Ashes of Love

- Season 1

(2018)

To protect her newborn daughter Jinmi, the Floral Immortal Zifen conceals her identity and feeds her a Loveless Elixir. Jinmi grows up in the protected Floral Realm believing herself to be a mere grape fairy. The Fire Immortal Xufeng is attacked by a mysterious black assailant during his Phoenix Nirvana. In his escape, he crashes and burns into the Floral Realm. Jinmi rescues the burned Crow.

Looking after the bird who crashed into the Floral Realm, Jinmi's remedies sometimes prove worse than the disease. She convinces Xufeng to take her to the Heavenly Realm. His trespass and Jinmi's disappearance pit the Floral Fairies against Princess Suihe, head of the Bird Family. The Heavenly Empress accuses the Night Immortal of the attack on her son.

The Fire Immortal rushes to Runyu's defense. Jinmi makes the acquaintance of the Match-Maker. Later, Jinmi also stumbles upon Runyu enjoying a wiggle of his long tail in the pond. She befriends the Fish Fairy and he is charmed by her. But a feast of Zhuque eggs doesn't go down well, and Mr Puchi aka Yanyou pays a visit.

Jinmi tries to ingratiate herself with the Phoenix, in her quest for enough magical prowess to revive her friend Rourou. Embarking on a training programme with the Fire Immortal, she proves not quite the stellar student, except for her grasp of dialects. Runyu still thinks of the grape fairy fondly. On conscription day, the late-arrival Kuanglu enters the service of the Night Immortal.

Jinmi gorges herself on magical prowess on Rice Dumpling Festival, and magics a Phoenix Flower tree for the Fire Immortal. Dressed properly as a girl, she catches Xufeng's attention, and reminds the Match-Maker of the Floral Immortal. Princess Suihe now sees her as a rival. The carrot fairy Mr Hu, in search of the missing grape fairy, arrives in the Heavenly Realm.

Runyu and Xufeng battle it out with Qiongqi but only the appearance of the Heavenly Emperor saves the day. Jinmi casts out a sacred plant to heal Xufeng's past injuries, and uses an agreeable trick to feed it to him. The Fire Immortal is ordered to the Demon Realm to capture Qiongqi and Jinmi contrives to go along. The Night Immortal joins them.

Demon Princess Liuying of Bian City seeks out the Heavenly Immortals in their hunt for Qiongqi. The Demon Lord, after some persuasion, lends his help too, whilst the explanation for the monster's escape remains elusive. Even Jinmi and her magical powers with plants play a part in the pitched fight that ensues.

Qiongqi's escape ripples through the power struggles in the Demon Realm. Left alone with the Melding Soul Cauldron, Jinmi is susceptible to manipulation. Xufeng averts disaster, but at the price of injury to himself, just as the truth of his feelings for Jinmi dawns on him. His only hope is the sacred Night Rattan of the Floral Realm.

The Great Floral Fairy sets herself against the Phoenix's declared intentions on Jinmi. Now that he knows his heart, he's intent on keeping his promise, but childhood memories awaken him to Jinmi's probable, and troubling, parentage. The Fire Immortal and Night Immortal report to the Heavenly Emperor. Princess Liuying is Xufeng's special guest in the Heavenly Realm.

Princess Suihe attempts to recruit Kuanglu to spy on Runyu. Jinmi's Fish Fairy visits her in the Floral Realm and whisks her away, but she's now in the Heavenly Empress's cross-hairs. On a stroll through a Milky Way, Jinmi makes the Night Immortal a gift of Night-Blooming Cereus to ease his loneliness. He takes her to hide in the Mortal Realm and who should she bump into but Mr Puchi.

Xufeng goes looking for the missing Jinmi. Meanwhile, Mr Puchi proceeds with her education in the pleasures of the mortal world. The Night Immortal catches up with all of them and, predictably, it's Yanyou who comes out worst, before it's all washed away with Jinmi's osmanthus wine. The Fire Immortal struggles with love and virtue, and Jinmi finds a Phoenix Feather.

