Ice Fantasy Recap, Plot, Synopsis, Total Episodes

Ice Fantasy Synopsis

When the second prince of the Fire Tribe was mysteriously killed while attending the bar mitzvah of Ice Tribe Prince Ka Suo, the Fire King took this opportunity to start a war between the Ice Tribe and the Fire Tribe.

With the help of the Ice tribe’s spies, Ka Suo’s parents were captured and his older siblings were killed, leaving only two Ice tribe princes, Ka Suo and Yingkong Shi, to survive and escape to the mortal world to seek the help of the world-keeper Li Luo.

With the help of Li Luo, Ka Suo obtained the six-leaf ice crystal from the six tribal leaders.

Ka Suo was injured by the Fire King and lost his spiritual power, Ying Kongshi led the other tribes to fight against the Fire King. He defeated the Fire tribe to inherit the throne.

In order to restore Ka Suo’s spiritual power, Li Luo made a deal with the “Demon Sword”, becoming a bloodthirsty beast, while the fire princess Yan Da gave up everything for Yingkong Shi.

However, Ka Suo’s lover Li Lu and his brother Ying Kongshi both died under the conspiracy of Yan Ji.

He was determined to find the legendary “hidden lotus” to revive them.

The war between the ice tribe and the fire tribe started again, and Li Tianjin also joined the fire tribe and decided to seek revenge on Ka Suo.

Ice Fantasy Recap

Episode 1 Recap

Years after a devastating war between the Ice Tribe and the Fire Tribe, Prince Ka Suo stands on the coast of Lian Qiu Rock, gazing across the Endless Sea at his desolate kingdom. His tears, falling on bloodstains, transform into striking red crystals as painful memories resurface from the past, harking back to a time of prosperity.

In the past, the Ice Prince Ka Suo was playing with his snow lion when a servant reminded him that it was his 130th birthday and he needed to prepare for his coming-of-age ceremony in the City of Bladed Snow. His younger half-brother, Ying Kong Shi, was nowhere to be found, as he disliked such formal events. Ka Suo went to the Forest of Snow and Fog to search for him, where he encountered an old grandma.

She recognized Ka Suo, acknowledging he had grown into an adult, and pointed him towards Ying Kong Shi. There, Ka Suo found Ying Kong Shi being mocked and bullied by other children for his inability to perform magic. As the children prepared to attack him with ice spells, Ka Suo intervened, freezing their magic mid-air and rescuing his brother.

Ying Kong Shi, feeling like a "mirage" due to his name and lack of magical ability, expressed his reluctance to attend the ceremony, believing his presence was dispensable. Ka Suo, however, insisted and brought him back to the City of Bladed Snow on his snow lion. Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, Li Luo, a powerful realm guardian dedicated to protecting the Ice Tribe, was overseeing the selection of new guardians.

At the Altar of Wind and Rain, she designed a test for food supplies, requiring participants to rely on their own capabilities. One contestant, motivated by self-interest, harmed his companions, leading Li Luo to disqualify him, asserting that a true guardian must maintain peace, resist invasion, and not betray allies for personal gain. When the contestant challenged her, Li Luo swiftly defeated him, advising him to practice more.

Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi arrived at the palace, which was filled with celebration. Princess Lan Shang of the Mermaid Tribe, attended by her saint, observed Ka Suo with a hidden agenda. Lian Ji, the Ice King's favored concubine and Ying Kong Shi's mother, quickly decided to leave with her son, curtly declining the Ice Queen's attempt to persuade her to stay by stating she felt unwell.

Suddenly, realm guardians at the city's perimeter spotted a group from the Fire Tribe. Prince Xin Jue of the Fire Tribe, an uninvited guest, soon crashed Ka Suo's coming-of-age ceremony. Presenting a gift from his father, he then made a provocative request: to spar with Ka Suo, renowned as the Ice Tribe's most magically gifted god. Xin Jue implied that the Ice Tribe's magic might be overrated if Ka Suo refused.

Ka Suo accepted, but proposed a different kind of competition: a test of magic on the nearby Frost Lake. They would see if Xin Jue could boil the lake first, or if Ka Suo could freeze it first, without using weapons. The stakes were high; if Ka Suo lost, he would have to endure three of Xin Jue's fiery attacks without resistance.

Onlookers worried that a victory for Ka Suo would give the Fire Tribe an excuse for war, while a loss would diminish the Ice Tribe's magical reputation. As Xin Jue successfully boiled the center of the lake, Ka Suo froze the surrounding water. At that moment, Ying Kong Shi cleverly appeared with a group of children.

Ka Suo seized the opportunity, telling them that Prince Xin Jue had melted the ice into warm water for them to play in, and encouraged them to thank him. This ingenious move allowed Xin Jue to retreat with honor, diffusing a potential conflict between the two tribes without a clear victor. Lan Shang observed Ka Suo with growing admiration. Later, Ying Kong Shi questioned why Ka Suo allowed Xin Jue to leave gracefully.

Ka Suo explained his desire to maintain the hard-won peace between their tribes, as neither a win nor a loss was a viable option. He confessed he never wanted to be king, wishing instead for the freedom of a sleet bird to fly wherever it pleased, unburdened by the king's responsibilities he had witnessed in his father.

Ying Kong Shi promised to help Ka Suo fulfill his wish, assuring him that he would eventually be as free as a sleet bird. Ka Suo's messenger hawk frequently delivered his inquiries about the mortal realm to Li Luo. General Ke Tuo advised Li Luo to always satisfy Ka Suo's requests, as he was the future Ice King. Li Luo, who found Ka Suo's frequent questions about mundane mortal life tiresome, often knew what he would ask next.

In one message, she explained that mortals with strong spiritual powers were chosen as realm guardians to prevent accidental harm by powerful gods and to avert a purgatory-like mortal realm. She anticipated Ka Suo's next question about whether a mortal's magic could defeat a god's.

She clarified that in a direct fight, a mortal had no chance, but mortals possessed a unique advantage: if a god was stained with mortal blood, they would temporarily lose their divine protection and magical ability. This loophole, a compromise between humans and gods, had been exploited by evil gods using mortals as shields. Ka Suo found this tactic cruel, and his messenger hawk was almost entirely eaten by Li Luo's pet.

Ka Suo, intrigued by Li Luo's ability to always know his thoughts and her reluctance to appear before him in person, vowed to secretly visit the realm guardian's camp one day to finally meet her. Meanwhile, Lan Shang discreetly went to Ka Suo's chambers but found Ying Kong Shi instead. Ying Kong Shi, noticing her interest in his brother, playfully teased her about her mermaid legs, which were weak outside water unless married to an outside tribe.

Realizing he was Ka Suo's younger brother, Lan Shang asked him to convey a message: she would be waiting for Ka Suo under the Eternity Tree in the Forest of Snow and Fog and would not leave until he arrived. Ying Kong Shi deduced that she truly liked his brother. Later, Xin Jue forcibly entered the Forest of Snow and Fog, killing two Ice Tribe guards and proceeding deeper with the Holy Fire Source, harboring sinister intentions.

Lan Shang arrived at the Eternity Tree, as promised, but was unexpectedly attacked by a flock of frenzied clear sky birds. Xin Jue appeared and "rescued" her from the birds, but then, captivated by her beauty, attempted to sexually assault her, tearing her clothes. He taunted her, suggesting the Mermaid Saint wouldn't harm her future son-in-law for the sake of reputation.

At that critical moment, Ka Suo, having been alerted by Ying Kong Shi that Lan Shang was waiting for him, arrived at the forest. He immediately noticed the abnormal behavior of the clear sky birds and, fearing for Lan Shang's safety, rushed to find her. He intervened just in time, saving Lan Shang from Xin Jue's clutches.

Episode 2 Recap

Ka Suo arrived to save Lan Shang, confronting Xin Jue, who declared his intent to make Lan Shang his after defeating Ka Suo. As the fight ensued in the Forest of Snow and Fog, Xin Jue feigned defeat and then trapped Ka Suo. Xin Jue then threatened Ka Suo, stating that once he killed him, the mortal realm would belong to the Fire Tribe.

Seeing his brother in mortal danger, Ying Kong Shi, in a moment of crisis, suddenly manifested powerful magic, intervening to defend Ka Suo and gravely injuring Xin Jue. Shocked by his own actions, Ying Kong Shi asked Ka Suo, "Brother, what did I just do?"

The Fire King Fire Yi sensed Xin Jue's distress, while in the City of Bladed Snow, the Ice King was informed that stabilizing Prince Xin Jue's condition would require sacrificing a century's worth of his own magic, which the Ice King promptly did. Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi were brought before the Ice King. Lian Ji rushed in, demanding why Ying Kong Shi was kneeling. She argued, "It was Ka Suo who went to look for Lan Shang.

It was Ka Suo who injured Xin Jue! This has nothing to do with Shi!" She emphasized that everyone in the Ice Tribe knew Ying Kong Shi possessed no magic, questioning, "What power does he have to attack the Fire Prince?" However, Lan Shang, as an eyewitness, firmly stated, "It was Ying Kong Shi who injured Prince Xin Jue!" Despite Lian Ji's protestations, the consensus was that the Mermaid Princess had no reason to lie.

Ka Suo attempted to take the blame, claiming Lan Shang was startled and mistaken, and that he was the one who injured Xin Jue, with Shi merely taking the blame. Ying Kong Shi immediately interrupted, declaring, "No, it was me. Prince Xin Jue sneaked an attack on brother and hurt him. I was furious. I don't know how, but I used magic. If you don't believe me, I can show you."

He tried repeatedly to demonstrate his newfound magic but failed, unable to conjure any spells. Ka Suo pleaded with his father to accept any punishment for himself, but the Ice King, upon Lian Ji's suggestion that Xin Jue could identify his attacker once awake, decided to imprison both Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi on the Ice Plains, awaiting Xin Jue's recovery. On the desolate Ice Plains, the brothers shared a heartfelt conversation.

Ka Suo, concerned for Ying Kong Shi's comfort in the cold, reiterated his unwavering commitment to his brother, saying, "Brother won't say sorry. Because I must protect you." Ying Kong Shi, desiring to repay Ka Suo's lifelong protection, confessed, "To be honest, when I attacked Xin Jue, I didn't regret it. I even rejoiced. The first time I ever used magic was to save you.

If I didn't do anything then, and watched you die in front of me then I would have regretted it forever!" Ka Suo, touched by his words, thanked him for saving him. Ying Kong Shi then urged Ka Suo not to take the blame, saying, "Even if Xin Jue wakes up, someone has to be held accountable. Don't take the blame for me please." Ka Suo, weary, dismissed the conversation until morning.

While Xin Jue lay unconscious, a mysterious black mist enveloped him, causing him to suffocate to death. Upon learning his son's life lantern had extinguished, Fire King Fire Yi erupted in a furious declaration: "It must be the Ice Tribe who killed Xin Jue!" He rallied his forces with cries of "Kill, Kill, Kill!" and condemned the Ice Tribe for ruling the three realms for millions of years while forcing the Fire Tribe to live on barren land.

He vowed that his clansmen "shall not rest until the Ice Tribe's been eliminated!" and declared that at dawn, the Fire Tribe would launch its attack "to destroy the Ice Tribe and rule the three realms!" In the mortal realm, Li Luo’s subordinate reported that a clear sky bird she had brought back from the Forest of Snow and Fog had suddenly exploded. Upon inspecting the bird's remains with General Ke Tuo, they discovered evidence of fire magic.

Li Luo remarked that this, along with the discovery of Ice Tribe guards killed by fire magic after Xin Jue's trespass into the Forest of Snow and Fog, could not be a coincidence. She and Ke Tuo concluded that the only way to find out the truth was "to return to the Forest of Snow and Fog." Meanwhile, on the Ice Plains, Ka Suo realized Ying Kong Shi was missing.

While demanding to be released by the guards, Lian Ji appeared and freed him, pleading, "I originally didn't want to ask you for help, but right now you're the only one who can help. Quickly go and save him." Ka Suo then confronted what he believed was the Ice King, offering to die in Ying Kong Shi's place: "King Father, please allow me to die in place of Ying Kong Shi. This started because of me.

I should be the one to take responsibility." He realized it was a clone when the figure remained silent, deducing that the Ice King had anticipated his actions and was already at the Endless Sea with Ying Kong Shi to confront the Fire King. General Ke Tuo had warned Ka Suo that they might have fallen into the Fire Tribe's trap.

At the Endless Sea, the Ice King attempted to reason with Fire King Fire Yi, suggesting they discuss the situation peacefully. But Fire Yi was unyielding, demanding, "Then may the Ice King hand over a prince for me to kill." Lian Ji, present at the scene, desperately pleaded for Ying Kong Shi, reminding Fire Yi that "Prince Xin Jue was first at fault for blaspheming the mermaid princess. This was clearly all an accident."

Fire Yi scoffed, accusing the Ice Tribe of quibbling, and gave an ultimatum: "Hand over the killer or let all of your tribe accompany my son in death!" As Lian Ji was dragged away, still crying out for her son, Ka Suo arrived and interrupted the Ice King, who had decided to hand over Ying Kong Shi. Ka Suo exposed the Fire Tribe's true intentions, stating, "This is all part of the Fire Tribe's evil plan."

Simultaneously, General Ke Tuo, who had been investigating the Forest of Snow and Fog, arrived to report a grave discovery: "There's something hidden underneath the Ice Veil." He explained that a powerful divine being must have used magic to bore open the impervious Ice Veil, suspecting Xin Jue had orchestrated it to melt the ice. Fire King Fire Yi, aware of the discovery, remarked, "It looks like Ka Suo discovered the source of the holy fire.

But it's all too late." Just then, a swarm of clear sky birds, embedded with fire seeds by the Fire King, descended upon the City of Bladed Snow, detonating and turning the city into a fiery inferno. The Ice Veil, the city's protective shield, began to melt. The Ice King immediately ordered a city-wide evacuation and dispatched Ke Tuo to repair the Ice Veil, while he and his loyal guards prepared to engage Fire Yi in battle.

Fire Yi, standing before the crumbling Ice Veil, declared, "As the Ice Veil disappears, so shall your Ice Tribe perish." As the City of Bladed Snow was consumed by fire and explosions, Ka Suo found Ying Kong Shi trapped within an ice sphere. He quickly rescued his brother, and together they moved to save the fleeing civilians. During the intense battle, Princess Yan Da led the Fire Tribe forces, matching the Ice Tribe's valiant resistance.

Despite the destruction of the Ice Veil, the Ice princes and princesses fought fiercely. Concerned about a prolonged conflict, a Fire Tribe general advised Fire King Fire Yi to consider the battle's unfavorable outcome. Fire Yi, deciding to enact a century-old plan, ordered a temporary retreat, saying, "Looks like it's time to revisit my strategy from a hundred years ago." Meanwhile, Li Luo was buried under collapsing ice, rendered unconscious.

Ka Suo frantically searched for her, refusing to believe she was lost, saying, "No, she'll be okay. She's a realm guardian. She has a great responsibility. She wouldn't leave like this; she wouldn't." He was growing weak from overusing his magic, his hands trembling, though he tried to hide it from Ying Kong Shi who noticed his exhaustion, warning him, "Brother, you can't keep using your power. If you keep doing this, you'll exhaust your powers.

Don't try to trick me when your hand's shaking like this." Ka Suo tried to brush it off, claiming he was "only hungry." As this unfolded, Lian Ji, sensing the Fire King's summons, opened a hidden sea tunnel to meet him. There, Fire Yi revealed their shared past, saying, "We have not met for a hundred years. You're still as beautiful as before."

He provocatively stated, "Even though you are the Ice King's only consort, in your heart, there is only me. Correct?" Lian Ji, admitting her conflicting emotions, replied, "Correct. You're right. My heart indeed can't forget you, because you are the man I hate most in my entire life."

Fire Yi, testing her loyalty, produced her Teardrop Charm, which he had taken a century ago, reaffirming, "I've never dared to ascertain this before; but now, I know that you're still on my side." He then tried to manipulate her, highlighting how the Ice Tribe had mistreated her and disregarded her and Ying Kong Shi. He offered her "everything you deserve" in exchange for "the weakness of the Ice Tribe's prince and princesses."

Unbeknownst to them, Li Luo, who had just regained consciousness nearby, was observing this shocking encounter, muttering to herself, "Why would the king of the Fire Tribe be here? That woman is. . ." and "How repulsive. Who's the traitor?" Lian Ji detected her presence and warned Fire Yi, who then gave Lian Ji until dusk to deliver the information. With the Ice Veil destroyed, the Ice King and his advisors discussed solutions.

An advisor reminded them that the Ice Veil, left by Ancestor She Mi, was the symbol of their strength and its disappearance meant the Ice Tribe's end. The Ice King revealed that the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, the essence of all living things, could fully restore the Ice Veil. However, the ancient king had divided the crystal, keeping one leaf in the Ice Tribe and entrusting the other five to leaders of the mortal realm tribes.

General Ke Tuo offered to retrieve them, but an advisor suggested Ka Suo was the only one worthy of this task among the princes. Another minister argued that retrieving the Ice Crystal would be too slow, proposing instead the immediate awakening of the God Devouring Sword.

Ke Tuo vehemently opposed this, warning that the God Devouring Sword was the "first evil sword of the world," sealed by Ancestor She Mi at great cost, and required the sacrifice of a royal's life to awaken. He emphasized, "Therefore, it must only be a last resort!" But a minister countered that in their current dire situation, the sword could save the tribe and prevent Fire King Fire Yi from conquering the three realms. As the debate continued, with no other viable immediate solutions, Ying Kong Shi stepped forward and declared, "I'm willing. Father, I'm willing to acquire the God Devouring Sword."

Episode 3 Recap

Ying Kong Shi bravely volunteered to retrieve the God Devouring Sword for the Ice Tribe. He stipulated to Ice King that this mission must be kept secret from both Ka Suo and Lian Ji. Though General Ke Tuo warned him of the severe danger and the unlikelihood of success with his current spiritual powers, Ying Kong Shi saw this as an opportunity.

He declared that it would transform him from the perceived cause of the war into a hero who saved their entire tribe, an ideal outcome. Despite his reservations about the spiritual cost, Ice King reluctantly granted Ying Kong Shi's request. After receiving his orders, Ying Kong Shi went to Lian Ji's chambers to bid her farewell. He prepared ice lotus fruits for her, though she playfully chided him for always being with Ka Suo.

During their conversation, Ying Kong Shi noticed Lian Ji's tearstone necklace inexplicably glowing. Lian Ji, recognizing it as a signal from Fire King Huo Yi urging her to make a decision, quickly dismissed his observation. She sent Ying Kong Shi away, promising to eat with him the next day and assuring him that she would protect him, even if the Ice Tribe were destroyed. Unbeknownst to Ying Kong Shi, Lian Ji had made a profound decision.

After he left, she reflected that the other royal children had always looked down on him, pondering that their "good days were about to come." Meanwhile, a servant delivered the ice fruits to Ka Suo, informing him that Ying Kong Shi had already departed. Feeling confused and wondering if Ying Kong Shi was upset with him, Ka Suo played a melancholic tune on his Sole Bamboo Leaf.

This prompted Ying Kong Shi, on his journey to the Endless Cave, to recall the cherished memory of Ka Suo gifting him the magical flute made from that very leaf. Ka Suo had explained that as long as one blew on the leaf, the flute would resonate no matter the distance. Ying Kong Shi had kept the flute, and Ka Suo the leaf, making a pact that he would always come to Ka Suo if his brother played it.

Now, as Ka Suo's mournful melody reached him, Ying Kong Shi silently wished his brother would not exert himself further. He resolved not to seek Ka Suo this time, fearing that seeing his brother would diminish his resolve to acquire the God Devouring Sword. He vowed to apologize if he returned alive. Elsewhere, Li Luo, having learned of an internal spy within the Ice Tribe, raced towards the City of Bladed Snow.

Along the way, she was ambushed by Fire Tribe soldiers. Thinking quickly, she feigned knowledge of a secret passage to the Ice City castle, cunningly leading them on a wild goose chase. After an entire night of wandering through various paths, she finally saw her loyal snow lion mount, Turnip, creating an opportune moment to make her escape.

Meanwhile, Fire King Huo Yi, having learned from Lian Ji the true source of the Ice Tribe royal family's combat prowess, revealed the secret to his son, Shuo Gang, and daughter, Yan Da. He explained that Ice Tribe princes and princesses were highly skilled and resilient to the melting Ice Veil because they possessed sacred objects derived from their ancient ancestor She Mi's Prayer Beads of Wisdom.

These beads had been separated to form four bracelets, a pair of Whirl earrings, a Shore bracelet, and an Infinite ring, all of which amplified the wearer's magical abilities. Armed with this crucial information, Shuo Gang and Yan Da strategically targeted and stole these sacred objects during their skirmishes, severely weakening the Ice Tribe princes and princesses and driving them back. Ka Suo, sensing the dire shift in the battle, rushed back to the City of Bladed Snow.

There, General Ke Tuo and the guard Ji Quan informed him of Ice King’s order for Ka Suo to escape to the mortal realm to find the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal and restore the Ice Veil. Ka Suo vehemently refused to abandon his family and tribe, insisting he must return to save them. Ke Tuo pleaded with him, emphasizing that as the Ice Tribe's most powerful prince, he was their only hope for a successor and must prioritize the bigger picture.

When Ka Suo learned that Ying Kong Shi had gone to the Endless Cave to retrieve the God Devouring Sword, he immediately decided to join him, believing the sword still held the key to saving the Ice Tribe. He entrusted Ji Quan with the defense of the City of Bladed Snow to buy them time, then set off for the Endless Cave with Ke Tuo. The Fire Tribe army pressed forward, reaching the gates of the City of Bladed Snow.

The remaining Ice Tribe princes and princesses engaged Fire King Huo Yi in a desperate final stand. Fire King used his formidable Fire Sword to critically wound them. Ice King, witnessing his children's suffering, set aside his pride and pleaded with Huo Yi to spare them. However, Shuo Gang mocked him, demanding that the Ice royalty surrender to the Fire Tribe and kill their own parents to prove their loyalty, only then would they be spared.

One Ice prince defiantly denounced Huo Yi as wicked, preferring death to patricide. Fire King, enraged, prepared to inflict more pain. At this moment, Zhu Gong's wife, Qian Ying, feigned fear and surrender, approaching Fire King. As she got close, she launched a surprise attack, attempting to stab him. Enraged by her betrayal, Fire King retaliated mercilessly, killing Qian Ying and then all the remaining Ice Tribe princes and princesses.

Ice King lamented their deaths, proclaiming them the pride of the Ice Tribe and vowing that their sacrifice would expose Fire King's savagery to all three realms, ensuring that "ice will engulf fire" no matter how long it takes. With the Ice Queen gravely wounded, Ice King personally confronted Fire King Huo Yi. Their clash of immense power caused the City of Bladed Snow to crumble. Fire King proved superior, overpowering Ice King, gravely wounding him, and taking him captive.

Fire King declared his intention to rule the three realms. Meanwhile, in the Endless Cave, Ying Kong Shi discovered the God Devouring Sword. The Sword Spirit, deeming Ying Kong Shi's spirit to be lacking the "flavor of fear," plunged him into an illusion. In this terrifying vision, Ying Kong Shi witnessed Ka Suo dying, a sight that was his greatest fear. As the Sword Spirit prepared to consume his fear-filled spirit, Ka Suo and Ke Tuo arrived.

Ka Suo, seeing Ying Kong Shi's distressed state, questioned the Sword Spirit, who nonchalantly replied he had merely added "a little spice." Ka Suo quickly instructed Ke Tuo to take Ying Kong Shi to safety and then, despite their pleas, offered himself as the sword's sacrifice. Just as he prepared to engage the sword, the cave began to collapse violently.

Ka Suo, prioritizing their survival, finally agreed with Ying Kong Shi's urgent pleas to flee, and the three barely escaped the collapsing cave. Upon exiting the cave, they found themselves surrounded by Fire Tribe soldiers. Fire King Huo Yi, having ordered Ka Suo's capture and imprisonment to torment the Ice King, was leading the pursuit. Just as Ka Suo, Ying Kong Shi, and Ke Tuo were cornered, a magnificent snow lion descended from the sky.

It fiercely engaged Fire King, bravely buying precious time for Ka Suo and his companions to escape, but was ultimately slain by the Fire King's power. Returning to the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo found it reduced to a living hell. He discovered Ji Quan mortally wounded amidst the ruins. Ka Suo tried desperately to save him, but Ji Quan, with his dying breath, informed a grief-stricken Ka Suo that all the Ice princes and princesses had been killed.

He urged Ka Suo, his most honored prince, to "stay strong and live on." Ka Suo, heartbroken, promised to do so. After Ji Quan succumbed to his injuries, Ke Tuo, seeing the approaching Fire Tribe forces, pulled the devastated Ka Suo away from the fallen City of Bladed Snow, forcing him to continue their escape.

Episode 4 Recap

In the devastated City of Bladed Snow, the Ice King, the Ice Queen, and Lian Ji were held captive by the Fire King. He brought forward what appeared to be Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, threatening their lives to force the Ice King to reveal the location of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal. The Fire King, known as Huo Yi, confirmed that the younger prince had not yet died, but his fate depended entirely on the Ice King.

When asked what he truly wanted, Huo Yi stated his desire for the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, believing that just as his Holy Fire could destroy the Ice Veil, there must be something to rebuild it. He promised to spare the two young princes if the Ice King divulged the crystals' whereabouts. The Ice King staunchly refused.

As the Fire King feigned harming Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, Lian Ji cried out, accusing the Ice King of being more cruel than Huo Yi for risking their son. The Ice Queen intervened, declaring that while the Ice King had to prioritize the Ice Tribe, she, as a mother, could not bear to watch another child die before her eyes.

Despite the Ice King's protests, she took the blame upon herself, revealing that years ago, the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal had been dispersed among tribes in the mortal realm, and she no longer knew their exact locations. Realizing he had the information he needed, the Fire King had the illusory Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi disappear, confirming they were merely fakes. The Ice King demanded the return of his actual sons.

Huo Yi smugly stated that their precious children were well in the three realms, but hinted that the younger prince might soon "reunite" with his family. The Fire King then ordered his guards to keep the Ice King and Ice Queen imprisoned and took Lian Ji with him.

The Ice Queen was distraught, blaming herself, but the Ice King comforted her, believing that Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi were alive and Ka Suo would surely find the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal to save the Ice Tribe. Meanwhile, Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi were fleeing from the Fire Tribe army. Ke Tuo, injured but determined, opened a secret passage on the Endless Bridge for them to escape. He urged them to go first, promising to cover their retreat.

As Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi reached a seemingly dead end, Ke Tuo revealed the key to the Endless Bridge was with him and told them to make haste. Just then, Fire Tribe Princess Yan Da appeared, blocking their path, but Prince Shuo Gang soon arrived. Accusing his sister of having a soft spot for the Ice Tribe, he destroyed the Endless Bridge himself and ordered his men to find Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, dead or alive.

With no other option, Ka Suo grabbed Ying Kong Shi and leaped off the destroyed bridge. After their perilous escape, Ka Suo, unconscious, dreamt of a wise elder, who reassured him he was the future king and would not die. Elsewhere, Li Luo found the gravely wounded General Ke Tuo. With his last breath, Ke Tuo entrusted Li Luo, his most trusted realm guardian, with the sacred duty to protect Prince Ka Suo.

Li Luo solemnly promised to fulfill his request. Ke Tuo then passed away. Ka Suo awoke to find Ying Kong Shi sick, his body fluctuating between extreme cold and burning heat. Ka Suo promised to find a magical healer. Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Shuo Gang rallied the Ice Tribe citizens, declaring their king defeated and demanding their surrender to the Fire King. He displayed the remains of the fallen Ice princes and princesses as a grim warning.

Yan Da argued that such harsh tactics would only provoke them, but Shuo Gang retorted that the Fire Tribe believed in survival of the fittest, not in emulating the Ice Tribe's morals. The Fire King arrived, sensing the tension. Yan Da assured him she would send anyone who angered her to the afterlife.

The Fire King then issued a decree across the three realms: anyone who aided Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, who he claimed were inciting war to seize the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, would be considered a traitor and executed without exception. Conversely, those who captured them and retrieved the crystal would be handsomely rewarded. In the mortal realm, Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi’s distinctive white hair drew stares from the villagers.

Ka Suo used his illusion magic to change their hair color to black, making them blend in. He then sought a "magical healer" for Ying Kong Shi. A local doctor explained that mortals refer to them as "doctors," not "magical healers," and quickly deduced that Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi were not mortals. After examining Ying Kong Shi, the doctor admitted his inability to treat the fluctuating hot and cold condition, suggesting they seek help from the Healer Tribe.

The doctor also mentioned that the Healer Tribe's entrance frequently changed, making it difficult to locate. Ying Kong Shi, feeling like a burden, tried to deter Ka Suo, but Ka Suo playfully threatened to seal his mouth with ice if he continued to speak negatively. Ka Suo noticed they were being followed. Confronting the tracker, he initially suspected the Fire King had sent him, but the man claimed to have seen them at the medical center and offered help.

He told Ka Suo that two Healer Tribe doctors were currently picking herbs on Mystic Mountain. When Ka Suo asked to be taken to them, the tracker cunningly hinted at the need for money. Ka Suo recalled Li Luo's previous warnings via messenger hawk about the differences in the mortal realm, where money was essential for purchasing goods. The tracker informed Ka Suo that at least fifty taels were needed to consult the Healer Tribe doctors.

Ka Suo, confident, promised to gather the money within a day. With renewed purpose, Ka Suo created beautiful, unmelting ice sculptures of his spirit animal, the snow lion. Ying Kong Shi, though initially skeptical about humans buying their creations, watched as Ka Suo called out to passersby, showcasing the unique sculptures. The mortals were charmed by the exquisite, unfading ice art, and soon, a crowd clamored to buy them, allowing Ka Suo to quickly earn the fifty taels.

The tracker then reappeared with two men, claiming they were the Healer Tribe doctors. Ka Suo, however, noticed their suspicious lack of medicinal scent. The tracker and his accomplices quickly turned hostile, drawing knives and holding Ying Kong Shi hostage. They demanded the secret to the unmelting ice sculptures, intending to profit from it, and threatened to kill Ying Kong Shi if Ka Suo refused. Disappointed by their cruelty, Ka Suo warned them to release his brother.

When they refused, Ka Suo used his illusion magic, sending them flying. Moments later, he felt a sudden weakness, his magic draining away. He remembered Li Luo's earlier warning: divine beings were forbidden from using magic to harm mortals, or they would become temporarily weaker than mortals. This realization struck fear in Ka Suo, as he understood the Fire Tribe could easily find them now.

Ying Kong Shi woke up, still feeling ill, and asked Ka Suo if they were safe. Ka Suo reassured him, promising to protect him. Suddenly, Yan Da appeared, having located them using a messenger owl. She easily bound the weakened Ka Suo, intending to take them both back to the Fire Tribe. But just as she prepared to leave, Li Luo dramatically intervened, attacking Yan Da’s forces and freeing Ka Suo.

However, in the ensuing struggle, Ying Kong Shi was captured. Despite his injuries and weakened state, Ka Suo insisted on saving his brother. Li Luo, knowing he stood no chance without his magic, tried to dissuade him, but Ka Suo remained resolute. To prevent him from rushing to certain death, Li Luo knocked him unconscious and carried him away to safety, leaving him in a guarded room.

Yan Da, frustrated at losing Ka Suo, ordered her subordinates to search the entire forest, confident that Ka Suo would eventually come for his brother. When Ka Suo awoke, he found his magic restored. Li Luo stood before him, introducing herself as the realm guardian Ke Tuo had sent to protect him. Ka Suo immediately recognized her as the voice he had long communicated with through the messenger hawk, and felt an unexpected flutter in his heart.

Li Luo offered him food, including various flower scents, explaining that gods derived energy from them, but Ka Suo insisted she eat the mortal food he had earned. Li Luo praised his ability to adapt to the mortal realm, recalling her previous jest that he might starve. Li Luo then quietly expressed concern about their precarious situation, with the Fire King actively searching for them.

She advised discretion and the preservation of strength to find the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal and eventually save the Ice King and Ice Queen. Noticing a tear in Ka Suo's clothing, and knowing he couldn't use magic to mend it without weakening himself again, Li Luo bought needle and thread from a vendor and personally stitched his garment.

While she worked, she reminded him not to use his magic to harm mortals again, acknowledging his reason but emphasizing the danger it posed to him. Ka Suo then suggested they drop formalities in the mortal realm, asking her to stop calling him "Your Highness" and simply use his name. Li Luo, initially hesitant, eventually agreed, calling him "Ka Suo" for the first time. They then resolved to find Ying Kong Shi.

As they prepared to leave, a re-dream spell was cast in the sky, projecting the horrific final moments of the Ice Tribe princes and princesses. Ka Suo immediately recognized the spell and, understanding Yan Da’s intent, was enraged. Yan Da's disembodied voice echoed from the projection, taunting Ka Suo and urging him to come find her if he wished to see his only remaining brother for the last time.

Ka Suo was driven by an uncontrollable urge to rescue Ying Kong Shi. Li Luo desperately tried to stop him, reasoning that Yan Da was deliberately provoking him into a suicide mission. Ka Suo refused to listen, asserting his duty to his brother. Li Luo reminded him that as a realm guardian, her mission was to protect him and prevent him from entering an inescapable situation.

When she continued to argue about the Fire Tribe's overwhelming numbers, Ka Suo used his ice magic to bind her with ice chains, telling her they would melt in three hours. He then declared that if she would not listen to him, she had no right to be his realm guardian and should no longer follow him. Li Luo screamed for him to stay, but he left her bound. Meanwhile, in his cell, Ying Kong Shi was enduring immense pain.

His body twitched and convulsed, and he struggled internally, telling himself that his brother would surely come to save him, and he had to endure. Suddenly, his power erupted, shattering his restraints and throwing him into a violent outburst of energy.

Episode 5 Recap

Ka Suo ventured alone into the Fire Tribe territory, where he was met by Yan Da. After a fierce battle, Ka Suo emerged victorious and captured Yan Da, demanding to know his brother Ying Kong Shi's whereabouts. Under duress, Yan Da agreed to lead Ka Suo to Ying Kong Shi, but it was a trap. Yan Da had used an illusion to create a false Ying Kong Shi, and Ka Suo was ensnared in her magical barrier.

Yan Da mockingly told him, "Your brother, Ying Kongshi, isn't here at all. Let's see how you can escape from this cage." She then ordered her guards to watch him closely. Just as Yan Da reveled in her triumph, Li Luo appeared, holding an arrow to Yan Da's neck. Li Luo calmly informed Yan Da, "A mere human like me learned how to kill gods." She pointed out Yan Da's vital spot, stating, "Your Fire Tribe's energy lies. . .

here. Right? I heard as long as you destroy a god's energy, they'll immediately turn to dust, with not even a speck of remains. I really want to try it and see." When Yan Da called for her guards, Li Luo revealed that Ka Suo had already dispatched some of them, and she had taken care of the rest. With no one to help her, Yan Da was forced to release Ka Suo, who was then retrieved by Li Luo.

Yan Da, furious, challenged them to escape all three realms and ordered her forces to search for them. As Ka Suo and Li Luo fled, Yan Da’s search led her back to the river, where she found a young man. The real Ying Kong Shi had inexplicably transformed into an adult man after a surge of divine power and was now lost to Yan Da.

She questioned the young man about a small boy, but he remained silent, prompting her to order his capture. Yan Da brought the mysterious young man back to her camp. He claimed his name was Yun Fei, concocting a story about being attacked by a boy while bathing, knocked out, and then waking up in Yan Da's custody. Yan Da refused to let him go, declaring, "You didn't tell me anything, so now you must be my slave."

Secretly, Yun Fei, who was in fact Ying Kong Shi, resolved to maintain his disguise until he could find his brother. Ka Suo, burdened with sorrow and missing his brother, played a melancholic tune on his flute. Li Luo came to him, reflecting on his previous words. She acknowledged, "I know I'm not fit to be your realm guardian, since I'm so disobedient." Ka Suo agreed, stating, "Then don't be my realm guardian. From today onward, you are free."

Li Luo then asserted, "In the future, I will go wherever I want." She continued, "then I'm not the prince's realm guardian. I'm Ka Suo's friend. Right now, I want to be by my friend's side." She offered him some mortal realm alcohol, and for the first time in a while, Ka Suo smiled. They then discussed their shared purpose in the mortal realm.

Ka Suo explained, "Shi and I came to the mortal realm to find the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal from each tribe." Li Luo speculated that Ying Kong Shi might also be searching for it, suggesting, "Right now the closest to us is the Healer Tribe. If we go there right now, we might bump into Prince Shi, who is also looking for the ice crystal."

Meanwhile, Ying Kong Shi, still in the guise of Yun Fei, realized he had lost the flute Ka Suo had given him, making it impossible to contact his brother. Yan Da summoned Yun Fei to deliver her dinner. Yun Fei entered her tent while she was bathing, feeling shy and avoiding her gaze. Yan Da asked him if he had ever seen a woman as beautiful as her.

Yun Fei truthfully replied that he had, stating that his mother was more beautiful. Yan Da, initially angered and vowing to kill this rival, quickly rationalized that his mortal mother must be old and dead. Yun Fei retorted, feeling insulted. Before Yan Da could react further, a messenger arrived with urgent news from the Fire King.

He was furious about the realm guardian's interference and Ying Kong Shi's escape, ordering Yan Da to retrieve the Ice Crystal from the Healer Tribe before the Ice Tribe could. Ka Suo and Li Luo arrived at the Healer Tribe's domain, a place where all people, or future healers, were meticulously organized into divisions for healing both humans and gods. Yan Da had already arrived, demanding a Six-Leaf Ice Crystal from the Tribe Chief on behalf of the Fire King.

The Chief explained that the Ice Crystal had been lost for thousands of years and was now merely a legend. Unconvinced, Yan Da decided to remain in the Healer Tribe, ostensibly to witness the Tribe Chief's son's wedding and foster friendship, but in reality, to find an opportunity to cause chaos and uncover the crystal. As the bride-to-be arrived in the city for her pre-wedding night stay, an explosion occurred.

Her sister, Yue Shen, intervened to save her, showcasing her powerful abilities. Ka Suo observed Yue Shen's attire and recognized her as a Li Healer. He explained to Li Luo that Li Healers, despite being part of the Healer Tribe, are born with such strong deathly auras that they cannot heal; instead, they become masters of martial arts and poisons. Ka Suo empathized with Yue Shen’s difficult fate, which forced her to maintain distance from others.

The Tribe Chief’s son, Huang Tuo, spent his days immersed in the alchemy room, passionately discussing herbs and remedies with other healers. The Chief tried to persuade Huang Tuo to marry into the wealthy Yue family to secure the clan's status. Huang Tuo refused, admitting he had a sweetheart. Enraged, the Chief had Huang Tuo confined to his room, determined to force the marriage the following day.

Meanwhile, the Fire King informed Yan Da of his strategic insight: the Healer Tribe's relative weakness meant they maintained peace through marriage. Yan Da eagerly agreed, confident she could disrupt the wedding to create chaos and uncover the Ice Crystal. She then summoned Yun Fei, compelling him to drink a cup of wine, which subtly put his mind under her control. Later, Huang Tuo feigned unconsciousness, ambushing the attendant who brought him food. He then escaped his room.

The Tribe Chief, upon discovering his son's flight, immediately sealed all exits from the Healer Tribe and ordered a city-wide search for Huang Tuo before the wedding. Back at their lodging, Li Luo's unicorn, Turnip, led them to the vicinity of the Herb Temple, indicating Ying Kong Shi was nearby. However, no guest named Ying Kong Shi was registered. They realized he might be a prisoner and needed a way to infiltrate the Herb Temple.

Just then, Huang Tuo burst into Ka Suo's room, seeking refuge from the approaching Healer Tribe guards. He pleaded with Ka Suo to hide him, desperately needing to find his beloved. Li Luo quickly formulated a plan, hiding Huang Tuo under the bed, then pulling Ka Suo onto the bed and hastily beginning to undress him, intending to pose as a couple. The guards, however, noticed they were still wearing their shoes, exposing their ruse.

Huang Tuo emerged from under the bed and offered to surrender if Ka Suo and Li Luo were spared. As the guards relaxed, Huang Tuo swiftly attacked them, allowing himself, Ka Suo, and Li Luo to escape. Huang Tuo offered to help Ka Suo and Li Luo get into the Herb Temple if they helped him get out of the city, which Ka Suo accepted as their only option. Elsewhere, Yue Shen's sister was distraught over the runaway groom.

Yue Shen, wanting to comfort her, vowed to find the "heartbreaker." Shortly after, Yun Fei, disguised as a servant, arrived with a bowl of tranquilizing soup, purportedly from the Tribe Chief for Miss Yue. Miss Yue, heartbroken, questioned if it would ease her pain but ultimately decided not to drink it.

Episode 6 Recap

Li Luo wrapped Huang Tuo in bandages, falsely claiming he was injured by sulfur, and helped him sneak out of the city. Li Luo wondered why Huang Tuo would abandon his father and entire tribe for a woman he had only met once. Just then, Yue Shen arrived, pursuing them. Huang Tuo immediately recognized Yue Shen as the woman he loved. Huang Tuo and Yue Shen spoke privately.

Huang Tuo recalled an incident a year prior on Painted Cloud Mountain when he was gathering rare herbs. He had found a sheep injured by wolves and was bandaging it, only to attract a pack of wolves. Just as he worried about what to do, Yue Shen appeared. She saved him from the wolves but chided him for interfering with nature's course, emphasizing that all life has its place and humans should not arrogantly interfere under the guise of mercy.

Huang Tuo explained that her words had profoundly changed his understanding of medicine, making him realize the importance of empathy. Yue Shen, however, ignored his reminiscence and focused on her sister Yue Zhao. She revealed that Yue Zhao was his fiancée and expressed her anger, asking why he would prefer death over marrying her sister. Huang Tuo confessed that he had already given his heart to another girl, who was in fact Yue Shen herself.

Ka Suo intervened, revealing Huang Tuo's true feelings to Yue Shen, but she, still hurt by his perceived rejection of her sister, declared she hated him. Disheartened, Huang Tuo felt he had no reason to escape anymore and agreed to follow his father's arrangements. Before Ka Suo and Li Luo could respond, the Tribe Chief's soldiers arrived and took everyone back. Back at the Healer Tribe, the Tribe Chief ordered Huang Tuo to proceed with the marriage to Yue Zhao.

Huang Tuo, heartbroken by Yue Shen's words, resignedly agreed to his father's arrangements. Li Luo spoke up for Huang Tuo, urging him to follow his heart. At that moment, Princess Yan Da arrived with her attendant, Yun Fei. She dramatically announced Ka Suo's identity as the Ice Tribe prince, a traitor the Fire King sought, and demanded that the Healer Tribe show their loyalty by apprehending him.

Ka Suo disregarded Yan Da's provocation, stating he only wanted to know his brother Ying Kong Shi's whereabouts. Yan Da was eager to fight, but just as a battle seemed imminent, Yun Fei subtly slipped a token into Ka Suo's clothing. The confrontation was interrupted by an urgent message that Yue Zhao had fallen ill.

Yan Da then revealed that Yue Zhao was poisoned with the "Lifetime in Three Days Herb" from the divine realm, a potent poison that causes death within three days. She then proposed that the ancient Six-Leaf Ice Crystal could be the antidote, but the Tribe Chief maintained that the Ice Crystal had been lost for many years. Yue Shen, determined to save her sister, decided to find the poisoner and force them to surrender the antidote.

Yue Shen recalled encountering a house servant carrying soup before leaving her sister's room that day, though she hadn't seen their face. She realized that people's appearances change easily, but their scent does not, and as a Li Healer, her sense of smell was particularly acute. Following a distinct cherry blossom scent, Yue Shen confronted Yun Fei, accusing him of being the poisoner.

Ka Suo intervened when Yue Shen raised a poisoned needle, intending to inflict the same pain on Yun Fei. Huang Tuo, considering the friendly relations between the Fire and Healer Tribes, suggested keeping Yun Fei within the Healer Tribe as a guest while they investigated the truth, a proposal everyone reluctantly agreed to. Later, Yan Da gave Yun Fei a Heart-Burning Fruit, explaining that if he ever betrayed her, he would suffer immense pain for the rest of his life.

She then instructed him to deliver a bowl of soup to Yue Zhao, planning to use Yue Zhao's illness to force the Tribe Chief to hand over the Ice Crystal. To Yun Fei's surprise, he found himself able to use ice magic. Ka Suo and Li Luo, after investigating, realized that everything was Yan Da's elaborate scheme to obtain the Ice Crystal. They worried that the Tribe Chief might succumb to the pressure and hand it over.

Yue Zhao's condition showed no improvement, prompting Yue Shen to demand the Tribe Chief reveal the Ice Crystal's location. The Tribe Chief recounted a long story: eighteen years ago, the Rat Demon rampaged through the Healer Tribe, causing a deadly plague. To save his people, the previous Chief exchanged the Ice Crystal with the Rat Demon for a promise that it would never harm their tribe again.

As Ka Suo prepared to search for the Rat Demon, cherry blossoms drifted around him. Remembering the token Yun Fei had given him, Ka Suo opened it to find a lock of hair. He recognized it as Ying Kong Shi's by its scent. Following the trail of cherry blossoms, Ka Suo found Ying Kong Shi. The brothers were overjoyed to reunite.

Ying Kong Shi explained that after Yan Da captured him, his body underwent a strange transformation, causing him to grow rapidly and acquire new magical abilities. Ka Suo became concerned when Ying Kong Shi mentioned being poisoned by the Heart-Burning Fruit, a deadly poison for which only the Fire Tribe possessed the antidote. Realizing that Ying Kong Shi needed to remain undercover to find the antidote, Ka Suo crafted an identical ice key, allowing Ying Kong Shi to move freely.

Ka Suo and Li Luo caught up with Yue Shen and explained that Ying Kong Shi, under Yan Da's coercion, had poisoned Yue Zhao. Yue Shen, understanding the circumstances, agreed to cooperate with them. Unexpectedly, Huang Tuo appeared, insisting on joining them to find the Rat Demon, arguing that finding the crystal was a way to protect Yue Zhao. Yan Da, anticipating Ka Suo's move, followed with her troops. As Ka Suo's group ventured deeper, they encountered a thick fog.

After passing through it, they discovered a giant ganoderma, which, upon touch, unleashed several spheres of black mist. Ka Suo used his magic to clear a path. When Huang Tuo, unskilled in combat, struggled to avoid the attacks, Yue Shen protected him and was injured by the black mist. As the fog intensified, Ka Suo conjured a barrier to shield everyone. To heal Yue Shen, Huang Tuo and Ka Suo went to search for antidotal herbs.

Meanwhile, a villager approached the remaining Yue Shen and Li Luo, warning them that the Rat Demon would soon be active and urged them to seek shelter in a nearby cave. Li Luo, seeing Yue Shen's injury, decided to accompany the villager to the cave.

Episode 7 Recap

Ka Suo and Huang Tuo continued their search for the orange daylilies, which Huang Tuo explained must be found by listening, not seeing. They soon discovered the offspring of a Tiger Demon resting in a cradle of these flowers. The Tiger Demon, mistaking their intentions, attacked them. Ka Suo returned the child to its father and, as compensation, conjured an ice sculpture of a sparrow. With the Tiger Demon appeased, they successfully obtained the pollen.

Meanwhile, Ying Kong Shi secretly visited Yue Zhao, apologizing for his previous actions and vowing to find a way to prolong her life. Soon after, the Healer Tribe Chief arrived with other healers. He noted Yue Zhao's fever and ordered her taken to the cold spring. Ying Kong Shi hid and observed, realizing the Chief had ulterior motives as he took Yue Zhao away, and secretly followed. Li Luo and Yue Shen, seeking refuge, followed a villager to a cave.

There, the villager revealed himself to be the Rat Demon, intent on absorbing their life force. Li Luo fought valiantly but was outmatched. Yue Shen, quick-thinking, launched a signal flare for help but was poisoned by the Rat Demon in the process. Ka Suo and Huang Tuo arrived just in time. Huang Tuo quickly administered the orange daylily pollen to Yue Shen to counteract the poison.

Ka Suo confronted the Rat Demon, demanding the One-Leaf Ice Crystal of the Healer Tribe. As the Rat Demon hesitated, Yan Da and her Fire Tribe soldiers appeared, blocking the cave's exit and also demanding the Ice Crystal. Caught between Ka Suo and Yan Da, and suffering from their combined powers, the Rat Demon finally confessed he did not possess the Ice Crystal.

He revealed that the Healer Tribe Chief still held it, and that the Chief had only shown him the crystal 18 years prior, but had never actually exchanged it for his people's safety. The Rat Demon admitted he had lied because he couldn't withstand the Chief's magic. Meanwhile, the Healer Tribe Chief, having led Yue Zhao away, prepared to kill her, asserting her death would prevent others from seeking the Ice Crystal from him.

Just as he was about to strike, Ying Kong Shi, who had been secretly following, intervened and saved Yue Zhao. Ying Kong Shi confronted the Chief, questioning how a mortal could possess divine tribe magic. The Chief then revealed his secret: 18 years ago, before the rat plague, he had consumed one leaf of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, which granted him divine magic and immunity to diseases.

He confessed to having threatened the Rat Demon to prevent the plague's spread among his tribesmen and warned him never to reveal that the Chief had eaten the crystal. Ka Suo, Li Luo, and Huang Tuo arrived, having learned the truth from the Rat Demon, and exposed the Chief's deception. Yan Da then moved to seize the Ice Crystal from the Chief.

During the ensuing confrontation, Li Luo deliberately provoked Yan Da into using her magic against a mortal, which, due to the laws of the divine, caused Yan Da to temporarily lose her powers. Yan Da exclaimed, "How come I lost my magic?" Li Luo confirmed her plan had succeeded. Ka Suo seized the opportunity and retrieved the Ice Crystal. Powerless, Yan Da fled with Ying Kong Shi.

While Ying Kong Shi was with her, Yan Da gave him a pill to help heal his internal injuries, questioning if he had been attempting to retrieve the Ice Crystal for her. Stripped of the Ice Crystal, the Healer Tribe Chief rapidly aged, and a mysterious black mist erupted from his body. An eerie voice from the mist cursed Ka Suo, declaring that the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal would never return to the Ice Tribe.

Ka Suo immediately used the Ice Crystal to save the ailing Yue Zhao, who, now healed, regained her youthful appearance. Afterward, Ka Suo returned the Ice Crystal to Huang Tuo, explaining that it rightfully belonged to the Healer Tribe, and he would only seek it through a formal request, allowing the Chief to decide. Huang Tuo observed his father, who, without the Ice Crystal, had regressed to a child-like mentality and sometimes didn't recognize him.

While unusual, Huang Tuo reflected that his father, who had been corrupted by power after becoming Chief, was now living out his days in simple happiness, which he viewed as a blessing. Feeling guilty, Li Luo hesitated to apologize to Ka Suo, but Huang Tuo encouraged her. When she finally approached Ka Suo, he asked if she would again endanger herself without his consent, to which she defiantly replied that she would.

She apologized, explaining that as a Realm Guardian, it was her duty to defeat Yan Da. Ka Suo, finding her confidence in her "mistake" unusual, presented her with a kite. He instructed her to read the inscription: "The broken string releases all disasters; Li Luo will be safe." Ka Suo explained that in the mortal realm, a broken kite string symbolizes the departure of calamities.

He then declared that her punishment for future self-endangering actions would be to fly a kite until its string broke, assuring her it would break when he willed it. He then used his magic to sever the string, sending the kite soaring away, carrying with it his silent prayer for Li Luo's safety. Yue Zhao, having recovered, informed Huang Tuo she would not marry him.

She explained that experiencing a brush with death made her realize the cruelty of forcing a marriage without love, and she formally broke off their engagement. To Ka Suo's surprise, Huang Tuo was ecstatic, repeatedly thanking Yue Zhao for her decision, as it meant he was free to pursue Yue Shen. As Ka Suo prepared to depart, Huang Tuo offered him the Ice Crystal.

Ka Suo expressed his concern that accepting it would signify the Healer Tribe declaring war on the Fire Tribe. However, Huang Tuo affirmed that the Fire Tribe's cruelty warranted the enmity of all, and it was a worthy cause for a friend like Ka Suo.

Though Ka Suo felt remorse for involving the Healer Tribe in the War of Ice and Fire, Li Luo reassured him, emphasizing that it was the only way to save Ying Kong Shi and the Ice Tribe, and that Huang Tuo had made his decision wholeheartedly. With the Ice Crystal in hand, Ka Suo and Li Luo resolved to journey to the next location: the Dream Tribe.

Ka Suo entrusted the Ice Crystal to Ying Kong Shi, instructing him to exchange it for the Heart-Burning Fruit antidote. Ying Kong Shi approached Yan Da, fabricating a story about having stolen the Ice Crystal from the Healer Tribe Chief's secret room. Yan Da, initially planning to forcibly seize it, was pleased by his initiative.

When Ying Kong Shi requested the antidote, Yan Da only provided a 10-day supply, stating she wouldn't let him go, as she found him "fun" and enjoyed "taming" him. News soon spread that the Fire Tribe had stolen the Healer Tribe's ancient Ice Crystal, provoking widespread anger. Meanwhile, Yan Da, rigorously practicing her whip skills, was informed that Ka Suo had been sighted at Southern Spring Lake.

Believing the report, she immediately set out to capture him, unaware that her brother, Shuo Gang, had leaked the false information, hoping she would experience another failure. Ka Suo and Li Luo eventually reached the Dream Tribe, noted by Li Luo as a mysterious place rarely visited by outsiders. They found the main gate locked in broad daylight and the entire town strangely deserted.

Their confusion deepened when they heard the calls of a night watchman, declaring, "The weather is dry; beware of flammable objects," in the middle of the day, a phenomenon that greatly puzzled them. After her fruitless chase for Ka Suo, Yan Da was confronted by Shuo Gang. He taunted her about her failures and lack of improvement over the past century, claiming their father had sent him to assist her.

Yan Da angrily rejected his help, vowing to prove her own capabilities. Shuo Gang then informed her that the next Ice Crystal was located in the Dream Tribe before leaving her.

Episode 8 Recap

Ka Suo and Li Luo arrived in the Dream Tribe territory, finding all the tribespeople asleep in broad daylight. An awake tribesman explained that the Dream Tribe works at night, helping people in the three realms interpret and resolve dreams, thus requiring them to rest during the day. Ka Suo apologized for the disturbance, and the tribesman offered them a place to stay until nightfall when the city would awaken.

Meanwhile, Ka Suo had entrusted a Sole Bamboo Leaf to Ying Kong Shi, a choice he'd made because of Ying Kong Shi's poisoning, which only Yan Da could remedy. Ying Kong Shi confided in Ka Suo his plan to act as an informant while with Yan Da, using different tunes on the bamboo leaf to relay news about the Ice Crystals from the Bear, Dream, and Mermaid Tribes, helping Ka Suo stay one step ahead.

Ka Suo expressed concern about the danger, but Ying Kong Shi assured him he could handle it. Yan Da, still furious from her encounter with Shuo Gang, vented her frustrations during a rigorous training session. She declared her ambition to surpass her ten brothers and become the Fire Tribe's first Queen, refusing to be looked down upon. Ying Kong Shi, observing her intensity, recalled his own pain of being mocked by his siblings for lacking magic.

He confronted Yan Da, telling her she hated her own weakness and advised her to live for herself rather than seeking vengeance. He shared his past struggle with similar feelings, revealing he had also almost harmed those who made fun of him, but chose not to, showing her the Sole Bamboo Leaf as the reason. He explained that his brother taught him to play the leaf, understanding that even if others don't comprehend the music, someone, like a flute, will.

Yan Da was touched by his words, remarking on his strong bond with his brother. Despite her skepticism that his brother cared enough to find him while he was her slave, Ying Kong Shi asserted they would meet when the time was right. Ying Kong Shi later used the Sole Bamboo Leaf to secretly inform Ka Suo that Yan Da and her forces were headed to the Dream Tribe.

As night fell, the Dream Tribe awakened, bustling with life and activities, including a dream-seeking contest where participants battled in dreams. Grand Elder Xun Hao appeared, formally welcoming Prince Ka Suo and Li Luo, sensing their arrival through his dream-seeking abilities. Moments later, Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi also arrived. Yan Da aggressively demanded the Ice Crystal, threatening to turn the Dream Tribe into a battlefield.

Xun Hao agreed to surrender the crystal but only if they first rescued their Chief Dreamer, Xing Jiu, who alone knew its whereabouts. Xun Hao explained that Xing Jiu was willingly trapped in a dream, unable to accept the death of his younger sister, Princess Xing Gui. Xing Jiu, the tribe's strongest dream-seeker, had created a dream so powerful that it blocked all outside interference, making it impossible for ordinary dream-seekers to enter or for physical harm to wake him.

The only way to save him was to enter his dream and guide him back to reality, a task proving too dangerous for anyone in the Dream Tribe. Xun Hao offered a day for them to consider, promising the crystal to whoever succeeded. Meanwhile, Feng Tian Po Po infiltrated the City of Bladed Snow. She fought off Fire Tribe guards, confused about the Fire King's rule and the absence of the Ice King.

She discovered the prison where the Ice King and Queen were held, destroying the Fire King's Spiderweb of Fire seal, but found them gone. She then apprehended a Fire Tribe maid, demanding answers. Back at the Dream Tribe, Yan Da, distrusting Xun Hao after being tricked by the Healer Tribe's elder, ordered her soldiers to search the entire city for the crystal before considering entering Xing Jiu's dream. Ying Kong Shi offered to help with the search.

Ka Suo contacted Ying Kong Shi via the bamboo leaf, confirming Yan Da had not yet found the crystal and had only given him a 10-day antidote. Realizing they had no choice, Ka Suo decided they would enter Xing Jiu's dream. The next day, Ka Suo informed Xun Hao of his decision to enter alone, but Li Luo insisted on accompanying him, stating they came together and would leave together, despite Ka Suo's concerns about the dangers to a mortal.

Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi also arrived, ready to compete within the dream. Xun Hao led them to the Chief Dreamer's Dream Source, explaining its function and warning them of multiple dangerous dreamlands within. The four entered Xing Jiu's dream, but Ka Suo and Li Luo found themselves separated from Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi.

They discovered they were in a dream of Princess Xing Gui's 100th birthday, realizing that in Xing Jiu's dream, his deceased sister was still alive, representing his most cherished memories. They headed to the palace, where Xing Jiu was hosting the banquet. During the celebration, an assassin suddenly appeared, seeking revenge for his own sister whom Xing Jiu had failed to save, and fatally stabbed Xing Gui.

Xing Jiu's cries of anguish as his sister died caused the dream to shatter. Ka Suo and Li Luo found themselves back at the dream's starting point, realizing Xing Jiu's refusal to accept Xing Gui's death caused the dream to repeat, rewinding time to the moments before her murder. Ying Kong Shi deduced that Xing Jiu's repeated dream was fueled by guilt for being unable to save his sister.

Ka Suo speculated that Yan Da would try to prevent Xing Gui's death to break the loop. Unexpectedly, Ka Suo and Li Luo encountered Xing Gui on the street, who had snuck out of the palace. Ka Suo brought her back, where Xing Jiu affectionately chided her for her weakness but forgave her for her birthday. Ka Suo and Li Luo were invited to the banquet.

From a distance, Yan Da, annoyed that Ka Suo and Li Luo had better seating, chastised Ying Kong Shi for choosing a hidden spot. Ka Suo and Li Luo formulated a plan: after stopping the assassin, Li Luo would keep Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi busy while Ka Suo would bring Xing Gui to Xing Jiu to awaken him. The assassination attempt occurred again. Both Li Luo and Yan Da intervened, stopping the first assassin.

However, a second assassin emerged, and Li Luo bravely shielded Xing Gui, taking a blow meant for the princess. Despite Li Luo's sacrifice, Xing Gui was still fatally wounded, and Xing Jiu's dream shattered once more. Ka Suo reawakened in a desolate, snowy landscape, finding Xing Jiu cradling the lifeless Xing Gui. Ka Suo tried to persuade Xing Jiu to accept reality, reminding him of Xing Gui's birthday wish, unaware that he was still trapped within Xing Jiu's intricate dream.

Meanwhile, Li Luo truly awoke outside the dream, realizing she was the only one to have escaped. Xing Jiu appeared before her, explaining that her self-sacrifice to save Xing Gui was what allowed her to break free from his dream.

Episode 9 Recap

Li Luo awoke from the dream, immediately confronting Xing Jiu. She realized with dismay that he was never truly trapped but had orchestrated the entire dream sequence as a calculated ploy to lure them in. She accused him of using the Dream Source for his deceit, to which Xing Jiu conceded she was clever to discover the truth, but sadly, too late. Li Luo, desperate, cried out Ka Suo's name before Xing Jiu rendered her unconscious.

Meanwhile, in another part of the dream, Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi found themselves cornered by Dream Tribe guards who accused them of Princess Xing Gui's assassination. Realizing their predicament, Ying Kong Shi urged Yan Da that they must split up to ensure at least one of them had a chance of survival. As they separated, Ying Kong Shi was struck by an arrow and tumbled down a cliff.

This "death" in the dream, however, caused him to awaken in reality. He recalled the incident, relieved it was merely a nightmare, and immediately set out to find Ka Suo. In reality, Xing Jiu watched over the still-unconscious Ka Suo. He spoke to him, seeking forgiveness, explaining his actions were born of dire necessity. Xing Jiu then entered Ka Suo’s dream, weaving a blissful scenario.

In this constructed reality, Ka Suo met his dream-self of Ying Kong Shi, who playfully chided him for dozing off. Ka Suo, confused, questioned if it was real, but Ying Kong Shi reassured him that it was, and that he had successfully helped Xing Jiu awaken. Li Luo also appeared in the dream, and Ka Suo expressed profound relief that she was alive, accepting her explanation that her perceived death was only part of the dream.

Xing Jiu, present in this dream, then offered Ka Suo the Dream Tribe's One-Leaf Ice Crystal as a token of gratitude for his help. When Yan Da tried to seize the Ice Crystal, claiming it for the Fire Tribe, she was repelled by ice magic. Suddenly, Ka Suo saw his parents, the Ice King and Ice Queen, along with Empress Feng Tian.

They informed him that the Fire King had been defeated and it was time to return to City of Bladed Snow. His mother clarified that Empress Feng Tian had not been imprisoned but had sought the Mermaid Saint's aid. Overjoyed, Ka Suo and his family returned to a triumphant City of Bladed Snow. He confessed to Ying Kong Shi that his happiness felt unreal.

Li Luo, in traditional Ice Tribe attire, flew a kite, silently praying for the Ice Tribe's peace and for harmony across the three realms. Ka Suo then asked her to be his dance partner at a celebration for reclaiming the city, and as they danced gracefully on the pristine ice, sharing a kiss, their bond deepened.

As Ka Suo reveled in his perfect dream, Xing Jiu chose to leave him within it, rationalizing that it wasn't a bad fate for Ka Suo to remain forever in such happiness. He whispered an apology, hoping Ka Suo would continue his beautiful dream, and then left. Meanwhile, in the waking world, Ying Kong Shi found Ka Suo still deeply asleep.

He recognized the unusual circumstances, suspecting someone was actively preventing Ka Suo from waking, and wondered where Li Luo could be. Xing Jiu reported to the Fire King that Ka Suo was now completely ensnared in the dream, unable to awaken unless Xing Jiu released him or Ka Suo died within the dream. The Fire King, pleased, affirmed Xing Jiu as a valuable ally.

Xing Jiu then pressed for the return of the Hidden Lotus and his sister, Xing Gui, reminding the Fire King of his promise. The Fire King, however, delayed, stating they would be returned only after Xing Jiu completed a final task that night, which involved delivering Ka Suo to him. The Fire King dismissed Ka Suo as a harmless, unconscious entity.

Elsewhere, within City of Bladed Snow, Xing Gui, disguised as a maid, was stopped by a guard suspicious of an Ice Tribe spy. Empress Feng Tian intervened, covering for Xing Gui and sending the guard away. Xing Gui then confided in Empress Feng Tian, begging for help to escape the city, explaining that her frail health only allowed her to control the maid's body for a limited time.

Empress Feng Tian agreed, hoping that freeing Xing Gui would ultimately allow Ka Suo to escape her brother's manipulative dream. Ying Kong Shi eventually located Li Luo and quickly released her. They discussed how they had both awakened by dying in the dream, leading them to believe this might be Ka Suo's only path to escape. Ying Kong Shi recounted his failed attempt to rouse Ka Suo, attributing his inability to reach him to the Dream Source.

They both concluded Xing Jiu was behind the deception and decided to work together to break the Dream Source’s spell and rescue Ka Suo. Li Luo proposed a plan. Later, Li Luo, holding Xun Hao, a Dream Tribe guard, hostage, demanded he deactivate the Dream Source's spell and take her to Ka Suo.

Xun Hao explained that even if the barrier were opened, Ka Suo would not simply awaken; only Xing Jiu could rouse him, or Ka Suo would have to die in the dream, risking severe memory loss or permanent mental confusion. Xun Hao then divulged the full, tragic truth: Princess Xing Gui suffered from a chronic illness, destined to die before her 100th birthday, which was only three days away. The Fire Tribe possessed the sole known cure, the Hidden Lotus.

The Fire King had seized Xing Gui, using her as leverage to coerce Xing Jiu into employing his dream-weaving powers to unify the three realms, including entrapping Ka Suo and preventing him from obtaining the Ice Crystal. Xing Jiu then appeared, acknowledging his difficult choice. He confessed he was willing to betray the Divine Tribe for his only sister, accepting he would suffer the consequences alone.

Li Luo challenged his selfishness, but Xing Jiu insisted there was no time left for alternative solutions, with Xing Gui's life solely in the Fire King's hands. Li Luo refused to leave and demanded Xing Jiu allow her to enter Ka Suo’s dream to awaken him.

Xing Jiu warned her that as a non-Dream Seeker, she risked being mistaken for a threat and killed by Ka Suo within the dream, with repeated deaths making it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to ever wake up. Li Luo remained resolute, declaring she would not regret her choice. Xun Hao intervened, suggesting that allowing her might be their only way to atone for their actions.

Li Luo asserted that her unwavering determination to save Ka Suo mirrored Xing Jiu's own resolve to save his sister. Xing Jiu reluctantly agreed to give her half a day, after which he would fulfill his promise to the Fire King by delivering Ka Suo to him in City of Bladed Snow. Meanwhile, in the waking world, Ying Kong Shi, unable to let Li Luo face the dangers of the dream alone, prepared to assist her.

Li Luo entered Ka Suo’s dream, finding herself in City of Bladed Snow. She saw Ka Suo happily dancing with a version of herself, a bittersweet moment of happiness that she knew was fleeting. She reminded herself that Ka Suo had to awaken to save the Ice Tribe. As she approached him, Ka Suo, mistaking her for the Fire King, attacked.

Despite her pleas to reveal her true identity as Li Luo and explain the ongoing war and Xing Jiu's trick, Ka Suo remained convinced she was an enemy and ordered her imprisoned. Inside the dream, Ka Suo discussed the "Fire King's" defeat with his dream-self of Ying Kong Shi.

Suddenly, a sound from the Sole Bamboo Leaf startled Ka Suo, making him suspicious as his dream-self Ying Kong Shi was right beside him and claimed he hadn't given the flute to anyone and that it was safely stored in his palace, Illusion Sky. The dream-self Ying Kong Shi then advised Ka Suo to rest while he searched for the flute.

In reality, it was the true Ying Kong Shi playing the Sole Bamboo Leaf, desperately trying to rouse Ka Suo and Li Luo from their deep slumber. Elsewhere, the Fire King was in his war chambers, meticulously planning his grand scheme to unify the three realms without deploying a single soldier. Prince Shuo Gang arrived in the Mermaid Tribe's territory as instructed.

He presented the Mermaid Saint with a "Ten-Scented Incense Burner," a gift from the Fire King, meant to provide warmth. Shuo Gang proposed a friendly alliance, acknowledging the Fire King's new leadership. The Mermaid Saint, valuing peace, agreed to respect the Fire King. However, after Shuo Gang requested to stay the night to tour the onshore palace, which she granted, she promptly ordered the "Ten-Scented Powder" to be discarded.

Back in the Dream Tribe, Xing Jiu called for the two Grand Elders, asking for their scepters to perform forbidden magic as per the Fire King’s demands. The Grand Elders refused, reminding him of the scepter's sacred purpose and the Dream Tribe's historical role as protectors of the magical realm. They voiced their profound disappointment in Xing Jiu's decision to betray their principles and aid the Fire King’s ambitions for the sake of his sister. When they continued to resist, Xing Jiu ordered his guards to seize them, then personally overpowered them, taking their scepters.

