Love Beyond the Grave resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Love Beyond the Grave

The extraordinarily gifted Demon King He Simu unexpectedly encounters the young general Duan Xu while on a break searching for food. This young general, who carries an item belonging to someone from her past, may not be the real Duan Xu.

Tengage in a series of probing interactions, and He Simu gradually uncovers Duan Xu's dark past and hidden ambitions, while Duan Xu comes to understand He Simu's steadfastness and loneliness. A mortal with a lifespan of less than a hundred years, and a demon who, even at 400 years old, still appears as a young girl, resist the relentless flow of time with love.

Resumos de Love Beyond the Grave

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Legend has it that at the edge of the East Sea stands the giant Fusang Tree, the gateway to the Void Spirit World. This realm is where the unresolved obsessions of mortals gather and, after centuries, transform into spirits. He Simu is the current Sovereign of Spirits, the most powerful being to be born in ten generations. Although immortal, she was born without the five senses—unable to perceive color, taste, or even the difference between heat and cold.

An ancient prophecy from the Xingqing Palace once suggested that the master of the Deliverance Sword could become her "Spell Bearer" and return her senses, but after three hundred years of silence, she has long since dismissed the idea. Choosing Liangzhou as a place to observe the human world, He Simu encounters a fatally wounded man named Xue Mutou. Desperate to save his young son, Chenying, the man begs for her help.

He Simu offers a deal: she will save the boy, but in exchange, she will extract the man's deep obsession, which will cost him his life. Though she cannot comprehend why a mortal would trade their existence for a fleeting father-son bond, she accepts the deal. Shortly after, Great Liang’s Tabai Army, led by Commander Duan Xu, enters Liangzhou to reclaim the city after the North Chong forces carried out a brutal massacre.

He Simu is stunned to see the Deliverance Sword—a spiritual blade forged by her aunt, Ji Xi, centuries ago—strapped to Duan Xu’s side. Intrigued, she inhabits a mortal body and poses as a local girl named He Xiaoxiao to investigate the young general. She feigns gratitude for his arrival, kneeling before his horse until her weak mortal shell faints.

Before her spirit departs the body, she asks Duan Xu to look after Chenying, and the general moves the "siblings" into the government office for care. He Simu summons Fengyi, a sorcerer from the mortal realm who respectfully refers to her as "Old Ancestor," and tasks him with investigating Duan Xu. Meanwhile, Duan Xu’s junior sister, Meng Wan, grows suspicious of the girl’s unnatural composure amidst the city's tragedy.

Fearing they might be North Chong spies, Meng Wan tests them by serving Suanxian Buns, a delicacy typical of the North Chong people. When Chenying reacts with disgust to the food, it proves they aren't spies, but Meng Wan remains wary of He Simu’s hidden motives and eventually orders them to leave the mansion. After leaving the office, He Simu accompanies Chenying to bury his father.

To comfort the boy, she uses her magic to turn paper money into a flurry of butterflies, which Chenying believes is merely a clever trick. In the city, they encounter Duan Xu again while he is roaming the streets incognito. He intervenes when he catches soldiers looting the belongings of the dead, enforcing military law to protect the civilians. He Simu takes the opportunity to approach him once more, claiming she and her brother are now homeless.

Unable to turn them away, Duan Xu agrees to find them a place to stay. That evening, He Simu’s prediction of snow comes true as the weather shifts. During a sudden assassination attempt on Duan Xu, he is forced to draw the Deliverance Sword. Watching from the shadows, He Simu confirms that the blade has truly recognized him as its master.

Fengyi later reports that Duan Xu comes from a family of scholars and was a high-ranking official candidate until he was impeached by his rival, Fang Xianye, and exiled to the dangerous borderlands. He Simu finds it peculiar that such a "famed unlucky soul" could wield the legendary sword. More concerning is the fact that her Wanling Lantern becomes unstable and fearful whenever the Deliverance Sword is drawn, even causing her to fall from the sky while she is hidden.

As she ponders the mystery of the general, Chenying wakes from a nightmare and wanders out to find her. In the dark, he encounters a mysterious and unsettling woman who mistakes him for her own lost son.

Shao Yinyin, a spirit from the Shanling Temple whose obsession with offspring has turned her into a predator of children, chases Chenying through the dark streets of Liangzhou. Captain Meng Wan and her Tabai Army patrol intervene, but they are no match for the spirit’s supernatural powers. Just as the situation turns dire, He Simu arrives. Her presence alone terrifies Shao Yinyin, who flees in haste.

To maintain her human disguise as He Xiaoxiao, He Simu quickly puts on an act of a panicked older sister. She scolds Chenying for breaking the curfew but embraces him, reminding him that she is his only remaining family. Meng Wan remains highly suspicious, questioning why a sister would let her brother wander alone at night.

Upon learning that He Simu and Chenying are the guests staying at the Prefect's Mansion, Meng Wan accuses He Simu of having ulterior motives for approaching General Duan Xu. He Simu playfully counters by claiming she fell in love with the General at first sight when he rescued the city.

She teases the captain, suggesting that since neither of them are noble ladies from Nandu, they are kindred spirits in their shared affection for Duan Xu, leaving Meng Wan annoyed and speechless. While the city remains under guard, an assassin infiltrates the mansion. Duan Xu immediately orders his men to capture the intruder alive, but the pursuit ends abruptly. Han Lingqiu, the defense captain of the Tabai Army, reports that the assassin committed suicide before he could be apprehended.

Duan Xu is visibly skeptical, doubting that a warrior of Han Lingqiu’s skill would allow a captive to kill himself so easily. This failure deepens the General's suspicion that there may be a traitor within his ranks. In the spirit realm, He Simu summons the Lord of Shanling Temple, Guan Huai, and the Vice Lord, Fang Chang, to answer for the chaos caused by Shao Yinyin.

It is revealed that the spirit had been illegally hoarding the spirit flames of six children, a flagrant violation of the 32 Golden-wall Decrees. He Simu is a cold and absolute ruler; she mocks Guan Huai’s long hair and dismisses his excuses about his age, reminding them that she crushed the rebellions of the 24 Temples before she was even a century old.

She leaves Shao Yinyin’s punishment to Guan Huai but orders the temple lord himself to report to Yan Ke for his own lashes due to his negligence. Duan Xu, having noticed He Simu’s uncanny ability to predict the weather, visits her to request her services as a weather observer for the Tabai Army. He specifically needs a strong east wind and snow for his planned campaign against Shuozhou.

He Simu agrees but insists on going to the city wall to "read" the wind. She continues her act of being a frail woman who is terrified of heights. Duan Xu, prepared for this, offers her a sedan chair or to carry her himself. She chooses the sedan, and once atop the wall, she describes the wind as "white cobwebs" weaving through the sky. On the wall, Duan Xu begins to test He Simu’s senses.

He points to his sleeve—which is actually blue—and asks if the wind is the same color as his "white" cuff. He Simu, unable to perceive colors, agrees with him. He then shares a story about building sandcastles by the sea as a child, claiming he learned that everything eventually returns to sand. He Simu realizes his true intention is to wage war on Shuozhou to force a peace.

Before they leave, they share a sugar figure of the deity Shen Shu that He Simu made. Duan Xu claims it is far too sweet, and He Simu, who lacks the sense of taste, agrees to hide her condition. Back at their lodgings, Chenying gives He Simu some Dingsheng Cake from a neighbor.

When Chenying notes that the cake is much sweeter than the sugar figure she made, He Simu realizes Duan Xu lied to her just to see if she could taste. She asks Chenying about the color of the General's sleeves earlier that day, and he confirms they were blue, not white. Realizing she is being probed by a very cunning man, He Simu summons Fengyi to investigate Duan Xu’s history.

She notes that Duan Xu’s supposed hometown of Daizhou and his upbringing in Nandu are nowhere near the sea, making his sandcastle story another calculated deception. Internal conflict arises within the Tabai Army when Commandant Wu Shengliu openly protests Duan Xu’s attempt to promote his own men. Wu Shengliu challenges the General to a duel to settle the matter. He Simu and Chenying watch the fight from a rooftop while remaining invisible to the soldiers below.

During the match, He Simu uses her magic to subtly sabotage Wu Shengliu, ensuring Duan Xu maintains the upper hand. As she observes Duan Xu’s swift and lethal movements, she realizes he is far more dangerous than he appears. His sharp eyes and keen ears are not the traits of a scholar from Nandu, but those of a man who has killed more people than any soldier on the field.

Following his victory in the duel, Duan Xu officially promoted Xia Qingsheng to the rank of Commandant, a move that Xia had not expected. When Commandant Wu Shengliu attempted to leave in defeat, Duan Xu stopped him and invited the officers to share a drink. He spoke of the North Chong invasion sixty years ago and the recent loss of territory, expressing his firm resolve to reclaim Yuzhou and liberate the people.

Though still wary of Duan Xu's true nature, Wu drank the wine, agreeing to let their performance on the battlefield prove who was right. Watching the duel, He Simu noted that Duan Xu’s martial arts were unfamiliar and unusually deadly, suggesting he had killed far more people than the seasoned warriors present. Nearby, young Chen Ying was moved by the talk of reclaiming lost land.

He Simu suggested she might one day send him to become a general, but the boy insisted he only wanted to stay by her side, even if it meant eating less. Meanwhile, Xia Qingsheng approached Captain Meng, admitting he had assumed Duan Xu favored her for the promotion. Meng challenged his perceived "softness," reminding him that while his past injury from saving her was a personal matter, their competition on the field was strictly professional.

She warned him that she intended to surpass him soon, as he was the only person besides her senior brother she didn't dislike. As the Tabai Army prepared to strike Shuozhou, He Simu remained focused on her goal of obtaining the Deliverance Sword, viewing Duan Xu’s potential death as her opportunity. Before the campaign, Duan Xu had asked for her help in reading the wind, explaining his belief that peace could only be achieved through war.

She provided him with a specific forecast: an east wind would blow at the You hour on the eighth day of the eleventh month. To uncover more about Duan Xu, He Simu consulted Fengyi, who revealed a suspicious past. At nineteen, the original Duan Xu was a scholar who reportedly survived a bandit attack that killed all his servants. Shortly after he arrived in Nandu, his grandmother—the last person who truly knew him—passed away.

He Simu concluded that because his appearance would have changed significantly between the ages of twelve and nineteen, the man before her was likely an impostor who had replaced the real Duan Xu years ago. During the battle for Shuozhou, Duan Xu appeared to be at his physical limit. Watching from afar, He Simu prepared to play a "funeral dirge" using a Ruan borrowed from Ms. Song, a local widow.

However, Duan Xu suddenly began chanting in fluent North Chong, invoking the legend of the "Red Birds" that burn all living beings. An onslaught of fire followed, routing the enemy. He Simu was fascinated by his perfect command of the enemy's tongue, noting that the battle was won and her dirge would have to wait. Following the victory, the Tabai Army crossed the Guanhe River for the first time in thirty years.

In Shuozhou, a merchant named Lin expressed the citizens' fear of being abandoned to North Chong's vengeance if the army retreated. Duan Xu solemnly promised that the Tabai Army would not take a step back and would stand or fall with the people. Despite the success, Captain Meng remained deeply suspicious of Han Lingqiu, fearing he might be a spy and a threat to He Simu. Duan Xu dispatched Han Lingqiu to fetch He Simu from Liangzhou.

Knowing her preference for comfort, Duan Xu provided a specialized carriage. During the journey, Chen Ying noticed the flame patterns marking the territory—the symbol of the North Chong occupiers. He shared the tragic history of his family, who had fled Shuozhou decades ago only to face further hardship and the death of his father in Liangzhou. The journey was interrupted when they were ambushed by nearly two hundred North Chong soldiers.

Seeing their small group of dozens surrounded, He Simu cynically remarked that if they were captured, she might as well read the wind for the North Chong instead. This upset Chen Ying, who declared he would rather die than help the people who murdered his father. As Han Lingqiu and the guards moved into a defensive position, He Simu realized that taking Duan Xu’s carriage had brought exactly the kind of trouble she had anticipated.

Facing the ambush by the North Chong Army, He Simu snapped her fingers, summoning clusters of eerie blue fireballs that targeted the enemy soldiers. Shaken by the bizarre phenomenon, Han Lingqiu deemed the site too haunted to remain and ordered a retreat. He Simu eventually arrived safely at Shuozhou with her young companion, Chen Ying. While Chen Ying marveled at their luck, attributing their survival to ancestral protection, He Simu remained silent about her own intervention.

Meanwhile, Commandant Xia reported the incident to Duan Xu. It was revealed that the General had anticipated a potential attack and had ordered his men to observe from the shadows, ready to intervene. While Han Lingqiu appeared to fight desperately to protect He Simu, Duan Xu’s suspicions about the captain’s true allegiance were not entirely cleared. He noted the strangeness of the blue flames but remained focused on the broader strategic game.

Upon reaching Shuozhou, He Simu’s borrowed mortal vessel began to fail, and she collapsed with a high fever. Duan Xu settled her into the Lin Mansion and summoned a physician. Because He Simu lacked the five senses, she could not actually feel pain; she simply echoed the physician's leading questions, agreeing when he suggested she might feel fatigued or nauseous. Later, Duan Xu personally brought her medicine.

He dropped his pretense, revealing he knew she lacked five senses, while also mentioning that Captain Meng had told him she "liked" him—a claim he used to tease her. The confrontation deepened as He Simu questioned Duan Xu’s own identity. She pointed out that he supposedly never trained in martial arts, yet he easily subdued the seasoned Commandant Wu. She also noted that everyone who knew him during his seven years in Daizhou was dead.

When she recited verses from the "Aphorisms of Cangshen" and mentioned his mysterious use of "red birds," she openly doubted if he was truly the same Duan Xu from before the age of twelve. Realizing they were both "puppets" hiding behind masks, they made a wager on his true identity. In the spirit realm, Yan Ke, the Right Hand of the Void, intercepted the fleeing Shao Yinyin and her protector, Chang.

It was revealed that Yinyin had originally saved Chang when he first manifested as a spirit. However, Yan Ke invoked the Golden-wall Decrees, which forbade spirits from entering the mortal world. He gave Chang a cold ultimatum: return to his position as Vice Lord or perish with Yinyin. Choosing self-preservation, Chang tearfully apologized and struck Yinyin, causing her to vanish into ashes. Yan Ke reminded the grief-stricken Chang that this was his own choice.

Back in the mortal camp, Commandant Wu was furious, feeling he had been played when Duan Xu’s supposed attack on Yuzhou turned out to be a feint to capture Shuozhou. Duan Xu explained that he kept the plan secret because the enemy knew the hot-headed Wu too well. He further revealed that the "red birds" were merely pigeons painted with flame patterns to exploit the Chong people’s superstitious fear.

Despite his anger, Wu agreed to trust the General one last time, vowing to haunt the Duan family if they failed to drive the invaders back. The threat of North Chong reinforcements loomed, led by Awo’erqi. Duan Xu turned to He Simu for advice. She predicted that the current extreme cold would break in ten days. She suggested blowing up the frozen Guanhe River; once the ice was destroyed and the weather warmed, the river would become an impassable barrier.

Though the plan required the Tabai Army to hold Shuozhou at all costs without retreating, Duan Xu accepted the gamble. Before the battle, Han Lingqiu approached Duan Xu, asking if they had met years ago. Han revealed that he had lost his memory following a severe injury that left a scar on his face. Duan Xu claimed he had been in Daizhou at that time and had never seen him.

Later, Yan Ke visited He Simu at the mansion, bringing her a tea-whisking set as a gift. He Simu enjoyed the human custom, but her mortal body soon grew weary. Yan Ke, knowing she needed rest, took his leave. He Simu was eventually jolted awake by the sound of explosions. She discovered that Duan Xu had blown up the Guanhe River a day earlier than planned to intercept a sneak attack from Yuzhou.

Arriving at the site, she stood amidst the devastation as spirit auras rose from the fallen. Duan Xu, sensing a presence he could not see, called out her name. As he walked toward her, he passed directly through her spectral form. In that moment, He Simu’s internal spirit pearl reacted violently, vibrating with light. She remembered her aunt's words about a "curse-breaker"—a person whose life would connect with her five senses. After four hundred years of existing in a void, He Simu realized that the man who could finally make her feel alive had appeared.

Following the recent victory, the troops celebrated the successful battle. Duan Xu attributed the triumph to the strategy devised by He Simu, leading the soldiers to toast her. Duan Xu revealed that he had orchestrated the destruction of the Guan River bridge a day earlier, having anticipated an enemy raid due to a mole within their ranks. By calculating the enemy's mobilization time, he determined that the night of the operation was the ideal moment for an ambush.

When Commandant Wu reacted with fury at the betrayal, Duan Xu urged him to focus on the greater defense of Shuozhou, as the arrival of the Hulan commander, Awo'erqi, was imminent. He Simu consulted Fengyi, seeking to understand the nature of existence. Fengyi, whose clan lived short lives, described each sunrise as a hard-won blessing. He inadvertently mentioned that once He Simu gained her five senses through her "spell bearer," she would finally understand the joy of living.

Recognizing that the spell bearer was Duan Xu, He Simu tasked Fengyi with investigating Duan Xu’s past to give her leverage when they eventually exchanged senses. Regarding her duties as the Sovereign of Spirits, He Simu faced criticism from Fang Chang, who had been ordered to execute Shao Yinyin. Fang Chang argued that the act was unreasonable, but He Simu sternly rebuked him.

She emphasized that spirits, if left with unchecked desires, would descend into chaos, asserting that her authority was maintained through firm discipline rather than mere reasoning. As the new year approached, He Simu took Chengying to the market, sharing her stipend to let the girl buy festive items. Meanwhile, Duan Xu and his men received a shipment of grain from Marshal Qin, only to find the bags filled with husks.

Recognizing this as the result of court infighting—where officials aimed to prevent his successful return—Duan Xu chose to keep the sabotage secret to maintain military morale. He ordered the usable grain to be distributed to the civilians to calm the public and ordered the remainder sealed, tasking his men with ensuring the people had a peaceful New Year. He Simu observed a suspicious soldier delivering a letter to an encampment, which she reported to Duan Xu.

