The Sun in the Dark Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Sun in the Dark Synopsis
Born under the stigma of being a demon, Bai Xiaoying cultivates immortality to avenge her father’s death and becomes bound by soul to the Night God, Ye Chenyuan. As affection grows between them, Ye Chenyuan sacrifices himself to help her awaken, exposing the Immortal Lord’s scheme of manipulating the Night God. With the aid of her allies, Bai Xiaoying slays the Immortal Lord and brings the Night God’s reign to an end. Ye Chenyuan fades away as a sword spirit, while Bai Xiaoying waits for a thousand years for his rebirth.
The Sun in the Dark Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In a vast, snowy landscape, Bai Xiaoying recalls her childhood, where she was ostracized as a monster because her blood could corrode anything it touched. The villagers, calling her Night Clan filth, demanded she leave. Frightened, she asked her mother if she was truly a monster, but her mother embraced her, urging her to live on and prove them all wrong. Their world was shattered when dark mists descended upon the village, heralding the arrival of the Night Deity.
When Bai Xiaoying awoke, it was to a scene of carnage; her mother lay dead, having shielded her with her own body. The Night Deity, Ye Chenyuan, appeared, surprised to find a survivor. Fueled by grief, Bai Xiaoying vowed to kill him. Intrigued by her defiance, Ye Chenyuan spared her life, telling her his name and welcoming her to seek revenge whenever she was ready.
To avenge her mother, Bai Xiaoying understood she had only one path: climb the treacherous Immortal Steps to reach an immortal sect and cultivate the power to defeat Ye Chenyuan. She endured the grueling ascent, her hands torn and bleeding. High above in the Nine Heavens, two immortals observed her progress. They noted that despite having no immortal root, she was the first mortal in thirty thousand years to climb so high.
Just as they spoke, Bai Xiaoying collapsed from exhaustion. One of the immortals, Yun Ya, descended to her side. He recognized a bracelet on her wrist—the Clear Spirit Ring he had given her as a child after the massacre. He had found her then, a small girl who warned him away for fear of her own corrosive blood, and had given her the ring to seal her unusual power so she could live a normal life.
When Bai Xiaoying awoke, she immediately recognized Yun Ya as the immortal who had helped her years ago. She declared her unwavering purpose for seeking immortality: to kill the Night Deity. Though Yun Ya pointed out her lack of an immortal root made cultivation nearly impossible, he was moved by her incredible resolve. She pleaded with him to teach her, and he agreed, accepting her as a disciple.
He introduced himself as Yun Ya, an Upper Immortal of Nine Heavens, and told her to call him Master. Life in the Nine Heavens was not easy for a mortal. During a training session on Water Condensation, other disciples, particularly a senior named Wanyan, mocked her. Bai Xiaoying's Clear Spirit Ring accidentally fell off, and Wanyan picked it up, calling it a filthy mortal object and blaming Bai Xiaoying for its presence.
To protect her from punishment, Yun Ya stepped in, claiming he had crafted the ring during his travels and that its clasp had simply come loose. Later, he privately returned the repaired ring to Bai Xiaoying, fastening it back on her wrist himself and advising her to avoid trouble. The peace was broken when Ye Chenyuan, his power now greatly enhanced, led the Night Clan in an assault on the Nine Heavens to seize the legendary Divine Sword.
A fierce battle erupted. Seeing her mother's killer, Bai Xiaoying was consumed by hatred and attempted to break through the protective barrier around the fight. Using her own corrosive blood, she burned a hole in the shield and lunged toward him. However, both she and Ye Chenyuan were pulled into the Divine Sword itself. Bai Xiaoying came to inside the sword's spiritual realm, where she found herself face-to-face with Ye Chenyuan.
She attacked him in a rage, but he effortlessly parried her strikes. He was puzzled by her presence and, more crucially, frustrated that the Divine Sword would not obey him but seemed to respond to her, preventing his escape. He warned her that the space amplified her hatred and could destroy her from within, but she could not let go of her desire for vengeance.
Losing patience, Ye Chenyuan used her as a conduit to escape, breaking free from the sword as a spirit. His physical body, however, remained trapped inside. Now invisibly tethered to Ye Chenyuan's spirit, Bai Xiaoying found herself back in the Nine Heavens. She cried out for help, shouting that the Night Deity was there, but when Yun Ya and the others arrived, they could only see her. Ye Chenyuan threatened to kill her master instantly if she exposed him.
Trapped, Bai Xiaoying was forced to lie, claiming she had simply gotten lost near the forbidden area while eagerly trying to practice her skills to assist everyone against the Night Deity. Wanyan accused her of causing a disturbance and demanding she be punished. Seeing no other way out, Bai Xiaoying accepted the blame. Yun Ya reluctantly ordered her to be flogged twenty times. Later, a kind disciple named Rourou helped the injured Bai Xiaoying back to her quarters.
Ye Chenyuan's spirit was still there, bound to her. As she tended to her wounds, Bai Xiaoying realized her grim situation also presented an unparalleled opportunity. With her greatest enemy now inescapably by her side, she began to plot how she could finally kill him.
Episode 2 Recap
Late at night, Ye Chenyuan approached Bai Xiaoying as she slept. Alert, Bai Xiaoying startled awake, holding a dagger to her throat. She warned him, "If you dare to possess me while I sleep, you won't get your physical body back," to deter him from entering her body again. Ye Chenyuan scoffed, "You're overestimating yourself, aren't you? Your filthy body, I refuse to enter it again."
He then mocked her for willingly accepting punishment when she was blameless, saying, "I've never met anyone as foolish as you. Voluntarily seeking punishment?" He demanded that once she recovered, they would go to the Divine Sword to retrieve his physical body. The next day, during the Immortal Sect Assembly, the Immortal Lord announced the Divine Sword Trial Assembly. He explained that 300 years had passed and the Night Deity had fully resurrected, making his re-sealing urgent.
To strengthen their defenses, a new Divine Sword Master needed to be selected from the disciples, and all, regardless of cultivation level or status, could register. Under Ye Chenyuan's silent insistence to "Be the Sword Master and get the Divine Sword," Bai Xiaoying approached the Immortal Lord and declared, "My lord, I wish to register for the trial."
When others questioned her eligibility, pointing out she was merely a mortal cleaner from Yunxiu Pavilion, the Immortal Lord asked Yun Ya for his opinion. Yun Ya supported her, reiterating the rule that all were welcome to register. The Immortal Lord agreed, trusting Yun Ya's judgment, and allowed Bai Xiaoying to participate, noting her commendable courage. However, many disciples openly mocked her, calling her "ridiculous," "overreaching," and "a practice target" due to her weak spiritual power.
Later, Ye Chenyuan told Bai Xiaoying he would help her secure the Divine Sword to regain his body. Bai Xiaoying, defiant, retorted, "When I get the Divine Sword, that means your death." Enraged, Ye Chenyuan berated her, "I've tolerated you long enough. Who do you think you are? Provoking me repeatedly?" Bai Xiaoying reminded him, "Kill me, and you'll never regain your body." Ye Chenyuan dismissed her threat, boasting, "What if I killed your mother? I'll kill you next.
I'll kill your master, your sect, and everyone who defies me." He forcibly transferred demonic energy into her, declaring his intention to turn her into a demon. He scornfully remarked on her poor talent, explaining that without his demonic energy, she would remain a "lowly weakling with minimal spiritual power for life." Horrified, Bai Xiaoying cried, "You're turning me into a demon?" Ye Chenyuan reveled in her distress, stating, "I love seeing you become the wicked demon you despise.
Soon, you'll lose control and become like me." Bai Xiaoying defiantly responded, "If you want to kill me, just kill me. Don't insult me," and added, "No way." Suddenly, Bai Xiaoying realized she could conjure water and exclaimed, "I have an immortal root!" Ye Chenyuan quickly corrected her, revealing it was merely his demonic energy disguised as an immortal root, and warned her not to defy him further, adding he might consider sparing her life.
Soon after, Yunqu and two junior sisters arrived, alerted by the commotion. Observing the conjured water, they suspected a Night Clan intruder and threatened to report it to their Master. Bai Xiaoying quickly fabricated a story, claiming she had recently developed an immortal root when the Divine Sword awakened, allowing her cultivation to increase. She demonstrated her newfound ability, explaining her imperfect control was due to its newness.
Convinced, Yunqu agreed not to report her and encouraged her to practice well for the upcoming trials, while the junior sisters hoped she could "slap those high-level disciples in the face." Once Yunqu and her companions departed, Ye Chenyuan resumed his taunts, mocking Bai Xiaoying's weak cultivation and lamenting that he had to rely on "trash like you" to regain his body. Bai Xiaoying, looking at his "disgusting face," internally wished she were strong enough to carve him into pieces.
The next day, during Elder Kongming's lecture, Bai Xiaoying subtly tried to gain information about Ye Chenyuan's vulnerability. She asked about souls separating from bodies and how long they could survive. Elder Kongming explained that while powerful cultivators could use soul-severing techniques, it required immense spiritual energy, otherwise, they would "perish from exhaustion." Bai Xiaoying then specifically inquired about the Night Deity.
Elder Kongming scoffed, asserting that even the Night Deity, having been banished by the Divine Sword, would surely die of exhaustion. Annoyed by Elder Kongming's dismissal, Ye Chenyuan, from within Bai Xiaoying, telekinetically threw her book at the Elder. Elder Kongming immediately blamed and punished Bai Xiaoying with a halt spell, ordering her to reflect outside. Yun Ya soon found Bai Xiaoying, immobilized by the halt spell.
He expressed his regret that he couldn't undo Elder Kongming's spell, but he adjusted her position to make her more comfortable. Feeling a sense of happiness at her master's kindness, Bai Xiaoying internally expressed her relief. However, Ye Chenyuan, unseen by Yun Ya, grew furious and threatened, "If you utter another word, I'll kill him." Panicked, Bai Xiaoying internally pleaded with him, promising, "I'll obey you. I'll do whatever you command. Just don't harm him."
Ye Chenyuan scoffed at their bond, wondering if Yun Ya would still be kind if he knew she served the Night Deity. Bai Xiaoying dismissed his taunt, reiterating her commitment to obedience to protect Yun Ya. Meanwhile, Yun Ya discussed with the Immortal Lord his concerns about the Night Deity and the upcoming Divine Sword Trial, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
The Immortal Lord stated his belief that Yun Ya was the most suitable candidate for Sword Master and that the assembly was held for him. Yun Ya expressed his confidence in winning fairly and justly, vowing to not disappoint the Immortal Lord. Ye Chenyuan, still inhabiting Bai Xiaoying, then threatened her, stating that if she didn't win the Divine Sword the next day, he would kill both her and Yun Ya.
He then began to instruct her in cultivation, demonstrating how all spells "follow the same fundamental principles" by channeling natural energies. Despite her inherent weakness, he forcefully poured more demonic energy into her when she faltered, demanding she continue. Empowered by the demonic energy, Bai Xiaoying internally vowed to one day use his own power against him to kill him.
On the day of the first round of the Divine Sword Trial Assembly, the rules were announced: contestants, paired for duels, had one incense stick's time to snatch a lily of the valley to win. Bai Xiaoying was matched against Chu Qi. As her friends cheered, Chu Qi mocked her, but Ye Chenyuan warned Bai Xiaoying, "If you dare to lose this competition, I'll kill you."
Initially, Bai Xiaoying struggled, but under Ye Chenyuan's relentless mental prodding, telling her "Stupid as a pig. Why are you dodging? Go for it!" and "Who told you to retreat? So afraid of death, how will you avenge your mother? Shut up!" she rose and eventually defeated Chu Qi, winning the round and advancing. The crowd was astonished by her sudden prowess, celebrating her unlikely victory.
Ye Chenyuan, however, merely sneered at her performance, deeming it "outrageous" and telling her to train harder. Later, the Immortal Lord questioned Yun Ya about Bai Xiaoying's sudden increase in power. Yun Ya explained that while she initially lacked an immortal root, her "astonishing perseverance" and "diligent" study allowed her to "gain sudden enlightenment" and "soar" by activating her latent potential.
The Immortal Lord accepted this explanation, but warned that she needed to control this potential or risk a backlash, which could make all efforts in vain. Yun Ya promised to teach her well and guide her onto the right path. Shortly after, Senior Wanyan and other disciples confronted Bai Xiaoying, offering her spiritual stones to withdraw from the trial. Bai Xiaoying refused, stating her desire to personally kill the Night Deity.
Enraged by her refusal, Senior Wanyan and her companions violently assaulted Bai Xiaoying. Ye Chenyuan, witnessing her beating, offered her more demonic energy to fight back. Bai Xiaoying refused, fearing disqualification or expulsion if her demonic energy was discovered. Ye Chenyuan coldly left her to endure the beating. Just as the assault escalated, Yun Ya arrived, stopping the attackers and chastising them. He moved to carry the injured Bai Xiaoying back to her room.
However, Ye Chenyuan silently ordered Bai Xiaoying to get down. Fearing for Yun Ya's safety, Bai Xiaoying forced herself to stand, insisting she was fine, and asked a junior sister, Rourou, to accompany her instead. Alone in her room, Ye Chenyuan mocked Bai Xiaoying's "mercy" as a weakness, saying she "cannot achieve great things." He anticipated she would soon beg him to heal her injuries, which would otherwise prevent her from competing the next day.
Bai Xiaoying, though in pain, defiantly refused his help, citing her aversion to his demonic energy. Ye Chenyuan gave her an ultimatum, even physically choking her until she, realizing she "must survive to seek vengeance," reluctantly begged for mercy. Pleased by her submission, Ye Chenyuan healed her injuries, commenting, "Your begging look is more pleasing than your stubborn look." Bai Xiaoying then fully pleaded, "Indeed, I was rude.
Please, as a great person, overlook a small person's mistakes, and condescend to heal my wounds." That night, Bai Xiaoying, now recovered, used a Dream Spell to pull Ye Chenyuan into her dreamscape, intending to kill him there. She welcomed him to "my dream" and stated, "You pulled me in. Because only I constantly want to kill you." However, even within her dream, Ye Chenyuan proved formidable.
He quickly realized he was trapped in her dream, saying, "This isn't my dream. It's your dream that I was pulled into. Now I understand." With a terrifying display of power, he then reversed the spell, binding Bai Xiaoying with dark energy.
Episode 3 Recap
Ye Chenyuan continued his torment, telling Bai Xiaoying that mental suffering could be far more dreadful than physical pain. He forced her to relive a painful memory from her childhood in Su City, where she was cruelly branded a monster and driven away by the villagers. Her mother desperately tried to shield her from the angry crowd, while Bai Xiaoying cried out, begging them to stop their hateful shouts.
She then knelt, pleading with Ye Chenyuan to end the vision, but he callously declared it her punishment and refused to stop such an "interesting scene." Overwhelmed, Bai Xiaoying sobbed, clutching her head, agonizing over her inability to avenge her mother, yet being tormented by her enemy.
She cried out to her mother, lamenting that she couldn't hold on much longer, trapped between the desire to live as her mother wished and the inability to kill her foes or forget her suffering. Witnessing Bai Xiaoying's profound anguish, Ye Chenyuan shattered the illusion with a swift strike. The cacophony of accusations vanished, replaced by a gentle snowfall. Bai Xiaoying reached out to catch the falling snowflakes, still weeping.
Ye Chenyuan impatiently told her to stop crying, yet masked his concern by claiming she was merely staining his dream. When Bai Xiaoying fully awoke, she found Ye Chenyuan seemingly asleep opposite her. She dismissed the idea that he would do anything for her, believing she had merely suffered a backlash from her Dream Spell, leading to an absurd dream. However, the cool sensation of a snowflake in her palm made her doubt, wondering if the dream had been real.
At that moment, Ye Chenyuan opened his eyes, annoyed that she wasn't sleeping, and reminded her about the upcoming trial. Seeing his irritating face, Bai Xiaoying again convinced herself she was overthinking. For the second trial, contestants entered Youlan Forest to tame spirit beasts, their courage and abilities put to the test. Bai Xiaoying, along with Yunqu and another disciple, ventured in, unaware that Ye Chenyuan's spirit accompanied her. The air was thick with mist and a sense of dread.
Wanyan and her followers again intercepted Bai Xiaoying, attempting to force her to leave the forest. Suddenly, a thick mist appeared, indicating the presence of a powerful demon, and trapping them in a large maze. Bai Xiaoying soon spotted an adorable puppy and instinctively picked it up, even deliberately bringing it close to Ye Chenyuan for him to see.
He, however, was disdainful, refusing to even glance at the "eyesore" and telling her to get it away before it tainted his sight. Bai Xiaoying, then realizing he was scared of dogs, reassured the puppy it was the cutest and told it to find its mother. Bai Xiaoying tried to de-escalate with Wanyan, humbly stating she was just a cleaner and would even hand over any high-ranked spirit beasts she found.
Wanyan, however, scoffed, calling her a "sweet talker" and declared Bai Xiaoying a threat who must leave. As Wanyan commanded her followers to attack, Ye Chenyuan prompted Bai Xiaoying to dispel the miasma, using an incantation he had taught her. She did so, revealing a dog demon, furious over the death of her son, the puppy Bai Xiaoying had just seen.
Wanyan, seizing the opportunity, falsely accused Bai Xiaoying of the murder, with her followers corroborating the lie, claiming Bai Xiaoying was seen alone and recognized the puppy. The enraged dog demon lunged at Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying desperately called out to Ye Chenyuan for help, but he hid, confirming her suspicion that the powerful Night Deity was terrified of dogs.
As the dog demon tightened its grip, Bai Xiaoying's body erupted with immense power, blasting the demon away and killing it instantly. During this surge, tempting voices filled her mind, questioning the fairness of the world and her path, echoing Ye Chenyuan's previous provocations. Observing the unusual energy from a distance, Yun Ya recognized it as similar to Bai Xiaoying's mysterious power and rushed to Youlan Forest to investigate.
Wanyan, despite the dog demon's death, still attempted to claim its spirit, further infuriating Bai Xiaoying. Engulfed in a furious rage, Bai Xiaoying turned on Wanyan, intending to kill her, but Ye Chenyuan intervened, pulling Bai Xiaoying into his arms and transferring energy to her. She gradually calmed down but then fell unconscious. Moments later, Yun Ya arrived, finding Bai Xiaoying unconscious. He gently retrieved a bracelet from the ground and placed it back on her wrist before departing.
When Wanyan awoke, she had no memory of the events in Youlan Forest. Upon learning that Bai Xiaoying had taken first place, she was outraged. The Immortal Lord appeared, scolding Wanyan for her un-ladylike behavior. Wanyan protested, insisting Bai Xiaoying didn't deserve first place. The Immortal Lord, also suspicious of Bai Xiaoying's extraordinary power, summoned Yun Ya for an explanation.
Yun Ya covered for Bai Xiaoying, attributing her power surge to the Monster Dog's demonic energy entering her body and awakening her potential, which the Immortal Lord accepted as plausible. Later, Ye Chenyuan confronted Bai Xiaoying, questioning her about the demonic energy that had erupted within her. Bai Xiaoying retorted that it was his doing, and that forcing her to become a demon would only deepen her hatred for him.
She reminded him that she only lived to kill the Night Deity, and if he wanted her to be a demon, he might as well kill her. Ye Chenyuan dismissively claimed he simply wanted her to know that becoming a demon wasn't so agonizing. Shortly after, Yun Ya visited Bai Xiaoying, expressing concern over her power nearly spiraling out of control in Youlan Forest, questioning if she was pushing herself for vengeance.
Bai Xiaoying apologized for losing control and promised it wouldn't happen again. Yun Ya assured her, as her master and chosen disciple, he would protect her no matter what. Bai Xiaoying gratefully thanked him, much to Ye Chenyuan's hidden jealousy. Concerned about Bai Xiaoying's unusual and unknown power, the Immortal Lord secretly convened with several elders.
Fearing she might be a spy from the Night Clan and the negative consequences of her abnormal strength, he instructed them to devise a plan to prevent her from winning the final trial and obtaining the Divine Sword, explicitly telling them to keep Yun Ya unaware. The next stage of trials began, pitting the four finalists against each other.
It was revealed that Wanyan, despite being eliminated in the Youlan Forest, was controversially reinstated as a finalist due to Senior Immortal Xiyuan's nomination and the collective support of the elders, overriding the Immortal Lord's initial rejection. In the first match, Yun Ya faced Upper Immortal Yongning from Taixu Palace. After a spirited exchange, Yun Ya emerged victorious, with Upper Immortal Yongning playfully conceding and demanding drinks. The second match pitted Bai Xiaoying against Wanyan.
Wanyan accused Bai Xiaoying of unfairly using the Monster Dog's power in Youlan Forest and vowed to reclaim her honor. Ye Chenyuan urged Bai Xiaoying to show Wanyan what she was capable of. Bai Xiaoying, acknowledging Wanyan's unintentional help in the Youlan Forest, challenged her to fight. Unable to defeat Bai Xiaoying through conventional means, Wanyan resorted to a potent Intensified Spirit Herb, given to her by an elder previously, that could multiply her power.
The elder, despite knowing Wanyan was Immortal Lord's daughter, initially warned her about the punishment for cheating but ultimately relented, compelled to keep her secret. As Wanyan consumed the herb, her spiritual power surged dramatically. Bai Xiaoying was struck, coughing up blood, and her mind was flooded with painful memories of being ridiculed and called a "motherless wretch" and "lowly cleaner" throughout her life, pushing her to the brink of a breakdown.
Witnessing Wanyan's sudden surge in power, Yun Ya immediately questioned Elder Kongming, who feigned ignorance, claiming Wanyan's recent progress was "nothing special." As the tormenting voices echoed in Bai Xiaoying's mind, Yun Ya, seeing her distress, urgently called out to her, letting her know he was there.
Episode 4 Recap
Yun Ya, fearing that Bai Xiaoying would lose control, called out to her, urging her to focus her mind. Ye Chenyuan appeared by Bai Xiaoying's side, warning her, "Want to be a demon so bad?" Bai Xiaoying immediately sensed something amiss, forcefully reined in her mind, and then powerfully defeated Wanyan. Spectators were astonished, exclaiming, "How is that possible? Bai Xiaoying is that powerful? Wanyan cheated, but still couldn't win!" Bai Xiaoying simply stated, "You lost."
