Fate Chooses You resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Fate Chooses You

In ancient times, the Supreme God descended and created the Qi Ling, binding different clans into master-servant relationships. The War Ghost Clan, unwilling to be controlled by the Qi Ling, united their strength to break the Jianmu Tree, severing the connection between the human and divine realms. As punishment from the gods, the War Ghost Clan was forever unable to awaken their perfect warrior powers.

During the Age of Divine Concealment, Jin Lin, the leader of the Golden Crow Clan, falsely invoked divine orders to exterminate the War Ghost Clan, leading to their persecution by the Immortal Sect. Since then, the War Ghost Clan has awaited the birth of a chosen one who could endure the six trials and awaken as the Perfect War Ghost. Ten thousand years later, Lu Qianqiao is born, reigniting the clan’s hope.

Xin Mei, an outer disciple of the prestigious Tianyuan Sect, struggles to advance in her cultivation. After a fateful encounter with Lu Qianqiao, she accidentally triggers the Qi Ling. Together, they embark on a journey of growth and love through the six trials. Facing countless obstacles, they defeat their enemies, unravel the mystery of the Qi Ling, and bring lasting peace to the Three Realms.

Resumos de Fate Chooses You

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• 37
• 38
• 39
• 40

Long ago, the War Demons were cursed by the gods with the "Five Imperfections" for their defiance: blood-boiling mania, an inability to feel pain or sleep, and the loss of color vision and taste, where everything tasted of rot. As their thousand-year sentence neared its end, the gods vanished and the heavenly ladder was severed.

Desperate, the War Demons tried to sacrifice half of all living beings to regrow the Jianmu Tree and reach heaven, but they were eventually exterminated by a coalition of humans and the Youhu Clan, led by High Priest Yuan Zhong. Any surviving War Demon seeking to become human had to endure five agonizing trials—peeling skin, carving flesh, scraping bones, purifying blood, and gouging the heart—a process requiring a blood pact with kin for even a sliver of hope.

In Wei County, a cultivator named Xin Mei arrived at the local prison to meet Lu Huai (also known as Lu Qianqiao), the former magistrate sentenced to death by a thousand cuts for corruption and inflating grain prices during a famine. Xin Mei, cursed with a fate that brought death to her husbands, needed to marry three times to dissolve her "widowhood" energy; her two previous fiancés had already perished.

She hoped that marrying a death-row prisoner would clear her curse so she could finally be with her heart's true desire. Lu Huai, having no surviving family, agreed to the arrangement simply because he didn't want to be forgotten and hoped someone would burn joss paper for him after death. While Xin Mei appeared to be a young woman, she had actually been practicing cultivation for sixty years at the Xin Xie Manor.

Returning to her old neighborhood at Tianshui Lane, she found her aunt had passed away and her childhood friend, Sun Yao (Chubby), was now an old man. During a gathering, she modestly performed a "water to ice" spell, explaining that her cultivation had stalled at the mid-level of the Qi Cultivation Realm due to a past mistake.

Her old neighbors spoke of Lu Huai with pure hatred, describing how he had ignored imperial decrees during a devastating flood in the Yong region. Instead of lowering grain prices for refugees, he accepted bribes and allowed merchants to hike them, later behaving so arrogantly in court that his sentence was upgraded to a slow execution. Despite learning of his reputation, Xin Mei returned to the prison to finalize the marriage.

She promised Lu Huai that she would honor him not just on holidays, but also on his birthday and death anniversary, and would ensure her future descendants did the same. Lu Huai accepted and provided her with money for wedding supplies. He also gave her a "Green Lotus Treasure Jade Ring," a high-grade magical artifact he claimed was just a blessed charm for protection.

Around this time, a guard named Liu Ge was nearly killed by Lu Huai for disrespectfully sniffing Xin Mei’s handkerchief, an incident that Constable Chu Ying had to cover up. Xin Mei’s master sent word through a magical messenger, urging her to return to the manor. He noted that her cultivation had already dropped three times because she kept meddling in mortal affairs.

He reminded her that as a "Heavenly Talent" born on September 9th, she was tied to a prophecy of a world savior. Before the wedding, Xin Mei also visited a burial plot her grandfather had reserved for her years ago, a gesture meant to ensure she always had a place to "root" herself after her long travels. The wedding took place within the prison walls.

Chu Ying brought the wedding clothes to Lu Huai, though the prisoner was unable to see the festive red color. Dressed in bridal finery, the couple performed a simple ceremony, binding their hair together and bowing to the Matchmaker Deity. Following the union, Xin Mei prepared to leave Wei County to handle sect business. Lu Huai admitted his fear of the upcoming execution but told her he had to take responsibility for his actions, viewing his fate as his karma.

As a final request, Lu Huai asked Xin Mei to visit his mansion and take a potted flower he had kept under the corridor so it wouldn't wither. When Xin Mei arrived at the Lu residence to retrieve the plant, she encountered two children, Lu Jiujiu and Lu Xiaodao, who were hiding there. Meanwhile, back at the prison, an official named Song Qingbao visited Lu Huai two days before the execution to ask one final time if he had any grievances to declare.

Lord Song’s inquiry hung in the air of the prison cell, but Lu Huai’s answer remained a flat refusal. Despite the case being handled by the Court of Judicial Review and the verdict being set in stone, he claimed there were no grievances to declare and no desire to appeal. Meanwhile, Xin Mei reflected on her visit to the Lu residence to retrieve the "Hidden Heart Orchid" Lu Huai had mentioned.

The house was strikingly empty and simple, far from the lair of a man who supposedly embezzled fortunes and drove up grain prices to the point of mass starvation. Her childhood friend, Xiao Pang, warned her that as a member of an immortal sect, she should stay detached from worldly matters to avoid damaging her moral sense. However, Xin Mei couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

In a local restaurant, she witnessed a group of scholars cursing Lu Huai’s name, only to be interrupted by a scholar named Tang You. He mocked them for their ignorance, suggesting that if Lu Huai had truly been greedy, incompetent fools like them wouldn't have survived the great flood that devastated the region six months prior. As Lu Huai’s execution drew near, Xin Mei utilized her status as his new wife to visit him one last time.

She brought a set of new clothes she had made herself, following the customs of the western border to ensure he would have a dignified journey to the afterlife and avoid being reborn as an animal. When she asked him directly if he was truly guilty, Lu Huai remained enigmatic. He pointed out that with hundreds of memorials calling for his death and the public's hatred, there was no room for talk of injustice.

He warned her not to trust people so easily, noting that the human heart is far more treacherous and unpredictable than anything found in cultivation. After their final meeting, Xin Mei resumed her journey to find medicine for her master. She took shelter from a storm at the Fulai Inn, where she encountered Tang You once more, who was drinking himself into a stupor.

The inn was a trap run by a centipede demon known as Madam Flower and her young rabbit demon attendant, An. Xin Mei found herself fighting alongside Meishan Jun, the famed "Lord of Rust-Sword" and a bounty guard from Dongzhou Prefecture who had been tracking the demon. Together, they neutralized Madam Flower. While Meishan Jun wanted to eat the rabbit demon, Xin Mei insisted on letting her go, believing that the girl had never harmed anyone.

Once the danger had passed, Tang You revealed the hidden truth behind Lu Huai’s actions during the famine. While other counties had followed the imperial edict to cap grain prices at one hundred wen, merchants had responded by hoarding their supplies, causing widespread death. Lu Huai had defied the edict by allowing prices to rise to one hundred and eighty wen in Wei County.

This high price lured merchants from all over the region, and as the market became flooded with grain, the prices naturally stabilized within two months, saving the population. Tang You also noted that the speed of Lu Huai's trial was suspiciously fast, bypassing the usual lengthy appeals process for such a cruel sentence to make him a scapegoat. Deeply unsettled, Xin Mei rushed back toward the execution ground in the middle of the night.

Despite the torrential rain and her horse collapsing from exhaustion, she arrived too late. The execution had already concluded. Lu Huai had endured a thousand cuts without making a sound, leaving only a blood-stained platform behind. Overwhelmed by grief and anger at the injustice, Xin Mei’s spiritual energy triggered a heavy snowfall in the middle of summer. The sight left the local citizens in awe, as "June snow" was a traditional omen of a profound and grave injustice.

That night, Xin Mei stole Lu Huai’s body from the platform, where it was meant to be exposed for three months, and buried him near her own relatives. As she departed, she saw the two children, Jiu-jiu and Xiao Dao, bowing at the fresh grave. However, the grave did not remain occupied for long. A few days later, the bailiff Chu Ying resigned from his post and dug Lu Huai out of the earth.

Lu Huai was not a mere mortal, but a member of the War Ghost tribe (War Demons). To shed his demonic nature and be reborn as a human, he had to endure five brutal trials: the peeling of skin, the slicing of flesh, the stripping of bone, the purifying of blood, and the carving out of the heart. The execution had served as the first two trials.

Now resurrected and accompanied by Chu Ying, who was also a demon, Lu Huai (also known as Lu Qianqiao) prepared for the next stage of his transformation: the stripping of bone. Unaware of his true nature or his survival, Xin Mei remained haunted by the tragedy. Though she was supposed to be seeking medicine for her master, she decided she could not let the matter rest.

Convinced of Lu Huai’s innocence, she chose to head to the capital to appeal his case. When travelers warned her that the road ahead was difficult and blocked by landslides, she used her spiritual power to clear the path, determined to face whatever challenges awaited her in her quest for justice.

On a road scarred by landslides and treacherous potholes, Xin Mei continues her solitary journey toward the capital. Despite warnings from locals that the path is too dangerous, she remains undeterred. Her mission brings her to a halt before a carriage carrying Song Qingbao, the Head Clerk of the Central Secretariat. After forcing the carriage to stop, she presents a list of names and demands he confirms their identities.

Once Song confirms the names, Xin Mei leaves him with an icy warning: tell these men to settle their final affairs and last wishes immediately, for she is coming to take their lives. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying travel together as Lu undergoes the agonizing process of the "Five Deficiencies Curse" transformation to become human.

Having recently completed the phase of "flesh replacement," Lu begins to see colors for the first time, noting the vibrant reds and greens of the world. Their journey leads them to the Safe Haven Inn, where they encounter Meishan Jun, a bounty guard from Dongzhou Prefecture. Clad in his official uniform but completely out of funds, Meishan Jun explains he is waiting for a criminal named Chen Gong to emerge from the inn.

Lu Qianqiao generously provides him with silver, allowing the hungry guard to finally secure a meal. Inside the inn, the Landlady, Li Niang, welcomes them. She notes that heavy rains have caused leaks on the second floor and offers Lu Qianqiao a discounted room on the first level.

The atmosphere is governed by a strict code: once a person enters the Safe Haven Inn, no violence is permitted, and no lives can be taken, regardless of whether they are a common thief or a high-ranking official.

This peace is enforced by a formidable staff; Li Niang is the disciple of the late legendary "Swift Blade" Hu Chuan, the waiter is a former martial arts master known as "Cloud-Sweeper Hand," and the cook is a master of external martial arts whose body is impervious to blades. The quiet is shattered when a group of bandits from Lei Fort bursts in.

Their leader immediately recognizes Lu Qianqiao’s voice, identifying him as the "Maple Red Blade," the top-ranked martial artist on the List of Top Martial Artists. He accuses Lu of slaughtering twenty-seven people at Lei Fort eight years ago. Lu Qianqiao calmly admits to the act, dismissing the fort as nothing more than a bandit den. When the bandits attempt to ignore the inn's rules and attack, the staff swiftly intervenes, beating the intruders and tossing them out.

Li Niang later asks Lu Qianqiao about his striking resemblance to a painter named Lu she knew eleven years ago. Lu Qianqiao, whose appearance never ages, simply remarks that many people look alike. As they prepare for the next stage of Lu Qianqiao’s transformation—the "bone renewal" in Chongling Valley—Chu Ying speaks highly of Xin Mei, noting her loyalty and the fact that they are technically married. Lu Qianqiao dismisses the marriage as a mere transaction to establish a blood pact.

He believes Xin Mei loves another and only married him—a man she believed was a death-row inmate—to dispel a "husband-cursing" bad luck she feared would harm her true love. Despite his insistence that they will never meet again, Chu Ying remains hopeful that fate might reunite them. Away from the inn, Xin Mei’s trail of retribution reaches the Jinming Camp. She corners the General of the Swift Cavalry, a man on her list who colluded with the corrupt Liang Wenjing.

Before his death, the General confesses that the Wei County famine and the collapse of the dams were orchestrated by Liang Wenjing. He admits that Lu Huai was an honorable official who used extreme measures only to save the people, but the political elite needed a scapegoat to pacify the public. Xin Mei executes him, declaring that those who frame the innocent deserve a wretched end.

Back at the Safe Haven Inn, Song Qingbao arrives seeking refuge after witnessing the chaos in the capital. He describes the horror of seeing Lord Zhao and Lord Zhou assassinated despite heavy guards, realizing that the military cannot stop the vengeful cultivator. He recounts the truth behind the Wei County disaster, explaining how corruption led officials to build dams with straw and mud, resulting in the destruction of nine counties.

Meishan Jun, who is actually the second-ranked martial artist on the List of Top Martial Artists, is deeply moved by the story of Lu Huai’s injustice, asserting that if he were in the cultivator's position, he too would storm the capital to seek the truth. The inn soon becomes a gathering point for various powerful figures from the cultivation world.

Jiang Ji and the young master of Lingji Mountain, Lin Muhan, arrive on orders to apprehend the cultivator who broke the soul oath by interfering in mortal affairs. They are joined by the provocative Zuo Yingying from the Qinghong Sect, the unaffiliated cultivator Jin Lun, and Nangong Guhong from the Solar and Lunar Cavern. As these elite practitioners converge, Song Qingbao feels a sense of relief, hoping that these immortals can finally end the reign of terror and take the rogue cultivator away.

Lin Muhan, the Young Sect Master of Lingji Mountain, and his junior sister, Jiang Ji, gathered at the Peaceful Inn with other cultivators, including the unaffiliated Jin Lun and the flirtatious Zuo Yingying of the Cyan-Rainbow Sect. They were also joined by Nangong Guohong of Riyue Cave, who used music as a weapon. They promised to capture the rogue cultivator Xin Mei to reassure the official Song Qingbao.

During the meal, Zuo Yingying attempted to provoke Lu Qianqiao by suggesting he strike at Jiang Ji, but he remained indifferent to her taunts. The inn’s landlady, Li Niang, attempted to incapacitate the group using Immortal-Sealing Powder from Chongling Valley. A skirmish ensued, and when Lin Muhan launched a powerful strike at Li Niang, Lu Qianqiao intervened and blocked the blow.

Stunned that a man with a mortal body could withstand his power, Lin Muhan offered a bottle of Yangyuan Pills as a peace offering for the trouble caused at the inn. While the cultivators prepared to head for the capital, Zuo Yingying noted her growing curiosity about Lu’s true strength. Meanwhile, at Xin Xie Manor, Asheng took drastic measures against her master, Xin Xiong.

Knowing he had used the Jiu Xi technique to seal his own acupoints just to get drunk, she tied him up while he was powerless. She had discovered a court dispatch hidden in the wine cellar for four days, which detailed a female cultivator named Xin killing officials in the capital to avenge her husband.

Despite her master’s claim that Xin Mei had only gone to visit an elderly relative, Asheng was certain the description referred to her senior sister and set off to find the truth. In the capital, Xin Mei launched a daring attack on the residence of Liang Wenjing, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. She was intercepted by Mr. Gui of the Cyan-Rainbow Sect, who berated her for wasting her talents on mortal grievances.

During their fierce duel, Xin Mei feigned weakness to lure Mr. Gui’s Sunblock Banner into destroying the manor’s gate. To finish her, Mr. Gui activated a formation that reversed time by fifty years within a small realm, allowing him to return to his peak cultivation. He believed Xin Mei would be rendered a powerless novice by the time shift.

However, Xin Mei revealed she was a "Heavenly Spiritual Root" who had reached the threshold of the Golden Core realm by age twenty. She explained that she chose to remain a Stage 4 Qi Refining cultivator only because she could not tolerate the world’s injustices or the way power crushed the innocent. Harnessing her peak power from her twenty-year-old self, she overwhelmed and killed Mr. Gui within his own formation.

Though she was successful, the effort left her completely exhausted, and she collapsed. As Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying arrived in the city, they noted that the guards remained on high alert, confirming that Xin Mei had not been captured. While Lu Qianqiao gave silver to beggars—a gesture born from his own memories of childhood hardship—he listened to the city's gossip.

The public had romanticized the conflict, believing Xin Mei and the late official Lu Huai were childhood sweethearts seeking tragic vengeance against corruption. Lu Qianqiao realized that while the people sympathized with her, the immortal sects were closing in. Elsewhere, Asheng arrived in Pingxiang Town, where she used a high-grade pill to save a young girl dying from snake venom. Jin Lun followed her, but Asheng sensed his presence and gave him a cold warning to stay away.

Back in the capital, the children Lu Xiaodao and Jiujiu managed to recover the unconscious Xin Mei. They desperately sought medical help by snatching a traveling medicine seller, only to find the man was a fraud who sold fake "Ten-Complete Tonic Pills" and had no real ability to heal her. Lin Muhan and Jiang Ji reached the Liang residence and deduced that Mr. Gui’s sentient Sunblock Banner had likely parasitized Xin Mei’s flesh to survive.

Since the banner was an artifact of extreme darkness that suppressed all light, Lin Muhan devised a plan to flush her out. He consumed Yangyuan Pills and used his own blood to activate the "Blood-Guided Thousand Lanterns" formation, forcibly igniting every lamp in the capital. Jiang Ji watched from the city's highest point, knowing that the one patch of absolute darkness in the glowing city would reveal Xin Mei’s location. Watching the sky change, Lu Qianqiao realized that the cultivators were using their arts to set a trap that Xin Mei could not easily escape.

Lin Muhan performs the "Blood-led Thousand Lamps" ritual within the capital, attempting to track Xin Mei’s location. Observing from the shadows, Lu Qianqiao uses tea as a medium to precisely extinguish the magically ignited lanterns. Jiang Ji notices the unusual brightness in one part of the city and investigates, but by the time she arrives, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying have already vanished, leaving only silence.

Inside a dim room, Xin Mei regains consciousness and encounters the spirit of the Biri Fan, which appears as a dark shadow. She attempts to trap it with magic, but the cunning spirit breaks free and escapes. The use of her spiritual powers exposes her location, forcing her to flee immediately with Lu Jiujiu and Lu Xiaodao. During their escape, Xin Mei is wounded by Jiang Ji’s sword energy. Fortunately, her protective artifacts save her life.

She hides the two children in a haystack and reveals herself to lure the pursuers away. On her flight, Xin Mei first encounters Nangong Guohong and Zuo Yingying rather than Jiang Ji. While Zuo Yingying taunts her, Xin Mei ruthlessly mocks Nangong Guohong for his unspeakable obsession with his master. Taking advantage of his momentary emotional instability, Xin Mei manages another narrow escape. However, Jiang Ji catches up and blocks her path on a stone bridge.

In a fierce confrontation, the Qi-refining Xin Mei exhausts her strength against the powerful Chengying Sword, barely managing to find a slim chance of survival. Meanwhile, Lin Muhan intercepts Lu Qianqiao. Lu signals Chu Ying to go find Xin Mei while he stays behind to deal with the threat. Lin Muhan deploys his proudest creation, the "Dragon-Trapping Formation," claiming it seals twenty-four gates of life and thirty-six paths of death, making it inescapable even for Golden Core cultivators.

Unimpressed by Lin’s arrogance, Lu Qianqiao simply remarks that he talks too much before effortlessly breaking the array with a wave of his hand. Lin Muhan is left horrified, unable to perceive Lu Qianqiao’s true cultivation level. Chu Ying is the first to find the heavily injured Xin Mei on the street, and Lu Qianqiao arrives shortly after. Having just undergone the grueling "blood exchange" process, Lu Qianqiao’s vision—previously monochromatic—suddenly captures a flash of red.

Amidst a world of lifeless gray, the struggling Xin Mei is the only color he can see, a fateful connection that feels like destiny. Xin Mei eventually collapses from exhaustion. Lu Qianqiao carries her back to the ruined house they previously occupied. He provides a rare Heart-Hiding Orchid to help restore her Qi and even gives his own life-saving pill to Chu Ying to administer to her.

Chu Ying is shocked, unable to understand why Lu Qianqiao would be so generous to a cultivator he has only met a few times. Lu Qianqiao simply instructs him to ensure Xin Mei takes the medicine. At the Liang residence, Jin Lun arrives after the battle has ended.

Lin Muhan, deeply humiliated by how easily Lu Qianqiao broke his formation, lies to his peers, claiming he has reached a sudden spiritual epiphany and must return to his sect for secluded cultivation. Jiang Ji, Jin Lun, and Nangong Guohong remain at Liang Wenjing’s mansion. They conclude that Xin Mei will not leave the capital until she kills Liang Wenjing to avenge Lu Huai, and they decide to wait for her to reappear.

When Xin Mei wakes up again, she finds herself back in the ruined house with Lu Jiujiu and Lu Xiaodao. The children tell her they found her unconscious inside the house when they opened the door. Xin Mei is skeptical, clearly remembering that she fainted on the street. She realizes a mysterious master must have secretly saved her and brought her back.

