Original subtitles

♪From primal chaos to the starry sky♪

♪In the whole world, we shall hold the balance♪

♪The cauldron tempers divine blades♪

♪The furnace refines the empty void♪

♪The Way is in mystic fate♪

♪Be brave enough to split the primal chaos wide open♪

[Pull Strings]

[Adapted from the novel by Yan Gui Zheng Zhuan]

[Episode 4]

Who pushed me?

Senior...

My adventure is so thrilling.

That's your reaction?

It didn't sound thrilling at all.

Everything was clearly under control.

No suspense at all.

Alright. Since you say so,

Pop quiz!

A test?

Question:

[Restrain Words and Deeds] If Yuan Qing succeeds

and takes Junior Xuanya hostage,

how will he explain when he returns?

How will he explain?

He...

He...

Senior, tell me the answer.

Yuan Qing didn't confess,

but if Skyrend loses this immortal seedling,

beneficiaries won't just be outsiders.

Yuan Qing is deeply cunning,

yet he dares to act like that.

There must be someone behind him.

Kuai Si.

You're right; for once you're clever.

Kuai Si is power-hungry, aiming to rise.

If Yuan Qing succeeds,

Skyrend will naturally decline.

Then Mistveil will rise and dominate.

By then, Kuai Si

can spin it as they please.

But they never expected

you in this game, Senior.

Another question.

Yuan Qing praised his hidden weapon

as if it were unmatched.

Why was I unharmed?

Exactly.

Why did it not affect you?

I told you before.

A trump card must stay hidden.

Once exposed, the risk grows tenfold.

In fact, three years ago,

he used it once already.

Perhaps he forgot.

Or perhaps

he never cared about those juniors

at all.

Yuan Man's death was too strange.

His cultivation base was ruined.

I searched for a long time

only to find a needle mark in his neck.

That confirmed my suspicion.

The Mistveil Division

hides a sinister hidden weapon.

The vanishing needle.

I searched many books,

and only in a book recording

ancient demon beasts

did I find it.

It's called Gnatsting Needle.

It's a Blood Gnat's weapon.

It dissolves on blood contact.

It can damage the foundation

and kill invisibly.

If Yuan Qing's attempt hadn't failed,

I wouldn't have picked this up.

Then, I wouldn't have known

what this weapon really is.

What a deadly weapon!

Senior, how did you block it?

That's because

I have

this thing.

This?

This is my secret formula.

It's called Stonehard Elixir.

After taking it,

it makes your skin hard as iron

for four hours.

Only four hours?

Then Senior, how did you know

when he would stab you?

Of course, I didn't know.

So, for these three years,

I took it every four hours.

What's that ringing?

The alarm clock.

Senior,

you're so steady.

Another question.

Another question?

In the Miasma Grove,

I encountered a trace of Resonance.

This person...

Senior?

What's your question, Senior?

What? What question?

What question?

Question?

No question.

Not important.

What's important now is

this thing.

This Sky-Scraping Vine leaf is so precious?

What do you know?

I spent decades seeking.

Only then did I grasp its wondrous use.

Wondrous use?

Senior, what's it used for?

You feel like scripture copying?

I was just asking.

Five hundred times.

Five...

Go on.

Fine, I'll copy them.

I took only one leaf from the Sky-Scraping Vine,

leaving the rest for that woman.

She shouldn't come looking for me again.

She also wants the Sky-Scraping Vine.

Does she want to ascend

to heaven like me?

The Sky-Scraping Vine

can pierce the earth and reach heaven.

Yet it can only reach the Ninth Heaven.

It can't reach higher.

I burned up the Sky-Scraping Vine.

But I can't see you one more time.

Why don't you dare see me?

It should be purified nine times

and extracted with water to get a better effect.

So complicated.

[No Action] This is too precious.

If taken improperly,

all the efforts will go to waste.

Judging by the flame,

an hour should do it.

What are you saying?

Do you two know

there's the Summary Assembly?

The Hall of Mortal Coils is already urging us.

I'll go right away.

Mentor,

you don't need to join the fuss.

What if Senior gets punished?

He might be whipped.

You'd be crying your eyes out.

Right?

No, I...

Freeze.

Bye.

Hey, at least give me a seat,

so I can sit down.

Let me get away

from this furnace.

It's so hot!

[Hall of Mortal Coils] Jiu Jiu of Griefbane Division

is confined to the mountain

and banned from wine for three years

for drinking, slacking, and mishandling

while leading a team in North Land.

Three years...

I accept the punishment.

Drinking truly ruins things.