While Bai Xiaoying was practicing, she noticed her surveillant watching again. Ye Chenyuan pointed out that days had passed since her power surge in Youlan Forest, yet none of the Nine Heavens elders had questioned her, which he found "weird." Bai Xiaoying dismissed it, thinking they might not have noticed, but Ye Chenyuan retorted that "They aren't as naive as you." He warned her that on the final trial day, she would face her master, Yun Ya.
He speculated that the elders' lack of open action indicated they were "scheming in shadows." Ye Chenyuan suggested drugging Yun Ya to weaken his power, but Bai Xiaoying vehemently refused, declaring, "I'd never be that despicable. I won't harm my master!" Suddenly, Ye Chenyuan transferred Bai Xiaoying's soul into a small rabbit. Possessing Bai Xiaoying's body, he took the rabbit and went to meet Yun Ya. The transformed Bai Xiaoying offered pastries, insisting Yun Ya accept them.
The rabbit, housing Bai Xiaoying's soul, internally protested, knowing this wasn't her usual behavior. Yun Ya noted the pastries looked "unique" and asked if eating them would make her happy. The rabbit tried desperately to warn Yun Ya that the pastries were poisoned, but could not speak. Yun Ya took a bite, then complimented the taste. The transformed Bai Xiaoying replied, "Good," before leaving with the rabbit. After they departed, Ye Chenyuan returned their souls to their rightful bodies.
Bai Xiaoying angrily confronted Ye Chenyuan, calling him "Despicable!" and vowing not to let him succeed. She intended to reveal the truth to Yun Ya. Annoyed by her defiance, Ye Chenyuan pulled her close, infused her with more demonic energy, and cast a Silence Spell. He declared that she "won't utter a word" about the poisoning "until the plan succeeds." He chided her for forgetting her place due to his recent leniency and demanded an apology, which she flatly refused.
Realizing she needed to restrain Ye Chenyuan before her combat with Yun Ya, Bai Xiaoying, recalling his fear of dogs, sought out a dog demon she had previously subdued. She promised to free him and help him find his son's killer if he trapped Ye Chenyuan. The dog demon agreed, and Ye Chenyuan, fearful, cried out "No!" as he was confined.
The competition for the Sword Master of Nine Heavens began, with Yun Ya and Bai Xiaoying as the finalists, vying for the right to wield the Divine Sword and seal the Night Deity. The My Lord urged Yun Ya to show no mercy despite Bai Xiaoying being his disciple, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Yun Ya vowed to "try my best" and encouraged Bai Xiaoying to use her "full power."
Bai Xiaoying, still under the Silence Spell, found she "still can't say it" when she tried to warn Yun Ya about the poison. She resolved to feign an attack and lose before the poison fully affected him, so he could claim the Divine Sword without suspicion. As Bai Xiaoying hesitated, the My Lord warned her that if she didn't attack, she would lose.
Suddenly, the three elders intervened, trapping Bai Xiaoying and accusing her of being a Night Clan spy, using their energy. Yun Ya attempted to defend her, but the My Lord insisted that "the Sword Master can't be this suspicious person." Yun Ya argued that the Divine Sword slays evil, not people, and questioned the fairness of the Immortal Realm's trials.
The My Lord dismissed his concerns, reminding him of the suffering caused by the Night Clan and commanding him to "Go claim the Divine Sword" for the Three Realms. Bai Xiaoying, feeling her life nearing its end, mused that if she died, Ye Chenyuan's soul would be trapped forever, considering it a form of "revenge." She ceased struggling, preparing for death. Yun Ya, weakened by the poison, could only watch helplessly, calling her name.
Suddenly, Ye Chenyuan burst free from his confinement. He shielded Bai Xiaoying with his body and infused her with vital energy, telling her to "Go get the Divine Sword," asserting that "Only you can do it in the entire Immortal Realm." Bai Xiaoying flew to retrieve the Divine Sword, and as she took it, Ye Chenyuan's body and soul united through the Divine Sword.
Now wielding the Divine Sword, Bai Xiaoying considered killing Ye Chenyuan, fearing he might attack her now that he had regained his body and the sword was within reach. She decided she "must strike him first." Ye Chenyuan suddenly coughed up blood. Despite his weakness, he provoked her, questioning why she hesitated to avenge her mother and calling her "weak" and "pathetic." Bai Xiaoying, suspecting a trick, demanded to know his true intentions.
Ye Chenyuan claimed he wanted to see if she was capable of killing him. Bai Xiaoying realized his injuries were real, sustained from saving her, and he wasn't faking. She wondered why he relentlessly provoked her. Ye Chenyuan continued to challenge her, urging her to "Kill me." Bai Xiaoying, unwilling to take advantage of his weakened state, pulled back her sword. She declared, "I don't harm the weak. I can always tell right and wrong.
I never forget the gratitude and grudges. You owe me this. When you've healed, I'll come kill you." Bai Xiaoying emerged with the Divine Sword, which had recognized her as its master, identifying her as the "Chosen War God." Ye Chenyuan also emerged from within. The My Lord immediately suspected a conspiracy, claiming that Bai Xiaoying's unusual powers stemmed from Ye Chenyuan and that they were "colluding together," ordering them seized.
Bai Xiaoying denied the accusations, stating she "had no choice." Yun Ya defended her, citing her mother's death at the hands of the Night Clan as proof she wouldn't conspire with them. The My Lord countered, revealing that someone had seen Bai Xiaoying give Yun Ya drugged pastries the previous day, implying a deliberate act. Pressed by Yun Ya, Bai Xiaoying reluctantly admitted, "The pastries were indeed drugged." Enraged, the other immortals branded her a traitor.
Bai Xiaoying reiterated that she had not colluded with the Night Clan and intended to kill Ye Chenyuan for revenge. Yun Ya, deeply disappointed, urged Bai Xiaoying to kill Ye Chenyuan with the Divine Sword to prove her innocence and remain his disciple. Bai Xiaoying, however, replied, "Forgive me that I can't do it now. But please trust me, I will kill him one day."
The My Lord ordered Yun Ya to seize Ye Chenyuan and for Bai Xiaoying to surrender the Divine Sword. Yun Ya attempted to retrieve the Divine Sword from Bai Xiaoying, but she explained that it had chosen her and would be useless to him. She still refused to kill Ye Chenyuan. The My Lord demanded to know why. Ye Chenyuan interjected, claiming the Divine Sword "hasn't been awakened" and "even if the Sword Master wields it, still can't kill me."
The other immortals concluded that Bai Xiaoying was "bewitched by Ye Chenyuan" and was a "traitor to Nine Heavens," calling for her elimination. Yun Ya stepped forward, offering to deal with his disciple himself. He tried to give Bai Xiaoying one last chance, asking if she truly intended to stand with Ye Chenyuan against him and Nine Heavens. Bai Xiaoying was heartbroken that even Yun Ya no longer trusted her.
The My Lord, witnessing Yun Ya's hesitation, used his power to compel Yun Ya to stab Bai Xiaoying. However, Ye Chenyuan shielded Bai Xiaoying, taking the blow himself. He condemned Yun Ya and the My Lord for their lack of discernment and questioned if Bai Xiaoying still wanted to remain in "such a place" before carrying her away.
The My Lord, furious, issued a warrant across "all Three Realms for Bai Xiaoying," ordering her capture or immediate killing if she resisted. Yun Ya took responsibility for his failure to stop them.
Episode 5 Recap
After Ye Chenyuan was injured during their escape, Bai Xiaoying tried to heal him, but his condition worsened. Ye Chenyuan believed Yun Ya had genuinely tried to kill Bai Xiaoying, but she disagreed. In her opinion, given that the immortal sect now considered her to have betrayed them and colluded with Ye Chenyuan, her master wanting her dead was only natural.
She further insisted that Yun Ya had shown mercy, pretending to lose and deliberately allowing them to escape, otherwise, Ye Chenyuan wouldn't have been able to flee. Angered by her naive defense, Ye Chenyuan grabbed her, seemingly intending to torment her with demonic energy again, but his strength failed, and he fainted. Bai Xiaoying considered abandoning him, thinking, "Not killing you now is my last act of mercy. Stay here and fend for yourself."
However, after only a few steps, she was pulled back by the Soul-Binding Rope connecting them. Resigned, Bai Xiaoying stayed to care for him. That night, Ye Chenyuan murmured "Bai Yixi" in his unconscious state. Bai Xiaoying wondered if Bai Yixi was his beloved. Ye Chenyuan remained unconscious, resting on her shoulder.
Meanwhile, the Immortal Lord ordered more troops to search for the traitor Bai Xiaoying, stressing the need to eliminate her swiftly and retrieve the Divine Sword to avoid endless consequences. Yun Ya spoke up, defending Bai Xiaoying, asserting that she would never covet power or betray their sect. Immortal Xiyuan and others accused Yun Ya of defending a traitor, questioning his motives.
Yun Ya knelt and requested to personally apprehend Bai Xiaoying, promising to investigate the truth and willing to share her punishment if he failed. The Immortal Lord, looking at him with disdain, remarked that he never realized Bai Xiaoying was so important to Yun Ya, but ultimately agreed to his request with a suspicious glance. When Ye Chenyuan awoke, he immediately declared their need to go to the Night Clan to use the Coldwood Origin Stone to heal his soul.
Bai Xiaoying refused, stating her allegiance to Nine Heavens and her reluctance to walk into a trap. Ye Chenyuan reminded her that the immortal sect no longer considered her one of their own. He explained that the sword crystal needed to awaken the Divine Sword was at the Night Clan, which was essential to sever the Soul-Binding Rope and allow her to kill him, as she wished. Seeing no other choice, Bai Xiaoying reluctantly agreed.
As they traveled, Bai Xiaoying chastised Ye Chenyuan for their slow pace, reminding him of the disciples hunting her. She also complained about the Divine Sword needing a sword crystal to break the Soul-Binding Rope, to which Ye Chenyuan retorted that an unawakened Divine Sword was merely useless scrap metal. Upon arriving at the Night Clan territory, Bai Xiaoying noticed the patrolling soldiers seemed unusual, suggesting an internal rebellion.
Ye Chenyuan confirmed that these guards were not Jiaotu's subordinates, whom he had left in charge. Just as he finished speaking, they were surrounded by forces led by Hua Yuying. Hua Yuying quickly realized Ye Chenyuan was injured and accused him of endangering the Night Clan and abandoning his people by bringing an immortal sect member into the Demon Heart Hall. She declared that the Night Deity's title should change hands and demanded Bai Xiaoying surrender the Divine Sword.
Bai Xiaoying claimed her injuries prevented her from summoning it. Hua Yuying then ordered them imprisoned until the Divine Sword was surrendered. Ye Chenyuan readily agreed to be jailed. Bai Xiaoying suspected he had a backup plan, believing his paranoid nature wouldn't allow him to enter the Night Clan so recklessly without one. Soon after, Jiaotu arrived and opened the prison door, welcoming Ye Chenyuan.
He informed Ye Chenyuan that Hua Yuying indeed harbored rebellious intentions, but they had laid ambushes and retaken the Demon Heart Hall. Hua Yuying had retreated to the Sword Crystal Sanctuary, taking the Coldwood Origin Stone with her. Ye Chenyuan, weakened, collapsed. Jiaotu took him to a healing hot spring and suggested forcibly taking back the Coldwood Origin Stone. However, Ye Chenyuan refused, stating he had his own methods and did not wish for bloodshed among the Night Clan members.
As Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying talked, he called the immortal sect people heartless. Bai Xiaoying angrily defended Yun Ya, asserting he was a good person, unlike him. Ye Chenyuan then snatched a Clear Spirit Ring, a bracelet Yun Ya had given Bai Xiaoying, claiming it was a Nine Heavens item that could be used to contact enemies and pose a threat to the Night Clan, hence he needed to keep it safe.
Bai Xiaoying accused him of acting out of jealousy, then directly asked if he liked her, noting all his injuries were taken for her sake. Ye Chenyuan became flustered and vehemently denied it, calling her foolish and telling her not to flatter herself.
He challenged her to kill him in his weakened state, to which Bai Xiaoying retorted that it was merely an instinct to save lives, as per immortal sect teachings, and she would kill him fairly when he recovered. Suddenly, Hua Yuying appeared, proposing marriage to Ye Chenyuan to form a strong alliance and rebuild the Night Clan.
She justified her proposal by explaining that if she died, the Coldwood Origin Stone and the Sword Crystal Sanctuary would self-destruct, giving her leverage. Ye Chenyuan was about to refuse, but Bai Xiaoying immediately accepted the proposal on his behalf. She explained that she wanted the sword crystal to unseal the Divine Sword, which was necessary to sever the Soul-Binding Rope and thus allow her to kill Ye Chenyuan.
She also pointed out that without the rope severed, she would constantly be present during their married life, including eating and sleeping, which would be awkward. She promised Hua Yuying that she would ensure Ye Chenyuan agreed to the marriage within three days. Hua Yuying agreed to the three-day deadline. Ye Chenyuan was furious, grabbing Bai Xiaoying and asking who she thought he was, for her to use him as a bargaining chip.
Bai Xiaoying, however, felt she was being merciful, considering him her mother's killer. She reminded him that she only came to the Night Clan because he said the sword crystal was there. Her words caused Ye Chenyuan to cough up blood. Concerned, Bai Xiaoying quickly took him to the hot spring, urging him to agree to Hua Yuying's proposal for the sake of his recovery.
Jiaotu soon brought Night Clan tonic pills, instructing Bai Xiaoying to feed them to Ye Chenyuan, even suggesting she chew them and feed them to him mouth-to-mouth. Seeing Ye Chenyuan unconscious, Bai Xiaoying reluctantly complied. Mid-feeding, Ye Chenyuan suddenly opened his eyes, startling Bai Xiaoying, who tried to flee. He then confessed that her suggestion for him to marry Hua Yuying had deeply saddened him.
He offered to help her get the sword crystal but demanded that she never mention the marriage proposal again. Bai Xiaoying's heart raced, flustered by his words. As the three-day deadline approached, Bai Xiaoying remembered Ye Chenyuan's sadness. Though a flicker of sympathy crossed her mind, she quickly reminded herself to stay calm and not be impulsive. She then carried the still-weakened Ye Chenyuan to Hua Yuying, demanding the sword crystal.
Hua Yuying tried to examine Ye Chenyuan, but he suddenly grabbed her, demanding she hand over the Coldwood Origin Stone and the sword crystal. At that moment, Jiaotu and his forces arrived, taking control of Hua Yuying's men. Hua Yuying, resentful, lashed out at Ye Chenyuan, accusing him of abandoning the Night Clan for twenty years to cultivate while she and Jiaotu tirelessly managed it. She declared him unworthy of being the Night Deity, especially with his greatly diminished power.
Jiaotu maintained his loyalty to the Night Deity. Hua Yuying, skeptical, used the Demon-Identifying Seal, a Night Clan treasure, to test Ye Chenyuan. The seal showed no reaction, leading Hua Yuying to confidently declare that Ye Chenyuan was not the true Night Deity. Bai Xiaoying suddenly understood. If Ye Chenyuan had been in seclusion for twenty years, he couldn't have been the one who killed her mother ten years ago at the Lantern Festival in Su City.
Fearing for his safety, she tried to escape with him. However, Ye Chenyuan stopped her, wanting to sever the Soul-Binding Rope and return to marry Hua Yuying to prevent Bai Xiaoying from being implicated further. Bai Xiaoying frantically tried to stop him. When he pressed her for a reason, she hesitated, unable to confess her feelings, and instead offered the excuse that they couldn't cut the rope without the sword crystal. Ye Chenyuan, however, firmly insisted that they could sever it.
Episode 6 Recap
Ye Chenyuan, without the aid of the sword crystal, swiftly severed the Soul-Binding Rope with his Divine Sword, revealing that his earlier claim about its ineffectiveness was a lie. He admitted to Bai Xiaoying that he hadn't wanted to break their bond before, but now he did. As the rope snapped, Bai Xiaoying cried out, but Ye Chenyuan admonished her, questioning why an immortal disciple would be unwilling to part ways with a demon after half a month.
He then coldly confirmed he would marry Hua Yuying, stating it was her wish. Just then, Hua Yuying appeared, confronting them. Ye Chenyuan immediately declared to her that Bai Xiaoying had forcibly taken him and that his previous departure was against his will. He emphasized that severing the Soul-Binding Rope clearly indicated his stance and acceptance of Hua Yuying's terms. He further asserted that he and Bai Xiaoying had completely cut ties, making their marriage the best choice.
His only conditions were the Coldwood Origin Stone and the sword crystal. Hua Yuying readily agreed, promising to deliver them after their wedding, and even mockingly invited Bai Xiaoying to stay as their "matchmaker" and honored guest. Bai Xiaoying, observing this, grappled with the realization that she might have been mistaken about Ye Chenyuan all along, wondering if he was truly helping her and if his previous actions indicated affection, though his current decision broke her heart.
She resolved that her confusing time with him needed a definitive end. Heartbroken by the recent turn of events, Bai Xiaoying sought out Ye Chenyuan for a final conversation. She confessed that her initial perception of him as an enemy had changed, but their misunderstandings persisted, and she felt she had personally driven him towards Hua Yuying.
Acknowledging his impending marriage and his opposition to the immortal sect, she stated that she, though no longer a disciple, could not ally with the Night Clan. However, she desired proper closure for their tumultuous time together. Ye Chenyuan curtly agreed, stating that with her words spoken, they could both move on. Their private discussion was interrupted by Hua Yuying and her retinue.
Hua Yuying's subordinate launched into a scathing attack, branding Bai Xiaoying a "sneaky hussy" for seducing their master and accusing her of typical immortal sect hypocrisy with her "coy act of feigned resistance." Hua Yuying herself declared that while the Night Clan fought for those they desired, they detested those who schemed in the shadows, demanding Ye Chenyuan clarify his intentions.
Ye Chenyuan coldly dismissed Bai Xiaoying's pleas, claiming she was "clinging to him unilaterally" and that her actions were "none of his business." As Hua Yuying's followers disparaged Bai Xiaoying as a "lowly wretch," Yun Ya arrived, finding Bai Xiaoying on the ground. He rushed to her side, expressing regret for his delay, and asked if she was hurt. Reassuring him she was fine, Bai Xiaoying allowed him to help her.
Ye Chenyuan then callously threw a bracelet to the ground, telling her to "take your thing away." Yun Ya recognized it as the one he had given her and picked it up before leading Bai Xiaoying away from the scene. Yun Ya, having rescued Bai Xiaoying, urged her to return to Nine Heavens, assuring her it was her true home despite her recent ordeal.
Bai Xiaoying, however, expressed her hesitation, recalling how the immortal sect had lost all faith in her and feared punishment upon her return. Yun Ya assuaged her fears, explaining that the elders' decision to sacrifice her and their use of a forbidden technique were unauthorized and violated celestial laws. He revealed he had found conclusive evidence and would clear her name before the Immortal Lord.
He reaffirmed his trust in her, reminding her that the Divine Sword belonged to the immortal sect, and she couldn't seek vengeance against the Night Deity if she remained a fugitive. He promised to help her regain her standing in Nine Heavens and leverage the sect's power to defeat the Night Deity. As a symbol of his unwavering support, he gently placed the bracelet back onto her wrist.
Upon returning to Nine Heavens with Yun Ya, Bai Xiaoying was immediately condemned as a traitor by the elders and commanded to kneel. Yun Ya vehemently protected her, declaring that until the truth of the final battle was clear, none would harm her. The Immortal Lord, observing Yun Ya's unprecedented display of emotion, questioned why he was protecting Bai Xiaoying after bringing her back.
Yun Ya explained that Bai Xiaoying's outburst was caused by being trapped in a forbidden formation, the details of which he had found in ancient archives, proving it could induce demonic possession. An elder then accused Bai Xiaoying of being a demon, citing her sudden increase in power after the Trial Assembly and her alleged poisoning of Yun Ya.
Yun Ya refuted the accusation, demanding proof of her demonic nature and clarifying that his previous illness was due to his own mistake, not Bai Xiaoying's actions. The elder then suggested Yun Ya harbored romantic feelings for Bai Xiaoying, deeming such a relationship between master and disciple improper. Yun Ya, however, asserted that his "biases" were simply a master's equal care for all disciples, and he was merely fighting for justice for his wrongfully accused student.
The Immortal Lord then admitted to authorizing the forbidden technique, stating that Bai Xiaoying's inner energy was "sinister" and he could not entrust the Divine Sword to her. Yun Ya swore on his life that Bai Xiaoying was not of the Night Clan. The Immortal Lord, still unconvinced and concerned by Yun Ya's aggressive defense, noted that her influence on him was undeniable and asked for concrete proof of her innocence.
Bai Xiaoying stepped forward, proposing a trial in the Soul-Crushing Array, a perilous formation that would either inflict immense pain on an ordinary person or annihilate a Night Clan member. Despite Yun Ya's immediate concern for her safety, Bai Xiaoying remained resolute, stating her certainty that she harbored no Night Deity power, as Ye Chenyuan was not the Night Deity.
The Immortal Lord, after Yun Ya demanded to know the terms for her exoneration if she passed, agreed to Bai Xiaoying's proposal. He ordered the activation of the Soul-Crushing Array, promising that if she emerged alive, she would be reinstated as Nine Heavens' official Sword Master. Inside the array, Bai Xiaoying faced agonizing pain, nearing her breaking point and mentally apologizing to Yun Ya.
However, a sudden glow emanating from the bracelet on her wrist imbued her with renewed strength, allowing her to persevere. She successfully endured the array, unequivocally proving she was not of the Night Clan and did not possess the Night Deity's power. The Immortal Lord publicly acknowledged his error, reinstated Bai Xiaoying as the Sword Master, and entrusted her with the sacred responsibility of eradicating the Night Deity and safeguarding the Three Realms.
Despite achieving vindication, Bai Xiaoying remained visibly dispirited. Yun Ya found her lost in thought and gently inquired about her mood. Bai Xiaoying thanked him profoundly for his unwavering support in clearing her name, which finally granted her a legitimate identity within the Three Realms. Yun Ya, on the verge of expressing something more personal, instead reaffirmed his role, stating that protecting his disciple and clearing her name was merely his duty.