It's the birthday celebrations for the Heavenly Empress, and Jinmi convinces her Fish Fairy to attend. Arriving for the feast, the Night Immortal acknowledges Kuanglu's true identity. Yanyou brings Jinmi along too, and with the Water Immortal and Wind Immortal in attendance, the Rat Fairy conjures up mischief, and Jinmi brings unwarranted attention on herself.

Escaping the wrath of the Heavenly Empress, with both the Fire Immortal and Night Immortal keen to protect her, Jinmi is returned to the Floral Realm. The Heavenly Emperor is convinced of having a special connection with the grape fairy. The Water Immortal makes a timely visit, especially when the Emperor's fire magic does not agree with Jinmi's water nature.

With Jinmi on the mend, Luolin learns from Mr Hu all about the past tangled relationships revolving around Zifen. The First Prince, who had long been promised in marriage to the elder daughter of the Water Immortal, sees his chance to unite duty and desire, even if it means denying his brother.

When the Water Immortal brings his daughter to the Heavenly Realm, the First Prince makes his move. Luolin introduces Jinmi at the Palace. His words are music to Xufeng's ears but, alas, his elation is soon marred by Runyu's prior claim. All this time, the investigation into the Phoenix's assailant during Nirvana isn't forgotten.

Jinmi receives the Beast of Dreams as a gift from the Night Immortal. Her naive forthrightness disarms Runyu. The Snake Fairy and Rat Fairy place themselves in danger. Xufeng and Jinmi are unable to keep their appointment and when Mr Puchi turns up instead, an arrest is soon made. The Heavenly Empress's masked henchman plays his part in her power games.

Accusations fly at the Heavenly Empress. When the name of Lize Suli is brought up, punishment is harshly dealt. Mr Liaoyuan updates the Fire Immortal on the latest sighting of the masked henchman. Linxiu reminisces to Jinmi on the Floral Immortal, a lotus fallen from the Buddha's seat. Luolin takes Jinmi to see his Master, Lord Doumu, who spells out the doom for her and her friend Rourou.

Xufeng suffers a recurrence of his injury, which he makes sure only Jinmi can help with. The Night Immortal is equally eager to show her his devotion. The Fire Immortal is ordered to the front line at Wangchuan River just as Jinmi has her promotion ceremony. Fate Fairy Yuanji discloses potential disasters and to avert them, and earn Immortal rank, Jinmi agrees to experience hardships in the Mortal Realm.

Fairy Yuanji must balance the demands of mother and son for Jinmi's fate. Jinmi buries a jar of osmanthus wine for the Fire Immortal's return. But, discovering his mother's plans, Xufeng too jumps into the Plate of Cause and Effect, Suihe after him, and Mr Liaoyuan is pushed in for good measure. Jinmi is born to be the Saint Girl, healer for King Yi and destined to be buried alive with him when he dies. And danger lurks already for the King.

Gathering herbs in the mountains, Jinmi rescues a badly wounded swordsman whom she takes for a bandit. Meanwhile, a Spirit Vanishing Arrow is in the making. In Jinmi's mountain hut, the bandit wakes up deaf and dumb as a result of past poisoning. The Demon Lord learns of the Fire Immortal becoming a human, whilst in the Mortal Realm, King Yi is missing, and his cousin the Princess Nanping is frantic. Jinmi calls her bad-tempered patient a Crow.

Jinmi's bandit hides his recovery from her. Kuanglu appreciates the qualities of the Night Immortal. Runyu has a chance to scry into the goings-on in Jinmi's and Xufeng's mortal lives, and he doesn't like what he sees. A medicinal bath shows Jinmi all the scars of the bandit's dangerous life. Soldiers search the mountain for King Yi.

The King susses out who has been plotting against him. Yanyou returns to Yunmeng Pond to face his Master, and receives a new mission in the mortal world. Jinmi confides in her patient, and shortly after, the Crow leaves the nest. Duke Nanping and his daughter receive news of the safe return of the King. Princess Liuying gets into a fight and finds an unexpected ally.

