Love Never Fails Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Love Never Fails Synopsis

At the 100-yearly flower festival in the heavenly realm, Hong Ning boldly confessed her love to the god Jin Xiu and wanted to be his divine queen.

But she was told that there are differences between immortals and demons. In order to make a promise to Jin Xiu, she started a long road of immortal cultivation.

When the flowers fall, she successfully went up to heaven but learned that he was married to someone else. Hong Ning resolutely turned around and abandoned the immortal path to fall into reincarnation forever.

Jin Xiu changed her fate against all to make up for his debt so that Hong Ning was reborn.

A life of guardianship, a life side by side, the inescapable mystery of birth, inescapable misunderstandings, the time of the falling flowers, they meet again, Hong Ning is the predestined fate of Jin Xiu…

Love Never Fails Recap

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The world is divided into the three realms of immortals, demons, and humans. The Immortal Realm itself is divided into the Central Heavens, the Western Sea, and the Northern Immortal Realm. The Celestial Monarch of the Central Heavens and the Divine Queen gave birth to a pair of twin sons: the elder brother named Jinxiu and the younger brother named Kunlun. Two stars lit up at the same time, and the Grandmaster Taiyi believed it was not an auspicious sign.

The Celestial Monarch ordered Jinxiu to sever all emotions and desires and to focus on cultivation. Jinxiu treated a particular red camellia exceptionally well, hoping it would soon transform into human form. Kunlun arrived at the Floral Deity Pavilion, holding the Blossom Scepter to summon the flowers to a gathering, and Officer Chrysanthemum was unable to stop him. All the other flowers bloomed except the red camellia.

Kunlun was furious, thinking the red camellia was defying the Blossom Scepter, and wanted to destroy it. Jinxiu came to stop him. When the Celestial Monarch heard about this, he declared that the red camellia, for disobeying the Blossom Scepter, would have its immortal fate severed. Jinxiu pleaded for the red camellia, believing it recognized that the one using the Blossom Scepter was not the Floral Deity, and therefore did not bloom.

The Celestial Monarch said that he had always ordered Jinxiu to sever emotions and desires, yet Jinxiu cared so much for a mere red camellia. Thus, he wanted Jinxiu to understand the consequences of his compassion by destroying the red camellia. Jinxiu took the red camellia back with him, believing it had suffered this calamity because of him. He recondensed its form, named her Hongning, and sent her down to the mortal realm, hoping they could meet again one day.

Hongning arrived at Mt. Baizhou, where Ningmengjing and the others saw her and were surprised to find she had come from the heavens. Five hundred years later, the Celestial Monarch punished the world for falsehood, ugliness, jealousy, and evil, sentencing it to ten years of harsh winter, causing all flowers to wither. Hongning underwent her heavenly tribulation, and Ningmengjing and Jiaobo helped her. Hongning successfully transformed into human form, and Ningmengjing and the others were very happy.

Hongning wished to cultivate into an immortal because she remembered that when she was still a little flower bud, the Floral Deity had saved her. Jiaobo asked Hongning why she had secretly bloomed in the mortal world. Hongning said that the mother and daughter were too pitiful — unable to see flowers bloom or wait for spring, they were falling into despair.

Jiaobo warned that since the Celestial Monarch had decreed ten years of harsh winter, blooming without receiving the Flower's Message would be punished. Jinxiu, upon hearing that Hongning was about to be punished, hurried over. He did not understand the rules about the Flower's Message but believed that even if there were punishment, many innocent people would also suffer. Jinxiu discovered that Hongning was the red camellia from years ago.

He brought Hongning to the heavens, where she was to endure a hundred lightning tribulations, and entrusted her to Officer Chrysanthemum. Hongning reported that Envoy Xingxing had punished Lüluo by imprisoning her in the Hundred Flowers Diagram, but only celestial immortals should be confined there. Lower immortals entering would suffer loss of essence. Therefore, Envoy Xingxing should compensate Lüluo with a hundred years of cultivation. Since Envoy Meimei had indulged Envoy Xingxing, she should be punished by copying scriptures.

Lu Yao, a celestial maiden from the Northern Immortal Realm, wanted to meet Jinxiu, but he refused. Lu Yao asked her shadow what he thought of her, and the shadow said she was beautiful. Lu Yao wondered if Jinxiu refused to see her because meeting her would affect his cultivation. Jinxiu instructed Hongning to accompany the newly arrived immortal maidens. Envoy Xingxing looked down on Hongning, thinking he was merely a little demon from Mt. Baizhou.

Envoy Meimei assigned Shaoyao to look after Hongning. Shaoyao took Hongning around and explained that these flowers bloomed or withered according to the Floral Deity’s mood. Seeing the flowers all in bloom, Hongning thought that the Floral Deity must be in a good mood. Hongning asked Shaoyao where the Floral Deity lived. Shaoyao replied that the Floral Deity had her own palace and did not live with them.

She warned Hongning that immortals with sashes on their clothes were celestial immortals and not to bump into them again. Shaoyao asked Hongning if she really came from Mt. Baizhou. Hongning said that over there, demons helped each other. Shaoyao then met with Baihe and told Hongning to wait while she spoke with Baihe. Hongning wandered off to another place, climbed a tree, and happened to see Jinxiu.

Jinxiu told Hongning to come down, and Hongning was afraid Jinxiu would make her leave. Jinxiu assured her he would not drive her away. Hongning came down and, seeing that there was no sash on Jinxiu's clothing, thought he was not a celestial immortal. She even suspected that Jinxiu had sneaked in to steal wine. Jinxiu told her not to talk nonsense. When other immortals approached, Hongning, afraid of being discovered, put the flower bell down.

Envoy Xingxing, unaware that Jinxiu was there, confided in Zitong, admitting that she had deliberately imprisoned Lüluo in the Hundred Flowers Diagram. Jinxiu assigned the task of brewing wine to Envoy Xingxing, but she had handed it off to lesser immortals instead of doing it herself. After Envoy Xingxing and the others left, Hongning didn’t know how to get out. Jinxiu used magic to put the flower bell back in place.

Hongning took a sip of the wine there but found it unpleasant. She added mint to it and found it much tastier. Jinxiu pointed out that Hongning had already broken three rules. Hongning said she could not leave; after all the hardship she had gone through to ascend to the heavens, and since the Floral Deity had once saved her, she wanted to repay the kindness.

Jinxiu turned Hongning back into her true form and placed her on the table, where an unsuspecting immortal accidentally soaked her in tea. Officer Chrysanthemum came to find Jinxiu. Hongning emerged and asked Jinxiu why he had soaked her. Officer Chrysanthemum wanted to record the incident, but Jinxiu told him not to write nonsense. Jinxiu summoned Envoy Xingxing and questioned her about the earth grass. Envoy Xingxing admitted her guilt. Jinxiu asked whether she could properly handle the wine brewing.

If she couldn't, he would assign it to someone else. Envoy Xingxing hurriedly promised she could do it. Officer Chrysanthemum asked Jinxiu why, since Hongning had committed mistakes, he did not send her back to the mortal realm. Jinxiu explained that Hongning had an immortal fate. If she cultivated well, she would surely achieve great success. However, for now, she only had the fate of a scattered immortal. After the Blossom Festival ended, it would depend on Hongning’s own fortune.

Jinxiu instructed Officer Chrysanthemum to watch over Hongning during this period, teach her proper etiquette, and take her to undergo the lightning tribulation. Shaoyao brought Hongning along. Envoy Xingxing said that the Blossom Palace rules were like iron, and for hundreds of years, no one had broken them, yet since Hongning arrived, there had been constant trouble. She criticized Shaoyao for being unable to manage even a little demon and insisted that Shaoyao should be punished together with Hongning.

Hongning insisted it had nothing to do with Shaoyao and that if there was to be punishment, it should be hers alone. Envoy Xingxing pulled out a whip, declaring that she was in charge here. Officer Chrysanthemum arrived, saying Envoy Xingxing had already administered punishment and should now hand Hongning over to him. Envoy Xingxing had no choice but to agree.

Officer Chrysanthemum was to take Hongning for the lightning tribulation and told her she could use shapeshifting techniques to avoid it, but Hongning didn’t know how. Hongning prepared her own herbal medicine and asked Shaoyao to help apply it. Unexpectedly, before Shaoyao could even apply it, Hongning’s wounds healed on their own. Shaoyao was astonished, and Hongning herself didn’t know how it happened. When Envoy Xingxing learned that Jinxiu had only punished Hongning with cleaning duties, she was furious.

Zitong suggested that if they let Hongning offend the Deity, it would be enough, and Envoy Xingxing was pleased and sent Zitong to act. Zitong led Hongning to clean, but in fact, this was where Jinxiu lived. Knowing that Jinxiu disliked others entering, Zitong did it on purpose. Jinxiu happened to be bathing there. Hongning, seeing the mist, didn’t realize anyone was inside and entered the pool. Jinxiu, startled, revealed his true form in panic.

Hongning saw a golden peony and was amazed. Seeing the many scars on his body, not knowing what he had been through, she hugged him tightly. Officer Chrysanthemum witnessed this scene and was extremely shocked, quickly urging Hongning to let go. Jinxiu submitted a petition to the Celestial Monarch, pleading that many innocent people in the mortal world were suffering and hoping the Celestial Monarch would lift the punishment soon.

The Celestial Monarch thought that as a divine enforcer, Jinxiu was too merciful. The Divine Queen believed that Jinxiu’s persistent petitions each year showed his firm resolve. The Celestial Monarch agreed to lift the punishment. The Celestial Monarch noted that the Divine Queen was lenient with Jinxiu but strict with Kunlun. The Divine Queen explained that Jinxiu was reserved and sensible, whereas Kunlun was reckless and willful.

It was because Jinxiu had confined Kunlun in the Water Moon Mirror that it was considered true leniency. The Celestial Monarch was pleased that the Divine Queen thought this way. Grandmaster Taiyi came to see the Celestial Monarch and reported that the two stars, which had always shone with equal brightness, now had a cloud of mist appearing between them.

The Celestial Monarch feared a great calamity was approaching but believed that as long as Jinxiu continued to sever emotions and desires, he should be able to overcome the disaster.

Officer Chrysanthemum was deeply conflicted. He thought about it all night but still didn’t know how to record the incident, feeling that only he knew this hidden story. He believed he should uphold fairness in his account, but he truly didn’t know what had happened. Hongning brought some pastries to Jinxiu, saying that Jinxiu had previously mentioned the pastries at the Blossom Festival were lacking. A newly arrived young immortal had made quite a few pastries for Jinxiu to try.

Jinxiu tasted them and said they were just average, suggesting they should stick to the previous recipes. Officer Chrysanthemum said there was still another tray. Jinxiu found that batch overly showy and said there was no need to taste them. After Officer Chrysanthemum left, Jinxiu still tried a piece and found it quite delicious. He ordered someone to summon the pastry maker, only to discover it was Hongning. Hongning asked Jinxiu if the pastries were good.

Jinxiu admitted they were indeed quite good. Hongning explained that the pastries here were usually not tasty, so she had added some mint. She said it was a gift from a friend, along with fresh floral fertilizer from the Heavenly Horse Stables. Jinxiu almost vomited and quickly ordered Hongning to be taken away. Officer Chrysanthemum had water brought over. When Hongning returned, Shaoyao noted that with such heavy rain falling, the Deity must have been angered.

Officer Chrysanthemum also arrived and told Hongning to come with him, saying she should now undergo the lightning tribulation. Officer Chrysanthemum watched Hongning remain motionless after enduring the lightning strikes and felt both frustrated and helpless, worrying that if anything happened to her, he would be blamed. He asked Hongning why she didn’t just return to the mortal realm to suffer less.

Hongning insisted on staying, saying she had to meet the Floral Deity and would do anything to achieve that. She asked Officer Chrysanthemum how she could participate in the Blossom Festival. Officer Chrysanthemum explained that she needed to obtain a blossom invitation. Hongning went to find Envoy Xingxing, hoping to get a blossom invitation. Envoy Xingxing mocked her coldly but still agreed to give her one.

Envoy Xingxing led Hongning and the others to the earth grass field, saying that the Hundred Flower Forest was already overcrowded and that Hongning should plant flowers here. Only if she managed to grow flowers could she attend the Blossom Festival. Shaoyao said she knew Envoy Xingxing had no good intentions, as it was impossible to grow flowers here. Hongning asked why.

Shaoyao explained that the seeds of the earth grass had originally been brought back by Jinxiu but had been accidentally scattered here by Envoy Xingxing. Earth grass was extremely difficult to remove, and as long as it remained, it would corrode the roots of other flowers, making it impossible for anything else to grow. Hongning was undeterred, saying she would just work harder to remove it. Meanwhile, Jinxiu added mint to his wine and found it indeed improved the taste.

Envoy Mei was ordered to deliver wine to Kunlun, who also thought it tasted good. Kunlun sneaked out, but Jinxiu refused to give him wine, saying that if he wanted to drink, he should first finish counting all the flower petals and then openly come to drink. Jinxiu went to carry out divine punishment and found that Lu Jiu, the son of the King of the Northern Realm, was also there.

Others explained that Lu Jiu was born with three tails, a demonic trait, and had been personally sent by the King of the Northern Realm. Jinxiu stated that divine punishment was being enforced here, and having three or nine tails was not against the Heavenly Law, so he ordered Lu Jiu to be released. Lu Jiu, unsure where to go, was advised by Jinxiu to cultivate well, as they might meet again someday.

In the Northern Immortal Realm, a single drop of golden lotus dew was produced, causing great joy for the King of the Northern Realm. The King said that Lu Yao was his only heir, and if she could marry Jinxiu, the golden lotus dew would be her dowry. Hongning went to learn etiquette, where an immortal taught her how to draw eyebrows, but Hongning struggled with it.

Jinxiu happened to see her attempts, found them unbearable, and handed her a diagram to copy. When Hongning still couldn’t do it well, Jinxiu thought it looked terrible and ended up drawing her eyebrows for her himself, bringing them very close together.

Hongning felt her heart racing. Every time she saw Jinxiu, her heart would beat rapidly. Jinxiu said she was experiencing palpitations. Hongning asked why Jinxiu had so many injuries on his body. Jinxiu said it had nothing to do with her and told her to focus on mastering the makeup look properly and stop making a fool of herself.

Hongning asked Jinxiu what his name was, saying that they had known each other for so long and she still didn’t know what to call him. Jinxiu told her his name. Hongning asked how she could find him. Jinxiu gave her a flower bell and told her to speak into it—his flower bell on the other end would receive it. Hongning tried it and found it actually worked. After Jinxiu returned, he thought about the whole situation.

Remembering his father’s advice to sever all attachments, he put the flower bell aside. Mint Shark didn’t believe Hongning had been captured. Lemon Sprite said even the Rabbit Spirits had seen it happen—why wouldn’t she believe it? Lemon Sprite thought Hongning had bloomed without following the seasonal floral signal and was arrested by the Floral Deity herself. She believed Hongning was doomed. Mint Shark refused to believe that and said Hongning would definitely be fine.

Hearing their conversation, Lu Jiu asked if the person who had been taken was Jinxiu. Lemon Sprite confirmed it, and Lu Jiu asked them to take him to the last place Jinxiu had been seen. Lemon Sprite initially didn’t want to bother with him, but once she realized he was an immortal, she quickly agreed. Hongning tried to pull out the earth grass but was attacked by it.

She cried out for help, and Jinxiu heard her and came to her rescue. He asked what she was doing there. Hongning said she had to grow flowers here in order to participate in the Blossom Festival. Upon learning that it was Envoy Xingxing who had sent her there, Jinxiu understood why she had given Hongning the blossom invitation. Jinxiu explained that earth grass would attack if provoked and told her not to stay there.

But Hongning insisted she had to attend the Blossom Festival no matter what. When Hongning was attacked again, Jinxiu saved her, but unexpectedly the earth grass wrapped around both their wrists. Jinxiu said he had to go back and figure out how to undo it, while Hongning was worried about her flowers. Jinxiu taught her a protective spell, which Hongning cast successfully in one go.

Jinxiu thought to himself it was only because he had given her one of his finger bones. Jinxiu took Hongning back and looked through books. He found that the vines of earth grass would disappear after a full day and night, but there was no method listed for removing them early. Hongning said she was tired and lay down to sleep. Jinxiu was utterly shocked, wondering how an unmarried man and woman could act like this.

Hongning said it wasn’t appropriate for just the two of them—why not call in a few more people? Jinxiu refused, saying it would be bad if others saw them like this. Hongning found everything troublesome, muttered that nothing worked, and simply lay down to sleep. Then she went to bathe in the pool and dragged Jinxiu in with her. Jinxiu was extremely frustrated. After they parted, he had Officer Chrysanthemum lock Hongning inside the Hundred Flowers Painting.

Officer Chrysanthemum brought Hongning there, and she begged to be released, saying she hadn’t grown her flowers yet and had to participate in the Blossom Festival. Officer Chrysanthemum said this was Jinxiu’s order and not open for discussion, then pushed her inside. Kunlun said that if she wanted to leave, she had to count all the petals in the painting. Even immortals couldn’t bear it when they entered—how could a little demon like Hongning manage?

Hongning tried counting for a long time but couldn’t finish and didn’t know what to do. Officer Chrysanthemum remarked that unless dark clouds covered the sky, there was no way to finish. Hongning said she had an idea. In order to win Jinxiu’s favor, Lu Yao had practiced a dance with great effort and performed it during the Blossom Festival. Jinxiu said it wasn’t necessary. Lu Yao replied that it was enough if he liked it.

Others came forward to present flowers—many passed successfully, but the peonies grown by Shaoyao were deemed too plain in color and failed. Just as Jinxiu was about to leave, thinking no one else would come, Hongning rushed in. She saw a divine mark glowing on Jinxiu’s forehead and was greatly surprised.

Only then did Hongning realize that the Floral Deity she had been searching for all along was actually Jinxiu. Envoy Mei said since Hongning had the blossom invitation and had come all this way, why not give her a chance? Jinxiu agreed. Hongning brought out her flower, but unexpectedly, it hadn’t bloomed at all. Envoy Xingxing mocked her, but when Hongning’s tears dropped onto the flower, it actually bloomed. Everyone, including Envoy Xingxing, was shocked—this wasn’t a red camellia at all.

Jinxiu explained that these were the flowers of earth grass, which is extremely aggressive and hard to remove. It must have invaded the roots of the red camellia, and combined with Hongning’s spiritual power, that’s why it bloomed. Jinxiu said that although Hongning didn’t grow a red camellia, being able to make earth grass bloom was still worthy of reward. He asked what reward she would like. Hongning asked Jinxiu if she could become his Divine Consort.

Officer Chrysanthemum was stunned, saying Hongning didn’t even understand what love was, so how could she talk about becoming a Divine Consort? Hongning replied that Jinxiu had saved her life, and she wanted to repay him. Lu Yao said that Jinxiu had saved many flowers and plants in her palace too—did that mean all of them should marry him?

Jinxiu said that to become the Divine Consort, one must first be an immortal, and told Hongning to focus on cultivating her immortality first. Kunlun was drinking when Jinxiu came to ask how Hongning had escaped. Kunlun said it had nothing to do with him—Hongning had set the painting on fire herself. Once the petals were destroyed, they were freed. The Celestial Monarch and Divine Consort summoned Jinxiu and Kunlun.

