Ashes of Love resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Ashes of Love

Jin Mi, the daughter of the flower god, was forced to abandon her feeling for love because of “Yundan”. When she met her true love, Xu Feng, the son of the heavenly emperor, she did not know what love was.

At the same time, Xufeng’s eldest brother, Run Yu, also gradely fell in love with Jin Mi. But due to the hatred and possessiveness blinded the heart, he eventually went astray.

When Jin Mi stabbed Xu Feng because of a misunderstanding, she finally spit out the “Yundan” to break through the perception of love.

In order to get back her love, Jin Mi must resolve the misunderstanding with Xu Feng and save Xu Feng who has fallen into the devil world because of love and hate.

In the middle of the battle between the devil and heaven, Jin Mi blocked between Xu Feng and Run Yu to prevent a disaster, but her soul transformed into a tear in Xu Feng’s eyes.

Xu Feng painstakingly looked for her but had no result, When he was thinking about Jin Mi and tearing, Jin Mi was reborn at this time, and finally retired from the world with Xu Feng.

Resumos de Ashes of Love

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In the Floral Realm, on a cold, dewy night, the Floral Immortal Zi Fen lay in her chamber, surrounded by twenty-four kneeling Floral Leaders. Holding her newborn daughter, Zi Fen commanded that the child's birth remain a secret, threatening any who divulged it with the destruction of their soul. She then handed a special pill to Chief Peony, instructing her to administer it to the infant.

This was the Yun Elixir, which would ensure that anyone who took it would be incapable of love. Zi Fen explained that being "without love, one can be strong and be at peace," wishing her daughter would not suffer from deep love and regrets as she had. Her thoughts drifted to the Water God Luo Lin and Wind God Lin Xiu's wedding, where the Heavenly Emperor had proposed a betrothal between his first son and their future child.

Now, Zi Fen named her own daughter Jin Mi, hoping she would "find eternal peace in floral blossom and have a peaceful life like water and the clouds." Zi Fen then forbade the Floral Leaders from ever making Jin Mi the Floral Deity, desiring her to live as a carefree immortal. To ensure the Floral Realm would not be without a ruler, she decreed that the twenty-four Floral Leaders would take turns governing the seasons.

Foreseeing a "love tragedy" for Jin Mi within ten thousand years, Zi Fen placed a strict enchantment: Jin Mi was to remain confined within the Water Mirror for ten thousand years, "forbidden to leave" the Floral Realm. Soon after, the Floral Immortal passed away, and the entire Floral Realm mourned, with flowers perishing for ten years.

The narrative recounted that the Floral Realm had separated from the Heaven Realm four thousand years prior, becoming the sixth realm after Zi Fen's sorrowful death. Four thousand years later, Mr. Hu, a carrot fairy who had achieved immortality, was recounting the origins of the Six Realms to a group of young flower spirits. Jin Mi, however, was found asleep on a tree branch. Her friend, Lian Qiao, woke her, teasing her for always eating and sleeping.

Just then, Chief Peony arrived unexpectedly. She sternly tested Jin Mi's magic, criticizing her for her "weak spiritual power and poor fairy skill" after four millennia of cultivation. Jin Mi, still dreaming of exploring the world beyond their "fake water drop" barrier, had recently proposed leaving the Water Mirror to Chief Peony, which explained the Floral Leader's anger.

Chief Peony reminded Jin Mi that it was the anniversary of the past Floral Immortal's death and, as punishment for her idleness, ordered her to guard the Floral Immortal's Mausoleum after the worship ceremony. Every hundred years, the Water Mirror opened, allowing the less powerful flower spirits to pay their respects. During the ceremony, Chief Peony made Jin Mi kneel at the forefront, overriding the concerns of other Floral Leaders who felt it was against tradition.

As the ceremony concluded, a beautiful flower rain fell. Jin Mi was left alone under an immobilizing spell. Her friend, Lian Qiao, stayed for a while, empathizing with Jin Mi's discomfort, but eventually left. Jin Mi desperately tried to break free, but her attempts were futile. Suddenly, Yan You, also known as Lord Puchi, a water demon and Jin Mi's friend and benefactor from nine hundred years prior, appeared.

Jin Mi affectionately called him Lord Puchi, a name she preferred over Yan You, which she associated with a slug. Jin Mi offered him spiritual power she had diligently saved for a century as a repayment for his past kindness. Yan You playfully chided her for weakening herself. He then presented her with a succulent plant, revealing it was Rou Rou, Jin Mi's beloved friend who had perished nine hundred years ago.

Jin Mi confessed her guilt, lamenting, "If I had not taken her out of the Water Mirror, we would have not met Qiong Qi." Yan You suggested that Rou Rou might revive if they could find the Great Immortal, but warned Jin Mi that elves had no right to meet such a powerful being unless she cultivated to become a true fairy.

Meanwhile, in the Celestial Realm's Qiwu Palace, Fire Immortal Xu Feng was nearing the end of his forty-nine-day Nirvana. The Heavenly Empress strictly ordered Lord Liaoyuan to guard the palace, ensuring "no one should enter it without permission." Later that night, Night Immortal Run Yu, while arranging constellations at the Northern Heavenly Gate, encountered and fought a powerful, black-clad intruder heading towards Qiwu Palace.

He followed the attacker and urged Lord Liaoyuan to let him enter the palace to apprehend the culprit, fearing for Xu Feng's safety. However, Lord Liaoyuan, bound by the Empress's decree, refused entry to anyone, even Run Yu, despite acknowledging Run Yu's "deep friendship" with his brother. As Run Yu reluctantly departed, a brilliant column of fire erupted from Qiwu Palace, signaling Xu Feng's disappearance.

Alone at the Floral Immortal’s Mausoleum, Jin Mi saw a shooting star and wished to "meet the Great Immortal." Shortly after, she smelled something burnt and discovered a gravely injured bird, which she identified as a "crow" based on Mr. Hu's "The Six-Realms Species Encyclopedia." She initially tried to heal it by sprinkling spiritual water, a method she remembered from her own youth.

When this proved ineffective, and after feeding it her precious honey which had been sealed for five hundred years, she decided it would be "too wasteful to bury you as flower fertilizer." Believing it to be a powerful, enlightened crow, she decided to stew it, hoping to consume its "inner dan" to enhance her own spiritual power. Later finding the bird had transformed into a human male, she identified a "tumor" on his belly as the dan.

As she prepared to extract it, the man—Xu Feng—suddenly awoke. Startled, Jin Mi dropped her knife. Xu Feng demanded to know who she was. Jin Mi, asserting her status as a cultivating "fruit elf" and not a "little evil spirit," insisted he call her "my savior," as it was the noble tradition of the Water Mirror to "do good without leaving our name." When Xu Feng questioned her method of "saving" him with a knife, Jin Mi uncomfortably confirmed it.

She then tried to "remove his illness" (his inner dan), attempting to make him lie down, completely unaware of the impropriety. Xu Feng, realizing she was female, rebuked her for ignoring the "differences between male and female." Jin Mi, bewildered, replied that she only understood "differences between flowers, birds and animals," not male and female.

Xu Feng noticed a "magical hair clasp" in her hair and, attributing her ignorance to her youth and "uncivilized" upbringing, decided not to chastise her further. Jin Mi then offered him "worms" for lunch, assuming it was suitable fare for a crow. Annoyed, Xu Feng proved he was no mere crow by magically conjuring an elaborate golden robe. Jin Mi, marveling at his "fairy skills," innocently asked how many years it had taken him to achieve such transformations.

Jin Mi led Xu Feng to the Floral Realm spring. As Xu Feng was drinking heartily, he was aghast to discover Jin Mi using the same spring water to wash her feet. Infuriated, he called her an uncivilized little demon, condemning her filthiness. Jin Mi, however, found him strange for praising the water earlier and now calling her filthy, questioning if all magpies were so moody.

Realizing he intended to leave the Floral Realm, Jin Mi quickly demanded that he repay her by taking her to the Heaven Realm, after which their accounts would be settled. Just then, the Floral Realm spirits, searching for a bird that had breached their Water Mirror barrier, drew near. To avoid detection, Jin Mi swiftly kicked Xu Feng into the spring. Unfortunately, Xu Feng, being unfamiliar with water, sank and lost consciousness.

Jin Mi frantically tried to revive him with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and then fed him her special "Six Auspicious Treasures." Xu Feng eventually awoke and demanded to know what he had consumed. Jin Mi explained it was a mixture of onion, ginger, garlic, celery, cilantro, and Sichuan pepper – her family's traditional cold medicine, specifically for birds that had fallen into water.

When Xu Feng threatened to destroy her, Jin Mi warned him that Chief Begonia was determined to catch him, cut off his legs, and use him as flower fertilizer. Xu Feng haughtily proclaimed himself a dignified man of the Heavenly Realm, unafraid of mere Flower and Fruit Spirits.

Jin Mi retorted, pointing out that despite his claims, it was she, a humble fruit elf, who had saved his life twice: once with a 500-year-old fermented honey to restore his human form, and again just now with three more drops to revive him from drowning. She reiterated her condition: he must take her to the Heaven Realm. Xu Feng initially refused, but Jin Mi persisted, and he reluctantly agreed to depart the day after tomorrow.

Jin Mi, overjoyed, muttered to herself about the moody bird as Xu Feng agreed to her terms. Meanwhile, at Yan City Manor, King of Gu City informed the Demon Lord that the Fire Immortal’s Nirvana had encountered an unforeseen incident, and his whereabouts were unknown. He added that the Heavenly Emperor was furious and had dispatched 10,000 soldiers to search for him. The Demon Lord, pleased, remarked on Xu Feng's past arrogance and saw this as a karmic retribution.

King of Gu City suggested that with the Heaven Realm's military strength currently weakened, it was an opportune moment to launch an attack. The Demon Lord agreed, ordering his six ministries to recruit 20,000 soldiers each, to gather at the Wangchuan River in ten days, and march into the Heaven Realm. Concurrently, in the Heaven Realm, the Heavenly Emperor was comforting the Heavenly Empress, assuring her that Heavenly Guards were tirelessly searching for Xu Feng.

The Heavenly Empress seized the opportunity, urging the Heavenly Emperor to formally appoint Xu Feng as the crown prince upon his safe return, highlighting Xu Feng’s status as the first son of the legal wife and his extensive battle contributions. She expressed her belief that Xu Feng’s disappearance was not accidental but rather the result of a deliberate attack, implying that whoever benefited from it was the culprit.

She insisted that appointing Xu Feng as crown prince would curb the ambitions of such individuals. The Heavenly Emperor, however, dismissed her suspicions, asserting that Run Yu was virtuous and kind-hearted and would never harm anyone, warning her against believing slanderous villains who sought to sow discord within the imperial family. The Heavenly Empress reacted with a bitter scoff.

The day after tomorrow, Jin Mi, with her single jar of fermented honey—the only item Xu Feng reluctantly permitted her to bring for its life-saving potential—was taken into Xu Feng's sleeve, and they ascended into the sky. Above, the Flower Spirits, having just painstakingly repaired their shattered enchantment, watched in disbelief as Xu Feng effortlessly broke through it again. Chief Begonia, furious, gave chase, vowing to cut off his legs and turn him into flower fertilizer.

Jin Mi, feeling dizzy from the flight, complained and threatened to throw up, to which Xu Feng threatened to drop her. Despite his warnings, she was captivated by the sight of the world from the "third level of heaven," which Xu Feng found unimpressive. Chief Begonia caught up and accused Xu Feng of trespassing and destroying their barrier, asking if his master, Sui He, had sent him. Xu Feng scornfully stated Sui He could not control him.

As he easily defeated Chief Begonia, he criticized her for her vicious heart despite her beautiful appearance, while she accused him of having strong power and fire techniques, confirming her suspicion that he was a trusted follower of Sui He. Back in the Floral Realm, Chief Peony realized Jin Mi was missing from the Water Mirror.

Questioning Mr. Hu and Lian Qiao, she found bird feathers, leading her to believe that Jin Mi had been kidnapped by a cruel bird tribe member, possibly an aide of Sui He. Chief Peony sternly ordered Mr. Hu to find Jin Mi or face severe punishment, including being peeled and fed to rabbits.

Chief Peony then went to the Bird Tribe to confront Sui He directly, demanding an explanation for the bird's intrusion, the kidnapping of a Floral Realm elf, and the injury of a Floral Realm chief. Sui He feigned ignorance but promised to investigate thoroughly, ordering her subordinate Que Ling to interrogate every bird, "from those flying in the sky to those not yet hatched in eggs."

However, a messenger suddenly arrived, announcing that the Fire Immortal was missing and the Demon Realm had amassed 100,000 soldiers at Wangchuan River, preparing to attack the Heaven Realm. Sui He, recognizing the urgency, immediately dismissed Chief Peony. When Chief Peony attempted to stop her, Sui He used her Sui Feather Fan to injure Chief Peony's heart meridian before flying off to the Heaven Realm.

Defeated, Chief Peony returned to the Floral Realm, ordered the Bird Tribe's food supply to be cut off until Jin Mi and the bird were returned, and then entered seclusion for cultivation. Meanwhile, as Xu Feng flew over Wangchuan River, he sensed a surge of malevolent energy and descended into Bian City. He found the Demon Lord, along with King of Gu City and King of Yan City, preparing for war.

He accused them of deceit and aggression, intimidating them with his Phoenix Feather Arrow. The King of Bian City's daughter, Liu Ying, known for her valor, bravely challenged Xu Feng, despite his reluctance to fight women. After a brief but fierce exchange, Liu Ying was swiftly defeated, acknowledging Xu Feng's legendary prowess. The other Demon Lords, including King of Yan City, were visibly intimidated, and no one dared to challenge Xu Feng further.

Xu Feng then warned King of Yan City to train his soldiers diligently and be prepared, emphasizing that the Heaven Realm commanded millions of soldiers ready for battle. As Liu Ying retreated, she noted that Xu Feng's fighting style eerily resembled that of Mu Ci.

Back in the Heaven Realm, the Heavenly Empress discovered an ice shard at the site of Xu Feng's Nirvana and immediately reported it to the Heavenly Emperor in the Empyrean Cloud Palace, implying it was evidence of an assassination attempt. The Heavenly Emperor summoned Run Yu and questioned him, but Run Yu denied any involvement with the ice shard. He admitted, however, to having visited Qiwu Palace that night.

Just as Run Yu was being interrogated, Xu Feng returned to the Nine Heavens. He encountered Sui He, who expressed great relief and concern for his safety, mentioning the Heavenly Empress's sleepless nights and the Heavenly Emperor's extensive search. Xu Feng lightly dismissed his absence as merely wandering for a few days in some "wild but interesting places." Sui He then detected Jin Mi, who had been hiding in Xu Feng’s sleeve, and pulled her out.

Jin Mi hastily tried to explain that she had twice saved Xu Feng's life, asserting that the "magpie owed her a favor," not the other way around, and that she was a "decent grape elf," not an evil creature. Understanding that Jin Mi had indeed saved Xu Feng, Sui He graciously thanked her and presented her with a rare pill, promising to report her good deed to the Heavenly Empress for further awards.

Jin Mi, overjoyed by the gift of a hundred years of spiritual power, eagerly accepted. It was then, as Xu Feng’s subordinates arrived to congratulate him on his "Nirvana rebirth," that Jin Mi finally realized her "moody bird" benefactor was, in fact, a magnificent phoenix.

The Heavenly Emperor confronted Run Yu, accusing him of using powerful water magic to harm Xu Feng during his Nirvana, citing his presence near Qiwu Palace and his duty to guard the Northern Heavenly Gate that night. Run Yu confessed he did go to Qiwu Palace, but it was to pursue a powerful black-clad assailant, intending to protect Xu Feng. He explained that the assailant was proficient in magic but not interested in prolonged combat, escaping after a few rounds.

Run Yu added that he left after briefly informing Lord Liaoyuan not to disturb Xu Feng's crucial Nirvana process. The Heavenly Empress remained skeptical, but Run Yu insisted he could not have harmed Xu Feng because his water magic was incompatible with the Nirvana flames. He also presented a burn injury he sustained from the assailant, emphasizing that the attacker must have been fearless of fire, suggesting a formidable and unknown enemy.

The Heavenly Emperor expressed distress over Run Yu's injuries. Unbeknownst to them, Jin Mi finally understood that the "crow" she saved was actually a burnt phoenix, a divine bird. This revelation immediately sparked her interest in its potential to provide abundant magic power. Meanwhile, Xu Feng learned from Lord Liaoyuan that Run Yu had been summoned by the Heavenly Emperor and Empress for questioning and was being blamed. Xu Feng immediately rushed to the palace to clear Run Yu's name.

Upon his arrival, Xu Feng bowed to his parents, and his mother expressed profound relief and concern. Xu Feng then explained that during his Nirvana, he was attacked by an ice sleet weapon, which caused him to fall into a desolate wilderness. He spent several days there, pursuing the culprit, which accounted for his delay in returning. He apologized for causing worry but adamantly stated that Run Yu was completely innocent of the attack.

Xu Feng asserted that he had already uncovered some clues and was confident the truth would soon come to light. The Heavenly Emperor was heartened to see the brothers' mutual care and trust. The Heavenly Empress reminded the Heavenly Emperor of his promise to establish Xu Feng as Crown Prince upon his safe return. At that moment, a messenger arrived with news that Xu Feng had single-handedly intimidated and driven back 100,000 demon troops from Lethe.

Delighted by this "epoch-making feat," the Heavenly Emperor offered Xu Feng any reward. However, Xu Feng humbly declined, stating that as the commander of the five heavenly armies, defending the realm and repelling invaders was merely his duty. He cautioned that the demon army's retreat was a temporary ruse, and the King of Yan City would undoubtedly return.

Xu Feng then excused himself to prepare for ongoing battle, leaving the Heavenly Empress visibly enraged by his refusal of the prestigious title. Soon after, Xu Feng, having had the ice poison cleared from his body by Lord Liaoyuan, rushed to Xuanji Palace to help Run Yu with the flame poison he had sustained.

Xu Feng explained that due to their conflicting water and fire natures, he could only help to clear some of the fire poison, warning that further intervention might worsen Run Yu's condition. Run Yu, though grateful, suggested Xu Feng preserve his own magical prowess.

Run Yu then questioned why Xu Feng risked coming to his aid despite the inherent dangers, to which Xu Feng responded that he rushed to his defense, not even changing his clothes, to prevent Run Yu from being wrongly accused. Run Yu expressed his profound thanks for Xu Feng's loyalty. Xu Feng, observing Run Yu's considerable power, acknowledged that the true assailant must be exceptionally strong. Run Yu inquired about the precise events of Xu Feng's Nirvana.

Xu Feng recounted how, at a critical moment, he felt his fire power dwindle, replaced by an icy cold that immobilized him. He was forced to use all his inner strength to break through his meridians and plunge into the cloud sea, escaping the attacker's notice. He knew nothing more. Run Yu found it peculiar that the attacker was adept in water magic yet impervious to Nirvana's flames.

He proposed a strategy: Xu Feng would publicly announce his intent to investigate, which would lull the culprit into a false sense of security, while Run Yu would secretly assist in the investigation to swiftly apprehend the true culprit and simultaneously vindicate himself. Xu Feng, in turn, advised Run Yu to hone his magic to avoid "dragging down the War God."

In Zifang Cloud Palace, the Heavenly Empress received a report that Xu Feng harbored no suspicions toward Run Yu and had even visited him to heal his wounds and reminisce. She expressed alarm, fearing that her "stupid child" would unwittingly cede the throne. She instructed her subordinates to keep a vigilant eye on Run Yu and report any unusual activity at once.

Jin Mi explored the Heavenly Palace, finding it rather unexceptional, save for the pervasive mist that obscured the ground and made paths difficult to discern. She attempted to pluck some of the lush-looking flowers, only to discover they would dissolve into smoke upon her touch, leaving her frustrated and pondering why even Xu Feng's courtyard lacked real flowers. Her attention was then drawn to a small, sleeping fox-like creature.

As she affectionately touched it, the beast transformed into a handsome, red-robed young man, who dramatically declared himself "harassed." Jin Mi introduced herself as a "half-fairy" and recounted her "saviour" connection to Xu Feng. Soon after, Xu Feng arrived, addressing the man as "Uncle Moon Immortal," revealing him to be his paternal uncle. Moon Immortal, intrigued by Jin Mi, offered her a red string, advising her to tie it around Xu Feng's ankle to ensure a smooth romantic path.

Xu Feng admonished his uncle for his excessive generosity with his magical red strings, which Moon Immortal playfully countered by reminiscing about Xu Feng's childhood, when he would roll around in Moon Immortal's red string collection. Moon Immortal, finding Jin Mi delightful, proposed that Xu Feng take her as a mistress, an idea Xu Feng dismissed. Ultimately, finding Xu Feng's palace dull, Jin Mi readily accepted Moon Immortal's invitation to visit his House of Marriage.

At the House of Marriage, Jin Mi saw various petitions for matchmaking. She then asked Moon Immortal if he knew of a Great Golden Immortal who could resurrect her friend Rou Rou, who had been reduced to her original plant form. Moon Immortal explained that reversing death was beyond even the Heavenly Emperor's power but encouraged her to stay in the Heaven Realm, as cultivating more magic power was her only hope of finding a solution.

Resolved to save her friend, Jin Mi decided to stay. She then asked Moon Immortal to help her gather flowers for honey, explaining that the Heavenly Palace's flowers would vanish when touched, seemingly "bullying" her due to her low magical prowess. Moon Immortal revealed a millennia-old history: the current Heavenly Emperor and the late Floral Immortal had a tumultuous relationship, culminating in the Floral Immortal's wrathful destruction of all real flora in the Heaven Realm.

To remedy this, the Heavenly Emperor later conjured countless artificial flowers from clouds, which would dissipate if picked. Jin Mi was dismayed, realizing this meant she couldn't collect honey. Moon Immortal then tried to enlighten her about love, framing their saga as a "classic love story." However, Jin Mi remained fixated on whether love could enhance her magical power.

Exasperated, Moon Immortal lent her his treasured "Tianxiang Secret book" on love, but Jin Mi found its illustrations "hideous" and "uninteresting," her sole interest remaining on increasing her magic power. One evening, while enjoying the scenery by a pond, Jin Mi encountered Run Yu and his spiritual beast, the Beast of Dreams, which Run Yu affectionately called his "deer." The beast acted aggressively towards Jin Mi.

After Run Yu apologized, Jin Mi, mistaking his role for an animal tender, complimented the "deer's" majestic tail and robust appearance. Drawing parallels to figures like Sun Wukong and Zhang Guolao who rose from humble beginnings as animal caretakers, she optimistically declared Run Yu's future "bright." Amused, Run Yu introduced himself, and Jin Mi, sensing his loneliness, gifted him a broken red string, wishing him companionship.

Back at the House of Marriage, Jin Mi ingeniously used Moon Immortal's discarded red strings to conjure exquisite, fragrant flowers, drawing a long line of eager celestial maidens. Liao Ting, Xu Feng's young attendant, also sought a flower. In exchange, he offered Jin Mi two rare vermilion bird eggs, explaining that while one egg, taking 800 years to form, would grant 100 years of magical prowess, consuming two together would grant a total of 300 years.

Eager to rapidly increase her powers, Jin Mi devoured both eggs but was instead overcome by agonizing stomach pain. She frantically sought out Moon Immortal, but before he could assess her condition, Xu Feng arrived and swiftly carried her away. Xu Feng explained that Jin Mi, having an inherently cold, water-nourished (grape) constitution, had dangerously consumed the intensely fire-natured vermilion bird eggs.

This unfortunate combination had not only failed to grant her power but had tragically cost her 300 years of magical prowess. He admonished her for her "stupidity," stating that she narrowly escaped turning into smoke, and instructed his attendant to prevent her from consuming any more unusual items. That night, sensing Jin Mi was in danger, Yan You covertly entered Qiwu Palace. He found Jin Mi restless in her sleep, tormented by a nightmare about Qiong Qi harming Rou Rou.

Xu Feng confronted Yan You, who mockingly claimed to be a "thief" specializing in "pretty ladies" and boasted of their "thousand-year-old friendship." Suspicious and detecting Jin Mi's scent on Yan You, Xu Feng demanded an explanation. Yan You clarified that their relationship was simply "creditor and debtor": Jin Mi owed him 1,000 years of magical prowess, which she repaid in 100-year increments each century, creating a "telepathic connection."

Irritated, Xu Feng dismissed Yan You's claim that Jin Mi would casually give away her magic. To end their "century-long agreement," Xu Feng immediately paid off the 100 years of magical prowess Jin Mi owed. He sternly warned Yan You against any further "flirtatious shenanigans" and declared that as Jin Mi was now under the protection of Qiwu Palace, he would not stand idly by if Yan You dared to intrude again.

After realizing that Xu Feng, the "burnt crow," was actually a powerful Phoenix, Jin Mi decided to acquire his magic power to help revive her friend Rou Rou. She had recently lost 300 years of magic power but quickly recovered it, making her eager to gain more. Seeking advice from Yue Xia Xian Ren, Jin Mi first attempted flattery by offering Xu Feng flower biscuits, but he dismissed them as "too sweet."

Next, she tried to leverage her life-saving deed, demanding her 300 years of lost magic power back. However, Xu Feng remained unmoved. Following Yue Xia Xian Ren's final advice to "act weak," Jin Mi stopped asking for magic power directly. Instead, she presented herself as simply wanting to guard him with an umbrella, recalling his inability to swim and vowing to silently protect him from water.

Seeing her persistence, Xu Feng finally agreed to teach her cultivation tricks and offered her a position as his page boy in Qiwu Palace, which Jin Mi readily accepted. To prevent further meddling, Xu Feng warned his uncle, Yue Xia Xian Ren, not to interfere with Jin Mi, as she was now under his protection.

He then gave the matchmaker 500 years of magic power to settle Jin Mi’s debt and ensure she would no longer bother him, a protective gesture that secretly pleased Yue Xia Xian Ren. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure who had previously harmed Xu Feng and Run Yu sought an alliance with the Floral Realm. Chief Peony steadfastly refused, citing the late Floral Immortal's decree that the Floral Realm should remain neutral.

The figure insinuated that the Floral Realm harbored deep-seated hatred and should join forces, claiming that "the enemy of my enemy is my ally." However, Chief Peony remained firm, declaring the Floral Realm would neither seek revenge through others nor be used as anyone's weapon. Behind the scenes, Chief Peony harbored deep anxieties, fearing that Jin Mi's departure from Water Mirror might mark the beginning of her prophesied "love trial" involving Xu Feng.

Despite other floral fairies attempting to reassure her by mentioning the protective Yun Elixir and their search efforts, her heart remained heavy. Separately, Floral Fairy Magnolia secretly met with the mysterious figure. Driven by a desire for revenge for the late Floral Immortal, she pledged to pay any price. The figure, in turn, requested Jin Mi's true identity and parentage as a test of trust. Jin Mi began her duties as Xu Feng's page boy in Xichen Hall.

Xu Feng tasked her with memorizing the Brahma Spell, but she only managed to correctly recite 5 out of 49 lines. Frustrated, Xu Feng assigned her more chants to learn, explaining that her low magic power stemmed from a weak foundation and that cultivation required starting with theory, not shortcuts. He then instructed her to grind ink, reminding her of a page boy's proper duties. Xu Feng's teaching methods were rigorous.

During a test of her transformation spell, she not only failed but also lost her balance and fell into his arms, a moment embarrassingly witnessed by Yue Xia Xian Ren. As punishment for her poor progress, Xu Feng would transform Jin Mi into a pair of chopsticks, leaving her unable to eat, or a cabbage to be nibbled by a rabbit.

After seven days of such torment, during which Xu Feng even misled a visiting Run Yu into believing Jin Mi was on holiday to ensure a quiet chat, Jin Mi sought refuge with Yue Xia Xian Ren, vowing to live in the House of Marriage temporarily.

Yue Xia Xian Ren informed Jin Mi about an upcoming conscription where generals would be selected based on their knowledge of war strategies, a process complicated by the various regional dialects spoken by the earth immortals. Having an unusual knack for languages due to her love for food from different regions, Jin Mi volunteered to assist Xu Feng as an interpreter. During the conscription, Xu Feng struggled to understand the diverse dialects.

Jin Mi stepped in, translating the profound military strategies of a candidate named Pojun. Impressed by Pojun's wisdom and Jin Mi's unexpected linguistic skills, Xu Feng appointed Pojun as a Star Guardian with 20,000 soldiers. He praised Jin Mi, who claimed she acquired her knowledge from books in Water Mirror. As a reward, Xu Feng revealed that Qiwu Palace would host a Mortal Realm's Dragon Boat Festival, where rice dumplings would contain varying amounts of magic power.

Jin Mi eagerly offered to wrap the dumplings, but Xu Feng, fearing she would cheat, refused. Xu Feng's cousin, Sui He, visited him, bringing snacks. She subtly bribed Jin Mi with a magic pill worth 100 years of magic power. Sui He then confided in Jin Mi, explaining her long-standing affection for the distant Xu Feng and asked for help understanding his feelings.

Jin Mi, aware of Xu Feng's unexpected popularity despite his fierce demeanor, promised to consult Yue Xia Xian Ren. At the House of Marriage, Jin Mi was mistaken for a high immortal by a star official named Yuebo, whom she happily gifted a red string. When she asked for advice for her "friend," Yue Xia Xian Ren misinterpreted it as Jin Mi's own crush on Xu Feng and gave her a rare set of illustrated books on romance.

Earlier, Sui He had met with her aunt, the Heavenly Empress, who praised Sui He's growing maturity in managing the bird tribe and advised her to spend more time with Xu Feng, the heir apparent, using Jin Mi as an intermediary. During Sui He's visit, Xu Feng, busy discussing demon realm defense and the ongoing investigation into the assailant who injured Run Yu, showed little warmth towards her.

He even pointedly asked Jin Mi, not Sui He, to pour his tea, prompting Sui He to leave. Separately, Run Yu encountered Yue Xia Xian Ren, playfully wrapping a red string around his uncle's foot. Run Yu discouraged the matchmaker, explaining he already had a long-standing marriage contract to the eldest daughter of the Water God, Luo Lin, and the Wind God, a match decreed by the Heavenly Emperor.

Yue Xia Xian Ren lamented that the intended parents had been separated for centuries, making the birth of the daughter seem impossible. Run Yu, however, expressed no desire for marriage, wishing only for a free and happy life. Yue Xia Xian Ren noticed a red string on Run Yu's wrist, which Run Yu claimed to keep as a souvenir to encourage him to visit his uncle.

Inquiring about a new fairy servant, Run Yu was pleased to learn that Xu Feng's new page boy, Jin Mi, was a lively individual. Meanwhile, a Heavenly Soldier named Kuang Lu reported for duty at Xuanji Palace to serve Run Yu. Wary that she might be a spy from the Heavenly Empress, he attempted to deter her by describing the mundane tasks, night shifts, his supposed bad temper, and penchant for dangerous forbidden spells. Yet, Kuang Lu remained resolute, declaring her sole desire was to follow him and even expressed a wish to learn the spells, praising his widely known gentle disposition.

Jin Mi, having discovered that Xu Feng was the Phoenix, had previously attempted various schemes to obtain his magic pills, but all were met with his refusal. Finally, she adopted Moon Immortal's "weakness tactic," which proved effective, leading Xu Feng to agree to teach her some magic and appoint her as his attendant at Xichen Hall.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, Jin Mi received a letter from a fairy from the Nine Luminaries Palace, intended for her rather than Xu Feng. Jin Mi found the letter deeply moving, especially since no one had ever written such a touching one to her before. Soon after, Yue Bei, the sender, appeared at Qi Wu Palace, shyly kissing Jin Mi's cheek before running off.

Later, Jin Mi embarked on a mission to accumulate more magical prowess by collecting Dragon Boat Festival dumplings, which were rumored to contain varying amounts of magic. She enthusiastically ate twenty dumplings, only to discover each held a mere year of magical prowess, leaving her feeling indignant at the injustice.

After falling asleep from anger and being overly full, Jin Mi woke to learn from her attendant that the coveted "Dumpling King" with 500 years of prowess was still unaccounted for, and that Xu Feng had taken one to Xichen Hall without eating it. Determined, Jin Mi made her way to Xichen Hall. Upon her arrival, Xu Feng instructed Jin Mi to use the illusion spell he taught her to warm his dumpling.

Hoping to get the dumpling for herself, Jin Mi disparaged it, describing its wrapper as smelly, its rice as too soft, and warning that its size could cause choking if eaten late at night. However, her negative description piqued Xu Feng's interest, making him more eager to try it. Seizing the opportunity, Jin Mi quickly offered to make him a more appealing flower cake in exchange for the dumpling. Xu Feng agreed, allowing her to claim the prize.

She eagerly consumed the dumpling, confirming it was indeed the magnificent "Dumpling King" with 500 years of magical prowess, which instantly energized her. Recognizing that Xu Feng did not particularly care for flower cakes, Jin Mi decided to express her gratitude by transforming a dead tree in his courtyard into a vibrant poinciana tree, also known as a Phoenix Flower, symbolizing his identity as the Phoenix.

Xu Feng, though outwardly dismissive of the gift, calling it useless compared to food, secretly admired it, pondering its name, "Phoenix Flower." Jin Mi, misinterpreting his lack of enthusiasm as general unromanticism, questioned what truly pleased him, jokingly concluding that he enjoyed punishing others. The following day, Ji Du, a star immortal from the Nine Luminaries Palace, arrived at Qi Wu Palace to propose marriage.

Initially, he mistakenly proposed to Xu Feng, before his attendant clarified that the proposal was for Jin Mi. Ji Du explained that Yue Bei had "disrespected" Jin Mi by kissing her, and as a matter of honor, they were offering a betrothal, urging Jin Mi to marry Yue Bei immediately. Jin Mi, however, downplayed the incident as merely a friendly kiss, but Xu Feng refused the proposal on her behalf.

To everyone's astonishment, Xu Feng then removed a Spirit-Locking Hairpin from Jin Mi's head, revealing her true form as a beautiful woman with cascading hair. Realizing their mistake, Ji Du hastily apologized to Jin Mi and departed with his attendants. Word of Jin Mi's true identity quickly reached Moon Immortal, who, delighted by the revelation, presented her with an array of exquisite clothes.

Despite Jin Mi's initial reluctance and opinion that the purple gown was not beautiful, Moon Immortal insisted, finally persuading her to wear a red gown. As Jin Mi emerged, Moon Immortal was struck by her resemblance to the late Floral Immortal Zi Fen, feeling a profound sense of familiarity. Xu Feng was also taken aback by Jin Mi's transformed appearance. When Sui He, visiting Xu Feng, saw Jin Mi dressed so attractively, she criticized her for "attracting attention."

Jin Mi, however, missed the critical undertone and innocently agreed, even comparing herself to an ugly crimson-bellied tragopan, a relative of Sui He's Peacock tribe. Later, after Sui He angrily departed, Xu Feng explained Sui He's displeasure, cautioning Jin Mi against such thoughtless remarks. He then suggested Jin Mi wear her hairpin again.

Jin Mi, misinterpreting his advice, believed he was upset that her handsome appearance as a "male" had outshone him, and promised to be more discreet in the future. Meanwhile, other male attendants in the palace, like Fei Xu, were already smitten, suffering nosebleeds from her captivating appearance. Xu Feng then invited Jin Mi to attend an opera at the House of Marriage.

Jin Mi promptly declined, stating that she preferred he didn't go to places where numerous female immortals would gather, fearing she wouldn't secure a good seat to watch the show. Xu Feng, misinterpreting her words, secretly rejoiced, believing her reluctance stemmed from jealousy and a nascent affection for him. Jin Mi, on the other hand, was simply calculating how to make him happier so he would share some of his magic prowess with her.

To further impress her, Xu Feng led Jin Mi to a room filled with trophies—parts of fierce beasts he had single-handedly subdued and killed, such as the tooth of Tao Wu, the rib of Gu Diao, and the head and tail of Hun Dun and one of Jiu Ying's heads. He offered to gift her any she desired, depending on her "performance." Jin Mi, however, merely offered polite admiration while secretly feeling intimidated.

She perceived his display as a warning, wondering what she had done to incur the wrath of such a narrow-minded "bird." Back at Moon Immortal's residence, he lamented his recent weight loss, attributing it to the dwindling and scrawny chicken supply from the Bird Tribe, which had been cut off by the Floral Realm.

The scarcity was due to the Floral Realm's Chief Peony issuing the Luoying order, ceasing food supplies to the Bird Tribe until they returned a "flower elf" they were accused of abducting. While he spoke, Mr. Hu abruptly entered, explaining that Chief Peony had banished him from the Floral Realm for his failure to protect Jin Mi and ordered him to retrieve her or face severe punishment.

Jin Mi, revealing her identity, was quickly recognized by Mr. Hu, who immediately attempted to take her back to the Floral Realm. Moon Immortal, however, grew suspicious, questioning why Chief Peony was so protective of Jin Mi, especially since she had no known children. He speculated that Chief Peony might be "saving Jin Mi for some boy" and vehemently refused to let Mr. Hu take her, sensing a deeper conspiracy.

Jin Mi, torn between loyalty and fear of Chief Peony's punishment, also considered delaying her return, especially as Moon Immortal suggested waiting for Xu Feng to return from training to properly bid him farewell. But Mr. Hu insisted on immediate departure, citing the escalating conflict between the Floral and Bird Realms. As Jin Mi, Moon Immortal, and Mr. Hu argued at the Southern Heavenly Gate, the fierce beast Qiong Qi suddenly appeared.

Recognizing the beast that had previously harmed her friend Rou Rou, Jin Mi immediately charged forward, determined to avenge her. Before she could be gravely injured, Run Yu swiftly arrived to protect her. Moments later, Xu Feng also appeared, unleashing an arrow towards Qiong Qi.

Qiong Qi attacked and breached the Southern Heavenly Gate, engaging Xu Feng in a fierce battle. Unexpectedly, the ferocious beast turned its aggression towards Jin Mi. Xu Feng swiftly moved to shield her, taking a powerful blow himself. Fortunately, the Heavenly Emperor arrived at that critical moment, severely injuring Qiong Qi, who promptly fled. Run Yu had earlier dispatched an immortal to report the incident to their father and seek reinforcements, while also ensuring Jin Mi's safety.

After the confrontation, the Heavenly Emperor checked on Xu Feng and Jin Mi, and Xu Feng apologized for his failure to contain Qiong Qi. The Heavenly Emperor, however, absolved him, stating that Qiong Qi was an ancient and formidable beast beyond the capabilities of any one individual, and directed everyone to return to the Empyrean Cloud Palace to strategize. In the palace, the Heavenly Emperor and other immortals discussed Qiong Qi's return.

An immortal recalled that Qiong Qi had wreaked havoc across the six realms nine hundred years ago, causing chaos in both the Demon and Floral Realms, and had only been sealed after great effort by powerful immortals, including Xuan Ling Lord Doumu. His reappearance was perplexing and alarming. Another immortal emphasized the urgency of recapturing and re-sealing Qiong Qi to prevent further widespread destruction.

Xu Feng agreed, noting that the King of Yan City's demon army, though seemingly retreated from the Wangchuan River, remained fully assembled, suggesting the Demon Realm's involvement in Qiong Qi's resurgence. He requested permission to enter the Demon Realm to pursue Qiong Qi and ascertain the Demon Realm's true intentions. Run Yu supported his brother, arguing that the source of this new threat originated in the Demon Realm and urged their father to make a swift decision.

Valuing the peace of the six realms, the Heavenly Emperor granted Xu Feng's request, bestowing upon him the Red Clouds Sword, a powerful artifact capable of killing immortals and subduing demons. Xu Feng was tasked with eradicating evil, capturing Qiong Qi, and uncovering the truth behind his return. Later, in Qiwu Palace, Jin Mi worried about Xu Feng's injuries.

Mr. Hu arrived, lamenting over a cooked Chinese flowering cabbage he identified as "Veggie," a friend from the Water Mirror, and blaming the "soulless" Heaven Immortals for its demise. Jin Mi found his detailed identification humorous. Xu Feng returned, dismissing his attendants' concerns about his well-being. He recognized Mr. Hu as the Carrot Fairy he had once playfully troubled as a child, offering an apology while also rebuking him for disrespecting the Heavenly Emperor and Empress.

Mr. Hu revealed his intention to take Jin Mi back to the Floral Realm, explaining that she was the fairy the Floral Realm had been desperately searching for, causing a conflict with the bird tribe. Learning of Jin Mi's imminent departure, Xu Feng felt a sense of loss but rationalized it by suggesting her continued stay in the Heaven Realm without his guidance would be unproductive. Mr. Hu was surprised by Xu Feng's apparent willingness to let her go.

Jin Mi initially expressed eagerness to leave immediately but then remembered she wanted to take some scriptures from Xu Feng's study to continue her spiritual cultivation, hoping to consult Chief Peony back in the Floral Realm. Pleased by her dedication, Xu Feng permitted her to take any books she desired, delaying their departure until the following day. Mr. Hu, delighted, encouraged Jin Mi to gather as many books as possible, offering to carry them himself.

Later, in Xu Feng's study, Jin Mi expressed her gratitude to Xu Feng for saving her life. Just then, Xu Feng coughed up blood, revealing that his injury from Qiong Qi was more severe than he had admitted, requiring twelve cycles of breath regulation for full recovery. Concerned, Jin Mi suspected he was using magic to appear fine and insisted on examining his back. She pulled open his robe, revealing numerous scars from past battles.

Xu Feng, noting her innocence and lack of gender distinction, gently instructed her not to pull at other people's clothes in the future. Remembering the powerful healing properties of Ganoderma essence from the Floral Realm, Jin Mi offered to give him a stalk as a thank you, even though Xu Feng considered it a rare and sacred item that she would need to obtain from Chief Peony.

Jin Mi, recalling Mr. Hu's earlier teasing about her intelligence, confidently declared that she could easily conjure the Ganoderma essence and challenged Xu Feng to decide on her reward. Skeptical, Xu Feng wagered two hundred years of magic power if she succeeded, but Jin Mi demanded three hundred, which he reluctantly accepted. To his astonishment, Jin Mi effortlessly manifested the Ganoderma essence.

This feat deepened Xu Feng's suspicions about her true identity, and he pressed her on her connection to the late Floral Immortal, whose spiritual power was legendary. Fearing he would renege on his promise of magic power, Jin Mi bit off a piece of the Ganoderma essence and, remembering Moon Immortal's advice about capturing a man's heart, fed it to Xu Feng with a kiss.

Unaffected by the kiss due to the Yun Elixir she had ingested, Jin Mi merely felt a strange sensation, while Xu Feng was deeply unsettled. She then handed him the remaining essence. Later, Jin Mi confided in her friend, Rou Rou, that she felt a duty to accompany Xu Feng to the Demon Realm, not only to ensure his recovery but also to avenge Rou Rou by confronting Qiong Qi.

Before Xu Feng's departure, Sui He visited Qiwu Palace to congratulate him on his victory over Qiong Qi and the Heavenly Emperor's gift of the Red Clouds Sword. She then inquired about the rumors that Jin Mi was the long-lost fairy of the Floral Realm, expressing her disappointment that Jin Mi had concealed her true identity. Xu Feng defended Jin Mi, taking responsibility for bringing her to the Heaven Realm and promising to resolve any misunderstandings with Chief Peony.

He also advised Sui He not to let Jin Mi's "clutter-brained" nature bother her. Unbeknownst to Sui He, Jin Mi had transformed into her true form and was secretly nestled in Xu Feng's sleeve, having decided to accompany him. When Xu Feng's attendants offered him a different robe, he refused, despite Jin Mi's muffled yelp of pain from inside his sleeve as she shifted. Xu Feng then boarded a boat on the Wangchuan River.

The boatman, with a knowing glance, alerted Xu Feng to "the fairy in the sleeve pocket." Exposed, Jin Mi emerged from the sleeve, feigning confusion and claiming she must have accidentally slept there. Xu Feng cautioned her to stay seated firmly on the boat. Jin Mi playfully teased him about concealing her own "grape vines" to avoid stealing his title as the most handsome man in the six realms.

The boatman shared a tale of a stunning woman from ten thousand years ago who sought to drink from the Wangchuan River to forget, only to be intervened by a man; after a struggle, both disappeared. Jin Mi found the story's abrupt ending unsatisfying. Upon reaching the other side, Xu Feng used an illusion to alter their appearances for their journey into the Demon Realm.

Jin Mi initially protested her new pigtail hairstyle, finding it old-fashioned, but Xu Feng dismissed her complaints, saying he liked it. He then officially appointed her as his personal maid in the Demon Realm, promising her protection if she remained by his side. Upon arriving at their residence in the Demon Realm, Xu Feng instructed Jin Mi to find food and wine for his strategy discussion with Run Yu.

While exploring the streets, Jin Mi stopped at a stall, admiring a pair of rabbit ear accessories. When the vendor requested magical power for payment, Run Yu suddenly appeared and offered to pay. However, Xu Feng, observing from a distance with a stern expression, intervened and paid a larger sum. During their interaction, Jin Mi was shocked to learn that the "Fish Fairy" was actually Xu Feng's elder brother, the Night Immortal, a true dragon.

Run Yu explained he was worried about Xu Feng facing the ferocious Qiong Qi alone and had come to assist, assuring his brother he would not be a burden. The next morning, Jin Mi encountered Run Yu's Beast of Dreams and tried to feed it grass. Run Yu explained that his beast only consumed dreams, not grass.

As he elaborated on the nature of dreams—blue for "seen dreams" based on past events and yellow for "thought dreams" born of fantasy—the beast regurgitated a dream bubble. Jin Mi simplified his explanation, which Run Yu affirmed before heading to breakfast. Left alone with the beast, Jin Mi prompted it to produce another dream. It did, releasing a yellow dream bubble depicting Xu Feng kissing a fairy who looked identical to Jin Mi.

Amused by what she took for an "erotic dream," Jin Mi found Xu Feng's unexpected fantasy entertaining. However, the dream bubble was abruptly shattered by a whip wielded by Liu Ying, the Demon Realm general, who demanded to know who Jin Mi was and why she was spying on a Supreme Immortal's dream. Identifying herself as Xu Feng's maidservant, Jin Mi quickly directed Liu Ying to Xu Feng, eager to witness the impending confrontation.

Meanwhile, Xu Feng and Run Yu enjoyed a spicy Demon Realm breakfast. Xu Feng commented on the pleasant change from the bland Heaven Realm cuisine, a remark Run Yu found amusing given his brother's typically refined palate.

Run Yu and Xu Feng were sharing a drink when Liu Ying arrived. Liu Ying, as the Princess of Bian City, was skilled in archery and horsemanship and immediately challenged Xu Feng to a fight. Xu Feng fought without drawing his Red Clouds Sword, which Liu Ying took as a grave insult. Run Yu then explained that Xu Feng’s Red Clouds Sword possessed immense power, forged and sealed by several supreme immortals of Supreme Clarity Heaven.

If unsheathed, it could inflict severe, even fatal, injuries on a demon like Liu Ying, turning her to ashes upon contact. Xu Feng clarified that he considered Liu Ying a friend and would not draw his weapon against a friend. The three then discussed the capture of Qiong Qi.

Liu Ying found Qiong Qi's escape from the Melding Soul Cauldron perplexing, as it was an ancient divine artifact from Xuan Ling Lord Doumu and should have been impossible to break out of without assistance. They suspected that someone within the Demon Realm had helped Qiong Qi escape. Meanwhile, Jin Mi was practicing her magic. When Xu Feng approached, she eagerly asked to learn some secret techniques.

Xu Feng questioned her on the Sasa Mantra, Formless Heart Sutra, and Brahma Spell he had taught her earlier, but Jin Mi was left speechless, unable to recall the spells. Xu Feng chided her for disgracing the Qiwu Palace’s reputation. Trying to appease him, Jin Mi offered him some raisins, jokingly suggesting she was eating them to "replenish her form." Xu Feng found this ridiculous. Jin Mi then brought up his "spring dream" and asked about the fairy in it.

Xu Feng initially denied such a person existed, but Jin Mi insisted she had seen the fairy, who bore a striking resemblance to herself, and that she would easily discover her identity. Cornered, Xu Feng admitted that the fairy was indeed Jin Mi.

To further tease and perhaps scare her, Xu Feng clarified that it was not a spring dream at all; as a bird, he naturally ate fruits, and in his dream, he was merely biting and "eating" her, threatening to peel her like a grape and eat her if she continued to cause trouble instead of cultivating her powers. Jin Mi was utterly terrified.

Xu Feng, seeing her fright, quickly reassured her that dreams should not be taken seriously, but sternly warned her never to spy on an immortal's dream again and to keep their conversation a secret. Jin Mi, however, pointed out that with Run Yu and Liu Ying also aware, four people already knew.

Xu Feng, exasperated, conceded that everything she said was right, and Jin Mi, seizing the moment, lavished him with compliments, calling him the most handsome and kindest man in the six realms, begging him not to transform or bite her again, even in dreams. Shortly after, Liu Ying reported that patrol guards had found traces of Qiong Qi at the foot of Mount Chi Ren.

Xu Feng immediately forbade Jin Mi from accompanying them, stating that Qiong Qi was cunning and powerful, and she would only be a hindrance. Run Yu supported Xu Feng, advising Jin Mi that it was safer for her to remain behind. Xu Feng then instructed her to stay and memorize the Sasa Mantra, promising to test her upon their return. Leaving Jin Mi sealed within the inn, the three set off for Mount Chi Ren.

There, they observed that the scorched, blackened earth was caused by Qiong Qi’s poisonous blood, which corrupted anything it touched, not by lava. They located the cavern where Qiong Qi was hiding but faced a dilemma: killing Qiong Qi outright would cause its flesh and bones to dissolve into highly toxic liquid, devastating the surrounding thousand li and rendering the land barren even for spirits.

To prevent this catastrophe, they decided they needed to first remove Qiong Qi’s demonic nature with the Demon Dagger before re-sealing it in the Melding Soul Cauldron. Liu Ying expressed doubts about the King of Yan City lending the Demon Dagger, known for his possessiveness, but offered to ask her father, the King of Bian City, to act as guarantor. Xu Feng accepted.

Run Yu and Xu Feng then went to the King of Yan City’s palace to request the Demon Dagger. The Demon Lord initially praised their capabilities, urging them to simply kill Qiong Qi. Xu Feng argued against this, explaining the widespread destruction that would result from Qiong Qi's toxic death.

He subtly pressed the King on the suspicious circumstances of Qiong Qi's escape from the Melding Soul Cauldron, implying potential complicity from someone in the Demon Realm and warning that the blame for a future catastrophe would fall directly on him. Run Yu then stepped in to de-escalate, clarifying that they suspected a malevolent force within the Demon Realm was intentionally causing chaos, and that the King of Yan City could clear the Demon Realm’s name by cooperating.

The King, recognizing the gravity of the situation, agreed to investigate thoroughly and grudgingly considered lending the Demon Dagger. He still hesitated, citing the tradition that the Demon Dagger was only wielded by Demon Realm royalty. Run Yu proposed a compromise: a member of the Demon Realm royal family could accompany them. Liu Ying immediately volunteered, but the Demon Lord rejected her, calling it a disgrace to have outsiders and a woman fight.

A minister then suggested the King's two sons, Xuan Shou and Chi Shou, who were both skilled fighters. The King, viewing this as an opportunity for his sons to gain experience under the guidance of two supreme immortals, proudly agreed, calling forth Xuan Shou and Chi Shou, who eagerly boasted of their prowess. Xu Feng cautioned them that subduing Qiong Qi was no game.

Liu Ying reiterated her desire to join the mission, and the King, touched by her loyalty, finally permitted her. Xu Feng expressed his gratitude to the King, his princes, and Princess Liu Ying. Despite the King of Yan City’s decision, Liu Ying grumbled to Run Yu and Xu Feng about the two princes being inexperienced burdens who would only slow them down. They shifted their focus to how to lure Qiong Qi out of its cavern.

Run Yu suggested using bait, noting Qiong Qi’s injured state would make it desperate for food and healing herbs. When discussing its usual diet of human infants, Xu Feng dismissed the idea of sacrificing innocents. Run Yu then remembered ancient texts stating Qiong Qi's fondness for lingzhi. Jin Mi, who had been listening, immediately volunteered to grow the lingzhi, insisting she was the most capable among them.

Xu Feng was hesitant due to the danger, but Jin Mi was adamant, believing Xu Feng would protect her. Jin Mi began planting lingzhi at Mount Chi Ren. Xuan Shou and Chi Shou, impressed by her rapid cultivation, began to playfully suggest selling her for her magical prowess. Xu Feng, infuriated by their crude remarks, threatened to feed them to Qiong Qi, but Run Yu quickly intervened.

When Run Yu indicated that enough lingzhi had been grown and it was time to hide, Jin Mi, worried that it might not be enough to lure Qiong Qi, insisted on planting more. Xuan Shou and Chi Shou, scared, hastily retreated to hide. Run Yu instructed Liu Ying to take a position in ambush and told Xu Feng he would stay with Jin Mi to protect her. Xu Feng reminded Run Yu to also protect himself.

Jin Mi continued to plant the lingzhi, determined to avenge Rou Rou. As Qiong Qi finally emerged from its cave, Xuan Shou and Chi Shou, eager to claim credit, rushed forward with the Demon Dagger but were quickly injured by the beast. Liu Ying, Xu Feng, and Run Yu joined the fray. Jin Mi spotted the dropped Demon Dagger and dashed to retrieve it.

As Qiong Qi lunged at her, she instinctively flung a handful of cactus thorns mixed with pollen into its eyes, temporarily blinding it. With Qiong Qi disoriented, the three immortals worked together to subdue it. Guided by Run Yu’s incantation, Jin Mi successfully wielded the Demon Dagger, purifying Qiong Qi of its demonic nature. Afterward, Jin Mi, still believing she was poisoned by Qiong Qi's blood, tearfully bade farewell, asking Xu Feng to apologize to Chief Peony on her behalf.

Xu Feng, relieved, reassured her that the Demon Dagger had purged all the toxins from her. Proud of her accomplishment, Jin Mi exclaimed how amazing she was. Xu Feng then sealed Qiong Qi within the Melding Soul Cauldron using his Nine Luminaries True Fire, intending to bring it back to the Heaven Realm for the Heavenly Emperor to execute with the "turned to ashes" punishment.

He explained that since Qiong Qi's escape was clearly not an accident, leaving the Melding Soul Cauldron in the Demon Realm, even with an added fire seal, would be pointless. Liu Ying pressed them on who they suspected. Xu Feng and Run Yu admitted they had a strong suspect but no concrete proof and would reveal the name once the investigation concluded.

Run Yu then departed to resume his night duty, reminding Xu Feng to handle the King of Yan City carefully and to rest, as he too had been struck by Qiong Qi. Xu Feng asked him not to disclose the injury to their parents. Soon after, the King of Yan City arrived, horrified to find his son, Xuan Shou, gravely wounded.

King of Yan City was heartbroken upon seeing his critically injured son, Xuan Shou, and angrily confronted Xu Feng, also mentioning Chi Shou's ongoing mental instability. Xu Feng defended himself, explaining that Xuan Shou was stable after receiving 500 years of his magic power and a Golden Reinvigorating Elixir from Supreme Lord Lao. This elixir would cause Xuan Shou to sleep for three days and nights, after which he would naturally awaken once his energy was restored.

However, King of Yan City dismissed this as Xu Feng attempting to evade responsibility, even accusing him of blaspheming the Heavenly Emperor. King of Bian City intervened, suggesting that the true focus should be on apprehending the individual who deliberately released Qiong Qi. He presented his findings: on the day of Qiong Qi's escape, the guard roster at the Soul Suppress Palace had been mysteriously altered, leaving the palace unattended for half an hour during a shift change.

He also discovered dragging marks on the floor around the Melding Soul Cauldron. Given that only high-ranking Heaven Realm immortals, like Xu Feng, possessed the ability to shrink the massive cauldron for transportation, and demons did not, King of Bian City concluded that a powerful figure within the Demon Realm had intentionally orchestrated Qiong Qi's escape to ignite conflict among the six realms.

Based on King of Bian City's astute analysis, King of Yan City became convinced that King of Gu City was the perpetrator. In a private meeting, King of Yan City confronted King of Gu City, striking him with a palm attack and demanding to know if he had released Qiong Qi. King of Gu City admitted his actions, acknowledging that the Demon Lord's attack confirmed his guilt.

He explained his long-standing resentment towards the Heaven Realm, particularly Heavenly Emperor Tai Wei, who he felt had unfairly suppressed the Demon Realm since the great war, despite their historical balance of power. He declared his refusal to continue living under the Heaven Realm's thumb. His reasons for releasing Qiong Qi were two-fold: to exact revenge for a past incident at Wangchuan River and to assess the true strength of the Heaven Realm.

He asserted that the Heaven Realm was now a "paper tiger," much weaker than before, with Xu Feng being their only formidable individual. King of Gu City believed that by eliminating Xu Feng, the Heaven Realm would cease to be a threat. King of Yan City was persuaded and agreed to meticulously plan their next moves.

Later, King of Gu City's subordinate reported that, as instructed, the demon doctor had ensured Chi Shou would remain permanently insane and Xuan Shou would never recover. Despite the internal injury from King of Yan City's attack, King of Gu City remained unfazed, confident that the Demon Lord's reign was short-lived. He vowed that once he ascended to become the ruler of all six realms, he would repay all past humiliations twofold.

Jin Mi brought a bowl of bitter medicine for Xu Feng, explaining that she had spent the entire morning preparing it and that "good medicine always tastes bitter." Xu Feng initially found the medicine too unpleasant to drink, but when Jin Mi threatened to spend more time growing a Lingzhi for him instead, he relented and quickly consumed it.

After finishing, he playfully chided her for looking disheveled after cooking and joked about all the "weird things" she had fed him since their first encounter, from honey to various soups and now this extremely bitter concoction. Xu Feng then praised Jin Mi for her significant contribution in subduing Qiong Qi and offered to ask his father, the Heavenly Emperor, to officially commend her.

When Jin Mi asked for a personal reward, Xu Feng generously offered to transfer 1000 years of his magic power to her. Overjoyed, Jin Mi hugged Xu Feng, explaining that Fox Fairy had taught her that "hug gratitude" meant expressing thanks with a physical embrace. Later, Liu Ying visited Xu Feng, noting his improved health. Xu Feng confirmed he was well and planned to return to the Heaven Realm the following day to report Qiong Qi's capture.

He asked Liu Ying and King of Bian City to continue monitoring King of Yan City and King of Gu City, and Liu Ying assured him of their commitment to maintaining the truce. Meanwhile, Jin Mi, alone, spoke to the Melding Soul Cauldron, assuring her friend Rou Rou, who had died 900 years prior, that she had avenged her and would soon gather enough magic power to bring her back to life.

Suddenly, she heard Rou Rou's voice emanating from inside the cauldron, pleading for help, claiming to be in immense pain and burned by a fire seal. Unbeknownst to Jin Mi, this was Qiong Qi's mind-tricking spell, manipulating her with the illusion of her deepest desire. Bewitched, Jin Mi opened the cauldron and moved to break the supposed "fire seal." Just as she was about to do so, Xu Feng arrived.

He swiftly cast a red-glowing spell that enveloped the illusion, revealing it to be Qiong Qi, which he immediately re-sealed within the cauldron. Xu Feng's hand then showed distinct, dark red bloodstains—symptoms of Qiong Qi's plague needles. He collapsed, but before losing consciousness, he recalled Fox Fairy's words about falling deeply in love and being willing to sacrifice his life, realizing the truth of his profound feelings for Jin Mi.

A distraught Jin Mi, understanding she had been tricked, blamed herself for Xu Feng's injury. Xu Feng reassured her that his cultivation could temporarily resist the poison, but managed to utter "Night Rattan" before completely fainting. A Heavenly doctor confirmed that Xu Feng was suffering from plague needle poisoning, an extremely potent and normally incurable toxin.

The doctor explained that the poison would progress from his skin to his blood, then bone marrow, and finally his heart and lungs, leading to a complete loss of magic power within three days if an antidote wasn't found. Run Yu and Liu Ying were informed of the dire situation.

To prevent widespread panic and chaos across the six realms, Run Yu instructed Immortal Qi Huang and Kuang Lu to return to the Heaven Realm and keep Xu Feng's condition strictly confidential, a request that King of Bian City also pledged to uphold. Jin Mi then remembered Xu Feng's faint mention of "Night Rattan."

Immortal Qi Huang confirmed that the Night Rattan, a sacred plant from the Floral Realm's Pure Fountain that takes 10,000 years to grow, was indeed the antidote. However, they acknowledged the difficulty of obtaining it due to the deep-seated animosity between the Floral and Heaven Realms. Jin Mi bravely volunteered to retrieve it, despite Mr. Hu's warning that Chief Peony remained furious with her for leaving the Water Mirror.

Jin Mi resigned herself to the fact that Chief Peony would likely refuse her request, and Liu Ying offered to accompany her for support. Run Yu approved, promising to wait with Xu Feng outside the Floral Realm. Jin Mi departed, vowing to save Xu Feng. Upon arriving in the Floral Realm, Jin Mi and Liu Ying were met by Lian Qiao, who initially reacted with fear towards Liu Ying, mistaking her for a typical monster of the Demon Realm.

