When Destiny Brings The Demon Recap, Plot, Synopsis
When Destiny Brings The Demon Synopsis
After being sealed in the mountain for 500 years, Sima Jiao, the ancestor of the Gengchen Immortal Mansion, meets with Liao Jianyan, who accidentally arrives in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, and is subdued by her "salty fish" instincts, from which Liao begins to guide Sima Jiao towards goodness and becomes the person who changes him.
During the process, they develop a love for each other and experience a love-hate relationship across three lifetimes in the Immortal Mansion, the Devil's Realm, and the Human world, and ultimately choose to protect their lovers and safeguard the peace of the three realms.
When Destiny Brings The Demon Recap
Episode 1 Recap
For five hundred years, Sima Jiao, a unique spirit body, has been sealed away on Three Saints Mountain. As the time for his release on the night of the new moon approaches, the beings of the Three Realms are filled with trepidation, for Sima Jiao, also known as the Lord of Mercy, possesses boundless power. The mountain's perpetual bloom is a testament to his vibrant energy. Yet, it is precisely his immense power that strikes fear into their hearts.
Five centuries ago, during a time of widespread chaos and fierce battles in the Three Realms, he was the sole survivor, merely an infant. When the Demon Realm discovered a totem on his forehead, they understood he carried the purest essence of demonic energy and was the only one capable of maintaining peace across the Three Realms.
To ensure his blood and divine power would forever serve them, they collaboratively sealed Sima Jiao for five centuries, publicly stating he was merely in secluded cultivation. Now, uncertain of his current state, various realms have begun to send disciples, ostensibly to care for the Lord of Mercy, but truly to probe his situation.
From his elevated position within the mountain, Sima Jiao, who was imprisoned by the Eight Palaces and whose place as ruler of the Celestial Palace they usurped, reflects on his dire situation, trapped in this lightless prison. He, however, has forged the Spirit Fire's avatar, and on the approaching new moon, the mountain's barriers will no longer confine him. He only needs one last piece to turn the game around and alter his fate.
Meanwhile, Liao Tingyan, originally a modern-day laborer, was on her way home from an overnight shift when a sudden bolt of lightning struck her, blurring her senses and making her feel as though her soul had exited her body. When she awoke, she found herself inhabiting the body of a junior sister in Serene Vale, a branch of the Four Seasons Palace under the Gengchen Celestial Palace.
Disturbed by her unfamiliar clothes and surroundings, she rushed to a mirror and saw a strange, beautiful face. Her master, Dongyang Zhenren, entered, inquiring about her well-being. Liao Tingyan, confused by the title "Master" and her new reality, was told she had been his disciple for over three months and that a barrier on Three Saints Mountain had damaged her Soul Manor, causing her memory loss and muddled speech.
Her master then informed her that the Lord of Mercy, the highest elder and last of the Sima clan, was ending his five-hundred-year seclusion, and various sects were sending disciples to serve him. Master Dongyang Zhenren was taking her to the selection, though he assured her Serene Vale was merely there to make up the numbers. Liao Tingyan, dismayed at the prospect of more "hustle" even in this immortal world, reluctantly agreed, hoping to simply get by quietly.
They arrived at the vast Gengchen Celestial Palace, spanning thousands of miles, where a golden phoenix soared overhead, casting its light upon a select few, including Liao Tingyan. She was baffled by her selection, as she had only intended to be a mere participant. Other disciples, like Yu Rongrong, openly questioned how a "three-spiritual-root loser" like Liao Tingyan could be chosen over them, attributing her success solely to her pretty face.
Inside the Fengqi Pavilion, where Sect Master Shi Qianlv and the Eight Palace heads gathered, the selection process required disciples to meditate and activate their heavenly crown. During the selection, Sima Jiao's furious roar from within the mountain terrified the assembly. His voice, threatening to kill them all upon his release, led Liao Tingyan to wonder if he was a demonic patriarch rather than a righteous one.
Sect Master Shi, along with the Heaven Palace's head, whose disciple Mu Nisheng was seen as their palace's hope, presented the chosen disciples. As the selected disciples, including a disguised Wan Ling, proceeded further into the Three Saints Mountain, the oppressive cold and eerie atmosphere left Liao Tingyan on edge. She made several attempts to escape, feigning illness and stomach pains, but was thwarted by an invisible barrier, much to the amusement of Sima Jiao, who was watching from afar.
She observed the other disciples' bravery in following a large snake that seemed to guide them, while she calculated her chances of slipping away unnoticed. Eventually, she decided to stick with the group, fearing being alone in such a creepy place. The group ascended a towering structure with no elevator, and blood splattered ominously as they neared Sima Jiao. He dismissed the disciples as fools and demanded their presence.
Liao Tingyan, upon seeing his youthful, well-maintained feet and then his face, was surprised to find him a "pretty boy" with a volatile temper. Yu Rongrong and the imposter Wan Ling approached him, proclaiming their devotion, but Sima Jiao, seeing through their lies, rejected them. The Spirit Fire within him grew restless as he fixed his gaze on Liao Tingyan. He accused her of trickery, but she insisted on her innocence. Finally, Sima Jiao commanded everyone to leave.
Outside, the disciples expressed their fear, speculating that the "mad" Grandmaster was merely stocking up on "fresh meat" for his pet snake. Liao Tingyan, noting that the ambitious "palace schemers" like Mu Nisheng didn't seem to care for her, decided to continue her strategy of staying low-key. As she walked, her feet began to blister. Ye Ruling, a disciple of the Yin Palace, offered to help and alleviated her pain.
Liao Tingyan introduced herself, jokingly asking if Ye Ruling was also someone who preferred to do the bare minimum, which Ye Ruling misunderstood as a reference to the Demon Realm. Liao Tingyan explained her desire to avoid serving the Grandmaster, preferring a simple life. Ye Ruling, surprised by her lack of ambition, explained the immense cultivation benefits of gaining Sima Jiao's favor.
Liao Tingyan, however, remained resolute in her desire for comfortable survival and suggested finding a sunny spot to settle down. Ye Ruling declined her invitation, but offered help from the back hall if needed. Unbeknownst to Liao Tingyan, her entry into the mountain was part of a larger scheme. The Young Master of the Four Seasons Palace spoke with an unseen accomplice from the Demon Realm.
He revealed that he had cast a spell on Liao Tingyan during the selection, allowing her to secretly absorb spiritual energy and replace Yue Chuhui. Their plan was for Liao Tingyan to kill Sima Jiao, which would shatter the Immortal-Demon Barrier and free the Demon Realm from its desolate confinement. The Young Master assured his accomplice that their desires would be fulfilled once Sima Jiao was dead.
Meanwhile, the Young Sect Master of the Shi family observed that life lamps were already extinguishing, fearing for the disciples given Sima Jiao's ruthless nature. He explained that Sima Jiao's madness was a tragic consequence of his past: five hundred years ago, Sima Shi, another member of the Sima clan, went insane and incinerated White Deer Cliff, wiping out their entire family. Only the infant Sima Jiao survived, possessing a rare atavistic bloodline that fused him with the Spirit Fire.
This burdened him with the responsibility of sustaining the Spirit Fire with his own flesh and blood, an existence of endless torment, a life worse than death. To preserve this precious bloodline, the Eight Palaces had imposed seals and curses, preventing him from taking his own life, and imprisoned him on Three Saints Mountain for five centuries.
The Young Sect Master remarked that it was no wonder Sima Jiao had succumbed to madness, having been orphaned at birth and then merely exploited by the Eight Palaces. He gave Sima Jiao a bowl of soup, noting that the Grandmaster still held some regard for the Shi family, but he gravely doubted the fate of the other disciples, who harbored their own hidden agendas.
From his solitary confinement, Sima Jiao continued to ponder Liao Tingyan, mystified by her presence that made the Spirit Fire restless, wondering what she was truly plotting, and if she could be the one he needed.
Episode 2 Recap
In the Gengchen Celestial Palace, various factions meticulously planned their schemes concerning Sima Jiao. The Moon Palace discussed the recent selection process, where a disciple named Chuhui, despite her high cultivation, failed to be chosen, leading to suspicions of manipulation. They noted that Yu Rongrong, one of the chosen, possessed sufficient skill to potentially steal the Bloodseal Bloom, a valuable asset that could grant the Moon Palace millennia of cultivation.
Elsewhere, other groups celebrated their successes: Anxue and Tan Muying made the cut as planned, and even the "slave-born" Ye Ruling was selected, deemed the most talented among the Demon Realm captives, making her a crucial second bargaining chip. Mu Nisheng, the Master's sister, was also praised for her exceptional talent, expected to fulfill her mission.
