Jealous of Zhong Zhao’s sudden appearance, Fan Yue lashes out with harsh words, arguing with Bai Shuo and declaring that once he obtains the Weak Water Stone, they will sever ties completely. Shocked and hurt, Bai Shuo storms off. Meanwhile, Tian Huo questions Mu Jiu about a giant tree capable of devouring people. Unfamiliar with such a tree, Mu Jiu takes her to the Love Tree, confessing his feelings, but the tree shows no reaction.
Shortly after Mu Jiu and Tian Huo leave, Fu Ling arrives at the Love Tree. She experiences an illusion of Zhong Zhao treating her tenderly but is soon attacked by the tree’s vines. Though she manages to evade the attack, she is slightly injured and concludes that the tree only targets outsiders.
Chang Mei seeks out Bai Shuo, handing wedding garments to Tian Huo. Bai Shuo tries to reason with Chang Mei using the events in the Rongsian realm, but Chang Mei dismisses her. Noticing the corrosion on Chang Mei’s hand, Bai Shuo suspects her involvement in Cang Shan’s attack. She discreetly tests Elder Chang Sheng, confirming he is not Xiao Ba from a thousand years ago.
Bai Shuo wrestles with numerous doubts, such as the whereabouts of Xiao Ba and A Qi, and why Chang Mei claims to have no Red Luan fate despite her past romance with A Qi. To protect Fan Yue, Bai Shuo tells Cang Shan to keep these suspicions to himself for now and observe events quietly.
Fan Yue’s Resolve and Fu Ling’s Schemes
After hearing Tian Huo’s report, Fan Yue plans to investigate the Love Tree at night. Tian Huo, noticing his feelings for Bai Shuo, advises him to cherish and protect her. Fan Yue decides to explain everything to Bai Shuo once the matter is resolved. Observing Tian Huo’s budding feelings for Mu Jiu, Fan Yue encourages her to let go of past grievances and find someone to share her life with.
That night, Fu Ling devises a plan to lure Fan Yue to the Love Tree and have Zhong Zhao capture Bai Shuo. Meanwhile, Chang Mei learns from Mu Jiu that Fan Yue defied fate to save Ling Long’s child in the Rongsian realm. Shocked, she instructs Mu Jiu not to meet anyone from the Moonlight Hall before the wedding.
Cang Shan becomes furious upon hearing about Tian Huo and Mu Jiu’s impending wedding. Tian Huo clarifies that it’s a fake marriage, while Mu Jiu discerns Cang Shan’s feelings. Later, Fu Ling leads Fan Yue to the Love Tree, while Zhong Zhao tries to abduct Bai Shuo, claiming that Fan Yue can no longer protect her. Refusing to leave, Bai Shuo is alarmed to learn that Fan Yue has gone to the Love Tree.
After a Fox Clan member is attacked and loses their tail, Chang Mei grows suspicious. Bai Shuo urgently seeks Chang Mei’s help to go to the Love Tree. Meanwhile, Fan Yue senses something unusual about the tree, falls into an illusion, and allows himself to be drawn in. Just as Fu Ling attempts to destroy the tree and kill Fan Yue, Chang Mei and Bai Shuo arrive, forcing Fu Ling to flee.
A Narrow Escape and Shocking Discoveries
Bai Shuo finds Fan Yue trapped inside the tree and tries to rescue him. Her blood drips onto the tree, awakening him. Fan Yue breaks free with Bai Shuo in his arms, destroying the tree’s grip. A spiritual entity emerges to attack but is quickly dispersed by Bai Shuo. Chang Mei pursues and severely injures Fu Ling, but Zhong Zhao appears to save her.
Chang Mei notices the tree regaining a trace of vitality, suspecting it is due to the Wu Nian Stone’s power. Fan Yue concludes that the spiritual entity was a manifestation of the tree spirit. He reveals that while inside the tree, he sensed a corpse beneath its roots, exuding faint spiritual energy. The body likely belonged to a powerful demon, and the tree, now withering, has relied on devouring living beings for years to sustain itself. Bai Shuo deduces the true identity of the spiritual entity they encountered.
Fu Ling, moved by Zhong Zhao taking an injury for her, tends to his wounds and desperately seeks his affection. Zhong Zhao, however, firmly declares that Bai Shuo is the only one in his heart, leaving Fu Ling heartbroken. Later, Chang Mei spots what seems to be A Qi’s figure near the Love Tree, only to discover it is Fan Yue in disguise. At the same time, Bai Shuo finds Chang Wu alone, recognizing him as Xiao Ba. Chang Wu confirms her suspicion with a smile.
