ADAPTED FROM BAI LU CHENG SHUANG'S LOVE IN THE CLOUDS
Ming Yi.
Are you all right?
Does this ring a bell?
Tumi Pagoda Gaol.
There's no escaping from this artifact once you're inside.
You told me you'd destroy it after you took it away.
You said Yaoguang Mountain despised all artifacts.
And now you're using one to imprison me?
Some artifacts can be used to protect Yaoguang Mountain.
Given that I served you as a child for 20 years
and that I won you the Qingyun tournament for seven consecutive years,
please spare my father.
I will assume full responsibility.
Everything I do is for Yaoguang Mountain.
It is a difficult decision, but it must be made.
You made this artifact. You know you can't escape from it.
No!
Ji Bozai. Don't come in!
It's too dangerous. Why did you come in?
Your Lordship already has a plan in mind.
It is not my place to say more.
But please remember this.
No matter what happens, you must not open the Spirit Well
until your spiritual power is fully restored.
Otherwise, you might really suffer a relapse.
Ji Bozai!
Ji Bozai, you!
Ming Yi.
Father.
I'm glad you're…
Father.
Ji Bozai.
He merely passed out. He will wake up soon.
Thank you.
I have the Spirit Well.
Saving you is just a simple favor.
You stopped Ming Xin's conferment ceremony for me.
In a way, you helped me get back what is rightfully mine.
We don't owe each other anymore.
I still owe you an apology.
I know there's no way I can compensate you for what they did.
It has nothing to do with you anyway.
I cannot hold it against you.
It's…
It's such a cruel joke.
I risked everything to avenge
the woman who saved me.
But she was the one who abandoned me
and let me rot in prison.
You know very well
that I don't resent you for it.
But you should also know
that when I see you,
I'll be reminded
of how bitter
and asinine the irony
of the past is.
I enjoyed the comfort that was supposed to be yours.
You went to the Sunken Abyss because of me.
Fairy Bo hurt you because of me.
I will do anything I can
just to take the pain away from you.
You can do one thing.
The match made in heaven!
Why did you return?
JI BOZAI, MING YI
Ji Bozai.
You took the heavenly punishment just to carve her name here.
Why are you doing this to her?
JI BOZAI, MING YI
JI BOZAI
What you can do for me
is to leave Yaoguang Mountain
and never appear before me again.
Go far away.
Away from where my eyes can reach.
And live in peace.
My Lord.
My Lord!
Why has the Heavenly Grief returned?
Did you use the Spirit Well?
Do you know that someone in your state
will die from ruptured spiritual veins?
You don't have the luxury of time
for the petals of Grief Blossom to wilt one by one.
Buxiu, do you still remember
the portrait that burned itself?
After it self-immolated, a new portrait appeared.
I destroyed the heart imprint that day,
so that Ming Yi wouldn't see it.
My Lord.
But you saw the portrait.
Do not tell Ming Yi.
After Master came back, she became rather distraught.
Did Immortal Ji and she…
You're a kid. Don't be nosy.
But that must be the reason.
I'm a kid, not a stupid kid.
Not so loud.
Ming Yi.
PURE IN WILL, NOBLE IN DEED
Ming Yi.
Did Ji Bozai join Yaoguang Mountain for real?
People are demanding an explanation outside the academy.
I have faith in Ji Bozai, but the rumor is festering.
I need to reassure everyone.
-Ming Yi, your hand… -I must tell you all something.
Actually, I am Ming Xian.
My dear son is finally back in Yaoguang Mountain.
Your Majesty, no need to act like a benevolent father.
Ming Xian was your son for 20 years,
yet you discarded him after he lost the Qingyun Tournament once.
And I'm a son who just came back.
I came to negotiate with you.
I fail as a father.
The two previous crown princes were incompetent,
and the one before me wants to negotiate with me.
You don't care who your real son is.
You just want someone who can make Yaoguang Mountain stronger.
As expected of someone carrying my bloodline.
Yes.
Who Ming Xian is doesn't matter.
What I want is a warrior who can win in the Qingyun Tournament
and a crown prince who commands the people's respect.
I'm doing this for the prosperity of Yaoguang Mountain.
Speak.
What can I offer to convince you to be the crown prince?
One, I will join the warrior ranks.
I will command all warriors.
Sure. That is rightfully yours anyway.
Two, the Empress, Jing Shu, shall live.
Granted.
She is my first wife.
I promise that she will be cared for.
Three,
forget past grudges with Jixing Abyss.
Do not hunt down anything or anyone with no relevance.
Are you doing this for Ming Xian?
Like I said, it's time to turn the page.
Let it go now, Your Majesty.
So, Ji Bozai and I were swapped at birth.
