Whispers of Fate Episode 35 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Tang Lici sensed his mother, the Divine Maiden, was in grave danger and immediately rushed back to save her. He knew the only way was to activate the Celestial Wheel, a powerful ability that could reshape time, and he did so without hesitation. As the Celestial Wheel began its work, a guard of the Self-Healing Physique recognized Tang Lici as the holy child. Tang Lici commanded them to move aside, stating he alone could save his mother.
However, Gui Mudan, who had been secretly observing, attempted to use the Celestial Scripture to seize Tang Lici's body, which he considered a perfect vessel blessed with infinite power from the Celestial Realm. As the events unfolded, Tang Lici realized Gui Mudan's ultimate plan all along: to manipulate him into a no-win situation. If Tang Lici killed his mother, his own birth would be prevented, the Yique Yinyang could not be revived, and Gui Mudan's existence would be preserved.
If Tang Lici saved her using the Celestial Wheel, he would be weakened, allowing Gui Mudan to possess his body. Tang Lici also deduced that Gui Mudan had intentionally exposed him to toxins in the Fallen Petal Garden to suppress his martial power, making him vulnerable even in the Celestial Realm. Yet, Tang Lici was already prepared. He announced that he would never become the Yique Yinyang, declaring himself the true celestial being born of the Divine Maiden.
Infuriated by Gui Mudan's manipulative scheme, Tang Lici decided to turn Gui Mudan's own desire against him. Gui Mudan, who craved mortal feelings, was about to receive them in full. Tang Lici activated the Celestial Wheel again, this time to transfer his own emotions to Gui Mudan. Gui Mudan was overwhelmed by the sudden influx of complex human feelings, struggling with the pain and suffering he had previously scoffed at.
He realized the immense weight of these emotions and, unable to bear the torrent, Gui Mudan exploded, perishing in despair. With Gui Mudan finally dead, the Divine Maiden slowly regained consciousness. She recognized Tang Lici instantly, looking at him with immense love and telling him he looked exactly as she had always imagined. She reassured him that "mother loves you." Tang Lici had never dreamed of seeing his mother again.
After this emotional reunion and farewell with his mother, Tang Lici resolved to destroy the Heaven-Connecting Pillar, also known as the Bronze Tree. He believed this structure, responsible for the creation of the Yique Yinyang and built upon countless innocent lives, should not exist. With a powerful "Dragon Fire Tribunal" attack, he demolished the Bronze Tree, ensuring that the Yique Yinyang could never be resurrected and a dark shadow would be lifted from the martial world.
Meanwhile, Ashei had quietly departed, leaving a heartfelt letter for Tang Lici. She explained that she had foreseen his victory against Gui Mudan, but had deliberately withheld the true third pill and merged it with a fragment of the Falling-Sky Stone from her own body, thus outmaneuvering Gui Mudan's plan to revive the Yique Yinyang. Ashei confessed that while she had found her true identity and past, she had also betrayed Tang Lici's trust and could no longer face him.
She left with the hope that he would overcome his fear of being understood and learn to open up to others, seeing it as a strength, not a weakness. Her final words urged him to find peace in a life without her. News of Gui Mudan's death and the significant destruction of the Windflow Store's forces spread rapidly, bringing widespread celebration to the Central Plains Sword League.
However, some concern lingered regarding Tang Lici and Chi Yun's whereabouts, as they were last seen in Sage Valley, a complex and dangerous area. For the sake of public morale, it was decided to keep Tang Lici's uncertain status confidential for now. Zhong Chunji, still maintaining strict discipline among the disciples despite the victory, went to visit her master, Shao Yanping, in Qingyang Cave.
Gu Xitan, who had harbored suspicions about Zhong Chunji's previous actions, asked her directly if she had been conscious when she stabbed Tang Lici. Instead of answering, she turned the question back on him, asking if he "wanted" to believe her. Gu Xitan admitted that he did, and a flashback confirmed that Zhong Chunji had felt her body was not under her own control at the time.
Shao Yanping, reflecting on his decade as the League Master, stated that he had been waiting for the right successor. He admitted to Zhong Chunji that he was merely admiring the beautiful scenery of Mount Haoyun, realizing that one only truly sees things when they stop and look. However, his health took a turn for the worse during her visit.
An elder explained that Shao Yanping’s years of hard work had severely weakened him, and the battle at Mount Haoyun had exacerbated his internal injuries, putting his life at risk. Shao Yanping, though ill, found some humor in the revelation, remarking that "more revelations than mountain vistas await in stillness." Zhong Chunji urged her master to heed the elder’s advice.
