Episode Summary
Mo Xiao fakes poisoning to get the antidote, facing a painful trial of love. Feng Lixue's loyalties are tested as she helps Mo Xiao but remains conflicted. Murong Changfeng confronts Chong Guang, while Mo Xiao battles him. The episode ends with a mysterious mirror and questions about Feng Lixue's true feelings.
Spoiler Alert
"Destiny and Saving" Episode 18: Love, Lies, and Lethal Loyalties
Alright, buckle up because things are getting complicated in the world of "Destiny and Saving." Episode 18 is a rollercoaster of hidden motives, painful choices, and potential betrayals.
So, Feng Lixue confronts Mo Xiao, calling him out on faking his poisoning. She knows he just wanted the antidote. Mo Xiao, ever the smooth talker (even when cornered), admits the poisoning was a ruse, but insists his feelings for her are 100% real. Cue the waterworks from Feng Lixue. She's torn because, let's face it, she was trying to kill him. Mo Xiao's all, "Hey, I don't want to be your enemy, but we're on opposite sides. I gotta save these people, and yeah, that includes you, even if it kills me." Feng Lixue warns him that getting the antidote is super dangerous, but Mo Xiao's determined. He's willing to risk it all, which, naturally, makes Feng Lixue cry even more. Girl's never met someone so stubborn.
Next up: Mo Xiao heads to the antidote source, which is guarded by some seriously trippy obstacles. To reach the lady holding the cure, he has to cross the "Ten Thousand Zhang Red Dust Water" (think a lake of emotional pain). If he has love in his heart, it's gonna hurt like hell. And guess what? It does. The lake conjures up memories of him and Wu Chen, and the pain intensifies with every step. Feng Lixue watches from afar as a red-robed woman warns Mo Xiao that if his heart is still attached to someone, he'll be dragged into the depths. Mo Xiao's struggling, but he pushes on, remembering Wu Chen's plea for him to take her away from this place. Summoning some serious willpower, he basically shuts down his emotions, which impresses the red-robed woman enough to hand over the antidote for the love poison. Feng Lixue, seeing this, quietly leaves.
Meanwhile, Murong Changfeng splits up his group, sending some to safety while he and a few others go after the big bad, Chong Guang, for another antidote. Turns out Mo Xiao already used the first antidote on the "Valley of Desire," curing everyone. Murong Jing wakes up and is mortified by her behavior towards Xie Lingyun.
Murong Changfeng, Xie Lingyun, and Murong Ce confront Chong Guang, threatening to take him down if he doesn't change his ways. They demand the antidote, but Chong Guang isn't scared. He reminds them that he still has Mo Xiao. Except, plot twist! Chang Ming arrives with news that Mo Xiao already got the antidote. Mo Xiao appears, revealing that Feng Lixue kept Chong Guang in the dark, allowing him to succeed.
Mo Xiao tells Murong Changfeng to get everyone out of there while he deals with Chong Guang. Chong Guang tries to recruit Mo Xiao, promising him power over the three realms. He points out that everyone is willingly under his control, including Feng Lixue and even a future version of Mo Xiao himself! This enrages Mo Xiao, and he attacks Chong Guang.
Murong Changfeng sends Xie Lingyun back to Shushan to spread the word. Zisu wakes up, also embarrassed by her actions.
During the fight between Mo Xiao and Chong Guang, Feng Lixue shows up, distracting Mo Xiao and causing him to get injured. Feng Lixue uses her Phoenix Feather Chain to pull him away, urging him to leave since he saved the Shushan people. But Mo Xiao wants her to come with him, believing there's more to the past than she knows. Feng Lixue says she'll investigate, but it's none of his business. She thought she could trust him, but he lied to her again. Mo Xiao says he had no choice, but the things he said were true. Feng Lixue refuses to listen and flies away.
Back at Shushan, some of the imprisoned people are turning demonic because the antidote isn't working on them. Lu Shixiong and his team are too scared to approach.
Zisu worries that Mo Xiao will kick her out for her mistakes. Zimu says it's okay to like Mo Xiao and that she likes Mo Xiao too, but her love is beyond romance, and she wants to help Mo Xiao become the leader of the Immortal Sects. She knows Mo Xiao won't blame Zisu for this and that Zisu needs to get over her own feelings. Then Zifeng arrives to tell them that Mo Xiao is injured and back.
Zisu is checking Mo Xiao's pulse when Murong Changfeng arrives, angry that Mo Xiao didn't kill Feng Lixue. Mo Xiao believes Feng Lixue isn't evil, but she's just hung up on her father's death. He thinks if they investigate the truth, they can avoid further conflict. Murong Changfeng tells Mo Xiao to explain himself to Yuan Beichen.
Mo Xiao feels like he's Feng Lixue's curse, bringing disaster every time they meet. He acknowledges that she helped him get the antidote.
Zi Ying tells Chong Guang that Feng Lixue wants to see him, but Chong Guang throws her out and orders that no one can enter without his permission. Then Chong Guang goes to see Feng Lixue, who explains that she didn't see through Mo Xiao's fake poisoning. Chong Guang says that Feng Lixue had hatred in her eyes ten years ago, which is why she is worthy to be his only disciple. Feng Lixue asks why he saved her and if he was on the mountain. Chong Guang grabs Feng Lixue's shoulders and asks about her heart.
Then, another Chong Guang appears in a mirror, beckoning Feng Lixue. She walks in, and it's filled with water. Chong Guang hides in the dark and asks her to see who she really wants. Suddenly, Mo Xiao's face appears, smiling at Feng Lixue. Feng Lixue is shocked and yells at Mo Xiao to leave.
Cliffhangers and Burning Questions:
- Is Feng Lixue truly loyal to Chong Guang, or is she playing a long game?
- Can Mo Xiao and Feng Lixue ever overcome their conflicting loyalties and be together?
- What exactly happened ten years ago that ties Feng Lixue to Chong Guang?
- Will the Shushan disciples succumb to demonic influence?
- What is the meaning of the mirror and the other Chong Guang?
This episode definitely sets the stage for some intense conflicts and reveals in the episodes to come!
