When the Imperial Preceptor joins them, it's an unexpected reunion between her and Xie Lian the two having met over 200 years ago. Ban Yue apologizes for the treason but denies using the scorpion snakes to attack people.

Pei Xiu turns out to be the culprit. As Ban Yue's childhood friend he's the one responsible for convincing her to betray her kingdom and the massacre that followed. Xie Lian figures San Lang is actually Hua Cheng.

Reunited, the four seek shelter in a cave where they find a group of merchants and their guide. Scorpion Snakes surround them and Xie Lian and uncle Zheng are stung and the only antidote, the Shanyue Fern, is in the Banyue kingdom.

Xie Lian jumps the pit taking Kemo with him. He gets caught by San Lang, who seems to be different. With all the pit soldiers dead Kemo recalls the story of the downfall of his kingdom at the hands of the Imperial Preceptor.

In the kingdom they find the Shanyue Fern which heals Xie Lian's hand. A commotion alerts the Banyue soldiers, who arrive to take the group hostage and throw a few of them in the Sinner's Pit. San Lang says goodbye and jumps in.

Merchants are going missing in Banyue Pass and Xie Lian is joined by Fu Yao and Nan Feng to investigate. The latter are very weary and suspicious of San Lang but a sand storm that takes Xie Lian away interrupts their bickering.

After the dead brides come to live, the villagers run back and seek shelter in the courtyard of the Ming Guang temple. Xie Lian tries to distract the brides with Ruoye, but after even more villagers come into the courtyard, the brides once again start attacking them. Xie Lian creates a protection circle with Ruoye instead and the villagers manage to save themselves inside of it.

After finding out more information about "Crimson Rain Sought Flower" and escaping the Ghost Festival, Xie Lian invites San Lang to stay in the temple. In the morning he finds a painting of the Crown Prince hanging above the altar.

The group is still being at Xiao Ying's grave. Xie Lian is shocked to see Lang Ying has the Human Face Disease, but Lang Ying runs away before he can ask further. He tells Fu Yao and Nan Feng that they should inform Ling Wen to track him down as soon as possible.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng are still walking together through the forest. They stop and Hua Cheng attempts to lift Xie Lian's veil, but he sends out Ruoye to attack. Hua Cheng dissolves into silver butterflies and Xie Lian notices he was guided to an abandoned Ming Guang temple. He proceeds to enter and discovers the seventeen missing, but already dead, brides. When he suddenly hears the Ghost Bridegroom come in, he quickly hides among the brides. As the person checks the brides, Xie Lian tries to attack them. However, they manage to turn into black fog and escape.

17 brides have been kidnapped by a ghost groom for over 100 years at Mount Yujun. Xie Lian descends to the mortal realm to help defeat the mountain's ghost and gain the merits of this mission to pay off his debt.