Shortly after, a fire broke out at the granary, set by He Yan, a former courtesan and native of North Chong who resented the city. As He Yan defiantly blamed the city for her downfall, He Simu, observing Duan Xu’s tightening grip on his sword, realized he had intended to kill her. However, He Simu intervened, seizing the blade and striking He Yan down herself, an act that signaled her own lethal resolve.

Throughout these developments, Duan Xu remained composed despite the psychological warfare waged by Awo'erqi, who signaled his presence with a mysterious black cat outside the city walls. He Simu continued to probe Duan Xu about his willingness to gamble his life, but he remained focused on his ultimate goals: the destruction of the Hulan forces and lasting peace for the realm.

He Simu killed He Yan, reasoning that if the woman were to die while consumed by such intense hatred, she would inevitably summon malevolent spirits to torment the mortal realm. Sensing the potential for suspicion, He Simu immediately feigned distress, claiming she acted in a fit of rage because her own hometown had been massacred by the Chong people. Duan Xu intervened to smooth things over, though he privately warned her against drawing his sword so impulsively again.

While He Simu insisted her actions were intended to prevent catastrophe, Duan Xu remained largely indifferent to her underlying motives. After Duan Xu left, Fengyi reported his findings: the man currently serving as a Censorial Counselor in the capital, Fang Xianye, is the true Duan Xu, while the man holding command in Shuozhou is actually the son of the Minister of Rites, operating under an assumed identity. It is clear that the real Duan Xu is targeting the impostor.

Meanwhile, the fake Duan Xu was occupied with the aftermath of the granary fire. He Yan had stolen the keys from a guard named Xiao Xie, revealing she had intimate knowledge of the joint security arrangements between the Tabai Army and the Lin family. Duan Xu ordered Han Lingqiu to conduct a thorough investigation into the security failure. With Shuozhou facing a critical food shortage, Duan Xu devised a plan to intercept enemy supplies.

He leveraged the Lin family’s connections to monitor enemy grain shipments along the northern routes. Before setting off, he instructed Commandant Wu to remain in the city and take command of the Tabai Army should anything happen to him, expressing his trust in Wu’s ability to lead the men. He also sought reinforcements from Marshal Qin.

The mission led by Duan Xu and Han Lingqiu was a success, but they soon realized it was a trap set by the Chong army, who specifically intended to capture both of them alive. Just as the situation grew dire, He Simu intervened, revealing her identity as a Sovereign of Spirits. She claimed she had struck a deal with a dying soldier to protect the Tabai forces.

The troops were stunned when she summoned a flock of crows to decimate the Chong forces, leaving only her and the soldiers unscathed. She demanded Duan Xu’s five senses in exchange for the favor. Having heard legends of such spirits, Duan Xu was amazed to see her power firsthand and asked her to help him preserve the memory of their encounter.

Upon their return, Duan Xu had Han Lingqiu detained, suspecting him of being a spy because the enemy had specifically demanded their capture. Meanwhile, Fang Chang took advantage of He Simu’s spirit form being absent to study her physical body, hoping to discover her true identity to gain leverage over her. When He Simu returned to her vessel, she asked her companion, Chengying, if anyone had visited, but he denied it. She then sought out Duan Xu to formally negotiate the terms for the exchange of his five senses.

At the Lin Mansion, Duan Xu sat alone in the quiet of the night, tending to the wounds he sustained on the battlefield. When Meng Wan arrived to help him change his dressings, he gently turned her away, insisting he could manage the minor injuries himself. After she left to rest, He Simu suddenly appeared in his chamber. Duan Xu, who was partially unclothed, hurriedly tried to put on his robes, but He Simu remained unfazed.

She told him bluntly that she had already seen him "completely clean" before, so covering up now would do nothing to restore his modesty. He Simu began to press Duan Xu about his past, questioning why every friend and teacher he could name—including Meng Wan, Xia Qingsheng, and Academician Yang—only entered his life after he turned eighteen. She specifically mentioned his blind master and the amnesiac Han Lingqiu, wondering if they were part of his life before that pivotal age.

Duan Xu admitted that he had no friends before he was eighteen and, despite his superb martial arts, he chose not to resist when He Simu pinned him down. He acknowledged that in the face of her absolute power, any struggle was futile. He Simu then proposed a supernatural bargain: she would grant him wishes in exchange for his five senses, with each sense being traded for a ten-day period.

She explained that this was the limit a mortal body could endure, and once he recovered, they could begin another exchange. However, she noted that his wishes could not interfere with the laws of the world; while she could save his life on the battlefield, she could not simply grant him victory in the war. Though Duan Xu realized she was the Spirit Lord who had waited three centuries for a master of the Po Wang Sword, he remained defiant.

He claimed he never sought the help of others to fulfill his desires, preferring to achieve things through his own strength. To his surprise, He Simu decided to stay the night, even suggesting they share a pillow, mockingly comparing his "trade" of war and death to her own nature as a spirit. The situation grew awkward when Xia Qingsheng arrived with medicine for Duan Xu.

Stumbling upon the intimate and strange scene of He Simu pinning the General down on the bed, he beat a hasty retreat. In the hallway, he encountered Meng Wan, who was bringing late-night food for her senior brother. To prevent her from entering the room and witnessing the scandal, Xia Qingsheng intercepted her and stuffed the food into his own mouth, much to Meng Wan’s annoyance. The following day, a tragedy unfolded at the city gates.

Awo'erqi and the North Chong army brought the head of the Lin family's main branch, along with his entire household, to the base of the walls. They were captured for aiding the Great Liang army in securing grain. The elder Lin, whose father was a general who died in battle at Yunzhou, refused to beg for mercy.

He gave a final, stirring speech to his nephew, Lin Jun, reminding him that the Lin clan, though mere merchants, must remain loyal to Great Liang and never fear death. In a brutal display of cruelty, Awo'erqi ordered the execution of all twenty-three members of the Lin family before the eyes of the defenders. Duan Xu, witnessing the slaughter, solemnly swore that he would take Awo'erqi’s head to appease the souls of the Lin family.

Determined to root out the traitor who had compromised the grain raid and the Lin family, Duan Xu approached the grieving Lin Jun with a plan. He requested Lin Jun's help in organizing a martial arts contest, ostensibly to test Han Lingqiu’s true skills, as the captain’s background and memory loss remained suspicious. Duan Xu secretly had Meng Wan instruct Han Lingqiu to hold back his true strength during the matches.

During the contest, Han Lingqiu defeated several opponents with ease, but the matches remained relatively standard until Lin Jun suggested a blindfolded trial—a method he claimed relied on hearing and wind-judgment to determine true mastery. Once blindfolded, Han Lingqiu displayed a lethal and sophisticated martial style that stunned the crowd. However, this was exactly what Duan Xu was waiting for. He suddenly halted the proceedings and accused Lin Jun of being the spy.

He revealed that the "Blindfolded Trial" was actually the "Mingshi," a secret technique used by the "Tian Zhixiao" organization. Duan Xu pointed out that the man before them was not the real Lin Jun, but Master Fifteen in disguise. He noted that the carriage provided for He Simu was Master Fifteen’s, and he had been privy to all the military communications that led to the North Chong ambushes.

As the ruse fell apart, the real Lin Jun was brought forward, having been rescued by Chen Ying and He Simu from a hidden chamber. Master Fifteen dropped his mask, revealing that Han Lingqiu was actually his Seventeenth Junior Brother and their mentor’s favorite disciple. Han Lingqiu, however, rejected this claim, stating firmly that he was a captain of the Great Liang army and nothing more.

Seeing no way out, Master Fifteen seized Duan Xu as a hostage, using him as a shield to demand a horse and safe passage out of the city. To ensure the General's safety, the guards were forced to stand down and prepare for the traitor's escape.

Duan Xu allowed himself to be captured and taken to the North Chong camp by Fifteen, who was still masquerading as Lin Jun. Even in the damp prison cell, Duan Xu remained composed, treating the situation as a strategic move. He Simu watched him from the shadows, and the two began to deconstruct the situation. Duan Xu revealed he had suspected the fake Lin Jun from the start, sensing a "familiar scent" of someone like himself.

He Simu noted that anyone who spent their life behind a human skin mask was bound to be dangerous. Duan Xu explained the origins of "Tian Zhixiao" (the All-Knowing), a secret organization under the North Chong royal family that trained loyal assassins. He described the "Mingshi" (Blindfolded Trial), a brutal graduation rite where disciples fought to the death while sightless to earn their names. Fifteen was merely a code name, and members from different generations rarely met.

He Simu, sensing the danger of the heavily guarded camp, offered to grant Duan Xu a wish to help him escape, but Duan Xu declined, insisting the real show was just beginning and he would break free on his own. Fifteen soon arrived to interrogate his prisoner, but Duan Xu turned the tables by exposing Fifteen’s true motives.

He deduced that Fifteen had infiltrated Shuozhou to investigate the "Red Bird Descending Calamity" for the High Priest, who was sensitive to anything that blasphemed the sacred texts of the "Cang Yan Lu." Duan Xu mocked Fifteen for a life spent playing roles, suggesting that the man had never lived a day as a warm or honest person. He even questioned if Fifteen felt any remorse watching the real Lin Jun’s family die.

Despite the threats, Duan Xu remained unfazed, reminding Fifteen that his captors would eventually regret not pinning him down more securely. As night fell, Duan Xu freed himself from his shackles. He had previously asked He Simu when the east wind would blow, and upon hearing it was due in three days, he used the weather to his advantage. He set fire to the North Chong armory, causing mass chaos as the flames spread rapidly.

Amidst the stampede of panicked horses and cries of "fire," Duan Xu infiltrated General Awo'erqi's tent. He executed the general and took his head as a trophy. While the Chong soldiers scrambled to put out the fires, Duan Xu fought his way out of the camp. Fifteen realized the deception and pursued Duan Xu into the snowy wilderness. During their desperate struggle, Duan Xu finally revealed the truth: he was the real "Seventeen."

He reminded Fifteen of a brief moment years ago when Fifteen had steadied him after he won his Blindfolded Trial. He revealed that Han Lingqiu was not Seventeen but rather his defeated opponent from that trial who should have died. Duan Xu declared that he had never betrayed anyone because he had never believed in the organization to begin with. The two fought with equal ferocity, but Duan Xu was severely weakened by his previous injuries.

He finally killed Fifteen by exploiting a momentary lapse in the man’s conviction—a flicker of doubt that Duan Xu called a "low-level mistake." Meanwhile, back at the city, Meng Wan received Duan Xu's signal. Rather than launching a rescue mission, she led the Liang forces to raid the now leaderless Chong camp, catching the enemy off guard exactly as Duan Xu had planned. Exhausted and bleeding out in the snow, Duan Xu could no longer walk.

He finally turned to He Simu to accept the deal for her to borrow his five senses. He Simu warned him of the consequences, explaining that once he experienced the vibrancy of color, taste, and the sting of cold through her power, he might never want to lose them again. She feared that his desire to keep those senses might one day turn him into a "living corpse" maintained by her.

Duan Xu, however, gambled that she would eventually find herself unable to let him go. They performed the ritual, bonding their senses through blood and a pearl. As they moved through the snow, Duan Xu shared his true history. He was indeed the real Duan Xu, born into a family of scholars. At twelve, he was kidnapped by Chong soldiers who tried to ransom him for intelligence.

His father, unwilling to compromise, publicly disowned him by claiming he was an impostor and that the "real" son was safe elsewhere. Abandoned, Duan Xu eventually escaped and was recruited by the leader of Tian Zhixiao. Duan Xu recounted his final mission where he was ordered to kill a family. Unable to bring himself to kill their infant, he blinded his own master and fled, placing the child with a kind family before living as a wanderer.

Having shared his deepest secrets, he asked He Simu for her name. Under the winter sky, she introduced herself. As they celebrated the arrival of the New Year, Duan Xu wished her peace, while she wished him a long life, hoping he would continue to survive every crisis.

The gates of Shuozhou, which had remained shut for months, finally swing open as Duan Xu returns on horseback. Though he is covered in battle scars, he holds high the severed head of the enemy leader, Awo'erqi, announcing a victory that transforms the citizens' fear into thunderous cheers. Watching the scene, Chenying is filled with a newfound resolve to become a hero just like him.

He Simu realizes that the Pòwàng Sword, a weapon of mercy that both takes and saves lives, chose Duan Xu not for his power, but to redeem him from his blood-stained past and the hardships etched into his soul. Back at the residence, Duan Xu insists that He Simu dress his wounds instead of the physician or the soldiers. This causes visible jealousy in Meng Wan, prompting Xia Qingsheng to usher the others out to give the General peace.

Because He Simu lacks the sense of touch, her movements are somewhat rough, but she urges Duan Xu to recover quickly so they can fulfill their pact to trade the five senses. Later, Yan Ke visits He Simu, noting that the heavy casualties from the war have caused a disturbance in the Fusang Tree.

He brings a painting of pines and cypresses as a gift, but He Simu admits she has developed a preference for plum blossoms, which brave the frost without yielding. Yan Ke immediately senses the influence of the mortal general, though He Simu dismisses her interest as a passing amusement for her rest day. Duan Xu eventually meets with Han Lingqiu to discuss the impending arrival of Marshal Qin.

Duan Xu offers to answer any questions about the past, but Han Lingqiu decides he is satisfied being a Captain of the Tabai Army and does not wish to pursue his forgotten life. Duan Xu reflects on the truth he has hidden: during their trials in the "Tiānzhīxiǎo" training ground, where only one student was meant to survive, Duan Xu defeated Han Lingqiu but refused to kill him.

He had scarred Han’s face and used a memory-erasing decoction and a swapped corpse to save his life and send him away. Reflecting on his childhood in Tiānzhīxiǎo, Duan Xu tells He Simu how life there was a cruel game of survival where kindness was treated as a fatal weakness. He recounts a mission on a beautiful, sunny day when he realized he was becoming a monster.

From that moment, he vowed to one day reclaim his name and live openly as a man. He Simu observes that despite growing up in such "muck," he remarkably managed to stay true to himself. The arrival of Censorial Counselor Fang Xianye brings political tension to the city. As the Grain Commissioner, Fang distributes food and takes credit for the victory on behalf of the Emperor and Marshal Qin.

Chenying is frustrated that the official is stealing glory from the General, but Duan Xu remains indifferent as long as the people are fed. Fang Xianye presents an order for the Tabai Army to withdraw outside the city, but Duan Xu counters that this would leave Shuozhou vulnerable to enemy remnants. To avoid the fallout of a chaotic city, Fang yields and leaves the defense in Duan Xu's hands.

As the victory banquet begins, the soldiers celebrate with wine and song. Chenying's admiration for Duan Xu grows, and the General offers to let the boy train with him. However, Chenying becomes distressed when He Simu bluntly tells him that they are bound to part ways eventually.

She explains to Duan Xu that she only cared for the boy to fulfill a deal with his father and that she will likewise return to her own place once their trade is complete. The celebration continues late into the night. Xia Qingsheng attempts to confess his feelings to Meng Wan, but he succumbs to the alcohol and passes out before he can speak. As the soldiers toast to reclaiming their lost lands, Duan Xu’s wounds begin to bleed again.

He asks He Simu to change his dressings, jokingly suggesting she take his sense of touch so he won't feel the pain. She refuses, reminding him that pain is a mortal's protection, and expresses that she prefers him as he is now—vulnerable and human.

After tending to his injuries, He Simu observed Duan Xu’s recovery. She noted that while he had been like an unfeeling spirit during his raid on the enemy camp, he was now acting like a sensitive, spoiled child. Duan Xu, however, had a specific wish in mind. He asked if he could call her by her name, Simu, explaining that it made him feel closer to her.

Despite He Simu reminding him that she was nearly four hundred years his senior, Duan Xu persisted. He offered to exchange his five senses for the permission to call her Simu whenever they made a deal, simply because he loved the name and wanted to truly understand her. He Simu warned him that he didn't need to understand her, only to stay alive and fulfill their contract.

The exchange was completed, and for the first time in centuries, He Simu felt the world of the living. She touched Duan Xu, marveling at the sensation of skin, the warmth of his breath, and the steady thrum of his heartbeat. To test the reality of pain, she even asked him to bite her, leading Duan Xu to welcome her to the mortal world. However, the swap came with a cost: He Simu’s spiritual power vanished.

She warned Duan Xu that the swap would only last ten days, and if he dared to take advantage of her weakness, she would kill him once her powers returned. Duan Xu seemed unbothered, joking about his own sensitivity. He revealed he was incredibly ticklish and had struggled whenever she touched him before; now, he intended to let her experience that same "suffering" for the next ten days. The transition to mortal life was chaotic.

He Simu spent the entire night exploring her new sensations, leaving the mansion in total disarray. The next morning, servants whispered about a plague of savage "rats" that had crushed furniture, ruined the kitchen, and even plucked the feathers off the backyard poultry. Meanwhile, Duan Xu, now devoid of his five senses, struggled to move. Without the ability to feel his own body, his sense of space was gone, causing him to stumble.

He Simu eventually found him and helped wipe the dirt from his face, though she was still learning to control her own strength. When she decided to visit the market, Duan Xu insisted on following her, joking that he didn't want the "rats" terrorizing the whole city. At the market, He Simu was like a curious child, touching and inadvertently breaking everything.

She burned her mouth on hot ginger honey water and accidentally crushed chestnuts and jewelry, leaving a trail of frustrated vendors in her wake. Duan Xu followed behind, teaching her to use her sight to judge the distance between her body and objects to compensate for her lack of touch. Despite the growing bill for the broken wares, he watched her with a soft smile, finding her joy in the world's details endearing.

As they walked, He Simu grasped his hand, wondering if holding his fingers was like holding his heart. The arrival of Marshal Qin in Shuozhou shifted the focus back to the war. Fang Xianye and other officials greeted the Marshal, though Duan Xu remained absent from the gate due to his "lingering injuries." Later, at the Shuozhou Yamen, a meeting was held to discuss the next move against the Northern Chong.

While other generals advocated for a strike on Youzhou, Duan Xu proposed a different target: Yunzhou and Luozhou. He used his own armor as an example, explaining it was forged from rare Tianluo Ore found in Luozhou, which made it light enough for a ten-year-old to carry yet impenetrable. He argued that Luozhou’s mines and Yunzhou’s grasslands for breeding warhorses were more valuable for the state's long-term strength. Marshal Qin, however, was more interested in He Simu.