Episode 10 Recap

Xing Jiu, the Chief Dreamer, used a forbidden spell to enter the dreams of various tribal leaders. He first entered the dream of the Mermaid Saint, placing a Dream-Control Seal on her. He commanded her to give the Mermaid Tribe's hidden Six-Leaf Ice Crystal to the Fire Tribe and follow all their orders until her death, unless he, Xing Jiu, removed the seal.

Using this forbidden spell significantly reduced his lifespan by at least 500 years, an act he deeply regretted, stating he would choose death to repent if he had a choice. A Fire Tribe messenger then ordered Xing Jiu to hand over Ka Suo and Li Luo to be sent to the City of Bladed Snow. Despite Xing Jiu's concerns about Ka Suo not waking up, the messenger insisted it was the Fire King's business.

Xing Jiu, addressing Li Luo, the realm guardian, told her that she would have to rely on herself from that point on. After regaining consciousness, the Mermaid Saint's demeanor drastically changed. She warmly welcomed Prince Shuo Gang of the Fire Tribe to her onshore palace, apologizing for not being attentive enough. Shuo Gang suggested they would be family soon. She offered him wine and insisted Princess Lan Shang sit next to him.

Lan Shang, however, openly expressed her disinterest and dislike for Shuo Gang, even walking away from the table. The Mermaid Saint, clearly under the dream-control spell, intended to betroth Lan Shang to Shuo Gang, proclaiming that as the Queen, she would decide Lan Shang's marriage. Lan Shang defiantly refused, vowing that she would never marry into the Fire Tribe, even if it meant her death.

The Mermaid Saint assured Shuo Gang that she would persuade Lan Shang to accept the marriage. Ka Suo's dream continued, filled with an unsettling sense of unreality. He found himself questioning how the War of Ice and Fire ended and why he still worried about the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal. His dream-self Li Luo explained that Grandma Feng Tian had helped the Ice King and Queen raid the Fire Tribe.

Ka Suo found it strange that he had no recollection of these events, while Li Luo attributed it to them being in the Dream Tribe at the time. Despite Li Luo's explanations, Ka Suo felt that his happiness in the dream was too perfect and couldn't recall many past events. Dream-Li Luo informed him that 100 years had passed, and she had been his wife for that entire time, which Ka Suo found hard to believe.

Doubtful, Ka Suo sought out the real Li Luo, imprisoned in an ice cell. She reminded him of their first meeting, recalling that she was ordered to protect him and introduced herself as Li Luo. Ka Suo, still mistaking her for the Fire King, questioned how she knew his conversations with his dream-self Li Luo. The real Li Luo insisted she was the true Li Luo, not a creation of Xing Jiu, and that Ka Suo was still dreaming.

She explained that 100 years had passed in his dream since the war, but as a mortal, she could not maintain the same appearance for so long, using this as proof that he was still trapped. She desperately wanted to help him wake up, telling him that Ying Kong Shi and she were waiting for him. When Ka Suo demanded proof, Li Luo realized the only way to awaken him was to kill him within the dream.

Ka Suo, still under the illusion, called her a liar, but Li Luo apologized, affirming that this was the only way. As she fatally wounded him, Ying Kong Shi suddenly appeared and killed Li Luo, declaring that now no one could harm them anymore. The Fire King, pleased with Xing Jiu's dream-control spell, learned that all tribes except the Sprite and Healer Tribes had pledged allegiance to him. However, his subordinate reported that Princess Xing Gui was missing.

Enraged, the Fire King immediately ordered his men to find Xing Gui and to throw Ka Suo and Li Luo off the Endless Cliff. Meanwhile, Grandma Feng Tian was helping Xing Gui escape, with Xing Gui urging her to be careful. Xing Jiu, having foreseen Xing Gui's danger in a prophetic dream, knew the Fire King was trying to kill her. He promptly left the Dream Palace to rescue her, instructing his people to wait for his news.

A carriage containing Ka Suo and Li Luo was rushed towards the Endless Cliff by Fire Tribe soldiers. Ying Kong Shi, unable to protect it alone, desperately tried to wake them, calling out for Ka Suo and Li Luo. At the last moment, Ka Suo awoke and managed to save them all from being thrown off the cliff.

Ka Suo apologized to Ying Kong Shi for being difficult to wake, explaining that he heard the Sole Bamboo Flute but couldn't respond. Ying Kong Shi understood, but was puzzled why Li Luo hadn't woken up despite dying in the dream. Ka Suo explained that Xing Jiu had said repeated deaths in a dream make it harder to awaken.

Upon returning to the Dream Tribe, Ka Suo learned that Xing Jiu was away, having gone to rescue Xing Gui from the Fire King, who was pursuing her after her escape from the City of Bladed Snow. Ka Suo wondered why Xing Gui would return if the Fire King had her antidote, to which a Dream Tribe member speculated that Xing Gui might have discovered a secret unknown to Xing Jiu.

Learning that Yan Da was still trapped in a dream, Ka Suo devised a plan and asked Ying Kong Shi to stay behind to watch over her. Xing Jiu found Xing Gui and Grandma Feng Tian. Xing Jiu questioned why Xing Gui escaped, as he had accepted all of the Fire King's conditions, including helping him control the tribal leaders in exchange for the Hidden Lotus to save her.

Xing Gui revealed that she had overheard the Fire King and Shuo Gang talking at the City of Bladed Snow. Shuo Gang expressed concern that the Fire King would truly give the legendary Hidden Lotus to Xing Jiu, and the Fire King admitted he was lying. He had spread rumors of owning the Hidden Lotus long ago to manipulate Xing Jiu into becoming his pawn to unify the three realms, using his Dream-Control Spell to make tribal leaders submit.

The Fire King concluded that Xing Jiu's feelings for his sister made him weak, stating that "a god controlled by feelings is destined to fail." Xing Gui angrily denounced the Fire King as a despicable liar and urged her brother to fix the situation. The Fire King then suddenly appeared and attacked them, aiming to kill Xing Gui since the Dream-Control Spell was already in effect.

As Xing Jiu and Xing Gui shared an emotional goodbye, Ka Suo arrived just in time. The Fire King, surprised to see Ka Suo alive, declared that none of them would leave. Ka Suo immediately threatened the Fire King, stating that if he killed Xing Jiu, Yan Da, who was still deeply trapped in a dream, would never wake up.

Although the Fire King initially scoffed at the threat, he visibly reacted to a projection of Yan Da's distressed dream state, calling her "Peng Peng." Enraged that Yan Da was in a dream, he threatened to kill them all before saving her. Ka Suo countered that as long as he, Xing Jiu, and Xing Gui remained outside the Dream Tribe, Yan Da would be taken to a place the Fire King could never find her.

Xing Jiu quickly agreed to help Ka Suo with this plan, forcing the Fire King to retreat due to concern for his daughter Yan Da. Li Luo slowly woke up, inquiring about Ka Suo, and was relieved to learn he had awakened on his own and helped save Xing Gui and Xing Jiu. Grandma Feng Tian used a Magic Healing Orb to heal Ka Suo's injuries.

Ying Kong Shi noted that his brother, Ka Suo, had taken a huge risk by fighting the Fire King alone. Ying Kong Shi, curious about Ka Suo's dream, asked him about it. Ka Suo recalled Li Luo in his dream, who he had mistakenly tried to kill. He thanked Li Luo for helping him wake up.

Li Luo, teasing him, said he was "acting outrageous" in his dream, and jokingly accused him of hating her because he saw her as the Fire King. Ka Suo insisted his dream actions were uncontrollable, while Li Luo countered that "dreams are the truest reflection of your heart's deepest desires," implying he genuinely disliked her.

Meanwhile, Yan Da woke up in the City of Bladed Snow and immediately sought out her father, the Fire King, admitting her wrongdoings and asking for a chance to redeem herself. The Fire King rebuked her, stating that admitting weakness was not the way of a strong warrior. He then asked Shuo Gang about the Mermaid Saint.

Shuo Gang reported that the Mermaid Saint, who had initially agreed to marry Lan Shang to him, suddenly changed her mind and opposed it that afternoon. Realizing that Xing Jiu had removed the Dream-Control Spell from the Mermaid Tribe and other tribal leaders, thereby publicly rebelling against him, the Fire King furiously ordered an immediate attack on the Dream Tribe.

The Dream Tribe elders accused Xing Jiu of using forbidden spells and tarnishing their tribe's reputation for his own selfishness, demanding he step down from his leadership. Ka Suo intervened, defending Xing Jiu by explaining that he had no choice and that he and Xing Gui would have died at the Fire King's hands if Xing Jiu hadn't trapped Yan Da in a dream.

While the elders acknowledged Ka Suo as Prince of the Ice Tribe, they maintained that Xing Jiu had abused his power by aligning with the Fire King and was unfit to lead. As the elders continued to demand his resignation, Xing Jiu remained silent, but Xing Gui stepped forward to reveal the truth. She showed the elders a dark bruise on her arm and explained that she knew why she couldn't live past 100 years.

She recounted a past conversation with their father, who explained that the Dream Tribe's excessive use of dream-control powers had accumulated too much negative energy, causing the sacred Ice Crystal, bestowed by She Mi, to turn black. If the Ice Crystal were to break, the tribe would lose its dream-interpreting abilities forever, and the released energy would destroy the entire Dream Tribe.

To save the clan, their father had transferred this dangerous energy into Xing Gui's body, restoring the Ice Crystal's purity but condemning Xing Gui to a short life. Xing Gui explained that her brother's actions were not merely to save her, but to prevent this catastrophic release of energy that would endanger the entire clan. Xing Jiu, still in denial, insisted their father was lying and that her illness would improve, but Xing Gui accepted her fate.

Finally, the elders understood Xing Jiu's painful sacrifice and his honorable intentions. Now free from the Dream-Control Seal, the Mermaid Saint recognized that the Dream Tribe and Healer Tribe had turned against the Fire Tribe, which necessitated a recalculation of her own tribe's fate. She ordered her tribe to prepare to return to the Endless Sea. However, Prince Shuo Gang and Princess Yan Da arrived with a large Fire Tribe army.

Shuo Gang reiterated his marriage proposal for Lan Shang, but the rational Mermaid Saint firmly rejected it, stating it was premature. Yan Da, however, declared her intent to expedite the decision, and then brutally killed several Mermaid Tribe guards, forcing the Mermaid Saint and Lan Shang to accompany them to the City of Bladed Snow. In the Dream Tribe, all citizens prepared for war against the Fire King.

Ka Suo saw Grandma Feng Tian off, agreeing that they should split up to divert the Fire King's attention, and promising to win their "hide and seek game." Ka Suo, Li Luo, and Ying Kong Shi planned to travel to the Sprite Lands next to search for another ice crystal. Ying Kong Shi asked Li Luo about the dream that had trapped Ka Suo.

Li Luo described it as a good dream where the War of Ice and Fire had been over for a century, the world was peaceful, and Ka Suo was the Ice King. She mentioned that even though Ying Kong Shi (in the dream) had killed her, Ka Suo still trusted him. When Ying Kong Shi inquired about Li Luo's role in Ka Suo's dream, she hesitated before claiming to have forgotten, downplaying it as "just a dream."

He then asked about her real feelings for Ka Suo. Li Luo affirmed that in reality, Ka Suo was kind and warm-hearted, and would one day be their king. She swore to be his most loyal realm guardian and serve him for her entire life, considering him her only king. Ying Kong Shi, in an inner monologue, wondered if she truly only saw him as a king.

Episode 11 Recap

Xing Jiu, the Chief Dreamer, presented Ka Suo with an ice crystal, pledging the Dream Tribe's eternal alliance and loyalty to the Ice Tribe. Ka Suo thanked him, and Xing Jiu expressed regret for the harm he had caused. Xing Jiu then asked Ka Suo and his companions to remain in the Dream Tribe to celebrate Xing Gui's hundredth birthday, which he believed would be her last.

He revealed that for 99 years, his greatest fear was the dream of Xing Gui's hundredth birthday, from which she might never awaken, and that she had never witnessed the dawn on her birthday. Having resigned himself to her fate, he simply wished to spend her remaining time by her side so she could depart without regret. Both Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi agreed to stay. The Dream Tribe celebrated Xing Gui's birthday joyfully.

Ka Suo observed Xing Gui's happiness, realizing her greatest joy was simply having her brother by her side. He mused that he would prefer a short but fulfilling life with loved ones over a long, lonely existence. The next morning, Xing Jiu braced himself for the prophecy to come true, but to his astonishment, Xing Gui awakened. Ka Suo noted that miracles do exist.

Ying Kong Shi, however, heard a mysterious voice remark, "Only silly humans would believe in miracles," and wondered who it was, sensing the voice had followed them from the divine to the mortal realm. Meanwhile, Yan Da, alone, called out for "Yun Fei," wondering why he hadn't left the Dream Tribe with her. Her brother, Shuo Gang, arrived and mocked her for spoiling a human slave and even letting him enter a dream with her, asking if she missed him.

He questioned her weakness for caring about "unimportant things." Yan Da then accused Shuo Gang of feeding Ying Kong Shi the Heart-Burning Fruit. Shuo Gang confirmed it, explaining that the poison would force Ying Kong Shi to return for the antidote or die, dismissing mortals as easily crushed. He warned Yan Da not to jeopardize his plans as they were heading to the Bear Tribe for another Ice Crystal, threatening her if she hindered him.

Ka Suo, informed by Xing Jiu of Yan Da and Shuo Gang's mission to the Bear Tribe, decided to proceed with their original plan to go to the Spirit Lands first, confident that the loyal Bear Tribe would not surrender their Ice Crystal. He then set off to find Li Luo. Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, failing to cook fish, burnt their meal. Ka Suo then found Li Luo bathing in a stream.

He grew embarrassed and tried to leave, but her unicorn, who she called Turnip, playfully pushed him into the water. In his confusion, he accidentally tossed Li Luo's clothes into the water, adding to their awkwardness. Later, by a campfire, Li Luo hummed a mortal realm nursery rhyme. Ka Suo, born in the perpetually snowy City of Bladed Snow, had never known the four seasons of the mortal realm.

He asked Li Luo why her parents allowed her to become a realm guardian. Li Luo revealed she was an orphan, and the nursery rhyme was her only memory of the mortal world. She recounted a harsh winter where her beloved pet, also named Turnip, died saving her from wolves, and she had wished to join him.

She later woke up in the Divine Realm, in the Ice Tribe, where General Ke Tuo offered her a new life as a Realm Guardian, making her feel useful for the first time. She recounted her training and dedication, vowing to never disappoint General Ke Tuo and become a guardian he would be proud of. Ka Suo noted her unicorn's majestic appearance, finding its name "Turnip" unfitting.

Li Luo confessed that even the unicorn seemed to dislike its name, losing energy when called. Ka Suo offered a new name, "Snow Goose," which Li Luo liked, believing it gave the unicorn the freedom and flight it desired. Ka Suo then expressed his gratitude to General Ke Tuo for taking Li Luo in, as it led to their meeting.

Li Luo, flustered by his intense gaze, then inquired about her clothes, which Ka Suo confirmed were not burnt like the fish. Suddenly, Ying Kong Shi's Heart-Burning Fruit poison took effect, causing him to lash out at Ka Suo. Li Luo quickly intervened and knocked him unconscious. Realizing Ying Kong Shi would die without an antidote, Ka Suo asked Li Luo for directions to the Bear Tribe's path.

They decided to leave Ying Kong Shi there, believing Yan Da would find him, and Ka Suo reassured Li Luo that Ying Kong Shi would understand their actions were to save him. Indeed, Yan Da soon discovered Ying Kong Shi, calling him "Yun Fei," and anxiously checked on him.

Meanwhile, in the Fire Tribe's palace, the Fire King revealed Lian Ji's Teardrop Charm to the Mermaid Saint, remarking that if the Saint hadn't forced Lian Ji to marry the Ice King, the Fire and Mermaid Tribes would already be family. He added that with the Fire Tribe poised to conquer the three realms, the charm's influence was immense.

The Mermaid Saint, escorted by guards, entered and rebuked Lian Ji, slapping her and demanding to know why she gave the Teardrop Charm to the Fire King. She explained that the charm protected the Mermaid Tribe and by giving it away, Lian Ji exposed their tribe to foreign intervention in the Ice-Fire conflict. Lian Ji retorted that the Saint only cared about the Mermaid Tribe, not her happiness.

The Saint reminded Lian Ji that she raised her, but Lian Ji accused the Saint of favoring her older sister and Lan Shang, and of forcing her marriage to the Ice King, causing her unhappiness. The Saint then accused Lian Ji of orchestrating the war by killing Fire Prince Xin Jue for revenge. Lian Ji admitted to hating both the Ice King and Fire King and fantasizing about making them lose everything, but claimed she hadn't acted on it.

She asserted that a mysterious schemer was truly behind the prince's death and the ensuing war, attempting to profit from the conflict while remaining unscathed. Both Lian Ji and the Mermaid Saint suspected each other of being this mastermind. The Saint confessed her dislike for Lian Ji stemmed from her excessive cleverness, warning that she would ultimately fall victim to her own intelligence. Ka Suo and Li Luo arrived at the Spirit Lands, specifically Sprite Valley.

They witnessed mortals attempting to burn a rabbit sprite, Tu Tu, accusing sprites of harming humans. The rabbit sprite, Tu Tu, pleaded for help, and Ka Suo swiftly rescued her. Tu Tu then led them into an underground passage, her home, which turned out to be the entrance to the Spirit Lands. There, Pian Feng, the Eagle Sprite and chief guard of the Sprite Lands, appeared and welcomed them.

At the Fire Tribe camp, Shuo Gang interrogated Ying Kong Shi, questioning why Ka Suo left him alive and suspecting him of being a spy. Ying Kong Shi, maintaining his "Yun Fei" persona, feigned ignorance, claiming he was taken by someone in white, a "Prince something" who then punched him. Shuo Gang, unconvinced, decided to kill him to prevent future complications. Yan Da dramatically intervened, declaring Ying Kong Shi was hers and forbidding Shuo Gang from harming him.

Shuo Gang reiterated his intuition that this "mortal" was not simple. Yan Da agreed, acknowledging his intelligence and his help in retrieving an Ice Crystal, but reiterated her claim on him. She reminded Shuo Gang of the agreement between the mortal and divine realms, where harming a mortal would temporarily strip a divine being of their powers, a risk he couldn't afford with the impending battle against the fierce Bear Tribe.

Shuo Gang conceded and ordered his men to take Ying Kong Shi away, while Yan Da led Ying Kong Shi off. Ka Suo sought the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal from Pian Feng, who explained that the Sprite Queen had departed long ago and her whereabouts were unknown. Princess Chao Ya, the Queen's heir and current temporary leader, had also vanished a month prior.

Pian Feng further explained that enchanting music had been luring mortals to their disappearance or death, causing mortals to blame the sprites and launch crusades against them. The sprites were forced to hide underground. Ka Suo realized Princess Chao Ya was in danger, and as Pian Feng was about to search for her, Ka Suo and Li Luo offered their assistance.

Pian Feng accepted, and they proceeded to the Peach Blossom Valley, the last known location of Princess Chao Ya, where mortals fled from them in fear. Yan Da provided Ying Kong Shi with a ten-day antidote for the Heart-Burning Fruit, trusting that he would be safe.

Ying Kong Shi thanked her for defending him against Shuo Gang, but Yan Da playfully dismissed it, stating she acted for herself, likening it to a mortal saying, "to punish a dog, you have to look to the owner." She considered him "hers," implying Shuo Gang's attack on him was an attack on her. Yan Da confirmed their impending attack on the Bear Tribe, noting their unwavering loyalty to the Ice Tribe, whose ancestors had ridden Bear ancestors into battle.

She stressed that to obtain their Ice Crystal, they must be conquered. She instructed Ying Kong Shi to remain in the carriage. Shuo Gang then led the Fire Tribe forces, vowing to conquer the Bear Tribe and claim the Bear King's head. However, upon their arrival, the Bear King, Hei Feng, surprisingly welcomed the Fire Tribe as friends, with the tribal gates wide open.

Episode 12 Recap

Prince Shuo Gang and Princess Yan Da arrived at the Bear Tribe, where Hei Feng, the new chief, welcomed them. Hei Feng declared that he had ascended the throne, having defeated Liao Jian, and now held the law enforcement and army of the Bear Tribe. Shuo Gang acknowledged this, emphasizing that the Fire King was the supreme ruler of all three realms. Hei Feng expressed admiration for the Fire Tribe and was ready to hand over the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal.

However, he had one condition: he wished to form a marital alliance with the Fire Tribe and marry the beautiful Princess Yan Da. Yan Da was furious, calling Hei Feng a "hairy creep" for his disrespectful proposal. Shuo Gang, however, defended Hei Feng, considering him a loyal future ally. Hei Feng reiterated that if he could marry Yan Da, he would present the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal and pledge eternal loyalty to the Fire Tribe.

He asked Shuo Gang to pass on his request to the Fire King and the princess. Meanwhile, Ka Suo and his companions found Peach Blossom Valley to be unsettling. An enchanting music began to play, specifically targeting mortals. Li Luo, affected by the music, nearly wandered off, but Ka Suo used his ice magic to freeze her, bringing her back to her senses.

Despite Ka Suo's suggestion that she stay behind, Li Luo insisted on joining him and Pian Feng, asserting that her concentration was stronger now. They observed many villagers who were bewitched, but the valley leader, Sun Tian, and his subordinates were unaffected due to being deaf or mute. Sun Tian was preparing to confront the musician, whom Ka Suo suspected was not a mortal.

Concerned for the safety of these ordinary people, Ka Suo and his friends joined Sun Tian's group, with Li Luo using a magical projection to communicate their intentions, introducing herself as a Realm Guardian also seeking the musician. Elsewhere, Princess Lan Shang skillfully evaded her guards and leapt into the ice river, swimming away to freedom.

Upon discovering her disappearance from the Mermaid Palace, the Fire King immediately deduced that she must have gone to the Mortal Realm to find Ka Suo and dispatched his men to search the entire realm for her. Following the bewitched villagers, Ka Suo, Li Luo, and their group arrived at an altar where a powerful tornado raged, intensifying the enchanting music. The suffering villagers collapsed to the ground.

Ka Suo intervened, using his illusion magic to compel the musician at the center of the tornado to stop playing. The tornado dissipated, revealing Princess Chao Ya. Upon waking, Chao Ya was disoriented, only recalling that she had heard her mother's zither music one night, followed it, and then was enveloped by a black fog before losing consciousness. Ka Suo noted her mention of the black fog.

Back with the Fire Tribe, Yan Da attempted to send a messenger hawk to her father, the Fire King, to complain about Shuo Gang's attempts to marry her off to Hei Feng. Shuo Gang, however, intercepted and killed her messenger, stating she sent words that should not be sent.

Moments later, the Fire King's own messenger hawk arrived, delivering a direct order to Yan Da: she was to marry the Bear Tribe king for the benefit of the Fire Tribe, without disobedience. Distraught, Yan Da refused to believe her father's command and sought to confront him in person. Shuo Gang stopped her, proposing a fighting competition instead. He declared that if anyone could defeat Hei Feng, it would prove Hei Feng unworthy of marrying the Fire Princess.

Deeply hurt by her father's decision, Yan Da wept by a river, lamenting that she no longer wished to be a Fire Princess. Ying Kong Shi, disguised as her servant Yun Fei, approached her. Yan Da confided in him, asking for a way to avoid the marriage. Ying Kong Shi suggested a simple solution: kill Hei Feng during the competition.

Pleased by this idea, Yan Da promised him the Heart-Burning Fruit antidote if he could devise a plan to kill Hei Feng without implicating her. Struggling to come up with such a plan and contemplating the use of magic while concealing his identity, Ying Kong Shi heard loud shouts. Following the sound, he found a hidden cave where he discovered the imprisoned former Bear Tribe king, Liao Jian, who identified himself as the Bear Tribe's king.

During the competition, Hei Feng proved to be a formidable opponent. Yan Da personally challenged him, but Hei Feng used a deceptive tactic to trap her, demanding she call him "husband" to be released. Yan Da refused. Ying Kong Shi, still disguised as Yun Fei, stepped forward, demanding Hei Feng release the princess and offering to fight in her stead. He argued that if Hei Feng could not even beat the princess's servant, he was unworthy to marry her.

Though significantly weaker than the powerful Hei Feng, Ying Kong Shi faced him bravely. When Hei Feng was about to claim victory, he was suddenly overcome by a terrible headache. Ying Kong Shi, holding bellflowers, revealed Hei Feng's hidden weakness: he was deathly afraid of their sound. Defeated, Hei Feng lost the competition, and Yan Da was saved from the forced marriage. Ying Kong Shi collapsed from his injuries, and Yan Da rushed to his side.

After his victory, Ying Kong Shi returned to Liao Jian, reminding him of their prior arrangement. Liao Jian had revealed Hei Feng's weakness to Ying Kong Shi in exchange for his freedom. Using Hei Feng's blood, Ying Kong Shi opened the magical barrier, releasing Liao Jian. Ying Kong Shi then revealed his true identity as Ying Kong Shi, Prince of the Ice Tribe, and demanded the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal.

Liao Jian, however, could not sense any Ice Tribe aura from him, instead detecting the scent of a Fire Tribe god. Ying Kong Shi claimed this was because he was an Ice Tribe spy. To prove his heritage, Ying Kong Shi attempted to perform Ice magic, but to his dismay, he inadvertently unleashed Fire magic.

Convinced that Ying Kong Shi was a Fire Tribe spy trying to trick him, Liao Jian, though grateful for his freedom, refused to hand over the Ice Crystal and expelled him. Shortly after being driven away by Liao Jian, Ying Kong Shi was captured by Shuo Gang while attempting to catch a wild rabbit.

Shuo Gang accused him of seducing Yan Da, causing her to defy orders and jeopardize his plans to acquire the Ice Crystal, and subjected him to a brutal whipping. Ying Kong Shi, enduring the torture, mocked Shuo Gang for exploiting his own sister for personal gain. Enraged, Shuo Gang intensified the punishment by burning the trunk of a Heart-Burning Fruit tree, which would accelerate the poison in Ying Kong Shi's body, threatening his life.

Princess Yan Da arrived, horrified by the scene. When Shuo Gang slapped her for defending her servant, Yan Da defiantly declared that Yun Fei was her friend. Shuo Gang coldly stated that the Fire Tribe had no friends, only enemies and absolute obedience to the Fire King. Refusing to abandon her friend, Yan Da, in a desperate act of rebellion, used her whip to ensnare Shuo Gang's throat.

Just then, a guard reported that Liao Jian had returned and launched an attack on Hei Feng. Seizing the distraction, Yan Da forced Shuo Gang to concede, successfully rescuing Ying Kong Shi and warning her brother never to harm Yun Fei again. Meanwhile, Liao Jian had rallied his loyal followers within the Bear Tribe, preparing to reclaim his throne from Hei Feng. A fierce battle quickly erupted between the two factions.

Episode 13 Recap

Princess Yan Da brought Ying Kong Shi back, deeply distressed by his grave injuries and unconscious state from Shuo Gang's prolonged torture. Weeping, she refused to let him die and began expending her own spiritual power to heal him. The immense effort eventually caused Yan Da to collapse from exhaustion. Meanwhile, the Bear Tribe's power struggle culminated in a fierce battle. Hei Feng, with his innate strength, initially held the advantage over Liao Jian.

However, Liao Jian fought relentlessly, ultimately defeating Hei Feng. As Hei Feng, on the ground, pleaded for his life, Liao Jian condemned him for siding with enemies and betraying their allies, declaring him the Bear Tribe's greatest shame unworthy of being a bear or human. Liao Jian then executed Hei Feng. Shuo Gang, arriving with Fire Tribe guards after Hei Feng's defeat, found himself surrounded by Liao Jian's victorious forces and, realizing the unfavorable situation, quickly ordered a retreat.

Afterward, Liao Jian's subordinates took Princess Yan Da and the still unconscious Ying Kong Shi into custody. Princess Lan Shang ventured into the Mortal Realm, filled with curiosity, but also remembering the Mermaid Saint's stern warnings. The Saint had explained that mermaids' legs on land were only temporary before marriage, making prolonged walking difficult, and that any contact with Mortal Realm water, which connects to the Endless Sea, would instantly revert them to their original forms.

She was advised to be exceedingly cautious. While observing a market, Lan Shang saw crabs about to be made into drunken crabs and, unable to bear their fate, used her illusion magic to freeze time, releasing them. This act, however, temporarily depleted her spiritual power. She later came across a slave market, where a young man was being whipped to save his ailing mother.

Moved by their plight, Lan Shang bought both of them, using her tears which transformed into precious pearls, and set them free, advising them to live happily. She also inquired about Ka Suo, whom she was actively searching for, carrying his portrait. Lan Shang admitted that walking on land was tiring, and she longed for the permanent legs she would gain after marriage, so she could go anywhere with Ka Suo.

Unbeknownst to her, a cunning merchant had observed her pearls. He orchestrated a fake robbery, feigning injury and asking for her help. As she approached to assist, he seized the opportunity and splashed a bucket of water on her, causing her to revert to her mermaid form. Ka Suo, developing a fondness for Li Luo, inquired about the customs of mortal romance.

Li Luo explained that while mortal men might offer flowers to a woman they admired, a woman, in turn, would present a "one-of-a-kind bottle of wine" to her ideal partner. She further elaborated on the tradition of "Ideal Wine": parents ferment a special wine when their daughter is one year old, burying it until she meets her fated husband.

When Ka Suo asked if she had given hers away, Li Luo sadly revealed her orphan status, explaining she never had parents to prepare such a wine for her. Ka Suo, realizing his oversight, apologized. He then presented her with a beautifully fragrant wine bottle, a gift from his father on his own 100th birthday, which had the magical ability to transform any liquid poured into it into fine wine.

He fondly recalled his younger brother, Ying Kong Shi, once pranking him by putting an Ice Caterpillar in it. Ka Suo then shyly stated that he was gifting this bottle to her as her "Ideal Wine," not for her to drink, but for her to give to the man she loved in the future.

Li Luo teasingly called him "Father," given his divine age, but Ka Suo playfully retorted that he wasn't that old, despite being a century older than her in divine years. Li Luo then laughed, pointing out the impossibility of her, a mere human, living in the divine realm. Ying Kong Shi awoke three days later, discovering his body was healed and strangely imbued with the spiritual power of the Fire Tribe.

He learned that Yan Da, who had exhausted herself to save him, was now imprisoned by the Bear Tribe. Visiting her, Yan Da expressed her anguish, feeling abandoned by her own father and brother, and revealed that he, Yun Fei, was her only true friend in the world. Ying Kong Shi, deeply moved by her sacrifice, vowed to repay his life debt.

Yan Da then gave him the Heart-Burning Fruit's antidote and urged him to seek his freedom, intending to remain and face Liao Jian's judgment. However, Ying Kong Shi refused to leave her behind. He struck down the guards, attempting to escort Yan Da to safety, but they were intercepted by Liao Jian.

When Liao Jian blocked their path and insisted Yan Da, as a Fire Tribe princess, must remain, Ying Kong Shi, in a moment of desperation, unleashed Ice Tribe magic. This act exposed his true identity as Ying Kong Shi, the Prince of the Ice Tribe. Liao Jian, recognizing the Ice Prince, immediately commanded his guards to retreat.

As Ying Kong Shi led Yan Da away, she was devastated, exclaiming that he had changed his appearance and lied to her for so long. She felt betrayed, realizing her "best friend" was actually an Ice Prince, making friendship impossible between their warring tribes. Yan Da confronted him, acknowledging her tribe's role in the conflict, stating she had killed many of his brothers and sisters, and challenged him to take revenge.

Ying Kong Shi, in turn, acknowledged her kindness in saving his life, stating that he had now returned that kindness. He bid her farewell, hoping they would not meet again. Yan Da, however, declared him cruel and vowed that their next encounter would be on the battlefield, where she would personally burn him to death.

As she left, Ying Kong Shi watched her retreating figure, memories of their time together flashing through his mind, leaving him with a profound sense of loss. After Princess Chao Ya's rescue, the demonic music ceased troubling the Mortal Realm. Liao Jian arrived, calling out for Chao Ya, and they rushed into a joyful embrace.

Chao Ya expressed her relief, having feared she would never see him again after what happened with the Bear Tribe, but Liao Jian reassured her, reminding her of his promise to be with her. It was revealed that Liao Jian, the Bear King, was Princess Chao Ya's fiancé. Pian Feng, watching their reunion, silently harbored his own unrequited love. Ka Suo then met Liao Jian, and they discussed the Ice Tribe's plight.

Ka Suo explained that the Ice Veil was destroyed, and he was in the Mortal Realm to find the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal to rebuild it. Understanding the urgency, Princess Chao Ya and Liao Jian willingly offered the Ice Crystal, stating it originally belonged to the Ice Tribe's ancestors and was entrusted to theirs for safekeeping, and they were ready to return it to help in a time of crisis. Ka Suo gratefully accepted.

Lan Shang found herself trapped by the cunning merchant. He revealed he knew her identity as Princess Lan Shang and explained that the Fire King had issued a widespread bounty for her capture across the three realms. He informed her he intended to first exploit her, draining her of her precious pearl tears, before delivering her to the Fire King for the reward.

When Lan Shang refused to cry, the merchant brought forth the mother and son she had previously saved, revealing he had tricked them out of their pearls. To force Lan Shang's hand, he unleashed thousand-year-old Fire Snakes, menacingly suggesting they would devour the mother or son. Lan Shang, her compassionate nature overriding her resolve, pleaded with him not to harm them, and as she watched their torment, she began to shed tears, which materialized into pearls.

Ying Kong Shi played a mournful tune on a leaf flute, and Ka Suo, recognizing the sound, found him. The brothers were finally reunited. Ka Suo embraced Ying Kong Shi, apologizing for not being able to save him sooner and for letting him suffer. Ying Kong Shi reassured his brother that he was well and that Yan Da had not mistreated him; in fact, she had even given him the antidote to the Heart-Burning Fruit. However, Ka Suo's companions cautioned them, warning that Yan Da remained an enemy and likely had ulterior motives for her actions.

Episode 14 Recap

Xing Jiu appeared in Li Luo’s dream to deliver a grave warning: the Fire King was holding the Mermaid Saint captive. The Mermaid Saint possessed the final piece of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, and the Fire King would likely use Princess Lan Shang to coerce the Saint into surrendering it. With Princess Lan Shang now lost in the Mortal Realm, Ka Suo and his companions had to find her before the Fire Tribe did.

Meanwhile, Princess Lan Shang was desperately trapped, witnessing the suffering of slaves. The merchant had tortured a slave to death, and Lan Shang urged the slave’s mother to flee. When the distraught mother learned her son was dead, she collapsed. Lan Shang, weeping with guilt over the slave's death, saw the greedy merchant fall into the water while frantically collecting pearls.

Seizing the opportunity, she grabbed a ceremonial knife from his waist, cut through the fishing net binding her, and escaped. However, a sudden fire snake lunged out and bit her, leaving her injured as she fled. Upon hearing of Princess Lan Shang's whereabouts from Xing Jiu, Ka Suo's group set out to find her. They soon encountered Yan Da and Shuo Gang, who were also searching for the Mermaid Princess.

Shuo Gang praised Yan Da as the Fire Tribe's top warrior, but Yan Da, recalling her previous defeat by Ying Kong Shi, corrected him. A report confirmed the Mermaid Princess's location, exciting Yan Da, who declared she was "looking for some fun." A skirmish ensued between the two factions. During the chaos, Ying Kong Shi discovered Princess Lan Shang, who was now behaving erratically due to the fire snake’s venom.

Yan Da vowed to kill Ying Kong Shi, but Princess Lan Shang suddenly lunged, biting Yan Da. Ying Kong Shi intervened to protect Yan Da and was also bitten by the afflicted princess. Li Luo arrived just in time, helping Ka Suo, Ying Kong Shi, and Princess Lan Shang make a swift escape on horseback. Ka Suo quickly sought out Huang Tuo from the Healer Tribe to neutralize Princess Lan Shang's poison.

Huang Tuo confirmed she had been bitten by a thousand-year-old Fire Snake but was astonished to find that the poison had already dissipated. He explained that such a poison could only be neutralized by Fire Tribe blood. Princess Lan Shang could not recall what happened after she was bitten. Li Luo remembered Princess Lan Shang biting Ying Kong Shi, suggesting Ice Tribe blood might have cured her, but Huang Tuo dismissed this as unlikely.

Ying Kong Shi then recalled Princess Lan Shang biting Yan Da first, deducing that the fire venom had been neutralized by Yan Da’s Fire Tribe blood, and he had been bitten only after she was already cured. Enraged by Yan Da and Shuo Gang's failure to capture Princess Lan Shang, the Fire King decided to take matters into his own hands. He berated Yan Da and Shuo Gang as "useless creatures."

Ka Suo and his group, accompanied by Princess Lan Shang, proceeded to the Mermaid Tribe’s palace to retrieve the Ice Crystal. Upon reaching the Mermaid Tribe’s palace, Li Luo noted its unusual floating nature, and Princess Lan Shang explained that the palace could also sink, and without a Teardrop Charm, no one could breathe underwater. Ka Suo asked her about the Ice Crystal’s location, but she only knew it was hidden within the palace.

However, the Fire King had already set an ambush. He appeared and declared he had obtained the final Ice Crystal from the Mermaid Saint, stating that the Saint, recognizing the Ice Tribe's diminished power, had exchanged the crystal for Princess Lan Shang's life. Princess Lan Shang apologized to Ka Suo, but he reassured her not to blame herself, calling it a war between Ice and Fire. The Fire King then demanded Ka Suo's Ice Crystals, promising a quick death.

Ka Suo refused, but his illusions proved no match for the Fire King, who swiftly seized the crystals. Ying Kong Shi and Li Luo were injured in the confrontation. The Fire King then trapped Ka Suo within his "Fire Globe of Despair," daring him to face the challenge as an Ice God. Inside, the Fire King slowly tortured Ka Suo, stripping him of his cherished magic. He declared that watching powerlessly as everything is taken is the most painful experience.

Despite the agony, Ka Suo refused to yield, vowing to recover the Ice Tribe. In a cruel display, the Fire King then destroyed the five collected Ice Crystals right before Ka Suo's eyes, leaving him completely helpless and tormenting his spirit. Sensing Ka Suo's extreme danger, Ying Kong Shi located his brother and was unwittingly drawn into the Fire Globe of Despair. Ka Suo, though weakened, still tried to resist but could not harm the Fire King.

When the Fire King launched an tragic attack on Ying Kong Shi, Ka Suo shielded him, sacrificing almost all his remaining spiritual power. The Fire King chose to spare Ka Suo’s life, but left him in a state worse than death, stripped of his magic and identity as an Ice Tribe god, destined to become a disgrace to his people.

Back at the Mermaid Tribe, Princess Lan Shang tearfully blamed herself for leading Ka Suo into the Fire King's trap, but Li Luo tried to comfort her. Huang Tuo examined Ka Suo, revealing his "six acupuncture points had been damaged by fire." He explained that to save him, a medicine made from mermaid scales and human blood was required. Both Li Luo and Princess Lan Shang immediately volunteered their contributions.

However, Huang Tuo also stated that he would have to open Ka Suo's body, apply medicine directly to his organs, and then suture the openings with herbs, warning that a single mistake could cost Ka Suo his last trace of spirit. Princess Lan Shang initially hesitated, fearing the risk of losing Ka Suo forever. Ying Kong Shi and Li Luo, however, were determined to proceed.

Li Luo then gently persuaded Princess Lan Shang, asking her to consider how Ka Suo would act if she were in danger and reminding her that trying, even with risks, would prevent future regret. Convinced, Princess Lan Shang ultimately agreed to the perilous procedure for the King in her heart. Under Huang Tuo’s skilled hands, Ka Suo slowly regained consciousness, much to the relief of everyone present.

However, his relief turned to anguish when he realized he could no longer use magic, unable to even turn water into ice. Ying Kong Shi tried to reassure him that his spiritual powers had not yet recovered, but Ka Suo knew the truth: the Fire King had utterly destroyed them.

Everyone implored Huang Tuo to restore Ka Suo’s spiritual powers, offering more blood and scales, but Huang Tuo, though apologetic, stated he was incapable of doing so, having already done his utmost just to save Ka Suo's life. Enraged, Ying Kong Shi vowed to kill the Fire King for revenge, with Li Luo and Princess Lan Shang also offering to join, but Ka Suo restrained them. The Mermaid Saint then arrived.

Ying Kong Shi speculated that she must have been released by the Fire King, and he asked if the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal had indeed been destroyed. Ka Suo confirmed that, apart from the Ice Tribe’s own crystal, the other five had been obliterated. Princess Lan Shang, distraught, pleaded with the Saint for an alternative way to restore the Ice Veil.

However, the Saint, believing the Ice Tribe was doomed with its crown prince stripped of his magic, advised Ka Suo to abandon his efforts to revive it. Ka Suo steadfastly refused, declaring that while they might be losing for now, they would ultimately triumph. The Saint then prepared to depart, but Princess Lan Shang declared her intention to go to the City of Bladed Snow to join them, only to be silenced by the Saint.

Despite her earlier stance, the Saint offered Ka Suo lodging at the Mermaid Tribe's palace until his injuries healed, knowing he was too weak to travel. Ying Kong Shi accepted on Ka Suo’s behalf, noting the Saint often said one thing and did another, implying her kindness. Elsewhere, Yan Da sought out Huang Tuo at the Healer Tribe. She accused Huang Tuo and Yue Shen of flirting, but Huang Tuo appeared to protect Yue Shen.

Yan Da provocatively suggested she might ruin Yue Shen's beauty to witness Huang Tuo’s healing prowess. When Huang Tuo inquired about her purpose, Yan Da cryptically replied, "We will see each other very soon. I will await your visit." This exchange foreshadowed an upcoming gathering. Soon after, a royal decree was broadcast from the Ice King and Queen to the five tribes—the Thousand Spirit Tribe, Healer Tribe, Dream Tribe, Bear Tribe, and Mermaid Tribe.

The message proclaimed the unification of Fire and Ice and invited the leaders of all tribes to the City of Bladed Snow to discuss the future. The message, though purporting to be from the Ice King and Queen, caused great suspicion among the tribes, who feared it was another plot orchestrated by the Fire King.

Episode 15 Recap

The five tribal leaders—from the Thousand Spirit, Dreamer, Healer, Bear, and Mermaid Tribes—convened at the Great Hall of City of Bladed Snow to meet the Ice King. To their shock, the Ice King announced his abdication, passing his title as Ruler of the Three Realms to the Fire King and urging all present to pledge loyalty to the new sovereign.

The tribal leaders voiced strong protests, decrying the Fire Tribe as barbarous and warlike, and expressing fears for the peace of the Three Realms. Liao Jian, the Bear King, directly confronted the Ice King, questioning if he had been threatened or poisoned; he was repelled by an invisible barrier when he attempted to approach. The Mermaid Saint then deduced that both the Ice King and Ice Queen were under the Fire King's control.

A disembodied voice belonging to the Fire King confirmed her suspicion, mocking the Ice Tribe's weakening power. He further declared that Ka Suo had been stripped of his spiritual powers, rendering him useless, and issued a decree: all five tribes must bring Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi back to the Ice Tribe within ten days for a "family reunion."

Witnessing the City of Bladed Snow's icebergs melt due to the destruction of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, Ka Suo felt a profound sense of loss and helplessness. Li Luo attempted to reassure him, comparing the melting and refreezing of ice to the cyclical nature of existence, suggesting that the Ice Tribe would rise again.

However, Ka Suo, deeply disheartened by his lost spiritual powers, urged Li Luo to return to the mortal realm and live a normal life, unwilling to let her waste her youth by his side. Li Luo steadfastly refused, affirming her role as Realm Guardian and declaring her unwavering loyalty to him as her only king. Meanwhile, the Fire King confronted Lian Ji, questioning the true parentage of Ying Kong Shi.

Lian Ji insisted Ying Kong Shi was the Ice King’s son, but the Fire King remained unconvinced. He pointed out that only those with Fire Tribe blood could enter his Fire Globe of Despair unharmed, and Ying Kong Shi had not only entered but emerged without injury, fueling his suspicions that Ying Kong Shi was his own son.

Lian Ji, anxious, asked about his intentions, to which the Fire King stated he would kill Ying Kong Shi without mercy if he were the Ice King's son, but protect him if he were his own. Ying Kong Shi then met with Ka Suo, expressing his frustration that Ka Suo seemed unconcerned about the Fire King rallying other tribes.

Ka Suo admitted he was only relieved that Ying Kong Shi was safe, but questioned how he survived the Fire Globe of Despair unharmed, especially since his spiritual powers seemed to have grown stronger. Ying Kong Shi believed he was destined to be the Fire King's nemesis and wished to avenge Ka Suo.

However, Ka Suo, feeling utterly powerless, urged Ying Kong Shi to leave the Divine Realm, find a secluded place, and live a peaceful life away from the conflict, emphasizing that he had already lost too much and only had Ying Kong Shi left. Ying Kong Shi, in turn, proposed uniting the five tribes to fight the Fire King, but Ka Suo dismissed the idea, believing his own lost powers and the destroyed ice crystal made any resistance futile.

Ka Suo stated his intention to return to his parents and tribesmen to face their fate with them, but insisted that Ying Kong Shi must live on for him. Ying Kong Shi, disregarding Ka Suo's wishes for his safety, apologized silently to his brother and used a spell to put him into a trance. He then entrusted Ka Suo to Lan Shang, asking her to care for him, before announcing his intention to complete the duties Ka Suo could not.

Ying Kong Shi traveled to the Dream Tribe and sought out Xing Jiu, the Chief Dreamer, who was currently in a dream state, seeking prophecies about the future amidst the chaos caused by the Fire King. With the help of Xing Gui, who was persuaded by Ying Kong Shi's plea to save his brother, a dream beast was summoned to allow Ying Kong Shi to enter Xing Jiu's dream.

Within the shared dream, Xing Gui appeared and reinforced the idea that the future is not predetermined but shaped by present actions and strong belief. Although Xing Jiu initially expressed doubt, believing the Ice Tribe was doomed due to Ka Suo's crippled state and the destroyed Ice Crystal, Ying Kong Shi vowed to fight for the Ice Tribe until death, taking his brother's place.

Ying Kong Shi then proposed that Xing Jiu gather the tribal leaders within the dream realm, a method that would bypass the Fire King's spies and prevent detection. Xing Jiu agreed. The Dream Tribe's magic brought together the leaders of the Thousand Spirit, Dreamer, Healer, Bear, and Sprite Tribes in the Great Hall of City of Bladed Snow within the dream. The Mermaid Saint, however, was absent, having chosen to follow her own path.

The other leaders expressed concern about Ying Kong Shi's presence and the risk of the Fire King discovering their ties. Ying Kong Shi assuaged their fears, explaining that dreams provided a safe haven from detection. He challenged their inclination to surrender, arguing that true peace could only be achieved by resisting the Fire King, not by submission.

Acknowledging their doubts about his long-rumored weak spiritual powers, Ying Kong Shi offered a challenge: if he lost a fight against them, they would be free to follow whoever they wished, but if he won, they must follow him. Despite sustaining injuries, Ying Kong Shi remarkably displayed powerful Ice Tribe magic, defeating all who challenged him, including Liao Jian, the Bear King.

Witnessing his unexpected strength and unwavering determination, Liao Jian, Chao Ya of the Sprite Tribe, Xing Jiu of the Dream Tribe, and Huang Tuo of the Healer Tribe all pledged their allegiance to Prince Shi. Ka Suo eventually woke to find only Lan Shang by his side. Although he was touched by her care, he expressed concern that her association with a "loser" like him would anger the Mermaid Saint.

Lan Shang, however, passionately confessed her love, reaffirming her belief in him as an unyielding king and revealing her desire to marry him, a destiny she believed was foretold since her youth. She showed him shoes, explaining her efforts to learn to walk on land, hoping to dance with him on the Ice Plains on their wedding day. Ka Suo, though grateful, gently rejected her, admitting he already held affection for someone else.

Heartbroken, Lan Shang fled in tears, a moment inadvertently witnessed by Li Luo from outside the room. Soon after, Huang Tuo of the Healer Tribe, who had brought the Mermaid Saint a "Colorful Jade Powder" that reduced aging by ten years per use, discreetly met with Ka Suo. He warned Ka Suo that the Mermaid Saint intended to hand him over to the Fire King within ten days and urged him to escape.

Ka Suo initially refused, prepared to face the Fire King to prevent further harm to the tribes, but Huang Tuo presented a new hope. He spoke of Qiu Tiannian, a reclusive Healer Tribe divine physician in the mortal realm, who, despite having been exiled for destroying their ancient medical texts, possessed unparalleled medical knowledge that could potentially restore Ka Suo's spiritual powers. Seeing this as the last hope for the Ice Tribe, Ka Suo agreed to seek out Qiu Tiannian.

Li Luo, who had earlier misunderstood Huang Tuo's intentions, offered to accompany Ka Suo, but he firmly refused, insisting that if he couldn't survive alone in the mortal realm without magic, he wouldn't be fit to challenge the Fire King. Huang Tuo offered to distract the Mermaid Saint while Ka Suo departed. Distressed by Ka Suo's rejection, Lan Shang retreated into sorrow.

The Mermaid Saint, enjoying the age-reducing powder provided by Huang Tuo, eventually noticed "Lan Shang's" distress and expressed disdain for Ka Suo, believing him useless without his powers. When she announced her intention to turn Ka Suo over to the Fire King within ten days, Ying Kong Shi, who had been impersonating Lan Shang, dropped his disguise. The Mermaid Saint was shocked to learn that Ka Suo had already escaped.

Ying Kong Shi then proposed a daring plan: he would disguise himself as Princess Lan Shang and offer her to the Fire King as a bride, intending to assassinate the Fire King on their wedding night. The Mermaid Saint scoffed at the idea, doubting his ability to succeed and fearing the annihilation of her tribe.

However, Ying Kong Shi threatened to spread word that she had deliberately released Ka Suo, ensuring the Fire King's wrath would fall upon the Mermaid Tribe if she refused. Faced with this impossible choice, the Mermaid Saint reluctantly agreed to his plan. Meanwhile, Ka Suo, making his way to Healer Valley in the mortal realm, received unexpected kindness from a humble family who offered him food and water for his long journey. Shortly after he departed, bandits attacked the family.

Ka Suo, now powerless, attempted to defend them but was easily overwhelmed. He watched in horror as the father was murdered and the daughter, Xiao Xue, was brutalized, leading her to kill her tormentor before taking her own life. As the enraged bandits turned their attention to Ka Suo, determined to kill him, Li Luo suddenly appeared, intercepting a lethal blow meant for him.

Episode 16 Recap

Ka Suo and Li Luo mourned the two innocent villagers who had died. Ka Suo blamed himself, feeling that without his magical power, he was useless and couldn't save them. He expressed a desire to properly send them off and then sent Li Luo away, choosing to leave alone. Later, Li Luo found Ka Suo lost in despair, tormented by memories of the Ice-Fire war, recalling his family members who perished protecting him.

He blamed himself for failing everyone's expectations and for the destruction of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal. Feeling he could not protect anyone, that his magical powers were useless, and that he had nothing to live for or the ability to defeat the Fire King, Li Luo embraced him, offering comfort and support. She reassured him, saying, "This isn't your fault, don't blame yourself. It was an accident," and reminded him, "Ka Suo, you still have me."

Meanwhile, the Mermaid Saint frantically searched for Ka Suo, but to no avail. Lan Shang, wanting to save Ka Suo, decided to follow Ying Kong Shi's plan. She proposed marrying Huo Yi, the Fire King, to the Mermaid Saint. Lan Shang explained that Huo Yi was conquering the Three Realms, and the Mermaid Saint had always intended for her to marry the ruler of the Three Realms.

The Mermaid Saint, however, was hesitant, worrying that Huo Yi was violent and cruel, and that his many concubines never met good ends. Lan Shang was touched by the Mermaid Saint's concern, realizing that she cared for her deeply and wasn't willing to sacrifice her for political gain. The Mermaid Saint affectionately called her a "precious princess" and confirmed her deep care. Ying Kong Shi was diligently practicing his illusion magic.

The Mermaid Saint visited him, expressing concern about the assassination attempt on Huo Yi. Ying Kong Shi confidently stated he had confidence. She accepted his audacious plan to impersonate Lan Shang, but demanded a solemn vow: if the plan failed, the Mermaid Tribe must not be implicated. Ying Kong Shi swore under the Ice Tribe gods that he would take all responsibility and that the Mermaid Tribe would remain unaffected, or else the Ice Tribe would remain lost forever.

She then added another condition: if the Ice Tribe were to be restored to power, the next Ice King must marry Lan Shang as his queen. Ying Kong Shi agreed. Xing Gui was training her Dream Beast, determined to become a powerful dream seeker. She told her brother, Xing Jiu, that she aspired to be as strong as his dream source and a top-notch dream seeker.

Xing Jiu prepared to enter a dream to consult with the tribal leaders about the Ice Tribe's restoration. Xing Gui questioned him, asking whether he supported Ka Suo or Ying Kong Shi as the future king and who was worthy of his service. Xing Jiu, a dream seeker who believed they could foresee but not change fate, refused to express a preference.

Xing Gui, however, encouraged him to challenge fate, asserting that she had defeated fate by refusing to let him go, causing fate to surrender to her will. A dark mist suddenly enveloped Xing Gui, telling her that if she wanted her wish to come true, she should ensure Prince Ying Kong Shi became the real king.

Ying Kong Shi had perfected his illusion, capable of transforming into Lan Shang flawlessly, so much so that even Lan Shang herself initially couldn't recognize him. Lan Shang playfully challenged him, offering to teach him how to be more beautiful if he called her "teacher." Ying Kong Shi retorted, "If you want me to call you sister-in-law later, you better not make me call you teacher."

This made Lan Shang sad, as she believed Ka Suo would never marry her because he loved someone else. Ying Kong Shi quickly reassured her that Ka Suo was only lying to her because he didn't want to burden her. At that moment, Yan Da abruptly arrived, demanding that Lan Shang immediately return with her to the City of Bladed Snow.

Yan Da, observing the close interaction between Ying Kong Shi (as Lan Shang) and the real Lan Shang, grew visibly annoyed. However, due to the Mermaid Saint's presence, she restrained herself and watched as Ying Kong Shi and Lan Shang departed with her. Yan Da had earlier questioned the Mermaid Saint about Ka Suo's whereabouts.

The Mermaid Saint lied, stating that Ka Suo had been taken to another island by a Mortal Realm Guardian for treatment and would return within ten days. Yan Da warned that if Ka Suo didn't appear in the City of Bladed Snow within ten days, Lan Shang would suffer the consequences. Upon their arrival at the City of Bladed Snow, Lian Ji saw her son, Ying Kong Shi, now a grown man, for the first time in years.

She was overcome with emotion and tears, relieved that he had finally grown up and wouldn't be mocked anymore. However, the Fire King rudely interrupted their tender reunion, dismissively telling them they had "over a thousand years for your family reunion." He then ominously announced his intention to host a "reunion dinner" for the Ice King's family, a thinly veiled scheme.

The Ice Queen immediately asked Ying Kong Shi about Ka Suo, and he informed her that Ka Suo had gone with his Realm Guardian to the Spirit Healer Valley to treat his injuries and hadn't returned in time due to Huo Yi's sudden summons. Ying Kong Shi returned to his Illusion Sky palace, only to find Yan Da waiting for him.

She challenged him, stating that since the entire City of Bladed Snow was occupied by the Fire Tribe, she could come to his palace whenever she pleased. She then aggressively questioned his relationship with the mermaid princess. Ying Kong Shi's evasive response, stating it was "none of her business," enraged Yan Da. She declared she would teach him a lesson and lashed out with her whip, striking him repeatedly.

Ying Kong Shi stoically endured the assault, refusing to fight back, which only intensified Yan Da's fury. She mockingly offered to teach him Fire Tribe magic, which he rejected, saying it would be futile for a god not of the Fire Tribe to attempt it. During the Fire King's banquet, Shuo Gang demanded that Lian Ji dance to entertain his father. Lian Ji refused.

Subsequently, the disguised Lan Shang (Ying Kong Shi) captivated the Fire King with a mesmerizing dance, a dazzling display combining graceful movements with Mermaid Tribe illusions. Lian Ji, observing from a distance, wondered why the Fire King seemed uninterested in her but so captivated by Lan Shang. Meanwhile, Ka Suo and Li Luo successfully located the reclusive Divine Healer Qiu Tiannian at his residence in the Healer Valley.

Qiu Tiannian was shocked, noting how brutal it was that all of Ka Suo's spiritual powers had been destroyed, and expressed sympathy for him. He informed Ka Suo that recovering his spiritual powers would require a rare and potent herb, which had to be collected and brewed on the spot. He warned them, however, that no one had ever successfully used it to restore spiritual powers. Despite the slim chances, Ka Suo was determined and declared his willingness to try.

Li Luo volunteered to accompany Qiu Tiannian to collect the herb, leaving Ka Suo alone to wait. Lan Shang (Ying Kong Shi) had indeed successfully drawn the Fire King's attention. During a break in the banquet, the Fire King cornered Lan Shang and, despite her tearful reluctance, kissed her. Lian Ji, witnessing this scene, bitterly thought, "If I can't live well, I won't let you two live well, either," and resolved to make those who hurt her suffer.

The Mermaid Saint later received a Mirage Orb. Upon opening it, she saw a projection of Huo Yi kissing a young Lian Ji. Following this, Lian Ji's voice echoed from the orb, taunting the Mermaid Saint. Lian Ji accused the Mermaid Saint of betraying her own daughter a century ago by forcing her to marry the Ice King, and now, with a new dynasty, selling out her granddaughter, Lan Shang, to please the new ruler.

Lian Ji declared the Mermaid Saint to be the "best and most miserable at manipulative calculations" in the Three Realms, and cursed all future Mermaid Tribe princesses to live as puppets for the tribe's schemes, forever unable to find true love or happiness, just like herself and Lan Shang. The Mermaid Saint, furious and unwilling for Lan Shang to suffer such indignity, rallied her people, declaring war on the Fire Tribe.

Later, Ying Kong Shi found Lan Shang, who was submerged underwater and crying, distraught over her forced intimacy with the Fire King. She explained that she immersed herself to hide her tears and pretend not to be upset. Ying Kong Shi transformed into Ka Suo to comfort her, reassuring her that everything that happened between her and Huo Yi was "fake." He urged her to endure for Ka Suo's sake. Lan Shang, embracing him, vowed, "Ka Suo, my king.

I will do my best to tolerate this. For you, I will perform my role well." Ying Kong Shi, in his own thoughts, silently committed to enduring his struggles for his brother and their home.

Episode 17 Recap

Lian Ji embraced Ying Kong Shi, noting how much he had grown in just a few months, and offered him spiritual medicine. While tending to him, she discovered whip marks on his back. Though Ying Kong Shi downplayed it, Lian Ji suspected the Fire Princess, Yan Da. He then inadvertently used magic, which astonished Lian Ji. She confronted him, asking why he hid his power and didn't fight back against Yan Da.

Ying Kong Shi tried to postpone the conversation, but Lian Ji pressed him, suspecting he was involved in a plan with Ka Suo. Ying Kong Shi claimed he was hiding his magic from Huo Yi to avoid being seen as a threat and to ensure their peace. Lian Ji emphatically stated she cared nothing for the Ice Tribe or who ruled the Three Realms, only for Ying Kong Shi's safety.

She begged him to promise not to help Ka Suo oppose Huo Yi, warning that Huo Yi was ruthless and would kill anyone in his path. She just wanted them to be safe together. In Xing Jiu's dream, Yue Shen, Liao Jian, Xing Jiu, and Ying Kong Shi gathered to discuss their plans. Yue Shen confirmed it was indeed a dream by noting the absence of a skunk smell she had acquired earlier.

Xing Jiu relayed a message from the Mermaid Saint, indicating that Ying Kong Shi and Lan Shang had been taken to the City of Bladed Snow ahead of schedule, accelerating their plans. Ying Kong Shi reassured the group, stating that Lan Shang had successfully captured Huo Yi's attention, and he would proceed with his plan to impersonate Lan Shang and assassinate Huo Yi. Yue Shen then feigned an attack on Ying Kong Shi, which Liao Jian swiftly intercepted.

Yue Shen explained her action, emphasizing that to defeat Huo Yi in one strike, they needed to find his true weakness, as the conventional weak spot at the back of a god's head was too heavily guarded. Ying Kong Shi acknowledged that even with his improved magic, a direct approach would fail. Liao Jian then suggested a solution, recalling that during battles, Fire Tribe soldiers were protected by a "Spiderweb of Fire" seal.

Identifying and destroying this seal on Huo Yi would be the key to his defeat. Li Luo and Qiu Tiannian continued their search for herbs. Qiu Tiannian suggested Li Luo return, but Li Luo insisted on staying. Suddenly, Qiu Tiannian used Ice Tribe magic to prevent Li Luo from leaving, intending to knock her out to keep the plan a secret.

Ka Suo arrived just in time to stop their struggle, recognizing Qiu Tiannian as his Grandma Feng Tian Po Po due to her unique touch and magical ice-blade. Feng Tian Po Po expressed her heartbreak over Ka Suo's current state.

Ka Suo then deduced that Ying Kong Shi had arranged this elaborate ruse: Feng Tian Po Po, disguised as Qiu Tiannian, was to trick him into believing there was a way to restore his powers, only to take him away from Mermaid Island and ensure he never returned to the City of Bladed Snow, all for his freedom. Feng Tian Po Po confirmed that Ying Kong Shi desired Ka Suo's freedom.

However, Ka Suo refused to abandon Ying Kong Shi or his family, declaring that true freedom for him lay with them. With the ten-day deadline approaching, he insisted on returning to the City of Bladed Snow. Feng Tian Po Po, bound by her promise to Ying Kong Shi, initially refused. Li Luo, as a realm guardian, pledged to follow Ka Suo's wishes to return.

Ka Suo, convinced he had a way to defeat Huo Yi, implored Feng Tian Po Po to believe in his last remaining hope and take him back. Shuo Gang relentlessly pursued Lan Shang, wanting to marry her and dragging her to confront the Fire King. However, the Fire King pre-empted him, declaring his intention to marry Princess Lan Shang himself during his upcoming ascension ceremony. This enraged Shuo Gang, who felt his claim was usurped and challenged his father.

Ying Kong Shi subtly intervened, suggesting that Lan Shang should have the ultimate say. Understanding his intent, Lan Shang, recalling Liao Jian's explanation of the Fire Tribe's "Spiderweb of Fire" seal and its critical vulnerability, stated that the Mermaid Saint wished her to marry the strongest god. She then cleverly proposed a duel between the Fire King and Shuo Gang to determine who was the stronger. The Fire King agreed, allowing Shuo Gang three attacks.

As they battled, Ying Kong Shi meticulously observed, and after the Fire King effortlessly defeated Shuo Gang within three moves, Ying Kong Shi successfully pinpointed the Fire King's "Spiderweb of Fire" seal on the palm of his right hand. Lan Shang then declared her conviction in the Fire King's unmatched power.

Guided by Feng Tian Po Po, who revealed a secret pathway to the Divine Realm, Ka Suo and Li Luo ventured through a hidden cave, where they discovered other realm guardians, including Qin Chu, Lu Zhao, and Yang Dan, who had been hiding there since the Fire Tribe's takeover. The guardians informed them that Huo Yi had prematurely brought Ying Kong Shi and Lan Shang back to the City of Bladed Snow, intending to marry Lan Shang.

They also disclosed Ying Kong Shi's plan to launch a counterattack during Huo Yi's wedding, with the realm guardians responsible for securing the Endless Bridge for the allied forces of the Dream, Healer, Sprite, and Bear Tribes. Unbeknownst to the guardians, Ka Suo decided to pursue his own plan. Ignoring the specifics of Ying Kong Shi's strategy, Ka Suo declared his intention to go to the Endless Cave to retrieve the God Devouring Sword to help his brother.

Meanwhile, the Fire King's extravagant ascension and wedding ceremony to Lan Shang commenced, with dignitaries like Liao Jian, Huang Tuo, Xing Jiu, and Chao Ya in attendance. As the festivities began, Li Luo directed Qin Chu and other realm guardians to create a diversion by attacking the Endless Bridge, while she, Ka Suo, and Feng Tian Po Po proceeded to the Endless Cave. Inside, they found the corpses of Fire Tribe soldiers, seemingly killed by the God Devouring Sword's energy.

Ka Suo attempted to awaken the legendary weapon, but the sword remained inert. Puzzled by its lack of reaction, Feng Tian Po Po managed to capture a small, elusive sword spirit. The spirit explained that it was not the only one; many sword spirits had been dispersed when the cave was damaged by gods.

To bind with the God Devouring Sword and gain its power, Ka Suo would need to gather all the scattered sword spirits, and they were drawn by the "flavor of fear." Resolute, Ka Suo asked Feng Tian Po Po to use her magic to immerse him in his deepest fears. Following Ying Kong Shi's instructions, Yue Shen led the Bear Tribe forces towards the Road of Snow and Fog.

She rallied her troops, outlining their mission to eliminate all twenty Fire Tribe lookout posts extending to the Endless Bridge without leaving survivors or revealing their presence in the Divine Realm. Meanwhile, Lian Ji confronted Ying Kong Shi, urging him to use Huo Yi's wedding as an opportunity to escape. Ying Kong Shi refused, unwilling to abandon their father and the others. Lian Ji bitterly retorted that their father only cared for Ka Suo and they shouldn't suffer for him.

Ying Kong Shi then confessed his true intention: to assassinate Huo Yi and avenge the suffering inflicted upon Ka Suo. Devastated, Lian Ji accused him of caring only for his brother and forgetting her sacrifices, reminding him of the humiliation she endured for his sake. She slapped him, desperately pleading for him not to embark on a suicide mission. Ying Kong Shi acknowledged her love but asserted his need to uphold the integrity of an Ice Prince.

Lian Ji, still defiant, gave him an ultimatum: come with her immediately or she would disown him. Feigning agreement, Ying Kong Shi then regretfully used his magic to put his mother into a deep sleep.

Episode 18 Recap

Inside the bridal chamber, Lan Shang anxiously waited for Ying Kong Shi, but the Fire King arrived before him. Lan Shang cleverly bought time by claiming she needed to change clothes and prepare properly. Ying Kong Shi finally appeared, having encountered his mother who learned of their plan, and swiftly swapped places with Lan Shang just as the Fire King entered.

The Fire King, believing it to be Lan Shang, was caught off guard as the disguised prince seduced him, creating an opening to attack his weak spot—the Spider Fire Seal on his right palm. Believing he had succeeded, Ying Kong Shi declared that one blow was for his brother and the other for all the sacrificed members of his tribe.

He expressed a wish for the Fire King to suffer in eternal fire, but his victory was short-lived, as the Fire King defiantly claimed, "I "am" the Eternal Fire!" Meanwhile, the allied forces of Liao Jian, Huang Tuo, Xing Jiu, and Chao Ya had gathered at the gates of the City of Bladed Snow, anticipating Ying Kong Shi's success. However, Yan Da and her Fire Tribe soldiers appeared, blocking their path.

Yue Shen volunteered to stay behind and confront Yan Da, allowing the others to rush to Ying Kong Shi's aid. In the Endless Cave, Ka Suo, despite having little spiritual power left, chose to enter his worst fears, allowing Grandma to guide him. Grandma warned him that doing so could harm his spirit and questioned if there was any other way to lure out the sword spirits, but Ka Suo was resolute.

In his extreme fear space, Ka Suo witnessed Ying Kong Shi battling the Fire King, overwhelmed and trapped by flames. Overcome with fear at the thought of losing Ying Kong Shi, Ka Suo's profound emotion successfully drew out the seven dispersed sword spirits. The sword spirits, attracted by his "amazing aura of fear," declared that a "fresh body filled with fear will taste great."

They explained that when their boss got drunk, he would split into seven spirits representing joy, anger, grief, fear, love, evil, and desire. The main sword spirit, however, scorned Ka Suo, stating he had no scent of a god and was a "useless piece of trash" with no right to wield the sword.

Ka Suo retorted, reminding them that as essences of the earth and sky, part of the Three Realms, they should not care only about eating when the realms were in chaos. The sword spirits dismissed his concerns, believing all rulers were the same and only sought to exploit their power, adding that a mortal like him could not handle the sword's might. Despite their warnings, Ka Suo insisted he was willing to try.

He then made a desperate attempt to forcibly obtain the God Devouring Sword, unleashing all his remaining spiritual power to absorb it into his body. The Fire King, having possessed Ying Kong Shi's body after the attack, mocked the arriving allied forces, calling them a "bunch of idiots" for thinking Ying Kong Shi could defeat him. He declared he would have the possessed prince kill them all.

