Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 17 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
Despite having exceeded the time limit during her trial, Xue Jingkong, after dismissing Fang Qimo's persistent pleas, officially informed Feng Ruche that she had successfully passed the assessment and was permitted to remain in the camp. He acknowledged that she would face a difficult journey ahead.
Feng Ruche, relieved and pleased, expressed her desire to stay, sensing that Xue Jingkong’s cold demeanor was not a true reflection of his feelings, though she remained puzzled by his consistent attempts to distance himself from her. He also briefly suggested she might need another place to recuperate, but ultimately left the decision to her.
Meanwhile, Yun Muyang continued his investigation, scrutinizing various receipts and noticing a distinct discrepancy in the handwriting of a supervisor, Qiu Wen Yun, on one particular document. Lian Yi, noticing Yun Muyang’s recent evasiveness, approached him. She feared that Du Xianyin’s words might have caused him to misunderstand her affections, and she earnestly clarified that her feelings for him were purely those of a sibling.
She even offered to return the jade pendant he had given her, suggesting it would be better suited for his future wife. Yun Muyang, however, refused to take back the pendant, affirming their bond as sworn siblings and his unwavering trust in her, noting that his ambitions for the Cavalry currently overshadowed any thoughts of marriage. Lian Yi, still pushing the topic, lamented her scar and advancing age, asking him to help her find a suitable partner.
Later, Yun Muyang confronted Du Xianyin’s maid, Zi Juan, about the suspicious receipts, as Zi Juan had previously managed the documents. Zi Juan denied any knowledge. When Du Xianyin arrived and dismissed Zi Juan, Yun Muyang confronted her directly.
He laid out his accumulating suspicions: her apparent involvement in Wei Zhao’s death, her use of secret skills to save him in front of Lian Yi, her alleged collaboration with Lu Ren Bing—who had identified her as the Golden Winged Empress—and the mysterious emptying of the pawnshop after Lu Ren Bing’s departure. Du Xianyin, visibly distressed, rhetorically questioned if he also believed she sought to harm Feng Ruche.
Yun Muyang confessed his hope that all these connections were mere coincidences and that solid proof would never emerge, as he feared he would be unable to choose between justice and his feelings for her if the truth were revealed. Du Xianyin tearfully dismissed the receipt as insufficient proof and implored him not to force her into such a choice. Alone, Lian Yi gazed at the jade pendant, recalling a painful memory.
She had once saved Yun Muyang during a battle, sustaining a facial injury and accidentally breaking her family’s heirloom jade. Yun Muyang had then given her his parents' jade pendant, promising to care for her forever. Misinterpreting this as a proposal, she began embroidering a gift for him, only for Yun Muyang to later propose they become sworn siblings instead.
With a heavy heart, she had suppressed her romantic feelings and accepted the fraternal bond, receiving a famous sword from him as a gift, along with his promise to come to her aid should she ever present the pendant. At Wuxiang Camp, Fang Qimo continued his attempts to win Feng Ruche's affection, offering her special food to aid her recovery.
Feng Ruche, however, firmly reiterated that she was a stubborn person who had already decided he was merely a brother to her. Fang Qimo, though clearly disappointed, accepted her words and thereafter maintained a professional distance. The camp’s rigorous training and daily ranking announcements created a tense atmosphere, leading to friction among students. During a group run, a student named Wen Wen fell, revealing a nail planted in the sole of her shoe. She immediately accused Qin Fang of sabotage.
Fang Qimo initially spoke up for Wen Wen, but Xue Jingkong, using his secret arts, quickly discerned that Wen Wen had inflicted the injury upon herself. He sternly ordered her to change her shoes and rejoin the training, leaving no room for further theatrics. Later, Xue Jingkong announced a special team battle training, dividing the students into two teams, Sand Fox and Mountain Wolf.
He would use magic to transport them into an enchanted forest for a treasure hunt, with time passing differently within the magical realm. Each team would receive a map guiding them to sachets containing clues to the hidden treasure. Feng Ruche pointed out that the Sand Fox team was short a member due to an injury, making the teams uneven.
When some students suggested she or the asthmatic Qiao Er withdraw, Feng Ruche proposed that Lin Yuecong, who had been banished, could temporarily join the Sand Fox team as a substitute. Xue Jingkong agreed, but reminded Lin Yuecong that her banishment would still stand after the training. Lin Yuecong, hoping for reinstatement, asked if she could remain in the camp if her team won, to which Fang Qimo wryly retorted that she should win first.
As the teams entered the enchanted forest, Feng Ruche and Lin Yuecong quickly located the first sachet. Lin Yuecong aggressively snatched it, declaring her determination to win without mercy. This act caused friction within Feng Ruche’s team, with members blaming her for bringing such a formidable opponent into their ranks. They even suggested Fang Qimo take over as captain, but he declined, opting to simply follow along.
Xue Jingkong’s voice then echoed through the forest, explaining that phantom enemies, though causing pain, would not inflict real injuries, but any student marked with a red symbol would be eliminated from the match. Separately, Qiao Da frantically searched for Physician Jia to help his brother Qiao Er, who was suffering from an asthma attack. Du Xianyin happened upon them, informed them the physician was unavailable, and offered Qiao Er her calming sachet to ease his wheezing.
Later, Du Xianyin secretly transmitted a detailed topography map to a contact. She informed them that Qi Zhen Xian would be journeying to Shan Gui Slope the following night, and she would accompany him. Her intention, she explained, was not to kill Qi Zhen Xian, but to ensure he was injured. This injury, she elaborated, would serve as a diversion to lure Xue Jingkong to Shan Gui Slope, facilitating her broader, undisclosed scheme.
