Original subtitles

♪Your silhouette in the twilight's glow♪

♪Awakens like snow, delicate and cold♪

♪Within your gaze, countless destinies intertwine♪

♪A lifetime, a world of illusion of just one person♪

♪As moonlight shimmers♪

♪Falling petals rest in my palm, it's your sacred promise♪

♪Cultivating amidst the fleeting time of this mortal world♪

♪To be as one, inseparable, like a shadow in rhyme♪

♪Grant me a lifetime of enchanting sights♪

♪I defy fate, turning it around♪

♪Fearless of heavenly decree♪

♪It is the courage that blooms for you, profound♪

♪Unafraid of the destined trials♪

♪I only wish to make a vow with you♪

♪Like our initial encounter etched deep within my heart♪

=The Longest Promise= (Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise= (Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise= =Episode 2=

(It seems that Bell of Cleansing)

(requires very refined techniques.)

(No.)

(I still need to practice diligently.)

(So that I can give this item to Mother)

(before her birthday.)

(Extreme Wind City)

(Crimson Residence)

Princess, you travel further and further away.

This time you've been away from home for ten days.

We've had to hide it so well.

Fortunately, you returned in time today.

Otherwise,

we wouldn't be able to cover up for you this time.

I wonder why Mother

sought me out today?

Could it be that another young mister

has come to propose marriage again?

In the current Extreme Wind City,

who dares to come and propose marriage to you now?

You keep wanting to

compete with every suitor who comes.

They haven't even finished healing from their injuries.

I heard that this time,

it seems to be someone from Jialan.

It seems they are planning

to invite you to participate in

an event called the Grand Ceremony of Worship.

Is it the Grand Ceremony of Worship

at Jiuyi Mountain that takes place only once every ten years?

Well... I'm not sure though.

Princess.

Where are you going again?

Granny, please have some tea.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I heard that the Princess

has reached adulthood now.

So I made this trip specifically.

(Zhu Changxiang, Crimson Clan's Consort) I'm sure you know that

according to ancestral customs,

the eldest daughter of the Bai family

will become the lead dancer

at the Grand Ceremony of Worship.

But if the other Saintesses who are dancing

perform exceptionally well,

it can bring honor to the family as well.

The influential figures from the Six Ministries are all gathered here,

it's also a good opportunity to select a husband.

I'm afraid Yan'er has already

neglected her dancing.

I'm going.

Father.

Mother.

Granny.

I want to participate in the Grand Ceremony of Worship.

But if your dancing skills are not up to par,

you won't be able to go.

Give me three days.

I will definitely sharpen my skills.

(Star Gazing Plaza, Jiuyi Mountain)

Jiuyi Mountain

welcomes all lords and princesses.

Come on.

Slow down.

Bai.

Are these the offerings you prepared

for the Star-gazing Ceremony?

It seems that in these years,

Ye City hasn't been doing well.

These few years,

Qingzhou has been greatly benefited from the Dragon's grace.

I can completely provide

some assistance to you.

On this trip,

I brought two daughters with me.

One of them

is a candidate for Star Gazer.

A box of fine pearls from the Bai Residence.

Although we brought fewer offerings,

the purpose is

to ease the future Consort of Crown Prince.

Qing.

Don't you agree?

You're mistaken.

The Crown Prince doesn't exist yet,

so there's no Crown Princess yet.

Once there's an Crown Princess,

there will be an Crown Prince.

I haven't seen you for three days only.

What an impressive progress!

Let me test your skills.

Come.

Chong Ming.

(Divine Bird Chong Ming, Jiuyi Mountain)

I haven't seen you for just a few days,

and yet you've developed a pig's habit

of crashing into trees.

What?

How dare you say that I'm a pig?

You...

Did I ruin my appearance?

Did I?

Did I?

Oh no.

It's alright.

It's not a big deal.

Do you know how difficult it is

for me to have this appearance?

I'm Chong Ming, the King of Hundred Birds.

I've cultivated for thousands of years

and now have finally transformed into a human.