The children also mention stories of Lu Huai’s past, debunking rumors that Xin Mei was his wife and expressing gratitude for her kindness in burying him. At the Zuixian Tavern, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying sit together. To celebrate Lu Qianqiao’s impending recovery, Chu Ying has rented out the entire establishment.

He explains the process of a War Ghost’s transformation: by undergoing the five stages—exchanging skin, flesh, bone, blood, and heart—one can finally perceive heat, cold, and dreams like a mortal. Chu Ying excitedly tries to teach Lu Qianqiao various colors, such as "Mountain Pigment" and "Rice Soup Cream." Although Lu is confused by the complex names, he accurately points out the vibrant red on Chu Ying’s collar.

Soon after, Emperor Zongding sends guards with a Royal Token to summon Lu Qianqiao. Lu does not resist and follows them into the palace. The two are old acquaintances; when they first met, both were in their prime. Now, the Emperor is elderly and gray-haired, while Lu Qianqiao’s appearance remains unchanged. The Emperor dismisses his attendants and prepares the cold wine from Mount Wuquan that Lu used to enjoy.

During their meeting, the Emperor discusses his reputation as a "Four-Meeting Immortal" in the literary world, his words betraying a long-standing jealousy of Lu’s peerless talent. He admits that after taking the throne, he harbored murderous intent toward Lu because of his immortality and power. Lu Qianqiao smiles calmly, stating he returned only for private matters and will leave within five days without seeking revenge.

Relieved, the Emperor laments that while he owns a vast empire, he is trapped by his throne and can never visit the sun-drenched lands of Beixiang depicted in Lu’s paintings. Lu comforts "A-Ding," telling him he is already the winner and should finally allow himself to rest.

Years ago, before he ascended the throne, the young Emperor Zong Ding was a neglected seventh prince. It was Lu Qianqiao, acting as his teacher, who carried him through the biting wind and snow, navigated dark alleys, and survived countless treacherous schemes to help him seize the throne.

Now, as an aging ruler, Zong Ding looks at the throne with a mixture of reverence and fear, knowing that without such a man to carry him, the power he fought so hard to grab could easily be lost. As Lu Qianqiao leaves the palace, Chu Ying remarks on the fickle nature of the human heart, where fear often blossoms into murderous intent.

He urges Lu Qianqiao not to lose faith in humanity; once Lu successfully completes his transformation by changing his blood and bones to regain his five senses, he can finally live as a "good man." Meanwhile, Liang Wenjing is furious that a mere female cultivator has eluded him. He orders a house-to-house search and mobilizes the city guards to set up checkpoints.

Every woman leaving the city is required to show a government certificate, but despite the heavy presence of guards, Chu Ying’s illusions keep Xin Mei hidden within a ruined temple. At the temple, Lu Jiu-jiu and Lu Xiaodao return with meat buns and offerings for Lu Huai’s third-week memorial. Jiu-jiu finds a pill near the temple entrance labeled as a cure for all diseases (left secretly by Lu Qianqiao).

Xin Mei takes the elixir and finds it remarkably effective in healing her wounds. As she burns joss paper for Lu Huai that evening, she is consumed by guilt. Recalling a prediction that her fate was destined to kill three husbands, she laments that her presence brought Lu Huai to an early grave. She remains unaware that Lu Qianqiao, who is actually Lu Huai, is watching her from the shadows.

Elsewhere, Zuo Yingying, unaware of Lu Qianqiao's true identity, finds him strikingly handsome and powerful. Despite her provocations, she notices his repeated efforts to protect Xin Mei and agrees not to interfere. Inside the Liang residence, the cultivators grow impatient. Nangong Guhong prepares to leave, claiming his master’s lute strings need replacing, and Jiang Ji declares she will follow suit in three days if Xin Mei does not appear.

Liang Wenjing, feeling abandoned by the "useless" immortals, orders the city to be turned upside down. As Xin Mei’s strength returns, she ventures out to water her Hidden-heart Orchid. Lu Qianqiao follows her closely, and as he observes her, he begins to perceive more colors in the world, a sign that his transformation is progressing. Sensing she is being followed by a "mysterious senior," Xin Mei deliberately draws the guards away to a riverbank to speak to her protector.

She thanks the senior but pleads with him to stop interfering. She admits to violating her moral oath by meddling in mortal affairs and insists on bearing the punishment alone to avoid implicating him. Returning to the temple, Xin Mei prepares the children for departure. She gives Lu Xiaodao silver and a bag of belongings, instructing them to find an old man named Sun Yao in Tianshui Lane who will care for them.

She promises them a home in her ancestral house in Wei County, ensuring they have a future. That night, she discovers that the Hidden-heart Orchid Lu Huai gave her possesses immense spiritual energy. Using it to repair her damaged Qihai, she successfully advances to the Foundation Building stage. The next morning, Chu Ying uses his illusions to help Xin Mei smuggle the children past the city gate guards.

Although she sees them off safely, she has no intention of leaving the capital until Liang Wenjing is dead. That night, she returns and fulfills her mission by killing Liang Wenjing. However, her escape is blocked by Jiang Ji, Jin Lun, and Nangong Guhong. Trapped in a Hexagram Bo formation, Xin Mei stands her ground, arguing that the immortals’ rules against "bullying the weak" are hypocritical when men like Liang Wenjing oppress others with impunity.

During the fierce battle, Jiang Ji stabs her through the chest. At that moment, Lu Qianqiao, bound to her by a blood pact, feels her agony and arrives instantly. He effortlessly repels Jiang Ji and the other cultivators. While Zuo Yingying recognizes his overwhelming power and retreats, she cunningly directs He Wabu of the Qinghong Sect’s Bishui Branch to pursue the weakened Xin Mei to avenge the death of "Mr. Gui."

Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying manage to bring the unconscious Xin Mei back to an inn. Knowing he is a member of the War Ghost tribe whose blood holds healing properties, Lu Qianqiao cuts his hand to provide the medicine she needs to survive.

Chu Ying is curious about the history between Li Niang and Lu Qianqiao. Li Niang jokingly asks for twenty gold taels for the story, but eventually shares it for free since the inn is quiet. She recalls meeting Lu Qianqiao eleven years ago when he was a neighbor and a gifted painter. During their first encounter, she had fallen and dirtied her prettiest dress, but Lu Qianqiao showed no disdain and kindly escorted her home.

Seeing how thin he was—rarely eating even once in two days—she often brought him food. Over time, however, his lack of response caused her romantic feelings to fade. The turning point came with the imposition of the "Immortality Tax," a burden created by those in power seeking eternal life.

Li Niang’s father, who ran an escort agency, planned to move the family back to their hometown to escape the exorbitant fees, but the corrupt local magistrate sent men disguised as bandits to slaughter them. Lu Qianqiao appeared and killed the attackers in a single move, saving her. It was then she realized he was no ordinary mortal.

After he disappeared, Li Niang took her young attendant and her horse trainer to a secluded valley to train in martial arts for five years. Once they had their revenge, they opened the Safe Haven Inn, where she eventually crossed paths with him again. At the inn, Li Niang observes Lu Qianqiao’s intense concern for the injured Xin Mei, noting a tenderness and heartache in his eyes she has never seen before.

Chu Ying suggests they are likely in love, though it seems destined to end without a result. Meanwhile, the political landscape shifts as the Emperor orders the Liang family’s assets seized and their clan punished following Liang Wenjing’s death. Jiang Ji and the other cultivators are informed that Xin Mei had been acting on behalf of the Imperial Court, and that the immortal sects are no longer required to intervene.

This revelation leaves Jiang Ji fuming, as the court had been the one to plead for their help initially. When Xin Mei finally regains consciousness, she is outraged to find that Lu Qianqiao is alive. In her anger, she attempts to attack him, forcing Lu Qianqiao to restrain her. He tries to explain that while he has secrets concerning his very life that he cannot disclose, he never intended to hurt her.

Despite his explanation, Xin Mei feels betrayed that he allowed her to risk her life for revenge while he was perfectly safe, questioning if he had simply been toying with her feelings. Elsewhere, Bai Zongying of the Tianyuan Sect arrives to consult with the other cultivators. Since the Imperial Court is no longer pursuing the matter, he advises against further conflict.

He dismisses Xin Mei, who has recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, as a non-threat but warns that Lu Qianqiao is dangerously powerful. Jin Lun shares his own observation, noting that Lu Qianqiao was wounded by Jiang Ji’s Chengying Sword but healed instantly. This leads him to suspect that Lu Qianqiao is actually a War Demon. After a period of intense grief, Xin Mei decides to forgive Lu Qianqiao for his deception but insists they part ways permanently.

Sensing her deep sorrow and the "lack of color" in her world, Lu Qianqiao decides it is best for her to forget him entirely. He instructs Chu Ying to use magic to erase Xin Mei’s memories of their time together, hoping she can return to her life as if "Lu Huai" never existed. Meanwhile, A Sheng arrives in the capital searching for her sister, but she is unable to find any trace of Xin Mei's whereabouts.

When Xin Mei eventually wakes up, she has no memory of Lu Qianqiao or even Meishan Jun. Li Niang tells her a fabricated story about finding her unconscious in the rain after her aunt's funeral. Xin Mei is surprised to find she has advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage despite being ill. Determined to help her master, she prepares to travel to Chongling Valley to seek an Immortality Pill.

As she sets out, Meishan Jun follows her, but she treats him as a stranger. Her journey is soon compromised when she encounters a man under the influence of He Huabu’s magic. Unaware of the danger, Xin Mei is struck by a subtle spell, leaving her under the influence of the Yan Sui Shu technique.

Under the influence of the order-following spell, Xin Mei found herself unable to swallow a single drop of water or even eat a juicy pear. Lu Qianqiao, traveling with her under the identity of Lord Meishan, noticed her physical distress but remained unaware of the magical nature of her ailment. As a storm approached, they sought refuge in a ruined house, only to find it filled with travelers whose gazes were far from friendly.

The occupants were occupied with talk of the legendary Immortality Pill and the thirty Gongshan Jade Tablets distributed by Su Taiyi of Chongling Valley as vouchers for the elixir. Lu Qianqiao, a bounty guard from the Dongzhou Prefecture, quietly identified nearly everyone in the room as a criminal on his list. Among them were a group of escorts from Lingnan who had murdered their employers and the notorious duo known as Xiyu Sword and Shuangfeng Scissors.

A sudden conflict erupted when a young woman named Lv Yunsu was threatened. Though Xin Mei usually avoided interfering in mortal affairs, she stepped in to protect the girl, allowing Lu Qianqiao to efficiently deal with the outlaws. In the aftermath, they discovered that Lv Yunsu’s protector, Li Si, was a thief who had stolen a Gongshan Jade Tablet from the Ling mansion.

Li Si admitted he had only taken the tablet to save Lv Yunsu, who suffered from terminal heart failure and needed the Immortality Pill to survive. The atmosphere shifted when Li Si revealed that Lv Yunsu was the daughter of the late General Lyu Jing. Lu Qianqiao was visibly moved; he knew the General was a hero who had died defending the Beixiang border, having eaten nothing but grass and tree bark to stay at his post.

Respecting the General’s sacrifice, Lu Qianqiao decided to let Li Si and the girl go, telling them to pretend they had never met him. This act of mercy sparked a conversation about the nature of rules. Lu Qianqiao challenged Xin Mei's rigid adherence to her sect's regulations, suggesting that if a rule is wrong, it shouldn't be followed.

He shared his own philosophy, noting that he believes his ordinary sword is the greatest in the world simply because he chooses to believe in it, rather than following the opinions of others. Xin Mei continued toward Chongling Valley with Lv Yunsu and Li Si, but they were soon intercepted by a man named Zhang Dahu.

Claiming to be a representative of the valley, he convinced the group to abandon their carriage and board a cramped boat, promising a shortcut that would bypass the long lines. Upon arrival, Xin Mei realized they had been scammed. There was a bridge they could have easily crossed on foot, and Zhang Dahu demanded payment for his "guidance" even though they hadn't seen a doctor yet.

At the clinic at Suwen Hall, a medicine boy named Huaiqing treated them with coldness, as cultivators were generally unwelcome in this sanctuary for the sick. While the various sects and officials gathered at Longevity Hall to count their jade tablets and wait for the pill, Su Taiyi remained secluded within Mount Jiujue.

The elders revealed that Su Taiyi had fortified Jiujue Cave with a dragon-severing stone, a mechanism that ensured the entire mountain would collapse if any outsider tried to force their way in. In the hidden depths of the cave, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying appeared before the elderly Zhu Yu and Su Taiyi.

Despite being a legendary physician, Su Taiyi greeted Lu Qianqiao with the profound respect one shows an ancestral master, revealing that he had been sending out letters for years in the hopes of Lu Qianqiao's return.

Inside the Nine Absolutes Cave, Su Taiyi welcomed his master, Lu Qianqiao, and Chu Ying into a chilly inner chamber. Su Taiyi jokingly admitted that he had borrowed the prestigious name of the Nine Absolutes Sword just to give the cave a more majestic title. While the Immortality Pills were still brewing in the furnace, he explained that the fire was his only source of warmth during the cold nights.

To celebrate their reunion, he produced a bottle of sixty-year-old Luosang wine, a treasure they had buried together decades ago. Meanwhile, a tense gathering took place in the main hall of Chongling Valley. A senior from the Qingshan Sect spoke condescendingly of Xin Xie Manor, lamenting that the great cultivator Xin Xiong had no worthy successors. He pointedly criticized Xin Mei and her companions for their lack of manners.

Though the insult was clear, Xin Mei maintained her composure and performed a formal greeting to uphold her sect's dignity. Li Si, however, was not as patient; he mockingly revealed that the Qingshan Sect was so destitute that they had to rent land from other sects and would admit anyone with enough silver, regardless of their spiritual potential. The arrival of Bai Zongying from the Tianyuan Sect momentarily shifted the mood.

His commanding presence and refined aura immediately caught Xin Mei’s eye. Noticing her distracted gaze, Lv Yunsu teased her, but Xin Mei quickly denied having feelings for him, claiming she had merely seen him before and doubted he even remembered her. The gathering then turned to the tallying of Gongshan Jade Tablets. Various families and minor sects reported their modest holdings, ranging from one to five tablets.

When Lingji Mountain claimed ten, it seemed like a high count until Bai Zongying announced that the Tianyuan Sect held twenty tablets. Despite vocal skepticism regarding their origin, Zhu Yu concluded the session by offering guest rooms to the attendees while they waited for the furnace to open. Back in the cave, the wine loosened Su Taiyi’s tongue. He began to vent his long-standing frustrations regarding Emperor Zongding, whom he had known since the man was a prince.

Su Taiyi complained to Lu Qianqiao about being relegated to a mere nominal disciple while the Emperor had been taken in as a true one. Beyond personal grievances, Su Taiyi expressed a deep bitterness toward the world of cultivation. He argued that the obsession with individual power and immortality had caused human civilization to stagnate.

While mankind once made great strides in technology and philosophy, he felt that for the past ten thousand years, the lives of ordinary people had remained primitive because everyone was too focused on personal ascension. As the guests settled in, Xin Mei was assigned to a dilapidated room filled with cobwebs. It was clear that Huai Qing, the medicinal apprentice, harbored a deep dislike for cultivators and treated her with cold indifference.

In contrast, Lv Yunsu and Li Si were given much better accommodations at Mingzhu House because Lv Yunsu was a patient. Adhering to the valley’s strict prohibition on magic, Xin Mei attempted to navigate the grounds on foot but quickly became lost. She eventually ran into Lu Qianqiao and, not recognizing him due to her sealed memories, asked for directions to the pantry.

Lu Qianqiao was momentarily stunned by her presence and her lack of recognition, but he patiently guided her. After she left, Chu Ying teased Lu Qianqiao, suggesting that his destiny with Xin Mei was far from over. In another part of the valley, a clinical discussion took place between Zhu Yu and Lu Qianqiao.

Zhu Yu had prepared bones for Lu’s impending replacement procedure, but Lu Qianqiao insisted on using a set of animal bones he had been nourishing in a cold spring. Despite the risks of physical rejection, such as severe heart pain and a weakened constitution, Lu refused to take a human life for his own recovery. Meanwhile, in a local tea house, a stranger was searching for a woman matching Xin Mei’s description.

The tea house owner took the man’s silver and provided vague information, eventually warning him that the woman’s crescent-shaped blade was more than capable of taking his life. Xin Mei’s condition continued to worsen as her thirst became unbearable. Zhang Dahu found her and, rather than helping, used her desperation to run another scam. He claimed that Dr. Zhu was too busy and persuaded her to seek out a "Dr. Liu" who specialized in digestive issues.

He led her to a high wall and convinced her to climb over it, instructing her to collapse on the ground and feign an emergency to force the doctor's hand. Before the plan could proceed, Zhang Dahu abandoned her on the pretext of a sudden stomach ache. Left alone in the sweltering heat and suffering from extreme dehydration, Xin Mei staggered forward for help but collapsed just as Lu Qianqiao arrived.

Lu Qianqiao carried the unconscious Xin Mei back to his residence. Su Taiyi rushed to the scene so frantically that he lost a shoe, eager to see the woman his master had rescued. Upon examination, they determined that Xin Mei was suffering from the Spell of Utterance, a rare and powerful magic that forces the victim to obey a command—in this case, an order not to drink water.

Lu explained that the spell could only be broken by killing the caster. Because her cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, she had been an easy target for someone with higher power. When Xin Mei regained consciousness, Lu Qianqiao informed her of the spell. She suddenly recalled an encounter in Pingxiang Town with a madman from the north who had warned her that the water was poisonous.

Lu realized the madman had likely served as a medium for the spell. Knowing that she would eventually die of thirst if they didn't act, Lu promised to protect her. He led her toward Qiyue Lake, a place of intense spiritual energy, intending to use the Fish-Sucking Technique to hydrate her without triggering the spell's lethal symptoms.

A Sheng drugged Jiang Ji with Power-Dissolving Powder, suppressing her spiritual powers and leaving her as helpless as a mortal. Binding her with ropes, A Sheng produced a portrait of her senior sister and interrogated Jiang Ji about her whereabouts. When Jiang Ji remained arrogant, boasting that the Lingji Mountain sect would avenge her, A Sheng slapped her across the face.

Undeterred by threats, A Sheng explained that her senior was her savior who had rescued her from a miserable childhood where her father and brothers treated her like a slave. To force the truth out, A Sheng cast the Bonding Curse on Jiang Ji, ensuring they would share the same physical sensations and pain. Nangong Guhong was also captured and held in the tea house. Just as A Sheng was about to deal with him, Jin Lun arrived.

Sensing the danger, Jin Lun demanded the release of his friends, leading to a clash between the two Golden Core cultivators. During the struggle, Jiang Ji managed to break free. Though she wanted to help Jin Lun, he urged her to rescue Nangong Guhong instead. Recognizing that a prolonged battle between two masters would only lead to mutual destruction, Jin Lun chose to retreat with his companions.

Later, Jin Lun approached A Sheng again, telling her that she was his "tribulation," a destined obstacle in his path. In Chongling Valley, Lu Qianqiao led Xin Mei to Qiyue Lake, a place rich in spiritual energy. He began teaching her the Fish Drinking Technique, explaining that while ordinary people breathe through their nose and mouth, cultivators must learn to connect with the world through their skin.

By gathering her spiritual energy and letting it flow through her meridians to her skin, Xin Mei was finally able to hydrate without drinking. Though her thirst was quenched, she grew hungry after a day of training. Since her condition only allowed her to consume dry food, she requested flatbreads. Lu Qianqiao went to the kitchen to personally prepare the meal. Being his first time making flatbreads, he burnt several before producing a few edible ones.

Though they were salty and overcooked, Xin Mei ate them appreciatively to show her gratitude. She offered him advice on how to improve the recipe, suggesting he make the dough thinner and add an egg and chopped green onions for a better texture. She promised that one day she would make flatbreads for him in return. Meanwhile, Lin Muhan and his subordinate, Xu Feng, attempted to steal the Gongshan Jade Tablet but were intercepted by a masked thief.

Despite using his magic, Lin Muhan was wounded by the thief's weapon. The next day, he sought treatment from Zhu Yu, who noted that the injury appeared to have been caused by human gunpowder rather than magic. Zhu Yu remarked on the rapid advancement of human technology and lamented that the "Unparalleled Records" of the Goddess Wushuang had been lost; otherwise, the human race would be even more formidable.

Later, Xin Mei took Lu Qianqiao to Cunsu Hall for a meal. They sat with Lv Yunsu and Li Si. Lu Qianqiao, ever observant, suspected that Li Si was hiding something. He tested the man by asking about a "General Sun Wulei" in the Dongyou Army, only for Li Si to correct him by naming General Zhang Qian. Though Li Si explained he was a scout, Lu remained skeptical.

Their conversation was interrupted by Lin Muhan, who tried to act familiar with Lu Qianqiao. Lu remained cold and largely ignored him. The tension escalated when Bai Zongying entered the hall and attacked Lin Muhan’s men. A fight broke out between Lin Muhan and Bai Zongying. When a stray blast of spiritual energy headed toward their table, Lu Qianqiao neutralized it with a single, effortless move.