Additionally, Misses Xiyue and Wanqing were selected with the explicit aim of bearing Sima Jiao's children, thereby allowing their faction to gain control of the Fengshan Spirit Fire. Their ultimate goal was to assassinate Sima Jiao and assume his dominion over the Gengchen Celestial Palace. Meanwhile, Liao Tingyan arrived on Three Saints Mountain, yearning only for a tranquil and peaceful life.
She sought an escape from the relentless cycle of past struggles, wishing to simply "lie flat" and enjoy her quiet existence. She discovered a sun-drenched courtyard, perfect for relaxation, and deemed it a luxurious space, far superior to her previous rented accommodations. She retrieved essential items from her Qiankun Pouch, recalling her master's parting advice: to avoid conflict on Three Saints Mountain, mind her own business, and never assert herself.
She lamented how close she had come to death just to get here. Unbeknownst to Liao Tingyan, Sima Jiao was observing her. He watched as she simply lay down and fell asleep, her face covered by a leaf. He wondered if Gengchen Celestial Palace had intentionally sent her to provoke him, or if they were truly so incompetent that they failed to realize she was a Demon Realm spy.
He mentally chided his loyal, but "stupid snake" companion for suggesting that his current discomfort was due to this woman, clarifying that it was his own Spirit Fire acting up. He found her ability to sleep so profoundly fascinating. Liao Tingyan awoke to find a young woman named Yu Rongrong attempting to pick one of the beautiful, yet unnervingly black-red and glowing flowers from the pond in her courtyard.
Before Liao Tingyan could speak, Yu Rongrong suddenly exploded, splattering blood into the water, leaving Liao Tingyan trembling in shock. At the Moon Palace, news spread as Yu Rongrong's life flame extinguished. Madam Yue learned that Yu Rongrong died by attempting to pick a flower at the Grandmaster's residence, possibly a Moonshade Bloom, and despite her soul not being completely scattered, she would still need to be sent for rebirth.
Whispers circulated among the other factions that two life lamps had extinguished in one day, a testament to Sima Jiao's continued ruthlessness, fueled by his ancient grievances with the Eight Palaces. They speculated that if he ever confronted them directly, his actions would be even more unrestrained. While some advocated for a pre-emptive strike, another warned against it, emphasizing Sima Jiao's immense power due to the integrated Spirit Fire.
They worried that killing him would also extinguish the Spirit Fire, depriving the entire Gengchen Celestial Palace of its spiritual energy and making cultivation impossible. However, others countered that consuming the Bloodseal Bloom, which grew from Sima Jiao's blood, or his blood itself, could still enhance their cultivation. Ye Ruling was sternly reminded that her clansmen remained under the Master's control, obligating her to participate in their dangerous plots.
Later that night, Liao Tingyan, having befriended Sima Jiao's giant python by sharing her Serene Vale Spirit Dew, was suddenly overcome by agonizing pain, realizing she had been poisoned. The giant python quickly took her to Sima Jiao's inner hall. Sima Jiao, initially vexed by the "stupid snake" bringing her to him, observed that she was suffering from demonic venom, a common "trick to control puppets."
He was astonished when she simply fell asleep after being brought to him, finding her lack of reaction unusual. He suspected her of deep cunning, believing she was a clever spy who had managed to win over his python. He used his own blood to heal her, threatening to kill her if she dared to vomit it. When Liao Tingyan recovered and found herself in Sima Jiao's hall, she feigned surprise and asked why she was there.
Sima Jiao confronted her, accusing her of deliberately using the "stupid snake" to gain entry to his Central Tower. Liao Tingyan explained that she had fainted from stomach pain the previous night, and the python must have brought her to him out of worry. She acknowledged her stomach no longer hurt, to which Sima Jiao confirmed it was because she had consumed his blood, which not only eased pain but also boosted cultivation—a power everyone in the world desired.
Liao Tingyan quickly interjected that she was "not that interested." Sima Jiao, still suspicious, then subjected her to a Truth Spell. He demanded to know why she didn't want to kill him. Liao Tingyan honestly replied that she was "just an innocent slacker" with very low cultivation and no reason to harm him. Convinced by the truth spell that she genuinely harbored no ill intentions, Sima Jiao, surprisingly, decided not to kill her.
Instead, he declared that from then on, she would be his servant. Though terrified and apprehensive of his erratic moods, Liao Tingyan cautiously accepted, her priority being to simply stay alive. Liao Tingyan began her new role, grumbling about being "back to work" and feeling like Sima Jiao's "plaything." One night, the giant python woke her and led her back to Sima Jiao's inner hall.
She found him convulsing, his body glowing red and drenched in sweat, clearly in immense pain from his Spirit Fire. Despite her initial urge to flee, she couldn't bring herself to abandon him in his suffering. She stumbled, falling forward and touching her forehead to his. The contact immediately brought Sima Jiao immense relief, the intense heat subsiding. He realized that her physical presence had an unexpected soothing effect on the burning pain caused by his Spirit Fire.
Episode 3 Recap
Late at night, after being forced into unexpected overtime, Liao Tingyan managed to escape Sima Jiao’s office, having witnessed his eyes blaze with a terrifying fire. Still trembling, she ran out and was startled to encounter the Aunt-Master whom Sima Jiao had previously waved away with a mere flick of his sleeve. Liao Tingyan was shocked, exclaiming, "You came back from the dead? You’re still alive?"
The Aunt-Master, annoyed, affirmed she was indeed alive, explaining that Grandmaster had merely given her a lesson and a warning, which she would now heed by being more prudent. The Aunt-Master then pressed Liao Tingyan for information on Sima Jiao’s current state. As a self-proclaimed "laborer" who knew not to gossip about her boss, Liao Tingyan smoothly replied, "Grandmaster is doing perfectly fine."
Unable to extract any useful details, the Aunt-Master huffed and left, reminding Liao Tingyan that serving Grandmaster was a privilege. Liao Tingyan mused that perhaps Sima Jiao was just trying to scare her earlier, and that despite being a bit slow in the head, he didn’t seem like someone who would kill over trivial matters, behaving more like a schoolkid than a revered Grandmaster.
Liao Tingyan, whose only desire was to "lie flat" and live a comfortable, peaceful life, truly didn't understand the mindset of the other cultivators. Those who hadn't been chosen to serve Sima Jiao often cast hostile glances at her, as if she had gained an immense advantage. She felt misunderstood, though she did find some solace in Ye Ruling, a girl who treated her with kindness.
Liao Tingyan appreciated that in this fantasy world, she didn't have to clock in for work and could sleep soundly. One morning, as Liao Tingyan prepared to wash up, she found her basin empty. She grabbed a wooden bucket and went out to fetch water. Along the way, she encountered a group of disciples who gave her cold looks.
They whispered that she seemed favored by Grandmaster, able to freely enter and exit the Central Tower, and wondered what made her special, suggesting perhaps only those with low cultivation could approach him. One disciple confronted Liao Tingyan directly, demanding to know why she was still alive and warning her not to harbor any vile thoughts towards Sima Jiao. Ye Ruling intervened, asking if the disciple was simply worried Liao Tingyan might gain Sima Jiao's favor before her.
The disciple scoffed, dismissing Liao Tingyan as a low-grade spiritual root who appeared out of nowhere. Ye Ruling countered, questioning if high cultivation and noble birth truly made one inherently superior, to which the disciple accused Ye Ruling of feeling connected to Liao Tingyan due to her own humble origins. Liao Tingyan, initially unwilling to argue, stepped in when they insulted Ye Ruling's background. She reprimanded the disciple for resorting to personal attacks and bullying those weaker than her.
Later, Liao Tingyan offered Ye Ruling some sweet treats as a thank-you, telling her they were now friends. In her mind, Liao Tingyan was delighted to have found a good colleague. Ye Ruling, for her part, had a hidden agenda, believing that by befriending Liao Tingyan, she could eventually gain Sima Jiao's attention and access the inner hall.
Sima Jiao, still unable to fully grasp Liao Tingyan’s true thoughts, decided to create an opportunity for any hidden "rats" to reveal themselves. He ordered his subordinates to lower the barrier around the Central Tower, using the pretense of catching a Demon Realm spy. He also instructed Liao Tingyan to water a valuable magical flower daily. Liao Tingyan, indifferent to the flower's worth, simply viewed it as a task from her boss.
While working, she commented on a faint "child's crying sound" emanating from the flower. Sima Jiao explained that when the flower thrived, he felt restless and murderous, and even encouraged her to try and extinguish its flame, saying it would be a great feat if she succeeded. The flower itself, an entity known as the Fengshan Spirit Fire, could talk and complained about Liao Tingyan's constant watering, threatening to burn her.
