Episode Summary
In "Feud" Episode 28, Qu Xingman's attempt to persuade Meng Chu to leave the sect with her ends in failure. Meanwhile, Li Qingyue rejects a mentally regressed Bai Jiusi, unable to heal his strange injuries or move past their history. Guided by Fan Ling'er, Zhang Suan successfully repairs the Great Wilderness Stele. Upon entering it, Li Qingyue discovers the tragic origin of Xiao Jingshan's vengeance: the murder of his entire family. After failing to force an alliance with the Yin Lian Sect, Xiao Jingshan unleashes his devastating plan, causing a terrifying phenomenon where souls are torn from bodies across the mortal realm, signaling the start of a major crisis.
Spoiler Alert
Feud: Episode 28 Recap & Spoilers — The Stele's Rebirth and a Prelude to Vengeance
Key Takeaways from Episode 28
- The Writing on the Wall for Qu Xingman and Meng Chu: Qu Xingman's disappointment is palpable as she leaves alone, while Meng Chu's silent, turned back speaks volumes about his decision.
- The Truth of Bai Jiusi's Devotion: Severely wounded and seemingly stripped of his senses, Bai Jiusi instinctively seeks out Li Qingyue, who makes it painfully clear that their story is over.
- Restoring the Great Wilderness Stele: Zhang Suan, having inherited Xiao Jingshan's techniques, becomes the key to repairing the stele, as Fan Ling'er urges him to let go of his own attachments.
- Xiao Jingshan's Tragedy Revealed: The stele's Illusionary Realm uncovers the horrific past that fuels Xiao Jingshan's rage—the brutal murder of his entire family, which set him on a path to destroy the stele.
- A Crisis Across the Three Realms: With souls being inexplicably torn from their bodies in the mortal world, it's clear that Xiao Jingshan's devastating plan for revenge has officially begun.
Full Recap
An Ultimatum and a Silent Farewell
The episode opens with Qu Xingman laying her cards on the table. Determined to leave the sect, she asks Meng Chu to come with her. Citing a duty of loyalty, Meng Chu refuses, saying he needs more time to consider. Barely concealing her heartbreak, Qu Xingman gives him a two-day deadline to reconsider. As she turns and walks away, Meng Chu never once looks at her, his rigid back a clear and final answer. The rift between them has become a chasm.
A Desperate Plea and a Firm Rejection
Meanwhile, a sympathetic Ning Yan brings a fragile Bai Jiusi to see Li Qingyue. Convinced he's faking his childlike state, Li Qingyue is cold, stating she can never forget the past or forgive him, and that a reunion is impossible. Yet, Bai Jiusi clings to her, lost and inconsolable. When a worried Xuanwei arrives to find them, Li Qingyue confronts him, asking if he ever had feelings for her. Xuanwei subtly deflects by mentioning Qing Yang, a name that hangs in the air as the two share a moment of unspoken understanding. Later, Li Qingyue attempts to heal Bai Jiusi, but his injuries are bizarrely resistant to her spiritual power.
The Rebirth of the Stele and the Realm Within
Fan Ling'er appears with Zhang Suan in tow. Having lost her own cultivation, she has devoted her time to studying ancient formations and the method to repair the Great Wilderness Stele. She reveals that Zhang Suan, who practices techniques originating from Xiao Jingshan himself, has become the stele's new master. He agrees to restore it. The moment the stele is whole, Li Qingyue pulls Bai Jiusi into the spatial realm within it.
Inside, they find themselves in an Illusionary Realm, witnessing a vision of Xiao Jingshan living a peaceful, idyllic life with his family. But the scene repeats, day after day, a perfect, unbroken loop of domestic bliss. Her suspicions raised, Li Qingyue decides to investigate at the Wen Xuan Palace, with Bai Jiusi following her like a shadow. When Zhang Suan tries to join them, Fan Ling'er stops him. She points out the fated, painful entanglement between Li Qingyue and Bai Jiusi, warning Zhang Suan to let go of his own obsession lest he suffer the same fate.
A Blood Debt and a Forced Alliance
Li Qingyue's investigation confirms her fears and uncovers the horrifying truth: Xiao Jingshan's family didn't live in peace. They were all brutally murdered on the same day. The shock and grief from losing everyone he loved twisted him, sending him down a demonic path. He created a dark art that feeds on the grievances of others to amplify his own power, vowing to destroy the Immeasurable Stele in revenge.
His plan already in motion, Xiao Jingshan appears before the Yin Lian Sect, attempting to strong-arm Qu Xingman's mother, A Ke, into an alliance. Seeing through his ambition, A Ke flatly refuses. Xiao Jingshan leaves with a cold smile. His visit wasn't a negotiation; it was a declaration. He will use her sect to fuel his revenge, with or without her consent.
The Looming Storm
Back in her chambers, Li Qingyue confides in her white snake mount, a chilling premonition washing over her: a great catastrophe is coming. In another part of the sect, Qu Xingman packs her belongings, her eyes constantly darting to the door, but Meng Chu never comes. Suddenly, she receives an urgent message warning her not to return to the sect, and a sense of dread fills her.
The feeling is echoed elsewhere. A disturbance at Yu Fa Xu causes Fan Jiao Jiao's face to pale with alarm. Simultaneously, a terrifying phenomenon sweeps across the mortal realm: ordinary people's souls are being inexplicably ripped from their bodies. The signs are undeniable. In a panic, Qu Xingman rushes to find Li Qingyue for help. All threads lead back to one person: Xiao Jingshan. His web of vengeance has been cast, and it is beginning to ensnare all Three Realms.
