Love In the Clouds- Episodes 5-8

“Schemes, Scallion Pancakes, and a Soul-Devouring Arrow”

Ji Bozai’s tragic past comes into sharp focus this episode, showing just how resilient he’s become. As a child, he endured relentless torment in the Sunken Abyss; mocked, beaten, and called a “wretch abandoned by his parents.” Yet, even under the cruelest oppression, he refused to kneel, silently vowing, “I must get out of here alive.” His daring escape into the wilderness sets the stage for a fateful encounter: Bo Yulan, who becomes his mentor and forever alters his destiny.

Meanwhile, Ming Yi continues her risky pursuit of Ji Bozai’s heart. She feigns concern and volunteers to face danger in his place, only to deliberately take a Soul-Devouring Arrow to the shoulder to protect both him and a stolen Bo clan painting. Her cold-blooded yet calculated move highlights her guiding principle: “Ming Yi takes risks for wealth.” Ji Bozai, showing a side of himself few have seen, tends to her injuries with care, noticing her bravery and perhaps feeling a twinge of pity.

The morning after their heist, tension escalates as Mu Qibai orders Yan Xiao to investigate the theft at Wugui Sea. Ji Bozai cleverly feigns ignorance during the inspection, while Ming Yi makes a dramatic entrance, humorously hinting at their “private activities” to throw Yan Xiao off. Their antics work: the pair passes the investigation unscathed, leaving Yan Xiao frustrated and powerless.

After the inspection, Ji Bozai personally treats Ming Yi’s arrow wound with precious Blood-Calming Powder. Their bond deepens during a tender scene at Huansha Market, where he remembers her favorite scallion pancakes, a small gesture that unlocks her heart and brings tears to her eyes. Ming Yi’s vulnerability shines as she confesses her fear of abandonment, prompting Ji Bozai to reassure her that they will never be separated.

Behind the scenes, Ming Yi’s clever strategy comes to light: she stole additional valuables during the heist to disguise their true goal, while Ji Bozai used spells to hide their tracks. Meanwhile, palace politics simmer: Tianji Princess confronts Yan Xiao about Mu Qibai’s influence over Jixing Palace and the upcoming Warrior Selection, and we get flashes of their childhood bond, a past that still tugs at both their hearts.

Twenty-Seven’s research sheds new light on the mysterious Bo clan and Ji Bozai’s connection to them, raising suspicions about Mu Qibai’s motives and the possibility that the Sunken Abyss imprisoned innocent people.

As the Jixing Abyss Selection Tournament kicks off, Ji Bozai makes a dramatic entrance, late, with Ming Yi at his side. The crowd gasps, critics murmur, and even Tianji Princess is visibly concerned. But Ji Bozai’s confident declaration, “She is my amulet,” leaves everyone stunned, cementing both his loyalty to Ming Yi and the bold, unstoppable aura he exudes.

“Poisoned Plots and Sunken Secrets”

Episode 6 kicks off with tension and daring deception as Ming Xian, stranded in a remote valley, assumes the identity of the deceased Ming Yi to hide within Jixing Abyss, setting the stage for intrigue and cunning schemes.

At Shouhua Academy, Ji Bozai boldly flaunts Ming Yi’s hairpin during the warrior selection, earning scorn from the crowd and the ire of Princess Tianji. Only after a playful standoff does he hand over the hairpin, showing his characteristic mix of defiance and charm. Meanwhile, Tianji considers bringing in Meng Yangqiu and Yan Xiao as participants in the selection, despite Yan Xiao’s protests about his lack of spiritual veins. Her plan is cut short when she suddenly collapses, poisoned. Panic spreads, but Yan Xiao quickly uncovers that Tianji has intentionally poisoned herself, testing his medical skill and successfully formulates a unique antidote.

The warrior selection resumes, and Tianji announces the preliminary roster, placing Ji Bozai as Chief Warrior, Meng Yangqiu as Vice Captain, and Yan Xiao as Healer. Despite protests, Tianji insists on bending the rules to include those who prove their worth, showing both her determination and sharp judgment.

The tension skyrockets with the Emperor of Jixing, Mu Yuanfeng, and Mu Qibai’s arrival. Just as order seems restored, Hou Zhao dramatically confesses to secretly crafting the potent elixirs Heavenly Grief and Golden Millet Dream in the Sunken Abyss for over twenty years, using prisoners as laborers. But before the truth can fully unfold, a shocking twist occurs: Ruo Shui, a maid from Moonlit Blossoms and Hou Zhao’s illegitimate daughter, steps forward. She exposes her father’s horrifying crimes: enslaving innocents with dark-spirit chains, polluting nearby villages with toxins causing Withered-Branch Disease, and abandoning her mother to death.