He gently chided her for her reckless bravery in entering the Soul-Crushing Array, to which she explained she only wanted to spare him from a difficult choice. Yun Ya then sternly reminded her that regardless of her past connections with Ye Chenyuan, her primary duty as the War God was to slay the Night Deity and oppose the Night Clan, forces eternally at odds with the immortals. Bai Xiaoying acknowledged his words, confirming she understood her responsibilities.
Hua Yuying, attempting to initiate intimacy with Ye Chenyuan, was firmly rebuffed. He reminded her that their impending marriage was solely a transaction, a condition she herself had set to jointly rule the Night Clan and for him to gain the sword crystal. He explicitly warned her not to "delude herself into thinking you're my real wife" and if she wished to reconsider, they could discuss other terms.
Hua Yuying scoffed at the idea of being a "widow in life" and then angrily pointed out that Bai Xiaoying had returned to Nine Heavens as the Sword Master, now destined to kill him. She accused him of playing tricks and insisted it was too late, declaring Bai Xiaoying their enemy and that there was "no future between you two." Ye Chenyuan sharply commanded her to "Shut up!"
yet then strangely remarked that he found "this version of you more appealing." Ye Chenyuan forcibly entered Nine Heavens to retrieve Bai Xiaoying. Upon seeing her, he immediately criticized her for returning and accepting the role of Sword Master despite how Nine Heavens had treated her.
He questioned whether her motive was magnanimity, ambition, or affection, and further mocked her for allegedly becoming "entangled with your master" so soon after leaving the Night Clan, calling it a "cosmic joke" that defied natural order. Bai Xiaoying fiercely defended Yun Ya, declaring him the "finest man in all realms" for protecting her and restoring her title, questioning what any of this had to do with Ye Chenyuan.
Ye Chenyuan attempted to drag her away, but Yun Ya intervened, declaring that Ye Chenyuan would not take Bai Xiaoying. Ye Chenyuan scoffed at Yun Ya's attempt to stop him and easily defeated him, leaving Yun Ya spitting blood.
As Ye Chenyuan pulled Bai Xiaoying, she struggled, accusing him of having given up the sword crystal and questioning why he was now changing his mind and criticizing her, given his previous indifference to her pathetic pleas not to marry Hua Yuying. He affirmed that he still wanted the sword crystal. Yun Ya, recovering, drew his sword and prepared to fight, but Bai Xiaoying unexpectedly stepped in front of Ye Chenyuan, blocking Yun Ya's attack.
She assured Yun Ya that Ye Chenyuan was not there to start a war but to help them retrieve the sword crystal, which was needed to awaken the Divine Sword to slay the Night Deity. She promised to explain everything later and asked Yun Ya to trust that Ye Chenyuan meant no harm. Ye Chenyuan acknowledged that their personal scores would be settled another time.
With Bai Xiaoying's intervention, the three settled down for a negotiation, choosing the Mortal Realm as a neutral ground, with Bai Xiaoying acting as the human representative, Ye Chenyuan representing the Night Clan, and Yun Ya representing Nine Heavens. Yun Ya first inquired about the sword crystal, to which Ye Chenyuan confirmed it was still with Hua Yuying.
Yun Ya acknowledged Bai Xiaoying's revelation that Ye Chenyuan was not the true Night Deity, noting that the real Night Deity would not have lost to his subordinate. Ye Chenyuan retorted by reminding Yun Ya that he himself had lost to his own disciple and had even attempted to kill her. Their exchange quickly escalated into a heated argument about past events and who was responsible for Bai Xiaoying's plight, with Ye Chenyuan asserting he had saved her life.
Bai Xiaoying intervened again, proposing they set aside old grievances. She suggested the best approach was to combine Yun Ya's power with Ye Chenyuan's plan: they would assist Ye Chenyuan in overthrowing Hua Yuying to reclaim the Night Clan, and in return, they would secure the sword crystal. Yun Ya, while trusting Bai Xiaoying, expressed his deep distrust for Ye Chenyuan, suggesting it would be better to directly invade the Night Clan with Nine Heavens' forces to seize the crystal.
Ye Chenyuan scoffed at this, claiming Yun Ya would be defeated before even reaching the Night Clan. To resolve the impasse, Bai Xiaoying proposed using Truthwater to ensure honesty. Yun Ya, upon splashing the Truthwater on Ye Chenyuan, first asked if he would surrender the sword crystal if they helped him defeat Hua Yuying, to which Ye Chenyuan immediately replied "Yes."
Then, Yun Ya directly confronted Ye Chenyuan, asking if he was taking the sword crystal for Bai Xiaoying, and if he had feelings for her. Ye Chenyuan responded "Yes" to the former, just before Yun Ya could finish the latter.
Episode 7 Recap
After Yun Ya splashed Ye Chenyuan with Truthwater, he directly asked him if he had feelings for Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying was stunned, and Ye Chenyuan, without hesitation, replied, "Yes," his eyes full of naked admission. Yun Ya, though disheartened, declared he was done with questions and would proceed with their plan to gather forces.
However, as Yun Ya prepared to leave, Ye Chenyuan splashed him with Truthwater in return, asserting that since he had been questioned, it was Yun Ya's turn to answer. Ye Chenyuan then asked Yun Ya if he, too, had feelings for Bai Xiaoying. Yun Ya admitted, "Yes." Bai Xiaoying found herself in a difficult position and tried to run, but Ye Chenyuan, despite her shallow cultivation, pulled her back.
She knew her true feelings but couldn't control her heart, and she didn't want to create more conflict between her Master and Ye Chenyuan. Ye Chenyuan then proclaimed that with all cards laid bare, there was no need for pretense. Bai Xiaoying confronted Ye Chenyuan about his probing question to Yun Ya. Ye Chenyuan retorted that he needed to know Yun Ya's true feelings for her, given how often she affectionately called him "Master" in the Nine Heavens.
Bai Xiaoying dismissed his reasoning, finding it pointless to discuss. Ye Chenyuan then urged her to express her "truest thoughts." Bai Xiaoying asked if he had handed her over to Hua Yuying solely for the sword crystal. Ye Chenyuan revealed his additional motive: "to sever my affections for you." He then questioned if it had worked, answering himself with a firm "No." He handed the remaining Truthwater to Bai Xiaoying, instructing her to keep it safe.
Yun Ya and Bai Xiaoying strategized to retrieve the sword crystal. Yun Ya outlined his plan to use disguised immortal soldiers for an ambush, as Hua Yuying's life was bound to the crystal, necessitating her capture. Bai Xiaoying, however, found his tactic unoriginal, having used it herself before. When Yun Ya asserted that the soldiers would follow his command, Bai Xiaoying countered that as Nine Heavens people, they would naturally follow her orders.
She then proposed a more cautious approach: they should first deploy at the Night Clan and then devise a more secure strategy, to which Yun Ya agreed, acknowledging her thorough thinking. Meanwhile, Hua Yuying impatiently awaited Ye Chenyuan at the Night Clan stronghold. When Ye Chenyuan finally appeared, he provocatively mentioned a "rare treasure for our clan's new ruler," leading Hua Yuying to believe she would assume that role. However, his disguised immortal soldiers suddenly betrayed Hua Yuying, shocking her.
They demanded her surrender and the item they sought, offering to spare her life. Hua Yuying rallied her guards and accused Ye Chenyuan of colluding with immortals, asserting that no one would respect his rule. Ye Chenyuan countered by claiming even the immortal Sword Master was his ally and challenged Hua Yuying to ask the Night Clan members who they would follow. The Night Clan members collectively pledged their allegiance to Ye Chenyuan, hailing him as the Night Deity.
Ye Chenyuan then returned the sword crystal to the Night Clan, instructing them to guard Hua Yuying for several days until his cultivation was restored, at which point he would return to claim her. The Night Clan agreed to his terms.
After the successful unsealing of the Divine Sword, the Immortal Lord commended Yun Ya and Bai Xiaoying as heroes of the Nine Heavens for their crucial role, decreeing that any disrespect shown to them would be met with the full wrath of the sect. Bai Xiaoying then requested a private audience with the Immortal Lord. In his private chamber, Bai Xiaoying shared her discovery that Ye Chenyuan was not the true Night Deity.
The Immortal Lord questioned her understanding of Ye Chenyuan, to which she explained his immense power, his arrival in the Night Clan two decades prior, and his subsequent seclusion, detached from clan affairs. The Immortal Lord then revealed the ancient lore of the Night Deity's power, which resurrects every three centuries through human vessels, clarifying that Ye Chenyuan was merely such a vessel, not the deity itself.
He recounted the 1,500-year-old history of Divine Maiden Xi Wu, Emperor Jibai, and himself as immortal companions. During a war initiated by the Night Clan to seize their sacred cultivation spring, the Night King's boundless hatred had transformed him into the unstoppable Night Deity, whose forces devastated the Mortal Realm. To protect the sacred spring, Divine Maiden Xi Wu, having just given birth to a daughter, used a forbidden technique to seal the Night Deity within her newborn's pure soul.
Bai Xiaoying concluded that since the original vessel was female, Ye Chenyuan could not be the Night Deity. The Immortal Lord, however, cautioned her, explaining that the original child perished long ago, and the deity had resurrected five times. He emphasized that Ye Chenyuan visibly wielded the Night Deity's power, making further investigation crucial if he was not the true deity. Bai Xiaoying acknowledged his wisdom and departed, leaving the Immortal Lord with a thoughtful, profound gaze.
Bai Xiaoying returned to Yun Ya, sharing her certainty that Ye Chenyuan was neither the Night Deity nor her mother's killer. She reaffirmed her mission to find the true Night Deity and fulfill her duty as Sword Master. Yun Ya advised her to consider the bigger picture; even if Ye Chenyuan wasn't the deity, he was still a Night Clansman, and the Night Clan had caused immense suffering for centuries.
He pointed out that the tragic events of a decade ago occurred under Ye Chenyuan's leadership, holding him responsible regardless of his direct involvement. Later, as Bai Xiaoying pondered her conflicted feelings, Ye Chenyuan appeared before her. He showed her a mesmerizing display of fireflies, asking if she liked it. Bai Xiaoying pressed him for answers, directly questioning if he was truly not the Night Deity and innocent of her mother's death.
Ye Chenyuan evaded her questions, distracting her with a "falling star" and asking her to sit with him. He expressed his happiness at having her by his side after over a thousand years of solitude. Bai Xiaoying remarked on his unusual behavior and asked if the fireflies were his doing, which he denied. Ye Chenyuan then asked if, should he genuinely be the Night Deity, she would still be determined to kill him as she had once vowed.
Bai Xiaoying defiantly stated she would instead prove he was not the Night Deity. Soon after, the Divine Sword was successfully unsealed, and Bai Xiaoying, as the Sword Master, formally claimed it amidst widespread acclaim from the Nine Heavens. However, Ye Chenyuan suddenly unleashed the Night Deity's power, warning everyone that using spiritual energy would result in instant death. As the immortals struggled to form purification formations, Constant Qingrou accused Bai Xiaoying of colluding with Ye Chenyuan.
Ye Chenyuan silenced Constant Qingrou with a threat, prompting the Immortal Lord to intercede and take responsibility for his disciple's words. Ye Chenyuan then reminded Bai Xiaoying of her promise not to kill him if he was the Night Deity but to seek proof of his innocence. Bai Xiaoying reaffirmed her belief, asserting her knowledge that he was not the deity. Calling her naive, Ye Chenyuan declared he would show no mercy.
He chillingly revealed his deception: he hadn't been purging toxins but injecting Night Clan poison into her body. Bai Xiaoying was aghast. Ye Chenyuan confessed that his sole purpose in arriving at the Nine Heavens six months prior was to seize the Divine Sword, and all his actions had been meticulously planned to lead to this moment, which she had unwittingly facilitated.
A distraught Bai Xiaoying questioned if he had lied to her all along, asking why he hadn't taken the sword earlier and why he had helped her retrieve the sword crystal. Ye Chenyuan coldly explained that he needed the Sword Master to unseal it for him.
He further mocked her, stating he had merely intended to use her to reclaim his clan and the sword crystal, never imagining she would help him so wholeheartedly, even bringing her Master along, adding sarcastically that he didn't know how to thank her. Heartbroken and desperate, Bai Xiaoying warned him that if he did not return the Divine Sword immediately, she would never forgive him, regardless of any future explanations.
Ye Chenyuan scoffed, questioning if she truly believed he had fallen in love with her. Bai Xiaoying reminded him of his confession under the Truthwater, insisting those words could not be false. Ye Chenyuan cruelly dismissed her, stating he never harbored true feelings for her and found her current heartbroken expression "remarkable." He then told her that the lingering poison in her body would claim her remaining life.
With that, he seized the Divine Sword and left Bai Xiaoying gravely injured and poisoned. Yun Ya quickly rushed to Bai Xiaoying's side. A healer confirmed her sword injury was not life-threatening and the residual toxins had been purged, but her severe injuries from the Cloud Summit were largely due to emotional trauma from the major upheaval. She was stabilized, and the healer went to prepare medicine.
The Immortal Lord then confronted Bai Xiaoying, holding her accountable for repeatedly sparing Ye Chenyuan and for the grave error of losing the Divine Sword. Bai Xiaoying accepted her punishment but requested permission to go to the Night Clan to investigate further, still maintaining that Ye Chenyuan was not the true Night Deity. The Immortal Lord questioned if she was still defending him or had developed feelings. Bai Xiaoying denied defending him.
Yun Ya intervened, defending Bai Xiaoying as a victim of Ye Chenyuan's deception, noting her fragile state and damaged mind. He volunteered to go to the Night Clan himself to reclaim the Divine Sword, but Bai Xiaoying protested. The Immortal Lord settled the matter, assigning Yun Ya the mission. He then revealed that Ye Chenyuan had publicly announced his impending marriage to Hua Yuying, instructing Yun Ya to use this opportunity to recover the sword.
As for Bai Xiaoying, she was confined to Huiyue Abode for self-reflection. Distraught by the news of Ye Chenyuan's wedding, Bai Xiaoying was consumed by painful memories and his cruel words, wondering if she was truly so easy to deceive. As Yun Ya prepared for his mission, he went to check on Bai Xiaoying. Constant Qingrou attempted to cover for Bai Xiaoying, claiming she was resting.
Yun Ya, suspicious, pressed Constant Qingrou, who eventually admitted that Bai Xiaoying had left at dawn, presumably heading for Ye Chenyuan's wedding. Realizing the grave danger Bai Xiaoying was in, Yun Ya resolved to go after her. Meanwhile, Bai Xiaoying arrived at the Night Clan stronghold, where guards informed her that no outsiders were permitted on the Lord's wedding day. Bai Xiaoying defiantly declared that she had arrived at the perfect time and would not miss such a joyous event.
Episode 8 Recap
Despite the heavy guard, Bai Xiaoying ventured into the Night Deity's palace on the day of his wedding to Hua Yuying. A guard warned that no outsiders were welcome, but Bai Xiaoying insisted she arrived just in time and that a joyous event like this shouldn't be without her. Jiaotu advised her not to force things, or she would get hurt, but Bai Xiaoying defiantly stated she would force the issue and challenged him to stop her.
Ye Chenyuan, inside, ordered Jiaotu to let her in. Upon entering, Bai Xiaoying found Ye Chenyuan with Hua Yuying. She confronted him, accusing him of being childish and staging the wedding merely to make her retreat. She claimed his actions only proved something was amiss. Ye Chenyuan scoffed at her lack of self-awareness, revealing that he would have married Hua Yuying long ago if he hadn't needed Bai Xiaoying to unseal the Divine Sword.
He explained that he had required Bai Xiaoying’s power. Ye Chenyuan further elaborated on the Night Clan's pragmatic nature, where alliances and betrayals are fluid, and only the victor matters. Bai Xiaoying refused to believe him, recalling a previous intimate night and asking if that too was a lie. Ye Chenyuan bluntly confirmed it was. As Bai Xiaoying pressed him to look her in the eyes and answer, Hua Yuying intervened, telling Bai Xiaoying to stop talking.
She challenged Bai Xiaoying to a fight, stating that she would have to defeat her first to take her man. Bai Xiaoying accepted, declaring that if Hua Yuying lost, Ye Chenyuan would be hers. During their skirmish, Bai Xiaoying tried to injure Hua Yuying, but Ye Chenyuan intervened, striking Bai Xiaoying instead. He then showed concern for Hua Yuying.
He then harshly told Bai Xiaoying that he loathed lowly humans and hypocritical immortals like her and could never fall for her, reiterating that his actions that night were merely a sacrifice to obtain the Divine Sword. He threatened to shatter her immortal bone if she didn't leave, as he didn't want bloodshed on his wedding day. Bai Xiaoying, though hurt, responded with a simple "Fine.
I understand," before Ye Chenyuan turned back to Hua Yuying, telling her to ignore Bai Xiaoying and resume the wedding. Bai Xiaoying, however, refused to leave. Ye Chenyuan, or rather, the true Night Deity, fully manifested in Ye Chenyuan's body, proclaiming that after 1,800 years, he finally possessed a robust physical form. Ye Chenyuan's original consciousness struggled briefly, admitting a moment's lapse had damaged him. The Night Deity then coldly asked Bai Xiaoying why she was still there.
Bai Xiaoying confessed that she wasn't as resilient as he thought and his words had indeed wounded her, but she wouldn't leave easily. The Night Deity mocked her, saying if she was hurt, she should seek vengeance, not beg, as it only made him despise her more. Bai Xiaoying countered that she could feel and judge his true feelings for her.
The Night Deity then insisted he had been deceiving her all along and offered to show her his true self. Witnessing the terrifying transformation and the Night Deity's subsequent indiscriminate slaughter of innocent lives, Bai Xiaoying, terrified, pleaded with "Ye Chenyuan" to stop. Just as she was overwhelmed, Yun Ya arrived, sensing powerful demonic energy, and saved her, urging her to escape. Later, as Bai Xiaoying was recovering, tended to by a disciple named Rourou, Wan Yan burst in, furious.
She accused Bai Xiaoying of shaming the immortal sect by crashing the Night Clan's wedding and causing the Mortal Realm to suffer at the hands of the Night Deity. Wan Yan demanded Bai Xiaoying confess her sins to the immortals and relinquish her title as Sword Master. Yun Ya, who had just returned, intervened, stopping Wan Yan and defending Bai Xiaoying.
He asserted that Bai Xiaoying had risked her life to retrieve the sword crystal and prevent the Night Clan's atrocities, yet everyone only focused on her mistakes. He declared that from that moment on, opposing Bai Xiaoying meant opposing him. Wan Yan accused Yun Ya of being bewitched and changed. Yun Ya then ordered Rourou to escort Wan Yan and the other disciples out.
As Rourou escorted her out, Wan Yan made a final remark to Bai Xiaoying, questioning if her self-ruin for Ye Chenyuan was worth it and if she was still the Bai Xiaoying she knew. Bai Xiaoying, weakened, whispered that she needed the Divine Sword to kill the Night Deity, vowing to reclaim it. Meanwhile, Yun Ya went to the Lord of the Immortal Sect, pleading for a way to save Bai Xiaoying and offering to do anything.
The Lord of the Immortal Sect expressed doubt that others would forgive Bai Xiaoying, but seeing Yun Ya's unwavering resolve, led him to a secret chamber. There, the Lord explained the Sanqing Art, a forbidden technique that could increase power tenfold but risked crippling or destroying the user's soul. He hinted that he had considered Bai Xiaoying for it but chose not to. Yun Ya immediately volunteered to use it to reclaim the Divine Sword.
Yun Ya then confronted Ye Chenyuan, who mockingly asked if he had come to die. Yun Ya declared his intention to reclaim the Divine Sword and avenge Bai Xiaoying, asserting that Ye Chenyuan, if he didn't cherish her, should have stayed away. He vowed to make Ye Chenyuan pay for his actions. Ye Chenyuan dismissed him, but Yun Ya, powered by the Sanqing Art, engaged him in a fierce battle.
Ye Chenyuan, seeing Yun Ya's strength, remarked that he (Yun Ya) was indeed prepared and ominously declared that Bai Xiaoying would collect Yun Ya's corpse. Yun Ya, however, retorted that Ye Chenyuan was not worthy of speaking her name. After a brutal fight, the Divine Sword unexpectedly returned to Bai Xiaoying. Sensing something was terribly wrong, Bai Xiaoying rushed to Yun Ya's residence, Yunxiu Pavilion, only to find it heavily guarded.
She demanded entry, realizing the unusual security indicated a problem. Yongning appeared and reluctantly led her inside, explaining that Yun Ya knew she would eventually find out but wished to delay her seeing his current state. Bai Xiaoying was horrified to find Yun Ya missing his right arm, his immortal consciousness fading, and his spiritual power gone—a consequence of using the forbidden Sanqing Art for her.
Yongning explained that Yun Ya had risked his life to reclaim the sword, and even Xiyuan, a skilled immortal, could do nothing to help him. Overcome with guilt and sorrow, Bai Xiaoying broke down, apologizing repeatedly and blaming herself for Master’s suffering, echoing Wan Yan's earlier accusations. Filled with rage and despair, Bai Xiaoying swore eternal enmity against Ye Chenyuan, vowing never to let him go.
She publicly challenged him, proclaiming herself the Sword Master of Nine Heavens and declaring her intent to avenge Yun Ya. She threatened to wipe out the entire Night Clan if Ye Chenyuan did not face her. When Ye Chenyuan appeared, Bai Xiaoying initially addressed him as "Ye Chenyuan," but then corrected herself, realizing she was facing the Night Deity. The Night Deity taunted her, remarking that she, like her master, came uninvited and found the Nine Heavens people amusing.
Bai Xiaoying, heartbroken, forbade him from speaking Yun Ya's name. She confessed that despite imagining killing the Night Deity countless times over the past decade, she never expected to feel such sadness when the moment arrived. She declared their ties severed and that she would seek justice for her master. The Night Deity observed that Yun Ya must be her true vulnerability, the reason she remained composed despite his torture. Bai Xiaoying defiantly responded, "So what?"
The Night Deity then agreed, "Perfect. Let's settle all our grudges at once." Their battle ascended to the heavens, with Bai Xiaoying driven by hatred, determined to kill him. During their intense fight, Ye Chenyuan suddenly ceased resisting and allowed Bai Xiaoying to run her Divine Sword through him, leaving her stunned and aghast at what she had done.
