Episode Summary
Bai Ling, tasked with capturing demons after finishing his trial, encounters Hong Ning using his ice-form. He captures the helpful Lemon Spirit who tries to protect Hong Ning. Meanwhile, the Tian Hu General orders the Deposed Emperor's execution and demands the capture of the Heavenly Maiden, Lu Yao, for political legitimacy. Lu Yao hides in a temple but is eventually found and captured by an amnesiac Bai Ling, who doesn't recognize her due to his Kunlun tribulation. Driven to save Lemon Spirit, Hong Ning leaves home and disguises herself as a man to enter Cangwu Mountain, encountering obstacles and meeting Jin Xiu, who reacts strangely. Bai Cha makes a dark sacrifice to gain power for Hong Ning's sake. Bai Ling briefly attempts to sell Lu Yao before realizing the buyer's cruelty, rescuing her and tending her wounds.
Spoiler Alert
Alright, so we kick things off with Bai Ling. After finally finishing his tree-planting task (seriously, that took a while!), he gets a shiny new Dao Ling (like a Taoist order or warrant) and his mission is clear: head down the mountain and capture some demons. His first stop? Wangjia Village.
But who's guarding the gate? None other than Lu Jiu. Lu Jiu immediately gets suspicious, thinking Bai Ling must have stolen the Dao Ling, and refuses to let him pass. Drama already!
Meanwhile, Hong Ning is down by the river and finds a massive chunk of ice. Thinking it's just what she needs, she brings it back to use as a sort of... primer or key ingredient for whatever she's planning. And who pops up to help her? Our friendly neighborhood Lemon Spirit.
Just as they're working, Bai Ling shows up. He's not happy. Turns out, that giant ice block Hong Ning grabbed? Yeah, that's apparently Bai Ling's true form she was about to use! Awkward. Bai Ling quickly realizes Lemon Spirit is a demon and decides he needs capturing too, according to his new orders.
Lemon Spirit, being a stand-up guy, tells Hong Ning to run for it while he holds Bai Ling off. But Hong Ning's having none of it – she feels responsible and doesn't want Lemon Spirit taking the fall for her plan. Before she can argue further, Lemon Spirit knocks her out cold, muttering something about how she hasn't changed a bit. Hong Ning briefly comes to, just in time to see Bai Ling hauling Lemon Spirit away, before passing out again. Rough day for Hong Ning.
Elsewhere, things are getting intense on the political front. The Tian Hu General (Heavenly Fox General) is furious that his forces still haven't captured the Tian Nü (Heavenly Maiden, who we know is Lu Yao). He orders the execution of the Fei Di (Deposed Emperor, Lu Yao's father) and doubles down on the demand to bring back the Heavenly Maiden.
Some of his subordinates are confused. They figure, "Hey, we dealt with the Emperor, why is the girl still so important?" But the General lays it out: Lu Yao possesses the pure, legitimate Nine-Tailed Fox bloodline. Without her, Tian Di (the Heavenly Emperor) would never recognize their authority, since they're all essentially demons who took over. She's their key to legitimacy.
Speaking of Lu Yao, she and Qi Jing are laying low in the Xian Nu Miao (Heavenly Maiden Temple). Lu Yao is distraught, hearing her father might be executed, and feels guilty hiding. Qi Jing tries to reassure her, suggesting it might just be a rumor spread by Tian Hu to lure her out. Just then, someone discovers the temple. Qi Jing shoves Lu Yao into hiding and bravely leads the pursuers away on a wild goose chase.
Now, things take a dark turn. A mysterious figure brings Bai Cha Zhanglao (Elder Bai Cha) to... well, another elder. This figure tells Bai Cha to consume the other elder to boost his own power. Bai Cha is horrified and refuses at first. But the figure pressures him, saying it's the only way he'll ever get out and see Hong Ning again, and chillingly adds, "This is how we've always survived – consuming our own kind." Driven by his desperate desire to reunite with Hong Ning, Bai Cha does the unthinkable and consumes the elder. The mysterious figure seems almost surprised Bai Cha went through with it for Hong Ning. Bai Cha, now changed, silently vows that Hong Ning must wait for him. Yikes.
Back with Hong Ning, she recovers and tentatively asks her parents a hypothetical question: "What if I had... you know... demon friends?" Her parents, surprisingly chill, basically say there are good demons and bad demons, just like people. They've even met gods before! As long as a demon is good-hearted, it's okay by them. This seems to solidify Hong Ning's resolve. Once her parents are asleep, she writes a farewell letter, determined to leave and rescue her friend, Lemon Spirit.
Fate loves to intertwine threads, doesn't it? Bai Ling arrives at the exact same Xian Nu Miao where Lu Yao is hiding, dragging Lemon Spirit along. Lu Yao emerges from hiding. Bai Ling, however, doesn't recognize her at all. Why? Because he's undergoing a heavenly trial (the Kunlun tribulation, lijie), which seems to have wiped his memories of past connections. Seeing Lu Yao and sensing she's a demon, he simply follows his orders and captures her too. Talk about bad timing for Lu Yao!
Hong Ning makes her way to the foot of Cangwu Mountain, hoping to become a disciple (likely to gain power or knowledge to save Lemon Spirit). She runs into Bai Buqu, who's also there for the same reason. He bluntly tells her Cangwu Mountain doesn't accept female disciples. Undeterred, Hong Ning disguises herself as a man and manages to pass through a mystical mist barrier on the mountain path. Bai Buqu, also making it through, explains the mist is a test – only those with xian yuan (a connection to the immortal world or destiny) can pass.
Hong Ning sneaks off towards the back areas, nearly takes a tumble, but is mysteriously saved by some Shao Yao (Peony) flowers. Reaching a backyard, she sees someone (or something?) named Hong Cha (Red Tea). Then, Jin Xiu appears, spots Hong Ning, and dramatically coughs up blood! Before Hong Ning can react, Tian Nanxing shows up, and Jin Xiu immediately orders him to escort Hong Ning back down the mountain.
Hong Ning protests, arguing it's unfair – she came to be a disciple and deserves at least a chance to compete or be tested. Jin Xiu just tells Tian Nanxing to take her away. Internally, Jin Xiu is clearly conflicted and frustrated; she had deliberately avoided seeing Hong Ning, yet here she is.
Meanwhile, Bai Ling has a truly bizarre side-quest. He tries to sell the captured Lu Yao to a random merchant! But hold up – the merchant turns out to be an animal skinner, interested in her pelt. Bai Ling, despite his memory loss and demon-hunting mission, is genuinely shocked and appalled by this cruelty. He beats the skinner up, takes his money (ha!), and takes Lu Yao back. Lu Yao herself is pretty stunned that such brutal people exist in the mortal realm.
Back on the mountain, Bai Ling takes Lu Yao somewhere (maybe back to the temple temporarily?) and notices she's injured from the earlier chase or capture. He actually gathers some herbs to treat her wounds. Lu Yao points out that mortal remedies won't work on her demon physiology, but it's a small moment showing Bai Ling isn't completely heartless in his current state.
