My Dear Brothers Recap, Plot, Synopsis, Total Episodes

My Dear Brothers Synopsis

Shi Xia, was once an outstanding student in school. During the National Scholarship Conference, she unexpectedly received a phone call — the caller claimed to have information about her missing brother, Shi Dong. Over the past year since his disappearance, Shi Xia had searched everywhere but found no trace of him.

When she arrived at the location the caller mentioned, the air itself seemed to freeze. Raindrops from the recent shower slowly floated upward. Shi Xia took a few steps back, shouting her brother’s name, but as her foot stepped into a puddle, it felt as if she had fallen into a boundless ocean.

In that moment, Shi Xia was transported into a mysterious, virtual world of immortals.

My Dear Brothers Recap

Episode 1 Recap

Devil Lord Qiu Ping and Master Hou Chi of Yuhua Sect engaged in a fierce battle. After Hou Chi blocked a powerful attack, Qiu Ping denied the fight was over, despite the mountain behind him crumbling. Hou Chi asserted that he had shown mercy. Qiu Ping then challenged Hou Chi, suggesting that his spiritual power had not reached its peak because he lacked a true "Heart of Guardian."

Hou Chi countered that his master taught him that his mission was to become the leader of the Immortals Alliance and protect all beings, and that he didn't need to reach the absolute peak of cultivation. Qiu Ping scoffed, stating that Hou Chi's recited definition of "Heart of Guardian"—meaning the commitment to protect and guard—was meaningless unless he could name someone he had personally protected.

Qiu Ping then proudly declared that he had protected his sister, describing her as the cutest and kindest little girl with a round, soft, and plump face that was incredibly healing to touch. He emphasized that his sister was the most important person in his life, someone he would protect with his life, and taunted Hou Chi for not understanding such profound protection while speaking of guarding all creatures.

Taking advantage of Hou Chi's momentary distraction while listening to him describe his sister, Qiu Ping suddenly stabbed him with a sword, asserting that the power derived from a sister alone was enough to defeat Hou Chi, and that the position of Immortals Alliance leader was destined to be his. Hou Chi was left injured, contemplating the meaning of a "sister" and its supposed link to developing the Heart of Guardian.

Meanwhile, Shi Xia, a sophomore majoring in forestry, was nervously preparing to deliver her speech for a national scholarship. Just as she was about to present, she received an urgent phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to have information about her elder brother, Shi Dong, who had been missing for a year, but only if she went to Huan Xi internet bar within half an hour and paid for it.

Despite the high stakes of the scholarship, Shi Xia abruptly ended her presentation, much to the confusion of the audience, and rushed off. At the internet bar, she paid two thousand yuan and received a cryptic message: "Shi Dong has a buyer. Meet at the Ferris wheel in Construction Road amusement park." Realizing the park was closing soon, Shi Xia sprinted towards it, muttering curses at Shi Dong for costing her the scholarship.

Upon reaching the amusement park, she spotted a figure on the Ferris wheel whose back resembled Shi Dong. She cried out his name, stepping backward into a mysterious water puddle. The world around her froze, water droplets rose and condensed, and everyone was momentarily still. Shi Xia was pulled down into the depths of the puddle, vanishing without a trace. Moments later, the amusement park returned to normal, as if her disappearance had never occurred.

Back at Yuhua Sect, Hou Chi was still meditating in his pool, troubled by Qiu Ping's words. Shi Xia emerged from the water, surprisingly wearing Hou Chi's white robe, which she had pulled into the water and put on. Startled by her sudden appearance, Hou Chi questioned her. Disoriented and believing she was being tricked, Shi Xia accused Hou Chi of being a fraud. Just then, a Yuhua Sect disciple approached, having heard strange noises.

Hou Chi quickly concealed Shi Xia, claiming it was just a crane, and sent the disciple away. Overwhelmed, Shi Xia fainted in Hou Chi's arms. Hou Chi was perplexed; she had no spiritual power, yet she had bypassed the formidable wards of the Yuhua Sect. Shi Xia later woke up in a room with a locked door and a skylight, convinced she had been kidnapped.

Frantically, she wrote SOS messages on paper, folded them into paper airplanes, and threw them out the skylight, hoping for rescue. From a crack in the door, she witnessed Hou Chi effortlessly disintegrate her paper airplanes into ash with a wave of his hand. Desperate, she climbed to the roof and, believing it was all a dream, jumped from the skylight, hoping to wake up. Hou Chi caught her in mid-air, observing her carefully.

Based on descriptions in his books, he confirmed she was a woman, noting her "fierce character and rude speech," classifying her as a "shrew." He pressed her for how she managed to penetrate the Yuhua Sect's wards without spiritual power. Realizing she couldn't escape, Shi Xia, a university student, admitted that she had merely fallen into a water puddle and somehow appeared in his pond.

She fabricated a story about having "spiritual medicine" that, when thoroughly chewed, could bypass any ward, and tricked Hou Chi into chewing a piece of candy. While Hou Chi was "meditating" on her "spiritual medicine," Shi Xia tried to escape by jumping into the pond again, assuming she could leave the way she came. However, she was repelled by an underwater ward and nearly drowned. Hou Chi rescued her, but she developed a cold.

After Shi Xia explained she was Shi Dong's sister and was looking for him, Hou Chi, still fixated on Qiu Ping's words about sisters and the Heart of Guardian, began to recall Qiu Ping's description of his sister and wondered if Shi Xia fit the profile.

He recalled Qiu Ping mentioning that his sister was "not easy to mess with" and tried to provoke Shi Xia, asking her if she wanted to be angry and to direct her anger at him. He also recalled Qiu Ping saying his sister was a "foodie" whose eyes would light up at the sight of food. He then asked Shi Xia what she wanted to eat, and she listed various modern snacks before settling for "anything."

Hou Chi then used a magic message umbrella to request food from his Senior, Bi Hong. Bi Hong, a handsome and renowned healer at the Jishi Tang medical hall, whose clinic was perpetually crowded with women feigning illness just to admire him, was surprised by Hou Chi's unusual request for food, as his junior had always practiced Bigu ( A form of fasting cultivation). Bi Hong jokingly inquired if this was a "new cultivation method," which Hou Chi affirmed.

Hou Chi then asked Bi Hong if he also had a "sister." Misunderstanding the question, Bi Hong, proud of the constant female attention, confidently replied that it was easy to get a "sister" (referring to female admirers) if one was sincere. Hou Chi, taking this literally, became even more convinced that having a sister was essential for his cultivation.

Because Yuhua Sect strictly prohibited women, Hou Chi kept Shi Xia's presence a secret, reinforcing the wards around his dwelling to prevent any outsiders, especially Bi Hong, from discovering her. Bi Hong, however, keenly sensed that Hou Chi was harboring a secret. After observing Shi Xia, Hou Chi concluded that she was merely a mortal woman who needed food when hungry and medicine when sick.

Despite her being "a little troublesome," he decided to allow her to stay, solemnly promising to protect her from that moment on, believing it would help him cultivate his Heart of Guardian.

Episode 2 Recap

Shi Xia, taken aback by Hou Chi's domineering demeanor, immediately declared her intention to leave, explaining she missed her life of school, work, exams, internships, playing games, using her phone, eating snacks, and watching variety shows. She also wished to find her brother, Shi Dong, who had disappeared, but then acknowledged that no one stays with you forever.

Hou Chi countered by asking if a brother shouldn't protect his sister, then firmly insisted she stay, declaring he would protect her from now on. At that moment, Bi Hong arrived at the courtyard, carrying insect repellent, ostensibly to spray insecticide for Hou Chi's newly acquired plants. Shi Xia, seeing Bi Hong as a potentially kind individual, attempted to slip out the door. However, Hou Chi swiftly enveloped her in a ward, rendering her invisible to Bi Hong.

Bi Hong, already sensing Hou Chi was hiding something in the room, persisted in entering to spray the insecticide. Hou Chi quickly intercepted him. Bi Hong then remarked on the Yuhua Sect's strict rule against women, recounting a century-old incident where a woman attempting to join the sect was given ten firewhips. Shi Xia, though unseen, heard this and was terrified, realizing her precarious situation within the sect, especially knowing their Master was prone to using such punishments.

Alone again, Shi Xia despaired, realizing she couldn't return home by herself. She worried about her brother Shi Dong returning and not finding her, and also about her own future, including upcoming exams, internships, and her student council presidency bid. She tried to trick Hou Chi into taking her down the mountain by feigning a stomachache, claiming she might have been poisoned, but he gave her a bitter detoxification pill, thwarting her plan.

Next, she challenged Hou Chi to a game of rock-paper-scissors, where the winner could make a request and the loser couldn't refuse. Despite Shi Xia's determined efforts across many rounds, Hou Chi consistently won all fifty-three rounds. His request was to know how her brother protected her. Shi Xia described Shi Dong as a troublesome liar who often spent their money, made her beg for free snacks, beat up her suitors, and stayed up all night at internet cafes.

However, she admitted he also cooked, told bedtime stories, and gave her a treasured doll. Inspired by her words, Hou Chi attempted to cook braised pork for Shi Xia, using ingredients "accidentally" left by Bi Hong in a food box. Having never cooked before, Hou Chi's attempt filled the room with smoke, causing Shi Xia to believe the kitchen was on fire.

She rushed with water to put it out, only to find Hou Chi emerging with a plate of burnt, unappetizing "dark cuisine." She quickly retreated to her room to eat her instant noodles, grateful for their existence. Puzzled by his failure, Hou Chi wondered if he hadn't mastered the "method of using a sister" and summoned Bi Hong for advice.

Bi Hong, misunderstanding Hou Chi's intentions, provided three steps to make a girl adore him: cultivate a glorious image, show vulnerability, and be always available to fulfill her wishes. Still determined to go home, Shi Xia, unable to break the ward, resolved to learn enchantments. She asked Hou Chi if it was possible. Initially hesitant, Hou Chi replied it was not impossible, just difficult.

Then, recalling Bi Hong's advice to project an image of omnipotence, he proudly recounted the 2,000-year history of the Yuhua Sect, its five Lords of the Immortals Alliance, and its role as a pillar of justice. He then boasted that he himself was on track to become the next Lord of Immortals Alliance in the upcoming election, a position of supreme honor that granted the winner immortality.

Shi Xia, finding his boasting unhumble, requested access to books in the attic to self-study. Meanwhile, the Palm Master emerged from his closed-door practice, concerned by reports of Hou Chi's unusual behavior, such as forsaking inedia, catching a cold, and taking medicine.

He summoned Bi Hong, who confirmed Hou Chi was trying a new practice method but reassured the Master that Hou Chi was still solely focused on becoming the Lord of Immortals Alliance, having cultivated in his courtyard for 200 years without stepping out. The Palm Master accepted this explanation, noting Hou Chi's formidable cultivation.

However, Bi Hong left feeling displeased, as the Palm Master had only ever summoned him to inquire about Hou Chi, never caring to speak with him otherwise. An Elder then advised the Palm Master to show more concern for Bi Hong, revealing that they were father and son. The Palm Master, however, dismissed the suggestion, commenting that Bi Hong, a man with no spiritual roots, was free to indulge his love for flowers and attracting women.

Soon after, another disciple reported rumors from the Devil Sect, claiming the Devil Lord had defeated Hou Chi and was now destined to become the Alliance Lord. This news caused great alarm, prompting the Palm Master to order all wards around Mount Yuhua to be strengthened. Back at his courtyard, Hou Chi continued his daily practice. He diligently guarded Shi Xia while she read, fearing books might fall on her, and reminded her to sleep on time.

He noticed a significant improvement in his cultivation and attributed it to Shi Xia's presence, believing his 'sister' was beneficial to him. He then tried to fulfill another of Shi Xia's stated needs: bedtime stories. He awkwardly told several repetitive tales about monsters and evil cultivators, all ending with his master leading them to the courtyard where Hou Chi, a "righteous cultivator," killed them. Shi Xia quickly caught on to the formula.

Despite Shi Xia expressing her desire for peace and quiet, Hou Chi felt he needed to continue his "protection." He painstakingly crafted an extremely ugly doll for her by hand, but it was so grotesque that Shi Xia, startled, declared it would give her nightmares and tossed it aside. Suddenly, the Palm Master arrived, angered by Hou Chi's secret fight with the Devil Lord, which had left him injured and concealed from everyone.

Hou Chi, believing his master had discovered Shi Xia, knelt to confess. However, the Palm Master's anger was focused on Hou Chi's secret battle with the Devil Lord, not the hidden girl. Shi Xia, still invisible and hiding inside, was terrified by the Palm Master, whom she knew from earlier conversations to be a stern disciplinarian.

Observing Hou Chi kneeling before his master, Shi Xia felt a pang of sympathy, perceiving him as a diligent but somewhat robotic tool for cultivation. The Palm Master, without further scolding, used his own power to heal Hou Chi's heart injury, emphasizing that Hou Chi was the Yuhua Sect's only hope for the upcoming Alliance Lord election. He also disparagingly commented on Bi Hong's love for flowers, calling him an unpromising "fool" who loved to attract women.

Feeling bored, Shi Xia eventually picked up Hou Chi's ugly doll and fell asleep, clutching it. In her dream, she saw her brother Shi Dong at a Ferris wheel, walking further and further away, while she herself was trapped, unable to move. She cried out for her brother, frantically demanding to be freed. Suddenly, Hou Chi appeared, holding her hand tightly.

Shi Xia awoke to find Hou Chi’s face very close to hers, and both felt an unfamiliar, strange sensation between them. To cheer Shi Xia up, Hou Chi took her flying high into the sky, giving her a bird's-eye view of the world below. Shi Xia pointed to a building, asking what it was, which Hou Chi identified as Yuhua College, but admitted he had never visited.

He explained his master forbade him from going there, claiming it was a cultivation place for "ordinary immortal-qualified people" and not suitable for his unique practice. As they flew, Hou Chi found himself holding Shi Xia closer and closer. Shi Xia noticed his tightening embrace and questioned him. Flustered, Hou Chi accidentally let go, causing Shi Xia to fall. Panicked, he quickly flew down to catch her, pulling her into a tight hug before gently descending into the courtyard. Once on the ground, Hou Chi looked at her intently, his expression serious, and began to speak.

Episode 3 Recap

Having experienced a series of adventures with Hou Chi, Shi Xia found herself in an unexpected situation when Hou Chi, after some hesitation, asked if he could be her brother. Shi Xia had initially hoped for a romantic confession, but upon hearing his request, she flatly refused, stating she already had a brother. Hou Chi, insistent on becoming her brother, pressed further.

Shi Xia recounted his culinary mishaps, scary ghost stories, and reckless Ferris wheel ride, quipping that she was lucky to be alive, and questioning why he was so determined to have a sister. Hou Chi confessed it was "in order to improve my force," which led Shi Xia to accuse the Yuhua Sect of having "twisted theories" rather than being a noble sect.

Seizing the opportunity, Shi Xia offered a deal: if Hou Chi helped her get into the academy to learn immortal cultivation, she would consider him her brother. Hou Chi immediately refused, so Shi Xia, seeing no further point in discussion, bid him farewell and walked away. Later, Bi Hong, noticing Hou Chi's troubled demeanor, accurately deduced he was upset about a girl.

Hou Chi, using a hypothetical scenario, sought advice on how to win over a "younger sister" who refused to acknowledge him. Bi Hong, offering wisdom about "resurrection strategies," advised Hou Chi to identify her needs—be it wealth, passion, or tenderness—and fulfill them. Following this, Hou Chi, with Shi Xia's desire to learn immortal cultivation in mind, asked Bi Hong for help in recommending a "talented person" to the academy.

Shi Xia, now expertly disguised as a boy, presented herself to Hou Chi for his approval. She inquired why Hou Chi wasn't personally recommending her for admission. He explained that since Bi Hong frequently descended the mountain, it was more logical for him to introduce her. Hou Chi then presented her with a small, doll-like instrument resembling his own head, which Shi Xia immediately named "the doll head."

He explained that this item carried his scent to mask her feminine aura, sternly warning that discovery of her true gender would result in severe punishment, specifically, being whipped. He also assured her that should she ever be in danger, the "doll head" would alert him. Upon meeting Shi Xia, Bi Hong remarked on her "pretty" appearance.

Shi Xia initially addressed him as "Master Uncle," but Bi Hong, citing her peer status with his Junior Hou Chi, encouraged her to call him "Senior" instead, which Shi Xia obligingly did. Bi Hong then led Shi Xia to the Yuhua Hall for her formal introduction to the sect elders. Shi Xia introduced herself as a resident of Lotus Village, seeking entry into the Yuhua Sect.

The elders expressed skepticism, as Lotus Village was not known for cultivators possessing strong immortal perception. Bi Hong then disclosed Shi Xia's lack of immortal perception, drawing an angry reprimand from his father, the sect leader, who deemed it absurd for someone without immortal perception to cultivate and ordered Shi Xia to be sent away.

Bi Hong defended Shi Xia, arguing that he too lacked immortal perception but his father had still taught him, and he had lived for 200 years. This angered his father further. Shi Xia then bravely stepped forward, invoking the maxim "I am the master of my own fate" and arguing that denying an individual the chance to learn based on their birth was unjust, akin to giving up on those born evil.

Swayed by her earnestness, an elder proposed a trial: Shi Xia could audit classes for one month, and if she garnered the signatures of all the elders, she would be formally admitted. The sect leader, though clearly displeased, consented. On her first day at Yuhua Academy, Shi Xia overheard classmates whispering about her unusual entry as an auditing student.

She attempted to introduce herself, but was confronted by Yi Yaogua, an arrogant son of immortals from the influential Baling Yi family. He taunted her for her lack of immortal perception and common background. Shi Xia retorted with sarcasm, questioning his pompous behavior and dismissing him as merely an "immortal scion," which deeply offended him. When Qing Feng, a fellow student sitting nearby, laughed, Yi Yaogua grew even angrier.

He then ordered his followers to strip Shi Xia's clothes and douse them with red dye, claiming that Qing Feng's uniform was inappropriately similar to Hou Chi's. Shi Xia protested that the blue uniform was common, but Yi Yaogua dismissed her, leaving both Shi Xia and Qing Feng feeling helpless. That night, while Hou Chi remotely sensed an unusual quiet, Shi Xia settled into her dormitory.

She was surprised to find her roommate, Qing Feng, frantically trying to hide while taking a bath. Shi Xia, pressing for answers, discovered Qing Feng was also a woman, disguising herself using a Xuanyang Elixir that needed to be taken every two hours to mask her feminine scent, though it was detrimental to her health. Shi Xia revealed her own disguise by removing her "doll head," an advanced instrument given by Hou Chi that perfectly concealed her aura.

Qing Feng admired Shi Xia's advanced instrument, while Shi Xia joked about borrowing Qing Feng's elixir if she ever lost her own. Qing Feng warned her against it due to its harmful effects on women. Qing Feng admitted she was at Yuhua Sect to learn immortal cultivation for a greater purpose, not like Yi Yaogua, who idolized Hou Chi. Shi Xia confided her own goal: to learn the enchantment of "breaking the virtual space."

Qing Feng suggested seeking out Master Yuan Ye, a highly knowledgeable instructor, and advised Shi Xia to impress him with her painting skills, citing a previous student who won favor by illustrating a history lesson. Meanwhile, Yi Yaogua was shown fervently worshipping an image of Hou Chi, articulating his profound admiration and ambition to become a celebrated figure in the immortal world, much like his idol.

The next day, Master Yuan Ye announced an unexpected change to the exam, replacing the scheduled History of Immortals with the science of holy beast. Shi Xia, unprepared and without her textbook, worried about the sudden shift. Master Yuan Ye, noticing Shi Xia's unique sketch pen and reusable erasure paper, commented on her "thoughtful friend." Shortly after, a student reported that Hou Chi was looking for someone named "Shi. . ."

, prompting Yi Yaogua to loudly claim it was him and eagerly rush out to meet Hou Chi. Hou Chi, appearing surprised by Yi Yaogua, listened to the younger student's effusive flattery and listing of academy courses. Hou Chi then handed Yi Yaogua a book of "practicing experience," which Yi Yaogua recognized as Hou Chi's personal notes, instructing him to share it with his classmates.

Yi Yaogua continued to boast about his extensive knowledge and expressed his readiness for the altered exam, lamenting the fate of "study slackers." Back in class, as the exam concluded, Master Yuan Ye invited students to present their holy beast drawings. Yi Yaogua proudly displayed a detailed depiction of a mythical bird, impressing Master Yuan Ye with his knowledge beyond the standard texts.

When it was Shi Xia's turn, she revealed a drawing of a human infant, humorously dubbing it a "Four-legged gold-spending beast," the most powerful creature in her hometown. Master Yuan Ye, dismissive of her submission, declared that she need not attend his classes anymore. Shi Xia, desperate for the elders' approval, pleaded for another chance. A classmate challenged her to draw a proper holy beast, a challenge Shi Xia readily accepted.

Qing Feng, observing the scene, murmured his concern for Shi Xia, given the unexpected change in the exam. Shi Xia then drew Sun Wukong, extolling him as an ancient beast and flattering Master Yuan Ye to "jog his memory" of such a legendary creature. Playing along, Master Yuan Ye feigned recalling a Sun Wukong he once owned, describing it as a "picky eater."

Yi Yaogua scornfully dismissed Sun Wukong as a beast from unofficial history and criticized Shi Xia's non-traditional drawing style. Shi Xia explained that her portrayal was meant to be dynamic. She requested her special pen and notebook from Qing Feng, which she then used to create a captivating, animated depiction of Sun Wukong.

Her classmates were astonished by the moving illustration, and Master Yuan Ye, thoroughly impressed, praised Shi Xia's ingenuity, telling the challenging classmate to "eat the whole book" as per their earlier wager. After class, Yi Yaogua confronted Shi Xia, demanding to know the source of her knowledge about Sun Wukong and to hand over her "secret book." Shi Xia responded with sarcastic remarks about his hunger, leading to a heated exchange.

As Yi Yaogua grew agitated and prepared to use his instrument, Shi Xia cleverly shouted "Master Yuan Ye!" to create a diversion, allowing her and Qing Feng to make a quick escape. During the pursuit, Yi Yaogua discovered a Xuanyang Elixir dropped by Qing Feng. Recognizing it as a male-scent masking elixir, he deduced that a female was disguised as a man within the academy.

Prioritizing this sensational revelation, he activated a "butterfly instrument" that tracked feminine scents and redirected his chase. Qing Feng realized she had lost her elixir, and its potency was quickly fading. Injured, she urged Shi Xia to abandon her, but Shi Xia refused. Instead, Shi Xia gave Qing Feng her "doll head" to help conceal her scent, effectively sacrificing her own disguise. With her protective charm now gone, Shi Xia became the primary target of Yi Yaogua's magical butterfly.

Just as Yi Yaogua and his followers closed in, Hou Chi, having sensed the distress from his relinquished instrument despite his internal struggle about leaving his retreat, arrived in time to embrace Shi Xia, shielding her from exposure.

Episode 4 Recap

Hou Chi shielded Shi Xia in his embrace as Yi Yaogua approached, asking if he had seen anyone suspicious fleeing the area. Hou Chi, claiming he was in the middle of his practice, denied seeing anyone and curtly dismissed Yi Yaogua. Shi Xia, concealed in Hou Chi's arms, worried that if his public appearance were known, it would cause an even greater commotion.

Soon after, the Sect Leader arrived, questioning why Hou Chi had left his residence, a place he hadn't stepped out of since he formed his elixir at fifteen. Hou Chi was hesitant and evasive, leading the Sect Leader to suspect he harbored distracting thoughts that could endanger his two centuries of cultivation and warned him of falling into a demonic path. As the Sect Leader urged Hou Chi to return to his practice, Shi Xia intervened.

She explained that in her hometown, there's a learning method that emphasizes understanding over rote memorization, and that teaching others is the best way to learn. She elaborated with a story about an experiment showing how teaching improves retention. She then suggested that Hou Chi giving lectures at the academy would not only benefit the students but also aid his bid for the alliance leader position. Master Yuan Ye agreed with Shi Xia's reasoning.

Hou Chi then agreed to teach, much to the excitement of his admirers, including Yi Yaogua, who was overcome with elation. The next day, before Hou Chi's class began, Yi Yaogua distributed fragrance feathers to students, instructing them not to disturb Hou Chi with any unpleasant odors. In class, students were bewildered as Hou Chi remained still, neither meditating nor practicing.

Shi Xia secured Master Yuan Ye's signature, a step towards completing her formal enrollment in the academy by collecting all three masters' signatures. Taking the opportunity, she cautiously asked Master Yuan Ye about "the art of splitting the void space." Master Yuan Ye, immediately suspicious and asking who sent her, sternly warned her never to mention it again, threatening expulsion within a month if she did. Back in the classroom, Shi Xia arrived late.

Hou Chi, singling her out, allowed her to sit at the front, much to the surprise and jealousy of students like Yi Yaogua. When Shi Xia tried to bring Qing Feng with her due to an injured foot, Hou Chi insisted on only Shi Xia. He then asked her what she wished to learn. Remembering Master Yuan Ye's warning, Shi Xia instead requested "double-day vacation" (双休, shuangxiu, meaning 'double rest').

However, the term was widely misunderstood by students and Hou Chi as "dual cultivation" (双修, shuangxiu, meaning 'dual cultivation'), causing an uproar among the students who deemed her shameless. Hou Chi also felt she was impudent and told her never to mention such a request again. After class, Qing Feng, initially distancing herself and upset, later clarified to Shi Xia that "dual cultivation" carried a very different connotation than "double-day vacation," leading Shi Xia to realize her colossal misunderstanding.

Later, Hou Chi sent a messenger instructing Shi Xia to move to his residence behind the hill immediately. Shi Xia refused to comply, confronting Hou Chi. He questioned if her desire for "dual cultivation" was related to Qing Feng, suspecting Qing Feng had discovered Shi Xia's female identity. Shi Xia retorted that she didn't want to be constantly restrained by him, believing he saw her merely as a tool to enhance his cultivation.

She argued that no one would truly protect another indefinitely, mentioning her own brother had left her, and stated she wouldn't place all her hope in others. She then returned the magical artifact (the doll head) he had given her and rushed back to her dorm. There, she asked Qing Feng for a Xuan Yang Pill to maintain her disguise, only to learn that Qing Feng had also lost a bottle and their remaining supply was insufficient for both.

Initially considering going down the mountain herself, Shi Xia, determined not to let Qing Feng's studies be interrupted, decided to seek Master Bi Hong's help in concocting more. She suggested they subtly alter the prescription by adding irrelevant herbs to avoid revealing their female identities. Shi Xia found Bi Hong in the midst of a painful cultivation session. She quickly provided him with camellia, a pain-relieving herb.

Bi Hong unconsciously slept through the night and woke up resting on Shi Xia's shoulder. Shi Xia then revealed her astute observation that Bi Hong's apparent daytime idleness was a cover for his intensive nighttime studies. She related it to students in her hometown who secretly work hard to surprise everyone, attributing it to a lack of security and a belief that "you won't lose if you never possess."

Bi Hong was profoundly moved, surprised that this young girl with no spiritual talent, whom he had known for less than two days, understood him better than anyone in two centuries. Shi Xia then took the opportunity to give him the subtly altered prescription for Xuan Yang Pills, asking for his help in concocting them. During their subsequent walk, Shi Xia inquired about "the art of splitting the void space." Bi Hong, unfamiliar with it, promised to investigate for her.

Unbeknownst to them, a student nearby overheard their conversation. During the Law Instrument class, Hou Chi made an unexpected appearance, stating he was there to observe. Yi Yaogua eagerly tried to present his own instrument, but Hou Chi instead called upon Shi Xia to display hers. Shi Xia produced a simple soap bubble maker. Initially mocked by some students, she then created a flurry of colorful bubbles, including heart-shaped ones, playfully involving Qing Feng.

Shi Xia explained that the heart shape signifies affection and mutual connection in her hometown. Hou Chi observed their interaction with visible displeasure, noting their closeness. After class, the student who had overheard Shi Xia and Bi Hong discussed with Yi Yaogua, behind Shi Xia, their plan to lure Shi Xia to the back mountain that night. They suggested she might find information about "the art of splitting the void space" there, knowing she was seeking it.

Shi Xia, overhearing their conversation, went to the back mountain later that night. Following their misleading clues, she entered a cave, only to find a prank message wishing her a pleasant evening. She realized she had been tricked. Suddenly, rocks began to fall from the cliff, frightening Shi Xia, who hid in a corner, afraid to move. In despair, she clung to a tree, weeping and lamenting her brother's absence when she needed him most. Just then, Hou Chi arrived.

He used his powers to stop the falling rocks and carried Shi Xia out of the cave, giving her hope in her desperation. Shi Xia, comforted, explained her earlier action of hugging the tree, saying that trees, like her, remain rooted and never leave. She then asked Hou Chi why he still came for her despite her earlier defiance. Hou Chi reiterated that he had promised to protect her and would not break his word.

Episode 5 Recap

After Hou Chi carefully treated Shi Xia's minor injuries, he questioned her about her visit to the forbidden mountains. Shi Xia confessed that she had been searching for a way to return to her world and believed she could learn the enchantment of "breaking the void space" there. Hou Chi immediately dismissed this, explaining that such a power was exclusively wielded by the leader of the Immortals Alliance and could not simply be found in the forbidden area.

Disappointed, Shi Xia described her home as a "modern" place in another parallel universe, filled with ordinary mortals who valued intelligence and their family's standing over spiritual cultivation. While Hou Chi initially found this concept "hard" and potentially boring, Shi Xia enthusiastically compared their technological advancements like airplanes, telephones, and computers to the cultivation world's magic. Intrigued, Hou Chi expressed a desire to witness her world.

Shi Xia, realizing he couldn't eat, quickly offered to show him all her favorite foods if he ever visited. Understanding her deep longing to return, Hou Chi promised to help her "break the void space" and send her home once he became the Immortals Alliance leader. In return, he asked her to be his "sister."

Shi Xia, suspecting he was misled by an opponent into believing a sister could enhance his "Heart of Guardian" ability, decided to agree, recognizing his sincerity. She then proposed a "brother-sister contract" with three conditions. Hou Chi, preferring to seal the agreement with his power, created a symbolic mark on her hand. Shi Xia's first rule was "no inappropriate body contact," specifying "kisses and hugs," which Hou Chi admitted he didn't understand.