Having heard that Duan Xu’s victories were due to a woman with extraordinary divination skills, he asked to "borrow" her for his own army. Duan Xu flatly refused, leading the Marshal to demand a meeting with her. When He Simu arrived, she was blunt, telling the Marshal that not every desire could be fulfilled. She pointedly reminded him of how the soldiers in Shuozhou had been left without reinforcements.

She claimed her divination was tied to her "destined one," Duan Xu, and that serving anyone else would bring dire consequences. When Qin’s guards tried to use force, Duan Xu intervened, declaring that no one could take his lady away. He then carried the exhausted He Simu back to her room, noting that mortals, unlike spirits, required sleep. Behind the scenes, political maneuvering continued.

Fang Xianye reported to Marshal Qin that the horse administration ledgers in Shunzhou had been stolen, a matter that could implicate the Duke. To distract the court and cover the deficit, they decided to approve Duan Xu’s plan to attack Yunzhou, which was known for its horses. Fang Xianye pointed out that if Duan Xu won, the credit would go to the Marshal’s command, but if he died, it would be blamed on his own reckless tactics.

As these schemes unfolded, He Simu fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of her parents. Her mother spoke about the fragility and vibrancy of mortals and the importance of understanding them with gentleness. Her mother explained that while her father couldn't hear the melody of music, he played it because he understood the love behind it. When He Simu woke, she felt a strange "wind" inside her chest, only to realize it was the sensation of breathing. Finding Duan Xu by her side, she marveled at the dream—a uniquely mortal experience she had never known before.

He Simu woke from a dream of her parents to find Duan Xu sitting by her bedside. Having exchanged his five senses with her, Duan Xu explained that he had lost all physical feeling; when he first woke up in a sensory void, he genuinely thought he had passed away. Unable to sleep, he had come to watch over her.

As they spoke of her dream, He Simu mentioned how her parents had taught her the rules of the spirit world—specifically her own practice of making a fair exchange before consuming a mortal’s obsession. Though she was the Sovereign of Spirits, she preferred this sense of balance. Duan Xu noted that her parents must have been gentle people, and He Simu revealed that while her mother passed away naturally from old age, her father had died for love.

Despite her usual lack of need for sustenance, Duan Xu prepared a lavish spread of food for her. He reminded her that since she now inhabited a mortal body, she needed to replenish her energy. Under his guidance, He Simu began a journey of culinary discovery, marveling at the textures he described: the tofu was as smooth as jade and as soft as mud, while other dishes offered sensations of crispness or density.

During the meal, Chenying arrived and was stunned to see the woman he knew as He Xiaoxiao, who usually touched no food, eating with such gusto. He Simu playfully excused her appetite by claiming she was simply taking advantage of the General’s treats. Later, Duan Xu presented her with a handmade charm crafted from the fur of a white fox he had hunted years ago, having noticed her newfound fondness for soft, furry textures.

The city soon grew vibrant with the arrival of the Rite of Spring. Eager to experience the world with her new senses, He Simu insisted on joining the festivities, much to Chenying’s confusion, as he remembered her being far more reclusive. However, the crushing crowds of Shuozhou soon separated them. As Chenying searched for her, he was lured into a disorienting alleyway where a haunting voice whispered that He Xiaoxiao was a fake.

He was then terrified by an illusion of He Simu killing a woman dressed in identical orange clothing. At the center of the celebration, the citizens gathered for the traditional whipping of the Spring Ox, a clay figure. He Simu was participating with the crowd until she heard Chenying’s muffled cries for help coming from within the ox and ordered everyone to stop. At that moment, Daoist Mingfeng appeared, claiming he sensed an evil presence.

With a flourish of magic, he "revealed" Chenying hidden inside the clay belly. Though the boy was rescued and brought home, the experience left him deeply traumatized and wary of He Simu, haunted by the claim that she was an impostor. On the military front, Marshal Qin expressed concerns about the upcoming campaign.

Duan Xu volunteered to lead a dangerous reconnaissance mission into Yunzhou, a region of open plains where previous scouts had never returned, and requested that Han Lingqiu accompany him. Privately, Duan Xu struggled with his lack of touch, realizing his movements now relied entirely on muscle memory and inertia. He worried his combat effectiveness was severely diminished. Before he left, he shared a quiet moment with He Simu during a downpour.

It was her first time feeling rain—from a soft itch to a cool moistness, and finally the slight sting of a heavy pour. To help him survive his mission, He Simu taught him a spirit technique: to sense the "silken threads" of the wind and use the fluctuations of dust in the air to perceive his surroundings. Once Duan Xu departed, Marshal Qin and Daoist Mingfeng moved against He Simu.

They staged a confrontation at the Yamen, bringing forward a woman in orange who claimed to be the "real" He Xiaoxiao. The Daoist used a calculated trick to make He Simu appear as a monstrous spirit before the witnesses, accusing her of using heretical arts to mislead the army. He Simu, seeing no point in a futile struggle while her powers were gone, allowed herself to be taken to the dungeon.

However, Meng Wan was not one to forget a debt. Remembering He Simu’s help against the northern invaders and Duan Xu’s request to protect her, Meng Wan distracted the guards and allowed He Simu to escape. As He Simu fled into the woods, she realized she was being hunted. Daoist Mingfeng and the fake He Xiaoxiao cornered her, using a terrified Chenying as their pawn.

The impostor demanded that the boy retrieve He Simu’s Spirit Lantern—the jade pendant she wore—threatening to abandon him if he refused. The Daoist then pressed a knife into Chenying’s hand, poisoning his mind with the claim that He Simu was a malevolent spirit who had murdered his father by devouring his soul. They urged the boy to strike her down, promising that he could finally go to the battlefield if he committed the deed.

Chenying, realizing the He Simu pressuring him to kill was an imposter, threw his blade at her. As the fake He Simu attempted to attack, Chenying shielded He Simu, who then used her own body to intercept a hidden projectile aimed at the boy. She handed her jade pendant to Chenying, instructing him to find Meng Wan, while the imposter commanded a Daoist priest to hunt the child down. He Simu had long since identified the intruder as Fang Chang.

Once exposed, Fang Chang revealed his motive: to avenge Yinyin. Meanwhile, Duan Xu noticed a flock of crows and sensed danger; he cut his mission short, ordering Han Lingqiu to proceed to Yunzhou while he and Xia Qingsheng returned to Shuo Province. As Duan Xu’s sense of touch returned, He Simu’s spiritual powers also began to recover. Before her full strength returned, Fang Chang had severely wounded her and used the Puppet Technique to manipulate mortals to attack.

Experiencing near-death for the first time, He Simu felt the fragility of humanity, but once her power restored, she easily subdued Fang Chang. Duan Xu intercepted and rescued Chenying from the pursuing priest on his way back. Back at the residence, Meng Wan tended to He Simu’s wounds. Having shed her former hostility, Meng Wan defended He Simu against gossip, regardless of her nature as a Spirit.

When Chenying regained consciousness, he expressed a desire to become stronger to protect He Simu alongside Duan Xu. During this conversation, Duan Xu admitted his romantic feelings for He Simu, though he acknowledged that she did not reciprocate them in the same way. Duan Xu brought the captured priest before Marshal Qin, exposing him as a fraud who had slandered a hero, and submitted his intelligence report from Yunzhou.

Meanwhile, Yan Ke, enraged by Fang Chang’s assault on He Simu, confronted the prisoner. Fang Chang mocked Yan Ke, calling him a "lapdog" and claiming He Simu would never love him. When Yan Ke later reported the prisoner’s status to He Simu and attempted to probe her feelings toward Duan Xu, she grew cold, warning him not to overstep his bounds and to focus solely on his duties.

Following a decisive victory that reclaimed the territories of Luozhou and Yunzhou, Duan Xu and the Liang army entered a period of temporary respite as North Chong became embroiled in an internal succession struggle. With hostilities paused, Duan Xu prepared to report back to Nandu, though he first made time to see his allies.

Before they parted ways, Duan Xu revealed a secret to He Simu: he had consumed a powerful artifact known as the "Wannling Lantern," which allowed him to perceive spirits and navigate the spirit world. To ensure He Simu’s safety while their "five senses" contract left her vulnerable and without spiritual power, Duan Xu had taken on the mantle of a spirit to protect her.

As a result of their deep bond, He Simu regained her sense of smell—a discovery that delighted her and led the duo to travel to the fragrance-rich city of Youzhou. In Youzhou, He Simu began studying the art of fragrance under a master named Liu Ruyu, quickly displaying a natural, almost intuitive talent for identifying complex scents.

During their time in the city, Duan Xu encountered a young spirit named "Mai Zi," whose casual remarks revealed that He Simu’s mother had once been a sorcerer of Starhaven, offering a crucial clue regarding her mysterious lineage. Meanwhile, they discovered that a local merchant, Yili'er, had been using his wealth and influence to facilitate dark transactions, allegedly dealing with Song Xingyu, the long-missing Lord of Jiling Temple.

One rainy night, while sharing wine and conversation, He Simu experienced the world through her newfound sense of smell, vividly perceiving the scents of rain and earth. As she grew intoxicated, a romantic moment between her and Duan Xu was abruptly interrupted by an assassin. They successfully repelled the attacker, with Duan Xu neutralizing a mysterious light on the battlefield. The following day, He Simu was summoned by Yili'er.

Though he attempted to mask his true intentions with offers of friendship, He Simu easily saw through his facade, recognizing that he had orchestrated the assassination attempt to test her capabilities. After she sternly rejected his overtures and exposed his sinister nature, Yili'er had her seized. Despite the danger, He Simu remained composed, fully aware of his deceptive schemes and his connection to the rogue spirit Song Xingyu.

He Simu had been carefully observing the situation, biding her time to draw out Song Xingyu. She had identified that Yili'er’s treasure evaluations were a sophisticated scam; while he claimed to distinguish authentic artifacts from fakes by "listening" to them, he was secretly swapping the genuine treasures for replicas, which he would then have his servants publicly destroy to maintain the ruse. Meanwhile, in the palace, Yan Ke was consumed by his frustration regarding He Simu and Duan Xu.

When his Left Minister, Jiang Ai, correctly pointed out the cause of his agitation, Yan Ke grew defensive and ordered his subordinates to monitor He Simu’s activities in the mortal world. Song Xingyu, still coveting both the Spirit Lantern and Duan Xu’s Deliverance Sword, equipped his underling with Gold-threaded Gloves—a tool designed to suppress the aura of spiritual artifacts. Duan Xu had gathered intelligence about Yili'er and his son, Luda, a High Priest in the capital.

Duan Xu recognized Luda as an acquaintance from the "All-Knowing" and noted the disturbing trend of Yili'er’s other children dying in infancy. Although he shared these findings with He Simu, he remained convinced that Luda was not complicit in his father’s corruption. He Simu, however, remained unfazed, confident that their enemies would reveal themselves as they chased after what they desired.

Yili'er approached the pair under the guise of fear, claiming that he suspected Duan Xu was an evil spirit and asking him to intercept his son, Luda, who was returning home for a visit. He Simu, sensing a trap set by Song Xingyu and Yili'er, urged Duan Xu to comply. While on his way, Duan Xu was ambushed by Song Xingyu's followers. Despite their specialized gloves, they were no match for the Deliverance Sword, and they were forced to retreat.

Duan Xu successfully located Luda and, finding no malice in him, traveled back with him to the estate. In Duan Xu’s absence, Song Xingyu attempted to eliminate He Simu. Unable to find her true fatal weak point, he lured her into a manufactured dreamscape. In this illusion, He Simu encountered her deceased parents, who attempted to convince her that death was the only escape from her suffering. She immediately saw through the deception, refusing to succumb to their manipulation.

As Song Xingyu moved to strike, Duan Xu returned and intervened. Outmatched by Duan Xu, Song Xingyu was forced to flee. In the aftermath, the pair shared an intimate moment where Duan Xu admitted how deeply he had worried for her, a gesture that brought them even closer.

Luda confronted his father, Yili'er, after discovering that the older man had been making dark bargains with evil spirits for years. He realized that the tragic, early deaths of his siblings were not accidents, but the cost of his father’s desperate desire to maintain their family’s status within the Royal Court. Yili'er attempted to justify his actions, claiming he only sought to restore their honor and secure Luda’s position as the Young Priest.

However, Duan Xu interjected, pointing out that Song Xingyu had likely recognized Yili'er’s greed long ago and used him to further his own ends. Devastated by the realization that he had effectively sacrificed his own children for a lie, Yili'er collapsed in grief. By the next morning, the once-grand House of Yili'er had crumbled. The family’s treasures vanished overnight, and the servants and concubines fled the estate.

The tragedy was compounded by the news that the youngest master had drowned during the night. Left with nothing but each other, Luda decided to take his father back to the capital, Shangjing, to atone for their sins, vowing never to return to Youzhou. Before parting, Luda spoke to Duan Xu about his enduring faith in Cangshen, though Duan Xu remained skeptical.

Duan Xu pointed out how that same faith had been used as a justification for the Chong people to seize Great Liang’s land and slaughter its people. Despite their past, Duan Xu acknowledged that they were no longer friends and might one day meet as enemies on the battlefield. Meanwhile, a crisis emerged within Guixu. The ongoing wars in the mortal world had caused a massive influx of wandering spirits, placing an unbearable strain on the Fusang Tree.

The Right Hand, Yan Ke, and the Left Hand, Jiang Ai, struggled to maintain the tree as its trunk began to wither and crack under the weight of the restless souls. Sensing the disturbance from the mortal realm, He Simu prepared to return to the Spirit World to address the damage, as only the Spirit Lord possessed the power to truly stabilize the tree. Before her departure, He Simu spent a final quiet moment with Duan Xu.

She presented him with a specially crafted sachet, and they once again exchanged their five senses. As He Simu experienced the fragrance of rare wildflowers through Duan Xu, he urged her to take him with her. He feared that if she returned to Guixu now, he would be long dead by the time her next official leave arrived.

Invoking the wish she still owed him from their bargain, Duan Xu insisted on following her into the Spirit World, despite He Simu’s warnings that entering Guixu as a mortal was a fate more terrifying than death. They traveled to the depths of the Cyan Sea, where the massive Fusang Tree stood. He Simu used her powers to temporarily mend the surface cracks on the trunk, though she noted it would take more time to heal it completely.

To enter Guixu, Duan Xu had to jump into a violent vortex at the base of the tree. He Simu warned him that the powerful upward force of the spirits could easily tear his mortal flesh apart, but Duan Xu did not hesitate. Relying on his Powang Sword and his own sheer will, he successfully descended through the perilous passage and arrived in the Spirit World.

He Simu’s return to the Xuling Temple was met with a grand welcome from her subordinates, but she immediately turned her attention to the chaos at hand. During a formal assembly, she addressed the overcrowding of Guixu and the escape of evil spirits. Jiang Ai, who managed the treasury, complained about the high cost of spirit stones, but He Simu prioritized stability. She ordered the expansion of housing and the opening of the North Abyss.

To encourage spirits to pass on, she set a high incentive: any official who could persuade a spirit to enter the Ascension Pool would be rewarded with 30,000 spirit stones, with no upper limit on the bounty. The Spirit Lord then moved to the sentencing of those who had failed her. Fang Chang, who had colluded with Song Xingyu and murdered his lover for the sake of his career, was sentenced to be annihilated.

Before his execution, he was handed over to Yan Zhang, the Vice Lord of Xuling Temple, who promised to make his final three days a living nightmare. Guan Huai was punished for his lack of oversight; He Simu ordered half of his hair to be shorn—a devastating blow, as a spirit’s hair represents their very life and does not grow back. Finally, she addressed Duan Xu.

As punishment for his previous boldness in "offending" her while she was powerless in the mortal world, she ordered him to be bound and hung outside the temple gates for three days. As he hung there, the local spirits gathered around, eyeing the mortal as a "tender and delicious" curiosity.

He Simu presided over the halls of the Void, rewarding Yan Zhang, the Vice Lord of Xuling Temple, with ten thousand spirit stones for her effective methods in dealing with the traitor Fang Chang. Amidst the cold formality of the realm, Duan Xu remained curious about the woman who brought him here. He approached Jiang Ai, the Left Chancellor, questioning her about his sword, the Broken Delusion.

Jiang Ai revealed that the blade was forged by He Simu’s aunt, Hejia Jixi, and noted with a smirk that He Simu clearly hadn't shared much of her history with him. When Duan Xu pressed for stories of He Simu’s childhood and her parents, Jiang Ai teased him, offering to sell such precious information for half a million spirit stones—a price far beyond a mortal's reach.

As night fell and the curfew began, Yan Ke, the Right Chancellor, encountered Duan Xu. Their exchange was sharp; Yan Ke viewed the mortal as a mere toy for He Simu’s amusement, while Duan Xu boldly claimed that his presence in the Void was a sign of her unique favor. When Yan Ke took offense at Duan Xu calling the Sovereign by her name, Duan Xu dismissed his anger, stating their intimacy was private.

Left alone as the curfew settled, Duan Xu was suddenly ambushed by a vengeful spirit. He managed to fight it off, though his arm was wounded in the struggle. Nursing his injury, Duan Xu wandered through the desolate landscape until he stumbled upon a warded enclosure. Inside was a lush, familiar courtyard that mirrored the mortal world. To his surprise, he found He Simu there. She was startled by his intrusion, wondering how a mortal could bypass her barriers.

Duan Xu, ever charming, joked that perhaps the cottage simply liked him. The two shared a quiet moment among the relics of her past. Duan Xu brought up the kiss they had shared in the mortal world, recalling how she had stared at him in silence afterward.

He guessed that while she initially wanted him to regret it, she eventually realized he was sincere, which was why she had only punished him by hanging him at the gate instead of taking his life. He Simu, touched but unwilling to let him become too bold, warned him that he didn't belong in such a place before using her magic to send him back to the palace gates.

Finding himself back at the entrance, Duan Xu noticed the rope he had cut during the earlier struggle; determined to finish his sentence, he tied it back together and hoisted himself up once more to complete the three-day punishment He Simu had decreed. The following morning, He Simu and Yan Ke returned from repairing the cracks in the Fusang Tree. As they passed the gate, the resident spirits whispered about the perceived intimacy between the Sovereign and her Right Chancellor.