After the skirmish, Lin Muhan tried to strike up a conversation again, but Lu placed a binding spell on him and walked away. Upon returning to her room, Xin Mei was shocked to find that her belongings had been ransacked. With no other rooms available, she moved into the guest room next to Lu Qianqiao’s quarters. Under the guidance of Su Taiyi, Lu Qianqiao prepared for the grueling process of "renewing bones."

This involved shattering his existing bones and using "Dragon Burning Sand" to allow new, indestructible bones from a Di beast to take their place. After drinking the necessary medicine, Lu became extremely weak. Chu Ying lied to Xin Mei, claiming Lu had caught a cold, so she took it upon herself to care for him. That night, Xin Mei suffered from a nightmare triggered by the Spell of Utterance.

In her sleep, her body expelled a massive amount of water, soaking the floor. Lu Qianqiao woke her and realized that the Fish Drinking Technique was only a temporary fix; to truly save her, they would have to find and kill the person who had cast the spell.

Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying discussed the worsening condition of Xin Mei, who was suffering from the Spell of Utterance. Since her body could no longer retain water, the Fish Drinking Technique was only a temporary measure. Chu Ying noted that the only permanent solution was to kill the person who had cast the spell. While Lu Qianqiao was the best person for such a task, he was hesitant to leave Xin Mei alone while she was being targeted.

Chu Ying assured him that there were others in Chongling Valley capable of protecting her. Meanwhile, the monk Jin Lun spoke with A Sheng about the golden lotus on his forehead. Born on the 9th day of September, his birth was accompanied by auspicious signs and a lotus pond that refused to bloom until he arrived. At the age of four, the Sect Master of Tianyin Mountain recognized his natural talent and invited him to cultivate.

Jin Lun declined then, as he had not yet severed his mortal ties. He instead began practicing a cultivation method inherent to the golden lotus itself. Twenty years later, after his parents passed away, he finally sought out the mountain. Jin Lun spent three years traveling to Tianyin Mountain, but upon arrival, he found himself unable to take a single step up the stone stairs. He sat at the foot of the mountain for three months until his Master descended.

His Master told him that since he did not yet understand why he was hesitating, he should return to the world and reflect for ten years. Now, in that tenth year, Jin Lun had encountered A Sheng. He confessed that while his heart had once been as calm as a millpond, it had been stirred since meeting her. He viewed her as a riddle he needed to solve to stabilize his path.

Unimpressed by his story, A Sheng used Power-Dissolving Powder on him. However, Jin Lun possessed the Golden Bracelet of Demon Suppression, a top-tier artifact bound to his soul that prevented her from harming him. A Sheng could only warn him to stop following her. Lu Qianqiao prepared for his departure, bringing Xin Mei a large amount of food and urging her to practice the Fish Drinking Technique diligently while he was away.

At the same time, others in the valley were becoming suspicious of a "War Ghost" who could heal from wounds instantly. Xin Mei's own suspicions centered on Li Si, whose injuries seemed to be caused by magic rather than common weapons. She questioned Lv Yunsu about Li Si's history and learned that he had only served her father for three years and was not an old acquaintance.

Determined to find the truth, Xin Mei used a paper charm to track him. Lin Muhan and Xu Feng were also tailing Li Si, noting that his build matched the masked man they had fought previously. They followed him through the valley, careful to avoid the many protective formations that could be triggered by sudden movements. Li Si, ever cautious, used glutinous rice flour to test for traps. He eventually discovered Xin Mei’s paper figure and severed the connection.

To throw off his pursuers, Li Si staged a scene, claiming he had been ambushed and that his Gongshan Jade Tablet had been stolen. Despite his acting, Xin Mei caught up to him and unmasked him. Li Si admitted he had no choice but to stop her from ruining his plans, though he claimed he did not want to hurt her. He knocked her unconscious and hid her in a cave, promising that someone would find her in two days.

Shortly after he left, another masked man arrived. This was the intruder who had actually searched Xin Mei’s room earlier. When she refused to tell him where the jade tablet was hidden, he resorted to a Soul Search Technique to forcibly extract the information. In Pingxiang Town, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying found a man from North Xiang who led them to Xutuo City.

Lu Qianqiao entered the Bishui Branch of the Qinghong Sect alone to confront the branch master, Hewabu. Hewabu, believing himself to be the envoy of the Phoenix God, dismissed Lu as a mere "immortal sect dog." To demonstrate his power, Hewabu drank a potion that allowed him to instantly advance from the Golden Core stage to the Nascent Soul stage, manifesting a Golden Body. Lu Qianqiao remained unfazed by the display.

He criticized Hewabu’s "Divine Command" as a superficial version of the Spell of Utterance. Lu Qianqiao then demonstrated the true power of the spell, declaring that those burdened with sin and blood would face justice. Under the weight of Lu's words, Hewabu began to bleed from his orifices as his meridians shattered. The guards who had participated in the sect's atrocities were similarly forced to take their own lives.

With Hewabu's death, the spell affecting Xin Mei back in the valley finally vanished, allowing her body to absorb water once more. Back in Chongling Valley, Li Si was cornered while attempting to steal the Immortality Pill from the alchemy furnace. He dropped his facade, boasting of his peerless talent and his ambition to become the first mortal to ascend through the way of the sword as a Land Deity.

He admitted that escorting Lv Yunsu was merely an excuse to gain access to the pill. When confronted about his lies, Li Si showed no remorse, claiming he had saved Lv Yunsu from death and therefore owed her nothing. He even insulted the divine doctor Su Taiyi. Bai Zongying, seeing his lack of repentance and his threat to the valley, ordered his execution. As Li Si was struck down, Lv Yunsu was left to mourn the betrayal of the man she had trusted.

Following the trail of the paper charm she had placed on the masked man, Xin Mei arrives at a room only to find the man already murdered. Lin Muhan and Xu Feng follow her into the residence, finding the body cold. Lin Muhan is frustrated, noting that he rushed toward the Nine Absolutes Cave as soon as he received word, yet arrived only after the fighting had ceased.

He questions how Li Si truly died and whether the missing Gongshan Jade Tablet has been recovered, but Xin Mei remains silent as she leaves the scene. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying are intercepted by pursuers from Xutuo City. Though they dispatch the attackers with ease, Lu Qianqiao begins to suffer from the side effects of his medicine, leaving him unsteady and forced to find a place to rest.

They are taken in by a kind Beixiang family, where Lu Qianqiao remains unconscious for a full day. Upon waking, he expresses his gratitude by gifting the family silver and giving a small dagger to their young son. The boy, who admires the heroes of the Central Plains, speaks of his dream to one day travel there and learn the way of the sword.

As Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying prepare to depart, they notice a group of immortal sect disciples entering the house for tea, followed shortly by another group. Sensing danger, they turn back only to find the household slaughtered. The innocent family, including the boy, was murdered by disciples fighting over Gongshan Jade Tablets. Enraged by the senseless violence, Lu Qianqiao kills the two remaining disciples and retrieves three jade tablets.

He stands amidst the carnage, reflecting on how many lives are being sacrificed for the sake of immortality. Back at Chongling Valley, Xin Mei visits the grieving Lv Yunsu, who is struggling to reconcile the loss of Li Si. Lv Yunsu shows Xin Mei a poem Li Si wrote—a piece filled with themes of national peril and noble sacrifice.

She wonders aloud if a man capable of such verses could truly be a villain driven by a selfish desire for longevity. Xin Mei finds no answer. Later, she encounters Zhang Dahu at Li Si’s grave. To help him make a living, she gives him her hairpin in exchange for him reciting "auspicious words" to guide Li Si’s soul toward a peaceful afterlife.

Bai Zongying attempts to gain Xin Mei’s trust by bringing her lychee pastries from her hometown, claiming a friend brought them while traveling along the Yangtze River. He reminisces about the shared origins of the Tianyuan Sect and Xin Xie Manor, lamenting how the two sects grew distant after her master, Xin Xiong, departed. During their conversation, Bai Zongying probes for information about Lu Qianqiao.

Xin Mei, unsuspecting, describes Lu Qianqiao as a brilliant man who saved her from her speech curse and treated her with great kindness. Su Taiyi interrupts the meeting and dismissively sends Bai Zongying away, harboring a grudge because Bai had Li Si killed without his permission. Once alone, Su Taiyi asks Xin Mei about her true purpose in the valley. She confesses she came secretly to save her master, Xin Xiong.

Since the destruction of the heavenly ladder, the Great Completion Realm cultivator has lost his sense of purpose, leading to stagnated cultivation. With his life nearing its end, Xin Mei hopes to use a jade tablet to obtain an elixir to extend his lifespan. Su Taiyi, however, questions if her master actually desires such a thing, recalling Xin Xiong as an upright man who once nearly smashed a jade tablet Su Taiyi tried to give him.

In a nearby town, Sheng is enraged to find a couple using their daughter to scam travelers for high-grade Ghost Needle Lotus. She realizes the parents poisoned the child themselves to evoke sympathy. Jin Lun stops her from lashing out, explaining that the tragedy is rooted in the "Immortality Tax." Because the local water is poor, the farmers cannot grow herbs that meet the strict standards required for refining immortality pills.

Facing collective punishment and hard labor for their failure, the desperate farmers resort to poisoning their children to obtain the necessary herbs from sympathetic travelers. Sheng accuses Jin Lun and his sect of hypocrisy for observing human suffering from a distance without attempting to change the system. Zhang Dahu later approaches Xin Mei, attempting to sell her a small, low-quality jade tablet he fashioned from scraps for a hundred taels.

He suggests she use the fake to protect her real one. Concerned for his safety, Xin Mei buys the piece but warns him that a mortal possessing such a treasure—even a fake—will only attract greedy killers. Bai Zongying confronts Xin Mei again, showing her his Sun Splendor artifact and asking if her master passed down the Moon Splendor to her.

He mentions a female cultivator surnamed Xin who recently killed several court officials in the capital to avenge her husband, noting she used a moonlight-based weapon remarkably similar to Xin Mei's. Xin Mei denies the accusation, claiming she has never been to the capital and was in Wei County handling her aunt's funeral during that time. Before they part, she gives him a fragrance pendant she made from ebony. Finally, Lu Qianqiao returns to Chongling Valley in a fury.

He finds Su Taiyi and strikes him, rebuking him for allowing his quest for immortality to claim innocent lives. Lu Qianqiao reminds him that he originally taught him medicine to save people, not to provide excuses for atrocities. He demands to know why common people must die so that "higher" cultivators can pursue their narrow path to longevity.

Lu Qianqiao was consumed by fury as he confronted Su Taiyi, striking him several times for betraying the true purpose of medicine. He accused Su of hiding in Chongling Valley to refine immortality pills while the outside world suffered under the "Immortality Tax." Lu described a nightmare landscape where villages were empty, taxes were crushing, and the elderly committed suicide to spare their families from further financial burdens.

He condemned Su for building a dream of eternal life on a foundation of blood and bone. Su Taiyi offered no defense, instead pleading with his master to ignore the world’s suffering. He urged Lu to focus on his own upcoming "bone-changing" process, which would take effect in a few days and bring Lu closer to being fully human. Su suggested that if Lu stayed out of it, he could finally have a peaceful life.

When Lu offered to take Su away if he stopped the madness, Su only managed a bitter smile, admitting that although he was the master of the valley in name, he was not truly in control. Disgusted by Su’s lack of concern for human life, Lu ordered him to leave. Afterward, Xin Mei entered to comfort Lu, and he shared the story of their past. Years ago, Lu had been a palace painter who taught the princes calligraphy.

He had saved a young Su Taiyi, a stubborn performer who was nearly made a eunuch and was frequently punished for his sharp tongue. Later, after being betrayed by Emperor Ding—the very man he had helped put on the throne—Lu left the palace with Su by his side. Recognizing Su's natural talent for medicine, Lu mentored him, which eventually led to the creation of Chongling Valley.

Lu gave Xin Mei three Gongshan Jade Tablets to replace the one she had lost, remarking that people only truly understand if a prize is a blessing or a curse once it is in their hands. Meanwhile, Lin Muhan's greed intensified. Suspecting Bai Zongying of stealing tablets, Lin lured him away to search his room. The search turned up nothing, and Lin was instead badly injured by a defensive formation Bai had hidden.

When Lin sought treatment from the physician Zhu Yu, his arrogance led to him being kicked out by the assistant, Huai Qing. Matters worsened for Lin when he discovered his own jade tablets had been stolen, leading to a heated, but ultimately futile, confrontation with Bai. Lu Qianqiao’s suspicion of Bai Zongying grew when he noticed the man wearing a dark jade pendant—the one Xin Mei had previously said was intended for someone else.

Xin Mei explained their history, noting that both she and Bai were born on the ninth day of the ninth month, making them "Heavenly Talents" according to a prophecy about a world savior. While Bai was considered a genius, Xin Mei recalled seeing him practice a single move over five hundred times in one night. Lu, unimpressed, concluded that neither of them seemed like a savior. To uncover the truth, Lu had Xin Mei lead Bai away.

As they walked, Xin Mei questioned Bai about the value of the immortality pill. Bai justified the Tianyuan Sect’s aggressive acquisition of twenty tablets as the right of the strong. When Xin Mei bluntly asked if he had murdered Elder Cai, Bai remained calm. Simultaneously, Lu infiltrated Bai’s courtyard and broke his defensive formation. The triggered alarm brought Bai rushing back, only to be easily defeated and brought to his knees by Lu.

Lu revealed the stolen jade tablets he had found in the room, including Xin Mei’s original one. Having recently confessed her feelings for Bai, Xin Mei was devastated to realize that her respected senior brother was a thief and a killer who had stolen from her. Lu offered the tablets to her, but she refused them. She realized that since the news of the pill spread, the valley had seen nothing but death.

Lu agreed, noting that while no one had achieved immortality yet, the pile of corpses continued to grow. Looking at the blood-stained tablets, Xin Mei questioned if the pill was truly worth the eternal bloodshed it caused.

The time for Lu Qianqiao’s bone renewal has arrived in the Jiujue Cave. Su Taiyi prepares the "Dragon Burning Sand," a process that will take at least three shichen (six hours) to dissolve Lu’s bones. He warns his disciples, Xu Changshou and Fang Liang, that as the stone marrow in Lu’s War Demon bones—which normally suppresses pain—dissolves, Lu will feel every bit of the agonizing process.

Su Taiyi orders a leather strap to be used as a gag to prevent Lu from biting off his own tongue. Due to their blood pact, Xin Mei feels a sharp pain in her chest, though her suffering is less prolonged than Lu’s. Meanwhile, Lv Yunsu prepares to leave the valley now that her illness has been managed by Zhu Yu’s prescriptions. Before departing, she uses sign language to communicate with Xin Mei.

While she claims the gestures mean "thank you," Su Taiyi later reveals to a shocked Xin Mei that the signs actually meant "sorry." Realizing something is wrong, Xin Mei rushes back and stops Lv Yunsu from assassinating Su Taiyi to avenge Li Si. Although Su Taiyi had hidden guards who wounded her with a silver needle, he orders them to spare her life.

Lv Yunsu confesses her true identity as Ah Xing, one half of the fourth-ranked "Star-and-Thunder Twin Swords" alongside Li Si. She reveals that she did not come for the Immortality Pills, but to stop Su Taiyi. She recounts her childhood during a plague where her mother and brother starved to death because officials seized their grain for the "Immortality Tax."

She views the pursuit of eternal life by the Imperial Family and the immortal sects as a curse that bleeds the common people dry. Despite her mission, she gives her only genuine Gongshan Jade Tablet to Xin Mei, trusting her kindness. Xin Mei’s perspective shifts after hearing Ah Xing’s story.

She offers to return all her jade tablets to Su Taiyi, but he declines, telling her that only when she holds them will she truly be able to judge if immortality is good or bad. Inspired by the philosophy of Xin Mei’s father, Xin Xiong—"Everything has an end; as I walk down the mountain, others will rise to climb it"—Su Taiyi makes a radical decision.

Realizing that animal bones are inferior, he decides to sacrifice his own bones to renew Lu Qianqiao’s body. As Xin Mei prepares to leave the valley, Huai Qing accompanies her and they discover the ferryman Zhang Dahu dead by the lake. Although Zhang Dahu was a skilled swimmer, Xin Mei suspects that his attempt to pass off a fake jade tablet invited a fatal confrontation with someone desperate for the prize.

At the Pill-Tasting Conference in Longevity Hall, the atmosphere is tense. Lin Muhan and the Tianyuan Sect are humiliated when they can only produce seven of the twenty tablets they previously boasted about. Mr. Bai Yun of the Lingxu Sect is also exposed for carrying three fake tablets, which he claims he bought out of pity for a scammer. Xin Mei enters the hall carrying a large number of genuine Gongshan Jade Tablets.

She declares that she no longer wants them and will give them to anyone who can answer her questions. She asks Mr. Bai Yun to calculate how long it would take an ordinary farming family to buy a hundred-tael house while paying the summer and winter Immortality Taxes. The answer—1,380 years—shocks the room. Xin Mei describes the desolation of the once-prosperous Xudu, where people now commit suicide or flee as refugees to avoid the tax. She challenges the gathered masters, asking if the immortal sects only remember their shared roots with the common people when the human race faces total extinction.

Xin Mei’s defiance left the assembled crowd speechless as she began shattering her Gongshan Jade Tablets one by one. Senior Uncle Gong Yu of the Sun Moon Cavern rebuked her, claiming her heart was clouded by distracting thoughts that she had allowed to fester. He lectured her on the "Way of Great Unity," asserting that all living beings are equal.

However, Xin Mei exposed the hypocrisy in his words, questioning whether he would truly distribute the Immortality Pills to his own disciples if everyone were truly equal. She pointed out that while they preached equality, they still enforced a world of rigid ranks and classes. The tension was momentarily eased by Zhi Bocheng, the Jingzhou Transport and Communications Envoy.

As a mortal official, he admitted to his own confusion regarding the immortal sects, noting how some cultivators lose their powers for minor infractions while others commit atrocities without consequence. He suggested that their vows were matters of personal belief rather than rigid laws. Moved by his perspective, Xin Mei offered him two jade tablets. However, Zhi Bocheng declined and shattered the tablets himself, stating he already had the six pills required by the Emperor.

He thanked Xin Mei for being a voice for the common people before departing. When the Tianyuan Sect took their turn, Xin Mei did not bother with questions; she simply smashed the remaining tablets. This insolence sent Lei Fengzi into a murderous rage, and he seized Xin Mei by the throat. Though Zhu Yu eventually persuaded him to release her, Lei Fengzi’s fury remained, and he ordered her never to appear before him again.

That night, Xin Mei was reunited with her junior, Sheng, who had tracked her down using a mockingbird. Their reunion was cut short by the tolling of the bell from Jiujue Cave, signaling that the Immortality Pill was about to be completed. As they rushed toward the cave, they were intercepted by Bai Zongying, who was acting on his master's orders to block Xin Mei.

She challenged him with a prophecy regarding a savior born on the ninth day of the ninth month, a role many once believed Bai Zongying would fulfill. Her words struck a chord with him, and he eventually stepped aside to let them pass. Inside the cave, a weakened Su Taiyi sat in his wheelchair, ordering his disciples to stoke the furnace for the final stage.

Simultaneously, Lu Qianqiao awoke from his bone-renewing procedure, only to realize that the bones in his body were not animal bones, but human ones. Sensing a tragedy, he demanded to know Su Taiyi’s whereabouts. Outside, twenty-eight drums began to play, a tradition intended to honor Shennong. While the ceremony was meant to be a grand celebration, Lin Muhan noticed that the music and zither were playing a "parting melody"—a tune of farewell rather than joy.

Su Taiyi had sacrificed his own bones for Lu Qianqiao, choosing to end his life as the music echoed through the valley. By the time Lu Qianqiao reached Jiujue Cave, Su Taiyi had already passed away, denying the master and disciple a final meeting. With Su Taiyi’s death, the alchemy furnace suddenly exploded, and the long-awaited Immortality Pills were reduced to nothing but ash. In his final days, Su Taiyi had meticulously prepared for Lu Qianqiao’s future as a mortal.

He left behind a chest of emergency medicines and deeds to various properties in the capital, Wei County, Nanyang, and beyond, ensuring Lu Qianqiao would always have a home. He even compiled a list of regional delicacies for Lu Qianqiao to enjoy now that he possessed a sense of taste.

In a poignant moment, Lu Qianqiao imagined Su Taiyi reminding him that while a War Demon might not need money, a human certainly did, urging him not to mistreat himself while walking the mortal path. The grief in the valley was soon interrupted by the arrival of the immortal sects at Longevity Hall. Led by the Tianyuan Sect, they attempted to pillage the valley’s resources, claiming they needed compensation for the failed pills.

Lei Fengzi went so far as to demand that Su Taiyi’s body and his disciples be taken back to the Tianyuan Sect for interrogation. Lu Qianqiao arrived and made short work of the intruders, revealing his identity as Su Taiyi’s master. He threatened to annihilate any sect that dared to scheme against Chongling Valley, and intimidated by his overwhelming power, the immortal sects fled in disgrace.

