noble aspiratons 2 spoilers ahead

1.Xiao Fan was given the Blood Pearl, and he is unable to sleep, not because his parents were killed, but because he is recalling what the stranger said: destroy the pearl somewhere secret, unseen (I really wonder if destroying it is a good thing because that guy was pretty shady)

2.Xiao Fan gets out of bed and eavesdrops on a conversation between Elder Brother (Tian?) and a female teacher: they are discussing how odd it is that someone would target such an obscure area, and that only those two survive. They speculate that it is a demonic sect seeking to learn blood magic

3.Xiao Fan sneaks out to see Jing Yu, and then they are attacked by a mysterious robed figure. But Xiao Fan's shifu (Tian?) and the sect leader intervenes and saves them (we are treated to a nice display of swordplay and magic). The attacker flees.

4.Xiao Fan explains he thought the evil sect would return, so he left to investigate (unfortunately, as a viewer, I can only commend his bravery but shake my head at his stupidity--what was he going to do do?)

5.Jing Gu's shifu essentially points out he is weak and encourages him to use a 'special kind of hate'(?) to take down this enemy

6.I don't know what they were eating before but Xiao Fan should have no trouble fitting in as he now makes the food--later, after a charged teaching lesson Xiao Fan swears to be the guardian of the world. Only then is he allowed to enter Tian's sect

7.Although she is very young, Ling Er is very advanced (Xiao Fan is told on the first day of his trainings to cut down bamboo for three years not sure if this is true or a trick or hazing, anyways she shows up and makes him airborne)--in sharp contrast Jing Yu receives personal training from his sect leader from day 1....

6 Months Later
8.The kids look a little more grown up. Jing Yu's swordcraft is so excellent that it compares to his master. His master explains to him to not rush, that he needs his assistance in some matters, and to not lose his motivation when he achieves revenge....

9.In stark contrast, Xiao Fan is adhering to what I like to call the 'wax off, wax on' treatment because it isn't readily apparent how cutting bamboo trees can help him but he's doing it. Ling Er Explains that her father has them do this to strengthen their wrists and fundamental abilities....

Present Day
10.Ling Er continues to show Xiao Fan special treatment, even flies him out to some scenic places so they can spar (I thought she was the main female lead but it seems she isn't?)

11.We catch a glimpse of competition within this sect--Jing Yu's teacher seems rather smug that his student has progressed farther than Xiao Fan, who has trained a lot longer. But I bet the latter's patience will pay off....

12.Lin Er seems to be mischievous as she and Xiao Fan head to market with some of her father's prized magic grass (she even has an excuse for when she goes home)

13.I think we meet our female lead--she tries to swindle Xiao Fan--she reasons it is his fault for not checking the money immediately--he says she still owes him--

14.Xiao Fan and some other guy go into a book store (the owner looks like the owner of the blood pearl) and there they spy a princess-looking type--she seems to mesmerize them. Ling Er is trying to find them and then she overhears that the very shop that Xiao Fan is in has...sex books (scandal!)

The episode ends with Xiao Fan confronting a prince type....

*I liked this episode, the pacing was good, if a little slow
*We are starting to get our characters
*Not sure how I feel about the music.

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