Kunlun said that after being imprisoned for so long, he had truly realized his mistakes and had been reflecting all along. As for the plants and trees damaged by the cold, he would find a way to make up for it. Jinxiu confirmed that Kunlun had indeed shown remorse. The Celestial Monarch said it had already been hundreds of years, so the matter could be put to rest.

The Divine Consort added that if Kunlun made another mistake in the future, she would personally punish him. The Celestial Monarch said that since Kunlun had returned, he should take on responsibilities. Although there was nothing urgent now, he asked Jinxiu to assign Kunlun a post. Jinxiu and Kunlun returned, and Jinxiu said there wasn’t much going on here, so he asked Kunlun to manage the wine gardens.

Envoy Xingxing brought two immortals over who said Hongning was a demon and shouldn’t be allowed to stay. Jinxiu said he knew everything that had happened was orchestrated by Envoy Xingxing—sending Hongning to plant flowers among the earth grass and abusing her authority. He ordered her to be locked into the Water-Moon Mirror to reflect on her actions. Envoy Mei asked Jinxiu what should be done with Hongning.

Jinxiu said that until she ascended to immortality, she should stay in the Withered Garden. Zitong took Hongning there and explained that all the flowers in the Withered Garden had damaged spiritual roots and were very difficult to make bloom. Hongning said she liked it here. Shaoyao came to see Hongning and asked why she didn’t know Jinxiu was actually the Floral Deity. Hongning said there was no divine mark on Jinxiu’s forehead, so she really didn’t recognize him.

Shaoyao explained that the divine mark was a symbol of status and identity—it wasn’t something that would casually be revealed. She then asked Hongning if she truly liked Jinxiu. Hongning didn’t know what it meant to “like” someone. Shaoyao explained it to her, and after hearing it, Hongning said she had all those feelings—she truly did like Jinxiu.

Jinxiu came to see Hongning and said he wanted to help her ascend to immortality, stating that demons were condemned by all and must be eradicated. Hongning said Jinxiu should come with her to visit her homeland—her people weren’t the evil ones others made them out to be. Jinxiu taught her the spirit-summoning technique and told her to visualize the form she wanted to transform into.

But Hongning said that what she always pictured was Jinxiu, so she couldn’t turn into anything else. Hongning practiced hard and eventually managed to transform into Jinxiu’s appearance. When she came out, someone saw her. However, no one noticed anything unusual. Lu Yao came with some flower nectar. Hongning had a bit and remarked that Lu Yao’s eyebrows looked very nice. She asked Lu Yao to come closer so she could take a better look. Just then, Jinxiu arrived.

Lu Yao thought Jinxiu seemed very different today and was happy about it. Jinxiu set Hongning aside and told Lu Yao to leave quickly. Lu Yao was very surprised—she hadn’t expected Jinxiu to suddenly act like a different person. Lu Yao told Jinxiu he should smile more, as he looked very handsome when he smiled. After Lu Yao left, Jinxiu told Hongning to come out immediately. He asked her what was going on.

Hongning said she had been thinking of him constantly, so she turned into him. Jinxiu told Hongning she was not allowed to transform into his appearance again. Hongning agreed. Officer Chrysanthemum happened to witness the scene and thought something had happened between the two of them, but didn’t dare to record it down, feeling very conflicted. Officer Chrysanthemum called Hongning over for a lesson, telling her that men and women should maintain proper boundaries.

After the lesson, Officer Chrysanthemum left first. The immortal child returned, saying they had forgotten something. Hongning gave the item back but secretly kept a book about romantic love between men and women. Jinxiu came to find Hongning. Hongning said the whole matter had been her fault and that Officer Chrysanthemum had already told her that men and women should not have physical contact. Jinxiu said he had only come to check on her cultivation progress.

Hongning used magic to make flowers bloom. Jinxiu felt she hadn’t even properly trained in the most basic meditation techniques and told her to practice with him. Hongning said cultivating alone was too slow and kissed Jinxiu, asking him to dual cultivate with her. Jinxiu was shocked and asked who had told her that. Hongning wanted to say it was in Officer Chrysanthemum’s book, but before she could finish, Jinxiu went to confront Officer Chrysanthemum. Officer Chrysanthemum cried injustice.

The Celestial Monarch summoned Jinxiu and asked how his cultivation in Tonghai was progressing. Jinxiu said he was dull-witted and hadn’t been able to break through to the next level. The Celestial Monarch helped Jinxiu and said that such backlash was normal. Hongning secretly snuck into the wine garden, intending to gather some lily nectar. Kunlun saw her and said the flowers at the top were sweeter—he would help her pick them.

Jinxiu happened to arrive, and Hongning quickly returned to her original form. Kunlun claimed he had just climbed up to feel the wind. As Jinxiu was leaving, he took Hongning away with him. After Jinxiu was gone, Kunlun tried to call Hongning back out but discovered she had disappeared. Hongning woke up and didn’t realize she was inside Jinxiu’s robe. She wondered where she was and tried to get out. Jinxiu felt very troubled.

Shaoyao wanted to show him the newly planted flowers, but Jinxiu made an excuse and left first. After returning, Jinxiu let Hongning out and asked why she had been moving around inside his robe. Hongning said she didn’t know where she was—she just wanted to get out. Jinxiu told her she must learn proper rules in the future and not be so reckless. Hongning could only agree.

Hongning sat under the moon, drinking wine and missing Ningmengjing and the others very much. Jinxiu arrived and said drinking was not allowed here. Hongning was upset and said Ningmengjing and the others would always drink with her, but Jinxiu refused. Jinxiu then took a drink. After drinking too much, Hongning said the moon was bullying her. Jinxiu grabbed the Taiyin Star Lord. Hongning said it was a misunderstanding—she was just feeling homesick.

Jinxiu helped her release the paper cranes she had written. The next day, someone came to ask Kunlun if he had been the one who tried to pick the moon. The Taiyin Star Lord’s memory had been erased. Kunlun said it did sound like something he might do, but he really didn’t do it. Kunlun came to see Hongning. Hongning wanted to save the camellia, but couldn’t. Kunlun helped her.

Hongning asked if he knew where the platycodon and the like were. Kunlun said they were in the Hundred Herb Forest, but the miasma there was thick—small demons like her couldn’t enter. Hongning went to gather herbs but ran into danger. Fortunately, Jinxiu arrived in time to save her. Jinxiu asked if she didn’t realize how dangerous it was. Hongning said she just wanted to pick herbs to heal his wounds. Hongning went to take a bath and tossed the flower bell into the water. Jinxiu sensed something was wrong and rushed over.

Jinxiu hadn’t expected Hongning to be taking a bath and was quite upset as there was no danger at all. He told Hongning she was not allowed to take baths anymore. Hongning found it strange and said that when she was in the mortal world, everyone bathed together. Jinxiu was very surprised—he didn’t expect Hongning to have bathed with others.

Hongning explained that when she was still just a little flower, they used to take her into the water to play. Jinxiu told her from now on she could only bathe at this time and never with anyone else. Hongning said she had already finished making medicine for Jinxiu’s wounds and wanted to apply it. Jinxiu told her to blindfold herself. Hongning thought it was too inconvenient.

Jinxiu said that whether immortal, human, or demon, all have desires, and cultivating immortality meant restraining those desires. Hongning took off the blindfold and saw many wounds on Jinxiu’s back. She was heartbroken and couldn’t hold back her tears. Jinxiu saw her and said it was the first time someone had cried for him. Hongning asked if he had ever cried for someone else. Jinxiu said no.

The wounds were all caused by backlash, and the medicine Hongning made wouldn’t help, but he kept it anyway, seeing it as a token of her care. Hongning discovered someone in the Withered Blossom Garden—it turned out to be Bai Cha. She asked Bai Cha why he was there and remembered he was the one Ningmengjing and the others had mentioned—Bai Cha, who cultivated into an immortal on the neighboring mountain.

Bai Cha said he had originally come to Huachao Palace to receive his immortal registration, but Immortal Envoy Xing didn’t give it to him and instead unfairly gave it to her cousin. According to the rules, Bai Cha wasn’t allowed to stay, but he was unwilling to leave and secretly hid in the Withered Blossom Garden. Without sunlight and rain, he withered—fortunately, Hongning saved him. Hongning didn’t think demons were lower than others.

Bai Cha still wanted to cultivate immortality and asked if Hongning would look down on him. Hongning said of course not. Since Bai Cha had made his decision, he should follow his heart. Jinxiu came by with an excuse to bring flowers to Hongning. Shaoyao came along, wanting to place the flowers inside, and unexpectedly saw Bai Cha. Jinxiu gathered everyone. Hongning spoke about what Immortal Envoy Xing had done. Immortal Envoy Xing denied everything, calling it nonsense.

Jinxiu said that while Bai Cha’s presence here was understandable, it still violated the rules, and they shouldn’t bring it up again. Jinxiu stated that Immortal Envoy Xing had made mistake after mistake and was no longer fit to serve as an immortal envoy, so he demoted her to a lower-level immortal. Immortal Envoy Mei came to persuade Immortal Envoy Xing, saying Jinxiu was just acting out of anger and things would calm down.

Immortal Envoy Xing felt she was being mocked and said this wasn’t over. Bai Cha was to be sent to the Divine Transformation Pool. Hongning and Kunlun arrived. The leader said it was Jinxiu’s private instruction that no one should know—otherwise, Bai Cha would not just be sent to the lower realm but completely annihilated. Bai Cha told Hongning to cultivate well. Immortal Envoy Xing told Zhenren Taiyi about it.

Zhenren Taiyi ordered the leader dragged to the Divine Transformation Pool. The Celestial Monarch summoned Kunlun to ask what happened. Kunlun said it was his doing. Jinxiu arrived and said he would properly punish Kunlun. Zhenren Taiyi said Bai Cha wasn’t the only demon in Huachao Palace and ordered that Hongning be brought in. The Celestial Monarch was furious.

He asked Jinxiu what relationship Hongning had with the former Hong Cha and questioned whether Jinxiu still couldn’t cut off emotions and attachments. Jinxiu said he had only brought Hongning up to be punished, with no personal feelings involved, and suggested returning her to the lower realm. Jinxiu went to undergo lightning punishment, and the Celestial Monarch told him to think things through carefully. Hongning was about to leave.

Shaoyao gave her the gifts from everyone and asked her to be sure to return. Hongning still wanted to see Jinxiu again, but Officer Chrysanthemum told her to stop hoping and not to blame Jinxiu—he had already done his best to protect her. Hongning picked a petal. Jinxiu came over, and Officer Chrysanthemum quickly ran off. Jinxiu said the petals were for saving Hongning’s life and told her not to waste them again.

He told Hongning to cultivate diligently—if she did, she would be able to return.

Back then, when the Divine Consort gave birth, she hadn’t expected the Celestial Monarch to say she had given birth to two sons. The Divine Consort was extremely shocked and consulted the Heavenly Scroll, discovering that Jinxiu was actually born from the Celestial Monarch and a female immortal. The Celestial Monarch rushed over, and the Divine Consort questioned him about it.

The Celestial Monarch only said that everything was in accordance with the Heavenly Dao, and if the Divine Consort endangered the future Celestial Monarch, he would not let her off. The Divine Consort was furious—he had married her for the Heavenly Dao, and she had borne his child also for the Heavenly Dao. From that moment on, she said she would no longer harbor any feelings for him and would only uphold the Heavenly Dao. Hongning returned to Mt.

Baizhou and met Ningmengjing and the others. Everyone was very happy. She wanted to find Bai Cha but was told by Ningmengjing and the others that something had happened recently in Bai Cha’s area—many immortals and demons who went there never came out. Hongning felt that this was all the more reason to find Bai Cha. Jinxiu reported to the Celestial Monarch that those from the Northern Immortal Realm had returned.

The Celestial Monarch was also very angry, saying they had always kept a close watch on Zhongtian, and now Jinxiu and his people had given them a handle for criticism. Someone came to report the situation regarding Bai Cha. The Celestial Monarch assumed Bai Cha had gone to the lower realm and was displeased. He ordered Jinxiu to handle the matter and commanded that Bai Cha’s clan must not blossom for the next hundred years.

Hongning arrived and saw Bai Cha, feeling very happy. Bai Cha urged her to leave quickly. After returning, Bai Cha saw Shuixian and stated that Hongning was his friend—Shuixian must not harm her. Shuixian replied that she wanted them all to experience what she had gone through. Hongning told everyone about her experiences in the heavens. Everyone was very happy and asked her to tell more. Bai Cha saw this from the side.

Jiaobo was very happy and said their past Lantern Moon Festivals had never been this lively—it was all thanks to Hongning. Hongning said she hadn’t done much to help and that it was what she should do. Bai Cha, watching from the side, felt very frustrated. The Celestial Monarch summoned Jinxiu, Kunlun, and Lu Yao, saying that the Feast of the Pool was about to be held and assigned the three of them to be in charge.

Lu Yao was very happy. Jinxiu said he had many matters to attend to and didn’t have the energy to organize the Feast. Since Kunlun had been doing well lately, he suggested that Kunlun and Lu Yao take charge. The Celestial Monarch agreed. After returning, Kunlun and Lu Yao couldn’t agree on anything regarding the Feast of the Pool. Jinxiu was helpless and told them to figure it out themselves.

Hongning wanted to invite Jinxiu to the Lantern Moon Festival but didn’t know how to send a message. She called the paper crane she used before and asked it to deliver the letter. The paper crane said that immortals and demons were different—now that he was a demon, if he went to deliver the letter, it wouldn’t end well for him. Hongning said he wasn’t a demon, at most just a piece of talking paper.

The paper crane thought that made sense. Jinxiu received the letter sent by Hongning and felt helpless. He hadn’t expected her to dare send a letter all the way here. Hongning was dragged into an illusion by Shuixian. Jinxiu arrived to rescue her. Shuixian said that if Jinxiu wanted to save her, he had to enter her illusion first. When Kunlun learned that Jinxiu was trapped, he rushed down to save him.

Lu Yao followed, but she was deceived by the illusion and thought she was Shuixian. Kunlun couldn’t wake her and had to knock her out first to figure out what was going on with the illusion. Hongning had become a daffodil in the Duan family’s estate. A worker originally wanted to dig up all the flowers in the area, but Young Master Duan Fei saw the daffodil and thought it looked nice, so he transplanted it into a pot.

The daffodil moved without wind—Duan Fei knew it was a demon but wasn’t afraid. He thought having a little demon around might be fun. The daffodil took human form—Duan Fei had already known what it was.

Jinxiu helped Hongning with her painting. Hongning asked how much longer it would take, saying she was already tired from standing and suggested that Jinxiu paint the peach blossoms across from them instead. Jinxiu said he had originally wanted to paint the peach blossoms, but Hongning insisted he paint her—now she didn’t want that anymore. Jinxiu said he was done and asked Hongning to come take a look. Hongning looked and was speechless—it turned out Jinxiu’s painting was terribly ugly.

Kunlun and Lu Yao also went through the painting scenario. Kunlun was very frustrated and didn’t want to paint at all. Lu Yao asked him to paint her, wondering if it was such a burden for him. Jinxiu and Hongning went out for a stroll. Jinxiu said his parents had already arranged a marriage for him. He was already of age but had not married yet, so his family was very anxious.

Jinxiu asked Hongning if she would be willing to marry him. Hongning replied that she was a deity—they had long lifespans and could not be with mortals. Jinxiu asked if she would miss him, if she would be sad not seeing him, if his joys and sorrows would affect her, and if something happened to him, would she risk her life to save him. Hongning said of course she would. Jinxiu then said, in that case, they should get married.

When Jinxiu and Hongning got married, Hongning felt everything was too surreal. She wasn’t sure if Jinxiu truly loved her. Jinxiu said that as long as they loved each other, nothing else mattered. Kunlun and Lu Yao also reached the wedding night scenario. Lu Yao felt it was a bit too much. Kunlun wondered if Jinxiu and Hongning would really consummate the marriage. Lu Yao said no way. Kunlun also knew about this story.

Although Duan Fei and the Water Narcissus were truly in love, there was still a difference between deities and mortals. This was discovered by Taiyi Zhenren. Taiyi Zhenren was the enforcer of divine punishment at that time, and he captured them both and brought them to the Celestial Court. The Water Narcissus said she was willing to strip away her immortal bone and be a demon for all eternity, as long as Taiyi Zhenren would let Duan Fei go.

The Water Narcissus shielded Duan Fei from the thunder tribulation and jumped into the Immortal Transformation Pool herself. Lu Yao thought that since the Water Narcissus had become a demon and demons falling in love with mortals was no concern of the Heavenly Emperor, there shouldn’t be a problem. Kunlun said it wasn’t that simple—the Water Narcissus had damaged her core. To regain human form would take at least a decade, at most several centuries.

Duan Fei was just a mortal—how could he wait that long? In front of Meng Po, the Water Narcissus begged bitterly not to drink the Forgetfulness Soup. Kunlun and Lu Yao also went through this process. Jinxiu arrived there too—he also wanted not to drink it. He said he wanted to always remember the Water Narcissus and didn’t want to forget her. Hongning came and said that of course Jinxiu should drink it.

She was a deity with a long life, but Duan Fei’s life lasted less than a hundred years. She didn’t want Duan Fei to remember this lifetime in his next and be trapped in sorrow. The Water Narcissus appeared, not expecting it was Jinxiu and Hongning who had broken her illusion. The Water Narcissus was in deep pain, thinking that Duan Fei couldn’t even wait ten years for her. How could he say forget and just forget?

Jinxiu said the Water Narcissus only remembered what she had done for Duan Fei, not what Duan Fei had done for her. After Duan Fei returned to the mortal world, the Water Narcissus had become a senseless plant. The pain of losing a loved one was enough to kill a mortal. Until his death, he still wore the wedding robe. The Water Narcissus hadn’t expected this and chose to destroy her own core.

Kunlun and the others also escaped the illusion. Hongning pulled Jinxiu along to the Moon Lantern Festival. The two bought masks. Hongning wanted to release a sky lantern. Jinxiu said deities didn’t concern themselves with such things but still wrote a wish together with her. Jinxiu asked what wish Hongning had made. Hongning didn’t want to say, so Jinxiu tried to peek. To his surprise, the Lantern Deity actually appeared and took both Hongning and Jinxiu’s wishes.

Jinxiu had to return to attend the banquet. Hongning wanted to go with him. Jinxiu brought Hongning up and told her to wait for him there. Hongning overheard someone say Jinxiu was going to marry Lu Yao and said that since Jinxiu had promised her, he couldn’t marry someone else.

Hongning said she heard others say Jinxiu was going to marry the celestial maiden from the Northern Immortal Realm. Jinxiu replied that he had already turned it down. The Celestial Monarch had indeed mentioned it to him, but Jinxiu refused on the spot, saying there was no romantic love between him and the celestial maiden. Hongning said she was going back to cultivate, otherwise she would be too late.

Jinxiu said there were many deities moving about at the banquet right now, and if she went down now she might bump into them. He said he had to go first and would ask Officer Chrysanthemum to escort Hongning back later. Officer Chrysanthemum arrived, very frustrated, saying he was Jinxiu’s most capable subordinate—how could Jinxiu treat him like this? Officer Chrysanthemum begged Jinxiu, but Jinxiu left anyway, leaving him extremely upset. Hongning thanked Officer Chrysanthemum for the trouble.

