- Title: Immortal Samsara
- Original Title: 沉香如屑(Chénxiāng rú xiè)
- Year: 2022
- Number of Episodes: 38
- Genre: Romance, Wuxia, Fantasy, Drama
- Country: China
- Where to Watch: Youku, Viki
List of Recap:
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 1-2 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 3-4 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 5-6 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 7-8 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 9-10 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 11-12 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 13-14 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 15-16 Recap)
- Immortal Samsara (Episode 17-18 Recap)
In the last Immortal Samsara episode recap, Yan Dan and Ying Yuan were in the middle of this super romantic moment, separated by the window screen. My imagination is already running wild, and it is drowning from all the sweetness. Uuughhh….so let’s jump in to see what the episodes 11 and 12 have in store.
Episode Recap
Episode 11
A pair of hands touching another pair of hands through the screen. A string of sweet words spoken. ‘If there was an afterlife, I will never let you go.’ Then Ying Yuan leaned in to kiss. And my mind melted into a puddle of water. Aaaaaa…..(≧▽≦) Fujun ah, I need a hug.
The blue dream butterfly was seen flying out of Yan Dan’s pouch. In the midst of a dreamy field, Ying Yuan lifted up Yan Dan’s veil. They were married. Ying Yuan confessed to Yan Dan that he has fallen in love with her ever since they spent their days together in the little hut.
The dream continued of their ordinary mortal lives together; Ying Yuan cleaned the house for her, cooked for her, gave her massage, etc. Yan Dan gave birth to a healthy, mischievous, adorable boy named Gou Dan. Mother and son were both partners in crime. Depiction of a truly happy, fulfilling life.
Waking up from sleep, Ying Yuan reached out a hand to Yan Dan who was waiting on him by his side. He was startled back to reality when Yan Dan called him ‘Lord Ying Yuan.’
Yan Dan told him that she gave him As You Wish potion so he would have a good sleep without nightmares. But when she asked him about his dream, he told her he didn’t dream. Yan Dan was surprised because she saw them thanks to the Dream Butterfly, but she did not reveal this.
All of a sudden, Ying Yuan clutched his chess in pain and the Asura seal was revealed on his forehead. His spiritual power was in a mess, so he pushed Yan Dan out of the hut as not to hurt her inadvertently.
After the relapse has passed, Yan Dan went back inside the hut wanting to help Ying Yuan recover his strength. But Ying Yuan asked her to leave instead. He gave her a carving of lotus incense burner as a parting gift to show his gratitude. He has been carving this day and night without Yan Dan knowing.
No matter how Yan Dan pleaded, Ying Yuan still begged her to leave as he thought he was dying. Yan Dan finally accepted his gift but was resolute to cure him. She asked whether he would still recognize her if one day he recovered his eyesight. With suppressed emotion, Ying Yuan said he would recognize her. Yan Dan finally left after threatening him that she would kick him off the Liao Wu bridge if he didn’t recognize her once he could see again. This dialogue is both funny and sad.
After Yan Dan left, Ying Yuan was devastated.
Yan Dan was back in the Pavilion of Books, busy searching for a cure for Ying Yuan. Luming and Yumo could only looked on. Seeing Yan Dan worked so hard, Yumo was feeling jealousy. He wanted to become stronger in order to help Yan Dan in whatever she wanted to do. Even if it were stupid things. Omg, Yumo so sweet.
In the meantime, Yan Dan was busy looking for the Fuxuan Cauldron in the Magical Pavillion to make the Lotus Heart Remedy. As she was about to take the cauldron away, Zhixi caught her red handed. Yan Dan decided to tell Zhixi everything and begged for her help.
Zhixi contemplated the pros and cons in helping Yan Dan. She was worried and afraid that Yan Dan seemed to have broken the Love Abstinence rule. But she also thought that helping Ying Yuan would help her career. Hence, after making sure that Yan Dan would be fine by only giving away half of her heart to make the remedy, Zhixi let her take the cauldron.
Before she left, Yan Dan also asked Zhixi to help her fix the broken jade bracelet given by Ying Yuan.
Unbeknownst to them, Ying Deng was listening in to their conversation from behind a pillar.
After burning an incense that would let Ying Yuan sleep for 1 hour, Yan Dan immediately went to work on the Lotus Heart remedy and sacrificed half her heart. She then secretly feed the medicine to Ying Yuan who was still sleeping.
Yan Dan was sure that Ying Yuan never meant what he said when he chased her away. Because she has seen Ying Yuan’s dream. She wondered whether Ying Yuan would be surprised to see that she was actually Yan Dan all along.