Jin Mi then consulted Mr. Hu about how to acquire the Night Rattan from Chief Peony. Mr. Hu confirmed that Chief Peony was still very angry about Jin Mi's unauthorized departure from the Water Mirror and would never willingly part with the sacred Night Rattan, which he himself had only seen once in a millennium.

Realizing that a direct request would be futile, Jin Mi decided she would use her transformation skills to sneak into Chuying Court and steal a plant, with Liu Ying joining her. Inside Chuying Court, Jin Mi began searching frantically through numerous plants. Her actions did not go unnoticed, and Chief Peony soon discovered her.

Liu Ying immediately stepped forward to explain Xu Feng's critical state from the plague needles, desperately pleading with Chief Peony for the Night Rattan and promising future repayment. However, Chief Peony sternly refused, citing the Floral Realm's long-standing feud with the Heaven Realm and coldly stating that Xu Feng, as a supreme immortal, could simply regain his magic power over a few millennia. Jin Mi interrupted, revealing that Xu Feng had been injured while protecting her.

An enraged Chief Peony quickly silenced Jin Mi, accusing her of constantly causing trouble. She ordered Jin Mi to be taken back to the Water Mirror and confined for a month of reflection, while simultaneously having Liu Ying bound and forcefully thrown out of the Floral Realm's protective barrier. Outside the barrier, a frustrated Liu Ying, despite being overwhelmed by multiple flower fairies, vowed to retrieve the Night Rattan.

Inside, Jin Mi continued to argue with Chief Peony, appealing to her kindness and arguing that others should not be punished for her mistakes. Chief Peony, however, remained unyielding, scolding Jin Mi for her "ill-mannered and willful" behavior and confirming her one-month confinement. Jin Mi desperately pleaded with her to save Xu Feng first, offering to accept any punishment afterward. Mr. Hu expressed his deep concern for Jin Mi.

Trapped in her confinement, Jin Mi lamented Chief Peony's "iron heart" and resolved to grow the Night Rattan herself. She asked Mr. Hu for a detailed description, and he obliged, drawing a sketch and explaining its characteristics: green leaves, blue flowers, growing on the north side of a mountain, and blooming only once a millennium.

Jin Mi then embarked on countless attempts to grow the Night Rattan using water from the Pure Fountain, but each effort failed, leaving her increasingly disheartened. Meanwhile, outside the Floral Realm, Run Yu was bravely transferring his water-element magic power to Xu Feng to stabilize his critical condition. Kuang Lu expressed concern, reminding him that ice and fire were opposing elements, making direct power transfer impossible and warning of severe backlash and qi deviation if he proceeded.

Run Yu explained his method: he would first use a portion of his spiritual power to heat his internal water-element spiritual power, then transfer the vaporized true qi into Xu Feng's body. He acknowledged the immense danger to himself but disregarded the risks, stating that Xu Feng's life was paramount and he could not afford to be cautious in such urgent circumstances. As Jin Mi was about to give up, she accidentally pricked her finger.

A drop of her blood fell onto a red rope and then onto the soil, and to her amazement, a Night Rattan miraculously sprouted. Mr. Hu confirmed its authenticity, and with the precious Night Rattan now obtained, he helped Jin Mi sneak out of the Floral Realm by having her transform into her true form. Jin Mi successfully met Run Yu and the others outside the Floral Realm, bringing the vital Night Rattan.

Relieved and hopeful, they quickly prepared the antidote. Jin Mi ground the Night Rattan into juice and personally fed it to Xu Feng, who made a swift and complete recovery. Upon regaining consciousness, Xu Feng immediately reached for and held Jin Mi's hand. At that precise moment, Chief Peony appeared. Witnessing their affectionate exchange, she sternly reprimanded both of them for their "frivolous" and inappropriate behavior.

Jin Mi attempted to take full blame for her actions, trying to protect Mr. Hu and Lian Qiao. However, Xu Feng intervened, accepting responsibility for initially bringing Jin Mi out of the Water Mirror and offering himself for punishment instead. Chief Peony dismissed his intervention, asserting that the internal affairs of the Floral Realm were none of his concern.

She sharply warned him to "behave yourself and mind your speech," implicitly accusing him of being a womanizer and explicitly stating that the fairies of the Floral Realm were off-limits for him, regardless of his charms. Xu Feng, however, steadfastly denied any misconduct and unequivocally declared to Chief Peony that Jin Mi "is indeed the one I cherish."

Xu Feng openly declared his profound affection for Jin Mi, stating she was truly the one his heart was set on, and offered to face any punishment for being in the Floral Realm. Chief Peony sternly rejected him, asserting that the Floral Realm's affairs were not for outsiders to meddle with and warned him not to harbor any intentions toward their fairies, especially Jin Mi. She flatly told him not to expect to see Jin Mi again.

Xu Feng tried to suggest there might be a misunderstanding between the Heaven and Floral Realms, promising to visit again to clarify his sincerity. Jin Mi, hearing Xu Feng mention owing her 1000 years of magic power, eagerly reminded him of his promise. Chief Peony, however, remained firm, assuring Xu Feng he would not be allowed to see Jin Mi again, and then spirited Jin Mi away into the Water Mirror.

Chief Peony took Jin Mi to the Floral Immortal’s Mausoleum and commanded her to truthfully answer questions before the late Floral Immortal. Jin Mi revealed that besides Xu Feng, Moon Immortal, Liao Ting, Fei Xu, Sui He, and Liu Ying had all seen her true form.

Chief Peony became deeply worried about Jin Mi's true identity being exposed, but was relieved when Jin Mi denied having romantic feelings for Xu Feng, claiming their interactions were merely reciprocal gestures for promised magic power.

Satisfied that the Yun Elixir was still intact and effective, Chief Peony made Jin Mi swear before the late Floral Immortal that she would sever all ties with the Heaven Realm, threatening severe consequences for breaking the oath, including losing her magic power and being reincarnated as a mortal, and even a carrot.

After Chief Peony left, Jin Mi secretly rationalized that her oath only applied to "people" of the Heaven Realm, thus exempting immortals like Xu Feng, Run Yu, and Moon Immortal. Later, Chief Peony confessed her anxieties to Mr. Hu, regretting that Jin Mi had gotten entangled with the Heaven Realm.

Mr. Hu comforted her, reminding her that with the Yun Elixir, Jin Mi was incapable of romantic love and would therefore be spared the pain that the late Floral Immortal suffered. Xu Feng returned to the Floral Realm, where Jin Mi's friends were discussing his potential visit. When he appeared, Jin Mi was excited, believing he was there to fulfill his promise of 1000 years of magic power. However, Chief Peony and the other Chiefs received him coldly.

Xu Feng reiterated his love for Jin Mi and requested to see her, but the Chiefs accused him of being infatuated with her appearance. Xu Feng countered that his affection stemmed from her pure and innocent nature, not her looks. The Chiefs remained unmoved, hinting that the reason for their refusal was deeply intertwined with the Heaven Realm.

This sparked a memory in Xu Feng of his father, the Heavenly Emperor, often gazing at a painting of a woman who resembled the late Floral Immortal, leading him to a painful misunderstanding about his father's past with the Floral Immortal. Heartbroken, he turned to leave. Jin Mi, still unaware of his true feelings, called out to him, eager to claim her promised magic power.

Xu Feng, though unable to see her due to an illusion spell cast by the Chiefs, sensed her presence. He expressed his anguish, comparing their situation to the Phoenix flowers that bloom for destiny's beginning and end, acknowledging their fated separation. He told her to take care of herself when he is gone, as it seemed their connection was meant to end.

Jin Mi, confused by his cryptic words and still focused on the magic power, continued to call his name as the Chiefs led Xu Feng away. Uncomprehending of Xu Feng's sorrowful words, Jin Mi suddenly experienced an unfamiliar sharp pain in her chest, caused by the Yun Elixir reacting to their emotional separation, and she fainted. In her dreams, she found herself in a desolate, icy landscape where she encountered a woman named Frost Blossom.

Frost Blossom confided that she was in love and pleaded with Jin Mi to help her escape. Jin Mi, believing it to be an interesting dream, attempted to use magic to free her, but failed. When she woke, Chief Peony was by her side, concerned, and Jin Mi attributed her chest pain to eating something bad. Chief Peony, still cross with Jin Mi, reiterated her punishment of confinement within the Water Mirror, forbidding her to leave.

Jin Mi pondered the strange pain and the meaning of her dream. Back in the Heaven Realm, Xu Feng and Run Yu presented the captured Qiong Qi to the Heavenly Emperor. Run Yu requested Qiong Qi be sentenced to death, a suggestion Xu Feng agreed with, but the Heavenly Emperor declared Qiong Qi's fate was beyond their decree and that he would handle it himself.

The Heavenly Emperor also expressed his admiration for the Floral Realm's generosity in providing the sacred Night Rattan for Xu Feng's recovery. Xu Feng explained that a fairy named Jin Mi had been instrumental in both his recovery and the recapture of Qiong Qi, but she was currently confined in the Water Mirror for breaking Floral Realm rules. The Heavenly Emperor acknowledged her contributions, promising to invite her to the Heaven Realm for commendation once Chief Peony’s anger subsided.

Xu Feng, eager to share the credit, highlighted Run Yu’s significant efforts in his recovery, mentioning how Run Yu had selflessly transferred his own magic power. Pleased with their display of brotherhood, the Heavenly Emperor rewarded both princes with 10,000-year-old fire ginseng and 1,000-year-old snow lotus for their recuperation.

No sooner had Xu Feng returned to his Qiwu Palace than Sui He arrived, clearly displeased to find him in the company of Liu Ying, who addressed him informally as "Brother Feng." Sui He exchanged cold pleasantries with Liu Ying, subtly disparaging her demon origins. Xu Feng clarified that Liu Ying was his invited guest. The Moon Immortal also appeared, warmly greeting Xu Feng and gently chiding Run Yu for his infrequent visits.

Mistaking Liu Ying for Jin Mi initially, Moon Immortal was amused to learn she was the daughter of the King of Bian City, whom he had personally arranged a marriage for. Praising Liu Ying's candid and lively personality, he expressed his delight in her. Moon Immortal then inquired about Jin Mi, disappointed to hear she had returned to the Floral Realm, and urged Xu Feng to bring her back, even offering to tie a red string to ensure their marriage.

Run Yu reminded Moon Immortal of his own existing engagement, to which Moon Immortal promised to help locate his betrothed, the Water Immortal's daughter, or find him new matches. Impressed by Moon Immortal’s matchmaking skills, Liu Ying asked for a red string for herself, which Moon Immortal gladly provided, instructing her on its use to secure her chosen lover.

Upon learning of Xu Feng's injury, the Heavenly Empress rushed to his side and immediately suspected Run Yu, questioning why only Xu Feng was harmed when both princes battled Qiong Qi. Xu Feng downplayed his injury as a minor setback due to his own carelessness and defended Run Yu, explaining that both his brother and Liu Ying had protected him and cured him in time, and that the Heavenly Emperor himself was not blaming anyone.

The Heavenly Empress was still suspicious. Xu Feng then inquired if the Heavenly Emperor had other children besides him and Run Yu, specifically asking about a painting of the late Floral Immortal he had seen in the Xingjing Court. The Heavenly Empress became enraged at the mention of the Floral Immortal, whom she referred to as the "demoness Zi Fen."

She recounted the humiliating past, revealing that the Heavenly Emperor had nearly deposed her as Empress for Zi Fen, only for her to save herself. Xu Feng, distressed by these revelations and connecting it to his earlier conversation with the Chiefs in the Floral Realm, interpreted his mother's words to mean Jin Mi might be the Heavenly Emperor's child with the Floral Immortal, believing their destiny was over.

The Heavenly Empress, misinterpreting his distress as a realization of his "rightful" position, pledged to eliminate all obstacles for him to secure his status. Xu Feng, however, asked her to cease her vengeful thoughts against Run Yu and the Heavenly Emperor, stating he had no ambition to usurp his father and only wished for his parents to live long and for him to remain filial.

Annoyed by his apparent lack of ambition, the Heavenly Empress ordered him to rest and not wander off. As Run Yu was heading to Xingjing Court for some books, he encountered the Heavenly Emperor, who was troubled by the Qiong Qi incident. The Heavenly Emperor sought Run Yu’s perspective.

Run Yu deduced that Qiong Qi could not have escaped the cauldron by himself, suggesting that a powerful figure within the Demon Realm deliberately caused the chaos to disrupt the balance of the six realms, thus becoming a common enemy. The Heavenly Emperor, who harbored ambitions of unifying the six realms, then asked for Run Yu’s opinion on such a unification.

Run Yu cautioned that unifying the realms would inevitably lead to war and asserted that no single realm, not even the Heaven Realm, currently possessed the absolute strength to achieve it. The Heavenly Emperor pondered Run Yu’s insights and, deciding to bide his time for greater success, chose to spare Qiong Qi's life, warning the beast not to disappoint him again. Meanwhile, Sui He continued to express her suspicions to the Heavenly Empress regarding the circumstances of Xu Feng's injury, implying foul play.

Sui He suspected there were hidden motives behind Xu Feng's injury in the Demon Realm. She expressed frustration to the Heavenly Empress that Xu Feng didn't seem to align with her and criticized Princess of Bian City, Liu Ying, for her overly familiar attitude towards Xu Feng, fearing the gossip it would stir in the Heaven Realm. The Heavenly Empress dismissed Liu Ying's actions as mere "demon's tricks." However, she asked Sui He for her opinion on Xu Feng's injury.

Sui He insisted that given Xu Feng's cultivation, he couldn't have been easily wounded, and Liu Ying wouldn't allow a helper from the Heaven Realm to get hurt. She concluded that there must be another story behind the incident. The Heavenly Empress then ordered Sui He to investigate the Demon Realm, paying close attention to Qiong Qi and the three Demon Kings, to see if Run Yu was secretly colluding with them.

Sui He summoned Kuang Lu, a soldier recently conscripted into Xuanji Palace. Sui He offered Kuang Lu a prestigious position under Fire Immortal at the Divine Army Mansion if she would keep a close eye on Run Yu, reporting every detail of his daily activities, meetings, and conversations. Kuang Lu, however, was wary. She questioned Sui He's authority to make such transfers and revealed that she had voluntarily joined Xuanji Palace, not because she was late for conscription.

Angered by Kuang Lu's perceived lack of ambition, Sui He threatened her, clarifying that the order to monitor Run Yu came directly from the Heavenly Empress. Upon returning to Xuanji Palace, Kuang Lu shared the Heavenly Empress’s scheme with Run Yu, lamenting the desolate state of the palace. Run Yu confided that many had been sent to spy on him over the millennia, but none had passed the test and all had been driven away.

Kuang Lu, admitting her fear of the Heavenly Empress, reaffirmed her loyalty to Run Yu and asked him to trust her as much as he trusted his Beast of Dreams. Run Yu thanked her, saying he was long accustomed to being disliked and believed that as long as he made no mistakes, the Empress could not harm him. Meanwhile, Jin Mi remained confined within Chief Peony's barrier.

When she wished for a meteor, hoping it would bring Xu Feng, Run Yu appeared instead, creating an illusion of shooting stars. Jin Mi, overjoyed, expressed her boredom and asked Run Yu to take her out of the Water Mirror so she could see the outside world. After a slight hesitation, Run Yu agreed. Jin Mi was amazed by his ability to easily bypass a barrier that even Lao Hu struggled with, praising his limitless future.

Run Yu downplayed his feat, then led her out of the Floral Realm. In the Demon Realm, the King of Gu City's subordinate complained that the Heavenly Emperor had gone silent after taking Qiong Qi, reneging on his promise to attack the Demon Lord. He called the Emperor unreliable, recalling how he had abandoned them after the Heaven-Demon War and regretting their decision to release Qiong Qi for him.

The subordinate worried that their plan to remove the Demon Lord was now thwarted. The King of Gu City, however, remained calm. He stated that he would not rush for the Demon Lord's throne, having his own methods to secure it. He believed the ambitious Heavenly Emperor would not be satisfied with just the Heaven and Demon Realms.

He decided to let the Heavenly Emperor use Qiong Qi to "fight at the front," while he would wait for the opportune moment to unite all six realms. Sui He reported back to the Heavenly Empress, confirming that Xu Feng was indeed injured by Qiong Qi and that Run Yu had no contact with the Demon Kings. The Heavenly Empress dismissed Run Yu, feeling she had overestimated him.

Sui He then shifted suspicion to Jin Mi, reminding the Empress that Jin Mi had served as Xu Feng's page boy. Sui He highlighted that Qiong Qi had inexplicably escaped the Soul Cauldron, despite Xu Feng’s powerful seals, and that Jin Mi was present when Xu Feng was poisoned, implying her involvement.

She also pointed out the suspicious ease with which Night Rattan, a sacred Floral Realm object, was provided to save Xu Feng, given the long-standing grudges between the two realms. The Heavenly Empress ordered Sui He to keep the investigation secret and dispatched Qi Yuan to the Floral Realm to investigate Jin Mi.

Qi Yuan returned to report that the Floral Realm appeared normal, except for a courtyard within the Water Mirror barrier, which was sealed by a powerful Peony spell. Fearing to alarm the chiefs, he had not entered. Sensing something amiss, the Heavenly Empress decided to go to the Floral Realm herself. She offered Chief Peony a "thank you" gift, citing the Floral Realm's generosity in providing Night Rattan to save Xu Feng.

Chief Peony, however, attributed Xu Feng’s recovery to fate and politely refused the Empress's gratitude. The Heavenly Empress then directly asked to see Jin Mi, stating her presence at Xu Feng's poisoning. Chief Peony refused, explaining that Jin Mi had committed a serious error and was undergoing repentance, seeing no one.

She advised the Empress to question Xu Feng directly about the attack and reminded her that the Heaven Realm, especially someone of her status, had no right to interfere in the Floral Realm's internal affairs. Despite Chief Peony’s efforts to dismiss her, the Heavenly Empress persisted. Convinced that Chief Peony's evasiveness was a cover-up, the Heavenly Empress resolved to confront Jin Mi herself. She broke through the barrier surrounding Jin Mi’s courtyard.

Chief Peony rushed to stop her, accusing the dignified Heavenly Empress of lowering herself to break into a fairy's room. The Heavenly Empress demanded to know Jin Mi’s identity and why she was protected by a double-layered barrier. Chief Peony retorted that it was none of her business. They both entered the house, only to find Jin Mi gone.

Xu Feng, alone and deep in thought, seemed troubled, lamenting that he might not even be worthy enough to be heartbroken for Jin Mi. Run Yu visited a sullen Jin Mi at his palace, who admitted she was worried about Xu Feng's injuries and wished to visit him. Run Yu reassured her that Xu Feng had recovered after taking the Night Rattan and was recuperating.

However, Qiwu Palace was bustling with visitors, and her appearance there would undoubtedly draw attention, exposing her hiding place in the Heaven Realm. Jin Mi reluctantly agreed not to go. She then asked to see the meteors again, and Run Yu offered to show her something "even more special"—the Heavenly River.

As they admired the beautiful, tranquil expanse of stars, Jin Mi observed that Run Yu's duties were far more solitary than the lively day-time duties of the Maori Star Guardian. Run Yu sighed that he was "fated to be alone," having lived for millennia eating, practicing, reading, and sleeping by himself, thus never experiencing enough liveliness to truly know loneliness.

To comfort him, Jin Mi gave him a night-blooming cereus seed, explaining that it only bloomed at night, much like him, and could be his companion. Run Yu was delighted, promising to care for it and hoping they could watch it bloom together. Jin Mi then requested to stay at Xuanji Palace, asking Run Yu not to return her to the Water Mirror. Run Yu readily agreed, promising not to send her back.

Just then, Kuang Lu arrived with urgent news: Chief Peony was coming to the Heaven Realm to retrieve Jin Mi. Panicked, Jin Mi suggested hiding in Run Yu’s palace, but Run Yu, while touched by her trust, advised that the Heaven Realm was not the best place for long-term freedom. Jin Mi, unfamiliar with the six realms, asked for his guidance.

Run Yu suggested the mortal world, where the myriad of mundane life and mixed scents would make it nearly impossible to track her. Jin Mi praised his insight and cleverness. Run Yu arranged a quiet residence for Jin Mi in the mortal world, giving her the alias "Ling Guang" and dressing her in men's clothes. The local Earth Immortal, drawn by the celestial aura, soon arrived.

Run Yu introduced Jin Mi as "Mister Ling Guang," a friend experiencing troubles who would be staying for a few days, asking the Earth Immortal to look after him. The Earth Immortal, who revealed he was a former mountain bandit, pledged to protect Ling Guang at all costs. While wandering, Jin Mi, still disguised as Ling Guang, encountered Yan You at a restaurant. They shared some wine and osmanthus duck.

Jin Mi found the mortal wine too strong, comparing it unfavorably to Yan You's "immortal-brewed wine." Yan You discussed the four greatest pleasures of life: eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying. Jin Mi mentioned that Run Yu had been keeping her company, playing chess and zither, and discussing poetry and books. She then asked Yan You what "playing and enjoying" truly meant. Yan You, finding the Heaven Realm too boring, promised to show her the real pleasures of the mortal world.

He led her to a cloth store that served as a front for an underground gambling house. Inside, Jin Mi found mahjong uninteresting because she won every time. She preferred the back-and-forth challenge of chess with Run Yu over winning mere money. Meanwhile, Xu Feng also arrived in the mortal world, searching for Jin Mi.

He questioned the local Earth Immortal about a beautiful young lady or a fairy child with a grape vine, but they denied seeing anyone matching her description. Xu Feng was perplexed, as Jin Mi's scent was clearly strong in the area. Back in the Heaven Realm, the Heavenly Emperor visited Luo Lin's residence. They shared a drink, and the Emperor reminisced about Zi Fen. Luo Lin, however, was reluctant to dwell on the past.

The Heavenly Emperor then informed Luo Lin that the Heavenly Empress’s birthday was approaching and, given her suspicious nature, he and the Wind God, Lin Xiu, must attend to avoid inviting criticism. Luo Lin agreed. The Heavenly Emperor then lamented that his son had been engaged for 4,000 years, but his future daughter-in-law was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, Chief Peony and other flower fairies forcibly entered Qiwu Palace, demanding Jin Mi from Xu Feng.

Xu Feng insisted he did not have her and that she was not in his palace. Chief Peony, however, was adamant, believing only Xu Feng could have taken Jin Mi from the Water Mirror. Xu Feng reiterated his promise not to meet Jin Mi in the Floral Realm and stated he had only just learned of her disappearance and was about to search for her.

The Heavenly Empress then arrived, chastising Chief Peony for her lack of manners and baseless accusations. She declared that Jin Mi was not there. The Empress ordered Chief Peony to leave, while Xu Feng vowed that he would find Jin Mi himself.

An Earth Immortal, his face flushed, was showing Yan You and Jin Mi his special "immortal brewed wine," praising its exquisite quality. Before he could finish his accolades, he collapsed in a drunken stupor. Yan You then enthusiastically introduced Jin Mi to the "four greatest pleasures of the mortal world": eating, drinking, playing, and enjoying. Intrigued by the concepts of "playing" and "enjoying," Jin Mi agreed to accompany Yan You to experience them.

Their first stop was a small fabric shop that concealed a hidden underground gambling den. With her acute senses, Jin Mi quickly mastered mahjong, winning so much that the exasperated owner expelled them after only a few hours. Finding mahjong rather dull, Jin Mi asked Yan You to take her to experience the final pleasure: "enjoying." Yan You then led Jin Mi to a brothel.

Jin Mi was immediately put off by the strong "scent of cosmetics," which Yan You explained was used by the girls there to attract guests. When Yan You requested the most popular girls, the attendants called out "Peony, Peachblossom!" Hearing these names, Yan You panicked and hastily dragged Jin Mi out, explaining that Chief Peony (Mudan) would surely punish him if she discovered him in such a place.

He also realized his mistake in bringing Jin Mi, a girl, to such an establishment. Next, Yan You brought Jin Mi to a theater, introducing her to a play called "Dong Xian," which depicted the story of Emperor Ai and his favorite official. As they watched, Jin Mi observed the flirtatious actions between a male performer and a patron, particularly the line, "Ying Ge, let me take good care of you."

Suddenly, Xu Feng appeared in the theater, enraged to find Jin Mi among patrons. He struck one of the men, causing everyone to scatter in fear. Xu Feng sternly rebuked Yan You, reminding him that Jin Mi no longer owed him any magical prowess and warning him never to interfere with Qiwu Palace again. At that moment, Run Yu also arrived, chastising Yan You for his thieving ways and declaring Jin Mi his honored guest.

Yan You, caught between the two princes, sarcastically questioned their sudden gathering. Run Yu then urged Xu Feng to leave with Jin Mi, stating that he and Yan You needed to have a "good talk." Xu Feng, without a word, took Jin Mi away. As Xu Feng and Jin Mi left the theater, Run Yu and Yan You caught up to them. Jin Mi, concerned about being taken back to the Floral Realm, quickly spoke up.

Xu Feng accused Run Yu of deliberately hiding Jin Mi's scent in the mortal realm, expressing his surprise at Run Yu's sudden "warm-hearted" concern for Jin Mi, which was unlike his usual detached demeanor. Run Yu admitted to helping Jin Mi as she was his friend and "locked up," but claimed ignorance about her presence in the theater. He also apologized for the commotion caused by Chief Peony's misunderstanding with Xu Feng.

Jin Mi, sensing the growing tension, quickly proposed they taste her homemade osmanthus wine, to which Xu Feng questioned who had taught her about the "four pleasures" concept. The two princes first hung Yan You upside down outside the residence. The Earth Immortal, who was also hanging nearby with Yan You, profusely apologized for his earlier misguidance, admitting he was mistaken about the "four pleasures" and shouldn't have led Jin Mi to the gambling den and brothel.

Run Yu, appreciating Jin Mi's osmanthus wine, made a deal to learn her secret recipe when the night-blooming cereus bloomed. Xu Feng and Run Yu then reminisced about their infrequent opportunities to drink together. Jin Mi, wanting to rescue Yan You, decided to get both princes drunk. She secretly consulted with Yan You, who assured her that the wine, made from a stolen recipe, was potent enough to fell even immortals.

Taking the opportunity to refill their cups, she replaced the remaining wine with the potent osmanthus brew. After several more bottles, both princes eventually passed out. Jin Mi managed to drag Xu Feng into a room, intent on acquiring his thousand years of magical prowess while he was intoxicated. When she initially tried to take it directly, he resisted even in his stupor.

Xu Feng then briefly regained consciousness and, remembering his promise, gave Jin Mi a Water Spirit Pearl to help mitigate the fire-element in his power before transferring the thousand years of spiritual energy. He then collapsed back into her arms. Jin Mi, misinterpreting his actions and his unconscious state, recalled the romantic scenes she had witnessed at the theater and playfully "teased" the unconscious Xu Feng, imitating the actor's lines.

In his drunken state, Xu Feng removed Jin Mi's magical hair clasp, pulled her close, and began to remove her clothing. Just as he leaned in to kiss her, his consciousness suddenly cleared, and he quickly left the room, lamenting that their actions were a "mistake" that went against their "virtues" and would lead to them "perishing like smoke." Jin Mi, still half-asleep and intoxicated, dismissed his concerns before falling completely unconscious. Xu Feng emerged from the room, sighing deeply.

Yan You, still hanging upside down, taunted him about wasting a beautiful night. Xu Feng, annoyed, questioned Yan You's persistent presence around Jin Mi. Yan You, seeing an opportunity for release, offered to reveal why Jin Mi was so obsessed with magical prowess. Once untied, Yan You recounted a tragic past: his friend Rou Rou had been gravely injured by Qiong Qi's plague needles while protecting Jin Mi.

Although Yan You intervened to drive Qiong Qi away, Rou Rou's heart vessels were shattered, and Yan You's limited power couldn't save her. Witnessing her friend's primordial spirit perish, Jin Mi vowed to accumulate enough magical prowess to revive Rou Rou. Yan You confessed that he had lied to Jin Mi, giving her false hope that Rou Rou could be reborn as an immortal if Jin Mi cultivated enough power, simply to give her a reason to live.

He then explained that Jin Mi's seemingly heartless nature sometimes hid a deeply compassionate heart, and she likely hadn't told Xu Feng because she considered him family and didn't want him to share her sorrow. After Yan You departed, Run Yu appeared, having overheard the conversation. He commended Jin Mi's loyalty and recognized Yan You as a formidable figure.

Xu Feng confirmed that he had previously tested Yan You, finding his pure and profound magical prowess to be superior to the other eleven Zodiac Immortals. Run Yu found it strange that Yan You seemed to surrender easily to him but possessed such hidden strength. They discussed how Yan You, despite cultivating water-based spells, was impervious to Xu Feng's fire attacks.

These inconsistencies, coupled with Yan You's familiarity with Qiwu Palace when he sought Jin Mi, raised suspicions, leading them to consider if Yan You could be the "man in black" who had disrupted Xu Feng's Nirvana. Run Yu suggested they monitor Yan You's actions rather than confront him directly, to discover who was behind him, and agreed that Yan You should be kept away from Jin Mi.

When Jin Mi woke up, she found a phoenix feather hairpin left for her. She dressed up and adorned it. When Run Yu came to her, he asked about her night, to which she replied she slept well and joked about the potent osmanthus wine. He revealed that Xu Feng had left early to visit their mother for her upcoming birthday.

Run Yu then noticed the phoenix feather hairpin and complimented its uniqueness, though he subtly suggested it was "striking" and less elegant than her previous grape vine magical hair clasp. Jin Mi, realizing Run Yu's preference, offered to give him the magical hair clasp, which he gratefully accepted. Jin Mi and Run Yu then played mahjong, with Jin Mi winning yet again.

She offered to treat Run Yu to breakfast with her winnings, excitedly explaining how "yellow and white stuffs" (money) could be used in the mortal world to buy food, clothes, positions, and even wives and children. Run Yu politely declined the offer of wives, reminding her he was already engaged. Jin Mi then attempted to conjure buns with a spell but accidentally created hailstones instead, showcasing her rudimentary magic.

The Earth Immortal, who had recovered from his drunken stupor, arrived to bid farewell to them before heading to Lord Lao's elixir chamber for his punishment. He noticed Jin Mi, still in her male disguise, and asked Run Yu to identify her.

Today marks the Heavenly Empress's birthday, but Run Yu is in no hurry to attend the celebration. He explains to Jin Mi that he is not the Heavenly Empress's biological son; his birth mother was merely a common spirit who passed away long ago, leading to his adoption by the Heavenly Empress.

He reminisces about the early years when his relationship with the Heavenly Empress was harmonious, but after Xu Feng's birth, her concern for her son's claim to the throne caused their bond to gradually fray. Jin Mi suggests that while his presence might displease the Heavenly Empress, fulfilling his filial duties would demonstrate his propriety. Convinced, Run Yu decides to attend the banquet.

Upon Run Yu's arrival at the Southern Heavenly Gate, Kuang Lu appears, presenting a beautiful crystal bottle intended for collecting dew. Run Yu praises the quality of items from Immortal Tai Si's mansion, revealing his knowledge of Kuang Lu's lineage. She then asks if the dew he has diligently collected over the past few years, irradiated by starlight, is meant as a birthday gift for the Heavenly Empress, but Run Yu offers no reply.

Meanwhile, Jin Mi, bored alone in the residence, is surprised by the sudden appearance of Yan You. He tempts her with stories of thousands of holy peaches, grown on hundred-thousand-year-old trees watered by holy water, which ripen only every three thousand years and are renowned for significantly boosting magic power.

Although Jin Mi initially worries about alarming Chief Peony and risking capture, the promise of these power-boosting peaches and the slim chance of meeting a Da Luo Jin Xian who might save Rou Rou, persuades her. At the Southern Heavenly Gate, Yan You and Jin Mi are stopped by Heaven Guardians who demand an invitation. Yan You's initial attempt to use his friendship with Moon Immortal proves futile. Instead, he retrieves a Phoenix Feather hairpin from Jin Mi's bun.

Recognizing it as Fire Immortal Xu Feng's personal treasure and a symbol of power, the Heaven Guardians respectfully grant them entry. Yan You advises Jin Mi to keep the feather safe, noting its significant utility. Once seated at the banquet, Yan You points out various immortals to Jin Mi, including the Water Immortal and Wind God.

Yan You, who claims to have written "The Beauty Encyclopedia," details other goddesses like Wushan Goddess Yao Ji, known for her sexy plumpness but thick waist, and Nvying from Xiangshui, whose delicate beauty is endearing but makes her too fragile. He also mentions Jing Wei, a heroic figure who once filled the sea with pebbles but possesses an overly strong personality for most men. He laments the decline of beauties, praising the late Flower God Zi Fen as incomparably beautiful.

Jin Mi feels an unusual sense of familiarity and calm upon seeing the Water Immortal, though Yan You finds this strange, describing the Water Immortal as aloof and detached from the world, despite once being ranked the most handsome man in the realms. Jin Mi then overhears other guests speculating that the lavish banquet is also intended to finalize Xu Feng's marriage. Learning that Xu Feng is to choose a wife, Jin Mi experiences an inexplicable pain in her chest.

Yan You clarifies that despite Xu Feng's high status as a prince, his marriage is a political matter beyond his personal choice. The Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress make their grand entrance, commanding everyone's attention. All the immortals bow in reverence to wish the Heavenly Empress a long life. Run Yu approaches the Heavenly Empress separately to offer his birthday wishes. Noticing the simple vine hairpin he wears, the Heavenly Empress inquires about its origin.

Run Yu explains that it is a gift from a cherished friend and, though ordinary compared to other ornate hairpins, it holds immeasurable value to him. Xu Feng, observing from a distance, immediately recognizes the vine hairpin as belonging to Jin Mi, feeling a tumult of emotions. Suddenly, Jin Mi spots a rat on her lap and screams in fright. The Heavenly Empress, irritated by the disturbance, uses her magic to dispel Jin Mi's illusion, revealing her true form.

Both the Heavenly Emperor and Water Immortal are struck by Jin Mi's striking resemblance to the late Flower God Zi Fen, momentarily lost in contemplation. Moon Immortal quickly intervenes, releasing Jin Mi from the magical binds and fabricating a story that Jin Mi is Xu Feng's attendant, raised in Qiwu Palace since childhood. The Heavenly Emperor and Water Immortal press for more details about her origins, learning she is from the Floral Realm's Water Mirror.

As they ponder this revelation, Moon Immortal deftly diverts the conversation, sparing Jin Mi further interrogation. To shift the Heavenly Empress's focus, the Heavenly Emperor suggests Sui He perform her special dance. The Heavenly Empress is delighted and arranges for Sui He to sit beside Xu Feng. The two engage in intimate whispers, appearing to be a perfect couple. The Heavenly Empress remarks that they resemble a painting in her palace titled "A Perfect Match of Pearl and Jade."

Jin Mi, recalling seeing the same painting in Moon Immortal's picture album, innocently speculates aloud that Sui He must have engaged in "spirit training" with Xu Feng. Sui He is enraged, accusing Jin Mi of talking nonsense. Unaware of the true meaning of "spirit training," Jin Mi, in her desire to boost her magic, boldly suggests she and Sui He "discuss the secrets of spirit training" for mutual advancement.

The Heavenly Empress is furious at Jin Mi's "offensive and indecent" words, ordering Thunder God and Lightning Goddess to drag her out and execute her. Xu Feng quickly rises to plead for Jin Mi's life, but the Heavenly Empress's attack is launched directly at Jin Mi, who is instantly protected by the Phoenix Feather she wears. Xu Feng and Run Yu kneel before the Heavenly Empress, begging for her mercy.

Seeing the escalating tension, Yan You quickly spirits Jin Mi away. The Heavenly Empress commands Thunder God and Lightning Goddess to pursue and apprehend them, with Xu Feng and Run Yu also giving chase. Realizing that only Xu Feng can truly protect Jin Mi, Yan You entrusts her to him, then departs with a playful promise to train harder to win her back.

Fearing Xu Feng will take her back to the Heaven Realm for execution, Jin Mi expresses her concern. Xu Feng, hurt that she still doesn't understand his feelings, promises to personally escort her back to the Floral Realm, stating that they must never meet again. Jin Mi feels a familiar ache in her chest as she hears his words. Soon after, Run Yu, Chief Peony, and Chief Begonia arrive.

Thunder God and Lightning Goddess, having caught up, attempt to take Jin Mi away under the Heavenly Empress's orders. However, Xu Feng asserts his authority, reminding them that their loyalty lies with him, not the Heavenly Empress, and orders them to return to the Heaven Realm immediately. They comply. Run Yu then takes responsibility for having taken Jin Mi out of the Water Mirror, apologizing to the two Chiefs for the trouble caused.

He explains his intention was simply to free Jin Mi from her confinement, as her lively and curious nature seemed stifled in the Water Mirror. Despite the Chiefs' continued suspicion, Jin Mi interjects, defending Run Yu by declaring that he is a good dragon and that she likes him.

Run Yu candidly admitted his affection for Jin Mi. Xu Feng, visibly troubled, pressed Run Yu, questioning his understanding of Jin Mi’s true identity, her inherent water nature, the past Floral Immortal’s real form as a water lily, and the significance of the Liuzi Pond. Xu Feng then revealed his conviction that he, Run Yu, and Jin Mi were half-siblings, implying their shared father was the Heavenly Emperor and Jin Mi was the daughter of the Floral Immortal.

Jin Mi, overhearing this, was startled, wondering how she, a grape sprite, could have so many "bird and beast relatives," and was horrified at the thought of the Heavenly Empress being her stepmother. Run Yu, unperturbed, stated that even a sibling relationship would be acceptable, as he believed Jin Mi held no romantic feelings for him. He tested Jin Mi by asking if she liked Xu Feng, the Moon Immortal, Yan You, and even the Qiwu Palace servants.

Jin Mi cheerfully affirmed her liking for all of them. When asked about Chief Peony, Jin Mi playfully remarked she would like her more if she were less stern. Chief Peony, exasperated by Jin Mi’s “heartless” nature, ordered her to return to the Floral Realm immediately for her own safety, a command Jin Mi initially resisted. After the banquet, Sui He reported to the Heavenly Empress, apologizing for Xu Feng being bewitched by Jin Mi and the ensuing chaos.

The Empress dismissed Sui He's fault, acknowledging Jin Mi's disguise, but questioned Jin Mi's true intentions for revealing her form. Sui He pointed out the unusual closeness between Jin Mi, Xu Feng, and Run Yu, drawing parallels to the past entanglement of the Heavenly Emperor and Luo Lin with the Floral Immortal Zi Fen, fearing a repeat of past disasters. The Empress firmly declared she would not permit such events to recur.

Later, she ordered a comprehensive investigation into all lower-level immortals present at the banquet, particularly the twelve zodiac fairies, to uncover the identity of the sprite who dared to disrupt her birthday celebration. Back in the Floral Realm, the Chiefs expressed deep concern that Jin Mi’s true form, now seen by many in the Heaven Realm, would inevitably lead to the revelation of her parentage.

Chief Peony scornfully dismissed Xu Feng's mistaken belief that he was Jin Mi's half-brother, declaring him unworthy of such a relation. She asserted that there was no harm in letting him remain under this delusion, as it would lead him to give up on Jin Mi entirely, preventing any further connection with the sons of the Heavenly Empress and Heavenly Emperor, given the unresolved feud over the Floral Immortal Zi Fen's tragic death.

Another Chief reiterated Zi Fen’s wish for Jin Mi to live a carefree life, free from worldly romantic entanglements. They decided to guard Jin Mi closely, taking turns to watch over her in the courtyard, especially as she still needed to endure her fated love trial. They anticipated that the Heavenly Emperor would eventually inquire about Jin Mi’s identity, but Chief Peony boldly stated that he could confront Zi Fen directly at her mausoleum if he dared.

Meanwhile, Jin Mi, struggling to make sense of Xu Feng’s claims about their supposed sibling relationship and the Heavenly Empress as her stepmother, found herself drifting into sleep. In her dream, Jin Mi's spirit was led to the Fantasy Land by the Heavenly Emperor. He recounted his first encounter with the Floral Immortal Zi Fen 90,000 years ago, marveling at her ethereal beauty as she stepped upon water, causing lotuses to bloom with each graceful stride.

The Heavenly Emperor noted Jin Mi's striking resemblance to Zi Fen in spirit, despite their differing physical features. He contrasted Jin Mi's bright and cheerful demeanor with Zi Fen's reserved nature, lamenting Zi Fen's solitary life. He then requested Jin Mi to plant green lotuses, mentioning that the Heaven Realm had not seen such spring vitality in 4,000 years since Zi Fen’s passing. Jin Mi, assuming the Heavenly Emperor was her father, agreed to fulfill this filial duty.

When Jin Mi claimed no knowledge of Zi Fen, the Heavenly Emperor expressed profound sorrow, believing Zi Fen harbored such deep resentment that she refused to let her own child see him. Jin Mi was bewildered by the notion of a lotus and a grape being related, initially dismissing the dream as a strange manifestation of Xu Feng's earlier conjectures. However, realizing this was no ordinary dream, she seized the opportunity.

She feigned having weak magic power, hinting at a desire to serve as a gardener in Heaven if she possessed sufficient abilities. The Heavenly Emperor, surmising that Zi Fen might have sealed Jin Mi’s spirit, bestowed upon her 5,000 years of magic power and instructed her to practice a specific cultivation method for 49 days to fully manifest her true form.

He sternly warned her against developing any romantic affections for either Xu Feng or Run Yu, to which Jin Mi readily assented, finding the command "easy." Xu Feng returned to the Heaven Realm to apologize to the Heavenly Empress for his conduct at her birthday banquet. The Empress was enraged that he had defied her for an unranked sprite and expressed her fear that he harbored feelings for Jin Mi.

She demanded a solemn oath from Xu Feng that he would never see Jin Mi again, in exchange for forgiving Jin Mi’s transgressions. Xu Feng revealed that he had already made such a promise to Chief Peony the day before. Unconvinced, the Empress stated her true relief would only come when he ascended to the position of Heavenly Emperor, ruled the Heaven Realm, and married Sui He to produce heirs.

Xu Feng, dismissing her concerns as excessive, quickly excused himself, citing the need to attend to military training. Despite having just completed a night patrol, Run Yu was determined to visit Jin Mi in the Floral Realm. He was anxious about the repercussions of secretly taking her to the Human Realm and the trouble she almost caused in the Heaven Realm, fearing Chief Peony’s stern discipline.

Kuang Lu then informed him that the Heavenly Empress was also making her way to the Floral Realm. Realizing that his hasty intervention would only exacerbate the situation due to the Empress's existing animosity, and recalling Xu Feng's conviction that Jin Mi was the Heavenly Emperor's daughter along with the Heavenly Emperor's unusual gaze toward Jin Mi, Run Yu decided to seek help from his father.

Kuang Lu, in turn, offered to discreetly follow the Heavenly Empress to the Floral Realm to observe the situation. At the Floral Immortal’s Mausoleum, Jin Mi, invigorated by the power boost from her dream, expressed gratitude to the deceased Zi Fen for the unexpected gift. She mused about inviting Yan You to celebrate. Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Empress materialized, intent on assaulting Jin Mi.

Jin Mi was bewildered and frightened by the Empress’s hostility, especially when the Empress attributed her wrath to Jin Mi’s resemblance to Zi Fen, declaring Jin Mi would "die a worthy death" in the mausoleum. Just as the Heavenly Empress launched her attack, Luo Lin, the Water Immortal, appeared, blocking the blow.

Luo Lin asserted his right to intervene as an old friend of Zi Fen, emphasizing that only the Floral Immortal or Chief Peony had the authority to judge a Floral Realm sprite. He accused the Empress of cruelty for attacking a low-level sprite at Zi Fen’s tomb. Enraged, the Empress retorted that Luo Lin’s intervention was solely motivated by Jin Mi’s resemblance to Zi Fen.

Their standoff was interrupted by Run Yu, who, acting on the Heavenly Emperor’s command, delivered a message summoning the Empress back to Heaven to discuss post-birthday awards and pardons. Run Yu subtly warned her that continuing her actions could damage her reputation by causing a scene with the Floral Chiefs and involving the Heavenly Emperor. Accusing Run Yu of conspiring against her, the Heavenly Empress departed in a fury. After the Heavenly Empress's departure, Luo Lin remained at the mausoleum.

He recognized two lines of a poem he had once copied for Zi Fen, displayed at her tomb, and was deeply moved by the discovery that Zi Fen had left a child in the world. Jin Mi, still confused about her true parentage, asked Luo Lin if she was indeed the child of Zi Fen and the Heavenly Emperor. She then attempted to summon Yan You, who arrived, complaining about her erratic aim.

Luo Lin, noting Jin Mi's enhanced magic power and her ability to summon Yan You—whose true form is a water snake—asked if she could summon water. Jin Mi, having practiced some water magic under Xu Feng's guidance, attempted to do so. After a failed initial attempt, she succeeded, causing snow to fall, but then collapsed from exhaustion.

Once Jin Mi was brought inside, Luo Lin pressed the Floral Chiefs about her true identity, questioning their nervousness if she were merely a common elf and why she bore such a striking resemblance to Zi Fen yet claimed to be a grape. Bound by a sacred oath to Zi Fen, the Chiefs refused to disclose any information.

As Jin Mi was being tended to, Chief Begonia detected a powerful, clashing Yang energy within her, a potent gift of Yang Qi that contradicted Jin Mi’s inherent Yin nature. One of the chiefs admitted her own power was insufficient to stabilize the chaotic energy, prompting Luo Lin to intervene. After he used his power to calm it, he declared with profound certainty, "Jin Mi, turns out to be my child."

This pivotal revelation was overheard by Run Yu, who had returned to the Floral Realm, suspicious of Luo Lin’s unusual interest in Jin Mi and determined to protect her from any further harm from the Heavenly Empress.

After Water Immortal successfully calmed the clashing spiritual energies within Jin Mi, he sensed the truth about her heritage. He informed the floral chiefs that he had already probed Jin Mi's primordial spirit and knew they could no longer hide her identity. He directly asked if Jin Mi was born during the frost fall, and when confirmed, he was filled with regret.

He apologized to Jin Mi, lamenting that he had failed to fulfill his fatherly duties for four thousand years and felt ashamed to face Zi Fen, her late mother. Upon waking, Jin Mi was disoriented, believing she was still dreaming when Water Immortal called her "Mi" and offered to help her.

She insisted he had mistaken her for someone else, stating she was merely a simple grape fairy, born and raised by nature, and wouldn't dare to falsely claim such a high status. Water Immortal gently dismissed her claims, confirming that her spirit unequivocally showed her to be the child of Zi Fen and himself. Jin Mi was stunned to hear the name Zi Fen, quickly realizing he meant the late Floral Immortal.

Believing it was a dream, she humorously attributed her supposed lineage to pretending to be a descendant of the Floral Immortal and scamming the Heavenly Emperor out of five thousand years of magic power. However, she soon realized it was all real and was confused about her true form, wondering if she was a drop of water or a flower.

Water Immortal explained that Zi Fen had sealed her primordial spirit with the Garan Seal, causing her true form to be disguised and hindering her spiritual cultivation, making her appear younger. He promised to take her to his master, Xuan Ling Lord Doumu, to remove the spell.

Jin Mi sought confirmation from Chief Peony, who affirmed the truth, stating that since Jin Mi's true form had already been revealed in the Heaven Realm, the secret could no longer be kept, and it was perhaps for the best that Water Immortal could now protect her. Jin Mi, overjoyed and accepting, finally embraced Water Immortal as her father, relieved that she now had both a father and a mother.

Water Immortal then inquired about the potent yang energy within Jin Mi. Jin Mi explained it was the Heavenly Emperor who, mistaking her for his own child, had transferred five thousand years of magic power to her in the illusion realm the previous night. Hearing this, Begonia was incensed, accusing the Heavenly Emperor of being shameless and unfit to rule.

She declared him Jin Mi's mother's murderer, asserting that Zi Fen’s soul would not have been destroyed if not for him. Water Immortal was shocked, demanding to know the true cause of Zi Fen's death, realizing the chiefs had kept it hidden for four millennia. Begonia, defying the oath she swore to Zi Fen, decided to reveal the truth, even if it meant destroying her own spirit.

She bitterly recounted how Zi Fen sacrificed all her protective cultivation to bear Jin Mi, and how Zi Fen's death coincided with Water Immortal's wedding night, insinuating his complicity. Chief Peony interjected, urging Begonia to stop, fearing Jin Mi would be hurt if she overheard their conversation and was dragged into past grievances.

Water Immortal, realizing the implications, questioned if Zi Fen died during the frost fall of year 28612, not the summer solstice of year 28613, as publicly known, demanding to know why her death had been concealed for nearly a year. Chief Peony reiterated the chiefs' oath to Zi Fen, refusing to divulge further. Mr. Hu then stepped in, subtly sending the chiefs away, and revealed the full extent of Zi Fen's tragic past to Water Immortal.

He recounted how Heavenly Emperor, then the second prince, meticulously courted Zi Fen, only to betray her by marrying Tu Yao, the Bird Family princess, for political power. Zi Fen was heartbroken, but Water Immortal's unwavering kindness and devotion gradually healed her, leading to a deep affection between them. However, after ascending to the throne, Heavenly Emperor’s obsession with Zi Fen persisted. When she resisted his advances, he forcibly defiled her.

Unaware she was pregnant with Jin Mi, a distraught Zi Fen attempted to end her life in the Wangchuan River. Heavenly Emperor intervened, preventing her suicide and imprisoning her in Qi Wu Palace. To further crush Zi Fen’s spirit, Heavenly Emperor conspired to arrange a marriage between Water Immortal and Wind God, making sure Zi Fen would witness his joy with another.

Water Immortal, however, defied the Emperor's order, stating his heart belonged to someone else and he would rather lose his immortal status than betray his true feelings. Mr. Hu continued, explaining that even after Tu Yao became Empress, her jealousy over Heavenly Emperor's lingering affection for Zi Fen led her to push Zi Fen off Linyuan Terrace, inflicting severe injuries.

Knowing her death was imminent and not wanting to implicate Water Immortal, Zi Fen coldly rejected him, falsely claiming she had never loved him and only loved the Heavenly Emperor, urging him to marry Wind God and find happiness. With her last remaining magic power, Zi Fen then gave birth to Jin Mi. Water Immortal, consumed by grief and rage, vowed to avenge Zi Fen by killing the "poisonous woman" (Tu Yao), even if it meant his own demise.

Mr. Hu reminded him that Zi Fen's last wish was for the Floral Realm to remain peaceful, free from endless cycles of revenge.

He explained that Zi Fen had foreseen Jin Mi's eventual love trial and, to prevent her daughter from suffering a similar fate, she entrusted the chiefs with the secret of Jin Mi’s birth, ordered her to wear male clothing, and confined her to the Water Mirror for ten thousand years under Mr. Hu's watchful eye, hoping for a carefree life for Jin Mi.

Meanwhile, in Xuanji Palace, Run Yu, who had earlier overheard Water Immortal acknowledging Jin Mi, discussed the unfolding events with Kuang Lu. He expressed his immense joy that Jin Mi was Water Immortal's daughter, confirming her status as his fiancée under the four-thousand-year agreement. Kuang Lu questioned if Jin Mi was not Heavenly Emperor's child, to which Run Yu clarified that Water Immortal had verified Jin Mi's true lineage, and a public announcement would soon follow.

Run Yu confessed his happiness was tempered by nervousness, especially after overhearing Water Immortal’s deep-seated resentment towards Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress, which might jeopardize the marriage. Kuang Lu reminded him that an immortal's oath was unbreakable. Run Yu then expressed his reluctance to hurt Xu Feng, knowing his brother also held feelings for Jin Mi.

Kuang Lu, advocating for Run Yu, highlighted Xu Feng's privileged position as the Heavenly Emperor's favored son and urged Run Yu not to give up his destined wife. Run Yu ultimately resolved to wrong Xu Feng just this once, vowing to repay him a hundredfold or a thousandfold in the future, wondering if Xu Feng would blame him. Heavenly Emperor later summoned Chief Peony, demanding to know if Jin Mi was truly his child.

Chief Peony, invoking Zi Fen's spirit, steadfastly denied it, stating that Jin Mi was born during the frost fall, a year before the Summer Solstice when Zi Fen was said to have died. Heavenly Emperor admitted his past wrongs against Zi Fen and his desire to compensate the Floral Realm, not wishing for Jin Mi to be an orphan.

Chief Peony sternly reminded him of Zi Fen's true cause of death and how Heavenly Empress Tu Yao had recently desecrated Zi Fen's tomb and almost killed Jin Mi in the Floral Realm. She implored Heavenly Emperor, for the sake of their past relationship, to leave Zi Fen's sole descendant out of the perilous struggles of the Heaven Realm, emphasizing that Jin Mi was safest within the Floral Realm.

Heavenly Emperor agreed to reconsider the matter but declared his resolve to openly acknowledge Jin Mi one day and bring her back to the Heaven Realm with due honor, believing it would be a form of closure for Zi Fen's spirit. Chief Peony replied that she would patiently wait and see. Jin Mi then visited Zi Fen’s tomb, bringing her favorite flower biscuits, handmade by herself.

She poured out her heart to her unseen mother, expressing both resentment for being left alone and confined to the Water Mirror for so long, and a deep longing she had always harbored for a mother. She talked about finding her father, Water Immortal, and mused on the surprising way they had finally "reunited." Despite her complaints about her mother's actions, she thanked Zi Fen for bringing her into the world, promising to return when she had time.

Later, Water Immortal consulted Chief Peony about another restriction he found in Jin Mi’s body, apart from the Garan Seal, which Mr. Hu had refused to disclose. Chief Peony explained that Zi Fen had personally placed this restriction, having foreseen that Jin Mi would face a significant "love trial" in ten thousand years, and it was meant to protect her from this misfortune.

She assured Water Immortal that it was born of a parent's love and posed no harm to Jin Mi. Water Immortal, trusting Zi Fen's intentions, decided to let the matter rest. However, another floral chief questioned Chief Peony why they didn't reveal the truth about the Yun Elixir to Water Immortal, now that he was Jin Mi's father.

Chief Peony responded that Water Immortal's compassionate nature would likely lead him to remove the Yun Elixir, which suppresses Jin Mi's true nature, thus risking her falling victim to the prophesied love trial and betraying Zi Fen’s last wishes. Water Immortal prepared to take Jin Mi to the Empyrean Cloud Palace, advising her to remain quiet and avoid engaging with Heavenly Empress Tu Yao. On their way, they encountered Rat Immortal, whom Jin Mi greeted respectfully.

Shortly after, Run Yu appeared, seemingly by coincidence. He expressed concern for Jin Mi after her recent return to the Floral Realm and offered to accompany her to the Heavenly Palace for protection against the still-angry Heavenly Empress. Jin Mi dismissed his concerns, urging him not to neglect his nightly duties. Run Yu then, in a calculated move meant for Water Immortal, expressed his gratitude for Jin Mi's past kind words about him.

He then regretfully stated that he had a long-standing engagement, implying he might have to disappoint Jin Mi's affection. Jin Mi, oblivious to the deeper meaning, simply declared that they were friends and she would like him regardless of his engagement. Run Yu reciprocated, "I like you too," just as he noticed Water Immortal's presence, offering a polite apology for his presumed inattentiveness, thus cementing a false impression of mutual affection between him and Jin Mi in Water Immortal's eyes.

As Jin Mi and Luo Lin approached the Empyrean Cloud Palace, Run Yu intercepted them. He bowed low to Luo Lin, apologizing for having fallen in love with Jin Mi, which would mean breaking his engagement to the Water Immortal's eldest daughter. He declared his heart would only belong to Jin Mi, and he was willing to abandon his immortal title or be demoted to the Human Realm for her.

Jin Mi, hearing this, was confused, wondering why he claimed to love her but couldn't marry her, given that she was indeed Luo Lin's eldest daughter. Luo Lin, understanding Run Yu's intent to create a false impression, simply told him to rise and acknowledged his devotion, instructing him not to forget his words, before leading Jin Mi away. Inside the palace, Xu Feng captivated the assembly with his performance on the magnificent Phoenix Harp.

The Heavenly Empress proudly extolled Xu Feng’s dual talents and his mastery of the instrument. Just then, Luo Lin and Jin Mi entered. Luo Lin immediately approached the Heavenly Emperor, requesting he retrieve the five-thousand-year fire-element magical power from his daughter. He then revealed the shocking truth: Jin Mi was his daughter with the late Floral Immortal, Zi Fen. This revelation stunned everyone, except Xu Feng, who appeared visibly overjoyed.

The Heavenly Empress, however, scoffed, insisting Jin Mi was merely a grape spirit and accusing Luo Lin of being fooled. Yet, the Moon Elder noted Jin Mi's striking resemblance to Zi Fen, a comment the Heavenly Empress swiftly dismissed. Luo Lin pressed the Heavenly Emperor, hinting at sinister reasons behind Zi Fen’s need to suppress Jin Mi’s powers at birth, and questioned the true cause of Zi Fen’s death, subtly refuting the official narrative of "destiny."

He implied the involvement of "Poison Fire," a powerful and exclusive skill of Fire Immortals, hinting at its use in Zi Fen's demise. Amidst this tense exchange, Run Yu arrived, apologizing for his delay. The Heavenly Emperor then asked Luo Lin to reveal Jin Mi's true form so he could remove her fiery spirit. Luo Lin divulged that Jin Mi was a six-petal Frost Blossom, born on a frosty night with a naturally cold constitution.

After confirming Jin Mi's cold essence, the Heavenly Emperor affirmed she was not his daughter and proceeded to remove her five-thousand-year magical power. To the dismay of many, particularly Xu Feng, the Heavenly Emperor then formally betrothed Jin Mi, as the Water Immortal's eldest daughter, to Run Yu. Jin Mi, still naive to the complexities of the situation, expressed that Run Yu was a kind and righteous person, and readily accepted the marriage, thanking the Heavenly Emperor and her father.

Run Yu then presented Jin Mi with a grapevine hairpin. Seeing the Phoenix Hairpin on Jin Mi, Run Yu mentioned Xu Feng had lost it in the Human Realm and suggested it was time for its return. Jin Mi, however, protested that Xu Feng had already gifted it to her.

The Heavenly Empress, trying to alleviate the awkwardness, declared the day a "triple blessing" – Water Immortal gaining a daughter, Night Immortal gaining a wife, and Fire Immortal retrieving his lost item – before the Heavenly Emperor abruptly ended the feast. Later, as Run Yu attempted to return the Phoenix Hairpin to Xu Feng, Xu Feng refused, stating that a gift, once given, should not be taken back.

He added that he had lost more than just that hairpin to Jin Mi, and if she wished to return anything, she should return "everything", or nothing at all. Jin Mi, misinterpreting his words, feared he meant the one thousand years of magical power he had transferred to her. She adamantly refused to return anything, clutching the hairpin. Xu Feng, seeing her reaction, simply arranged to meet her at Liuzi Pond the following evening.

Meanwhile, Jin Mi confided in her father and Run Yu that she felt no one was truly happy about her newfound identity. Run Yu gently asked if she was happy, and when she affirmed she was, he reassured her that both he and her father were happy too. Sui He, observing Xu Feng's dejection, approached him and attempted to gauge his feelings for Jin Mi.

She expressed feigned surprise at Jin Mi being the Water Immortal's daughter and Run Yu's fiancée, labeling them a "perfect match." She then provocatively accused Jin Mi of being a "frivolous girl" who, despite her engagement to Run Yu, continued to "mess around" with Xu Feng's heart. Xu Feng dismissed her concerns, stating he knew Jin Mi's character well. Sui He then sternly reminded him of his identity and the boundaries he must not cross.

Luo Lin and the Wind God discussed Zi Fen's past. The Wind God expressed deep regret over Zi Fen's sufferings and vowed to seek justice. Luo Lin, also blaming himself for trusting the Heavenly Emperor, revealed that Zi Fen had concealed her hardships to protect them from acting rashly. They both acknowledged that self-reproach was futile now.

Luo Lin saw Jin Mi's return as a chance for atonement, vowing to be her sole support, a pledge the Wind God echoed, declaring Jin Mi her own daughter as well. The Moon Elder found a despondent Xu Feng and tried to lift his spirits, pointing out that Jin Mi and Run Yu were only engaged, not married, leaving Xu Feng with many opportunities.

Xu Feng confided that while he always shared everything with Run Yu, he could not bring himself to share Jin Mi. He worried if he was being selfish. The Moon Elder assured him this was "true love" and advised him to stop overthinking obstacles like the Heavenly Emperor's and Heavenly Empress's disapproval, or even Run Yu being his brother.

The most crucial step, the Moon Elder emphasized, was to ascertain Jin Mi's true feelings; if their love was mutual, no power in the Six Realms could separate them. Xu Feng's subordinate reported that the black-clad assailant, last seen entering Luoxiang Mansion, had not re-emerged, and noted the Rat Immortal's frequent visits to the Water Immortal for chess, suggesting them as prime suspects. Xu Feng, however, found this too simplistic.

He reasoned that given the Water Immortal and Run Yu's intelligence, they wouldn't leave such obvious traces if they were truly involved. Instead, he theorized the man in black was orchestrating a larger scheme to sow discord between him, Run Yu, and the Water Immortal. Believing the culprit would resurface, Xu Feng ordered his forces to create a deceptive impression that the investigation had ceased, while discreetly sending a few sharp operatives to continue monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Rat Immortal sought out Luo Lin, offering a humble apology for inadvertently revealing Jin Mi's true form. Luo Lin, however, thanked him, explaining that this accidental revelation allowed him to find his daughter. The Rat Immortal then invited Luo Lin to finish a game of "Shi E Shi" chess with Mr. Dongting, but Luo Lin declined, citing the game's "fierce killing moves" and recognizing it as Mr. Dongting's veiled invitation to political involvement.