Kunlun made the sky turn all kinds of colors, annoying the other deities who wondered when the Middle Heaven became so flamboyant. Lu Yao tried to stop Kunlun but couldn’t. Jinxiu came over and stopped Kunlun. Jinxiu told the Celestial Monarch that Kunlun had seen such a scene in the mortal realm as a blessing, which was why he did it. The Celestial Monarch didn’t say anything.

Officer Chrysanthemum was shocked when he heard from Hongning that Jinxiu had promised to make her his Divine Consort. He brought out some rare golden chrysanthemum honey to please Hongning. Hongning mentioned he still had lightning punishment to endure and asked when he would take the punishment again. Officer Chrysanthemum said there was no such punishment. He mentioned that most of the deities had already entered the venue, so it was a good time to escort Hongning down.

Hongning said she didn’t know how to fly, frustrating Officer Chrysanthemum. The Northern Immortal Realm sent someone to deliver Golden Lotus Dew to Middle Heaven. The general strongly opposed it, saying Golden Lotus Dew was their treasured item and couldn’t be given to Middle Heaven. The Northern Realm King said they were now weak and only by aligning with Middle Heaven could they develop better.

The general went to find Lu Yao and asked if she really wanted to marry Jinxiu, saying that if she didn’t, he could take her away. Lu Yao said her wish had always been to marry Jinxiu. As a celestial maiden, she should bear the responsibilities she was meant to and told the general not to speak recklessly. Bai Cha went to find Hongning and said he had recently heard rumors that Jinxiu was going to marry Lu Yao.

Hongning said she already knew and Jinxiu had said he refused. Bai Cha felt that even so, Jinxiu was a deity and Hongning was a demon—could they really be together? Hongning replied that Jinxiu had said she only needed to cultivate into a deity. Bai Cha had no choice but to leave. Hongning was about to undergo tribulation. Jinxiu taught her the method and said once she succeeded, he would personally register her as a deity.

Jinxiu originally wanted to stay and watch over Hongning, but the Celestial Monarch summoned him. When Jinxiu met the Celestial Monarch, he was told to marry Lu Yao. Jinxiu refused, saying that if Middle Heaven needed him, he would do anything—but not this. Hongning managed to survive her tribulation and went to the heavens, but instead of seeing Jinxiu, she saw Deity Apricot. Deity Apricot did not register her as a deity but instead sent her to deliver flower messages.

After finishing the task and becoming exhausted, Hongning went to the Withered Flower Garden. Jinxiu came to the Withered Flower Garden to find her and asked why she was there. Hongning said she believed Jinxiu would come for her. She said she felt like she would die today, and Jinxiu comforted her. Hongning asked about her deity registration, and Jinxiu said it was already done. Hongning wanted to become Divine Consort. Officer Chrysanthemum said it wasn’t that simple.

The current Divine Consorts, Xi He and Lu Yao, had noble backgrounds and immense merit. Hongning was just a lower immortal now. Hongning wasn’t discouraged and believed that she just needed to cultivate into a high immortal.

Hongning wanted to quickly become a high immortal. Jinxiu comforted her, saying that cultivation couldn’t be rushed—it had to be done gradually. Hongning asked Officer Chrysanthemum if he knew any methods for fast cultivation. Officer Chrysanthemum said he didn’t. Hongning expressed her disappointment, saying she had valued him so much, yet he didn’t even know this. Officer Chrysanthemum muttered that of course he knew—it was the forbidden technique from their Mt. Baizhou, which allowed one to bring forward their tribulation.

Hongning was overjoyed to hear this, but Officer Chrysanthemum became distressed and insisted he hadn’t said anything. Hongning returned to Mt. Baizhou and found the elder. The elder confirmed such a forbidden technique existed but warned that it was extremely dangerous and that failure meant death. He advised Hongning to cultivate properly and not attempt it. When Bai Cha found out, he was shocked and asked Hongning if she loved Jinxiu that much—to the point of risking her life.

Jinxiu was summoned again by the Celestial Monarch. He firmly rejected the marriage, saying he would rather demote himself to a lower immortal and go guard Mt. Cangwu. Hongning said she truly loved Jinxiu and wanted to be his Divine Consort. For someone important, she could do anything. Besides, she had cultivated for so long—she would be fine. Seeing he couldn’t stop her, Bai Cha knocked her out, saying that Hongning was also someone very important to him.

Hongning sneaked up to the heavens to find Jinxiu but was discovered by the Plum Deity Messenger and Deity Apricot. Deity Apricot said Bai Cha had already been banished to the mortal realm—how dare he come back on his own? Bai Cha said he had something very important to tell Jinxiu. The Plum Deity Messenger told Deity Apricot to go back first. He then asked Bai Cha what was going on.

Bai Cha said something had happened to Hongning and urged Jinxiu to save her immediately. The Plum Deity Messenger was surprised Bai Cha said Jinxiu and Hongning had such a deep relationship and told Bai Cha not to speak nonsense and to leave at once. Deity Apricot returned and said he could help, but Jinxiu wasn’t there—he would take Bai Cha to Middle Heaven. Deity Apricot took Bai Cha to see the Divine Consort.

The Divine Consort was surprised by the news. She said Jinxiu’s wedding was imminent—how could they spout nonsense like this? She told Bai Cha to keep the matter to himself, declared he had disobeyed divine orders, and had him dragged into the Qilin Cave. Deity Apricot asked what should be done about Hongning. The Divine Consort said since she wouldn’t see Jinxiu, the matter was over.

But she added that Deity Apricot had brought Bai Cha to Middle Heaven without permission and stripped him of his deity registration. The Celestial Monarch bound Jinxiu and injected Golden Lotus Dew into his body, telling him to think it over. Lemon Spirit and the others failed to stop Hongning and said it was just a tribulation—they would help her. But the tribulation was powerful, and they were all knocked unconscious.

The Divine Consort intensified the tribulation, and Hongning was seriously injured. Jinxiu sensed something was wrong and rushed down immediately. He brought Hongning to the Withered Flower Garden to heal her and gave her the Golden Lotus Dew. Jinxiu remained adamant against the marriage. The Celestial Monarch was furious, saying Jinxiu was the future Celestial Monarch and could not afford such emotions. He extracted Jinxiu’s divine consciousness and forced him into marriage. Hongning heard about it and rushed over.

The Northern Realm King discovered the Golden Lotus Dew in Hongning’s body and was furious, questioning Jinxiu. The Celestial Monarch tried to have Hongning captured. Jinxiu broke free and saved her. Jinxiu was injured. Hongning said that without the Golden Lotus Dew he gave her, she would have already died. She returned the dew to him and told him to marry the celestial maiden and live well. Hongning went to the Transformation Pool.

Jinxiu tried to stop her but was caught by the Celestial Monarch and failed. Jinxiu struggled free and jumped after her, but the Celestial Monarch pulled him back. Jinxiu went to see the Northern Realm King and said he would go guard the border at Mt. Cangwu and hoped it would not affect their alliance. The Northern Realm King agreed.

The Heavenly Fox General was furious, thinking the Northern Realm King was weak and unworthy of being king, and injured him.

Lu Yao sat in her room, heartbroken as she recalled what Jinxiu had done. The Celestial Fox General sent someone to deliver a message, saying an assassination had taken place and the Northern Realm King was injured, asking the Celestial Maiden to come. Lu Yao sensed something was wrong and suspected that the assassin was actually the Celestial Fox General. These people tried to take Lu Yao away, but her attendants protected her and helped her escape.

Jinxiu obtained the Rebirth Token from Officer Chrysanthemum and brought Hongning to Meng Po. Meng Po said that although Jinxiu had the Rebirth Token, there was no continuation written in Hongning’s Book of Life and Death, and advised Jinxiu not to force it. If he insisted on crossing, he would be burned by karmic fire. Jinxiu insisted, and Meng Po had no choice but to step aside. Jinxiu carried Hongning across.

Though he was in extreme pain, Jinxiu continued to carry Hongning forward. Even if he couldn’t walk, he would crawl. Jinxiu said he didn’t know how much longer he could hold on. If he couldn’t make it, Hongning should run and not look back. Jinxiu collapsed and urged Hongning to run. Suddenly, Hongning appeared, and the karmic fire vanished. Meng Po was shocked. Jinxiu carried Hongning forward. Meng Po called out to him.

Jinxiu told Hongning to go ahead and that he would follow shortly. Hongning left first. The Celestial Fox General had people search for Lu Yao for a long time but couldn’t find her. He ordered them to keep looking, insisting she must be found. The Celestial Monarch and the Celestial Empress summoned Jinxiu and Kunlun, saying that both Heavenly Emperor Stars needed to descend to the mortal realm and undergo tribulation. Kunlun was frustrated, thinking Jinxiu should go instead.

The Celestial Monarch said that the Heavenly Dao indicated that both of them must go. Kunlun had no choice but to agree. The Celestial Empress asked the Celestial Monarch what would happen if they failed their tribulation. The Celestial Monarch said it was all the will of the Heavenly Dao, and even failure would be its intention. The Celestial Empress was furious and stormed off.

The Celestial Monarch summoned Jinxiu, saying he should have been punished, but it was the Heavenly Dao that allowed him to descend. If he hadn’t secretly brought the camellia spirit to the heavens, she could have lived peacefully in the mortal world. It was his selfishness that harmed the camellia spirit. The Celestial Empress summoned Kunlun and told him to seize this chance during the tribulation to become the Heavenly Emperor.

Kunlun said he wasn’t interested and that his brother should take the position. The Celestial Empress was furious. Jinxiu sought out the Heavenly Book, wishing not to forget Hongning and willing to accept any punishment. The Heavenly Book gave him something that would help him remember. The Celestial Empress also came, curious to see where Jinxiu and Kunlun would be reincarnated.

She didn’t expect Jinxiu to be reincarnated into the immortal path and Kunlun into the demon path, so she switched them. Lu Jiu came to find Jinxiu and saw that the Heavenly Book had reverted the change on its own. Jinxiu and Kunlun were about to leave. Kunlun said he marked his thumb so that Jinxiu could find him. The Celestial Empress was shocked to learn that Kunlun had become an ice demon.

When demons caused chaos, Jinxiu went to save people and rescued the mother of the reincarnated Hongning. Hongning was born. Jinxiu gave the camellia hairpin to Hongning’s father, who asked him to name the child. Jinxiu named her Hongning, wishing her a peaceful life, and hoping she would never ascend Mt. Cangwu. When she was a child, Hongning was almost injured, but Jinxiu saved her. Ten years later, Jinxiu had always watched over her but never revealed himself.

When ice demons stirred trouble, Jinxiu fought with them and discovered that one of them was Kunlun. He asked Kunlun to stay and cultivate. Lu Jiu told Jinxiu about seeing the Celestial Empress alter their destinies. Hongning had a dream about someone, but didn’t know who he was. Bai Cha was thrown into the Qilin Cave, where a demon told him that Hongning would betray him one day. Bai Cha didn’t believe it.

Bailing finally finished planting the trees, took a Dao Token, and was ready to descend the mountain to catch demons. He arrived at Wangjia Village, where Lu Jiu stood guard at the village entrance. Lu Jiu believed the Dao Token was stolen and wouldn't let him in. By the river, Hongning found a large block of ice and brought it back as a lure. The Lemon Sprite helped Hongning.

Bailing appeared and said Hongning dared to use his true form as a lure. He discovered the Lemon Sprite was a demon and tried to capture him. The Lemon Sprite told Hongning to run and blocked Bailing. Hongning felt it was her responsibility and couldn't let the Lemon Sprite be implicated. The Lemon Sprite knocked Hongning out and said she was still the same as before.

Hongning woke up groggily and saw Bailing taking the Lemon Sprite away, but she soon fainted again. The Heavenly Fox General was furious. After all this time, they still hadn’t caught the Heavenly Maiden. He ordered the execution of the Deposed Emperor and demanded they find the Heavenly Maiden. Others felt the Heavenly Maiden was no longer important since the Deposed Emperor had been dealt with, but the General said she carried the pure Nine-Tailed Fox bloodline.

They were all demons—Heavenly Emperor would never acknowledge them. Lu Yao and her group were hiding in a Celestial Maiden Temple. Lu Yao felt she couldn’t stay hidden while her father was about to be executed. Qijing suspected this might be a ruse by the Heavenly Fox to lure her out, and Lu Yao found it plausible. When someone found the temple, Qijing told Lu Yao to hide while he went out to distract them.

That person brought Elder Bai Cha and told him to eat the elder to increase his power. Bai Cha felt he couldn’t do it, but the person said if he didn’t, he’d never get to see Hongning again. This was how their kind survived—by preying on each other. Bai Cha ate the elder. The person remarked he didn’t expect Bai Cha would go so far for Hongning. Bai Cha told Hongning to wait for him.

After returning, Hongning asked her parents what to do if she had demon friends. They said there were good and bad demons, just like people, and they had even met immortals before. As long as it was a good demon, it was fine. After her parents fell asleep, Hongning wrote a letter saying she had to leave to rescue her friend. Bailing brought the Lemon Sprite to the Heavenly Maiden Temple. Lu Yao came out, and Bailing didn’t recognize her.

Lu Yao didn’t expect that Kunlun had forgotten everything after undergoing tribulation. Bailing, realizing Lu Yao was a demon, took her away. At the foot of Mt. Cangwu, Hongning arrived, as did Baibuqu, who also came to seek a master. He said Mt. Cangwu did not accept women. Hongning disguised herself as a man and passed through the mountain’s fog. Baibuqu was there too and said the fog was a test—only those with immortal fate could pass.

Hongning snuck around the back and nearly fell, but was saved by a peony flower. She reached the back courtyard and saw the red tea there. When Jinxiu saw Hongning, he coughed up blood. Bailing wanted to sell Lu Yao but didn’t expect the buyer to be someone who skinned animals. He was shocked, beat the person up, and took his money. He brought Lu Yao back, and she didn’t expect such people existed here. Hongning asked Jinxiu what was wrong.

Tian Nanxing arrived, and Jinxiu told him to escort Hongning down the mountain. Hongning felt this was unfair. She came to be accepted as a disciple and at least wanted a trial. Jinxiu told Tian Nanxing to take her away. Jinxiu was frustrated that he had tried so hard to avoid seeing Hongning, yet she still came. Bailing brought Lu Yao back and saw she was injured, so he picked herbs to treat her. Lu Yao said mortal medicine didn’t work on her.

Hongning asked Baibuqu what the test was about. Baibuqu said it was to test spiritual roots, which come in five types: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The weakest is earth. Without any spiritual root, one couldn’t stay to cultivate. Hongning just wanted to stay and find the Lemon Sprite and thought having the weakest earth root would be fine. She saw Bailing there and realized he took the Lemon Sprite, which strengthened her resolve to stay. The test began.

Baibuqu thought he would have a fire root but ended up with the weakest earth root. He couldn’t believe it, but Tian Nanxing said the spiritual sword never made mistakes. Another person took the test—though powerful, he had no spiritual root and was dissatisfied. Jinxiu appeared. Seeing how powerful Jinxiu was, the man admitted his mistake and conceded. When it was Hongning’s turn, she begged the spiritual sword to give her an earth root, but after two tries, she had none.

Jinxiu ordered her taken down the mountain. Hongning asked for one more try, and the sword emitted a purple light. Tian Nanxing said no one had ever had a purple light before. Hongning replied that Jinxiu had said as long as it emitted light, it counted. Even if it was purple, she had passed. Jinxiu said Hongning had no spiritual root and ordered her removed from the mountain. In the dungeon, the demons rioted, claiming the Demon King had appeared.

Jinxiu led people over. Hongning wanted to see too and went with Baibuqu. The demons were excited, saying they saw the Demon King and could use him to boost their cultivation. A scorpion spirit emerged and fought Jinxiu. Jinxiu said he had once spared the scorpion for his potential fate but now had no choice and destroyed him. Hongning noticed something wrong, dashed forward to shield him, and got injured. Jinxiu quickly carried her back.

Bailing brought food back for Lu Yao and stole herbs from the medicinal pavilion to treat her wounds. He told her to stay there and not wander. Though Hongning woke up, she refused to get up. Bailing asked Jinxiu how long this would last. Jinxiu saw through it and said, “You can never wake someone who pretends to sleep. ” He deliberately ate a bowl of noodles in front of Hongning and said it was delicious.

Starving, Hongning hurriedly ate the noodles after he left. Bailing came to see Hongning. She asked if he had brought back a demon. She meant the Lemon Sprite, but Bailing thought she knew about Lu Yao and told her not to speak of it. Hongning agreed and believed the Lemon Sprite was indeed here. Bailing took Hongning and Baibuqu outside to teach them how to cultivate. When it was mealtime, Bailing quickly left.

Hongning said he hadn’t finished teaching, and Bailing replied they’d continue next time. Jinxiu came to check on the disciples' training and, upon hearing Bailing had taken Hongning and Baibuqu away, hurried over. Baibuqu had gathered information and told Hongning. She thought that if she wanted to save the Lemon Sprite, she’d have to start with Bailing. Jinxiu found them, and Hongning was dozing off. He taught them how to cultivate and asked what they saw.

Baibuqu said he saw only darkness. Jinxiu asked Hongning what she felt. She said she felt Jinxiu. Jinxiu thought it was nonsense. He told the disciples to keep an eye on Hongning and not let her wander. They found it baffling.

Jinxiu summoned Officer Chrysanthemum, who was quite frustrated, feeling that Jinxiu retaining his memories was already against the rules, yet he still summoned her all the time. Jinxiu said that Hongning had still come and still loved him. Officer Chrysanthemum asked how he was so sure. Jinxiu said that Hongning told him she felt her heart flutter when she saw him.

Jinxiu thought that in this life, he couldn’t let Hongning repeat her past fate, but if he didn’t accept her, it would hurt her as well. Officer Chrysanthemum was speechless, feeling that Jinxiu was so inconsistent, saying one thing now and another later. Outside, Hongning was sweeping the grounds, constantly glancing in Jinxiu’s direction. Jinxiu felt helpless—did Hongning really like him that much, staring at him from outside? Hongning brought over some tea for Jinxiu to drink.

She felt that only by getting close to Jinxiu could she sneak into the dungeon to find Ningmeng Jing. Jinxiu told Hongning to clean every place thoroughly, and Hongning was delighted. Jinxiu felt surprised that Hongning was willing to do such chores just to see him. Baileng brought food back for Lu Yao to eat and had even infused it with his own spiritual power. Lu Yao asked when Baileng would let her go.

Baileng said not yet—he wanted to raise her until she was nice and plump so he could tell his senior brothers he had caught a powerful demon. Lu Yao was furious, but in truth, Baileng just didn’t want her to fall into the hands of the heavenly soldiers and generals. Lu Jiu found out Hongning was missing and was devastated, blaming himself for being useless. Jinxiu was watching Hongning cultivate and couldn’t help but cough up blood.

Hongning saw it and asked if he was okay. Jinxiu said he was fine. The backlash of Jinxiu’s karmic fire was getting worse. Baibuqu drew a map of Mt. Cangwu, which Hongning saw and was thrilled about. She asked Baibuqu to let her see it and asked if she could have it since she always got lost. Baibuqu readily agreed. Jinxiu saw that Hongning was living in the same room as the other disciples and felt annoyed.

Some disciples felt Jinxiu only taught Hongning and was showing favoritism. Jinxiu told Baileng to inform Hongning to move into her own room. Hongning was very happy and moved in right away. Baileng brought a rabbit for Lu Yao to eat, but when others came, he quickly hid with her. The senior brother didn’t discover them. Baileng urged Lu Yao to eat. Lu Yao asked whether she should eat the rabbit or Baileng’s spiritual power.

