Mural

Zhu Xiaolian and his page Hou Xia push toward the capital to sit for the imperial examination. On the road, they collide with the fierce bandit Meng Longtan, and a clash tests their wits and courage. After the skirmish, the travelers decide to press on toward their goal.

At an ancient temple, a monk named BuDong speaks with quiet authority and urges reconciliation rather than ongoing fighting. He counsels the travelers to choose harmony and avoid needless conflict. The trio heeds the monk's advice and continues their journey.

Inside the temple, Zhu Xiaolian uncovers a mural that seems to breathe with life. The caravan of painted figures moves, pulling him closer with an almost magnetic pull. The moment foreshadows a crossing into another world.

As he stares, the mural folds inward and Zhu Xiaolian is drawn into WanHuaLin, a dazzling fairyland. A luminous fairy named Peony emerges from the painting and ushers him into this otherworldly space.

WanHuaLin is populated almost entirely by fairies under a stern leader named Auntie. The realm forbids romantic feelings toward men, and trespassers who enter without permission are dealt with harshly.

Zhu Xiaolian encounters Shaoyao, the fairy successor who quietly guides him through the dangers of this domain. She helps him slip past Auntie’s watchful eyes. Together they begin to navigate the palace-like politics of WanHuaLin.

Peony is captured by Auntie for bringing a man into WanHuaLin and for defying the strict rules. Her capture heightens the danger for all outsiders and reveals Auntie’s grip on the realm.

Back in the human world, Zhu Xiaolian learns from his page that the mural depicts more than fantasy; it is a warning of hell itself. Driven by duty, he resolves to return to the Painting Wall. With BuDong's aid, he, Hou Xia, and Meng Longtan prepare to re-enter WanHuaLin.

Auntie appears to welcome their presence and proposes a stark bargain: they must choose wives from among the fairies to sustain the Forest’s lineage. The men agree to the arrangement, disguising their intentions to survive in this perilous world.

Zhu Xiaolian pretends to select Cui Zhu as his wife, while Hou Xia and Meng Longtan also pick partners. None realizes Auntie’s hidden plan—to use them and then kill them.

News arrives that Peony is being held by Auntie. Zhu Xiaolian seeks Shaoyao’s aid to mount a rescue and free Peony. The group hatches a plan to breach Auntie’s guard and free Peony.

A cascade of magical adventures and tests of loyalty unfolds as they navigate WanHuaLin. The lines between art, dream, and danger blur as they strive to rescue Peony. The trio’s resolve hardens in the face of Auntie’s schemes.

The trio strives to save Peony and unravel Auntie’s web of power. They confront moral choices and fight to alter the fate of the Forest of Ten Thousand Flowers.