The examination begins for Tang Academy and Ning Que is off to a rolling start. The Emperor doesn’t attend so the target is shifted to another Imperial person. During the assassination attempt, Ning Que springs into action. He encounters Jun Mo and pleads with him to take him as his student disciple. He is then tasked by General Xu to figure out who is behind the assassination attempt.

Due to the failed assassination attempt, Prince Chong Ming looks for a way out. Prince Long Qing is framed for the murder of Priest Xuan Yi, his teacher. As they attempt to arrest him, Ye Hong Yu from the Monastery of Knowledge and Obeisance, rescues him. Ning Que is miraculously admitted into Tang Academy.

Ning Que does not get a reasonable answer from Chen Zi Xian as to who is behind the killing of Lin Manor, except for a cryptic response “the child of Hades.” His new pen pal, Chen Pi Pi helps him unlock the secret of 2nd floor of Old Books Building. Hong Yu and Long Qing are promoted as the Department Head of Justice and Deputy Head, respectively, making them suspicious of the Justice Department.

To garner additional support, Princess Li reaches out to Grand Prince Pei Yan. The Emperor, befuddled by Ning Que’s calligraphy, continues his search for the unidentified calligrapher. Ning Que searches for his birth object and is surprised when he discovers what it is.

For the exam, the candidates are to travel up the mountain, where the first person to reach the mountaintop and retrieve the gourd from the tree will win. Things are not as simple as they seem when the candidates are suddenly beset with challenges throughout their climb. Yan Se’s and Qing Shan’s interest in Qing Nue is renewed when they hear stories of him cultivating when they had previously assessed that his acupoints were blocked, preventing cultivation.

Remembering all the adventures they’ve had together, Sang Sang and Ning Que bid a tearful farewell as he goes off to the wilderness. Fu Zi and Lee Man Man continue their search for the Drunkard and the Butcher, who have survived the last Eternal Night a thousand years ago. Wei Guang Ming enters the Tang capital, while Ning Que meets Mo Shan Shan, though hides his identity from her.

Unbeknownst to Ning Que, Fu Zi has locked him in the Repenting Cliff for his protection and safety. He learns that his junior Uncle was able to break through in 3 years, so Ning Que doubles down to make sure he also breaks through…at some point. Long Qing is once again inspired by his teacher, Chen Mou and learns from the beginning. The Grand Priest of Revelation and Li Xue head to Tang empire to bring Sang Sang back to Xiling.