ADAPTED FROM BAI LU CHENG SHUANG'S LOVE IN THE CLOUDS
-Situ Ling let you out of here. -Please spare us, sir.
Then Lord Hanfeng had me
go through all that trouble to capture you one by one.
It took so long and so much Blessed Rain
to fatten you up nicely.
How could I let you go now?
We are surrounded by powerful enemies.
We can't keep Ji Bozai under control,
so we must offer you
to the netherbeasts as soon as possible
to help them grow into an army.
Sir, please let us go!
Sir, please!
Please let us go!
Please spare us!
Have mercy on us, sir!
Aren't you afraid?
Of you?
Do you really think this act of yours will work?
The more unpredictable our moves,
the more likely we are to confuse others.
So, you mean
Ji Bozai's sudden visit
must have alerted Mu Qibai,
and for his own safety,
he likely sent most of his men,
if not all, to Moonlit Blossoms.
It's uncertain if our plan will work,
but it's worth a try.
If their defenses have weakened,
we have a chance
at finding the method Xinliu mentioned for breeding netherbeasts.
Right.
I'll be back soon.
This time, I'll find out what that old fox's been hiding!
By the way,
the ledger Mu Qibai keeps,
the one recording the dealings of Heavenly Grief,
is probably at Dragon Carp Terrace too.
I'll sneak in and look for it.
Be careful this time.
Don't worry.
Where did Mu Qibai hide it?
Why is this room so hot?
You never learn, do you?
We meet again, Kitten. Relax.
This time, I won't pretend to let you escape.
I'll just kill you.
I knew you were behind this.
Kitten, you've got sharp claws.
Messing with you is always such fun.
It's quite fun to mess with you too.
You brought backup this time?
GRANNY'S EATERY
Some steam buns, please.
Coming right up.
Yours will take a moment to make.
Scallion, it's ready.
Take it to that table.
Wheat, bring this one over too.
You weren't even surprised to see me in human form.
You and your lord must know quite a lot.
Ji Bozai may not have reached the Perfected Stage yet,
but he's long attained the Transcendent Stage,
so it's not surprising that he has a shapeshifting companion beast.
Besides, Ji Bozai still doesn't fully trust
Ming Yi or me,
so I knew he'd send you
to keep an eye on me.
Scallion pancakes with dried fish.
My first time making them.
I'm not sure how it tastes.
-Please, enjoy. -Thank you.
You, a dragon,
are openly walking around the market. Are you sure that's fine?
-His Lordship has-- -Please, enjoy.
Thank you.
His Lordship has already gone head-to-head with them.
I don't need to stay hidden anymore.
That's true.
Do you want some fish?
You dragons all eat fish, right?
I have a name.
Eat. Then go back.
You won't even tell me your name.
-Please enjoy. -Thank you.
It's Buxiu.
I'm Twenty-Seven.
Buxiu.
That's a good name.
Honestly, I kind of envy you dragons.
You are big and majestic.
And when you take human form,
you're pretty well built too.
You're leaving already?
Wait for me!
BENEVOLENCE KINDNESS, WISDOM, AND PROPRIETY
Yuanfeng, isn't it funny?
That Ji Bozai
actually came to negotiate peace with me.
We talked all night.
Clearly, he was trying
to distract me.
Luckily, I sent men to guard Dragon Carp Terrace.
Lord Hanfeng, he…
Get lost.
Yes, My Lord.
Yuanfeng, you're asleep
and unaware of what's happening outside.
I once admired Ji Bozai's talent
and wanted him to serve Jixing Abyss.
Who would have thought he'd only want to stand against me?
Yuanfeng,
he understands nothing.
Winning a single Qingyun Tournament for Jixing Abyss
means nothing.
Only by raising
the netherbeasts into an army
and harnessing their power
will Jixing Abyss truly fear no one.
Yuanfeng,
for Jixing Abyss to grow strong,
some sacrifices
must be made.
