Episode Summary
Han Li is chosen to represent his sect at Yan Ruyan's wedding alongside Dong Xuan'er, unaware that the Yan family has secretly allied with demonic cultivators. While preparing for the trip, Han Li receives a powerful new sword art from his master. Upon reaching their destination, Dong Xuan'er's use of her charm techniques to secure better lodging attracts the unwanted attention of the demonic cultivator Wang Chan, while Han Li learns of a dangerous local entity.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Han Li confronting Ye Fei within the supposed safety of Huangfeng Valley, questioning his audacity. Undeterred, Ye Fei is on the verge of shattering a defensive formation when Hong Fu arrives. Being the superior cultivator, she quickly neutralizes the threat. Han Li reports his discovery: Ye Fei is a spy, a final message entrusted to him by the late Uncle-Master Wu. Hong Fu acknowledges the information but dismisses Han Li, stating that the matter is for the sect leadership to handle, not a Foundation Establishment disciple like him. Later, Han Li solemnly buries Uncle-Master Wu, mourning a man who was genuinely kind to him.
Meanwhile, at the Yan family's fortress, the elders are in a state of panic. As the frontline against the demonic cultivators, their surrender would leave the entire State of Yue exposed. At this critical moment, Wang Chan appears. He dismisses the Seven Sects as former subordinates and promises the Yan family equal standing if they return to the fold. The elders' doubts are erased when they learn that Wang Chan has made a life-and-death oath with Yan Ruyan's father, sealing the treacherous alliance.
In a more relaxed setting, Hong Fu discusses the spy situation over a game of mahjong with other sect leaders. The Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Mountain claims the culprit was one of their disciples, Zhong Wu, who conveniently escaped before he could be captured. Hong Fu expresses her skepticism, but the other leader simply accepts blame and vows to apprehend the fugitive. Hong Fu clarifies that her intention isn't to assign blame but to encourage a united front against the increasingly strange events plaguing their world.
Soon, an invitation to Yan Ruyan's wedding arrives, surprising Nangong Wan, who recalls Ruyan having no immediate marriage plans. The sects must send representatives. Hong Fu chooses her disciple, Dong Xuan'er, and asks Li Huayuan to pick one of his. As all the other disciples step back, Han Li and his sixth senior brother are left standing. After a failed attempt to retreat, Han Li is ultimately chosen by Hong Fu to accompany Dong Xuan'er.
Annoyed that he must pay for a wedding gift out of his own pocket, Han Li seeks compensation from his master, Li Huayuan. Li Huayuan honors a past promise and allows Han Li to choose a new cultivation technique. Han Li selects a silver page, strikingly similar to a golden one he found in the Forbidden Land. To his delight, the two pages merge, revealing the complete "Azure Cloud Sword Art" and manifesting a powerful new sword.
For the wedding gift, Han Li decides against parting with his valuable pills and instead opts to give spirit grass, a resource he can easily cultivate with his magical Small Green Bottle. His preparations are interrupted by Dong Xuan'er, who uses her charm techniques on his spirit beasts to gain entry. As they depart, she confesses she picked him because he is the only one who treats her normally. Han Li bluntly points out that this is a direct result of her constant use of charm magic, which makes everyone else fawn over her. He warns her that relying on such arts could lead to trouble.
His warning proves prophetic upon their arrival. Initially told only rooms in the lower district are available, Dong Xuan'er uses her charm on the receptionist to secure lodging in the more desirable upper district. Han Li is visibly displeased by her actions. Unseen by them, the demonic cultivator Wang Chan witnesses the exchange and grows suspicious. The situation becomes more awkward when they discover only one room is left at the inn. Han Li insists Dong Xuan'er take it, deciding to find another place for himself, assuming the area is safe with so many disciples present.
As he contemplates his next move, another cultivator approaches him with a rumor about a local evil spirit preying on mortals and low-level cultivators. He is invited to join a party to eliminate the threat, but Han Li, ever cautious, declines the offer.