Liao Tingyan maintained her professionalism, explaining she was just following orders. The Spirit Fire then revealed a surprising detail: Sima Jiao's nickname was not "Jiao" (delicate), as Liao Tingyan misheard, but "Jiao" (burnt), which amused her. The Spirit Fire also revealed that its suffering didn't alleviate Sima Jiao's pain, meaning Liao Tingyan's work was ineffective. Liao Tingyan realized her "work" was pointless but decided to continue out of fear of Sima Jiao, rationalizing it as siding with the "greater evil."
Feeling overworked, she later tried to negotiate for a "shuangxiu," her modern term for a two-day weekend. Sima Jiao, completely misunderstanding it as a vulgar proposition, stormed off, leaving her utterly bewildered. Sima Jiao didn’t know that "shuāngxiū" (双休, "double rest") in modern terms meant a two-day weekend off work.
Instead, he mistakenly thought the other person was brazenly inviting him to "shuāngxiū" (双修, "dual cultivation" – a term from cultivation novels referring to intimate spiritual/martial partnership, often involving physical intimacy). Sima Jiao, observing Liao Tingyan’s genuine indifference to the potent magical flower, decided to test her. He tore off two petals from the Fengshan Bloodseal Bloom, which he said was cultivated with his own blood, and asked Liao Tingyan if she wanted them.
The Spirit Fire revealed the petals' true value: each contained a thousand years of cultivation. Wary of such immense power and the tropes of dangerous treasures in novels, Liao Tingyan initially expressed hesitation, fearing she couldn't handle it. Sima Jiao then offered more petals as "wages" if she would help him, but Liao Tingyan politely refused the offer. Despite her reluctance, Sima Jiao tossed the two petals to her as a reward.
He then stopped her from leaving, declaring her work was not done and instructing her to follow him to learn a killing spell. Liao Tingyan balked at the idea, but Sima Jiao ominously told her to comply or die. Later, Liao Tingyan directly asked Sima Jiao if he liked her, given his special treatment—feeding her his blood, keeping her by his side, and personally teaching her spells. Sima Jiao scoffed, calling her laughable and stating mortal romance was beneath him.
He clarified that he only kept her because her unique constitution could temporarily alleviate the manic energy caused by the Fengshan Spirit Fire within him, essentially treating her as a "walking air conditioner." Liao Tingyan sighed in relief, convinced Sima Jiao was truly emotionless. Sima Jiao then mused that his "piece" was now in place, and after five hundred years, his grand plan was finally nearing its end.
Meanwhile, other cultivators whispered about Liao Tingyan’s ability to freely enter the Central Tower, speculating that the unbreakable barrier had been lifted and gave them an opportunity to act. Hei Nianjiu was also revealed to be secretly colluding with the Demon Realm. In a conversation with a demon named Mingli, Hei Nianjiu, frustrated, demanded the antidote for a demon poison she had been given. Mingli refused, stating that as long as Sima Jiao was alive, he couldn't.
He reminded Hei Nianjiu that he had willingly sought their alliance to boost her cultivation. Hei Nianjiu accused them of controlling her with poison from the start, but Mingli countered that he was the one who initiated the alliance and his only choice now was to make Liao Tingyan act swiftly.
Ye Ruling pondered the difficult choice of asking Liao Tingyan for help, worrying it would expose her ulterior motives, but felt compelled as her family's fate hinged on Sima Jiao's demise. One night, Liao Tingyan's inner gu poison flared up, causing her intense pain. Mr. Snake, the giant python that frequently visited her, immediately coiled her up to take her for help. Just then, Ye Ruling arrived and, mistakenly believing Mr. Snake was eating Liao Tingyan, leaped into action.
She bravely fought Mr. Snake and managed to extract its inner core, or "serpent heart." Liao Tingyan woke up to find Ye Ruling safe and marveled at her bravery. Feeling bad for Mr. Snake, who she believed was not inherently malicious, Liao Tingyan watched as Ye Ruling decided to keep the serpent heart, threatening to make the python heartless forever if it scared people again. Liao Tingyan then lamented her hard life, trapped in the Central Tower.
Ye Ruling, still playing her part, pretended to admire Liao Tingyan's supposed favor with Sima Jiao and expressed a desire to also serve him. Genuinely concerned, Liao Tingyan warned Ye Ruling against it, calling Sima Jiao "stably crazy" and not wanting to push her friend into a "fire pit." Ye Ruling was momentarily touched by Liao Tingyan’s concern. Seeking a more reliable cure for her recurring ailment, Liao Tingyan tried to improve her working conditions.
She polished Sima Jiao’s table and cleaned the floor until it sparkled. She then attempted to flatter him, asking if he could be on call to provide his blood whenever her "old ailment" acted up, suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement. Sima Jiao simply asked what she wanted and, guessing it was about his blood again, told her it would depend on his mood before leaving. Liao Tingyan sighed, lamenting how difficult it was to please her boss.
Separately, Sima Jiao internally acknowledged that the "Demon Realm spy" (Liao Tingyan) had helped ease his Spirit Fire’s burning pain. He contemplated forcing open the seal that bound him, despite an inner voice warning him that such a reckless action could kill him. The night of the new moon, when he planned to leave the mountain, was drawing near.
Episode 4 Recap
Sima Jiao attempted to break free from the powerful seal that confined him. He had tried numerous times, once nearly succumbing to qi deviation. The closest he came was when the divine temple's dome began to loosen, emitting countless specks of light. Liao Tingyan, witnessing this spectacle for the first time, did not understand the gravity of the situation, instead finding the colorful glow beautiful and even invited Black Serpent to enjoy the view with her.
Suddenly, the earth trembled violently. A sense of unease filled Liao Tingyan. She intuitively felt that Sima Jiao was in trouble. As the tremors intensified, the Black Serpent vehemently warned Sima Jiao that forcing the seal open was impossible.
He reminded Sima Jiao that despite Liao Tingyan alleviating his Spirit Fire pain, the seal was formed by the bloodlines of all Eight Palaces, and any reckless attempts to break it would only drive the sealing nails deeper into his body, potentially killing him. Sima Jiao, annoyed, simply told him to be silent. Observing the strange phenomenon, Liao Tingyan realized that what outsiders perceived as Sima Jiao's seclusion was, in fact, five hundred years of imprisonment by the major sects.
She understood his frustration, remarking that anyone confined like that for centuries would surely go mad. Feeling a surge of pity for her “boss,” she resolved to find a way to cheer him up. As the temple quieted and night fell, Liao Tingyan quietly went to check on Sima Jiao's condition. She inadvertently stumbled and fell into his bath. Although extremely embarrassed, Sima Jiao did not rebuke her.
As she discreetly observed him, she noticed scars on his body, leading her to believe they were remnants from when he was sealed. Liao Tingyan then offered to help him alleviate his worries. She used the cultivation Sima Jiao had recently boosted for her to conjure numerous beautiful, pure white snowflakes, asking him how he liked it and if it made him feel cooler.
Sima Jiao, however, found her efforts ridiculous, questioning why she used her enhanced cultivation for such trivial tricks. He asserted that her cultivation could be used for far more significant purposes. Liao Tingyan persisted, trying to charm him by saying he shouldn't frown with such a handsome face. Unbeknownst to them, spies planted by the major sects had infiltrated the inner hall and were eavesdropping on Sima Jiao's conversations.
Sima Jiao was heard discussing the impending new moon, revealing that it would be his weakest period after five centuries of imprisonment and daily torment. He told the Black Serpent that during this time, he would be vulnerable and in danger of losing his life if not properly guarded. The spies immediately reported this crucial information to their respective palace masters.
They convened to devise a plan, recognizing the new moon as a rare opportunity to deal with Sima Jiao, especially as he was the sole sustenance for the Fengshan Spirit Fire. Some masters expressed concern that the Grandmaster, even weakened, might still be dangerous, while others speculated their true motives were to seize the Bloodseal Bloom or eliminate him to prevent him from settling old scores.
Master Yin, whose spy, Anxue, delivered the news, proposed his palace handle the matter by sending elders to protect Sima Jiao, a thinly veiled attempt to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, two female disciples from the Star Palace of Gengchen Celestial Palace, Yun Xiyue and Hua Wanqing, were consumed by jealousy.
They learned that Liao Tingyan was moving into the inner hall and expressed resentment that she, a disciple from the Four Seasons Palace, had so quickly gained Sima Jiao’s favor and would be living with him. Believing Liao Tingyan had used tricks to win him over, they decided to eliminate her. They found Liao Tingyan sketching Black Serpent, who she affectionately called "Brother Snake," reassuring him that Ye Ruling would eventually return his inner core because of her kind nature.
