Ying Kong Shi

Ying Kong Shi (A.K.A Shi , Sword Fairy Shi , Favourite Brother ) is a prince of the Immortal Ice-Fire Tribe and

## Ying Kong Shi

### Tribe

Ice Flame Tribe (Born into)Ice Clan ( Believed to be part of and lives at)

### Siblings

Zhu Gong
Li Guang
Nan Xing
Xue Mi
Ka Suo

### First appearance

Episode 1

a younger brother of Ka Suo. Shi is also the reincarnation of Xian Xue

## Biograph

### **Childhood**

Ying Kong Shi however, seems barely past his teenage years, innocent and stubborn, Ka Suo see him mocked by a bunch of Ice Kingdom citizens who belittle him due to his lack of ice magic. Shi puts up a brave face to the insults of others at the sight of his older brother whom he adores though his mood’s been soured by the taunts but Ka Suo is positive and the atmosphere lightens as soon as Ka Suo pulls Shi up on the Snowy Lion. They return home together.

Back in Snowblade City, a lively ball is being thrown for Ka Suo’s coming of age ceremony. Guests from all three realms have made their appearance at this regal event. The King and Queen enter… followed by the Concubine Lady Lotus who seems utterly disinterested in the proceedings. The king warmly greets the crowd and they are all enthused to see Ka Suo.

Meanwhile, in the Snowmist forest… the Fire Tribe is making a timely fashionably late arrival, bearing birthday wishes and a gift to Ka Suo. The Fire Tribe’s appearance is a shock to all and the mood dampens with anxiety. The Fire Tribe Prince Xin Jue challenges Ka Suo to a match of their powers. Everyone knows this is in Ka Suo’s disadvantage; should he win, Xin Jue will hold him in enmity, should Ka Suo lose, Xin Jue will belittle the Ice tribe. Ka Suho in a clever twist praises Xin Jue for warming the lake in a to the ice children and the political tension dispels. Ka Suo has now demonstrated to the ice kingdom and its allies he has the ability to resolve political issues with much grace sans without violence.

Later, Shi questions why his brother allowed Xin Jue the honor of leaving with his dignity, demonstrating his lack of awareness in political matters. Shi asks his older brother if Ka Suo intends to be king and Ka Suo clearly answers that he does not wish to hold such responsibility and power in the future. Shi promises his brother that he’ll grant Ka Suo’s wish so he can fly as free as the sleet birds. It seems that Ka Suo is only truly open and trusting around his younger brother.

In another part of the kingdom, the mermaid princess is stumbling around awkwardly to look for Ka Suo. She bumps into Shi and tells him to send a message to his older brother, to meet the mermaid princess in the Snowmist forest. Though slightly ditzy and way too naïve for her own good, the mermaid princess wanders through the snow to meet her prince. At the same time the fire prince has infiltrated the depths of the Snowmist forest to plant holy fire in the ice sheathe of the kingdom in hopes that the ice people will weaken in power. When the fire prince saves the mermaid princess from the berserk snow fleet birds, he attempts to take advantage of her and before he can have his way, the two ice princes arrive to save the day.

Ka Suo and Xin Jue engage in battle. When Xin Jue incapacitates Ka Suo in fire chains, Shi’s desperation to save his brother forces his powers to manifest and Shi gravely injures Xin Jue. The Fire King back home can sense something bad his happened to his son. Though the Ice King takes it upon himself to heal the Fire Prince, the already tense alliance between the Fire and Ice kingdom is teetering on the verge of war.

In Ice Kingdom Court, Lady Lotus brazenly declares that Shi has nothing to do with the episode. Even with the mermaid princess’s verbal testimony, Lotus refuses to believe her son had the power to injure the Fire Prince. Ka Suo attempts to take the blame for his younger brother but Shi is adamant to protect Ka Suo. Both sons are locked away until tomorrow.

Lotus releases Ka Suo from the ice prison to save Shi but the Ice King has already decided to sacrifice his son to the Fire King so that war may be avoided. Ka Suo and the Guardian both arrive on time to persuade the Ice King otherwise. The Envoys quickly discover that the there is fire embedded in the Ice Sheathe. The death of the Fire Prince notwithstanding, such a brazen ploy by the Fire Tribe prompts the Ice King with no choice but to declare war. The ice princes and princesses prepare for battle and the citizens are quickly evacuated as a hoard of clearair birds implanted with fire magic are sent to bomb the city.

The royal ice council meets in the main court room and the king laments the diminishing power of the ice sheathe. Once the ice sheathe melts, the ice tribe will be wiped out entirely. After a lengthy discussion, it is revealed that the Six Leaf Ice Crystal is elixir of all living forms and has the ability to mend the ice sheathe. One leaf was given to the Ice kingdom while the rest was divided to the leaders of the mortal tribes as a gift of piece. Now the ice tribe must retrieve these leaves to mend the sheathe. SInce the leaves will not solve the problem of the ice sheathe but not the war, the high priest suggests the king unseal the sacred sword and bring it in battle. The Guardian of the Envoys reminds the king such a malicious sword requires the sacrifice of a royal soul and young Prince Shi steps up to volunteer as tribute.

The young Prince Shi strides boldly into the court room to sacrifice his soul to summon the sacred sword. The old king quietly asks if Shi holds a grudge against his father for nearly giving him over to the Fire King. For such a young man, Shi is immensely loyal to his kingdom and has a strong sense of responsibility in matters of politics. The Ice King is reluctant but commands Shi to retrieve the sacred sword at the support of the rest of the court. Shi’s only request is that Ka Suo and Lady Lotus are kept in the dark about this matter.

Shi attempts to have dinner with his mother but her necklace flashes and the Fire King has summoned her discreetly. He later brings frozen fruits to his brother who is diligently repairing the ice sheathe and disappears without greeting him. Ka Suo lures his brother out of hiding with the sound of flute and gifts him a magical flute made from sole-leaf ice bamboo. Ka Suo explains that the ice bamboo is unique in that it only sprouts one leaf. When one blows on the leaf, the flute will play music. Shi resolves to succeed his mission to retrieve the sacred sword so he can properly face his brother again.

In the heart of the Ice Kingdom, ice soldiers accompany Shi to the Bottomless Pit.
The Guardian General also explains that Shi has headed to the Bottomless Pit to retrieve the sacred sword and Ka Suo no doubt runs after his brother.

The bottomless pit is surprisingly green for a cave hidden in the ice kingdom. As Shi makes his way through the caverns’ tunnels, the ice soldiers that accompany him are picked off by mysterious vines… Meanwhile the Fire King is making a full frontal assault at the main gates of the Ice Kingdom. The sons and daughters of the Ice Royal Family stand courageously before their kingdom and attack the Fire King as one but they are no match for him. The Ice children are dying in the flames and the ruler of three realms can do nothing about it. The Fire Prince claims that the king will spare the ice children so long as the ice children kill their royal parents and pledge loyalty to the Fire Kingdom. The Fire Prince threatens the ice princes and princesses to turn on each other in cold blood. In the end, the ice children would rather die at the hands of the Fire Tribe than commit treason. The Ice King commits entirely to war and revenge against Fire.

Back in the Bottomless Pit… Shi seems to have reached the bottom of said pit and finally sees the sword.

The Sacred Sword ends up being a quite sentient demonic being. He taunts the young Shi as Shi attempts to negotiates with it. The Sacred Sword agrees as the prince offers up his soul. The sword however claims that something is missing from Shi’s soul. Shi has no fear. Only resolve. So the sword forces Shi to reveal his gravest fears to him. We are taken back to a mirage of Ka Suo below a giant tree in the Snowmist forest, dying from an ice blade. Shi’s greatest fear is the death of his brother. The Sacred Sword laughs evilly and Ka Suo arrives in time to pull his brother out of harm’s way. Ka Suo decides to retrieve the Sacred Sword in Shi’s stead. I guess Ka Suo’s soul is much better than Shi’s anyway. Ka Suo seems to have lived through the initial process and attempts to retrieve the sword as the cavern is collapsing. Even in the end, Shi has no choice but to live in Ka Suo’s protection.
The Flame King’s next target is Ka Suo. It seems like Fire has penetrated the walls of Ice. Ka Suo, Shi and the Guardian meet the Fire king and his men at the entrance of the Bottomless Pit. The Snowy Lion returns to defend its masters and buy the princes time to run. The Fire King makes quick work of him.

The city of Ice is in tatters and falling brick by brick, piece by piece in every moment. Ka Suo finds Ji Quan, his beloved guard, pinned to the wall by a spear. The scene slows to encompass the last moments of Ji Quan who tells Ka Suo and Shi of the deaths of their brothers and sisters.

Ka Suo and Shi are escaping into the mortal realm via Infinity Bridge as the Fire soldiers pursue them relentlessly.

One of the Fire generals destroys the Infinity Bridge, almost leaving the Fire Princess to fall in the rubble. She barely makes it back to safety. Later on an unconscious Ka Suo dreaming of himself in the burning woods carrying an unconscious Shi with him when he runs into his grandmother he beckons him to wake up and encourages him not to grieve for his brothers and sisters.

Out in the mortal realm, villagers marvel and point at the strange white hair of the two young men. When Ka Suo arrives at a healer’s place with Shi, their hair has turned black. The doctor advises Ka Suo that no one in the mortal realm would address a doctor as a magical healer. The doctor claims he cannot treat Shi and directs Ka Suo to the Healer’s Land.

A strange man follows Ka Suo out. The man offers to take Ka Suo to the healers for money. Ka Suo remembers that Li Luo once explained the details of money with Ka Suo. Ka Suo decides to create little ice figurines to sell. Ka Suo awkwardly address the villagers as “mortals” and despite the awkward start, ends up making a good fifty taels to pay the healers. Luckily for Ka Suo, he catches on quickly that the strange man has tricked Ka Suo. Ka Suo realizes that mortals are not all the same as the kind Li Luo he’d always spoken to and uses his magic to freeze the bandits. Ka Suo realizes his powers fade for a short while because he’d used them to harm mortals. He carries Ka Suo on his back and continues to trek through the mortal world. The brothers end up being found by the Fire Tribe’s Princess but just before Ka Suo and Shi are captured, Li Luo arrives to save the day! During their escape, Shi ends up being captured by the Fire Princess. Li Luo advises Ka Suo not to make reckless decisions to pursue Shi and Li Luo ends up knocking Ka Suo unconscious.

Back in the Fire Tribe’s fortress, Shi is imprisoned.
In the Fire Tribe camp, Shi’s entire body burns up… (Could he be half fire and half ice?)
Ka Suo plays music from his feather so his brother might know that Ka Suo will save him. Shi’s power explodes in a flurry.

Yan Da is on the chase to capture Ka Suo and Li Luo and ends up saving an unsuspecting mortal in the lake… he ends up being so disoriented he passes out from Yan Da’s first questions. Ka Suo has lost all leads on Shi now. Meanwhile, Yan Da’s pretty excited at the sight of her handsome new little mortal slave who comes to an impromptu wake up. The young man scrutinizes the princess as much as she scrutinizes him. The young man claims a little boy stole his clothes while he was bathing and knocked him unconscious. The young man introduces himself as Yun Fei BUT we find out he’s actually Ying Kong Shi. Somehow his appearance and age has changed…

Shi is contemplating the strange sequence of events that have befallen him in the last two days. It seems that Yan Da’s taken a liking to her new servant and they have an playful exchange while she’s in the bath.

In a private chamber of the Herb Palace, Yue Zhao, Huang Tuo’s fiancée and Luna’s older sister, is distraught as her aforementioned fiancée refuses to acknowledge her and has run off. Shi, dressed as a Herb Palace servant, brings her a broth… what she doesn’t know however is that the concoction is laced with poison.