I failed in my duty.
The intruder escaped.
What did you just say?
I…
I failed in my duty. The intruder…
Ji Bozai was too cunning.
He had a backup plan and sent someone to help.
That person carried the same aura as he.
I suspect it was his companion beast.
It's likely
Ji Bozai has concealed his true cultivation stage,
and his companion beast has already learned to take human form.
They didn't find anything else, did they?
No. I swear, Lord Hanfeng,
I didn't give away the existence of the Soul-Consuming Tree!
I failed in my duty.
After arguing
with Ming Yi, Ji Bozai was thrown out
and stayed the night at Moonlit Blossoms.
So, we monitored Shouhua Academy as ordered,
watching Ming Yi all night.
But unexpectedly, Ji Bozai
somehow made Ming Xian's white cat obey him,
and together with his companion beast,
-the cat-- -Yan Xiao!
During your days of training at Shouhua Academy,
you really played the dutiful physician well,
working in perfect sync with Ji Bozai.
I saw it every day,
and I couldn't help but wonder
-if you were-- -I only wanted
to avoid worsening my relationship with Ji Bozai.
Otherwise, it would've been even harder to get things done.
I have no ulterior motives.
I ask for your discernment, Lord Hanfeng.
Me too.
I've spent so much effort on it,
but it seems this useless thing will never grow tall.
I should pull it out.
I know of a folk remedy
that might help this Hanqing Bamboo.
You can heal plants too?
-I will fetch the materials right away. -Fetch the materials?
If I remember correctly,
the key ingredient
in that remedy is teeth, isn't it?
Yes.
Teeth…
ground into powder.
I never said
I wanted your teeth.
I'll do it myself.
You are truly skilled in medicine.
You even cured Sun Liao's foul mouth.
Now, about caring for my brother,
nothing will go wrong, right?
I will do my utmost, Your Lordship.
That tree is definitely more than it seems.
Mu Qibai loves plants,
but in his entire courtyard,
only that tree is thriving.
It's as if it's draining all the others
to feed itself.
The one I saw in Hou Zhao's memories
must have been that tree.
It likely extends from the courtyard
into a hidden chamber underground.
Its roots looked demonic.
If it can drain other trees,
it might also
consume primordial spirits.
I once read
about an ancient technique from the Mangfu Swamp.
It allows one to extract a person's primordial spirit
and bind it to a towering tree,
turning the tree into a Soul-Consuming Tree.
The air around it reeks of blood.
Such trees can preserve primordial spirits
until someone uses them.
Could this be the same method Xinliu mentioned
for breeding netherbeasts?
The best nourishment for a netherbeast
is the primordial spirit of a living being.
A century ago, netherbeasts ravaged the realms,
devouring everyone in their path.
Even the Spiritual Veins Fairies who raised them
were eaten alive.
If Mu Qibai
gathers these beasts into an army,
there will be disastrous consequences.
This is serious.
We should report it to the Emperor of Jixing.
The Emperor has long been under Mu Qibai's control,
trapped in slumber for years.
He's no different from a puppet.
Then maybe we should alert the other five realms.
Those in power
are all the same.
If they learn
of a netherbeast army,
they'll only want to claim it for themselves
and use it to dominate the Six Realms.
Not all who hold power are slaves to it.
Some still care for the lives of others.
We should try to unite as many as we can.
Unite? That's impossible.
But we're too few in number.
Those netherbeasts are far too strong.
If we fail to stop Mu Qibai,
what will happen to the Six Realms?
You grew up safely in Yaoguang Palace,
receiving support from the Lower Realms for seven years.
Naturally, you believe there are still
righteous people in the Six Realms.
If you had spent even a single day in the Sunken Abyss,
you would understand
how greedy and malicious people can be.
If the netherbeast army is ever exposed,
before Mu Qibai even stirs up trouble,
the Six Realms will all fall into chaos over that power,
and Yaoguang Mountain will be no exception.
