Tiger and Crane Episode 13 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
In the serene setting of Baihua Mountain, Yi Mei confronted Ximen Miaomiao, revealing her true intentions. Ximen Miaomiao attempted to escape using her Cat Ghost Bell, but Yi Mei, a demonologist of treasures, unveiled her Space-splitting Blade, the very nemesis of the Cat Ghost Bell. Despite Ximen Miaomiao's repeated attempts to evade her, Yi Mei proclaimed her efforts futile.
Ximen Miaomiao was ultimately defeated and killed, but before her demise, she managed to release a final firework signal, a last defiant act. Yi Mei, determined not to let her grand plan be ruined on this full moon night, used the remains of a Blood-absorbing Demon, which she had purposefully kept, to transform into Ximen Miaomiao, ensuring her scheme would continue unobstructed. As the remaining smaller bee demons fled, a gigantic Thousand-year Bee suddenly appeared, catching everyone off guard.
The candidates, unable to fight such a massive creature, desperately scattered or feigned death. Hu Zi, Zhao Xintong, and Wang Yuqian found themselves targeted by the colossal bee. Wang Yuqian, with his limited combat ability, quickly feigned death. Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong, realizing the danger to the others, worked together to lure the massive bee away from the group and into a nearby mountain cave. The bee, due to its immense size, became trapped in the cave entrance.
Hu Zi bravely leaped onto the bee's head, gripping its horns tightly. Enraged, the bee pulled Hu Zi out of the cave and swallowed him whole. From a distance, Yi Mei, still disguised as Ximen Miaomiao, observed the unfolding battle, deliberately choosing not to intervene, as this was the precise moment she had been anticipating. Qi Xiaoxuan soon arrived, joining Zhao Xintong in the relentless struggle against the Thousand-year Bee.
They fought late into the night until Mo Guzi, having seen Ximen Miaomiao's earlier firework signal, came to their aid. Even with three of them, they were still at a numerical disadvantage against the monstrous bee. Meanwhile, Hu Zi regained consciousness in a vast, empty space. He saw a large, four-winged crane carrying a Phurba flying towards him. He attempted to grasp the Phurba but was repelled by its immense power. Suddenly, the ground beneath him crumbled.
Instinctively, Hu Zi reached out again, this time successfully seizing the Phurba to prevent his fall. As he clutched the artifact, his entire body glowed with golden light, and the Thousand-year Bee instantly exploded and died. Hu Zi appeared momentarily suspended in mid-air, the golden light fading before he fell unconscious. Witnesses confirmed that a demonic tail had briefly manifested on him.
Following the intense battle, Mo Guzi found the disguised Ximen Miaomiao, who claimed she had been severely injured by the bee's poison, and he helped her detoxify. In the aftermath, the other candidates began to fervently debate Hu Zi's true identity, fueled by the sight of his demonic tail. Cheng Jinian actively stirred discord, leading a movement to expel Hu Zi from the examination.
However, the disguised Ximen Miaomiao, addressing the crowd, announced that the Tiangang Hall had ruled that only candidates who demonstrated unity and fought bravely against the Thousand-year Bee on Baihua Mountain would be directly promoted to the final assessment, while those who panicked and fled would be disqualified. When questioned about Hu Zi's status, she quickly dismissed the concern, stating he had killed the bee and saved everyone.
Hu Zi awoke later, and upon hearing his description of the four-winged crane, the Eldest Master expressed his astonishment, recognizing it as the Demon Emperor, who had supposedly died five hundred years ago. The Eldest Master also revealed that the Phurba, while the Demon Emperor's artifact, was also a powerful tool to suppress demonic energy, and if Hu Zi could fully activate its power, his demonic tail could be entirely removed.
Zhao Xintong, who had been avoiding Hu Zi, was visibly upset. Hu Zi, realizing her anger stemmed from his reckless endangerment of his life during the bee attack, sincerely apologized. Zhao Xintong expressed her frustration, stating she did not want him to sacrifice his life for her, emphasizing that the path of a Royal Sorcerer was perilous, full of dangers from various demonic entities.
She urged him to cherish his life, admitting that she deeply cared for him and would rather not be his friend if he continued to gamble with his life. Hu Zi, touched by her confession, acknowledged her concern. Three days later, the final assessment commenced at the martial arts arena. Twenty-four candidates were randomly assigned to one of four camps by drawing lots.
These camps were led by the commanders of the Tiangang Hall: Tie Lie for the Red Camp, Miao Yin for the Blue Camp, Qi Yanran for the Black Camp, and Qi Xiaoxuan for the White Camp. The objective of the final assessment was for each camp to race against an hourglass timer to retrieve the Long Token located at the top of a central dragon pillar.
The first camp to secure the Long Token would be declared victorious, its candidates automatically promoted to Royal Sorcerers, and its commander elevated to the esteemed position of commander-in-chief of the four camps. Hu Zi initially drew a lot for the Black Camp. However, Wang Yuqian, eager for them to be in Qi Xiaoxuan's White Camp, approached Xiao Yunzi and successfully persuaded him to swap lots, explaining that he needed to protect Hu Zi due to his supposed weakness.
Thus, Hu Zi, Zhao Xintong, and Wang Yuqian all ended up in the White Camp. The competition began, quickly escalating into a fierce melee. Hu Zi found himself surrounded and attacked by four opponents. Zhao Xintong engaged Wu Lidan, who resorted to poisoning her. Despite being afflicted, Zhao Xintong managed to stab Wu Lidan and knock him off the dragon pillar before she collapsed. Meanwhile, Qi Yanran fiercely pursued Qi Xiaoxuan.
Hu Zi, combining the power of the Phurba with the enchantment, experienced a surge of power, making him significantly stronger. He quickly overwhelmed and defeated both Tie Lie and Miao Yin, forcing them to concede from the fight. With a clear path, Hu Zi ascended the dragon pillar and secured the Long Token. Just as victory seemed certain for the White Camp, Qi Xiaoxuan, exhibiting a sudden and disturbing change in demeanor, brutally stabbed Hu Zi.
Hu Zi, wounded, plummeted from the pillar, and Qi Yanran seized the opportunity, snatching the Long Token. The unexpected turn of events left everyone in the arena, including the other commanders, stunned and confused by Qi Xiaoxuan's shocking betrayal.