Back at the palace, Huang Tuo agrees to marry Yue Zhao. The fire princess and her retinue meet Li Luo and Ka Suo in the Herb Palace. Shi is both overjoyed and distraught at seeing his brother in such a situation. It becomes a battle over the healer’s neutrality or affiliations in this tense political situation. Shi is only amused at hearing his brother’s concerns over him. When the fire tribe is about to make a move, Shi steps forward and places something on Ka Suo’s person. The throne room erupts into battle. The Healer Chief flees the scene for fear of offending either tribe.

Back in the private chambers of the Herb Palace, Yue Zhao has fallen ill with poison. Yan Da appears to reveal that Yue Zhao has eaten the three day weed from the immortal realm, a plant that blossoms in only three days. If ingested, whether mortal or god will whither and die in three days. Luna demands an antidote and Yan Da proposes a cure with the ice crystal leaf leaf. BUT OH the unfortunate circumstances the ice crystal leaf is BELIEVED to be lost among the healers. Yan Da’s now taunting the Healer Chief to reveal his ace but Luna claims she can naturally find an antidote when they seek out the culprit that poisoned her sister in the first place.

Luna scents the opponent on Yan Da’s servant… Shi. Luna claims that the scent of cherry blossoms is so overpowering she has Shi pinned flat out guilty. Ka Suo steps in to rescue Shi when he begins to suspect Yan Da’s servant is actually his younger brother. The parties involved decide to lock up Shi until further evidence may reveal itself.

In a quick behind the scenes flashback, Yan Da gives Shi a Heart Scorcher fruit. Should Shi decide to betray Yan Da, the fruit will cause him immense pain. It’s to guarantee his loyalty to her before she sends him to administer poison to Yue Zhao. Shi is angry at the realization he’s been part of such a ploy. When he grasps the edge of the prison walls, it frosts over and he realizes his powers have FINALLY surfaced in him.

As Li Luo persuades Ka Suo to allow her to accompany him to the Rat Tribe, a few cherry blossoms flutter by. The two follow the cherry blossoms to the cell where Shi is being held. The two brothers reunite but neither has a clue as to why Shi’s appearance has changed so drastically.

Shi overhears the guards saying how sick the older Yue sister is, so he sneaks out of his prison with bro's ice key copy and goes to her room. He apologizes profoundly and gets ready to do some magic for her... when the Healer Boss appears. Prince Shi hides. Healer Boss murmurs sinister things to her, thinking that he is alone.

Healer Boss tries to kill the Yue Bride, but Shi can save her. He notices that the Healer has godlike powers ... how can that be? Then everyone else walks in just when Healer Boss vows to kill Yun Fei. Kasuo says to Healer Boss ‘you liar, you have the ice crystal!’ And so he does!! He ... ATE IT. It gave him eternal life and magic powers.

Healer Boss throws leaves at them. Dangerous leaves. Once he's vanquished by Kasuo, the Fire Princess wants to take the opportunity to cut the ice crystal out of him - but Kasuo won't have that! He fights with her, only to have Li Luo jump in between... and to get wounded. Remember the deal between mortals and gods? If a god hurts a human, s/he loses her powers temporarily. It works, Yan Da is completely useless now, but uh-oh, Kasuo is angry. Not at Yan Da but at Li Luo! For getting herself hurt.

In the meantime, grey smoke is streaming out of Healer Boss ... and then the crystal appears. Kasuo snatches it. Yan Da grabs Shi and flees the scene.

Yan Da who ends up with with the Ice Crystal because Shi steals it! That's obviously part of a plan Kasuo is in on, because this way, Shi gets the antidote for his Heart Poison, which is Step 1 on his road to freedom. Well, the one she gives him is only valid for 10 days.
While Kasuo and Li Luo waits for people to wake up, Shi wanders through the forest, feeling alone. His brother gave him the flute-leaf. And they agreed on some signals, so that Shi can tell Kasuo what the Fire Princess is up to. She's currently fighting one of her arrogant and ugly brothers.

Shi is reminded of himself when he watches her. And he has some wisdom for her once her attention turns to him: it's herself that she despises, not her brothers. Her cowardly self. He says he can relate to what she's going through, and he once almost killed people who bullied him but didn't because of ... he holds up the flute-leaf, she has him play the flute for her.

Thanks to the secret IceBro-signalling technique, Kasuo now knows that Yan Da et al. are also on their way to the Dream Weavers.

Yan Da searches the whole house for the ice crystal, in vain ... and Kasuo attempts to be sent into the Lord of Dream's dream all alone. Of coure, Li Luo is coming too, as is Yan Da as well as Shi. They go to the Dream Room and the spinning orbs in there, which apparently contain our Lord Dream's "Origin of Dreams"

They all take a seat and the Elder sends them into the Lord of the Dream Weaver's dream.
Kasuo and Li Luo invite themselves to the banquet, but this time, as special guests, they are much closer to where they know the assassination will happen later. Kasuo plans to grab Xing Jiu as soon as they have averted it and go back to the real world. In Version 2 of the dream, Yan Da is also present. Only... Prince Shi is making sure she cannot get too close. She'll be heartbroken when she finds out he was working against her all this time!

Yan Da and Shi wander some underground cave, when Dream soldiers appear and take them prisoner. They're suspected of being the assassins? Yan Da manages to free herself and Shi, they fight, then run away ... and in the process, Shi is pierced by an arrow, falls down a chasm and dies. Luckily for him, it was just a dream! He's awake now, but Yan Da isn't. Shi goes in search of Kasuo and Li Luo.

In the real world, the Lord of Dreamers apologizes to the sleeping Kasuo ... and then decides to go peek inside his current dream. The Chief Dreamer puts people inside of dreams but then they dream what they want? This is what Kasuo dreams... He is waking up because Shi is calling his name. Shi assures him that this is the real world... does he not remember how he brought back the Lord of Dreams? Li Luo also appears, happy and radiant. He is so relieved to see her. The Lord of Dreams comes in next and hands him the ice crystal, beaming. Yan Da is a bit unhappy about this, but when she fights them, there's a flash of white light all of a sudden and ... outside, there are Ice King, Ice Queen and Ice Granny. Everyone is here! Here to take Kasuo home (freed by Ice Granny). And thus, Kasuo returns to Snow City, the war is over, and hearts are overflowing.

In the Dream City, Shi finds Li Luo, who has been locked up in some storage room. He unties her (with magic, cool) and they quickly bring each other up to date. They don't fully understand what's going on, but they know one thing: Kasuo must die in his dream to wake up. Force-waking up is extremely dangerous, memory loss is the least that will happen, but insanity is more likely.

```
Li Luo overpowers the Elder when he brings her food and has him take her to Kasuo. Shi is to stand back.

```

She enters Kasuo's dream... and sees herself dancing with him on the ice. That must be weird. She sees that Kasuo is wearing a crown. He is the King! And Li Luo is his Queen. The Li Luo who is just visiting the dream wishes this were true. But sadly, she needs to wake him up! She runs towards him, calling his name ... but he sends a burst of energy against her and she falls. Only... he sees her as Fire King, not as Li Luo! Li Luo shouts at him to snap out of it, this is a dream! It's a trap! But Kasuo won't listen, especially because the Dream Li Luo urges him on to kill that intruder. He doesn't though. But he has Li Luo put into an ice prison. At dinner that night with Dream Li Luo and Dream Shi, they discuss the Fire King's weird behavior. All of a sudden, Kasuo hears the leaf-flute playing! Dream Shi claims he hasn't given it to anyone, no no. Kasuo is super confused. And Sleeping Kasuo is twitching... Shi is truly playing the flute outside, wishing for his brother to wake up. Dream Kasuo is not as happy as he was a short while ago. He has not found the bamboo-flute and he is increasingly confused about things. In particular, he does not remember how the war between Ice and Fire ended. And apparently, he's been married to Li Luo for 100 years! Taking his doubt for a walk, he goes to the ice prison where the "Fire King" is held. In case you're confused, this is not the Fire King at all but Li Luo, who just looks like the Fire King to Kasuo. It's kinda like this dream's defensive mechanism I guess! Naturally, the imprisoned Li Luo once again tells him that she's the real Li Luo, that he is still dreaming, that he needs to wake up! If this were all real, how come that the Dream Li Luo, who is a mortal, still looks the same after 100 years? He is doubtful enough to free the "Fire King" from the ice ball, but of course, the "Fire King" immediately tries to kill Kasuo, cause you know, he needs to wake in real life, which means he needs to die in the Dream World. That doesn't go down well with him for obvious reasons and he ice-blasts her away. Dream Prince Shi joins him and blasts her some more.

The Fire Tribe have decided to push the carriage over an infinite cliff in order to kill Kasuo and Li Luo. Prince Shi followed them though, jumps on the carriage before it goes over the cliff and keeps shouting for Kasuo to wake up! And wake up he does, in a very anticlimactic way. Shi promptly saves Li Luo from falling down an infinite distance and Kasuo thanks Shi profoundly afterwards (mainly for playing the flute).

In the Dream City, Li Luo wakes up all by herself. She checks whether she's alive or sleeping and is then informed that Kasuo has awoken. He is getting some healing vibes from Granny, because he was injured during his fight with the Fire King. Everyone is very curious to hear about his dream. He immediately starts to worry about Li Luo, who, so he realizes, got ice-blasted by him. But here she is! Overjoyed to see the prince.

He smiles at her like the sweet dork that he is and she smiles back like the sweet woman that she is. Oh, but Granny really wants to know what happened in that dream! So Li Luo says, Kasuo was really mean with her in the dream! He must have really disliked her all this time! Massively so! He even saw her as Fire King and killed her.

The Dream Tribe is busy preparing for war...but Granny is all "yay, a war!" but Shi tells her to go play hide-and-seek.

Once they're alone, Prince Shi asks Li Luo once again about that dream that obviously kept his brother so entranced, he didn't want to wake up. She tells him that it was beautiful, that the battle between Ice and Fire was long over and that Kasuo was really happy, and he and Shi were close. When he asks about what she did, she claims she forgot. But Shi knows. Shi knows that these two people are already deeply in love.

All the citizens come and give the Dream Princess presents. She is happy. Kasuo goes deep on us when he says (with a glance at Li Luo): "If I were her, instead of having a long but lonely life, I'd rather spend a short day with the ones I love". Shi just stands there and observes everything.

At the other fire, Shi suddenly feels the effects of the Heart Scorcher, gets an insane look in his eyes and runs off. Shi appears and wants to attack Kasuo! They knock him out, and immediately know it's the Heart Scorcher. also know he will go crazy and will die if they don't get him the antidote. The best option is to leave him there in the forest when the Fire Tribe passes by on their way to the Bear Tribe.

Shi is in the clutches of the Fire Prince! Who doesn't trust him one bit. Shi claims he doesn't know anything about that "man in white" who took him away, but the Fire Prince still doesn't believe him. He decides to torture Shi a little.. Actually, he wants to kill him, but Yan Da reminds him what that means: he'll lose his powers for a while. Not a good idea if one wants to attack the powerful Bears. Torture is averted for the moment and Yan Da gives Shi another pill ... yet again an antidote for the Heart Scorcher, valid for ten days.

Yan Da can't hold it in any longer - she runs to the lake and screams out her frustration. She's like a big kid. The lake starts to bubble and echos her screams. Shi turns up and tells her to come back. She hates to be seen vulnerable by anyone, but Shi is nonchalant as always. When she orders him to find a way to defeat that beast, he just says: "Kill him". # She really likes that idea! And she promises Shi the antidote to the Heart Scorcher if he comes up with a way to kill the bear. All that while, her echo continues screaming ... until he freezes the whole lake. Unseen by her. Afterwards, he is puzzling over how to kill the Bear without using magical powers (that would give his secret identity away) when he happens upon a cave, in which Liao Jian - the dethroned bear king - is kept prisoner.

Hei Feng gets a bit touchy right there in front of everyone - until Shi steps forward and tells him to let the princess go. He will fight! Not to marry her, but to make sure she doesn't get married to a weakling. Shi is fast, even without his magic, but there is no way he can defeat this Bear Man without it. But because he's smart like nobody else in this show, he has a trick up his sleeve... he "rings" bell flowers. Apparently, bear spirits can't stand the sound.