She playfully refused to demonstrate, promising to inform him if he ever crossed the line. Her second condition was "don't ask me to call you brother." Hou Chi, insisting on the title due to their bond, countered that she must accompany him in practice for an hour daily. After some negotiation, they settled on once a week. Finally, Shi Xia's third rule was that no one else could make conditions for her.

Hou Chi then sealed their contract, depicting himself as a large, protective triangle and Shi Xia as a small circle within it, symbolizing his eternal guardianship. Shi Xia was moved by his explanation despite finding the drawing rather unrefined. The next morning, Hou Chi woke Shi Xia for her contracted practice session, much to her annoyance. She grudgingly complied, but soon grew restless, finding his slow progress frustrating. Longing for a refreshing bath, she retreated indoors.

Hou Chi, perceiving her wish, conjured a bath filled with warm water, rose petals, and a lively duck. Shi Xia was delighted by the thoughtful gesture, recalling how her own brother used to put rubber ducks in her tub to coax her into bathing. She found the real duck charming and decided to keep it before Hou Chi departed for some errands.

Meanwhile, Hou Chi summoned Yi Yaogua and another disciple to the Discipline Hall to account for harming a fellow disciple and lying. He recited several sect rules, reminding them that admitting their transgressions could lead to lighter punishment. Bi Hong echoed this sentiment, prompting the two disciples to confess. Hou Chi then instructed Bi Hong to impose "Master Yuanye's old rules" on them.

Shortly after, a senior disciple arrived to summon Hou Chi to the Sect Leader, Yuan Zhao, leaving Bi Hong to oversee the punishment. Yi Yaogua and his accomplice were subsequently ordered to clean the academy, enduring the ridicule of their peers. One disciple whispered to Yi Yaogua, speculating about Hou Chi's supposed favoritism and a scandalous relationship with Shi Xia. Yi Yaogua, fiercely loyal to Hou Chi, vehemently defended his "idol," blaming Shi Xia for all their troubles.

Hou Chi, upon meeting with Sect Leader Yuan Zhao, was praised for maintaining his cultivation prowess, which had not been "wasted." Yuan Zhao, however, gently cautioned him against distractions that could disturb his focus, emphasizing the approaching "first test for the leader of Immortals Alliance." Later, Shi Xia observed Hou Chi's somber mood and guessed it stemmed from the meeting with the Sect Leader.

Hoping to help him with his cultivation, she tried a method she'd seen in modern TV dramas, placing her hands on his back. Hou Chi was startled and warned her not to touch him during practice, fearing she might get hurt, just like the Holy Tree. He then led her to a withered tree, explaining that its current state was "because of me."

He recounted how he had practiced under it as a child when it was vibrant and full of "seven-colour leaves, shining." As his own power grew by absorbing the tree's spirit, the ancient Holy Tree, which was the "holy pulse of the Yuhua Sect," slowly withered. He believed their fates were intertwined, as he himself had been found abandoned by Yuan Zhao at the mountain's base.

Hou Chi lamented that the tree, once a symbol of the Yuhua Sect, must be disappointed that his abilities were stagnant. Shi Xia reassured him, asserting that trees were resilient. She shared a story from her home world about a lonely child and a comforting tree appearing for him, explaining that in her world, each tree had a destiny to guard a person. She encouraged Hou Chi to hug the tree for peace, just as she would.

However, Hou Chi dismissed the tree's importance, stating that having Shi Xia as his sister was all that mattered. Privately, Shi Xia worried about Hou Chi's emotional well-being if she were to leave and resolved to revive the Holy Tree as a parting gift, ensuring he wouldn't be alone. Early the next morning, Shi Xia visited Bi Hong at his medicine house, impressed by his thriving garden and assuming his expertise in plants.

She confessed her desire to save the Holy Tree, to which Bi Hong reminded her of the Sect Leader's strict decree: anyone tampering with the Holy Tree would be expelled. Shi Xia, unfazed, declared her intention to "fight fate" and sought his tools and advice, taking full responsibility. She demonstrated her "forestry" knowledge from her hometown by performing a "chemical experiment" on his hydrangea, adding lye to change its color from blue to pink, explaining the plant's sensitivity to pH.

Impressed, Bi Hong agreed to lend his tools. Shi Xia gave him the pink hydrangea, explaining flower meanings, a concept new to Bi Hong, who found it "interesting." Bi Hong, in turn, warned her to keep their efforts hidden from Hou Chi, as Hou Chi's involvement could cause him to lose a lot of spiritual power.

Shi Xia then concocted a plan to get Hou Chi out of the way, sending him on a seemingly impossible quest to find "cotton candy"—something "sweet, soft, that melts in your mouth"—and instructing him not to return until he found it. As soon as Hou Chi left, Shi Xia and Bi Hong began their work, wrapping the Holy Tree's trunk with straw ropes to conserve moisture.

Unbeknownst to them, Yi Yaogua and his follower had tracked Shi Xia to Hou Chi's residence. Jealous, Yi Yaogua attempted to peek into the courtyard over the wall. Just then, Hou Chi returned, immediately sensing the intrusion. Inside, as Bi Hong reached to wipe sweat from Shi Xia's forehead, Hou Chi quickly encased him in a protective spherical barrier, prompting Bi Hong to grumble about Hou Chi's pettiness. Shi Xia, surprised by Hou Chi's early return, watched as he presented her with cotton and sugar, claiming he had found her "sweet, soft" cotton candy.

Episode 6 Recap

Hou Chi approached Shi Xia, offering her what he believed to be the soft and sweet cotton candy she desired. Shi Xia clarified that she meant a candy shaped like cotton, resembling clouds in the sky. Hou Chi, intrigued, demonstrated his ability to control clouds, but Shi Xia dismissed the idea, stating that the specific candy was no longer important.

Hou Chi then questioned if she had merely used the cotton candy request as a ruse to distract him, allowing her and Bi Hong to heal the Holy Tree behind his back. Shi Xia denied tricking him, explaining that she and Bi Hong were healing the Holy Tree to increase his spiritual power, as the Holy Tree held great significance to him.

Hou Chi offered to join their efforts, believing that his power would naturally grow as long as Shi Xia was happy. Shi Xia welcomed him but stipulated that he was not to use his holy power, asserting that "pious enough and you'll see the miracle." Meanwhile, Yi Yaogua regained consciousness, feeling a lingering sense that something had transpired.

Despite his companion's warning that Junior Master Hou Chi's courtyard was a forbidden area, Yi Yaogua couldn't quell his curiosity and attempted to climb up for a peek. As Shi Xia ascended a ladder to tend to the Holy Tree, Hou Chi and Bi Hong stood on either side, assisting. Hou Chi, uneasy with Bi Hong's proximity to Shi Xia, implicitly warned him to cease assisting her with the tree.

Bi Hong, already aware that Shi Xia was a woman, jested about how Hou Chi knew. Hou Chi, feigning ignorance, sternly cautioned Bi Hong that if Shi Xia's true gender was exposed, he would face severe consequences. Bi Hong assured Hou Chi that he would not reveal the secret, citing his relationship with Shi Xia. When Hou Chi questioned this relationship, Bi Hong playfully responded that Shi Xia was "his sis," a sentiment Hou Chi acknowledged with "I understand."

Hou Chi then ordered Bi Hong to leave, but Bi Hong refused, insisting he would help Shi Xia seeing she had sought his help. Shi Xia requested the scissors, but in the ensuing scramble between Hou Chi and Bi Hong to retrieve them, she inadvertently dropped them into a ground fissure. Upon inspecting the tree's roots, Shi Xia discovered they were completely rotten, with no roots left, explaining why her efforts to revive it had been fruitless.

She learned the tree had been withered for a century, leaving her dejected. Sensing her distress, Bi Hong subtly advised Hou Chi to comfort her. Later, Hou Chi sought Bi Hong's help, describing the "cotton candy" Shi Xia desired. Bi Hong, a master of gourmet food, created sweet and soft cotton candy based on Hou Chi's description. Hou Chi then went to Shi Xia's room with the cotton candy but found she wasn't there.

Shi Xia was outside, using fireflies to adorn the Holy Tree, hoping to make it resemble the vibrant tree in Hou Chi's memories. As she worked, she almost fell, but Hou Chi swiftly caught her. They stumbled, and their lips met accidentally as they landed against the tree's massive trunk. The unexpected intimacy left Shi Xia disoriented, and Hou Chi, experiencing such a sensation for the first time, was equally distracted.

Unbeknownst to them, Yi Yaogua observed the scene from the wall, finding it unacceptable. Hou Chi described the kiss as sweet, soft, and "melting in my mouth," just like cotton candy. Back in her room, Shi Xia, a modern woman, tried to convince herself to forget the kiss, but it was her first kiss, an event she couldn't easily dismiss. As she contemplated sleep, Hou Chi entered, asking about her plans for the next day.

He first asked what she wanted to eat, then suggested cotton candy, and later planting the Holy Tree. Shi Xia, still agitated, rejected all suggestions, telling him to leave her alone so she could sleep. Hou Chi, observing her volatile emotions, concluded that Shi Xia was indeed as "moody as expected." The next morning, Shi Xia left a note for Hou Chi, informing him that she had moved back to the academy.

Upon learning this, Yi Yaogua, heartbroken by what he perceived as Hou Chi's "degeneration," confided in Lin Kui, declaring that Hou Chi remained "the moon in my heart" and demanding that Lin Kui never speak of what they witnessed last night. Lin Kui, however, mentioned Shi Xia's return to the academy, prompting Yi Yaogua and him to intercept her.

They confronted Shi Xia, ordering her to "get out of our Yuhua Sect" and "stay away from Junior Master," insisting that he "will never get tarnished by someone like you!" Just then, Hou Chi arrived. He effortlessly dealt with Yi Yaogua and Lin Kui, causing them to flee. Hou Chi had come to deliver a doll head to Shi Xia, along with a letter.

In the letter, Hou Chi apologized if he had done anything to upset her and respected her decision to move back to the academy. He pledged to diligently practice and strive to become the head of the Immortals Alliance. He also urged her to always wear the doll head so it could shield her womanly aura, allowing him to monitor her safety and protect her. Yi Yaogua, hidden nearby, witnessed Hou Chi's concern for Shi Xia, further infuriating him.

Meanwhile, at the Yuhua Sect, numerous challenge letters had arrived from various sects, all instigated by Devil Lord Qiu Ping, who had widely publicized Hou Chi's recent defeat. Yuan Gui was eager to accept the challenges, arguing that the Yuhua Sect's status in the Immortal Sect could not be undermined, despite their traditionally low-key approach. However, Yuan Zhao, the sect leader, opposed engaging in such skirmishes with the preliminary contest for the Immortals Alliance headship imminent.

He considered these "trivial matters" to be ignored. Another Master revealed that even the Lingxiu Sect, traditionally allies, were now attempting to distance themselves. Master Yuan Gui then suggested that Hou Chi needed more experience outside the mountain and should be accompanied by a few clever apprentices. Yi Yaogua, seeing an opportunity to spend time with Hou Chi, eagerly motioned for himself to be chosen, but Master Yuanye instead proposed Shi Xia.

Yi Yaogua was outraged, calling Shi Xia "the origin of Junior Master's degeneration." Yuan Zhao then instructed Bi Hong to summon Hou Chi. In the main hall, Hou Chi greeted his Masters. Yuan Zhao inquired about his recent progress in cultivation and proposed a trial to assess his skills and provide guidance for the upcoming alliance election. As the trial was about to begin, Hou Chi sensed Shi Xia was in danger and urgently requested to postpone the trial.

However, the Masters insisted he proceed. Unbeknownst to them, Yi Yaogua had cornered Shi Xia at the Truth Spring, an ancient spring whose waters compelled honesty. He aimed to expose what he believed to be Shi Xia's true nature and demanded she leave the Yuhua Sect immediately. Shi Xia denied his accusations.

Back in the hall, Hou Chi, desperate to quickly conclude the trial and rescue Shi Xia, boldly proposed that all three elders test him simultaneously, believing it would expedite the process and unlock his full potential. Observing Hou Chi's unusual urgency, a Master surmised that Shi Xia might be in trouble. Hou Chi launched a killer move, drawing a reprimand from one elder for using such a move, while another noted the significant increase in his holy power.

The Master then suggested testing him at the Tianchi Lake (Ask-Heaven Pool), the sacred pool used by previous Yuhua Sect heads to gauge their holy power. At the Truth Spring, Yi Yaogua relentlessly pressed Shi Xia, asking if she "had an affair with Junior Master" and if she "admire Junior Master." Shi Xia repeatedly denied it, and the Truth Spring showed no reaction.

Confused, Yi Yaogua tested the spring himself, realizing it was not faulty, which meant Shi Xia was telling the truth. Still unwilling to believe it, he continued to demand answers. Just as the doll head Hou Chi had given Shi Xia began to change color, signaling danger, and the Truth Spring itself was about to change color, Hou Chi burst in, knocked out Yi Yaogua, and swiftly took Shi Xia away.

Episode 7 Recap

Hou Chi was undergoing a trial where he was meant to cultivate the ninth level of Yuhua Nine Heavens. He had not yet achieved it, but while remembering his desire to protect his younger sister, he finally understood the true meaning of guardianship. This allowed him to successfully cultivate the "Heart of Guardian," and the ninth level was achieved. His masters were pleased with his progress, with one noting, "Congratulations, Sect Leader! Hou Chi's spiritual power is complete."

Hou Chi himself realized, "Did I cultivate the Heart of Guardian?" He then quickly concluded his trial and, after bidding farewell to his masters, rushed to Shi Xia's aid. Meanwhile, Shi Xia was by the river, practicing skipping stones, a technique her elder brother, Shi Dong, had taught her. Qing Feng approached, sensing Shi Xia was preoccupied and playfully accused her of being in love.

Shi Xia initially denied it, but after Qing Feng pressed, referencing a portrait Shi Xia had shown her, Shi Xia admitted, "That's my elder brother. We lost each other." Shi Xia then demonstrated the stone skipping, explaining the belief that if one achieves five skips, their wish will come true, and she wished to find her brother. Hidden nearby, Hou Chi subtly used his spiritual power to help Shi Xia's stone make multiple skips.

Qing Feng then confided in Shi Xia that she also had an elder brother who had passed away, and she was learning magic to avenge him. Observing their conversation, Hou Chi felt a strange, difficult-to-explain emotion, pondering, "My younger sister helped me cultivate the Heart of Guardian. I should be happy. Why do I have such a difficult feeling?" Back at the sect, Yi Yaogua was greatly disappointed by Hou Chi's prior actions.

He furiously ordered Lin Kui to burn a portrait of Hou Chi, but then, with a hint of reluctance, instructed him to burn it outside so he wouldn't have to witness it. Yi Yaogua then retrieved the Qiling Mirror, an artifact capable of projecting memories. He gathered a crowd and dramatically recounted how he and Lin Kui had scaled the walls of Hou Chi's yard to witness Hou Chi and Shi Xia kissing.

Qing Feng, overhearing this, quickly informed Shi Xia, warning her that Yi Yaogua intended to use the Qiling Mirror to publicly display the memory. Shi Xia, refusing to let Yi Yaogua spread such falsehoods unchallenged, confronted him, but in doing so, she put herself in a more precarious position. As Yi Yaogua activated the Qiling Mirror, projecting the controversial scene for all to see, Hou Chi arrived, quickly followed by Yuan Zhao and other masters, who witnessed the embarrassing incident.

In the Great Hall, Yuan Zhao angrily addressed the situation, scolding Hou Chi, Yi Yaogua, and Shi Xia. He noted that while cotton candy might be unsuitable for cultivators, it wasn't a "fault for her" since Shi Xia wasn't an immortal. Yi Yaogua then declared that Shi Xia had seduced Hou Chi.

Shi Xia attempted to explain that the kiss was an accident caused by her slipping, even asking Yi Yaogua to play back the memory further, but Yi Yaogua refused, claiming the mirror only shows the memory itself and accusing Shi Xia of being manipulative. Hou Chi stepped forward, accepting responsibility for his "lack of discipline," acknowledging that he "should correct my greed immediately," but added that he had "been thinking of it."

Yuan Zhao, incensed by the scandal and the disruption to sect rules, lashed out with a powerful strike, which hit Shi Xia. The impact caused the doll head ornament on her head to fall off, revealing her true identity as a woman. The revelation shocked everyone, as the Yuhua Sect strictly forbade women.

Yuan Zhao, recalling that a woman had been previously found by a Fa Die, accused Shi Xia of fooling the Truth Spring and defiling the Yuhua Great Hall with her female aura. Hou Chi immediately took responsibility, stating, "Master, it was this disciple who decided to conceal her female identity. It's not her fault."

Yuan Zhao, furious at Hou Chi for disregarding two centuries of teachings, reminded him of the sect's core tenets: "Yuhua Sect was founded on integrity, its cultivation methods are pure Yang. No women are allowed within this sect." Yuan Zhao then ordered Shi Xia to be taken away for the "fire whip" punishment as per sect rules, a fate that would surely kill a mortal.

Hou Chi quickly interceded, declaring, "Master, Shi Xia has no spiritual roots so she can't bear it. This disciple is willing to take her punishment." As guards moved to seize Shi Xia, she struggled, crying, "Let me go! I won't go there!" Hou Chi defiantly stepped between them, firmly pulling her hand and declared to Yuan Zhao and the entire assembly, "She's my younger sister."

This astonishing declaration caused a stir among the disciples, some supporting Hou Chi's loyalty, others condemning his actions. Amidst the chaos, the Qiling Mirror displayed another image: the Spirit Tree was now sprouting. Disciples murmured, wondering if it was because of Shi Xia, despite her lack of spiritual roots. Bi Hong then stepped forward to plead for Shi Xia, highlighting her successful efforts in saving the Spirit Tree, stating, "I saw it with my own eyes.

Shi Xia saved the Spirit Tree. She has rendered a great service to Yuhua Sect." Still unconvinced and suspicious, Yuan Zhao silenced everyone and ordered Lin Kui to search Shi Xia's room for anything suspicious. Lin Kui returned with a "Missing Person" poster from Shi Xia's bag, depicting a man named Shi Dong. Yuan Zhao immediately recognized the portrait, asking, "Isn't this the Devil Lord?"

Disciples then murmured, connecting Shi Xia's elder brother to the Devil Lord and accusing Shi Xia of being a spy for the Devil Sect. Yi Yaogua further fueled the accusations, warning Hou Chi not to be "fooled by her." Shi Xia, confused and distressed, insisted, "I. . . I don't even know who Devil Lord is," and pleaded with Qing Feng to believe her.

Hou Chi tried to explain that there must be a misunderstanding, but Yuan Zhao cut him off, asserting his long-held suspicion that a spy had helped the Devil Lord infiltrate the sect, concluding that Shi Xia was that "demoness." Hou Chi made a final attempt to defend Shi Xia, pointing out her consistent good behavior and her role in reviving the Spirit Tree.

Yuan Zhao, growing increasingly enraged by Hou Chi's persistent defiance, declared that his two centuries of effort had been in vain and prepared to strike Shi Xia with his fire whip. Hou Chi immediately threw himself in front of Shi Xia, shielding her from the blow. He reiterated, "Master, it's my fault. Please punish me as you like. My younger sister is in trouble. I will never stand idly by." Bi Hong quickly knelt, begging Yuan Zhao for mercy.

The other masters also looked on with pleas in their eyes. Yuan Zhao, though he refrained from striking with the fire whip, ordered Shi Xia to be imprisoned in the Commandment Hall. As for Hou Chi, since he insisted on taking her punishment, Yuan Zhao commanded that he be taken away to be taught a lesson. Shi Xia was dragged away, desperately calling out for Hou Chi.

Episode 8 Recap

Hou Chi was subjected to punishment by Yuan Zhao. The first rule of the Yuhua Sect forbids women, and Hou Chi willingly accepted the fire whip punishment in Shi Xia's stead, pleading guilty. During this, Lin Kui reported finding a packet of instant noodles among Shi Xia's belongings in Hou Chi's library. Hou Chi fiercely declared it was not an object from the Devil Sect but his personal property, retrieving it.

Yuan Zhao scoffed, questioning how Hou Chi, who hadn't left the mountain in two hundred years, could possess personal items, and insisted it was a demon's object, ordering its destruction. Hou Chi stood firm, stating the item was his and urging his master not to inquire further. Enraged, Yuan Zhao invoked the sect's rules, declaring severe penalties for defying a master or defecting. He ordered the fire whip execution to proceed.

As the lashes struck Hou Chi, Shi Xia, locked away, felt a sympathetic pain and struggled in vain against her restraints. Yi Yaogua, witnessing Hou Chi endure the brutal punishment for Shi Xia, was distraught and urged him to discard the "Devil Sect object" to end his suffering. However, Hou Chi clung tightly to the instant noodles packet.

As Hou Chi was nearing unconsciousness from the blows, Master Yuan Ye intervened, pleading that further punishment would kill him and jeopardize Yuhua Sect's millennium foundation, especially with the Immortals Alliance preliminary contest only seven days away. Yuan Zhao halted the execution, but warned Hou Chi that this was not a reprieve; he must win first place for the Yuhua Sect in the upcoming election to atone for his mistakes.

Hou Chi then requested that his master promise not to harm Shi Xia while he was away, stating that if he couldn't protect one person, how could he protect all living beings? This demand infuriated Yuan Zhao, who angrily dismissed Hou Chi, ordering him back to his courtyard. Meanwhile, Bi Hong went to the Commandment Hall to deliver food to Shi Xia.

The guards initially barred his entry, but he bribed them with newly refined Jade Dew Heart Clearing Pills, which promised three years of cultivation increase per pill. Shi Xia, hearing the door open, initially thought it was Hou Chi and brightened, but her spirits fell upon seeing Bi Hong. Bi Hong explained he couldn't undo the "Immortal Binding Rope" as he lacked the enchantments. Shi Xia, unconcerned for herself, anxiously questioned him about Hou Chi's condition and wounds.

Bi Hong reassured her that Hou Chi was fine, having only received a few fire whips, and gave Shi Xia medicine for her own recovery, advising her to take it morning and night. He further explained that due to the imminent Immortals Alliance preliminary contest, Yuan Zhao would not inflict severe punishment on Hou Chi, who would soon depart for Immortal-Demon Town to participate. Shi Xia then wondered if Hou Chi would visit her before he left.

Elsewhere, the Devil Lord Qiu Ping was directing a play depicting his battle with Hou Chi. He chastised his actors, including Er Ha who was playing him, for their lack of "sense of faith." A subordinate reported a "takeaway" from the Yuhua Sect. Later, Er Ha shared gossip with Devil Lord Qiu Ping: Hou Chi had taken in a sister, and this sister carried Qiu Ping's portrait.

Qiu Ping, amused, initially believed she was his fan, but Er Ha clarified that the girl claimed not to know him, merely admiring his beauty. Qiu Ping speculated it was illogical for Hou Chi to keep someone who liked him, then recalled he was the one who fabricated having a "sister" during his last fight with Hou Chi to distract him.

Feeling a sense of responsibility for Shi Xia's predicament, Qiu Ping declared that they must save her, regardless of her identity. Overhearing a conversation among Yuhua elders, Qiu Ping learned that Yuan Zhao was greatly agitated by any mention of the Holy Tree, especially since Shi Xia had caused it to sprout "demon sprouts" and "sinister flowers." The elders discussed Shi Xia's fate, with Yuan Zhao deciding to deal with her after Hou Chi became the alliance head.

He was further angered to discover that Hou Chi had untied Shi Xia's bindings before leaving, and immediately ordered her to be re-bound and guarded tightly. Outraged by the hypocritical behavior of the "noble sects" who promised kindness but plotted cruelty behind their backs, Qiu Ping resolved to rescue Shi Xia in a "high-profile" manner, ensuring the entire Immortal Sect would witness his power.

Back in his courtyard, Hou Chi sat beneath the Holy Tree, clutching the damaged packet of instant noodles, regretting his inability to protect Shi Xia. Yuan Zhao appeared and, at the cost of his own vitality, healed Hou Chi's injuries. He admitted his earlier anger and acknowledged Hou Chi as a good child, agreeing to Hou Chi's terms regarding Shi Xia.

While she, as a woman, could not freely roam the Yuhua Sect, she would be kept in the Commandment Hall, and Yuan Zhao promised not to trouble her further if Hou Chi focused on the contest. Hou Chi thanked his master. Bi Hong then helped Hou Chi meet Shi Xia in the Commandment Hall, distracting the guards for a brief moment. Shi Xia, seeing Hou Chi, teared up.

Hou Chi untied her restraints, his heart aching at the red marks on her arms. Shi Xia inquired about his fire whip wounds, but Hou Chi brushed it off as a minor injury, not wanting her to worry. Hou Chi gave Shi Xia a handmade doll, assuring her it would help her sleep. Shi Xia asked when he would return. Hou Chi replied "soon," but confessed it was his first time leaving the mountain, so he was unsure.

He advised her to ask Bi Hong for help if needed and to avoid provoking Master Yuan Zhao. Shi Xia promised to be sensible and not cause trouble, noting that Hou Chi always resolved her issues. Hou Chi insisted it was natural for a brother to help his sister. Shi Xia assured him she would eat and sleep well, perhaps even gaining weight, and urged him to be careful on his journey.

Before leaving, Hou Chi asked her to call him "brother" one last time. Shi Xia refused, finding such farewells unlucky and hinting that her feelings for him were more than just familial. Hou Chi embraced Shi Xia tightly, asking her to wait for his return. Outside the sect, Bi Hong waited for Hou Chi and presented him with a self-drawn Map of the Cultivation World.

Just then, Yi Yaogua arrived, insisting on accompanying Hou Chi, explaining that the other masters had collectively decided he was the best person to escort Hou Chi to Immortal-Demon Town. Hou Chi could only accept with resignation. True to his word, Devil Lord Qiu Ping, who was later revealed to be Shi Xia's older brother Shi Dong, infiltrated the Commandment Hall.

He swiftly bundled Shi Xia into a sack and, to create a grand spectacle, ran through the sect shouting, "The Devil Lord has come to rescue people!" attracting a large number of Yuhua disciples. The disciples gave chase, but none were a match for Devil Lord Qiu Ping, who showcased his formidable powers, defeating them and escaping Yuhua Mountain with Shi Xia. Once they were clear, Devil Lord Qiu Ping removed the sack. Shi Xia and Qiu Ping looked at each other, and in unison, called out their respective names: "Shi Xia!" and "Shi Dong!" , finally recognizing each other as siblings.

Episode 9 Recap

In a flashback to modern times, Shi Dong took Shi Xia to an amusement park for her birthday, taking a long route home. The park was quite dark, and Shi Xia wondered why they were there. Shi Dong, feigning a stomach ache, briefly left to turn on all the lights as a surprise. Shi Xia was deeply touched by the suddenly illuminated "Happy Birthday Shi Xia" sign. However, the celebration was cut short by a sudden thunderstorm.

As Shi Xia, drenched and scared, frantically searched for her brother, Shi Dong was inside the Ferris wheel lighting candles on a birthday cake. Realizing it was raining, he rushed out to find her, only to be transported to another world the moment he stepped into a puddle. Shi Xia, now in the present, understood that Shi Dong hadn't abandoned her on purpose, which brought her a great sense of relief.

Back in the current world, Shi Dong, now the Devil Lord, apologized to Shi Xia for missing her birthday. She acknowledged his unreliability but was happy to understand what happened. He ordered his subordinates to treat Shi Xia as their "Devil Lady," warning severe punishment for disobedience. Shi Xia worried internally that she would now be seen as a spy for the Devil Sect.

She then learned from Shi Dong that he was impersonating the tyrannical previous Devil Lord, Qiu Ping, who had mysteriously disappeared, and Shi Dong himself had never met the real Qiu Ping. Shi Dong also revealed his ambition to compete for the leader of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, which made Shi Xia worry about Hou Chi.

To establish their identities in this world, Shi Xia suggested that since Shi Dong was already the Devil Lord, she should pretend to be Hou Chi's younger sister. Shi Dong then showcased his "Ark," a high-tech flying vehicle he invented, complete with a driver's cab and modern amenities. To Shi Xia's delight, he even had her favorite bubble tea.

They shared a playful moment over the drink, with Shi Dong taking a big gulp and Shi Xia teasing him about its taste. Shi Dong proudly explained that he had tried everything to return home—jumping into the sea, off cliffs, even being struck by lightning—but couldn't die.

He concluded that he was the "hero in an adventure novel" with a destiny to "be able to achieve in unfavorable circumstances," which is how he became the Devil Lord in just over a year. He promised to get her advanced custom clothing, as he found her Yuhua Sect attire too plain, and asserted his protection over her. His subordinate, Husppy, hinted that Shi Dong was acting freely only because the Immortal Aunt was not around.

Meanwhile, Hou Chi and Yi Yaogua were traveling, with Yi Yaogua planning to use the journey to grow closer to Hou Chi and discuss cultivation techniques within three days. He had already meticulously arranged all their accommodations. Hou Chi, after opening a map given by his Senior, received a message informing him that Shi Xia had been captured by Devil Lord Qiu Ping and needed immediate rescue. Hou Chi immediately changed course towards the Devil Sect.

Yi Yaogua, however, believed Shi Xia was aligned with the Devil Lord and had been "rescued" rather than "captured," urging Hou Chi to prioritize the Immortals Alliance competition in Otherworld Town. When Hou Chi asked if he knew the way to the Devil Sect, Yi Yaogua admitted that no one had found its entrance in over two millennia, stating it was merely hearsay.

Determined to make Hou Chi see Shi Xia's true nature, Yi Yaogua insisted on following him to help confront her, even though Hou Chi initially told him to go to Otherworld Town. Yi Yaogua impressed Hou Chi by using immortal coins to gather information, making Hou Chi praise his wealth, which fueled Yi Yaogua's desire to restore Hou Chi's image.