Episode 9 Recap
After stabbing Ye Chenyuan, Bai Xiaoying found herself transported into Ye Chenyuan's Divine Sword's realm. Confused about her whereabouts, she observed a vision of the Immortal Lord. The Immortal Lord expressed sorrow for her child, revealing that the child was born to save the Three Realms and that everyone would eventually know of her sacrifice. She then asked Jibai if he was willing to become sword crystal and follow her, to which Jibai readily agreed.
The scene then shifted to a young girl, Bai Yixi, in her solitary residence, the Huiyue Abode. Children outside taunted her, calling her the "Divine Maiden" and demanding she come out to play, intrigued by her appearance that was similar to theirs. However, a mother quickly pulled her child away, warning that Bai Yixi was no divine maiden but a cursed individual, within whom dwelled the most evil Night Deity.
She claimed anyone Bai Yixi touched would die, urging her child never to return to that place. Bai Xiaoying, observing this, realized this was the origin of the deity's vessel and that the Huiyue Abode had once imprisoned the Night Deity. She mused, "So it was her." More children later attacked Bai Yixi, accusing her of killing one of their fathers and calling her a "little beast" and an enemy. When her blood appeared venomous, they quickly fled.
Overwhelmed by being labeled an ill omen, Bai Yixi repeatedly tried to end her life, attempting suicide over 160 times by various means, including hitting her head and consuming poisons, yet always failing. One day, a junior disciple named Wan Guchen, assigned to deliver meals, found Bai Yixi injured. Despite warnings from others about the Night Deity sealed within her and her venomous blood, Wan Guchen expressed concern, asking if she would simply be left to die.
He then bandaged her wounds and introduced himself, or Chen, explaining he had longed to meet her. Bai Yixi, suspicious, questioned his motives, believing him to be like others who came to gawk at her misery and anticipating poison in the food. She ate quickly, only to find no poison. When Wan Guchen promised never to harm her, she remained wary, expecting his true nature to show within days.
Nevertheless, Wan Guchen continued to visit daily, bringing fresh fruits and leaving them for her even when she refused them with a feigned indifference. He told her she was pure-hearted and not dangerous as others claimed. As Bai Xiaoying continued to witness these scenes, she was struck by the resemblance of the girl in the dream to herself, and memories of the young girl flooded her mind, causing her great sorrow.
She invited Wan Guchen to share her meal, and they talked. Wan Guchen described the lives of junior disciples, who mostly practiced immortal arts, but he, being an exception, also performed chores like sweeping and washing clothes. He mentioned that the Immortal Lord was seeking a new Sword Master to protect Bai Yixi after Immortal Zili failed to win the Divine Sword's allegiance. Bai Yixi half-jokingly suggested Wan Guchen would be a suitable protector if she needed one.
Longing to see the outside world, which was forbidden to her due to the spells surrounding Huiyue Abode, Bai Yixi learned that Wan Guchen knew a spatial technique passed down from rabbit spirits. He offered to teach it to her, but she hesitated, fearing she would cause trouble. Wan Guchen, however, had a plan and secretly took Bai Yixi out into the magnificent Nine Heavens.
Amazed by its beauty, Bai Yixi expressed her gratitude, saying she would never have seen such a sight without him. They encountered Immortal Xiyuan, who remarked that Bai Yixi looked familiar. Wan Guchen quickly introduced Bai Yixi as his younger sister, Qi, who was born prematurely and could not speak, clarifying that she was a new disciple and had not met Immortal Xiyuan before. Immortal Xiyuan accepted the explanation, believing she was mistaken.
Later, Bai Yixi noticed Wan Guchen had not come to deliver her meal and learned that other disciples had been temporarily assigned. Fearing for him, she went searching and found him injured. Wan Guchen apologized for not bringing her food, but Bai Yixi was more concerned about his injuries. Wan Zerui, a fellow disciple and Wan Guchen's relative, discovered them. He insulted Bai Yixi, calling her a "lowly maid" and both of them "lowly people."
Wan Guchen, defending her fiercely, demanded Wan Zerui stop. Wan Zerui retorted that Wan Guchen was a "cursed disaster" from birth, a shame to their Wanfeng royal family, and mocked him for being sent to cultivate only due to their grandfather's mercy.
Bai Yixi questioned why his family treated him so cruelly, prompting Wan Guchen to recount how he was branded an ill omen from birth after a Night Clan attack coinciding with his birth led to the death of his parents, the Crown Prince and Princess. This event also left him with a lasting fear of dogs, as others would use them to torment him.
Despite knowing the Night Deity was sealed within Bai Yixi, Wan Guchen confessed he didn't resent her, feeling less alone knowing there was someone else considered cursed and abandoned. He vowed not to displace his hatred onto an innocent person. Moved, Bai Yixi promised to protect him and gave him her mother's only keepsake, a bell, to keep him safe even when she wasn't around. Wan Guchen promised to treasure it.
Once Wan Guchen had recovered from his injuries, he came to visit Bai Yixi again. He presented her with a gift, a beautiful display of flowers, explaining he had secretly learned a spell to make them appear, as her blood caused flowers to wither. Though he had not yet mastered the spell, Bai Yixi adored it and asked him to make such flowers for her often. As they enjoyed the beautiful scene, other disciples discovered them.
They called Bai Yixi "Bai Yixi" and accused her of violating immortal laws and being a "monster" consorting with a "jinx." Bai Yixi defended herself, stating she had lived in the immortal sect for over a decade without harming anyone. The disciples, however, berated her for being the vessel of an ancient evil deity and warned that her wandering could unleash the Night Deity and endanger humanity.
Bai Yixi protested, asking why she had to bear such a burden when she neither wished to endanger the world nor chose to be the vessel. Enraged by her "heartless, selfish words," the disciples declared her unworthy of the Immortal Lord's mercy and attacked, stating they could not let her live. In the ensuing struggle, Wan Guchen was injured while protecting Bai Yixi, and she accidentally killed the attacking disciples.
Episode 10 Recap
Wan Guchen, deeply aware of Bai Yixi's kind nature, lamented that her current predicament was a result of his own actions which had activated her powers. Bai Yixi found herself imprisoned in a sunless dungeon, constantly haunted by the guards' cruel whispers, labeling her as the "vessel sealing the Night Deity," a terrifying figure who could transform at any moment.
This relentless taunting filled her with sorrow, even as Wan Guchen believed she was a kind soul who needed to resist the Night Deity within her. Meanwhile, the Immortal Lord in Nine Heavens expressed concern about the Night Deity stirring restlessly and attempting to break free, emphasizing the urgent need to select a new Sword Master from the immortal sect disciples to safeguard the seal and protect all living beings.
Wan Guchen, determined to rescue Bai Yixi, dedicated himself to arduous martial arts training, resolved to become the Sword Master and protect her. After his relentless training, Wan Guchen successfully became Nine Heavens' new Sword Master. He secretly visited Bai Yixi in her cell, who initially rejected food but quickly recognized him. Wan Guchen shared the good news, promising to guard her seal and convince the immortals to release her.
He also spoke of a special gift: a jade pendant from his mother, meant for his beloved, which was still in Wanfeng Kingdom. He assured Bai Yixi he would retrieve it and return quickly. Upon arriving in Wanfeng Kingdom, Wan Guchen boldly entered the royal hall, brandishing his sword. When confronted, he explained that his father, the crown prince, had been killed by the Night Clan, and the elders, fearing his succession, had spread rumors about him being ominous.
He declared his new status as the immortal sects' Sword Master and his sole purpose of retrieving his parents' heirloom for Bai Yixi, warning anyone who dared to obstruct him. His determination was acknowledged by the royal guards. However, his actions in Wanfeng Kingdom were reported to the immortal sect. Back in Nine Heavens, an Immortal Lord and other elders accused Wan Guchen of violating divine laws by using immortal arts in the Mortal Realm.
Wan Guchen clarified he only went to retrieve his parents' keepsake for his beloved. The Immortal Lord then forbade him from seeing Bai Yixi, revealing that Bai Yixi was the Night Deity, a malevolence the Three Realms sought to eradicate. The Immortal Lord disclosed that the Sword Master's true mission was not just to guard the seal, but to kill Bai Yixi to eliminate the Night Deity completely.
Wan Guchen was stunned, feeling deceived, as he had been led to believe his role was to protect the seal. The Immortal Lord further explained that he himself was gravely injured in a past battle with the Night Deity and, with diminished cultivation, could not be recognized by the divine sword, necessitating a new Sword Master to fulfill heaven's decree.
He also revealed that Bai Yixi was the Divine Maiden's daughter, a truth he had kept hidden, knowing the injustice of a Sword Master killing the Divine Maiden's child. Faced with the choice of letting the Night Deity break free and cause chaos or eradicating her for everyone's sake, Wan Guchen defiantly declared he would still see Bai Yixi, accepting any punishment. The other immortals then formed an array to make him reflect on his actions.
Subsequently, a guard delivered a blood-stained jade pendant to Bai Yixi, informing her that Wan Guchen had been executed for defying the Immortal Lord, clutching the pendant until his last breath. Bai Yixi erupted in furious disbelief, vehemently denying his death and lashing out at the guard for harming such a good person. The guard retorted that it was all her fault and that Wan Guchen, being associated with her, deserved his fate.
As Bai Yixi's rage intensified, a voice prompted her to stop enduring and unleash her power. With demonic energy flaring, Bai Yixi vowed vengeance, declaring that since they killed Chen, they would all pay with their lives. As she unleashed her power, Immortal Changgeng appeared, acknowledging the Night Deity. The Night Deity, speaking through Bai Yixi, blamed Nine Heavens for its premature awakening and vowed to kill Changgeng as a repayment for Wan Guchen's death.
However, Changgeng quickly revealed that Wan Guchen was not dead. Wan Guchen then appeared, explaining that the Immortal Lord had injured him unintentionally and sent an Upper Immortal to treat him. His injuries prevented him from seeing her, so he had sent the pendant through others. Bai Yixi realized Changgeng had lied.
Changgeng then tried to manipulate Wan Guchen, urging him to kill Bai Yixi to prevent her from causing devastation and to stop the Night Deity from harming the Three Realms, warning that Bai Yixi could be irrecoverably lost if the Night Deity completely took over. Bai Yixi, pleading with Wan Guchen, begged him to remember their promise and help her, as she feared being consumed by the Night Deity and losing her memories.
Wan Guchen, seeing Bai Yixi suffer, originally wanted to draw his sword against her, but couldn't bear it. Defying Changgeng, he decided he would take Bai Yixi away to ensure she could never harm anyone. He declared that with the Divine Sword sealed, he would leave Nine Heavens with her. Bai Yixi felt very happy, finally having someone to face the terrifying rumors with her.
Though she worried about where they could go and the Night Deity reappearing, Wan Guchen reassured her he would always stay by her side and accompany her wherever she wished. She expressed a desire to visit his childhood home, and he agreed to take her there. They journeyed to Wan Guchen's hometown in the Mortal Realm, a new experience for Bai Yixi, who found the surroundings beautiful.
She received a Knotgrass Flower, symbolizing devotion to one person, and reflected that her life journey would not be in vain if there was one person truly devoted to her. Later, they lit sky lanterns together, each writing a wish. Wan Guchen secretly wished for Bai Yixi to be happy, healthy, live a long life, and have the demonic energy within her removed, while Bai Yixi wished for her own safety and happiness.
They shared a peaceful, happy moment, and Bai Yixi light-heartedly wished she had written "Nine Heavens, scram!" on her lantern. Wan Guchen bought a small courtyard home, informing Bai Yixi that it would be their home from then on. Bai Yixi expressed her deep affection for the beautiful place. One day, Wan Guchen prepared Wanfeng Kingdom's famed dish for Bai Yixi, but when he went to find her, she was gone.
He anxiously searched for her, calling her name and urging her to resist the Night Deity. He found her in a state of demonic frenzy, and she bit his neck. Despite this, Wan Guchen, embracing the pain, affirmed his unwavering love, declaring that he would endure however much she took if it eased her suffering. He vowed to always recognize her, no matter how she changed, believing she would never intentionally harm him.
The next morning, Bai Yixi awoke next to Wan Guchen, troubled by a nightmare. She confessed her increasing difficulty in controlling the Night Deity's power, fearing it would break free, hurt him, consume her entirely, and make her forget everything they shared. Wan Guchen reassured her he would never let her face these challenges alone, promising to find calming herbs and assuring her they would overcome it.
However, news of Bai Yixi's demonic episodes spread among the villagers, who gathered outside their home to condemn them, wanting to drive the girl out. Wan Guchen desperately protected her and tried to explain that Bai Yixi was not such a person, asserting her innocence as she was merely possessed by the Night Deity, but the fearful villagers were unconvinced and decided to seize both of them. In the ensuing confrontation, Wan Guchen seized a child and returned home.
However, upon returning, he discovered Bai Yixi's demonic energy had uncontrollably erupted. He heard her painful cries from within the locked room, and was very flustered, desperately trying to get in to help her.
Episode 11 Recap
Overwhelmed by the evil energy within her, Yixi locked herself in a room, fearing she might harm Wan Guchen. Distressed by her suffering, Wan Guchen tried to enter, pleading to help her. Yixi refused, not wanting him to see her in such a state. Wan Guchen reminded her of her true self, emphasizing she was not the Night Deity, and recalled the home he built for her, including a swing and a grass bracelet.
He promised to show her shadow plays and let her taste the candied hawthorns of their Wanfeng Kingdom, urging her to hold on, as only she could control the Night Deity and protect the Three Realms. Regaining some clarity, Yixi confessed her past hatred for those who treated her as a monster, questioning why she should protect such a cruel world.
Yet, she admitted Wan Guchen’s words made her realize her deep desire for acceptance and to protect the Three Realms. Wan Guchen apologized, feeling responsible for her plight, and reaffirmed his commitment to stay by her side. As Wan Guchen attempted to soothe Yixi, a group of Daoists and villagers arrived, led by an individual who accused Wan Guchen of bringing an evil deity to Wanfeng, endangering the kingdom and incurring the king’s fury.
He demanded Wan Guchen surrender, promising him an "intact corpse." Wan Guchen reassured Yixi not to be afraid and fought to protect her. He pleaded with Yixi not to let the Night Deity take over. However, the Daoists' bells exacerbated Yixi’s condition, causing the evil energy to erupt. She unleashed her power, indiscriminately killing those around her. Wan Guchen desperately cried out for her to stop the senseless killing.
Even his uncle, pleading for his life, promised to cease all competition with Wan Guchen if Yixi would spare him. Despite all pleas, Yixi, controlled by the demonic energy, continued her rampage before disappearing. In the aftermath, Wan Guchen returned to the devastated village, where survivors hurled curses and blame at him, calling him a "cursed creature" and a "sinner."
One grieving woman accused him of her son Xiaochuan’s death, recounting how her kind-hearted son, who had sympathized with Yixi, died tragically. Consumed by guilt, Wan Guchen sought out the king, his Imperial Grandfather, and knelt before him, offering to atone with his life for the Wanfeng Kingdom's heavy casualties. The ailing king, however, placed the burden of saving the imperiled kingdom and its innocent citizens upon Wan Guchen, urging him to swear an oath.
Wan Guchen solemnly swore to save the kingdom, resolving to retrieve the Divine Sword to fulfill his vow. After some time, Yixi reappeared, asking Wan Guchen if she was responsible for the destruction. He gently reassured her that it was not her fault, and promised to always stay by her side. Yixi, recalling his promise to show her all of life’s joys, expressed her deepest wish to marry him.
Wan Guchen readily agreed, and they immediately began a wedding ceremony, bowing to heaven and earth, then to parents, and finally to each other. However, during the ceremony, the Night Deity suddenly spoke through Yixi, mockingly observing their "joyous occasion." Wan Guchen, realizing what was happening, commanded the Night Deity to leave Yixi's body. The Night Deity, asserting its identity as Bai Yixi, declared its impatience with Wan Guchen's nagging and attacked him.
It ridiculed Wan Guchen's skills as the Sword Bearer of the Nine Heavens, claiming that once he was dead, Bai Yixi would cease resisting. Enraged, Wan Guchen invoked the Divine Sword, vowing to slay the Night Deity and prevent it from defiling Yixi, and plunged the sword into Yixi’s body. The Night Deity offered no resistance to the attack. Wan Guchen held Yixi as she lay dying.
He desperately asked if she had known he would retrieve the Divine Sword, questioning why she didn't hate him. Yixi, with her fading consciousness, confessed that it was their shared destiny, that she loved him too much to feel resentment, and urged him to live, experience the shadow plays and candied hawthorns she never could. As her spirit left her body, the Night Deity's consciousness fully realized its true identity, declaring, "So I am the Night Deity."
Overcome with grief, Wan Guchen attempted to take his own life with the Divine Sword, but his master intervened. The master reminded him of his duty as the rigorously selected Sword Bearer of the Nine Heavens, accusing him of disgracing them. Wan Guchen retorted that his mission was fulfilled, unwilling to be stopped. His master revealed that Bai Yixi was not truly gone; she would be reborn in 300 years.
Wan Guchen, angered by the deception that made him kill his beloved, refused to trust him. The master clarified that his actions were for the greater good, securing three centuries of peace, and that it was Wan Guchen's choice, transforming him into the hero and War God of the Nine Heavens. He then challenged Wan Guchen to wait the three centuries, promising he could die then if Yixi didn't return.
Wan Guchen found the prospect of 300 years of waiting unbearable. Three centuries later, Bai Xiaoying, Yixi's reincarnation, saw her own second life in a mirror. Meanwhile, immortals reported to Wan Guchen, now known as the War God, about Night Clan activities near Wanyingzhou, requesting his intervention, which he acknowledged. Reborn as Bai Xiaoying, Yixi found herself in a misty area where she feigned helplessness to lure two lustful men.
After they revealed their predatory intentions, she unleashed her demonic power, killing them and drawing nourishment from their vile desires. As she reveled in her power, she again feigned distress, calling for help. Wan Guchen, who had been searching for her, arrived and recognized her, saying, "Yixi, you really came back." Bai Xiaoying, dropping her innocent act, challenged him, "Why not join them?" She then shamelessly flirted with him, suggesting he let her "enjoy him first."
Wan Guchen, shocked by her audacity, retorted, "How rude! Do you know who I am?" Bai Xiaoying continued to taunt him, finding his rejection only increased her interest. At this moment, Bai Chuli also appeared, introducing himself to her and asking for her name. Bai Xiaoying then made her escape. Wan Guchen later confronted his master, questioning his presence. Wan Guchen revealed he had waited 300 years and was overjoyed to have finally found Yixi.
His master, however, revealed that the Night Deity still resided within her, and when its power awakened, Wan Guchen would again have to kill her to protect the Three Realms. Distraught, Wan Guchen demanded to know why this crucial information had been withheld. The master explained that revealing it earlier might have deterred Wan Guchen from waiting the three centuries to kill the Night Deity again, stating that it was Yixi's destiny.
The master added that Wan Guchen could abandon his role as Sword Bearer, but others would simply take his place, and Yixi would still die regardless. He urged Wan Guchen to consider the implications. Wan Guchen, in despair, questioned why fate had to be so cruel. Haunted by his past actions and Yixi’s fate, Wan Guchen wrestled with his promise to her. Meanwhile, Yixi, now calling herself Bai Xiaoying, continued to absorb resentment in the human world.
At a pleasure house, Mr. Shiyi requested a specific woman for the night. This woman turned out to be Bai Xiaoying, who, upon being chosen, quickly revealed her demonic form to Mr. Shiyi, terrifying him. Wan Guchen arrived just as Mr. Shiyi screamed for help, recognizing Yixi and noting the inescapable ties of fate that kept bringing them together. He asked her why she was there, and she playfully responded that she had been searching for him everywhere.
Wan Guchen confronted her, accusing her of breaking her promise not to harm anyone. Bai Xiaoying, unrepentant, argued that her promise was conditional on him staying by her side. She then twisted the blame, implying that his absence was the reason for her killings. Wan Guchen called her out for her specious reasoning and unrepentant behavior.
Bai Xiaoying, embracing her identity as a Night Clan member who feeds on human evil thoughts, challenged him, asking why he, an Upper Immortal dedicated to hunting her kind, hadn't killed her yet, implying he couldn't bring himself to do it. Wan Guchen was left speechless and unable to respond.
Episode 12 Recap
Bai Chuli found Wan Guchen to be a deeply intriguing and stubborn man. She sensed his underlying affection for her, yet he deliberately suppressed his feelings, even going so far as to seal his acupoints to control himself. She noted that his eyes clearly showed infatuation, but he would rather inflict harm upon himself than touch her, a contrast to other men who would have lost control long ago.
Long ago, when Wan Guchen was a child, two Daoists were searching for a "demonic woman" dressed like a dancer. They questioned young Wan Guchen, who remained silent. Suspecting him of being the woman in disguise or being complicit, the Daoists attacked. However, they soon discovered his profound cultivation and, deeming him too powerful, hastily retreated. Later, Wan Guchen confronted Bai Chuli, reminding her of her past tendency to use her beauty to entice others.
He demanded she swear an oath: if she ever harmed an innocent life again, her appearance would become utterly hideous. Reluctantly, Bai Chuli, identifying herself by name, agreed to the vow. Despite her promise, she later committed wicked deeds again. Consequently, her face became marred by a deep scar, and people shunned her, calling her hideous. Bai Chuli realized her disfigurement was a direct consequence of her broken oath.
Returning home, she found that her grandmother, Madam, had passed away, as Bai Chuli’s scarred face prevented her from seducing men and collecting vital energy to sustain their people. Another young girl, Ling, gave Bai Chuli a "Coldwood Origin Stone," a supreme treasure Madam had entrusted to her for Bai Chuli's protection during severe injury, though it couldn't save Madam's life.
Bai Chuli lamented her inability to absorb vital energy due to her ruined face and worried about her own impending demise. Soon, other Night Clan members confronted her, mocking her hideous appearance and challenging her right to the Spiritual Spring, arguing she could no longer protect her people. During this dangerous encounter with her own clan, Wan Guchen unexpectedly appeared and fought off her attackers.
Bai Chuli was surprised by his intervention but remained heartbroken over her disfigured face, weeping uncontrollably. She questioned Wan Guchen, asking if he was satisfied with her current state and expressing that she would have preferred him to kill her with his sword. She defended her past actions by saying the men she harmed were immoral, and if they were like him, she couldn't have harmed them.
