Episode Summary
Sima Jiao takes Liao Tingyan on an outing that turns into a display of power when he defends her old master. He sets a trap for his enemies by gifting "poisonous" spirit veins, leading to his direct and brutal revenge on Tian Wuya. This act splinters the other sect leaders who plot against him. The episode ends with an old curse being reactivated, but Liao Tingyan's intervention inadvertently grants Sima Jiao a significant power boost.
Spoiler Alert
So, Sima Jiao gets tired of seeing Liao Tingyan just lounging around, obsessed with her new clothes and jewelry. He decides to drag her out for some fun. She, of course, is terrified he's planning another one of his murder sprees and tries to refuse, but he's not taking no for an answer.
Hearing her terrified inner thoughts, Sima Jiao actually decides to be nice for a day. Instead of killing anyone, he takes her to a flower banquet. While they're snacking, Liao Tingyan spots her old master from Qinggu Mountain getting hassled by a few guys. They're accusing him of spilling some fancy "Jade Pulp" and demanding a crazy amount of compensation—300 spirit stones. Liao Tingyan, ever the loyal student, steps up to defend him. When she realizes she can't possibly pay, she asks if they'd consider an installment plan. That's when one of the bullies grabs her by the neck to "teach her a lesson."
Big mistake. Nobody messes with Sima Jiao's favorite person. He immediately sends the guy flying. The crowd recognizes him as the Grand Master and drops to their knees. Liao Tingyan's master, who's never met the guy, is understandably terrified and whispers to her that maybe she should find a way to escape this "great demon."
Sima Jiao overhears their entire conversation. He confronts the master, not with anger, but with a bit of an attitude, reminding him that all the sect leaders willingly sent their disciples to him. But when he realizes the master is just genuinely worried for Liao Tingyan's safety, he's amused. In a massive flex, he rewards the master with four whole spirit veins.
Everyone is jealous, but Sima Jiao has another trick up his sleeve. He casually mentions that spirit veins from his home, White Deer Cliff, are basically poison to normal people. Anyone who tries to use them will either go insane or drop dead. This sends a wave of panic through the crowd, especially those who've been secretly stealing his power.
One of these thieves, Tian Wuya, is in deep trouble. His own disciples are already going mad from using the stolen energy. In a panic, he runs to another sect leader, Shi Qianlu, begging him to ask Sima Jiao for mercy.
It's too late. Sima Jiao hasn't forgotten the brutal nail torture he endured as a child, and he's ready for payback. He finds Tian Wuya and, in a moment of cold revenge, drives the same eight nails he once pulled from his own body into Tian Wuya, killing him.
Tian Wuya's death sends a clear message: the revenge tour has begun. Shi Qianlu, fearing he's next on the list, tries to rally the other sect leaders to seal Sima Jiao again. But they're a divided bunch. Ye Ruling wants to kill Sima Jiao herself, so she's out. Another leader, Yuan Che, also stays quiet.
Just as things couldn't get more complicated, an old enemy makes a move. The person who put a puppet curse on Sima Jiao ages ago tries to activate it. Sima Jiao is hit with excruciating pain and has no choice but to go to Liao Tingyan for help. She gives him a transfusion of her blood, which not only cures the pain but also gives him a massive power-up. When he recovers, he discovers he now has super-sight and super-hearing.