The two disciples accosted Liao Tingyan, accusing her of disrespecting Sima Jiao by lounging and painting instead of serving him. They quickly resorted to violence, intending to "teach her a lesson" on Sima Jiao's behalf. Liao Tingyan, simply wanting to be a "slacker," defended herself using the snow-conjuring spell Sima Jiao had improved for her, expressing her exasperation at the constant trouble. Despite being a three-spiritual-root cultivator, she proved surprisingly resilient.
Yun Xiyue then urged Hua Wanqing to kill Liao Tingyan to eliminate the threat for good. Sima Jiao, who had been observing the events, intervened just in time. He easily defeated Yun Xiyue and Hua Wanqing, declaring that Three Saints Mountain was not a place for their reckless behavior. As they pleaded for their lives, Sima Jiao coldly remarked that they had ruined his rare moment of amusement.
He questioned Yun Xiyue about her motives, and she brazenly confessed her plan: to become his concubine and bear a child with the Sima clan's atavistic bloodline. Her ultimate goal was for the Fengshan Clan to have an heir, after which they would trap and kill Sima Jiao, seize the Spirit Fire, and allow the Star Palace to rule Gengchen Celestial Palace, with her as the next Palace Mistress.
When he questioned Hua Wanqing, she admitted she was simply there to sabotage Yun Xiyue's plans out of hatred. Sima Jiao, unimpressed, dismissed their "tired tricks" and warned them that if he died, the entire Gengchen Celestial Palace, including all palace and lineage masters, would perish with him, making it clear that an atavistic bloodline was exceedingly rare. He then mercilessly executed Yun Xiyue and Hua Wanqing and resolved that he would have to teach Liao Tingyan how to kill.
Liao Tingyan had survived the ordeal and was now recovering. Ye Ruling, who had been alerted by Black Serpent, found Liao Tingyan unconscious and cared for her. Upon awakening, Liao Tingyan asked what happened, and Ye Ruling told her she found her unconscious amidst the smell of blood, speculating that Sima Jiao might have killed someone. Liao Tingyan, however, maintained that Sima Jiao, despite his eccentricities, was not bloodthirsty.
She then recalled the attack by Yun Xiyue and Hua Wanqing but noted she had no injuries. Ye Ruling was surprised, wondering if Sima Jiao had saved her and developed feelings. Liao Tingyan quickly dismissed the idea, attributing Sima Jiao's actions to her unique ability to alleviate his Spirit Fire burns, calling herself his "walking air conditioner." Ye Ruling, in turn, pondered if Liao Tingyan possessed an "extreme-cold nature from the Demon Realm," which would explain her unusual constitution.
Liao Tingyan, grateful for Black Serpent's help, urged Ye Ruling to return the inner core, vouching for Black Serpent’s good nature. Ye Ruling, after some hesitation and acknowledging Black Serpent’s role in saving Liao Tingyan, decided to return the inner core. She approached Black Serpent with an apology for her previous misunderstanding, offering him a drink he supposedly enjoyed. As Black Serpent swallowed his inner core, he immediately transformed into a handsome human form.
Overjoyed, Black Serpent thanked Ye Ruling profusely for enabling his transformation, even though she claimed to have done nothing to the core. Black Serpent then sought out Sima Jiao to announce his transformation. Sima Jiao coldly reminded him that he had consumed enough of his blood to transform long ago. Black Serpent then swore eternal loyalty to Sima Jiao, acknowledging his life was a gift from him.
Sima Jiao advised him to learn to "be human" now that he had taken human form, to which Black Serpent replied that Liao Tingyan had also told him to practice self-respect and self-love. Black Serpent also expressed his gratitude to Liao Tingyan, calling her a true friend. Sima Jiao, observing this, commented that Liao Tingyan was skilled at winning people over. Sima Jiao then instructed Black Serpent to guard the mountain gate on the upcoming new moon night.
Liao Tingyan later conversed with a female disciple from the Heaven Palace, who perpetually waited outside Sima Jiao's residence. The disciple explained her devotion stemmed from Sima Jiao's role in sustaining the Spirit Fire, which provided endless spiritual power to Gengchen Celestial Palace, and gaining his favor was her lifelong ambition and her palace's pride.
When Liao Tingyan asked if she feared Sima Jiao might kill her due to his unpredictability, the disciple declared she would have no regrets, even in death. Liao Tingyan, in an internal monologue, pondered the cultivators' readiness to die, contrasting it with her own desire to simply live and fight for survival.
During another encounter, Liao Tingyan joked with Sima Jiao about him scaring her early in the morning, warning him not to overwork her to avoid "work-related injuries" for which he'd be responsible. Sima Jiao found her ambition amusing. Liao Tingyan then gave him a "thumbs-up" gesture, explaining it was a form of flattery. Sima Jiao dismissed it as a "petty trick." Sima Jiao then questioned Liao Tingyan about her progress with the killing spell he had taught her.
Dissatisfied with her "so-so" answer, he demonstrated by holding a sword to her, instructing her on the precise vital points to strike for a fatal blow, emphasizing the heart and throat. After the impromptu lesson, she acknowledged his teachings, then quickly excused herself to water the "little flame." Finally, on the night of the new moon, various palace masters, including Master Tian, Madam Yue, and Master Yin, gathered near Sima Jiao’s residence.
They engaged in thinly veiled accusations about each other’s true intentions—whether to protect Sima Jiao, seize the Bloodseal Bloom, gain favor, or eliminate him entirely. Master Yin proposed sending his elders in first to "guard" Sima Jiao. Inside the inner hall, Sima Jiao asked Liao Tingyan if she had consumed the precious Bloodseal Bloom petals he had given her. She admitted she hadn't, considering them too valuable.
Sima Jiao explained that the petals required his blood to be effective, otherwise they would cause an explosion, but assured her she was safe since she had consumed his blood before. Liao Tingyan, ever practical, reasoned that a single petal could boost her cultivation by a thousand years, which she feared might "kill her" from overdose. When Sima Jiao insisted, she gambled that he wouldn't kill her for refusing. Sima Jiao agreed to her terms.
He then ominously asked if she thought he was easy to deal with today, before declaring that he was indeed at his weakest, making it a "golden chance" for anyone to kill him. Yet, he asserted that even in his weakened state, his attackers were still "too weak" to challenge him, even as blood trickled from his lips, which Liao Tingyan promptly pointed out.
Sima Jiao then directly challenged Liao Tingyan, telling her that with him gravely injured, it was a good opportunity for her. When one of the invading elders urged Liao Tingyan to seize the sword and kill Sima Jiao, arguing that if he lived, more would die, Liao Tingyan hesitated, stating she didn't kill. Sima Jiao then agreed with the elder, instructed Liao Tingyan to pull out the sword, and asked her if she remembered his previous lesson on how to kill.
Episode 5 Recap
The various sect leaders gathered at the barrier, eager to discern the true state of affairs. Some, driven by a desire to immediately eliminate Sima Jiao and claim his pure blood for maximum gain, urged others to enter. However, others hesitated, fearing they might be outmatched and become sacrificial pawns. The four sect leaders who ventured in prematurely were no match for Sima Jiao. He quickly bound them to pillars and began their punishment.
During this process, Sima Jiao also suffered severe injuries, prompting Liao Tingyan to express her concern for him, even asking herself what she should do. Seizing the urgent moment to make a good impression, she carefully helped her "boss" onto a bed and covered him with a blanket. Unexpectedly, Sima Jiao produced a sword and instructed Liao Tingyan to strike him.
Despite his previous teachings on killing, Liao Tingyan had never taken a life and found herself unable to bring herself to harm anyone, especially Sima Jiao. When he repeatedly urged her to "do it," she wondered why everyone was forcing her to act and declared that she had "killed someone" after the blade went in. She then asked if Sima Jiao was trying to frame her.
Liao Tingyan contemplated fleeing, but Sima Jiao, sensing her hesitation, grasped her hand and used it to plunge the sword into his own chest. Liao Tingyan trembled, terrified by her first act of taking a life, especially that of her powerful Grandmaster. Sima Jiao, however, reassured her, stating that this act was a necessary step to break his seals. Liao Tingyan reacted by calling him a "murderer" and a "jerk."
Outside the barrier, the remaining sect leaders, observing Sima Jiao's seemingly weakened spiritual power, became emboldened. Believing it was a perfect opportunity, most of them surged into the divine hall, eager to deliver the final blow. Only Sect Master Shi and Madam Xing hesitated. When asked why she wasn't entering, Madam Xing deferred to Sect Master Shi, stating that he, as Sima Jiao's guardian and a witness to his sealing, must know his true power.
