Episode Summary
Di Jun reveals his disdain for sentimentality before a shocking confrontation with Mu Xian in the Withered Garden, where he discloses Jin Xiu isn't his son. During their fight, Mu Xian's hidden power injures Di Jun. As Jin Xiu tries to protect Mu Xian from the Empress's wrath, he discovers a magical thread indicating Mu Xian doesn't truly love him. With Di Jun critically ill, Jin Xiu offers his divine bone to save him and accepts exile, leading to the Empress's devastating revelation that Jin Xiu is not her biological son.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicked off with Di Jun explaining his stance on family banquets to Jin Xiu. He mentioned that he allowed Jin Xiu to organize one out of affection, not indulgence. Di Jun himself avoids them, believing they foster weakness. After Di Jun leaves, Mu Xian muses that perhaps Di Jun doesn't see her as fit to be Jin Xiu's empress yet. Jin Xiu, ever supportive, encourages Mu Xian to focus on her cultivation, promising to help her and train alongside her.
Later, Di Jun finds Mu Xian in the Withered Garden, complimenting her on how well she's maintained it. Mu Xian humbly calls it her duty. When Di Jun questions the purpose of the Withered Garden, Mu Xian suggests it’s to give the withered flowers a sliver of hope. Di Jun scoffs, stating that what's dead is dead and that a long time ago, the garden was the residence of a fairy whose name no one remembers. He ominously declares he won't repeat a mistake made ten thousand years ago.
And then, things took a sharp, unexpected turn. Di Jun suddenly attacks Mu Xian! A shocked Mu Xian demands to know why. As they fight, Di Jun drops a bombshell: Jin Xiu is not his son! He reveals he's been plotting for ten thousand years, otherwise, he would have cast Jin Xiu into the Qi Lin Dong (Kirin Cave) long ago. In the heat of the battle, Mu Xian’s demon king power erupts, and she grievously injures Di Jun. Before she can even process what happened, Di Jun is unconscious and critically wounded.
Jin Xiu arrives on this chaotic scene, and Mu Xian warns him to stay back. When Jin Xiu asks why she did it, Mu Xian coldly states she told him she hated him. The Shen Hou (Empress) then rushes in, accuses Mu Xian of assassinating Di Jun, and orders her arrest. Jin Xiu steps in, shielding Mu Xian. Despite being punished himself, Jin Xiu escorts Mu Xian to the mortal realm. It's then he notices the Suo Xin Xian (Heart-Locking Thread) on her. Kunlun confronts Jin Xiu, questioning why he’s still protecting Mu Xian, pointing out the Suo Xin Xian as proof that Mu Xian doesn't love Jin Xiu and was merely using him.
Jin Xiu, however, stands firm. He tells Kunlun that he knows Hong Ning's (Mu Xian's other identity) true character, as does Kunlun, and if he doesn't protect her, no one will. Meanwhile, Di Jun remains unconscious. Kunlun has to encase him in ice to stabilize him while they search for a cure. The Empress, distraught, blames Kunlun, saying none of this would have happened if he had shouldered his responsibilities sooner.
A guilt-ridden Jin Xiu kneels in the main hall. When Kunlun approaches, Jin Xiu anxiously asks about his father. Kunlun explains that the physicians have temporarily secured Di Jun’s divine consciousness, but Hong Ning's demonic power continues to attack it. If Di Jun's primordial spirit fails, the consequences will be dire. Jin Xiu takes full responsibility, lamenting that if he hadn't insisted on bringing Hong Ning to the heavenly realm, none of this would have occurred.
Kunlun tries to comfort his brother, reminding Jin Xiu that he’s always seen him as the pride of Zhong Tian (Central Heaven), the older brother who would always catch him. Kunlun recalls a childhood memory where he insisted on going to the Hua Shen Chi (Transformation Pool). He’d promised just to look but then ran towards it, and it was Jin Xiu who pulled him back. Jin Xiu responds that even if Kunlun had fallen in, he would have jumped in to save him. Jin Xiu then admits he believes Kunlun's abilities are no less than his own and that Kunlun is actually better suited for the throne.
Later, Jin Xiu approaches the Empress, declaring his willingness to take responsibility. He offers to give his divine bone to Di Jun and requests to be sent to the mortal realm. The Empress is stunned. Jin Xiu states he's never asked her for anything before and hopes she'll grant his request. The Empress reminds him that if he removes his divine bone, he'll be no different from a mortal and will lose his eligibility to inherit the throne. Jin Xiu accepts this, saying this all started because of him, so he was never truly qualified anyway.
This leads to the episode's final, heartbreaking reveal. The Empress tells Jin Xiu that he did ask her for something once, when he was 500 years old. He had cultivated golden peonies and wanted her to see them, but she didn't go. However, when Kunlun mastered a puppet technique, she went to see that. The Empress then confesses the devastating truth: she treated him this way because Jin Xiu is not her biological son.
