Yinian took all the blame upon himself, pleading with Xie Xuechen to spare Xuantiangate. Xie Xuechen agreed, and Yinian made one last request: to see Xuanxin before he died. Xie Xuechen brought Xuanxin to him, and Yinian bid his final farewell. He told Xuanxin that this was as far as he could guide him, and he hoped Xuanxin would take over as sect leader and manage Xuantiangate well. Xuanxin, overwhelmed with emotion, declared that he did not want Yinian to die.
Yinian assured him that everything was his responsibility and urged Xuanxin not to resent Xie Xuechen, who was merely fulfilling his duty. Xuanxin knelt before Yinian, bowing deeply as a final act of respect and goodbye. After Xuanxin left, Yinian ended his own life. Xie Xuechen and Xuanxin exchanged a few words before parting ways.
Meanwhile, Nan Xuyue visited Mu Xuanling, who was happily amusing herself in captivity. He remarked on how joyful she seemed for a prisoner. Nan Xuyue asked her again if she would reconsider leaving with him to Yunxiu Manor. Mu Xuanling declined, saying Nan Xuyue had already done more than enough for her, going beyond the bounds of mere friendship. Nan Xuyue admitted that Mu Xuanling was special to him and revealed a secret: his spiritual aperture was damaged by his elder brother.
He explained that when his father found out, he was furious and intended to kill his brother, but their mother took the blame and died in front of him. Nan Xuyue confessed that he envied his mother’s love, a love so deep she was willing to die for his brother. He recalled Mu Xuanling once joking that she could share some of her affection with him, to which she replied it was a thoughtless comment. Mu Xuanling asked if he was in love with her. Nan Xuyue admitted he didn’t know, which was why he needed to return to Yunxiu Manor to figure it out.
As they spoke, Xie Xuechen appeared. Mu Xuanling quickly stood up, wanting to explain but unable to find the words. Nan Xuyue suggested they take a walk, asking Xie Xuechen how much he had overheard. Xie Xuechen replied that he heard him say, “like.” Nan Xuyue asked if he was angry or indifferent. Xie Xuechen questioned why Nan Xuyue hadn’t told him earlier. Nan Xuyue replied that he wasn’t sure himself and added that he would soon leave for Yunxiu Manor to gain clarity.
After their conversation, Xie Xuechen returned to find Mu Xuanling waiting for him. She asked how the talk went and whether he was angry. Xie Xuechen said he wasn’t. Mu Xuanling, unconvinced, teased him about his tone. She then asked if they were still going down the mountain today. Xie Xuechen agreed, and Mu Xuanling eagerly followed.
They arrived at a bustling street where Mu Xuanling stopped at a fortune-teller’s stall to ask about her love life. The fortune-teller asked for her birth date and time, which Mu Xuanling didn’t know, so he had her toss coins. The result? He told her she was in a complicated relationship with no resolution. Enraged, Mu Xuanling nearly overturned the stall, but Xie Xuechen intervened just in time.
The two then went to a noodle shop for a meal. The shop owner recognized Mu Xuanling as the one who had helped his father a few days earlier and offered them a free meal in gratitude. As Mu Xuanling ate, she told Xie Xuechen that this felt like experiencing the real human world—not entirely good, but not entirely bad either.
On their way back, they bought some pastries. When they returned, Mu Xuanling said she would go back to the Ice Prison. Xie Xuechen told her it wasn’t necessary, promising to arrange proper accommodations for her. Mu Xuanling remarked that it didn’t matter where she stayed; what she cared about was her place in Xie Xuechen’s heart. With that, she left, fully aware that Sang Qi wouldn’t let her go so easily.
Meanwhile, Su Ningzhen’s Chunsheng Sword sensed Sang Qi’s presence. As expected, Sang Qi arrived, intent on taking Mu Xuanling away. However, Nan Xuyue stepped forward to stop him.