But I

haven't finished my cultivation yet.

I haven't shown this beautiful face to others.

I must protect this face well.

Indeed.

I indulged too much in my own beauty

and forgot about the important matter.

As they say, beauty brings disaster.

The ancient bird was right.

What's the matter?

Don't you know about the Jiuyi Grand Ceremony?

Come with me and see the excitement.

The Jiuyi Mountain only has this event

once every ten years.

Even the Four Grand Marshals

are itching to go up the mountain.

I won't go.

Are you afraid of being seen by others?

Although you cannot leave the valley

before you turn 18,

I have already prepared

the attire of a divine servant for you.

We just need to quietly go up the mountain

and take a quick look.

No one will notice.

I won't go.

You called me a pig just now.

If you hadn't moved away,

how would I've possibly crashed into the tree?

Besides,

why would I hit you?

It was to distract

your attention,

so you could rest well.

But you didn't appreciate my good intentions at all.

I know the reason you trained tirelessly

is that you can go out

and bring back your mother.

But because of that prophecy,

you cannot see any women

before you turn 18,

and can only stay

within the Emperor Valley of Jiuyi Mountain.

But there's still plenty of time left.

Don't be in a rush for results.

Take it slowly.

Return this to me.

You.

You!

That's all you have to say?

If I had known you were so boring,

I wouldn't have followed you

three years ago

when you saved me.

It's too late.

You little Grand Minister.

I'll go back and find a way.

I'll definitely make you go.

Chong Ming.

Thank you.

Lord Immortal Official.

I have a question.

Within this Jiuyi Mountain,

which divine official has the highest magical abilities?

Within this Jiuyi Mountain,

there are distinctions between immortal officials and divine servants.

I am only a divine servant.

Only immortal officials can study magic.

The immortal officials are divided

into four ranks according to their abilities.

They are Grand Minister, Grand General,

Grand Marshal, and Grand Preceptor.

The one with the highest magical power is naturally

the High Priest of Grand Preceptor

who presides over the Grand Ceremony of Worship.

How powerful is the High Priest of Grand Preceptor's cultivation?

No one has ever seen it.

Rumor has it that he can command the Yunhuang Compendium.

Command the Yunhuang Compendium?

That's so amazing.

Then does he know

Primordial Spirit-Gathering Spell?

I've never heard of it.

How could such

a world-defying spell exist?

(Mansion on Jiuyi Mountain)

My Lord, here's the accommodation for you and the Princess these few days.

Thank you.

Chi Song.

Tell them to move all the things in.

Sure, My Lord.

Lord Immortal Official.

I would like to ask

about this Jiuyi Mountain.

It has stood for thousands of years without falling.

Could there be some ancient secret techniques

that can transcend

the boundary of Yin and Yang?

Seeing that you cultivate here,

have you heard of it before?

There's one saying that goes "Life and death are predestined."

which says that

the life and death of humans are predestined by fate.

Good day to you, High Priest of Grand Preceptor.

You may leave first.

High Priest of Grand Preceptor.

If one forcibly breaks through the boundary of Yin and Yang,

it goes against the natural order

and is a taboo for cultivators.

How could there be anyone in the world

who has learned such a technique?

Yes, High Priest of Grand Preceptor.

Why are you so sure?

Just because you don't know,

how can you say so for the others too?

Young Lady...

Can't you be a bit more modest?

Because of such questions,

I have answered them countless times.

It seems that Princess Zhu Yan is a curious person.

So let me remind you.

Jiuyi Mountain is dangerous.

Apart from the places where guests reside

and the places of worship,

do not trespass elsewhere.

Especially the Emperor Valley beyond the mountain

which is the tomb of Emperors throughout history.

It is a forbidden area.

Empress Bai Wei's

Ring of Houtu is guarding it.

Not only that, Chong Ming, the ancient mythical beast,

is guarding inner valley as well.

Those who trespass will not return.

High Priest of Grand Preceptor.

My Lord, I came to see

how you're doing here.