Wan Guchen calmly reminded her that her disfigurement was due to her own broken vow. Seeing her distress, he magically made flowers bloom around her to comfort her. Still distraught, Bai Chuli found Wan Guchen the most intriguing and difficult immortal she had ever met. She asked his name. Wan Guchen revealed himself as Wan Guchen, the War God of Nine Heavens. Shocked, Bai Chuli understood why he possessed such formidable power and constantly thwarted her plans.
He dismissed her concerns about her appearance and advised her to focus on her own problems. He then brought Bai Chuli and Ling to a new place that felt strangely familiar, transferring some of his vital energy to them and urging them not to harm others again. Ling later confided that Wan Guchen continued to visit secretly at night, transferring vital energy while they slept, but he never showed himself.
Determined to see him, Bai Chuli decided they should leave, hoping he would follow. Soon after, Bai Chuli discovered her face had been completely healed. Realizing it was Wan Guchen's doing, she called out his name, questioning why he would restore her beauty but still refuse to meet her, vowing to find him. Bai Chuli went to Nine Heavens to find Wan Guchen.
Meanwhile, Wan Guchen was summoned by the Immortal Lord, who reminded him of his duty as the Sword Master of Nine Heavens and cautioned him against protecting Bai Chuli. Wan Guchen declared he would not harm her. The Immortal Lord then threatened to personally deal with Bai Chuli. Just then, Bai Chuli burst into the Nine Heavens, boldly demanding to see Wan Guchen and challenging anyone who dared to stop her.
The Immortal Lord was impressed by her audacity but asserted that for the safety of the Three Realms, he had no choice but to end her life, accusing her of being a scourge of all Three Realms, even if she had not fully awakened her powers. Wan Guchen intervened, declaring that with him present, no one could harm her. The Immortal Lord questioned his loyalty, reminding him of his duty and the judgment of the masses if he favored her.
Bai Chuli, realizing the predicament, asked Wan Guchen if he had been avoiding her due to her identity. She boldly proclaimed her love for Wan Guchen and offered to extract the demonic bone from her body to prove she was worthy of him. Wan Guchen called her insane, warning her that the pain of demonic bone extraction was akin to having one's heart devoured, and a single mistake could lead to her complete annihilation.
Despite his pleas and attempts to stop her, he was forcibly restrained as Bai Chuli proceeded with the excruciating process, declaring that the demonic bone meant nothing compared to him. Even after Bai Chuli successfully extracted her demonic bone, the Immortal Lord remained unconvinced, still intending to kill her and casting doubt on her intentions.
Wan Guchen, proclaiming Bai Chuli was the only person he wished to protect in all the Three Realms, fiercely fought against the Immortal Lord and his forces. The Immortal Lord commanded the immortals to form an array to "slay the Night Deity" and to deal with Wan Guchen for colluding with the Night Clan.
As Wan Guchen was overwhelmed, a voice spoke to Bai Chuli, telling her that watching her beloved being attacked must be agonizing and offering her supreme power to save him. Desperate, Bai Chuli cried out for power, and the Night Deity's power within her suddenly erupted, allowing her to escape from the immortals. Later, with Wan Guchen severely injured, Bai Chuli asked him about the voice in her mind.
Wan Guchen confirmed it was the Night Deity, the father god of her clan. He explained that the Night Deity had indeed existed three centuries ago, and he had personally slain him then. Now, the Night Deity had revived within her, and as the seal within her body weakened, the Night Deity would fully awaken, causing Bai Chuli herself to disappear completely.
Episode 13 Recap
Chuli learned that the Night Deity resided within her, and the only way to prevent it from harming the human world was for her to die, an extremely cruel solution that would eliminate the Night Deity completely. She questioned if she would vanish entirely and if there was any method to remove the Night Deity from her body. Wan Guchen explained that only the Sword Master wielding the Divine Sword could contend with it.
Chuli realized this meant Wan Guchen would personally have to kill her if she ever lost control. Determined, Chuli declared she would never let her life be dictated by others and refused to believe there wasn't another way to suppress the Night Deity in the vast Three Realms. Wan Guchen agreed, assuring her they would find a solution.
Chuli then remembered hearing about the mystical arts of the descendants of Shennong and those from Kunlun Ruins, suggesting they seek them out. Wan Guchen urged her to heal her injuries first, not wanting to travel with "dead weight," and told her to rest. Alone, Chuli battled the turmoil within her, vowing never to submit. When Wan Guchen returned, he found her slumped over a table.
He rushed to her side, calling her name in concern, but quickly realized she was only pretending and was fine, much to his relief. An elder of the Shennong Clan informed them that while the Fireflow Fungus could suppress demonic energy, it had been extinct for eight centuries. However, he suggested trying the Black River Grass, unique to Kunlun Mountain, as it was known to suppress demonic energy.
Chuli tried the bitter Black River Grass medicine and felt some of the demonic energy within her being suppressed, confirming its effect. However, she noted its minimal impact and inability to provide a complete cure, believing she simply hadn't consumed enough. Finding the medicine unbearably bitter, she playfully asked Wan Guchen to feed it to her, and when he did, she kissed him. She then claimed it made the medicine "not bitter" anymore. She noticed him blushing, which he denied.
Chuli continued to tease him, emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment and enjoying life. Later, they went to a lantern festival. Chuli noticed some candied haws, and Wan Guchen bought her one. As other girls admired Wan Guchen, Chuli asserted that he was hers. She told him to smile and stop frowning, asking if the lanterns or she were unattractive. Wan Guchen, still worried about her recovery, cautioned her against activities that would drain her energy.
Chuli dismissed his concerns, wanting to enjoy herself. Wan Guchen complimented her, calling her an "extraordinarily graceful" immortal who must be very popular. Chuli asked if he had ever fancied anyone before her. He replied, "Yes, you," and when she pressed for a truthful answer, he repeated, "It was still you." Chuli called him smooth-tongued but accepted his answer, finding his mysteriousness intriguing.
Wan Guchen insisted he wasn't lying, stating he had told her he loved her centuries ago, but she had forgotten. He promised to always find her and fall for her again in any lifetime. At the festival, Chuli had a clay figurine made in her likeness. She gave it to Wan Guchen as a memento, revealing her fear that her body might not recover and she might not have long to live.
She told him that if she were truly nearing her end, she would even allow him to love someone else, but on one condition: he must never forget her. She instructed him to keep the figurine safely stored away and not to think of her daily, but to remember her occasionally when he saw it.
Wan Guchen promised not to forget anything that had happened between them and asked her not to make him wait too long when they met again. Wan Guchen suggested they travel to Chaos Valley, believing there must be a way to save Chuli there, affectionately calling her "unique and potent medicine." Just then, Hua Yuying, the Night Clan's Left Envoy, appeared, hailing Chuli as the "Night Deity" and asking her to return to their palace.
Chuli denied being the Night Deity, stating she was just an ordinary Night Clan member without a demonic bone, and refused to go with them. Hua Yuying then revealed the existence of the Asura Spring in Demon Heart Hall, a sacred healing spring of their clan, which could enhance Chuli's power and heal her body, even if she did not wish to become the Night Deity.
Wan Guchen expressed concern, knowing the Night Clan was dangerous, but Chuli decided to go, believing any hope was worth pursuing and that her cultivation level meant she had nothing to fear. She stipulated that Wan Guchen must accompany her and that they must not be separated, to which Hua Yuying agreed. Upon their arrival at the Night Clan stronghold, Chuli was met with everyone kneeling and hailing her as "Night Deity."
She immediately denied it, stating her name was Bai Chuli. Hua Yuying introduced Jiaotu, the Night Clan's Right Envoy, who would escort Chuli to the Asura Spring. However, Hua Yuying intervened, preventing Wan Guchen from accompanying Chuli, explaining that the Asura Spring was a sacred site where outsiders were forbidden. He said he would take Wan Guchen to rest while Jiaotu guided Chuli.
Wan Guchen tried to object, but Chuli reassured him it would be fine and allowed herself to be led away. Inside, more Night Clan members knelt and hailed her. Chuli demanded to know what they were doing and told them to rise. They explained that the Night Clan had suffered centuries of oppression from the Nine Heavens due to a lack of leadership and now, with the Night Deity's return, their power would multiply.
They implored Chuli to lead them against the Nine Heavens. Chuli reminded them that she only came to recuperate and threatened to leave with Wan Guchen if they went back on their word. Hua Yuying firmly told her she could not leave as she wished. Wan Guchen, who had been taken away, was revealed to have been ambushed and poisoned, his power significantly weakened.
He accused them of using underhanded tactics to separate him from Chuli and ambush him, adding that he would not survive the night. He declared that Chuli would never agree to become the Night Deity and attempted to take her away. The Night Clan members stopped him, revealing their intention to empower their clan through Chuli's ascension. Chuli warned them that if she died, they would gain nothing. Suddenly, a child named Ling appeared, calling Chuli's name.
Ling explained that Right Envoy Jiaotu had told her Chuli would return and become the Night Clan's Night Deity, which would give Ling the power to heal her own body. Hua Yuying told Ling that Chuli was refusing the mantle, and Ling tearfully asked why Chuli didn't want to live with them. Chuli demanded to see Wan Guchen. They brought him, unconscious.
Hua Yuying's subordinates immediately recognized Wan Guchen as Nine Heavens' Sword Master and the Night Clan's sworn enemy, advocating for his death while he was unconscious. Chuli fiercely protected him, stating he was under her protection and daring anyone to touch him. The subordinates questioned her authority, stating they would not obey unless she was their leader. Ling pleaded with them not to harm Wan Guchen, reminding them he was a good man who had saved them.
Hua Yuying seized the moment, telling Ling that if Chuli agreed to become the Night Deity, they would spare Wan Guchen. Facing the dilemma of her own predetermined death, Wan Guchen's life, and Ling's hope for healing, Chuli made a difficult decision. She announced her acceptance of the Night Deity position, but with the condition that from now on, everyone must obey her orders, and Wan Guchen must not be harmed.
The subordinates acknowledged her command, but then questioned what to do with Wan Guchen, a member of the Nine Heavens, as his presence might still be detrimental to the Night Clan. Wan Guchen awoke later in an unfamiliar inn, confused about his whereabouts. The innkeeper explained that "strange people" had brought him there the previous night, paid for his stay, and asked her to ensure his safe awakening. Wan Guchen immediately rushed back to the Night Clan hall.
He found Chuli adorned in Night Deity attire, being hailed by the assembled clan. He called out to her, declaring his intention to take her away. Hua Yuying intervened, stating that as the newly ascended Night Deity, Chuli must sever all ties with anyone from the Nine Heavens and that the coronation ceremony must proceed. Wan Guchen confronted Chuli, questioning if she had truly agreed to become their Night Deity. Chuli confirmed her agreement and urged him to leave.
Believing she was coerced, he tried again to take her. Chuli explained that they had exhausted all other options, and this was the only path remaining. She expressed her weariness of clinging to hope only to have it shatter repeatedly, and reassured him that they had promised not to kill him, again telling him to leave quickly.
Wan Guchen refused, lamenting that he had lived for three centuries with similar shattering hopes, and begged her not to become the Night Deity and not to abandon him. Chuli, with a resolute expression, stated her decision was final and warned that if he didn't leave, she "would have no choice but to act" against him. Wan Guchen stood his ground, declaring that he had never retreated from the entire Nine Heavens and would not retreat now.
Chuli desperately warned him that they would kill him, but Wan Guchen replied that without her, his existence held no meaning. As the ceremony proceeded and Hua Yuying announced it was time for the Night Deity to accept the rites, Wan Guchen called out Chuli's name once more. Hua Yuying then directly told Chuli that if she spared Wan Guchen, she would not be able to complete her ascension.
Wan Guchen, unwavering, reiterated that even if it meant death, he would not yield, and without Chuli, his life had no meaning. Hua Yuying swiftly ordered her subordinates to stop them and prevent their escape.
Episode 14 Recap
As they were heavily surrounded, Wan Guchen declared that they would fight their way out of the Night Clan together, just as they had done in the Nine Heavens, believing there was no place in the Three Realms that could contain them. With that resolve, they successfully escaped their captors, who desperately tried to stop and chase them. Once they reached a safe place, they opened their hearts to each other.
Wan Guchen confessed his regret for having killed Yixi in the past, revealing that he had wanted to die with her then but was told by the Immortal Lord that she would reappear after 300 years. He expressed how long 300 years without her had felt, and his unwillingness to kill her again.
Yixi, knowing she was fated to die again and that death was excruciating, wished for him to be the one to kill her, saying, "If every 300 years, I'm meant to be killed by someone, then I'd rather it is you." She explained that if he were gone when she revived, she wouldn't know where to find him. She asked Wan Guchen to swear he would live well and never abandon his life for her.
Though Wan Guchen found this cruel, he eventually promised. Yixi then threatened that if he broke his oath, she would be reduced to ashes and never reincarnate, explaining that her "selfish and domineering" wish was simply for him to live so they could always reunite upon her revival. Yixi's body grew weaker, and the murderous aura within her intensified, eventually erupting even during the day.
Before this, she had mused about wanting to die in a sea of flowers, a thought Wan Guchen immediately dismissed. He had then expressed concern, asking what was on her mind. Now, as the Night Deity's power consumed her, she pleaded with Wan Guchen to kill her, not wanting to be controlled by the dark forces any longer. Wan Guchen, unable to bring himself to do it, insisted he wouldn't kill her.
During a moment of clarity, Yixi reminded him of their promise, urging him to take up his sword and strike her. She emphasized that as the War God of the Nine Heavens, only he could stop the Night Deity from controlling her and endangering the Three Realms. She implored him to do it while she was still herself, wishing to be with him at her last moment. Wan Guchen hesitated, unable to strike Yixi.
In a final, heartbreaking act, Yixi, determined to choose her own death, impaled herself on the sword, telling Wan Guchen, "In this lifetime, don't you dare forget me." Wan Guchen cried out in despair as she died. After Yixi's death, an Immortal Lord appeared, acknowledging that Wan Guchen had slain the Night Deity as wished, and reiterated his prior warning that Wan Guchen and Yixi were not meant to be, questioning his stubbornness.
Wan Guchen stated that with the Night Deity gone, no one would endanger the Three Realms for the next 300 years. Burdened by the past, he declared his intention to reside in the Mortal Realm and never return to the Nine Heavens. Wan Guchen, now a recluse in Snowfall Valley, was sought out by messengers on behalf of Lord Yongzhao, Bai Lingjia, who was renowned for her wisdom.
Upon learning that Lord Yongzhao wanted to meet him, Wan Guchen questioned how they found his secluded valley and expressed his long withdrawal from worldly ties. He was surprised to hear about Lord Yongzhao and asked if the kingdom was Wanfeng, only to be informed that the kingdom had perished 200 years ago. He initially refused to leave, but General Nian, one of the messengers, presented a decree, stating that refusal meant death.
Recognizing a familiar pattern on the Lord's decree token, Wan Guchen wondered if it could be Yixi reborn and agreed to go. When he was brought before Lord Yongzhao Bai Lingjia (Yixi in her new incarnation), she observed his expression, thinking, "I've finally seen you." She praised his fame and ability to perceive the bigger picture despite his reclusion, offering him the position of National Preceptor to help her unite the six cities, and share the realm with her.
Wan Guchen politely declined, saying he had long withdrawn from worldly affairs and that his presence was only to convey his stance. He added that the tempting offer wasn't what he wanted, and what he truly desired, she couldn't offer. Dismissing her attendants, Lord Yongzhao asked Wan Guchen if they had met before, sensing "something different" in his eyes. Wan Guchen, maintaining his hardened exterior, denied it, claiming she was "nothing different from others."
Seeing Wan Guchen's stubborn denial, Lord Yongzhao clapped her hands, summoning two male consorts, Xiaochi and another. They greeted her with much affection, expressing how much they missed her. Lord Yongzhao explained that she had summoned them to compare how Wan Guchen looked at her versus how they did, as he claimed to see her no differently from anyone else.
The consorts immediately countered, stating that Wan Guchen's gaze was far more intense, revealing "soul-crushing anguish and obsession," with a possessiveness that implied she belonged exclusively to him, along with "madness and repression." As Xiaochi reached out to Lord Yongzhao, a furious Wan Guchen ordered them to "Get lost!" Wan Guchen then boldly kissed Lord Yongzhao, who was shocked by his audacity, exclaiming, "How dare you!" and noting that her "male consorts" had never been so defiant.
Wan Guchen countered that he was not her "male consort," and if his defiance angered her, she could sentence him to death, as he would "die as she pleased." Lord Yongzhao questioned if this was his condition for assisting her, seeking her submission. Wan Guchen denied this, declaring he would do "whatever she wanted," and would devote himself to her until death. Lord Yongzhao admitted she had never experienced anything like it.
Wan Guchen reassured her, stating he only wished to serve her well, and she should simply relax and let him handle everything. From that moment on, fueled by jealousy, Wan Guchen took charge of Lord Yongzhao's personal care, dismissing her maids and announcing that he alone would attend to her needs. Wan Guchen became a point of contention among the ministers.
When ministers gathered outside Lord Yongzhao's chamber to impeach Wan Guchen for misconduct and seduction, Wan Guchen initially dismissed them. However, when one minister boldly called for his execution, Lord Yongzhao appeared, asking if anyone else shared that opinion. As more ministers stepped forward in agreement, Lord Yongzhao ominously declared, "Rebellious ministers and traitors shall be executed!" and proceeded to kill them all.
She then told a stunned Wan Guchen not to worry, as "none will accuse you and me anymore." Wan Guchen realized that the Night Deity's power had awakened within her, and he was too late to prevent it. He confronted Lord Yongzhao, accusing her of using him to eliminate opposing ministers.
She defiantly admitted it, reminding him that he had promised to do "whatever she wanted," and questioned why he was protecting his "sage image" when she feared no label of tyrant. Wan Guchen argued against her tyrannical policies and indiscriminate slaughter. Lord Yongzhao, experiencing a throbbing headache, cried out that it was "all their fault" for opposing her and refusing to obey, asserting she had to kill them all.
Wan Guchen desperately tried to calm her, urging her not to be controlled by dark forces. Wan Guchen realized he couldn't help her, as she was completely overwhelmed by the Night Deity's power. Lord Yongzhao, bloodthirsty, commanded her guards to execute all who refused to surrender. Wan Guchen desperately pleaded for her to stop the killing, asserting his opposition to such slaughter and offering his own life instead.
Lord Yongzhao, however, defiantly declared that if she spared them, they would kill her, and keeping disobedient men alive undermined her sovereignty. She harshly criticized Wan Guchen for supporting them despite the favor she had granted him, and reiterated her command to "kill them all!" With no other choice, to save the innocent and the Three Realms, Wan Guchen was forced to kill Yixi. With her dying breaths, Lord Yongzhao uttered, "You killed me?
I treated you so well, yet you. . . I'll never forgive you. . ." Wan Guchen, filled with sorrow, apologized, vowing to find her sooner in their next life. It was revealed that Bai Xiaoying, observing these events, shed tears, understanding the sacrifices her beloved had made. In their next life, Wan Guchen was reborn as Zhaolie, the Seventh Prince of the Jin Kingdom, sent as a hostage.
Yixi, reborn as a teacher, was instructing a group of princes on the Classic of Filial Piety when Zhaolie arrived late, apologizing for oversleeping. Other students whispered, remarking on the newcomer and dismissing him as a fragile hostage from the Jin Kingdom.
Episode 15 Recap
As a teacher, Yi Xi found Seventh Prince Zhaolie, Wan Guchen, to be an idle student, frequently late and leaving early, setting a poor example. Despite her initial negative impression, she was surprised and intrigued by his unconventional answers in class.
One day, during a lesson on filial piety, Wan Guchen questioned whether parents who abandon their children truly deserve such devotion, suggesting that heartfelt love between parents and children, and even between teachers and students, is more valuable than forced duty. Yi Xi found his perspective novel and worthy of contemplation. After class, as other students departed, Wan Guchen stopped Yi Xi. He intrusively observed her scent, noting it resembled women's perfume, and stated his suspicion about her identity.
Yi Xi angrily denied it, but Wan Guchen countered by pointing out that her disguise as a man, a crime of deception against the Emperor, would incur far greater wrath than any misconduct on his part. Exposed, Yi Xi defiantly admitted she was a woman, asking what her gender had to do with her ambitions or his Jin Kingdom. Wan Guchen then apologized, explaining he merely wished to confirm his suspicions.
He expressed admiration for her profound knowledge, which surpassed that of men, and promised to keep her secret. His only condition was that she tutor him privately every day, claiming it was born of his desire to fulfill his vow of loving his teacher and his hope that she would love her student in return. Reluctantly, Yi Xi agreed, telling him to come to her study hall after class, allowing him to be with her "properly."
During their private tutoring sessions, Yi Xi quickly discovered that Prince Wan Guchen was unaccustomed to even simple tasks, such as grinding ink. She patiently taught him, demonstrating the correct technique. However, Wan Guchen's interactions became increasingly intimate, prompting Yi Xi to reprimand him sternly, reminding him of the boundaries between teacher and student.
She warned him that she would not be lenient if it happened again and suspended him from classes for a few days to reflect on his actions. Wan Guchen questioned if that was truly what she desired. Shortly after, Yi Xi was unjustly imprisoned by the First Prince, who accused her of sedition based on a poem written by one of her students, a work she had personally approved.
Despite her protests and pleas for further investigation, she was locked away alongside her student. The First Prince then visited her in her cell, proposing a deal: if Yi Xi, also known as Bai Jinshu, would aid him in his ascent to the throne, he would conceal her alleged crime from the Emperor and release her. Yi Xi fiercely refused to participate in such tyranny, prepared to face her death rather than compromise her principles.
As she lamented that she would never fulfill her ambitions, Wan Guchen suddenly appeared, using magic to rescue her. Once they reached safety, Yi Xi questioned Wan Guchen's true identity. He revealed himself to be Wan Guchen, the Nine Heavens' Sword Master, who had been disguised as Seventh Prince Zhaolie while journeying in the Mortal Realm. Yi Xi, now aware of his immortal status, begged him to also save her innocent students.
Wan Guchen, however, refused, stating that he could not interfere in mortal political struggles or alter their predetermined fates. Yi Xi challenged him, arguing that saving her was also an interference. Wan Guchen simply replied that she was different to him. Desperate, Yi Xi accused him of heartlessly watching her students die, asserting that it was no different from killing her.