Ming Yi courageously supports Ruo Shui, revealing the poisoned herb gatherers she impersonated, and Yan Xiao confirms the exposure to Blood Pearl Bloom, linking the devastation to Hou Zhao’s operations. Ji Bozai boldly asserts his own innocence as a former Sunken Abyss prisoner and presses for the truth behind the elaborate scheme, subtly implicating Mu Qibai as a possible mastermind.

As the hall erupts in speculation, Tianji demands the real culprit step forward. But Mu Qibai quickly manipulates the situation, causing Emperor Mu Yuanfeng to faint and effectively halting the investigation. Hou Zhao is imprisoned and sentenced to the harshest punishments, while Mu Qibai attempts to isolate Ming Yi.

Left alone, Ming Yi vents at Ji Bozai, accusing him of using everyone as pawns, yet Ruo Shui defends him, insisting he is genuinely honorable. Their heated exchange is interrupted when a netherbeast attacks. Ming Yi bravely steps in to protect Ruo Shui, unleashing her spiritual power and inadvertently revealing a petal of her rare Grief Blossom, a sign that does not go unnoticed by Situ Ling, who witnesses the entire incident.

“Netherbeasts, Secrets, and Schemes of the Heart”

Episode 7 ratchets up the tension and intrigue as Ming Yi navigates the fallout from her reckless display of power. Feigning unconsciousness after Situ Ling witnesses her abilities, she cleverly spins a story that netherbeasts attacked her and that Situ Ling saved her life. Her attempt to silence him backfires when he graciously accepts the credit, leaving her both exasperated and impressed. Mu Qibai, suspicious but cautious, drops his inquiry after Situ Ling’s confirmation, while Ji Bozai pushes for a full investigation into the sudden netherbeast appearance, a sign of greater chaos lurking around the Sunken Abyss.

Back at Wugui Sea, Ming Yi reflects on the day’s strange events: Ruo Shui’s revelation of Hou Zhao’s atrocities, and now netherbeasts, extinct for over a century, suddenly appearing. She realizes these disturbances might force a proper investigation into the Sunken Abyss, protecting innocent herb gatherers. She also distributes Ji Bozai’s spirit stones to the poor, practicing her own version of “robbing the rich to help the poor,” while Twenty-Seven doubts Ji Bozai’s motives entirely.

Ji Bozai’s quiet devotion shines through in a tender nighttime scene: he waits by Ming Yi’s bedside, promising to leave after she sleeps. Unbeknownst to him, Ming Yi feigns slumber, observing his sincerity and intentions.

Meanwhile, in the heavenly prison, Situ Ling executes Hou Zhao’s divine punishment, but Ji Bozai steps in to fully expose his treachery. Hou Zhao’s sinister pact with a tree spirit, his cruel treatment of Ruo Shui, and his exploitation of the Sunken Abyss for poison refining are laid bare. Ji Bozai delivers a scathing verdict: Hou Zhao’s spirit is destroyed, and justice is served for Bo Yulan, his late master. Ming Yi, hidden nearby, realizes the depth of Ji Bozai’s vengeance and begins to understand the driving force behind his actions, while quietly questioning the true cause of her own poisoning.

Ming Yi resolves to continue supporting Ji Bozai, acknowledging that their battle of ruthlessness will determine who ultimately prevails. She reflects on their long journey from Yaoguang Mountain, her sacrifices at Moonlit Blossoms, and her dedication to aiding the people of Freezing Hot Waters. She also sets her sights on investigating Xun Ming, Ji Bozai’s next likely target.

Ji Bozai, ever calculating, orders Ruo Shui’s departure and begins probing Mu Qibai’s plans, suspecting a scheme far darker than mere power-grabbing. He wrestles privately with guilt over manipulating Ming Yi’s trust, acknowledging a “friend” who used a “fairy” for their own goals. Buxiu, intrigued, seeks advice from Granny Xun, leading Ji Bozai to quietly devise a new approach to make amends.

The tension shifts to Jixing Palace the next morning, where officials press Ji Bozai about the antidote Golden Millet Dream. Ming Yi interrupts dramatically, offering a jar of wine cleverly renamed “My Heart’s Delight,” and calls out the hypocrisy of Immortals Sun Liao, Tai, and Lun’an. Her audacious move embarrasses the court while honoring Ji Bozai. Later, he rewards her with spirit stones, not just as gratitude, but as a subtle apology, his guilt barely hidden beneath his stoic facade.