Of course, Shi learned about this particular weakness from Liao Jian. He returns to the cave and frees the former king - breaking the protective spell that binds the bear man with some blood of the defeated Hei Feng that he got by scratching his face. For freeing the true king, Shi demands the ice crystal, but Liao Jian won't give that to anyone but the Ice King or someone sent by him. Shi tries to prove he is an ice prince, but damn! He does some fire magic instead. Bear Man thinks he's a Fire Tribe spy and catapults him out of the cave. Outside, Shi runs straight into the Fire Prince, who takes him prisoner.

Back at the Fire Camp, Shuo Gang starts torturing Shi. He has him flagellated, and when Shi suggests the prince should marry Hei Peng's sister if he's that desperate to make an alliance between the tribes, Shuo Gang gets the wood of a Heart Scorcher tree and subjects Shi to the heat of it. It makes the effects of the poison come out much stronger. Yan Da comes in and fights forShi. He is visibly touched, especially when she tells her brother he's not her slave - he's her friend. Fire Princess is very serious though and has her brother on the floor in no time.

Yan Da may have saved Shi from the mean fires of the Fire Prince, but Prince Shi is gravely hurt. Spitting blood. The Fire Princess cries and cradles his lifeless body in her arms. "You are not allowed to die!", she cries over and over. Yan Da decides to unleash her inner fire goddess to save him - at great cost for herself. She has completely drained herself and collapses.

Shi awakes in a nice bed and fully clothed ... and immediately becomes aware of Fire Magic within himself. He finds an exhausted Yan Da in prison. He pretends he only helped her before with the disgusting Bear because he wants the antidote to the Heart Scorcher. He promises he will repay her for saving his life and she laughs at the arrogance of a mortal man. But then, she waves him closer... and closer... and sucks the Heart Scorcher out from him. "You're now free", she says. It both pleases and pains her, it seems. Shi walks out, deeply moved. And then, he turns around, overpowers the guards and frees her. Well, they don't get far - the bears have all gathered to stop them. Shi makes a stand and tells Bear King he won't leave without her - and uses ice magic to enforce his wish.
It changes everything. The bears step down - and Yang Da feels betrayed. Alone in the forest, they come to the conclusion that they cannot be friends, being from mortal enemy tribes and all. She tries to fight him but is super weak, still ... he says they're even now, he'll let her go. She vows to kills him when they next meet and walks away. Both remember their moments together.
Elsewhere, Shi and Kasuo reunite.

Li Luo stands in the courtyard with her eyes closed the next morning. Kasuo is quite worried, but she was just sleeping and the Lord of Dreams sent her a warning in her dream: The Mermaid Saint is under house arrest. Lan Shang has escaped but the Fire Tribe is after her. The problem: Mermaid Saint has the last ice crystal, and Kasuo thinks she'll give it to Fire King if he threatens Lan Shang's life. They must find her first! But where? Dreamer, thehas "sensed an intense dream of a merchant" who has captured Lan Shang, and the Ice Princes now know where to go.

The Fire Princess and Prince also arrive - #. Shuo Gang calls Shi and Kasuo "homeless dogs", haha. They start a fight, but Shi starts running away but is pursued by Yan Da, who seems determined to kill him. Conveniently, Shi almost trips over Lan Shang right then and there. Yan Da is still following him, looking exceptionally beautiful today. They fight some more and it seems Shi is no match for her. She attacks Yan Da (Shi shouts a warning), but Yan Da gets bitten anyway. It looks like the teeth did not really pierce her leather armor though? Shi runs to her defense and gets bitten in turn - there is blood. Lan Shang faints, but Li Luo is riding to their aid at high speed, zooming them up on her horse.

Lan Shang is put on a makeshift bed and the Healer Huang Tuo is called. He recognizes the effects of the thousand-year-old fire snake immediately and is ultra surprised to see that she has already been cured of the poison! she's up and hugs Kasuo, first chance she gets. The strange thing about all this is: that particular poison can only be cured by the blood of the Fire Tribe. Shi thinks it's because she bit Yan Da first.

Shi, who escaped the fire soldiers with the others, feels a horrible fiery pain in his heart and knows his brother is in serious trouble. He happens to look up into the sky and sees Fire King's magic... and his own (the ice version) reacts, strongly, and he's pulled off his feet and up into the globe. Sadly, the Fire King has all the power - Kasuo is still bound by the painful fire chains that sucks his immortal powers away. But suddenly, Shi appears ... white hair and blue eyes. Shi runs towards Kasuo and the Fire King attacks - but Kasuo throws himself between the fire and his brother. That's too much for him. Kasuo: out. But he is not dead, says the Fire King, after warding off a rather powerful attack by Shi. He has a bit of his soul left, so that he can experience the ultimate punishment for gods: utter powerlessness.
Shi takes his lifeless brother back down to earth, where Huang Tuo does what he can. But Kasuo is too gravely wounded, all his organs are basically steak. There is only one thing that can save him: human blood and mermaid scales for medicine that then needs to be applied to all his organs by hand, after which he will be stitched up again with immortal grass. No mistakes allowed.

It's where Shi finds him, all agitated about how the Fire King used the Ice King to pass a decree on to all the tribes, asking to be delivered the Ice Princes and taking command of all three realms. Also, Kasuo is also kinda wondering about Shi's powers in Desparadom. And he worries about his little brother: He wants him to leave, go far away, where Fire King can never find him. He's really hellbound to send everyone he cares for away in this episode, right? He insists so much and for so long that Shi finally "agrees"... but it's all a trick! Shi leaves to fight against the Ice King without Kasuo knowing and leaves Kasuo in Lan Shang's care for the time being.

First, Shi goes to the Dreamers. With Princess Xing Gui's help, Shi is able to enter the Lord of Dreams' dream... ... and together with Xing Gui, he convinces the Lord of Dreams to summon all the other leaders. Not in reality, though, cause Fire King spies .... in the dreamworld. In the dream, Ying Kong Shi has to prove to everyone that he's capable (aka strong enough) to fight the Fire King. And he does that be having them fight him - all at once. Shi is slightly wounded in the process, but he wins. Everybody is mucho impressed and they pledge their alliance to Prince Shi.

The Mermaids are taking a bath, when all of a sudden, Kasuo appears. But no, it is NOT Kasuo - it is Shi, who has the ability to turn himself into Kasuo! Plus, he has brains ... he suggests that Mermaid Saint gives Lan Shang to Fire King to please him (instead of handing over Kasuo, who is gone now anyway). Of course, Lan Shang protests loudly. But here's the trick: it will not be Lan Shang who marries the Fire King - but Ying Kong Shi, looking like her. And then, during their wedding night, he will assassinate the Fire King.

But first, some training! Shi flies around a bit and freezes some rocks. Mermaid Saint approves, of this and in general, especially since he promises to take full responsibility if things go wrong with his plan. She also has him promise that the next Ice King must marry Princess Lan Shang. But Shi is clearly lying, the sly fox. He sweet-talks Lan Shang into teaching him how to move more like her by saying his brother lied when he said he was in love with someone else and by calling her "sister-in-law".

Shi, scaring Lan Shang by pretending she's looking into a mirror and has blue spots on her face Very skillful. And not a second too early! Because the Fire Princess turns up to deliver Kasuo to Ice Baby Central. She does not like it one bit when Shi is protective of Lan Shang. Mermaid Saint lies that Kasuo is on some hot-spring island to recuperate and will definitely be returned within the agreed ten days.

At Ice Central, Shi returns, with Lan Shang in tow. Ice King still has a frozen brain, but his mother is extremely happy to see him. Oh wait, she has never even seen him in his new adult form! Of course, Fire King has to interrupt the happy family reunion and softly threaten everyone a bit. He announces a reunion dinner.

Shi's new quarters are in the Grand Suite wing (it is called "Illusion Chamber"): He is not alone though! Yan Da is already waiting for him. It's to question him on his relationship with "that mermaid princess". When he refuses to tell her, she whips him. He still refuses so she whips him some more. He gets ready to ice blast her but then... he lets himself be whipped without hurting her back.

Shi visits his mother in her chambers. Lian Ji still can't believe her son has grown up to this beautiful overnightShe realizes that he is hurt ... that fiery whip is quite something! She also realizes that he has immortal powers now. And that it's weird he's trying to protect Yan Da and didn't fight back. Her worry for him quickly takes over though (it stops her from wondering too much) and she asks him to promise not to assist Kasuo in his fight against the Fire King. He kinda does. Well, he doesn't, but he does not not either. And because he already is (helping), he is lying to his mother.

When the rebels next meet in their dreams, Luna, the Poison Lady, is there as well this time, much to Huang Tuo's pleasure. She is all business though and after testing whether Shi has powers, she tells them they need to find out the Fire King/Flame's weak spot asap if they really want to kill him. Shi has new eyes.

Shuo Gang, keeps stalking Lan Shang - and because his lust is strong, he grabs hold of her and drags her in front of Fire King. He plans to marry her! Only... the Fire King wants to marry her too. Shuo Gang cannot accept this! It looks like the two men cannot settle this with words, but then, Shi offers a very good solution: Lan Shang should be able to say whom she wants as her husband. That's part of the plan, of course. Flame has an enchantment shield around him, which makes it damn hard to harm him. It needs to be destroyed! They need to find out where on Fire King's body the Enchantment shield is. Once destroyed, it will take at least 300 years to restore it.

As the attack on the Fire Soldier's defense posts start, Shi sadly plays the flute, thinking he wants to be reborn as Kasuo's brother. His mother comes running, telling him to leave the city at this opportune moment. Since he hesitates, she guesses correctly that he plans to assassinate Flame and tries to stop him. He makes her believe he is willing to leave with her after all, but puts her to sleep when she turns her back.

Lan Shang flees behind a privacy screen and finally, Ying Kong Shi appears. Ah, he's late because he had to put his mother to sleep. Flame carries Lan Shang to the bed... and things get hot. Lan Shang/Shi plays hard to get and Flame goes crazy. Shi is doing WELL. After what seems like hours, Shi grabs Flame's hand with the power button... and blows ice magic on it. The enchantment shield is down. Shi goes in for "the kill".

Flame possesses Shi! And flies out to confront the tribe leaders, who just now reach the chamber doors. Luna has taken on Yan Da outside. Possessed Shi fire blasts them all. Real Shi, who manages to resurface for a second, is ready to sacrifice himself ("Injury Swap"-skillz they have, channelling all their injuries through the Healer into Shi) and then, one after the other goes up against Flame with their special power, but guess what happens before anyone gets killed Kasuo appears. With the Deicide.

The Sword decides to take it outside and him and Flame fight a little (it can throw smaller blades at the opponent), but Kasuo is just too weak to last long and is knocked out by the Fire King. The sword actually prefers to be wielded by Shi, into whose hand it sneaks. Remember, when he was a boy, he already gave part of his soul to the sword? And it promised to help him defeat the Fire Tribe? So I guess the sword keeps its promises. Half-dead, Kasuo shouts: "The Deicide is now activated! You are now the owner!" And so well put. Shi draws first blood by destroying the power button for real this time and the sword screams in delight. Shi then plunges the sword into Flame and has it suck his soul away. At least parts of it. Yan Da, who was fighting nearby, jumps over to shield her father and the sword screams for her blood too. Enter Shuo Gang. Shi cuts his arm off. But he cannot kill Yan Da! Despite the madness the sword has brought upon him, he remembers their moments together and he resists the bloodthirsty, ugly sword.

Once found and rescued, he goes to free his parents, who, sadly, have been poisoned by the Fire Snake and are a bit vicious. Shi needs to intervene with the Deicide to fix that problem. There's Fire blood on there, you know. Idiots, they just hug Kasuo but don't even thank Shi.
Kasuo won't be king. Nobody will accept a powerless ex-immortal as their leader. But there is another viable candidate for the throne now: Ying Kong Shi.

