The World of Fantasy Episode 17 Recap
> The World of Fantasy Recap
After Song Tingyu found Xie Jingxuan, a tense conversation ensued regarding the recent events. Song Tingyu questioned Xie Jingxuan's ruthlessness towards her own subordinates, to which Xie Jingxuan retorted that Song Tingyu also killed Di Shi Jiu, but that was to save Xie Jingxuan. Du Shaoyang, annoyed by their bickering, interrupted them.
Song Tingyu warned Xie Jingxuan that the situation was worsening, and her identity as the Saintess of the Eight Extremes Temple was at risk of exposure, which would make it difficult for her to protect Qin Lie. They agreed to meet by the Blood Pool to discuss a strategy. Later, Song Tingyu asked Xie Jingxuan why she returned, as she was supposed to have left.
Xie Jingxuan explained that she saw a messenger spirit bird from the Five Great Sects and sensed trouble, prompting her return. She expressed her fear that if the conflict escalated, their fathers would intervene and draw swords against each other, leading to the demise of the Artefact Forging Sect. Xie Jingxuan declared that the Artefact Forging Sect was her second home, more important to her than the Eight Extremes Temple, and she would not allow anyone to defile it.
Song Tingyu agreed, acknowledging the sect's peaceful nature and Master Mo Hai's kindness, stating she also wished no harm upon it. Meanwhile, Du Shaoyang received approval from the Bloody Spear Guard leader to handle the situation. He reported that the Shadow Tower assassins had been dealt with and Di Shi Jiu brought to justice.
Du Shaoyang then ensured Di Shi Jiu's body was thrown out of the sect gates, which momentarily stunned the Five Great Sects, leaving them hesitant to advance further. The Artefact Forging Sect's key figures gathered to discuss the sect's dire future. Ling Yushi pointed out that the Five Great Sects' attack, though seemingly motivated by Yuan Tian Ya's son's death, was merely a pretext to target the Artefact Forging Sect itself.
She recalled a powerful venerable master's 700-year-old warning against harming the sect, which had previously deterred attackers. However, with the venerable master's prolonged absence, ambitious factions were now seizing the opportunity. Qin Lie then questioned if Song Tingyu and Xie Jingxuan were spies, especially considering the Profound Heaven Alliance and Eight Extremes Temple's likely complicity. Song Tingyu, denying the accusation, argued that if she were a spy, she could have easily used the Profound Heaven Seal to overpower them.
She then outlined the grim reality: the Artefact Forging Sect stood no chance against the combined forces of the Five Great Sects, as all escape routes were likely sealed. To survive, Song Tingyu proposed a truce, suggesting they lure the sect masters in and use them as bargaining chips.
She recommended Chief Elder Cheng Ping to lead the negotiations, believing his perceived cowardice would gain the trust of the Five Great Sects, while Sect Master Ying Xing Ran was too unreliable. Ling Yushi, however, doubted that Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang would follow such a peaceful plan, labeling them "disobedient men." Song Tingyu disagreed, asserting Qin Lie would listen, and they made a bet.
Indeed, shortly after leaving the refining area, Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang, discontent with the idea of a simple truce, decided to disregard Song Tingyu's peaceful approach and directly confront the Five Great Sects head-on, with Qin Lie declaring they should "kill them all." Outside the Artefact Forging Sect, the Five Great Sects had already formed ranks. Wu Tuo, the master of Cloud Sky Mountain, declared a half-hour ultimatum for the Artefact Forging Sect to surrender or face decimation.
Inside, Sect Master Ying Xing Ran lamented Qin Lie as a "jinx," but also praised him as the sect's future for mastering eleven Spiritual Lines Pillars, expressing reluctance to hand him over. However, other elders urged him to be decisive for the sect's survival, eventually convincing him that Qin Lie's fate was beyond their control. Ying Xing Ran, feeling he had no other option to save the sect, reluctantly ordered Lang Xie to seize Qin Lie.
Du Shaoyang then subtly remarked to Xie Jingxuan that "they did it," referring to their successful maneuver to get Ying Xing Ran to make that order. As the ultimatum expired, with the Five Great Sects prepared to attack, Chief Elder Cheng Ping and Master Mo Hai emerged to negotiate.