She doubted the rumor of Sima Jiao's weakness on the new moon night and believed he wouldn't easily become prey. This collective rush played right into Sima Jiao's hands, allowing him to corner and eliminate them all. As he absorbed their spiritual energy, his power surged dramatically. He effortlessly removed the eight nails impaled in his body and, with a powerful surge, broke through the barrier, finally free after five hundred years.
The surviving sect leaders realized too late that they had fallen into Sima Jiao's trap, confirming his supposed weakness on the new moon was a lie and that he had used their blood to break the seals. They desperately tried to flee but were trapped by the Spirit Fire. As they perished, some cursed Sima Jiao, believing his plan was incomplete because Xing Hecan, known for her cowardice, had not entered the hall.
Sima Jiao, however, asserted that her absence didn't doom his plan and that he had already made good use of the disciples they had sent in earlier. Liao Tingyan observed Sima Jiao after his liberation and noticed he didn't seem happy, leaving her to ponder the secrets he might still harbor. Having witnessed his confinement for five hundred years, Liao Tingyan felt a sense of pity for him.
Sima Jiao then confessed his elaborate plan, which he had been preparing for five hundred years: he had long known that connecting with the heart veins of the eight major palace heads was the key to breaking the barrier. His challenge was orchestrating a situation where they would willingly come to him since he couldn't leave the confines of the barrier himself.
To achieve this, he had cultivated the Spirit Fire's avatar to instill fear in the Eight Palaces, ensuring they would send disciples into the mountain. He explained that the initial killings were not random; those eliminated were spies or individuals with malicious intent. He specifically stated that the rumor of his spiritual power being weakened on the new moon night was a deliberate falsehood, designed to lure the palace heads in.
He couldn't stab himself, he revealed, because the Gengchen Celestial Palace's elders had placed restrictions on the sealing nails within him to prevent self-harm, fearing he would perish and take the sect's spiritual power with him. This is why he needed Liao Tingyan to stab him; as he was one with the Spirit Fire, damage to his heart would affect the connected spirit vein, making his spiritual power "appear" weakened to outsiders, thus confirming the fabricated rumor.
This act was also his final test to confirm her harmlessness. He stated that Liao Tingyan survived precisely because she had been simple-minded and naive. Despite this revelation, Liao Tingyan resolved to keep surviving, hoping to see many more sunrises. Meanwhile, the master of the Yin Palace had been killed. Ye Ruling possessed the former master's inner core, absorbed it and declared herself the successor, warning any who disagreed to challenge her.
She acknowledged Sima Jiao's role, saying, "Sima Jiao, you have actually done one good thing." Sima Jiao then led Liao Tingyan back to the ruined divine hall. Exhausted from the day's ordeal, Liao Tingyan found a small hammock and quickly fell asleep. When she awoke, she observed the devastation: the hall was a wreck, still smoldering in places, and many Bloodseal Blooms had been incinerated.
To prevent any surviving sect leaders from attempting further mischief, Sima Jiao and Liao Tingyan departed the ravaged hall. Sima Jiao took Liao Tingyan to White Deer Cliff, a serene and picturesque location meticulously prepared by the Sect Master Shi of the Gengchen Celestial Palace. Sect Master Shi, who had rebuilt the Cliff after a great fire, offered a dozen puppet servants to Sima Jiao, emphasizing their lack of consciousness or souls.
However, Sima Jiao declined them all, stating he disliked being disturbed. Sect Master Shi expressed his family's enduring loyalty to the Sima clan, stressing the importance of fulfilling their ancestral duties. Liao Tingyan, realizing she was the sole "laborer" in this vast place facing the "bloodthirsty Grandmaster," became apprehensive about her own survival. Sima Jiao noted her unusual quietness, mentioning she was usually "full of problems, nonsense, and all sorts of gibberish."
When Liao Tingyan asked if those people "really had to die" and sought an explanation, Sima Jiao, surprisingly, did not show anger. While exploring the gardens of White Deer Cliff with Sima Jiao, Liao Tingyan admired the dark, enchanting Moonshade Blooms. Sima Jiao, with a hint of sadness, explained that these flowers sprout from the bone pearls left behind after Sima clan members die; each pearl yields one bloom.
This revealed to Liao Tingyan that the beautiful garden was, in essence, a graveyard. He then offered her one of the flowers. As Liao Tingyan inhaled its fragrance, she was suddenly transported into someone's memory. She found herself in a vision of the past, at what appeared to be White Deer Cliff.
She witnessed Sima E, a Sima clan member, being forced into marriage with Sima Shi to preserve the "pure bloodline of the Fengshan line" and "nourish the Spirit Fire." Sima E vehemently resisted, proclaiming she did not love him and accusing the Eight Palaces of forcing her to marry and bear children, likening her existence to that of a "caged bird." She believed the Sima clan would only find freedom if the Fengshan Spirit Fire ceased to exist.
Despite her defiance, Sima E eventually yielded. The memory then shifted to a wedding ceremony where Sima Shi and Sima E were joined as "partners" to "continue the bloodline" and "nourish the Spirit Fire." Later, she saw Sima E cradling an infant, whom she named "Jiao." Liao Tingyan realized this baby was none other than Sima Jiao, confirming that Sima E was his mother. She observed how the Eight Palaces' greed had pushed the Sima clan to such extremes.
Episode 6 Recap
Liao Tingyan found herself in a vivid memory, witnessing a tragic past. The two individuals before her were Sima Jiao's parents. She observed as a powerful array ensnared the Sima clan, forcing them to channel their energies to nourish the Spirit Fire. The depravity escalated when she saw their Great Ancestress’s deceased body being desecrated for a feast, inciting Liao Tingyan to curse the perpetrators as monsters.
In a desperate act, Sima Shi, Sima Jiao's father, unleashed the Spirit Fire, engulfing White Deer Cliff in flames before taking his own life. The Eight Palaces, fearing the complete loss of the Sima bloodline essential for the Spirit Fire, attempted to intervene. Sima E, holding her infant son, initially considered ending their shared tragedy by killing Sima Jiao.
However, her husband's words echoed in her mind, reminding her that Sima Jiao, possessing a rare atavistic Fengshan bloodline, was their clan's sole hope for revival. Overcoming her despair, Sima E offered her "flesh, blood, and spirit bones" to the Spirit Fire, urging it to merge with her son through her sacrifice. The Spirit Fire, though lamenting the loss of her life, ultimately yielded, ensuring Sima Jiao's survival as the last living member of the Sima clan.
Distraught by the vision, Liao Tingyan abruptly woke to find herself confined within a coffin, triggering panicked screams for help. Sima Jiao quickly arrived and released her, explaining it was a punitive measure for her earlier act of picking a poisonous flower. He elaborated that flowers blooming from bone pearls reflected the deceased's state of mind: calm deaths yielded healing flowers, while deaths in pain and resentment resulted in poisonous ones.
Liao Tingyan, realizing the flower she picked came from Sima E's bone pearl, chose to conceal this painful truth from Sima Jiao, sensing he was not ready to confront it. She then probed Sima Jiao on how he distinguishes between medicinal and poisonous flowers. He revealed his inherent immunity to poisons as a Sima clan member, aided by the Spirit Fire, allowing him to discern them simply by taste.
Intrigued, Liao Tingyan suggested he sample various flowers for her, a task he readily undertook. He then declared his absolute power over her life, stating he could both kill and revive her at will. Liao Tingyan reflected on her fortunate position as Sima Jiao's seemingly trusted confidante.
Despite her desire for freedom, she decided against resigning, fearing retaliation from the various factions who might perceive her as vulnerable without Sima Jiao’s protection, and acknowledging her continued need for his ability to alleviate her pain. Meanwhile, Black Snake inquired why Sima Jiao hadn't simply eliminated the Eight Palaces upon his emergence.
Sima Jiao divulged his calculated revenge: he deemed it impractical to instantly replace the entire leadership and instead preferred to subject those who wronged him to prolonged torment, making them witness the destruction of their most cherished possessions before their ultimate demise. When asked about Shi Qianlv, Sima Jiao recalled a childhood incident where Shi Qianlv deceptively made him drink what was presented as healing soup but was, in fact, the blood of his own clan members.
Through a truth-telling spell on a servant, Sima Jiao discovered Shi Qianlv's deceit and recognized the Eight Palaces as mere "puppets" under Shi Qianlv's manipulative control. He resolved to allow Shi Qianlv to reveal his own weaknesses before enacting his meticulous vengeance. Shortly after, puppet servants delivered a lavish collection of clothes to Liao Tingyan's room. Sima Jiao then arrived and commanded her to accompany him to an arena.
At the arena, a staged "death duel" between two talented disciples from the Heaven and Sun Palaces was underway. Shi Qianlv, feigning concern, attempted to persuade Sima Jiao to spare them. However, Sima Jiao, citing the Eight Palaces' own rules that mandated life-or-death combat for cultivation advancement, insisted on the duel's rigorous continuation. When disciples and onlookers protested his "immoral" stance, Sima Jiao challenged their principles by producing a petal of the Bloodseal Bloom.