She said she was a celestial and Baileng, being a demon, had spiritual power that was useless to her. Baileng didn’t expect Lu Yao to know this. Lu Yao returned the spiritual power to him, telling him to keep it until she actually needed it. After Baileng fell asleep, Lu Yao thought that he looked quite pleasant when quiet, but once he opened his mouth, it was over.

Lu Jiu returned, and the junior brothers who had been playing around immediately froze in fear when they saw him. Baileng came to find Lu Jiu, asking what foxes liked, and explained that the goose-feather robe in his room was something Jinxiu had told him to give to Hongning, not something he took himself. Lu Jiu told Baileng to get lost. Lu Jiu suddenly recalled Baileng mentioning Hongning and hurried to find her.

He asked how she managed to slip away from his watch and told her not to say anything—he admitted he was just useless. He asked Jinxiu why he allowed Hongning to stay here. Jinxiu replied that demons were running rampant lately, and if Hongning didn’t stay, she would be in danger. Lu Jiu felt that Hongning staying would hinder Jinxiu’s cultivation and blamed himself for everything. Baileng went to ask Jinxiu for money, but Jinxiu didn’t give him any.

Baileng then tried to scavenge from the other disciples. The senior brothers started gossiping about Hongning, thinking that their master treated her too well. Baileng took Hongning and Baibuqu to the back mountain, telling them to search for nine-leaf lingzhi there. Officer Chrysanthemum said she wasn’t strong enough and decided to head back. Baileng agreed.

Jinxiu found out about the incident and went to the back mountain to look for Hongning. The junior brothers heard about it and asked Baileng how he dared to do such a thing. Baileng said that when he was young, he often spent the night in the back mountain too, and nothing bad ever happened. Wenxin said that actually, every time, Master had followed secretly behind. Baileng was shocked.

Hongning was searching for nine-leaf lingzhi in the back mountain when she unexpectedly encountered Xing Xianshi. Hongning didn’t remember Xing Xianshi, and he blamed her for everything, saying that if not for her, he wouldn’t have fallen and turned into a demon. Hongning replied that although she didn’t know what had happened, if he blamed everything on others, then he was definitely in the wrong. The junior brothers came to the back mountain to look for Hongning.

Xing Xianshi tried to kill Hongning, but Jinxiu rushed over. As Hongning looked at Jinxiu’s back, she felt he looked very much like the celestial brother who had saved her before. Hongning said Xing Xianshi had fallen to this state but still showed no remorse. Xing Xianshi insisted that if it weren’t for Hongning, he wouldn’t have ended up like this. He explained that he was originally a flower in the mortal world and, by chance, saw Jinxiu.

Deeply admiring him, he cultivated diligently to become an immortal in the heavens. He had thought only of Jinxiu, but Jinxiu’s heart was filled only with Hongning—he never even noticed him. Xing Xianshi and Jinxiu fought. Suddenly, Xing Xianshi stopped attacking, and Jinxiu couldn’t pull back his strength in time, injuring him. Xing Xianshi said that this time, dying because of Jinxiu, Jinxiu would never forget him. The other junior brothers arrived. Jinxiu took Hongning back. He helped her heal.

When Hongning woke up, she asked if it was Jinxiu who had saved her before. Jinxiu didn’t admit it. Baileng came with something to apologize to Hongning. Jinxiu initially wanted to go in with him but ultimately let Baileng go in alone. After Hongning recovered, Jinxiu wanted her to leave. But Hongning found the immortal sword, which, according to the rules of Cangwu, meant she should stay. The other junior brothers also spoke up for her.

Jinxiu agreed to let her stay and cultivate. Everyone went for a bath and invited Hongning to join. Hongning joked her way in, took Baileng’s clothes, and tried to see if there was the scent of Ningmeng Jing on them. Jinxiu saw this and misunderstood, thinking Hongning liked Baileng. Baileng was punished and had to form one hundred good karmic ties. Hearing that a celestial maiden temple had been abandoned, he went there to repair it.

Hongning wanted to ask the celestial maiden for help, hoping she might find Ningmeng Jing. One senior brother saw Hongning and Baileng heading there together and thought they had planned a meeting. Jinxiu was very annoyed, feeling that they never did proper work and just thought about such things. Lu Jiu drank a lot of wine and went to see Lu Yao. He said he was useless.

Lu Yao handed him her handkerchief to wipe himself and said they needed to keep working hard so they’d have the ability to take on responsibility. When Lu Jiu sobered up, he was surprised to see a woman there. Lu Yao was about to leave when she ran into Jinxiu. Hongning was looking for Ningmeng Jing and ran into Baileng.

Lu Jiu came over, and Jinxiu said he was the head of Xuyun Temple and that due to the sudden situation, he didn’t have time to explain. Baileng admitted that he was the one who brought Lu Yao back and asked Jinxiu to punish him instead. Jinxiu told Baileng to take Lu Yao to a guest room and settle her there. Hongning thought Baileng might be the one who saved her.

Jinxiu said that was impossible—did Hongning treat Baileng differently because of that? Jinxiu went to see Lu Yao. She didn’t expect Jinxiu to still have his memories, and it was once again because of the red camellia. Lu Yao said that although she might seem unreasonable, if Jinxiu had told her the truth, she would have fulfilled their wishes. Jinxiu said the past was his fault.

He told her he now knew what had happened in the Northern Immortal Realm and asked if there was anything she needed. Lu Yao said they had long since severed all ties. Lu Yao asked Jinxiu if he had seen a three-tailed fox. Jinxiu replied that Lu Jiu was here, but he still held a grudge about being abandoned by the Northern Immortal Realm, so now might not be a good time to meet him. Lu Yao went to see Lu Jiu.

Hongning got a token from Baileng and found a room over here, not expecting that everyone was bathing inside. The place was filled with steam from medicinal herbs, which was beneficial for cultivation. Hongning was about to leave when she heard the voice of Ningmeng Jing and was overjoyed. Ningmeng Jing asked why Hongning had come, and she said that after he was taken away, she had been very worried and came looking for him.

Ningmeng Jing said he was deeply moved that Hongning had come to find him. Hongning asked what had really happened. Ningmeng Jing explained that after Baileng brought him here, the people here heard he was willing to cultivate, so they let him stay—it would help him cultivate, and he could also give massages to the senior brothers. Ningmeng Jing reminded her that she was a girl—what if someone found out? Hongning replied that there was still something she hadn’t done.

She wanted to know if Jinxiu was the deity who had saved her. A disciple informed Jinxiu that someone was causing a disturbance outside. Jinxiu led people out, and outside were Hongning’s parents, who had come with others and demanded that she be handed over. Hongning’s father saw Jinxiu and recognized him as their benefactor. Jinxiu confirmed that Hongning was indeed there and brought her parents inside. Hongning came in and was surprised to see her parents.

She said she shouldn’t have left without explaining clearly. Her mother urged her to return quickly, but her father said she had done nothing wrong, since she had left to save someone. Hongning said she still had unfinished matters here and asked her parents to return first—she would go back soon. Baileng was shocked to find out that Hongning was a girl. Jinxiu called Hongning over, and she admitted that she was female. The junior brothers were all very surprised.

Ningmeng Jing explained that Hongning had done all this for him. She thought he had been captured by Cangwu Mountain, and since this place didn’t accept female disciples, she had disguised herself as a man to get in. Baileng said maybe it was partly his fault, but that was because they had taken his original body, and Ningmeng Jing had splashed such sour lemon water into his eyes.

Ningmeng Jing said it was because Lu Jiu had been guarding the village entrance—the villagers all thought people from Cangwu Mountain were bad. Lu Jiu said it had nothing to do with him. Some felt that the rules should not be broken, but others believed Hongning was a good person and shouldn’t be driven away just because of a rule. Jinxiu let everyone debate.

Hongning shared her view, saying that Cangwu Mountain and Xuyun Temple had originally been one; it was only because male and female disciples couldn’t live together that they separated. Everyone was surprised to hear that. In the end, the ones who opposed had nothing more to say. Jinxiu said since everyone had agreed, they would break the rule starting today. Jinxiu called Hongning over.

He had prepared a set of women’s clothing for her, so she wouldn’t have to disguise herself anymore. Hongning said she actually had no interest in cultivating immortality. She stayed here only to find the deity who had saved her. Jinxiu remarked that she still had no interest in cultivation. Hongning said she wanted to remain in the mortal world because it was lively and warm. Hongning wanted to know if that person was Jinxiu.

Jinxiu asked, so what if it was—did she want to marry him to repay the favor? Hongning replied she just wanted to say thank you face-to-face. She was about to leave when Baileng arrived and said that Lu Jiu had gone missing. He had been blaming himself for not watching Hongning properly. Hongning and Baileng went to search and found fox blood, but the trail of blood broke off on the way.

A rabbit demon ran out and said there was a monster, but died after only a few words. Hongning thought that if even a demon feared this monster, it must be very powerful. Daoist Master Dongxuan came over and asked how she knew it was a rabbit demon. Hongning said she had been able to tell since childhood. Daoist Master Dongxuan suggested they continue the search tomorrow. Baileng agreed, saying if they went in now, they’d just be throwing their lives away. He would write a letter to Master.

Hongning and the others were resting here. Daoist Master Dongxuan remarked that since beginning his cultivation, he had slain many demons, all of whom were evil, and that cultivators had the duty to vanquish demons. He couldn’t understand how Cangwu Mountain could accept demons as disciples. Baileng questioned why demons couldn’t cultivate, but Dongxuan insisted that it was rare for demons to achieve anything in cultivation.

Hongning said that she had been able to see demons since she was a child and that many of her friends were demons who had never done anything bad. Daoist Master Dongxuan admitted he had been mistaken. Hongning added that mortals feared demons, and demons feared mortals—the two were no different. Baileng asked why she had quarreled with Jinxiu.

Hongning replied that they hadn’t quarreled—she was certain that Jinxiu was the Deity who had saved her, but he simply refused to admit it. Jinxiu looked warm, but he was actually unreachable. Daoist Master Dongxuan said that was just how he was. When they started speaking ill of Jinxiu, Hongning couldn’t bear to hear it and told Baileng to stop. She was worried about Lu Jiu.

Baileng came up with an idea and lit the Life and Death Smoke, saying that since the flame was burning so strongly, Lu Jiu must be fine. Hongning and Baileng left, unaware that the smoke was about to go out. Jinxiu instructed his disciples to watch the mountain and went himself to find someone and seek the power of the Floral Deity, but couldn’t find them.

When Lu Yao heard that Lu Jiu and the others were missing, she offered to go with Jinxiu to search. The next day, Hongning and the others prepared to depart. Daoist Master Dongxuan said he had seen a burned stone stele inscribed with “Evil Dragon Pool. ” Baileng thought the Evil Dragon Pool was beyond their ability to handle and said he would take Hongning back to inform their master.

Hongning said traveling with Baileng slowed her down because she didn’t know how to fly with a sword. Daoist Master Dongxuan said she could stay with him—he would take care of her, so Baileng didn’t need to worry. Baileng left first. Bai Cha arrived, asking for directions to the Evil Dragon Pool. Although there was a demon dragon there, it guarded the Yin Spring at the bottom. The Yin Spring could help someone recall their past life.

Bai Cha wanted Hongning to remember him. He dragged a toad into the pool, and after a lot of effort, managed to obtain the spring water. He thought the demon dragon was too strong—he barely escaped with his life. Baileng revised the historical records, saying he had done some research and found that qilin were auspicious beasts. The Celestial Monarch asked whether Baileng had ever experienced the ancient times.

He recalled that a fairy once said Jinxiu was protected by a qilin contract. Hongning and Daoist Master Dongxuan arrived at the pool. Hongning had already realized that Dongxuan was a demon. Dongxuan couldn’t accept it and insisted that he wasn’t a demon, but an immortal. Hongning asked if he was the one who had captured the fox. Daoist Master Dongxuan tried to kill Hongning, but Jinxiu arrived in time to save her.

The two of them entered the pool, where there were Endless Trees that absorbed people’s pain. Jinxiu’s pain was taken away, and Hongning quickly retrieved it. Jinxiu led her onward. Ahead was another gate that could only be passed through by recalling joyful memories. Hongning passed through easily. Jinxiu saw a vision of his younger self. The young Jinxiu asked the current Jinxiu whether their mother had come when he bloomed the golden peony.

In truth, even after blooming eighty-one golden peonies and ascending to a High Deity, the Celestial Queen never came to see him. But Jinxiu told his younger self that she had. The young Jinxiu said he couldn’t let Jinxiu pass unless he told another happy story. Jinxiu recounted moments with Hongning and passed through smoothly. On his way back, Baileng became more and more uneasy. When he returned, he found that Hongning was missing.

Lu Yao arrived, and the two set out to search together. On the way, Lu Yao’s shadow approached them. Baileng hadn’t expected her shadow to take physical form—she really was a deity. Hongning fell, and a black serpent appeared, extremely happy to see her, saying its master had finally arrived.

The Celestial Queen summoned everyone to discuss matters, stating that the Celestial Monarch was currently in a crucial phase of cultivating the Tonghai technique and must not be disturbed. Any issues should be brought to her instead. Daoist Master Taiyi mentioned that the reappearance of the Demon King's power was a very serious matter. The Celestial Queen replied that she had fought in the Star Sea for many years—could she not handle this? Daoist Master Taiyi didn’t dare say more.

The Demon King's power could summon the divine beast Qilin. The Celestial Queen ordered someone to investigate whether the power that had appeared was truly the Demon King's. Hongning was shocked and insisted that she wasn’t his master. The black serpent had no choice but to leave for now, telling Hongning she must drink the spring water to remember the past.

Hongning asked Jinxiu if he would always protect her, saying she had read storybooks and knew she had developed feelings for him. She said she hadn’t intended to confess, but with danger ahead and no certainty they’d make it out, she wanted to tell him. Jinxiu said he liked Hongning too, and the two embraced deeply. Lu Yao and Baileng found Daoist Master Dongxuan and fought him.

Daoist Master Dongxuan, in a state of mental confusion, said that if Hongning called him a demon, then what about all the demons he had slain? He insisted he was not a demon, but an immortal. Baileng replied that so what if he was a demon—as long as he acted upright and proper, it didn’t matter. Daoist Master Dongxuan became agitated and destroyed his own inner core. Suddenly, Lu Jiu appeared.

Jinxiu and the others came out as well and first found a place to rest and recover. Lu Yao asked Jinxiu why Hongning had reincarnated. Jinxiu explained that she had used Golden Lotus Dew and her soul had not been scattered. He had used the Rebirth Order to allow her to reincarnate. Lu Yao was furious, saying Jinxiu spoke as if it were nothing, but that Golden Lotus Dew was a once-in-ten-thousand-years treasure, and he gave it away so casually.

It turned out Jinxiu had taken Hongning across the Karma Fire Bridge, which was why he was now suffering from karmic fire backlash. Jinxiu admitted he had wronged Lu Yao in this matter and promised to make it up to her. Lu Yao replied that she didn’t need him to—she only wanted to take Lu Jiu away. Jinxiu said Lu Jiu had always resented them, and it wouldn’t be good for Lu Yao to take him away.

Hongning saw that Bai Cha was injured and asked what had happened. Bai Cha realized Hongning truly didn’t remember him. Hongning brought Bai Cha over and asked Jinxiu if he could stay to recover. Jinxiu agreed. Jinxiu summoned Officer Chrysanthemum. Officer Chrysanthemum said that the Heavenly Realm’s supervision was very strict now and that it had been hard enough for him to come down—Jinxiu should not call him unless it was necessary.

Jinxiu asked Officer Chrysanthemum to help cover for him; he needed to make a trip to the heavens. Officer Chrysanthemum begged Jinxiu to spare him—he didn’t want to die yet. Hongning brought medicine to Jinxiu, but Jinxiu didn’t mention anything about Bai Cha. Hongning was frustrated. Someone reported to the Celestial Queen that Officer Chrysanthemum had descended many times without registering, and that the Demon King’s power was now at Cangwu Academy. The Celestial Queen ordered them to keep monitoring.

Jinxiu arrived at the Heavenly Book and asked whether the power in Hongning was the Demon King's. The Heavenly Book confirmed it was. Jinxiu asked if there was a way to suppress the power without harming Hongning. The Heavenly Book gave him a bracelet. Jinxiu left first, and the Celestial Monarch appeared there. Jinxiu returned and gave the bracelet to Hongning. Lu Yao was about to leave, and Jinxiu told Lu Jiu to escort her. Lu Jiu reluctantly agreed.

Bai Cha woke up, and Hongning was delighted. Jinxiu came over and asked Hongning to fetch the medicinal soup while he checked on Bai Cha. Jinxiu said that in this life, Hongning was a mortal—naive and pure—and he didn’t want her to be hurt. Bai Cha replied that all of Hongning’s pain came from Jinxiu, and he would not let her be deceived by him again.

Lu Jiu escorted Lu Yao out. Seeing that she was injured, he found some herbs for her. He asked why she had come to their place. Lu Yao said something had happened on her side—her family had been harmed, and she came looking for her younger brother. Lu Jiu said he could help her. He had lost his family when he was young and didn’t want others to experience the same life of drifting and hardship.

After waking up, the black serpent ran off. Lemon Sprite was upset, feeling that after taking care of him for so long, he left without saying a word. Hongning and Lemon Sprite came to check on Bai Cha. Hongning had something to do and left first. Bai Cha remarked that Lemon Sprite could just watch Hongning and Jinxiu be together. Lemon Sprite said she was Hongning’s friend—as long as Hongning was happy, that was enough.

Bai Cha said they had all been deceived by Jinxiu. Jinxiu appeared righteous, but he captured demons just to eliminate them. The demons he kept in the dungeon were all for him to exploit. He had been using Hongning all along. Bai Cha said he only wanted to protect her. Lemon Sprite thought Jinxiu had forgotten everything. Bai Cha replied that Jinxiu had never forgotten. Did deities like him and demons like them really follow the same rules?

Lemon Sprite was very worried. Bai Cha read some books and said that in ancient times there was a two-headed serpent, one with black scales and one with green. After being attacked, it split into two separate snakes. Bai Cha believed the green snake he had seen in the Qilin Cave must have been one of them. Jinxiu didn’t know how to prepare for the wedding.

He wanted to call Officer Chrysanthemum to ask but ultimately didn’t, worried it would end up in some unofficial record. He read many books but still had no idea what to do. Hongning came to see Jinxiu. Jinxiu wasn’t sure if Hongning understood that what he had said before was a proposal. Hongning wanted him to explain the matter with Bai Cha. Neither of them spoke clearly, and neither realized what the other was trying to say.

Hongning kept bringing up Bai Cha intentionally or not, but Jinxiu didn’t say anything. Hongning came to see Bai Cha. Bai Cha said they had known each other in their past lives, and Hongning had always been deceived by Jinxiu. He gave her spring water, saying that drinking it would allow her to remember her past. If she remembered, she would know he was telling the truth.

Jinxiu came to Hongning and said they did have a romantic bond in their past life. He was indeed the deity she met as a child. He hadn’t dared to tell her, fearing she would remember the past. He left the decision to her and asked if she wanted to recall everything. Hongning said she needed time to think. Then she drank the spring water and remembered the past.

