The World of Fantasy Episode 20 Recap
> The World of Fantasy Recap
Mo Hai focused intently on refining the Terminator Profound Bomb. When Lian Rou relayed a message from Yiyuan on behalf of Alliance Leader Song and Saint Master Xie, Mo Hai responded coldly, telling Lian Rou to have Yiyuan relay a message to Xie Yi, his tone filled with hostility. Although troubled by this, Yiyuan dutifully returned to Profound Heaven Alliance.
On his way, Du Shaoyang stopped Yiyuan and discreetly asked for help finding Xie Jingxuan's whereabouts, stressing the importance of secrecy. Yiyuan teasingly asked if Du Shaoyang admired her, but Du Shaoyang swiftly dismissed the question. At the Spiritual Lines Pillars Plaza, Song Siyuan, a representative from the human side, warned the Horned Demon Tribe.
However, the Horned Demon leaders, Ku Luo and Ku Lu, voiced their deep resentment, questioning why humans enjoyed life under the sun while their tribe suffered in the dark, damp underground, without clean water, good food, or warmth. They claimed these rightful conditions were stolen by humans who drove them away and killed their people. Song Siyuan accused them of twisting facts and demanded their retreat, threatening the extermination of the Nether Tribe if they insisted on war.
The Horned Demons defiantly declared "Fight!" and prepared to charge. Just as battle was about to erupt, a thick, dangerous fog suddenly appeared. As the black mist dissipated, Gao Yu's face emerged before the stunned crowd. Meanwhile, in the Netherworld underground, Zhao Xi provided Qin Yushi with disguised clothing to help her pass checkpoints and leave. Zhao Xi explained that in their harsh environment, sickness was common, and people often covered their faces to avoid scaring children.
She assured Qin Yushi that the Sky Ladder led to the surface, where human strongholds might lift the blockade if they saw her. Zhao Xi instructed Qin Yushi to stay close and let her handle any inquiries. Qin Yushi wondered if Zhao Xi would regret saving her, as she might have to fight Zhao Xi's people upon returning.
Zhao Xi confessed that she couldn't bring herself to kill Qin Yushi or turn her in for reward, suggesting that the "evil race" wasn't as bad as humans believed, with differences merely stemming from conflicting goals and standpoints. Qin Yushi promised to spare any Netherworld race members who had not harmed humans. At a checkpoint, Zhao Xi cleverly feigned that Qin Yushi was her gravely ill sister suffering from abscesses, securing an extra cup of water from a sympathetic guard.
After they had passed the checkpoint and returned to the underground forest, Qin Yushi removed her mask, coughing. Zhao Xi expressed concern, but Qin Yushi was puzzled, noticing no discomfort despite inhaling so much Netherworld demonic energy. Zhao Xi mused that Qin Yushi might be of the Nether Tribe, recalling a priestess's tale that their ancestors, before coming to the Abyss, were handsome and beautiful, the noblest race in the entire Star Realm.
Qin Yushi, only familiar with the Chilan Continent and Spirit Realm, found the concept of a "Star Realm" alien, but she couldn't confidently deny the hidden secrets she sensed within herself. Zhao Xi speculated that the priestess might have been making things up, but Qin Yushi believed a secret was indeed hidden, destined to be revealed soon, potentially changing everything, including her relationship with Qin Lie. Qin Yushi declared she was not afraid and would face whatever came.
Yiyuan reported back to Du Shaoyang that he had found no trace of Xie Jingxuan, leaving Du Shaoyang deeply disheartened and wondering if she was dead. Lang Xie, patrolling by, interrupted them. Du Shaoyang explained they were discussing the Horned Demon Tribe's sudden halt of their attack. Lang Xie elaborated that after the mysterious man, Gao Yu, appeared and was worshipped as a Holy God by the Horned Demons, he returned to the Abyss with their commander.
The two sides had been in a standoff for a day and a night, seemingly awaiting further instructions. Lang Xie worried about the prolonged exposure to demonic energy and the dwindling supply of Demon Purifying Grass. He then instructed Yiyuan to inquire about Mo Hai's progress on the Terminator Profound Bomb and the remaining supply of Demon Purifying Grass. Lang Xie then told a weary Du Shaoyang to get some sleep, or he would throw him into the Abyss.
Haunted by Xie Jingxuan's parting words—"You have to take your own path. . . If you miss me, remember, I'll be waiting for you in the pavilion by the lake"—Du Shaoyang rushed to the pavilion, calling out her name. The empty lake under the solitary moon shattered his hopes, leaving him feeling foolish.
Nearby, hidden under a peach tree, Xie Jingxuan watched Du Shaoyang, her heart heavy with both emotion and sorrow, lamenting their inability to be honest with each other despite their mutual love. Beneath the Mountains of Evil God, Gao Yu led the Horned Demon Tribe. Qin Lie and Song Tingyu, also disguised among the Horned Demons, followed. The sight of a priestess and her attendants stirred Song Tingyu's caution. Zhao Xi and Qin Yushi also arrived, equally curious.
Gao Yu soon appeared, hailed as a Holy God by the Horned Demons, as the priestess declared he was the son of Holy God Luolin, whose Holy God Ring had found its host. The priestess declared that if Holy God Luolin's son absorbed all the gifts from the Holy God altar, their tribe would once again have a Holy God. Sensing immense danger, Qin Lie and Song Tingyu attempted to leave.