Uncle Jiu Wu is so powerful?

Let me tell you.

Among the nine disciples of Griefbane,

Uncle Jiu Wu, ranked fifth,

is the most well-connected.

Before the Grandlord's seclusion,

the Grandlord entrusted him with many key affairs.

Without such sharpness and skill,

how could he become an elder?

I always thought

that he was a weiqi bum who leaves on time.

The Hall of Mortal Coils

is the Ascendance Sect's affairs hub.

To run the Hall of Mortal Coils

is like handling the food and supplies,

as well as rewards and punishments,

of the 800 divisions.

Any mistake spells disaster.

Even so,

he still plays weiqi with us.

That's truly admirable.

You see.

Here's the thing.

Next time you talk about me,

could you drop the "weiqi bum" part?

Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

This matter won't end peacefully today.

You'd better prepare yourself.

Alright, go on now.

Were you talking ill of me just now?

No, not at all.

Li Changshou!

Pay with your life for my disciple!

He is just a junior, weak and alone.

How could he withstand your strike?

Weak?

He's not weak at all.

And there's something sinister about him.

Otherwise, how would Yuan Qing fall into his hands?

Uncle.

Uncle, spare me! Uncle!

My disciple Xuanya

has reported the full account of this case.

Yuan Qing brought this upon himself.

A one-sided story can hardly be trusted.

Maybe Youqin Xuanya

colluded with this kid

to frame my disciple.

Kuai Si!

You're twisting the truth.

Li Changshou,

I don't think you can

harm my disciple?

If you confess honestly,

I won't make things hard for you.

Tell the truth!

What role did Youqin Xuanya

play in this case?

Well, Kuai Si.

While the Grandlord is away,

you want to lead the Sect?

Xuanya is virtuous and upright.

Changshou is law-abiding.

These two are no troublemakers.

What if you misjudged them?

You...

Junior Kuai, speak plainly.

How do you want to handle this?

Good.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

Li Changshou.

This is...

Dare you test this Flameheart Stone?

This stone hasn't been used in a century.

You want to extract Li Changshou's memory?

Exactly.

I want him to bare his soul in public

and expose his secrets.

Uncle, must it come to this?

I...

The Flameheart Stone

has always been our sect's method

for interrogating criminals.

Li Changshou, if your testimony

doesn't match your memory,

your heart will suffer scorching pain.

That is going too far.

You insist on shielding

the evildoer at every turn.

I have no other choice.

The Flameheart Stone

may reveal one's private thoughts.

You would make Changshou

lay bare every thought before all,

to be stripped and judged.

How is he to face himself after this?

Exactly.

That's right.

It must be before all eyes.

You...

Disciples outside the hall, listen.

Bear witness together.

Let us see what this disciple

of Jade Division truly is.

[Enlighten and Clear]

Senior,

I'm sorry.

It's not contagious.

Senior,

don't overdo it now.

Spring has come.

It's mating season for the wolves again.

Stop.

I said to recall, not to compose poetry.

That was my inner voice at the time.

I can't shake it off.

Go on.

Okay.

Yuan Qing of Mistveil Division,

my perfect Senior.

He honors his mentor and the Way.

Even if my mentor were here,

it'd be nothing special.

He's long been of no use.

He can bend and stretch.

A last struggle.

Junior Changshou, please.

Please save me.

He is pure and detached.

A male disciple assaulted a female disciple,

and they both perished.

That's my clan's grand wish.

He owns his actions.

Indeed.

Yuwen Ling is indeed my accomplice.

He's concerned for others.

I wonder how Xuanya is faring.

If she is safe and sound,

how can I

rest easy?

I wasted my regard on Yuan Qing.

Pah.

We can't judge the book by its cover.

Yes, yes, yes.

Xuanya,

is that really what happened?

So, Yuan Qing's words can be read like this.

Senior sees the truth in details.

Truly a model for us all.

This man is absolutely disgusting.

Sister, Aunt, you don't know.

In this world, there exists a supreme,

mystical art.

What mystical art?

I've never heard of it. Tell us about it.

It is called the Montage Art.

Junior.

My mentor has a secret.

I can't take it to the grave.

Do you want to know?

Wretched creature!

Even death is too lenient.

What are you all looking at?

All of you, leave!

Alright, now it's quite clear.

Yuan Qing

got what he deserved.

In contrast, Xuanya and Changshou,

in times of peril,

stayed true to their hearts.

They're not only blameless, but meritorious.

I'm ashamed.

Deeply ashamed.

Changshou,

it seems

I owe you a proper apology.

No, no need, Uncle.