Luo Lin expressed that for him, chess was now merely a means to achieve a peaceful mind, and he advised Mr. Dongting, through the Rat Immortal, to calm his spirit, rather than dwelling on past sorrows. He reiterated his disinterest in power and conflict, stating he now only desired a peaceful life with his daughter, and that Mr. Dongting could not sway him.

Luo Lin declared the game a tie, and the Rat Immortal, understanding his message, promised not to disturb him again. The Heavenly Empress and Sui He discussed Jin Mi and Run Yu's engagement, with the Empress asserting that Run Yu was merely consolidating power to challenge Xu Feng. She insisted that Sui He and Xu Feng's marriage be swiftly arranged to solidify Xu Feng's position and deter others.

Sui He expressed doubts about Xu Feng’s feelings, but the Heavenly Empress urged her to be more assertive. Sui He countered that Xu Feng was oblivious to her but keenly aware of Jin Mi. Xu Feng then entered, and Sui He hid. The Heavenly Empress pressed Xu Feng about his marriage to Sui He, arguing it was necessary to counter Run Yu's growing influence.

Xu Feng defiantly refused, stating he only wished to marry his beloved, unlike his mother, who would sacrifice love for power. Angered, the Heavenly Empress accused him of prioritizing happiness over imperial ambitions. Xu Feng, dismissing her words as irrelevant outside their private conversation, departed for his military duties, leaving the Heavenly Empress to lament that he must eventually understand her reasons and marry Sui He.

Sui He, having overheard the exchange, was heartbroken and deepened her resentment towards Jin Mi. Finally, the Heavenly Emperor confronted Luo Lin, who could no longer hide his resentment. The Heavenly Emperor confessed his enduring love for Zi Fen, admitting his jealousy had driven him to hurt her and arrange Luo Lin's marriage to the Wind God. He revealed his regret that Zi Fen had died filled with sorrow.

Luo Lin, however, questioned how he could truly bear the consequences when his daughter had been deprived of her mother for four millennia. The Heavenly Emperor, filled with self-reproach, pleaded with Luo Lin, as a friend, to forgive him and Zi Fen. Luo Lin refused to forgive him, stating he would be betraying Zi Fen's memory if he did. He declared his intention to honor Zi Fen's dying wish by refraining from seeking revenge.

The Heavenly Emperor, framing Zi Fen's sacrifice as a means to achieve broader peace, promised to host the grandest wedding for Run Yu and Jin Mi, hoping it would be a small recompense. Luo Lin bitterly responded that he would never have allowed his daughter to be entangled with the Heavenly Realm again had he not believed Jin Mi had already fallen for Run Yu. The Heavenly Emperor assured him he would treat Jin Mi sincerely and warned Luo Lin not to harbor resentment, given his significant influence.

Run Yu presented Jin Mi with the engagement letter signed by the Heavenly Emperor and Water Immortal four thousand years prior. His own name was also on the document, leaving only Jin Mi’s signature. Though she expressed hesitation about her handwriting, Run Yu reassured her, and Jin Mi signed the letter. Run Yu complimented her calligraphy, remarking that it looked professionally guided.

Jin Mi explained it was the result of a century of practice, forced upon her when she served as Xu Feng’s page boy. Run Yu noted that while Xu Feng excelled at the Fei Bai style for individual characters, using it throughout would appear frivolous. He then offered to teach Jin Mi more refined styles like running-cursive and Wei tablet script, but Jin Mi, weary of more practice, resisted, stating she was already accustomed to her current style.

Run Yu then offered Jin Mi a rare Beast of Dreams, suggesting it could accompany her and eventually serve as her mount. Jin Mi delightedly accepted, saying riding it would be far easier than flying and playfully asked the beast not to gain too much weight. Jin Mi then directly asked Run Yu when they would begin their "spirit training," a practice for cultivating spiritual power.

Run Yu, avoiding a direct answer, instead proposed to affectionately call her "Mi'er," which Jin Mi happily agreed to. She then commented on an epiphyllum in Run Yu’s courtyard, noting its reluctance to bloom. Run Yu shared a poignant legend of the flower's unrequited love for Supreme Immortal Wei Tian, who, having renounced worldly desires, never noticed its devotion.

Each midsummer night, the flower would sacrifice its year's essence to bloom for a fleeting moment, unaware that the immortal had long since transcended all earthly feelings. Jin Mi found the story tragic and considered the flower an ill omen, offering to replace it, but Run Yu insisted it was beautiful and wished for them to appreciate it together.

He informed her that he was off to set the stars for the night and reminded her of their rendezvous that evening. Meanwhile, Yan You attempted to trespass the Southern Heavenly Gate, but was spotted by Heavenly guardians. He was fortunately saved by Rat Immortal, who then noticed his incense burner in Jiazi Mansion had been subtly moved, confirming an intruder had been there, though the inner chambers remained undisturbed.

Yan You complained that Rat Immortal's actions at the Heavenly Empress's birthday banquet had caused him significant trouble. Rat Immortal countered, criticizing Yan You for having saved Jin Mi during the banquet, fearing that the Heavenly Empress and Xu Feng now suspected them both. Yan You argued that Jin Mi’s true form had been revealed, achieving their initial goal, and he could not bear to see her harmed by the "old hen."

Rat Immortal then directly asked if Yan You harbored feelings for Jin Mi. Yan You acknowledged Jin Mi's status as Water Immortal’s daughter, her engagement to Run Yu, and her closeness to Xu Feng. He predicted that Xu Feng and Run Yu would inevitably clash over Jin Mi, a development he welcomed for their plans. Despite this, he insisted on protecting Jin Mi, whom he considered a simple-minded close friend, and refused to let her be entangled in their schemes.

Rat Immortal then discovered that several letters from Lord Dongting to Water Immortal were missing from his mansion, confirming that his identity had been compromised. He urgently instructed Yan You to flee immediately while he devised his own escape. Yan You was reluctant to leave Rat Immortal behind, but was convinced to depart. A subordinate informed Xu Feng that the snake fairy had been sighted at the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Xu Feng immediately ordered additional troops to assist Lord Pojun in capturing Yan You, and also sent for Night Immortal, stating he would join the pursuit. Before leaving, Xu Feng instructed his attendant, Liao Ting, to deliver a gift to Jin Mi and convey his apologies for having to postpone their meeting. Liao Ting questioned Xu Feng's continued concern for Jin Mi, but Xu Feng dismissed his concerns.

Liao Ting arrived at Xuanji Palace with a gift of Zongzi for Jin Mi, but was intercepted by Kuang Lu. They immediately clashed, with Liao Ting asserting his duty to deliver the gift in person, hinting that Kuang Lu might try to withhold it. Kuang Lu, offended, reminded him that Jin Mi was engaged to Run Yu and therefore under Xuanji Palace's care.

Liao Ting retorted with the principle of "first come, first served," emphasizing Jin Mi’s prior acquaintance with Xu Feng. Kuang Lu countered that Jin Mi’s engagement to Run Yu had been established four millennia ago, implying Xu Feng was the one overstepping boundaries. Annoyed by Kuang Lu’s sharp words, Liao Ting left the gift with her, relaying Xu Feng’s apology and his need to reschedule, warning her of consequences if the message was not delivered.

Later, Jin Mi, trying to break free from the playful Beast of Dreams, suddenly realized it was 7-9 PM, and she was late for her appointment with Xu Feng. Just then, Kuang Lu approached, presenting Jin Mi with the food box from Xu Feng. Jin Mi noted the "spiritual Zongzi" and Xu Feng's increasing generosity, but then learned from Kuang Lu that Xu Feng had cancelled their meeting due to an emergency.

Jin Mi, calling Xu Feng a "moody bird," then inquired about Run Yu, only to be told he had also been called away by Xu Feng for discussions. Puzzled by the coincidental cancellations, Jin Mi pondered Xu Feng’s underlying care for her. Kuang Lu then advised Jin Mi to sever all ties with Xu Feng and his attendants, stating that since her engagement to Run Yu was "destined," she should leave all "messy past events" behind.

Kuang Lu removed a red rope from the gift box as she spoke. Confused by Kuang Lu's words and the synchronized cancellations by both Xu Feng and Run Yu, Jin Mi speculated they might be secretly engaging in "spirit training" without her. Disappointed, she resolved to simply enjoy her Zongzi alone. Xu Feng and Run Yu discussed the capture of the snake fairy.

Run Yu expressed gratitude, remarking that he had feared their engagement would create distance between them, but Xu Feng remained supportive. Xu Feng assured him that this was a separate matter concerning Run Yu's reputation, and since the black-clad assailant had targeted him, he intended to clear Run Yu's name. A subordinate then reported that the snake fairy was heading towards Xuanji Palace. Run Yu immediately became alarmed, realizing Jin Mi was still there.

Inside Xuanji Palace, Jin Mi was enjoying her Zongzi when she heard a familiar voice. She called out for Yan You, who reluctantly revealed himself. Yan You explained that Lord Pojun was relentlessly pursuing him, forcing him to seek refuge there, and that he had come to bid her farewell. Concerned for her friend, Jin Mi tried to devise a plan, even suggesting a staged kidnapping with a knife. Yan You quickly dismissed her idea, fearing Xu Feng’s wrath.

Just then, Xu Feng arrived. He used his magic power to pull Jin Mi to his side, and Heaven guardians immediately surrounded Yan You. Jin Mi was distressed to see her friend outnumbered, but the guardians proved no match for Yan You. Xu Feng personally intervened in the fight. Run Yu also arrived, explaining that he needed to verify something to prove his innocence and assuring Jin Mi that Yan You would not be killed.

Run Yu then provoked Yan You, challenging his water-related magic, while Xu Feng suggested Yan You add fire-related magic to his repertoire. As Yan You was about to be defeated, Rat Immortal intervened, launching a powerful fireball. Xu Feng immediately recognized the magic as belonging to the black-clad assailant who had attacked him during his Nirvana. In a desperate move, Rat Immortal pushed Yan You to safety, but was himself struck by Xu Feng.

Realizing he had no other recourse, Rat Immortal declared his intention to face the Heavenly Emperor directly. As they fled, he gave Yan You a scroll containing the Bird Family's military deployment, which he had gathered while playing chess with Elder Yin Que, instructing him to deliver it to their master and not to look back. Yan You, though reluctant, eventually agreed to meet him at Dongting Lake in early March.

Xu Feng and the others brought Rat Immortal to the Heavenly Palace for trial. Rat Immortal confessed to his crimes of attacking Run Yu and Xu Feng. The Heavenly Empress arrived, demanding to know who was behind Rat Immortal’s actions and who dared to harm an imperial son. She presented letters found in Rat Immortal's mansion, claiming they were evidence of his correspondence with other fairies. Run Yu intervened, pointing out the bias in the Heavenly Empress's accusations.

Xu Feng, however, asked the Heavenly Emperor for his pardon, explaining that she was merely agitated out of concern. The Heavenly Empress continued to pressure Rat Immortal, accusing him of conspiring with Water Immortal, whose name appeared in the letters regarding a chess game in Dongting Lake. She then produced a manual detailing the "destroying ice" refining method, a forbidden water-related magic, claiming it proved a long-standing plot to assassinate Xu Feng and demanding a thorough investigation.

Water Immortal was summoned to the court. With everyone present, Rat Immortal boldly declared that he would expose the Heavenly Empress’s many misdeeds, starting with her abuse of power and her relentless efforts to bolster the Bird Family since ascending to her position.

At the Heavenly Hall, Rat Immortal boldly accused Heavenly Empress Tu Yao of abusing her power to strengthen the Bird Family. He detailed how she had inducted twenty thousand new members, promoted eight new generals, indulged Princess Sui He's factionalism, and consolidated power by unilaterally opening the Heaven Realm's granaries to the Bird Family after the Floral Realm ceased its food supply.

The Heavenly Emperor was visibly angered by this disclosure, though Tu Yao attempted to dismiss it as a minor issue, with Xu Feng interceding for her. Rat Immortal continued his scathing indictment, describing Tu Yao as a ruthless figure who slandered others, killed immortals, and allowed Fire Immortal to wield military force arrogantly, displaying neither motherly grace nor tolerance. He confessed to attempting to harm Xu Feng during his Nirvana and releasing a rat at Tu Yao's birthday banquet.

These actions, he claimed, were all part of a plan to expose her cruelty and turn Water Immortal and the Floral Realm against her. He declared he was acting for justice, ready to die. When Rat Immortal mentioned "Lize Su Li," the Heavenly Emperor abruptly cut him off, accusing him of malicious intent and harming Fire Immortal, and immediately ordered his execution.

Rat Immortal accepted his fate, subtly telling Lord Dong Ting that his "Master" would be entrusted to his care, implying a deeper conspiracy. Heavenly Empress then tried to implicate Water Immortal and Su Li, but the Heavenly Emperor silenced her, highlighting Water Immortal's peaceful nature and Run Yu's existing engagement to Jin Mi. He swiftly closed the case and publicly cleared Run Yu's name.

The Heavenly Emperor, seeking to pacify Water Immortal, proposed an early wedding for Run Yu and Jin Mi. However, Water Immortal expressed reservations, noting Jin Mi's low cultivation. Run Yu, employing a shrewd strategy of "retreating to advance," suggested postponing the marriage to allow Jin Mi to spend more time with her father and gradually acclimate to the Heaven Realm's customs under his guidance. The Heavenly Emperor agreed.

Heavenly Empress then attempted to propose a marriage between Xu Feng and Sui He, but the Heavenly Emperor dismissed her, ordering her to focus on cultivating herself, ensuring the well-being of future generations, and strictly managing her inner palace and the Bird Family, implicitly rebuking her for the turmoil Rat Immortal had exposed. Outside the hall, Run Yu confronted Xu Feng, acknowledging his deep affection for Jin Mi and urging him to relinquish this "hopeless love."

Run Yu highlighted the intense reactions of their parents to the name "Su Li," implying it was one of the Heavenly Emperor's significant romantic entanglements and noting that Su Li possessed a Fire Spirit Pearl, similar to the Heavenly Empress's, suggesting her importance. Xu Feng, however, remained uninterested in his father's romantic history.

Run Yu further elaborated that Jin Mi's mother, Floral Immortal Zi Fen, harbored a grudge against the Heavenly Empress, making any union between Jin Mi and Xu Feng impossible. He pointed out the Heavenly Empress's recent attempt to implicate Water Immortal and himself, and Water Immortal's evident reluctance regarding Jin Mi's engagement to him. Xu Feng, though, remained skeptical of the rumors against his mother. Run Yu reiterated the Heavenly Empress's well-known ruthlessness towards dissidents, stating he had said enough.

Xu Feng declared his intention to question the Heavenly Empress directly and refused to give up on Jin Mi. Run Yu then cautioned Xu Feng to be mindful of their existing engagement to avoid casting aspersions on Jin Mi's reputation. Xu Feng then sought out the Heavenly Empress to question her directly about the rumors of her conflict with Floral Immortal Zi Fen and Rat Immortal's accusations of her killing immortals.

The Heavenly Empress feigned deep hurt, accusing Xu Feng of trusting rumors over his own mother. She skillfully manipulated him, lamenting the Heavenly Emperor's perceived favoritism towards Run Yu and his neglect of Xu Feng's own marriage to Sui He, emphasizing Sui He's significant power within the Bird Family, which she believed was crucial for Xu Feng to secure the position of Heavenly Emperor.

Xu Feng, however, reaffirmed that he regarded Sui He only as a sister and harbored no ambitions to replace his father. He then disclosed that a "thief" seen fleeing Rat Immortal's mansion had been traced to her palace, warning her that secretly keeping shadow guards was a grave taboo and advising her to "deal with it early" to avoid further angering the Heavenly Emperor.

After Xu Feng departed, a furious Heavenly Empress immediately ordered her subordinates to investigate the true cause of Floral Immortal Zi Fen's death four thousand years ago and to uncover more information about "Su Li." Water Immortal, burdened by the knowledge of Rat Immortal's sacrifice, lamented that the immortal's wish for justice remained unfulfilled. The Heavenly Emperor then visited Luo Lin, pressuring him for any information he might have had from Rat Immortal.

Luo Lin maintained that he knew no more than the Heavenly Emperor, but the Emperor highlighted Luo Lin's close relationship with Rat Immortal through their shared love for chess. Luo Lin expressed regret that Rat Immortal's silence prevented him from recognizing Jin Mi sooner and from fully understanding the suffering Floral Immortal Zi Fen endured.

He subtly criticized the Heavenly Emperor's hasty execution of Rat Immortal, a decision the Heavenly Emperor defended by citing the need to preserve the "Heavenly family's face." The Heavenly Emperor then reminded Luo Lin of his trust and care, expressing hope that Luo Lin would not disappoint him. After the Heavenly Emperor left, Luo Lin sighed, concluding that the Heaven Realm was no longer a suitable place for him to reside.

Meanwhile, by Dongting Lake, Yan You awaited Rat Immortal, though he knew the immortal would not arrive. He recalled a conversation with Rat Immortal, revealing his own involvement as the true attacker of Xu Feng. Rat Immortal had taken the fall for him after a Fire Spirit Pearl was lost in the attack, instructing Yan You to stay out of it and relay a message of patience to their "Master," thus sacrificing himself.

Luo Lin and Wind God returned to the Floral Realm with Jin Mi. They expressed profound gratitude to Chief Peony and Mr. Hu for their unwavering care in raising Jin Mi. It was decided that Luo Lin and Wind God would stay in the Floral Realm until Jin Mi fully recovered, during which time they would also teach her magic.

Wind God prepared a flower cake for Jin Mi, who, enjoying it, remarked on her mother Zi Fen's similar fondness for the treat, though their personalities were quite different. Curious about her mother, Jin Mi asked Wind God for stories. Wind God recounted Zi Fen's origin as a lotus petal before Buddha, who mistakenly entered the cycle of reincarnation. Despite his Master's warning about altering destiny and incurring karmic backlash, Luo Lin intervened and saved Zi Fen's soul.

The three, Luo Lin, Wind God, and Zi Fen, then lived happily together, cultivating their powers and creating idyllic scenes of "wind, flower, snow, and moon." Jin Mi wondered why Zi Fen had fallen for the Heavenly Emperor instead of her wonderful father. Wind God explained that the Heavenly Emperor, then merely the second prince, had seen Zi Fen in a dream and was instantly captivated. He tirelessly searched for her, eventually finding her in the Human Realm.

Knowing her love for opera, he frequently invited her to performances, subtly winning over the naive Zi Fen. Wind God lamented that such "deep love with shallow fate" often leads to a nightmare, and revealed she too had learned to sing opera because Zi Fen loved it. Wind God declared her bond with Zi Fen as strong as Luo Lin's and considered Jin Mi her own daughter, promising to accompany her and Luo Lin every day.

Jin Mi struggled with her cultivation, complaining that practicing magic was harder than being Xu Feng's page boy, and even the gentle Wind God was stricter than Xu Feng. Luo Lin appeared and explained that his intention wasn't for her to gain magical prowess for his own pride. He aimed to cultivate her temperament, to prevent her from becoming a "greenhouse flower." He spoke of his eventual passing, emphasizing that she must learn self-reliance.

True cultivation, he taught, was about developing discernment, self-respect, self-love, and self-improvement, enabling her to live with a clear conscience, independent and unyielding to anyone. Luo Lin then led Jin Mi to Xuan Ling Lord Doumu. Xuan Ling Lord Doumu observed Jin Mi and revealed that she was a "dying person," rendering the removal of her "Jialan seal," a spiritual seal, pointless.

Distraught, Luo Lin pleaded with his Master to save Jin Mi, vowing to repay the four great kindnesses and help beings in hardship. Xuan Ling Lord Doumu offered a parable about saving a tiger that then harms many, explaining that compassion without wisdom can cause greater harm.

She instructed Jin Mi to approach, placing incense ash in her hand, imparting profound wisdom: "Love produces worries and fears; without love, you will be free from worries and fears," hoping it would guide her through her trials. Jin Mi, emboldened, seized the opportunity to ask Xuan Ling Lord Doumu to revive her best friend, Rou Rou. Xuan Ling Lord Doumu consented, saying they would meet soon, though their reunion would ultimately lead to another farewell. Despite the dire prognosis, Luo Lin still tried to ask for the seal removal again.

After much arduous practice to gather magic power, Jin Mi sought out Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun to revive her best friend, Rou Rou. Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun informed Jin Mi that she would soon reunite with Rou Rou but would ultimately have to bid farewell. Jin Mi expressed gratitude, stating that seeing Rou Rou was her only desire. Water Immortal then intervened, asking Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun to lift a seal on Jin Mi.

After the seal was removed, Jin Mi thanked Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun. Water Immortal, while glad the seal was gone, was concerned about a "great tribulation" Jin Mi was destined for. Jin Mi, however, was unfazed, confident in the incense ash given by Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun and the protection of her father and Auntie Lin Xiu. Water Immortal lamented that the visit had revealed Jin Mi's impending death.

Jin Mi clarified that Rou Rou was currently just a succulent but reaffirmed Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun's prophecy of their future reunion. Praising Jin Mi's loyalty, Water Immortal then departed for the Human Realm to make rain, instructing Jin Mi to wait for him at the Water Mirror. A Heavenly soldier, later revealed to be Kuang Lu in disguise, approached Jin Mi.

Confirming she was the fairy engaged to Run Yu, the soldier inquired if she would be bothered by Run Yu taking multiple wives after their marriage, citing a common belief about manhood. Jin Mi nonchalantly stated it was Run Yu's affair and held no concern for her. Pleased by her response, the soldier then asked about Run Yu's preference in women.

Jin Mi mused that Run Yu had only ever expressed liking her, thus assuming he preferred women of her kind, and suggested the soldier's "friend" consult the Moon Immortal for matters of love. Xu Feng then appeared, questioning the soldier's idling given the approaching night. The soldier, claiming to be a subordinate of Run Yu and citing Run Yu's allowance for leisure, was ultimately dismissed by Xu Feng to prepare for his night duty.

Jin Mi and Xu Feng joined Moon Immortal. Moon Immortal, noting Jin Mi had grown thinner since becoming a frost flower, urged Xu Feng to take her to his palace for nourishment. Xu Feng retorted, highlighting Jin Mi's many guardians and playfully questioning Moon Immortal's single fox tail. Moon Immortal defended his preference, making a passing remark about "Sui He with spreading tails," which coincidentally led to Sui He's arrival.

After cordial greetings, Sui He pointedly inquired about the impending wedding date between Jin Mi and Run Yu, requesting an invitation. Xu Feng, visibly discomforted, promptly dismissed Sui He, citing the Heavenly Empress's waiting. Sui He departed, reminding Jin Mi to keep her informed. Alone with Jin Mi, Xu Feng directly asked if she genuinely intended to marry Run Yu.

Jin Mi, bewildered by his pained expression, pointed out that her father and Auntie Lin Xiu approved, and wondered why Xu Feng reacted negatively to her engagement. Moon Immortal openly advocated for Jin Mi and Xu Feng to be together, which Jin Mi jokingly deflected. Troubled, Xu Feng turned to leave but was suddenly gripped by intense chest pain, coughing up blood. He attributed it to a lingering effect of the plague needle poison.

As Moon Immortal grew frantic, Jin Mi assured them she could heal him with her ancestral Night Rattan, a specific remedy for the poison. Relieved, Moon Immortal quickly had Xu Feng escorted to Qiwu Palace. At Qiwu Palace, Jin Mi, having prepared Night Rattan pills, reassured Moon Immortal of her care for Xu Feng. Xu Feng, feigning illness, awoke with a series of vague complaints, shifting from chest pain to headache and then general body aches.

Jin Mi playfully suggested his suffering was due to past misdeeds. When she tried to give him the medicine, he continuously found fault, first claiming it was too hot, then too bitter, and then hesitating to drink it. Exasperated, Jin Mi threatened to use their "last time's method" for administering medicine, prompting Xu Feng to swiftly pull her into a kiss and take the medicine.

Later, Xu Feng complained the medicine was ineffective and his chest still hurt, leading Jin Mi to offer him a massage. After a long night, Xu Feng finally fell asleep, but not before having Jin Mi "plant" Night Rattan five times. Exhausted, Jin Mi collapsed beside him, lamenting the wasted medicine. Xu Feng, who had been pretending to sleep, then opened his eyes with a satisfied smile, realizing Jin Mi's genuine concern for him.

Jin Mi was playfully teaching her Beast of Dreams how to "play dead," an elaborate performance of eye-rolling and tongue-lolling, when Run Yu arrived. She lightheartedly offered to teach him this "Jin's unique life-saving trick," but Run Yu refused, vowing to protect her so she would never need such a pretense. Jin Mi playfully remarked on his intense gaze, comparing it to someone bewitched. Water Immortal then arrived and asked Jin Mi about her whereabouts the previous night.

Before Jin Mi could answer truthfully, Run Yu smoothly interjected, claiming Jin Mi had been invited by Moon Immortal to watch an opera at the House of Marriage, knowing her affinity for his uncle. Jin Mi quickly corroborated his story. Water Immortal, expressing his preference for solitude, accepted the explanation.

Run Yu then conjured a beautiful rainbow bridge of water mist, stating it was to ensure Jin Mi could always find her way home and remember him, the one who silently waited for her. Water Immortal confided to Run Yu that he had initially planned to annul the engagement due to his disdain for the Heavenly royal family.

However, after witnessing what he perceived as Run Yu and Jin Mi's "mutual affection" near the Northern Heavenly Gate, he relented, determined not to let Jin Mi follow in her mother Zi Fen's footsteps. His sole desire was for Jin Mi to marry her true love and live a fulfilling life. He praised Run Yu's gentle character and dependability, urging him to be patient with Jin Mi's naivety.

He then advised Jin Mi to remain steadfast in her commitment to Run Yu and avoid causing him distress. Run Yu pledged his unwavering care for Jin Mi. After Run Yu departed, Water Immortal discreetly instructed Jin Mi to limit her visits to Xu Feng's Qiwu Palace, fearing it would upset Run Yu.

Jin Mi questioned his reasoning, concerned about Xu Feng's feelings, but Water Immortal elaborated on Xu Feng's perceived arrogance and lack of compassion, subtly referencing the Heavenly Empress's negative influence, before concluding that Jin Mi's focus should remain on her engagement to Run Yu. A military report arrived, detailing months of conflict between the lords of the West and North Cities in the Demon Realm, who were fiercely contending for territory along the lower reaches of the Wangchuan River.

The Heavenly Empress expressed concern, questioning the demon kings' inaction and urging the Heavenly Emperor to preemptively safeguard the Heaven Realm. Xu Feng, however, informed his parents that he had been closely observing the situation, explaining that the two city lords were historically defiant of the demon kings and their conflict was merely an internal struggle for power within the Demon Realm, not yet posing a direct threat to the Heaven Realm.

Run Yu countered, stressing the strategic importance of the Wangchuan River as a vital Heaven-Demon boundary and urging caution. Xu Feng then proposed deploying a contingent of elite soldiers to the upper reaches of the Wangchuan River as a show of force. The Heavenly Empress, having reflected on her past actions, reaffirmed her renewed loyalty to the Heavenly Emperor and the Heaven Realm, and encouraged Xu Feng to take on greater responsibilities.

Both Xu Feng and Run Yu volunteered to lead the expedition. The Heavenly Emperor accepted Xu Feng's proposal, ordering him to immediately proceed to the Five-Direction Heaven Troops to select an elite unit and lead them to Wangchuan, with the authority to adapt his actions as the situation evolved. Xu Feng readily accepted his mission. Jin Mi rejoiced in her rapidly increasing magic power after the Garan Seal's removal.

Water Immortal and Auntie Lin Xiu arrived, with Auntie Lin Xiu commending Jin Mi's swift progress and Water Immortal revealing he had already petitioned the Heavenly Emperor for Jin Mi's promotion to an immortal. As Jin Mi expressed her joy, her servant Lian Qiao announced Xu Feng's arrival. Xu Feng, seeing Jin Mi without the Phoenix feather he had given her for protection, was disheartened.

Jin Mi explained her father had instructed her to remove it, assuring him of the Floral Realm's safety. Xu Feng then questioned his significance in her life, now that she had her father and many others to protect her. Jin Mi began to define his role, but Water Immortal intervened, formally greeting Xu Feng.

Xu Feng declined an invitation to enter, stating he merely came to bid farewell before departing for battle, promising to return for a game of chess with Water Immortal. Water Immortal commended Xu Feng's ambition. Jin Mi earnestly advised Xu Feng to take care during the war and vowed to brew osmanthus wine to celebrate his victorious return, a promise Xu Feng happily embraced.

Afterward, Auntie Lin Xiu asked Water Immortal if he had clarified matters with Xu Feng regarding Jin Mi. Water Immortal explained that with Xu Feng on the cusp of war, he refrained from disrupting his focus, deciding to address the issue of their distance after Xu Feng's return.

He acknowledged Xu Feng's honorable character and profound love for Jin Mi, recognizing him as a worthy match, but ultimately reiterated that Jin Mi and Run Yu's mutual affection and engagement should not be disturbed. Jin Mi's long-awaited promotion ceremony began, declaring her a talented Floral elf and elevating her to a first-rank immortal. The Heavenly Emperor further proposed her as the new Floral Immortal, succeeding her mother.

However, Lord Lao abruptly halted the proceedings, arguing that such a direct ascent for a spirit was unprecedented and violated both established Taoist and legal traditions, urging the Heavenly Emperor to rethink. The Heavenly Empress then prompted Immortal Yuan Ji to speak. Immortal Yuan Ji reported recent abnormal celestial phenomena portending disaster across the six realms, identifying Fairy Jin Mi as the root cause.

She elaborated that Jin Mi, whose destiny was originally "soul annihilation"—a fact confirmed by Water Immortal and known to Lord Doumu—possessed insufficient innate spiritual power and lacked adequate experience despite her recent magical advancements. Promoting her with an impure soul origin, Immortal Yuan Ji warned, would compromise the fundamental divinity of the six realms, thus triggering these celestial warnings. The solution, she presented, was for Jin Mi to undergo "tribulation."

Jin Mi, somewhat bewildered, was informed that the human world, where beings suffered the most, required her to descend for decades after having her memories of the Heaven Realm erased—a period equivalent to mere days in Heaven. Finding the solution surprisingly straightforward, Jin Mi cheekily requested to be sent to Shanggu, famous for its donkey burgers. Water Immortal tried to interject a note of seriousness.

The Heavenly Emperor, after Water Immortal corroborated Jin Mi's unstable soul origin despite her efforts, declared that for the sake of Jin Mi's fairy soul and the Heaven Realm's inherent divinity, she must undertake this tribulation. He commanded Jin Mi to prepare to descend to the Human Realm in three days, with the promise of official immortal promotion upon her return.

The Heavenly Empress summoned Immortal Yuan Ji, praising her millennia of dedicated service in maintaining the balance and numerology of the six realms, and hinted at a forthcoming promotion for a successful task. The Empress then inquired about the "bitterest hardship" a mortal could face. Immortal Yuan Ji explained the intricate and diverse nature of mortal sufferings, making it difficult to pinpoint one as supreme.

Undeterred, the Heavenly Empress commanded Immortal Yuan Ji to devise the "bitterest fate of human beings" for Jin Mi. Immortal Yuan Ji hesitated, suggesting Jin Mi's spiritual progress didn't warrant such an extreme trial, despite her unstable immortal root. The Heavenly Empress, enraged, countered that a minor spirit daring to ascend to godhood, thus usurping the fortunes of other spirits and diminishing the Heaven Realm's authority, must confront the "most impossible hardship" to truly earn her promotion.

She explicitly warned Immortal Yuan Ji of severe repercussions for failure, contrasting it with the promised advancement for compliance. Under this veiled threat, Immortal Yuan Ji reluctantly agreed to prepare Jin Mi's bitter destiny and ensure her descent to the Human Realm in three days.

After Immortal Jiyuan left the Heavenly Empress's palace, she was immediately summoned to Fire Immortal Xu Feng's residence. Xu Feng, worried about Jin Mi, questioned her extensively about the details of Jin Mi's mortal trial: its nature, duration, the hardships she would face, her family background, and everyone she would encounter. Seeing Xu Feng's distress, Moon Immortal intervened, reminding Xu Feng that Jin Mi's trial was mandated by the Heavenly Emperor and was inevitable.

Moon Immortal jokingly asked Immortal Jiyuan if she was switching to military service, but she reaffirmed her lifelong ambition as a matchmaker. Xu Feng sternly inquired about the consequences of inaccurate predictions. Immortal Jiyuan assured him of her dedication, explaining that all mortals experience seven sorrows, and Jin Mi was to endure as many as possible. When Moon Immortal suggested finding Jin Mi a suitable husband, Xu Feng quickly objected.

Immortal Jiyuan then proposed a fate as a lone-star nun, which Xu Feng also rejected, fearing Jin Mi might truly renounce worldly attachments. His rejection extended to the idea of Jin Mi being born male. Finally, Immortal Jiyuan suggested the Saint Doctor Family, a reclusive community of female virgins dedicated to medicine, who are forbidden from showing their faces to men or marrying. This would prevent Jin Mi from experiencing the sorrow of separation from loved ones.

Xu Feng grudgingly agreed to this arrangement. Later, while conversing with Moon Immortal, Immortal Jiyuan expressed her dilemma of not wanting to offend either Xu Feng or the Heavenly Empress. She revealed her clever "two-pronged strategy": she would arrange the most tragic and solitary fate within the Saint Doctor Family for Jin Mi. This, she believed, would satisfy the Heavenly Empress's desire for Jin Mi's suffering while also reassuring Xu Feng that Jin Mi would be shielded from romantic entanglements.

Moon Immortal, for his part, also prepared his red rope, intending to subtly aid Jin Mi and Xu Feng's destiny. Before her descent, Jin Mi tried to comfort Shui Shen and Wind God, remarking that the seven mortal sorrows were far simpler than the "81 difficulties" of cultivation. Shui Shen found solace in the belief that the trials could resolve her celestial tribulations and strengthen her divine essence.

Run Yu also declared his intention to descend to the mortal realm, promising to accompany Jin Mi through her human life. Jin Mi visited Liao Ting, one of Xu Feng's subordinates, in the Phoenix Palace to say goodbye. She expressed her continued affection for her former palace family, including Fei Xu and Xu Feng.

She buried a jar of osmanthus wine she had brewed, asking Liao Ting to tell Xu Feng about it if he returned before her, confident Xu Feng would wait for her to drink it together. Meanwhile, Xu Feng's subordinate reported that the Demon Realm's internal territorial disputes had subsided, with no current threat to the Heaven Realm. Recalling that it was Jin Mi's day to descend, Xu Feng hurried back to the Heavenly Palace.

However, just as he returned, a subordinate reported seeing a shadowy figure enter the Heavenly Empress's Zifang Cloud Palace. Following the trail, Xu Feng overheard the Heavenly Empress plotting to kill Jin Mi in the mortal realm. Panicked, he rushed to the Heavenly Gate but was stopped by heavenly soldiers due to the curfew. Moon Immortal appeared, lamenting Xu Feng's tardiness, as Jin Mi had already descended.

As Jin Mi disappeared into the mortal realm, Xu Feng leaped after her, defying heavenly laws. Sui He, witnessing Xu Feng's leap, followed suit. Moon Immortal, seeing the chaos, quickly pushed Liaoyuan Jun after them, instructing him to look after Xu Feng. The Heavenly Empress, informed of Xu Feng's actions, smirked, believing he was foolishly entering the Wheel of Destiny to compete with her, a move she thought would render him unable to return.

She also made arrangements for Sui He, summoning Immortal Jiyuan to ensure Sui He would be granted a mortal fate of great wealth, beauty, and renown, allowing her to be cherished and live a smooth life with Xu Feng. In the mortal realm, Jin Mi was born an orphan, abandoned by her parents but rescued and raised by the Saint Doctor Family. She grew up to become the Saint Girl, albeit one plagued by constant misfortune.

Her childhood friend, Qiang Huo (formerly the flower spirit Rou Rou), often accompanied her. At the same time, Xu Feng was born as King Yi, a revered general famed for his military prowess, and was soon to be engaged to Princess Nan Ping, who was Sui He in her mortal form. The Heavenly Emperor sent Immortal Jiyuan to observe Jin Mi in the mortal realm, emphasizing the importance of non-interference.

When visiting the Flower Realm, Immortal Jiyuan confirmed that Jin Mi, despite minor setbacks, was safe and content in the reclusive Saint Doctor Family. Wind God worried about Jin Mi's nonchalant nature and suggested going to the mortal realm to protect her, but Immortal Jiyuan advised against it to avoid interfering with the trial. Run Yu then volunteered to be the eyes of the Flower Realm, vowing to protect Jin Mi.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Empress secretly tasked her attendant, Qiyuan, with restoring Sui He's memories and facilitating her relationship with King Yi. Qiyuan also revealed that the Heavenly Emperor's use of Immortal Jiyuan for constant surveillance had so far prevented Qiyuan himself from making a move against Jin Mi. The Heavenly Empress, expressing concern for Xu Feng's hardships as King Yi, was reassured by Immortal Jiyuan that his divine status would ensure his success.

However, upon hearing that Jin Mi's trials currently involved merely "identifying flowers and herbs," the Heavenly Empress grew furious. She reminded Immortal Jiyuan of her power and demanded Jin Mi experience true "heartbreaking suffering," threatening dire consequences if she failed to comply. Intimidated, Immortal Jiyuan promised to follow her instructions. One day, Jin Mi prepared to go to Luoye Mountain to collect rare medicinal herbs. However, her Auntie, exasperated by Qiang Huo's impulsive behavior, ordered her to stay behind.

Jin Mi, whose life as the Saint Girl was tied to King Yi's well-being—as she would be buried with him if he died—urgently wished for him to have a long life. She rationalized her solo journey to her Auntie, emphasizing her familiarity with the mountains. Meanwhile, King Yi decided to go hunting without his general Qin Tong. He was unexpectedly ambushed by men from Liangguo. Despite his valiant efforts, he was eventually left wounded and alone, calling for help. Moon Immortal, observing from the celestial realm, noted that Xu Feng had truly become a mortal.

Demon soldiers discovered Xu Feng, now in his mortal form after descending to the Human Realm for his tribulation. Badly injured after fighting against the Liangguo army, Xu Feng called out for help. As a demon soldier prepared to deliver a fatal blow, Jin Mi, who was passing by, inadvertently stepped in the way.

The demon soldier's attack was miraculously deflected by a magical artifact protecting Jin Mi, leading him to realize she was from the Heaven Realm before he fled. In the Demon Realm, the King of Gu City reported to the Demon Lord that Nether Fury had reappeared, confirming that the Mieling Family was not extinct and that any Mieling member capable of summoning it was extraordinary. He hinted that he suspected a specific individual.

The Demon Lord, anxious about his sons, inquired about Prince Xuan Shou's condition. The King of Gu City reported that Prince Xuan Shou remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking, contrary to the Fire Immortal’s promise that a Golden Reinvigorating Elixir would revive him in three days.

He accused Xu Feng of deliberately disregarding the princes’ lives, pointing out that with Prince Xuan Shou in a coma and Prince Chi Shou still mad, the Demon Realm faced an uncertain future without an heir. He concluded this was a deliberate scheme by the Heaven Realm to oppress them. Enraged, the Demon Lord swore that if his son did not recover, he would make Xu Feng pay dearly.

Later, upon learning of the failed attempt to kill Xu Feng in the mortal realm, the Demon Lord was furious. However, the King of Gu City reframed it as an opportunity, explaining that killing Xu Feng with a normal weapon would only end his tribulation, allowing him to return to the Heaven Realm. To truly annihilate him, they needed a Spirit-Vanishing Arrow.

Convinced, the Demon Lord ordered the King of Gu City to find one and kill Xu Feng, warning him to keep the plan from the King of Bian City. Meanwhile, the Empress, bent on her own revenge, received a Spirit-Vanishing Arrow forged from the flesh and blood of her subordinate. She ordered him to kill Jin Mi during her tribulation to ensure she could never return.

Jin Mi, discovering the severely wounded Xu Feng, initially suspected him to be a dangerous bandit due to the numerous dead soldiers nearby. However, driven by a doctor's benevolent duty to treat all, she resolved to care for him. She noted his surprisingly delicate complexion for a bandit and his incredible luck in surviving the massacre. Later, Qiang Huo noticed a sharp wound on Jin Mi and inquired about it.

Jin Mi explained she had been caught in the crossfire when a masked man attacked Xu Feng, but her magical artifact had protected her, leaving only a superficial wound. She then cautioned Qiang Huo not to worry their aunt and the elders. That night, suffering from chest pain, Jin Mi decided to use the millennium snow ginseng, a precious herb reserved for King Yi's Longevity Qiankun Pill, to treat Xu Feng.

Qiang Huo caught her, admonishing her for violating tribal rules and risking dire consequences. Jin Mi argued that the elixir for immortality was merely King Yi’s unrealistic fantasy, and a true healer's responsibility was to alleviate suffering. When Qiang Huo refused to yield, Jin Mi, with an apology, drugged her into unconsciousness. After receiving the millennium snow ginseng, Xu Feng finally awoke, disoriented to find himself dressed in women's clothing and questioning if he had died.

Jin Mi entered to check on him, but he instinctively restrained her before realizing he was both deaf and mute. Jin Mi wrote "Doctor" to communicate that she was his savior. Using paper and pen, Xu Feng asked about his prognosis. Jin Mi, impressed by his elegant handwriting for a supposed "bandit," inquired about his daily diet.

She discovered his meals consistently included incompatible ingredients, leading to a dangerous accumulation of toxins that would prove fatal within a year if left untreated. She assured him that his "uncommon disease" could be easily cured by an "extraordinary person," and playfully declared him her new test subject for powerful new herbs. When Xu Feng explained he was injured fighting the Liangguo army, Jin Mi simply believed him to be a bandit with a sense of patriotism.

She offered him wild grapes to mask the bitter taste of his medicine, teasing him when he found them sour and calling him a "jealous man." When Xu Feng asked why she saved him, disbelieving her "benevolent doctor" explanation, Jin Mi playfully cited his handsome appearance as a factor.

She then offered a more pragmatic reason: he was the sole survivor among many, making him an easy "find," and that he could "benefit their Saint Doctor Family" by being her test subject. As she prepared to leave, she again teased him about his charming appearance in women's clothes, prompting Xu Feng to internally dismiss her as an uncouth "village girl."

Later, Jin Mi reflected that despite initially thinking of Xu Feng as a fierce bandit, she found him disciplined and concluded he had likely turned to banditry out of necessity, resolving to treat him seriously. Sui He, who had been secretly training her Phoenix Troop to impress Xu Feng, received alarming news that King Yi (Xu Feng) had been ambushed by the Liangguo army in Luoye Mountain ten days prior.

All eighteen of his poorly-armed guards were killed, and King Yi’s whereabouts were unknown, though some two hundred enemy bodies were found. Despite her general’s advice for discretion due to the unstable political climate, an anxious Sui He grew impatient. Declaring her unwavering devotion, she stated that as his fiancée, she would become his widow if he died.

She rushed to her father, Duke Nanping, to devise a rescue plan, threatening to lead her Phoenix Troop to Luoye Mountain herself if they did not act swiftly. In the Demon Realm, the King of Gu City criticized the Liangguo army’s incompetence. He ordered his subordinate, Mu Ci, to lead troops to Luoye Mountain, instructing him to ensure only Xu Feng's corpse was recovered.

He also commanded Mu Ci to search for the remaining members of the Mieling Family and the Spirit-Vanishing Arrows, emphasizing that the first arrow found should be immediately used against Xu Feng. He strictly warned Mu Ci to keep these plans confidential. Elsewhere, Liu Ying, observing someone using an invisibility spell, followed him to the King of Gu City's mansion. Eavesdropping, she overheard his plots to hunt down Xu Feng and the Mieling remnants.

When discovered, Liu Ying boldly accused the King of Gu City of harboring "wild ambitions" by secretly collecting Spirit-Vanishing Arrows and Mieling Family members behind the Demon Lord's back. Infuriated, the King of Gu City ordered her immediate execution. Liu Ying managed to escape, but the King of Gu City, fed up with her interference, issued an order, falsely claiming it was from the Demon Lord, to hunt down and kill her.

Feeling bored in the Heaven Realm with Xu Feng and Jin Mi both in the Human Realm, Moon Immortal and Immortal Jiyuan played darts, using Moon Immortal’s head as a target. They bickered over who was cheating, with Moon Immortal accusing Immortal Jiyuan of moving and Immortal Jiyuan criticizing Moon Immortal’s poor aim. Their argument was interrupted when Kuang Lu arrived.

Kuang Lu, Immortal Tai Si’s daughter and a fairy from Xuanji Palace, extended an invitation from her father for them to attend his birthday celebration, promising wine and opera. She assured them no gifts were necessary as her father wished for a simple gathering of close friends. Moon Immortal commented on Kuang Lu's plain attire, likening it to mourning clothes and blaming Run Yu’s “cold and pale style” for it.

Immortal Jiyuan scolded him, but Kuang Lu mediated, agreeing that a more festive look would be appropriate for a birthday. Moon Immortal then conjured a vibrant red dress for Kuang Lu, praising her beauty and noting her striking resemblance to Jin Mi. Recalling Jin Mi's previous remark that Run Yu liked people who were similar to her, Kuang Lu felt a surge of hope.

Meanwhile, Xu Feng, who had been asleep, awoke to Jin Mi's voice and realized he had fully recovered. Fearing that revealing his recovery would lead Jin Mi to ask complicated questions about his identity and involve her in the current intricate power struggles, he decided to continue pretending to be deaf and mute, believing the less she knew, the safer she would be.

Jin Mi, frustrated that her remedies hadn't cured him despite her fifteen years of medical study, wondered if she had misdiagnosed his illness. She prayed, vowing to persuade "Crow" (her nickname for Xu Feng) to abandon his bandit ways if he recovered. Xu Feng, still pretending, used the opportunity to find out more about her.

Jin Mi, careful not to reveal her identity as part of the Saint Doctor Tribe, thought it was safe to tell him her name since he couldn't hear. She introduced herself as "Jin Mi," explaining its meaning: "to seek peace amidst blooming flowers and live a life like floating clouds." Later, Run Yu sat by a river, lost in thought about Jin Mi, when Kuang Lu, now radiant in red, approached him.

She presented him with a bottle of wine from her father called "Heart of Jade," signifying pure intentions and loyalty. While accepting the wine as a gesture of Immortal Tai Si’s profound meaning, Run Yu maintained his cold demeanor and told Kuang Lu he disliked red. Kuang Lu, feigning drunkenness, boldly expressed her concern for Run Yu's hidden suffering, lamenting how he only showed joy to Jin Mi but concealed his pain from everyone else.

She urged him to unleash his true emotions and then presented him with a red thread from Moon Immortal, an auspicious charm, wishing for him to marry Jin Mi soon. Run Yu dismissed her, stating he was not so pathetic as to need pity. Back at the mountains, Jin Mi caught a centipede, intending to use it for medicine and jokingly trying to scare Xu Feng. To her surprise, he immediately swallowed it raw.

When Jin Mi then presented a small snail as a potential medicinal guide, the harmless creature terrified Xu Feng, making him recoil. Later, Jin Mi prepared a medicinal bath for him. While bathing him, she noted his striking good looks and his literacy, speculating he must hold an important position among the bandits. She then discovered his body was covered in countless scars from various weapons.

She lovingly chided him, reminding him how much effort she expended to save his life and urging him to cherish it more. Run Yu went to Moon Immortal’s temple to return the red thread Kuang Lu had given him. While there, he looked into a viewing basin and unintentionally witnessed Jin Mi and Xu Feng’s close interactions in the Human Realm, his fists clenching in silent anger. When Moon Immortal returned, Run Yu gave back the thread.

Moon Immortal jokingly suggested he use it to tie up another sweetheart, which only angered Run Yu further. He retorted by asking who in the entire Heaven Realm didn't already know his feelings. Meanwhile, unaware they were being watched, Xu Feng continued to accompany Jin Mi on her herb-gathering trips, maintaining his pretense of being deaf and mute.

This allowed Jin Mi to speak freely, confiding in him all the thoughts she usually kept hidden and proclaiming him the best listener in the world. As they continued their search for herbs, they suddenly heard the sound of approaching horses. Recognizing them as belonging to Duke Nanping’s Chilian Troop, Xu Feng and Jin Mi tried to escape by taking a shortcut. They were nearly discovered, but Xu Feng swiftly pulled Jin Mi down a slope, cushioning her fall.

As Jin Mi began to question him loudly about the situation, Xu Feng, in a moment of urgency, kissed her to silence her. From their hiding spot, they overheard the soldiers' leader ordering a thorough search of nearby villages for anyone impersonating the King, commanding them to kill such individuals on sight. Hearing this, Xu Feng realized with growing certainty that this was merely a pretext for regicide.

Xu Feng deduced that Duke Nanping was likely responsible for poisoning his food and colluding with Liangguo to set an ambush. Seeing imperial guards searching nearby, he decided to return quickly to address the matter. Meanwhile, Jin Mi, on her journey, wondered why her heart had been beating so fast and felt sore and swollen, a sensation entirely new to her.

Yan You arrived at Yunmeng Lake to visit his Master, who chastised him for not returning since Rat Immortal’s death, implying he would not have come if not summoned. Yan You, pledging his sincerity, listened as his Master acknowledged the blow of Rat Immortal’s demise but urged him to move past it and look forward.

She then revealed that the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow had reappeared and ordered Yan You to retrieve it and kill Xu Feng, emphasizing that Xu Feng was now a weaker mortal. Yan You expressed his reservations, citing their previous failed attempt that led to Rat Immortal's death and asking if Rat Immortal was merely a pawn. His Master countered that Rat Immortal was loyal and had gathered invaluable intelligence, making it impossible to abandon their cause.

Yan You then relayed Rat Immortal’s final advice to "haste makes waste" and questioned his Master’s relentless hatred, reminding her that Water Immortal had saved her. Angered, his Master dismissed his words, asking if he understood what it was like to live on the charity and pity of others. Yan You reiterated his unwavering loyalty but raised the unsettling question of who would remain to serve her if he, too, were to fall.

His Master softened, confessing that she could only depend on him and urged him to take extreme caution while confronting Xu Feng. As Yan You prepared to leave, he noticed a young carp elf who, despite having food and new clothes, longed to roll in a mud puddle. Yan You promised to take him there. Liu Ying discovered her mansion sealed and herself pursued by captors.

While fighting a group of trackers in a forest, she was rescued by Qi Yuan. He brought her to a dilapidated courtyard and healed her injuries by transferring his magic power, allowing her to recover significantly. Xu Feng prepared a meal, offering it as payment for Jin Mi’s medical care. Jin Mi refused, stating that she now considered him a friend and did not need material rewards.

She expressed her happiness at meeting him, having grown up in isolation within the Saint Doctor Family. Xu Feng then promised to fulfill one of her wishes once he was fully recovered. Jin Mi, amused, scoffed at the idea of a "bandit" fulfilling her dreams, but she added that she might, in turn, help him if he ever had a wish, and they made a pact.

Jin Mi then lamented that their paths would likely diverge, reflecting on their equally precarious lives. She candidly revealed her identity as the Saint Girl, trained in medicine for fifteen years, yet Xu Feng was her very first patient. Her purpose, she explained, was to concoct the Elixir of Life for King Yi; failure meant she would become a burial object in the imperial mausoleum upon his death.

Believing King Yi's past massacres would lead to a short life, she concluded her own time was also limited. With tea, she toasted Xu Feng, thanking him for showing her the profound meaning of life and the joy of helping others in her humble existence. She then realized he couldn't hear her. Later, as Jin Mi slept, Xu Feng watched her, pondering the enigma of her character. Xu Feng departed while Jin Mi was still asleep, leaving a farewell letter.

He reasoned that returning directly to King Yi's Palace would be dangerous given Duke Nanping's long-standing plots, so he headed to Beiyuan Villa, a secure stronghold where his trusted troops were stationed, to plan his next move. Jin Mi awoke to find Xu Feng gone. She searched for "Crow," wondering if he had vanished like night dew.

Upon finding his letter, she read his gratitude for her care, his apology for leaving without a direct goodbye due to urgent family matters, and his reaffirmation of his promise despite their different paths, wishing her well. Jin Mi felt a deep sense of disappointment and even anger that he had left so abruptly after recovering, without a face-to-face farewell, especially since she hadn't even charged him for his treatment.

In the Floral Realm, Moon Immortal mischievously tied a red thread between Mr. Hu and Chief Peony. Mr. Hu, affected by the charm, playfully offered Chief Peony carrots, calling her "Peony" or "Dandan." Chief Peony, highly displeased, accused him of wanting to die for flirting. Mr. Hu dramatically declared it romantic to die for a beauty, but Chief Peony, dismissing Moon Immortal as "flower fertilizer," ordered Mr. Hu to be locked in the rabbit hutch.

Mr. Hu cried out for help and apologized profusely from inside the hutch. Moon Immortal arrived, calming Mr. Hu, but then chided him for causing trouble in the Floral Realm instead of teasing the celestial children in Heaven. Mr. Hu complained he was bored without Jin Mi and Xu Feng around, recounting how the rabbits had nearly peeled his "old radish skin."

Moon Immortal playfully suggested tying him to Lian Qiao, which Mr. Hu vehemently rejected, citing their generational familial ties and calling Moon Immortal’s matchmaking "unusual." Moon Immortal then sighed, wishing for Jin Mi and Xu Feng’s return, as he was utterly bored. Chief Peony expressed her worries about Jin Mi's well-being in the mortal world, now that she was a vulnerable mortal.

Another Floral Immortal tried to reassure her, suggesting that an early death would simply hasten her return from tribulation. Chief Peony, however, was concerned about non-mortal threats, identifying Heavenly Empress as the most likely danger. The other Floral Immortals reminded her of Heavenly Emperor’s special decree, prohibiting all immortals from interfering with Jin Mi's tribulation, a measure clearly aimed at restraining Heavenly Empress.

They also pointed out that Night Immortal was watching over Jin Mi daily, assuring Chief Peony that Jin Mi would return safely soon. Chief Peony reflected that she had always been overly protective, but realized it was time to let Jin Mi experience and grow on her own. At the Saint Doctor Family, Jin Mi returned from collecting herbs, bracing herself for punishment for secretly taking the Snow Ginseng. Qiang Huo and Auntie welcomed her warmly.

Auntie even offered to cook her egg noodles. Jin Mi mentioned her month-long trip to Luoye Mountain and promised to share her discoveries with the younger girls. She inquired about the tribe’s well-being and was relieved to hear everything was in order. Later, Qiang Huo privately confessed that she had not reported Jin Mi's actions, agreeing that the Elixir was better used to help someone in need, and reassuring Jin Mi that she chose her over the precious ginseng.

Qiang Huo warned Jin Mi not to act so boldly again. When asked, Jin Mi confirmed that Xu Feng had recovered, but mused that it took her a full month instead of the three days predicted in her texts, concluding that practical experience often trumped written knowledge. Back in King Yi’s Palace, Duke Nanping argued for an immediate funeral for Xu Feng, citing his disappearance and the internal and external unrest plaguing Huaiwu.

Sui He, however, vehemently insisted that Xu Feng was alive and vowed to find him, declaring her lifelong dream was to marry him and refusing to allow a funeral. Just then, a servant burst in with the news: King Yi had returned safely. Sui He rushed to the palace but was stopped by guards. Qin Tong informed her that Xu Feng was resting and could not be disturbed, requesting she return the next day.

Behind closed doors, Xu Feng praised Qin Tong’s efficiency, but then questioned how Sui He was dismissed, implicitly reminding Qin Tong of his place. Xu Feng surmised that a mole had leaked his hunting plans to Liangguo. Qin Tong offered to investigate, but Xu Feng, feigning continued weakness, decided to postpone the discussion until the next day and dismissed Qin Tong.

Later, in a meeting, Duke Nanping, observing Xu Feng's feigned fragility, suggested summoning the Saint Girl from the Saint Doctor Family to treat him. Xu Feng immediately recognized this referred to Jin Mi and initially refused, not wanting to involve her, claiming he was feeling much better. However, Duke Nanping insisted that the King was the foundation of Huaiwu and that it was the Saint Doctor Family’s mission to ensure his health.

Other ministers quickly echoed Duke Nanping’s suggestion, leaving Xu Feng no choice but to reluctantly agree. He noted Duke Nanping’s quick action in obtaining the imperial edict and dispatching men to fetch the Saint Girl. Xu Feng secretly ordered Qin Tong to personally lead a team of elite subordinates to ensure the Saint Girl’s safety. Qin Tong expressed concern about leaving Xu Feng unprotected given the potential killer, but Xu Feng assured him he had his own plans.

The next day, Sui He visited Xu Feng, asking about his health and mentioning Qin Tong’s report of his weakness. She proudly presented a bowl of soup she had personally stewed with the finest ingredients, claiming it would alleviate his fatigue. Xu Feng thanked her but, citing exhaustion from court discussions, asked a servant to take the soup and requested to rest. Sui He left, saddened, wondering when Xu Feng would ever acknowledge her genuine affection.

Later, as Xu Feng drank the soup, his mind wandered to a memory of Jin Mi, when she tasted some grapes he had offered, only to call him a liar for saying they were sweet when they were, in fact, sour. A faint smile touched his lips. At the Saint Doctor Family, Jin Mi and the other girls were unexpectedly summoned to the Saint Girl Hall. Jin Mi, fearing discovery, was worried about the missing Snow Ginseng.

Auntie sternly demanded to know its whereabouts, explaining that an inquiry from the capital had led to the discovery of the missing herb, which had been under Jin Mi’s care. In a moment of panic, Jin Mi blurted out that she had already refined the Longevity Qiankun Elixir, but had consumed it herself for testing, fearing any misstep with King Yi’s medicine.

Auntie was aghast, scolding Jin Mi for daring to take such an important and rare ingredient without consulting the elders. Immediately, Qiang Huo stepped forward, claiming responsibility, saying she had taken the medicine due to illness, mistaking it for a common pill, unaware it was the Longevity Qiankun Elixir. Jin Mi quickly countered, denying Qiang Huo's claim and taking full blame. As the two friends passionately argued over who was responsible, a tribesman arrived, announcing an imperial edict from King Yi, summoning the Saint Girl to the palace.

When King Yi sends an edict to invite the Saint Girl for healing, Qiang Huo expresses her fear that Jin Mi might be forced to be an immolation. Jin Mi offers to go herself, suggesting that if she remains unharmed, it will prove the Longevity Qiankun Elixir was successfully refined, and she will then find another Snow Ginseng to remake it. She promises to uphold the Saint Doctors’ Family regulations.

Chief Peony, recognizing that arguing is futile, instructs Jin Mi to assess King Yi's condition. As Jin Mi prepares to leave, she reassures Chief Peony not to worry about the clan's affairs and to choose the next Saint Girl if she does not return. Chief Peony cautions her to be extremely careful at Beiyuan Villa, to stay within her bounds, and to never forget her duty. Jin Mi vows to remember these teachings.

Chief Peony then tasks Qiang Huo with taking care of Jin Mi and reporting King Yi’s health. Before departing, Jin Mi secretly confesses to Chief Peony that she was the one who ate the elixir, asking her not to blame Qiang Huo if anything happens to her. Qiang Huo later teases Jin Mi for her daring lie, admitting her own naiveté.

Upon arriving in the capital, Jin Mi and Qiang Huo are immediately drawn to the local delicacies, buying steamed buns and pastries. A fortune-teller, who is actually Yan You in disguise, approaches them. He correctly deduces they are close friends on an important mission and warns them of impending doom. He then reveals a portrait strikingly similar to Jin Mi, claiming she is a fairy descended to the mortal world to find a beloved man.

Qiang Huo quickly denies this, stating that Saint Girls never marry. The fortune-teller then pronounces the man's name as "Yan You," confusing both Jin Mi and Qiang Huo. Before he can further elaborate on his "Pictures about the Beauties in the Six Realms" and cryptic notes, Duke Nanping’s guards intervene. An officer rudely dismisses the fortune-teller and invites Jin Mi to the House of Fragrance for tea. The fortune-teller warns the guards of impending misfortune.

Before leaving, an officer invites the fortune-teller to Beiyuan Villa the next day for a reward, which Yan You readily accepts. At the House of Fragrance, Duke Nanping meets Jin Mi, introduced by his officer. He expresses deep concern for King Yi's health, linking it to the stability of the Huaiwu country, and seeks Jin Mi's expertise to ensure King Yi's longevity for the welfare of his people.

Jin Mi affirms her commitment to her duty, promising to do her best to cure King Yi. Duke Nanping then requests to speak with Jin Mi alone. He threatens her, demanding constant updates on King Yi’s health and the severity of his illness. He reminds her of the Saint Doctors’ Family regulation that the Saint Girl must be buried with King Yi if he dies.

He assures her that if she cooperates, she will save not only her own life but also the safety of her entire clan. Afterwards, Qiang Huo anxiously asks what was discussed. Jin Mi downplays the threat, falsely claiming that Duke Nanping merely asked her to closely monitor King Yi's health. Lord Liaoyuan reports Jin Mi’s journey to Xu Feng, mentioning the mysterious fortune-teller and her subsequent visit to the House of Fragrance before being taken to the posthouse.

