Original subtitles

Five hundred years have passed.

It will all end soon.

FENGSHAN SPIRIT FIRE

Sima Jiao, a barrier in this mountain suppresses you.

The Eight Palaces sealed you here

and took your place to rule the Celestial Palace.

You are trapped with no way out.

How can you possibly change this fate?

Those hypocrites

locked me in this lightless prison,

hoping I would yield.

THREE SAINTS MOUNTAIN

But I have forged the Spirit Fire's avatar.

On the night of the new moon,

this mountain will no longer bind me.

Now, I need only one last piece

to turn the game around and change my fate.

BASED ON THE JJWXC NOVEL WHEN DESTINY BRINGS THE DEMON BY FU HUA

EPISODE 1 AN UNBOTHERED PLAYER IN THE SURVIVAL GAME

Is this heaven or hell?

LIAO TINGYAN, DISCIPLE OF SERENE VALE

Junior Sister Liao,

Master wants to see you in the Bamboo Grove.

"Junior Sister Liao"?

"Master"?

"Bamboo Grove"?

Do not worry, Sister Liao. You just joined us.

You trespassed on Three Saints Mountain

without knowing it was the Grandmaster's training ground.

Master will not blame you. Now come with me.

Serene Vale… Serene Mountain…

Why do they sound so alike?

Mr. Wei of Sanshan Tech.

He looked at your Serene Mountain proposal and liked it.

Travel there overnight

and visit him first thing tomorrow.

Sister Liao?

Forget it. Talking can make things worse.

I'll play along for now.

SERENE VALE, FOUR SEASONS PALACE

Is this the legendary cultivation world?

Master, I have brought Sister Liao.

Good, Changqing. You may go tend to your work.

Yes, Master. I'll take my leave.

What about me?

Tingyan, why aren't you coming in?

Let me examine your Soul Manor.

So, I am in the body of someone named Liao Tingyan.

The barrier on Three Saints Mountain has indeed harmed your Soul Manor.

"Soul Manor"?

What's that?

It is the most hidden place within a person,

where mind, thought, and soul reside.

What is he talking about? I don't understand a word.

If the Soul Manor is damaged, one's mind grows clouded

and one's speech turns muddled, like yours now.

Since you have forgotten your past, I will tell you this.

This is Serene Vale, a minor branch

of the Four Seasons Palace under the Gengchen Celestial Palace.

You have been my disciple here for over three months.

I have called you here because I will soon take you

to the selection trial.

Seriously?

Even in the immortal world, people still have to hustle?

You forgot this too?

In the Gengchen Celestial Palace, the highest elder, Lord of Mercy,

is about to end 500 years of secluded cultivation,

so Sect Master Shi and the eight palace heads

plan to send talented disciples into the mountain

to care for the Grandmaster in daily life

and cultivate under his guidance.

You need not worry.

You are only there to make up the numbers.

So I am just a filler?

Fine. As long as I stay alive, anything is fine.

Slow down, Master!

Don't be afraid, Tingyan.

Beneath us

lies the Gengchen Celestial Palace, stretching 8,888 li.

It has stood for hundreds of thousands of years.

From the founding ancestor

to every ruler after, all have borne the surname Sima.

The current ruler of the Celestial Palace is none other

than the Lord of Mercy, who is to emerge from seclusion soon.

Sounds like this Grandmaster is the one with absolute authority here.

The Grandmaster is indeed the most respected.

The Celestial Palace's abundant spiritual energy exists because of him.

As for Sect Master Shi, he rules the Inner Court.

For generations,

the Shi family has served and protected the Sima clan.

The Inner Court is divided into eight palaces,

and under them are minor branches like ours.

Master, if the Grandmaster is ending his seclusion,

why is he choosing people to go in instead of coming out himself?

I am not sure, either.

Perhaps he prefers peace and does not wish to leave the mountain.

FENGQI PAVILION

This is Fengqi Pavilion, where the heads of the Eight Palaces

and Sect Master Shi meet to discuss important matters.

So this is the open audition.

I wonder what kind of disciples the Grandmaster likes.

Ones with talent and high cultivation, of course.

What will they perform?

Do not dwell on winning or losing.

Face it with a calm heart.

I am calm. Don't worry.

It is about time. You should go in now.

Wait a bit longer.

I am used to walking in right on time.

What is she doing, barging in like that?

Which palace is she from?

Sorry. Please continue.

Which branch are you from, Junior Sister?

Hello.

I'm from Serene Vale

of the Four Seasons Palace.

I'm a disciple of Dongyang Zhenren.

So you are not a junior sister, but a niece.

Oh, greetings, Aunt-Master.

You look several hundred years older than me.

Even if you call me your granddaughter, I won't mind.

Quit flattering me.

For a low-level cultivator like you

to join us in the selection…

- Why do I feel a chill? - It's just laughable.

Am I right?

Exactly. She has no real skill,

just a pretty face.

Thank you for the compliment.

- What? - What is she talking about?

- Yeah. - How was that a compliment?

Greetings, Madams, Masters, and Sect Master Shi.

