Love in the Clouds Episode 17 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Princess Tianji arrived at Ji Bozai's residence, only to find Ming Yi there alone. Ming Yi, without reservation, explained that Ji Bozai was undergoing a perilous seven-day process to refine netherbeasts. He was determined to condense it to five days, pouring all his cultivation into the effort to prevent Mu Qibai from seizing control of Shouhua Academy. Ming Yi implored Princess Tianji to hold out for four more days.
Princess Tianji, however, expressed her disappointment that Ji Bozai had once again concealed his actions, despite his promise to consult her on important matters. She worried that if Mu Qibai made a move, she would be unable to cope, especially since Ji Bozai's presence had inspired many new warriors to join Shouhua Academy. She dreaded the disappointment they would face if Ji Bozai's absence continued.
After Sun Liao took over Ji Bozai's position as chief warrior, his conduct became increasingly domineering. He enforced strict rules for others while indulging himself. To appease the disgruntled cultivators swayed by Sun Liao’s provocations and to stabilize the situation, Princess Tianji preemptively stripped Ji Bozai of his warrior status and appointed Sun Liao as chief warrior, hoping he would become complacent and forget Mu Qibai's schemes. She confessed to Ming Yi the humiliation she endured while placating Sun Liao.
However, resentment among the cultivators grew, unnoticed by Sun Liao, but observed by Yan Xiao. One day, a prank led to the "Water of Five Poisons and Ten Destructions" being poured on Sun Liao, causing his skin to rot, including his face. Yan Xiao offered him an antidote, but it would leave him unable to walk, only able to lie down or stand.
Sun Liao, despite his predicament, was still under the delusion that Princess Tianji admired him and intended to choose him as her consort. Meanwhile, Fu Yue, despite suffering injuries, successfully journeyed to the Mangfu Swamp to obtain a rare Boundary Worm for Situ Ling. She explained that the worm could guide him to the Golden Millet Dream's location if released into Wugui Sea, or to the Spirit Well's entrance if Ji Bozai had indeed created a physical one.
Situ Ling, noticing her injured hand, expressed concern, but Fu Yue dismissed it as a minor injury from being discovered by locals, already healing. Yan Xiao reported Sun Liao's current state to Mu Qibai, remarking on Sun Liao's foolishness in believing Princess Tianji's flattery. Mu Qibai, seeing through Yan Xiao's silence regarding Princess Tianji's true intentions, warned him that his excessive desires were a weakness.
He reminded Yan Xiao that true power required ruthlessness, stating that he himself had abandoned his conscience to gain leverage, and if Yan Xiao couldn't do the same, he was useless. Ming Yi anxiously waited outside Ji Bozai's room, concerned for his well-being. Inside, Ji Bozai was grappling with inner demons, tormented by netherbeasts who conjured his most painful memories. He relived a past incident where he, out of kindness, believed an old woman's plea about her lost son.
She asked him to leave a handprint on a cloth, claiming it resembled her son's, only to use it to frame him for a crime her son committed. This betrayal, where the old woman admitted she had to sacrifice him to save her child, had led Ji Bozai to become cynical and distrustful of the world's supposed goodness. Soon after, Mu Qibai arrived at Shouhua Academy with his retinue, intending to publicly strip Princess Tianji of her Venerable title.
He harshly criticized her leadership, suggesting she was unfit for the role and should retire as an idle princess. Princess Tianji, understanding his true ambition, firmly rejected his decree, insisting they await her father's awakening for a just decision. Mu Qibai escalated his accusations, challenging her to produce the long-missing Ji Bozai as a condition for her continued authority. At that opportune moment, the hall doors opened, and Ji Bozai entered calmly with Ming Yi.
He declared that his recent seclusion was for a breakthrough in cultivation, which he had now achieved. Mu Qibai, momentarily stunned, could only exchange a knowing glance with Meng Yangqiu before departing in frustration. The other cultivators joyfully welcomed Ji Bozai back. Meng Yangqiu, acting on Mu Qibai's silent instruction, presented Ji Bozai with a congratulatory gift. As Ji Bozai opened the gift box, a Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop surged forth, embedding itself within him.
Instantly, an overwhelming surge of netherbeast energy erupted from Ji Bozai, shocking everyone present. His black hair turned silver as he violently warned Ming Yi to stay back before vanishing. Panic erupted, with many accusing Ji Bozai of harboring netherbeasts, but Princess Tianji vehemently defended him, arguing that it was clearly an attempt to frame him. Concerned for Ji Bozai, Ming Yi, accompanied by Twenty-Seven, ventured into the Spirit Well.
Despite the immense danger and the risk of exposing her knowledge of its location, Ming Yi poured her spiritual power into removing the deeply embedded Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop from Ji Bozai. At the same time, Situ Ling, having followed their trail, also arrived at the Spirit Well. Observing Ming Yi's actions, he mistakenly concluded that her pursuit of Ji Bozai was solely to access the Golden Millet Dream, not out of genuine affection.
Secretly pleased by this revelation, he resolved to assist her in achieving her goal. Meanwhile, Buxiu had gone alone to Dragon Carp Terrace to stall Mu Qibai, but he was soon overwhelmed. After ensuring Ji Bozai's condition had stabilized, Ming Yi rushed to Dragon Carp Terrace. Witnessing Buxiu in grave danger, she sacrificed some of her own petals to unleash a powerful spiritual attack against Mu Qibai.
Situ Ling joined the fray, and together, they managed to free Buxiu from the encirclement. Ignoring her own injuries, Ming Yi hastily bid farewell to Situ Ling, her focus solely on locating Ji Bozai. This entire exchange was observed by Chao Yu.
