Episode Summary
A teleportation array to Yongxue City is sabotaged, forcing the group to take a slower flying boat. They arrive to find the Alliance Leader dead, devastating Xie Xuechen. Mu Xuanling comforts the grieving Xie Xuechen, while Nan Xuyue looks on.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Nan Xuyue activating a teleportation array. He announces it's ready, and they can all reach Yongxue City in just ten breaths. Mu Xuanling reminds A'bao of her promise to behave, and A'bao assures her she won't cause trouble. A'bao, who can transform into a "sniffing treasure mouse," says she'll alert them to any Dark Clan presence and promptly dives into Mu Xuanling's bag. However, upon inspecting the array, they discover a deadly curse has been placed on it. Nan Xuyue calls Feng Yao for help, but they're forced to shut it down. Nan Xuyue suspects someone tampered with the array's materials.
A'bao blames herself for not detecting the trap, but Nan Xuyue and Xie Xuechen reassure her. Mu Xuanling points out that A'bao's cultivation level is low, and it is not her fault. Xie Xuechen believes this is all a setup by the Xiuxian Pavilion, a two-pronged scheme originating from the incident at Mirror Flower Palace. He suggests the Mirror Flower Palace attack was meant to both steal the jade token and distract them, allowing someone to sabotage the teleportation array materials. Given Nan Xuyue's familiarity with the materials, he would have noticed any anomalies.
Xie Xuechen explains that the elaborate distraction was designed to draw Nan Xuyue away. Mu Xuanling adds that Nan Xuyue's creation of the teleportation array is no secret, and since Xie Xuechen emerged from the Dark Territory without returning directly to Yongxue City, their enemies knew he'd need the array due to his weakened state. With the array unusable, Nan Xuyue reveals an alternative: a small boat. Mu Xuanling is skeptical, but Nan Xuyue pours water on it, transforming it into a flying vessel.
They all board the now-flying boat. Nan Xuyue explains that while the array takes ten breaths, the boat will be slower. Mu Xuanling and Nan Xuyue sit together, enjoying the view, and are soon joined by Xie Xuechen, who claims he just needs fresh air. Mu Xuanling teases him for lacking romance and suggests he learn from Nan Xuyue. Xie Xuechen warns her that such talk could get her expelled in Yongxue City, but she assures him she'll be careful. Two days later, they arrive above Yongxue City. Nan Xuyue tells Mu Xuanling it's perpetually covered in snow, unlike the eternally spring-like Mirror Flower Palace.
They land outside the city gates, where disciples greet Xie Xuechen as Young Lord. Xie Xuechen meets with Elder Cang, who greets Nan Xuyue and is introduced to Mu Xuanling, now a Yongxue City disciple under Elder Cang's tutelage. Xie Xuechen asks to see the Alliance Leader, but Elder Yu informs him the Leader is still in seclusion, which has been ongoing since Xie Xuechen left.
Xie Xuechen goes to find the Alliance Leader, only to discover that he is dead. He's devastated and blames himself. Nan Xuyue realizes the Mirror Flower Palace incident was a triple threat, not just a double one. Xie Xuechen throws himself into work to numb the pain. Mu Xuanling worries about him, and Nan Xuyue explains that Xie Xuechen wasn't always so cold and controlled; it's a result of his cultivation breakthrough. Mu Xuanling tries to comfort Xie Xuechen, urging him to embrace his emotions. He breaks down and cries in her arms, while Nan Xuyue witnesses this and walks away.