Cheng Ping initially tried to be deferential, but Mo Hai, after a brief show of humility, directly accused the Five Great Sects of their true intentions: to destroy the Artefact Forging Sect, seize its magical items, and enslave its armourers. He argued that enslaved armourers would lose their morale and become useless, presenting a dilemma for the aggressors. Palace of Hell Master Yuan Tian Yi was pressed by his peers to decide between war and peace.
Yuan Tian Yi suggested calm negotiations inside, but Mo Hai, wary of their intentions, clarified that while the Artefact Forging Sect was sincere about peace, they would not lower their guard. The Five Great Sects leaders expressed distrust for both Ying Xing Ran and Mo Hai, proposing to send their Assistant Masters for negotiations. Mo Hai, however, insisted on negotiating with the sect masters themselves, arguing the gravity of decisions affecting a hundred years of interests.
He then proposed that Chief Elder Cheng Ping, known for his connections, choose one trustworthy master to enter for talks. When Cheng Ping suggested Master Yu Dai, the other sect masters grew suspicious, fearing one of them would monopolize the benefits. Driven by individual greed and mutual distrust, they all demanded to enter together. As the five sect masters stepped into the main hall, Qin Lie dramatically appeared, removing his mask.
Palace of Hell Master Yuan Tian Yi instantly recognized him as Qin Lie, the killer of Xingyun Pavilion's Master Du, and accused the Artefact Forging Sect of harboring him. Before the sect masters could react, Qin Lie summoned the Blood Progenitor Xue Li, who swiftly bound the five masters to the Spiritual Lines Pillars. In the main hall, Sect Master Ying Xing Ran confronted Qin Lie, Xue Li, and Du Shaoyang.
Du Shaoyang immediately took responsibility for capturing the sect masters, clarifying that he and Qin Lie had planned it. Mo Hai and other members of the Bloody Spear Guard also stepped forward, confirming their involvement and expressing trust in Qin Lie's ability to use the Spiritual Lines Pillars to control the captured masters.
An elder questioned why they resorted to deception instead of an open discussion, to which Qin Lie explained it was an emergency decision made to protect the sect, as he doubted the Sect Master and Chief Elder would agree to such a risky strategy. The Bloody Spear Guard leader, sensing a potent spiritual energy from Xue Li, inquired about his identity.
Xue Li, in a commanding tone, introduced himself as the Blood Progenitor, Xue Li, former master of the Blood Fiend Sect, and the true source of all blood-related cultivation techniques, demanding respect based on his ancient lineage.
Qin Lie explained that Xue Li had been sealed within the Spiritual Lines Pillars a thousand years ago due to betrayal, with the pillars falling into the hands of the Heavenly Artefact Sect in the Realm of Chaos, later stolen by a traitor and brought to Chilan Continent to establish the Artefact Forging Sect. Qin Lie had made a deal with Xue Li: help him defeat their enemies, and he would release Xue Li.
Xue Li then warned Ying Xing Ran that anyone who dared to harm Qin Lie would face his wrath, firmly asserting his protection over the young man. Despite Xue Li's power, Ying Xing Ran pressed Qin Lie on how he intended to resolve the crisis he had created. Qin Lie replied that it depended on the captive Five Great Masters.
Shortly after, Lian Rou rushed into the hall, followed by Yi Yuan, who, distraught after learning his father was a hostage, pleaded with Qin Lie to spare his father. Qin Lie promised to spare his father's life if the Five Great Sects retreated, but in the worst-case scenario, he would need a finger as leverage. To Qin Lie's and Lian Rou's astonishment, the filial Yi Yuan immediately bit off his own finger to save his father.
Overwhelmed by the situation and suppressing his emotions, Qin Lie turned and walked away. At the Spiritual Lines Pillars Plaza, Qin Lie confronted the bound sect masters, demanding they withdraw their forces. He revealed his awareness of the Profound Heaven Alliance and Eight Extremes Temple's tacit approval for the attack. When a master defiantly refused, Du Shaoyang, on Qin Lie's command, severed a finger from the Palace of Hell Master.
Qin Lie then ordered Lang Xie to release Master Yu Dai and Jiu Liu Yu, instructing them to display the severed finger to their respective disciples as a warning: retreat, or next time, entire limbs would be taken. He explained his choice of captives: Yu Dai was Yi Yuan's father, whose life he had promised to spare, and Jiu Liu Yu was the master of his old flame, a reason he also decided to release him.