He announced that a single petal, capable of granting a millennium of cultivation, would be awarded to anyone who won 20 death duels. This immediately unleashed the disciples' inherent greed, transforming the polite duelists into a frenzied mob who mercilessly slaughtered each other for the prize. Liao Tingyan was horrified by the abrupt shift, realizing Sima Jiao's action had exposed their true, "wolf-like" nature.
Following the brutal spectacle, the Eight Palaces convened, with Master Ri expressing outrage at the loss of his disciples. Shi Qianlv, however, dismissed the deaths as a consequence of the disciples' own greed and advised the other Palace Masters to tolerate Sima Jiao's actions for the time being, so long as he didn't "go too far." This prompted Liao Tingyan to question Sima Jiao about the Bloodseal Bloom's true nature, knowing it required Fengshan clan blood to be used safely.
Sima Jiao then unveiled a chilling historical truth: the bodies of deceased Sima clan members were consumed by other cultivation families as a potent medicine. He concluded that the disciples' desperate scramble for the petal implied they had all partaken in the blood of his ancestors. This revelation solidified Liao Tingyan’s understanding of Sima Jiao’s deep-seated hatred, realizing he had grown up in a "dog-eat-dog" world.
Later that night, Sima Jiao, visibly troubled by the day's events, sought solace in a cold pool to manage his internal turmoil. Liao Tingyan, sensing his distress, attempted to comfort him. When physical touch proved insufficient, Sima Jiao lay beside her, finding an inexplicable calming of his anger and easing of the Spirit Fire’s torment. He pondered why Liao Tingyan, unlike everyone else who feared him, could sleep so peacefully in his presence.
When he woke her to ask, she simply attributed it to her "good sleep quality" before drifting back to sleep. Meanwhile, Shi Qianlv discussed his ongoing machinations with his son, aiming to maintain control over the Eight Palaces while preventing Sima Jiao from becoming "too wild." Black Snake reported that disciples were already clamoring for new death duels, driven by the insatiable craving for the Bloodseal Bloom.
He also voiced his suspicion that Tian Wuya was an inside agent for Shi Qianlv, noting Tian Wuya's suspiciously rapid cultivation to the Unity Merge stage, implying he was benefiting from the Fengshan clan's spirit veins through Shi Qianlv's illicit schemes. This sparked a memory in Sima Jiao of Tian Wuya himself proposing an additional restriction on the seals that bound him.
Learning of Tian Wuya's current cultivation level and an upcoming flower banquet at Heaven Palace, Sima Jiao decided to attend, intending to "play a little game" with Tian Wuya. Black Snake then innocently asked if Sima Jiao was waiting for Liao Tingyan to wake up out of "concern," which immediately drew Sima Jiao's ire. Liao Tingyan awoke the next morning to discover her room filled with new clothes and jewelry, provided by the helpful puppet servants.
Sima Jiao entered and demanded her presence at the flower banquet. Liao Tingyan hesitated, admitting her fear of witnessing dead bodies. Sima Jiao, using a truth spell, confirmed her fear but then issued a stark warning: if she refused to accompany him, she would be the first to die. This immediate threat prompted Liao Tingyan to quickly change her attire. As they departed, flying on Black Snake, Liao Tingyan cautiously inquired about their destination. Sima Jiao's chilling response was simply, "To kill someone."
Episode 7 Recap
Liao Tingyan, on the back of the Black Snake, asked Sima Jiao where they were going. Sima Jiao replied curtly that they were going to kill someone. Liao Tingyan, intimidated by his follow-up question, "What do you think?" , dared not object further and reluctantly followed him to a grand flower banquet. Other cultivators at the banquet noted Sima Jiao’s impressive demeanor. Upon arrival, Liao Tingyan was delighted by the array of delicious food.
She realized it was like a "team building" event and, seeing Sima Jiao’s confusion, explained that it meant eating and drinking together. Sima Jiao even offered her some food, making Liao Tingyan feel that he was not as terrifying as he seemed. She thought to herself that the Grandmaster had a thoughtful side, unlike his scary appearance. Suddenly, Liao Tingyan noticed a few figures confronting her Master from Serene Vale, who looked distressed.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward and shielded her Master. The men accused her Master of spilling their Spirit Dew and demanded compensation of three hundred gems. Liao Tingyan felt her heart tighten at the exorbitant sum. As she was about to ask if she could pay in installments, one of the men abruptly moved to attack her. Sima Jiao, enraged that someone dared touch his "beloved disciple," instantly retaliated, flinging the insolent man a great distance.
Realizing who Sima Jiao was, people around them fell to their knees in terror. Liao Tingyan’s Master, who had always been humble, was seeing the Grandmaster in action for the first time. He worried about Liao Tingyan and secretly pondered finding an excuse to separate her from the dangerous Sima Jiao.
Liao Tingyan, too, understood the perilous nature of being close to a powerful figure like Sima Jiao, constantly fearing that any misstep could lead to her demise, despite his unusual favor. Sima Jiao, overhearing their unspoken concerns, approached the Serene Vale Master with a dark expression, questioning his intentions and reminding him that many sect leaders had willingly sent their disciples to the Divine Palace.
When the Serene Vale Master admitted his fear for Liao Tingyan’s life if she were to displease Sima Jiao, Sima Jiao's expression softened. He surprised everyone by generously awarding Serene Vale four spirit veins. The onlookers were astonished, marveling at the Serene Vale Master’s luck and speculating that the small sect might soon rival the Moon Palace.
Sima Jiao, aware of their covetous thoughts, casually remarked that ordinary mortals could not cultivate with White Deer Cliff’s spirit veins without dire consequences. He explained that while it was beneficial medicine for the Sima clan, it was poison for others. For cultivators using the veins, the higher their realm, the greater the danger, with those at the Unity Merge realm facing certain death if they used their power.
This revelation sent a wave of panic through the crowd, especially those who had secretly drawn power from White Deer Cliff, leaving them pale with worry. Tian Wuya, the Master of Heaven Palace, who had been secretly cultivating with White Deer Cliff's spirit veins, was terrified as he saw several of his highly talented disciples descending into madness.
He immediately sought out Shi Qianlv, hoping Shi Qianlv could intercede with Sima Jiao on his behalf and spare him from the inevitable backlash. Sima Jiao’s subordinate, Black Snake, observed Tian Wuya’s desperation. Sima Jiao then revealed to Black Snake that the "madness" of Tian Wuya's disciples was merely an illusion he had created to provoke Tian Wuya. Sima Jiao had no interest in negotiating with Shi Qianlv and instead decided to involve Liao Tingyan.
However, Black Snake pointed out that Liao Tingyan, being a "Demon Realm spy" who couldn't stand the sight of blood, would only get in the way. Sima Jiao, mimicking Liao Tingyan, sarcastically said he was also scared of seeing corpses. Meanwhile, Tian Wuya returned to his deserted palace, where his remaining disciples had either gone mad or fled. He confronted a mad disciple, accusing him of causing their plight by stealing the White Deer Cliff vein.
The enraged disciple attacked Tian Wuya. Sima Jiao then appeared, and Tian Wuya pleaded for his life, but Sima Jiao declared it was "too late." Sima Jiao remarked that Tian Wuya, despite having stolen and cultivated with White Deer Cliff’s veins to a high realm, dared not use his spiritual power for fear of backlash, instead relying on mortal techniques. He then challenged Tian Wuya to strike himself, promising to spare him if satisfied.
Tian Wuya made a half-hearted attempt to harm himself while begging for mercy. Sima Jiao derided his self-pity, then revealed that White Deer Cliff's spirit veins were not inherently problematic by demonstrating they had no negative effect on him. He scorned Tian Wuya for his cowardice, then brutally impaled him with the eight nails that had once been driven into his own body during his childhood torture, leaving Tian Wuya dead.
Upon learning of Tian Wuya’s death, Shi Qianlv was deeply disturbed, seeing it as Sima Jiao's revenge for past grievances and fearing he would be next. He convened a meeting with the other seven palace masters. Most of them relied on Shi Qianlv's leadership and believed Sima Jiao was deliberately instigating internal conflict. Shi Qianlv suggested they should seal Sima Jiao before he could cause further harm, noting that the Grandmaster was "beyond saving."
However, some masters, including Ye Ruling, were hesitant. Ye Ruling remained silent, desiring to kill Sima Jiao herself, not to have him sealed. Yuan Che, Master of Four Seasons Palace, also voiced caution, fearing a catastrophic outcome if they hastily activated the sealing array, which would risk all their disciples.