Are you getting used to it?

Definitely.

This way, please.

Young Lady.

Just forget it. Give up.

Is what the High Priest of Grand Preceptor said true?

No, no.

The cultivators with the highest magical abilities

are always in seclusion.

Although the High Priest of Grand Preceptor is known as

the foremost expert in magic,

I think

there may be others who

are more formidable than him.

Young Lady.

Why don't you listen to what others say?

Surely this Jiuyi Mountain

must have other extraordinary individuals.

I will definitely find them.

I see.

Although the water is without any origin,

if I want to succeed in this technique,

I must trace it back to the source.

Please deliver this item

to the Kunyuan Palace in Jialan

and hand it to Empress Bai Yan.

Mother only needs to consume this item

to restore her voice

that was hoarse from the fire that day

and it will become clear again.

Mother,

I really miss you.

I will bring you back

when I turn 18.

Something terrible has happened!

Something terrible has happened!

Something terrible has happened!

I've ruined my face. Look!

Chong Ming, your face...

Is it very serious?

If we don't treat it, it will heal.

Young man.

What kind of attitude is this?

Don't you know that for thousands of years,

how many people

have envied my youthful appearance?

Throughout history,

has any mythical creature

been written about by the Heavenly God?

Or has any mythical creature

been sung about by Yue Chan?

None at all.

So,

this heavenly bestowed beauty

cannot have any flaws.

Understood.

Then what should I do?

Well, my wound

was scratched by a tree branch.

So, you need to bring me two qian of Danbai ginseng,

one inch of Zixia vine,

half a catty of Banhe grass,

and half a piece of Mingchan peel.

Then, I'll boil and consume them to invigorate my blood circulation.

Understood. I'll go...

Hold on!

Additionally, I need three Zihan leaves,

and two Ruyi flowers.

Then, I'll just grind and apply them

to promote skin regeneration.

Zihan leaves and Ruyi flowers?

All of them can only be found on

Medicine God Peak.

Then let's go to the top of Medicine God Peak.

We'll pick a few leaves,

pluck a few flowers and come back.

I'm not asking you out

just because it's lively

on the mountain now.

They have their fun,

what does it have to do with us?

After I disfigured myself,

it's been two hours

that I haven't had the mood to look in the mirror.

I just want to restore my youthful appearance.

I never want to transform back into my true form to carry you again.

After all, this human form of mine

possesses the beauty that can captivate a nation.

Even in my fledgling bird form, I am delicate and exquisite.

It's just that my original form is big and ferocious.

It's not cute at all.

Young Lady.

The 'Star Gazer' leading this dance

is Princess Xueying from the Bai family.

You two have been close since childhood.

This time, you can use this opportunity

to have a chat.

Quick, look!

Look, there's the Ancient Divine Bird.

That's the legendary Chong Ming.

Chong Ming...

It looks like there's also a person

on Chong Ming's back!

A person?

The person who can control Chong Ming

must be a formidable expert.

I'm going to take a closer look!

It's almost time for the performance!

That area is restricted. We can't go there!

Young Lady, come back here!

Young Lady!

I'll be waiting for you at the gathering!

Hurry back!

(I clearly saw it flying around here.)

(Where could it have gone?)

Both Chong Ming and the expert are nowhere to be seen.

It's just you, a little white bird.

Little white bird.

You're so cute.

Oh! You're hurt!

Let me help you.

Don't be afraid.

I've saved countless

little white birds like you.

I've helped at least hundreds of them.

They can even survive

in the Western Desert.

You're now in Jiuyi Mountain.

You have to be strong.

Come on.

(What are you doing)

(to this venerable face of mine?)

Hey! Come back!

Where are you going?

So, you're not a little white bird after all.

You are the Divine Bird Chong Ming.

(Someone like you would know that I am Chong Ming.)

(You have a good eye.)

Divine Bird Chong Ming.

You must be over 9,000 years old.

According to the Yunhuang Compendium,

Chong Ming has two pupils,

so it is also known as the Twin-eyed Divine Beast.