Today…

SHI QIANLV, SECT MASTER OF SHI

…the palace heads will select 100 disciples from among you

to serve the Grandmaster in the mountain,

attend to his daily needs, and cultivate with him.

The selection begins now.

You need only sit in meditation, activate your heavenly crown,

and wait quietly.

Understood.

YUAN CHE, RI GUI, YIN LIUNIAN, DI ZHIYUAN

TIAN WUYA, YANG CHI, XING HECAN, YUE LANGNING

How do I activate my heavenly crown?

Do I just sit here?

MU NISHENG, DISCIPLE OF HEAVEN PALACE

ANXUE, DISCIPLE OF YIN PALACE

YE RULING, DISCIPLE OF YIN PALACE

YUE CHUHUI, YOUNG MISTRESS OF MOON PALACE

Wasn't I just here to make up the numbers?

Who bought me a debut spot?

There must be a mistake.

If even I am not chosen,

how is that three-spiritual-root loser qualified?

I, the loser, would like to know that too!

Mother…

Master!

Tingyan, I heard you were chosen.

I am truly pleased and honored as your master.

- Since Serene Vale's founding-- - Stop.

Didn't you say I was only there to make up the numbers?

How did I end up being chosen?

Can you report this to the higher-ups? I don't want to go.

Plenty would kill for this job offer.

What "job offer"?

In short, I am happy to give it to someone else.

But Serene Vale is only a minor branch within the Four Seasons Palace.

Being selected is such a great honor.

How could we refuse?

Besides, this decision was made jointly by Sect Master Shi

and the eight palace heads.

It cannot be changed.

Even in the cultivation world, people are forced to compete?

I just want to be a pretty good-for-nothing.

Besides, I know nothing about this place.

What if I offend the Grandmaster?

If he is displeased, I can't handle the consequences.

Don't worry.

Though I have never met the Lord of Mercy,

his title suggests

leniency and kindness.

If you do not wish to serve him,

he likely will give you a hard time.

The Three Saints Mountain is rich in spiritual energy.

Going there will surely improve your cultivation.

A promotion and a raise mean nothing to me.

I just want good food, good drink, and to get by quietly.

Congratulations, Junior Sister!

- Congratulations! - Congratulations, Sister Liao!

- Congratulations. - You bring great honor to our branch.

- This is our gift to you. - Yes.

Why does it sound like everyone's counting on me?

Now I'm really stressed.

- Don't be. - Enough. Back up.

Stop putting more pressure on her.

Tingyan, you being selected has already brought honor to Serene Vale.

Given your low cultivation level

and your reluctance to serve the Grandmaster,

he will probably send you back before long.

So there is no KPI?

What?

All right, then.

Well, I cannot return to reality anyway.

A temporary break from the daily grind might not be so bad.

So this is the Three Saints Mountain.

Why do I not see anything?

How could you,

a mere three-spiritual-root grasp the sanctity of the mountain?

Three saints once ascended here.

Since the Lord of Mercy entered seclusion,

it has been closed for 500 years, with no one entering.

Sounds like a hidden mega-dungeon in a game.

What's going on?

Grandmaster, please quell your anger.

Please quell your anger, Grandmaster.

Please quell your anger, Grandmaster.

When I come out, you will all die.

Wait.

Are we sure this is a righteous grandmaster,

not one from the Demon Realm?

This Lord of Mercy doesn't sound merciful at all.

Five hundred years have passed,

yet the Grandmaster has grown even more brutal.

What should we do?

If we cannot calm the Grandmaster, the Gengchen Celestial Palace,

a great sect for hundreds of thousands of years,

may end in our generation.

Grandmaster, I, Shi Qianlv,

have brought 100 disciples today to serve you in the mountain.

Enter.

Nisheng, you are the most outstanding of my disciples.

The Heaven Palace is counting on you.

Understood, Master.

So in the cultivation world, when the boss gets angry,

the employees start bleeding?

I should probably not go.

Let's go.

I've lost something.

Where did it go?

What are you looking for? I will help you look.

You're too kind. I can find it myself.

Oh, my stomach… It hurts so much.

I'm going to faint.

Ow… My stomach…

- Get up there first. - It hurts.

It really hurts.

All right.

I'm fine now. I can walk on my own.

This Grandmaster lives in such a vile place.

Is he practicing some kind of demonic art?

Aunt-Master, this place is frightening. Should we really keep going?

Before we entered, Master Tian told me there was a barrier in the mountain.

If you leave rashly, you will anger the Grandmaster

and be swallowed by the barrier.

If you're tired of living, go ahead and run.

A snake!

How terrifying!

Please wait.

Senior, we disciples are here to greet the Grandmaster.

We are new here. Please guide us.

Come on.

They're actually following it? No way I'm doing this job.

How bold.

Those people are too brave.

They couldn't leave, so they followed a snake.

Good thing this world has no time clock.

No one will notice I've skipped out.

What the…?

Demonic energy? She is from the Demon Realm.

Who's there? I can see you.

Clueless fool.

This is too creepy. I am going back.

Let's go.

In horror movies, the first to die is always the one alone.

I should stay with the group.

The tower is so high.