The Saint Girl is summoned to heal King Yi, and her best friend Qianghuo accompanies her. On the way, she has her fortune told and makes the acquaintance of a powerful personage. Her first meeting with the King is laced with misapprehensions and surprises. Runyu, worried about his fiancée, risks disobeying Heavenly rules. Princess Liuying remembers a favoured companion.

Liuying is sure she knows who's behind the henchman's mask and the Spirit Vanishing Arrow. In King Yi's palace, the source of his illness eludes the Saint Girl, but not Qianghuo, who urges an early return to the Saint Doctor's Family; whilst the Arrow eludes the Snake Fairy. Runyu averts a close call and bestows a Dragon Scale on Jinmi. King Yi's health remains a concern for his courtiers.

Princess Liuying uses extreme measures to provoke the masked henchman into showing himself. He remembers his past suffering in the Yu Abyss. Princess Nanping, visiting her cousin, is witness to the King's illness. The King and his healer play an elaborate charade, which doesn't prevent some very earnest sentiments being aired, and a hard choice being put before the Saint Girl.

The Saint Girl negotiates the pitfalls of Duke Nanping's demands, and enjoys a heart-to-heart with his daughter. She sets out to catch a snake and ends up with Mr Puchi for company. King Yi makes a daring offer. The Spirit Vanishing Arrow is fought over, and Runyu and Yanyou cause quite a sensation.

Princess Liuying unmasks a truth long suspected, but the doom of the Spirit Vanishing Arrow still hangs over Xufeng. Yanyou receives a blast of bitterness for his pains. In the Mortal Realm, preparations for the Lantern Festival are afoot, and the King's right-hand man receives a special return for a small kindness. In audience with his courtiers, the true nature of the King's illness is revealed.

King Yi and the Saint Girl spend a pleasant afternoon making a Phoenix Lantern for the festival. Princess Nanping recovers her memories and marriage is urged on her cousin. The King tries once again to break down the bastion of resistance, alarming Qianghuo into a fateful move. Yanyou plays a pretty trick on the Princess.

Yanyou sees new grief on every return to Yunmeng Pond. In the Mortal Realm, Princess Nanping's pining sets off her father. Runyu's investigation of the Spirit Vanishing Arrow leads him to the shore of Dongting Lake, where a painful past resurfaces.

King Yi hopes to win favour with a well-chosen gift. Delving into the past, the Master of Dongting recalls the birth of the First Prince and the grievous fate of the Water Family of Lake Taihu.

A somewhat sozzled Saint Girl receives a late summons from the King, and a puppet play unfolds. In Yunmeng Pond, Runyu finds some reconciliation with his past, and in the Mortal Realm, he calls on Jinmi for her healing skills. The masked henchman draws the Heavenly Empress's attention to Dongting Lake, with terrible consequences.

Only a merciful intervention prevents Runyu from committing his worst, and he cannot but let grief overtake him. The masked henchman, promised an irresistible prize, gives in to the inevitable, twice over. Jinmi's fate catches up with her in the Mortal Realm, whilst Princess Nanping surprises King Yi's military council, and her father even more. Jinmi and Qianghuo have it all out.

Princess Nanping's love proves stronger than any other bond. The Spirit Vanishing Arrow comes into play again, and Lord Doumu's prediction for Jinmi and her friend Rourou is realised. Princess Liuying still cannot let go of the past. King Yi returns from another battle, yet fate overtakes him at home.

Nothing will stand in the way of King Yi's promises to the Saint Girl. Xufeng and Jinmi return together to the Heavenly Realm, and to the Empress' incessant scheming, despite which, a new Immortal is promoted. Runyu is offered a stark choice.

The Night Immortal must endure the wrath of his mother's enemy and the full extent of his father's mercilessness. Jinmi wants to avenge Rourou and finds herself powerless to refuse Runyu. Xufeng asks Mr Liaoyuan to hang phoenix lanterns by Liuzi Pond, and sends an invitation.

Princess Liuying fills in the Fire Immortal and receives a wish-fulfilling keepsake from Mr Liaoyuan. The Phoenix soars as the new Immortal yields to him. The masked henchman is delivered to Bian City, where his true condition is revealed. Jinmi prepares a gift of her own for Xufeng.