She came to Jinxiu and said the time of falling blossoms was near—Jinxiu had said he would marry her. Jinxiu was overwhelmed, and the two embraced deeply. Lu Yao and Lu Jiu reached the area near the Northern Immortal Realm. Celestial soldiers approached them. Lu Yao used Samadhi True Fire. Lu Jiu realized Lu Yao was the Heavenly Maiden and asked why she had lied to him.

Lu Yao said what happened before was their fault, and she asked Lu Jiu to come back with her. She would find a way to make it up to him. Lu Jiu refused, saying he had no sister. When they were children, Lu Yao wanted to visit Lu Jiu, but others disapproved, saying the King didn’t acknowledge that son. If Lu Yao went, they would all be punished. So she couldn’t go. Lu Jiu left.

Hongning still chose to be with Jinxiu. Bai Cha was furious when he found out, saying that Jinxiu had clearly deceived her. Hongning replied that Jinxiu had done a lot afterward—Bai Cha didn’t know what happened later. Bai Cha said he liked Hongning. Hongning said love should be mutual—what Bai Cha liked was only the version of her in his imagination.

Lemon Sprite helped Hongning pick flowers. Hongning was preparing to make a bouquet that could carry blessings. She said she had been remembering many things lately and still recalled the stories Lemon Sprite told her. She thanked Lemon Sprite for accompanying her across two lifetimes. Lemon Sprite was happy to hear that. He said he believed he had entrusted things to Jiaobo and asked her to attend Hongning’s wedding.

Hongning’s parents arrived, and Fat Auntie also came. Hongning said she hadn’t told her parents about such an important matter and asked if they would be angry. Her mother said that as long as Hongning was doing well, they were happy. Fat Auntie said that in normal families, they just choose a wedding date based on the couple's birth charts, but she had shown Jinxiu’s birth chart to three fortune-tellers, and they all said they didn’t dare to read it. She asked what Hongning planned to do.

Jinxiu arrived and, upon hearing this, said the date could be set for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. In Cangwu, red silk was hung everywhere. Someone deliberately set off firecrackers behind Bai Ling, who almost got into a fight. Wenxin told them it was a joyous day and to stop causing trouble here. Bai Ling and the others had no choice but to leave for now.

Jinxiu sent the betrothal gifts, but Hongning’s parents felt he didn’t look like someone who lacked money—why hadn’t he even brought ducks? Jinxiu went to catch ducks. Lu Jiu wondered if this was really his master. Bai Ling said he wasn’t sure either. Bai Ling sighed that love truly could turn people into fools. Hongning arrived and asked Bai Ling what was going on with Jinxiu. Bai Ling said that for mortal weddings, they needed to bring ducks, and Jinxiu was out catching them.

Hongning said she would help, and Bai Ling muttered that there went another fool. Hongning tried on her wedding dress. Lemon Sprite was going to bring her jewelry, but Jinxiu stopped him, saying it wasn’t proper for a man to enter. He would deliver it himself. Jinxiu thought Hongning looked especially beautiful like this. Hongning felt it wasn’t real—could this life really be so simple? Jinxiu told her not to worry. He would find a way. He would protect Hongning through every lifetime.

Lu Yao and Qijing were discovered by celestial soldiers. Qijing told Lu Yao to hide while he went out. Even in death, Qijing did not reveal Lu Yao’s whereabouts. Lu Yao watched helplessly and was heartbroken. When she was young, Lu Yao had to stay inside her room, very lonely. She once saw her shadow, infused it with spiritual power, and the shadow took form. She named him Qijing, thinking he was like a mirror of herself. The fact that he appeared at all was something miraculous. Lu Yao vowed to bring Qijing home. He was her only friend.

Bai Cha told Hongning that she was very likely the Demon King and that Jinxiu had been using her all along. Hongning said what happened to Bai Cha wasn’t Jinxiu’s fault—Bai Cha was biased against deities. Bai Cha asked if Hongning really wanted to be with a deity. It was impossible. Hongning replied that she was only following her heart. Bai Cha ran into Jiaobo, who asked if he had come for the wedding banquet and why he was leaving. Bai Cha knocked Jiaobo out. Master Taiyi arrived.

Baibuqu thought Hongning had failed several minor exams and wrote a guide for her, planning to give it to her. The other disciples were speechless—she was getting married, who still cared about exams? On the wedding day, Jinxiu said to prevent accidents, they needed to guard the entrance and check invitations carefully—only those with invitations could enter. Jinxiu asked his disciple about the dungeon. The disciple replied that Baibuqu and the others were keeping watch there.

Hongning’s mother combed her hair, reluctant to part with her. Hongning put on the wedding veil and bid farewell to her parents. Her father said that if Jinxiu ever mistreated her, she should come home—he wasn’t afraid of Jinxiu, no matter who he was. As Hongning stepped outside, Jinxiu was already waiting for her.

Hongning and Jinxiu arrived at the main hall and completed the wedding ceremony. Jinxiu said that according to the customs of his side, he needed to tie a red thread with Hongning. Holding the red thread, he tied it to both his and Hongning’s fingers, saying it was woven from mortal longing by the Old Man Under the Moon, and that they would be together for all lifetimes to come.

After the ceremony, the bride was to be taken to the bridal chamber. Jinxiu said that traditionally, the husband should go with her, but the disciples insisted that Jinxiu stay behind to drink with them. Jinxiu told Hongning to go ahead, and he would join her shortly. Everyone drank with Jinxiu, and Lemon Sprite wondered why Jiaobo hadn’t arrived yet—he should have by now. Master Taiyi arrived with his men. The celestial soldiers said there was a barrier around Mt.

Cangwu, and they couldn’t enter. Master Taiyi assured them not to worry, someone would break the barrier soon. Bai Cha broke the barrier. Gu Jiu sensed something was wrong and went to check. A beam of light entered Gu Jiu’s body, but he didn’t notice. Bai Cha led people into the dungeon and injured Baibuqu and the others. Baibuqu asked why Bai Cha was doing this. Bai Cha said Jinxiu was just a hypocrite and struck Baibuqu again.

Bai Cha released all the demons from the dungeon. Jinxiu found Master Taiyi and started fighting him. Baibuqu ran back to report. Wenxin told Bai Ling to quickly take the guests and leave, and go find Jinxiu. Bai Cha led the demons in the attack. Bai Ling was injured, and Fat Auntie was killed by the demons. Bai Ling felt he couldn’t leave, but Wenxin urged him to go deliver the message.

Tiannanxing closed the door and told Bai Ling to go quickly. With his dying breath, Wenxin said Tiannanxing was the best disciple he ever trained. Tiannanxing watched as Wenxin closed his eyes and said he would uphold the pride of Mt. Cangwu. Bai Cha said they were just putting up a desperate resistance. He captured Tiannanxing and ordered him to say that Jinxiu was a hypocrite. Tiannanxing refused.

He struck Bai Cha with a silver needle laced with poison, but it had no effect on Bai Cha. Bai Cha killed Tiannanxing. Afterward, Bai Cha came out and burned the bridal sedan. Other disciples rushed over. Gu Jiu used Samadhi True Fire, but unexpectedly, the fire went out of control and burned wildly. Gu Jiu tried to take it back but couldn’t. He had no idea what was going on or what to do.

Lemon Sprite came to find Hongning, urging her to flee, but was killed by the celestial soldiers. Bai Ling saw Master Taiyi and the others arrive and had thought the deities were there to save them—only to realize they were there to capture the Demon King. Enraged, Bai Ling cursed them. Jinxiu arrived. Bai Ling and the others were being burned by the Samadhi True Fire, which could even harm their souls.

Bai Cha came to find Hongning, saying he had told her before—Jinxiu only wanted to use her Demon King power. Now the celestial soldiers had released all the demons from the dungeon, and Jinxiu had reported it to the Celestial Court. The Celestial Court intended to wipe them all out. Bai Ling told Jinxiu to kill them quickly—any later, and their souls would be gone, leaving them with no chance to reincarnate.

With no choice, Jinxiu killed Bai Ling and the others. Hongning arrived and saw Jinxiu had killed her parents. Enraged, she broke the bracelet, unleashed the Demon King’s power, and severed the red thread. She asked Jinxiu why he had done this. Jinxiu said it wasn’t what she thought, but Hongning didn’t believe him. She injured Jinxiu, but was also wounded by Master Taiyi. Jinxiu held Hongning in his arms.

Hongning said that in her next life, she would definitely find Jinxiu and kill him with her own hands. Jinxiu was heartbroken and begged her not to go. Jinxiu was about to reincarnate and asked how the people of Mt. Cangwu were doing. The underworld official said many people had died this time, and they were still registering names—it wouldn’t be long before they arrived. Jinxiu felt he couldn’t leave and went to find the Celestial Monarch.

Jinxiu asked the Heavenly Emperor whether he had something to do with this matter. He clearly asked the Celestial Tome Master for something to suppress the Demon King's power—how did it turn out like this? The Heavenly Emperor replied that it was all because Jinxiu interfered with others’ karma. If Jinxiu hadn’t gotten involved with Hongning, she would still be peacefully living in the mortal realm. Jinxiu asked, then what about Mt.

Cangwu—why did it have to be bathed in blood? The Heavenly Emperor said it had nothing to do with him. He only instructed Master Taiyi to bring Hongning up. It was Master Taiyi who acted on his own to gain merit. Even if he was Jinxiu’s master, the Heavenly Emperor would still punish him—he would demote Master Taiyi to a lower immortal.

He also said that since Jinxiu was the future Celestial Monarch, he shouldn’t concern himself with these mortals and demons. Jinxiu replied that if being the Celestial Monarch meant sacrificing others, then he didn’t want the role. Someone came to inform the Divine Queen that Kunlun had gotten into a fight with a celestial officer during his reincarnation.

The Divine Queen rushed over—Kunlun was being persuaded by the celestial officer, who told him the time was almost up and he should hurry. Kunlun insisted on waiting for the disciples of Mt. Cangwu. The officer was helpless and said Kunlun might as well beat him again. The Divine Queen took Kunlun back and asked what he was trying to do—those people were insignificant.

Kunlun said they had shared a lifetime together, and he had to make sure they were safe. The Divine Queen said that those destined for the Celestial Monarch Star must climb over a mountain of corpses to ascend. Kunlun said he would not do such a thing and told his mother to go persuade his brother instead. Kunlun left. The Divine Queen was furious and ordered someone to go find Lu Yao.

Lu Yao was being pursued, but a fairy arrived and took her away. The Divine Queen said she needed Lu Yao’s help. She had prepared a Reincarnation Decree—if Lu Yao took it to reincarnate, the celestial soldiers wouldn’t detect her. She wanted Lu Yao to keep an eye on Kunlun. Lu Yao agreed. Kunlun still refused to leave, so Lu Yao came over, tied a red thread to him, and took him away.

Meng Po showed Jinxiu the disciples being reincarnated and said that as long as the Central Heavenly King returned this favor in the future, it would be enough. Jinxiu agreed. He was shocked to see Lu Jiu there as well. Meng Po said Lu Jiu felt it was his fault and took his own life. Bai Cha gathered Hongning’s soul and asked the demons for their strength, successfully reviving her.

In a small kingdom where humans and demons coexisted, considered lawless by outsiders, it was thus named the Nation of No Order. In the palace, Prince Xian was drinking and making merry. Jinxiu, now a general here, advised Prince Xian to take care of his health, but the prince ignored him. Jinxiu and Lu Jiu arrived at the scene of a case—Lu Jiu found that the person was already dead.

Jinxiu said the person had actually drowned and was hung up postmortem. After examining the records, Jinxiu found something suspicious about the Lotus Pond. He waited there and saw the Lotus Spirit arrive. She admitted she had killed Zheng Ke because he had harmed her benefactor. She had been withering, and it was her benefactor who watered her and brought her back to life.

To repay the kindness, she guided her benefactor to a treasure, but Zheng Ke, driven by greed, killed him. The Lotus Spirit said she didn’t have the power to save her benefactor then, but now she would avenge him by killing Zheng Ke. Jinxiu said that although the Lotus Spirit had understandable reasons, she still had to be punished. He would take her inner core and told her to go cultivate in seclusion.

A demon tried to kill a child, but it was actually Hongning’s reincarnation, Mu Xian, who had been waiting there and dealt with the demon. Hongning noticed that the child looked exactly like the celestial child who used to be with Officer Chrysanthemum, but the child said he had never met Hongning. Mu Xian said she must have been mistaken. Jinxiu discovered several recent cases with similar patterns. Lu Jiu thought they were all revenge killings and just coincidences. But Jinxiu felt that too many coincidences meant something was off.

Kunlun returned. Jinxiu asked him if he had been to the Heavenly Maiden recently. Kunlun questioned what Jinxiu intended to do to the Heavenly Maiden. Even if they were brothers, he said he would never forgive Jinxiu. Jinxiu explained the recent events, saying everything was too much of a coincidence—it must be orchestrated by someone, and that person was very likely the Heavenly Maiden. Mu Xian absorbed the inner core and recalled Bai Cha’s words.

She now had to rely on the core to sustain herself and didn’t have much time left to take her revenge. The Divine Queen visited the Celestial Tome Master, wanting to know why the two Celestial Monarch Stars had been undergoing trials in the mortal realm for twenty years without any news. The Heavenly Emperor also arrived and asked what the Divine Queen was doing there.

The Divine Queen said if the Heavenly Emperor could care about Jinxiu, then she could certainly care about Kunlun. The Celestial Tome Master warned that interfering in a Celestial Monarch Star’s trial would bring divine punishment. Jinxiu and the others went to the outskirts. Lu Jiu found it strange—they were clearly in charge of what happened in the city, so why go all the way out here?

Jinxiu explained that too many people had gotten into trouble recently—they had to investigate. They arrived at a cabin in the mountains and found Mu Xian there. Jinxiu asked if she was the owner of the place. Mu Xian said she was just staying temporarily. Mu Xian warned them that the place was dangerous and told them to leave quickly. Jinxiu asked why she would stay if it was dangerous.

Mu Xian said if they insisted on staying, then they should just be careful. That night, Wang Hu went to Mu Xian’s room and claimed that his wife was virtuous, but if Mu Xian followed him, he could give her a good life. Suddenly, Wang Hu ran out screaming that he had seen a ghost—that the woman was a ghost. Jinxiu came over and asked Mu Xian why she was toying with his subordinate.

Mu Xian replied that Jinxiu should manage his people better instead of blaming her. Jinxiu admitted he failed to manage his man and apologized to Mu Xian, but said that if there was something else lurking here, they still had to catch it. Mu Xian said she was the only one here. She was a demon hunter and had already warned them to leave. The next day, Wang Hu’s corpse was found, and many people suspected Mu Xian.

She came to examine the body and found a wound on his neck. Jinxiu questioned her, but she said it had nothing to do with her. Lu Jiu pointed out that Wang Hu had just had a conflict with this girl the day before and was now dead, with his clothes in disarray—clearly someone had seduced him. Who else could it be besides Mu Xian?

Jinxiu said there was no evidence connecting her to the murder and he believed she didn’t do it. Mu Xian told Jinxiu they must have seen by now how dangerous it was here and urged them to leave. Jinxiu brought up the case in the city—Zheng Ke had a guilty conscience and plastered talismans all over his room, but on the day the Lotus Spirit struck, the talismans all failed.

He suspected the one who helped the Lotus Spirit was a demon hunter—someone like Mu Xian. She replied that if Jinxiu suspected her, why bother questioning her at all? That night, Mu Xian came to Jinxiu’s room and asked if he was attracted to her appearance. She sat in his lap, trying to seduce him. The real Mu Xian, who had been listening outside, rushed in and said she couldn’t stand someone using her face for such acts.

She fought with Bi Qin. The impostor was actually the Peach Demon, Bi Qin, who revealed his true form and fled. Mu Xian and Jinxiu gave chase and fought Bi Qin. Mu Xian was injured, and Jinxiu took her back. Her wound was on her shoulder—Jinxiu offered to help apply medicine, but Mu Xian declined. However, since she couldn’t do it herself, she had no choice but to let Jinxiu help.

Lu Jiu made wild chicken soup and gave a bowl to Mu Xian, saying it wasn’t specially made for her—it was meant for Jinxiu, and there happened to be one bowl left. Mu Xian didn’t want to drink it. Jinxiu said that Lu Jiu had specially caught the wild chicken to make the soup. Mu Xian questioned how she could know if Lu Jiu hadn’t put something in it. Jinxiu said he wasn’t the type to repay kindness with malice.

Mu Xian said Bi Qin would definitely return that night and told Jinxiu to be prepared. Jinxiu believed Bi Qin hadn’t gone anywhere else but had been hiding here the whole time—there must be something very important to him here. Mu Xian thought peachwood was supposed to ward off evil, but talismans wouldn’t work against a peach demon. Jinxiu suggested checking out cypress wood instead—it's a millennium wood and might be effective. They decided to head to the market first.

Mu Xian and Jinxiu arrived at the market and found a stall selling flowering plants and trees. Mu Xian saw some shadowgrass there and remembered the past—Jinxiu had once given her this plant, and it could be used to contact him. Jinxiu asked if she liked shadowgrass and offered to give it to her. Mu Xian said no—she hated shadowgrass the most. Jinxiu couldn’t understand what was wrong with her.

Mu Xian gave a talisman to Jinxiu and told him to put it in wine. When the peach demon appeared, he should give it to him to drink. Jinxiu asked if Mu Xian practiced demonic arts. Mu Xian said she was cultivating immortality. Jinxiu asked what benefits came from that. Mu Xian replied it granted eternal life. Jinxiu thought that was incredibly boring. Mu Xian thought Jinxiu was being insincere.

That night, Mu Xian waited outside, and Bi Qin arrived again, still in Mu Xian’s form. Bi Qin asked if Jinxiu’s little lover was waiting outside. Jinxiu said he liked her a lot but had never told Mu Xian, and asked Bi Qin not to say such mood-ruining things. Bi Qin drank the wine and sensed something was wrong, then quickly fled. Mu Xian and Jinxiu gave chase. Mu Xian asked why Jinxiu had followed her.

Jinxiu said he couldn’t let her come here alone. Jinxiu found it strange—Bi Qin had stayed only in this mountain and never bothered any other villages. Mu Xian and Jinxiu realized something was off and rushed back to their lodging. Mu Xian broke the barrier and found Bi Qin indeed there, but there was another peach demon as well. Mu Xian was shocked—the other peach demon had been asleep the whole time. Bi Qin said that was his younger brother.

During their tribulation, his brother had been on the verge of succeeding but damaged his spirit to save him. Jinxiu said that since Bi Qin devoured human brains, he naturally deserved punishment. Bi Qin said he never wanted to do such things. Mu Xian said she had qilin grass, which could heal the spirit. If Bi Qin gave her his inner core, he could cultivate again, and the brothers would have a chance to meet again.

Bi Qin asked why she wanted the inner core. Mu Xian said she had her own reasons. Bi Qin agreed. Mu Xian used the qilin grass to save Bi Qin’s brother, and Bi Qin handed over his inner core. Jinxiu said there was no qilin grass here and asked where she had gotten it. Mu Xian said the grass was found in Qilin Cave—her friend had brought it from there. Mu Xian and Jinxiu talked about immortal cultivation.

Jinxiu said he didn’t want to cultivate—it made immortals cold and detached after thousands of years. Even if they died, they could be reborn. Humans, with only a few decades to live, burned more brightly. Jinxiu asked Mu Xian if she would go back with him, but she refused. It started to rain, and Mu Xian fainted in the woods. Jinxiu brought her back.

