Episode Summary
In episode 16, major secrets are revealed through a dream, exposing Fan Ling'er's long-held allegiance to Li Qingyue. Meanwhile, Bai Jiusi and Li Qingyue make a pact to seal their powers and live as a mortal couple for ten years, which immediately creates new conflicts in their daily lives. As they begin their mortal trial, other factions, led by Long Yuan and the Jingyun Sect, escalate their search for the missing Bai Jiusi.
Spoiler Alert
Lin Jiang Xian Episode 16 Recap: Mortal Trials and Revealed Truths
This Episode , Lin Jiang Xian dives deep into dreams, deceptions, and a dangerous new pact, pushing its characters to their limits. Secrets that have been buried for centuries finally come to light, while a radical decision by Bai Jiusi and Li Qingyue changes the very nature of their conflict. With every faction now on the move, the board is set for a major confrontation.
A Daughter's True Allegiance
The episode opens with Fan Jiao Jiao imprisoned by Li Qingyue, a consequence of his own daughter, Fan Ling'er, choosing to follow her. Confused and defeated, Fan Jiao Jiao falls into a restless sleep, only to find himself in a dream face-to-face with Fan Ling'er.
It's here that the bombshell drops. Fan Ling'er reveals her entire life has been a carefully constructed lie. She was never loyal to her father or his cause; she has always belonged to Li Qingyue. Her entire persona was a ruse designed to get close to Bai Jiusi, lower his guard, and find a way into the Abyss of Gui Xu to rescue Li Qingyue's mount, the White Snake.
Her loyalty stems from a pivotal moment 300 years ago when Li Qingyue saved her from a fatal fall after she sought medicine for her ailing mother. Consumed by disappointment over her father's indifference to her mother's suffering, Fan Ling'er chose a new path. She tells her father she would rather face oblivion with Li Qingyue than return to a life of hypocrisy, leaving him devastated by the revelation.
An Unrequited Love and a Dire Warning
Meanwhile, the ever-persistent Zhang Suan tracks down Fan Ling'er, desperate for any news of Li Qingyue's whereabouts. Her frantic concern makes her feelings obvious, and Fan Ling'er quickly deduces the depth of Zhang Suan's love. She advises Zhang Suan to turn back, warning her not to risk her life for a love that could lead to ruin.
Zhang Suan, however, is resolute, declaring her love for Li Qingyue is bone-deep and irreversible. Seeing she can't be swayed, Fan Ling'er refuses to disclose Li Qingyue's location. Instead, she leaves Zhang Suan with a chilling prophecy: opportunities will arise for Bai Jiusi and Li Qingyue, but each one will also be a perfect chance for Li Qingyue to kill Bai Jiusi.
Shifting Tides and Alliances
Elsewhere, Meng Chu is unexpectedly released from captivity. Confused, he seeks out his Master, who reveals that his confinement was merely a ploy to draw out the powerful Heavenly Lord Dacheng. In a stunning reversal, the Master not only gives Meng Chu his blessing to be with Qu Xingman but actively encourages the relationship, regardless of her identity. This sudden support leaves Meng Chu completely bewildered.
The changes don't stop there. Meng Chu runs into Shangguan, who is performing menial chores usually reserved for outer-sect disciples. Shangguan explains the shifting hierarchy within the Jingyun Sect: former outer disciples have achieved incredible power, reaching the "half-step to godhood" realm, while the core disciples are now tasked with manual labor.
The search for Bai Jiusi intensifies. Long Yuan performs a powerful ritual to locate him, but the spell is blocked by a great body of water, injuring Long Yuan in the process. Suspecting Bai Jiusi is hiding in or near water, Long Yuan commands the Dragon Clans of the Four Seas to dispatch their aquatic forces to search. Word of this reaches the Jingyun Sect, prompting Xuanwei and Qing Yang to immediately join the hunt.
The Mortal Pact
The central figures, Bai Jiusi and Li Qingyue, are found in their old home, grappling with the karmic weight of their actions.They argue over the past, with Bai Jiusi claiming the slaughter of the drought dragon was a consequence of humans destroying its mountain habitat—a cycle of cause and effect. Li Qingyue counters that her own actions, like taking on disciples, are also part of this cycle.
Unable to reconcile their philosophies, Li Qingyue proposes a radical solution: they will seal each other's powers for ten years.
The Rocky Road of Mortal Life
Their new life begins with immediate friction. Bai Jiusi, using his vast knowledge, quickly earns money to furnish their home. But when Li Qingyue returns from buying groceries, she cooks a meal only for herself, coldly stating that to experience mortal suffering, one must be self-reliant.
Forced to eat at a tavern, Bai Jiusi runs into their neighbor, Lin Fan (the groom from the wedding procession they witnessed), who offers him some clumsy advice on how to please a woman. Bai Jiusi returns home and tries to put a piece of food on Li Qingyue's plate, but she rejects the gesture, meticulously picking every last bit of it out of her bowl, proving that this mortal trial will be a battle of wills at every turn.