It resembles a dancing phoenix yet sounds like a roaring dragon.

It can fly up to the Ninth Heaven and descend into the Five Oceans.

Its literary skills are so superb that it can list a hundred herbs of the world.

They say that it can breathe back life with just a touch.

Its martial skills are superior to those of tigers, leopards, bears, and fiends,

and can easily drive away all sorts of evil spirits.

An ancient creature that mere divine beasts couldn't even compare.

Chong Ming is at the top of the pyramid.

Lord Chong Ming,

may I ask if you have a master?

(Master? I do not have a master!)

Lord Chong Ming.

Please pardon my blunder.

What I meant was,

do you have an immortal friend you cultivate with?

If you do, may I ask if

you can introduce me to that person?

(You truly have no self-awareness.)

(I've only given you the slightest bit of courtesy.)

(Yet, you took an inch and ask for a mile!)

(How can my immortal friend)

(meet someone like you)

(just because you asked for it?)

Lord Chong Ming.

You truly are straightforward.

Lord Chong Ming.

Did you just use

your noble and beautiful feathers

to whack me earlier?

According to the records in the Yunhuang Compendium,

these feathers could ward off evil spirits and are antidotes to poisons.

New ones replace the old ones every three years.

It is considered a top-grade tribute.

I am truly fortunate

to come in close contact with such wondrous feathers.

Princess.

Where are you?

Princess!

I'm here!

Princess, please come quickly.

The court maid at the music house said

that if she doesn't see you

within an hour,

your qualification as a dancer will be revoked!

If that happens,

it won't look good for His Lordship.

Lord Chong Ming.

I'll take my leave, then.

I hope we can meet again next time.

Princess!

Princess!

That little girl.

She speaks so eloquently.

I've just given her a test,

yet she disappeared.

She lacks sincerity indeed.

Who are you talking about?

A naive little girl

with no knowledge of the world.

By the way,

she even asked me about you.

Asked about me?

She looks really beautiful.

(Bai Xuelu, Princess of White Clan)

Like a celestial being.

She dances so well.

Impressive.

Princess Xuelu dances so well.

She should be the Star Gazer.

Exactly.

(Zi Qianqian, Princess of Purple Clan) Star Gazer, Star Gazer!

(Xuan Shuang, Princess of Dark Clan) Star Gazer, Star Gazer!

Star Gazer, Star Gazer!

Star Gazer, Star Gazer!

(Bai Xueying, Princess of White Clan)

Oh my, it's so beautiful.

Yes, it is.

So beautiful.

Yes.

Exactly.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

This is a once-in-a-decade performance.

The princesses from other families

are all dressed to the nails!

They're practically dripping with jewelry.

But, you...

The 'Star Gazer'

is always the Bai family's legitimate daughter.

Xueying is the only

legitimate daughter of the Bai family.

So, why do they

call Bai Xuelu the Star Gazer?

Although Princess Xuelu is a low-born daughter,

everyone praises her

for her exceptional dancing skills.

They want her to perform

before Princess Xueying.

And now that Princess Xuelu is dancing,

everyone is amazed by her skills.

Amazed? By what?

I think

Bai Xuelu must have bribed them

and deliberately created a scene

to embarrass Xueying.

Xueying is my friend,

and she shouldn't be treated unfairly

in matters like this.

She shouldn't be bullied by her sister.

I have to intervene.

Where is Xueying?

So beautiful.

Star Gazer, Star Gazer.

Xueying is the Star Gazer.

Star Gazer.

Why are you here?

Xueying is the true Star Gazere.

Young Lady.

The Star Gazer you have been eagerly awaiting

has heard your enthusiastic cheers!

Thank you, Bai Xuelu,

for an opening for Princess Xueying.

Xueying.

Come here.

Yan.

Listen to me.

I can't do it.

It's okay.

Yan...

Xueying, don't be afraid.

You can do it.

I believe in you.

Go for it.

Princess Xueying is so beautiful. She's so lovely.