Xu Feng, suspicious of the fortune-teller, orders Lord Liaoyuan to investigate him first, confident he can deduce what transpired at the House of Fragrance. Observing Jin Mi’s arrival with a large entourage, Xu Feng laments that he wanted to keep her out of harm's way before the court situation stabilized. However, since she is already involved, he resolves to protect her amidst the chaos.

Later, Qiang Huo observes that King Yi seems in no hurry for treatment and that there are no consorts in Beiyuan Villa, despite his renowned handsomeness. Jin Mi deduces this can only mean King Yi suffers from a "male hidden ailment." She goes on to explain the medicinal properties of the herb Qiang Huo, particularly its ability to "reinforce Yang" and treat "kidney deficiency." When King Yi summons her, Jin Mi takes his pulse, finding it normal and healthy.

Yet, King Yi feigns symptoms of discomfort in his heart and liver, along with dizziness, poor appetite, and insomnia. Jin Mi, believing these are fabricated symptoms to mislead her, becomes more convinced of his "hidden ailment." She assures him that as a doctor, her gender is irrelevant, and she is an expert in such matters. She boldly recommends the herb Qiang Huo to treat his "kidney deficiency." Offended, Xu Feng chastises her for such impropriety as a young woman.

He declares himself perfectly healthy, dismissing her services as unnecessary. He then produces their shared conversation manuscripts. Jin Mi recognizes them, and, mistakenly believing "Crow" to be King Yi’s enemy, she tearfully confesses to stealing the Snow Ginseng to save a wounded friend (Crow), whom she didn't realize was an enemy of the king. She adds that he disappeared after being healed. Xu Feng, amused by her misunderstanding, asks if she regrets saving him.

Jin Mi adamantly states "Never," explaining that a doctor's compassion compels them to save lives, just as a chevalier must help the needy. She saved Crow instinctively, without regret. She then offers her life, requesting a swift death and mercy for her clan. Xu Feng asks if she is truly willing to die for Crow, to which she reiterates her plea for her clan's safety. He then gently urges her to rise and look at him.

Jin Mi hesitates, describing his majestic and overwhelming presence that she dares not face. " So stubborn!" Xu Feng remarks, before helping her up and revealing, "I'm Crow." Jin Mi is shocked and relieved, apologizing for her earlier irreverent remarks, now realizing her "Crow" is indeed King Yi. She wonders if this is a "blessing in disguise," hoping he intends to repay her kindness.

A battle report interrupts their moment, and Xu Feng instructs his attendant to accompany him to his study, as the Saint Girl has completed her diagnosis. Meanwhile, Run Yu, uneasy about Jin Mi's tribulation, decides to interfere despite heavenly rules. He visits the Flower Realm, informing the Water God and Chief Peony of his plan to descend and protect Jin Mi.

He affirms that he is willing to break the rules and risk an unrequited love for her sake, stating he would rather waste his life with her than without her. Alone again, Jin Mi reflects on the revelation that Crow is King Yi and she saved her own life. However, she remains anxious about not truly diagnosing his illness and facing Duke Nanping.

Puzzled about who might have poisoned King Yi, she notices his annotations on the manuscripts and realizes he had lied about being unable to speak or hear, writing down everything she said to embarrass her. Despite her annoyance, she quickly forgives him, happy that he is safe. She then prays to a "great immortal" for King Yi's health and longevity, hoping to postpone her own death alongside him. Suddenly, Run Yu appears.

Jin Mi is overjoyed, initially believing she is dreaming, but soon realizes his real presence. She tells him she has dreamed of him since childhood, and no one believed her. Run Yu confesses that he could only accompany her in dreams as a primordial spirit before, but now he fears losing her if he doesn't appear in person. Jin Mi mistakenly identifies him as the King of Medicine, Sun Zhenren, sent to encourage her studies.

Run Yu humbly clarifies that he is merely a "deer-herding immortal," without his deer. Feeling she has inadvertently embarrassed him, Jin Mi tries to comfort him by citing famous immortals like Sun Wukong, who rose from a "Supervisor for Heavenly Horses" to the "Great Sage Equaling Heaven," and Zhang Guolao, who herded donkeys before becoming one of the Eight Immortals, concluding that Run Yu’s future is boundless.

Touched, Run Yu notes that her words are "exactly the same" as those of a friend he once knew. Jin Mi, excited by this "immortal connection," asks if his friend is also an immortal, which Run Yu confirms. Feeling their "destiny is not only a little bit" intertwined, Run Yu asks Jin Mi to call him "Run Yu," to which she affectionately responds, "Immortal Run Yu."

Meanwhile, Liu Ying follows a distinctive scent to Beiyuan Villa, wondering if it's a coincidence. She confronts Qi Yuan, demanding to know his identity, why he used his psychic power to save her, and why he infiltrated the villa. Spotting the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, she engages him in a fierce fight. During their battle, Liu Ying recognizes his fighting style, which is identical to that of Mu Ci, her former love.

She asks if he is an old friend she once knew. Qi Yuan retorts that as a Demon Princess, she should be focused on killing him upon seeing the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, not asking questions. As he comments on the beauty of the Demon Realm sky, a memory resurfaces: Mu Ci giving Liu Ying a pure brass piece for her birthday, which he had spent three months searching for in the mortal world.

He explains that her Demon Bone Whip is difficult to adorn, so he intends to engrave her name on this brass piece for her weapon, knowing her envy of Xuan Shou’s sword tassels. Liu Ying wants to engrave it with magic, but Mu Ci insists they engrave it together in Qingtian Cave, ensuring their shared time and engraved names become an everlasting memory, a gift far more meaningful than any other. Liu Ying cherishes the gift, promising to carry it forever. The flashback ends, and Liu Ying cries out, "It's your voice, Mu Ci!"

Liu Ying pursued Qi Yuan, demanding to know why he had entered Beiyuan Villa and possessed the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. She also questioned why he had used his powers to save her. As they fought, Liu Ying recognized his fighting style as being identical to Mu Ci's, crying out that she knew it was him. Qi Yuan denied her accusations, claiming she had mistaken him for someone else, and refused to reveal his face, stating they were merely strangers.

Liu Ying persisted, asking if his target was Xu Feng and if he understood the dire consequences of harming Xu Feng's primordial spirit. Sensing his identity was compromised, Qi Yuan vanished, leaving Liu Ying distraught. Hidden nearby, Qi Yuan watched her sorrowfully. He recalled a sweet memory of Liu Ying giving him a heart-shaped pendant, and his promise to wear it close to his heart until his last breath.

Looking at the pendant he still wore, he murmured an apology for breaking his promise. Meanwhile, Xu Feng continued his charade of illness, summoning Jin Mi daily. He complained of various ailments, including dyspnea, shortness of breath, a splitting headache, poor appetite, and insomnia. Jin Mi, observing his seemingly normal pulse, grew increasingly perplexed. Xu Feng hinted that his symptoms worsened in her absence and eased when she was near, then feigned dissatisfaction with her inability to diagnose him.

Back in her chambers, Jin Mi discussed Xu Feng's condition with Qiang Huo, who suggested he might be lovesick. Jin Mi dismissed the idea, as no medical book mentioned such an ailment and Xu Feng had never seen her face. Later, a messenger delivered a letter from Duke Nanping, demanding answers within five days, which Jin Mi quickly hid from Qiang Huo.

House staff gossiped about King Yi's frequent summons of the Saint Girl, noting his unusual interest and the fresh fruits he sent her daily. They also remarked on his surprisingly good appetite and mentioned that Jin Mi herself had fallen ill and hadn't eaten for two days.

Qiang Huo pressed Jin Mi about returning to the Saint Doctor Family, but Jin Mi insisted they could not leave until King Yi was cured, fearing disgrace to their family or even being buried with him if he died. Jin Mi soon fell ill with a cold. Xu Feng, upon hearing the news, rushed to her chambers and anxiously scolded Qiang Huo for her inability to cure a minor ailment.

Jin Mi overheard, wondering if his anger stemmed from her absence, but also noted his robust health. Xu Feng then dismissed Qiang Huo and gently fed Jin Mi grapes. Their intimate interaction was observed from afar by Run Yu, who silently vowed that while he had yielded to Xu Feng his entire life, he would not do so when it came to Jin Mi. He also inquired about the Saint Girl's name, learning it was Jin Mi.

That night, Yan You infiltrated Qi Yuan's chamber to steal the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, which he recognized as a weapon his foster mother, the Heavenly Empress, had described. Qi Yuan discovered him, and a fierce battle ensued. Realizing he was no match for the formidable Qi Yuan, Yan You was unable to stop him from escaping with the arrow.

Elsewhere, Princess Sui He was confronted by a messenger from the Heavenly Empress, who attempted to unseal her immortal memories, leaving her confused and resistant. The next morning, Xu Feng inquired about Jin Mi's recovery. Jin Mi, noting his radiant complexion and steady pulse, still found no signs of illness. Xu Feng admitted that while he might have exaggerated his symptoms, the feelings of discomfort were genuine. Drawing on Qiang Huo's suggestion, Jin Mi finally diagnosed him with lovesickness.

Delighted, Xu Feng asked if she wished him to be sick or healthy, and she replied healthy. Their conversation was interrupted by Qiang Huo, who knelt and apologized for her intrusion. Xu Feng remarked that Qiang Huo's name sounded familiar. Jin Mi then lightheartedly suggested that the herb "Qiang Huo" could be used to treat his "kidney deficiency," much to his embarrassment.

Changing the subject, Xu Feng asked what kind of lantern she liked for the upcoming Lantern Festival, and she chose the phoenix lantern. Later, Qiang Huo again urged Jin Mi to return home, but Jin Mi reiterated her duty to stay. Qiang Huo challenged her, questioning whether she was truly unable to leave or simply unwilling. Meanwhile, Liu Ying was tormented by dreams of her past with Mu Ci.

She relived a harrowing encounter with the Nether Fury, where Mu Ci, despite her pleas, created an escape path for her and absorbed the backlash of the terrifying force himself. Waking in distress, Liu Ying lamented his refusal to acknowledge her. That night, Jin Mi received another pressuring letter from Duke Nanping. Overwhelmed, she stepped out for air, only to be ambushed by Qi Yuan with a Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. Just in time, Run Yu appeared and blocked the arrow.

After a brief fight, Qi Yuan retreated. Jin Mi thanked Run Yu, speculating that Duke Nanping might be behind the attack. Run Yu, noting the arrow was not a mortal weapon, assured her he would investigate. He then gave Jin Mi a dragon scale, instructing her to use a dragon-summon spell if she ever needed him. Jin Mi admired the scale, remarking that its cool, sweet scent was exactly like his.

Run Yu then invited her to watch the epiphyllum flowers with him in ten days, fulfilling a promise from the Heaven Realm. Jin Mi happily agreed. Back in the Heaven Realm, Immortal Yuanji confronted Run Yu for interfering in Jin Mi's tribulation, reminding him of the Heavenly Emperor's strict orders. Run Yu countered, blaming Yuanji for negligence, as Jin Mi was nearly killed by a non-mortal attacker.

He asserted his right to protect his fiancée and intimidated Yuanji by reminding her of Jin Mi's powerful parentage as the daughter of the former Floral and Water Immortals. He warned that Jin Mi's tribulation was merely a formality and that if any harm befell her, the blame would fall squarely on Yuanji, advising her to know "which eye to open and which to close."

Meanwhile, Duke Nanping and Minister Fu awaited King Yi for a meeting, growing worried by rumors of his serious illness. Suddenly, they heard a violent coughing fit from inside his chambers. Ignoring General Qin's attempts to stop them, Duke Nanping rushed in to find Xu Feng coughing up fresh blood.

King Yi, Xu Feng, feigned a grave illness and summoned Jin Mi, the Saint Girl of the Saint Doctors’ Family, for a consultation in the presence of Minister Fu and Duke Nanping. After the officials were dismissed, they discussed how they both witnessed King Yi coughing up blood, suspecting he harbored a deeper, serious illness beyond a mere cold.

Duke Nanping then instructed his attendant to arrange for Sui He to visit King Yi the next day to discreetly investigate the true nature of his condition. He also ordered the news of King Yi's illness and absence from court to be spread secretly to incite panic, but to keep Sui He unaware until her visit to ensure her judgment remained clear. Meanwhile, Liu Ying followed Qi Yuan's scent to a bamboo forest.

Desperate to make him reveal himself, she dramatically leaped from a cliff. As expected, Qi Yuan, appearing as a wisp of smoke, swooped down to save her. Liu Ying confronted him, demanding to know why he wouldn't admit he was Mu Ci, why he saved her but refused to meet her, and why he took back the brass strip he had given her.

She declared that if he truly wanted to sever ties, she would return her life to him, making them "even." After he saved her, still masked, Liu Ying insisted she knew it was him and that her gamble paid off. Qi Yuan warned her that his pursuers would return and she needed to be careful. Liu Ying pressed him about what happened after the Nether Fury appeared in the Wangchuan River.

A flashback revealed that the Demon Realm had discovered Mu Ci was a descendant of the Spirit-Vanishing Family, a clan the Demon Lord believed had been eradicated. They imprisoned and tortured him, fearing the revival of the rebellious family. Mu Ci, while imprisoned, showed concern for Liu Ying's injuries. Despite his pleas, the Demon Lord ordered him sealed and thrown into the Yu Abyss.

Back in the present, Qi Yuan told Liu Ying that "Mu Ci no longer exists in this world" and that their definitions of "being alive" differed. Liu Ying, though acknowledging his suffering, pleaded with him to return to the Demon Realm to live as they once did, unaware of his deep-seated hatred for the Demon Realm. Qi Yuan, heartbroken, left her. Later, Sui He visited King Yi's palace.

Xu Feng gracefully performed a sword dance, prompting Sui He to demonstrate her extensive knowledge of military strategy and tactics, which impressed him. Just then, Jin Mi and Qiang Huo arrived with medicine. Sui He, curious about their veiled faces, insisted Jin Mi remove hers, questioning the family's strict rules and suggesting it posed a security risk to the king. Before the situation escalated, Xu Feng suddenly collapsed in a coughing fit.

Sui He, alarmed, watched as Jin Mi took his pulse. Jin Mi dramatically diagnosed Xu Feng with "kidney yang and blood failure" and declared him "impotent," adding that he suffered from "five taxations and seven damages" and was "incurably ill," nearing death. Qiang Huo gently urged Sui He to return, assuring her they would inform her if King Yi regained consciousness. After Sui He departed, Xu Feng immediately sat up, asking Jin Mi how well he performed.

The entire charade was a calculated act for Duke Nanping and Sui He. Xu Feng jokingly chided Jin Mi for spreading rumors of his impotence, claiming she had ruined his reputation and would be responsible if he ended up "alone and childless." Jin Mi reminded him that this was his own plan.

Xu Feng then shifted, admitting that only the "secret behind her veil" truly stirred his emotions, expressing his intense curiosity about her appearance, a sentiment he claimed Sui He shared. Jin Mi, citing Confucian wisdom and modesty, refused, claiming her face was "ugly and disliked." Xu Feng dismissed her words, reminding her of their intimate month in Luoye Mountain where she had been "bold" with him. He playfully accused her of taking liberties and now wanting to "disown him."

Flustered, Jin Mi apologized profusely, reaffirming her loyalty to him. Xu Feng clarified he didn't want mere loyalty but her willingness to remove her veil. Jin Mi steadfastly refused, citing her duties as Saint Girl bound by royal command and family rules, declaring that the "mountain time" was merely a dream and not their reality. Xu Feng's attendant, observing the interaction, later lamented Xu Feng's near loss of control.

He advised Xu Feng to adopt a more aggressive "city seizure tough warfare" approach in matters of love, but Xu Feng realized he couldn't issue commands while supposedly unconscious and decided to wait until his "kidney was cured." Observing the scene from the Celestial Realm, the Moon Immortal chided the Matchmaker Immortal for arranging a fate of "loneliness" for Jin Mi.

The Matchmaker Immortal retorted that Xu Feng himself was to blame, having followed Jin Mi to the mortal realm after preventing her from experiencing "separation of lovers" in the first place, thus "digging his own grave." Back in her chambers, Sui He was distraught over King Yi's condition. Duke Nanping feigned comfort while subtly extracting details about Xu Feng's health. Upon hearing Jin Mi's grim diagnosis, Duke Nanping promised to cancel their engagement.

However, Sui He fiercely resisted, revealing a hidden closet filled with meticulously prepared wedding gowns and mourning clothes. She explained that since she was twelve, after seeing Xu Feng return wounded from battle, she had known this dual fate awaited her and had been preparing for it every year.

Duke Nanping, shocked by her profound devotion, called her foolish, reiterating that Xu Feng's warlike nature meant he would not live long and vowed not to marry her to such a "tyrant." Sui He expressed her disappointment in her father's harsh judgment of Xu Feng and declared her unwavering love, willing to endure widowhood or childlessness for him, stating that only his death could forcibly separate them. Duke Nanping then summoned Jin Mi.

After praising her for the information he'd gleaned from Sui He, he questioned her on King Yi's remaining lifespan. Jin Mi, attempting to buy time, claimed King Yi had "one year at most" left to live and asked Duke Nanping to keep this information from Sui He. Duke Nanping dismissed Sui He's feelings and ordered Jin Mi to reduce King Yi's lifespan to a mere ten days.

He revealed his revised plan to depose Xu Feng at the upcoming Meeting of Commanding Officers in ten days, where many officials would be present, and demanded that King Yi die from poison "on the spot that day." Jin Mi reluctantly agreed.

Returning to her room, a distressed Jin Mi confided in Qiang Huo, explaining that Duke Nanping was holding their entire Saint Doctors' Family, over a hundred lives, hostage, with killers already dispatched to their village awaiting the signal from the capital. Qiang Huo was horrified, recognizing the potential widespread suffering if King Yi, who had brought peace and prosperity wherever he went, were to die.

Jin Mi agreed, believing Xu Feng was capable of creating a peaceful world without war or famine. Overwhelmed, they decided to write to their aunt for advice on this grave matter.

Jin Mi and Qiong Huo received a letter from their Auntie, which instructed them to uphold their family's long-standing loyalty to King Yi. The letter urged them to remain steadfast in their duty, aligning their fate with the King’s, and to prioritize assisting him in saving the people. It revealed the tragic news that the entire Saint Girl clan, numbering a hundred, had been annihilated by Duke Nanping.

Overwhelmed by grief, Jin Mi and Qiong Huo embraced, weeping for their lost family. Jin Mi then sought out Duke Nanping, feigning cooperation. She explained that to ensure the poison would precisely take effect on the tenth day, she required a detailed record of King Yi’s medicated diet and food intake from the past year. Duke Nanping readily agreed, ordering the Food Supervisor to prepare the requested list, while internally questioning Jin Mi's true allegiances.

On her way back to the palace, Jin Mi was intercepted by Sui He. Sui He attempted to gift her a set of rare Sibin Stone Needles, but Jin Mi politely declined, adhering to the principle of "no gains without pains." Sensing a test, Jin Mi remained cautious. Sui He then revealed her knowledge of Jin Mi’s true role as Duke Nanping’s agent, planted to assassinate King Yi, and threatened severe retribution should Jin Mi succeed.

Jin Mi, realizing Sui He's genuine love and concern for King Yi, cleverly sidestepped the conversation, making a philosophical remark about different scales of treachery before attempting to leave. As she prepared to depart, a venomous Green Willow Leaf snake crawled onto Sui He's foot. Panicked, Sui He screamed, but Jin Mi quickly calmed her and sprinkled realgar powder to repel the snake.

Jin Mi, seeing the snake as a perfect ingredient for medicinal wine, asked Sui He if she could have it, which Sui He reluctantly permitted. Chasing after the snake, Jin Mi stumbled upon Yan You. Noticing his unsteady gait and the smell of realgar, she suspected he might have been poisoned. However, a quick pulse check revealed he was perfectly healthy. Jin Mi and Yan You later shared drinks at a tavern.

Jin Mi asked Yan You, who she knew as Puchi Jun, to tell her fortune. He dismissed fortune-telling as mostly false and inquired about her current worries. Jin Mi confided her dilemma, asking what one should do when forced to act against their will. Yan You, identifying with her struggle, advised her to assert control over her own destiny, though Jin Mi remained troubled, acknowledging the painful choice between compliance and defiance.

Meanwhile, King Yi continued his charade of severe illness before Minister Fu. Minister Fu, concerned about the King’s health and lack of heirs, proposed that he take more consorts for good fortune and to secure the royal lineage. When King Yi rejected the idea, Minister Fu presented an alternate proposal signed by other officials: selecting a crown prince from the royal family to stabilize the state.

King Yi saw through Minister Fu’s elaborate plan, recognizing that the core intention was to secure a successor, not genuine concern for his marriage. Later, King Yi visited Jin Mi’s chamber to discuss their deceptive scheme. He noted that their pretense of his serious illness had stirred up significant trouble, but acknowledged its effectiveness in making Duke Nanping complacent. He playfully reminded Jin Mi that Duke Nanping intended her to be his poison, but she had become his antidote.

He then brought up Minister Fu’s insistence on marriage and candidly admitted his lack of interest in the women proposed. He then asked Jin Mi if she had ever considered a different life, perhaps as his queen. Shocked by his proposal, Jin Mi, constrained by her family’s rules, humbly declined, stating her lack of knowledge beyond medicine. King Yi, feeling she deemed him unworthy of trust, left disheartened.

Qiong Huo, who overheard part of their conversation, asked Jin Mi if she was in love with King Yi, to which Jin Mi denied, reminding Qiong Huo of their family regulations. Jin Mi used the Illusion Dragon Charm to summon Run Yu. She presented him with the medicinal wine she had brewed, which delighted him. Run Yu then conjured epiphyllum for them to admire, filling the courtyard with its beauty and fragrance.

Jin Mi, enchanted, inquired about the Heavenly Palace, which Run Yu described as a lonely place, brightened only by a few epiphyllum, a deer, and a small immortal attendant. She mentioned seeing him in her dreams accompanied by a rainbow bridge, which Run Yu explained was a place he visited when he missed someone. He expressed his pleasure at finally sharing the epiphyllum with her. As they spoke, Qi Yuan, observing from afar, aimed his Spirit-Vanishing Arrow at Jin Mi.

However, Xu Feng’s sudden appearance forced Qi Yuan to retreat. Xu Feng confronted Run Yu, demanding his identity. Run Yu, directly addressing Xu Feng by his personal name, provoked Lord Liaoyuan, who immediately reprimanded him. Run Yu, unfazed, paralyzed Lord Liaoyuan and attempted to lead Jin Mi away. Xu Feng, however, blocked their path, challenging Run Yu to a duel. As their confrontation escalated, Yan You unexpectedly arrived, interjecting with a quip about the crowded scene.

Recognizing Xu Feng as the "Fire Immortal" and Run Yu as an "immortal" while he was a "half-immortal," Yan You intervened, knocking Xu Feng unconscious with a magical strike, proclaiming he had avenged Run Yu. Run Yu, lamenting that his simple wish for a peaceful evening with Jin Mi was once again disrupted, erased everyone’s memories of the chaotic night. Jin Mi later awoke, confused about the events.

Later, Lord Liaoyuan was attacked by several masked assailants who attempted to steal the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. Amidst the struggle, Yan You appeared, seizing the opportunity to snatch the arrow for himself. On their return journey, Yan You mentioned the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to Run Yu. Back in the Heaven Realm, Run Yu went to Xingjing Court with Kuang Lu to research the arrow.

There, he unexpectedly discovered a painting by his father, the Heavenly Emperor, featuring a mysterious woman and the Spirit Fire Pearl. Intrigued and troubled by the discovery, Run Yu, after gathering initial information about the arrow from Kuang Lu, chose to walk alone, sending her back to Xuanji Palace. Meanwhile, Liu Ying finally caught up with Mu Ci.

She sternly warned him against using the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to harm Xu Feng or Jin Mi, whom she considered her brother and friend. Mu Ci revealed that the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow was already lost, claiming he could not prevent any harm. Liu Ying then demanded the return of her brass strip, but Mu Ci feigned ignorance and attempted to leave. Liu Ying cleverly faked an injury, prompting a concerned Mu Ci to rush to her aid, calling her "Princess." Seizing the moment, Liu Ying removed his mask, finally revealing his identity.

Qi Yuan was about to leave when the men of the King of Gu City reappeared. Frustrated that they couldn't get the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, they decided to kill Liu Ying to report back to their King. In the ensuing fight, Liu Ying was injured. Enraged, Mu Ci killed all the attackers. Looking at him, Liu Ying wondered if he would only care for her when she was hurt.

She recounted how she had searched for him for hundreds of years, waiting by the Wangchuan River after he disappeared. Seeing him about to leave again, she asked if he was truly going. He assured her he wasn't, telling her she hadn't recovered and should rest instead of moving around. Yan You arrived at Beiyuan Villa with the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. He found Xu Feng still diligently reviewing memorials late at night.

A servant advised Xu Feng to rest, but Xu Feng insisted on finishing his work first. Yan You began to question if what his foster mother asked him to do – to kill Xu Feng – was truly right. He then decided to suspend the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow above Xu Feng's head with a single strand of hair, leaving Xu Feng's fate to chance. Qi Yuan reported to the Heavenly Empress that he had lost the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow.

The Heavenly Empress was furious, questioning his competence after so many days in the human world. Qi Yuan explained that Xu Feng's trial in the Human Realm had drawn attention from many who wished him harm, including the Demon Realm and Snake Fairy Yan You, whom he suspected of stealing the arrow. The Heavenly Empress agreed, recalling how Yan You had disrupted her birthday feast, and believed Yan You and the Rat Fairy shared a common master.

She ordered Qi Yuan to investigate their true mastermind, particularly keeping an eye on the Water Immortal and the Night Immortal. Qi Yuan mentioned that the Night Immortal, Run Yu, had repeatedly met with Jin Mi in the Human Realm, thwarting her plans. The Heavenly Empress cursed Run Yu for defying her and warned Qi Yuan not to underestimate him. She then inquired about Sui He's memory.

Qi Yuan admitted he hadn't yet opened Sui He's memory due to his search for the arrow. The Heavenly Empress emphasized the importance of activating Sui He's memory, as it would enable her to assist him in the human world. She threatened Qi Yuan, stating that if he failed to retrieve the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, she would force him to re-forge it using his own heart's blood. Back at the wooden house, Qi Yuan didn't find Liu Ying.

Just as he was about to turn away in disappointment, Liu Ying entered, calling out his name, "Mu Ci." She explained that after waking and not finding him, she feared he had left again and went looking for him, even picking some fruits from the mountain for him. He told her not to walk around since she hadn't fully recovered. She then asked for her bronze piece back, which he returned.

Liu Ying pressed him about how he had been doing all these years, but he didn't answer. He told her he was going to fetch water, and she simply said it was fine as long as he returned. Later, she offered to cook for him, but he urged her to return to the Demon Realm, as she was almost fully recovered. She asked him to return with her, but he refused, saying he could not go back.

He insisted she stop being obsessed with "Mu Ci," claiming he had changed. Liu Ying argued that his repeated rescues proved he still cared, asking why he was so heartless. Mu Ci solemnly stated that she would live a better life without him, then broke free from her grasp and departed, urging her to "Forget me."

Yan You's foster mother was furious as a young boy, referred to as "Little Mud Eel," repeatedly failed to perform the water and fog skill, even though she recalled him mastering the tidal bore skill at age three. She lamented his lack of progress and sent him away, warning him of the dangers outside. Yan You then reported to his foster mother that he had failed to get the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow.

He advised her to accept fate, suggesting that those who do evil would face retribution, and that the Heavenly Empress should be left to her own doom. His foster mother reacted with hysteria, shouting that she had waited too many years and wanted her to pay in blood. Qin Tong was sent by Xu Feng to buy materials for lotus lanterns.

His subordinate grumbled, questioning why the Shanqin Bureau couldn't handle such a task, but Qin Tong explained that these were no ordinary lanterns; they were Xu Feng's secret weapons for an important battle, necessitating the best moonlight paper and bamboo strips. Later, Qin Tong and his subordinate got lost in the forest, suspecting they had encountered a ghost wall after seeing the same tree twice. Going to ask for directions, Qin Tong stumbled upon an elderly couple.

The old woman was barely breathing, wishing her husband would grant her a quick end to her suffering, lamenting the hardships of life and her desire to be with him forever in the next life. Qin Tong, unwilling to see them separated by death, offered all his silver for her treatment. The old woman praised Qin Tong as a kind-hearted person and urged her husband to help him before she passed away.

Qin Tong helped the old man bury his wife, then, feeling pity for the solitary widower, invited him to the military camp. The old man said he owed Qin Tong a favor, gave him a unique seal, and then departed with the silver. Qin Tong, not wishing to seek repayment, left the seal at the old woman's grave. However, no matter how far he walked, the seal kept reappearing on him.

Realizing the old man was no ordinary human, Qin Tong finally accepted the gift. Duke Nanping gathered his subordinates to discuss their plan to force Xu Feng's abdication during the Meeting of Commanding Officers. He outlined his intention to have the Saint Girl announce Xu Feng's illness, after which he would demand Xu Feng step down for a more virtuous ruler, believing that Minister Fu and others would agree given Xu Feng's supposed impending death and lack of an heir.

Sui He, overhearing the conversation, confronted her father, accusing him of coveting the throne. She challenged his assertion that Xu Feng was beyond saving, claiming the Saint Doctor Family could still cure him. Duke Nanping tried to sway her, reminding her that if he became king, she would be a princess with many eligible suitors, but Sui He declared her unwavering love for Xu Feng, stating she would only marry her cousin.

Enraged by her defiance, Duke Nanping ordered a guard, Qi Chong, to confine Sui He to her room, forbidding her from leaving without his permission. Sui He defiantly stated that even if he dethroned Xu Feng, she would still only marry her cousin. At the Meeting of Commanding Officers, Minister Liu spoke first, urging Xu Feng to abdicate due to his illness and lack of an heir, emphasizing the state's welfare.

Xu Feng challenged him, asking who would be worthy of the throne. Minister Liu responded that an upright and virtuous king was needed. Xu Feng then subtly questioned whether Duke Nanping or Minister Fu was attempting to seize power. When Duke Nanping tried to shift blame and punish Minister Liu, Xu Feng intervened and asked Minister Liu how he knew about his illness, suggesting they summon Jin Mi, the Saint Girl.

Jin Mi was summoned and declared that while Xu Feng had indeed been weakened by overwork, he had now fully recovered under her care. At this point, Xu Feng received news that the Saint Doctor Family members were safe and protected by his men, and Duke Nanping's assassins had all been eliminated. Xu Feng then ordered more protection for Jin Mi. Duke Nanping questioned Jin Mi's earlier diagnosis, calling her incompetent.

Jin Mi admitted to an initial misjudgment but cleverly turned the tables by asking where Duke Nanping had obtained such private medical information. She then revealed that the real problem was someone tampering with Xu Feng's diet, presenting a detailed menu of seemingly nourishing but actually conflicting and harmful medicinal dishes. Xu Feng demanded to know the origin of the list.

Minister Fu quickly stated he had ordered Dong Ruixi, the Manager of the Food Supervisor, to transcribe the list, implicitly blaming him. Dong Ruixi, summoned by Xu Feng, confessed but denied having accomplices. Duke Nanping immediately demanded Dong Ruixi's execution, but Minister Fu advised caution and suggested further investigation. Xu Feng agreed and ordered Dong Ruixi's arrest, entrusting Minister Fu with the full investigation.

Xu Feng concluded the meeting by ironically praising the officials, particularly Duke Nanping, as upright and virtuous, effectively exposing his hypocrisy. Duke Nanping was informed that his men sent to the Saint Doctor Family had lost contact, and he sternly ordered his subordinate to ensure Dong Ruixi would not speak again. Meanwhile, Sui He had been praying for Xu Feng's safety.

Her servant brought her the good news that Xu Feng was healthy; his previous illness was a misdiagnosis caused by a tampered diet. Sui He was overjoyed but immediately pressed her servant to confirm if the person behind the diet had been identified and if there were any accomplices, worried about her father being exposed. Her servant confirmed it was Dong Ruixi alone. Elsewhere, Jin Mi's servant happily reported that King Yi's men had successfully saved the Saint Doctor Family.

Since Xu Feng had recovered, Jin Mi, tired of being confined, suggested they go listen to storytelling. They went to a restaurant, where they listened to a storyteller vividly recounting tales of King Yi, the God of War, defeating enemies on the battlefield.

Jin Mi is listening to a storyteller praise King Yi's military achievements when she interjects to correct a detail about a past battle. She vividly describes how King Yi, despite being trapped and surrounded by the enemy, showed no fear, single-handedly broke through the siege, and swiftly disarmed the enemy general. The audience, captivated by her recount, applauds heartily. The storyteller, annoyed by her interruption, asks if she intends to take his job.

Jin Mi apologizes, explaining she merely corrected an inaccuracy. Later, Qiang Huo asks Jin Mi how she knows so much about King Yi's battles. Jin Mi fabricates a story, claiming she heard Qin Tong recount these battlefield tales. Soon after returning to Beiyuan Villa, Jin Mi is summoned to Xu Feng's palace by Qin Tong. Xu Feng invites her to sit beside him to make a phoenix lantern.

Though Jin Mi admits she doesn't know how, Xu Feng assures her he will guide her. They work together late into the night, creating a somewhat crooked lantern. Jin Mi apologizes for her clumsiness, but Xu Feng cherishes it as "their" lantern and decides to keep it. He then leads her to a courtyard filled with many other phoenix lanterns, which he made himself, and asks if she likes them.

Jin Mi, overjoyed by the sight, proclaims she loves them all. However, as they gaze at each other, Jin Mi internally struggles, reminding herself that he is King Yi and she is a Saint Girl, and she must not harbor romantic feelings for him. Convinced she needs a "Mind Relief Pill" to suppress her emotions, she quickly makes an excuse of being tired and leaves.

Xu Feng, regretting not stopping her, instructs Qin Tong to send all the lanterns to Jin Mi's courtyard. News of Xu Feng lighting an entire courtyard of phoenix lanterns for the Saint Girl reaches Sui He, who becomes furious. Suddenly, Qi Yuan appears, announcing he is there on the Heavenly Empress's orders to restore her celestial memories. Once her memories are unlocked, Sui He's rage intensifies, remembering her past grievances with Jin Mi in the Heaven Realm.

She demands to know why Jin Mi is still alive and, despite Qi Yuan admitting to losing the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, orders him to find a way to eliminate Jin Mi, ensuring she can never be with Xu Feng. Qi Yuan agrees to her command. Later, Sui He approaches her father, Duke Nanping, to discuss her marriage to Xu Feng.

She strategically suggests that even if they can't dethrone Xu Feng, their future child would make Duke Nanping a powerful grandfather, securing his influence. Duke Nanping, weighing his ambitions and power, agrees to promote the marriage, promising to submit a memorial to the King within days to hasten the union.

Days later, Xu Feng is frustrated by the continuous stream of memorials from ministers, particularly from Duke Nanping, who now insist on his marriage to Sui He and the production of an heir, just days after trying to remove him from the throne. Qin Tong attempts to reason with him, but Xu Feng dismisses the ministers' understanding of his heart.

When Qin Tong informs him of Jin Mi's memorial requesting to return to the Saint Doctor Family, Xu Feng is deeply troubled. He orders several pots of osmanthus wine, remarking that he needs to "brave himself" for a difficult "battle." Meanwhile, Jin Mi is anxious about the unanswered memorial. She realizes that if she remains close to Xu Feng, she will be unable to control her burgeoning feelings for him. She believes it is better to leave this tumultuous place.

Moon Immortal arrives in the mortal world to check on Xu Feng and Jin Mi, unexpectedly finding Yan You there. Yan You conceals the details of the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, claiming he is only there to check on Jin Mi's well-being. Moon Immortal, who had previously tried to bind Xu Feng and Jin Mi with a red rope, wonders if his efforts have borne fruit.

Yan You then reveals Xu Feng's current distress over his impending marriage to Sui He, a union orchestrated by Duke Nanping and the ministers. Moon Immortal expresses his strong dislike for Sui He, believing she is unworthy of Xu Feng. Yan You then proposes a clever scheme to resolve the issue, which Moon Immortal enthusiastically approves. While Jin Mi is pondering her departure, a heavily intoxicated Xu Feng stumbles into her chambers.

He reveals the immense pressure from Duke Nanping and the ministers to marry Sui He. Jin Mi attempts to deflect the conversation, calling the match "good" and instead inquiring about her memorial to return to the Saint Doctor Family. Xu Feng then pours out his heart, confessing his deep feelings for her, which he felt from their first meeting. He tells her that he has never wanted to leave her side, even after his recovery.

He proposes a plan for her to fake her death and, after a period of being secretly hidden in the mortal world, return as a daughter of a high official, thereby freeing her from the restrictive Saint Girl identity and allowing them to be together.

However, Jin Mi, citing the unbreakable century-old rules of her family, rejects his proposal, arguing that even if he has a thousand ways to protect her, her family would have a thousand and one ways to kill her. She further tries to dissuade him by claiming her true face is "ugly" beneath her veil and that her only passion is medicine.

She urges him to prioritize the state and his duties as a "wise king," warning that their forbidden love would become a "stain" on his reign. Hurt by her words and apparent lack of trust, Xu Feng questions if she truly sees him as unreliable. He then sternly states he will not approve her memorial and abruptly leaves her chambers. Unbeknownst to them, Qiang Huo witnesses this exchange and walks away in disappointment.

The next day, Qiang Huo asks Jin Mi if King Yi has approved their request to return to the Saint Doctor Family. Jin Mi avoids a direct answer, claiming that Xu Feng is preoccupied with pressing state affairs and has likely not yet considered their request, adding that "it doesn't matter" if they stay a few more days.

Qiang Huo serves her a cup of tea, seemingly reflecting on whether Jin Mi truly wants to return, questioning if she would ever see Xu Feng again if they left. Meanwhile, Sui He is meticulously planning her wedding to Xu Feng, expressing her anticipation to her attendants, eager to make it perfect even for a brief mortal life. Yan You, who has been following her, suddenly appears.

He uses his magic to stun her, recognizing that her heavenly memories have been reactivated. He then freezes her, mocking her mortal body's vulnerability despite her recovered celestial knowledge, and taunts her about their past conflicts in the Heaven Realm, promising to settle old scores. Shortly after, Duke Nanping receives urgent news that Sui He has vanished from her carriage, with her attendant found unconscious. Furious, he immediately orders a city-wide search for his missing daughter.

Qin Tong reports to Xu Feng that Sui He is missing and that Duke Nanping has requested his aid in the search. However, he quickly adds that Sui He has already arrived at Beiyuan Villa, accompanied by a man named Pu Chi, and seeks King Yi's judgment. Yan You, as Pu Chi, brings the still-frozen Sui He before Xu Feng.

Holding Sui He, Yan You speaks to her provocatively about their "star-crossed love," even as Sui He internally struggles and threatens him with dire consequences in the Heaven Realm. Yan You dismisses her threats, stating he is already a "criminal" and finds joy in their mortal union. Just then, Moon Immortal appears and subtly casts a Puppet Incantation on Sui He.

Yan You, playing the part of Pu Chi, addresses Xu Feng, presenting himself as a hanger-on from Duke Nanping's palace who, despite their difference in status, has fallen deeply in love with Sui He. He humbly requests Xu Feng's blessing for their union. Xu Feng turns to Sui He, asking if she reciprocates Pu Chi's feelings.

Under the influence of the Puppet Incantation, Sui He, despite her inner protests, declares her profound love for Pu Chi and requests Xu Feng to grant their marriage. Seeing what appears to be a genuine declaration of love, Xu Feng, with a magnanimous spirit, agrees to their request. He officially announces the cancellation of his engagement with Sui He, granting her the freedom to choose her own husband.

The onlookers are utterly captivated by the dramatic turn of events, finding it far more thrilling than any recounted tale. Yan You and Moon Immortal covertly celebrate the success of their ingenious plan. Meanwhile, in the Heaven Realm, Run Yu decides to travel to the mortal world to investigate the mystery surrounding the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow and the Spirit Fireball, believing that an individual there might hold the key to the answers he seeks.

He instructs Kuang Lu to diligently guard Xuanji Palace in his absence. Kuang Lu ponders the unusual connection between the two magical items and wonders who this knowledgeable "expert" in the mortal world could be.

Yan You once again checked on the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, still suspended above Xu Feng's study. He murmured to himself that it must be fate. The Moon Immortal then appeared behind him, asking what kind of fate he was referring to. Fearing his schemes would be exposed, Yan You quickly pulled the Moon Immortal aside. The two found they were very congenial and decided to go to a wine shop to chat over some osmanthus wine.

The Moon Immortal excitedly recounted how much fun he had with Yan You's brilliant plan, wanting to know how he came up with it. Yan You simply said, "Experience is the best teacher." The Moon Immortal admitted that despite making matches for years, his understanding of love was purely theoretical and that he needed Yan You's guidance.

As they left, the Moon Immortal expressed a desire to check on Xu Feng, but Yan You dissuaded him, saying Xu Feng was busy with official duties and, as a mortal, couldn't be spoken to. He suggested they just enjoy the "beautiful night hours" together. Upon returning to Dongting Lake, Yan You heard his foster mother scolding a little red carp, who she called "Li."

She was angry because Li was disobedient and played in the mire despite her providing him with good food and clothes to be a "decent carp." She made the red carp promise not to play in the mire again, threatening severe punishment if he fooled her. Yan You then reported his failure to retrieve the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. His foster mother became hysterical, accusing him of lying and reminding him that she hated being fooled.

Yan You tried to defend Xu Feng, saying he was innocent, but his foster mother retorted that Xu Feng's mother, the Heavenly Empress, meant he had to pay the price. She declared her intention to make the Heavenly Empress feel the agonizing pain of losing a son. She then demanded to know the arrow's location, intending to retrieve it and kill Xu Feng herself.

Realizing his foster mother was "going to be insane," Yan You quickly promised to find a way to get the arrow back. His foster mother warned him of severe punishment if he disappointed her again. As she let the red carp go, she affectionately told him he was a red carp from now on, not a little green snake, and that she would never let him suffer any injustice.

Yan You watched, worried that he couldn’t let his foster mother continue her descent into madness. He thought that perhaps only Run Yu could stop her. Sui He, distraught after Yan You's trick led to the cancellation of her engagement with Xu Feng, refused to eat or drink. Duke Nanping, her father, was deeply concerned.

He tried to console her, even offering to have Puchi "cut off piece by piece or torn into pieces by horses," but Sui He dismissed it, saying they couldn't catch him. She then suggested that Xu Feng (King Yi) might have bought Puchi off to stage the whole drama. Duke Nanping tried to tell her that the matter was settled and wondered what he could do to make her happy, but Sui He threatened to take her own life.

Panicked, Duke Nanping promised to find a solution and urged her to eat. He then resolved that he would not allow Sui He to remain so obsessed with King Yi. He vowed revenge on Xu Feng, saying, "You are not kind to me, so don't blame me for being unjust. You hurt Sui He’s feelings so much. How can I spare you?"

He immediately dispatched a letter to Liangguo, instructing them to target Xu Feng during his upcoming military campaign, ensuring his death on the battlefield. Xu Feng, as the King, went to visit Jin Mi, but Qiang Huo blocked his way, claiming Jin Mi was resting and had been very tired lately. Xu Feng sensed Jin Mi was avoiding him and later asked his attendant, Qin Tong, if he had done anything wrong.

Qin Tong suggested that Xu Feng's "truthful words under the influence of alcohol" a few days prior, intended to express affection, had backfired and instead appeared as a "loss of composure." Xu Feng then inquired about how to cheer up a beloved. Qin Tong advised buying "fresh stuff" for mild displeasure and "more expensive stuff" for severe unhappiness.

Xu Feng, implying Jin Mi was not an ordinary girl easily pleased, dismissed the attendant, but not before asking him to procure the freshest and most expensive trinkets available. Meanwhile, Run Yu arrived in the mortal realm. He noticed Jin Mi’s courtyard filled with phoenix lanterns, made by Xu Feng.

Yan You appeared, and Run Yu immediately confronted him, demanding to know why he tried to steal the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow and his true involvement in Xu Feng's attack, suggesting that Rat Fairy's confession was merely a cover-up. Yan You, overwhelmed by the questions, offered to take Run Yu to a specific location where he would find all the answers, reassuring him that he wouldn't harm him. Yan You led Run Yu to Dongting Lake.

He asked if Run Yu remembered the place, noting that the answers he sought were beneath its waters. Run Yu admitted a sense of familiarity but also an unexplained fear, wondering why he felt so flustered. Yan You said he wouldn't force him but emphasized the urgency of uncovering the mystery. Later, Run Yu returned to the lake with Kuang Lu. He asked her about her childhood memories, especially sad ones.

Kuang Lu optimistically stated she remembered nothing sad, advising him to focus on happiness and calmly face setbacks. Run Yu then invited her to accompany him into the Dongting Lake. Kuang Lu pledged her unwavering loyalty. As they entered, Kuang Lu marveled at the beautiful place. Run Yu explained he came to confront his past.

As he delved deeper, vivid memories resurfaced: childhood bullies calling him a "monster with horns" and telling him to leave Lize Pond because he wasn't a red carp. Then, horrifying images of his mother forcibly cutting off his scales and horns flashed before him, despite his pleas. He realized that Yunmeng Lake and Lize Pond were one and the same. Overwhelmed, Run Yu collapsed, his hands trembling violently.

Kuang Lu rushed to his side, concerned, but he assured her he was fine. Yan You welcomed Run Yu into Yunmeng Lake. Inside, he announced Run Yu’s arrival to his foster mother, Su Li. Su Li tried to avoid Run Yu, claiming she was isolated and knew little. However, Run Yu walked directly to her, bowing respectfully as if to the Lord of Dongting.

He presented a mermaid painting from the Heavenly Emperor's Xingjing Court, asking if she recognized the fairy in it. Su Li denied any knowledge. Run Yu then meticulously deciphered the painting for her: the string of Magic Fireballs on the woman's wrist, a rare Heavenly treasure, with the other belonging to the Heavenly Empress, indicated a profound connection to the Heavenly Emperor. He uncovered a hidden poem that ended with "Su Li," a pledge of eternal love.

He identified the signature "Lord Beichen" as the Heavenly Emperor's personal nickname, used only for his closest confidantes and known by very few. Run Yu also recalled the queer reactions of the Heavenly Emperor and Empress when Rat Fairy mentioned Su Li during his trial, concluding the relationship between Fairy Su Li and the Heavenly Emperor was "very evident."

He noted that he, who could remember all anecdotes from the Six Realms, had no memory of the name Su Li or his own early childhood, suggesting someone had deliberately erased his memories. Su Li, impressed by his deductions, complimented his extraordinary intelligence. Run Yu pressed for the truth. He pointed out that while the Heavenly Emperor practiced fire magic, he, as a dragon, practiced water magic, implying his birth mother was from the Water Family.

The painting depicted Su Li treading water and catching fish, further suggesting her aquatic origin. He then revealed that the "shark beads" mentioned in the poem, formed from mermaid tears, were identical to a string he had carried since childhood. Su Li once again deflected, insisting that Su Li was long dead and urging him to stop dwelling on a deceased person.

Run Yu countered that Rat Fairy's death, while seeming like revenge, was too ill-conceived to truly shake the Bird Family, concluding it was a "golden cicada shedding its shell" scheme by the Heavenly Empress to sacrifice Rat Fairy. He argued that the only logical explanation was that Su Li was not dead but alive, secretly accumulating power and orchestrating repeated attacks against the Heavenly Realm. Su Li finally acknowledged him, lamenting, "My son has finally grown up. . .

I know that you are really very smart." Run Yu, still seeking confirmation, reiterated that the Heavenly Empress was not his birth mother, but merely sought to control him as the eldest son. He confessed his constant yearning for his biological mother throughout the millennia. Su Li, hardening her resolve, simply told him to leave, insisting that his mother had "died in the fire that happened in Lize Pond that year."

Run Yu, realizing her continued refusal to acknowledge him, expressed his profound disappointment. He had believed his mother loved him and their separation was forced by circumstances, but her present actions proved otherwise. He demanded to know why she had insisted on giving birth to him if he was such a disgrace, and why, if she truly loved the Heavenly Emperor, she would then torture and abandon him.

He revealed a scar caused by her Magic Fireball and another, a lifelong wound, from when she had cut off his dragon scales, a forbidden act for any other. He questioned what kind of hatred could drive a mother to inflict such harm on her own child. Su Li begged him to stop, repeatedly ordering him to leave. In despair, Run Yu declared, "The one who gave birth to me, destroyed me and abandoned me is my mother.

I'm hurt both physically and mentally. I’m scarred. It’s because of you." He then kowtowed once more, stating he was repaying her for giving birth to him, thereby severing their mother-son bond. Su Li cried out that she was not his mother, and he was not her son, desperately urging him to leave. As Run Yu walked out of Dongting Lake, his tears fell on Kuang Lu's face, who followed him silently. He couldn’t comprehend his mother’s actions. Inside, after Run Yu left, Su Li began to mournfully call out his childhood name, "Li," repeatedly, her cries echoing through the lake dwelling, greatly paining Yan You.

Qin Tong presented various precious trinkets to Xu Feng, but the King of Bian City found none to his liking until his gaze fell upon a miniature turtle. Xu Feng decided to keep the turtle, remarking that its timid, "cowardly" nature reminded him of Jin Mi. Meanwhile, Jin Mi was admiring a loong scale gifted to her by Run Yu. Xu Feng suddenly appeared and, upon seeing the scale, asked what it was.

Jin Mi explained it was a gift from a male immortal she knew, causing Xu Feng to become immediately jealous. He dismissed the idea of loongs existing and accused her of being tricked. He then possessively forbade her from seeing this immortal again, citing a national decree against sorcerers. Jin Mi offered to summon the immortal to prove him real, but Xu Feng swiftly refused.

He then scoffed at the authenticity of the loong scale, explaining that a true forbidden lamella is unique, dangerous to touch, and fatal to remove. When Jin Mi offered to return the scale since he didn't believe her, Xu Feng, after a brief moment, kept it, asserting it suited him and asking her to gift it to him. Jin Mi, however, refused to part with her friend's gift.

Xu Feng then gave her the miniature turtle, claiming he was not as "stingy" as her. Jin Mi thanked him and agreed the turtle resembled her. Xu Feng then seized the opportunity, stating that since he had given her a gift, she should reciprocate, adding that there was "only one thing" he truly desired from her.

Run Yu confided in Kuang Lu about his childhood, recounting how he was hidden by his mother at the deepest, darkest part of Taihu Lake from birth, living without light. He endured constant bullying from other water tribe children, who called him a "monster with horns" and a "little mixed-breed." He described an incident where his defiance led his mother, Su Li, to brutally pull out his loong scales and horns.

Run Yu's clothes were repeatedly stained with his own blood, and he recalled the "biting chill" that pierced him after each blood loss, an agony he described as being worse than death. He confessed that this profound cold was his greatest fear. Despite being the Heavenly Emperor's son, he felt immense envy for Kuang Lu, who grew up cherished by her parents, unlike himself, an "illegitimate son" forced to live in secrecy.

Kuang Lu listened with great empathy, her heart aching for his tragic past. Su Li, in Yunmeng Pond, expressed her displeasure to Yan You for bringing Run Yu to see her. Yan You defended his actions, stating he was concerned about her and wished to share her burdens. He questioned why she wouldn't acknowledge her son, Run Yu, despite missing him daily.

Su Li began to recount her painful past, revealing that she was once a princess of the Arowana Family, betrothed to Lord Qiantang's son. During a Heavenly Empress birthday banquet, she accompanied her father to the Heaven Realm. While there, she became entranced by the celestial sights, lost her way, and stumbled into the Xingjing Court, where she met an immortal. He introduced himself as the Night Immortal, Lord Beichen, and claimed to be on duty there.

They quickly developed a strong bond, meeting daily after dusk, and he gifted her a spirit fire pearl as a token of their affection. However, one day, Lord Beichen vanished without a trace. After making inquiries, she discovered there was no Night Immortal and no "Lord Beichen" in the Heaven Realm.

Later, Su Li realized this "Lord Beichen" was none other than the Heavenly Emperor himself, who had pursued her only because her appearance bore a resemblance to Zi Fen, the Floral Immortal. She understood that he was merely seeking a shadow of his lifelong love interest in her. Shortly after returning to Lize Pond, Su Li discovered she was pregnant with his child. She secretly gave birth to Run Yu, whom she affectionately called Li'er.

However, her father soon discovered the truth upon seeing the infant's true loong form, immediately recognizing the Heavenly Emperor as the father. In a fit of rage, he stripped Su Li of her princess title and annulled her engagement with Lord Qiantang's son. Lord Qiantang, in turn, filed a complaint with the Heaven Realm, accusing Su Li's father of breaching the marriage contract.

The Heavenly Emperor, with a wave of his hand, punished the Arowana Family by confiscating 36,000 qing of Taihu Lake's surface waters and ceding it to the Bird Family, forcing the Arowana Family to reside solely beneath Lize Pond. Yan You suggested that the Heavenly Emperor's actions were likely meant to appease the "jealous woman," the Heavenly Empress.

Su Li, however, clarified that it was a cunning "killing three birds with one stone" scheme by the Heavenly Emperor to sow discord between Taihu and Qiantang, divide the powerful southeast water system, control the prosperous Taihu Lake through the Bird Family, and simultaneously weaken the authority of the Water Immortal. As Run Yu grew, the terrible truth of his mixed heritage became increasingly difficult to conceal.

During one incident, when other children relentlessly bullied and insulted him, his desperate cries of defiance unleashed his innate tidal bore skill, creating a significant disturbance on the lake's surface. The Water Immortal was dispatched to investigate. Upon discovering that Run Yu was the Heavenly Emperor's son, the Water Immortal chose to conceal the truth from the Heavenly Empress, recognizing the danger the child was in.

He urged Su Li to protect Run Yu, knowing the Heavenly Empress would not tolerate his existence. To ensure Run Yu appeared as an ordinary fish and avoid detection, Su Li was compelled to repeatedly remove his loong scales and horns. However, Run Yu's powerful self-healing ability meant these features would regrow, subjecting him to a continuous cycle of excruciating pain.

Su Li confessed to Yan You that witnessing Run Yu's suffering, repeatedly bathed in his own blood, tore at her heart, yet she had no other recourse. Run Yu recounted to Kuang Lu the constant agony of his childhood, describing how he often wished for death. Once he was old enough to assume human form, he rarely revealed his true dragon body, as the scars beneath his scales were a source of "ugly and humiliating" shame.

One night, after overhearing an old fish say that fish cannot survive out of water, Run Yu, in desperation, decided to leap out of the lake. He described the breathtaking beauty of the starry sky, filled with what he perceived as "luminous pearls," and felt that dying in such a magnificent setting would be "worth it."

It was on that very night that the Heavenly Empress appeared to him (whom he initially perceived as a kind fairy), offering to take him to the Heaven Realm. She implied that by leaving the lake, he would not only escape his own suffering but also alleviate his mother's sorrow. This interaction made Run Yu realize with a crushing certainty that he had not been abandoned by his mother; rather, he had been the one to leave her.

Su Li continued her story to Yan You, explaining that the events that followed were widely known. The Heavenly Emperor’s persistent pursuit of the Floral Immortal and his rumored intention to replace the Heavenly Empress with her created great upheaval in the Heaven Realm. To secure her position, the Heavenly Empress personally descended to Taihu Lake, incinerating Lize Pond, forcibly taking Run Yu, and mercilessly annihilating the entire Arowana Family.

Su Li's father and brothers perished in the brutal attack, her father's dying wish urging her to live on and seek revenge. When Su Li next awoke, she found herself in Yunmeng Pond, having been rescued by the Water Immortal. Overwhelmed by despair and the loss of her family, Su Li initially wished to die, but the Water Immortal intervened, imploring her to live for Run Yu's sake.

He offered her a healing cream for her disfigured face, though she vehemently refused it, believing her beauty was the root cause of her family's tragedy. The Water Immortal explained the Heavenly Emperor’s manipulative tactics, which Su Li, in her grief, had not fully comprehended at the time. He advised her to keep her survival a secret, as news of her death had already spread, and assured her that Yunmeng Pond, under his jurisdiction, was beyond the Heavenly Empress's reach.

Inspired by her father's vow of vengeance, Su Li devoted thousands of years to rigorous cultivation, including forbidden arts, and painstakingly rebuilt Yunmeng Pond to mirror Lize Pond. She gathered old followers and recruited new ones, all with the singular goal of avenging her family and destroying the Bird Family. Su Li also confessed to Yan You that she discovered Jin Mi's striking resemblance to Zi Fen in his "beauty atlas."

This led her to mistakenly believe Jin Mi was the Heavenly Emperor's daughter. Acting on this belief, she exposed Jin Mi's identity during the Heavenly Empress's birthday banquet, hoping to create discord between the Heavenly Empress and Heavenly Emperor and thereby create an opportunity for the Arowana Family to "stage a comeback." She later learned from Rat Fairy that Jin Mi was, in fact, the Water Immortal's daughter, realizing she had almost wronged a benefactor.

Yan You assured her that Jin Mi, being kind and understanding, would comprehend Su Li's motivations if he explained the situation. Su Li reiterated that she had no choice but to pursue her revenge, which she believed could only be fully achieved by placing Run Yu on the Heavenly Emperor's throne. However, she recognized the perilous nature of this path and vowed to keep Run Yu uninvolved until success was assured. Yan You, touched by her profound parental love, light-heartedly noted that he was indeed just her adopted son.

Jin Mi and Qiang Huo joyfully celebrated their birthday, which was the day their Auntie had brought them back to the Saint Doctors’ Family. They vowed to drink until they were thoroughly drunk, as was their tradition. Jin Mi presented Qiang Huo with a succulent plant, explaining that she felt it resembled Qiang Huo, being particularly cute. Qiang Huo, who was unable to marry, tearfully declared that she could only love Jin Mi.

As Jin Mi succumbed to the alcohol, she drifted into a familiar dream, where she once again encountered Frost Blossom. Frost Blossom pleaded with Jin Mi to release her, so she could tell a specific person that she loved him. Frost Blossom then eloquently described the essence of love: an unyielding desire to be with that person, sharing their joys and sorrows, and breaking any shackles to reach them.

As Jin Mi listened, she realized that her own profound feelings for King Yi, Xu Feng, mirrored this description, confirming to herself that she indeed loved him. Qiang Huo eventually roused Jin Mi, who, still tipsy, assumed King Yi would not summon her so late and tried to continue their drinking. However, Qin Tong arrived at their door, announcing that King Yi had sent for Jin Mi.

Qin Tong led her to a room where Xu Feng was dramatically reenacting their first meeting in the mountains. He portrayed himself as "King Yi of Huaiwu" and Jin Mi as the "Saint Girl of Saint Doctors’ Family," humorously recalling how he "hunted 200 hidden soldiers of Liangguo" while she "gathered herbs" and "captured one King of Huaiwu."

Jin Mi, finding the performance delightful, playfully corrected his lines, reminding him that he was deaf and mute during their actual first encounter. They continued the banter, with Xu Feng joking about her covering her face because she was "ugly" while he was "blind," and Jin Mi calling him a "furious crow," then settling on "Crow." She declared them a "match made in heaven."

After exchanging more playful remarks, Xu Feng asked for a gift in return for the small tortoise he'd given her. When she inquired what he wanted, he replied that he only ever wanted one thing. He then said he had already pretended to be deaf and dumb before her, so pretending to be blind again was no issue, prompting Jin Mi to remove her veil. She asked if he was scared by her appearance.

Xu Feng then asked if she feared death. Jin Mi confessed that she was afraid to die, but she liked him even more than her own life. Xu Feng, wanting to confirm her words, asked her to repeat it, wondering if she was drunk or if he was dreaming. Jin Mi, adamantly denying her intoxication, declared repeatedly and clearly that she liked him, wanting him to remember her words. Xu Feng, in turn, proposed, "Marry me."

They kissed passionately, but their intimate moment was cut short by an urgent report from the front line, forcing Jin Mi to depart. Meanwhile, Run Yu and Kuang Lu were at Dongting Lake. Kuang Lu pondered if Lord Dongting, Su Li, still held a grudge against Run Yu for his departure.

Run Yu, though unable to recall the specifics of his past, believed his sudden departure with the Heavenly Empress must have deeply wounded his mother, but he hoped she would understand that all mothers desire their children's happiness. Yan You informed Run Yu that Su Li refused to see him due to her stubborn nature.

Run Yu knelt outside her dwelling, expressing profound remorse for his harsh words and his past abandonment of her, which he now understood to be his own choice, not hers. He lamented the suffering she endured in his absence, but found comfort in knowing she was now healthy and surrounded by "two excellent adopted sons," referring to Yan You and Li, who served her dutifully.

He declared that he did not seek her forgiveness that day, but hoped for a long future where they could eventually reunite and enjoy their family bond. Inside, Su Li, heartbroken, overheard his words but dared not emerge. After Run Yu left, Su Li stepped outside, weeping. She revealed that she had long disregarded her own life and death, her sole purpose being to avenge her family and kill her enemies.