Unable to find the Devil Sect's entrance based on their map, which Yi Yaogua criticized for being inaccurate, they encountered a group of robbers. The robbers, recognizing Yi Yaogua from Yuhua Sect, informed them that the Devil Lord had gone to Otherworld Town and challenged them to seek him there if they dared. Enraged by the insult to Yuhua Sect, Yi Yaogua prepared to fight the robbers.

However, Hou Chi, desperate to find Shi Xia, abruptly left for Otherworld Town without a word. Left alone, Yi Yaogua tried to assert his dominance against the robbers, only to be soundly beaten as Hou Chi, unbeknownst to him, had already departed, leaving Yi Yaogua to learn his "second rule of the world" the hard way: run if you can't beat them. Shi Dong and Shi Xia arrived at Otherworld Town, finding it eerily deserted.

His subordinates assumed everyone had fled in fear of the Devil Lord, which Shi Dong proudly attributed to his "blessing from gods." Inside the Otherworld Inn, an automated system announced the arrival of "Candidates from Devil Sect." To Shi Dong's confusion, it then announced, "A candidate from Yuhua Sect arrives." Both Shi Dong and his subordinates wondered who this could be, only to realize, to Shi Dong's disbelief, that it was Shi Xia.

She was then prevented from entering Shi Dong's (Devil Sect) room by a ward. The system declared that all candidates must stay in their own sect's designated rooms, and anyone attempting to break into another sect's room would be disqualified. Shi Dong, frustrated, ordered Husppy to break the ward, but it held firm. Respecting the rules to protect Shi Dong's candidacy, Shi Xia sadly accepted her fate.

Carrying a cloth doll given to her by Hou Chi, she entered the Yuhua Sect's room, only to find no sign of Hou Chi, leaving her deeply disappointed. Shi Dong, still fuming, vowed to find and beat up the person who set such a rule.

Episode 10 Recap

Shi Xia, contemplating Hou Chi's absence from the Yuhua Sect room, found herself in a dilemma, worrying about the conflict between her two brothers, Shi Dong and Hou Chi. She imagined them fighting over her and realized her intervention would be futile. Convinced she needed to find Hou Chi, she decided to clarify her non-affiliation with the Devil Sect to him when Shi Dong was not around.

Uncertain, she used a doll for divination; believing it pointed north, she set out to find Hou Chi. Meanwhile, Er Ha reported to Shi Dong that no Yuhua Sect disciples had registered, meaning Shi Xia was residing alone. Relieved, Shi Dong ordered his guardians to maintain strict surveillance on Shi Xia's room, threatening severe injury or death to any man attempting entry, explicitly targeting Hou Chi.

At Yuhua Mountain, Yuan Zhao expressed concern over Shi Xia's rescue by the Devil Lord, seeing it as evidence of her unusual importance despite her lack of spiritual roots. He dismissed Bi Hong's attempts to portray it as a misunderstanding, citing Shi Xia's past trespasses and deliberate closeness to Hou Chi. Yuan Zhao feared the Devil Lord's actions were a ploy to obstruct Hou Chi's participation in the Immortal Alliance election.

He dispatched disciples to assist Hou Chi, and Bi Hong volunteered, arguing his unique position to mediate between Hou Chi and Shi Xia. Yuan Zhao permitted him to go but sternly warned him against protecting Shi Xia, reiterating that their sole mission was to ensure Hou Chi's participation in the election.

In Immortal Devil Town, Shi Xia diligently inquired about a "handsome Immortal with a poker face," unaware that Hou Chi was nearby at a doll stall, admiring the handmade figures. They narrowly missed each other. A doll vendor eventually hinted that the Immortal Shi Xia was looking for might be the one she just missed. Moments later, Er Ha confronted Shi Xia, stating that Shi Dong was looking for her and attempting to take her back.

Shi Xia fiercely resisted, threatening Er Ha with Shi Dong's punishment. Impressed, Er Ha remarked that she truly matched Shi Dong's formidable temper. Shi Xia soon found herself amidst a bustling street play depicting a battle between Hou Chi and the Devil Lord. Hou Chi, who had interrupted the performance while searching for his sister, engaged in a real fight with the actors. Recognizing the genuine Hou Chi on stage, Shi Dong (the Devil Lord) dramatically joined the fray.

Despite Shi Dong's theatrical grandstanding and attempts at powerful moves, Hou Chi easily overpowered him. Shi Xia arrived and halted their escalating battle. She explained to Hou Chi that Shi Dong had rescued her and brought her to Immortal Devil Town with no malicious intent, emphatically denying any ties to the Devil Sect. To her astonishment, Hou Chi believed her without hesitation, simply stating, "You are my sister."

Hou Chi then led Shi Xia to the doll stall and purchased the very doll he had admired earlier for her. Shortly after, Shi Dong appeared and, in a fit of pique, bought all the remaining dolls on the stall, initially declaring them for Shi Xia before correcting himself to "for myself" under Hou Chi's watchful eye. Hou Chi playfully suggested Shi Dong must suffer from severe insomnia to need so many dolls.

Back at the Immortal Devil Inn, Shi Dong demanded separate accommodations for Hou Chi and Shi Xia. Hou Chi, oblivious to the customs of the mortal world, insisted they had always shared a room at Yuhua Sect, where he would tell her bedtime stories due to her fear of the dark. Frustrated, Shi Dong tried to appeal to the inn's management, but Shi Xia intervened.

Pulling Shi Dong aside, she privately convinced him that she had been acting as an "undercover spy" for him during her time with Hou Chi and could continue to gather intelligence. When Shi Dong remained skeptical, Shi Xia threatened to reveal their true sibling relationship and expose his identity as the fake Devil Lord. This forced Shi Dong to reluctantly concede, and he returned to his own room, ordering Er Ha to escort him.

Meanwhile, Shi Dong's subordinates reported back, confirming they had severely injured a Yuhua Sect disciple as ordered, breaking one hand and one leg. Shi Dong pondered if they had attacked the wrong person. It was revealed that the victim was Yi Yaogua, now bedridden and lamenting his mysterious injuries, unable to accompany Hou Chi. Back at Yuhua Mountain, Bi Hong received a telepathic message from Hou Chi, confirming Shi Xia's safety.

Bi Hong promptly replied, warning Hou Chi that Master Yuan Gui was leading a group down the mountain, which could pose a threat to Shi Xia, urging him to prepare. Despite Qing Feng's remarks about his overly extravagant attire, Bi Hong, along with Qing Feng and Lin Kui, set off with Master Yuan Gui. In their shared room, Shi Xia felt uneasy with the close quarters and Hou Chi's innocent disregard for personal boundaries, inwardly labeling him a "blockhead."

Hou Chi gave her the new doll, but then tried to discard an old, less attractive doll he had made earlier. Shi Xia protested fiercely, reminding him of its sentimental value and innocence. Later, Hou Chi noticed his clothes were torn from his fight with Shi Dong. Seeking to connect with his sister, he recounted "Jianghu experience" he had learned from Yi Yaogua, explaining he came to Immortal Devil Town to rescue her.

Shi Xia clarified that her presence with Shi Dong was a misunderstanding and that Shi Dong had brought her because he sensed she "missed" Hou Chi. When Hou Chi asked for the meaning of "missing," Shi Xia described it as a deep longing for someone. Misinterpreting her explanation, Hou Chi unexpectedly kissed her, believing he was offering her "marshmallows," leaving Shi Xia utterly bewildered. Later, Shi Dong, still annoyed with Hou Chi, arranged for a lavish dinner with spicy dishes.

Shi Xia and Shi Dong enthusiastically enjoyed a "hot-chilly pot" and Er Ha's freshly made "stinky tofu," which Shi Xia declared "amazing." However, Hou Chi was completely repulsed by the pungent smell of the stinky tofu, exclaiming that it must be poisonous. Shi Xia, enjoying her meal, lightheartedly tried to persuade him to taste a piece.

Episode 11 Recap

Having tasted stinky tofu for the first time in 200 years, Hou Chi found the experience utterly disgusting. Shi Xia quickly offered him water, but Er Ha mistakenly gave him hot water, making Hou Chi's discomfort worse. Shi Xia reprimanded Er Ha.

As Shi Xia guided Hou Chi towards their room, Shi Dong intercepted them, imposing three strict rules: no sharing a bed, no physical contact, and the window must remain open for his supervision, as it faced his own room. Hou Chi, asserting his status as Shi Xia's real brother, declared that their interactions were none of Shi Dong's concern. Shi Dong, however, countered by expressing his worry about Hou Chi's intentions toward Shi Xia.

Later, from his own room, Shi Dong gazed anxiously at Shi Xia's window. Er Ha, misunderstanding Shi Dong's concern as a romantic interest, advised him that as members of the Devil Sect, they didn't need to adhere to conventional rules and could simply "snatch" Shi Xia. Shi Dong, unable to reveal that Shi Xia was his actual sister, considered Er Ha's suggestion. The next morning, Shi Dong and Er Ha awaited Hou Chi and Shi Xia outside the inn.

Shi Dong feigned an apology for his previous rudeness and extended an invitation for them to explore Immortal-Devil Town, culminating in a feast at "First Floor," with all expenses covered by the Devil Sect. Hou Chi initially declined, but Er Ha enthusiastically detailed the many attractions and delicacies, specifically highlighting the "Victory Feast" prepared for the upcoming Alliance Head competition. Interpreting Shi Xia's feigned disinterest as true desire, Hou Chi accepted the invitation.

As they made their way to "First Floor," they witnessed a touching scene: a brother comforting his sister after she fell. Inspired, Hou Chi took Shi Xia's hand, stating it was safer. Shi Dong, however, immediately intervened, separating their hands and attempting to walk between them. Frustrated by Shi Dong's antics, Shi Xia suggested they all walk separately. Inside "First Floor," Shi Dong subtly diverted Shi Xia's attention by suggesting she explore the restaurant's unique ingredients.

Alone with Hou Chi, Shi Dong recounted a fabricated story of losing his sister a year ago, claiming that Shi Xia's resemblance to her was why he had shown her kindness. Hou Chi, firm in his belief that Shi Xia was his sister, warned Shi Dong to focus on finding his own lost sibling and not stare at his sister. Nevertheless, Hou Chi, moved by the tale, genuinely offered his help in the search.

Following Shi Dong's instructions, Er Ha paid the restaurant owner a substantial sum to organize a "sister selecting contest," specifying that it was for finding a sister, not for any unsavory purpose. Soon, posters announcing the contest, featuring descriptions of Hou Chi and Devil Lord Qiu Ping, appeared. Shi Xia was bewildered, expecting a grand meal, but Shi Dong whispered that it was a test for Hou Chi.

During the contest, Hou Chi, with his innocent nature, found something commendable in every contestant, giving them all a pass. He complimented their appearance and elegance, remarking that any girl with "a round face and big eyes" was "worth considering" as a sister. This infuriated Shi Xia, who deemed the contestants "plain" or "without charm," and angrily pointed out that Hou Chi had approved all 153 participants.

Shi Dong sided with Shi Xia, emphasizing that choosing a sister was no laughing matter. Upset by Hou Chi's indiscriminate approvals, Shi Xia stormed out. Over dinner, the restaurant served symbolically named dishes. "

Birds Pay Homage to the Phoenix" represented selection, which Shi Xia found displeasing, though Hou Chi saw it as apt. The "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" dish, depicting two dragons vying for a pearl, sparked a fresh rivalry between Shi Dong and Hou Chi, with Shi Xia criticizing their self-serving pursuit. The final dish, "Leaping Carp Through Dragon Gate," signified a singular triumph amidst many attempts.

Shi Dong confidently declared his intention to win the Alliance Head position, certain of his victory. Hou Chi, equally resolute, stated he would not yield, as he had promised Shi Xia to become the Alliance Head to fulfill her wish of returning home, having developed a "Heart of Guardian" for her. Shi Dong then cast doubt, questioning if Hou Chi could guarantee Shi Xia would never leave. Shi Xia, disturbed by their competitive tension, pulled Shi Dong aside.

She confronted him about his schemes, prompting Shi Dong to reiterate his duty as her real brother to protect his "naive and sweet" sister from all other males. Shi Xia, however, reminded him of her binding brother-sister contract with Hou Chi and her own reservations about being that "foolish blockhead's" sister. Shi Dong seized this opportunity to further poison her mind against Hou Chi, calling him a "scumbag brother" who believed "anyone could be his sister."

He attributed Hou Chi's behavior to his sheltered upbringing in the mountains, suggesting he was easily overwhelmed by the diverse array of women in the outside world. Shi Xia, contemplating this, conceded that Hou Chi's sister-recognition was merely a means for his cultivation and becoming the Alliance Head, so "whoever it is, it's the same." Shi Dong then emphasized his own "unbreakable blood ties" compared to Hou Chi's conditional bond, promising to be a more reliable brother.

Meanwhile, Bi Hong, Xiao Qing Feng, and a senior master were journeying. Bi Hong deliberately slowed their pace, wondering if Hou Chi had received his message and was prepared. They stumbled upon a group of bandits ensnared in hunting traps. Driven by his medical ethics, Bi Hong healed their injuries.

However, upon discovering their criminal nature, he ordered his companions to take them to the authorities, thereby causing a detour that further delayed their journey, much to Xiao Qing Feng's chagrin, though they reasoned that Yi Yaogua was still protecting Hou Chi. Back at "First Floor," another dish, "Hang by a Thread," symbolizing a precarious situation, was served. Hou Chi, still focused on deflecting Shi Dong's attention, was keen to expedite the sister selection.

Recognizing Shi Xia's anger, Hou Chi was told by Shi Xia to refrain from calling her "sister." Hou Chi, still aiming to please, urged her to "just pick a sister." The 154th contestant then made a dramatic entrance, performing an exceptionally graceful dance. Both Shi Xia and Shi Dong were visibly impressed; Shi Xia acknowledged the woman as a "master," and Shi Dong praised her beauty, likening her to various elegant flowers.

Shi Xia, feeling a pang of jealousy, mistakenly assumed Shi Dong was looking to replace her. To everyone's astonishment, the contestant then removed her veil and directly addressed Shi Dong as "Brother," leaving both Shi Xia and Hou Chi utterly stunned.

Episode 12 Recap

Hou Chi congratulated the Devil Lord on reuniting with his sister in Otherworld Town. Shi Xia then realized the sister-choosing contest was organized for the Devil Lord, not for Hou Chi. Qiu Li, introduced as the Devil Lord's cousin and the Immortal Aunt of the Devil Sect, embraced Shi Xia as a sister and presented her with a gift. The Devil Lord reluctantly introduced Shi Xia as Hou Chi's sister.

Later, Qiu Li’s subordinate, Qi Lingling, expressed suspicion about Shi Xia’s unusually close relationship with the Devil Lord, and Qiu Li dismissed these concerns. Shi Xia confronted the Devil Lord, frustrated with his actions toward Hou Chi. She defensively claimed her undercover activities with Hou Chi were solely to aid the Devil Lord in becoming the head of the Alliance. The Devil Lord, seeing through her pretense, questioned her true motives.

In their escalating argument, Shi Xia angrily revealed to the Devil Lord that she was his biological sister and that he was merely impersonating the Devil Lord. Unbeknownst to them, Qiu Li overheard this shocking confession and felt insignificant. Qi Lingling, seizing the opportunity, manipulated Qiu Li's distress, suggesting Shi Xia intended to steal the Devil Lord away, awakening a dormant demonic power within Qiu Li, causing her to transform with a blue aura.

She defiantly declared that she would not permit anyone to take her brother from her. Later that evening, Shi Xia apologized to Hou Chi for her earlier bad temper, and Hou Chi reassured her. Shi Xia then recounted a story about a little prince who cherished a unique rose, only to realize its commonness after discovering a world full of similar flowers, implicitly expressing her feelings of insecurity.

Hou Chi, in turn, firmly reassured her, stating that she was his only sister and utterly irreplaceable, which uplifted Shi Xia's spirits. She then made a pact with him, promising to support him through his examination. Hou Chi found himself increasingly agitated and drawn to Shi Xia, his heart racing whenever he thought of touching her hand, leading him to wonder if the Devil Lord was somehow influencing his emotions.

Concurrently, Qi Lingling intercepted a magical umbrella from the Yuhua Sect and discovered that the Yuhua Sect intended to harm Shi Xia. This news pleased Qiu Li, who decided to orchestrate a "good show" for Shi Xia.

At The Great Hotel, Hou Chi encountered Zhao, a disciple from the Lingxiu Sect, who began to verbally attack the Devil Lord, whom he addressed as "Devil Lord Qiu Ping," and Hou Chi, criticizing the Yuhua Sect for its association with the Devil Sect. As the confrontation intensified, Qiu Li intervened, snatching Zhao’s junior sister’s hair clasp and shattering it, stating that she destroys what she desires but cannot possess.

The Devil Lord stepped in to protect Qiu Li, and his comforting presence caused Qiu Li to revert to her kind self. The inn owner diffused the escalating tension by reminding everyone that a ward established by Shen Guan in Otherworld Town prohibited fatal combat. Later, Qi Lingling secretly introduced Desire Poison into the fruit wine served at the hotel. Zhao's junior sister, after drinking the wine, began to act erratically, making advances toward Zhao.

Zhao, believing the wine had been deliberately poisoned, accused Shi Xia and Hou Chi of the deed. Shi Xia, who had also consumed the wine, suddenly felt a burning heat and intense discomfort. Realizing she was affected, she hastily retreated to her room, warning Hou Chi to stay out. Hou Chi, concerned, entered her room but found her hiding in a closet. Startled by a mouse, Shi Xia screamed and leapt out, seeking refuge in Hou Chi's embrace.

Under the potent influence of the Desire Poison, her eyes filled with longing as she tenderly caressed Hou Chi’s face. Meanwhile, the Devil Lord, Shi Dong, had retreated to his room to recover from his "allergy" with the aid of a Devil Sect medicine. Qiu Li, experiencing her intermittent memory loss, had no recollection of her aggressive behavior at dinner.

Worried about her "Hei Li" personality resurfacing and targeting Shi Xia, the Devil Lord lied to Qiu Li, explaining that his close interactions with Hou Chi and Shi Xia were a calculated strategy to disrupt Hou Chi’s cultivation and ensure his own victory in the Alliance Leader competition, assuring Qiu Li that all his actions were for the benefit of the Devil Sect and her.

Shortly after, Er Ha burst in with news that Zhao’s junior sister had been poisoned with Desire Poison at The Great Hotel. Realizing Shi Xia was also there, the Devil Lord immediately rushed to the hotel, where he and others heard soft murmurs emanating from Shi Xia’s room.

Episode 13 Recap

As Shi Xia succumbed to the effects of the poison within her room, whispering Hou Chi's name and asking him to hold her, Shi Dong frantically pounded on the door. He threatened to kill Hou Chi if he dared harm Shi Xia and ordered Er Ha to break the door down. However, the inn's enchanted rules announced that anyone destroying property or forcibly entering another's room would be disqualified from the upcoming competition.

Qiu Li tried to intercede, reminding Shi Dong that his future depended on abiding by these rules. But Shi Dong, recalling his lifelong vow to protect Shi Xia, declared that his future was meaningless if his sister was in danger. He demanded a weapon, and when Qiu Li again tried to block him, questioning if his commitments to her and the Devil Sect were lies, Shi Dong coldly pushed her aside.

The rejection triggered Qiu Li's darker personality, Black Li, who sneered at the "stupid Bai Li" and confessed that she was indeed the one who had poisoned Shi Xia, driven by her jealousy of Shi Dong's affection for his sister.

Shi Dong then commanded Er Ha to move Qiu Li out of the way, despite Er Ha's initial hesitation, and after forcing entry, he rushed into the room, rescued Shi Xia, and left with her, earning an immediate disqualification from the competition. Later, Black Li angrily confronted Qi Lingling, demanding to know why she hadn't given Shi Xia the "real" Desire Poison.

Qi Lingling explained that she had seen Qiu Li transform back into her good self, Bai Li, and feared Bai Li would accidentally consume the poison herself, so she had swapped it out. Still in her darker persona, Qiu Li denounced Bai Li as useless and vowed to expose Shi Xia's true nature, seeing her as someone manipulating both Hou Chi and Shi Dong.

The next morning, Shi Xia woke up and realized she hadn't been truly poisoned with the Desire Poison. When Hou Chi came to check on her, Shi Dong immediately tried to send him away, wanting to speak with Shi Xia alone. Hou Chi, however, explicitly refused to leave, prompting Shi Xia to gently persuade him to wait for her at the Otherworld Inn.

Shi Dong then sternly told Shi Xia that she must stay by his side, expressing hurt that she might view him as untrustworthy, and asserting that despite his own flaws, his primary duty was to protect her. Unknown to them, Yi Yao Gua had overheard their conversation and concluded that Shi Xia was deeply involved with Shi Dong and was manipulating Hou Chi, resolving to expose her.

Meanwhile, a procession arrived in Otherworld Town, revealing Bi Hong, who had recently cured the Prince Regent and was now highly esteemed. Members of the Lingxiu Sect immediately began to verbally attack the Yuhua Sect disciples present, accusing their former sect leader of breaking rules two centuries ago by taking in an illegitimate son without immortal perception.

They further claimed that Hou Chi had followed suit, breaking his vows and colluding with the Devil Lord and "demon girl" Shi Xia to poison their junior sister with Desire Poison. Hearing these accusations, Bi Hong grew concerned for Hou Chi's safety and quickly sought him out, only to find that all the messages he had sent via his fairy umbrella had gone unreceived. Shi Dong and Shi Xia arrived on the scene, intensifying the already tense atmosphere.

Shi Dong declared he was taking Shi Xia back to the Devil Sect, insisting she would be in danger if she remained with the Yuhua Sect. Hou Chi, however, believed Shi Xia was a member of the Yuhua Sect and refused to let her go. As Hou Chi and Shi Dong struggled over Shi Xia, pulling her between them, Hou Chi ultimately loosened his grip, allowing Shi Xia to make her own choice.

Er Ha then revealed to Shi Xia that Shi Dong had sacrificed his qualification for the competition to save her, leading her to feel immense guilt. Shi Xia pulled Shi Dong aside, trying to persuade him that the only way to return home was for Hou Chi to become the Alliance Head and "break the void," which he had promised to do.

But Shi Dong was resolute, his only concern being her safety, and he insisted she return to the Devil Sect with him. Realizing the depth of his unwavering protection, Shi Xia, with a heavy heart, announced to everyone that she chose to leave with Shi Dong. Hou Chi, confused, reminded her that she had claimed Shi Dong was not the Devil Lord, but Shi Xia couldn't offer an explanation.

Just as Shi Dong and Shi Xia prepared to leave, the Lingxiu Sect leader demanded retribution for his junior sister's poisoning. Zhao Gongzi presented a solution: a highly poisonous flower called Wan Du. If ingested by a living person, its toxins would violently collide and harmonize in the body for three excruciating hours, after which the person's blood would become the antidote for Desire Poison.

Zhao Gongzi proposed that Shi Xia be the "medicine guide," but Shi Dong immediately stepped forward, proclaiming his responsibility as the Devil Lord, and took the Wan Du poison himself. Back at his quarters, Hou Chi expressed his profound regret to Bi Hong, feeling that he had been less sincere in his affection for Shi Xia than Shi Dong, which was why she chose to leave with his brother.

He then innocently asked Bi Hong to explain "what a lover is." Bi Hong, realizing Hou Chi was still oblivious to romantic love and had misinterpreted his feelings for Shi Xia as sibling affection, chose not to enlighten him, believing that ignorance would spare him greater heartache. Bi Hong then subtly consoled Hou Chi, acknowledging that Hou Chi had at least experienced a form of love, unlike himself who had never openly confessed his own hidden love.

Meanwhile, Shi Dong writhed in agony as the Wan Du poison ravaged his body. Witnessing his suffering, Qiu Li felt immense guilt and regret. Despite Qi Lingling's warnings that it was a forbidden Devil Sect technique that would damage her immortal perception, Qiu Li took a dagger, cut her hand, and used her pure elemental energy to refine her blood into a blood pill, seeking to provide Shi Dong even a moment of relief.

A flashback revealed the source of Qiu Li's unwavering devotion to Shi Dong: a traumatic childhood memory where she was hunted by her cruel cousin, Qiu Ping, and terrorized by a thunderstorm, only to be found and comforted by a young Shi Dong, who promised to protect her. As she completed the blood pill, Qiu Li's darker personality receded, and the kindhearted Bai Li returned, disoriented and unaware of what had transpired.

Later, Bi Hong delivered a medicinal decoction to ease Shi Dong's pain. While discussing the many women who had sought to marry Bi Hong during his journey, Bi Hong confided to Hou Chi that there was one woman he had loved, but believing she was already taken, he had hidden his feelings and ultimately lost her to another. Unaware that Bi Hong was speaking of Shi Xia, Hou Chi offered to help Bi Hong win her back. As Bi Hong watched Shi Xia from afar, he realized his regret was useless, as she was now with Shi Dong.

Episode 14 Recap

Qing Feng, seeking vengeance, ventured into the Devil Realm, believing the Devil Lord was still weakened by poison, making it an opportune moment for an attack. However, she was quickly captured by Qi Lingling. Shi Xia immediately rushed to ask Qi Lingling to release her, but Qing Feng, recognizing Shi Xia as the Devil Lord's sister, questioned why she would save her.

Shi Xia tried to explain that the current Devil Lord was not the one responsible for killing Qing Feng's brother, stating, "He didn't kill anyone. That Devil Lord who killed people is not him." She admitted she couldn't fully explain the situation at the moment but emphasized that Qing Feng was her best friend in this world. Qing Feng acknowledged the distinction between Shi Xia and her brother, accepting Shi Xia as a friend despite her lineage.

She warned Shi Xia that if the Devil Lord ever committed unforgivable evils, their friendship would have to end, but Shi Xia confidently asserted that day would never come, and vowed to help her brother atone for his sins and improve his image. Before Qing Feng departed, Shi Xia asked her to convey a message to Hou Chi, arranging a meeting with him at the clinic at noon.

Meanwhile, Qi Lingling informed Shi Dong that the antidote had been successfully delivered to the Lingxiu Sect, and the Immortal Sect apprentices were recovering. Qi Lingling also told Shi Dong that Shi Xia had dressed up to meet Hou Chi, intending to "turn hostility into friendship" and prevent a duel between Shi Dong and Hou Chi, asserting that Shi Xia would eventually choose Hou Chi. Shi Dong defiantly declared he wouldn't lose Shi Xia.

Then, noticing a small umbrella in Qi Lingling’s possession, Shi Dong inquired about its origin. Qi Lingling explained it was an Immortal Umbrella used for transmitting messages by the Yuhua Sect. Intrigued, Shi Dong found it to be an excellent item and expressed a desire to study it further. Later, Shi Xia met with Hou Chi, revealing a crucial secret: the Devil Lord was her biological brother.

Hou Chi initially misunderstood, believing Shi Xia had chosen the Devil Lord as her brother because he hadn't been a good enough brother to her, and expressed a desire to win her back as his sister. This revelation pleased Shi Xia, prompting her to clarify that Shi Dong was her biological brother, the same one from her hometown she had mentioned before. She explained that he had gone missing a year ago, unexpectedly appearing here as the Devil Lord.

Hou Chi then understood that the Devil Lord (Shi Dong) was not from this era and was not the evil figure they believed him to be. Shi Xia encouraged Hou Chi to perform well in the upcoming Alliance Head selection, reminding him of their promise to watch the moonlight together, reassuring him that their agreement would not change, and promising him a surprise gift. As Shi Xia went to retrieve the gift, she stumbled upon a mysterious letter.

It contained a chilling threat: she must confess to Hou Chi by midnight that she was a spy from the Devil Sect and make him abandon his affections, or she would face the Devil Lord's corpse. Terrified, Shi Xia dropped the gift, which shattered. She rushed back to the Devil Realm, frantically searching for Shi Dong. He was nowhere to be found, but a frantic Qi Lingling presented a box containing the Devil Lord's severed finger.

When Qi Lingling asked for any clues about the kidnappers, Shi Xia connected the dots, suspecting the Yuhua Sect had kidnapped her brother because of her secret meeting with Hou Chi. Distraught and blaming herself, she resolved to return to Hou Chi for answers. Back at the clinic, Hou Chi was still waiting for her. Shi Xia immediately questioned him about Master Yuan Gui's animosity towards the Devil Lord.

Hou Chi confirmed that Master Yuan Gui had a temper and the Devil Lord (Shi Dong) frequently provoked him, leading to significant bad blood between them. Just then, Shi Xia caught sight of a fleeting figure and chased after them. The person vanished, leaving behind another mysterious Immortal Umbrella. This one carried a stark warning: "If you dare to ask for Hou Chi's help, I'll let Devil Lord die." Shi Xia’s heart seized with fear for Shi Dong’s life.

Recognizing the umbrella as a unique artifact she had only ever seen within the Yuhua Sect, she became convinced that the Yuhua Sect was behind the abduction. Later, Shi Xia drank heavily, causing Hou Chi concern, as her previous encounter with alcohol had almost led to a disaster. To console her, Hou Chi took her to the rooftop and released a Bamboo Dragonfly.

Seeing it, Shi Xia was overcome with emotion, remembering the last time she flew a bamboo dragonfly was with her parents before they left her. Overwhelmed, Shi Xia confessed her deception. She admitted she had lied about everything, stating that their shared training was meaningless and that she had only one brother—the Devil Lord. Hou Chi was deeply hurt, questioning why she revealed the truth now after deceiving him for so long.

He took a swig from a wine pot, offering to overlook everything if she would still be his sister, promising to always protect her. But Shi Xia, burdened by the threat against Shi Dong, maintained her facade. She declared that she was truly the Devil Lord's sister and had joined the Yuhua Sect specifically to use Hou Chi as a spy for the Devil Lord, aiming to prevent him from becoming the Alliance Head.

She urged him to stop being so foolishly trusting. When Hou Chi asked if she had ever sincerely regarded him as her brother, Shi Xia coldly replied, "Never." She further confessed to lying about cotton candy, saying it could only be eaten with one's lover, cautioning him to "be careful when you eat cotton candy" in the future. Shi Xia’s mind drifted to the past, reliving the tragic car accident that took her parents' lives. She recalled how her brother, Shi Dong, had pulled her from the wreckage and later, how they would fly Bamboo Dragonflies together, sending blessings to their lost parents.