LORD HANFENG HAS COMMITTED TWO SERIOUS CRIMES DURING HIS REIGN
METHOD UNKNOWN, BUT HE HAS PLACED IT AT THE DRAGON CARP TERRACE
The fact
that you take no pride in your background
is already rare enough.
So, just being born in an Upper Realm
is already considered rare.
Tianji has issued a decree.
Starting today, the training is over.
You no longer need to stay at Shouhua Academy.
Head back now.
I don't want this companion beast
to get into any more trouble while in my care.
ZHUSHUI SPIRITUAL STATE
THE TAMED TIDES, THE CLARIFIED FLOW
Greetings, Father.
Chao Yu,
you've done well quelling the rebellion
in Cangwu Hill.
Is there any reward you wish for?
CHAO YU, ELDEST PRINCE OF ZHUSHUI
It was only my duty. I wish for nothing.
You deserve a reward.
How about I grant you the title of Lord Jingxi?
That would be a great honor, Father.
But truly,
-all I wish is to help you. -By the way,
rumors have been spreading through the Judgment Hall
and the Medical Hall…
CHAO HENG, EMPEROR OF ZHUSHUI
…that I intend to name you Crown Prince.
Have you heard such talk?
Let me show you something.
The tongues of those who spread the rumors are all inside.
They… They brought this upon themselves.
I'll ask you again.
You deserve a reward.
How about I grant you the title of Lord Jingxi?
Father, please believe me.
I live only to serve and support you.
I have no ulterior ambitions.
Please believe me, Father!
THE TAMED TIDES, THE CLARIFIED FLOW
THE VERMILION ELYSIUM
Congratulations, My Lord,
on receiving the title of Lord Jingxi.
Get lost!
Forgive me, My Lord.
I thought you had the Crown Prince's seat in the bag this time.
But I just heard
that Father only gave you the title of Lord Jingxi
and even killed a few of your men.
Did you come here to mock me?
I wouldn't dare.
Father hasn't named a Crown Prince yet
because he has many sons
and wants to see who proves himself best.
But I truly hope
you'll be the one named Crown Prince.
What are you getting at?
Do you know
where Chao Yuan has been these past few months?
That good-for-nothing? Where else could he go?
He heard
Jixing Abyss was refining medicine in the Sunken Abyss
and went to seek the Golden Millet Dream.
What?
Yu, you were always kind to Chao Yuan growing up.
But if he finds the Golden Millet Dream first
and brings it to Father,
do you think
Father will allow him to cultivate spiritual veins?
That will be a great accomplishment.
Do you think it will earn him
a chance at the Crown Prince's seat?
What?
That great man is coming to Jixing Abyss in person?
Yes.
But since he's a warrior, he cannot enter the realm.
He specifically asked that Your Lordship go out to greet him
and escort him.
Your Lordship.
After all these days,
Mu Qibai has finally left Dragon Carp Terrace.
Yes.
He prepared a ship and a carriage.
It seems he's going on a long journey.
I placed the Tracking Seal Ming Yi made on his vehicles.
For the next 12 hours,
we'll be able to track his movements.
Those little trinkets she's made
really do come in handy.
Indeed.
Earlier, as per your order,
I observed Twenty-Seven near Dragon Carp Terrace.
He was thorough in his search,
and I found nothing suspicious.
As Ming Xian's companion beast,
he's obedient to Ming Yi
probably because she shares a strong bond
with Ming Xian.
Let's set off.
Immortal Ji.
You've already formed a heart imprint with Ji Bozai.
Now hurry and see him off,
so we can head to his Spirit Well.
What is it?
You're worried I might covet the netherbeast army?
If you are, come with me.
Of course not.
I believe you are just like me.
You won't be tempted by this dangerous power.
It will be cold tonight,
and your journey will be perilous.
Please take care of yourself.
Would you let him go alone in search of the netherbeasts too?
