Episode Summary
Liu Fuyi and Mu Yao confront the tragic love of the Water Demon royal couple, who sacrifice their demon cores to save the collapsing valley. Tian Guan redeems himself by aiding their escape, while Mu Sheng’s hidden demonic power sparks suspicion. Ling Miaomiao softens Mu Sheng’s ruthless methods during a humorous herb-spirit encounter, deepening their bond.
Spoiler Alert
Liu Fuyi exhausts his strength using the Demon-Suppressing Tower to hold up the collapsing mountain valley as villagers evacuate. After Mu Yao defeats the Water Demon King, the gravely injured Water Demon Queen emerges, separated from them by a magical barrier. Knowing her wounds are fatal, the Water Demon Queen coldly orders her husband to flee, confessing she orchestrated the human sacrifices—not him. She reveals his kindness held him back from slaughter (which stalled his cultivation at fifth rank) and sacrifices her own seventh-rank demon core to reverse the mountain’s collapse, demanding her beloved’s freedom in exchange. The Water Demon King shatters the barrier in anguish, refusing to leave her side. He blames himself for abandoning her to loneliness, vowing, “Nothing will part us again.” The couple embraces, resigned to death.
As Liu Fuyi nears collapse under the tower’s strain, Mu Yao moves to claim the queen’s core—but Liu stops her, declaring he’ll sacrifice his lifelong cultivation to stabilize the tower instead. Enraged, Mu Yao argues until Tian Guan reluctantly intervenes: the Water Demon Queen can still survive if taken to the mythical Weak Water’s source. Destroying his sect’s ancient barrier to let them escape, Tian Guan brokers a fragile truce. Though conflicted, the Water Demon King ultimately surrenders his own seventh-rank core to save the valley.
Meanwhile, Cui Cui stumbles upon Ling Miaomiao and Mu Sheng in a tender moment, comically shielding her eyes. A flashback reveals the Water Demon couple’s origins: their names derived from twin springs symbolizing their love. As the pair departs for Weak Water, Mu Yao grows suspicious—how did Mu Sheng single-handedly wound a seventh-rank demon? Mu Sheng evades her questions until Ling Miaomiao jumps in, boasting about her “spark bombs.” Liu Fuyi diffuses the tension… but secretly witnessed Mu Sheng removing his suppression hairband mid-battle, hinting at his hidden demonic traits.
In the aftermath, Tian Guan prepares to leave town, guiltily gifting villagers “useless” talismans and a miraculous Gongshu Pouch to rebuild. Ling Miaomiao and Mu Sheng force him to deliver the items personally, prompting heartfelt farewells. The pouch restores the innkeeper’s long-lost wife, deepening Ling Miaomiao’s affection for this vivid, flawed world “crafted by Fu Zhou.”
A subplot unfolds when Ling Miaomiao falls ill. Mu Sheng’s frantic search for medicine leads him to two herb spirits—whom he aggressively tries to harvest until Ling intervenes. Her insistence that “demons and humans deserve equal respect” softens him. They compromise by baking candy for the spirits in exchange for healing herbs. In a sweetly awkward moment, Ling shoves a homemade treat into Mu Sheng’s mouth, demanding, “Is it sweet?!” His averted gaze hides a blush as their bond deepens (affection meter: 55%).
Themes: Sacrifice vs. redemption, blurred lines between human/demon morality, and simmering secrets (Mu Sheng’s true nature, Liu Fuyi’s growing suspicions). The Water Demon couple’s tragedy mirrors Mu Sheng/Ling’s evolving dynamic—will history repeat, or can love rewrite fate?