The Five Great Sect forces outside, enraged but deterred by the hostages, remained outside. Back inside, Xie Jingxuan, Ling Yushi, and Song Tingyu discussed the failure of the negotiation. Xie Jingxuan lamented Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang's impulsiveness, noting they had deviated from the plan by demanding sect masters and resorting to violence. Song Tingyu exclaimed that she had thought they would listen, implying her earlier bet.
Ling Yushi, however, praised their "delinquent" bravery, prompting Xie Jingxuan to angrily remind her of the impending intervention from the Profound Heaven Alliance and Eight Extremes Temple. Ling Yushi calmly suggested a new strategy: making Qin Lie the Artefact Forging Sect Master. She reasoned that such responsibility would temper his impulsiveness and compel him to prioritize the sect's greater good.
Soon after, Song Si Yuan of the Profound Heaven Alliance and Zhan Tian Yi of the Eight Extremes Temple arrived, issuing a stern warning to Ying Xing Ran: surrender the three captured sect masters by daybreak or face annihilation. Realizing that the lives of the captured masters held little sway with these powerful alliances, Qin Lie changed tactics. He confronted Song Tingyu, questioning her motives for returning and implying her father's complicity in the unjust war.
He then proposed using her as a hostage against the Profound Heaven Alliance. Xie Jingxuan quickly bound Song Tingyu with a spell, playing along with the ruse. Xie Jingxuan then urged Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang to leave, warning them that Ying Xing Ran and the others would soon surrender.
Before leaving, Ling Yushi advised Qin Lie to focus on swaying Master Mo Hai, whom she described as a popular figure whose followers valued freedom and would not willingly become slaves. Later, Ling Yushi discovered that Song Tingyu's "hostage" situation was a pretense orchestrated by Xie Jingxuan to get Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang to act. Song Tingyu complimented Ling Yushi's intelligence in seeing through their plan.
The three women, acknowledging their shared objective, decided to persuade Ying Xing Ran and Chief Elder Cheng Ping to appoint Qin Lie as the new Sect Master. Upon returning to the main hall, Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang were met with the furious Sect Master Ying Xing Ran. Ying Xing Ran accused Qin Lie of pushing responsibility and causing all the trouble.
Qin Lie retorted that the Five Great Sects' greed for the Artefact Forging Sect's treasures was the true cause, and he was merely a pretext. Chief Elder Cheng Ping dismissed Qin Lie's abilities without Xue Li, but Qin Lie warned him not to test his patience. Ying Xing Ran, reminding Qin Lie of his tolerance for him due to his talent (mastering eleven Spiritual Lines Pillars), reprimanded him for overstepping his bounds.
Qin Lie fiercely countered, stating that in the face of injustice, one either fights or becomes a coward, accusing Ying Xing Ran of being indecisive and weak. When Ying Xing Ran ordered Qin Lie's arrest, the Bloody Spear Guard hesitated. Mo Hai challenged Ying Xing Ran, asking if seizing Qin Lie meant surrender. He questioned if Ying Xing Ran or even Chief Elder Cheng Ping could truly represent the entire Artefact Forging Sect in such a crucial decision.
Since no single individual could speak for the whole sect, Mo Hai proposed that all disciples be summoned to voice their stance. Chief Elder Cheng Ping, however, denounced this as an outrage and an act of coercion. Xie Jingxuan then intervened, calming the heated exchange, and drew Ying Xing Ran and Chief Elder Cheng Ping aside for a private discussion.
Understanding their inherent fear of death, Xie Jingxuan subtly influenced them, and Chief Elder Cheng Ping, in turn, proposed to Ying Xing Ran the idea of abdicating the Sect Master position to Qin Lie. He presented this as a wise move to make Qin Lie the "scapegoat" for the immediate crisis, allowing Ying Xing Ran to reclaim the position after the dust settled without facing blame. Convinced, Ying Xing Ran assembled all the disciples.
He declared that the sect faced an existential threat from the Profound Heaven Alliance and Eight Extremes Temple, who demanded surrender by daybreak or threatened a massacre. Admitting his inability to represent the entire sect, he ultimately ceded the decision of whether to fight or yield to all the disciples, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
