Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM ZHU YAN BY CANG YUE

Princess.

Look at the thing you've been longing for.

This is known as Mingyue Silk,

the treasure of the Merfolk Clan.

It's gorgeous.

I can use this

to bid farewell to old friends.

Though there's no

Primordial Spirit-Gathering Spell in the world,

I'll still continue to practice magic spells.

To travel around the world

and protect important people

like you, Chi Yuan.

Thank you, Princess.

What about me, Princess?

You are certainly an important person to me.

It's just that I'll need you to send this thing

to Jiuyi Mountain now.

Yes.

I'll excuse myself.

Get some rest, Princess.

All right.

QINGYUN PALACE, JIALAN IMPERIAL CITY

I've found something strange in Jiuyi Mountain

for the past few days.

That day when I had just reached the mountain,

I found a divine official

that I've never met before.

It's odd.

Why would the Grand Preceptor make you embarrassed

in front of the kings

because of a mere divine official?

There must be something fishy.

Rumor has it,

when the Grand Preceptor was young,

he was madly in love with Bai Yan.

If Bai Yan never insisted on marrying Emperor Beimian,

the Grand Preceptor wouldn't have hidden in Jiuyi Mountain.

Let's say the Grand Preceptor

insisted on helping them in secret.

He faked Shi Ying's death and took him away.

I think

it's completely possible.

But if Shi Ying is still alive,

he and the Grand Preceptor

would have committed the crime of defrauding the Emperor.

The Emperor is inscrutable

and it has been a long time.

Who knows Emperor Beimian's stance

on the incident?

We won't know if he has gotten suspicious.

My brother.

This is the reason why

I would collude with the Ice Clan.

You and I got to have something up our sleeves.

So

we must not let the Emperor know

that the person is still alive.

We also have to eradicate the loose ends

for Yu'er as soon as possible.

But

isn't that person very skillful?

If the Grand Preceptor joins hands with him,

I'm afraid

we won't be able to succeed easily.

It looks like

we still need to wait.

Now, we have to win over the Six Ministries.

It's just that the Crimson King is too unctuous.

Even now,

he still wants to keep himself out of the disputes.

I've got to make him suffer a bit.

Since His Highness Shi Yu is in love with Xueying,

you and I should make a plan for Xueying.

This is for the overall interests of the White Clan.

If you make trouble again,

you'll end up like your mother!

Princess.

Consort Qing is actually looking for you.

Consort Qing?

I'LL WAIT FOR YOU WITH TEA IN QINGYUN PALACE

Princess Xuelu is here.

Greetings to you, Your Highness.

Please take a seat.

I dare not sit with you, Your Highness.

You don't have to be so polite.

You're a clever girl.

I'm a direct person.

So I won't beat around the bush.

Let me ask you something.

Do you want

to marry Yu'er?

You have a discerning eye.

My feelings for him are obvious,

so I dare not hide it.

Indeed.

I like you more than your younger sister.

Whether your relationship with Yu'er will be further developed,

it's all up to me.

However,

it depends on your performance.

I'll be at your disposal.

I wonder if there's any interesting news

on your trip to Jiuyi Mountain

that you want to tell me.

The Star-Gazing Ceremony was held once in ten years.

It has broadened my horizon.

I wonder what you'd like to know.

Did you go

to the Emperor Valley?

I've always admired Emperor Xingzun,

so I was going to his tomb to worship him.

Unexpectedly, I passed out

before I entered the valley.

Perhaps there was someone in the Emperor Valley

who didn't want a mortal like me to go near there.

From that day on,

Princess has been wearing the earrings that Madam left.

This time, Consort Qing bestowed on you

the earrings made with the finest Warm White Jade.

Your effort has indeed paid off.

Let me put them on for you.

It's not necessary.

Since Her Highness appreciates your ability,

what are you going to do next?

Why don't you replace Xueying

at one sitting?

She doesn't appreciate me.

Obviously, she's trying to use me.

But

I've confirmed something.

The person in the Emperor Valley

is indeed the focus of all attention.

I passed out in the Emperor Valley for no reason.

That day, the Grand Preceptor got cagey

when he talked about this person.

Even Consort Qing cares about it now.

I guess there's only one person

that can be so notable.

As I've got nobody,

they don't have to pay the price

even when they offend me.

Anyone can use me and trample me.

I don't care who this person is.

I'll risk everything to approach him.

To get the leverage for myself to enter the play.