She declared her intent to rescue them, vowing that if he stood in her way, they would be strangers forever. However, it was too late. The new Emperor, the First Prince, had already ordered the execution of all the other princes, as well as her students, as punishment for Bai Jinshu's escape.
Watching her students die before her eyes, Yi Xi was tormented by a malevolent voice that taunted her powerlessness and urged her to kill the Emperor to avenge them. Overwhelmed by grief and uncontrolled fury, Yi Xi stormed the palace, accusing the Emperor of fratricide. The Emperor, recognizing her, ordered her capture, but Yi Xi unleashed a devastating attack, brutally killing him despite his pleas for mercy as his former teacher.
In the aftermath, Yi Xi was horrified by her actions, acknowledging her unforgivable sins. She could feel a dark, uncontrollable energy surging within her. As her teacher, she assigned Wan Guchen one final task: to kill her. Wan Guchen was in agony, questioning why their story always ended in such a tragic manner and why his destiny was so cruel. He hesitated, unable to strike the woman he loved.
Seeing his torment, Yi Xi chose to take her own life, impaling herself on the sword, begging him to grant her release. Wan Guchen cried out her name in despair. In her fifth life, Yi Xi was reborn as a cheerful fox spirit, living contentedly with her master, Wan Guchen, in Fallen Snow Valley.
One day, two haughty immortals from the Nine Heavens arrived, sent by the Immortal Lord to summon Wan Guchen, the War God, back to the immortal sect. Yi Xi, the little fox, confronted them, boldly stating that her master had warned her about hypocritical immortals and would not see them. Annoyed by her insolence, the immortals attempted to harm her.
Wan Guchen appeared, enraged that they had injured his beloved little immortal beast, who had been with him for centuries and was like family. He firmly declared his resolve never to return to the immortal sect, offering to relinquish his title if they had objections. Before dismissing them, Wan Guchen magically bound the two immortals and forced them to apologize profusely to Yi Xi. Satisfied, Yi Xi asked her master to let them go.
Wan Guchen lovingly complied, playfully warning her not to act so recklessly again, to which she replied she feared nothing with him by her side. Life continued peacefully, with Wan Guchen doting on Yi Xi, feeding her and gently chiding her for drinking too much. One day, Yi Xi, eager to distract Wan Guchen from his sword practice and enjoy the plum blossoms, playfully tried to snatch his sword.
In the ensuing playful struggle, Yi Xi was accidentally cut, and they were both pulled into the Divine Sword. Inside, they found themselves in a breathtaking, otherworldly landscape, where visions of their past lives unfolded before them. Yi Xi saw herself in another form, abandoned and deemed cursed, much like she felt in her current life.
She witnessed Wan Guchen's past vows to become the Sword Master to protect her, only to be tasked with killing her, Bai Yixi, to contain the Night Deity within her. She relived her own pleas for him to end her suffering to prevent the Night Deity from consuming her.
She also glimpsed a life where she, as Bai Chuli, fearlessly expressed her love and acceptance of him, even allowing him to love another if her time ran short, and stating that if she was destined to be killed every three hundred years, she would rather it be by his hand. Witnessing these intertwined destinies, Yi Xi finally understood the profound and tragic reasons behind their recurring fates.
Episode 16 Recap
After witnessing their past and present lives within the Divine Sword, Yixi finally understood. The prophecy stated that the Night Deity must be sealed into the purest soul vessel, and a powerful cultivator would transform into the Divine Sword and its spirit, enabling the Sword Master to slay the Night Deity. Furthermore, an individual with supreme cultivation could absorb the sealed Night Deity from the soul vessel, converting its power into their own.
Yixi's senior, who possessed the ability to glimpse the future, had discovered this possibility, but also saw the great ambition in their senior brother, Wan Guchen, and decided it must be kept secret to avoid disaster. Yixi realized the Night Deity's power could be transferred to another's body, and she remembered everything from their past. Distraught, she questioned if their fate would always be the same, eternally separated with her losing her memories again.
Wan Guchen assured Yixi she would not suffer the same fate. After twelve hundred years, he had finally found a way to save her: he would transfer the Night Deity's power from her body into his own, so she would no longer be its vessel. He then planned to pass all his cultivation to her. Yixi vehemently refused, asking if he expected her to kill him.
She insisted there must be another way, but Wan Guchen was resolute, stating he must proceed regardless, as they had searched the Three Realms and found this to be the only method. He then commanded Yixi, as her master, to remain and cultivate, forbidding her from leaving. Soon after, as Wan Guchen absorbed the Night Deity's power, he succumbed to it and collapsed, prompting Yixi to panic and plead with him not to die.
When Wan Guchen awoke, he found himself within the Divine Sword's realm, realizing the Night Deity's power had awakened prematurely. He discovered that the Night Deity had fully taken control of Yusheng, who had willingly surrendered her body to prevent Wan Guchen's plan from succeeding. The Night Deity, speaking through Yusheng, mocked Wan Guchen, boasting of Yusheng's gullibility. Wan Guchen, desperate, offered his own body as a vessel, but the Night Deity scornfully refused, preferring to watch them suffer eternally.
In a brief moment of lucidity, Yusheng begged Wan Guchen to kill her. Unable to bring himself to do it again, Wan Guchen watched in agony as Yusheng chose a different path. She severed her nine tails, declaring that she had transferred all her spiritual and demonic energy into them, thus rendering herself unable to harm him. Heartbroken, Wan Guchen questioned her sacrifice, knowing it meant the loss of all her cultivation.
Yusheng simply affirmed that her master mattered more to her than anything. Still, the Night Deity remained trapped within Yusheng, taunting Wan Guchen, who could only lament why their endings always brought such sorrow. Wan Guchen realized he now possessed a portion of the Night Deity's power. He understood that the divine-demon exchange technique within the Divine Sword could indeed transfer the Night Deity into another, but it required the other person's cooperation.
Since Yusheng would not willingly allow it, he resolved to wait for the next lifetime. He decided he must conceal his true purpose from Yixi, vowing to use the fragment of Night Deity's power he now held to become a "false Night Deity." He publicly announced his resignation as Sword Master, relinquishing his position and leaving the immortal sects.
The Immortal Lord rebuked him for abandoning his duties for Bai Yixi's reincarnation, but Wan Guchen retorted that he had always kept his promises regarding the Night Clan and Night Deity, leaving them to handle such matters for the next three centuries themselves. To truly complete the divine-demon exchange, Wan Guchen knew the only way was to transform himself into the Night Deity, enduring the suffering in Yixi's place.
He willingly subjected himself to three centuries of heavenly thunder to destroy his immortal bones, three centuries of Night Energy's searing pain to rebuild his flesh and bones, and three centuries of Night Fire consuming his heart to reforge his bloodline. Yixi, witnessing his agonizing transformation into Ye Chenyuan, desperately cried out for him to stop. After three centuries, his appearance was completely reshaped.
He declared that no one would recognize Wan Guchen; only the reviled Night Deity, Ye Chenyuan, scorned by the Three Realms, would remain. Ye Chenyuan announced his plan to break the cursed fate, beginning with his return as the new Night Deity. He swiftly asserted his dominance over the Night Clan, claiming the sword crystal to manipulate the future Sword Master's actions.
When confronted by immortal guards for breaching sacred grounds, Hua Yuying defended him, declaring him the Lord Night Deity. Despite initial skepticism from an immortal general who had fought the Night Deity for fifteen centuries, Ye Chenyuan's display of the Night Deity's power convinced them. He declared his name, Ye Chenyuan, and stated that the sword crystal now belonged to the Night Clan.
His ultimate goal was to obtain the Divine Sword, remove all threats to the Night Clan, and lead them to dominate all Three Realms for eternity. Everything proceeded according to his plan, and the third step was to wait for Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying finally found him, and within the Divine Sword's realm, she witnessed the truth: it was she who killed her own mother, and Ye Chenyuan had merely absorbed the Night Deity's power into himself to save her.
She saw his internal struggle, vowing to make her hate him and to be the person she hated most in this life. He explained his actions, using the Soul-Binding Rope to absorb all the Night Deity's power from her, resolute in bearing all the suffering this time. Bai Xiaoying finally understood he wasn't spewing demonic energy at her, but sacrificing himself to draw the Night Deity's power from her.
She overheard his internal monologue about how he needed to absorb the demonic energy faster, so she could obtain the Divine Sword, become the Sword Master, and ultimately kill him, for her salvation. She saw his anguish as the power erupted prematurely, fearing he would lose her. He urged her to hold her breath and focus, determined to protect her this time. He expressed his heartache at making her suffer, apologizing for it, and then urged her to kill him.
Bai Xiaoying refused, stating that a gentleman does not take advantage of another, insisting that he owed her his life. Bai Xiaoying then confronted Ye Chenyuan, questioning why he had saved her, and he feigned cruelty, stating he kept her alive to prolong her suffering, unwilling to let her die so easily. Hua Yuying, however, understood his true emotions, knowing he was angry that his deception made Bai Xiaoying hate him.
Bai Xiaoying, piecing together the timeline, confronted him about his alleged twenty-year seclusion and the truth of her mother's death. Ye Chenyuan maintained his indifferent facade, claiming he cared nothing for the world's accusations. Hua Yuying, in turn, told Ye Chenyuan that he had learned nothing in fifteen centuries if he chose to deceive Bai Xiaoying and then grew upset when she didn't love him.
Ye Chenyuan explained his final plan to fully absorb the Night Deity's power from her before the Divine Sword awakened. He then tested her, asking if she would still kill him if he were truly the Night Deity. Bai Xiaoying vowed to prove he was not.
Driven by his painful memories of watching her die repeatedly, Ye Chenyuan resolved to do something to completely break her heart, so she would hate him, viewing it as the only way to change her destiny. He urged her to hate him, to kill him, and let everything end. Bai Xiaoying finally realized the vast scheme Ye Chenyuan had orchestrated was all for her, to reunite with her, and she vowed not to let him succeed in his self-sacrificial plan.
She confronted him, asking if he intended to hide everything until his death. Ye Chenyuan, with a pained "I'm sorry," admitted he had deceived her for six lifetimes. Bai Xiaoying questioned if it was worth waiting alone for fifteen hundred years, transforming himself into the reviled Night Deity.
Ye Chenyuan asserted his purpose, stating that he was the true vessel of the Night Deity, that it was his fate, not hers, and he no longer needed her to bear the burden. He confessed his unbearable pain from watching her suffer and die countless times, helpless to intervene, and declared that this time, he would not endure such agony again. He apologized profusely and then urged her to complete the final step: to kill him.
He explained that if she did not act, the demonic energy would completely consume him, rendering all their efforts futile and plunging the Three Realms into bloodshed. Bai Xiaoying refused, stating that after all they had endured and with her memories restored, she could not possibly kill him. She would rather abandon the Three Realms than see him die.
Despite her desperate pleas for him not to leave her alone and for him to live, Ye Chenyuan made his ultimate sacrifice. He used the Divine Sword on himself, believing only his death would allow Bai Xiaoying to truly live.
Returning to the immortal realm, Bai Xiaoying was met with effusive praise from her Master and other immortals, who lauded her as a hero for slaying the "wicked Night Deity" and becoming the new Sword Master, even offering her the title of War God. However, Bai Xiaoying, disgusted by their ignorance and her Master's pleased expression, calmly declared that she remembered everything from the past fifteen hundred years. She then revealed the shocking truth to the Immortal Lord: Ye Chenyuan was, in fact, Wan Guchen. The Immortal Lord was stunned.
Episode 17 Recap
After Ye Chenyuan’s departure, Bai Xiaoying found her days dull and idle, often revisiting the places they once shared, clinging to their fleeting memories. Her Master found her there, and she expressed remorse over his lost arm, knowing it was due to her. He dismissed her guilt, however, placing the blame on Ye Chenyuan.
Bai Xiaoying defended Ye Chenyuan, stating he was not the evil figure people painted him to be, but rather the most righteous and gentle person she had ever known. Her Master then promised to remain by her side no matter what, a sentiment for which Bai Xiaoying thanked him. Before Bai Xiaoying could further address her Master, they were interrupted by Rourou’s screams. They rushed to find Wanyan, the Immortal Lord’s daughter, assaulting Rourou.
Wanyan flippantly explained she was merely punishing Rourou for accidentally staining her unique dress, claiming Rourou was too fragile. Bai Xiaoying, aghast at Wanyan's cruelty and the perceived worthlessness of low-ranked disciples in the Nine Heavens, declared the realm unworthy of their presence. She took Rourou, despite Wanyan's protests, with her Master's unexpected permission. Bai Xiaoying led Rourou to a secluded courtyard, revealing it was her former home with Ye Chenyuan, and vowed to wait for his return there.
Soon, numerous refugees, whose homes had been destroyed by the Night Deity, sought shelter at the Snowfall Valley. They hailed Bai Xiaoying as a hero for slaying the Night Deity and implored her for a safe haven. Moved by their plight, Bai Xiaoying allowed them to stay, provided they lived self-sufficiently. A young boy, perplexed, asked if she was an immortal and why she would help them.
Bai Xiaoying explained she was merely an ordinary person, inspired by a "brother" to act with compassion. The boy, Xiao Shitou (Little Stone), inspired in turn, promised to help her protect their new home. Meanwhile, in the Immortal Sect, a minister reported decreasing offerings as peace prevailed after the Night Deity's demise. Unbeknownst to most, the Immortal Lord harbored ambitious plans.
He was secretly seen with Ye Chenyuan's body, which he had preserved, noting its usefulness as a "backup plan" and acknowledging he needed to extract more of the Night Deity's power and make further preparations. During this time, Bai Xiaoying began to experience perplexing dreams of the Night Deity, sensing they were more than mere coincidence. The Immortal Lord later tasked Hua Yuying with a significant assignment, promising her eternal renown.
One day, while Bai Xiaoying was with Hua Yuying, the Immortal Lord (Ximen) suddenly appeared and used magic to broadcast illusions of Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan in intimate moments to the commoners. The villagers, already swayed by narratives painting the Night Deity as evil, reacted with outrage, condemning Bai Xiaoying as a traitor colluding with an ancient evil.
Despite Bai Xiaoying's protests, the villagers refused to believe her, convinced of her guilt and speculating about a grand secret behind her rise as War God. Hua Yuying, seeing the escalating mob, urged Bai Xiaoying to leave. Hua Yuying then muttered to herself, indicating her intention to next target the Night Clan. Bai Xiaoying then confronted Hua Yuying, seeking answers about Ye Chenyuan, but Hua Yuying dismissed her.
Suddenly, the Immortal Lord arrived with his forces, publicly accusing Bai Xiaoying of colluding with the Night Clan. He amplified the deceptive illusions to the human world, intensifying public condemnation. Bai Xiaoying attempted to explain her desire for peaceful solutions, but the Immortal Lord, enraged, denounced her as a disgrace to the Immortal Sect and vowed to eradicate the Night Clan and Snowfall Valley.
In turn, a Night Clan leader openly defied the Immortal Lord, rejecting any notion of peace with the "wretched immortal sects" and threatening death to all invaders. Deeply troubled by the endless conflict and still questioning Ye Chenyuan's fate, Bai Xiaoying tried to intervene in the burgeoning battle. Yun Ya, her Master, urged her to step aside, but Bai Xiaoying apologized to him, determined to act.
Observing her intervention, the Immortal Lord once again declared her betrayal and ordered Yun Ya to leave with him. Later, an advisor in the Immortal Sect presented the Immortal Lord with news of Bai Xiaoying's alleged collusion, advocating for the immediate elimination of her and the Night Clan. Yun Ya vehemently defended Bai Xiaoying, emphasizing her commitment to peace and denying any treachery, pleading for mercy and a proper investigation.
However, the Immortal Lord was furious, accusing Yun Ya of blinding himself to the truth and stalling for Bai Xiaoying, reminding him of his past leniency. He adamantly declared his resolve to destroy Snowfall Valley. Undeterred, Yun Ya continued to plead, promising to protect Bai Xiaoying from harm. The Immortal Lord, exasperated, repeatedly questioned Yun Ya, then, in a fit of rage, ordered his severe punishment and expulsion from the Nine Heavens, deeming him an ungrateful traitor.
Wanyan, the Immortal Lord's daughter, tried to intervene, begging her father to calm down and urging Yun Ya to apologize. However, the Immortal Lord, believing Wanyan's affection for Yun Ya clouded her judgment and that Yun Ya was no longer worthy of her, ordered her confinement. In her chamber, Wanyan, feigning a tantrum, cleverly dismissed her attendant, privately admitting that despite her disdain for Bai Xiaoying, only she could now save Yun Ya.
Back in Snowfall Valley, the remaining refugees, terrified by the unfolding events, fled, leaving only Bai Xiaoying and Rourou. Rourou lamented the despicable deceit of the Nine Heavens in framing Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying, accepting the fickle nature of human hearts, acknowledged this was not her first encounter with such cruelty. Rourou, however, pledged to remain by her side forever. Suddenly, an Immortal Sect message orb appeared, containing an urgent message from Wanyan: Yun Ya was in mortal danger.
Rourou was skeptical of Wanyan's message, given her past hostility. But Bai Xiaoying’s wristband began to flash, confirming that her Master, Yun Ya, was indeed in grave danger. Bai Xiaoying instructed Rourou to stay and protect Snowfall Valley, while she immediately rushed to the Immortal Sect to rescue Yun Ya.
Episode 18 Recap
Bai Xiaoying found Yun Ya severely injured and unable to speak. She reassured him, telling him not to worry because she was there and would find a place for him to heal before addressing other issues. They tried to find a room at an inn, but the owner refused them, claiming all rooms were occupied despite the sign indicating vacancies. The innkeeper then loudly accused Bai Xiaoying of using dark magic and threatening him.
Bystanders, including elders from Su City, joined in, calling Bai Xiaoying a demon witch who had terrorized people since childhood and was now exiled from the immortal sect. They condemned Yun Ya for consorting with her, claiming he deserved his wretched state. Bai Xiaoying was enraged by their ingratitude, reminding them that Immortal Yun Ya had saved countless lives, yet they repaid him with scorn, attributing all good deeds to the Nine Heavens and the Immortal Lord.
An inner voice tempted her to unleash her fury and tear them apart, but Yun Ya, despite his weakness, gently called her name, pulling her back from the brink. Bai Xiaoying warned the crowd against further slandering her Master before they left.
As they sought refuge in a secluded spot, Bai Xiaoying reflected on how Yun Ya was the only one who stood by her when she was cast aside, realizing he had suffered greatly for her sake, both when he seized the sword and now. She told him she would pay any cost to save him, then asked if he felt warmer. Yun Ya lamented that his power was severely diminished, leaving him practically useless.
Bai Xiaoying vowed to take him back to Snowfall Valley at dawn, assuring him he would recover with rest. She then explained that she had found him due to a message from Wanyan and a pendant he had given her, which she still treasured. Yun Ya asked about her time in the Nine Heavens, but Bai Xiaoying dismissed it, stating she no longer had any ties to them.
Yun Ya, affirming his loyalty, said he could stay by her side forever. Just as they prepared to return to the valley, Bai Xiaoying suddenly realized that the immortal sect would attack Snowfall Valley. Meanwhile, at the immortal sect, Ximen declared that Bai Xiaoying had fully succumbed to darkness, aiding the Night Clan against them. He proposed a preemptive strike to eliminate her and prevent further harm.
Other immortals urged caution, suggesting they first investigate why the War God had suddenly rebelled and gather evidence. However, Ximen dismissed their concerns, stating that Bai Xiaoying's defection was widely known and the evidence irrefutable. He declared the discussion closed, announcing that Bai Xiaoying had left Snowfall Valley for the Mortal Realm, presenting an opportunity to eradicate Snowfall Valley. He then commanded everyone to follow him. Arriving at Snowfall Valley, Bai Xiaoying found it devastated.
She cradled Little Stone, who, despite his injuries, apologized for failing to protect the valley. He quickly told her that Rourou had been captured before succumbing to his wounds. Leaving Yun Ya to rest, Bai Xiaoying rushed to rescue Rourou, only to find her being beaten and cursed by a mob of people. They demanded Rourou reveal Bai Xiaoying's whereabouts, promising her freedom.
Rourou defiantly refused, stating she would die before betraying her, even as they threatened her with the blood of those lost to the Night Clan. One refugee, fearing for his life, disavowed Bai Xiaoying, calling her a traitor and vowing to tear her flesh, thus earning his release. When another refugee was pressured to speak ill of Bai Xiaoying, Rourou interjected, proclaiming Bai Xiaoying the finest person who sacrificed herself to save them all.
The enraged crowd continued to beat Rourou, calling her bewitched. Bai Xiaoying finally reached Rourou, who, with her last breath, apologized for not being able to stay with her before dying in her arms. As Bai Xiaoying mourned, the mob continued their curses, calling her a witch and demanding a life for a life. Enraged, Bai Xiaoying embraced their label, declaring, "Witch? Let me show you a real witch," and unleashed her powers, scattering the terrified crowd.
Changgeng then appeared and revealed the dark truth. He explained that Bai Xiaoying was merely a vessel, an imprisoned tool, and that all her suffering was orchestrated by her own mother, who saw her as nothing more than a means to an end. He claimed that her joys, sorrows, and desires were irrelevant to anyone. Bai Xiaoying vehemently denied this, clinging to the belief that Ye Chenyuan cared for her.
However, Changgeng shattered this illusion, stating that Ye Chenyuan had grown weary of their repeating cycle every three centuries and would rather end himself than remain bound to her. Changgeng further revealed that Bai Xiaoying's parents, Xi Wu and Jibai, not only intended to seal the Night Deity using her as a vessel but also planned to eradicate both her and the Night Deity from existence.
He then recounted his own manipulative past, explaining that due to an injury from Jibai preventing him from wielding the Divine Sword, he had to select a new Sword Master to kill the child.
He explained his grand scheme: by having the Night Deity resurrect every 300 years alongside a dead child, and then having a Sword Master continually kill it, he ensured that mortals would perpetually fear the Night Deity, eternally needing and worshipping the immortal sect and the Nine Heavens under his rule. He cruelly asserted that Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan were mere pawns in his 1,500-year plan, and her suffering meant nothing.
