Episode Summary
Trapped within a dangerous Illusionary Realm and facing imminent death as their physical bodies decay, the heroes are forced to make a desperate choice. Fan Ling'er locates the array's weak point but reveals it requires a human sacrifice—a price she willingly pays to save everyone. Meanwhile, consumed by jealousy over Meng Chu's affection for A Ke, Lv Suguan makes a dark pact with the villainous Xiao Jingshan. She poisons A Ke and seizes control of a grief-stricken Meng Chu. The episode culminates in tragedy as Xiao Jingshan attacks the weakened Jingyun Sect, successfully stealing Li Qingyue's sword and leaving the sect in ruins.
Spoiler Alert
The Immortal by the River, Episode 30 Recap: A Noble Sacrifice and a Vicious Betrayal
Trapped in an Illusionary Realm with their physical bodies decaying in the real world, the heroes are running out of time. With tensions high and relationships fraying at the seams, Episode 30 delivers a devastating hour of desperate choices, heartbreak, and betrayals that will change the fate of the Jingyun Sect forever.
A Desperate Plan Against a Ticking Clock
Hiding from the townspeople, who have been driven mad by the illusion, Li Qingyue and the group are on edge. Fan Ling'er finally admits she has located the Array Core—the key to shattering the illusion—but hesitated to act, fearing its obvious placement was a trap. The clock is ticking; if they don't return to their physical bodies within 24 hours, their souls will be lost forever. With no other choice, the team resolves to take the risk and break the array.
Stolen Moments and Shattered Hearts
Before the dangerous mission, Bai Jiusi engineers a private moment with Li Qingyue. Away from the others, the two share a quiet, tender exchange, a brief respite that underscores their deep affection in the face of peril.
Meanwhile, a different kind of emotional drama unfolds. As Fan Ling'er prepares to break the array, she borrows spiritual energy from Zhang Suan. Seizing the opportunity, she confesses her feelings for him, admitting she has never felt truly loved. Zhang Suan, however, gently but firmly rejects her, telling her his heart belongs only to Li Qingyue. Though clearly crestfallen, Fan Ling'er masterfully hides her pain.
A Conspiracy Forged from Jealousy
The web of intrigue tightens as Lv Suguan watches the close bond between Meng Chu and A Ke. Earlier, A Ke's mother tragically took her own life to save Master Meng Chu, leaving A Ke devastated and under Meng Chu's protection. Seeing their intimacy, Lv Suguan is consumed by a bitter jealousy that does not go unnoticed. The manipulative Xiao Jingshan seizes this chance, preying on her envy. He promises to help her win Meng Chu's heart, but his price is sinister: she must kill A Ke. Blinded by jealousy, Lv Suguan agrees to his wicked proposal.
The Price of Freedom
As the team begins the ritual to destroy the Array Core, the spiritual forms of the townspeople swarm them, desperate to protect the beautiful lie they inhabit. Xiao Jingshan makes a dramatic appearance, revealing the truth of their entrapment. Yet, the people refuse to leave their perfect, false reality.
It is then that Xiao Jingshan delivers his final, cruel revelation: breaking the array requires a human sacrifice. Fan Ling'er knew this all along and had always intended to be that sacrifice. Li Qingyue tries desperately to stop her, but it's too late. As Fan Ling'er's soul dissipates, her selfless act finally shatters the illusion, and the horrified townspeople awaken to reality.
A Sect in Ruins
With the heroes reeling from Fan Ling'er's death, Lv Suguan puts her own treacherous plan into motion. She offers Meng Chu and A Ke a "warding potion," claiming it will protect them from evil. Though A Ke is suspicious, Meng Chu persuades her to drink it. The potion is, of course, a deadly poison. A Ke collapses and dies in Meng Chu's arms. When a grief-stricken Meng Chu turns on Lv Suguan for revenge, she uses a Soul-controlling Bell to subdue him, turning him into her puppet.
At the same time, Xiao Jingshan launches a full-scale assault on the now-vulnerable Jingyun Sect, seeking to steal Li Qingyue's powerful sword. The disciples are no match for him. In a final twist, Lv Suguan arrives, attempting to double-cross Xiao Jingshan by using the Soul-controlling Bell on him. The gambit fails, and she is easily overpowered. With its defenses shattered and its heroes scattered, the Jingyun Sect falls, and Xiao Jingshan triumphantly claims his prize.