The moon immortal holds a birthday feast and enjoyed the gifts given to him by Xufeng and Jinmi from the mortal realm. Runyu started to analyze Jinmi's changed behavior and suspected something was controlling her and confronted great floral fairy about it.

Jinmi gives up her plans, then realizes that the Heavenly Empress hurt her mother and decides to fight the deity.

The Heavenly Empress' crime emerges, and Xufeng is injured. Muci leaves Liuying because he doesn't want to become a burden.

Xufeng suffers the consequences because he refuses to marry Suihe. Elsewhere, Runyu prepares for revenge.

Runyu / Night Immortal uses his new rank to move against Princess Suihe of the Bird Tribe. Yanyou / Snake Immortal warns Runyu that repercussions against him may inadvertently harm Jinmi. Princess Suihe still wants to kill Jinmi, and Muci is forced to make another Spirit Vanishing Arrow. Luolin / Water Immortal receives an origami phoenix invitation to discuss Jinmi.

Suihe takes action. After two shocking deaths, Xufeng finds himself the focus as the prime suspect. Can Jinmi follow through?

Jinmi begins to investigate the cause of death. Liuying goes to the Heavenly Realm in search of help for her father.

Xufeng must examine the circumstances of a god's death. In the following three years, Runyu plots to usurp the throne on his wedding day.

Xufeng sets out to suppress the rebellion on Runyu's wedding day. In the end, Jinmi makes a deadly mistake.

Jinmi spits out the Yundan and falls into a deep sleep for half a year. Runyu becomes the new Heavenly Emperor and breaks the news to Tuyao.

Jinmi learns of the Yundan's existence, then discovers that Xufeng didn't wrong her.

Jin Mi is the daughter of the Flower Deity and Water Immortal. The deity learns that her daughter will suffer a great love trial, so she gives the baby girl a magical pill that prevents her from feeling any emotion or falling in love.When Jin Mi mistakenly believes that her father died at the hands of the Fire Immortal, Feng , she kills him and ends up coughing up the magic pill in the process.

Liuying decides to attack the Heavenly Realm. Meanwhile, Jinmi, the matchmaker and Yanyou begin their search for a crucial cure.

Jinmi uses all the colors in her eyes to get the medicine - and puts herself in extreme danger. Can Runyu come to her rescue?

Jinmi uses the Golden Dan to revive Xufeng, but Suihe lies and says that she saved him. Xufeng doesn't know which way to turn.

Xufeng prays at his parents' tomb but is surrounded by Runyu's troops. Jinmi begs Runyu to release Xufeng, yet mercy seems out of reach.

Xufeng becomes the new Demon Lord and teams up with Suihe. Runyu puts Jinmi under house confinement, but the matchmaker comes to her aid.

Jinmi visits Xufeng as he sleeps, and he kisses her but calls her by another name. A saddened Jinmi finds Yanyou severely hurt.

Jinmi uncovers a cure and learns the truth about her father. Now she must destroy her nemesis - though the one she loves stands in her way.

Jinmi tries to apologize, but it looks like she's run out of second chances. Tears fall as she makes a confession.

Once again, Muci must make an arrow, which he uses to kill a king. A death follows a wedding, and Jinmi finally agrees to marry Runyu.

Xufeng begins to view Suihe with doubt. Later, Suihe argues with Runyu, and Jinmi hears the truth.

Runyu locks up Jinmi, but she escapes to the Floral Realm with Yanyou's help. Jinmi obtains an herb to help Xufeng then travels to the Demon Realm.

Xufeng and Suihe's wedding day arrives. But where is the bride - and will truth prevail?

Runyu sends troops to the Demon Realm to retrieve Jinmi. But the deity will go to any length to stop the war.

Hope remains alive for Xufeng: He passes the title of the Demon Lord to Liuying and searches for Jinmi's soul. A crucial choice awaits.

Xufeng vows to find Jinmi one way or another. Will these lovers ever have their happily ever after?