Love and Destiny Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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Yunfeng questioned Jiuchen about the whereabouts of his Nuwa Stone Heart, asking if he needed Senior Deity to intervene before he would speak. Jiuchen remained silent at first, but under Yunfeng's persistent questioning, he finally used his powers to reveal the Farmer God's Cauldron. Upon seeing it, Yunfeng immediately understood that Jiuchen had used his Nuwa Stone Heart to acquire the Cauldron and suppress the Demon Tower.

Yunfeng attempted to retrieve Jiuchen's heart, but Jiuchen firmly stopped him, explaining that without the Farmer God's Cauldron, Lingxi would surely die. Yunfeng retorted, expressing concern that Jiuchen himself would die without his Nuwa Stone Heart. Jiuchen somberly replied that everything had begun because of him and thus he must be the one to end it.

He acknowledged his role as the fourth God of War but stressed that even a God of War can die, implying that a new one would emerge to protect the Six Realms. Seeing Jiuchen's resolute determination, Yunfeng asked how he could help. Jiuchen requested Yunfeng to help preserve his dissipating life essence temporarily, so he could send Lingxi down to the mortal world to undergo three trials and cleanse the demonic aura within her.

Jiuchen elaborated that the Farmer God's Cauldron could both trap and refine all beings. By using this Cauldron to preserve Lingxi's main spirit, her blood and flesh could be recreated, allowing her to undergo mortal trials to remove her demonic aura and imprint. However, a mortal body could not withstand the power of the Immortal Cleansing Pond.

He explained that in three days, at noontime, when the stars and galaxy aligned and the purple energy was at its weakest, the Immortal Cleansing Pond's power would also be at its lowest. Missing this precise moment would mean waiting another hundred years, which Lingxi could not afford. This meant Lingxi had to die once, in three days, and crucially, without arousing suspicion from the other deities.

When Yunfeng tearfully questioned if sacrificing his own life for Lingxi was worth it, Jiuchen offered no verbal answer, but his gaze conveyed everything. Meanwhile, Lingxi agreed to trade her sense of hearing for the Fire Essence with Huodou. Huodou, who had long awaited this day, immediately began the painful process of stripping Lingxi of her ear sense. Lingxi bit her lip, drawing blood, but she found strength in Jiuchen's promise to her, believing it made everything worthwhile.

Huodou briefly considered going back on his word after obtaining her hearing, but seeing Lingxi's determined eyes, he ultimately kept his promise. He informed her that within a day or two, her hearing would gradually fade until she was completely enveloped in a world of silence. Feeling triumphant after successfully plotting against Lingxi, Yuan Tong conversed aloud at the Yuan Clan ancestral shrine, sharing her good news with her mother.

She spoke of Le Bo's death and Lingxi's impending demise, regretting only that Qingyao would not suffer the same fate, vowing to avenge her mother through their deaths. This entire monologue was overheard by Duyu, who confronted Yuan Tong about the Heavenly Soldiers killed on the Purple Cloud Platform. Yuan Tong calmly stated that Qingyao was responsible for those deaths, having committed them to save Lingxi.

Duyu questioned when Yuan Tong had become so manipulative, asserting that such a lie could not be maintained indefinitely. Soon, the day of Lingxi's judgment by the Heavenly Emperor arrived, and immortals gathered in the Lingxiao Palace. Lingxi was brought from the Demon Tower, her hearing already severely weakened. She found a slight comfort in hearing Puhua Immortal Lord say that Jiuchen was also present. In the Lingxiao Palace, the Heavenly Emperor questioned Lingxi about her crimes.

Lingxi stated her ignorance, acknowledging that others accused her of possessing demonic aura that could release the Demon Lord from his seal. Yet, she explained, she had grown up in the Peach Forest and never harmed anyone; her father, Le Bo, had saved countless lives through his medical practice. She then tearfully questioned why the Heavenly Palace sought to capture her, why the Demon Tribe also pursued her, and why her father had died because of her.

She asked if her very existence was a crime. Her poignant question left the Heavenly Emperor and the assembled immortals speechless, and a profound silence fell upon the hall. Seeing the pause, God of Heavenly Thunder seized the opportunity to bring up the incident on the Purple Cloud Platform, accusing Qingyao of killing immortals to save Lingxi. Lingxi immediately defended her Senior Sister, explaining that while Qingyao had sedated the Heavenly Soldiers, she had subsequently cured them.

Lingxi reminded the assembly that Qingyao had served in the Heavenly Palace for many years, saving countless lives, and her character should be well-known to all present. She argued that since Qingyao had already rescued her, there would have been no reason to kill anyone. Yunfeng concurred with Lingxi's assessment. The Heavenly Emperor found their reasoning plausible and considered sending Lingxi back to the Demon Tower for further interrogation while summoning Qingyao.

However, God of Heavenly Thunder objected, arguing that to prevent the Demon Lord's potential release, Lingxi's matter should be resolved without delay. Surprisingly, Yunfeng voiced his agreement, much to God of Heavenly Thunder's bewilderment. The Heavenly Emperor sought opinions from the assembled immortals, and all seconded God of Heavenly Thunder. Only Jiuchen remained silent. After repeated prompting from the Heavenly Emperor, Jiuchen finally spoke, agreeing with God of Heavenly Thunder and advocating for Lingxi's immediate execution. Lingxi listened in disbelief.

God of Heavenly Thunder was also visibly surprised. Jiuchen then explained that his previous protection of Lingxi was a strategic move. He had needed her as bait to capture the elusive and dispersed Demon Tribe remnants. Now that Zhonghao's tribe had suffered great losses and was no longer a threat, Lingxi had to be eliminated quickly. Lingxi heard every single word Jiuchen uttered.