Ying Kong Shi, momentarily regaining consciousness, desperately cried out to his allies to kill him first, and then the Fire King. Huang Tuo, with the help of Liao Jian, Chao Ya, and Xing Jiu, used the Recovery of Injuries Spell to separate the Fire King from Ying Kong Shi. The Fire King, though injured, proved too powerful for them, defeating them one by one. Just then, Ka Suo descended from the sky, wielding the God Devouring Sword.

The sword unleashed a rain of blades, which the Fire King frantically countered with fire. However, Ka Suo's spiritual power was depleted, and he collapsed. A dazed Ying Kong Shi awakened, grasped the God Devouring Sword, and became its new master. The sword, becoming "deliciously" excited after absorbing the Fire King's blood, controlled Ying Kong Shi's mind, greatly amplifying his power. He not only broke one of the Fire King's Fire Cloud Seals but also successfully wounded him.

As Ying Kong Shi, now possessed by the sword's bloodlust, moved to deliver a killing blow, Yan Da suddenly appeared and shielded the Fire King, pleading with Ying Kong Shi, calling him "Yun Fei" and asking if he remembered her. The sword spirits urged Ying Kong Shi to kill her, but he refused, unable to harm Yan Da. This moment of mercy allowed Yan Da to save the gravely wounded Fire King and escape.

Li Luo and other realm guardians searched for Ka Suo, sensing the aura of the sword spirits in the air, confirming his return. They soon found a heavily injured Ka Suo, who immediately rushed to the ice prison to rescue the Ice King and Ice Queen. To his dismay, both had been poisoned by the Fire King's Fire Snakes and were attacking him in their delirium. Ying Kong Shi arrived just in time with the God Devouring Sword.

He used the Fire Tribe blood remaining on the sword to remove the Fire Snake's poison, restoring the Ice King and Ice Queen. With their family reunited, the City of Bladed Snow was back in the Ice Tribe's control, bringing smiles of relief to the five tribal leaders as order was slowly restored. In the Fire Tribe, Shuo Gang rallied his brothers, who had left their posts guarding the Ten-Layered Tower of the City of Ashes, to heal their father.

Yan Da also offered to help, but Shuo Gang and his brothers rejected her, claiming it was "brothers' business" and not a "woman's business." The Fire King, recovering, reprimanded them for abandoning their posts, reminding them that the protective enchantment of the City of Ashes would be destroyed if the tower's fire ran out, and that the Fire Tribe's goals must be achieved at all costs.

As a reward for saving him, the Fire King transferred a Fire Cloud Seal to Shuo Gang, manifesting as a flame arm. Gravely injured, the Fire King decided to enter seclusion in the Flame Cave to recuperate, entrusting all Fire Tribe affairs to Shuo Gang and Yan Da, instructing them to protect the City of Ashes from the Ice Tribe. With the Ice Tribe's crisis resolved, Li Luo prepared to leave the Divine Realm and return to the Mortal Realm.

Reflecting on the beautiful City of Bladed Snow and the impending separation, she felt a wave of sadness. Qin Chu, another realm guardian who had suffered through trials with her, confessed his love, wishing to spend his life with her and have children like ordinary mortals once peace was restored.

Li Luo, though acknowledging him as a close friend and "like her biological brother" (alongside "Snow Goose," a new name Ka Suo gave to Turnip), did not reciprocate his romantic feelings. Qin Chu, seeing through her pretense, stated that she truly liked Prince Ka Suo. Li Luo denied this, asserting Ka Suo was their king and the future King of the City of Bladed Snow.

Qin Chu countered that Ka Suo had lost his powers and could no longer protect the citizens, suggesting that the true future king of the City of Bladed Snow was Ying Kong Shi. Li Luo refused to believe this, resolute in her decision to follow Ka Suo regardless of his status.

Episode 19 Recap

The Ice King and Ice Queen desperately sought a way to restore Ka Suo's spiritual power, but their efforts were in vain. Ka Suo revealed that he had made a deal with the Sword Spirit, whose power now resided within him, absorbing any spiritual energy they tried to provide. The Ice King explained that the Sword Spirit's energy was deeply embedded in Ka Suo's body, making any external magical assistance useless; he could only maintain Ka Suo's current condition.

The Ice Queen pleaded with her husband, reminding him that Ka Suo was their only surviving child, but the Ice King regretfully admitted he was helpless. Ka Suo, seeing his parents' distress, urged his mother not to make it harder for his father. Meanwhile, the Holy Fire Source continued to burn beneath the Ice Veil, causing it to melt. The Ice King worked alone to reinforce the Ice Veil when Ying Kong Shi appeared, offering his assistance.

The Ice King was astonished by Ying Kong Shi's rapidly growing magical power. Seizing the opportunity, Lian Ji appeared and praised her son's contributions, highlighting his role in uniting the tribes and reclaiming the City of Bladed Snow. She questioned how a powerless god like Ka Suo could rule, suggesting the commoners would not respect him. Ying Kong Shi quickly intervened, stating that his brother had played a part in the defeat of Huo Yi and was the rightful king.

The Ice King acknowledged Ying Kong Shi's merits but declared that Ka Suo needed rest due to his magical loss, entrusting Ying Kong Shi with the task of helping their tribe recover. Far away, Shuo Gang learned that the allied forces had withdrawn from the City of Bladed Snow, leaving its defenses weak and the Ice Veil unrepaired.

He prepared to launch another attack, believing Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi would not expect it while his father, the Fire King, was recuperating. However, Yan Da appeared and stopped him. She reminded Shuo Gang of Ying Kong Shi's formidable power with the God Devouring Sword, a power that even their father could not overcome.

Yan Da warned that a direct assault would be suicidal and suggested a more strategic approach: to infiltrate the City of Bladed Snow, discover Ying Kong Shi's weakness, and then, once the Fire King fully recovered, launch a decisive attack to annihilate the Ice Tribe. Shuo Gang agreed, entrusting Yan Da with the mission. Ka Suo grappled with immense suffering, tormented by the loss of his magic and the Sword Spirit's influence, which made him prone to violent outbursts.

He accidentally endangered some children, making him feel like a useless monster. Ying Kong Shi intervened, explaining to Ka Suo that the Sword Spirit was trapped in his body, unable to return to the God Devouring Sword. To console the frightened children, Ying Kong Shi playfully suggested Ka Suo was just playing a game, then engaged them in a magical display.

The children praised Ying Kong Shi as the hero who defeated Huo Yi, but he deflected their questions about who had stronger magic, insisting Ka Suo was superior. Li Luo observed Ka Suo from a distance, understanding his need for solitude in his vulnerable state. Lan Shang, however, found Ka Suo, who urged her to leave him alone, stating he was no longer a god but a monster.

Undeterred, Lan Shang passionately declared her enduring love for him, regardless of his status or power, confessing that she had searched for him ceaselessly across realms. She then impulsively kissed him. The Sword Spirit within Ka Suo abruptly took control, ordering him to kill the Mermaid Princess. As Ka Suo struggled, he saw Li Luo, who had witnessed the entire scene. Seeing her helped him regain a semblance of control. Distraught, Li Luo quietly departed, misunderstanding the situation.

Lan Shang, heartbroken, realized that Ka Suo's heart belonged to Li Luo, questioning how the future Ice King could love a mortal. Overwhelmed, Ka Suo privately wished he could forsake the throne and live a simple life as a mortal with the woman he loved. Ying Kong Shi, observing his brother's profound sadness, resolved to find a way to make Ka Suo happy.

In the Fire Cloud Cave, Yan Da reminisced about her past interactions with Ying Kong Shi, smiling to herself as she mused that she must still hold a place in his heart. Later, the Ice King discovered Ka Suo calling Li Luo's name in his sleep and questioned him about her identity. Ka Suo explained Li Luo was a realm guardian, a special mortal woman.

The Ice King then consulted with Ying Kong Shi, who elaborated on Li Luo's loyalty and crucial role in helping Ka Suo retrieve the Six-Leaf Crystal and the God Devouring Sword, which led to the liberation of the City of Bladed Snow. Despite the Ice Queen suggesting Li Luo should be rewarded for saving Ka Suo, the Ice King, fearing Ka Suo's deepening attachment to a mortal, immediately ordered Li Luo to be banished from the City of Bladed Snow.

He intended to announce Ka Suo as the future king at the upcoming celebratory feast, emphasizing that an Ice King could not be romantically involved with a mortal. Ying Kong Shi advised against an immediate banishment, pointing out Li Luo's contributions in the war and her good relationships with other tribe leaders. He argued that suddenly exiling her while the allied leaders were still guests would provoke rumors and damage the Ice Tribe's reputation.

Instead, he suggested publicly honoring Li Luo at the feast, then finding an appropriate excuse for her departure afterward. The Ice King agreed. He then instructed that Ka Suo should spend more time with Lan Shang, given his need for rest. Ying Kong Shi offered to take on the responsibility of entertaining Lan Shang himself, citing that Ka Suo was not in a good mood and his presence might only further upset the Mermaid Princess.

Lian Ji supported Ying Kong Shi's offer, mentioning that Lan Shang was her older sister's daughter, making them relatives and likely to get along well. The Ice King consented, cautioning against any missteps. Ying Kong Shi subsequently met with Lan Shang, who was disappointed to see him instead of Ka Suo, believing Ka Suo was deliberately avoiding her to be with Li Luo.

Ying Kong Shi dismissed her concerns, suggesting that women tend to overthink things and that Ka Suo could like both her and Li Luo, much like the Ice King had married Lian Ji despite being wed to the Ice Queen. He then playfully coerced her into dancing with him in the snow. Lian Ji watched them from a distance, acknowledging her son's excellence. A dark mist then enveloped Lian Ji, conjuring images of her youthful, carefree past.

A voice from the mist affirmed that she was the most beautiful princess of the Divine Realm, always surrounded by love, and destined for happiness greater than anyone else's. Ka Suo stood by a glacier, lost in sorrow, recalling teaching a young Ying Kong Shi magic. The Ice Queen observed him, her heart aching for her son. She questioned the Ice King about Ka Suo's cruel fate, lamenting that his life was now as fleeting as a mortal's.

She protested the Ice King's insistence that Ka Suo marry Lan Shang, knowing his son loved Li Luo. The Ice King, however, revealed a closely guarded secret passed down through generations of Ice Kings: only when a Mermaid Princess transforms into a human upon marrying an Ice King does she produce a Teardrop Charm. This charm holds the key to locating the mythical Divine Snow Mountain, which, in turn, offers hope for restoring Ka Suo's spiritual power.

The Ice King confessed that he too had been forced to marry Lian Ji in the past, breaking his vow of eternal love to the Ice Queen, at the behest of his own dying father, who sought to prolong his life through the Mermaid Tribe's ancestral magic. He urged the Ice Queen to find Ka Suo quickly, as time was running out.

Episode 20 Recap

The Ice King reflected on his marriage to Lian Ji, recalling how he had sought a Teardrop Charm from her. He explained that when a Mermaid Princess marries, she transforms into a human, and her first tear becomes a Teardrop Charm. Lian Ji, understanding she was married only for this purpose, felt a deep sense of betrayal and resentment towards him. The Ice King, feeling ashamed, stopped asking for the Teardrop Charm.

Later, the Ice King visited Lian Ji, who enthusiastically spoke of Ying Kong Shi's dedication, noting how he tirelessly worked on rebuilding the Ice Veil, assisting their tribesmen, and even caring for Princess Lan Shang. She observed that Shi had matured into a responsible prince and was now respected by those who once mocked his lack of magic.

The Ice King, acknowledging Ying Kong Shi's growth, stated his belief that Ka Suo would become the next Ice King, with Ying Kong Shi serving as his indispensable supporter. Displeased by the Ice King's apparent favoritism, Lian Ji secretly resolved to ensure Ying Kong Shi ascended the throne instead. The Sword Spirit's energy continued to lurk within Ka Suo, causing him immense suffering and repeated loss of control.

Ying Kong Shi arrived with the God Devouring Sword, using its power to subdue the evil spirits. Grandma Feng Tian, witnessing Ka Suo's torment, advised him against trying to negotiate with the ancient evil spirits. After being freed from the Sword Spirit's grasp, Ka Suo remained silent and departed, leaving Grandma Feng Tian worried. Ying Kong Shi reassured her, stating he understood his brother's desires and would help him. He promised she would soon see his plan unfold.

Ka Suo, burdened by the expectation to be King, internally confessed his desire for freedom, wishing to be like a sleet bird, unconstrained. He expressed that despite losing his spiritual powers and shortening his lifespan, he had found a different kind of freedom. Standing on a towering glacier, Ka Suo loudly declared his deepest wish: to be with Li Luo, to grow old and die together in the mortal realm. His messenger eagle carried this heartfelt message to Li Luo.

Upon hearing Ka Suo's wish, Li Luo became determined to find a way to restore his magic. Recalling that General Ke Tuo once said ancient spells might be found in the forbidden Ice Palace library, she decided to infiltrate it, intending to scour every book for a solution, despite it being a forbidden area even for the king. Following his acquisition of the God Devouring Sword, Ying Kong Shi's spiritual powers grew significantly.

Lian Ji observed his newfound strength, noting that he had become even more formidable than her. Ying Kong Shi himself expressed surprise at successfully mastering the morph spell on his first attempt to transform into Lan Shang, an ability not typically possessed by Ice Tribe gods. Lian Ji simply stated that a gifted god with powerful magic could transcend tribal limitations.

When Ying Kong Shi inquired if he could use this power to restore Ka Suo's magic, Lian Ji quickly dismissed the idea, calling it an impossible endeavor and a waste of energy. Meanwhile, Xing Jiu's Dream Source unexpectedly led him to the Seven Holy Alters. There, he encountered Lord Xuan Ta, Liu Yue, Wu Shen, Le Que, and Lord Zhan Xing, who revealed themselves as five heirs to the legendary Seven Saints.

They explained that Xing Jiu's Dream Source was, in fact, one of the ancient Holy Magic Cubes, making him the sixth heir. The Seven Saints’ primary mission was to select the successor to the Ice King. They believed that Ying Kong Shi must not be the Ice King of this generation. They informed Xing Jiu that Ka Suo was the sole heir and urged him to help ensure Ka Suo's ascension to the throne.

Xing Jiu, however, was skeptical, pointing out that only six of the seven saints were present. He scorned their attempt to impose a king, asserting that if their purpose was to choose a king, he already had his own answer, prioritizing Ka Suo's own choice. He then departed, leaving Lord Zhan Xing worried that Xing Jiu's refusal might alter Ka Suo's destiny.

Lord Zhan Xing remarked that the fate of the Ice Tribe and the three realms had been uncertain ever since Ying Kong Shi's birth and the mysterious disappearance of one of the Seven Saints, leaving them only able to prepare for the direst outcomes. Ying Kong Shi arrived at a prearranged meeting spot, where he was met not by Lan Shang, but by the Mermaid Saint.

She questioned his daily meetings with Lan Shang, reminding him that Lan Shang's rightful dance partner was Ka Suo, not him. The Mermaid Saint pressed Ying Kong Shi to honor his promise of making Lan Shang the Ice Queen. Ying Kong Shi, without elaborating on his methods, assured her he would fulfill his word. Later, Lian Ji sought out the Mermaid Saint, proposing a marriage between Ying Kong Shi and Lan Shang.

She expressed that it was the only way for the Mermaid Saint to be forgiven for making her marry the Ice King. The Mermaid Saint, however, saw through Lian Ji's true intentions, understanding that Lian Ji aimed to use this alliance with the Mermaid Tribe as a means to pressure the Ice King into naming Ying Kong Shi as his successor.

The Mermaid Saint openly expressed her disdain for Ying Kong Shi, deeming him cunning and evil, and believed Ka Suo was the rightful heir. She accused Lian Ji of persistent jealousy towards her older sister and her daughter, Lan Shang, and now saw her attempting to exploit Lan Shang for her own ambitions.

The Mermaid Saint subtly alluded to a shared secret known by herself, Lian Ji, and the Ice King, hinting at Ying Kong Shi's true parentage and warning Lian Ji against exposing it. Lian Ji, recalling how the Mermaid Saint had once interfered with her happiness, defiantly declared her resolve to elevate Ying Kong Shi to the status of the most esteemed king, ensuring neither the Mermaid Saint nor anyone else could ever disparage them again.

Yan Da, disguised in ice attire, embarked on a perilous mission to infiltrate the City of Bladed Snow. Her father warned her that the ice clothes would only last until dawn, necessitating her swift departure before the Ice Tribe discovered her presence. Yan Da assured him of her capability. Inside the city, Lian Ji approached Ying Kong Shi, claiming to have found a way to restore a god's spiritual power.

Ying Kong Shi, intrigued, was met with a condition: he must agree to become the Ice King. To Lian Ji's surprise, Ying Kong Shi readily accepted, revealing that he had always desired the throne. Bolstered by his unexpected agreement, Lian Ji expressed confidence that, by working together, they would achieve their goal, though she withheld the specific details of her plan until he was crowned king, instructing him to simply follow her guidance.

The Ice King sent Lan Shang a ceremonial dress and requested her to be Ka Suo's dance partner at the upcoming triumphal feast. Lan Shang, delighted, asked Ying Kong Shi to convey her acceptance. However, Ka Suo refused to wear the attire, admitting to Ying Kong Shi that while Lan Shang was a good person, he held no romantic feelings for her and had no desire to marry her.

To lift Ka Suo's spirits, Ying Kong Shi proposed a game of ice ball, reminding him of their childhood rules where the loser granted the winner a wish. As they played, Ka Suo playfully cheated. When asked for his prize, Ying Kong Shi requested Ka Suo's unwavering trust, a promise Ka Suo readily made. Ying Kong Shi then reserved his wish for a later time.

Suddenly, Ying Kong Shi sensed an anomaly and, under the pretext of saving a child, rushed away. He found Yan Da cornered by realm guardians outside the City of Bladed Snow. Ying Kong Shi swiftly rescued her and brought her back to his palace. Yan Da, emotionally vulnerable, confronted him, asking why he repeatedly saved her, even when she deliberately exposed herself to the guardians. She pressed him to define her place in his heart.

Ying Kong Shi coldly declared her an "enemy." When Yan Da expressed disbelief, he explained that he saved her out of a sense of obligation, having once betrayed her trust. Still unconvinced, Yan Da accused him of lying again. Ying Kong Shi then questioned her true purpose in the City of Bladed Snow, suspecting a Fire Tribe scheme. When Yan Da defiantly refused to reveal any further information, Ying Kong Shi used an illusion to render her unconscious.

In the forbidden library, Li Luo diligently searched through numerous ancient texts, including "History of the Ice Tribe," "Three Realms' Divine Commands," "Fate," and "Sprites and Demons." She grew frustrated, finding only ordinary books that seemed to offer no solution for Ka Suo's lost magic. Noticing a specific book was missing, she resolved to reread everything. After an entire night of fruitless searching, Li Luo felt increasingly anxious about Ka Suo's future.

Later, Ka Suo encountered Li Luo and, noticing her subdued mood, invited her to dance with him. Despite Li Luo's claim of not knowing how, Ka Suo tenderly taught her, and they began to dance gracefully by the city walls. As they moved, cherished memories of their past together resurfaced, bringing loving smiles to their faces. Oblivious to the growing crowd that had gathered to watch them, they reveled in the moment.

Lan Shang and the Mermaid Saint, arriving on the scene, witnessed Ka Suo and Li Luo dancing. Lan Shang, deeply hurt, immediately ran off. The Mermaid Saint, visibly concerned, questioned Ying Kong Shi about the unfolding scene, expressing her worry that Li Luo might jeopardize Lan Shang's marriage to Ka Suo.

Ying Kong Shi reassured her, stating that the dance would not affect Lan Shang becoming the Ice Queen and that his full plan would be revealed at the upcoming feast. Shortly after, an attendant informed Ka Suo that the celebratory feast was about to commence, and Li Luo confirmed her attendance as a realm guardian to receive her reward.

Episode 21 Recap

Waking up discarded outside the City of Bladed Snow, Yan Da felt a profound sense of betrayal by Ying Kong Shi, believing he held no value for their shared memories. Meanwhile, a celebratory feast was in full swing within the City of Bladed Snow. The Ice King expressed his gratitude to the tribal chiefs for their efforts in the War of Ice and Fire, which had brought peace to the Three Realms.

He announced his intention to declare his successor after the banquet, as his term would conclude the following year. As a token of his highest trust, the Ice King presented the five tribal chiefs with Ice Flowers, sacred gifts containing the blood of the promise-maker, which would cause death if the oath were ever broken. Ka Suo affirmed that all allies of the Ice Tribe deserved such esteemed treatment.

Ying Kong Shi then stepped forward, offering a gift of his own: the kindling left behind by the Fire Tribe in the City of Bladed Snow. He explained that upon discovering the first embers, he immediately deployed soldiers to search the entire city, successfully locating all the kindling and continuing the search for any remaining Fire Tribe spies. His foresight and thoroughness earned him widespread commendation, drawing the attention of many who had previously overlooked him.

When the Ice King offered him a reward, Ying Kong Shi boldly requested to be announced as the next Ice King. Ka Suo was taken aback, but considering his own loss of spiritual power, he thought Ying Kong Shi might indeed be the most suitable candidate. Observing the scene from afar, Shuo Gang, disguised in ice attire, witnessed Ying Kong Shi’s arguments.

Ying Kong Shi contended that Ka Suo, with his spiritual powers gone and a shortened lifespan, was unfit to rule. He highlighted the precarious state of the Ice Veil, which was slowly melting and might not last another year. In such a critical time, only he, with his mastery of the God Devouring Sword, possessed the strength to defend the Ice Tribe.

Lian Ji supported her son's claim, arguing that while Ka Suo was once the strongest, Ying Kong Shi was now more capable and thus the rightful heir. Some ministers echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Ka Suo's past sacrifice but emphasizing Ying Kong Shi's current strength and the tradition of the most capable ascending the throne. Ka Suo himself disheartenedly agreed to relinquish his claim.

Despite the growing support for Ying Kong Shi, the Ice King stood firm, postponing the announcement of his successor. Later, Shuo Gang found himself trapped in a mountain cave, held captive by a mysterious dark mist that had forcibly removed him from the City of Bladed Snow. The voice of his captor warned him that no one in the Three Realms, whether god, mortal, or sprite, could escape its control and threatened him against any further attempts to flee.

Shuo Gang, bewildered, wondered if his father, the Fire King, was testing him. The Mermaid Saintess visited the Ice King, seeking to understand his true intentions for the succession. She conveyed that while Lian Ji was her daughter by adoption, the Mermaid Tribe prioritized the greater good of the Three Realms.

She expressed her agreement with the Ice King’s ultimate decision but implied that Ying Kong Shi should not be King, hoping the Ice King would find a resolution that satisfied everyone. Meanwhile, the five assembled successors of the Seven Saints, with Bi Luo among them, urged the Ice King not to allow Ying Kong Shi to ascend.

They reminded him of an ancient omen foretelling harm to the Ice Tribe through Ying Kong Shi’s fate and demanded that Ka Suo be crowned King. The Ice King pledged to ensure Ka Suo’s ascension. The Mermaid Saintess then confronted Lian Ji, warning her that the Ice King had known for a long time that Ying Kong Shi was not his biological son. However, the Ice King remained unaware that Ying Kong Shi’s true father was the Fire King.

The Saintess used this secret to threaten Lian Ji, urging her to abandon her ambition for Ying Kong Shi to become King and to live quietly. Unmoved, Lian Ji dismissed the warning, remarking that her life's most foolish moment was letting the Saintess be her mother.

The Mermaid Saintess then revealed the Fire King (Huo Yi) had never loved Lian Ji, only using her to acquire the Teardrop Charm to find the entrance to the Divine Snow Mountain and the Hidden Lotus, with the ultimate goal of dominating the Three Realms. She warned that if Ying Kong Shi discovered his true identity and allied with the Fire King, the mortal, divine, and sprite realms would be plunged into chaos and destruction, including the Mermaid Tribe.

Lian Ji scoffed at these "myths," dismissing them as mere legends and declaring that she would control her own destiny, even if it meant the destruction of the Three Realms, as long as Ying Kong Shi became the Ice King. Enraged by Ying Kong Shi’s actions, Lan Shang confronted him, demanding he stop coveting Ka Suo’s throne. She argued that Ka Suo’s kindness and benevolence were essential kingly qualities, and she would never support a "heartless traitor" like him.

Ying Kong Shi countered that Ka Suo loved Li Luo, and Lan Shang, who was expected to be Ice Queen, should not interfere. He even offered to marry her himself if the Mermaid Tribe truly wished her to be Ice Queen. Lan Shang vehemently rejected this, stating she only wished to marry Ka Suo and live freely, not to be a queen. Ying Kong Shi then questioned if she had ever considered Ka Suo's feelings.

The Ice Queen pleaded with Ka Suo to fight for the throne, stressing that he was her only remaining child and had sacrificed so much. Ka Suo, feeling unfit to be King due to his lost spiritual powers and shortened lifespan, reiterated his belief that Ying Kong Shi was more suitable. The Ice King then appeared, supporting his wife's demand and threatening to banish Li Luo from the divine realm forever if Ka Suo again renounced his claim.

Ka Suo questioned their persistence, given his lack of spiritual power to lead, but neither parent would give a direct answer, only emphasizing the critical importance of his fight for the throne for the sake of the entire Ice Tribe. Ka Suo later sent a messenger eagle to Li Luo, asking her to meet him in the Forest of Snow and Fog.

He initially asked her to teach him how mortals fish, then confessed his desire to live as a commoner in the Mortal Realm, far from divine conflicts, believing his condition would only bring disappointment in the Divine Realm. He lamented that he could no longer use magic to create ice sculptures, and would have to learn how to fish to survive. Li Luo, shedding tears, readily agreed to join him, vowing not to let him face it alone.

She painted a picture of a peaceful life with him, filled with simple joys like drinking on the roof, flying kites, and fishing together. Moved by her unwavering devotion, Ka Suo retrieved a ring, preparing to propose to her. At that very moment, the sword spirit within Ka Suo sensed a scent of blood, instantly seizing control of his body. Li Luo, unable to stop him, was struck by Ka Suo’s powerful blow and fell into the river.

Ka Suo slowly regained consciousness, horrified by his actions. Qin Chu, who had witnessed the entire event, angrily took Li Luo away. Devastated, Ka Suo blamed himself, his resolve to propose once again shattered, feeling he no longer had the right to be with Li Luo. Ying Kong Shi discovered that Lian Ji had deliberately cut her hand to provoke the sword spirit in Ka Suo.

Enraged, he confronted his mother, warning her that if she ever attempted to harm Ka Suo again, he would abandon his pursuit of the Ice King’s throne. He then picked up Ka Suo’s dropped ring, strengthening his resolve to ensure his brother’s happiness. Meanwhile, in seclusion, the Fire King sensed an instability in the life fires of his sons. He summoned Yan Da to inquire about them.

Concerned for her father's health, Yan Da lied, claiming that Shuo Gang, who was actually lost, had hurt himself practicing magic in Fire Cloud Cave. The Fire King was relieved, expressing his anticipation of recovering his power soon, ensuring the Fire Tribe would never lose. Ka Suo later approached Ying Kong Shi, noticing his brother’s tense demeanor.

He gently urged Ying Kong Shi to accept the throne without feeling guilt, assuring him that in his heart, Ying Kong Shi was the best choice for King. He hoped that no matter their paths, their brotherly bond would remain unchanged. The Ice King subsequently announced that the successor would be decided by a competition between Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi.

As the first task, he challenged them to be the first to devise a method to repair the Ice Veil, which was crucial for defending against the Fire Tribe, given the loss of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal. Both brothers immediately stated they didn't need time, as they already knew the essential first step before the Ice Veil could be repaired: taking away the source of the holy fire.

Episode 22 Recap

Before the Ice Veil could be repaired, the Holy Fire Source, protected by the Fire King's unique spiderweb seal, needed to be removed. Although Ka Suo had previously attempted to approach it many times without success, he offered to try again, believing his lack of magic might make the source less resistant to him. However, it was Ying Kong Shi who impulsively approached and successfully removed the Holy Fire Source, proving his capabilities to everyone present.

This feat led to an increase in ministers advocating for his succession to the throne. With the Holy Fire Source removed, City of Bladed Snow finally experienced its first snowfall in a long time. While the Ice Veil had stopped melting, it still needed to be fully repaired. The Ice King revealed he could cultivate new Six-Leaf Ice Crystals from ice nuclei, and presented two such nuclei to Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi.

He declared that whoever could cultivate their ice nucleus into a Six-Leaf Ice Crystal sapling within ten days would become the next Ice King. He further specified that only a pure Ice Tribe royal could successfully nurture an ice nucleus with their blood. Lian Ji, Ying Kong Shi’s mother, observed the Ice King's announcement with suspicion, realizing he might already know of Ying Kong Shi's true parentage and was using this contest to secure Ka Suo's ascension to the throne.

Meanwhile, Qin Chu informed Li Luo that she and Ka Suo could not be together, emphasizing the insurmountable differences between a god and a mortal. He explained that the Realm Guardians were to return to the Mortal Realm in three days to help rebuild homes destroyed by the Fire Tribe. Li Luo, though unwilling, silently accepted this reality. She sent a messenger eagle to Ka Suo, hoping he would finish the words he left unsaid during their last encounter.

However, Ka Suo, still grappling with the uncontrollable sword spirits within him, chose to remain silent. He resolved to push Li Luo away, believing it was the only way for her to find happiness, even if it meant her hating him. Princess Lan Shang secretly decided to help Ka Suo by using her own blood to nurture his ice nucleus.

The Mermaid Saint discovered her and admonished her, reminding Lan Shang that Ka Suo’s lifespan was limited to a mere hundred years. She argued that Ying Kong Shi would inevitably become King, and the best course for the Mermaid Tribe was for Lan Shang to marry him.

However, Lan Shang remained steadfast in her devotion to Ka Suo, declaring that she would support him until he personally renounced the throne, even if it meant the Mermaid Tribe would have to sacrifice her. The Ice Queen sought out Xing Jiu, the Chief Dreamer, expressing her concern about Ying Kong Shi's sudden and immense increase in spiritual power.

She requested he use his Dream Tribe abilities to resolve her doubts about this mystery, cautioning him against carelessly looking into Prince Shi's future. Xing Jiu agreed to delve into the matter to satisfy her curiosity. In a prophetic dream, Xing Jiu saw Ka Suo standing on an island near the Lian Qiu Rock, a lonely Ice King amidst red ice spikes, uttering cryptic words: "The red lotuses will soon bloom. Binary stars will eventually meet.

The wheel of destiny has begun spinning. Please wait patiently." Ka Suo later woke Xing Jiu, inquiring if his mother had tried to influence him to support his claim to the throne. Xing Jiu observed Ka Suo's conflict between his parents' wishes for him to be king and his own belief that Ying Kong Shi was the better candidate. He urged Xing Jiu to make his own decision without external influence.

Xing Jiu then recounted the prophetic dream to Ka Suo, gifting him the dream in hopes that he could outpace destiny and find the answers to its enigmatic message. During this time, Ka Suo showed his ice nucleus to the Ice Queen, explaining that he had only dripped his blood on it, and it hadn't reacted. The Ice Queen, however, revealed a subtle growth, exclaiming that she knew he was the rightful King of the Ice Tribe.

In contrast, Ying Kong Shi's ice nucleus, when touched by his blood, immediately shattered, leaving him unable to cultivate it. The Ice King summoned Li Luo and shared the allegorical tale of a long-lived crane and a short-lived mayfly who fall in love. He explained that the mayfly's ephemeral life, though blissful, would condemn the crane to thousands of years of sorrow and loneliness after her inevitable death.

Li Luo understood his underlying message: her mortal lifespan would only bring unending pain to an immortal god like Ka Suo, and their difference in status meant they could never truly be together. She sadly acknowledged that if the mayfly had never loved the crane, such sorrow could be avoided. The Ice King then proposed to appoint Li Luo as the Realm Guardian General, succeeding General Ke Tuo, asking her to protect the Mortal Realm until her old age.

Li Luo, accepting her fate, obeyed his command. Later, Qin Chu visited a visibly upset Li Luo, offering her blood-boosting medicine and sharing the formula at her request for Yue Shen. Princess Lan Shang, determined to help Ka Suo, infiltrated Ying Kong Shi's palace with the intention of destroying his ice nucleus. Ying Kong Shi intervened, stopping her just in time.

When Lan Shang saw his ice nucleus, still unformed, she mockingly suggested that his blood might not be pure enough, boasting that Ka Suo's nucleus had already developed into an "ice nucleus baby" with just a single drop of blood. This sparked a deep doubt in Ying Kong Shi, reminding him of the Ice King's condition for pure Ice Tribe blood. He then questioned Lan Shang about her recovery after being bitten by a fire snake in the Mortal Realm.

Lan Shang recalled experiencing burning pain before drinking something that made the pain subside. Ying Kong Shi began to suspect his own lineage, wondering if it was his blood or Yan Da's that had healed Lan Shang, and whether he carried Fire Tribe blood. Lian Ji, already distraught over Ying Kong Shi's inability to cultivate his ice nucleus, was confronted by a suspicious Ying Kong Shi.

He directly questioned if he was truly an Ice Prince, citing his lifelong struggle with Ice Tribe magic and the exponential increase in his powers when facing members of the Fire Tribe. Lian Ji vehemently denied his doubts, insisting he was a true Ice Prince, attributing his difficulties to being a "late bloomer" in magic.

Episode 23 Recap

Li Luo discovers a black-clothed figure attempting to destroy Ka Suo's Ice Nucleus and gives chase. Ka Suo, noticing Li Luo's injury, stops her from pursuing, allowing the assailant to escape. Ka Suo dispatches soldiers to search the area. As the soldiers conduct their search, they encounter Lian Ji, who, having been the assailant in disguise, dismisses them by claiming she saw no one.

Lian Ji then muses to herself that destroying the Ice Nucleus is merely a temporary setback for Ka Suo, and the only permanent solution is to kill him. Ka Suo avoids Li Luo, feeling responsible for injuring her with the Sword Spirit. Li Luo, however, assures him it was the Sword Spirit's doing, not his fault.

She then informs Ka Suo that she is returning to the Mortal Realm, fabricating a story that the Ice King has assigned Realm Guardians to assist with repairs after the Fire Tribe's destruction, and that she will be back soon. Li Luo presents Ka Suo with medicine from the Mortal Realm to nourish his Ice Nucleus, which requires his blood for cultivation.

She implores him to take good care of himself and to promise he will never hide from her, to which Ka Suo agrees. Xing Jiu requests an update from Xing Gui on her investigation into various magical forms. Xing Gui demonstrates the magic of the Ice Tribe, Fire Tribe, Mortal Realm, and Sprite Land.

Xing Jiu identifies a specific type of magic that strikingly resembles the one he's investigating, which Xing Gui explains belongs to the long-vanished Ice-Flame Tribe, as recorded in an ancient book. Xing Jiu expresses his doubt and distress, noting that the tribe disappeared over 10,000 years ago, making it seemingly impossible for anyone to use such magic now. He desperately hopes he is mistaken, as the magic strongly resembles that used by Ying Kong Shi.

The Ice Queen praises Li Luo for providing medicinal herbs, calling her a loyal subject. Ka Suo corrects his mother, stating he regards Li Luo as a good friend. The Ice Queen then acknowledges Ka Suo's feelings for Li Luo but cautions him about their disparate statuses, emphasizing that they are from different worlds and their relationship cannot last for a lifetime.

She finds a forgotten pouch that Li Luo had left behind, which Ka Suo recognizes as a gift he had given her. Despite his mother's warnings of a tragic end, Ka Suo resolves to leave the City of Bladed Snow to find Li Luo, expressing his desire to experience their beautiful moments together, even if temporary.

As Li Luo and the other realm guardians prepare to depart for the Mortal Realm, Li Luo becomes distressed over her missing unicorn, Snow Goose. Qin Chu, exasperated, dismisses her concern. Suddenly, Ka Suo arrives riding Snow Goose, bringing the forgotten pouch. He announces his intention to accompany Li Luo to the Mortal Realm, much to her surprise and Qin Chu's clear annoyance.

In the Mortal Realm, Ka Suo attempts to sell divine fish he brought from the City of Bladed Snow. His sales pitch, highlighting the fish's longevity, proves ineffective as mortals typically buy fish for consumption. Li Luo, observing his struggles, ingeniously prepares sashimi from the divine fish. This dish becomes an instant success, bringing in significant earnings. With the money, Ka Suo buys a bouquet of mortal flowers for Li Luo.

As the time for his return to the Divine Realm before sunrise approaches, Ka Suo shares a tender sentiment, expressing that even if their separation is long, this day will be his reason to patiently await her return. They then share a reluctant farewell. Ying Kong Shi, frustrated by his repeated failures to cultivate an Ice Nucleus, observes fire magic. Following its traces, he discovers Shuo Gang trapped in a cave, attempting to send messages for rescue.

Shuo Gang begs Ying Kong Shi for assistance, offering to persuade his father, the Fire King, to temporarily cease attacks on the Ice Tribe. Ying Kong Shi dismisses the offer, then agrees to release Shuo Gang on the condition that Shuo Gang teaches him Fire Tribe magic. Shuo Gang initially refuses, arguing that as an Ice Prince, Ying Kong Shi cannot learn fire magic.

However, Ying Kong Shi insists that his ability to learn is his own concern, compelling a desperate Shuo Gang to agree in exchange for immediate release. After successfully learning Fire Tribe magic from Shuo Gang, Ying Kong Shi is distraught. He confronts the painful realization that the blood flowing through his veins is of the Fire Tribe, not the Ice Tribe, which explains his inability to cultivate an Ice Nucleus. Overwhelmed by this discovery, he breaks down in tears.

As Ka Suo and Li Luo prepare to part ways, a sinister black fog suddenly envelops Ka Suo and snatches him away. Li Luo, along with the other realm guardians, frantically searches for him and eventually finds him critically injured by a river. Li Luo rushes Ka Suo back to the City of Bladed Snow.

The Ice Queen, distraught, voices her suspicion that an internal enemy within the Ice Tribe is trying to kill Ka Suo, just as they had killed her other children. Upon learning that Ka Suo's presence in the Mortal Realm was solely due to Li Luo, the Ice King and Queen immediately banish Li Luo from the City of Bladed Snow.

Ka Suo, awake and recovering, protests, asserting that the attack was caused by a mysterious fog following him and was not Li Luo's fault. However, the Ice Queen and Ice King remain unswayed, with the Ice King insisting Ka Suo focus on recovery and not think of Li Luo. Li Luo kneels before the gates of the City of Bladed Snow, refusing to leave and vowing to remain until the Ice King forgives her for failing to protect Ka Suo.

Qin Chu attempts to comfort her and force her to accept a blanket, but Li Luo stubbornly refuses. Ying Kong Shi approaches, informing her that Ka Suo is awake and being treated by Huang Tuo, and urges her to get up. However, Li Luo remains steadfast. Ying Kong Shi then delivers the Ice King's decree: Li Luo is to be stationed at the desolate North Forbidden Land starting tomorrow, as punishment for failing her duty as a realm guardian.

Ka Suo, delirious in bed, repeatedly calls out Li Luo's name. Lan Shang visits him, having begged the Ice King and Queen for permission. Observing Ka Suo's distress, she reveals that the Ice King has ordered Li Luo to be stationed at the North Forbidden Land, a place where even gods struggle to survive. Realizing the grave danger, Ka Suo attempts to get up to plead for Li Luo but collapses.

He implores Huang Tuo to heal him quickly so he can see his father. Distressed by Ka Suo's agony, Lan Shang decides to help Li Luo. She attempts to seek an audience with the Ice King and Queen late at night but is turned away by guards.

The Mermaid Saint, witnessing this, chastises Lan Shang, reminding her that Li Luo is her rival and that she should focus on winning Ka Suo's heart, especially with "heaven's help" removing her competition, rather than aiding her. Lan Shang, however, expresses admiration for Li Luo's sacrifices for Ka Suo and her own inability to stand by while Li Luo faces death.

Thanks to Huang Tuo's treatment, Ka Suo regains the ability to stand, though Huang Tuo warns him that his injury is not fully healed. Ka Suo immediately proceeds to the palace to plead for Li Luo. Huang Tuo, joined by Yue Shen, laments Ka Suo's inability to be with Li Luo, with Yue Shen stating that they can at least ensure Li Luo's happiness.

Inside the palace, Ka Suo confronts his father, begging him to forgive Li Luo and revoke the order sending her to the North Forbidden Land, explaining that it is a death sentence for a mere mortal girl. The Ice King and the Seven Sages stand firm, stating that this is a joint decision made for the future of the Ice Tribe.

Ka Suo passionately argues that they are betraying Li Luo's past sacrifices for the Ice Tribe, comparing their current cruelty to the Fire Tribe. Enraged, the Ice King uses his magic to forcibly restrain Ka Suo, imprisoning him. The Sages attempt to console the Ice King, assuring him that Ka Suo will eventually understand this decision was made for his own good and for the Ice Tribe's. The Ice King sighs, hoping for his son's understanding.

Episode 24 Recap

Li Luo prepared to depart for the North Forbidden Land, apologizing to Snow Goose that she could not bring him along. Qin Chu arrived, questioning her decision to go alone, emphasizing the North Forbidden Land's extreme danger as a "graveyard of the Divine Realm."

Li Luo explained that Snow Goose deserved freedom in meadows, not the peril of the North Forbidden Land, and asked Qin Chu to take good care of him, urging Snow Goose to behave and wait for her return. Qin Chu acknowledged the loyalty of unicorns but ultimately trusted Snow Goose's spirit to be with her, promising to wait for them both to return.

Yue Shen, Huang Tuo, Xing Jiu, Princess Chao Ya, and Pian Feng, along with other friends, arrived to bid Li Luo farewell. Huang Tuo presented her with the Healer Tribe's Hundred Spirit Powder for any illness, while Xing Jiu offered a protective cloak from the Dream Tribe. Princess Chao Ya and Pian Feng jointly gave her an Encyclopedia of the Divine Realm, a magical book that answers questions when asked.

Liao Jian contributed by roasting meat and preparing alcohol, inviting everyone to celebrate. Li Luo thanked her friends, expressing that she would never forget this night. Yue Shen then offered Li Luo a gift: a promise to fulfill any wish she has not yet realized. Li Luo revealed her deepest wish is for Ka Suo's well-being, admitting she felt she hadn't properly cared for her King.

Both Li Luo and Yue Shen shared a premonition about a mysterious power aiming to harm Ka Suo and that the same force might have been responsible for stealing Ka Suo's magic and killing the fifth Fire Prince, Xin Jue. Li Luo was then reminded of a past memory during the Ice-Fire War where she witnessed a figure meeting with the Fire King.

She described this enigmatic power to Yue Shen as both "friendly yet threatening," constantly lurking near Ka Suo, though she could not pinpoint its source. Ka Suo, still under the Ice King's prohibition spell, was visited by Ying Kong Shi.

Despite guards warning him that no one was allowed near Ka Suo by royal decree, Ying Kong Shi forcefully broke the spell, telling his brother he knew Li Luo was about to depart and asking if Ka Suo wanted to see her one last time. He then urged Ka Suo to leave quickly. Ka Suo found Li Luo who was already bidding him a silent farewell from a distance, wishing him well and expressing her sorrow.

He called out her name and pursued her across the snowy landscape. When he finally caught her, Li Luo immediately urged him to return, fearing the punishment he would face for breaking the Ice King’s spell for her. As they struggled, they tumbled into the snow, their shared past flashing through their minds. Amidst the falling snow, Ka Suo passionately kissed her. In a grove of plum trees, they shared their deepest feelings.

Ka Suo shared a childhood dream of stopping time to preserve beautiful moments, to which Li Luo responded that such memories can also be cherished in their hearts. Li Luo stated she would depart for the North Forbidden Land at daybreak and wished Ka Suo happiness with Princess Lan Shang. Ka Suo immediately forbade her from speaking such words, reaffirming his deep love for her since their first meeting.

Li Luo expressed her concern about their differing statuses, him a divine prince and future King, and her a mere mortal. Ka Suo, however, saw his lost magic as a gift, allowing him to be a mortal like her. He then expressed his desire to accompany her to the North Forbidden Land. Li Luo refused, not wanting both him and Ying Kong Shi to be accused of betraying the Ice Tribe.

She promised to return swiftly after completing her task for the King and to help him regain his spiritual power, asking him to wait. Ka Suo passionately insisted she must return. After a final, lingering kiss, they reluctantly parted ways as dawn approached. At daybreak, Li Luo embarked on her journey to the North Forbidden Land, leaving Ka Suo behind in his sleep.

Unknown to many, her exile was not a punishment but a secret mission given by the Ice King and Queen. They revealed to her that the North Forbidden Land is where gods who have violated laws are exiled, including the most knowledgeable god of the Ice Tribe, She Yin. The Ice King explained that She Yin knew the most secretive Ice Tribe magic and thus likely possessed the knowledge to restore Ka Suo's spiritual power.

Li Luo's mission was to find She Yin and implore him to share this method. She inwardly vowed to complete this task and help Ka Suo regain his power, promising him she would return. Upon his return to the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo found the Ice Queen waiting for him all night and expressed his apologies. Meanwhile, Ying Kong Shi was confined in a massive ice prison for releasing Ka Suo.

He confronted his father, the Ice King, questioning when he would be freed and denying any wrongdoing. Ying Kong Shi accused his parents of depriving him and Ka Suo of their freedom, asserting that he was not Ka Suo and would not be coerced. The Ice King countered that Ying Kong Shi's very existence was a betrayal to him and the Ice Tribe, even regretting allowing him to stay in the City of Bladed Snow.

Fueled by anger, Ying Kong Shi shattered the ice prison with a powerful magical burst. As the Ice King prepared to retaliate, Ka Suo swiftly intervened, shielding Ying Kong Shi and taking responsibility for everything. As punishment, Ka Suo was then confined in an ice cell. Ying Kong Shi was visibly upset. He asked Ka Suo if he would still consider him a brother if he were no longer Ying Kong Shi.

Ka Suo reminded him of a time when Ying Kong Shi was possessed by sword spirits, asking if he treated him as a brother then. Ying Kong Shi confirmed he did, and Ka Suo then reassured him, declaring that no matter what transpires, Ying Kong Shi would always remain his brother.

Moved by this, Ying Kong Shi silently resolved that he would not allow the City of Bladed Snow to constrain Ka Suo any longer, vowing to achieve what he wished to give his brother. Princess Lan Shang went to visit Ka Suo but encountered Ying Kong Shi instead. She confronted him, accusing him of trying to usurp the throne from Ka Suo and take everything he possessed.

Ying Kong Shi implied she may have to marry him, someone she finds "annoying," which she vehemently rejected. Lan Shang, deeply hurt, asked why he was behaving this way. Ying Kong Shi bluntly told her that Ka Suo did not like her. Tearfully, Lan Shang asked why she was denied the freedom to love Ka Suo when Ka Suo was free to love whomever he chooses, leaving Ying Kong Shi visibly unsettled.

Despite his internal conflict, he believed he must create obstacles for Lan Shang to clear the path for Ka Suo and Li Luo. Lian Ji continued to monitor Ying Kong Shi's undeveloped Ice Nucleus, attributing its stagnation to a mere "problem" and concealing his true identity. She urged him to prepare for the throne, having "bet her whole life of honor" on him.

When Ying Kong Shi reiterated his lack of desire to be King, Lian Ji threatened that he would never discover the method to restore Ka Suo's spiritual power if he refused. Driven to his limit, Ying Kong Shi then unleashed a powerful Fire Tribe magic in front of Lian Ji, revealing he had known for a while.

He declared himself a god of the Fire Tribe, acknowledging he was not the Ice King's son, and now understood why his father and siblings always treated him with disdain. He refused to be forced into the Ice King's position or to be a "fool of himself" any longer, declaring an end to her schemes. Lian Ji watched, stunned and dismayed by his revelation and the abandonment of her meticulously planned ambitions.

Lian Ji's mind drifted back to her past, recalling her passionate love for the Fire King, Huo Yi. She remembered telling Huo Yi that they could no longer see each other as the Mermaid Saint had accepted a marriage proposal from the Ice Prince Lin Chao on her behalf. Huo Yi vehemently declared her his own, insisting Lin Chao was not worthy of her.

In a moment of intense emotion, she transformed her mermaid tail into legs and conceived Ying Kong Shi with him. Her joy was short-lived, however, as Huo Yi vanished without a trace, leaving her heartbroken and abandoned. She called out his name in her memory, ultimately expressing her profound hatred for him for his sudden disappearance.

Episode 25 Recap

Yan Da searched frantically for Shuo Gang, only to be ridiculed by the other Fire Princes, who called her useless and suggested she stay in her room to learn embroidery. Just as they threatened to leave the Ten-layered Tower themselves, the Fire King arrived. He was already ill and became furious upon hearing of Shuo Gang's disappearance, spitting blood. Yan Da confessed that Shuo Gang was swallowed by a mysterious black fog while exploring the City of Bladed Snow.

The Fire King revealed his illness was worse than expected and he wouldn't regain his original power soon. He then explained that the Ash Lanterns, which protected the Fire Realm, required all nine of his children's power. With Xin Jue already gone and now Shuo Gang missing for half a month, the Ash Lanterns were unstable, leaving the City of Ashes vulnerable to invasion. He sternly ordered Yan Da to find Shuo Gang immediately.

Meanwhile, Ka Suo's Ice Nucleus continued to grow larger. Lan Shang, wanting to help alleviate Ka Suo's worries, attempted to feed it her Mermaid blood, hoping it might prefer it to Ice Tribe blood. However, the Ice Nucleus bit her, rejecting her blood. Ka Suo, touched by her efforts, started to express his true feelings to her, but Lan Shang cut him off, saying she didn't want to hear any apologies.

She then suggested they take the Ice Nucleus out for a walk, explaining that a good mood helps things grow faster, just like her seaweed. Yue Shen, who was secretly protecting Ka Suo at Li Luo's request, was approached by Liao Jian. Liao Jian revealed he was also protecting Ka Suo, having been ordered by the Ice King due to the Bear Tribe's loyalty. Liao Jian then brought Yue Shen to meet the Ice King.

There, Yue Shen disclosed that before the Fire and Ice War, Li Luo had overheard an Ice Tribe spy colluding with the Fire King near the Endless Sea, discussing the weaknesses of the Ice Princes and Princesses' magic. The Ice King and his ministers were horrified, finally understanding why their powerful magic combination had failed. They vowed to find and punish the traitor.

However, Yue Shen added that Li Luo had been injured and couldn't see the spy's face, leaving them without a lead. Xing Jiu, the Chief Dreamer, offered a solution, proposing to use Li Luo's dream to revisit that crucial memory. Separately, Lian Ji lured several Ice Tribe children into the Forest of Snow and Fog, instructing them on where to go. She then menacingly stated that they "deserved to die" and should not blame her for their fate.

In Li Luo's dream, Xing Jiu appeared, explaining his ability to enter dreams. He took her to a dream of past memories, specifically the scene where she witnessed the betrayal. While reliving the memory, Li Luo again couldn't clearly see the spy's face. Xing Jiu explained that while he could not alter past events in a dream, he observed that the traitor had used her unique magic to shatter a stone during the encounter.

He took a piece of this stone, believing that by finding someone in the City of Bladed Snow who could break a rock in the same specific manner, they could identify the spy. Li Luo understood and told him to take care as she woke up. Continuing her search for She Yin in the desolate North Forbidden Land, she was attacked by a violent sandstorm and fell into a sand abyss.

Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Lan Shang, still determined to help Ka Suo, secretly entered his room. She continued her efforts to coax the mischievous Ice Nucleus, which kept evading her playfully. Under their combined care, the Ice Nucleus steadily grew. The deadline for the Ice Nucleus competition arrived. Ka Suo presented his Ice Nucleus, which had successfully developed one horn, much to the Ice King and Queen's delight.

When it was Ying Kong Shi's turn, his Ice Nucleus initially showed no signs of growth, causing tension. However, Lian Ji dramatically urged the King to look closer, and to everyone's astonishment, Ying Kong Shi's Ice Nucleus suddenly opened its eyes, sprouted two horns, and began actively pulsating. Lian Ji was responsible for this dramatic growth, having secretly killed five young men from the Forest of Snow and Fog and used their blood to nurture the Ice Nucleus.

News of the five male corpses spread throughout the City of Bladed Snow, causing widespread panic among the citizens who feared another Fire Tribe attack. They urgently petitioned the Ice King to swiftly name a successor. Under immense pressure, the Ice King announced that Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi would compete in a duel the following day, with the victor claiming the throne.

Ying Kong Shi confronted Lian Ji, questioning how his Ice Nucleus suddenly grew and what happened to the deceased young men. Lian Ji evaded his questions, assuring him that whatever she did was for his benefit and he only needed to focus on the competition. She reminded him of their promise: if he defeated Ka Suo and became King, she would reveal the method for Ka Suo to regain his spiritual power.

She stressed that if he failed, Ka Suo would live and die like a mortal. Despite his deep mistrust of his mother, Ying Kong Shi agreed for Ka Suo's sake. Lian Ji, in a private moment, reflected on enduring her whole life for this day, willing to pay any price for killing a god and having no regrets.

The Seven Saints approached the Ice King, questioning how Ying Kong Shi, who supposedly did not possess Ice Tribe blood, could have raised an Ice Nucleus. They expressed their concern that if Ying Kong Shi were to win the duel, they would invoke their authority, bestowed by Ancestor She Mi, to override the King's decision and destroy any successor deemed unfit for the throne.

Lan Shang desperately sought out Lian Ji, pleading with her to cancel the duel between Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi. She pointed out that Ka Suo had lost his spiritual power, making the fight inherently unfair and risking him further injury. Lian Ji scoffed, stating that Ying Kong Shi's capabilities now far surpassed Ka Suo's, making his claim to the throne a natural one. She arrogantly suggested Ka Suo admit defeat to avoid embarrassment.

The Mermaid Saint later advised Lan Shang that Ka Suo's true adversary was not Ying Kong Shi or Lian Ji, but himself. Only by conquering his inner demons and self-doubt could he truly win and prove himself worthy of kingship; otherwise, even she would have no choice but to support Ying Kong Shi. Xing Jiu met with Ka Suo and updated him on Li Luo's journey.

Ka Suo, with a profound understanding of Li Luo's heart, felt no need for a message, acknowledging their deep, unspoken connection. Ka Suo then shifted the conversation to the succession, stating his belief that Ying Kong Shi would make a good King, though he knew not everyone shared his view. He revealed that he was now focused on the mysterious black fog that had attacked him, believing it to be the true enemy and his destiny to confront.

However, he admitted he still couldn't control the sword spirit within his body. Xing Jiu suggested that Ying Kong Shi's God Devouring Sword might be able to suppress the sword spirits, and together they set off to find Ying Kong Shi. Xuan Ta, one of the Seven Saints, arrived at Ying Kong Shi's Illusion Sky with a group of soldiers, demanding he hand over the God Devouring Sword to ensure a fair duel with Ka Suo.

Ying Kong Shi scornfully refused, challenging them to take it if they could and letting the uncontrollable sword attack them. He stated he would not help them and blamed whoever ordered them to retrieve the sword for their impending demise, accusing that person of using sly tricks to defeat him. Just then, Ka Suo and Xing Jiu arrived. The out-of-control God Devouring Sword unexpectedly plunged into Ka Suo's body.

To everyone's astonishment, instead of harming him, the sword instead suppressed the tumultuous sword spirits within Ka Suo. Back at the palace, the Ice King confronted the Ice Queen, having discovered that she was the one who ordered Xuan Ta to retrieve the God Devouring Sword. A heated argument erupted between the Ice Queen and Lian Ji. Lian Ji accused the Ice Queen of using underhanded tactics, which would only bring shame to Ka Suo.

The Ice Queen retorted that Ying Kong Shi would not be where he was without Ka Suo's past sacrifices, to which Lian Ji fiercely countered that without Ying Kong Shi, the entire Ice Tribe would have been long destroyed by the Fire Tribe. Seeking a truly fair resolution amidst the discord, the Ice King declared that the succession would not be decided by a simple duel.

He announced that he had invited all the Tribe Chiefs to participate, explaining that the next Ice King required not only strength and intelligence but also the respect and loyalty of the various tribes. Therefore, Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi would each form a team with the tribes willing to follow them, and the ultimate victor would be determined through a team-based competition.

Lian Ji immediately objected, expressing concern that some tribes might purposefully join a team only to lose, thereby manipulating the outcome. The Ice Queen accused Lian Ji of having manipulative thoughts. Xing Jiu intervened, proposing his "Mirror of Truth" to ensure that each Tribe Chief's choice of allegiance would be genuine and fair.

Episode 26 Recap

Li Luo finds herself trapped in an underground palace after falling into a sand abyss. She wakes to discover she is bound by a Divine Rope. A white-haired man emerges, whose face bears the mark of degradation. Li Luo recognizes him as the Demon She Yin, recalling a previous warning that she would identify him by this sign, as he now considers himself a demon, not a god.

She Yin tells her that not even a god can escape the Divine Rope, much less a mortal like her. Li Luo immediately asks him how a god can regain spiritual powers. She Yin confirms he knows the answer but refuses to tell her. He then mockingly asks if she knows what kind of gods are imprisoned in the North Forbidden Land, noting they are those who violated laws.

He admits to violating the law by killing and torturing people, threatening to fatten her up and torture her slowly. News of the Mirror of Truth, a lost Dream Tribe treasure, spreads. It is a magical mirror that compels anyone who places their hand on it to reveal their deepest feelings without lying.

The Ice King states that the choice of the Ice Tribe's King now rests with the people of the Three Realms, making the Mirror of Truth crucial for a fair selection. Ka Suo confirms his only purpose for being King is for the Ice King to keep a promise. Princess Lan Shang later arrives at Xing Jiu's residence, ostensibly to deliver a secret Mermaid Tribe beauty formula to Xing Gui.

However, her true intention is to see the Mirror of Truth. Xing Jiu allows her to approach the mirror. When Lan Shang places her hand on it, the mirror exposes her. It reveals she stole the beauty formula from her grandmother, the Mermaid Saint, and initially planned to use it to gain favor with the Ice Queen to promote herself to Ka Suo.

Upon learning of the Mirror of Truth, she changed her plan, intending to bribe Xing Jiu by giving the formula to Xing Gui and to gather information for Ka Suo. Lan Shang, embarrassed, begs the mirror not to reveal her thievery to the Mermaid Saint or the Ice Queen. Xing Jiu reassures her, noting that her lies were transparent and her heart is kind; her actions were only driven by her concern for Ka Suo.

Lan Shang then admits her deeper concern: whether Ka Suo would think she was scary if he knew she tried to bribe Xing Jiu. Xing Jiu confirms her motives are solely for Ka Suo, concluding that the Mirror of Truth is indeed impartial. Lan Shang hopes that everyone will support Ka Suo, as he is a good prince.

Feng Tian Po Po visits Ka Suo and views a prophetic dream from Xing Jiu, which foretells the blooming of red lotuses, the meeting of binary stars, and the spinning of the wheel of destiny. She expresses her deep concern for Ka Suo's future. Outside Ka Suo's door, Feng Tian Po Po encounters Yue Shen acting suspiciously and questions her intentions. Huang Tuo quickly intervenes, explaining that Yue Shen is merely fulfilling Li Luo's request to secretly protect Ka Suo.

Yue Shen expresses annoyance at Huang Tuo's unsolicited help, asking why he interfered. Huang Tuo replies he feared she might get impatient and start a fight if Feng Tian Po Po became suspicious. Yue Shen retorts, contrasting the trust given to the Chief of the Healer Tribe with the stereotype of a "Li Healer" being rash and reckless.

Feng Tian Po Po observes the exchange and, sensing Huang Tuo's hidden feelings for Yue Shen, directly asks him if he likes the "cold Yue Shen." She suggests his current approach is futile, advising him that women are not attracted to men who are always kind and protective, but rather to those who oppose them. Huang Tuo expresses confusion about this notion.

Feng Tian Po Po clarifies that as a female god, her preferences might differ from mortal women, but since Yue Shen is a woman, if he likes her, he should oppose her. When Huang Tuo hesitates, fearing he cannot win against Yue Shen or wanting to fight her, Feng Tian Po Po cryptically suggests he should wait for someone else to oppose Yue Shen and then match up with her.

Realizing she is a mortal and not a god, Li Luo uses this to her advantage. She manages to break free from the Divine Rope by rubbing it against a stone, as the rope is designed only to bind gods. Upon escaping, she finds She Yin obsessively trying to open a seal on a stone coffin. The seal is actively corroding his body, but he disregards the pain, persistently reaching for the coffin.

Li Luo, witnessing his struggle and the danger from the seal, shouts a warning for him to be careful. The selection of supporters for the impending competition begins using the Mirror of Truth. The Ice King declares that participants must join Ka Suo's or Ying Kong Shi's team unconditionally once the mirror reveals their true support. Xing Jiu, as the Chief Dreamer and guardian of the relic, states he will not participate to ensure fairness.

Yue Shen steps forward first, declaring her support for Prince Ka Suo, and the mirror confirms she did not lie. Huang Tuo is next. The mirror reveals his indecisiveness, noting his awareness of Yue Shen's support for Ka Suo and his intention to oppose her by choosing Ying Kong Shi to catch her attention. It also highlights his concern for Ka Suo's health as a healer and his desire to care for him, creating his hesitation.

Huang Tuo, interrupted, quickly declares his support for Ying Kong Shi, apologizing to Ka Suo, who acknowledges his understanding. Huang Tuo then attempts to speak to Yue Shen, but she remains distant. Liao Jian, King of the Bear Tribe, chooses Prince Ying Kong Shi, explaining that an Ice King should be capable of killing enemies and protecting his people. He praises Ying Kong Shi's magic, contributions in the War of Fire and Ice, and courage in challenging Ka Suo.

The mirror confirms he did not lie. Chao Ya, Queen of the Sprite Lands, also declares support for Ying Kong Shi. However, the mirror states she lied, revealing that while she admires Ka Suo, she will follow her future husband, Liao Jian, and thus his decision. Chao Ya argues that her sincere support for Liao Jian's choice means she sincerely supports Prince Shi, and the mirror accepts this, confirming she did not lie.

Ying Kong Shi accepts her into his team. Pian Feng, the Chief Bodyguard of the Sprite Lands, then steps forward. Despite an official's prediction he would follow Chao Ya and support Ying Kong Shi, Pian Feng declares his support for Prince Ka Suo. He explains that although he likes Chao Ya, she chose to follow Liao Jian, and by supporting Ka Suo, he hopes to fulfill what he perceives as her true inner desires.

He states he will fight for Ka Suo until the end. The mirror confirms he did not lie. With Ka Suo's team still small, Xuan Ta volunteers to join. However, the mirror declares he lied, stating his loyalty is only to the Ice Tribe and the mission inherited from Ancestor She Mi, not directly to Ka Suo, and thus he cannot participate.

Just as officials press the Ice King to finalize the competition arrangements due to Ka Suo's lack of supporters, Princess Lan Shang arrives. She declares her intention to join the competition, representing the Mermaid Tribe. The Ice King questions her ability to walk on land, but Lan Shang challenges him, asking if she lacks the right. The Ice King confirms her right as a mermaid princess.

Lan Shang then states to the Mirror of Truth that she supports Ka Suo, and the mirror confirms her sincerity, declaring she did not lie. Lan Shang expresses joy at being on Ka Suo's team and confidence in their ability to win if they work hard.

The Ice King then announces that the competition for King will take place in ten days, with the specific content to be decided by the citizens of the City of Bladed Snow and revealed on the day of the contest. Li Luo attempts to reason with She Yin, offering to apply medicine to his wounds if he releases her, acknowledging she cannot defeat him.

She Yin retorts that he is no longer a god, but a demon—neither god nor human—and will not be swayed by flattery. Li Luo questions his obsession with the stone coffin and suggests a game of wits: if she makes a correct guess, he must answer one of her questions. She Yin, asserting his superior intelligence, agrees. Li Luo's guess is that he won't kill her.

She Yin challenges her confidence, stating that admitting she's right would imply he wouldn't kill her, while admitting she's wrong would mean he would, and in either case, he wouldn't release her easily. Li Luo then presents her evidence: despite his claims of eating human flesh and being a killer, his body smells of herbs and grasses, leading her to conclude he hasn't eaten meat or killed anyone in centuries.

Her deduction is that he is merely feigning a fierce demeanor and will not harm her. Exposed, She Yin angrily retreats, and a voice from within him mocks him, calling him a crippled god and unworthy. Ka Suo, still hindered by the sword spirit and unable to use his divine powers, receives an update via a Messenger Owl from Lan Shang. Lan Shang's recorded message explains she found the owl and sent it back with food and a report.

She informs Ka Suo that she, Pian Feng, and Yue Shen have been training intensely day and night for the competition, which is now nine days away. She assures him not to worry, expressing confidence that they might win, and promising to unleash a "grand attack" to prove her capabilities.

Ka Suo, however, is preoccupied with concern for Li Luo, wondering why the owl returned and if something happened to her, and also increasingly hating his own incompetence due to his helplessness. Meanwhile, Yue Shen and Pian Feng continue their rigorous training.

Pian Feng acknowledges Yue Shen's exceptional abilities and points out that since the Ice Tribesmen value strong spiritual powers, and Ka Suo currently lacks his, their team—the three of them—must achieve an overwhelming victory to secure the throne for him. Lan Shang confidently states that her martial arts ability is her strongest asset and she will not lose.

Yue Shen, however, draws a knife and holds it to Lan Shang's neck, challenging her lack of combat experience and questioning how a princess with no fighting background expects to win. Lan Shang remains unfazed, asserting she has her own methods and will not lose, as her ultimate goal is for Ka Suo to become King.

Yue Shen suggests Lan Shang's true motive is to become the Ice Queen, but Lan Shang insists her desire to win stems from her belief that Ka Suo will be the best King in the Three Realms. Ying Kong Shi actively trains his team. He observes Chao Ya, noting that her Soundless Zither, while a ranged weapon, is vulnerable in close combat, urging her to improve her close-range fighting and defense.

He tells Liao Jian that despite his strength, he lacks agile adaptability, making him predictable and easily defeated if an opponent discerns his tactics. Ying Kong Shi expresses his respect for their weaknesses being exposed and expects them to change their fighting styles within the ten days. Later, Huang Tuo seeks out Yue Shen during her training with Pian Feng. He tries to apologize for choosing Ying Kong Shi instead of Ka Suo, hoping she wouldn't blame him.

Yue Shen coldly replies that his choices have nothing to do with her and dismisses him, stating she never considered him a friend. Huang Tuo, disheartened, questions why she doesn't feel she has lost a friend after their long acquaintance. Yue Shen asserts she feels no such loss and walks away, leaving Huang Tuo confused and increasingly puzzled by women's hearts.

Pian Feng, witnessing this, advises Huang Tuo that getting hated by women is preferable to being ignored, suggesting he try to get Yue Shen to hate him, citing his own unrequited feelings for Ka Suo. Chao Ya expresses lingering doubts about supporting Ying Kong Shi, concerned his cruel personality might prevent him from being a good king and questioning if their choice was correct.

Liao Jian, who supports her, suggests her wavering might be due to Pian Feng choosing Ka Suo, but Chao Ya clarifies her decision is independent of Pian Feng, rooted in her sincere support for Liao Jian himself, as confirmed by the Mirror of Truth. Liao Jian explains that while he respects Prince Ka Suo, a king must be capable of making tough, even unpopular decisions.

He sees Ka Suo's kindness and soft-heartedness as a significant weakness, making him too transparent as a ruler. In contrast, Ying Kong Shi's calm and unpredictable nature, Liao Jian argues, embodies the qualities a true King should possess. Chao Ya worries this unpredictability could lead to Ying Kong Shi becoming a ruthless tyrant, but Liao Jian assures her that with them as his advisors, they will prevent him from descending into tyranny.

Xuan Ta seeks out Xing Jiu to inquire about the investigation into the deaths of the five Ice Tribe youths in the Forest of Snow and Fog. He explains that there were no witnesses as the children were merely exploring. Xuan Ta asks if Xing Jiu can enter dreams to find the killer. Xing Jiu explains that dead people cannot dream, so he cannot directly help in that manner. However, he suggests an alternative: the sprites of the Sprite Lands might be able to find clues left by the killer.

Episode 27 Recap

Chief Dreamer Xing Jiu, seeking the murderer of the five Ice Tribe youths, summoned sprites from the Sprite Lands through Pian Feng. The sprites, charmed by Xing Jiu's handsome appearance, immediately offered their help. Xing Jiu explained that he needed their talkative nature to gather information from creatures in the Forest of Snow and Fog about the day the Ice Tribesmen were killed.