Since Run Yu had the opportunity to soar high in the heavens, she could not bear to drag him down into her own personal hell of vengeance, wishing for him a life of peace and happiness. Run Yu later confided in Yan You, noting the unexpected joy of gaining "two brothers" that day. He expressed his belief that "faith can move mountains" and asked Yan You to continue caring for their mother.

Yan You assured him that Su Li was not truly stubborn, but some things remained unspoken, advising Run Yu to be patient. Later, Jin Mi spotted Run Yu at her residence and, having no recollection of him erasing her memory, apologized for missing their prior engagement to view the epiphyllum flowers. They shared tea, and Jin Mi commented on finding an epiphyllum after waking up, which Run Yu confirmed he had planted.

She mentioned her patient (Xu Feng) had recovered, so the flower was no longer needed for medicine. Run Yu then spoke of a kind-hearted fairy, currently undergoing mortal trials, whom he constantly bore in mind, comparing her kindness to Jin Mi's. He fondly recalled Jin Mi's appreciative reaction upon seeing his dragon tail, noting she was the first in thousands of years not to be repulsed by his "ugly" true form and treated him with equality.

He expressed gratitude for her guidance during his moments of despair. Jin Mi playfully dismissed his self-deprecating remarks, drawing a parallel to her own self-proclaimed "ugliness" to Xu Feng. Run Yu then sought Jin Mi’s medical expertise for an elder with a severe burn. He explained that this elder, closely related to him, had her face burned by a roaring flame thousands of years ago and was 19,800 years old.

Due to various circumstances, he couldn't consult official heavenly healers and sought Jin Mi's help as a last resort. Despite the patient's advanced age and divine status, Jin Mi, touched by Run Yu's concern, agreed to assist. She provided him with Red Jade Regeneration Tissue Cream and Draconis Sanguis Tissue Regeneration Cream, explaining their properties and advising three daily applications. She proudly mused about her unusual patient list, which now included a king and an immortal.

Run Yu thanked her, expressing hope that the ointments would help Su Li and create a positive impression for Jin Mi when he eventually introduced her to his mother. Meanwhile, Qi Yuan, having followed Run Yu to Dongting Lake, reported back to the Heavenly Empress. She sensed a strong surge of spiritual energy, confirming her suspicions, and initially planned to return for heavenly soldiers to eliminate everyone. Just then, Yan You appeared, greeting the Heavenly Empress with sarcasm.

She accused him and the Water Immortal of harboring sinister intentions, to which Yan You retorted that the Heaven Realm disregarded its own laws and that she was disgracing the Heavenly Emperor. Enraged by his audacity, the Heavenly Empress commanded Qi Yuan to kill Yan You. As they fought, Su Li made a dramatic appearance, confirming her presence. The Heavenly Empress immediately recognized her, accusing her of being "guileful."

Su Li, in turn, unleashed the "Sun Destroying Ice Needle" and fiercely accused the Heavenly Emperor, Tai Wei, of ruining her life, and the Heavenly Empress, Tu Yao, of taking her son and massacring her entire family. She vowed to overturn their tyrannical reign and avenge her innocent kin. The Heavenly Empress, identifying the unique magic, realized that Su Li was indeed the true mastermind behind the attempt to murder her son, Xu Feng.

Run Yu, carrying Jin Mi's healing ointments, hurried towards the lake, but was intercepted by Li, who frantically reported that the Heavenly Empress was trying to kill their mother. Although Su Li’s power was no match for the Heavenly Empress, Yan You, attempting to intervene, was held back by Qi Yuan. Just as the Heavenly Empress launched a strike at Su Li, Run Yu arrived and shielded his mother, taking the blow himself.

The Heavenly Empress scornfully reminded Run Yu of his childhood choice to leave Su Li and abandon her. This triggered a painful memory for Run Yu: as a child, finding his life in the lake miserable and believing his presence was a burden to his mother, he had willingly taken a Floating Dream Pill offered by the Heavenly Empress, erasing his memories of Su Li and his past sorrows, in exchange for a life in the Heaven Realm.

He now realized that he had been deceived, and it was he who had abandoned his mother, not the other way around. Run Yu pleaded with the Heavenly Empress, acknowledging that Su Li was his biological mother and begging her to show mercy. He promised to forgo any claim to the Heavenly Emperor's throne, vowing to live a quiet life with his mother if only she would spare her.

He prostrated himself, repeatedly begging for clemency, but the Heavenly Empress remained unmoved. As she prepared to deliver another fatal blow, threatening to kill them both for his defiance, Su Li, with her last surge of power, blocked the attack and retaliated. Gravely wounded and near death, Su Li finally expressed her deepest feelings to Run Yu, finding contentment in seeing him one last time, regretting only meeting the Heavenly Emperor but never regretting giving birth to him.

Run Yu, overwhelmed with grief, confessed he never hated her and now remembered the truth of the Floating Dream Pill. Su Li apologized for her failures and the loneliness she endured, finally succumbing to her injuries in his arms, asking him to hold her for a little longer. Run Yu desperately tried to save her, but Yan You confirmed her death.

Heartbroken and enraged by his mother's death, Run Yu unleashed a formidable torrent of water magic against the Heavenly Empress. The Heavenly Empress, undeterred by his pain, ominously declared, "Run Yu, it’s your turn."

Following the tragic death of Su Li, Run Yu, consumed by grief, unleashed a powerful Water Tribe magic against the Heavenly Empress. The Water Immortal intervened, urging Run Yu to put an end to his vengeful actions for the sake of the myriad creatures of Dongting Lake, reminding him of his mother's legacy of kindness. Run Yu, still burning with fury, momentarily threatened the Heavenly Empress but eventually relented.

The Heavenly Empress then ordered the Water Immortal to kill Run Yu, but he countered by questioning her conscience after years of making enemies. She accused him of secretly sheltering Su Li, implying his complicity in her schemes, but the Water Immortal simply stated he would explain everything to the Heavenly Emperor. Later, Yan You presented Run Yu with Su Li's Luminous Pearl, which contained all her past memories and her heartfelt hopes for him.

As Run Yu witnessed these, he was overcome with profound sorrow, shedding silent tears. Kuang Lu and the little mud fish secretly observed him, seeing a figure as desolate and helpless as an abandoned child. The Water Immortal reported the events at Dongting Lake to the Heavenly Emperor, who harshly criticized him for sheltering Su Li in the first place and for getting entangled in such affairs.

The Water Immortal admitted he saved Su Li to prevent the suffering of his Water Tribe kin but claimed ignorance of her later misguided actions. He asserted that Su Li's crimes against the heavenly rules were merely a cycle of cause and effect, expressing his anger at the Heavenly Emperor's coldness and the Heavenly Empress's excessive ruthlessness. He reminded the Heavenly Emperor of Run Yu's true identity, urging him to handle the matter with care to avoid harming the innocent.

The Heavenly Emperor, however, saw the Water Immortal's mercy as the root of greater disaster and struggled with the dilemma of upholding justice while showing leniency. Enraged by Run Yu's rebellion, the Heavenly Empress recalled that Yan You had seized the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, presuming it was intended to harm Xu Feng. She commanded Qi Yuan to retrieve the arrow and then to kill Jin Mi.

Upon learning that Qi Yuan had reunited with Liu Ying, the Heavenly Empress assured him that if he successfully eliminated Jin Mi, she would cure him of the Autopsy Wild Silkworms' poison and even consider blessing his union with Liu Ying. Qi Yuan gratefully accepted. Believing Liu Ying had returned to the Demon Realm, Qi Yuan was in despair when she suddenly appeared before him, questioning why he had come back. They shared an intimate night.

The next morning, as they reminisced about their time in the Demon Realm, Qi Yuan recounted how the Demon Lord had imprisoned him in the Yu Abyss for being an offspring of the Spirit-Vanishing Family, deeming him an ominous presence. He mentioned being saved by an unknown individual. Liu Ying, expressing her unwavering love, offered to relinquish her status as a Demon Princess to live a simple life with him in the Human Realm.

However, Qi Yuan was suddenly afflicted by the Autopsy Wild Silkworms' poison, forcing him to confess he could make no promises and to abruptly leave, apologizing to a distraught Liu Ying. Meanwhile, Xu Feng invited Jin Mi for a game of chess. During their game, he informed her of his imminent departure to lead the army against Liangguo.

Jin Mi, deeply concerned, subtly tried to dissuade him, but Xu Feng reassured her, promising to return safely, grant her a proper status, and marry her, ensuring no one could speak ill of her. After Xu Feng departed, Jin Mi coughed blood and collapsed, only to be secretly saved by Run Yu, who had been nearby. Although Run Yu knew she was destined to endure mortal hardships, he could not bear to see her suffer.

He vowed to find and punish those responsible for her poisoning. Jin Mi, however, expressed no desire for revenge, asking instead that Run Yu protect Xu Feng's safety. When Run Yu realized her deep affection for Xu Feng, she confessed her willingness to die for him, but for no one else. Run Yu tried to reassure her about Xu Feng's safety and provided her with something to ease her pain, internally vowing never to let go of her.

At the war camp, as Xu Feng strategized with his generals, Sui He unexpectedly arrived at the front lines, expressing her determination to share hardships with the soldiers and border civilians. Despite Xu Feng's initial attempts to send her away, she adamantly refused to leave. Reluctantly, he allowed her to stay, commanding his general Qin Tong to protect her. Sui He, well-versed in military strategies, offered insightful advice to the army, earning the admiration of the generals.

Xu Feng questioned her about the incident involving Yan You, to which Sui He angrily asserted she was under Yan You's puppet control and that her love for Xu Feng was well-known. She dramatically threatened to end her own life if he rejected her. Unbeknownst to them, the Southern King had learned of King Yi's (Xu Feng's) travel route and prepared an ambush at Anyuan Pass.

Spotting Sui He in King Yi's entourage during the ambush, the Southern King quickly ordered his troops to spare the princess but to kill everyone else in the party. In her residence, Jin Mi confronted Qiang Huo, asking if the poison she was suffering from was Qing Yue. Qiang Huo tearfully knelt and confessed to putting the colorless, odorless, and slow-acting poison in Jin Mi's tea.

She explained that she intended it to be a warning, hoping to force Jin Mi to leave, rather than a lethal dose. Jin Mi revealed that her unique body, having tasted countless herbs over the years, had accumulated various toxins. The Qing Yue, which could be either hot or cold in excess, had disrupted the delicate balance of these poisons, causing them to erupt with fatal consequences.

Jin Mi acknowledged that the Saint Doctors' Family rules were paramount and that her blossoming emotions had violated them, thus accepting her impending death. Despite Qiang Huo's desperate plea for her to escape and an offer of travel funds, Jin Mi refused, declaring that she would spend her remaining days living as Jin Mi, a woman who had experienced love, rather than merely the Saint Girl. She was willing to sacrifice her life for this chosen identity.

Upon seeing her father, Duke Nanping, ordering his soldiers not to harm her, Sui He uses herself as leverage. When Duke Nanping warns her of the dangers and urges her to come to him, she demands he first withdraw his troops from around King Yi. He reluctantly complies. As Sui He walks towards him, she abruptly stabs him.

Duke Nanping dies calling her name, while Sui He coldly remarks that despite being a good father, he was merely a mortal compared to Xu Feng. With Duke Nanping dead, his army falls into chaos, and King Yi's forces quickly gain the upper hand. A voice from King Yi's side offers leniency to Duke Nanping's soldiers if they join King Yi, threatening their nine clans with execution otherwise.

Sui He feigns innocence, claiming she was unaware of her father's plot to assassinate the King. Xu Feng's officer suggests he rest after successfully repelling the Liangguo army, but Xu Feng is eager to leave. Sui He approaches him, stating that with her father gone, he is her sole reliance. Xu Feng acknowledges her contributions to Huaiwu and promises to assist her with any future difficulties.

However, he tells her his heart is already taken and that he can only view her as a cherished sister. Sui He asks if Jin Mi is the woman he loves, and Xu Feng confirms it. Frustrated, Sui He argues that Jin Mi is a Saint Girl and their union is impossible. She reminds him of her lifelong devotion and the sacrifices she has made, including her father's death, questioning his cruelty.

Xu Feng expresses gratitude for her actions but admits they also frighten him. He vows to protect her if she faces danger but reiterates that marriage is impossible. Sui He bitterly questions what makes Jin Mi so special that he pursues her "in heaven and on earth." Sensing her emotional instability, Xu Feng suggests they discuss it another day.

He then instructs his officer to escort Sui He back to Beiyuan Villa with an elite team, while he quickly prepares to return to Jin Mi. Alone, Sui He vows that Jin Mi will not get what she desires. Xu Feng arrives at Beiyuan Villa, rushing to Jin Mi's side. Jin Mi initially wonders if she is dreaming, but he reassures her. Alarmed by her frail appearance, he questions her condition, dismissing Qiang Huo's diagnosis of simple inflammation.

He suspects she may have poisoned herself while experimenting with herbs and presses her for the truth. Jin Mi, defending Qiang Huo, insists she merely has inflammation, claiming it's a lifelong condition where she easily faints. She fabricates a story about developing a cure and eating longans to test it, which caused her to faint before the medicine could take effect. Xu Feng, still suspicious, asks for the medicine.

Jin Mi tells him it requires three pills, and he makes her consume them, then gently tells her to rest and never to scare him like that again. Jin Mi then compliments his martial attire, remarking on how handsome he looks in it. Sui He, still at the villa, summons Qi Yuan and instructs him to deliver a letter to the Monarch of Liangguo.

In the letter, she promises to "cooperate with him" to destroy Huaiwu, anticipating this will compel the King of Liangguo to lead his army personally. She stresses the need for flawless execution. Qi Yuan confirms that Xu Feng would then also lead his army, providing an opportunity for him to eliminate Jin Mi once Xu Feng leaves Beiyuan Villa. Liu Ying, having sensed Qi Yuan's aura and followed him, overhears this conversation. She realizes Jin Mi is their target.

Qi Yuan then reminds Sui He of the Heavenly Empress's priority: retrieving the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to prevent it from being used against Xu Feng. Sui He adapts her plan, telling Qi Yuan to first deliver the letter, then go to Xu Feng's side. If anyone attempts to use the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow against Xu Feng, Qi Yuan is to seize it and use it to kill Jin Mi. Qi Yuan agrees.

Liu Ying, now understanding Qi Yuan's true intentions, confronts him, asking why he disappeared only to resurface with a plan to harm Jin Mi, her friend. She vows to protect Jin Mi and offers to help if he has hidden troubles. She warns him that if he persists, he will become her enemy. Qi Yuan grimly responds, "That's better."

Later, Qi Yuan finds the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow in Xu Feng's study, having sensed his own "bones and blood" there, and is relieved the arrow did not harm Xu Feng. As Xu Feng prepares to depart for battle, Jin Mi, appearing strong, asks if he is returning to the front lines.

She tells him that the King of Liangguo is now leading the army, forcing Xu Feng's personal involvement, and subtly hints that she might not be able to "wait" for him. Xu Feng, misunderstanding, expresses his joy that she is finally willing to commit to a future with him, asking if she truly wants to be his queen forever. Jin Mi tearfully says, "I do."

She reminds him of his public vow not to marry until the four seas are unified, but Xu Feng dismisses it as a past excuse to appease his ministers, saying he now wishes to immediately declare her as his queen. Jin Mi promises to wait and playfully warns him against ever looking at other women.

When she offers to remove her veil, Xu Feng refuses, saying he will wait until their wedding night when he lifts her "red veil," declaring she will then be his "ugly wife" and unable to escape. Jin Mi silently apologizes for not being able to tell him the truth. They share a final, desperate kiss, and Xu Feng then departs.

Alone, Jin Mi reflects on her past intimacy with Xu Feng and her impending death, accepting her fate with no regrets. While Xu Feng is engaged in battle, Jin Mi lies ill in bed, coughing up blood. Qi Yuan arrives at her chamber, intending to kill her, but sees Liu Ying guarding her. Acknowledging the difficulty of Jin Mi's mortal trial, Qi Yuan decides to act swiftly and creates a diversion to draw Liu Ying away.

In the ensuing confrontation, Liu Ying warns Qi Yuan against harming Jin Mi. Qi Yuan asserts that if he doesn't kill her, his true self, "Mu Ci," will never return, to which Liu Ying retorts that killing Jin Mi will prevent his return. Qi Yuan then fires the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. In a selfless act, Qiang Huo leaps in front of Jin Mi, taking the arrow and sacrificing her life.

As Qiang Huo dies, she expresses her happiness for Jin Mi's companionship and hopes they can be friends in the next life. Jin Mi, heartbroken, finally recognizes Qiang Huo as her long-lost friend, Rou Rou. Qiang Huo confirms she has remembered everything and thanks Jin Mi for giving her a second life, declaring she has no regrets. She asks Jin Mi not to grieve for her.

Overwhelmed with sorrow, Jin Mi cries out Rou Rou's name, despairing why her friend saved her twice only to be lost again. Jin Mi then collapses beside Qiang Huo, bleeding profusely. Liu Ying aggressively pursues Qi Yuan, vowing to uncover the truth behind his actions. Qi Yuan tries to deter her, claiming further investigation would only put her in greater danger. Hurt, Liu Ying asks if he still cares for her safety.

She questions if he is acting under the Heavenly Empress's orders and tells him to either let her go or kill her. When she asks how he could have changed so much, lamenting if their past means nothing, Qi Yuan cruelly tells her that their memories became meaningless the moment he learned of his deep-seated enmity with the Demon Clan. Liu Ying desperately pleads with him to abandon their feud and start a new life together.

Qi Yuan dismisses their relationship entirely, claiming he never truly loved her and, as a mere bodyguard, couldn't refuse a princess who "threw herself at him." Devastated, Liu Ying slaps him. Qi Yuan remains impassive, telling her he had no choice but she can choose to forget him. Liu Ying tearfully admits she cannot. Later, Xu Feng returns to the villa, distraught to find Jin Mi's lifeless body.

He cradles her in his arms, overcome with grief and rage, and demands to know who committed such an act. Qin Tong, his officer, reports that an unknown immortal or demon killed Saint Girl Jin Mi and then vanished without a trace before he could fight back. Xu Feng furiously orders Qin Tong to thoroughly investigate and avenge Jin Mi's death, then dismisses him.

After a day and night of intense grief, Xu Feng emerged from his chambers. He instructed Qin Tong to deliver a letter to Minister Fu before carrying Jin Mi's body to the royal mausoleum. This mausoleum, originally prepared for Jin Mi's burial, now became the place where Xu Feng would join her. He held a cup of poisoned wine, intending to drink it.

Jin Mi's spirit, present but unseen, desperately tried to stop him, her attempts passing harmlessly through his form. Xu Feng spoke to Jin Mi's lifeless body, recounting how he had ordered her phoenix robe to be tailored when she first arrived at the estate, making over ten alterations to ensure a perfect fit.

He lamented that he had never applied makeup to a woman before, apologizing in advance should he make her look less beautiful, though in his heart, she was always the most stunning without any adornment. He noted the irony of preparing her for their wedding on this, their "big day," and then broke down, his words trailing off, unable to complete the sentence about their future life together.

He confirmed that the wine was initially meant for her to accompany him in death, but now their positions were reversed. Jin Mi had not kept her promise to him, but he vowed to fulfill every one of his promises to her. He drank the poison, recalling fond moments with Jin Mi, including her playfully calling him "Crow" and his proposal for her to be his queen.

He remembered telling her how she had given meaning to his otherwise humble life. Before succumbing to the poison, he lifted Jin Mi's red veil and removed her face mask, declaring her his "ugly wife," though the most beautiful he had ever seen, fulfilling his vow to unveil her only on their wedding night.

His soul then departed his body, and he rose from the coffin to embrace Jin Mi's spirit, their reunion marked by gentle words and a sense of enduring companionship. Xu Feng and Jin Mi returned to the Heavenly Realm after their mortal trial, where Immortal Jiyuan awaited them at the Southern Heavenly Gate. Jin Mi expressed her lingering sorrow over Rou Rou's death, lamenting that Qiang Huo was Rou Rou, and questioning what had caused her primordial spirit to dissipate.

Xu Feng reassured her, promising to uncover the truth. On their way to report to the Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress, they encountered Moon Immortal, who was overjoyed by their return. He effusively praised Xu Feng's devotion, which he had witnessed through the Mortal Observation Mirror, and enthusiastically suggested writing an opera based on their dramatic love story. Immortal Jiyuan gently urged them to proceed, reminding them not to keep the Heavenly Emperor and Empress waiting.

Moon Immortal, before they left, warned Xu Feng that the Heavenly Emperor was displeased by his unauthorized descent to the mortal realm and advised him to conduct himself carefully in the palace. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Empress continued to harbor deep resentment towards Water God regarding Su Li's actions.

She incessantly tried to sway the Heavenly Emperor into punishing Water God, accusing him of sheltering Su Li and implying that both Water God and Night Immortal harbored treacherous intentions, using Rat Fairy as "conclusive evidence" of their collusion. The Heavenly Emperor, however, dismissed her accusations, defending Water God as a loyal pillar of the Heavenly Realm and Night Immortal as his own son, whom he trusted.

He stated that Su Li was dead, and he did not wish to dwell on old grievances, warning the Empress against making wild accusations that would make the Heavenly Family a laughingstock. Undeterred, Heavenly Empress expressed her fear that Water God's popularity and Night Immortal's growing influence posed a threat to Xu Feng's succession. She recalled Run Yu's furious reaction when she executed Su Li, feeling he was ungrateful despite her years of raising him.

She was convinced that to secure Xu Feng's future and the stability of the Heavenly Realm, she must eliminate these threats. Xu Feng and Jin Mi arrived at Zifang Cloud Palace to report. Water God and Wind God were also present. The Heavenly Emperor acknowledged Jin Mi's hardship in the mortal realm and prepared to appoint her as Floral Goddess.

However, Heavenly Empress intervened, arguing that Jin Mi had failed her trial by not experiencing the "aging sorrow" among the seven human sorrows and therefore lacked the qualifications to return to the Heavenly Realm or assume the Floral Goddess position. She insisted that Jin Mi should undergo another mortal trial. Xu Feng immediately stepped forward, taking full responsibility for disrupting Jin Mi's trial by following her to the mortal realm.

He requested that Jin Mi be promoted as previously agreed and accepted any punishment the Heavenly Emperor deemed fit for his own transgression. The Heavenly Emperor sentenced Xu Feng to confinement in Qiwu Palace for half a month. Still, Heavenly Empress continued to object to Jin Mi's promotion. Immortal Jiyuan then offered a revised assessment, explaining that although Jin Mi’s trial wasn't "complete," she had endured immense suffering, purifying her divine essence enough for promotion without causing any celestial anomalies.

The Heavenly Emperor accepted this, formally declaring Jin Mi an immortal and promoting her to High Immortal, and again offered her the position of Floral Goddess. Jin Mi respectfully declined, citing her youth, her desire to spend more time with Water God, and her need to investigate the death of her friend Rou Rou, who had died to save her.

The Heavenly Emperor, impressed by her integrity, agreed to assist in the investigation and deferred the matter of the Floral Goddess to the Floral Realm elders. He then moved to set a wedding date for Jin Mi and Run Yu. Jin Mi, however, reiterated her desire to first investigate her friend's death and requested a delay, stating she was not ready for marriage.

Despite her plea and Moon Immortal's objections, the Heavenly Emperor decreed that a propitious day for Jin Mi and Run Yu's wedding would be chosen three months hence. He then dismissed everyone, requesting Water God to stay behind, reaffirming his deep trust and long-standing friendship with Water God, emphasizing that as their children were soon to be married, they must continue to support each other.

Furious over Qi Yuan's failure to eliminate Jin Mi during her trial, Heavenly Empress met with him, dismissing his apology and ordering him to retrieve Sui He. Later, the Heavenly Empress confronted the Heavenly Emperor again, relentlessly pushing for the execution of the 30,000 Dongting water creatures associated with Su Li. She dismissed the Heavenly Emperor's reservations about the extreme nature of the punishment.

She vehemently argued that Su Li had committed heinous crimes, privately amassing an army to overthrow the Heavenly Realm, and that showing leniency to the Dongting remnants would only create 30,000 more potential threats. She further asserted that Run Yu, being Su Li's son, was a dangerous variable, especially with his impending marriage to Water God’s daughter, warning that his ambition could be cultivated and would eventually lead him to contend for the throne.

She insisted that to protect their two sons and the Heavenly Realm's foundation, the Heavenly Emperor must make a decisive choice and eliminate all potential threats. Overwhelmed by her forceful arguments, the Heavenly Emperor reluctantly acquiesced, allowing her to carry out the harsh sentence. The Heavenly Empress accepted this, inwardly vowing to eliminate all obstacles for Xu Feng.

In Xuanji Palace, Run Yu, standing before his mother's memorial tablet, instructed Kuang Lu to summon Li and Yan You for a memorial. Kuang Lu informed him that the two had been taken by Heaven guardians and that Heavenly Empress intended to carry out the Heavenly Punishment on the 30,000 Dongting water creatures. Run Yu, alarmed, rushed to the Heavenly Emperor, pleading for the lives of the innocent Dongting people.

He argued that since Su Li had already faced justice, the Heavenly Empress's actions were excessively cruel, and he offered to guarantee the Dongting people's future loyalty. However, the Heavenly Emperor, constrained by Heavenly Empress's authority and unwilling to intervene, simply reiterated that Su Li's crimes warranted punishment and that he could not refuse the Empress's resolve to carry out the sentence. He then dismissed Run Yu, admonishing him not to undermine the law.

Run Yu then went to the execution ground but found no Thunder God or Lightning Goddess there, realizing that Heavenly Empress's real target was him. He acknowledged that the Dongting remnants, though deserving of punishment, had acted on his mother's behalf, and therefore he should also share their fate. He humbly begged Heavenly Empress for mercy for the innocent, but she mockingly reminded him of his earlier defiance when he vowed to avenge his mother by killing her.

She scoffed at his current display of weakness. Run Yu admitted his mistakes and offered himself for punishment, reiterating the innocence of the Dongting water creatures. Heavenly Empress scornfully dismissed them as conspirators who deserved death.

Run Yu attempted to defend his mother, arguing that her resentment had not escalated into actual rebellion before Heavenly Empress's actions, but Heavenly Empress harshly cut him off, accusing him of plotting to kill Xu Feng and raising an army to rebel, for which he deserved to be struck down. As Yan You and Li arrived, Heavenly Empress, after confirming the legal punishment for Su Li's followers was death by heavenly thunder, ordered the execution.

Run Yu desperately interjected, again admitting his past disrespect to her but imploring her to spare the Dongting people, stating his mother was dead and they no longer posed a threat. Heavenly Empress, questioning his sincerity, forced him into an agonizing choice: either sever ties with the Dongting remnants and personally carry out their execution, or take their punishment upon himself as atonement for his mother's crimes.

Enraged by Run Yu’s apparent submission, Yan You denounced him as an ungrateful son who was betraying the memory of his mother, Su Li. He reminded Run Yu of her devotion and told him to leave. Run Yu stood speechless, faced with an impossible decision.

The Heavenly Empress, acknowledging Run Yu's predicament, presented him with two choices: either personally execute the remaining members of the Dongting tribe, thereby severing ties with them, or bear the full extent of their punishment and atone for his birth mother, Su Li. Run Yu, stating his inability to betray his mother and her family again, chose to take on all the blame himself, offering his life for theirs.

Pleased with his decision, the Heavenly Empress immediately ordered the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess to unleash their Shocking Heavenly Thunder and Lightning Light, combined with her own Lotus Fire of Retribution. She remarked that even the fearsome Qiong Qi could not withstand such a torment, wondering if Run Yu could endure 30,000 rounds of this cruel punishment.

Despite a concerned attendant's reminder that this was the sacred Empyrean Cloud Palace and Run Yu was the Heavenly Emperor's son, the Heavenly Empress insisted on the punishment. Run Yu suffered greatly, crying out for his mother. Kuang Lu arrived, horrified to see his state, and desperately tried to rouse him. She furiously called the Heavenly Empress a demon, offering herself for punishment instead.

When the Heavenly Empress prepared to use Glazed Pure Fire, which was not part of the prescribed punishment and would certainly kill Run Yu, Water Immortal intervened, demanding to know what crime Run Yu had committed to deserve such an illegal execution. The Heavenly Empress accused Water Immortal of shielding a criminal, but he retorted by highlighting her attempt to murder the Heavenly Emperor's son. Just then, the Heavenly Emperor appeared, commanding them to stop.

He issued an imperial decree, declaring Su Li executed but pardoning the Dongting Water Tribe, who he believed were deceived and coerced. He warned them against future transgressions. Run Yu, weakened but grateful, thanked the Heavenly Emperor on behalf of the 36,400 souls of Dongting. He then implored the Heavenly Empress to release them. The Heavenly Emperor instructed the Heavenly Empress to manage the aftermath.

The Heavenly Empress, though thwarted, warned Run Yu that his 30,000 heavenly punishments were ten times more agonizing than slow slicing, and his recovery would be even worse. Run Yu defiantly vowed to live, to personally witness her uphold her promise and release everyone without fail. Run Yu, delirious with pain, experienced intense cold and burning sensations, hallucinating about his mother.

Later, the Heavenly Empress, Tu Yao, confronted the Heavenly Emperor, blaming him for being soft-hearted after delegating the matter to her. She accused him of acting the benevolent ruler while leaving her to be the villain, causing widespread resentment. She blamed his indulgence for Run Yu's defiance, noting how Run Yu now championed his birth mother and the Dongting remnants over her. She feared Run Yu would destabilize the Heaven Realm.

The Heavenly Emperor reassured her that he was in control, emphasizing the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs, and that he knew who held more importance between Xu Feng and Run Yu. Tu Yao urged him to remember his words. Run Yu eventually awoke, immediately inquiring about the Dongting tribe. Kuang Lu chided him for his disregard for his own life.

Run Yu explained that he had promised his mother to protect his people, not wanting them to endure the centuries of hardship and displacement he had suffered himself. Water Immortal visited, commending Run Yu's empathy. Run Yu, still weak, asked for Water Immortal's help in safeguarding the vulnerable Dongting Water Tribe, admitting his own inability to contend with the Heavenly Empress. Water Immortal assured him he would do his utmost and vowed to oppose the Heavenly Empress until the end.

Run Yu then specifically requested that neither Kuang Lu nor Water Immortal reveal his injuries to anyone, especially Jin Mi, as he did not wish for her to worry or see him in such a state of disgrace. The Heavenly Emperor later visited Run Yu in Xuanji Palace to aid his healing. He admonished Run Yu for failing to cultivate patience and endurance, stating that Run Yu's conflict with the Heavenly Empress made his own position difficult.

He dismissed the incident at the Empyrean Cloud Palace as a harsh lesson and made Run Yu swear an immortal's oath never to speak of his suffering for the Dongting Water Tribe again. Run Yu, however, questioned whether his mother, Su Li, was truly as wicked as portrayed. The Heavenly Emperor insisted the matter was closed, advising Run Yu, as a High Immortal, to rise above worldly attachments and emotional entanglements.

He surprisingly revealed that his delayed intervention during Run Yu's punishment was a test, hinting that Run Yu's defiance against the Heavenly Empress would now position him to counter her and the Bird Family. Run Yu then pressed, asking if the Heavenly Emperor would have abandoned the Dongting Water Tribe to their fate had he not intervened.

The Heavenly Emperor replied that Run Yu was too young to understand, explaining that after tens of thousands of years, he would realize that mortals were as ephemeral as mayflies, their brief lives meaningless, and their absence would not alter the grand scheme of things. This, he declared, was the merciless way of Heaven. This revelation struck Run Yu deeply, as he realized his entire existence was merely a calculated conspiracy.

He concluded that in the Heavenly Emperor's eyes, notions of family, love, and kinship were nothing more than chess pieces to be manipulated. He then resolved to live on, determined to become stronger from his suffering. Meanwhile, in the Floral Realm, Yu Lan knelt before Chief Peony, tearfully confessing her grave mistake.

She admitted to secretly contacting members of the Dongting Water Tribe, who sought an alliance against the Heaven Realm, and, in a moment of confusion, revealing Jin Mi's true lineage. She believed this disclosure was directly responsible for Jin Mi's near-fatal encounter with the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow during her mortal trial and sought death to atone for her sin and honor the late Floral God, Zi Fen.

Chief Peony prevented her, reminding Yu Lan that Zi Fen, in her dying wishes, had not sought revenge and had only cared for Jin Mi's well-being. Recognizing Yu Lan's genuine repentance, Chief Peony pardoned her, instructing her never to speak of the matter again, and instead to join her sisters in faithfully upholding Zi Fen's teachings and protecting Jin Mi. Jin Mi arrived at Xuanji Palace to visit Run Yu.

Kuang Lu informed her of Run Yu's dire condition, not eating or sleeping since the Heavenly Empress executed his birth mother, Su Li. She urged Jin Mi to persuade him, as he always listened to her. Jin Mi found Run Yu, expressing her condolences and believing his mother must have been a kind person. Run Yu poured out his heart, lamenting that he had only just reconnected with his mother before watching her die helplessly before him.

Jin Mi shared her own profound grief, recounting how she had watched Rou Rou sacrifice her life to save her, feeling equally helpless. Understanding his pain, Jin Mi offered words of comfort, quoting a mortal saying, "The deceased now has rested in peace, while the alive must keep living on," assuring him his mother would not wish to see him despondent and neglecting himself. Run Yu agreed, acknowledging that those who loved them would not want them to suffer.

He then observed that Jin Mi seemed changed. He mentioned that the Heavenly Emperor had set their wedding date and asked her about her intentions. Jin Mi, fearing that a refusal would only deepen his sorrow, remained silent. Run Yu expressed his desire to observe a three-year mourning period for his mother, as he couldn't be with her when she was alive, and asked Jin Mi if she would wait for him. Jin Mi paused, unable to answer.

He then asked her to simply stay with him for a while, stating that her presence was the only thing that could ease his hatred and pain. Back in the Floral Realm, Jin Mi was warmly greeted by Chief Peony and her friends. They expressed relief that she had returned safely despite her arduous mortal trial. Water Immortal sat down to play chess with Jin Mi.

Hesitantly, Jin Mi asked him what would happen if she did not wish to marry. Water Immortal advised her that her experiences with Fire Immortal in the mortal realm were like a fleeting dream. He cautioned her to separate her mortal self's feelings from her immortal self's choices and to carefully consider her decision before acting.

Elsewhere, Sui He was seen expressing her distress to her aunt, frustrated by Xu Feng's growing obsession with Jin Mi after their mortal trial, despite Sui He's own extreme actions to help him in the mortal realm. Her aunt advised her to remain calm and promised to consider the matter. Meanwhile, Lord Liaoyuan, having followed Xu Feng to the mortal realm, reminisced about his mortal king, wishing to serve him again.

The Matchmaker Immortal, who had discreetly brought Lord Liaoyuan back to the immortal realm, praised his loyalty to Xu Feng. The Matchmaker Immortal presented Lord Liaoyuan to Xu Feng, who thanked him for protecting him during his mortal trial and noted Lord Liaoyuan's unique decision to join him as a mortal. Xu Feng questioned why Lord Liaoyuan hadn't simply protected him as an immortal.

The Matchmaker Immortal quickly made an excuse about his matchmaking duties and departed, reminding Lord Liaoyuan to look after Xu Feng, who was under house arrest. Xu Feng then asked Lord Liaoyuan about the phoenix lanterns from the mortal world. Lord Liaoyuan informed him they were stored in the Imperial Mausoleum. Xu Feng instructed him to retrieve them and place them by the Liuzi Pond.

When Lord Liaoyuan brought back the lanterns, Xu Feng noticed that the one he had made with Jin Mi was missing. Lord Liaoyuan explained that his mortal counterpart, Qin Tong, had placed it in the coffins of King Yi and Jin Mi, as it was King Yi's most cherished lantern. Xu Feng, calling him less intelligent in the Heaven Realm, ordered him to retrieve it immediately.

Observing Jin Mi in the Floral Realm, her friends noted that she had changed since becoming an Immortal. While her sadness stemmed from Rou Rou's death, they speculated her underlying vexation might be due to a perceived inferiority to Run Yu, her future husband, who was a High Immortal while she was only an Immortal. Her happiness, they surmised, came from her engagement to Run Yu. Suddenly, a disturbance was detected in the Water Mirror, prompting them to investigate.

Liu Ying went to Xu Feng's Qiwu Palace to warn him about the assassination attempt on Jin Mi. Guards initially prevented her entry, stating Xu Feng was grounded by the Heavenly Emperor, but she insisted she had vital information. Once inside, she informed Xu Feng that the assassin was Mu Ci, a descendant of the Spirit-Vanishing Tribe.

She explained that the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow is forged with Mu Ci's bones and blood, and its release would unleash the Nether Fury of the Wangchuan River. Liu Ying believed Mu Ci was being threatened into these actions because he was not inherently evil. Xu Feng's subordinate then confirmed to Xu Feng that his Heavenly Empress mother had intentionally sent him to the Wangchuan River to create an opportunity for Jin Mi to be killed in the mortal world.

Both Liu Ying and Xu Feng realized that finding the person threatening Mu Ci would reveal who was truly behind the assassination plot, and Liu Ying hoped to save Mu Ci as well, given he had once saved her life. Xu Feng, in turn, promised to investigate and keep her informed about Mu Ci's whereabouts.

He also warned Liu Ying to be wary of the King of Gu City, who had tried to seize the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to harm him during his mortal trial. Liu Ying confidently stated that since she had regained her immortal body, the King of Gu City couldn't harm her. Xu Feng then instructed Lord Liaoyuan to covertly assist Liu Ying in finding Mu Ci, suspecting his own mother's involvement and urging him to be discreet.

Before Liu Ying left, Lord Liaoyuan gave her a magical seal he received from a "strange person" in the mortal world, which was bound to him by a spell. Liu Ying recognized it as a demon artifact but couldn't identify its owner. Lord Liaoyuan, having no unfulfilled wishes, suggested she take it to the Demon Realm, hoping she might find its owner or use it for help in an emergency. Liu Ying agreed to inquire about it.

Xu Feng summoned the Heavenly Empress to the Zifang Cloud Palace for a walk. He confronted her about the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, asking if she was behind it, and sternly warned her that if Jin Mi suffered any harm, he would not stand idly by. The Heavenly Empress, already displeased by the gossip surrounding Xu Feng and Jin Mi's shared mortal trial, was further angered by his fierce protectiveness.

She accused him of being foolishly obsessed with Jin Mi, reminding him of Jin Mi's engagement to Run Yu, and warned that he would eventually regret his actions. Xu Feng retorted that his heart belonged only to Jin Mi, regardless of whether he was a mortal or an immortal. He accused his mother of attempting to kill Jin Mi during their mortal trial, stating that killing Jin Mi would be like killing him.

The Heavenly Empress dismissed his claims as rumors, but Xu Feng reiterated his threat, affirming he would not ignore any harm to Jin Mi. In the Floral Realm, Jin Mi received a letter from Xu Feng, delivered by fairies in the form of a paper phoenix, inviting her to meet him by Liuzi Pond that night. The fairies, mesmerized by the magical paper phoenix, unknowingly read the romantic invitation aloud, much to Jin Mi's embarrassment.

True to her word, Jin Mi arrived at the pond that evening, deeply moved by the sight of countless phoenix lanterns Xu Feng had brought from the mortal world, all enchanted to burn eternally. She even pointed out an "ugly" lantern that Xu Feng said was the most beautiful because it held their shared memories from the mortal world. They celebrated by drinking osmanthus wine that Jin Mi had brewed and buried before her mortal trial.

Jin Mi, feeling joyous, planted a pond full of lotus flowers. She then stumbled and almost fell into the pond, but Xu Feng swiftly pulled her back. His intense gaze caused the Yun Elixir within Jin Mi to accelerate its cracking. Xu Feng pressed her about her promise to marry him in the mortal world.

Jin Mi hesitantly brought up her engagement with Run Yu, but under Xu Feng's persistent questioning, she finally admitted her willingness to marry him, promising to speak with her father, the Water Immortal, to break off her engagement with Run Yu. Overwhelmed with emotion, Xu Feng embraced and kissed her. Unable to resist their feelings, they completed their first spirit training beneath the phoenix flowers.

Infuriated by the revelation, the Heavenly Empress furiously punished Qi Yuan, ordering him to hide in an underground palace in the mortal world and not emerge without her command. As Qi Yuan was about to enter the hidden palace, Lord Liaoyuan, following Xu Feng's orders, appeared. A fight ensued, during which Qi Yuan, revealed as Mu Ci, suffered an attack of the Autopsy Wild Silkworms plaguing his body.

Lord Liaoyuan seized the opportunity to knock him unconscious and delivered him to Liu Ying. Liu Ying was with her father, the King of Bian City, when Mu Ci was brought to them.

Before Mu Ci arrived, Liu Ying had been discussing the King of Gu City with her father, expressing her desire to report him to the Demon Lord for his misdeeds, but her father cautioned her that the Demon Lord trusted Gu City and wouldn't easily believe her, especially since he himself had resisted Gu City's attempts to undermine him for years.

Upon seeing Mu Ci, the King of Bian City immediately recognized the deadly Autopsy Wild Silkworms consuming him and explained that this ancient magic allowed a dying person's life to be prolonged by feeding the mother silkworm with the blood of its keeper, usually a powerful fire-magic user. If the child silkworms in the host were not regularly fed by the mother, they would devour the host's spiritual power.

While removal was possible with fire magic, it would likely kill the host. Liu Ying, realizing Mu Ci's suffering and the cruel manipulation behind his actions, insisted on keeping him, determined to restore him to his former self.

Her father expressed concern, noting that such silkworms could only be sustained by the blood of a powerful fire-magic user, suggesting a connection to the Heaven Realm, and warned Liu Ying of the grave danger if anyone in the Demon Realm discovered Mu Ci's presence. Liu Ying, however, remained steadfast in her resolve to save him. Xu Feng sought out the Moon Immortal to learn the full truth about Run Yu's birth mother.

Armed with this knowledge, he then visited Run Yu, bringing wine as a gesture of apology on behalf of his Heavenly Empress mother for her past actions against Run Yu's mother. However, Run Yu, still in mourning, refused the wine and stated that his mother was merely an "insignificant sinner," so no apology was necessary. He then advised Xu Feng to leave and not cause further trouble for the Heavenly Emperor and Empress.

Xu Feng persisted, expressing his disagreement with his mother's methods and acknowledging that both their mothers acted for their sons, albeit misguidedly. He offered to relinquish his claim to the Heavenly Emperor's throne, pledging his loyalty and support to Run Yu as his faithful subject. His only condition was that Run Yu release Jin Mi from their engagement. Run Yu saw through Xu Feng's overture, recognizing that his sole motivation was Jin Mi.

He sharply rebuked Xu Feng for being overly concerned with his fiancée. Run Yu declared that the engagement, arranged by the Heavenly Emperor and the Water Immortal, was not something he could simply abandon. He added that the Heavenly Realm's authority was ultimately in the hands of their parents, not something to be decided by their competition. Xu Feng argued that he and Jin Mi loved each other and that Run Yu wouldn't be happy with her.

Growing increasingly bitter, Run Yu retorted that he had always lived on the "alms" of Xu Feng and his mother, passively accepting whatever they chose to give or take. He declared that from that moment on, he would determine his own destiny and make his own choices, asserting that he would never let go of Jin Mi.

Jin Mi busied herself by preparing Ganoderma Nourishing Skin Ointment for the Wind God (Lin Xiu) and Ginseng Fleece-flower Root Ointment for her father, the Water Immortal, claiming he constantly urged her to cultivate after her return from the mortal realm, though he denied it. She also decided to gift Xu Feng a petal of her true self, a single moment of "spring flowers and autumn fruits" from her body, reflecting his willingness to die for her.

She had gained much wisdom from her mortal trial, experiencing life, death, and unfulfilled love. While presenting the gifts, Jin Mi subtly inquired about the possibility of breaking off an engagement once it was formally set, referencing a rumor about Fairy Wen Yue trying to retrieve her marriage contract. The Wind God dismissed the rumor as impossible. The Water Immortal directly asked if Jin Mi intended to annul her engagement with Run Yu.

Jin Mi, considering Run Yu's recent loss of his mother, stated that she couldn't bring it up now. The Water Immortal then suggested they visit the former Floral Immortal's tomb. There, Jin Mi confessed to her father that she and Xu Feng had pledged themselves to each other.

The Water Immortal vehemently opposed this, reminding her that her mortal trial was but a fleeting memory and warning her about the Heavenly Empress's merciless nature, having witnessed her killing Run Yu's birth mother. He feared Jin Mi would suffer a similar fate to her own mother. Jin Mi, however, insisted that her love for Xu Feng was genuine, comparing it to her parents' deep love.

She passionately argued that if becoming an immortal meant losing the ability to protect and be with the one she loved, she would rather be a mortal, living a short but heartfelt life. The Water Immortal, seeing her unwavering resolve, conceded that not everything could be solved by enthusiasm alone.

He cautioned her not to act rashly before they could find a proper solution, especially with Run Yu and Xu Feng being equally unyielding, fearing she would be caught in the middle. Mu Ci's condition rapidly worsened, his body wracked with pain from the Autopsy Wild Silkworms, and the demon doctor's medicine proved ineffective. Liu Ying desperately tried to help, but Mu Ci's consciousness faded, and he repeatedly cried out, "Your Majesty, forgive me. Qi Yuan is wrong."

Meanwhile, the Water Immortal and Wind God discussed Jin Mi's love for Xu Feng. The Water Immortal still worried about Jin Mi's changing heart, but the Wind God argued that Jin Mi's feelings for Xu Feng were genuine this time, expressing hope that she could marry for love. However, the Water Immortal remained deeply concerned about the Heavenly Empress's hostility towards Jin Mi and how Xu Feng would react if his mother harmed her.

He also worried about Jin Mi being caught between the unyielding personalities of Xu Feng and Run Yu, comparing their stubbornness to the Heavenly Emperor's youth and how it led to his first love, Zi Fen, suffering greatly. He vowed not to let Jin Mi repeat her mother's tragic fate, stating that obsession could be deadly.

At the same time, the Heavenly Empress, acting on her own authority, sent a messenger to Run Yu, ordering him to remain in Xuanji Palace for mourning, exempting him from his nightly duties. She also sent two mourning dresses, one in the style of the Heaven Realm and another for the Arowana (Dragon-Fish) tribe, instructing Run Yu to choose one, ostensibly to offer him a choice, but effectively isolating him and forcing him to acknowledge his lineage. Run Yu accepted the order, instructing the messenger to place the dresses down for his decision.

Run Yu received an edict from the Heavenly Empress through her envoy, stating he was to observe mourning in Xuanji Palace and was exempt from his regular duties. The envoy also presented him with two sets of mourning attire, one according to the customs of the Heaven Realm – funeral linen clothing – and another from the Arowana Family – funeral raw jute clothing. He was instructed to choose one, with the other to be returned.

The envoy subtly implied the Heavenly Empress's care by highlighting the comfort of the Heaven Realm's linen cloth compared to the rough raw jute. Recalling the Heavenly Emperor's earlier words about the need to balance the power of the Heavenly Empress and the Bird Family, Run Yu reluctantly selected the Heaven Realm's mourning clothes. After the envoy departed, he violently discarded the clothing, overcome with resentment.

He blamed himself for being unable to honor his birth mother with the proper Arowana Family raw jute attire, feeling utterly useless. Yan You attempted to console him, reminding him that his mother would be proud he observed mourning despite immense pressure. However, Run Yu felt it was "far from enough" and his resolve now was to "be patient." He dismissed Yan You's suggestion of abandoning everything to live a carefree life, acknowledging it as an "extravagant hope."

Yan You then presented a box entrusted to him by Su Li, to be given to Run Yu if circumstances changed. Upon opening it, Run Yu discovered it contained a detailed Force Deployment Map of the Bird Family on Yimiao Continent, finally grasping his mother's underlying ambition for him. The Heavenly Empress, informed of Run Yu's choice, expressed satisfaction but told Sui He not to underestimate him.

She acknowledged Run Yu's intelligence and apparent compliance, yet remembered his past capacity for ruthlessness, such as when he cruelly scaled himself as a child or dared to consume the Fumeng Elixir she provided. The Empress stated her belief that Run Yu would not let Su Li's death go unpunished and that his choice of mourning attire was merely a "warning" to him. She then instructed Sui He to deliver a birthday gift to Moon Immortal on her behalf.

Moon Immortal's birthday celebration was bustling with guests and gifts. Xu Feng, still under house arrest, sent Lord Liaoyuan to deliver a box of the latest "story-telling scripts" from the Human Realm. Xu Feng jokingly critiqued the gift as a sign of Lord Liaoyuan's "irrelevant business" in the mortal world. Moon Immortal, engrossed in the racy literature, even suffered a nosebleed. Kuang Lu arrived to present a Luminous Pearl from Run Yu, who was observing mourning.

Moon Immortal, impressed by her thoughtfulness and noting Run Yu's absence, invited Kuang Lu to join the festivities. Water Immortal, Wind Immortal, and Jin Mi arrived. Jin Mi gifted a magnifying glass, which Moon Immortal immediately used to scrutinize Jin Mi's face, marveling at her beauty. Sui He and Immortal Yuan Ji also joined.

Moon Immortal playfully scolded Immortal Yuan Ji for coming empty-handed, but was quickly placated when she promised to let him determine the future destiny and marriage of the White Snake, leading to a joyful embrace. The Heavenly Emperor made an unexpected appearance, noting the absence of his sons, Run Yu and Xu Feng. He then called upon Immortal Tai Si to entertain the guests.

Immortal Tai Si recited a mortal poem, subtly flattering the Heavenly Emperor and his sons, to general applause. Seizing the opportunity, Immortal Tai Si introduced his daughter, Kuang Lu, to the Heavenly Emperor, openly requesting his assistance in finding her a good match in the Heaven Realm, emphasizing her "honest and docile" nature. Water Immortal whispered to Jin Mi that this was clearly an attempt to betroth Kuang Lu to Xu Feng, given Jin Mi's engagement to Run Yu.

Moon Immortal jokingly intervened, suggesting Immortal Tai Si should consult him for matters of marriage, but the Heavenly Emperor defended Immortal Tai Si, acknowledging the earnestness of a parent's love. Witnessing multiple displays of warm father-daughter bonds at the banquet, Sui He became visibly distraught, recalling her painful past in the mortal world where she killed her own father, the only person who truly cherished her.

Overwhelmed by these memories and the realization that despite her actions, she still could not win Xu Feng's heart, she made her excuses to the Heavenly Emperor and departed early, consumed by hatred for both Xu Feng and Jin Mi. Returning to the Heavenly Empress, Sui He despairingly questioned if she could ever surpass Jin Mi and if Xu Feng would ever love her.

The Heavenly Empress sternly rebuked her for her despondent state, reminding her of their noble Bird Family lineage and the strength required of its leader. She encouraged Sui He, asserting that how much one endures is how much one will win back, and the final victor is yet to be determined, urging her not to give up.

In Xuanji Palace, Run Yu reflected on Chief Peony's earlier description of Jin Mi as a "cold and heartless" individual from childhood who could not truly love. He noted Jin Mi's stark transformation since her return from the mortal world, observing that she was now "heartless but single-minded." This drastic change led him to suspect that Jin Mi, much like himself with the Fumeng Elixir, might be under some form of external control.

His suspicions were confirmed when he discovered a description of the Yun Elixir while poring over ancient texts. Run Yu sought out Chief Peony to discuss his discovery of the Yun Elixir. He stated that Jin Mi's perception of love was "unusual," aligning with Chief Peony's previous observation that Jin Mi was a uniquely "cold and heartless" individual.

Run Yu shared his desire to remove the Yun Elixir from Jin Mi, asserting that no one should be deprived of the right to love. Chief Peony, however, expressed concern, asking how Run Yu could guarantee Jin Mi's safety, given the former Floral Immortal's prophecy of a "love calamity" for Jin Mi within ten thousand years. She also inquired if he had told Jin Mi the truth about the elixir.

Run Yu confirmed he had not revealed the secret to Jin Mi and solemnly promised to protect her at all costs, regardless of the consequences. By Liuzi Pond, Jin Mi addressed Xu Feng, taking responsibility for their spiritual cultivation, declaring him "her person" and promising to be responsible for him.

Xu Feng, amused by her "bandit-like" talk, jokingly accepted her as "the Fire Immortal’s wife," after she revealed her previous life's husband was a bandit named Crow, and she was his "wife." Jin Mi mentioned she had informed Water Immortal of their situation, who, though not forbidding it, expressed "worries" and asked her to "think over" the matter. Xu Feng assured her he understood Water Immortal's concerns and would resolve them swiftly.

Jin Mi then presented Xu Feng with a "Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits" artifact, which, when placed near the heart and activated with spiritual power, could manifest the beautiful scenery of spring and autumn for a day. She humorously claimed to have "stolen" it from the Floral Realm.

Initially, Xu Feng found it "useless" as it could not be eaten or used in combat, but upon Jin Mi's explanation that he, as Fire Immortal, embodied "summer heat," and she, a frost flower, "winter snow," completing the four seasons, he cherished the gift. He promised to keep it safely within one of his souls before Jin Mi bade him farewell.

The Beast of Dreams, having ingested Jin Mi and Xu Feng's intimate dreams, fled in terror from Run Yu's enraged reaction. It then led Jin Mi to Xuanji Palace, where Run Yu recounted his childhood in Taihu Lake, marked by feelings of inferiority due to his "strange shape and pale color."

He shared his years of futile practice to transform into a carp, only to discover in the Heaven Realm that he was, in fact, a white dragon misguidedly pursuing the form of a fish, calling himself "a frog at the bottom of a well." Jin Mi empathized, revealing her own initial belief of being merely a "fruit fairy" for four millennia, only to find out she was a "frost flower made from water."

She suggested that ignorance could sometimes lead to happiness, as "knowing more" often brings "more pain." Run Yu then lamented that the broad-leaved epiphyllum bloomed without her presence, its beauty unappreciated, before pointedly asking Jin Mi if she truly belonged to him. He transformed into his majestic dragon form and slowly approached her, professing that his only desire was for her love to be constant and enduring, even if it was faint.

Jin Mi, overwhelmed and unable to offer such a promise, simply stated it was late and departed from Xuanji Palace. That night, Run Yu secretly visited the Floral Realm and, using his magic, examined Jin Mi. He discovered that the Yun Elixir within her had indeed cracked, causing her recent emotional changes and unreserved affections towards Xu Feng.

Distraught from witnessing their intimate dreams, Run Yu, believing it was better for Jin Mi to remain ignorant of love, decided to repair the Yun Elixir, ensuring she "wouldn't fall in love, couldn't love anyone, and would not love again." As he performed this act, he confessed that he had lost everything else and could not bear to lose her, declaring, "I only have you. Don’t leave me." He then kissed Jin Mi.

Liu Ying visited Jin Mi in the Floral Realm, requesting to borrow her Beast of Dreams. Although hesitant to face Mu Ci's past, Liu Ying’s father, the King of Bian City, encouraged her, promising to stay by her side. Using the Beast of Dreams, Liu Ying witnessed Mu Ci's tragic memories.

She saw him confess his enduring love to someone, only for that person to reveal she had fallen for another and couldn't be with him due to his mixed nature. Mu Ci's declaration that he had loved only her from the beginning broke Liu Ying's heart. After this, Liu Ying realized that the Heavenly Empress was controlling Mu Ci and intended harm upon Jin Mi.

Feeling this knowledge was crucial, Liu Ying returned the Beast of Dreams to Jin Mi, expressing her gratitude. Jin Mi recalled Liu Ying's vital assistance in the mortal world, which saved her from vanishing like Rou Rou. Liu Ying then confessed that Mu Ci was the one who, under duress from the Heavenly Empress, killed Qiang Huo with the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow in the mortal realm.

She pleaded with Jin Mi to place any blame on her, not Mu Ci, as he was a good person forced into action. Jin Mi was shocked to learn the Heavenly Empress was behind these attempts on her life. Liu Ying, still deeply concerned, urged Jin Mi to exercise extreme caution if she ever returned to the Heaven Realm, as the Floral Realm offered a degree of safety the Heaven Realm would not.

Back in the Demon Realm, an attendant informed the King of Bian City that the backlash from Mu Ci’s Autopsy Wild Silkworms was overwhelmingly strong. The King then confided that there was indeed a method to control the Silkworms from absorbing Mu Ci's magic, expressing his own deep affection for Mu Ci, whom he had raised since childhood, and his unwillingness to see him in such agony. Overhearing this, Liu Ying rushed in, eagerly asking her father about the method.

The King tried to deter her, explaining the immense toll it would take on the person performing the rescue, knowing Liu Ying's willingness to sacrifice herself. Just then, Mu Ci suffered a violent seizure. Liu Ying instinctively attempted to transfer her magic power to him, but her father stopped her, clarifying that such a forceful transfer would only worsen Mu Ci's torment.

When Liu Ying, in despair, pressed for the true method, the King of Bian City, without hesitation, cut himself, offering his own bones and blood. He revealed that while the Autopsy Wild Silkworms were generally incurable, the bones and blood of a powerful individual could temporarily suppress them and alleviate Mu Ci’s suffering.

He explained this was why he initially kept the method from Liu Ying, fearing the severe consequences: a drastic reduction in magic power and profound exhaustion for the rescuer. Overcome with emotion, Liu Ying apologized for her recklessness. Her father comforted her, reiterating his own love for Mu Ci and his ultimate desire for Liu Ying's happiness. The Heavenly Empress inquired about Xu Feng and Sui He, learning they were safe in the mortal world.

She promptly ordered Sui He's memory to be restored to foster their relationship. Her attendant, revealed to be Qi Yuan, then reported on Jin Mi, stating that Fairy Yuan Ji, dispatched by the Heavenly Emperor, guarded her continuously, preventing any assassination attempts. The Heavenly Empress instructed him to postpone action for a few days to avoid the Heavenly Emperor's scrutiny.

She also checked on the status of the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, learning it was crafted from Qi Yuan’s bones and blood and required more time, which she reluctantly granted. Later, with Sui He present, the Heavenly Empress expressed her frustration about Jin Mi secretly visiting Xu Feng while he was confined. She scornfully labeled Jin Mi a "little demoness" and lamented their failure to eliminate her in the mortal world, observing that her relationship with Xu Feng had only deepened.

She rebuked Sui He for her ineffectiveness, to which Sui He apologized for disappointing her. The Heavenly Empress then turned her attention to Run Yu, describing him as a cunning individual who merely feigned gentleness, hinting at his true ambitions for the throne, which would be bolstered by an alliance with Jin Mi and the support of Water Immortal, Wind Immortal, and the Floral Realm. She worried about the disastrous implications if Xu Feng remained infatuated with Jin Mi.

Ultimately, she declared Jin Mi to be the primary obstacle, whose elimination was necessary to sever Xu Feng's affections and dismantle Run Yu's power base. Sui He voiced concerns about the difficulty of harming Jin Mi in either the Floral or Heaven Realm, but the Heavenly Empress dismissed her worries, confidently asserting that with determination, anything was achievable.

Water Immortal discussed Jin Mi's recent visits to Qiwu Palace with Wind Immortal, expressing his profound desire for his daughter to live a carefree life after their reunion. He admitted that while he wouldn't mind if Jin Mi chose Night Immortal, allowing their family to live peacefully, her burgeoning affection for Fire Immortal brought unwanted scrutiny from the Heaven Realm and, more critically, the ire of the Heavenly Empress. Both agreed they could not remain passive.

Wind Immortal remarked that their tranquil days were over, but Water Immortal, prioritizing Jin Mi's happiness, declared he feared no conflict with the Heavenly Empress. However, he expressed lingering fear from Jin Mi's mortal tribulation and the potential schemes the Heavenly Empress might devise if Jin Mi insisted on being with Xu Feng.

Water Immortal considered appealing to the Heavenly Emperor, but Wind Immortal advised against it, citing the Emperor's unwavering stance towards the Heavenly Empress after Su Li's death as proof of his unreliability. Jin Mi, who had playfully transformed into a butterfly to amuse them, overheard this distressing conversation. Her heart ached with guilt, realizing she had been absorbed in her personal romance while her family worried.

She mused on her time with Xu Feng in the mortal world, wondering if it was merely fleeting impulsiveness. The thought that the Heavenly Empress might have killed Rou Rou, making Xu Feng the son of her enemy, further complicated her emotions, leading her to believe she couldn't betray her father and Auntie Lin Xiu by pursuing him.

Water Immortal found Jin Mi lost in thought, gently asking if her engagement to Night Immortal was troubling her and cautioning her against breaking it due to the widespread complications it would cause. Having reflected deeply, Jin Mi declared that her marriage would be decided by her father, acknowledging her past impulsiveness and affirming her unchangeable decision. Water Immortal, relieved and somewhat amused by his daughter's decisive turn, noted how she had the Heavenly Emperor's two sons to choose from.

He then instructed her to move into Luoxiang Mansion with him for a few days. He asked Wind Immortal to teach Jin Mi the intricate rituals of the Heaven Realm, fearing her free spirit from the Floral Realm might cause embarrassment for Night Immortal. Jin Mi playfully suggested he was more concerned about his own reputation, to which her father tenderly replied that even her disgracing him would be an honor.

A subordinate informed Xu Feng that the Heavenly Empress remained in her palace, but Sui He had been frequently visiting her. Xu Feng instructed him to continue monitoring his mother’s activities. The subordinate then reported Jin Mi’s arrival in the Heaven Realm, mentioning she would reside in Water Immortal's Luoxiang Mansion. Delighted by this news, Xu Feng immediately changed his plans from attending Xuan Ling Lord Doumu's lecture at the Empyrean Cloud Palace to visiting Jin Mi.

