Ch. 1521Situ Mei
Chapter Summary: Situ Mei
Key Plot Points and Events
- On Azure Lotus Island, Wang Qingling counsels her descendant Wang Yingjie, who has reached the Core Formation Stage despite possessing Five Spiritual Roots.
- Wang Qingling warns Yingjie not to devote too much energy or resources to raising Spirit Insects and Spirit Beasts. Because of his poor aptitude, she believes he must focus entirely on cultivation if he hopes to reach the Nascent Soul Stage.
- She rewards him with medicinal pills and encourages him to become the second Five Spirits Hermit, the only known Five Spiritual Roots cultivator to reach the Nascent Soul Realm.
- At Golden Lotus Market, Zhang Wuchen and Lin Yuzong hide under assumed identities after escaping the Northern Border. They have obtained many rare, ancient Spirit Herbs.
- Zhang Wuchen reveals that her true identity is Situ Mei, the former vice palace master of Sun Moon Palace’s Moon Palace. She intends to advance to the Nascent Soul Late Stage before taking revenge on her former senior sister and reclaiming what she believes belongs to her.
- Lin Yuzong worries that the Spirit Herb Garden they raided may have contained a terrifying sealed entity, but Situ Mei dismisses his concerns and remains focused on revenge.
- At Sun Moon Palace, Du Xu and Fang Yue investigate the use of the Silver Moon Spirit Severing Blade during the Northern Border incident. Since only the Moon Palace’s principal and vice palace masters can use it, they conclude that Situ Mei may have survived her apparent self-detonation.
- Fang Yue suspects that Situ Mei received outside help in concealing her survival. She also considers whether the Azure Lotus Couple—or possibly Wang Ruyan—could be connected to the attack.
- The Sun Moon Palace debates how to handle the vicious insects in the Northern Border without provoking Shangguan Wei or the Nine Serenities Sect. They plan to request help from the Nine Sun Sect and investigate the Azure Lotus Couple through the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.
- Fang Yue and Du Xu fear that the Cultivation World’s balance is weakening and that a major crisis may soon emerge, potentially comparable to the demonic calamity of four thousand years earlier.
Character Developments
- Wang Qingling appears as a stern but caring elder. Her advice reflects both affection for Yingjie and realistic concern about the severe disadvantages of Five Spiritual Roots.
- Wang Yingjie is shown as humble, obedient, and determined. His Core Formation achievement makes him a family example, but he recognizes that advancing further will require discipline and restraint.
- Situ Mei/Zhang Wuchen is revealed as ruthless, ambitious, and consumed by vengeance. She is willing to hide her identity and even disregard potential supernatural dangers in pursuit of revenge.
- Lin Yuzong serves as a cautious counterbalance to Situ Mei. He recognizes the danger surrounding the Spirit Herb Garden but is intimidated by her hostility and suppresses his doubts.
- Fang Yue demonstrates political caution and sharp investigative judgment. She recognizes Situ Mei’s possible survival and understands the consequences of wrongly implicating the Wang Family.
- Du Xu is decisive and confrontational, but he also understands the political danger of allowing Sun Moon Palace to become entangled in a conflict with the Northern Border’s major sects.
Significant Themes
- Cultivation aptitude versus perseverance: Wang Yingjie’s progress shows that poor spiritual aptitude does not make achievement impossible, though it demands exceptional effort and resource management.
- Ambition and sacrifice: Situ Mei’s survival and rise are tied to her ruthless willingness to sacrifice even herself for power and revenge.
- Political balance and hidden alliances: The major sects avoid direct action because any mistake could trigger a wider conflict among the Northern Border, South Sea, and other powerful factions.
- Identity and deception: Situ Mei’s hidden identity, altered appearances, and the suspicion surrounding the Azure Lotus Couple emphasize the uncertainty and danger of the current political landscape.
- Foreshadowing of catastrophe: The vicious insects, possible sealed terror, and growing sect tensions suggest that a major upheaval is approaching.
Character Interactions
- Wang Qingling lectures and encourages Wang Yingjie, combining stern criticism with material support and high expectations.
- Situ Mei and Lin Yuzong disagree over the danger of the Spirit Herb Garden, but Lin Yuzong ultimately yields to her forceful personality.
- Du Xu and Fang Yue jointly assess the Situ Mei crisis, balancing suspicion, strategy, and concern over larger sect conflicts.
- Fang Yue’s suspicion that Wang Ruyan might be Situ Mei creates potential tension between Sun Moon Palace and the Wang Family.
- Sun Moon Palace plans to involve the Nine Sun Sect and Ten Thousand Swords Sect, showing how the crisis is expanding into a multi-sect political confrontation.