Episode Summary
Mu Xian, mistaken for Hong Ning, is tasked by Zi Teng to make all the flowers in the Withered Garden bloom, a feat requiring immense spiritual power. Meanwhile, Kunlun confesses his feelings to Lu Yao, only to be brutally rejected as she admits to using him. Lu Yao then decides to abandon her schemes in Zhong Tian and return to the Northern Immortal Realm to reclaim her position, despite the Shen Hou's warnings. Mu Xian, desperate to find Jin Xiu, borrows a thousand years from Zhong Xian, searching fruitlessly in a magical space. After being pulled out by Kunlun, a clue from Deng Xian about a sky lantern and Jin Xiu's past love for a "little demon" leads Mu Xian to believe he knows her whereabouts. He borrows one more day from Zhong Xian and travels to Bai Zhou Mountain. As the White Tea Demon King is about to ascend the throne, Mu Xian releases a sky lantern, and Jin Xiu awakens.
Spoiler Alert
So, we kicked things off with Ju Xian Guan (Chrysanthemum Official) having a total fangirl moment seeing Mu Xian. She’s all, "You're back!" but Mu Xian is quick to clarify, "Uh, nope, not Hong Ning." Ju Xian Guan isn't buying it, though, exclaiming how uncanny the resemblance is. Then, out strolls Zi Teng (Wisteria) Fairy. Ju Xian Guan explains that with the Flower Goddess MIA, Zi Teng is temporarily in charge of the Hua Chao Gong (Flower Dynasty Palace). Zi Teng, clearly on a power trip, tells Mu Xian that since he's here to manage the Can Hua Yuan (Withered Garden), he should go ahead and make all the flowers bloom. Like, right now.
Ju Xian Guan, bless her heart, gets super protective, pointing out there are hundreds of flowers and blooming them all would drain a ton of spiritual energy – something Mu Xian, being a newly minted immortal, just doesn't have. Zi Teng basically shrugs, saying it's not her problem; the Shen Hou (Empress) sent Mu Xian, so take it up with her. Mu Xian, ever the peacemaker (or maybe just resigned to his fate), stops Ju Xian Guan and agrees to make the flowers bloom.
Once Zi Teng flounces off, Ju Xian Guan grumbles about how those close to the Shen Hou are just throwing their weight around. Mu Xian then asks the million-dollar question: "Has Jin Xiu really not returned?" Ju Xian Guan confirms they've searched all over Zhong Tian (Central Heaven) but found no trace of Jin Xiu.
Meanwhile, Kunlun wakes up, and Lu Yao is overjoyed to see him. Kunlun, in a moment of vulnerability, confesses he’s always liked Lu Yao but was too awkward and confused to realize it sooner, and he doesn't want to waste any more time. Hold your horses, Kunlun, because Lu Yao drops a bombshell! She coldly states she never liked him and was just using him. First, in Cang Wu because the Tian Hu (Sky Fox) clan was after her, and the second time around, it was all to suck up to the Shen Hou. Ouch. Kunlun is, understandably, heartbroken, realizing he’d been played.
Lu Yao then goes to the Shen Hou to 'ask for punishment' (yeah, right). The Shen Hou, ever the schemer, mentions that even though Jin Xiu's Tian Di (Heavenly Emperor) star has lit up, Jin Xiu isn't back yet, meaning Kunlun still has a shot. But Lu Yao seems to have had a change of heart (or maybe just a new plan). She refuses to use Kunlun anymore and declares she's going back to reclaim the Bei Xian Jie (Northern Immortal Realm). The Shen Hou warns her that the Tian Hu is about to ascend the throne, and if Lu Yao leaves now, she can kiss her chances of returning to Zhong Tian goodbye. Lu Yao insists her mind is made up. Before leaving, she visits Kunlun one last time, telling him that if Jin Xiu truly doesn't return, he needs to step up and fulfill his duties to Zhong Tian.
Mu Xian is still desperately searching for Jin Xiu, even trying to summon her with Jun Ying Cao (Lily of the Valley grass), but gets no response. He then has a dream where he sees Jin Xiu amongst the flowers and trees on Bai Zhou Shan (Bai Zhou Mountain). He’s all set to go find her, but Kunlun brings him back to reality, saying he’s been counting the petals on the Bai Hua Tu (Hundred Flower Diagram) for a thousand years and has barely made a dent – how does Mu Xian expect to search through so many plants?
This gives Mu Xian an idea: he wants to borrow a thousand years from Zhong Xian (Bell Immortal). Kunlun warns him that this is forbidden magic and borrowing a thousand years means sacrificing a thousand years of his own lifespan. But Mu Xian is resolute. He goes to Zhong Xian, who agrees to help, saying Jin Xiu once did him a favor. Zhong Xian explains the mechanics: one stick of incense burning outside equals a thousand years inside. Mu Xian must get out before the incense burns out, or he’ll be trapped forever.
So, Mu Xian spends a thousand years searching but still doesn't find Jin Xiu. As time is about to run out, he cries, "I'm close! Just a little longer!" Kunlun, seeing it's now or never, yanks Mu Xian out just in the nick of time. Kunlun tries to comfort him, saying Jin Xiu wouldn't want to see him like this.
Still not giving up, Mu Xian visits Deng Xian (Lamp Immortal) and sees the sky lantern Jin Xiu released back in the day. Deng Xian mentions Jin Xiu had hoped to release lanterns together the following year but was in love with a little demon. Deng Xian searched for that demon the next year but couldn't find him. This sparks something in Mu Xian. He goes back to Zhong Xian, asking to borrow just one more day.
Zhong Xian is skeptical, "You searched for a thousand years and found nothing, what makes you think one day will be enough?" Mu Xian, with newfound conviction, says he knows where Jin Xiu is now, and one day is all he needs. Zhong Xian agrees.
