Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 20 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
Xuan Ji, anticipating Du Xianyin's reluctance, secretly ordered her guard, Qing Tian, to assassinate Yun Muyang when Du Xianyin was unprepared. Meanwhile, Xue Jingkong questioned Xing Shang Li about the sudden surge in his spiritual power and why Feng Tianyi and Yi Fuling abandoned their six-year-old daughter. Xing Shang Li revealed that when Xue Jingkong was known as Fang Wuyi, he had sealed the ancient beast Jin Nian.
He crafted four chains, imbued with elemental powers from pure gold essence, flora spirits, quartet fire, and vast wilderness earth. He then used his own blood to draw symbols, channeling the waters of the West Sea to complete Jin Nian's sealing. However, when Feng Ruche was six years old, the submerged Sky Eyes were accidentally reactivated, and their immense power shattered one of Jin Nian's confining chains.
Jin Nian, a creature that feeds on all things and grows stronger with each consumption, threatened to devour everything and plunge the world into an eternal illusion. To avert this catastrophe, Emperor Wulie Feng Ren led three thousand elite soldiers to battle Jin Nian in the West Sea. Feng Tianyi and Yi Fuling, despite having retired, also rushed to the conflict, driven by their concern for the populace.
Together, they managed to re-seal Jin Nian, but Emperor Wulie and the Feng Tianyi couple ultimately sacrificed their lives in the endeavor. Xue Jingkong realized that Feng Ruche's parents had not abandoned her, and he bore an indirect responsibility for their fate. He was determined to tell Feng Ruche the truth, but Xing Shang Li vehemently stopped him.
Xing Shang Li warned that Feng Ruche had already died three times and was only alive due to Xue Jingkong's heart blood, which was infused with the spiritual power of the Flower Goddess. If she were to learn the truth and seek revenge for her parents, her body would not be able to withstand the strain, as her current physical state was already pushed to its limit. He urged Xue Jingkong to let her remain a carefree girl.
Unaware of Feng Ruche's deep-seated trauma, Lin Yuecong and Fang Qimo playfully attempted to make her fly. Feng Ruche, however, was overcome with terror and desperately begged them to put her down. Once on the ground, she huddled, trembling. Fang Qimo apologized, taking responsibility for the idea. Feng Ruche confessed that she believed no one could truly help her with this problem.
She then confided in them, asking if they would believe that she once possessed a pair of golden wings. She expressed feeling unworthy, fearing she would be a "real joke" as the Winged Empress. Lin Yuecong reminded her of her remarkable progress, transforming from an illiterate person to the top student at Wuxiang Camp. Fang Qimo added that she was the best in their hearts, having saved them before.
They affirmed that her past didn't matter, and if she could lead Wuxiang Camp today, she could lead the Silver Wings Cavalry tomorrow and even become empress. Lin Yuecong highlighted that flying ability or noble origin was not essential, citing Emperor Wulie Feng Ren, who rose from prince regent to a sacrificing hero for the country. Her friends steadfastly assured her of their belief in her, regardless of what others might think.
Du Xianyin, alerted by Purple Juan that Yun Muyang had been lured out using her name, immediately sensed danger and suspected Xuan Ji. She rushed to find Yun Muyang ambushed by Qing Tian, his vision obscured by powder. Masked, Du Xianyin swiftly intervened, subduing Qing Tian and then knocking Yun Muyang unconscious to conceal her identity. The next day, Yun Muyang confronted Du Xianyin, observing that his rescuer's nail polish was strikingly similar to hers.
Du Xianyin vehemently denied involvement, claiming she didn't know martial arts and had recently trimmed her nails due to an injury sustained while playing music. She feigned regret that she couldn't have been his savior. Yun Muyang accepted her explanation but requested that she inform him if she uncovered any clues about his mysterious rescuer, to which Du Xianyin maintained her ignorance.
Feng Ruche, having completed the Wuxiang Camp's account book, pleaded with Xue Jingkong to allow her to return to Linyuan Platform, expressing frustration at his continuous assignments of bureaucratic tasks. Xue Jingkong, however, repeatedly refused, instructing her to audit past years' accounts instead. When she pressed him, asking if he was giving up on her, he revealed that her heart was damaged and that her life would be in danger if she continued intense training.
He admitted his fear for her safety. Feng Ruche, asserting that she was no longer the person she used to be and now understood her mission, declared she had no retreat. She also mentioned that she had wanted to be a carefree person in the past, but Xue Jingkong had pushed her away, leading her to her current path.
Moved by her unwavering determination, Xue Jingkong agreed to personally teach her techniques to defeat enemies smartly, aiming to minimize physical harm, but stressed that overcoming her inner demons was a battle she must fight herself. Later, as she approached Linyuan Platform, she again felt the phantom pain of losing her wings but resolved to face it. She made Xue Jingkong promise not to intervene, asserting that she must experience victory or defeat on her own this time.
Feng Ruche then stepped into Linyuan Platform, entering the illusion. Inside, she was confronted and severely wounded by an illusionary Xuan Ji, who taunted her for her inability to overcome her fear of losing her wings and declared the Feng family no longer worthy of the Winged Empress title. Outside, Xue Jingkong, tormented by the thought of losing her, attempted to use his spiritual power to intervene.
However, he discovered Feng Ruche had replaced the tea on his table with a potent wine that tasted like water but had a strong, incapacitating after-effect. She had deliberately made this switch to ensure he wouldn't save her, allowing her to face the trial alone. Within the illusion, enduring brutal attacks, Feng Ruche was called "trash" and deemed a disgrace to her father, Feng Tianyi.
She then encountered an illusionary Feng Ren, who explained that desire lies behind fear and urged her to state what she truly wanted. After initial hesitation, Feng Ruche declared that she wanted to reclaim everything she had lost, to prove herself and the Feng family's capabilities. She asserted that she had changed from the small thief she once was, strengthened by her friends and teacher.
With renewed resolve, she fought back, proclaiming that the past no longer mattered and the future belonged to her. She ultimately triumphed over the illusionary Xuan Ji, conquering her deepest fears and clarifying her mission. Emerging from the platform, she tearfully told Xue Jingkong she was alright and that she had succeeded.
