The emissaries from the Celestial Domain lead Xu Qi’an into an illusionary realm and repeatedly question him about the meaning of life. Initially confused, Xu Qi’an quickly clears his mind after a brief moment of reflection. As he nears the end of his life, he grows more resolute and prepares to fight back. In every life cycle within the illusion, Xu Qi’an seeks out the emissaries to discuss the meaning of life, becoming increasingly energetic each time.
Xu Qi’an begins to pose his own questions, asking whether eating, breathing, or even opening one’s eyes has meaning. This leaves the emissaries baffled, their worldview shaken. Doubting their purpose, the emissaries falter, and Xu Qi’an effortlessly destroys their Dharma manifestation.
As the manifestation crumbles, Xu Qi’an receives a small jade knife, causing the audience to erupt in cheers. Particularly moved, Xu Pingzhi forgets his status and uses the prime minister’s robe to wipe his tears. Princess Lin’an, previously tense, finally relaxes, a proud smile lighting her face as Xu Qi’an returns victorious.
After awakening, Xu Qi’an finds himself in White Deer Academy, holding the jade knife he used to break the manifestation. The superintendent of the academy reveals that the knife is a treasured artifact of the institution. It turns out that Xu Qi’an’s success was a combined effort by White Deer Academy and the Directorate of Celestial Surveillance.
Upon hearing of Xu Qi’an’s triumph, the emperor is bewildered that a mere silver-ranked nightwatchman could destroy such a powerful manifestation. Court attendants inform him that the knife carried the force of a demi-saint and that Xu Qi’an, destined by fate, had activated its primordial power. With the true dragon’s fortune on his side, the task was easily accomplished. Learning of Xu Qi’an’s ability to wield demi-saint powers, the emperor grows more wary of him.
The superintendent of the Directorate and the great scholar of White Deer Academy discuss the matter, realizing Xu Qi’an’s extraordinary potential. They agree to protect him and ensure his path forward remains unobstructed, knowing that the emperor might not tolerate someone stronger than himself in his realm.
Meanwhile, Emperor Jing receives Xu Qi’an’s request for a marquis title. After brief consideration, he grants the request but immediately issues a new decree. Xu Qi’an is tasked with investigating the “Bloody Massacre of Three Thousand Miles.” The emperor reasons that Xu Qi’an’s immense power and connections to both the Directorate and the academy make him uniquely suited for the task.
Princess Lin’an, distressed by Xu Qi’an’s departure, rushes to see him off. However, her maid delivers an order from the noble consort, forbidding Lin’an from leaving the palace to protect her reputation after rumors spread about her visit to White Deer Academy. Determined, Lin’an disguises herself as a maid and sneaks out to bid farewell to Xu Qi’an.
Since Xu Qi’an’s success, gifts flood into the Xu household—jewelry from a ministry counselor’s wife, paintings from officials, and other treasures. Confronting his uncle and Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi’an demands to know why they neglected him during his coma.
Xu Xinnian explains that when he and Xu Pingzhi visited, Princess Lin’an was already there and insisted on taking care of Xu Qi’an personally. She even took over tasks like washing his face, leaving the two men no choice but to leave. Reflecting on the details, Xu Xinnian marvels at how much Lin’an cares for Xu Qi’an.
Unbothered by this, Xu Qi’an shares that his request for a title was meant to benefit Xu Xinnian. Without a noble rank, Xu Xinnian would be unable to marry the prime minister’s daughter due to their mismatched social status. Xu Xinnian laments the embarrassment Xu Pingzhi caused in front of the prime minister, jeopardizing the potential marriage. Upon learning the “old man” he had casually chatted with was the prime minister, Xu Pingzhi is struck with terror.
In the Xu family courtyard, two celestial emissaries appear before Xu Qi’an. One of them, Du Ku, touches Xu Qi’an’s forehead, awakening the divine entity Shen Shu within him. Shen Shu recalls fragments of his past but remains incomplete, needing more time to recover while residing in Xu Qi’an’s body.
Grateful for Xu Qi’an’s care, Du Ku reveals that Shen Shu was placed within Xu Qi’an by the Linghui Master of the Witch God Sect. Once Shen Shu recovers, the Linghui Master might take Xu Qi’an away. For now, the city remains the safest place for him. After imparting these warnings, the emissaries vanish.