My birth mother
is a descendant of the Bo clan in Zhangwei Mountain of Jixing Abyss.
In a sense, you can say I'm from Jixing Abyss too.
Lord Chengyun committed a crime, so he cannot be the heir apparent.
Yaoguang Mountain now needs a new crown prince to appease everyone.
But knowing him,
he won't even bat an eye, even if someone hands him Yaoguang Mountain for free.
I'm guessing that with us in Jixing Abyss and him in Yaoguang Mountain,
we have the power of two realms against Zhushui Spiritual State.
And perhaps he wants to be cautious, so he didn't tell us about his plan.
-Look. -What does it say?
The Emperor of Yaoguang hereby declares to all Six Realms
that Ming Xin, Lord Chengyun,
defied the law and will be deposed.
The Emperor's eldest son, Ji Bozai, shall be the crown prince
to restore law and order.
-He is the crown prince? Impossible. -I can't believe it.
There's no way Ji Bozai is the emperor's son.
Can you believe it? It's like a joke.
Ming Xin should abdicate.
But Ji Bozai cannot be the crown prince either.
-Is this true? -Let's go.
Let's ask the authority.
How come Ji Bozai is the son of the Emperor of Yaoguang?
-What about Ming Xian? -Exactly.
-They didn't mention Ming Xian. -What will happen to Ming Xian?
-He must be punished. -Right.
-Indeed. -Yes, Your Majesty.
-You must be decisive. -He cannot get away with it.
-Exactly. -This is not right.
-Your Majesty. -I urge you to make the decision
to hunt down Ji Bozai!
This is urgent, Your Majesty. Do not dally!
This is from Immortal Tai.
"Ji Bozai sided with Yaoguang Mountain
and should be stripped of his title and hunted down."
MEMORIALS
This is from Immortal Lun'an.
"Ji Bozai infiltrated Jixing Abyss and colluded with our enemy.
He committed a great crime.
Our warriors must be gathered to hunt him down."
This is from Immortal He.
Enough.
They are all probably asking me to hunt Ji Bozai down.
In Mingshi Hall today,
the immortals have already questioned Her Majesty
about Ji Bozai.
Can you believe it?
Has it not crossed their minds
that Ji Bozai was the one who defeated Ming Xian in the tournament
and won the Blessed Rain for Jixing Abyss?
If Ji Bozai was working with Yaoguang Mountain,
why would he win in the tournament?
Being a warrior in Jixing Abyss and being a crown prince in Yaoguang Mountain
are two different things.
They don't know Ji Bozai.
They only view him as Jixing Abyss's weapon.
Now that they know
Ji Bozai is the crown prince of Yaoguang Mountain,
the citizens fear that this weapon
will be directed at them.
It is understandable.
Right.
And as the Empress, I have the duty to reassure my subjects.
So, Tianji, what will you do now?
The memorials are piling up.
Your Majesty, I believe you know what decision you should make.
What does this mean?
Why are you nodding your head?
Do you get it?
Even though I'm clueless,
I believe Her Majesty will make the decision that benefits Jixing Abyss.
MEMORIALS
SHOUHUA ACADEMY HAS RECENTLY REMOVED JI BOZAI FROM THE POST
Removed? Ji Bozai?
Look at what he did.
This is…
-What is going on? -This is not right.
-Ji Bozai betrayed us. -He is a traitor.
-Exactly. -The way I see it…
-Traitor! -Unbelievable!
Yes!
Madam Ying is right.
-He is a traitor. -Treacherous!
SHOUHUA ACADEMY HAS RECENTLY REMOVED JI BOZAI FROM THE POST
HE IS NO LONGER AN HONORARY WARRIOR
What are you doing?
Your Highness.
No need to address me so. Just call me Immortal Ji.
Immortal Ji.
The youngest crown prince carved these words on the wall.
His Majesty asked us to erase them with our power.
But we…
They can stay.
If His Majesty asks why, tell him I said so.
Yes.
THE BEST IN ALL LANDS
MING XIAN
MING XIAN, THE BEST IN ALL LANDS
So, you're the companion beast that comes from my spiritual power?
I knew you'd be a cat.
I love cats the most.
I spent 27 spirit stones to buy you food.
I shall call you Twenty-Seven then.
Do you like your name?
You look like you like it.
Twenty-Seven.
TRAITOR JI BOZAI, PROTECT JIXING ABYSS
Come and have a look.
Hey, sir?
Steady.
Yes. Careful.
Safe travels.
TREACHEROUS WARRIOR
The Shouhua Academy in Jixing Abyss has removed Your Lordship's name.
Posters urging for your head are everywhere in Jixing Abyss.