Zhixi on the other hand, was thinking of retrieving the cauldron and stealing Yan Dan’s kindly act in front of Ying Yuan. She knew Yan Dan disguised herself in front of Ying Yuan, hence she was sure Ying Yuan would never notice the problem if she did this. Zhixi turns out to be the psycho twin (#+_+)
On her way to collect Yan Dan’s good karma, and probably thinking of the wonderful things that might happen to her after, Ying Deng stopped her midway. Hahaha this is the first time I feel so happy to see this woman’s face! One insidious woman stopping another cunning woman’s scheme.
Ying Deng guessed accurately what Zhixi intended to do. She took out a Heart Piercing Drum and planned to kill Zhixi on the basis of punishing her for stealing the Fuxuan Cauldron together with Yan Dan.
Zhixi tried to block her attack, but Ying Deng was stronger than her. She then thought of a plan. In order to save herself, she redirected Ying Deng’s hate to Yan Dan by saying that Lord Ying Yuan has fallen in love with Yan Dan, and not Zhixi. Zhixi did not need to elaborate further, Ying Deng was certain this was the truth based on what she has witnessed all this time. Ying Deng then left her to go deal with Yan Dan.
Zhixi assured herself that Yan Dan would still be alright despite her betrayal, because she still had Lord Ying Yuan to protect her. Tsk tsk tsk, how can Zhixi goes from protecting Yan Dan all this time to throwing her under the bus like that.
Outside of the Gou Dan Ju hut, the celestial guards came and called out Zhixi for having stolen an artifact from the Magical Pavilion. Yan Dan who was in a weak state, decided to clear Zhixi’s name. She disguised herself as Zhixi and went out to meet the guards.
She returned the cauldron and had wanted to beg for mercy since this was her first offense. But she was taken away to receive punishment of nine strikes of thunder. Ying Yuan meanwhile was still unconscious at this point.
In Xuan Xin Cliff, the pair of dragons, Ao Xuan and Zhao Lan transformed into humans. Ao Xuan rejoiced and felt triumphant being able to transform into a human. But Zhao Lan seemed more laid back and easy going about their achievement. They seem like an interesting pair. But Wang Hao Xuan who played Xue Yang in the Untamed still looks so evil here hahaha. Is it just me?
On the platform, Yan Dan who was disguising herself as Zhixi received her punishment; nine thunder strikes. Just in time, Yumo who was cultivating has completed his meditation. He saw the lotus seal on his wrist was brightening which meant something must have happened to Yan Dan.
Yumo transformed into human right beside the pond in Xuan Xin Cliff. The imperial dragon pair happened to be there. His beautiful face bewitched Zhao Lan, who was actually betrothed to Ao Xuan. Oh boy!
Yumo was in a hurry to find Yan Dan, but Ao Xuan stopped him out of curiosity. He was feeling indignant that a mere black fish like Yumo was able to attain human form earlier than he did. Yumo did not have time to entertain him, so he brushed him away intending to leave.
Proud Ao Xuan did not take it lightly and attacked Yumo. Zhao Lan suddenly threw her pendant like weapon to stop the two from fighting, but Yumo used the pendant to strike down Ao Xuan instead. This surprised Zhao Lan because she thought no one should be able to use that pendant beside her. Yumo left after thanking her.
Ao Xuan felt humiliated being beat down by Yumo. He left in a huff to cry his grievance to Marshall Huo De. Zhao Lan on the other hand was happy that her pendant, which was actually a Heart Seeker Bell, was able to be used by Yumo. This meant Yumo was her true love. Well, Yumo seemed better than the childish Ao Xuan.
On the platform, Yan Dan as Zhixi, finished all her punishments and passed out. Ying Deng was amazed Yan Dan was still alive after receiving the thunder strike punishment with only half of her heart. She planned to give her the final blow. The real Zhixi who was hiding under the platform saw this and was horrified. Before she could help block the attack, Yumo came and helped Yan Dan.
Even with her disguise, Yumo was still able to recognize her. This is called the power of love, you know. Yumo transferred his spiritual power to heal Yan Dan but he was dumbfounded when he noticed half her heart was missing.
Zhixi on the other hand, realized that Yan Dan would always have someone by her side to help her. She began to feel worried of Ying Deng’s wrath towards her. Hence, she decided not to return to the Magical Pavilion.
Episode 12
Yumo brought Yan Dan to Xuan Xin Cliff and transferred his spiritual power to help her heal. Luming was crying his eyes out on the side.
Outside of Xuan Xin Cliff, Zhixi purposely hurt her heart with lightning strike to make it look like she made the Lotus Heart remedy and has suffered the thunder strike punishment.
At this time, Ying Yuan was back at the Yanxu Heavenly Palace. He was lying on the bed when he opened his eyes and was declared cured from the Unexpected Flame poison. The palace attendants all lined up to congratulate him. He immediately knew Yan Dan has given her heart for his cure.