After the funeral rites, Xin Mei reflected that while the Immortality Pill was a noble pursuit, it was currently "ill-timed," much like brewing wine during a famine. She believed that one day, when the world was ready, such a gift would truly benefit everyone. With their business concluded, Xin Mei and Sheng bid Lu Qianqiao farewell to return to Xin Xie Manor. As they departed, Chu Ying returned from Fangwai Mountain.

Although he had been unable to find the legendary artifact for blood purification, Lu Qianqiao remained unperturbed. Watching the river lanterns released by the commoners to honor Su Taiyi, Lu Qianqiao told his friend that he had already discovered another way to complete his transformation.

Chu Ying returns from Fangwai Mountain with mixed news. While he is relieved to have returned safely, he admits to Lu Qianqiao that he failed to find the legendary artifact for blood renewal. Lu Qianqiao remains undeterred, revealing that he has already discovered another method involving a magical artifact called the Sunblock Banner.

Created by a reclusive master in North Xiang known as Master Sanju, the banner was refined in a blood pool for eighty-one days and famously drained its creator of all his blood upon completion. Lu Qianqiao recalls seeing the evil device in the capital when it was wielded by the heretical cultivator Mr. Gui.

Since Mr. Gui’s death, Lu suspects the banner has fallen into the hands of Zuo Yingying, a member of the Qinghong Sect whom he encountered at the Safe Haven Inn. Lu prepares to travel to North Xiang to retrieve it, but he refuses to let Chu Ying accompany him.

As a being created by Lu, Chu Ying is spiritually linked to him; with Lu currently weakened from the bone-renewal process, Chu Ying would also be too frail to maintain his human form. Lu reassures him that he has a master at Liubo Temple in North Xiang who has likely reached the Great Completion Stage. Meanwhile, Chongling Valley is still teeming with people seeking medical aid despite the death of the Medicine God, Su Taiyi.

Patients continue to flock to Suwen Hall, gossiping about whether Su died of anger after his furnace exploded, committed suicide, or simply died of old age. While they mock the failed Immortality Pill, they still rely on the valley's disciples to treat their everyday ailments. Xin Mei and Sheng prepare to leave the valley, but they are stopped by Bai Zongying.

He mentions a recent case in the capital where an immortal woman cleared her husband's name through violence, using the story to prompt Xin Mei to think about her own situation. He suggests that her memory loss is likely the result of a curse or specific technique. When Xin Mei asks where she might find the truth, Bai Zongying points her toward Wei County.

He also mentions that the creeping woodsorrel is blooming on Tianyuan Mountain, inviting her to visit if she ever passes by. Elsewhere, Lv Yunsu wakes up in a villager's home and is overjoyed to find Li Si alive. Li Si explains that Su Taiyi faked his death with a cenotaph and hid him in a basement to treat his wounds.

They are saddened to hear of Su Taiyi’s passing but learn from the villagers that the Immortality Tax has been abolished. The commoners are now celebrating Jin Lun, who led them to build irrigation canals and save their herb fields. Before departing for North Xiang, Jin Lun tells the people that the immortal sects were merely repaying a debt they owed to the commoners.

In the desert, the Lord of Rust-Sword, Meishan Jun, is struggling with his new life as an escort for a caravan led by Tang You. Having been fired as a bounty guard after a failed case, he is now reduced to manual labor and protecting a coffin for travel money. He is pestered by An, a rabbit demon he previously encountered in Wei County, who follows him relentlessly and begs to be his disciple.

Meishan Jun is frustrated by the caravan’s poverty, often having to spend his own money to keep them fed. He warns An that he will not teach a demon and threatens to punish her if she resorts to stealing. At the Tianyuan Sect, Bai Zongying debates the Sect Leader over the injustice of the Gongshan Jade Tablets. Bai argues that the commoners sacrificed everything while only the royal families and sects benefited.

The Sect Leader dismisses his concerns, arguing that tools like the Immortality Pill have no inherent morality and that their value is determined by the user. He compares the pill to rice or carriages—useful things that can still cause death—and insists the sect must focus on becoming strong enough to protect the weak rather than obsessing over potential harms.

In Lingji Mountain, Sect Master Lin An orders Jiang Ji to North Xiang to capture a group of human demonic cultivators from the Wushuang Society. These heretics recently stole manuals from the Scripture Pavilion and injured several disciples. Lin An warns that the group recruits commoners and trains children with spiritual potential to oppose the immortal sects. Lin Muhan, who is currently grounded for his past failures, begs to go along, but his father refuses.

Secretly, Lin Muhan resolves to track down the heretics himself to regain his standing. As the caravan stops for the night, An becomes terrified, claiming that the coffin is moving and contains a living person or a ghost. Meishan Jun eventually opens the lid to reveal Lu Qianqiao, who is traveling under his alias, Feng Hong Yi Dao (Autumn Crimson Blade).

Lu Qianqiao jokingly claims he is occupying the coffin to provide "yang energy" to ward off spirits, as local custom dictates that a coffin should not travel empty. In reality, he is using the transport to recover from his injuries while heading to North Xiang. Meishan Jun grumbles about his own misfortunes but eventually settles in with the mysterious passenger.

The Tianyuan Sect Leader sends Sima Randeng, who has reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, to join Bai Zongying on a new mission. They are to head to the Sihe Library in Phoenix City to prevent the Wushuang Society from obtaining a demonic mantra that could bewitch the populace. He warns them that demonic cultivators often disguise themselves as weak or kind to manipulate others. Meanwhile, Xin Mei and Sheng reach Wei County.

Through Song Qingbao, Xin Mei learns that Lu Qianqiao previously used the name Lu Huai. She then visits the Safe Haven Inn, where the innkeeper Li Niang confirms that Lu Qianqiao took care of her day and night when she was wounded, proving he bears no ill will toward her. After Sheng obtains a map of the region, they decide to take the western route into North Xiang to continue their journey.

Xin Mei and her junior sister, Sheng, continued their journey toward North Xiang, determined to uncover the truth behind Xin Mei's erased memories. While resting, Sheng presented a map of North Xiang. She outlined three possible routes: the long official southern road through mountain cliffs, a short but difficult northern path of sandy tracks, or a western route that utilized half of the official road for better speed. They decided to head west.

As they traveled, Sheng argued that Lu Qianqiao was a villain who had manipulated and abandoned Xin Mei. However, Xin Mei theorized a different story. Recalling her "husband-killing" destiny, she suspected she had intentionally sought out a death-row prisoner—Lu Qianqiao—to marry and break her curse. She believed that after discovering his noble character, she had stayed to help him.

Despite his immense power and the fact that he had saved her multiple times, she remained confused as to why he would erase her memories. At the Qinghong Sect headquarters, Cult Master Futian summoned his Dharma Kings to discuss the destruction of the Bishui Branch and the death of Hehuabu. Zuo Yingying, the Xunmu Vajra, attended despite her lower rank, drawing insults from Dharma Kings Wenyin and Niankong, who mocked her for relying on charm rather than strength.

During the meeting, Zuo Yingying revealed that the cultivator responsible for Mr. Gui’s death was protected by a powerful master—Lu Qianqiao—who had easily repelled the elite immortal sects. Futian ordered Wenyin to the Bishui Branch for vengeance but privately commanded Zuo Yingying to accompany him to prevent any reckless blunders. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao traveled toward North Xiang hidden inside a heavy coffin to remain undetected. He was accompanied by Meishan Jun (the Lord of Rust-Sword) and a group of laborers.

The grueling desert heat led Meishan Jun to daydream about the pork trotters at the Zuixian Restaurant. Their trek was interrupted by the sound of approaching horsemen. Fearing bandits, the laborers scattered, leaving their employers behind. Jiang Ji, pursuing her own mission, intercepted the fleeing employer to confirm the group’s location. Elsewhere, Xin Mei and Sheng encountered a trio of swindlers: Tai Shiqian, a fortune teller, and his accomplices Zhu Dajian and Shi Wen.

While Sheng was away fetching water, Tai Shiqian used Confusion Powder to daze Xin Mei and steal her silver. However, he only took two taels, leaving the rest of the bag untouched. When Xin Mei recovered and tracked them down, she reclaimed her money but spared their lives, noting Tai's small spark of conscience.

Tai Shiqian, persistent as ever, claimed they were destined to travel together, noting that Xin Mei’s fortune was tied to a man whose name was connected to "arbor trees." Lu Qianqiao’s group eventually reached a roadside inn to tend to one of the laborers, Lv, who had been stung by a scorpion. Lu stabilized the man’s meridians but warned that only Dragon Subduing Grass, found in the deep shadows of desert cliffs, could save him.

By chance, Wenyin and Zuo Yingying arrived at the same inn, demanding the superior rooms. To avoid a confrontation that might expose his identity, Lu Qianqiao agreed to switch to the first floor. The swindlers also arrived at the inn, pennilessly trying to attach themselves to Xin Mei and Sheng, suggesting they all head to Phoenix City, the hub of North Xiang.

The situation grew tense as Bai Zongying and the Tianyuan Sect disciples arrived in the region, hunting members of the Wushuang Society. They viewed the group as demonic "soul-stealers" who led commoners astray. Desperate to escape, the three swindlers begged Xin Mei and Sheng to let them board their boat. Once safe, the trio admitted they had "borrowed" a sacred book from Lingji Mountain, though Xin Mei correctly identified it as theft.

As they ventured further, they came across a massive, derelict ship resting in the desert sand. Tai Shiqian explained that this was a "Flying Tower Ship" from an ancient era, built with thousand-year teak. He spoke of a time when human artisans possessed miraculous skills, creating automatons and spatial bags before such wonders were claimed by immortals. He attributed these feats to Goddess Wushuang, a legendary artisan who had ascended to godhood.

Far away in the Soul Lantern Hall of the Qianyan Cavern, a powerful figure emerged from a long period of seclusion. Despite his advanced age, the father of Mr. Gui appeared as a young man, exuding an aura of immense power. As his children knelt to welcome him back, he was coldly informed that Mr. Gui was dead.

Xia Xuanzi emerged from his seclusion in the Qianlü Caves to the grim news of his son's death. Through his formidable powers, he reviewed the past and identified Xin Mei as the one responsible. Aware that she had already arrived in North Xiang, Xia Xuanzi summoned a black crow and commanded it to find her while he prepared to deal with her personally.

On their journey to North Xiang, Tai Shiqian attempted to win over Xin Mei and Sheng by offering them a specialized sleeping bag. He explained that such practical human inventions were suppressed by the immortal sects, who forbade commoners from selling anything innovative. This led to a discussion about the origins of the Qiandie Scripture.

Tai Shiqian claimed the forging techniques in the scripture actually belonged to his ancestor, the master craftsman Zhu Qiandie, and had been recorded by the sect's ancestor Lin Ye without permission. He further lamented how the sects used high taxes and seed control to suppress the cultivation of the high-yielding "Golden Tassel" maize, forcing the population to rely on rare spirit rice to maintain control over the human race.

During a stop at the Yunhan Inn, Zuo Yingying approached Lu Qianqiao. Having witnessed his strength, she revealed she knew he was the one who had annihilated the Bishui Branch to avenge a female cultivator. Rather than exposing him, she proposed a deal: if Lu Qianqiao killed the brute Wenyin Vajra for her, she would keep his secrets. Lu Qianqiao accepted but tasked her with finding the Sunblock Banner in return.

Their meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Lin Muhan, the young master of Lingji Mountain. When a conflict nearly broke out over room availability, Zuo Yingying smoothed things over by surrendering her room to Lin Muhan. As they neared the heart of North Xiang, Sheng’s return triggered traumatic memories. She recalled her childhood as a "monster" abandoned by her mother and the agonizing moment she was poisoned by a Baihua snake under the orders of "Old Seven."

Meanwhile, Lin Muhan caught up with his acquaintance Lu Qianqiao. He shared his mission to eliminate the Wushuang Society, a group of demonic cultivators who had plundered his sect’s archives. Sensing the danger of being involved with the sects, Tai Shiqian, Zhu Dajian, and Shi Wen made a quiet exit. In the city, Xia Xuanzi’s youthful appearance nearly led to his kidnapping by human traffickers.

Jin Lun, a practitioner of the Path of Severing Emotions, intervened to save the thugs from certain death, though they remained ungrateful. Jin Lun and Xia Xuanzi engaged in a philosophical debate; Xia Xuanzi mocked Jin Lun’s desire to protect life as naive, warning that his lingering emotions would eventually lead to a spiritual backlash. After they parted ways, Xia Xuanzi proved his ruthlessness by tracking down the traffickers and killing them anyway.

Tai Shiqian and his associates tried to raise funds in the city by running a horse lottery game. Although a winner was declared and the game appeared legitimate, the disgruntled crowd suspected a scam after losing their silver. When the local guards were called, the trio had to abandon their prize and flee, narrowly escaping under the eyes of Xin Mei and Sheng. Later, Xin Mei and Sheng rescued a caravan leader from the Bishui Branch dungeon.

From him, Xin Mei learned the truth about her recovery: Lu Qianqiao had traveled thousands of miles to North Xiang specifically to kill He Wabu, the man who had cast the Spell of Utterance on her. Realizing that Lu Qianqiao had left her side at the Spirit Valley only to save her life, Xin Mei became more determined than ever to find him. At the inn, the group tended to Changyuan, whose scorpion poison had reached his vital organs.

Fortunately, Meishan Jun and Lu Zhanying returned with the Dragon Subduing Grass just in time to treat the wound. Seeking to locate Lu Qianqiao, Xin Mei asked Tai Shiqian to use his "Spirit Projection" technique. Since she lacked a personal token to guide the spell, Tai Shiqian initiated the complex Heaven-Offering Ritual to amplify his power. As the ritual began, Xin Mei focused her spirit, entering her own spiritual sea to find the gate that would connect her to Lu Qianqiao.

Tai Shiqian watched over Xin Mei as she navigated her spiritual sea, warning her that staying submerged for too long could damage her divine sense. He urged her not to force the search for the "gate," but eventually, the blood pact mark on her chest began to glow, guiding her toward her destination. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao finished treating Chang Yuan, noting that while the man would wake soon, he would need several days to fully recover.

Lu questioned the identity of his companions, suspecting that the North Xiang warriors and immortal sect members gathered outside the inn were there to arrest them. Before he could get an answer, he heard Xin Mei calling his name from within his spiritual sea and immediately entered meditation to meet her. In the spiritual sea, Xin Mei explained she had used the Spirit Projection technique, following a blood thread from their pact to find him.

When she addressed him as Lu Huai, Lu Qianqiao finally revealed the truth about his identity. As a hybrid of the War Demon and human races, he suffered from the Five Deficiencies Curse. To become fully human, he had to survive five trials—replacing his skin, flesh, bone, blood, and heart—each bringing him to the brink of death. The blood pact was his lifeline, intended to provide a "thread of life" during these trials.

However, he remained silent when she asked why he had willingly accepted a previous sentence of death by a thousand cuts. Before Xin Mei left, she asked for his current location. Lin Muhan became increasingly suspicious of the group surrounding Lu Qianqiao, wondering if they were the demonic cultivators from the Wushuang Assembly who had robbed his sect's Scripture Pavilion.

Although he knew he was no match for Lu Qianqiao in a fair fight, he was determined to uncover the truth. As a black sandstorm approached, Dharma King Wenyin used his Golden Bell technique to seal the inn. During their clash, Lu Qianqiao silenced the bell's agonizing resonance and shattered Wenyin's illusion. Outside, Xia Xuanzi used a black crow to track down Xin Mei.

Encountering him outside the inn, Xin Mei realized he intended her harm and urged Tai Shiqian, Zhu Dajian, and Shi Wen to flee. Inside the inn, Lu Qianqiao ordered the Lord of Rust-Sword to escort the Central Plains people to safety, but Lin Muhan blocked the exit, insisting they be taken for trial. Wenyin and Lin Muhan joined forces against Lu Qianqiao, yet even their combined strength was insufficient.

After being wounded, Wenyin consumed a substance that surged his power, unleashing a psychic assault. Sensing Xin Mei was in grave danger, Lu Qianqiao left the battle at the inn to the Lord of Rust-Sword—whom Lin Muhan unexpectedly assisted—and used Spirit Projection to help her. Though operating through Xin Mei’s Foundation Establishment stage body, Lu Qianqiao utilized her nature as a "sacred seed" to manifest immense power.

He exploited the specific weaknesses of Xia Xuanzi's Void Stage cultivation, ultimately defeating the elder. Back at the inn, Lu Qianqiao returned to his body and repelled Wenyin one last time before Zuo Yingying stepped in and stabbed the Dharma King to death. To cover her tracks, Zuo Yingying slaughtered the remaining members of her own Qinghong Sect and falsely reported to her leader, Fu Tian, that Lin Muhan was the one who killed Wenyin.

Later, Lu Qianqiao brought Lin Muhan to meet Xin Mei by a lake. Xin Mei tested Lu with a piece of sour tamarind candy from North Xiang. When he claimed it was sweet, she knew he was lying. She confronted him with the truth: he was a War Demon. To his kind, all food tasted of rot, and only spicy liquor provided relief; they also could not perceive colors, which explained why his paintings were only in black and white.

She spoke of the War Demons' history of slaughtering her brothers and nearly destroying the immortal sects. Though she held a blade to his throat for the atrocities of his race, she could not bring herself to strike, knowing he had repeatedly saved her life. Xin Mei ultimately let her weapon fall, unable to kill the man who had never truly harmed her.

Despite her brothers having fallen at the hands of the War Demons, Xin Mei found she could not bring herself to kill Lu Qianqiao. As he walked away, she was left alone in a state of tearful conflict. Meanwhile, A Sheng left a farewell letter for Xin Mei at the inn and struck out on her own. While resting in a mountain hollow, she was plagued by nightmares of her seniors being devoured by the monstrous War Demons.

She was startled awake by the voices of Jiang Ji and Nangong Guhong from Lingji Mountain nearby. A group of disciples under Lin Muhan sought Jiang Ji’s help, reporting that their Young Sect Master had been captured by a man from Chongling Valley. However, Jiang Ji remained cold, stating her orders were solely to capture members of the Wushuang Society in Phoenix City. She dismissed Lin Muhan’s capture as a result of his own incompetence.

Shortly after, A Sheng was discovered hiding nearby, and Jiang Ji immediately gave chase. In Beixiang City, Lu Qianqiao kept Lin Muhan as a hostage, not to harm him, but to ensure the safety of his companions from the immortal sects. While stopping to eat, Lu Qianqiao’s condition suddenly deteriorated. Lin Muhan realized the date was July 15th, the Ghost Festival, a day when Lu Qianqiao suffered from a recurring Bloodthirst.

This time, the affliction was more violent than ever before. Staggering through the streets, Lu Qianqiao was haunted by a vision of his mother. She urged him to give in to his instincts and feast on human blood, comparing it to the natural order of a cat catching a mouse. Lu Qianqiao fought against the dark urge with his willpower until Chu Ying arrived and knocked him unconscious to stop the episode.

Elsewhere, Jiang Ji and Nangong Guhong cornered A Sheng. Though Jiang Ji had advanced to the Golden Core Stage, A Sheng fought back fiercely. As more disciples arrived, A Sheng attempted to flee but was struck through the chest by Jiang Ji’s sword. Jin Lun later joined the pair and was deeply troubled to hear they had killed her.

Despite Jiang Ji's belief that no one could survive such a wound in the sands, Jin Lun searched the desert until he found a dying A Sheng. Lu Qianqiao regained consciousness later that evening. Chu Ying advised him to rest, but Lu was preoccupied with the mysterious Xia Xuanzi and the potential retaliation for the death of Dharma King Wenyin. Seeking answers the next day, they consulted the gambler Sha Sanxing.

Sha revealed that years ago, a handsome young cultivator with a red mole between his eyebrows—matching Xia Xuanzi's description—had paid a woman to bear him a son. The woman died after childbirth, but her close friend, a dancer named Yaoniang, might know more. They tracked Yaoniang to Tianxiang Restaurant, but the situation there was chaotic. Xin Mei, who had fainted outside the city, had been picked up by the establishment’s owner, Madam Wu.

After waking up and overpowering her guards, Xin Mei encountered the real Yaoniang eloping with her lover. Seizing the opportunity, Xin Mei donned a mask to hide her face, only to be mistaken for Yaoniang by the restaurant staff. Lu Qianqiao and Chu Ying arrived at the restaurant but were unfamiliar with the customs. They accidentally spent a fortune on a dancer named Yuniang while trying to find Yaoniang.

Seeing Lu Qianqiao throwing money at another woman, a jealous Xin Mei sat with them to drink, her identity still hidden by her mask. When it came time for the main performance, Xin Mei was forced onto the stage to perform the Luanxue Dance. Despite the mask, Chu Ying and Lu Qianqiao recognized her familiar figure and movements the moment she began to dance.

Driven by a mix of spite and frustration, Xin Mei takes the stage at Tianxiang Restaurant, wearing a mask and performing a dance that leaves the audience spellbound. The establishment’s owner quickly realizes that the performer is not the real Yaoniang and sends her staff to find the missing dancer. Among the patrons, a slightly intoxicated Lin Muhan is so captivated that he offers five thousand taels to have the dancer join him for drinks.