The Ice King, sadly gazing at the Ice Veil which is melting. Someone steps behind him and adds his powers to his. He thinks it's Kasuo. But at least, Ice King smiles at Shi. Just then, Lian Ji turns up and starts praising her son, telling the Fire King that he should be the next king.
Kasuo is taking a walk to clear his mind... and happens upon some playing children. He suddenly starts light-pulsing and the fairies in him start screaming: "Souls! Soooouls! Tasty souls! Suck away their souls quickly!" And he's dragged towards them by their lust for souls.
Luckily, Shi intervenes in time!!! Kasuo is heart-broken... Shi has an explanation for what just happened: The fairies can't go back into the sword because Shi is now its master.
Only Shi understands what Kasuo wants.

Not until Shi tells him it would be bad form to send her away without publicly honoring her at the upcoming banquet, given her considerable contribution to their recent victory. The Ice King allows it, but then adds that Kasuo has to spend more time with Lan Shang while he recuperates. Quickly, Shi says he will do that.

Shi takes his task seriousl. He sends her a note under Kasuo's name to meet under the Cherry tree and then says his brother isn't feeling well, so he sent him instead. That just makes Lan Shang's jealousy flare up. Shi says come on, Kasuo can like several women at the same time. He then "dances" with her, while his mother proudly watches him from behind some bushes and hopes he will win her over.

In the forest, Kasuo has another sword-fairy fit when he happens upon some playing kids. Damn, boy. He is fighting the urges with all his might, being horribly tortured! Granny steps closer and watches his suffering in shock. Luckily, Shi arrives with the Deicide! That scares the sword fairies and they calm down a little.

Kasuo is so down he doesn't even want to talk to his Granny and Shi. But Shi says he knows exactly what his Bro wants. And he will help him.

Shi plays around with the Deicide when his mother approaches and is mucho impressed with his skills. They talk about his amazing powers and he expresses some puzzlement over the fact that he can do "Appearance Replacement", a skill no other Ice Tribe person has ever had. Next, Lian Ji works on her son. She claims she knows a way to restore Kasuo's immortal powers. She will only tell him if he becomes Ice King. As we all have guessed by now, that's Shi's plan anyway. He wants to see his brother happy and his brother will only be happy if he doesn't have to become king. It's quite simple.

The time of the banquet is coming closer and of course, Kasuo is moping. Shi invites him for a walk, where they play some ice soccer. The winner gets a wish from the loser. Okay, this is rather cute. Shi wins. Shi does not have a wish right now - but he begs his brother to always believe in him. No matter what.

Right then and there, Shi realizes that Yan Da has entered the ice territory and he excuses himself, to go track her down. The Guardians are after her too and almost have her when Shi appears (as ice wind) and takes her away. She is carrying tinder, but assures Shi she isn't really here to attack the ice city. She let him find her deliberately, simply to ... kiss him. She's puzzled about his behavior (saving her again and again) and wants to know what she is to him. "An enemy", he says. Cruel. And obviously a lie. He freezes her and looks rather puzzled.

In Snow City, the guests have gathered for the banquet in celebration of the Ice Tribe victory. All the tribes swear an oath to be allies forever - and receive a snowflake flower to seal it. In case you might wonder why it's red: because the blood of the Ice King is in it. Shi goes: I, too, have a gift for everyone! And claps his hands. Palace guards bring in ... a box full of explosives. The Fire Tribe was here! Thanks to Shi, all tinder have been located and the danger is averted. Kasuo is major proud of his brother, especially when he uses his magic to turn the tinder into fireworks outside the city. Many of the guests start saying how great Shi is.

As a reward, the Ice King grants Shi a wish.

Okay, Shi’s wish: to be the successor for the throne. Several people in the room are shocked at this brazen behavior, but many also say out loud that yes, Shi should be king indeed. Of course, the Ice King (and the Ice Queen) say no way, but Shi holds a passionate speech about why he's the right one. Should not the most powerful of them be king? Kasuo totally agrees (as does Lian Ji, of course). Well, the Ice King realizes this won't be solved tonight and announces that the successor will be named another day.

Later Shi is cleaning his sword. Lan Shang comes in and is annoying. The gist of the discussion is this: Shi tells her to give up on Kasuo and if she absolutely wants to be queen, he will marry her. No, she does not want to be queen, she wants Kasuo!
Shi has witnessed it all (and he calmed the fairies by swinging around the Deicide) and he is not at all happy about his mother's meddling. He threatens to destroy her plans and then goes and retrieves the ring from the lake.

In the Ice City, Kasuo tells Shi that he does not blame him for anything - he should be at ease. They smile at each other ... and then, their father plus a large entourage comes in. But instead of saying whom he wants, he has a task for them: Whoever comes up with a solution to repair the ice sheath will be the King. Alright! They're ready! And both of them say what needs to be done first at the same time: remove the "Holy Flame".

The Ice Family ventures to the Ice Sheath and the Holy Flame to discuss stuff they should have discussed ages ago: how to get rid of it. Seems the Holy Flame has an "enchantment shield" just like the Fire King. The Holy Flame has no weakness though. Kasuo suggests he could try and get close - he has no immortal powers anymore, so maybe the Holy Flame won't react? He does indeed manage to draw it out! Shi runs to help him contain the vicious thing. They have it! And they put it into a golden box.

Lotus goes: 'now, Shi must be made king!' (indeed, everyone with them is 'woah, Shi did something incredible', without giving Kauso any credit, duh) But no, that's not going to happen unless Shi also fixes the ice sheath. How can that be done without the ice crystal? The Ice King seems to have an idea and back to the palace they go.

Shi feeds his Ice Baby some blood ... and the poor ice baby explodes. Shi’s mother promises to bring him a few new Ice Babies, but she looks worried.

Lan Shang continues to annoy, now by trying to sabotage Shi's Ice Baby. She also lies when she gets discovered. Shi has a new one, but because it's new, it hasn't developed at all. Lan Shang is very happy about that. I really want to smack her, she annoys me so much. The point of the scene is this though: Shi realizes that something must be wrong with him, because Kasuo's Ice Baby grows and his does not.

He goes to ask his mother about it. She denies he has any Fire Tribe blood in him! Shi cries ... he is unconvinced. Shi tries to feed an Ice Baby his blood again but... boom.

He won't give up though! And when he ventures onto a mountain to collect a different type of ice nucleus, he becomes aware of Shuo Gang, who throws burning pebbles around. How did Shi get in when Shuo Gang can't get out? #Shou Gang begs desperately to be freed, but Shi has a condition: teach him Fire Magic. Shuo Gang gives in, but tells him that's impossible. Only if you have Fire blood can you do Fire Magic. Yup, but Shi CAN do some kind of Fire Magic.

Using his considerable magic, Shi frees Kasuo from his enchantment-shield protected room not much later and Kasuo runs outside. The Ice King puts Shi into an ice-ball prison for busting out Kasuo though. He calls him a betrayal to the Ice Tribe when Shi is defiant, which has Shi explode the ice ball from withinBefore things get out of hand between the two, Kasuo turns up and shields his brother with his body. That, in turn, earns Kasuo a space in the ice-ball. Shi hovers outside ... and they swear each other eternal love for the millionth time.

Next, Lan Shang lingers in front of Kasuo's limpid room until one of the maids invites her in. She is too stupid to recognize Shi from behind. He is nasty though, telling her she has to marry whoever becomes Ice King since she's a mermaid. Then, he says he will promise not to marry her if she swears to leave Kasuo alone. She throws a fit and says she has a right to like anyone she wants.

Shi confronts his mother about this Fire Magic abilities afterwards - time to spill the beans, Lotus? She tells him not to worry, the Ice King does not know who Shi's father is. Shi even thinks he doesn't want to be Ice King anymore, but that means a) he'll not be able to help Kasuo be free and b) he'll never find out how to restore Kasuo's powers. Lian Ji is shocked and saddened that her son would throw away this chance in life.

And then, it's time to show the Ice Babies to the Fire King. Kasuo's is sturdy and happy. He is praised for his patience and compassion. Shi's on the other hand ..... seems sick. The Ice King says, well, things are clear now. But Lady Lotus - who has kept smiling misteriously - says: look again. And yes indeed: the Ice Baby "responds". It even has two little ice-hairs on top!

That very moment they're all informed about five dead bodies of Ice children in the forest. That's so horrible. Lady Lotus deserves to die for this. People panic, thinking it was the Fire Tribe - and they all clamor for a decision on the next Ice King. The Ice King has a new tasks for his sons though: a "fair fight".

Kasuo himself still thinks Shi would make a good king. He also thinks his destiny is the black smoke. He says he will fight it until "the very end in order to protect all I love". But what to do about those evil sword fairies? Dreamer has the brilliant idea to go see Shi who has the Deicide, which can control them.

Already there, Xuan Ta (that's one of the Seven Saints), demanding Shi hand over the Deicide. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a fair fight. Fine, says Shi, just take it. They can't, of course. The sword even attacks Xuan Ta! Shi thinks it serves him right, until Kasuo and the Dreamer come in too and Kasuo gets stabbed by the sword. But Kasuo just rips it out again. He is unhurt and the sword fairies are quiet.

Just then, an owl comes in and summons them to the main hall. Since everyone is concerned about how fair this fight will be, the Ice King has decided that Kasuo and Shi will have to select tribe leaders that are willing to fight for them. It will be a Team Kasuo vs. Team Shi kinda match! To make sure they are not lying about their loyalty (which would mean they could lose deliberately), Dreamer suggests they use the "Truth Mirror".

The tribe leaders have to put their hands on the truth mirror, say whom they want to support and the mirror checks whether they're genuine about it or not. Sadly, Mr. Dreamer, who owns the mirror, cannot be part of the game. Everyone puts their hand on and in the end, we get these two teams:
Team Kasuo: Luna, Eagle Man, and Lan Shang.
Team Shi: Healer (because he wants to do the opposite of what Luna does), Bear (he wants someone strong as king), Chao Ya (who wants to fight alongside her man).
Shi has his team (minus the Healer, who'd rather spy on Luna) fight him. He exposes their weaknesses and gives them training instructions. Later, Chao Ya and her Bear worry that Shi might be dangerous as king (since a bit cruel and unpredictable), but Bear thinks they will be able to lead him onto and keep him on the right path.

Kasuo is sad he needs to fight against Shi and Li Luo isn't around and Shi is sad Kasuo is sad. And Granny is sad Kasuo is sad. The fight is tomorrow:
The first round is a competition of speed: it's Pian Feng against Liao Jian, at the Frozen Lake. But before we get to see the fight, Kasuo has a flashback to when he protected Shi against their brothers and sisters and they had a snowball fight at that very location. They swear Twu Wuv. Little Shi vows to protect his Big Bro when he's grown up - and that is exactly what he is trying to do now.

And then, Eagle gets his ass kicked. The Bear has a special gauntlet and the Eagle has a special armor (Golden Feather Armor) - they're both really advanced in their martial arts - and it does look like Eagle has all the advantage at first, but alas, Chao Ya told her current fiancé how he could defeat her former fiancé.

The second match on the next day is Lan Shang against Chao Ya. Lan Shang got a Super Shiny Pearl from the Mermaid Saint, to blind her opponent - so that she can escape rather than get killed. Anyway, their task is to go against the Ice Tribe's mentally strong warriors with their music (and make them put down their weapons).

Chao Ya gets to go first. She blasts them with her sound relentlessly and even though they resist, she eventually defeats them all.

Chao Ya has defeated all the warriors with her harp and now it's Lan Shang's turn! After a few kind words and a smile from Kasuo, she gets into position ... and starts singing. It's the Call of the Sirens, as a concerned Mermaid Saint informs them. She walks among the soldiers, singing, and has them swaying back and forth; they're under her absolute command! She orders them to attack the ice king, freezes the spears in the air and then turns all of them into flowers. Well done!! Lan Shang wins!

Less happy: Shi, who realizes that his plan to set his brother free might actually backfire, when he looks at the two.

