Xie Xuechen and the others elected a new alliance leader, and the chosen one was Fa Jian from the Xuantiangate. Xie Xuechen told everyone to prepare well today, as the Chaos Pearl would be handed over to Xuantiangate for safekeeping tomorrow. Gao Qiumin sat alone, thinking that Su Ningzhen must be upset about not being chosen as the leader and would likely be scolded when she returned. As Gao Qiumin sat by herself, a gust of wind blew sand into her eyes.
While Gao Qiumin was rubbing her eyes, Fu Lansheng walked by and thought she was secretly crying. Fu Lansheng greeted her, and Gao Qiumin explained that her eyes were irritated by the wind and sand. Fu Lansheng offered to blow her eyes for her. Their intimate interaction was witnessed by Fu Yuanting and Duan Xiaorong.
Fu Yuanting commented that Fu Lansheng was overly affectionate and that there were too many women vying for his attention at Bixiao Palace. Duan Xiaorong remarked that her son had charm. After chatting briefly, they left. Gao Qiumin’s eyes felt better, and Fu Lansheng comforted her, telling her not to mind Mu Xuanling and Xie Xuechen. Hearing this, Gao Qiumin became angry and said that she and Xie Xuechen had no engagement at all, urging Fu Lansheng not to make baseless claims.
After everyone left, Xie Xuechen asked Xuanxin if he had noticed anything unusual. Xuanxin replied that he hadn’t observed anything yet but would verify further.
Xuanxin went to his master Yinian’s room to inquire about his inner demons. Yinian admitted that his inner demon was his desire to have his senior brother Fa Jian become the alliance leader. Xuanxin noted that Fa Jian had already assumed the position, and Yinian stated that he no longer had any obsessions.
Meanwhile, Mu Xuanling was sitting on a tree outside Xie Xuechen’s room. When she saw Xie Xuechen step out, she remarked that there was no moon tonight and asked why he had come outside. Xie Xuechen asked when she had arrived, and Mu Xuanling said she had been there for a while. She mentioned visiting the mortal realm earlier in the day. Xie Xuechen asked what she had seen.
Mu Xuanling shared that she had observed a street vendor selling hairpins for 60 wen to the first few customers but charging the last one 90 wen. She also mentioned seeing gamblers losing all their money and an elderly man’s medical funds being stolen on the street without anyone stepping in to help. Mu Xuanling asked if this was the mortal world Xie Xuechen sought to protect. Xie Xuechen responded that there was still a glimmer of hope. Mu Xuanling remarked that it was barely a glimmer and expressed her disdain for the mortal realm.
She approached Xie Xuechen, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him. Xie Xuechen promised to show her the true mortal realm when he had the time. Internally, Mu Xuanling resolved to help him protect this world, even if just once. After kissing Xie Xuechen, Mu Xuanling left. Xie Xuechen found her behavior strange but decided to ask her about it after the next day’s events.
The day arrived for the new alliance leader to assume office and for the Chaos Pearl to be handed over. Xie Xuechen instructed the various sect leaders of the Immortal Alliance to present their jade tokens. He and Fa Jian entered the tower where the Chaos Pearl was kept. Xie Xuechen placed the five jade tokens in their respective positions and successfully retrieved the Chaos Pearl, handing it to Fa Jian.
As Fa Jian prepared to leave with the Chaos Pearl for Xuantiangate, Xie Xuechen stopped him and had Nan Xuyue set up a formation at the location. Xie Xuechen explained to the crowd that when the Dark Tribe attacked Yongxue City previously, there must have been someone assisting them from within, and their goal had been the Chaos Pearl.
Xie Xuechen stated that such an important event today would surely draw them out. He revealed that the formation Nan Xuyue created was newly developed and could trap both members of the Dark Tribe and traitors of the Immortal Alliance. He then asked Fa Jian to recite an incantation, which would reveal who had been possessed by the Dark Tribe’s Chi Ying.
Suddenly, Fa Jian attacked Xie Xuechen and the others. Mu Xuanling realized that Fa Jian had been possessed by Chi Ying. A fierce battle ensued. Xie Xuechen was puzzled as to why someone as powerful as Fa Jian could be possessed. It turned out that Yinian had orchestrated everything, determined to ensure Fa Jian became the alliance leader. Since Fa Jian was unwilling, Yinian allowed Chi Ying to possess him to force compliance.
Yinian and the others assumed Xie Xuechen’s powers hadn’t fully recovered, but in reality, he had regained them all.