Duan Xu, however, called out to Yan Ke. He pointedly mentioned that the spirit which attacked him during the curfew carried the same scent as the Chancellor. He warned Yan Ke that killing him would only tarnish He Simu’s reputation, reminding him that in the Spirit World, only the Sovereign held the right to his life.

Later, a spirit named Maizi, who had once been used by Song Xingyu in the mortal world, was assigned to serve Duan Xu as a spirit servant. She explained that she was redeeming herself by working off her debts. During their talk, Duan Xu inquired about the forbidden area on the mountainside of Xusheng Mountain, but Maizi warned him that only He Simu was permitted there. As a second night of curfew arrived, Duan Xu’s mortal body began to fail.

Exhausted and having gone two days without food, he collapsed outside He Simu’s sleeping hall. He Simu found him and summoned Jiang Ai to prepare a lavish feast of human food.

Jiang Ai observed the mortal’s deep devotion and suggested that He Simu simply grant him a title and keep him, but He Simu remained firm; she intended to send him back to the mortal world as soon as he recovered, fearing that the Void was no place for a human to linger. When Duan Xu awoke to the smell of food, he ate ravenously, though he admitted he could hardly bear to finish such a rare kindness.

He Simu eventually found him hanging at the gate again, trying to complete the final minutes of his three-day punishment despite his deteriorating state. Realizing the extreme cold of the Void had already begun to invade his heart meridians, she hurriedly took him into her chambers to heal him. She explained that the horrific screams of the spirits during the full moon were amplified by his mortal senses, making the Void a place of torment for him.

Duan Xu, however, insisted on living his short life as he chose, even if it meant risking death to be near her. His recovery was interrupted when He Simu had to deal with the traitorous Fang Chang. Duan Xu convinced Maizi to let him watch the proceedings in secret. In the execution square, Yan Zhang used her powers to torment Fang Chang with illusions of his past victim, Yin Yin. Fang Chang, knowing his end was near, remained defiant.

He mocked He Simu, calling her a tyrant who ruled only through strength. He cursed her, claiming that her downfall would eventually mirror his own and that many others secretly wished for her death. He Simu remained unmoved by his accusations. She formally sentenced him for his attempted assassination and violation of the laws, ordering his soul to be annihilated.

The process was agonizing; as a spirit with no natural senses, Fang Chang’s pain was artificially congealed through spirit power as a final punishment. As the other hall lords watched in terror, Fang Chang dissolved into nothingness. Turning away from the execution, He Simu’s eyes landed on Duan Xu hiding in the shadows, her expression hardening with anger at his presence.

Duan Xu’s life in the Void remained relatively safe because he carried the aura of He Simu, the Sovereign of Spirits, which prevented local spirits from treating him as prey. While exploring with his spirit servant, Maizi, he observed the Thirty-two Golden-wall Decrees carved into a mountain. Maizi explained that while most spirits loathed these restrictive laws, they were the foundation of the Void’s stability.

Duan Xu also learned about the Nine-Square Maze Prison and the Execution Platform, sacred sites where spirits are punished for violating the decrees. Yan Ke, the Right Hand, confronted Duan Xu at the Execution Platform, questioning how a mortal could withstand the righteous energy there or wield the spirit weapon known as the Deliverance Sword. Duan Xu remained undeterred, noting that Yan Ke’s hostility was fueled by three centuries of unrequited feelings for He Simu.

Yan Ke warned him that the Sovereign’s interest was fleeting, but their argument was interrupted when Duan Xu’s cold poison flared up. Despite Maizi’s efforts to warm him with braziers, the chill was bone-deep. He Simu arrived and set up a protective barrier to suppress the poison, on the condition that Duan Xu remained within ten steps of her—a proximity he was happy to maintain.

Administrative duties continued as Yan Ke registered new spirits and posted recruitment notices for excavating the North Abyss. He offered a reward of thirty thousand spirit stones, a sum that tempted many spirits despite the immense danger. Later, He Simu took the unprecedented step of bringing Duan Xu with her to the Great Hall, causing the other Hall Lords to gossip about the mortal favorite.

During the meeting, Yan Ke reported that while other tasks were on track, the spirit ascension project was failing; spirits burdened by deep obsessions were refusing to enter the Ascension Pool. He Simu urged Yan Ke to consult with Jiang Ai, the Left Hand, and advised him to rest, though her concern only fueled his jealousy. Seeking to exploit the situation, Jiang Ai approached Yan Ke with a deal.

She offered him a Cloud Tripod forged with South Blaze, claiming its heat could suppress Duan Xu’s cold poison and alleviate He Simu’s worries. In exchange, she demanded that Yan Ke provide the Spirit Officials for the North Abyss excavation while she managed the spirit stone mining. Yan Ke agreed, secretly intending for the tripod’s spirit power to eventually seep into Duan Xu’s organs and destroy him.

However, his plan was foiled when he presented the gift to He Simu, only to find that Jiang Ai had already provided her with a secret method to permanently eradicate the cold poison. Though frustrated by the greed and cunning of the Left Hand, Yan Ke was forced to uphold his end of the mining agreement. Following Jiang Ai’s method, He Simu led Duan Xu to search for a Crystal Orchid at least three hundred years old.

She warned him that these flowers could read memories and trap people in illusions. As they searched, Duan Xu caught glimpses of Nandu before they were both pulled into a shared vision of He Simu’s past. He watched a younger He Simu living a simple life in the mountains with her parents, who treated her like a genuine mortal.

Despite the warmth of the memory, He Simu warned that the illusion was actively feeding on her spirit power and Duan Xu's soul. Duan Xu used his heightened five senses to perceive the spirit sense of He Simu’s father outside the illusion, which guided them toward the exit. The spirit sense led them to a "gift" left behind by the former Sovereign for a time when He Simu would bring someone truly important to that place.

This gift was a potent Crystal Orchid. After they escaped, He Simu had Duan Xu consume the orchid in small doses to merge it with his heart meridian, finally allowing him to leave her side temporarily without the threat of the cold poison. However, the combined effort of repairing the Fusang Tree and maintaining the barrier left He Simu visibly weakened.

The struggle for spirit ascension remained difficult, as spirits like Lei Qi adamantly refused to leave, claiming the Void as their home. Later that night, despite the curfew, Duan Xu requested a walk under the moonlight. He Simu accompanied him, eventually taking him flying high above the realm. Duan Xu admitted a newfound weakness: a fear of heights, though he noted he was less afraid when He Simu held him.

He marveled at how the Void looked like a beautiful ink painting from above. When He Simu jokingly asked what would happen if she dropped him, Duan Xu quipped that her favorite head-bone would be shattered, prompting her to remark that he should be grateful to his skull for saving his life.

As night deepens over the Void, He Simu and Duan Xu stand together on a high precipice. He Simu playfully asks what would happen if she were to drop him from such a height. Duan Xu wittily reminds her of her fondness for his skull, noting that if he fell, it would be shattered into pieces.

Moved, He Simu tells him he should thank his skull for saving his life, while Duan Xu gazes at her, telling her she has always been wonderful, both in the past and in the present. Their moment is interrupted by a spirit near the Ascension Pool. The spirit is pacing back and forth, chanting that the area is his home and no one is permitted to trespass.

When He Simu asks for his name, the spirit grandly identifies himself as General Zhuisi of the Zhou State, claiming he alone is equal to an army. However, He Simu finds no record of a "General Zhuisi" in the Book of Spirits. Duan Xu recalls reading about such a figure in an ancient book of warfare—a commander who rose to fame at Yuanlu but was eventually trapped and killed at Luofeng Village.

He Simu explains to Duan Xu that the Ascension Pool has the power to dissolve a spirit's obsessions, granting them freedom if they jump in willingly. However, few ever choose to do so. This spirit, who believes himself to be the legendary general, is actually a wandering ghost named A Si who has stayed by the pool for a millennium.

Even as dawn breaks, he remains at his post, driven by a phantom duty to guard the gate against invisible enemies. Yan Ke, the Right Chancellor, soon arrives with his subordinates to punish the spirit for offending He Simu and disrupting the order of the Void. He Simu briefly hides herself before intervening to stop Yan Ke’s harsh treatment, ordering the spirit to be left to her.

She realizes that A Si has been trapped in a loop of trauma, believing that by guarding the pool, he is defending his lost home. She decides to use her magic to delve into his memories to find the truth behind his obsession. In the vision, it is revealed that A Si was once a lonely spirit who wandered into Luofeng Village.

Instead of fearing him, the villagers treated him like family; an aunt made him clothes, an uncle gave him rice, and a young girl asked him to tie her bracelet. He lived a life of warmth until the real General Zhuisi retreated to the village and his army was wiped out.

When the village was burned to the ground and everyone he loved died, A Si was so traumatized that he donned the general’s armor, convincing himself he was the protector of Luofeng Village. He Simu gently confronts A Si with the reality that the war ended long ago and the people he loved are gone.

She tells him that a home is not just a building, but the memories of people, and that those who once remembered him have already moved on. Understanding at last, A Si finds peace and willingly walks into the Ascension Pool. His departure serves as a powerful example, encouraging many other spirits to follow the Ascension Decree and let go of their own lingering attachments. Later, Duan Xu expresses interest in seeing the more lively side of the Void.

Maizi leads him to the Xuling Temple, the grandest pleasure den in the realm, managed by the Left Chancellor, Jiang Ai. The temple is a place of opulence and vice, and entry requires a fee of spirit stones. Since Duan Xu has none, he borrows all of Maizi’s meager savings just to get through the door. Inside, they find Jiang Ai, who is intrigued by the mortal guest.

Jiang Ai, a woman who boasts she has never lost a bet, challenges Duan Xu to a match. If he wins, he may roam the temple freely; if he loses, he must leave. They begin with a game of dice. Duan Xu attempts to rely on his five senses to predict the outcome, but he initially fails because sensory perception in the Void is different. However, he adapts quickly, catching up to her and eventually forcing a tie.

To settle the match, they move to a challenge of archery. The goal is to shoot golden leaves falling from the Money Tree. Jiang Ai displays masterful skill, but Duan Xu takes a bold approach. He fires a shot that manages to pierce three leaves at once, securing his victory. The surrounding spirits, who had all bet their savings on Jiang Ai, groan in despair at their financial ruin.

It is then revealed that Jiang Ai had orchestrated the entire scene. Before the match, she had set up a side bet where she was the only one to wager on Duan Xu. By "losing" the match, she effectively cleaned out the pockets of everyone else in the room. He Simu, who had been watching from the shadows, knows that Jiang Ai clearly showed mercy, as a mortal could never truly defeat her.

Jiang Ai admits she was impressed by Duan Xu's final move and suggests to He Simu that she should keep such an interesting person around for a few more days. He Simu’s expression darkens at the suggestion, and she departs in silence.

He Simu carefully selected a new outfit for an upcoming event, seeking something splendid yet light enough not to hinder her movements. Though she found the initial design too ornate, she settled on a modified version. Duan Xu soon learned the reason for these preparations: the Void Tournament, held once every century, was about to begin.

On this day, any spirit could challenge the Sovereign; a victory meant claiming the throne of the Void, while a loss meant waiting another hundred years to try again. Duan Xu expressed deep concern for He Simu, sensing that her spirit power had been significantly depleted recently from repairing the Fusang tree. He Simu was surprised that a mortal like him could perceive the fluctuations in her power.

Despite his pleas for her to skip the contest, she insisted it was a necessity. She explained that the spirits of the Void were driven by intense, inextinguishable desires, and the tournament served as a vital vent for their obsessions. Without it, she would face constant assassination attempts and potential mass revolt. Before the event, Duan Xu presented her with a handmade gift he had spent days crafting.

Though He Simu dismissively called it a "boring thing," she ultimately accepted it. Reflecting on her past, He Simu remembered her childhood when she first followed her parents back to the Void. Back then, she resented the place because her father, the Sovereign, was always occupied with his duties. Her mother had gently taught her that the Sovereign bore a heavy responsibility to maintain the balance between the human and spirit realms.

Though her mother predicted she would one day understand, He Simu had never truly wanted the throne; she had accepted it only out of necessity. As the tournament began, the curfew was lifted, and the city hummed with energy under the full moon. Jiang Ai accompanied Duan Xu to watch the preliminary matches, where spirits fought in a massive melee to determine the top ten groups.

When the time came for the final round, He Simu descended in a striking red robe. To save time, she challenged the final ten groups to face her all at once and quickly dispatched them with ease. The atmosphere shifted when a formidable spirit named Wu Kui stepped forward. A former lord of the Yao Spirit Hall who had spent a century training in the North Sea, Wu Kui sought not the throne, but the honor of defeating He Simu.

He approached the duel with fatalistic resolve: he would either prevail or perish. Recognizing his determination, He Simu granted his wish. She summoned the Kunwu Blade and struck him down, causing him to vanish into dust. Among the challengers were two mysterious spirits clad in black, emitting a strange scent that only Duan Xu could detect.

They attempted the Chiling Secret Technique—a sinister method that drains an opponent's spirit power—but He Simu overwhelmed them by unleashing more power than they could possibly withstand. As they were destroyed, the peculiar scent vanished. Sensing something was wrong, He Simu immediately left the arena to investigate, with the Right Hand, Yan Ke, following close behind. Duan Xu, still tracking the lingering scent, followed it to Qifeng House, the domain of Jiang Ai.

While they were speaking, Jiang Ai received word that He Simu had been ambushed in the Void Valley. Although Duan Xu was frantic with worry, Jiang Ai reassured him that Yan Ke was with her and the threat had been dealt with. By the time Duan Xu reached the palace, He Simu had already returned to her bedchamber.

She was cold and distant, informing him that she needed to recuperate in total seclusion and ordering him to move to the side chamber. Inside the palace, He Simu and Yan Ke discussed the disturbing details of the ambush. The attackers were spirits who had been officially recorded as "feathered", meaning they should no longer have existed.

He Simu suspected the spirits were being controlled by someone with immense spirit power and a fierce obsession—characteristics that pointed toward a figure from the Nine-Square Maze Prison who was supposed to have been annihilated centuries ago. She ordered Yan Ke to conduct a secret investigation. Outside the chamber, Duan Xu lingered, unwilling to leave. He was soon confronted by Yan Ke, who mocked him as a "useless mortal" and a mere passing amusement for He Simu.

Yan Ke boasted of his centuries of loyalty, claiming he was the only one who could truly stay by her side forever. Duan Xu retorted by calling the Right Hand shameless for his own obsessive clinging. As the tension grew, Yan Ke demanded to know what a mortal like Duan Xu could possibly offer the Sovereign.

He Simu remains occupied with the taxing administrative duties of the Void while her chancellors, Jiang Ai and Yan Ke, investigate the recent attacks. Their findings reveal that the spirits used in the tournament and the puppets in the valley were all manipulated through the forbidden Chiling Secret Technique. This points toward a formidable spirit named Bai Sanxing.

Historical records state that Bai Sanxing was sent to the Nine-Square Maze Prison three centuries ago, where He Simu personally destroyed his soul candle—an act that should have led to his total annihilation. Despite this, the evidence suggests a powerful enemy is once again looming over the Sovereign. As He Simu recovers her depleted power, Jiang Ai finds Duan Xu waiting persistently outside the Sovereign’s door.

She urges him to rest, reminding him not to squander the efforts He Simu made to cure his cold poison. The tension between the two chancellors soon comes to a head. Yan Ke, a man Jiang Ai knows to be loyal only to himself and his pursuit of power, confronts her about her lingering obsession with Bai Sanxing. He even accuses her of using white-haired spirits as substitutes for her old flame and plotting against He Simu.

Jiang Ai counters by reminding Yan Ke of his own past as Bai Sanxing's most trusted vice lord, suggesting he might betray his new master for greater authority. Finally, He Simu opens her doors to Duan Xu for his final round of treatment. As she works to root out the last of his cold poison, Duan Xu offers to help her with the unrest in the Void, just as she once helped him in the mortal world.

He Simu rejects his offer coldly, calling him an insignificant mortal who has no place in her world. She insists that her interest in him was merely a fleeting curiosity. To put a definitive end to their relationship, she kisses him one last time as a final goodbye and instructs Jiang Ai to escort him back to the mortal world the following morning. Duan Xu, however, refuses to leave quietly.

He approaches Jiang Ai and reminds her of her promise to take him anywhere in the Void. He specifically requests to visit the Nine-Square Maze Prison, the terrifying jail for spirits burdened by extreme desire and sin. Jiang Ai eventually agrees, leading him to the mountain spirit Xusheng, whose body forms the prison itself. Noticing the heavy aura of the Sovereign on Duan Xu, Xusheng is reminded of the mortal spouse of a previous Sovereign and allows them entry.

Equipped with soul candles to prevent them from getting lost in the darkness, they venture deep into the prison. There, they are shocked to find Bai Sanxing has indeed survived. During a confrontation, the powerful spirit manages to break Duan Xu’s soul candle. In the ensuing chaos, Duan Xu decides to leap into the pitch-black depths of the prison. Terrified, Jiang Ai rushes back to report the catastrophe to He Simu.

Despite Yan Ke’s warnings that entering the prison without a candle leads to eternal annihilation, He Simu is determined to save Duan Xu. She reveals to Yan Ke that Duan Xu is her Spell Bearer, her property whose fate is linked to her own. She enters the prison, intent on relighting his candle with her own flame.

Inside the nightmare realm, Duan Xu is tormented by visions of a cruel He Simu who mocks his feelings and memories of his father refusing to help him as a child. When the real He Simu finally reaches him, she finds him deeply lost in despair, and he initially threatens her with a sword in his confusion. She calls out to him, urging him to wake from the illusion.

As their spirits connect, the world around them shifts into a vibrant, peaceful dream. For the first time in centuries, He Simu is startled to realize she has regained her senses; she can feel the texture of the bedsheets and smell the air. Waking up in this domestic sanctuary, she sees Duan Xu, who warmly invites her to join him for a meal.

In the illusion of the Nine-Square Maze Prison, He Simu and Duan Xu experienced a peaceful life in the mortal realm. With the seventeen prefectures finally restored, He Simu stepped down as the Sovereign of the Void to live as an ordinary couple with Duan Xu. She spent her days making snacks, playfully forcing Duan Xu to eat her creations, including crisps made with celery leaves and cilantro—his favorite flavors, which she jokingly found strange.

