The World of Fantasy Episode 13 Recap
> The World of Fantasy Recap
Qin Lie, Buli, and Li Mu arrived at the Ice Peak of the Frost Mountains. Li Mu explained that this peak was once a vast, lush forest, home to many ancient spirit beasts. According to legend, someone made an imprint in the void, which led to the creation of the Frost Mountains.
This single palm imprint descended from the void, stretching for hundreds of miles and thousands of meters deep, causing the chill to dissipate and freeze all spirit beasts, sealing the world in ice. The power of that palm destroyed everything, and the essence of frost it embodies has remained unchanged and flourishes here. Li Mu told Qin Lie that grasping this essence depends on his good fortune and gave him three months.
When Qin Lie asked how he could comprehend it, Buli helped him enter a meditative state. As he meditated, Qin Lie saw visions of "All beings are connected," "The land is the vein, the body is the tendon," and "The paths of stars and the changes of the earth are all Spirit Diagrams." Buli and Li Mu then left, promising to return for him in three months. Meanwhile, Gao Yu was hiding in a cave to cultivate his dark energy.
He witnessed soldiers pursuing Di Shi Jiu, the Master of Shadow Tower. Gao Yu attempted to seize Di Shi Jiu, but was quickly counter-attacked. Di Shi Jiu, master of Shadow Tower and a wanted criminal by the Palace of Hell, recognized that Gao Yu did not know the Blood Fiend Spirit Arts but was impressed by his evil aura and ruthlessness. Xie Jingxuan and Du Shaoyang lived peacefully for three months in a secluded paradise.
During this time, Du Shaoyang's injuries fully recovered, and he fell deeply in love with Xie Jingxuan. He began to sense that she was hiding something from him. Xie Jingxuan, seeing his affection, reluctantly revealed that his father, Du Hai Tian, had died. She explained that during the battle at Purple Mist Sea, Du Hai Tian had killed many members of the Ling family.
To avenge them, Qin Lie challenged and killed Du Hai Tian in the street, an event witnessed by many. The Palace of Hell had issued an order to arrest Qin Lie, but he had not yet been found. Du Shaoyang was shocked and instantly filled with a desire for revenge.
As anticipated, within three months, Qin Lie's spiritual roots had not only comprehended but also completely absorbed the essence of frost from the Ice Peak, an extraordinary feat that surprised both Buli and Li Mu. Buli recalled that Qin Lie's grandfather, Qin Shan, had once trained on the snowfield's summit, skillfully demonstrating the Law of Five Elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth).
She realized that the Qin family line must possess innate synergy with the five elements' spirit wells, and it was these spirit roots that allowed Qin Lie to absorb the frost. Li Mu noted that Qin Lie's temperament had changed, and he had progressed from the pinnacle of the Natal Opening Realm to the Manifestation Realm, though he still needed time to consolidate his new level.
Qin Lie described how the essence of frost had formed a Spirit Diagram in his mind, which Buli praised as remarkable, containing the profound ways of heaven and earth, potentially leading to ancient divine spiritual skills. Buli then presented Qin Lie with the Eye of Frost, a key to entering the Crystal World, allowing him free access to the Ice Peak for further cultivation. She explained that she was repaying a debt to Qin Shan, who had once helped her.
Qin Lie, upon learning they knew his grandfather, eagerly asked why Qin Shan had come there. Buli revealed that Qin Shan had wanted to enter the deep Land of Frost, a place she guarded, and had defeated her to gain entry. He seemed to be searching for something but ultimately found nothing, before offering her cultivation advice and leaving.
Buli urged Qin Lie to understand that the essence of frost was his spiritual power source and to carefully study the Spirit Diagram. Qin Lie expressed his profound gratitude and stated his intention to go to the Artefact Forging Sect to seek clues about his grandfather. Buli explained that the Artefact Forging Sect, though a Black Iron Class force, was independent of the Profound Heaven Alliance and Eight Extremes Temple, serving as a sacred hub for all artificers.