When Mu Xian woke up, she asked Jinxiu what he wanted her to do—she wanted to repay his life-saving grace and then leave. Jinxiu said such a debt couldn’t be repaid so easily. His aunt wanted to arrange a marriage for him, but he made up an excuse and ran off. Kunlun arrived at the place where the maidens lived, looking for the Heavenly Maiden.

One girl said she was still waiting there, hoping to find a good man, but it seemed the Heavenly Maiden’s blessings were ineffective. Kunlun said there was no way the Heavenly Maiden was ineffective—he was here to redeem her freedom.

Kunlun and the woman walked to the outskirts. Kunlun said that the only one in his heart was the Heavenly Maiden. He was redeeming the woman’s freedom only to support the Heavenly Maiden and had no romantic interest in her. Unexpectedly, the woman turned out to be a demon and tried to take Kunlun’s spirit. Kunlun was terrified. Lu Yao appeared, and Kunlun was thrilled, feeling that the Heavenly Maiden really was effective.

The woman said she needed these people’s spirits for the sake of her husband and told Lu Yao not to meddle. Lu Yao fought her. Realizing she was losing, the woman fled. Jinxiu prepared food for Mu Xian. Mu Xian asked who made it. Jinxiu said she already knew and didn’t need to ask. Mu Xian asked if Jinxiu often cooked for others. Jinxiu said if he did, the food wouldn’t have turned out like this.

Kunlun and Lu Yao arrived. Lu Yao recognized Mu Xian. Kunlun introduced her as his sister-in-law. Lu Yao commented that Mu Xian was like the red tea in this garden—bold and reckless. Mu Xian replied that she didn’t dare to be reckless and was just an ordinary demon catcher. After returning, Lu Yao contacted the Divine Empress, who asked what she had been doing. Lu Yao said she had been living as a mortal in the human world.

At first, she had been in a daze, but she had recently regained her memory and was now staying at Kunlun’s residence. The Divine Empress said that this time the two Celestial Monarch Stars would undergo their tribulations in Wuzhang Kingdom, because a great calamity was coming. Whoever handled it best would ignite their Celestial Monarch Star. She told Lu Yao to make sure Kunlun completed the task first. The Divine Empress asked if Lu Yao had seen Jinxiu.

Lu Yao said that in this lifetime, Jinxiu and Kunlun were cousins. Kunlun acknowledged Lu Yao as his master. When the two went out, Lu Yao felt the butcher was suspicious. His every strike was lethal, and many people in the city had recently contracted a strange illness. The well and the butcher shop were nearby. Kunlun didn’t see anything unusual and thought Lu Yao might be overthinking it. Lu Yao told him to study demon-catching properly.

Mu Xian and Jinxiu went to the place where Kunlun had been the day before, but it had already been sealed off due to an attack on the prime minister’s son. Mu Xian and Jinxiu went to a shop. Mu Xian looked at a sword. Jinxiu asked if she liked it and said he would buy it for her. Mu Xian said she didn’t like it. Jinxiu said that if she didn’t choose, he would just buy them all.

Mu Xian remembered a scene in Shuixian’s illusion, when Hongning bought rouge—Jinxiu had said the same thing then. Mu Xian said she didn’t like it and asked Jinxiu: if he had to choose between the people inside the city and those outside, what would he choose? Jinxiu didn’t answer. Mu Xian walked away. Jinxiu didn’t understand why she got upset so suddenly. Jinxiu bought the sword for Mu Xian and had Kunlun deliver it.

Kunlun brought it to Mu Xian and said it wasn’t easy for an iron tree to bloom—he still didn’t know how it would bloom. Bai Cha came to find Mu Xian and gave her the inner core of a thousand-year snake demon. Mu Xian said Bai Cha had gotten hurt for her. Bai Cha said he was fine and told her not to forget to take revenge.

Mu Xian promised she wouldn’t—for everyone who had hurt her, she would make them pay. Kunlun and Jinxiu were practicing archery. Jinxiu hit the target every time, while Kunlun was not convinced. One of his arrows nearly hit Mu Xian, but luckily Jinxiu knocked it away in time. The aunts prepared clothes for Kunlun and Lu Yao. Kunlun was very pleased and asked if they had also prepared some for Mu Xian and Jinxiu. The aunts said they had.

Kunlun told someone to deliver them and to tell each that the other had prepared the gift. Jinxiu thought Mu Xian had picked it for him and was very happy. That evening, the four of them went out together. There was a game where one could win prizes by shooting arrows. Mu Xian and Jinxiu were both skilled, leaving Kunlun with no chance at all.

Jinxiu made food for Mu Xian, but her expression was strange. Jinxiu said that his father used to cook for his mother as well, and her expression was just like Mu Xian’s—encouraging yet filled with sympathy. Jinxiu said he had practiced very hard and believed that just like his father, who got better at cooking over time, he could too. Mu Xian said that she had been here for quite a while but hadn’t seen Jinxiu’s parents.

Jinxiu said his parents had already passed away. Mu Xian apologized. Jinxiu said he had been raised by his uncle and aunt since childhood, and they really hoped he would get married. Mu Xian asked if it was the eldest daughter of the Su family.

Jinxiu said he didn’t want to marry her—he wanted a lifelong partner like his father had and asked if Mu Xian would be willing to go meet his uncle, aunt, and the other ladies with him. Mu Xian went with Jinxiu. His uncle and aunt were already waiting at the door and were very happy. They had prepared many dishes and told Mu Xian to eat more, saying that Jinxiu was excellent and had finally found someone he liked.

After they came out, Mu Xian asked Jinxiu if she had ever asked how his parents died. Jinxiu said that when he was a child, his parents were killed by a demon. Mu Xian asked Jinxiu if he had ever thought about revenge. Jinxiu said that as a child, he was powerless. When he grew up, the demon was already gone. Jinxiu said that after meeting many demons, he realized that there are good and bad ones.

He believed his parents wouldn’t want him to be consumed by obsession—they would want him to live in peace and happiness. Mu Xian said that if it were her, she would search the ends of the earth to find the enemy and take revenge. A dark aura entered the prince’s residence and possessed Prince Xian. Kunlun saw two servants fighting and tried to stop them but ended up fighting too. Lu Yao saw this and stopped Kunlun.

Two maids also passed by and started fighting as they argued. Kunlun was shocked. While Jinxiu was talking to Mu Xian, he suddenly kissed her, but fortunately, he quickly snapped out of it. Mu Xian shared her thoughts with Lu Yao, suspecting that this might be enchantment magic. As far as she knew, only the Nine-Tailed Fox could enchant people like this. Lu Yao admitted that Mu Xian had guessed right—she was indeed a Nine-Tailed Fox.

The only one here who knew her true form was Hongning. Mu Xian said she didn’t know who Lu Yao really was and was only speculating. Many servants and maids became extremely aggressive. The second aunt called Kunlun over, but then suddenly grabbed his neck. Lu Yao subdued her. Lu Jiu came and informed Jinxiu that seven civilians had been found dead outside the city. Jinxiu said he had something to do and would leave first.

If things got out of control, they should let him know. Prince Xian ordered the girls to dance, then had the doors shut and killed all of them. When Mu Xian returned, she saw Bai Cha and asked why he had come. Bai Cha said he wanted to see how her revenge plan was going—was she hesitating to act against Jinxiu?

Bai Cha reminded her that her current body had been reformed from her shattered original form, piece by piece, and held together by Golden Lotus Dew. He told her not to forget that pain. Mu Xian said she didn’t need Bai Cha to remind her of that pain—she would make Jinxiu pay in blood. She would kill Jinxiu and his family so that he would feel her pain.

Lu Yao came to find Kunlun and told him to cry if he wanted to. Kunlun said the second aunt had treated him very well and raised him—she could never hurt him. Lu Yao said that wasn’t the second aunt’s true intention. Kunlun went to take control of the situation, ordered that those who had gone mad be locked up, and forbade anyone from spreading the news. He said that anyone who wanted to leave could collect money from the accountant and go.

Jinxiu went to see Prince Xian, wanting to investigate the issue of the living puppets in the city. Prince Xian said the matter should end here, and there was no need to dig further. Even if the world fell into chaos, it had nothing to do with him, and even less with Jinxiu. He reminded Jinxiu that he now had not only family but also someone he loved dearly—did he really want to put them in danger?

Jinxiu said he couldn’t turn a blind eye and left directly. When Jinxiu returned, Lu Jiu asked what he planned to do next. Jinxiu said the fake corpse of Wang Hu had already been taken away by Prince Xian. From what Prince Xian said, Wang Hu wasn’t the only spy he had planted in the general’s residence. Now they needed to keep investigating.

The commoners had no way to defend themselves against those living puppets, so everyone should step up patrols. Mu Xian met with Bai Cha and asked whether he had anything to do with the current situation. Bai Cha said it wasn’t his doing. Mu Xian said that while she did want revenge, she didn’t want to involve innocent civilians. Bai Cha handed her a sword and said if she didn’t believe him, she might as well kill him now.

Mu Xian put the sword down. Kunlun came to see the second aunt, heartbroken. He didn’t expect her to have turned into a living puppet too. Her blood splattered into Kunlun’s eyes. Lu Yao arrived in time and finished off the second aunt. Kunlun told Lu Yao not to come closer—he had gotten her blood in his eyes and might have been contaminated by something bad. Mu Xian and Jinxiu saw people fleeing in panic.

Jinxiu said that no matter what happened, he would fight to the end. Mu Xian asked if Jinxiu was truly willing to go against these evil forces. Jinxiu said he didn’t know why Mu Xian seemed to misunderstand him so much, but even if it cost him his life, he would be among those who fought to the last.

Kunlun was hiding in the kitchen, sneaking food, thinking Lu Yao had already left—and feeling that maybe it was better that way. But Lu Yao returned, and Kunlun was overjoyed to see her. Lu Yao covered Kunlun’s eyes with a handkerchief, saying that if he couldn’t see, then he’d be fine. Lu Jiu was tormented by memories of his past life. Mu Xian came with a sword pointed at him, but Lu Yao stopped her.

Lu Yao asked why Mu Xian wanted to go after Lu Jiu. Mu Xian asked why she even needed to ask—didn’t she already know? Lu Yao admitted she did—Mu Xian was indeed Hongning. Lu Yao said Lu Jiu didn’t mean to do it. Mu Xian replied that if one made a mistake, one should be punished. Why were deities allowed to be above such rules? She said she would settle the score with them sooner or later.

Bai Cha appeared and started fighting Jinxiu, injuring him. When Lu Yao and the others arrived, Mu Xian pretended to fight but actually let Bai Cha go. Later, she chased after him and asked what he really intended to do. Bai Cha said there was something on Prince Xian’s body that he needed, and he would bring it to Mu Xian—she didn’t need to worry about it.

Jinxiu then came to find Mu Xian, saying that the so-called Deity she mentioned—was actually him, wasn’t it? Mu Xian said Jinxiu was and wasn’t the Deity—she didn’t even know what to do herself. Jinxiu said if he had ended up this way, it must be because of the evil he committed in his past life. No matter what, he promised he would protect Mu Xian. Jinxiu and the others planned to go to Prince Xian’s residence.

Once they arrived, they split into three groups. Mu Xian encountered Bai Cha again. Bai Cha said Prince Xian was full of resentment, and Mu Xian’s current body had been formed from that resentment. Otherwise, with so many demons that could endure pain, why was she the only one who survived? Mu Xian was shocked and said she could never rely on the lives of the people to keep herself alive. Bai Cha told her not to worry—he would gather the resentment for her so she could take revenge on the Celestial Monarch.

Jinxiu was waiting outside Mu Xian’s room. Mu Xian came out and said she was leaving. Jinxiu didn’t try to stop her. Mu Xian felt that since everything started because of her, she should be the one to resolve it. Jinxiu received news that Prince Xian had taken Kunlun to the outskirts, and he quickly led people to rush there. Kunlun was tied up outside the city.

He felt he couldn’t just sit and wait to die, so he struggled to untie the ropes. He thought the good thing about becoming a living puppet was that he couldn’t feel pain. Lu Yao arrived and rescued Kunlun. Kunlun kissed Lu Yao, saying he had already gotten everything he wanted—this was enough. Mu Xian went to confront Prince Xian.

Prince Xian said it was no wonder Bai Cha had stored all the resentment in him—it was all for Mu Xian to absorb. But just as Mu Xian could absorb his resentment, he could also absorb Mu Xian’s. They started to fight. Jinxiu also arrived. He asked Mu Xian why she was there. Mu Xian said that just like Jinxiu, she knew he had come to die.

If he won, she told him to ascend to the heavens and marry her. Prince Xian was extremely powerful now, and none of them were a match for him. Lu Jiu also arrived and used Samadhi True Fire against Prince Xian, but they were all defeated. Kunlun rushed over but was also struck down. Lu Yao arrived too, but none of them could rival Prince Xian.

Mu Xian believed there was only one way left—to transfer all of Prince Xian’s resentment onto herself, then kill herself. Jinxiu disagreed. Mu Xian tried to absorb Prince Xian’s resentment, but Jinxiu stopped her and was injured in the process. He absorbed the resentment instead. Lu Jiu helped by using Samadhi True Fire to burn Prince Xian, and Kunlun joined the fight too. Though severely wounded, they managed to wear down Prince Xian.

Jinxiu told Mu Xian to kill him, or it would be too late. He reminded her that she once said she wanted to find him and kill him—now was her chance. Mu Xian said she hated Jinxiu for forgetting her. Jinxiu replied, so it wasn’t one-sided—she did have feelings for him. He urged her to hurry. Mu Xian raised the sword, but Jinxiu grabbed it and stabbed himself.

Mu Xian said she hated him—if he really intended to kill her parents, why had he taken her away from Mt. Baizhou back then? Jinxiu said crossing the Bridge of Karma Fire was extremely painful—this time, he asked her to carry him, and in their next life, she should come find him again. Mu Xian arrived at the Bridge of Karma Fire. Lady Meng didn’t know where Jinxiu was. Mu Xian said she would wait for him there.

Lady Meng said many people had said the same, but how many actually waited long enough? Mu Xian asked the people from Wuzhang Kingdom who had come there, but none of them had seen Jinxiu. Lady Meng told Mu Xian to cross the bridge—maybe there was still a chance. Mu Xian crossed it and found it was indeed very painful.

The Heavenly Way said that because she saved the people of Wuzhang Kingdom, she would be allowed to ascend as a celestial being. Bai Cha returned to the Qilin Cave and said he was going to take the cultivation of the Black Serpent. The Black Serpent said his was ancient cultivation—did Bai Cha really think he could take it? Bai Cha replied that his brother, the Green Serpent, had already died by his hand.

The Black Serpent didn’t believe it, but Bai Cha took his cultivation anyway. The Celestial Monarch summoned Mu Xian and said she had great merit and could become an immortal. The Divine Empress said Mu Xian was that red camellia. Mu Xian replied that she was a mortal, not a red camellia. The Divine Empress tested her and confirmed that Mu Xian truly had no original form.

The others began to murmur—could someone not ascend just because they had no form? The Celestial Monarch said the Divine Empress had misunderstood and granted Mu Xian immortal status. The Divine Empress assigned her to manage the Withered Blossom Garden. Mu Xian accepted, saying it was an honor to become immortal and she would manage the garden well. The Divine Empress reminded her that even after becoming immortal, she must cultivate diligently—if an immortal’s cultivation was insufficient, they would be thrown into the Pool of Transcendence to start all over again.

Officer Chrysanthemum saw Mu Xian and was extremely excited, saying she had finally returned. Mu Xian said she was not Hongning. Officer Chrysanthemum insisted, asking how she could not be—she looked so much like her. Lady Wisteria appeared, and Officer Chrysanthemum said the Floral Deity was not present and Lady Wisteria was temporarily in charge of the Palace of Blossoms.

Lady Wisteria said since Mu Xian had come to manage the Withered Blossom Garden, then she should make all the flowers there bloom. Officer Chrysanthemum was furious, saying there were hundreds of pots of flowers, and making all of them bloom would consume a tremendous amount of spiritual power. Mu Xian had just become an immortal—how could she have that much power?

Lady Wisteria said it had nothing to do with her; it was the Divine Empress who had sent Mu Xian. If there was a problem, they could go to the Divine Empress. Mu Xian stopped Officer Chrysanthemum and said she would make all the flowers bloom. After Lady Wisteria left, Officer Chrysanthemum said those people got close to the Divine Empress and then used their power to bully others. Mu Xian asked if Jinxiu really hadn’t returned.

Officer Chrysanthemum said the entire Central Heaven had searched, but he truly couldn’t be found. Kunlun woke up, and Lu Yao was overjoyed and came to see him. Kunlun said he had always liked Lu Yao, but he had been too awkward to figure it out. Now, he didn’t want to waste any more time. Lu Yao said she had never liked Kunlun.

She had only been using him—first in Cangwu to escape the Heavenly Fox’s pursuit, and in their second life to gain favor with the Divine Empress. Kunlun was heartbroken, realizing it had all been one-sided. Lu Yao went to the Divine Empress to admit her wrongs. The Divine Empress said although Jinxiu’s Celestial Emperor Star had lit up, he still hadn’t returned, so Kunlun still had a chance.

Lu Yao didn’t want to keep using Kunlun and said she would return to reclaim the Northern Immortal Realm. The Divine Empress told her to think it through—the Heavenly Fox was about to ascend the throne, and if she went back, she would never be able to return to Central Heaven. Lu Yao said she had thought it through.

Before leaving, Lu Yao came to see Kunlun, saying that if Jinxiu truly never returned, Kunlun should take up responsibility for Central Heaven. Mu Xian kept searching for Jinxiu but couldn’t find him. She called out to him using Junying Grass, but there was no response. Mu Xian had a dream, seeing Jinxiu among the flora of Mt. Baizhou. She wanted to search for him.

Kunlun said that even after counting the petals in the Hundred Flowers Painting for a thousand years, he had barely made progress—there were so many plants and trees, how would Mu Xian manage? Mu Xian wanted to borrow a thousand years of time from Immortal Zhong. Kunlun said that was a forbidden technique—borrowing a thousand years would cost Mu Xian a thousand years of her lifespan. Mu Xian had made up her mind and went to find Immortal Zhong.

Immortal Zhong said Jinxiu had once done him a favor, so he was willing to help her. He told her that outside, one incense stick’s time equaled a thousand years inside. Before the incense burned out, she had to come out—or she would be trapped forever. Mu Xian searched for a thousand years but still couldn’t find Jinxiu. As the time was about to end, she said she was close and just needed a little longer.

Kunlun, realizing time was running out, pulled her out by force. He said if Jinxiu knew, he wouldn’t want to see Mu Xian like this. Mu Xian went to see the Lantern Immortal and saw the sky lantern Jinxiu had once released.

The Lantern Immortal said Jinxiu had hoped to release sky lanterns together again the next year, but the one he liked was a little demon, and even after searching for a long time the next year, he couldn’t find that little demon again. Mu Xian went to ask Immortal Zhong for one more day. Immortal Zhong asked, if she hadn’t found him in a thousand years, could she really do it in one day?

Mu Xian said she now knew where Jinxiu was—one day was enough. Immortal Zhong agreed. Mu Xian arrived at Mt. Baizhou. A demon rushed over, saying that today the demon king Bai Cha was going to ascend the throne. Mu Xian released a sky lantern, hoping Jinxiu would return. Jinxiu opened his eyes.

