Sans titre

Oh. My. Gawd. This episode is EPIC! It's so layered and nuanced. We get a bigger and better look at each character through their trials set up by Qi Rong during the Ritual.

To be very honest, I feel that there isn't many Easter eggs that need explaining in this episode as it is depicted in a very straightforward, easy-to-understand method. Likely because of how intense this episode is. So I'll just go into my deep dive for the scenes and characters

This episode brought us more backstory to Master Tong, but most importantly, it went deep into how layered the world building, and how complex Niran is character-wise.

Master Tong is someone that became unconfident with his craft, I think mainly after he realised there's a group of people who can naturally harness such Wu powers, after meeting Fei.

This scene to something similar to the sorcery of Asian voodoo dolls/Villain Hitting or Beating the Petty Person (Da Xiao Ren 打小人). In the past, they believed in placing a curse by using a doll and sticking pins and needles to make their target suffer.

"Beating the Petty Person" is still actively being practised today, mainly to get rid of bad luck and situations that are caused by a particular person (be it exes, bosses, people who give you constant frustration).

否 (Fǒu) - No/Denied

The reading was to predict if the team will succeed, and the results was negative.

Jiahao seems like he has a brash and nonchalant personality to me, but his is afraid of being stuck in an endless loop of life without meaning.

Brother hates being stuck doing meaningless things when life can be a little more vibrant without the constraints of rules and duties. (Also hinted at his introduction scene - He had enough of the endless yao-keeping)

Fei in this episode, is like the avatar of Wu. Her character is so complex. The way she views the world, her world, is so different from the orthodox WUs.

The way she sees Yao as part of the natural world, and made used of it to help protect her is quite ingenious on her part.

In EP 1, Niran mentioned that people uses Yao in various methods, can be for good or for evil/greed. Eg. Yao was used to help with the old man in his wealth and fortune, using his life force as an exchange. Pete's parents used a demon to give him his hearing abilities.

Fei uses and combines the Yaos of various elements to help protect her from harm by counteracting their negative effects. (Yin vs Yang, Earth counteracts with Water, Water counteracts with Fire, etc.)

Next, to my dear Niran

I felt that Niran, as a character, is very complex. On the surface, he seemed like he was living a simple life, using his powers for money, but somehow, he kept being locked within mirrors of his own reflection when facing his past or his weakness.

Qi Rong couldnt find a scenario to fight against him, unlike the others, and ended up provoking him directly.

"You kept getting lost" "This should be your true ending" "That is.. you'll be forever trapped in your reflection"

He has always felt guilty that his last conversation with his grandpa was that quarrel, that's why he hated gambling. He doesn't consider himself as an orthodox Wu because Grandpa doesn't consider him a Wu. It does seem like Grandpa doesn't want him to go down the same path as he did with the sect, seeing how he rejected the sect members when they visited, but still shared his teachings with him.

At the same time, he does think further than just his duties as a Wu, and whether or not his actions will hurt the world or not. He is that pure-hearted, and prolly why his weakness is himself.

Again, that's just my take.

Side note:

he way Niran used 您 (nín) when talking to Qi Rong

您 (nín) is the formal/polite word for “you”, Niran is basically still being formal to the lord warrior demon that’s causing them issues and problems.

If it’s Pete, he would have cursed Qirong out :D

Pete vs Qi Rong's Monkey Demon

I love this sequence - it's as if Qi Rong thought the demon could easily win over Pete, cos Pete is just a Judo Athlete, fighting with judo moves. Hence, predictable. What Qi Rong probably didn't notice is - Pete is unpredictable. He noticed, adapted and used the Monkey Demon moves by mirroring them, added his own skills and, WHAM BAM THANK YOU M- MONKEY

卒 (Zú); Soldier But in this case, in Yi Ching, 卒 can mean that Master Tong hs reached a definitive state of wisdom/success in navigating his challenges against his craft of Yi-Ching

If without the Monkey demon in Pete, Niran wouldnt have binded his soul to save Pete. If without the soul binding thread, Niran would have been lost entirely during the ritual. Like if its not pre-destined, tell me how are al these just coincidence \\(T~T)

Getting into the last part of the Ritual. omg.

風浪平定 困惑解除 The storm has subsided, the confusion is dispelled. 天恩之力 盡早封印 By the power of divine grace, seal it away swiftly. 奇戎 被封印吧 Qirong, be sealed away! 邪惡污穢 被囚禁吧 Evil and filth, be imprisoned!