I won't let anyone trample on me again.

Mother.

It hurts.

Be gentle.

- Don't move. - Father.

It's only been several months since you left home.

Why are you hurt so badly?

There has been no war in Western Huang lately.

His Majesty commanded me

to lead the army

and practice with Qing Gang's Shadow Warrior.

Qing Gang is the best among the young officials

of the Six Ministries.

Each of his Shadow Warriors

is good at individual combat.

I'm getting old.

I'm no longer a match for him.

Azure King must have…

Azure King?

What about him?

It doesn't matter.

It's common to get some injury at the parade ground.

Qing Gang doesn't respect the elder at all.

Doesn't he know how to show leniency?

It's not his fault.

We should do our best on the battlefield.

It hurts.

Bai Yan.

Ying'er has finally become 18 today.

We don't have to worry

about that cursed lady anymore.

Soon, he'll be able to take in disciples.

When his cultivation base reaches the real state,

he'll be able to return to the world.

To seek justice for you.

Come in.

Your Supreme Majesty.

Ying'er.

Today is your birthday.

and it's the day when your curse is lifted.

I've prepared a gift

for your coming-of-age ceremony.

PRECEPTOR, JIUYI MOUNTAIN

I'll choose an auspicious day

to hold your coronation ceremony.

From now on,

you are the Preceptor of Jiuyi Mountain.

Thank you for your appreciation.

It's just that I'm less experienced.

This is unconvincing.

The Four Grand Marshals have been trained for years.

They're more eligible to take the position.

You don't have to be too humble.

I know you've practiced hard for years.

Your cultivation base has surpassed the supreme state.

You're an adult now.

Just stop rejecting me.

I'll take the command.

Ying'er, you've lived in seclusion for six years.

I'm sure you'll surprise everyone.

I've sent the notice

of you enrolling new disciple

to the Imperial Residence of the Six Ministries.

The people from the Six Ministries, regardless of gender,

are all allowed to join the recruitment test.

The people who pass the test

will be your nominated disciples.

They'll stay in the mountain

and practice with you for a month.

The person who scores the best result

will be your first disciple.

He or she

can stay with you on a long-term basis

and you'll personally teach him or her.

The gender doesn't matter?

Your Supreme Majesty,

I've never seen a divine official taking in disciples aggressively before.

And no female disciple

has ever been accepted.

Rules are meant to be broken.

Of course we can change it.

I think

instruction knows no class distinction.

You don't have to be wedded

to the distinction between gender.

This enrollment

is your chance to win over the clans.

By then,

those from the Six Ministries who pass the test

will be your disciples.

If you want to achieve great things

in the world,

they'll facilitate your power.

I just want to be in retreat

and serve the divine spirits.

I'm not intended to join the fight in the world.

The people of Kongsang are living peacefully now.

The disciples of the Six Ministries are profligate

and weak.

If you can make a talent out of them,

this will benefit the country as well.

Go on.

I'll provide you

with a new shelter on the mountain.

From now on,

you'll practice in the Cultivating Hall.

Thank you, Your Supreme Majesty.

When Ying'er returns to Jialan as the Emperor,

according to the rules,

he'll need to marry the daughter of the White Clan.

This time,

I'll make the daughter of the Bai family

become his first disciple.

CULTIVATING HALL, JIUYI MOUNTAIN

For the past millennia,

I've never seen a birthday celebration like this.

You were well in the valley.

Why must you move out of there?

I'm exhausted that I can't feel my waist.

I'm so thirsty.

His Supreme Majesty has his own reason.

What is the Grand Preceptor up to?

Why must you take in disciples?

Maybe that haunting Zhu Yan will come back again.

She's so annoying.

Chong Ming.

Didn't you say

you've prepared a birthday gift for me?

Yes.

I've prepared a 10,000-year ancient divine artifact

to celebrate your birthday.

Come with me.

This is the burnt ancient divine wood

that was struck by lightning

at the top of Splendor Hill 10,000 years ago.

If you bring it along,

it can ward off evil spirits.

How is it?

It doesn't seem convenient to bring along.

Not bad.

Why don't we put it on the rooftop

to protect our Cultivating Hall?

You don't like it, do you?

It's all right.

I've got another gift.

I'm sure you'll like this.

How is it?

This Mingyue Silk

can be said to be magnificent.

Take it back and have it tailored--

- What is this? - Well…

No, what do you mean?

Did that girl embroider it?

That girl?