Changshou,

before Yuan Qing died,

what secret did he tell you?

What secret?

He told me...

He did say something.

What did he say?

He said...

He said...

He...

Then...

And then?

Then...

Then the python swallowed him.

The python...

Did he leave anything behind?

Anything you took?

Such as?

Magic instruments, hidden weapons.

What?

Magic instruments, hidden weapons.

Magic instruments, hidden weapons?

No, no.

Truly?

Truly none.

Had I found any magic instruments or weapons,

I'd return them with both hands.

What an honest man you are.

They all say you're honest.

Yes, yes, honest.

Move aside.

Yes, yes.

But I know

that no one settles for just being honest.

It's just

they haven't met the right price, right?

Price?

What price?

You're as foolish as your mentor.

To be in the same sect as you

is truly my disgrace.

Uncle.

Uncle, I remember now.

I think I had a belt.

But it seems I dropped it.

Why are you still frowning?

What are your concerns?

There's one thing I don't understand.

Within the Miasma Grove,

beasts clash; their life is short.

No such python should be born here.

This python is suspicious.

It seems like a pet raised by someone.

If it was raised

by the Human Sect,

that would be one thing.

What I fear

is it's linked to our dear neighbors.

You mean...

Dragons?

[Dragon Palace of the East Sea]

Bao'er.

Bao'er...

I raised Bao'er for ten years,

and now it's dead.

Who did this?

[Yecha, Dragon General]

[Jinli, Dragon General]

Say it.

It's over.

Ascendance Sect!

I have verified.

Jingwei Island and Miasma Grove

are both Ascendance Sect's training grounds this time.

Your Highness, please calm down.

They injured my shrimp soldiers,

harmed my crab generals,

[Ao Jia, First Prince of East Sea]

and killed my beloved pet Bao'er.

This is an outrage!

Who?

Good.

Very good.

Good, good.

[Ao Guang, Dragon King of East Sea]

Good.

Enough with that, Father.

Those scoundrels

are about to dump all over us.

Stop

saying that.

They're about to dump?

That means they haven't dumped yet.

Since they haven't dumped yet,

it's still human-dragon harmony.

What's wrong with that?

They...

Enough.

Jia,

for the greater good, just bear with it.

[Turtle Minister] Your foresight is unmatched.

Yes, only Father has great vision.

And I'm the petty one.

It seems Jia is still upset.

Perfect timing.

I have an errand for you.

Take a trip to cheer yourself up.

Father,

I'm in no mood for any official duties.

I'm not going.

If I send you

to the Ascendance Sect?

The Ascendance Sect? I...

The Ascendance Sect?

Sure.

Good.

Judging by your expression,

I guess it was a close call.

You don't understand.

We Three Pure Ones disciples

always wear the same expression.

Not at all.

Kuai Si always has such a sour face,

as if someone owes him money.

Today, Kuai Si was arrogant and rude.

His cunning was on full display.

We'll put stability first.

Don't get tangled up with him.

What?

You clearly had it easy.

You had him under control.

Not really.

Do you know

why Mentor fell so hard back then?

I do.

I heard that back then, Mentor

was originally a top immortal seedling.

He even surpassed Kuai Si.

Unfortunately,

at the Training Assembly 60 years ago,

an accident happened,

which ruined his foundation and hope for ascension.

Ruined his foundation?

The Gnatsting Needle?

Exactly.

In that trip to the Miasma Forest,

Mentor and Kuai Si went together.

I just found out now

that it was a plot.

The Mistveil Division!

So, it's a tradition.

I'm going to avenge Mentor.

Didn't we agree to steady?

You want more scripture copying?

But our mentor was bullied. How can we ignore it?

A thousand times.

A thousand times?

I'll get Mentor to write it for me.

Alchemy Chamber?

Mentor, I'm here!

Alchemy Chamber?

Alchemy Chamber!

My pill!

Mentor! Mentor!

- My pill! - Mentor.

- Mentor, where are you? - Elixir!

Freeze!

Mentor.

My pill.

Mentor! Mentor!

Mentor.

Senior, don't eat it!

Senior, wake up! Senior!

Senior.

Where is this?

[South Heavenly Gate]

South Heavenly Gate.

I'm at the Celestial Court.

Celestial Court.

Celestial Court.

I'm here...

too early?

It looks like it hasn't been delivered yet.

But that's fine.

Pre-IPO shares are always like this.

Senior! Senior!

Senior, wake up! Wake up!

Senior! Senior!

Senior!

[Hall of Soaring Heaven, Celestial Court]

Come on, say something.