He argued that he had not drunk Sima blood, unlike the others, and that Sima Jiao might not be so unforgiving if no one harbored ill intent, citing Tian Wuya's theft of the spirit veins as the reason for his demise. Shi Qianlv suspected Yuan Che's hesitation was due to Liao Tingyan, a disciple from Four Seasons Palace, having gained Sima Jiao's favor.
Sima Jiao, who was monitoring the meeting through his subordinate, noted that only Yuan Che had not completely agreed to Shi Qianlv's plan, and Ye Ruling had not taken a side. Sima Jiao dismissed Shi Qianlv's potential for grand ascend cultivation, deeming him unworthy of comparison. He instructed his subordinate to find Yuan Che's weakness. Meanwhile, Shi Qianlv’s son suggested their target should be Yuan Che's son, Yuan Shang, whose spirit root was damaged.
He proposed killing Yuan Shang and framing Sima Jiao, to which Shi Qianlv subtly assented. Back in her room, Liao Tingyan received a mysterious love letter written in small seal script, inviting her to White Deer Cliff at midnight by the Blue Lumina Blossoms. She wondered if it was from Sima Jiao but quickly dismissed the idea, attributing the "girly" style to a former lover of the original owner of her body.
Deciding not to go, as dealing with Sima Jiao was already enough of a headache, she felt a sudden, excruciating pain in her stomach around 3 a. m. She realized Sima Jiao was punishing her for ignoring the summons. Desperate, she stumbled to Sima Jiao's private chamber, collapsing inside. Sima Jiao, finding her, tried to revive her.
He wondered why his blood, which usually suppressed poisons, wasn't fully effective, and mused that despite being a supposed Demon Realm spy, she was repeatedly afflicted by whatever was tormenting her. He made her bite his finger to drink his blood, finding the act of saving her more difficult than killing. While Liao Tingyan was unconscious, her spirit sense wandered from her body, allowing her to see Sima Jiao's severely wounded chest.
She realized he was hurting himself to save her, and that the strange new feeling in her body, a surge of power, was a result of his sacrifice and her consumption of his Bloodseal Bloom. She noted his wounds were slow to heal due to his unique constitution, a weakness he openly admitted to her. She thought about how dangerous Sima Jiao was, a "villain" by modern standards, yet in this world, he had saved her repeatedly.
Liao Tingyan’s stomach pain subsided, and her cultivation instantly leaped to the Soulshift realm. While her spirit sense was still active, Sima Jiao warned her not to wander outside White Deer Cliff, as her current cultivation would leave her vulnerable to the many lurking dangers. Liao Tingyan was thrilled by her newfound powers, feeling a sense of reality in the cultivation world that she hadn't before.
She tried using telekinesis to summon fruit, but Sima Jiao, despite her new Soulshift realm, easily batted them away. Liao Tingyan jokingly called him a "schoolkid" for his pettiness, then tried to calm herself from frustration. Sima Jiao, seeing her efforts, offered her the fruit he had been withholding.
Episode 8 Recap
Liao Tingyan, now with enhanced spiritual power, applied a water mask to her face for hydration and comfort. She then offered one to Sima Jiao, who, experiencing a facial mask for the first time, found its coolness soothing. Having finally avenged himself, Sima Jiao felt a sense of drowsiness for the first time in 500 years, a sign of true relaxation.
He observed Liao Tingyan enjoying her mask, peaceful and content, and wondered if her presence was the cause of his newfound tranquility. Soon after, the Black Snake delivered a letter to Liao Tingyan from Ye Ruling, inviting her to witness the spectacle of the Scarlet Sky. Liao Tingyan, who considered Ye Ruling a good friend, was thrilled and immediately prepared to depart, asking the Black Snake to inform Grandmaster of her whereabouts.
Before she left, the Black Snake confided in Liao Tingyan about his recent human transformation. He explained that since Ye Ruling returned his snake heart, he frequently felt a longing for her aura, which he now believed caused his transformation. Liao Tingyan advised him that human relationships take time to nurture and suggested he take Ye Ruling as his master, assuring him that Grandmaster would approve.
The Black Snake then went to Sima Jiao, reporting Liao Tingyan's departure and requesting permission to take Ye Ruling as his master. Sima Jiao, seemingly unconcerned, granted permission, instructing the Black Snake to make such minor decisions independently now that he had taken human form. Meanwhile, Ye Ruling, harboring a secret agenda, awaited Liao Tingyan. The "Scarlet Sky" she invited Liao Tingyan to see was, in fact, the Immortal-Demon Barrier, a formidable obstacle she desperately wished to escape.
Her own cultivation was insufficient to break it, so she hoped Liao Tingyan's unique properties would help. Ye Ruling recounted how her family was enslaved by the Yin Palace in the Celestial Realm after the Immortal-Demon War, enduring humiliation despite her mother's trust in the new palace leader, Yin Liunian. She expressed the long-held hope that Sima Jiao's death would cause the barrier to vanish, allowing them to return to the Demon Realm.
She also mentioned an ancient legend of the Frost Fish from the Demon Realm, whose "extreme-cold nature" could also pierce the barrier. Unaware of Ye Ruling's true intentions, Liao Tingyan approached the barrier and was immediately struck by a painful backlash, similar to an electric shock. Ye Ruling was surprised, questioning why Liao Tingyan's extreme-cold nature didn't prevent the backlash, revealing she already suspected Liao Tingyan possessed this rare trait.
Ye Ruling explained the barrier was set by the Sima Clan with Spirit Fire to block traffic between the realms, affecting both immortal and demon inhabitants. Later, as Liao Tingyan was eating dinner, she received another peach blossom letter. It demanded she meet at a specific location, threatening to expose her true identity if she failed to comply within three days. Liao Tingyan, puzzled by this mysterious "identity," felt a vague sense of unease and decided to go, albeit reluctantly.
The sender of these messages was Yuan Shang, the sole son of Yuan Che, the Heaven Palace master. Yuan Shang, instigated by Shi Qianlv, had given Liao Tingyan the task of assassinating Sima Jiao. However, Sima Jiao had long since discerned that Liao Tingyan was not inherently malicious and did not hold her origins against her. At the rendezvous point, Yuan Shang confronted Liao Tingyan, accusing her of betrayal for ignoring his previous messages.
Liao Tingyan recognized his dramatic behavior as akin to a spurned lover. She broke off ties with him, which Yuan Shang met with a threat, reminding her that her life was in his hands due to the "Bone-Eroding Venom" he had administered, confirming he was the cause of her previous abdominal pains. Liao Tingyan condemned his manipulative tactics, even remarking that Sima Jiao, a "murderer," was more straightforward than him.
Yuan Shang then attempted to attack her, but Liao Tingyan, whose cultivation had surged to the Soulshift stage, easily repelled him. Yuan Shang was shocked by her sudden power, realizing Sima Jiao must have neutralized the poison, and therefore, must know her true identity as an assassin. Liao Tingyan countered, saying that Grandmaster was "valiant and magnanimous" and would not hold such a minor matter against her. She firmly refused to kill Sima Jiao.
Yuan Shang, desperate, suggested she must have fallen for Sima Jiao, a claim Liao Tingyan vehemently denied, wary that Sima Jiao might be eavesdropping. She advised Yuan Shang to seek help for his obsessive thoughts. Unbeknownst to Yuan Shang, Shi Qianlv had orchestrated his death at the hands of his own son, Zhenxu, to frame Sima Jiao and incite Yuan Che's wrath.
Zhenxu reported Yuan Shang's death to Shi Qianlv, confirming Sima Jiao's "Soul Search" traces were on the body, perfect for framing. However, Sima Jiao had anticipated this. He dispatched Black Snake to intervene and rescue/revive Yuan Shang. Black Snake then took Yuan Shang to Yuan Che, revealing that Shi Qianlv had plotted his son's death to manipulate Yuan Che.
Sima Jiao, through the Black Snake, offered Yuan Che a deal: if he cooperated, his son would be spared and hidden from the world; otherwise, both would perish. Seeing the truth and his son alive, Yuan Che immediately pledged his allegiance to Sima Jiao, agreeing to feign ignorance about Yuan Shang's survival and gain Shi Qianlv's trust as a double agent. Meanwhile, Ye Ruling discussed Liao Tingyan's extreme-cold nature with her kinswoman, Canglan.
Canglan, unaware of the moral implications, suggested taking Liao Tingyan's core to break the barrier. Ye Ruling refused, emphasizing that Liao Tingyan would die and they could not demand such a sacrifice. However, the conversation was overheard by Anxue, Shi Qianlv's loyal subordinate. Shi Qianlv, who already planned to use Liao Tingyan's "Frost Fish identity" against Sima Jiao, instructed Anxue to relay this information to Yuan Che.
