Recaps

Xia Fan developed new electrical techniques, secured an alliance, and led the destruction of the Donghai Gang before forcing the Wang family to abandon its illicit salt trade. As the salt field began producing, Mo Yun arrived with a mechanical problem that Xia Fan proposed solving with a human-shaped machine.

• Xia Fan demonstrated his experimental Flowing Light Spell by launching copper projectiles through a courtyard wall, then began developing cheaper catalysts and a Leyden jar to let ordinary people produce and store electricity.
• Ning Wanjun secured an alliance with Wuyue Yao and ordered Xia Fan’s team to target the Donghai Gang, which supported the Wang family’s illicit salt channels.
• Xia Fan mapped old Evil Spirit cases to find the gang’s hidden underground base, then led a surprise attack that ignited flour and sawdust dust through its Skywell and killed many of its members.
• Ning Wanjun confronted Wang Yi'an with evidence of his illicit salt sales, and he agreed to end overseas sales, lower prices, and comply with her demands.
• Wuyue Yao sailed east to report the alliance, while Shanhui joined Xia Fan’s Bureau of Military Affairs and Mo Yun arrived in Jinxia to reconnect with Ning Wanjun.
• Xia Fan’s salt field produced its first crystals, and Mo Yun exchanged information about the Mechanical Bureau’s research for what she had seen there.
• After Mo Yun demonstrated a Bronze Quadruped Beast that toppled when enlarged, Xia Fan proposed a human-shaped machine whose operator could help balance it and respond to the terrain.

Ning Wanjun’s enemies conspired with Dong Sheng Kingdom to invade Jinxia, while she and Xia Fan organized the city’s defense. The arc left them fighting to retake the granary after Xia Fan’s Mechanical Beast struck the enemy cannon line.

• Ning Qianshi urged Ning Weiyuan to cut Ning Wanjun off from her former border army, and a secret letter was sent to Da Qi’s western frontier.
• Ning Chunan took Luo Qingqing to an outing, where she spotted a black-clad figure who reminded her of her senior brother, then he stormed away after guests mocked her.
• Xia Fan learned from Mo Yun how Heavenly Motion Instruments worked, developed a stronger purple lightning Talisman, and saw a Mechanical Beast briefly come to life.
• Wen Xingyuan enlisted Wang Qingzhi in a plan to stage a Sea Bandit attack, and Wang Qingzhi poisoned local officials before Dong Sheng ships approached Jinxia.
• Wen Xingyuan killed the guards at Lugang Beacon Tower as the invasion began, while attackers killed Wu Laoda and fatally wounded Tian Shi near the city gate.
• Ning Wanjun chose to defend Jinxia’s residents, organized her forces against Dong Sheng, and led an assault on the enemy near Ancient Street as Luo You’er and Xia Fan fought rooftop attackers.
• Ning Wanjun learned that invaders were abducting residents and looting homes, then withdrew from the granary approach under cannon fire and sent Xia Fan’s force to attack.
• Mo Yun brought Xia Fan the wooden Mechanical Beast, and Xia Fan used it to fire a specially made projectile that pierced the sandbag wall and wrecked an Iron Cannon.

Xia Fan and Ning Wanjun drove back the Dong Sheng Kingdom’s forces and stopped An Yourang’s Demon, then negotiated the political aftermath with the arriving Shenzhou Army. Meanwhile, Luo Qingqing was imprisoned after injuring the Fourth Prince, and her family’s interrogation turned toward her connection with Xia Fan.

• Beitiao Zuo’s forces were routed after Xia Fan’s Railgun ignited ammunition, allowing Ning Wanjun to seize the position while Li and Shanhui helped residents escape west.
• Fang Xiandao warned Li and Xia Fan that a disaster threatened Jinxia City, while the Masked Man killed Wen Xingyuan and promised the city would welcome back its former master.
• Ning Wanjun’s army prepared to attack the enemy warship, but An Yourang unleashed the Great Desolation Evil Night and overwhelmed the North District.
• Xia Fan, Li, Fang Xiandao, and Qian Zhi used an ice rail and a red-hot bronze bell to strike An Yourang’s Demon, which vanished through a seam in the sky as daylight returned.
• Ning Wanjun and Xia Fan arranged to portray the invasion as a sea-bandit attack tied to the Wang family, then negotiated with Gong Sheng to limit the Shenzhou Army’s role and share credit.
• Ning Chunan accused Luo Qingqing of loving Xia Fan and tried to force himself on her, but she injured him and was imprisoned.
• Luo Qingqing accused Luo Fengqing of betraying her secret, and he left after she ended their relationship as senior brother and junior sister.
• At Luo Qingqing’s interrogation, Luo Yufei used Qingci’s testimony and Xia Fan’s letter to challenge her account, and Luo Wuji asked whether she had chosen Xia Fan’s proposal during the Scholar Examination.

As Qi State faced defeat on the frontier, Xia Fan’s General Affairs Bureau welcomed an Elf delegation and began developing new technologies. After her family was killed and she lost her sight, Luo Qingqing awakened as a Listener, escaped her pursuers, and brought Wuming Village’s people to Jinxia City, where she saw Xia Fan’s work and felt she could leave in peace.

• Ba Xingtian ambushed Gao State’s rear troops, but his force was overwhelmed, and he escaped alone before Xu State’s Black Cavalry reached Zuo An’s camp.
• Ning Wanjun funded Xia Fan’s General Affairs Bureau and an artillery force, while Xia Fan brought an Elf named Aili to the Villa and learned that her people were fleeing an invasion of World Island.
• Aili and High Priestess Sainiya negotiated with Ning Wanjun, and the Elves began trading seed products and sending young Qi Sense Users to study in Jinxia City.
• Xia Fan improved his Mechanical Beast with Golden Silk Vine and considered using Elven plants to power ships and improve farming.
• Ning Qianshi met Fei Nian and asked him to warn Luo Qingqing about the Fourth Prince, while Luo Yufei’s men attacked her and Luo Tang and Luo Changtian died trying to save her.
• Duo Laotai took blind Luo Qingqing to Wuming Village, where Luo Qingqing awakened as a Listener and killed Fangshi Shi and the men who threatened the villagers.
• Luo Qingqing invited Wuming Village’s households to move to Jinxia City, and Erhu and several others chose to accompany her and pursue Qi Awakening.
• Luo Qingqing guided the villagers to Jinxia City, learned how Xia Fan had organized relief and city services through the General Affairs Bureau, and saw Luo You'er working there without approaching her.