Episode Summary
Yan Si steals the Jade Token but is working with someone else. She gives the token to a mysterious person in black and then kills herself when confronted by Feng Yao. Xie Xuechen suspects a connection to the Xiuxian Pavilion. An investigation within Mirror Flower Palace is launched, focusing on Cui Wanwan. Evidence points to Cui Wanwan, but Gao Qiumin refuses to believe it. Cui Wanwan is eventually caught in a trap and killed by Su Ningzhen. The episode ends with a dinner at Mirror Flower Palace and the appearance of a dangerous Dark Territory creature.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with a confrontation. Xie Xuechen and Mu Xuanling face off against Yan Si. In a surprising move, Xie Xuechen intentionally allows Yan Si to escape. Mu Xuanling questions his decision, but Xie Xuechen points out the improbability of Yan Si successfully stealing the Jade Token given Mirror Flower Palace's tight security. He suspects Yan Si has an accomplice, and the success of their plan now hinges on Nan Xuyue's ability to intercept her.
As predicted, Yan Si meets a mysterious figure cloaked in black in a secluded alley. She hands over the Jade Token, emphasizing the importance of delivering it to the "Pavilion Master" to further their grand scheme. Feng Yao, in pursuit, forces the black-clad figure to flee, cornering Yan Si. Faced with Feng Yao's advance, Yan Si tragically takes her own life.
Feng Yao returns with Yan Si's inner core, blaming herself for the accomplice's escape. Nan Xuyue reassures her, highlighting that they've confirmed Yan Si's collaboration. Feng Yao recalls a crucial detail from their conversation: Yan Si's instruction to deliver the Jade Token to the "Pavilion Master." Xie Xuechen immediately connects this "Pavilion Master" to the mysterious Xiuxian Pavilion, an organization clearly antagonistic towards the Immortal Alliance. Mu Xuanling concurs, noting the name itself suggests a vendetta. Feng Yao adds another layer of intrigue, mentioning a peculiar observation she initially dismissed but now recognizes as significant, sharing the detail with Nan Xuyue and the others.
Following these revelations, Xie Xuechen instructs Gao Qiumin to conduct a thorough investigation of everyone within Mirror Flower Palace. Zai Xi informs Su Ningzhen of the ongoing investigation, mentioning Gao Qiumin's suspicion of an insider. Su Ningzhen, however, expresses no desire to intervene, seeing it as an opportunity to cleanse Mirror Flower Palace. She instructs Zai Xi to tell Gao Qiumin to not only investigate but also conduct body searches. Su Ningzhen then questions Zai Xi about her recent activities, creating a sense of unease.
Zai Xi, feeling scrutinized, pauses at the doorway, sensing something is amiss with Su Ningzhen. Gao Qiumin reports back to Xie Xuechen, asserting that her investigation has cleared everyone in Mirror Flower Palace, suggesting there is no mole. Xie Xuechen pointedly asks if she investigated Cui Wanwan, to which Gao Qiumin defensively insists on Cui Wanwan's innocence. Nan Xuyue interjects, mentioning a type of "hook tree leaf" Feng Yao saw in the palace. Feng Yao sketches the leaf, confirming it's not native to the palace grounds.
Feng Yao explains that the leaf's green color indicates it was freshly picked, within the last two hours, as it would have turned brown otherwise. Xie Xuechen connects this to Gao Qiumin's absence at Yunxiu Villa and Cui Wanwan's opportunistic theft of the Jade Token. Despite the evidence, Gao Qiumin remains in denial. Mu Xuanling expresses frustration, questioning the point of their efforts if Gao Qiumin refuses to accept the possibility.
Gao Qiumin leaves, and Nan Xuyue comments on Mu Xuanling's apparent animosity towards her. Mu Xuanling openly admits her dislike. Back at Mirror Flower Palace, Gao Qiumin searches Cui Wanwan's room but finds nothing. Nan Xuyue and Xie Xuechen arrive, revealing they've cast a spell on Yan Si's inner core, which will reveal her complete memories in two hours. Overhearing this, Cui Wanwan panics and rushes to the inn to retrieve the core, unaware she's walking into Xie Xuechen's trap. Exposed, Cui Wanwan attempts to escape but is ultimately killed by Su Ningzhen. The episode concludes with Su Ningzhen inviting Xie Xuechen and the others to dine at Mirror Flower Palace, during which the sinister Soul-Seizing Gu of the Dark Territory makes a chilling appearance.