Chong Ming,

I'm very satisfied with your gift.

Thank you for your effort.

But I don't like

this embroidered handkerchief.

Burn it.

But this Mingyue Silk is quite nice.

I'll bring it back and have it tailored as a cloak.

The Grand Preceptor suddenly commanded

to promote that unidentified divine official

to a preceptor.

And he's recruiting disciples.

This divine official

has just turned 18 this year.

The age matches too.

I suspect

that the divine official who hides in the Emperor Valley

is him.

What should we do now?

Should we send someone there to kill him?

It's not confirmed yet.

We can't act recklessly

to prevent from spooking him.

We can't wait any longer.

I think we should send Azure Clan's most capable person

to take the chance of this recruitment

to spy on them.

Didn't you also think highly

of Qing Gang from Azure Clan's side branch?

That's exactly what I think.

As a precaution,

I've got to use that kind of thing.

The Azure Clan is an expert in poison.

This is in the first place.

The most poisonous thing in the world,

Magpie Branch.

Xueying, Xuelu.

Ask the servants to pack your luggage.

You're going to Jiuyi Mountain

to join the selection of the Preceptor's disciples.

Am I going too?

My dear daughter.

I can't reject the invitation

from the Grand Preceptor.

I'll need you to go to the mountain.

You don't need to fight for anything.

It's Mid-Autumn Festival a month later.

I'll take you to Jialan

to meet Prince Shi Yu.

Don't worry, Father.

On this journey,

I'll be sure to take good care of Xuelu.

That's what I meant.

If anything happens to her,

I'll hold you responsible.

Both of you must remember

that on this trip,

especially when you're on the mountain,

you must not manifest yourselves.

Just take it as an experience, got it?

We understand.

Especially you.

I'm well aware of the purpose of this trip.

I won't make trouble.

One month is extremely short.

Whatever you say, Father.

Shi Yu is no longer my target.

This Preceptor who came out of nowhere

must be the person who lives in the Emperor Valley.

As long as I take him down,

I'll have the leverage to negotiate

with the Grand Preceptor and Consort Qing.

- Yan'er. - Father, Mother.

I've got great news for you.

Here, see for yourself.

We know that you like to practice magic techniques.

Jiuyi Mountain will make an exception and take in female disciples this time.

The Grand Preceptor sends a letter to invite you

to the selection on the mountain.

Jiuyi Mountain?

If you pass the selection,

you'll attend a retreat there for a month.

I'm sure you'll learn a lot.

I…

I'll think about it.

- Yan'er. - Yan'er.

You look sulky.

Are you afraid to see the person who makes you sad?

I guess so.

When I heard of Jiuyi Mountain,

it reminded me of the person who denied my ability.

Why would I return to the place that underestimates me?

Could that person represent Jiuyi Mountain?

The Preceptor is going to be your master, not him.

But

what should I do

if I run into him and he says something annoying again?

You just have to gain the acknowledgment of the Preceptor.

It doesn't matter what others think of you.

Maybe when you become the disciple of the Preceptor,

you'll notice that the person is not that special.

Look.

The Salang Eagle that you rescued

has already gotten a new life.

It really is the Salang Eagle I rescued.

That's right.

I'm Crimson Pearl Flame,

the Salang Eagle that soars in the sky.

As long as I do my utmost,

not to mention staying in the mountain for a month,

it won't be a problem for me

to be the first disciple.

Just do your best.

What now? Don't you believe me?

Years ago, my great-grandmother, Crimson Pearl Emerald,

was the renowned heroine in the Six Ministries.

Don't you know her?

You came to the Crimson Residence 200 years ago.

At that time,

the Crimson Clan was managed by my great-grandmother.

You must've seen her, right?

What did my great-grandmother look like?

Chi Yuan.

Yaoyi.

Are you all right?

Yaoyi.

Yaoyi, I'll take you with me.

It's not necessary.

You must go on living.

If you leave,

how could I live alone?

No!

The people of Kongsang will reincarnate.

Reincarnate?

You must wait for me.

We'll use this to make ourselves known in the next life.

You must protect my kinsmen for me.

Wait for my return.

Sure.

I'll wait for you to be reincarnated.

Before we meet again…

Chi Yuan.

Forget me.

Yaoyi.

Yaoyi.

A merfolk can only love a person in his life.

I can no longer remember the face of my loved one

until one day she is reincarnated

and reunites with me.

I…

I don't remember what she looked like.

