Hua Qian Gu and Xuan Yuan Lang walked until sunset, but they could not find a way out of the forest. He explained the turtle demon he fought earlier had set up Qi Xing Mi maze so people on the outside could not go in while people inside could not go out. Hua Qian Gu showed him Tian Shui Di given to her by Yi Xiu Jun, thinking perhaps the pendant enabled her to walk into the maze.

Xuan Yuan Lang warned Hua Qian Gu to get rid of the pendant and stay away from Yi Xiu Ge. The royal palace viewed the secretive organization more threatening than demons. His imperial father had ordered that if people died in the palace possibly knew any secrets, their tongues would be cut off and burned to ashes before they were buried. The decree applied to everyone, from the emperor himself to concubines to eunuchs to maids. Even Xuan Yuan Lang’s mother was not spared from this.

Tired from walking around all day, Hua Qian Gu and Xuan Yuan Lang decided to rest for the night. Xuan Yuan Lang caught and grilled pheasants over a fire. The two of them became good friends as they ate and chatted about each other.

The next morning, Luo He Dong destroyed the turtle demon’s shell outside the maze. The maze disappeared, enabling him to find his lost disciple. Xuan Yuan Lang told his teacher about Hua Qian Gu and her wish to be a Taoist priest on Mount Mao.

Luo He Dong agreed to give Hua Qian Gu a referral, but he did not know how to write so he recorded a message into a snail’s shell, asking Taoist Priest Qing Xu to accept Hua Qian Gu as a disciple. Luo He Dong and Xuan Yuan Lang needed to leave immediately for the royal palace because Xuan Yuan Lang’s father had sent an urgent request for help. Xuan Yuan Lang and Hua Qian Gu made a pact to be sworn brothers.

Luo He Dong expanded his wine gourd until it was big enough for him and Xuan Yuan Lang to sit on, and they flew off. Luo He Dong recognized Hua Qian Gu was a girl but decided to let his wayward disciple continue thinking Hua Qian Gu was a boy. He warned Xuan Yuan Lang to stay away because Hua Qian Gu was cursed. Xuan Yuan Lang said arrogantly that he could be friends with whomever he wanted because everything in the world was under his control.