Nice!

The two princesses of the Bai family

have their own strengths.

The Dance of the Star Gazer

is a ceremonial dance

intended to pay respects to the gods.

So, one should be sincere and humble while performing,

communicating only with the divine forces of heaven and earth,

without excessive interaction with other factors.

It is only with such intentions

that the dance could flow as naturally as water.

Princess Xueying,

you truly understand

the meaning behind this dance.

The Star Gazer is Xueying!

Xueying,

that's great!

Yan.

Thank you.

Xueying!

Xueying, you are the Star Gazer.

That's fantastic!

(Ice Clan Hall, Western Sea Glacier)

Kongsang has fallen into such a state,

(Sage, Ice Clan) yet they still extravagantly prepare

(Sage, Ice Clan) for the Star-gazing Ceremony.

(Wu Xian, Chief Sorcerer of Ice Clan) Reporting to your excellency,

(Wu Xian, Chief Sorcerer of Ice Clan) the people are ready.

Very good.

The Jiuyi Mountain

has the weakest security due to the ceremony.

We must take advantage of this opportunity

and infiltrate the Emperor Valley.

Find the Ring of Houtu for me.

Yes.

As long as I obtain

the blessing of the Ring of Houtu,

this will be

your final ceremony.

After ten years,

there will be no more Kongsang.

Take a look.

It's so beautiful.

When my mother was still alive,

she specially hired skilled craftsmen

and spent three whole months

sewing it for me.

The purpose was that one day

I could wear it

and become a Star Gazer.

Indeed, it's magnificent.

Finally, your mother's wish

has been fulfilled.

That's right.

Little sister's dress alone

could easily overshadow me.

Bai Xuelu,

what are you up to?

Yan,

don't be so stingy.

You can play

with my sister's dress,

but even though I'm her elder sister,

I can't even touch it.

Princess Xuelu,

please don't call me Yan.

We're not that familiar.

Fine, Zhu Yan.

There's no need for you to be so hostile toward me.

When I was watching Xueying's performance,

I realized

I'm not as good as Xueying

in terms of background and skill.

I just wanted to see your dress.

I just wanted to imagine

how I would look wearing it.

Is that not allowed?

I'd be happy to oblige, elder sister.

I heard that this kind of silk

will produce a colorful haze

when it's illuminated by sunlight.

Elder sister!

Princess Xuelu! Princess Xuelu!

Are you okay?

The dress.

My dress.

The dress.

What do we do now?

Yan.

What do we do now?

Bai Xuelu,

you did it on purpose!

How could I do it on purpose?

I almost fell myself.

Yan.

She didn't mean to.

In the end, it's all my fault

for not taking good care of the dress.

You...

This area below the mountain is the forbidden land of the Emperor Valley.

Intruders will be killed.

If the dress has fallen down there,

it is lost forever.

The Star Gazer has lost her own dress.

What will she wear for the dance?

The dress

cannot be completed in a short time.

She can't just randomly pick a garment!

That will only make people mock her.

Moreover,

isn't it a grave mistake

now that the Star Gazer has lost her dress?

She can't even

take care of her own dress.

How can we trust her as the lead dancer?

Princess Xueying.

Granny.

According to the ancestral rules,

you are indeed the Star Gazer.

However, they also have a good point.

Based on past precedents,

if the sacred dress is lost,

your qualification as the lead performer

will also be forfeited.

If you can't

come up with a solution

before the ritual ceremony begins,

then the position of the lead dancer

will have to be given to someone else.

Alright.

Xueying.

Mother.

(I must help Xueying)

(retrieve the dancing dress.)

The Star Gazer is already within our grasp,

and attracting Prince Shi Yu

is also easily achievable.

Why isn't Young Lady happy?

Xueying is such a fool.

She really risked her life back there

to pull me up.

Are you feeling bad for her, Young Lady?

Before going up the mountain,

we were determined to succeed.

She is the legitimate daughter of the Bai family,

she is born to be

the first choice of the Crown Princess.