Luna is to poison the Healer to death if she wants to win. And he is to heal himself from her poison if he wants to win. There's a time limit (which means there is a chance they won't end up killing each other). Huang Tuo stands no chance, of course, he is too trusting. She plants all her poisons inside his body and then activates them with her sword. When he is writhing on the floor, she wants him to admit defeat, but he won't ... he'd rather die, it seemsAnd he tells her he is worried about her well being and especially her guilt after she kills him.
Conflicted, Luna still raises her sword for the final blow ... but she never gets to deliver it because both Kasuo and Shi intervene. The death of a friend is not worth being a king, says Kasuo. And both admit defeat: this is exactly what this round was all about. The king needs to have compassion! Both win.

At his dead siblings' graves before the final match, Kasuo learns of the Seven Saints ... and is told what happened when they tried to foretell Shi's destiny, like they do with every one of the Ice King's children: The ringleader died. And everyone else who tried to read Shi's future was severely injured too. The magical cubes declared Kasuo the future king and tell him: So you can absolutely not lose, Kasuo, got it? No pressure at all. And in case you do lose? They will simply kill Shi. Shi wants to set Kasuo free - which means he wants to become king so that Kasuo can live a life as free as the sleet birds - but Kasuo now knows that he cannot let Shi win: it means he will die.

In the snow forest ... and Kasuo watches Shi rocking back and forth on a swing. It's where they often went when Shi was still a kid and the memories are painful. Kasuo realizes he cannot "let them kill Shi". Time for some noble idiocy? Indeed. Kasuo tells Shi they will become enemies now. He has all the friends he needs and Shi is just the son of a concubine. The throne is his and Shi better accept that and withdraw from the match.

Actually, Shi wants Kasuo to withdraw from the match, per the favor he still has open with Kasuo when he won in ice soccer. To show Kasuo how silly his display of power is seeing how he has none, Shi force-lifts him. Kasuo actually secretly wishes for Shi to kill him and flee afterwards, as he hangs up there.

As people (including the Guardians) place bets on who will win, the royalty gathers at the ever-blooming cherry tree the next day. This place is actually called Withering Blossom Hillside. Anyway, the rules of this fight are: turn the cherry blossoms! into snowflakes.

Shi turns all the blossoms into snowflakes in an instant.

Kasuo - with a little help from Dreamer, who revealed himself as one of the Seven Saints to Kasuo, but without any intention to kill Shi - throws some blood into the air ... and draws out the sword fairies that still reside within him. That was unexpected. It's pure torture for Kasuo, but he manages to harness their power to counter Shi's snowflake magic. Shi cannot endure his brother's suffering, so he pulls the Deicide and attempts to quiet the sword fairies. But Kasuo takes the sword from him and declares he is the sheath for the sword - and sticks it inside of himself, offering his soul to the fairies. Or what's left of it. HOW was this supposed to get him to win?! Anyway, he doesn't. Shi does. So, Shi is the winner and Kasuo is bedridden once again. He only has 100 days to live if they don't get the sword fairies out.

Lian Ji is already planning her son's coronation party (and Kasuo's funeral), but Shi only wants to know one thing: how his brother's magical power can be restored. And this is the answer: Kasuo needs to kill another immortal - the more powerful the better. It's the only way. Shi is pissed when he hears that. He knows his mother knows Kasuo would never ever do that, so this information is completely useless! And he realizes his mother has been using his desire to help his brother to get him to go for the throne.

Kasuo sneezes and wakes up... he shouted Shi's name. Anyway, Lan Shang is with him and can barely hold him back; of course, he's really concerned for Little Brother Shi. Actually, she can't hold him back, he is out of bed and out of the room within a very short time. The Seven Saints are indeed making their move. One of them is sent to keep an eye on Kasuo, but only finds Lan Shang in his room, who lies that Kasuo is fast asleep. Kasuo manages to get to Shi's chambers and to warn him.

But alas! The Seven Saints (minus three) materialize all around them. And now, Shi gets it .... he understands why Kasuo wanted to win so desperately. Not leaving a lot of doubt about his love for his brother, Kasuo steps in front of Shi to protect him from The Seven Saints.

Next, Shi fight them but The Seven Saints get up and regroup. They throw a sword-spear of sorts at Shi, which he blocks with a force shield... when the black smoke appears, just as Shi is about to collapse from exhaustion. He says Shi cannot die, and that he is the true heir to the real immortal tribe that stands above all others. Shi possessed by the black smoke, Shi slashes through the Saints and then vows to end the three realm, before he sets his wonderful chamber on fire.

He tries to resist the evil spirit, who wants to take over his body, but it is hard, so hard ... luckily, Kasuo wakes up, and that gives Shi the power to evict the black smoke from his body for good and save his brother.

When Shi’s mother hears about the assassination attempt on her son, she throws a fit. But the Dreamer says the four Saints are missing and Kasuo is unconscious, which just leaves Shi's testimony and that's apparently not to be trusted. Xuan Ta has an opinion too and thinks it's not the four missing saints fault at all (the injuring two princes and burning down a whole chamber), but someone evil's, someone trying to make it look like it's the Saints' doing.

Shi is in his new chambers and looks at something strange and a bit creepy in the mirror: his left eye has turned amber. When his mother comes in to rant about the Ice King, he quickly covers the traitorous eye with a plastic patch.

Next, Shi visits Kasuo.

Shuo Gang freaks out when he hears something, but it's only Shi, bringing him something to eat. Shuo Gang claims he misses his sister. But Shi's in a pickle: release the Fireprince and the world will know he can do fire magic vs. Yan Da will be in deep trouble for pulling an anti-ice stunt without her father's knowledge. In his desperation, Shuo Gang jumps out of his prison and tumbles to his death. But! Yan Da is already there to save him.

Lian Ji has prepared a new coat for her son's coronation, but Shi has other things on his mind. He just fed his Ice Baby with his blood and it's disintegrating horribly in front of his eyes. That is a problem because a) he has to present his Baby at the coronation as a proof of and b) that Ice Baby his mother brought in the other day sure wasn't fed with HIS blood.

Momma Shi will do anything to get and keep her son on the throne though - she has a plan. She asks Kasuo to present HIS Ice Baby to Shi - as a blessing from the new king's brother, a sign of loyalty and solidarity. Of course, Kasuo is more than happy to do that for his brother. Kasuo's Ice Baby seems concerned though. Dreamer takes this opportunity to get everyone to "present a gift of their own magical powers" to Shi at the coronation ceremony.

There is only one thing Lan Shang demands to know: does Li Luo also love Kasuo more than her own life? would she be ready to sacrifice everything? Li Luo does not think she needs to answer this, so Lan Shang gets annoying ... until Shi packs her in a magic bubble, lifts her into the air, and drags her away, to scold her for her rudeness.

### **Coronation Day**

But before he is crowned, everybody is to show their magical talents (for spy identification, that is). Huang Tuo presents "The Healers' Evergreen Bottle". With the tonic that is in it, you can turn any withered plant into a living plant again. Chao Ya gives him "the Wind Glider Cape". It's a coat that can ... uhm ... fly around by itself? So far, nobody has shown any sign of the spy-powers. Xuan Ta guesses correctly that this means the spy is from among the royal family! She hands Shi his Teardrop present and it glows in his hand ... until it suddenly starts burning and ultimately explodes.

Anyway, he almost gets in, but Xuan Ta recognizes Shuo Gang in time and he gets locked up. Naturally, Shi is quite concerned the Fire Prince might say something about someone's fire magic and makes sure he's the only one getting access to him.

Xuan Ta is finally putting two and two together (Lian Ji = traitor) when the Lady herself appears in his chambers. She tries to play dumb for a while, but when he threatens to go to the Ice King with the evidence he's gathered, she ice-throttles him. But he's stronger than her! He manages to free himself and attacks in turn - at which point Shi, who just came to see his mom - ice-flames him. A few seconds later, after claiming she's a bloody traitor, Xuan Ta is dead. Shi is shocked.

Shi sends the guard after an imaginary assassin and then rips his mother's Teardrop Charm out of the dead man's hand. Then, he goes down into the dungeons and frees Shuo Gang (to make it look like the same assassin freed the Prince). The Bear, who appears just then, almost foils his plot, but Shi quickly hurts himself with Fire magic to draw his attention and Shuo Gang gets away. Lian Ji is playing severely wounded in bed, until her son tells her that everyone has left. But he isn't friendly... he wants to know whether it's true that she's a traitor who is to blame for his older siblings' deaths? And those teenagers in the forest? She admits it all --- and he is shocked and disgusted that she would go that far (all for him, she claims). He takes off his eye-patch then and shows her his amber eye, but she still refuses to tell him who his Daddy is. She thinks it does not matter - he already is the king of all realms now, with or without father. That's it for Shi. He tells her he will no longer regard her as his "respectable mother" even if she remains the Queen Mother.

Kasuo finds Shi on the throne, in full regalia ]he even thinks its his father for a second. But their father is no longer king; he has abdicated. Anyway, they talk about how hard it is to be king and Shi adds how he knows that everyone hates him and then, the coronation bells sound. But before that, sweet Kasuo tells Shi how much the get-up suits him and that he'll do very well as king.

The new king sends the Bear, the Eagle and their bride out to catch the imaginary "fire assassin" --- and then grants Kasuo permission to marry Li Luo. Booya!!! Actually, he ORDERS him to marry her (because Kasuo refuses to do so). Kasuo protests the union in front of Shi's chambers afterward, but Shi knows noble idiocy is just idiocy: he wants his brother to live the rest of his life with no regrets, even if the rest is short. Li Luo hears Kasuo shout for Shi to take back the order but smiles to herself: she never dreamt to be able to marry him, she just wants him to be well.

Later, he obediently goes to the cave where Li Luo wants to summon the Will of the Fallen with the Deicide that he borrowed from Shi.

Fire Tribe surprise attack on an Ice Tribe outpost! So ... their arrows fly all the way over the Infinity Ocean? There's a message on them, too. Shi and his mother don't tell us though, they're just saying how "Flame knew about it" ages ago. It = Shi being his son Shi is very unhappy about it (=being Flame's son and left in the dark for so long about it). He seems to have an idea what to do about it though.

First, he returns all the fire arrows to their sender. Shi comes and he swats fire soldiers away like flies. Yan Da comes running and he stops when he hears her voice. When Flame calls him son, Shi ice-chokes Yan Da. How mean. Shi clearly does not want to recognize Flame as family (understandable) and even threatens to kill Yan Da. That's all he ever wanted from Lian Ji? Shi actually brought it - to be rid of Flame. But ... hers is worthless; you can breath underwater with it, but apparently, you can't get to "the very bottom of the Infinity Ocean" (what's there?). She's an illegitimate child and does not carry the royal blood of the Mermaids. Shi needs to get Flame one from a virgin Mermaid Princess of pure blood. If he doesn't, Flame will expose his true heritage.

Shi updates his mother on Flame's threats and after he has told her to stop meddling.

Mother Ice sets Kasuo up for a dinner with Lan Shang. There's chitter chatter, then Shi turns up all of a sudden. Kasuo leaves to see his mother and Shi tries a few pickup lines on Lan Shang. In vain. He even gets slapped!

Shi sits in his chambers and is thinking about Flame's command and his and Lan Shang's convo earlier. He then gets up to check in the mirror whether his transformation skills still work ... and in his head, he apologizes to his brother. But this is the only way he can get the Teardrop Charm and keep everyone safe.

When mermaids lose their virginity and get permanent legs, a tear falls at that moment of intense pain and bliss. It won't turn into a pearl, but into the Charm. When Shi realizes what's expected of him to get that Teardrop Charm he freaks out - and he runs away, eventually turning back into Shi.

Lan Shang then runs around the island in search of her lover Kasuo - but she only finds Shi. He lies about having been sent by his brother to pick her up - and is really puzzled about how happy she is.