Jealousy flares in Lu Qianqiao, who uses his magic to shower the stage in flower petals and spends a fortune to ensure Xin Mei spends the evening with him instead. Later, in a moment of quiet honesty, Xin Mei confronts Lu Qianqiao about his identity as a War Demon, questioning if any of his kind can truly be good. Lu Qianqiao explains that he was raised among the Human Race and has never participated in the wars of the past.

He admits to having killed, but only villains, and notes that he even served as a minor official in the human army. He assures her that he has never killed an innocent soul and acts with a clear conscience. Xin Mei remains deeply conflicted, torn between his identity as a traditional enemy of her people and the fact that he has saved her life on numerous occasions.

As Lu Qianqiao’s physical condition weakens, his companion Chu Ying also finds his strength fading. Chu Ying prepares to enter a period of secluded meditation to recover, warning Lu Qianqiao to avoid conflict and retreat from danger whenever possible. Based on information from Sha Sanxing, Lu Qianqiao identifies three potential locations to the west of Phoenix City: Wushuang City, Baibu Slope, and Qianyan Cave.

He intends to track down a formidable young cultivator at the Void Stage and eliminate him before he undergoes a "blood exchange" process, which will temporarily reduce his cultivation level to the Foundation Building stage. Despite the risks, Xin Mei insists on accompanying him, feeling responsible for the trouble that has unfolded. Meanwhile, the Wushuang Society is in turmoil.

Tang You is furious after discovering that the rabbit spirit, An, sold a precious painting by the master Wu Buquan to pay for a fellow member’s medical treatment. The artwork, "Pair of Wild Geese," was their intended "key" to enter the Sihe Library in Phoenix City. The society’s mission is to copy the "Unparalleled Secret Magic," a massive collection of human craftsmanship and knowledge that has been suppressed by immortal sects for centuries.

The library only opens for ten days every five years, and without the painting to trade for entry, their quest to bring this wisdom back to the Central Plains is in jeopardy. Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei eventually encounter the members of the Wushuang Society. Upon learning of their predicament, Lu Qianqiao claims to possess several of Wu Buquan’s works and promises to deliver them the next day.

He takes Xin Mei to buy painting supplies, and she initially suspects him of planning to create forgeries. However, as Lu Qianqiao begins to paint with incredible skill and discusses how his artistic style evolved from sharp strokes used in the Imperial Palace to softer techniques adopted later, Xin Mei realizes the truth: "Wu Buquan" was simply one of Lu Qianqiao’s many past identities.

He creates three masterpieces for the society: "Luoxi Landscape," "White Cranes Flying South," and "Sunset on an Autumn Sandbank." In another location, Jin Lun has successfully rescued Sheng and is tending to her in a cave. When she wakes, he offers to treat the wound on her shoulder. Despite his efforts to maintain a professional distance, the physical proximity of the healing process causes Jin Lun’s heart to waver.

To stay true to his path, he recites the Infinite Heart Purification Spell to suppress his rising emotions. As they prepare to move on at dawn, Sheng realizes they are at Qianyan Cave, a place that seems to trigger a deep, unspoken fear within her. The next morning, Lu Qianqiao delivers the paintings to the Wushuang Society.

While some members are skeptical of the "Sunset on an Autumn Sandbank"—noting that the master was known for using only thick ink and never colors—they are eventually convinced by the extraordinary quality of the work. Lu Qianqiao refuses any payment, gifting the paintings to the society to ensure they can preserve the heritage of the Human Race. Touched by his generosity, the members of the Wushuang Society insist on treating Lu Qianqiao to a meal as a gesture of gratitude.

After receiving paintings from Lu Qianqiao, the members of the Wushuang Society were deeply moved. Tang You and the others insisted on treating Lu to a meal to show their gratitude. Although Lu Qianqiao was a War Demon—to whom even delicacies tasted like rotten meat—he found their sincerity hard to refuse and agreed to the feast. However, the group soon realized they were nearly penniless, with only a few copper coins between them.

Desperate to fulfill their promise, they turned their attention to Meishan Jun. They swarmed him, pinning him down while they fished several silver ingots out of his boots. Despite Meishan Jun’s protests and threats to fight back, they successfully "borrowed" the funds, promising to pay him back later. With the silver secured, Zhu Dajian and Shi Wen took to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

The group gathered to enjoy the feast, which included the famous Li's Smoked Chicken from a century-old shop in Phoenix City. During dinner, the conversation turned to the members' pasts. Chen Fen shared that his family were legendary tomb raiders from Chen Village. He revealed that 300 years ago, King Li Xiang had slaughtered the entire village to keep the location of a secret mausoleum hidden.

Chen Fen’s mission was to use the "Wushuang Secret Record" to dismantle the traps in that tomb and stop the king's attempted resurrection. Other members shared their own grievances. A scholar recounted how he abandoned the imperial exams after witnessing noble families and sect disciples using magic to cheat while he was punished for reporting them. A masked man, once a constable in Xuzhou, revealed his hatred for immortal sects.

He was the sole survivor of a team sent to clean up Dahuang Valley after the Holy Fire Sect's failed attempt to harness earth veins caused a collapse. Left horribly scarred, he now sought a sword that could pierce the hearts of the immortals he blamed for his brothers' deaths. Xin Mei eventually reached her breaking point.

She argued that while the sects were not perfect, they were the ones who bled and died during the Battle of Pinghu to save humanity. She reminded them that Master Yuntuzi of the Holy Fire Sect had sacrificed nearly all his disciples to protect Xuzhou. Frustrated that their sacrifices were so easily forgotten, Xin Mei slammed the table and walked away. Lu Qianqiao followed her out.

He suggested that instead of arguing over the complex friction between humans and sects, they should simply wait and see what the future held. He led her to the Liangqiu night market, a place cooled by the towering Xilian Range. There, he showed her a tavern where his old work, the "Four Seasons Map", was displayed. Lu admitted the painting was incomplete. When he created it, he had not yet replaced his flesh and could not distinguish colors.

He spoke of his deep longing to live once as a true mortal—to see the world in color, to taste the sweetness of food, and to feel the full range of human emotions, even pain. He dreamed of a day when he could simply get drunk in the capital’s finest restaurant and enjoy a long, peaceful sleep. As they walked, Lu Qianqiao revealed his heritage. He was the child of a War Demon mother and a human father.

His mother had abandoned her family for love, only to discover that his father was a human spy gathering intelligence on the War Demons. In her rage, she killed the father and left the young Lu Qianqiao in a fire. He was saved by a sudden rainstorm and later found by his master, Duan Xianyin, who taught him at Liubo Temple.

Over the centuries, he had lived many lives—including his time as the artist Wu Buquan and a friend to Su Taiyi—but his desire to become human had only grown stronger. Meanwhile, within the desolate purgatory of the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons, A Sheng spoke with Jin Lun about her traumatic past. She described the cruelty of Xia Xuanzi, who maintained a youthful appearance but possessed a malicious heart.

Obsessed with a prophecy from the Crazy Taoist claiming one of his descendants would become a god, Xia Xuanzi fathered countless children, discarding the mothers and controlling his sons with the Tongxin Curse—a spell that forced them to share his pain and obey him. The peace in Phoenix City was suddenly shattered when the sons of Xia Xuanzi arrived. Led by the flute-playing Xingye and the one-eyed Lao Quezi, the brothers surrounded Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei.

They had been sent by their father to capture the woman who had killed their brother, A Gui. Faced with six opponents at the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, the situation grew dire for the couple.

Xin Mei finds herself severely outmatched against Xia Xuanzi’s sons, a group comprising Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. During the brutal fight, she is beaten until she coughs up blood. Seeing her in danger, Lu Qianqiao attempts to intervene but is momentarily ensnared by iron hooks. To protect him, Xin Mei deliberately draws the sons away.

After Lu Qianqiao manages to defeat the man in the wheelchair, he rushes to find her, only to witness a horrific sight: Xia Xuanzi’s sons begin dying one by one. This sudden mass death extends to every son within Qianyan Cave, causing a startled Xia Xuanzi to awaken from his meditation. Lu Qianqiao brings the injured Xin Mei back to the city, healing her by feeding her his own blood.

Meanwhile, Xia Xuanzi returns to find the boxes containing his Gu insects stolen and the life lamps of his sons extinguished, save for the one belonging to his daughter, Sheng. Sheng has already set a trap, ambushing Xia Xuanzi and leading him toward Wushui Cliff.

Knowing she cannot defeat a Void Stage master alone, she collaborates with Jin Lun, intending to cast her father into the insect-filled abyss below—a place so deep that even the most powerful cultivators cannot survive the fall. Sheng reveals her deep-seated hatred, explaining that Xia Xuanzi treated his children as mere stepping stones for his own ascension. Drawing inspiration from the legend of Nezha, she seeks to sever her blood ties through his death.

She had secretly placed a Bonding Curse on him, and at the cliff’s edge, she inflicts wounds upon herself to paralyze him with shared pain. This allows Jin Lun to strike with the Golden Bracelet of Demon Suppression from Tianyin Mountain. Though Xia Xuanzi manages to break the curse by physically removing the insect, Jin Lun hurls him toward the precipice. However, Xia Xuanzi uses a water rope to snare Jin Lun, dragging him down as well.

Sheng catches Jin Lun’s hand, but as Xia Xuanzi clings to him from below, her grip fails, and both men vanish into the depths of Wushui Cliff. Elsewhere, the Wushuang Society prepares for the opening of the Sihe Library. Tai Shiqian gathers the members, distributing Mind-Awakening Pills from Chongling Valley to temporarily sharpen their intellect for the task of memorizing the Unparalleled Secret Records. He warns them not to exceed three pills, as the physical strain would be too great.

Lu Zhanying waits with writing supplies, ready to record their findings upon their return. Using a special scroll provided by Wu Buquan, the group enters the library, fully aware that this mission for the future of the human race may cost them their lives. Nearby, Lu Zhanying suggests sending the young demon girl, Xiao An, away before the inevitable arrival of the immortal sects leads to a violent confrontation.

However, Xiao An refuses to leave, promising to be useful by doing chores. Though Lord Meishan has yet to officially accept her as a disciple, he ultimately allows her to remain under his protection. Meanwhile, at the Tianxiang Restaurant, Lin Muhan wakes from a drunken stupor in the company of a local woman. Terrified, he flees the building, only to be intercepted by disciples from Lingji Mountain who have been searching for him.

Xin Mei finally awakens after being unconscious for five days. Lu Qianqiao explains that Xia Xuanzi’s sons died because someone destroyed their life-binding Gu. This shared trial brings the two closer, and Xin Mei begins addressing him affectionately as Qianqiao rather than "Senior." Upon learning that the painting he gave her was destroyed during the fight, Lu Qianqiao promises to create a new one. By the next morning, a fresh landscape sits on her table. They are currently staying at the home of Lu Qianqiao’s friend, Sha Sanxing, who welcomes them as family.

Xin Mei woke up in the home of Xiao Sha, a close friend of Lu Qianqiao. Xiao Sha spoke of Lu Qianqiao with deep respect, describing him as a man who might appear cold on the outside but possessed a truly warm heart. When the conversation turned to how they met, Xin Mei revealed that she and Lu Qianqiao were already married. Surprised, Xiao Sha asked if they planned to settle in Phoenix City.

However, Xin Mei admitted she wasn't used to the dry climate of North Xiang and hoped to return to Xin Xie Manor to be with her Master and her junior sister, Ah Sheng. Lu Qianqiao, returning from errands, overheard this from outside the door, and a look of loneliness crossed his face. After entering, he presented Xin Mei with new clothes, pastries, and folktales.

Xin Mei, being a cultivator, sensed he had heard her earlier remarks and clarified that she simply didn't want to be far from her Master and Ah Sheng, whom she affectionately described as a delicate "little kitten" despite her fierce appearance. Lu Qianqiao shared a somber truth about his future.

He explained that after his upcoming blood renewal and heart transformation, he would lose his powers as a War Demon and become an ordinary person, roughly equivalent to a human at the Foundation Establishment stage. He worried he would no longer be able to protect her, but Xin Mei was undeterred. She confessed her own Dao heart was unstable and expressed a willingness to give up cultivation to live a simple life with him in Wei County.

Since the Emperor had cleared his name, the local people now revered him as a living saint. Lu Qianqiao agreed to her conditions of bringing Ah Sheng along and visiting her Master often. Later, Ah Sheng arrived at Xiao Sha’s home, having followed a blue crow to find her senior sister. Xin Mei was heartbroken to see the girl covered in wounds.

Ah Sheng revealed she had lured Xia Xuanzi—her biological father who had never treated her as human—to Wushui Cliff to kill him. She claimed that he and his other sons were dead and that she had burned down Qianyan Cave so he could never trouble Xin Mei again. Xin Mei held the fragile girl and wept, overwhelmed by the suffering Ah Sheng had endured to protect her.

After Ah Sheng fell asleep, Xin Mei told Lu Qianqiao how they first met. Years ago, she found Ah Sheng as a starving orphan in the capital. A single bowl of noodles sparked a deep gratitude in the girl, who began secretly leaving eggs and vegetables for Xin Mei. After Xin Mei rescued her from a group of bullies months later, she brought her back to Xin Xie Manor.

Despite her traumatic past, Ah Sheng possessed a natural talent for cultivation and developed a fierce, loyal attachment to Xin Mei. Ah Sheng, listening from outside the room, smiled to hear herself called family. Meanwhile, tensions rose among the cultivation sects. Tai Shiqian and his companions had been inside the Sihe Library for eight days, working tirelessly to memorize the Unparalleled Secret Magic.

In the camp outside, Lu Zhanying expressed her affection for Meishan Jun, suggesting they retire to a life of farming and weaving. However, he dismissed the idea, claiming his fate was to be a lonely wanderer. Nearby, Bai Zongying and Jiang Ji discussed how to handle the Wushuang Society. Situ Randeng argued that the only way to destroy the hope of the demon race's resurrection was to burn the library down.

Bai Zongying was hesitant to destroy the sanctuary of knowledge and ordered Situ Randeng to enter and destroy the secret texts first, only burning the library as a last resort. Back at Xiao Sha's, Ah Sheng was trapped in a terrifying nightmare of the cave. Xin Mei could not wake her, but Lu Qianqiao used his magic to stabilize her spirit. Upon waking, Ah Sheng immediately begged to return home, claiming she hated North Xiang.

During dinner, she watched with quiet jealousy as Xin Mei warmed wine for Lu Qianqiao. Ah Sheng used a small trick to cause Xiao Sha to spill the wine, ensuring Lu Qianqiao couldn't drink it. When Xin Mei briefly stepped away, Ah Sheng dropped her fragile facade and warned Lu Qianqiao to stay away from her sister, accusing him of manipulating Xin Mei's kindness. Lu Qianqiao was not fooled.

He pointed out that as the daughter of Xia Xuanzi, someone capable of surviving the horrors of Qianyan Cave and crossing the desert alone could never have been truly bullied by street beggars. He told her plainly to stop her performance in front of him. The next day, Ah Sheng continued to play on Xin Mei’s guilt, claiming she was plagued by nightmares of the cave. Feeling responsible for her sister's distress, Xin Mei decided they must leave immediately.

As they prepared to depart, Xin Mei urged Lu Qianqiao to take care of himself and stay in touch through spirit projection. Lu Qianqiao promised that once his business in North Xiang was finished, he would come to Xin Xie Manor to find her. With a final look, Xin Mei set off with Ah Sheng, leaving Lu Qianqiao behind in Phoenix City.

Sima Randeng led two followers into the Sihe Library, where members of the Wushuang Society were focused on memorizing the "Unparalleled Secret Magic". While the scholars marveled at the irony of finding the lost forging chapters of the Goddess Wushuang so far from the Central Plains, Sima Randeng prepared a massacre. He dismissed the rigid morals of his peers, instructing his men to handle the killing while he personally oversaw the destruction of the library.

On the stairs, he began a cruel countdown to seven, comparing the impending explosion to a blinding bonfire that would turn both books and human flesh into fuel. The library was soon engulfed in chaos as Thunderfire Talismans detonated, destroying the stairs and trapping the scholars behind locked doors. Tai Shiqian shouted warnings as his companions were cut down. Shi Wen fell from the upper levels while grappling with a cultivator, both dying instantly before Tai Shiqian’s eyes.

Amidst the smoke and flames, Zhu Dajian fought desperately to open the exit; despite losing his arm and eventually his life, he managed to force the door open to ensure others could flee. On the upper floors, Chang Yuan used his own body to shield Tang You as they leaped from the collapsing structure. The Lord of Rust-Sword and Lu Zhanying rushed to the burning library, leaving An behind at their inn for safety.

They found the survivors desperately trying to rescue scrolls or recall memorized text from the flames. As Bai Zongying ordered his men to surround the library and prevent any escape, Lu Qianqiao appeared. He stood alone against the immortal sect members to protect the Wushuang Society. Recognizing Lu Qianqiao as a formidable opponent, Bai Zongying focused on containing him while sending others to hunt down the survivors at their inn.

At the city gates, Xin Mei was waiting for her travel permit to be stamped when she heard news of the immortal sects burning the Sihe Library to hunt down demonic cultivators. Despite the risk of making enemies of all the sects and the protests of her companions, she decided to turn back and help. Nearby, Wei Chi and his men were being overwhelmed.

The cultivators mocked Wei Chi’s face, which had been scarred by the earth's spiritual energy, and forcibly removed his mask to humiliate him further before moving in for the kill. The conflict shifted toward the inn, where the Lord of Rust-Sword engaged Sima Randeng while Lu Zhanying faced Jiang Ji. Though Lu Zhanying fought bravely, she was no match for Jiang Ji’s superior cultivation.

When Jiang Ji lunged with a lethal strike intended for Xin Mei, Lu Zhanying threw herself into the path of the blade and was killed. This senseless act of cruelty led Xin Mei to a profound realization: the true demons were not those labeled by the sects, but those who used their power to oppress the weak and commit atrocities.

This clarity of purpose stabilized her moral sense, triggering a rare breakthrough that allowed her to advance directly to the Nascent Soul stage. As the battle raged outside, Tai Shiqian and the remaining scholars worked feverishly inside the inn to transcribe the volumes they had memorized. They consumed Mind-Awakening Pills in dangerous quantities to keep their minds sharp enough to record every detail of the "Unparalleled Secret Magic".

Lin Muhan sent men to burn the remaining scrolls, but Sheng arrived to help defend the scholars. Once sixty-four volumes were completed, the group split up to smuggle the knowledge out of North Xiang. The Lord of Rust-Sword and Tai Shiqian headed west toward the mountains, while Tang You led the others along the northern route, protected by Xin Mei as they carried the hard-won scrolls toward the Central Plains.

Lu Qianqiao stops fighting once Tai Shiqian and the others depart with the books, allowing him to focus on getting Xin Mei to safety. However, the scholars of the Wushuang Society pay a heavy price for their dedication. Having consumed excessive amounts of Mind-Awakening Pills to memorize the sacred texts, they suffer a fatal backlash as their heart meridians give out on the road back to the Central Plains.

Tai Shiqian, clinging to life with his last bit of strength, binds the books together and entrusts the mission of returning the "Wushuang Milu" (Unparalleled Secret Magic) to Meishan Jun. With Tai Shiqian’s passing, Meishan Jun is forced to ride ahead alone, mourning the common people who were slandered as demonic cultivators simply for opposing the immortal sects.

Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei eventually discover the remains of Tai Shiqian and his companions, realizing they are too late to save anyone. Further ahead, they find Meishan Jun, only to witness a final cruelty—he has been led into a trap, and the books they sacrificed everything for have been reduced to ashes. From the depths of Wushui Cliff, Xia Xuanzi emerges like a vengeful spirit, his body scarred by the bites of countless insects.

Driven by madness and a desire for vengeance, he relentlessly attacks the duo. He strikes Xin Mei down, infecting her with three lethal Gu poisons—Bone-Eroding, Blood-Averting, and Dream-Crashing—plunging her into a deep, life-threatening coma. This act of brutality awakens a terrifying power within Lu Qianqiao. Though he is only at the Nascent Soul stage, his innate heritage as a War Demon grants him peerless combat strength when pushed to the edge.

Driven by fury, he shatters Xia Xuanzi’s weapon and drives the Jiujue Sword through the elder’s chest. The legendary Gu master dies in shock, unable to believe he was bested by a mere Nascent Soul. However, the effort leaves Lu Qianqiao completely exhausted, and he loses consciousness shortly after the victory. Lu Qianqiao awakens in a paper mill in Beixiang, greeted by the familiar face of Zuo Yingying.

His first concern is Xin Mei, and Zuo Yingying leads him to a man currently treating her. The man identifies himself as Fu Tian, the Sect Leader of the Qinghong Sect. He explains that his sect is fractured; rebellious Dharma Kings and the Bishui Branch, led by Mr. Gui, have long ignored his peaceful philosophy.

Fu Tian has been treating Xin Mei with rare ingredients like Giant Spirit Fruit and Immortal Ginseng Grass, noting that a mysterious force within her is keeping her alive despite the potent toxins. Lu Qianqiao, knowledgeable in medicine himself, suggests using Wugen fruit to help clear the residual Blood-Averting poison that clings to her meridians. Behind the paper mill, Fu Tian has created a silent graveyard for the fallen members of the Wushuang Society.

