Xie Lian ascends a third time, accidentally tearing down two heavenly officials' palaces; in their debt and at his wits' end, Xie Lian is tasked with solving a case filled with monsters, mystery and missing brides.

Xie Lian discovers the Ming Guang temple, which supposedly doesn't exist, and finds the 17 brides; when the ghost groom arrives, he's able to change his appearance and hide among the brides.

Xie Lian discovers Xuan Ji is the Ghost Groom just as she appears and goes on a killing spree; Xie Lian overpowers her before learning the truth; when General Pei was in the earthly realm, he courted Xuan Ji, an enemy general.

Xie Lian continues to search for the bandaged boy to no avail; he returns to heaven and finds out the mysterious young man in red is Hua Cheng, who defeated 33 heavenly officials, and whose name is accompanied by fear in that realm.

Despite his apprehensions, Xie Lian's kindness prevails and he takes San Lang to the Chestnut Temple; San Lang's sincerity and talent raise more questions, especially when it is revealed he knew what Xie Lian looked like when he was crown prince.

Xie Lian finds the story of Half-Moon Pass strange and asks the heavenly officials about what transpired there; it becomes clear that a senior heavenly official is behind the disappearances and no one dares look into it.