The sprites enthusiastically agreed, eager to find the truth, with Xing Jiu promising to grant all their wishes upon success. Pian Feng, however, privately expressed his dislike for their noisiness and admired Xing Jiu's patience. As the Ice King competition loomed the following day, Ka Suo found himself deeply conflicted about contending against Ying Kong Shi.

He longed for Li Luo and questioned why he had to choose between the people he cared for most: Li Luo, Ying Kong Shi, and his mother. Ying Kong Shi, unseen by Ka Suo, observed his brother's pain. He was, however, driven by an unwavering resolve to win the throne, restore Ka Suo's divine power, and grant him the freedom he desired, and wished for a swift end to their difficult situation.

Meanwhile, Grandma Feng Tian, sympathetic to Ka Suo's distress, approached the Ice King and offered to serve as the judge for the upcoming competition. The Ice King noted her unusual involvement in palace matters, to which she simply replied that this time was different because of Ka Suo. The Ice King declared that the first competition, a test of speed, would feature Pian Feng against Liao Jian on the Frozen Lake. The goal was to defeat the opponent.

Huang Tuo, supporting Liao Jian, assured him that he could heal any injury, while Yue Shen cautioned Pian Feng to be careful, to which he confidently replied he would win. As the battle commenced, Ka Suo was consumed by memories of a past snowstorm. He recalled how their other siblings had mocked a young Ying Kong Shi for his struggles with magic, but Ka Suo had remained by his side, playing snowballs.

Ying Kong Shi had then asked if they would ever become enemies and hate each other, to which Ka Suo firmly replied, "We definitely won't. No matter what, I will never see you as my enemy because you are my dearest little brother." Ying Kong Shi promised to protect his brother when he grew up. Now, both Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, standing on opposing sides, privately wished for the other's protection, highlighting the tragedy of their current rivalry.

On the Frozen Lake, Pian Feng and Liao Jian began their fierce battle. Chao Ya watched with evident concern for both men. Initially, Pian Feng's speed allowed him to gain an advantage, knocking Liao Jian to the ground. However, Liao Jian quickly retaliated with his immense strength. Pian Feng then activated his Gold-Feather Armor, an invincible defense formed from an eagle sprite's perfected feathers, stunning the observers with his unexpected power.

Liao Jian, recalling a previous conversation with Chao Ya, knew the armor's single weakness: prolonged exposure to high temperatures would cause it to soften and break apart. He unleashed a powerful attack, striking the ground and summoning a storm of fiery clouds. Pian Feng's eyes filled with despair as he realized Chao Ya must have revealed this secret to Liao Jian, effectively signaling her choice. Losing his will to fight, Pian Feng was struck by Liao Jian and ultimately defeated.

Ying Kong Shi's side secured the first victory. After the battle, Ka Suo offered his solace to a defeated Pian Feng. Huang Tuo, tasked with treating the injured, first attended to Liao Jian before being directed to Pian Feng. Shortly after, Chao Ya arrived to check on Pian Feng, puzzling Huang Tuo who was then discreetly led away by Yue Shen, leaving Chao Ya and Pian Feng alone.

Chao Ya took up her zither, a gesture she always performed when Pian Feng was injured. He asked if she still remembered, and she assured him she had "never forgotten anything about" him. This poignant moment triggered Pian Feng's memories of their shared past. He recalled his decision to leave the Sprite Lands to "create his own world" and become a man truly worthy of her.

He had even proposed that they leave together, but Chao Ya, bound by her duties as Princess to her mother and her tribesmen, had declined. Upon his return, he found her formally engaged to Liao Jian, the Bear Tribe King, and could only offer the zither music he had collected across the Three Realms as a wedding gift.

Chao Ya had asked why he returned, to which he replied that "no matter how big the outside world is, a bird must eventually return to his nest." Pian Feng now understood the depth of his regret. He had originally sought to defeat Liao Jian, hoping to make Chao Ya regret her decision not to leave with him. But now, he was consumed by his own regret for not having stayed by her side to face their challenges together.

Accepting his fate, Pian Feng resolved to move forward, declaring that he would "fulfill his duty and serve his loyalty to the Sprite Lands," safeguarding Queen Chao Ya in his capacity as chief guard. The Mermaid Saint visited Lan Shang, who was diligently practicing her leg strength for the upcoming competition. The Saint presented her with the Deep Sea Night Pearl, explaining that its radiance could temporarily blind members of other tribes on land.

Lan Shang initially hesitated, concerned about the immorality of such a tactic. However, the Saint, knowing Lan Shang was no match for Queen Chao Ya, clarified that the pearl's purpose was primarily for escape and self-preservation, urging her to run if the competition went awry. Despite the Saint's cautions, Lan Shang remained defiantly confident, proclaiming that she would not only win but "win beautifully" for Ka Suo, her king, for whom she was willing to do anything.

The second competition was announced as a test of "battling music." Queen Chao Ya of the Sprite Tribe would wield her zither, while Princess Lan Shang of the Mermaid Tribe would employ her mesmerizing voice. The objective was to see who could compel the most strong-willed Ice Tribe warriors to drop their weapons. The order of performance was decided by guessing the number of snowflakes in Grandma Feng Tian's hand. Chao Ya correctly guessed two and chose to go first.

Lan Shang, having guessed incorrectly, watched as Chao Ya began her performance. As Chao Ya played her zither, its sound waves subtly attacked the warriors' minds, affecting those with lower magic and causing them to involuntarily clap before collapsing to the ground, their weapons falling from their hands. Observers noted that the zither's sound waves could both control minds and act as a direct weapon.

Episode 28 Recap

Princess Lan Shang prepared to compete against Chao Ya in the second round of the Ice King competition. Before her performance, Ka Suo reassured her, promising he would remember her efforts regardless of the outcome. With newfound confidence, Lan Shang began to sing, and her powerful siren song resonated throughout the City of Bladed Snow. She commanded the warriors to attack, and their swords flew towards the Ice King.

Just as quickly, she ordered them to stop, and the suspended weapons transformed into beautiful flowers, drifting gracefully through the air. The judges declared Princess Lan Shang the victor for her impressive display of transforming conflict into beauty without violence, earning Ka Suo a win. However, after her victory, Lan Shang fainted. When she awoke, she found herself unable to speak. Huang Tuo examined her but couldn't find a medical explanation.

The Mermaid Holy Elder then revealed the truth: the siren song, while incredibly powerful, could only be sung once in a mermaid's lifetime. Although Lan Shang would regain her ability to speak, she would never be able to sing again, a loss equivalent to losing her beauty for a mermaid. Lan Shang, though, accepted the sacrifice, telling Ka Suo not to worry. Ka Suo felt a pang of guilt, staying by her side.

Witnessing Lan Shang's sacrifice, Ying Kong Shi reflected sadly, realizing his quest to free Ka Suo had instead placed new burdens upon him. Meanwhile, the Ice Queen admonished Ying Kong Shi for admiring an opponent, urging him to focus on securing a win for Huang Tuo in the next round, despite Huang Tuo's lack of fighting skills. Later, Huang Tuo struggled with insomnia, anxious about his upcoming battle against Yue Shen. Yue Shen sought him out, inquiring about his family.

Huang Tuo, initially pleased by her interest, soon learned her concern was purely practical: she wanted to know who would care for his father if she accidentally killed him during the competition. Heartbroken, Huang Tuo confessed that he feared not death itself, but the regret of dying before they could truly be together.

Elsewhere, Jue Yin asked Li Luo to weave a wreath from Morning Flowers—unique blossoms that take 1500 years to bud, grow, and bloom, only to last for a single morning. When Li Luo asked if the wreath was for someone, Jue Yin recounted a tale from 3000 years ago when he watched the Morning Flowers with a mortal woman, promising to see them bloom with her again and eventually turn her into a god.

Li Luo, intrigued, eagerly asked how to transform a mortal into a god, hoping to restore Ka Suo's divine powers. Jue Yin initially misunderstood her intentions, thinking she wished to become a god herself. Li Luo clarified that her only desire was to help her King, Ka Suo, regain his lost spiritual powers.

Jue Yin warned her against defying fate, but Li Luo passionately argued that Ka Suo's destiny was to be the King of the Three Realms and maintain peace. Jue Yin, recognizing the depth of her feelings, asked if she had fallen in love with her king. After a moment of hesitation, Li Luo bravely admitted her love for Ka Suo, a confession that seemed to touch Jue Yin.

The third round of the Ice King competition commenced, pitting Huang Tuo, the chief of the Healer Tribe, against Yue Shen, a master of poisons, in a contest of medicine versus poison. The objective was for Yue Shen to poison Huang Tuo within a time limit or for Huang Tuo to detoxify her poisons.

Ka Suo expressed concern about the fairness of the rules, but the elder overseeing the competition stated that luck was part of it, hinting that Yue Shen's victory could mean Ka Suo wouldn't have to fight Ying Kong Shi. Yue Shen extended a hand in a gesture of friendship, but it was a ruse to poison Huang Tuo during their handshake. His hand immediately turned purple, forcing him to quickly use silver needles to counteract the venom.

Yue Shen relentlessly attacked, even poisoning his face, causing it to swell hideously. Finally, Huang Tuo decided to fight back, blocking all of Yue Shen's subsequent attacks. Undeterred, Yue Shen used both hands to directly administer more poison, having a natural immunity herself, and Huang Tuo's body absorbed all of it. She then drew her Moonlight Sword, which amplified her innate lethal aura, using it to manipulate the poisons within Huang Tuo's body.

Despite immense pain, Huang Tuo refused to surrender. Facing imminent death, he tearfully told Yue Shen that if he died, he would only worry about her, not his father who no longer remembered him. He implored her not to blame herself for his death, as he would not blame her. As Yue Shen, with tears in her eyes, raised her sword for the final blow, Ka Suo intervened, shielding Huang Tuo.

At the same instant, Ying Kong Shi also moved, blocking Yue Shen's sword. The elder declared that third-party intervention was forbidden, but Ka Suo stated that if becoming king required such devastation and the sacrifice of friends, he would not accept the title. He forfeited the round. Ying Kong Shi also admitted defeat.

The elder then announced that both Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi had won the third round, explaining that the true purpose of the match was to test the future Ice King's compassion. With both brothers now tied with two victories each, the final decisive battle would take place at Cherry Blossom Hills. After the intense competition, Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, Chao Ya, Liao Jian, and Xing Jiu gathered to watch the sunset over the City of Bladed Snow.

Despite his injuries, Huang Tuo marveled at how individuals who had just been locked in a deadly battle could now sit peacefully together. Liao Jian affirmed that regardless of who became king, they would all loyally follow, having witnessed the compassion displayed by both princes. The group raised their cups, toasting to the sunset. Ka Suo visited the graves of his deceased siblings.

The Ice Queen arrived, presenting him with their favorite weapons and instructing him to defeat Ying Kong Shi. Ka Suo questioned her intense animosity towards his brother. The Ice Queen explained that Ka Suo had been chosen by the Seven Saints, ancient beings selected by the Holy Magic Cube of Ancestor She Mi, to determine the Ice Tribe's most suitable heir. The Five Saints then appeared and led Ka Suo to the Sacred Altar, where the Ice King awaited.

The Ice King revealed a dark secret: soon after Ying Kong Shi's birth, Bi Luo, one of the Seven Saints, attempted to read his future but was severely injured and later died. The remaining six Saints also tried but failed to read Ying Kong Shi's fate and suffered injuries themselves. Ka Suo protested, arguing that Ying Kong Shi, as an infant, could not be blamed for these incidents.

However, the Ice King asserted that if Ka Suo were to lose the final battle, Ying Kong Shi would be condemned to death. The Saints, whose authority superseded even the Ice King's, were prepared to destroy Ying Kong Shi to ensure that Ka Suo, chosen by the Holy Magic Cube, ascended the throne. Ka Suo vehemently refused to allow them to harm his brother.

The Saints reiterated that the only way to save Ying Kong Shi was for Ka Suo to win the battle at Cherry Blossom Hills. Ka Suo's mind drifted back to his childhood with Ying Kong Shi. He remembered expressing his own desire not to be king, but rather to be a free sleet bird. Young Ying Kong Shi had then promised to help his older brother achieve that wish.

Now, Ying Kong Shi, swinging in the snowy forest, reaffirmed his resolve to fulfill that promise, to make Ka Suo truly free. Ka Suo, observing Ying Kong Shi, was filled with determination, vowing that Ying Kong Shi's fate could not be death.

Episode 29 Recap

Ying Kong Shi sought out Ka Suo in the Forest of Snow and Fog, asking his brother to play on the swings with him, just like old times. Ka Suo refused, stating they could no longer play together, as they would be enemies the next day. Ka Suo explained he had parents, tribesmen, and friends who supported him, and he could not let them down.

He asserted that the throne was rightfully his, reminding Ying Kong Shi that he was merely the son of a concubine, and urged him to withdraw from the match so they could go back to being good brothers. Ying Kong Shi then reminded Ka Suo of a past promise from an ice-ball game, where Ka Suo had agreed to fulfill one of his wishes.

Ying Kong Shi's wish was for Ka Suo to withdraw from the match or to tell their father he was willing to lose, because Ying Kong Shi wanted to become the Ice King. Ka Suo immediately refused, knowing that if Ying Kong Shi won, the Seven Saints would kill him. Ying Kong Shi expressed his deep disappointment, feeling that Ka Suo, his most beloved brother, no longer took him seriously and that his promises were empty.

He vowed to do whatever it took to defeat Ka Suo and become the Ice King, even threatening to banish Ka Suo from the City of Bladed Snow. Ka Suo declared that he could neither relinquish the throne nor lose to Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi then used his magic to restrain Ka Suo, highlighting Ka Suo's current lack of magic and claiming he could kill him at any moment.

Ka Suo defiantly provoked Ying Kong Shi, urging him to kill him and escape the Ice Tribe, thereby fleeing the unfair destiny laid out for him. He said that if his death could bring Ying Kong Shi a new life, he would die without regret. However, Ying Kong Shi could not bring himself to harm Ka Suo. He sorrowfully stated that he always believed Ka Suo, unlike others, understood him, but now Ka Suo had changed.

He reiterated his resolve to win the next day and become the Ice King. The final competition for the Ice King's throne commenced at Cherry Blossom Hill, the traditional practice ground of the Ice Tribe. The rule was to use magic to transform cherry blossoms into snowflakes, with the victor being the one who transformed the most. Ying Kong Shi went first, soaring into the sky and instantly converting all the cherry blossoms into a flurry of snow.

The Ice King was astonished by Ying Kong Shi's formidable magic, noting that only their ancestor, She Mi, could rival such power. Ka Suo, recalling a conversation with Xing Jiu, one of the Seven Saints, knew that the decision of who would be Ice King should rest with him and Ying Kong Shi alone. His own decision was to save Ying Kong Shi, and to do so, he had to win.

To gain the necessary power, Ka Suo used his own blood to summon the Sword Spirits that resided within him. He intended to use this power to destroy Ying Kong Shi's frozen blossoms. Ying Kong Shi, witnessing Ka Suo's agony, questioned why his brother would subject himself to such torture just to defeat him.

He tried to intervene with the God Devouring Sword to stop Ka Suo, but Ka Suo seized the sword, proclaiming that it could not harm him because he harbored the Sword Spirits. He then turned the God Devouring Sword on himself. As Ka Suo collapsed in pain, Ying Kong Shi rushed to his side, confused by his brother's self-inflicted torment. Ka Suo, barely conscious, simply reiterated his need to win.

Despite Ka Suo's desperate efforts, one snowflake remained on a branch, signifying Ying Kong Shi's victory. Overcome with despair at failing to save his brother, Ka Suo apologized to Ying Kong Shi before losing consciousness. Later, as Huang Tuo treated Ka Suo, Lan Shang tearfully accused Ying Kong Shi of being cruel to his brother.

Huang Tuo clarified that Ka Suo's condition was due to the Sword Spirits draining his life force, and had Ying Kong Shi not intervened, Ka Suo might have died. He explained that Ka Suo had deliberately lured out the Sword Spirits and allowed them to re-enter his body, severely damaging his internal organs. Huang Tuo warned that if the Sword Spirits were not expelled soon, Ka Suo would not live for another hundred days.

Meanwhile, Lian Ji was joyfully preparing for Ying Kong Shi's coronation ceremony. Ying Kong Shi, however, was preoccupied with Ka Suo's recovery and asked Lian Ji how to restore his brother's spiritual powers. Lian Ji attempted to sway Ying Kong Shi, suggesting that Ka Suo's desperate attempt to defeat him, neglecting their fraternal bond, meant he shouldn't bother helping him. She implied that Ka Suo's loss of powers would remove a threat to Ying Kong Shi.

Unmoved, Ying Kong Shi insisted that his brother must have had his own reasons. Lian Ji then revealed that to restore a god's powers, a weaker god must kill a more powerful one and absorb their spiritual energy. Ying Kong Shi immediately rejected this idea, knowing Ka Suo would never resort to such an act.

Realizing Lian Ji had known Ka Suo's moral stance and had used this information to manipulate him into seeking the throne, Ying Kong Shi grew deeply disappointed and asked her to leave, wanting to be alone to ponder Ka Suo's apology and what he should do. At the North Forbidden Land, Li Luo presented She Yin with a beautiful flower crown.

She Yin, pleased, offered to release her, but Li Luo refused, determined to learn the method for restoring a god's spiritual powers. She Yin grew angry, advising her to forget her king, warning that love between a god and a mortal was cursed and would lead to retribution, citing himself as a living example. He then recounted his own tragic love story from three thousand years ago.

While hunting in the forest, he met a mortal woman named Jia Ling who had accidentally trespassed into the Divine Realm. He instantly fell in love, believing his long immortal life was meant solely to meet her. They shared a deep love, witnessing the rare blooming of the Morning Flowers and vowing eternal devotion. However, Jia Ling's mortal life was brief, and before her death, she longed to see the Morning Flowers bloom one last time.

Desperate to save her, She Yin committed the unforgivable crime of killing a god, attempting to make her immortal. For this, the Ice King banished him to the North Forbidden Land, condemning him to never return, and sealed Jia Ling's body in a coffin as his eternal torment. Li Luo realized the woman in the coffin was Jia Ling. Suddenly, the North Forbidden Land began to quake violently.

Li Luo urged She Yin to flee, but he refused, explaining he had waited three thousand years to see Jia Ling one last time. He gave Li Luo the Fallen Oracle, instructing her to take it and summon its power if she didn't wish to suffer his cursed fate, then forced her to leave. As Li Luo departed, the coffin opened, and She Yin gently placed the flower crown on Jia Ling's head, kissing her.

But Jia Ling's form dissolved into smoke, and She Yin, heartbroken, took his own life. Emerging from the collapsing Forbidden Land, Li Luo found no trace of She Yin. Disoriented, she questioned whether the story of She Yin and Jia Ling was real or merely a dream, until she saw the Fallen Oracle clutched in her hand, confirming the truth of everything. Ka Suo awoke, calling out Ying Kong Shi's name, sensing his brother was in danger.

Despite his severe wounds, he resolved to find Ying Kong Shi. Unbeknownst to him, five of the Seven Saints were already preparing to attack Ying Kong Shi, and Xuan Ta had been tasked with keeping Ka Suo confined. Xuan Ta arrived at Ka Suo's residence, where Lan Shang informed him that Ka Suo was asleep, forcing Xuan Ta to wait in the hall. However, Ka Suo had used Lan Shang as a diversion and had already reached Illusion Sky.

He desperately warned Ying Kong Shi that the Seven Saints intended to kill him and urged him to escape the Ice Tribe immediately. But the Seven Saints arrived, declaring their mission in the name of She Mi to eliminate Ying Kong Shi, whom they deemed an inauspicious god unworthy of the throne, citing his role in the death of Saint Bi Luo and the War of Ice and Fire.

Ying Kong Shi finally understood that Ka Suo had known of this danger all along, and that was why he had fought so hard to win their match. A fierce battle ensued, but the combined might of the four attacking Saints was no match for Ying Kong Shi. When they regrouped and sacrificed their vitality to launch a powerful attack, Ying Kong Shi began to falter. At that moment, a mysterious black fog appeared, preventing Ying Kong Shi's defeat.

The fog proclaimed Ying Kong Shi to be the true heir of all tribes, destined to rise above them, and not yet fully awakened. Ying Kong Shi, in despair, called himself a useless bastard, a hybrid unsure of his true lineage, who could only worry his brother but never protect him. The black fog continued to tempt him, promising to help him awaken and burn the ignorant world to ashes.

It then possessed Ying Kong Shi, who instantly lost control of himself but gained immense power, emitting spiritual energy unlike that of the Ice Tribe. The four Saints were astonished, realizing that Ice Tribe gods could not resist the Holy Magic Cube and that Ying Kong Shi's magic was no longer of their kind.

The God Devouring Sword materialized, and Ying Kong Shi, with glowing red eyes, roared, "I am the doomsday of the three realms," before felling the four Saints, who vanished as he was engulfed in flames. Outside, Xuan Ta sensed the Holy Magic Cube's unusual behavior and realized Ka Suo was gone, having gone to Illusion Sky to save Ying Kong Shi. He quickly rushed there, where Xing Jiu also arrived, sensing something was wrong.

Inside Illusion Sky, Ying Kong Shi, still possessed by the black fog, was surrounded by fire, wielding Fire Tribe magic, and roaring that he would use his hands to destroy the Three Realms. Ying Kong Shi struggled against the black fog trying to take full control, tears of blood seeping from his left eye. Just then, Ka Suo, who had been unconscious, stirred and cried out Ying Kong Shi's name.

His voice pierced through the darkness, rousing Ying Kong Shi from the possession. The black fog retreated from his body. Ying Kong Shi quickly regained his senses and, seeing Ka Suo, helped his brother escape from Illusion Sky. As they emerged, the Ice King and other powerful figures arrived at the entrance, having been alerted to the chaos. Meanwhile, in Fire City, a messenger eagle brought back a crucial clue, allowing Yan Da to finally track down Shuo Gang.

Episode 30 Recap

Lian Ji was enraged by the ambush on Ying Kong Shi by the Four Saints, declaring it an act of treason. She questioned the King, accusing him of favoring the Seven Saints. Xing Jiu, the Dream Master, cautiously stated that with the Four Saints' whereabouts unknown and Ka Suo still unconscious, a decision could not be made based solely on Ying Kong Shi's account.

Lian Ji immediately countered, tearfully recounting how the Saints had condemned Ying Kong Shi as "sinister" after one of them died while attempting to read his fate. She believed this ambush was the Saints' attempt to preemptively strike against Ying Kong Shi, whom they feared would seek revenge upon becoming Ice King. Lian Ji demanded the Saints' execution to bring justice to Ying Kong Shi.

Xuan Ta, however, defended the Saints, affirming their loyalty to the Ice Tribe despite their potentially extreme actions. He suggested that the incident at Illusion Sky might indicate a traitor within the Ice Tribe, or even a cunning plot by the true criminal to frame the Four Saints. Seeing their unresolved dispute, the Ice King decided to defer judgment until Ka Suo awakened and could clarify the events.

He then commanded Xuan Ta to thoroughly investigate and execute the Ice Tribe's traitor without mercy. Ying Kong Shi stared at his reflection, his injured left eye now a golden-yellow, starkly different from the Ice Tribe's characteristic ice-blue. As Lian Ji entered, he quickly covered his eye with an accessory. Lian Ji continued to grumble about the King's favoritism towards the Seven Saints.

Noticing Ying Kong Shi's injury, she immediately expressed concern and tried to examine his eye, but he gently brushed her hand away. Ying Kong Shi again pressed Lian Ji, asking if he truly carried Ice Tribe blood. Lian Ji firmly reiterated that he was an Ice Tribe Prince, soon to be King, and urged him to stop dwelling on such thoughts. Later, Ying Kong Shi stood by Ka Suo's bedside, who remained unconscious.

He realized that Ka Suo, knowing the Four Saints intended to murder him, had selflessly rushed to Illusion Sky to protect him. Ying Kong Shi called Ka Suo stupid for risking his life, believing that after such a sacrifice, he was no longer worthy to be Ka Suo's younger brother, especially if he was not a true Ice Tribe Prince. Ying Kong Shi brought food to the captive Shuo Gang.

Shuo Gang desperately pleaded for his release, appealing to Ying Kong Shi's friendship with Yan Da, who had previously saved Ying Kong Shi's life. Shuo Gang explained that he and Yan Da had defied the Fire King by coming to the Ice Tribe, and if his disappearance were discovered, Yan Da would face severe punishment.

Ying Kong Shi, however, wrestled with a dilemma: Shuo Gang had taught him Fire Tribe magic, and if his identity as a Fire God's son were revealed, it could be disastrous. To forever keep this secret, he considered killing Shuo Gang but was hesitant to cause Yan Da grief. Sensing Ying Kong Shi's murderous intent, Shuo Gang bolted from the snow cave and leaped into a chasm.

Just as he was about to fall to his death, Yan Da arrived and rescued him, bidding Ying Kong Shi "Until next time." Ka Suo finally regained consciousness, and Xuan Ta immediately questioned him about the Illusion Sky fire. However, Ka Suo, still weak, could not recall anything. The Ice Queen intervened, refusing Xuan Ta's suggestion to have Xing Jiu enter Ka Suo's dreams, stating that Ka Suo's fragile condition required peaceful recovery.

The Ice King agreed, acknowledging that Ka Suo could not provide information in his current state. Lan Shang spoke to Ka Suo's small Ice Nucleus, which suddenly became lively, indicating Ka Suo's return. Lan Shang was overjoyed to see him awake, but her happiness quickly turned to sorrow when Ka Suo did not recognize her or his Ice Nucleus.

She remembered Huang Tuo's grim warning that even if Ka Suo awoke, he might be disoriented or suffer memory loss because Sword Spirits were draining his vital energy and slowly controlling him. Huang Tuo had also stated that only the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal could expel the Sword Spirits, and without it, Ka Suo had only fifteen days to a month left to live. Fighting back tears, Lan Shang gently reminded Ka Suo that she was Lan Shang, his good friend.

Ka Suo strained to recall memories of her, but the effort brought on a splitting headache. Lan Shang urged him to stop and suggested they go for a walk. A moment later, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air. Ka Suo recognized it as the sound of Xue Yan, signaling Li Luo's return. He rushed forward and embraced Li Luo warmly, genuinely happy to see her.

Lan Shang watched, realizing with a heavy heart that Ka Suo, though he had forgotten her, still remembered Li Luo. Elves from the Thousand Spirit Clan reported to Xing Jiu their discovery in the Forest of Snow and Fog. At the site where Ice Tribe youths were murdered, they found a piece of wood bearing traces of magic.

They confirmed that these magic marks were identical to those found on a rock Li Luo had discovered, which had been left by the traitor who fed information to the Fire King. Xing Jiu immediately informed the Ice King, who ordered him and Xuan Ta to secretly investigate and uncover the spy, cautioning against any overt action that might alert the culprit. Meanwhile, Shuo Gang returned to Fire City, expressing gratitude to the Fire King for not abandoning him.

He claimed to have no knowledge of the black fog that kidnapped him, describing its magic as strange and unfamiliar. Shuo Gang then revealed that Ying Kong Shi had sought his help in learning Fire Tribe magic and was indeed capable of using it. The Fire King was delighted by this news, recognizing it as confirmation that Ying Kong Shi was his son with Lian Ji. A celebration was held for Li Luo's safe return from the Northern Forbidden Lands.

Liao Jian challenged Li Luo to a drinking contest, and the others merrily placed bets on who would get drunk first. Qin Chu arrived, visibly relieved to see Li Luo unharmed. Ka Suo invited him to join the festivities, but Qin Chu declined, asserting the social distinction between gods and mortals. He then insisted that Li Luo return with him for Realm Guardian training. When Li Luo refused, Qin Chu forcefully grabbed her hand to take her away.

The struggle ignited Ka Suo's jealousy and anger, causing the Sword Spirits within him to erupt. His magic flared, knocking everyone present to the ground. As Ka Suo regained control, he was filled with remorse for harming his friends. He anxiously looked at Li Luo to check if she was injured, but Qin Chu blocked his path. Realizing the danger he posed, Ka Suo, disheartened, left the gathering alone.

Still burdened by doubts about his true identity, Ying Kong Shi attempted to feed his Ice Nucleus with his own blood. Lian Ji entered, carrying the ceremonial attire for his coronation. Ying Kong Shi presented her with his Ice Nucleus, now visibly cracked. Lian Ji was furious, reminding him that presenting a complete Ice Nucleus at the coronation was essential to prove his heritage.

Ying Kong Shi confronted her, accusing her of tampering with his Ice Nucleus and asserting that his Fire Tribe blood made it impossible for him to cultivate an Ice Nucleus. Lian Ji finally admitted that he was not an Ice Tribe Prince but vowed to do everything in her power to ensure he secured the throne, even if it meant overcoming impossible odds. The Ice King convened a meeting to discuss Ying Kong Shi's coronation.

Lian Ji pressed for the ceremony to be held as soon as possible to reassure the Ice Tribe people. Xuan Ta, however, insisted on adhering to proper rituals, urging against haste. Lian Ji then requested Xing Jiu and Xuan Ta to promptly select an auspicious date. She also made an unexpected request: for Ka Suo to present Ying Kong Shi's Ice Nucleus as a gesture of loyalty to the new king and brotherly affection.

Despite Ying Kong Shi's protest that a new king must present his own Ice Nucleus, Lian Ji's appeal to unity and brotherhood convinced Ka Suo to agree. He then handed his own Ice Nucleus to Ying Kong Shi, symbolically entrusting it to accompany and protect his best brother.

Xing Jiu seized this opportunity, suggesting that every divine being in the palace, including the King and Lian Ji, offer a gift of their spiritual power to the new king as a sign of allegiance. This clever move would allow them to subtly observe everyone's magic, aiding in their secret hunt for the Ice Tribe's traitor. Late that night, Li Luo sought an audience with Ka Suo.

Ka Suo was happy that she had come, but the Sword Spirits stirred within him. Mindful of their violent influence and the potential harm he could inflict, he refused to open his door, telling her he was fine and wished to be alone. Heartbroken, Li Luo sat outside his chamber, drinking alone. When she heard footsteps and turned, expecting Ka Suo, she saw Lan Shang instead.

Episode 31 Recap

In City of Bladed Snow, Lan Shang revealed to Li Luo that Ka Suo only had a month to live if the Sword Spirits were not expelled from his body. Li Luo was stunned, as Ka Suo had told her his condition had stabilized. Lan Shang explained that Ka Suo lied to protect her feelings and had kept his distance to spare her future pain, proving how much he truly loved her.

Li Luo expressed surprise, noting that Lan Shang, who also loved Ka Suo, was speaking this way. Lan Shang affirmed her love, saying she would have no regrets even if Ka Suo's heart only held Li Luo. She then pressed Li Luo, asking if she was willing to love Ka Suo to the point of sacrificing everything, even herself.

Li Luo responded that reality would prove her love, but Lan Shang insisted on a promise that Li Luo would courageously love Ka Suo to ease her worries. At that moment, Ying Kong Shi intervened, using his magic to take Lan Shang away, telling Li Luo to leave her to him. As Ying Kong Shi carried her away, Lan Shang struggled, explaining that she only sought Li Luo for Ka Suo's sake.

She wanted Li Luo to promise to bravely love Ka Suo, unburdened by the rules of the Divine Realm, and focus solely on him. Ying Kong Shi stated that he believed Li Luo because Ka Suo loved and trusted her, so he did too. Still, Lan Shang worried, observing Ka Suo avoiding Li Luo, and feared that he might leave this world without ever being with the one he loved.

Ying Kong Shi expressed understanding, but Lan Shang sharply replied that he couldn't possibly understand, as he had never loved. Later, Li Luo presented the book of the Fallen Oracle to the Ice King, asserting that it was the only method to save Ka Suo's life, even if forbidden. She Yin, before his death, had revealed that the Fallen Oracle could be summoned from the imperial library using this book, and Li Luo requested permission to enter.

The Ice King agreed. Inside the library, Li Luo initially found no response from the book, leaving her frustrated. Suddenly, the Fallen Oracle glowed, emitted a burst of fire, and spoke, "If you wish to have what you want, you will certainly lose something." Li Luo confirmed it was the Fallen Oracle and asked how to save a god possessed by the God Devouring Sword. The Oracle replied, "The Early Death Exchange Spell.

To save a life, a life must be lost. Whose life will you exchange with me?" After a moment's thought, Li Luo offered her own life as Realm Guardian Li Luo in exchange. Meanwhile, Lian Ji was preparing a token for Ying Kong Shi's coronation, planning to embed her Teardrop Charm within it. The charm suddenly pulsed, and Lian Ji, thinking it was Fire King, instead saw Shuo Gang appear, having used the Teardrop Charm to locate her.

Soon after, Fire King himself arrived, revealing that he knew Ying Kong Shi was his son and the future Ice King, who could help him unite the three realms. Lian Ji dismissed his ambition as a delusion. Fire King then threatened to expose Ying Kong Shi's true identity as not an Ice Prince if Lian Ji and Ying Kong Shi didn't cooperate, promising to force him off the throne and make him a laughingstock in the Divine Realm.

After Fire King departed, Lian Ji, furious, snatched the Teardrop Charm from Shuo Gang and threw him off a cliff. As Shuo Gang struggled to recover, Lian Ji informed him that her Teardrop Charm would soon be embedded in Ying Kong Shi's token. She instructed Shuo Gang to return to Fire King and warn him not to threaten her, challenging him to come directly to City of Bladed Snow if he dared.

Upon his return to the City of Ashes, Shuo Gang was ambushed by Yan Da, who demanded to know what he and Fire King were hiding about Ying Kong Shi. Shuo Gang refused to tell her and advised her to stop thinking about Ying Kong Shi, stating their relationship was impossible. Yan Da declared she would personally kill Ying Kong Shi whenever she saw him.

Shuo Gang retorted that Fire King would not permit it, as he was growing increasingly fond of Ying Kong Shi. Yan Da wondered if Fire King's affection stemmed from her, but Shuo Gang dismissed the idea, clarifying that Ying Kong Shi was the future Ice King and their sworn enemy. Yan Da was left to ponder Ying Kong Shi's actions and the mystery surrounding him, believing there must be a deeper reason for his actions.

The coronation ceremony for Ying Kong Shi began, with many attendees. Ka Suo, however, noticed Li Luo's absence and felt a pang of worry. Ying Kong Shi, in grand ceremonial attire, approached the Ice King, much to Lian Ji's delight. The Ice King gestured for Ying Kong Shi to take his seat on the throne, to widespread applause. Representatives from various tribes began to present their magical gifts as tokens of loyalty.

Huang Tuo from the Healer Tribe presented the Evergreen Precious Bottle, causing withered flowers to bloom, while Chao Ya offered the Wind Glider Cape, allowing her to fly. As the gifts were presented, Xing Jiu discreetly observed for any magical traces of the spy but found none. When it came time for the Ice Tribe royal family to present their gifts, Lian Ji offered the meticulously crafted token to Ying Kong Shi.

However, as he held it, the token suddenly ignited with an uncontrollable blaze, a clear sign of Fire Tribe magic. Ying Kong Shi swiftly ordered the city sealed and the Fire Tribe spy captured. During the search for the spy, Qin Chu spotted something unusual near an ice sculpture. As he investigated, a figure burst out, and he gave chase. He was injured by the unknown assailant, only to realize with shock that it was Li Luo.

Outside City of Bladed Snow, Shuo Gang, who had managed to escape in disguise, was apprehended by Xuan Ta. The Ice King prepared to interrogate Shuo Gang, but Ying Kong Shi intervened, preventing him and Ka Suo from doing so. Ying Kong Shi feared that Shuo Gang might reveal he had secretly taught him Fire magic, which could expose his true identity. He insisted on interrogating Shuo Gang himself. Later, Li Luo was found and rescued by Qin Chu.

Upon waking, she noticed strange blood on her hand that was not her own. Qin Chu asked her about her transformation, and Li Luo confessed to the trade she made with the Fallen Oracle: her life for Ka Suo's. She explained that every day after sunset, she would transform into a mindless, ravenous beast, driven by hunger to tear apart any living creature, becoming a bloodthirsty monster.

Qin Chu was bewildered and questioned her foolish sacrifice, wondering if Ka Suo would still love her. Li Luo replied that she didn't need his love, only for him to live well. She then asked Qin Chu to keep her secret and warn the realm guardians to avoid the forest, as she would hide far away to prevent anyone from being harmed. She accepted her chosen path, unable and unwilling to turn back.

Meanwhile, Xuan Ta was interrogating Shuo Gang when Lian Ji arrived. She angrily demanded to know why her token had been confiscated and berated Xuan Ta and the guards for their failure to prevent sabotage at the coronation. Dismissing everyone, she spoke privately with Shuo Gang, who revealed he had been sent by Fire King to infiltrate the Ice Tribe and remove any obstacles to Ying Kong Shi's ascension.

Shuo Gang explained that he overheard some elves discussing Xing Jiu's plan to expose the Fire Tribe spy by examining the magic left in their gifts during the coronation ceremony. To protect Lian Ji, whom he recognized as the spy due to her connection with Fire King, he deliberately tampered with the Teardrop Charm in her token, triggering the fire to prevent her from being exposed by her own magic.

Lian Ji then demanded the Teardrop Charm, which Shuo Gang claimed was in his pocket. However, Lian Ji couldn't find it, and Shuo Gang speculated that Xuan Ta might have taken it when he was captured.

Episode 32 Recap

Xuan Ta closely examined the Teardrop Charm in his hand, perplexed by why Shuo Gang possessed one identical to Concubine Lian's. After testing it with illusion magic, traces of Concubine Lian's previous enchantment appeared, which he then compared to existing illusion traces on a broken piece of wood. The revelation struck him: Concubine Lian was the spy from the Fire Tribe.

Concubine Lian then entered the hall, announcing that her Teardrop Charm had been stolen by a Fire Tribe spy and asking if Xuan Ta had found it. Xuan Ta questioned her, asking when such a precious item, which a mermaid princess should carry at all times, could have been stolen. She vaguely replied that she had been too busy preparing for Ying Kong Shi's coronation to notice and claimed Shuo Gang must have stolen it.

Xuan Ta found this strange, explaining that the spiritual power found at the murder scene matched the traces from her Teardrop Charm. Concubine Lian insisted Shuo Gang was the culprit. However, Xuan Ta countered that he had previously fought Shuo Gang and knew his magic was different. He concluded that the murderer was not from the Fire Tribe but from the Ice Tribe.

Concubine Lian feigned confusion, but Xuan Ta asserted she understood him clearly and proposed they go to the Ice King immediately with the evidence. Realizing her betrayal was exposed, Concubine Lian attacked Xuan Ta, but his formidable power allowed him to subdue her. Just then, Ying Kong Shi entered the hall. Seeing Concubine Lian in distress, he swiftly moved to defend her, using too much force in his attack on Xuan Ta.

As Xuan Ta succumbed to the blow, he gasped a final word: "Traitor." Ying Kong Shi stared at Xuan Ta, shocked that he had killed one of his own. Concubine Lian quickly assured him it was her doing and had nothing to do with him. When guards arrived, Ying Kong Shi intervened before Concubine Lian could confess. He calmly announced that a Fire Tribe assassin had killed Xuan Ta and escaped, ordering the guards to pursue them immediately.

He then walked to Xuan Ta's body, retrieved the Teardrop Charm and token, and handed them to Concubine Lian, instructing her to leave the matter to him and not to worry. As he turned and departed, Concubine Lian looked at him, feeling a disconnect from the young man who so effortlessly shifted blame. Ying Kong Shi hastened to the prison where he freed a terrified Shuo Gang, urging him to leave quickly.

Moments later, Ying Kong Shi used Fire Tribe illusion magic to inflict injuries upon himself. When Liao Jian arrived, concerned for his well-being, Ying Kong Shi claimed a Fire Tribe assassin had struck him. The Ice King, Ka Suo, and various tribal leaders arrived to check on Ying Kong Shi. The Ice King expressed confusion about who could have injured Concubine Lian and her son, and killed Xuan Ta.

Ying Kong Shi recounted that he and Xuan Ta were discussing interrogating Shuo Gang when a formidable Fire Tribe spy ambushed them. He claimed they were powerless against the spy. Just then, his mother, Concubine Lian, arrived to visit and was attacked. Xuan Ta rushed to protect her and was tragically killed. The spy then escaped to the prison, and by the time Ying Kong Shi gave chase, it was too late; Shuo Gang had already been freed.

When Xing Jiu asked if the assassin's face was seen, Liao Jian replied that he only saw Shuo Gang, not the assassin. Ying Kong Shi added that Shuo Gang was accompanied by a black fog, which also prevented him from seeing the assassin's face. Ka Suo, surprised, pondered if the black fog was indeed from the Fire Tribe. Ying Kong Shi simply responded, "Maybe."

Chao Ya and Pian Feng reported that their search for Shuo Gang and his accomplice had been fruitless, and Ying Kong Shi ordered them to continue searching thoroughly and remain alert. He then asked Huang Tuo about his mother's condition; Huang Tuo reported Concubine Lian was still unconscious due to severe injuries. Ying Kong Shi then suggested his father rest while he personally attended to Concubine Lian.

Once everyone had left, Ying Kong Shi coldly instructed Concubine Lian to get up. She rose, praising his cleverness in fabricating the Fire Tribe assassination. Ying Kong Shi, however, was somber, expressing remorse for Xuan Ta. He cut short her attempts to reassure him, directly asking if Xuan Ta's accusation that she was the traitor who killed his Ice Tribe brothers and sisters was true. Concubine Lian admitted it.

Ying Kong Shi questioned her betrayal, to which she responded that she had collaborated with Huo Yi to remove obstacles for his ascension to power. Ying Kong Shi then deduced that she also killed the innocent children in the Forest of Snow and Fog, which she also confirmed, explaining it was to extract their spiritual power and blood to feed the ice nucleus, thus enabling him to defeat Ka Suo and gain the throne.

Ying Kong Shi was appalled by her fanaticism, questioning how many more sacrifices she would make for his kingship. Concubine Lian, unrepentant, declared that the path of a king is paved with blood and she would remove any obstacle for him. Ying Kong Shi let out a desolate laugh, lamenting that his birth felt like a joke. Wondering aloud about his true father, he removed his eye patch to reveal his eyes—one blue and one golden—full of sorrow and despair.

Concubine Lian dismissed the identity of his father as irrelevant, stating he was the king of the three realms and that she was all he needed, promising to eliminate anyone who stood in his way. Ying Kong Shi’s heart turned to ice. He told her that if she weren't his mother, he wouldn't have saved her today, declaring that from this day on, he would handle his own mistakes.

He pronounced that from this day forward, she would remain the respected Queen Dowager, but no longer his respected mother, as he considered their bond of life and nurturing balanced by her actions. He then turned and walked away without hesitation. Concubine Lian, heartbroken, cried out that he would always be her dearest son. On the Seven Saints' platform, Xing Jiu tearfully mourned Xuan Ta by the Holy Magic Cube, vowing to catch the true culprit.

The Ice King comforted him, stating that the Holy Magic Cube would guide them to the next generation of saints. Both acknowledged the unsettling nature of recent events, feeling a hidden secret was at play. Xing Jiu then revealed his suspicion that Ying Kong Shi could use magic from the Ice-Flame Tribe. The Ice King, hearing this, immediately ordered Xing Jiu to travel to the Island of Lian Qiu Rock to find a specific person.

The next morning in the palace, Ka Suo entered and saw someone on the throne, wearing the Huang Ya Robe. Mistaking him for his father, he called out, but it was Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi revealed that their father had passed the throne to him, and he was finally able to wear the Huang Ya Robe. He mused that while his father looked majestic in it, he felt only its immense weight.

Ka Suo, understanding the burden of kingship, tried to offer reassurance. As court commenced, Ying Kong Shi, with a touch of melancholy, announced, "I should be a king now." He declared his profound sadness over the sacrifices of the Four Saints and Xuan Ta. To avenge them, he tasked Liao Jian, Chao Ya, and Pian Feng with finding and executing the Fire Tribe assassin.

He then turned to Ka Suo, commending him for repelling the Fire Tribe and declaring that he would be heavily rewarded with permission to marry Realm Guardian Li Luo. Ka Suo protested, but Ying Kong Shi insisted there was no better choice for his wife, ignoring Ka Suo's attempts to explain his limited time.

Ying Kong Shi refused to retract his order and assigned Yue Shen to organize the wedding as soon as possible, leaving Ka Suo to call out his name in protest. Ka Suo pursued Ying Kong Shi outside his hall, desperately imploring him to revoke the marriage order. He explained he couldn't marry Li Luo given his limited time, asserting it would only harm her.

He continued calling out for Ying Kong Shi, unaware that Li Luo had arrived and silently overheard his heartfelt plea, causing her immense sorrow. Wiping her tears, Li Luo approached Ka Suo. She playfully chided him for shouting about not wanting to marry her, then told him to forget it as she had something more important to discuss and led him away.

Ying Kong Shi, left alone in the silent hall, reflected on his brother's predicament, wishing for Ka Suo to live his remaining days happily with Li Luo, free from regret. Meanwhile, Li Luo presented her plan to the Ice King and Ice Queen: the Fallen Oracle could save Ka Suo by devouring the God Devouring Sword spirits within him.

She emphasized that Ka Suo must go alone to the Forest of Snow and Fog, as the Fallen Oracle disliked being seen. The Ice King, though concerned for Ka Suo's safety, agreed, and Li Luo swore on her life that Ka Suo would be safe. Ka Suo thanked her, and Li Luo assured him he would recover.

Later, Ka Suo questioned why Li Luo hadn't told him about seeking the Fallen Oracle and if she had made some kind of trade with the spirit. Despite Ka Suo's suspicion that she was hiding something, Li Luo insisted she wasn't. She then instructed him to borrow the God Devouring Sword from Ying Kong Shi and meet her in the Forest of Snow and Fog that afternoon.

In Fiery City, Huo Yi expressed satisfaction with Ying Kong Shi's coronation, stating his goal of invading the City of Bladed Snow was halfway accomplished. Yan Da, congratulating him, questioned how Ying Kong Shi's rule benefited their tribe. Huo Yi instructed Shuo Gang to tell her the truth. Shuo Gang explained that if the Ice King carried Fire Tribe blood, the City of Bladed Snow would be vulnerable to them.

A bewildered Yan Da questioned how Ying Kong Shi, the Ice King’s son, could have Fire Tribe blood. Huo Yi then revealed the shocking truth: Ying Kong Shi was his own son. Yan Da was aghast, proclaiming it impossible. Shuo Gang pressed her, pointing out Concubine Lian's past relationship with Huo Yi and the fact that she had leaked secrets that led to the deaths of Ice Tribe princes and princesses.

Huo Yi confirmed that Yan Da now had another brother and a powerful helper, accelerating the Fire Tribe's conquest. Yan Da vehemently denied this, yelling that Ying Kong Shi couldn't be Huo Yi's son. Yan Da cursed Concubine Lian, then confessed her hatred for both Ying Kong Shi and his mother for gaining Huo Yi's adoration. Shuo Gang, agreeing with her sentiments, then suggested they find an opportune moment to eliminate Ying Kong Shi to prevent future trouble.

Yan Da questioned his intent to kill their brother, but Shuo Gang reminded her of their father's philosophy: to do whatever it takes to achieve their desires. Yan Da rejected this, claiming it was their way, not hers. In the Forest of Snow and Fog, Li Luo was waiting outside a cave. Ka Suo arrived with Yue Shen, Huang Tuo, and others, much to Li Luo's dismay, as they had agreed to meet privately.

The group insisted they came to protect Ka Suo from the unknown Fallen Oracle. Li Luo, frustrated, warned that their presence would anger the Fallen Oracle. Ka Suo intervened, apologizing to Li Luo and explaining he allowed them to come because he lacked the strength to protect her himself and feared for her safety. Li Luo then instructed everyone to wait outside the cave while she and Ka Suo entered alone.

Inside the cave, Li Luo blindfolded Ka Suo and secured his limbs with chains to a stone bed. She warned him to endure any pain, and under no circumstances to remove the blindfold, as breaking their promise would result in both of them being devoured by the Fallen Oracle. Ka Suo agreed, expressing his gratitude and his desire to watch every sunrise with her, to which Li Luo consented. Li Luo then summoned the Fallen Oracle.

Ka Suo heard her struggling and cried out her name. He passionately pleaded with the Fallen Oracle, affirming his love for Li Luo and offering himself instead. Li Luo, in a transformed state, wielding the God Devouring Sword, implored the Fallen Oracle sprite to destroy the God Devouring Sword spirits within Ka Suo. The terrifying Fallen Oracle materialized, questioning who had summoned it. Ka Suo, still blindfolded, sensed its powerful presence as Li Luo called his name.

Episode 33 Recap

The newly enthroned Ice King, Ying Kong Shi, found his moment of peace shattered by news of a Fire Tribe attack on the City of Bladed Snow. Arrows, bearing a message from the Fire King, Huo Yi, hinted at the Teardrop Charm. Concerned about rumors spreading and undermining his authority, Ying Kong Shi consulted Lian Ji.

She apologized for withholding information earlier, not wanting him to worry, but Ying Kong Shi asserted that rumors are like arrows that cannot be retrieved, capable of causing internal strife within the Ice Tribe. He decided to confront Huo Yi directly in the City of Ashes. Upon arriving, Ying Kong Shi was met by Yan Da, whom he quickly incapacitated with illusion magic. He threatened to kill Yan Da if Huo Yi continued to speak.

Huo Yi, undeterred, mocked Ying Kong Shi, stating his cold and ruthless demeanor mirrored a Fire prince, unlike the "useless" former Ice King. He acknowledged Ying Kong Shi as his son, highlighting their similarities. Ying Kong Shi released Yan Da and demanded to know Huo Yi's motive for attacking his city. Huo Yi revealed two objectives: a warning, and obtaining the Teardrop Charm.

Ying Kong Shi, recalling Lian Ji's earlier caution, handed over the Teardrop Charm Lian Ji had given him. However, Huo Yi rejected it, explaining that Lian Ji, being a child of a concubine, lacked the purest Mermaid Tribe bloodline, rendering her Teardrop Charm incapable of granting passage to the deepest part of the Endless Sea. Huo Yi promised to explain his need for the Endless Sea later and instead demanded a Teardrop Charm from a pure-blood mermaid.

When Ying Kong Shi questioned why he should obey, Huo Yi threatened to expose Ying Kong Shi's true Fire Tribe lineage and Lian Ji's betrayal, which led to the death of Ice princes and princesses. He knew such revelations would deeply wound Ka Suo. Huo Yi assured Ying Kong Shi that Ka Suo, now powerless, posed no threat to his crown.

Returning to the City of Bladed Snow, Ying Kong Shi was met by Lian Ji, who anxiously inquired about his meeting. She became enraged upon learning Huo Yi's demand for a pure mermaid's Teardrop Charm, but conceded that his blackmail left them with no choice. Ying Kong Shi stated he would resolve the issue himself and asked her not to interfere.

Unbeknownst to them, a familiar dark mist manifested outside the chamber, its low voice urging Ying Kong Shi to acquire the true Mermaid Teardrop Charm, enabling it to return to its territory. Meanwhile, deep within the Forest of Snow and Fog, Lan Shang, Huang Tuo, and Yue Shen rushed into the cave, drawn by unsettling roars. They found Ka Suo lying peacefully on a stone bed, but Li Luo was nowhere to be seen.

Huang Tuo examined Ka Suo, confirming that the God Devouring Sword Spirits had vanished entirely. Ka Suo was out of danger and would recover swiftly. Ka Suo awoke and immediately asked for Li Luo. The group praised Li Luo's earnest and devoted nature, a rarity in both the mortal and divine realms, but her continued absence left them bewildered. They returned with Ka Suo to the Ice Palace to share the good news.

The Old Ice King, Ice Queen, and Ying Kong Shi came to visit Ka Suo. Ying Kong Shi expressed his happiness, believing his decision to arrange Ka Suo and Li Luo's marriage had been a wise one, confident they would find eternal joy together. A messenger eagle arrived, bringing a message for Ka Suo.

His initial joy turned to shock and dismay as he read Li Luo's words, expressing gratitude for the betrothal but her desire for the freedom of the mortal realm. She stated her inability to serve as the Ice Consort and requested to resign as a realm guardian to become a commoner. Ying Kong Shi offered to find Li Luo, but Ka Suo declined, insisting he would handle his own problems.

Concurrently, Li Luo, her hands stained with blood, received Ka Suo's messenger eagle message. She remained silent, simply staring at her hands. The Ice Queen arrived and inquired if Li Luo had made a deal with the Fallen Oracle. Li Luo denied it and then requested a favor from the Ice Queen. Ka Suo and Lan Shang later received a summons from the Ice Queen for a meal. When they arrived, however, the Ice Queen was absent.

Ka Suo confided in Lan Shang about Li Luo's abrupt change of heart, expressing his confusion given their shared experiences and promises. Lan Shang, deeply admiring Ka Suo, could not comprehend Li Luo's actions either and playfully offered to seek a mind-reading spell from the Mermaid Saint. Ying Kong Shi entered the hall. Lan Shang, with her usual spirited demeanor, reminded him that in her heart, Ka Suo was the only true King.

Feeling disheartened, Ka Suo excused himself, claiming he needed to find his mother. Lan Shang rose to leave as well, but Ying Kong Shi stopped her, proposing marriage to ensure she wouldn't remain single forever, as he required an Ice Queen. Enraged by his audacity, Lan Shang slapped him and declared she would never speak to him again. Ying Kong Shi sat alone amidst the lavish, untouched food, reflecting on how bothersome women were, regardless of their realm.

He mused that if not for Ka Suo and the Teardrop Charm, he would have no interest in any of them. Ka Suo, searching for the Ice Queen, overheard Li Luo conversing with her. Li Luo was demanding greater rewards and power for saving Ka Suo, emphasizing that her perilous journey to the North Forbidden Land to find the Fallen Oracle had nearly cost her life.

She asserted that the initial reward for Ka Suo's life was insufficient, demanding to be appointed Realm Guardian Chief with significant authority, making her a sovereign. The Ice Queen questioned if Li Luo’s actions were born of love. Li Luo admitted to having once liked Ka Suo but stated she now understood their vast differences.

She explained that merely being the Prince's Consort would grant her only a few years of a mundane life, whereas she could achieve an extraordinary life of authority through her own efforts. She pointed out that Ying Kong Shi was now King, and Ka Suo held no power, rendering him useless in her eyes. Devastated, Ka Suo emerged from behind a pillar. Li Luo merely glanced at him, her expression unmoving, offering no denial of her words.

Ka Suo, his eyes fixed on her, simply stated, "Li Luo, I'll give you the reward that you want." They walked to the spot where they had first flown kites together. Ka Suo recounted how, during his gravest illness, when he had lost most of his memories, he still vividly remembered the promise they had made there.

Li Luo, gripping the kite string, coldly claimed to have no recollection of their shared past, though in reality, every moment spent with Ka Suo was vivid in her mind. Ka Suo desperately offered to abandon his divine identity and protect her forever if she would only stay with him. Li Luo scoffed at his declaration, asserting he could never truly abandon his brother or his tribe.

She questioned if he would remain indifferent should the Fire Tribe attack again, dismissing the conflicts of the realms and their leadership as irrelevant to her. She refused to sacrifice everything for the gods, criticizing their conceit and their expectation of mortal sacrifices. Ka Suo was heartbroken and struggled to reconcile this new reality of Li Luo. Li Luo then coldly demanded her desired power and stability, wishing to never see him again, and departed without a backward glance.

A distraught Ka Suo returned to the palace, where he met Xing Jiu. Xing Jiu advised him not to cling to his sorrow, reminding him that life itself is but a dream. He then invited Ka Suo to join him in uncovering a mystery on a distant coast. In the Mermaid Saint's chambers, Lan Shang lovingly massaged the Mermaid Saint's feet, clearly seeking a favor. The Mermaid Saint, knowing Lan Shang well, prompted her to reveal her request.

Lan Shang asked to take Ka Suo to Cherry Blossom Island, a sacred Mermaid Tribe location. The Mermaid Saint was infuriated, accusing Ka Suo of using Lan Shang for comfort after being rejected by a mortal. Lan Shang quickly clarified that it was her idea, explaining that Ka Suo was heartbroken and Huang Tuo had warned that his persistent unhappiness would impede his recovery.

The Mermaid Saint admonished Lan Shang for disregarding her teachings about maintaining dignity when a man's heart is no longer with her. Tearfully, Lan Shang confessed her inability to harden her heart against Ka Suo. She promised that once he recovered, she would leave the City of Bladed Snow forever and never see him again, begging the Mermaid Saint to grant her request one last time. The Mermaid Saint, unable to resist Lan Shang's pleas, ultimately consented.

Ka Suo and Xing Jiu arrived at a remote island. Ka Suo asked if Xing Jiu had visited the place before, to which Xing Jiu replied, "In a dream." Xing Jiu found a broken iron chain in the snow and gravely noted, "He undid the seal." When Ka Suo inquired about the identity of this person, Xing Jiu shook his head, stating he only knew that this individual was the "craziest god of the Three Realms."

Back in the Ice Palace, Ying Kong Shi sat alone, pondering Huo Yi's demand for the pure-blood mermaid's Teardrop Charm and Lan Shang's strong aversion to him. He realized Lan Shang would never willingly part with her Teardrop Charm for him. Determined to obtain it, Ying Kong Shi transformed himself into Ka Suo's likeness, intending to deceive Lan Shang. In his thoughts, he apologized to Ka Suo, believing this deception was the only way to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Episode 34 Recap

Ka Suo and Xing Jiu returned to the City of Bladed Snow after finding no gods or signs of life on Lian Qiu Island. The Ice King expressed his deep concern, explaining that the island had held a legendary, long-lost "crazy god from the ancient Ice-Flame Tribe" whose power vastly surpassed both the Ice and Fire Tribes. He admitted that even if he and Fire King Huo Yi combined their strength, they would not be able to defeat this being.

Xing Jiu then raised the matter of Xuan Ta's murder in the Illusion Sky, suggesting a connection to the newly unbound crazy god. Ka Suo defended Ying Kong Shi, reminding them that Ying Kong Shi had accused the Fire Tribe. The Ice King interjected, emphasizing that Ying Kong Shi's account was unverified, as no one else had witnessed the mysterious assassin.

Xing Jiu pointed out that the sudden and significant increase in Ying Kong Shi's power, coupled with the god's disappearance, was too coincidental to ignore, implying he had a powerful supporter. Ka Suo dismissed this as mere assumption, declaring that he would not believe Ying Kong Shi capable of harming the Ice Tribe without concrete evidence.

The Ice King then revealed that he had abdicated his throne to Ying Kong Shi out of no other choice, hinting that Ying Kong Shi was not of the Ice Tribe. Ka Suo, however, reaffirmed his unwavering trust in Ying Kong Shi, vowing to prove that the Ice King's decision was the right one.

Meanwhile, Ka Suo went to Ying Kong Shi's chambers to find him, but the King was not there, and the guards had no idea of his whereabouts. Unbeknownst to Ka Suo, Ying Kong Shi, disguised as Ka Suo, was at that very moment with Lan Shang in the mermaid’s private villa, amidst a cherry blossom grove. The two shared a tender moment as she danced. Lan Shang invited him to dance with her, saying, "Ka Suo, let's dance!"

When he claimed he couldn't, she playfully called him a "liar" and urged him to hurry. After they danced, "Ka Suo" tenderly confessed his feelings for Lan Shang. He promised to marry her once he recovered his spiritual powers, vowing to care for her forever. He presented her with a love token, asking, "Are you willing?" Lan Shang, blushing and overjoyed, replied, "I am willing." "Ka Suo" then asked for her Teardrop Charm as her love token.

Lan Shang hesitated, explaining that she did not possess it yet. When pressed, she revealed the Mermaid Tribe's secret: a Teardrop Charm is not a mere gemstone but a tear shed on the wedding night, when a mermaid loses her virginity and her tail transforms into permanent legs. Realizing the devastating implication, Ying Kong Shi was horrified by his own intentions. Overwhelmed with guilt, he abruptly left, muttering to himself, "What is wrong with me?

In order to obtain the Teardrop Charm, I considered taking away Lan Shang's virginity." He failed to notice Shuo Gang, who had been secretly following them and overheard the entire conversation. Shuo Gang, elated, realized this secret would allow him to retrieve the Teardrop Charm before Ying Kong Shi, thereby proving his worth to Fire King Huo Yi. Lan Shang was left alone, distraught and convinced that Ka Suo was angry with her.

As she sat crying, Shuo Gang approached, disguised as Ka Suo, and covered her eyes. Believing it was Ka Suo, Lan Shang tearfully apologized for her earlier hesitation, confessing her love and saying, "If you want to marry me, I'm willing to give myself to you. You are the king that I am deeply in love with." Believing she could feel his heartbeat, she told him, "I believe you." Shuo Gang took advantage of her vulnerability.

After the encounter, Lan Shang woke up, feeling happy and marveling at her new human legs. She joyfully exclaimed that gaining legs and living on land was "so easy." Unbeknownst to her, Shuo Gang had already stolen her Teardrop Charm and departed to present it to Huo Yi in the Blazing City.

Meanwhile, at the border between the divine and mortal realms, Ka Suo grew suspicious when Qin Chu vehemently prevented realm guardians from entering the Forest of Snow and Fog to hunt, offering no clear reason beyond preventing accidents. Ka Suo decided to investigate alone. Deep within the forest, he encountered a transformed Li Luo, who, in her beastly state, accidentally severely injured him before both fell unconscious.

Li Luo awoke first and, seeing Ka Suo gravely wounded, wept uncontrollably, repeatedly apologizing for her actions. When Ka Suo regained consciousness, he gently chided her for her self-sacrifice, revealing that he knew she had made a deal with the Fallen Oracle to save him. He reiterated his desire to marry her, pledging to care for her forever, regardless of her transformation.

However, Li Luo refused, lamenting that the Fallen Oracle's curse had turned her into a beast, rendering her unworthy to be his wife and capable only of bringing him harm. Ka Suo insisted that the curse did not define her true self, promising to protect her and to leave with her every night and wait for her every dawn until she fully returned to her former self.

Back on the cherry blossom island, a joyous Lan Shang, reveling in her new legs, encountered Ying Kong Shi by the sea. Ying Kong Shi, still unaware of Shuo Gang's actions, conveyed a fabricated apology from Ka Suo for "violating" her. Lan Shang, blushing, assured him it was "alright" and thanked Ka Suo for a "night filled with happiness," leaving Ying Kong Shi bewildered about the true events of the previous night.

Later, in the City of Bladed Snow, Ying Kong Shi organized a snowball game to uplift Ka Suo's spirits, instructing everyone not to mention Li Luo. Lan Shang, with a bashful expression, announced that Ka Suo had overcome his sadness and was in a much better mood. Chao Ya remarked on Lan Shang's energetic demeanor, to which Lan Shang happily confirmed that her legs were now much more functional, enabling her to live on land without difficulty.

The joyous atmosphere was shattered when Ka Suo arrived at the game with Li Luo and publicly declared her his fiancée. Lan Shang watched in disbelief, her joyful expression replaced by shock and then anger. She confronted Ka Suo, questioning why he would treat her so cruelly today after what he had done for her yesterday. A bewildered Ka Suo denied ever being with her the previous night, stating he had been with Li Luo the entire time.

Lan Shang, heartbroken and furious, cried out "I hate you!" and fled the scene. Ying Kong Shi followed the distraught Lan Shang to the seaside, where she wept, accusing "Ka Suo" of loving and promising to marry her only to lie and abandon her for Li Luo. As she spoke, Ying Kong Shi revealed the deception, transforming into Ka Suo and then back into his true form before her eyes.

Realizing the deception, Lan Shang was stunned, then attacked him in a fit of rage. Ying Kong Shi deflected her, sending her tumbling towards the water. She cried out in terror, "Water! I can't touch water right now!" and pleaded for help. Ying Kong Shi, perplexed, asked why a mermaid would fear water.

Lan Shang, her eyes filled with resentment, explained that a mermaid who sheds her Teardrop Charm permanently loses her tail, her identity as a mermaid, and the ability to return to the ocean. Ying Kong Shi was shocked by this revelation, realizing that someone had indeed taken her virginity and the Teardrop Charm.

Lan Shang, still believing Ying Kong Shi was responsible for the assault, bitterly accused him of being as evil as the Fire King, having taken his brother's throne and now betrayed her trust. Ying Kong Shi vehemently denied having violated her, but Lan Shang, inconsolable, refused to believe him and departed. Left alone, Ying Kong Shi pondered who could have truly stolen Lan Shang's virginity and the Teardrop Charm.

Upon inspecting the cherry blossom island, he discovered a half-burned leaf on a stone bed, confirming the involvement of someone from the Fire Tribe. Meanwhile, Lian Ji, in disguise, went to the Forest of Snow and Fog to interrogate a group of sprites about Xing Jiu and Xuan Ta's investigation. She cleverly manipulated them, first praising their loyalty, then hinting that Xuan Ta's assassin was an internal spy, not from the Fire Tribe.

The alarmed sprites agreed that the spy needed to be found. When Lian Ji pressed them, they recalled that only Xing Jiu, Xuan Ta, and a girl named Li Luo knew about the spy, and that Xing Jiu had seen the spy meeting with the Fire King in Li Luo's dream. Having extracted the crucial information, Lian Ji ruthlessly killed all the sprites, warning them, "In your next lifetime, remember to watch what you say," before leaving.

Episode 35 Recap

Shuo Gang boasted about taking Princess Lan Shang's virginity and the Teardrop Charm, planning to take her as a concubine. Ying Kong Shi confronted Shuo Gang, demanding to know if he was the one who took Lan Shang's Teardrop Charm. Shuo Gang readily admitted it, adding that he was helping Ying Kong Shi achieve what he couldn't and that he hadn't revealed Ying Kong Shi's "weakness" to their father.

Enraged, Ying Kong Shi attempted to kill Shuo Gang, but Yan Da intervened. Ying Kong Shi, recalling their past connection, was unwilling to attack Yan Da, stating he sought revenge for Lan Shang's desecration by Shuo Gang's despicable means. Yan Da coldly retorted that he had no right to seek revenge for Lan Shang, accusing him of being equally despicable.

She stated that if Ying Kong Shi hadn't first tricked Lan Shang by pretending to be Ka Suo and discovering the secret of the Teardrop Charm, Shuo Gang wouldn't have been able to take advantage of her; Shuo Gang was merely completing Ying Kong Shi's original plan.

Yan Da criticized Ying Kong Shi for looking down on the Fire Tribe while embodying the same cold, ruthless, and unscrupulous traits he claims to despise, traits deeply ingrained in him, just like the Fire Tribe's ways. She concluded that he betrayed Lan Shang to protect himself and is the true culprit, a crime that cannot be fixed even by killing Shuo Gang.

Ying Kong Shi's emotions became increasingly complex, and his spiritual power surged uncontrolled, though he was unaware of the shocked expressions on Yan Da and Shuo Gang's faces. Suddenly, the Fire King arrived, and finding Ying Kong Shi already gone, he furiously declared he would kill Ying Kong Shi for his disobedience. Shuo Gang, however, accused Ying Kong Shi of ambushing him and Yan Da.

Yan Da, who had been unable to open her eyes due to Ying Kong Shi's golden light, immediately interceded for him, suggesting he was merely agitated and would ultimately be loyal to the Fire Tribe, requesting more time for him. The Fire King was skeptical about controlling Ying Kong Shi and expressed concern about keeping him alive. He then instructed Shuo Gang to quickly locate the entrance to the Divine Snow Mountain.

Haunted by Yan Da's words, Ying Kong Shi paced alone in a hall, performing a solitary dance amidst falling flower petals. Ka Suo, observing his distress and knowing he had been weary from continuous troubles since taking the throne, approached him and offered to talk. Ying Kong Shi, addressing Ka Suo as "Brother," confessed his deep fatigue and a growing belief that he was unfit to be King, admitting he had overestimated himself.

Ka Suo reminded him of their father's advice to nurture the Ice Nucleus, explaining that though small, it could grow into the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal and mend the Ice Veil, symbolizing the long journey of kingship. He urged Ying Kong Shi to trust his heart to guide him. Ka Suo's words reminded Ying Kong Shi of Lotus Fairy's actions, making him feel even more guilty and remorseful, preventing him from revealing the truth.

Ying Kong Shi expressed his uncertainty and exhaustion, hoping he wouldn't make a wrong choice, then changed the subject, asking Ka Suo why he sought him out. Ka Suo replied that he simply wished to play the flute with him. As Ka Suo played, Ying Kong Shi reflected internally, acknowledging his fear not of his true identity being exposed, but of the disappointment it might cause Ka Suo.

