Gao Qiumin, deeply distressed, confides in Fu Lansheng. She reveals how she had always believed her father, Gao Fengxu, loved her mother deeply, but now realizes the truth is far more complicated. She also expresses her uncertainty about facing Mu Xuanling if they truly share a blood relation. Fu Lansheng reassures her, saying that those who truly care about her will never leave her. Touched, Gao Qiumin notes how comforting he can be. Fu Lansheng responds that they are friends, prompting Gao Qiumin to recall three people who once claimed to be her friends:
- Cui Wanwan, who ultimately turned out to be working for the Pavilion Master and was killed by Su Ningzhen.
- Mu Xuanling, who also once called her a friend.
- Fu Lansheng, whom she now acknowledges as her true friend.
The two seal their bond with a handshake.
The Encounter at Xingchen Valley
Su Ningzhen invites Gao Qiumin, Xie Xuechen, and Mu Xuanling to meet her at Xingchen Valley. She introduces a flower called “Xiangjianhuan” (Joyful Reunion), claiming that only the blood of two close relatives can turn it black. Su Ningzhen offers to reveal the truth if they agree to her terms and promise not to divulge it. If they refuse, she will say nothing.
Mu Xuanling agrees, stepping forward to provide her blood, but Xie Xuechen stops her. He declares his refusal and uproots the flower with his spiritual power, exposing Su Ningzhen’s deception. He identifies the flower as “Qiufeng’e” (Malicious Autumn Wind), a sinister plant whose contract binds anyone who bleeds on it to eternal servitude.
Realizing her ploy has been foiled, Su Ningzhen pulls Gao Qiumin aside and prepares an array to kill Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling. Xie Xuechen warns her that any harm to him at Jinghua Palace will bring repercussions from the Immortal Alliance. Gao Qiumin also pleads with Su Ningzhen, pointing out that the alliance will not let this go unnoticed. Su Ningzhen dismisses their concerns, insisting no one will find out, and begins her assault. The townspeople feel the effects of her array.
Fu Lansheng and Abao, sensing the disturbance, speculate about Su Ningzhen’s actions. Fu Lansheng determines that the array requires direct sunlight to work and decides to intervene, leaving Abao behind.
Sang Qi Intervenes
As Su Ningzhen continues her attack on Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling, a massive shadow appears in the sky, disrupting her array. Sang Qi arrives, demanding to know the whereabouts of Su Ningxi. Su Ningzhen reveals that Su Ningxi is dead. Enraged, Sang Qi asks for her corpse, vowing to destroy it completely.
Declaring his disdain for Jinghua Palace, Sang Qi swiftly defeats Zai Xi and injures Su Ningzhen, who coughs up blood. He then turns his wrath on Gao Qiumin, intending to kill her to hurt Su Ningzhen. Desperate, Su Ningzhen blurts out that Gao Qiumin is Su Ningxi’s child.
Sang Qi dismisses her claim, accusing Su Ningxi of betrayal. Su Ningzhen denies this, revealing that it was their master, Venerable Miaohua, who disguised her as Su Ningxi to attack Sang Qi. Although she failed to kill him, she severed his arm. Sang Qi retorts that, regardless of the past, Gao Qiumin is still the child of Su Ningxi and Gao Fengxu.
Su Ningzhen refutes this, explaining that Su Ningxi died before her marriage. As a “Yuanyin Xuannv” (a special spiritual body), her corpse was exploited by Gao Fengxu, who infused the Chaos Pearl into her body to nourish it. Ten months later, Su Ningxi’s body gave birth to a baby girl—Mu Xuanling.
Mu Xuanling’s True Identity
Su Ningzhen reveals that Mu Xuanling is the Chaos Pearl, pointing to the patterns on her face as identical to those on the pearl. She tells Sang Qi that killing Mu Xuanling would save Su Ningxi. Sang Qi, believing her, prepares to kill Mu Xuanling.
Xie Xuechen intervenes, refusing to let Sang Qi harm her. Just as tensions escalate, Nan Xuyue arrives in time to take Mu Xuanling away, leaving Xie Xuechen and Sang Qi to face off in a fierce battle.