Upon reaching Luoxiang Mansion, a fairy informed Jin Mi that Fire Immortal was requesting an audience, but Jin Mi curtly refused, asking the fairy to send him away. Undeterred, Xu Feng disregarded the refusal, pushed past the fairy, and entered, confronting Jin Mi directly. He demanded to know why she wouldn't see him.

Jin Mi, her Yun Elixir now repaired and her emotions muted, coldly told him not only that she wouldn't see him today, but that they should limit their future encounters, as she was destined to marry Night Immortal. Xu Feng was stunned. Jin Mi reasoned that their relationship caused distress for her father, Auntie Lin Xiu, the Heavenly Emperor, Chief Peony, and Night Immortal, concluding that such a troublesome matter must inherently be wrong.

Xu Feng passionately countered that love knew no right or wrong, reminding her of their mutual affection. Jin Mi, however, dismissed their mortal romance as mere "impulsiveness" and argued that their deep love alone was insufficient to overcome the numerous obstacles they faced. Xu Feng defiantly declared he would never permit her to marry Night Immortal.

When she warned him about the consequences of destroying a marriage, he boldly proclaimed he was an immortal and feared nothing, neither in heaven nor on earth. His only true fear, he confessed, was her changing heart. He recounted his immense joy when she had accepted his feelings after her mortal tribulation, transforming his once aimless existence into a future filled with shared dreams.

He desperately questioned the sudden change in her decision, asking if she was being forced or if he had inadvertently caused her distress, promising to resolve any issue. Jin Mi simply replied that his current persistence was, in fact, causing her trouble, and she admitted her own confusion. An attendant then subtly reminded Xu Feng about Lord Doumu’s lecture.

As Xu Feng left, he stated he would assume her current mindset was a temporary confusion and would wait for her to come to her senses. He issued a final warning for her to be cautious in the Heaven Realm, specifically advising her to steer clear of his mother. After Xu Feng's departure, Jin Mi pondered whether he knew something more, and subsequently ordered an attendant to discreetly monitor the Heavenly Empress’s activities at the Zifangyun Palace.

Meanwhile, the Moon Immortal and Xu Feng headed towards Xuan Ling Lord Doumu's dharma assembly. Earlier, the Moon Immortal had observed Xu Feng furiously burning red strings that various fairies had tied, hoping for a match. When asked what was wrong, Xu Feng remained silent, his anger palpable. At the Luoxiang Mansion, a celestial attendant, disguised as a fairy from Supreme Lord Lao, invited Jin Mi to taste new elixir, explaining that Water Immortal was at the dharma assembly.

Jin Mi, recognizing the attendant as someone from the Zifangyun Palace, suspected a trap laid by the Heavenly Empress. She agreed to go, requesting a moment to change clothes. During this time, she secretly summoned Yan You, explaining the situation and her strong belief that the Heavenly Empress, who had killed Rou Rou, was now targeting her.

Jin Mi was resolved to confront the Heavenly Empress, hoping to make her confess her crimes, and instructed Yan You to quickly fetch her father to witness the confession, thereby providing evidence for justice. Yan You, despite his apprehension for Jin Mi's safety, agreed to bring Water Immortal and urged Jin Mi to be extremely cautious. Jin Mi was then led to the Zifangyun Palace, confirming her suspicions about the Heavenly Empress's involvement.

The Heavenly Empress, addressing Jin Mi as "Immortal Jin Mi," mockingly noted her long wait. Simultaneously, Xu Feng and the Moon Immortal arrived at the lively dharma assembly. Jin Mi, feigning innocence, apologized for her accidental presence, claiming a lost attendant misled her, and attempted to leave. Just as Xu Feng was settling in, Lord Liaoyuan urgently reported that Jin Mi had been taken by the Heavenly Empress’s people. Xu Feng immediately departed the assembly in a frantic search.

Back at Zifangyun Palace, the Heavenly Empress dropped her pretense, revealing her true intention was not to offer elixir but to "refine" Jin Mi, curious about her true form. Jin Mi reiterated that her father, Water Immortal, had already announced her true form as a Six-petal Frost Flower. The Heavenly Empress scoffed, casting doubt on Jin Mi's paternity and Water Immortal's certainty, declaring, "Words are but wind. Seeing is believing," and vowing to personally uncover Jin Mi's true nature.

She then unleashed the "Alcohol-brewed Fire," the fourth of eight levels of hellfire, asserting that the lower levels would be ineffective. She chillingly reminded Jin Mi that her mother, Zi Fen (the former Floral Immortal), had endured the final, Glazed Pure Fire, and wondered how many levels Jin Mi could withstand. Jin Mi was horrified, realizing the Heavenly Empress was responsible for her mother's suffering.

She accused the Heavenly Empress of sending assassins in the mortal world, which led to Rou Rou's death, and now of harming her mother. Jin Mi vowed to seek retribution for these past and present wrongs. The Heavenly Empress merely sneered at Jin Mi's defiance. An attendant (likely Yan You) rushed to inform Run Yu that Jin Mi was in danger.

As the Heavenly Empress escalated to the seventh level, "Boiling-oil Fire," Jin Mi fiercely retaliated with her water magic, her powers confirming her lineage to the Heavenly Empress. With a final, desperate surge of power, the Heavenly Empress unleashed the eighth and ultimate level, "Glazed Pure Fire." Jin Mi questioned the Heavenly Empress's relentless desire to kill her.

The Heavenly Empress, consumed by hatred, listed her reasons: Jin Mi being Zi Fen’s daughter, her uncanny resemblance, and her perceived seduction of Xu Feng, proclaiming that even a thousand deaths for Jin Mi would not be enough. Jin Mi, however, defiantly declared she would endure until her father arrived. She boldly challenged the Heavenly Empress, expressing surprise that such a powerful figure would fear her. Enraged by Jin Mi's taunts, the Heavenly Empress, calling Jin Mi an "evildoer," vowed to personally destroy her.

Jin Mi confronted the Heavenly Empress, Tu Yao, boldly stating that someone with supreme power like her actually feared Jin Mi, which was a surprising revelation. Tu Yao, enraged, denied this, questioning why Jin Mi would accuse her of fear when she was using hellfire against her instead of facing her directly. Tu Yao declared Jin Mi an evildoer and vowed to kill her personally, proclaiming she would destroy Jin Mi and vanish her soul.

Taking advantage of Tu Yao's fury, Jin Mi gathered her magic power and injured Tu Yao's hand. Seeing Jin Mi dare to attack her, Tu Yao, in a fit of rage, unleashed the Glazed Pure Fire, an extreme form of torture. Fortunately, Xu Feng appeared in time, shielding Jin Mi from the attack. Xu Feng questioned his mother's relentless obsession, but Tu Yao insisted that Jin Mi was the cause of the rift in their mother-son relationship.

Xu Feng then confessed that Jin Mi was carrying his child, further infuriating Tu Yao. She denounced Jin Mi as shameless, just like her mother, and vowed to burn both Jin Mi and the unborn child. Tu Yao violently threw Xu Feng aside and launched another powerful attack, but Run Yu arrived and bravely blocked it.

Just as Tu Yao prepared to strike again in her fury, the Water Immortal, Luo Lin, and the Heavenly Emperor, Tai Wei, arrived and intervened. The Water Immortal, consumed by rage, unleashed a fatal spell on Tu Yao. However, Xu Feng once again threw himself in front of his mother, taking the full force of the blow. In his dying moments, Xu Feng begged the Water Immortal to spare Tu Yao's life.

It was then that the Heavenly Emperor, Tai Wei, finally understood that Zi Fen, the former Floral Immortal and his beloved, had been murdered by his own empress. Discovering the truth, Tai Wei had Tu Yao apprehended and sent to Pisuo Jail, stripped her of her title as Heavenly Empress, and decreed that she would never again be allowed into the immortal ranks.

Meanwhile, Liu Ying remained tirelessly by Mu Ci's side, which finally led to a brief moment of his lucidity. Even upon waking, Mu Ci's words to Liu Ying were cold, but Liu Ying's heart ached for the suffering he had endured over the years. Mu Ci spoke of his deep-seated hatred for demons and how his own Spirit-Vanishing clan was seen as an inauspicious people. Liu Ying, however, revealed that the Spirit-Vanishing clan was not inauspicious at all.

She recounted how, while learning Shadow Magic, she and the King of Bian City had inadvertently uncovered the King of Gu City's scheme: he had falsely claimed to be acting under the Demon Lord's orders to force the Spirit-Vanishing clan to create Spirit-Vanishing Arrows, only to eradicate the entire clan afterward. It was by chance that Mu Ci had been shot by Liu Ying's arrow, which ultimately saved his life.

Mu Ci was devastated by Liu Ying's revelation, realizing that his years of wandering, seeking revenge and repaying perceived kindness, enduring his role as Tu Yao's puppet, had all been based on a fabricated lie. The King of Bian City had depleted a significant amount of his magic power trying to save Mu Ci, yet Mu Ci showed no signs of improvement. Liu Ying anxiously asked her father how to save Mu Ci.

The King of Bian City explained that the last stage of hellfire, Glazed Pure Fire, could burn away the children of the Autopsy Wild Silkworms within Mu Ci, completely curing his condition. However, this would drastically shorten Mu Ci's lifespan to only ten years, and his magic power would gradually fade, leaving him an ordinary mortal.

Liu Ying immediately declared her willingness to use her own bone marrow to extend Mu Ci's life, even if it meant losing all her own magic power. Mu Ci, hidden nearby, overheard their conversation. Realizing he could no longer be a burden to Liu Ying, he quietly left the Demon Realm. Jin Mi was plagued by nightmares. Upon waking, she found solace only when she saw the Water Immortal by her side.

Still distraught, Jin Mi anxiously declared her desire to avenge her mother, Zi Fen, and Rou Rou. When Luo Lin gently restrained her, she broke down in despair. The Water Immortal then presented her with an ice blade, forged from Yisheng Ice and imbued with half of his own cultivation. He instructed Jin Mi to keep it with her as a means of self-defense should she encounter danger again.

The Heavenly Emperor, Tai Wei, visited the Water Immortal to inquire about Jin Mi's condition. Luo Lin, however, found Tai Wei's treatment of Tu Yao far too lenient. He sternly warned Tai Wei that from that moment on, for the sake of his daughter, he would act without any restraint. Tai Wei claimed he was helpless in the situation, professing that he had genuinely loved Zi Fen.

Luo Lin challenged the sincerity of his "love," pointing out that Tai Wei's decision to imprison Tu Yao was not out of guilt for Zi Fen, but rather because Tu Yao had lost her political usefulness and become an obstacle. In Pisuo Jail, Tai Wei visited Tu Yao, hoping she would reflect on her actions. Instead, he found her as arrogant and unyielding as ever.

Tu Yao challenged his hypocrisy, recalling their past alliance and the Bird Tribe's pivotal role in his rise to power, accusing him of ingratitude and inconstancy once he became Heavenly Emperor. Tai Wei, in turn, listed her atrocities, including killing Su Li and ultimately Zi Fen. Tu Yao lashed back, questioning whether her true crime was killing Zi Fen or merely hurting his heart.

She bitterly observed the historical parallel of Jin Mi seducing Xu Feng, echoing Zi Fen's relationship with Tai Wei. Tai Wei condemned her unrepentant nature, branding her a "jealous mortal woman." Tu Yao lamented her fate, saying she only gained a cold throne, never his true affection, and felt endless sorrow pursuing a heartless man. Tai Wei acknowledged his past guilt concerning Zi Fen but insisted he had tolerated Tu Yao's transgressions.

Tu Yao dismissed his "tolerance" as self-serving, recounting his attempt to dethrone her after her father's death, which taught her the paramount importance of power. She then accused him of being just as ruthless, reminding him of his regicide to seize power, concluding that both of them were merely "prisoners of power." She reminded him of their solemn promise: his pledge that their son would be crown prince and they would rule the Heaven Realm together.

Tai Wei admitted she had changed and apologized, but explained that her position was now untenable due to the uproar and the need to curb the Bird Tribe's influence. Tu Yao, seemingly resigned, stated she had been Heavenly Empress long enough and expressed her only remaining wish: a secure future for her son, Xu Feng. Later, Jin Mi, still concerned about Xu Feng's condition, secretly went to Qiwu Palace in the middle of the night to check on him.

To her dismay, she found Sui He attending to him. Worse, Sui He leaned in and kissed the unconscious Xu Feng. Witnessing this, Jin Mi's Yun Elixir once again flared up, causing her intense heartache. Run Yu later found Jin Mi, concerned about her wandering out at night given her recent illness. Jin Mi asked him about his intimate relationships with other fairies.

Run Yu, affirming his commitment, reassured her that as they were engaged, he would never have any physical contact with other women. Jin Mi then expressed her profound grief for her mother and her sorrow over Xu Feng having Tu Yao as his mother. Run Yu, offering comfort, promised to handle all these difficult matters, then escorted her back to Luoxiang Mansion.

The Heavenly Emperor visited the Heavenly Empress in Pisuo Jail. She told him that she had sacrificed everything for him and now only wished for him to secure Xu Feng's future. The Heavenly Emperor admitted that he had intended to pass the crown to Xu Feng, but her lack of virtue and public support had implicated their son.

The Heavenly Empress retorted that she had always been the one to eliminate his enemies and help him consolidate his power behind the scenes, questioning if he truly didn't know the reasons for her actions. She then explicitly requested him to immediately issue an imperial decree to marry Sui He to Xu Feng, which would ensure the Bird Family's complete loyalty to the Heaven Realm.

The Heavenly Emperor agreed to let Xu Feng inherit the throne and promised to spare her life, stating that her dignity was intertwined with his own. The Heavenly Empress reflected sadly on how their relationship had come to this point. In the Heaven Realm, immortals buzzed with news of unrest within the Bird Family.

Elder Yin Que had been openly visiting the Demon Realm and even dining with the Demon Lord, fueling speculation that he intended to lead the Bird Family in betraying the Heaven Realm. Sui He's authority was severely undermined; she lacked the ability, seniority, and public support to rival Yin Que, and her position became even more precarious after the Heavenly Empress lost power.

Many believed that the deep-seated resentment in Yimiao State, exacerbated by its long history as the Heavenly Emperor's personal property and the recent chaos following the Heavenly Empress's downfall, had made the Bird Family ripe for dissent. Yin Que was using the Demon Realm as leverage against the Heavenly Emperor, aiming to renegotiate terms with the Heaven Realm. It was widely understood that such a defection would be a devastating blow to the Heaven Realm.

The Heavenly Emperor summoned Xu Feng, inquiring about his injuries. Xu Feng expressed concern for his mother, requesting leniency for her, but the Heavenly Emperor revealed that Tu Yao herself had only expressed concern for Xu Feng's future. Xu Feng took partial responsibility for his mother’s actions. The Heavenly Emperor then laid out his plan: he intended to pass the throne to Xu Feng, but this required Xu Feng to marry Sui He to consolidate the Bird Family's power.

He further added that Run Yu would marry Jin Mi, thereby securing the Water Family's allegiance, ensuring a stable and peaceful Heaven Realm. He acknowledged Xu Feng's feelings for Jin Mi, but insisted that a ruler must make sacrifices, and Jin Mi was one such sacrifice. Xu Feng defiantly declared that if he had to choose, he would rather choose Jin Mi.

The Heavenly Emperor, enraged, reminded Xu Feng of his past reckless behavior with Jin Mi and their disregard for the sacred engagement with the Water Immortal, questioning how he could entrust the Heaven Realm to him. Xu Feng stubbornly stated that Jin Mi was more important to him than anything else, pleading for their union.

Just then, Run Yu arrived, chastising Xu Feng for his immaturity and attempting to disrupt a divinely sanctioned marriage, claiming deep mutual affection with Jin Mi. Xu Feng scoffed, accusing Run Yu of self-deception. The Heavenly Emperor intervened, halting their argument and instructing Run Yu to proceed with his wedding preparations, emphasizing the grandeur of the event. Undeterred, Xu Feng again pleaded with the Heavenly Emperor to cancel his and Run Yu’s engagement.

The Heavenly Emperor, branding Xu Feng's actions as outrageous and a disgrace to the Heaven Realm, immediately stripped him of his military leadership, ordered him to surrender the Red Clouds Sword, and commanded him to reflect on his behavior. Liu Ying rushed to the hall, hoping to find Mu Ci, but discovered only a note that read, "Take good care of yourself. Goodbye." Frustrated by his repeated disappearance, she noted that at least this time he left a message.

Convinced he couldn't have gone far due to his weakened state, she immediately set out to find him, vowing to search every corner of the Six Realms until she was old or dead. Unbeknownst to her, Mu Ci watched her from a distance, telling himself he had no choice but to leave and hoping she would forget him. Later, the King of Bian City found a distressed Liu Ying and urged her to return home and stop torturing herself.

During their discussion, a seal that Lord Liaoyuan had previously entrusted to Liu Ying fell out. The King of Bian City immediately recognized it as the personal seal of King of Qing City, the wisest elder in the Demon Realm, who had been traveling for over sixty years. Liu Ying, hopeful, asked if King of Qing City could help save Mu Ci.

However, the King of Bian City dismissed the idea, explaining that the only known cure for Mu Ci's condition, "Autopsy Wild Silkworms," was someone who practiced fire magic from the Heaven Realm. Sui He approached the Heavenly Emperor, lamenting her failure to manage the Bird Family and blaming herself for Yin Que's actions, though she noted his constant defiance. She then suggested that with the Heavenly Empress confined, the Bird Family's rebellious tendencies were openly surfacing.

She requested that Xu Feng lead troops to Yimiao State to quell the unrest. The Heavenly Emperor acknowledged the need for preparedness, but before he could respond fully, Run Yu arrived. He argued that the Bird Family was not truly in rebellion but merely misguided, likely influenced by malevolent forces. He proposed that the Heavenly Emperor issue a decree of appeasement to demonstrate the Heaven Realm's benevolence and thwart those with ulterior motives.

Instead of a full military intervention, Run Yu suggested appointing a special envoy to lead a small contingent of heavenly soldiers to Yimiao State for a thorough investigation and severe punishment of the true instigators. The Heavenly Emperor found Run Yu's words persuasive and agreed, asking him to draft the imperial edict. He then inquired about the special envoy and garrison, given that Xu Feng had been stripped of his military command.

Run Yu cautioned against sending Xu Feng, as it might instill fear and panic among the birds. He suggested that Star Lord Pojun lead some troops to be stationed there as a preventive measure. The Heavenly Emperor concurred and then instructed Sui He to return to Yimiao State at once to comfort her kin. The Heavenly Emperor detained Run Yu, inquiring about his recent studies.

Run Yu explained that he was reading self-cultivation texts but also delving into history and military strategies. He then subtly evoked fond memories of his childhood, recalling how the Heavenly Emperor himself had taught him poetry when Tu Yao, out of selfish motives, had refused to provide him with a teacher. He expressed profound gratitude for the Heavenly Emperor’s personal guidance, which had prevented him from neglecting his studies and had provided lifelong benefit.

The Heavenly Emperor, affirming his love for his eldest son, explained that his past coldness was a necessary facade to protect Run Yu from Tu Yao’s watchful eyes, preventing him from becoming a target. He admitted to feeling immense guilt over his actions towards Run Yu’s birth mother, justifying it as a desperate measure to resolve a military crisis with the Demon Realm by strategically taking Lake Taihu through her.

Over the years, he had harbored deep regret and sought to make amends. Observing Run Yu's composure, sharp intellect, and steadfastness, and disappointed by Xu Feng's recent defiant behavior, the Heavenly Emperor decided to temporarily transfer command of the Five-Direction Heaven Troops, a significant military responsibility previously held by Xu Feng, to Run Yu. Run Yu accepted the command with humble gratitude, promising to fulfill his duties diligently.

Sui He visited Tu Yao in Pisuo Jail to discuss their next steps. Tu Yao, having waited for her, transferred her entire lifetime's cultivation to Sui He, including the powerful Glazed Pure Fire. With this newfound power, Tu Yao instructed Sui He to revitalize the Bird Family and ensure Xu Feng's ascension to the throne, warning her not to cause disappointment. Sui He solemnly vowed to fulfill this trust.

Run Yu played a game of chess with the Water Immortal, demonstrating remarkable strategic prowess and patience. He methodically secured victory after fifty moves, earning the Water Immortal’s high praise for his holistic view and steady execution. Run Yu mused that chess was akin to arranging stars, with the board representing the sky and pieces the stars, where even a tiny star could influence the entire constellation.

The Water Immortal observed that Run Yu had changed significantly after three months of mourning for his birth mother and the Arowana Family, acknowledging his profound grief and newfound resolve to fight for his and Jin Mi’s future. It was at this juncture that Xu Feng arrived, seeking to visit Jin Mi and apologize to both her and the Water Immortal on behalf of his mother, Tu Yao.

The Water Immortal coldly refused his request, stating that Jin Mi was too frail to receive visitors and that Tu Yao’s misdeeds would be judged by heavenly law. Run Yu promptly interjected, urging Xu Feng to leave and not further upset the Water Immortal. Xu Feng, in turn, sarcastically remarked on Run Yu's attentive behavior as a "dutiful and virtuous son-in-law" in the Water Immortal’s presence.

Run Yu retorted that as Jin Mi was his fiancée, her care was his responsibility, not Xu Feng's. The Water Immortal intervened, thanking both princes for saving Jin Mi, but emphasized that she needed rest and would decide her own future once she had recovered. Run Yu then solemnly declared that having almost lost Jin Mi, he now believed only her safety, health, and happiness truly mattered. On his way back to Qiwu Palace, Xu Feng unexpectedly encountered Jin Mi.

She inquired about his injuries, which he brushed off as minor, but then urged him not to visit her again. Saddened, he pulled her to a more private spot. A flashback reveals that Xu Feng had previously berated his attendants for allowing Sui He to visit him while he was unconscious, angrily forbidding anyone from entering Qiwu Palace without his explicit consent. In the present, he provocatively asked Jin Mi if she was jealous, which she denied.

He then poured out his current woes: his military leadership had been stripped, his mother imprisoned, and his father was forcing him into a marriage with Sui He. He confessed that if she, too, wavered in her affection, he would truly be unable to endure. Jin Mi, though stating she wouldn't hate him, firmly declared that they could no longer be together.

Acknowledging that his mother had killed her mother, Xu Feng conceded he had no right to be with her, but pressed her, asking if she truly intended to marry Run Yu. Jin Mi replied that her happiness lay in the happiness of her father and Run Yu. Xu Feng, certain she did not love Run Yu, expressed his belief that she would not find happiness in such a marriage.

Jin Mi, however, maintained that their union was impossible, as it would cause pain to her father and Run Yu. As Xu Feng drew closer, Jin Mi's heart began to throb with intense pain. She revealed to him that whenever he was near, her heart ached strangely, and she felt utterly miserable, pleading with him to stop following her.

Qi Yuan was suffering from the intensifying effects of the Autopsy Wild Silkworms, despairing that he might be doomed. Sui He appeared and temporarily suppressed the poison. Qi Yuan expressed his gratitude but pleaded with Sui He to allow him to retire to a secluded life, explaining that forging the Spirit-Vanishing Arrows had drained him of most of his bones and blood, leaving him debilitated.

Sui He accused him of abandoning them, reminding him that the Heavenly Empress had saved his life. Qi Yuan insisted he would repay the Heavenly Empress's kindness in his next life, but Sui He provocatively asked if he was trying to find Liu Ying, the Princess of Bian City. Qi Yuan denied it, claiming their relationship was long over.

Sui He then offered him a deal: if he forged one more Spirit-Vanishing Arrow for her, she would cure him of the Autopsy Wild Silkworms and grant him freedom to reunite with Liu Ying.

This promise was made possible because not long before, the Heavenly Empress had transferred her lifelong cultivation to Sui He, endowing her with the formidable Glazed Pure Fire and the ability to fulfill her ambition of restoring the Bird Family and helping Xu Feng ascend to the throne. Meanwhile, the Bird Family faced a severe grain shortage, their granaries completely empty. Sui He was preoccupied with this problem when Elder Yin Que arrived to confront her.

He questioned her leadership, accusing her of neglecting the Bird Family while frequently visiting the Heaven Realm, and challenged her ability to protect their clan now that the Heavenly Empress had lost influence. Sui He, asserting her capability, vowed to resolve the grain crisis within three days to prove her worth as the Bird Family leader.

Unbeknownst to Sui He, the Heavenly Emperor had recently transferred the command of the Five-Direction Heaven Troops to Run Yu, citing Xu Feng's recent wayward behavior. Run Yu received Sui He's urgent plea to the Heaven Realm for grain but, instead of processing it, burned the petition in his hearth. Three days later, with no word from the Heaven Realm, Sui He arrived at the Bird Family hall to face the waiting elders, including Yin Que.

Desperate, she publicly blamed Elder Yin Que's recent secret meeting with the Demon Lord for creating distrust with the Heaven Realm, thereby causing the refusal of grain. Sui He asserted that she had intervened to assure the Heavenly Emperor of the Bird Family's loyalty, preventing military intervention.

Yin Que offered to join Sui He in clarifying matters to the Heavenly Emperor, but Sui He continued to press him, demanding proof of his innocence and suggesting he seek grain from the Demon Realm instead. As their argument escalated, Run Yu arrived, personally escorting a shipment of grain to relieve the famine. Run Yu announced that he was acting on the Heavenly Emperor's orders and clarified that the Heavenly Emperor had no intention of suppressing the Bird Family.

Instead, Run Yu exposed Sui He's manipulative tactics, revealing that she had requested heavenly troops to suppress Elder Yin Que and had prioritized undermining him over addressing the famine. He also revealed that Sui He's petition for grain had never reached the Heavenly Emperor, and it was Elder Yin Que who had personally traveled to the Heaven Realm the day before to report the crisis, prompting the Heavenly Emperor's intervention.

Outraged by Sui He's deception, the elders declared her unfit to lead and unanimously nominated Elder Yin Que as the new provisional leader. It was then that Sui He realized Elder Yin Que was not colluding with the Demon Lord but with Run Yu.

After the meeting, Run Yu and Yin Que met privately, confirming that the entire incident was Run Yu's meticulously planned scheme to elevate Yin Que to power within the Bird Family, seeing him as a useful pawn. Run Yu explained his plan to ensure Sui He's grain requests would vanish, forcing Yin Que to seek help, which would then be used to install him as the Bird Family's true power.

Yin Que conceded that he had no choice but to comply, and Run Yu promised him the position of Bird Family Leader if he continued to support him. Meanwhile, Liu Ying relentlessly searched for Mu Ci, vowing to scour all six realms to find him. She eventually located him in the Demon Realm, where he was once again forging a Spirit-Vanishing Arrow using his own bones and blood, a process that had drawn the powerful Nether Fury.

This dark energy confirmed Liu Ying's fears that Mu Ci was planning to harm Jin Mi again. Once the new arrow was completed, Sui He appeared, reviving the now-fainted Mu Ci. She commanded him to go to the Heaven Realm and use the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to kill Run Yu, furious that Run Yu had orchestrated her downfall.

Mu Ci, however, refused, explaining that the arrow's creation had severely depleted his magic power, leaving him too weak to confront the powerful Run Yu, even with the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. Sui He then declared she would accompany him. At Xuanji Palace, Yan You confronted Run Yu after learning about the change in Bird Family leadership, correctly deducing Run Yu's involvement. Run Yu admitted he was merely trying to fulfill his mother, Su Li's, long-held wish.

Yan You cautioned him, reminding him that Su Li had made many grave mistakes in pursuit of that very wish. He feared Run Yu would follow a similar destructive path, losing his original self and intentions, emphasizing that one wrong step could lead to complete ruin and that Run Yu could not afford to lose. Yan You also implored Run Yu to consider Jin Mi, arguing that she was innocent and should not be used or harmed in his schemes.

Run Yu, feeling he had already committed too deeply to his path, remained unresponsive to Yan You's pleas. Later, Sui He and Qi Yuan arrived at Xuanji Palace, but Run Yu was not there. Instead, they found Jin Mi, who had come to deliver noble dendrobium, a tonic, to Run Yu as a gesture of gratitude. Seizing the unexpected opportunity, Sui He abruptly ordered Qi Yuan to use the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to kill Jin Mi.

Qi Yuan hesitated, momentarily envisioning a peaceful life with Liu Ying. Fearing the loss of this rare chance, Sui He struck Jin Mi unconscious with a blast of fire magic. At that critical moment, Qi Yuan turned the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow on Sui He. Just as he released it, Xu Feng arrived, deflecting the arrow and saving Sui He's life. Sui He knocked out the weakened Qi Yuan and fled.

Xu Feng pursued and confronted them, just as Liu Ying also arrived at the scene. Having identified Sui He as the one who used fire magic on Jin Mi, Xu Feng demanded an explanation. A furious Sui He confessed she acted out of jealousy, enraged that Xu Feng's heart belonged only to Jin Mi, who was now showing concern for Run Yu. Liu Ying defended the unconscious Mu Ci, explaining that he was being controlled by the Autopsy Wild Silkworms.

Sui He shot back that Mu Ci had willingly served the Heavenly Empress, calling them all ungrateful. Liu Ying pleaded to take Mu Ci back, offering to atone for his actions. Having heard enough, Xu Feng delivered a final, stern warning to Sui He: Jin Mi's safety was his absolute bottom line, and he would show no mercy if she were harmed again. After Jin Mi regained consciousness, she questioned Run Yu about the attack.

Run Yu falsely claimed he didn't save her, attributing it to Xu Feng, and deflected Jin Mi's concern that she was the target, instead subtly implying Xu Feng's path was causing her danger. Xu Feng, eager to check on Jin Mi, was blocked by Run Yu at the entrance to Xuanji Palace.

Run Yu thanked Xu Feng for saving Jin Mi, then warned him that both the Heavenly Empress and Sui He had attacked Jin Mi because of his connection to her. He urged Xu Feng to recognize the danger he posed to Jin Mi and to distance himself from her, adding that he had already sent his attendant, Kuang Lu, to ask the Water Immortal to take Jin Mi back.

From a distance, Sui He watched, heartbroken, lamenting that despite all her sacrifices and loss of power, Xu Feng's heart still belonged only to Jin Mi. Later, Mu Ci awoke in the King of Bian City's residence, finding Liu Ying faithfully watching over him. She lovingly scolded him for constantly leaving her and for making another Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, fearing he still intended to harm Jin Mi.

Mu Ci confessed that he had initially planned to kill Jin Mi to bargain with the Heavenly Empress for a cure for his Autopsy Wild Silkworms. However, at the last moment, he decided he would rather die than face Liu Ying's disappointment. He also confirmed to her that he had not harmed her friends. Realizing his sincerity, Liu Ying was overjoyed, proclaiming that her true Mu Ci had finally returned, and promised to find a way to cure him.

Sui He arrived at Luoxiang Mansion under the cover of night, intending to strike Jin Mi. However, Water Immortal's unexpected arrival forced Sui He to conceal herself. Water Immortal brought medicine for his daughter, Jin Mi, urging her to drink it and not to worry him with her frequent injuries. He expressed his intention to report Sui He's behavior to the Heavenly Emperor, noting her resemblance to her aunt.

Jin Mi, however, understood Sui He's animosity, attributing it to Sui He's affection for Xu Feng. Water Immortal then gently probed Jin Mi about her true love, to which Jin Mi confessed her heart felt empty and she couldn't identify her feelings. Recalling Jin Mi’s mother, Zi Fen, and past events, Water Immortal declared his understanding of Zi Fen's decision to conceal Jin Mi's identity.

He now saw that Jin Mi was suffering greatly due to love and encouraged her to choose boldly, assuring her of his support whether she chose Xu Feng or Run Yu, as long as she found happiness. Jin Mi thanked her father. Consumed by jealousy after observing the tender moment between Jin Mi and her father, Sui He transformed into Xu Feng. She then attacked Water Immortal, using the Glazed Pure Fire to fatally wound him.

Wind God, Lin Xiu, died while attempting to protect Water Immortal. Before his death, a small spirit named Liao Ting sought out Jin Mi, managing to utter only "Fire" before his spirit scattered. Jin Mi entered the courtyard to a horrifying sight: her father and Lin Xiu lay dead. Overwhelmed with grief, she wept inconsolably and collapsed. Xu Feng appeared, attempting to console a distraught Jin Mi, telling her, "It’s too late."

Jin Mi, in her anguish, pleaded with "Phoenix" to save them, but Xu Feng could only repeat that it was already too late. Jin Mi awoke, disoriented, initially believing her father's death was a nightmare. She soon faced the painful reality that Water Immortal was truly gone. Run Yu tried to comfort her, vowing to always be by her side and reminding her that both Water Immortal and Wind God were unjustly killed and awaited her to uncover the truth.

Xu Feng also offered solace, but Run Yu sharply rebuked him, asserting his place as Jin Mi's betrothed and questioning Xu Feng's motives. Overwhelmed, Jin Mi cried out, demanding both of them leave her. Alone, Jin Mi held the ice blade her father had given her, understanding he had imbued it with half his cultivation for her protection. With tears streaming, she apologized to her father and Lin Xiu, swearing to uncover the real murderer and avenge their deaths.

The Heavenly Emperor announced his decree, posthumously honoring Water Immortal as the Benevolent and Virtuous Immortal. He also officially postponed Jin Mi's wedding to Run Yu for three years in observance of mourning and declared that Jin Mi would immediately succeed her father as the Water Immortal. Later, Run Yu visited his father, the Heavenly Emperor, to discuss the case. The Heavenly Emperor expressed his grief, acknowledging Water Immortal as one of the few who dared speak truth to him.

Run Yu asserted that as Jin Mi's future husband, it was his duty to find her father's killer. He noted that the available records only stated Water Immortal died from Glazed Pure Fire, with no other leads. Run Yu pointed out that only Xu Feng and the Heavenly Empress possessed the high cultivation to wield Glazed Pure Fire.

Although all evidence—his presence, the distinctive Feibai script letter, and the Glazed Pure Fire—pointed to Xu Feng, Run Yu found it too direct, suggesting a deliberate setup. He vouched for Xu Feng, believing his brother incapable of such an act. The Heavenly Emperor agreed that Xu Feng was likely innocent but was at a loss as to the true culprit.

Fearing that publicizing the files would damage Xu Feng’s reputation, Run Yu advised sealing the investigation until the real murderer could be found. The Heavenly Emperor, acknowledging Run Yu's thoughtfulness, entrusted the entire investigation to him. Jin Mi remained at her father’s grave, distraught and in disbelief. While sorting through Water Immortal’s belongings, she discovered a letter indicating Xu Feng had an appointment with her father on the day he died.

This, coupled with the knowledge that Glazed Pure Fire was the cause of death, stirred suspicion within her. Yet, she found it difficult to reconcile these facts with her trust in Xu Feng. Xu Feng visited Jin Mi in the Floral Realm, joining her in mourning Water Immortal and Lin Xiu. He vowed to bring the true murderer to justice. Jin Mi questioned him about the investigation, and Xu Feng admitted to finding no traces at the scene.

Jin Mi, consumed by guilt, blamed herself for their deaths, but Xu Feng reassured her it wasn't her fault. Jin Mi then directly confronted Xu Feng, asking who in the six realms could freely control Glazed Pure Fire. Xu Feng explained that only he and the Heavenly Empress had mastered this supreme Phoenix Bird family magic. Jin Mi then produced the letter, written in Xu Feng's distinctive Feibai script, scheduling a midnight meeting between them regarding her.

She demanded to know why he was present at the scene and why her father's clothes were burned white by Glazed Pure Fire. Xu Feng vehemently denied writing the letter, claiming it was a frame-up and that he went to Luoxiang Mansion that night because he received a message from Water Immortal. He realized they had both been tricked.

Jin Mi, however, was overcome by the circumstantial evidence, concluding that since the Heavenly Empress was imprisoned, only Xu Feng could have wielded the Glazed Pure Fire. She accused him directly, "It was you. You killed my father." Deeply hurt by her accusation, Xu Feng defended himself, reminding her of their long relationship and his familial bond with Water Immortal and Lin Xiu. He argued that he wouldn't be so foolish as to leave a letter implicating himself.

Unable to prove his innocence, he offered her his life if she truly believed him guilty. Jin Mi, holding her ice blade, hesitated, her hand slowly dropping. She couldn't bring herself to kill him, her only desire being to have her father back. Xu Feng promised to find the murderer and bring them to her, asking for her trust.

Xu Feng learned from Lord Liaoyuan about the new decree forbidding all but the Eight-Direction Heaven Troops from investigating the case files. Lord Liaoyuan suggested Run Yu as a possible culprit, but Xu Feng dismissed the idea. He reasoned that Run Yu, skilled only in water-related magic, could not wield the Glazed Pure Fire. Moreover, Water Immortal had been Run Yu's political backer, making it illogical for Run Yu to murder him merely to frame Xu Feng.

Xu Feng then went to Pisuo Jail to confront his mother, Tu Yao. He directly asked Tu Yao if she was involved in the deaths of Water Immortal and Wind God. Upon hearing of their demise, Tu Yao reacted with alarming relief, stating, "That’s great." This confirmed Xu Feng's suspicion of her involvement.

He angrily accused her of implicating him in a morally reprehensible act, but Tu Yao dismissed his concerns, advising him that a truly great leader should not be constrained by minor scruples or mercy. She declared that she would act on his behalf to achieve his destiny, especially against Run Yu. She insisted that becoming Heavenly Emperor was her sole wish for him and urged him to marry Sui He to secure the Bird Tribe's backing.

Xu Feng firmly refused to marry Sui He, stating he wished to live his life his own way, even if it meant being misunderstood. Disgusted by her ruthlessness, Xu Feng left despite her desperate pleas. Meanwhile, in Pixiang Hall, Run Yu was being assisted by a subordinate, Kuang Lu, with star arrangements. She expressed her desire to learn quickly to alleviate his burdens. Run Yu calmly advised her patience, explaining that haste makes waste. He also mentioned that it was not yet time to arrange the Shen star mansion, as the Shang star had not yet fallen, a subtle reference to fate and timing.

The Beast of Dreams' emitted dream vividly depicted Water Immortal's final moments: a figure resembling Xu Feng appeared, accusing Water Immortal of standing between him and Jin Mi before attacking with the Glazed Pure Fire. Wind Immortal, Lin Xiu, perished while trying to save him. Jin Mi wept, heartbroken by the tragic end of her father and Wind Immortal. Determined to uncover the truth, she went to Pixiang Hall, searching for the Beast of Dreams' whereabouts in the Dream Register.

Her fears were confirmed when she discovered the dream was, indeed, Xu Feng's. Meanwhile, Run Yu was teaching Li about constellations, pointing out how the Heart and Three Stars mansions represent a scorpion and a hunter, destined to be enemies or forever separated. Yan You, concerned about the Heaven Realm's corrupting influence on Li's innocent nature, tried to take the young carp fairy back to the mire.

However, when Run Yu and Kuang Lu appeared, Kuang Lu suggested Li choose his own path. Li decided to stay with Run Yu at Xuanji Palace, leaving Yan You to depart, lamenting Li's youthful snobbery. Run Yu attempted to mend their estranged relationship, emphasizing their brotherhood and assuring Yan You the palace doors were always open. Yet, Yan You politely declined, stating he was not capable enough to be Run Yu's brother and preferred his freedom.

Alone with Li, Run Yu promised to care for him as their mother had wished, reiterating that they now only had each other. Later, Run Yu confided in Kuang Lu, questioning why his quest for revenge was condemned and alienated him from loved ones, while others like Heavenly Empress and Xu Feng could act with impunity. Kuang Lu reminded him that the pure are easily stained and that he had embarked on a path of no return.

During a court assembly, Heavenly Emperor lauded Run Yu's significant contributions to pacifying the Bird Family and orchestrating famine relief, asserting that he was as capable as Fire Immortal, if not more meticulous. Elder Yin Que from the Bird Family presented the eight hundred li Taihu Lake to the Heaven Realm as a token of loyalty. Heavenly Emperor decided to grant it to Run Yu as a fiefdom.

Run Yu, accepting the honor, proposed that the lake, historically belonging to the Arowana Family, should not be private property. Instead, he requested to settle the displaced Dongting Water Family, who suffered after the dethroned empress's actions and Water Immortal's death, into Taihu Lake. Heavenly Emperor approved, granting Run Yu full authority to oversee the takeover, reconstruction of Dongting Lake, and resettlement of the Water Family.

Run Yu took Li to Taihu Lake, telling him it was their mother's homeland and entrusting him with its protection. Li, though initially worried about his limited magic power, promised to guard it after Run Yu mentioned a large mire at the bottom of the lake. Yan You confronted Run Yu, accusing him of pretense and questioning if his impeccably flawless life wasn't exhausting.

Yan You remarked on Run Yu's now immense power and the recovery of Taihu Lake, suggesting that his mother, Su Li, could rest in peace, yet implying Run Yu had deviated from his initial purpose. With their differing moral convictions, Yan You decided to leave, stating he preferred to live freely, and bid Run Yu farewell.

Run Yu then initiated a campaign to win favor in the Floral Realm, sending generous gifts to the residents, including a Thunder Drum for Old Hu and a kaleidoscope for Lian Qiao, thereby earning their widespread praise for his thoughtful and effortless problem-solving. He visited Jin Mi, who was observing mourning for her father, assuring her that he was managing Water Immortal's affairs and would guide her in due course, promising to stay by her side always.

Jin Mi, still engulfed in grief, questioned if Heavenly Emperor would conduct an impartial investigation into her father's murder, particularly if the culprit was a high-ranking immortal. Run Yu subtly hinted that Heavenly Emperor was deliberately suppressing reports from the Law Enforcement Hall, suggesting that the true murderer was someone Heavenly Emperor was unwilling to impeach. Jin Mi despaired, unable to comprehend why her peace-loving father had met such a violent end.

Run Yu suggested that their engagement, which had dramatically bolstered his influence in the Heaven Realm, might have been perceived by others as an attempt to usurp the throne, thus making them targets. He vowed to Jin Mi that he would not allow Water Immortal to have died in vain. Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm, Liu Ying and Mu Ci were together, with Liu Ying playfully asserting ownership over Mu Ci's life, insisting he recuperate.

They encountered arrogant guards of Bian City. Liu Ying chastised their leader, who then revealed that King of Bian City was hosting a banquet to reconcile Demon Lord and King of Gu City. Suspecting foul play, Liu Ying decided they should stay at a nearby inn to avoid the gathering, despite Mu Ci suggesting she attend to help her father. Mu Ci expressed remorse for his past misdeeds, wanting to prove himself worthy of her.

Liu Ying, reassuring him, proposed they ask her father to officiate their wedding after the banquet concluded. At the banquet, King of Gu City and King of Bian City exchanged veiled insults regarding Liu Ying and Xu Feng's closeness. Demon Lord intervened, urging them to put aside their grievances and share a toast. After drinking, Demon Lord suddenly coughed blood and died. A subsequent medical examination confirmed he had been poisoned.

King of Gu City immediately imprisoned King of Bian City, the host, along with his entire household, citing undeniable evidence, and declared an imminent execution. The same guard Liu Ying had encountered earlier rushed to her at the inn, urging her to break into the demon prison to save her father. However, Liu Ying grew suspicious, questioning how he, a close confidant, had escaped imprisonment or capture.

She quickly realized he was a traitor working with King of Gu City to lure her into a trap that would solidify her father's guilt. Exposed, the guard ordered his soldiers to seize Liu Ying. Mu Ci, with his potent magic, swiftly defended her, giving Liu Ying the precious opportunity to escape and seek help while he single-handedly held off the attacking guards. Distraught, Xu Feng confronted Tu Yao about Water Immortal and Wind Immortal's deaths.

Her failure to deny involvement confirmed his suspicion of her guilt. Xu Feng realized that her actions stemmed from her misguided desire to protect him. This realization plunged him into a profound moral crisis, leaving him agonizing over how he could possibly protect his mother while also seeking justice for Jin Mi, and how he could live with his own conscience.

Liu Ying arrived at the Heaven Realm, desperately pleading with Heavenly Emperor to intervene and save her innocent father, who was unjustly framed and facing execution. She presented evidence of her father's general's betrayal and King of Gu City's manipulative plot, emphasizing her father's good reputation and his efforts to maintain peace between the realms.

Heavenly Emperor, however, refused to intervene, citing a lack of concrete evidence of a frame-up and his inability to interfere in the Demon Realm's internal affairs. Run Yu, subtly asserting his influence, acknowledged the chaos in the Demon Realm and suggested the Heaven Realm could legitimately intervene, while also gently advising the exhausted Liu Ying to rest. Deeply disappointed and angered by Heavenly Emperor's indifference, Liu Ying stormed out, declaring she would rely on herself.

After her departure, Run Yu urged Heavenly Emperor to reconsider, warning that inaction would shatter the delicate balance of power in the Demon Realm, where King of Gu City's ambition, unchecked by King of Bian City, would lead to widespread conflict. He advocated for a thorough investigation. Although Run Yu volunteered for the task, Moon Immortal suggested Xu Feng was better suited due to his extensive knowledge of the Demon Realm.

Heavenly Emperor agreed, noting that Xu Feng had completed his month of confinement. Meanwhile, at the Demon Realm prison, King of Gu City mercilessly taunted King of Bian City, confirming his impending execution for Demon Lord's poisoning and maliciously promising to send Liu Ying to join him in the underworld. Just as the execution was about to commence, Liu Ying dramatically burst in, defiantly challenging King of Gu City. He, pleased by her arrival, immediately ordered her arrest.

However, Mu Ci arrived, his powerful magic effortlessly repelling King of Gu City's forces, protecting Liu Ying and her father. King of Gu City, recognizing Mu Ci as a survivor of the Spirit-Vanishing Family, vowed to eradicate them all.

King of Gu City's forces had cornered Liu Ying and Mu Ci, with King of Gu City declaring his intent to eliminate them both. Just as the situation grew dire, Xu Feng arrived, suppressing the forces with his fire magic. King of Gu City attempted to dismiss Xu Feng's intervention as an internal Demon Realm matter, but Xu Feng retorted that King of Gu City was overstepping his authority by condemning without a full investigation.

Xu Feng, acting on a direct order from the Heavenly Emperor, stated he was there to assist in investigating the Demon Lord's death to prevent injustice, emphasizing that an unstable Demon Realm would inevitably affect the Heaven Realm. He also pointed out that King of Gu City, not being the Demon Lord, had no right to wield such power. King of Gu City defended his actions as upholding justice in the absence of a leader.

Xu Feng challenged him, asserting that true justice required a thorough investigation and offering King of Gu City the option to discuss the matter with the Heavenly Emperor if he disagreed. King of Gu City reluctantly agreed but warned that if the killer wasn't found, King of Bian City would be held accountable. Xu Feng accepted the challenge, stating he would uncover the truth within three days, then left with King of Bian City and his retinue.

Xu Feng instructed Liu Ying to bring the Demon Doctor who had examined the Demon Lord on the day of his death. The Demon Doctor reported that the Demon Lord's symptoms resembled poisoning by crimson grass, though he couldn't be entirely certain. Liu Ying recalled her father mentioning crimson grass, explaining it originally grew in Demon Sound Valley, where it killed all other plants and creatures due to its toxicity to demons.

She added that the Demon Family had incinerated it with heavenly fire 70,000 years ago. Mu Ci mentioned that 700 years prior, a healer named Li Chuan had attempted to re-cultivate the plant but was imprisoned and vanished after his release, leaving the success of his efforts unknown. Xu Feng decided that finding Li Chuan was their priority. Knowing that crimson grass could only thrive in extremely cold environments, they began to search.

Mu Ci eventually located a powerful, extremely cold barrier on the hillside of Mi Mountain. Xu Feng and his group breached the barrier, discovering an abundant cultivation of the deadly crimson grass. Xu Feng used his fire magic to destroy the plants, forcing Li Chuan to reveal himself, distraught over the destruction. Meanwhile, Moon Immortal visited Jin Mi, bringing popular romance novels to cheer her up.

Jin Mi, having just finished "Legendary Love Between an Immortal and a Mortal," a story Moon Immortal admitted to writing, questioned him about the Internal Dan and primordial spirit. She asked why, if an immortal's Internal Dan and primordial spirit were the core of their life force and magic, the immortal in the story could be killed so easily. Moon Immortal explained that immortals hide their Internal Dan and primordial spirit in secret locations known only to themselves for safety.

The immortal in his story had revealed this secret to his mortal beloved, leading to the tragic ending. Jin Mi absorbed this information, finding the story "legendary." Xu Feng then met with King of Gu City, informing him of the discovery of crimson grass and Li Chuan on Mi Mountain. He presented a Plague Needle, explaining that its toxicity, combined with extreme cold, aided the growth of crimson grass.

Xu Feng pointed out that Qiong Qi, the source of Plague Needles, was imprisoned in the Heaven Realm, making it impossible for him to conspire with Li Chuan. However, he noted that King of Gu City, having guarded Qiong Qi for centuries, might possess such needles. King of Gu City grew defensive, asking if Xu Feng suspected him. Xu Feng calmly stated they would know the truth once Li Chuan awakened.

King of Gu City tried to discredit Li Chuan as a madman, prompting Xu Feng to question how he knew this without ever meeting him. Xu Feng concluded by promising to uncover the full truth by the next day. After Xu Feng left, King of Gu City secretly ordered his subordinate to eliminate Li Chuan and decided he needed to visit the Heaven Realm himself. During this time, Mu Ci suffered another relapse of his Autopsy Wild Silkworms.

Liu Ying, distressed, pleaded with Xu Feng to use his fire-affinity blood to feed the silkworms, but Mu Ci rejected this, instead begging Xu Feng to burn them from his body using his Glazed Pure Fire. Liu Ying was heartbroken, knowing this would reduce Mu Ci's lifespan to only ten years. However, Mu Ci expressed his desire to live with dignity, free from dependence, and to love Liu Ying openly.

Seeing Mu Ci’s resolve, Xu Feng persuaded Liu Ying to respect his wishes. With a heavy heart, Liu Ying agreed. Xu Feng then used his Glazed Pure Fire to cleanse Mu Ci's body of the silkworms, warning Liu Ying that Mu Ci would become increasingly frail. Liu Ying vowed to care for him for the rest of his life. Xu Feng reassured them that true love, even if fleeting, was precious and urged them to cherish their remaining time together.

Soon after, Xu Feng and Liu Ying received news that Li Chuan had died in prison from crimson grass poisoning. A thorough inspection of the cell revealed no clues. Xu Feng suspected foul play, noting Li Chuan's death came immediately after his confrontation with King of Gu City. He advised King of Bian City to interrogate the prison guards.

However, Lord Liaoyuan suddenly arrived, announcing that the Heavenly Emperor, having learned of Xu Feng's success in identifying the Demon Lord's murderer, ordered his immediate return to the Heaven Realm for commendation. Xu Feng was puzzled, as he had not yet reported the findings and knew Li Chuan was merely a pawn. He departed, warning King of Bian City to be wary of King of Gu City and promising Liu Ying continued support for Mu Ci.

Upon his return, the Heavenly Emperor praised Xu Feng's efforts in establishing a balance of power in the Demon Realm and returned to him the military command of the Five-Direction armies, instructing him to focus more on Heaven Realm affairs. Kuang Lu expressed her indignation at the Heavenly Emperor's arbitrary decision to restore Xu Feng's military power, but Run Yu calmly told her that such power balancing was normal for a Heavenly Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor then probed Run Yu for any resentment. Run Yu, ever humble, maintained that commanding troops was Xu Feng's strength, and his own leadership in military matters was merely temporary. He admitted that the generals might not obey him in a true conflict.

The Heavenly Emperor accepted this and then assigned Run Yu a new task: to travel to the Demon Realm and deliver an imperial decree to King of Gu City, who was soon to inherit the Demon Lord's position. Run Yu initially expressed concern, citing Xu Feng's long-standing involvement in Demon Realm affairs and his deep-seated animosity towards King of Gu City, but ultimately accepted the order.

Meanwhile, King of Gu City, reflecting on Xu Feng's unexpected shrewdness, decided to bide his time. He recognized the Heavenly Emperor's strategy to balance power between him and King of Bian City and advised his subordinate to remain patient until their own strength grew. Xu Feng visited the Floral Realm, hoping to see Jin Mi, but Chief Peony informed him that Jin Mi was observing a three-year mourning period and wished for solitude, refusing to see anyone.

She asked Xu Feng not to press the matter. Jin Mi, kneeling before the tombs of the Water Immortal and Wind God, was haunted by fragmented memories and a chilling realization: only Xu Feng and the Heavenly Empress could wield Glazed Pure Fire. With the Heavenly Empress imprisoned, this left Xu Feng as the sole suspect. She silently vowed to uncover the true killer and bring them to justice. Three years passed.

Jin Mi, still grief-stricken, reaffirmed her vow to expose the killer. During this time, Run Yu regularly visited the Floral Realm after his duties, spending time with Jin Mi and attempting to cheer her up by sharing news from outside. With their wedding day only three days away, Jin Mi confessed that despite Run Yu's kindness, her heart felt empty, and asked if he would still marry her.

Run Yu pledged to fill her heart, asking only for the right to openly protect her. Jin Mi apologized, her emotions still raw. Back in Xuanji Palace, Run Yu reflected on the Heavenly Emperor's perceived favoritism towards Xu Feng, believing himself to be merely a blemish in his father's eyes.

Determined not to let his three years of meticulous planning go to waste, Run Yu instructed Kuang Lu to alert the Bird Family and the three-direction Heaven troops, preparing for a rebellion on the day of his wedding. Unbeknownst to Run Yu, Xu Feng's loyal subordinate reported suspicious movements from the three-direction Heaven troops and the Bird Family, indicating a major impending action. Xu Feng deduced that Run Yu was preparing to rebel.

Meanwhile, on the eve of her wedding, Jin Mi finally agreed to see Xu Feng. She confessed that after three years of reflection, she now believed he was not her father's killer. Xu Feng admitted his indirect connection to the Water Immortal's death and pleaded with her not to marry Run Yu, promising a full explanation later.

Jin Mi expressed her helplessness, stating that her marriage to Run Yu was both her father's last wish and the Heavenly Emperor's decree, which she felt powerless to defy. She worried that refusing would only bring further punishment upon Xu Feng. She gave Xu Feng a lock of her hair as a token of her affection. Xu Feng, in turn, vowed to find a way to cancel the engagement, assuring her he would not let her marry Run Yu.

Jin Mi expressed her belief that Xu Feng was not responsible for the Water Immortal's death, but explained that her impending marriage to Run Yu was her father's dying wish, which she felt powerless to disobey. She then gave Xu Feng a lock of her hair, symbolizing her lingering affection, and wished that his heart was like hers.

Xu Feng, in turn, vowed that he would not let her marry Run Yu and assured her that he had a plan to cancel the engagement within three days, urging her to be patient until then. On the eve of the wedding, Run Yu and Kuang Lu were secretly modifying the celestial constellations, a forbidden act to manipulate fate.

Kuang Lu read out prophecies and strategies, stating that the Heavenly Emperor was brutal, lacking virtue, and deserved to be replaced by a wise ruler, and suggested to "fight to win or die." Run Yu affirmed that the Heaven Realm was in decadence and needed drastic measures, "destroying the old and establishing the new," which he believed aligned with the mandate of heaven. However, Kuang Lu questioned why he would proceed despite their slim chances of success.

Run Yu explained that some cosmic gambles required a desperate, all-or-nothing effort. Unbeknownst to them, Xu Feng discovered their manipulations and thwarted their efforts. Though Xu Feng recognized Run Yu's slim chances, he wondered what secret advantage Run Yu possessed to drive him to such extremes. Xu Feng visited Run Yu, bringing osmanthus wine and reminiscing about their carefree childhood, including their first shared drink.

However, Run Yu revealed that what Xu Feng recalled as pleasant memories were, for him, nightmares, haunted by vivid flashbacks of his mother cruelly punishing and confining him. Xu Feng apologized for the pain he inadvertently caused. Run Yu then directly questioned Xu Feng's late-night visit, knowing it wasn't merely to reminisce. Xu Feng urged Run Yu not to do anything he would regret on his wedding day.

Run Yu responded that he had nothing left and could surrender anything to Xu Feng except Jin Mi, vowing never to let her go. He asked Xu Feng if he cared about their brotherhood and parental upbringing, but also declared that he had endured for too long and was prepared to either gain everything or lose everything. Xu Feng pleaded with him not to let their relationship reach a breaking point and asked him to attend the wedding.

Run Yu reiterated that Xu Feng could take anything but Jin Mi, adding that he didn't need charity. Separately, Run Yu also sought out Yan You, inviting him to join his path and fulfill his mother's wishes. Yan You refused, stating his disagreement with Run Yu's methods and his belief that Run Yu was deeply afraid of abandonment, masked by cynicism.

Yan You concluded by saying he would not attend the wedding but promised to look after Li if anything happened. In the Floral Realm, Jin Mi was surrounded by well-wishes from the immortals, though the Moon Immortal repeatedly lamented that she was marrying the wrong person, calling it a pity. Jin Mi knelt before the Floral Chiefs, expressing profound gratitude for their many years of protection and care, admitting her past ignorance.

The Chiefs, despite the historical animosity between their realm and the Heaven Realm, assured her of their continued support, telling her she was always welcome to return, even if just for a visit or if Run Yu treated her poorly. Before changing into her wedding attire, Jin Mi entrusted Xu Feng's Phoenix Hairpin to the Moon Immortal, asking him to return it. The Moon Immortal, dismayed, questioned her loyalty and commitment to Xu Feng.

The wedding of Run Yu and Jin Mi was a grand affair in the Empyrean Cloud Palace, attended by many immortals. Run Yu presented a gift of Sparkling Aqua-essence to the Heavenly Emperor as a gesture of filial piety. As the auspicious moment for the vows approached, the Heavenly Emperor, noting Xu Feng's absence, suggested they proceed without him. However, just as the ceremony was about to begin, Xu Feng dramatically arrived, halting the proceedings.

He immediately reported to the Heavenly Emperor that Run Yu had amassed a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers in ambush around the palace. Run Yu's guard then informed him that their men were being ambushed by the Fire Immortal. Exposed, Run Yu revealed that Xu Feng's Three-Direction Heaven Troops had already been disarmed, signaling the start of his coup.

The Heavenly Emperor, enraged, denounced Run Yu as an unfaithful and unjust rebel and commanded his immediate arrest and imprisonment in Pisuo Jail. However, the Heavenly Emperor found himself paralyzed, unable to move. Run Yu then coolly revealed that the Sparkling Aqua-essence he had presented contained "Evil Incense Ashes," which would render the Heavenly Emperor powerless for two hours. Xu Feng, stunned by Run Yu's ruthlessness, accused him of being heartless.

Run Yu, in turn, unleashed a torrent of accusations against the Heavenly Emperor, detailing his past crimes: killing his own brother to ascend the throne, abandoning the Floral Immortal, marrying an evil woman, humiliating Su Li, and abandoning his own son. Run Yu declared that the Heaven Realm, despite its façade, was the most hypocritical and cruel place in all six realms.

He asserted that his rebellion was simply a natural cycle of retribution, and that his actions were solely to honor the memory of his late mother, asserting his clear conscience. Xu Feng tried to remind Run Yu of their father's upbringing, but Run Yu defiantly stated, "Winner takes all. I fear no death."

With the Heavenly Emperor incapacitated, Yin Que of the Bird Family, along with other immortals, publicly declared their loyalty to Run Yu, praising him for exposing the Heavenly Emperor's corruption and advocating for his enthronement to restore order. Xu Feng angrily denounced Yin Que's collusion, but Run Yu, now in control, commanded his forces to capture Xu Feng and his men. In the ensuing chaos, Lord Liaoyuan heroically sacrificed himself to save Xu Feng.

Overcome with grief and rage, Xu Feng unleashed his devastating Glazed Pure Fire. Witnessing this, Jin Mi, recalling a vision from a Beast of Dreams' dream and remembering the strand of hair she had given him, located its position—near his essence of Internal Dan. With a cold heart, she plunged an ice blade into that very spot, believing he had killed her father and Auntie Lin Xiu. The wound proved fatal.

As he lay dying, Xu Feng, utterly broken, looked at Jin Mi and asked if she had ever loved him. With a chilling gaze, Jin Mi replied, "Never." His last conscious thought was the cruel irony that he had kept her hair so close, allowing her to deliver the killing blow, and a final, agonizing curse, "I'll kill you, Jin Mi."

As Xu Feng lay dying, he confirmed that Jin Mi's strand of hair was indeed attached to the essence of his Internal Dan. Jin Mi watched him fall, a flood of memories from their two lifetimes together overwhelming her. She gasped, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, and with it, the Yun Elixir. The Heavenly Emperor, witnessing his son’s imminent demise, could not bear to see Xu Feng vanish completely.

He gathered all his internal power, transformed into his true form, and managed to collect one of Xu Feng's souls before his own spiritual power was depleted, leading to his death. With the Yun Elixir expelled, the Frost Blossom emerged from within Jin Mi. Addressing Jin Mi, she wept, questioning why Jin Mi had killed the one she loved so dearly. Jin Mi remained unconscious for half a year.