They made a pact to live without spirit power, but while He Simu remained eternally young, Duan Xu aged naturally. As an old man riddled with the scars of his past battles, Duan Xu eventually passed away in her arms. Devastated by the realization of her eternal loneliness, He Simu wept, retracting her permission for him to leave and begging him not to go.

When they finally emerged from the prison's illusion back into the reality of the Void, Duan Xu collapsed from exhaustion. Despite his physical state, he felt a profound sense of comfort, noting that for the first time in his life, someone had actually come to take him home.

He Simu carried him back to her palace, while Jiang Ai watched with relief, having feared she would be unable to answer to the other Hall Lords if something happened to the Sovereign. Meanwhile, the Right Chancellor Yan Ke watched He Simu’s devotion to the mortal with a growing, silent fury. Duan Xu remained in a deep coma, suffering from a severe heat toxin contracted within the prison.

Preoccupied with his condition, He Simu made the unprecedented move of holding the morning court assembly at the very entrance of her bedchamber. This sparked scandalous gossip among the Hall Lords, who whispered that their Sovereign was "infatuated" and neglectful of her duties. During the assembly, however, He Simu maintained a terrifying authority, threatening to annihilate anyone who showed dissent or falsified records before dismissing them to attend to Duan Xu.

After the court was dismissed, Yan Ke demanded an audience and questioned He Simu's decision to keep the mortal in her private quarters. He argued that Duan Xu was a distraction, but He Simu remained unmoved, coldly stating that if the Lords were dissatisfied, she would simply kill them. When Yan Ke continued to protest, she turned her sharp tongue on him, asking if it was the Lords who were unhappy or Yan Ke himself.

She reminded him that as the Right Chancellor, he was merely an official who should stick to his duties and never overstep his bounds again. Feeling insulted and discarded, Yan Ke returned to his own palace. There, he was met by Yan Zhang, a spirit who harbored a deep affection for him. When she tried to get close to him, he harshly pushed her away, telling her she wasn't worthy.

Years ago, when Yan Zhang first became a spirit, Yan Ke had helped her bypass the laws of the Void to execute a man who had betrayed her in the mortal world. He had retrieved a jade pendant she once gave the man and taught her that rules only mattered to the weak; with enough power, one could obtain anything.

In the quiet of the bedchamber, the Left Chancellor Jiang Ai confessed her guilt to He Simu for allowing Duan Xu into the prison. He Simu warned her that there would be no next time but chose not to punish her. Jiang Ai pointed out that even as his soul candle was being extinguished in the prison, Duan Xu’s only wish was to survive so he could learn more about He Simu’s past and share her burdens.

She told He Simu plainly that the boy had truly fallen for her and that He Simu clearly reciprocated those feelings through her unusual indulgence and concern. Left alone with the unconscious Duan Xu, He Simu watched over him as he absorbed the spiritual energy of Ice Jade to combat his fever. She held his hand, remembering how he once told her that ten fingers are tied to the heart.

In that quiet moment, as she gripped his hand, she whispered to him that this time, he truly had a hold on her heart. She waited by his side, hoping for the man who had risked everything to understand her to finally wake up.

At the entrance of He Simu’s bedchamber, the hall masters gathered in a restless assembly, their voices rising in protest against the mortal Duan Xu's presence in the Void. Yan Ke stood among them, subtly fueling their discontent regarding Jiang Ai’s decision to bring Duan Xu into the Nine-Square Maze Prison. They argued that such an act was a grave violation of the Golden-wall Decrees and demanded a trial.

Hearing the growing clamor, He Simu finally opened the doors, her expression one of cold annoyance. As she stood there, Yan Ke caught a glimpse of Duan Xu lying in her bed, and he silently clenched his fists in a jealous rage. Facing the assembly, He Simu demanded to know why they had stopped speaking. When the hall masters insisted on a legal punishment for Jiang Ai, He Simu turned to her Left Hand.

Jiang Ai admitted to the violation but argued that since the mortal survived, her crime did not warrant death. Yan Ke suggested a sentence of thirty lashes. He Simu accepted his proposal and ordered the execution to take place immediately in front of everyone, further decreeing that Yan Ke himself perform the flogging. By doing so, she ensured Jiang Ai would survive while maintaining the appearance of a strict ruler. The execution was brutal.

Yan Ke used his Spine Whip, crafted from Thunderous Crystal Keel, and intentionally injected his spirit power into each strike. While an ordinary spirit might have been annihilated by a single blow, Jiang Ai’s deep cultivation allowed her to endure. Despite the pain, she taunted Yan Ke, noting that the Sovereign was openly shielding her and that his chance for personal vengeance was running out.

After the final lash, He Simu dismissed the crowd, returning to her chamber where she could hear Duan Xu calling her name in his sleep. Back in her own palace, Jiang Ai tended to her wounds. Yan Zhang arrived to offer her Glacial Elixir, a tribute from the Frigid Land known for its rapid healing properties. Jiang Ai remained composed, asserting that she must maintain her usual routine to show she hadn't lost her influence.

Reflecting on her injuries, Jiang Ai realized this was the second time she had suffered because of the traitor Bai Sanxing, and she vowed to repay the debt a thousandfold. Later, Jiang Ai brought a tonic for Duan Xu to He Simu’s quarters. She reminded He Simu of the bet she had made with Duan Xu in the prison: if he returned alive, she would tell him of He Simu’s past. He Simu gave her permission to fulfill the promise.

Jiang Ai then questioned He Simu about her own heart, pointing out that she had been caring for Duan Xu with meticulous devotion, even moving the morning assemblies to her bedchamber, yet she still refused to truly accept him. He Simu remained silent, haunted by the realization that Duan Xu did not belong in her world of eternal night. When Duan Xu eventually regained consciousness, he was filled with joy to see He Simu’s face.

To her surprise, he remembered the details of the illusion they had shared in the prison. He spoke of the life they lived as a mortal couple, planting fruit trees and cilantro by a stream, and eating cilantro mooncakes filled with peanuts and rock sugar. Though he found the memories beautiful, He Simu viewed them as a source of pain and a reminder of their inevitable parting.

She told him he shouldn't remember such things and used her power to suppress those memories, determined to spare them both the burden of that false happiness. Yan Ke’s resentment continued to fester. He confronted He Simu, questioning why a mortal was allowed to stay in the very palace he had personally built for her. He Simu, skilled in managing his loyalty, told him that this was their home and that only he would always stand by her side.

She claimed that his presence was what truly gave her peace in the Void, a statement that served to placate his growing madness for the time being. As Duan Xu’s strength slowly returned, He Simu began feeding him his bitter medicine. He teased her about her newfound skill in caretaking, wondering if she had practiced in the illusion. Their conversation turned to the dark memories he had recovered from his time with the All-Knowing Sect.

He recalled the blood on his hands and how he had used a memory-erasing potion on Han Lingqiu. He Simu comforted him, declaring that as her spell-bearer, no one in the world would ever force him into such a nightmare again. When he joked that the bitter medicine was its own nightmare, she playfully reminded him that while she protected him from others, she, as a Spirit, was exempt from her own rule.

True to her word, Jiang Ai met with Duan Xu to tell him the story of the Sovereign’s origin. She described how He Simu’s mother was once a sorceress of the Starhaven Sect who gave up her status to marry the former Sovereign. Their wedding was a legendary event, with a red carpet stretching from the Starhaven Sect to the heart of the Void.

He Simu was born during a massive snowstorm, but the following day was met with warmth and sunshine. He Simu had spent her early years in the mortal world, living a carefree life with her parents and helping the humans around them. Tragedy struck when her mother passed away, followed not long after by her father, the former Sovereign.

His death left He Simu alone with the Wan Ling Lamp as the Void fell into total chaos, with various spirits coveting the throne. Even though she was only a century old and her spirit power was not yet at its peak, she was forced to fight for her survival.

In a moment of desperation, she merged her blood with the Wan Ling Lamp, which injected a massive surge of power into her body, allowing her to be reborn as the powerful ruler she is today.

He Simu ultimately took up the Kunwu Blade, assuming her role as the Sovereign of Spirits and embracing the same lonely path her father once walked. Since the departure of her parents, He Simu had changed profoundly; Jiang Ai observed that she had hardened her heart, maintaining a ruthless vigilance that left her seemingly cold and unreachable. For four centuries, she had served both the mortal and spirit realms without expecting or needing anything from those around her.

As Duan Xu recovered, he questioned Jiang Ai about his escape from the Nine Palaces Mystery Prison. Jiang Ai confirmed that while he was the first mortal to survive it, He Simu was the first spirit to do so centuries ago. During a fierce battle with Bai Sanxing within that prison, both of their soul candles were extinguished. However, He Simu achieved a miracle by walking out three days later and relighting her own.

Unlike most spirits who are bound by obsessions, He Simu was able to break free because she was born from love. Once Duan Xu was well enough to leave his bed, He Simu led him to a graveyard where she revealed the tombs of twenty-two mortal lovers she had known over the past four hundred years. Most never knew her true identity, and her time with them was but a fleeting moment in her eternal life.

She confessed that time wears everything away, admitting that one day she would forget even his name. Knowing the hardships of his past, she urged him to return to the human world to find a girl he could truly love, marry, and build a happy family with kin he could rely on.

Duan Xu, however, reminded her of the tenderness she had shown him while he was unconscious—how she had stayed by his side and held his hand whenever he called for her. He challenged her to admit if she truly felt nothing, but He Simu maintained her distance, claiming he was not within her considerations. Despite her cold words, she privately grappled with a new fear.

Duan Xu was the first person to ever "come for her," and she feared she was incapable of protecting his fragile heart from the world's cruelty. Rather than see his heart scarred further, she decided to return it to him intact, wishing for him to achieve his ambitions and live a life of peace. Before his departure, Duan Xu left a final gift for He Simu through Jiang Ai.

It was a collection of notes describing the Void through the lens of mortal senses—the yellow-green glow of summer fireflies and the crimson blooms of roses. He used his poetic talent to gift her a version of the Void that felt alive and vibrant, a stark contrast to the desolation she usually perceived. He Simu was deeply moved by his effort to leave a piece of the mortal world behind for her.

While Duan Xu prepared to leave, the political landscape of the Void remained treacherous. Yan Zhang met with Yan Ke, handing him a hidden ledger she had stolen from Jiang Ai’s temple. Yan Ke promised Yan Zhang that when the time was right, he would remove Jiang Ai from power and appoint Yan Zhang as the Palace Lord.

Their conversation turned to Bai Sanxing; despite his soul candle being snuffed out long ago, Yan Ke had received word that he was still alive and warned that he would eventually become a grave threat. The peace of the Void was soon shattered when Xusheng, the gatekeeper, fell asleep and accidentally left the mountain gate open.

Taking advantage of the lapse, Bai Sanxing escaped and was seen by Jiang Ai at the Ascension Pool, where he was devouring spirits to regain his strength. Though she recognized the danger, Jiang Ai intentionally let him go. Later, during a court assembly, He Simu revealed the token of the Lord of Yuling Temple, announcing that he had met with disaster and was now annihilated.

He Simu ordered a thorough search of the Void for Bai Sanxing, noting that even Xusheng’s memories had been tampered with to hide the truth of the escape. Since Jiang Ai was considered to be under suspicion, the task of the search was handed to Yan Ke. Following the assembly, Yan Ke and Jiang Ai confronted one another. Knowing Bai Sanxing’s ancient obsession with Jiang Ai, Yan Ke suspected her of hiding information.

Jiang Ai countered by reminding Yan Ke that he was the deputy who had betrayed Bai Sanxing centuries ago, suggesting he should be the one looking over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Duan Xu returned to the mortal world, reuniting with Meng Wan, Xia Qingsheng, and Chenying on the road to Nandu. Upon their arrival at the capital, a ceremony was held to celebrate the victory over North Chong.

Marshal Qin was elevated to the status of Duke of Defense, and Fang Xianye received a promotion for his logistics work. Despite Duan Xu being the one to take the enemy general's head, the Emperor ruled that his merits were offset by his earlier defiance of orders. Stripped of his title as General Tabai, Duan Xu was reassigned to the post of Court Counselor, beginning a new chapter of his life in the capital.

Duan Xu has returned to Nandu, bringing his sworn brother Xue Chenying to the Duan Mansion. While the servants are delighted by his return, his sister, Duan Jingyuan, finds Chenying a bit rustic and offers to transform him into a refined Nandu gentleman. Duan Xu firmly declines, insisting that the boy will eventually follow him back to the battlefield and must not become an idle dandy of the capital. The atmosphere remains strained as Duan Xu meets his father.

Plagued by a persistent cough and the memory of losing two sons to war, the elder Duan is displeased with Duan Xu’s lingering military ambitions. He pressures Duan Xu to accept a civilian post in the Bureau of Military Affairs and presents portraits of three high-born ladies—Wang Suyi, Lu Changling, and Xie Qiuyan—insisting he marry to carry on the family line. Duan Xu resists by bringing up the painful history of his parents’ loveless union.

He mentions his father’s childhood sweetheart and his mother’s former fiancé, who was executed for treason. When his father suggests that Duan Xu could simply take the woman he loves as a concubine later, Duan Xu pointedly asks why his father never did the same for his own beloved. Though the conversation ends in cold silence, his father warns him to be wary of Fang Xianye, the influential literary leader who holds sway over the imperial censors.

Amidst the political undercurrents of Nandu, Duan Xu remains determined to reclaim the lost seventeen provinces. In the Void, the hunt for the escaped Bai Sanxing sparks a confrontation between the two ministers. Yan Ke finds Jiang Ai near the traitor’s trail and accuses her of collusion. Jiang Ai retorts that Yan Ke is merely trying to frame her to seize total control.

He Simu arrives to stop the conflict, ordering Jiang Ai to return and accept punishment for her failure. Privately, Yan Ke voices his obsession with He Simu, claiming he is the only one truly looking out for her. He Simu maintains her composure, reassuring him that there will always be a place for him by her throne, as she cannot afford internal strife during such a crisis. However, Yan Ke soon discovers that Yan Zhang has been deceiving him.

He realizes she used secret techniques to enchant her ledgers and was the one who confused Xusheng’s memories to release Bai Sanxing. Yan Zhang admits her plan: she has been feeding spirits to Bai Sanxing to restore his power, all to eliminate He Simu and make Yan Ke the new Sovereign of Spirits, with herself as his consort.

Though Yan Ke threatens her for targeting He Simu, he ultimately decides to let her proceed with the plan to see how far her ambition will go. Panic spreads as Bai Sanxing continues to devour high-ranking spirits. When He Simu abruptly cancels all court assemblies for three days, rumors circulate among the Hall Lords that the Sovereign has been weakened. This perceived vulnerability lures He Simu into a trap.

She finds Bai Sanxing, only to realize he has been forged into a powerful puppet via the Chiling Secret Technique. Yan Zhang reveals herself, using a magical artifact to bind He Simu to a stone pillar. Confident of her victory, Yan Zhang begins to drain He Simu’s spirit power, intending to consume her essence entirely.

Yan Zhang realized too late that she had fallen into a trap meticulously orchestrated by He Simu, Jiang Ai, and Yan Ke. Facing their combined strength, she and Bai Sanxing were easily defeated. As Yan Zhang attempted to flee, Yan Ke struck her down, causing her to dissolve into nothingness. He killed her intentionally to silence the only witness who could prove his own involvement in the rebellion.

Before vanishing, Yan Zhang left him with a chilling curse, prophesying that he would one day die at the hands of the person he loved most. When Yan Ke turned his blade toward the captured Bai Sanxing, Jiang Ai unexpectedly threw herself in front of the prisoner, taking a severe blow to protect him. This unauthorized execution attempt infuriated He Simu, who sternly reminded Yan Ke that he had no authority to dispose of a high-profile prisoner like Bai Sanxing.

She then took the prisoner and Jiang Ai away, ordering medical care for the heavily wounded Left Prime Minister. He Simu remained well aware that Yan Ke’s haste in killing Yan Zhang was a calculated move to cover his tracks. In the aftermath, Yan Ke approached He Simu to cast doubt on Jiang Ai’s loyalty, suggesting she might have been complicit in the uprising due to her past ties with Bai Sanxing.

He Simu remained unmoved, challenging him to bring her concrete evidence before she would take action. When she later visited the recovering Jiang Ai, the latter confessed that despite the years of trauma and being treated like a puppet by Bai Sanxing, she could not bear to watch him die. He Simu observed that Jiang Ai’s feelings for her former captor were far more complex than she was willing to admit.

As order was restored in the Void, He Simu informed Fengyi of her impending visit to Nandu, a prospect that delighted him as he looked forward to seeing his "Grand Ancestor" again. Before her departure, Yan Ke requested a private meeting. He spoke of his desire to transform the desolate Void into a place as vibrant as the Mortal World just for her.

He even presented her with a precious hairpin containing his "vital gate," offering his eternal love and submission. However, He Simu rejected his confession, maintaining that he was her most capable minister and nothing more. When he tried to insist, she sharply reminded him that he was overstepping the boundaries of their sovereign-subject relationship. Meanwhile, in Nandu, Duan Xu accompanied his sister to seek blessings at a temple.

While she went inside, Duan Xu visited his mother, who lived a secluded, religious life. He introduced Xue Chenying, the young boy he had taken under his wing on the battlefield, to her. His mother remained somewhat reserved and guilt-ridden for not being by his side during his difficult years. Duan Xu showed no resentment, stating that he understood his parents had their own pursuits and that even blood relatives could sometimes feel distant.

In his heart, he wished that He Simu were there to offer the comfort he lacked. He Simu eventually arrived in Nandu to meet with Fengyi. To welcome her, Fengyi had dressed with great care and requested to shake her hand, reminiscing about the familiar feeling of being held by her when he was a child. Their conversation was interrupted by his protective maid, Ziji, who insisted that Fengyi's frail health required him to rest immediately.

Watching Ziji lead him away, He Simu caught a glimpse of the deep affection the maid held for her master. The true purpose of He Simu’s visit was for Fengyi to forge a specific magical artifact using a "soul candle" retrieved from the Prison. After three hundred years of waiting, she felt it was finally time to settle an old score, a secret mission she kept entirely to herself.

While roaming the streets afterward, she marveled at the "smoke and fire" of mortal life—the overwhelming mix of scents and sensations unique to the human world. Nearby, Duan Xu was discussing marriage prospects with his sister, who teased him about the ladies their father had chosen. He remarked that he only liked a woman who "could not be found in this world."