They think you are a traitor.
Tianji is the Empress.
She must take care of their feelings.
If she takes my side now,
no one in Shouhua Academy can train in peace.
Your allies, like Yan Xiao and Meng Yangqiu,
also did not come to your defense.
So what?
But Ming Yi went everywhere in Jixing Abyss
to take down banners and portraits hurling insults at you.
By my calculations, that cat should return soon.
He will keep Ming Yi company.
Ming Yi!
Ming Yi.
Twenty-Seven.
You're back.
You're finally back.
And everything… Everything about you is fine.
Twenty-Seven.
I missed you so much.
I knew it.
I knew you'd return.
I'm sorry, Twenty-Seven.
I failed to protect you. I…
It's all right.
Come. I was waiting for you to come back.
I was waiting and waiting. And finally, you came back.
Come.
Eat anything you want,
but not in excess.
Even if you shed your fur on the bed, you're still welcome on it.
Welcome home, Twenty-Seven.
We have enough.
You can climb anywhere you want.
Is this home?
Home is where your family is.
What fur is this?
It's not white or blond.
How come it's this color?
Ming Yi, all this time, my divine consciousness was in the bell.
I could hear everything,
including what happened to you recently and Ji Bozai.
You…
Twenty-Seven.
Ji Bozai will not betray Jixing Abyss and side with Yaoguang Mountain.
What do you think? Not spicy, right?
You heard everything?
-How long have you kept this dried fish? -What? It's fresh.
-It's stale. -Then don't eat it.
How can you stop me from eating after I've eaten half of it?
Master She is convalescing in Wugui Sea.
Don't worry about him.
No one knows he's here.
Thank you, Granny Xun.
By the way, His Lordship wrote back and said he knew what he was doing.
He told me not to worry.
But His Lordship always leaves the bad news out.
How can I not be worried about him?
I overlooked this and forgot to brief you in advance.
Everyone is saying His Lordship is a traitor outside.
Of course, I don't believe those idiots.
His Lordship risks his life for Jixing Abyss.
We all saw that.
But how can the Empress be so gullible and trust those fake rumors?
She even put up a notice in the Parade Bureau
to strip His Lordship of his titles as the warrior and the honorary warrior.
Her decision is…
is very disheartening.
Ji Bozai has now joined the warrior ranks of Yaoguang Mountain.
As the Empress, Tianji has to reassure everyone in Jixing Abyss.
If Ji Bozai were in Tianji's shoes,
he would have done the same.
I understand the burden on Her Majesty's shoulders.
But this is a cruel joke.
I feel bad for you and him, who are supposed to be together.
What will become of you and him?
Who knows what the future holds?
But right now, exposing what the Emperor of Zhushui did
is what he and I want to do.
We will persevere.
Ji Bozai wants to bring peace to the Six Realms.
He is determined. That won't change.
I believe in him.
I see.
I will look after His Lordship's home in Wugui Sea.
Thank you, Granny Xun.
It's a new recipe.
You made this?
-Let me smell it. -It'll cool you down.
It smells amazing.
-Let me take a bite. -Do you like it?
It has six flowers in it.
A minimum of four warriors
is required to take part in the Qingyun Tournament.
Now that Ji Bozai has joined the rival realm,
we won't even have four warriors.
How are we supposed to scout out the tournament arena now?
What about promoting one from the shortlisted candidates?
Worry not.
I've told them that we would gather enough warriors before the tournament.
Therefore, they won't disqualify us for now.
Furthermore, Ming Yi also agreed
to scout with us as a Forger,
representing the Shouhua Academy.
Great!
If other immortals raise dissenting opinions,
don't worry or be affected by them.
I'll handle them for you.
Great!
It's on.
I didn't know
that you could use a fire-igniting artifact for barbecue purposes.
Only a genius like me can come up with such a great idea.
Right. This is almost burned.
Eat some, Twenty-Seven.
Yan Xiao. Eat with us.
You can train later!
This seems like the right time to tell you that you should rest.
-But? -But…
the two-realm tournament is about to begin.
We should all train harder.
Therefore, I brought you an ointment.
Do you feel better now?
Yes.
Meng, you are smiling.
Do not laugh at me.
Truth be told,
I like them this way.
I like Tianji.
I like her a lot.
Even now.
But my feelings toward her
are that I just want her to be happy.
Meng.
I salute you.
Do not steal my sweet potato.
When we were in Yaoguang Mountain,
we had to abide by strict rules.
The juniors had to serve the seniors.
And even among peers, the strong would bully the weak.
Back then, I dreamed of meeting a trustworthy ally.
And to my surprise,
I found people whom I can fall back on in Jixing Abyss.
