboard and chalk for her teacher, Wang Tianshan, for future classes. Having settled everything, she planned to secretly leave Xiling, taking a memorable group photo with her. However, Ruan Shiqiong discovered her. He confronted her, asking if she knew pulling the sword would mean his death. Gu Qingqiao initially pretended ignorance, claiming it was just too rushed.
Ruan Shiqiong pressed her, asking why she had given away her position and taken the photo, suggesting she was planning to leave alone. Gu Qingqiao then admitted she had overheard him speaking with Zhang Sifeng and knew his life would end if she pulled the sword. She declared she would never pull the sword and would rather die than build her happiness on the sacrifice of his life, stating there was no room for discussion on the matter.
Duan Yu then intervened, suggesting that if Gu Qingqiao, as the sword seeker and the Star of Rebellion capable of gathering the Four Treasures, pulled the sword, Ruan Shiqiong might not have to die. He explained that the Duan family knew the Star of Rebellion could use the Four Treasures to reverse fate.
Although she might cause his death as the sword seeker, as the Star of Rebellion she could potentially use the Four Treasures' power to break the seal on his heart within the sword and retrieve it for him. Gu Qingqiao found the explanation confusing but, after their persuasion and the assurance that Zhang Sifeng would not have agreed to open the Jiuqing Secret Cave without certainty, she agreed to try, acknowledging the opportunity was worth taking.
Zhang Sifeng opened the Jiuqing Secret Cave, revealing it was hidden beneath a lake. Gu Qingqiao, Duan Yu, and Ruan Shiqiong entered. They encountered the Mythical Stone Formation, created by the Xiling Grand Master from meteorites. They realized the formation had traps and needed a specific method to traverse it. Noticing unexpected light spots on the ground in the underground cave, they deduced these might be a hint, possibly related to the Flowing Water Sword technique carved on the stones.
Ruan Shiqiong went first and confirmed the presence of a trap. They decided to step on the light spots, with Gu Qingqiao walking in the middle protected by Ruan Shiqiong and Duan Yu on either side, navigating the dangerous formation using the principles of the Flowing Water Sword technique. Deeper within the cave, they found the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword guarded by a Sword Spirit, who was the Xiling Grand Master.
Ruan Shiqiong recognized his Grand Master and explained he had passed away and become a Sword Spirit to protect the sword. Knowing they were no match for the Grand Master's skill, Ruan Shiqiong engaged the Sword Spirit in combat, urging Gu Qingqiao and Duan Yu to quickly pull the sword. Ruan Shiqiong told Gu Qingqiao not to worry, as his heart was in the sword and the Grand Master wouldn't kill him, promising he would get his heart back.
As the fight continued and time ran out, Ruan Shiqiong instructed Gu Qingqiao and Duan Yu to place their hands on the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword, close their eyes, and sense its power. Working together, Gu Qingqiao and Duan Yu pulled the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword from its pedestal. Upon the sword being pulled, Ruan Shiqiong's body dissolved into light dust, leaving nothing behind.
Gu Qingqiao was devastated, realizing they had lied to her and there was no way to save him. She cried out for him not to die, saying she didn't want the sword and just wanted him back. Ruan Shiqiong's voice echoed, telling her not to blame Duan Yu, as it was his instruction.
He expressed his wish for her to return to her own world, confident and happy, and hinted that he might even be by her side as her team doctor in another life. He asked Duan Yu to take good care of her and ensure she lived safely. Gu Qingqiao insisted Xiling was her home and begged him not to leave.
After Ruan Shiqiong vanished, Zhang Sifeng explained the legend of the Xiling Grand Master, who died by stabbing his heart with a sword and became the Sword Spirit guarding it. Duan Yu speculated that Ruan Shiqiong might have also become a Sword Spirit since his heart was sealed in the sword.
Gu Qingqiao believed he would and asked Duan Yu if he knew how to summon a Sword Spirit, but Duan Yu said he had asked Zhang Sifeng, who didn't know either. Gu Qingqiao was then shown in what appears to be her original world, as Qi Chunjiao, hiding in a school infirmary. A doctor, identified as Dr. Ruan, is present. Her mother arrives, looking for her after a competition. Chunjiao's mother expresses frustration about her daughter's performance and her hiding.
Chunjiao says her mother only cares about her competition results, not her feelings, especially since her father passed away. Her mother reacts angrily. As the mother leaves, she forgets a barbecue sword, which is the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword. Seeing the sword, Chunjiao is reminded of Ruan Shiqiong. Dr. Ruan encourages her to try to understand her mother's perspective. Chunjiao calls out, expressing her heartbreak and feeling lied to, saying she doesn't want the sword and wants him back.
Returning to Xiling, Gu Qingqiao, still grieving, was told by Duan Yu that he had found the Meridian Gate at the Fire Crane Tribe and would accompany her to retrieve it and find the Four Treasures. Gu Qingqiao declined, stating she didn't want him to end up like Ruan Shiqiong and would find the Four Treasures herself.
Later, Gu Qingqiao attempted to summon the Sword Spirit by cutting her finger and dripping blood on the sword, having read about activating spiritual items with blood. Duan Yu stopped her, concerned for her safety. Noticing Duan Yu was still wearing the rings they had exchanged, Gu Qingqiao acknowledged he remembered her words about them symbolizing connected hearts, though she noted it was from long ago.
She reiterated that regardless of whether they gathered the Four Treasures, they were fated to be in different worlds, like a fish and a bird, with no possibility of being together. They agreed that the best way to say goodbye when the time came was with a smile, unlike their past farewell in Changqing. Meanwhile, Shaoyi waited at a rest stop, hoping Duan Yu and Gu Qingqiao would pass through on their way to the Fire Crane Tribe.
He was anxious to see Wu and reflected that he now understood the difficulty of Duan Yu and Gu Qingqiao's situation through his own feelings. He was conflicted, wanting them to return but also feeling for their plight. At the Fire Crane Tribe, a masked stranger arrived, claiming to be a friend of Duan Yu. The tribe members welcomed him warmly because Duan Yu had bravely helped them eliminate the threat from the Moon Wolf Tribe.
The stranger expressed a desire to see their sacred object, particularly mentioning it contained a portrait resembling Duan Yu's fiancée, who looked exactly like their Priestess in the sacred object. The Fire Crane Tribe Priestess explained the sacred object was a tribal treasure not easily shown, but confirmed Duan Yu had seen it due to his heroic actions. The stranger then revealed his true intention, declaring he would take their sacred object, his demeanor turning hostile.
