Episode 26 recap: Ji Yang Leaves Nan Yan to Face His Demons
Mu Zhan Ting rushes back to the Dragon City, only to find Mu Guang Han perfectly healthy. Mu Guang Han, angered by Mu Zhan Ting's disappearance and actions, knocks him to the ground. The Fox Queen, seeing the white hair appearing in her brother's hair, is heartbroken. Yin Ya, however, smiles and assures her that he hasn't suffered much and that he's finally matured.
The Fox Queen is relieved by Yin Ya's transformation and declares that they will live peacefully from now on. But the moment she says this, Yin Ya's expression darkens as he remembers Ying Ze Wei's mention of the forest's emergence. After much deliberation, he bids farewell to his sister, explaining that he has another matter to attend to and will return after completing it.
Although the Fox Queen is reluctant to let her brother participate in the conflicts of the four seas, she respects his decision. Meanwhile, Meng Ying passes the Sword Sect's assessment, while Fu Lang is expelled for using forbidden spiritual energy. Meng Ying leaves Fu Lang to recover at the foot of the mountain and returns to the Sword Sect.
Upon waking up, Nan Yan discovers that Ji Yang has left, leaving behind a letter. In it, Ji Yang explains that he doesn't want to see her endangered because of him. He vows to return only after he has eliminated his demonic possession.
Nan Yan refuses to give up and searches for Ji Yang, but he remains elusive, leaving her heartbroken but resolute in her decision to wait for him. Yin Ya visits Nan Yan and tells her about his encounter with the Sealing Demon Array, including the truth about her uncle Nan Yi and Nan Rao. Nan Yan is shocked.
Determined to find out the truth, Nan Yan decides to seek out her uncle Nan Yi. Li Jin, offering to heal her wounds with her blood, expresses her desire to accompany her. Touched by Li Jin's sincerity, Nan Yan agrees to take her along.
Just as they leave, Yin Ya spots Ji Yang hiding in the shadows. Ji Yang, unsure how to deal with his demonic possession, seeks help from the Master of Hardship. The Master leads them to a cave with murals depicting the story of the Divine Penitence Master suppressing the Soul of the Netherworld. He reveals that the Soul of the Netherworld is trying to lure Ji Yang into reclaiming the Five Prisons, with each prison reclaimed bringing the Soul of the Netherworld closer to resurrection and amplifying the Yin Curse within Ji Yang.
The Master explains that the Divine Penitence Master left behind fragments of his jade sword, which can be forged into five Soul-Suppressing Nails to restrain the Soul of the Netherworld's remnants. However, as Ji Yang shares a body with the Soul of the Netherworld, the nails will inflict pain on both, leading to their demise after a century.
Yin Ya refuses to let Ji Yang disappear, and the Master suggests another method: entering the Soul of the Netherworld's mind to eliminate it. However, this involves a forbidden fox clan technique that only the Fox Queen knows, and it has a low success rate, potentially leading to Ji Yang's death.
Ji Yang, determined to try, is willing to face death. Yin Ya, desperate to help, approaches the Fox Queen, only to be met with refusal. The Fox Queen believes that Ji Yang, now possessed by the demonic Soul of the Netherworld, has lost control and is no different from a demon. She fears that if Ji Yang is connected to the Soul of the Netherworld, it will put the fox clan in danger by provoking the Heavenly Dao.
Ji Yang, rejected by the Fox Queen, returns heartbroken. Yin Ya, understanding his pain, offers comfort and promises to take care of the fox clan. To prevent Nan Yan from waiting for him, Ji Yang asks Yin Ya to lie to her, claiming that he died during the demon suppression. After much hesitation, Yin Ya agrees.
The demon suppression begins, and Ji Yang suffers excruciating pain. Unable to bear the sight, Yin Ya turns and leaves.
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