He resolved to accept full responsibility for his past actions and their consequences. In her chamber, Princess Lan Shang lay distraught on her bed, refusing food or water. The Mermaid Saint, assuming her sorrow was over Ka Suo and Li Luo's impending marriage, gently suggested they return to the Endless Sea.

Lan Shang, her bright eyes now filled with despair, expressed a desperate wish to erase all connections to Ka Suo and retreat to the deepest parts of the ocean, never to emerge, lamenting that it was now impossible. Alarmed, the Mermaid Saint pressed her to reveal what truly happened. A maid then announced that the Ice King, Ying Kong Shi, was outside, seeking to see her.

Lan Shang immediately hid under her covers, refusing to see him and demanding his departure. The Mermaid Saint, after comforting her, left to address Ying Kong Shi. In a vivid recollection or hallucination, Lan Shang saw Ying Kong Shi, appearing as Ka Suo, mockingly telling her that Ka Suo marrying Li Luo was inevitable, and that her attachment to him had allowed him to take her Teardrop Charm. Consumed by rage, she imagined attacking him with a spear.

Outside, the Mermaid Saint politely informed Ying Kong Shi that Lan Shang was unwell and could not see him. However, Lan Shang herself then emerged, smiling brightly. Ying Kong Shi, surprised, asked if she was truly alright. With a subtle hint of resentment in her voice, Lan Shang claimed she had merely been sad over an unfulfilled love but was now fine, having realized that life held more than just romance and other important things to pursue.

Ying Kong Shi praised her newfound resilience, noting how worried he had been. He then asked the Mermaid Saint to leave, stating he had private matters to discuss with Lan Shang. Alone, Ying Kong Shi candidly admitted to having done many unforgivable things to her. He promised to seek justice and her forgiveness when the time was right, asking for her patience until then, and that he would do whatever she asked.

Lan Shang's smile vanished, her eyes filled with unconcealed hatred as she simply replied, "I will wait for you," before turning and re-entering the chamber. Later that night, Lan Shang sat with the Mermaid Saint, gazing at the stars. She yearned to return to her childhood, a time free from worries and the City of Bladed Snow, when she could swim freely in the ocean. She asked if there was any way to reverse time.

The Mermaid Saint, reminiscing about her own youth, mentioned a legend of a rare Scarlet Lotus from the ancient Three Realms, said to possess the power to alter time, though she admitted it was likely just a myth and its location unknown. When the Mermaid Saint suggested returning to the Endless Sea, Lan Shang hesitated, citing Ka Suo's upcoming wedding and the potential for discontent among other tribes if they were absent.

Deeply moved by the Mermaid Saint's unwavering care for her happiness above all else, Lan Shang then asked to borrow her sea pearl. At the Lotus Fairy's palace, the Lotus Fairy, displeased that Li Luo did not appear after being summoned, instead sending Realm Guardians Lu Zhao and Yang Dan, expressed her dissatisfaction. The guardians reported that Li Luo was occupied and had sent them in her stead.

The Lotus Fairy demanded Li Luo's immediate presence, but the guardians explained that they hadn't seen Li Luo in a long time and that Qin Chu had mentioned Li Luo was practicing her spirituality in the Forest of Snow and Fog, with no set return date. Meanwhile, outside the Forest of Snow and Fog, Ka Suo was amusing himself by conjuring small animals with his spiritual power while waiting for Li Luo to finish her training.

Xing Jiu suddenly appeared, carrying the bodies of sparrow sprites. He explained that these sprites had been murdered for helping him investigate an Ice Tribe spy, and he intended to bury them respectfully in the forest. As Ka Suo and Xing Jiu pondered who committed such a heinous act, Li Luo found herself in dire peril deep within the forest. Hearing Li Luo's scream, Ka Suo immediately rushed into the forest.

He quickly subdued a masked assassin attempting to kill Li Luo. Just as Ka Suo was about to unmask the assailant, a black mist materialized, rescuing the assassin before they could be identified. Ka Suo then carried the unconscious Li Luo back to the City of Bladed Snow, where Liao Jian expressed surprise upon seeing her condition. In Li Luo's chamber, her friends, including Pian Feng, Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, Liao Jian, Chao Ya, and Xing Jiu, gathered around her.

Li Luo, ashamed of her transformed appearance, tried to avoid them. Yue Shen playfully challenged Li Luo, acknowledging her shapeshifting abilities. Ka Suo then asked Huang Tuo if he could cure Li Luo's affliction. Huang Tuo regretfully stated that Li Luo wasn't sick but cursed, and while he couldn't lift the curse, he could alleviate her animosity and pain. Li Luo thanked him.

Xing Jiu then inquired if Li Luo recognized her attacker from the previous day and why she was targeted. Li Luo replied that she didn't know. Xing Jiu observed that the magic used by the assassin was remarkably similar to the one that killed Xuan Ta and expressed his belief that the assassin would return.

Ying Kong Shi, who had been listening from outside the chamber, silently turned and departed, reflecting that since Li Luo had removed the Sword Spirits from his body, his spiritual power was recovering, and he would be able to protect her in the future. Ying Kong Shi then visited the Lotus Fairy, who appeared to be injured and lying on a couch. He confronted her, asserting that she was the one who had attempted to kill Li Luo.

The Lotus Fairy admitted her guilt, explaining that Li Luo had witnessed her meeting with Fire King and therefore had to be eliminated to prevent exposure. Ying Kong Shi argued that Li Luo, as Ka Suo's fiancée, was well-protected and impossible to kill. He urged the Lotus Fairy to flee for her safety. However, she refused, stating that her flight would disgrace him as the Ice King. Instead, she offered to die, taking all the blame, to secure his throne.

She then laid a cruel choice before him: the path of a king is ruthless, and to maintain his throne, he must sacrifice either his brother or his mother (the Lotus Fairy herself). Ying Kong Shi, deeply affected by her words, his eyes moist, remained silent for a moment before turning and leaving. Ka Suo found Ying Kong Shi gazing at the free birds in the sky, remarking that he felt his castle was more a prison.

Ka Suo, noticing Ying Kong Shi's increased thinness and his noble silver hair but tired yet gentle demeanor, asked if he could help. Ying Kong Shi responded by wishing Ka Suo to be free on his behalf, to travel with Li Luo and explore the beauty of the Mortal Realm.

When Ka Suo questioned his unusual request, Ying Kong Shi explained that he wanted Ka Suo to achieve what he himself could not, like soaring freely across every inch of the land. Ka Suo responded with a heavy sigh. Later, a nervous Li Luo, accompanied by Ka Suo, approached the Ice King and Ice Queen to seek permission for their marriage. Li Luo expressed her doubts that they would accept her.

The Ice Queen, however, greeted Li Luo warmly, thanking her for helping Ka Suo overcome his Sword Spirits. Ka Suo then formally declared his intention to marry Li Luo to his parents. The Ice King immediately objected, questioning who had approved such a union. Ka Suo stated it was Ying Kong Shi's order.

The Ice King reiterated his refusal, clarifying that his opposition wasn't due to Li Luo being a mere mortal, but because she was afflicted by the Fallen Oracle's curse. He expressed concern that Li Luo might lose control and accidentally harm Ka Suo, and questioned what their tribesmen would think of their king marrying a "monster." Recalling a previous conversation with the Ice King, Li Luo reluctantly told Ka Suo that he should give up on her.

Ka Suo vehemently refused, declaring that he didn't care about public opinion and would marry Li Luo before leaving with her to live privately in the Mortal Realm. The Ice King, furious at Ka Suo's defiance, threatened him with violence, but Ying Kong Shi suddenly appeared and intervened. Ying Kong Shi declared that he was the one who ordered Ka Suo and Li Luo's marriage.

He argued to the Ice King that Ka Suo was only happy with Li Luo, and this was the best choice for his brother. When the Ice King, enraged, commanded Ying Kong Shi to retract his order, Ying Kong Shi calmly reminded him that he had abdicated, and as the current King, he would not retract his decision. The Ice King, speechless with fury, turned and left. Ka Suo then knelt outside the chamber, appealing to his father for approval.

Ying Kong Shi urged Li Luo to take Ka Suo away, but Li Luo, believing their marriage needed the Ice King and Ice Queen's blessing to avoid Ka Suo's lifelong regret, knelt beside him. In the royal hall, Ying Kong Shi, wielding the God Devouring Sword, confronted a swirling black mist. The mist declared that the throne belonged neither to Ying Kong Shi nor itself.

Ying Kong Shi asked if the Fire King had sent the mist, but the mist dismissed the Fire King as insignificant. It then commanded Ying Kong Shi to destroy the Fire Tribe and retrieve the Teardrop Charm. Ying Kong Shi questioned why he should obey. The black mist asserted that helping it was helping himself, claiming to be the only god in the world from Ying Kong Shi's true tribe, leaving Ying Kong Shi to ponder his own identity.

Suddenly, a faint noise in the corner led Ying Kong Shi to wield his sword, only for Xing Jiu to appear. Xing Jiu explained that he was in the hall searching for his ancestral necklace, a precious heirloom of his dream tribe, and hadn't expected to encounter Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi questioned his presence, but Xing Jiu revealed that the necklace was currently under Ying Kong Shi's foot. Ying Kong Shi lowered his God Devouring Sword, picked up the necklace, examined it briefly, and then handed it back to Xing Jiu before silently departing the hall.

Episode 36 Recap

As Ka Suo and Li Luo knelt outside the palace, they exchanged sweet glances, reminiscing about the many life-and-death situations they had faced together. Meanwhile, on the Seven Saints Platform, the Ice King stood alone until the Ice Queen joined him. She noted that since Ying Kong Shi and Ka Suo began vying for the throne, countless incidents had occurred.

Now, with Ying Kong Shi wielding full power and Ka Suo's spiritual strength yet to fully recover, she suggested it might be safer for Ka Suo to leave temporarily, avoiding direct confrontation. The Ice King expressed his sorrow, feeling abandoned despite his lifelong dedication to the Ice Tribe and the Three Realms. He lamented that as he grew older, even his own son seemed unwilling to remain by his side.

The Ice Queen comforted him, reminding him that she was still there. He told her that marrying her was the best decision of his life. The Ice Queen then shared her belief that Li Luo loved Ka Suo more than herself, willing to sacrifice her own life for him, and hoped Ka Suo would receive his father's blessing for happiness.

The Ice King admitted he understood his son and recognized Li Luo as a good girl, but confessed his reluctance to let Ka Suo go. The Ice Queen gently reiterated that Ka Suo’s departure from City of Bladed Snow would truly keep him safe from all dangers. The Ice Queen then approached Ka Suo and Li Luo, who were still kneeling.

She urged them to rise, but Ka Suo firmly declared they would not get up until his father approved their marriage. Just then, the Ice King appeared and asked them to stand, saying he had something to say. He questioned Li Luo if she was willing to love Ka Suo and sacrifice everything for him, even her life, to which she readily agreed.

He then turned to Ka Suo, asking if he would continue to love Li Luo even if she were cursed and transformed into a beast. Ka Suo unequivocally affirmed his devotion. Seeing their steadfast resolve, the Ice King implicitly gave his blessing. The Ice Queen joyfully announced that Ka Suo’s father had agreed, and Ka Suo and Li Luo embraced happily. Ka Suo and Li Luo proceeded with a simple wedding ceremony.

During the celebration, someone teased Ka Suo about Li Luo marrying without a betrothal gift. Ka Suo then presented Li Luo with a rainbow bracelet he had crafted from her broken kite strings, adorned with bullet and knife-proof jewels, assuring her it wouldn't break this time. In another part of City of Bladed Snow, Lan Shang gazed mournfully at the sky, wishing she could be Ka Suo's bride that day.

She lamented that her imperfect self was no longer worthy of him, and silently bade farewell to the place she had once dreamed of sharing with him for a lifetime. Later, Li Luo shared with Ka Suo enchanting tales of the Mortal Realm: boundless grasslands, a clear blue lake that merged with the sky, antelopes and horses running free. She envisioned them building a tent, fishing by day, and watching the stars by night.

Ka Suo, though drawn to such a life, stated it wasn't the right time. Li Luo, ever supportive, simply replied that they would stay then. When Ka Suo asked why she didn't question his decision, Li Luo lovingly stated that as his future wife, she would go wherever he went. Ka Suo thanked her, then expressed his constant worry for Ying Kong Shi, suspecting a hidden reason behind his brother's urgent desire for him to leave.

Li Luo reassured him that whatever came, they would face it together with Ying Kong Shi. In the Forest of Snow and Fog, Li Luo awoke to the sound of children playing nearby. She followed the sounds to find Ying Kong Shi happily romping with two young Ice Tribe children. Observing him, Li Luo remarked that it had been a long time since she had seen him smile so genuinely. His smile, however, quickly faded upon seeing her.

He commented that mortals and gods alike grow harder to satisfy the more they pursue something, then advised Li Luo to return to the city for her wedding day. Li Luo conveyed Ka Suo’s longing and concern for him, but Ying Kong Shi merely offered a faint smile before turning and departing. At the Mermaid Clan’s palace, the Mermaid Saint was taken aback by Lan Shang’s dramatic change in attire.

Lan Shang, usually pure and graceful, now wore a black, enchanting gown. The Saint suggested it was inappropriate for Ka Suo’s wedding day, but Lan Shang countered that she dressed to please herself, not others, and felt she looked beautiful. Later, Lan Shang, still in her striking black dress, visited Li Luo, who was being adorned by Yue Shen and Chao Ya. Li Luo, looking radiant in her wedding attire, was showered with compliments.

Lan Shang congratulated Li Luo, observing that she seemed different. Lan Shang explained that besides being Ka Suo and Li Luo's special day, it was also her own. She then placed a necklace, Ka Suo’s love token for Li Luo, around Li Luo's neck and hugged her, wishing her and Ka Suo eternal happiness and love, adding that their wishes would surely come true.

During the wedding ceremony in the Royal Hall, the young Ice King, Ying Kong Shi, formally announced Ka Suo and Li Luo as husband and wife, declaring that none should come between them. As Ka Suo and Li Luo shared a loving embrace, Lan Shang watched them, her eyes brimming with tears, while the Mermaid Saint quietly offered her counsel, urging her to let go of the past and live a happier life from now on.

Ying Kong Shi noticed Lan Shang’s unusual behavior and secretly followed her as she left the hall. He found her by a beautiful crystal, channeling her spiritual power. He apologized to her, promising to marry her one day, making City of Bladed Snow her home. Lan Shang asked if he truly loved her. After a brief pause, Ying Kong Shi replied that he would try to love her.

Lan Shang then coldly challenged him to prove it, casting a black pearl necklace into a magical pool she had created. Ying Kong Shi entered the pool, and Lan Shang then demanded his Teardrop Charm, which he gave her. With Ying Kong Shi trapped within the pool, Lan Shang declared that she wanted his life, not his love, and began to cast a binding spell. Ying Kong Shi warned her not to force him to kill her.

Meanwhile, at the wedding banquet, Ka Suo suddenly sensed that Li Luo was in danger, alerted by his protection stone. He immediately rushed off with Liao Jian to find her. At the magical pool, Li Luo arrived and shattered Lan Shang's crystal, freeing Ying Kong Shi from the trap. Enraged, Lan Shang snatched the God Devouring Sword, vowing to settle all her scores with Ying Kong Shi that day.

Li Luo bravely intercepted Lan Shang’s attack, taking the blade of the God Devouring Sword into her own body. As Lan Shang struggled to pull the sword free, Ying Kong Shi used an unfamiliar magic to separate them. Ka Suo arrived at that moment, and both Chao Ya and Liao Jian, who were present, were astonished, remarking that the magic Ying Kong Shi had used was unlike anything they had seen from either the Ice Tribe or the Fire Tribe.

Desperate, Ka Suo took the unconscious Li Luo and rushed off to find Huang Tuo. Ying Kong Shi then urged Lan Shang to flee the scene. Ka Suo brought the unconscious Li Luo to Huang Tuo. Soon after, the Ice King and Ice Queen arrived. Chao Ya and Liao Jian explained that Lan Shang had stabbed Li Luo with the God Devouring Sword.

The Ice King then questioned the white glow he had witnessed, and was informed that Ying Kong Shi had used a type of magic that was entirely unknown and not from the Ice Tribe. Hearing this, the Ice King and Ice Queen exchanged troubled glances.

Episode 37 Recap

Ka Suo brought the grievously injured Li Luo to Huang Tuo, who frantically tried to help but shook his head in despair. Huang Tuo explained that the wound inflicted by the God Devouring Sword was demonic and beyond the reach of his ordinary medicine.

When Ka Suo reminded him that he had once healed Ka Suo from a similar wound, Huang Tuo clarified that Ka Suo, as a god and the sword's sheath, was different from Li Luo, a mortal whose body was made of flesh. Ka Suo pleaded for a solution, reminding Huang Tuo of the many difficulties he and Li Luo had overcome to be together. Huang Tuo promised to think of a way.

As Ka Suo murmured about their past joys and shared dreams of living in the Mortal Realm, raising horses, and gazing at stars, Li Luo unexpectedly regained consciousness. She weakly called Ka Suo’s name and, with a sweet smile, told him she was truly happy to have been his wife, even if only for one day. Ka Suo refuted her, insisting they still had many days ahead, to raise children and grow old together.

Li Luo, however, tearfully expressed her regret that she might not live to see that day, urging him to live well in her absence and let her leave in peace. With that, she succumbed to her injuries. Ka Suo cried out in anguish. Huang Tuo, unable to save her, stated he could only use magic to seal her body's vital energy to preserve her in this state, hoping they could find a cure later.

However, he admitted that such a powerful feat was beyond his capabilities. At that moment, Ying Kong Shi arrived and offered to try, stating that Ka Suo’s spiritual powers had not yet recovered. Meanwhile, Lan Shang, who was frantically fleeing through the City of Bladed Snow, encountered the Mermaid Saint. Although the Saint was unsure of what Lan Shang had initially done, Lan Shang confessed that she had intended to kill Ying Kong Shi but had accidentally hurt Li Luo.

The Saint immediately urged her to leave the City of Bladed Snow and hide on Cherry Blossom Island. The Saint reassured her, promising to handle any trouble, and despite Lan Shang's reluctance to implicate her, the Saint insisted she go, assuring her that she would be safe. Lan Shang, distraught and overwhelmed, hurriedly departed for Cherry Blossom Island.

Ka Suo, Huang Tuo, and Yue Shen watched in astonishment as Ying Kong Shi performed an unfamiliar, powerful magic to seal Li Luo's body. Afterward, Ka Suo followed Ying Kong Shi out, noticing his brother’s exhausted and subdued demeanor, clearly having over-exerted himself. Ka Suo asked about the magic he had just used, but Ying Kong Shi evaded the question, simply stating that Li Luo's injury was a result of her trying to help him.

He added that he always brought misfortune to Ka Suo and did not want him to get hurt either, suggesting Ka Suo return to Li Luo's side. Ying Kong Shi then went alone to a lakeside, removing his blindfold to gaze at his reflection on the icy surface. The mysterious Black Mist suddenly appeared, revealing that the strange mark in his eye was the noble symbol of the Ice-Flame Tribe, congratulating him on becoming a god of their tribe.

Ying Kong Shi, disturbed, questioned what the Ice-Flame Tribe was and insisted he did not want to be part of it, nor was he from it. The Black Mist merely stated that only a god with Ice-Flame Tribe blood could wield their magic and told him to accept his fate before Ying Kong Shi attempted to capture it, but it swiftly vanished.

Back in the Royal Hall, the Ice King and others were examining the residual magical traces left behind from the battle. They confirmed the magic did not belong to any of the assembled Ice Tribe members, nor did it resemble Fire Tribe magic. The Old Ice King, his brow furrowed, voiced his suspicion that it was the long-lost magic of the Ice-Flame Tribe.

Starry Guardian explained that the Ice-Flame Tribe, though ancient and declining, possessed powers and magic superior to both the Ice and Fire Tribes. He recounted his prior visit to Lian Qiu Rock, where an Ice-Flame Tribe mad god was supposedly imprisoned, but the seal had been broken and the god was gone. The attendees grew even more puzzled, wondering why Ying Kong Shi, as the Ice King, could use the magic of another tribe.

Liao Jian then sensationally declared his doubt that Ying Kong Shi was of pure Ice Tribe blood. The Old Ice King, after a moment of silence, confirmed that he had long harbored suspicions about Ying Kong Shi's lineage. Liao Jian, with his fiery temperament, immediately suggested confronting Ying Kong Shi.

Starry Guardian intervened, cautioning against rash actions and revealing his long-held suspicion that a mole within the Ice Tribe, not a Fire Tribe assassin, was responsible for recent events—including the murder of five young men in the Forest of Snow and Fog, the fire at Illusion Sky, and the assassination attempt on Ka Suo. He further speculated that Xuan Ta was likely killed because he had discovered the truth.

Everyone realized Starry Guardian was implying Ying Kong Shi might be the mole. They found it incomprehensible that if this were true, Ying Kong Shi could still calmly occupy the throne. Coupled with Lan Shang's uncharacteristic attack on Ying Kong Shi and Li Luo, the situation became even more bewildering. Starry Guardian concluded that finding Lan Shang would be key to uncovering Ying Kong Shi's secret.

Back with the sealed Li Luo, Ka Suo refused Yue Shen's suggestion to ask Ying Kong Shi for more spiritual power, citing his brother's mental exhaustion.

Huang Tuo observed that the ice around Li Luo was melting much faster than expected and, realizing that a long-term solution required a perpetually freezing environment, suggested moving Li Luo to the bottom of the Endless Sea, a place even colder than the City of Bladed Snow, to preserve her seal with the spiritual powers of Heaven and Earth.

As the three prepared to lower Li Luo into the Endless Sea from a cliff, they were intercepted by realm guardians, with Qin Chu angrily demanding to know why they were abandoning Li Luo instead of trying to save her. Huang Tuo explained their intention was not to give up, but to preserve her body and vital energy until a cure could be found.

Ka Suo then eloquently convinced the guardians, reminding Qin Chu of Li Luo's unwavering courage and his own unwavering commitment to her, pledging to retrieve her once a solution was found. With their consent, they collectively lowered Li Luo into the icy depths. As the others departed, Ka Suo remained alone at the cliff's edge, gazing out at the sea, murmuring his promise to Li Luo.

Ying Kong Shi later approached Ka Suo at the cliff, apologizing for the turn of events, stating he had only wished for Ka Suo and Li Luo’s happiness. When Ka Suo expressed his confusion and disappointment regarding Lan Shang's actions, Ying Kong Shi's gaze softened, and he stated that Lan Shang was an innocent victim and everything was his fault.

Ka Suo, surprised, asked why he would say such a thing, but Ying Kong Shi remained silent for a moment before quietly walking away. Elsewhere in the City of Bladed Snow, Lian Ji, while out, overheard people gossiping about Ying Kong Shi—questioning his pure bloodline, suggesting he was a reincarnated demon responsible for the deaths of the Seven Saints, and accusing him of using unorthodox, non-Ice Tribe magic.

Enraged, she silenced the gossips and returned to the palace to see the Mermaid Saint. Upon arrival, she learned that the Old Ice King had ordered strict surveillance of the Saint, preventing her from leaving. Lian Ji scoffed at the guards, asserting her authority as Queen Mother and dismissing them. The Saint, for her part, sarcastically remarked that the Old Ice King’s "hospitality" was merely a pretense for imprisonment.

Lian Ji then approached the Saint, taunting her about Lan Shang’s predicament and the dire consequences she faced for attacking Ka Suo's beloved Li Luo. She suggested that even the Mermaid Tribe would turn her over to protect themselves. Despite the Saint's defiance, Lian Ji eventually offered a solution, revealing a secret passage at the bottom of the Hundred-Flower Fountain that led to a frozen lake outside the City of Bladed Snow.

She promised to meet the Saint and Lan Shang there to assist their escape. The Saint subtly blinked in understanding, and Lian Ji, after a few perfunctory remarks to the guards, departed. Later, Starry Guardian, Chao Ya, Pian Feng, and Liao Jian, who had been secretly observing, saw Lian Ji and the Mermaid Saint rendezvous. They watched as Lian Ji facilitated the Saint's escape on horseback, confirming their suspicions about Lian Ji's involvement.

From a hidden vantage point, Lian Ji smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. Meanwhile, Ying Kong Shi used his magic and saw Shuo Gang arrive on Cherry Blossom Island, where a distraught Lan Shang sat amidst a sea of flowers, looking fragile and helpless. Shuo Gang, with a wicked smile, approached Lan Shang, informing her he suspected she was hiding there after killing Ka Suo’s bride and being wanted by the Ice Tribe.

When Lan Shang angrily questioned how he knew of their secret Mermaid Tribe location, Shuo Gang smugly revealed that he had been there before and had "played" with her for a long time. He then vividly recounted the night she was defiled, explaining that he had blindfolded her, making her believe he was Ka Suo, or later, Ying Kong Shi.

He described how she had asked about his sincerity, how he had placed her hand on his chest, how she had embraced him tightly, and how she had left behind her Teardrop Charm. Upon hearing the horrifying truth, Lan Shang was utterly devastated. Overcome with guilt and remorse, she cried, realizing her grave mistake in blaming Ying Kong Shi and, worse, causing Li Luo’s death.

Shuo Gang, seeing her vulnerability, moved to take advantage of her, but was suddenly forced back by a powerful blow. Ying Kong Shi appeared, his eyes blazing with killing intent, his normally gentle voice laced with cold fury as he vowed to shred Shuo Gang into a thousand pieces. Shuo Gang, visibly alarmed, grabbed Lan Shang and pulled her in front of him, using her as a shield to deter Ying Kong Shi.

Just as Ying Kong Shi knocked Shuo Gang to the ground and was about to deliver a fatal strike, the Mermaid Saint arrived and angrily demanded to know why Ying Kong Shi was there. Ying Kong Shi explained he had come to avenge Lan Shang, but then he realized Lan Shang was no longer present. Lost in despair, Lan Shang made her way to a cliff overlooking the sea.

She began to dance gracefully, her eyes hollow and vacant, as fragmented memories of her first encounter with Ka Suo and her long, unrequited devotion to him flashed through her mind. With a final, sorrowful farewell to her beloved King, she leaped into the endless depths. When the Mermaid Saint and Ying Kong Shi reached the cliff, they found Chao Ya, Starry Guardian, and Pian Feng there, with Pian Feng gazing out at the Endless Sea.

The Saint anxiously asked about Lan Shang, and Pian Feng regretfully replied that she had already fled into the sea. However, Pian Feng then noticed a Teardrop Charm on a nearby rock. The Saint, bewildered, questioned its presence. Ying Kong Shi instantly understood the tragic truth: a mermaid could not survive underwater without her Teardrop Charm. He realized Lan Shang had not escaped, but had chosen to end her life. Seizing the Teardrop Charm from Pian Feng, Ying Kong Shi immediately plunged into the sea.

Episode 38 Recap

On Cherry Blossoms Island, sakura petals suddenly detached from the trees, swirling through the air. As everyone watched the magical sight in amazement, the Mermaid Saint became distraught, exclaiming that Lan Shang was crying and leaving her. Chao Ya questioned if Lan Shang was bidding them farewell, while others remained confused. The Mermaid Saint rushed to the cliff's edge, calling out to Lan Shang over the sea.

Deep within the Endless Sea, Lan Shang lay unconscious beside a coral, her pink skirt blooming like a cherry blossom, her long hair glowing faintly like seaweed. Ying Kong Shi approached and pulled her, intending to bring her to safety, but was briefly ensnared by her seaweed. With urgency, he broke free and carried the unconscious Lan Shang towards the surface.

In Fire City, the Fire King held the Teardrop Charm, envisioning their journey to Divine Snow Mountain once Shuo Gang returned with Lan Shang. However, Yan Da reported that the Mermaid Princess had attempted to assassinate Ka Suo's queen on his wedding night, then fled and was now missing. The Mermaid Saint was imprisoned in the City of Bladed Snow, and the Ice Tribe was actively searching for Lan Shang.

Shuo Gang, she believed, was also doing his utmost to find her. The Fire King, hearing this, mistakenly assumed Lan Shang's attack was motivated by jealousy. Yan Da questioned the Fire King's persistence in wanting Lan Shang alive, despite possessing the Teardrop Charm.

The Fire King, his eyes burning with desire, explained that he intended to use Lan Shang to coerce the Mermaid Saint into revealing the entrance to Divine Snow Mountain, where he sought a powerful magic capable of unifying the Divine Realm. He stressed that the Mermaid Tribe had guarded this entrance in the Endless Sea for generations, and without it, the Teardrop Charm was useless.

Suddenly, the Fire King grew serious and ordered Yan Da to immediately investigate Shuo Gang's situation in the City of Bladed Snow, as he had an ominous premonition. The Fire King looked at the Teardrop Charm, convinced of his imminent success. Yan Da accepted the order and left with her men, a slight thrill in her heart and a cold smile on her lips, anticipating her next encounter with Ying Kong Shi.

In the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo, Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, Chao Ya, and others watched with concern as the Mermaid Saint tried to revive Lan Shang. After a moment, the Mermaid Saint angrily demanded to know why Lan Shang hadn't woken up. Huang Tuo, after some thought, explained that while the water in Lan Shang's body had been removed and she had lost half her vital energy after falling into the sea, she should still have regained consciousness.

He then awkwardly suggested his theory: that she simply didn't want to wake up. At this, everyone understood that Lan Shang, having chosen to jump into the sea, had harbored a death wish. Shuo Gang, who was subdued and being held captive, saw Lan Shang's unconscious state and heard the Mermaid Saint's furious questions. Realizing his own death was imminent, he decided to reveal everything.

He confessed that he had taken advantage of and defiled Lan Shang, that Ying Kong Shi was the son of the Fire King and Lian Ji, and that Lian Ji had leaked secrets that led to the deaths of the Ice Tribe's princes and princesses in the War of Fire and Ice. He also claimed that Ying Kong Shi had freed him when he was previously captured and was responsible for Xuan Ta's death.

Seeing Ka Suo's distraught expression, Shuo Gang further stated that Ying Kong Shi had transformed into Ka Suo to trick Lan Shang into going to Cherry Blossoms Island to obtain the Teardrop Charm for the Fire King, but then Ying Kong Shi had fled, giving Shuo Gang the opportunity to seize Lan Shang. Ka Suo was stunned and vehemently denied these accusations.

The Mermaid Saint, incensed, tried to kill Shuo Gang, but Ka Suo quickly intervened, explaining that killing Shuo Gang would leave them without any evidence. The Mermaid Saint stopped. Ka Suo then ordered Pian Feng and Liao Jian to take Shuo Gang to the prison. Lian Ji, realizing her secrets were exposed, went to Ying Kong Shi and urged him to escape the City of Bladed Snow immediately.

However, they were intercepted at the city gate by the Ice Queen and various tribal leaders. The Ice Queen, enraged by the truth, confronted Lian Ji about killing her five children. Lian Ji coldly admitted to the act, asserting that it had nothing to do with Ying Kong Shi, and then attacked the Ice Queen. Chao Ya, Pian Feng, and others joined the fray, assisting the Ice Queen against Lian Ji.

Ka Suo arrived and told Ying Kong Shi that he didn't believe Shuo Gang's words and wanted to hear his side of the story, promising to protect him no matter what. Ying Kong Shi remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ka Suo, his eyes empty yet resolute, seemingly oblivious to the ongoing battle between Lian Ji and the Ice Queen. When Lian Ji was on the verge of capture, Ying Kong Shi finally intervened.

Liao Jian, witnessing Ying Kong Shi's powerful magic, exclaimed that it was the legendary Ice-Flame Tribe magic. Ka Suo, his heart aching, pleaded with Ying Kong Shi, "Shi, if you have any difficulties, you shouldn't take action now. This will only make everyone misunderstand you even more." Lian Ji interrupted, declaring that even if Ka Suo forgave him, the Ice King, Ice Queen, and the entire Ice Tribe would not.

Ying Kong Shi looked around at the faces, feeling a pang of sorrow, believing his connection with the Ice Tribe had come to an end. Before anyone could react, Ying Kong Shi incapacitated Ka Suo and departed with Yan Da, who had suddenly appeared. This act intensified suspicions among the onlookers that Ying Kong Shi was colluding with the Fire Tribe. The Ice King immediately ordered the borders sealed, a manhunt for Ying Kong Shi, and Lian Ji imprisoned.

In Fire City, the Fire King observed the somber Ying Kong Shi and proposed they cooperate to rescue Shuo Gang and Lian Ji. He warned Ying Kong Shi against returning to the City of Bladed Snow alone, stating it would be futile and would only endanger himself. Ying Kong Shi seemed lost in thought, muttering, "I just wanted to give my brother the life he wanted, the freedom he wanted. But why has everything turned out this way?

I am the Ice Tribe's King. They should be listening to me and respecting me. They are the ones that betrayed me." The Fire King promptly agreed with Ying Kong Shi, suggesting they immediately assemble their army to attack the City of Bladed Snow. With a changed heart, Ying Kong Shi agreed to the Fire King's proposal to launch an assault on the City of Bladed Snow. Meanwhile, in Fire City, the familiar dark mist materialized beside Ying Kong Shi.

It accused him of abandoning Lian Ji and attempted to control his body to rescue her, as it had done before, but failed. Exhausted by recent turmoil, Ying Kong Shi angrily declared that no one, including the mist, could control him. The mist retorted, mocking him for resisting its control yet willingly being persuaded by the Fire King to attack the City of Bladed Snow.

Changing its tone, the mist then stated that if Ying Kong Shi refused to rescue Lian Ji, it would do so itself. Puzzled by the mist's concern for Lian Ji, Ying Kong Shi asked why. The mist then questioned if Ying Kong Shi hadn't noticed his magic was far more powerful than that of the Ice or Fire Tribes. Ying Kong Shi admitted he had never heard of the "Ice-Flame Tribe."

The dark mist finally revealed Ying Kong Shi's true heritage: he was a descendant of the Ice-Flame Tribe, and the mist itself was Yuan Ji, the sole surviving god of that ancient tribe. By the side of a vast lava pool, Ying Kong Shi played a melodious tune on his bamboo flute. Upon hearing footsteps behind him, he sealed the flute. Yan Da approached, noting Ka Suo's continued concern for him.

Ying Kong Shi coldly dismissed it as pretense, stating that if Ka Suo truly cared, he would join him in fighting the Ice Tribe and freeing Lian Ji. Yan Da looked surprised to hear him speak ill of his beloved elder brother. Ying Kong Shi then stated plainly that Ka Suo was no longer his brother.

Seeing Ying Kong Shi's solitude, Yan Da conjured fireworks with her spiritual power, explaining that despite having ten older brothers, the Fire Tribe's belief in "winner takes all" meant there was little familial affection. To combat her loneliness, she would watch fireworks alone every night. Yan Da, with a cheerful smile, promised to stay by his side and ensure he would never feel lonely again.

She vowed they would eradicate the Ice Tribe together, and then he would become the happiest god in the world. A fleeting glimmer of light sparked in Ying Kong Shi's hollow eyes. He wondered what right he had to happiness now and let the fireworks seed gently fall to the ground. " I don't think you're a bad person," he told Yan Da. As Yan Da turned to leave, she offered a bright smile. "

You're wrong, Ying Kong Shi," she said. " In the Fire Tribe, there isn't good or bad. Only winner takes all." In the City of Bladed Snow, Xing Jiu summoned the two soldiers Ying Kong Shi had injured earlier into the hall. In front of the Ice King, Ice Queen, Ka Suo, and other dignitaries, Xing Jiu displayed his spiritual power, revealing the distinct magic marks on the soldiers' bodies.

Looking at Ka Suo, Xing Jiu revealed the truth: the magic marks on the injured soldiers were identical to those found on Xuan Ta's body. The Ice Queen immediately understood that Ying Kong Shi had murdered Xuan Ta before he could expose the truth. Ka Suo, utterly distraught and disbelieving, insisted on hearing Ying Kong Shi's explanation, refusing to accept what he saw.

The Ice King, with stern authority, announced his decision to strip Ying Kong Shi of his Ice King title and issue a Three Realms-wide arrest warrant for him, warning that if Ying Kong Shi resisted, he would show no mercy. In Fire City, the Fire King commanded Yan Da to go to the Dream Tribe and Healer Tribe to capture Xing Gui, Xing Jiu's sister, and Huang Mao, Huang Tuo's father.

These captives would serve as bargaining chips to exchange for Lian Ji and Shuo Gang. In the Dream Tribe, Xing Gui, using her dream-premonition ability, foresaw Yan Da's arrival and devised an escape plan. However, she was unexpectedly captured by Ying Kong Shi. Yan Da, upon inquiring, learned that Ying Kong Shi had already apprehended both Xing Gui and Huang Mao. The trio then returned to Fire City, where the captives were imprisoned.

Ying Kong Shi proposed to the Fire King that they completely destroy the Ice Tribe. This would allow him to act as he pleased, and he could slowly mend his brotherly relationship with Ka Suo later. In the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo suddenly heard the war horns signaling the Fire Tribe's attack and immediately moved towards the city gates.

However, he was stopped at the entrance by Realm Guardian Qin Chu and his men, who threatened to commit suicide if he didn't comply, eventually forcing him back into the city. Outside the City of Bladed Snow, the Fire Tribe army had assembled. The Ice King, responding to questions about why the injured Fire King would initiate war, coldly stated it was "because they have Ying Kong Shi."

As the Ice Tribe forces struggled to comprehend the situation, Yue Shen's sharp eyes spotted a familiar figure in the opposing Fire Tribe army – Huang Mao, Huang Tuo's father. Xing Jiu, recognizing a small figure nearby, cried out, "Xing Gui!" Ying Kong Shi then unleashed a powerful illusion, projecting his face above the Ice Tribe's ranks. He threatened the Ice King, demanding the immediate release of Lian Ji and Shuo Gang.

Otherwise, he declared, he would kill Xing Gui and Huang Mao, raze the Ice Tribe to the ground, and ensure everyone perished. Xing Jiu advised the Ice King to launch an immediate counterattack, reasoning that Ying Kong Shi might not dare to act recklessly without first seeing Lian Ji and Shuo Gang. The war between the Ice and Fire Tribes erupted once again.

Episode 39 Recap

Amidst the clashing armies, Ying Kong Shi recalled a past scene in Fire City. Fire King Huo Yi, claiming his injuries had not fully healed and he couldn't lead the front lines, proposed a strategy: Yan Da was to use Xing Gui and Huang Mao to distract the Ice Tribe army on the battlefield, while an infiltrator would secretly enter the City of Bladed Snow to retrieve the God Devouring Sword.

Ying Kong Shi recalled that as the infiltrator, his plan was to retrieve the sword, then save Shuo Gang and Lian Ji, and finally battle his way out to the Endless Sea. Following this thought, Ying Kong Shi vanished from the Fire Tribe's ranks. In the City of Bladed Snow, Ying Kong Shi sent a voice message to the Mermaid Saint, identifying himself.

He then freed Shuo Gang from captivity, despite Shuo Gang's initial suspicion, who questioned if Ying Kong Shi truly meant him well, recalling a previous attempt on his life. Ying Kong Shi admitted he wouldn't have released Shuo Gang if he didn't need Huo Yi's army to divert the Ice King. Believing Huo Yi had arrived, Shuo Gang eagerly suggested they unite to dominate the Three Realms, thanking Ying Kong Shi as he boarded a waiting boat.

As the boat sailed into the middle of the sea, the boatman suddenly transformed into the Mermaid Saint. Shuo Gang realized Ying Kong Shi had tricked him. The Mermaid Saint confirmed she had enchanted the boat, making escape impossible. Shuo Gang, in a display of bravado, threatened the Mermaid Tribe with the wrath of the Fire Tribe. The Mermaid Saint declared that while her tribe usually kept to themselves, she would not forgive the Fire Tribe's actions.

Shuo Gang scoffed, bringing up Lan Shang's unrequited love for Ka Suo and his own "kind" offer to make her a Fire Princess Consort, daring the "puny Mermaid Tribe" to do anything. The Mermaid Saint, enraged by his insolence, swiftly bound Shuo Gang with seaweed and dragged him into the Endless Sea, declaring that the citizens of the Endless Sea would punish him.

As Shuo Gang's pleas faded, the Mermaid Saint resolved that from that day forward, the Mermaid Tribe would fight on the side of good. Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Yan Da heard Fire King Huo Yi's anguished cry. He informed her that Shuo Gang had died and that Ying Kong Shi had tricked them. Enraged, Huo Yi immediately ordered Yan Da to kill Xing Gui and Huang Mao for revenge.

In an alley of the City of Bladed Snow, the black fog appeared, questioning Ying Kong Shi's decision to kill Shuo Gang. Ying Kong Shi explained it was part of his plan, adding that once the city learned of his presence, soldiers would flood the area. He suggested the black fog use this opportunity to rescue Lian Ji. The black fog, though suspecting Ying Kong Shi had other motives, agreed and went to save Lian Ji.

On the main battlefield, the Ice King noted Ying Kong Shi's absence. Xing Old immediately suspected the Fire Tribe was using a diversionary tactic, and the Ice King then ordered his forces to prioritize rescuing their captives. Inside the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo tried to defend Ying Kong Shi to Qin Chu and other guards, arguing that they once respected Shi as king and should listen to his explanation, believing Shi must be in a difficult situation.

At that moment, Ying Kong Shi appeared, dismissing the guards as "weaklings" and easily defeating them. Ka Suo implored him to stop harming people. Ying Kong Shi coldly stated that Ka Suo was no longer his older brother and demanded the God Devouring Sword. Ka Suo asked his reason, and Ying Kong Shi declared his need for it to "kill a god" and seek revenge for his past sufferings in the Ice Tribe.

When Ka Suo refused, Ying Kong Shi reminded him that as the sword's sheath, finding Ka Suo meant finding the sword itself. Looking at Ka Suo's distressed expression after being subdued, Ying Kong Shi smiled faintly, declaring, "Found it." On the battlefield, as Yan Da prepared to follow Huo Yi's command, Xing Old, Chao Ya, Pian Feng, Yue Shen, and Liao Jian arrived to protect Xing Gui and Huang Mao.

Xing Gui told Yan Da that Ying Kong Shi had asked her to convey a message: he was sorry, and everything was part of his plan, urging her to leave quickly. Understanding the message, Yan Da departed. At Cherry Blossom Hills, Ka Suo confronted Ying Kong Shi, insisting he explain everything. Ying Kong Shi defiantly asked if Ka Suo could stop him. Ka Suo questioned why he killed Xuan Ta.

Ying Kong Shi responded that Xuan Ta had discovered Lian Ji's betrayal to the Fire King and was about to harm his mother, so he had to eliminate him first. Ka Suo then asked if it was true that Ying Kong Shi had transformed into Ka Suo to trick Lan Shang out of her Teardrop Charm.

Ying Kong Shi confirmed it, and Ka Suo wondered if he had done so out of fear that Huo Yi would reveal his true identity, or if he had no other choice. Ying Kong Shi removed his eye mask, stating that Ka Suo saw him as a simple, kind, and helpless younger brother, but that was a misunderstanding.

He revealed he had long known the black fog that attacked Ka Suo was a god of the Ice-Flame Tribe, who taught him Ice-Flame magic, causing his spiritual powers to improve rapidly. He confessed to personally killing the four saints after Ka Suo fainted during his attempted rescue, asserting that he was no longer the old Ying Kong Shi. Ka Suo, horrified, asked why.

Ying Kong Shi stated they tried to prevent him from becoming king simply because he was not of the Ice Tribe, proclaiming himself the strongest god of the Three Realms, capable of ruling any tribe. He then challenged Ka Suo, asking if he was disappointed.

Ka Suo expressed profound disappointment in himself, regretting that he had spent so much time with Ying Kong Shi yet failed to realize he was being led astray by the black fog onto a path of murder, accepting responsibility as his older brother. Ying Kong Shi then coldly declared it was too late, stating he would eliminate the Ice King and become the strongest king of the Three Realms.

Ka Suo pleaded with him to stay, assuring him there was still hope and promising to protect him. However, Ying Kong Shi turned the God Devouring Sword on Ka Suo, threatening to stab him if he refused to leave. Ka Suo remained steadfast, refusing to abandon him and vowing to save him. The two began to fight.

Distant on the battlefield, Huang Tuo, Chao Ya, Yue Shen, Pian Feng, and Liao Jian felt a powerful spiritual energy surge from Cherry Blossom Hills, wondering if it was Prince Ka Suo and if the palace was in trouble. At Cherry Blossom Hills, Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi grasped the God Devouring Sword together. With a faint smile, Ying Kong Shi suddenly thrust the blade into his own body. Ka Suo cried out in anguish.

Ying Kong Shi explained to a grief-stricken Ka Suo that only through his death could he transfer his spiritual powers, the only thing he could do for his brother. As immense spiritual energy surged into Ka Suo, he was overcome with sorrow, remembering Ying Kong Shi's childhood dream of flying freely like a sleet bird. Ying Kong Shi's blood flowed onto the ground, transforming into crimson ice flowers.

The black fog arrived at the Ice Plains, where Lian Ji was crying and struggling in her cell, desperately calling for her son. The black fog threatened her captors and rescued Lian Ji, fighting their way out. When Yue Shen and the others reached Cherry Blossom Hills, they saw Ka Suo cradling Ying Kong Shi, his eyes vacant. They noticed the spiritual energy transferring from Ying Kong Shi to Ka Suo, but a powerful barrier prevented them from approaching.

Ka Suo, in a trance, questioned why Ying Kong Shi had done this, wishing for an explanation. He slowly withdrew the God Devouring Sword from Ying Kong Shi's body, and in his despair, raised it as if to end his own life. Just then, a bamboo flute melody filled the air. Ka Suo paused, looking up as Xing Old and Xing Gui approached. Chao Ya and the others were surprised that Xing Gui could pass the formidable spiritual barrier.

Xing Old explained that Ying Kong Shi had told Xing Gui that if he were killed by Ka Suo and Ka Suo became frenzied, she should play the Sole Bamboo Leaf, as only the presence of Ying Kong Shi, symbolized by the flute, could calm Ka Suo. Yan Da also arrived, witnessed Ying Kong Shi dead in Ka Suo's arms, but was likewise unable to cross the spiritual barrier.

Xing Gui then approached Ka Suo, explaining that Ying Kong Shi had asked her to give him a dream. She also gave him a ring, the very one Ka Suo had intended for Li Luo and had discarded into Frost Lake after accidentally harming her; Ying Kong Shi had retrieved it from the lake. Receiving the ring, Ka Suo's mind drifted, and he entered the dream.

In the dream, set in the Snow and Fog Forest, a younger Ying Kong Shi spoke to Ka Suo with warmth. He recounted growing up there, always wondering why the perpetual snow never touched him, only to later realize Ka Suo had secretly used magic to shield him. He recognized that Ka Suo had been protecting him since he was a child.

Ka Suo asked if he was happy then, and the younger Ying Kong Shi replied that he was always happy as long as he was with Ka Suo, no matter the location. He reflected on Ka Suo's inherent kindness, never imagining Ka Suo would kill to protect him, though at the time he assumed Ka Suo was unconscious. Ying Kong Shi affirmed that he remembered everything about Ka Suo, including his hopes and dreams.

He reminded Ka Suo of his 130th birthday, when Ka Suo expressed a desire to be a free-flying sleet bird. Ka Suo then realized that Ying Kong Shi's ambition to become king was to free Ka Suo from the burdens of the throne, allowing him to pursue an ordinary life of freedom and happiness. Ying Kong Shi lamented his failure to protect Ka Suo this time. The scene in the dream shifted to a landscape of burning ruins.

Ying Kong Shi, now older, explained that his bloodline prevented him from becoming king and fulfilling Ka Suo's wish. He confessed his hands were stained with blood from accidentally killing the four saints and that he had to use more lies to cover his mistakes. He had initially believed that by obtaining the Teardrop Charm, he could silence Huo Yi and allow Ka Suo and Li Luo to leave the Divine Realm to live peacefully in the Mortal Realm.

However, he later discovered he was not Huo Yi's son, but the son of Yuan Ji, an ancient god who escaped Lian Qiu Rock and sought to destroy the world and kill Ka Suo. Ying Kong Shi was forced to believe Yuan Ji because Yuan Ji had used his body to kill the four saints, and he felt no guilt even after accidentally killing Xuan Ta.

From that moment, he admitted that Yuan Ji's blood flowed within him, fearing he would one day become as violent as his true father, leading Ka Suo and the Ice Tribe to be disappointed in him. He declared he cared little for the opinions of other gods, but could not bear Ka Suo's gaze of disappointment.

He then revealed that Shuo Gang's revelation forced him to feign allegiance to Huo Yi, making the suspicious Fire King believe he would help destroy the Ice Tribe. This elaborate deception was merely to stall the Ice King and Xing Old, creating an opportunity for a private meeting with Ka Suo. He stated that by entrusting this dream to Xing Gui, he could finally reunite with Ka Suo.

Holding the ring he had retrieved from the lake, he expressed regret that he couldn't give Ka Suo freedom and peace as he had hoped, and could now only bestow upon him the power to resist future fate. Ka Suo, listening to Ying Kong Shi's full confession, felt his heart turn to ice, understanding the true, tragic purpose behind Ying Kong Shi tricking him into obtaining the God Devouring Sword.

Ying Kong Shi then smiled faintly, stating that only a truly righteous and kind god deserved greater power, and Ka Suo, his brother, was his only god. He wished Ka Suo to live freely. Ka Suo slowly opened his deep blue eyes, oblivious to the concern and questions around him. He immediately informed the Ice King, Ice Queen, and Xing Old that Ying Kong Shi was not a traitor.

He explained that Ying Kong Shi had long planned to transfer all his spiritual powers to Ka Suo, forced into this by Huo Yi and the escaped god from Lian Qiu Rock, Yuan Ji. He clarified that Ying Kong Shi had killed the four saints and Xuan Ta under duress. Xing Gui, hearing this, expressed deep sorrow, saying she would have stopped Ying Kong Shi if she had known the truth of his dream.

She urged Ka Suo to cherish his life and the spiritual powers, warning that to do otherwise would render Ying Kong Shi's sacrifice meaningless. Ka Suo agreed with her words. With surging spiritual power, Ka Suo rose, his deep blue eyes fixed on the distance. He declared his resolve to live on with Ying Kong Shi's power and fight for peace in the Three Realms.

In Fire City, Yan Da, looking forlorn, vowed that Ying Kong Shi's death would not be in vain and that she would surely meet him again in this lifetime. Huo Yi questioned if Ying Kong Shi was truly dead, and Yan Da, suppressing her grief, confirmed she had witnessed it herself. Huo Yi, consumed by rage, fumed that Ying Kong Shi had not only fooled them but had also left him no chance for revenge.

This led him to conclude that Ying Kong Shi was not his son or a descendant of the Fire Tribe. Yan Da asked why he believed this. Huo Yi explained that the death of his own descendants would tear his heart apart, but Ying Kong Shi's death evoked no sorrow in him. He recalled Shuo Gang's report that Ying Kong Shi could use both Ice and Fire magic.

Initially, he suspected it was due to a mixed mermaid bloodline, but then remembered Lian Ji once mentioning her mother was an ordinary Ice Tribe citizen. He concluded that Lian Ji herself had Ice Tribe blood, making Ying Kong Shi's identity an unexpected mystery.

Yan Da then remembered Ying Kong Shi's message to her via Xing Gui to retreat and his request for Xing Gui to give Ka Suo a dream, suggesting that Ying Kong Shi's true identity might be linked to that dream. Huo Yi immediately ordered a thorough investigation.

Yan Da felt a strange sense of elation, thinking to herself that she was happy Ying Kong Shi was not her kin, and vowed to uncover everything about him, refusing to believe he had simply died.

Episode 40 Recap

Grief-stricken by Ying Kong Shi's sacrifice, Ka Suo stood on the Falling Cherry Slope. He gently manipulated a Six-Leaf Ice Crystal in his hands as Shi's spectral image appeared before him, happily noting Ka Suo's regained spiritual powers. Ka Suo, his voice laced with sorrow, acknowledged that these powers and the Ice Crystal were Shi's gifts, admitting how deeply he missed his brother. When Granny arrived, she expressed relief at his recovered and enhanced spiritual power.

Ka Suo confided in her, asking if any magic in the world could reverse time, wishing to return to happier days with Li Luo and Shi. Granny sighed inwardly, knowing she should have helped him achieve this but couldn't, as maintaining the present situation was the only way to ensure his safety and the well-being of the City of Bladed Snow and the Three Realms.

In the royal hall of the City of Bladed Snow, the Mermaid Saint praised Ka Suo for creating the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal in just a month, a feat that took the ancient god She Mi a hundred days. She wondered if he was now more powerful than his ancestor. However, Granny sighed, lamenting that Ka Suo remained unhappy, believing the spiritual power within him didn't truly belong to him.

She explained that he had exerted himself creating the Ice Crystal, hoping to exhaust the borrowed power. The Mermaid Saint noted that even if he managed to diminish his powers, Ka Suo's guilt towards Shi would linger. Granny then expressed a heartfelt wish to turn back time, desperate to see Ka Suo happy again. The Ice King then formally announced his abdication, passing the throne to Ka Suo, with the coronation ceremony scheduled for the following day.

As the court celebrated, both the Mermaid Saint and Granny gazed with concern at the isolated and sorrowful Ka Suo. Meanwhile, in Fire City, Yan Da reported to Fire King that Ying Kong Shi was a descendant of the Ice-Flame Tribe. Fire King, realizing this explained Shi's mastery of both ice and fire magic, concluded that Shi's bloodline was indeed from the Ice-Flame Tribe.

He then declared that the Three Realms, and "that other world," were on the brink of chaos, necessitating immediate and careful planning. The next day, Ka Suo, adorned in royal robes, holding the scepter, and wearing the crown, ascended the throne of the Ice King. He vowed to the assembled court, "I, descendant of the Ice Tribe, Ka Suo, am willing to use my entire life to safeguard the Three Realms.

I hope that the citizens of the three realms will enjoy peace and prosperity." Elsewhere, Xing Jiu was disturbed by a familiar prophecy echoing in his mind: "The red lotuses will soon bloom. Binary stars will eventually meet. The wheel of destiny has begun spinning. Please wait patiently." At the gates of the City of Bladed Snow, Yue Shen questioned Huang Tuo about the numerous items he was loading onto carts.

Huang Tuo explained that these unique herbs and plants were exclusively found in the Divine Realm, and since the Ice Tribe was now at peace and they were departing without a known return date, it was prudent to take plenty with them. Pian Feng, following the new King's orders, led the realm guardians to rebuild the Sprite Lands. Liao Jian, seeing Pian Feng off, reflected on his initial arrival in the city, intending to die fighting the Fire Tribe.

He noted how few remained of those who had fought alongside them. Chao Ya softly expressed how much she missed Li Luo and Lan Shang, and Yue Shen added Ying Kong Shi's name to the list. Xing Jiu shared his feeling that they might meet again, a sentiment echoed by Liao Jian, the King of the Bear Tribe, who asserted they "must" meet again and pledged to host them with wine and meat in his tribe.

On the Falling Cherry Slope, Ka Suo gazed with complicated emotions at the God Devouring Sword. With a heavy heart, he sealed it once more, declaring he never wanted to see it again. By the vast Endless Sea, Ka Suo stood holding a wine goblet, muttering to himself, "Li Luo, Shi, I am king now."

He mused on the burden of kingship, recalling how his own father, for tens of thousands of years, had been known only as "King," losing his personal name. Ka Suo realized that soon, no one would call him "Ka Suo" either. He deeply missed Li Luo and Shi, wishing they would return to his side. Granny approached him, recognizing his longing, and offered to share a drink with him.

Deep within a stone cave, Lian Ji sat, her exquisite beauty marred by profound sorrow. A black fog swirled around her, attempting to console her despair. Overwhelmed, she pulled a hairpin from her hair and tried to stab herself in the neck. The black fog intervened, preventing her suicide. " Why are you stopping me? Let go! Why won't you let me die?" she cried. The black fog responded, "Every living being in this world can die. Only you can't."

She then walked out to find herself on Cherry Island, a secret location of the Mermaid Tribe. Yuan Ji, through the black fog, told her, "This is the place where you and I spent the night together." Lian Ji immediately refuted, "Nonsense. The person who spent the night with me was Huo Yi." Yuan Ji insisted she had, reminding her he had first seen her as a young mermaid, learning to grow legs and later becoming a graceful dancer.

He confessed he had watched her from beneath the lake for ten years, as he was once Yuan Ji of the Ice-Flame Tribe, the only true god, sealed for tens of thousands of years by She Mi and other tribes. They had destroyed his vital energy, trapped him under the island, and blocked his path to Divine Snow Mountain, leaving him only his eyes to observe the outside world. He said her appearance gave him a reason to live again.

Lian Ji questioned how he escaped. Yuan Ji explained that he had watched her happily dance until the day she learned of her impending marriage to the Ice King and cried, never dancing joyfully again. He had then burned his remaining energy, risking his life, to break free as a snow fox to comfort her. Lian Ji had indeed rescued and cared for the snow fox, nursing him back to health.

Those were his happiest days, Yuan Ji said, until Fire King appeared. He realized Lian Ji didn't want to marry the Ice King because she was in love with Fire King. However, when Lian Ji confessed to Fire King that she wasn't a direct descendant of the Mermaid Tribe, he grew angry and abandoned her. Yuan Ji, heartbroken, had used the last of his vital energy to shapeshift into Fire King that night, simply to be with her.

Seeing Lian Ji devastated by his story, Yuan Ji finally confessed, "Do you still not understand that in this world, the only person who truly loves you is me?" Lian Ji remembered her joyful childhood on Cherry Island with the snow fox and asked why he had disappeared after that night if he truly loved her. Yuan Ji explained that the shapeshifting spell had depleted all his energy, requiring centuries to recover.

Fearing she would be lonely, he chose to merge with her under the cherry tree, hoping their new life would protect and bring her happiness. Lian Ji, stunned, asked, "That means, Ying Kong Shi is my child with you?" Yuan Ji confirmed, adding that Shi had planned to give his spiritual powers to Ka Suo, making him too foolish. Still despondent, Lian Ji felt no purpose in living after Shi's death.

Yuan Ji comforted her, insisting that she must live to avenge Shi with him. When Lian Ji hesitantly asked if she could trust him, Yuan Ji passionately reassured her, saying she gave him the courage to live and now he would reclaim everything that belonged to him, loving her and all that she loved. A chilling beauty appeared on Lian Ji's face as she asked if he would help her kill the main culprit, Ka Suo.

Yuan Ji promised to fulfill all her wishes. In the depths of the Endless Sea, Fire King suddenly appeared before the Mermaid Saint, who angrily demanded to know his purpose. Fire King, holding a Teardrop Charm (that Shuo Gang had possessed, which contained Lan Shang's essence), easily incapacitated the Mermaid Saint and abducted the unconscious Lan Shang. He dismissed the Mermaid Saint's challenge to a battle, demanding instead to know the location of the Divine Snow Mountain's entrance.

When the Mermaid Saint denied any knowledge, Fire King revealed that Lian Ji had told him the Mermaid Tribe held this secret due to their alliance with the Ice Tribe. He stated that with the emergence of the Ice-Flame Tribe, he could no longer afford to patiently obtain the secret through a marriage alliance. Enraged by the Mermaid Saint's continued denial, Fire King threatened to kill Lan Shang. Just then, Ka Suo arrived, saving Lan Shang.

He confronted Fire King, asking if he would leave willingly or be forced out. Fire King, unfazed, sarcastically inquired if Ka Suo's powers had fully recovered.

He mockingly called the City of Bladed Snow an illusory city and Ka Suo an illusory person within it, prophesying that Ka Suo would one day watch helplessly as the Three Realms and everyone he loved vanished, just like Lan Shang, Li Luo, and even Ying Kong Shi, whom he claimed Ka Suo had killed. Provoked beyond endurance, Ka Suo lunged at Fire King.

Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo used his magic to restore the Mermaid Saint's spiritual power, though he advised her to seek further treatment from Mermaid Tribe healers. He then questioned her about Fire King's ominous words concerning an "illusory city outside the Three Realms." The Mermaid Saint responded with an analogy, asking whether flowers reflected in a mirror or real flowers were prettier.

Ka Suo found both equally beautiful, but the Saint explained that living beings desired only one "true flower." She elaborated that the Three Realms they inhabited were like flowers in a mirror, and the Mermaid Tribe's Teardrop Charm was the key to this understanding. She admitted she knew little more and suggested Ka Suo consult his father, the Ice King, for further answers.

Later, Ka Suo expressed his discomfort to his parents about being addressed as "King" instead of "Ka Suo." His father and mother exchanged a look, and the Ice King told him firmly that he was their King now, and he must and would grow accustomed to it.

Ka Suo accepted this, then reiterated his unease about Fire King's words, explaining that Fire King was seeking an "entrance" and that Ka Suo felt a hidden power watching him, which he suspected was the ancient god Yuan Ji, whom Shi had mentioned. He asked his father why Yuan Ji had been imprisoned on Lian Qiu Rock, but the Ice King claimed not to clearly remember events from tens of thousands of years ago.

After Ka Suo departed, the Ice Queen confronted the Ice King, asking why he had lied to their son. The Ice King confessed he truly didn't know the reason for Yuan Ji's imprisonment but vowed to investigate it himself. He emphasized that Ka Suo was the last surviving member of the Ice royal family and could not be exposed to such danger.

The Ice Queen smiled gently, touched, realizing that in his heart, he cherished her and their children as much as the Ice Tribe. Meanwhile, Ka Suo, unbeknownst to them, was already contemplating that if Yuan Ji was sealed beneath Lian Qiu Rock, he might uncover something by venturing underwater himself.

Episode 41 Recap

In the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo paced in Illusion Sky, consumed by guilt. He reflected that if he hadn't been so powerless, Ying Kong Shi wouldn't have killed the four saints, nor would he have died from guilt as atonement. His mother, the Ice Queen, arrived, asking if he was there to use the Teardrop Charm to dive into the Endless Sea. Ka Suo nodded, explaining he wanted to uncover the secret of Lian Qiu Island.

The Ice Queen asked how he knew the Teardrop Charm was in Illusion Sky. Ka Suo reasoned that when Lian Ji was captured, neither she nor Ying Kong Shi had the Teardrop Charm. He believed Ying Kong Shi purposefully hid it because it contained evidence of Lian Ji betraying their secrets to Fire King Huo Yi. The Ice Queen offered to help him search. After an unsuccessful hunt, Ka Suo escorted her back to rest, agreeing to continue another day.

Meanwhile, hidden in a cave on Cherry Blossom Island, Lian Ji learned that the Ice Queen was searching for her Teardrop Charm. Enraged, Lian Ji declared she must retrieve it, but Yuan Ji, as a black mist, stopped her. He suggested patience, explaining that the sweetest revenge is to defeat an enemy who hates you. He told her the Teardrop Charm was merely the beginning of their vengeance.

In the Forest of Snow and Fog, Ka Suo, idly swinging, spotted Granny. He eagerly approached her, asking about Lian Qiu Island. Granny, however, became flustered, dropping her flower basket and vehemently denying any knowledge of it, even suggesting absurd names like Pi Qiu Island and Mao Qiu Island instead.

Ka Suo, incredulous, reminded her she was the oldest god of the Ice Tribe, but Granny deflected, implying he was complaining about her longevity and stating it wasn't yet time for him to know the truth. Ka Suo asserted his new status as Ice King and his determination to find answers himself, before leaving.

On Mermaid Island, the Ice Queen confided in the Mermaid Saint about Ka Suo's relentless pursuit of answers regarding Yuan Ji, including his desire to dive into Lian Qiu Island's lake. She entrusted two Teardrop Charms to the Mermaid Saint, pleading with her never to give them to Ka Suo, to protect him from further danger by preventing him from seeking the truth. The Mermaid Saint understood the Ice Queen's maternal concern.

Just then, a mermaid reported a mysterious whirlpool in the north. The Mermaid Saint grimly remarked that while they might not seek the truth, the truth had now come to them, and ordered all mermaids to advance towards the whirlpool. Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo sought his mother but learned from a servant she was on Mermaid Island.

He recalled their earlier search for the Teardrop Charm, remembering seeing his mother seemingly find it on her couch in the mirror but then not mentioning it. He now realized his mother must have gone to the Mermaid Saint to keep it from him, fearing the dangers of his investigation and wanting to protect him. The Ice Queen and Mermaid Saint arrived at Lian Qiu Island.

The Mermaid Saint confirmed this was the island where Ka Suo discovered Yuan Ji had escaped. Suddenly, Lian Ji appeared. The Ice Queen confronted Lian Ji about her alliance with the shadowy entity, Yuan Ji, who manifested as a black fog. Speaking through Lian Ji, Yuan Ji asserted his superiority, telling the "ignorant little god" that her only concern should be her survival on the island.

The Mermaid Saint implored Lian Ji to cease her misguided actions, reminding her that Ying Kong Shi died atoning for his crimes and that she shared responsibility. Lian Ji furiously rejected this, vowing to kill the Mermaid Saint in revenge for Ying Kong Shi, and immediately attacked the Ice Queen. Yuan Ji urged Lian Ji on. The Ice Queen quickly suggested they capture Lian Ji first, identifying her as Yuan Ji's weakness.

A fierce battle ensued, with Lian Ji fighting the Mermaid Saint, and the Ice Queen fighting Yuan Ji. Moments later, they separated. Lian Ji, fueled by vengeance, declared her readiness to die rather than be controlled by the Ice Queen, who she believed wanted to forever subjugate her and her son. She vowed to die with the Ice Queen rather than let her succeed.

Yuan Ji, concerned, warned Lian Ji that she was expending too much vital energy and it would kill her. Lian Ji, however, was resolute, stating she didn't care and would end their century-long conflict today. The Ice Queen, in turn, fought to protect Ka Suo, believing Lian Ji would harm him if not stopped. As Lian Ji weakened, Yuan Ji tried to save her, declaring she could not die.

At a cliff overlooking the lake, he proposed they travel down the whirlpool to the bottom of the lake to reach Divine Snow Mountain. Lian Ji worried she couldn't cross the seas without the Teardrop Charm, but Yuan Ji assured her he had another plan. Just as they prepared to escape, the Ice Queen and Mermaid Saint caught up. The Ice Queen declared her intent to take Lian Ji's life.

Yuan Ji defiantly scoffed, stating that their lives were beyond the control of such "foolish little gods," and that Lian Ji, with his help, would live for ten thousand more years. A blinding white light enveloped them, and Yuan Ji fully possessed Lian Ji's body, transforming her. With devastating power, the possessed Lian Ji gravely wounded both the Ice Queen and Mermaid Saint. Ka Suo arrived, rushing to stop the possessed Lian Ji from extracting the Ice Queen's vital energy.

Yuan Ji, speaking through Lian Ji, declared that the sweetest revenge was to defeat those who hated him, and he would personally send the "pitiful Ice Queen" to reunite with her other five children. Ka Suo cried out for his mother, but it was too late. With her dying breath, the Ice Queen warned Ka Suo that she had underestimated Yuan Ji and urged him to take care of himself, his father, and their tribe.

Overcome with grief, Ka Suo watched his mother die. Yuan Ji, still possessing Lian Ji, then taunted Ka Suo, promising to systematically drain the vital energy of all his loved ones, forcing him to witness their demise, leaving him to taste loneliness, despair, and pain, before ultimately killing him.

Ka Suo paused, hesitant to strike at Lian Ji, whom he had restrained, and she provoked him further by saying he had already killed her Shi and she had long lost the will to live. Lian Ji, with a cold smile, then leaped into the whirlpool, challenging Ka Suo to find her in Divine Snow Mountain if he sought revenge. In the City of Bladed Snow, sorrow blanketed the land, mourning the Ice Queen.

Ka Suo, addressing the Old Ice King, asked whether a king should charge into battle or wait for it to come. He declared that he would not shy away from war, regardless of the choice, and pressed the Old Ice King for guidance. In the Dream Tribe, Xing Jiu suddenly heard the familiar prophecy: "The red lotuses will soon bloom. Binary stars will eventually meet. The wheel of destiny has begun spinning. Please wait patiently."

Gazing at the Holy Magic Cube, he wondered if it held not only Ancestor She Mi's blood but also his memories, accessible only to past kings. He questioned who was preventing this truth from emerging. Later, in the Forest of Snow and Fog, Xing Jiu confronted Granny, expressing surprise that she was the barrier preventing him from reaching the King. Granny, her demeanor sharp, acknowledged his discovery, asking if the Chief Dreamer had finally found out.