As the Windflow Store's remnants continued to cause chaos, with reports of disciples suffering from lethal poison pills, and Shao Yanping's health rapidly declining, the Central Plains Sword League decided it was time to elect a new Sword Master. Shao Yanping formally announced his resignation, appointing Cheng Yunpao as interim leader for two months, and declared that anyone, regardless of seniority, could be nominated for the position, with merit and public approval being key.
Xi Fangtao, a former member of the Peony Tower who had recently joined the League under Mr. Puzhu's recommendation to help eradicate the Windflow Store, immediately nominated herself. Despite her recent entry, she boldly challenged the need for seniority, citing Tang Lici's significant contributions despite his relatively short time in the League. She asserted her superior martial arts skills and unparalleled knowledge of the Windflow Store's workings, declaring herself the most suitable temporary leader.
She vowed to eliminate the Windflow Store within six months, after which she would step down, motivated by a desire for redemption for her past sins. Zhong Chunji, unwilling to see Xi Fangtao take her master's place, also announced her candidacy. She highlighted her deep familiarity with League affairs, cultivated since childhood as Shao Yanping's sole disciple, and her long service as the head of the Shanfeng Hall, contrasting it with Xi Fangtao's past and outsider status.
Their verbal sparring escalated into a heated argument, with Xi Fangtao implying Zhong Chunji was tired of being a princess. Just as the tension threatened to boil over, Tang Lici made a dramatic return. His arrival was met with widespread joy and relief. Shao Yanping expressed his delight. Tang Lici confirmed his full recovery and then, observing Shao Yanping's poor health, humbly declared his intention to run for the position of Sword Master, asking for everyone's support.
After Tang Lici's declaration, Zhong Chunji, recalling her previous act of stabbing him and now knowing her master needed rest, realized that his ideal successor might not be her. Advised by a guard to prioritize her role as a princess and the League's stability over personal sentiment, she quietly withdrew her candidacy to avoid further conflict, acknowledging the complex political situation with Xi Fangtao and Tang Lici potentially vying for power.
Shui Duopo, the elder physician, examined Tang Lici, confirming his martial powers had fully returned. However, she gravely warned him that his vital energy was depleted, his internal flow was chaotic, and his three "Rebirth" pills were completely used. He could no longer rely on self-healing or use the Rebirth Record, as doing so again would be fatal.
Tang Lici, understanding the precarious situation of the League, asked Shui Duopo to only reveal that his martial arts had recovered, wanting to project an image of full strength for his companions and the League. Shortly after, Xiao Shi excitedly visited Tang Lici, only to be heartbroken when Tang Lici gently confirmed that Ashei had truly left and would not be returning. Meanwhile, Shen Langhun came to bid Tang Lici farewell.
He revealed that Chi Yun, who had gone with him to search for Tang Lici, had been missing for over half a month. Shen Langhun himself had received an urgent summons from his tower master to return to the Thirteenth Tower by noon the next day, with the promise of receiving Hui's body if he complied, or its destruction if he failed.
Tang Lici urged Shen Langhun to leave immediately, assuring him that he would take responsibility for finding Chi Yun. Shao Yanping, despite his illness, had a candid conversation with Tang Lici, again urging him to take on the leadership. He acknowledged Tang Lici’s unique qualities and even suggested his "private motives" might be beneficial for a leader. Tang Lici, however, resisted, asserting that his personal affairs should not burden the League.
Shao Yanping, feigning a sudden pang of pain, subtly pressed Tang Lici to commit to the election, revealing his "old fox" tactics. Amidst these leadership discussions, the problem of the Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pill intensified, with a sudden surge in new infected cases across the martial world, leading Tang Lici to suspect a coordinated conspiracy rather than residual activity.
He personally investigated the affected areas, finding bodies with marks from stolen weapons, which led him to believe Chi Yun might have encountered these circumstances. He tried to use the Celestial Realm's Soul-Seeking Art to locate Chi Yun, but the attempt yielded nothing, making him suspect Chi Yun's trail was being deliberately concealed.
Xi Fangtao continued to build her reputation, publicly taking charge of eradicating Windflow Store strongholds and managing the infected, while subtly promoting her own image as a righteous heroine. She also promised to use the Windflow Store's gold to support elders and disciples if she became Sword Master. Later, she visited Tang Lici, acknowledging his recovery but provocatively claiming her superior ability to handle the escalating poison crisis, implying his accusations against her were baseless.
She even offered tonics for the missing Chi Yun, subtly reminding Tang Lici of his friend's plight. Tang Lici, cutting through her pleasantries, directly questioned her true motives for joining the League, asking if Gui Mudan had sent her.
