Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 16 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
Fang Qimo, after enduring a flogging for catching fish, returned to his room complaining about his sore backside. He had exchanged his bed for one closer to Feng Ruche, but as he attempted to lie down, the bed frame unexpectedly collapsed. Feng Ruche, concerned about his injury and her upcoming training, offered him her bed, but Fang Qimo declined, suggesting she needed good rest. He opted to sleep on the floor.
Meanwhile, Xue Jingkong, who was observing them using a secret art, unleashed a disturbance that made Fang Qimo believe an earthquake was occurring, intensifying his discomfort. Later, Fang Qimo offered to help Feng Ruche with her trial, boasting about his ancestor, Fang Wuyi, whom he claimed was the greatest magician in Human Clan history, far superior to Xue Jingkong. This declaration caused Xue Jingkong, still observing, to react.
During a training session, Lin Yuecong, observing Feng Ruche's unique way of addressing Xue Jingkong as "Master", asked if they had known each other for a long time. Feng Ruche confirmed this. Doubting her, Lin Yuecong challenged Feng Ruche to a contest on a rope ladder, wagering that Xue Jingkong never drank wine unless she offered it. During the climb, Lin Yuecong slipped, and Feng Ruche instinctively pulled her back, resulting in both of them falling.
Feng Ruche then conceded the win. To test Feng Ruche's claim, Lin Yuecong, after dressing up, brought a bottle of "Drunken Beauty Wine" to Xue Jingkong as a token of thanks. However, Xue Jingkong curtly dismissed her, stating he did not drink and did not recognize her. Later that evening, Feng Ruche met Xue Jingkong under the full moon, offering him wine and reminding him of their unfinished "moonlight wine" agreement. She challenged him to a farewell drink.
When he hesitated, Feng Ruche playfully mentioned Fang Wuyi, the legendary magician. Xue Jingkong, spurred by jealousy, promptly drank the wine, clearing his debt. Lin Yuecong, witnessing this from a distance, was left with a sense of disappointment, realizing Feng Ruche's words were true. The next day, Feng Ruche's trial commenced. She needed to overcome all obstacles and seize a flag from the summit of a climbing wall before a joss stick completely burned.
Xue Jingkong amplified the trial's difficulty using his mastery of magic, creating illusions on the wooden pillars. Despite these formidable challenges, which rendered even her extensively practiced movements arduous, Feng Ruche held firm to the techniques Lian Yi had imparted, steadily advancing. Reaching the most arduous section, Feng Ruche lost her grip and fell, injuring her leg. The impact triggered a vivid memory of her previous fall from the Abyss Platform.
Xue Jingkong moved to her aid, but Feng Ruche, resolute in completing the trial by her own strength, pushed him away. Despite her severe leg injury, she refused to surrender, inspiring others to cheer her on. As the joss stick neared its end, Feng Ruche poured all her remaining effort into the climb. Even her past detractors found themselves cheering her on. Moved by her indomitable spirit, Xue Jingkong subtly used a secret art to aid her.
Moments later, just as the joss stick burned out, Feng Ruche successfully grasped the flag, even earning applause from Lin Yuecong. Following the trial, Xue Jingkong confronted Lin Yuecong, exposing her tampering with the wooden pillars by applying powder, which led to Feng Ruche's fall. Lin Yuecong confessed her jealousy, citing Xue Jingkong's perceived favoritism towards Feng Ruche, including his strictness with her and his exclusive acceptance of her wine.
Xue Jingkong sternly rebuked her, stating that true warriors overcome their inner demons, and then banished her from Wuxiang Camp. Xue Jingkong uncovered a deadly hidden weapon embedded in the climbing wall by Du Xianyin. He realized that if Lin Yuecong's interference hadn't caused Feng Ruche to fall and deviate, she would have been fatally struck. Enraged, Xue Jingkong confronted Du Xianyin, who feigned ignorance.
As Du Xianyin reached for her soft sword, Yun Muyang appeared, stepping in front of her. Xue Jingkong used his magic to replay the scene, but Yun Muyang remained unconvinced, attributing any fault to Deputy General Qiu Wenyun, who had been executed for using substandard materials in construction.
Sensing that Yun Muyang was under Du Xianyin's charm and therefore blinded to the truth, Xue Jingkong did not press the issue further with Du Xianyin, instead issuing a stark warning: if she ever attempted to harm Feng Ruche again, no one would be able to protect her. Yun Muyang then asserted that no one would be able to touch Du Xianyin as long as he was there.
Although Feng Ruche had successfully retrieved the flag, she recognized that she had failed to complete the trial within the stipulated time. Accepting her defeat, she began to pack her belongings, preparing to depart. Witnessing Feng Ruche's struggle to walk due to her injuries, Xue Jingkong's empathy moved him. He gently lifted her and re-bandaged her wounded leg. Feng Ruche then asked if she could remain until her injuries healed.
Just then, Fang Qimo arrived with medicine and, seeing Xue Jingkong, interceded on Feng Ruche's behalf, pleading for her to stay. Xue Jingkong, however, sternly ordered Fang Qimo to leave, asserting that Feng Ruche's fate rested solely with him.