Episode 15 Recap

Upon reuniting with Shi Dong, Shi Xia was filled with worry and immediately asked about his kidnapping. Shi Dong launched into a dramatic account of his ordeal, claiming "hypocrites" had resorted to "dirty" tactics. When Shi Xia pointed out he was supposedly kidnapped during the day, Shi Dong admitted he was just trying to "color up the atmosphere." He then described being covered with a linen cloth, dragged into a cave, and threatened by a vicious masked man.

Shi Xia, seeing he had lost a finger, became emotional, scolding him for not taking it seriously and remarking on his luck for only losing a finger. Shi Dong, on the verge of confessing his deception, instead claimed he held onto life specifically to see his sister again. His subordinate, Autumn Li, urged him to rest. Shi Dong’s self-directed act of being kidnapped was intended to damage Hou Chi's reputation.

His subordinate, Autumn Li, questioned the deception, suggesting it might be better to simply concede to Hou Chi. Shi Dong dismissed her, claiming he was merely afraid Shi Xia's panic would reveal his embarrassment, not that he was truly afraid of Hou Chi. Autumn Li then remarked that Shi Xia was merely a 'chess piece' against Hou Chi.

Shi Dong, however, maintained that he was doing it for Shi Xia's own good, to make her "understand the situation" and "mend her ways." Later that night, Shi Xia, alone, gazed at the night sky. She recalled her promise to Hou Chi to see him into the exam room. Despite their recent falling out, she resolved to fulfill this final commitment.

The preliminary test for the head of the Alliance began, but Hou Chi was nowhere to be found, causing Shi Xia considerable anxiety. She tried to tell the Yuhua Sect disciples where he was, but they dismissed her as a "demon girl" and refused to believe her, especially Yuan Gui, who was angry. One of the disciples, Qing Feng, vouched for Shi Xia, confirming he and Yi Yaogua had seen Hou Chi and Shi Xia together.

Shi Xia revealed Hou Chi was at The Great Hotel. There, Hou Chi was discovered unconscious, heavily intoxicated, and lying on the floor. Bi Hong was summoned but despite his efforts with acupuncture, Hou Chi remained unresponsive. Realizing time was running out, Bi Hong suggested that Yi Yaogua take Hou Chi's place. Yi Yaogua entered the Immortals Gate with Hou Chi's token, but his deception was quickly uncovered.

He was promptly expelled, and Hou Chi, for failing to arrive on time, was disqualified from the exam. Furthermore, the Yuhua Sect was banned from participating in the Alliance exams for three tournaments, a period of 600 years. Yuan Gui was furious at this news. Back at the Yuhua Sect, Yuan Zhao, the sect leader, personally tried to rouse Hou Chi but to no avail.

He declared that he would spare no one, especially Shi Xia, whom he held responsible, even vowing to eliminate her. Meanwhile, Yi Yaogua was being castigated for causing Hou Chi's disqualification. He protested his innocence, explaining he only acted out of good intentions at Bi Hong's suggestion, hoping to help Hou Chi pass the preliminary test. Yuan Zhao and his disciples then arrived at the inn, immediately ordering Shi Xia's capture.

Upon hearing Shi Xia was detained, Shi Dong rushed to the inn. He confronted Yuan Zhao and attempted to rescue Shi Xia, but Yuan Zhao swiftly defeated his guards. Realizing he was outmatched, Shi Dong urged Shi Xia to hold him tight so they could escape. However, Shi Xia refused, instead stepping forward to address both the Immortal and Devil Sects. She declared that the long-standing animosity between the two factions could not be resolved by violence alone.

Taking responsibility for Hou Chi's predicament, she offered to face a punishment for the Yuhua Sect. She demanded an audience with Shen Guan to secure a make-up qualification for Hou Chi. The Yuhua Sect disciples scoffed at her audacity, reminding her that no one had seen Shen Guan in 1,800 years and that the Dark Forest, the path to Wuwang God Palace, was impassable. They recounted tales of those who entered emerging disfigured or insane.

Despite the daunting warnings and her palpable fear, Shi Xia felt compelled to atone for her actions. She made a pact with Yuan Zhao: if she could successfully pass through the Dark Forest and secure a make-up qualification for Hou Chi, all past grievances between her and the Yuhua Sect would be erased.

She entrusted a message to the guardian of the entrance: if she didn't return, to tell the Devil Lord she was sorry, and to tell Hou Chi that she had "gone home." The guardian imparted a cryptic proverb: "No desire, no delusion. No delusion, no feeling," explaining it was the origin of Wuwang God Palace's name. Meanwhile, Autumn Li restrained Shi Dong, suggesting they wait for the Orthodox disciples to leave before secretly following Shi Xia into the Dark Forest.

Yuan Zhao, accepting this turn of events, declared that Hou Chi's future now rested on Shi Xia's success in the Dark Forest. Shi Xia ventured into the cave, and the darkness and strange noises terrified her. She huddled, recalling memories of past conversations with Hou Chi, including her confession of being a demon sect member and his promise to always protect her as a sister, as well as her own resolve to make amends for his predicament.

Gathering her courage, she stood and pressed on. Soon, she found an exit and emerged into a vast, silent forest filled with ancient trees, believing she had successfully passed the Dark Forest. As she walked cautiously, a figure suddenly appeared behind her, startling her and leaving her at a loss.

Episode 16 Recap

Bi Hong appeared before Shi Xia in the Dark Forest, explaining he had rushed there to join her on the journey to Wuwang Temple. Shi Xia urged him to turn back, fearing for his safety and stating she would never forgive herself if anything happened to him. Bi Hong, however, found her concern heartwarming, declaring it made his efforts worthwhile.

Shi Xia then expressed her curiosity about how Bi Hong and Hou Chi, despite their vastly different personalities, became such close friends. Bi Hong recalled his childhood, when he discovered he lacked Immortal perception. His Master had told him he could never master cultivation. Mocked by his peers for his homemade instrument, a small umbrella, Bi Hong impulsively jumped off Houshan's precipice to prove them wrong.

Stranded below, he heard Hou Chi's voice through his magic umbrella, instructing him to focus and transmit his thoughts. After several attempts, Bi Hong successfully sent a message to Hou Chi, who then rescued him. This experience, and Hou Chi's words that lacking Immortal perception wasn't necessarily a bad thing, forged their deep friendship. Bi Hong lamented that the magic umbrella Hou Chi gave him had recently gone missing in Otherworld Town.

This sparked a memory in Shi Xia about the same type of umbrella being used to transmit news of Shi Dong's supposed kidnapping. Suddenly, a thick mist enveloped them, separating Shi Xia and Bi Hong. Bi Hong called out to Shi Xia, telling her to stay put while he tried to find her. Shi Xia, pressing forward, then encountered Hou Chi. She was relieved to see him, inquiring about his well-being.

This Hou Chi, however, insisted that their relationship was paramount, dismissing the Alliance test, his Master, and even the brother-sister contract as less important than being together. He pulled Shi Xia close and kissed her, then led her towards a perilous cliff edge. Just as she was about to fall, Shi Xia realized this was not the real Hou Chi, who would never endanger her or disregard their contract. The illusory Hou Chi immediately vanished.

Shi Xia understood the lesson of the Dark Forest: it traps individuals in their deepest delusions, and only by overcoming them can one escape. She then saw Bi Hong, his eyes glazed, also walking towards a cliff, lamenting his life and feeling useless due to his lack of Immortal perception. Shi Xia urgently called out to him, reminding him that what he saw was merely a delusion fueled by the Dark Forest.

She pulled him back, reminding him of their shared mantra, "I am the master of my own destiny." Bi Hong slowly awakened from his trance, realizing he had been trapped by his own desire for Immortal perception and the societal pressure (including his father's wishes for him to live as a mortal) to be more than a mortal.

Shi Xia encouraged him not to give up on his dreams, even without Immortal perception, and promised to seek a retake qualification for him, just as she planned for Hou Chi. Meanwhile, Hou Chi finally stirred from his drunken stupor at the Great Hotel, calling out Shi Xia's name. His Master, Yuan Zhao, confronted him, chastising him for missing the Alliance test and wasting two centuries of cultivation.

Hou Chi expressed his guilt and offered to accept punishment, but Yuan Zhao simply told him to reflect on his actions, acknowledging that his fate now largely depended on Shi Xia's success in the Dark Forest. Shi Xia and Bi Hong, having escaped the Dark Forest's illusions, found themselves in Wuwang Temple. There, they discovered Lord Shi Ji, the Shen Guan, playing Pai Gow with her doppelgangers. They approached her, respectfully requesting a retake qualification for Hou Chi.

Shi Ji revealed that the Devil Lord had also been disqualified, and she decided to grant the retake to him instead, making Hou Chi wait until the next Alliance test, if there ever was one. Shi Xia immediately protested the unfairness, but Shi Ji asserted her right as Shen Guan to make the rules as she pleased. Shi Ji then declared her intention to summon the Devil Lord.

Recalling a rumor that Lord Shi Ji never left Wuwang Temple, Shi Xia offered to deliver the message herself, but demanded a "runner's fee," explaining it was customary in her hometown. Shi Ji was taken aback by Shi Xia's audacity. Shi Xia observed that Shi Ji, confined to the temple for millennia and even playing games alone, must be incredibly lonely. Sensing an opportunity, Shi Xia pushed further, asking for a retake qualification for Bi Hong as well.

Impressed by Shi Xia's perceptiveness and moved by her words, Shi Ji relented and granted both Hou Chi and Bi Hong the chance to retake the Alliance test. Outside the temple, Shi Xia met Shi Dong, who was attempting to break through the Dark Forest's barrier with his dog, Husppy, and his attendant, Qi Lingling. Shi Dong boasted about his "hero's halo" protecting them from losing anything important in the Dark Forest.

Shi Xia informed him that Lord Shi Ji wanted to see him, adding another "halo" to his ego. Shi Dong, expecting a dignified elder, was surprised to find Lord Shi Ji to be a beautiful woman who immediately began physically examining him. Shi Xia criticized Shi Ji for being inappropriate with a candidate, but Shi Dong enthusiastically encouraged Shi Ji to continue.

During her examination, Shi Ji discovered that Shi Dong possessed no Immortal perception, which was highly unusual for a Devil Lord, whose Immortal perception should be hereditary. Recalling the Holy Garment's faint response, Shi Ji deduced that Shi Dong was not the true Devil Lord; the real one must still be hidden within the Devil Sect. Despite this, Shi Ji reiterated her promise to grant the Devil Lord a retake and sent Shi Dong off with her order.

Lord Shi Ji then reflected on the past. Two millennia ago, she and her five elder brothers, including her beloved Fifth Senior, Qiu Boyan, had planned to activate the Otherworld Array to stabilize the cosmos, which had been in disarray.

The Eldest Senior, having exhausted his vital energy to set up the array and with only three days left to live, specifically tasked Shi Ji with guarding the array for three days and three nights after they entered, regardless of whether they returned. However, the Fifth Senior, Qiu Boyan, inexplicably abandoned his post, leaving a letter and departing, revealing himself to be the Devil Lord.

Despite this defection, the Eldest Senior, with his remaining strength, led the three other brothers into the array, leaving Shi Ji alone to guard it. For two thousand years, Shi Ji had dutifully maintained the array, patiently waiting for the true Devil Lord to reveal himself, believing that this would allow her to finally find the chosen Immortal perception and stabilize the Otherworld Array once and for all. The long-awaited day was finally at hand.

Episode 17 Recap

Lord Shen Guan declared that Hou Chi, Bi Hong, and Devil Lord Shi Dong would directly advance to the next round of the Alliance selection. This decision immediately sparked protests from other sects, who cried, "It's not fair!" (00:01:58) and accused Lord Shen Guan of openly "cheating for Devil Sect." (00:02:04) Lord Shen Guan defiantly responded, "I like it. Even though I play favorites to the Devil Sect. If you don't want to join, just quit."

(00:02:12) She then instructed Devil Lord Shi Dong to immediately take all the examinees to the Devil Sect for the next test. Qiu Li expressed concern to Shi Dong, fearing that the Devil Sect's entrance would be revealed to outsiders. Shi Dong reassured her, stating that he would protect both her and the Devil Sect, and asked her to trust him as "the leading man."

Qiu Li confirmed her trust, saying she was not afraid as long as he was there. Shi Dong then gathered the candidates, instructing them to board the Holy Power Ship and adhere to his directions throughout the journey. Yuan Zhao’s junior, Yuan Gui, urged him to kill Shi Xia, fearing she would continue to influence Hou Chi. Yuan Gui argued that Hou Chi was naive and would be tempted again, especially after Shi Xia risked herself to secure his qualification.

However, Yuan Zhao refused, explaining he had "promised to give Shi Xia a chance" (00:04:46) and that "it's not the right way to break faith." (00:04:57) He believed killing Shi Xia was futile, and to truly sever Hou Chi's emotional ties, they needed to work on Hou Chi himself. To achieve this, Yuan Zhao feigned illness.

Yuan Gui then pressured Hou Chi, telling him he had made his master sick and ordering him to swear he would never speak to Shi Xia again. Out of concern for his master, Hou Chi reluctantly agreed, much to Yuan Zhao's approval, who called him his "good disciple." After Hou Chi left, Bi Hong visited Yuan Zhao, claiming he heard Yuan Zhao was sick.

Bi Hong quickly saw through the deception, scoffing that the sect leader was "pretending to be sick." (00:07:47) Yuan Zhao then asked Bi Hong to help Hou Chi during the exams at the Devil Sect, but Bi Hong questioned this, pointing out that Hou Chi was so excellent he wouldn't need his assistance. On the Holy Power Ship, Shi Dong offered Shi Xia some milk tea.

Shi Xia, noticing his bandaged hand, tore off the gauze to find his fingers fully healed without any sign of injury. Realizing he had lied about being kidnapped and injured, she angrily confronted him, accusing him of making her worry like an "idiot" and treating the Yuhua Sect as enemies. Shi Dong downplayed it as a "trifle" and a mere "martyr" act, asserting that Shi Xia was his "only sister."

Shi Xia, however, found "cutting ties" to be a good idea. This exchange was overheard by Qiu Li, who, upon hearing Shi Dong call Shi Xia his "only real sister," became distressed. Her darker personality, referred to as Immortal Aunt, took over, vowing, "I'm not gonna let Shi Xia take away my brother." (00:11:44) She was informed that her "Bai Li" persona had already agreed to hold the second test at the Devil Sect.

Unfazed, Qiu Li menacingly declared, "It's fine. Come together then, and stay here forever." (00:11:57) Shi Dong led the candidates to the Devil Sect, where they were greeted with a boisterous welcome. A Devil Sect member enthusiastically introduced them to the sect’s famous "milk tea shop of Devil Sect," (00:13:02) boasting of its immense popularity. Yi Yao was drawn in by the aroma and ordered all their milk teas.

The Devil Sect also showcased their "Holy Power Ship," explaining their principle of "Immortal coin in exchange for Holy Power. Holy Power in exchange for immortal coins." (00:13:55) Bi Hong observed with amazement how Holy Power could be extracted and stored, realizing that if utilized effectively, "the people without ""spiritual roots"" also can practice." (00:14:26) Later, Yi Yao attempted to offer Hou Chi various milk teas, but Hou Chi declined, stating he did not like sweets.

Yi Yao then offered them to Qing Feng, who vehemently refused, declaring his hatred for the Devil Sect. Later, Shi Xia encountered Hou Chi and tried to give him a candy figurine as a gift. Hou Chi, however, coldly told her not to be nice to him anymore, stating, "I don't like sweets. Take it back, please." (00:15:47) Heartbroken, Shi Xia retreated to her room. Shi Dong found her crying while attempting to eat a candy figurine.

When he asked if it was sweet, Shi Xia realized she couldn't taste anything. She recalled that those who enter the Dark Forest lose something important, and concluded she had lost her sense of taste. Shi Dong tried to console her as she wept, blaming him for her predicament and expressing a desire to go home. Worried that Bi Hong might also have lost something after entering the Dark Forest, Shi Xia sought him out.

Bi Hong, whose eyesight had significantly worsened, falsely assured her, "No, I haven't. See? I'm all right here." (00:18:52) Relieved, Shi Xia quickly departed. Bi Hong then deduced from her hurried departure that she must have indeed lost something herself. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhao reiterated his earlier warning to Hou Chi, reminding him, "Now, we're in Devil Sect territory. You need to remember to keep your distance from Devil Sect, and socialize with Immortal Sect." (00:19:29) Hou Chi acknowledged this.

Later, Lord Shen Guan announced the second test: "The mission of this alliance election will be a search for the ""Silver Holy Garment""." (00:20:09) The first to find it would pass. Many candidates immediately cried foul, arguing that searching for the Devil Sect's sacred object on Devil Sect territory was biased, suggesting they "might as well just say Devil Lord is the head of the Alliance."

(00:20:20) Lord Shen Guan provocatively asked, "Why don't you just say I'm partial to Devil Sect?" (00:20:35) Qiu Li then explained that the ""Silver Holy Garment"" was the ceremonial robe of Qiu Boyan, the father of the Devil Sect, and had been missing since his passing. Therefore, she stated, "We Devil Sect don't know anything about the ""Silver Holy Garment"" more than you do," (00:21:04) assuring them there was no unfair advantage.

Qiu Li, now in her more sinister persona, reflected on a book of secrets left by her mother, which revealed the "true use" of ""spiritual roots"", a power she previously dismissed as a mere "toy." Her plan was to collect the ""spiritual roots"" from the Immortal Sect candidates and cultivate the "best ""spiritual roots""" to help Shi Dong ascend to the position of head of the Alliance.

She asserted that despite Shi Xia being Shi Dong's real sister, it was Qiu Li alone who could secure the Alliance leadership and the ultimate ""spiritual roots"" for him. Shi Dong announced that accommodations were arranged at the "famous Seven-Star Inn of Devil Sect," (00:21:26) jokingly adding that the "room rate is 20% off, excluding breakfast." (00:21:31) A Devil Sect member further boasted about the Inn's luxurious amenities, implying that the ascetic Immortal Sect couldn't match such high standards.

An Immortal Sect member countered that they "do not care about such external pleasures," (00:24:17) dismissing it as "the wrong way." (00:24:20) The Devil Sect member then retorted that if they didn't appreciate the hospitality, they could "sleep rough in the back hills." (00:24:36) Shi Xia found that her room was conveniently located next to Hou Chi’s.

She overheard several female cultivators visiting Hou Chi, ostensibly to discuss cultivation or the search for the ""Silver Holy Garment"", but clearly attempting to win his favor. Jealous, Shi Xia deliberately created loud noises by banging dishes from her room, effectively disrupting their conversations. She dismissed their clumsy attempts at flirting, pointing out their ignorance of Hou Chi's ascetic lifestyle.

One woman even brazenly asked Hou Chi if she could "be by your side as Miss Shi Xia used to be." (00:28:34) As the women left, they discovered a doll outside Shi Xia's door—a gift Hou Chi had once given her, which Shi Xia had angrily thrown out. One of the women picked it up, remarking, "What you don't like is something many people want. I took it. Don't regret it."

(00:30:26) Alone, Shi Xia tearfully lashed out, calling both Hou Chi and Shi Dong "liars." She then confronted a mysterious voice, demanding her sense of taste back. The voice explained that the Dark Forest takes what is "most important to you," and since she found "too much pleasure in food," her taste was the chosen sacrifice. Distraught, Shi Xia cried, wondering how she would cope with unhappiness now that "eating now" could no longer "solve the problem." (00:32:16) ""Later that night, the two women who had visited Hou Chi's room screamed and lost their lives, prompting everyone to rush to the scene." "

Episode 18 Recap

The bodies of Ling and Ye were discovered, bearing peculiar wounds on their necks. Qing Feng immediately recognized the method as a secret enchantment from the Devil Sect, stating that her own family had died from the same technique. Yuan Zhao confirmed that he had heard of such an enchantment, one that removes Immortal perception, but had never witnessed it until now. He suspected the Devil Sect was intentionally targeting disciples with outstanding Immortal perception.

When confronted, Shi Dong, the Devil Lord, declared his innocence, explaining that he had been at his milk tea shop all last night, a fact confirmed by a witness. However, another disciple named Yi Yaogua claimed to have seen Ling and Ye visiting Hou Chi's room the previous night, with Shi Xia causing a disturbance in the hallway. Shi Xia retorted, accusing him of stalking.

Yuan Zhao then intervened, urging everyone to calm down and warning them to be extra cautious as the Devil Sect is known for its unpredictable nature. Shi Xia followed closely behind Hou Chi, wishing he would turn around, but he remained unresponsive. Suddenly, Qing Feng, a Yuhua Sect disciple, approached Hou Chi, requesting his escort back to her room, expressing fear after Ling and Ye's deaths. Hou Chi agreed and walked with her, leaving Shi Xia feeling heartbroken.

Bi Hong then offered to accompany Shi Xia, suggesting there were misunderstandings between her and Hou Chi, but Shi Xia dismissed his words, believing Hou Chi was ignoring her. Meanwhile, a fellow Yuhua disciple angrily blamed Shi Xia for the recent deaths and proposed killing her, but an elder reprimanded her for her rashness and reminded her of the Yuhua Sect's reputation.

Both Shi Xia and Hou Chi later received identical notes, seemingly from each other, proposing to dissolve their sibling contract and meet at Houshan. Shi Xia, upon reading the note, reflected on her initial intentions for the contract and the inevitability of its end, convincing herself that being a stranger was better than enduring entanglement. Shi Xia went to Houshan to meet Hou Chi.

While waiting, she saw Lin Kui rushing past and, sensing something was amiss, decided to follow him. Later, Bi Hong encountered Hou Chi, who confided in him about his plan to meet Shi Xia at Houshan, and explained that he had promised his Master to never see Shi Xia again, making this meeting his last with her. Shi Xia, following Lin Kui, found herself in a cave that resembled a palace.

On the wall hung a captivating portrait, from which a beautiful woman beckoned her to "Come in." Shi Xia, mesmerized, entered the portrait. Outside, Qiu Li and Qi Lingling appeared, revealing their plot: Qiu Li's mother's portrait was a magical instrument, and by luring Shi Xia in, they intended to draw Hou Chi into the trap. They planned to extract Hou Chi's exceptional Immortal perception to give to Shi Dong, ensuring he would become the head of the Alliance.

Hou Chi, searching for Shi Xia, soon discovered the same cave and portrait. The woman in the painting urged him to enter, and realizing Shi Xia must have been drawn in, he willingly stepped inside. He found Shi Xia, who was distressed by the strangeness of the place. Hou Chi attempted to dissolve their sibling contract as per the note, but his holy power proved ineffective, and he discovered that his powers were weakening.

He deduced they were in a void space where his magic had no effect. When he urged Shi Xia to leave and postpone discussing the contract, she accused him of toying with her and declared they should go their separate ways. Shortly after, Qing Feng was found dead, her Immortal perception also having been removed. The disciples grew increasingly anxious, fearing they too were targets. Bi Hong, examining Qing Feng, noted she still had a faint pulse.

He quickly administered acupuncture, briefly reviving her, and she uttered fragmented words about "the portrait of Devil Sect" and "the soul-fetching portrait" before losing consciousness again. Realizing the significance, Yuan Zhao immediately ordered a search for Shi Dong and Qiu Li, demanding they surrender the portrait. Meanwhile, Shi Dong had prepared a seesaw for Qiu Li.

Qiu Li, in her dark persona, accused him of trying to bring out Bai Li and drive her away, even mocking him by quoting earlier accusations against the Devil Sect regarding the removal of Immortal perception. Shi Dong, feigning ignorance of her dual personality, insisted that both personas were simply "Qiu Li," his sister, whom he would cherish and never abandon.

He urged her to try the seesaw, and Qiu Li, seemingly appeased, agreed to play, finding joy in the activity. Inside the portrait's void space, Hou Chi's holy power continued to wane. He could barely control the cloud enchantment, only managing a small patch above Shi Xia's head, causing rain to fall on her. Shi Xia, saddened, thought he was doing it intentionally.

Hou Chi soon cleared the sky and explained that his holy power was draining because the void realm lacked the spiritual energy his Immortal perception needed to absorb for cultivation. He warned that he couldn't sustain his powers much longer, and they would both be in danger if they stayed. He revealed the only way out was for him to risk hurting his heart, a desperate gamble. Shi Xia vehemently disagreed, fearing for his life.

They then realized they had both received identical notes regarding the contract, indicating they had been manipulated. Hou Chi admitted his mixed feelings about dissolving the contract, explaining that he felt he hadn't protected Shi Xia well, often putting her in harm's way, even her venturing into the Dark Forest.

He believed that perhaps not being her brother would better shield her from his Master's suspicion, who saw Shi Xia as an impediment to Hou Chi becoming the head of the Alliance. Shi Xia, in turn, confessed that she hadn't been angry or blamed him, but rather thought he hated her due to his coldness, and thus avoided bothering him.

Hou Chi then reassured her that nothing was more important to him than her, and that despite her actions, she had always been there for him, because she was his sister, and it had to be her. Shi Xia stated that the Heart of Guardian, which Hou Chi aimed to achieve, needed a sister's help, and she would play her part, promising to live or die together with him.

Outside the void space, Yuan Zhao brought Shi Dong and Qiu Li for questioning, using Yi Yaogua's instrument to determine if Qiu Li was responsible for removing Immortal perceptions. The instrument showed no reaction, indicating that the current persona, Bai Li, was innocent. Bai Li then offered to help locate Shi Xia and Hou Chi. Outside, the Yuhua Sect successfully located the cave and retrieved the portrait.

Just then, Hou Chi exerted all his remaining power, safely sending Shi Xia out of the painting, but he himself remained trapped, having critically injured his heart. Shi Xia, distraught, pleaded with everyone to save him. Yuan Zhao seized the painting and was visibly shocked, recognizing the woman depicted within, suggesting a deep personal connection. Bai Li identified a Devil Sect seal on the portrait and attempted to break it, but was violently repelled.

As Qi Lingling appeared, determined to destroy the portrait and permanently trap Hou Chi in the void, she lunged with a sword. Shi Xia bravely intervened, blocking the attack and protecting the painting. Shi Dong, greatly alarmed, ordered Qi Lingling to lower her sword. Qi Lingling, however, was resolute in her actions, stating she acted for Qiu Li and declared she would not open the ward even if killed.

She then proposed a chilling condition for Hou Chi's release: Shi Xia must kill herself with the sword. Shi Xia, trusting in Qi Lingling's "true nature" despite her being from the Devil Sect, took the sword and held it to her own neck, prepared to sacrifice herself.

Episode 19 Recap

At the mountain cave, as Qi Lingling threatened to destroy the painting and trap Hou Chi forever, Shi Xia bravely stepped in front of the attack. Qi Lingling then turned the sword on Shi Xia, demanding, "If you can kill yourself with this sword, I'll let Hou Chi go." Shi Dong immediately intervened, ordering Qi Lingling to "Put down the sword. Don't hurt her."

However, Shi Xia, willing to sacrifice herself for Hou Chi, stated her belief in Qi Lingling's integrity, proclaiming, "I believe you won't break your promise. All the people present are witnesses." Just as Shi Xia was about to fatally wound herself, a blinding light burst forth. It was Hou Chi, who, empowered by the spiritual force of the sibling contract, managed to free himself from the painting.

Seeing Hou Chi safe, Shi Xia called his name, confirmed her well-being before collapsing from exhaustion. Afterward, Yuan Zhao sternly chastised Hou Chi for disregarding his instructions, saying, "Chi, you forgot what I said in a blink of an eye, right?" Yet, upon reflection, he considered that Hou Chi still didn't understand the distinction between a sister and a romantic partner, and perhaps maintaining the sibling contract was not a bad outcome.

He softened his tone, advising Hou Chi to prepare for the upcoming alliance election and "Don't let Shi Xia's affairs distract you anymore." Hou Chi dutifully accepted his master's words. Meanwhile, Shi Dong cared for the recovering Shi Xia, reminding her to keep her wound dry. Shi Xia recalled that it was Lin Kui who had lured her into the painting and had also previously delivered the false news of Shi Dong's kidnapping.

Recognizing the suspicious pattern, Shi Dong declared, "There's a catch in it," and ordered his Left guard to capture Lin Kui for questioning. He then warned Shi Xia, "Don't run around alone. Take me with you all the time, clear?" Shi Xia, feeling stifled, replied, "It's a little stuffy in the room, I'll go for a walk," to which Shi Dong reiterated his warning about her wound.

Having learned from Shi Dong that Bi Hong had lost his sight after entering the Dark Forest, Shi Xia sought him out. Bi Hong, now blind, recognized her by her footsteps, explaining that "After I went blind, the other four senses become sensitive." When Shi Xia expressed guilt, he playfully dismissed her apologies and asked her to be responsible for all his future milk tea. As they sat together, Yuan Zhao and an elder approached.

Shi Xia quickly departed to avoid an awkward encounter. The elder then presented Bi Hong with a specially designed spirit arrow launcher for self-defense, acknowledging his impaired vision. However, Yuan Zhao cruelly told his son, "Bi Hong, being like this, you should give up the alliance election." Hurt and defiant, Bi Hong retorted that his qualification wasn't granted by the Yuhua Sect and abruptly left.

The elder then confronted Yuan Zhao, admonishing him for his long-standing harshness towards Bi Hong, reminding him that though Bi Hong was born in the mortal world without spiritual roots, he had done nothing wrong. Yuan Zhao, filled with regret, confessed, "That was my fault. I shouldn't have given birth to him."

Shi Xia guided Shi Dong to the secret location where she had seen numerous spiritual roots just before being trapped in the painting, explaining it was where Lin Kui had led her. Shi Dong confirmed the discovery of the stored spiritual roots. Shi Xia suggested they inform other sect leaders. However, Qing Feng, Yi Yaogua, and an elder from the Yuhua Sect were already present, having followed them.

The elder discovered a "Secret Book of the spiritual root" which he believed "may be useful to Bi Hong." Misinterpreting Shi Dong's presence, Qing Feng angrily attacked him, shouting, "It's you, the devil. Go to hell!" Shi Xia, trying to shield her brother, stepped in the path of Qing Feng's attack. Qing Feng, unwilling to harm Shi Xia, forcibly withdrew her "Pull the Plug" technique, a powerful Qingcheng Sect move.