During this period, Run Yu ascended to the throne as the Heavenly Emperor. The Heaven Realm, still reeling from the catastrophe six months prior, was in urgent need of rebuilding and talented individuals. Run Yu declared his intention to present a revitalized Heaven Realm to all realms, stating that he would hire people based on their virtue and talent, disregarding past grievances. Just as Run Yu's enthronement ceremony concluded, Jin Mi finally awoke.

Her attendant, Kuang Lu, informed her of the events of the past half-year. Jin Mi, still disoriented, asked about her father and then about Xu Feng. Kuang Lu gently reminded Jin Mi that she was now the Water Immortal and that her father was gone. When Jin Mi pressed about Xu Feng, Kuang Lu evasively replied that there was no longer a Fire Immortal. The truth crashed down on Jin Mi.

Overwhelmed with grief and confusion, she recalled her motivations for the attack, crying out that Xu Feng had killed her father and Auntie Lin Xiu, before lamenting that she herself had killed him. Upon hearing of Jin Mi's awakening, Run Yu rushed to her side. Jin Mi cried out, describing her pain as if countless needles and knives were piercing her heart, spreading from her chest to every part of her body.

Her mouth was bitter, and she felt an indescribable agony. Run Yu tried to comfort her, offering her a sweet treat and promising that everything would be alright. He suggested they hold a grand wedding ceremony for her in the coming spring. However, Jin Mi vomited blood again, unable to stop crying. Run Yu later honored Kuang Lu by bestowing upon her the title of Fairy Shangyuan and granting her the Xuanzhou Fairyland.

In front of Immortal Tai Si and other immortals, he praised her for her meticulous work and cautious conduct. He also assigned her a grotto-dwelling to serve as her residence while she undertook the critical task of revising the Heaven Realm's astronomical calendar. He emphasized the importance of this new calendar for the livelihood of all six realms, entrusting her with this significant responsibility. Kuang Lu expressed her gratitude and pledged to do her best.

Run Yu also instructed Kuang Lu to meticulously archive all documents related to the late Water Immortal's case, ensuring Jin Mi would not encounter them and be further saddened. Run Yu then went to the palace where Tu Yao was imprisoned. Tu Yao, still defiant, mockingly asked if he had come to gloat over her misery. Run Yu coolly informed her of Xu Feng's destruction on his wedding day, impaled by a blade to his Internal Dan essence.

He added that the Heavenly Emperor, heartbroken, had also destroyed his own primordial spirit and died. Tu Yao vehemently denied his claims until the Heaven guardians entered, addressing Run Yu as "Your Majesty," which forced her to accept the grim reality. She cursed Run Yu, accusing him of mercilessly harming Xu Feng, who had regarded him as a beloved brother.

Run Yu retorted, questioning her own compassion when she murdered his mother, Su Li, plotted against Jin Mi, and annihilated the Lize Pond water tribe. Realizing the full extent of her suffering, Tu Yao pleaded for death, but Run Yu refused. He dragged her to the precipice of Linyuan Tower, the same place where the Floral Immortal had been forced to jump after being burned by Tu Yao's Glazed Pure Fire.

Run Yu commanded her to jump, telling her to reflect on the countless innocent souls she had trampled to achieve her supreme position. When Tu Yao attempted to leap, Run Yu intervened, saving her from death. He declared that he would not let her die easily, but rather make her endure the agony of losing both her husband and son, forcing her to witness his unification of the Heaven Realm and its lasting peace.

Late that night, Run Yu was overcome with alcohol and haunting memories of Xu Feng. He remembered their innocent childhood, how Xu Feng had always protected him, and the gifts they had exchanged. He recalled Xu Feng defending him against rude palace maids, stating that offending the Night God was offending the Fire God.

He also remembered a time when he gave Xu Feng a gift from Zifangyun Palace to treat his fire poison, and in return, Xu Feng gifted him the Sparkling Aqua-essence to soothe the ice toxin in his body. These poignant recollections, however, were tinged with bitterness. He saw Xu Feng's phantom and raged internally, questioning why Xu Feng, though dead, continued to haunt him.

Run Yu resented Xu Feng for always being superior, loved, and admired, while he himself had no choice but to accept what was given, never asked what he desired. He confessed that he had once striven to become stronger so he could give Xu Feng whatever he wished, but realized that as long as Xu Feng existed, he could never be the strongest. He wanted none of their "hypocritical rewards and mercy."

Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm, King of Gu City learned of the instability and disunity within the Heaven Realm following Run Yu's ascent. Over the past six months, he had been recruiting soldiers, strengthening the Demon Realm's forces, and now plotted to conquer the Heaven Realm, aiming to fulfill the aspiration of unifying the six realms that the late Heavenly Emperor had failed to achieve. Liu Ying also heard of Jin Mi's awakening.

Enraged, she prepared to go to the Heaven Realm to avenge Xu Feng. She believed that Jin Mi and Run Yu had conspired to betray Xu Feng, calling them a despicable match. Mu Ci, however, urged her to consider the bigger picture and act cautiously, pointing out that the new Heavenly Emperor's stance towards the Demon Realm was still unclear.

He also questioned if there might be unknown circumstances surrounding Xu Feng's death, though Liu Ying remained convinced of Jin Mi's guilt. Back in the Heaven Realm, Jin Mi saw the epiphyllum blooming in the daytime, a sight made possible by Run Yu's magic. This reminded her of a time when Xu Feng had used his magic to make phoenix flowers bloom perennially for her. The sweet memories of Xu Feng continued to torment her.

Run Yu again tried to comfort her, reminding her that he had fulfilled all his promises and that those who had harmed her, including the dethroned Heavenly Empress who now suffered in Linyuan Tower, had received their just punishment. He told her that she had avenged her father, as well as the Floral and Wind Immortals, making her debt with Xu Feng settled. He urged her not to torment herself, for everything would pass.

He then proposed to her once more, promising to stay by her side through joy and sorrow, and to build a peaceful future together for thousands of years. But Jin Mi's heart remained heavy. She cried, tormented by the sweet memories and pondering why she was the one suffering so much when Xu Feng had been the one in the wrong.

Moon Immortal visited Yan You at Dongting Lake, explaining that he no longer wished to stay in the Heaven Realm, which had become as desolate and cold as Xuanji Palace since Run Yu ascended as Heavenly Emperor. He lamented the departure of Immortal Yuan Ji, who he said Run Yu had dispatched to the Human Realm to endure hardships. This was because Run Yu still harbored resentment over Jin Mi and Xu Feng's experiences in the mortal realm.

Yan You inquired about Jin Mi, but Moon Immortal expressed his deep disdain for her, calling her an ungrateful person who deserved to be harshly punished. The two discussed the mysterious self-destruction of the late Heavenly Emperor, pondering why he would take such a drastic measure. Moon Immortal speculated that the late Heavenly Emperor might have been utterly heartbroken after witnessing one son die and the other seize the throne.

He also noted that Xu Feng's Phoenix Hairpin had vanished after that day. Yan You then revealed that Run Yu was his sworn brother and Su Li was his foster mother, clarifying that he was not involved in Run Yu's ascent to the throne. He attempted to defend Jin Mi, suggesting she was not unreasonable and that Xu Feng must have committed an unforgivable act.

However, Moon Immortal grew angry, remarked that the entire world seemed blind, and declared he could no longer stay in Dongting Lake either. Privately, Yan You reflected on becoming an "accomplice" and hoped to find an opportunity to compensate Jin Mi in the future. Jin Mi arrived at the Qiwu Palace, now a desolate and sparsely visited place. She found the phoenix tree, where she and Xu Feng had shared many happy memories, withered and lifeless.

Despite her efforts, she couldn't revive it, and she broke down in tears. She felt confused, unable to reconcile her deep sorrow with her belief that she should hate Xu Feng. Moon Immortal appeared and angrily confronted her, questioning her presence in the palace after what she had done. Jin Mi, overwhelmed, confessed that Xu Feng was her father's murderer.

She explained that her father had died from Glazed Pure Fire, Xu Feng had admitted his involvement, and the Beast of Dreams' "real dream" had provided concrete evidence she had personally witnessed. However, Moon Immortal staunchly refused to believe Xu Feng was the killer, stating that he always trusted his heart over what he saw, asserting that Xu Feng could never be a murderer.

Elsewhere, Liao Ting and Fei Xu, Xu Feng's former subordinates, discovered Jin Mi had awakened and was moving freely. Seeing an opportunity for revenge, they plotted to assassinate her. Fei Xu suggested pushing her from Linyuan Terrace, but Liao Ting deemed it too conspicuous due to Heavenly Emperor Run Yu's pervasive spies.

Liao Ting proposed a more cunning plan: discover the location of Jin Mi's Internal Dan essence, then lure her to a drinking session under the guise of reminiscing, get her drunk, and stab her there to ensure her soul would scatter. Moon Immortal overheard their scheme and reprimanded them severely, warning that such a reckless act would not only lead to their demise at Run Yu's hands but also implicate him.

He questioned whether killing Jin Mi would bring Xu Feng back to life, admitting his own fleeting desire to harm her earlier but ultimately accepting its futility. He ordered them to return to the House of Marriage and live peacefully to avoid further complications. Upon returning to Xuanji Palace, Jin Mi overheard what sounded like a confession of love to Run Yu, initially mistaking the other voice for Kuang Lu. However, Run Yu's voice then called out her name.

Entering, she was confronted by a blue "real dream" projected by Run Yu, depicting him repairing her Yun Elixir. Startled and confused, Jin Mi fled the room as Run Yu entered and retracted the dream. Alone, she wondered about the Yun Elixir's presence in her body and why Run Yu had repaired it without her knowledge.

Jin Mi suspected that the intense pain and the feeling of something shattering within her after she had stabbed Xu Feng might have been related to the Yun Elixir, as depicted in Run Yu’s dream. Determined to find answers, she returned to the Floral Realm. She confided in Chief Peony about killing Xu Feng and the subsequent rupture of her Yun Elixir, pleading for the full truth.

Chief Peony examined Jin Mi and, confirming the Yun Elixir was no longer present, revealed its origins. Jin Mi's mother, Zi Fen, had administered the Yun Elixir at Jin Mi’s birth, intending to make her "break all love relations" and lead a carefree life, shielded from the suffering Zi Fen herself endured from love. Chief Peony further advised Jin Mi to cherish Run Yu's sincere devotion and embrace her destiny as the new Heavenly Empress, assuring her a prosperous future.

However, Jin Mi knelt before her mother's grave, tearfully declaring that even her mother could not deny her the right to love. She acknowledged the past foolish actions caused by the Yun Elixir and resolved that, with the elixir now broken, she could no longer avoid her true feelings or make further mistakes. Later, Jin Mi learned that Tu Yao was still imprisoned in Linyuan Terrace. She visited Tu Yao and confessed to killing Xu Feng.

Tu Yao, in a fit of rage, lamented Xu Feng's refusal to heed her warnings and his persistent questioning about Luo Lin's death. This revelation shocked Jin Mi, who suddenly realized she might have mistakenly killed Xu Feng and had wrongly accused him all along. Tu Yao defiantly stated that Jin Mi would "never know" the true murderer and refused to reveal the identity of Luo Lin's killer. Distraught, Jin Mi quickly left Linyuan Terrace.

Jin Mi sought out Moon Immortal at the House of Marriage, explaining her newfound doubts. Together, they covertly entered Pixiang Hall to examine the Beast of Dreams' dream scrolls. Jin Mi was bewildered to find that the records had changed from her previous viewing. The scroll now indicated that the Beast of Dreams had never visited Qiwu Palace that night but had remained by her side.

Moon Immortal suggested the dream might have been an "imaginary dream" born from her own suspicions. Jin Mi vehemently rejected this, recalling the dream she saw was a blue "real dream" and asserting she had no direct memory of her father’s death, making it impossible for such a dream to originate from her. Moon Immortal then speculated that someone might have deliberately tampered with the dream, transforming an "imaginary dream" into a "real dream."

This left Jin Mi in deep distress, fearing she had indeed wronged and mistakenly killed Xu Feng. Jin Mi then returned to Xuanji Palace to confront Run Yu, explaining her discovery that the Beast of Dreams' dream had been tampered with and implying his involvement. Run Yu claimed he had collected thousands of dreams to investigate the Water Immortal's death, but the late Heavenly Emperor had sealed them before he could review them.

To dispel her suspicions, he offered to summon the Chief of the Pixiang Hall, who was responsible for the Heaven Realm's archives, to clarify whether the dream was a yellow "imaginary dream" or a blue "real dream." At that very moment, Kuang Lu arrived with the news that the Chief of the Pixiang Hall had committed suicide.

It was revealed that Kuang Lu had observed Jin Mi and Moon Immortal entering Pixiang Hall, and Run Yu, already aware of their investigation, had deemed it necessary for the Chief of the Pixiang Hall to be eliminated. A suicide note was produced, confessing to altering the records and citing fear of punishment as the reason for his death. However, Run Yu, holding the note, questioned why someone genuinely fearing punishment would bother to write such a detailed confession.

Jin Mi and Run Yu arrived at Pixiang Hall, where the Chief had taken his own life, leaving behind a suicide note confessing to tampering with the records. Jin Mi was skeptical, finding it odd that someone fearing punishment enough to commit suicide would bother to leave a letter.

Run Yu explained that people often speak kindly when facing death, suggesting the Chief might have harbored resentment towards Xu Feng from past conflicts and deliberately altered the dream pearl's color to frame him. He added that the Chief likely felt exposed when Jin Mi came to investigate, leading to his suicide.

When Jin Mi asked how the dream pearl's color could be altered, Run Yu mentioned an ancient, forbidden text called the "Meng Tuo Jing," which reportedly contained such methods, but he claimed he had never seen it. Upon hearing these explanations, Jin Mi realized she had gravely wronged Xu Feng and fainted. In her dream, Jin Mi found herself facing the Frost Blossom, which revealed itself to be her own true self, finally free.

Waking up in tears, Jin Mi understood that Xu Feng was the one she had always loved. Meanwhile, Yin Que had bribed Que Ling, Sui He's attendant, to report on Sui He's activities. Que Ling informed him that while Sui He appeared normal during the day, she frequently ventured out at night and had once been seen near the Wangchuan River.

Yin Que then discussed his suspicions with Run Yu, suggesting that the late Heavenly Emperor might have managed to preserve a fragment of the Fire Immortal's soul before his own demise. Jin Mi, passing by, overheard this conversation and was overjoyed. She rushed to the Wangchuan River and asked an old boatman if he had seen Xu Feng's primordial spirit.

The boatman explained that the Wangchuan River was merely a ferry to the nether for mortals, and a noble god like Xu Feng, who transcended the six realms, would not have his spirit there. He grimly added that because Jin Mi's ice blade had pierced Xu Feng's fire essence, his primordial spirit could not have possibly survived. Despite this, Jin Mi, convinced she saw Xu Feng in the river, jumped in, only to be entangled and bitten by vengeful spirits.

Returning to her palace, her body covered in wounds from the vengeful spirits, Jin Mi desperately asked Run Yu if Xu Feng was still alive. Run Yu took her hand, conveying his enduring devotion and asking her to forget Xu Feng, promising she still had him. However, Jin Mi pulled her hand away, apologizing and tearfully admitting that her heart belonged only to Xu Feng.

In the Demon Realm, Sui He sought an audience with the Demon Lord (King of Gu City), offering him the Bird Clan's eternal loyalty in exchange for his help in regaining control of her clan. The Demon Lord, however, demanded Sui He herself. She refused, stating that she would have to disappoint him. He replied that in that case, he would have to disappoint her as well.

She accused him of cowardice for not daring to offend the Heavenly Emperor for the sake of the Bird Clan. After she left, the Demon Lord commented on her unyielding nature and vowed to conquer her once he unified the six realms. Sui He, feeling abandoned and without a place in the world, worried about her future.

Elsewhere in the Demon Realm, Liu Ying stopped a street vendor who was falsely claiming his magical cane contained the primordial spirit of the Fire Immortal. She questioned him, stating Xu Feng was her sworn brother and she knew his spiritual energy. Mu Ci, with Liu Ying, expressed skepticism about such claims and advised her to be cautious, as the Demon Realm was now largely under the control of the King of Gu City.

Liu Ying, however, was angered that people were using her sworn brother's name for scams and was determined to defend his honor, despite Mu Ci's pleas for prudence. Soon after, Liu Ying received an invitation from the Demon Lord. Mu Ci urged her not to go, but Liu Ying insisted on learning his true intentions. During their meeting, the Demon Lord flattered Liu Ying, praising her potential and expressing his desire to reconcile with Bian City.

He outlined the Demon Realm's two main weaknesses: the Heaven Realm and internal strife, proposing that Liu Ying lead his forces to conquer the Heaven Realm while the new Heavenly Emperor was still consolidating power. To sway her, he presented a blood-sealed document, claiming it was a pact with the late Heavenly Emperor Tai Wei, whom he alleged was the true mastermind behind the Spirit-Vanishing Clan massacre.

The Demon Lord further promised to personally arrange Liu Ying's wedding to Mu Ci if she agreed. Upon returning, Liu Ying recounted the meeting to Mu Ci, who warned her that the Demon Lord was merely trying to use her as a pawn. Mu Ci acknowledged that the Demon Lord was also culpable for the Spirit-Vanishing Clan's destruction but implored Liu Ying to abandon such conflicts, desiring only to spend their remaining years peacefully together.

In Feiluan Palace, Sui He recalled the late Heavenly Emperor's dying wish six months prior: he had sealed a piece of Xu Feng's soul within the Phoenix Hairpin and entrusted Sui He with the task of reviving him, a vow she made to fulfill, even if it meant traversing all six realms. Suddenly, Yin Que and his entourage, led by Run Yu, burst into Feiluan Palace.

Sui He confronted Yin Que, accusing him of trespassing, but Run Yu took responsibility, stating he was there to investigate accusations of her rebellious activities. They entered the inner chamber and found a figure resembling a comatose Xu Feng. Run Yu ordered Yin Que to strike the figure down, but it was revealed to be a mere bird illusion.

Sui He explained that she had merely used a bird to create an illusion of Xu Feng as a way to mourn him. She cleverly challenged Run Yu, questioning whose reputation would be more tarnished if it became known that the Heavenly Emperor could not even tolerate a symbolic gesture of grief. Run Yu, visibly annoyed, instructed her to abandon her inappropriate desires before leaving.

After Run Yu departed, Sui He furiously confronted Que Ling, accusing her of being Yin Que's informant. Que Ling retorted that Sui He's arrogant and bullying nature had alienated everyone. Sui He vowed revenge, but Que Ling revealed she had already alerted Yin Que, and if Sui He harmed her, she wouldn't be able to leave the continent. Sui He was then apprehended by Yin Que's guards but managed to escape.

In a hidden, gloomy chamber in Yu Abyss, Sui He revealed Xu Feng's true, comatose form. She swore to obtain the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir to revive him, determined to help him reclaim his power and unite the six realms. Meanwhile, Run Yu met with the King of Bian City, proposing an alliance. His key condition was for the King of Bian City to collect and destroy Xu Feng's primordial spirit.

The King of Bian City hesitated, stating that Xu Feng had shown great kindness to him and his daughter, Liu Ying, and he could not be so ungrateful. Run Yu then pressed him, suggesting that if the King of Bian City knew Xu Feng's whereabouts, he would surely aid him. The King maintained that Xu Feng was long dead and no primordial spirit remained, especially not in the Demon Realm.

Run Yu reiterated his desire for unwavering friendship, implying that Xu Feng remained a hidden threat to their alliance and subtly hinting at Liu Ying's close relationship with Xu Feng as a point of leverage.

Heavenly Emperor Run Yu visited the Demon Realm to propose an alliance with the King of Bian City, with the condition that the King collect and destroy Xu Feng's primordial spirit. Run Yu attempted to persuade the King by claiming that since Liu Ying and Xu Feng were sworn siblings, Liu Ying was like a sister to him as well, implying a close relationship. However, as the King hesitated, Liu Ying arrived and vehemently opposed the alliance.

She asserted her sworn relationship with Xu Feng, stating she would never do anything to harm him, especially after he had helped her father when he was unjustly imprisoned by the King of Gu City. Liu Ying then condemned Run Yu, accusing him of regicide and fratricide, and demanded he hand over the true culprit behind Xu Feng’s death. Run Yu, seeing the alliance fail, angrily denounced Xu Feng as a rebellious felon and departed.

Enraged by the encounter, Liu Ying went to the Demon Lord's palace, volunteering to lead the vanguard across the Wangchuan River to attack the Heaven Realm. The Demon Lord accepted her offer. Meanwhile, Jin Mi continued to torment herself with memories and shed tears over Xu Feng. Her profound grief moved the old boatman of the Wangchuan River, who secretly revealed to her a glimmer of hope.

He explained that a Phoenix is an immortal bird with seven souls and eight spirits, with one extra spirit reserved for Nirvana. If Jin Mi could find this remaining spirit and combine it with the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir from Supreme Lord Lao, there might be a chance to revive Xu Feng. Jin Mi was overjoyed by this revelation, vowing not to give up as long as there was hope.

Returning to the Heaven Realm, Jin Mi immediately sought the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir at Doushuai Palace. Supreme Lord Lao initially assumed she wanted to revive her late father, the Water Immortal, and informed her that such a feat was impossible as his primordial spirit and physical body were both lost. Jin Mi clarified that she understood her father was beyond recall and sought the elixir for a different purpose.

Supreme Lord Lao then revealed that his Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, though having undergone 20,000 years of refinement, lacked a crucial guiding ingredient: the Light of Xuanqiong from High God Lian Chao. He regretfully added that Lian Chao had long perished, making the Light of Xuanqiong impossible to obtain. Jin Mi, undeterred, declared she would find it, only to be told by Supreme Lord Lao that Lian Chao had died and vanished.

At the same time, Run Yu received an update regarding the fierce beast Qiong Qi. Immortal Tai Si reported that after Run Yu subdued Qiong Qi, the late Heavenly Emperor Tai Wei had not destroyed the beast but had instead ordered twelve seals to be placed on it in the Supreme Clarity Heaven. Run Yu then commanded Immortal Tai Si to suppress Qiong Qi in Xingjing Court for the time being.

Later that night, Jin Mi returned to her room to find Run Yu waiting for her. He asked why she had sought the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir from Supreme Lord Lao. Jin Mi evasively replied that she merely desired an elixir for self-protection, downplaying its importance. Run Yu, desiring intimacy, urged her to call him "Little Fish Fairy" as she once did, but Jin Mi maintained distance, stating that such an appellation was inappropriate now that he was Heavenly Emperor.

Though he offered to provide her with anything she wanted, Jin Mi ended the conversation, wishing him a good night. Jin Mi, heartbroken over her inability to save Xu Feng, was weeping in the Floral Realm when she encountered Dan Zhu, the Moon Immortal. She shared the secret of Xu Feng's lingering spirit and the possibility of his revival with the Light of Xuanqiong. Dan Zhu, to Jin Mi's surprise, revealed that Lian Chao, his elder brother, was actually alive.

He explained that everyone believed Lian Chao had died in the war between the Heaven and Demon Realms, but he had merely been severely injured and fallen into the Wangchuan River. Dan Zhu had secretly hidden him for healing, continuously supplying him with spiritual power for a thousand years until he finally awoke. As they discussed the plan to save Xu Feng, Yan You arrived, joining their conversation.

The trio decided to journey to Snake Mountain to find High God Lian Chao. During their discussion, Yan You inadvertently revealed Jin Mi had taken the Yun Elixir at birth, designed to sever all romantic love. Jin Mi then confessed that the Yun Elixir had shattered when Xu Feng died, allowing her to realize her true love for him. Dan Zhu, shocked by this revelation, expressed his sorrow for the late Floral Immortal's wasted efforts.

Snake Mountain was a perilous place, shunned by both immortals and demons, where spiritual power was suppressed, and ordinary spells were useless. The trio had to ascend the mountain on foot, navigating through millions of venomous snakes. Yan You's initial boast about controlling snakes proved false due to the suppressed spiritual power, and Dan Zhu quickly ran out of his Red Strings for binding. During a fierce struggle, Jin Mi was bitten by a poisonous snake.

Yan You explained that the venom of such spiritual snakes could absorb an immortal's spiritual power. With fierce determination, Jin Mi forced the poison out of her body, resolute in her mission to reach the mountain peak and save Xu Feng, despite her injured leg. Meanwhile, a subordinate of Yin Que spotted Jin Mi entering Snake Mountain and promptly reported it to Yin Que and Run Yu.

Run Yu, upon hearing the news, correctly deduced that Jin Mi had gone to seek the guiding ingredient for the elixir and, in a moment of despair, questioned her willingness to risk her life for Xu Feng. Jin Mi, Dan Zhu, and Yan You finally reached the summit of Snake Mountain, where they found Lian Chao. Dan Zhu was relieved to see his elder brother.

Jin Mi explained the predicament, informing Lian Chao of Tai Wei's death and Tu Yao's imprisonment, and pleaded with him to offer his Light of Xuanqiong to save Xu Feng, offering everything she had in return. Lian Chao, hearing Tu Yao’s name, was deeply troubled and began to reminisce about his past. He recalled how, thousands of years ago, he and Tu Yao were deeply in love.

However, during the war between the Heaven and Demon Realms, Tai Wei, in his ambition to claim the Heavenly Emperor's throne, colluded with the King of Gu City and nearly killed Lian Chao at the Wangchuan River. Dan Zhu saved Lian Chao, but he fell into a coma for many years. When he finally awoke, he discovered that Tu Yao had married Tai Wei and was pregnant with Xu Feng.

Lian Chao confronted Tu Yao, revealing Tai Wei’s treachery and pleading with her to escape with him to live a life of peace, just the two of them. Tu Yao, believing Lian Chao had died, confessed that Tai Wei had offered her warmth and the position of Heavenly Empress in her despair, and she was now carrying his child. She declared herself happy with everything she possessed. Lian Chao, heartbroken but resigned, wished her well.

Dan Zhu, having learned of this tragic history, lamented the cruel twists of fate. Lian Chao then turned his attention back to Jin Mi, asking if his Light of Xuanqiong could indeed save Xu Feng. Jin Mi reaffirmed her plea, acknowledging the unfairness of her request but reiterating her willingness to sacrifice anything for Xu Feng’s revival.

After learning about Lian Chao’s past and his undying love for Tu Yao, Jin Mi earnestly pleaded with him for the Light of Xuanqiong to save Xu Feng. She vowed to give anything in return. Lian Chao, who was born colorblind, requested the myriad colors from her eyes. Despite Moon Immortal and Run Yu’s warnings about the consequences for her future as the Floral Immortal, Jin Mi readily agreed.

She explained that after killing Xu Feng and losing her Yun Elixir, she finally understood love, and without Xu Feng, a colorful world held no meaning for her. Seeing her profound devotion, Lian Chao decided not to take her eyesight. Instead, he presented the Light of Xuanqiong, cautioning that no vessel could contain it, and even a powerful immortal could only bear it for three hours.

Jin Mi bravely stepped forward to be its bearer, and from her eyes, she condensed all colors into a transparent light bead, which she offered to Lian Chao. He, contemplating the colorless yet brilliant bead, realized that true splendor lay in simplicity. Lian Chao then entrusted Jin Mi with this precious bead, hoping it would convey their shared past to Tu Yao and accompany her in her final days.

As Jin Mi, Moon Immortal, and the Fox Immortal exited Lian Chao’s courtyard, Snake Mountain began to crumble and disappear. The Fox Immortal explained that Snake Mountain was a manifestation of Lian Chao’s primordial spirit, indicating his impending demise. A flashback revealed Tu Yao had once implored Lian Chao to save the late Heavenly Emperor Tai Wei, even threatening to die alongside Xu Feng if he refused.

Lian Chao then confirmed that saving Tai Wei had depleted most of his primordial spirit, and now, having offered the Light of Xuanqiong, he could no longer sustain himself. He declared his life’s wish fulfilled and felt no lingering attachments. The Fox Immortal was distraught and attempted to return the Light of Xuanqiong, but Moon Immortal stopped him, stating it was Lian Chao’s chosen path. With Snake Mountain gone, their magic was no longer suppressed, allowing them to fly.

However, Jin Mi, weakened by the lingering snake venom, found herself unable to use her magic. She urged the Fox Immortal to quickly take the Light of Xuanqiong to save Xu Feng. Just then, Run Yu appeared and brought Jin Mi back to the Heaven Realm. Run Yu, overseeing the injection of the Light of Xuanqiong into the elixir furnace, expressed hope that Xu Feng’s revival would also bring back the carefree Jin Mi he once knew.

He then cautiously told Jin Mi that Xu Feng might not appreciate her sacrifices. Jin Mi, however, asserted that she didn’t seek his gratitude, as this was something she owed him. Run Yu then subtly questioned their own engagement, but their conversation was cut short by Immortal Tai Si, who brought news from the Wangchuan River frontline. Jin Mi excused herself. On Linyuan Tower, Jin Mi delivered the light bead to Tu Yao.

She explained that Lian Chao had self-destructed his primordial spirit to acquire this "most brilliant object" for Tu Yao. Tu Yao recalled a past promise where she had flippantly asked Lian Chao for the world’s most brilliant thing in exchange for her Phoenix Hairpin, knowing his colorblindness would make it impossible. He had nevertheless vowed to fulfill her wish. Jin Mi questioned if Tu Yao regretted her past choices regarding Lian Chao.

Tu Yao, holding the transparent bead, reflected on their beautiful memories that she longed to forget but couldn't. She finally understood that "the most colorful thing is the purest and most transparent lover’s heart." With this, Lian Chao’s promise to her was finally fulfilled, and in a voiceover, he declared he had no more regrets in life.

Tu Yao, overwhelmed by this revelation and contrasting it with her own lifelong pursuit of supreme power, acknowledged that all her life’s choices had been wrong. In a moment of despair, she leaped from Linyuan Tower to her death. Later, a guard reported Tu Yao’s suicide to Run Yu, adding that Jin Mi had also fainted due to severe injuries.

Meanwhile, Immortal Tai Si reported to Run Yu that King of Gu City was rapidly consolidating power in the Demon Realm and gathering forces to attack the Heaven Realm, exploiting Run Yu’s recent ascension. When asked who would lead the demon army, Immortal Tai Si revealed it was Liu Ying. Run Yu remarked on Liu Ying’s drastic measures for Xu Feng.

Immortal Tai Si advised Run Yu to personally lead the Heavenly army, as was tradition for a Heavenly Emperor, to boost morale and solidify his authority. Run Yu, while acknowledging the wisdom of this, dismissed both Immortal Tai Si and Kuang Lu to contemplate his next move, clearly concerned about Jin Mi.

Supreme Lord Lao examined the unconscious Jin Mi, confirming that the Light of Xuanqiong had melted her true body, and even Run Yu’s magic could only sustain her for a short while. Determined to save Jin Mi, Run Yu consulted the Classics of Dream, discovering a forbidden technique called Blood Ball, which could "change fate against God’s will." As he began the ritual, cutting seven of his meridians, Kuang Lu rushed in, alarmed.

She implored him to stop, warning that harming himself would weaken the Heaven Realm against the impending demon invasion. Run Yu, however, declared that saving Jin Mi was paramount and couldn't wait. He completed the ritual, using the Blood Ball to heal Jin Mi. Afterward, a weakened Run Yu informed Kuang Lu that he would still appear on the battlefield once the war began, upholding his responsibility as Heavenly Emperor.

He strictly ordered Kuang Lu to keep his use of the forbidden Blood Ball a secret from Jin Mi and everyone else, fearing both public censure for Jin Mi and instability in the Six Realms. Kuang Lu pledged her silence. In the Demon Realm, Mu Ci tried to dissuade Liu Ying from fighting for King of Gu City.

Liu Ying asserted she was fighting for Xu Feng, for the Demon Realm, and to avenge her grievances, as she couldn't tolerate her father’s (King of Bian City's) submission to the Heaven Realm after Xu Feng's tragic death. She stated her commitment to the war was irreversible, but assured Mu Ci she wouldn't force him to join. Mu Ci reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, promising to stand by her through thick and thin.

Jin Mi awoke and questioned her remarkably swift recovery. Kuang Lu, adhering to Run Yu’s command, lied, claiming that Run Yu had merely transferred some of his magic power to her and was currently occupied with state affairs. Kuang Lu then tearfully implored Jin Mi to show some affection to Run Yu, even if feigned, to alleviate his constant sorrow.

Jin Mi gently explained that pretending to love him would cause him more pain, drawing a parallel to Kuang Lu’s own unrequited feelings for Run Yu. Jin Mi promised to keep Kuang Lu’s secret. Still puzzled by her rapid healing, Jin Mi later encountered Supreme Lord Lao, who expressed his astonishment at her recovery from a near-fatal state, as he possessed no elixir for her specific injury.

He then recounted the ancient forbidden technique of Blood Ball from the Classics of Dream: it required the practitioner to cut seven meridians, inject half their essence into blood drops to form the Blood Ball, and feed it to the injured, at the cost of half their immortal lifespan. Distraught, Jin Mi rushed to Run Yu’s chambers and immediately noticed the fresh wounds on his hands. Run Yu initially denied using the forbidden art, claiming he only transferred magic power.

When Jin Mi threatened to summon Immortal Qi Huang to verify, Run Yu relented, admitting the truth and expressing his fear that if she died, he would go insane. Jin Mi confronted him about the Classics of Dream, suspecting he knew about the Dream Changing Magic and Blood Ball all along, implying he had deliberately caused her to misunderstand Xu Feng.

Run Yu explained that the Blood Ball technique was merely something his mother had recorded in her belongings from Dongting Lake, and he hadn't known it was a forbidden art. He acted out of desperation to save her life. Jin Mi was overwhelmed, feeling she could never repay him for sacrificing half his immortal life. Run Yu, however, said he asked for no repayment.

He told her that simply having her by his side was enough; he, who once possessed the entire night sky but felt lonely, now felt content with her presence. He wished only for her to return to her carefree and joyful self. Jin Mi, weeping, confessed her enduring love for Xu Feng, stating she missed him so much that it caused her physical pain. She begged Run Yu to stop hurting himself for her.

Run Yu then asked if, should he ever face a similar fate as Xu Feng, she would risk her life to save him. Jin Mi replied without hesitation, "Of course. Because, that’s what I owe you."

Jin Mi joyfully received the newly refined Nine Golden Elixir from Lord Lao, knowing she could finally save Xu Feng. As she departed, Run Yu arrived at Lord Lao's palace, being informed by a servant that Jin Mi had just left with the elixir. Run Yu expressed his gratitude to Lord Lao, who in turn questioned how long the truth of Run Yu's own sacrifices for Jin Mi could be kept from her.

Crossing the Wangchuan River, Jin Mi was mistaken by the ferryman for another immortal woman who frequently visited the river's end. The ferryman described the woman's unique Sui Yu Shan, a peacock feather fan, which immediately made Jin Mi suspect it was Sui He. Jin Mi requested to be taken to the spot where this woman typically disembarks.

Upon arriving, she discovered Sui He’s weapon and fresh footprints, prompting her to wonder about Sui He’s activities and their potential connection to Xu Feng. Meanwhile, Sui He was conversing with the King of Bian City, thanking him for providing Yu Abyss as a hiding place for Xu Feng.

She claimed that due to the current Heavenly Emperor's shrewdness, she couldn't obtain the Nine Golden Elixir from Lord Lao and had been using her own magic power to preserve Xu Feng's soul. The King of Bian City praised her devotion, and although Sui He admitted to feeling an unusual apprehension that day, he reassured her that Yu Abyss's foreboding nature and protective ward made it an unlikely place for intruders.

Jin Mi soon reached Xu Feng's form, a mere wisp of soul. Seeing him, she was both happy and heartbroken, quickly administering the Nine Golden Elixir she painstakingly acquired. Xu Feng underwent Nirvana, his rebirth as a phoenix heralded by a cry that resonated across all six realms. As he began to stir, Jin Mi, elated but unable to face him, transformed into a butterfly and concealed herself.

Concurrently, the King of Bian City attempted to convince his daughter, Liu Ying, to abandon her plans to lead the Demon Realm into war, explaining that such a conflict instigated by King of Gu City would only result in mutual destruction and severely weaken the Demon Realm. Despite Liu Ying's initial resolve, he finally revealed that Xu Feng was still alive.

He explained that during the Heaven Realm's rebellion, Sui He saved a single wisp of Xu Feng’s soul using the Phoenix Hairpin and asked him to conceal it within the Demon Realm, specifically in Yu Abyss. The King of Bian City clarified that he withheld this information from Liu Ying out of concern for her safety, given the Heavenly Emperor's accusation of rebellion against Xu Feng and King of Gu City's enmity.

Overjoyed that Xu Feng had a chance at survival, Liu Ying apologized to her father for her earlier misunderstanding and praised his courage for harboring the Fire Immortal. Reassured, she agreed to withdraw from the impending battle. Xu Feng awakened to find Sui He beside him and asked what transpired. Sui He immediately began to weave a web of lies, claiming she had spent years in Yu Abyss, consuming vast amounts of her magic power to keep his soul intact.

She further asserted that she stole the Nine Golden Elixir from the Heaven Realm to complete his revival. She recounted the events of the past six months: Jin Mi’s betrayal and murder, the late Heavenly Emperor’s death after expending his cultivation to preserve Xu Feng’s soul within the Phoenix Hairpin and entrusting it to her, Run Yu’s ascension to the throne, and his alleged role in hounding their Auntie to death.

Overwhelmed by this deluge of tragic news, Xu Feng was plunged into despair, regretting that he was ever brought back. Sui He, however, insisted her efforts were worthwhile. Observing this from a distance, Jin Mi, transformed back into her true self outside the cave, was overcome with guilt and sorrow, feeling utterly unworthy to face Xu Feng. She wished him only peace and happiness.

Upon witnessing the celestial phenomenon of the phoenix's Nirvana, King of Gu City immediately mobilized his forces to scour the Demon Realm for Xu Feng. Informed of this imminent threat, the King of Bian City quickly dispatched Liu Ying and Mu Ci to Yu Abyss, instructing them to escort Xu Feng away via a secret passage. He vowed to confront and delay King of Gu City himself, while Liu Ying expressed concern for her father's safety before departing.

As they approached the vicinity of the secret passage, Liu Ying noticed Mu Ci's visible hesitation. He confessed that he was once thrown into Yu Abyss by King of Gu City, where he was attacked by vengeful spirits and nearly died. It was there that his Black Eyes were activated, allowing him to repel the spirits and discover this very secret passage, which he used to escape.

Returning to such a place, he admitted, brought back painful memories and a lingering sense of dread. Liu Ying apologized for inadvertently making him revisit his trauma. Mu Ci reassured her it was fine, affirming his commitment to protect her. Soon after, they encountered Sui He. Liu Ying, still bearing a grudge against Sui He for past wrongs related to Mu Ci, was momentarily distracted, but Sui He quickly refocused them on the immediate threat.

They then found Xu Feng, and Liu Ying quickly informed him that King of Gu City was aware of his revival and was leading an army to encircle and kill him, urging him to escape with them through the secret passage as per her father's instructions. Back in Xuanji Palace, Jin Mi was discovered with severe injuries.

An immortal diagnosed her wounds as caused by Nether Fire, which damages the primordial spirit, and advised a minimum of six months for recovery. Run Yu, deeply distressed by her condition, questioned when she would cease harming herself. He later approached her bedside and heard her softly murmuring Xu Feng’s name, realizing she successfully revived him. He quietly remarked that she had won and wondered if she was satisfied, as Jin Mi whispered an apology to Xu Feng.

Since the phoenix's Nirvana, the Demon Lord had been relentlessly searching for Xu Feng. To keep him safe, the King of Bian City continued to hide Xu Feng. He inquired about Xu Feng's plans, as Xu Feng admitted he felt utterly lost and uncertain of his path in the vast six realms, regretting being a burden to the King of Bian City.

The King of Bian City, noting the Demon Realm's constant internal strife, its subjugation to the Heaven Realm, and King of Gu City's corrupt leadership, proposed that Xu Feng take on the mantle of Demon Lord. He suggested Xu Feng receive the ritual blood from the Great Elder, King of Qing City, to officially join the demon tribe, and then lead the Demon Realm to challenge the Heaven Realm, hinting at a path for revenge.

However, Xu Feng respectfully declined the offer. He stated that the Heaven and Demon Realms were inherently different, and he could not betray his former home or raise arms against his kin.

Liu Ying expressed her frustration at his stubbornness, but the King of Bian City intervened, explaining that as the former God of War, it was natural for Xu Feng to struggle with the idea of turning against his birthplace, especially after enduring the loss of his parents, his brother's betrayal, and his beloved's actions.

Liu Ying and Mu Ci were seen together, with Mu Ci playfully chiding Liu Ying for constantly mentioning Xu Feng and implying she cared for Xu Feng more than him. Liu Ying playfully retorted that he was ungrateful, then teased him for being jealous. She playfully demanded that he carry her, expressing her desire to spend her life with him. He consented, cautioning her not to choke him.

Shortly after, Liu Ying noticed Mu Ci had a nosebleed and asked how long this had been occurring. Mu Ci tried to brush it off as a minor issue due to dry weather, but Liu Ying, recognizing the severity of his condition, was overcome with sadness and began to cry. Mu Ci, however, gently reminded her of her status as a princess and asked her to promise that they would spend the remainder of his days, however long, happily together.

Xu Feng dreamed of his deceased parents, who lovingly urged him to live on. He awakened in tears, heartbroken by their absence and the immense pain of being left alone in the world, unsure how to cope. He secretly ventured back to the Heaven Realm, where he found the phoenix tree withered, a sight that triggered a flood of memories of his past with Jin Mi.

Later, a servant reported to Run Yu that the protective ward around Xianxian Hall had been inexplicably broken. Given that only the Heavenly Emperor could breach it, Run Yu immediately realized that Xu Feng had returned to the Heaven Realm. He then spoke to himself, as if to Xu Feng, saying there's no need to search further.

Xu Feng returned to the Xianxian Hall to pay respects to his late parents, but he couldn't find Tu Yao's memorial tablet. Run Yu arrived and halted his search, declaring that Tu Yao was unworthy of being enshrined there. Run Yu accused the late Heavenly Emperor and Tu Yao of feigning righteousness for tens of thousands of years, having no true achievements, only "endless slaughter and dominating suppress."

He even asserted that, if not for the greater good, the late Heavenly Emperor's tablet wouldn't deserve a place there either. Xu Feng condemned Run Yu's judgment, reminding him that Tu Yao was his legal mother and had raised him for millennia. He questioned if Run Yu felt "no shame" after killing his father and forcing his mother to her death.

Xu Feng expressed profound disappointment, calling Run Yu an "ungrateful and cruel hypocrite" whom he once regarded as a brother. Run Yu retorted that Xu Feng had been willfully blind for millennia under his parents' protection. He detailed how the late Heavenly Emperor manipulated power and Tu Yao acted tyrannically, leading to countless innocent deaths across the six realms.

Run Yu then posed a series of rhetorical questions: why did the late Water Immortal arrange Jin Mi's marriage to him instead of Xu Feng? Why did his rebellion succeed so easily? Why did no one in the vast Heaven Realm object when Tu Yao leapt from Linyuan Tower? He concluded that these events occurred because Xu Feng's parents were "reactionary and deserted by their followers."

He then provoked Xu Feng further by claiming that, as the Heavenly Emperor, he now possessed the entire Heaven Realm, including Jin Mi, and confidently asserted that "Since I could kill you with Jin Mi, we can kill you again." Enraged, Xu Feng drew his bow and aimed an arrow at Run Yu. To Xu Feng's dismay, his former subordinates, whom he had personally promoted and fought alongside, now surrounded him, having abandoned him for Run Yu.

Xu Feng bitterly congratulated them for their opportunism. Run Yu then commanded the generals to apprehend Xu Feng for trespassing. Suddenly, Jin Mi appeared, shouting "Stop!" and stepped between them. She offered herself, stating, "I killed you back then. . . You can kill me." Xu Feng, believing she was merely putting on another performance, scoffed at her "play" and forcibly took her as he left the Xianxian Hall.

Fearing for Xu Feng's safety, Jin Mi blocked Run Yu's path, pleading with him not to pursue. Run Yu, agitated, refused to promise anything and warned her his "patience isn’t endless." In desperation, Jin Mi pressed an ice blade against her own chest, vowing to "die with him" if Run Yu didn't let Xu Feng go. Xu Feng made his way to the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Along the way, his former loyal generals, recalling Xu Feng's past acts of bravery and kindness, allowed him to pass freely without hindrance, despite Run Yu's order. Xu Feng thanked them for "making an exception," but declared that "as we take different paths, we can’t work together." With a decisive gesture, he cut a piece of his robe, proclaiming, "Our connection comes to an end. If we fight against each other later, show no mercy."

Immortal Tai Si reported to Run Yu that many of the generals had intentionally let Xu Feng escape. Pojun stepped forward, confessing he deliberately allowed Xu Feng to pass due to life-saving favors from the past, and other generals followed suit. Run Yu, though displeased, chose to forgive them, stating, "The law cannot be enforced when everyone is an offender in this case."

He acknowledged their "loyalty" to Xu Feng, but sternly warned that "this behavior can never go on like this." He instructed them to "strictly observe your duty and be loyal to Heaven Realm," subtly implying that their debt to Xu Feng was now paid, lest they incur a new one to him.

Jin Mi continued to kneel outside Xuanji Palace, pleading with Run Yu to spare Xu Feng, emphasizing that he now possessed the entire Heaven Realm while Xu Feng had nothing. Run Yu, however, remained inside and ignored her pleas. He confessed his unease to Kuang Lu, admitting he had underestimated Xu Feng's influence. Despite being alone, Xu Feng still commanded "the support of the masses," particularly the loyalty of military leaders like Pojun.

This popularity made Run Yu wary of a potential rebellion. He dismissed Kuang Lu's attempts to reassure him, concluding that "It’s time for them to cut the connection" with Xu Feng. Xu Feng buried Tu Yao's most cherished item, the magic fireball, which was the late Heavenly Emperor's token for her, creating a cenotaph for his mother. He questioned Mu Ci about Tu Yao's true character, wondering if she was "as evil as what others said."

Reflecting on Run Yu's accusations, Xu Feng admitted that he had grown up under his parents' protection, believing their every decree was righteous and never once "doubted and self-reflected." He now felt immense guilt for not having "tried to persuade them when they made mistakes," accepting "responsibility for their tragedy." When Mu Ci recounted seeing his mother weeping alone in secret, Xu Feng acknowledged that both his father and he were to blame for her downfall.

Xu Feng lamented his inability to spend quality time with her before her death. He confided in Mu Ci that facing Run Yu, he felt "helpless," unable to "refute him" or "defend the last dignity of my parents." He found Heaven Realm to be a "strange" place, no longer his "hometown," and mourned the withered phoenix tree. Mu Ci gently corrected Xu Feng's despair, quoting the late Water Immortal: "Wherever makes me feel at ease is my hometown."

Mu Ci then shared his own past of losing his family and homeland, initially driven by "hatred," but eventually realizing his family had saved him "not to live with hatred" but for him to "have a good life," leading him to embrace "hope" instead. Meanwhile, Liu Ying encountered Sui He, who was acting suspiciously. Liu Ying confronted her, but Xu Feng intervened, assuring Liu Ying that Sui He "won’t hurt me" and was merely gathering tonics for him.

He defended Sui He, stating she "saved me and gave me another life," and he owed her a debt. Liu Ying offered herself, Mu Ci, and her father as Xu Feng's new family. She then presented Xu Feng with vermilion bird eggs to help him recover his magic power.

The sight of the eggs brought back painful memories for Xu Feng, recalling Jin Mi's past mistake of inadvertently eating a vermilion bird egg, and his own harsh words to her back then. Later, on their way back, Liu Ying noticed Mu Ci's hair had begun to turn white, a sign of his diminishing life force. Mu Ci confessed he would "keep aging. . . and even forget you."

Liu Ying, dismissing his fears, reminded him of their "10 years" together and vowed, "we’ll face it together." Jin Mi, weakened and exhausted, remained kneeling outside Xuanji Palace until Run Yu finally agreed to her plea. Immediately after, she collapsed. She awoke to find herself confined by a ward within her room.

Kuang Lu explained that Run Yu, worried about her safety, had set the ward to prevent her from leaving and taking further risks, urging her to "understand his pain." Unable to break the powerful barrier herself, Jin Mi summoned Yan You for help. Yan You recognized Run Yu's strong ward and admitted he couldn't break it directly, but promised to find a solution.

He then informed Jin Mi that news of Xu Feng's resurrection in the Demon Realm was widespread, and Run Yu, infuriated, had issued a decree to "cancel Xu Feng’s immortal register and banish him from Heaven Realm forever." Jin Mi realized Run Yu's promise to "let him off" was a cruel banishment. She lamented that Run Yu was "no longer the previous peaceful Night Immortal" and that the "hatred of his mom’s death" continued to plague him.

She reminisced about simpler times as Xu Feng's little book attendant in Heaven Realm, when Xu Feng was "arrogant and mighty" and Run Yu "gentle and kind," regretting that those days "can’t go back." She attributed their current predicament to the Yun Elixir and admitted she felt she had "let him down." Alone in his chambers, Run Yu reflected on the betrayals and sacrifices he had made. Feeling abandoned and unappreciated, he vowed to be "merciless."

He summoned Immortal Tai Si late into the night and commanded him to issue a decree announcing to all six realms that Fire Immortal Xu Feng had "trespassed the Xianxian Hall," shown "great disrespect for the late Heavenly Emperor," and "violates the rule of Heaven Realm." The decree ordered Xu Feng's "immortal register is cancelled now and he can never enter Heaven Realm." Immortal Tai Si, after a moment of hesitation, acknowledged the order.

Upon learning of the harsh decree, Moon Immortal rushed to confront Run Yu. He questioned Run Yu's decision, reminding him that he was already Heavenly Emperor and should "let him off." He pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that Xu Feng was his "brother" and that banishing him from Heaven Realm, knowing the demons in the Demon Realm "hate him so much," was tantamount to "killing him." Despite the Moon Immortal's impassioned pleas, Run Yu remained unmoved.

When Kuang Lu mentioned Jin Mi had intervened to save him, Run Yu coldly confirmed it, declaring, "They are finished. You can give up, uncle." He then ordered his guards to escort the distressed Moon Immortal away.

Xu Feng, still fueled by the unresolved hatred for Run Yu over his parents' deaths and his own demise, reviewed the recent announcement from the Heaven Realm. He acknowledged his phoenix nirvana and rebirth as a divine will he would not squander. Though he vowed to atone for his parents’ alleged crimes, he swore to never forget Run Yu's role in their deaths and his own, promising to exact his revenge.

Feeling adrift—neither immortal nor human—he resolved to become a demon and challenge Run Yu to a decisive battle. King of Bian City pledged his support. To achieve his goal, Xu Feng outlined a meticulous plan to oust King of Gu City. King of Bian City revealed he had placed a secret agent for this very purpose and summoned him. Xu Feng observed the man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Li Chuan.

King of Bian City confirmed he was Mo Qi, Li Chuan's twin brother. They also recognized that the success of their plan depended on King of Qing City, whom Lord Liaoyuan had once aided in the mortal world. King of Bian City remarked that Lord Liaoyuan’s selfless act, performed while accompanying Xu Feng on his mortal trial, had unexpectedly created beneficial karma for Xu Feng now, which would surely comfort Lord Liaoyuan’s spirit.

Assuming Li Chuan's identity, Mo Qi confronted King of Gu City, expressing his torment and confusion about why the king had sought to kill him. King of Gu City, believing Mo Qi was the real Li Chuan, scoffed at his naiveté, explaining that Xu Feng had discovered Li Chuan cultivating crimson grass. If Li Chuan had not "died," the trail would have led directly back to the King of Gu City, exposing his schemes.

Mo Qi pressed further, arguing that he couldn’t have cultivated the crimson grass without King of Gu City's Qiong Qi plague needle, accusing the king of abandoning him to save himself. King of Gu City, nodding smugly, boasted about killing King of Yan City using the crimson grass to seize the Demon Lord title and framing others. As King of Gu City prepared to silence Mo Qi permanently, Xu Feng intervened, arriving with King of Qing City.

Xu Feng reminded King of Gu City of his confession to murdering King of Yan City. King of Qing City, acting as the Great Elder, condemned King of Gu City for plotting against the Demon Lord and framing other kings. He then announced King of Gu City’s removal from the Demon Lord’s position on behalf of the twelve cities.

Enraged, King of Gu City attempted to attack King of Qing City with his Demon Dagger but was swiftly struck down by Xu Feng. He fled in disarray, with Liu Ying and Mu Ci giving chase, but ultimately managed to escape. Later, in Yujiang Palace, the Demon Realm assembled as King of Qing City convened a meeting to elect a new Demon Lord. King of Bian City, declining the position himself due to his advanced age, nominated Xu Feng.

The demons were divided: some feared provoking the Heaven Realm, while others supported Xu Feng, citing his numerous interventions to quell unrest in the Demon Realm. King of Qing City affirmed Xu Feng's past assistance and stressed that the Demon Realm and Heaven Realm were independent, so taking Xu Feng as their leader would not constitute an offense. He further added that Xu Feng had saved his life, thus he fully endorsed Xu Feng as the next Demon Lord.

King of Qing City then asked Xu Feng if he was willing to become a demon and accept the mantle of Demon Lord. Before Xu Feng could reply, Moon Immortal, having rushed to the scene, interjected, urging Xu Feng to reconsider, warning that this choice meant forsaking his Heavenly Dragon bloodline. However, Xu Feng showed no hesitation, remembering Run Yu's past accusations against the Heaven Realm.

He declared his unwavering commitment to the Demon Clan, vowing to serve its people with all his might for the rest of his life. After drinking the demon blood offered by King of Qing City, Xu Feng swore to sever all ties with the Heaven Realm. King of Qing City then presented him with the Meteorite Demon Dagger. As Xu Feng raised it, its power surged through him, transforming his attire into that of the Demon Lord.

The assembled demons willingly bowed to their new sovereign. King of Bian City and Liu Ying watched with profound joy. Back in the Heaven Realm, Kuang Lu informed Run Yu that Xu Feng had become the Demon Lord. Though surprised, Run Yu acknowledged that Xu Feng was no longer the person he once was, while Kuang Lu interpreted it as a declaration of war against the Heaven Realm.

Meanwhile, Yan You tried to cheer up Jin Mi, who was still confined. He recounted how Xu Feng, now the powerful Demon Lord, had unified all the demon tribes and absorbed King of Gu City’s forces, becoming the most revered Demon Lord in history. Yan You playfully warned Jin Mi not to grieve over such a fickle person, claiming Xu Feng was accepting all female demons who vied to be his attendants in Yujiang Palace.

Jin Mi, holding a storybook Yan You brought from the Demon Realm, was lost in thought, blaming herself for Xu Feng's fall into the demonic path. Yan You reassured her, stating that Xu Feng was safe and thriving as the unrivaled ruler of the Demon Realm. Unbeknownst to them, Run Yu stood silently behind her. He observed Jin Mi's continued preoccupation with Xu Feng and asked if she had considered that Xu Feng might not wish to see her.

Jin Mi admitted she felt unworthy to face Xu Feng but longed to see him from a distance. In the Demon Realm, Xu Feng struggled with intense internal coldness, a result of over-training, his hands freezing uncontrollably. He resorted to alcohol to suppress the discomfort. Sui He, distressed by his state, embraced him.

Xu Feng noticed old scars on her hands, and Sui He explained they were from an injury inflicted by Yin Que when she saved Xu Feng, after being betrayed by Que Ling and losing her spiritual power while transferring it to him. Moved by her sacrifice, Xu Feng immediately took Sui He to the Bird Realm, vowing to help her reclaim her rightful place as leader. Upon arriving, Xu Feng summarily executed Yin Que when he refused to yield.

Witnessing this decisive display of power, the other Bird Clan elders swiftly pledged allegiance to the Demon Realm and recognized Sui He as their new leader. Que Ling, the one who betrayed Sui He, was brought before her. Sui He initially intended to imprison her, but Xu Feng deemed her too merciful. Yielding to his unspoken command, Sui He then declared that Que Ling would be publicly executed within three days, serving as a dire warning to any future traitors.

Sui He thanked Xu Feng for helping her regain control of the entire Bird Clan. Later, as Kuang Lu reported the Bird Clan's allegiance to the Demon Realm to Run Yu, King of Gu City unexpectedly arrived alone. He offered to help Run Yu conquer the Demon Realm, demanding to be reinstated as Demon Lord in return. Run Yu, distrusting him due to his recent plotting against the Heaven Realm, questioned King of Gu City's value.

King of Gu City then offered a compelling incentive: he claimed he could find the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to eliminate Xu Feng permanently, thereby securing Run Yu's reign. Meanwhile, Jin Mi remained under house arrest in Xuanji Palace. Yan You sought out Moon Immortal, the only one capable of breaking Run Yu's ward. Moon Immortal, believing Jin Mi had conspired with Run Yu against Xu Feng, was furious and refused to help, wishing her to suffer harsh divine punishment.

Yan You, however, passionately defended Jin Mi, explaining she had helped Xu Feng escape, leading to her confinement. After much persuasion, Moon Immortal begrudgingly agreed to accompany Yan You to Xuanji Palace. With Moon Immortal's assistance, Jin Mi was finally freed from the ward. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the immortal for his repeated rescues and declared her intention to go to the Demon Realm to see Xu Feng.

In the Demon Palace, Xu Feng was enjoying wine and a dance performance when he suddenly flew into a rage. A demon attendant had mistakenly placed a plate of grapes in the hall, a fruit Xu Feng now vehemently despised. Jin Mi, observing from afar, understood this profound aversion was a manifestation of Xu Feng's deep-seated hatred for her. Heartbroken, she dared not approach and retreated to Liuzi Pond in the Heaven Realm.

There, she wept before a withered Phoenix tree, her heart heavy with regret. She decided to give herself one last chance: if the Phoenix tree bloomed again, she would go to see Xu Feng; otherwise, she would never seek him out again in this lifetime.

Jin Mi decided to give herself one last chance regarding Xu Feng. She vowed that if the phoenix flowers bloomed, she would go to him again; if they did not, she would never see him for the rest of her life. Upon opening her eyes, Jin Mi saw the phoenix tree covered in vibrant blooms. Even though she couldn't perceive colors, tears welled up, and a faint smile graced her lips, filled with a renewed sense of hope.

Meanwhile, Mu Ci, aware that his life was fading, expressed relief that Xu Feng was alive and now the Demon Lord. He urged Liu Ying to consider her future and find someone like Xu Feng to care for her after he was gone. Liu Ying was distraught by his words, vehemently insisting that she only loved him.

She made Mu Ci promise never to leave her without warning, affirming that no matter how much time they had left, they would remain together. Liu Ying then proposed they marry immediately. Mu Ci was overjoyed by her proposal but then suddenly collapsed. The King of Bian City explained that due to the recent removal of the Corpse-dissolving Celestial Silkworms, Mu Ci's magic power was rapidly dwindling, leaving him as frail as a mortal and susceptible to a high fever.

He assured Liu Ying that medication would help him recover. Liu Ying held Mu Ci's hand, promising to stay by his side. When Mu Ci regained consciousness, he asked if Liu Ying still truly wished to marry a dying mortal. Liu Ying passionately reaffirmed her desire, reminding him that the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, their chosen wedding date, marked the day of their first kiss.

Mu Ci revealed he was secretly crafting a special gift for her, to be presented on their wedding day. In the Demon Realm, Xu Feng, typically indifferent to tributes, specifically selected a Moke Doucai Cloak presented by the Leader of Western City. His servants speculated it was a birthday gift for Sui He and wondered if he would marry her.

Xu Feng confirmed to Sui He that he remembered her upcoming birthday and had arranged a grand banquet in her honor at Yujiang Palace. Jin Mi, observing from afar, witnessed Xu Feng's attentive and affectionate demeanor towards Sui He. When Xu Feng noticed Jin Mi's presence, he deliberately intensified his closeness with Sui He, causing Jin Mi to leave the hall, heartbroken.

Kuang Lu reported to Run Yu about Jin Mi's frequent visits to the Demon Realm, fearing for her safety. Run Yu dismissed her concerns, stating that Jin Mi had recovered her magic power and ordinary demons posed no threat. He subtly implied a hope that Jin Mi would encounter difficulties there, believing it would ultimately lead her to abandon her lingering feelings for Xu Feng. Later that night, Run Yu found a fleeting comfort in Jin Mi's return.

He grappled with her continued torment, silently wondering if her heart would ever truly belong to him, or if it would only happen with Xu Feng's death. Xu Feng bestowed the Palace of King Gu upon Sui He, but she discovered the two mentally unsound sons of King of Yan City still residing within.

When the two men attempted to molest her, Sui He furiously moved to kill them, but Xu Feng intervened, protecting them and ordering them to be taken away. This act deeply angered Sui He, who felt less important to Xu Feng than these mad individuals, despite her immense efforts in saving his life. Xu Feng acknowledged her kindness, claiming he never forgot it.

However, Sui He expressed her frustration with his inconsistent, "hot and cold" behavior, which left her constantly on edge and unable to understand his true emotions. When she confronted him about still harboring feelings for Jin Mi, Xu Feng became enraged, warning her never to mention Jin Mi's name again. Privately, Sui He vowed to make Xu Feng love her completely. Later, Xu Feng stood alone by the Wangchuan River, lost in thought.

