In Episode 5, Gui Fu San Tong casually mentions that his identity isn't important; what's crucial is the undeniable truth he speaks about the spirit wisteria tree. Cao Yan Bing tries to press him for answers but quickly realizes that he is no match for Gui Fu San Tong. Meanwhile, Xia Ling, a college student, finds herself bemused by her mother's eagerness to arrange a blind date, feeling it's a bit premature.
Cao Yan Bing's appetite is unusually robust today, largely because the battles have left him temporarily without taste, so he takes the opportunity to indulge. He asks Gui Fu San Tong how to reclaim the spirit wisteria branch, but Gui Fu San Tong shifts the conversation to grievances from ten years ago, hinting at Cao Yan Bing's impulsive nature. He also warns Cao Yan Bing not to focus solely on revenge but to consider the fierce battle from the night before. Although he defeated Shimazu Yoshihiro, the opponent's spirit medium did not engage, and facing three equally powerful opponents could lead to unpredictable outcomes, potentially even death. Gui Fu San Tong offers to assist Cao Yan Bing but keeps the reasons behind his help a secret. This infuriates Cao Yan Bing, who is ready to retaliate.
Gui Fu San Tong advises that the urgent priority is to enhance their strength, particularly in learning to better utilize their guardian spirits. Although Cao Yan Bing is powerful, he has never summoned a guardian spirit and has relied solely on his own strength to protect Luosha Street. However, the essence of battles between spirit mediums is a contest of guardian spirits, an area where Gui Fu San Tong can provide guidance. Furthermore, he insists on bringing Xia Ling along, citing the extraordinary potential of the guardian spirit within her.
Speaking of Xia Ling, her experiences are quite extraordinary. Once, she and her mother accidentally wandered into Luosha Street, where her mother fainted from fear, and Xia Ling nearly fell victim to an otherworldly entity. Just in time, her guardian spirit, Li Xuan Yuan, appeared to save her.
It turns out that Li Xuan Yuan is bound by a Heart-Chain, preventing him from appearing freely. Xia Ling has developed feelings for the brave Li Xuan Yuan, but when she later finds herself in danger, she calls for her guardian spirit in vain. Fortunately, Cao Yan Bing arrives just in time, and with a single shout of "Xu Chu," he scares off all the otherworldly beings.
Cao Yan Bing initially intended to erase Xia Ling's memories to keep her out of danger, but he inadvertently enters her spirit medium space, blocked by Li Xuan Yuan. After Xia Ling mistakenly slaps him, he complains to Gui Fu San Tong about the decision to bring her along. Gui Fu San Tong remains firm, believing Xia Ling's guardian spirit has immense potential. However, Cao Yan Bing worries that Li Xuan Yuan's Heart-Chain could be a liability.
Li Xuan Yuan looks at Xia Ling with deep emotion, remarking that she bears a striking resemblance to Mu Wen Yuanxiang from a century ago. Mu Wen Yuanxiang was the daughter of the Mu Wen family, renowned for her beauty and also Xia Ling's ancestor. The Mu Wen family is famous for crafting bell instruments, and Li Xuan Yuan once descended the mountain seeking spiritual guidance, where he met and fell in love with Mu Wen Yuanxiang. However, she fell gravely ill, and in an attempt to save her, Li Xuan Yuan betrayed his master by stealing the "Qing Feng Hua Sha." Although he successfully saved Yuanxiang, he was poisoned in the process and faced imminent death.
To save Li Xuan Yuan, his master taught him the Pure Yang Wu Ji Gong, enabling him to absorb the malevolent energy from the "Qing Feng Hua Sha" and transform it into true energy. The process was perilous, and although Li Xuan Yuan narrowly succeeded, he was left with only ten days to live. He concealed the truth and spent a final blissful time with Yuanxiang. However, her illness was not cured, and as he prepared to leave, he was lured into a trance by the sound of a bell, awakening to find himself in the Demon Training Cave.
His master had used the Heart-Chain to bind his vital energy and proposed the only solution: Li Xuan Yuan must become an otherworldly being and transform into Yuanxiang's guardian spirit to extend his life and protect his beloved.
This past deeply enriches Cao Yan Bing's understanding of the relationship between Li Xuan Yuan and Xia Ling, making him realize that this journey is not merely about reclaiming the spirit wisteria branch; it is a profound journey about guardianship, love, and sacrifice.
Comments(Episode 5)