He further twisted the knife by echoing the people's curses, calling her an ominous beast who brought death, claiming she was a threat that couldn't remain. Overwhelmed by these devastating revelations, Bai Xiaoying crumbled. She realized all her sacrifices and endurance were meaningless, her life a cruel joke. Everyone she loved and wished to protect had died because of her, and the world had abandoned her. Changgeng then delivered the final blow: "Bai Xiaoying, you are the Night Deity."
Embracing her true identity and consumed by despair, Bai Xiaoying declared that since the world was beyond saving and she could not save it, they would all perish together. She vowed to make the entire world Rourou's funeral offering as the Night Deity fully descended within her. An ominous voice noted that the Night Deity would now only go to two places.
Sensing the profound change in Bai Xiaoying and the descent of the Night Deity, Yun Ya realized she would now head for critical locations. He returned to the immortal sect and humbly prostrated himself before Ximen, his father, acknowledging his past immaturity and seeking a chance to serve him and redeem himself. Ximen, despite past humiliation, expressed his consistent belief that Yun Ya was the most qualified Sword Master, even over Bai Xiaoying.
He then reinstated Yun Ya as the Sword Master of the Nine Heavens, a position Yun Ya gratefully accepted. While Yun Ya was in his quarters, Ximen's daughter offered him a Stabilizing Pill to help with his injuries, expressing concern for his spiritual foundation and cultivation. She also apologized on her father's behalf, and perhaps her own, for not having rescued him earlier. Yun Ya assured her he had mostly recovered and harbored no resentment.
Meanwhile, the transformed Bai Xiaoying, now the Night Deity, declared her intention to restore the Night Clan's glory. Hua Yuying initially questioned her, stating the Night Clan only submitted to strength. Bai Xiaoying proved her power, leading Hua Yuying to pledge allegiance. Other members of the Night Clan, including Jiaotu, then followed suit, pledging their allegiance. Bai Xiaoying rallied them, asking if they wanted to avenge their past humiliations.
With their resounding affirmation, she promised to lead them to conquer the Three Realms, commanding them to assault the immortal sect. Suddenly, a disturbance was detected at the immortal sect. As the immortals rushed out, they discovered Bai Xiaoying, now fully transformed into the Night Deity, leading the Night Clan in an assault.
Bai Xiaoying challenged Yun Ya, asking if he would oppose her, but he reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, declaring he would stand by her if the Three Realms became her enemy. An immortal, witnessing Yun Ya's defiance, accused him of betraying the sect and commanded the others to form an array. As the battle commenced, the immortals realized that the Immortal Lord, Changgeng, was nowhere to be found, having seemingly fled the moment news of the attack broke.
His absence was seen as a stark abandonment, proving he valued his own life above all others in the Nine Heavens, though some disciples still desperately clung to the belief that he would return to save them.
Episode 19 Recap
Bai Xiaoying, consumed by fury, confronted Wan Yan, pointedly asking how it felt to be trampled beneath someone's feet, recalling how Wan Yan had abused her in the past. Wan Yan defiantly retorted that she regretted nothing about hitting "a wretch like her."
Shocked by Bai Xiaoying's power, Wan Yan called her a madwoman, to which Bai Xiaoying retorted that even her madness couldn't compare to Wan Yan's father, Feng Changgeng, whom she deemed more despicable than the Night Deity himself. When Wan Yan and her fellow disciples pleaded for mercy, Bai Xiaoying acknowledged Wan Yan's past participation in her torment and suggested she now experience it herself.
As Bai Xiaoying was about to kill the disciples, Yun Ya intervened, stopping the immediate attack. (The prompt for Yun Ya to act came from another voice, likely Hua Yuying, who reminded him that none of these people showed mercy when he was tortured by the Immortal Lord. ) Bai Xiaoying, observing, decided it would be more amusing to keep them alive for prolonged torment.
She ordered her guards to imprison Wan Yan and the other disciples in the celestial prison for close guarding, intending to prolong their suffering. Later, Yun Ya visited Wan Yan in prison, who, initially believing he had come to kill her for Bai Xiaoying, was surprised when he returned her Stabilizing Pills, explaining they would help her and the others heal faster.
Wan Yan pressed Yun Ya, asking if he had nothing to say about the day's events, questioning his indulgence of Bai Xiaoying's cruelty and his apparent indifference to the suffering of their fellow sect members. Yun Ya countered by reminding Wan Yan that her past actions towards Bai Xiaoying were far worse, and Bai Xiaoying had nearly died multiple times because of her.
Wan Yan, feeling betrayed, accused Yun Ya of aiding tyranny, despite her past efforts to warn Bai Xiaoying and save Yun Ya from her father's punishment. Yun Ya stated that if he truly turned a blind eye, he wouldn't have come to her. Yun Ya then found Bai Xiaoying reflecting in a familiar place. He observed that while the place itself remained unchanged, the immortal sect was no longer the same.
He admitted to visiting the prison, not to harm them, but to teach them about karma and deter them from opposing Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying, however, questioned his conflicting loyalties, asking what he truly wanted, given his public alignment with her yet his lingering compassion for the immortal sect. Yun Ya expressed a desire to do what he believed was right, proposing they work together to transform the immortal sect into a new Snowfall Valley.
Bai Xiaoying vehemently rejected the idea of Snowfall Valley, declaring that the world neither needed nor deserved it. She asserted her identity as the Night Deity and forced Yun Ya to choose between her and the immortal sect. When Yun Ya struggled with the choice, Bai Xiaoying, acknowledging his past kindness, ordered him to leave and not return. Yun Ya, however, steadfastly declared that he would always stand by her side.
Bai Xiaoying further explained her brutal actions were necessary to establish her authority after conquering the Nine Heavens, especially with Feng Changgeng still at large. She tasked Yun Ya with making the Three Realms understand who truly held their fate.
Yun Ya soon reported that news of the Night Deity's power and Feng Changgeng's flight from Heaven's Gate had spread, and he had tied Wan Yan and other disciples at the Golden Light Gate as bait to lure Feng Changgeng out. Commending his foresight, Bai Xiaoying announced to the Night Clan that Yun Ya's word would now be as hers, and any disrespect towards him would be considered treason against her.
She reiterated her need for his capable assistance in solidifying her rule over the newly acquired Nine Heavens. Meanwhile, Feng Changgeng's remaining subordinates debated rescuing Wan Yan, fearing a trap laid by Bai Xiaoying. Their small group would be unable to escape unscathed from the heavily guarded Golden Light Gate. Just then, Feng Changgeng, who was nearby, sensed their arrival.
Bai Xiaoying appeared, stating that the time for debate was over and she would reunite them all in death for his destruction of Snowfall Valley. Feng Changgeng, having revived Ye Chenyuan with only one soul and one spirit, had manipulated him to be an unconscious puppet. He inwardly commanded Ye Chenyuan to kill Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying, upon seeing Ye Chenyuan, was overcome with emotion, asking if it was truly him and why he hadn't told her of his return.
But Ye Chenyuan, under Feng Changgeng's control, immediately attacked her. Heartbroken, Bai Xiaoying cried out, asking why he didn't recognize her. She confronted Feng Changgeng, accusing him of manipulating Ye Chenyuan. Feng Changgeng, amused, admitted to reviving Ye Chenyuan, boasting that with only one soul and one spirit, he was devoid of memory or consciousness and would only obey his commands. Bai Xiaoying desperately demanded to know how to fully revive him.
Feng Changgeng outlined a method: accelerating Ye Chenyuan's reincarnation and restoring his other two souls and six spirits, which he claimed would be easy if Bai Xiaoying submitted to his authority, but warned he could have Ye Chenyuan perish at any moment. Yun Ya tried to warn Bai Xiaoying that Feng Changgeng was merely using Ye Chenyuan as a pawn, adding that while the Immortal Sect controls reincarnation in the Three Realms, it doesn't have to be Feng Changgeng specifically.
Infuriated by Feng Changgeng's threats, Bai Xiaoying scorned his audacity to bargain with her and threatened to kill him if he didn't release Ye Chenyuan. Feng Changgeng, under duress, agreed, but imposed conditions: Bai Xiaoying must not harm his immortal sect members during the revival process, and he would require the Reincarnation Gate's chamber, undisturbed, to complete the ritual.
Bai Xiaoying agreed, ordering Jiaotu and Hua Yuying to keep a close watch on Feng Changgeng, and all other immortal sect members to be imprisoned. She then took the emotionless Ye Chenyuan and left. Bai Xiaoying led Ye Chenyuan to a place filled with their shared memories. She confided in him, recalling how, after his departure, she had desperately sought to keep herself busy, even opening Snowfall Valley to shelter the displaced, to momentarily escape the pain of his loss.
She expressed her immense relief at his return. But despite her heartfelt words and pleas for him to remember, Feng Changgeng's internal commands continued, prompting Ye Chenyuan to attack her again. Devastated, Bai Xiaoying cried out, reminding him who she was and begging him to recall their past, wondering why he harbored such hatred towards her. Once more, Bai Xiaoying confronted Feng Changgeng about Ye Chenyuan's unresponsive state, demanding to know if he had genuinely been working on his revival.
Feng Changgeng explained that with only one soul and one spirit, Ye Chenyuan still believed himself an immortal sect member and her the Night Deity, hence his attempts to kill her. He claimed to have used Immortal Attendants' blood to accelerate the process but warned that excessive use would cripple the Reincarnation Gate.
He then offered a "solution": Bai Xiaoying's own Night Deity power and blood, asserting it would be more effective than a hundred Immortal Attendants' blood, but implying it might transfer the Night Deity's power back to Ye Chenyuan. He left the choice to her – whether she wanted Ye Chenyuan dead or alive. Ultimately, Bai Xiaoying decided to focus on helping Ye Chenyuan regain his memories, understanding that his current state was the cause of his memory loss. She then ordered Jiaotu to oversee the swift rebuilding of Snowfall Valley.
Episode 20 Recap
Ye Chenyuan remained unconscious, glaring fiercely ahead. Though the person opposite him gazed with deep affection, his simple mind failed to comprehend it. Bai Xiaoying unbound Ye Chenyuan and tried to evoke his memories and awaken her beloved with familiar words. Unexpectedly, he merely scribbled erratically with a brush and even attempted to choke and harm her. Yun Ya felt Bai Xiaoying was too soft-hearted, insisting that Ye Chenyuan had changed and she should protect herself.
However, Bai Xiaoying still refused to believe Ye Chenyuan would intentionally hurt her, thinking he was merely disoriented. She diligently sought to revive his consciousness through their shared past, unaware that Feng Changgeng was, at that very moment, absorbing malevolent energy to strengthen himself. Yun Ya warned Bai Xiaoying that Feng Changgeng intended for her to use her blood to save Ye Chenyuan, urging her not to agree as it was undoubtedly a trick.
Bai Xiaoying, however, dismissed his concerns, stating she knew what she was doing and ordered him to leave. She used her own blood to aid Ye Chenyuan's recovery, convinced that the Night Deity's power was effective and willing to pay any price as long as he could return to her. Ye Chenyuan remained in a confused, almost possessed state, unsure of his own identity.
Though Yun Ya was heartbroken to see Ye Chenyuan harming Bai Xiaoying, he was equally pained and resentful to see Bai Xiaoying continue to protect him. Realizing she would not listen, he discreetly departed. Bai Xiaoying continued patiently calling out to Ye Chenyuan, even though he repeatedly lashed out at her and attempted to feed on her blood. She offered him her utmost patience and understanding. Bai Xiaoying led Ye Chenyuan to a place that held many memories for them.
She asked if he remembered, and he replied that he didn't. She reminded him of when she was preparing to become the Night Deity and he stormed in to take her away, asking if he followed her. He confirmed that he did, explaining he simply felt she would. Later, Yun Ya approached, seeing Bai Xiaoying's injuries, and asked if she was hurt. She assured him she was fine.
Yun Ya, determined to protect her, declared he would take Ye Chenyuan to the prison. Bai Xiaoying stopped him, insisting it wasn't Ye Chenyuan's fault and that Yun Ya misunderstood. Yun Ya argued that keeping Ye Chenyuan, who didn't even remember her, would only bring her harm, and that it wasn't a wise decision. He urged her to hand Ye Chenyuan over to him.
Bai Xiaoying sternly ordered Yun Ya to stop, declaring that her affairs with Ye Chenyuan were none of his concern. She acknowledged he was once her master and she was grateful, but reminded him to remember his current place. Yun Ya clarified he wasn't interfering but was worried about her safety.
He pointed out that Ye Chenyuan, with only a fragmented soul, had already caused her to lose her reason, and that for days she had neglected all other important matters. Bai Xiaoying sharply retorted that this was not Yunxiu Pavilion, nor was he her master anymore, and she didn't need his lectures.
She stated that Ye Chenyuan was her top priority, and whether she lost her reason or was killed by him, she would not allow anyone, including Yun Ya, to harm him. Yun Ya, saddened, departed, stating he wouldn't interfere further and would let her regret her choices. Meanwhile, Bai Xiaoying, looking at Ye Chenyuan, murmured that nothing in the world mattered except him.
Daily, Ye Chenyuan continued to feed on Bai Xiaoying's blood, gradually becoming less sluggish and exhibiting more awareness. Bai Xiaoying, though hurt by his continued aggression, persisted in trying to rekindle his memories. When he callously threw away a flower she had picked for him, she was deeply saddened. Sensing her pain, Ye Chenyuan quietly picked another bouquet and offered it to her, saying that her tears brought him pain.
Bai Xiaoying, touched by his burgeoning empathy, playfully told him she would reluctantly forgive him. A subordinate reported to Bai Xiaoying that Falling Snow Valley had been restored. She dismissed the subordinate and asked Ye Chenyuan if he wanted to see it. At the valley, Bai Xiaoying asked if he remembered anything. He said it felt familiar, and she delightedly confirmed that his memories were returning, explaining that it was their former home.
She mused that after all these years, they had finally returned. Seeing her cold, Ye Chenyuan thoughtfully draped his cloak over her shoulders. Playfully, she still complained of the cold, prompting a comforting gesture from him. His memories continued to resurface, as he recognized another place they used to inhabit. He even pointed out a clay figure they had made together at a lantern festival.
As Bai Xiaoying hoped for Ye Chenyuan's complete recovery, unidentified attackers, whose methods seemed eerily familiar, suddenly assaulted them. Yun Ya, who had been secretly observing, noted that Ye Chenyuan's memories were indeed slowly returning. During the attack, Bai Xiaoying shielded Ye Chenyuan from harm, stating she didn't want him hurt. Ye Chenyuan, now showing more of his old self, responded that he was merely caught off guard and the enemies were nothing to fear.
After another confrontation, Ye Chenyuan asked if she was hurt. She replied she was fine, noting his protection made her happy, to which he responded that her joy brought him joy. Recognizing the familiar aura and fighting style of the puppets, Bai Xiaoying realized Yun Ya was behind the attack. She confronted him, accusing him of betrayal. Yun Ya admitted he sent the puppets, explaining that he knew he couldn't hide it and didn't want to.
He expressed sorrow that their relationship had come to this, but denied betrayal, claiming his actions were for her. He pointed out her waning power, stating her former self wouldn't have been hurt by mere puppets, and that Ye Chenyuan, now a monster feeding on her blood, would eventually cost her life. He declared he would rather be the villain and kill Ye Chenyuan than allow harm to come to her.
Bai Xiaoying angrily reiterated that her affairs with Ye Chenyuan were none of his concern and questioned his authority to act without her consent, asking if he truly respected her as his master. Yun Ya confessed his deep feelings for her, asserting that a hundred Ye Chenyuans could not compare to her in his heart. He lamented that if she would only listen, he wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures.
He warned her that Ye Chenyuan would eventually break free and betray her. As Bai Xiaoying's demeanor shifted, Yun Ya pleaded with her to calm down and not be influenced by the Night Deity. Bai Xiaoying, now fully embracing her power, accused Yun Ya of being self-righteous and always trying to change her instead of submitting. She challenged him, asking if he had accomplished her order to conquer the Three Realms and uphold their clan's prestige.
She then asserted her new identity, stating she was no longer a low-level disciple at his mercy. Yun Ya, seeing her transformation complete, left her to regret her choices. As he departed, Yun Ya immediately ordered his warriors to prepare for battle. Bai Xiaoying, now displaying a cruel and tyrannical persona, commanded her subordinates to bring the captives to her. She stated it was time for some "amusing" activities.
In the prison, she informed the assembled captives that the Nine Heavens now submitted to the Night Clan. She offered them freedom if they pledged allegiance to her and honored her as their lord, and many quickly agreed. She then presented them with a special pill, instructing them to swallow it and obey henceforth. Some captives readily complied. However, one defiant immortal spat out the pill, proclaiming that immortals would rather die than submit, daring Bai Xiaoying to kill them.
With a chilling smile, Bai Xiaoying granted their wish and mercilessly executed the defiant captive in front of Ye Chenyuan, who watched the horrific scene with a growing sense of despair, repeatedly calling out her name. Yun Ya, witnessing this, cried out that it wasn't her true nature and she was being controlled by the Night Deity. Bai Xiaoying, however, simply replied, "Can't you see this? I am the Night Deity. The Night Deity is me."
Episode 21 Recap
Bai Xiaoying brutally killed Elder Zili, intending to intimidate the immortals and demonstrate her power. She arrogantly wished to harm those who had previously wronged her, acting completely unlike her usual self. When the immortal cultivators defiantly declared they would rather die than submit, Bai Xiaoying readily granted their wish, executing Elder Zili. She then stated that as long as they sincerely submitted to her, she would not harm them, but they still refused to become "Night Clan's lackeys."
Bai Xiaoying retorted that she had all the time to wear them down, fearing they would break first. Ye Chenyuan, witnessing Bai Xiaoying's cruelty, experienced a flicker of lucidity. A voice echoed in his mind, urging him to kill her, reminding him of his duty as the Sword Master to destroy the vessel sealing the Night Deity and protect the Three Realms.
Despite the manipulation, Ye Chenyuan had been subtly regaining his memories and had long been feigning full recovery, hoping to lower Bai Xiaoying's guard for an opportune moment to strike. Ye Chenyuan reflected on their past, remembering when Bai Xiaoying declared he would be hers after combing her hair. One evening, he combed her hair, prompting her to reminisce about him saying she should smile, a phrase he now used on her.
She then said that since he had combed her hair, he was hers and must grant her one wish – himself. However, the persistent voice in his head continued to command him to kill her to stop the Night Deity's reign. With growing feelings for Bai Xiaoying, yet torn by his mission and the manipulative voice, Ye Chenyuan secretly decided to act. He used Bai Xiaoying's token to dismiss guards, then urged the imprisoned immortal cultivators to escape.
Though initially wary and calling him Bai Xiaoying's "lackey" and accusing him of setting a trap, they eventually seized the chance for freedom, spurred by one of their own, Immortal Xiyuan, who advocated for a desperate gamble. Meanwhile, Wan Yan found Ye Chenyuan, telling him that perhaps only he could save Bai Xiaoying. Upon Ye Chenyuan's return, Bai Xiaoying discovered his betrayal.
Feeling deeply hurt and betrayed by the one she loved most, she angrily confronted him, asking why he would defy her and accusing him of thinking she was in the wrong. She recalled the immense suffering they had endured at the hands of those he had freed. Declaring she had been too lenient, Bai Xiaoying announced that he would atone for their sins. She then subjected him to a torturous herbal bath, a "grand gift" for his defiance.
When he questioned if this brought her joy, she affirmed it, asserting that everything she did was for him, and despite her sacrifices, he still betrayed her. She sternly warned him that he was hers, and he should never think of defying her again. Bai Xiaoying's actions, seemingly cruel to outsiders, stemmed from her knowledge that her life was nearing its end and her body could not sustain much longer.
She desperately wanted to fulfill her desires in the limited time remaining. She informed Ye Chenyuan that she had arranged for their wedding to take place in ten days. When he stated he hadn't agreed, she flatly told him she was informing him, not seeking his approval. He was given a Weakening Powder, which she assured him would only make him powerless but not physically harm him, promising the antidote after the wedding.
Ye Chenyuan pleaded with her to stop, asking if it was "still not too late," but she refused, declaring it was "absolutely impossible." As wedding preparations continued, Ye Chenyuan, weakened by the powder, attempted to escape. Bai Xiaoying quickly pursued him, demanding to know why he would try to run when he was drugged, questioning if he hated her and despised marrying her. She ominously warned that he would regret it.
Soon after, Yun Ya visited Ye Chenyuan, expressing surprise at his actions and Bai Xiaoying's continued insistence on marrying him despite his defiance and escape attempt. Yun Ya somberly told Ye Chenyuan that his efforts to protect Bai Xiaoying felt like a joke and warned him that he would ultimately harm her. He revealed that Bai Xiaoying had transferred all her power to him to help him recover his souls and spirits, growing weaker herself in the process.
Yun Ya explained that Bai Xiaoying's current behavior—venting, indulging, and retaliating—was a form of self-destruction, driven by desperation and a lack of rationality. He revealed that fate dictated she must die by Ye Chenyuan's hand in every life, and she knew that his full revival would lead to her doom. Thus, her end would be a relief to everyone, and he wouldn't feel guilt.
Yun Ya concluded that for all of this to truly end, Ye Chenyuan himself must vanish from the world. Faced with this devastating truth, Ye Chenyuan took his own life. Bai Xiaoying, returning, found him in a pool of blood. Distraught, she frantically called his name, believing he was joking or punishing her. She apologized and promised to agree to anything if he would just wake up.
But then, her love turned possessive; she declared he wouldn't escape her even in death, vowing to revive him. Indeed, she used her remaining strength to bring him back to life. After his revival, a resentful Ye Chenyuan asked if she was disappointed he hadn't died. He declared he wouldn't give up on escaping her, but Bai Xiaoying insisted she had a myriad of ways to revive him even if he died.
When he asked if torturing him brought her joy, she defiantly said it did, accusing him of hurting and defying her despite her patience. She told him he had crossed her "bottom line" and that she wanted him to remember the feeling that his entire being, including his life, was hers to control. She asserted that without her permission, he couldn't even die. Bai Xiaoying then confronted Yun Ya for inducing Ye Chenyuan's suicide, accusing him of wanting to die.