When Xing Jiu admitted he was not yet fully clear, she cut him off, insisting he shouldn't seek clarity. She argued that the King was already in pain, and Xing Jiu shouldn't aggravate him. Xing Jiu countered, asking if the pain would disappear by remaining ignorant. Granny maintained that at least Ka Suo wouldn't face danger if he didn't know the truth.

Xing Jiu then described Ka Suo's current agony, stating that he was being slowly devoured, his lonely footsteps echoing through the City of Bladed Snow. Having lost Li Luo, his mother, Ying Kong Shi, whom he killed, and Princess Lan Shang, Ka Suo's suffering was worse than death.

Granny's eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness, but she firmly stated that if Ka Suo remained ignorant, he would live on suffering, but if he knew, he would lose the will to live. When Xing Jiu insisted that Ka Suo should choose his own path, Granny's eyes flashed with killing intent, threatening to eliminate him if he took another step. As they clashed, Ka Suo suddenly appeared.

He told Granny that his father had revealed the Holy Magic Cube contained Ancestor She Mi's memories, then turned to Xing Jiu, commanding him to "tell me everything." On the Seven Saints Platform, the Old Ice King, Ka Suo, and Xing Jiu stood before the Holy Magic Cube. Xing Jiu warned Ka Suo that entering She Mi's memories would be as real as a dream, forcing him to experience all of She Mi's past emotions and experiences.

Ka Suo, undeterred, simply commanded, "Begin." Ka Suo's eyes opened to a vast, empty hall, where a tattered, dying man was suspended by iron chains. A black-haired man, Yuan Ji, appeared, addressing a white-haired man, She Mi, who respectfully asked for his command. Yuan Ji, in a display of arrogance, pondered whether to slowly absorb the bound man's vital energy or simply kill him.

She Mi advised against it, noting only fear and panic remained in the man's eyes, offering little benefit. Yuan Ji, finding a quick kill too dull, agreed when She Mi suggested using a Water Spell to freeze the man's vital energy and then shattering him piece by piece, an idea Yuan Ji found "very interesting." He then granted the man to She Mi for his amusement and departed.

After Yuan Ji left, She Mi turned to Ka Suo, who was a spectral observer. She Mi explained he had warned his descendants not to enter his memories unless absolutely necessary. Ka Suo was the first in ten thousand years, signaling another coming storm. Ka Suo, shocked, realized She Mi had once served Yuan Ji. She Mi confirmed that tens of thousands of years ago, Yuan Ji was the sole god, viewing all other life as mere dust.

The scene shifted to a jungle filled with various tribes. Ka Suo recognized them as the ancient Fire Tribe, Mermaid Tribe, Sprite Lands, Bear Tribe, Dream Tribe, and mortals. She Mi explained that to escape Yuan Ji's brutal tyranny, the Ice Tribe and six other tribes formed an alliance to defeat him, their chosen method being the "Hidden Lotus."

Back in the great hall, Yuan Ji instructed She Mi, his most trusted follower, to protect the Hidden Lotus during his millennium-long cultivation, preventing any being from approaching it. Ka Suo asked about the Hidden Lotus. She Mi revealed it could fulfill all wishes and was the source of Yuan Ji's immortality. Its other key function was revival; as long as a trace of vital energy remained, there was a chance for life.

Ka Suo's thoughts turned to his mother, Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang, wondering if the Hidden Lotus could restore their vital energy and bring them back. She Mi and his allies from the various tribes, taking advantage of Yuan Ji's cultivation, wished upon the Hidden Lotus to escape Divine Snow Mountain and rebuild their homes. However, Yuan Ji returned early, shattering their plans.

Facing overwhelming power at Divine Snow Lake, the allied chiefs made a desperate wish for power to defeat Yuan Ji, agreeing that in ten thousand years, the Hidden Lotus could only be reopened by the blood of their direct descendants. The scene changed again, placing Ka Suo and She Mi on Lian Qiu Island. Ka Suo asked if their wish was granted.

She Mi confirmed that the Hidden Lotus had given them the strength to destroy Yuan Ji's vital energy, sealing him at the bottom of Divine Snow Lake, the deepest part of which connected to Lian Qiu Island on the Endless Sea. Ka Suo then asked why She Mi still looked so sorrowful if his wish had been fulfilled.

She Mi sighed, explaining that while they had defeated Yuan Ji, the power granted by the Hidden Lotus had fueled the Fire Tribe's ambition to dominate the Three Realms, igniting a war that turned allies into enemies. Ka Suo asked if She Mi believed he had made the wrong decision. She Mi replied that only future generations could judge, and his role was to maintain peace in the Three Realms during his lifetime.

Ka Suo then understood: She Mi had used his vital energy to create the Ice Veil and Six-Leaf Ice Crystals, hoping that the Ice Tribe's descendants would unite with the other five tribes to resist the Fire Tribe. He also left the Holy Magic Cube to caution future Ice Tribe members against greed. She Mi, with a hint of satisfaction, then asked Ka Suo why an Ice King loses his name upon ascension.

Ka Suo responded that any Ice King must inherit She Mi's will, take on the responsibility of protecting the Three Realms, forget themselves, and remain true to their original purpose. She Mi smiled with approval, declaring Ka Suo would be a good king, and then sent him out of the memory. Back on the Seven Saints Platform, the Old Ice King asked Ka Suo what She Mi's memories had revealed.

Ka Suo, frowning, asked how long ago She Mi had died. Xing Jiu replied, "Almost ten thousand years." Ka Suo then announced that Yuan Ji had returned to Divine Snow Mountain, awaiting the Hidden Lotus's next bloom, seeking revenge against the Three Realms for their past betrayal. Ka Suo vowed to stop Yuan Ji from obtaining the Hidden Lotus and to use it to revive Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang.

On Cherry Blossom Slope in the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo stood before Ying Kong Shi's tombstone. With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he declared that he had found a way to revive Ying Kong Shi and Li Luo. He solemnly promised to defeat Yuan Ji and use the Hidden Lotus to reawaken them, his mother, and Lan Shang, as they all died because of him. With this vow, he turned and left.

The final scene showed the great hall from She Mi's memories. A beautiful, peerless woman slowly rose from a throne, swaying precariously, before a black-haired man suddenly appeared and steadied her.

Episode 42 Recap

Lian Ji looked at the handsome man before her, hearing a familiar voice, and recognized him as Yuan Ji. She murmured, "Are we still alive?" Yuan Ji's eyes were full of tenderness as he promised to protect her, ensuring she wouldn't die. Lian Ji then asked what had happened, only recalling that she and the Ice Queen had charged at each other, using all their energy to kill the other, and that her vital energy had suffered great damage.

She questioned if the Ice Queen was still alive, to which Yuan Ji replied, "She is dead." When Lian Ji then asked if he had killed her, Yuan Ji stated, "We killed her," implying Lian Ji was also involved. Yuan Ji then offered for Lian Ji to see for herself using magic. As Lian Ji cast a spell, she was astonished to find that it was not Ice Tribe magic.

Yuan Ji explained with a wicked smile that it was Ice-Flame Tribe magic. He revealed that when Lian Ji was dying, he had passed on some of his vital energy to her to offset her injuries, then entered her body and killed the Ice Queen right before Ka Suo's eyes. Lian Ji immediately confirmed if she could now use Ice-Flame magic, to which Yuan Ji gave an affirmative answer, stating that now they were one.

However, he noted that their combined powers were only 10% of what he had 10,000 years ago. Lian Ji then asked how they would kill Ka Suo to avenge Shi. Yuan Ji told her they must wait until the Hidden Lotus blooms.

He explained that his current appearance was merely an illusion created by magic and that only after the Hidden Lotus bloomed could he make a wish to restore his true form, recollect his scattered spiritual powers, and regain 100% of his original power. Only then could he destroy those "inferior nobodies" who had betrayed him. Lian Ji expressed concern about Ka Suo's current spiritual powers, wondering if they could truly kill him.

Yuan Ji’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he declared that they would not only kill Ka Suo but also torment him, making his life worse than death. He believed Ka Suo would soon seek them out for revenge for the Ice Queen. Lian Ji worried what would happen if Ka Suo arrived before the Hidden Lotus bloomed. With a slight smile, Yuan Ji led Lian Ji to a vast area, which she recognized as Divine Snow Mountain.

Yuan Ji explained that the mountains, clouds, oceans, and islands she saw might not be real, possibly existing within a tiny leaf, portraying another world entirely. In Divine Snow Mountain, things are not always what they seem, constantly changing yet simple. Lian Ji, confused, asked for clarification. Yuan Ji said that in Divine Snow Mountain, the person with the strongest spiritual power is the master.

He added that once the Hidden Lotus bloomed, he could regain his old body, and then all glory and victory would belong to them. Meanwhile, in the Dream Tribe, Yue Shen and Huang Tuo were playing a game. Huang Tuo, blindfolded, asked for a reward if he caught her. Yue Shen playfully promised to let him kiss her if he succeeded. Huang Tuo caught her, excitedly saying, "I've captured you!"

Just as he leaned in for a kiss, Liao Jian suddenly punched him in the face. Huang Tuo cried out in pain, asking why Liao Jian hit him so hard. Liao Jian, without apology, scornfully declared, "Men shouldn't kiss each other! How could you try to kiss me!" as Huang Tuo had apparently attempted to kiss him. Yue Shen, confused, asked Huang Tuo what he had been dreaming about. Huang Tuo awkwardly claimed he was dreaming of catching Lingzhi Sprites.

Pian Feng teased him, noting how friendly those sprites must be. Realizing what Huang Tuo was implying, Yue Shen indignantly warned him not to have such strange dreams again, especially if they might accidentally see them. Huang Tuo chuckled, retorting that dreams are meant to be pursued, in case they come true. Suddenly, Xing Jiu rushed in. Yue Shen asked why the Chief Dreamer had invited them into the dream.

Liao Jian explained that the Ice Queen had been killed by Yuan Ji and Lian Ji, and both murderers were on the run. He suggested that all tribes should unite to avenge the Ice Queen. However, others reported receiving messenger owls from Ka Suo, instructing them not to go to the City of Bladed Snow. Xing Jiu then revealed he had already been to the City of Bladed Snow.

Liao Jian eagerly asked what Ka Suo had said and who Yuan Ji truly was. Pian Feng also voiced his concern, asking if Ka Suo intended to confront Yuan Ji alone. Just then, Mermaid Saint appeared, expressing her curiosity about what had transpired at Lian Qiu Island and requesting Xing Jiu to share what he knew.

Xing Jiu, initially reluctant, claiming some truths were better left unknown to avoid distress, eventually agreed to tell them as the others insisted they should make their own decisions. In Fire City, Fire King praised Yan Da's progress in magic, particularly her shapeshifting spell. Yan Da expressed regret that she was a daughter, but Fire King assured her it was perfectly fine, as she possessed her own unique strengths.

Back in the Dream Tribe, Xing Gui awoke from a distressing dream in which Xing Jiu told her he was going to a very distant place with Ka Suo and was entrusting the Dream Tribe to her. Still troubled, she found Xing Jiu and tearfully asked if he was truly leaving. Xing Jiu, after a moment of silence, explained that Ka Suo was fighting for the Three Realms, and he could not let the King face the enemy alone.

Xing Gui, hurt, accused him of abandoning her. Xing Jiu gently denied it, explaining that defeating Yuan Ji was the only way for the Three Realms and the Dream Tribe to have a future, and for her to have one too. Xing Gui, crying, hugged him tightly, begging him not to leave. Xing Jiu held her, reminding her that she was not only the princess of the Dream Tribe but also its most talented dream seeker.

He reasoned that if she had already dreamed of his departure, then he certainly would not be staying. Xing Gui then confessed that she would die if he left, asking if he would still go. Xing Jiu sadly replied that if it was his destiny, he could only accept it. Distraught, Xing Gui cried out that if he left, she never wanted to see him again and hated him, before running off.

In the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo walked slowly, reflecting on his past. He recalled his promise to Li Luo that he would one day bring her back, and his love for the selflessly devoted Lan Shang. He also remembered Shi's last words, urging him to "live a life of freedom." Ka Suo then walked into the city. In the royal hall, Ka Suo carefully placed his phoenix robes and crown on the throne.

The Ice King's voice suddenly echoed, "Ka Suo, you'll be going to Divine Snow Mountain tomorrow." Facing his aging father, Ka Suo stoically declared that if he did not return from Divine Snow Mountain, the City of Bladed Snow would be in Ice King's hands. The Ice King solemnly stated that as the King of the Three Realms, Ka Suo bore the responsibility for the crisis. However, as a father, he only wished for Ka Suo's safe return.

He then presented the God Devouring Sword. Ka Suo immediately refused, explaining that the sword was named "God Devouring" because its owner was whoever killed a god. He believed himself to be Shi's killer and refused to carry a sword that would constantly remind him of Shi's blood on his hands.

The Ice King insisted that the sword could stimulate all his spiritual powers, making it the only way to defeat Yuan Ji, and that Ka Suo was its true owner. Ka Suo remained firm, declaring that he would definitely defeat Yuan Ji to secure true peace for the Three Realms and retrieve the Hidden Lotus to save those he loved. He asked for his father's permission for this path, even if it meant not being forgiven.

On Mermaid Island, Xing Jiu entered Mermaid Saint's dream. He informed her that Yuan Ji was nearly back at Divine Snow Mountain and that the time had come when Ka Suo and the Three Realms needed the Mermaid Tribe the most. The Mermaid Saint, after a moment of reflection, decided to take action. She addressed the honorable previous queens of the Endless Sea, acknowledging her responsibility to maintain peace for 10,000 years.

However, with Yuan Ji's plan for revenge against the Ice-Flame Tribe, she felt the time had come to save the Three Realms and Lan Shang. She asked to borrow all the Mermaid Tribe's gems collected over the millennia to fight for righteousness, even offering her own life as a wager. She demonstrated her resolve by taking out her own teardrop gem, a symbol of a Mermaid royal's wholehearted sacrifice.

At the edge of the Endless Sea, Ka Suo stood alone, silently observing the waters. In the Dream Tribe, Xing Gui rushed to the council hall, only to find a dream left by Xing Jiu, but no sign of him. She cried out, "I hate you, Brother, I hate you!" Outside the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo met with the Mermaid Saint, stating his purpose to enter Divine Snow Mountain and requesting to borrow a Teardrop Charm.

Unexpectedly, the leaders of the other tribes appeared. Ka Suo asked Xing Jiu if he had told everyone, to which Xing Jiu admitted Liao Jian had threatened to "eat him alive" if he didn't. The tribal leaders declared their intention to follow Ka Suo to Divine Snow Mountain. Ka Suo tried to dissuade them, explaining that they had not experienced She Mi's memories and did not understand Yuan Ji's immense powers, and that he did not want them to come.

However, the chiefs refused to be left behind, asserting their responsibility for the Three Realms' safety. They threatened to destroy their Teardrop Charms if Ka Suo refused them, effectively preventing anyone from going and waiting for Yuan Ji to attack them instead. The Mermaid Saint then explained that the Teardrop Charms were precious treasures of the Mermaid Tribe, passed down through generations, and could lead them to the entrance of Divine Snow Mountain. She hoped they would not disappoint her.

Ka Suo regretfully commented that the charms were ancient treasures, but he feared this journey might be a one-way trip. Mermaid Saint smiled, arguing that if Yuan Ji could not be defeated, the Three Realms would be destroyed, rendering the Teardrop Charms useless. She then handed her own Teardrop Charm to Ka Suo, saying, "King, fulfilling their wishes is also fulfilling everyone else's." Ka Suo relented, agreeing to let them all go together.

Upon reaching the lake's vortex, Ka Suo turned to Mermaid Saint and told her she could not join them on Divine Snow Mountain. If they failed, he implored her to do her best to seal off the Endless Sea, preventing Yuan Ji from escaping and harming the Three Realms. Mermaid Saint solemnly nodded in agreement. With that, everyone leaped into the swirling vortex. As they set foot on Divine Snow Mountain, Liao Jian immediately exclaimed he needed to relieve himself.

While looking for a spot, he stumbled upon a peculiar stone, which caught everyone's attention. To their surprise, such stones were scattered everywhere. Chao Ya examined a stone, then announced, "Hey, there's a pasture in here!"

Ka Suo gazed at the scene, recalling a moment from his ancestor She Mi's dream, where She Mi held a similar stone, explaining that Divine Snow Mountain held countless mysteries, and gods could perceive myriad worlds within a single flower, blade of grass, piece of wood, or stone. Ka Suo stated that this was Divine Snow Mountain, the ancestral home of their tribes.

When Pian Feng asked how to find the Hidden Lotus, Ka Suo closed his eyes in thought, then pointed in a direction, saying that according to She Mi's memories, they should go that way. After a long journey, they discovered what appeared to be the original City of Bladed Snow, realizing that their current City of Bladed Snow was merely a replica built in its image. After a brief admiration, they entered the city.

Yue Shen pointed to a divine mountain in the distance, believing the Hidden Lotus to be there. However, despite walking for a long time, the mountain seemed no closer. They eventually realized they had been walking in circles. Just then, a person with a strange laugh appeared. The group quickly subdued him, demanding to know where they were. The person glanced at Liao Jian and haughtily stated that even if they killed him, they would never leave this place.

Ka Suo asked if he knew how to leave. The person proudly declared himself the guardian of the place and confirmed he knew the way out. Ka Suo ordered the others to release him. The guardian then explained that the entrance to Divine Snow Mountain was under the Grand Priestess's jurisdiction, and they would only be able to enter if they solved her challenge. The group, eager to discover the Grand Priestess's identity, followed the guardian.

Unbeknownst to them, Yan Da, disguised by her shapeshifting spell, was following closely behind. Fire King, having witnessed Yan Da's advanced illusionary skills which even he couldn't penetrate, decided to entrust her with Lan Shang's Teardrop Charm. He instructed her to follow Ka Suo and his companions into Divine Snow Mountain, remain hidden, and seize the Hidden Lotus when the opportune moment arrived, to exact revenge for her brothers.

Episode 43 Recap

A little goblin presented the group with a series of challenges, stating that each person or god would face one challenge behind one door. Success was contingent on everyone passing their individual tests; a single failure would mean collective defeat. Yue Shen questioned their trustworthiness, fearing an ambush. The goblin retorted that they could return if they gave up. However, Ka Suo declared that since they had come so far, they would attempt the challenges.

Chao Ya entered her door and found herself among the Golden Oriole Valley tribesmen. They immediately accused her of allowing the Alligator Tribe to harm them. Chao Ya tearfully apologized, explaining that after her mother's disappearance, she became queen at a critical time and had to seek the Alligator Tribe's help to suppress internal conflicts, never anticipating they would inflict such harm.

The tribesmen, however, denounced her as a liar, claiming she purposefully turned a blind eye to the massacre, caring only for her royal position. Chao Ya insisted she fought for the Sprite Tribes, but the tribesmen called for a public trial, demanding her execution for betrayal. Huang Tuo’s door led him to his ailing father, who, with white hair, lay in bed.

His father joyfully greeted him, then desperately begged for the return of the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal, claiming its absence had ruined him. Huang Tuo explained that the Ice Crystal never truly belonged to them and he had returned it to the Ice Tribe. Enraged, his father accused him of lying, stealing the crystal, and plotting his death and usurpation of his throne.

Despite Huang Tuo kneeling and apologizing, citing the peace of the Three Realms as his reason for not returning the crystal, his father grew even more furious and lunged at him, vowing to kill him. Yue Shen entered her room and encountered a woman she initially believed to be her sister, Yue Zhao. The woman corrected her, identifying herself as Yue Leng, and inquired about Yue Shen’s studies with the Li Healer.

Yue Shen expressed her desire to learn traditional healing methods like Yue Zhao and Yue Leng, rather than poisons. Suddenly, Yue Leng collapsed, poisoned. Frantically, Yue Shen tried to fetch medicine, but her own touch inadvertently transformed it all into deadly toxins, leaving her helpless. She cried out, apologizing for her inability to save her sister. Pian Feng entered his room and found the long-missing Queen of the Sprite Lands.

She immediately rebuked him for daring to love her daughter, Chao Ya, asserting that a mere guard was unworthy of a princess. Pian Feng knelt, passionately declaring his sincere love and his unwavering resolve to protect Chao Ya. The Queen coldly revealed his true parentage: his mother was her maid who had an affair with a musician, abandoning Pian Feng, whom the Queen then took in out of pity.

A shocked Pian Feng, who had always believed himself an orphan, was then told that a woman named Liu Ju taught him to fly, helping him find a place in the Sprite Tribe. The Queen declared that Chao Ya's husband must be of noble birth to preserve the Sprite Tribe's bloodline, and therefore, Pian Feng must leave Chao Ya. Pian Feng defiantly refused, vowing to remain by Chao Ya's side despite his humble origins.

The Queen then attacked him, proclaiming him undeserving. Liao Jian entered his room, only to see Pian Feng and Chao Ya embracing. Enraged, he called out to Pian Feng for a fair fight after they both vanished. When Pian Feng reappeared, he accused Liao Jian of knowing he and Chao Ya were childhood sweethearts, yet orchestrating his exile and requesting his dying father to arrange a marriage with Chao Ya through Queen Chi Lian.

Liao Jian defended himself, stating he couldn't prevent his father's actions with Queen Chi Lian and genuinely loved Chao Ya. Pian Feng, however, branded him despicable for exploiting Chao Ya's heartbreak and weakness, asserting that Chao Ya only agreed to the marriage for the greater good and truly loved him. He further accused Liao Jian of jealousy, fearing that Chao Ya would discover his true petty and stingy nature and abandon him.

Overwhelmed and unable to respond, Liao Jian then engaged in a violent struggle with Pian Feng. Ka Suo entered his room and found both Li Luo and Lan Shang. Lan Shang wept, lamenting that she had lost everything for him. Ka Suo apologized to her, vowing to repay his debt, but firmly stated his love for Li Luo alone.

Lan Shang, consumed by anguish, questioned why he couldn't share even a fraction of his love with her, then declared her hatred for Li Luo and lunged at her, intending to kill her. Ka Suo intervened, using the God-Slaying Sword to strike Lan Shang. As she fell, she transformed into Ying Kong Shi, who told Ka Suo that he had made too many mistakes in his quest for Ka Suo's freedom and that only death could release him.

As Ying Kong Shi collapsed, Ka Suo tried to save him, but his brother transformed into Li Luo. Li Luo then confronted Ka Suo, pointing out that he loved her but couldn't save her, hurt Lan Shang despite not loving her, and couldn't stop Ying Kong Shi from making mistakes. She questioned if he could bring them back now that they were all gone. Ka Suo promised to try his best.

Li Luo then changed back into Ying Kong Shi, who calmly stated that some things cannot be achieved through sheer effort, much like his sacrifices for Ka Suo. Finally, Ying Kong Shi vanished, leaving Ka Suo alone.

The visions culminated in tragic ends for some: Xing Jiu leapt from a cliff, Huang Tuo stabbed himself to offer his heart to his father, Yue Shen was choked to death by Yue Leng, Chao Ya faced a public trial and execution by the elves, and Pian Feng was killed by the Queen. The group awoke, realizing they had been trapped in a dream. Xing Jiu explained that only by dying within the dream could one truly awaken.

The little goblin reappeared, mocking them for waking just as the dreams became most intense. Xing Jiu, however, revealed that as the Chief Dreamer, he had blocked other dream spells from the outset, recognizing the illusion upon seeing a cliff. The goblin conceded Xing Jiu’s strength but reiterated that only collective success counted, urging them all to return. When the others insisted on trying again, the goblin confessed that the Grand Priestess had cast the dream spell.

Ka Suo demanded to speak with the Grand Priestess directly, but the goblin refused. Noticing a familiar fruit on the goblin, Ka Suo suddenly realized its true identity and called out, "Grandma, is that you?" His suspicions were confirmed when the little goblin transformed into Grand Priestess Feng Tian, Ka Suo’s former grandma.

Feng Tian, the guardian of the Divine Snow Mountain entrance, urged them to leave, warning that she was the weakest god there and if they couldn't pass her challenges, they would surely perish deeper within the mountain. She instructed them to treat their experience as merely a dream and go back. The group was stunned by the revelation that their kind Grandma was, in fact, Grand Priestess Feng Tian.

They debated her allegiance, concluding that she didn't genuinely wish them harm but rather sought to deter them from proceeding. Meanwhile, Yan Da, secretly listening, grew impatient with their deliberations, complaining that she might as well go to sleep and scoffing at their inability to overcome an old woman. Pian Feng and Liao Jian began to bicker amongst themselves.

Xing Jiu urged everyone to seriously consider whether they could truly conquer their own inner demons if they were to re-enter the dreams. Ka Suo admitted his own defeat by his inner demons but encouraged them to rest, believing a solution would present itself. Yan Da secretly followed Ka Suo. Xing Jiu also followed, expressing concern. Ka Suo pondered how to overcome inner demons that manifested as loved ones, noting that they were like one's own shadow, impossible to escape.

Xing Jiu suggested that perhaps dealing with someone else's "shadow" might be clearer for an outsider. Ka Suo, resolved not to return home without the Hidden Lotus, then led the group back to Grand Priestess Feng Tian, requesting one last chance to pass the challenges. Feng Tian, with a sigh, agreed, promising to ensure they had no regrets if they failed.

This time, however, the group deliberately entered different doors, a move that baffled the little goblin, who cried out that they had entered the wrong rooms and should have chosen the same ones as before. This time, the group entered different rooms, confronting each other’s internal struggles.

Xing Jiu entered Chao Ya’s room and convinced the Golden Oriole tribesmen that Queen Chao Ya's actions were for their safety and she never intended the dire consequences caused by the Alligator Tribe, urging them to forgive her. Yue Shen entered Huang Tuo's room and killed Huang Tuo’s father, confidently declaring her healing skills superior to his "weak son's."

Huang Tuo found himself in Yue Shen's room, where he confronted Yue Leng, who accused him of killing her, which he denied, and then defeated her. Liao Jian entered Pian Feng's room and defeated the Queen, who proclaimed no one was good enough for her daughter. Pian Feng, in Liao Jian's room, killed himself after realizing his inner demons stemmed from self-pity.

Chao Ya entered Ka Suo’s room, and as Li Luo, Lan Shang, and Ying Kong Shi argued, she calmed them by playing a piece of music, thus resolving their conflict. Finally, Ka Suo entered Xing Jiu's room and bravely leapt from the cliff. The group awoke, having successfully conquered each other's inner demons.

The little goblin accused them of cheating, but Ka Suo countered that the rules only stated one challenge per room, not that they couldn't swap rooms, and Feng Tian agreed that they were indeed clever. Feng Tian acknowledged their ingenuity in overcoming the challenges and declared them victorious in that round. However, she then stated that to proceed, they must first defeat her. The little goblin, fearing the impending battle, quickly fled.

Liao Jian bravely stepped forward to attack but was effortlessly sent flying by Feng Tian’s immense power. The rest of the group joined the fight, yet even their combined efforts proved no match for her. Finally, Ka Suo drew the God-Slaying Sword and confronted Feng Tian. After a struggle, he managed to knock her unconscious. Huang Tuo examined her and confirmed she had only fainted. Elsewhere, Xing Gui simultaneously experienced a dream in which she foresaw her brother, Xing Jiu, encountering trouble.

Episode 44 Recap

The God Devouring Sword suddenly appeared in the Divine Snow Mountain, and having been stained with a god's blood, it produced a new sword spirit that looked exactly like Ying Kongshi. Ka Suo was overjoyed, recognizing his brother, but the sword spirit didn't recognize Ka Suo or even know the name Ying Kongshi. It proclaimed itself merely a sword spirit with no name and demanded a price for being awakened.

The others questioned why the sword spirit had taken Ying Kongshi's form, and it was explained that a part of Ying Kongshi's energy, upon his death, had attached to the sword, creating this new spirit. The Grand Priestess, who had also awakened, dismissed the sword spirit as weak. She explained that previous sword spirits were powerful due to accumulating thousands of years of vengeful spirits, but this new one was fresh and feeble.

Ka Suo declared that he would wait for the sword spirit to grow powerful enough to take his life, which prompted the spirit to retreat back into the God Devouring Sword to sleep. Ka Suo urged the Grand Priestess to concede, but she cryptically spoke of red lotuses blooming, binary stars meeting, and the spinning wheel of destiny, stating her own destiny was to wait for him there. She then unexpectedly attacked Ka Suo and pushed others away.

Ka Suo was in agony, but Xing Jiu realized she was transferring her spiritual powers to him. The Grand Priestess explained that as the Grand Priestess of the Divine Snow Mountain, she had stood guard for years, compelled either to prevent his entry or ensure his safe return. She revealed that when Ka Suo was a child, he fell gravely ill, beyond the help of even the best healers.

To save him, she invoked the forbidden Fallen Oracle, which guided her to the Lian Qiu Island in the Endless Sea. There, a black mist identifying itself as the "god of gods" appeared. It informed her that to reach the Divine Snow Mountain, one needed a Teardrop Charm and had to pass through the Endless Sea. To save Ka Suo, water from the Divine Snow Mountain's lake was essential.

The black mist offered to provide the lake water and help her find the mountain, on the condition that she become the Grand Priestess and, in the event of a foreign invasion, protect the Divine Snow Mountain with her life. The Grand Priestess agreed, unaware that the foreign invader she vowed to protect the mountain from would be Ka Suo himself.

The group finally understood the Grand Priestess's predicament, and Ka Suo expressed his deep gratitude, acknowledging that she had changed his fate. The Grand Priestess confirmed that her promise to Yuan Ji prevented her from revealing her identity unless defeated, which now meant the contract was broken. As a consequence, she would no longer be a god.

She then encouraged Ka Suo to courageously face his destiny, promising to return to the Forest of Snow and Fog while urging him to continue his quest. Yan Da, having observed all these events from a distance, saw the sword spirit resembling Ying Kongshi. Huang Tuo found Yue Shen still awake, and Yue Shen revealed that the woman resembling Yue Zhao was actually her twin sister, Yue Leng, and confessed that she felt responsible for Yue Leng's death.

She explained that unlike her talented sisters who excelled in healing, she was born with a lethal aura, making her unfit for medicine. Her parents sent her to learn poisons and assassination, a path she resented. She often snuck home, where Yue Leng, who loved her more than their parents, would protect her and dissuade their parents from forcing her into the study of poisons, promising to care for her. However, a man whom Yue Leng rejected later poisoned her.

Unable to identify or cure the poison, Yue Shen could only watch her sister die. Heartbroken, she lamented that if she had mastered assassination techniques then, she could have saved Yue Leng, and vowed to become strong enough to protect those she cared for. Huang Tuo comforted Yue Shen, telling her that using her assassination skills to eliminate evil was akin to saving good people, and that Yue Leng would be proud of her.

In turn, Yue Shen reassured Huang Tuo, urging him not to blame himself for his father's actions, as his deeds in saving the Healer Tribe and other tribes had accumulated enough merit to atone for his father's sins. Deeply moved, Huang Tuo embraced Yue Shen, who, this time, did not resist.

Ka Suo attempted to summon the sword spirit from the God Devouring Sword, but received no response, realizing the spirit had wandered off to play, just as Ying Kongshi used to. Meanwhile, the sword spirit encountered Yan Da, but, like Ka Suo, didn't recognize her. Yan Da, unfazed, shared some of her vital energy with the weak sword spirit, who gleefully demanded more and even tried to absorb all of her energy, attacking her.

Yan Da easily fended off the attack, playfully reminding the spirit of their past and asserting that she was his best friend and the only one who would play with him. They then began to play together joyfully. Huang Tuo revealed that Xing Jiu's injuries were severe and could only be truly cured with a special medicine found at the Healer Tribe.

Ka Suo suggested Xing Jiu return with the Grand Priestess, but Xing Jiu was reluctant, wanting to continue aiding the group. Unexpectedly, Xing Gui arrived, having borrowed a Teardrop Charm from the Mermaid Saint to join them. She declared her intention to take her brother's place, expressing regret for their past conflict and affirming her love for him.

Despite Xing Jiu's objections, Ka Suo, prioritizing Xing Jiu's life, agreed to Xing Gui's offer, promising Xing Jiu that he would protect Xing Gui with his own life. As everyone bid farewell to the Grand Priestess and Xing Jiu, the Grand Priestess imparted crucial advice to Ka Suo.

She warned that although the Divine Snow Mountain appeared identical to the City of Bladed Snow, it was fundamentally different: a world where heaven and earth were reversed, reality distorted, and fairness and justice did not exist. She urged him not to trust others, or even his own senses, but to protect his heart from delusion, emphasizing that there was no gain, no loss, no life, and no death.

She then instructed them to head east, defeat the four guardian gods, and open the four cardinal enchantment doors to find Yuan Ji, the only one who knew the location of the Hidden Lotus. In the Divine Snow Mountain, Lian Ji expressed concern over the Grand Priestess's failure, but Yuan Ji found it amusing to watch the Ice Tribe members fight amongst themselves, noting Ka Suo had nearly killed his own grandmother.

Lian Ji questioned why Yuan Ji wasn't moving to kill Ka Suo and avenge Ying Kongshi. Yuan Ji, however, told her not to rush, explaining that the Grand Priestess was merely an initial obstacle. He revealed that Ka Suo's group was headed to the White Tiger Destruction Temple, where the fury of the God of Extinguishing War awaited them.

Yuan Ji vowed to repay She Mi's betrayal and the death of his son a thousandfold to his descendants, asserting that the blooming of the Hidden Lotus would signal the destruction of all things, leaving only the "god of gods" remaining. As Ka Suo and his companions journeyed, Xing Gui began to tire.

Ka Suo offered to carry her, but Pian Feng stepped forward, volunteering to carry her instead, lightheartedly remarking that it would prevent Xing Jiu from retaliating by giving them nightmares. After traveling for a long time, the group decided to rest. Huang Tuo set up two small tents, leading Liao Jian to volunteer to sleep outside since the other tent was too small for the four men.

Pian Feng then confronted Liao Jian, demanding to know why he was Liao Jian's inner demon. Liao Jian tried to deflect, but Pian Feng pressed, asking if Liao Jian knew about his feelings for Chao Ya. Liao Jian admitted he knew of Pian Feng's childhood connection with Chao Ya, but explained that Queen Chi Lian had encouraged him to pursue Chao Ya while forbidding her to marry Pian Feng.

Liao Jian claimed he waited until Pian Feng left to pursue Chao Ya openly, but confessed his insecurity, wondering if Chao Ya would choose him in a fair competition. Without further words, Pian Feng attacked, and Liao Jian readily fought back until Chao Ya appeared and stopped their clash. While the others rested, Huang Tuo and Xing Gui were suddenly attacked by a mysterious man. The rest of the group quickly came to their aid.

Despite being attacked, Xing Gui and Huang Tuo tended to the man's wounds. The stranger revealed himself to be Qing Long, the Eastern Guardian. He explained that the Divine Snow Mountain operated under the rule of "winner takes all," where only the strongest became guardian gods, leading to constant conflict among them. He confessed that the Western Guardian, Qing Ren, had defeated him and taken control of the White Tiger Destruction Temple.

Ka Suo demanded that Qing Long lead them to Qing Ren, and Qing Long, realizing he had no choice, reluctantly agreed. They arrived at what Qing Long claimed was the White Tiger Destruction Temple's barrier, but the others saw no entrance. Qing Long explained that the guardian temples were protected by enchantments, visible only to those who were invited or were guardian gods themselves.

To enter, Qing Long instructed everyone to extend their hands, and he placed a wristband on each of them. With that, he led the group, and they vanished, seemingly entering the hidden temple. Yan Da, watching from afar as the group disappeared, was left with a sense of helplessness.

Episode 45 Recap

Ka Suo and his companions arrived at the White Tiger Destruction Temple, where shouts of "Guardian Qing Ren is victorious!" filled the air. Inside, they found a figure standing on a throne with its back to them. Ka Suo, introducing himself as the Ice King, politely requested passage through the sealed door of the White Tiger Destruction Temple. However, the figure remained silent and unresponsive. When Pian Feng approached, he discovered it was a lifeless body.

Suddenly, a group of guards appeared, surrounding Ka Suo's party. It was revealed that the person who led them in, whom they believed to be Qing Long, was actually the true Qing Ren, and the body on the throne was the deceased Qing Long. Qing Ren, the new eastern guardian, mockingly welcomed them to his White Tiger Destruction Temple, stating they were his first guests.

The group prepared to fight, but they found their spiritual powers completely suppressed by the bangles they were wearing. Qing Ren reveled in their helplessness, boasting of his power. Liaojian, enraged, charged forward but was quickly repelled and brought under Qing Ren's control. He was forced to attack his friends. One by one, Ka Suo's companions succumbed to Qing Ren's manipulation, fighting amongst themselves until they were all captured.

Qing Ren maliciously declared that his ascension ceremony as the eastern guardian would take place the next day, and they would be his "guest performers," promising them an exciting death. Qing Ren later reported his success in capturing Ka Suo to Yuan Ji, requesting that his previous position as the western guardian be restored, and that he be allowed to hold both the eastern and western guardian titles simultaneously. However, Lian Ji, who was present, promptly rejected his proposition.

Meanwhile, Yan Da searched for the missing group and eventually found the sword spirit, who still bore the resemblance of Ying Kong Shi. Yan Da offered him some of her vital energy, which the sword spirit eagerly consumed. She then asked him where Ka Suo and the others had gone.

The sword spirit, Shi, recounted the events at the White Tiger Destruction Temple, explaining that Ka Suo could have escaped but chose to stay for his friends, leading to his capture by Qing Ren. Shi claimed Ka Suo was "his feast," as Ka Suo had awakened him from the God Devouring Sword. He expressed concern that Qing Ren might "eat his meal" before he could, but admitted he was currently too weak to defeat Qing Ren.

Yan Da offered to help him rescue his "feast," which prompted Shi to ask if she too was eyeing Ka Suo. Yan Da denied it and then affectionately tried to call him "Yun Fei," a name Shi found "cheesy" and rejected, claiming he would never pick such a name for himself. Yan Da hinted that he no longer remembered things, not even Ka Suo, his "most beloved brother."

Shi then shrewdly deduced that Yan Da intended to wait for Ka Suo to obtain the Hidden Lotus and then seize it. Yan Da admitted her plan, acknowledging she couldn't achieve it alone. She offered Shi a continuous supply of even stronger vital energy in exchange for his help, a deal he happily accepted. Ka Suo and his friends were anxious about their predicament, unable to remove the restrictive bangles. Shi suddenly appeared, mocking their inability to remove the restraints.

He suggested that if the bangle was a knot, there must be a gap to open it. Though the others couldn't see it, Shi encouraged them to keep looking. Listening to Shi's words, Ka Suo recalled Grandma Feng Tian's saying, "Where there's darkness, there'll be light. Where there's a beginning, there'll be an end. All things gather together for power and separate when the power is lost. No loss, no gain. No death, no life."

These enigmatic words suddenly clicked, and Ka Suo understood how to break free from the bangles. Shi then instructed them to follow his plan the next day. The next day, at Qing Ren's coronation ceremony, he gleefully taunted his captive guests. He then announced a "battle" to determine the strongest among them to face Ka Suo. With a flick of his wrist, he began manipulating them, forcing them to fight each other against their will.

Ka Suo watched helplessly as Liaojian, Pian Feng, Huang Tuo, and Yue Shen were all injured in the senseless brawling. Eventually, only Xing Gui and Chao Ya remained. As Chao Ya was about to injure Xing Gui's eyes, Ka Suo, breaking through some of the control, used the God Devouring Sword to intervene. However, Xing Gui, still under Qing Ren's sway, then attacked and wounded Chao Ya.

Qing Ren laughed, declaring that the final duel would be between Xing Gui and Ka Suo. At that moment, Lian Ji arrived at the White Tiger Destruction Temple, announcing her intention to personally kill Ka Suo to avenge Ying Kong Shi's death. She effortlessly controlled Ka Suo, tossing him around like a toy. Despite his vulnerability, Ka Suo pleaded with Lian Ji to release Xing Gui, offering himself in her place.

Qing Ren, captivated by Xing Gui's cuteness, began to remove her clothes, pulling her towards him with malicious intent. Seeing Xing Gui in peril, Ka Suo, with a surge of desperate strength, finally broke free from Lian Ji's control and rescued her. Meanwhile, Liaojian, Pian Feng, and Huang Tuo, following Ka Suo's earlier plan, had managed to retrieve the God Devouring Sword. Pian Feng then charged towards the throne, striking it with the sword.

Lian Ji, closing in on Ka Suo, attempted to deliver a fatal blow. However, Ka Suo blocked her attack, his spiritual powers now fully restored, as were everyone else's. The White Tiger Destruction Temple guards were no match for the empowered group. Shi then emerged, eager to collect vital energy from the fallen. Ka Suo tried to stop Shi from approaching Lian Ji, calling her "your mother." Shi vehemently denied having a mother, stating he was a sword spirit.

It was then that Ka Suo fully understood that Shi truly was not Ying Kong Shi. Qing Ren, however, rose again, revealing his immortal body, making him seemingly invincible. Ka Suo pierced Qing Ren with the God Devouring Sword, but it failed to kill him. At that critical moment, Shi shouted to Ka Suo, revealing that Qing Ren's tattoo was his "sealed door," his weakness.

Ka Suo immediately plunged the God Devouring Sword into the tattoo on Qing Ren's neck, finally killing him. In an instant, the entire White Tiger Destruction Temple vanished, and everyone found themselves back in their original location, as if Qing Ren's death had undone his entire domain. Chao Ya, who had been injured, confirmed she was fine, crediting Pian Feng for sharing half of his spiritual power with her.

The group continued their journey, arriving at the next destination: the Sky-Shattering Vermilion Bird Temple, located in the center of a stunning lake. Consulting Grandma Feng Tian's map, they realized they faced a new challenge. The lake was covered with hundreds of invisible sectors or barriers, and touching even one could lead to terrible consequences. Chao Ya then brought out her Soundless Zither, explaining that it could change size at will.

She intended to enlarge it to serve as a boat and use its music to reveal the hidden barriers, allowing them to navigate safely across the lake. Back in the City of Bladed Snow, Xing Jiu's injuries had significantly healed. He expressed his intention to return to the Divine Snow Mountain, but the Ice King advised him to stay.

The Ice King suggested that Xing Jiu could still protect Ka Suo's group by remaining in the City of Bladed Snow and using his dream spell to maintain contact with his sister, Xing Gui. This way, they would be promptly informed of any difficulties Ka Suo and his companions encountered, allowing them to provide timely protection. Xing Jiu understood and agreed. Shortly after, Elder Lu Ming of the Sprite Lands sought an audience with the Ice King, appearing distraught.

He reported that "Doomsday has come! All life forms will die!" He described ominous signs: all their planted flowers and crops had withered, tornadoes appeared in the forests, and rivers had stopped flowing – events unprecedented in the Sprite Lands' 10,000-year history. Additionally, he noted that all crops in the mortal realm had been consumed overnight, speculating that monsters might be responsible. The Ice King immediately dispatched Xing Jiu to investigate these alarming phenomena.

On the Divine Snow Mountain, the group arrived at the Sky-Shattering Vermilion Bird Temple, which appeared as a beautiful and serene garden. Chao Ya suddenly spotted her mother, Queen Chi Lian, the previous Sprite Queen who had been missing for many years. Overjoyed, Chao Ya embraced her, asking where she had been all this time. However, her mother appeared distant and unfamiliar, asking if Chao Ya was indeed her daughter, seeming not to recognize her.

Chao Ya, confused and worried her mother was under duress, pleaded with her to return to the Sprite Lands. Her mother simply stated she was fine and not going anywhere. She then turned to Ka Suo, asking if he was the Ice King. Upon his confirmation, she announced that she was there to welcome them on behalf of Princess Die Che, the southern guardian of the Divine Snow Mountain, and bid them to follow her.

Episode 46 Recap

The group arrived at the Sky-Shattering Vermilion Bird Temple, a place as beautiful as an immortal realm, where a legend spoke of a stunning beauty, the most powerful zither player of the Sprite Lands, sealed on the Sighing Wall. Her music was said to be capable of repelling armies. As thousands of butterflies swarmed, Queen Chi Lian, accompanied by her maidens, worshipped the wall. A beautiful woman emerged: Princess Die Che, the Southern Guardian of Divine Snow Mountain.

She greeted them, stating that she would allow them to pass if Ka Suo submitted to Lord Yuan Ji. Ka Suo refused, stating Yuan Ji had killed his mother. Die Che smiled, looking at Chao Ya, and remarked that sacrificing for one's tribe was not difficult. The maidens then removed their masks, revealing themselves to be the sprites of the Golden Oriole Tribe.

Die Che reminded Chao Ya that she had once allowed the Alligator Tribe to attack the Golden Oriole Tribe to repel an enemy, leading to their near extinction. The regret of that innocent loss had always haunted Chao Ya. Die Che then claimed she rescued these sprites and brought them to the Divine Snow Mountain, reviving them with the divine waters, allowing them to live peacefully and happily in the temple.

Chao Ya thanked her, but Die Che insisted the thanks should go to Lord Yuan Ji, who hated fighting and killing and wished for all life forms to live in harmony. Liao Jian scoffed, calling it a blatant lie, asserting that their ancestors left Divine Snow Mountain precisely because Yuan Ji was violent and ruthless.

Die Che countered, admitting misunderstandings between their ancestors and Lord Yuan Ji, but argued that the 10,000 years of conflict between the Ice and Fire tribes and constant strife in the three realms had cost countless innocent lives. She proposed that Lord Yuan Ji obtain the Hidden Lotus, unite all tribes, and bring about an era of peace and happiness.

Die Che cut off Ka Suo before he could speak, urging him not to refuse immediately and to consider her offer while staying the night, allowing Chao Ya to reunite with her mother. Ka Suo agreed. Huang Tuo meticulously checked the food and wine for poison before anyone ate. Xing Gui observed Queen Chi Lian's strange behavior, noting her indifference towards Chao Ya but strong affection for Die Che.

Pian Feng explained that Queen Chi Lian had always been a strict and demanding mother, never a loving one, holding high expectations for Chao Ya. Liao Jian added that Chi Lian was deeply obsessed with the legend of the Sighing Wall and dreamed of mastering the Butterfly Zither Techniques, which led her to abandon her daughter and tribe in its pursuit.

Pian Feng recalled that after Chi Lian went missing, the Sprite Lands descended into chaos, forcing Chao Ya to bravely take the throne alone. During that period, Pian Feng was in exile, and Liao Jian was imprisoned by Hei Feng, making Chao Ya the sole defender. This was when the tragedy of the Golden Oriole Tribe occurred, a burden of guilt Chao Ya carried ever since.

Chao Ya reunited with her mother, confessing how tired she felt every day since becoming queen and questioning why her mother never returned. Chi Lian explained that while searching for the Sighing Wall, she was injured in an accident, lost her memory, and forgot who she was. Princess Die Che rescued her and brought her to Divine Snow Mountain, granting her eternal life and a new identity.

Die Che also told her that when the time was right, her daughter would come to reunite with her. Overjoyed, Chao Ya pleaded with her mother to return home, offering to hand back the throne. However, Chi Lian refused, stating that she found true happiness at the temple, listening to Princess Die Che's Butterfly Zither every day and becoming one with nature. She urged Chao Ya to stay, but Chao Ya refused, explaining her tribesmen were waiting for her return.

Chi Lian continued to persuade her, calling her a "silly child" and saying that once Lord Yuan Ji restored himself and united all tribes, everyone would be his subjects, and the Sprite Lands and its queen would cease to exist. She suggested Chao Ya marry Liao Jian or stay with her, envisioning a life free of worries, which somewhat swayed Chao Ya.

Meanwhile, Xing Jiu, investigating the strange phenomena in the Sprite Lands, tracked the source to the Human World Forest in the east, the very place where Queen Chi Lian was rumored to have disappeared. There, he discovered peculiar butterflies. Back at the Vermilion Bird Temple, Ka Suo, watching the beautiful blossoms in the garden, encountered a man who could make flowers bloom with magic. Ka Suo approached him, asking about the magic.

The man explained he was born with the ability to make flowers bloom and that Die Che called him Chi Mo. Suddenly, Chi Mo coughed up blood. Die Che rushed to his side. Ka Suo offered to have Huang Tuo, the chief of the Healer Tribe, examine him, but Die Che insisted that only she could save him and asked Ka Suo to help her take Chi Mo to her palace.

Once Chi Mo was resting, Die Che played her zither to heal him. Listening to the music, Ka Suo felt a wave of melancholy and remembered Li Luo, her face appearing in his mind. Chao Ya, hearing Die Che's beautiful zither music, marveled at its exquisite quality, despairing that she would never be able to play such music in her lifetime. Suddenly, a string on her own zither snapped, startling her.

Die Che later approached Ka Suo, remarking that his heart too seemed to have been broken by love. Ka Suo admitted he could feel Die Che's deep love for Chi Mo through her music. Die Che confessed that without Chi Mo, she would never play again, adding that those who appreciate her music are sentimental. She sensed that Ka Suo also loved someone dearly.

Ka Suo thought of Li Luo, sadly noting she was frozen at the bottom of the Endless Sea and could not enjoy the beautiful music. Die Che seized the opportunity, trying to recruit him again, promising that if he submitted to Lord Yuan Ji, the fate of his beloved could be changed, and he could be reunited with her, just like Die Che was with Chi Mo.

Ka Suo asked if they could revive Li Luo, and Die Che affirmed they could, if he was willing. Pian Feng noticed Chao Ya's broken zither string and asked Queen Chi Lian about Chao Ya's whereabouts. Chi Lian, however, reacted as if seeing a ghost and fled, yelling about "annoying eagles" and "evil eagles."

Pian Feng relayed this strange encounter to Chao Ya, who found it impossible, given her mother claimed to have lost her memory and didn't even remember her own daughter, let alone hold a grudge against Pian Feng. Chao Ya reflected on her mother's strange transformation. The former queen, a wise and courageous leader who protected her tribe at all costs, now abandoned her people to simply worship Die Che.

She acknowledged Die Che's supernatural zither techniques, admitting she could never surpass them. When Ka Suo mentioned Chi Mo, Chao Ya reacted with shock and fear, revealing that Chi Mo was a notorious criminal from the Sprite Tribe, executed by extreme punishment over 10,000 years ago. Everyone was confused by this revelation. The Sword Spirit interrupted, complaining of hunger and asking Ka Suo for vital energy.

Yue Shen dismissively told him to find vital energy elsewhere, as they were discussing important matters. The Sword Spirit replied that there was only one powerful god here, Die Che, and he dared not provoke her. Ka Suo found this odd, asking about the palace maids and guards. The Sword Spirit explained they were formless spirits, just like him. Chao Ya expressed disbelief about her mother.

Xing Gui then stated that what Chao Ya saw was merely her mother's afterimage, adding that her brother, Xing Jiu, had sent a message in a dream, inviting everyone to join him in a shared dream. In the dream, they found themselves in the butterfly-filled Human World Forest. Xing Jiu explained that the Sprite Lands' strange phenomena originated there. He showed them the demonic butterflies, which fed on human or god flesh, leaving behind only clothing.

He hypothesized that these butterflies were responsible for past disappearances, including those blamed on the Rabbit sprite and him, and flew towards the Endless Sea every night, possibly linked to Yuan Ji. Xing Gui, seeing the familiar butterflies, reminded everyone of Die Che's words about life and death being merely a change in physical form, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, and how with willingness, a beloved person could be reborn.

Back in the Vermilion Bird Temple, Die Che asked Ka Suo for his final decision. Ka Suo exposed her deception, stating that the "eternity" she offered was merely endless deprivation and eternal hell. He revealed that she used the rabbit sprites of the Sprite Lands to lure humans, feeding their flesh to her butterflies. Once grown, the butterflies were transformed into dolls. Since butterflies are ephemeral, Die Che had to continually kill to maintain the physical bodies of her dolls.

Chao Ya demanded to know where her mother was. Die Che calmly explained that Chi Lian, despite admiring her, couldn't accept Chi Mo and called him a monster, so Die Che fed her to her butterflies, then recreated a Chi Lian who would follow her will. Overcome with grief and rage, Chao Ya attacked Die Che but was injured by Chi Lian's spirit, who defended Die Che.

Pian Feng intervened, striking Chi Lian's spirit, causing it to dissipate and transform into butterflies. Seeing that her efforts to recruit Ka Suo were futile, Die Che prepared to use her zither to attack. At that moment, Yue Shen and Huang Tuo arrived, bringing Chi Mo with them. Chi Mo confronted Die Che, questioning if he too was merely a doll she created, just like the recreated Chi Lian.

He recalled that whenever he felt ill, she would summon butterflies to cure him, realizing he was nothing more than the walking dead. He pleaded with Die Che not to harm innocent lives for his sake and urged her to let them go. Die Che, seemingly swayed by Chi Mo's words, finally agreed to release them and revealed that the seal was behind the Sighing Wall.

However, in a sudden change of heart, Die Che attacked everyone, including Chi Mo, who fell fatally wounded. As the temple began to collapse, Chi Mo died in Die Che's arms while she wept in anguish. The group quickly fled the collapsing palace. Later, on a small boat made from Chao Ya's Wuyin Qin on the lake, the group reflected on the tragic love of Chi Mo and Die Che, pondering what had truly happened to them.

Pian Feng recounted tales heard from the elders of his tribe: Chi Mo was once considered the greatest traitor of their tribe for attempting to sell their most powerful zither music to the Fire Tribe. Die Che's Butterfly Zither was unmatched, her mastery so profound that no other sprite in the tribe could match her skill or understand her music, leaving her to play alone in her magical sanctuary for many years.

It was there that she met Chi Mo, who understood her music, and they fell deeply in love. However, during the War of Ice and Fire, the Sprite Lands allied with the Ice Tribe to drive out all Fire Tribesmen. Chi Mo's family was revealed to be a secret leader behind troubles caused by the Fire Tribe, making him a pariah. He attempted to escape but was captured.

Die Che raced to the City of Bladed Snow to beg the Ice King for mercy, but Chi Mo's crimes, having cruelly ruined many lives, were deemed unforgivable, and the Ice King refused.

Episode 47 Recap

Chi Mo slowly woke from his slumber, looking at Die Che with star-like eyes. He asked if the story Die Che had told him was true, and with a beautiful smile, she confirmed that she had never lied to him. It was then that Ka Suo and the others learned the full truth of what happened years ago.

The old Ice King had believed Chi Mo had an ulterior motive in approaching Die Che, intending to steal her Butterfly Zither to curry favor with the Fire King. As a demonstration of his power and a warning to others, the Ice King ordered Chi Mo's execution. By the time Die Che rushed to the execution grounds, Chi Mo was already dying. They only had a moment to bid farewell before being separated forever.

Holding Chi Mo in her arms, Die Che was heartbroken, unable to comprehend the Ice King's cruelty. After playing a final, sorrowful song, she vanished. Legends circulated that Die Che had sealed herself within a painting, and anyone willing to offer their soul could be gifted with one of her songs, the most beautiful and the last they would ever hear.

Inside Die Che's palace, after soothing Chi Mo to sleep with her music, Die Che wiped sweat from her brow. Suddenly, she heard a voice remark that her notes were out of tune and Ka Suo wasn't following her rhythm. She immediately knelt, apologizing to Yuan Ji, who appeared as a black mist, and begged for another chance to redeem herself. Yuan Ji coldly asked if she believed Ka Suo would still obey her.

Die Che declared she would kill Ka Suo for him. After a moment of consideration, Yuan Ji agreed, stipulating only that Ka Suo's vital energy be given to him. Die Che then hesitantly made another request: that Chi Mo be allowed to revive alongside Yuan Ji when the Hidden Lotus bloomed. Yuan Ji promised to grant her wish if she fulfilled his. Watching Yuan Ji depart, Die Che finally made her decision.

On the Endless Sea, as the group rested in the ship's cabin, the vessel suddenly began to sway violently. Ka Suo immediately announced that a sector had been activated and urged everyone to follow him outside. In a blink, they found themselves back in Die Che's palace. Die Che sat on her throne, supporting her head, and addressed Ka Suo and the others standing below. She said that countless beings had willingly sacrificed everything to hear her play her music.

The group exchanged worried glances, sensing danger. Die Che continued, "Descendants of She Mi, I will gift you with a song. This will be the most beautiful piece you have ever heard in your life, and also the last one." As her delicate hands touched the zither strings, everyone in the hall involuntarily closed their eyes. Suddenly, Pian Feng shouted, "Watch out!" The group began to fight Die Che, but Ka Suo alone, with vacant eyes, slowly walked towards her.

Yue Shen pulled the suddenly fallen Ka Suo away from the battle, perplexed as to why Ka Suo, the strongest among them, was the first to succumb to Die Che's zither attack. Chao Ya slowly explained that her tribe had an ancient saying, "Sad people cannot listen to music," suggesting that Die Che's zither music was most lethal to those with broken hearts.

As Huang Tuo struggled to hold on, urging everyone to quickly destroy the Sighing Wall, Xing Gui interjected that she had already investigated it. The Sighing Wall was impervious to both water and fire; only the strongest spiritual music could destroy it. When Chao Ya took out her zither, a hint of disdain flashed in Die Che's eyes, muttering about Chao Ya not knowing her limits.

In the dream, Chao Ya and Xing Gui saw Ka Suo sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, murmuring, "Li Luo, Shi, Mother, they all died because of me. But why am I still alive?" Chao Ya worriedly told the despondent Ka Suo that they were on the brink of life and death, that they needed to win this battle, and that everyone depended on him. She gently tapped Ka Suo, who then shivered and slowly opened his eyes.

Xing Gui informed Ka Suo that Chao Ya needed the power of his sorrow. She explained that his sad memories needed to be transformed into a dream and transferred to Chao Ya, enabling her to convert that sorrow into a powerful musical piece. In his dream, Ka Suo heard Ying Kong Shi's voice urging, "Brother, don't give up. We must be like the sleet birds and fly together in freedom."

He also heard Li Luo's voice saying, "Your Majesty, I will wait for you. No matter in the Mortal Realm, Divine Realm, or the Endless Sea, I will always wait for you. I will wait for you to bring the Hidden Lotus and find me." Meanwhile, Die Che was also immersed in her own memories, reliving the last moments of Chi Mo's death at the execution ground. Finally, Die Che was defeated.

Everyone opened their eyes to see that Chao Ya had successfully destroyed the Sighing Wall. Die Che lay weakly on the ground, exclaiming that it was impossible for a god from outside Divine Snow Mountain to destroy the Sighing Wall. Ka Suo looked at her and said that her zither music had only remembered hurt, forgetting the original beauty of love. Suddenly, Die Che gazed towards the palace entrance and cried out, "Brother Chi Mo."

The others turned to see Chi Mo entering through the door, extending his hand towards Die Che and tenderly calling her name. His body then disintegrated, scattering into a gracefully dancing butterfly that landed on Die Che's fingertip before ultimately fading into nothingness. After this, a voice, seemingly Yuan Ji, remarked on Ka Suo's formidable power, acknowledging that Ka Suo had inadvertently helped him open another path to the Hidden Lotus.

Yan Da, who had been secretly following the group under Fire King's orders, was suddenly attacked by an unknown woman. Yan Da demanded to know who she was. The stranger, later identified as Xing Zhou, the northern guardian of Divine Snow Mountain, brought Yan Da to Yuan Ji's palace, respectfully announcing, "My lord, I brought the Fire Princess here." Xing Zhou then turned to Yan Da and asked if she recognized the figure that Yuan Ji was now showing.

A blue misty human-like form materialized in Yuan Ji's hand, pleading, "Yan Da, my sister! Save me!" Yan Da, utterly shocked, cried out, "Brother Xin Jue, why is it you? How did you become like this?" Xing Zhou explained that it was merely a shred of the former Fire Prince Xin Jue's vital energy. Yan Da realized with horror that she and Fire King had misunderstood the Ice King; the true culprit was Yuan Ji.

She immediately attacked Yuan Ji, but Xing Zhou swiftly struck her down. Yuan Ji, unfazed by Yan Da's furious questioning about why he killed Xin Jue, casually explained that he had believed Xin Jue already possessed sufficient vital energy. He was surprised to find that Xin Jue had left most of his vital energy within the Fire Tribe's Life Lantern.

Yuan Ji had originally planned to travel to the Fire Tribe to extract Fire King's vital energy, but now that Yan Da was there, he could avoid the trouble. Yan Da then demanded to know Yuan Ji's identity and his grudge against the Fire Tribe. Yuan Ji revealed that before the Ice and Fire tribes even existed, her ancestors had offended him, and he intended to unleash all the accumulated punishment upon their descendants.

With a single move, he defeated Yan Da. Xing Zhou respectfully stated that she had been awaiting Yuan Ji's return to Divine Snow Mountain and that with the Hidden Lotus about to bloom, the world's only true god would soon be reborn. Yuan Ji's lips curved into a sinister smile as he affirmed that gathering the vital energy of all royal bloodlines would enable the Hidden Lotus to bloom.

This would grant him ultimate divine power, allowing him to break She Mi's seal. He promised Xing Zhou, his loyal follower, unimaginable rewards when the time came. Xing Zhou, despite her inner delight, maintained a composed demeanor, mentioning her discovery that Ying Kong Shi's vital energy had become the sword spirit of the God Devouring Sword. She then tentatively asked if Yuan Ji would wish for his only descendant to be revived as well.

Yuan Ji reminded her that she had just stated he was the only true god in this world, to which Xing Zhou nodded, indicating her understanding. On the Endless Sea, as everyone slept soundly inside the ship, Xing Gui quietly rose and left the cabin. She heard Xing Jiu's voice calling, "Xing Gui, are you asleep?" With a radiant smile, Xing Gui looked into the void and sweetly replied, "Brother!"

When Xing Jiu asked about the situation and if they had defeated Die Che, Xing Gui joyfully confirmed that his intelligence was correct; the Demonic Butterflies were indeed linked to Die Che, whom they had now defeated. She added that they were currently heading north towards Divine Snow Mountain. Xing Jiu, looking at the Sacred Cube in his hand, smiled with relief, remarking that Xing Gui was much stronger than he had imagined.

The siblings then spoke of their longing for each other and their home. Both being Dream Seekers, they found it difficult to enter each other's dreams. This dilemma led Xing Gui to propose a clever solution: Xing Jiu should make everyone dream together, allowing the siblings to meet within that shared dreamscape. Moments later, Xing Gui, Ka Suo, and the others all appeared within the same dreamscape.

As they wondered why they were there, Ka Suo deduced that since two skilled Dream Seekers were present, they must indeed be in a dream. When Ka Suo's group questioned why they had been brought into this dream, Xing Jiu, feeling a bit awkward, admitted it was because he missed Xing Gui so much. Ka Suo playfully chided Xing Jiu for interrupting his sleep but, at Xing Gui's plea, forgave him.

Liao Jian jokingly complained about his interrupted dream of a grand bed, soft pillows, fine wine, and delicious food. Xing Jiu, with a confident smile, offered to fulfill all their wishes within the dream, even though he couldn't physically join them in battle on Divine Snow Mountain. Everyone raised imaginary wine goblets to celebrate their recent victory.

However, the celebration was cut short by a sudden anomaly: a black mist appeared and snatched Xing Gui away before anyone could react. " Brother, save me!" she cried. " Xing Gui!" Xing Jiu's shout echoed as everyone abruptly woke up. Emerging from the ship's cabin, they saw Xing Gui standing alone at the bow, explaining to the empty air that they had entered the boundary of Divine Snow Mountain, which was why their shared dream had been suddenly disrupted.

After disembarking, the group faced a deep, secluded canyon. Pian Feng used his eagle eyes to scout ahead and discovered a vast maze. After discussion, Pian Feng took the lead, with Yue Shen guarding the rear. A while later, they arrived at a sheer cliff face. Pian Feng was puzzled, stating that he had clearly seen a path earlier, but now it was a dead end.

Yue Shen expressed her continuous feeling that other life forms were present besides their group. After observing for a moment, Liao Jian declared, "These rocks are alive!" Pian Feng worried that if the rocks kept moving, they would never find the correct exit. Listening to everyone's concerns, Ka Suo slowly shared his own discovery: "These stone movements have a pattern. If their movements had no pattern, moss would not grow on them.

Moreover, the mosses are all growing in the same direction, indicating that their pattern is traceable." He turned to the group, explaining that only by understanding the trajectory of the stone array's movements could they calculate and find their way out. This revelation disheartened the group, as they saw the task as immensely difficult, akin to finding a needle in a haystack, and worried about losing too much time.

Xing Gui then spoke softly, "What the physical body cannot see, the heart can see. In a single moment, there are millions of births and deaths. What cannot be perceived with the eyes must be observed with the heart. The dream-seeking spell will block your senses, allowing your mind's eye to open, and your perceptions will become extremely sharp.

You will be able to see the colors of the wind, hear the clouds breathe, and experience the myriad changes in the world." In the dream, a strange woman suddenly appeared. When Xing Gui inquired about her identity, the woman introduced herself as Xing Zhou, the northern guardian of Divine Snow Mountain and Lord Yuan Ji's most loyal subordinate. She informed Xing Gui that she wouldn't kill her yet, but was merely there to grant her a dream.

To her horror, Xing Gui realized this dream foretold her own death. She plummeted from high in the air, but was fortunately caught by Ka Suo and others, avoiding a tragic end. Looking at Ka Suo, who held her, she urged, "We need to leave here immediately. My Fallen Star Sceptre will show us the way out." Immediately after speaking, she lost consciousness. On the ship, Xing Gui woke from her unconsciousness.

When Huang Tuo asked what had happened and why she fell, urging her to lie down due to her serious internal injuries, she recounted her experience. She explained that it was Xing Zhou, the Northern Guardian, who had given her a dream foretelling her death in Xing Zhou's Black Tortoise Temple. Huang Tuo tried to reassure her that it was merely a scare and not real.

However, Xing Gui insisted that Xing Zhou's spiritual powers far surpassed hers, and a more powerful Dream Seeker could overpower a weaker one. She described the dream as disturbingly realistic, as if she had already died. When Ka Suo promised to protect her and ensure her safe return home, Xing Gui sadly shook her head. She humbly stated that the wheel of destiny had already begun to turn, and she, being as insignificant as an ant, was powerless.

Since her premonitions had never been wrong, she was certain that this time, death was inescapable. A heavy silence fell upon the group. Later, Yue Shen and Huang Tuo, who were on watch, noticed Xing Gui leaving the cabin. She declared her intention to use her dream-seeking spell once more to find a way out. Huang Tuo cautioned that her body was too weak and she would die if she exerted her spiritual power again.

With a pale smile, Xing Gui responded that since death was fated, any attempt to save her would be futile. Therefore, she intended to fulfill her mission before she died. Watching Xing Gui leave, Huang Tuo felt a profound sense of helplessness, despairing that he could only witness his companions getting hurt repeatedly without being able to do anything.

Yue Shen, hearing his distress, comforted him by saying that the group could fight fearlessly precisely because they had the strongest healer as their support, and thus he had no reason to blame himself. Three days later, the group saw Xing Gui stumbling back from her dream-seeking journey. Ka Suo rushed forward and caught her as she collapsed. Xing Gui managed to convey, "Your Majesty, all the paths in the maze are in here," before fainting in his arms. Ka Suo held her and praised her, saying she had done well.

Episode 48 Recap

After consuming medicine from Huang Tuo, Xing Gui immediately felt much better. However, Huang Tuo suddenly collapsed into Yue Shen's arms, having used the Recovery of Injuries Spell to transfer half of Xing Gui's pain to himself. He explained that since he lacked the power to protect her fully, he was willing to share her suffering, telling Xing Gui that she now possessed two lives and was no longer destined to die.

Yue Shen then took out a handcuff-like bracelet, linking her wrist to Huang Tuo's, declaring that since he had used the spell, she now had to protect two people. Ka Suo looked at his companions, issuing a command that no harm must come to any of them. Everyone nodded in agreement.

As they followed the light of a luminous pearl meant to guide them through the maze, Xing Gui struggled to move due to the powerful spiritual energy emanating from Xing Zhou. Pian Feng gently picked her up, carrying her as they continued their journey. Suddenly, their surroundings shifted dramatically, transporting them to a new landscape filled with towering stone pillars. Pian Feng, still holding Xing Gui, quickly flew ahead.

Huang Tuo, observing the handcuff connecting him to Yue Shen, remarked with a hint of contentment that such an arrangement was quite pleasant. The ground beneath them began to shake violently, and the stone pillars started to move. Everyone quickly took flight to escape, but Huang Tuo and Yue Shen nearly fell, clinging precariously to the edge of a pillar until Chao Ya and Liao Jian swiftly came to their aid.

Once everyone had safely navigated the moving stone array, they arrived before a formidable stone fortress. Pian Feng flew forward, attempting a surprise attack, but was immediately repelled by an invisible barrier. At that moment, Xing Gui, who had been seemingly unconscious in Chao Ya's arms, opened her eyes. Standing upright, she spoke with a chilling voice, proclaiming herself to be Xing Zhou, a descendant of She Mi and a traitor to their ancestors.

