Episode Summary
Han Li and Dong Xuan'er escape the Yan Fortress massacre with Mo Caihuan's help, but Han Li stays behind to fight a pursuing Wang Chan, resulting in both being heavily injured. The Seven Sects learn of the Demonic Dao's plot and prepare for war. After a somber farewell with Mo Caihuan, a wounded Han Li collapses. Meanwhile, new political and personal conflicts arise as Yan Ruyan confronts her new "husband," Wang Chan, and Chen Qiaoqian volunteers for a dangerous mission to clear her conscience.
Spoiler Alert
As Han Li and Dong Xuan'er emerge from Yan Fortress, they are met by Mo Caihuan. After they explain the tragic events that transpired, Caihuan reveals she knows of an ancient, hidden path to escape, a secret shared by a former patient of hers.
Their escape is short-lived as Wang Chan quickly catches up to them. Dong Xuan'er urges Mo Caihuan to flee to safety while she and Han Li hold him off. Knowing she would only be a burden in a fight, Caihuan reluctantly leaves. During the confrontation, when Wang Chan demands his name, Han Li identifies himself as "Li Feiyu."
Meanwhile, Xuan Le reports the massacre at Yan Fortress to Nangong Wan. It's revealed that the wedding was a trap, and all the disciples from the Seven Sects who attended are now in peril. Nangong Wan immediately takes Xuan Le to Huangfeng Valley, where the elders of the various sects are meeting, so he can report the dire news directly.
Back at the chase, Wang Chan deploys a formation array, trapping Han Li and Dong Xuan'er. With their flight talismans depleted, Han Li uses his very last one to send Dong Xuan'er to safety, feeling he has now fulfilled his duty to his masters. Left alone, Han Li engages Wang Chan in a desperate battle. He uses a variety of magical artifacts and talismans, managing to wound Wang Chan but sustaining serious injuries himself.
At the elders' meeting, Hong Fu is enraged upon hearing the news from Yan Fortress. Nangong Wan grimly predicts that a great war is imminent. She also shares a troubling secret: some of the sects' Core Formation cultivators have encountered problems, and new leaders are needed for the front lines. Hong Fu and her junior brother, Li Huayuan, volunteer. Hong Fu expresses her concern for Dong Xuan'er, but Li Huayuan reassures her, confident in his exceptionally cautious disciple, Han Li. Overhearing his name, Nangong Wan is left to wonder about Han Li's fate.
Elsewhere, Yan Ruyan awakens, and her father confesses everything—his collaboration with the Demonic Dao was all to save her. Horrified, Yan Ruyan cannot accept this, claiming she can feel the resentment of the innocent souls who died. She insists on returning, but her father tells her there is no longer a way back for her.
Han Li manages to find Mo Caihuan. He warns her that war is coming and Yan Fortress is no longer safe. He gives her some medicinal pills and urges her to seek refuge in the capital. Overcome with emotion, Caihuan laments their fleeting encounters, wondering how many decades she has to wait for their next meeting. As Han Li turns to leave, she embraces him, sadly noting his tendency to avoid difficult questions. After parting ways, Han Li's injuries overwhelm him; he coughs up blood and collapses on the road.
Nangong Wan's disciples return from a mission, reporting that they have successfully rescued the royal bloodlines of the two nations. They also witnessed the Demonic Dao testing mortals for Spiritual Roots and abducting anyone who possessed them. Nangong Wan realizes their horrific plan: to forcibly enhance the power of these new recruits and use them as soldiers on the front line. She orders that the rescued royals be cared for—those with Spiritual Roots will be trained as cultivators, and those without will be adopted into good families.
Later, Yan Ruyan is confronted by Wang Chan, who coldly introduces himself as her husband. She retorts that if he doesn't kill her now, she will certainly kill him in the future. Their tense meeting is interrupted by Wang Chan's aunt. Citing his injuries and recent marriage, she excuses him from the next mission. Though furious, Wang Chan is powerless to object, bitterly remarking that his aunt is the person who wants him dead the most.
At Huangfeng Valley, the Sect Master decides to send a party to investigate Yan Fortress. Chen Qiaoqian volunteers for the dangerous mission. She feels she didn't contribute enough in the Blood-Colored Prohibited Area to earn the sect's Foundation Establishment Pill and fears that if she doesn't prove her worth, it will give rise to a "heart demon," hindering her cultivation. The Sect Master approves her request.