Yun Ya confessed his madness, driven by watching her and Ye Chenyuan together, and reminded her of his sacrifices for her, including losing an arm and betraying his sect to join the Night Clan. He questioned her heartlessness. Bai Xiaoying coldly stated she had never felt anything for him, so his accusation of heartlessness was baseless. Yun Ya clung to the hope that she was merely controlled by the Night Deity and that she still cared for him.
However, Bai Xiaoying, unmoved, declared that Immortal Yun Ya had gone mad and was no longer fit to serve her. Citing their past mentorship, she decreed that he would spend the rest of his life imprisoned in Yunxiu Pavilion, with anyone defying her order of no entry or exit facing death. Yun Ya continued to call out her name in despair as he was confined.
Episode 22 Recap
The complex relationship between Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying continued, marked by her intense love that sometimes manifested as possessiveness and harsh treatment, and at other times as deep care. Their wedding day arrived swiftly, fulfilling Bai Xiaoying's long-cherished wish from their past life. She expressed that her deepest desire was to marry him, and as she saw him, she declared that this time, she could truly become his wife. Despite her joy, Ye Chenyuan appeared stoic, unsettling her slightly.
Earlier, Ye Chenyuan had warned Bai Xiaoying against removing her wedding attire, threatening to slaughter all until no soul remained across the Three Realms if she disobeyed. Yet, seeing her in red, he had also expressed admiration, declaring she looked beautiful and that they should acquire more red garments for her. He had urged her to smile more as their wedding approached. A subordinate then informed Bai Xiaoying that the wedding preparations were complete.
Meanwhile, Yun Ya arrived to meet Wan Yan and her group. Wan Yan was surprised by his presence, and Yun Ya assured them he came alone, declaring his path now diverged from Bai Xiaoying's, and he would no longer serve her interests. Wan Yan challenged him, reminding him of his past actions aiding Bai Xiaoying’s assault on the immortal sect and the slaughter of their members, questioning why they should trust him now.
Yun Ya responded by emphasizing his intimate knowledge of Bai Xiaoying's operations and threatening Wan Yan with his blade, stating he could kill her. Elder Kongming intervened, vouching for Yun Ya and noting that given their current weakness, they needed him more than he needed them. Later, Wan Yan privately expressed understanding for the others' wariness, explaining their suffering under Bai Xiaoying.
She acknowledged Yun Ya's past act of smuggling medicine to her in the immortal sect, believing his honor and loyalty still persisted. Wan Yan revealed that Immortal Xiyuan was covertly gathering forces to storm the Nine Heavens during Bai Xiaoying's wedding to rescue Wan Yan's father. Yun Ya agreed the wedding was the opportune moment but revealed his true aim was not the Immortal Lord, but Bai Xiaoying herself.
When Wan Yan questioned if he intended to kill her, Yun Ya denied it, instead stating his desire to claim Bai Xiaoying and make her exclusively his. Wan Yan, aware of her own feelings for Yun Ya, questioned his obsession with Bai Xiaoying, especially after he had left her faction. Yun Ya explained his obsession stemmed from the madness of seeing his desperate efforts outmatched by a rival's casual gesture in love.
Wan Yan asked if he was merely using them to achieve his conquest of Bai Xiaoying. Yun Ya challenged her to expel him, maintaining that only through him could her father be saved, leaving the choice to her. Bai Xiaoying woke up coughing blood, visibly weak. When Ye Chenyuan asked what was wrong, she lashed out at him, accusing him of wanting her unwell so he wouldn't have to marry her, and told him to leave.
She silently lamented that in his heart, she was just an irredeemable demon, and he would never care for her. However, Ye Chenyuan did not leave. He returned with soup he had brewed, insisting she drink it while it was warm. Bai Xiaoying asked why he would do such a thing and if he wasn't angry after her scolding. Ye Chenyuan simply replied he did it because he wanted to.
He then spoke of images appearing in his mind, with her in them, and his inability to understand why he kept thinking of her. Bai Xiaoying realized he was regaining some spiritual awareness. She agreed to tell him more if he fed her. Bai Xiaoying revealed that they had met long ago, in past lives, and were lovers. Ye Chenyuan felt a sense of familiarity and asked what happened between them.
Bai Xiaoying stated that the past didn't matter, nor did the future; only the present moments they cherished together were enough. Noticing her deteriorating health, Ye Chenyuan again expressed concern. Bai Xiaoying tried to dismiss it as mere tiredness and asked him to carry her to the hot spring. Ye Chenyuan refused, stating he knew she wasn't torturing him but helping him recover, and he wouldn't allow it if it harmed her.
Bai Xiaoying insisted she was willing to sacrifice for his recovery, claiming to know her own condition and still urging him to take her. Ye Chenyuan stubbornly refused. He confronted her, telling her her efforts to hide her self-sacrifice were transparent, and pleaded with her to stop. Bai Xiaoying, however, remained resolute, assuring him she would be fine after two days of rest and that she would do anything for him.
Overwhelmed with worry, Ye Chenyuan asked how he could not be concerned. To create a cherished memory, Bai Xiaoying suggested they go to the Mortal Realm for the lantern festival on Qixi. As they floated lanterns, people fled, mistaking Ye Chenyuan for the Night Deity, leaving them alone. Ye Chenyuan, guided by Bai Xiaoying, closed his eyes and made a wish.
He then experienced a powerful surge of memory, recalling a familiar presence beside him from the past and realizing it was Bai Xiaoying. She affirmed that he had always been the one by her side. Ye Chenyuan admitted his memories were still unclear but that images surfaced whenever he was with her, confirming her importance to him, and expressed a wish for her to tell him everything. Bai Xiaoying promised that day would come.
When he asked her wish, Bai Xiaoying revealed she wished for him to let go of hatred and for world peace. Ye Chenyuan then asked what she would choose if forced between him and world peace. Bai Xiaoying chose world peace, explaining that she knew it was the "real him," and urged him to turn back.
Ye Chenyuan sadly responded that he couldn't turn back, but vowed that even if she gave up on herself, he would never give up on her. The auspicious hour for Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan's wedding arrived. The ceremony proceeded with the traditional bows. After the rituals, the officiant announced they were to be sent to the bridal chamber, but Bai Xiaoying interrupted, stating that it would be too dull and they would follow her rules.
Ye Chenyuan agreed to listen to her. Bai Xiaoying then declared her wish to drink the nuptial wine with Ye Chenyuan there, with everyone present as witnesses. After they drank the wine, Ye Chenyuan suddenly felt his powers dissipate and questioned Bai Xiaoying about what she had done. She calmly assured him it was just a suppressant and wouldn't harm him, explaining her ultimate plan: she wanted him to live on as the complete Ye Chenyuan.
Ye Chenyuan protested vehemently, begging her not to abandon him, calling her his wife. He tried to stop her and even called out to Hua Yuying for help, but Bai Xiaoying forbade Hua Yuying from approaching. With her last act, Bai Xiaoying entrusted Ye Chenyuan to Hua Yuying, explaining that by transferring all her power to him, she could finally rest easy, considering it her last gift.
Holding Bai Xiaoying, Ye Chenyuan's memories fully returned, and he cried out, questioning her foolishness, stating he only wanted her safe and sound. At that moment, the protective barrier around them broke, and Yun Ya led the immortal sect in a charge. Ye Chenyuan, though revived, struggled to his feet. Wan Yan confronted Yun Ya, accusing him of being allied with "them."
Yun Ya explained his turn, stating that since being by Wan Yan's side couldn't give him what he wanted, he would take it himself. Wan Yan then demanded Bai Xiaoying release the Immortal Lord to atone for her sins. Bai Xiaoying fiercely challenged the Nine Heavens' right to preach, accusing them of their own vile deeds.
She exposed a shocking truth: Wan Yan's father had destroyed the Divine Sword's spirit, causing the Night Deity to revive every three centuries and plunging the Mortal Realm into suffering for 1,500 years, all for their own worship and power. Wan Yan vehemently denied it, accusing Bai Xiaoying of slandering her father.
Bai Xiaoying declared that since Ye Chenyuan had revived, Feng Changgeng no longer needed to exist, and she would personally kill him to mourn all the lives he had caused to perish. Wan Yan, in response, ordered the immortals to form an array. As Wan Yan lunged at Bai Xiaoying, Yun Ya blocked her attack, asserting that killing Bai Xiaoying would not help save the Immortal Lord.
Wan Yan then surmised that Bai Xiaoying's depleted energy meant she had used the Night Deity's power to revive Ye Chenyuan, concluding the power must now be within Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying asked a weakened Ye Chenyuan if he was alright, but Wan Yan observed his magic was weak and realized the Night Deity's power was not within him. Suddenly, Feng Changgeng declared himself the Night Deity, confirming Bai Xiaoying's earlier revelations.
Wan Yan confronted her father, horrified to see demonic energy surrounding him, finally understanding that he was the true Night Deity. Feng Changgeng confirmed it, boasting that with the Divine Sword destroyed, nothing could threaten him anymore. Wan Yan realized Bai Xiaoying had been telling the truth all along. Feng Changgeng taunted Wan Yan, noting she had only just figured out his scheme: he had used Ye Chenyuan's revival to channel the Night Deity's power through Bai Xiaoying.
He stated he had kept his word by reviving Ye Chenyuan, but now, considering both Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying useless and worthless, he intended to dispose of them. Feng Changgeng then declared himself the true Lord of the Night Clan, demanding their obedience. Hua Yuying, loyal to Ye Chenyuan, defied Feng Changgeng, declaring her hatred for hypocrites and her allegiance to Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying alone.
Feng Changgeng called her a stubborn fool, and despite her defiant challenge to kill her if he dared, he struck her down. Jiaotu, an opportunistic member of the Night Clan, praised Feng Changgeng and condemned Hua Yuying, encouraging others to follow the new Night Deity. Jiaotu explained her loyalty was to whoever held the title of Night Deity, and now that the mantle had shifted, her allegiance naturally transferred. Feng Changgeng commended Jiaotu for her cleverness. He then turned his attention to the dying Bai Xiaoying, declaring her vital essence depleted and promising to hasten her end. He prepared to strike.
Episode 23 Recap
Changgeng, having fully transformed into the Night Deity, declared that anyone who opposed him deserved death. Yun Ya positioned himself to protect Bai Xiaoying from Changgeng’s assault. Earlier, Yun Ya had outwardly pledged his loyalty to the new Night Deity, a move Changgeng had seemingly appreciated, calling him a "clever person." However, when Changgeng unleashed his wrath on Bai Xiaoying, proclaiming her vital essence depleted and commanding her to die, Yun Ya instinctively urged her to flee, still shielding her.
Wan Yan, witnessing her father's monstrous transformation, pleaded with him to stop harming Yun Ya, arguing that this cruel man was not the father she knew, the Immortal Lord who had always opposed the Night Deity. Changgeng, angered by her defiance and her defense of an enemy who had released Bai Xiaoying, grabbed her by the neck, declaring that she should enjoy the glory he brought and not resist, or he would not let her go.
He then released her, revelling in his newly acquired godhood, explaining his meticulous, millennium-long scheme to use Ye Chenyuan to extract the Night Deity's power from Bai Xiaoying for his own use. He asserted that he no longer needed the Night Deity's power to balance the Three Realms, intending instead to unify the universe under his rule.
He then warned Wan Yan that her public defiance would be forgiven as a first offense, but any further disobedience would mean she would cease to be his cherished daughter. Terrified, Wan Yan complied, expressing her understanding. Satisfied, Changgeng promised her eternal love and favor as long as she remained obedient, regardless of his title. Changgeng then confronted Yun Ya, acknowledging that while freeing Bai Xiaoying was unforgivable, leading the subsequent assault against the immortal sect had redeemed him.
Changgeng demanded absolute loyalty, which Yun Ya outwardly accepted, claiming he only freed Bai Xiaoying to repay a favor and would show no mercy in the future, especially since her heart belonged to Ye Chenyuan. To further solidify his control, Changgeng announced his intention to arrange a marriage between Yun Ya and Wan Yan, noting Wan Yan’s deep admiration for him and Yun Ya being his most trusted person. Yun Ya expressed gratitude for the impending marriage.
Changgeng reminded Yun Ya that all his skills and achievements were bestowed upon him. Yun Ya countered that his accomplishments were earned righteously, questioning Changgeng’s own conscience. Changgeng scoffed, asserting that without his patronage, Yun Ya, being so young, would never have become an Upper Immortal; he was chosen solely for his obedience. Yun Ya, regretting his past actions, implied he should have rebelled sooner.
Infuriated by Yun Ya's defiance, Changgeng punished him by transforming him into a mindless puppet through demonic energy, ensuring his unwavering loyalty. Changgeng then asked if he would betray him again, to which the now-controlled Yun Ya replied he would "never betray Master." Changgeng was satisfied, proclaiming Yun Ya his favorite disciple. Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan had sought refuge in a secure mountain hideaway, hoping to live peacefully.
Ye Chenyuan, aware of Bai Xiaoying's severe injuries but not wanting her to worry, prepared her favorite dishes and then left her side quickly, both trying to present their best side to the other despite knowing the dire situation. Bai Xiaoying, despite her weakening state, expressed a craving for fruits, which Ye Chenyuan readily agreed to gather. However, Bai Xiaoying secretly knew her body was failing, realizing she couldn't even pick up chopsticks.
At one point, Ye Chenyuan found her in a vulnerable state, fearing she was attempting to end her life. Bai Xiaoying quickly reassured him she wasn't, explaining her physical frailty was making her uncoordinated, and promised to stay with him, assuring him she was truly fine. Ye Chenyuan later found a fragment of the Divine Sword, hoping it could help restore Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying realized he had known about her worsening condition all along.
She dismissed it as unimportant, stating that merely surviving and having these extra days with him was more than enough. She asked Ye Chenyuan to promise her he would always be happy, regardless of her fate. Wan Yan outwardly accepted her father's marriage arrangements, expressing delight at the dowry and wanting to personally select items for their marital home. Yet, she secretly lamented her father's madness and her powerlessness, particularly her concern for Yun Ya's unknown fate.
Changgeng, pleased, allowed her to go but insisted she take Xiao Rong with her. Meanwhile, Ye Chenyuan, concerned about Bai Xiaoying's deteriorating health, decided he needed to return to the immortal sect to find something that could help her. Wan Yan, under the pretense of severe abdominal pain, sent Xiao Rong away to fetch Immortal Xiyuan, so she could secretly search for Divine Sword fragments.
She hoped to find a way to save her father, whom she still believed was only temporarily misguided by the Night Deity's influence, reminding herself that he had always taught his sect to oppose the Night Deity. Ye Chenyuan encountered Wan Yan during her search. As Yun Ya, now under Changgeng's control as a mindless puppet, approached them, Ye Chenyuan recognized his altered state.
Wan Yan, believing Yun Ya would never harm her, urged Ye Chenyuan to take the Divine Sword fragment and flee, intending to face Yun Ya alone. She desperately tried to appeal to Yun Ya, reminding him of her identity and his former proud, unyielding self. Despite her pleas and her confidence, the controlled Yun Ya brutally stabbed her with his sword. As Yun Ya's consciousness briefly returned, he was horrified to find Wan Yan gravely wounded by his hand.
With her last breaths, Wan Yan expressed her shock at being betrayed by him, her satisfaction in fulfilling her duty as the Immortal Lord's daughter, and her bittersweet regret about their impending wedding, which was only three days away. Yun Ya, distraught, tried to offer help, but she urged him not to succumb to the Night Deity's control, praising his strength before she finally succumbed to her wounds, leaving Yun Ya in anguish.
When Changgeng discovered Wan Yan's lifeless body, he was consumed by grief and rage, questioning why she had defied him and who had bewitched her. A voice, likely from an attendant, accused him directly of being responsible for his daughter's death. Refusing to accept blame, Changgeng commanded the now re-controlled Yun Ya to gather forces and capture Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying, vowing to avenge Wan Yan.
Yun Ya, acting as Changgeng's mindless puppet, then confronted Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying, declaring his intent to kill them in revenge for Wan Yan. During this attack, Bai Xiaoying was unexpectedly drawn into the Divine Sword, a space she recognized as its interior, expressing concern for Ye Chenyuan who remained outside. Inside, she encountered a wisp of spirit, who identified herself as Divine Maiden Xi Wu, Bai Xiaoying's mother.
Her mother explained that she had perished 1,500 years ago and only her spirit lingered within the sword, waiting to see her daughter again. Bai Xiaoying confronted her mother's spirit, asking if she was the one who made her the Night Deity's vessel. Divine Maiden Xi Wu apologized, explaining that sealing the Night Deity within Bai Xiaoying was the only way to save humanity 1,500 years ago.
She expressed her profound sorrow for having to harm her own child, the person she loved most, drawing a parallel to the pain Ye Chenyuan endured by being forced to kill Bai Xiaoying in their past six lifetimes. Bai Xiaoying questioned her mother's suffering and stated that her explanation did not equate to forgiveness. Her mother admitted her shame for subjecting Bai Xiaoying to a fate of endless suffering and did not seek forgiveness, only a chance to make amends.
As her last act, Divine Maiden Xi Wu imparted her remaining divine power, sealed within the Divine Sword, to Bai Xiaoying, wishing her to protect herself and live a life of peace and happiness. With a final farewell, she faded away, urging Bai Xiaoying to find peace and forgive her decisions. Empowered by her mother's sacrifice, Bai Xiaoying emerged from the Divine Sword. She then confronted the controlled Yun Ya, severely injuring him.
She told him to return to Feng Changgeng and declare that their lives would never be his, promising to personally end Feng Changgeng's life. Returning to Ye Chenyuan, Bai Xiaoying realized her mother had been protecting her all along and that her blood was the key to entering the Divine Sword. She regretted believing Feng Changgeng's lies and acknowledged that the current devastation of the Three Realms was a consequence of her past actions.
Ye Chenyuan, understanding Bai Xiaoying's renewed resolve, suggested they confront Feng Changgeng to settle matters once and for all. He affirmed his commitment, stating that as long as they were together, he would accept any outcome without regret. He then proposed they marry once more, hoping this time, unlike their previous interrupted attempts, their solemn and sacred moment would finally be completed without disturbance.
Episode 24 Recap
Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan finally stood together in their long-awaited wedding ceremony. As they exchanged vows, they shared memories from their past lives and their current one, realizing they had waited countless incarnations to reach this profound moment. Ye Chenyuan felt that enduring fifteen centuries of loneliness and sorrow had been entirely worthwhile to finally be with Bai Xiaoying.
He reflected on their many lives together, including moments of love and even conflict, knowing that their tumultuous journey was at last drawing to an end. Bai Xiaoying affirmed that after everything, they had truly become a legitimate couple, and no matter what the future held, nothing could ever separate them.
She revealed that in every single life, fate had always guided her to fall in love with him, and she vowed that if another life awaited them, she would once more find him in the crowd and love him again. The couple then prepared to confront Feng Changgeng, the Night Deity. Ye Chenyuan boldly called out Changgeng's name, demanding that he appear to settle their conflict once and for all.
When Ye Chenyuan suggested holding off Changgeng's forces while Bai Xiaoying advanced, she firmly refused, insisting his current cultivation might not be enough and they should tackle the adversaries together. Many immortal cultivators, tired of the Night Deity's endless schemes, offered their assistance, with some even volunteering to become the Divine Sword and Sword Spirit needed to defeat him.
Jiao Tu, who had seemingly served Changgeng, then openly declared his allegiance to Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan, revealing that his true motivation was his friendship with Yun Ya, and he had never been loyal to the Night Deity. He told Changgeng he was abandoned and cornered, urging him to surrender. Enraged by this betrayal, Changgeng retaliated, striking down those who had turned against him.
Changgeng then unleashed his most potent weapon, Yun Ya, who, under his control, attacked the allies, even injuring Bai Xiaoying. Seeing Yun Ya's plight, Bai Xiaoying desperately tried to awaken him, reminding him that he had never given up on her when she was lost, and she would not abandon him now. She spoke of their shared memories, the Clear Spirit Ring, and how he had rescued and raised her at the immortal sect.
Her heartfelt words finally broke through Changgeng's control. Yun Ya, recognizing Bai Xiaoying as his 'Xiaoying' and 'Master', regained his consciousness. Furious at Yun Ya's defiance, Changgeng disparaged him as a "worthless fool." To aid Bai Xiaoying in defeating the Night Deity, Yun Ya chose to sacrifice himself, announcing that he would become her Divine Weapon. Changgeng, still confident, mocked Bai Xiaoying, stating that a Divine Sword without a spirit was useless against him.
Observing that Bai Xiaoying might not succeed alone, Ye Chenyuan made the ultimate sacrifice. He instructed Jiao Tu to turn him into the Sword Spirit, thereby imbuing the Divine Sword with immense power. Inspired by Ye Chenyuan's selfless act, other ancient immortals also dedicated their cultivation to the cause, vowing to eradicate evil even if it meant exhausting their own powers. With their combined might, Changgeng was finally vanquished.
However, the victory was bittersweet, as Bai Xiaoying watched in agony as Ye Chenyuan's essence dissipated. He told her he had to go first, asking her not to blame him, and urged her to let the memories they shared keep her company. Bai Xiaoying cried out his name in utter despair, vowing to find him again no matter how long it took. A thousand years passed, and Bai Xiaoying dedicated her life to finding a way to revive Ye Chenyuan.
She had already stepped down from her role as Sword Master. One day, her friend Yong Ning urged her to consider staying in the Nine Heavens, mentioning ancient texts that spoke of a Divine Maiden reviving in the first winter of the Dayuan, hinting it might help her quest. Bai Xiaoying, however, remained resolute. She explained that with the Night Deity gone and the Three Realms stabilized, her duties as Sword Master were complete.
Her only purpose now was to find Ye Chenyuan, who was waiting for her. She playfully advised Yong Ning, now an Immortal Lord, to stop visiting pleasure houses. The Immortal Lord then lamented how boring the world had become with many friends gone or dead, wishing he could just go drinking. Just as Bai Xiaoying felt her hope waning, her mother's lingering spirit appeared.
Her mother confirmed that the prophecy of the Divine Maiden's revival referred not to her, but to Bai Xiaoying herself. Her mother's spirit then provided the guidance needed for Bai Xiaoying to re-enter reincarnation for Ye Chenyuan. Finally, the special flower Bai Xiaoying had meticulously nurtured bloomed, signaling Ye Chenyuan's resurrection. Filled with renewed purpose, Bai Xiaoying resolved to find and protect him once more.