But you, Princess...

Please forgive me, Princess.

I spoke out of turn.

I won't feel bad for her.

Stand up.

That person

doesn't have much time left in the palace.

The throne of Kongsang has been empty for a long time,

and Father is deeply concerned

about the future of the Bai family.

If one day

I become the Crown Princess

and ascend to the throne,

let's see then

who would dare to question my background

and point fingers at me.

Yufei.

Yufei.

This knockout ink is indeed useful.

(Nameless Mountain Abode, The Emperor Valley) She says one thing but means another,

and she has a honeyed tongue,

but she just talks

without any action.

Truly despicable.

Is that so?

But I think she's quite capable.

She managed to keep you occupied

from noon until now.

Ying,

does that mean

you admire her?

It's burnt.

My beauty lotion!

Oh no.

Hurry!

(The Emperor Valley)

(The Emperor Valley.)

(The High Priest of Grand Preceptor has talked)

(about the Emperor Valley.)

(It is the tomb of the emperors and empresses throughout history.)

(It is guarded by Empress Bai Wei's)

(Ring of Houtu.)

(It is strictly forbidden to trespass.)

(Those who dare to enter will never return.)

I've seen Chong Ming,

it's not that scary.

Besides,

isn't the Ring of Houtu

just guarding Kongsang?

How could it kill people?

All places in this world

that have names are accessible to all.

I don't believe

that trespassers will die.

Please, please,

please, my lords.

Who's there?

You can't see me. You can't see me.

Such beautiful flowers.

It is said that in the Emperor Valley,

there is the most brilliant suspended lake in the world,

the Starry Lake.

Could it be that

I unintentionally

came to the shore of the lake?

It's mist-filled here.

Where is the Starry Lake?

The dancing dress.

So,

this is Starry Lake.

Just now,

that was the wind-manipulating technique.

Lord Immortal Official.

Do you live in the Emperor Valley?

You are Chong Ming's

divine friend, right?

I finally found you.

(So she is)

(the woman Chong Ming mentioned.)

I am Zhu Yan,

the Princess of the Crimson Clan.

I am also a practitioner of magic,

and I am honored to be in the same field as you.

(Zhu Yan?)

(Isn't her the Crimson Clan's princess I met)

(back in the Helu Garden?)

I want to ask

if there is really a spell

in this world

to gather the primordial spirit?

(Her passion for magic)

(hasn't changed a bit.)

Why aren't you speaking?

Could it be that

you can't speak?

Oh my,

he can't hear me too.

What a pity.

He looks so beautiful,

and his aura is quite extraordinary.

But Crown Prince is different.

They say he is blessed by the divine spirit.

He is radiant like the sun and the moon.

He will surely understand my thoughts.

(Her personality hasn't changed either.)

Divine Bird Chong Ming?

You can transform into a human?

You really met a woman.

Could she be your...

What am I to him?

Why are you not killing her?

♪How fateful was our encounter♪

♪How tragic, destined by fate's decree♪

♪How fragile, like glass and snow's embrace♪

♪Love and hate entwined, indistinguishable♪

♪How prophetic, a single word spoken♪

♪How transient, the rise and fall of destiny♪

♪How balanced, each sip and bite, no debts owed♪

♪Tears well in eyes with jade-like brows♪

♪The drop of blood in your heart♪

♪Has dried into a lock that binds me♪

♪Securing my path, thousands of miles long♪

♪Never apart from you♪

♪The drop of blood in your heart♪

♪Has dried into a lock that binds me♪

♪Even if our hearts and guts are torn apart♪

♪Our gazes forever intertwined♪

♪The drop of blood in your heart♪

♪Has dried into a lock that binds me♪

♪Securing my path, thousands of miles long♪

♪Never apart from your side♪

♪The drop of blood in your heart♪

♪Has dried into a lock that binds me♪

♪Even if our hearts and guts are torn apart♪

♪Our gazes forever intertwined♪

♪How fateful was our encounter♪

♪How tragic, destined by fate's decree♪