Episode Summary
Li Huayuan, realizing he cannot protect Hongfu from the powerful Yunlu, prepares for a final confrontation. After entrusting Han Li with future responsibilities, he faces Yunlu, a cultivator far beyond his level. To secure Hongfu's freedom, Li Huayuan makes a bet: he will win if he can force Yunlu to attack. He then shatters his own core to unleash a burst of power, compelling Yunlu to act and thus winning the wager at the cost of his own life.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 28 brings both heroic sacrifices and heart-wrenching decisions as the conflict with the Demonic Dao reaches a boiling point.
The story picks up with Li Huayuan confronting the Patriarch, questioning why his beloved Senior Sister, Hongfu, was sent away. The Patriarch cryptically reveals that a powerful figure has arrived, reminding Li Huayuan of a core tenet of cultivation: to be free and untroubled. Feeling he can no longer achieve this state, Li Huayuan resolves to find Hongfu and face their fate together.
Meanwhile, Han Li and his fellow disciples are ambushed by two cultivators from the Demonic Dao. Hongfu immediately recognizes their aura, linked to a fallen cultivator named Fuyunzi. The attackers confirm this, even tossing Fuyunzi's horsetail whisk to her as a grim trophy. Understanding that Han Li and the others are no match for these powerful enemies, Hongfu orders them to flee while she holds the line, creating a desperate escape opportunity.
Han Li manages to reach the designated meeting point, only to find more injured disciples and Demonic Dao members waiting. Realizing their expected backup will not arrive, he takes charge and leads the survivors away. Just as Han Li is about to be struck down, Li Huayuan appears, saving him in the nick of time.
Relieved to see Han Li is safe, Li Huayuan commends him for his caution and diligence, despite his poor Spiritual Roots. He entrusts Han Li with a cultivation manual, meant to be read only when he reaches the Core Formation stage, and a Storage Pouch filled with resources for their fellow disciples. When Han Li hesitates, Li Huayuan reassures him, explaining that some things are more important than life itself.
Later, Li Huayuan reunites with Hongfu. The mood is tense as Wang Chan's aunt remarks on Hongfu's formidable reputation as Huangfeng Valley's top female cultivator. The reunion is cut short by the arrival of Yunlu, a powerful figure who has come with Wang Chan and Dong Xuan'er. Yunlu declares she has an agreement with Patriarch Linghu to only take Hongfu, but Li Huayuan refuses to stand aside.
What follows is a hopelessly one-sided battle. Li Huayuan, at the Core Formation stage, is no match for the Nascent Soul stage cultivator, Yunlu.Refusing to back down, Li Huayuan proposes a wager: if he can force Yunlu to make a single offensive move, he wins, and she must let Hongfu go. Yunlu agrees.
Knowing he cannot win through conventional means, Li Huayuan makes the ultimate sacrifice. He chooses to shatter his own core, unleashing a massive, temporary surge of power.This desperate act forces Yunlu to defend herself, thus making a move. With his final breath, a triumphant Li Huayuan declares, "I win," before closing his eyes forever.
In the emotional aftermath, Hongfu cradles Li Huayuan, wanting only to take him home. Dong Xuan'er, her daughter with Yunlu, pleads with her to join them, but Hongfu tells her she is grown now and must walk her own path. In a final act of defiance and love, Dong Xuan'er stands in Yunlu's way, preventing her from pursuing Hongfu.
Elsewhere, upon hearing news of the tragic events at Huangfeng Valley, a concerned Nangong Wan decides to find Han Li, setting the stage for their reunion.