Mu Xian came to see Jinxiu and was extremely emotional. Mu Xian wanted to take Jinxiu back, but Jinxiu said he couldn’t return right now. Mu Xian asked what was going on, and Jinxiu said that after undergoing tribulation, he was dazed and didn’t know how he ended up drifting to this place. He was now outside the Three Realms—how could he possibly travel to the future? Jinxiu said he was very sorry.

Back in the Kingdom of Wuzhang, he had taken advantage of his memory loss and treated Mu Xian that way. He said he had hoped Mu Xian would come to find him, and now that Mu Xian had indeed found him, he was already very happy. Mu Xian returned, and Immortal Zhong asked if she had found the Divine One. Mu Xian said she had, and now they just needed to keep waiting.

The Celestial Monarch and the others were having a discussion. The Divine Empress said Jinxiu still hadn’t returned, and the position of Divine Punisher needed to be filled. She said Kunlun had performed well after his tribulation and could take the role. The Celestial Monarch said that the Divine Punisher needed not only great power but also prestige to deter all Three Realms.

Kunlun said he didn’t yet have that kind of prestige, but with the Banquet Ceremony about to be held, he hoped the Celestial Monarch would entrust it to him. The Celestial Monarch said Kunlun’s last event was overly flashy—could he really handle it? Kunlun replied that after going through his tribulation, he was no longer the same, and the Celestial Monarch agreed to let him handle it. Mu Xian came to bring Kunlun flower nectar.

Kunlun brought up Jinxiu, saying he had been mischievous in the past and often caused trouble, but Jinxiu had always quietly read and cultivated on his own. Even when Kunlun got into trouble, Jinxiu would help him. Kunlun said Jinxiu was the future Celestial Monarch, and someone in that position wasn’t allowed to have feelings—not even their royal parents would allow it. Mu Xian wondered if that was why Jinxiu rarely smiled.

Kunlun said that during the last Banquet Ceremony, he had just gone for excitement, but only now did he realize that no matter how lively it was, it would all fade. Mu Xian said what was lost would be reunited again, and Kunlun hoped they could return soon. The Banquet Ceremony was well-executed, and the Celestial Monarch was pleased.

Mu Xian noticed the Moon Lantern Festival was about to start and went to find Jinxiu, saying she was taking him home. The Celestial Monarch thought Kunlun truly had changed and was fit to be the Divine Punisher. Kunlun said he had been too willful in the past, but now that his older brother was gone, he should take up responsibility. Jinxiu returned, and the Celestial Monarch was overjoyed. Kunlun was also very happy—only the Divine Empress was furious.

The Celestial Monarch asked where Jinxiu had been. Jinxiu said he had been in a daze and didn’t know where he went. Later, Mu Xian came to find him because of a dream, and he realized he was in her dream. The Divine Empress said dreams were illusions—how could Jinxiu be inside one? The Celestial Monarch said that it didn’t matter; what mattered was that Jinxiu had returned. With Jinxiu’s return, Officer Chrysanthemum and the others were all very happy.

Kunlun said he still preferred the little red tea demon from before. Mu Xian went to find Bai Cha, saying that the demon king they had mentioned really was him. Bai Cha said he was only taking what was rightfully his. Mu Xian said regarding the Kingdom of Wuzhang, Bai Cha could not escape responsibility and urged him to stop and not do such things again. Bai Cha said he was doing it all for Mu Xian.

Mu Xian replied that she didn’t need it, and that she could return her life to Bai Cha. Bai Cha asked if she had forgotten what Jinxiu had done. Mu Xian said she hadn’t—but she loved Jinxiu. Bai Cha blocked Mu Xian and cast a Heart-Locking Thread on her, saying since she claimed to love Jinxiu, then she should enjoy it fully—the more she loved him, the more it would hurt.

Mu Xian received a wedding invitation sent by the Heavenly Fox for his marriage with Lu Yao and told Kunlun about it. Kunlun went to borrow troops from the Divine Empress to rescue Lu Yao. The Divine Empress said she could lend the troops—but Kunlun must compete with Jinxiu for the position of Celestial Emperor. Kunlun refused, saying he had never wanted to be Celestial Emperor.

Jinxiu came to find Mu Xian and said he would be leaving for a few days. Kunlun would definitely go to the Northern Immortal Realm, and he wasn’t at ease.

The Heavenly Fox held Lu Yao hostage and told her she had better behave. Otherwise, once he succeeded the throne, she would be useless to him, and he could kill her if he wanted. Someone reported that people from the Central Heaven had arrived. The Heavenly Fox went to see and found that it was Kunlun. Kunlun said that Jinxiu felt very guilty for breaking off the engagement earlier, so he had sent him to deliver a gift.

Kunlun took out the Golden Lotus Dew. The Heavenly Fox said that wasn’t that the gift Jinxiu had given to his lover? Kunlun replied that the Golden Lotus Dew had been split into two when it was sent—one portion for Jinxiu, one for himself. The Heavenly Fox remarked that this was typical of the Central Heaven’s way of doing things.

Kunlun said that Jinxiu had instructed him that he must see the Heavenly Maiden in person; otherwise, the gift couldn’t be delivered. The Heavenly Fox knew Kunlun had come to provoke him and summoned people to fight Kunlun, but none of them were a match for him. The Heavenly Fox fled first. Jinxiu arrived and said he was the one who had told Kunlun about the wedding invitation—how could he not come himself?

He asked Kunlun to go find Lu Yao and leave the rest to him. Kunlun left first. Kunlun went and found Lu Yao. The Heavenly Fox used Lu Yao to threaten Kunlun and injured him. The Heavenly Fox was very smug, but Kunlun wasn’t actually incapacitated. He stood up and stabbed the Heavenly Fox, saying this was repaying him in his own coin.

Kunlun asked Lu Yao to act, and she stabbed the Heavenly Fox, saying he was treacherous and had harmed her father. Today, she would end him. Jinxiu came over and said he had other matters to attend to and left. Kunlun expressed his feelings to Lu Yao. Bai Cha came to find Mu Xian and said that Jinxiu and the others had all left, leaving her behind. Mu Xian said she didn’t want to go.

Bai Cha said it wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but that she couldn’t—Jinxiu and the others were Deities and could go wherever they pleased, but Mu Xian couldn’t. Mu Xian said she hadn’t thought about that and told Bai Cha not to project his own inferiority onto her. Bai Cha asked when her power as the Demon Queen would awaken—he had waited long enough. Jinxiu returned and heard someone reporting that he needed to head to the lower realm.

Mu Xian wanted to go with him, and Jinxiu agreed. They went to Lord Han’s place and entered to make some purchases. Lord Han brought out a turtle demon, and the others mocked it mercilessly. Jinxiu spent money to buy it. Lord Han then brought out Lu Jiu. Jinxiu had descended to the lower realm just to save Lu Jiu. Mu Xian was reluctant, feeling she still held a grudge against Lu Jiu.

Jinxiu said Lu Jiu had been under control at the time, and they should go after the one behind it all. Kunlun arrived and said that when he reincarnated, the Heavenly Officer discovered a talisman behind Lu Jiu, which looked like the work of the True Immortal Taiyi. Lu Jiu woke up and said he had been having nightmares for years. He knelt and apologized to Mu Xian, saying all those people had turned to ash because of him.

Mu Xian asked what he meant. Kunlun asked Jinxiu if he still didn’t plan to explain. Kunlun said that back then, Jinxiu had killed them so they could reincarnate. Mu Xian hadn’t expected that and asked what had happened to her parents. Jinxiu took her to see them—it had taken him great effort to find them. Mu Xian’s parents no longer remembered her and invited her to drink porridge. Mu Xian thought about how Lord Han still hadn’t been punished.

Jinxiu said immortals couldn’t interfere in mortal affairs. But when Mu Xian found his ledger and gave it to someone else, others naturally dealt with Lord Han. Mu Xian asked why Jinxiu hadn’t told her earlier. Jinxiu felt that if it weren’t for him, the True Immortal Taiyi wouldn’t have done those things, so he had no right to say it had nothing to do with him.

Mu Xian said that when she didn’t know the truth, she had done many things that hurt Jinxiu. Jinxiu only hoped she would come to understand her own heart from now on.

Jinxiu came to the Celestial Monarch and the Deity Queen to plead guilty, saying he shouldn’t have interfered in the matters of the Northern Immortal Realm without permission. The Celestial Monarch said that Jinxiu’s term as Floral Deity was nearing its end, and he had already lit the Celestial Emperor Star—he was the future Celestial Emperor, so how could he act so unruly?

Jinxiu said he was willing to accept punishment and that everything had been his doing and had nothing to do with anyone else. Jinxiu was sent to the execution platform and endured the lightning punishment. When Mu Xian found out, she rushed over to see him. The gatekeeper stopped her, saying the Celestial Monarch was inside. The Celestial Monarch was healing Jinxiu and asked why his true form had withered so severely.

Jinxiu told his father not to waste any more spiritual power, saying that he had been this way ever since returning from Wuzhang Kingdom. The Celestial Monarch went out and saw Mu Xian waiting outside. Mu Xian came to see Jinxiu and wanted to heal him. Jinxiu said that her spiritual power had already been nearly exhausted when she was searching for him, and told her not to waste any more.

Mu Xian wanted to do something for Jinxiu, and he said that as long as she visited him every day, he would recover quickly. Jinxiu recalled how, back then, Mu Xian often wrote letters to him, and each time they only contained the two characters “zai ma” (are you there). He never replied before, but now he realized those two words carried deep longing. If it were now, he would definitely reply properly.

After Mu Xian came out, she saw Bai Cha. Mu Xian was in great pain because of the Heartbinding Thread. Bai Cha said that if Jinxiu found out about it, wouldn’t he think her love was impure, that she was only using him? Bai Cha said that Jinxiu was injured now, and he could easily kill him.

He said his current power was enough to challenge the entire Flower Morning Palace, and if Mu Xian changed her mind, there was still time. The Deity Queen sent an edict appointing Mu Xian as the new Floral Deity. Mu Xian was very surprised, thinking she hadn’t been in the Heavenly Realm long and that the position should go to Envoy Mei. Jinxiu had also thought it would be Envoy Mei.

Mu Xian didn’t know whether she should accept, but Jinxiu told her not to worry—he would help her. After much consideration, Mu Xian decided to take it on. The Deity Queen had long made preparations and sent people to keep an eye on Mu Xian and the others. Now that Mu Xian had such a huge weakness, she wanted to see how Jinxiu would cover it up. Jinxiu told Mu Xian many things she needed to do.

Mu Xian said that when she first arrived, Jinxiu always told her to follow the rules. Back then, she didn’t understand anything—she hadn’t expected that now, she would be the one enforcing the rules. The Flower Festival was about to be held. Envoy Mei told Mu Xian about the candidates for Flower Immortals. Some of them were arranged by Zitong. Mu Xian hadn’t expected Zitong to even meddle in the selection and reminded Envoy Mei whom she should be supporting.

Mu Xian believed that what happened to Bai Cha back then was related to Zitong and the others, and it couldn’t be let go just like that. During the Flower Festival, when the mandrake flower came to offer flowers, it suddenly tried to attack Mu Xian. Kunlun and the others restrained it. Mu Xian asked why the mandrake flower wanted to attack her—what grudge was there?

The mandrake flower said that Mu Xian was the black tea demon from back then. She had worked so hard, and it was because of Mu Xian’s existence that she was not chosen. Did Mu Xian think that by changing identities, no one would know who he really was? The Deity Queen summoned Mu Xian and the others to question them. Mu Xian took all the blame herself.

Jinxiu and the others spoke up for her, and Envoy Mei stepped forward to take all responsibility. Mu Xian was punished and sent into the Hundred Flowers Scroll, and Envoy Mei was demoted to the Withered Flower Garden. Jinxiu came to see Envoy Mei and said she ought to be thanked. Envoy Mei said that she knew if she didn’t take the blame, the punishment would be even worse.

Jinxiu stayed outside the Hundred Flowers Scroll to accompany Mu Xian. Mu Xian asked when he would receive the Imperial Seal. Jinxiu said that his mother had someone calculate an auspicious date—it would be in the next few days—but he himself didn’t want to become the Celestial Monarch. Mu Xian asked why. Jinxiu said that his father was always calm and decisive in major matters, but he himself was always swayed by delicate emotions and wasn’t suited for it.

When Mu Xian came out of the Hundred Flowers Scroll, Officer Chrysanthemum was very happy. Mu Xian wanted to know what Officer Chrysanthemum had said last time about the Deity Queen disliking flora, and also why Kunlun’s true form was ice while Jinxiu’s was a peony. Officer Chrysanthemum said he had already told Mu Xian not to dig too deep, but if she really wanted to know, she could go to the Master of the Celestial Tome.

Divine officials could ask the Master of the Celestial Tome one question every three years, but they would have to pay an unpredictable price. Mu Xian went to the Master of the Celestial Tome and asked about the injuries on Jinxiu’s body. The Master said it was because of the Soul-Locking Curse. Mu Xian asked what that was, and the Master replied that suppressing it would only cause harm; only by lifting the curse could healing begin.

Mu Xian wanted to know about Jinxiu’s origins, but to her surprise, the page with Jinxiu’s birth information had already been burned. She was left unsure of what was going on. Jinxiu went to the Deity Queen to request a family banquet. She refused. Kunlun arrived and also wanted to hold a family banquet. The Deity Queen said if they had time, then go ahead. Kunlun wanted Lu Yao to join.

Lu Yao had brought medicine to Lu Jiu, but he didn’t want to stay. Lu Yao said she was his sister, but Lu Jiu asked where she had been when he was taken into the Qilin Cave. Jinxiu wanted to find Mu Xian and saw Officer Chrysanthemum writing a love chronicle. He told him not to write such nonsense.

Officer Chrysanthemum went to look for Mu Xian and asked her to let him know where she was going in the future. Mu Xian wanted to visit the Celestial Monarch, but to see him required prior notice or a summons. The guards would not let her in. Jinxiu happened to arrive at that moment. Mu Xian hadn't realized how things worked and had rushed over, possibly causing trouble for Jinxiu.

She told herself she must be more careful in the future. The Deity Queen went to see the Celestial Monarch. He felt that a family banquet was a small matter—if Jinxiu wanted to host one, he should be allowed to. What really mattered was the succession. The Deity Queen confirmed that the Celestial Monarch truly intended for Jinxiu to inherit the throne. The Celestial Monarch said he had already expressed that many times.

The Deity Queen mentioned that Jinxiu wanted to bring Mu Xian to the banquet. The Celestial Monarch was displeased, saying he should never have let that little black tea demon remain. The Deity Queen brought up Kunlun and Lu Yao’s situation. The Celestial Monarch agreed to their marriage, saying that with it, the Northern Immortal Realm would become an ally to Zhongtian, just as the Deity Queen had once supported him.

Kunlun wanted Lu Yao to attend the family banquet, but she declined. She said the Northern Immortal Realm was in a state of rebuilding, and once she had handled everything there, she would come to Zhongtian in person and marry Kunlun as a celestial maiden. Jinxiu prepared many human world delicacies, including Eight-Treasure Duck, which he and Kunlun had both liked in the past. He wanted his father and the Deity Queen to taste them.

Kunlun said he hadn’t expected such a scene in Zhongtian. When the family banquet took place, Jinxiu brought Mu Xian with him. He proposed to marry her. The Celestial Monarch was furious and rejected him outright. Jinxiu knelt down and begged, saying he had thought that marrying Mu Xian would not make him lax in his duties, nor forget his responsibilities. The Celestial Monarch, angry, said that Jinxiu’s trial in the mortal world wasn’t meant to teach him about worldly love—it was meant to show him that the world was full of challenges, and only with order could it be sustained.

The Celestial Monarch said that allowing Jinxiu to host a family banquet was an act of affection, not indulgence. He himself had never held a family banquet, because once one did, they became soft. After the Celestial Monarch left, Mu Xian said perhaps it was because he thought she was still unfit to become Jinxiu’s empress. Jinxiu told Mu Xian to cultivate well—he would help her and train alongside her.

The Celestial Monarch came to see Mu Xian and said she had taken good care of the Withered Blossom Garden. Mu Xian replied that it was her duty. The Celestial Monarch asked why she thought the garden existed. Mu Xian said it was to give these flowers a sliver of hope. The Celestial Monarch said they were already dead—what hope was left?

Ten thousand years ago, this place had been home to an immortal maiden, but now no one even remembered her name. He said that the mistake made ten thousand years ago would not be repeated. The Celestial Monarch struck Mu Xian, injuring her. She was shocked and asked why he did it. A fight broke out between them. The Celestial Monarch revealed that Jinxiu was not his son.

He had been planning this for ten thousand years—otherwise, he would have thrown Jinxiu into the Qilin Cave long ago. Mu Xian’s demon king power surfaced, and she injured the Celestial Monarch. She didn’t even have time to react before he was already severely wounded and unconscious. Jinxiu arrived, and Mu Xian told him not to come closer. Jinxiu asked her why she had done it. Mu Xian said she had told him—she hated him.

The Deity Queen rushed in, claiming Mu Xian had attempted to assassinate the Celestial Monarch and ordered her capture. Jinxiu blocked them. He was punished but escorted Mu Xian to the mortal world. There, he saw the Heart-Locking Thread on her body. Kunlun asked Jinxiu why he still protected Mu Xian. Jinxiu also saw the Heart-Locking Thread—it proved that Mu Xian didn’t love him, she had only gotten close to him to use him.

Jinxiu said he knew exactly what kind of person Hongning was—both he and Kunlun did. If he didn’t protect her, no one would. The Celestial Monarch remained unconscious. Kunlun sealed him in ice and said they’d have to find another way. The Deity Queen blamed it all on Kunlun’s failure to take responsibility sooner—otherwise, things wouldn’t have come to this. Jinxiu knelt in the great hall. Kunlun came in, and Jinxiu asked how their father was doing.

Kunlun said the physicians had temporarily preserved his divine consciousness, but Hongning’s demon power was still constantly attacking it. If his primordial spirit fell, Jinxiu knew what that meant. Jinxiu admitted it was all his fault. If he hadn’t insisted on bringing Hongning up here, none of this would have happened. Kunlun said that in his eyes, Jinxiu had always been the pride of Zhongtian—the elder brother who would always catch him, no matter what.

He recalled a childhood memory: one time, they had gone out to play, and Kunlun insisted on going to the Transformative Pool. They had agreed to just look, but he ran over anyway, and it was Jinxiu who pulled him back. Jinxiu had said that even if Kunlun fell in, he would jump in to save him.

Jin Xiu said Kunlun was just as capable as he was, and he believed Kunlun was actually more suited to the position of Celestial Monarch. Jinxiu went to the Deity Queen and said he was willing to take responsibility—he would give his divine bone to the Celestial Monarch and voluntarily descend to the mortal realm. The Deity Queen was shocked. Jinxiu said he had never asked anything of her before, and he hoped she would grant his request.

The Deity Queen said that if he removed his divine bone, he would become no different from a mortal and would no longer be qualified to inherit the throne. Jinxiu replied that all of this had happened because of him, and he was never qualified to inherit the throne in the first place.