I mean,
the power of a netherbeast army
is tempting to everyone, isn't it?
Right now, aside from myself,
the only person I trust is you, Immortal Ji.
Though he's gone, there's still someone watching me.
Granny Xun,
did Lord Ji tell you to keep an eye on me?
Here, have some Blessing Cakes.
I'll just sit right here. I'm not going anywhere.
Watch me all you want.
Go on. Try one.
I'm not eating those.
What exactly is your relationship with Ming Xian?
Since His Lordship spared you,
you probably aren't a real threat.
-But I still have to ask-- -I was engaged to Ming Xian.
Engaged? To Ming Xian?
So, you're a spy from Yaoguang Mountain.
No, that can't be, or Lord Ji would never have spared you.
Since he kept you around, you must mean him no harm.
But how did you end up in Jixing Abyss,
in Moonlit Blossoms?
-I… -Was that Ming Xian
as shameless as my old man, who beat me every day?
Did he send you to Moonlit Blossoms to make ends meet?
In a way, yes.
To think that a Warrior God
could stoop that low!
Listen, His Lordship won't really hold that against you.
He once helped me,
and I'm sure he's willing to help you too.
But you really shouldn't have kept secrets from him.
You really went too far.
Let me tell you…
Granny Xun?
Ming Yi!
I've read about the Sunken Abyss.
It looks exactly like this.
Ji Bozai's Spirit Well resembles
the Sunken Abyss so much.
He's no longer a prisoner,
yet he's still trapped here.
The Golden Millet Dream is here.
The Golden Millet Dream?
A blood seal.
Ji Bozai formed a heart imprint with me,
so he added this seal
to keep me from taking it.
Let us go, please!
Please spare us!
Have mercy on us!
Let us go, please!
Please spare us!
-These… -Please let us go!
are the spirits of the Sunken Abyss prisoners!
Please spare us, sir!
Please let us go!
Weren't those innocents already released?
I don't want to die yet.
They didn't get out of the Sunken Abyss safely.
Sir, spare us. Please, I'm begging you!
Mu Qibai had them captured again.
-Please let us go! -Have mercy on us!
Please let me go.
Now,
their primordial spirits have been stripped away.
They died here,
never to be reborn.
We're all innocent.
I really am innocent.
I did nothing wrong!
Please let me go!
Afraid of you?
I even recovered from my Withered-Branch Disease.
I'll live on
and grow
into a towering tree.
Sir, my child is still young.
Please, spare us.
Impossible.
Why is Fairy Ruo Shui here? Didn't we already…?
Enjoy your meal.
Originally, you only needed to do hard labor in the Sunken Abyss.
It was Ji Bozai who exposed everything.
Now, the Sunken Abyss has been sealed,
and the Judgment Hall has released you.
Even if you know little,
you might accidentally reveal a secret.
So, we have no choice
but to turn you into feed.
Lord Hanfeng.
Don't blame me.
If you want to blame someone, blame Ji Bozai.
So weak.
Pathetically weak.
One twist and you'd snap.
How will you
survive like this?
I'm not weak.
I… I even recovered from my Withered-Branch Disease.
I'm tougher than I look.
I'll live
and grow into a towering tree.
So,
you want to be strong too.
I… I was finally saved
after so much suffering.
I can't let Mother down.
I can't waste the effort of those who saved me.
I must live on.
Sure.
Let me help you.
Someone as weak as you
can never become strong on your own.
Better to take another path.
Become part of someone stronger.
Perhaps
that's a blessing in disguise.
What are you doing?
I took the Moonshade Grass.
It cured my Withered-Branch Disease.
So, I want to give this to you as a gift,
Immortal Ji.
My mother gave me this life.
I must live it well.
Thank you, Immortal Ji.
Your Lordship!
So, that's what it means
to form a heart imprint as a couple.
To share joy
and suffering
and to see what the other sees
and feel what the other feels
in their deepest pain.
Ji Bozai. eepest pain.