Later, Lan Shang, Shi and the Tribe Heads are enjoying an outing. Pian Feng and the Bear play soccer - a warm-up for later. They're expecting Kasuo to join them! Shi set this up to make his brother happy. They're not allowed to mention Li Luo though, since everybody considers this to be his open wound. And here he comes! He is so happy! He says he has an announcement to make (Lan Shang gets all giddy) ... he will get married! To ... Li Luo! Flabbergasted, Lan Shang screams "No!" She babbles about him coming to her in the night and making her believe she's the only one, and everyone (but Shi) is like: WTH? She slaps Kasuo, exclaims how much he hates him and storms off.

Sobbing and sobbing, Lan Shang sits at the ocean's edge and doesn't realize that Kasuo stands right behind her. He hugs her though and when she turns around, he changes into Shi right in front of her eyes. That makes her realize it was him on that island with her all along - and he in turn realizes somebody else was on that island and made her lose her fishtail. He can say what he wants though, she does not believe that it wasn't him who dishonored her.

Shaken by Lan Shang's hatred, Shi has returned to Cherry blossom Island, to look for evidence. And he finds it. In the form of a singed leaf. That burns to ash when he touches it. Iz Fire Tribe magiz.

Shuo Gang is showing off his fighting skills... and he BRAGS about his night with the mermaid. Kill the asshole. Shi come! TO KILL HIM! He is indeed trying to, but Yan Da interferes. Okay, she at least backhands her brother. She's also really angry at Shi and blames him too for the whole affair, since it was his scheming that allowed Shuo Gang to fornicate in the first place.

She goes on to call him the one who is truly responsible - killing Shuo Gang won't change that. This seems to hit home ... Shi disappears in a flash of blinding light. Shi went back to Ice Land and is blowing off steam by swinging around the Deicide. Along comes Kasuo and asks whether he wants to talk about it. Shi says he now thinks he's not fit to be the king, but Kasuo says he'll just need to keep on working on it And then, Kasuo says he wants to play on the flute for him. In his head, Shi apologizes to his brother and promises he will make amends for his wrongdoings.

Lan Shang also has dreams/visions of repeatedly stabbing Shi ... and that seems to give her hope and strength, actually. She goes outside, where Shi is waiting (and worrying) and declares she's completely fine and there are more important things in life than love and romance. Like what, revenge? Shi apologizes again and assures he will "set things right for her".

From outside, Shi overhears them speak about the horrible assassin they didn't catch and how they actually want to kill him/her. Straight to his mother he goes - she's sick in bed. Shi ain't pleased about what she attempted to do: Li Luo is his people, so to speak, by association with his most beloved brother. He tells his mother to leave the palace and run, because she is about to be found out. Which she won't, of course. To her, it comes down to this: Shi has to either sacrifice his brother or his mother.

We see Shi stare into the distance next, because this is no easy choice. Is he going totally emo on us too? Even Kasuo, who joins him, feels uneasy about it. But all Shi wants is to see his brother happy and carefree, like a sleet bird.

The Ice King even ventures to KILL his favorite (and last) son over his disobedience, but Shi steps in in time. He is the King now and his command cannot be undone - and he commanded that they get married. Back inside, Shi takes off his eye-patch ... Someone seems to be watching him! Shi grabs the Deicide and runs to catch this someone, but it's ... only the black smoke. It tells Shi to go get that Teardrop Charm from the Fire People (and kill them all in the process) and that they're the only ones of the same tribe.... but there is another intruder!!! It's Xing Jiu, who claims he came here to look for a lost necklace.

The next morning, Li Luo wakes up in the forest after some beasty time and makes her way back to the castle. She sees Shi playing with some kids. He smiles so happily it warms her heart ... but he says he misses the past and being happy with his brother.

Only Shi notices Lan Shang's sadness. He follows her out of the room and sees who she performs some magic in his room. She creates an ocean bubble of sorts and says how much she misses home. He apologizes again to her and says he will "marry her one day" . And he will even try to love her! She gets a totally crazy look on her face and throws her necklace into the bubble. "Prove it to me", she says. In his room, Shi has taken off his regalia and coat and is getting ready to prove to Lan Shang that he is serious about "loving her". She demands his Teardrop Charm - and he goes in. As soon as he is inside the bubble - there is a swimming pool in there, where the necklace submerged) - and inside the pool, she does some magic again ... to drown him. Li Luo happens upon her (on her way to the forest?) - and tries to stop her, but Lan Shang is vicious, blasting her with Mermaid magic. Li Luo is able to defend herself for the time being. Kasuo, who went back to his wedding party alone, senses that his wife is in danger. Li Luo manages to burst Lan Shang's crystal ball and the water bubble spits out Shi. But the CRAZY biatch has grabbed Shi's Deicide!! And just when Kasuo enters the room, his friends in tow, Lan Shang stabs Li Luo through the stomach. Lan Shang tries to pull out the sword, she can't ... until Shi uses his secret magic powers to free his brother's bride and his sister in law.

Huang Tuo, who cannot help someone who is dying, but at least, he has an idea! He suggests they use magic to "seal away her body and soul" to keep her in this state, which is on the brink of death. But better than fully dead, I guess. That will buy them time to come up with a plan, too.

But the problem is that this needs very strong magical powers, that nobody has. Nobody? Wrong! Shi has them and of course, he offers to try. As everyone all knows, his magic is the most powerful in the realm and indeed, he manages to seal Li Luo in an ice coffin. He no longer cares about hiding his special powers now ... all seems pointless. But he does not want to talk about it - not even with Kasuo.

Shi thinks that everything is his fault. He wants to be alone and goes to gaze into a frozen pond when the black smoke appears. He congratulates him on becoming an immortal of the Ice Flame Tribe. NOT what Shi wants to hear!! He tries to blast the smoke with his magic, but smoke is resilient.

Kasuo talks to the frozen Li Luo ... when he realizes that the coffin is melting! Damn. Kasuo says to not bother Shi again (he is too worn out), which leaves just one option: bring her to a very cold place. The bottom of the Infinity Ocean.

Lan Shang is hiding on Cherry blossom Island, sobbing all day. Along comes Shuo Gang - because he missed her? It's possible - but Shi has already sent a magic ball to find him. Shi arrives on the island and is about to kill the horrible Fire Prince, when the Mermaid Saint arrives and prevents it. Lan Shang flies/leaps off the cliff and drowns. Because she left her Teardrop Charm behind. Knowing full well that she will die down there without it, Shi grabs it and jumps. But will he reach her in time? Shi is giving his utmost to reach the sinking Lan Shang. Lan Shang really, really doesn't want to be saved and conjures some water plants to bind him. Then, she collapses, but Shi manages to break the waterplant chains! He grabs her arm and up they go!

Lian Ji/Lotus knows Shuo Gang has been caught so she urges her son to flee with her. They don't get far though. But Lian Ji is not one to go down quietly! She starts a fight with the ex-Ice Queen, but everyone joins in and she's captured quickly. Shi uses Ice Flame magic - and despite Kasuo's repeated pleas to explain himself and all will be fine, he listens to his mother this time. Then, Yan Da arrives. She grabs Shi's hand - and off they fly! What? Shi just abandoned his mother!! The ex-Ice King has the borders closed and issues an order to hunt down Ying Kong Shi, despite Kasuo's protest.

Well, Shi is with his other family right now - and Flame promises him he will go save his mother if he is willing to be allied with him. And Shi seems willing ... and deeply hurt that "his people" have turned their back on him, their Ice King.

Shi is assailed by the black smoke, but this time, Shi prevents it from taking possession of his body! The smoke complains that he left without his mother. Why is it so interested in his mother, Shi wants to know? Shi is quite preoccupied when Kasuo starts playing the flute. Shi renounces his brother in front of Yan Da, but I don't think she buys it. Instead, she makes a tiny firework for him and talks about her horrible siblings. The fireworks made her feel that she wasn't alone when she was little. And she promises him - whom she has a very hard time accepting as her brother even though she must - he won't be as lonely as she was.

And then, Flame sends Yan Da after Xing Gui, Xing Jui's little sister, and after Huang Tuo's senile father. They will be prisoners, for exchange against Lady Lotus and Shuo Gang. Shi beats her to it. Shi then suggests to Flame he should use this opportunity to wipe out the entire Ice Tribe. Flame seems to go for it and Shi says he needs The Deicide for them to succeed.

At the border, Shi talks to the Ice people through the sky phone and gives them an ultimatum: on the count of three, he wants his mother and Shuo Gang exchanged for his two prisoners or he will kill them. On three, the Ice King (ex) screams: "Attack"!

Shi sends the Mermaid Saint an owl and then goes and frees Shuo Gang. He has a skiff ready for him, with a professional rower. Shi, on the other hand, tells the black smoke to get his act together and go free Mom (he does - and takes her away).

### **Shi’s Death**

Kauso is kept "prisoner" for his own good by the remaining Envoys. He is angry at them for just dumping Shi and thinks he should at least have a chance to explain himself. In comes Shi himself To explain himself. Or not. He goes all "you are no longer my brother" on Kasuo and demands his Sword. To kill all the Ice tribes, as he claims. Kasuo has hidden the Deicide at Withering Bottom Hillside, but that's useless, since he is its sheath and Shi can force-find the sword through him.

Kasuo has never heard of that rule though. He has come and he is determined to stop Shi from leaving. And he wants his explanation! Shi just laughs at him, for thinking he is good and all. he takes off his eye-patch. Shi says he's forever changed through the power of the Ice Flame magic - and he killed the lousy saints for trying to prevent him from becoming the king. But Kasuo refuses to be disappointed in Shi. No, he is disappointed in himself! For not realizing what's going on with Shi. But Shi is not in Prince/King mode. He threatens to kill his brother.

And then, Shi attacks. Kasuo may be weak and emo, but he still knows his moves. Power surges into the sky - everyone sees it.

And then, Shi holds up the sword, Kasuo's hands on it .... and stabs himself. Kasuo catches his brother and hold Shi (with Shi’s head on his shoulder) in his arms as Shi dies. To transfer the load of his immortal power to Kasuo. It's the only thing he can still do for his brother.

Just when a completely devastated Kasuo (who is holding Shi’s body in his arms) takes the sword to stick it into himself too the flute sounds. But it isn't Shi playing it, it's Xin Gui. She was told to do this by Shi when he was still alive, to prevent Kasuo from descending into madness. All the other are there now, and Yan Da is also coming. Shi gave Xin Gui a message for his bro - and the ring he wanted to give to Li Luo back when (Shi has been safeguarding it).

When Kasuo touches it, he falls asleep immediately. Neat. And he dreams. Of Shi - who takes him through their past. And he gets his explanation. Shi did all of this to fulfill Kasuo's wish: to be free like a sleat bird. To enjoy simply happiness. And to go against Daddy Yuan Ji, who has vowed to kill Kasuo one day. He realized he cannot give him freedom - but he can give him power. Enough power to fight against his future - and Yuan Ji.

### **After Shi’s death and Shi’s ghost**

Kasuo grives Shi’s death - but puts his newly gained tremendous powers to very good use: He's cultivating the Six-leaf Ice Crystal to restore the Ice Sheath! And talks to Shi's ghost. The only thing he truly wishes for is the power to turn back time - but he doesn't have it.

Kasuo buries the Deicide deep in the snow at Shi's grave and then cries at the seaside with some alcohol. Granny is always near, watching him mourn Shi who Kasuo wishes was still alive.

He takes off his kingly regalia, refuses to take the Deicide with him (even though everybody knows he will need it to defeat Yuan Ji - it's because he hates the sword for being the tool that murdered Shi.

Kasuo is in the Snowy throne room where he meets all his ghosts. Li Luo, Lan Shang and Shi. Li Luo waits for him with flowers in her hands, but Lan Shang turns up and accuses him of throwing her under the train.When she attacks Li Luo, The Deicide appears in Kasuo's hand and he stabs Lan Shang with it. Only, she turns into Shi that very second. And when he takes him into his arms, it is Li Luo. And then, they all disappear.