All participants,
following the order set down by the previous Qingyun Tournament,
you may now enter the Zhuojin Tower to inspect the arena.
Without Ji Bozai, I highly doubt Jixing Abyss
can send in any competent immortal at all.
So, not only do they have an empress, they also have a female warrior now.
What?
Are you trying to lose again for the next seven years?
Can't expect anything decent from your foul mouth.
I see you spent most of your time sharpening your tongue, not your blade.
If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
Warriors of Yaoguang Mountain, please enter.
Immortal…
Long time no see, Immortal Ji.
Alas, we are now competing against one another.
Indeed. We now represent different realms.
-See you in the arena. -See you.
What?
-What is going on? -Where did she go?
-What's going on? -It's so sudden.
I'm in the secret chamber of Dragon Carp Terrace.
Did you truly believe you could kill me after you kidnapped me here
with your spell?
The Ultimate Punishment hasn't taught you anything, it seems.
You're as foolish as ever.
Oh, really?
Look closely.
Ming Yi, can I keep this hairpin as memorabilia?
It's my…
Situ Ling used his heart's blood to save you.
Perhaps you ought to return the favor to your savior.
I don't believe you.
And even if you did capture him, I can kill you now before rescuing him.
Ming Xian.
Ming Yi. Run.
Don't worry about me.
Ming Xian, with one snap of my finger,
I can suffocate him.
Try me if you dare.
And this time,
I will kill him
before you make a move.
Run, Ming Yi.
What do you want?
Put the Embers down.
No, Ming Yi.
Don't drop your weapon.
Ming Xin will kill you.
Quiet!
I will not leave you to die.
Ming Yi, you still care about me, don't you?
Now, kneel.
No, Ming Yi. Do not kneel!
Ming Xian.
Kneel now.
Ming Xin.
Are you out of your mind?
What makes you think you can make her kneel?
Kneel.
Kneel!
I told you to kneel! Did you hear me?
Ming Xin.
Even until now, you're still using the power of Yaoguang Mountain.
That means you still want to fight for Yaoguang Mountain.
You ingratiated yourself with the Emperor of Zhushui.
Do you feel no shame?
Have you forgotten that every technique you're using
-comes from me? -Shut up!
I don't care what your motive is now.
But back then, I truly viewed you as my younger brother.
We joined the warrior ranks together.
I wanted to guide you to the proper path.
I taught you everything I know.
Now that you have mastered those techniques,
you've forgotten what it means to be a warrior.
Shut up!
You have no right to patronize me, Ming Xian.
You outdo me in every regard.
Even if I put in ten times or a hundred times more effort,
Father won't even look at me.
But you! You're just a mongrel!
Why must I suffer?
Why must I let an outsider steal my thunder?
Today, I will break your knees,
so that you may never stand before me!
Watch out, Ming Yi!
Why would you risk your life
for an informant from Zhushui Spiritual State?
Situ…
Prince Chao Yuan once saved my life.
I cannot leave him to die.
You found out?
Your Highness.
How eager of you to dispose of him.
Why? Is he about to snitch you out?
Ming Yi, I just want to protect you.
Chao Yuan.
Ming Xin said you once saved me with your heart's blood.
Of course, I'm grateful for you.
But he wouldn't have known about it if you hadn't told him.
Also, were you the one who taught him the art
of illusory assassination?
Your Highness.
I see you feel spiteful after receiving the Ultimate Punishment.
So now, you want to get out of Yaoguang Mountain to kill Ming Xian?
We had a deal that day.
You wanted me to bring Ming Xian to you,
and I didn't divulge it to your father.
If you truly care so much about that wretched woman,
I suppose I can leave her cold dead body for you.
I just gave you Zhushui's secret art of illusory assassination.
While the warriors are scouting the arena,
you can use it to kidnap her from Zhuojin Tower.
She is stronger than you.
And you're weakened by the punishment. You can't defeat her.
But you can tell her
that you're holding me hostage.
After all, I saved her once.
And show her this keepsake.
That way, she won't kill you right away.
The records say
that to master the art of illusory assassination,
the practitioner has to kill at least ten people.
You've decided to be Chao Yuan and not Situ Ling.
Is that so?
Ming Yi,
whatever I did,
it's for you.
Why? Why the obsession?
You don't trust me.
No matter what I did,
you still won't trust me.
Yet you trust Ji Bozai wholeheartedly.
Why must it be him?
All I know is that
even if you're no longer the Situ Ling I know,
I will still do everything I can to stop Chao Yuan,
just like how Situ Ling did everything to save me.
Give up while you still can, Chao Yuan.
You mustn't be like your father.
It's too late.
-Let's go. -Let's go. ur father.