Love in the Clouds Episode 22 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Despite the netherbeast army at his command, Mu Qibai's own power proved insufficient to control the formidable force. In a heated battle, Ji Bozai quickly overpowered and defeated him, declaring, "Now that it has come to this, let's settle our public and personal grudges together."
Ji Bozai condemned Mu Qibai for killing his master and for unleashing netherbeasts upon the Six Realms, asserting that his only deserved end was to have his primordial spirit turn to ashes to appease the spirits of his victims. He concluded, "You've lost, Mu Qibai. You don't deserve to die in my hands." Outside the main hall, Situ Ling swiftly arrived with others, urging everyone to take cover behind them as they tried to fend off the rampaging netherbeasts.
From a hidden vantage point, Ming Xin observed the chaos, convinced that the netherbeast army would utterly consume Jixing Abyss and that Ming Xian, if present, would perish with it. Meanwhile, Mu Yuanfeng watched in horror as his brother suffered from the backlash of the netherbeast power. He angrily confronted Mu Qibai, lamenting, "Why? Why? When we were young, didn't we agree to protect Jixing Abyss together?"
Mu Qibai, however, dismissed his brother as weak for failing to elevate Jixing Abyss to the Upper Three Realms, believing that only through strength could they avoid being exploited. Mu Yuanfeng retorted, accusing Mu Qibai of being foolish and inviting danger by consorting with beasts, asserting he had no right to decide others' fates.
Mu Qibai, in turn, criticized Mu Yuanfeng for his perceived cowardice and compromise for peace, insisting that collaboration with Zhushui Spiritual State could have brought greater power. Mu Yuanfeng countered that such a partnership would have reduced Jixing Abyss to a mere puppet state. Realizing his brother's good intentions too late, Mu Qibai dissipated into dust, his primordial spirit scattered. With Mu Qibai gone, the netherbeast army spiraled completely out of control, threatening to devour all life.
Seeing no other option, Ming Yi resolved to activate the Heartbond Array with Ji Bozai. She explained that the array, though perilous and rarely practiced, could seal fierce beasts, but required the spellcasters to be truly "of one mind and one heart;" otherwise, they would be consumed by self-immolation. Ji Bozai, unwavering, affirmed his belief in their shared intent, stating, "If that's what we have to do, then it's not that complicated. After all, we are of the same mind."
Their sincere feelings fueled the array, manifesting a brilliant round seal that compressed the netherbeasts into a pulsing red sphere, successfully sealing them away. The entire Jixing Abyss was restored to calm, and the overjoyed populace celebrated their survival. However, the immense spiritual exertion took its toll on Ming Yi, who collapsed, severely injured. Twenty-Seven quickly rushed her to a room, administering spiritual healing.
He noted with alarm that only one petal remained on her Grief Blossom and that time was running out. He offered to retrieve the Golden Millet Dream from Ji Bozai to save her. Ming Yi stopped him, expressing her fear that if Ji Bozai discovered her true motive for being with him was solely for the Golden Millet Dream, his heart would be broken.
When Ji Bozai arrived, Ming Yi bravely masked her pain with a smile, assuring him she was fine. Ji Bozai, wanting to solidify their bond, expressed his desire for them to be truly married but gave her three days to make her decision without coercion. Meanwhile, in the main hall, Situ Ling discovered the Blood Moon Ring. Tianji attended to Mu Yuanfeng at his bedside.
Mu Yuanfeng revealed that Yan Xiao, who had outwardly aided Mu Qibai, had secretly used his power to prevent Mu Yuanfeng from suffering severe injuries. Recognizing the deep affection between Tianji and Yan Xiao, Mu Yuanfeng urged his daughter to confront her true feelings. Tianji, having learned that Yan Xiao initially served Mu Qibai out of gratitude for past patronage and only later realized his mistakes, felt her resentment towards him gradually soften, though she still feigned anger.