Suddenly, he felt a hauntingly familiar presence and chased after a woman in the crowd who resembled He Simu, only to realize he was mistaken. As rain began to fall, the two of them narrowly missed each other in the downpour. Standing in the rain, He Simu closed her eyes, recalling the vivid sensations of the weather she had once shared through Duan Xu’s senses, finding a fleeting moment of beauty in the memory.

While taking shelter from a sudden downpour, Duan Jingyuan encountered a refined gentleman. Her initial interest vanished when he introduced himself as Fang Ji, courtesy name Xianye. Recognizing him as the official who constantly opposes her father and her brother, Duan Xu, she grew cold. Their exchange turned bitter when Fang Xianye recited poetry lines once written by her brother. Offended by what she saw as a calculated imitation of Duan Xu’s brilliance, she dismissed him as a hypocrite.

Despite her anger, she noticed a deep scar on his hand, which he explained was from a bandit attack during his journey to the capital—an ordeal from which Duke Pei had rescued him. Political tensions in Nandu soon escalated. While on his way to see Duke Pei, Fang Xianye was ambushed by assassins. Though the attackers did not intend to kill him, he sustained an injury to his arm.

Duke Pei, having anticipated such a move, had stationed secret guards to ensure Fang's safety and personally bandaged the wound at his residence. The Duke learned that Duan Chengzhang was aggressively arranging marriage prospects for Duan Xu, targeting Wang Suyi (daughter of the Minister of Revenue), Lu Changling (daughter of the Imperial Tutor), and Xie Qiuyan (daughter of Prince Xie).

To block these alliances, the Duke ordered Fang Xianye to visit the Fifth Prince, Han Mingxuan, and his mother, Consort Yu, to arrange for the Prince to claim the brides first. The orchestrated attack on Fang Xianye had indeed been a warning from Duan Xu. Duan Xu later visited his secret operative, Luoxian, a woman he had trained to gather intelligence while working as a musician in a pleasure house.

Luoxian reported on the successful intimidation of Fang Xianye and mentioned a mysterious new "Top Beauty" who had recently arrived—a woman who only wished to hear stories of human tragedy and obsession rather than perform. Unknown to Duan Xu, this woman was He Simu, the Sovereign of Spirits, who had come to the mortal realm to collect "obsessions" to forge a powerful artifact.

At the Fifth Prince’s mansion, a brief moment of chaos erupted when a maid found the Prince lying motionless and believed he had died. Consort Yu, ruthless in maintaining her house's status, silenced the frightened servant permanently before demanding her son stop his pranks. She reminded Han Mingxuan that their cooperation with Duke Pei was the only thing ensuring their future. When Fang Xianye arrived with the list of noble daughters, the Prince jokingly suggested marrying all three.

Consort Yu understood the gravity of the request and urged Fang to remind the Duke of his promise to protect them until the Prince ascended the throne. He Simu found the obsessions gathered at the pleasure house too weak. Her companion, Fengyi (the National Master), suggested that the upcoming palace banquet hosted by Consort Yu would be a better hunting ground.

Duan Xu was also pressured by his father to attend the same banquet to win over the three potential brides. Accompanied by his sister and his friend Meng Wan—a woman who wished to be a general but was also being forced into the marriage market—Duan Xu entered the palace. Amidst the festivities, He Simu sensed the presence of a wandering spirit, but it vanished.

She and Fengyi concluded that only Song Xingyu, equipped with the Glazed Pagoda, could shield a spirit from the Sovereign's detection. As the banquet progressed, Duan Xu noticed that Wang Suyi was visibly uncomfortable under Consort Yu’s scrutiny. Seeking to help her, he requested the Consort’s permission to take the young lady for a walk in the gardens. Perched on a nearby roof, He Simu watched the pair, accidentally dislodging a tile that caught Duan Xu’s attention.

Though he sensed a familiar aura, he dismissed the idea that He Simu would be there. In the garden, Duan Xu and Wang Suyi found common ground in their shared frustration at being used as pawns. Duan Xu encouraged her, suggesting that the only way to escape such a fate was to stop being a piece on the board and start becoming the player who controls the game. Their conversation was eventually interrupted by the arrival of Fang Xianye, who stepped in to catch Wang Suyi when she nearly stumbled.

Leaving the palace banquet, Meng Wan encountered Xia Qingsheng. Although Xia claimed to be looking for Duan Xu, he had actually been waiting specifically for her. Learning that a new shipment of fine wine had arrived at the Yuzao Pleasure House, the two headed there together. Despite his poor alcohol tolerance, Xia was determined to accompany Meng Wan, as he had specifically kept an eye out for the wines she enjoyed.

Meanwhile, He Simu reflected on the marks she had placed on those with deep obsessions during the banquet. She instructed Fengyi to use his status as the Prophet to approach these individuals and collect their obsessions, hoping to track down Song Xingyu, who likely intended to forge pacts with them. Fengyi, however, teased He Simu about Duan Xu’s attentiveness toward Wang Suyi at the party.

Annoyed by his chatter, He Simu told him to focus on his tasks instead of gossiping. Elsewhere in the gardens, Duan Jingyuan ran into Fang Xianye. She was immediately defensive, accusing him of trying to sabotage her brother's potential marriage to Wang Suyi. However, she was stunned to see Fang Xianye carrying a six-petal flower knot—a specific design she believed only her brother knew how to tie.

Angered by what she saw as further imitation of Duan Xu, she warned him to stay away. Back at the Duan residence, Jingyuan asked her brother if he truly had feelings for Wang Suyi. Duan Xu didn’t give a direct answer but requested her help in arranging a private meeting. Jingyuan agreed to use a pending gift of a Suzhou-style fan as an excuse to invite Wang Suyi to the Yuzao Pleasure House.

Later, Duan Xu confessed to his sister that he had fallen for a girl he met on the battlefield—a unique "girl not of this world" who had rejected him, but for whom he would be willing to become a matrilocal husband. The meeting at the Yuzao Pleasure House took place as planned, though it was Wang Suyi’s brother who had selected the venue to "familiarize" her with Duan Xu’s lifestyle.

While the brother went to find his own entertainment with Luoxian, Duan Xu and Wang Suyi spoke by the window. They both realized that while they understood each other's constrained circumstances, there was no romantic interest between them. Suddenly, amidst a summer rain, Duan Xu spotted a woman below holding a red umbrella and a sugar figurine. Sensing it was He Simu, he leaped from the window to pursue her.

Duan Xu initially caught a stranger, but he did not leave. He formally introduced himself as Duan Xu, courtesy name Shunxi, until He Simu finally revealed her true form. He had recognized her because of the sugar figurine shaped like a crow. Their reunion was interrupted by Fengyi, whose familiarity with He Simu puzzled Duan Xu. Before leaving with Fengyi, He Simu handed her umbrella to Duan Xu.

Walking alone in the rain without the umbrella, Duan Xu reflected on the "firsts" He Simu represented—the first to wake his spirit and reach for him in the darkness. He made a silent vow that in this life, he would have no one but her. Meanwhile, Fengyi reported to He Simu that Duan Xu’s military power had been stripped, leaving him with an idle post.

He expressed concern that Duan Xu’s weakened health might fail after the drenching, but He Simu grew angry at his constant talk. Fengyi further reminded her that Wang Suyi remained the woman Duan Xu was intended to marry. He Simu spent several days in Nandu and noticed that despite the city's decadent prosperity, there were no Spirits or spiritual traces to be found. Fengyi suggested Song Xingyu might be responsible.

The next day, Duan Xu asked Jingyuan to visit the Wang family and apologize for his abrupt departure from the meeting, using the excuse that he had been chasing a suspected North Chong spy. He then met with Xia Qingsheng and Meng Wan, who were restless and eager to return to the battlefield. Duan Xu reminded them that while the war seemed settled, certain political matters in Nandu had to be resolved before they could depart.

He Simu eventually returned to the Yuzao Pleasure House, assuming the role of a top beauty to gather more obsessions. Fengyi and his attendant Ziji arrived to meet her, much to the surprise of Luoxian, who didn't expect the Prophet to visit such a place. The atmosphere shifted when He Simu sensed a powerful spiritual presence. She sent Fengyi and Ziji away just as Yan Ke entered her room. Instead of avoiding him, she welcomed the guest.

Yan Ke began to recount a tragic tale of a loyal prince who was framed as a rebel by his younger brother. He looked at He Simu—whom he called "A-Yan"—and asked if she knew how the prince’s story ended.

In the Void, He Simu and the Prophet discuss her penchant for collecting stories from the human realm. The Prophet finds her interest in the transient, often bitter lives of mortals puzzling, and he pointedly asks if she truly desires to become human. Their conversation is interrupted when the Prophet reports that three layers of unknown seals have appeared in the Void Valley.

Although he suspects she may have imprisoned Bai Sanxing there, He Simu clarifies that the valley only contains belongings of the former Spirit Sovereign as a memorial. She offers to let him enter to verify, and the Prophet, acknowledging his role in overseeing the Void's affairs, apologizes for his suspicion. Elsewhere, Duan Xu arrives at the Yuzao Pleasure House, loudly declaring that he has booked the entire establishment for the evening to see He Simu.

When he discovers she is not there, he challenges Yan Ke, who is also present. The two engage in a fierce fight, while He Simu, concealed by her powers, watches from the shadows. Despite Duan Xu’s spirit-powered combat, the two are evenly matched, and after a tense confrontation, Yan Ke departs. Back at the Duan estate, Duan Chengzhang is furious upon hearing of his son’s reckless behavior and brawling over a courtesan.

He imposes harsh family punishments on Duan Xu, which his sister witnesses with heartache. Meanwhile, Duan Xu meets with Wang Suyi. He is direct, acknowledging that while their families expect a union, his heart belongs to another, yet he asks for her hand in marriage regardless. Duan Xu later intercepts Fang Xianye, appearing to abduct him. In truth, the two are close allies and dear friends who have been orchestrating a public feud to better root out corrupt officials.

Duan Xu brings Fang Xianye to meet He Simu, introducing them to one another. He surprises He Simu by asking her to attend his wedding. Though He Simu understands that a mortal like Duan Xu must lead his own life and that their paths are inherently divided, the request leaves her visibly shaken. Later, He Simu consults Fengyi about a suitable wedding gift, leaving him stunned that she would invest so much thought into a mortal.

While shopping for incense, He Simu encounters Duan Xu's sister. They do not recognize one another, but the sister asks about the unique fragrance He Simu is blending. He Simu names the scent "Duan Xu," which deeply intrigues the sister. After learning from her brother that He Simu lacks a sense of smell and wouldn't notice if an ingredient were missing, the sister realizes the irony, while Duan Xu finds He Simu’s oblivious nature endearing.

Duan Xu visits the Yuzao Pleasure House to convene with Fang Xianye and Wang Jin. As the top three scholars of their imperial exam year, the trio works in secret to ensure the stability of Great Liang. Following an imperial court session, Duan Xu recalls the Prophet’s instructions regarding a returned umbrella and heads to the Lotusborn Pavilion.

The Prophet reveals their personal history: He Simu’s original family consisted only of her parents and her aunt and uncle, and he is the twentieth-generation descendant of those relatives—explaining why he calls her his "Great Ancestor." He recounts how she once raised him after his parents died. The Prophet then shares a gift of intelligence regarding Consort Yu’s obsession with peonies, a detail vital to the shifting political tides of the court.

He explains that he helps Duan Xu not for his sake, but because he discovered an old journal that revealed the girl He Simu once was—vibrant, arrogant, and human—before her time stopped at the moment of her father's death. He urges Duan Xu, as her spell-bearer, to finally help her frozen heart begin to move again. Before leaving, Duan Xu asks the Prophet for a blessed flower to use in his ongoing exchange of senses with He Simu.

After Duan Xu departs, Ziji brings medicine to Fengyi. Fengyi expresses his gratitude for her companionship, lamenting that despite her exalted status, she has spent the last decade caring for a sickly mortal like him. He tells her that he has let go of his past youthful defiance and suggests it is time for her to return to where she truly belongs, as he knows his time is limited.

Ziji insists on her course of action, dismisses his request for immortal elixirs, and reminds him that mortals must rely on mortal medicine. Meanwhile, Wang Jin executes an imperial decree to seal the Fifth Prince’s mansion, detaining the Prince on suspicion of involvement in the horse graft scandal. As the Prince remains indifferent, his mother, Consort Yu, panics upon realizing that Duke Pei will no longer shield them.

Song Xingyu, hiding within the Prince, decides they must flee, but they are immediately intercepted by He Simu and Fengyi. Fengyi easily strips Song Xingyu of his magical artifact and uses his power to trap him. Consort Yu is stunned that the sickly Prophet possesses such immense power, unaware that he was originally a member of the Hejia clan, invited by the late Emperor.

Song Xingyu, bound by a pact, cannot reveal his co-conspirator's identity, and when he attempts to hint that the former Sovereign of Spirits did not die of heartbreak, He Simu intervenes, obliterating him. He Simu knows her father’s death was suspicious. Deeply devoted to her mother and herself, he would never have abandoned her to a chaotic Void to die for love. She is certain that someone else was involved in the Sovereign’s Hall.

At court, Wang Jin and Duan Xu expose the corruption behind the horse administration. Marshal Qin is relieved of his command for negligence, and the primary conspirators are ordered to be beheaded. The government finally returns to order, though Fang Xianye must maintain the facade of being Duan Xu and Wang Jin’s rival. Haunted by his upcoming wedding, Duan Xu sits in his room at night.

Sensing He Simu’s presence, he blows out his candle, but she remains unseen, sitting silently by his bed before departing. Half a month later, on the day of the wedding, Fengyi takes He Simu to a vantage point to watch the procession. Duan Xu had previously made a deal with Fengyi to help him transfer his sense of color to He Simu on this day.

As the gift takes effect, He Simu sees the world in vibrant color for the first time, becoming completely captivated by Duan Xu in his wedding robes. During the procession, a masked assassin interrupts the wedding and abducts the bride, Wang Suyi, wounding Duan Xu. Duan Xu publicly declares the culprit to be a North Chong spy seeking revenge.

In reality, this is a meticulously staged plan; Duan Xu knows Suyi and her lover, the fragrance master Xuan, are deeply in love but hindered by their social status. He creates this crisis to allow them to escape together. Fengyi, witnessing the display, lets the couple go.

Back at his mansion, Duan Xu swears to the guests that he will never remarry until he has reclaimed the seventeen provinces and defeated North Chong, a vow that shocks those who fear for the continuation of the Duan lineage. He Simu, watching from afar, is left to ponder the true meaning of the wedding and the depth of his sacrifice.

He Simu has finally returned to her childhood home, a place Duan Xu meticulously reconstructed based on the vivid memories he found within the former Sovereign’s illusion. He wanted her to experience the world in all its color and vibrancy. Touched by his efforts and the genuine affection he has shown her, He Simu finally accepts his feelings, leaving Duan Xu exhilarated.

As a parting gesture before his departure, he uses his final blessed flower to trade his sense of touch with her. He longs for her to feel the warmth of their intimacy and plants a passionate kiss on her, a sensation so overwhelming it makes He Simu feel as though her heart might leap from her chest. Back at his family home, Duan Xu is struck by his father for his recent public displays of defiance.

Rather than argue or show disappointment, Duan Xu remains stoic, as he has long since ceased to expect warmth from his father. In reality, he has already outmaneuvered his father by turning his confidante, Luoxian, into his own secret subordinate. Through her, he controls exactly what information reaches his father, shielding his true intentions. Later, when He Simu notices the bruise on his face, she is pained by his suffering.

Duan Xu dismisses her concern, noting that since he currently lacks a sense of touch, he feels no pain, yet He Simu promises to protect him as one of her own. Meanwhile, the High Priest confronts Luda regarding Yili'er’s conspiracy with evil spirits, forcing him to choose between executing his mentor or losing his position as Young Priest.

When Luda attempts to sacrifice his title to save his father, the situation turns violent; Yili'er attempts to strike the High Priest but is killed in the struggle. Yan Ke arrives to tempt Luda into an alliance, but Luda remains defiant. Soon after, Luda is disgraced and exiled to Youzhou, where he is pelted by the local townspeople, who revile him for his family's association with dark forces.

Duan Xu brings his sister and Chenying to see He Simu, revealing his secret machinations: the "abduction" of Wang Suyi was actually a carefully planned elopement that allowed the couple to be together while shielding his own reputation. Later, Duan Xu meets with Fang Xianye to coordinate their final plans before he leaves for the front lines.

Duan Xu expresses his dream of living a simple life once the northern prefectures are reclaimed, leaving the governance of the Great Liang to Fang Xianye. Recognizing that his sister’s admiration is directed at someone else, Duan Xu presses Fang Xianye about his feelings for her, though the latter remains guarded, citing their public rivalry.

When He Simu falls ill with a cold, Duan Xu cares for her, feeding her medicine and gently teasing her about the fragility of human existence. Hoping to lift her spirits, he invites her to watch him play in a ball game. At the match, He Simu discovers that Duan Xu is not only incredibly skilled—winning the first point with ease—but also quite popular among the spectators.

Abandoning his usual habit of leaving after the first point, he chooses to play the full match, treating the game as a battlefield to vent his frustrations, much to the delight of his supporters.

At the polo field, the atmosphere was electric as Duan Xu and his team competed. Xia Qingsheng, watching from the sidelines, took the opportunity to express his feelings to Meng Wan. Though caught off guard, Meng Wan didn't reject him, merely asking him to wait until the match concluded. Meanwhile, a sudden disturbance erupted when a horse grew startled and charged toward the crowd, heading straight for Duan Xu’s sister, Jingyuan.

Fang Xianye, a scholar, instinctively rushed to shield her, though he was no match for a stampeding horse. He Simu intervened just in time to stop the animal, leaving both Jingyuan and Fang Xianye with minor hand injuries. When He Simu went to retrieve medicine, she was beaten to it by Wang Qi, a dissolute nobleman. Wang Qi used the moment to press his presence on Jingyuan, but Fang Xianye stepped in to help her dismiss him.