Where did His Majesty sneak off to now?

There are still so many memorials left.

Hurry, find him!

[Eastwood Duke, Tier II Deity]

What is going on in the Marriage Division?

Go tell the Moon Elder

that without more mortal couples,

I'll demote him to Flaming Mountains as an Earth Deity.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please come back!

I'm worn out.

Your Majesty, where are you?

Eastwood Duke.

- Your Majesty. - Eastwood Duke.

- Eastwood Duke. - Your Majesty...

Eastwood Duke.

So early in the morning,

practicing your voice?

You're the one practicing!

[Moon Elder, Chief of Marriage Division]

This is this month's Book of Marriages.

It didn't meet the quota again?

Well.

Young people these days

are all busy.

They have to buy horses,

acquire land, and get betrothal gifts.

They don't have much desire to marry.

You don't understand.

Don't give me all these excuses.

You've been short on human vitality for months.

If the Three Realms don't thrive,

how will the Celestial Court get its incense?

You tell me.

Well.

Though I oversee

the Human Sect's marriages,

love, you see,

can't be rushed.

Do you even know what love is?

Do you even know what love is?

Love, you know,

is about the fortune of love and affinity.

It depends on their compatibility score

and if they like what they see.

I don't like what I see.

Stop nagging me.

If you don't meet the quota this month,

I'll ruin you.

[Monthly Number of Couples]

[Early Spring: 225, Mid Spring: 201, Late Spring: 160]

Senior, Senior.

Wait for me, Senior.

One, two, three.

Go!

What the...?

Senior, you're finally awake.

I almost thought you'd pass away.

I was indeed about to.

However...

Moon Elder, human vitality.

So, this is the shortcut to the heavens.

Isn't it simply about marriages?

I'll lend him a hand.

If this is done,

it will be a great merit for me.

I'll find my place in the Celestial Court.

Mentor!

Senior, our mentor is here.

Mentor!

My pill!

[Hall of Virtue]

Since you're here,

show yourself quickly.

[Wen Jing, Gnat Master of Blood Sea]

Elder Kuai,

you're truly becoming more

and more extraordinary.

Wicked heretic.

Don't push your luck.

Thanks for the compliment.

But it's heretics like us

who can help you get what you want.

If Yuan Qing hadn't bungled things

and nearly dragged me down,

why would I need you?

What a pity.

Originally,

I even hoped to befriend him.

Ridiculous.

You're a demon.

Why talk of friendship?

How annoying.

I've staked everything

on you.

I've given you the Gnatsting Needle,

and in time, I'll eliminate your rivals.

That's deep affection, isn't it?

Don't flatter yourself.

Let me ask you.

Yuan Qing used the Gnatsting Needle.

Why didn't it work?

This treasure

isn't something just anyone can use.

Don't take it out lightly again.

If that Jade disciple knows about the Gnatsting Needle,

once you act,

it'll reveal our connection.

You're indeed cautious.

About that matter,

will you agree,

or not?

I need more time

to consider it.

I've waited sixty years.

A few more days won't matter.

Don't be impatient.

The Grandlord is old and in seclusion.

In power, I may not lose.

Once you

help me take control,

at that time,

what can't we do?

Then I wish you

a swift rise to the top.

[Jade Division]

[Wang Qi, Spiritkin Division] There are Wang Qi

[Liu Yan'er, Gravecap Division] and Liu Yan'er.

They both know,

unable to speak their hearts.

That's all of them.

But Senior,

you always said to avoid karma.

Why suddenly play matchmaker?

What joy to bring lovers together!

Have you gone mad on that vine?

You're the mad one!

My soul drifted into Ninth Heaven.

A deity there enlightened me.

I vowed to make the Human Sect flourish.

How can that be called madness?

It is indeed madness.

But Senior,

it is just as you said.

Everyone has someone in their heart.

Yet none dare take that step.

Junior, it is a long story.

Our sect is a Human Sect branch.

Yet cultivators don't get married.

Cultivation and love oppose each other by nature.

Deeper cultivation dulls the heart.

Indeed, Senior.

But

I can't bear to see all our sect mates

end up old, alone,

and full of regret,

just like my mentor.

Mentor once fell in love?

It's a long story.

She was

our mentor's senior

and also our aunt.

They say they both entered the sect

under Grand-mentor on the same day.

We actually have an aunt?

How come I didn't know?

I saw it in the records

of the Hall of Mortal Coils.

Our aunt is called Wan Jiangyu.

She and Mentor were deeply in love then.

But since Mentor had

that problem during his training,

Aunt Wan disappeared without a trace.