She declared that their fate had been laid bare before her the moment they stepped into her domain, admitting she had allowed Xing Gui to lead them only to prevent them from getting lost. She then granted them special permission to die on her Lightning Altar. After this pronouncement, Xing Gui let out a laugh before falling unconscious once more.

Ka Suo instructed Pian Feng to stay behind and protect Xing Gui, while he and the others proceeded into the altar. On the Lightning Altar, Xing Zhou confronted Ka Suo, acknowledging his arrival. Ka Suo calmly replied that what was fated to come would always arrive.

Xing Zhou scoffed at Ka Suo's Ice Spear, revealing she knew it was a mere distraction and that his true killing method involved freezing her with magic after she blocked the spear, then striking her with the God Devouring Sword. She then declared that Ka Suo's fate ended there. Ka Suo, unfazed, responded that he had never believed in fate.

Soon, Liao Jian and the others ascended to the altar, but Xing Zhou's magic ensnared them in a dream, causing them to walk blankly towards the edge of the platform. Ka Suo also fell victim to her illusion, joining his companions in their involuntary march towards their demise. Xing Zhou gloated, promising Ka Suo a reunion with his brother and beloved in his dreams, from which he would never wake up.

Just as all hope seemed lost, Pian Feng and Xing Gui arrived. Seeing the dire situation, Xing Gui immediately unleashed her power, combining her strength with Pian Feng's to shatter Xing Zhou's illusion, freeing Ka Suo and the others from their dream-induced trance. Before she vanished into thin air, Xing Zhou, in her final moments, warned them that even if they could pass the Northern Guardian's temple, they would never get through the Western Guardian's territory.

Following Xing Zhou's demise, Xing Gui suddenly coughed up blood. With great effort, she turned to Ka Suo, expressing her fear of being alone, her longing for home, and her brother. With those words, she slowly closed her eyes. Huang Tuo confirmed that Xing Gui had died after exhausting all her vital energy. A remorseful Pian Feng then recounted what had transpired after everyone else had left.

He revealed that Xing Gui had merely pretended to be unconscious to deceive Xing Zhou, preventing her from predicting her actions and enabling a surprise attack. Pian Feng recalled how Ka Suo had forbidden Xing Gui from going to the altar, but she had insisted that Xing Zhou's spiritual power could trap Ka Suo in an eternal sleep, and only the Dream Tribe's most advanced Gradual Black-Ice Spell could defeat her.

Pian Feng confessed his profound guilt, admitting he had agreed to her plan without realizing it was a suicide mission. Ka Suo, gazing at Xing Gui's lifeless form, was overcome with sorrow, regretting his inability to protect her. In the City of Bladed Snow, Xing Jiu, Xing Gui's brother, witnessed a shooting star streak across the night sky. From the ethereal void, he heard Xing Gui's voice.

She praised him as the most powerful Chief Dreamer, with a great heart and gentle smile. She acknowledged her destiny was to have her life cut short, whether in a cherry-blossom-scented dawn or a moonlit night. She thanked Ka Suo for allowing her to step out of the dark altar and into the sunlight, where she saw the magnificent walls of the White Tiger Destruction Temple and heard Chao Ya's music.

She told her brother she was going to a very distant place and would return when the stars realigned. Xing Jiu, heartbroken, wished that Ka Suo would make arrangements for Xing Gui and ensure she was never left alone, as she deeply feared loneliness. In the Divine Snow Mountain, the companions surrounded Xing Gui's body with flowers. As a funeral pyre was lit, shimmering rays of light emanated from her form, ascending into the heavens.

Witnessing this phenomenon, everyone began to pray, hoping it signaled Xing Gui's rebirth. Within the White Tiger Destruction Temple, Lian Ji clasped her hands, praying for the Hidden Lotus to bring Ying Kong Shi back to life. Suddenly, she heard Ying Kong Shi call out to her, and looking up, saw him appear in the void nearby, a gentle smile on his face. She rushed forward, grasping his hand, pouring out her deep longing for her son.

Ying Kong Shi softly told her that her duty was fulfilled and that he was now going to find his brother. Lian Ji awoke from her dream in tears. She tearfully recounted her dream to Yuan Ji, expressing her distress that even after being revived, Shi had left her to find Ka Suo. Yuan Ji offered words of comfort and promises, but Lian Ji found no solace.

She questioned Yuan Ji about his inaction, pointing out that the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Guardians had all been defeated. She pressed him on when he would finally kill Ka Suo and avenge Shi. Yuan Ji calmly replied that "it is always worth waiting for a flower to bloom" and offered to take her somewhere. Yuan Ji led Lian Ji to the Eternal Lotus Pond, filled with countless lotus flowers.

Lian Ji, initially unimpressed, gasped in surprise upon realizing this place housed the legendary Hidden Lotus. Yuan Ji smiled, advising her not to be anxious as the time was not yet ripe. He likened the Hidden Lotus to Lian Ji herself, stating that once it bloomed, all other flowers would pale in comparison. Later, in a dense forest, Huang Tuo observed Yue Shen gazing at the sky.

He remarked that Xing Gui used to watch the stars at night, believing they held the secrets of fate, and expressed his regret that she was now at peace among the stars and could no longer help them navigate dangers. Yue Shen pondered that this might be their last night to watch the stars together. Huang Tuo then made a heartfelt confession, declaring his desire to always hold her hand.

He vowed that if he were to become a mere wisp of energy, he would transform into moonlight and follow her forever. He then earnestly asked Yue Shen if she would agree to be his girlfriend should they safely escape the Divine Snow Mountain, promising to protect her for life. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Yue Shen replied that they could discuss their future once they had left the Divine Snow Mountain.

Huang Tuo smiled gently and nodded in agreement, a quiet joy settling between them in the tranquil forest. Aboard a ship, Chao Ya watched Pian Feng, who was once again intoxicated, with a furrowed brow. Clutching Chao Ya's hand, a drunken Pian Feng poured out his heart, regretting having let go of her hand after holding it for a thousand years, only for her to be snatched away by someone else during that brief moment.

He tearfully implored her to sing for him again. Liao Jian, witnessing the emotional embrace from outside the cabin door, quietly departed. In Ignis City, the Fire King raged, unable to recover his spiritual power. Staring into a mirror, he saw a reflection that goaded him to kill gods to replenish his strength.

The mirror entity highlighted how Ying Kong Shi had willingly transferred his spiritual power to Ka Suo, making Ka Suo stronger, and questioned why Fire King couldn't do the same. Despite Fire King's protestations that killing a god for their power was a grave crime, the mirror's taunts about his lack of courage sparked a dangerous resolve within him.

Fire King declared himself the strongest god in the Three Realms and proclaimed that all gods should submit their spiritual powers to him. Back in the Divine Snow Mountain, the group found themselves trapped on the altar, unable to break through the barrier. Yue Shen lamented Xing Gui's absence, believing she would have known how to open it.

Just then, Pian Feng arrived, explaining that Xing Gui had visited him in three dreams the previous night, one of which contained the method to open the barrier. Using this newfound knowledge, they successfully opened the barrier, only to find themselves transported to the Mortal Realm. Yue Shen immediately sensed a strong, hostile aura, warning everyone to proceed with caution. Huang Tuo, however, was momentarily distracted by an old woman selling windmills.

As he reached out to touch one, Yue Shen quickly intervened to stop him. The old woman instantly succumbed to Yue Shen's forceful presence and died. Ka Suo then proposed they head towards the most dangerous location they could find. Outside a local inn, Yue Shen confirmed it radiated the most intense murderous aura. Ka Suo, with a slight smile, declared they would spend the night there.

He reasoned that one must venture into the tiger's den to catch the cub, and perhaps they might even encounter the Western Guardian there. Rather than passively waiting for their doom, he advocated for a proactive approach. The group then entered the inn. Inside, all the candles spontaneously lit up, and Huang Tuo discovered six cups of hot tea mysteriously placed on a table.

Chao Ya and Yue Shen worked together to establish a protective barrier outside the inn, designed to alert them with zither sounds if any assassination attempt were made. Within his room, a visibly sorrowful Ka Suo was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the God Devouring Sword spirit, Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi dramatically clutched his nose, exclaiming how Ka Suo "stunk to death" and had woken him up from digesting vital energy.

Ka Suo, sniffing his sleeve, found no offensive odor, but Ying Kong Shi clarified that for a joyful sword spirit like him, happiness was a pleasant scent, while sadness produced a foul stench. Ka Suo noted that previous sword spirits preferred feelings like sadness and fear, but Ying Kong Shi interrupted, asserting that as the current sword spirit of the God Devouring Sword, his preferences were the only ones that mattered. A rare smile touched Ka Suo's lips.

Suddenly, Ying Kong Shi claimed to smell a familiar scent and leaped out the window. Ka Suo quickly followed, finding the bustling street emptied of people, who had scattered in fear. Ying Kong Shi stood alone at a grilled fish stall, intently sniffing the aroma of roasted fish. Ka Suo pondered whether these smells could help awaken Shi's past memories.

Episode 49 Recap

Liao Jian and Pian Feng shared a drink, and Liao Jian confessed that Pian Feng was his inner demon. In return, Pian Feng gave Liao Jian the Gold-Feather Armor, a sacred artifact of the Eagle Tribe, asking him to protect Queen Chao Ya in his stead. Back at the inn, a mysterious man approached Ka Suo's bed with a dagger, but Ka Suo was only feigning sleep. He disarmed the assailant, asking if he was the Western Guardian.

The man remained silent and escaped. Chao Ya, Yue Shen, and others pursued the man as he broke through a barrier. Chao Ya and Pian Feng continued the chase, while Yue Shen and Huang Tuo turned back to protect Ka Suo. As they entered the inn, Yue Shen heard a black cat meow nearby but ignored it. Not far from the inn, Chao Ya, Pian Feng, and Liao Jian, who soon joined them, engaged in battle with the mysterious man.

Liao Jian bravely subdued the assailant, but an unseen enemy intervened, binding Liao Jian and allowing the mysterious man to inflict severe injuries upon him. Inside the inn, Pian Feng noticed his Gold-Feather Armor on Chao Ya. She explained that Liao Jian gave it to her. A flashback showed Liao Jian presenting the armor to Chao Ya, saying he was returning her favor for the Music Lock and calling it a "love token" to be passed down through generations.

Back in the present, Ka Suo regretfully informed everyone that Huang Tuo has done his best, but Liao Jian's injuries are untreatable. Chao Ya desperately pleaded with Huang Tuo to use the Exchange of Injuries Spell, offering to take Liao Jian's wounds. However, Huang Tuo explained that the spell can only transfer physical pain, and Liao Jian's vital energy is dissipating, which no medicine can restore.

As Liao Jian’s life ebbed away, he expressed his love for Chao Ya, wishing they hadn't married so she wouldn't be burdened with "bear-children." Chao Ya, devastated, affirmed her heart belongs to him and she already considers herself his wife. Liao Jian then entrusted Chao Ya's protection to Pian Feng, telling her, "Chao Ya, I won't allow you to be heartbroken for too long; just time for one song is enough." Everyone wept, remembering their moments with Liao Jian.

In the Extinct Heaven Temple, Phoenix presented Yuan Ji with Liao Jian's vital energy, which Yuan Ji readily absorbed. Phoenix promised to acquire more for him. Yuan Ji, with a cynical smile, implied Phoenix couldn't have gathered the energy alone and asked if the Western Guardian secretly assisted him. Phoenix confirmed this, prompting Yuan Ji to question why the Western Guardian didn't deliver it herself.

Phoenix explained he doesn't understand the new guardian's intentions, having suggested she report directly, but she simply handed him the energy and left. He speculated she might be arrogant, feeling Yuan Ji now relies solely on her after the Northern and Southern Guardians' failures, and doesn't respect him. Yuan Ji remarked on Phoenix's apparent dissatisfaction with his new leader, to which Phoenix reiterated his sole loyalty to Yuan Ji.

Yuan Ji, pleased, assured Phoenix that loyalty will be rewarded, and betrayal punished. Amidst floating stones, Yan Da encountered Lian Ji, who remained unfazed by Yan Da's defiant demeanor. Lian Ji questioned Yan Da about Fire King's true motive for sending her to Divine Snow Mountain.

After some taunting about Fire King, Lian Ji used an illusion spell, compelling Yan Da to reveal her real mission: Fire King sent her to locate the Hidden Lotus and steal it during the impending battle between Yuan Ji and Ka Suo. Lian Ji then criticized Fire King's ruthless ambition. Yan Da retorted that Lian Ji is no different, citing her inaction while Yuan Ji plotted against Ying Kong Shi and Ka Suo.

Lian Ji, asserting that Shi was already killed by Ka Suo, was shocked when Yan Da revealed that Yuan Ji had concealed the truth: a fragment of Ying Kong Shi's vital energy still exists as the sword spirit of the God Devouring Sword. In the Extinct Heaven Temple, Phoenix, observing Ying Kong Shi's growing closeness to Ka Suo as a sword spirit, suggested stealing the God Devouring Sword.

Yuan Ji dismissed this, cruelly stating that Ying Kong Shi's residual vital energy is merely a "supplement" to him and that he is the only true god. Suddenly, Lian Ji burst in, confirming Yan Da's revelation about Ying Kong Shi's continued existence. Overjoyed, she proposed using the Hidden Lotus to revive him once it blooms. However, Yuan Ji refused, explaining that the Hidden Lotus cannot resurrect the dead and would instead bring retribution upon them all.

A distraught Lian Ji offered to sacrifice her own life for Ying Kong Shi's resurrection, but Yuan Ji calmly reassured her, promising to find an alternative way to bring him back. In the forest, Liao Jian was laid to rest. The group expressed their resolve to complete their mission and avenge his death. They urged Chao Ya, who hadn't slept in days, to rest, but she insisted on staying at his grave. Pian Feng offered to stay with her.

Chao Ya, clutching Liao Jian's Earth-Sky Shatterer, decided to keep it as a memento. She returned the Gold-Feather Armor to Pian Feng, stating that having the Earth-Sky Shatterer is enough. Pian Feng, before departing, told a heartbroken Chao Ya, "Thank you for once loving me." Through her tears, Chao Ya silently wished the Gold-Feather Armor would protect Pian Feng, confessing that she "can't stand losing anyone anymore."

In the City of Bladed Snow, before the Ice Veil, Xing Jiu explained to the Ice King that the Holy Fire's source contained vital energies trapped in burning flames, fueling its eternal burn. To destroy it completely, they must perform the Heart-Consoling Spell to appease and release these energies. The Ice King agreed, emphasizing the need to eliminate the threat to prevent Fire King from attacking again.

Xing Jiu, with the help of Dream Tribe experts, then cast a powerful illusion, extracting the Holy Fire's source from the Ice Veil. They pursued the liberated energies as they were summoned by Fire King, leading the Ice King to declare an inevitable War of Ice and Fire. In Fire City, the Fire Princes felt a surge of powerful energy.

Fire King proudly announced that these were the vital energies from the Holy Fire, which he intended to use to restore his spiritual powers. He sarcastically thanked the Ice King for inadvertently making the Holy Fire available for him. Ka Suo entered the second dream provided by Xing Gui. In the dream, Xing Gui instructed him to find Crown Prince Shang Lie, who was nearby, to learn about the Western Guardian.

Upon waking, Ka Suo relayed this to his companions, who were puzzled about where to find Shang Lie. Pian Feng then recalled a black cat painting in the inn bearing Crown Prince Shang Lie's signature. Yue Shen remembered seeing that same black cat in the yard the night Ka Suo was attacked. Huang Tuo added that he frequently heard cat meows while cooking and noticed chicken drumsticks and fish mysteriously disappearing, and that the cat seemed fatter now.

Later that night, the black cat from the painting sprang to life, consumed the fish, and escaped. The group followed it to an unusual house where several individuals were engaged in various activities, prompting them to deduce that one of them must be Crown Prince Shang Lie. After observing them, Ka Suo identified the maid massaging a noblewoman as the true Crown Prince.

He explained that the noblewoman's overly relaxed demeanor was more akin to a pet, while the maid's skillful fingers hinted at proficiency in poisons and summoning spells. The maid then transformed into Crown Prince Shang Lie. Learning that Xing Gui, her former benefactor, had sent Ka Suo to find her before dying, Shang Lie pledged to help them seek information about the Western Guardian. In a snowy area, Ka Suo grilled fish, thinking of Ying Kong Shi.

Crown Prince Shang Lie sent an envoy requesting a private meeting. Shang Lie revealed he had encountered the Western Guardian before, but never seen their face or known their gender, as their assassination spells killed without leaving a trace or requiring their physical presence. Ka Suo insisted on finding and defeating this guardian to reach the Sky Palace.

Shang Lie warned that finding them was impossible and that his own cat was killed last night by a highly skilled assassination spell, suggesting Ka Suo leave with him. Ka Suo declined, citing the sacrifices already made by his companions and their commitment to persistence. Shang Lie accepted his decision but advised him to keep their meeting a secret and not trust his companions, as his intuition told him the Western Guardian was among them.

In the Western domain, Pian Feng visited a blacksmith's shop. He noticed an axe resembling Liao Jian's weapon displayed outside and picked it up for a closer look. Suddenly, a black mist engulfed and possessed him. He stumbled away, dropping the axe and shedding feathers as he departed.

Episode 50 Recap

As Chao Ya sat mourning at Liao Jian’s grave, Pian Feng stumbled towards her, his vital energy rapidly depleting with every step. He managed to hand her a detailed design, explaining that by following its instructions, she could craft the Earth-Sky Shatterer into a pair of gloves. He said wearing them would be like having Liao Jian by her side, protecting her.

Apologizing that he couldn’t stay with Ka Suo until the end, Pian Feng collapsed and died, leaving Chao Ya distraught and questioning why another loved one had left her. Back at the inn, Huang Tuo examined Pian Feng, discovering he had been poisoned by something called Entropy Demon.

This slow-acting poison, administered via a tiny needle to his chest, took about seven days to show its effects, leading Huang Tuo to surmise that Pian Feng was poisoned by the Western Guardian when they first entered Divine Snow Mountain. Ka Suo, troubled by this revelation, hesitated to share his own suspicions. Chao Ya pressed him, asking if he believed the Western Guardian was not the killer, emphasizing her determination to avenge Liao Jian and Pian Feng.

Ka Suo confided in her, asking her to keep it a secret. He revealed that Prince Shang Lie had warned him the Western Guardian was among their companions. When Ka Suo asked who among them was best at assassinations, Chao Ya immediately identified Yue Shen. Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was overheard by a small bird.

Later, the bird transformed into a man and reported to Phoenix that Ka Suo's group had met Crown Prince Shang Lie and now believed the Western Guardian was among them. Phoenix, with a cold smirk, handed the man a silver needle, instructing him to use it to poison someone and frame Yue Shen. The next morning at the inn, Huang Tuo brought breakfast for everyone.

As he reached for a bun, Ka Suo stopped him, asking if he shouldn't check it for poison first. Huang Tuo, trusting Yue Shen, who had personally prepared the meal, dismissed the idea. Yue Shen assured them that she had tested all ingredients and never left the food unattended. However, Chao Ya silently grabbed a white mouse and fed it some crumbs from a bun; moments later, the mouse convulsed and died.

Yue Shen was shocked, wondering how the Western Guardian could have managed to poison the food despite her vigilance. Huang Tuo then asked if she had checked her poisoning needles. Yue Shen, upon inspection, realized it wasn't her own needle, but one that had been swapped. Chao Ya then coldly accused Yue Shen of being a "thief calling others a thief," implying Yue Shen was the true culprit.

She further pressed Yue Shen, suggesting she was either bribed by the Western Guardian or was the Western Guardian in disguise. Chao Ya pointed out Yue Shen's sudden shift in attitude towards Huang Tuo, from being cold to overly kind, as a manipulation tactic. As Chao Ya escalated her accusations, she launched an attack, demanding Yue Shen's life for Liao Jian and Pian Feng.

Huang Tuo urged Ka Suo to intervene, but Ka Suo reminded him of his promise to Chao Ya to let her have her revenge. Seeing Yue Shen falter under Chao Ya’s fierce assault, Huang Tuo could no longer stand by. He shielded Yue Shen from a fatal blow, taking the full force of Chao Ya's attack and collapsing, severely wounded.

As Huang Tuo lay dying, Yue Shen, her eyes brimming with tears, asked him why he saved her if he didn't trust her. Huang Tuo confessed his deep affection, saying he would trust her if she claimed innocence, and would even accept a lie. He expressed his desire to be her hero just this once, to protect her properly, before he breathed his last in her arms.

Overcome with grief and rage, Yue Shen furiously attacked Chao Ya, killing her swiftly. Then, turning to Ka Suo, she declared her unwavering loyalty, stating she had long ago given her life to him. Since he now doubted her, she would prove her innocence with her death. With that, she took her own life. Ka Suo stared at the fallen bodies of Huang Tuo, Chao Ya, and Yue Shen, overwhelmed with self-reproach.

He lamented his own suspicions and believed he was unfit to be their king. In City of Bladed Snow, Xing Jiu awoke from a nightmare, disbelieving its contents and muttering, "That can't be. How is it like this?" Meanwhile, in Divine Snow Mountain, Ka Suo walked alone until he encountered Xing Gui, clad in black, radiating a powerful aura. She inquired about his well-being.

Ka Suo, astonished, asked why she was alive, recalling her supposed death at Northern Guardian Xing Zhou's hands. Xing Gui chuckled, mockingly asking if he thought Xing Zhou's weak powers could kill her. She then dramatically revealed herself as the Western Guardian Ka Suo had been searching for. Ka Suo struggled to accept this truth. Xing Gui then told him it was time to open the third dream sphere she had given him.

Within the dream, Xing Gui relived her past. She foresaw Xing Jiu's grave injury and resolved to go to Divine Snow Mountain to save him. She obtained a teardrop charm from the Mermaid Tribe, but then encountered Yuan Ji, who she recognized as the black fog from her dreams.

Yuan Ji acknowledged her as the most powerful dream seeker in the Three Realms and offered to change Xing Jiu's fate if she became his strongest guardian, utilizing her ability to see the future. Initially, Xing Gui refused, calling him the enemy. But Yuan Ji pressed her, detailing Xing Jiu's severe injuries and impending death, and reminding her she had sought the teardrop charm.

He offered a contract: he would save Xing Jiu and allow him to recover, and Ka Suo would not die, only needing to submit to Yuan Ji. After an intense internal struggle, desperate to save her brother, Xing Gui agreed to become Yuan Ji's Western Guardian. Awakening from the dream, Ka Suo told Xing Gui that her actions were wrong and her brother would never approve.

Xing Gui, however, insisted that Yuan Ji's powers were immeasurable, and with Liao Jian and Pian Feng already dead (as she believed), Ka Suo couldn't save Xing Jiu. She urged him to surrender to Lord Yuan Ji, claiming that both Huang Tuo and Yue Shen had also died opposing him. She then attacked Ka Suo. To her shock, Yue Shen, Huang Tuo, and Chao Ya suddenly appeared, alive.

They revealed that their "deaths" were a ruse, learned from Xing Gui's own tactics, orchestrated by Ka Suo using a snowstorm to hide their movements, all to expose her. Xing Gui admitted she had underestimated him. Ka Suo then appealed to Xing Gui, questioning why she never harmed them despite ample opportunities and instead helped them overcome challenges, concluding that her true nature was kind. He urged her to turn away from Yuan Ji.

Xing Gui sadly replied that it was "too late." "The fall of a star cannot be reversed. It's destined to self-destruct and destroy everything around it." She once again urged them all, including her brother, to surrender to Lord Yuan Ji to save their lives. Ka Suo, deeply troubled, asked, "Xing Gui, must you really do this?"

Xing Gui lowered her head, admitting her desire to be his true companion, but sorrowfully stating she had "already sold my soul to Yuan Ji. I can't undo what I did." At that moment, Xing Jiu appeared and cried out, "Xing Gui, stop!" Xing Gui gasped, "Brother!" Xing Jiu, looking at his sister, explained that he had dreamed of their hearts no longer being connected, which he now understood was because she had become Yuan Ji's Western Guardian.

Xing Gui tearfully tried to explain that it was Yuan Ji's condition to save him, and she only wanted to protect him and live with him for a long, long time. But Xing Jiu countered, "But you betrayed His Majesty." Xing Gui desperately asked if he would forgive her. Xing Jiu, with a pained expression, turned away, saying he wouldn't.

He declared that while Xing Gui was the person he cared about most, Prince Ka Suo was the one he most respected, and he would not allow anyone to harm him. He asked Xing Gui if she could not hear the sounds of the departed spirits walking across the sky at night. Then, with resolute eyes fixed on Ka Suo, he urged, "Your Majesty, please take action." Ka Suo hesitated, reminded that she was Xing Jiu’s sister.

Tears streamed down Xing Jiu's face as he described his sister, Xing Gui, as a kind and simple girl, but lamented, "Sadly, she passed away on her 100th birthday. She is already dead in my heart." Heartbroken and despairing, Xing Gui cried that if she had known her brother would never forgive her, she would have preferred to die at 100, or even before coming of age, so he would never hate her. With that, she took her own life.

Xing Jiu rushed to her side, embracing her body, and sobbed uncontrollably. With her last breath, Xing Gui whispered apologies to her brother and Ka Suo before her body vanished into the void. As Xing Gui's physical form disappeared, the companions finally reached the true Divine Snow Mountain.

In the Eternal Lotus Pond, Yuan Ji poured vital energy from a bottle onto the Hidden Lotus, declaring that it was the best nutrient and that the deaths of many had nourished it, making their sacrifices worthwhile. Phoenix reported Xing Gui's failure and Ka Suo's group's arrival at the Sky Palace. Yuan Ji remained unfazed, commenting that while Xing Gui had extraordinary potential, it was a pity she couldn't suppress her emotions.

He confirmed that Ka Suo and his companions' vital energy would be the best nourishment for the Hidden Lotus. He then assured Lian Ji that Ka Suo's life would be hers to take, promising to save the best for her. He also instructed Phoenix to bring Yan Da. Lian Ji then understood that Yuan Ji was sacrificing everyone's vital energy for the Hidden Lotus to bloom, connecting it to the lotus's motto: "If there are gains, there'll surely be losses."

Meanwhile, in the Floating Stone Formation, Yan Da, having evaded Phoenix, deduced that wishing upon the Hidden Lotus required vital energy from each tribe. She then covertly followed Phoenix to the Extinction Temple, where she overheard Yuan Ji's angry monologue. He revealed that he had allowed Ka Suo and his companions to live because She Mi's ancient seal on him remained unbroken. To break this seal, he needed the descendants of each tribe leader to willingly offer their vital energy.

He further instructed Phoenix to secretly seize Ka Suo's God Devouring Sword upon their arrival and destroy the sword spirit, Ying Kong Shi, without Lian Ji's knowledge, to prevent her from interfering with his plans to revive Shi. As Ka Suo and his companions approached the Sky Palace, Yan Da fell from the sky, landing before them.

She urgently warned them not to proceed, revealing Yuan Ji had set a trap to seize their vital energy for the Hidden Lotus, using it to resurrect his full physical body. Seeing their skepticism, Yan Da emphasized that she had personally overheard Yuan Ji's plan to unify the Three Realms and eradicate all Divine Tribes after breaking the seal. Ka Suo, stating that Yuan Ji had already taken everything from him, declared he had nothing left to fear.

Yan Da reminded him of sword spirit Ying Kong Shi, revealing Yuan Ji's deep hatred for Shi's betrayal and his intent to destroy even Shi's last remnant of vital energy. Ka Suo firmly declared he would not allow Shi to be harmed again.

His resolve hardened; he vowed to obtain the Hidden Lotus to revive Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang, and to thwart Yuan Ji's ambition to unify the Three Realms, even if it cost him his life. With newfound determination, Ka Suo led his companions towards the Sky Palace, and after a moment's thought, Yan Da decided to follow them. In the Eternal Lotus Pond, Yuan Ji gazed with fervent anticipation at the burgeoning Hidden Lotus, exclaiming excitedly that the day his spiritual powers would return was finally at hand.

Episode 51 Recap

Ka Suo and his companions entered the Heavenly Palace, where they found Yuan Ji and Lian Ji standing side by side. Yuan Ji gazed at them with a cruel expression, declaring that the Hidden Lotus bloomed once every ten thousand years and their presence to witness it meant their impending death would be worthwhile. Ka Suo defiantly retorted that with this blossoming, they intended to destroy Yuan Ji. Yuan Ji then called upon Lian Ji to join forces against them.

Lian Ji, glaring at Ka Suo, proclaimed, "You're thinking too highly of yourself and think that you're gods. Today, we'll show you who the real god is!" With that, she and Yuan Ji engaged Ka Suo and his allies in battle. During the intense fight, Ka Suo was at a disadvantage and lost the God Devouring Sword. Phoenix picked up the sword, gloating that it would be the end of the little sword spirit.

Fortunately, Yan Da arrived just in time to rescue the sword spirit, Ying Kong Shi, who was oblivious to the danger. He simply complained to Yan Da, asking where she had been and lamenting that he had no one to play with. Yan Da hushed him, explaining that it was not the time for games, as she and Ka Suo were fighting for his very survival.

She then telekinetically passed the God Devouring Sword back to Ka Suo and engaged Yuan Ji. The small sword spirit sat to the side, told by Yan Da not to run around, delightedly watching the gods fight, excited by the prospect of acquiring their vital energies to fulfill his dreams of becoming a big sword spirit. Lian Ji, hearing the sword spirit's familiar voice, became momentarily distraught. " My son! It really is you?" she exclaimed.

The sword spirit did not recognize her, but Lian Ji, certain he was Ying Kong Shi's vital energy, became emotional. " I am your mother, do you not recognize me, Shi?" she asked. Ying Kong Shi, however, found it strange, remarking, "Someone was trying to be my brother and now someone is trying to be my mother." At this moment, Phoenix stepped forward, offering to protect Ying Kong Shi.

Yan Da immediately objected, warning Lian Ji that if she handed Ying Kong Shi over to Phoenix, his last glimmer of life would be extinguished. She revealed that she had personally overheard Yuan Ji saying he did not wish to revive Ying Kong Shi, but rather intended to use the Hidden Lotus to revive himself and become the sole god. Yan Da emphasized that only Ka Suo sincerely desired Ying Kong Shi's resurrection. Yuan Ji flew to Lian Ji's side.

Lian Ji confronted him, demanding to know if he intended to destroy her son's vital energy. Yuan Ji denied it, urging her to focus on their battle against the intruders and discuss other matters later. However, Lian Ji had sensed Yuan Ji's malicious intent towards Ying Kong Shi and realized she had been deceived. Yuan Ji cared only for the Hidden Lotus and becoming the only true god.

When Lian Ji firmly declared her only desire was for her son, Ying Kong Shi, Yuan Ji gave an evil smile and suggested they could have more sons. He then possessed Lian Ji's body, merging with her. With their combined power significantly increased, Ka Suo and the others were quickly overwhelmed and severely injured. Yan Da attempted to escape with Ka Suo, but Lian Ji, under Yuan Ji's control, blocked their path. The sword spirit rushed to help but collapsed.

For a brief moment, Lian Ji regained consciousness, crying out, "Don't hurt Shi!" The sword spirit then stood before Yan Da and Ka Suo, declaring, "You can't kill either of them! When I was hungry, one of them fed me her vital energy, and the other is someone I couldn't even bear to eat when I was hungry. So you can't kill them." Lian Ji, controlled by Yuan Ji, raised her sword to strike the sword spirit.

Lian Ji struggled internally, while Ka Suo, summoning his remaining strength, blocked the attack with the God Devouring Sword. Lian Ji was injured, and Yuan Ji was forced out of her body. Yuan Ji commanded Lian Ji to take the sword and kill Ka Suo. Lian Ji, mustering her last bit of strength, picked up the God Devouring Sword and approached Ka Suo. The sword spirit once again shielded Ka Suo, protesting, "You can't kill him!"

Lian Ji looked at the sword spirit, her eyes filled with emotion. " Shi, no matter what you become, you still hold on to the relationships you once cherished most. My child, I won't let you ever get hurt again," she said. Yuan Ji continued to demand Ka Suo's death. As Lian Ji wrestled with her conscience, Yuan Ji re-entered her body, his cold eyes staring at everyone.

From within Lian Ji, Yuan Ji's voice echoed, "Ka Suo, eventually you will die by my hand." Just as the sword was about to strike, Lian Ji paused. Looking at Yuan Ji, she declared, "You lied to me. Since you're so cruel that you want to kill my Shi, I am forced to kill you to protect Shi." With that, she plunged the sword into herself. The sword spirit gasped in shock, covering his mouth.

As Lian Ji fell, memories of happier days flashed through her mind. Finally, the sword spirit remembered, crying out, "Mother." Yuan Ji was in agony, screaming, "No! You can't die! I want to be with you for thousands and tens of thousands of years!" Yuan Ji then transformed into a black mist, lamenting the price of his immortality: losing his one true love. " I won't accept this! I'm going to destroy the Hidden Lotus!" he declared.

Ka Suo urged Yuan Ji to abandon his vengeful path, but Yuan Ji furiously cursed Ka Suo: "Ka Suo, I'll curse you with my hatred built up for 10,000 years. One day, you will become just like me. You will be separated from your love forever and suffer for an eternity." Near the Hidden Lotus lay the vital energies of the Ice Queen, Liao Jian, Pian Feng, and Xin Jue.

Yuan Ji had forcibly extracted and half-destroyed them, leaving a black seal on their foreheads, which meant that even with the Hidden Lotus, they could not be revived. The Hidden Lotus required the vital energies of various tribes to bloom. Ka Suo hesitated, knowing that plucking the lotus would mean the permanent loss of the Ice Queen and the others. However, the Hidden Lotus bloomed only once every ten thousand years, and time was critical.

Chao Ya and the others urged him to act, "The flower is blooming, there's no time. Your Majesty, we really cannot wait any longer!" Finally, Ka Suo made his decision. Everyone contributed their vital energy. The sword spirit watched, bewildered. The combined energies brought the Hidden Lotus to full bloom, revealing a beautiful woman within who asked Ka Suo for his wish. " I want Li Luo and Lan Shang to become conscious again.

I want my younger brother, Ying Kong Shi, to be revived," Ka Suo stated. " As you wish," the lotus spirit replied. Lan Shang's body slowly rose. The sword spirit, however, felt a strange discomfort, a burning sensation as if he were melting. Ka Suo reassured him, "Shi, don't be scared. You will be fine soon. You will soon be revived."

Yan Da offered to take the sword spirit with her, promising to make him happy and protect him even if he remained small forever. But the sword spirit refused, stating that his "food," Ka Suo, was the one who woke him from the sword, and he wanted to stay with his "feast." Ka Suo looked at him, saying, "When we meet again, everything will return back to how it was before."

As they all exited the Divine Snow Mountain, Yan Da held a small flame. After a brief exchange where they acknowledged their roles as enemies and agreed to part ways, Yan Da smiled faintly as she told the sword spirit, "Ying Kongshi, I hope we meet again soon." Yan Da thought to herself, "Ying Kongshi, you are still so heartless. But as long as you're happy, it's fine." She then prepared to depart.

Ka Suo thanked her, but Yan Da clarified that her actions were for Ying Kong Shi. She asked Ka Suo to protect him well once he returned to the Ice Tribe. The Mermaid Saint greeted the returning group, happily informing them that Lan Shang had woken up. Everyone expressed relief, believing the Hidden Lotus had fulfilled Ka Suo's wishes for revival. Meanwhile, Lan Shang, in a dream, had seen herself embracing a handsome man, but his face was unclear.

Her own vibrant eyes, no longer joyful or sad as before, were now filled with emptiness and questions. " Who is he? Who actually is he? Why is it when I am with him, I feel so happy?" she wondered. Upon waking, she saw Ka Suo but did not recognize him. The Mermaid Saint explained that Lan Shang had lost many memories.

Lan Shang, however, felt confused, wondering why the man in her dream loved her, but the Ka Suo she saw now seemed to avoid her and lacked that affection. Ka Suo returned to the City of Bladed Snow, where the Ice King greeted him joyfully. Li Luo had also awakened, but she too had lost her memories. The Ice King told Li Luo, "Everything he did was for you. Go."

After the initial happiness, Ka Suo noticed a crucial absence and anxiously asked, "Father, why don't I see Shi? Where is Shi? Shouldn't he have woken up, too?" The Ice King looked at the empty coffin with a complex expression, remaining silent for a long moment. A sense of foreboding filled Ka Suo as he whispered, "Shi. . . What's wrong with Shi?"

In the Fire City, Yan Da reported to Fire King about her time in the Divine Snow Mountain and apologized for not retrieving the Hidden Lotus. Fire King was displeased but did not punish her. He instructed her to rest and prepare for the Holy Fire Banquet the next day. Yan Da found this strange, as the banquet was traditionally held only once every thousand years and it was not yet time.

Fire King, gleefully, stated he could hold it daily if he wished, adding that the heavens had bestowed a great gift upon the Fire Tribe. The next day, Yan Da watched as a young man fought against the Fire Tribe's generals. She asked if he was merely a practice partner, to which Fire King proudly proclaimed, "Don't look down on him. Our generals will soon become his warm-up partners."

Yan Da was skeptical until she saw the man easily defeat his opponent. Fire King then loudly announced, "Li Tianjin wins!" Yan Da, curious, asked who Li Tianjin was. Fire King explained that Li Tianjin was a revived individual and the Fire Tribe's new hope. Yan Da gazed at the tall, masked figure standing in the arena.

Episode 52 Recap

Li Tianjin, whose face is identical to Ying Kong Shi's once his mask is removed, asks Fire King if the culprit who killed him has returned. Fire King confirms that he has. Li Tianjin then menacingly declares, "Wait for me to take revenge, Ka Suo." Fire King comments that Li Tianjin is truly the most powerful weapon born by nature.

In the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo asks the Ice King what transpired in the past few days and if Ying Kong Shi has truly come back to life. The Ice King recounts the day when a golden light illuminated the entire City of Bladed Snow, which he understood to mean the Hidden Lotus had bloomed and Ka Suo's wish had come true. Li Luo regained consciousness, though she did not remember her own name at first.

Soon after, an earthquake struck Cherry Blossom Hill. When the Ice King rushed there, he found only an opened and empty coffin. Ying Kong Shi was already gone, and no tribesman had seen him. Ka Suo, worried, wonders if someone stole Ying Kong Shi's body. Yue Shen reassures him, explaining she investigated Ying Kong Shi's coffin and found a palm print inside, indicating that Ying Kong Shi personally opened it and emerged.

She confirms that Ying Kong Shi was indeed resurrected. Ka Suo speculates that Ying Kong Shi might be disoriented and lost, much like Li Luo and Lan Shang, who also lost their memories upon awakening. He firmly states that since Shi has been resurrected, he must find him. Inside Fire City, Fire King holds a ball of flame. The flame begs to be released, warning that the heavens will punish Fire King for his evil deeds.

However, Fire King is determined to tame it, laughing as he consumes the flame. He boasts that the flame is his and he will tame it. Yan Da is lost in thought, using her spiritual power to conjure images of her memories with Ying Kong Shi. She wonders aloud if Ying Kong Shi has been resurrected and expresses how much she misses him. Li Tianjin, wearing his mask, approaches and sees his own image in Yan Da's vision.

Recognizing her as Yan Da, he challenges her to a fight. He explains that since she fought alongside Ka Suo on the Divine Snow Mountain and defeated Yuan Ji, she must understand Ka Suo's magic well and could help him learn more about his opponent. Yan Da initially dismisses him, stating she only listens to her father. However, when Li Tianjin makes a move, she retaliates, accidentally knocking off his mask.

Seeing Ying Kong Shi's familiar face, Yan Da joyfully exclaims, "Ying Kong Shi!" She embraces him tightly, believing he has come to visit her and wore the mask to surprise her. At that moment, Fire King arrives and orders Li Tianjin to leave. Fire King tells Yan Da that Li Tianjin is a gift from the heavens, a weapon for revenge, and that victory will always belong to the Fire Tribe.

He recounts how Ying Kong Shi, after his resurrection, recklessly intruded into the Fire Tribe's territory. Fire King subdued him, but Ying Kong Shi didn't recognize him, instead angrily demanding to know Ka Suo's whereabouts, vowing to kill Ka Suo because Ka Suo supposedly killed him. Fire King brought Ying Kong Shi back to Fire City.

Finding Ying Kong Shi without memory, Fire King fabricated a story: Ka Suo, his brother, was jealous of Ying Kong Shi's superior spiritual power and, upon discovering he was not of Ice Tribe descent, killed him, seizing his spiritual power and throne. Ying Kong Shi asks if Ka Suo destroyed his life simply because he was not an Ice Tribe descendant.

Fire King continues to manipulate him, claiming that Ying Kong Shi's father was Yuan Ji, the true god of the ancient Ice-Flame Tribe, whom the Ice Tribe ancestors betrayed and sealed for ten thousand years under the ocean. Yuan Ji later escaped, met Ying Kong Shi's mother, Lian Ji of the Mermaid Tribe, who then became a concubine to Ka Suo's father, the former Ice King, despite already being pregnant with Ying Kong Shi.

She endured humiliation to raise him, fearing the Ice King would harm her. Fire King adds that Ying Kong Shi's parents were hiding in the Divine Snow Mountain, but Ka Suo found them and led soldiers to eliminate his family, implying they are now likely dead. Hearing this, Ying Kong Shi's eyes burn with rage, vowing to drag Ka Suo to hell and turn him to ashes.

Fire King, pleased, declares that Ying Kong Shi has died and his new name is Li Tianjin, reborn for revenge. Yan Da is horrified by Ying Kong Shi's transformation. She recalls Yuan Ji's dying curse on Ka Suo: that he would suffer eternal separation from his loved ones and endless sorrow. Fire King remarks on how Yuan Ji's bitterness greatly helped him. Yan Da questions if Fire King turned Ying Kong Shi against Ka Suo to use him for revenge.

Fire King confirms, stating that Ying Kong Shi's spiritual powers are rapidly growing. At the opportune moment, he will pit them against each other, allowing them to kill or severely injure one another, thus enabling Fire King to seize the Three Realms, and even the Divine Snow Mountain. Yan Da vehemently disagrees.

She does not want Ying Kong Shi to be killed by Ka Suo, nor does she want him to kill Ka Suo only to regret it later if he discovers the truth. She implores Fire King to release Ying Kong Shi. Fire King responds by asking if she is willing to send Ying Kong Shi back to Ka Suo, reminding her that Ying Kong Shi doesn't reciprocate her feelings.

He suggests that if Li Tianjin becomes a member of the Fire Tribe, she can be with him forever. Yan Da remains unmoved, stating that regardless of Ying Kong Shi's feelings for her, she cannot lie to him or herself. She intends to tell him the truth. This angers Fire King, who grabs her throat and warns her that if she reveals the truth to Ying Kong Shi, he will kill her, or kill Ying Kong Shi first.

Yan Da is left distressed, unwilling to harm Ying Kong Shi or see him live in torment. In the City of Bladed Snow, Xing Jiu attempts to find Ying Kong Shi's dream but cannot. He explains that to enter someone's dream, the dreamer must know their own identity, suggesting that Ying Kong Shi, like Li Luo and Lan Shang, has forgotten who he is, which prevents the Dream Source from locating him.

Ka Suo expresses concern that Shi, after being revived, does not remember him or his own identity. Ka Suo proposes mobilizing the Ice Tribe to search for Ying Kong Shi. However, Xing Jiu stops him, revealing that during his search, he entered Xing Gui's dream. In the dream, Xing Gui urged Xing Jiu to stay, stating that "the binary stars will eventually meet."

Xing Jiu clarifies that this was not a dream left by Xing Gui, but rather a foretelling dream. This means Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi are destined to reunite, and they should wait patiently. Xing Jiu warns that if they openly search for Ying Kong Shi, the Fire Tribe will undoubtedly find out, and others with ill intentions in the Three Realms might find him first, which could put Ka Suo in a dangerous situation.

Ka Suo acknowledges this, reflecting on his own pain after losing Ying Kong Shi, and how he struggled to even look at the God Devouring Sword because it reminded him of his brother's death by his hand. Xing Jiu expresses understanding, noting that both have experienced the profound pain of losing a loved one. He explains that inner demons arise from such loss and do not dissipate on their own; one must face and accept them to find peace.

Xing Jiu adds that Xing Gui chose to appear in his dream in that manner, allowing him to see her once more. Xing Jiu informs Ka Suo he will not return to the Dream Tribe yet, and Ka Suo assures him that the City of Bladed Snow will always welcome him. In Fire City, Li Tianjin is tormented by Fire King's words, constantly hearing vengeful thoughts to "kill him, kill the traitor!" His head throbs with pain.

Suddenly, the sound of a bamboo flute drifts into his mind, easing his pain. He dimly recalls the bamboo flute he carried. Unbeknownst to him, it is Ka Suo playing the flute, thinking of his lost brother and wondering if Shi can hear him. The Mermaid Holy Venerable attempts to help Lan Shang regain her memory by guiding her through the Mermaid Tribe's three beautifying steps: applying facial nourishment, body massage, and a beautifying bath.

Lan Shang, however, shows little interest and seems unenthusiastic about the process, stating there are no ugly princesses, only lazy ones. Li Luo looks at herself in a mirror, wearing her old realm guardian attire, but dislikes it. She changes into a more feminine dress before joining Ka Suo. Ka Suo is surprised by her new attire and compliments her, saying she looks beautiful in anything. Huang Tuo and Yue Shen arrive for dinner.

Chao Ya, now the Queen of the Bear Tribe, is absent due to urgent matters. As they dine, they reminisce about past events, but Li Luo remembers nothing. Even when offered her favorite grilled fish, which Ka Suo prepared as her favorite, she finds it unappetizing and feels disgusted, expressing discomfort. Overwhelmed, she excuses herself from the meal to take a walk. Feng Tian Grandma, still playful, is on a swing with Ice Tribe children.

Ka Suo asks Ice King about her condition and learns that since returning from Divine Snow Mountain, she lost all her spiritual powers and her memory is gradually fading. Upon seeing Ka Suo, she mistakes him for Ancestor She Mi, apologizing for losing the Fallen Star Scepter he supposedly gave her. Ka Suo reassures her that the scepter has been found and is safely stored away, promising to give it back if she comes home with him. She happily agrees.

Lan Shang attempts to weave mermaid seashell jewelry but struggles, expressing her boredom and preference for hunting enemies on her unicorn. Her maids notice her unusual behavior, noting that she used to love making accessories. Suddenly, the Mermaid Tribe's alarm conch blares, signaling an invasion. While the maids panic, Lan Shang is excited by the prospect of foreign enemies, confidently declaring, "Don't be afraid; I'm here."

Lan Shang confronts the Mermaid Holy Venerable, asking about the invaders, only to find a group of seemingly unconscious children. One of them, Yan Huang, who claims to be the young master of the Lie Tribe from Divine Snow Mountain, suddenly rises and threatens Lan Shang with a knife, proclaiming he has taken over the island and demands surrender. Lan Shang, noticing the children's hunger, offers them food.

The Mermaid Holy Venerable tries to send the children away, but Lan Shang insists on handling the situation herself, telling the Holy Venerable to rest. Through clever questioning, Lan Shang deduces that they are indeed from the Lie Tribe, known for their reverse-truth telling, and confirms their hunger and powerful magic, despite their denials. In the City of Bladed Snow, the Fallen Star Scepter mysteriously flies away on its own, resisting everyone's attempts to stop it.

Feng Tian Grandma shouts that the scepter is returning home and urges them to let it go. The scepter flies directly to the Holy Magic Cube at the Holy Altar. Ice King explains that the Holy Magic Cube was a sacred artifact given by Ancestor She Mi to the Seven Saints. In this generation, including Xing Jiu, there are only six recognized saints. Xing Jiu reveals that the seventh Holy Magic Cube was hidden within the Fallen Star Scepter.

Ice King adds that the previous owner of the seventh Holy Magic Cube, Shu Ying, passed away 300 years ago, and her successor never appeared, which is why only six saints were able to read Ying Kong Shi's future. It is revealed that the seventh of the Seven Saints is Feng Tian Grandma. Xing Jiu believes the Holy Magic Cubes are following their original rules, waiting at the Seven Holy Altars for the next successor.

Ka Suo, however, states they are doing more than just waiting, as he takes Xing Jiu's Holy Magic Cube. Li Luo arranges to meet the realm guardians but gets lost due to her memory loss. She arrives wearing a blue princess dress instead of her usual realm guardian attire, which surprises them.

They jokingly offer her wine and comment on her appearance, assuming it was Ka Suo's idea for her to dress like a princess, but Li Luo clarifies it was her choice and she always liked to dress this way. She also finds their boisterous manner and vulgar language unsettling and struggles to adapt to their rough customs, asking why they speak so vulgarly.

Episode 53 Recap

The Seven Holy Magic Cubes rose and united, and Ka Suo stepped forward to touch the Holy Magic Cube, only to be drawn into a dream. He found himself on Lian Qiu Rock Island, where a snow fog bird flew past and then crashed to its death, its blood spilling onto the ground, just as Xing Jiu had foretold in a dream earlier.

Xing Jiu was puzzled by this recurring dream, as Yuan Ji had already been defeated and the mysteries of Lian Qiu Rock solved. Ka Suo recalled Xing Gui's words in the dream, "binary stars will eventually meet," suggesting that events were far from over. He wondered if there might be an even more powerful force that gave the Ice-Flame Tribe their magic.

However, the Old Ice King confessed he knew nothing more, stating that after Yuan Ji, the history of the Ice-Flame Tribe became obscured, and any stronger power would remain unknown to them. Meanwhile, a group of realm guardians shared drinks, their boisterous camaraderie making Li Luo feel like an outsider. She admitted to them that she had lost her memories and sought to understand her former self, especially since Ka Suo considered them her best friends.

The guardians described her as the strongest among them, an "iron-faced" warrior who was more like a man than a woman, even going to public baths with them and possessing a singing voice worse than a ghost's wail. Li Luo was disheartened, as she distinctly remembered loving to sing and being good at it. Qin Chu then returned her weapon, expressing his hope that they would one day fight alongside each other again.

Suddenly, a commotion outside signaled an attack, and the guardians rushed out, weapons in hand. Elsewhere, Mermaid Princess Lan Shang was happily drinking and befriending Young Lord Yan Huang of the Unzhen Tribe from Divine Snow Mountain. The invaders, led by Prince Shang Lie from Divine Snow Mountain, attempted to enter the City of Bladed Snow and clashed with the realm guardians.

As Shang Lie took advantage of the chaos to attack Li Luo, she instinctively let out a Mermaid Song, surprising everyone present. Li Luo then declared herself the King's wife and offered them entry into the city if they surrendered their weapons, which they did. Inside the City of Bladed Snow, Ka Suo recognized Shang Lie, whom he had previously encountered in Divine Snow Mountain. Huang Tuo tended to the injured.

Shang Lie explained that they had fought Phoenix for three days and nights, suffering defeat and being outnumbered when other Divine Snow Mountain beings pledged loyalty to Phoenix. They had endured immense hardship, crossing the Endless Sea to reach City of Bladed Snow. Yue Shen, however, warned Ka Suo that Shang Lie was not to be trusted, recalling their past betrayals in City of Bladed Snow.

Hearing this, Shang Lie prepared to leave, fearing his presence would bring disaster as Phoenix was pursuing them. Ka Suo intervened, urging him to stay and recuperate, emphasizing that Phoenix was now their common enemy and they should unite. Shang Lie accepted. In Fire City, Yan Da was under constant surveillance by her father's guards.

She suddenly encountered Phoenix, who declared himself the new lord of Divine Snow Mountain and announced that the Fire Tribe was his first target, offering them the chance to surrender. Enraged by his arrogance, Yan Da prepared to fight him. Just then, Fire King arrived and proposed an alliance with Phoenix, suggesting their goals aligned. Later, in City of Bladed Snow, Li Luo escorted Shang Lie and his group to their rooms.

When asked about the song she sang, Li Luo admitted she didn't know what it was. Shang Lie explained it was a Mermaid Tribe song that could control a person's will. Still, Li Luo couldn't recall anything about it. Shang Lie expressed gratitude that Li Luo had chosen to stop the conflict rather than forcing them into self-destruction, cementing his belief that seeking refuge with the Ice King was the right decision. Li Luo was pleased to hear this.

Back in Fire City, Fire King and Phoenix shared a drink. Phoenix stated that if Fire King sought to dominate the Three Realms, they would become enemies. Fire King countered that Phoenix's enemy was his, declaring his unwavering intent to defeat Ka Suo. Yan Da, observing them, mocked Phoenix's boastful words, reminding him of his hasty retreat from Divine Snow Mountain.

Phoenix retorted that Ka Suo would have died in Divine Snow Mountain if Yan Da hadn't interfered with his plan. Yan Da dismissed his excuse, stating that only losers blame others for their failures. Fire King interrupted their argument, acknowledging that neither of them currently possessed the power to defeat Ka Suo. He then introduced an "esteemed guest," Li Tianjin.

Li Tianjin dramatically leaped into the hall, proclaiming that Ka Suo's life belonged to him and no one else should dare claim it. Phoenix, disdainful of Li Tianjin's masked face, questioned his power, but Li Tianjin swiftly used Ice-Flame magic to overpower him. Phoenix recognized the powerful magic. Li Tianjin then directly asked if he could defeat Ka Suo. Phoenix responded, "maybe roughly." Unsatisfied with the ambiguity, Li Tianjin threw Phoenix to the ground before departing.

Realizing the shifting power dynamics, Phoenix reluctantly agreed to an alliance with Fire King. Li Tianjin stood watching fireworks when Yan Da approached him. She questioned if he truly trusted Fire King and if his hatred for Ka Suo was genuine. Li Tianjin asserted that he trusted no one but himself, his mind consumed by a singular thought: to kill Ka Suo.

He explained that his heart ached whenever he saw Ka Suo, and only Ka Suo's death would bring him peace. Yan Da then recalled setting off fireworks for him in the past, and he would always thank her. She expressed sadness that he hadn't thanked her now. Li Tianjin coldly stated he would never thank her. Yan Da sighed, observing that whether as Ying Kong Shi or Li Tianjin, he remained arrogant and untamable.

She resolved to wait until he learned gratitude before telling him what she truly wanted to say. In City of Bladed Snow, Li Luo sought out Xing Jiu, asking if there had once been a competition in the plaza between a singer and a zither player, where the singer emerged victorious. Xing Jiu was bewildered, as Li Luo had been in the North Forbidden Land at the time and shouldn't remember such an event.

Li Luo felt a headache coming on, unable to pinpoint where she might have heard that mermaid song. Ka Suo sat playing a bamboo leaf, thinking of Ying Kong Shi and hoping that his brother, who still possessed the Sole Bamboo Leaf flute, could hear his call. Near the Endless Sea, Ka Suo remained vigilant for Phoenix's arrival. Lan Shang was delighted to see Ka Suo.

He was pleased to learn that she had successfully resolved issues with the Unzhen Tribe from Divine Snow Mountain. Lan Shang excitedly shared that the Unzhen Tribe had pledged allegiance to Ka Suo as the King of the Three Realms. Satisfied that Mermaid Island was safe, Ka Suo prepared to return to City of Bladed Snow. Upon his return to City of Bladed Snow, Li Luo met Ka Suo at the gates.

Ka Suo recounted Lan Shang's feat of befriending the Unzhen Tribe through drinking, remarking that such behavior was much like Li Luo's old habits, which made him think of her past self. Huang Tuo then presented Ka Suo with a night-shining pearl containing a message from Lan Shang, inviting him to enjoy Mermaid Tribe fruit wine on his next visit. Seeing Ka Suo's smile as he watched the message, Li Luo's expression darkened, and she turned away.

Li Luo retreated to her room, upset by Lan Shang's message. Ka Suo knocked on her door. Though still unhappy, she eventually opened it, initially telling him to talk tomorrow due to the late hour. Ka Suo took her hand and led her to a rooftop, reminding her of their past times drinking together on rooftops in the Mortal Realm. He gently asked what he had done wrong.

Li Luo replied that he was not at fault, but she was, for remembering nothing. Emotionally, she expressed feeling disconnected from him, as if Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, and even Lan Shang, whom he had just encountered, were closer to him than his own wife. Overwhelmed by her inability to recall their shared past, a distraught Li Luo lost her footing and fell from the rooftop. Ka Suo immediately leaped after her to save her.

Episode 54 Recap

During a precipitous fall, Ka Suo's mind raced back to countless moments with Li Luo, particularly how she had always been there to save him. He gazed at her with profound affection, thinking that this time, it was finally his turn to hold onto her. Li Luo, disoriented, asked if there had been a "last time" and lamented her inability to recall past events.

Ka Suo, seeking to soothe her, promised to help her rediscover those lost memories and announced his plan to take her to the Mortal Realm the following day, to the very place where they first met. Meanwhile, in Fire City, Phoenix, after meticulously observing that the border defenses were at their weakest point at midnight, prepared for his departure. However, Fire King confronted him, questioning his intent to leave.

Phoenix, acknowledging he had been discovered, simply demanded that Fire King open the door. Fire King began to recount how Phoenix's tribe had endured ten thousand years under Yuan Ji's tyrannical rule, devoid of dignity. He noted their collective relief when Ka Suo finally sealed Yuan Ji, which had even sparked dreams of uniting the Divine Snow Mountain and appointing Phoenix as its new leader.

Yet, with the emergence of Yuan Ji's bloodline, Li Tianjin, those aspirations were shattered once more. Fire King then offered to help Phoenix realize his ambitions. Phoenix declared his intention to kill Li Tianjin before he grew too strong, but Fire King cryptically replied that Li Tianjin would be defeated by his own hands. Phoenix, puzzled, pressed for clarification.

Fire King then revealed that Li Tianjin was, in fact, Ying Kong Shi, Ka Suo's beloved younger brother, whom he had long sought. Phoenix was stunned by the news of Ying Kong Shi's revival and questioned his alliance with the Fire Tribe, given their enmity with the Ice Tribe. Fire King explained that Ying Kong Shi, upon awakening, had lost all his past memories but harbored an unexplained hatred for Ka Suo, believing Ka Suo had been his killer.

Fire King admitted he had merely affirmed Ying Kong Shi's new identity as Li Tianjin, the god of revenge, confirming his intention to exploit him. He outlined his plan: to let Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi engage in a fierce battle, and once both were wounded and discovered their fraternal bond, Fire King would eliminate them to secure dominance over the Three Realms and the Divine Snow Mountain.

Phoenix, however, remained skeptical, accusing Fire King of aspiring to be the ultimate ruler and declaring him an enemy. Fire King retorted that their mutual animosity necessitated the elimination of Ying Kong Shi and Ka Suo first, after which they could settle their own score for supremacy.

At the Mermaid Island, Lan Shang inquired of the Mermaid Saint whether she had been close to the King in the past, citing an persistent feeling of having known him for a long time. She then requested permission to accompany Yan Huang to the City of Bladed Snow the next day, but the Mermaid Saint unequivocally refused. The Saint advised Lan Shang against dwelling on the past, especially concerning the King, urging her not to harbor any misunderstandings or expectations.

She disclosed that Ka Suo had married before Lan Shang fell into her coma, which was why he had hurriedly returned to the City of Bladed Snow. The Saint suggested that any perceived closeness Lan Shang felt with Ka Suo was likely due to him treating her as a friend or an ally, and cautioned her to maintain her proper status. Li Luo, who inadvertently overheard this conversation, felt a profound sense of dismay.

The Mermaid Saint, observing Lan Shang’s reaction, privately believed that a brief period of pain now was preferable to enduring lifelong suffering, determined not to let her repeat past mistakes. Back in Fire City, Yan Da reported that, following the Lie Tribe's alliance with the Ice Tribe, numerous other Divine Tribes from the Divine Snow Mountain had pledged allegiance to Ka Suo.

Phoenix concurred, stating it was to be expected, as the Lie Tribe, known for its deep distrust, aligning with the Ice Tribe would naturally sway others. Fire King expressed concern that this burgeoning support for the Ice Tribe would disadvantage them and urged them to swiftly form more alliances to bolster their own power. Li Tianjin, however, dismissed the idea of alliances with disdain, asserting that they were only for the weak who sought protection from invaders.

He argued that the most effective strategy was to eliminate the powerful figures whom others relied upon, causing their followers to scatter in disarray. Phoenix countered that killing Ka Suo would not be an easy task. Li Tianjin, however, declared Ka Suo’s demise to be his personal mission. He then suggested that instead of courting minor tribes from the Divine Snow Mountain, they should focus on capturing an influential Divine Tribe if they truly needed allies.

Yan Da immediately identified the Mermaid Tribe as highly influential, explaining their historical significance as a neutral force that secretly favored the Ice Tribe across the Endless Sea, making them a crucial strategic target. Li Tianjin concluded that by uncovering the Mermaid Tribe's weakness, and forcing Ka Suo’s most loyal ally into betrayal, they could inflict deep emotional pain upon the Ice King. He vowed to find that weakness as part of his revenge against Ka Suo.

Princess Lan Shang, bored with her secluded life, was enthusiastically practicing with twin guns, much to the excitement of her maids. However, the Mermaid Saint appeared and sternly rebuked her, deeming such mortal activities unsuitable for a goddess. The Saint questioned why Lan Shang, who once shunned magic lessons, now embraced these pursuits.

Lan Shang explained her boredom, expressing a desire for activities beyond mundane routines like facial masks, spas, singing, and dancing, wishing for something that would make her feel alive and invigorated. The Mermaid Saint attributed this new demeanor to her prolonged slumber and transformation into a warrior, expressing concern that such behavior might deter potential suitors. Lan Shang, however, calmly stated she had no desire for marriage.

Taking pity on her, the Saint permitted her to venture out for a walk. Delighted, Lan Shang eagerly inquired about enjoyable activities in the Three Realms. One of her maids mentioned a kite festival in the Mortal Realm, which instantly captivated Lan Shang, and she decided to attend. From a hidden vantage point, Li Tianjin observed her, declaring, "Mermaid Queen, your weak point is Princess Lan Shang."

In the Mortal Realm, Lan Shang moved with surprising agility, leaving her maids struggling to keep up, as she explained that mermaids, typically slow on land, needed to make the most of her single day of freedom. Li Tianjin, meanwhile, discreetly followed her. Coincidentally, Ka Suo also arrived in the Mortal Realm. Lan Shang spotted Snow Goose and, recognizing the unicorn, happily caressed it, believing it to be Ka Suo's companion.

Ka Suo, witnessing this, was momentarily lost in a flashback, recalling how he had affectionately renamed Li Luo's unicorn from "Turnip" to "Snow Goose," giving it a name that symbolized freedom and flight. He approached Lan Shang, surprised she knew Snow Goose's name. Lan Shang, in turn, asked if he hadn't told her, under the impression that it was his own unicorn. Ka Suo gently clarified that Snow Goose belonged to Li Luo, a revelation that visibly saddened Lan Shang.

He offered her a ride, but she chose to accompany him as he went to purchase a few items. As they walked, Ka Suo reminisced about an incident from his first visit to the Mortal Realm with Li Luo. He recalled an argument on a bridge where he had used ice handcuffs to bind her for six hours, preventing her from interfering with his mission to save Ying Kong Shi.

Lan Shang then recounted the details of the event, specifically mentioning the six-hour duration of the ice handcuffs. Ka Suo smiled, realizing that Li Luo must have recounted the story to her. At a market stall, a vendor attempted to sell "Ideal Wine" to Lan Shang, which sparked a memory in her of receiving such wine from the King. Ka Suo, however, denied ever giving her wine. Lan Shang, laughing, attributed her confusion to her memory loss.

Ka Suo then requested the best bottle of Ideal Wine, stating that Li Luo loved it, which once again brought a hint of sadness to Lan Shang. Meanwhile, Huang Tuo and Yue Shen were dining with Li Luo. Huang Tuo had prepared a dish of large prawns, mentioning that Qin Chu used to say they always cheered Li Luo up when she was upset.

Yet, Li Luo found the smell repulsive and refused to eat, remarking that she felt as though she had never tasted them before. Yue Shen then suggested they go horse riding, but Li Luo, bewildered, asked if she even knew how to ride. She couldn't recall her unicorn, Turnip, or its subsequent renaming to Snow Goose. Huang Tuo, seeing her distress, consoled her by admitting he too was often forgetful and reassuring her that what mattered was living well.

Ka Suo continued his shopping at the market, stopping to buy flowers. Lan Shang innocently asked if he was hungry, prompting Ka Suo to remark on her similarity to Li Luo, who also associated flowers with his hunger. Ka Suo then purchased all the flowers available. When Lan Shang playfully protested that he had bought them all, he picked one and presented it to her, which visibly brightened her mood.

This gesture made Ka Suo recall the times he had given flowers to Li Luo. Lan Shang, still troubled by Ka Suo's emotional distance since her awakening, directly asked him about Li Luo. Ka Suo affirmed that Li Luo was his wife and that, despite her memory loss—much like Lan Shang's—his feelings for her remained unwavering. A wave of sadness washed over Lan Shang as she asked if he had ever liked her.

Ka Suo apologized, clarifying that he cherished her as a friend. Lan Shang accepted his words with a faint smile, acknowledging her forgotten past and admitting that because the person he deeply loved constantly appeared in her thoughts, she had mistakenly believed herself to be that person. She promised not to make such a mistake again, then announced her decision to return to Mermaid Island, wishing Ka Suo and Li Luo eternal happiness.

Later, Li Luo, in a cheerful moment, applied makeup to Huang Tuo, then turned to Yue Shen for her opinion on how he looked. Huang Tuo, playing along, also asked Yue Shen if he appeared beautiful. Yue Shen, however, reacted with irritation, threatening to punch and poison Huang Tuo if he didn't immediately remove the makeup. Just then, Ka Suo returned, expressing surprise at Li Luo's makeup artistry.

Huang Tuo, seizing the opportunity, declared he was handing Li Luo over to Ka Suo and departed with Yue Shen for some shopping. Ka Suo then gently took Li Luo’s hand, telling her they were going somewhere special, a place she would discover upon arrival. Disheartened and preparing to return to Mermaid Island, Lan Shang suddenly hesitated.

She decided she needed one final glance at Li Luo, the woman Ka Suo truly loved, believing it would finally allow her to completely let go of her own feelings. Unbeknownst to her, Li Tianjin continued to follow her from a distance. Ka Suo and Li Luo found a peaceful spot to fly a kite, and Li Luo's face lit up with happiness. Ka Suo used the occasion to recount stories from their past, hoping to stir her memories.

He spoke of a time when she had bravely risked her life fighting the Fire Princess, and in his anger and concern, he had "punished" her by making her fly a kite as a prayer for her safety. He described their initial encounter, where she had ridden Snow Goose to him, declaring, "Your Highness, I am Li Luo. I have come for you."

He reminded her of the times in the Mortal Realm when she would give him flowers, believing he was hungry, and how he later learned that flowers were symbols of affection, not food. He recalled her joy when he first gave her a bouquet, telling her she was the first man to do so.

Ka Suo also spoke of her love for Ideal Wine, which, as she had explained, was a tradition where mortal parents prepared a flask for their daughters to present to their ideal man. He recounted how he had once conjured a wine flask, a gift from his father that could transform any liquid into fine wine, and presented it to her as her own Ideal Wine, meant for her future beloved.

He added, with a chuckle, that she had playfully called him "Father" back then, given his age. Li Luo found these tales amusing, but regretfully admitted she still couldn't recall any of them. Ka Suo confessed that, at the time, he had secretly hoped she would give that Ideal Wine to him. He continued, explaining that after their marriage, before they had a chance to drink that wine together, she was gravely wounded and fell into a coma.

He expressed his relief that she had now recovered. Li Luo, still without memory, felt it was unfair to Ka Suo that he continued to love her so deeply. Ka Suo gently reassured her, saying it didn't matter if she remembered; her being Li Luo, his wife, was all that he needed. He then tenderly leaned in and kissed her. Lan Shang, hidden nearby, witnessed this intimate moment, and her heart shattered.

The painful truth dawned on her: the Ka Suo she loved in her dreams truly loved Li Luo. She questioned why, in her dreams, his eyes had gazed at her with such love, causing her to believe she was the woman he cherished most. Wishing he would never appear in her dreams again if it was all a mere fantasy, she stumbled, then collapsed to the ground. Li Tianjin, who had been observing, caught her, noting how cold she was.

Back with Ka Suo, Li Luo, startled and overwhelmed by his kiss, gently pushed him away, mumbling apologies before fleeing the scene. Li Tianjin carried the unconscious Lan Shang across the Endless Sea to Mermaid Island. Along the way, he mused on the poignant irony of the situation: Lan Shang, the Mermaid Queen's precious jewel, loved Ka Suo, yet Ka Suo's heart belonged solely to Li Luo, ensuring Lan Shang would never achieve her desire—a scenario he found "very interesting."