Alright, they go back to the entrance and demand to take the test again - and when they get the chance, they enter through other doors than yesterday.
• Dreamer gets to reason with the yellow warblers
• Luna hypnotizes/kills (?) Huang Tuo's father
• Huang Tuo goes up against the crazy Luna sister Yue Zhao
• Bear meets and defeats his mother-in-law
• Eagle meets and has to fight ... himself.. He learns a lesson: his demons came from his sense of inferiority. He has to get rid of that. He stabs himself - his mirror image does the same.
• Chao Ya tells Kasuo's three lovers to stop arguing and plays them a tune on her harp. They dissolve.
• Kasuo, He is the one who gets to stand on the cliff and jump.

### **Sword Spirit Shi**

The other think that it is Ying Kong Shi, but they are mistaken No, this is a new Sword Fairy, created by a part of Shi's soul that sought refuge in the sword. Sword Fairy Shi is tiny, cute, and very juvenile. Kasuo immediately starts crying. But Sword Fairy Shi does not recognize any of them, nor does he remember ever being (part of) Shi.

After Little Shi has gone back to sleep inside the sword, Granny force-blasts Kasuo. But not to harm him! She is transferring her immortal powers to him.

Kasuo think and tries to summon the Shi Fairy. But Shi Fairy is on the frozen lake to play. Yan Da is there too! She's been observing everything and everyone all the time. Shi Fairy doesn't remember her either and asks whether a Yan Da is edible. She shares a bit of her soul with him. Yan Da is very happy to have him "back".

While all the other are captured, Yan Da is still confused about where everybody went. But she manages to summon Shi Fairy there! (Whom she decides to call Yun Fei) With some of her tasty soul, that he gobbles up. He boats about how he will soon eat up Kasuo as well, but then realizes that Kasuo might be in danger from Qin Ren, which he doesn't like, because it's his food and all. So he agrees to help her free them (She needs them to find the Veiled Lotus for her).

Shi Fairy goes to the cell everybody is held in and tells them to look for a gap to crack the bangles open. And just like that, Kasuo knows the answer. They have their powers back and after a while, they are victorious. It takes Kasuo and his sword and a tip from Shi to defeat and kill the Demolisher. One Guardian down! Lian Ji flees when she gets a chance.

Shi, popping out of the sword gauntlet because he wants to feed on some souls, delivers an important clue. Dieche, so he claims, is the only immortal here - all the other life forms around her are just spirits with no physical form. Queen Chi Lan? Only an after-image. He calls everyone into his dream after this funny interlude with Fairy Shi, left alone at the Psycho-Palace, very confused about where everybody went.

In Yuan Ji's hall, Lotus is praying to the Veiled Lotus to resurrect her son Shi. He appears, looking like a ghost and she is so happy to have him back! All her sacrifices - worth it! "Thanks, mum", he says, "but I have to go see my brother now".

Kasuo thinks, since the mortal realm reminds him of Li Luo. Out comes Fairy Shi, all angry about Kasuo's "sadness stink". He wants happiness!, looks what happened to the Deicide Sword Fairy ... it's all cheery now! Kasuo follows Fairy Shi outside and realizes that it remembers the smell of burnt fish. Does that mean this Fairy has real Shi memories?!

A fierce battle ensues. They manage to slam the Deicide out of Kasuo hand. Because now comes Phoenix and takes it. The thieving bird wants to destroy Shi! Swordfairy Shi! But Yan Da won’t have that. She joins the battle, for Shi! She puts little Shi on a ledge, throws the Deicide back to Kasuo and fights Yuan Ji’s birds, who have also joined the raging battle.

Shi is watching from the side, gleefully, because he foresees many delicious souls floating around soon.. Lian Ji becomes aware of him, is stunned! But Shi doesn’t believe her she’s his mother. Does she think he’s stupid? She is much too young to be his mother.

Phoenix comes and says he’ll take care of Shi, Lotus can go back and fight. But Yan Da warns her - Yuan Ji never wanted to resurrect Shi! He only wants himself resurrected! Well, it’s not like Lian Ji is dumb. She knows it’s true and probably has known for quite some time, deep inside. Yuan Ji sees her waver, hears her say she only wants to protect Shi.

Only Kasuo and Yan Da are still standing! Soon later, it looks like they're losing too. Shi is catapulted into the room - and he puts his tiny little arms up protectively, telling the God/dess that s/he cannot kill his friends! That makes shi’s mother pause. When s/he lifts one arm with the one sword to strike, the other arm with the other sword stops it.
Lian Ji picks the Deicide up. Shi once again positions himself between her and his two friend-souls. Yuan Ji is screaming somewhere to the side. Ji is deeply and visibly moved by Fairy Shi and his readiness to protect what he cares for, even in this tiny (cute) form.

In a moment of inattentiveness, Yuan Ji possesses her again. But Lian Ji resist … she resists his command to slay Kasuo and destroy Shi forever. And then, she goes for the only option that can save her son. She kills herself with the Deicide.

Kasuo does the math and says - for those of us who didn’t pay attention - that only Shi, Li Luo and Lan Shang can be resurrected.

There is another obstacle though. If they want the Lotus to bloom, they need to offer souls of ALL the tribes. When the Lotus gets picked, those souls will truly be gone. Kasuo hesitates. Yan Da says these souls are lost to us anyway. And making the Lotus bloom will at least mean Yin Kong Shi will be saved!

Fairy Shi comes to have a look too.

The Lotus asks what they wish for and Kasuo says he wants Li Luo and Lan Shang to regain consciousness. And he wants his brother Ying Kong Shi to be resurrected. The Lotus says “as you wish” and three blue lights appear, dancing all around them.

Poor Shi fairy is in a lot of pain. Yan Da and Kasuo (the others must have stepped out again for a sec) stare at him sadly, he waves a last goodbye - and dissolves. Then, Kasuo and everyone else is on an block of ice, zooming through the air. That’s as far as Yan Da’s love for them goes though - she wants to go her separate ways. A lengthy goodbye follows. Yan Da tells Kasuo to make sure Shi is treated well once he returns, which he promises.

### **Li Jin Tian**

Yan Da on the other hand is missing Shi like crazy … but the new Fire Tribe General comes to challenge her to a match. He knows she’s fought alongside Kasuo and wants to find out more! In the skirmish that follows, his mask flies off and Yan Da recognizes him …. it’s Ying Kong Shi!

She soon realizes he has no recollection of who he was and the Fire King makes quite sure she cannot talk to him any further. To him, he is a gift, a tool of revenge. He picked him up at the border and heard him rage about how he wanted to kill Kasuo. Fire King knows how to seize an opportunity like this! He made sure to brainwash Shi with further stories about how horrible Kasuo was to him, only because he is of a different tribe. He swears to take horrible revenge on Kasuo. Yan Da doesn’t like this at all - since it only means more suffering for Shi. But the Fire King threatens to kill her … or rather him! if she dares tell the new Shi the truth.

The new Shi hears voices screaming to “kill him, kill him”! And then …. he hears the flute. Kasuo is playing on his flute! The new Shi stops the sound with a blast … but he is confused. The flute he lost when he threw his white garbs into a lake of fire. I think it’s still lying there on the ledge, not melting.

Shi shows off his powers and Phoenix is quite impressed, though he clearly hates Fire Shi. But are Shi's powers enough to kill Kasuo? Later, Yan Da tries to get close to Fire Shi - she even sets fireworks off for him. He is rude and she likes it, because that's her Shi. He asks about the tribes that there are and shows some reaction when she mentions the Mermaids.

Flame is gloating about Fire Shi ... but says means things right after. He knows Fire Shi - whose true identity is Ying Kong Shi! - will destroy himself when he goes against Kasuo. And destroy Kasuo as well. Fire Shi says they don't need any allies. They just need to kill Kasuo and it's game over. But Yan Da says they need to win over the Mermaids if they want to be successful. Fire Shi says he will find out the Mermaids' weakness then.

Fire Shi observes her in secret... he understands that the Mermaid Saint's weakness is Lan Shang. Fire Shi is still following her, hooded and all. Fire Shi is right behind her again. Seeing Kasuo with his love hits her hard. Lan Shang runs away, but she doesn't get far. She starts smoking again and collapses... into Fire Shi's arms. She is ice cold. He takes her on his boat ... and applies his special powers to her, probably saving her (for the time being). He puzzles over her fate ... in love with Kasuo, who is in love with Li Luo. And then, Fire Shi takes Lan Shang straight to the Mermaid Saint.

Fire Shi, very much disguised thanks to his mask and is still with the Mermaids after dropping fake Lan Shang off. When he's about to leave, Kasuo starts playing the flute - because Shi carries the flute around with him, there's a flute sound. The Mermaid Saint is surprised. He claims someone who has lost his memory left him the flute. Mermaid Saint says that his brother Ying Kong Shi has the fluteBut he now understands the flute is his ticket into Snowblade City!

Guardian Lu Zhao picks Fire Shi out though and asks him to remove his mask. He refuses, of course, but Kasuo intervenes and says they have to respect his privacy. Fire Shi lies that he is a traveling immortal without home - come to bring Kasuo something important.

Indeed, he has the magic flute! He tells him the same story, that he got it from an immortal who has obviously lost his memory. Fire Shi's disguise is so good, Kasuo doesn't see it's his brother. He goes to play on the flute for a bit - yes, not on the leaf - while Fire Shi watches him from behind. What comfort for Kasuo to know his brother is alive!

Kasuo takes Fire Shi sightseeing and finally takes him to the Withering Blossom Hill (where Shi's grave is). Fire Shi reminds Kasuo of his brother because he, too, asked why the trees are always in bloom. They wander over to Lotus' grave, and Fire Shi wants to know how she died. "I couldn't save her in time", says Kasuo and is obviously sad. Fire Shi learns that Kasuo didn't directly kill her. But is he willing to listen? When he touches the gravestone, he has memories of being little Shi and with his mother.

Many, many painful minutes later, we finally see Fire Shi again. He is launching miniature fire works at his mother's grave. So sweet. Yan Da comes along. She is moved and knows he remembers. Even if he lies about it. She suggests they should elope together.

Fire Shi and Yan Da talk on one of the ice balconies. About how Shi will kill Kasuo. Sadly, she is still under Phoenix's spell and can't say what she really wants to say.

We cut to the throne room, the Deicide, Kasuo and Fire Shi with mask and cape, who tells Kasuo about Flame's latest move. Kasuo heads out to help - he has no fear of losing his powers again. Fire Shi is impressed.

Kasuo appears at the scene, to see what's going on. Everybody is out looking for Xing Jiu. They decide to take Yan Da prisoner to find out how to break into Desperadom. Wait, the only one who ever did break in was Shi back in the day! Yan Da knows nothing. Lan Shang says "if only Ying Kong Shi was here". Yes, if only. They're all "shame he can never come home", but Kasuo says: he is here. Before he gave him back Li Luo's ring, he sealed a part of his soul inside the ring.

Kasuo magicks the ring and just when Dreamer thinks he can die to be free of pain and grief, Shi's most precious memory comes out of the ring (Fire Shi is like "Why did I put it there in the first place if I've always hated Kasuo?" But the real turning point is Shi stepping in. He wants to fight against Flame. Well, Flame has no powers left, so it's back to fighting like the mortals do. Shi whispers to Flame that he has to lose if he wants to see Kasuo's corpse tonight. Flame loses, Fire Shi wins. Lan Shang collapses due to a cold spell attack. As before, Shi saves her, this time in front of everyone.

Fire Shi approaches Kasuo who is lingering outside Lan Shang's room and doesn't dare go in. Shi asks for a reward for winning - he wants to use the Deicide. They go to Withering Flower Hill Blossom and Kasuo summons the Deicide into Shi's hand. And then, Shi launches into a series of sword exercises. Kasuo is surprised he wields it like his brother used to! And then, Shi attacks Kasuo with the sword.