Indeed.

It has already been 200 years.

You might not remember her.

If I pass away several years later,

you must not forget about my appearance.

Well, Chi Yuan.

Just stay here and wait for my good news.

Of course.

Take care of yourself in the mountain.

This is a gift for you from me.

I'm worried you might feel bored

and miss Extreme Wind City.

Xueying.

I didn't expect you could come.

By the way,

how are you and Prince Shi Yu doing lately?

After we went down the mountain,

we didn't get the chance to see each other again.

But Father said

he could take me to Jialan to join the Mid-Autumn Festival.

I think I'll be able

to meet him by then.

Mid-Autumn Festival?

Isn't that at the end of next month?

It seems like

you've never thought of being selected

as the first disciple of the Preceptor.

Stop teasing me.

I'm thinking

if we could pass the selection,

we'll be able to practice together in the mountain.

I'm sure we'll learn many things from it.

On our way down the mountain,

we'll be able to travel together.

Go down the mountain?

By then,

if I get selected as the first disciple,

I won't go down the mountain.

Zhu Yan, you also want to be the first disciple?

Yes.

Why? Do you think I can do it?

Well, actually,

there are many competitors this time.

Like my elder sister.

Father doesn't want us to fight for it,

but she seems to care a lot

about this selection.

She asked Cuihe to gather books about magic spells.

A while ago, she didn't even keep her hands off them.

Are you saying

that I can't defeat your sister?

No.

Actually, my sister has been practicing magic

since she was a kid.

She can even fight my brother.

However,

since Qing Gang joined this time,

it's unlikely that my sister would win.

Qing Gang?

Yes. He is the leader of the Shadow Warriors.

I wonder why he would come to be a disciple.

If he wants to take the position

of the first disciple,

no one is a match for him.

I'd like to meet

this rude person as well.

A person who I'd like to meet

and another person who I don't want to see.

What are you talking about, Zhu Yan?

Nothing.

I just hope

that I won't run into this person

during the time when I'm in the mountain.

If I see him, I'll…

Xiaoyingzi, today, I'll…

No way.

Why are you so formal?

We've known each other for so long. Can't I see it?

There's nothing to see. Just get to the point.

Fine. Today is your promotion ceremony

and the recruitment selection.

There are many noble ladies from the Six Ministries.

What if that brat of the Crimson Clan comes again?

Her power is weak.

Even if she's lucky enough to pass the test,

she won't be able to be my first disciple.

There's nothing to be worried about.

She'll stay in the mountain for a month if she passes the test, Xiaoyingzi.

She's your cursed lady.

Xiaoyingzi.

Xiaoyingzi.

It won't do.

I must come up with a perfect solution.

- It's a treasure from the Western Region. - Treasure?

This is very valuable.

- Let me see it. - No. What if you break it?

Excuse me.

The gifts from the ministries have been handed over

before we go up the mountain.

Why do you still have it?

These gifts are not for the Preceptor.

They are for General Qing Gang.

Miss, I guess you don't know this.

The rule for this selection is that we'll be divided into pairs.

Whoever is on the same team with General Qing Gang

is the same as winning.

Qing Gang again?

Xuelu,

why didn't you prepare a gift?

Father told me

to take good care of Xueying on this journey.

Of course I've got to team up with Xueying.

Moreover, a word of advice.

Don't think of using the gifts to win over General Qing.

Why is that?

Because he's not someone who'll show mercy.

Is that so?

Indeed, General Qing has remarkable skills.

It's cheating to learn the rules in advance.

Jiuyi Mountain is a place to retreat.

You're not allowed to make a scene here.

I'll hand these gifts to the divine servants.

They'll give it to the commoners nearby.

Xuelu, you know General Qing very well.

He is my number one rival in the selection of the first disciple.

Of course I'll inquire into his background.

General Qing,

there's one thing I've always wanted to ask.

I heard that you have a firm foundation in magic

and brilliant achievements in war.

You won't learn anything from the magic of Jiuyi Mountain.

So why did you come here?

Also, I heard

that you defeated the Crimson King a while ago.

That he can't even fight back.

Zhu Yan.

The Crimson King is in his forties.

He's not as powerful as before.

Defeating him is not something to be proud of.

Shut up!

You're really rude and wayward.

You must be Princess Zhu Yan.

Victory and defeat are common in a battle.

You take it too seriously.

You…

Right, Zhu Yan.

Don't let it get to you.