The severe recoil injured Qing Feng's own spiritual root, causing her to fall, where Yi Yaogua quickly assisted her. As other sect leaders arrived, Shi Dong tried to explain that he was merely helping to find the spiritual roots. Qing Feng, however, refused to believe him, citing her personal tragedy: "My brother's spiritual root has pulled out by someone," and passionately declared her lifelong goal to avenge her family by killing the Devil Lord.

Shi Xia tried to defend Shi Dong, swearing on her life that "the matter of pulling out the spiritual root really has nothing to do with the Devil Lord" and pointed to Lin Kui as the true culprit. Other sect leaders dismissed her claims as an attempt to shift blame. Just then, Devil Sect guards apprehended Lin Kui and brought him before them. Lin Kui immediately confessed, "I am the one who pulled out the spiritual root.

You can dispose of me as you see fit." Yi Yaogua, disbelieving, argued against Lin Kui's guilt, highlighting his loyalty and filial piety. Lin Kui, however, interrupted him, asserting, "pulling out the spiritual root is a secret enchantment inherited from my ancestors. . . I wanted to use others' spiritual roots to improve mine." Enraged, Yuan Zhao declared he would show no tolerance.

Shi Xia, still suspicious of the swift confession, questioned, "Don't you think that the case was solved so easily?" Lin Kui, however, insisted, even offering to demonstrate his technique publicly. As Yuan Zhao ordered Lin Kui to be taken away, Qing Feng, overcome with grief and rage, fatally stabbed Lin Kui in the chest. In his dying moments, Lin Kui reflected that the Devil Sect had saved his family, and dying for them was "nothing to regret."

Yuan Zhao then ordered his body removed. After the dramatic resolution of the spiritual root case, Shi Dong urged everyone to resume the search for the Garment. Suddenly, Shen Guan appeared, criticizing their slow progress, noting, "You had no clue about the Holy Garment so far." Shi Dong retorted that the Immortal sects had already caused enough turmoil in his Devil Sect before the actual exam began.

Shen Guan, after acknowledging Shi Dong's "good eloquence," revealed a new clue: "The Silver Holy Garment was originally a battle garment. . . the Immortal battle robes crave spiritual power." Capitalizing on Shen Guan's presence, Yuan Zhao seized the opportunity to formally solidify the bond between Hou Chi and Shi Xia, requesting Shen Guan to witness their official designation as brother and sister.

Shen Guan, amused, agreed, stating, "For thousands of years, there's something interesting happened finally, I won't miss it." Yuan Zhao then publicly declared, "Today, to be your master, I agree that you and Shi Xia formally become brother and sister," instructing Hou Chi to "treat Shi Xia as your own sister" from that day forward. Shi Xia was crestfallen by the announcement, but Hou Chi, not fully comprehending the implications, happily thanked his master.

Shi Dong, on the other hand, was delighted, finding Yuan Zhao's move "witty," as it would "cut off the possibility of them becoming lovers." He boasted that as Shi Xia's "real brother," having Hou Chi as a "step-brother" was "much better than to have a brother-in-law." To celebrate, he even announced a half-price sale at his milk tea shop.

When Shi Xia expressed her confusion and disappointment about his changed stance, Shi Dong bluntly told her, "It's better to let him be my brother than my brother-in-law," and advised her to "Kill the seeds of love in the bud," believing Hou Chi genuinely saw her only as a sister. Yuan Zhao then proclaimed that this new sibling relationship marked the "official reconciliation" between the Immortal and Devil sects, a sentiment echoed by the other sect leaders.

He then directed everyone to rest and announced that the collected spiritual roots would be safeguarded by the Immortal Sect until after the alliance election. Hou Chi, still joyfully embracing his new "sister" status, continued to enthusiastically address Shi Xia, much to her chagrin. Later that night, Shi Dong, still pondering Lin Kui's final words, sealed Qiu Li within the magic cave. He reassured her, "Qiu Li, I won't give up on you.

During the search for the Holy Garment, you can live in the magic cave. When I come back, we can play together again," before departing to search for the Garment. Qiu Li, however, was left heartbroken, feeling abandoned and thinking, "I didn't expect you to abandon me in the end." Meanwhile, Yi Yaogua went to check on Qing Feng, who was still recovering from her injuries. Qing Feng, surprised by his presence, asked, "Why are you here?"

Yi Yaogua explained his purpose, stating, "I'm here to apply medicine to you," implying others didn't care as much as he did. Qing Feng initially resisted, telling him, "I don't need it. Leave me alone," but Yi Yaogua insisted, "But now you're hurt like this, don't be stubborn." As he carefully loosened her collar to apply the medicine, both felt a sudden, unexpected sensation. After finishing, he quickly re-covered her and left, urging her to "Have a good rest." Outside, Yi Yaogua was left questioning his own feelings, wondering, "That feeling just now, is it the crush?" and "Do I. . ."

Episode 20 Recap

Qiu Li, confined within the Holy Fence in the Devil Cave, is approached by Qi Lingling, who apologizes for her delayed arrival and attempts to free her. Qiu Li stops her, explaining that only a Holy Key can open the barrier. She inquires about the current situation outside. Qi Lingling reports a peaceful coexistence between the Immortal and Devil factions, with them being very close.

However, she warns this superficial peace is fragile, as the Devil Lord is intent on becoming the head of the Alliance and an inevitable conflict with Hou Chi looms. Qiu Li, driven by her desire to help her "brother" (Shi Dong) secure the Alliance Leader position, declares that once liberated, she will personally eliminate Hou Chi and Shi Xia, believing this will reunite her with Shi Dong forever.

Meanwhile, at Shi Dong's milk tea shop, "Mopiao Piao," Shi Xia is enjoying some pungent stinky tofu, driving away all the customers. Shi Dong, having fled the shop himself after failing to get cotton to block the smell, encounters Hou Chi, who seeks his advice on how to be a good brother to Shi Xia, even presenting a detailed "Plan of Being A Brother."

Shi Xia, overhearing, battles her internal conflict, wishing to confess her true romantic feelings to Hou Chi but fearing he only sees her as a sister. Shi Dong advises Hou Chi to be unconditionally obedient to his sister, even when she is unreasonable. Shi Xia then offers them extra spicy stinky tofu, which also contains peanuts, to which she is allergic. Hou Chi forces himself to compliment the taste, while Shi Dong reluctantly eats it.

Shi Dong notices Shi Xia's lack of reaction to the extreme spice and the peanuts. He tests her by offering a banana-flavored milk tea, her most disliked flavor, which she enthusiastically praises. Confronted, Shi Xia admits she lost her sense of taste after her journey to the Dark Forest, trying to minimize its impact and telling Shi Dong not to blame Hou Chi.

However, Hou Chi is deeply moved, understanding the profound loss for Shi Xia, a renowned foodie, and vows to find a cure for her. Yuan Zhao and Yuan Gui discuss Yuan Zhao's strategy of publicly declaring Hou Chi and Shi Xia as siblings. Yuan Zhao, frustrated that Hou Chi remains fixated on Shi Xia despite all attempts to deter him, acknowledges that this tactic is merely a temporary measure during the crucial Alliance Leader selection.

Yuan Gui, observing Hou Chi's persistent closeness with Shi Xia, begins to express doubts about the plan's effectiveness. Later, Hou Chi takes Shi Xia to a secluded spot, presenting her with a soft, pinchable item, recalling her past comment about it being a stress reliever. He expresses his willingness to do anything for her happiness, especially now that she has lost her sense of taste.

Shi Xia asks if his kindness stems solely from their sibling relationship, to which he affirms. She then attempts to articulate the "subtle difference" between a sister and a woman, but before she can finish, Yuan Zhao abruptly appears, pulling Hou Chi away. Back at their residence, Yuan Zhao forces Hou Chi to kneel, reprimanding him for his lack of progress in finding the Garment and reminding him that even immense holy power is useless without it.

He commands Hou Chi to dedicate himself entirely to cultivation and sensing the Garment's presence. After Hou Chi leaves, Yuan Zhao mutters that, having exhausted all other options, he must now resort to a "more merciless" solution. Er Ha reports to the Devil Lord (Shi Dong in disguise), expressing concern that half of their holy power has been expended without any sign of the Garment.

He wonders if the Divine Official is misleading them or if ordinary holy power is insufficient. The Devil Lord then inquires about the Immortal perceptions, which were stolen and confiscated by the Immortal Sect, deeming their waste a pity. Er Ha confidently volunteers to steal them back, despite the Devil Lord's apprehension about the risks involved. The next day, Yuan Gui delivers a jade pendant to Shi Xia, claiming it's a gift from Yuan Zhao, which she finds curiously familiar.

Yuan Zhao explains his rationale to Yuan Gui: this "merciless" decision would free Hou Chi to focus on the Garment search and enable Bi Hong to willingly embrace a mortal life, which he believes is for the best. Bi Hong, acutely aware of Shi Xia's affections for Hou Chi, feels unworthy due to his blindness and believes his father's efforts are futile. He goes to Shi Xia's room to retrieve the jade pendant.

Coincidentally, Hou Chi also arrives, sees the jade pendant, and, recognizing it as his Master's cherished item, joyfully encourages Shi Xia to keep it, misinterpreting it as Yuan Zhao's acceptance of her as his "sister." This profound misunderstanding deeply distresses Shi Xia, confirming her fear that Hou Chi only views her as a sibling. Tearfully, she vows to be his sister for life.

Bi Hong, witnessing this exchange, is baffled by Shi Xia's decision to accept the pendant despite her feelings for Hou Chi. He then expresses his longing to return to Mount Yuhua, to which Yuan Gui responds with frustration. Shi Dong, now revealed to be the Devil Lord, successfully uses the stolen Immortal perceptions to create a "Holy Compass" to locate the Garment.

Anticipating that the Immortal Sect will soon discover the theft, Shi Dong instructs Er Ha to keep Hou Chi distracted. Er Ha notes that Shi Xia is already doing an excellent job of this. The Devil Lord contemplates the delicate balance of keeping Hou Chi and Shi Xia entangled but not too close.

Er Ha proposes a plan: his sister, San Ha, is preparing for her wedding, and Shi Xia, known for her impeccable taste, could help with the dowry arrangements. He reasons that Hou Chi, being so attached to Shi Xia, would surely follow, thus keeping him preoccupied and preventing him from searching for the Garment.

Shi Xia, still saddened by Hou Chi's inability to understand her deeper feelings, dismisses his persistent questions about the "difference between a sister and a woman" and urges him to focus on finding the Garment. Er Ha then approaches Shi Xia with his sister's wedding preparations, and Shi Xia agrees to help. Hou Chi, having followed Shi Xia, is also roped into helping examine the wedding gifts.

He is confused by Er Ha's explanations of "brother-in-law" and "coupled" wedding items, and is particularly perplexed when he notices a jade pendant identical to Bi Hong's. He asks if Yuan Zhao intends for Bi Hong to be his "brother-in-law," and further ponders if a "brother-in-law" is simply another kind of "brother" who protects one's sister, questioning why a sister would need both.

Soon after, Yuan Gui discovers the theft of the Immortal perceptions from their sect, immediately suspecting the Devil faction of using them to find the Garment. Enraged by this desecration, he vows to confront the Devil faction. Meanwhile, Qi Lingling, having retrieved the Holy Key, frees Qiu Li from the Holy Fence.

Qiu Li asks for the Magic Umbrella, an artifact Hou Chi once gave to Bi Hong, revealing her intention to inflict a "Blood Fiend" curse on Hou Chi that activates whenever he harbors romantic feelings for someone. On the street, Yuan Gui encounters Shi Xia and aggressively demands answers about the stolen Immortal perceptions, accusing her faction of conspiracy.

Shi Xia, genuinely ignorant of the theft, denies any involvement, but Yuan Gui, overcome with righteous fury, calls her a "demon girl" and threatens to kill her. Just as Yuan Gui attacks, Bi Hong intervenes, using a defensive artifact against him – an item Yuan Gui himself had given him. Yuan Gui, shocked and disappointed, chastises Bi Hong for his perceived infatuation with Shi Xia and renews his vow to kill her.

Bi Hong, standing firm to protect Shi Xia, urges her to flee and find Hou Chi, assuring her that Yuan Gui will not harm him, while warning Yuan Gui not to push him further.

Episode 21 Recap

Shi Xia and Hou Chi arrived to find that Yuan Kui had already left, having been angry about Bi Hong and was about to attack him. Bi Hong, whose eyes were now healed, claimed it was all a misunderstanding that he had explained to Master Uncle, and that Master Uncle would no longer seek to kill him.

Shi Xia was surprised to see Bi Hong's sight restored, and he suggested that perhaps the Dark Forest's magic had limits, meaning Shi Xia's sense of taste could also be recovered. Shi Xia then noticed their sect's immortal umbrella on a nearby tree. Hou Chi retrieved it, feeling a prick but dismissing it. Shi Xia found it strange, as the umbrella had been stolen by the Devil Sect, and wondered why it was there, suspecting Shi Dong was behind it.

Shi Xia then understood the gravity of the situation: the Immortal perception had been stolen, infuriating Master Uncle, and the Devil Lord was likely using it to find the Holy Garment. With the entire Immortals Alliance searching for Shi Dong, Shi Xia worried for Shi Dong's safety. Hou Chi reassured her that if they found Shi Dong first, they could protect him.

Indeed, they soon found Shi Dong surrounded by cultivators demanding a compass, an artifact made from the Immortal perception. Hou Chi intervened, making the cultivators retreat. Shi Dong, attributing his safety to a "protagonist's charm," boasted about the power of his artifact. Shi Xia, however, remained skeptical, reminding him that the entire Immortals Alliance was hunting him and his artifact alone wouldn't ensure their success in finding the Holy Garment.

Shi Dong then urged Shi Xia to enlist Hou Chi’s help, stressing their familial bond. Shi Xia initially hesitated, stating Hou Chi was also like her brother and she couldn’t exploit him. Shi Dong retorted that Hou Chi merely saw her as a sister and reminded her that she had only accepted Hou Chi as a brother to facilitate their return home. He invoked the idea of "blood being thicker than water" to sway her.

Reluctantly, Shi Xia agreed to help, on the condition that if Shi Dong became the head of the Alliance, they would immediately go home. As they continued their journey, Shi Dong, using the compass as a guide, led the way. When Bi Hong offered Shi Xia wild fruit and Hou Chi offered water, Shi Dong quickly snatched and ate them both.

Later, when Shi Xia almost tripped, both Bi Hong and Hou Chi quickly moved to support her, a scene Shi Dong found increasingly telling of their feelings for Shi Xia. Shi Dong observed a jade pendant on Shi Xia's waist, realizing it was identical to one Yuan Zhao had given her, suggesting Yuan Zhao was attempting to separate Hou Chi and Shi Xia by using his own son, Bi Hong. Shi Xia expressed her intention to return the pendant.

They playfully ran ahead. Hou Chi sensed someone following and subtly used magic to obscure their tracks. When Shi Dong stopped to rest, Hou Chi seized the opportunity to ask him about the distinction between a brother and a brother-in-law. Shi Dong explained that a brother's love for a sister is familial, while a brother-in-law's love is romantic.

When Hou Chi still seemed confused, Shi Dong clarified the concept of "first in line," asserting that a brother-in-law always holds the primary position and greater privileges compared to a brother. Armed with this newfound understanding, Hou Chi became determined to secure his "first in line" status, constantly positioning himself between Shi Xia and Bi Hong throughout the rest of their journey. Shi Dong found their interactions to be increasingly amusing.

Shi Dong's compass eventually led them to a dilapidated village, the old site of the Devil Sect's altar. As they stepped inside, the compass suddenly malfunctioned and broke. Shi Xia shrewdly concluded that, much like a regular compass malfunctions near a magnetic pole, the Holy Garment must be hidden there, causing the Immortal perception compass to break.

Just then, Er Ha appeared, enthusiastically welcoming Shi Dong and Hou Chi to his sister’s wedding, which was being held at the altar site according to Devil Sect customs. Seizing an opportunity, Shi Dong requested Shi Xia and Hou Chi to serve as the bridesmaid and groomsman.

Shi Xia initially found the idea awkward, given her newfound sibling relationship with Hou Chi, but Shi Dong persuaded her by emphasizing the "bigger picture"—using this to distract Hou Chi and secure the Holy Garment for himself. With Er Ha also pleading, Shi Xia reluctantly agreed. Hou Chi, recalling Shi Dong's explanation of "first in line," asked if being a good groomsman would cement his primary position with Shi Xia.

Shi Dong confirmed it, urging him to perform well, to which Hou Chi enthusiastically vowed to give his best effort. During the wedding ceremony, the Devil Sect custom required the grooms to identify their brides, who were concealed under veils. Hou Chi, mistakenly believing this applied to him and Shi Xia, confidently stepped forward and, to everyone's astonishment, easily recognized Shi Xia, much to her embarrassment.

She admonished him, reminding him they were merely supporting actors and should not overshadow the actual bride and groom. Later, during the "love apple" ritual where the couple had to bite an apple from a string, the real groom struggled. Witnessing the couple finally kiss, Hou Chi, in a surprising move, grabbed an apple, bit into it, and then kissed Shi Xia, causing a stir among the guests.

A deeply mortified Shi Xia questioned why Hou Chi would "provoke" her if he truly considered her his sister, emphatically stating that sibling affection could never be compared to romantic love. As he kissed Shi Xia, Hou Chi felt a sudden tightness in his chest—an effect of a blood curse that Qiu Li had imbued into the immortal umbrella. However, seeing Shi Xia flee, he quickly disregarded his discomfort and pursued her.

Meanwhile, Qiu Li, observing that her plan was nearing completion with only Bi Hong left to manipulate, confronted him. In a cruel twist of fate, a flashback revealed that Qiu Li had orchestrated Bi Hong to shoot Yuan Kui with an immortal arrow, leading to Yuan Kui's demise. She then framed Bi Hong for the murder, taunting him about killing his own Master.

When Bi Hong vehemently denied it, Qiu Li mockingly reminded him of his blindness, suggesting he couldn't witness his Master's gruesome end. With a chilling ritual, Qiu Li extracted Yuan Kui's eyes and transplanted them into Bi Hong, instantly restoring his sight. Horrified, Bi Hong saw his deceased Master and questioned Qiu Li about his whereabouts.

Qiu Li calmly stated she had buried Yuan Kui and handed Bi Hong a secret manual she claimed to have found on Yuan Kui's person, suggesting he keep it as a memento. Inside, Bi Hong found a letter from Yuan Kui, addressing him as "Hong'er." The letter acknowledged Bi Hong's diligent cultivation despite his lack of Immortal perception and presented the manual as a potential means to acquire it.

Overwhelmed by guilt and the horrific realization that he had indeed killed his Master, Bi Hong cried out that he didn't want the new eyes. Qiu Li, however, relentlessly pressed him, asking if he wished to pluck them out and return them to his Master. She further twisted the knife by reminding him of the two centuries of ridicule he had endured for lacking Immortal perception, emphasizing that losing his sight now would render him utterly useless.

Meanwhile, Hou Chi was still at the wedding, baffling Er Ha by trying to prevent San Ha and her groom from entering the bridal chamber. Hou Chi mistakenly believed that as a brother, Er Ha should personally protect his sister and prevent her from entering with the groom, as this was one of those things a brother-in-law could do, but a brother could not.

Er Ha, bewildered, tried to explain that the bridal chamber was exclusively for the newly married couple. Just then, Shi Dong and Shi Xia rushed back, alerting everyone that the Lingxiu Sect and other Immortal sects were hot on their heels, hoping to claim the Holy Garment, which they believed should belong to them.

Shi Dong urged Er Ha to quickly send San Ha away and told Hou Chi and Shi Xia to hide in the bridal room, while he fled to protect the compass. Alone in the bridal chamber, Hou Chi, recalling his earlier lesson, presented Shi Xia with a "bride price"—various items arranged in pairs, as Er Ha had explained. Shi Xia, still viewing him as a brother, was confused, pointing out that a bride price was meant for a spouse.

Hou Chi, with newfound clarity, then unequivocally declared that he no longer wished to be her brother. Instead, he wanted to be her brother-in-law, openly confessing that his feelings for her were romantic love, not sibling affection, and expressing his desire to enter the bridal chamber with her.

Episode 22 Recap

Hou Chi confessed to Shi Xia that he wanted to be her husband instead of her brother. He clarified that his feelings were romantic and desired to share a bridal room with her. Shi Xia was embarrassed. Hou Chi declared he wanted to protect her forever. He also wanted to be Shi Xia's first choice like a husband. Shi Xia told Hou Chi that the relationship between brothers and sisters can never be compared with that of husband and wife.

Just then, members of the Lingxiu Sect arrived, demanding that they hand over the compass. Shi Dong stalled them while Hou Chi and Shi Xia pretended to be newlyweds in the bridal chamber to deter the uninvited guests. Mr. Zhao from Lingxiu Sect insisted on inspecting the room, but Shi Dong delayed him. After Zhao realized he had been tricked, Shi Xia and Hou Chi escaped with Bi Hong's help through a hidden path that Qiu Li told Bi Hong.

Shi Dong became suspicious of Bi Hong. Inside the hidden path, Shi Xia was afraid of the dark, so Hou Chi used his holy power to light a lamp. However, they were suddenly sucked into a painting. Hou Chi tried to break the ward, but it did not work. Shi Xia, not wanting Hou Chi to risk his life, kissed him. Hou Chi then felt pain because of the Evil Aura.

Qiu Li appeared, revealing that she had inflicted Hou Chi with the Evil Aura, which activates with feelings of love. Qiu Li admitted that she was trying to help Shi Dong become the head of the Alliance and planned to kill Hou Chi and Shi Xia so that no one would reveal her secret. Shi Xia reminded her of Shi Dong's efforts to heal her.

Seeing Shi Xia in danger and unable to escape, Hou Chi decided to dissolve his Holy Root to break the ward, willing to disappear to save Shi Xia. Just as Hou Chi was about to vanish, the space shifted, transporting Hou Chi, Shi Xia, and Qiu Li to another dimension. Hou Chi was still there. Overjoyed, Shi Xia embraced and kissed Hou Chi. Then, they returned to reality safely.

Meanwhile, Shi Dong and Bi Hong followed the hidden path, and Shi Dong questioned how Bi Hong knew about the hidden path. Bi Hong claimed he found it by accident while trying to find a safe place for Shi Xia. Shi Dong remained suspicious. As they progressed, they found Shi Xia's pouch on the ground, prompting Shi Dong to worry that something had happened to her. Shi Dong and Bi Hong discovered the silver Garment protected by a barrier.

Shi Dong tried to break the barrier but failed. Suddenly, Qiu Li fell from the ancient painting. As Shi Dong helped Qiu Li up, Hou Chi and Shi Xia appeared on the altar. The Garment then automatically appeared on Hou Chi. A Shen Guan appeared, announcing that Hou Chi had obtained the Garment and would become the next head of the Alliance, giving him the official seal of the head of the Alliance.

As Qiu Li tried to attack Hou Chi, Yuan Zhao stopped her and took the painting, discovering his Ya was trapped inside. Qiu Li and Qi Lingling took the chance to escape.

Episode 23 Recap

After examining Hou Chi, Bi Hong confirmed that the Evil Aura still lingered in his heart. He explained that any strong emotions would cause Hou Chi chest pain and that while he could provide a Heart-Nourishing Soup for temporary relief, there was no permanent cure, urging Hou Chi to maintain emotional stability. Concerned for Shi Xia, Hou Chi asked Bi Hong to keep his true condition a secret from her.

When Shi Xia arrived with a freshly brewed potion, she inquired about Qiu Li's previous warnings regarding the Evil Aura and its connection to emotional surges. Bi Hong, following Hou Chi's wishes, downplayed the severity of his condition, assuring Shi Xia that his medical skills were reliable and Hou Chi would fully recover by regularly taking the Heart-Nourishing Soup. Reassured, Shi Xia expressed her trust in him.

Bi Hong then excused himself, claiming he needed to blend incense for the Sect Leader (Yuan Zhao), leaving Hou Chi and Shi Xia alone and instructing her to ensure Hou Chi drank all the medicine. Hou Chi drank the potion, remarking that it wasn't bitter thanks to the cotton candy he had earlier. He then confessed that Shi Xia's earlier statement about not seeing him as a brother was likely true because she also harbored feelings for him.

He suggested they break their brother-sister contract and start anew as lovers. Shi Xia, however, wished to keep the contract, valuing it as their unique bond, and playfully proposed that Hou Chi could "love her in the name of a brother" instead, a notion Hou Chi found appealing. Meanwhile, Shi Dong awoke from a dream, still muttering that he hadn't lost the competition.

When challenged by his companion, he insisted that while he may have lost the game, his spirit was overwhelmingly victorious. Upon learning that Shi Xia had been with Hou Chi, Shi Dong grew agitated, deciding to prioritize finding his sister over locating Qiu Li. He worried about Shi Xia being alone with Hou Chi, deeming Hou Chi even more dangerous than Qiu Li in such a situation.

Elsewhere, Bi Hong regretted his past actions, feeling that Shi Xia's growing love for Hou Chi was a consequence he deserved. Qiu Li appeared, mocking Bi Hong for his regrets and his failure as a "villain" to protect his loved one. Bi Hong, asserting he never wished to be a villain, refused to help her harm his father, Yuan Zhao, stating their previous collaboration had balanced their accounts.

Qiu Li countered that their interactions were too intertwined to be simply "done," and using an unspoken threat, instructed him to place a specific incense in Yuan Zhao's room. She assured him the incense was not fatal but would induce hallucinations, enticing him by suggesting it could reveal the identity of the woman in Yuan Zhao's painting, a mystery Bi Hong himself was curious about. Bi Hong reluctantly agreed.

Yuan Zhao sat gazing at the portrait of Ya'er, his thoughts drifting back two centuries. He recalled a time when his young son, Hong (Bi Hong's childhood name), disliked their secluded home and yearned to go out. Ya'er, Bi Hong's mother, encouraged Yuan Zhao to take Hong to the Lantern Festival, as the Devil Sect had not found them in their long hiding. Their daughter, Yue, was ill. At the festival, Yuan Zhao bought a rabbit lantern for Yue.

Suddenly, panicked villagers warned that the Devil Sect had poisoned the entire village. Yuan Zhao told Hong to wait and rushed inside, but Hong collapsed, having been affected by the poison. Yuan Zhao cried out for Ya'er and Yue. His reverie was broken by the appearance of Shen Guan, who questioned the presence of a Devil Sect bloodline within the Yuhua Sect.

Yuan Zhao, without revealing specifics, stated his lifelong mission was to cultivate the perfect Alliance Head to prevent greater sacrifices, emphasizing that the methods were secondary. Shen Guan, accepting his reticence, urged him to ensure Hou Chi's successful entry into the divine palace. Outside the room, Bi Hong had overheard their conversation and was stunned to learn that Hou Chi was of Devil Sect blood. Yuan Zhao, sensing Bi Hong's presence, called him in, causing Shen Guan to depart quickly.

Bi Hong entered, placing the incense he claimed was a calming blend for his father, and then left. Under the influence of the hallucinogenic incense, Yuan Zhao perceived Qiu Li as Ya'er. Qiu Li, in the guise of Ya'er, bitterly accused Yuan Zhao of abandoning her after she left the Devil Sect for him and bore his children.

Yuan Zhao tried to explain that the Devil Sect had poisoned the village before his return, making survival impossible, and that he had to protect Hong due to his unique, spiritual-rootless condition. Still listening from outside, Bi Hong realized that the former Saint Aunt was his mother, Qiu Ya, and that he had a sister. Qiu Li, continuing her deception, accused Yuan Zhao of lying about not entering the village and demanded to know Yue's whereabouts.

Yuan Zhao, still caught in the illusion, asked if Ya'er and Yue had survived. Qiu Li retorted that he did not deserve to know and, blaming him for their suffering, attempted to strike him. Bi Hong, witnessing his father's danger, rushed in and shielded Yuan Zhao, taking the blow himself. Qi Lingling quickly pulled Qiu Li away.

As Yuan Zhao tended to Bi Hong's injuries, Bi Hong confronted him, asking if the Saint Aunt's claims were true and if he had placed the incense to uncover his past. Yuan Zhao confirmed that Bi Hong's mother, Qiu Ya, was indeed the former Saint Aunt of the Devil Sect, and that Qiu Li was his sister, noting their striking resemblance.

He explained that Bi Hong's memory of those events had been suppressed because he was too young to cope with such a traumatic truth. Bi Hong then questioned why Yuan Zhao had saved him, who lacked a spiritual root, over his mother and sister. Yuan Zhao tearfully confessed that without him, Bi Hong would not have survived, and he could not bear to lose another child.

Later, Qiu Li's good personality, Bai Li, emerged, noticing Qi Lingling and realizing that her dark counterpart had committed more wrongdoings. Distraught, Bai Li worried about Shi Dong's anger and resolved to apologize to him. Qi Lingling tried to reassure her, claiming all actions were for Shi Dong and he wouldn't blame her.

Meanwhile, Shi Xia found Shi Dong, who announced his decision to abandon his role as Devil Lord and return home with her, lamenting that his "main lead script" had failed since he couldn't become the Alliance Head. Shi Xia, however, refused, stating her desire to remain with Hou Chi. Shi Dong tried to persuade her to return home with him after Hou Chi became the Alliance Head, but Shi Xia insisted on being with Hou Chi forever.

Shi Dong expressed his frustration at having a "disappointing sister" who would forsake her ideals for love. Shi Xia countered that if Hou Chi was willing to sacrifice his life for her, she could sacrifice her former life for him. She even suggested that Shi Dong join them and Hou Chi at Yuhua Sect. Shi Dong felt unappreciated, believing Shi Xia only acknowledged Hou Chi's sacrifices while ignoring his own efforts.

Suddenly, Qi Lingling appeared and urged the dark Qiu Li personality to kill Shi Xia, claiming it was the only way to keep Shi Dong. Qiu Li, fully embracing her dark side, immediately attacked Shi Xia. Shi Dong instinctively moved to protect Shi Xia, taking the brunt of Qiu Li's assault. Enraged by Shi Dong's self-sacrifice, Qiu Li prepared to deliver a fatal blow to Shi Xia, but Hou Chi arrived just in time to intervene, stopping her attack.