He straight away asked for Yan Dan. But the palace attendants said he did not know where she was and continued to say that Zhixi has given her heart to help cure him. The palace attendant also said that Zhixi has received punishment for stealing the Fuxuan cauldron to cultivate the medicine.
Ying Yuan went to meet Zhixi who was in a weakened state. She was happy upon seeing Lord Ying Yuan, but Ying Yuan only looked at her coldly. He didn’t even catch her when she passed out from the pain. Only looked on as she fell. Yikes.
Yan Dan meanwhile was still unconscious from her injury and was accompanied by Yumo and Luming. Yumo regretted not having trained more diligently before and became stronger faster to help Yan Dan.
Suddenly Yan Dan regained consciousness. Both Yumo and Luming immediately berated her for not letting them know of her dangerous act of cutting out half her heart beforehand. Yan Dan could only admit guilt and apologized. She promised to let them know the next time she planned to do something big.
Yumo then asked her why she was willing to take the punishment for Zhixi. Yan Dan replied that Zhixi stole the artifact because of her, so it was only right that she took the punishment on her behalf. Yumo then told her that Lord Ying Yuan has returned to Yanxu Heavenly Palace, much to her delight. She then said she wanted to visit him.
Back at Yanxu Heavenly Palace, Ying Yuan was probing Zhixi with his spiritual power. She indeed suffered damage to her heart and suffered lightning strike. Even so, he was still sure that the one who gave the heart for the cure was not her.
Zhixi was awake. Ying Yuan then asked her if she was the one who helped him. To which Zhixi confirmed. He then asked her why her voice was different. She then said she purposely changed her voice to disguise herself. She knew Ying Yuan did not want anyone to see him in his state at that time.
Zhixi then grabbed to his sleeve and said that she was willing to do anything for him. This was showing him that she had the jade bracelet in her wrist. She said the bracelet was broken but she fixed because it was given by Ying Yuan.
At this point, Ying Yuan began to suspect that Yan Dan has asked Zhixi to pretend and cover for her.
In Xuan Xin Cliff, Ao Xuan was seeking justice in front of the drunk Marshall Huo De. But since Yumo admitted to his action, Marshall Huo De was only going to give him a light punishment.
But Ao Xuan instigated Marshall Huo De into giving him more harsh punishment on the basis that Yumo was strong. Ao Xuan even revealed to Huo De that Yumo hid his ability to transform into human. But Yumo said that when Ao Xuan was thrown into the pond by Yan Dan, he hurt Yumo’s cultivation. This delayed Yumo’s transformation into human which in turn made him feel inferior which in turn made him reluctant to tell anyone he was able to take a human form.
Convinced, Huo De then said that it was acceptable for Yumo to beat up Ao Xuan because it was Ao Xuan who hurt him in the first place. Ao Xuan then was still prattling away about how Yumo seemed sneaky and was suspicious of his origin.
Huo De felt their arguments was causing him a headache and screamed at them to leave.
Yan Dan came to Yanxu Heavenly Palace and found out Zhixi’s ‘kindly act’ of saving Lord Ying Yuan and was punished with the thunder strikes for it. Walking into the Heavenly Palace, she saw Zhixi weakly lying on the bed with Ying Yuan by her side.
Yan Dan was shocked and saddened and decided to walk away. Ying Yuan saw her as she turned to leave. Ying Yuan then asked why Zhixi never called her Lord when they were in the hut, but Zhixi just said more lies that I am lazy to write. It doesn’t matter.
Zhixi then said that Curator Ying Deng was unhappy with her stealing the Fuxuan Cauldron. She asked to be allowed to stay until she recovered. Ying Yuan agreed.
The Supreme Majesty sent Ying Yuan some snow ling zhi that had healing properties. The palace attendant, Qingyun, suggested to give them to Zhixi since she gave half her heart and was struck by thunder as well.
Qingyun also mentioned about the upcoming Imperial Exam. He brought the name list of the attendant who were recommended to attend the Imperial Exam. He included Yan Dan’s name on account that she was Zhixi’s sister.
Ying Yuan then asked what Yan Dan has been doing all this time. Qingyun said that it was hard to find her nowadays, he was sure she was lazing around somewhere.
Back in her room, Yan Dan was crying. Ying Yuan suddenly came to visit her.
Yan Dan found herself unable to come up with anything to say to Ying Yuan this time. Ying Yuan asked her where she has been all this time. But Yan Dan only avoided the question perfunctorily. Ying Yuan then used his spiritual power to probe her and found she was hurt.