But there's not even an elevator?

Blood!

What a bunch of fools.

Greetings, Grandmaster.

- Greetings, Grandmaster. - Greetings, Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster's feet are incredibly well-cared-for.

So smooth and soft. I wonder if his face is the same.

SIMA JIAO

This centuries-old Grandmaster is actually a pretty boy?

You.

Why have you come here?

I wish to serve you, Grandmaster.

Liar.

How can someone so fair-skinned have such a bad temper?

He's like a landmine ready to explode.

Do not come near me.

You. What is your name?

I am Wan Ling.

I worship you, Grandmaster, and wish to serve you.

WAN LING, DISCIPLE OF YIN PALACE

That wasn't Junior Sister Wan Ling. Who was she?

How dare she enter disguised as Wan Ling? What did she want?

He seems to be looking at me.

Please, Grandmaster, just ignore me.

Here is someone even bolder.

How am I bold?

I have done nothing, Grandmaster.

Look at me.

Open your eyes and look at me.

You're still trying to play tricks?

I've done nothing, Grandmaster.

The Spirit Fire…

All of you, get out.

Out!

The Grandmaster seems to have lost his mind.

In fact, he's pure madness!

I suspect he let us in just to stock up on fresh meat

for his pet snake.

Nonsense.

The audience is over for today.

We should find a place to rest and wait for his orders.

Let's go.

That Mu Nisheng from the Heaven Palace acts

like everyone has to obey her.

Well, I will not.

YUN XIYUE AND HUA WANQING, DISCIPLES OF STAR PALACE

Let's go this way.

Looks like these palace schemers aren't impressed with me.

Good. The less I stand out, the better.

I just want to make it out alive.

We've walked so long. I think my feet are blistering.

Sima Jiao actually spared her in the hall.

What is so special about her?

I hope the Grandmaster does not hold regular meetings

and will not see me again.

My feet hurt.

Let me help.

They do not hurt now.

Thank you. I'm Liao Tingyan. What's your name?

- I am Ye Ruling. - Ruling.

Why are you alone too?

Are you, like me, from the "Doing Minimum Realm"?

"Doing Minimum Realm"?

Is she referring to the Demon Realm?

Where is the "Doing Minimum Realm"?

I just mean I do not want to serve the Grandmaster.

I am a disciple of the Yin Palace.

My palace master sent me here.

Why do you not want to serve the Grandmaster?

The entire Gengchen Celestial Palace is sustained by his spiritual energy.

If you can gain his favor, your cultivation will improve greatly.

In a short time,

you could achieve what would take a millennium of bitter training.

I have no such ambition.

I just want good food, good sleep, and to stay alive.

Then what is your plan?

I plan to find a sunny spot

where I can nap in the sun at midday and stay there.

- Do you want to join me? - No.

But if you need help, you can come to the back hall to find me.

- Goodbye. - Thank you.

Liao Tingyan.

IMMORTAL-DEMON BARRIER, YIN-YANG LAKE

Liao Tingyan has entered the mountain safely.

Well done, Young Master.

You must have put in quite some effort.

YUAN SHANG, YOUNG MASTER OF THE FOUR SEASONS PALACE

I placed a spell on her beforehand to make sure

she could gain spiritual energy

from Yue Chuhui without anyone noticing during the selection.

Good. Once she kills Sima Jiao, the Immortal-Demon Barrier will vanish,

and we of the Demon Realm

will no longer be trapped in this desolate place.

When that time comes, you had better keep your promise.

Rest assured. Once Sima Jiao is dead, you will get what you want.

The disciples only entered today, yet a life lamp has already gone out.

With the Grandmaster's ruthless

and merciless nature…

SHI ZHENXU, YOUNG SECT MASTER OF SHI

…I fear he will…

It is understandable he would act that way.

Five hundred years ago,

Sima Shi went mad and burned White Deer Cliff,

wiping out the entire Sima clan.

When the eight palace heads and I arrived, it was already too late.

SIMA SHI

Of that great clan, only Sima Jiao, who was still an infant, survived.

SIMA JIAO IN INFANCY

He happened to bear an extremely rare atavistic bloodline

and was already one with the Spirit Fire.

Thus, the duty of sustaining the Spirit Fire with flesh and blood

fell to him alone.

Such a bloodline carried supreme power

but also brought endless torment.

From birth, he was destined to be the vessel of the Spirit Fire,

his soul and body in constant agony, living a life worse than death.

To preserve that precious bloodline,

they placed seals and spells on him,

preventing him from committing suicide.

Sealed in the Three Saints Mountain, he has been imprisoned for 500 years.

When he was just an infant, his clan was wiped out,

and the Eight Palaces only sought to use him.

Of course, he went mad.

Grandmaster, please drink this bowl of soup.

One more sip.

The Grandmaster still shows some regard

for the Shi family for our past service,

but the disciples sent in by the Eight Palaces

all harbor ill intentions.

I fear few will escape death.

Why?

Open your eyes and look at me.

Why did she make the Spirit Fire restless?

I've done nothing, Grandmaster.

What exactly is she plotting?

Could she be the one I need?