The Destiny of White Snake Episode 18 Recap, Plot

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> The Destiny of White Snake Recap

With the Girls Festival approaching, the disciples of Mount Jin Temple gathered around Qi Xiao, urging him to take on the role of abbot after the passing of their old abbot. They claimed their food expenses had tripled since he arrived, implying that without a new abbot to secure income, they would have to leave the mountain to survive. Qi Xiao, sensitive about his reputation, reluctantly agreed to their request.

Soon after, various prayer figurines for the festival arrived from Zhao's Palace, including one belonging to Xiao Qing. A young monk, observing the figurines, mocked Xiao Qing's as "an eyesore" and questioned its place in the temple. Qi Xiao, who had actually crafted the figurine, defended its realism, but the monk insisted it was inappropriate to have a demon's figurine in Mount Jin Temple and promptly removed it.

Just then, Xu Xuan arrived, seeking the medical fees Qi Xiao owed him. Qi Xiao promised to repay him in full after the festival. Leng Ning, who accompanied Xu Xuan, also had her figurine ready. She confidently placed it in the spot where Xiao Qing's had just been removed. Qi Xiao considered keeping the place for Xiao Qing but found himself unable to intervene.

Xu Xuan, seeing Leng Ning, expressed surprise that she seemed fine and not upset by past events, attributing her understanding to her reasonable nature. Qi Xiao, however, joked that if he were her, he'd "hate Xu Xuan for life." Xu Xuan clarified that his previous actions were simply to deal with Zhao Yu. Bai Yaoyao then arrived at Mount Jin Temple.

Back at Bai Yaoyao's residence, Xu Xuan noticed her struggling to light a fire and getting soot on her face, like a "little kitty." Xiao Qing, smelling smoke, came over and effortlessly started the fire with a simple flick of her wrist, not noticing anything unusual about Bai Yaoyao. Xu Xuan, however, observed these small incidents with growing concern. At Mount Jin Temple, Zhao Yu was touring the back courtyard.

Hong Xin, still infatuated with him, used her limited demonic powers to transform into Leng Ning to meet him. Her transformation was unstable, and before she could get close, her facial scars began to reappear. To avoid embarrassment, Hong Xin quickly fled. Zhao Yu, having caught a glimpse of what he believed to be Leng Ning, pursued her. The real Leng Ning, who had been observing the entire scene, confronted Hong Xin.

Leng Ning chided Hong Xin for impersonating her and putting her in a difficult position. Hong Xin, terrified of Zhao Yu seeing her true appearance, begged Leng Ning for help. Seizing the opportunity, Leng Ning offered assistance, but on the condition that Hong Xin would follow her commands from then on. With Zhao Yu's calls growing louder, Hong Xin, without hesitation, agreed. Zhao Yu eventually caught up to Leng Ning, relieved to see her face was unharmed.

He immediately tried to explain his past behavior at the Apothecary House. Leng Ning, quick-witted, feigned that her disfigurement had been a test of his sincerity. With both parties playing a deceitful game, they smoothly reconciled and left together. Meanwhile, on the street, Xu Xuan and Bai Yaoyao saw a lady collapse. Xu Xuan quickly diagnosed her with a stroke caused by blocked blood circulation and arranged for her to be taken to a nearby medical center for treatment.

It was only after he provided a prescription and his name, Xu Xuan from the Apothecary House, that he learned the woman was Zhao Yu's mother. Xu Xuan speculated that her illness was likely caused by constant worry over Zhao Yu's misbehavior, especially regarding the Girls Festival. Bai Yaoyao agreed, empathizing with the burdens of parenthood.

Back at Mount Jin Temple, the monks informed Qi Xiao that the temple was running out of food, with less than a vat of rice left. Qi Xiao, seeking donations, then approached Xiao Qing, urging her to contribute generously so that the Buddha would bless her with a good marriage. Xiao Qing, unfamiliar with human currency, suggested robbing passing merchants, which Qi Xiao immediately condemned as an "evil trick."