She advised him to use an alias while pursuing entry, as he was still a wanted man, and to only revert to his true name once he became a core apprentice. Li Mu warned Qin Lie that he must resolve whatever was bothering him, or he would fail the Artefact Forging Sect's rigorous tests. Song Tingyu returned to the Profound Heaven Alliance to report the defeat of the Soul Reaping Beast to its master, Song Yu.
She tried to conceal her actions in Icestone City, but Song Yu already knew she was hiding something and angrily accused her of not reporting sooner. He questioned her for taking three months, contrasting her with Xie Jingxuan who would have settled matters in three days. Song Tingyu admitted she wanted to hide that the Soul Reaping Beast was not killed by her hands, fearing it would tarnish her father's reputation.
Enraged, Song Yu accused her of caring more about "that Gong Mu Lie who doesn't exist" than him, and said she had "lost her mind from reading too many books." He then violently smashed a treasured collection jar she held dear and attacked her. Song Si Yuan quickly intervened, preventing further harm.
Song Yu scornfully reminded Song Tingyu that at her age, he had already reached the peak of the Fulfillment Realm, while she remained stuck in the Netherpassage Realm, calling her useless. Du Shaoyang went to his father, Du Hai Tian's, grave. The Hall Master appeared, impressed that Du Shaoyang still recognized him after so many years, showing his sharp memory.
The Hall Master, noting the Du family's diminished influence since he took over Xingyun Pavilion, challenged Du Shaoyang to demonstrate "real strength" if he wished to regain control. Du Shaoyang fiercely vowed that he would not rest until Qin Lie, his father's killer, was found and avenged. The Hall Master then offered him a path to reclaim Xingyun Pavilion: he must participate in the Artefact Forging Sect's annual recruitment test, which would take place in a few days.
Du Shaoyang then bid a heartfelt farewell to Xie Jingxuan, whom he affectionately called Siqi. He expressed that he understood her own need to pursue a path, just as he needed to face himself. He implored her not to secretly follow him or offer him any help this time, as he was determined to achieve his goals through his own efforts.
They shared a poignant goodbye, with Du Shaoyang promising that if they were to meet again, he would never leave her side. He then instructed his attendant to tend to his father's grave, emphasizing that he was no longer the privileged young master and intended to face his challenges independently. The annual recruitment test for the Artefact Forging Sect was about to begin, and many hopefuls had gathered at its gates.
Yiyuan, the young master of Purple Mist City, appeared, greeting Ouyang Qing and Pang Feng, who were also present. Pang Feng, however, rudely questioned why Yiyuan wasn't guarding his city's gate. Yiyuan casually replied that his father had "kicked him out" for not doing a good job, so he was merely "trying his luck."
Soon after, Du Shaoyang arrived, immediately becoming the target of ridicule from other disciples, who called him the "former young master" and mocked him for guarding his father's "empty grave." Qin Lie, wearing a mask and going by the name Qin Bing, recognized Yiyuan, who bore a resemblance to Hua Yuxin, and observed the scene with wary silence, as did Du Shaoyang, their eyes meeting in silent apprehension.
The examiner, Lian Rou, who was the Artefact Forging Sect's Second Senior, then appeared. She swiftly silenced a disrespectful attendee before announcing that while the rules would not be elaborated, each applicant must submit a highest-grade spirit stone, which was non-refundable. Lian Rou then led the group on a tour, explaining that the Artefact Forging Sect was the highest-level forging sect in Chilan Continent, requiring rigorous training.
She emphasized that while forging involved infusing spirit materials with spiritual power, the crucial component was the Spirit Diagrams of one's personal attributes. For the first stage of the test, participants had to use stone pillars as stepping stones to reach the mountain peak. Yiyuan, demonstrating water and fire skills, was the first to successfully cross.