Episode 24 Recap

Shi Xia woke up and frantically searched for Shi Dong, finding him lying pale and motionless on the bed. Fearing he, like their parents, was about to leave her, she initially accused him of faking it, reminding him of his past tricks and declaring she wouldn't fall for it this time. She pointed out that the spiritual power needle from yesterday hadn't hit a vital spot, so he couldn't be hurt.

When he didn't respond, she threatened to cut off their sibling relationship. Her initial anger then turned to despair as she tearfully confessed her regret for arguing with him. Shi Xia cried that their parents were already gone, and he had abandoned her once before, begging him not to do it again. Shi Dong stirred and coughed, denying he had ever abandoned her, calling her words nonsense. Relieved, Shi Xia recounted an incident from when she was seven.

They had saved money by collecting plastic bottles to go to a fairground, but during a Ferris wheel ride, Shi Dong suddenly disappeared, leaving her heartbroken for the entire night. She recalled her aunt and uncle later suggesting he might have run away because she was a burden, and how he had returned appearing unfazed, as if nothing had happened.

Shi Dong then explained that he had indeed saved money for the Ferris wheel because he knew how much she loved it. Just as he put her on, he spotted some school bullies who often troubled him heading their way. Fearing she would be endangered, he deliberately drew them away from her. He ended up trapped and locked in a public restroom at the fairground all night, shouting for help.

Shi Xia realized it had all been a terrible misunderstanding that had bothered her for years and called herself foolish. Meanwhile, Qiu Li remained confined, her two personalities locked in a struggle. The aggressive "black" persona declared her intent to kill Shi Xia for taking Shi Dong, while the gentle "white" persona (Baili) pleaded against harming her.

Shi Dong explained to Shi Xia that Qiu Li suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, stemming from childhood abuse by Qiu Ping, which caused her personalities to split as a defense mechanism. The "black" persona demanded to be released, while the "white" persona desperately warned Shi Dong not to, fearing she would hurt him. True to the warning, the "black" persona lunged at Shi Xia.

Shi Dong confessed his reluctance to keep Qiu Li imprisoned but admitted that in her current state, releasing her would lead to further harm. Shi Xia felt that keeping Qiu Li locked up wasn't a permanent solution and proposed that if Shi Dong and Qiu Li were together, Qiu Li might recover faster. Thus, she suggested a solution: she would return to the Yuhua Sect with Hou Chi, allowing Shi Dong to stay and be with Qiu Li.

This way, Shi Dong wouldn't have to leave the Demonic Sect, and she could return to the Yuhua Sect, achieving a win-win for everyone. Shi Dong seemed hesitant, stating he would consider their "performance" before making a decision. Shi Xia immediately began to flatter him. Yuan Zhao went to Qiu Li, intending to open her ward and take her back to the Yuhua Sect for treatment.

However, the "black" persona vehemently refused, threatening to expose the scandals of Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong to the world if he breached the ward, stating she would kill them. Bi Hong, concerned about his secret of killing Elder Yuan Kui being revealed, advised his father, Yuan Zhao, against forcibly removing Qiu Li.

He suggested that her emotions were unstable, and forcing her to leave would only provoke her further and cause more trouble, thinking it better to let her stay there for now and reconsider later. Yuan Zhao reluctantly agreed, and they departed. Yuan Zhao later announced their impending return to the Yuhua Sect. Hou Chi seized the opportunity to request permission to bring Shi Xia with them, expressing his desire to be with her forever.

Yuan Zhao readily agreed, acknowledging Shi Xia as both his (Yuan Zhao's) sister and a Yuhua Sect disciple who rightfully belonged with them. Bi Hong reminded Hou Chi that Shi Xia was also Shi Dong's sister and suggested he seek Shi Dong's approval. Hou Chi agreed and went to find Shi Dong. Shi Xia had been actively trying to win Shi Dong over, fanning him and offering him "Demon Fluttering Milk Tea."

Hou Chi arrived, informing Shi Xia that Yuan Zhao had approved their return to Yuhua Sect, much to her delight. As they prepared to leave, Shi Dong blocked their path, asserting that as her brother, he had not given his consent. Hou Chi argued that sisters are destined to marry, and a brother's duty is to hand them over to their husband. Shi Xia agreed, citing it as "natural law."

Shi Dong dismissed their arguments as "nonsense" and declared that such rules didn't apply in his family. He then led them to their parents' memorial tablets. Before the tablets, Shi Dong dramatically confessed his failure to supervise Shi Xia, who was now dating a "200-year-old man." Hou Chi quickly interjected, explaining that 200 years was a normal age for a cultivator and that he actually looked younger than Shi Dong.

Shi Dong warned Hou Chi that his parents were far stricter than him and had very strict requirements for his sister, never allowing Shi Xia to date when they were alive. Shi Xia pointed out she was only seven when their parents were alive.

Shi Dong maintained that his parents loved Shi Xia dearly and had extremely high standards for a prospective son-in-law, framing the visit as an "interview," as it was customary for a daughter to introduce her boyfriend to her parents immediately. Hou Chi lit incense at the memorial tablets. Suddenly, the door to the memorial tablet closed, a trick orchestrated by Shi Dong.

He triumphantly declared that this proved their parents disapproved of Hou Chi and were unwilling to let him be with Shi Xia. Shi Xia tried to reassure Hou Chi, saying their parents were kind and would surely have liked him, and warned Shi Dong to stop. Shi Dong, however, insisted that unless Hou Chi satisfied their parents, Shi Xia would not leave with him.

He demanded Hou Chi swear an oath that if he ever treated Shi Xia poorly or caused her any grievance, he would lose his "most important thing." Hou Chi, in earnest, swore to devote himself to Shi Xia and never let her down. He declared that if he broke his oath, he would "never eat cotton candy again."

Shi Dong and Shi Xia were utterly perplexed by this, and Shi Dong grew furious, demanding to know how "cotton candy" could compare to his sister, assuming Hou Chi was mocking him. Hou Chi insisted that "cotton candy" was, apart from Shi Xia, the most precious thing to him. Shi Dong tried to persuade Shi Xia not to choose such an insincere man, but she reaffirmed her desire to be with Hou Chi.

Shi Dong then forced Hou Chi to swear again, this time promising that if he broke the oath, he would lose his position as Alliance Leader. Hou Chi complied, and Shi Dong seemed somewhat satisfied, though he still grumbled under his breath about cotton candy being more important. Shi Dong then declared that while his parents might be satisfied, he, her "Big Brother," was not.

He proclaimed himself the head of the family and demanded that Hou Chi, as his future son-in-law, perform a tea ceremony and address him as "Big Brother." Hou Chi respectfully served tea, but Shi Dong deliberately found fault, claiming it was too hot. Shi Xia explained they were merely joking and that Hou Chi had prepared teas of various temperatures. Hou Chi proceeded to serve Shi Dong several teas at different temperatures, then formally addressed him as "Big Brother."

Shi Dong accepted and settled down, ready to lay down the law. He presented a list of rules for Shi Xia: first, she must be impartial and never forget her brother because of her boyfriend, urging her to "come home often." Second, if Shi Dong and Hou Chi ever disagreed, she must firmly side with Shi Dong (and Shi Dong humorously insisted his fault was "non-existent").

Third, if Hou Chi ever bullied her, she should beat him; if she couldn't, Shi Dong would intervene. For Hou Chi, Shi Dong unfurled an impossibly long scroll filled with "Rules for a Loving Husband," telling him to read it later as it was "too long to read one by one."

Later, Shi Dong prepared a hotpot, eating enthusiastically in front of Shi Xia, who sadly watched, unable to taste anything due to her loss of taste, lamenting that she would no longer be able to savor such delicious food. Hou Chi became annoyed, accusing Shi Dong of deliberately provoking Shi Xia. Shi Dong explained that in modern times, watching others enjoy food, known as "mukbang," was a form of pleasure, like eating it oneself.

Hou Chi joined in, only to find the food too spicy. Shi Xia thoughtfully poured him water, which made Shi Dong visibly jealous, leading him to warn Hou Chi not to "show off" if he couldn't handle spicy food and remind them of the rules, emphasizing impartiality. He lectured them on the "limited" boundaries of first love, reiterating principles like "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, do no evil," implying even holding hands was a big deal.

Hou Chi assured him of his respectful conduct towards Shi Xia, stating that the most intimate thing they had done was "eating cotton candy several times." Shi Dong, still puzzled by the "cotton candy" reference from the oath, and frustrated by its implied non-literal meaning, pressed Hou Chi for clarification. Hou Chi leaned in and kissed Shi Xia, revealing the true meaning of "cotton candy." Shi Dong, overwhelmed with shock, promptly collapsed to the ground.

Episode 25 Recap

Yuan Zhao and the Yuhua Sect members returned to the sect, where Yuan Ye greeted them and congratulated Hou Chi on his election as the head of the Immortals Alliance. Yuan Zhao inquired about the ongoing search for Junior Yuan Gui, which had yielded no news, and ordered more people to be dispatched. He then made a public announcement, confirming that Shi Xia was not a Devil Sect spy, as the true culprit, Lin Kui, had been apprehended.

Acknowledging Shi Xia’s innocence and her significant assistance to Hou Chi during the Alliance Head selection, Yuan Zhao declared her reinstatement as a Yuhua Sect disciple. Furthermore, he lifted the long-standing ban on women throughout Yuhua Sect, granting Shi Xia the freedom to access any area. Finally, Yuan Zhao tasked Yuan Ye with meticulously preparing for the head of Immortals Alliance's inauguration, which was scheduled to take place in 15 days in ""Immortal-Devil Town"".

After the public ceremony, Shi Xia and Hou Chi went to their residence. Shi Xia expressed joy at seeing the Holy Tree revived and cherished the familiar surroundings, especially Hou Chi's presence. Hou Chi welcomed her home. Shi Xia then ate, still without her sense of taste, merely eating enough to feel full. Hou Chi noticed her sunken cheeks and lamented that she had lost her taste because of him.

Shi Xia tried to reassure him, jokingly saying it meant she no longer had to worry about dieting. Hou Chi, however, admitted he preferred her with chubby cheeks and pointed out her pale complexion. Shi Xia suggested using makeup to improve her appearance, but confessed she was unfamiliar with ancient cosmetics. Hou Chi confidently volunteered to apply her makeup. His attempt, however, resulted in such an exaggerated look that he quickly removed it with a spell.

Shi Xia, observing no change in her reflection, playfully accused him of doing nothing. Hou Chi then affectionately told her he found her most beautiful without any makeup, a "cheesy pick-up line" that Shi Xia playfully teased him about. Misinterpreting her reaction as dissatisfaction, Hou Chi kissed her cheek. As Shi Xia blushed, he cupped her face to cool her down. At that very moment, Yi Yaogua, Qing Feng, and Bi Hong arrived.

An embarrassed Shi Xia quickly tried to divert attention by asking Qing Feng for help with her rouge. Yi Yaogua, however, intervened, insisting that Qing Feng should maintain a respectful distance from Shi Xia, who was now Hou Chi's woman. He then directly asked Shi Xia about the rouge she used to achieve her improved complexion. In response, Hou Chi kissed Shi Xia’s cheek again, playfully stating, "This is the rouge she used."

Yi Yaogua promptly changed his tune, agreeing that excessive use of rouge could harm the skin and that a "natural" approach to makeup was indeed better. Bi Hong, after delivering a ""Heart-Nourishing Soup prescription"", quickly made an excuse about meeting friends for a drink and departed, followed by Yi Yaogua, who pulled a reluctant Qing Feng away. Feeling dejected about Hou Chi and Shi Xia's rapidly developing relationship, Bi Hong sought solace in drinking with friends.

He was unusually quiet, not praising their music as he typically would. He reflected aloud on how he once considered friendship the safest and most stable bond, but now found it to be the "most ridiculous relationship" in the world. Back in his courtyard, he deliberately poured liquor on his hydrangea flowers, causing them to wilt. He then called Shi Xia, who, for the first time since returning to Yuhua Sect, came to his courtyard.

Seeing the withered flowers, Shi Xia was saddened. Bi Hong feigned carelessness, claiming he had accidentally spilled liquor on them. Shi Xia immediately set to work, changing the soil to revive the plants. As she worked, Bi Hong probed, asking when she started liking Hou Chi. Shi Xia firmly declared her unwavering commitment to Hou Chi, jokingly accusing Bi Hong of being a "deep-sea octopus" who was prone to "cheating."

She explained that her feelings for Hou Chi developed gradually, starting from a period when he "always inexplicably showed up" in her life. Despite her efforts to avoid him, he persistently pursued her, even giving her gifts she initially disliked, until his image filled her mind and became impossible to shake. Listening to her, Bi Hong secretly lamented, wishing he had been braver earlier, believing he might have had a chance to be with her.

Hou Chi later confided in Bi Hong that his heart disease had worsened. Bi Hong explained that Hou Chi's emotional fluctuations triggered his Evil Aura, and his deepening affection for Shi Xia had transformed her into his "Love Calamity," causing him immense pain. Bi Hong asserted that this condition was incurable, with the only permanent solution being to sever all emotional ties. Hou Chi, however, firmly refused to abandon his love for Shi Xia.

Bi Hong suggested that while the ""Heart-Nourishing Soup"" combined with Hou Chi's own power might help control the Evil Aura, ultimately, his continuous immersion in love would lead to heart failure and death. Reminding Hou Chi of his duty as the future head of the Alliance, Bi Hong urged him to reconsider. Hou Chi, however, declared that anyone could be the head of the Alliance, but Shi Xia was his entire world.

He announced his intention to inform Lord Shen Guan of his decision to resign from the position, suggesting she choose another capable candidate. Bi Hong warned him that if he were to die, Shi Xia would ""also die of grief"". Yet, Hou Chi remained resolute, vowing to persevere until his last day, so he could send Shi Xia back to her home.

Troubled, Bi Hong secretly resolved that he could not allow Hou Chi to die, nor could he let Shi Xia endure such heartbreak, and decided to inform Yuan Zhao of the situation. Yuan Zhao soon confronted Hou Chi, sensing the Evil Aura within him, and knew it was Shi Xia's influence that had worsened his condition.

He told Hou Chi that Shi Xia was like a "sword hanging over his head" and declared his intention to expel her from Yuhua Sect. Hou Chi immediately knelt and pleaded with his Master, explaining that he had lived alone for two hundred years without knowing his parents or origins, finding nothing to cherish in the world except the Alliance Head position.

However, meeting Shi Xia had taught him the meaning of joys and sorrows, giving him a reason to live and a desire to protect her, to spend his life with her, not merely as siblings. He vowed never to let Shi Xia leave. Yuan Zhao reminded Hou Chi of his great responsibility as the future head of the Alliance and urged him not to betray the honor of the sect, or his own life, for a mere woman.

Hou Chi, however, defiantly stated that Shi Xia was more important than the sect's honor or anything else in the world, and offered to resign from the Alliance Head position, asking Lord Shen Guan to choose another capable candidate. Enraged by Hou Chi's unwavering stance, Yuan Zhao resorted to force, severely striking him, causing his ""blood to flow backward"" until he collapsed unconscious. Yuan Zhao then brought Hou Chi to Bi Hong for treatment.

Bi Hong quickly diagnosed that Hou Chi's heart was under attack by the Evil Aura, and his blood was flowing backward. He acknowledged that Yuan Zhao's timely intervention in sealing Hou Chi's acupoints had prevented him from dying of ruptured meridians. Still, Bi Hong cautioned that killing Shi Xia now would only worsen Hou Chi's already critical state, as his love for her was so profound that such news would be devastating.

He assured Yuan Zhao that he would find a way to save Hou Chi and urged Yuan Zhao to guard Hou Chi carefully, keeping Shi Xia, whom he called a "demon girl," away from him. As Bi Hong treated Hou Chi, he discovered a ""spiritual root mark"" on the back of Hou Chi's neck that was identical to his own.

Consulting ancient texts, Bi Hong learned that a ""grafted spiritual root"" would leave a scar matching that of the original owner. This revelation sparked a memory of a conversation he overheard in the Devil Sect, where Lord Shen Guan spoke to Yuan Zhao about the Devil Sect's bloodline, which she had awaited for a thousand years, surprisingly manifesting within Yuhua Sect. Prompted by this, Bi Hong examined himself and found the very same scar on his own body, realizing a profound connection.

Episode 26 Recap

Bi Hong realized he shared the Devil Sect bloodline with Hou Chi, and that the spiritual root Hou Chi possessed was originally his. He also recalled the ridicule he endured for lacking a spiritual root, fueling his desire to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his.

Blaming Hou Chi for all his past misfortunes, for being controlled by demons, and for his irreversible mistakes, Bi Hong resolved to kill him to reclaim his spiritual root, believing this would restore everything to how it once was. As he raised a dagger over the unconscious Hou Chi, he heard Hou Chi murmur Shi Xia's name, which brought him back to his senses. Bi Hong, softening, dropped the dagger and left.

He decided that since Hou Chi might not be able to stay with Shi Xia until the end, he would protect Shi Xia in Hou Chi's stead, letting Hou Chi continue his mission with the spiritual root. Meanwhile, in the Devil Cave, someone expressed concern about Qiu Li, who was consuming her spiritual power to break the ward without eating or drinking.

Shi Dong, worried about Qiu Li, rushed towards the ward, telling Qiu Li to stop trying to force her way out. Despite Shi Dong's pleas, Qiu Li declared that she would get out even if it cost her life. Shi Dong then commanded Er Ha to open the ward, overriding Er Ha's objections. Once inside, Qiu Li immediately used magic to control Shi Dong, demanding he open the ward.

Shi Dong, while controlled by her magic, asserted that Qiu Li wouldn't bear to kill him, which immediately softened her, and she let go. He told Er Ha to stand down, stating his intention to remain in the cave with Qiu Li. Shi Dong then tried to warm her, but Qiu Li stubbornly claimed she wasn't a weakling like Bai Li and wouldn't be affected by his gestures.

Shi Dong began to feel the pangs of hunger, but he declared he would starve himself if Qiu Li continued her attempts to escape the Devil Cave. Qiu Li, in her dark demeanor, told him to go ahead and starve, asserting she would not eat either. She assumed Shi Dong, having never experienced hunger, would quickly give up.

However, Shi Dong revealed that his parents had passed away early, and he had been bullied and frequently locked up without food or water as a child, leaving him no stranger to starvation. He expressed his understanding of Qiu Li's desire for strength, recognizing that one must become powerful to protect oneself, one's sister, and all those around them. Bi Hong presented Yuan Zhao with the Love-forgetting Potion he had developed.

He explained that if Hou Chi drank it, he would forget all memories of Shi Xia, severing all emotional ties and thereby dissipating the Evil Aura. Yuan Zhao inquired about the potion's effectiveness, to which Bi Hong replied that its true power would only be known after Hou Chi consumed it.

Bi Hong then proposed that once Hou Chi forgot Shi Xia, he would take Shi Xia away from the Yuhua Sect to live a simple, mortal life, never again meddling in cultivation affairs. Yuan Zhao, pleased that Bi Hong had finally come around to his long-held desire, questioned whether Shi Xia would truly agree to forget Hou Chi.

Bi Hong, confident in his understanding of Shi Xia, assured his father that no matter how deeply Shi Xia loved Hou Chi, she would never wish him to risk his life for her sake. Convinced, Yuan Zhao granted his permission for Bi Hong and Shi Xia to leave the Yuhua Sect, provided Hou Chi successfully drank the potion. Meanwhile, Shi Xia grew anxious as Hou Chi had not returned after saying he was going to see Yuan Zhao.

She worried something might have happened to him. Bi Hong found her and invited her inside, where she discovered Hou Chi lying unconscious. Distraught, Shi Xia pleaded with Bi Hong to tell her what was wrong. Bi Hong then explained that Hou Chi's Evil Aura had worsened because of her, transforming into a Love Calamity. If Hou Chi continued to harbor feelings for her, his life would be in peril.

Shi Xia was devastated to learn she was the cause of his suffering. Bi Hong then revealed that the only way to save Hou Chi was for him to never love again, suggesting he drink the Love-forgetting Potion to forget everything about her. Shi Xia initially dismissed this as a melodramatic plot device that wouldn't happen to her, but Bi Hong confirmed it was the only solution.

After serious consideration, Shi Xia tearfully agreed to let Hou Chi drink the potion but requested one more day to properly bid him farewell before he lost his memories of her. She promised that after this final day, she would personally administer the potion and disappear from his life forever. Bi Hong agreed to negotiate this extra time with Yuan Zhao.

Shi Xia then sat by the unconscious Hou Chi, holding his hand, reflecting on how he had always protected her. She vowed that this time, she would be the one to protect him, even if it meant sacrificing their love. The next day, Hou Chi awoke to find Yuan Zhao by his bedside. His first question was about Shi Xia's whereabouts. Yuan Zhao reassured him that Shi Xia was safe in his courtyard and urged him to rest.

Yuan Zhao apologized for the harsh words he had spoken in a moment of panic when Hou Chi's Evil Aura worsened. He promised that if Hou Chi ceased to discuss relinquishing his position as Alliance Head, he would no longer trouble either Hou Chi or Shi Xia. Hou Chi thanked his master. However, Yuan Zhao sternly reminded him that his Love Calamity had begun, urging him to restrain his emotions and to attend the upcoming Succession Ceremony safely.

Hou Chi agreed to his master's counsel. Anxiously waiting, Shi Xia fretted about Hou Chi's prolonged absence, but then saw him appear. She rushed to embrace him, tears streaming down her face as she buried her face in his chest. Hou Chi apologized for his delay, and Shi Xia promised to cherish every minute and second they had together from that moment on.

Shi Xia opened her notebook, titled "Ten things I'm going to do with my future boyfriend," to see what was left on their list. They had already accomplished almost every item, including eating his cooking, bungee jumping, bedtime stories, receiving gifts, and kissing in romantic places. The only remaining item was "In some romantic moment, let my boyfriend put a ring on me." Hou Chi was unfamiliar with what a "ring" was.

Shi Xia explained that in her hometown, it was a token of love a man gave to a woman to symbolize a lifelong commitment. She showed him a drawing of one, which Hou Chi remarked looked like an instrument. Shi Xia conceded that rings in his cultivation world were indeed magical instruments, but then retrieved a contract they had. She declared that their unique contract was a more precious and enduring token than any ring or treasure in the world.

As she looked around, Shi Xia silently reflected that everything they had created together would soon be lost to her, and she would not be able to stay with Hou Chi forever. She resolved to do her best to fulfill his every wish during their remaining time.

Episode 27 Recap

Shi Xia took Qing Feng to the street to buy a gift for Hou Chi. While shopping, Qing Feng admired a women's dress. Shi Xia encouraged her to try it on, assuring her that no one else would know. Despite her reservations about her male disguise, Qing Feng agreed. Meanwhile, Yi Yaogua had been secretly following them, curious about their activities.

He was utterly captivated when he saw Qing Feng in the dress, accidentally making a sound that startled her, though she couldn't see him. Shi Xia remained oblivious, unaware that Yi Yaogua had discovered Qing Feng's true identity. Shi Xia also purchased a beautiful glass cover, a tribute from the Tianlai country.

Hou Chi described a ring Shi Xia had mentioned, explaining to Bi Hong that it was not a magical artifact but a finger ornament, symbolizing a couple's love and lifelong commitment. He revealed that Shi Xia wished to wear such an item with him and requested Bi Hong's help in creating it. Bi Hong noted the small item's intricate craftsmanship, suggesting they use Yi Yaogua's extensive collection of treasures to fund the project.

Yi Yaogua, who greatly admired Hou Chi, readily offered his wealth, stating it was merely a small fraction of his fortune compared to helping Hou Chi. Shi Xia, preparing for her impending departure, meticulously carved a miniature replica of Hou Chi's courtyard, including tiny duck figures, hoping they would keep him company after she was gone. Hou Chi went to find Shi Xia, and hearing her mumbling about leaving, asked her about her destination.

Shi Xia fabricated a story, claiming she was going to visit Shi Dong as she had promised him. Hou Chi insisted on accompanying her, but Shi Xia tried to dissuade him, suggesting he would become too engrossed in his duties as the future Alliance Head and eventually forget her. Hou Chi solemnly reassured her that she would always be his top priority, and his memories of her would never fade, even if he were no longer alive.

This heartfelt confession made Shi Xia happy, but it caused Hou Chi to feel heartache, visibly affected by the Evil Aura, needing to steady himself. Shi Xia, realizing he was trying to hide his pain, urged Hou Chi to seek Bi Hong for treatment. Then, claiming Qing Feng needed her, she quickly excused herself and left, promising to return soon. Using Yi Yaogua's vast collection of jewels, Hou Chi forged a ring for Shi Xia.

Yi Yaogua remarked on the immense treasure required for a single ring, finally understanding its allure for women. Later, Hou Chi, seeking to understand "romance," consulted Yi Yaogua. Yi Yaogua, noting the "water" radical in the Chinese characters for "romance," deduced it must be water-related and arranged a romantic boat outing on a lake for Hou Chi and Shi Xia.

Shi Xia was deeply touched by the enchanting evening, telling Hou Chi she would forever cherish the memory of that day. Hou Chi then presented her with the ring, a leaf-designed piece, placing it on her finger. Shi Xia expressed her delight, touched that he remembered her small preference, to which Hou Chi responded that nothing concerning her was insignificant to him. Shi Xia then revealed her own gift, which Hou Chi couldn't immediately find.

She retrieved a crystal ball from the water, revealing a miniature of their courtyard, containing records of their past life together. She explained that as Alliance Head, he would reside in the Celestial Palace and might not often return to Yuhua Sect, so the crystal ball was a reminder of home. She confirmed her presence within the miniature, assuring him that it would always be "summer" inside, irrespective of the seasons. Hou Chi expressed his profound appreciation for the gift.

Having learned Qing Feng's true gender, Yi Yaogua decided to pursue her. He presented her with the dress she had tried on earlier, and then many rings, explaining that each ring was worth a house. He boldly proposed that she become his woman, promising that all Yi family properties would be registered in her name. Qing Feng was very embarrassed by his directness and materialistic approach, and she quickly ran off, leaving a confused Yi Yaogua to chase after her.

Later that special night, Shi Xia, citing a hometown custom, proposed they drink "cross-cupped wine" to ensure their eternal togetherness, substituting it with tea since Hou Chi did not drink alcohol. Hou Chi drank the Love-forgetting Potion given to him by Shi Xia, and immediately collapsed, unconscious. Shi Xia carefully left Hou Chi in their small courtyard.

Before leaving, she picked up a withered branch, intending it to be her companion, and carved "Love-forgetting Potion" onto the withered tree in the courtyard. As Shi Xia tearfully walked away, Bi Hong caught up to her with his luggage, stating that he had shed his past burdens and that she was the only one he couldn't leave behind. He insisted on accompanying her.

Meanwhile, Shi Dong had been on a hunger strike for five days, determined to prevent Qiu Li from leaving the barrier. Fearing he would starve to death, Qiu Li cleverly pretended to revert to her former self, Bai Li. She called out to Er Ha, urging him to quickly enter the barrier as Shi Dong had fainted. Er Ha, delighted that Bai Li had supposedly returned, rushed in to assist Shi Dong.

Both Shi Dong and Er Ha were overjoyed, believing Bai Li was finally back. Shi Xia and Bi Hong arrived in Xianmo Town. Shi Xia wished to observe Hou Chi's Alliance Head inauguration from a distance, unwilling to disrupt his significant moment, and Bi Hong promised to take her traveling after the ceremony for a new beginning. In Xianmo Town, they unexpectedly encountered Yi Yaogua and Qing Feng.

Yi Yaogua, having been informed by Yuan Zhao that Shi Xia and Bi Hong had eloped, angrily confronted Shi Xia, accusing her of betrayal. Qing Feng, however, refused to believe that Shi Xia would act in such a way, insisting there must be a hidden reason, and asked what Shi Xia was holding. Shi Xia attempted to conceal a seedling from the withered tree in Hou Chi's courtyard but accidentally dropped it. At that moment, Hou Chi, who had followed them, appeared and deftly caught the falling seedling. Shi Xia turned, and their eyes met.

Episode 28 Recap

As Shi Xia saw Hou Chi again, memories flooded her mind, but Hou Chi showed no recognition of her. He returned a Holy Tree sapling to Shi Xia, stating simply, "Miss, you dropped something." A nearby doll vendor asked Hou Chi if he wished to buy another doll for Miss Shi Xia, to which Hou Chi firmly replied that he did not know the girl and had never given her dolls.

He then called for Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua to leave with him. Later, as Yi Yaogua admired some jewelry he had chosen, Qing Feng expressed her confusion to him, remarking on how strange Hou Chi's attitude towards Shi Xia was, as if he had never known her. Yi Yaogua attributed it to Hou Chi being heartbroken by Shi Xia, claiming that a "dead heart" made him numb.

Qing Feng questioned if a person could truly change and give up overnight. Growing jealous that Qing Feng was preoccupied with Shi Xia, Yi Yaogua complained that he was less important to her than her "sister." To appease him, Qing Feng agreed to go on a night out with him, playfully rebuffing his suggestion that she wear a girl's dress.

Meanwhile, Bi Hong took Shi Xia to a remote inn, the farthest from the Immortal-Demon Inn, hoping they would avoid further encounters with the Yuhua Sect. Despite the lesser conditions, Shi Xia found it acceptable. Bi Hong reminded her that Hou Chi had forgotten her and urged her to forget him to spare herself pain. However, Shi Xia cherished every moment spent with Hou Chi and refused to forget those memories, even if she couldn't be with him forever.

Bi Hong, who had almost produced a Love-forgetting Potion, hastily put it away, then suggested that after the Immortal-Demon Grand Ceremony, he would take her traveling to find delicious food, hoping that with time, she would naturally forget Hou Chi. Shi Xia, however, insisted she would never forget him, asserting that he would take root and be reborn in her heart, just like the Holy Tree sapling she carried, which she had taken from Hou Chi's courtyard.