The Deity Queen said that Jinxiu had just claimed he had never asked her for anything, but in fact, when he was 500 years old, he had made a request. Back then, Jinxiu had bloomed a golden peony and wanted the Deity Queen to come see it. She didn’t go, but when Kunlun showed her the puppet art he had learned, she went. The Deity Queen revealed that all of this was because Jinxiu was not her biological son.

Jinxiu had long suspected the truth and wasn’t surprised. He knelt in the grand hall and requested to have his divine bone removed. The Celestial Consort agreed. Kunlun came to speak with the Celestial Consort about it, and she instructed him to remove Jinxiu’s divine bone. Kunlun was deeply shocked. In fact, he had already guessed that Jinxiu wasn’t the Celestial Consort’s biological son. After all, they had been brothers for ten thousand years, and he had long harbored suspicions.

The Celestial Consort remarked that Kunlun hid things well—since they were brothers, having Kunlun do it would lessen Jinxiu’s pain. Kunlun came to Jinxiu and asked if he truly wanted to go through with it. Jinxiu told him to proceed. Kunlun recalled when they were young, he once burned a hole in the Divine Punisher's robe. Jinxiu took the blame, but their father didn’t believe him and beat him. Jinxiu said it was obvious Kunlun had done it.

He asked Kunlun to talk about something happier. Kunlun said he had always wanted to do something to make Jinxiu notice him. He didn’t seek the approval of their parents, only Jinxiu’s. Kunlun removed Jinxiu’s divine bone. Jinxiu would now descend to the mortal realm through the Spirit Transformation Pool. Meanwhile, because of Jinxiu’s situation, his clan was implicated, and the national peony beans could no longer bloom.

Shaoyao was very anxious and couldn’t believe the Deity would do such a thing—besides, the Floral Deity had vanished. The Plum Immortal Envoy told Shaoyao not to mention the Floral Deity in front of others. Muxian woke up. Bai Cha arrived and told her that she was still very weak and couldn’t leave. Muxian said she needed to find Jinxiu. Bai Cha said that no one knew where Jinxiu was now—how could she even start to look?

Muxian said that no matter what, she would find Jinxiu. Bai Cha couldn’t stop her. Lu Jiu found out what had happened to Jinxiu and insisted on going out to search for him. Lu Yao tried to stop him, thinking Jinxiu was no longer the same and that Lu Jiu shouldn’t get involved. The Northern Immortal Realm needed Lu Jiu. Lu Jiu said he was just a three-tailed fox.

The king had kept him locked up, hoping he would grow nine tails, but when he didn’t, they threw him into the Qilin Cavern. Back then, they didn’t even call themselves his family—how could they now? Only Jinxiu had never looked down on him. Lu Jiu told Lu Yao not to stand in his way. Lu Yao arrived at Zhongtian. The Celestial Consort told Kunlun to accept the imperial seal immediately.

Kunlun refused, saying that with their father unconscious, he couldn’t take advantage of the situation. The Celestial Consort argued that even if he wouldn’t think of himself, he should at least think of Lu Yao—did he want her to stay by his side without a title? Lu Yao stood by Kunlun’s decision. The Celestial Consort said if Kunlun didn’t accept the seal, would he ignore the Three Realms in a time of crisis?

In her eyes, they were merely afraid of criticism. Kunlun said that no matter what, he had his principles. Baiyu and Mokui had also come to Jinxiu’s side. Leinuo said he was no longer a Deity, just a mortal now, and having them follow him served no purpose. But Baiyu and the others refused to leave—they believed that wherever Jinxiu went, they would follow. Muxian noticed all the peonies outside had withered.

The Lemon Sprite was taking care of a rabbit spirit, and celestial soldiers wanted to kill them. Muxian used magic to confuse the celestial soldiers and led the Lemon Sprite and the others away. She was overjoyed to see them, saying they had truly reincarnated. But the Lemon Sprite and the others didn’t remember her and told her not to touch them.

Muxian asked what was going on, and the Lemon Sprite said celestial soldiers were trying to capture them—even children like them weren’t spared. Muxian climbed the mountain to search for blooming peonies. She found the Dragon Bone Cave and discovered that Baiyu and Mokui had returned to their original forms inside.

Hongning had been waiting here for Jinxiu, but Jinxiu had hidden himself on the mountain, not wanting to see her. Lu Jiu came and said Hongning still hadn't left. He asked Jinxiu if he still couldn’t let go of her. Jinxiu replied that even if he couldn’t let go, it didn’t matter anymore—they had nothing to do with each other now. Hongning had no choice but to leave and went to the rouge shop.

The shopkeeper asked what kind she wanted. Hongning recalled what had happened before: Jinxiu had told her to pick the one she wanted, and if she didn’t, he would buy them all. Hongning bought the same box as before. After she left, Jinxiu also came to the shop. Hongning saw Jinxiu and was very excited, asking how he was. Jinxiu said he didn’t know her. Hongning was surprised, but thought it was fine if he didn’t remember her.

Lu Jiu arrived and said that the moment he stepped away, she came to pester the Deity. Jinxiu was speechless. Hongning ran after him and told Jinxiu about the Celestial Monarch, saying she had heard with her own ears that the Celestial Monarch said Jinxiu wasn’t his son, that he planned to use Jinxiu, and that the plan had been in preparation for ten thousand years. Jinxiu was extremely shocked.

Hongning said she didn’t know how it happened—how she ended up hurting him. Jinxiu asked about the Heart-Locking Thread. Hongning said she had originally thought she hated him and wanted revenge, but she later realized that it was because she loved Jinxiu that she had been searching for him. Jinxiu asked if that was why her heart often ached. Hongning said that every time she thought of Jinxiu, her heart would hurt. The two embraced each other deeply.

The Celestial Monarch woke up, and Kunlun and the others were overjoyed. When the Celestial Monarch learned that Jinxiu had his divine bone removed and voluntarily descended to the mortal world, he was furious. He felt that one was an ignorant child, the other overly compassionate—and the grand plan he had been plotting for ten thousand years had been ruined by them overturning the chessboard.

Kunlun argued that Jinxiu was now just a mortal and should be allowed to live out this life peacefully. The Celestial Monarch demanded someone find him—even if only his corpse remained, he must be brought back. Jinxiu thought that since the Celestial Monarch had mentioned throwing him into the Qilin Cavern, then his origins might lie there. Hongning and Jinxiu arrived outside the Qilin Cavern.

Jinxiu said the cavern was filled with vicious demons, scorched by heavenly fire, and entering might mean never coming out again. Hongning said that since she had come this far, she never intended to leave alive. The two entered the Qilin Cavern together. When the black serpent saw Jinxiu arrive, it was overjoyed, saying its master had finally come—it had waited here so long.

The black serpent realized Hongning had used Jinxiu’s finger bone to save it, so Jinxiu must be its true master. Jinxiu was very surprised. The black serpent gave its eye to Jinxiu, saying that everything he wished to know was inside the dream within this eye. Jinxiu and Hongning entered the dream and found themselves on Mt. Baizhou, but it was different from how Hongning remembered it.

The demon king Fuzhu was there, holding a red camellia, saying that the immortal maiden liked red camellias and would surely be happy to see it. Ci Xin arrived and asked Fuzhu why he had summoned her. Fuzhu gave her the red camellia, and Ci Xin was indeed delighted. The scene shifted. Fuzhu pretended to be ill to lure Ci Xin over. Ci Xin was already pregnant.

As the conflict between immortals and demons grew more intense, she, a Divine Punisher, had a child with Fuzhu and was very anxious. Fuzhu told her to name the child. He suggested names like Tianba Tianwang, but Ci Xin said she hoped the world would always remain as beautiful as mountains and rivers in brocade, and named the child Jinxiu. That was how Jinxiu learned that the child was him.

During the war between immortals and demons, the Celestial Monarch fought with Fuzhu. Ci Xin brought the child and pleaded with the Celestial Monarch to let the child live, saying they would accept death. Fuzhu died, and Ci Xin jumped into the Qilin Cavern, turning to ash. Jinxiu regained the power of the demon king, and the black serpent was extremely emotional.

The Celestial Monarch asked if they had found Jinxiu. His subordinate reported that Manwu had been searching for demons all over Mt. Baizhou. The Celestial Monarch was furious, saying they only needed to bring Jinxiu back—what did demons have to do with it? Kunlun expressed his wish to help his father share the burden and volunteered to lead troops to join Manwu. The Celestial Monarch agreed. Bai Cha gathered the demons on Mt.

Baizhou, saying they were going to take revenge on the Heavenly Realm. He had two demons brought forward. These two said they had come to follow Hongning and did not wish to follow Bai Cha. Bai Cha killed them. The Celestial Monarch visited the Venerable of the Celestial Tome. He wanted Jinxiu to become the new Celestial Monarch to maintain peace in the Heavenly Realm, wondering if that was really so wrong.

He then saw his own father and became emotional, asking what he should do. He had exchanged his emotions with the Venerable ten thousand years ago—was he truly mistaken? The Celestial Monarch's father vanished. Lu Yao came to find Kunlun and said she had heard everything—how Kunlun wanted to lead the army in order to best protect Jinxiu and Hongning. Kunlun said he was glad she was here; otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to do.

Manwu looked down on Kunlun and tried to lead the troops on his own. Kunlun rushed over and sternly reprimanded him. Manwu had no choice but to agree to follow Kunlun's command. Hongning and Jinxiu emerged. Hongning asked Jinxiu what he planned to do. Jinxiu said the Celestial Monarch had killed his parents but also raised him—he wanted to ask why. Hongning didn’t want Jinxiu to take the risk and didn’t want him to leave her behind.

Jinxiu promised not to abandon her. The next morning, when Hongning woke up, Jinxiu was gone. She declared that if Jinxiu was taking the risk, then she would go with him. Lemon Sprite and Lu Jiu arrived at Mt. Baizhou and were spotted by Bai Cha. They didn’t want to follow Bai Cha, and a fight broke out. None of them were a match for him.

Jiaobo protected Lemon Sprite and said that back when he went to Cangwu, he had already been killed by Bai Cha. He had remained uneasy about Hongning and Lemon Sprite, and his wandering soul had found Lemon Sprite again. Jiaobo wondered if things might have been different had he gone to Cangwu with Lemon Sprite. Lemon Sprite replied that they definitely would have.

Jiaobo dissipated, and Lemon Sprite, full of rage, fought Bai Cha but was also turned into a lemon. Lu Jiu revealed three tails. Bai Cha said no wonder his father looked down on him—so he was a three-tailed nine-tailed fox—but that was enough for him. Jinxiu came to confront the Celestial Monarch and asked why he had killed his parents.

The Celestial Monarch said that during the war between immortals and demons, he had warned Ci Xin, but she insisted on being with the Demon King—it was she who had disregarded her own reputation. Jinxiu fought the Celestial Monarch but was injured. He was imprisoned by the Celestial Monarch. Hongning arrived and declared that she and Jinxiu were bound together for all their lives.

Hongning was no match for the Celestial Monarch, but Jinxiu broke free from his chains by force. Kunlun and the others arrived at Mt. Baizhou, where Bai Cha confronted them with his demons. Kunlun said that Hongning had attempted to assassinate the Heavenly Emperor and was guilty beyond measure—if they handed her over, they would be spared. Bai Cha replied that they would not hand her over, saying that immortals were all hypocrites—they were welcome to try.

Bai Cha brought out Lu Jiu, intending to absorb the resentment from him. Only then did Kunlun and the others realize that Bai Cha was the true source of the chaos in Wuzhang Kingdom. Bai Cha said the immortals had always stood above all, never knowing what it was like to be lowly, and so could not understand the world's suffering. He pointed at Kunlun, saying he had reincarnated multiple times—if he died, he could come back.

Kunlun and the others were no match for Bai Cha, who said that immortals were nothing special. The other demons clashed with the heavenly soldiers, and both sides suffered heavy casualties.

Bai Cha kept absorbing resentment, and Kunlun and the others were no match for him—they were wounded. Lu Yao said there was no other way, just like what happened back in Wuzhang Kingdom—someone had to absorb the resentment, then be killed to resolve it. When they were children, Lu Jiu once asked Lu Yao if making a wish to a nine-tailed fox would really make it come true. Lu Yao said of course it would.

Lu Jiu said he couldn’t grow nine tails, and Lu Yao replied that he could just make a wish to her. Lu Yao used her own nine tails to make a wish, willing to burn her soul with true fire to absorb the resentment. Lu Jiu begged her to stop, calling her “sister. ” Lu Yao said she had always heard him call her sister.

Kunlun pleaded with her not to do it, saying he would hate her, would scold her. Lu Yao replied that having Kunlun be the one to send her off was too cruel, so she would let the Samadhi True Fire that had accompanied her since childhood end her life. Lu Yao absorbed the resentment and her soul was scattered. Bai Cha was injured, but now Kunlun and Lu Jiu were both full of resentment.

Bai Cha gained power from it, and a fight broke out. Though Lu Jiu now had nine tails, he still wasn’t a match for Bai Cha for the moment. The Celestial Monarch used his true form to set up the Realm of Suffering, trapping Hongning and Jinxiu inside. Jinxiu saw his parents—this time they didn’t leave him but stayed by his side as he grew up.

Hongning was actually the red camellia planted in the backyard by Jinxiu’s mother, left behind as a gift for him. Jinxiu said he was the red tea, and he was the peony—they shared the same origin. From now on, they would grow together and cultivate immortality side by side. This wasn’t something that actually happened, nor was it an illusion—it was Jinxiu’s innermost thoughts and desires.

Hongning, having cultivated into human form, was approached by a version of Jinxiu who tried to take her hand. She saw another Jinxiu standing nearby and didn’t take the hand of the one in front of her. Jinxiu walked over and merged with the other version of himself, then held Hongning’s hand. Hongning saw the two of them living in the Realm of Suffering and wanted Jinxiu to wake up.

The Celestial Monarch said this was what Jinxiu truly desired—a life like this. Hongning said that everything they had experienced, both the good and the bad, had made Jinxiu who he was. To strip all that away just to live an ideal life was to deny the meaning of his existence in this world. She said she was just an insignificant red camellia, but even so, she had things she wanted to do.

She returned the finger bone to Jinxiu, hoping he would wake up. The finger bone returned to his side, and Jinxiu saw the camellia petals nearby. Jinxiu broke through the Realm of Suffering, and the Celestial Monarch was gravely injured. Jinxiu was heartbroken, feeling that he had used the finger bone to save Hongning’s life, and since the favor had not yet been repaid, he should be the one to decide when to take it back.

The Celestial Monarch said that ten thousand years ago, he had made a wish to the Venerable of the Celestial Tome—he had exchanged his emotions to rebuild order in the Three Realms. Was that truly wrong? Jinxiu said that it was merely his order, not the order of the Three Realms. Since the beginning of creation, there had been immortals, demons, and humans—they were meant to coexist.

The Celestial Monarch said he was willing to remove his divine bones, hoping Jinxiu would scatter his qilin blood across the mountains and rivers, to dissolve the resentment and bring peace to the Three Realms. Jinxiu said that if it was for the sake of all living beings, he was willing to do it. Bai Cha attacked, and Kunlun and Lu Jiu arrived to fight him.

Bai Cha said that even immortals were not so lofty—they, too, were dirty and full of desires. Otherwise, how could his Jiao Rong Sword have power?

Jinxiu came over and started fighting Bai Cha, telling Kunlun and Lu Jiu to put away the resentment in their hearts—it was impossible to defeat Bai Cha using resentment. Kunlun and Lu Jiu suppressed their resentment, and the three joined forces to defeat Bai Cha. Jinxiu said that all he ever wanted was Hongning. Bai Cha furiously replied that Jinxiu still dared to speak her name.

Jinxiu said that Hongning once saved Bai Cha and pleaded for his life, simply because they shared the same origin. She had always seen Bai Cha as a companion who could walk the same path, but Bai Cha had not done the same.

Bai Cha said it was all their fault—if they hadn’t been so selfish and treated him like a demon, throwing him into the Qilin Cave, how could he have failed to become an immortal and suffered the torment of heavenly fire? Jinxiu said that none of that justified Bai Cha’s actions. For his own selfish desires, Bai Cha incited a war between immortals and demons. He could not be allowed to remain, and told Kunlun to act.

Kunlun struck down Bai Cha, saying it was not out of resentment, but because Bai Cha truly deserved it. Jinxiu scattered his Qilin blood across the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, dissolving everyone's resentment and bringing an end to the war. Jinxiu apologized to Kunlun. Kunlun said if it was about his royal father, there was no need—what happened was his father’s own choice.

Lu Jiu said that as he had told Jinxiu before, he was going to do what he wanted—now it was time for him to leave. Jinxiu agreed. Kunlun asked where Lu Jiu would go. Jinxiu figured it would be wherever he wanted to be. Kunlun felt Jinxiu should become the Celestial Monarch, but Jinxiu said Kunlun was the better fit. Now that immortals and demons shared the same origin, he would be content to be a Demon Monarch instead.

Officer Chrysanthemum was sorting through the things he had recorded, believing Jinxiu was the hero in his heart. No matter what, he would write Jinxiu’s history. Jinxiu arrived, and Officer Chrysanthemum was extremely excited. He asked where Jinxiu was going, and Jinxiu said he was going to take a look at the Garden of Withered Blossoms. In his excitement, Officer Chrysanthemum blurted out Jinxiu’s name. Kunlun’s Heavenly Emperor Star lit up, and he succeeded the position of Celestial Monarch.

Kunlun declared that all new demons would have the same rights—whether to become immortals or remain demons would be up to them. Lemon Sprite and the others were there too. Lemon Sprite asked if he could become an immortal as well. Kunlun said he would grant him immortal status. Lemon Sprite replied that there was no need, he just wanted to see if it was real. Kunlun and the Divine Queen returned.

The Divine Queen was overjoyed, congratulating her son on becoming Celestial Monarch. Kunlun said he had never wanted to be Celestial Monarch, but now he realized that what he and his mother had been working toward were simply different paths to the same goal. The Divine Queen asked if there was something he wanted to say to her.

Kunlun said he didn’t agree with her taking the Western Sea to attack the Northern Heaven Realm, and told her to return to guard the Western Sea. He would come visit her. The Divine Queen asked if Kunlun had always hated her. Kunlun said yes. She was heartbroken, recalling the past and wondering if she had truly done wrong. Kunlun arrived at the Northern Immortal Realm. Lu Jiu was now the great king there.

Lu Jiu made a few requests, which Kunlun said were all reasonable and agreed to. Lu Jiu said he could now freely retract and release his nine tails, and figured she would want to see, so he showed Kunlun. Kunlun made two messenger talismans and kept speaking with Lu Yao. Meng Po saw Hongning and was very surprised, having thought she would never be able to make it there.

She realized Hongning had no soul and was shocked to learn that she had come by sheer will alone. Jinxiu was tending the flowers and plants in the Garden of Withered Blossoms. Kunlun arrived and joked that Jinxiu had called him here just to show off how well he had cared for them. Jinxiu said he had found Hongning and now he was leaving.

Kunlun asked if Hongning had reincarnated as a mortal—Jinxiu could help her cultivate immortality, and they could stay together here. Jinxiu said he owed Hongning too much and had to go to her. Kunlun said mortals only had one lifetime and would forget in the next. Jinxiu replied that finding Hongning again in every lifetime, meeting anew, falling in love all over again—wasn’t that quite wonderful? Jinxiu found Hongning and remembered the past. The two of them rode a boat across the lake, holding each other with deep affection.