Pete as a character is the complete opposite compared to Niran Pete as a character, is complex on the outside, but he’s actually a straightforward person who genuinely wants to see the good in people that he wholeheartedly trusts. To me at least.

He can lay his life to get back what he lost - his house that his parents left behind, his sister who’s the only kin he’s left in this world, his friend who never lost faith in him and basically plucked him out of his troubles and bad luck. Naturally, when he heard Li Bo’s words, his heart broke.

“What do you mean, my sister can’t be saved?” “I trusted you, is this all for naught?” “Am I being deceived?” “Am I going to lose both my sister and my friend?” The emotions coming from Pete tonight was heartbreaking and I feel so much for him.

If you ask me if Niran planned to destroy and release Qirong - I'd say he was considering it after Ploy got attacked. Previously, it wasn't in the plans, but plans changed because of Pete & Ploy. 1. He needs everyone to be in this 101% because its life threatening. 2. He knows fully that Pete is in this 100% initially, but now Pete's focus is to save Ploy from Qirong and Li Bo. 3. If he were to divert from the original plan, Fei would have stopped him and found other people to help. Then, there's no chance to save Ploy. 4. Jiahao also knows the consequence; all 3 WU didn't tell Pete, and what's the point in telling Pete beforehand? Pete wouldn't have gone ahead with the plan. He wants to save Ploy, that's his only kin left. He can't lose another family member. 5. If Pete knew what Niran is gonna release, would he have focused on it? He would have expectations of Niran, too. This scene is so complex and layered, using Game Theory and Prisoner's Dilemma in play. Loved it.

魂魄 - Life force of Niran 魂 (Hún): Ethereal Soul / Spiritual Soul 魄 (Pò): Corporeal Soul / Physical Soul Together, 魂魄 (Húnpò): Soul / Psyche / Life Force

Here, where Tong was explaining that there's 2 parts in a Human's Soul - 靈魂 (Líng Hún). That's also relating to Taoism's Yin and Yang, where the Yang Soul is the Spiritual, while the Yin Soul is tethered to the body. Li Puo basically cut Niran's spiritual soul away from him, and it's now wandering aimlessly in the Spiritual realm. The longer it is away from its physical body and soul, the harder it is for Niran to survive, or even make it. Which is also why it is dangerous for Pete to go ahead with the plan to search and bring Niran back, and it has to be within a short timeframe.

Btw, I was always curious why 5 joss sticks were used instead of 3.

Usually, we use 3 joss sticks when making merits. So! It's relating to Taoism and how it offers prayers and protection to 5 elements (Wood, Fire, Water, Earth, Metal) and 5 directions (North, South, East, West, Center)

Finally, I wanna give some love to the kiddos - Yok, Jack, Tao and Thua! They've shown unwavering faith, determination and loyalty during the face of difficulties that Qi Rong presented to them. It takes loads of courage and faith tbh!

“Did you pull me back? Just as you did. Everyone's here now. You're the last one to show up. To think that I was the only person who got lost. I didn't expect that this bond would really save me. But you sure learned how to use its power quickly. I didn't learn jack. All I did was think of you and the thread did its job. Since our souls are bound to each other, if you're ever in trouble again, why don't you try thinking of me? I'll be there to save you.”

No matter how powerful a demon is, it cannot be stronger than a human’s will. That’s why demons make you question your own will. You don’t need to fall for its ploy.

What do I want? What I want is my sister’s life spirit back. And I’ll beat your ass later! Is that right? So those Suming bastards didn’t tell you the truth, then? What? Don’t you know that this ritual you’re performing won’t simply seal Lord Warrior? It will suppress all life spirits with him, including your sister’s! They lied to you, you fool! You can’t save your sister, you idiot! You freaking idiot!

You used to be so heartless. But you’re not anymore. You care about your friends. You actually give a damn about people. See? This is all my doing. Huh. Don’t look so proud of yourself. But I’ll say… You’re never heartless from the beginning.

May your life spirit drift away

and be lost for all eternity, Niran

I don't think you can hug him any tighter, Pete

He might not be the best big brother, but he will fight heaven and earth for her.

It’s not that I didn’t know what the soul binding ritual entails. It was just that I spent so long training you. You think I should just let the demon devour you like that?