But she only said that she transferred her Lotus spirit power to Beiming to relieve him of his pain during his last moments. Ying Yuan then asked her is she ever looked for him when he was away. Yan Dan tried to act like how she normally was before the war, and said she was glad he was away.
But Ying Yuan said she was different from before, she looked sad. Ying Yuan asked her if Zhixi ever told her that she was going to give half her heart to cure him. Yan Dan immediately replied that she only knew about it today and that Zhixi has always admired Lord Ying Yuan. She covered for Zhixi and did not expose her lies.
This made Ying Yuan knew for certain that Zhixi has stolen Yan Dan’s kindly act without her knowing. Ying Yuan knew that Yan Dan loved her sister the most and would cover for her so as not to ruin Zhixi’s future. This made Ying Yuan resolute into making Zhixi admitting her fault and seeking justice for Yan Dan.
Ying Yuan then gave her some exam materials and told her to train for the Imperial Examination as her name has been selected. Yan Dan refused to take the exam, trying to behave as normal as she could on normal days.
Subconsciously, Ying Yuan reached out his hand to touch her but immediately stopped himself.
Zhixi suddenly came and said she wanted to visit her sister. My guess is Zhixi was worried Yan Dan might expose her lies to Ying Yuan.
Ying Yuan asked Zhixi to leave him to speak privately with Yan Dan. But Yan Dan replied she was not going to take the Imperial Examination no matter what. She then asked Ying Yuan to leave instead. Zhixi was a bit surprised when she heard her reply. Not sure which part she was surprised with; her not exposing her and was talking about exam instead or her shooing her boss away.
With just the two of them, Yan Dan asked Zhixi why she was treating her like that. But Zhixi told her some more lies which in a nutshell was that Ying Deng knew they stole the cauldron and tried to kill her. She escaped and was unconscious and everyone mistakenly thought she cured Ying Yuan. She tried to explain the misunderstanding, but she changed her mind. She wanted to escape Ying Deng. She made me so angry that I laughed hahaha….
She begged Yan Dan’s kind nature to help her save her life. At this point, Yan Dan understood that Ying Yuan has recognized the wrong person.
Zhixi then cunningly told her that if anyone knew about her feelings for Ying Yuan, she would be punished. Zhixi said she did not want to see Yan Dan suffer the same fate as Sixuan who was executed for breaking the Love Abstinence Rule.
Yan Dan finally agreed to cover for Zhixi.
Curator Ying Deng came to the Yanxu Heavenly Palace to visit Zhixi. Qingyun who was carrying the snow ling zhi, showed her the direction to Zhixi’s room. She then asked Qingyun what was inside the box. Qingyun told her they were snow ling zhi given to Zhixi by Ying Yuan.
With an ugly face, Ying Deng went to Zhixi’s room.
Thinking she now has Ying Yuan’s backing, Zhixi was braver in facing Ying Deng. But clever Ying Deng told her that Zhixi should be wary of Yan Dan who would reveal her secret to Ying Yuan. She even lied by saying that Ying Yuan has known Yan Dan was injured and sent her snow ling zhi for her recovery. Am confused with this. Qingyun did say the ling zhi was for Zhixi, so Ying Deng is lying here. But the next scene showed Yan Dan really had the ling zhi…. ⊙_o
Ying Deng then suggested for Zhixi to kill Yan Dan.
Yan Dan was seen reminiscing about Ying Yuan while caressing the hair pin he gave her. She then stopped herself daydreaming and decided to bring the snow ling zhi to Yumo. He has spent much of his spiritual power to help her heal. So she wanted to pay back his favor.
In the meantime, the Supreme Majesty came to visit Ying Yuan.
The Supreme Majesty understood Ying Yuan left the Celestial Realm before was because of his pain and disappointment with the heavy casualties during the war. But since he was now the only surviving Sovereign Lord, the Supreme Majesty asked for his understanding that he will be their only defense against the Demon Clan.
In Xuan Xin Cliff, Yan Dan visited Yumo while bringing the snow ling zhi. Yumo then asked her about things in Yanxu Heavenly Palace. Yan Dan then told him everything, including about Zhixi who admitted to saving Ying Yuan for the sake of escaping Ying Deng. Yumo knew at a glance that this must be Zhixi’s idea. But Yan Dan still defended her.
Yumo tried to talk some sense into her by saying that it was not worth it to sacrifice herself for someone like Zhixi. But of course, Yan Dan was not listening.
Zhao Lan came to look for Yumo at this time. Yan Dan introduced herself to her saying that she was previously a palace attendant at Xuan Xin Cliff.
Ao Xuan then joined in. He arrogantly challenged Yumo to another fight. Yumo tried to ignore his request, but Ao Xuan threatened Yumo to reveal his identity.