However, after only two steps, Qin Lie felt an irresistible pull. The divine beast Mangwang, left by Qin Shan, manifested its true form and whisked Qin Lie away to a thunder pool. There, Qin Lie realized he was facing Xue Li, who revealed he had been secretly protecting Qin Lie since his fall into the Abyss.
Xue Li explained that Mangwang, the "little thing" that had entered Qin Lie's body, was beneficial and had brought him to the thunder pool, which contained the true core of thunderbolt. Acknowledging Qin Lie's mastery of the essence of frost, Xue Li urged him to absorb and grasp the essence of thunderbolt for great gains. Tempted by the prospect of advancing his cultivation, Qin Lie prepared, and Xue Li forcefully pushed him into the thunder pool.
Qin Lie writhed in agony under the immense pressure of the lightning. Qin Yushi and Song Tingyu arrived, bewildered by Qin Lie's sudden predicament. Xue Li warned Qin Lie that giving up now would not only undo all his efforts but also lead to mental deviation. He instructed Qin Lie to focus solely on refining the thunderbolt essence, promising to protect him. Qin Yushi prevented Song Tingyu from approaching, both of them confused about Qin Lie's fate.
Suddenly, Qin Lie appeared on the altar, his spiritual power transformed into a massive ice beast. It lunged at Gao Yu, who now embodied a flame evil god. After a series of fierce exchanges, Qin Lie lifted Gao Yu, preparing a decisive blow, but Gao Yu dissolved into a wisp of black mist and vanished. Xue Li then appeared behind Qin Lie, sighing that his current abilities were insufficient to eliminate Gao Yu, forcing them to retreat.
Observing Qin Lie's extraordinary display of power, the priestess seemed to gain some insight. She approached the altar and directly asked Qin Lie if he knew Qin Shan. Qin Lie was stunned and excited that a member of the Horned Demon Tribe knew his grandfather. He confirmed Qin Shan was his grandfather, but when asked for proof, he mentioned an orb in his head.
The priestess recognized it as the Soul Suppressing Orb, confirming it belonged to "Qin Shan, our benefactor." Qin Lie was perplexed, wondering how his human grandfather could be a benefactor to the "evil race." The priestess explained Qin Shan's great kindness to their holy race and stated she would allow them to leave as a gesture of repayment.
She refused to divulge more, citing forbidden heavenly secrets, and warned them that after three horn blasts, if they remained, they would be killed. Despite Qin Lie's pleas for more information, the priestess insisted they leave. She then forcefully teleported Qin Lie, Song Tingyu, and Qin Yushi back to the Netherworld underground, the gateway to the human realm. Zhao Xi, who had been secretly following Qin Yushi to protect her, was also unexpectedly caught in the teleportation.
Realizing Qin Lie and the others were about to return to the human realm, Zhao Xi bid a heartfelt farewell to Qin Yushi. She offered Qin Yushi a Netherworld Demonic Fruit, asking her to place it under the sun and gently call her name, so Zhao Xi might feel the sun's warmth after her death. She expressed contentment that she would be with the sun.
However, as they passed each other, Zhao Xi suddenly drew a dark blade and stabbed Song Tingyu. Song Tingyu, having sensed Zhao Xi's murderous intent, swiftly counterattacked. Gravely wounded, Zhao Xi collapsed into Qin Yushi's arms. With her dying breath, Zhao Xi explained that upon hearing Qin Yushi call her "Song Tingyu," she recognized her as Saintess Song of the Profound Heaven Alliance—the one responsible for killing her tribe members and her own father during the demon wars.
Zhao Xi expressed no regret for her actions, finding peace in her act of vengeance, and died in Qin Yushi's arms. Qin Lie asked Song Tingyu why she had struck Zhao Xi. Song Tingyu explained that Zhao Xi's eyes had shown clear killing intent, and her target was either Qin Lie or herself, not Qin Yushi, necessitating her swift action. Qin Yushi and Qin Lie grieved Zhao Xi's passing.
Song Tingyu's injury, however, worsened rapidly, infected by the Netherworld demonic energy, causing her lips to turn purple. Sensing her impending end, Song Tingyu decided to unburden her heart to Qin Lie. After subtly sending Qin Yushi away, Song Tingyu spoke to Qin Lie about Gong Mulie, whom Qin Lie knew was her beloved.
Song Tingyu revealed that during the Luminous Pillars battle at Xingyun Pavilion, she had seen Gong Mulie's true form, and he had looked exactly like Qin Lie. She declared that Qin Lie had always been the one who occupied her thoughts and heart. Qin Lie listened, feeling a growing sense of confusion. Song Tingyu further elaborated that she was certain it was Gong Mulie who had prevented the destruction of Icestone City during the Luminous Pillars activation.
Since only Qin Lie and Du Shaoyang were present at that time, she was convinced that Qin Lie was indeed Gong Mulie. Qin Lie tried to deny it, saying she was mistaken, but Song Tingyu insisted that from that day forward, she had sought Gong Mulie's essence within him. Over time, she found herself unable to distinguish who truly held her heart. She admitted feeling secure carrying Gong Mulie's book, just as she now felt safe by Qin Lie's side.
Aware of Qin Lie's feelings for Qin Yushi, Song Tingyu confessed her inability to hold on much longer, believing she was destined to die there. In her final moments, she asked if she could consider him Gong Mulie.