Since their names were unknown, they lie in unmarked graves. Among them is Lu Zhanying, buried alongside the blade she once wielded. Seeing the final resting place of those who were recently full of life fills Lu Qianqiao with sorrow. Seeking to build a bridge of friendship, Fu Tian mentions that he has preserved some woodblocks and notes of the "Wushuang Milu" and offers to let Lu Qianqiao search for them.

In return, he asks for a favor: translating an ancient text written in the language of the War Demons. Fu Tian admits he knew of Lu’s heritage from his pulse, which is far stronger than a mortal's, but holds no prejudice and expresses a genuine desire for companionship. As night falls, Zuo Yingying visits Lu Qianqiao with Suquan wine, her mind weighed down by the past.

She speaks of her lost home—a place where the moon was so bright that candles were unnecessary and the hills were covered in vibrant red flowers. Later, she takes Lu Qianqiao to a theater where Fu Tian is already watching a performance. The play tells a tragic story of two childhood friends who part ways; one becomes a high official and the other a bandit. After ten years, they meet as enemies.

The bandit in the story loses his memories, and though the play briefly shows a turning point where the two reunite to defeat a tyrant, it is revealed to be nothing but a dying dream. The performance leaves Fu Tian in tears, as if he sees his own life reflected in the tragedy. He asks Lu Qianqiao if it is better to stay trapped in a beautiful dream or face a lonely reality.

Lu Qianqiao responds that once a decision is made, one must move forward without hesitation, as there is no way to turn back time. Fu Tian somberly reflects on a friend from his youth with whom he shared life and death, wondering if that person, like the character in the play, has simply forgotten him.

Fu Tian reflected on a lost companion from his youth while Lu Qianqiao worked on translating ancient War Demon texts. Fu Tian attempted to recruit the young man, but Lu Qianqiao declined, expressing his loyalty to his master, Duan Xianyin, at Liubo Temple. Lu shared how his master had saved him when both humans and War Demons had rejected him.

Fu Tian, in turn, recounted his own traumatic upbringing under a cruel woman before he eventually found power within the Qinghong Sect. Away from the mill, it was revealed that Lu Zhanying and the Lord of Rust-Sword (Meishan Jun) had survived the earlier battle in Phoenix City. Lu Zhanying’s life had been spared by a protective artifact that turned a lethal strike into a non-critical wound.

However, their relief was short-lived; as they attempted to escape the city, they realized the immortal sects and the Wushuang Society were merely pawns in a larger trap. The two were ambushed by a ruthless group and taken captive. At the paper mill, the fragile peace was broken when Xin Mei’s condition worsened. Despite being treated with medicine made from the rootless fruit, she remained unconscious and began vomiting blood.

Fu Tian observed that the medicine was being served cold and sternly instructed Zuo Yingying to ensure it was prepared with boiling water in the future. Meanwhile, Sima Randeng’s pursuit of Sheng ended in frustration when he discovered her carriage was empty. Realizing he had been lured into a trap, he callously used his own men as shields against the defensive strikes of Sheng’s Wushuang Sword before ordering a retreat.

Fu Tian continued to manipulate Lu Qianqiao by showing him several misprinted woodblocks of the "Unparalleled Secret Magic", using the promise of the full manuscript to keep him at the mill. During this time, Lu Qianqiao gifted Zuo Yingying a painting he had made of her desert home as a gesture of gratitude.

Touched by the gift, Zuo Yingying’s demeanor shifted, and she cryptically warned him to take Xin Mei and leave immediately, claiming the moon there was "not bright enough." Before departing, she intentionally allowed Lu to see into the sect’s armory. Inside the armory, Lu Qianqiao was shocked to find Lu Zhanying’s machete. Since Fu Tian had previously claimed the weapon was buried with her, Lu realized the Cult Master had been lying.

Suspicion led Lu to challenge Fu Tian to a game of Go, where he likened the match to a spider spinning a web to trap an unwary opponent. He questioned Fu Tian on the true purpose of the Sihe Library and the suspicious absence of Qinghong Sect members during the fire. Though Fu Tian provided calculated answers about the preservation of civilization, Lu remained unconvinced.

Following the game, Lu Qianqiao discovered a hidden switch in the area where Zuo Yingying had stood. He entered a secret chamber and was horrified to find the bodies of Nangong Guhong, Lu Zhanying, and other cultivators, all of whom had had their spiritual roots harvested.

Fu Tian and Tiling appeared, and Lu confronted them, exposing the grand deception: the "Unparalleled Secret Magic" was bait to lure the Wushuang Society and the immortal sects into a "hunting ground" to harvest human spiritual roots for pills. Fu Tian admitted to the lies but insisted his desire for friendship was real. Refusing to listen, Lu extinguished the lights and fled. Lu returned to find Xin Mei’s bed empty.

Before he could succumb to panic, Chu Ying appeared and hurried him away from the paper mill. Elsewhere, Sheng reunited with An and Tang You. The boys explained that after she had lured their pursuers away, they were saved from a group of cultivators by a mysterious one-armed man. This benefactor had easily defeated their enemies and left them with a horse and supplies before vanishing. Xin Mei eventually awoke in a cold prison cell alongside the Lord of Rust-Sword.

He explained that they were being held by the Qinghong Sect and that the entire Sihe Library project was a trap designed to gather cultivators for slaughter. He shared the devastating news that Lu Zhanying had been killed by their captors. Both were currently powerless, as the Nine-Element Technique had been used to seal their spiritual apertures.

At the border, Sheng escorted An and Tang You to Shumen Pass, handing them over to the protection of General Qin, who had arrived quickly to address the threat to the human race. While the boys were headed for safety, Sheng decided to turn back. A philosophical phrase the one-armed man had taught the boys convinced her that their mysterious savior was an old friend she could not abandon. Meanwhile, at the Qinghong Sect, Fu Tian received word that while most of the "human pills" had been captured, a few still remained at large.

Xu Feng survives a near-fatal wound thanks to the protection of his immortal perception, but both he and Lin Muhan are captured and brought to the Qinghong Sect. In the main hall, disciples report that while the members of the Sun Moon Cavern have been apprehended, several individuals from Lingji Mountain and the Tianyuan Sect are still at large. Lin Muhan remains defiant, mocking the sect as "wild chickens" and threatening them with his father’s wrath.

Unmoved, Futian orders his followers to extract Xu Feng’s immortal perception immediately. Meanwhile, Lord Baori questions Futian’s hesitation regarding Lu Qianqiao, the man who escaped the paper mill, hinting at lingering sentiments. Lord Tiling intervenes, reminding Baori of the hierarchy within North Xiang. Later, Lord Tiling questions Zuo Yingying, also known as Vajra Xunmu, regarding the security failure at the paper mill.

Zuo Yingying dismisses the accusations, claiming that as a mere Foundation Building cultivator, she could not have prevented the intrusion. She subtly taunts Tiling, suggesting that a master of the Void Stage should find it simple enough to recapture the escapees personally. Elsewhere, Bai Zongying and Jiang Ji seek refuge at an inn after escaping an ambush. As they discuss their pursuers, Bai Zongying expresses growing doubts about their mission.

While the sect views the Wushuang Society as demonic practitioners, Bai Zongying notes a difference; true monsters have beast-like, cruel eyes, whereas the Wushuang members possess clear, courageous gazes. Sima Randeng soon arrives with news of another ambush, reporting that Lin Muhan has been lost. Sima Randeng urges Bai Zongying to abandon the injured Lingji Mountain disciples and flee, but Bai Zongying refuses to sacrifice his allies. The Qinghong Sect soon catches up to them at the inn.

Lord Tiling mocks the disciples for burning the library, declaring that none shall escape. During the struggle, Bai Zongying orders Sima Randeng to take Jiang Ji and retreat, sacrificing his own freedom. He is subsequently overwhelmed and taken prisoner. In a maple forest, Sheng encounters the one-armed Jin Lun and confirms he was the one who rescued Little An.

Realizing Jin Lun survived his fall into the abyss, Sheng fears the treacherous Xia Xuanzi is also alive, putting Xin Mei in grave danger. When Jin Lun confronts her about her coldness, Sheng offers a hollow apology, reminding him that he chose to involve himself in her life. She claims her heartless nature is an inheritance from her father and warns him to stop following her. However, her journey is interrupted when she is wounded by Xia Xuanzi’s black crows.

Unconscious, she is discovered by Lord Tiling and dragged to the sect’s dungeons. In the dark cells, Sheng is reunited with Xin Mei. Their emotional meeting is observed by Lord Tiling, who cruelly mocks their bond. Meanwhile, Futian learns that Dharma King Niankong’s heart meridian was severely damaged by Bai Zongying. Lord Baori suggests that among their "human pills," there are Nascent Soul cultivators whose golden liquid can be refined to save Niankong.

Baori and Zuo Yingying enter the prison to seize Xin Mei. Despite Sheng’s desperate protests, Xin Mei agrees to go with them to prevent the guards from harming her sister. Lu Qianqiao returns to the ruins of Liubo Temple alongside Chu Ying. He finds the temple destroyed and discovers a tombstone for his master, Duan Xianyin, which bears his own name as the one who erected it. The sight triggers his suppressed memories.

He recalls that Duan Xianyin was actually a heretical cultivator who tortured him to study the resilience of his War Demon physique. He remembers the truth: he and another boy had poisoned and strangled her together. Lu Qianqiao realizes he had fabricated a peaceful past to avoid feeling like a wandering ghost without a home.

At the Tianyuan Sect, Sima Randeng returns alone and reports the ambush to the Sect Master, claiming Bai Zongying insisted on staying behind to protect others. Upon hearing that they have been separated for ten days, the Sect Master realizes it is already too late to mount a rescue. Back at the Qinghong Sect, Xin Mei is brought before Futian. She mocks his claim of being the Nirvana Divine Phoenix.

Lord Baori demands her immortal perception be harvested, and while Zuo Yingying attempts to delay the process by suggesting Xin Mei be used as bait for Lu Qianqiao, Futian decides to proceed. However, as he attempts to seize her soul-core, the blood pact between Xin Mei and Lu Qianqiao acts as a powerful shield, thwarting the extraction. Far away at Liubo Temple, Lu Qianqiao feels an agonizing sensation through the bond, sensing that Xin Mei is in peril.

Standing at the grave of his former mentor, Lu Qianqiao feels a sharp resonance through the blood pact he shares with Xin Mei. He immediately realizes that the woman he knows as Xiao Fan is in grave danger. Within the Qinghong Sect, Fu Tian’s attempt to extract Xin Mei’s spiritual root has failed. The protective power of the blood pact held firm, preserving her core despite the Sect Leader's efforts.

When Xin Mei regains consciousness in the dungeon, her friends Sheng, Meishan Jun, and Lin Muhan are relieved to find her spiritual root intact. In the city, Zuo Yingying’s maid receives a hidden note, leading Zuo to a secret meeting with Lu Qianqiao. Lu questions why Zuo, a high-ranking member of the Eight Vajras and Fu Tian’s own disciple, would choose to help him.

Zuo initially teases him, claiming she was drawn to his handsome nature and suggesting he abandon the stubborn girl from Xin Xie Manor. However, Lu remains unmoved, knowing she was the one who secretly coordinated with Chu Ying to save him previously. Dropping her facade, Zuo Yingying reveals the dark truth behind the Qinghong Sect’s rapid rise.

She explains that the Golden Liquid used to transform mortals into cultivators is the same substance found in the Yangyuan Pills used by immortal sects. Both are refined from the extracted spiritual roots of captured cultivators. Zuo expresses her profound hatred for the sect's hypocrisy; while Fu Tian claims to despise the immortal sects, he is secretly their largest supplier, selling the essence of his enemies back to them for profit.

Having lost many friends to this cycle of lies, Zuo wants to destroy the sect that has become her cage. She offers to help Lu rescue his companions if he agrees to kill Fu Tian during the upcoming Grand Ritual Assembly. Deep in the dungeon, the captives find themselves paralyzed by the Nine Breaths Technique, which seals their acupoints and severs their connection to clear spiritual energy.

Recalling the teachings of her father, Xin Xiong, Xin Mei remembers that the five elements are divided into clear and turbid categories. While turbid qi is typically shunned because it can corrode one’s spiritual root and halt progress, it is the only energy the sect’s technique hasn't sealed. As the only one at the Nascent Soul stage, Xin Mei decides to risk her future cultivation to absorb the turbid qi and break the seal from the outside in.

To facilitate this breakthrough, Lin Muhan coordinates an effort to gather the five elements of filth to activate an array. They identify foul stagnant water and the tainted soil of the prison for the first two elements. For the others, Meishan Jun utilizes the murderous intent of his blade for turbid metal, Sheng provides the fire of resentment, and Lin Muhan sacrifices his own vitality to manifest the element of decaying wood.

Meanwhile, the Grand Ritual Assembly begins to celebrate the birthday of the Phoenix God. Fu Tian presides over the ceremony, promising followers a path to transcendence. Jiang Ji, disguised as a commoner, watches as Wang Yanqing of the Jinqiu Wang family steps forward to pledge his loyalty. Wang Yanqing denounces the immortal sects for murdering his kin and offers his family’s fortune to join the Qinghong Sect.

Fu Tian welcomes him and announces that a sinner from the immortal sects will be used to provide a blood baptism for the new convert. Just as the group in the dungeon successfully activates their array, Lord Tiling arrives to select a sacrifice. Seeing Lin Muhan’s weakened state, she drags him away toward the ritual site. Simultaneously, Zuo Yingying sneaks into the armory to retrieve her friends' weapons, but her plan is thwarted by the arrival of Dharma King Niankong.

Revived by energy stolen from a cultivator's spiritual root, Niankong reveals that Fu Tian had anticipated her betrayal. Back at the assembly, Lin Muhan is forced to his knees as Fu Tian prepares to use his blood to sanctify the induction of the new disciples.

Lin Muhan was brought before the main hall of the Qinghong Sect in shackles. Fu Tian addressed the assembled crowd, stirring their resentment by speaking of the insurmountable gap between mortals and the immortal sects. He claimed that while commoners struggle their entire lives just to reach a starting point, cultivators are born with everything simply because of their noble bloodlines.

To grant a "gift" to his followers, Fu Tian handed a blade to Wang Yanqing, ordering him to extract the spiritual root of Lin Muhan, the Young Sect Master of Lingji Mountain. Wang Yanqing approached with malice, promising to put Lin Muhan’s power to better use. However, Lin Muhan remained defiant, mocking the sect as a mere cesspit. In a sudden turn of events, Lin Muhan managed to break free and kill Wang Yanqing in front of the crowd.

Despite being surrounded by enemies, he immediately began to set a formation. Jiang Ji revealed her identity and stood by his side, demanding to know where Bai Zongying was being held. Deep within the prison, Xin Mei, A Sheng, and Meishan Jun (the Lord of Rust-Sword) finally managed to break the Nine-Element Technique that had sealed their powers by utilizing the surrounding turbid energy. As they prepared to escape, they discovered a horribly mutilated Bai Zongying chained in the shadows.

His spiritual root had already been stolen, leaving him in a state of agonizing despair. He begged Xin Mei to kill him, believing he could not survive as a mortal, but Xin Mei refused to leave him behind, declaring that life was not a privilege reserved only for cultivators. Back at the hall, the situation grew dire as Lord Baori easily overpowered Lin Muhan and Jiang Ji. Only then did Lu Qianqiao finally reveal himself.

Seeing the man before him, Lu Qianqiao’s memories surged back. He recognized Fu Tian as "Xiao Fan," the servant his master, Duan Xianyin, had once bought to serve them at Liubo Temple. Fan recounted his bitter past, explaining how his gambling father had sold him as a child. He had hoped that joining an immortal sect would change his life, but his lack of a spiritual root relegated him to menial chores, fueling a lifelong hatred for the gifted.

Lu Qianqiao confronted his former friend, revealing that Fu Tian had essentially become another Duan Xianyin by using her heretical techniques to steal spiritual roots. He exposed the dark secret of the Qinghong Sect: the "Phoenix God's golden liquid" promised to the followers was actually refined from the stolen spiritual roots of cultivators.

Furthermore, he proved that the Yangyuan Pills used by immortal sects were simply diluted versions of this liquid, proving that Fu Tian was secretly acting as a lapdog for the very sects he claimed to hate. Fu Tian, refusing to lose control of the crowd, played his final card by exposing Lu Qianqiao’s true identity as a War Demon. He mocked the War Demons as "perfect gods of war" who were nonetheless weak enough to be wiped out.

The crowd’s hatred shifted toward Lu Qianqiao, as they viewed him as a common enemy of all humanity. Amidst the chaos, Zuo Yingying stepped forward, dropping her disguise to reveal her true power as a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. She swiftly defeated Dharma King Niankong before heading off to help Xin Mei and the others against Lord Tiling, a formidable Void Stage guardian.

The battle against Lord Tiling was fierce, as several Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators fought to keep the elder at bay. Once Xin Mei and Zuo Yingying managed to restrain him, A Sheng used the Yuanyi Twin Swords to deliver the killing blow. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao struggled against Fu Tian. Having undergone the grueling processes of shedding skin and renewing bones to become more human, his cultivation had significantly diminished.

As Lu Qianqiao was pushed to his limits, he utilized the Sunblock Banner brought by Zuo Yingying. By sacrificing his own essence blood, he performed a forbidden ritual to temporarily rewind his physical state back to his peak Great Completion Stage. In this brief moment of overwhelming power, Lu Qianqiao exerted a spiritual pressure so immense that Fu Tian’s followers collapsed, and even the Void Stage Fu Tian and Lord Baori were forced to their knees.

Despite his defeat, Fu Tian remained unrepentant until the very end, claiming he only did what was necessary to survive in a world where the strong prey on the weak. Following the collapse of the Qinghong Sect, Lu Qianqiao’s body became increasingly frail due to the toll of the battle and his successful blood purification.

Though his physical condition and that of Chu Ying worsened daily, they felt a sense of joy because Lu Qianqiao was finally becoming the person he truly wished to be. Lin Muhan and Jiang Ji took the responsibility of escorting the weakened Bai Zongying back to the Tianyuan Sect. Now a mere mortal with destroyed spiritual veins, Bai Zongying was so exhausted that he collapsed before even reaching the gates of his home.

The news of Bai Zongying’s condition spread quickly among the disciples of the Tianyuan Sect, leading to hushed and cruel rumors until they were silenced by Cang Fengzi. After examining him, Sect Leader Li Mofu confirmed that Bai Zongying’s spiritual root was gone and his spiritual veins were destroyed. He remarked that it was a miracle the young man had survived at all and ordered him to be left to rest.

With the threat of the Qinghong Sect over, Lu Qianqiao and his companions returned to Liubo Temple. To preserve their knowledge, Lu Qianqiao began the painstaking task of hand-carving the woodblocks for the Unparalleled Secret Magic. As a non-cultivator, Meishan Jun worked by hand, while A Sheng used her magic to guide the Yuanyi Twin Swords, carving the text far faster than anyone else.

At the Liubo Temple, Lu Qianqiao worked tirelessly on the production of the "Unparalleled Secret Magic". He handled every stage of the process alone, from applying the printing ink and pressing the pages to cutting the paper and sorting the finished scrolls. When the Lord of Rust-Sword stopped by to check on the progress, he noticed the varying thicknesses of the stacks.

Lu Qianqiao explained that they were printing everything in duplicate to ensure accuracy, though some pages from the earlier volumes remained incomplete or were still drying. Although the Lord of Rust-Sword offered to help, Lu Qianqiao politely declined, noting he had finished his carving for the day. The arrival of mealtime brought a sudden shift in Lu Qianqiao’s focus. Having recently undergone the grueling process of purifying his blood, he possessed an insatiable appetite.

However, the dinner Xin Mei prepared consisted entirely of cabbage, as she had arrived at the market too late to find anything else. While Sheng happily ate whatever her senior sister made, the burnt smell of the dish made it difficult for the Lord of Rust-Sword and Zuo Yingying to swallow.

As they picked at their food, they discussed Volume 16 of the manual, which recounted the tale of Ma Sheng, also known as Lord Youyang, who rose from a humble stable hand to a border protector. Lu Qianqiao praised the meal’s unique flavor, but the others quietly agreed to sneak out for a late-night snack. Meanwhile, the leaders of the immortal sects gathered to discuss the fallout from the Qinghong Sect.

Li Mofu expressed his outrage at the Master of the Qinghong Sect for his cold-blooded business of extracting spiritual roots to refine Yangyuan Pills. He vowed to order all sects to conduct internal inspections and purge any traitors. Jiang Ji was deeply concerned about Bai Zongying’s recovery, but Li Mofu offered little hope; with a destroyed Qihai and a stolen spiritual root, the damage was irreparable.

During the meeting, Sima Randeng and Cang Fengzi cast doubt on how Lin Muhan and Jiang Ji managed to escape the Qinghong Sect’s headquarters. Choosing to protect Lu Qianqiao’s identity, they claimed they had used the internal chaos of a rebellion to slip away. Lin Muhan then formally accused Sima Randeng of cowardice, detailing how Sima had used a junior disciple as a human shield before abandoning his fellow disciples to flee the battle.