At which point Fire Shi first captures Li Luo by the neck and then grabs Lan Shang too (after removing his magic protection from her Frozen Spell to pressure Kasuo). His masks falls off. Kasuo goes: "Shi!" And .... "don't you recognize me anymore?" Shi: "Yes I do! You killed me". And he zips off with his two hostages. Kasuo looks puzzled. It doesn't seem like he knew this was his brother before.

Flame is pissed Kasuo is still alive but Shi says he will soon kill him.

Kasuo shares the incredible news about Fire Shi being the reborn Shi with everyone else. It explains things . Kasuo rightly suspects Shi has lost his memory and that is why he wants revenge.

Flame continues to eat Phoenix's men while Fire Shi is struggling with the truth (and his and against Yuan Ji's voice to kill Kasuo. Lan Shang's Frozen Syndrome is acting up! Shi saves her. Flame lurks. Yan Da too. Shi seems to be able to read minds? In any case, he tells Li Luo, who just thought about this, that the only way Lan Shang can be cured is to put a part of Shi's soul into her body.

Flame pays Mermaid Saint a visit, to make a deal. It's about the survival of Lan Shang. And the deal is: Kasuo dies, Lan Shang gets part of Shi's soul. In reverse, Lan Shang dies when Shi dies. He wants this of her to ensure that Kasuo dies: fill Infinity Ocean with land so that they can just walk over.

On the eve of battle, Yan Da tells Shi it matters whom you WANT to be. And he has to make sure it is the real him speaking before he listens to voices inside of him. When Shi hears "kill him, kill Kasuo" again, he remembers exactly what happened because he listened to her advice. He killed HIMSELF. For his brother.

And he throws his mask into the ocean.

In the meantime, Shi is waltzing into the prison Lan Shang and Li Luo are kept in. Lan Shang has another cold spell attack when she insults him for being a brat - exactly like he expected. He helps her again. Some guards appear to take the women away and Shi lets them, but only after finding out where to.

He then goes to see Flame (Shi = angry) and finds out about an impending attack on the Ice Realm.

Everybody regroups and right when Flame gives the order to kill Lan Shang and Li Luo (they are now useless to him), he gets surrounded by the other and the Old King. He still lifts the two up in a magic bubble and ... Shi intervenes. This is his bait for luring in Kasuo, he says! That's why Flame and his generals disappear and so do the Icelings, leaving Shi alone with the hostages.

Kasuo is still all alone In the throne room, Shi approaches him, he has been waiting there all this time. Kasuo asks: "Do you really hate me?". Fire Shi goes: "Of course, you killed me and my mother!" Fair enough. Kasuo claims that Shi is "still hesitant" to kill him though.

Shi is in no mood for talky-talks though. There is an hourglass and if it runs out, he gave orders to kill Lan Shang and Li Luo. And if Kasuo loses, he will never see them again either. They take it outside - to Withering Blossom Hillside.

That location affects Fire Shi - he goes all crazy-eyed. But then, he attacks and him and his brother fight. Whenever he gets a breather, Kasuo tells him what happened back then, when they fought here before. And Shi ... remembers. Reluctantly, but he does!

Kasuo talks about how Shi once saved him and how he wants to save his life now. Still, Yuan Ji shouts "kill him, kill him" in Shi's head and it drives him crazy. Kasuo says, come, take all your powers back from me! Kasuo thinks that if he dies, Yuan Ji's curse will lose its power and everyone will return to normal.
He lets Shi win and then tells him to kill him. And release Lan Shang and Li Luo! If Shi doesn't do it himself, he will. He seizes the Deicide and is about to impale himself on it .... like Shi did before! And Shi remembers. Again, because he did remember this before. So now, he really remembers.

Of course, Shi doesn't want to kill Kasuo anymore now, which is a problem, considering that stupid curse. Kasuo says: "this is the day we meet again". And he touches his brother, at the temple, and Fire Shi collapses.

### **Ice Shi**

At Withering Blossom Hillside, Fire Shi has turned into Ice Shi again. The brothers have each other again! Yan Da arrives with Li Luo and Lan Shang. But suddenly, Flame appears too. And he has Shi stab Kasuo with a simple movement of his hand. Through the heart (or thereabouts). But the Deicide cannot harm KasuoAfter a short moment of pain, Kasuo goes up against Flame and there is a massive discharge of power.

That moment, the false souls in Lan Shang and Li Luo start acting up, massively, until the two ladies collapse. Yan Da whispers: "Could it be that Yuan Ji's curse is now broken?" Pray, tell me why? But indeed, the souls are back in the real bodies because Kasuo was stabbed by the Deicide.

Kasuo is now dying in his brother's arms. He has a final, sacred wish: He wants Shi to rule them all. Including the Sacred Snow People. And there will be no more war in the three realms from this day onwards, because Shi is the best ruler there will ever be. Amen. But how can Shi live without Kasuo! Kasuo repeats: "We are parted so that we may meet again"

Shi grabs the Deicide and runs away, just as Lan Shang and Li Luo wake up. Shi pursues Yan Da and her father (who is looking quite sane and a bit wounded) and catches up with them in the Snowmist Forest. Flame thinks Shi has "lost control" and blasts him with fire power - a lot of it. Yan Da intervenes - she forbids more killing! Or the ancestors of the Fire Tribe will intervene!

Flame is very lusty for Shi's special soul though. He directs his fire power towards Yan Da now! And that gives Shi an opportunity to regain his - he blasts Flame and ... I don't know, blasts all the other souls out of him? He claims Flame has only his own soul left now. Shi,says: "Would you like me to kill you or have you tortured to death?" But Yan Da intervenes (again), before Shi can kill Flame. She jumped in between the two men, shielding her father. Behind her, Flame gets up ... and uses her body to launch an attack on Shi.

Shi jumps over Yan Da's body and kills Flame.

But it's too late for Yan Da, she dies, in Shi's arms. She asks "have you ever liked me?", but before he can ask himself that and answer, she dies. And becomes fire particles. He says: "Thank you. You are my most beautiful friend. And my best friend". ( just like his ancestor Xian Xue) There are fireworks at the very end.

Shi asks for a method to save him - maybe the Veiled Lotus? Darling, the flowering season of that one has ended. It's gone. But Shi is not one to give up easily! He asks Dreamer whether there might be an even more mystic sacred object than the Veiled Lotus? Of course there is. Dreamer knows of a sealed book in the Heavenly Hall of Sacred Snow Mountain and it records all mystical objects beyond the three realms.

Shi is mighty interested and Dreamer tells him that the blood red lotus is even more mysterious and frightening than the Veiled Lotus. He goes to see his Granny to say goodbye (yes, she is still alive and still demented and still lives in the forest) but she doesn't even notice him. Shortly after Shi has left, Li Luo also comes to see Granny - and notices that Granny is crying. Granny thinks Li Luo is Kasuo and says "do you know that Ying Kong Shi and Li Luo are the most important parts of your life? In whatever time and space you will always reunite and be entangled life after life."

Later, she goes to look at Kasuo's comatose body, which is at Withering Blossom Hillside. They froze his heart, too, to make sure he wouldn't properly die. She tells him that Shi did not turn up to his coronation. In a letter, he turned governing power over to all the tribes, wishing for them to coexist under peaceful autonomous governance, like they once did. He promised to return with the Deicide if ever there was someone evil again, trying to take over the three realms.

Furthermore, Dreamer got him "into a dream of the world that existed 10'000 years ago". He could confirm there is a legendary book in Sacred Snow Mountain. In it, it is written that "only a king's true and sincere intentions can summon the Blood-red Lotus to save" Kasuo. Shi went to search for that red thing.

### **Shi’s Second Death**

Later Shi is flying ... over clouds, in front of ice, and he is thinking of that one wish his brother had - to be free like the birds and not have the heavy duties of a King. And little Shi's promise, back then, to fulfill his brother's wish!

Flying Shi turns into a Sleet Bird ... and demented Granny looks up and says "Ying Kong Shi? Sleet Bird? Would the three realms really split up? Would there really be a new world?" And the scene shifts and a Sleet Bird crashes into the rock on prisoner island, blood splatters and it's that dream, with Kasuo, the King, staring at the blood in the snow, crying a tear and the red crystals exploding and Granny realizes ... "he wishes to bring him freedom." And "their past and present ... their destinies ... " and she cries "no! don't! Please don't return to those agonizing times! No!"

Anyway, a Sleet Bird now crashes into the rock and millions of red crystals sprout. The Red Lotus? Probably. And the sacrifice of a King. Because on Withering Blossom Hillside, Kasuo wakes up.

Xing jiu suggted tribute paesent gits

## **Personality**

Ying Kong shi is Silent, cold, and mysterious in nature. Though Shi does care love about those he cares about.

Shi’s harsh childhood had shaped his personality. Hi did not trust people very easily.

Like Xian Xue who Ying Kong Shi is the reincarnation off Shi was Mysterious.

Shi was also very good at lying to people.

**Physical Appearance**

When he turned into a Snow bird Shi has white feathers with some black feathers and black eyes with orange feet.When in his human form Ying Kong Shi has white hair and blue eyes (Dark Blue) later one blue and and one amber eye before turning back to blue and has a pale skin complex like the rest of the Ice Tribe.

Ying Kong Shi also wears white and silver clothes like the other Ice Tribes members do.

It should be noted that Ying Kong Shi who is Xian Xue’s Reincarnation seems to wear one of the outfits Xian Xue wore when still alive. That could because as Ying Kong Shi looks exactly like Xian Xue and Shi and Xian Xue are the same person though Shi does not have Xian Xue’s knowledge or memoires that Shi was given the outfit to wear when became an adult.

Ying Kong Shi when in his human Form looks exactly like his past reincarnation Xian Xue as they are basically the same person but different personality and they don’t have each other’s knowledge or memories.

**Reincarnation**

Xian Xue would be reincarnated about a thousand years later as Ying Kong Shi who was Yuan Ji’s son and Prince of the Ice Fire tribe and the Ice tribe as well as Ka Suo younger half-brother.

Ying Kong Shi would meet his past reincarnation Xian Xue after Shi stopped Yan Zhu from going back to the time Yuan Ji was ruling Snow mountain and Xian Xue was still alive. Xian Xue just appears before Shi but doesn’t say anything to Shi.

## Relationships

### Family members

#### Xian Xue

Xian Xue is Ying Kong Shi's ancestor and reincarnation . It's uncertain if Shi ever knew about Xian Xue, but as the Ice Tribe never knew anything about Xian Xue , it can be presumed that Shi never knew he was Xian Xue's reincarnation

Shi meets Xian Xue after Shi defeated Yan Zhu and stopped her from going back to the time where Yuan Ji was still ruling the mountain and Xian Xue was still alive, when Shi himself ends up going back to that time to save everyone. Xian Xue just appears before him with a smile on his face but doesn’t say anything to Shi.

When Shi sees Xian Xue, he smiles at him as if Shi recognised Xian Xue, it could be that by then Shi had found out about Xian Xue and Knew he was Xian Xue reincarnation.

#### Ka Suo

Ka Suo is Shi's older half brother . Ka Suo loves nothing more than being in care with his family . Ka Suo often playing swinging with Shi when they were children which Kasuo

Ka Suo is very protective of Shi . Kasuo learns of the Seven Saints ... and is told what happened when they tried to foretell Shi's destiny, like they do with every one of the Ice King's children: The ringleader died. And everyone else who tried to read Shi's future was severely injured . Everyone else who tried to read Shi's future was severely injured . The magical cubes declared Kasuo the future king and tell him that he can not lose . And in case Ka Suo lose tell him , they will simply kill Shi. Shi wants to set Kasuo free - which means he wants to become king so that Kasuo can live a life as free as the sleet birds - but Kasuo now knows that he cannot let Shi win: it means Shi will die. Kasuo actually secretly wishes for Shi to kill him and flee afterwards, as he hangs up there.

### Fire Tribe

#### Yan Da

Yan Da is Ying Kong Shi's lover . Yan Da takes interest with Shi and does anything , even willing to sacrifice her life for the man she loves .