Don't tell anyone about this.

I see.

Whenever Mentor

is near death and delirious,

he always says Aunt Wan's name.

Love in this world

truly binds us in life.

Senior,

you're so romantic when you go mad!

So,

we must save

all the countless lovers in the world.

Then, what should we do?

They just need a spark.

[Ambition Pill] It's it!

Anyone who takes this pill

will find it hard to restrain themselves

until they break through all obstacles

and charge forward bravely for love.

However,

since it's too expensive,

I only brought back an empty bottle.

Yet the ingredients are hard to find.

Senior, don't worry.

I'll go pick them.

What a good junior. She catches on fast.

[Good Luck, Certain Victory]

♪I don't ask, too lazy to fight♪

♪I dare to live my own way♪

♪In the Primordial World♪

♪Who sings and drinks free♪

♪The stars smile at fireflies♪

♪Roaming the city with reckless courage♪

♪Just watching swordplay while drunk♪

♪And in dreams, I reign supreme♪

♪Who can ever♪

♪Predict the clock of time♪

♪Learn the watches of the night♪

♪The hearth smoke rises high♪

♪Let the comings and goings be♪

[Steady]

♪A varied life♪

He is Wang Qi of Spiritkin Division.

A passionate wanderer.

Head over heels for her.

I've met

Junior Yan'er a few times.

We got along quite well.

She's Liu Yan'er of Gravecap Division.

Sincere feelings, pining away.

Wang Qi only talks to me

about Spirit Treasures and elixirs.

What a blockhead.

Maybe...

Perhaps...

It seems...

Probably...

A bit of that going on.

If I hadn't fallen for him,

I wouldn't listen to his lectures.

It's not that I won't confess.

It's just our sect

values purity and self-restraint.

Forgive me.

If I keep fretting,

it will delay my cultivation.

How can I speak

of such matters of the heart?

♪Not knowing what love truly is♪

How should two lovers kept apart

break the impasse?

Don't worry. The Ambition Pill will act.

Why, why?

A strange heat rises in my chest.

Could it be...

Love around the corner?

We'll grow old at the world's end.

In this life, forever side by side.

Ambition Pill, 9,999.

Two a day, hand in hand.

Great.

Great.

[Ambition Pill] One of a kind.

Three lifetimes of new experience.

Those who have companions can kindle their love.

Those who don't can remold your fate.

Mentors, friends, and kin,

don't pass this by.

If no one buys it,

the path to immortality narrows.

If we all take one,

sincerity fills the sect's gate.

I want some!

Come, come!

Give me, give me!

Pay first.

Money, money, pay first.

Where's your money?

I'll take one.

Outrageous!

How dare you set up a stall here!

Shut it down!

You two, shut it down!

I'll take them all!

These are all Spirit Treasure coins.

Senior, what do you think?

You've memorized

all those years of marketing tips.

Your pursuing immortality

has caused a huge loss to the cunning merchants' world.

When it comes to scheming,

I'm no better than you.

But when it comes to scheming for money,

I'm the best.

Later, give some Ambition Pills

to Uncle Jiu Wu too.

Without his leniency,

our small business couldn't survive.

I won't forget.

But he probably doesn't need it.

Maybe.

Senior, what are you doing?

Waiting for the effect.

Waiting for the effect?

What effect are you waiting for?

An effect you wouldn't understand.

So, Senior,

how's the effect on you now?

Still no results.

Still no...

[Ambition Pill]

Senior,

maybe it's in your head?

Look, lately,

the sect's been all romantic.

It's quite moving.

Even I can't help...

Senior,

I think you worry about others

way too much.

You should worry about yourself too.

A devoted beauty like me

is rare to find.

This opportunity won't come again.

Is it not enough?

Not enough...

I...

I understand.

Wait for me.

What?

Why no word from Moon Elder?

Hello?

Hello, hello?

♪See mortal joys and sorrows♪

♪Reunions and partings, as fate unfolds♪

♪Alas, love has many twists and turns♪

♪Memories filled with sorrow♪

♪Slowly, wishes turn to regret♪

♪You've gone afar, like mist fading♪

♪Tearfully, this life's bond is not over♪

♪Past fragments vanish into night♪

♪Down a few more cups of wine♪

♪Through land and sea, I ask you to come♪

♪For honor's sake, upright and grand♪

♪Alas, our story is short♪

♪Slowly, wishes turn to regret♪

♪You've gone afar, like mist fading♪

♪Tears fall, this fate's not done♪

♪Past fragments vanish into night♪WEBVTT

♪Past fragments vanish into night♪