When Sima Randeng tried to dismiss the accusation, Lin Muhan produced the touchstone of Tianyin Mountain to test his honesty. Sima, knowing the stone would expose his lies, could only fall to his knees in silence. Disgraced by his disciple’s actions, Cang Fengzi scolded Sima before Li Mofu, and the decision of punishment was left to Lin Muhan. Sima offered a hollow apology and suggested Lin Muhan punch him to vent his anger.

Lin Muhan did not hold back, delivering two heavy blows that left Sima spitting blood, finally settling the grievance. Back at the manor, Sheng stayed up to proofread the scrolls while Xin Mei brought her some sweet soup. While helping Sheng tidy her bed, Xin Mei discovered a ring, which led Sheng to open up about her complicated past with Jin Lun.

Sheng confessed that she hadn't intentionally abandoned Jin Lun at Wushui Cliff; instead, the sudden sight of Xia Xuanzi had terrified her so much that she momentarily lost her composure and let go of his hand. She had assumed Jin Lun died, but he survived the fall—albeit at the cost of an arm—thanks to a protective bracelet.

When they later crossed paths at Crescent Lake, Sheng had acted heartlessly to drive him away, wanting to protect him from the danger of following her. In town, Lu Qianqiao met with Zuo Yingying and the Lord of Rust-Sword at a century-old shop known for its sheep blood tofu stew. Lu Qianqiao, who had recently recovered his sense of taste, found the rich broth to be a revelation.

During their meal, he asked if they were bothered by the revelation that he was a War Demon. To his relief, both Zuo Yingying and the Lord of Rust-Sword were entirely indifferent to his lineage, treating him only as their friend. Before leaving, Lu Qianqiao made sure to pack two portions of the stew to bring back for Xin Mei and Sheng.

At the Tianyuan Sect, Jiang Ji decided to stay behind to care for the weakened Bai Zongying, recalling how he had once saved her life and eyes during a dangerous formation. Nearby, Lin Muhan found Jin Lun staying in a dilapidated hut. Observing that Jin Lun’s Dao heart was in turmoil, Lin Muhan sat with him and set up a formation to protect and stabilize his meditation.

As the days passed, Xin Mei realized that her own cultivation had plateaued because she had inadvertently inhaled turbid qi during the battle. Though it had begun to erode her spiritual root, she accepted that she would never progress beyond the Nascent Soul stage. Lu Qianqiao, whose memories had fully returned, shared a secret with her. He revealed that his companion, Chu Ying, was actually a spirit tree he had brought to life years ago to combat his loneliness.

Since Chu Ying’s existence was tied to Lu Qianqiao’s own power, the spirit was weakening as Lu Qianqiao’s cultivation dropped. Using his restored knowledge, Lu Qianqiao helped Xin Mei recover her lost memories. In the quiet of their room, they shared a tender moment and a kiss, which was accidentally witnessed through the window by Sheng and the Lord of Rust-Sword. Afterward, they spoke of their future once the printing was complete.

Lu Qianqiao planned to follow a travel journal left by Su to taste the various delicacies of the world. Xin Mei, amused by his new obsession with food, promised to take him to the food street near her own sect, where they could find everything from Yangchun noodles to meatball stews.

Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei shared a fleeting moment of intimacy that left Xin Mei so restless she couldn't sleep that night. As they lingered outside, Lu Qianqiao eventually urged her to rest, and they exchanged soft farewells. Meishan Jun, watching from the shadows, jokingly told Xin Mei to get some sleep, calling her his "junior sister." Xin Mei hurried away, playfully questioning when she had ever become his junior. At the Tianyuan Sect, the atmosphere was far more somber.

Sect Leader Li Mofu received distinguished guests but pointedly excluded his former top disciple, Bai Zongying. While a kind-hearted junior brought Bai some snacks from the foot of the mountain, a messenger soon arrived from Manager Yu. Finding that Bai had no duties, the manager assigned the former prodigy to the menial task of fetching water, a chore usually reserved for the lowliest disciples.

Bai Zongying was joined by a junior disciple from the Suxin Hall who had spent over a decade in the sect with little progress in his cultivation. As they rested, the junior explained that the mountain was once a blessed land picked by the founder, but after the Battle of Pinghu, its spiritual veins and vegetation had withered. The ancestors refused to abandon the site, decreeing that every new disciple must carry water up the mountain for three years.

Bai, who had been a "Heavenly Talent," had bypassed such hardships in his youth. Now, he had to endure the sight of other disciples mocking his fall from a Nascent Soul master to a common laborer. The conversation took a significant turn when the junior mentioned the "Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse," legendary inventions by human artisans that could carry goods across mountains as if on flat ground.

Though the technology was lost, the mention of it triggered a realization in Bai Zongying. He finally understood why Xin Mei had fought so hard to protect the Wushuang Society in Beixiang; they were preserving the very knowledge that allowed ordinary humans to overcome the limitations of nature. Meanwhile, at Liubo Temple, the group passed the time with a card game.

Sheng and Zuo Yingying proved to be a formidable team, winning a significant amount of money from Xin Mei and Meishan Jun. Seeing Xin Mei’s mounting losses, Lu Qianqiao stepped in. Despite having only watched for a short while, he played with such skill that he quickly won back everything, leaving Sheng and Zuo Yingying with no desire to continue. Later that night, Lu Qianqiao brought meat buns made by Xin Mei to Sheng.

He spoke of his own lonely childhood as a drifter and told Sheng that while she once only had her master and sister, she now had him as a third family member. Sheng, though stoic, accepted the gesture and ate the buns. The degradation of Bai Zongying’s status continued as he was ordered to move out of his private courtyard.

A subordinate informed him that he was to live in a communal dormitory with the ordinary disciples, claiming it would be "less lonely" for someone who no longer needed to cultivate. While others whispered about his disgrace, the junior disciple Yuanqi was overjoyed to have Bai as a roommate, hoping to learn from his vast experience even if his spiritual power was gone. In a nearby town, Xin Mei took Lu Qianqiao on an extensive shopping trip.

She bought him elegant new robes, boots, and a hat, making him look like a refined gentleman, yet she repeatedly delayed their meal despite Lu’s growing hunger. Eventually, she led him to a grand restaurant where the rest of the group was waiting. It was Lu’s birthday, and Xin Mei had arranged the feast to fulfill a promise about eating the finest food in a great hall.

She offered him a poetic blessing, wishing him longevity and happiness, a gesture that deeply moved him. Back at the Tianyuan Sect, Sima Randeng orchestrated a confrontation. He encouraged his junior, Yuanfeng, to challenge Bai’s roommate, Yuanqi, to a duel. Although Bai Zongying had lost his spiritual root, his tactical genius remained. He coached Yuanqi to stay in close combat and disrupt Yuanfeng’s rhythm, preventing him from focusing on his sword-controlling technique.

Following Bai’s guidance, Yuanqi won the spar using a simple starting technique. Infuriated by the loss, Sima Randeng personally struck out and injured Yuanqi. Jiang Ji arrived just as Sima was bullying them. She had traveled to Tianyin Mountain and Taishan Cave to obtain rare medicines like the 100-Rotation Pill and Wash-Marrow Pill for Bai. However, Bai refused the medicine, knowing it could not help his condition. He urged Jiang Ji to return to her own sect at Lingji Mountain.

When she begged him to leave with her, offering to go anywhere in the world, Bai delivered a final, painful rejection. He told her plainly that even if his powers remained, they would never be together because he did not love her and already had another woman in his heart. With the "Unparalleled Secret Magic" needing to be returned to the Central Plains, the group decided to split into two paths for safety.

Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei headed west toward Xutuo City, while Sheng and Meishan Jun took the eastern route through the desert. Zuo Yingying bid them farewell to return to her own home. However, their movements were being closely watched by Li Mofu and Cang Fengzi. As soon as they left Liubo Temple, a secret message was sent back to the Tianyuan Sect, confirming their departure.

Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei arrived at Xutuo City to rest and replenish their supplies. During their meal, they speculated on which immortal sect was colluding with the Qinghong Sect. Xin Mei initially suspected Zigai Mountain due to their constant need for funds, but she quickly dismissed the idea, reasoning that they wouldn't dare risk offending both Lingji Mountain and the Tianyuan Sect simultaneously.

When Lu Qianqiao suggested that the Tianyuan Sect itself might be the culprit, Xin Mei insisted it was impossible, as the sect was the leader of the righteous path and the head of the immortal alliance. As they prepared to depart, Lu Qianqiao sensed they were being followed. The duo devised a plan to draw the spy out and captured a man who confessed he had been paid by masked individuals to monitor them.

He revealed that his group had been waiting in the desert for nearly six months just to pick up their trail. To lose their pursuers, Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei hired several locals to drive carriages in various directions as decoys. The strategy successfully diverted the Tianyuan Sect disciples, who found themselves interrogating confused drivers while the real targets slipped away toward the capital. Meanwhile, Asheng and Meishan Jun stopped to rest at Crescent Lake.

Asheng experienced a strange physical sensation she couldn't explain, and Meishan Jun teased her for spending half an hour washing her face. By morning, they realized the Tianyuan Sect’s agents were closing in. To ensure the "Unparalleled Secret Magic" reached its destination, Meishan Jun played the hero, driving the carriage to lure the pursuers away while Asheng headed toward North Gate Pass on foot. At North Gate Pass, Asheng met with Qin Yan and Sun Gang from the Wushuang Society.

Qin Yan expressed deep gratitude, stating that her delivery of the book would benefit the human race for generations. Asheng learned that Xin Mei and Lu Qianqiao had already reached the capital to meet with "the Master." Despite Asheng's concern for the human soldiers who lacked cultivation, Qin Yan assured her that they were prepared to sacrifice themselves, believing their deaths would have true value if the secret manual was secured.

At the official residence, Xin Mei and Lu Qianqiao were stunned to find that the Master of the Wushuang Society was Zhi Bocheng, the Jingzhou Transport and Communications Envoy they had previously encountered in Chongling Valley. Zhi Bocheng thanked them on behalf of the common people, claiming the book would change the world within the next century. Lu Qianqiao remained skeptical, realizing he hadn't fully grasped the depths of the Wushuang Society.

Zhi Bocheng spoke of a philosophy where time was the only fair constant, and anyone attempting to break its barriers—specifically those seeking immortality—was an enemy of the people. He argued that the immortal sects, nobles, and the emperor formed a symbiotic system that exploited ordinary humans. Lu Qianqiao recognized a familiar zither in the room, leading Zhi Bocheng to admit that Li Si, Lv Yunsu, and even the zither player sent to Chongling Valley were all his agents.

Their mission had been to kill Su Taiyi and ensure the Immortality Pill never reached the light of day. Lu Qianqiao felt a sense of betrayal, knowing Su Taiyi had actually been remorseful. Zhi Bocheng remained firm, stating he could not gamble the future of humanity on the sincerity of one man. Asheng eventually joined them, and Zhi Bocheng allowed the group to leave. As they departed, the tolling of funeral bells signaled the death of Emperor Zong Ding.

Later, the group reunited at the Ping'an Inn, where Meishan Jun was busy boasting to the proprietress, Li Niang, and the staff. He told exaggerated tales of how he had nearly struck down Sima Randeng and fought through thousands of cultivators with his self-created "Tenfold Rust Swordsmanship," claiming it surpassed Lu Qianqiao’s skills. Lu Qianqiao, however, was in a somber mood, reflecting on his long history with "A Ding" (the Emperor).

Xin Mei comforted him, reminding him that while his long life once felt like a punishment of loneliness, he now had family and friends. Lu Qianqiao planned to return to Chongling Valley for his final heart transformation to become a normal human, but he asked Meishan Jun to accompany him instead of Xin Mei, fearing her presence might distract him during the dangerous procedure.

Back at the Tianyuan Sect, Bai Zongying was performing manual labor when he spotted a suspicious figure he suspected was Lord Baori of the Qinghong Sect. Instead, he encountered a young disciple named Yuanqi. Yuanqi shared that he had been helping an old master wipe the "Dinyuan Tianzhong" (Infinity Bell) on Qingtian Peak and had been rewarded with a chicken leg. Yuanqi also mentioned Elder Mo Guan, a mysterious figure rarely seen by disciples.

Bai Zongying asked Yuanqi to keep a close watch on the elder. However, the next day, Yuanqi was brought back covered in blood, having been brutally attacked. Desperate to save the boy, Bai Zongying carried Yuanqi to the Guiyuan Hall to beg for help. He pleaded for an audience with the Sect Master, knowing that only primordial energy could mend Yuanqi's ruptured heart meridians.

Sima Randeng emerged but coldly refused the request, mocking Bai Zongying and stating that an outer-circle disciple was not worth the Sect Master's loss of cultivation. Despite the rejection and Sima Randeng's cruelty, a helpless Bai Zongying remained kneeling at the gate, his forehead bleeding from kowtowing as he continued to implore his master for mercy.

At the gates of the Tianyuan Sect, Li Mofu stood by and watched as the young disciple Yuanqi succumbed to his injuries, leaving Bai Zongying in a state of utter despair. In the aftermath, Bai Zongying encountered Lord Baori of the Qinghong Sect, only to discover the villain was wearing the robes of the Tianyuan Sect. The horrifying truth became clear: Lord Baori was actually Elder Mo Guan of the Tianyuan Sect.

Li Mofu was fully aware of this treachery, suggesting the prestigious Tianyuan Sect was the true power behind the demonic Qinghong Sect. Meanwhile, at the Safe Haven Inn, Sheng was no longer herself, her body having been seized by the spirit of Xia Xuanzi. Unaware of this possession, Lu Qianqiao and Meishan Jun prepared to depart for Chongling Valley to begin the process of transforming Lu Qianqiao’s heart.

Before leaving, Lu Qianqiao promised Xin Mei that he would write once he arrived and would return to Xin Xie Manor after becoming human. He noted with sadness that Sheng did not come out to say goodbye. On the road, Lu Qianqiao perceived an illusion of Li Mofu, sensing that the Sect Master was intentionally drawing him toward Tianyuan Mountain.

During a rest stop, Lu Qianqiao tricked Meishan Jun into drinking wine laced with a powerful narcotic made from Hindu Datura and aconite root. This mixture could paralyze even the strongest cultivators for ten days. Lu Qianqiao decided that the dangerous path ahead was one he had to walk alone to protect his friend. Once Meishan Jun was safely taken in by local villagers, Lu Qianqiao changed course for the Tianyuan Sect.

Back at the inn, Xin Mei grew worried about Sheng. She eventually tracked her to a ruined hut, where Sheng sat with her eyes closed. Unaware of the possession, Xin Mei tried to wake her, but Sheng suddenly attacked with the overwhelming power of the Void Stage. Before Xin Mei collapsed, she desperately tried to reach Sheng's true consciousness, but both women ended up unconscious.

Sheng woke first and carried the severely injured Xin Mei back to the inn before leaving to find someone capable of saving her life. Lu Qianqiao arrived at Tianyuan Mountain and was led inside by Sima Randeng. Standing before the powerful Deity Transformation Stage cultivator Li Mofu, Lu Qianqiao made his intentions clear: he carried both human and War Demon blood, and his father had been a member of the immortal sects.

He argued that his efforts to hide his identity were to prevent further bloodshed between the races. He requested that any resentment be directed solely at him, insisting that Xin Mei and Xin Xie Manor were innocent. Li Mofu did not immediately harm Lu Qianqiao, instead housing him in the Jingxing Residence. Inside, Lu Qianqiao found childhood toys that stirred memories of his father. Li Mofu later revealed that he was the senior brother of Lu Qianqiao’s father, Lu Jingran.

He explained that Lu Jingran had approached Lu Qianqiao’s mother under sect orders and had searched for his son until his death. While Lu Jingran had failed as a husband and father, he was considered a hero to the Human Race and the Tianyuan Sect.

Recognizing that Lu Qianqiao’s power was fading due to his attempts to break the Curse of Five Deficiencies, Li Mofu noted that at his peak, Lu Qianqiao had nearly reached the threshold of a Perfect War Demon. He urged Lu Qianqiao not to rush into becoming an ordinary human, suggesting a turn for the better might be coming.

That night, Lu Qianqiao risked a severe backlash to activate the Sunblock Banner, a heretical artifact that devours essence blood, to contact Jiang Ji. The following day, Lu Qianqiao met Jiang Ji in person. He learned about the suspicious silence of Bai Zongying and the mysterious death of Yuanqi, who the sect claimed had simply fallen. Jiang Ji was convinced the sect was hiding something, as Bai Zongying had left behind his precious sword, Sun Splendor.

Lu Qianqiao suggested that if Bai Zongying were not dead, he was likely being held captive within the sect's restricted grounds. In another part of the region, Jin Lun sought to join the Tianyin Mountain sect. He successfully navigated the trials of shedding greed and demonstrating compassion. However, the third trial—abandoning worldly distractions—proved the most difficult. He was confronted by an illusion of Sheng, who pleaded with him not to ascend the mountain.

Unable to let go of his feelings, Jin Lun chose to abandon his quest for cultivation to stay with her, unaware that this "Sheng" had her own hidden agenda. Using the Sunblock Banner to hide his presence, Lu Qianqiao manifested a "blood-eye" to follow a Tianyuan Sect disciple into the back mountain. There, he discovered Bai Zongying imprisoned in a hidden cell. A weakened Bai Zongying warned him that Lord Baori was indeed present at the sect. This confirmation finally proved that the most prestigious immortal sect was the secret ally of the demonic Qinghong Sect.

Sheng returns to the Safe Haven Inn with Jin Lun's soul-bound golden lotus, using its immense power to save Xin Mei's life. Following the ordeal, Xin Mei discovers she has undergone a profound transformation, advancing from the Nascent Soul stage to the Void Stage. However, the realization of how she was saved brings her no joy; she strikes Sheng with a sharp slap, horrified that Sheng stole the very treasure that serves as Jin Lun's life source.

Without the golden lotus, Jin Lun is left with only a single bracelet, rendering him little more than a broken man. Sheng accepts the blow, admitting that the debt she owes Jin Lun is already far beyond any hope of repayment. At a dilapidated manor used by travelers to escape the rain, Jin Lun sits alone, dressed thinly against the biting cold. A local traveler notices his solitary figure and asks if he is waiting for his wife.

Jin Lun remains silent, waiting from daybreak until the shadows lengthen into night. Though he realized the moment the lotus was taken that Sheng was the culprit, he harbors no anger toward her. He keeps his vigil until the following morning, but when she fails to return, he finally gives up his wait and departs. At the Tianyuan Sect, Sima Randeng rushes to report that Bai Zongying has attempted suicide in the mountain prison.

Li Mofu arrives to find that the prison guards have already bandaged Bai’s wrist. Bai reveals he only lured his master there to ask why he has committed such atrocities against the Wushuang Society. Li Mofu confesses a terrifying nightmare he had upon first reaching the Deity Transformation Stage: a future world where humans used wooden carts and gigantic airships to rival the power of gods, yet not a single cultivator remained.

Fearing the extinction of his kind, Li Mofu has spent his life suppressing human craftsmanship and hunting the Wushuang Society. He views cultivators as naturally superior beings, likening ordinary humans to trained monkeys who, despite their tricks, remain mere beasts. Bai Zongying is repulsed, calling his master’s "righteous" facade a mask for a heart that has long been rotten and corrupt.

While Jiang Ji infiltrates the prison to rescue Bai Zongying, Lu Qianqiao uses the Sunblock Banner to mask his presence and search for the sacred seed of the Jianmu Tree. He eventually locates it hidden deep within the Rainwatch Terrace. Li Mofu confronts him there, noting that Lu has walked straight into a trap.

Lu accuses Li Mofu of being a parasite who lives off the labor of the very humans he despises, citing the toil of silkworm farmers and weavers that provides for his immortal lifestyle. Despite being severely weakened to the Foundation Building stage after his recent ordeal of shedding skin and purifying blood, Lu uses the Sunblock Banner to stall for time and directs the Jiujue Sword to strike at the sacred seed.

Li Mofu easily overpowers Lu, mocking him for choosing to be a mortal human rather than a powerful War Demon. Just as Li Mofu prepares to deliver the killing blow, Xin Xiong, Xin Mei’s master, arrives. The two masters clash, and Xin Xiong berates Li Mofu for paving his path to godhood with the lives of others.

A flashback reveals their shared history: years ago, Li Mofu obtained the sacred seed and promised Xin Xiong he would never use human sacrifices to nurture it. They had clapped hands to seal an oath, and Xin Xiong moved to the foot of the mountain to establish his own sect specifically to keep watch over Li Mofu. Realizing his former brother has strayed too far into darkness, Xin Xiong vows to fulfill his old promise and take Li Mofu’s head.

Though Xin Xiong is at the Great Completion Stage and cannot defeat a Tribulation-Crossing master like Li Mofu, he uses the Soul-severing Technique to break the sect master's spell and drag Lu Qianqiao to safety. Knowing his cultivation is doomed to fade, Xin Xiong chooses to give it back to the earth rather than let it go to waste. As he dissipates his power, life blooms miraculously across the landscape for a hundred li.

Meanwhile, Sheng reveals her dark past to Xin Mei at the inn. Like Xia Xuanzi, she unraveled the "mystery of the womb" at birth and possessed full consciousness while still an infant. She was raised in the horrific Qianyan Cave, where everyone was a madman and she was treated worse than a beast. She tells Xin Mei that she originally approached her as part of a calculated plan, but was eventually moved by Xin Mei's sincerity.