Meanwhile, Mu Qibai continues his scheming, summoning General Xun Ming, a deadly member of the Yousu Fox Tribe, warning him of Ji Bozai’s capabilities. Confident in his own powers, Xun Ming vows to kill Ji Bozai. Sensing danger and the fragility of her cover, Ming Yi decides to approach Situ Ling at the Judgment Hall, determined to uncover his true intentions and stay one step ahead.

“Secrets, Sparks, and the Golden Millet Chase”

Episode 8 dives deep into loyalty, jealousy, and strategy as Ming Yi and Ji Bozai navigate mounting dangers. The episode opens with a touching flashback: young Situ Ling, born without spiritual veins and scorned by his family, finds hope in the legendary Warrior God Ming Xian. After witnessing Ming Xian’s victory using his gilt armlet, Situ Ling vows to one day protect the person he considers most important. Years later, he finally recognizes Ming Yi as that same “Ming Xian,” though she denies her identity to protect her secrets, prompting him to promise never to reveal what he knows.

Meanwhile, Ji Bozai ensures Ruo Shui’s safe departure from Jixing Abyss. Grateful and cured of the Withered-Branch Disease, she gifts him a precious Moonshade Grass, but Ji Bozai brushes it off as a transaction, though Buxiu’s quiet observation suggests even he is beginning to question his own motives.

Trouble looms as Xun Ming arrives under the guise of investigating a netherbeast sighting at Shouhua Academy, wielding an artifact meant to locate the Golden Millet Dream. Ming Yi, quick-thinking as ever, guides him into Ji Bozai’s treasury to protect the Spirit Well. Chaos ensues when a clumsy follower accidentally starts a fire, destroying priceless treasures. Her anguish is real, but so is the spark it ignites in Ji Bozai, whose jealousy flares as he witnesses Situ Ling’s tender care for her.

Ming Yi skillfully explains the situation to Ji Bozai, revealing how she allowed Situ Ling’s search to avoid suspicion. Sensing his deeper feelings for her, she boldly proposes marriage, suggesting a heart imprint to keep other men away. Though Ji Bozai calls her bluff, he doesn’t reject her, leaving Ming Yi quietly hopeful.

Situ Ling, meanwhile, finally reunites with Fu Yue and celebrates discovering that Ming Yi is the same person he had been waiting for all these years. He resolves to protect her and pursue the Golden Millet Dream, even if it means defying Mu Qibai and the entire Six Realms.

Amid all this, Ji Bozai sets his next plan in motion: he suspects Xun Ming of being his next target for revenge and prepares to exploit Ming Yi’s ties to her friend Zhang Tai to get close. Ming Yi, ever resourceful, agrees to bring the gifts Ji Bozai gave her as part of this plan, blurring the line between personal desire and strategic necessity.

DramaZen's Opinion

Wow...Episodes 5 through 8 really take us on a rollercoaster through Jixing Abyss! If you thought things were intense before, buckle up, because the drama, scheming, and swoony moments are non-stop. Ji Bozai is in full mastermind mode, juggling revenge, strategy, and his growing feelings for Ming Yi, while Ming Yi herself is clever, bold, and absolutely not afraid to stir the pot when it suits her goals.

The tension between characters is just pure bliss. Ming Yi’s antics, pretending to be unconscious, sabotaging the treasury, and even playing matchmaker with heart imprint proposals, are both smart and hilarious, while Ji Bozai’s quiet intensity makes you want to cheer and swoon at the same time. And let’s not forget Situ Ling, whose loyalty and unshakable devotion to Ming Yi add such a sweet layer of tension (and just a pinch of jealousy for Ji Bozai).

The plot twists in these episodes are top-tier. Netherbeasts suddenly reappearing, Hou Zhao’s dark schemes, the Golden Millet Dream being hunted, and Ming Yi’s clever maneuvers make every scene feel high-stakes but never confusing. Even little moments; like scallion pancakes, heart-imprint jokes, and subtle jealousy, add personality and fun to the chaos.

Overall, these episodes balance action, intrigue, and emotional depth perfectly. The storytelling is sharp, the romance is simmering in the background, and the characters’ cleverness and boldness make it impossible not to get invested. Honestly, it’s the kind of series that keeps you laughing, gasping, and squealing all at once. If Episodes 5–8 are any indication, we’re in for even bigger scheming and swoon-worthy moments ahead!