Ji Bozai then led Ming Yi to the Spirit Well, where he knelt before his master's memorial tablet. He recounted his arduous past, from escaping the Sunken Abyss to being poisoned by Heavenly Grief, and how his master, a compassionate wandering doctor from the Bo family, saved him. He explained that his master had defied ancestral rules by creating the Golden Millet Dream to cure him, ultimately losing her life at Mu Qibai's hands.
Ji Bozai confessed that he had joined the Qingyun Tournament and befriended Jixing Abyss nobles to avenge his master, fulfilling her dying wish that the Golden Millet Dream never resurface. He then formally introduced Ming Yi to his master, declaring her his wife, and revealed that he had lifted the Golden Millet Dream's restriction, a profound gesture of complete trust. Ming Yi silently observed that he had undone the blood seal, a significant act.
Elsewhere, Granny Xun, Buxiu, and Twenty-Seven gathered for a meal. Twenty-Seven, preoccupied with Ming Yi's condition, worried aloud if she had obtained the Golden Millet Dream. Buxiu, in an attempt to lighten the mood, conjured a sky full of shimmering fireflies. Granny Xun, however, expressed her unease, anticipating that Ming Xian's return would disrupt their current peace and potentially take both Twenty-Seven and Ming Yi away.
In the bustling market, Zhang Tai was accosted by a drunkard who mocked her status as a widow running a stall and challenged her for not having a Soul-hiding Nail. Fortunately, Zheng Tiao, a warrior from Flowing Wave Gorge, intervened, reminding the drunkard that he had no right to question her spiritual vein usage, especially after his own aggression. Grateful, Zhang Tai introduced herself and invited Zheng Tiao to enjoy the Prayer Night festival with her.
As Ming Yi and Ji Bozai walked hand-in-hand through the lively streets, they saw Tianji using her powers by a bridge to remove Soul-hiding Nails from numerous women with spiritual veins. The ancient rule, which mandated these nails for spiritual vein-bearing women, was a response to a past crisis when a spiritual vein fairy had raised netherbeasts, causing widespread chaos.
Having witnessed Mu Qibai's recent rebellion, Tianji had a revelation and decided to abolish the old decree, welcoming all individuals with spiritual veins, regardless of gender, to train as warriors at Shouhua Academy. The crowd erupted in joyous gratitude, praying for everlasting peace and blessings. Ji Bozai acknowledged the significant changes in Jixing Abyss but remained wary, understanding that Zhushui Spiritual State would not abandon its ambitions and that hidden dangers still lurked within the Six Realms.
Ming Yi assured him of her steadfast support but also hinted at her own unavoidable difficulties, being a person from Yaoguang Mountain. Nearby, Yan Xiao gazed at Tianji on the bridge, then subtly conjured a shower of blossoms to fall through the night sky, hoping to see her smile with the carefree joy of her youth.
Tianji, watching the beautiful display, reflected that she was no longer the child she once was, finding a new form of joy in protecting her people. Later, as Ming Yi accompanied Ji Bozai back to Wugui Sea, she contemplated confessing her true identity and purpose. However, seeing his profound trust in her, she ultimately could not bring herself to speak the words.
Ji Bozai, sensing her internal struggle, reiterated that with Mu Qibai's death, she had avenged Ming Xian and owed nothing to anyone, including him, leaving her free to choose her path. He reaffirmed his desire for the truth from her in three days but admitted he feared putting her in a difficult position. Ming Yi then playfully tested his trust, asking if he was afraid she might desire something from him, like the Golden Millet Dream.
Ji Bozai, without hesitation, countered that she had numerous opportunities to take it if she truly wanted it. Ming Yi, surprised by his unwavering faith, then presented him with a special wine she had long kept. Ji Bozai recognized the wine, and despite his usual caution, he drank it. When he teasingly asked if she had drugged the wine, Ming Yi, with a knowing look, responded, "I did."