Sheng believes that if the prophecy of a rising god is true, she may very well be that entity, for even a Demon God is still a god. Meishan Jun returns to the Safe Haven Inn with Zhu Yu and the others from Chongling Valley, only to find Xin Mei alone and Sheng missing. As the group reunites, they notice the sudden, unnatural blooming of flowers outside. Zhu Yu realizes that a powerful cultivator at the Great Completion Stage has dissipated their cultivation, a sign that fills Xin Mei with a heavy, sorrowful foreboding.

Zhu Yu and her companions arrived at the Safe Haven Inn, but Lu Qianqiao was missing. It was revealed that Lu had knocked out his companion to prevent them from following him, as he had gone to handle a dangerous matter alone rather than returning to Chongling Valley for his scheduled surgery. Suddenly, the flowers and trees outside the inn began to bloom with unnatural vitality.

Zhu Yu realized that a Great Completion Stage cultivator was dispersing their cultivation, returning their life essence to the world. Sensing it was her master, Xin Xiong, Xin Mei rushed to his location, but she arrived too late to say goodbye. Before he passed, Xin Xiong had encountered Lu Qianqiao and expressed his peace, knowing he had finally found the child of his old friend.

Xin Mei was consumed by regret, lamenting that she had been away visiting relatives in Wei County and had failed to bring back the Immortality Pill she had sought to prolong his life. Later, Lu Qianqiao returned to the Safe Haven Inn and shared his findings. He explained that Li Mofu had used the Qinghong Sect to trick him into translating ancient War Demon scripts.

These texts contained the "Wusheng Formation," a ritual that uses human vitality to stimulate the growth of plants. Because the sect leader, Futian, had scrambled the text, Lu hadn't immediately realized the danger. To grow something as massive as the Jianmu Tree, Li Mofu intended to sacrifice countless lives, repeating the ancient atrocities that once nearly destroyed the world. Lu revealed that he had found Bai Zongying imprisoned at Tianyuan Mountain, which confirmed Li Mofu was the mastermind.

As he finished his explanation, Lu suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed. The prolonged use of the Sunblock Banner had caused a severe backlash, damaging his heart meridian. Zhu Yu insisted that Lu must undergo the heart transformation immediately to become a normal human and survive. Although she feared for the world, Xin Mei urged Lu to prioritize his own life, wanting him to finally experience a peaceful and healthy existence.

Meanwhile, Jin Lun traveled to his hometown, Lanshui Town, only to find it had been renamed Sanyuan Town years ago. In his spiritual sea, an elder from Tianyin Mountain guided him toward enlightenment. Jin Lun realized that his worldly attachments—his family, wealth, and his feelings for Sheng—were the only things stopping him from reaching his true potential. He understood that Sheng was not his "tribulation," but rather the "blade" that had cut through his delusions.

Choosing the Path of Severing Emotions, he accepted that having nothing was the same as possessing everything. Sheng waited for Jin Lun at the foot of the mountain for a full day, but he refused to see her. She eventually entrusted a box containing her life-binding Gu and a ring to Jin Lun's senior brother, essentially placing her life in Jin Lun's hands.

However, the now-detached Jin Lun released her life-binding Gu and sent her an umbrella to protect her from an approaching storm, signaling the end of their bond. Shortly after, Sheng was overtaken by her father, Xia Xuanzi, who forcibly took over her body (Duoshe) to use her life force for his own rebirth. At Lingji Mountain, Bai Zongying—who had been rescued by Jiang Ji—wrote letters to the other immortal sects, exposing Li Mofu’s madness.

Even the Lingxu Sect, long considered Li Mofu’s subordinates, joined the resistance, refusing to achieve godhood through such horrific means. Simultaneously, Li Mofu met with the possessed Sheng. Xia Xuanzi revealed that he had learned the truth about the Qinghong Sect while hiding in Sheng’s consciousness. Viewing the current immortal sects as bugs trapped in a jar, Li Mofu proposed an alliance to grow the Jianmu Tree and reopen the Heavenly Gate.

Xia Xuanzi, sharing his ruthless ambition, agreed to the pact. Back at the Safe Haven Inn, the time for Lu Qianqiao’s heart transformation arrived. As the sects gathered at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain to prepare for war, Zhu Yu began the procedure. Xin Mei looked at Lu with deep concern, but he offered her a final, reassuring smile before the surgery commenced.

At Safe Haven Inn, the procedure to transform Lu Qianqiao’s heart begins. Zhu Yu requests that Xin Mei excuse herself, promising that once Lu Qianqiao wakes up, his struggle with the War Demon bloodline will finally be over. While Lu Qianqiao remains behind for the procedure, Xin Mei and Meishan Jun prepare to head to Tianyuan Mountain. They are joined by Li Niang, the waiter A Jing, and the Cook.

Although Meishan Jun initially views their participation as reckless, Li Niang argues that Li Mofu’s plan to sacrifice half of all living things to mature the Jianmu seed concerns everyone. As humans, they refuse to sit idly by while their lives are gambled away for someone else’s ascension. At the foot of the mountain, the allied immortal sects gather. Bai Zongying and Jiang Ji present a strategic map, proposing a two-pronged assault.

The first team, led by Lin An and Lin Muhan, will strike the main gate and head for the Rainwatch Terrace to destroy the sacred seed. The second team, including Bai Zongying, Jiang Ji, and Master Gongyu, will take the mountain path to Qingtian Peak to reach the Dingyuan Tianzhong.

Bai Zongying explains that this bell is the key to the Mountain-Guarding Formation; once activated, it will isolate Tianyuan Mountain, preventing the Jianmu tree from draining the vitality of the outside world. Since only a Nascent Soul cultivator can ring the bell, Master Gongyu agrees to accompany them. Before they depart, Lin An gifts Jiang Ji the Eight-Treasure Heart-Protecting Mirror, a resilient treasure of Lingji Mountain, which Master Gongyu playfully refers to as her dowry.

Within the Tianyuan Sect, Li Mofu receives a war declaration from Lin An, giving them a short deadline to destroy the sacred seed or face an invasion. Li Mofu remains unmoved, using the opportunity to incite his disciples. He preaches that the path to heaven has been severed for too long, leaving cultivators unable to become true gods. He claims his mission to rebuild the heavenly ladder will reorganize the immortal order and secure a glorious future.

Obsessed with his vision, he ignores the cost of human life and prepares to sacrifice even himself to ensure the Jianmu tree reaches the highest heaven. As the deadline passes, Lin An leads the charge onto the mountain, while Li Mofu and Xia Xuanzi retreat to the Rainwatch Terrace to begin the maturation ritual. The allied sects quickly find themselves trapped in a complex formation upon entering the gates.

However, as the original creators of the formation, Lin An and his son Lin Muhan easily dismantle it. Realizing the progress of the ritual, Bai Zongying, Jiang Ji, and Master Gongyu hurry toward the peak. Xia Xuanzi moves to intercept them, engaging Master Gongyu in a fierce duel. Meanwhile, Bai Zongying and Jiang Ji are blocked by Sima Randeng and a group of disciples who have consumed golden liquid to unnaturally boost their strength.

Xin Mei and Meishan Jun arrive just in time to reinforce them, holding off the empowered disciples. Jiang Ji uses her formations to trap Sima Randeng’s group, urging Bai Zongying to push forward alone. However, Sima Randeng breaks through and severely injures Bai Zongying. Despite spitting blood and having lost his spiritual root, Bai Zongying continues to crawl toward the peak.

Back at the Rainwatch Terrace, the ritual reaches a critical stage as a pillar of golden light pierces the sky. The growing Jianmu tree begins to indiscriminately drain the life force of everyone nearby. Lin An and Cang Fengzi are consumed by the tree, vanishing from the world. The tragedy spreads as A Jing and the Cook are also drained of their lives. Following the death of Master Gongyu, his essence is also absorbed by the sacred seed.

The disciples fighting alongside Sima Randeng are wiped out by the tree's hunger, leaving Sima as the sole survivor. Delighted by his luck, Sima laughs maniacally and continues his assault on Jiang Ji. Witnessing his father's death, Lin Muhan experiences a moment of profound realization and advances to the Nascent Soul stage on the spot. Gripping his father's sword, he re-enters the fray with renewed power.

At the summit, Sima Randeng mocks Bai Zongying, noting that the Dingyuan Tianzhong is forged from Jiuli copper and requires the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator to ring. He sneers that a man without a spiritual root can do nothing. Bai Zongying, however, remembers his purpose; born on the ninth day of the ninth month, he was always destined to be a savior.

Accepting the burden of his mission, he hurls his entire being against the bell, sacrificing his life to strike it. The resonant chime of the bell echoes across the mountain, forcing the Tianyuan disciples to drop their weapons in a trance. Seeing the tide turn, Meishan Jun leaves the remaining forces to Li Niang and rushes toward the Rainwatch Terrace.

Bai Zongying used his soul to strike the Infinity Bell one last time. As his life faded, Xin Mei’s words about freedom resonated in his mind—that true joy comes from a liberated heart, regardless of one’s cultivation or status. He accepted his destiny as the savior born on the ninth day of the ninth month, sacrificing himself to activate the Mountain-Guarding Formation. This formation isolated Tianyuan Mountain, cutting the Jianmu Tree off from the external vitality it needed to grow.

Xia Xuanzi moved to address this, only to be intercepted by Xin Mei. Meanwhile, Lu Qianqiao changed his mind about the planned heart transplant. Instead, he decided to sacrifice his memories to become the Perfect War Demon. He summoned Chu Ying with his remaining strength to share his decision. Chu Ying, who had only experienced the world because of Lu’s power, offered his full support.

The price of this transformation was absolute: Lu would gain immense power but lose every memory of his friends, family, and his love for Xin Mei, essentially becoming a completely new person. Lu reflected on the ordinary life he had finally tasted: the color of the sky, the flavor of food, and the warmth of his relationships. He cherished his dreams of a simple future with Xin Mei in Wei County, opening a medical shop together.

However, to protect the world and the people he loved, he chose to surrender those very memories, believing that even without his past, his heart would still lead him to do what was right. Elsewhere on the battlefield, Li Mofu defeated Lin Muhan and approached the Infinity Bell. Sima Randeng struck Jiang Ji with his chains, but she used her last ounce of strength to create an opening.

Following her desperate cry, Lin Muhan threw his sword with lethal precision, finally killing Sima Randeng before crawling toward the wounded Jiang Ji. At the Rainwatch Terrace, Xia Xuanzi controlled Sheng’s body to attack Xin Mei. Hesitant to harm her friend, Xin Mei was forced onto the defensive. She eventually entered Sheng’s spiritual sea to help her fight back.

Within that internal realm, Sheng regained consciousness and realized Xia Xuanzi had survived his previous defeat by hiding within her as a blood crow. Xia Xuanzi, now at the Great Success stage, revealed that both he and Sheng were innate spiritual bodies and he intended to steal her destiny to achieve godhood. Refusing to be a tool for his ambition, Sheng recalled her master’s poem about the cycle of life and decided to end the threat.

Realizing she couldn't hold Xia Xuanzi back forever, she begged Xin Mei to kill her. When Xin Mei could not bring herself to strike, Sheng lunged forward and impaled herself on Xin Mei’s blade. She died in Xin Mei’s arms, expressing her deep love for her sister and her wish for Xin Mei to find happiness. In her final thoughts, she dreamed only of returning home to Xin's Villa to eat roasted fish.

Lord Meishan arrived at the terrace to engage Li Mofu. Despite the power gap between them, Lord Meishan followed his master’s ancient teachings, swinging his sword relentlessly. After thousands of strikes and much bloodshed, the rust finally fell away from his blade, revealing its divine light. He managed to sever the branches of the Jianmu Tree, though Li Mofu quickly mended the damage with magic.

Xin Mei then provoked Li Mofu, distracting him with a broken sword and mocking his selfish ambitions. Just as Li Mofu prepared to kill Xin Mei, Lu Qianqiao appeared in formidable war armor as the Perfect War Demon. Unmoved by Li Mofu’s plea to join him in rebuilding the heavenly ladder, Lu viewed Li Mofu's goals as pathetic. With a mere thought, Lu sent the enemies flying and crushed Li Mofu as easily as an ant.

With Li Mofu’s death, the Jianmu Tree collapsed, ending the crisis. However, the victory was bittersweet. Lu Qianqiao’s past had vanished like smoke, and he no longer recognized the woman standing before him. Xin Mei watched in agony, calling out his name repeatedly, but the man who was once Lu Qianqiao walked away in silence, leaving his past and his love behind.

Xin Mei screamed Lu Qianqiao's name until her voice broke, but her desperate pleas could not stop his footsteps. Having sacrificed his memories to become the Perfect War Demon to save the world, he vanished into the distance without a single backward glance, leaving her to collapse in inconsolable tears. One year passed. Jin Lun visited Xin Mei to deliver a message from A Sheng.

When Xin Mei expressed confusion, Jin Lun urged her to close her eyes and sense the "field." He explained that according to Taoism, the existence of life is far broader than what the physical eye can see. While humans and animals share a tangible form, a "field" represents a higher state of consciousness—an intention detached from the body that can only be perceived in higher realms. Jin Lun revealed that A Sheng had transformed into such a field.

Though she had earned the right to ascend to godhood by sacrificing herself to take down the demonic Xia Xuanzi, the broken heavenly ladder prevented her mortal form from ascending. Now existing as a field, A Sheng was everywhere—in the mountains, the wind, a flower, or even a speck of dust.

She had lingered in the mortal realm because of an obsession: she wanted to help Xin Mei fulfill her wish of breaking the Curse of Five Deficiencies that had plagued the War Demon tribe for a millennium. To do this, A Sheng was willing to transform herself into a path to heaven to send Xin Mei’s primordial spirit to the divine realm. Xin Mei’s spirit ascended and encountered Xiao Shenjun, a young deity guarding the gates.

The gatekeeper explained that since the ladder broke, no new officials had ascended, leaving him to manage all the archives. Xin Mei stated her purpose, and with a casual wave of his hand, the deity produced the scroll detailing the War Demon curse. He noted the punishment for their ancient crimes: violent bloodlust, an inability to feel pain or sleep, color blindness, and the taste of decay in all food.

Seeing that the thousand-year term had passed, Xiao Shenjun simply flicked his brush and erased the curse. Xin Mei watched in disbelief; the agony that had tortured Lu Qianqiao's people for ten centuries was settled in an instant by a minor deity with almost no effort.

Before she left, the deity invited her to drink at the Zhenghua Palace where the Gods of the Five Directions were hosting a wine party, but Xin Mei declined and returned to the mortal world. Xin Mei eventually returned to Wei County for a birthday banquet at Xin Xie Manor, where she reunited with Lu Jiujiu and Lu Xiaodao. The children, believing she had no family left since her sect was gone, begged her to stay.

However, Xin Mei told them she had a husband to find. When the children argued that their foster father was dead—having witnessed his execution—Xin Mei explained that Lu Qianqiao was a powerful War Demon who couldn't be killed so easily. She told them he had sacrificed his memories to cut the Jianmu ladder and save the world, essentially becoming a new person, but she remained convinced that his true nature and habits would never change.

She promised the children that once she found him, she would bring him back. Continuing her journey, Xin Mei traveled toward the Safe Haven Inn, accompanied by a small black cat that refused to leave her side. At the inn, she found Meishan Jun and Li Niang. The world was changing rapidly under the new emperor, who prioritized craftsmanship. Schools were opening, and even Tang You was now teaching.

A new city called Yandu had become a hub for master craftsmen, hosting lectures on the "Peerless Secret Record." Meanwhile, Lin Muhan had matured, taking charge of Lingji Mountain and the remaining Tianyuan Sect disciples to lead the righteous immortal sects toward a new path. Meishan Jun claimed he was on the verge of godhood through the sword path, complaining that he constantly felt like heavenly lightning was about to strike him.

Xin Mei jokingly pointed out that with the ladder still broken, he might just be stuck on earth getting struck by lightning every day. Li Niang then handed Xin Mei a letter from Zuo Yingying, who had finally found her beautiful home in the Heda Snow Mountain. Xin Mei wrote back, detailing the fates of their friends and her own unwavering resolve. She admitted that while Lu Qianqiao remembered nothing, she remembered enough for the both of them.

While back on the road, Xin Mei encountered Yuan Zhong of the Youhu Clan. He sat by a rushing river, accusing her of scaring away a fish he had been waiting forty years to catch. He demanded an outrageous compensation of seven hundred taels or a portion of her "time" to call it even. When Xin Mei grew impatient, Yuan Zhong revealed that he knew exactly who she was looking for and where he could be found. Desperate for a lead on Lu Qianqiao, Xin Mei declared she would do anything he asked if he would only tell her the truth.

Yuan Zhong of the Youhu Clan encountered Xin Mei as she continued her desperate search for Lu Qianqiao. Mocking the "needle in a haystack" nature of her task, he revealed that he knew where the man could be found. Xin Mei, willing to do anything for a lead, helped Yuan Zhong with his fish basket and water after he claimed his catch was worth seven hundred taels.

During their conversation, Yuan Zhong inquired about a beautiful goddess in the divine realm, but Xin Mei could only recall a brief meeting with a young gatekeeper deity. Before parting, Yuan Zhong told her of a gluttonous diner at the Zuixian Restaurant in the capital who had been obsessively eating sweets for half a month. Now that the War Demon curse was broken, Lu Qianqiao had regained his sense of taste, and this was the lead Xin Mei needed.

As Xin Mei departed, Yuan Zhong’s true nature and failed ambitions were revealed. He was the one who had provided the sacred seed of the Jianmu Tree to Li Mofu in a failed attempt to rebuild the heavenly ladder. Despite the wasted seed, Yuan Zhong found it fascinating that Lu Qianqiao, now a "Perfect War Demon," was so thoroughly tethered to a woman from an immortal sect.

He mused that even a powerful being could meet his match in the form of a simple mortal woman, noting that Xin Mei seemed to be Lu Qianqiao's weakness. Xin Mei arrived at the Zuixian Restaurant in the capital but was met with disappointment. The waiter recalled a handsome, cold-mannered guest who booked the entire place every evening but noted that the man had not returned for three days.

Dejected, Xin Mei wandered the streets until she noticed a painter named Gongzi Qi sketching her likeness. When she confronted him for drawing her without permission, he playfully added a tear mole to the portrait—a feature she did not have—claiming the painting was of someone else entirely. Realizing his talent, Xin Mei asked him to paint a portrait of Lu Qianqiao to help her search.

At first, Xin Mei described Lu Qianqiao through poetic impressions, likening him to a frozen pond that turns into a gentle stream when warmed, or a hero whose presence brought peace even if the mountains collapsed. Gongzi Qi found these abstract descriptions impossible to paint and insisted on concrete details. Xin Mei then described his sharp brow bones, thick lips, and eyes that shifted from soft to piercing.

Gongzi Qi realized he had seen this man at the restaurant across the street and suggested Xin Mei stay for the lantern festival that evening, as the traveler would likely join the festivities. During the festival, the street was filled with people wearing War Demon masks. Xin Mei learned from a street vendor that a traveler had recently bought out his entire stock of sweet cakes, further confirming Lu Qianqiao's presence.

Spotting a familiar figure in a mask, Xin Mei chased him down, only to find it was Gongzi Qi again. Recognizing their shared sorrow in searching for lost loved ones, Gongzi Qi invited her to Zuixian Restaurant to drink "Never Returning Home," a potent local wine. Under the influence of the wine, Xin Mei’s reserve vanished. She spoke of Lu Qianqiao’s skill as a doctor and painter, claiming his talents far surpassed those of Gongzi Qi.

She reminisced about their life as outlaws, their travels from the Central Plains to North Xiang, and Lu Qianqiao's past struggle as a remnant of the War Demons who sacrificed his own cultivation just to feel the pain and colors of being human. She wept as she recalled the moment he lost his memory and left her behind, yet she remained steadfast in her promise to find him again. The next morning, Xin Mei woke alone in the restaurant.

Gongzi Qi had already paid the bill and left a fresh portrait of Lu Qianqiao for her, as the previous one had been ruined by spilled wine. Following a lead toward the pier, she encountered her old acquaintance Chu Ying, who was now working as a boatman. Chu Ying was preparing to set sail for Yanzhou, a place famous for its scenery at Lake Boyang and its local rice noodles.

When Xin Mei arrived at the pier looking for a boat, Chu Ying recognized her and, with the quiet permission of his lone passenger, invited her aboard. Stepping onto the boat, Xin Mei froze as she saw Lu Qianqiao sitting there, drinking wine. Though he remained cold and silent, he was finally within her reach. Fate had brought them together at the water's edge just as the boat began its journey toward Yanzhou.

Nearby, a crazy Taoist watched the world go by, lecturing a young boy about the nature of destiny. He explained that a savior of the world wasn't determined by a specific birth date or prophecy. Instead, he claimed that anyone who chose justice, shouldered responsibility, and stayed true to themselves could be a savior. As the boat pulled away, the long search for a lost heart finally found a moment of quiet resolution on the shifting waters.