Episode Summary
Ling Yin discovers that Elder Shen was not wounded by Lu Xuanxuan, but by a user of the evil Liuhe Divine Art. To counter the threat of Biluo Valley, Yang Qing tries to form an alliance with Yuan Yingxing, who demands a show of extreme loyalty. As Yao Fu's health mysteriously fails due to the Floating Life Curse, Yang Qing returns to the Cloud Sect to investigate, only to be imprisoned by his own master for defending Wang Yue.
Spoiler Alert
The Elder's Attacker
An Impossible Injury
Ling Yin is trying to patch up Elder Shen. He’s in really bad shape. Some of the Cloud Sect disciples are nervous. They don't like getting help from the Sheng Yue Cult. Ling Yin thinks the whole situation is strange. The injury is just too severe. She asks Yang Qing about the skill difference between Lu Xuanxuan and Elder Shen.
Yang Qing confirms her suspicions. Lu Xuanxuan is nowhere near as powerful as Elder Shen. She could never win that fight. They briefly wonder if it was poison. Ling Yin shoots that idea down. The amount of poison in his system wasn't enough to make a difference.
A Dark Power
The facts don't add up. Elder Shen was hurt by Lu Xuanxuan's signature move. But for that move to cause this much damage, it would require immense power. Jiang Yan agrees. He has fought Lu Xuanxuan before. He knows she isn't capable of this. Finally, they figure it out. The wound wasn't from a normal technique. It was caused by the Liuhe Divine Art, a known evil power.
An Alliance on Shaky Ground
Wang Yue's Plan
Wang Yue has been busy with her own sect's problems. But she misses Yang Qing. She asks Yuan Yingxing if he has any news. The Cloud Sect's reputation is in the gutter right now. Yuan Yingxing warns her to keep her distance from Yang Qing. He is worried she will get hurt. Wang Yue doesn't care about status. She just wants to be with him. To force the issue, she brings up a secret. She knows Yuan Yingxing is hiding Yao Fu. That gets him to agree to help Yang Qing.
A Test of Loyalty
Just then, Yang Qing arrives. He needs to speak with Yuan Yingxing. Wang Yue is thrilled to see him. Yang Qing gets straight to the point. He wants their sects to form an alliance against Biluo Valley. Yuan Yingxing is not quick to trust him. He remembers how Yang Qing betrayed Wang Yue in the past. Wang Yue tries to smooth things over. But Yuan Yingxing has a condition. He wants Yang Qing to perform three full kowtows to prove his sincerity.
Secrets and Sacrifices
Ling Yin's Past
Ling Yin needs to find a way to save Elder Shen. She decides to examine the bodies of others killed by the Valley Master. Jiang Yan offers to help but finds the task disgusting. Through this, he learns the truth about Ling Yin. Her reputation for doing "evil" things is a misunderstanding. She did what she had to do to save more people.
Yao Fu's Fading Life
Yao Fu is awake but very weak. Yuan Yingxing asks her why she married Yang Qing. She refuses to answer. Later, she faints and won't eat or drink. A worried Yuan Yingxing asks Ling Yin to check on her. Ling Yin can't find a physical cause for her condition. But she can see Yao Fu's life force is draining away. Yao Fu finally reveals her secret to Yuan Yingxing. She is under the Floating Life Curse.
A Dangerous Return
Elder Shen is awake and feeling a bit better. He wants to return to the Cloud Sect immediately. But he is too injured to travel. Yang Qing decides he will go instead. Wang Yue is terrified for him. She doesn't want him walking into danger. She stays by his side, trying to stop him from leaving.
Yang Qing eventually talks her down. He convinces her that she is safest with the Sheng Yue Cult. She offers him the powerful Sun Blade for his journey. He tells her to keep it. He trusts her with it more than himself. But his return does not go well. He meets with his master. As soon as he defends Wang Yue, his master has him locked away in a cell.
