While Mu Xuanling and Xie Xuechen are having dinner, they suddenly detect a Soul-Consuming Gu, and even Su Ningzhen becomes infected. Nan Xu Yue uses his own magic to temporarily close the door. Xie Xuechen asks him how long this spell can hold, and Nan Xu Yue responds that it will only last for a short while. Xie Xuechen tells everyone to leave first and stay behind himself. Feng Yao remarks that they all cannot leave. As everyone turns around, they see all the disciples of Jinghua Palace rushing in, none of whom are infected by the Soul-Consuming Gu. Mu Xuanling prepares to kill them, but Xie Xuechen intervenes, saying that they are all humans and she should not kill them. Mu Xuanling cuts her hand to disperse the Gu toxins from these people.
Mu Xuanling explains that only demonic arts can overcome these toxins, using poison to counter poison. Xie Xuechen worries about Mu Xuanling getting injured and urges her to stop quickly. Mu Xuanling asks if he is worried about her, but Xie Xuechen remains silent. Finally, Mu Xuanling uses her demonic arts to dispel all the toxins from everyone and faints in Xie Xuechen’s arms. Nan Xu Yue raises his hand to catch Mu Xuanling, but his hand falls empty. Nan Xu Yue takes Mu Xuanling’s pulse and says that she had been injured before and is now even more hurt. He mentions that Mu Xuanling’s spiritual orifices are damaged. Xie Xuechen recalls that she had mentioned this before. He asks Nan Xu Yue to find a way to save Mu Xuanling, and Nan Xu Yue says he will go to the study room to look for a solution.
Xie Xuechen realizes that since Mu Xuanling has damaged spiritual orifices, she can only cultivate the demonic path. He notices a notebook that Mu Xuanling dropped on the ground and considers picking it up to read, remembering how Mu Xuanling had previously asked if he wanted to see her private notes. He retracts his hand but cannot resist and looks at the contents inside, recalling the scenes where Mu Xuanling wrote them. Xie Xuechen remembers Mu Xuanling asking him to consume Yu Ying’s elixir to increase his power. He takes out the elixir and feeds it to Mu Xuanling. After a while, Mu Xuanling opens her eyes, revealing a purple glow emanating from Xie Xuechen.
Mu Xuanling embraces Xie Xuechen tightly. Xie Xuechen asks how she feels. Mu Xuanling says her whole body aches and begins to kiss Xie Xuechen, commenting that her clothes feel like they are being cut against her skin. As she tries to undress, Xie Xuechen stops her. Mu Xuanling kisses his lips again and bites him, causing Xie Xuechen to knock her unconscious. He places Mu Xuanling on the bed to let her rest. As Xie Xuechen steps outside to get some fresh air, Gao Qiumin arrives. Gao Qiumin tells him she came to see him, and Xie Xuechen asks her not to reveal anything about Mu Xuanling’s situation. Gao Qiumin remarks that Mu Xuanling is now starting to sympathize with the Spiritual Race, and Xie Xuechen responds that she is too.
Gao Qiumin tells him to take care of his own people, stating that she does not have such a big mouth. Gao Qiumin visits Su Ningzhen, who has nearly recovered. She asks Gao Qiumin how the five of them managed to fend off so many Gu toxins that night. Gao Qiumin explains that Xie Xuechen discovered their loophole, leading to their success. Xie Xuechen and his group bid farewell to Su Ningzhen and prepare to return to Yinxiu Mountain Villa. Gao Qiumin comes to the door to send them off. Mu Xuanling and Gao Qiumin argue again, and Xie Xuechen asks her what enmity she holds with Gao Qiumin. Mu Xuanling responds that she will tell him, and he will forget, before storming out angrily.
The group returns to Yinxiu Mountain Villa, where Abao happily embraces Mu Xuanling upon their return. Nan Xu Yue’s subordinate informs them that preparations are underway to send Xie Xuechen to Yongxue City. Mu Xuanling catches up with Xie Xuechen and asks if she can return to Yongxue City with him. Xie Xuechen asks if she is genuinely planning to abandon the dark path for the light. Mu Xuanling explains that he might doubt the truthfulness of her words, but she had no choice but to act as she did in the Dark Domain to survive; otherwise, she would have died. However, part of her truly desires to stand in the sunlight. Xie Xuechen agrees to let her return to Yongxue City with him. Nearby, Feng Yao asks Nan Xu Yue if he wants to keep this old acquaintance. Nan Xu Yue replies that he cannot be kept, and since that is the case, he will go with her.
