Tian Yu timely rescues Chen Ye and brings him back to the Cold Spring Palace. Chen Ye suspects that the reason Jing Lei and others became aware of his whereabouts and identity is likely due to an inside traitor, with all suspicions pointing to Zhong Zhao. In contrast, Zhong Zhao once again finds Bai Shuo, confesses the true reason for his entry into the Cold Spring Palace, and apologizes. Meanwhile, Fu Ling has decided to personally kill Bai Shuo.
After listening to Zhong Zhao’s plans and intentions, Bai Shuo advises him desperately not to return to the Cold Spring Palace and to immediately go back to Lanling, where at least Master Jin Yao can offer protection. However, Zhong Zhao wants Bai Shuo to leave with him and doesn’t understand why she insists on staying with Fan Yue. Bai Shuo openly acknowledges her feelings for Fan Yue and hopes that Zhong Zhao will pursue his own path.
Meanwhile, Mu Jiu proactively approaches Fan Yue with a proposal: he is willing to hand over the Weak Water Stone to save Bai Shuo but earnestly requests Fan Yue’s future assistance in protecting the fox clan. Initially, Fan Yue does not agree because extracting the Weak Water Stone from his body would inevitably endanger his life. However, after Mu Jiu’s persistent persuasion, Fan Yue ultimately agrees.
Because Chen Ye left behind an evil insect that was captured by the Lanling Sect, Master Jin Yao and others are worried about the harm the evil insect could cause. They immediately send a message to Zhong Zhao, insisting on stopping the chaos before the evil insect breeds out of control. Mu Jiu personally goes to find Tian Huo, giving her a small fox made from his tail fur as a gift, symbolizing that he will not leave the fox clan. He apologizes to her and bids her farewell. Tian Huo is angry that Mu Jiu has sacrificed his freedom and herself for the fox clan, signaling the end of their relationship. She endures her sadness and vows to continue living happily on her own.
That night, Mu Jiu and Fan Yue meet under the Love Tree and exchange commemorative beads, asking each other to pass them to Bai Shuo. Once Fan Yue confirms that Mu Jiu has made up his mind, he activates the Love Tree to cause the Weak Water Stone to detach from Mu Jiu’s body. As a result, Mu Jiu becomes physically weak with little time left, forcing him to muster his remaining strength to visit Tian Huo one last time.
Bai Shuo experiences a vision of the Wu Nian Stone foretelling that Mu Jiu will encounter trouble. She rushes to the Love Tree but is attacked by Fu Ling midway. Fu Ling attempts to kill Bai Shuo to sever her feelings for Zhong Zhao. Bai Shuo fights desperately, causing Fu Ling to notice that Bai Shuo’s short blade matches a flash of memory. Fu Ling demands to know the origin of Bai Shuo’s short blade.
However, Bai Shuo refuses to divulge the information. Enraged, Fu Ling takes a bow and continuously shoots arrows at Bai Shuo’s legs, forcing her to crawl forward slowly. Despite being severely injured by Fu Ling, Bai Shuo does not stop fighting. Her strong belief causes the Demon King to transform into the Demon King Sword. Zhong Zhao intercepts the sword’s energy attack meant for Fu Ling. A black mark briefly flashes on his forehead, which Fu Ling notices. Fan Yue arrives just in time to embrace the nearly fallen Bai Shuo.
Mu Jiu, with his remaining strength, tightly embraces Tian Huo to say goodbye. Through tears, he asks her what she will do if he is no longer by her side to face various challenges. Tian Huo, also in tears, responds by making the answer as heartless as possible to sever their relationship. Ultimately, the two go their separate ways. Mu Jiu dissipates into spiritual energy, revitalizing the Love Tree, while Tian Huo looks back to find that he has already vanished without a trace, leaving only a small fox fur on the grass.
Fan Yue channels the spiritual power of the Weak Water Stone into Bai Shuo’s body, restoring her health. The Love Tree releases the Love Nian, which enters Bai Shuo’s body, completing the three Nian of the Wu Nian Stone. Upon hearing that Mu Jiu has sacrificed himself to the Love Tree, Bai Shuo is overwhelmed with sadness, especially after seeing Mu Jiu’s lingering image encouraging her to continue fighting against fate. She cannot help but cry.
Tian Huo fully understands why Mu Jiu stayed with the fox clan and personally comes to the Love Tree to mourn, leaning against the tree and shedding tears. Fu Ling treats Zhong Zhao’s injuries and, curious about why he chose to save her, Zhong Zhao responds by saying it was to repay him for saving her life once before. Looking at Zhong Zhao’s flawless forehead, Fu Ling suddenly remembers the mark he flashed earlier and subtly asks if he felt anything unusual. Zhong Zhao is puzzled, but their relationship noticeably begins to improve.
