Faced with an impossible decision between Fan Yue and Chong Zhao, Bai Shuo recognized that while both were vital to her, Chong Zhao’s current state made it unlikely he could escape the palace’s dangers. Meanwhile, Fan Yue, having consumed the last medicinal pill, was on the brink of recovering his memories—an event that could shift the tide and save everyone. Determined, Bai Shuo chose Fan Yue, leaving Chong Zhao disheartened. Fu Ling mocked his disappointment, using the moment to unsettle his resolve.
Elsewhere, Wu Zhao dragged Tianhuo to the underground palace, publicly revealing his alliance with Cold Spring Palace. He then activated the “God-Making” formation using the three Heartfires. At this critical moment, Fan Yue began regaining his memories, while Hua Yong reverted to his original form, remaining unresponsive to Wu Zhao’s summons. Confused, Wu Zhao was abruptly stabbed by Fu Ling, who declared the so-called God-Making formation was, in truth, a killing array designed to turn Hua Yong into a weapon, retrieve the Different King’s sword, and kill Bai Shuo to obtain the Nameless Stone.
As Hua Yong charged toward Bai Shuo with the sword, Fan Yue unleashed the power of the Seven-Star Soul-Burning Mark, releasing his demonic energy to block Hua Yong. Bai Shuo noticed the seven stars glowing on Fan Yue’s chest, just before the killing array drew in a murderous aura. This caused the Different City to tremble violently, endangering its citizens. Chong Zhao was trapped under falling debris, but Fu Ling used a protective demon flower to shield his heart and carried him out of the city.
To prevent the palace’s collapse, Bai Shuo reinserted the Different King’s sword into its pedestal. The sword’s spirit transformed into a ring, choosing Bai Shuo as its master, and calming the city’s upheaval. However, the sword’s energy was too overwhelming for Bai Shuo’s mortal body to endure. Fan Yue stepped in to shield her, taking the brunt of the energy and falling unconscious.
With the barrier around the city broken and the confines lifted, Nan Wan successfully delivered the phoenix spirit elixir to her younger brother, and the group began to leave. Bai Shuo wanted to save Chong Zhao, but Tianhuo reassured her that disciples of the Lanling Sect had already been informed, and his safety was ensured.
Hua Yong sought out his sister Tianhuo at the inn, and the siblings reconciled at last. When asked about his plans, Hua Yong shared his intention to rebuild the ravaged Different City with his people and invited Bai Shuo to become the king of the Different Ones. Bai Shuo politely declined, believing Hua Yong was better suited for the role.
At the Unrestrained Pavilion, Fan Yue remained unconscious, tormented by the Seven-Star Soul-Burning Mark. Bai Shuo was devastated to see him coughing blood and urgently sought answers from Tianhuo. She learned the mark’s origin: Fan Yue was the sole survivor of his clan’s destruction and, in his quest for revenge, practiced forbidden demonic arts that backfired. The seven stars represented his life force, with only two stars still glowing. Once all seven were extinguished, his soul would be obliterated.
Bai Shuo was struck by this revelation, realizing that Tianhuo and Zang Shan’s quest for the Nameless Stone had always been to save Fan Yue’s life. Tianhuo recounted how Fan Yue had once saved her from bandits. Though feared as a ruthless master of the Bright Moon Hall, Fan Yue had always protected the weaker demons. His followers were loyal not because of his strength but because of his compassion for all beings. In that moment, Bai Shuo fully understood the kind of person Fan Yue was and resolved to gather the five fragments of the Nameless Stone to save him.
At Cold Spring Palace, the group reflected on the events in Different City. Minister Ye proposed creating demonic parasites, requiring immense amounts of demon marrow, celestial veins, and human lives. Fu Ling imprisoned Chong Zhao in a dark chamber, but when Chong Zhao realized she had saved him with the protective demon flower, he resolutely pulled a dagger to cut the flower from his body, vowing not to associate with Fu Ling. Meanwhile, the Lanling Sect debated rescuing Chong Zhao, ultimately deciding it was a chance to use him as an undercover agent in Cold Spring Palace.
Back at the Unrestrained Pavilion, Bai Shuo waited for Fan Yue to awaken. When he did, she asked about the events in Different City. Fan Yue assured her that he didn’t regret his actions and that saving her wasn’t his only motive—if the Different King’s sword had been destroyed, the city would have perished along with everyone in it. However, Bai Shuo called out his excuses, demanding to know how much of the past he remembered. Fan Yue admitted he recalled everything, including Mumu.
Meanwhile, Mu Jiu, smitten with Tianhuo after their encounter in Different City, pursued her to the Unrestrained Pavilion. Despite Tianhuo’s clear disdain, Mu Jiu refused to leave, even as Zang Shan, at Tianhuo’s suggestion, tied him up. Undeterred, Mu Jiu vowed to court her, even if it cost him his life. Eventually, Fan Yue allowed him to stay, assigning him menial tasks.