Xiao Qing quickly apologized and proposed an alternative: selling some of the numerous treasures from her mountain cave. Qi Xiao praised her for learning human ways so quickly. Xiao Qing then boasted about her beauty. Qi Xiao, expressing his belief that "emotions and desires do people great harm," led Xiao Qing to deduce that "Bai Yaoyao is being harmed by her emotions and desires."

Qi Xiao then confirmed that Bai Yaoyao had already sacrificed her thousand years of cultivation for Xu Xuan, becoming a mere mortal. Xiao Qing was utterly shocked, proclaiming that it was "not worth it" for someone like Xu Xuan. Bai Yaoyao's recent exhaustion and an accidental injury to her hand while making fire made Xu Xuan realize her powers were gone.

Bai Yaoyao confessed that she had indeed given up her cultivation, wanting to live as a true mortal and grow old with him. Xu Xuan was deeply pained by her sacrifice, but as "everything's set in stone now," he accepted it. Bai Yaoyao then made a figurine for the Girls Festival, wanting to place it in Mount Jin Temple for blessings.

However, Xu Xuan, worried about Qi Xiao's demon-hunting tendencies, suggested they place her figurine instead by a peach tree he had planted for her by West Lake, their first meeting place. He promised to plant a new peach tree for her every year. By the time they grew old, the hill would be covered in peach blossoms, witnessing their enduring love. Bai Yaoyao, touched, reiterated that giving up her powers for a life with him was all she ever wanted.

As the Girls Festival approached, Leng Ning finalized her plans, instructing Hong Xin to keep Bai Yaoyao occupied for the entire night. Hong Xin, remembering how Leng Ning had harmed animals and Bai Yaoyao's kindness, initially refused, also citing Bai Yaoyao's unmatched prowess. However, Leng Ning revealed that Bai Yaoyao had lost all her powers, rendering her a normal person.

Hong Xin still hesitated to harm Bai Yaoyao, but Leng Ning reminded her of how Bai Yaoyao had previously exposed her in the palace, causing her separation from Zhao Yu. Leng Ning then promised that if Hong Xin helped, she would personally cut off her own face and give it to Hong Xin after the Girls Festival, claiming she only wanted to test Bai Yaoyao's sincerity to Xu Xuan.

Enticed by the offer of Leng Ning's face, Hong Xin agreed, despite Leng Ning's mental note that she was merely a pawn in her grand scheme. On the night of the Girls Festival, Hong Xin, disguised as Leng Ning, approached Bai Yaoyao and Xiao Qing, claiming Zhao Yu was harassing her again and she feared a repeat of past events.

Bai Yaoyao, however, immediately saw through the disguise, recognizing Hong Xin and demanding to know where the real Leng Ning was. Hong Xin, revealing her true form, knelt and begged Bai Yaoyao to allow her to be with Zhao Yu, then fled. Bai Yaoyao, suspecting foul play involving Leng Ning, quickly sent Xiao Qing to find Xu Xuan while she herself rushed to find Leng Ning.

Bai Yaoyao then encountered Qi Xiao and learned that Zhao Yu had gone to the hall where the figurines were worshipped, which was currently empty due to the ongoing Dharma assembly. Fearing that Zhao Yu might have captured Leng Ning and that their being discovered together would ruin Leng Ning's reputation, Bai Yaoyao instructed Qi Xiao to extend the assembly to keep people away from the hall and handle the situation quietly.

Bai Yaoyao arrived at the dimly lit hall and called out for Leng Ning. To her shock, she found Leng Ning standing next to the lifeless body of Zhao Yu. Bai Yaoyao immediately sensed a potent demonic aura emanating from Leng Ning. She realized that despite her own sacrifice to become mortal, it was "too late" to change Leng Ning.

Leng Ning confessed that the "demon quality" was growing from the depths of her heart, fueled by her hatred for Bai Yaoyao. She had become a demon, just like Bai Yaoyao, in a twisted attempt to compete with her.

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