Episode Summary
Hong Ning confronts Jin Xiu about marriage rumors; he confirms he refused to marry the Tian Nu. After Kunlun causes a flashy scene, Jin Xiu smooths things over. Hong Ning learns Jin Xiu promised to make her Empress, surprising Ju Xian Guan. Political maneuvering sees the Northern Realm offer tribute, while Lu Yao reaffirms her desire to marry Jin Xiu despite a General's concerns. Hong Ning faces her tribulation to become immortal; Jin Xiu coaches her but is called away by the Di Jun, who again pressures him to marry Lu Yao, which Jin Xiu refuses. Hong Ning passes her tribulation but is initially assigned menial tasks before Jin Xiu finds her, confirms her immortal status is registered, but Ju Xian Guan warns her that becoming Empress will be difficult due to her current low rank compared to others like Empress Xi He and Lu Yao. Undeterred, Hong Ning resolves to continue cultivating.
Spoiler Alert
"Love Never Fails" Episode 10 Recap & Spoilers: Tough Choices and Tribulations
Alright, so the episode kicks off with Hong Ning confronting Jin Xiu. She's heard the rumors swirling around – you know, the ones about him potentially marrying the Tian Nu (Heavenly Maiden) from the Northern Immortal Realm. Girl wants answers!
Jin Xiu, smooth as ever, reassures her that while the Di Jun (Emperor Lord) did bring it up, he shot it down immediately. He flat-out told the big boss there were no romantic feelings involved. Phew! With that cleared up, Hong Ning mentions she needs to get back to her cultivation practice, worried she's running out of time.
Since the place is crawling with fancy immortals attending the Yan Chi Hui (Pool Banquet), Jin Xiu decides it's safer for her not to just wander off. He tells her he has to dip out but will have Ju Xian Guan (Chrysanthemum Official) escort her back later.
Enter Ju Xian Guan, and he is not a happy camper. He's grumbling about being Jin Xiu's most capable subordinate and feeling totally slighted that Jin Xiu just pawned this task off on him and left. He complains to Hong Ning about how he practically begged Jin Xiu, but nope, Jin Xiu just bounced. Hong Ning, ever polite, just thanks him for the trouble.
Meanwhile, we get a little chaos courtesy of Kunlun, who decides to make the sky over the Central Realm all flashy and multi-colored. The other immortals are basically like, "Uh, since when did we get so extra?" Lu Yao tries to stop him but fails. Jin Xiu has to step in and run interference, telling the Di Jun that Kunlun saw this kind of display as a form of blessing back in the mortal realm. The Di Jun doesn't really push back.
Later, Ju Xian Guan is absolutely floored when Hong Ning casually mentions that Jin Xiu promised to make her his Shen Hou (Empress). Suddenly, Mr. Grumpy is all attentiveness! He even whips out some super rare and precious Golden Chrysanthemum Honey, clearly trying to get on the future Empress's good side. When Hong Ning asks about the remaining lightning punishment she thought she had to endure, Ju Xian Guan waves it off, saying, "What lightning punishment?" He then notes that most of the banquet guests are inside now, making it a good time to sneak her out. One tiny problem: Hong Ning admits she can't fly. Ju Xian Guan's face must have been priceless.
Elsewhere, politics are brewing. The Northern Immortal Realm is planning to send Jin Lian Lu (Golden Lotus Dew), their ultimate treasure, over to the Central Realm. The North Kai King sees this as a necessary move to ally with the stronger Central Realm for survival and growth. However, his General is vehemently against it, arguing they shouldn't give away such a treasure. This same General later pulls Lu Yao aside, asking if she truly wants to marry Jin Xiu and offering to help her escape if she doesn't. But Lu Yao holds firm, stating that marrying Jin Xiu has always been her wish and, as the Tian Nu, it's her responsibility. She tells the General to drop it.
Back with Hong Ning, her friend Bai Cha visits, bringing up those persistent rumors about Jin Xiu and Lu Yao's potential marriage. Hong Ning repeats that Jin Xiu already refused. But Bai Cha raises a valid point: even if he did refuse this marriage, Jin Xiu is a god, and Hong Ning is currently a demon. Can they realistically be together? Hong Ning clings to Jin Xiu's words – she just needs to cultivate successfully and become an immortal. Bai Cha leaves, clearly still worried.
It's finally time for Hong Ning's big moment: her heavenly tribulation to ascend to immortality! Jin Xiu coaches her on what to do, promising to personally register her immortal status once she passes. He wants to stay and watch over her, but wouldn't you know it, the Di Jun summons him right at that critical moment.
And what does the Di Jun want? He's still pressuring Jin Xiu to marry Lu Yao. Jin Xiu refuses point-blank. He tells the Emperor Lord that he'll do anything else required for the Central Realm, but this marriage is a hard no.
Hong Ning, meanwhile, miraculously survives her tribulation! She ascends, expecting to see Jin Xiu, but instead, she's met by Xing Xian (Apricot Immortal). Talk about an anticlimax. Xing Xian doesn't grant her immortal status right away; instead, she's assigned the menial task of delivering "flower missives." The job leaves her utterly exhausted, and she ends up collapsing in the Can Hua Yuan (Withered Garden).
Just when she's at her lowest, Jin Xiu finds her there! He comforts her, asking why she's in this desolate place. Hong Ning, trusting him completely, says she knew he'd find her. She tells him how rough her day was, how she almost died. Jin Xiu consoles her and, to her relief, confirms that her immortal status is secured – he's already taken care of it.
However, the path to becoming Empress isn't going to be easy. When Hong Ning expresses her ambition, Ju Xian Guan gives her a dose of reality. He explains that becoming Shen Hou isn't just about the Emperor Lord's favor. He points out the current Empress Xi He and the potential bride Lu Yao – both have powerful family backgrounds and significant merits. Hong Ning, as a newly ascended, former demon, is currently just a "lower immortal."
But is Hong Ning discouraged? Not a chance! She resolves that she just needs to keep cultivating until she becomes a "high immortal." You gotta admire her determination!