Bi Hong then advised her to rest. The next morning, Shi Xia discovered her Holy Tree sapling was missing. After searching her room and finding only the empty pot under the window where it had been placed, she and Bi Hong went out to look for it. They soon spotted Yuan Zhao, Hou Chi, Qing Feng, and Yi Yaogua dining. Shi Xia quickly walked away, trying to avoid being seen.

Hou Chi had earlier suggested to Yuan Zhao that they depart, as the spiritual power was strongest before noon, but Yuan Zhao insisted on taking a break first. Shi Xia eventually found her damaged sapling near a doorway. As she knelt to pick it up, a large plaque above her began to fall. Yuan Zhao observed Hou Chi closely, and Hou Chi remained outwardly calm, putting Yuan Zhao at ease.

Just as the plaque was about to strike Shi Xia, Shi Dong swiftly arrived and pushed her out of the way, saving her from harm. Qing Feng, disgusted by Hou Chi and Yuan Zhao's indifference, left angrily, followed by Yi Yaogua, who also felt their actions were excessive. Shi Xia, cradling her damaged sapling, was heartbroken. Shi Dong scolded her for risking her life for a mere branch and questioned Hou Chi's protection.

Shi Xia claimed they had broken up, and that she was the one who dumped Hou Chi because she was "tired of him," having "hurt him badly" with her "indifference and unrestraint." Shi Dong, remembering their recent affection, doubted her, speculating if she had cheated. Shi Xia denied it, saying simply that she no longer liked him and that it was "all her fault." Shi Dong, still unconvinced, threatened to confront Hou Chi, but Shi Xia stopped him.

At that moment, Qiu Li appeared, completely cured of her dissociative identity disorder. Shi Xia was delighted, and Qiu Li sincerely apologized for her past actions, declaring that Shi Xia and Shi Dong were now the dearest people to her. Back at his residence, Hou Chi repaired the broken Holy Tree sapling using his spiritual power.

He recalled that at the tea house, he had prepared to use his powers to save Shi Xia from the falling plaque but stopped when Shi Dong intervened, knowing that not acting would reassure Yuan Zhao of his supposed forgetfulness. Hou Chi then realized that his memories of Shi Xia were rapidly fading, wondering if it was due to the Love-forgetting Potion he had consumed.

He desperately searched for Shi Xia, asserting that he would never abandon her, even if it cost him his life. Bi Hong arrived, stopping Hou Chi's search. He admitted that he had orchestrated everything, including informing their Master about Hou Chi's condition and giving him the Love-forgetting Potion, claiming it was to prevent Hou Chi from dying.

Bi Hong then lied, telling Hou Chi that Yuan Zhao had developed murderous intent towards Shi Xia and would have killed her if not for his intervention. He further misled Hou Chi by stating that Shi Xia had also drunk the Love-forgetting Potion, unwilling to see him die alone, and that forgetting their past would be a relief for both of them.

Bi Hong then offered Hou Chi another bottle of the Love-forgetting Potion, urging him to drink it to protect both his life and Shi Xia's, emphasizing his duty as the head of the Alliance. Unconvinced by Shi Xia's claims of breaking up with Hou Chi, Shi Dong took her for a walk to "ease her lovelorn feelings," which Shi Xia denied having. He then tricked her into falling into a deep pit.

Leaving her there, Shi Dong lured Hou Chi to the pit. Upon arrival, Hou Chi realized he had been tricked and jumped into the pit. Shi Dong, from above, playfully addressed Hou Chi as his "good brother-in-law," reminding him that Shi Xia's breakup was due to her inexperience.

He encouraged Hou Chi to reconcile with her and informed him that he had placed the Devil Sect's most powerful ward over the pit, which would take even Hou Chi some effort to break. Shi Dong then left, promising to return the next morning. Shi Xia, seeing Hou Chi, asked if he had come to rescue her. Hou Chi, maintaining his facade of not knowing her, replied that he would not stand idly by if anyone was in distress. He then instructed Shi Xia to step aside so he could focus on breaking the ward, chilling Shi Xia's heart.

Episode 29 Recap

Bi Hong woke up with a gasp, drenched in a cold sweat after dreaming of the deceased Elder Yuan Gui. Before he could recover, Qiu Li appeared in his room. She revealed she was completely cured, no longer the weak Bai Li, but the formidable Qiu Li, the Immortal Aunt of the Devil Sect.

Qiu Li reminded Bi Hong that she held a significant secret for him and offered to help him regain his spiritual power through a spiritual root transplant if he continued to assist her. Otherwise, she implied grave consequences. Bi Hong, desiring a simple life away from the Yuhua Sect, pleaded with her to let him go, asserting that his past was no longer relevant. Qiu Li rejected his plea, stating her rules allowed no retreat.

Bi Hong suggested her actions stemmed from a desire for revenge against their father and the Yuhua Sect, asking her to forgive their father's past "accident," for which he had felt guilty his entire life. Qiu Li, however, recalled with bitterness how their father had chosen Bi Hong and abandoned her and their mother during that "accident." She firmly declared that she was the one abandoned and that Bi Hong had no right to demand her forgiveness.

With a swift spell, she rendered Bi Hong unconscious, reaffirming that he owed her. After rendering Bi Hong unconscious, Qiu Li brought him to Yuan Zhao. Seeing Bi Hong's state, Yuan Zhao rushed to check on him. Qiu Li declared that she came to negotiate, demanding Hou Chi's spiritual root in exchange for Bi Hong's life.

Yuan Zhao pleaded for Qiu Li's forgiveness, but she refused, stating that the more Yuan Zhao cherished something, the more she wanted to destroy it. She then revealed that Bi Hong had killed Elder Yuan Gui and stolen his sight, providing the location of Yuan Gui's body as proof. She threatened to expose Bi Hong's misdeeds to the public if Yuan Zhao didn't comply, which would lead to the righteous sects disowning him.

Yuan Zhao asked for time to consider, and Qiu Li, challenging him to choose between his "good-for-nothing son" and his "excellent disciple," departed. In the hidden pit Shi Dong had dug, Hou Chi finally broke through the ward. He noticed Shi Xia, who was unconscious due to the severe cold. He initially considered using his clothes to warm her but decided against it to avoid potential misunderstandings, instead using his spiritual power to gently heat the surrounding air.

Shi Xia later stirred, realizing she was resting on Hou Chi's lap. Feeling awkward, she feigned sleep, hoping he wouldn't notice, but Hou Chi eventually prompted her to wake up. Attempting to mask her embarrassment, Shi Xia playfully blamed her tendency to sleep on pillows. Hou Chi then reiterated that the ward was broken and they should leave, then scooped her up and flew them out of the pit. Shi Xia thanked him, to which he simply replied, "Never mind."

Hou Chi quickly departed after dropping Shi Xia. Moments later, Shi Dong arrived, criticizing the lack of romantic progress despite Shi Xia spending the night with Hou Chi. Annoyed, Shi Xia confided that Hou Chi had consumed the Love-forgetting Potion, causing him to forget her. She explained that she had to stay away from him for his own safety.

Shi Dong was surprised by the dramatic turn of events but tried to comfort her, promising to find her a better boyfriend when they returned. As they spoke, Shi Xia discovered Hou Chi's Alliance Leader Seal, which he had inadvertently dropped. Curious, Shi Dong picked it up, and as both he and Shi Xia touched its gem, they experienced visions of the Divine Palace collapsing and Hou Chi suffering severe injuries.

Realizing the Alliance Leader Seal could predict the future, Shi Xia became convinced Hou Chi was in grave danger if he entered the Divine Palace. Despite Shi Dong's doubts about seeking help from Yuan Zhao, Shi Xia insisted that Yuan Zhao's primary concern was Hou Chi's well-being. Shi Xia and Shi Dong went to confront Yuan Zhao, who initially scolded Shi Xia for violating their agreement by approaching Hou Chi.

Shi Xia, with Shi Dong’s help, explained that she had found Hou Chi's Alliance Leader Seal and, upon touching its gem, saw a vision of the Divine Palace collapsing and Hou Chi being severely wounded. They suggested that if Hou Chi were to touch the Alliance Leader Seal himself, he might be able to prevent the impending disaster. Yuan Zhao confirmed that Hou Chi was unaware they had touched the seal.

He stated the matter was too serious for him to decide alone and promised to consult with Shen Guan. Shi Xia requested to be informed of the outcome. Yuan Zhao agreed, but only if Shi Xia promised to stay away from Hou Chi, arranging to meet them the next morning at the foot of the Houshan of the Wonderland Town to deliver his decision. Shi Xia consented, and they left.

Alone with the unconscious Bi Hong, Yuan Zhao spoke of a heavy burden he had carried for a long time, hoping Bi Hong would understand when he eventually learned the truth. He then resolved to protect Bi Hong, indicating a difficult choice lay ahead. The next morning, Shi Xia and Shi Dong waited at the foot of the Houshan of the Wonderland Town.

Shi Dong reassured Shi Xia, promising that if needed, he would involve the Devil Sect to help Hou Chi. They then discovered a motionless body, which Shi Xia identified as Yuan Gui, the elder who had disappeared from the Devil Sect. Just as they realized this, Yuan Zhao arrived with his disciples, immediately accusing Shi Xia and Shi Dong of Yuan Gui's murder, claiming the fatal wound was caused by the Devil Lord's weapon.

Despite their earnest denials, Yuan Zhao, citing the "evidence," ordered Hou Chi to capture them. Realizing they were trapped, Shi Dong pulled Shi Xia to flee. As they were pursued, Yuan Zhao privately revealed his sinister plan: to sacrifice Shi Xia and Shi Dong, believing their deaths would secure Bi Hong's safety and the world's peace, as they "knew too much" about his secrets. Meanwhile, Qiu Li received urgent news that the Devil Lord, Shi Dong, was in trouble.

Taking the still unconscious Bi Hong, she rushed to their aid. Shi Xia and Shi Dong were eventually cornered at the edge of a cliff. To protect Shi Xia, Shi Dong bravely confessed to killing Yuan Gui, but Shi Xia immediately protested, refusing to let him take the blame for a crime he didn't commit. Yuan Zhao, with a cruel smile, declared he would let the "siblings" die together.

Qing Feng and another disciple, believing in their innocence, stepped forward to plead for Shi Xia and Shi Dong, stating that Shi Dong was no longer bloodthirsty and Shi Xia was not a cruel person. Yuan Zhao quickly subdued him with spiritual power, threatened to expel any disciple who dared to speak on their behalf, and ordered the dissenting disciples removed.

Yuan Zhao then announced his intention to execute the "Devil Lord siblings" as divine retribution for Yuan Gui's death and to honor the souls of the righteous, an act that was met with chants of approval from his followers. Suddenly, Hou Chi stepped forward, asking Yuan Zhao to allow him to personally carry out the punishment. Shi Xia desperately cried out, insisting that her brother was innocent.

However, Hou Chi coldly stated that "seeing is believing" and that he trusted only what his eyes revealed. Heartbroken, Shi Xia realized that the Love-forgetting Potion had indeed rendered him completely indifferent. Hou Chi declared that Yuan Gui had treated him well and that he would avenge his master. He then stabbed Shi Dong and used his spiritual power to knock both Shi Xia and Shi Dong off the cliff.

Episode 30 Recap

Witnessing his father’s attempts to protect him and cover up the truth, Bi Hong stepped forward to confess that he was the one who killed Elder Yuan Gui. He declared, "Then it should have been my life instead," and then, "All mark my words. I was the murderer of elder Yuan Gui." To prove his words, Qiu Li projected an image from his eye-sight, revealing the moment of the killing.

Bi Hong confirmed everything, explaining that he murdered Yuan Gui to take his eyes, which allowed him to regain his sight. Bi Hong further elaborated that his new eyes were indeed Elder Yuan Gui's, which is why they contained Yuan Gui's memories, confirming the truth of the image.

Then, Bi Hong and Qiu Li exposed Yuan Zhao as a hypocrite, revealing that Bi Hong was not just Yuan Zhao's illegitimate son but Qiu Li's own brother, and their mother was Qiu Ya, the former Immortal Aunt of the Devil Sect. They also fully disclosed that Yuan Zhao had abandoned his wife and taken Bi Hong's spiritual root to give to Hou Chi.

Qiu Li vowed revenge for the Devil Lord, declaring, "Each one of you here did your part in hurting Devil Lord. None of you will walk out of here alive." Yuan Zhao tried to stop her, but Qiu Li asserted he couldn't stop her forever and threatened to dismember everyone present.

Bi Hong then declared, "I have the blood of devil in me, so I'm bound to return to Devil Sect," and threatened Yuan Zhao, hinting at a secret: "As for what you took from me and who you gave them to, you know better than anyone else." With these revelations, Bi Hong and Qiu Li left. Yuan Zhao attempted to depart, but the orthodox sects, enraged by the disclosures, blocked him.

They accused him of colluding with the Devil Sect and demanded Hou Chi surrender the Alliance Lord's Seal, claiming Hou Chi was unfit to rule. Hou Chi stepped forward, stating that while his Master had erred, he was the one who committed the killing, and any grievances should be directed at him. Yuan Zhao then offered to resign from his position as sect leader to appease the crowd.

However, he clarified that Hou Chi's appointment as Alliance Lord was chosen by Shen Guan and must be decided by her. He then summoned Shen Guan. Shen Guan appeared, declaring, "I'm aware of what happened today. Hou Chi's position as the head was what meant to be. It has nothing to do with sect conflicts. So Hou Chi should still be the head of Immortals Alliance."

She added, "I'll hear no further discussions," and ordered Hou Chi to report to the Wuwang Temple the following day for his inauguration. Later, at an inn, Yuan Zhao informed Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua that he had resigned as sect leader and passed the position to Senior Yuan Ye. He instructed them to escort Hou Chi to the Wuwang Temple for his inauguration. Unexpectedly, Qing Feng requested permission to leave the Yuhua Sect.

She explained, "Many things happened these days. Some of them troubled me with confusion. As for the conflict between the Immortals and Devils, and the gap between right from wrong. I was confused." She wished to "go my own way, and do my own deed." Yi Yaogua immediately decided to accompany Qing Feng.

Yuan Zhao, no longer the sect leader, told them he could not interfere with their decisions, and that although he couldn't appear, he would definitely watch over Hou Chi. With a shared understanding, Qing Feng bid farewell to her Master and Hou Chi, and Yi Yaogua followed suit. After they left, Yuan Zhao confided in Hou Chi, saying, "I must have let you down." Hou Chi reassured him, "But I have been following your words ever since I was young.

I believe that there must be sound reasons behind all your actions." Yuan Zhao expressed his wish that Bi Hong were half as sensible as Hou Chi. Hou Chi offered to help Yuan Zhao convince Bi Hong to return, but Yuan Zhao simply said, "If he is unwilling to return, just let him be." Yuan Zhao then solemnly instructed Hou Chi, "Tomorrow you'll enjoy the highlight of your life.

No matter what happens tomorrow, you must get to the Wuwang Temple. Do not turn back." Qing Feng walked ahead, but Yi Yaogua quickly caught up, asking why she didn't wait. Qing Feng replied that they were no longer fellow disciples and had no connection, so they should go their separate ways. Yi Yaogua then embraced and kissed her, playfully claiming, "You already kissed me, we do have connections now. From now on, you are my woman."

He promised to give her a warm home, recognizing her past feeling of being homeless. Qing Feng, though bashful, accepted him, warning him, "If you dare to kiss me without consent again, I will break your legs." Yi Yaogua promised only she could kiss him at will. Qing Feng then proposed their first task: to go to the bottom of the cliff to retrieve Shi Xia and Shi Dong's bodies for a proper burial.

As they were discussing this, Hou Chi appeared. Qing Feng, still believing Hou Chi was responsible for Shi Xia's death, declared she would never forgive him. Hou Chi, however, offered to help them find Shi Xia and Shi Dong, and the two skeptically followed him. Hou Chi led them to a cave where Shi Dong and Shi Xia lay asleep on beds. He explained that Shi Dong was fine and merely sleeping, and that he had already ensured their safety.

Hou Chi revealed his weakened state due to the Evil Aura, and stated that a ring he gave Shi Xia would protect her in his absence. He then asked Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua to hide them, take good care of them, and not to tell them what truly transpired or that he was the one who saved them. Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua questioned why Hou Chi insisted on remaining strangers if he cared for Shi Xia.

Hou Chi explained, "Only if I never meet Shi Xia again can she be safe all her life." Shi Xia woke up with a start, wondering where she was and if she had somehow time-traveled after dying. She saw Qing Feng, who, following Hou Chi's instructions, fabricated a story. Qing Feng told her that she and Yi Yaogua had found Shi Xia and Shi Dong lying in the wilderness after their fall and were lucky to be alive.

She advised Shi Xia to stay hidden for a while until things settled down. Just then, Yi Yaogua entered, proudly announcing that he and Qing Feng were now together, had left the Yuhua Sect, and established the Qingcheng Sect. He declared himself Qing Feng's fiancé and that his family's properties would be Qingcheng Sect's base. Shi Xia, amazed at their rapid progress, teasingly asked for wedding candy.

She then quickly got up to check on Shi Dong, who was in the adjacent room. Shi Xia tended to Shi Dong's wound, still feeling resentment towards Hou Chi. Shi Dong playfully pointed out that she still wore Hou Chi's ring, to which Shi Xia replied she had just forgotten to take it off and asked him to throw it away, claiming it bothered her. Shi Dong took the ring, pretending to discard it, but secretly held onto it.

Later, Hou Chi secretly watched Shi Xia from afar, gazing at a crystal ball she had given him, which depicted the scenery of their shared home. Shi Xia, meanwhile, was drinking heavily, lamenting her feelings for Hou Chi and regretting discarding his ring. She questioned why he didn't trust her, and called him "the coldest, hardest, and the most stupid piece of log in this world."

She defiantly declared she would find a new boyfriend who was "sweet, gentle, and considerate," and "taller and finer than you." Despite her outward anger, she confessed, "Even if you are merciless to me, I cannot forget the kindness you showed me." She expressed a wish for Hou Chi's upcoming inauguration, hoping that "whatever the Divine Seal foretold never comes true." Overwhelmed by emotion and alcohol, Shi Xia fainted.

Hou Chi rushed to her side, caught her as she fell, and held her close. He carried her back to her room, and as he turned to leave, Shi Xia's eyes fluttered open. Believing she was dreaming or hallucinating from drink, she decided not to let the "dream Hou Chi" escape and embraced him, pulling him into a kiss.

Episode 31 Recap

Hou Chi, concerned about Shi Xia's heavily intoxicated state, decided to stay with her, deeming it unsafe to leave her alone. Shi Xia, in her drunken haze, whimsically declared, "It's a dream anyway. I can do whatever I want." She then expressed a desire to "go to the moon." Hou Chi indulged her, taking her hand and flying them to a high mountain peak. Shi Xia, convinced they were truly there, exclaimed, "It's the moon.

We are really on the moon now." Believing this surreal experience to be a dream, Shi Xia poured out her heart to Hou Chi. In her intoxicated state, she even muttered, "So sweet. So real. It's super friendly experience like 4D and VR," likely referring to her vivid perception of the moment as a dream. She began with, "Since you are so good, let me tell you a story."

She recounted a tale of a lonely girl who met a flying Peter Pan, who took her on adventures and brought her home to her reunited family. Shi Xia confessed, "When I was a child, I always dreamed about meeting Peter Pan and taking an adventure with him. Maybe when I got back, my family could also come back safe and sound."

A poignant sadness then fell upon her as she continued, "In the past, I thought you were my Peter Pan. I came to your world. But you don't remember me." After this heartfelt confession, Shi Xia fainted. Hou Chi gently carried her back to her room, secretly kissed her, and then turned to leave. Upon returning to his own quarters, Hou Chi experienced a severe flare-up of his Evil Aura, which he could only forcefully suppress using his spiritual power.

Realizing his body wouldn't endure much longer, Hou Chi resolved to inform Shen Guan of his condition when he entered Celestial Palace the following day, requesting that a more suitable leader be chosen for the Alliance. He also planned to ask Shen Guan for the enchantment of breaking the virtual space. He promised, "Shi Xia, trust me.

Even if I can't be the head of the Alliance, I will still ask Shen Guan for the enchantment of breaking the virtual space. I can't give you a home. But I'll take you back to your original home," hoping to send her back to her original home before his demise. In her demonic cave, Qiu Li reflected on joyful past moments with Shi Dong.

Her thoughts soon turned to rage, fueled by her belief that Hou Chi had murdered Shi Dong. She vowed vengeance, muttering, "Brother, I won't let you die in vain. I must revenge." Meanwhile, Bi Hong, drowning his sorrows in drink, felt his life was a cruel joke. He agonized, "Shi Xia, I gave up my Holy Root for you. Why would I still lose you? Why is it unfair to me?"

Qiu Li appeared, urging him to shake off his despondency. She sharply questioned him, "How long will you be depressed? I didn't bring you back to drown your sorrows. What you're going through right now is far less than what I've gone through in the past. How can you be so depressed here?" Bi Hong retorted, "Did I suffer less than you? Over these years, I have endured ridicule and scorn from those around me.

I was humiliated to stay in Yuhua Sect for the purpose of having the Holy Root one day, and gain their approval. Till now, I realized that it's him. It's Yuan Zhao who gave my Holy Root to Hou Chi." A surprised Qiu Li confirmed, "What? Hou Chi's Holy Root is yours?" Bi Hong, his voice laced with bitterness, continued, "My father lied to me. My brother (Hou Chi, implicitly) took everything that belonged to me.

He killed the one I love the most (Shi Xia). I'm completely a joke now." Qiu Li seized the opportunity to manipulate him further, asserting that the Holy Root, the glory of the Immortals Alliance leadership, and even Shi Xia, rightly belonged to him. She provoked him, "They're the ones (Yuan Zhao and Hou Chi) who made you lose everything and your beloved one, leaving you with nothing. Tell me. Will you get over with it?"

Bi Hong vehemently replied, "I won't." Qiu Li echoed his sentiment, "So do I." She then proposed that they unite to destroy their enemies, declaring, "Why don't we join forces and destroy their master and disciple (Yuan Zhao and Hou Chi) to revenge for Shi Xia and my brother (Shi Dong). How about that?" Consumed by resentment, Bi Hong agreed to conspire with Qiu Li against Hou Chi and Yuan Zhao.

Shi Xia awoke, disoriented, unsure who had brought her back to her room after her heavy drinking. Hou Chi's face flickered in her memory, but she quickly dismissed it as an impossible dream, convinced he wouldn't be there. Yet, the vividness of the experience left her perplexed. Qing Feng entered with a hangover remedy. Shi Xia immediately asked if Qing Feng had brought her home. Qing Feng, concealing the truth to protect Hou Chi, affirmed that she had.

Shi Xia, still grappling with her vivid "dream," mumbled about being lonely and having realistic "erotic dreams," then added it was a "nightmare" from falling down the cliff. Just then, Shi Dong entered, detecting the smell of alcohol. He sternly asked Shi Xia if she had been drinking. To avoid being scolded, Shi Xia quickly deflected the blame onto Qing Feng, claiming Qing Feng had argued with Yi Yaogua and was drowning her sorrows.

She then handed the hangover remedy to a bewildered Qing Feng, forcing her to drink it all. As Hou Chi and his disciples journeyed towards Celestial Palace, they were suddenly ambushed by a formidable group of demons led by Qiu Li. Yuan Zhao, who had been secretly observing Hou Chi's procession, noticed Bi Hong and pursued him. However, he fell into Bi Hong's trap, was poisoned, and subsequently captured.

Qiu Li then appeared before Hou Chi, brandishing Yuan Zhao's whisk as proof of his capture. She threatened Hou Chi, offering to exchange Yuan Zhao's life for Hou Chi's Holy Root. Yuan Zhao, recognizing Bi Hong's motives, confronted his captor, asking the reason for his actions. Bi Hong, bitter and resentful, retorted, "You used my Holy Root to cultivate Hou Chi for over 200 years. As you hoped, he is now the head of the Alliance.

Shouldn't I, the master of the Holy Root, congratulate you?" Bi Hong accused Yuan Zhao of taking his Holy Root, giving it to Hou Chi, and claimed Hou Chi was responsible for Shi Xia's death. He angrily demanded, "For me? You took my Holy Root and killed my lover, and made me become a devil in public. Tell me, what did you do for me?" Yuan Zhao attempted to explain, "I did lie to you about a lot of things.

But everything was all for you. I can't say it now. After today, only one day, you'll know everything." However, Bi Hong refused to listen, declaring, "It's enough. From the moment I joined Devil Sect, you are no longer my father. I won't let you have what you want. You want Hou Chi to be the head of the Alliance. I will spare no effort to stop it.

You want to use my life to stop Hou Chi to enter Celestial Palace. I want to see that in Hou Chi's mind, it's you that matter a lot, or the power?" Hou Chi recalled his master Yuan Zhao's urgent instruction: "No matter what will happen tomorrow, you have to enter Celestial Palace." He declared his unwavering resolve to proceed, telling Qiu Li, "Proceed on our way. I have promised my master. I must enter Celestial Palace.

Today, anyone and anything won't stop me." Qiu Li halted him, sarcastically remarking, "I can't negotiate with the head of the Alliance with just a few chips." She then played her ultimate card, threatening the lives of everyone in the Otherworld Town. " You can leave your master's life alone. But what about the people in the Otherworld Town and the lives of all cultivators? Can you ignore them as well?"

As the sky ominously darkened and strange phenomena appeared, Hou Chi realized Qiu Li had activated the Thunder Kill Array. Qiu Li warned him, "The Thunder Kill Array. If you don't comply today, all people in The Town will die." He hesitated, unwilling to let innocent lives be sacrificed. Elsewhere, Shi Dong and Yi Yaogua were out, with Shi Dong intending to record Hou Chi's inauguration as Alliance Leader for Shi Xia, saying, "Today is Hou Chi's Succession Ceremony.

Although Shi Xia said nothing, she must have been thinking about it. I have to help her capture the highlight moment of Hou Chi, so she won't have regrets." Yi Yaogua playfully teased him about Hou Chi having stabbed him and his sister having given Hou Chi the Love-forgetting Potion, but Shi Dong dismissed it, stating, "It's all over now. The most important thing now is not to leave Shi Xia any regrets."

They suddenly encountered three frantic demon henchmen who warned them that Qiu Li and Bi Hong had gone "completely mad," arranging the Thunder Kill Array in the Otherworld Town. The henchmen explained, "The Thunder Kill Array can destroy everyone and everything. Everyone in this town will be struck by lightning." Hearing this, Shi Dong remembered Shi Xia was still in the town. He immediately rushed back, urging, "Shi Xia is still in The Town. Hurry up."

With no other choice, Hou Chi agreed to Qiu Li's demands, offering to sacrifice his Holy Root. He first ensured the safety of his disciples, instructing them, "Go to The Otherworld Town quickly, and tell the elders of Immortals Gate to protect the people in the Town." Qiu Li then produced a bottle of Drunken Immortal Powder, explaining, "This powder can temporarily seal off your meridians and keep you from using your ability."

She demanded Hou Chi drink the powder to temporarily seal his meridians. After he complied, Hou Chi immediately felt his body become limp and powerless. Qiu Li further taunted him, "The powder will not only paralyze you, but soon, can make you soundless." She then revealed her true intention to bring him to Bi Hong, stating, "There's someone more suitable than me to do this."

Meanwhile, the Thunder Kill Array was fully activated, but to their surprise, it caused no harm to Shi Dong, Shi Xia, and Yi Yaogua. Yi Yaogua noticed protective restraints of the Yuhua Sect on Shi Dong. Shi Dong then realized that the ring given to Shi Xia by Hou Chi contained a self-defense charm, protecting them.

Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua, seeing that they could no longer keep the truth hidden, confessed, "That day, it was Master Hou Chi who saved you." Upon learning that Hou Chi had indeed saved her, Shi Xia immediately raced towards Celestial Palace, vivid images of Hou Chi flashing through her mind. When Bi Hong finally confronted Hou Chi, he declared, "I come here to remove your Holy Root. Are you shocked? I did it to revenge for Shi Xia.

However, I did it more for myself. Because your Holy Root is originally mine. It's Yuan Zhao who personally removed my Holy Root and gave it to you. Everything you've ever had in your life was taken from me." Bi Hong recounted how he had spared Hou Chi during his Love Calamity for Shi Xia's sake, when he could have easily killed him to reclaim his Holy Root. He continued, "I can forgive everything that happened before.

I can give you all my glory and status. I just want Shi Xia. I had already made a deal with her. We will stay away from Immortals Sect and live as normal people. But you killed her. It's you who took my last hope. I won't tolerate you anymore." With that, Bi Hong plunged a sword into Hou Chi's spine, extracting the Holy Root. Hou Chi collapsed and fainted, his hair turning white instantly from the unbearable pain. Bi Hong coldly stared at him, saying, "Now you're thinking of begging me, but it's too late."

Episode 32 Recap

Bi Hong, after seizing the Holy Root, noticed that the Evil Aura around it had not diminished, leading him to realize that Hou Chi had not consumed the Love-forgetting Potion. Shortly after, Shi Xia and others arrived. Seeing Hou Chi unconscious with white hair, Shi Xia urgently inquired about what happened. Qing Feng explained that Hou Chi's Holy Root had been forcefully removed.

When Shi Xia saw the Holy Root in Bi Hong's hand, she knew he was responsible and angrily confronted him, asking why he and Qiu Li had harmed Hou Chi. Bi Hong quickly defended himself, explaining that he believed Hou Chi had killed Shi Xia and that his actions were solely to avenge her.

Shi Xia clarified that Hou Chi had only pretended to kill her and Shi Dong to protect them, and pleaded with Bi Hong to return the Holy Root, as Hou Chi would die without it. Bi Hong, however, expressed his deep hurt and frustration, recounting his long-standing affection for Shi Xia and how she consistently prioritized Hou Chi, never considering his feelings.

Despite Shi Xia's apologies and desperate pleas, Bi Hong vehemently refused, stating the Holy Root was originally his and he wouldn't return it. He then revealed that Yuan Zhao had transplanted his Holy Root into Hou Chi, declaring it had merely been "restored" to its rightful owner.

