Episode Summary
Tang Lici forges a crucial alliance with Wanyu of Biluo Palace by promising to help restore its honor in exchange for help fighting The Debonair Shop. In retaliation, Xifang Tao and Liu Yan launch a massive assault on the palace. Just as their forces are about to break through the palace's defenses, Tang Lici uses his hidden Yique Yinyang power to reinforce the barrier, securing a victory but leaving himself completely depleted and vulnerable.
Spoiler Alert
An Alliance is Forged
Tang Lici's Grand Entrance
So, Tang Lici is getting nervous. He’s pretty sure Xifang Tao has already gotten to Wanyu, the ruler of Biluo Palace. He decides he can't let that happen. He needs to show Wanyu what the Central Plains Sword Association is really made of.
He heads over to Wanyu's palace. A guard tells him Wanyu is on the Sky-Gazing Terrace. Tang Lici looks where the guard is pointing. He sees the famous terrace is just floating in mid-air. Seriously. It's just hanging there. Tang Lici doesn't even blink. He just waves his hand, uses his powers to build a huge staircase out of thin air, and starts climbing. It’s quite the power move.
The Proposal
Up on the terrace, Wanyu gets right to it. He asks Tang Lici what his deal is with Yique Yinyang. Most people hear that name and immediately get suspicious. Tang Lici is honest. He says he doesn't really know his own history with Yique Yinyang. He just knows he's had this bracelet on his wrist for as long as he can remember. He doesn't know about any past-life drama. But he does know exactly what Wanyu wants right now.
Tang Lici lays his cards on the table. He knows Wanyu wants to restore Biluo Palace to its former glory. He also knows Wanyu wants his old title of State Preceptor back. Biluo Palace used to be a big deal. Then some kind of misunderstanding happened, and everyone forgot about them. They’ve been hiding out in this snowy wasteland ever since.
Tang Lici makes him an offer. He promises to help Wanyu get everything back. He’ll even return the ice coffin they just stole. All Wanyu has to do is help him take down The Debonair Shop. This is exactly what Wanyu wanted to hear. He agrees. Biluo Palace officially announces its alliance with the Central Plains Sword Association.
The Debonair Shop Strikes Back
A Battle of Music and Magic
Wanyu honors the old rules of war. He lets Xifang Tao and her people leave safely. You don't kill the messenger, after all. Outside the palace gates, Xifang Tao’s attendant, Fucui, is furious about the new alliance. Xifang Tao just smirks. She says that even though she failed, she bought Liu Yan some valuable time.
Then she gets to work. She summons disciples from The Debonair Shop. She also brings along some giant beasts. They launch a full-scale attack on Biluo Palace. The battle is brutal. Liu Yan himself shows up. He starts playing his instrument to rally his soldiers and push them to break through the gates.
Tang Lici hears the music and knows his rival is here. The two of them face off again. Tang Lici isn't backing down. He pulls out his flute and uses a sound attack of his own. His music helps his soldiers defend against the enemy's fire assault.
The Array Almost Breaks
During the fight, Xifang Tao spots several key points in the sky. She’s heard about Biluo Palace’s legendary Nine Stars Return Array. She studies the formation carefully and finds a weakness. She orders her people to attack those points one by one.
The array starts to flicker and shake. Tang Lici knows this is bad. If that magical barrier breaks, The Debonair Shop’s army will pour through the gates. It’s a desperate moment.
A Desperate Last Stand
Just as the array is about to shatter, Tang Lici does something drastic. He reveals his true Yique Yinyang form. He channels a massive amount of energy across the battlefield directly to Wanyu.
Wanyu uses this power to repair the damaged parts of the array. The cracks begin to seal. The whole formation solidifies, becoming stronger than before. It’s now a rock-solid shield that can withstand any attack. The Biluo Palace guards see this and their morale skyrockets. They start cheering. Xifang Tao’s attack has completely failed.
But the fight isn't over. Liu Yan is enraged. He goes after Tang Lici by himself. Tang Lici is completely drained from using so much power. He’s too weak to defend himself and falls into the freezing water of an ice lake.