Even your father is not a match for General Qing.

If you lose to him again,

don't cry in front of everyone.

Who told you I'll cry?

Qing Gang, why don't we battle it out now?

What do you think?

Bai Xuelu.

This is what you want, right?

As you drive a wedge between us,

you simply want me to fight Qing Gang

and make a scene.

In this way, we'll violate the rule of Jiuyi Mountain

and be disqualified from the selection.

You want to use me to eradicate Qing Gang.

I won't fall for it.

General Qing,

do you think I'll do that?

Qing Gang,

we'll have this fight sooner or later.

But only after the selection ends.

Sure.

This is an agreement.

I'll certainly be there by then.

What are you doing?

STAR-GAZING PLAZA

My disciple.

Here.

Make an oath.

Do not have fun and get married in this life.

Do not return to the mortal coil and forget about the crown.

You'll serve the divine for the rest of your life.

I swear

I won't have fun and get married in my life.

I won't return to the mortal coil and forget about the crown.

I'll spend the rest of my life serving the Divine.

This is the end of the coronation.

- Greetings to Preceptor. - Greetings to Preceptor.

STAR-GAZING PLAZA

STAR-GAZING PLAZA

I can't believe it's you.

I won't be your disciple.

- Congratulations, Preceptor. - Congratulations, Preceptor.

What is a mage?

We spread the Divine's kindness.

This is to ordain conscience for everything.

We learn the magic of the four seasons

to protect the commoners from danger.

Without this sentiment,

you're not allowed to be my disciple.

- To ordain conscience for everything. - To ordain conscience for everything.

- To protect the commoners from danger. - To protect the commoners from danger.

The match begins.

You'll be in pairs.

You'll win and lose together.

If one of the members is out,

both of you will be eliminated.

Do you understand?

- Yes. - Wait.

I don't want to take the test.

Please let me leave now.

If you want to leave,

do it with your own ability.

I won't stop you.

Zhu Yan, with this qualification of yours,

you can't be the first disciple even if you stay.

You…

The recruitment test has two rounds in total.

The first round is an intelligence test.

You'll have to use your quick wit

to cope with the crisis in the mountain.

Those who reach the top of Qianyue Peak

can stay and learn for a month.

The second round is a wisdom test

to choose the first disciple.

This is my artifact.

I'll hide it on Qianyue Peak.

The first team to reach the peak

and take this Jade Bone,

the winner of that team

will be the first disciple

of Jiuyi Mountain in the future.

- That's great. - Yes.

I'm Bai Xuelu from the White Clan.

Preceptor, may I ask

what danger it is in the mountain now?

The road is bumpy.

There are numerous traps and beasts.

And there is a Qiongqi that's going on trials

wandering around the mountain.

- Qiongqi? - Qiongqi?

- Qiongqi? - I dare not do this.

With your current ability,

I'm afraid it's hard for you to fight it.

If you run into it,

do not go head-on with it.

You can only go another way.

I'll be in Jiuyi Hall

waiting for your return.

STAR-GAZING PLAZA

- Let's go. - Go.

Come on. Let's go.

This can only prove

that you're silly and reckless.

Xuelu.

Xuelu.

Xuelu.

Xuelu.

Xuelu, I sprained my ankle.

I can't stand up.

Xuelu.

Xuelu.

Xuelu!

Xuelu.

What are you looking at?

What are you waiting for?

Quickly get up.

Xuelu.

If you really want to thank me,

just keep yourself on your toes.

Don't slow me down.

Xuelu.

No wonder he was acting all mysterious.

It turns out that he's the Preceptor.

Look at the fuss he makes in the selection of his disciple.

Back then,

I was way over my head and wanted to be his disciple.

Of course he didn't approve of me.

You look down upon me.

I don't even want to stay here.

Since you refuse to let me go,

I'll just sit here and wait to be eliminated.

Who is it?

Who is it? Come on out!

Who are you?

Come on out now!

Chong Ming.

Chong Ming.

It's you, isn't it?

Come out.

Come fight me one-on-one if you dare.

You can't win the first place even without me.

I just don't want you

to feel embarrassed by then.

You make it sound like I want to be his disciple.

I can still learn magic

even when I leave Jiuyi Mountain.

I don't want to stay here anyway.

As such,

why don't you just eliminate me?

Why did you throw these stones at me?

Weren't you able to fight the leopard?

Bring it on.

I promise I won't avoid your hits.

Then don't blame me for this.