In the dead of night, Luan Zhu manipulates dream magic, attempting to destabilize Fan Yue emotionally. She feigns nostalgia and sadness, aiming to gain his sympathy. However, Fan Yue calmly confesses that his heart belongs to someone else. While he feels guilty toward Luan Zhu, he makes it clear that’s as far as his feelings go. As Luan Zhu tries to press further, Bai Shuo suddenly appears. Instantly seeing through Luan Zhu’s intentions, Bai Shuo firmly declares her unwavering trust in Fan Yue, brushing off Luan Zhu’s past with Jing Yuan as mere history.
Meanwhile, Zhen Yu continues his search for the hidden power within Zhong Zhao’s body, traveling tirelessly until he reaches Bodhi Village. To his surprise, he discovers that Luan Zhu is a deity linked to the Fuju Flower Spirit and that the Lanling Barrier protects the village. Despite Zhen Yu’s efforts, Luan Zhu injures him with ease, forcing him to retreat due to his unresolved injuries.
At dawn, Bai Shuo learns that Old Turtle had an accident while gathering herbs, cracking his shell. She ventures into the mountains to find medicinal plants but encounters a carnivorous flower. Luckily, Bai Xi appears in time to save her. During the commotion, Fu Ling instinctively calls Bai Shuo by name, reigniting their conflict over Bai Xi’s true identity. Bai Xi, aware of his limited time, refuses to acknowledge the connection and responds coldly. Bai Shuo, however, remains convinced that Fu Ling is Bai Xi. Seeking advice, Bai Shuo consults Old Turtle, who suggests using a magical artifact, the Hua Ling Cauldron, to verify familial ties.
Following this advice, Bai Shuo boldly asks Luan Zhu to lend her the Hua Ling Cauldron. After she leaves, “Old Turtle” emerges from behind a screen, revealing himself as Luan Zhu’s puppet in disguise. The real Old Turtle is hidden in a cave, nearing death, allowing the puppet to take over his body.
When Bai Shuo drips her blood into the cauldron, she is shocked to see Luan Zhu’s image appear. As Bai Shuo struggles to process this, Luan Zhu enters, mocking her for trusting the wrong person. Luan Zhu then adds her own blood to the cauldron, instantly swapping bodies with Bai Shuo. Bai Shuo finds herself trapped in Luan Zhu’s consciousness.
Elsewhere, Zhong Zhao and Fan Yue grow suspicious of the eerie atmosphere in Bodhi Village. They decide to investigate together but find the village shrouded in mist, making it impossible to leave. In her stolen body, Luan Zhu leads Fan Yue and Zhong Zhao away. Back in their quarters, “Bai Shuo’s” strange behavior raises Fan Yue’s suspicions. He seeks out “Luan Zhu,” but healer Qin Jiang claims Luan Zhu is resting and that the mist is a protective barrier for the village.
Zhong Zhao shares his doubts with Fu Ling, noting a lack of natural familial closeness despite reuniting with his parents. During a meal, he deliberately tests them, becoming increasingly convinced they are puppets. Similarly, Fan Yue notices anomalies in “Bai Shuo’s” behavior after failing to meet Luan Zhu.
Later, “Bai Shuo” summons Jin Yao to Bodhi Village, revealing that switching bodies with Bai Shuo consumed significant spiritual energy. She demands that he bring more celestial beings to the village. Jin Yao’s tragic backstory unfolds: his parents died young, leaving him impoverished. He endured bullying and humiliation at Lanling Sect due to his lowly origins, driving him to the brink of suicide. At that moment, Luan Zhu appeared, offering him a deal.
For nearly a century, Jin Yao and Luan Zhu have secretly collaborated. She taught him forbidden techniques, boosted his cultivation with spiritual power, and elevated him to the position of sect leader. In return, Jin Yao supplies celestial beings for her to drain their spiritual energy. Though Jin Yao fears Luan Zhu, he pleads with her to eliminate Zhong Zhao and Fu Ling. Luan Zhu mocks him for being a hypocritical and ruthless leader, warning him of the consequences should other sects uncover the truth. She orders him to leave, then returns to her room to lie beside Fan Yue, unaware that he is already deeply suspicious of her.