Observing the interaction, He Simu teased Jingyuan about Fang Xianye’s clear affection for her, noting that no ordinary scholar would risk his life so recklessly unless his heart were truly committed. Elsewhere, the fate of the North Chong priesthood took a dark turn. After being subjected to humiliation and exile, Lu Da found himself approached by Yan Ke.

Yan Ke forcibly infused Lu Da with spirit power, manipulating the young man’s desperation and buried desire for power to ensure he would ascend to the position of High Priest. Meanwhile, in the capital, Wang Jin’s secret identity as a prince was revealed. Through his strategic maneuvering, Luoxian was granted the title of Commandery Princess and prepared to depart for Yunluo alongside Fang Xianye.

With Duan Xu also preparing for the upcoming military campaign, the safety of Nandu was placed in Wang Jin’s hands. Jingyuan’s day took a sinister turn after she left to purchase a sachet; she was kidnapped by Wang Qi. Held captive, she listened as Wang Qi spewed his grievances, claiming the Duan family owed him for his sister's disappearance and demanding she marry him to save face.

He began to make forced advances, but his assault was cut short by the arrival of He Simu. Using her spirit power, He Simu cast Wang Qi into a terrifying ten-day illusion, forcing him to face the spectral forms of the women he had previously harmed. Though Jingyuan intervened to spare his life, the trauma was set.

Once Jingyuan was safely returned to the Duan manor, she confronted Duan Xu, finally learning the truth of He Simu’s identity as a Spirit. Duan Xu later sought out He Simu to thank her for rescuing his sister. The two shared a quiet, intimate moment, with He Simu admitting she had sensed Jingyuan’s presence in a place she would never normally visit.

As they spoke, He Simu announced that she had to return to the Void to attend to her duties, having been away for too long. Duan Xu, who was planning to mobilize troops in three days, asked for her counsel. He Simu suggested Shenzhou, noting its rugged terrain and volatile inhabitants—a place where feuds ran deep and families were perpetually at odds.

Duan Xu agreed and asked her to remain by his side for the final three days before his departure. Throughout their conversation, the weight of their unconventional love hung heavy, with Duan Xu pleading for her to remember him for another hundred years, even as he playfully acknowledged his own tendency to act pitiful to win her heart.

After spending three final days with Duan Xu before his military campaign, He Simu returns to the Void. Her first visit is to the imprisoned Bai Sanxing. Utilizing a soul-controlling bracelet forged with Fengyi’s assistance, she confirms she can now command him. Despite her control, Bai Sanxing remains defiant, taunting her that she will never uncover the truth she seeks.

Jiang Ai soon informs He Simu that Yan Ke has been frequently traveling to Shuozhou, the exact location where Duan Xu is stationed. Suspecting Yan Ke's motives, He Simu convenes a court assembly. She publicly reprimands Yan Ke for his failure to report an undersea earthquake in the North Abyss and for usurping her authority.

To the unease of the other officials, she sentences him to fifty lashes and ten days of confinement, a harsh display of power that leaves the court silenced. He Simu then travels to Shuozhou, where she eliminates malevolent spirits that were tailing Chengying. This allows Chengying to safely deliver strategic maps prepared by Luoxian to Duan Xu, providing him with a vital advantage. Later, He Simu disguises herself as a servant sent by the local prefect to serve Duan Xu.

Despite her borrowed form, Duan Xu recognizes her immediately by her eyes. She gives him a protective amulet, sensing his state through it and instructing him to call for her if he faces a grave danger he cannot overcome. Meanwhile, Lu Da tracks down Mu’ertu, Duan Xu’s former mentor. He poisons the master’s mind against his former student, portraying Duan Xu as a traitor to their order and providing the means to trap him.

In the city, Duan Xu notices secret markings left by the "Tianzhixiao" group. He deduces that General Tang of the Jingzhou uprising has been bribed by the North Chong army and that Han Lingqiu is likely being held hostage. Duan Xu orders his generals, Wu and Xia Qingsheng, to reclaim nearby cities to isolate the enemy while he sets off alone to rescue Han. Duan Xu finds a severely wounded Han Lingqiu, whose memory has finally returned.

As they attempt to escape, Mu’ertu intercepts them. Outmatched by his master’s skills and protective of the weakened Han Lingqiu, Duan Xu is nearly overwhelmed. Sensing the amulet’s activation, He Simu arrives in a fury and kills Mu’ertu. After ensuring the safety of both men, she returns to the Void and entrusts the soul-controlling bracelet to Jiang Ai, warning her to be wary of Yan Ke. At a formal assembly, He Simu confesses to the crime of killing a mortal.

She declares her willingness to submit to the Golden-wall Decrees, the most severe penalty which involves surrendering the Wanling Record and being barred from using the Wanling Lamp. To the shock of the other officials, Yan Ke supports the punishment instead of opposing it. Following the ritual that leaves her significantly weakened, Yan Ke offers to manage the Void’s affairs. However, He Simu thwarts his ambition by bypassing him and appointing Jiang Ai as her temporary deputy.

He Simu woke up in the Zhaomu Pavilion, her spirit power severely depleted following her punishment. Yan Ke remained by her side, but his care was a mask for imprisonment. He had placed a restrictive barrier around her bedchamber—a secret technique he developed in the North Abyss. He mocked her weakened state, explaining that the formation would drain any spirit power she tried to restore, keeping her at her lowest limit and unable to leave the room.

He declared that while she never wanted to be the Sovereign, he would take the title himself and make her his Queen so they could rule the Void together forever. At the morning assembly, Yan Ke moved to consolidate his power by framing the Left Chancellor, Jiang Ai. He produced reports of massive financial discrepancies in the North Abyss projects, accusing her of embezzling funds into her personal accounts.

Despite Jiang Ai’s insistence that she would only yield to a clear written mandate from the Sovereign, Yan Ke forged an oral decree. He claimed He Simu was entering a five-year seclusion and had revoked Jiang Ai’s authority, appointing him to govern the Void in her stead. When Jiang Ai attempted to see He Simu, she found the pavilion guarded and realized Yan Ke had staged a coup.

Though Yan Ke ordered a search of the Xuling Temple, the clever Jiang Ai had already emptied the premises. To further his vision of a "free" Void where the strong prevail, Yan Ke abolished the curfew. This led to immediate turmoil as spirits began fighting one another without restraint, abandoning the laws of the former Sovereign. Amidst the chaos, Jiang Ai sought out Bai Sanxing. Using the control bracelet He Simu had prepared, she confronted him.

Although Bai Sanxing remained hostile, Jiang Ai could not bring herself to kill him. She informed him that He Simu had chosen to spare his life and urged him to value this second chance. In the Mortal World, Han Lingqiu decided to resign from his military post. As he prepared to leave, Commandant Wu and his comrades expressed their regret.

Duan Xu saw his friend off, encouraging Han Lingqiu to find his own path and remain loyal to his own heart. He admitted that the pain of self-reflection and the struggle to choose one's destiny were trials he had faced himself, but they were necessary steps toward a new life. Over the following months, Duan Xu threw himself into the war with reckless abandon. He successfully reclaimed Jingzhou and Qizhou, even slaying the lead general of the Fenglai forces.

For his victories, the Emperor granted him the title of Marquis of Ningyi. Despite his rising status, Duan Xu was consumed by worry as he could no longer reach He Simu through their connection. Meanwhile, in the Void, Yan Ke grew enraged by He Simu’s lingering feelings for the mortal and destroyed the gifts Duan Xu had given her. Yan Ke eventually traveled to the Mortal World to eliminate his rival, finding Duan Xu wounded after a battle.

However, as Yan Ke struck, he was repelled by the power of the Deliverance Sword. Before he could try again, Fengyi, the Starhaven Lord, arrived to intervene. Although physically frail, Fengyi’s presence and his rebuke of the evil spirit forced Yan Ke to retreat back to the Void. Following the encounter, Ziji and Duan Xu moved the unconscious Fengyi to safety.

When Fengyi awoke, he eased Duan Xu’s fears by lying that He Simu was merely occupied with the overwhelming affairs of the Void. He claimed he had come on her orders to protect the General. Privately, Ziji urged Fengyi to focus on his own recovery, but he insisted on fulfilling the task He Simu had entrusted to him.

He observed that the lack of response from the Sovereign’s Pearl and the unrest among spirits signaled the arrival of a "Great Calamity" foretold in ancient texts, making it his duty to intervene. Back at the Zhaomu Pavilion, Yan Ke boasted to He Simu about his attempt on Duan Xu’s life, claiming the mortal was broken and would not live long. He Simu remained unimpressed, pointing out that his "love" was nothing more than a series of traps.

She saw through his facade, telling him that he was born of a thirst for rank and that his true obsession was not her heart, but the pursuit of supreme power. Undeterred, Yan Ke vowed to wait for as long as it took for her to watch the mortal die and finally forget him.

In the war-torn mortal world, General Duan Xu grappled with a grueling stalemate against the North Chong army. His subordinate, Wu Langjiang, reported devastating losses, noting that the enemy soldiers fought with an eerie lack of pain. Duan Xu learned that Lu Da, now the High Priest of North Chong, was using a specialized poison to numb his soldiers' senses, forcing them to fight until death.

Despite reclaiming four states over the last five years, Duan Xu remained consumed by his longing for He Simu. Though Fengyi urged him to stay strong for their eventual reunion, the five years of silence from the Void weighed heavily on him. Deep within the Void, Yan Ke kept He Simu imprisoned within a barrier. Attempting to win her favor, he crafted a magnificent phoenix crown, but Simu met his advances with cold disdain.

She threw the crown aside, reminding him of Yan Zhang, who had been completely devoted to him until he killed her without hesitation. Simu declared her hatred for "dead things," prompting Yan Ke to try bringing living treasures from the mortal realm. Though most withered in the lifeless air of the Void, he eventually used his spirit power to sustain a small rabbit.

Watching Simu smile as she cradled the creature, Yan Ke felt a flicker of hope, unaware that her heart remained far out of his reach. Five years passed with the Void falling into deeper chaos under Yan Ke’s self-proclaimed reign as the Acting Sovereign. While He Simu waited for her strength to return, Jiang Ai stayed hidden at Void Mountain, helping Bai Sanxing recover his spirit power.

Bai Sanxing, once a rival for the throne, realized that the Void under Simu’s rule was the most stable it had been in centuries. He admitted that had he taken the throne himself 300 years ago, the resulting chaos would likely have mirrored the ruin Yan Ke was currently presiding over. The stalemate broke when Yan Ke finally tracked Jiang Ai and Bai Sanxing to the mountain.

He demanded the Left Token, as the Void’s spirit stone reserves were nearly depleted. To save Bai Sanxing, Jiang Ai surrendered the token and fled. When Yan Ke returned to He Simu, she revealed that she had overheard his conversation at Void Mountain. The truth finally came to light: 300 years ago, Yan Ke had murdered Simu’s father, He Yicheng, and framed the witness, Bai Sanxing, for the crime.

Simu confronted her father's killer at the very site where the Golden-wall Decrees were first established. Yan Ke tried to justify his actions, claiming he had only killed for power and for her, but Simu was unmoved. As they clashed, Yan Ke realized he could not win. He staged a desperate attack to seize the Glazed Pagoda, using its power to mask his aura and flee the Void.

Defeated and pursued, he sought refuge in the mortal world, offering his services to Lu Da and the North Chong army to strike back at Duan Xu. With the traitor gone, He Simu reclaimed her throne and immediately set about restoring order. She reinstated the Golden-wall Decrees and the curfew, vowing to punish those who had thrived in the chaos of the last five years.

It was then revealed that Hall Master Yun had been acting as Simu's undercover spy, gathering evidence against Yan Ke’s collaborators. With the Left Token returned to Jiang Ai and spirit stones properly distributed, the Void finally began to stabilize. Having secured her realm, Simu finally returned to the mortal world to find Duan Xu. In the Liang military camp, Duan Xu was stunned to see the woman he had spent five years yearning for.

He pulled her into a tight, desperate embrace, his voice trembling as he spoke of how many times he had summoned her in vain. Simu held him back, softening as she looked at his weathered face. She reassured him that she was safe, noting that if she had truly been destroyed, the world would have long since fallen into irreversible disaster.

He Simu shared the harrowing details of the turmoil in the Void with Duan Xu, explaining how Yan Ke’s rebellion had thrown their realm into chaos. Although she had restored order, the situation remained unstable, meaning she could only stay in the mortal world for about half a year before needing to return. Duan Xu was disheartened by the short stay, lamenting that she would miss the blooming season of the famous peonies in Luozhou.

He spoke wistfully of taking her through fields of flowers on horseback, offering to trade his senses of sight, touch, and smell so she could experience the world's beauty. However, He Simu grew concerned, noting that ever since Fengyi taught him the method to swap the five senses, Duan Xu had become increasingly reckless. She warned him that by giving away too many sensations, he was losing his own ability to truly experience the world.

Despite the looming departure, Duan Xu remained devoted to making He Simu’s time in the mortal world special by trading his sense of taste to her. He dreamed of one day visiting the Void to build her a magnificent palace, one so vibrant and colorful that even though the other spirits were blind to it, she would be able to see it through his traded sense of color. Meanwhile, the war in the mortal world reached a turning point.

After a series of brilliant victories, including the recapture of Weizhou, the Emperor issued a decree promoting Duan Xu to the Grand Marshal of All, granting him command over the three armies. Before her return to the Void, Duan Xu prepared a spread of delicacies, enlisting Chenying to help gather the best food the camp had to offer. Chenying, who missed He Simu dearly, presented her with wildflowers.

They sat together as He Simu tasted camellia honey and meat pies, marveling at how the flavors were even sweeter than sugar figurines. Fengyi soon joined them, and though he expressed concern about Duan Xu swapping his senses during a time of war, Duan Xu brushed it off. He Simu enjoyed the wine and the company, but as the night ended, she bid them farewell and returned the sense of taste to Duan Xu before vanishing back to the Void.

The moment He Simu left, the toll on Duan Xu’s body became undeniable. He collapsed, coughing up dark blood. Fengyi discovered that the repeated exchange of the five senses had caused a severe backlash, leading to a rapid decay of Duan Xu’s health. Fengyi warned him that he would never live to see a peaceful old age if he continued, but Duan Xu refused to stop.

He felt that providing He Simu with a "living world" was the most meaningful thing he could do. He feared that like her many lovers over the centuries, he would eventually fade from her memory, and he hoped that the unique happiness of these shared senses would make her remember him forever. The war soon intensified on the western front.

Driven by a desperate need to save North Chong and emboldened by Yan Ke’s influence, the priest Lu Da orchestrated a lethal trap. During a fierce assault, Duan Xu and a small cavalry unit were surrounded for three days. While attempting to lead a breakout to save his men, Duan Xu was struck by a poisoned arrow fired by an assassin from the All-Knowing.

Chenying managed to bring the unconscious Marshal back to camp, but the poison was spreading with unnatural speed; without an antidote, Duan Xu would be dead within a day. In the Void, He Simu felt a sudden, sharp pang of unease. Sensing that Duan Xu was in grave danger, she rushed back to the mortal world and found him on the brink of death.

She was furious to learn he had been trapped for three days without ever calling out her name for help. He Simu then confronted Lu Da, who demanded the Spirits Lantern in exchange for the antidote. He sought to strip her of her power, believing that Duan Xu’s victories were merely a result of her supernatural aid.

He Simu initially mocked Lu Da’s foolish schemes, telling him she would never hand over the source of her realm's stability for one man. He Simu returned to the Void and visited the graves of her parents. She reflected on the heavy burden of being the Sovereign, realizing that the throne was built on sacrifice.

She contemplated letting Duan Xu go, thinking that in the vast span of her life, she could simply wait a few hundred years for another companion. However, the thought of his warmth was too much to dismiss. Ultimately, she decided she could not let him die. She resolved to hand over the Spirits Lantern to save him, trusting that she would still find a way to win her battles even without its power.

Returning to Duan Xu’s side with the antidote, she watched him as he began to recover. However, the atmosphere between them had shifted. She pressed on his wounds, noting that his delayed reaction to the pain confirmed her fears: his five senses were failing. When she demanded the truth, Duan Xu admitted it had started over five years ago, long before the recent rebellions.

Overwhelmed by the weight of his sacrifice and the realization that their bond was causing him irreparable harm, she told him they had to end things. She declared that what was not hers would never truly belong to her and chose to walk away to protect him. As she vanished, Duan Xu woke up in a panic, realizing with despair that the vibrant world she had given him was gone.

In the depths of the Void, the situation has turned dire. Although Yan Ke has obtained the Spirits Lantern, he remains unable to wield its true power. Meanwhile, He Simu remains at the throne, dealing with the aftermath of the recent chaos. A group of evil spirits dares to challenge her, claiming that without the Spirits Lantern, she is no longer the Sovereign of Spirits and that the throne is up for grabs.

He Simu remains unmoved, declaring that the throne is only a seat of power because she is the one sitting upon it. With a swift wave of her sleeve, she easily suppresses the rebellious spirits, asserting that her authority does not depend on a lamp. Fengyi and the other temple lords report that Yan Ke has issued a surrender edict to the 24 Temples and released puppet spirits to attack the Fusang Tree.

He Simu realizes that Yan Ke is using the Chiling Secret Technique to control these puppets even from the Mortal World, implying he has devoured many spirits to bolster his strength. To stabilize the Void, He Simu uses a formation left by her father to seal the exit, decreeing that no spirits may leave. She knows the Spirits Lantern follows the strongest master, and as long as she remains the Sovereign, it will never truly belong to Yan Ke.

In the Mortal World, Duan Xu is recovering from the poison previously inflicted by Lu Da. Fengyi provides him with a "Rescue Pill" from his sect to restore his vitality, but he warns Duan Xu that the damage caused by the fading of his five senses is irreversible. Duan Xu is deeply grateful for the help.

Burdened by lingering doubts and his failing health, Duan Xu asks Fengyi to bring a message to He Simu, telling her that he is confused and wishes to see her one last time. Fengyi delivers the message, but He Simu, though concerned, remains focused on her duties in the Void, instructing Fengyi to continue watching over him. The political situation in Nandu has grown perilous. With Emperor Liang gravely ill, the capital has become a hornets' nest of competing factions.