With reddened eyes, she stared at this seemingly heartless man, feeling as though she had never truly known him. It felt like a cruel twist of fate that, before she completely lost her hearing, she was forced to hear the most devastating words imaginable. After Lingxi was escorted back to the Demon Tower, Jiuchen suddenly called Yuan Tong to step forward. Yuan Tong, who had been observing the proceedings with satisfaction, was surprised by the summons.

Jiuchen then informed the Heavenly Emperor that he had thoroughly investigated the case of the killed Heavenly Soldiers on the Purple Cloud Platform, casting a pointed glance at Yuan Tong. Realizing her deception had been exposed, Yuan Tong's legs gave way, and she knelt. Back in the Demon Tower, Lingxi huddled in a corner, clutching the Immortal Knot and replaying every word Jiuchen had ever spoken to her.

Yesterday's vows echoed in her mind, yet the harsh reality was that he had deceived her. Overwhelmed by this realization, she wept uncontrollably. Slowly, she calmed, resting motionless in the corner, still breathing but devoid of all spirit. Jiuchen came to visit Lingxi, but the Heavenly Soldiers guarding the tower blocked him, citing the Heavenly Emperor's decree.

Standing outside, he used his magic to transmit his voice, reassuring Lingxi that his words in the main hall earlier were merely a temporary tactic. He had already made all the necessary arrangements. He told her she would suffer a little tomorrow, but he would take her away, and it would remove the demonic aura from her.

He also informed her that Yuan Tong's involvement in the Purple Cloud Platform killings had been exposed and she would be punished, adding that Qingyao, despite breaking heavenly laws, would also be punished but would ultimately be fine. He concluded by saying he would enter a long seclusion after this, and she wouldn't see him when she returned to the Heavenly Palace, urging her not to be afraid at the Purple Cloud Platform tomorrow.

Tragically, Jiuchen was unaware that Lingxi had already completely lost her hearing and could not perceive a single word. After an unknown amount of time, Lingxi suddenly retrieved the Fire Essence and infused it into the Immortal Knot. Having learned that Lingxi was Lingyue's biological daughter, Jing Xiu carefully considered the matter before finally revealing the truth to Lingyue. Upon discovering that Lingxi was her child, Lingyue was filled with both shock and joy.

She immediately gathered her retinue and hastened towards the Heavenly Palace. The following day, Lingxi was brought to the Purple Cloud Platform, where Jiuchen and a host of immortals assembled to witness the execution. Jiuchen's mind was consumed with the intricate details of his rescue plan for Lingxi. Lingxi, with a lifeless gaze, looked at him, having secretly made her own decision.

As the appointed time drew near and Puhua Immortal Lord was about to give the order for execution, a Heavenly Soldier reported that Lingyue, the State Master of Shanling Tribe, had arrived to request an audience with the Heavenly Emperor. She pleaded with him to return Lingxi, the eldest princess of the Shanling Tribe.

God of Heavenly Thunder immediately mocked Jiuchen, claiming he now understood why Jiuchen's attitude had drastically changed the previous day, and threatened to seek the Heavenly Supreme Lord's personal intervention from Heavenly Lord Mountain. Jiuchen remained silent. God of Heavenly Thunder urged Puhua Immortal Lord to proceed with the execution immediately.

At that moment, Lingxi, who had kept her head down, suddenly turned to Jiuchen, bowed in farewell, and presented the Immortal Knot, asking him to return it to its rightful owner. Jiuchen, with an impassive expression, took the Immortal Knot from her hand and ordered the immediate execution. Just then, another Heavenly Soldier reported that the Heavenly Emperor had issued a decree to delay the execution.

Yet, Jiuchen vehemently commanded for the execution to proceed without delay, even summoning his Kunwu Sword. Witnessing his apparent ruthlessness, a single tear traced a path down Lingxi's cheek. Concluding that her death was inevitable and unwilling to allow his hands to be further stained, she abruptly rose and lunged forward, impaling herself on the Kunwu Sword. Jiuchen had not anticipated Lingxi's actions; he quickly embraced her as she collapsed.

In his arms, with her last breath, Lingxi whispered her final wish: never to remember him in any lifetime. With that, she closed her eyes forever. At that exact moment, Lingyue arrived. Seeing Lingxi covered in blood in Jiuchen's arms, her eyes blazed with fury. Without a word, she drew her sword, intending to make Jiuchen pay with his life. Jiuchen did not evade, allowing her to stab him, but Yunfeng intervened just in time.

As Yunfeng engaged Lingyue in battle, Siming noticed Lingxi's body gradually disappearing. He quickly called Lingyue's attention to it. Lingyue immediately dropped her sword and rushed to her daughter's side, watching in horror as Lingxi's body slowly faded into nothingness, even the Heavenly Lasting Mythical Sand falling from her wrist. Overcome with grief, Lingyue spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Distraught, Jiuchen returned to Fuyun Hall, holding the Heavenly Lasting Mythical Sand in one hand and the Immortal Knot in the other. Though as strong as a deity, he could not hold back his sorrowful tears. Upon hearing that Lingxi had been executed at the Purple Cloud Platform, Qingyao immediately wanted to rush out.

Yunfeng stopped her, revealing Jiuchen's true plan: he had sacrificed his Nuwa Stone Heart for the Farmer God's Cauldron to gather Lingxi's soul and spirit and reconstruct her mortal body. Yunfeng strictly cautioned Qingyao to keep this an absolute secret, not even telling Chengyan. Shisan, upon learning of Lingxi's death, also shed tears. Siming, seeing her weep for the first time, remarked that Fuyun Hall would be quiet for a long time hereafter. Shisan, however, countered, expressing that if she, as an outsider, was so heartbroken by Lingxi's death, how much more must Senior Deity be suffering.

Episode 22 Recap

Episode 24 Recap