This would solidify the false narrative that Sima Jiao killed Yuan Shang under the influence of a "Frost Fish," leaving him no room to defend himself. Yuan Che, following Sima Jiao's instructions, then relayed Shi Qianlv's discovery of Liao Tingyan's demon identity to Sima Jiao. Sima Jiao was genuinely surprised at how quickly Shi Qianlv uncovered this secret, suspecting a spy within the Demon Realm and ordering Black Snake to investigate.
Despite Black Snake's distress, Sima Jiao declared that he would "oblige" the Eight Palaces' wish for Liao Tingyan's death. He instructed Black Snake to have Yuan Che approach Shi Qianlv, feigning grief and rage over his son's "death" and proposing to re-seal Sima Jiao to gain Shi Qianlv's full trust.
Shi Qianlv readily agreed, and suggested they first target Liao Tingyan, using her as bait to lure Sima Jiao into the array, or at least using her as leverage if the sealing failed. He also proposed exploiting Liao Tingyan's relationship with her former master, Dongyang Zhenren (from Qinggu Mountain), a suggestion Yuan Che praised. Sometime later, Liao Tingyan immersed herself in reading ancient texts, her enhanced perception allowing her to understand the structure of the cultivation world.
She discovered the existence of outer sects and the Demon Realm, learning about the ancient war led by the Demon Realm leader, Centipede, and how the Sima Clan established the Immortal-Demon Barrier, depriving demon cultivators of Gengchen Celestial Palace's spiritual energy. She also read a biased account of Sima Jiao's upbringing by Lord of Slack of the Shi Clan, which portrayed Sima Jiao as "rash" and in need of an immortal to suppress his "inner demon."
Liao Tingyan dismissed these parts as fabricated nonsense. Shortly after, Liao Tingyan received a letter from her master in Qinggu Mountain, inviting her and Grandmaster to a reunion festival. Filled with joy, she eagerly asked Sima Jiao to accompany her. Sima Jiao declined. When Liao Tingyan asked if she could go alone, he replied "Of course." Unbeknownst to Liao Tingyan, this "celebratory feast" was a carefully laid trap, orchestrated by Shi Qianlv and Yuan Che, with the ultimate goal of killing her.
Episode 9 Recap
Knowing that Shi Qianlv intended to use Liao Tingyan as bait to lure him into a sealing array, Sima Jiao preemptively equipped Liao Tingyan with a powerful artifact as she prepared to attend the banquet. Liao Tingyan, unaware of the trap laid for her, innocently headed to the gathering, while Canglan, believing this was an opportune moment to obtain Liao Tingyan's inner core for her people and fearing Ye Ruling's interference, incapacitated Ye Ruling and rushed to confront Liao Tingyan.
The moment Liao Tingyan arrived, the artifact she carried, enabled by Sima Jiao's foresight, shattered the formidable arrays set by the various sect masters. Witnessing their plans foiled, the eight sect masters dropped their pretenses and immediately turned hostile towards Liao Tingyan. Sima Jiao observed the unfolding chaos and conflict from above, undisturbed.
Moon Palace Young Princess Chuhui, who had not been chosen as Sima Jiao's attendant but had built a luxurious flying pavilion nearby the Immortal Palace in hopes of encountering him, found her dwelling unexpectedly drawn towards White Deer Cliff, under Sima Jiao's influence. Upon seeing Sima Jiao arrive with Liao Tingyan, she was thrilled, believing Sima Jiao might be about to eliminate his companion.
Sima Jiao then dramatically declared the pavilion a "perfect place to kill someone," further convincing Chuhui of his brutal intent, and dismissed her, despite Liao Tingyan's protests about the impoliteness of evicting the hostess. Liao Tingyan was then left in the opulent pavilion, completely at ease and delighted by its five-star comfort.
After the apparent death of Liao Tingyan (and her life lamp extinguishing, as confirmed by Moon Palace Young Princess Chuhui), while other sect masters believed her dead and prepared to leave, Shi Qianlv expressed his lingering doubts. He pointed out that Sima Jiao had shown strong protectiveness towards Liao Tingyan in the past and urged them to verify her demise by searching for her aura at White Deer Cliff, acknowledging the danger of trespassing on Sima Jiao's territory.
Yuan Che, the Tianzhiya Sect Master, secretly loyal to Sima Jiao, volunteered to go, intending to warn the Grandmaster. However, Shi Qianlv insisted on accompanying him with a few disciples to ensure the investigation was thorough, and ordered them to capture Liao Tingyan on sight if she were found alive. Upon their arrival at White Deer Cliff, Sima Jiao confronted Shi Qianlv and his party, feigning fury at their intrusion.
He claimed to have brutally tortured Liao Tingyan, leaving no trace of her body, and commanded Shi Qianlv to clean up what appeared to be Liao Tingyan's bloody clothes. Shi Qianlv, finding only the garments retaining Liao Tingyan's aura, was finally convinced that she was dead and her soul utterly destroyed. Sima Jiao then sternly warned him against future trespasses, dismissing him and the other sect masters.
Meanwhile, Canglan, devastated by the news of Liao Tingyan's purported death and the loss of her core, lamented to Ye Ruling that their hopes of returning to the Demon Realm were dashed. Ye Ruling, still skeptical of Sima Jiao's ruthlessness towards Liao Tingyan, questioned if their bond would allow such an act.
Canglan, however, was already shifting her focus, urging Ye Ruling to target Sima Jiao instead, a suggestion Ye Ruling firmly rejected, fearing it would doom the entire Yin Palace. When Black Serpent requested an audience, Ye Ruling initially refused, but Canglan, recognizing Black Serpent's proximity to Sima Jiao, insisted that she meet with him. Hei Nianjiu, as the Black Serpent, entered and immediately inquired about Liao Tingyan.
He expressed his belief that Liao Tingyan was not truly dead, suggesting Sima Jiao had merely hidden her for protection. Ye Ruling, feigning relief, also cautioned Hei Nianjiu about the impropriety of a man visiting her so frequently. Hei Nianjiu, wanting a legitimate reason to see her, earnestly pleaded for Ye Ruling to accept him as a disciple, explaining his need to learn human ways after his recent transformation.
Though initially reluctant, Ye Ruling was persuaded by Canglan's whispered advice to utilize Hei Nianjiu's connection to Sima Jiao. Ye Ruling then revealed her true ambition: to secure a better life for her people, who were still suffering as captives from the Immortal-Demon War in the Yin Palace's Labor Camp. Deeply moved by their plight and Ye Ruling's sincerity, Hei Nianjiu pledged his unwavering support.
Recognizing his genuine heart, Ye Ruling accepted him as her disciple and bestowed upon him the name Hei Nianjiu, commemorating the day of his human transformation. To further protect Liao Tingyan from Shi Qianlv's machinations, Sima Jiao transformed her into an otter using a Form-Changing Pill, which would last for three months and turn her into the form she most vividly imagined.
Liao Tingyan was bewildered and frustrated to find herself as an otter, but Sima Jiao explained that it was necessary to make others believe she was dead and to keep her safe from Shi Qianlv, whose current respect was merely a facade. Hei Nianjiu, unaware of the otter's true identity, expressed envy at Sima Jiao's affection for the new "spirit pet."
Sima Jiao, seeking to uncover Shi Qianlv's true motives, learned that Anxue, who had previously acted as Shi Qianlv's informant, had been killed by him. Sima Jiao, using a unique spell, preserved Anxue's last wisp of spiritual energy. From her fleeting spirit, Sima Jiao discovered that Shi Qianlv and his son, Shi Zhenxu, were searching for a man with a flame-shaped birthmark on his back.
Hei Nianjiu, cleverly deducing Sima Jiao's strategy, realized that Sima Jiao had intentionally spread news of searching for Anxue, knowing Shi Qianlv's displeasure with Shi Zhenxu's involvement with her would lead him to eliminate Anxue to cover his tracks. Sima Jiao affirmed Hei Nianjiu's improved understanding. Unaware of Shi Qianlv's latest scheme involving a newly formed Spirit Fire and his son Shi Zhenxu heading to Chiyan City, Sima Jiao decided to find the man with the birthmark first.
He took Liao Tingyan, still in her otter form, to Chiyan City, the outer perimeter of the Gengchen Celestial Palace, a bustling civilian area. Liao Tingyan was thrilled by the vibrant atmosphere, finding it reminiscent of her former life. Sima Jiao assured her she could enjoy all the local delicacies. Hei Nianjiu, observing Sima Jiao doting on the otter, felt a strange stirring within him, unaware that the small creature Sima Jiao held so dear was, in fact, Liao Tingyan.