Prince Su and Prince Ji, backed by Chancellor Du and Duke Pei, are eager to seize power. The Emperor, remembering how he once tasked Duan Xu and Fang Xianye to support Prince Jin, issues a secret decree for Duan Xu to return to the capital to protect the throne. Fang Xianye immediately attempts to send this urgent message to Youzhou, but Duke Pei’s men intercept the courier, killing him and destroying the letter to ensure Duan Xu remains isolated.

Unaware of the interference, Duan Xu focuses on the war effort, developing a lethal new arrowhead forged from Tianluo Ore. Commandant Wu is impressed by the weapon's superior penetration compared to standard iron, seeing it as a vital tool to defeat the Chong army. However, Yan Ke soon initiates a more personal attack. Realizing he cannot master the Spirits Lantern alone, he kidnaps Duan Xu to use him as leverage against He Simu.

When Duan Xu sees the Lantern hanging from Yan Ke’s waist, he realizes He Simu sacrificed her supreme treasure to save his life. While Duan Xu is missing, the Chong army launches a fierce assault. In the absence of their commander, the young soldier Chenying steps forward to lead the vanguard, determined to protect the granary at Qizhou and the people of Youzhou. The battle is brutal.

He Simu, hearing Chenying's dying cries, rushes to the Mortal World, but she arrives too late. She finds Chenying standing tall, still clutching the military flag despite being riddled with arrows. Overcome with grief, she recalls their time together and gently closes his eyes, later burying him beside his father. He Simu eventually tracks Yan Ke’s aura to confront him.

Yan Ke uses a Glazed Pagoda to temporarily trap her and attempts to force Duan Xu to exchange his five senses with her again. Yan Ke’s goal is to strip He Simu of her spirit power while her essence is trapped, forcing the Spirits Lantern to recognize him as its new master. He mocks the bond between the two, telling Duan Xu that he is merely a toy. However, the plan goes awry.

During the struggle, Lu Da suddenly betrays Yan Ke, grabbing the Spirits Lantern and swallowing it. Although Lu Da briefly marvels at a human's ability to use the treasure, he is almost immediately consumed by a violent backfire. He Simu breaks free from the Glazed Pagoda and rescues the weakened Duan Xu, bringing him back to the military camp. When Duan Xu finally wakes, the two are forced to confront the truth.

Duan Xu reveals he kept the sensory fading a secret because he wanted He Simu to continue experiencing the colors, scents, and melodies of the world through him. He Simu finally admits her true feelings: she had distanced herself because she loves him too much and cannot bear the thought of watching him die. Before she departs, she softly tells him the heavy news that Chenying has fallen in battle and now rests beside his father.

Following the chaotic confrontation with Yan Ke, Fengyi admitted to He Simu that he had been too careless and fell for the enemy’s diversion stratagem. While he provided an elixir to temporarily stop Duan Xu’s blood vomiting, he warned that Duan Xu’s internal organs were severely damaged and his physical decline was irreversible by ordinary means.

Before He Simu departed for the Void to find a solution, Fengyi noticed a small ghost following her but was unable to call out to her in time. In the shadows, Yan Ke found himself in a frustrating predicament as the Spirits Lantern had fused completely with the mortal Lu Da.

Realizing that killing Lu Da would destroy the lantern, Yan Ke was forced into a deal: he would teach the mortal how to cultivate spirit power, and in exchange, Lu Da would use the lantern’s energy to help Yan Ke defeat He Simu and kill Duan Xu. At the military camp, the atmosphere was heavy with grief. Commandant Wu and Meng Wan brought back the Liang banner that Chenying had died to protect.

They recounted how Chenying’s vanguard squad had been intercepted; the young man had acted as bait to buy time for the main force, but his entire unit was slaughtered. Commandant Wu was consumed by regret, wishing he had never allowed Chenying to lead the vanguard. Returning to the Void, He Simu found that Jiang Ai had been managing affairs well and Bai Sanxing was diligently purging puppet spirits.

He Simu informed Jiang Ai that Yan Ke had found a way to use the Spirits Lantern indirectly and announced she would enter seclusion to refine a special medicine. While preparing the ingredients, He Simu felt a strange, phantom ache in her own chest, despite being a spirit who should not feel such pain. In Nandu, the Emperor was nearing death.

Suspicious of Duan Xu’s failure to return to the capital—unaware that the Duke had intercepted the summons—he questioned Fang Xianye. Ever loyal, Fang defended Duan Xu, citing the chaos of war. Before passing away, the Emperor summoned Fang and offered a double-edged promotion: he drafted an edict naming Fang the Marquis of Zhonghe and Vice Chancellor, but the decree also branded Duan Xu a traitor to be executed upon his return.

The Emperor left the timing of this edict’s revelation to Fang, challenging him to stop living in Duan Xu's shadow. Shortly after the Emperor’s death and Prince Jin’s ascension, Fang Xianye’s study was ransacked. Though no valuables were taken, the late Emperor’s edict was stolen by the Pei faction. Knowing the danger this posed, Fang prepared for a final sacrifice.

Before the confrontation in court, he met with Jingyuan, who brought him dumplings to thank him for an anonymous letter that had saved the Duan family during the recent turmoil. Recognizing his handwriting, she realized he was their protector. Fang hinted at his fate, telling her that while Duan Xu never owed anyone, he would soon owe him everything. In the imperial court, Duke Pei produced the stolen edict, demanding Duan Xu’s execution.

To save his friend, Fang Xianye made a desperate move: he declared the edict was a forgery he had written himself under the orders of his mentor, Yao Jianhe. He claimed that guilt over framing a loyal general had haunted his dreams since the Emperor's death. By branding the real edict a fake and then committing suicide by striking a pillar in the hall, Fang ensured no witness remained to prove the decree's authenticity.

His sacrifice allowed Prince Jin to purge the Duke’s faction and clear Duan Xu’s name. When the news reached the front lines, Duan Xu was initially heartened by Prince Jin’s ascension, but the report of Fang Xianye’s suicide and his final letter shattered him. In the letter, Fang acknowledged that while their paths differed, they shared the same goal of a peaceful Liang. Overwhelmed by grief, Duan Xu vomited blood and collapsed.

He Simu arrived just in time with the medicine she had refined in seclusion, using her spirit power to pull him back from the brink of death. As he recovered, Duan Xu spoke to He Simu about the deep bond he shared with Fang. During the years Duan Xu was held captive in North Chong, his father had forced Fang to act as his double.

Duan Xu had intended to entrust all his responsibilities to Fang once the war ended, never imagining his friend would leave first. He Simu comforted him, reminding him that Fang died with a clear conscience, having finally been seen as himself rather than a shadow. In Nandu, the elder Lord Duan celebrated the death of his son's rival, oblivious to the truth. He immediately began planning a high-status marriage for Jingyuan to further the family's prestige.

Refusing to let her father control her life, Jingyuan fled to the spot where she and Fang used to talk. Though they had only met a few times in adulthood, she wept bitterly for him, still unaware that the man she mourned was the same "Third Brother" who had protected her during their childhood.

Duan Xu returned to Nandu in secret to meet with Prince Jin, who had recently ascended as the new Emperor. They met at the outskirts of the city, where the Emperor had established a solitary tomb for Fang Xianye, refusing to let the man who died for the sake of the Great Liang be left in the wilderness.

Duan Xu knelt before the Emperor, asking for punishment for his failure to arrive in time during the Nandu riot, but the Emperor assured him he was not to blame. Standing before the grave, the Emperor spoke of his travels and his realization that the world belonged to the people, not just the person on the throne.

Duan Xu, knowing his own time was running out, swore a solemn oath upon his friend’s soul to fulfill their shared dream and recover the seventeen prefectures of the North. After the Emperor departed, Duan Xu stayed to speak privately with the spirit of Fang Xianye, noting that while the world saw the top scholar as a disciplined man, he was actually more of a madman than Duan Xu himself.

He promised that the Emperor would be a good ruler and expressed his desire to spend whatever time he had left by He Simu’s side. Duan Xu later returned to the Duan Mansion to bid his father farewell. He declared that he would no longer be a pawn for the family’s glory and intended to live for himself and the woman he loved. As he walked away, his father’s desperate calls for him to return went ignored.

Later, Duan Xu shared a childhood memory with He Simu about a time he fell into a deep, dark pit in their backyard. His father had stood at the edge and refused to help, telling him he would starve if he didn't climb out on his own.

Duan Xu explained that he didn't hate his father for this because he later learned that his father had actually stood nearby in the sweltering sun for hours, watching over him until he successfully climbed out. He Simu felt a deep ache for Duan Xu, realizing how difficult and lonely his life had truly been. As the war reached its climax, Han Lingqiu returned to the front lines after learning of Chenying’s death.

Overcome with grief and regret for having left, he vowed to fight alongside Duan Xu to the end. Duan Xu laid out the strategic deployment for the upcoming battle for Youzhou, the gateway to the North Chong Army, calling it a fight for survival. That night, He Simu watched over the sleeping Duan Xu. Fengyi warned her that even with the elixirs and blessed spells he had provided, Duan Xu’s constant overexertion was draining his life force.

If he continued to exhaust himself for the war, he would only have two years left to live. On the battlefield, the situation turned dire when Yan Ke unleashed a massive army of puppet spirits. These evil spirits began a massacre, attacking both the Great Liang and the North Chong soldiers without distinction. To Yan Ke, human lives were merely insignificant ants to be sacrificed for his own power.

Lu Da, the North Chong general, was horrified to see his own people being slaughtered by the very spirits he thought would help him. He tried to confront Yan Ke, but Yan Ke revealed that he had secretly planted a seed of control within Lu Da during their cultivation. Lu Da was now nothing more than a puppet, forced to serve Yan Ke's ambition to become the Sovereign of the Void. Maizi rushed to report the chaos to He Simu.

Seeing the slaughter, He Simu and Fengyi headed to the battlefield. While He Simu went to deal with Yan Ke, Fengyi used the last of his strength to refine the weapons of the Great Liang soldiers with spirit power, allowing the mortals to finally strike down the puppet spirits. He Simu confronted Yan Ke, who ranted about being treated as a pawn by her father and her.

He Simu dismissed his claims as the delusions of a greedy rebel, stating that she had given him power, but his insatiable desires were his own undoing. She challenged him to a final duel for the title of Sovereign. During the struggle, Lu Da managed to seize the Spirits Lantern. Driven by his hatred for the spirits that killed his family, he believed that if the Sovereign vanished, all evil spirits would disappear from the world.

Despite Yan Ke’s attempts to stop him—as Yan Ke did not want He Simu to die—Lu Da smashed the Spirits Lantern. As the source of her power shattered, He Simu began to fade away. To her own surprise, she felt a sense of relief; she was finally free from the burden of her eternal loneliness and the pain of being left behind by everyone she loved.

As she drifted toward the Void, she imagined seeing her parents and even saw Duan Xu reaching out to her with a smile. In the Void, Jiang Ai and Bai Sanxing felt the tremors and desperately worked to stabilize the spell formations to prevent the spirits from flooding the Mortal World. However, He Simu was pulled back from the brink of destruction by the persistent calling of a small spirit who had been following her.

She regained consciousness on the battlefield, where she saw the spirit of Chenying standing nearby. With Yan Ke defeated and reduced to ash, the puppet spirits vanished instantly. The Great Liang army, led by Duan Xu, emerged victorious, finally ending the long and bloody conflict.

He Simu defeated Yan Ke, causing the evil spirits to vanish and securing a hard-won victory for the army. As Yan Ke faced his annihilation, he expressed a bitter peace, noting that he ultimately died for the one he loved. He bid a final farewell to He Simu before crumbling into nothingness. Amidst the cheers of the surviving soldiers, Duan Xu arrived at He Simu’s side just in time to stop Lu Da.

Duan Xu told the defeated general that North Chong had fallen and that the god he worshipped never existed. Having lost his power and his cause, Lu Da was killed by Duan Xu. Duan Xu then held He Simu close, promising she would never lose him. Chenying returned as a wandering spirit after absorbing the spiritual power of the Spirit Lantern. His lingering obsession was his desire to protect Duan Xu and He Simu and see their wishes come true.

He Simu brought the boy to the Void and introduced him to Jiang Ai, asking her to look after him and continue overseeing the realm for a while longer. Chenying felt lucky to see them again, though he worried deeply about Duan Xu’s failing health. He Simu later visited the graves of her parents. She told her father that his death had finally been avenged after four hundred years.

Reflecting on her long life, she realized she was now older than her parents had ever been. She felt a profound sadness, knowing she would soon have to bury Duan Xu near them. Despite her past resolve never to be the person left behind, she had given Duan Xu the right to leave her first. To her, the seven years they had shared felt far too short.

Following the recovery of the seventeen prefectures, Duan Xu issued a decree to abolish the privileges previously held by the Chong people and return all seized property to the citizens of Liang. He declared that within the borders of Great Liang, all people would be equal and free from servitude.

Having fulfilled his life's ambition, Duan Xu returned the marshal's seal and the military tally to the Emperor, choosing to walk away from power and the official circles he never truly enjoyed. At a farewell banquet, Duan Xu shared a final drink with Han Lingqiu, Commandant Wu, Meng Wan, and Xia Qingsheng.

While his comrades decided to stay and guard the frontier—with Meng Wan and Xia Qingsheng now officially a couple—Duan Xu announced his intention to wander the world with He Simu. He bid them a poetic farewell, noting that though they would be separated by distance, they would still share the same wind. Duan Xu and He Simu returned to their cottage, which He Simu restored to its former glory with her spirit power.

Duan Xu spoke of a dream where they lived a simple life—one cottage, two souls, and three meals through the four seasons. They attempted to cook a "full fish banquet" together, though the fish were quite slippery. Their quiet moment was interrupted by the arrival of Fengyi and Ziji, who brought spiritual medicine from the Starhaven Sect. He Simu insisted on showing off her culinary skills, but the fish ended up burnt.

Fengyi, already weak and coughing up blood, teased her for the inedible meal. While Duan Xu stepped out to check on Fengyi, Ziji spoke privately with He Simu. Ziji reminded her that as the Sovereign of the Void, she could not remain in the mortal world indefinitely. He Simu, however, recognized Ziji as the "Immortal" and questioned how much longer she intended to stay among mortals herself.

Nearby, Fengyi confronted Ziji about the cruel, short-lived fate the gods had imposed on his lineage. He accused the Immortals of arrogance for tormenting his family in the name of "world balance." As Fengyi neared a collapse in the rain, Ziji reached out and caught him. Duan Xu later received a letter from his sister, Jingyuan, who was now living a full life of her own.

She wrote of her fond memories of their childhood in Daizhou and wished for him and He Simu to live a happy life, constant as a full moon. Duan Xu chose not to reply, wanting his sister to move forward without the burden of his impending death. Seeing Duan Xu fall asleep on a lounging chair, He Simu was momentarily terrified, fearing he had already passed away.

As they sat together, Duan Xu lamented that they had not admired a moon together in a long time. With the Mid-Autumn Festival still months away and his health rapidly declining, he realized he might not last until then. He came up with a way to bring the festival forward.

Despite his hand being so unsteady he could barely hold a brush, He Simu held his hand in hers, and together they painted a large, round moon on a paper umbrella. When Duan Xu held the umbrella up against the bright sun, the light filtered through to create the golden glow of a full moon, allowing them to share one last quiet moment under their handmade moonlight.

As Duan Xu’s health continues to decline, he reflects on his changing fears. He once dreaded becoming just another grave in He Simu’s long life, but now he only fears that her memories of him will cause her eternal pain. He Simu, however, refuses to let their bond fade into silence. She recounts every detail she remembers—the scent of wine, the warmth of the sun, and the sound of his laughter.

To ensure they are bound together, she proposes that they marry, and Duan Xu softly agrees. They return to the Void (Gui Xu) for a grand wedding witnessed by all. Before the ceremony, Duan Xu had coerced Fengyi into fulfilling a final request: the total transfer of his five senses to He Simu. As they stand together in their wedding finery, the transfer is complete.

For the first time, He Simu experiences the world in vibrant color, seeing the man she loves clearly. During the ritual, she vows to love Duan Shunxi for the rest of her life, promising never to forget him. The exchange of his senses leaves Duan Xu’s body incredibly frail, and he finds the biting cold of the Void unbearable. He Simu asks Jiang Ai to send them back to the mortal world one last time.

Perched on a mountain peak, they sit together to watch the sunrise. With her newly acquired senses, He Simu finally experiences the world as a mortal does—feeling the warmth of the sun, hearing the distant songs of woodcutters, and breathing in the fragrant scent of mortal life. Using the "Cloud Wine" Jiang Ai prepared for them, they perform the traditional "cross-cup" ceremony.

Duan Xu asks if she regrets their meeting given the sorrow it has brought, but he confesses that she was the only luck in his difficult life and that he would choose to find her a thousand times over. He Simu reassures him that no matter the heartache, she would always choose to reach out and pull him up on that fateful New Year's Eve. As the day wanes, Duan Xu’s strength fails and he begins to cough up blood.

He thanks He Simu for being by his side, calling himself a "gambler" who never lost a single bet because of her. He urges her to remember the beauty of the world and tells her that this world will always be her home. As he passes away in her arms, He Simu desperately tries to use her spirit power to anchor his soul, but she cannot change his destiny.

In his final moments of consciousness, Duan Xu feels a profound regret for leaving her in pain and vows to find his way back to her. Following Duan Xu’s passing, He Simu returns to the Void to settle the future of her people. She formally announces her abdication, declaring that she will no longer be the Sovereign of Spirits. She names Chenying as her successor, as he has already absorbed the spirit aura of the Spirit Lantern.

Although some hall masters question the young man’s lack of seniority, Jiang Ai is the first to bow in respect, prompting the others to recognize the new Sovereign. As He Simu prepares to depart, Chenying senses a familiar spirit aura lingering around her that feels like Duan Xu. Jiang Ai notes that while it is theoretically impossible for a departed soul to remain, Duan Xu was always a man who defied expectations.

He Simu leaves the Void behind, choosing to live as an ordinary person in the mortal world, followed by the lingering spirit aura of the man she loves. In a bustling town, Fengyi and Ziji watch He Simu from a roadside stall. Fengyi observes that He Simu is finally free to be herself and predicts that, if fate permits, she may yet be reunited with her lost love.

He Simu walks through the lively streets dressed in red, carrying the memory of her husband in her heart. Sensing the warm spirit aura following closely at her side, she smiles and softly tells Duan Xu not to get lost as they continue their journey together.