Gao Qiumin, shocked by the secret she overheard from Su Ningzhen, decides to leave. Before she can escape, Su Ningzhen steps out of the room and warns her to forget whatever she heard. Gao Qiumin nods and quickly departs.
Meanwhile, Xie Xuechen reflects on the changes in Mu Xuanling’s behavior. He visits her room, where Mu Xuanling says she was planning to sleep since he hadn’t returned. Now that he’s back, she asks if they will continue their journey together. Xie Xuechen replies that he has too many responsibilities and cannot look after her, suggesting she return to Yongxue City. Mu Xuanling insists on staying with him, but their conversation is interrupted by Yu Ying’s arrival.
Seeing Yu Ying, Mu Xuanling wonders if Sang Qi has suddenly changed his plans and sent her instead. Yu Ying brings both Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling into their inner demons’ realm. Mu Xuanling is puzzled about why she was brought along but uses the opportunity to explore Xie Xuechen’s inner desires.
Confronting Inner Demons
In the realm of inner demons, Mu Xuanling overhears Xie Xuechen’s conversation with his father. His father admonishes him, saying that sending him to train on the Snow Cliff was meant to solidify his Dao heart, yet he has fallen in love with Mu Xuanling. Xie Xuechen defends himself, arguing that his feelings do not conflict with his cultivation. Turning around, he sees Mu Xuanling standing behind him.
Xie Xuechen’s father declares that Mu Xuanling is merely an illusion and orders him to kill her. Xie Xuechen refuses, firmly stating that he will not harm her. His father disappears, leaving Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling alone. Xie Xuechen asks if her obsession also involves him, which is why they are both in this realm.
Outside the realm, Yu Ying questions Sang Qi about why he included Mu Xuanling in this ordeal. Sang Qi reveals that he wants Xie Xuechen to realize that Mu Xuanling also harbors feelings for him. Xie Xuechen identifies the realm as a manifestation of their inner demons and successfully brings Mu Xuanling back to their camp.
The Chaos Pearl Mystery
After their return, Xie Xuechen notices Mu Xuanling writhing in pain, her body under the control of Sang Qi’s Lingxi energy. He and Nan Xuyue work together to suppress it. Observing the mole beneath her eye, Xie Xuechen asks Nan Xuyue if there is anything else unusual about Mu Xuanling’s body. Nan Xuyue shakes his head, confirming there is nothing else.
Mu Xuanling awakens and sees Nan Xuyue alone in the room. She questions why he would visit her despite knowing Xie Xuechen’s feelings for her. Once again, she tries to persuade Nan Xuyue to align with her, suggesting that he is smarter than Xie Xuechen because he can see through her heart. Mu Xuanling offers him the love he desires. Though Nan Xuyue remains silent, his lack of objection implies agreement.
Before leaving, Nan Xuyue remarks that Mu Xuanling has not yet fully recovered. Xie Xuechen assures him that he will take care of her.
Gao Qiumin later finds Xie Xuechen and shares the secret she overheard from Su Ningzhen. She tells him that the Chaos Pearl’s whereabouts may be connected to Venerable Miaohua. Gao Qiumin recounts how she discovered the venerable bound in chains, contradicting Su Ningzhen’s descriptions. Miaohua revealed that Su Ningzhen orchestrated his imprisonment and clarified that the Chaos Pearl is not hidden—it simply hasn’t been found yet.
Bloodline Clues
Elsewhere, Fu Lansheng continues searching through genealogical records to uncover Abao’s parentage, but finds nothing. He turns to his father, Fu Yuanting, to borrow the Blood Sacrifice technique. Initially, Fu Yuanting refuses, but changes his mind upon learning that Abao’s father is Fu Cangli.
Duan Xiaorong persuades Fu Yuanting to lend the Blood Sacrifice, suggesting that this might be their opportunity since the technique requires close blood relatives. Abao uses her blood for the ritual, and they witness an image of her father following Mu Xuanling and her group.
The Search at Mingyue Manor
Mu Xuanling’s group sets out for Mingyue Manor to search for clues, followed closely by Abao and Fu Lansheng. Meanwhile, Su Ningzhen, fearing that Gao Qiumin might reveal the truth, conspires with Zai Xi to destroy Su Ningxi’s old room. However, Xie Xuechen and his companions arrive at Mingyue Manor first and discover a hidden passage.