Upon their arrival at the Mermaid Island, the Mermaid Saint, who had been distraught over Lan Shang's disappearance, confronted Li Tianjin, demanding his identity. He urged her to prioritize Lan Shang's recovery, and the Saint immediately ordered her attendants to take Lan Shang and summon a Magic Healer.

Episode 55 Recap

Lan Shang awoke, and the Mermaid Saint anxiously asked what had happened. Lan Shang explained that she had not been ambushed but had fainted on her own. She then revealed that she had seen Ka Suo's wife, Li Luo, in the Mortal Realm, and the sight of Ka Suo and Li Luo looking very in love had deeply saddened her, causing her to faint.

The Saint chided Lan Shang, reminding her that she had already been warned and urged her to take better care of herself. Meanwhile, in the City of Bladed Snow, Li Luo gazed at her reflection in a mirror before instructing her attendant to help her change her clothes. The Mermaid Saint thanked Li Tianjin for returning Lan Shang, expressing curiosity about how a mortal knew Lan Shang was the mermaid princess, especially given his attire.

Li Tianjin, still masked, maintained his elusive persona, claiming to be a rogue god who coincidentally met the princess in the Mortal Realm. He explained he recognized her because she was widely known throughout the Three Realms for fighting for Ka Suo and defeating Queen Chao Ya in a singing contest. As Li Tianjin prepared to depart, a distinctive flute tune emanated from his person.

The Mermaid Saint recognized it as Ka Suo's melody and inquired about the Sole Bamboo Leaf flute. Li Tianjin explained that it was left by a friend, a god who had lost his memory and didn't even remember his own name. He expressed his own curiosity about the flute's significance, as they had only met once before the friend disappeared.

The Saint then revealed that Ka Suo used to play the same tune and had given an identical flute to his brother, Ying Kong Shi, before Ying Kong Shi went missing, taking the flute with him. Realizing the flute's true nature as a keepsake between Ka Suo and Ying Kong Shi, Li Tianjin understood its importance.

The Saint suggested he deliver the flute to the City of Bladed Snow, believing Ka Suo would be very interested in any information about Ying Kong Shi's disappearance. Li Tianjin affirmed that he would indeed go to the City of Bladed Snow. Ka Suo, feeling disheartened, played a Sole Bamboo Leaf flute, wondering if his brother, Ying Kong Shi, still had his own. Li Luo then appeared, dressed elegantly, and announced her intention to stay with him that night.

She proposed they treat it as their wedding day, especially since Ka Suo had helped her relive their past. Ka Suo, delighted, agreed. They shared a ceremonial drink, and Li Luo embraced him, initiating intimacy. However, despite their kisses, Li Luo exhibited clear resistance to his advances. Seeing her distress, Ka Suo, out of concern, gently used his magic to help her rest. As she drifted off, Li Luo instinctively grasped his hand, pleading, "Don't leave."

Ka Suo lay beside her, reassuring her tenderly, "No matter what happens, I won't leave you." The following morning, Li Luo awoke with a desire to touch Ka Suo, but her body once again recoiled, leaving her feeling helpless and frustrated by her persistent internal resistance. Disturbed by his recent experiences with Li Luo, Ka Suo sought out Grandma Feng Tian Po Po, who was picking flowers.

He confided in her, expressing his confusion that Li Luo seemed to want to draw close to him yet simultaneously resisted him, making him feel that they were drifting further apart despite their proximity. The elderly woman, not fully grasping the nuances of his sentiment, offered a flower and dispensed traditional advice: "When a girl is angry, you should pamper her and give her anything she wants.

If you think she's too far away, use a rope to tie her to your side. It can tie up a physical body, but not a heart. As long as you have the heart, you can become closer." An announcement was made across the City of Bladed Snow, informing the gods that Ka Suo would soon convene an alliance assembly to welcome new tribes from Divine Snow Mountain, inviting all clans to communicate peacefully.

The gathered crowds erupted in cheers for the prospect of this new era of peace. In Fire City, Li Tianjin sent a messenger owl back, arranging to meet the Fire King directly in the City of Bladed Snow. Upon receiving this news, the Fire King gleefully declared that Ka Suo's alliance assembly could not possibly proceed in peace. In the City of Bladed Snow, a melancholic Li Luo summoned Huang Tuo to take her pulse.

Huang Tuo, after his diagnosis, found her to be in good health. However, Li Luo remained reticent, struggling to articulate her discomfort. Misinterpreting her hesitation, Huang Tuo presumptuously suggested she might be worried about her ability to bear children for Ka Suo. Yue Shen immediately intervened, scolding him for his inappropriate conjecture and physically removing him.

She then advised Li Luo to consult Chief Dreamer Xing Jiu about her discomfort, particularly her recent trouble sleeping, a suggestion Li Luo found sensible. The City of Bladed Snow teemed with arriving deities for the alliance assembly. With the Lie Tribe having already pledged allegiance, an increasing number of tribes from Divine Snow Mountain expressed willingness to join the Ice Tribe.

Qin Chu, however, voiced skepticism, questioning whether these diverse tribes would truly adhere to the Three Realms' peace treaty established by Ancestor She Mi, or if they, like Phoenix, harbored ambitions of conquering the Three Realms. A realm guardian attempted to stop Li Tianjin, demanding he reveal his tribe and remove his mask.

Li Tianjin responded with arrogance, nearly escalating the situation into a fight, until Ka Suo intervened, ordering the guardian to lower his sword and to respect Li Tianjin's decision to keep his mask on. Ka Suo then politely asked for Li Tianjin's name and affiliation. Li Tianjin introduced himself as a rogue god named Li Tianjin and confirmed Ka Suo's identity as the Ice King. He then presented Ka Suo with the Sole Bamboo Leaf flute.

Ka Suo was visibly emotional upon seeing his brother's flute, and as he played it, his thoughts drifted to Ying Kong Shi. Li Tianjin observed Ka Suo, while Yuan Ji's chilling words echoed in his mind, urging him to kill Ka Suo for allegedly murdering him and his mother, thus bringing peace to her soul. Ka Suo questioned how Li Tianjin came to possess Ying Kong Shi's flute.

Li Tianjin explained that he encountered Ka Suo's brother in the Mortal Realm, where he had, in his haste, left the flute behind. Li Tianjin had kept it safe until the Mermaid Saint identified it, prompting his journey to the City of Bladed Snow. He further informed Ka Suo that Ying Kong Shi had lost his memory, remembering only his mother and setting off to find her.

Ka Suo expressed profound gratitude to Li Tianjin for returning the flute, as it offered comfort in knowing that Ying Kong Shi was still alive somewhere in the Three Realms. Ka Suo invited Li Tianjin to stay for the upcoming alliance assembly, which Li Tianjin readily accepted, stating he had wanted to visit the City of Bladed Snow anyway.

Huang Tuo was busy tending to injured women from Divine Snow Mountain, who playfully interrogated him about his marital status and confessed that many tribal girls admired him. Yue Shen arrived, visibly displeased and emitting a strong lethal aura, which Huang Tuo noticed. She quickly made an excuse that she was going to find Xing Jiu. The women, however, continued to tease Huang Tuo, questioning if Xing Jiu and Yue Shen were a couple.

Huang Tuo vehemently denied it, but the women pressed on, asserting that Yue Shen's initiative in seeking out Xing Jiu implied deeper feelings. Exasperated, Huang Tuo rushed to find Yue Shen. Upon locating her with Xing Jiu, Huang Tuo jealously confronted Yue Shen, asking why she was with him. Yue Shen explained she hadn't seen Xing Jiu in days and was worried. Huang Tuo, more upset, retorted, "You are worried about him and not me?"

Yue Shen, in turn, challenged him, pointing out his comfortable life surrounded by admiring girls, wondering what he could possibly be worried about. Huang Tuo, agitated, insisted he also had problems and would share them if she cared. Yue Shen, feigning indifference, claimed she wasn't worried, further infuriating Huang Tuo.

At that moment, Xing Jiu retrieved the Holy Magic Cube, revealing he was still unable to uncover the intricate details of the foreboding dream regarding a sleet bird flying into an ice mountain, a dream the Cube had proactively shown Ka Suo. This lack of progress was why he had remained in the City of Bladed Snow.

Yue Shen expressed her concern, stating that since their return from Divine Snow Mountain, she had been most worried about him and Chao Ya, emphasizing that they should face future troubles together. Huang Tuo, relieved, realized Yue Shen’s true concern was for everyone's safety. However, Yue Shen swiftly dismissed his newfound cheer, continuing to harbor resentment over his interactions with other women.

Their bickering escalated as Yue Shen accused him of speaking like Young Master Yan Huang, further fueling their argument and leaving Huang Tuo exasperated. Suddenly, Chao Ya’s messenger bird arrived, carrying a plea for Xing Jiu's help in the Bear Tribe. Recognizing the potential for trouble, particularly a conflict between Liao Jian's former tribesmen and Chao Ya, both Yue Shen and Huang Tuo requested Ka Suo's permission to accompany Xing Jiu.

Ka Suo granted their request, instructing them to report back with any developments. Just then, Li Tianjin entered the hall. Yue Shen, sensing something amiss, asked pointedly who he was. Ka Suo introduced Li Tianjin to everyone, mentioning his encounter with Ying Kong Shi in the Mortal Realm, and inquired about his comfort with the accommodations. Li Tianjin replied that he was well and asked Ka Suo for a tour of the castle and its history.

Ka Suo readily agreed, and the two departed. Yue Shen, however, detected a strong aura of hostility from Li Tianjin, concluding that he was not as benign as he appeared. Xing Jiu concurred, though he believed Ka Suo likely had his own reasons and urged them all to be cautious before setting off to assist Chao Ya in the Bear Tribe. Ka Suo led Li Tianjin on a tour of the City of Bladed Snow.

Li Tianjin requested to see the Ice Tribe's mythical place where flowers bloomed eternally without wilting. Ka Suo brought him to the Cherry Blossom Hills. There, Li Tianjin observed the evergreen blossoms and asked why, unlike other flowers, these did not wither. Ka Suo, recalling that Ying Kong Shi had once asked him the very same question, explained that they were "snow cherries," which would never wilt as long as the city's snow remained.

Li Tianjin casually remarked that any curious observer would ask such a question. His gaze then fell upon a tomb, and he inquired whose it was. Ka Suo revealed it was Lian Ji's, Ying Kong Shi's mother. When Li Tianjin pressed for details on her death, Ka Suo explained his failure to save her when she merged with Yuan Ji, regretting that he hadn't defeated Yuan Ji before their fusion.

Li Tianjin then suggested that Ka Suo killed Lian Ji in his attempt to kill Yuan Ji. Ka Suo expressed his sorrow, acknowledging that while he did not directly cause her death, he could not escape the blame. As Li Tianjin touched Lian Ji's tombstone, happy memories of his past with his mother resurfaced in his mind. Li Tianjin promised Ka Suo that he would help him find Ying Kong Shi.

Secretly, however, he vowed that the day Ka Suo discovered Li Tianjin was indeed the Ying Kong Shi he had been searching for would be the day of Ka Suo's demise. Xing Jiu, Yue Shen, and Huang Tuo arrived at the Bear Tribe to find numerous injured sprites, victims of a conflict between the sprites and the Bear Tribe.

Chao Ya explained that before Liao Jian's departure for Divine Snow Mountain, he had drafted a will decreeing that in the event of his death, the Bear Tribe would unconditionally merge with her Sprite Lands, under her leadership. Upon her return, Chao Ya had approached the Bear Tribe in goodwill, and their warriors had warmly welcomed the sprites, even hosting a celebratory banquet for their union.

However, during the festivities, someone deliberately used music to incite a frenzy, causing both tribes to lose control and erupt into a violent conflict. The familiar nature of the incident led everyone to suspect Die Che. To lure the mysterious musician out, Chao Ya proposed hosting another banquet that very night, confident that with the combined abilities of Xing Jiu, Yue Shen, Huang Tuo, and herself, they could capture the perpetrator, even if it proved to be Die Che.

Episode 56 Recap

In the Fire City, Yan Da instructed her guards to increase patrols. During a patrol, they unexpectedly discovered a severed hand. The Mermaid Saint accompanied Lan Shang to the City of Bladed Snow. Overjoyed by the diverse peoples and activities, Lan Shang eagerly ran off to explore, despite the Saint's protests. She noticed the Dream Tribe members sleeping during the day, which she learned was because they worked at night to interpret dreams for the Three Realms.

Later, she found her favorite noodle soup and also requested grilled fish and sashimi. However, the fish cried out to her, begging for their lives. Realizing they were fellow aquatic creatures, Lan Shang felt remorse, wondering how she could have eaten her own kind in the past. She purchased all the fish to save them and decided to eat only vegetarian food, settling for a bowl of noodles.

Meanwhile, in Fire City, the Fire King questioned Phoenix about the discovered hand, which belonged to Phoenix's deputy. Phoenix explained his deputy had disappeared days ago, and he initially suspected desertion. He then raised concerns about a possible spy within the Fire Tribe due to the deputy's injury. The Fire King dismissed the spy theory, suggesting the injury might be from an enemy ambush in the Divine Snow Mountain.

He instructed Phoenix to ensure his subordinates were more careful and ordered Yan Da to thoroughly check all gods visiting the Fire Tribe to prevent any infiltrators. After Phoenix left, Yan Da inquired about Li Tianjin. The Fire King stated there was no news and that he had no intention of assisting Li Tianjin, merely advising them to focus on their own duties, which he implied involved the upcoming Ice Tribe alliance assembly.

Lan Shang, still under the influence of the mortal food, acted as if drunk, singing a snowman song. Li Luo and a realm guardian arrived and observed Lan Shang's antics, noting her resemblance to a drunken Li Luo. Li Luo recalled the Mermaid Saint warning her that mermaids would become intoxicated after consuming mortal food. She instructed the realm guardian to intervene, emphasizing that such behavior was improper for a Mermaid Princess.

Li Luo then brought Lan Shang back to the City of Bladed Snow and offered her water from the Endless Sea to cleanse her system, explaining that mortal food had upset her stomach. Lan Shang recognized Li Luo and drank the water. Shortly after, the Mermaid Saint arrived, chastising Lan Shang for disobeying warnings about mortal food. Li Luo greeted the Saint warmly, feeling a sense of familiarity.

However, the Saint seemed distant, focusing solely on Lan Shang and her condition, making Li Luo feel estranged. The unity banquet for the Bear Tribe and Sprite Lands was proceeding somberly. Huang Tuo suggested that Chao Ya play her zither to lighten the mood, but she declined. Yue Shen, observing Huang Tuo's lack of tact, proposed a game to entertain everyone. She had Huang Tuo hold an apple in his mouth while she, blindfolded, swung her sword, barely missing him.

The display drew cheers and laughter from the crowd. Just then, a familiar zither melody began, once again causing the Bear Tribe and Sprite Lands members to become enraged and begin fighting. The group traced the music to Die Che, who declared her desire for another competition with Chao Ya. She argued that their previous contest at Divine Snow Mountain was unfair as Chao Ya had relied on Ka Suo’s power.

Die Che asserted that now, with the two tribes merged, the strongest should rule, and as the original Sprite Queen and Chao Ya's ancestor, she was the rightful leader. Chao Ya remained still, unable to play her zither or defend herself against Die Che's magical music. Die Che taunted her, questioning how an ordinary sprite who could no longer play her zither could claim to be the Sprite Queen, the most musically gifted among all gods.

She then warned Chao Ya that she would directly seize the queenship next time before departing. Later, Chao Ya confessed her inability to play the zither to Xing Jiu. She revealed that since returning from Divine Snow Mountain, her tears had run dry, and her music now contained nothing but sorrow. When she tried to play, flowers would wither, and sprites would weep in pain. Her music, she felt, had died with Liao Jian and Pian Feng.

Believing herself unfit to rule, Chao Ya considered abdicating and returning the Sprite Lands to Die Che. Xing Jiu urged her to find a new reason to live, to which Chao Ya tearfully asked what reason remained for her. At that moment, the sounds of the Bear Tribe and Sprite Lands members outside loudly chanting "Queen Chao Ya!" reached them.

Seeing their devotion, Xing Jiu reminded her that despite losing important people, they still had each other and many reasons to live. Huang Tuo, too, added himself as one of her reasons to live. Ka Suo went to Li Luo's room, only to find a still-intoxicated Lan Shang lying on the bed. Believing she was dreaming, Lan Shang embraced Ka Suo. Just then, Li Luo walked in and witnessed the scene, her heart sinking.

Lan Shang asked for water, which Ka Suo provided. She then tearfully questioned why Ka Suo was only kind to her in her dreams, and why upon waking, his eyes were only for Li Luo. She recalled him courting her and saying he loved her first, lamenting how he no longer looked at her the same way.

Lan Shang then called out for "Turnip" to take her flying, leaving Ka Suo puzzled as to how she knew his spirit lion's name. Overwhelmed, Li Luo turned and fled. Ka Suo pursued Li Luo, catching and embracing her before carrying her back to their room. Li Luo, still upset, asked if he truly loved her. Ka Suo reaffirmed his love, but Li Luo confessed she constantly felt he didn't.

When Ka Suo tried to kiss her, Li Luo initially resisted. Ka Suo gently offered to step back if she didn't want him near, but insisted he wouldn't let her go too far. Tears welled in Li Luo's eyes as she pressed him again, "Do you really like me?"

Ka Suo steadfastly declared that his answer would always be the same, no matter how many times she asked, expressing his desire for her to stay with him for at least 270 years, to which Li Luo sadly noted her mortal lifespan. Ka Suo then kissed her again, and this time, Li Luo no longer resisted, finally accepting his affection. Back in Fire City, the Fire King continued to torment Phoenix's deputy, who begged for release.

The Fire King cruelly informed him that he would soon be "free" by becoming a part of him. He then extracted the deputy's vital energy and consumed it. The following morning, Lan Shang awoke to find the Mermaid Saint beside her. Her memory of the previous night was hazy after eating the noodle soup, though she vaguely recalled being in Ka Suo's arms, which brought a fleeting moment of joy.

Upon leaving the room, she encountered Li Luo and apologized for occupying her room. Li Luo nonchalantly replied that it was fine, as she had spent the night in the King's room. A wave of sadness washed over Lan Shang, and she realized she still held Ka Suo's forgotten ring. The alliance assembly of various tribes was officially convened, with Ka Suo presiding in royal attire.

He declared that the alliance between the Divine Snow Mountain, the gods, and the Three Realms would operate on principles of peaceful coexistence, strictly adhering to the Fallen Oracle's precepts: those who harm others will harm themselves, god-killers will be exiled to the Northern Expanse, and warmongers will be punished by the Three Realms. The ultimate goal was mutual survival and coexistence. Ka Suo called upon the representatives to forge the alliance with their vital energy.

Representatives from various tribes, including the Mermaid Tribe and Realm Guardians, stepped forward to pledge their allegiance, solidifying the pact. Following the alliance, Ka Suo honored Li Luo and Lan Shang for their contributions in establishing the first allies. He conferred upon Princess Lan Shang the title of Jian Tong Saint and crowned Li Luo as Queen Li Jing.

Looking at Li Luo, Ka Suo then announced that he had discovered a way to ensure she could stay with him for 270 years. He then extended his hand, summoning a ring that had been inadvertently left with Lan Shang, revealing its true intended recipient.

Episode 57 Recap

Ka Suo declared Li Luo as Queen Li Jing and presented her with a crystal ring. He revealed that he had the ring made long ago and infused some of his vital energy into it so that Li Luo could enjoy the longevity of a god, living for an additional 270 years. This act, however, meant that Ka Suo himself would forfeit his eternal life.

When Li Luo hesitated, finding the gift too precious, Ka Suo reassured her, stating that her refusal could only mean she didn't want to be by his side. He then said, "Wear it. Starting this moment, we'll experience life and death together." As Li Luo put on the ring, her hair instantly turned white, a characteristic of the Ice Tribe. Ka Suo gazed at her deeply, and the couple embraced, dancing as the crowd cheered.

Witnessing this, Lan Shang felt a profound sadness. She murmured, "Turns out there is a way for the crane and mayfly to forever be together." The Ice King overheard her, recalling a story he had once told Li Luo comparing her ephemeral life to a mayfly and Ka Suo's long life to a crane. He wondered how Lan Shang knew this tale.

Lan Shang then walked away, feeling intensely cold, tormented by her dreams where she was the one Ka Suo loved and danced with. When the Mermaid Saint found her, she noted how cold Lan Shang was, but Lan Shang could only repeatedly utter, "I feel so cold." The festive atmosphere was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Fire King Huo Yi in the City of Bladed Snow.

He "congratulated" the Ice King, proclaiming that his dreams of peace were now one step closer. Ka Suo, however, sensed Huo Yi's insincerity. Yan Da then presented Huo Yi's gift: Princess Lan Shang's Teardrop Charm. Huo Yi declared, "Although our Fire Prince Shuo Gang and Princess Lan Shang haven't been officially married, we have long been a family. This gift is the perfect symbol for this alliance." Lan Shang, confused, asked what a Teardrop Charm was.

The Mermaid Saint, enraged by Huo Yi's words, attempted to attack him but was restrained by the Ice King. Ka Suo confronted Huo Yi, demanding to know his true intentions. Huo Yi stated he had come to reclaim his Fire Prince Shuo Gang's wife, Lan Shang. He offered Ka Suo a choice: if Ka Suo handed Lan Shang over to become the Fire Queen, he would join the alliance and sign a peace contract, promising never to cause trouble again.

But if Ka Suo refused, the peace would not last. Ka Suo firmly stated he would never hand Lan Shang over if she was unwilling. Huo Yi countered, "You don't want this kind of peace, but what if the other tribes want it?" He gave Ka Suo one day to decide between Lan Shang and peace. While overlooking the City of Bladed Snow, Huo Yi indulged in fantasies of unifying the Three Realms and claiming all its beauty for himself.

Phoenix questioned why Huo Yi didn't threaten Ka Suo with Ying Kong Shi, arguing it would be a more direct and painful blow. Yan Da, however, understood her father's cunning plan. She explained that Huo Yi intended to use Lan Shang to dismantle Ka Suo's alliance with the other tribes. If Ka Suo chose to protect Lan Shang and declared war, the peace-seeking tribes would distrust him.

Conversely, if Ka Suo abandoned Lan Shang, the Mermaid Saint would inevitably turn against him, causing him to lose either way. Huo Yi added that this strategy also had another benefit: he feared that if Li Tianjin, the reincarnated Ying Kong Shi, saw Ka Suo desperately trying to save his brother, Li Tianjin might doubt Ka Suo's true animosity.

This way, Li Tianjin's hatred could be fully exploited to ensure he would kill Ka Suo, thereby removing the only obstacle to Huo Yi's ambition of uniting the Three Realms. Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, and Xing Jiu returned to the City of Bladed Snow. Xing Jiu reported that Die Che's actions regarding Chao Ya were not malicious but rather a way to help her recover from her grief. They quickly turned their attention to Huo Yi's demand concerning Lan Shang.

The Ice King elaborated on Huo Yi's scheme, highlighting that protecting Lan Shang would be seen as rejecting peace by other tribes, while surrendering her would alienate the Mermaid Tribe and destroy their long-standing alliance. Yue Shen proposed assassinating Huo Yi, but Ka Suo rejected this as too risky, given Huo Yi's unknown power and the presence of Phoenix.

The Mermaid Saint then suggested withdrawing from the alliance and declaring war on the Fire Tribe alone, but Ka Suo also refused, unwilling to let the Mermaid Tribe face such danger by themselves. Lan Shang attempted to approach Ka Suo, but the guards, following Ka Suo's orders to protect her from worry, blocked her. Li Luo arrived and invited Lan Shang for a walk. Li Luo asked Lan Shang how she felt about being named Shuo Gang's wife.

Lan Shang confessed to feeling shocked initially but remembered nothing of it. She speculated that the Mermaid Saint and Ka Suo were deliberately keeping the past from her to spare her pain, and she preferred not to know the distressing truth. Nearby, Young Master Yan Huang loudly complained about other Divine Tribes departing. Li Luo inquired and learned that many weaker divine tribes from Divine Snow Mountain, who had joined the alliance, were now leaving.

They believed that due to the thousands of years of friendship between the Ice and Mermaid Tribes, Ka Suo would surely refuse Huo Yi's demand, inevitably leading to a war. Fearing the conflict, these weaker tribes were abandoning the City of Bladed Snow in search of safer havens. Lan Shang realized with dismay that these departures were happening because of her. Yan Da found Li Tianjin setting off fireworks before his mother's tomb.

She asked if he remembered, implying the fireworks were something she had taught Ying Kong Shi. Li Tianjin, however, replied that he couldn't even remember his own mother, so it must be a coincidence, adding that he used fireworks to ensure his mother wasn't lonely in the placid Ice Tribe. Yan Da urged him to leave the dangerous Ice and Fire Tribes with her for the Mortal Realm to start a new life, forgetting everything about Ying Kong Shi.

Li Tianjin stated that the only thing he remembered was Ka Suo killing Ying Kong Shi and even his mother, questioning the meaning of remembering anything else. As Yan Da tried to tell him the truth about Ka Suo, she was suddenly unable to speak. Phoenix appeared, claiming Yan Da had been ambushed by the Ice Tribe as a ploy to threaten Huo Yi. Phoenix instructed Li Tianjin to leave, assuring him he could cure Yan Da.

After Li Tianjin departed, Phoenix revealed to the muted Yan Da that Huo Yi had anticipated her attempt to reveal the truth and had ordered him to watch her. Phoenix warned her that this time he would let her off with a warning, but if she tried again, not even Fire King would forgive her. Lan Shang waited on a rooftop, anticipating Ka Suo's arrival.

Ka Suo arrived and firmly told her that no matter what, he would never send her to the Fire Tribe. Lan Shang, however, insisted that he hand her over the next day. When Ka Suo adamantly refused, declaring he would bring her back even if she went herself, Lan Shang demanded, "Why should I listen to you?" Ka Suo replied, "Because this is a king's order."

Lan Shang then proposed her ultimate condition to prevent her departure: "If you want to stop me from going to the Fire Tribe, there is only one solution: Marry me." Ka Suo hesitated, and Lan Shang, noticing his internal struggle, said, "I just knew you wouldn't do it. You only like Queen Li Jing. If you can't bring yourself to do it, you have no right to stop me from marrying whoever I want."

Ka Suo grabbed her hand, but Li Luo, who had just arrived, witnessed the entire exchange and walked away, heartbroken. Xing Jiu then appeared, greeting Li Luo before approaching Ka Suo, stating he had an idea. The next day, Lan Shang confronted Huo Yi. She questioned him, "You claim that I'm the Fire Queen, but where is my husband right now?" Huo Yi replied that Shuo Gang had long since become "feed for the citizens of the Endless Sea."

Lan Shang then declared that since her husband was dead, she was no longer the Fire Queen and had no reason to go to the Fire Tribe. Ka Suo informed Huo Yi that Lan Shang would make her own decision. Lan Shang then proposed a solution: Since Huo Yi had come for her marriage, she would turn it into a magic competition, and she would marry whoever emerged victorious.

When Huo Yi questioned her right to do so, Lan Shang retorted that while he didn't have to participate, the competition would proceed. She warned that if the Fire Tribe withdrew, it would be their choice, but if they used this as an excuse to attack the Ice Tribe and the Three Realms, they would be initiating an unjustified war.

In such a scenario, the Three Realms would unite even more strongly against the Fire Tribe, a consequence she believed he would not want. Huo Yi, after some thought, agreed to play her game. Phoenix suggested that Huo Yi should simply launch a full-scale war instead of wasting time with games.

However, Huo Yi dismissed the idea, asserting that Ka Suo, being married to Li Jing, would never participate in a competition for another woman's hand to avoid hurting Li Luo's feelings. This, he believed, would give the Fire Tribe a higher chance of winning Lan Shang. Phoenix questioned the point of winning Lan Shang if the alliance couldn't be broken.

Huo Yi explained his strategic goal: acquiring Princess Lan Shang would grant him control over the Mermaid Tribe and, crucially, the Endless Sea, which would then become a direct path for the Fire Tribe army to march straight into the Ice Tribe's territory. Ka Suo recognized that Huo Yi would not give up, and the competition was inevitable. He hoped that this approach would limit the number of tribesmen involved and save innocent lives.

Xing Jiu, understanding Ka Suo's predicament, offered to compete on his behalf. He knew Ka Suo would prioritize Li Luo's feelings and hesitate to enter a competition for another woman. Ka Suo acknowledged Xing Jiu's insight, admitting that the current Li Luo had been feeling insecure since regaining consciousness, and he didn't want to add to her stress.

Xing Jiu recalled a conversation with Li Luo where she confided that she hadn't been sleeping well and asked him to interpret her dreams. Meanwhile, by the Endless Sea, the Mermaid Saint reflected on her 10,000 years of neutrality in the conflicts between the Ice and Fire Tribes. She realized that now was the time to choose and found herself at peace, choosing the Ice Tribe for her beloved Lan Shang.

When Lan Shang joined her, the Mermaid Saint praised her growth. She recalled how Ka Suo had mentioned Lan Shang's willingness to sacrifice herself by going to the Fire Tribe before the competition was decided. The Saint acknowledged that such courage and responsibility showed Lan Shang's qualifications to be a Mermaid Saint. She felt both worried and pleased, telling Lan Shang, "You are no longer the little princess who needs my protection. You've really grown up."

Later, Li Luo sought out Ka Suo, having learned of Xing Jiu's intention to compete. She asked Ka Suo if he would step in and compete himself should Xing Jiu lose. Ka Suo unequivocally confirmed, "Yes, I will compete."

Episode 58 Recap

Li Luo, feeling a pang of jealousy that Ka Suo was prepared to fight for Lan Shang, confronted him. She pressed him, asking if he had ever considered marrying Lan Shang, especially since Lan Shang clearly harbored feelings for him. Ka Suo reassured her that he would never marry Princess Lan Shang, declaring his lifelong devotion to her alone. Li Luo then challenged him further, asking if he would be willing to withdraw from the competition for her sake.

Ka Suo hesitated, and Li Luo, discerning his reluctance, asserted, "In order for us to win, in order for us to hold you back from the competition, I won't just sit around." Yan Da found Li Tianjin and inquired about his next move, understanding that Fire King's ultimate goal was for Li Tianjin to eliminate Ka Suo. Li Tianjin promised he would not disappoint his father.

Noticing Yan Da's unhappiness, Li Tianjin asked what was wrong, but she vaguely dismissed it as "nothing." He playfully teased her, suggesting she was now adept at lying, like the Lie Tribe. Yan Da challenged him to guess the reason for her distress, but Li Tianjin showed indifference, stating it was her choice to speak or not. He then inquired about the poison in her body, asking if it had been cured. Yan Da replied vaguely, "I guess."

When he pressed for the poisoner's identity, Yan Da countered, "Didn't Phoenix tell you? It was the Ice Tribe." Li Tianjin immediately stated he never trusted Phoenix's words. Yan Da then asked if he trusted her, to which Li Tianjin replied dismissively, "Does it make a difference whether or not I trust you?" This response disheartened Yan Da, who, unable to reveal the truth, conceded, "You're right, I can't help you. You only need to trust yourself."

However, she added a profound warning: "No matter when, even if you're hesitating a tiny bit, don't do anything that you'd regret." Yan Da then departed, leaving Li Tianjin to ponder her words. Li Luo sought out the Mermaid Saint, requesting that a siren be permitted to compete, hoping to prevent Ka Suo from having to enter the contest himself.

The Mermaid Saint was astonished, as the existence of sirens, the Mermaid Tribe's mysterious assassins, was a secret known only to herself, Lan Shang, and the elders. She questioned how Li Luo came to know of them, especially since they had never been summoned, even during the War of Ice and Fire. Li Luo herself was unsure, vaguely recalling she might have been told by the Mermaid Saint.

Despite the mystery, Li Luo passionately pleaded for the siren's participation, emphasizing that it would ultimately benefit Princess Lan Shang and spare her from an undesirable marriage to the Fire Tribe. Prioritizing Lan Shang's well-being, the Mermaid Saint agreed to send a siren to compete. Fearing Fire King's potential hidden schemes, Ka Suo opted not to attend the competition venue immediately. He instructed his companions to proceed ahead while he took the time to survey the surroundings.

At the competition, Phoenix, representing the Fire Tribe, declared his intent to claim the Endless Sea for himself if he won. Fire King, however, had not planned to send his own children into the arena. Yan Da, still resentful that her father allowed Phoenix to threaten her life, confronted him. She cautioned that if Li Tianjin (Ying Kong Shi) were to regain his memories and ally with Ka Suo against the Fire Tribe, their forces would be no match.

Fire King asserted that this was precisely why he had to eliminate Ka Suo swiftly, before Li Tianjin's memories fully returned, to consolidate his rule over the Three Realms. He considered the inherent risks worthwhile and explained his decision to prevent his children from participating. The magic competition to determine Princess Lan Shang's husband began with the first round: drawing lots.

The Mermaid Saint scattered the lots into the sky, and only those who successfully seized one would qualify for the subsequent rounds. Xing Jiu skillfully secured a lot. Phoenix, however, greedily collected a large number of the remaining lots, provoking other contestants to challenge him. Despite their efforts, Phoenix fended them off. Xing Jiu intervened, declaring that Phoenix's true opponent was him. The Old Ice King then officially announced a magic competition between Xing Jiu and Phoenix.

During their magic competition, Xing Jiu had already cast a powerful dream on Phoenix at the very beginning, easily triumphing over him. However, Phoenix defiantly attempted to declare himself the winner and Lan Shang's husband. The Old Ice King intervened, formally announcing Xing Jiu as the true victor of the round. At this moment, Fire King dramatically stepped forward, announcing his intention to introduce another competitor – himself. The Mermaid Saint protested, accusing Fire King of breaking the established rules.

Fire King dismissed her objections, asserting that if he could defeat Xing Jiu, it would prove his superiority. He then directly threatened to forcibly take Princess Lan Shang if they refused to comply, thereby giving him an excuse to initiate a war. To prevent outright conflict, the Old Ice King reluctantly agreed to allow Xing Jiu to continue fighting.

Fire King, now facing Xing Jiu, used his absolute Fire Globe of Despair, claiming that Xing Jiu's dream magic, being inherently designed for hope, could never be stronger than his own destructive power. Suddenly, both Fire King and Xing Jiu vanished into the depths of the Fire Globe of Despair. Upon learning that Xing Jiu was trapped within the Fire Globe of Despair, Ka Suo immediately resolved to rescue him.

Li Tianjin questioned his decision, reminding Ka Suo that he had once lost his spiritual powers in the Fire Globe of Despair. He asked if Ka Suo wasn't afraid to enter it again. Ka Suo replied with unwavering determination that since he had already experienced such a loss once, he had no reason to fear a second time.

Within Fire King's Fire Globe of Despair, Xing Jiu was tormented by a vivid illusion of his deceased sister, Xing Gui, who smiled and attacked him, accusing him of forcing her to her death. Xing Jiu, understanding it was Fire King's deceptive magic, resisted, reminding himself that the real Xing Gui was gone. The illusion pressed him, demanding he confess his hatred for giving her up for Ka Suo.

Xing Jiu vehemently denied any hatred, expressing that, if given a choice, he would rather die by her hand, but she was no longer alive. He asserted that while the Fire Globe could inflict pain, death itself would be a form of release for him. Fire King then appeared within the illusion, empowering the illusory Xing Gui to deliver a devastating blow to Xing Jiu. Outside, frantic over Xing Jiu's disappearance, everyone sought a way to enter the Fire Globe.

Huang Tuo wondered if Yan Da knew. Ka Suo directly questioned Yan Da, but she claimed ignorance, stating it was her father's most formidable spell. Lan Shang lamented the absence of Ying Kong Shi, recalling that he was the only one who had previously entered the Fire Globe of Despair to save Ka Suo. This remembrance sparked a realization in Ka Suo. Despite Li Luo's reminder that Ying Kong Shi would not return, Ka Suo insisted, "Shi is right here."

Li Tianjin, observing Ka Suo, seemed puzzled by his words. Ka Suo then presented a ring, explaining it was the last item Ying Kong Shi had left for him, containing a dream sealed by Xing Gui. He believed a remnant of Ying Kong Shi's spiritual powers within the ring could reveal a loophole to the Fire Globe of Despair, trusting that the ring held his brother's most cherished memories.

Li Tianjin, witnessing this, pondered why he had left memories for Ka Suo, questioning if this was the reason for his own lost past. Utilizing the sealed memories within Ying Kong Shi's ring, Ka Suo finally pinpointed a weakness in the Fire Globe of Despair. Wielding the God-Slaying Sword, he entered, dispelling the illusion of Xing Gui and allowing a severely wounded Xing Jiu to emerge.

Although Fire King had effectively won this round, he then confronted Ka Suo, provocatively asking if Ka Suo was to be his next opponent. Ka Suo, raising the God-Slaying Sword in resolve, affirmed his intention to end their long-standing conflict that day. Fire King, attempting to create discord, taunted Ka Suo by suggesting he was sacrificing his love for Li Luo for victory, just like his father, or implying he was using the opportunity to marry Lan Shang.

Enraged by these provocations, Ka Suo warned Fire King that if he continued to use Lan Shang as an excuse, the sword would find its mark. As Ka Suo prepared to engage Fire King, Lan Shang unexpectedly stepped forward, asserting her role as the judge of the competition. She declared that Xing Jiu had lost to Fire King.

Then, forgoing her own happiness, she disqualified Ka Suo, stating that since he already had a queen, she was unwilling to share a husband with a mortal. To protect her people and Ka Suo, she proclaimed that since no one had defeated Fire King, she would willingly accompany him back to the Fire Tribe that night. Ka Suo protested, but Lan Shang, thanking him, affirmed her decision to prevent further sacrifices.

Witnessing Lan Shang's selfless act, Li Luo, regretting her earlier attempts to dissuade Ka Suo from competing, intervened by attacking Fire King. However, she was injured in the confrontation. Fire King then ordered Lan Shang to depart with him, but Li Tianjin suddenly appeared, proclaiming the competition was not over and demanding to participate. He reasoned that Lan Shang had agreed to go with Fire King only because he had been undefeated, and he wished to challenge him.

The Old Ice King announced the third round: Fire King versus Li Tianjin. Fire King attempted to attack, but to everyone's astonishment, he found himself unable to wield any magic. The Mermaid Saint explained that, according to the laws of the Three Realms, having injured a mortal (Li Luo), Fire King would temporarily lose his spiritual powers. Seizing this opportunity, Li Tianjin proposed they abandon magic and engage in a bare-handed fight.

During their physical struggle, Fire King questioned Li Tianjin's motives. Li Tianjin then privately offered Fire King a deal: he promised to assassinate Ka Suo that very night, but only if Fire King intentionally lost the current match to him. Faced with this proposition, Fire King swiftly conceded defeat, falling from the battleground, and Li Tianjin was declared the victor. Immediately after, Lan Shang, overcome by a chilling cold, collapsed. Li Tianjin rushed to her side, offering his help.

Following the match, Fire King comprehended Li Tianjin's cunning strategy: to defeat him and earn Ka Suo's trust, thereby gaining close proximity to kill him. Believing his goal was within reach, Fire King decided to return to the Fire Tribe, though Yan Da remained deeply apprehensive about Li Tianjin. Meanwhile, Lan Shang's frozen illness resurfaced, and Huang Tuo found himself unable to administer acupuncture due to her body's frozen state.

Li Tianjin offered his assistance, and despite Yue Shen's initial skepticism, the Mermaid Saint reminded them of Li Tianjin's previous successful intervention. Li Tianjin then used his magic, which proved uniquely effective in alleviating Lan Shang's symptoms. Puzzled by his exclusive ability, Yue Shen asked Li Tianjin about his tribal origins. Li Tianjin responded disdainfully that he was a rogue god, an orphan who had no knowledge of his own tribe. Reassured by his repeated aid and victory over Fire King, the Mermaid Saint vouched for his intentions.

Episode 59 Recap

Ka Suo gently bandaged Li Luo's wound as she expressed her unease, stating that she didn't hate Lan Shang but in her memories, she felt she shouldn't belong to him. Ka Suo reassured her, promising to one day dispel all her worries. The next morning, Li Tianjin, still masked, respectfully approached Ka Suo. Ka Suo thanked him for defeating the Fire King, which allowed Lan Shang to remain.

Li Tianjin then requested a reward, asking to borrow Ka Suo's God Devouring Sword. Ka Suo readily agreed, giving him the sword without questioning his motives. As Li Tianjin skillfully wielded the sword, Ka Suo observed his movements, remarking that they were strikingly familiar, much like his own brother's. Suddenly, Li Tianjin turned the sword and lunged at Ka Suo. Meanwhile, in Li Luo’s chamber, Lan Shang suddenly felt a premonition of danger for the King.

She noticed Li Luo's bracelet glowing blue and explained that it contained Ka Suo's blood, alerting them if either was in peril. The two women rushed to the Falling Sakura Slope, where they found Ka Suo battling Li Tianjin. Li Luo attempted to intervene, but Li Tianjin swiftly seized her. Ka Suo offered himself in exchange for Li Luo's freedom, but Li Tianjin demanded Lan Shang as well, saying he hadn't yet had enough "play."

He declared that harming Li Luo and Lan Shang would inflict far greater pain on Ka Suo than simply killing him. He further revealed that Lan Shang’s mysterious Frozen Disease could only be unfrozen by his unique magic, without which she would soon freeze to death. Faced with this impossible choice, Ka Suo, despite Lan Shang’s protests, ordered her to go with Li Tianjin to save her life. Li Tianjin then abducted both women.

In a desperate move, Ka Suo shattered Li Tianjin's mask with his magic, revealing his long-lost younger brother, Ying Kong Shi. Ka Suo gasped in shock, calling out his brother's name. Ying Kong Shi, however, chillingly stated that he remembered Ka Suo as the one who had killed him. He warned Ka Suo that if he wanted to see Li Luo and Lan Shang again, he must come to the Fire Tribe alone within three days, or they would die.

Shortly after, Huang Tuo arrived, confirming it was indeed the revived Ying Kong Shi and bewildered by his hostile actions toward Ka Suo. Back at the Fire Tribe, Li Tianjin reported to the Fire King. He explained that Ka Suo recognizing him was beneficial, as it solidified his resolve. The Fire King questioned why he hadn't killed Ka Suo but brought the two women instead.

Li Tianjin clarified his intention was to ensure an undisturbed duel with Ka Suo, and having Li Luo and Lan Shang guaranteed Ka Suo would accept his challenge. The Fire King agreed, and Li Tianjin ordered the women to be imprisoned while he secluded himself to become stronger, forbidding anyone from disturbing him before Ka Suo's arrival. The Ice Tribe allies grappled with the perplexing transformation of Ying Kong Shi.

Mermaid Saint reminded them that Ying Kong Shi had willingly sacrificed his spiritual powers to Ka Suo to defeat Yuan Ji, making his current desire for revenge inexplicable. Ka Suo theorized that Ying Kong Shi might have lost his memories, much like Li Luo and Lan Shang. However, Yue Shen argued that memory loss would only lead to forgetting, not hatred or the false belief that Ka Suo had killed him.

As they pondered, Chief Dreamer Xing Jiu, despite his illness, arrived. He announced that the answers lay within "Queen Li Jing's" (Li Luo's) dream. He explained that Li Luo had approached him previously about restless sleep, and he had extracted her dream into a dream source, which they could now enter to find the truth.

Entering the dream, which contained memories of Ka Suo and Li Luo, Yue Shen noticed a peculiar detail: the perspective was as if a soul had left its body, suggesting the dreamer was not seeing herself. Ka Suo realized that if Li Luo were truly the observer, she would be standing elsewhere. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the true dreamer was Lan Shang.

This revelation led them to the startling conclusion that Li Luo's consciousness had swapped with Lan Shang's, and vice versa. Xing Jiu's discovery, though unbelievable, explained the recent contradictions: "Li Luo's" unfamiliarity with mortal customs like drinking wine, eating prawns, or riding horses, and her newfound knowledge of how to cure mermaids who consumed mortal food. Ka Suo then recalled Yuan Ji's curse, which foretold eternal separation from his loved ones, realizing it might be connected to their current predicament.

To seek further answers, Ka Suo led his companions to Die Che. She explained the profound meaning of the Hidden Lotus: "If there are gains, there will surely be losses." Ka Suo realized that his wish to revive Li Luo, Lan Shang, and Ying Kong Shi had come at the cost of their memories and Ying Kong Shi's trust in him.

Yue Shen questioned the lotus's malevolence, but Die Che clarified that its power originated from the desires of living beings, not inherent evil. Ka Suo resolved to correct everything, but Die Che admitted she had no direct solution. She suggested returning to Divine Snow Mountain to find the Hidden Lotus sprite before the flower withered, hoping it might offer a way to reverse the effects. Meanwhile, imprisoned in the Fire Tribe, Li Luo and Lan Shang conversed.

Li Luo expressed her dismay at Ying Kong Shi's cold demeanor and his intention to harm Ka Suo. She questioned how Lan Shang had known about the bracelet's ability to signal Ka Suo's danger. Lan Shang admitted that Ka Suo had told her about it, and while the bracelet belonged to Li Luo, she often experienced vivid memories that didn't feel like her own.

Li Luo confessed to experiencing similar strange memories, and a glimmer of understanding sparked between them about their swapped identities. Yan Da confronted Li Tianjin, questioning why he still wore his mask now that Ka Suo knew his true identity. Li Tianjin adamantly insisted he was Li Tianjin, not Ying Kong Shi. Yan Da urged him to listen to his heart and not pursue revenge against Ka Suo if he truly didn't want to.

However, a persistent voice in Li Tianjin's mind relentlessly echoed, "Kill Ka Suo." Yan Da recounted a story of her former servant, Yun Fei, who left her to become someone else, emphasizing that Li Tianjin should trust the voice of his truest self. After she left, the internal urging to "Kill Ka Suo" intensified, and Li Tianjin, in turmoil, tore off his mask. Separately, the Fire King engaged in a manipulative negotiation with Mermaid Saint.

He proposed a deal concerning Lan Shang's life, knowing only Ying Kong Shi possessed the magic to cure her Frozen Disease. He offered to have Ying Kong Shi release vital energy to heal and free Lan Shang if Mermaid Saint, in turn, would fill the Endless Sea. Mermaid Saint immediately recognized this as a ploy to create a land bridge for the Fire Tribe to attack the Ice Tribe and refused.

However, the Fire King callously pressed her, asking if she truly wished to lose Lan Shang again. Back in the Ice Tribe, Ka Suo informed his allies of his decision to re-enter Divine Snow Mountain, convinced that his wish was the root of all their current misfortunes. He instructed Chief Dreamer Xing Jiu to guard the Three Realms for three days, assuring them of his swift return. News of Ka Suo's departure reached the Fire King via his spy, Phoenix.

Seizing the opportunity, the Fire King decided to launch a surprise attack on the City of Bladed Snow, recognizing Ka Suo as their most formidable opponent. The Ice King and his council, anticipating the inevitable war, prepared to defend the city until Ka Suo's return, with Xing Jiu devising a strategic plan. The Ice King ordered all armies to be ready for battle and for the immediate evacuation of all citizens from the City of Bladed Snow to safeguard them from harm.

Episode 60 Recap

Huang Tuo and Yue Shen were training to develop new techniques to protect the City of Bladed Snow. Huang Tuo was impressed by Yue Shen's prowess, noting she could even match gods and would be invaluable in defending their home. He suggested a new spell, the Exchange of Injuries Spell, but Yue Shen immediately rejected it. Huang Tuo, a healer by nature, explained that he could only save people, not kill.

Yue Shen, however, insisted he think of a way to kill, threatening not to speak to him if he failed. Later, Huang Tuo realized Yue Shen's anger stemmed from her concern for his well-being, as she didn't want him to be injured by his own spell. He then vowed to devise an impressive new technique to avoid disappointing her. Meanwhile, Yan Da secretly observed Fire King, determined to uncover his plans.

Despite repeatedly calling for him without a response, she entered his forbidden chambers, ignoring his explicit command that no one was to enter without his permission. Inside, she discovered a horrifying scene: numerous corpses whose vital energies had been drained. She realized with dread that her father had been rapidly recovering his strength by killing gods and absorbing their vital energies. Fire King then appeared, angered by her disobedience, and punished her for breaking his rule, effectively imprisoning her.

Concurrently, Li Tianjin arrived to tend to Lan Shang, who was suffering from another episode of her illness. Lan Shang confronted him, accusing him of betraying his brother and tribe by working for the Fire Tribe. Li Tianjin coldly warned her not to call him Ying Kong Shi again, threatening to silence her. Li Luo, observing Lan Shang's distress, pleaded with Li Tianjin to save the Mermaid Princess, reminding him that her death would not benefit his plans.

He then proceeded to heal Lan Shang. Soon after, Fire King's guards arrived to take Li Luo and Lan Shang to the Endless Sea, instructing Li Tianjin to meet Fire King, who would personally explain his actions. Fire King told Li Tianjin that Ka Suo's absence from the City of Bladed Snow presented a prime opportunity to attack, and that Li Luo and Lan Shang were his crucial bargaining chips.

He tried to manipulate Li Tianjin, emphasizing their shared goal of destroying the Ice Tribe and ensuring Ka Suo's suffering. Li Tianjin, however, stated he cared little for Fire King's methods as long as they didn't impede his own plans for revenge. Fire King's forces, accompanied by war drums, arrived at the Endless Sea. He threatened Mermaid Saint, demanding she fill the Endless Sea immediately or he would burn Lan Shang and Li Luo to death.

Despite a subordinate's concern over the abrupt and broken promise, Mermaid Saint reluctantly complied to save Lan Shang's life. As the Endless Sea was filled, some Ice Tribe members expressed sympathy for Mermaid Saint, understanding she had been forced into her decision. Fire King confidently ordered his forces to attack, believing the Ice Tribe could only defend. However, Old Ice King had anticipated this, stating that being surrounded was part of his strategy.

Despite sustaining an injury to his hand during the initial assault, Old Ice King refused to retreat, ordering everyone to hold their ground. Die Che then appeared, surprising Phoenix, who questioned her presence. Yue Shen, with her usual cold gaze, bravely fought, slaying enemies. Following Die Che's unexpected arrival, Mermaid Saint and her soldiers descended from the sky, declaring that while she had agreed to fill the Endless Sea, she had never promised not to fight Fire King.

She bravely challenged Fire King to surrender to Ka Suo. Xing Jiu confirmed that he and the others were unharmed and that Mermaid Saint's arrival was perfectly timed. Die Che, having relinquished her queen title to Chao Ya, stood with her, and Chao Ya acknowledged that her magic had grown stronger thanks to Die Che. Chao Ya then rallied everyone to unite and repel the invaders.

Mermaid Saint declared the Mermaid Tribe's allegiance to the Three Realms Alliance, vowing to fight for righteousness, while the assembled forces chanted their resolve to defeat the Fire Tribe. Enraged by this unexpected unity, Fire King declared Li Luo and Lan Shang useless and attempted to kill them by magically strangling them. Just then, Li Tianjin intervened, stopping Fire King. He proclaimed that the two women were his "lure for Ka Suo" and forbade their killing.

Mermaid Saint wondered if Ying Kong Shi had regained his memories, but another observer suggested he was simply waiting for Ka Suo's return. Given the day's events, Mermaid Saint proposed they return to the Ice Tribe to strategize for the next day's battle. Away from the battlefield, Ka Suo arrived alone at Divine Snow Mountain, desperately calling upon the Hidden Lotus to appear before it withered.

The Hidden Lotus manifested, acknowledging that Ka Suo's wish for the revival of Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang had been granted. Ka Suo expressed his gratitude but pleaded for an additional wish: that they be restored to their original selves. The Hidden Lotus initially refused, explaining its core principle: "If there are gains, there'll surely be losses."

It demanded a fair exchange, instructing Ka Suo to choose three lives from Chao Ya, Die Che, Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, Xing Jiu, and the former Ice King to sacrifice in return for Li Luo, Lan Shang, and Ying Kong Shi regaining their true identities. The Hidden Lotus reiterated that gaining something always necessitated losing something, leaving the difficult decision to Ka Suo. Back with the Fire Tribe, Fire King confronted Yan Da, asking if she understood her mistakes.

When she affirmed, he sternly reminded her that in the Fire Tribe, only the victor is king, and warned her against defying him unless she could defeat him. He then ordered her to prepare for the Holy Fire Banquet. Meanwhile, at the Ice Tribe, Old Ice King and the others discussed Fire King's unexpected retreat, suspecting it was a tactic to conserve energy for a larger plan.

Old Ice King instructed Xing Jiu to gather the realm guardians and Shang Lie, predicting that the next day would bring "a battle of unprecedented loss." Fire King then rallied his Fire Princes and soldiers, falsely claiming that all of Ice Prince Ka Suo's allies had been defeated at the Endless Sea. He declared the upcoming conflict a decisive battle for the Fire Tribe's existence, as his soldiers chanted "Kill Ka Suo! End the Ice Tribe!"

He then asked Phoenix if his magic was sufficient to defeat Ka Suo, to which Phoenix pledged his unwavering loyalty to the Fire Tribe. Fire King announced that Phoenix had "offered his vital energy" for the ultimate victory and commanded his Fire Princes to do the same. Yan Da, witnessing this horrifying act, cried out in anguish, begging her father to stop, reminding him that they were his own sons and her brothers.

Fire King, increasingly powerful and deranged, asked if she feared him now and if he was strong enough to defeat Ka Suo. Yan Da tearfully questioned his monstrous cruelty, demanding to know how he could sacrifice his own children merely to defeat Ka Suo. Fire King threatened her with the same fate if she remained unsatisfied. Overwhelmed by despair, Yan Da wished to die with her brothers.

However, Fire King spared her, declaring her his only princess and dearest daughter, whom he intended to keep alive to witness his glory after he united the Three Realms. As Fire King departed, Yan Da mourned her brothers, questioning the purpose of unifying the Three Realms if it meant losing all her family. In her grief, she remembered Ying Kong Shi and resolved to save him before her own demise.

As the Ice Tribe evacuated its citizens to the Mortal Realm under Old Ice King's orders, questions arose about a new strategy. Mermaid Saint, unaware of Fire King's enhanced power, discussed plans with her remaining forces to defend the Endless Sea and prevent Fire King's entry, confident in their ability to win unless he found an unforeseen path to the Ice Tribe. However, Fire King, his power vastly amplified by the absorbed vital energies, suddenly appeared.

He reveled in his newfound strength, mocking the ancient Ice-Flame ancestors' rule against stealing vital energies as "stupid." He proceeded to absorb the vital energies of Mermaid Saint and her soldiers, chillingly offering her a "taste" of her tribe's delicious essence. Mermaid Saint, horrified, condemned him as possessed and unworthy of being a god. Fire King simply retorted that being a demon was far more enjoyable.

Accusing her of betrayal, he declared his intent to imprison her vital energy for over 10,000 years, making her the first in his collection. Mermaid Saint defiantly vowed that Ka Suo, King of the Three Realms, would avenge her, to which Fire King mockingly promised that Ka Suo would soon join her.

Episode 61 Recap

The Realm Guardians, under Qin Chu's leadership, had successfully evacuated all Ice Tribe citizens from the City of Bladed Snow to the Mortal Realm to ensure their safety. The Ice King speculated that Fire King intended a final, decisive battle with the Ice Tribe, noting that Fire King would not have retreated so easily in their previous encounter had the Mermaid Tribe not intervened.

A Mermaid Guardian then arrived, gravely reporting that the Mermaid Saint and many elders had been defeated by Fire King, their vital energies stolen. The guardian appealed to the Ice Tribe to avenge the Mermaid Tribe. In response, the Ice King issued a solemn decree: the Ice and Fire Tribes would engage in a battle to the death the following morning.

As the Ice Tribe braced for the impending battle, Die Che expressed concern over Fire King's magic, which she found as terrifying as Yuan Ji's, especially his ability to steal vital energies. Xing Jiu, despite the uncertainty, felt his life had been worthwhile. Huang Tuo echoed this sentiment, finding comfort in simply being with Yue Shen, even in death. Yue Shen, in an uncharacteristic display of tenderness, urged Huang Tuo to survive, promising to marry him if he returned victorious.

Meanwhile, Ka Suo walked across the vast snowy landscape, his mind replaying the Hidden Lotus's unsettling offer. He grappled with the impossible choice of sacrificing lives to restore Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang's original fates. On the battlefield, Xing Jiu and his companions discovered the Mermaid Saint, now a mere shell with no vital energy. Fire King appeared, declaring this the consequence of opposing him and demanding their surrender. The Ice Tribe warriors, however, chose to fight.

He easily defeated Yue Shen and captured Chao Ya, attempting to coerce her into killing Die Che. Die Che, however, bravely intervened, sacrificing herself to save Chao Ya. Fire King, ruthless, proceeded to absorb the vital energies of both Chao Ya and Die Che, mercilessly killing them. Yue Shen was severely wounded. Huang Tuo attempted to use the Ultimate Injury Exchange to transfer her pain, but Fire King taunted him, saying he could only exchange pain, not save her life.

Yue Shen, sensing her end, confessed her feelings for Huang Tuo. Huang Tuo, touched by her words, declared that hearing her confession was enough for him, and used an Exchange of Injuries Spell to transfer all of Yue Shen's wounds to himself. Fire King absorbed their vital energies, killing both Yue Shen and Huang Tuo. Xing Jiu manipulated illusionary techniques, attempting to control Fire King, but Fire King's strength was beyond measure due to the vital energies he had devoured.

When Fire King asked if he was afraid, Xing Jiu retorted that Fire King should be, explaining that only five of them came because the Ice King had evacuated all tribesmen of the Ice Tribe and Divine Snow Mountain to the Mortal Realm. Their purpose, he declared, was to prevent Fire King from indiscriminately killing the innocent, asserting that Fire King's demise would come upon Ka Suo's return.

As Fire King moved to take Xing Jiu's vital energy, Ka Suo's spirit animal, the Snow Lion, appeared, brought by the Ice King. The Ice King reassured Xing Jiu, stating his confidence in Ka Suo having such friends, and then declared himself Fire King's final opponent, ready to settle their long-standing conflict. Fire King absorbed the Ice King's vital energy, but soon, a horrific pain seized him.

Xing Jiu realized with dread that the Ice King, like himself, had fused his vital energy with the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal to achieve a mutual destruction. The Six-Leaf Ice Crystal pierced Fire King, who shrieked in agony. Ka Suo returned to the Hidden Lotus, still tormented by the choice.

The Hidden Lotus pressed him to select three lives from Chao Ya, Die Che, Huang Tuo, Yue Shen, Xing Jiu, and his beloved Ice King, claiming their lives were insignificant compared to his brother and women. Ka Suo finally declared that the Hidden Lotus was not a wish-granting deity, but a mirror reflecting human ugliness and desires.

He refused to sacrifice anyone's life for his personal wishes, vowing instead to use his sincere love to awaken Ying Kong Shi, Li Luo, and Lan Shang. He resolved to accept any outcome, even failure. The Hidden Lotus, having waited for billions of years, smiled, acknowledging that a being had finally comprehended its true meaning.

Meanwhile, Yan Da, in the Fire Tribe, mourned her brothers, realizing they had been cruelly killed by their own father, Fire King, not on the battlefield. She pleaded with the Fire Tribe ancestors for limitless power to save her tribe. A chilling voice responded, proclaiming that anyone who kills a god must be killed by a god, and that Fire King's tyranny would result in the Fire Tribe being punished for 10,000 years.

Yan Da cried out in anguish, insisting that Fire King's actions should not condemn the innocent Fire Tribesmen, offering her own life as a sacrifice. Ka Suo finally returned to the Ice Tribe, only to be met with the devastating sight of his friends' lifeless bodies: Yue Shen, Die Che, Chao Ya, and Huang Tuo. He gently closed their eyes, tears streaming down his face as memories of their loyalty and camaraderie flooded his mind.

He then approached his father, the Ice King, and wept bitterly. Overwhelmed with grief, Ka Suo demanded to know who was responsible for such destruction. He found Xing Jiu unconscious nearby and revived him. Xing Jiu explained that Fire King had gone mad, using Li Luo and Lan Shang to blackmail the Mermaid Tribe, and had swallowed the Holy Fire, absorbing vital energies indiscriminately.

He recounted how the Ice King had evacuated the tribesmen and then encased the Six-Leaf Ice Crystal within his vital energy, sacrificing himself to destroy Fire King from within and prevent further chaos. Ka Suo anxiously inquired about Li Luo and Lan Shang, confident that Ying Kong Shi would not have allowed Fire King to harm them before his return. Xing Jiu informed him that Fire King's dispersed vital energy had headed towards the City of Bladed Snow.

Ka Suo instructed the Snow Lion to take Xing Jiu to the Forest of Snow and Fog to find Grandma, as he resolved to confront Fire King, heedless of Xing Jiu's warning to proceed with caution against the now insane Fire King.

Episode 62 (Ending) Recap

The once majestic Ice Tribe palace now stood eerily silent as Ka Suo walked through it. Suddenly, a figure in black appeared behind him; it was Li Tianjin, who smiled proudly and asked, "You've finally returned?" Ka Suo found it hard to believe his brother truly hated him, but Li Tianjin stated that Ka Suo had killed him and his mother in a past life, giving him every reason for hatred.

Ka Suo countered that Li Tianjin was only asking himself if he "should" hate him, revealing a hesitation that Ka Suo believed could be used to awaken him. Li Tianjin dismissed this, declaring his visit was not for idle talk. He held Lan Shang and Li Luo captive and challenged Ka Suo: if Ka Suo defeated him, he would reveal their whereabouts, but if Ka Suo lost, they would never be seen again.

Li Tianjin further clarified that he would kill Lan Shang and Li Luo if Ka Suo failed to defeat him before an hourglass ran out. When Ka Suo questioned why their conflict had to be a fight to the death, Li Tianjin responded that only through one of their demises could his heart find true peace. Ka Suo accepted, suggesting they go to Cherry Blossom Hills, the place where Li Tianjin once died, to end it all.

At Cherry Blossom Hills, where cherry blossoms drifted like colorful snowflakes, the two brothers clashed fiercely. During their intense duel, Ka Suo confessed that he was the one who killed ""Ying Kong Shi"" in their previous life, admitting he owed ""Ying Kong Shi"" his life. He also stated that the spiritual power he possessed was acquired after killing ""Ying Kong Shi"", and urged ""Li Tianjin"" to reclaim it if he hated him.

Ka Suo considered this part of Yuan Ji’s curse, believing his own death would restore balance. As Li Tianjin hesitated, an internal voice urged him to kill Ka Suo. When Li Tianjin still faltered with the God Devouring Sword, Ka Suo offered to end his own life, a familiar scene that made Li Tianjin recall a past desire to grant Ka Suo freedom. Memories of his brother, including a past vow to give Ka Suo freedom, flooded Li Tianjin's mind.

Ka Suo then channeled his spiritual power into Li Tianjin, and as he watched, Li Tianjin's eyes transformed from fierce to bright, his demeanor from violent to gentle, and his fiery red hair turned silver-white. Ying Kong Shi had returned, crying "Brother!" as he embraced Ka Suo. Meanwhile, Lan Shang, bound with Li Luo, felt her ice-cold symptoms return, which allowed her to break free. At that moment, Yan Da arrived and rescued them.

The three rushed to Cherry Blossom Hills and witnessed the return of Ying Kong Shi, a sight that filled Yan Da with joy, for he was the silver-haired man she had always loved. Suddenly, Fire King appeared on Cherry Blossom Hills, radiating malevolence. Using a powerful illusion, he exploited their surprise, forcing Ying Kong Shi's sword to pierce Ka Suo's body. Despite his severe injury, Ka Suo pressed forward to confront Fire King.

Simultaneously, Li Luo and Lan Shang experienced excruciating headaches as their true identities were restored. Yan Da realized that Ka Suo's impending death might have broken Yuan Ji's curse. As Fire King and Ka Suo battled, Yan Da, unable to abandon her father, intervened and rescued Fire King. Ka Suo lay dying in Ying Kong Shi's arms.

He whispered his last wish for Ying Kong Shi to become the true king, to lead the Ice Tribe and all tribes of the Three Realms, and the sprites of the Divine Snow Mountain, to a future of peace without war or hatred. He urged Ying Kong Shi to live on and to take care of Li Luo and Lan Shang. Overwhelmed by grief, Ying Kong Shi cried that he couldn't live without Ka Suo.

Ka Suo, with his last breath, softly murmured, "Parting is to reunite again," before falling silent forever. Li Luo and Lan Shang frantically shook him, but he could not be awakened. Ying Kong Shi, consumed by anguish, ran off to avenge Ka Suo. Ying Kong Shi quickly confronted the retreating Fire King and Yan Da.

Seeing Ying Kong Shi's uncontrolled rage, Fire King, despite Yan Da's pleas, insisted on killing him to seize his vital energy and become the strongest god. Yan Da desperately begged her father to stop making mistakes and spare Ying Kong Shi, warning that the Fire Tribe's ancestors were angered and punishment awaited them. Fire King, enraged, threatened to take Yan Da's vital energy if she continued to block him.

As Ying Kong Shi launched an attack that stripped Fire King of his absorbed vital energies, Yan Da again shielded her father, pleading for Ying Kong Shi to spare Fire King's life. In a fit of madness, Fire King struck through Yan Da with his magic, aiming the fiery blast at Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi soared into the air and cleaved Fire King's body with his sword, shattering him into dust. However, Yan Da's injuries were fatal.

Holding the dying Yan Da, Ying Kong Shi heard her say she had saved him once more and ask if he had ever liked her. Before he could fully respond, Yan Da passed away. Ying Kong Shi, tears streaming down his face, called her his most beautiful and best friend, remembering her fondness for fireworks. As heavy snow finally ceased, Xing Jiu awakened.

Ying Kong Shi, distraught, asked if there was a way to revive Ka Suo, mentioning that Ka Suo had used the Hidden Lotus to revive him, Li Luo, and Lan Shang. Xing Jiu explained that the Hidden Lotus had withered as its blooming period had passed. He then revealed the existence of the Scarlet Lotus, a mystical item recorded in an ancient book sealed for thousands of years in the Sky Palace of the Divine Snow Mountain.

This Scarlet Lotus, growing in a dimension beyond the Three Realms, was far more mysterious and fearsome than the Hidden Lotus. Ying Kong Shi visited Grandma in the Forest of Snow and Fog to bid farewell. He announced his intention to leave the Ice Tribe and embark on a journey to the Divine Snow Mountain to find the Scarlet Lotus and a way to save his brother, unsure of when he would return.

Shortly after Ying Kong Shi's departure, Li Luo arrived to check on Grandma, who, mistaking her for Ka Suo, spoke of eternal entanglement: "No matter Ying Kong Shi or Li Luo, they are the most important part of your life. No matter in which dimension, you'll forever be entangled between death and rebirth." Li Luo then recalled a dream Xing Jiu had shared, one that Ka Suo had also experienced, featuring a sleet bird repeatedly crashing itself against an iceberg.

Later, the coronation ceremony for Ying Kong Shi was held, as all six tribes of the Three Realms had accepted him as their king. However, Ying Kong Shi himself was absent, leaving only a letter. In it, he expressed his wish for all tribes to return to their former autonomous and peaceful coexistence. He vowed that if anyone dared to harbor evil intentions to unite the Three Realms again, he would reappear with the God Devouring Sword to defend them.

Ying Kong Shi had frozen Ka Suo's heart and, guided by Xing Jiu's dream of 10,000 years past, set off for the Divine Snow Mountain to find the Scarlet Lotus, believing that only his sincere resolve could save Ka Suo. A flashback showed a young Ying Kong Shi asking his older brother, Ka Suo, if he preferred freedom over being king. Ka Suo admitted he yearned for the freedom of a sleet bird, able to fly anywhere.

The young Ying Kong Shi, his bright eyes twinkling, promised to help Ka Suo achieve this dream, urging him to fly freely like a sleet bird when the time came. The vision of a sleet bird, symbolizing ultimate freedom, flying into an iceberg, its blood staining the cliffs and causing red lotuses to bloom, symbolized a tragic fate. As Grandma looked up, seeing a large sleet bird in the sky, she uttered "Ying Kong Shi. . . Sleet bird. .

. Ying Kong Shi. . . Sleet bird," then cried out, "No, no, don't return to that painful dimension!" At that very moment, Ka Suo's eyes opened at Cherry Blossom Hills, as if the turning gears of fate, after thousands of years, had set a new path for reunion or endless reincarnation.