Other participants, including Du Shaoyang, mocking the apparent ease, rushed onto the pillars but promptly fell as the pillars shattered beneath them; they had failed to recognize the embedded Spirit Diagrams. Qin Lie, under his alias Qin Bing, then skillfully navigated the pillars, earning praise for his "beautiful display" and "beautiful mask." Yiyuan introduced himself to Qin Bing. The group then proceeded to the second stage: the Cliff of Serenity.
Lian Rou explained that artificers must possess a pure and calm heart. Participants were required to place their hand on a stone wall; those without distracting thoughts would be blessed with a path to cross to the other side. Failure meant returning home. She added that a maze behind the mountain would further test one's mental purity, and only those who remained unperturbed could pass.
Lian Rou noted that only one person had ever passed within a day, with even the most talented requiring three days, and some taking up to a month, though she warned they would not wait that long. After Lian Rou left, Qin Lie found no path appearing before him. He recalled Li Mu's warning that he must resolve whatever was bothering him or he would fail.
Realizing his mind was filled with thoughts of Ling Yushi, and unable to achieve the required mental clarity, Qin Lie decisively turned back, choosing to leave the Cliff of Serenity. Meanwhile, Ling Yushi found herself unable to calm down and focus on her cultivation, her mind consumed by thoughts of how to kill Gao Yu. She confessed her struggles to her Senior, admitting her fear of wavering as she had never killed anyone before.
Her master advised her that to achieve greatness, one must be resolute and not hesitate at crucial moments. The master then had Ling Yushi hold a cup of water and asked what she saw. Ling Yushi replied she saw herself. Her master explained that the reflection in the water was both her and not her, representing her past, present, and future selves, questioning which was the true her.
She further elaborated that humans are like duckweed, drifting without direction due to constant change. Only by finding and truly understanding her inner self would Ling Yushi gain clarity and direction. Ling Yushi grasped her master's teaching. Using the Eye of Frost, Qin Lie returned to the Ling family village.
He paid his respects to the ancestral tablets, including those of Ling Yushi's parents and Ling Cheng Yu, bowing deeply and apologizing for not being able to stay long, as he had important tasks to accomplish outside. He vowed to stay alive and return to them. He then traveled to the Water Spirit Valley, where he found Ling Yushi. She greeted him, saying she knew he would come for her.
Qin Lie apologized for not being there for her uncle's final journey, to which Ling Yushi responded that "the living has to live with the loss, but the pain will heal." Qin Lie reassured her that he was well and had entered the Artefact Forging Sect under the alias Qin Bing. Ling Yushi cautioned him to be careful and keep his identity a secret.
When Qin Lie asked if she had seen Gao Yu, Ling Yushi said she hadn't and thought he had likely returned to Xingyun Pavilion. She then handed Qin Lie a note, instructing him to open and read it only when he saw Gao Yu, emphasizing that he should not ask why. Qin Lie accepted the note, promising to return for her once he had news of his grandfather.
He then hesitantly asked if their past marriage promise, which he had broken, was still valid, and if she would still marry him. Ling Yushi responded with a tender question, "Are promises necessary between us?" Qin Lie, reassured by her words, pledged, "I swear with my life," solidifying their commitment by the Water Spirit Valley.
Lian Rou led the initial four successful candidates into the Artefact Forging Sect, taking them to the forge for new apprentices, which would be their training ground for the year. Just as Lian Rou was about to outline the sect's regulations, Qin Lie, having returned from the Water Spirit Valley with a clear mind, had successfully passed the Cliff of Serenity test and arrived at the forge.
After he introduced himself as Qin Bing, Senior Sister Tang Siqi unexpectedly appeared, interrupting Lian Rou. Du Shaoyang, startled, recognized Senior Sister Tang Siqi as his beloved and tried to hide his shock, bowing respectfully to Xie Jingxuan. Unexpectedly, Xie Jingxuan then walked up to Qin Lie and called him away.