Sui He approached and asked if he truly hated Jin Mi. Xu Feng replied that he couldn't help but hate the one who killed him. Sui He argued that hatred implied lingering feelings and expressed her wish for him to forget Jin Mi entirely so she could truly enter his heart. Xu Feng then firmly told Sui He never to mention Jin Mi again so as not to spoil their mood.

Delighted, Sui He expressed her hope for things to always remain so peaceful between them. Xu Feng then invited her back to Yujiang Palace for her birthday banquet, promising they would visit the beautiful Wangchuan River often. Unbeknownst to them, Jin Mi, having transformed into a jade rabbit, watched them from a distance. Still disguised as a jade rabbit, Jin Mi continued to observe Xu Feng.

Aware of her presence, Xu Feng deliberately flaunted his affection towards Sui He, even putting a cloak on her, to provoke Jin Mi. A demon servant, noticing the rabbit's unwavering gaze, captured and presented it to Xu Feng. Sui He, captivated by its snow-white fur, desired to keep it as a spirit pet, but Xu Feng discouraged her, hinting that some creatures might turn against their masters. As Xu Feng examined the rabbit, Jin Mi, fearing discovery, bit him.

Xu Feng observed that a rabbit's bite could be surprisingly unexpected. Enraged, Sui He immediately wanted to kill the rabbit for revenge. However, Xu Feng declared that merely killing it would be too lenient, suggesting a more gruesome fate: plucking its fur, skinning it, severing its tendons, scraping its bones, and roasting it, even ordering a roasting rack. But as Jin Mi trembled in terror, Xu Feng secretly used his magic power to release her.

Escaping, Jin Mi realized how much Xu Feng had changed, becoming terrifying. She later returned to Yujiang Palace after Xu Feng had fallen asleep. There, she tearfully confessed how deeply she missed him. A flicker of sweetness ignited in her heart as Xu Feng stirred and kissed her in his sleep, but her joy shattered when she heard him murmur Sui He’s name. Overwhelmed by humiliation and hurt, Jin Mi fled the palace.

Distraught, Jin Mi sought out Lord Puchi to confide in, only to find him gravely wounded and unconscious. She immediately brought him to the Floral Realm. Chief Peony examined his injuries and confirmed he had been struck by the Glazed Pure Fire. As only Xu Feng and the deceased Tu Yao were known to possess this power, suspicion naturally fell on Xu Feng.

However, Jin Mi vehemently insisted that Xu Feng was not the attacker, recalling that the Beast of Dreams had visited her room, not Qiwu Palace, when her father was killed. She concluded that a third individual capable of wielding the Glazed Pure Fire existed – the true murderer of her late father, the Water Immortal, and the one who had manipulated her into mistakenly killing Xu Feng.

Jin Mi vowed to uncover the truth and seek vengeance once Lord Puchi regained consciousness. Although Lord Puchi's primordial spirit was saved, he remained in a coma. Jin Mi desperately sought a cure, and Mr. Hu recalled the ancient evil beast Jiu Ying. He described Jiu Ying as a unique monster of both water and fire, whose Internal Dan could miraculously heal internal injuries from either element.

However, he warned that Jiu Ying, though its body was destroyed over a thousand years ago, remained in spirit, imprisoned in the highly dangerous underground palace of the Demon Realm. Mr. Hu tried to dissuade Jin Mi, highlighting the peril, as all who sought the Internal Dan never returned. But Jin Mi, resolute in her friendship and remembering Lord Puchi had once saved her, declared her determination to go. Despite Mr. Hu’s concerns and his offer to accompany her, Jin Mi refused, citing his limited magic power, and set off alone for the Demon Realm's underground palace.

Demon attendants in the Cave of Jiu Ying discovered an intruder and promptly reported it to Princess Sui He. The intruder was Jin Mi, who, with the help of Mr. Hu's Mortal Observation Mirror, navigated the vast and deep underground palace to find the entrance. Mr. Hu instructed her that the barrier at the entrance could only be broken by supreme yang fire or supreme yin water, and she would have only one hour inside.

Jin Mi swiftly broke the barrier and entered. Inside, Jin Mi located the Wall of Jiu Ying. Mr. Hu told her that the Jiu Ying Internal Dan was the red eye among the nine. Jin Mi, having lost her ability to distinguish colors, could not tell which eye was red. Mr. Hu grew anxious, reminding her that if she chose incorrectly, she would be consumed by Jiu Ying’s spirit.

Jin Mi rationally deduced that the Internal Dan, being Jiu Ying's most vital part, would elicit the strongest reaction when threatened. She focused on the most active eye and successfully retrieved the dan. As she fled, Jiu Ying's consciousness tried to confuse her by claiming the green one was the true Internal Dan, not the red one. After she escaped, Jin Mi told Mr. Hu she had taken the red Internal Dan, then wondered aloud if she had become colorblind.

What she held was actually green. Mr. Hu explained that her inability to distinguish colors had saved her, as the real Internal Dan was green, and the red one was a decoy that had claimed many lives. He tearfully lamented her sacrifice of her color vision for Xu Feng, but Jin Mi, seeing the world in black and white, found comfort in it, joking that it was a blessing in disguise as she was no longer afraid of sunlight.

As Jin Mi made her escape, Sui He intercepted her. Sui He had anticipated Jin Mi coming for the Internal Dan to save Yan You and vowed to kill her. Sui He then unleashed the Glazed Pure Fire, an act that immediately revealed her as the true killer of Jin Mi's father, Luo Lin, and Auntie Lin Xiu (Feng Immortal).

Sui He brazenly admitted to the murders and also revealed that she knew Jin Mi was the one who saved Xu Feng. She gloated that Xu Feng would never learn the truth, as he believed Sui He was his savior. Enraged, Jin Mi attacked Sui He to avenge her family. However, Sui He spotted Xu Feng approaching, quickly suppressed her Glazed Pure Fire, and pretended to be injured by Jin Mi.

Xu Feng rushed to Sui He’s side and pushed Jin Mi to the ground. He sternly warned Jin Mi that if she dared to harm Sui He, he would grind her bones to dust. Jin Mi tried to explain that Sui He wielded the Glazed Pure Fire and was the real murderer who had framed him, but Xu Feng refused to believe her. Believing Jin Mi was acting on Run Yu's orders, he gave her a final chance to leave.

Unwavering, Jin Mi again moved toward Sui He, only for Xu Feng to strike her down. His Phoenix Hairpin, which he had previously given to Jin Mi, activated to protect her. Dismayed by its apparent disloyalty, Xu Feng forcibly withdrew the hairpin from her. Meanwhile, having lost contact with Jin Mi, an anxious Mr. Hu had informed Run Yu of her perilous mission. Run Yu arrived just in time to rescue the weeping Jin Mi and take her away.

After they left, Sui He asked Xu Feng why he let them go, questioning if he still had feelings for Jin Mi. She then fabricated a story that she had come for the Jiu Ying Internal Dan to restore her own magic power, which she claimed was depleted from resurrecting him, only to be attacked by Jin Mi. She warned Xu Feng that Jin Mi and Run Yu would collaborate to harm him again.

Later, Yan You awoke and summoned the Moon Immortal and others. He recounted how Sui He had grievously wounded him with Glazed Pure Fire after he confronted her for usurping Jin Mi’s credit for saving Xu Feng. He had threatened to expose her, provoking Sui He to retaliate. Yan You only managed to escape by using Evil Ashes.

He also revealed a past incident from when he first became an immortal: Sui He, observing Fairy Qi Yao's flirtation with the Heavenly Emperor displeased the Heavenly Empress, so she orchestrated a scheme to frame both Yan You and Fairy Qi Yao for impropriety. This manipulation earned Sui He the Heavenly Empress's favor, leading to Yan You's demotion and Fairy Qi Yao's banishment, while securing Sui He's rise to leader of the Bird Clan.

Yan You confessed that he once deeply loved Sui He, and her cruel betrayal left him heartbroken. Jin Mi then confirmed that Sui He had personally admitted to killing her father and aunt. Realizing that Sui He was the true culprit and the third person capable of wielding Glazed Pure Fire, the Moon Immortal and Yan You urged Jin Mi to reconcile with Xu Feng. They warned that if the malicious Sui He became the Demon Empress, the Six Realms would face eternal unrest.

After the incident at the Cave of Jiu Ying, Sui He noticed Xu Feng had been avoiding her. She sought him out, expressing concern that he might believe Jin Mi's words and misunderstand her again. Xu Feng dismissed her fears, stating that Jin Mi had deceived him multiple times and he would not believe her. He explained his absence was due to busy affairs in the Demon Realm.

Sui He then asked if he would have killed Jin Mi if the Heavenly Emperor hadn't intervened that day. Xu Feng confidently replied that he would have. Sui He seemed satisfied with this answer, but Xu Feng privately questioned to himself if he truly could have killed Jin Mi. In the Floral Realm, Yan You was recovering his magic power.

Lian Qiao brought him medicine, and she became flustered around him, noticing her face felt hot and her heart raced, wondering if she was developing a strange illness. Meanwhile, the King of Gu City imprisoned Mu Ci and brought a captive Liu Ying before him, coercing Mu Ci to create the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. The King of Gu City taunted Mu Ci, knowing his deep affection for Liu Ying and believing he would sacrifice his life for her.

When Mu Ci refused, the King of Gu City repeatedly stabbed Liu Ying with a dagger. Despite Liu Ying's pleas not to agree, Mu Ci, unable to bear her suffering, finally capitulated and promised to create the arrow. After the King of Gu City departed, the image of Liu Ying faded, revealing itself to be a mere illusion conjured by one of the King of Gu City's subordinates.

The subordinate expressed doubt about Mu Ci's ability to create the arrow due to his weak magic power, but the King of Gu City remained confident, asserting that Liu Ying was Mu Ci's ultimate weakness, and he would dedicate his life to fulfilling the task. Jin Mi arrived to see Xu Feng, who was still cold and hostile towards her.

He sarcastically commented on her bravery for entering the Demon Realm alone and addressing him by name, implying she thought he wouldn't kill her. Jin Mi tearfully apologized, admitting she was wrong to have misunderstood him and that he didn't kill her father. She explained that she had seen a "vision dream" from the Beast of Dreams' archives, which showed Xu Feng's perspective of her father's death.

She recounted how all the evidence initially pointed to him, but she later discovered it had been tampered with, realizing she had wronged him, though it was too late. Xu Feng, however, remained unconvinced, interpreting her explanation as another deceitful act. He accused her and Run Yu of colluding to repeat their previous scheme to kill him, now that he was newly appointed Demon Lord.

Jin Mi desperately tried to make him believe her, asserting that Sui He was the true culprit, capable of using Glazed Pure Fire, and was responsible for her father's death and framing Xu Feng. She even mentioned Lord Puchi as a witness to Sui He using Glazed Pure Fire.

Xu Feng vehemently rejected her claims, stating that Sui He had saved him when he was dying and remained by his side when he had nothing, deeming Jin Mi far more "vicious" than Sui He. He ironically thanked Jin Mi for her "reminders," which only made him realize Sui He's preciousness. He then fiercely warned her to leave before he changed his mind and succumbed to the urge to kill her.

Jin Mi, heartbroken, repeatedly called out his name as he pushed her away and left. Sui He gloated over Jin Mi's misery, satisfied that Xu Feng now completely trusted her. She taunted Jin Mi, remarking on her inability to defeat or kill her, and attributed Jin Mi's pain to her own actions of "hanging around" Xu Feng despite her engagement to Run Yu, implying that Sui He's actions were merely a consequence of Jin Mi's choices.

Jin Mi retaliated, asserting that she would expose Sui He's murderous truth to everyone, clearing Xu Feng's name and preventing Sui He from hurting him further. Sui He defiantly declared that she would never hurt Xu Feng and that their fundamental difference lay in her willingness to sacrifice everything for him, even herself, whereas Jin Mi would kill him based on "a little trick," therefore making Jin Mi unworthy of Xu Feng's love.

Back in the Floral Realm, Jin Mi sat in despair, blaming herself for her father's and Aunt Lin Xiu's deaths, and for mistakenly killing Xu Feng. She lamented that she did not deserve his love and that he would never believe her again. Lian Qiao tried to comfort her, telling her not to blame herself for the crimes committed by the true murderer. Suddenly, Lian Qiao reported that all the flowers in the Floral Realm had vanished.

Jin Mi immediately thought of the Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits, a representation of her true body that she had given to Xu Feng, and wondered if he had finally understood her feelings. Believing this to be a sign, she rushed towards the Demon Realm. Meanwhile, Lian Qiao later found Jin Mi's book on romance.

Reflecting on her own recent experiences with Yan You, where her face would flush and her heart race, she wondered if she had a strange illness. She sought advice from Yan You, describing a "friend's" symptoms—blushing, rapid heartbeat, happiness when seeing a particular man, and missing him when he was absent—and asked if it meant her friend was falling in love. Yan You confirmed it was indeed the awakening of love and advised her "friend" to bravely confess.

Encouraged, Lian Qiao directly confessed her feelings to Yan You, but he awkwardly rejected her, stating they weren't suitable and citing the small chance of failure in his own advice. Jin Mi arrived in the Demon Realm to find Xu Feng presenting the magnificent "Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits" scenery to Sui He, a display she had created from her true body previously gifted to Xu Feng.

Sui He was overjoyed by the beauty, and Xu Feng, claiming it was compensation for neglecting her, offered her a phoenix flower, then proposed they hold their wedding on the fifteenth day of the next lunar month. Jin Mi, heartbroken, tearfully confronted Xu Feng, revealing that the "Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits" was a piece of her true body and accusing Sui He of being her father's killer.

Xu Feng, however, scoffed at her words, believing she had merely used the gift to manipulate him into helping Run Yu become the Heavenly Emperor. He cruelly returned the Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits to Jin Mi, stating he had made the best use of it, but now it was time to return it to its "rightful owner."

Jin Mi, clutching the returned object, declared her love for him, but Xu Feng angrily reminded her of her last words to him before he died: "never." He considered those words a "golden rule" he would never forget. Jin Mi tried to explain that she had consumed the Yun Elixir since childhood, rendering her immune to love and unable to understand her feelings then.

Xu Feng dismissed this as a fabricated excuse, warning her that if she ever again spoke of loving him, he would kill her immediately, threatening to carve a piece from her body each time she dared to utter such "nonsense." Holding the Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits, Jin Mi realized it had become a weapon that could only harm herself. Run Yu found a distraught Jin Mi, acknowledging her deep sadness and her inability to forget Xu Feng.

He gently told her that despite her feelings, they could not be together again. He advised her to stop pursuing Xu Feng, suggesting it was time to let go of him and, in doing so, free herself from her suffering. Run Yu admitted he was in a similar predicament, calling them both "idiots" for their persistent, unrequited love. Mu Ci remained trapped, his memories fragmented and his identity confused.

He repeatedly attempted to create the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, but his weak magic power rendered him unsuccessful. Observing Mu Ci's exhaustion, the King of Gu City sadistically ordered his subordinates to transfer their magic power to Mu Ci. He then tormented Mu Ci with illusions of Liu Ying suffering, forcing him to continue his task. With renewed, albeit borrowed, power, and driven by the illusory torture of Liu Ying, Mu Ci finally succeeded in crafting the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow.

The completion of the arrow caused a surge of Nether Fury, which Liu Ying sensed from afar. Disturbed, she wondered what Mu Ci was doing and why he was creating such a powerful, dark weapon. On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, Liu Ying, having prepared everything for her wedding, anxiously awaited Mu Ci, confident he would keep his promise to marry her.

Meanwhile, Mu Ci, still held captive, recalled his promise to Liu Ying, vowing to keep their appointment for their wedding on that very day. Sui He, now openly celebrating her upcoming marriage to Xu Feng, ordered her subordinates to make grand preparations, emphasizing that this was a rare joyous event for the Demon Realm. She commanded them to announce the news throughout the Six Realms, specifically to the Heaven and Floral Realms.

Elsewhere, Run Yu, attending to a recovering Jin Mi, was advised by his subordinate to care for his own well-being. Run Yu calmly replied that his heart was entirely devoted to Jin Mi and could no longer ache, expressing his willingness to exhaust all his magic power to stand behind her, watch over her, and protect her. Later, Yue Xia Xian Ren received a wedding invitation from the Demon Realm.

He was shocked that Xu Feng was going to marry Sui He, and Immortal Yuan Ji foretold that this marriage would unleash a "big disaster" upon the Six Realms, a fate that was beyond their control and unavoidable.

Upon receiving the wedding invitation from the Demon Realm, Moon Immortal was enraged by Xu Feng's decision to marry Sui He. He confronted Xu Feng, admonishing him for being muddle-headed. Moon Immortal insisted that while Sui He managed to preserve a fragment of Xu Feng's soul, it was Jin Mi who risked her life to obtain the Nine Golden Elixir, which truly resurrected him.

However, Xu Feng dismissed Moon Immortal’s words, accusing Jin Mi of manipulating him and conspiring with Run Yu. He sternly declared that Sui He was the one who saved him and remained by his side when he had nothing. Xu Feng affirmed that his decision to marry Sui He was final, and from that moment on, his heart and eyes would only be for her, with Jin Mi having no bearing on his life.

When Moon Immortal attempted to reveal that Sui He was the true murderer of Water Immortal and Wind God, Xu Feng cut him off, stating he had important matters and would not be swayed. He added that if Moon Immortal was unwilling to preside over the wedding, he would not force him. Meanwhile, a Nether Fury erupted in the Wangchuan River, prompting Liu Ying to alert Xu Feng.

She suspected someone was forcing Mu Ci to forge a Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, a task his current health could not endure, and feared it might be intended for Xu Feng. Xu Feng immediately suspected the King of Gu City and dispatched demon soldiers to search for Mu Ci. During the search, Liu Ying observed Xu Feng's quiet demeanor, sensing he was still troubled by Moon Immortal's revelations.

Xu Feng, however, believed Jin Mi was using Moon Immortal to sow discord between him and Sui He. Liu Ying countered that Moon Immortal was not easily manipulated and there might be more to the story. She confessed that, between Sui He and Jin Mi, she had more faith in Jin Mi and speculated that Xu Feng was resisting the truth because he was afraid to confront the fact that Jin Mi had saved his life.

Xu Feng admitted his fear that Jin Mi’s claims were true, recalling her words that Sui He was the murderer of Water Immortal and Wind God. He grappled with this, as Sui He had reportedly expended much of her magic power saving him, making it difficult for him to believe she possessed the potent Glazed Pure Fire used in the murders. Xu Feng and Liu Ying eventually discovered a magical barrier, indicating Mu Ci was likely trapped nearby.

Inside, Mu Ci, weakened but determined, had finally completed the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow. The King of Gu City, disguised as Liu Ying, appeared to retrieve it. Mu Ci saw through the ruse when the imposter couldn’t answer what special day June 6th was. Realizing it was the King of Gu City, Mu Ci used the newly forged Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to wound him, causing the King of Gu City to perish into ashes.

Xu Feng and Liu Ying found the scene, deducing that Mu Ci had killed the King of Gu City and must still be alive and nearby. News of Xu Feng’s impending marriage to Sui He had spread throughout the six realms. Jin Mi, despite everything, found herself unable to move on from him. Run Yu found her, noticing her hands were cold.

He gently explained that while two cold people could find warmth together without harming each other, winter snow and summer sun were fundamentally incompatible. Jin Mi, hearing this, withdrew her hand. Run Yu mentioned that the fifteenth of next month, the day of Xu Feng and Sui He's wedding and the blooming of the first spring flower, would be an auspicious day for marriage. Jin Mi, seemingly resigned, proposed that she and Run Yu also marry on that day.

Overjoyed, Run Yu embraced her. Jin Mi, however, secretly thought that if at least two out of three people could find happiness, it would be a form of completeness. Run Yu, still elated, later told Kuang Lu that Jin Mi had agreed to marry him. He asked Kuang Lu to procure high-quality Chengxintang Paper for him to personally write invitations to the Floral Chiefs for their wedding, hoping they would all attend.

On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the designated wedding day for Liu Ying and Mu Ci, Liu Ying, despite no news of Mu Ci, had prepared Qingtian Cave, their "place of affection," believing he would keep his promise. King of Bian City and Xu Feng arrived. King of Bian City expressed his worry that Mu Ci was likely dead and didn't want his daughter to suffer from longing.

However, Liu Ying firmly stated that Mu Ci was a man of his word and would not break his promise. Just then, a gravely injured Mu Ci arrived, barely clinging to life. He reaffirmed his love for Liu Ying and his promise. They held a simple ceremony, with King of Bian City and Xu Feng as witnesses. Mu Ci recalled that Qingtian Cave was where Liu Ying had first boldly kissed him.

Liu Ying, in turn, told him that she had always been the one to take the initiative, but from now on, she wished for him to be the one. Mu Ci, with his remaining strength, kissed her, fulfilling her wish. As he leaned against her, Mu Ci slowly faded into ashes. Liu Ying wept, revealing that she was pregnant with their child, but Mu Ci could no longer hear her.

She spoke of their future plans for their child, including having King of Bian City name him and Xu Feng become his godfather, ensuring no one would dare to bully him. Moon Immortal found himself in a predicament, having received wedding invitations from both Xu Feng and Run Yu, each asking him to preside over their respective ceremonies. Yan You teased Moon Immortal about his newfound popularity across the realms.

Moon Immortal lamented that he detested mismatched unions, yet the current romantic entanglement involving the four individuals was beyond chaotic. He proposed to Yan You that they "correct this mistake," to which Yan You responded, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. . . Grape belongs to Crow." Meanwhile, Tai Si Immortal, noticing Kuang Lu's subdued spirits regarding Run Yu's upcoming wedding, advised her not to torment herself.

He met with Run Yu, proposing that Kuang Lu be allowed to leave and gain experience elsewhere, and that she might find a suitable marriage. Kuang Lu, however, arrived unexpectedly and, with her father as a witness, declared her unwavering loyalty and devotion to Run Yu, vowing to follow him until her dying breath.

Run Yu discussed his upcoming wedding with Jin Mi, proposing they invite the Floral Realm chiefs as witnesses to express gratitude for their care. He then asked Jin Mi to select a beautiful paper for the wedding invitations. Jin Mi, who struggles to distinguish colors, remarked that all papers appeared the same to her. Despite Run Yu suggesting a festive red, she randomly chose a green one, unsure if it was the right choice.

Run Yu gently reassured her that whatever she liked was the best. Meanwhile, King of Bian City expressed deep concern to Xu Feng about Liu Ying, who had been cloistered in her room for three days, refusing food and water, devastated by Mu Ci's death. Xu Feng went to check on her. Liu Ying emerged, apologizing for causing worry and revealing that she was pregnant with Mu Ci's child, vowing to protect herself to continue their love.

Turning to Xu Feng, Liu Ying declared that King of Gu City, in collusion with Run Yu, had forced Mu Ci to create the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow to be used against Xu Feng. She asserted that a war between the Demon Realm and Heaven Realm was unavoidable and asked Xu Feng to promise to help her avenge Mu Ci, to which he agreed. Xu Feng suddenly experienced a severe backlash from the golden elixir, his hands rapidly icing over.

Just then, Sui He arrived, noticing his attempts to hide his hands. As she reached for them, Xu Feng instinctively pushed her away, but in doing so, he saw an old scar on her ear, indicative of a Water Ripple Palm injury. When he questioned her, Sui He claimed Jin Mi had inflicted it during an encounter in the Cave of Jiu Ying, and tearfully demanded Xu Feng seek revenge for her.

Xu Feng agreed to avenge her but, now suspicious, urged her to leave. He later investigated the Cave of Jiu Ying himself and discovered faint traces of Glazed Pure Fire on its walls. Xu Feng confided in Liu Ying, explaining that the Moon Immortal's earlier warnings had already planted seeds of doubt about Sui He.

He described Sui He's ear scar, noting it wasn't a fresh wound, and discussed the Glazed Pure Fire traces in the Cave of Jiu Ying, which contradicted Sui He's supposed delicate nature and diminished spiritual power. While Xu Feng sought to uncover Luo Lin’s true killer, he was reluctant to wrongly accuse Sui He. Liu Ying then whispered a plan to test Sui He's sincerity.

Xu Feng initially hesitated, feeling it would be unfair to Mu Ci, but Liu Ying reassured him that Mu Ci was her only love and that his actions would not be disloyal to anyone, prompting Xu Feng's agreement. Separately, Yan You tried to visit Jin Mi at Xuanji Palace but was stopped by guards. Jin Mi appeared and allowed him entry.

Yan You critiqued Run Yu’s possessiveness and questioned Jin Mi’s decision to become the Heavenly Empress, suggesting her "mediocre" temperament was unsuited for the role, especially compared to cunning figures like Sui He. Jin Mi acknowledged her past foolishness in misdirecting her vengeance. Yan You then proposed she run away, but Jin Mi, feeling obligated to Run Yu, refused, and remained silent when asked if she loved him.

Run Yu, observing Jin Mi’s choice of green paper for the invitations, wondered if it was a subtle protest. His attendant, Kuang Lu, confirmed Jin Mi's inability to distinguish colors, mentioning she had seen Jin Mi plant gray phoenix flowers. Later, Jin Mi suggested Run Yu consider Kuang Lu as a concubine, remarking on Kuang Lu's loyalty. Run Yu, however, expressed more apprehension about Jin Mi’s occasional kindness than her indifference.

Later that night, Jin Mi awoke to her Beast of Dreams producing a dream pearl, showing a vivid, loving embrace with Xu Feng, making her painfully realize her enduring feelings for him. At the same time, Sui He, having discovered Xu Feng’s severe backlash from the elixir, suspected Run Yu's interference and quickly made her way to his palace. Jin Mi observed Sui He leave and discreetly followed her.

Sui He confronted Run Yu, demanding to know if he had tampered with the Jiuzhuan Golden Elixir. Run Yu coolly admitted to Sui He that he had merely removed a "heating" herb from the elixir. Sui He, enraged, accused him of knowing Xu Feng's fire constitution and deliberately causing him torment, all while exploiting Jin Mi.

Run Yu countered by questioning if Sui He had revealed to Xu Feng that she was Luo Lin's killer and that Jin Mi was his true savior. Sui He warned that Jin Mi would be devastated to learn Run Yu had known all along who murdered Luo Lin but intentionally misled her to believe it was Xu Feng.

Run Yu then revealed he knew Sui He was the murderer, citing the Water Ripple Palm scar on her ear and the former Heavenly Empress's sudden loss of power as proof. He threatened to provide evidence to Xu Feng if Sui He did not quietly marry him, cautioning that she would be safe only under Xu Feng's protection, otherwise he would personally avenge Luo Lin. Sui He accused him of using her to sabotage Xu Feng and Jin Mi’s relationship.

Run Yu, implying their mutual manipulation, dismissed her, then called for the room to be cleansed. Jin Mi, who had overheard their entire conversation, stepped out, tearfully asking Run Yu what else he wanted her to do, perhaps even kill someone for him. Run Yu, visibly shaken, pleaded with her to stop. Jin Mi angrily declared herself completely used and worthless, begging Run Yu to release her.

Run Yu gripped her arm, professing his deep love and explaining all his actions were for her, expressing fear of her leaving. Jin Mi violently pulled away, fiercely denying his love. She accused him of loving only himself and manipulating her, her father, and the entire world to believe his false affection.

She recounted his calculated moves: approaching her for information on Xu Feng, leveraging her identity as the Water Immortal's daughter for political gain, feigning ignorance of her father's presence, coercing her into declarations of love to secure her father's support, and allowing Xu Feng to visit her only to delay him. She also accused him of using the Beast of Dreams to spy on her and of knowing Luo Lin's true killer from the start.

Jin Mi declared Run Yu a gambler who had orchestrated Xu Feng's intrusion at their wedding and her subsequent killing of Xu Feng. She scorned his ability to appear benevolent while orchestrating such cruelty, forcing her to kill the man she loved most. She lamented that Xu Feng now hated her and was marrying her father's killer, while Run Yu had achieved all his ambitions.

Run Yu, overwhelmed, recounted his pain from seeing her dreams of Xu Feng and his willingness to sacrifice his Heavenly Emperor title for her. Jin Mi cut him off, stating he was unworthy of love and that she would never believe him again. As Run Yu desperately tried to hold onto her, Jin Mi blamed herself for her utter foolishness. She then cast a dragon scale at him, a symbol of their broken past, and walked away.

Jin Mi confronted Supreme Lord Lao, threatening to destroy his precious pills unless he revealed the truth about the Jiuzhuan Golden Elixir. After some hesitation and Jin Mi's repeated threats, Supreme Lord Lao confessed that the elixir had not lacked an ingredient but instead contained an extra one: cynanchum atratum. This highly cold substance, he explained, clashed with Xu Feng's fiery constitution, causing the severe backlash. Jin Mi was shocked by his involvement.

Supreme Lord Lao, ashamed, admitted it was Run Yu's command, and he had complied, fearing for his reputation if the truth came out. Jin Mi pressed him for a remedy, and he revealed that Hairy Feather could counteract the coldness of cynanchum atratum. However, he warned that this rare herb, which takes ten thousand years to grow in the Floral Realm, was extremely delicate and would perish within three days if removed from its native environment.

As Jin Mi attempted to leave, Run Yu confronted her once more, grabbing her arm. He refused to let her go, asserting that their wedding would proceed as planned and accusing her of being insane.

Run Yu, after sedating Jin Mi, once again trapped her within Xuanji Palace with a barrier. He declared to a struggling Jin Mi that he would never let her go and that their wedding would proceed as planned. When Jin Mi awoke, realizing she was confined, she tried to use a summoning spell to call Yan You but discovered the barrier this time suppressed all her magic.

Liu Ying, noticing Xu Feng's low spirits, urged him to uncover the true culprit who had framed him for Water Immortal's death and caused him such suffering.

Xu Feng confessed a reluctance to face the truth, explaining that his past investigation into an assassin who tried to kill him and frame Run Yu in the Heaven Realm had spiraled out of control, implicating a vast network including Yan You, Rat Fairy, Su Li, Water Immortal, the Dongting Lake Water Family, and even his own parents.

He felt that the truth, in that instance, only led to endless conflict and no real winners, leaving him with a deep weariness. Liu Ying acknowledged his perspective but insisted that misdeeds must be answered for, warning that an unpunished murderer might harm others. Xu Feng admitted his soft-heartedness. Liu Ying then gently reminded him that his judgment was clouded by personal involvement, especially since the person in question held affection for him.

Expressing regret for involving him in this complex matter due to the potential trouble it could cause Mu Ci and the King of Bian City, Xu Feng shared her concern for them. Liu Ying, however, reassured him that both Mu Ci and her father were broad-minded and would understand, adding that ultimately, the fake could never become real, particularly in the Demon Realm, and that not everyone could pass the rigorous heart-testing stone.

Meanwhile, Sui He was preparing for her wedding to Xu Feng. She mentally vowed to cure his Golden Elixir backlash after their marriage, even if it meant challenging the Heaven Realm. Her attendant praised her beauty and predicted her success with the "heart-testing stone," declaring her a perfect match for Xu Feng. Startled, Sui He inquired about this stone. Later, alone, she reflected on her actions, internally apologizing to Xu Feng.

She confessed her belief in their love but admitted that love, to her, could not withstand any test. As the auspicious time for the wedding approached, Kuang Lu attempted to persuade Jin Mi to prepare, but Jin Mi coldly refused, speaking ill of Run Yu. Suddenly, Yan You, having stealthily stolen Run Yu's merman tears during his brief sleep at dawn, arrived disguised as Run Yu. Jin Mi, already aware of his deception, scolded his poor acting.

Yan You, now in his true form, recounted the difficulty of his mission, explaining that Jin Mi’s lingering resentment had summoned him. Recognizing the urgency, Jin Mi urged him to quickly help her escape to the Floral Realm before Kuang Lu discovered the ruse. After a quick stop, Yan You, still in Run Yu’s guise, took Jin Mi to the Southern Heavenly Gate.

There, he greeted the Heaven guardians led by Po Jun, distributing red packets (which Jin Mi clarified were Floral Realm wedding gifts) and jovially ordered them to maintain high vigilance, especially against Demon Realm imposters who might assume his likeness. He even playfully pinched Jin Mi's arm when a guard looked suspicious, dismissing it as "bedroom fun."

Back at Xuanji Palace, the real Run Yu confronted his bewildered guards, furious that an imposter had used his merman tears and Red Clouds Sword to abscond with Jin Mi. Learning they had left a short while prior, he immediately gave chase. Meanwhile, in the Floral Realm, Jin Mi tearfully declared to the Floral Chiefs that she would not marry Run Yu, exposing his manipulative nature.

The shocked chiefs, realizing Run Yu's cunning surpassed even the late Heavenly Emperor's, vowed to protect Jin Mi. Her immediate concern was finding the Hairy Feather to cure Xu Feng's golden elixir backlash. Just then, a warning came: Run Yu and a multitude of Heaven guardians were swiftly approaching. The chiefs quickly orchestrated Jin Mi's escape through a back hall while they prepared to face Run Yu. Upon Run Yu's arrival, the chiefs questioned his aggressive intrusion.

Run Yu, shedding his gentle facade, stated he was there to retrieve Jin Mi for their wedding and invited them to witness it, feigning ignorance of her whereabouts but implying she was there to gather Hairy Feather for Xu Feng. He asserted that the Floral Realm had been Heaven Realm territory since ancient times and accused the chiefs of usurping authority, reminding them of their subordinate status.

He warned them that only Jin Mi's smooth ascension as Empress would guarantee the Floral Realm's continued peace. With a chilling resolve, he then ordered his Heaven guardians to search the entire Floral Realm. Jin Mi desperately searched for Hairy Feather but couldn't find any. Lian Qiao then casually revealed that her mother had picked all the Hairy Feather to make mutton dumplings for her. Devastated, Jin Mi realized the life-saving herb was gone.

Mr. Hu suggested she could plant a new one, but it would take half an hour. Just as Run Yu's forces were closing in, Yan You, who had confessed his inability to fully stop Run Yu, joined them. The Moon Immortal stepped forward, casting his powerful "Attached Love" (Qing Si Qian Quan Da Fa) spell, creating a formidable barrier.

He assured Jin Mi that even with Run Yu's power, it would hold him for at least three incense sticks' time, urging her to plant in peace. While Mr. Hu and other Floral Chiefs went to divert the Heaven guardians, Yan You remained to protect Jin Mi. He then offered a heartfelt apology, confessing he was the adopted son of Run Yu's biological mother, Lord Dongting.

He explained that out of gratitude to his foster mother, he had reluctantly aided her in her revenge against the Heavenly Empress, leading to manipulative acts against Jin Mi, including luring her to the Heaven Realm. He expressed profound remorse for the danger he put her in. Jin Mi, having matured through her own trials, forgave him, acknowledging that life wasn't simply black and white and that he would always remain her benefactor and friend.

As Run Yu relentlessly searched for Jin Mi, he found the Moon Immortal actively using magic to obstruct and confuse him. The Moon Immortal, sensing Run Yu's relentless pursuit, advised him to let go, asserting that "nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable" and that "people's minds cannot stand manipulation." He stressed that Jin Mi's lack of love stemmed not from Run Yu's inferiority to Xu Feng, but from his constant scheming, which could never rival a pure heart.

He challenged Run Yu to consider if he had ever truly opened his heart to anyone. Run Yu retorted bitterly, explaining that his perilous past made sincerity a path to "eternal damnation." He lamented that no one had ever truly empathized with his predicament or supported him in his most helpless moments, declaring that therefore, no one had the right to "tell him what to do or judge him." Run Yu, after severely injuring the Moon Immortal, continued his search.

He then spotted Yan You supposedly "scolding" him to Jin Mi under a tree. Run Yu confronted Yan You, who, realizing the dire situation, immediately fled, claiming he had to prepare sacrificial offerings for his foster mother's upcoming death day. Run Yu then broke through the Moon Immortal’s barrier, intending to take Jin Mi away, only to discover she was Lian Qiao in disguise.

The real Jin Mi, with the newly planted Hairy Feather entrusted to Yan You, had already been whisked away to the Demon Realm by Yan You and the Moon Immortal. The Moon Immortal, exhausted from carrying her, remarked on her surprising weight. Back in the Floral Realm, Run Yu's search yielded no results. Enraged, he publicly declared the Floral Realm sealed and threatened to destroy one type of plant daily until Jin Mi returned. When a Floral Chief defiantly attempted to attack him, Run Yu swiftly subdued her, pronouncing her crime a capital offense and vowing that her punishment would commence the following day.

Run Yu formally announced to the six realms that the Floral Realm would be sealed immediately. He declared his intention to destroy one type of plant each day until Jin Mi returned, justifying his actions as a way to restore order and dignity to the Heavenly Realm. He had earlier seriously wounded Chief Peony, deeming her attempt to resist a capital offense and threatening to make her the first to be punished.

When Mr. Hu protested, warning that the way of heaven lies in morality, not in force, Run Yu dismissed him. He then asserted his right to reclaim the power previously granted by the former Heavenly Emperor, emphasizing that everyone in the Floral Realm should recognize him as the supreme emperor and the sole ruler of the six realms. Unwilling to see Chief Peony suffer, Mr. Hu pleaded with Run Yu, offering himself for execution instead.

Other Chiefs also stepped forward, offering to sacrifice themselves for the Floral Realm. Liu Ying informed Xu Feng that the Heavenly Emperor had searched the Floral Realm, seriously wounded Chief Peony, and detained all the Chiefs. She noted that Run Yu's aggressive stance against the Floral Realm seemed uncharacteristic, especially after the Bird Family had already pledged allegiance to the Demon Realm.

Liu Ying speculated that Run Yu's fury stemmed from Jin Mi's rumored marriage escape, believing that only Xu Feng or Jin Mi could provoke such a reaction from him. Xu Feng, uncertain of the truth of Jin Mi's escape or her whereabouts, suspected that Run Yu's actions might be a ruse to reclaim the Floral Realm. Nevertheless, he instructed Liu Ying to deploy an elite troop near the Floral Realm to offer support if Run Yu's forces invaded.

When Liu Ying playfully remarked that Xu Feng still cared, he clarified that his actions were not out of old affections but rather a strategic alignment, as "the enemies of our enemy shall naturally be our allies." With Xu Feng's wedding approaching, he and Liu Ying continued their preparations, confident that the day's events would provoke Sui He to reveal her true nature.

Xu Feng expressed concern that his uncle, Moon Immortal, who had always disapproved of his marriage to Sui He, might disrupt the ceremony, but Liu Ying assured him she would handle it. Meanwhile, Yan You and Moon Immortal struggled to carry Moon Immortal's scepter, which secretly contained Jin Mi. They were in Sui He's palace, planning to swap her with Jin Mi.

Their plan was already in motion; Sui He had been incapacitated by an "ecstasy scent" prepared by Liu Ying and Xu Feng, and was expected to awaken in four hours. The Yujiang Palace buzzed with excitement as demon lords and dignitaries, including the King of Qing City, gathered for Xu Feng's wedding. Unbeknownst to most, Jin Mi, controlled by Yan You's puppet spell and veiled, was led into the hall by Moon Immortal.

Moon Immortal, having offered to preside over the ceremony, initially believed the bride was Sui He but accepted it for Xu Feng's happiness, though Xu Feng hinted at a hidden scheme. Amidst cheers for the Demon Lord, Xu Feng performed the ceremonial bows. For the first bow, he worshipped the Demon Realm's land, crediting it for his rebirth and proclaiming his eternal enmity towards the Heavenly Emperor.

For the second, he honored the King of Bian City for providing refuge when he was at death's door. During the exchange of bows between the couple, Jin Mi momentarily struggled against the puppet spell, but Yan You quickly regained control. Just as Moon Immortal declared the ceremony complete, the King of Qing City intervened, explaining the Demon Realm's unique marriage customs: a Demon Lord must marry only one woman he truly loves for life.

To ensure this, he presented the "heart-testing stone," which required a drop of blood from both the Demon Lord and the Queen. If their hearts were truly aligned, the stone would change color, validating the marriage as a perfect match that neither heaven nor earth could break, unless they willingly separated. Failure would invalidate the wedding.

When Xu Feng and the veiled bride pricked their fingers for the heart-testing stone, it glowed, confirming their bond and eliciting cheers from the demon crowd. However, the true bride, Sui He, burst into the hall, declaring the current empress and the stone fake. Before she could finish, Liu Ying also entered, immediately contradicting Sui He and asserting the stone's authenticity.

Xu Feng, who had assumed the veiled bride was Liu Ying as part of his plan, was astonished to see Liu Ying enter, questioning the identity of the veiled figure. Liu Ying then exposed Sui He's plot, detailing how Sui He had sneaked into the Great Demons Hall the previous night to swap the real heart-testing stone with a fake.

Liu Ying also revealed that she and two friends had retrieved the real stone from Sui He's residence just hours before the wedding, replacing the fake. Sui He, realizing she had been trapped, inadvertently confirmed Xu Feng's involvement by accusing him of being present during the swap. Liu Ying urged Xu Feng to stop deceiving himself. Xu Feng, understanding the full extent of the deception, tore off the veil, revealing Jin Mi.

Jin Mi, having broken free from Yan You's puppet spell, apologized to Xu Feng for disrupting his wedding. Moon Immortal then vehemently denounced Sui He, revealing that Jin Mi was Xu Feng's true savior. He explained how Jin Mi had selflessly sought the Light of Xuanqiong from his elder uncle on Snake Mountain, sacrificing her ability to perceive colors and nearly destroying her true form—a frost flower—to save Xu Feng.

Panicked, Sui He desperately tried to discredit Moon Immortal, reminding Xu Feng of Jin Mi's past actions and urging him not to believe them. However, Xu Feng walked towards Jin Mi, apologized for his past misunderstandings, and promised to compensate her. As they embraced, a furious Sui He attacked Jin Mi with her Pure Glazed Flame. Xu Feng swiftly pulled Jin Mi behind him and countered Sui He's attack, further deepening her heartbreak.

Sui He, heartbroken and enraged, finally understood that the entire wedding was a trap orchestrated by Xu Feng to expose her Pure Glazed Flame. Jin Mi confronted Sui He, accusing her of killing Luo Lin and Wind God, to which Sui He carelessly admitted, justifying her actions as being "all because of him." Jin Mi, seeking revenge for her father and Aunt Linxiu, attacked Sui He with her magic, and Xu Feng joined in, striking Sui He.

Sui He was utterly devastated, unable to comprehend how Xu Feng, whom she loved so deeply and for whom she had exhausted her spiritual power to protect his soul, could treat her in such a way. Despite Sui He's plea for a swift death, Xu Feng refused to kill her, acknowledging her past grace in saving him. However, he stripped her of her position as the Bird Family leader and abolished her Pure Glazed Flame.

Recognizing his own fault in her downfall, Xu Feng punished himself by relinquishing half of his magic power, declaring it a punishment for himself and a warning to Sui He. He then issued a decree across the Demon Realm: if Sui He reformed, she was to be left unharmed; if she remained unrepentant, she was to be killed on sight. As Xu Feng departed, Liu Ying warned Sui He that while Xu Feng might have spared her life, she herself had not, vowing to settle scores for Mu Ci.

After Xu Feng left, Liu Ying still harbored a desire for retribution against Sui He for Mu Ci's death, despite Xu Feng having already stripped her of her powers and position. Sui He, feeling utterly disgraced as the former Princess of Heaven and leader of the Bird Clan, dared Liu Ying to kill her. Jin Mi intervened, suggesting that living in her current state was a greater torment than death itself, and urged Liu Ying to let her go.

Liu Ying conceded, agreeing that simply ending Sui He's life would be too merciful. She commanded her demon soldiers to banish Sui He to the wilderness, forbidding her from ever leaving the Demon Realm. Sui He, in turn, bitterly cursed Jin Mi and Liu Ying, prophesying their eventual downfall. Meanwhile, Run Yu walked alone into the deserted Empyrean Cloud Palace.

The grand hall, which should have been buzzing with activity for his wedding to Jin Mi, was now empty due to her elopement. Separately, Xu Feng entered Xingjing Court. He absorbed the magic power of Qiong Qi, aiming to use its might to unify the six realms. He reflected on his late father's ambition to unite all realms, vowing to complete this unfinished task and assert his sole dominion.

His armies were already positioned and prepared for battle, awaiting his formal address. Run Yu declared his intent to retrieve the Heavenly Queen and resume their wedding ceremony. Jin Mi admired the exquisite demon wedding dress she wore, remarking that she might become reluctant to take it off if she wore it too long. Xu Feng approached her, questioning how she could find it beautiful given her inability to discern colors.

He expressed his bitterness, asking if marrying him caused her such misery that she didn't want to wear the dress, dismissing their union as "phony affection" and a mere "play." Jin Mi then produced the last Hairy Feather in existence, explaining that Run Yu had added cynanchum atratum to his Jiuzhuan Golden Elixir, and the Hairy Feather could counteract its extreme chill, thereby curing Xu Feng's autophagy.

She implored him to take it, promising to leave his life forever once he recovered. Xu Feng refused, asking if she believed this act could absolve her of her past sins. He confessed that while he hated her deeply, he hated himself even more. He had spent years steeling himself to hate her, yet the two drops of their blood on the heart-testing stone had undone all his efforts, revealing his inability to forget her.

Jin Mi, acknowledging his hatred, apologized. She explained that his harsh words and actions during their wedding were a calculated ploy to provoke Sui He into revealing her Pure Glazed Flame, and pondered if their unexpected passing of the heart test was a twist of fate. She then asked if they could ever return to their former selves. Xu Feng's silence was followed by a definitive "No, we can't anymore."

As Jin Mi's heart shattered, Xu Feng pulled her into an embrace, suggesting they could start anew. He begged her to stay by his side and never lie to him again, warning that if she did, he would accompany her to the primordial world. A demon soldier reported to Xu Feng that Run Yu had mobilized millions of heavenly troops along the Wangchuan River, falsely claiming to rescue the Water Immortal.

Liu Ying and the King of Bian City were already engaged in battle. Jin Mi, distressed, pleaded with Xu Feng to trust her, explaining she didn't understand Run Yu's motives. Xu Feng dismissed Run Yu's pretense of rescue as a thinly veiled excuse for war, affirming his readiness to face him in a fight to the death. Jin Mi desperately tried to dissuade him from going to the front.

On the battlefield at Wangchuan River, Run Yu initially ordered his troops to wait until he had retrieved Jin Mi. When Xu Feng, clad in martial attire and transformed into a phoenix, arrived with Jin Mi, Run Yu reiterated his demand for her return. Xu Feng countered that Jin Mi was in the Demon Realm by choice and was his honored guest. Jin Mi corroborated this, asserting she was well and would not return to the Heaven Realm.

Xu Feng then revealed their wedding from the previous night, declaring Jin Mi the Queen of the Demon Realm, unwilling to leave him. Enraged, Run Yu cited his prior marriage contract with Jin Mi, accusing Xu Feng of betraying the Heaven Realm, succumbing to the demonic path, and holding the Heavenly Queen hostage. He urged Xu Feng to repent. Xu Feng defiantly asserted the legitimacy of their marriage, witnessed by both demon and bird clans.

Jin Mi questioned Xu Feng's provocative words, to which he replied it was necessary to preempt Run Yu's manipulations. A report from Liu Ying further revealed Run Yu's forces had seized the Floral Realm and threatened to destroy one type of flower daily until Jin Mi returned. Run Yu confirmed this was a tactic to coerce Jin Mi's return. Xu Feng staunchly refused to release her, prompting Run Yu to vow the extermination of every demon.

Jin Mi cried out, begging them to stop the war, but Run Yu declared his intent to turn the Floral Realm and Wangchuan into a bloody Acheron. Xu Feng, in turn, ordered his soldiers to protect Jin Mi and asserted that the battle was inevitable. The war between the Heaven and Demon Realms raged, with heavenly fire raining down and countless lives lost. Jin Mi, caught amidst the demon generals, felt overwhelmed by helplessness.

Run Yu, in a show of righteous indignation, condemned Xu Feng for his unnatural resurrection and demonic path, declaring him deserving of death. Xu Feng fiercely retorted that he had always defied destiny and would continue to do so today. Having recently lost half of his magic power, Xu Feng was severely wounded by Run Yu in their escalating duel, his life hanging by a thread.

Jin Mi rushed to him, observing that his autophagy had worsened, and desperately pleaded with him to cease fighting and agree to a truce. Xu Feng, however, remained resolute, summoning his Demon Subduing Pestle to continue the battle. Witnessing the horrific war caused by her presence and the innocent lives being sacrificed, Jin Mi experienced a sudden enlightenment. Realizing she was the root cause of the conflict, she resolved to sacrifice herself for the peace of the two realms.

She understood that her life, saved against the natural order, had inadvertently become a ridiculous pretext for war, a personal entanglement that had tragically expanded to involve everyone. Jin Mi soared into the sky, placing herself directly between Xu Feng and Run Yu. The combined force of their attacks struck her simultaneously. Xu Feng caught her as she fell, utterly heartbroken and weeping inconsolably.

With her fading breath, Jin Mi apologized to Run Yu, acknowledging her inability to ever repay his love. She expressed her wish for him to relinquish his hatred and revert to his former gentle self, the kind Fish Fairy. Run Yu, deeply moved, promised he would. She then turned to Xu Feng, yearning to hear him utter words of forgiveness. Weeping, Xu Feng confessed that he had never hated her, but rather hated himself from the very beginning.

Jin Mi then made him promise to consume the last Hairy Feather before tomorrow's sunset and to take care of himself. She then drifted into a melancholic recollection of happier times, wishing they could return to the days when she was his page boy and he the arrogant Phoenix, and Run Yu was a gentle, kind boy, fondly remembering their friends and family.

As she spoke a poignant Buddhist verse about love, worry, and fear, her form dissolved into ashes, and she vanished from existence. Jin Mi's ultimate sacrifice brought a fragile peace to the six realms. Run Yu, honoring her final wish, vowed never to step into the Demon Realm again during his lifetime, formally establishing a clear boundary between the Heaven and Demon Realms.

In the Floral Realm, all the flowers closed their blossoms and refused to open again, as the Floral Immortals wept in profound grief. Even the Fox Immortal and Lord Puchi struggled to comprehend and accept Jin Mi's true departure.

Xu Feng stood alone by the Wangchuan River, tormented by vivid memories of Jin Mi's last words, "Phoenix, I love you." Drowning in despair, he questioned his reason for living now that she was gone. Utterly hopeless, he released the Hairy Feather, a gift from Jin Mi, allowing it to drift away in the wind.

He succumbed to daily drinking, seeking solace, but the longing for Jin Mi only intensified, gnawing at him and leaving him helpless against the spreading pain. Chief Peony visited Xu Feng in the Demon Realm, disheartened to find him in a profound state of lethargy, having been drowning his sorrows in alcohol since Jin Mi's passing. Upon seeing her, Xu Feng knelt, consumed by guilt for Jin Mi's death and for the Floral Realm's sorrow.

Chief Peony helped him up, admitting her own failure in upholding the former Floral Immortal's dying wish. She revealed the truth about Jin Mi's Yun Elixir, explaining that the former Floral Immortal had foreseen a devastating love doom for Jin Mi and administered the elixir at birth to sever her emotional ties. The elixir, however, had been expelled the night Jin Mi mistakenly killed Xu Feng during Run Yu's mutiny.

Xu Feng was struck by a painful realization, recalling Jin Mi's past attempts to explain her inability to understand love, which he had dismissed. He now understood that he was, in fact, Jin Mi's love doom, the cause of her suffering and ultimate demise. Chief Peony then offered a faint glimmer of hope: the Xuan Ling Lord Doumu, who had once given Jin Mi protective incense ashes and predicted the current events, might know a way to revive her.

Xu Feng sought out Lord Doumu, admitting he knew he deserved the consequences of his actions but simply could not let go of Jin Mi, pleading for help to revive her. Lord Doumu responded with a philosophical riddle about life and death, and the nature of reality, which Xu Feng struggled to comprehend.

When Xu Feng directly asked about Jin Mi's chance of survival and where to find her primordial spirit, Lord Doumu offered an enigmatic hint: "If you can't attain enlightenment, the door of your wisdom won't open; if you can, the door of your wisdom will open." Though not fully understanding, Xu Feng thanked her for the guidance, interpreting it as a sign that a trace of Jin Mi's primordial spirit still existed.

He immediately relayed this news to the Floral Realm. Chief Peony, upon receiving Xu Feng's message, ordered all the floral immortals to dedicate their full power to searching for Jin Mi's primordial spirit throughout the six realms, vowing to retrieve it at any cost and open the Time Gallery to save her. While standing by the Wangchuan River, Xu Feng was suddenly seized by a painful backlash from his cultivation.

Amidst his agony, he hallucinated seeing Jin Mi smiling radiantly in the river. He cried out her name, crawling desperately towards the water, but she vanished, leaving him to yell her name in vain. An old ferryman remarked on Jin Mi's peaceful departure after stopping the war, asking Xu Feng why he clung to his endless regrets at the sorrowful Wangchuan River. Xu Feng officially abdicated his position as Demon Lord, entrusting the Demon Realm to Liu Ying.

He declared that his sole and most crucial mission now was to find Jin Mi, stating that nothing in the world held more importance to him than she did. Liu Ying offered to return the Demon Realm to him once he found Jin Mi, but Xu Feng declined, reiterating that his priority was solely Jin Mi. Xu Feng returned to the humble cottage where he and Jin Mi had lived during their mortal trials.

Every corner evoked Jin Mi's presence, making it feel as though she was still beside him. He searched relentlessly for her, mistaking others for her, his hope repeatedly dashed. Overwhelmed by frustration, he ultimately resolved to stay in the mountain cottage, patiently awaiting Jin Mi's return. He spoke aloud to the empty space, reminiscing about their carefree mortal days, imagining a future where they could live as mortal companions, free from past grievances, and grow old together.

He promised to wait there for her to come back. Supreme Lord Lao, Immortal Taishi, and Pojun arrived at Xu Feng's mountain dwelling, pleading for him to assume the title of Heavenly Emperor. They informed him that Run Yu had employed forbidden techniques to instigate the war between Heaven and Demon, and had even issued an Imperial Decree of My Sins, proving his unsuitability for the throne.

Pojun presented Xu Feng with the Red Clouds Sword, urging him to return to the Heaven Realm and restore order. Xu Feng, who had already stepped down as Demon Lord, initially resisted, believing he no longer had ties to the Heaven Realm. The immortals insisted, citing Run Yu's misdeeds and the ensuing chaos in the Heaven Realm. Xu Feng, carrying the Red Clouds Sword, journeyed to the Heaven Realm to confront Run Yu.

Kuang Lu, seeing him approach with a formidable aura, rushed to greet him, but Xu Feng ignored her, walking straight into Xuanji Palace. There, he found Run Yu bound by iron chains, who, upon seeing Xu Feng, immediately begged him to end his life. Kuang Lu desperately pleaded for Run Yu's life, but Xu Feng, ignoring her, thrust the sword into Run Yu's chest, causing the dark power of Qiong Qi to dissipate from him.

Xu Feng bitterly chastised Run Yu for seeking to abandon his responsibilities after enjoying the power of the Heavenly Emperor. Run Yu, after signaling Kuang Lu to leave, explained that he had used forbidden techniques, disturbing the laws of the Heaven Realm, and that Xu Feng, as his direct lineage, was the most suitable to restore order. He claimed to care nothing for fleeting fame or power now, having only sought justice and revenge.

He asserted that overthrowing his "tyranny" would be a meritorious act for Xu Feng, paving the way for a stable transition to the throne. Xu Feng cut Run Yu's chains, reminding him that the former Heavenly Emperor had given him the Red Clouds Sword to fight Qiong Qi, not to engage in fratricide. Xu Feng declared that he had never sought to contend with Run Yu, caring only for Jin Mi from the beginning.

Run Yu offered a bitter smile, admitting Jin Mi was the only one in his heart too. He then confessed that he had personally restored Jin Mi's Yun Elixir when it shattered during their mortal trials, having witnessed her deep love for Xu Feng and her desire to break off their engagement. Desperate to keep her, he chose to make her incapable of love, inadvertently leading them all to ruin.

Xu Feng finally understood that Jin Mi’s heart had never truly changed; it was Run Yu who had deliberately intervened. Run Yu acknowledged his error in scheming, confessing his love for Jin Mi was born of humility and distorted into hatred and jealousy, leading him to a self-disgusting path. He declared himself weary and ready to accept his fate.

Before Xu Feng left, Run Yu presented him with the Hairy Feather, a memento from Jin Mi, explaining that it should dissolve Xu Feng’s backlash. He also revealed his own impending death, having sworn a blood oath with Qiong Qi to defeat Xu Feng.

Run Yu presented Xu Feng with Jin Mi's belongings, believing he was on the verge of death due to the Qiong Qi's backlash and intending to return the Heaven Realm to Xu Feng. However, Xu Feng revealed that he had transmuted Qiong Qi using the Chixiao Sword and Glazed Pure Fire, saving Run Yu's life. Suddenly, Xu Feng suffered a counter-attack from his golden elixir.

He confessed to Run Yu that he had discarded the Peng Yu, unwilling to live alone without Jin Mi. Xu Feng declared that he saved Run Yu so that he would endure millennia of solitude, atoning for his sins. As Xu Feng walked away, Run Yu watched his retreating figure, tears of despair falling.

Three years later, Xu Feng had abdicated his position as Demon Lord and resided in the humble grass hut in the mortal world where he and Jin Mi had experienced their mortal tribulation. He spent his days cultivating flowers and relentlessly searching for Jin Mi. Run Yu occasionally visited, joining Xu Feng for drinks and conversation. On one such visit, they shared the last bottle of osmanthus wine, personally brewed by Jin Mi before her demise, both treasuring it deeply.

Run Yu reflected on his three years as Heavenly Emperor, realizing that his role demanded detachment from personal joy and sorrow. He recognized that since no one would walk by his side, he must embrace this solitude. He urged Xu Feng to open Jin Mi's keepsake box, but Xu Feng feared that seeing its contents would only deepen his sorrow. After Run Yu departed, Xu Feng finally opened the box. Inside, he found reminders of his and Jin Mi's past.

Her paintings, all depicting his silhouette, intensified his heartache. He was consumed by regret, recalling the misunderstandings and painful moments in the Demon Realm, wishing he had been more proactive in their relationship. As he hugged himself in despair, he suddenly heard Jin Mi's voice calling his name. In the Floral Realm, all the flowers bloomed vibrantly, signaling the re-formation of Jin Mi's primordial spirit. Yet, just as quickly, the blossoms withered, indicating that her spirit was once again scattering.

Chief Peony immediately commanded the opening of the Time Gallery, rallying everyone to rescue Jin Mi. Meanwhile, in his grass hut, Xu Feng's hands were unexpectedly grasped. He turned to see Jin Mi, his heart overwhelmed as tears streamed down his face. He repeatedly questioned if she was truly there. Jin Mi explained that she had been by his side for three years, experiencing all that he saw and heard, as if they were one.

She promised never to leave him again, but her form began to dissipate even as she spoke. Xu Feng desperately pleaded with her not to depart, but Jin Mi told him she was merely a teardrop in his eyes, and their separation was inevitable. With a final farewell, she vanished. Xu Feng rushed to the Time Gallery to confront Chief Peony, lamenting that despite searching the six realms, Jin Mi had been within his very eyes all along.

Their brief reunion had ended in another painful separation. Xu Feng realized that his golden elixir's counter-attacks had ceased for three years because Jin Mi, while residing in his body, had absorbed the internal cold energy, inadvertently healing him. In the process, she had gradually condensed into a tear, refining her true form, which allowed her self-salvation.

Although uncertain when they would meet again, Xu Feng swore to the heavens that he would scour all six realms to find Jin Mi and never part from her again. Five hundred years later, in a small mortal city, a wedding procession was underway for the daughter of Tangyue Mansion. The bride was known for her lifelong fascination with ghosts and demons, and later, with cultivation, always contemplating how to enter the demonic path rather than become an immortal.

As the procession moved, Xu Feng appeared in his magnificent phoenix form, startling and scattering the crowd, then strode towards the palanquin. Jin Mi, having saved the six realms from chaos, had accumulated immense merit, which allowed her to retain her memories upon rebirth. They embraced, and Xu Feng declared that she would be his wife for all eternity.

One year after their reunion, Xu Feng and Jin Mi's son, Tangyue, was born, and the family lived a blissful and tranquil life in the mortal world. Liu Ying's daughter, Qing Tian, now 510 years old, had her heart set on a handsome Kunlun disciple and was preparing to go "rob" him to be her husband.

Five hundred years prior, Liu Ying had inherited the title of Demon Lord from Xu Feng and had since meticulously governed the Demon Realm, guiding its inhabitants towards a new era of discipline and strength. During a celebration, she thoughtfully named a new flower species, cultivated by the Water Immortal, "Iris," a tribute to her beloved Qi Yuan. Meanwhile, Sui He, who had been exiled to the desolate wilderness, had become mentally deranged.

She had wandered into the prison of the King of Yan City's son, succumbing to her own folly. Run Yu remained the supreme Heavenly Emperor, yet he still grappled with a profound sense of emptiness and unfulfilled desires, despite possessing everything. Kuang Lu and the Beast of Dreams steadfastly remained by his side, patiently waiting for him to recognize the love and companionship before him.

Though Jin Mi's eyes still perceived the world in black and white, the radiant presence of Xu Feng and their child filled her heart with the most vibrant and splendid scenery, far surpassing any colors she might otherwise see.