Bi Hong, now with the Holy Root, urged Shi Xia to return to the Devil Sect with him, promising to provide her with everything Hou Chi could and more, but Shi Xia firmly pulled away from his grasp, causing Bi Hong to fall into despair. Meanwhile, Shi Dong attempted to reason with Qiu Li, hoping she would cease her actions. He tried to summon Bai Li, but Qiu Li, still pretending to be Bai Li, mocked him.

Shi Dong, realizing her deception, accused her of lying to him all along. Qiu Li then openly admitted she had consumed Bai Li, justifying her actions by comparing Bai Li's perceived weaknesses to her own proactive support for Shi Dong, expressing her resentment that Shi Dong's affection remained solely with Bai Li. Shi Dong, regretting his neglect of her feelings, offered to comply with all her wishes if she would just stop and return the Holy Root to Hou Chi.

Qiu Li, however, dismissed his sentiments, declaring she would not return the Holy Root and that Shi Dong would not leave either. Shi Dong, exasperated, warned her not to call him "brother" again if she wouldn't back down. This enraged Qiu Li, who then ordered her subordinate, Qi Lingling, to escort Shi Dong and Shi Xia back to the Devil Sect, authorizing deadly force against anyone who resisted.

At the same time, Yuan Zhao discovered the Thunder Kill Array, realizing that he was not the only hostage and that the entire Immortal-Devil Town was under the Devil Sect's control. Despite his injuries, he forcefully broke free from his restraints. He intervened just as Qi Lingling was about to strike a Luosha bell that would have triggered the array and caused widespread death.

Yuan Zhao swiftly killed Qi Lingling and rushed to protect Shi Xia and Hou Chi, leading them and others to safety. Qiu Li, mourning Qi Lingling, attempted to heal her, but it was too late. Yuan Zhao, despite his own injuries, exerted himself to mend Hou Chi's wounds, ensuring he was out of immediate danger.

However, Shi Xia noticed that Hou Chi's condition was far more severe than others who had lost their Holy Roots, who typically only lost their cultivation. She pressed Yuan Zhao for an explanation, but he, intent on concealing his plans, tried to leave.

Unsettled, Shi Xia pursued him, demanding answers to her many questions: why he transplanted Bi Hong's Holy Root to Hou Chi, why he tried to silence her and Shi Dong after they warned him of Hou Chi's danger in the Celestial Palace, and what secret lay within the palace that made Hou Chi's loss of the Holy Root so unique.

Shi Dong, having rejoined them, had his people surround Yuan Zhao, reinforcing Shi Xia's demands and stating that Yuan Zhao's secrets had caused too much suffering. Surrounded and unable to evade further, Yuan Zhao reluctantly revealed the truth about Hou Chi's origins. Hou Chi, Yuan Zhao explained, was not human but the root of the Holy Tree in the Yuhua Sect.

Two thousand years ago, during a great calamity in the Immortal world, five powerful cultivators were chosen to sacrifice themselves to mend a tear in the heavens by forming the Immortal-Devil Great Array. However, one cultivator deserted at the last moment, leading to an incomplete sacrifice that, while averting immediate disaster, left a hidden flaw. This flaw caused turmoil in the cultivation world every two hundred years. The deserter eventually established the Devil Sect, hiding in the mortal realm.

In response, Shen Guan founded the Immortals Alliance, making the position of Alliance Head seem like a great honor. Yet, unknown to all, every elected Alliance Head was secretly sacrificed to power the array for a century. Two hundred years prior, Yuan Zhao discovered that his son, Bi Hong, possessed the heaven-chosen Holy Root, comparable to the original Devil Lord's.

He also learned through accidental discovery that the Devil Sect's ancestors had a rule forbidding their descendants from participating in the Immortals Alliance selection to avoid being sacrificed. Fearing Bi Hong would be noticed by Shen Guan and sacrificed, Yuan Zhao transformed the Holy Tree's root into Hou Chi, implanting Bi Hong's Holy Root into him. His intention was for Hou Chi to serve as a substitute sacrifice, thereby permanently repairing the Immortal-Devil Great Array and preventing future calamities.

He expressed his sorrow that his plan had failed at the last moment. Shi Xia was appalled by Yuan Zhao's ruthless actions, accusing him of sacrificing countless lives to protect his son. Yuan Zhao argued his actions were for the greater good of repairing the array and saving all living beings.

Shi Xia retorted that all things, even plants, possessed sentience, and that Hou Chi, whom Yuan Zhao considered a heartless tool, had developed his own consciousness and emotions, experiencing pain and sorrow. She condemned Yuan Zhao for treating Hou Chi as a puppet and for robbing him of his freedom and true life. She also pointed out that Yuan Zhao was not entirely heartless, as he had saved Hou Chi at the last moment.

During this heated exchange, Hou Chi, who had regained consciousness, overheard everything. Realizing his existence was solely for sacrifice, he asked everyone to leave him alone and closed the door to his room. Sitting in solitude, Hou Chi reflected on his life and, believing he had become a helpless wreck after losing his powers, decided to leave to avoid being a burden to Shi Xia. Hou Chi sought out Yuan Zhao, expressing that he harbored no resentment towards his master.

He acknowledged that if Yuan Zhao hadn't given him life, he would never have met Shi Xia. Yuan Zhao, in turn, admitted his mistakes, recognizing that no one should be sacrificed for another, and clarified that it was Shi Xia, not himself, who truly gave Hou Chi a meaningful life. Now that Hou Chi had lost his Holy Root and the Evil Aura was gone, Yuan Zhao told him it was time for him to choose his own destiny.

Hou Chi then requested that Yuan Zhao petition Lord Shen Guan for the enchantment of breaking the virtual space to send Shi Xia back to her home. He revealed that Shi Xia was not from their world.

Yuan Zhao, surprised by this revelation but understanding Shi Xia's unique traits, recalled his past agreement to use the enchantment to send her home if she helped him become the Alliance Head, and how he later fell in love with her and became reluctant to let her go. He questioned why, if they loved each other, Hou Chi would not want to stay with Shi Xia.

Hou Chi explained that having lost all his holy power and now being a "useless person," he did not wish to burden Shi Xia, who was young and had a promising future. Respecting Hou Chi's decision, Yuan Zhao agreed to his request. Later, Shi Xia went to Hou Chi's room with food, only to find him missing. She informed the others, and Shi Dong speculated that Hou Chi, being at his most vulnerable, had likely run away from home.

Qing Feng reassured them that Hou Chi, without his powers, couldn't have gone far and suggested they search separately without calling his name to avoid embarrassing him. Shi Xia rushed to the market and spotted Hou Chi. She called out to him, but he continued to walk, seemingly ignoring her.

Undeterred, Shi Xia continued to call his name, reminding him of their shared past and her deep feelings for him – calling him an "idiot" who couldn't cook, a "silly fool" who liked her but only treated her as a sister, and a "stupid fool" who pretended to drink the Love-forgetting Potion and suffered alone to protect her. She confronted him for hardening his heart to leave her when he knew she couldn't live without him.

Finally, unable to resist her heartfelt cries, Hou Chi stopped. Shi Xia ran to him and embraced him, declaring that from now on, she would protect him, reminding him of her expertise as a plant expert. Then, kneeling before him, Shi Xia tearfully asked Hou Chi if he would still marry her and put the ring back on her finger. Hou Chi took her hand, placed the ring on her finger, and they held each other close.

Shi Dong, watching the scene unfold, expressed his concern about them getting married so quickly, especially given Shi Xia's age, but Qing Feng reminded him that it was Shi Xia's choice.

Episode 33 Recap

Lord Shen Guan rebuked Yuan Zhao, stating that Hou Chi's failure to complete the sacrifice on time had caused severe instability in the Immortal-Devil Array. She revealed that she had almost exhausted all her holy power to temporarily stabilize the array, but it would not hold for long. Yuan Zhao admitted his mistake and vowed to make amends and fulfill his mission.

Meanwhile, the Holy Root was dispelling its evil aura and would soon be ready for transplantation into Bi Hong. Despite easily obtaining the Holy Root (which Hou Chi had removed from his own body and given to him), Bi Hong expressed his dissatisfaction, feeling he had lost everything he truly desired, especially Shi Xia's love.

Qiu Li, however, urged him to focus on becoming the head of the Alliance, asserting that with that power, he could have anything, including Shi Xia. Bi Hong countered that even possessing Shi Xia's body wouldn't guarantee her heart, as he felt he had lost her the moment he took back the Holy Root. Qiu Li, in contrast, declared that gaining was always better than losing for her.

She was determined to have Shi Dong by her side, even if only his body. Bi Hong questioned her obsession, reminding her that Shi Dong was not her biological brother, but Qiu Li retorted that in her heart, Bi Hong, her biological brother, was not even a fraction as important as Shi Dong.

Recognizing Qiu Li's twisted love and deranged state due to a life in darkness, where the Devil Lord was her only light, Bi Hong resolved to fulfill his brotherly duty and guide her back to normalcy, making up for his years of neglect. Qiu Li then directly threatened Bi Hong: she would help him transplant the Holy Root and become the Alliance Head if he helped her win Shi Dong back.

If he refused, she would destroy the Holy Root, leaving him with nothing. Bi Hong, realizing he needed to humor Qiu Li to stabilize her, outwardly agreed to her terms, secretly planning to decide his next steps after securing the Holy Root and to make up for her inner deficiencies. Yuan Zhao, learning of Bi Hong's ambition to become Alliance Head, volunteered to help.

Bi Hong shared his concern that Shen Guan might not accept him as the Alliance Head given their defiance of Heaven's Way. Yuan Zhao promised to convince Shen Guan if Bi Hong was willing to accept all the responsibilities that came with the position. Yuan Zhao, expressing remorse for failing as a father to both Bi Hong and Qiu Li, offered to meticulously care for Bi Hong, who was weak, to prepare him for the dangerous Holy Root transplant.

Qiu Li, observing their interaction, sarcastically questioned Yuan Zhao's sudden appearance as a "loving father," highlighting that it was too late for such an act. She then walked away, leaving Yuan Zhao to ponder her hurtful words. Shi Dong, though saddened to see his sister marry, was happy for her. He busily prepared for a modern-style wedding for Shi Xia and Hou Chi, enlisting Yuan Ye to officiate and rehearse the wedding vows.

Shi Dong also directed Er Ha and others in laying out a long flower path, quipping that it was the "most unpleasant path" he'd ever walked, hence its length. He also promised not to cry during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of "ceremony." The wedding ceremony commenced with Yuan Ye attempting to deliver a heartfelt speech, which Shi Dong promptly cut short, urging him to begin.

Shi Dong then walked Shi Xia down the long flower path, noting her cold hands and playfully denying his own nervousness. As Yuan Ye recited the vows, Shi Dong, ever the prankster, had altered them to be more optimistic, changing "sickness or health, poverty or wealth" to "health or more health, rich or richer." He explained that Shi Xia couldn't be sick, Hou Chi was already in his current state and couldn't get worse, and poverty was even less acceptable.

He also inserted a clause demanding that both Shi Xia and Hou Chi "respect their elder brother." Shi Xia, initially surprised by her brother's additions, agreed. Hou Chi, too, vowed to stay by Shi Xia, whether his hair was white or black, or his power was strong or weak, and to respect her elder brother. After exchanging rings and a kiss, Yuan Ye pronounced them husband and wife.

During the bouquet toss, Yi Yao caught the flowers and presented them to Qing Feng, sealing it with a kiss amidst cheers. Later, in their room, Shi Xia and Hou Chi drank cross-cupped wine, marking their true union. Hou Chi, still innocent in worldly matters, knew they were to "consummate their marriage" but was unsure how to proceed, mentioning their previous disrupted wedding night.

Shi Xia, blushing, assured him it was something that would happen naturally when the time was right. They then consummated their marriage under the Holy Tree. The next morning, Shi Xia woke to a wondrous sight: the Holy Tree had blossomed. Plucking a flower, she found it tasted sweet, realizing her sense of taste had miraculously returned. Excitedly, she called for Hou Chi, who entered the room. To her astonishment, his formerly white hair had transformed back into black.

A Master (Shi Bo) later confirmed that the essence of the Holy Tree within Hou Chi had been reactivated, restoring his vigor and gradually enhancing his holy power, promising it would become even stronger than before. Shi Xia playfully declared him an "elf" and expressed her joy at having married "a man who has a tree inside him."

Shi Xia then presented Hou Chi with a "marital contract" bearing a heart-shaped pattern, explaining that in her world, it symbolized "I love you." Hou Chi, in turn, reciprocated her feelings. Elsewhere, Qiu Li's subordinate reported that Yuan Zhao appeared to be creating a magical instrument, raising concerns it could be detrimental to the Devil Sect. Qiu Li, inherently distrustful, ordered the Devil Sect's protective restraints activated, determined to uncover Yuan Zhao's true intentions.

Yuan Zhao later approached Qiu Li, presenting her with a rabbit lantern identical to one that Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong had once picked out for her. However, Qiu Li, still bitter, coldly crushed the lantern, hurting Yuan Zhao deeply. As she returned to the demon cave, the presence of Bai Li, who had been dormant, began to stir, causing Qiu Li to wonder if she had indeed misunderstood Yuan Zhao in the past.

Bai Li's voice echoed, stating that she had always believed her father abandoned her, but realized she was wrong. Qiu Li dismissed it, asserting that a "misunderstanding" could not erase Yuan Zhao's past wrongs and that only the sentimental would be swayed by such trivial matters. Bai Li's voice then retorted that if Qiu Li truly wasn't moved, she wouldn't be able to perceive Bai Li's presence.

Meanwhile, Bi Hong, having successfully conditioned his body and transplanted the Holy Root, was ready to assume the position of Alliance Head. Yuan Zhao, upon confirming Bi Hong had fully mastered the Holy Root, informed him that Shen Guan had granted permission for him to enter the Celestial Palace the following day and entrusted him with the Alliance Head's seal.

It was then that Bi Hong learned the shocking truth: the Alliance Head's mission was to sacrifice for the Immortal-Devil Array. He realized that Yuan Zhao had been sacrificing himself all these years and had intended to groom Hou Chi to take his place, but now he understood Yuan Zhao's lies were meant to protect him and fulfill a promise to Bi Hong's mother to ensure his peaceful life.

Despite this revelation, Bi Hong declared that this was his mission, and he would not shy away from it but would accept it calmly. He recalled his childhood, secretly admiring Yuan Zhao's training with Hou Chi and longing for a Holy Root to train alongside them. Qiu Li, feeling abandoned, murmured to herself, "I knew it. They are still trying to get rid of me."

Episode 34 Recap

Shen Guan, who had been vigilantly guarding the Divine Palace enchantment, finally welcomed Bi Hong, the new head of the Alliance. Shen Guan instructed Bi Hong to enter the Demonic Immortal Array immediately and fulfill his duty. Yuan Zhao then requested to accompany Bi Hong to assist him in his new role, a request Shen Guan granted.

As Shen Guan expressed relief that her arduous watch was nearing its end, she sensed her holy power waning, struggling to maintain the Divine Palace enchantment. Suddenly, Qiu Li arrived with a contingent of demon forces, attempting to breach the Forbidden area of Divine Palace. Shen Guan warned them to retreat and engaged them, but quickly realized her power was severely depleted from continuously strengthening the Demonic Immortal Array in recent days.

Qiu Li, observing Shen Guan's weakened state, mocked her vulnerability and ordered her forces to attack. She demanded to know the whereabouts of Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong, but Shen Guan refused to disclose any information, leading to a direct confrontation where the exhausted Shen Guan was swiftly defeated. As Bi Hong and Yuan Zhao prepared for the sacrifice, Qiu Li appeared and effortlessly seized the official seal of the Alliance Head, rendering the array entrance unusable.

Yuan Zhao questioned her actions, but Qiu Li, driven by a rekindled family affection and the knowledge that the Alliance Head's entry meant sacrifice, bitterly accused him of readily reconciling with Bi Hong while consistently choosing Bi Hong over her. She declared she could not bear to be separated from her family again.

Yuan Zhao acknowledged his past failings as a father and pleaded with her not to obstruct the sacrifice, warning that failure to do so would lead to massive destruction throughout the Immortals World. Bi Hong added that their sacrifice was meant to protect her. Qiu Li dismissed their pleas as insincere, asserting that she had endured suffering alone and would now dictate her own fate.

She then threatened to destroy the official seal if Yuan Zhao or Bi Hong advanced, declaring them both imprisoned. Yuan Zhao desperately appealed to her to consider the fate of the Immortals World, but Qiu Li remained unmoved, stating she would find countless other spiritual roots to replace Bi Hong's, emphasizing that she cared little for others' lives and would not be abandoned again.

Following her confrontation with Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong, Qiu Li commanded her subordinates to send ten captured Immortal disciples for sacrifice daily, threatening to increase the number if necessary and to continue capturing more from all the sects. She also dispatched a message to the Yuhua Sect, demanding that Shi Dong be handed over, or all their members would be sacrificed.

Qiu Li then mused to herself that with Shi Dong by her side, their family would finally be complete. Upon hearing Qiu Li's threat, Yuan Ye, the head of the Yuhua Sect, defiantly declared that his righteous sect would never surrender Shi Dong. However, Shi Dong, recognizing the Yuhua Sect's weakened state with Yuan Zhao imprisoned and Hou Chi in a vegetative state, stepped forward.

He volunteered to go to the demon sect himself to protect his fellow sect members, a decision that brought unexpected relief and gratitude to Yuan Ye. Shi Dong then stressed that his departure must remain a secret from Shi Xia and Hou Chi, as he did not wish to disturb his sister's newlywed bliss.

However, Hou Chi was already aware of the situation and confronted Shi Dong, arguing that Shi Dong alone could only save a few, and Qiu Li would simply take more. He offered to accompany Shi Dong, but Shi Dong vehemently refused. Shi Dong scoffed at Hou Chi's current limited holy power compared to Qiu Li and Bi Hong's formidable strength, stating he had no chance, comparing his power to "Bronze to Silver" while theirs were "King's cards."

He insisted that Hou Chi's duty was to stay and protect Shi Xia from worry, as he desired Shi Xia's lifelong happiness, which only Hou Chi could provide. Yuan Ye also interjected, telling Hou Chi to remain at the Yuhua Sect, assuring him that he would go with Shi Dong to the Divine Palace. Later, Hou Chi returned home, visibly distressed.

Shi Xia was trimming a spiritual tree, explaining that the heavy blossoms were weighing down its branches, metaphorically comparing the tree to Hou Chi and her desire to care for him. She accidentally fell, and Hou Chi caught her, holding her tightly. She playfully suggested they rest, but then noticed his intense, unwavering gaze. Hou Chi confessed he could never tire of looking at her.

Sensing his unusual demeanor, Shi Xia offered a trick to help him sleep, gently petting his hair as she explained how it made her drowsy, much like petting an animal. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhao was tirelessly treating the disciples sacrificed by Qiu Li, gravely depleting his own spiritual power. Bi Hong, witnessing his father's suffering, offered assistance, but Yuan Zhao refused, reminding Bi Hong of his sacred mission and affirming his own resilience.

After Hou Chi awoke, he found Shi Xia had repaired the communication umbrella. Shi Xia, now fully aware of the crisis, expressed her longing to see Bi Hong and proposed they go to the Divine Palace. Hou Chi confided that he felt responsible for Bi Hong's current path, given his own past actions, and also for deceiving Bi Hong to save Shi Xia.

Shi Xia reassured him that regret and self-blame were unproductive and that she understood his heavy burdens, his concern for Bi Hong, and his unwavering commitment to the Immortals World. Despite having lost his spiritual root, his desire to protect others remained. She reaffirmed her love for his selfless nature, declaring her pride in being his wife, and vowed to accompany him wherever he went. Hou Chi, concerned for her safety as a mortal, urged her to stay behind.

However, Shi Xia countered that remaining at the Yuhua Sect would only leave her consumed with worry for him and Shi Dong. She implored him to allow her to protect her family and beloved. Shi Dong was enraged upon learning of Shi Xia's intention to go, admonishing Hou Chi for not listening to him and potentially enraging Qiu Li, which would only make things worse.

He argued that Shi Xia, being mortal, would be a burden, and Hou Chi, despite recovering some holy power, was not strong enough to make a difference against Qiu Li and Bi Hong, comparing his power to "Bronze to Silver" while theirs were "King's cards." Shi Dong insisted they both stay home and let him handle the situation.

Shi Xia retorted that their true purpose was to rescue Bi Hong and Yuan Zhao, not to concern themselves with Shi Dong, and Hou Chi quickly agreed, stating his focus was on rescuing his master, not Shi Dong. Shi Dong, feeling slighted, sarcastically reminded them of their wedding vows. Qing Feng and Yi Yaogua then arrived, also declaring their intent to join the mission.

Qing Feng stated her concern for Shi Xia, as she was her only good sister, and Yi Yaogua expressed his desire to accompany Little Martial Uncle (Hou Chi). With no further reasons to refuse, Shi Dong reluctantly agreed to let them all go. Upon their arrival at the Divine Palace, Qiu Li confronted Shi Dong, taunting him about his new friends and his perceived abandonment of her.

Shi Dong reminded her of her promise to release everyone if he returned and offered to do anything she desired in exchange for their freedom. Qiu Li demanded that he accompany her, promising that if he complied, Hou Chi and his group could enter to rescue the prisoners; otherwise, everyone inside would be sacrificed. Shi Dong reluctantly agreed. Hou Chi reassured his companions that Qiu Li would not really harm Shi Dong and urged them to prioritize rescuing the disciples.

However, Yuan Ye expressed suspicion, finding Qiu Li's easy concession uncharacteristic. Dismissing the warning due to the urgency, Hou Chi, accompanied by Shi Xia, Qing Feng, and Yi Yaogua, rushed inside to rescue the prisoners, with Hou Chi instructing Shi Xia to stay close. Inside, Shi Dong attempted to appease Qiu Li with feigned apologies for past harsh words and fabricated memories of worrying about her during thunderstorms, claiming his eternal desire to protect her.

Qiu Li, however, saw through his pretense, reminding him that it was Shi Xia, not her, who feared thunder. She then presented him with a replica of the official seal, explaining it was the key to the Demonic Immortal Array, and offered it to him so he could become the sole ruler of the Immortals World.

Shi Dong, feigning delight, claimed he wanted to touch the seal to envision his glorious future as the head, attempting to subtly retrieve the genuine article. Qiu Li, seeing through his ruse, allowed him to take the fake seal. As Hou Chi's group found Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong, Qiu Li then confronted the entire group, stating that since they insisted on a shared demise, she would grant their wish.

Hou Chi and his group found Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong. Yuan Zhao expressed surprise at their presence, given his past actions, but Hou Chi assured his master that past grievances were forgotten. Hou Chi observed Yuan Zhao's severely depleted holy power and learned that Qiu Li had been sacrificing disciples daily, with Yuan Zhao risking his life to save them. The rescued disciples expressed profound gratitude, acknowledging their previous misunderstandings of Yuan Zhao.

Hou Chi suggested they flee to heal Yuan Zhao, but Yuan Zhao insisted that he and Bi Hong must remain to find the true official seal and complete the sacrifice, as the Demonic Immortal Array was on the verge of collapse. Hou Chi realized this was why Qiu Li had appeared so unconcerned by their entry, as she still held the genuine seal.

Hou Chi declared his intention to stay with Yuan Zhao, asserting that Bi Hong's duty was now his own due to their intertwined destinies and that he regarded Bi Hong as a confidant. Shi Xia, Qing Feng, and Yi Yaogua also refused to leave, resolute in their commitment to help.

Recognizing everyone's determination to protect the Immortals World, Hou Chi proposed that some should guard the array from outside the Divine Palace, which would also be a vital contribution and prevent them from falling into Qiu Li's trap of perishing inside. Yuan Ye then led the other disciples out to form a defensive perimeter. Moments later, Shi Dong returned, confidently announcing he had retrieved the official seal.

Hou Chi commended his resourcefulness, to which Shi Dong replied he had traded half his life for it. However, Yuan Zhao immediately recognized the seal as a fake. Qiu Li then appeared, her face etched with bitterness, confronting Shi Dong and accusing him of deceit and abandonment, just like Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong. She declared that since they could not all live together, they would all die together. With a furious yell, Qiu Li crushed the true official seal in her hand, causing the Demonic Immortal Array to shake violently, threatening to collapse.

Episode 35 (Ending) Recap

The Immortal-Demon Array shook violently and developed cracks, its stability threatened. Yuan Zhao urgently rallied everyone to help protect the array. Meanwhile, Qiu Li, witnessing the chaos, declared that the array was already destroyed and that their efforts were futile. She warned that continuing would only deplete their power, leading to their demise, and that if the array was truly ruined, the entire Cultivation World would cease to exist.

Outside the Divine Palace, Yuan Ye gathered other cultivators to wield their force and guard the palace. Shi Xia discovered her ring possessed protective abilities and immediately tried to pull Shi Dong into its safe zone. However, Qiu Li swiftly intervened, pulling Shi Dong away. Distraught, Shi Xia chased after them.

This distraction momentarily caused Bi Hong and Hou Chi to lose focus on stabilizing the array, but Yuan Zhao sternly reminded them to concentrate, prompting them to reluctantly set aside their worries for Shi Xia and return their attention to the trembling Immortal-Demon Array. Qiu Li, holding Shi Dong, excitedly declared that they would soon be together forever, and everyone else would "accompany them in death."

Shi Dong, understanding her deep-seated hatred for this world, offered to take her to his world instead, urging her that there was no need to destroy this one. Qiu Li, however, questioned his sincerity, stating she did not believe him. Just then, a large rock hurtled towards them. Without hesitation, Shi Dong pushed Qiu Li out of the way, taking the full impact himself.

This selfless act deeply moved Qiu Li, and the benevolent Bai Li spirit within her awakened, expressing heartfelt apologies to Shi Dong. As Shi Xia arrived, concerned for her brother, Shi Dong, wishing to spare her worry, quickly assured her he was fine, releasing Qiu Li's hand and taking Shi Xia's. Seeing her hand released, Qiu Li's dark manifestation, Hei Li, resurfaced, consumed by jealousy.

Hei Li called Shi Dong a liar and, clutching a dagger, vowed to kill Shi Xia, stating she would rather die with Shi Dong than share him with anyone. Shi Dong desperately pleaded with Qiu Li to resist Hei Li's control and "be who she really is." Hei Li, furious, continued to attack Shi Xia, declaring she would kill them both. However, Bai Li fought back internally, leading to a fierce struggle within Qiu Li.

Ultimately, Bai Li gained control, sacrificing herself by stabbing the dagger into her own heart. Shi Dong was devastated, holding the dying Qiu Li. With her last breaths, Qiu Li expressed gratitude for meeting him and for his love. Her final wish was for Shi Dong to call her "sister," which he did, moments before she peacefully closed her eyes. Yuan Zhao, in his final moments, exerted all his remaining strength to stabilize the Immortal-Demon Array.

Hou Chi, heartbroken and calling him "Father," attempted to reach him, but Yuan Zhao stopped him, urging him not to waste time. He stressed that the array was at its limit and the switch must be activated to prevent the catastrophe, imploring Hou Chi to "go!" and protect the array. Bi Hong also urged Hou Chi to heed their Master and safeguard the array.

Before his spirit dissipated, Yuan Zhao revealed to both Hou Chi and Bi Hong that, in his heart, he had always regarded them as his sons. He apologized for not being able to protect them. Hou Chi and Bi Hong watched in anguish as Yuan Zhao vanished into thin air. Shi Dong returned with Qiu Li's body, and her spiritual root consciously flew into the Immortal-Demon Array.

A remnant soul of a divine official then appeared, stating that the array was activated and doom was imminent, urging them to complete the sacrifice quickly. The official explained that the array contained an enchantment for void space travel, which would merge the user with the array, and that Bi Hong's fated spiritual root was the final component needed. He implored them to stop the calamity and save the world. Knowing it was his time, Bi Hong prepared himself.

Hou Chi tried to stop him, noting that Bi Hong had already shattered his arteries by forcefully activating his spiritual root. Bi Hong smiled, expressing satisfaction with his two centuries of cultivation. He told Hou Chi that Hou Chi was his only remaining worry and asked him to take care of himself and protect Shi Xia. After bidding Hou Chi farewell, Bi Hong, using the official seal of the head of the Alliance, entered the Immortal-Demon Array.

Inside, he saw visions of Yuan Zhao and Qiu Li, reunited and happy, a family that could finally be together forever. With a peaceful smile, Bi Hong sacrificed himself, and his spirit also vanished. His spiritual root then returned to Hou Chi's body.

Shi Xia pondered why Bi Hong's spiritual root returned to Hou Chi, considering that perhaps, as Hou Chi had mentioned, their destinies were truly intertwined, thus upon Bi Hong's demise, his spiritual root naturally reverted to Hou Chi. Hou Chi understood that he was now destined to complete Bi Hong's unfinished mission. Hou Chi, recognizing that his destiny was entwined with Bi Hong's and the mission to protect the array, declared he would fulfill it.

Shi Dong, worried for Shi Xia, reminded Hou Chi of his promise to look after his sister. Shi Xia affirmed that she would allow Hou Chi to protect the world if he allowed her to protect her family and beloved. Shi Dong, however, voiced his fear that if Shi Xia stayed and Hou Chi died, she would be left alone.

Hou Chi assured them that he would first use the void space technique during his sacrifice to send both Shi Xia and Shi Dong back to their own world, urging Shi Xia to live a good life there. Shi Xia, in tears, took Hou Chi's hand and led him to the sacrificial altar, reminding him of their unbreakable contract. Suddenly, Shi Xia awoke in her modern world, seeing Shi Dong cooking porridge.

Overjoyed, she asked if he remembered their time in the Cultivation World. Shi Dong, however, had no recollection, thinking she was delirious from a fever and recounting how her classmate had called him after she had fainted in the amusement park. Shi Xia then noticed a small glass ball beside her, the one she had crafted for Hou Chi in the Cultivation World.

Ignoring Shi Dong's calls, she rushed to the amusement park, desperately searching for the familiar puddle that once served as a portal. But it was now just an ordinary puddle, holding no magic. As Shi Xia stood there, heartbroken, a familiar figure appeared behind her, holding an umbrella. It was Hou Chi. He had not forgotten their promise, and the lovers were finally reunited in her world.